As a result of the problems we face, from political tribalism to economic inflation to the decline of civility in our society, it’s easy to lose hope. Yet, for us who follow Christ, we have strong reasons to have hope. Looking to examples like Hezekiah’s deliverance from the Assyrian Empire, ...
Luke 8:41- 56 The details of love
Ephesians 5:1-2 Imitators of God - Matthew 5:43-48
Walk in love like Christ - John 13:34
Matthew 16:24-27 Deny self, die to self, and live for Him.
Luke 10:25-37 Involves self-sacrifice of your time, your energy, and your ...
Your spiritual life is an incredibly significant part of your life. It affects your inner peace, sense of purpose, mission, morality, personal growth, experience of gratitude, and even your health. As we begin a new year, consider incorporating some new spiritual practices into your life, ...
The birth of Jesus, recorded in Luke 2:1-20, involved Joseph and Mary journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem, labor and delivery in a humble room for animals, angels announcing the birth to shepherds, and their subsequent visit to see the swaddled baby in a manger. Luke 2:21-40 covers Joseph ...
A Visit from an Angel and a Song to Remember
Gabriel and Mary
Luke 1:26-38
Mary was a teenager who was of low to modest means.
Mary’s confusion was not due to unbelief but a matter of not understanding “how” it was going to happen.
Gabriel confirms the promise to Mary with the testimony ...
The Bible’s consistent focus is on planet earth. It does talk about heaven as the domain of God and His angels. Also, Jesus is there temporarily until he returns to establish God’s Kingdom. However, earth is where all the action is. It was God’s original creation, and it’s what He ultimately ...
In the end, the wicked and unrepentant will also rise from the dead for judgement. Those not found written in the book of life will be destroyed in the second death.
Romans 2:5-11 The principles of divine justice are revealed throughout the Scriptures. The righteous judgment of God is ...
"Spiritual gifts" (Gk. charismata) = any enablement that God bestows upon believers by His grace
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
The “manifestation” (or demonstration) of the spirit is a product of God’s power and grace in us, and it is given for the “common good” (i.e., for the benefit of all).
1 ...
1 Samuel 1:1-5 Hannah was probably Elkanah’s first wife. In those days, it was common to marry a second wife if the first was barren. Because Elkanah was good to Hannah, such favoritism inspired jealousy in Peninnah, his other wife.
1 Samuel 1:6-11 Peninnah provoked and irritated Hannah, ...
As Moses was the mediator of the old covenant to ancient Israel, so Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant to the church. Christ-followers are not obligated to live by the law of Moses but are beholden to the mandates of Christ and his apostles.
Matthew 26:26-29 Every time we eat, we ...
People are not able to save themselves by their good deeds (Eph 2:8; 2 Tim 1:9). Rather, salvation is by faith in the gospel message (Rom 1:16). Genuine faith is always accompanied by obedience (Jas 2:17). Though God is willing to forgive the repentant when they sin (1 John 1:9), continuing ...
Origins of Life & Death
Genesis 2:7 – God gives man the breath of life.
Genesis 3:19 – Man disobeys God and as a result will die.
Genesis 1:30; 7:21-22; Ecclesiastes 3:19 – Man and beast have the same breath of life.
Psalm 49:12,14 – Man and beast alike will perish.
Ecclesiastes 12:7; ...
We believe the gospel, the good news, as three major components – the cross, the resurrection and the Kingdom.
THE CROSS
Romans 5:8-21 By Jesus’ death, we are now justified, saved from God’s wrath, reconciled, and saved for eternity. Jesus, the second Adam, did right what the first Adam did ...
2 Samuel 7:12-16 God promised David that He would raise up one of his descendants to build God’s house and to rule on the throne forever. David’s son, Solomon, failed to live up to that expectation; as did Rehoboam, his grandson.
Jeremiah 23:5 Most of David’s descendants who reigned as ...
When something or someone is said to be “inspired”, it is often meant that there is an external creative impulse that is the basis for motivation. But when we say that the Scriptures are “inspired by God”, it means that they are not ultimately derived from human intellect or will, but are ...
Deuteronomy 6:3-5 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD [Yahweh] is our God
[Elohim], the LORD [Yahweh] is one!
Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me;
Deuteronomy 4:35 and 39 There is no other.
Deuteronomy 10:17 God of gods, Lord of lords
Exodus ...
Forge is a free online study resource that takes about an hour and is designed to empower you to lead a small group. Forge studies avoid technical jargon and insider Christian language in an effort to focus your time on the Scriptures. Forge equips you to get into the biblical text and ask ...
The Hebrew word “shalom” means more than just “calm” or “no war”. It carries with it the idea of completeness, wholeness. Shalom is about all the pieces being together and in the right place. This Old Testament understanding serves as the foundation of the New Testament use of “peace” as ...
5:1 “Therefore” relates back to 4:19. Suffering is a major theme in 1 Peter, so elders are instructed to shepherd the family.
1:1, 6 Those who first received the letter lived in a difficult situation and were suffering.
1:10-11 With Christ, we see the suffering followed by the ...
1 Peter 4:1-2 As we saw in chapter 3, suffering is likely if you are faithful to Christ. However, when suffering comes, this is an opportunity to face it the way Jesus did. Stephen provides a sterling example of courageously paying the ultimate sacrifice with forgiveness rather than ...
1 Peter 3:8 Peter lists out a phenomenal collection of virtues for us to live out in community. We should seek unity, sympathy, love, tender hearts, and humble minds. Living this way not only makes for a better life, but it also testifies to visitors that Christianity works.
