Southwest Harbor Congregational Church: Recent Episodes
Blake Brown
Job's friends visit him during his suffering and Job laments his birth. We look here at a biblical display of despair, sorrow and, lament. We look to other displays of grief in the bible to inform ourselves on how we ought to display grief or despair in our own lives.
In three parables that Jesus tells we find that there is great rejoicing in heaven when someone repents from their sin and turns towards God. We also see another group of people that thinks they are righteous and in no need of God's grace. These are the pharisees, and often our own hearts can become like theirs, thinking that we have earned the grace of God through our obedience rather than remembering that we are just as sinful as those we may pass judgment on.
Christ tells of the intense persecution that Israel will endure in the near future during the fall of Jerusalem. We look into how the fall of Jerusalem foreshadows the final days when Christ returns. We also are given encouragement in the knowledge that Christ's return will not be missed.
The nation of Israel rebel against God after hearing the report of the spies. Israel, having clear knowledge and first hand experience of who God is and His power still resist trusting in Him. We explore what it means to truly believe in God.
After Jesus is asked about the resurrection, a pharisee attempted to ask another question about which commandment is the greatest in hopes to test Jesus. Jesus responds saying "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself..." In this we see a need to balance our personal pursuit of God with our cares for our neighbors.
The Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection form a question to try to trick Jesus in what they think is the absurdity of life beyond death. Jesus' response leaves them in awe as He reveals their great misunderstanding of the heavenly realm and the power of God.
We are instructed by Paul in the book of Galatians of a war between our flesh and the Spirit. We find here an imperative to walk by the Spirit and not to gratify the desires of the flesh. We are to do this through the power of Christ crucified, by putting to death the desires and passions of the flesh and saturating our lives with scripture and fellowship with one another.
Jesus brings his accusations against the leaders of Israel through a series of parables. We reflect on their reactions and our own reactions to the gospel. Asking ourselves if we are disobedient, greedy and, ungrateful when being saved by Christ.
We take a look at an overarching idea in the first chapter of Mark. Here we see the importance of being conformed to the gospel rather than having the gospel conform to yourself.
Jesus makes his entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The people shout "Hosanna to the Son of David." The chief priests and the scribes ask Jesus if he is aware of what the people are saying. Answering yes Jesus declares that he is the long awaited King.
Towards the end of Paul's letter to the Galatians he instructs them on how the church ought to conduct itself leaning on the righteousness of Christ rather than that of any individual. We see that we are called to humbly draw back those that find themselves in sin. Throughout being encouraged by the cultivation of sanctification.
Paul speaks to the Galatian Church about how our love for God is displayed in how we love others.
Jesus speaks with the rich young ruler and tells him to sell his possessions and follow him. The ruler goes away saddened because of his great possessions. We look at the pride beneath the surface of the rulers questions and posture and how we share these same points of pride. Then looking at the children, we see that grace is granted to those who come before God in total dependance, as a child is before their parents.
Paul admonishes the church of Galatia hearing that they have turned back to idols and have tried to find satisfaction in them rather than in God.
Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. How this servant was forgiven an unfathomable debt yet then went out and demanded from another servant what was owed to him. We see here that we are much like the unforgiving servant, being forgiven by God the immense debt of our sin yet often being unwilling ourselves to forgive others their tresspasses against us.
Jesus instructs that all who belong to Him are precious in His sight, and that we who follow Him ought to have great concern for those that are falling away. The church, and those in it, are tasked with the seeking and restoring of those caught in sin or have abandoned the gathering.
We explore righteousness and where we rest for our righteousness. Looking at the law and how often we try to earn our standing before God and in so doing we discount the work of the Cross.
Nine disciples are unable to cast out demon in boy. Jesus rebukes them for their little faith. We look at what faith is in the valleys of our lives and how mountaintop experiences don't secure a firm faith.
Paul shares his concerns with the Galatians over adding things to the Gospel such as works and performance. In so doing the Galatian church began to nullify the work of Christ "for if righteousness were through the law then Christ died for no purpose.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain and is transfigured before them. Here we have one of the strongest confirmations of who Jesus is, namely God. We also explore the reaction of the disciples first when Jesus is with Moses and Elijah and after the Father speaks and declares that Jesus is His beloved Son.
