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Behold, Your King

Scott Risley

Psalms 22:14-18

Death by crucifixion is brutal and bloody, and Jesus' death on the cross was no exception. However, Jesus' death was not merely an execution but rather God's plan for the salvation of mankind, and his death simultaneously fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and satisfied God's wrath. Through his sacrifice, we are able have our moral debt paid in full and to experience a personal relationship with God.

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The Sheep are Scattered

Scott Risley

2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Peter and Judas both betrayed Jesus before his death - one by denying that he had ever met Jesus, and the other by turning him over to the murderous authorities. Even though these two men performed the same despicable act, Peter became a leader in the early church and Judas committed suicide. These two outcomes can only be explained by one factor: their response to their failure. Peter chose to repent while Judas chose to stay in his regret, and we as Christians are also faced with the same choice when we make mistakes in our own lives.

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Features of a Transformed Community (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

In every relationship, Christians are to treat others with the same grace that God has demonstrated toward us. This means forgiving people instead of seeking payback and showing patience to everyone. It also means having difficult conversations with people, encouraging the discouraged, and moving compassionately towards those who are vulnerable.

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The Humble Messiah

Dennis McCallum

John 12:12-34

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey for his triumphal entry, reflecting the humility he would exemplify as he went to the cross. The people of Jesus' time were surprised as they were expecting a conquering King who would bring power and destroy the Romans. Jesus is distinguishing himself from other rulers as he lived a life of radical self-sacrifice, a lifestyle he calls his followers to as well. Jesus was glorified as he gave himself up for the world at the cross. Jesus' mission wasn't to establish the perfect order, but to offer forgiveness for those who want a personal relationship with God.

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Light Comes Into Darkness

Dennis McCallum

John 9:1-41

Jesus sees a blind man and heals his ailment on the Sabbath. As the healed man is taken before the Pharisees, Jesus uses this miracle as a demonstration to combat the Pharisees legalistic perspective. The Pharisees were self-righteous and thought they were put together, whereas the blind man was totally blind and admitted his need for Jesus. The purpose of Jesus' work on the cross was to open the eyes of the spiritually blind when they ask for his forgiveness. However, many are like the Pharisees and suspect they are not in need of assistance.

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The Woman Caught in Adultery

Scott Risley

John 7:43-8:11

The Pharisees bring a woman they caught in adultery before Jesus. They attempt to trap Jesus into picking sides between the sinners or the Pharisees. Instead of falling into their trap, Jesus asks a question that silences them. Jesus wants people to be free from sin, experience forgiveness and wants to be the one to pay for all sin.

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The Light of Life

Dennis McCallum

John 8:12-59

Jesus interacts with the Pharisees again and compares himself to the Light of the World, as opposed to the darkness and confusion that the Pharisees were living in. Jesus warns the Pharisees clearly while also trying to communicate with the multitudes of people gathered around them. They argue back and forth, with the Pharisees and some of the people listening still missing the point that apart from Jesus, they are in complete darkness and alienation before God the Father. Others, on the other hand, come to believe in Jesus, who instructs them to continue on in his word. Jesus came to offer real freedom for those enslaved to sin through his work on the cross.

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The Woman Caught in Adultery

Dennis McCallum

John 8:1-11

This instance in Jesus' ministry has not been found in earlier manuscripts, calling into question the validity of this part of John and why it is in Scripture. The best manuscripts for the Book of John are from the 4th century, but don't include this interaction. However, other early witnesses corroborate what we see in this chapter of John, including: the Didascalia; Apostolic Constitutions; Papias; Didymus the Blind; Ambrose; and Jerome. When the Pharisees brought this woman before Jesus for punishment according to the Old Testament Law, they were trying to trick Jesus so they would have grounds to accuse him. Jesus does not condemn the woman, but uses this as an illustration of his grace to contrast the legalistic and hypocritical attitudes of the Pharisees. His call to the woman is similar to us, that because of the forgiveness he offers, we should live under his grace and live a life of love as opposed to sin. Even when we do sin, we have the freedom to move forward under his grace.

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Three Distinctives of Biblical Christianity

Gary DeLashmutt

Philemon 1:1-25

The letter of Philemon was written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon, another Christian worker who is fairly wealthy and is a slave owner. Onesimus, a slave owned by Philemon, ran away, met Paul in Rome, and came to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is writing to Philemon, urging him to forgive Onesimus and allow him to be sent back to Paul for help with God's work. Within this letter, we see three distinctive elements of Christianity: 1) coming to faith in Christ and the positive effects on one's life; 2) the outcome of faith of Christ being others-centered love towards other Christians; and 3) the importance of reconciliation and maintaining peace among believers.

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