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Get to know Luke! Who was the author of this book, and how do
we know? Also, study a stunning case of obedience—Mary's
meeting with the angel. Learn how this episode applies directly
to our lives today.
What confusion readers find when they look into John the Baptist
and Elijah! Here is a comprehensive roundup of the information
on John's identity, along with the significance.
Jesus Christ was born into the world in a most unusual way. Dennis
explains the significance of Christ's humble beginnings, and the
attitude of faith displayed by the 3 wise men.
The mysterious discrepancy between Luke's and Matthew's versions
of Jesus' ancestry points to an amazing and unexpected fulfillment
of prophecy. See how these accounts harmonize and learn how God
authenticated Christ's mission in a unique way.
When Jesus faced the ruler of this world system during his temptations,
he demonstrated how to deal with the devil. This passage teaches
us about the thinking and methods of Satan, the dynamics of temptation,
and how we can resist falling to them.
Jesus' first sermons reveal the key themes that appear again
and again in his teaching later. Find out why people became furious
when he taught on Zarephath and Naaman.
God calls people to serve him, and that even may be one of the
most important in our lives. The calling of God constitutes a
fork in the road where we must chose to trust him or to decide
we have a better idea. The calling of Peter, John, James illustrates
this well.
We cannot understand the gospels properly unless we see they
are written against the background of a sharp conflice between
Jesus and an alien religious perspective. This perspective, still
with us today in the church, could be called Fortress Theology.
It focuses on protecting the godly from wickedness instead of
on loving the lost.
When Jesus announced that new wine required new wineskins, he
was declaring revolution, not revision. But the principle behind
his teaching still applies today. Learn how out-dated wineskins
wreak havoc on the church today.
Luke 6 sees an intensification of the conflict between Jesus
and legalistic interpretations of spirituality as advanced by
the Pharisees and rabbis. This running conflict finally comes
to a head when Jesus gives his famous “Sermon on the Plain.”
The Christian church is awash in false teachers today, having
ignored Jesus' warning to “beware false prophets.” In
this section of the sermon on the plain, Jesus defines how to
practice biblical discernment.
Jesus' comand, “Judge not lest you be judged,” is not
unqualified. Learn the difference between righteous judgment and
unrighteous judgment according to the New Testament. Also learn
how you can keep unrighteous judgment from ruining your relationships.
What does it mean to build your house on the rock? Learn about
living with a foundation versus drifting without one.
The centurion was part of the power elite in Israel at that time.
The “woman of loose morals” was the lowest of the low.
Both had to enter under the same gate—the humility it takes
to receive the grace of God.
Jesus made a disturbing disclosure in Luke 8: How we listen determines
how much God has to say. With spiritual truth, we either use it
or lose it. This parable shows us our choices when it comes to
listening to God.
Demon possession is the most extreme form of demonic influence.
Learn in this teaching how involvement in the occult can lead
to demonic influence, and how to recognize possession.
The sending of the 12 and the feeding of the 5000 were closely
connected. As the disciples learned what it meant to be agents
of God's power, they were learning something we also must learn—that
ministry and service must be empowered by God's supernatural miracle-working
grace.
According to the New Testament, salvation is a free gift, but
we also have the option of going beyond mere salvation. In this
passage McCallum discusses the stirring call to utter abandonment
to Christ as his disciples.
It's difficult to imagine the disciples' experience of seeing
Moses and Elijah on the mountain with Christ. Still, we can relate
to Peter, who liked the experience so much, he didn't want it
to end. His response is a lesson to us on accepting both the mountain
tops, and valleys, of life.
Jesus' conversations with his disciples often prove to be object
lessons for us. For instance, Jesus repeatedly insisted they “become
like children.” Are we willing to admit—like children—we
can't handle situations, and ask for help? Ouch! Here, Jesus also
rejects egotism and indifference, instead calling for humility
and sensitivity.
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” You may be
surprised by Jesus Christ's answer. Using this question as a springboard,
He condemned the law keepers' failure to love. With piercing insight
and application, McCallum brings to life the age-old story of
the Good Samaritan.
“Teach us how to pray,” the disciples asked Jesus.
To answer, He quickly clarified what prayer is not: meaningless
repetition. The bottom line—God wants a relationship with
us. Just like we communicate with friends, God wants us to talk
with Him, through prayer.
Everyone has given in to someone because of their dogged persistence.
Unlike us, however, God delights in answering our prayers, and
generously rewards our persistence. Our diligent desire to talk
with God also reinforces our faith.
The spiritual battle is on! Our attack is against Satan—God's
greatest enemy, and the one who rules this world. Thanks to prayer,
Christians have a divinely powerful weapon to win the war. We're
also on a rescue mission requiring us to counter the devil's lies
with the truth of the Bible.
“Woe to you Pharisees!” Why are Jesus' harshest words
reserved for hypocrites? The spiritual stakes are devastatingly
high. Christ's warnings against hypocrisy are still incredibly
insightful for us today. Learn the tell-tale signs of hypocrisy,
and how to counter it in your personal life and fellowship group.
“You can't take it with you,” or so the saying goes.
Is true success measured by material or spiritual wealth? The
parable of the rich fool sharply contrasts stockpiling temporal
earthly possessions with investing in an eternal portfolio.
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Many people aren't sure if they will go to heaven. Many others
are uncertain what they will find in heaven. Here, Luke explains
what constitutes rewards in heaven and what qualifies us to receive
any. Discover how to invest wisely in things of eternal importance,
and guarantee receiving a reward in the afterlife.
