The Last Supper

Dennis McCallum

Exodus 12:3-9

Jesus spends the final hours before he is betrayed eating the traditional Passover meal with his disciples. Jesus explains that the Old Testament ritual of Passover was intended to be a picture of what He would ultimately do by dying on the cross as a substitute for sin. He instructs his disciples and us to take communion together in remembrance of his sacrifice on our behalf.

The Cross

Jim Leffel

Colossians 2:13-15

Jesus went to the cross as a willing sacrifice for the sins of humanity. He was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah. The certificate of debt nailed above his head to the cross did not record his sin, but ours. His sacrifice was the embodiment of God's judgment of sin and His love for humanity.

Jesus is the Christ

Mike Sullivan

Isaiah 53:11

John makes the claim that Jesus is the Christ, which means that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied about in the Old Testament and that He is God, man, Lord, and Savior. This claim is supported by various lines of evidence including Christ's baptism, his death, and the Holy Spirit. Those who examine the evidence for Jesus must reach a conclusion for themselves about his claims, and those who accept that he is God have the privilege of serving him for the rest of their lives.

Jesus' Early Life

Conrad Hilario

Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus, the Messiah, finally appears in history. He's born into very humble conditions, revealing to us his true nature. He came as a human to break us free from the chains of the law, to identify with humans (enabling him to be their perfect substitute), and to die on the cross. There were many reactions to Jesus' arrival: people at the inn ignored him, Herod was a pseudo-seeker, Simeon and Anna were genuine seekers, and the shepherds/wise men were ready to trust Christ.

Who Was John the Baptist?

Conrad Hilario

1 Corinthians 2:7-8

Who is John the Baptist? He's not Elijah as many believed at the time, however, they do share similarities. God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus's first coming and God will send Elijah prior to Jesus's second coming. God allowed mysteries such as Jesus' first and second coming and John the Baptist's identity in order for His enemy Satan to unknowingly take part in His plan to rescue humankind.

Old vs. New

Chris Hearty

Hebrews 7:18-8:13

The author of Hebrews explores the nature of covenants throughout the Old and New Testaments. He explains that the covenant that Christians have with God is unconditional because of Jesus' sacrifice and that it is even better than the one established under Moses. The new covenant inaugurated by Jesus gives all people access to God through faith, is focused on the finished work of Christ, and creates a basis for internal change in believers. Furthermore, this new covenant through Jesus has rendered the old one obsolete, and Christians can now enjoy a permanent and unconditional relationship with God.

The Righteous Sufferer

Dennis McCallum

Isaiah 53:5-56

A remarkable, messianic psalm predicting Jesus' experience on the cross. Written over 1,000 years before His crucifixion, this psalm was known and sung by the Jews. When Jesus cried out on the cross, ?My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?,? He was trying to get their attention that this prophetic psalm was being fulfilled. This is incredible evidence for the Christian faith -- will you pay attention to His death on the cross?

Introduction

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Corinthians 1:18-30

Key biblical teachings often strike us as contrary to common sense, counter-intuitive, or even foolish. This is because it is actually our thinking about major areas of life that is backward. Ultimately, at the center of the backwards wisdom of God is the cross.

Basic Principles of This World

Conrad Hilario

John 4:21-24

Paul explains to the Colossian church that they do not have to perform rituals, ?the basic principles of this world,? in order to be made right with God. This construct was promoted by false teachers who tried to tarnish the gospel with ideologies such as Greek dualism, aestheticism and legalism. These false teachers urged the Colossians to incorporate Old Testament dietary laws, holy days, and other rituals. Paul stresses the importance and sufficiency of Christ's death on the cross; therefore, these rituals are of no spiritual value.