Bible Studies

Life of Christ- Luke 18, What does Jesus want to find when he returns to the earth? repost.

The widow and the corrupt judge Jesus told a story about a corrupt judge and a widow who wanted justice. The widow wins her case not on its merits but by wearing down the judge with her persistence. (Luke 18:1-8) The parable is challenging for two reasons. In the passage before Jesus talks about the […]

Life of Christ- Luke 18, Rich Young Ruler. repost.

What happens when our comfortable faith meets a crisis? Our childhood faith Many of us were raised in religious homes. Until something happens we have a comfortable faith. We pretty much do as we wish. Then a crisis comes. A crisis of faith A powerful man with a comfortable religion met Jesus. He was powerful […]

Life of Christ- Luke 15, No matter how bad it gets Jesus does not give up on us. repost.

Three stories One day when Jesus was walking with His disciples. He told them three stories.  People whose sins were public and branding were also listening to Jesus. Might his words give some hope to them? The religious leaders criticized Jesus for being near those whose sins were so offensive to them. Jesus wanted his […]

Life of Christ- Luke 15, Big men don’t run. Except when they really want to help someone. repost.

Important people don’t have to hustle. Others do that for them. They can move at their own pace.  The lost sheep, lost coin, and the lost son Before Jesus talked about lost things that were found he balanced the picture of the great open heavenly feast with the costs of discipleship. All are invited but […]

Life of Christ- Luke 10, Jesus Sent Out Others. repost.

The issue in not whether God is working in this world. The issue is whether you and I will be part of his work. Jesus was traveling Jesus was traveling among the Jewish communities healing people and teaching about his kingdom. He was also preparing his disciples for the time when he would no longer […]

Life of Christ- Matthew 16, Gates of Hell. repost.

Christians and the Gates of Hell…What did Jesus Promise? Jesus’ Promise After Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus promised that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against his Church. (Matthew 16:18) My Doubts As long as I can remember, at least 30 years, I have had doubts about the consensus interpretation of […]

Life of Christ- Matthew 13 part 4, What should we learn from the final two parables about the kingdom? repost.

In the last two parables of Matthew 13, Jesus taught about two issues that have troubled the church for its entire history. How do we handle belief and unbelief before Jesus returns and what is the relationship between Jesus’ message and the Jewish teaching before he came. The parable of the fishing net reiterates the […]

Life of Christ- Matthew 13 part 3, Is there a right way to come to Jesus? repost.

After the religious leaders rejected Jesus, he taught his followers about his kingdom in four pairs of parables. (Matthew 13) The first pair taught that the message of the kingdom would be rejected. The problem was not in the message but in the soil that received the seed. There would be unbelief throughout history and […]

Life of Christ- Matthew 13, part 2, Jesus’ Kingdom will start out small and the growth may not be obvious. repost.

Matthew 13 2nd pair Jesus’ Kingdom will start out small and the growth may not be obvious The religious leaders rejected Jesus. His disciples must have been surprised that those who studied the Scriptures so intently did not realize that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus taught four pairs of parables in Matthew, chapter 13, to explain […]