March 31, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • Luke 24:1–12, Matthew 27:37, Mark 16:1–4, John 20:2, John 20:19
If you think Jesus was a great leader and teacher, but find it hard to believe in his resurrection? You’re in good company. Even his disciples were skeptical. But those same followers were the ones who would later become the spokesmen of a new movement: the church. They would maintain faith in the midst of incredible suffering. Many died still claiming that Jesus was their Savior. So what do we make of this defining event—the one that became the foundation of their faith . . . and of ours?
THE BIG IDEA: The resurrection of Jesus created Christianity & launched the church.
Before Pilate
March 24, 2024 • Seth Miller • John 19, Mark 14:50–65, John 18:28–37, Luke 23:4–18, Mark 15:1–24
At Passover, Jesus gathered his followers and spelled out a new relational arrangement between God and humankind: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” But Jesus wasn’t celebratory. He seemed troubled. Initiating this new covenant with God would require sacrifice. What came next would confuse his followers and send them scattering.
THE BIG IDEA: When Jesus died, everybody unfollowed and everybody unbelieved.
One Commandment
March 17, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • John 13, Deuteronomy 6:4–5, Matthew 22:35–40, Leviticus 19:18
Jesus didn’t come to initiate Judaism 2.0. He came to offer something entirely new to the world: a new covenant that would forever change humankind’s relationship with God. And with that new covenant came a new ethic—one that insisted that the greatest choose the back of the line.
THE BIG IDEA: “As I have loved you, love one another.”
