In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 4:1–20 in “Soil Samples Part 2A.”
Jesus’ parable of the soils shows that the seed is the Word of God, and the decisive issue is the condition of the heart. In this message, Pastor Bart focuses on the rocky ground—where the Word is received with immediate joy, but because there is no depth and no root in Christ, the response proves temporary.
Pastor Bart warns that salvation is not a feeling or a sentimental moment, but a real relationship with Jesus Christ received through repentance and faith. And when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word, those with shallow roots fall away—not because the gospel failed, but because their hope was anchored in something other than Christ.

Passage: Mark 4:1–20Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 4:1–20 in Part 1B of “Soil Samples.”
Jesus’ parable of the sower shows that the seed is the Word of God, and the decisive issue is the condition of the soil—our hearts. In this portion, Pastor Bart focuses on the hard-packed path, where the Word is heard but never received, and Satan immediately takes it away.
This message warns that hardened unbelief can appear as open rejection of Christ, but it can also be disguised as proud religion—being around Christianity without truly submitting to Jesus. Pastor Bart also explains how ongoing, unrepentant sin hardens the heart, and why the call of the gospel is not “get better before you come,” but to come to Christ in humility and repentance, trusting Him alone to save and to change.

Passage: Mark 4:1–20Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton begins teaching in Mark 4:1–20 in Part 1A of a message titled “Soil Samples.”
Mark highlights one of the rare extended teaching sections in his Gospel as Jesus teaches in parables beside the Sea of Galilee. Pastor Bart explains what a parable is, why Jesus uses parables to both reveal and conceal truth, and how this moment fits into the growing rejection of Jesus by Israel’s leaders.
Jesus’ parable of the sower shows that the seed is the Word of God, and the decisive issue is the condition of the soil—our hearts. In this first portion, Pastor Bart begins unpacking the hard-packed path, where the Word is heard but never received, and Satan immediately takes it away. The call is to listen, to heed, and to come to Christ with humility, repentance, and faith so the Word takes root and bears fruit.

Passage: Mark 4:1–20Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 3:31–35 in Part 2 of “Family Feud.”
In this passage, Jesus redefines what it means to truly belong to Him. When His mother and brothers stand outside seeking Him, Jesus points to those gathered around Him and declares that His true family is made up of “whoever does the will of God.” Pastor Bart explains that this is not salvation by works, but the fruit of saving faith—repentance and belief in Christ that produces obedience and a new set of priorities.
This message also highlights the privilege of adoption in the gospel: through faith in Christ, God brings sinners into His household, gives them a new identity as sons and heirs, and calls them to enjoy the nearness of a perfect Father.

Passage: Mark 3:31–35Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton begins teaching Mark 3:31–35 in Part 1 of “Family Feud.”
In this passage, Jesus’ mother and brothers arrive and send for Him, but Jesus uses the moment to redefine what it means to truly belong to Him. Rather than grounding His closest relationships in bloodlines or familiarity, Jesus looks at those gathered around Him and declares that His true family is made up of those who do the will of God.
Pastor Bart explains that this is not a call to earn salvation by works, but a clear mark of genuine faith: repentance and belief in Christ produce a life that desires and pursues obedience. And as Jesus identifies His disciples as His family, we’re reminded of the privilege of adoption—being brought from enemies to heirs—through faith in the gospel.

Passage: Mark 3:31–35Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 3:20–35 in Part 2 of “Being Right About Being Wrong.”
In this passage, Mark presents three responses to Jesus, and Pastor Bart brings us to the final and decisive one: true discipleship that belongs to Christ as family. Jesus’ own mother and brothers stand outside seeking Him, but Jesus points to those gathered around Him and teaches that His true family is defined by doing the will of God.
Pastor Bart shows that the gospel is not merely a warning about being wrong in dangerous ways—it is an invitation into forgiveness, adoption, and obedience that flows from real faith. And as this section closes, we’re pressed to examine whether we are merely near Jesus in familiarity, or truly His—hearing His word, submitting to His authority, and living as those who have been brought into the household of God.

Passage: Mark 3:20–35Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching in Mark 3. This week, we are in verses 20–35 in Part 1 of “Being Right about Being Wrong.”
Pastor Bart opens by magnifying the wonder of God’s forgiveness—salvation and pardon that cannot be earned, but is secured by Christ and offered by God according to the riches of His grace. But in Mark 3, that comfort is paired with a sobering warning: there is a sin that “never has forgiveness,” and eternity hangs on whether we respond rightly to Jesus.
In this first half, Pastor Bart introduces Mark’s “sandwich” structure in this passage and shows two of the three responses to Christ found in the text. Jesus’ own family responds by trying to seize Him and negotiate His ministry, while the scribes from Jerusalem respond with hardened condemnation—attributing the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ to Satan. Jesus answers them with clear logic, exposes their rebellion, and warns of the eternal danger of willful, informed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Passage: Mark 3:20–35Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 3:13–19 in Part 2 of “Help Wanted.”
In this passage, Jesus appoints the twelve apostles with a clear purpose: that they would be with Him, and that He would send them out to preach with His authority. Pastor Bart shows that Christ’s call to discipleship is total—Jesus does not ask for partial allegiance or a convenient religious add-on, but for a whole-life commitment that puts every other obligation in its proper place under obedience to Him.
This message also reminds us that Jesus often chooses those of no reputation—ordinary people with nothing to boast in—so that the power and fruit of ministry would be clearly attributed to Christ. And as Pastor Bart traces the cost paid by the apostles, we’re pressed with the question: is Christ worth our life, our plans, and our loyalties?

Passage: Mark 3:13–19Series: Gospel of Mark