Bible Study series. Mark 7:31-37. The crowds were amazed. But Jesus worked the miracle to help the man, not to amaze the crowds.
Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man
Reply
Are You Ready to Truly Follow Jesus?
Bible Study series. Matthew 8:18-22. Enthusiasm is great, but can you count the cost?
Peter and John Visit Samaria
Bible Study series. Acts 8:14-25. Peter and John need to validate Philip’s ministry in Samaria.
‘Before Abraham Was, I Am’
Bible study series: John 8:48-59. Jesus proclaims his deity, by the Father’s permission, who glorifies his Son.
Blessings and Woes
Bible Study series. Luke 6:20-26. Jesus begins the Sermon on the Plain. He is teaching his disciples, his kingdom citizens. Get ready for blessings and some tough times and trials.
A Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
Bible Study series: Mark 7:24-30. Jesus lifts her faith by putting her off at first, just to bring out the faith he saw in her.
Jesus Heals Many People
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:14-17. Another summary about Jesus’s healing ministry. Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4. He carried our diseases.
Philip Goes to Samaria, Preaches Jesus, Works Miracles, and Sees Salvations
Bible Study series: Acts 8:5-13. Philip was not an apostle, yet he worked miracles. The gospel of Christ plus signs and wonders are a powerful means of salvation.
Your Father Is the Devil
Bible Study series: John 8:37-47. Jesus did not hold back.
Jesus Ministers to Crowd of Disciples and Multitudes
Bible Study series: Luke 6:17-19. This is a good summary of Jesus’s ministry.
Tradition or the Word of God? Externals or Internals?
Bible Study series: Mark 7:1-23. The word of God is central. Traditions take a back seat.
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:5-13. The centurion’s faith shocked him.
Persecution Breaks Out, and the Church Disperses to Judea and Samaria
Bible Study series: Acts 8:1b-4. There was a general persecution ,and Saul also persecutes them. Everywhere the Christians went, they preached the gospel. Only the apostles remained in Jerusalem.
Knowing the Truth Will Set You Free
Bible Study series: John 8:31-36. Jesus and his gospel is the truth. Know them and you will be free.
Jesus Spends Night in Prayer and Selects Twelve Apostles
Bible Study series: Luke 6:12-16. Jesus was a man of prayer.
Jesus Heals Everyone Who Reached Out to Him at Gennesaret
Bible Study series: Mark 6:53-56. This is his ministry of putting bad things right. The kingdom of God has come.
Jesus Is Willing to Cleanse a Leper
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:1-4. Jesus healed everyone needing healing and who approached him.
Stephen Is Martyred
Bible Study series: Acts 7:57-8:1a. Criticizing the temple was a serious offense. He paid with his life. He was the first recorded martyr. (8:1a is divided up like that to fit the flow of the narrative from here to the next chapter.)
Jesus Is from Above
Bible Study series: John 8:21-30. He knew who sent him and spoke what he heard his Father say. Then the Son speaks it to the world.
Jesus Heals a Man with Withered Hand on Sabbath
Bible Study series: Luke 6:6-11. Jesus broke down the wall which religious leaders had built around the Torah (first five books of the Bible).
Jesus Walks on Water
Bible Study series: Mark 6:45-52. Do not fear! Jesus miraculously comes to save you.
Two Foundations
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:24-29. Will you obey his words or hear them and then do as you please?
The Sanhedrin Reacts and Stephen Sees the Son of Man
Bible Study series: Acts 7:54-56. Now the “empire” (Sanhedrin) strikes back.
Jesus Is the Light of the World
Bible Study series: John 8:12-20. Jesus = the Light = the Truth
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
Bible Study series: Luke 6:1-5. He owns it.
Jesus Goes on Retreat and Then Feeds the Five Thousand
Bible Study series: Mark 6:30-44. The apostles report back after their short-term mission trip. Then they go on a retreat. Afterwards, he feeds the five thousand.
Trees and Their Fruits and False Followers
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:15-23. You can prophesy and work miracles in huis name but not know the Lord. “Depart from me! I never knew you!” We can know them by their fruit.
