Category Archives: commitment

disciples: fishers of men

Mark 1.  Jesus chose four fishermen to be his disciples.  He told them to follow him, and he promised to make them fishers of men.  He was planning a great catch, and he invited these men to assist in bringing … Continue reading

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only Jesus: first to finish God’s race

Hebrews 11:1-12:2.  The hall of faith contains a great cloud of witnesses.  The typical understanding of this idea – mentioned in 12:1 – is that these witnesses are now in heaven looking down at the rest of us as we … Continue reading

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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

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only Jesus: assurance of God’s hope

Hebrews 5:11-6:20.   The author of Hebrews challenged his readers to live up to their profession.  To him, it was not enough for a person to claim to be a Christian, then live a life of arrested development.  The Christian life … Continue reading

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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

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responding to heaven’s king

Matthew 28.  To Matthew, the resurrection of Jesus was such an obvious reality that he didn’t even  describe it.  Instead, he focused on the various responses to the resurrection that first Easter morning.  The angel came down with such force … Continue reading

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death, taxes, and heaven’s king

Matthew 17.  A few disciples got a preview of Christ in his coming glory on the mount of transfiguration.  They heard the voice of the Father himself say “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen … Continue reading

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revelation about heaven’s king

Matthew 16.  Jesus warned his disciples to stay away from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  They seemed like experts in the things of God, but they were not privy to a real understanding of what God was doing … Continue reading

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the future and heaven’s king

Matthew 13.  This chapter consists mostly of parables and is directed towards the crowds – not the disciples.  The disciples were privy to insider information that served as a key to interpreting the parables (10-17).  In two passages, Matthew records … Continue reading

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mission and heaven’s king

Matthew 10.  Chapter 9 had concluded with Jesus commanding his disciples to pray for more harvesters.  Chapter ten begins with commencement day.  Jesus calls his twelve disciples and tells them  “You know those apostles you have been praying for? – … Continue reading

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