Latest Lessons

Sun. Nov 23rd

Peace Beyond Understanding

In this sermon, Mike explains how to find God's peace that defies circumstances by praying, trusting, and fixing your mind on what is true.

Wed. Nov 19th

First to See, First to Lead

Luke acknowledges Jesus' private appearance to Peter not to replace the women's first encounter, but to establish Peter's restored apostolic witness alongside the women's honored role as the first heralds of the resurrection.

Wed. Nov 19th

Faithful Women, Absent Apostles

By noting that Jesus' acquaintances stood at a distance while the women from Galilee remained faithful at the cross, Luke highlights human weakness, elevates humble devotion, and shows that God advances His work through the overlooked rather than the powerful.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Thief on the Cross and Jesus' Promise

Jesus' promise to the repentant thief reveals the sufficiency of faith under the old covenant, the assurance of being with Christ after death, and the clarity that His grace—now received through faith, repentance, and baptism—alone secures Paradise.

Wed. Nov 19th

Herod and Pilate

Herod and Pilate's sudden friendship shows how even enemies can unite in rejecting Christ, fulfilling Psalm 2 as earthly rulers join together against God's Anointed.

Wed. Nov 19th

Communion

A survey of church history shows how the Lord's simple memorial meal, given for remembrance and proclamation, later expanded into sacramental systems, while the New Testament pattern remains a clear call to remember Christ's death until He comes.

Wed. Nov 19th

Ordinary Miracles

Jesus' precise instructions about the man with the water jar and the prepared upper room reveal His divine foreknowledge, showing that His authority extends not only to great miracles but to the smallest details of everyday events.

Wed. Nov 19th

Endurance = Life

In the midst of persecution and turmoil leading up to Jerusalem's fall, Jesus teaches that steadfast endurance is the mark of genuine faith and the pathway to eternal life—not escape from suffering, but perseverance through it.

Wed. Nov 19th

Jerusalem or the End?

Luke records the disciples asking only about the timing of Jerusalem's fall, so Jesus' answer focuses on the A.D. 70 destruction rather than the end-of-the-age events emphasized in Matthew 24.

Wed. Nov 19th

Broken or Crushed?

Jesus warns that rejecting Him brings ruin now and utter destruction later, for He is the unavoidable stone before whom all must fall or be crushed.

Wed. Nov 19th

By What Authority?

Jesus exposes the leaders' unbelief by turning their challenge back on them, showing that His authority is from heaven and only recognized by sincere hearts.

Wed. Nov 19th

A Lament Over Jerusalem

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because its rejection of Him would soon bring divine judgment, fulfilled in A.D. 70, serving as a lasting warning of the cost of unbelief.

Wed. Nov 19th

Losing What You Don't Use

Jesus teaches that unfaithful servants lose reward, but His enemies face destruction, showing that neglect brings loss while rejection brings ruin.

Wed. Nov 19th

We Are All the Rich Young Ruler

Jesus uses the rich young ruler to show that every disciple must surrender whatever treasure rules the heart, because true follow-ship demands total devotion.

Wed. Nov 19th

Artificial Righteousness

Jesus exposes the Pharisees' hypocrisy by showing how they used legal loopholes to justify sin, insisting that true righteousness requires wholehearted obedience, not technicalities.

Wed. Nov 19th

Losing Heart

Jesus shows that God honors humble, persistent prayer, teaching that faith endures through delay and desperation, not self-righteous confidence.

Wed. Nov 19th

Counting Cost / Staying Salty

Jesus demands that disciples count the cost of total commitment, warning that following Him requires lifelong surrender and enduring faith.

Wed. Nov 19th

All Israel Will Be Saved

Understanding the Restorationist perspective on Luke 13:35 and Romans 11 provides a contextual approach to interpreting biblical prophecies without projecting them into distant future scenarios.

Wed. Nov 19th

Degrees of Judgment

Scripture teaches one of two eternal destinies, but within them degrees of judgment and reward, with greater accountability for those given greater light.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Patience and Justice of God

Jesus' parable of the barren fig tree warns that God expects fruit, grants mercy, but will not delay judgment forever.

Wed. Nov 19th

Prayer's Ultimate Gift

Jesus teaches that persistent prayer not only brings daily provision but leads us to God's greatest gift: the Holy Spirit Himself.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Misuse of Scripture to Justify Anti-Semitism

Jesus' warning about a single generation's judgment is never a license for anti-Semitism; it condemns unbelief, not an entire people, and calls Christians to reject hatred while praying for Israel's salvation.