Stephen Denounces Sanhedrin’s Hypocrisy
Bible Study series: Acts 7:51-53 Stephen is coming on strong. Fearless!
A Woman Caught in Adultery
Bible Study series: John 8:1-11 Mercy triumphs over judgment.
God Is Doing a New Thing through Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 5:33-39. New wine in old wineskins?
Herod Executes John the Baptist
Bible Study series: Mark 6:14-29. Let’s do a deep dive into John’s life.
Enter through the Narrow Gate; Walk the Narrow Path
Bible Study series Matthew 7:13-14. Kingdom citizens enter through the narrow gate and walk on the straight and narrow path
Stephen Says God Does Not Dwell in Things Made with Hands
Bible study series: Acts 7:44-50. God does not live in the temple. Stephen reveals God presence is not limited to the tabernacle of Moses or Solomon’s temple.
The Authorities Do Not Believe in Him
Bible Study series: John 7:45-52. They did not arrest him, as noted in another post. The officers were so amazed at his teaching that they did not bring him in.
Jesus Calls Levi and Dines with Him
Bible Study series: Luke 5:27-32. Levi said yes. Let’s celebrate!
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Bible Study series: Mark 6:7-13. Proclaim repentance. They healed saw many healings and deliverances. They used oil to pray for the sick.
The King Teaches on Persistent Prayer + the Golden Rule
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:7-12. Prayer must be persistent. And we must do good to people. There is a connection.
Stephen Denounces Israel’s Apostasy
Bible study series: Acts 7:42-43. Stephen is now punching hard. Don’t hold back!
The People Are Divided over Him
Bible Study series: John 7:40-44. Who was Jesus, anyway? The people took their best guesses based on traditions and their interpretations of Scripture
Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals Paralytic
Bible Study series: Luke 5:17-26. Jesus had authority on earth to forgive sins. He backed up his claim with a healing.
Jesus Is Dishonored in His Hometown
Bible Study series: Mark 6:1-6. Jesus went there to teach and preach. But they rejected him. He simply moved on.
The King Warns against Judgmentalism
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:1-6. This must be read in context. And be sure not to throw priceless things before swine or holy things before dogs.
Can Fallen Church Leaders Be Restored to Ministry?
Warning: this post discusses adult topics but in a pastoral and redemptive way. The topic of possible restoration is very complicated, Let’s proceed with caution and depend on the Scriptures.
Stephen: Ancient Israel Wandered in the Wilderness
Bible Study series: Acts 7:35-41. Stephen’s defense is building up to something.
Learn to Live in the Rivers
Bible Study series. John 7:37-39. The rivers flow out of your innermost being and refers to the Spirit. Learn to live in the Spirit.
Jesus Heals a Man with Skin Disease
Bible Study series: Luke 5:12-16. This was one of the signs of the Messiah.
Jesus Raises Up Jairus’s Daughter, Part Two
Bible Study series: Mark 5:35-43. Jesus performs the greatest miracle– a resurrection. He is putting things right. The final accomplishment of this will happen in a twinkling of an eye, at his Second Coming.
Seek First His Kingdom
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:25-34. The Sermon on the Mount is about reorienting our perspective to things above. These verses are a perfect summary of this goal.
Pastor Landon Schott Cares More about the ‘Abusers of the Sisters’ than the Victims
He claims that God spoke to him that a demonic spirit named “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10) will take down righteous men. No. Righteous men have nothing to fear from ordinary Christians who are called to expose deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:11). Would God speak a misinterpretation of this verse?
Stephen Tells the Story of the Calling of Moses
Bible Study series: Acts 7:30-34. Stephen knew his Scripture. Moses had a genuine call of God.
Chief Priests and Pharisees Send Officers to Arrest Him
Bible Study series: John 7:32-36. Then Jesus said he is about to go to the one who sent him. The Jewish establishment was puzzled by his statement.
Peter Hears the Gospel, Witnesses a Miracle, Repents, and Follows Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 5:1-11. Peter’s life was changed. Then he had to be trained and grow into his calling.
