Persecution

Ryan Lowery

Acts 3:1-4:23

Persecution is a tactic used by God's enemies to halt authentic Christian movements. When Peter and John are faced with persecution, they choose to proclaim the good news about Jesus. Fear of rejection and idolizing comfort can hold us back from speaking, but like Peter we can choose to trust God and proclaim the gospel. For a variety of reasons, persecuted Christians often are more effective at sharing the gospel.

Jesus Speaks

Dennis McCallum

Revelation 1:1-19

A revelation from Christ appears to John, which he records in this letter. John emphasizes the importance of listening to the message God presents here because the time of Christ's return will be sudden. He directs the letter to the seven churches in Asia. The significance of the number seven, the mourning of all people in light of Christ's sacrifice, and John's conviction to write this letter are explored. Several ways to interpret Revelation (preterist, historical, futurist, idealist, and blended) are critiqued, followed by John's description of an intense vision of Christ.

Pentecost

Ryan Lowery

Acts 2:1-41

The first Christian community starts in Jerusalem with the disciples and crowds receiving the Holy Spirit. There are instances of speaking in tongues after the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. The Bible lays out very clear measures of speaking in tongues including that an interpreter must be present. We all say that we want to see a miracle but either we will be perplexed or create a cynical explanation to write it off. Peter stands up and rebukes the cynics of the crowd and gives glory to God who has revealed the second part of His plan which involves His Holy Spirit and of Jesus' fulfillment of the work on the cross.

Jesus: The Slain Lamb

Jeff Gordon

Revelation 5

John details seeing Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, represented as the ransom for God's people. The Lamb was slaughtered, but was able to take the scroll that no one else could open, and he was declared worthy of it. With reference to Exodus 12 and Isaiah 53, this vision symbolizes the gospel message: that Christ died in our place to offer salvation to all people.

Becoming a Spiritual Dynamo

Ryan Lowery

Acts 1:1-8

The author of Acts, Luke, is widely considered to be a historian of the highest class. We learn from his recordings of the accounts of the disciples as they were taught by Jesus after his resurrection. They are told to go to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit. Our community of Christians today is only possible due to this moment in history. The beginning of the spreading of the Gospel is about to begin.

The Resurrection

Scott Risley

Mark 16:3-4

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has been portrayed by some scholars as a nice parable for modern, rational people. If the resurrection was not a literal, historical event; however, the ramifications for Christianity and humanity as a whole would be life-altering, and so the evidence must be examined thoroughly. The accounts given in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present a complete picture of the events that transpired on that Sunday, and through studying them skeptics and believers alike can gain a realistic and accurate perspective of the resurrection.

The Cross

Conrad Hilario

2 Corinthians 5:21

Through the details of the crucifixion, the world witnesses the depth of love that God has for humanity. At the cross we see Jesus, the king of the world, go through mental and physical torture to gift forgiveness for humanity's moral debt. God judged and punished His son for all the sin and atrocities committed by humanity. Jesus died for his enemies and his death is adequate for all people.

Behold, Your King

Scott Risley

Psalms 22:14-18

Death by crucifixion is brutal and bloody, and Jesus' death on the cross was no exception. However, Jesus' death was not merely an execution but rather God's plan for the salvation of mankind, and his death simultaneously fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and satisfied God's wrath. Through his sacrifice, we are able have our moral debt paid in full and to experience a personal relationship with God.

The Cross

Dennis McCallum

John 19:1-30

The most important event in history happened when Jesus Christ went to the cross to take on God's judgment for sin Himself so that all people could have forgiveness and eternal life if they accept Jesus' payment for our sins. What Jesus underwent was not only physical torment through beatings, a crown of thorns around his head and crucifixion; but psychological and spiritual torment as well by enduring the wrath of God to pay for all human sin. Choosing to make a decision concerning Jesus' offer of forgiveness through the cross is the most important decision a person can make.