Suffering is one of the most common objections to faith.
If God is good, why is there pain?

In Mark 5:21–43, we meet two people in deep anguish: a woman who had suffered for twelve years and a father desperate to save his daughter. Both came to Jesus. Both experienced His power. And both teach us something about enduring suffering with Christ.

This message is not about defending God.
It is about drawing near to Him in the middle of pain.

In this sermon, we explore:

The woman who was unclean but made clean

Jairus, a father pleading for his child

The suffering servant, Jesus Himself

The tension between healing and hardship

How Romans 8:18 and James 1:2–3 reshape our view of suffering

God may not always remove our suffering.
But He always meets us in it.

From Eden to Revelation, Scripture tells one story: God restoring what was broken. Pain is not the end of the story.

Highland City Church
Mark Series
February 15, 2026
Jared Montana Smith

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Too busy for Jesus
A series on the Gospel of Mark
Mark 5:1-20

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Is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit really unforgivable? And how do you know if you’ve committed it? In Mark 3:20–35, Jesus confronts two very different forms of rejecting Him — one ignorant and one willful, informed, and persistent.

In this sermon, Pastor Jared Montana Smith of Highland City Church carefully explains what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit actually is, why the Pharisees were guilty of it, and why fear over committing it is often evidence that you haven’t. Through real conversations with two men who wrestled with their salvation in very different ways, this message clarifies a doctrine that has terrified many sincere believers.

Jesus also introduces a radical shift in identity — that belonging to the family of God is not about bloodline or upbringing, but about submitting to the will of God by faith. This passage reminds us that unbelief can be dangerous, but grace is still available to those who repent and turn to Christ.

Scripture: Mark 3:20–35
Series: Mark
Speaker: Jared Montana Smith
Church: Highland City Church

If you’ve ever feared you were too far gone, this message is for you.

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What does fake faith look like — and how do you know if yours is the real thing? In Mark 3:7–12, people chase Jesus for miracles, demons shout His title, and yet almost no one truly recognizes Him as Lord.

Pastor Jared Montana Smith unpacks why a “God serves me” mindset destroys faith, especially when suffering hits. Including a personal story about his dad’s cancer and how misplaced expectations shook his sister’s faith, this message exposes how consumer Christianity twists our view of God.

Learn why Jesus stepped back from the crowds, why the demons tried to ignite an uprising, and why a faith built on blessings, emotions, or answered prayers will eventually collapse. True faith is built on Christ alone — not what He gives us, but who He is.

Scripture: Mark 3:7–12
Series: Mark
Speaker: Jared Montana Smith
Church: Highland City Church

If this message helps you, subscribe and share it with someone who needs encouragement.

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Why don’t Christians worship on the Sabbath (Saturday)?
Why do we gather on Sundays, and what does it mean that Jesus is our true rest?

In this message, Pastor Jared Montana from Highland City Church breaks down one of the most common questions Christians face — including the accusation that anyone who worships Jesus on Sunday has “taken the mark of the beast.” This sermon brings clarity straight from Scripture:

What Sabbath meant in the Old Covenant

A weekly rest rooted in creation

Commanded under Mosaic Law

A shadow pointing to Christ

How Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath

“Sabbath was made for man…” (Mark 2)

Jesus gives true rest (Matthew 11:28–29)

Eternal rest awaits believers (Hebrews 4:3–11)

Why Christians gather on Sunday

The early church met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7)

Sunday celebrates the resurrection — the dawn of new creation

Rest is not leisure — it’s drawing near to Christ.

Rest is not “kick your feet up and watch football.”
Rest is running to Him, dwelling in Him, and serving like Him.

If you’ve ever been told:
“You worship on the wrong day…”
“You’re disobeying the Law…”
“You’ve taken the mark…”

…this message gives biblical clarity and confidence.

👇 And yes — the Gospel is at the end.

🔥 Sermon Notes (Public-Friendly Version)

• Sabbath was a shadow; Jesus is the substance
• The command is fulfilled, not abolished
• True rest is in Christ, not a calendar day
• Early believers gathered on Sunday
• A healthy church serves, not soaks
• Rest = draw near to Jesus

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Legalism is killing the modern church—but Jesus confronted it head-on.

In this week’s message from our Leave Your Mark series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Jared Montana unpacks Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees over the Sabbath in Mark 2:23–28, showing how religious traditions often overshadow mercy, compassion, and the heart of God.

Drawing from 1 Samuel 21, Jared explains how even David and the priests prioritized mercy over rigid rules—and why Jesus uses that moment to correct the legalism of His day.

If you’ve ever felt judged by Christians…
If you’ve experienced churches valuing preference over people…
If you’ve been wounded by legalism…

This message will bring clarity, healing, and biblical truth.

🔑 Sermon Highlights

• Why Jesus says the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath
• Why the disciples didn’t break God’s law—but did break man-made tradition
• Modern examples of legalism in American Christianity
• Rituals vs. righteousness — how to worship God without losing the heart
• How legalism suffocates compassion, mercy, and discipleship
• Why Jesus declaring Himself Lord of the Sabbath is a direct claim to divinity
• The Gospel’s answer to a judgmental church culture

Whether you’re exploring faith, new to church, or looking to grow as a disciple of Jesus, this message will help you follow Christ with sincerity—not empty ritual.

📍 Highland City Church

Sundays • 11 AM
12472 Hwy 515 N, Ellijay, GA
Find life, purpose, and family.

