2020 Spring

"The gospel is understood insomuch as we understand this Man, Jesus." 

—Stuart Greaves

Few things are more refreshing than someone who is quick to assume the best. - Matt Smethurst

If Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1 and half of v2 and declared it fulfilled in Luke 14:21, then won’t the remaining be fulfilled by Him? We look forward to: An Israel that sits in security and enjoys its Promises, a wedding ceremony and a light to the nations. -TJ Sewob

At twenty years of age Spurgeon had 5,000 people listening to him. He had no newsletters. He had no TV program. He had no hype. You never have to advertise a fire. Spurgeon had the Presence of God with him. -Leonard Ravenhill

How strange this fear of death is! Yet we are never frightened at a sunset. -George McDonald

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25  

The eschatological Day spurs authentic discipleship.

-John Harrigan

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed Colossians 3:4-5 Eschatology is the true driver of discipleship. 

-John Harrigan

Pilate crucified Jesus “to gratify the crowd” (Mark 15:15). When we capitulate to the fear of man, we kill what Jesus is doing. -Bob Sorge

Jesus to Ananias: “I will show [Paul] how much he must suffer for my name.” Acts 9:16
For example: "Five times I received the forty lashes less one.” 2 Corinthians 11:24 39 lashes. Five times! On the same raw back.
Yet content, for Christ’s sake. 2 Corinthians 12:10

-John Piper

God doesn't tell Moses, "Tell them, 'I am what you want.'" He says, "Tell them, 'I am what I am.’" -Timothy Keller

Our faith is built on three pillars. We have a cross, we have a book, and we have a King. Oh how we love these three!  -Bob Sorge

Disciples: Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? Jesus: It is not for you to know the times or seasons the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:6-7

Jesus affirms their expectations but corrects their timing.  

-John Harrigan

We need to understand God's nature as a loving Father who judges to remove the things that hinder love. His judgments will escalate as we get closer to Jesus' return. If we don't have a biblical framework that they are love in action, we'll end up offended at His leadership. -Mike Bickle

God saved Lot from Sodom’s overthrow, not because He remembered Abraham’s prayer but because He remembered Abraham. (Genesis 19:29) Place your focus not on praying the right prayer but being the right person.  -Bob Sorge

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 The "due season" is the age to come and the harvest reaped is "eternal life" (v.8).  

Eschatology sustains perseverant discipleship.

-John Harrigan

Paul says, “Study to show thyself approved unto the deacons.” — no? The only job I have on this earth is to please God. “Study to show yourself approved unto GOD.” (2 Timothy 2:15) I need GOD’S approval. Before I deliver a message, I ask, ‘Has it been satisfying to God?’ -Leonard Ravenhill

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.  

- C. S. Lewis

“The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.” 

(Isaiah 9:7 CSB)

The gospel shows us a God far more holy than a legalist can bear and yet more merciful than a humanist can conceive.  - Timothy Keller

Moses beheld the marvelous works of the Lord. "Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power..." Ex. 15:6 Yet this didn't satisfy him and a great cry burst forth:  

"Please. Show me your glory!" Ex. 33:18 

-Isaac Bennett

Jesus was and is a Teacher. The more like Him you become, the more of a teacher of others you become. Not with a lectern and mic, but with a life that influences everyone you touch. -Bob Sorge

If you want to know Jesus then peer into His word. He’s revealed in His word. Those who want to know Him gaze intently into His word.

-Bob Sorge

One of the most painful realities of Christian history is the fact that Christian supersessionist theology has consistently produced a hatred of, and mistreatment of the Jewish people. While most Jews are well aware of it, most Christians remain ignorant or in denial. -Joel Richardson

More than anything, the last week has shown that we are all aching for a perfect leader in whom justice and mercy kiss; someone who can govern in perfect righteousness and equity; someone who is worthy of our allegiance. Fear not, He’s coming.  -Dalton Thomas

Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:35 CSB Not accepting release?! Only apocalyptic eschatology produces this kind of disciple.  

"The world was not worthy of them." (v. 38)

-John Harrigan

Mary of Bethany didn’t give Jesus the flask of expensive perfume unopened because she knew the only way He’d accept it was if it was poured out.  -Bob Sorge

“The same Spirit apportions to each one individually as he wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:11 “God bore witness ... by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:4  

We may and should ask. He, not we, decides who has what gifts.

-John Piper

The Night Will Soon Be Over // Dalton and Anna Thomas (Official Music Vi...

"’Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ And he said to her, ‘For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.’" Mark 7:28-29  

Humility that boasts no deserving and pleads only mercy taps power that defeats demons.

-John Piper

Do you know all these guys who’ve gone down the drain. Do you know why? Let me tell you how to backslide. Why did they backslide? They all backslide in the place of prayer. -Leonard Ravenhill

The Lord will live in Jerusalem (Zechariah. 8:3; cf. 1:16; 2:10). The nations will call it the “City of Truth,” and the temple mount will be called the “Holy Mountain.” Jesus’ throne will be there. -Mike Bickle

"Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38  

The insanity is fearing the disapproval of adulterers over holy angels.

-John Piper

"His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 Grace is not only the pardon that wins remission, but the power that works righteousness. The latter is evidence of the former. Act in the power. Enjoy the pardon. 

-John Piper

The New Testament word for “slanderer” is 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘴. The word for “devil.”

Watch how you talk about others.

-Matt Smethurst

How can you go to a fashionable church were nobody weeps, where you get crowds—you can’t get seating, except prayer meeting night? 

-Leonard Ravenhill

If you decide to wait on God, let David tip you off: Your main guys will misunderstand and resist you, 1 Samuel. 26:8  

-Bob Sorge

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31  

The apostles understood the death of the Messiah as confirmation of the Jewish apocalyptic hope; forgiveness of sins FOR Israel.

-John P Harrigan

Evangelical Christianity in the United States is often characterized by a deep desire to have “Christianity” pervade our culture but not have Christ permeate our being.

-Rich Villodas

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15 Trustworthy indeed. Let's "believe in him for eternal life" (v.16). 

-John P Harrigan

The Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age. Galatians 1:3-4 "gave himself for our sins" = sacrificial formula "to deliver us from the present evil age" = day of YHWH reference  

Gospel = sacrificial atonement + apocalyptic salvation 

-John P Harrigan

Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12 CSB 

On the cross, Jesus loved the Father with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength. And with the cross, the Father loved us with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength. -Bob Sorge

This year, the Communist government of China has been forcibly removing crosses from all Christian churches. What is it about the cross of Christ that causes an atheist government to tremble? -Bob Sorge

Satan tried to make himself rich and now has nothing. Jesus made Himself poor, even being made destitute on the cross, and now has great riches. That’s Proverbs 13:7 illustrated. -Bob Sorge

Jesus said, “I’m going to break this bread and feed a multitude.” The Father said, “I’m going to break Your body and feed a planet.” -Bob Sorge

Nehemiah 9:10 describes the cross so beautifully: “So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day.” -Bob Sorge

All genealogies in scripture end with Jesus. After the Seed from Genesis 3.15 is born, they have no purpose.

The two appointments for every other human being: To die and to face judgement.
Genesis 3:19, Hebrews 9:27

The two appointments for Jesus the Christ: To die (the Sacrifice to take away sins of many people) and to appear again to to judge every human being (to bring salvation).
Hebrews 9:28