Mustard seeds are small. But they don’t stay that way! In Matthew 13, Jesus shared the parable of the ‘mustard seed’ in describing the kingdom’s growth. Mustard seed start small. But in time, they grow upward and outward. Now, who did Jesus share this parable with? He shared it with a smattering of disciples on … Read More Read More

If you have lost someone that you love, it is natural to grieve. With that said, GRIEF is NOT the same as DESPAIR. In 1 Thessalonians 4, the Apostle Paul makes this distinction. Specifically, he says that although it is OK to lament the loss of a loved one, we do not sorrow as those … Read More Read More

How much time do you have left? In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul answered that question this way – not much. Specifically, Paul said that “the night is far spent, the day is at hand.” Paul wanted his readers to understand the value of today. He wanted them to live as if their time was … Read More Read More

How much of God’s Word should we preach? To the Apostle Paul, the answer was ALL OF IT. And that’s just what he told the Ephesian elders in Acts 10. He told them that he had not refrained from preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God, and he expected them to do the same. … Read More Read More

As Christians, we often remember the things that Jesus has done. With that said, have you ever wondered: what is He doing now? Among other things, Jesus is interceding on behalf of His people. You have a divine advocate that is (even now) seeking your welfare! And that should be an encouragement during these difficult … Read More Read More

What is the ‘Magnificat?’ The ‘magnificat’ is the name that we give to Mary’s song in Luke 1, in which she declares that her soul ‘magnifies the Lord.’ In today’s study, we will see that this is one of the most counter-cultural songs ever written. Questions That We’ll Answer: 1) What news did the Angel … Read More Read More

Victory is at hand – your story ends well! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only the capstone event of the Gospel, but it secures our great future. You see, if the grave didn’t hold Him, then it won’t hold you. And if death can be defeated, then so can all the other hardships … Read More Read More

Darkness. An earthquake. A shock in the temple. And on top of that, a cry – ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ What really happened on the cross? What do we make of all the supernatural events that transpired? And what do we make of Christ’s final words? In today’s study, we … Read More Read More

In Matthew 26, Jesus sat down. His betrayer joined Him. In today’s study, Jesus sat down for what we call the ‘Last Supper,’ with His betrayer seated just a few feet away. Our Lord had come to celebrate the Passover with His disciples, knowing this would be their last opportunity to do so. But He … Read More Read More

Jesus was walking into a trap. Several traps, actually. When Jesus entered the Temple in Matthew 21, the Pharisees, Sadducees and others planned to ask Him questions that might trap or make our Lord look bad before others. They wanted to destroy or hurt His credibility. In today’s study, we’ll see how Jesus responded. Questions … Read More Read More

In Matthew 21, Jesus was angry. Now, how could this be? What could possibly make gentle, loving, patient Jesus so upset? What could cause Him to flip tables and to make a scene? In today’s study, we’ll consider both the circumstances and reasons for Christ’s anger. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Who were the money-changers … Read More Read More

Revelation is the last book in the Bible. However, the entire Bible is a revelation from God – and so is every molecule in the created realm. Every ounce of creation tells us something about the Creator. In today’s study, we’ll talk about the benefits of God’s revelation, and the consequences for ignoring what He … Read More Read More

Jesus, Moses, and Elijah met on the mountaintop. One’s face radiated with divine light. The others did not. Moses and Elijah were no slouches – these were titans of Jewish history, the very embodiment of the law and the prophets. And yet, when standing next to Jesus, they paled. It was Christ alone that the … Read More Read More

Are there levels of reward (or punishment) in eternity? In Dante’s Inferno, the poet described Hell as having ‘nine circles.’ Each circle corresponded with a different sin and degree of punishment. But is this a Biblical understanding? Does the Bible teach that different sins merit different punishments in Hell? And what does it say about … Read More Read More

This was a very wicked region. In the time of Christ, Caesarea Philippi was the ‘red light district.’ It was filled with pagan people doing pagan things. And yet, this is where Jesus took His disciples in Matthew 16. Why? That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did … Read More Read More

It is the most famous sermon ever preached. In Matthew 5, Jesus starts the ‘Sermon On The Mount’ with a series of blessings (or beatitudes). What were these blessings all about? And how were they received by hurting, downtrodden people who were used to the legalism of the Pharisees? Questions That We’ll Answer: A) How … Read More Read More

Does God ‘change’ His mind? It seems unlikely. Why would a perfect, all knowing God change His mind? On the other hand, there are several verses that suggest He does. In Jonah 3, the Bible said God ‘relented’ from destroying Nineveh. In 1 Samuel, God himself said He ‘regretted’ making Saul king. If God doesn’t … Read More Read More

How big do you think the church really is? It depends on how you define it. In Matthew 7, Jesus warned that there were many professing believers who did not know Him. In Christ’s own day, there were hundreds of thousands of Israelites who claimed to know God, but who were in danger of severe … Read More Read More

Is cremation biblical? In 1960, only 4% of Americans were cremated. As of 2023, that number is over 52%. Given the popularity of cremation, many Christians want to know if the Bible ever refers to it, and if there is any Biblical precedent for pursuing it. That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions … Read More Read More

Depression can be more than just ‘feeling sad.’ Yes, depression involves sadness. But clinical (or major) depression is not limited to a particular ‘mood’ or emotional state. Clinical depression is a persistent, recurring condition that may stem from our nature or physiology – and not just our circumstances. It can strike when things are going … Read More Read More

Who were the 12 Apostles? Well, they weren’t the sort of men you would expect. They weren’t the sort of men that anyone would expect. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Judas – from an earthly perspective, this was a most unlikely bunch. And yet, Christ chose these men to be His friends and ambassadors. What … Read More Read More