1 Peter 3:9 ...
1 Peter 2:11-12 As Christians we are “sojourners and exiles” from this world. Like immigrants, we have our own unique culture and way of doing life. Since the “Gentiles” are watching, we should live honorably and do good deeds so they will glorify God.
Peter covers three categories of ...
1 Peter 1:23 & Isaiah 40:1-11 - God is indicating to Israel that amidst their bondage, God will be victorious over these nations of captivity. (Psalm 37:1-2)The announcement of the “coming” of the LORD to intervene and deliver the people from bondage brings hope!Romans 8:16-18 - The ...
1 Peter 1:1 Aliens from another country or foreigners in the world because of our faith (1 Peter 2:11). Our true citizenship is in heaven awaiting God’s Kingdom.
Chosen according to God’s foreknowledge - Ephesians 1:4
The sanctifying work of the spirit - Titus 3:3-6
To obey ...
What are investments?
There are different kinds of investments—financial, physical, relationships, business, etc.
An investment is the “commitment of finances, assets, or resources toward a future benefit or advantage that you believe will result in a positive return.”
An investor is ...
Luke 4:31–37 Right from the beginning of his ministry, Jesus encountered the spirit of an unclean demon. Strangely, the demonized man asked Jesus, “Have you come to destroy us?”
Luke 4:40–41 Jesus was able to cast out demons hour after hour. Apparently, this was a common affliction in ...
Three titles: the tempter – Matthew 4:1-3; the deceiver – 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; and the accuser – Revelation 12:9 -12
2 Corinthians 11:3; Ezekiel 28:11-19 He is called the serpent, not to describe his appearance, but rather his craftiness. He is the master of disguise ...
The devil is God’s enemy in the story of the Bible.
It all started in the beginning….
Gen 3:1-7
The devil used the same tactics on Jesus as in the garden with Adam and Eve, but Jesus understood his enemy and faced him with the truth.
Luke 4:1-13
“Devil” means “slanderer”; ...
Jonah 1:1-2; Proverbs 6:16-19; Exodus 34:6-7
Yahweh is a God of love and mercy, but also justice. He calls individuals and nations to repent.
Jonah 1:3
Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, so he fled as far as possible. Is God calling you to speak to someone? What is your ...
Kingdom
Micah 4:3–4 From the war in Ukraine to mass shootings, our world is littered with violence. In the Kingdom age, God will eliminate such behavior so people can enjoy peace.
Amos 9:13–14 The poor and vulnerable sometimes go hungry today, but in the age to come, God will bless the world with abundance.
Have the Right Frame of Mind
It’s not about you.
It’s about Jesus!
You don’t need all the answers.
You already have the ONE answer that truly matters.
Understand your job.
Plant and water; that’s it.
God’s Heart for HUMANITY
John 3:16, 17 God loves humanity and wants all to be saved.
Ezekiel 18:20-23 and 32 God has no pleasure in people dying.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 The will of God is clearly stated.
2 Peter 3:9 He is waiting until all who are going to be saved are saved.
Prayer
Psalm 106:19-23 Prayer is powerful because it moves the hand of the one who holds the world.
1 Chronicles 29:10-19 This model prayer begins with praise before moving to thanksgiving, and finally to petition.
Hebrews 4:12 Powerful and effective - not merely a collection of ancient texts but has relevance and influence in the present. It penetrates deeply into a person’s being.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 It is transformative with the power to bring about spiritual discernment, conviction, and change in individuals.
Matthew 4:1-11 “It is written.”
In the Bible, the word “church” (ἐκκλησία) does not refer to a building nor to the people of God in general, but to an assembly of God’s people—a congregation. This series is looking at the different aspects of what we do when we come together for worship on Sundays.
Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made.
We are meticulously created, which includes the ability to sing and make music.
The power of love
“The strongest defense is a good offense.” LOVE is offensive, not defensive.
1 John 4:18--19
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love him, because He first loved us.
Our society is fixated on power. We ask, “Who has the power? Who is oppressed? How can we fix it?” But what does the Bible say about power? How does God use power?
John 11:1-6
God revealed to Jesus that Lazarus’ sickness would not end in death and that God’s glory would be revealed (v. 4). Jesus remained where he was because he believed this promise.
Mark 2:23-28 The Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples
to pluck heads of grain.
Matthew 12:9-14 They goaded him about healing on the Sabbath
when he saw the man with the withered hand.
We all face the pressure that comes from the expectations that others place upon us in our lives. But perhaps one of the greatest negative pressures comes from the world wanting us to conform to its ideals and expectations.
There is a tug-o-war going on, and we need to overcome it like Jesus did.
Ephesians 6:10 Our strength is in the Lord Jesus Christ, not ourselves.
11 Every part of the armor is vital; if something is lacking, we become vulnerable.
Ephesians 6:10 Our strength is in the Lord Jesus Christ, not ourselves.
11 Every part of the armor is vital; if something is lacking, we become vulnerable.
Nehemiah 8:1 The people of Israel had been living in exile in Babylon for 70 years. They had just returned to the land of Israel and rebuilt Jerusalem. Now Ezra is teaching the people how to live according to God’s commandments.
Psalm 21: 6-7 Through Yahweh’s lovingkindness, David found strength.
The Hebrew word chesed is translated “lovingkindness” in the NASB and in the ESV “steadfast love”. In Micah 7 in the NASB, chesed was translated “unchanging love”. Lovingkindness, steadfast love, and unchanging love combined provide a good definition of God’s love.
