Category Archives: church
disciples: appointment with Jesus
Mark 16. One must be cautious of commenting on the content of verses 9-20, since it is unclear whether these verses were part of what Mark originally wrote. If we regard verse 8 as the true ending of the Gospel, … Continue reading
Posted in church, discipleship, gospel, Jesus Christ, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged Mark 16
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disciples: no guts, no glory
Mark 8:27-9:50. The disciples learn something about Jesus in the events described in this section. They learn that Jesus is the Christ, and that he is going to come in glory, so people should listen to him above all others. … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, courage, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, suffering, the cross
Tagged Mark 8, Mark 9
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disciples: privy to the secret
Mark 4:1–34 As Jesus taught beside the sea, the crowds pressed in so tightly that He stepped into a boat and used the shoreline as His sanctuary. Outsiders listened to Him speak, but they could not grasp what He … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, preparation, truth
Tagged Mark 4
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disciples: sick and social outcasts
Mark 2–3 Jesus didn’t only call fishermen. He also called Levi, son of Alphaeus — the man we know as Matthew. A tax collector. A collaborator with Rome. A man the religious elite would have crossed the street to … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, evangelism, grace, Jesus Christ, witness
Tagged Mark 2, Mark 3
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only Jesus: great shepherd of God’s flock
Hebrews 13:20-25. In his benediction, the author of Hebrews asks his readers to bear with his word of exhortation. He hopes to be able to visit those to whom he has written, but if not, trusts that God would use … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, church, confidence, discipleship, Jesus Christ, new covenant, resurrection
Tagged Hebrews 13
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only Jesus: rewarder of God’s faithful
Hebrews 10:19-39. Jesus is Lord of our future. What he has done for us only makes sense in the light of what he will do. As we see the day of his coming drawing near, it only … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, confession, destruction in hell, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, judgment, kingdom of God, missions, perseverance, preparation, second coming, suffering, will of God, witness
Tagged Hebrews 10
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only Jesus: source of God’s grace
Hebrews 4:14-5:10. Jesus is one of us. He understands us. He knows what makes us tick. When we fail, he knows why. We can come to him, pleading for mercy and grace again, because he is able to sympathize with … Continue reading
Posted in church, confession, forgiveness, grace, Jesus Christ, mercy
Tagged Hebrews 4, Hebrews 5
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only Jesus: builder of God’s house
Hebrews 3:1-6. The author of Hebrews urges his Jewish brothers not to cling to the traditions associated with Moses and slip away from their confidence in Christ. Just as some were tempted to get sidetracked on worshipping angels (chapters 1-2), … Continue reading
Posted in church, confidence, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God
Tagged Hebrews 3
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only Jesus: source of God’s salvation
Hebrews 2. When God sent his message of salvation by his angels – those who obeyed were delivered. Now God has sent his message of ultimate salvation by his own Son. Those who neglect Christ’s great salvation will find no … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, deliverance, Jesus Christ, sanctification, submission, trust, worship
Tagged Hebrews 2
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responding to heaven’s king
Matthew 28 Matthew does not describe the resurrection itself. He assumes it. To him, it is the most certain reality in the world. Instead, he turns our attention to the responses that first Easter morning—responses that still echo in … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, courage, kingdom of God, obedience, witness, worship
Tagged Matthew 28
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Devotions 