Dignity Recovered

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 09:25:48 -0600

How did Mary feel about a 70 mile donkey trip at nine month's pregnant? How did Joseph feel when he wasn't able to find a place other than a stable full of animals for his wife to have her baby? Did they question God? Did they complain? Why is it that we can see how God engineers difficult circumstances for other people, but we have a hard time trusting that he does it for us too?

Give God Flowers

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:58:26 -0600

In the story of the one out of ten lepers who returned to say thank you we learn an important lesson about God: he appreciates gratitude and he's a little disappointed when we're not grateful.

The Simple Guide to Judgment Day

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 12:35:29 -0600

The last in this series on what New Testament Christians can learn from the Old Testament sanctuary services, "The Simple Guide to Judgment Day" looks specifically at the Day of Atonement and what it can teach about the great day of judgment. It's probably not what you have imagined.

The Crisis Learning Center

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:18:14 -0500

Julius, the Roman centurion who had charge of Paul on the way to Rome, was unaware that he had enrolled in The Crisis Learning Center. But a crisis it was, and learn he did--along with 276 others on the ship. For two weeks the sailors threw overboard more and more stuff and worked themselves beyond exhaustion trying to save themselves. In the end it came down to them and God and thanks to Paul they finally abandoned themselves to God.

Eating and Drinking a Mystery

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:51:49 -0500

Jesus replaced the ritual of sacrifices with the ritual of communion. It's the way we interact physically with what he is doing for us spiritually. Paul calls it the mystery of godliness. So what does it mean when we eat and drink the symbols of Christ's body and his blood?

What It Means to Be Holy

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:08:58 -0500

We're called to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. We're called to be holy as God is holy. It seems impossible, and it is. But we make it more difficult than it needs to be simply because we focus on the wrong thing. Being holy and being perfect isn't what it seems on the surface. It's not a call to sinlessness.

Standing By Falling on Your Face

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:17:53 -0500

Moses and Aaron made a habit of disobeying God. When God would tell them to move out of the way so that he could destroy Israel, they wouldn't do it. Instead they fell on their faces and stopped God. One time, when falling on their faces didn't work, Aaron, armed with incense, stood between the living and the dead and stopped God's judgment. Why did incense make a difference? Listen to find out.

Saved by Grace Judged by Works I'm Confused

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:38:30 -0500

The Bible says in no uncertain terms that we are saved by grace through faith. The Bible also says in no uncertain terms that we are judged by are works. Confused? Thankfully the Bible also explains itself.

Obsessive Compulsive God

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:51:08 -0500

God is so serious about saving his people you might say he's obsessive compulsive. The God who controls a universe is obsessed with saving you. Amazing grace!

Cleansing the Heart Via the Feet

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:56:42 -0500

Before interacting with God through the symbols of his body and blood during communion, Jesus commanded his bickering, immature disciples to prepare for this intimate encounter by cleansing their hearts via their feet. Jesus himself knelt before each of his friends and humbly washed their feet and in so doing taught them some fascinating lessons about the true spirit of the new covenant Passover service.

How to Interact with an Invisible God 2

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:06:08 -0500

Part 2: God has given his people rituals through which we respond to him. True, under the new covenant we no longer participate in the ceremonial rituals involving the blood of animals, but New Testament Christians can still learn fascinating lessons from the Old Testament rituals that bring the New Testament rituals alive in a way you may have never known.

How to Interact with an Invisible God 1

Sat, 31 May 2008 10:23:30 -0500

God has given his people rituals through which we respond to him. True, under the new covenant we no longer participate in the ceremonial rituals involving the blood of animals, but New Testament Christians can still learn fascinating lessons from the Old Testament rituals that bring the New Testament rituals alive in a way you may have never known.

The Picture Frame Around Jesus

Sat, 24 May 2008 10:30:32 -0500

Since his theory of relativity was so complex and deep Albert Einstein spent a lot of time trying to explain it in terms that would make it accessible to the common people. Since the plan of salvation is such a deep and even complex rescue plan God has also tried to give humanity a simple explanation so that we can understand and respond to the rescue effort. What God gave us is an allegory, an illustration, in the Old Testament sanctuary. The point isn't the sanctuary so much as what it can teach us. The sanctuary and its services is but a picture frame around the real focus, which is Jesus. Take the time to study this rich illustration and you will come away with a deeper understanding of love, forgiveness, prayer, judgment, and much more. But most importantly you will come away with a deeper knowledge of and love for Jesus.