Why do tragic things happen to people? Jesus' answer to this
question confronts four widely held world views, including spiritualism
and naturalism. However, only one view is true. Only the biblical
view accords with scientific discovery and also explains supernatural
events, including God's plan to eradicate evil.
Is the Kingdom of God still coming, or is the Kingdom already
here? These intriguing parables allude to the improbable and ironic
way God chose to intrude into history. McCallum compares what
the people of Jesus' day expected of God's Kingdom with what Jesus
actually predicted.
In two compelling lessons, Jesus' convicting words act like a
mirror to our souls. First, Jesus challenges His contemporaries
to choose a lifestyle of humility instead of pride. Focusing on
Christ's analogies, McCallum draws distinctions between biblical
humility and postmodern concepts of humility. These two versions
are similar, but very different.
This compassionate portrayal of a loving father who welcomes
home a wayward son, illustrates how God extends complete acceptance
to anyone who comes to Him at anytime. The older brother's hostile
attitude serves as a warning for us to rejoice in, rather than
resent, God's unconditional forgiveness.
In this timeless parable, a boss fires his manager, but later
praises his shrewdness. The manager's forward-looking actions
serve as an indictment of Christians who know what their future
holds, yet fail to act accordingly. Conventional wisdom suggests
financial planning to secure our earthly future, however, God
urges us to live with a focus on eternity.
Most people condemn the rich man who refused to share his wealth
with the beggar in this famous parable. But do we recognize a
similar ethical tension we experience today? True Christianity
calls on us for self-sacrifice and a compassionate heart. God
doesn't want us to feel guilty for being affluent; He wants us
to get excited about sharing our wealth.
Sometimes the simplest stories have the deepest meanings. These
ancient parables offer us advice still worth taking today. For
instance, Jesus calls on his disciples for both corrective discipline
and unlimited forgiveness. He also shares the secret of faith
that yields results. And like his disciples, we can learn how
to cultivate life-changing gratitude.
Why should God accept you? Many people believe “trying to
be a good person” is the answer. If that's true, God relies
on an arbitrary and comparative merit system to evaluate our actions.
This famous and ironic parable reveals a different basis for God's
judgment—mercy and grace.
This passage is a fascinating study of two distinct approaches
and responses to God. “What must I do to be saved?”
asks the rich man in this passage. “Sell everything,”
is Jesus' disturbing reply. The man's displeasure sharply contrasts
the overflowing joy of a tax collector, who immediately gives
his money away in gratitude for his salvation.
This parable of the minas challenges us to make the most of our
abilities. God doesn't micro-manage our lives, but rather gives
us the freedom to choose how to live. Ultimately, however, we
are accountable for what we do with the gifts God gives us. Will
you try to reach your full potential?
The Old Testament not only predicts that a Messiah will come,
but also predicts when He will come. Pay close attention as Dennis
McCallum unfolds the undeniable hidden message of Daniel 9, one
of the most exciting and detailed prophecies of Jesus Christ as
Messiah.
Should God be sovereign? What happens when we deny or submit
to him? Here, three incisive narratives consider the sovereignty
of God. First, pseudo-seekers of truth run into a wall of silence
from Jesus. Next, a vineyard owner reaches his long-suffering
limit of tolerance for wicked workers who continually challenge
his rightful authority. Finally, Jesus reduces cynical teachers
of the law to silence when he sees through the duplicity of their
questions.
Jesus' disciples asked the same question many people still ask
today, “When will the end of the world come?” Part one
of this compelling three-part sub-series covers Jesus' teachings
on the future of Israel. Against all odds, Israel is predicted
to disappear, and after hundreds of years, reappear. See how this
remarkable fulfillment may affect your life today.
Jesus calls the last period of human history a time of “great
tribulation.” Considering the biblical descriptions of the
tribulation, certain conditions must be present in advance. These
“preconditions” constitute some of the signs of the
times mentioned by Jesus.
What if these are the world's last days? Chaos and anarchy will
reign during the Tribulation. Escape is possible, however. Scripture
presents substantial evidence that God rescues Christians in what
is commonly called “the Rapture,” before the tyranny
of the Tribulation begins.
The first-ever communion occurred the night before Jesus was
crucified. Communion as Jesus shared with his disciples and intends
it to be today, is about remembrance. We remember His death, fellowship
with other Christians and have the privilege of sharing the gift
of eternal life He offers to everyone.
Judas. The name immediately calls to mind the betrayal of Jesus.
And yet, what about Peter's cowardice and denial? Both men appeared
sorry for their actions. This passage draws important distinctions
between Judas' shallow remorse and Peter's genuine repentance.
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the cross. Jesus
Christ lived in a world that rejected him. His life ended in psychological
and spiritual torment, and excruciating physical torture. Christ's
death on a cross holds the key to understanding God like no other
event in history. At the very moment humanity acted out its utter
contempt for God, He poured out his unquenchable, unconditional
love for mankind.
God always initiates love giving. Our part is simply to respond.
In the reactions of Pilate, Herod, Barabbas and the Thieves, we
see typical human reactions to the supreme act of God's sacrifice
for man. Disbelief, indecision, curiosity or trust. How will we
react?
Jesus was dead but his tomb was empty! Theories erupted to explain
Jesus' missing body. Yet still today, God's supernatural intervention
through the resurrection remains the most plausible and substantiated
explanation. To believe Christ rose from the dead is to believe
in eternal life. What will you believe?
The death of Christ must have left many people feeling despondent.
We all have hoped for something only to have our hopes disappointed.
Yet, sometimes, short-term sadness later reveals God has an even
better plan. We need to have our spiritual eyes opened to see
God work.
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Watch or download the multimedia series by Dennis McCallum.
Watch or download the multimedia series by Gary DeLashmutt.