After declaring that Jesus is the messiah Peter discourages Jesus from fulfilling the suffering prophesied. Jesus rebukes Peter saying that he is setting his mind on things of man rather than of God. Afterward Jesus states that "whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Jesus inquiries His disciples of who they think He is. Peter answers Him saying that He is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus proclaims the foundation of His church and grants authority to it. We explore this foundation and the importance of the proper use of the Church's authority.
The Sadducees and Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus. Jesus rebukes them and later warns his disciples to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. We explore the different kinds of leaven we ought to be aware of in our own lives.
Jesus feeds the four thousand. We find here that while this miracle resembles the feeding of the five thousand, one major difference is that here Jesus feeds Gentiles showing the greater call of God on the nations.
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for letting the traditions of men become greater than the scriptures. We look at what true religion is and what it's views are on scripture, sin and the heart.
Jesus comes to the disciples during the fourth watch of the night as they strain against the wind and the waves. Peter asks in faith to come to Jesus on the water but, when Peter reaches Jesus he becomes fearful of the storm and begins to sink.
Jesus feeds the five-thousand and in so doing shows who He is, namely God. We see the parallels with Jesus' compassion and the compassion showed to Israel in the old testament and how the giving of the mana is also reflected in the abundance of Christ's dividing of the five loaves and two fish.
We compare and contrast these two literal storms form the Bible looking at both Jonah and Jesus. We go over what kinds of storms we face in our own lives, whether literal or spiritual, and how Jesus uses, guides, and keeps us through them.
We observe the radical nature of the gospel as seen in the transformation of Paul from zealous persecutor of the church to preaching to the Gentiles.
An examination of the heart of Herod the Tetrarch. We see that he is a conflicted man in that while he respects and fears John the Baptist he also wants to kill him for saying that it was not lawful for Herod to have his brother Philip's wife. We find that our hearts are often full of weeds that conflict and choke out holiness and sanctification.
Jesus goes to his hometown of Nazareth and teaches. There he marveled at then ultimately rejected by the people he grew up knowing. We find that familiarity can lead to contemptment, that in our own lives sometimes consistent love for Christ becomes a numb behavior and even gets left off for other "more important" things.
We take a look at one of the hardest tests of faith anyone in scripture has gone through, consider the questions it raises and the implications it has in our own lives.
A look into the opening of Paul's letter to the Galatians. We reflect on the grace of God in the formation of His covenant with Abram and how this weaves into the grace that Paul speaks of saying "Grace to you and peace from God... who gave himself for our sins..."
We continue to look at some of the parables that Jesus used to describe the Kingdom of God. Here we find that the Kingdom has small beginnings and that the growth is slow but sure, that the roots go deep. Secondly it is seen that the Kingdom is worth everything and should hold the highest priority in our lives, above family, friends, properties, anything.
Jesus tells many parables showing what the Kingdom of God is like. We see that the Kingdom did not come in the ways that many expected, but rather it is obscured and at times hard to discern. We see that while there are many who claim to be Christians, Christ tells us that only some "seeds fell on good soil and produced grain."
We take a look at the life of Solomon and the pursuit of all his desires and how they ended up only a striving after the wind. We find that nothing in this world will be totally satisfactory, fulfilling us ceaselessly. From this we know that only the worship and praise of God will bring us eternal satisfaction.
Jesus uses an opportunity to show the value of the Family of God showing that it holds a place like our physical family and sometimes even takes priority over our physical family.
Jesus give us a measuring device for our hearts, telling of how our words reveal how we truly are.
Jesus gives warning to the pharisees and to us as well stating that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. We dive into what this means and what He does not mean.
Jonah flees from the Lord in a rejection of His word. In many ways we can see ourselves in the actions of Jonah in that we often object to the word of God and deceive ourselves thinking we are still being obedient.
We take a look at the differences in the gospel of the pharisees and the gospel of Jesus. We see that the ministry of Christ is radically different than the ministry of the pharisees in that Jesus seeks to please God and is gentle while the pharisees, and often ourselves, are harsh and seek to please people.
Jesus reproves the pharisees for asking for a sign. He tells them that they will only receive the the sign of Jonah "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
How Jesus makes corrections to a legalistic approach to the Sabbath. Telling of how we are to be merciful.
