Advent 2025, Week 2: Isaiah 9, Part 5 As Isaiah continues talking about the government of Jesus in Isaiah 9, he gives us more descriptions of the messiah. Consider his famous words in Isaiah, 9, verse 6: “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These royal titles showContinue reading “The Messiah’s peaceable kingdom”
Tag Archives: messiah
Peace in the midst of dark times
Advent 2025, Week 2: Isaiah 9, Part 2 Matthew was there. He not only saw the light of Jesus’ peace change others, Matthew personally experienced what happened when Jesus light of peace enters the darkness of a person’s life. Matthew’s life was dark, without peace. He was a tax collector. Hated by his fellow JewsContinue reading “Peace in the midst of dark times”
The kind of peace Jesus came to bring
Advent 2025, Week 2: Isaiah 9, Part 1 Today we go back in time nearly 2700 years and Israel is at war. There is no peace. Isaiah 9, verse 1 gives us the context: “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land ofContinue reading “The kind of peace Jesus came to bring”
The proper foundation on which to build a church
Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Part 1 Guess how many total times the word “church” appears in all four Gospels combined? Don’t google it. I’m going to give you the answer in a moment. Just off the top of your head, how many times do you think the word “church” appearsContinue reading “The proper foundation on which to build a church”
A new house church network begins, and right away there is trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 1
Today we start a study through the New Testament book titled 1st Thessalonians. What is 1st Thessalonians? Turn to Acts 17, because there’s a back story we need to hear if we want to answer the question “What is 1st Thessalonians?” In Acts 17, the Christian church is only about 20 years old. What JesusContinue reading “A new house church network begins, and right away there is trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 1”
Is Santa Claus…God? – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Preview
Is Santa Claus…God? Of course not, but they sure do share some characteristics, don’t they? When we think of God, while we Christians do not believe Santa Claus is real, the typical cultural conception of God is very similar to the typical cultural conception of Santa Claus. Both are all-seeing benevolent givers of gifts who liveContinue reading “Is Santa Claus…God? – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Preview”
How Jesus’ death brings light – John 12:12-50, Part 4
Jesus has been talking about his death, which he knows is only a few days away. People in the crowd listening to him respond. They understand that he is talking about his death, but that confuses them. Look at John 12 verse 34, “The crowd spoke up, ‘We have heard from the Law that theContinue reading “How Jesus’ death brings light – John 12:12-50, Part 4”
Why The Chosen…and you… don’t really know Jesus like you think you do – John 7:1-52, Preview
How well do you know Jesus? Pretty well? Maybe you would say that you know Jesus, but you also admit that you could certainly know him better. I suspect most Christians would say something like that. I wonder, though, if we met Jesus if he might shock us. I wonder if our conception of JesusContinue reading “Why The Chosen…and you… don’t really know Jesus like you think you do – John 7:1-52, Preview”
The real purpose of Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 – John 6:1-21, Part 3
A boy is standing right in front of Jesus, and the boy has a packed lunch of five small loaves of bread and two small fish. He looks across the hillside and sees the crowd of hungry people that, like him, have come to experience the miracle-worker. How is it possible that he, a boy,Continue reading “The real purpose of Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 – John 6:1-21, Part 3”
Did Jesus win his trial? You get to choose! – John 5:31-47, Part 5
The situation is bleak. The religious leaders refuse to believe Jesus. Even after such rock-solid witnesses, four of them, which you can read about here, here and here, who each give powerful testimony about Jesus, most of the religious leaders are not convinced, and they leave plotting how to take him down. What about us?Continue reading “Did Jesus win his trial? You get to choose! – John 5:31-47, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 