The Christian Message

  Jesus is the Light of the World John 8:1-12 is the account of Jesus' interaction with a woman caught in adultery and the subsequent teaching about being the "light of the world." This passage is significant in revealing Jesus' mercy, his challenge to legalism, and his divine identity. Here's a breakdown of the passage and commentary: John 8:1-2 – Jesus Teaching at the Temple "But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them." Setting : Jesus is at the Temple in Jerusalem , which was a common place for public teaching. The Mount of Olives is a place where Jesus frequently spent time. This setting emphasizes the contrast between the holy place of the temple and the scene that will unfold shortly, involving the accused woman. Jesus’ Teaching Role : Jesus is often depicted as teaching crowds, and his teaching was a central part of his ministry. The...

  Jesus Points to Jonah  Lesson Text: Matthew 12:22-32, 38-40  Related Scriptures: I Kings 10:1-13; Matthew 16:1-4; Luke 11:14-23; I Corinthians 1:22-25  TIME: A.D. 28 PLACE: Galilee  GOLDEN TEXT—“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Matthew 12:30).  Introduction   In the Gospels, some of the most sustained human opposition to Jesus came from the Pharisees. These highly respected and influential Jewish scholars prided themselves on being more righteous than others. Jesus looked beyond their righteous appearance and saw them as frauds.  Rather than respond with repentance and obedience to Jesus, most Pharisees actively opposed Him. When Jesus performed miracles, proving that He was the Messiah, the Pharisees refused to accept the evidence. Instead, they charged Him with working by demonic power.  In response to this malicious, false charge, Jesus used logic to demonstrate the error of the ...

 Two Opposing Worldviews Luke 16:1-18 Luke 16:1-18 presents a series of teachings from Jesus that highlight two opposing worldviews: one rooted in worldly values and another grounded in the kingdom of God. This passage contains several distinct yet interconnected sections, each challenging conventional wisdom, particularly around the issues of wealth, stewardship, and righteousness. Here's a breakdown and commentary on these sections: 1. The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13) Context: In the first part of this passage, Jesus tells the parable of an unjust steward (or manager) who is about to be fired for mismanaging his master's resources. In response, the steward acts cunningly, reducing the debts owed to his master by various debtors, hoping to secure their favor so that they will take him in once he's out of a job. Key Points: The Worldly Mindset: The steward's actions are worldly in nature. He uses dishonesty and cleverness to protect his future welfare. ...

  Jonah Is Angry with God  Lesson Text: Jonah 4:1-11  Related Scriptures: Exodus 34:4-8; I Kings 19:4-8; Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 15:25-30  TIME: about 780 B.C. PLACE: Nineveh and vicinity  GOLDEN TEXT—“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).  Introduction  How much do we allow our emotions to govern our actions? Part of spiritual growth is learning to control our emotions and to live according to the teachings of God’s Word.  God understands our emotional swings and helps us with them. When we look at some of the main characters in the Bible, we see plenty of emotional issues. Moses never seemed to get his temper under control. Spiritual giants like Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah experienced severe depression over what they faced. In each case, God communicated that He was using them for His purpose. They were simply to carry on in faith. Sometimes that is very difficult to do.  If the story of Jon...