Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. The mountains surround Jerusalem and the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. - Psalms 125 

“If the apostles were incapable of being true witnesses without unusual power, who are we to claim that we can be witnesses without such power?” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I wish the deliverance of Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the well-being of his people, may Jacob rejoice, may Israel be happy! - Psalms 14

Theology 101: The Lord's Supper is like the Spirit’s down payment of redemption—just enough to make us hungry for more. -Dr. Michael Svigel

"Keep your mind and your heart open to the gracious leadings and influences of the Spirit of God." -D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is not a fulfillment or radical redefinition of Israel's hope, but is understood by Paul and the apostles as exemplary, showing the pattern that the nation of Israel has followed in the past and will follow in the future. - Josh Hawkins

A Jewish Man from Nazareth went from the Cross to a tomb, but was raised from death by the God that He referred to as His Father. It seems like He folded His burial linens as angelic beings rolled away the stone so that He could emerge from the tomb to reunite with His friends and reignite a movement. As He hangs around Jerusalem and the surrounding region for the next month and a half or so, five hundred of His followers eventually bear witness to the Resurrected Man before He visibly ascends to the sky and the heavenly realm beyond the veil. His identity was clear to His friends and followers, His authority proven to them without any doubt, they would go on to give their lives to go everywhere proclaiming the good news of His victory over death and His identity as the Son of God and Savior of the World, our Coming King, Jesus of Nazareth.  

They believed, having seen. Yet, as Peter once wrote: blessed are you who have *not* seen, yet you believe. -David Sliker

I love Christmas because it is the story of when “God was Born” as a Man His mother was instructed to name, “Yeshua” - which Mary understood as a powerful fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant and Yahweh’s commitment to deliver the earth from sin and death. I love Easter because it is the story of “God Triumphant” over sin and death that He personally and painfully experienced as a Man, the Firstborn from the Dead, in order to deliver captive humanity into the fullness of that same triumph upon His return. I can’t wait for the age to come, in which we will add “God Reigning Over All” as King of Kings, when all humanity will experience the beauty of the Prince of Peace and the perfection of His leadership over the earth from Jerusalem.  

There is no story like the one we are living as the Bride of Christ, the ones whom He loved and washed with His own blood, making us kings and priests to reign with Him forever.

-David Sliker

Do not let me have evil desires, or participate in sinful activities with men who behave wickedly. I will not eat their delicacies. May the godly strike me in love and correct me! May my head not refuse choice oil!  - Psalms 141

In Christ Alone - Jewish Apocalyptic verse

In Christ's return we place our hope, The snake crushing Man will come again and with His voice, he'll raise the dead from Zion his reign will never end When you return and come back home and take your place on David's throne then at your feet our crowns we'll throw Jesus our King and LORD of all

Just because He doesn’t, doesn’t mean He can’t. At His trial, He refused, while blindfolded, to tell them who had struck Him, even though He could have. (Luke 22:64) He is so restrained, all the time.

If He doesn’t do it, never assume He can’t. - Bob Sorge

The metaphors in the Sermon on the Mount all carry the same message: have singular focus on and store up treasures for the age to come while expecting difficulty in this age. The two houses parable shows the ultimate outcome for those who heed that message and those who don't. - Joshua Hawkins

Carrying the cross in these last days not only means following God daily into a world that is at war with God—but also into a Church-world that is too often at war with the cross. - Joel Richardson

"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction..." (Phil. 3:17-18)

 

Paul isn't talking about ones who don't believe that Jesus died, but ones who refuse to embrace suffering like he did. - Joshua Hawkins

There is no such thing as a seeker-friendly call to embrace the cross.  - Joel Richardson

My teaching on the Glory and Humility of the incarnation of Jesus from Luke 2. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

We’re not going to be taken out of this world into heaven but heaven is going to come down at the end of time to renew this world. (Rev 21-22)  - Timothy Keller

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49  

The first purge was with water; the second will be by fire. - Joel Richardson  

The Lord shatters his adversaries; he thunders against them from the heavens. The Lord executes judgment to the ends of the earth. He will strengthen his king and exalt the power of his anointed one. 

- 1 Samuel 2

“It is possible to adopt an outward demeanor of great meekness, while inside our appetite for applause is insatiable. . . . Oh, what a constant companion, what a tyrannical commander, what a sly, subtle and insinuating enemy is this sin of pride!” —John Stott 

If Jesus could raise Lazarus after he was dead for four days, after corruption had set in, that means there is no line at which resurrection can no longer happen. Even if you’re dead for thousands of years, He can raise you back up. - Bob Sorge

The indicative and the imperative of the New Testament are held together by this circle of grace: we must respond generously and fully, for God has given generously and fully. -Dr. David deSilva 

The resurrection was God declaring war on our planet. When the angel broke the Roman seal by moving the tombstone (Matt 27:66), God was taking on all the might and authority of Rome. Every knee must bow before Christ, whether voluntarily or not. - Bob Sorge

“The richest society in history has made the inheritance of eternal life the easiest thing to happen.” - John P. Harrigan

The cross scattered the disciples, but the resurrection gathered them back together again. - Bob Sorge

Jesus' request for the rich young ruler to sell everything and be a disciple seemed excessive to him. But Jesus knew he was living in a danger zone. His loyalty to his wealth would prevent him from inheriting eternal life in the kingdom. If true for him, how much more for us?  - Joshua Hawkins

Resurrection power is so that you can live a crucified life. - Allen Hood  

This is our message: Turn to the God of Israel, perform deeds in keeping with repentance, live soberly in light of the day of judgment. Then, ask the Spirit to fill you with boldness, eagerness, and joy as you await the Messiah, suffer as he did, and proclaim his coming day. - Joshua Hawkins

 The cross of Jesus Christ has put more heroism in the souls of men than any other event in human history. - John G. Lake  

My message about the birth of Jesus from Luke 2. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2.

Theology 101: Church, don't even flirt with Mr. State; he will use you, abuse you, and two-time you in a heartbeat. He always has and he always will. And avoid the Matchmakers peddling their promises of marital bliss. They work for a fee, and their fee is your body and soul. - Dr. Michael Svigel