Jesus shows a holy frustration with the people he has preached to and compares them to children that aren't satisfied with anything. He pronounces judgment on the cities that remain indifferent to him in spite of all his works. Even so he offers to take on our burdens and give us an easy yoke.
Paul gives us a wonderful view of the gospel and through that, encourages us to remain steadfast for Christ, even during times of tribulation. We are admonished here also to 'keep the main thing the main thing' and not to think ourselves superior or beyond the gospel but to press into it in faith.
We find here a passage that shows John the Baptist in a doubtful state. There is some encouragement here seeing that even the strongest of Christians experience times of doubting. However, we are not to stay in the dungeon of doubting but are to remember our highest hope, setting our expectations in proper orientation, looking to Christ and his promises.
Facing one of the most shaking portions of scripture we hear Christ tell that we are to fear God over man, for God is capable of destroying both body and soul. Yet after such a fearful verse encouragement is given showing that God values his people and cares for them.
With our call to proclaim Christ we see similarity to what the disciples are faced with as we are to expect suffering on behalf of the Gospel.
Our call to share the gospel, how it is similar and how it is different from the Apostles ministry.
The necessity of humility in the method of salvation. The need to come before Jesus with a humble heart.
Jesus preaches on the harvest and the laborers, including the necessity of faith in salvation.
Jacob Hansen delivers a message on the clarity of the Gospel as presented through the revealed word of God.
Jesus instructs Martha that she is missing out by being too busy preparing a meal and that Mary has "the better portion" sitting and listening at His feet.
Jesus heals a few groups of people. Looking at the first group we find two people characterised by a desperation and need of Christ, showing how in our own lives we ought to have a desperate need for our Savior.
Jesus proclaims Himself to be the long awaited bridegroom. Challenging the traditionalism of the day through his disciples not fasting while He is with them.
Matthew shows us that Jesus comes to us, the sinner, and calls us to follow Him. We find that when we think we are righteous, like the pharisees, we actually distance ourselves from God. "For I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners."
Jesus, through an ironic twist, shows Himself to have the power to forgive sins through accomplishing what seems to be harder in healing paralytic man.
Jesus goes by a way no other man could go and is recognised as the Son of God by the demons He casts out. Another unveiling account showing Christ as the God-Man, the incarnation.
Jesus shows his power by calming the winds and the sea. We see here that Jesus is more powerful than anything we fear.
Jesus says some hard teachings showing us that it's not all about the numbers. He challenges us to reprioritize our lives and expect to be humbled.
The powerful coming of God's kingdom and his reaching out to those that, beforehand, were excluded from the family of god and those that have little standing. Jesus also showed his divinity through the healing of many.
A broad overview of the book of Numbers illustrating how relevant it is to our lives. Looking at the sinfulness of God's people in the wilderness and how we are so much like them.
A juxtaposition of how infinite God is and how frail we are. Looking into the justice and mercy of God, how He so freely forgives us our offences in spite of justly being condemned.
Jesus instructs us to be wise and to examine intently the teachers around us and to be grounded in His word to be able to discern good teachers from bad teachers.
Wide is the gate and easy is the road that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life. Jesus instructs that the way to salvation is through Him alone and that there are few that look intently at Him for salvation thinking there are many ways to heaven.
Once Jesus brings us to a place where we realize how helpless we are to accomplish perfection He gives us the comfort of being able to come before God and ask of him great and holy things.
Jesus speaks on judgment and judgmentalism in one of the most quoted scriptures yet so often misunderstood.
Jesus continues to examine our hearts and motives. Will what you place value in ultimately fail you, or are your treasures in heaven?
Jesus looking at the hypocritical spirit many of us approach prayer with when we pray in public.
Two of three challenges are presented to Christians this week through the preaching of the final beatitudes. We face persecution and the a test of patience as we wait for the coming kingdom, to wait with joy.
Jesus continues to detail what those marked by redemption look like. Being peacemakers and pure in heart.
Jesus continues to describe what kingdom citizens look like. Merciful people thirsting for righteousness.
Peter tells of the imperishable and unfading hope we have in the resurrection of Christ Jesus.