Disciples Persist in Prayer
This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:7-11. Never give up on prayer, until God tells you to stop praying for something. But he is willing to give his Son’s disciples good things.
Jesus Heals Woman with Issue of Blood
Bible Study series: Mark 5:24b-34. Power went out from him because she reached out in faith, which rose above her desperation.
Do You Serve God or Mammon?
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:24. Who is your Lord? Do you have money or does money have you?
Stephen’s Speech: Early Life of Moses
Bible Study series: Acts 7:20-29. Moses was thoroughly educated in the ways of Egypt. But he had to escape from its culture.
Some Wanted to Seize Him, but Many in the Crowds Believed in Him
Bible Study series: John 7:25-31. He puzzled the people of Jerusalem. Some wanted to seize him; others believed him him.
Jesus Retreats and Then Preaches in Judean Synagogues
Bible Study series: Luke 4:42-44. Apparently he withdrew to rest and pray, but then the crowds found him and wanted to keep him for themselves. But he told them about his mission. A nice two-verse summary.
Jesus Raises Up Jairus’s Daughter, Part One
Bible Study series: Mark 5:21-24a. Jesus is heading towards a house where he will perform a wonderful miracle.
The Lamp of the Body Is the Eye
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:22-23. Make sure you look at the light (= truth = Christ’s message) of the gospel.
Be Balanced and Avoid Hyper-Teachings
This is a huge problem in the church, particularly, but not only, the charismatic branches.
Stephen’s Defense: Hebrews in Egypt
Bible Study series: Acts 7:9-19. Stephen’s overview speech is polemical. He’s going on offense, while defending himself. This is his apologia (defense) of the new Christian Movement.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Feast of Tabernacles
Bible Study series: John 7:14-24. Jesus honored the festivals, but he mainly used them as teaching occasions because of the crowds.
Jesus Heals and Delivers Those with Various Diseases
Bible Study series: Luke 4:40-41. These are summary verses that teach us about his entire ministry.
Jesus Expels Legion of Demons from a Man
Bible Study series: Mark 5:1-20. Jesus went out of his way, across the lake, to get to him. This is the compassion of God.
Store Up Treasures in Heaven
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:19-21. Store up treasures in heaven. Don’t be greedy for treasure on earth. Hyper-prosperity teachers cannot like these verses. They shall have their rewards down here on earth, but nothing in the new heavens and earth.
Stephen’s Defense before the Sanhedrin
Bible Study series: Acts 7:1-57 and 8:1a. This is Stephen’s entire discourse in one simplified post. Great overview of the OT story.
Stephen Describes the Age of Patriarchs
Bible Study series: Acts 7:1-8. Stephen begins his speech to the people of Jerusalem, in sight of the temple. He begins at the beginning.
Jesus Goes Up to the Feast in Secret
Bible Study series: John 7:10-13. Jesus followed his Father’s timing.
Jesus Rebukes the Fever Attacking Peter’s Mother-in-Law
Bible Study series: Luke 4:38-39. God gives us authority to rebuke diseases.
Jesus Calms the Storm When Other Boats Were on the Lake
Bible Study series: Mark 4:35-41. Jesus calmed the storm to demonstrate God’s power, but it also has a practical need–to save other lives and boats.
The Right Attitude and Practice in Fasting
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:16-18. Don’t appear to be fasting. Don’t show off.
Here Is Doug Weiss’s (Digitized) Dissertation
I found it, but I’m not sure what to make of it. Maybe the readers can take a look at it and draw their own conclusions.
Stephen Stands Strong against Opposition
Bible Study series: Acts 6:8-15. Never surrender to your opposition when you are in the right and God is on your side.
Jesus Says No to His Brothers
Bible Study series: John 7:1-9. Jesus told his brothers no about going to the feast in Jerusalem. Then he went just a little later. How do we explain this?
Jesus Liberates a Demonized Man in a Synagogue
Bible Study series: Luke 4:31-37. The crowd marveled because he commanded unclean spirits.
Jesus Spoke in Parables
Bible Study series: Mark 4:33-34. Parables keep everyone keen and reveal who leans in to pursue truth.
