In this passage, Paul will tell us what faith in the gospel does to us. When we truly believe, what happens to us? Paul will explain it to us in fairly radical terms, first by telling us what we were (the bad news) and then by telling us what we are (the good news). So, let us look first at what we were.
Read moreGospel Blessing: Christ Was Cursed for Us (Galatians 3:10–14)
Last week, we began looking at how the gospel transfers us from curse to blessing, the first way being that it promotes the way of faith. The second reason the gospel transfers us from curse to blessing is that Christ was cursed for us. This is what we must believe. For this point, Paul again quotes from Deuteronomy. He wrote:
Read moreThe Gospel of Grace Promotes the Way of Faith (Galatians 3:10-14)
How can someone enjoy and experience God? How can we become fully human as God intended? How can we be released from paralyzing guilt and shame? How can we attain abundant life? How can we be free?
Read moreThe Gospel Is Versatile, Not Rigid (Galatians 2:6-10)
In our final segment of Galatians 2:1-10, we learn that the beautiful, acceptable gospel is versatile, not rigid.
Read moreConcluding the Book of Mark (Mark 16:17-20)
Let's be honest. This passage is likely why many wonder if this should be included in Mark's gospel (see my explanation about this disputed text in last week’s post). Many of us see things like demons, tongues, invincibly picking up snakes, and drinking poison, and run the other way.
Read moreJesus’ Parting Words to the Disciples and Us (Mark 16:15-20)
Before we jump into our final text of Mark, we have to address the notation in many of our Bibles suggesting that the final twelve verses might not be in the original text.
Read moreThe Case for the Resurrection: Part 2 (Mark 16:1-14)
Last week, we began looking at seven clues that lead to the legitimacy of the claim that Jesus rose from the dead – he was supernaturally resurrected, which is the most important event in human history, the event upon which Christianity hinges. Today, we’ll uncover the remaining clues found in Mark 16.
Read moreThe Case for the Resurrection: Part 1 (Mark 16:1-14)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in human history. If it occurred, God is real, Jesus is him, the Bible is true, heaven and hell are realities, and Jesus makes the difference on whether you go to one or the other.
Read moreThe New Passover Meal (Mark 14:12-25)
In Exodus, God set Israel free from their Egyptian captivity with the Passover (Exodus 12). Though plague after plague had rained down on Egypt, Pharaoh would not surrender. With a hardened heart, he refused to acknowledge a deity greater than himself. He was the ultimate man, and, like many after him, in his defiance, he would not and could not submit to God.
Read moreMary, an Example of Devotion to Christ (Mark 14:1-11)
Jesus Christ is worthy of our devotion. There is nothing we can give him that would put him in our debt. Though we know this about Jesus, what the woman in this story did for him is still astonishing because of its total lack of moderation. This is what the people present struggled with when they saw her that day. To them, she could have given the money to the poor and thanked Jesus less extravagantly.
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