If you have been in Perth, I am sure you have seen the beggars along the street playing music to draw the attention of those walking by that they might donate a coin to help provide their living. That same scene was common in Israel during Christ’s life. Our story today took place near Jericho. […]
Robert E. Speer says that several years ago he was being entertained by the president of a small college in America’s South. The school had limited guest facilities, so the head of the institution offered him his apartment. “I woke up early the next morning,” said Speer, “when I heard someone tiptoe into the room. […]
The Bible makes it clear that the only thing that can save a person from damnation in the Lake of Fire is faith in Christ’s payment on the cross for our sin. However, there are several things that prepare a person for faith in Christ. They must take place before a person can place their […]
Jesus is the reason for the season. Without Jesus there would be no Christmas. But more than that, Jesus is at the very core of the great mystery that motivates a person to become a Christian. The word “mystery” does not describe a suspense novel but information that God kept hidden in the past. Transition […]
Jesus had been teaching his 12 disciples for over three years. They spent most every day with Him, watching His example and listening to His instructions. Yet, after all that time with Jesus, they all still had many sinful weaknesses that must have frustrated Jesus. Looking at the disciples is like looking into a mirror. […]
The story is told of a bushman who knew very little about civilized life. One day he went to town to buy a saw. A chainsaw salesman promised him that he could cut down a hundred trees a day with this fine saw. Proudly the bushman bought the saw and headed for the woods. A […]
Everything God does has a purpose. Every miracle of Jesus, every word He spoke, every display of His divinity had a purpose. In our text today, Jesus was briefly transformed before the eyes of three of His disciples. Why did He do that? Transition This morning I want us to note three reasons for the […]
Some believe that Jesus was speaking of salvation in this section. While much of it fits that interpretation, salvation is not of works and self-denial, carrying a cross and following can be viewed as works. Therefore, we are going to interpret it as applying to discipleship. Transition This morning I want us to look at […]
Today’s Scripture passage takes place on the road to Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was in the country, about 38 km north of Bethsaida, at the “upper source” of the Jordan River, and near the base of Mount Hermon. Mount Hermon is 2814 m tall making it the tallest mountain in Palestine. The runoff from its […]
Jesus had just been in Decapolis on the east side of Galilee. He had ministered to a huge crowd of over four thousand for three days. He feed the people before sending them home with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. After the feeding of the four thousand they collected seven large baskets […]