Jesus starts the beatitudes, and marks out what it is to be a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus begins his ministry and calls his first disciples. The call of Christ and the disciples response shows great weight in following Him. The way into to the Kingdom is shown to be marked out by repentance.
Jesus facing the temptation of Satan after His 40 days in the wilderness. Examining the uniqueness of Christ's temptations and how He overcame them and about the perfection of Christ in His obedience and love of the Father.
Entering in and observing our inclination to seek for our justification in areas other than Christ, namely through "good works".
David writes of the blessing of having his sins forgiven by God who's spirit now has no deceit.
God telling His people that He is trustworthy over all things, that is false idols and gods. Calling to mind that He has declared the end from the beginning and from ancient times stated things not yet done.
The contrast between the righteous man and the wicked man, one who goes to everlasting life and wisdom and the other to everlasting death.
Jesus speaks on the great day of the Feast of Tabernacles calling himself the living water.
Looking at having God be our all in all rather than loving his gifts more than Him. Praising God even in the midst of trial and tribulation.
The chief priests and the scribes and the elders try to turn the public against Jesus by challenging his authority. Jesus, in turn, asks them a question to show them their hypocrisy. When they offer no answer Jesus then makes no answer to them.
Jesus speaks to to those that would follow Him and tells of the incredibly high cost of being one of His disciples. A difficult portion of scripture in that it reminds us of our imperfections and our inability to follow Christ perfectly.
After a long wait and much anticipation John the baptist breaks the 400 years of silence and announces the coming of the King and to repent and prepare for His coming.
Matthew's account gives a fearful and strained beginning to the life of Jesus, telling of Herod's plan to kill Him and of how His family fled to Egypt. The account also provides an eye to the magnificence of Jesus in that the magi from the east gave Him kingly gifts and worshiped.
The recounting of the wonderful surprise given to Mary and Joseph concerning the miracle pregnancy and soon to come Jesus.
The record of the line of Joseph, in order to give an account for the fulfillment of the Messiah to come from the Seed of Jesse, from the line of David. Also of the wonderful mercy and grace God give even in the lineage of Christ.
Through the use of parables Jesus describes key points of what His Kingdom will be like.
How we ought to imitate our past and present leaders in their Christ like qualities and how the leaders of the church are to behave having the responsibility to give an account for those they shepherd.
The writer of Hebrews brings attention to the reality we live in, that is we live in the kingdom of God. In such light we are told to live lovingly towards our fellow brothers and sisters, towards strangers and towards the oppressed and afflicted. Finally we are told to honor marriage and be free from the love of money.
Reminding the Hebrews that the glory of God they now experience is far greater than that of Mount Sinai though the physical presence might not be felt. The writer also warns and reminds his readers that with this great knowledge and intimacy with God comes a greater responsibility to remain in the faith and hold fast to Christ.
God commanding His people to rebuild His temple in order that the people may properly and rightly praise and glorify Him.
Encouragement through trials as God uses many means by which to discipline His people in order that they might draw nearer to Him.
"... looking to Jesus, the founder an perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. " (Hebrews 12:2)
Looking at the Transfiguration and how it confirmed what Peter had said that Jesus is the Christ. Posing the same question that Jesus asked Peter to you "Who do you say that I am?".
The author of Hebrews highlights two main ends of faith. Faith leads to deliverance but it can also lead to death.
This passage looks at the faith of Moses and what choices he made as indicators of his faithfulness. Highlighting a greater fear of God, the King of kings, more than anything else.
Looking at the test that are presented in scripture and what test we are confronted with throughout our lives and how a genuine faith endures to the end.
Looking at the character of some of the patriarchs of the Faith and how their obedience came through their faith rather than faith through obedience.
Peter begins his letter of encouragement by giving praise to God. Looking at three aspects of what spur on Peters praise.
Examining what we put our trust in and how we ought to shift some of our trusts to the Lord and fully lean on Him.
Looking at, Abel, Enoch, and Noah and how they inform us of how a real faith will look.
Of how faith is like a sixth sense by which we are wholly convinced, as much as we are of the physical, of the reality of the spiritual and the future promise that awaits.
