Calvary: the Hill Sermons

Jesus teaches an intentionally cryptic message surrounding the theme of hearing. When His disciples ask Him to explain why He chooses to speak in parables, it becomes clear that the disciples also didn't understand the parable He recently spoke. The Parable of the Sower is a survey of the various hostilities with which the word of God is met (Mark 4:1-20).

This series of chapters follows Jehu's crusade over the Northern kingdom of Israel. Jehu exterminates the remaining members of Ahab's dynasty. Although God's judgment is poured out upon Ahab, we see that Israel's present is an entirely new low and a greater departure from God's character.

When the multitudes seek out Jesus for a free meal, Jesus thins the crowd of followers with outrageous comments about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Outrage aside, it is true that God has welcomed us to His table enter into a household of salvation (John 6:48-58).

Jesus shocks when He challenges His listeners to not invite their close friends and relatives to their dinners. Instead, He tells them that inviting the destitute and poor is a greater heavenly investment. Like many of the people in His parable, many of us find ourselves making poor excuses to not join Jesus' table. If we can learn to accept Jesus' company, we might be more apt to being accepted b...

These chapters catalogue the many miracles God has done through Elisha. Within this list, we see God's compassion shown in the greatest of tragedies even to the most mundane of inconveniences. These miracles give us a glimpse into the reality of God's work beneath the visible surfaces.

The hospitality Jesus showed extended to associating Himself with sinners. Not only was he found at the tables of flagrant members of society, but also those guilty of the sin of self-rigteousness (Luke 7:36-50).

Ahaziah reigns after his father Ahab and proves to be of a similar sort as his father. Elijah's ministry comes to a close and he passes his mantle to his student Elisha. Elisha now continues this ministry prophesying of God's judgment upon His people. But, when Moab revolts, Israel's victory further proves that God's favor still remains with them.

The Bible, especially the Old Testament, was written in the context of Middle Eastern culture wherein hospitality is of the utmost courtesy. In a time where cities were set miles apart with nothing in between, a hospitable host could mean the difference between life and death. Abraham shows us how a servant of God should serve even strangers in a sacrificial gift proportionate to his means (Genesi...

1 Kings comes to a close with the death of Ahab and Jezebel. Though the faithfulness of Judah's king Jehoshaphat lends mercy to Ahab's line, his continued sinfulness does bring him and his wife to divine judgment.

Jesus has looked out into the room of his disciples and said "you are my family". This high honor is extended to us through the ages. Though sin has corroded family and community, Jesus Himself has welcomed us into the household of God and the family customs and traditions have been given to us (Mark 3:31-35).

In what genre do we think our life is found? What kind of narrative do we think we're living? Unless we're well aware that our lives are all about Jesus, we can often fear that off-genre events derail our lives. Instead, we ought to embrace the hardships of marriage as aspects of God's written plan. He's in charge of the narrative. Craig and Vicki Finley offer pivotal marriage tips like practicing...

When scribes from Jerusalem label Jesus as a high ranking satanic agent, Jesus pronounces a stern warning that there is a sin that cannot be forgiven. Here we see that each person must decide whether to fight for Jesus or against Him. There is no neutral ground (Mark 3:22-30).

Jesus calls 12 young men to be His specially selected disciples, known as apostles. These men stand apart from the generic crowds that surround Jesus. What is the difference between a bystander and a disciple? Relationship. Our walks with Jesus are highlighted by the truth that He's reached out to us to enter into relationship with Him (Mark 3:7-21).

We find Jesus spending His Sabbath at the synagogue when enters a man with a withered hand. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to show that God's law was meant to proactively do good, not merely refraining from evil (Mark 3:1-6).

With Ahab, son of Omri in power, God raises up Elijah the prophet to speak His word. Elijah is bold in the face of opposition but when he sees that the Baal worshippers won't relent, he falls into a panic. God assures Elijah of His retained remnant, and sends Elijah on three final assignments.

When Jesus' disciples are caught picking grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees think they've caught Jesus' troupe in apostasy. This accusation becomes an opportunity for Jesus to share God's heart for the flourishing of life. In this we see how God intends to set His people free to rest and to work, not to bind them by restrictions regarding rest and work (Mark 2:23-28).

Both Israel in the North and Judah in the South begin their descent into judgment. Israel's kingdom declines much more quickly with betrayal after betrayal leading to a number of separate dynasties. The Davidic Dynasty in Judah remains intact, but even the Davidic Kings display a departure from God's ordinances. Idolatry, treachery, and assassination plague these succeeding generations of God's on...

People ask why Jesus' disciples don't fast like John's disciples. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to declare Himself to be something entirely new, rather than just a reformer. He explains that His ministry celebrates an unprecedented Arrival (Mark 2:18-22).

Tonight we cover two chapters of sharp incline and two chapters of an even steeper decline. Solomon's reign marks the zenith of Israel's history, but his use of wealth and his polygamy turns his heart away from the Lord. God's favor is also turned away from Solomon's lineage (though He promises to preserve a remnant for David's sake). Solomon's son Rehoboam's trust in inexperienced counsel leads t...

Jesus shocks His friends and critics alike when He enters into the house of Levi, a tax collector. We learn in this passage how the Gospel always pushes the boundaries we normally impose upon It. Jesus challenges us to reach out to those on the other side and extend to them the same grace He's shown us (Mark 2:13-17).

Solomon continues his father's legacy by building a temple to the Lord (plus, a house for himself). Despite the majesty of this edifice, Solomon's dedication speech makes clear that it cannot contain the Person of the Lord. God's glory fills this temple and so begins the pinnacle of Israel's history.

When faithful men bring their beloved friend to Jesus, they find the way obstructed by too many attendees. They deface the roof to lower their friend down to Jesus. When before Jesus, the man finds forgiveness (Mark 2:1-12).

As David advances in age, his son Adonijah plans a campaign to laud himself as the successor to the throne. Bathsheeba and Nathan ask David whether he'd intended to appoint Solomon instead. David sees to Solomon's ascension and Solomon executes his father's final orders in the beginnings of his reign of affluence and wisdom.

The book of Acts does not follow the works of the Apostles without Jesus, rather the work of Jesus through His people. Sincere prayer is the common underlying precursor to every powerful work. We as the church today should be given to grow in prayer just like our forefathers that we may more experience the presence, power, and purposes of God. (Acts 1:14 & 2:1; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 12:5-17; Acts 13:...

The work that the Bible can do in our lives is efficacious and life changing. No other written work can demonstrate this level of activity. The power of Scripture is does not lie in the written words themselves, but that they bear the power of the God Who sent them (Hebrews 3:7-4:13).