The Cross and the Crown

In this session, we will break down the doxology of Jude in verses 24 and 25. What does it mean that God is able to keep us from stumbling? What does Jude mean in telling us that Christ is able to present us blameless before the glory of God with great joy? How can this be true? Who's joy is Jude referring to? How does Jude desire that these churches think rightly about God? 

In this session, we will examine the reason for Jude's urgency in calling his audience to contend for the faith. False teachers emerged who were intentionally and dangerously misleading the church and undermining the message of the gospel. Jude delivers a scathing rebuke to these false teachers by reminding the church of the various historical examples, both from Scripture and non-canonical source...

What does it mean to contend for the faith? How does Jude help us understand the beautiful link between God's sovereignty and our responsibility to live in a manner worthy of Christ?

Jude refers to his audience as called, loved, and kept. What should these truths produce in the life of a believer? What does it mean to contend for the faith? 

Who was Jude? What can the intro to this short epistle tell us about who God is and who we are in Christ? How does the introduction guide us toward the powerful conclusion?

In the last 8 chapters of Paul's letter to the Romans, we discover the continued emphasis that Paul places upon the resurrection of Jesus. How should this truth drive believers forward in hope, in spite of the thousand scenarios that may discourage us along the way? 

In this session, we examine Paul's emphasis upon the resurrection in chapters 6-8 of Romans. Why does this subject matter? How does the physical resurrection of Jesus in history influence how we live in the present, with hopeful hearts upon the future?

In this 2nd part of exploring the resurrection of Christ, we begin to explore the priority Paul places upon the resurrection in his letter to the Romans. 

Why is the resurrection of Jesus essential to Christianity? If the resurrection were not true, would there be any good news at all? 

When the signs, wonders, and mighty works of Christ are recorded in Scripture, the resurrection stands as the crescendo of all his miracles. How does each gospel narrative grant us unique insight into knowing our Savior deeper?

How do the transfiguration accounts of Jesus help us not only see the glory of Christ, but plunge us deeper in our walk with Christ? How is the cross central to discerning the meaning of the transfiguration?

One of the most familiar miracles of Jesus is his healing of the paralytic. What does this miracle tell us about Jesus, the faith of the men willing to do whatever it took to help their friend come face-to-face with the Son of Man, and the surprising and glorious effects not only on the paralytic, but perhaps even Matthew's following Christ?

In this fast-paced narrative of Jesus' healing of the demoniac(s), what do we learn about the nature of Christ, the nature of demons, and the power of Christ to redeem? What can we learn from the man's reaction to Jesus after his healing? What can we learn to avoid from the reaction of the crowds? 

"Peace, be still!" These words of Jesus have resounded in the hearts and minds of believers for the entirety of church history. In examining each of the gospel narratives, what surprising details emerge that help us understand more about Jesus? Who is this, that he commands even winds and waters, and they obey him?

"Once I was blind, but now I see!" The healing of the blind man in John 9 provides a foundation for exceptional truths revealed about Jesus. The narrative also provides an amazing account of the progression of the former blind man's understanding of who Jesus is, ending with an eruption of worship. All the while, the hearts of the Pharisees are exposed as blind. 

In this session, we examine the feeding of the 5,000 (or, way more than 5,000) by stacking the details given in the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. What does this miracle say of Jesus? How then shall we live in response?

John records various signs that Christ performed to reveal his glory. How does Jesus' changing water to wine show his glory and press us toward a deeper faith in Christ? 

How does the miracle of the Incarnation deepen our understanding of the glory of God? How does the Council of Chalcedon help us define the person of Christ? How should we think through the truth of Christ being fully God and fully man? How does rightly thinking about this magnificent truth glorify God? 

We often jump to the wedding feast at Cana when we think of the miracles of Christ. John, however, begins his gospel at creation. How does Scripture describe Christ's role in creation? How does this press us to think deeper of our Savior for the glory of God? 

What classifies as a miracle? Are signs, wonders, and mighty works used synomously in the Scriptures? How do the miracles of Jesus glorify God?

Paul's prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1 is fueled by the truth that every believer will marvel in Christ on the day of His return. How did Paul intend for this prayer to spur the Thessalonians toward living with a God-glorifying hope? How does this promise shape the purpose for which we live our lives now? 

In this fourth session through the historic themes of Advent, we examine love. How is love central to who God is? How has God demonstrated His love for humanity? Why is it essential for believers to bear the fruit of love within the Church and to the world?

What is joy? How and why is joy a central tenet of the Christian faith? How can we cultivate a deeper joy in our daily lives, even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles?

What is peace? A brief survey of Scripture shows that the God of peace made peace with sinners through the Prince of Peace- Christ Jesus our Lord. The price of that peace was paid with the precious blood of the Prince himself. The peace he thus gives is the very peace He shared with the Father from eternity past. What implications should this have on believers? 

In this first of four sessions, we will explore the meaning, weight, and glory of the blessed hope we share as believers. Using Titus 2 as the anchor text, we will look at how Paul calls believers to marvel at the past and future to cultivate hope in the present.