What is Truth

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:27:25 -0500

Pontius Pilate asked Jesus an important question but he didn't wait to hear the answer. He asked, "What is truth?" But even though Jesus didn't get to answer Pilate's question, the Bible does answer the question in detail. It's a surprisingly huge topic in scripture. One thing becomes quickly obvious: ultimate truth does exist and God seems to think it's pretty important.

Copyright ©2008 Jeff Scoggins

Why Jesus Lives

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:48:59 -0500

Hebrews 10 says that if Christ did not rise from the dead that our faith is useless and we are still in our sins. But didn't the cross take care of everything? Wasn't atonement complete when Jesus died? How is it that we would still be in our sins if Jesus had not risen? The question is answered by the ancient Israelite sanctuary service. Those services show the forgiveness that Jesus provided at the cross, but they also show that Jesus had a continuing work in the process of atonement after the cross.

Nightlight in the Desert

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 10:59:29 -0600

Is there anything for a New Testament Christian to learn from the Old Testament sanctuary in the desert. The author of Hebrews thinks so. In Hebrews 6:1 he exhorts the New Testament Christians to move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and move into greater spiritual maturity. In this verse he lays a foundation for what he is about to talk about: the deep truths that New Testament Christians must gain from the ancient Israelite sanctuary. Why? Because it is a peek into what is going on in the sanctuary in heaven, not just before the cross of Christ, but afterward also.

The End 3

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:29:12 -0600

Once we get out of the strange symbols of beasts and dragons we often breeze over Revelation's closing thoughts. But there is a wealth of critical information embedded there.

The End 2

Sat, 9 Feb 2008 11:37:48 -0600

We continue to build a picture of the end of time working from just the clues we find in the last two and a half chapters of Revelation.

The End 1

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:56:30 -0600

Revelation, when read as a chronological story, doesn’t make much sense. Is it true what some say that the book cannot be understood? Revelation itself suggests otherwise. We can understand it. It’s a matter of learning how to understand and being willing to work at it. For the willing student, Revelation will unravel itself.

When God Gasped for Air

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:09:23 -0600

Have you ever wondered if heaven gave Jesus a going away party before he came to earth that first Christmas? Have you ever really considered what it meant for God to become human?

10 Ways to Destroy a Brother in Christ

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:19:17 -0600

The Corinthian church was committing spiritual suicide by committing spiritual homicide against their fellow believers. In a rather unorthodox way, we take a look at how we are continuing the Corinthian tradition.

The First Christian Church Plant

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:27:58 -0600

The book of Acts is a fascinating picture of the kind of church that Jesus’ original church planters began. How is our church different today?

Saved by Blood

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:22:03 -0600

Jesus went through an awful lot for you. Here is that timeless story.

Learning to be a Real Man

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 08:54:31 -0500

Luke presents a picture of Jesus different from the other gospel writers. Luke points us toward Jesus’ perfect humanness and his compassion for hurting people. If you want to know how God would have you live as a human, Luke’s stories of Jesus’ are a great example of exactly that.

Surrender Please

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:02:58 -0500

Amos the shepherd prophet brought a message of warning from God to his people, alerting them to the fact that their prosperity was causing them to forget about Him. Through his prophets, once again God calls His people to come back to Him with all of their hearts.

How God Deals with Evil

Sat, 8 Sep 2007 09:14:24 -0500

Ezekiel saw and did some strange things as a prophet of God as he warned his people of the consequences they would face if they continued to make the choices they had been making. In speaking to his people Ezekiel gave us also a picture of the way God will deal with evil at the end of this world.

The Prophets Weird and Confusing

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:34:10 -0500

Suppose some guy dressed in camel hair with a leather belt walked into your church saying he had a message from God for you. The deacons would probably escort him out. Jeremiah did just that for his people and got nowhere for his efforts. We might think Jeremiah was a prophet for long ago, but God’s Word to Judah is also a word to us--if only we could understand it.

Replacing Rubbish with Riches

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 09:55:42 -0500

Have you struggled with confusion in your Bible reading once you reached the prophets? Pastor Jeff takes a look at Isaiah and how we can begin to understand the prophets better by translating them into our context today.

The Limits of Being Human

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:12:09 -0500

The author of Ecclesiastes gives voice to the questions so many ask today about life. Is life worth it? Why live at all? How does one find happiness and fulfillment in life? And then, after a lifetime of observation and experience he draws some profound conclusions and tells us how we can live a happy life.

Indifferent to the Psalms

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:25:18 -0500

People who read the Psalms may be divided into two groups: those who love the Psalms and those who are perhaps a little indifferent to them. If you’re indifferent toward the Psalms maybe a shift in the way you read them will change your thinking.

