UNFOLDING THE WORD
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple
(Psalm 119: 130)
Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed pleasure in God’s presence. But now, even childbearing would become painful. Work, which was without sweat, now had thorns and thistles. So what happened as they were cast out of God’s garden? In our passage, God’s world would become:-- a) A place of conflict and rage. c) A place of counsel and warning. c) A place of violence and grace.
The garden God planted was a perfect place of life and beauty, abundance and human flourishing, freedom and fruitfulness. It was a place where man enjoyed an intimate relationship with God. But what happened when man was put to the test? In our passage, we see that the garden was also:- a) A place of tragedy and shame. c) A place of hiding and blame. c) A place of curse and redemption.
New Year’s day in Japan (last week) is called Ganjitsu or Gantan. Each year, many Japanese travel to shrines and temples to pray for blessings for the year ahead. But the God of the Bible does not live in temples made by human hands. In fact, Genesis is the book of origin. Moses' purpose in writing (1440 b.c or 1260 b.c) was to show Israel their origins. So from our text, we see that:- a) God comes first before everything. b) God’s goodness is seen in all His creation. c) God made us in His image for His glory.
Christmas means a new King is born! But how do people respond when a new King is born? From our passage today, we’re going to look at 3 responses to the newborn King. 1) Those who seek the new King. 2) Those who ignore the new King. 3) Those who worship the true King.
Last week, we saw Mary responding to God’s call in ch. 1: 38. From then on Mary and Joseph would become part of the fulfillment of God’s plan. So why did Jesus come? Why was He born under such humble circumstances? To answer that, here are 3 insights from our passage today:- a) Jesus came to take the lowest place in our place. b) Jesus came to bring good news, not good advice. c) Jesus Himself is our peace in a world of troubles.
When was the last time you faced a humanly impossible situation? This story of angel Gabriel’s announcement is surrounded by impossibilities. Even right before our text, Elizabeth, who was barren, had become miraculously pregnant after an angel appeared to her husband. So, as we look at this passage, here are 3 insights we are going to see today:- a) God’s favor is received, not earned. b) God’s promised Son is given despite us. c) God’ Word makes impossible possible.
Psalm 23 is famously quoted by both Jews, Christians and the world, in times of war, national crisis, death, sickness, disasters, and in all kinds of trials. But who is the Shepherd in this Psalm? What does He do for the sheep? Follow along as we look at:- a) The green pastures we all seek. b) The shadow of death we all fear. c) The house of the Lord that awaits us.
Two weeks ago, we looked into ch. 1: 19 where it says, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” But here, James dedicates the lengthiest section of this letter to the power of our words. And so, picking up from vv. 1- 10 we’re going to see that: - a) The tongue makes us all stumble. b) The tongue cannot be tamed by us. c) The tongue can be redeemed by grace.
When faced with trials, we need wisdom to live. So how can we live out the “word of truth” (v. 18) with wisdom everyday? To answer that, we’re going to look at: a) The implanted word that saves us. b) The perfect law that liberates us. c) The pure religion before God the Father.
How can you pray for yourselves, your local church and the global church? Paul’s love for the church was so real that even from behind prison doors he could pray for Christians who were not in prison. So, from Paul’s prayer we see that:- a) The Spirit strengthens our inner being. b) Christ dwells in our hearts through faith. c) God is far more able than we think.
Here, the writer tells us that there remains a rest for God’s people to enter (v. 1). So what is this rest? And how can we experience this rest? To answer that question, here are 3 insights we are going to follow together:- a) The rest that God has prepared for us. b) The word of God that exposes our hearts. c) The great high priest who sympathizes with us.
What has God entrusted us to pass on to others? Here, Paul had sent this letter to Timothy to encourage him to endure suffering and to pass on the gospel to others. So as we turn to our passage, we are going to see:- a) The grace of being entrusted with the gospel. b) The grace of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. c) The elect for whom Christ rose from the dead.
Jesus had a lot of hard sayings that caused people to grumble, quarrel, be offended, or even walk away. So why does Jesus, the most gracious person, have such hard sayings? To answer that question, here are 3 insights we’re going to see together:- a) The hard sayings that offend us. b) The Spirit who brings us to Christ. c) The words of Christ that satisfies us.
Most Christians have heard this story at least once. But as we turn to this story, who is the better son? If you’re new to Christianity, Jesus often told parables to talk about great spiritual truths. And this parable is about a father and his two sons. So, here are key insights we are going to follow:- a) The reckless son who let his home. b) The loving Father who comes running c) The dutiful son who refused to enter.
Each year in Japan, the love chapter is read in western style wedding chapels. But the reasons the apostle Paul wrote this chapter was far from romantic. So, from this chapter we’re going to see:- a) The noise that gains nothing. b) The love that bears all things. c) The love of Christ that matures us.
What is Sabbath? In a fast paced, anxious and restless city, the idea of Sabbath is vastly missing in the culture. Most people have an idea of going on a holiday or their own ideas about rest. But what is Sabbath, and why does it matter? To answer that question, follow along as we look at :- a) The work for which God made us. b) The rest for which God made us. c) The deeper rest Jesus gives to us.
1 Peter 5: 1-11 | Pastor Joey Zorina | Grace For The Suffering Flock
What have you learned about humility during the pandemic? Here, Peter closes his letter by addressing the flock of God who are suffering in Asia Minor. Follow along as we look at the relationship between God’s grace and humility in our suffering: - a) Humility serves by example. b) Humility casts all anxieties on God. c) Humility looks to God’s restoring grace.
1 Peter 4: 12-19 | Pastor Joey Zorina | Do Not Be Surprised By Sufferings
Peter reminds the exiles, in the midst of increasing opposition, that they should not be surprised by trials. In Peter’s mind, God is using suffering to purify the church. So how can we suffer well as Christians? To answer that, follow along as we look at: a) The joy of sharing in Christ’ suffering. b) The Spirit of glory that rests upon us. c) The household of God in which we are saved.
1 Peter Series | Exiles | ch. 4: 1-11 | Pastor Joey Zorina |
As the pressure of persecution was increasing in Asia Minor, Peter tells the exiles to pursue a godly life in light of the end time judgment. Follow along in your Bibles as we look at 3 insights on Christian living in light of the end:- a) The true liberty that Christ brings to us. b) The true judge to whom we must give account. c) The true love that covers a multitude of sins.
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