God’s divine plan of redemption didn't end with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In some sense it had just begun. Because all authority in heaven and on earth belong to Christ He has determined that His Church should glorify Him through making disciples of Him in all nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 24:25; Matthew 28:17; James 5:19-20; Psalm 51:13; Daniel 12:3; Malachi 2:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:9-11; 1 Cor. 1:21, 24, 29, 31; 1 Cor. 2:10,12; James 2:19; 1 Cor. 12, 14; James 1:21; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17
The Death Of Death
September 1, 2013 • Michael McCracken
Christ destroyed death when He was raised to life on the third day. ALL OF LIFE can have purpose and meaning knowing how this story ends. The resurrection of Christ is THE REALITY that underlies the human longing for a happy ending and for good to triumph over evil. It ensures that this present age will give way to a perfect and glorious one. We WILL wait patiently for it!
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Philippians 1:6; Deuteronomy 5:29; Zephaniah 3:7; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalm 97:1-5; Deuteronomy 30:15-16; Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; Romans 4:7-8; 5:9; Psalm 30:5; Malachi 4:2; 2 Samuel 23:3-4; Psalm 22:31; 1 Corinthians 15:54, 57
Forsaken In Order To Reconcile
August 25, 2013 • Michael McCracken
In this hour of utter darkness, Christ, from the cross, points us to a Psalm of David that speaks of suffering and despair that ultimately ends in triumph. The beauty of it all is that in the darkness God finds us.
Additional Scripture References:
John 17:11, 22; John 17:1; Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 2:10-11; Ephesians 2:18-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Hebrews 10:14-23; Psalm 22; Romans 10:20
The Power Of The Cross
August 18, 2013 • Michael McCracken
In this most significant moment in history, as Jesus is being tortured and humiliated, mocked and reviled, it is Mark’s desire to help the reader to understand that God is in complete control, all sovereign, and THE all powerful King. It is only through His sovereign, merciful, grace that we would be able to look upon the cross and believe.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 16:13; James 1:12; Hebrews 2:9; Mark 14:25; Matthew 5:37; Psalm 15:4b; Psalm 22; John 6:60-65
Despised And Rejected
August 11, 2013 • Carl Young
Despised and Rejected
Additional Scripture References:
John 18:28-19:16; Mark 8:31-38; Mark 7:1-7; Mark 10:33-34; John 14:6; Romans 3:10-11; John 13:34-35; Col. 1:15-17; Psalm 22:1,6-8, 14-18; 1 Peter 2:23; Isaiah 53
The Folly Of The Cross
August 4, 2013 • Michael McCracken
As we approach the cross we can begin to see why it would end up being a stumbling block and offensive to so many. We see why it would never seem like a practical solution to any problem much less the problem of evil. Why would God choose the death of His Son on a cross to be the climax of His grand story?
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 10:19; Matthew 7:6; Luke 21:15; James 1:19; John 8:58; Leviticus 24:16
The Folly Of The Cross
July 28, 2013 • Michael McCracken
As we approach the cross we can begin to see why it would end up being a stumbling block and offensive to so many. We see why it would never seem like a practical solution to any problem much less the problem of evil. Why would God choose the death of His Son on a cross to be the climax of His grand story?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 37:4; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25; Luke 6:20-26
When God Told Jesus "No"
July 21, 2013 • Michael McCracken
What we learn from Jesus’ human frailty.
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 5:7; 4:15-16; Matthew 6; Luke 6:20-26
...And I STILL Want You
July 14, 2013 • Michael McCracken
Jesus had an incredible message for His disciples when He was telling them of their future failure. Because they were all trapped on the vicious cycle of trying to morally outdo one another they were blinded. God graciously ordains failure in our life in order to show us this incredibly freeing truth of His grace.
Additional Scripture References:
Zechariah 13:7-9; Isaiah 53:5
Christ's Blood Purchased A Better Covenant
July 7, 2013 • Michael McCracken
Observing the Lord’s Supper or Communion is remembering the high price that was paid in order to offer a free gift of infinite worth. Let us feel the humility, the gratitude, and the hope that comes with the observance of WHAT was purchased through Christ’s blood on the cross: A BETTER COVENANT WITH BETTER PROMISES.
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 8:6-12; Exodus 19:5-8; Titus 3:4-7; Jeremiah 31:31-33; 32:38-40; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26-27; Hebrews 13:20-21; Revelation 19:6-9; 1 Corinthians 11
The Good With The Bad
June 23, 2013 • Michael McCracken
Last week you have this “beautiful thing…” done by a woman and we celebrate it as being a part of the preparations of the death of Christ. This week we see a horrific thing and yet we are to celebrate it as being a part of the preparations of the death of Christ. If you are boasting in the cross of Christ then you are celebrating God and His sovereign hand that brought ALL of it to pass.
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; Exodus 21; Isaiah 14:24-27; 46:9-11; Job 23:13; Luke 22:22, 37; Isaiah 53:12; John 13:17-19; John 17:12; Acts 1:16; 4:27-28; John 3:16; Romans 9:19
She Has Done What She Could
June 16, 2013 • Jon Paul Dennison
The turning point of all of history was days away. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, would have his body, the unleavened bread, broken for our sins. While in Bethany, Mary (Martha’s sister) prepares Jesus for burial in advance by pouring an outrageous amount of expensive perfume over his head. Judas, along with other onlookers, condemn her for the waste. But how could preparing the God of the universe for the most important event in all of history be a waste, even if it cost a year of wages?
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 4:21, 11:4, 11:9-10, 12:12-13, 12:17-18, 12:29-31, 12:37-39; Matthew 26:1-13; John 11:45-12:8
Ready Or Not...
June 9, 2013 • Michael McCracken
Oh how bad the curse we feel. Oh the glories His coming will reveal. He’s coming back and He has commanded us to stay awake and be ready for His return. Are you ready?
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 14:12-13; 24:18-22; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Isaiah 25:6-9; John 6:63; Deuteronomy 32:47; John 4:34; 6:38; John 17:1; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 9:27
When There Is No Gray To Hide Behind
June 2, 2013 • Michael McCracken
When Christianity is literally life and death there is no room for gray areas. It is in these times when it is clearest who the “sheep” are that Jesus speaks of in John 10.
Additional Scripture References:
John 10:25-30; Romans 8:6-10; Galatians 6:17
The Hope To Be Able To Finish Well
May 26, 2013 • Michael McCracken
Jesus is wanting to encourage His disciples to equate "the end" with running harder than ever, striving after His word and His promises, and pursuing righteousness like never before. Ultimately, Christ is calling on us to rest in the bitter-sweetness of our insufficiency that brings to light God's gracious, sovereignty.
Additional Scripture References:
Mark 9:35; 12;36; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-15: 2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:5-6; Ephesians 1:4; 13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Corinthians 1:22
