Eric McLaren 06-28-20 // Joseph; A Man Characterized by Forgiveness
If someone does wrong to you, many will say, "Don't get mad, get even." But Scripture takes a different approach to the wrongs done to us. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32 NASB). Peter wrote to the church in Asia, "not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead" (1 Peter 3:9 NASB).
In today's lesson we examine the life of Joseph. Here was a man sold into slavery by his brothers; wrongfully imprisoned in an Egyptian prison; and finally forgotten and left imprisoned by a man he helped. But rather than getting mad, or getting even, Joseph continued to entrust himself to the Lord's will. And when finally in a position to get even with his brothers, rather than bringing retribution, or seeking reparations, he forgave.
What lessons can we learn for ourselves from the life of Joseph? May you be blessed as you listen to today's lesson.
Thank you for listening.
Alex Kremer 06-14-20 // The Silent Submission of the Servant; The Gospel According to Isaiah; Isaiah 53:7-9
The current cultural climate increasingly focuses upon social justice. Protests, both peaceable and violent, speak out regarding claims of injustice against minority groups. Surely there is a time and place for speaking up. Jesus spoke with authority and demons were cast out, the sick were healed, the lame walked, etc.
The greatest injustice in history saw the only innocent man in all of history arrested, brutalized, spat upon and ultimately executed in a trial that broke the very Law the religious leaders swore they were protecting. And the only person who had a right to speak up and speak out against this injustice remained silent.
Some 600 to 700 years before these events, the prophet, Isaiah, spoke of the servant and His silent submission. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7 NASB). What does the silence of the servant in the face of His oppressors mean for us today?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson.
Doug Schorle 06-14-2020 // Genesis 14 - The Rescue of Lot
In Genesis 12, the Lord called Abram to leave his home, his relatives and his father's house and journey to a land the Lord would show him. The promise of God was to make Abram a great nation; to make his name great; to bless the nations of the earth through his seed.
By faith Abram stepped out, leaving it all behind; with one notable exception. Abram took with with him Lot, the son of his late brother, Haran. Many have commented on the wisdom of this decision, and that is still a topic of much discussion.
But in Genesis 14, we see Lot now in a situation requiring rescue. The kings around the Salt Sea rebelled against their oppressors whom they had served for 12 years. This included Sodom where Lot had taken up residence. And when the dust settled, Sodom was again defeated and Lot now a prisoner.
Upon hearing of his capture, Abram musters his forces and mounts a rescue mission. As we enter into the events of Genesis 14, we get a picture of another, greater, rescue mission. Surely Lot's choices put him into his predicament and as such did not deserve rescue. Likewise, we in our sin, by our own decisions have been led captive by a much greater enemy. But God in His mercy launched a rescue mission, sending His own Son to seek and to save that which was lost.
May you be blessed through God's Word.
Thank you for listening.
Alex Kremer 06-07-20 // The Substitutionary Work of the Servant; The Gospel According to Isaiah; Isaiah 53:4-6
As we continue our journey through Isaiah 53, sometimes referred to as the Gospel according to Isaiah.
In verses 4 thru 6, we are now in the third of five stanzas of this "Song of the Servant". This stanza is central to the entire song. It is in this stanza we see the cross, and Jesus substitution for the sinner, clearly on display.
At the cross, Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. At the cross he was pierced, crushed, chastised, and scourged for our transgressions and iniquities. And though we like sheep had gone astray, God caused the iniquity of us all to fall upon Him.
May you be blessed by the opening of God's Word.
Thank you for listening.
Alex Kremer 05-31-20 // The Rejected Servant; The Gospel According to Isaiah; Isaiah 53:1-3
Isaiah 53 is a portion of the Old Testament that is sometimes referred to as the Gospel according to Isaiah. Last time, we saw the Exalted Servant; the servant exalted because of His suffering, but it is this suffering that will cleanse the nations.
Today, we see the Rejection of the Servant. Isaiah 53 is written from the perspective of Israel looking back upon their long awaited Messiah, asking the question, "Who has believed our message?" In other words, "How did we miss this?" The answer is in the description of the servant, a "tender shoot...a root out of parched ground." The Exalted Servant appears on the scene not as a stately king, but as a carpenter's son; not in royal robes, but wrapped in swaddling cloths in a manger.
But what does the rejection of the servant mean for us today? May you be blessed as you listen to today's lesson.
Thank you for listening.
Alex Kremer 05-24-20 // The Exalted Servant; The Gospel According to Isaiah; Isaiah 52:13-15
Next to the Psalms, the book of Isaiah is the most referenced Old Testament book in the Old Testament. Many of Isaiah's prophecies find their fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
As Isaiah 52 closes, we are met with a call to, "behold my servant." A direct reference to Messiah, the Lord says of His servant that He, "will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted." But what is shocking is the means through which Messiah will be exalted. For we will learn that He will be marred beyond recognition such that many will be shocked and repulsed by his appearance.
But how can the servant both suffer such anguish and yet be considered exalted and lifted up? In today's lesson we are reminded again of the things that had to be according to God's plan of redemption for His creation.
May you be blesses as you listen to today's teaching.
Eric McLaren 05-17-2020 // Two Spies & A Woman of Faith; Joshua 2
After forty years of wandering in the wilderness God now prepared the children of Israel to enter and begin the conquest of the land of Canaan. Jericho, the first obstacle they faced, seemed insurmountable, if considered from merely human perspectives. But as the two spies sent to get the lay of the land, their encounter with Rahab taught them three important lessons which are still relevant for us today.
- People are condemned before a Holy God and have no excuse.
- Just as people have no excuse, they also have opportunity to be saved.
- God's promise is absolute and cannot be broken.
May God's word bless you as you listen to today's lesson.
Stefan Johnson 05-03-20 // Christian Observations on COVID-19
As some states and localities begin to open up following the peak in COVID-19 infections, the world seeks for answers. In today's lesson, we consider how we can look upon this time from a Christian, Biblical perspective.
We will see:
- The unity and importance of the local church
- That personal relationships are important
- Physical touch is necessary
- The Sovereignty of God
May you be blessed as you listen to today's lesson.