A warning of the danger faced in apostasy, such that knowing more of the riches of Gods grace yet turning away warrants a greater judgment form God.
Of how we aught to love and encourage one another and so cause the body of the church to grow and reflect the glory of God.
"...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean form an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
By the sacrifice of Christ we can have a full assurance of our faith, to enter into the Holy places and access God. By His blood we are cleaned.
The author of Hebrews drives home that the sacrifice of Christ is far better than the sacrifice of bulls and goats, that in Him alone we have the perfection of our faith and a purified conscience.
"Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." "so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:22 and 28)
When we greater understand the depth of how much we have been forgiven we are enabled to forgive much and love much, for we will start to fear less the absence of that love and forgiveness.
This passage tells of how Christ establishes a better and freer access to God through His sacrifice, and that His blood gives us a clean conscience free of the guilt of our sins.
The writer of Hebrews tells of why there is a new covenant, that it was by the design of God and that Christ fulfills a better position as our high priest, by whose blood we are forgiven, not only covered
The author of Hebrews tells of the superior position of Christ in comparison to the Levitical priests as He "who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven" "in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man."
Jesus answers the Pharisees when they inquired of Him to give a sign, saying that no sign would be given except that of the prophet Jonah.
The writer of Hebrews tells of how Christ is a greater High Priest after the order of Melchizedek and that His priesthood lasts forever.
The writer of Hebrews offers encouragement reminding his readers to persevere with the knowledge that God cannot lie and that Christ is a sure and steadfast anchor.
An unsettling proclamation of impossibility for one to repent after apostasy. This challenges believers to examine their faith and strive after God.
The writer of Hebrews pauses to shake his audience because they have grown apathetic to the deeper truths of the faith, because they exhibit no growth or willingness to grow.
Paul addresses the Corinthian church and tells them that the worlds wisdom is not God's wisdom, that "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Tells of how Christ is a greater High Priest than Aaron, that Christ is a better sacrifice, representative, mediator and sympathizer.
Tells of the Great High Priest we have in Christ, that he is our sympathizer and propitiation.
Ecclesiastes frames life as if this world is all there is and shows the despair one has in work without the Lord.
The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers to think of the long term, the future in glory and to hold fast to the faith till the end when our faith will become sight.
The writer of Hebrews warns against hardened hearts and that unbelief leads to perishing.
A consideration of the differences between Christ and Moses and who we can put our trust in to save us.
Jesus is our propitiation, He became a little lower to redeem many and to satisfy the wrath of God.
Of who Christ is, who the angels are and the response we should have in accordance to the shared inheritance of Christ.
The opening lines of the letter to the Hebrews wherein the foundation for the rest of the letter is laid.
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Joseph's brothers fear that after their father died that Joseph still had a root of bitterness towards them and "pay them back" 'for what they had done to him.
Jacob calls his sons together to give them blessings before he dies. Judah receives the honor of the first born.
Joseph brings his sons to his father, their grandfather, and Israel blesses the younger.
Looking at a parable of a wedding feast telling of who will be invited at the final day.
Joseph sends his brothers back to retrieve their father Jacob so that they may live in the land of Goshen.
Joseph's plan comes to its climax when the youngest brother is found with Joseph's silver cup.
After some time Jacob and his family run out of food and the need to return to Egypt arises. Jacob allows for Benjamin, his favorite son, to go down to Egypt in order that they might buy food.
Joseph's brothers come before him to purchase grain during the famine. They do not recognize Joseph but he recognizes them. Joseph tests their character by accusing them of being spies.
Pharaoh has two dreams, one with seven plump cows that were swallowed up by seven thin cows, and one with seven ears of good corn swallowed up by seven blighted ears. Joseph is remembered and God grants the interpretation of the dreams.
Joseph, still imprisoned, interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and chief baker. The cupbearer receives good news that he will be restored to his position and Joseph asks to be remembered. The baker receives bad news that he will be executed in three days. In the end Joseph is forgotten by the cupbearer.
How God blessed Joseph even in hard circumstances, first as he rose in prominence in Potiphar's house, then as he was imprisoned.
Granting clarity to what it is to be a follower of Christ and what it is to disciple and grow others in the faith, whether it be the first step of faith or miles down the road.