✝️ Gospel Invitation

Jesus didn’t come to give you religion—He came to give you life. If you’re ready to take your next step in following Christ, we’d love to walk with you.

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Have we created our own version of Jesus?
In this convicting message from the Mark Series, Pastor Jared Montana Smith exposes the heart of American Christianity—a faith that often claims transformation while clinging to the old life. We say we’re new creations, yet we live like nothing has changed.

Walking through Mark 2:18–22, Pastor Jared unpacks Jesus’ teaching on fasting and His declaration that He is the Bridegroom—the long-awaited Messiah who brings a new covenant. The Pharisees mourned what was old, but Jesus came to make all things new. The question is: have we embraced that newness, or are we still living chained to what Christ died to free us from?

You’ll be challenged to stop treating the Bible like a self-help book, to stop “fasting from meaningless things,” and to start living as a truly new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

📖 Key Scriptures:
Mark 2:18–22
Isaiah 54:5
Hosea 2:19
2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 5:24–25

💬 The King is here. The old is gone. The new has come—so live like it.

✅ Subscribe for weekly teaching from the Gospel of Mark
📍 Plan your visit: https://highland-city-church.org

📲 Stay connected:
Facebook: Highland City Church

Instagram: @highland_city_church

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Why plant a church in the Bible Belt, where churches are already on every corner? Because you can’t be found until you realize you’re lost.

In this sermon from Highland City Church, Pastor Jared Smith walks through Mark 2:13–17 and challenges us to examine whether we truly follow Jesus—or if we’ve made our own version of Him follow us.

Drawing from Romans 3 and Luke 19:10, Jared explains how sin isn’t just bad behavior—it’s a sickness only Christ can heal. “Those who think they’re good will point to their works. Those who know they need grace point to His.”

This message digs deep into the difference between religion and repentance, works and grace, and reminds us why even the most “Christian” regions still desperately need the gospel.

Key themes:

Why Jesus called Matthew and what it means to follow

Who actually is righteous according to Scripture

The danger of “thinking” you’re good enough

Why repentance is the cure for spiritual blindness

Why the Bible Belt still needs Jesus

📖 Scripture: Mark 2:13–17, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:22–26, Luke 19:10, Matthew 11:28–30
📍 Series: Mark | Highland City Church
🎙️ Speaker: Jared Montana Smith

If you’ve ever wondered why we still need revival in the Bible Belt, this sermon will open your eyes to the real mission of the Church: to seek and save the lost.

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Have you ever stood between two good options and wondered which one was God’s best? In this message from Highland City Church, Pastor Jared Montana Smith walks through Mark 1:29-45 to show how Jesus consistently turned down what was good for what was best—the path that glorified the Father, grew the Kingdom, and shaped His character through obedience and sacrifice.

Drawing from personal moments like taking his AEMT test and choosing between Arizona and Ellijay when planting Highland City Church, Pastor Jared reveals a powerful truth: God’s best will often cost you comfort. It’s the road that humbles your flesh, builds Christlike character, and advances His mission through your obedience.

You’ll also hear the story of Nehemiah, who left a life of luxury to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, trusting God to establish his steps (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 37:23-24). Whether you’re facing a major life decision or simply asking, “What does God want me to do?”—this message will help you seek His voice, trust His timing, and walk boldly through the door He opens.

👉 If this message encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share it so others can discover how to discern God’s best for their lives. Comment below what decision you’re trusting God with this week!

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Are you feeling stuck, weighed down, or hopeless? In this sermon from Highland City Church, Pastor Jared Smith unpacks Mark 1:9–15 and shows how true hope follows repentance.

From Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan to His victory in the wilderness, we see a new exodus unfolding — where Israel failed, Christ prevailed. Just like the Israelites were offered hope if they repented, and just like Jared experienced hope in God’s promises after repentance, you can taste heaven instead of death when you turn to Christ.

Key points covered in this message:

Why Jesus, though sinless, was baptized (obedience + substitution)

The tearing of the heavens and God’s presence with us

How affirmation often comes before spiritual warfare

The Kingdom of God is near: repent and believe the good news

Why hope always follows repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10, Acts 11:18)

If you need encouragement and a reminder that God’s promises bring life, this message is for you.

📖 Scripture: Mark 1:9–15
📍 Series: Leave a Mark | Highland City Church

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The world is broken—but what’s the real solution?
In this powerful opening to the Leave Your Mark series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Jared Montana Smith addresses the darkness in our world—violence, hatred, and brokenness—and reminds us that the ultimate issue is not politics, guns, or mental health, but sin.

Walking through Mark 1, Pastor Jared shows how the good news of Jesus is radically counter-cultural. The Gospel declares that Jesus, not Caesar, is King. John the Baptist prepared the way, but even he knew the greater One was coming—Jesus, who brings a new kingdom and calls His people to shine as disciples.

The takeaway? Discipleship is God’s answer to the world’s evil. More than miracles, more than traditions, Jesus calls us to make disciples who will transform lives, families, and communities. Hunger, hatred, fatherlessness, and addiction can only be overcome when we multiply disciples of Jesus.

📖 Key Scriptures:
Mark 1:1–11
Romans 1:16
Matthew 28:19–20

💬 Don’t hide your light. Be bold. Leave your mark by making disciples.

✅ Subscribe for weekly messages from the Gospel of Mark
📍 Plan your visit: https://highland-city-church.org

📲 Stay connected:
Facebook: Highland City Church

Instagram: @highland_city_church

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