Let's explore what Matthew 28:18–20, John 8:31–32, and John 15:1–21 say about discipleship and who should be baptized, first tracing how Jesus Himself defines a disciple, what He expects from them, and how baptism fits into that identity and calling. 📖 1. Matthew
Psalm 24:3–4 and 1 Timothy 1:5 share a deep thematic connection centered around purity of heart and righteous conduct flowing from internal integrity. Though they come from different Testaments and literary styles—poetic worship and apostolic instruction—they both point to the heart as the source of
I. 1. Exodus 3:5-6 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At
A 10-Week Devotional + Group Study Series Theme: From Accusation → Reconciliation → Identity → Calling 🧱 Part 1: The Weight of Accusation (Weeks 1–3) Exposing the need for rescue and the gospel's power to answer the accusation 1. Lex Semper Accusat (The Law Always Accuses) * Not Greek, but a vital theological
Mark 15:25 - It was the third hour (nine o’clock in the morning) when they crucified Him. Num 28:3-8 - Say to them: ‘This is the food offering you are to present to Yahweh: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each
🕍 1. Pharisees * Expectation: A Davidic kingly Messiah who would restore righteousness, enforce Torah observance, and lead Israel to spiritual renewal and independence from Rome. * Right: Belief in resurrection (cf. Jesus affirmed this, e.g., Matt. 22:31–32).Emphasis on God’s justice and Torah, which Jesus upheld (Matt. 5:
🪴 1. Genesis 3:14–16 – The Woman in the Garden “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Context: After the fall, God speaks judgment to the serpent, the woman, and the
I. 🌿 Exodus 34:6–7 – God’s Self-Revelation “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty...” This is the
Scripture paints a portrait of God as the ultimate example of humility, and how His commands for our humility are not burdensome, but deeply rooted in His own character and actions. Given God’s own humility it makes sense for Him to call us into humility as His image-bearers. I.
I. 🔍 Psalm 50:22–23 (ESV) “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” 🔍 Hosea 2
Psalm 50 offers a majestic, sobering portrait of God’s character—one that confronts false ideas of religion and reveals who God truly is. Let’s take a look at what these verses say about who God is and what they reveal about His nature. I. 🔥 Psalm 50:1 – “The
1. Prayer in the Ancient Near East (ANE) Cultural Context: Prayer in the ANE was often transactional and ritualistic, deeply tied to temple worship and appeasement of deities. Gods were seen as needing persuasion or offerings. Key features included: * Incantations and petitions: Recited by priests or individuals to seek favor.