Traci Boland
Because obedience to the Law was so important, the Pharisees became overly concerned with minute behaviors and whether these behaviors broke the Law or kept it. In this way, as experts of the Law, the...
Bethany Verrett
Jesus’ message conflicted with both approaches. The Pharisees and Sadducees were important figures rising to prominence in Israel after the return from exile through the first century, but Jesus’ impo...
Pamela Palmer
Scripture places the Sadducees at immense odds with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sadducees were Jewish, religious, wealthy, and held power. Many were high priests or noblemen. It is likely that alon...
Kendra Fletcher
While reading the New Testament in particular, we often hear about the Pharisees, most notably when Jesus engages them during his life on earth. Who exactly was he talking about?...
Bethany Verrett
Just because God was not speaking at that time does not mean this was an uneventful period in Israel’s history. Though He was not speaking, God was working all things out for His glory and for the sal...
Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
One of the sins mentioned in Scripture that can strike fear into the hearts of people is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus talked about this, the words he used were indeed frightening:“And ...
The reason why, even on our best day, we can’t measure up to God’s standards....
Joel Ryan
What is the significance of Jesus being “the stone the builders rejected,” and what does it mean that Christ became “the chief cornerstone”?...
Mike Leake
The Pharisees pick up on the depth of this claim. Only God has eternal life, therefore only God can give eternal life. Abraham is dead. The prophets are dead. Who does this Jesus think he is? ...
Lisa Loraine Baker
Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant about being “born again,” for he only understood physical birth. He asked Jesus how it could be, and he listened as Jesus told him one must be “born of wa...
Emma Danzey
In Mark 2, we find that Jesus was questioned about fasting. He answers in a seemingly unusual way by describing examples. What does new wine in old wineskins mean? Today we are going to uncover this b...
Emma Danzey
At the end of a busy week, God invites us to stop and reset before His kingdom work picks up again (like the second act of a show). God gives us the Sabbath not to say, “well done;” He gives us the Sa...
Jason Soroski
We often hear this verse around tax season, and thus it isn't many people's favorite piece of Scripture. But Jesus was making an important point when he told us to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's...
Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
During his ministry, Jesus often talks in parables, or stories. Some, like the Good Samaritan, are incredibly popular even in our modern culture. But there are quite a few smaller parables that are of...
Betty Dunn
Adding to this promise of living in God’s kingdom is Luke’s inspiring statement that the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). Jesus’ teachings about God within us contrasted sharply with the ext...
Mike Leake
It’s fitting to celebrate when what was lost is found. Heaven rejoices when the lost are found. Is grace going to make you angry? Are you going to forfeit your own grace because you cannot bear this f...
Aaron Berry
Being “poor in spirit” does not mean having a spirit of abjection or wallowing in misery. While it is appropriate for us to have no misconceptions about our own spiritual depravity apart from Jesus, i...
Michael Jakes
When we read about Peter denying Jesus after the rooster crowed, we are often quick to think "God, I'm glad I'm not like that!" But when we take a long, hard look at our hearts, we realize that it is ...