Swartz FBC

Luke 24:50-53

John19:1-11

In Luke 1:26-38, often called the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel is sent by God to the village of Nazareth to visit Mary, a young virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph. Gabriel greets her as "highly favored" and reveals that she will miraculously conceive a son to be named Jesus, who will be the Son of the Most High and inherit the eternal throne of David. When Mary asks how this is po...

John 1:14–18 describes the Incarnation, where the eternal "Word" became flesh and lived among humanity as Jesus Christ, revealing God's fullness of grace and truth. John the Baptist testifies to Christ’s preexistence and superiority, noting that while the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus. The passage concludes by asserting that while no one has seen God...

In Romans 10:9–11, Paul declares that salvation is found through the simple combination of confessing with the mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believing in the heart that God raised Him from the dead. This internal faith leads to justification, while the outward confession confirms salvation. Paul concludes that anyone—without exception—who places their trust in Him will never be put to s...

Psalm 139 is a profound meditation by David on the omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence of God. David marvels that God has searched and known him intimately—understanding his every word and thought—and that his presence is inescapable, reaching from the highest heavens to the depths of the grave. He celebrates God’s meticulous handiwork in knitting him together in his mother’s womb, declarin...

Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise that marvels at the contrast between God’s cosmic majesty and His care for humanity. David wonders why the Creator of the vast universe would be "mindful" of mortal man, yet concludes that God has crowned humans with glory and granted them dominion over all creation. Ultimately, the psalm serves as a celebration of God’s majestic name and the unique dignity He...

The State of the Church 2026

Psalm 25 is an acrostic lament and prayer traditionally attributed to King David. It is a heartfelt appeal for God's guidance, forgiveness, and protection amidst trials and enemies

Psalm 32 is a Penitential Psalm traditionally attributed to King David. It is characterized by the title "Maskil," likely meaning a "contemplative" or "didactic" poem. The psalm focuses on the relief and joy of receiving God's forgiveness after a period of spiritual and physical distress caused by unconfessed sin.

Psalm 27 is a declaration of confident faith in God during times of trouble. David proclaims that the Lord is his light, salvation, and stronghold, leaving him with no reason to fear enemies or danger. His deepest desire is not safety or victory, but to dwell in God’s presence and seek Him continually, trusting that God will shelter and exalt him. Even as he cries out for mercy and guidance, David...

Psalm 102

Psalm 81 is a call to joyful worship, reminding Israel to praise God for delivering them from slavery in Egypt. God speaks in the psalm, recalling His faithfulness and expressing sorrow that His people would not listen or obey Him. Because of their stubborn hearts, God allowed them to follow their own desires, missing out on His blessings. The psalm ends with God’s longing promise that if His peop...

Psalm 15 describes the kind of person who is welcome in God’s presence. The psalm teaches that those who live with integrity, speaking truth, doing what is right, keeping their promises, and treating others fairly can dwell with the Lord. It emphasizes moral character over outward appearance and concludes that those who live this way will stand secure.

Psalm 51 is David’s heartfelt prayer of repentance after his sin. He pleads for God’s mercy, asking to be cleansed, forgiven, and renewed. David acknowledges that his sin is ultimately against God and confesses his guilt honestly. He asks God to create a clean heart and restore the joy of salvation, recognizing that God desires sincere repentance rather than empty rituals. The psalm emphasizes tha...

Psalm 34 is a song of praise in which David thanks God for delivering him from fear and trouble. He invites others to join him in worship and assures them that God hears and rescues those who call on Him. The psalm teaches that those who live righteously—speaking truth, avoiding evil, pursuing peace—will experience God’s care. Though the righteous may face many challenges, God is close to the brok...

After God spares Nineveh because the people repent, Jonah becomes angry and complains to God, admitting this is why he tried to flee—he knew God is compassionate and quick to forgive. Jonah leaves the city and waits to see what will happen. God causes a leafy plant to grow and give Jonah shade, which makes him happy. But the next day, God sends a worm to kill the plant and a scorching wind that ma...

Jonah becomes angry that God spared Nineveh after they repented. He tells God he knew this would happen because God is compassionate and merciful. Jonah sits outside the city to see what will happen, and God provides a plant to give him shade, which makes Jonah happy. But the next day, God sends a worm to destroy the plant and a hot wind that makes Jonah miserable. God uses this to teach Jonah a l...

God again commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, and this time Jonah obeys. He enters the city and declares that in forty days it will be overturned. The people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believe God and respond with fasting and repentance. Even the king puts on sackcloth and urges everyone to turn from evil and violence. Seeing their sincere repentance, God shows mercy and does not bri...

Here’s a short and clear summary of Jonah 2 : From inside the fish , Jonah prays to God. He thanks God for hearing him when he was drowning and near death. Jonah describes sinking into the deep waters, feeling trapped, yet realizing that God rescued him. He expresses gratitude, repentance, and renewed commitment to obey. The chapter ends with God commanding the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land ,...

God sends a violent storm against the ship Jonah is on, threatening to break it apart. The sailors panic, pray to their gods, and throw cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Jonah, meanwhile, is asleep below deck. When the sailors cast lots to find who is responsible for the disaster, the lot falls on Jonah. He admits he is fleeing from the Lord and tells them to throw him into the sea to stop the...

God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Instead of obeying, Jonah tries to flee from the Lord, traveling to Joppa and boarding a ship headed for Tarshish—the opposite direction. He attempts to escape God’s presence by running as far as he can.

After Jesus is arrested, Peter and another disciple follow Him to the high priest’s courtyard. Inside, Jesus is questioned about His teachings, and He responds that He has always taught openly. Meanwhile, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times—first at the entrance, then by the fire, and finally when questioned by a relative of the man whose ear he had cut off. Immediately after the third denial,...

Luke 24:13-35, the story of the road to Emmaus, describes two disciples leaving Jerusalem in despair after Jesus's crucifixion. Jesus appears and walks with them, but they do not recognize him. He explains how the Hebrew scriptures prophesied the Messiah's suffering and glory, causing their hearts to burn within them. The disciples only recognize Jesus later at their home, when he breaks a...

Luke 24:1–12 describes the women visiting Jesus’ tomb early on Sunday morning and finding it empty. Two angels appear and tell them that Jesus has risen, just as He said. The women go to tell the disciples, but the disciples are skeptical—though Peter runs to the tomb, sees the linen cloths, and leaves amazed at what happened.