MBM Blacktown / Bible Talks

Nate explores three questions: 1. What freedom does Jesus offer? 2. What is the alternative to the freedom Jesus offers? and 3. How do you find this freedom?

God has made each believer part of his body, valued and dependent on all the others, to display his glory and goodness. 

In a world of turmoil and tension, God has given us a way to know and experience peace, through Christ. 

As Leviticus comes to a close, God sets forth great promises for obedience, along with great judgements for disobedience. Will Israel heed God’s word, or disregard it?

God gave his people sacred events through their calendar year - rhythms to remember His generosity and provision for them. Jesus now offers us ultimate rest in his grace and provision, but how do we enjoy what he’s offered to the full extent? 

God made a way for His people’s lingering sins and impurities to be dealt with so that God would remain among them and continue in fellowship with them. 

God set laws for Israel to understand not only their immoral state before him, but their unacceptable, unsatisfactory bodily state before him, which was a reminder of their sin. They were reminded of their continual death, and unworthiness, and therefore their need for atonement. In Jesus we are now cleansed and made holy, able to be used in our broken state for God’s glory. 

As Christians how should we think about this topic? How does God speak about this this topic? Mal explores this topic from the neglected book of Song of Songs as we explore God's wisdom on this important area of life.

God gave his people food laws to set them apart from the nations as a distinct holy nation. This protected them from sin and idolatry, and redirected their worship back to God alone. Jesus has fulfiled the law and declared all foods clean, but still sends us out to be a distinctive people, in His name, as Holy. 

In Leviticus 8–10 we have the inauguration of God’s initiated worship structure. The opening of the tabernacle was a momentous moment in the history of God’s people. More than just a big day, however, the worship structure is designed to reveal something about the character of God, as well as highlight our need for a mediator, a priest, to stand on our behalf before a holy God.

All people stand guilty before God, with a debt we are unable to pay. Leviticus 4-7 foreshadows the great offering God would give us in Jesus, to completely remove our guilt and make a way for us to be justified before Him.

God gave His people a way to approach and be in relationship with Him, but it took a wholehearted devotion and sacrifice on God’s terms. God is gracious but sin must be dealt with. 

God called his people to wholehearted obedience as a response to His grace, as a privilege for them, and to display His heart to the world around them. Now in Jesus he calls for the same from us. 

The resurrection of Jesus gives meaning to our lives. It proves the cross worked, it gives purpose to our struggles, and fills life with a joy like no other. 

Jesus’ journey to the cross was both because of us and for us. We must see ourselves in the shoes of those there that day. But we must also see ourselves in the heart of Jesus as he journeyed to the cross. 

Jesus wants his disciples to see both his heart for the lost and his heart for them as they serve the lost.

Do you put Jesus in a box? Jesus’ hometown put Jesus in a box, they don’t believe and honor him. Will you put Jesus in a box? Or will you believe in him, honor him, and speak about him?

Jesus shows us what genuine faith is, when he meets two people who have to believe him despite their circumstances.

Jesus proves his power over creation and the spiritual realm. Of all the powers we fear, he is by far the most powerful. Yet even with his great power, he is the Lord of mercy, healing even the most broken outcast. 

With crowds flocking to Jesus, he challenges them with how they’re listening. How they hear his words will determine whether they receive from Him what He’s come to offer. 

In the face of opposition, Jesus shows us again who he is and how he works. He is the Son of God, and he’s calling people into His family. The question is, am I a part of it?

One of the most confronting yet compelling character traits of Jesus is his grace toward broken people. In Mark 2:13–17, Jesus extends grace to the most unlikely of people and in doing so reveals his surprising mission to the world. Jesus comes seeking imperfect, broken, and those traditionally viewed as outsider to be part of his family.

Jesus proves his identity as God by doing what only God can do.

Jesus demonstrates what life in His Kingdom has to offer.