The Cleansing of the Temple

Dennis McCallum

John 2:13-21

Jesus went up to Jerusalem and was angry to find the temple being used to exploit people and make money. Jesus called for a radical elimination of formalism, including sacred space. Beginning a relationship with Christ means leaving behind impersonal formalism, outward ritualism, superstition, and sacred space. Jesus is the real temple of God.\r\n

The Wedding at Cana

Dennis McCallum

Mark 7:1-32

Jesus performed a miracle at a wedding in Cana. He took water that was used for outer cleansing and turned it into wine that was used for inward consumption. This symbolic act showed that Jesus came to take away outward formalism and introduce inward spirituality. He wanted us to understand we can relate to God on a personal level.\r\n

Meeting the Logos

Dennis McCallum

John 1:1-14

The Word has always existed with God. The Word is creator of nature, not a part of nature. If God is nature, He would be guilty, nature would be as it should, there would be no basis for struggling with evil, and there would be no need for forgiveness. Jesus is the Word.

Jesus on Trial

Jim Leffel

Romans 5:8

Jesus on trial gives us a window into the heart of man and the heart of God. Through the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and the multitudes, who placed Jesus on the cross, we see humanity's desire to be their own god through false hopes. While God reveals His unrelenting love by using their rejection of Him to forgive the sins of the world.

The Emptying of Jesus

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 2:17-18

Christ emptied himself of his godly abilities in order to become a human and pay for humanities sins. Jesus depended on God in order to perform the miracles and work he did here on Earth. Christ humbled himself in order to save humanity.

The Mountain Top Experience

Jim Leffel

Mark 9:1-13

What is the significance of the Jesus' transfiguration on the mountaintop? Peter, James, and John experienced a spiritually significant event: a meeting between Elijah, Moses, and Jesus. Jesus made clear that He was the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. How does this mountaintop experience compare to the role of spiritually significant events in our lives today? While we may seek out spiritual experiences, we should not: 1) seek them above Christ, 2) seek them at the cost of neglecting the Word, or 3) allow the benefits to end with us instead of propelling us toward greater love and service for others.\r\n

Meager Faith Richly Rewarded

Jim Leffel

1 John 5:13

The miraculous healing of Jairus' son and the unclean woman demonstrate that Jesus has the power to overcome death, and his resurrection gives purpose to our lives as Christians. Both Jairus and the woman approached Jesus from a position of weakness and trusted that he would be faithful to his promises to them, and since they acted in faith before seeing God's provision, they both grew in their trust and intimacy with Him.

The Gerasene Demoniac

Jim Leffel

1 John 2:15-17

Jesus performed miracles to verify his claims about himself and to demonstrate his teaching in action. These miracles included interactions with the supernatural, and it is clear from the Gospels that Jesus' exorcisms of demonically possessed people foretell his future victory over Satan. Furthermore, modern Christians do not live in a spiritually neutral world, and Satan is still active in modern times through waging war against Christians and promoting his system of values. Christians should seek to live in a way that is cognizant of the spiritual war around them and to follow God's eternal priorities.

The Non-Negotiables

Dennis McCallum

Romans 6:4

Paul emphasized the importance of the Gospel message to the Corinthians, that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected which demonstrates that he was God and had paid for sin. All we have to do to be made righteous in God's eyes is to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as a payment for our own sins. Nothing should be added or removed from the Gospel that Paul preached.