Matthew 27:62–66The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and th...  Read More

Matthew 27:27–56Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and to...  Read More

NOTE: It is best to participate in the Passover (Seder) meal together with your household or with a group of friends. If possible, gather the elements together ahead of time so you can taste the elements as they are presented in the following.  SetupOn a plate before each person is a dish of salt-water, the bitter herb (radish), and wine (juice).Instructions Everyone should participate 1 Bottle of...  Read More

Matthew 26:47–56While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to...  Read More

Matthew 22:15–22Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus...  Read More

Matthew 21:23–27And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from whe...  Read More

As followers of Christ, we know that we are saved by faith. But our faith is also proved through our faithfulness. Because of God’s steadfast love for us, we walkin faithfulness to him. Let’s close out our lent series on faith by praying the Psalmist’s prayer. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Prove me and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfuln...  Read More

Abraham exercised his belief in Yahweh by his obedience. In Greek, faith and belief are the same concept. To say that one believes is to say that they have faith. It follows, in the example of Abraham, that having faith in God is followed by faithfulness or obedience. In an effort to protect the doctrine of justification as being by faith alone, many protestant Christians have downplayed the signi...  Read More

A mustard seed is a super tiny seed that grows into a giant tree. A superficial reading of this verse makes it sound like anyone who believes in Jesus, even a tiny bit, can do immeasurably powerful things according to their minuscule faith. Is that true? That depends on what faith actually is. If faith in Christ is simple belief, then yes. But faith is not mere belief. “Even the demons believe and...  Read More

Type your new text here....  Read More

Our faith is tested by fire. That is, our authenticity is gauged by our endurance. We are to rejoice that our faith is tested, because it gives us confidence in our eternal state. We are confident, as we endure trials, that we will indeed endure to the end, entering int glory when Jesus Christ returns. We should, therefore, rejoice in trials, because trials produce confidence that we will endure j...  Read More

Type your new text here....  Read More