Jewish Eschatology

Eric Chabot

The Bible is a Jewish book that speaks of God's redemptive plan - the coming of the Jewish Messiah for the benefit of his people and the entire world. Christians should look to the following questions to impact their view of eschatology: 1) What did the Jewish people believe about eschatology at the time of Jesus? 2) What was the role of the Jewish Messiah and the end of the world? 3) What does the Old Testament teach about eschatology?

Living the Life of Faith (Part 5)

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 13:8-9

The author of Hebrews continues his instruction for a life under God's grace. Hebrews reminds readers of the permanence of the person of Jesus Christ. The author connects this with the need for believers to reject strange teaching and cling to the grace of God. This teaching expounds on false teaching versus biblical truth.

Staying on Target

Conrad Hilario

2 Timothy 3:15-16

As Christians, it is important to teach what the Bible teaches and emphasize what the Bible emphasizes, and churches that do not follow this principle often find themselves emphasizing esoteric ones instead. The central message of the Bible is the person and work of Jesus Christ, and a focus on Him will result in His grace strengthening our hearts.

Introduction & Preface

Gary DeLashmutt

John 1:1-18

John, one of Jesus' disciples, wrote his first letter to the church at Ephesus for the two-fold purpose of exposing the Gnostics and their false teaching and strengthening the Ephesians' assurance of their salvation and spirituality. The first four verses of the letter explain the message about Jesus' identity, how we know this message is true, and why God gave us this message.

Transfiguration

Jim Leffel

Luke 9:28-36

The transfiguration emphasized Jesus as the fulfillment of salvation motifs throughout the Bible. Motifs about the Messiah include Jesus as the: 1) redeemer - purchasing humanity from slavery; 2) creator - bringing life out of chaos; and 3) king - reigning over all. Every book of the Old Testament develops at least one of these three motifs until they are fulfilled in the the New Testament by the person and work of Jesus.

Who is This Man?

Jim Leffel

Luke 9:18-27

Herod the Tetrarch seeks to know the identity of Jesus. Jesus asks his disciples, ?Who do you say that I am?? Peter acknowledges Jesus' mission and identity as the Messiah sent by God. Jesus reveals to the disciples that he will suffer terrible things, be put to death, and then be raised from the dead on the third day. Jesus describes how his followers must suffer: take up their cross daily, entrust their lives to him, and be unashamed of his message.

The Mystery of Christ

Ben Foust

Ephesians 3:1-13

The author Paul encourages the Ephesians not to lose heart despite circumstances. He ruminates on his own circumstances (being imprisoned) and emphasizes his confidence in God's plan. The teaching focuses on the fulfilled mystery of Christ and how God's plan has been consistent from the beginning; this can assure us of God's purpose despite our circumstances.

Old vs. New

Chris Hearty

Hebrews 7:18-8:13

The author of Hebrews explores the nature of covenants throughout the Old and New Testaments. He explains that the covenant that Christians have with God is unconditional because of Jesus' sacrifice and that it is even better than the one established under Moses. The new covenant inaugurated by Jesus gives all people access to God through faith, is focused on the finished work of Christ, and creates a basis for internal change in believers. Furthermore, this new covenant through Jesus has rendered the old one obsolete, and Christians can now enjoy a permanent and unconditional relationship with God.

The Reality is Christ

Conrad Hilario

John 3:19-22

All religions feature rituals, but Christianity's rituals from the Old Testament differ from other religions in that their purpose is to pre-authenticate Jesus' mission. Besides being a shadow of what was to come with Christ, rituals also functioned as physical depictions of God's character for the Jews. The author of Hebrews details three specific aspects of these rituals to demonstrate Christ's complete fulfillment of them: the tabernacle, the role of high priest, and the innocent victim needed for the atoning sacrifice. Because of Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament system, we as Christians are freed from our moral guilt and no longer are obligated to follow the Mosaic Law.