Right Heart in Prayer and How to Pray
Bible Study series. Matthew 6:5-15. Lord’s Prayer. No need to decree, which removes God from your Christian life. You ignore your Father in heaven and take matters into your own hands. No. Instead, Jesus taught us to pray to our holy and loving Father.
Early Church Takes Care of Widows by Appointing Spirit-Filled Servants
Bible Study series Acts 6:1-7. The early church was learning as it went. It never lost sight of power of the Spirit to qualify servants for special missions.
‘You Have the Words of Eternal Life’
Bible Study series: John 6:60-71. Where else could the twelve disciples go? They would never cease following Jesus. They believed and knew that he was the Holy One of God.
Nazarenes Accept and Then Reject Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 4:21-30. What changed their minds? He had a miraculous escape.
The Kingdom Starts Small and Grows Big
Bible Study series: Mark 4:30-32. Don’t despise small beginnings. Be patient for God to work.
Give Generously in Private
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:1-4. Giving generously in secret is the right way. Be careful about trumpeting your giving. You’ll lose your reward.
Apostles Are Flogged, but Rejoice Anyway
Bible Study series: Acts 5:40-42. I wonder how I would respond in these circumstances. Would I remain true to God and his Messiah? I hope that I would, but only by God’s grace and empowerment.
Jesus Is the Bread of Heaven. Feast on Him Spiritually.
Bible Study series: John 6:25-59. Jesus’s words offended the shallow followers. But his true followers remained with him.
Jesus Proclaims the Spirit Is upon Him and Anoints Him for Service
Bible Study series: Luke 4:16-21. I love these verses because they show that Jesus was called and anointed of the Spirit to help people. We are too.
The Kingdom of God Grows Slowly
Bible Study series: Mark 4:26-29. The kingdom of God is not fireworks, but grows little by little, often unnoticed except by the farmer who plants the seeds.
Jesus Teaches Kingdom Citizens to Love Their Enemies
Bible Study series: Matthew 5:43-48. Kingdom citizens are called to a higher ethic. Don’t command the unbelieving world to do this, unless you can persuade a willing person.
Leading Pharisee Offers Wisdom that Saves Lives
Bible Study series: Acts 5:33:39. God communicates to people who are open and rescues them from an early death when they have a mission to complete.
Jesus Walks on the Water
Bible Study series: John 6:16-24. This is a nature miracle, done by the will of the Father.
Jesus Enjoys Success in Galilee, in the Power of the Spirit
Bible Study series: Luke 4:14-15. The Spirit’s power came right after he defeated Satan (and right after Jesus’s baptism). Now he can help people through teaching and healing.
Secrets Will Be Exposed by Light. Be Alert to What You Hear. Measure for Measure
Bible Study series: Mark 4:21-25. Several hard-hitting truths delivered with such few verses.
Jesus Teaches Kingdom Citizens about Retaliation and Surrendered Life
Bible Study series: Matthew 5:38-42. It’s about a generous heart, surrendered to the Father. Don’t over-apply the basic principle with rigid literalness.
The Apostles Are Imprisoned but an Angel Releases Them
Bible Study series: Acts 5:17-32. God works miracles to accomplish his purposes. The civil authorities cannot stop God and his people.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Bible Study series: John 6:1-15. Jesus will draw many lessons from this miracle, later in this chapter
Satan Tempts Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 4:1-13. How did the Son of God defeat Satan? Let’s learn some lessons for our own (scaled-down) spiritual warfare
Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower (Soils)
Bible Study series: Mark 4:13-20. The parable is profound, and he explains it to us.
Jesus Teaches His Kingdom Citizens about Oaths
Bible Study series: Matthew 5:33-37. Multiplying words can be detrimental at final judgment.
Basic Facts and Allegations about Joni Lamb and Doug Weiss of Daystar TV
Yes, I believe I should offer my opinion on this global matter. My website covers current events. It is part of my calling. Here are the main facts and allegations in this complex and developing story. This post will take a shorter time to read than the long and numerous videos on YouTube! This post is regularly updated. So check back. Updated. Scroll down to the very end.
