Issues In Perspective

As Jesus calls His 12 apostles, the scribes and Pharisees claim that His miracles are done by the power of Satan, not the Spirit, thereby slandering the Holy Spirit of God.

Jesus' ministry causes conflict and rejection within the Jewish leadership resulting in the plot to kill Him.

Jesus' Galilean ministry causes conflict with the leadership of Israel.

Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God and His Messianinc miracles prove that proclamation.

To prove his thesis that the gospel is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mark presents the forerunner John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism and His temptation in a fast-paced narrative.

In the daily battles of spiritual warfare, rely on God's resources--the Whole Armor of God.

Being filled with the Spirit creates a work ethic honoring to and blessed by God.

Paul discusses the role responsibilities within marriage, only possible through the filling of the Spirit (5:18).

The walk of wisdom includes redeeming opportunities, seeking God's will and being filled daily with the Spirit.

Paul challenges believers to a walk of love, and a walk in the light.

Paul illustrates his strategy for holiness (detailed in 4:17-24) with 5 specific illustrations.

Paul describes Christ's dispensing of gifted leaders to the church to equip the saints for ministry and to edify the church so that it can be unified around sound doctrine and achieve growth and maturity in Christ.

Paul describes the walk of unity, which, as with our Trintarian God, manifests a unique diversity within the unity of the body of Christ.

Paul prays for the Holy Spirit's transforming power, for Jesus to be the controlling force in our lives and for the capacity to fully understand and know the riches of God and His love.

Paul explains the "mystery" of Jew and Gentile sharing equally in New Covenant blessings in the church.

Paul describes the unified body of Christ—Jew and Gentile together—as a new kingdom, a new family and a new Temple.

An extended discussion on legalism vs. grace.

Paul contrasts our past ("dead in our sins") with now being "alive to God" by grace through faith in Jesus.

Paul prays that God will through His Spirit enable the Ephesians to understand all God has done for them in the past, the present and the future and that they will understand the power now available to them.

Paul invites us to praise each member of the Trinity for their work in the plan of redemption.

An introduction to the city of Ephesus, its importance and the themes of this letter are presented.

In a world of deceit, sin, rebellion and oppression, these Psalms give counsel on how to live with faith, confidence and hope. Although King David laments God's seeming silence in the midst of his suffering, in the end he affirms his confidence and trust in God.

Psalm 9: God, the Sovereign Lord of history, with justice and righteousness, holds civilizations and individuals accountable.

As God offers the five reasons why He will judge Babylon, Habakkuk then presents a praise hymn to God celebrating His splendour, power and righteous judgment.

Habakkuk cannot understand how a holy God could use a pagan nation to judge His people—but God reminds him of His sovereignty, His goodness and His purpose in discipline.