The Parable of the Tenants

Ryan Lowery
Matthew 21:33-41

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus' authority to claim to be the Messiah, Jesus replied to them in a parable of the tenants. He told the story of the unrighteous stewards of the vineyard owned by the landowner. The tenants killed every representative the landowner sent to collect his rent, even his son. In this parable the landowner is God and we are the tenants. Instead of killing the tenants as the Pharisees recommended, God desires to adopt us as His children.

The Triumphal Entry

Ryan Lowery
Matthew 21:1-9

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the crowds joyously shouted, "Hosanna!" A few days later the same crowd would cry out, "Crucify him!" The crowds expected him to free them from Rome's tyranny but He came to free them from the tyranny of sin. Jesus is the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises. He deserves our worship and He loves us, but He will not change who He is to meet our demands. He loves us too much to give us what we demand but instead He is willing to give us what we desperately need.

The Transfiguration

Ryan Lowery
Matthew 17:1-13

When Jesus took a few of His disciples up the mountain and was transfigured, He was partially fulfilling His own prophesy that at least one of His disciples would not die before seeing Jesus come into His kingdom. All the disciples were expecting a Messiah who would overthrow the brutal rule of Rome over Israel and reign forever. The presence of Moses and Elijah and Jesus' marvelous transformation confirmed God's promise but not in the way the disciples were expecting.

Parables of the Kingdom

Ryan Lowery
Matthew 13:24-52

The religious of Jesus' time were expecting a Messiah who would end the rule of Rome over them and inaugurate the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus through parables, shows them that they misunderstood Old Testament prophesy. The kingdom of God was not going to begin with a bang but would start small and grow slowly over time. Yes, there will be a great Day of the Lord but only after as many as will turn to God and join the kingdom. God is patiently waiting for more to join His rebellion against the kingdom of this world ruled by Satan.

The Reasons for Our Hope

Scott Risley
1 Peter 3:14-15

In spite of all the amazing discoveries by cosmologists who explore the deep mysteries of space and time, Christians still have the best answers to explaining reality. Scientists can't explain how life started or if there is there right and wrong or free will. They can't explain love. But Christians have a wealth of reasons to believe in God from evidence of fine-tuning of the universe to predictive prophesy. But our belief is not in reasons but in the person of Jesus who knocks on everyone's door looking for someone to invite Him in to have a relationship that will last for eternity.

The View from the Cross

Mike Sullivan
Psalms 22

Psalm 22 is an extraordinary prophesy of the crucifixion of Jesus given hundreds of years before the torture method was invented. Modern medical science confirms the description of death described in Psalm 22 is consistent with death by crucifixion. Psalm 22 is an astonishingly accurate prediction of what Jesus came to earth to accomplish. Since the Bible has been so reliable with prophecy that has come to pass, we can just as confident in the prophesies that are yet to come. Therefore we can trust what God says about the future.

Messiah's Glorious Kingdom

Gary DeLashmutt
Psalms 72

While King Solomon is praying for his own ability to reign properly, he is also alluding to the ultimate reign of Messiah. King Messiah's reign will be marked by God-given moral integrity and wisdom. It will bring unparalleled peace and prosperity. It will be world-wide and everlasting. It will fulfill God's promise to Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him.

God's Eternal Kingdom Part 4

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 22:13-21

In the final chapter of Revelation, God comes full circle. He restores what was lost in the garden of Eden. He restores life where there was death. He restores our separation from God, from self and from nature. All ills will be healed. We will have direct access to God and eternal life. We will co-rule with God. God has always had a plan and all problems will be resolved. He promises he is coming quickly. Do you believe it?

Jesus' Invitations:John 7

Gary DeLashmutt
John 7:37-39

Jesus makes an invitation to be transformed from a state of need and lack to a state of abundance. His target audience is anyone who acknowledges his spiritual thirst. His claim is that He alone is the Messiah. He summons all to make a decision for Him. He promises to give to anyone, who comes to Him to quench his thirst, the Holy Spirit to indwell within him.