“The Majesty of God” (Luke 9:37-45)
The Majesty of God The Majesty of God Brad Mills / General Luke / Healing; Demon Possession / Luke 9:37–45 Most of us instinctively think humility is a sign of weakness. There is an assumption among leaders that they need to avoid showing any gaps in their armor. They have to be guarded at all times. To show any vulnerability is to throw in the white towel. But, in reality, there is a direct connection between our willingness to…
“The Announcement of Glory” (Revelation 1:17-20)
The Announcement of Glory The Announcement of Glory Brad Mills / General Jesus has commissioned John to write his vision down into a book and send it to seven churches located in Asia Minor. He is writing from the island of Patmos, where he was likely banished for disrupting emperor worship. On the Lord’s Day, probably reflecting upon the saints he pastored some fifty miles away in Ephesus, he was “in the Spirit”. John received this vision of the…
“Our Glorious Judge” (Revelation 1:12-20)
Our Glorious Judge Our Glorious Judge Brad Mills / General Son Of Man / Revelation 1:12–20 In the prologue (1-3) John informed us about how the revelation came to him by an angel sent by Jesus. The Triune God has greeted his redeemed Church with grace and peace reminding us that we are a kingdom of priests (4-8). Then Christ commissioned John to write a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor (9-11). John addressed…
“The Transfiguration of Jesus” (Luke 9:28-36)
The Transfiguration of Jesus The Transfiguration of Jesus Brad Mills / General Transfiguration / Luke 9:28–36 Herod was confused by Jesus, intrigued by his popularity and yet, only interested in learning more about Christ to ensure his own position and authority were not being threatened. The feeding of the 5,000 puts the question of Jesus’s identity before the crowd. In Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked his disciples who the crowds thought he was. They were perpetuating various theories—which Herod had…
“Take Up Your Cross” (Luke 9:21-27)
Take Up Your Cross Brad Mills / General Luke / Crucifixion; Discipleship / Luke 9:21–27 Luke continues his orderly account of the ministry of Jesus providing his readers with a certainty about the truth of the apostles’ teaching. This purpose heightens the need to be clear and honest about the challenges they would face living in a culture that was oftentimes hostile towards Christianity. Jesus never minimized the cost of discipleship in order to win more followers. He was…
“He Is Coming!” (Revelation 1:7-11)
He Is Coming! Brad Mills / General Revelation / %SecondComing / Revelation 1:7–11 John’s reliance upon Daniel is consistent in this opening section and throughout Revelation. He seems to have seen a similar situation between Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon during Daniel’s time, and first century believers living in Asia Minor and experiencing an escalating Roman persecution. In both ages, believers needed to be encouraged to persevere. They would’ve been feeling anxious about what the future held.…
“Four Major Views of the Millennium – 6” (Revelation 20:1-6)
Four Major Views of the Millennium – 6 Four Major Views of the Millennium – 6 Brad Mills / General Revelation 20:1–6 Critique of Dispensational Premillennialism 1. The Second Coming is not separated into two phases: Christ’s “coming” (parousia) is associated with the rapture (1 Thess. 4:15), Christ’s return with the saints (1 Thess. 3:13), and Christ’s defeat of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:8). Christ’s “revelation” (apokalypsis) is associated with the rapture (1 Cor. 1:7) and his coming in…
“Who is Jesus?” (Luke 9:18-20)
Who Is Jesus? Brad Mills / General Luke / Confession / Luke 9:18–20 In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes the argument that Jesus could not merely be a “good moral teacher” as many often claim. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be…
“Greeting to the Seven Churches” (Revelation 1:4-8)
Greeting to the Seven Churches Greeting to the Seven Churches Brad Mills / General Revelation / Revelation 1:4–8 John’s prologue set the stage for the symbolic language of Revelation. It was given to show the Church “things that must soon take place” (1). The events described in Revelation were about to begin at that time. However, spiritual warfare fills the present age. The vision held immediate relevance, even though not everything described occurred immediately. Jesus received the revelation and…
“Four Major Views of the Millennium – 5”
Four Major Views of the Millennium – 5 Lecture 5: Dispensational Premillennialism Dispensationalism and Eschatology Definition: Christ’s second coming not only occurs before (pre) his earthly MR, but a secret rapture of the Church takes place prior to the Great Tribulation. The promises made to the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament are, for the most part, reserved for fulfillment during the MR: Isa. 65:17-25 This passage describes the new heavens and the new earth (17) where we will…