Apostles Work Powerful Signs and Wonders in Public
Bible Study series. Acts 5:12-16. By God’s sovereignty, Peter healed them by his shadow.
The Father and Jesus’s Works Testify about Him
Bible Study Series: John 5:31-47. Whose testimony about Jesus is secure and valid?
What We Can Learn from Luke’s Genealogy
Bible Study series: Luke 3:23-38. We can learn at least eight things from this genealogy. (This post was published on December 25. Perfect.)
Jesus Teaches on the Purpose of Parables
Bible Study series: Mark 4:10-12. Are you hungry enough to dig for their meaning?
Stop Weaponizing Matthew 18 against Victims of Clergy Abuse
It’s time to put an end to a church leader accused of abuse from manipulating Matthew 18. He wants the victim of his abuse to confront him one on one, alone.
The Unusual Deaths of Ananias and Sapphira
Bible Study series: Ananias and Sapphira, husband and wife, meet a sudden death, but why?
The Son’s Close Relationship with the Father who Loves His Son
Bible Study series: John 5:19-30. Jesus does nothing on his own. He does what he sees the Father doing. This is a submissive Son in a close relationship with his Father.
John Baptizes Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 3:21-22. Why did John, the decreasing prophet, baptize Jesus, the increasing Messiah and Son of God?
Jesus Introduces the Parable of the Sower (Soils)
Bible Study series: Mark 4:1-9. Jesus introduces the parable, and then just a little later he will explain it.
Jesus Teaches His Kingdom Citizens about Divorce
Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32. He teaches this to protect women from easy divorcism.
Unity and Sharing in Earliest Christianity
Bible Study series: Acts 4:32-37. The church unites. Barnabas is also introduced. the twelve apostles approved of him.
Jesus Heals Lame Man at Pool of Bethesda
Bible Study series: John 5:1-18. Jesus healed one man at the pool where other sick people gathered. Then there was a Sabbath dispute. Jesus also made himself equal to God. Many truths embedded in this one section.
John the Baptist Is Not the One
Bible Study series: Luke 3:15-18. John clarifies who is the Messiah. It is not he.
Who Are Jesus’s Brothers and Mother?
Bible Study series: Mark 3:31-35: True disciples belong to his new kingdom family.
Jesus Teaches Kingdom Citizens about Lust and Adultery
Bible Study series: Matthew 5:27-30. He was reworking the sixth and tenth commandments of the Ten Commandments
Peter and John Report Back to Community and They Pray
Bible Study series: Acts 4:23-31. They prayed for boldness to witness in the face of persecution.
Jesus Heals a Royal Official’s Son
Bible Study series: John 4:43-54. The official had a deep faith in the Messiah. As the Messiah, he could heal his son.
John Baptizes and Preaches to the Crowds
Bible Study series: Luke 3:7-14. John preached repentance and demanded the people show it. They just cannot mouth the words.
Jesus and Beelzebub
Bible Study series: Mark 3:22-30. The teachers of the law from Jerusalem falsely accuse him of expelling demons by the prince of demons. The blasphemy of the Spirit is also looked at here.
Jesus Teaches Kingdom Citizens about Anger and Reconciliation
Bible Study Series: Matthew 5:21-26. This is the first of the six antitheses. “You have heard it said … but I tell you.” They actually intensify and clarify the Torah, in kingdom relationships, person to person.
Sanhedrin Threaten Peter and John
Bible Study Series: Acts 4:13-22. The apostles stood strong, in the face of the highest court and council in the land.
Jesus and a Woman of Samaria
Bible Study Series: John 4:1-42. This is the most remarkable dialogue in all of Scripture. Lots to learn here.
John the Baptist Begins His Ministry
Bible Study Series: Luke 3:1-6. Luke records that John came from God and confirmed by Bible prophecy, and Luke then situates the Baptist-prophet in his own historical context.
Jesus’s Family Misunderstands Him
Bible Study Series: Mark 3:20-21. Yes, even his mother Mary thought her son was out of his mind.
Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law
Bible Study Series: Matthew 5:17-20. He did not come to abolish it, but what does ‘fulfill’ mean?
Peter, John, and Healed Man Stand Before Sanhedrin
Bible Study Series: Acts 4:1-12 Peter is once again filled with the Spirit, and he proclaims to the Sanhedrin that salvation is found only in Jesus’s name.
Jesus Came Down from Heaven. Believe in Him.
Bible Study Series: John 3:31-36. The Father sent the Son. We must place our full faith in him.
The Boy Jesus Is in His Father’s House
Bible Study Series: Luke 2:41-52. Jesus had a sense of mission at a young age.
Jesus Separates Out the Twelve Apostles
Bible Study Series: Mark 3:13-18. They will become the official overseers of the gospel stories about Jesus and leaders of the church. Then they will become missionaries.
We Are Salt and Light. We Are Called to Do Good Works
Bible Study Series: Matthew 5:13-16. Without our good works and giving flavor to the good news, the world would be even more lost than it is.
The Messiah Was Predicted in the Old Testament
Bible Study Series: Acts 3:22-26. Peter is preaching, based on the Old Testament. The OT is essential for the church today.
Jesus Must Increase, John the Baptist Decrease
Bible Study Series: John 3:22-30. No competition. John had the right perspective and attitude.
The Family Returns to Nazareth
Bible Study Series: Luke 2:39-40. “The child grew and got stronger, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was on him.”
Summary of Jesus’s Ministry
Bible Study Series: Mark 3:7-12. It is a clear and revealing summary.
You Are Blessed
Bible Study Series: Matthew 5:1-12. These are the beatitudes. They describe how kingdom citizens can live the true blessed life (not the popular book of this title).
Peter Proclaims the Suffering and Resurrected Messiah
Bible Study Series: Acts 3:11-21. God vindicated his Son by raising him from the dead. He is the Messiah Jews have been waiting for.
God Loves the World in This Way
Bible Study Series: John 3:16-21. The most famous verse in the Bible is broken down for you, bit by bit.
Elderly Prophetess Anna Blesses the Baby
Bible Study Series: Luke 2:36-38. She was in touch with the Spirit and active for God, even at her age.
Jesus Heals Man with Withered Hand
Bible Study Series: Mark 3:1-6. Jesus broke traditions on the Sabbath.
Jesus Ministers to Great Multitudes
Bible Study Series: Matthew 4:23-25. Jesus ministered to them with strength and compassion. He healed them.
A Lame Beggar Is Healed
Bible Study Series: Acts 3:1-10. Miracles are possible today
You Must Be Born Again
Bible Study Series: John 3:1-15. This may be the most important section in all of the Bible, for it leads you from darkness into light, from emptiness to the fullness of the Spirit. A rich post.
Simeon Blesses the Child and Prophesies
Bible Study Series: Luke 2:25-35. Jesus will make many fall and rise, in the Great Reversal.
Jesus Owns the Sabbath
Bible Study Series: Mark 2:23-28. The Sabbath does not hang over our heads like a sword, with the death penalty for an infraction Jesus offers liberty.
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Bible Study Series: Matthew 4:18-22. How did they respond? How about you?
The Church Prays in Unity at Pentecost
Bible Study Series: Acts 2:42-47. Do we belong to a thriving church?
Jesus Knows What Is in Humanity
Bible Study Series: John 2:23-25, Jesus kept the required festivals. John also tells us that Jesus did not entrust himself to people for one simple reason.
Baby Jesus Is Presented at the Temple
Bible Study Series: Luke 2:22-24. Joseph and Mary were following the law after the birth of their child.
Challenges about Fasting
Bible Study Series: Mark 2:18-22. How did he respond to the challenge from the people? He teaches them about new wine and new wineskin and the presence of the bridegroom among them.
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Bible Study Series: Matthew 4:12-17. His message was simple and clear.
Analyzing the New Apostolic Reformation
The New Apostolic Reformation is sometimes called the Second Apostolic Age. What is this new movement? Is it valid, Scripturally? Let’s look into this. Continue reading