Wed. Nov 19th

Sitting Before Serving

Jesus teaches that service must flow from fellowship with Him, because sitting at His feet precedes serving with joy.

Wed. Nov 19th

What if the Good Samaritan was Gay?

The Good Samaritan teaches radical compassion toward all people, not the moral redefinition of sin.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Forgotten Seventy

The unnamed seventy remind us that even forgotten servants matter deeply to God; earthly anonymity means nothing compared to having our names written in heaven.

Wed. Nov 19th

The State of the Dead

Luke 8:31 and Luke 8:55 together teach that death is the separation of spirit and body and that the spirit continues under God's authority until the resurrection, with Restorationist views differing on whether that waiting is conscious or unconscious.

Wed. Nov 19th

Exalting Christ Above All

Luke 9:33 — Peter's impulse to honor Moses and Elijah alongside Jesus shows how easily we elevate good things to an improper level; the Father corrects him—and us—by declaring that only Christ deserves supreme attention and obedience.

Wed. Nov 19th

When the Spirit Moves

Luke 8:31-55 uses the girl's restored spirit and the demons' fear of the abyss to show that death is real, the spirit survives the body, and our eternal destiny must be faced with urgency.

Wed. Nov 19th

Old Wine and the New Kingdom

Luke 5:39 exposes how people cling to familiar religious traditions—preferring "old wine"—and therefore resist the new, transforming reality of Christ's kingdom.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Centurion's Great Faith

Luke 7:1-10 showcases a Gentile centurion whose deep humility and confidence in Jesus' authority produce a faith so remarkable that even Jesus declares it unmatched in Israel.

Wed. Nov 19th

Two Versions of the Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-23 offer complementary Beatitude portraits—Matthew emphasizing inner spiritual character, Luke highlighting social reversal—showing that the kingdom transforms both the heart and the world.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Power Was Present

Luke 5:17 signals not a limitation in Jesus' power but a purposeful moment when the Father, through the Spirit, chose to manifest healing power through Him, highlighting the Spirit-empowered nature of His earthly ministry.

Wed. Nov 19th

Fishers of Men

Luke 5:10 highlights Jesus' personal call to Peter while the parallel accounts in Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17 show that the mission of "catching men" was given to all the disciples, underscoring that evangelism is a shared calling, not a singular mandate.

Wed. Nov 19th

Christ's Authority Over Demons and the End of Possession

Luke 4:41 shows demons recognizing Jesus as the Son of God to highlight His divine authority during a unique, temporary period of redemptive history, where their forced confessions magnified Christ's power—an authority now affirmed not by demons but by the church after His victory at the cross.

Wed. Nov 19th

Two Genealogies, One Messiah

Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 give two different genealogies that, rather than contradicting, serve distinct purposes—Matthew proving Jesus' legal Messianic line for Jews and Luke tracing His human lineage to Adam for all humanity, together forming a unified testimony to His identity as the promised Messiah.

Wed. Nov 19th

Spirit Baptism

This article explains why debates about "baptism with the Holy Spirit" persist between Restorationists and Pentecostals, arguing that clearer biblical interpretation and a fuller view of the Spirit's ongoing work can bridge the divide.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Political Landscape of Jesus' Time

Luke 3:1 roots the beginning of John's ministry in real history by naming the political powers of the time, highlighting both the Gospel's factual grounding and the contrast between earthly rulers and God's coming kingdom.

Wed. Nov 19th

John the Baptist and Jesus

Luke 3:10-14 shows that John's ethical call to repentance prepared people for Jesus, whose later call demanded total allegiance—revealing that true repentance begins with moral change but culminates in complete surrender to Christ.

Wed. Nov 19th

Mary's Heart

Luke's description of Mary "treasuring" and pondering events in her heart shows her as a model of reflective faith, quietly holding onto God's mysteries until their meaning was revealed.

Wed. Nov 19th

What's Possible with God

Gabriel's words to Mary affirm that nothing is impossible with God, reminding believers that His limitless power can accomplish what seems humanly impossible and calls us to trust Him in every circumstance.

Wed. Nov 19th

Alcohol and the Bible

Luke 1:15 shows that John the Baptist's abstinence from wine was a special calling, demonstrating that Scripture warns against drunkenness but does not command universal abstinence, leaving believers to exercise wisdom, love, and self-control in matters of alcohol.

Wed. Nov 19th

Why the Right Side?

Luke's note that the angel appeared on the right side of the altar signifies divine favor, drawing on Temple symbolism and biblical tradition to show that Zechariah's prayer—and Israel's—had been graciously heard.