Pharisees hated Jesus. This Roman Centurion did not. Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees antagonized our Savior. They accused and berated Him at every turn. Conversely, there were seven Roman Centurions in the New Testament – and each is portrayed in a more positive light. How can this be? Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why … Read More Read More

Does the devil think that he can win? In Matthew 4, Jesus is led out into the wilderness, where He was tempted for forty days by the devil. What did the devil think he was going to accomplish? And what was the Father’s purpose in allowing His Son to undergo this? Other Questions That We’ll … Read More Read More

If baptism is for SINNERS, then why was JESUS baptized? In Matthew 3, Jesus asked John to baptize him. That blew John’s mind. And so, John told Him that it was the other way around – that Christ needed to baptize him! John knew that Jesus had no sins that He needed to repent of, … Read More Read More

The God who MADE YOU wants to be WITH YOU. Think on that. The pagan gods didn’t work that way. These (false) deities kept the people at arm’s length. But our God wants to be close. He walked with Adam in the garden. He dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. He came to earth in … Read More Read More

Who was Matthew? What is the Book of Matthew all about? In Part 1 of our new study, we will introduce this Gospel and talk about the audience that it was originally written to – the Israelites. While Matthew contains truth and wisdom for all people, it was intended to explain the person and work … Read More Read More

Throughout the Old Testament, God made a series of incredible promises – promises that defied His people’s expectations. And, in His time, He fulfilled every last one of them. In today’s study of 1 Kings 8, we’ll consider the God who always ‘keeps His promises’ – including those that He has made to you and … Read More Read More

On many occasions, Moses went up a mountain to meet with God. In Deuteronomy 34, he would do so once again – but this time, he would not return. What can we learn from the death and final days of Moses? That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) How … Read More Read More

In 1 Peter 2, the Apostle talked about a ‘war’ waged against the soul of believers. When we think of ‘war,’ we tend to think of external enemies that are coming against us. But that’s not the sort of war that Peter was talking about. Rather, Peter was talking about a war that is going … Read More Read More

God told the people to go outward – to be fruitful and to multiply across the globe. Instead, the people decided to go upward – to build a tower into the heavens. In today’s study, we’ll consider the construction of the “Tower of Babel” in Genesis 11, and see why God came down to deal … Read More Read More

In Romans 10, Paul asked a series of important questions. Specifically, he asked this: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they … Read More Read More

Who is your neighbor? That was the question that Jesus asked the proud, arrogant lawyer. The man said that he’d kept the law. The man said that he’d loved his neighbor as himself. But Jesus knew better. Jesus knew that was only true if he neutered the word of any meaning. And so Jesus asked … Read More Read More

Does the church need revival? Does it need reformation? Throughout history, there have been a number of ‘revivals’ when God’s people have increased in size, health, and ministry. And in every single case, these revivals involved a renewed emphasis on God’s Word. In today’s study of 2 Kings 23, we’ll see that one of the … Read More Read More

Life is short. Act accordingly. In today’s study, we consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians, in which he referred to our mortal bodies as “earthen vessels.” In other words, Paul likened our human bodies to pottery – easily broken, and not built to last. Now, is that a depressing thought? Well, it would be, except … Read More Read More

When Exodus began, God’s people were laboring over a building project – Pharaoh’s. But by the time Exodus ends, an entirely different building project is in view (the Tabernacle). In our final study of the Book of Exodus, we consider the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a game changer for the people of Israel. With that … Read More Read More

Are you and I able to look upon God’s face? Why or why not? What about when we’re in Heaven – will we be able to look upon God then? In today’s text, we’ll consider Moses’ request to see God’s face. And we’ll also consider God’s response, and how He safely tucked Moses into the … Read More Read More

The ‘golden calf’ incident is a dark blot in Israelite history. While coming down the mountain, Moses heard the sound of warfare from below. But he soon found that it wasn’t warfare – it was singing and adulation toward an idol. The people had broken God’s law. Terribly. Egregiously. And to demonstrate what they’d done, … Read More Read More

Does God care how we worship Him? According to Exodus 28, the answer is YES. In the last fifteen chapters of Exodus, we read about the construction of the Tabernacle. In these chapters, God gave the people some meticulous, specific details for the Tabernacle’s components and design. He also gave specific details for the clothing … Read More Read More

What was the Ark Of The Covenant? In Exodus 25, God told the Israelites to construct an ‘ark,’ and to place the ark in the Tabernacle. But what was the purpose of the Ark? And what was the significance of the ‘mercy seat’ that was on its top? These questions will be the focus of … Read More Read More

The Israelites had seen ‘animal sacrifices’ before. On many occasions, they’d seen blood on the altar. However, they’d never been sprinkled by that blood (the way that Moses did in Exodus 24). Why did Moses do this? And what was the point of this “blood oath” or covenant that the people had entered into with … Read More Read More

Did you know that Jesus Christ appears throughout the Book of Exodus? From the Red Sea to their arrival in the Promised Land, Jesus Christ makes multiple appearances in this part of the Old Testament. In Exodus 23, we see one of these – an occasion when He is referred to as the “Angel of … Read More Read More

God’s law can teach, it can restrain, and it can disciple. But it cannot save. That was the problem of the Israelites as they looked at the burning mountain. When they heard the ten commandments, they realized this – as significant as those commandments were, they only condemned, and did not redeem. The fire on … Read More Read More

The people were out of Egypt. They’d gone through the wilderness. Now, they had arrived at the mountain of God. “There were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought … Read More Read More

Ordinarily, bread doesn’t come from Heaven. Ordinarily, water doesn’t come from rocks. But in Exodus 16, they did! God provided for His people using the most unexpected means. Click to hear Part 7 of our new series on the Book of Exodus.