Category Archives: deliverance

return of the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:1-25.  The ESV Study Bible comments on this text: “most Jews believed that for more than 400 years the Holy Spirit had not been active in Israel.”  Notice the circumstances that connected to bring about revival and the move … Continue reading

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disciples: absent

Mark 15.  The disciples are conspicuously absent from the narrative in this chapter, although they have a prominent place everywhere else.  They are not there in this chapter to speak up for Jesus when he is being accused and mocked … Continue reading

Posted in atonement, commitment, deliverance, gospel, Jesus Christ, obedience, plan of God, the cross | Tagged | 1 Comment

disciples: faith overcomes fear

Mark 4:35-5:43.  In this group of stories, the disciples learn that Jesus has great power, and that their faith in him should help them to overcome irrational fear.       A great windstorm threatens to capsize the boat where … Continue reading

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only Jesus: securer of God’s redemption

Hebrews 9:11-10:18.  Jesus has done for us what no other could do.  He recognized that he was born to die on that cross, and that his death could do what all the prayers, ceremonies and sacrifices could never do.  By … Continue reading

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only Jesus: access to God’s presence

Hebrews 8:1-9:10.  God had revealed a pattern in the old Jerusalem temple that predicted what Jesus has now accomplished for us in the heavenly temple.  Under the old covenant, access to the presence of God was restricted.  Only the priests … Continue reading

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only Jesus: guarantor of God’s better covenant

Hebrews 7.  The new covenant put into effect by Jesus is so much better than the old instituted by Moses.  The author of Hebrews proves this by showing why Jesus has “become a high priest forever after the order of … 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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the last supper of heaven’s king

Matthew 26:1-29.  The officials in Jerusalem are even now plotting to have Jesus arrested and killed.  A woman anoints him with expensive oil, and Jesus allows the extravagance because she is preparing him for burial.  Judas conspires to betray him.  … Continue reading

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a day in the life of heaven’s king

Matthew 14.  Herod celebrated his birthday by murdering John the Baptist.  It was a tragedy for the kingdom of heaven brought about by the lust and fear of one of earth’s kings.    Later, when Herod learned of the success … Continue reading

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deeply committed, deeply hurt

Philemon 1-3.  Philemon was a good man.  He was not just a pew-sitter in Colossae.  He hosted a fellowship in his own house.  Paul described him as a “beloved fellow worker.”  The picture we get from Paul’s words in this … Continue reading

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