Wed. Nov 19th

Introduction to the Gospel of Luke

Luke's Gospel, written by the Gentile physician and historian Luke, presents Jesus as the compassionate Savior of all people, offering a carefully researched, Spirit-guided account that emphasizes mercy, prayer, the Spirit's work, and the universal reach of the gospel.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Argument for the Long Ending of Mark

Mark 16:14-19 is best understood as a canonically valid passage whose promised signs applied to the apostolic mission for confirming the gospel, not as miracles guaranteed for all believers in every age.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Temptation in the Garden

Mark 14:38 shows Jesus warning His disciples to watch and pray so they would not abandon Him in the coming crisis, teaching that even sincere hearts fail without spiritual vigilance and dependence on God.

Wed. Nov 19th

Forbidden Wine

Mark 15:23 shows Jesus refusing narcotic wine so He could fully bear the suffering of the cross with complete awareness, speak clearly, and offer Himself as the true High Priest without compromise.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Final Cup

Mark 14:25 shows Jesus promising that He will share the cup again only in the future kingdom, turning the Last Supper into both a remembrance of His sacrifice and a hopeful anticipation of the final banquet believers will enjoy with Him.

Wed. Nov 19th

Be Careful What You Ask For

Mark 10:38 reminds us that like James and John, we often ask for things we don't truly understand, and Scripture shows that God may grant or deny such requests for our good—teaching us to pray boldly yet humbly, always submitting our desires to His wiser will.

Wed. Nov 19th

Faith and Prayer

Mark 11:22-24 teaches that while the Apostles would exercise miracle-confirming, mountain-moving faith, all believers are called to pray with confident trust in God's power—always aligned with His will, His glory, and pure motives.

Wed. Nov 19th

Prayer and Power

Mark 9:29 teaches that victory over spiritual evil depends not on technique but on humble dependence expressed through prayer, highlighting the shift from apostolic exorcisms to the believer's call today to resist Satan through faith, holiness, and reliance on Christ.

Wed. Nov 19th

Holiness Beyond the Rules

Mark 7 shows Jesus exposing man-made religion by teaching that true defilement comes from the heart—not from food or rituals—anticipating the New Covenant freedom later revealed while affirming that holiness is an inner, not external, reality.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Fall of Herod

Mark 6:17-18 shows John the Baptist courageously condemning Herod's unlawful marriage, teaching that leaders who ignore God's moral boundaries invite public ruin, while righteousness—though costly—remains essential for integrity and accountability.

Wed. Nov 19th

Mary

Scripture shows Mary as a humble, faithful mother of Jesus—not a perpetual virgin—and the New Testament's natural reading affirms that Jesus had siblings, revealing that the Catholic doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity rests on later tradition rather than biblical evidence.

Wed. Nov 19th

Why Demons Begged Jesus for Permission

Mark 5:8-12 shows that while demons may oppress in God's permissive will, they are utterly subject to Jesus' authority—forced to obey His command and revealing both their destructive nature and Christ's absolute dominion.

Wed. Nov 19th

Warts and All

Reflecting on the struggles we face and the importance of not letting them define us, this excerpt delves into the transformative power of faith and self-acceptance, drawing parallels to the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:25-34.

Wed. Nov 19th

What is the Unforgivable Sin?

Mark 3:28-29 warns that the unforgivable sin is the deliberate, persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's witness to Jesus—a hardened refusal of the very grace that brings forgiveness.

Wed. Nov 19th

Healing on the Sabbath

Mark 3:1-6 shows that Jesus' Sabbath healing exposed the Pharisees' human traditions as legalistic distortions, teaching that doing good and showing mercy is always lawful in God's eyes.

Wed. Nov 19th

Why Jesus Taught in Parables

Mark 4:10-12 shows that Jesus used parables to reveal truth to those with receptive hearts while allowing the hard-hearted to remain unchanged, making parables both an invitation for seekers and a judgment on unbelief.

Wed. Nov 19th

Evil Spirits

Mark 1 shows that demons were real spiritual beings defeated by Jesus' authority, and while Christians debate whether possession continues today, Scripture's emphasis remains that believers stand secure because victory belongs to Christ.

Wed. Nov 19th

How the Cross Forgives Sins Across Time

Mark 1:4 shows that John's baptism brought forgiveness because Christ's atoning sacrifice works across time, granting grace to those who repented before the cross just as it does to believers who look back to it today.

Wed. Nov 19th

Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark, written by John Mark from Peter's eyewitness teaching, presents Jesus as the powerful Servant-King through a fast-paced, action-focused narrative aimed at Roman readers, emphasizing His authority, compassion, and sacrificial mission.

