The Gospel Key (John 20:21-23)

Our Lord took on real flesh and has entered history to live a perfect life, die on the cross, be raised to life, and ascend to heaven.  He gives the sure promise that those who respond to the gospel in faith have life right now and true life in the age to come.  However, those who do not respond in faith do not and will not have life in the age to come.  His assurance and warning is that how one responds to the gospel in this day has ramifications for the life to come.  So, what is essential to the Gospel message to have life?  Do we really need to believe that Christ took on the flesh?

Children of Peace or Problems: The Shepherds (Luke 2:1-20)

Isaiah predicts and raises children that are not necessarily encouraging for Ahaz.  In fact, these children upset the status quo that Ahaz desires to maintain.  This is not just a problem for Ahaz, but we find that the same thing is happing under the watch of Caesar Augustus who is credited with establishing world peace.   Christ’s entrance into history that does not seem to be that well received.  Is this really the Emmanuel child?  Can the Lord really establish His kingdom through such humble beginnings? 

Lord’s Supper: It is Finished (John 19:30)

When Christ is on the cross he states, “it is Finished.” This seem like a simple enough statement, but what does it really mean? What implications could this have for the Lord’s Supper? What does this mean for our lives in the Lord?

Lord’s Supper: Consuming Christ? (John 6:55)

Our Lord uses very strong language about finding life and having life in him. Christ tells us that need to eat his flesh and his blood. He promises that as we eat of his flesh and blood we are assured that we will have true life that will never end. So, does this mean that every time that we have the Lord’s supper that we consume Christ’s body and blood? Does this mean that every time we come together that Christ is re-sacrificed? What does Christ mean by this language?

Children of Peace or Problems: Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

Isaiah has not been the most encouraging prophet for the Lord’s people.  He continues to talk about exile and a remnant.  One might wonder if there is any hope for the Lord’s messiah to arrive in history.  However, Isaiah gives us the assurance that there is a child who arrives in history and his name is wonderful counselor.  So, what is so significant about this child who enters history?

Children of Peace or Problems: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Isaiah 8:1-10)

Isaiah is commanded to write Maher Shalal, Hash, Bas on the wall.  It is after he writes this on the wall he is to name his child this very name.  Not many Christians name their child Maher-Shalel-Hash-Baz.  Is this because the length of the name, the meaning of the name or both?  Why is Isaiah commanded to name his child: Quick Spoil Swift Plunder?

A Conditional Union? (John 14:18-24)

Christ identifies the elements in the Lord’s Supper as His body and blood.  Is Christ saying that the bread and the wine are merely a memorial?  How can these elements continually be tied to Christ when he sacrifices himself once time?  How can we be assured that as Christ is in heaven that we have life in the Lord?

Children of Peace or Problems: Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)

Isaiah 7:14 promises a great child. It is the promise of a child whose name means, “God with us.” This is a wonderful promise. Immanuel means God walking in the midst of his people giving the assurance that no matter what his people face they will have assurance of the Lord’s protection. How can this promise be a threat? Why would Ahaz not be encouraged about this sign? How can the birth of this child encourage us?

Contradictory or Unified Signs? (Colossians 2:11,12)

The Apostle Paul mentions baptism and circumcision as two signs of Christ’s work. Does Paul mention circumcision first to show that there is something more basic or inferior to this sign tied strictly to the Old Testament? Does he mention baptism second to communicate we have really arrived in history? Is it possible that Paul sees these two signs as having similar implications, but looking to the coming of Christ from different viewpoints in history?

Children of Peace or Problems: Shear-Jashub (Isaiah 7:1-9)

The people of Judah are facing a foreign and domestic threat that could impact their future existence.  Ahaz their king is scared that his kingdom will not be able to withstand a lengthy battle.  The Lord sends Isaiah to deliver a prophecy to Ahaz and he is to bring his son.  What is the significance of Isaiah’s child?  What is the hope that a remnant shall return?

A Baptismal Flood (1 Peter 3:18-22)

Peter presents Noah’s flood as precedent that shows God’s deliverance and judgment. However, Peter also appeals to the flood story as a baptism. What does the flood teach us about baptism? How does this ultimately encourage us in our Christian walk? What does this teach us about covenant theology?

A Kingdom of Joy (Matthew 13:45-52)

One would think that if this kingdom is going to be largely invisible and appears too weak to defeat rivals.  It seems as if this kingdom is going to initially provide hope and then become a grave disappointment as one still struggles with the burdens of life under the sun.  However, this is not how Christ wants us to view this kingdom.  So, why would we have joy when God’s kingdom impacts our lives?  How should we react when we are informed by God’s kingdom? 

Merciful Washing (Titus 3:5)

Paul exhorts us through his letter to Titus reminding us that he saved us, washed us by regeneration, and renews us by the Holy Spirit.  This is a paraphrase, but it certainly sounds as if those who are baptized are those who necessarily have the Holy Spirit.  If this is a sign that affirms our possession of the Holy Spirit why would we apply this sign of baptism to infants when we cannot know if they have the Holy Spirit?

Baptized Heirs with Abraham (Gal. 3:27)

Many people in the church today think that baptism is merely a New Testament symbol demonstrating that the church is different from Israel. However, the Apostle Paul does not see such a distinction in the people of God. Is the church the replacement for Israel? Is the church something that is radically different from Israel? What does the sacrament of baptism have to do with Israel and the church?

A Significant Kingdom (Matthew 13:36-44)

It is tempting for the world to think that because the weeds continue to grow and flourish that the wheat has little hope.  The serpent seed has always thought that it will rise up and be victorious, but will Satan be victorious?  What does covenant history teach us about our destiny? 

A Stern Master's Kingdom (Luke 17:10)

Scripture speaks of us receiving crowns and rewards when we get to glory. One of think that our sole motivation is to have a bigger crown, a bigger mansion, or more rewards than another christian. What is wrong with this sort of motivation to obey to receive more from our Lord at the final judgment? Why should we want to conform to the Lord as we journey through this age?

Insignificant or Significant Kingdom? (Matthew 13:31-35)

It is easy to get discouraged when we read the news and wonder what is happening in the world today.  We might wonder where is this mighty and majestic kingdom that Scripture communicates so clearly.  So, where is this kingdom?  Is the kingdom here right now or is the kingdom on its way?  How does this impact our lives today?

Why is Faith so Important? (1 Cor. 2:1-5)

We believe that one is righteous before God by taking hold of Christ through faith.  Paul says that he desires to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Does this mean that Paul is denying Christ’s resurrection?  Does this mean that Paul is teaching us not to learn from wise men in the past nor to look at any other Scriptures?  What does Paul mean by this strong statement, “Jesus Christ and him crucified?”

Mysterious Knowledge Revealed (Matthew 13:17-30)

We sit with the disciples to hear about the parable of the sower.  Christ then continues with this theme to talk about a false sower. Does this mean that Satan has equal power and authority?  Can we be sure that the Lord really will accomplish His goal?  How do we know that the Lord is really capable to finish what He starts? 

Peter’s Fellow Elders (1 Peter 5:1)

Peter is an apostle who identifies himself as a fellow elder.  Does Peter have an identity crises in his letter or is Peter teaching us something significant about leadership?