As Christ stands before the trafficking crowd in the temple, “the confusion is hushed. The sound of traffic and bargaining has ceased. The silence becomes painful. A sense of awe overpowers the assembly. It is as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God to answer for their deeds. Looking upon Christ, they behold … Continue reading –>
How does a group of believers carry on its ministry when they have no place to meet outside of their worship hour? The Portuguese-speaking group of believers in Brussels, Belgium, is small, but growing. It started as a Global Mission project, and it’s growing larger and stronger as it reaches out to the Portuguese-speaking community … Continue reading –>
“Hey, Ben. Here’s one for you. How is being an Alaskan salmon like being a Christian?” Mark looked at his friend for two seconds.1 “They both get wet.” “C’Mon, Ben, that was too easy. Where does the Alaskan salmon begin its life?” “Hatched from a fish egg laid in a mountain stream.” “So, Ben. Would you … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: It is vital and necessary for us as fallen beings to acknowledge God’s exalted holiness and to seek His cleansing blood and righteousness. [Teaching plan for “The Holiness of God” February 1, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 2:3. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 4:31–36. What testimony is given there about the holiness of Christ? What is significant about who gave that testimony too? What lessons can we draw from this story about God’s holiness? 1 Demons, who are fallen angels, remember who Jesus really is, and even they—in their nastiness, hatefulness, and rebellion—are constrained to acknowledge Him and … Continue reading –>
In the Old Testament, we find a consistent record of human responses to a God who is holy. What about in the New? Some modern Christians argue that the Old Testament presents a primitive and outdated picture of God, a God who is harsh and very prone to anger. But when Jesus comes, He is … Continue reading –>
After enduring inhuman suffering at the hand of Satan, Job cries out: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5, 6). What does this response tell us about God’s holiness in contrast to human sinfulness? In what … Continue reading –>
What is the first time the concept of “holiness” (from the same root often translated “sanctified”) is mentioned in Scripture? Gen. 2:3. How significant is the fact that the first thing deemed holy in the Bible is time?1 This text gives us our first understanding of holiness. It shows that something, in this case time, is “set apart” … Continue reading –>
Even a superficial study of church history makes it clear that it’s all too easy to develop ideas about God and then to worship these ideas instead of God Himself, the God revealed in the Bible. As the skeptic Voltaire quipped: “God made man in His image, and man has returned the compliment.” We may … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 11:10; Mark 1:2; Gen. 2:3; Job 42:5, 6; Luke 5:1–11; Luke 4:31–36; Isa. 6:1–3; Rev. 4:8, 9. Memory Text: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9). Key Thought: Scripture gives much attention to God’s holiness. What does this holiness tell us about what God is like … Continue reading –>
