Expectations, Greatness and Flaming Insides I. Two EXPECTATIONS of the coming KINGDOM.A. DISCIPLES had a strong EXPECTATION of the coming kingdom. (10:42, 32) 1. What matters is this kind of power
Read moreTag: God
Gospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 9 | Mark 10:17-31
Uncovering the Deeper Issues I. Mark PRESENTS another Jesus ENCOUNTER. (v.17-31)A. An EARNEST man with a new QUESTION. (v.17)B. A RHETORICAL response and a STATEMENT. (v.18-19)C. Jesus doesn’t DISAGREE, but
Read moreGospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 8 | Mark 9:1-13
A Vision of the Kingdom I. Something UNEXPECTED on the MOUNTAIN. (v.1-13)A. Jesus TELLS them the TRUTH. (v.1; Mt. 16:28; Lk. 9:27)B. This VISION is pure GIFT. (v.2-4)C. Peter’s FEAR
Read moreGospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 6 | Mark 8:22-26 and 10:46-52
Blind Men as Bookends I. Two stories that are SIMILAR and DIFFERENT. (8:22-26; 10:46-52)A. A blind man BROUGHT to JESUS. (8:22-25) 1. Led OUTSIDE the VILLAGE. (8:23,26) 2. A TWO-STEP...
Read moreGospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 7 | Mark 8:27-38
Something That Needs to be Said I. An EMOTIONAL roller coaster for PETER. (v.27-33)A. A BOLD response to Jesus’ QUESTION. (v.29)B. A REBUKE that gets REBUKED. (v.32-33) We know that
Read moreGospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 5 | Mark 7:1-23
Inside Out or Outside In? I. A CONFLICT with the POWERFUL. (v.1-13)A. An INCIDENT needing EXPLANATION. (v.1-5)B. The WRONG focal POINT. (v.6-8)C. Jesus MAKES it very PERSONAL. (v.9-13) A thread
Read moreGospel of Mark: God On The Move – Part 4 | Mark 4:1-25
Rehearing a Familiar Parable I. For ONCE, Mark moves SLOWER. (v.1-20)A. The MEANING is not so OBVIOUS. (v.3-9)B. It INSPIRES some QUESTIONS. (v.10) Mark, who usually runs at 90 miles
Read moreGospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 3 | Mark 2:1-12
What Happens When the Kingdom Comes I. SIGNS of the Kingdom’s ARRIVAL (1:15, 21-45)A. Constant LIBERATION and HEALING. (v.21-34, 40-45)B. The growing POPULARITY of JESUS. (v.27-28, 32, 37,45)C. NOTICE how
Read moreGospel of Mark: God on the Move – Part 2 | Mark 1:9-20
The Kingdom of God is Near I. The three-fold FOUNDATION of Jesus’ MINISTRY. (v.9-13)A. His BAPTISM demonstrates SURRENDER. (v.9-10; Mark 10:38; Mt. 3:15)B. He receives God’s LOVE and AFFIRMATION. (v.11)C.
Read moreThe Temporary Kingdom – Part 3 | 2 Samuel 7:1-29
A Perspective Altering Conversation with God I. David’s PLANS and God’s RESPONSE. (v.1-17)A. David WANTS to build God’s HOUSE. (v.1-3)B. Since WHEN has God NEEDED a HOUSE? (v.4-7)C. God BUILDS
Read moreSeason of Advent – Part 4A (Love) / Gospel of John – Part 1 | John 1:1-18
The One Who Came to Us I. WORDA. Objective TRUTH (1:1)B. Creative POWER (1:1-3; Gen. 1)C. Personal DISCLOSURE II. LIGHT (1:4-5)A. An OBSTACLE to OVERCOMEB. A CONCEPT to UNDERSTANDC. Or
Read moreSeason of Advent – Part 3 (Joy) | Zechariah 10:1-12
When God “Whistles” I. HOPE and PEACE will lead to JOY. (10:1-3)A. SEARCH in the right PLACE. (v.1-2)B. WANDERING Sheep with MISSING leaders. (v.2-3)C. The LORD will be the SHEPHERD.
Read moreSeason of Advent – Part 2 (Peace) | Zechariah 9:9-17
The Peace of the Kingdom of God I. A PALM SUNDAY passage in Advent? (v.9-17)A. The KING is COMING to you. (v.9)B. A PEACE that EXTENDS. (v.10; Ps. 72:8)C. FREEDOM
Read more1 Samuel: Listening to What God Says – Part 12 | 1 Samuel 8
We Need a King I. A TYPICAL, yet highly IRONIC request. (v.1-5)A. It’s not UNEXPECTED. (v.3-4,8; Deut. 17:14)B. EVERYONE is DOING it. (v.5; 1 Sam. 12:12)C. But don’t MISS the
Read more1 Samuel: Listening to What God Says – Part 11 | 1 Samuel 4-7
Using God for our own purposes I. The STORY of one more bad DECISION. (4:1-21)A. They QUESTION, but don’t wait for an ANSWER. (v.1-4)B. A FALSE sense of SECURITY. (v.5-9)C.
Read moreJudges: NOT Following Where God Leads – Part 9 | Judges 17:1-13
Replacing the God we have Forgotten I. Unusual ACTIONS flow from mixed up MOTIVES. (v.1-13)A. Lives CENTRED around the SELF. (v.1-4; Lk 6:32-36)B. Actions MOTIVATED by FEAR. (v.2-3; Titus 2:11-13)C.
Read moreJudges: NOT Following Where God Leads – Part 8 | Judges 11:1-40
Forgetting Who (and How) God Is I. The STORY of JEPHTHAH the judge. (v.1-40)A. Mighty WARRIOR and REJECTED son. (v.1-3)B. Until he had SOMETHING to OFFER. (v.4-11)C. An ATTEMPT at
Read moreJudges: NOT Following Where God Leads – Part 7 | Judges 6-8
The Life and Times of Judge Gideon I. When Reading Judges…A. Resist the Urge to IdolizeB. Remember the Story of the Bible (Gen. 3:15)C. Review the Cycle of Sin (Judges
Read moreJudges: NOT Following Where God Leads – Part 6 | Judges 2:6-23
The Book of Judges – Cole’s Notes Version I. Judges: The LONG downward SPIRAL. (2:6-23)A. The DEATH of JOSHUA. (1:1; 2:8-9)B. The CANAANITES are not REMOVED. (1:1-2:5)C. MORE than just
Read moreJoshua: Following Where God Leads – Part 5 | Joshua 23:1-24:27
Joshua’s Last Words…and Some Other Last Words I. Reading the TEXT as we SHOULD. (Joshua 23-24)A. STRAP on your SANDALS.B. Let the GRAVITY of the MOMENT sink in. (23:1-3; 24:1)
Read more