Bible Teaching from Andrew Calamaro

Since people talk about the things that interest and captivate them, why do believers talk so sparingly about Jesus? While topics of conversation vary among adults, it is always true that people in groups talk about what is interesting to them. Even the quietest person will, on occasion, speak about things that are important to him or her. Some like to talk about ordinary events, while others enjo...

Introductions matter and have lasting impacts on us. Mark’s gospel was the first gospel to be written, and scholars generally affirm this Mark to be synonymous with John Mark who is mentioned on multiple occasions. Throughout his Gospel, Mark has many themes, such as the wilderness, but his most important recurring theme is the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, which is how he begins his...

The word peace means many things to many people. A mother of small children may say, “All I want is a little peace,” by which she means she wants some quiet in their household. Others may think of peace in terms of nations ceasing conflict. Still others might long for peace on the job when circumstances have led to tension in the office. The Bible speaks of a peace only God can give. ESV Passage L...

History is full of accounts of notorious criminals who fled from justice and were fugitives for many years before authorities were able to apprehend them. Many thought they could get away with their crimes, but the law caught up with them. There are also accounts of fugitives who never were apprehended and appear to have escaped justice. Even though a criminal may escape judgment in an earthly cou...

Why would someone ask for God’s counsel and then ignore it? Most of us visit a doctor when we want medical advice. We consult a professional regarding our health issues to receive an accurate diagnosis and a plan for recovery. Sadly, many people today do not consult God’s Word to guide them as they make important life decisions. They say they believe the Bible is the Word of God, but their decisio...

A man received notices that he owed taxes on his property. Each time he received a notice, he disposed of it. But this didn’t change the fact that he owed the city taxes. In the days of Jeremiah, the king of Judah didn’t like the message that came from God’s prophet. So he tried to dispose of it. But God’s Word could not be destroyed, and the truth it declared could not be avoided. Everything on t...

One of the most effective teaching tools in the classroom is the use of examples. For instance, calculus, physics, and chemistry students on university campuses purchase very large books that contain examples of how to solve various problems they may encounter in their course of study. When it comes to our spiritual instruction, God sometimes uses examples to teach us about obedience. God used the...

Many people love redeeming coupons. They clip them from a magazine or receive them in the mail and apply them against the cost of items they want to buy. The merchant gets to sell the item, and the buyer makes a discounted purchase by redeeming the coupon. Our God is in the redeeming business, too—but He redeems people, not coupons. ESV passage Jeremiah 31:23-34

Leadership experts often argue that a positive corporate culture consistently trumps raw talent. A company may have all-star employees, but if the workers don’t trust one another, a company with lesser talent but greater trust will outperform them. Those in the second company work together and achieve superior results. We will see God call His people to make the land of their exile better for havi...

Most people would agree leaders should possess good character. Often when leaders fail morally, their followers rationalize, “Well if they can do that, so can I.” Leaders must lead not only by words, but also by example. Through Jeremiah, God promised that one day He would give His people a trustworthy and righteous Ruler. This Ruler has already come; He is the Lord Jesus Christ who will reign on...

Power & Authority which is better? Most of us have been in situations where we have witnessed poor leadership and thought things would be better if we were in control. We would have to admit, however, that in the situations where we were in control, things didn’t always turn out the way we hoped. The fact is, we are never in complete control of everything in our lives. The only One who is in c...

What images come to your mind when you hear the word “covenant”? Traditional wedding vows often include “will you . . . forsaking all others, be faithful . . . as long as you both shall live?” It is a promise of singular and exclusive devotion. It is no surprise that in both the Old Testament and New Testament the covenant of marriage describes God’s relationship to Israel and Christ’s relationshi...

Worship is more than what we do on Sunday morning. Corporate worship is an important element of church life. But what about the rest of the week? How does the way we live the other days of the week reflect our worship on Sunday? While it is important that believers gather to worship, religious activity can never substitute for obedient living. The expressions of worship that God accepts are those...

Every day we are bombarded with messages from a variety of sources. Many times, we receive conflicting information, making it difficult to know who or what to believe. Sometimes the conflicting claims are harmless, such as with advertisements of restaurants claiming they have the best chicken in town. Other times, however, the message we choose to listen to can be a matter of life and death. This...

Called to be “a prophet to the nations,” Jeremiah’s primary message to Judah was to repent in light of the coming judgment of God. Unfortunately, we will see that the recipients of God’s message are reluctant to respond in obedience. Though these book can feel heavy with judgment, Jeremiah also delivered a message of hope and of future restoration. ESV passage Jeremiah 1:1-19

Asking someone if they love us can be a dangerous question. We may hear the right answer while their body language communicates something different. They may view love differently than we do or to a different degree than what we had hoped. Even though this may be a dangerous question, it is an important question so we can know the potential for that relationship. Jesus asked Peter this question to...

Robert Ripley was a sports columnist who, during a slow sports news day, wrote an article about unusual competitions and called it “Champs and Chumps.” In time, oddities from around the world took on a new name, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not.” We are fascinated by things that seem unbelievable or out of the ordinary. Some things may test what we think to be possible until we see the evidence. Even J...

When our mother uses our first name, we usually stop in our tracks. We know better than to ignore that call. The same thing is true when our boss uses our first name, especially if they’re doing so to congratulate or recognize our work. Hearing our first name changes the relationship. When Mary heard her name called by the One she thought to be the gardener—it changed everything. ESV passage John...

Some die in hospitals, while others die at home. Some have long illnesses, while others die from sudden accidents. While some family members are relieved that the pain and suffering has ended, none really want to let go. Each life is precious and, to one degree or another, seems unfinished. This was not the case when Jesus died. His work of atonement was complete through His death. Jesus provided...

“We the jury find the defendant . . ..” Most of us are intrigued about the factors that swayed a jury to decide one way or the other. The appeal of whodunit novels and stories highlight our desire to piece together the evidence so we can develop our own verdict. Pilate interviewed Jesus to piece together the evidence and found Him not guilty. Yet, Pilate ignored his own conclusion and handed Jesus...

Most of us have mistaken someone for another person. Once we discover they are not who we thought they were, we may be amused, embarrassed, or relieved. In the Garden of Gethsemane, there was no way to mistake Jesus for someone else. Not only did Judas identify Him with a kiss to the cheek, but Jesus boldly stated, “I am he.” He was not afraid of Judas or the mob. This was His hour. ESV passage Jo...

A shared commitment to God’s purposes produces unity among believers. Look at John 17, how Jesus mentioned His past actions, His current concerns, and His future desires. How does His prayer frame Jesus’s expectations for His followers? ESV passage John 17:13-26

Two reporters can cover the same newsworthy event and yet walk away with very different stories if they consult different sources. If we read both reporters’ stories, we may wonder if we can trust either to be accurate or discredit one based on our own bias. This becomes more complicated when we are considering issues that impact our lives and the lives of others. We need a reliable source we can...

Many people have interest in researching their family history. Websites, articles, heirlooms, books, genetic tests, and repeated family stories add to our understanding of our family history. Piecing together our family stories can help us understand why our family does some of the things it does, help us connect as a family, and give us identity. Jesus called on His disciples to connect to Him an...

The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary became the catalyst that led to the outbreak of World War I. H. G. Wells dubbed it “The War to End All Wars.” It ended with the signing of an armistice agreement on November 11, 1918. The end of the war, though, did not usher in a lasting peace. What we really need is a peace that is only available through Jesus. He offers a peace...