Acts 6:1-8:1We are called to be disciples who make disciples. This means we are called to both communicate the gospel and live it. This dual task of proclamation and lifestyle is seen in Acts 6 where some people focused on distributing food, while others focused on teaching. The calling to meet both physical and spiritual needs has always been part of the work of the church. Then in Stephen's life...  Read More

Acts 3:1-5:42 Over the next few days, we will find ourselves working through the book of Acts. It received this name because it recounts the acts of the apostles. After Jesus’ resurrection, we see these early followers of Jesus living out the new life they have received. The church was marked by the miracles of the apostles, the proclamation of Jesus, joy in the face of suffering and persecution, ...  Read More

Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-2:47 Everyone loves receiving gifts. The anticipation of staring at a wrapped box, wondering what is inside, and then the slow (or quick) unwrapping of it. Jesus had promised a gift of a Helper in John 16, and we read about his unveiling today. Jesus had to go away for the gift to come. He left his disciples at the Ascension where he went to the right hand of...  Read More

Luke 24:13-43; Mark 16:12-13; John 20:19-23; Mark 16:14; John 20:24-21:25; Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:44-49 One of the greatest pieces of evidence for the resurrection is the number of appearances Jesus made. He did not just appear to one person at one time but an assortment of people with very different faith positions, over a lengthy period. Yesterday we saw his appearance to Mary ...  Read More

Mark 15:42-47; Matthew 27:57-61; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66; Mark 16:1-8; Matthew 28:1-7; Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:1-18; Matthew 28:8-15"Up from the grave he arose!" This classic line from a hymn embodies the end of the Gospels. Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead on the third day. This extremely familiar fact is the most significant event in human history. Je...  Read More

Mark 15:21-24; Matthew 27:32-34; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:17; Mark 15:25-32; Matthew 27:35-44; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27; Mark 15:33-41; Matthew 27:45-56; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37 Have you ever been yelled at? Have you had to stare at the anger on someone’s face while harsh words flew out of their mouths? If you have been there, know you are not alone in that experience. As Jesus hung on the ...  Read More

Mark 15:2-5; Matthew 27:11-14; Luke 23:1-12; John 18:28-40; Mark 15:6-15; Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 19:1-16; Mark 15:16-20; Matthew 27:27-31 Jesus' last twenty-four hours on Earth were a long, tedious, winding road. He moves from a final Passover meal with his disciples, to a wrestling match of prayer in a garden, to his arrest and abandonment by most of his disciples, to a trial by th...  Read More

Mark 14:53-65; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:66-72; Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27; Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1-2; Luke 22:66-71; Matthew 27:3-10 How committed are you to the truth? If you are ever sworn into a court case, you will be forced to swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This should not be a mindset only for a courtroom but for all of li...  Read More

John 18:1-2; Mark 14:32-42; Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:43-52; Matthew 26:47-56; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-24 Doing what God asks is not always easy. Obedience may take us into persecution, rejection, difficulty, or hardship, but it is always worth it. Jesus found himself at a crossroads in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked that the Father might take his cup (a symbol of wrath) from h...  Read More

John 15:18-17:26 There are moments in life when we feel unloved, unappreciated, hurt, or mistreated by others. Jesus speaks to many of these issues in John15:18-16:5a. He tells his disciples hatred from the world will come. They should not be surprised when they are mistreated, because this is the same way they treated Jesus. In these moments we may be tempted to repay hatred with anger or evil wi...  Read More

John13:31-38; Mark 14:27-31; Matthew 26:31-35; Luke 22:31-38; John14:1-15:17 What are the last things you would want to teach before you die? Are there certain messages you would want to convey to friends or family? As Jesus approached his death, he had a few final instructions for his disciples. First, he promised them they would always be with him. Jesus used the image of a palace with sets of r...  Read More

Mark 14:1-2; Matthew 26:1-5; Luke 22:1-2; Mark 14:10-11; Matthew 26:14-16; Luke 22:3-6; Mark 14:12-16; Matthew 26:17-19; Luke 22:7-13; John13:1-17; Mark 14:17-26; Matthew 26:20-30; Luke 22:14-30; John 13:18-30 No one wants to be a servant; everyone wants to be the boss. This is true in our world and even more so in the Roman Empire. To be a servant was demeaning and looked down upon, but Jesus rad...  Read More