Faithful to the End

Proverbs 31:10-31  is a passage praising the exemplary woman, a wife that displays wisdom in her daily living and responses with her family and community. Ruth may well have been a tangible display of this woman of virtue described in Proverbs 31. Solomon and Bathsheba, may have been distant relatives of Ruth and thus describe her in Proverbs 31 and her faithfulness to the Lord, to her husband and...

As Genesis continues, the story is going to begin to narrow from all humanity to a specific individual, Abram, and the call of Yahweh in his life. Initially, the genealogies transition from the family of Noah to the family of Terah and one specific son, Abram. In the middle of the genealogies, once again there is a record of man's resistance and rebellion against God. God confounds human langu...

As Mark continues his gospel, Jesus asks his disciples who people think he is. They offer three options, John the Baptist, Elijah or another prophet. He then asks who they think he is. Peter immediately responds, You are the Christ or You are the Messiah. The understanding about Messiah in the first-century was very diverse within broader Judaism. The Qumran community believed there would be two m...

Genesis 6-9 As the book of beginnings continues, we are introduced to Noah and given the account of the flood. Human sin increases and demands judgment from God. The sin of mankind was great on the earth, as it is now. Judgment was and is necessary. Even in judgment, God offers deliverance - God offers grace to Noah and his family. Human sin always demands judgment, and it is God alone that can pr...

Mark 8:11-26 As Mark continues his gospel of Jesus, the Son of God, he tells of yet another contentious interaction with the Pharisees. They long for a sign, proof that they would be willing to accept who Jesus really was. Jesus is dismayed by their request - which demonstrates a hardness and rejection of the truth about him, he is the Son of God. The spiritual blindness of the Pharisees was a dan...

Mark 15:42-16:8 Mark concludes the crucifixion account of Jesus with his burial and then his resurrection on the first day of the week. Mark offers a clear defense of potential arguments against the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. First, Mark offers clear witnesses to his death including; the centurion, Joseph of Arimathea and the two women who witnessed his burial. Just two days later, t...

Mark 7:34-8:10 In this section, Mark gives three accounts of the ministry of Jesus among the Gentiles. Initially, in Tyre, a Gentile woman comes before Jesus and on her knees, pleads with Jesus to deliver her daughter from the demon that possesses her. Jesus delivers her daughter after she responds with a demonstrable faith. Jesus then heals a man who is deaf and mute, healing him in a way that mi...

Mark 11:1-25 As Mark presents the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, he does so with a more somber tone than the other gospel writers. There is almost a sense of disappointment at the conclusion, because of the failure of the religious leaders and larger audience in Jerusalem to recognize who Jesus really is and respond accordingly. Mark wants us to grasp who Jesus is, he wants us to see Jes...

Mark 7:1-23 Mark records this account of the Pharisees questioning Jesus about the disciples failing to wash their hands. This refers to ceremonial washing. The Pharisees are committed to their traditions, but are actually hiding their own sinful hearts behind their traditions. This is possible for us today as well. We can hide behind our church involvement, but miss the point of his coming to ear...

Mark 15:1-41 Mark here offers the account of Jesus' trial before Pilate and then his crucifixion. Jesus endured the mockery, shame and death of the cross to redeem us; Jesus endured, despised the shame ( Hebrews 12:2 ) for you and for me. All that is entailed here by Mark demonstrates the lengths to which God would go to rescue humanity from sin. Today, you can be delivered from you sins, if y...

Romans 6:1-4 As Paul turns from the glories of justification, he focuses in on the reality that sin should no longer reign, be in charge, in our lives. Through his death, Jesus rescues and delivers us from the dominion of sin over us. Therefore, we no longer have to serve sin. As Paul explains this truth, he uses baptism as a tangible picture of dying to sin and being raised to newness of life. As...

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Dr. Rock LaGioia Trials are never what we would naturally ask for, but often it is trials to accomplish the greatest growth in our lives. Trials also give us the opportunity to encourage and strengthen others as they face trials. God uses trials to strengthen us and make us more like Jesus.  Throughout 2 Corinthians Paul addresses the impact of suffering on ministry, life and...