Wed. Nov 19th

I Am Barabbas

Matthew 27:15-26 uses the release of guilty Barabbas and the condemnation of innocent Jesus as a vivid picture of substitutionary grace, showing that Christ took the sinner's place so the guilty could go free.

Wed. Nov 19th

Forsaken for Our Sake

Matthew 27:46 reveals that Jesus experienced real abandonment on the cross as He bore our sin and its judgment, showing that His deepest suffering was the separation He endured so that we could be forever accepted by God.

Wed. Nov 19th

Judas

Scripture presents Judas not as a misunderstood figure but as one who willfully betrayed Jesus, reminding us that proximity to Christ without true loyalty leads to tragic and just condemnation.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Three Servants in Today's Church

Matthew 25:14-29 teaches that true discipleship is revealed through faithful action, showing that while God gives different gifts to each person, He expects every believer to use them for His kingdom—because in the kingdom, doing nothing is itself unfaithfulness.

Wed. Nov 19th

Jesus Describes the Destruction of Jerusalem

Matthew 24:34 is best understood as Jesus predicting that the generation of His own day would witness the prophesied events—fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70—using the symbolic judgment language common to Old Testament prophecy.

Wed. Nov 19th

Chosen, Not Just Called

Matthew 22:14 teaches that while God's invitation to His kingdom is extended to many, only those who respond with genuine transformation—symbolized by the proper wedding garment—are truly chosen.

Wed. Nov 19th

A Mother's Bold Request

Matthew 20:20-22 reveals a sincere but misguided request for honor that Jesus redirects by teaching that true greatness in His kingdom comes not through status or family ties, but through humility, suffering, and servanthood.

Wed. Nov 19th

Desecrating the Court of the Gentiles

Matthew 21:12-13 shows Jesus cleansing the Temple to expose not only corruption but the deeper hypocrisy of turning the Gentiles' only worship space into a marketplace, revealing that true worship must protect access to God for all people.

Wed. Nov 19th

Eye of a Needle?

Matthew 19:23-26 uses intentional hyperbole to show that those who trust in wealth cannot enter God's kingdom by their own power, but that salvation—impossible for humans—is entirely possible through God's grace.

Wed. Nov 19th

Does Jesus Require Forced Celibacy?

Matthew 19:12 teaches celibacy as a voluntary calling, not a requirement, and—together with Paul's guidance in I Corinthians 7—shows that Scripture never mandates lifelong celibacy or dissolving second marriages as a path to repentance.

Wed. Nov 19th

Traditionalist View Error in the MDR Debate

This critique argues that the traditionalist Church of Christ view on remarriage misapplies Matthew 19:9 by treating remarriage as continuous adultery, imposing legalistic burdens Scripture never commands, and ignoring the New Testament's emphasis on grace and remaining in one's present situation.

Wed. Nov 19th

What About the 99?

Matthew 18:12-13 teaches that God's greater joy over a returning sinner doesn't diminish the faithful, but highlights the urgency and celebration of rescuing the lost.

Wed. Nov 19th

Jesus' Impatience

Matthew 17:14-18 shows Jesus rebuking the pervasive unbelief of the father, disciples, and crowd, yet still compassionately delivering the boy—teaching that true spiritual power flows from sincere faith and disciplined dependence on God.

Wed. Nov 19th

Who Do the People Say I Am?

Matthew 16:13-14 shows that while the people recognized Jesus as a powerful, prophetic figure like Elijah or Jeremiah, their partial expectations fell short of the full truth Peter would soon confess—that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Wed. Nov 19th

No Neutral Ground

Matthew 12:30-32 warns that rejecting the Holy Spirit's witness to Christ—persistently and willfully—is the one unforgivable sin, showing that true allegiance to Jesus cannot be passive or hardened against God's truth.

Wed. Nov 19th

The Gospel is Lord of MDR

Matthew 12 shows that Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, prioritizes mercy over legalism—a principle that challenges modern debates like Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage to be shaped by the gospel's redemptive grace rather than rigid human rules.

Wed. Nov 19th

The New Wine of Christ

Matthew 9:14-17 shows that Jesus didn't come to patch up old religion but to bring a completely new, grace-filled life that cannot be contained by old mindsets or legalistic traditions.

Wed. Nov 19th

Casting Out Demons, Then and Now

Matthew 8:28-34 highlights Jesus' absolute authority over demonic powers and frames today's debate over exorcism as a question of whether such miracles were temporary signs for the apostolic age or ongoing practices empowered by the Spirit.

Wed. Nov 19th

Kingdom Living is Not the New Law

The Sermon on the Mount isn't a new rulebook, but a call to heart-level transformation that only God's grace—not human compliance—can produce.

