Ephesians Study: Exposed by the Light

[Ephesians 5:1-20] 8 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. [NIV] 9 – For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. [NLT] 11 – Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. … Continue reading Ephesians Study: Exposed by the Light →

More Than a Story: Readiness

[The Ten Bridesmaids: Matthew 25:1-13] Also known as the Parable of the Ten Virgins Not good and bad women– WISE and FOOLISH women. Context: Disciples requested knowledge of a sign or signal of the coming of Jesus. (see Matthew 24:3) These ten women are waiting to escort the bridegroom for the torch lighting procession at … Continue reading More Than a Story: Readiness →

More Than a Story: Compassion

[The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37] Compassion – Deep awareness of the sufferings or misfortunes of another with a desire to relieve it. Verse 37 - And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same." [NASB] Mercy – eleos (el'-eh-os) – pity, mercy, compassion, tender … Continue reading More Than a Story: Compassion →

More Than a Story: Richness

More Than a Story is a 12 week study of the parables of Jesus. This is the first week: RICHNESS. Message Outline: More Than a Story: Richness [The Rich Fool: Luke 12:13-21] BE ON GUARD AGAINST COVETOUSNESS Covetousness – desire to have more than you have LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST OF ABUNDANCE OF POSSESSIONS Possessions … Continue reading More Than a Story: Richness →

Shipwrecked

Jonah [Jonah 1-4] and Paul [Acts 27] “Where [God] is, tragedy is only provisional and partial, and shipwreck and dissolution are not the absolutely final thing.” – William James Acceptance of God Paul was all about joy, so joyful to take the message of Christ anywhere – even wanted to build on a new foundation … Continue reading Shipwrecked →

Feeding the Five Thousand Lesson

Feeding the Five Thousand [Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:4-13] Beyond the Text What fish did Jesus feed to the people? The Bible doesn’t say and scholars don’t know. Legend has it that the fish was Tilapia, also known as “St. Peter’s Fish.” What about the Feeding of Four Thousand? Is it the … Continue reading Feeding the Five Thousand Lesson →

You Don’t Know

“Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again? Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese, clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and … Continue reading You Don’t Know →

Acts: Proclamation

[Acts 8:26-40] Peter and John were proclaiming the Good News. It disturbed people and they were put in prison. Annas the high priest and Caiaphas questioned them. They spoke of Jesus and the salvation only possible through Him. They were commanded to not speak or teach in the name of Jesus. They responded: “As for … Continue reading Acts: Proclamation →

What is Truth

Matthew 27 / Mark 15 / Luke 23 / John 18-19 Pontius Pilate – Roman Governor –Procurator. He was in charge of appointing the high priest and controlling the Temple and funds.He had full control of the province.He had full powers of life and death as he could reverse capital sentences passed by Sanhedrin.He had … Continue reading What is Truth →

The Transfiguration of Jesus

[Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36] Chronologically in the Bible, before the Transfiguration, we read that Peter recognizes Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16b NIV). After Peter’s identification of Jesus as the Christ, we read about the prophecy of the church – the well-known statement, “you are Peter, and … Continue reading The Transfiguration of Jesus →