Every step Jesus took in His earthly life was leading Him to the place the Greeks called “Topos Kranion” -the Hebrews called “Golgotha” – and the Romans called “Calvary.” It was known to all as “The Place of the Skull” (John 19:17) (Luke 23:33). All through the Gospels Jesus had said this was His destiny (Matthew 16:21) (Matthew 17:22-23) (Matthew 20:28) (Matthew 26:2). He had been arrested, tried and convicted in a mock trial. False witnesses had been called against Him and He had been abused by the guards. …
The Crucifixion
The crucifixion of our Lord took place at a location known as “The Place of the Skull” (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin). Crucifixion was probably the most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised by man. It appears to have originated with the Persians (c. 522 B.C.). Later, it was employed by the Greeks. Following the destruction of Tyre, Alexander the Great crucified 2,000 men of military age. The Jews even used crucifixion on occasion. Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.) crucified 800 Pharisees who had been involved in a revolt. But the Romans …
Repent and Believe
(Mark 1:15)…..and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” According to Mark’s Gospel, this is the first time Jesus’ words are recorded at His ministry start. It’s important to understand that the word translated “Gospel” means “good news.” Many translations render it that way. In modern language what Jesus said was, “Change your thinking and believe the good news!” He was telling the people: “Your thinking is not correct. It does not line up with ultimate reality. It …
The King Has Arrived
Often when Jesus would heal people He would tell them to go their way and to keep quiet about what had taken place (Mark 7:35-36) (Mark 8:29-30) (Mark 9:8-9) (Luke 8:55-56). Now there is a change as Jesus ascends up to Jerusalem. Jesus chose this setting to reveal Himself as “King,” even as the long awaited “Messiah.” Those who enthusiastically welcome Jesus to Jerusalem as the “King of Israel” are some of the same people who, in a week’s time, will be crying out for His crucifixion (John 19:14-15). …
Examine Yourselves as to Whether You Are in the Faith – Part 2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Pastor Dan Nickerson preaches from 2 Corinthians 13:5-14 and James 2:14-26
(Please note the message starts around 8 minutes later. See YouTube or Rumble for complete message)
Is The Christian A Servant?
Jesus Himself came to serve! He was foretold to come as the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12). He did not come to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28) (Philippians 2:7). Jesus exemplified the servitude He desires of His disciples – (John 13:12-17). What an honor, if God were to look upon us as His servants. As His faithful and wise servants. As disciples of Christ – we must consider ourselves as servants – “do you?” We see this clearly in this parable since it is about …
How Blessed Are You?
How blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly. Walketh (walks) speaks of one’s lifestyle, whoever this person is he/she is blessed if he is not walking as a habit of life in the council of the ungodly. Who are the ungodly (wicked).They look for evil – (Proverbs 16:27). They want to distort the grace and existence of God – (Jude 3-4). What is the council of the ungodly? The word council means the advice or the purposes of those who are hostile to …
Redemption – We Don’t Deserve It
The word redemption means a releasing effected by payment of ransom, or deliverance as a result of the payment of a ransom. Therefore redemption implies emancipation from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin (John 8:34-36) (Romans 7:24-25) (Galatians 3:13-14).
Our redemption is only through God’s grace and Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). The benefits for you and I in being redeemed by Jesus Christ are…..
- Forgiveness – (Colossians 1:14)
- Justification – (Romans 3:24-25)
- Adoption – (Galatians 4:4-5)
- Eternal Inheritance – (Hebrews 9:13-15)
After seeing all this in the …
You Can Do What Seems Impossible
Let’s look at two people from the Bible who did the impossible. But they did it anyway, because of God’s involvement.
(Hebrews 11:11)…..By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Sarah had a child when she was 91 years old (Genesis 17:17-21). Physically, it was impossible. She had long since lost the ability to bear children. But she did what she could not do. Sarah achieved this impossibility because …
See You At The Wedding?
(Revelation 19:1-10)…..After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” 3 Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 5 Then a voice came …