Sunday Teaching: Knowing God 14—God's Community—Exodus 21-24
Read moreKnowing God 13—God's Commands—Exodus 20
Sunday Sermon: Knowing God 13—God's Commands—Exodus 20
Read moreKnowing God 10—God Tests—Exodus 15:22-17:7
Sunday Teaching: Knowing God 10—God Tests—Exodus 15:22-17:7
Read moreHow To Unleash Jesus' Mighty Work in Your Life (Mark 6:1-6)
How To Unleash Jesus' Mighty Work in Your Life
(Mark 6:1-6)
The story before us is one of the most terrifying in all the gospel accounts. Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth (1), and they are astonished at his words and works (2). They knew he was powerful, mighty works having been done by him all throughout the region (2). But since they had known Jesus and his family for many years, they took offense at him (3). (12 Minutes/3000 Words
Read moreSeeing God Correctly: God Is Angered by Dead Religion (Mark 3:1-6)
Seeing God Correctly: God Is Angered by Dead Religion
(Mark 3:1-6)
It is amazing how religious leaders would not answer Jesus' questions. He'd asked, Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill? And they responded with silence (4). I mean, the answer was so obvious, but they couldn't bring themselves to respond. They couldn't confess it was lawful on the Sabbath to do good. (5 Minutes/1400 Words)
Read moreSeeing God Correctly: God Is Compelled To Do Good (Mark 3:1-6)
Seeing God Correctly: God Is Compelled To Do Good
(Mark 3:1-6)
So one Sabbath Jesus again went to church, to the synagogue, to the public meeting. Mark says, a man was there with a withered hand. Luke, who was a doctor, tells us it was the man's right hand (Luke 6:6). To have a withered hand meant his hand was stiff, deformed, and paralyzed. (6 Minutes/1500 Words)
Read moreJesus' Atmosphere of Grace (Mark 2:23-28)
Jesus' Atmosphere of Grace
(Mark 2:23-28)
As we continue our study of Mark, it is becoming evident that Jesus' way is far different than that of the religious leaders who came before him. He offered forgiveness of sins to the paralyzed man. He called Matthew the tax collector and ate with sinners. He did not fast, but feasted, with his disciples. And, in each episode, he was a stark contrast to the religious leaders of his day. (11 Minutes/2900 Words)
Read moreNehemiah 13—God Renews His People On An Ongoing Basis
Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 13—God Renews His People On An Ongoing Basis
Read moreJesus Fills Our True Need (Mark 2:1-12)
Jesus Fills Our True Need
(Mark 2:1-12)
The story pivots us from the introductory days of Jesus' ministry to the controversial ones. We know Jesus wasn't popular with all people at all times—he was, after all, crucified. And most of us know that Jesus became disliked by the religious leaders of his day. So, his popularity must have become mixed with opposition at some point. (10 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreJesus Has Authority Over All Natural Brokenness (Mark 1:29-34)
Jesus Has Authority Over All Natural Brokenness
(Mark 1:29-34)
On the same day he taught in the synagogue and delivered the man with the unclean spirit, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Our modern equivalent would be going out to lunch or dinner after church services. And I imagine the disciples' minds were racing as they took Jesus to the house. Did that just happen? Did you guys see what I saw? What have we gotten ourselves into? (3 Minutes/900 Words)
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