Suffering with a Reason

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:39:33 -0500

On our journey through the Bible together this year we look at the book of Job, a man whom God respected and loved, and yet God sicked the dogs on him. What possible redeeming thing could come out of this cruel game? What reason could could have been good enough for Job to suffer as he did?

Ezra Leader of Leaders

Sat, 26 May 2007 11:14:24 -0500

On our journey through the Bible together this year we look at the book of Ezra, the priest of God, who called Israel out of Babylon to return to Jerusalem. Ezra was in for some surprises, but thanks to his commitment to studying, living, and teaching the law of God “...the hand of God was on him.” Ezra teaches us so many lessons about living a godly life in today’s world.

What About Uzzah

Sat, 12 May 2007 11:36:28 -0500

In our journey through the Bible we look at Uzzah in 1 Chronicles 13, who tried to help when the ark of God looked like it was about to fall of the cart that carried it; and God struck him dead for his trouble. How could a loving God who is supposed to look at people’s motives before judging them execute this man who had such good intentions? Could it be that Uzzah was guilty of inexcusable ignorance of God’s commands--just like so many of us are?

Taking God Seriously

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:48:54 -0500

Solomon, the man the Bible calls the wisest man to ever live, still had his issues with folly. In retrospect Solomon looks at his life and makes some conclusions about the meaning of life.

It Really is Finished

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:10:12 -0500

When Jesus cried in triumph from the cross, “It is finished!” he meant it. It really was finished. And at that moment, eternal life was guaranteed to anyone who is willing to accept Jesus. He died for you and me. Can we respond with anything less than living for him?

Their Feet Showed Their Faith

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 12:47:41 -0500

Did Joshua really fight the battle of Jericho? Well, he participated--in ways that would cause even the least brilliant military mind to laugh. But one thing made the difference for Israel. They didn’t just talk their faith, their feet proved it.

Deuteronomy-How to Love God

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 13:06:51 -0600

In our journey through the Bible in 2007 we look at Deuteronomy. What bearing do all these rules and regulations have on us today? Was the entire book of Deuteronomy thrown out with the old covenant? What good can this ancient book do for us today?

Battlefield of Faith

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 13:20:10 -0600

In our journey through the Bible in 2007 we look at Numbers. In the story of how Israel postponed their move into the Promised Land, what application might it have on our lives today?

Leviticus Ugh

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 13:38:30 -0600

In our journey through the Bible in 2007 we look at Leviticus. Can this Old Testament book have any value to use today? What use are all the descriptions of sacrifices, feasts, and regulations to us? Leviticus comes alive. You might want to read it again.

Drowning Pharaoh

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:47:04 -0600

In our journey through the Bible in 2007 we look at Exodus. Exodus is an exciting book, especially when we see how the whole story of Israel’s rescue from slavery in Egypt parallels our own rescue from slavery to sin.

First Do No Harm

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:53:53 -0600

In our journey through the Bible in 2007 we look at the first book of Genesis. We look at why the Bible is so full of stories and so little doctrine. How can we begin to see God in the often violent stories of the Old Testament and how can we begin to see God in our own story.

Have You Met the Baby

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:00:36 -0600

The book Desire of Ages by Ellen White gives a fascinating portrayal of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. We read this chapter and look at some of the ways our lives can change after we really meet the Baby.

When God Honors Presumption

Sat, 9 Dec 2006 14:11:13 -0600

Presuming upon God is a negative thing. Or is it? Are there times when God honors presumption? Apparently in the Old Testament story Jonathan thought so.

The Mighty Acts of God

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 14:17:23 -0600

Gratitude leads to confidence where could easily be doubt. But many of us have empty bank accounts of gratitude. How do we learn to be thankful? We do it by recounting the mighty acts of God.

When Joseph and Mary Got Lost

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 14:26:17 -0600

The story of when Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem leaving the boy Jesus behind at the temple is packed with lessons for us. From the meaning of the sacrifices to how we tend to leave Jesus behind ourselves, this look at the life of Jesus will change us.

The Ministry of Making Peace

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 14:30:29 -0500

The Hatfields and the McCoys are not a Bible story. But they illustrate a good point that the Bible does make. This short message looks at the ministry that every believer is given--the ministry of making peace.

Is Salvation Really Free for Me

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 14:39:19 -0500

Do you struggle with the idea of being sure of your salvation? Do you ever wonder if you were killed at the wrong moment that maybe you cannot be saved because you have an unconfessed sin in your life? This message looks at the assurance we can have in our Savior’s ability to save us.