Lessons Archive

Helping the Poor and Final Exhortations (1 Corinthians 16)

As Paul concludes his letter, his love for the brothers and sisters in Corinth is palpable despite the many problems he has addressed. We also see his deep love for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, as he instructs the church in Corinth to set aside money for their brothers and sisters across the Mediterranean Sea. We explore (and are

Helping the Poor and Final Exhortations (1 Corinthians 16) View Lesson

I Have Hidden Your Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture!

This is an unusually challenging message that could disrupt your spiritual life! In it, we make the case for memorizing extended passages of Scripture, then meditating on that day and night. While this is hard work, it will produce wonderful blessings for those who persevere. We begin by reviewing Bible passages that encourage this, then

I Have Hidden Your Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture! View Lesson

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 4 (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

In his final remarks on the resurrection of the body, Paul explains when the resurrection will happen and describes a great mystery: our bodies will be transformed, and death will be destroyed. Because of this hope, Paul directs his "beloved brethren" to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord". May we

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 4 (1 Corinthians 15:50-58) View Lesson

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 3 (1 Corinthians 15:35-49)

The belief in the bodily resurrection produced the same scorn and ridicule in Jesus' day as it does today. However, many Jews believed in the resurrection of the dead, including the Pharisees. How did they come to this faith? We dig into the Old Testament Scriptures to answer this question, inspired by examples of men

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 3 (1 Corinthians 15:35-49) View Lesson

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 2 (1 Corinthians 15:20-34)

Paul taught that man consists of three parts: the body, soul and spirit. Understanding this concept, aided by early Christian insights, can help us to appreciate the inner struggle we often experience. It disarms the popular Reformation teaching on “total depravity” and explains how even unbelievers can demonstrate noble character. In this message we also tackle

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 2 (1 Corinthians 15:20-34) View Lesson

Pursuing Biblical Unity, Part 2

One of the great challenges to Biblical unity is unresolved conflict between Christians. Fortunately, in Matthew 18, Jesus not only gives us a process to revolve conflict with one another, but also the heart we are to bring to conflict resolution. In this second of a two-part series on unity, we cover Jesus' simple, challenging,

Pursuing Biblical Unity, Part 2 View Lesson

Pursuing Biblical Unity, Part 1

Before going to His death, Jesus prays for the unity of His followers. He promises that by this unity the love and glory of God will be revealed, and the world would believe that God sent Him. In this first of a two-part lesson, we examine why this unity is so difficult and how to

Pursuing Biblical Unity, Part 1 View Lesson

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 1 (1 Corinthians 15:1-19)

Some Christians in Corinth did not believe that their physical bodies would be raised from the dead in the end. After all, isn’t it just our souls that will be saved? In this chapter Paul turns his attention to correcting that foundational misunderstanding. (Warning: This teaching will likely disrupt what many believe today!) Teaching Notes

The Resurrection of the Body - Part 1 (1 Corinthians 15:1-19) View Lesson

Luke on the Birth of Jesus

Most of us are familiar with Luke's account of the birth of Christ. However, this message adds insights from early Christian writers and little-known prophecies that can encourage our faith, add greater significance to certain details of this story, and equip us to rebut critics of the account of the virgin birth in Bethlehem. Also, we address

Luke on the Birth of Jesus View Lesson

Psalm 91 - They Shall Bear You Up

Satan quoted this psalm to Jesus in one of the three temptations in the Wilderness. It speaks of angels supporting someone so he would not dash his foot against a stone. Does that refer to Jesus, or to us? In this message we consider the perspective taken by Origen, as we also review the importance

Psalm 91 - They Shall Bear You Up View Lesson