Mountaintop Experience

Conrad Hilario

2 Peter 1:16-18

Jesus takes his three closest disciples---Peter, John and James---up to a mountain to pray. There, Jesus transforms into his glorified state. Moses and Elijah meet with Jesus. The disciples hear God's voice call Jesus ?His Chosen One,? referring to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. This moment displays for the disciples and followers today that Jesus is God's son and the predicted Messiah; he supersedes Moses, the Prophets and the Law. Later in Peter's writings, he refers to this mountaintop experience and how God used it as an encouragement. Believers should enjoy and remember moments when they personally experience God, but we should not rely on the fleeting experiences for our faith alone.

Two Pivotal Decisions

Conrad Hilario

Mark 9:57-62

Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is. Peter responds that he is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah. There are many ways people today respond to Jesus' question regarding his identity, including: 1) he was a simply a good teacher, 2) he was a liar, 3) he was a legend, 4) he was lunatic, or 5) he was indeed the Savior and Son of God. Jesus asks of everyone on earth who do you believe that I am, and all must answer. Of those who want to follow him, Jesus tells his disciples that they must deny themselves and pick up their cross daily. His followers must be willing to endure suffering for his mission.

Why Are You Afraid?

Gary DeLashmutt

Mark 4:35-41

In their fear, the disciples jump to conclusions when they are caught in a storm while on a boat with Jesus. After waking him up and accusing him of being apathetic toward them drowning, Jesus calms the storm and asks them, "Why are you afraid?" Sometimes our circumstances or just our minds can lead us to fear to the point where we forgo our faith. While God does not invalidate our fear, He provides us with a response to it that can lead us to real peace.

Who Touched My Clothing?

Mike Sullivan

Mark 5:21-43

Despite the crowds and confusion, Jesus notices that someone touches his cloak as he and his disciples are walking to an official's house to heal his sick daughter. As Jesus interacts with the woman who touched His cloak, He teaches his disciples, the crowds, and us about his character, the power of faith in him, and how he responds to our requests. The object, not the strength, of our faith is what matters most.

The Disciples Try to Do Some Ministry

Scott Risley

Luke 9:1-17

Jesus and the disciples feed 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. In the process, the disciples learn three important ministry lessons: 1) bring to Jesus what you have; 2) God works through weak people; 3) the feeders get extra food.

Trusting the Supremacy of Christ

Scott Risley

Luke 8:22-56

Jesus performs four miracles demonstrating his power over nature, demons, sickness, and death. First, he calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Then, he heals a man possessed by demons in the region of the Gerasenes. Finally, while on the way to heal Jairus' daughter, he is touched by a woman who suffered from bleeding for twelve years. Jesus heals her and Jairus' daughter.

The Great and the Small

Dennis McCallum

Luke 7:36-50

The Bible says God is our rock; He is a firm and unshakable foundation on which to build our lives. The life God wants us to lead is one driven by faith in Him. It is based on His grace and not on our good works. Biblical faith is also action-oriented. We hear what God says and then act accordingly. This faith is illustrated through three stories of healing in the book of Luke.\r\n

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 16:13-19

The identity of Jesus is something that was called into question during the years of his ministry on this Earth as well as in our present day. Our response to Jesus' question "Who do you say that I am?," affects the trajectory of our life on this Earth and the next, in the same way that the apostles' responses affected their own lives. When we decide in faith to recognize Jesus as the son of God, we obtain four key privileges: membership in Christ's church, victory over death, helping others to faith in Jesus, and an unchanging basis of spiritual truth and ethics.

Jesus vs. Legalistic Religion

Dennis McCallum

Luke 6:11-38

Most people have heard some version of the "Golden Rule" but do they really know what it says? Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and he took it a step further when he said, "Love your enemies!" According to Jesus, loving other people involves action on our part. It is not a passive thought or passing feeling. Learn more about this type of love in The Sermon on the Plain.\r\n