Issues In Perspective

Jesus is not interested in superficial faith (2:23-25) but in a faith energized by the Holy Spirit (3:1-15).

Jesus calls some of His disciples, with John stressing His various titles (e.g., Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man) and His first recorded miracle ("sign") is at a wedding in Cana.

John details Jesus as the Incarnate God who reveals grace and truth, who is the only unique Son of the Father, and who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

John’s thesis is that Jesus is the Godman and therefore introduces Him in the preface as the eternal “Word.”

In both of these Psalms, King David appeals to God as the righteous Judge to defend him (Psalm 7) and, in light of God’s majestic power exhibited in creation, he marvels that God is even interested in him (Psalm 8).

David experiences the gracious, chastening hand of His God, is restored to a relationship with God, and thereby seeks to bring glory to Him.

King David knows His God, His attributes and His holiness, all of which provide the basis for His cry for help and deliverance from his enemies.

Threatened by men within his government, King David finds safety and security in His gracious God.

In the face of Absalom's rebellion, King David finds his confidence in God, who will fight for him, deliver him and restore him.

The human rebellion against God is met by God's anointed Son, who will crush the rebellion and claim His inheritance--to rule over this planet.

The path of the ungodly results in separation from God.

God’s blessings flow to the one who rejects the counsel of the ungodly, the lifestyle of the sinner and identifying with those who mock God—but flow only to the one who finds delight in God’s word.

As Nehemiah returns from Persia, he meets four major crises with fortitude and decisive leadership. He is a model servant leader.

The Exiles finalize the renewal of the Covenant with God and Nehemiah re-populates Jerusalem, while organizing the sacrifices, the priesthood and Levitcal worship in the Temple.

As the Exiles re-affirm their covenant with God, they review His faithfulness and is loyal-covenant love for them.

The Exile community in Jerusalem confesses the sins of the nation and reviews the faithfulness of their Sovereign Creator.

The Jewish Exiles in Jerusalem became the "People of the Book" as they heard Ezra read the Word of God. They engaged the Word with their minds and emotions, which then resulted in obedience.

Nehemiah neutralizes his enemies and completes the wall in 52 days, after which Jerusalem is re-populated.

Nehemiah is an exemplary servant leader in how he organized the wall’s rebuilding and how he dealt with the opposition.

As a leader, Nehemiah had to deal with threats from external enemies as well as oppression & exploitation within the Jerusalem community.

As Nehemiah and his people begin to rebuild Jerusalem's walls they face mockery, a conspiracy from their enemies, and discouragement, fear and exhaustion.

Nehemiah, a strategic leader, was a man of prayer—prayers of adoration, confession and petition; and a man who fired straight-arrow prayers to God.

The historical background of the Exile to Babylon, which began in 586 BC, and the return to Jerusalem, which began in 539 BC, provide the context for Nehemiah's request of the Persian king Artaxerxes.

As Paul closes his epistle to the Colossians, he emphasizes the centrality of prayer and a life of wisdom.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms marriages, parent-child relationships, and the workplace.