Jesus – A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

Recalled to Life

In A Tale of Two Cities, Jarvis Lorry works for Tellson’s Bank and is traveling by carriage from London to Dover. A messenger overtakes the carriage and delivers a note telling him he is to stay in Dover to meet with a client. The client is Lucie Manette, who has been the ward of the bank almostContinue reading “Recalled to Life”

Atonement

The Hebrew writer is involved in an extended discussion about the superiority of Jesus to the angels that begins in 1:4 and continues through 2:18. In 1:5-14, he quotes seven Old Testament texts to make his case. He then pauses in 2:1-4 to exhort his readers to “pay the most careful attention” to message aboutContinue reading “Atonement”

The Mathematics of Grace

Is there a more difficult scenario for a parent than to be estranged from one of their (grown) children whose precise whereabouts are unknown? I suppose there could be something, but it’s hard to fathom (and who really wants to try?). But suppose you were in this situation (and God bless those of you whoContinue reading “The Mathematics of Grace”

Background on Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is the final book written by Moses and a fitting conclusion to the Pentateuch (the first five books of Scripture). Genesis is the book of beginnings. Exodus advances the story from Egypt to the wilderness and ends with the construction of the tabernacle. Leviticus furnishes Israel with laws concerning the tabernacle and sacrificial system.Continue reading “Background on Deuteronomy”

A Sandcastle Faith

There will be storms for the disciple. When Jesus speaks of them in Matthew 7:24ff, it is a when rather than an if type of statement that He makes. This shouldn’t surprise us, the Scripture promises believers will have their share of difficulties and hardships (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12, etc.). They are part of the tapestry of our faith. Continue reading “A Sandcastle Faith”

Fishing for Taxes

The account of Jesus paying the temple tax is a brief story tucked away in the last part of a chapter (Matthew 17). Furthermore, it is greatly overshadowed by the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus and the healing story in the first part of that chapter. When we finally do zoom in on theContinue reading “Fishing for Taxes”

Loving in Adversity

Matthew 24 concerns the difficult days prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD (v. 15-20, 24). Jesus speaks of political turmoil, famines, earthquakes and persecution that will result in some losing their faith so that they “will betray and hate each other” (v. 10). He then states that “Because of the increase ofContinue reading “Loving in Adversity”

We’re Going To Need A Bigger Boat!

We’re all familiar with the movie director, Steven Spielberg. He’s made a boatload of movies—from franchise pictures like Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park, to the cute movie about the extra-terrestrial, to the powerful, dramatic portrayals of Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. But before he made any of those, he made a movie about three guys, a boat that was tooContinue reading “We’re Going To Need A Bigger Boat!”

That’s Just Not Right!

The word indignant is a strong term. We use it when we are not only upset about something, but when whatever we are disturbed about has exceeded the reasonable boundaries of bad. In other words, it is so glaringly wrong that we are personally offended by it. It is the difference between someone making aContinue reading “That’s Just Not Right!”

Going Viral With Community

In Mark 9:30-31, Jesus told His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection (9:30-31). They didn’t grasp what He was saying but “’were afraid to ask Him about it” (v. 32). Unfortunately, they did not show the same reticence in regard to arguing among themselves about “who was the greatest” in the kingdom (v. 34).Continue reading “Going Viral With Community”