Issues In Perspective

In collusion with his mother, Rebekah, Jacob, impersonating his brother Esau, lies (twice) to Isaac, his father, inorder to receive the blessing of the firstborn.

As Abraham dies, Issac, the new patriarch, struggles with the same sins as his dad, but sees his two sons, Jacob and Esau born--and the battle between the two begins.

Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac, and God's loyal, covenant love and providence are clearly evident throughout the entire process.

In obedience to God, Abraham is willing to offer Issac back to God, but He stops him and renews the covenant.

Isaac the covenant son is born and God cares for Hagar and Ishmael, who are dismissed from the house of Abraham.

Abram follows the advice of his wife and sires Ishmael, creating major problems for his family; but God still affirms the eternal covenant with Abraham and its sign of circumcision.

As Abram rescues his nephew Lot, He receives a blessing from Melchizedek, a king and priest of God, after which God "cuts" the Covenant with Abram, a man of extraordinary faith.

Beginning a new study, focusing on the Patriarchs in the book of Genesis: God makes a threefold promise to Abram, to which Abram responds with incredible faith and worship.

Jesus' burial, His resurrection and the consequences of His ascension end this marvelous Gospel account of Jesus.

Jesus' "trials" are followed by Him being mocked, scourged and crucified.

As Jesus eats the Passover meal, He institutes the Lord's Supper, foretells Peter's denial and then goes to Gethsemane to pray to His Father, preparing for His arrest.

As the Jewish leadership plots Jesus' death when Judas offers to betray Him, Jesus completes His discourse on end times by challenging us to be ready, to be faithful and to not try to figure out when all this will occur.

Jesus answers his disciples' questions about end-time events.

Jesus responds to His opponents and then goes on the offensive, silencing His enemies.

Jesus neutralizes the threats from the Pharisees, the Herodians and the Sadducees.

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is followed by His cursing of the fig tree (a metaphor for Israel), cleansing the Temple complex and the challenge to HIs authority by the spiritual leadership.

As Jesus predicts His future sufferings, His death and His resurrection, He teaches His disciples about "greatness" and about servant leadership.

Jesus stresses child-like faith, while emphasizing how wealth can become as a god in our lives.

Jesus issues a call to radical discipleship and to be His salt in a broken world.

In two specific narratives, Jesus teaches the importance of faith in Him.

As Jesus affirms the meaning of discipleship, He takes his inner circle of three to Mt. Hermon and is transfigured before them, manifesting His glory.

Jesus' Messianic miracles are to prove He is the Messiah but also to teach His disciples, who eventually proclaim that "He is the Christ.”

Jesus combats the perverted legalism of the Pharisees and heals Gentiles in Tyre and the Decapolis, all proving He is the Messiah

Because of their faith, Jesus transforms a demon-possessed man, a synagogue leader (and his daughter) and a woman with a disease that made her unclean.

Jesus teaches in parables to reveal truth and to hide truth.