Jacob's favored son Joseph tells of his dreams that he will rule over his brothers. His brothers plot out of hatred to kill Joseph yet sell him instead. Joseph is then brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the captain of the guard.
Jacob is told to go deeper into the promised land and return to Bethel. Jacob obeys God despite fears of being attacked from the surrounding peoples.
Dinah the daughter of Jacob is raped by Shechem. Jacob responds with passivity and while Jacob's sons respond with anger.
Jacob wrestles with God throughout the night and in the morning is given a new name, Israel, meaning strives with God.
A look at the prosperity of Laban and Jacob and how both were sinful in the pursuit of plenty.
The story of Jacob's wives Leah and Rachel and how the idols of their heart show through in the births of 11 of the 12 tribes of Israel.
A look at how the sin in Jacob's life separated him from his family and enslaved him. But God came to him and reminded Jacob of the promise.
Isaac plans to secretly give his blessing to Esau but Rebekah overhears the plan and plots to have Jacob steal the blessing through a series of deceitful actions.
A look at Isaac's life and how the presence of God caused him to becoming more like Christ.
Jacob and Esau are born and God's plan for the older to serve the younger is revealed to Rebekah.
The Bookend of Abraham's life showing the slow unfolding of God's promises coming true.
Abraham sends his servant to find a wife from his own country for Issac, Abraham's son. The proceeding events puts God's providence well on display for the servant, yet he remains humble.
Abraham' wife, Sarah, dies and Abraham seeks to purchase land for her burial and as a deposit for the promise of God.
God asks Abraham to sacrifice Issac, the promised child, and Abraham obeys. In the moment before Abraham slays his son God provides a ram for the offering.
After 25 years of waiting God provides the promised child to Abraham. In her joy and incredulity Sarah laughs. Later on Ishmael mockingly laughs at Issac and is cast out from the inheritance.
God judges Sodom and Gomorrah after Lot reluctantly is brought out of Sodom on account of Abraham.
God pronounces to Abraham that He will judge Sodom, where Lot, Abraham's nephew, lives, and Gomorrah. Abraham asks God if He would spare the city if righteous people were found within.
God states His covenant to Abram once more and renames Abram to Abraham. God also establishes the sign of the covenant through circumcision.
Hagar becomes pregnant with the child of Abram and flees from the harshness of Sarai, Abram's wife. God comes to Hagar and listens.
God speaks to Abram telling him not to be afraid. God gives Abram a reminder of His promise by pointing out the stars and how numerous they are.
The intro into Abram moving into the Promised Land while it was occupied by the Canaanites.
The Garden of Eden is described and we are reminded about the hope that we have for our relationship with God.
Paul finishes his letter to the Galatians telling them not to boast in anything but cross of Christ. Reminding the Galatians that what counts is the new creation.
Paul speaks to the Galatians about what living by the Spirit should look like and how the grace of Christ should not be misused
Paul writes to the Galatians about the two sons of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac. One born from the bondwoman and one born from the free.
Paul pleads with the Galatians to turn back to the true Gospel and to refrain from relying on themselves for salvation.
Paul tells the Galatians how they by the blood of Christ have received adoption into the family of God.
Paul tells the Galatians how the law does not nullify the promise of God but rather, shows us that we are in need of God's promise.
Paul rebukes the Galatians for turning away from the true Gospel, which is faith alone in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Paul speaks of how none of us can stand righteous before God if we depend on anything other than Christ.
Paul details his journey to Jerusalem and how James, Peter, and John affirm and added nothing to the Gospel than Paul preached.
Paul recounts in his letter to the Galatians his own conversion and commission from the Lord Christ.
Paul opens his letter to the Galatians and tells them to return to the true Gospel and to reject other teachings that warp the truth.
Paul finishes his letter to the Corinthians and closes with advisement to the giving of money and the building of the Kingdom of God.
Paul responds to the Corinthians' questions about what our new resurrected bodies will look like.
Paul attests to the real physical resurrection of Christ and tells the Corinthians that our faith depends on the real resurrection and not a "spiritual" or "metaphorical" resurrection.
Paul tells the Corinthians about their use of gifts and how, without love those gifts are worthless.
Paul addresses the Corinthian Church and tells them that they are equal in under Christ just as they where equal under the law.
