SUNDAY NOTES 3.1.26
Jesus doesn’t avoid graveyards—He crosses to the other side, steps into darkness, and confronts what death has claimed in order to restore what belongs to Him. In Mark 5:1–20, we see that the grave doesn’t get the final word—because when Jesus invades our chaos, He doesn’t manage it, He redeems it and turns our past pain into present purpose.
Today’s Setlist:
THE JOY
ALL HAIL KING JESUS
THE WONDERFUL BLOOD
DO IT AGAIN
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SERMON NOTES
Bankrupt the Grave: Week 5
”He HEALS THE BROKEN”
Mark 5:1-20
1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
DEATH AND DARKNESS DEHUMANIZE
JESUS INVADES WHAT DEATH HAS CLAIMED
His authority is expanding before our eyes.
AUTHORITY RESTORES ORDER
THE GRAVE DOESN’T GET THE FINAL WORD
Mark 5:17-18
Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
Mark 5:19-20
Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
What’s Coming Up at Vertical
We are thrilled to throw the biggest party for our community in the history of Vertical. Join us for our Spring Block Party on March 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM—a high-energy, joy-filled morning designed especially for young families in our surrounding neighborhoods. We’ll be announcing all the activities and vendors soon. Every detail is built to serve, love, and connect. Enjoy popcorn, cotton candy, lemonade, iced coffee, and more as we create space for families to laugh, play, and build real relationships. This isn’t just an event—it’s a clear on-ramp to Good Friday and Easter at Vertical, and we can’t wait to welcome our community into the life of our church.
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SUNDAY NOTES 2.22.26
At Vertical, we believe spiritual transformation always follows a clear and intentional pathway: ENCOUNTER GOD, FOLLOW JESUS, EXPERIENCE FREEDOM, and MAKE AN IMPACT.
Today’s Setlist:
I KNOW A NAME
HOLY SPIRIT
BACK TO LIFE
GOOD PLANS
SERMON NOTES
Bankrupt the Grave: Week 4
Mark 4:35–41 NLT
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Mark 4:35-36
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out
FEAR ISN'T FAILURE
Mark 5:37
But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Mark 4:40
Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
QUESTION YOUR FEAR
Fear shows us what we believe
is ultimate in that moment.
Mark 4:38
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
Do you even care?
Fear says,
“I am not safe because I am not in control.”
Faith says,
“I may not be in control, but He is present.”
HE HAS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY.
Peace is not the absence of waves.
Peace is the presence of Jesus in the boat.
SUNDAY NOTES 2.15.26
At Vertical, we believe spiritual transformation always follows a clear and intentional pathway: ENCOUNTER GOD, FOLLOW JESUS, EXPERIENCE FREEDOM, and MAKE AN IMPACT.
Today’s Setlist:
Move of god
Who else
do It Again
At the Altar
SERMON NOTES
Bankrupt the Grave: Week 3
Mark 2:1–12
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
THE FAITH OF A FRIEND MATTERS
HE SEES THEIR FAITH.
HE FORGIVES FIRST
If God gave us everything we thought we wanted without healing our hearts, it would destroy us.
ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS
Mark 2:7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
WHICH IS EASIER?
SUNDAY NOTES 2.8.26
At Vertical, we believe spiritual transformation always follows a clear and intentional pathway: ENCOUNTER GOD, FOLLOW JESUS, EXPERIENCE FREEDOM, and MAKE AN IMPACT.
Today’s Setlist:
I KNOW A NAME
GOOD PLANS
MORE THAN ABLE
BACK TO LIFE
Baptism Sunday - February 15
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Baptism is a public declaration of a personal decision to follow Jesus. It represents the old life being buried and a new life raised in Christ, marking the beginning of a transformed journey. If you’ve put your faith in Jesus, baptism is your next obedient step.
SERMON NOTES
Bankrupt the Grave: Week 2
Mark 1:22
“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”
Mark 1:25–26
“‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.”
Mark 1:30–31
“Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever… So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her.”
Mark 1:32–34
“The people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed… and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons.”
Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Mark 1:40 says,
“A man with leprosy came to Him.”
Leviticus 13:45–46
Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean! As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.
UNCLEAN
THEY HAD TO SHOUT THEIR SIN
WE HIDE WHAT THEY HAD TO SHOUT
THERE IS HEALING IN HIS HAND
CLOSE THE DISTANCE
SUNDAY NOTES 2.1.26
At Vertical, we believe spiritual transformation always follows a clear and intentional pathway: ENCOUNTER GOD, FOLLOW JESUS, EXPERIENCE FREEDOM, and MAKE AN IMPACT.
Today’s Setlist:
The Joy
Bless God
Good Plans
Make Room
Rooted Groups - February 1
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Rooted Groups are where real life and real faith meet in real community. These groups are designed to help you grow spiritually, build meaningful relationships, and live out the way of Jesus together. No matter your stage of faith, Rooted Groups are where growth happens best.
Partner Class - FEBRUARY 8
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Partner Class is where we talk about commitment, ownership, and living on mission together as the church. You’ll learn what partnership means at Vertical, our beliefs and values, and how every believer plays a role in the body of Christ. This class is for those ready to say, “This is my church.”
Baptism Sunday - February 15
SIGN UP
Baptism is a public declaration of a personal decision to follow Jesus. It represents the old life being buried and a new life raised in Christ, marking the beginning of a transformed journey. If you’ve put your faith in Jesus, baptism is your next obedient step.
SERMON NOTES
Bankrupt the Grave: Week 1
Series Big Idea:
Jesus didn’t just come to simply defeat death; He came to empty it of its power over our lives. In the Gospel of Mark, we follow the real Jesus as He confronts the brokenness of our world and brings resurrection to the places we thought were dead.
Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark doesn’t start with dates or manuscripts or long lineages. It starts with something different. It's URGENT.
Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The time has come.
The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!