Read: Psalm 58 In a world of constant outrage, we need the imprecatory Psalms, but not for the reason that you might think. We don’t need them to fan the flame of our hate or justify our prejudices. We need them to see the dark underbelly of sin and understand the magnitude of God’s wrath. […]
Category Archives: Articles
In Loving Memory…Memorializing John DeBrine
In Loving Memory…Memorializing John DeBrine Our beloved founder, Dr. John DeBrine, passed into glory peacefully during the night of March 3, 2021 at the age of 96. The memorial service for John was held on June 12, 2021. It was attended by many generations who were touched by his ministry throughout the years. “Married to […]
What God Wants…A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving by Adam Miller
Read: Psalm 50 Being a Christian is not easy. There are a lot of requirements for following Christ. Sure, we are not under the Old Covenant anymore–we don’t have to make regular sacrifices, keep a kosher diet, or stone anyone who works on the Sabbath–but it still isn’t a walk in the park. Jesus said […]
Critical Questions: Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables? by Micah Lovell
Read: Matthew 13 One of the most commonly occurring questions from readers of the New Testament is about why Jesus so frequently speaks in parables in the Gospels. Readers are astute to the fact that the parables bring an element of mystery to the overall message Jesus is attempting to preach, but some parables are […]
Extra Mercy, Hold the Sacrifice by Adam Miller
Read: Matthew 12:1-8 One of my favorite phrases in the Gospel of Matthew is actually a rebuke. You wouldn’t notice it at first–it sounds like something you would put into needlework on a pillow–but it is a rebuke all the same: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” At face value, it is like a warm […]
Jesus Has the Authority to Forgive Sins by Adam Miller
Read: Matthew 9:1-17 Throughout this section of Matthew, Chapters 8-10, we have seen Jesus going around the villages of Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and working miracles that demonstrated His power and authority. In this next section, we will see three unique stories that add a greater dimension to Jesus’ power. First, we […]
The Wind and the Sea Obey Him by Adam Miller
Read: Matthew 8:18-34 It is easy to look at the various stories in Matthew 8 as though they are isolated events, individual vignettes without any overarching narrative, but the truth is that they are all leading up to a point. Jesus has healed a leper, saved the life of a Roman centurion’s servant, restored Peter’s […]
The Gospel of the Kingdom and the Beatitudes
Series: This Way to the Kingdom of Heaven Read: Matthew 4:23-5:12 On my second trip to Israel, I decided to break away from my group when they were going down to the Dead Sea so that I could have a day to myself in the inner city of Jerusalem. It was a friday, so as […]
Follow Me and I Will Make You Fishers of Men
Series: Jesus in the Wilderness Read: Matthew 4:18-22 One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to go on vacation to my Grandpa’s in Shady Valley, Tennessee. He had a pond in his backyard and we used to go fishing. Now, I have never been commercial fishing or even sport fishing, but […]
Answering Critical Questions: Why Did Jesus Fast for 40 Days by Micah Lovell
Read: Matthew 4:1-11 The number 40 is used frequently in biblical narratives, especially in the Old Testament. In Genesis 7, the rains fall on the earth for 40 days and nights while Noah and his family wait within the ark. In the book of Jonah, the prophet, fresh from his own deliverance from the belly […]
The People Dwelling in Darkness Have Seen A Great Light by Adam Miller
Read: Matthew 4:12-17 During my first trip to Israel, I was able to visit the mountains of the Golan Heights surrounding Galilee. I was standing on the top of one of the highest points, looking down into the United Nations’ Demilitarized Zone when I heard what sounded like thunder. I was excited at first. I […]
The Baptism of Jesus
Series: Jesus in the Wilderness Read: Matthew 3:13-17 In the Baptist conviction in which I was raised, it was important for individuals to approach baptism as an individual decision to make a public proclamation of one’s faith. My problem, however, was that I was incredibly shy. I remember when my mom came and got me […]