The Setting for the Revelation (John 3:22–26) After explaining the mystery of new birth to Nicodemus, Jesus shifts from words to action: “After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized” (John 3:22, ESV). John 4:2 later clarifies that it was not Jesus but... Continue Reading →
John’s Message and Jesus’ Baptism
I. The Time of the Beginning (Mark 1:1; Luke 3:1-2) Mark doesn’t ease us into his Gospel. He opens with the forceful declaration: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1, ESV). There’s no mention of mangers or Magi, no angelic announcements to Mary or Joseph. Mark skips the... Continue Reading →
The Last Supper
Sermon Audio: LINK Welcome: Last week we concluded our series on the Sermon on the Mount. Today we’re turning to the passion narrative of Christ as we move towards the celebration of Easter. This morning we will be in Matthew 26:17–30, where Jesus shares His final meal with His disciples before the cross. Scripture Reading: Matthew... Continue Reading →
The Magi and the Flight To Egypt
The Arrival of the Magi and the Revelation of the True King (Matthew 2:1-12) This account begins “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king” (Matthew 2:1). As we saw two weeks ago when we examined the Christmas story, the Prophet Micah foretold that this is where Messiah... Continue Reading →
The Birth of Jesus
Introduction: While the Gospel writers provide only a few details about the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, they emphasize two key points. First, they make it clear that his birth really happened. They include family lineages, ancestral towns, historical references to Roman emperors and local rulers, and the testimony of eyewitnesses to confirm its... Continue Reading →
The Genealogies of Jesus
Two Genealogies It’s easy to gloss over the long genealogies in the Bible, thinking they are just lists of names. However, these passages have a deeper meaning. These names are a reminder that God’s plan for salvation was set in motion long before Christ’s arrival (Luke 24:44-46). When we read of figures like Abraham, Boaz,... Continue Reading →