Paul tells the Corinthians that they are treating the Lord's table in an unworthy manner.
The empty tomb is searched by John and Peter and the story of the Bible is understood and makes sense to them.
Paul writes to the Corinthian Church concerning the Godly order of worship and the distractions effecting the Corinthian church.
Paul speaks to the Corinthian Church concerning the consumption of food sacrificed to idols. Paul tells us to be mindful of how we exercise our freedom.
Paul addresses the questions of ascetic lifestyles particularly that of celibacy. Paul tells the Corinthians that Christians have freedom on the subject of singleness and marriage.
Paul addresses the problem of casual sexual behavior inside the church. Looking at the implications of being sexually active outside of marriage.
Paul addresses the problem of brothers and sisters in Christ taking each other to the public court.
The Command by God to multiply, to create men, women and children who reflect the image of God through both the physical and church family.
Paul tells the Corinthians how to deal with someone with serious, outward, unrepentant sin.
Eve is tempted by the serpent and eats of the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. It is explored here what the temptation actually was.
Paul continues his letter telling of his love for the Corinthians and his love for the truth.This highlights Paul's willingness to rebuke the church for having misguided elders.
Paul reminds the Corinthian Church that that Christ is the church's foundation and no one else.
Five marks of a believing Church: 1) members are believers, 2) the church is built on grace, 3) enriched by Christ, 4) eager for His return and 5) assured of salvation.
A continuation of the previous sermon (Not Knowing but Going). Looking at the faith of Abraham and Moses.
Examples of people living by faith with a focus on Abraham and his moving to a new country without knowing what the results will be.
The Three General reactions to the Gospel reflected in the Three kings' search for Jesus.
Telling of how God's word is sustaining and nourishing, and how without it we will become spiritually starved.
The Book of Micah drawing similarities to court cases with witnesses and defense. The Lord passing down Judgement and Mercy.
The story of Hosea and his unfaithful wife Gomer and the reflection thereof between God and the church.
On how our experiences in Heaven may vary based upon our pursuit of Godliness in this life.
Joel tells of the need for repentance and that the current disasters striking the nation of Israel where a result of their un-repentance.
Jesus appears to his disciples a third time after the Resurrection and asks Peter three times if he loves Him.
How the requirement for the redemption of sin is death and the redemption found in the death of Jesus.
Jesus in the upper room explains to his disciples that it is good that he is leaving and that once he has left he will send the Holy Spirit.
Jesus continues to speak to the disciples in the upper room. He tells them about bearing the fruit of faith.
Jesus continues to speak with the disciples in the upper room and tells them that He is sending the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, in the upper room, tells his disciples that he is leaving but also preparing a place for them in his Father's house.
Jesus tells the disciples that Judas will betray him and still offers love towards Judas.
The second part of "the Different Kind of King." Jesus Shows that He is a sacrificial King
Mary pours fragrant oil on the feet of Jesus and wipes it with her hair to show her love for Jesus.
The Jews ask Jesus plainly if He is the Christ. Jesus responds by telling them that He is the Son of God.
Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath and tells the Pharisees that if they understand their blindness they will be freed from sin.
Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath and tells the Pharisees that if they understand their blindness they will be freed from sin.
Jesus at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles proclaims to be God and the Light of the world.
Jesus tells the Jews that they are enslaved to sin and that only the truth will set them free.
The Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman in adultery before Jesus to trap Him between law and grace.
Jesus speaks at the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles. He makes the claim that He is the living water.
Jesus is asked by the Sadducees about the resurrection and how it could be reconciled with a widow remarried.
Jesus walks on water and saves His disciples during a storm. Looking at how God is with us even when it feels that He is absent.
Celebrating the coming of Jesus and the start of the conclusion of the great love story of the Bible.
Jesus responds to the Pharisees and tells them that he is God and that he will be the final judge.
Jesus Heals a lame man and tells him to pick up his mat and walk. The man then turns in Jesus to the Jews.
Recognizing that God is awesome in all that he does and that we should rejoice in His sovereignty.
Jesus speaks with the woman at the well and reveals that He is the only source of eternal satisfaction.
Jesus speaks with Nicodemus and tells him that he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.