Wed. Nov 19th

Jesus and the Temptations

Matthew 4:1-11 shows Jesus overcoming Satan's temptations by fully trusting God's Word and refusing every shortcut that would pull Him away from His mission.

Wed. Nov 19th

Even Jesus Had Problem People in His Family

Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1 shows that God works through imperfect people and broken family histories to bring redemption and hope to our own.

Tue. Nov 18th

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew, the author of the Gospel of Matthew, carefully arranges Jesus' teachings into sections, reflecting his organized and detail-oriented nature, making it easier for believers to remember and apply Jesus' words in daily life.

Tue. Nov 18th

Introduction to AI Journey Through the Bible

An invitation to join a groundbreaking exploration of the life and teachings of Jesus through a collaboration of human insight and artificial intelligence, uncovering fresh perspectives and timeless truths rooted in Scripture.

Tue. Nov 18th

From Conviction and Communion to Joy

The New Testament illustrates a transformative journey in the Christian life, from recognizing sin to embracing grace, deepening knowledge of God, and ultimately experiencing lasting joy, all interconnected in a Spirit-led progression towards celebration and communion with God.

Mon. Nov 17th

5 Views on the Role of Baptism

This article provides a comprehensive overview of five major views on baptism, highlighting the biblical arguments for each, such as the Sacramental/Regenerative View emphasizing baptism's link to forgiveness and new birth through key passages like Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:3-4.

Thu. Oct 9th

The Vision of the New Temple and Temple Worship

In this final lesson Mike reviews Ezekiel's final vision of a renewed Temple which includes God's promise of His return to dwell among His people.

Thu. Oct 2nd

Restoration, Renewal and the Prophecy of Gog and Magog

This lesson will focus on Edom's destruction and the promise of Israel's full restoration as a type for the climatic victory of the church at the end of time.

Fri. Sep 26th

A Modern 'Pilate' Moment

The assassination of Charlie Kirk in 2025 sparked a cultural and spiritual conversation, drawing parallels to the cosmic confrontation of Jesus' trial in John 18–19 and urging society to look beyond the crime to a deeper conflict of our time.

Thu. Sep 25th

Oracles Against the Nations and the Shepherds of Israel

In this lesson we see Ezekiel's message shifting to judgments on foreign powers and a renewed call on shepherds who will faithfully serve God's people.

Thu. Sep 18th

Oracles of Judgment and the Fall of Jerusalem

Chapters 12-24 of Ezekiel sees the prophet confront Judah's spiritual rebellion with a series of signs, oracles, and parables leading to the time of Jerusalem's fall.

Tue. Sep 16th

The Power of the Men's Breakfast

Men's breakfasts provide a transformative space for Christian men to share experiences, confess struggles, and form bonds of accountability, shaping them into better leaders and servants of Christ through honest conversation and shared prayer.

Thu. Sep 11th

Symbolic Oracles of Judgment and the Departure of God's Glory

This lesson will review both Ezekiel's warnings of impending judgment for the unrepentant sin of idolatry and the fulfillment of this prophecy as God removes His miraculous presence from the Temple in Jerusalem.

Thu. Sep 4th

Introduction and Inaugural Vision

The first lesson deals with Ezekiel's amazing visions and initial message to the exiles from God.

Thu. Sep 4th

Ezekiel for Beginners

The Book of Ezekiel focuses on the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people beginning in 597 BC. Ezekiel, a priest, is used by God to provide encouragement with his preaching and visions which nourish the faith of the captives.

Sun. Aug 31st

Taylor & Travis

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement highlights the universal longing for genuine love, showing that even superstars desire the joy of building lasting relationships beyond the constant scrutiny of fame.

Thu. Aug 28th

The Book of Lamentations

This final lesson focuses on the book of Lamentations which is a collection of five poetic laments that express Jeremiah's sorrow over the fall of the city of Jerusalem and the punishment of the Jewish nation.

Thu. Aug 21st

Jeremiah'S Final Years and Flight to Egypt

This lesson looks at the conditions and actions of the people of Judah and their faithful prophet Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Mon. Aug 18th

Faith and the Limits of Human Inquiry

Understanding the limits of empirical knowledge, this article delves into the importance of faith in transcending beyond what can be observed, inviting readers to explore the concept of knowledge that goes beyond the senses.

Thu. Aug 14th

The New Covenant

In this lesson we will see two amazing realities presented side by side separated only by time: Judgment in the final destruction of Jerusalem, and hope in the form of the New Covenant ushered in by the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.