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 Pastor Mark Black In Deuteronomy, a prophet like Moses will be raised up and you must listen to him. This prophet is none other than Jesus the promised one who came to deliver humanity from their sins. He alone fulfills this prophecy. Jesus is the redeemer, Jesus intercedes for his people just as Moses interceded for Israel. Jesus is the hope of the nations, he alone can deliv...

Colossians 3:12-18 - Pastor Mark Black Jesus is the preeminent one, and came to transform us through his sacrifice for us on the cross. The new man, a characterization of believers by Paul both here in Colossians 3 and in Ephesians 4, must continually be transformed into the image of Jesus. Transformation is a characteristic of genuine believers. We must strive to become more like him each and eve...

Genesis 3:1-5:32: In Genesis 3, Moses records the fall of mankind. He begins with the temptation of Adam and Eve and moves to their sin, and then the consequences given by God. The LORD God addresses the serpent, the woman and finally the man as he delivers the consequences for their actions in the garden. Sin is and has been since the fall in the garden the problem for all humanity. Jesus alone m...

Mark 6: 1-56 As Mark continues his gospel, the gospel of the Son of God, he addresses various responses to Jesus throughout Mark 6. Initially, Mark addresses the rejection of Jesus by his own hometown. Jesus then sends the twelve out, instructing them how to respond to rejection. Mark recounts the faithfulness of John the Baptist and the undecided response of Herod to his message. The following tw...

Genesis 2:4-25: Genesis 2 continues the creation account, but offers some additional perspective. Moses presents God in a more personal way, he personally forms the creatures of earth like a potter with clay, including Adam and the woman. The Garden of Eden is described and explained as the place for Adam to live, work and steward. God provides the trees and plants for food, except for one tree. A...

This section of Mark is amazing. Mark demonstrates the authority of Jesus over nature, demonic forces, incurable illness and death. Throughout each account Jesus authority overwhelms each difficulty presented. In each occurrence, people are fearful of the scenario in which they find themselves, but Jesus addresses the difficulty, solving the present issue. All three of these accounts, also present...

In creation, one of the features is that humanity is created in the "image of God" and given dominion over everything else created by God. The meaning of the "image of God" is signficant and carries weight for human identity. Often the "image of God" has been limited to specific attributes like intelligence, reasoning or even having a soul. But, these characteristics...

As Mark continues to explain the gospel of Jesus, the true Son of God, he gives us a sample of the teaching of Jesus in the kingdom parables given here in Mark 4. Jesus first gives us the parable of the sower, and explains the manner in which people receive the message of the word he is teaching. Throughout these teachings, it is clear that Jesus is calling people to hear him, to listen to his ins...

Moses offers a description of the creation to Israel, which still has enormous implications for us today. In the creation account of Genesis, we have the seven days of creation which include: the origin of day and night, sky, land and seas, fish, birds, animals and humanity. But the creation account account is about the creator. The name of God occurs 35 times in this passage and there are 54 acti...

As Mark continues to explain Jesus, as the true Son of God, he offers three accounts of Jesus engaging with followers or critics who oppose him or appear to oppose him. Large crowds followed Jesus, often hoping to receive something like healing or provision of some kind. Jesus calls followers to something more - he calls them to be with him, so that they can know him and declare him to others. Jes...

The Bible begins with important words that declare the truth about God - God exists and he created all things. The subject of creation is important throughout the rest of Genesis and the rest of the Old Testament. Creation is referenced by Jesus, Peter, John, Paul and Luke throughout the New Testament. Throughout Scripture, the work of creation evidences the character and action of God toward huma...

As one of two ordinances in the New Testament that Jesus calls his people to regularly observe, it is important that believers understand the truth about baptism. Throughout the history of the early church in Acts, Luke records several passages that offer examples of individuals responding in faith to the message of Jesus and then being baptized. Baptism does not and cannot save. Baptism is an ill...

As Paul concludes this magnificent letter to the church in Rome, he offers a doxology. This hymn of praise to God offers adoration for his power, his eternal plan and his wisdom. Paul begins with the power of God to establish, to strengthen believers. To establish and strengthen are part of the plan of God and lead to the obedience of faith. This passage is so important because it develops key ele...