The Bible reveals our Creator, who is both magnificent in power and yet intimately personal.John 1:1-31 In the beginning the Word already existed.   The Word was with God,   and the Word was God.2 He existed in the beginning with God.3 God created everything through him,   and nothing was created except through him.Isaiah 40:12Who else has held the oceans in his hand?   Who has measured off the he...

Revelation 21:1-21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.God's renewal of the world includes the transformation of everything.Revelation 22:1-21 Then the angel showed me a river with the...

The Structure of Matthew 24-25What signs of the end will happen before Jesus returns? (24:4-31)How do we interpret and apply the promised return of Jesus? (24:32-25:30)What happens after Jesus returns? (25:31-46)Matthew 25:31-4631 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence,...

Matthew 24:32-3532 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my wo...

Matthew 23:37-3937 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the na...

Why should we consider the "end times?”Effective preaching about 'the last things' may be one of the best ways to help Christians internalize a worldview that puts eternity and this world in their right proportion. -Douglas Moo, Commentary: 2 Peter and Jude, Zondervan, p. 219.If Jesus's resurrection compels us to move forward from His death, the hopeful promise of His return helps us persevere to ...

Mark 15:40-4140 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.Mark 15:47-16:1-247 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was l...

1 Corinthians 1:23-2523 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.1 Corinthians 1...

What can we learn from the way Jesus prepares His apostles for the future?When things that seem unshakable fall, remember where your CONFIDENCE is found. (Mark 13:1-2, 7-8)  When you are desperate for hope, remember where SALVATION is found. (Mark 13:5-6, 21-23)  When you are afraid of the cost of discipleship, remember the PROMISE that comes with the PRICE.  (Mark 13:9-11) When you suffer for you...

Mark 11:1-11 (NLT)As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The ...

Discipleship is a lifelong journey of sacrifice and seeing.Mark 10:45"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”The Structure of Mark 1010:1-12 The Blindness of the Pharisees  10:13-16 The Sacrifice of Self-importance    10:17-31 The Sacrifice of Self-righteousness  10:35-45 The Sacrifice of Selfish Ambition10:46-52 The Sight of th...

Mark 1:1:aThis is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.Mark 8:2929 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”To be the Messiah means that before there is SPLENDOR, there is SUFFERING.Mark 8:31-3331 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the t...

Mark 8:27-30 27 Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. (27 Miles North) As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” 29 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” ...

The Gospel of Markis not a biography of Jesus’ lifeis not a detailed map of eventsis not in chronological orderis a purpose-driven narrative from the words of PeterThe Gospel of Mark is a call for discipleship in the midst of difficult times.The Structural Parallels of Mark 5:35-8:306:14-16Who is Jesus? 8:27-306:31-44Feeding the Multitude 8:1-96:45-56Crossing the Lake 4:35-41; 8:10"Who do you say ...

Mark 3:22-2722 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart....

Mark 3:20-22 (NLT) 20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. 22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he get...

A DISRUPTOR is an individual who significantly alters how an industry or system operates.Mark's Mentions of Jesus in PrayerOutside Capernaum (1:35-39)Outside Bethsaida (6:45-47)In the Garden of Gethsemane (14:32-42)Out of all the conflicts in life, we SUCCEED when we SURRENDER to Jesus.Conflict and the Confessionary Structure of MarkFive incidents in Galilee (2:1-3:6)Five incidents in Jerusalem (1...

The Gospel of Mark:is not a biography of Jesus’ lifeis not a detailed map of eventsis not in chronological orderis a purpose-driven narrativeMark 1:1aThis is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.Mark opens his gospel with a personal declaration of faith.Mark’s declaration of faith is a declaration of victory.Mark’s declaration of faith is a proclamation of identity.The Son of God ...

Acts 2:42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.Acts 2:46aThey worshiped together at the Temple each day....Temple Prayer ScheduleMorning: 9:00 (Abraham)Noon (Isaac)Evening: 3:00 (Jacob)Acts 3:1Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer serv...

Acts 2:42-4742 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions ...