Modern sensitivities would want to shape Christianity into a bloodless code of morality. The Bible prohibits it. Christianity is founded upon, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." Listen as Dr. John teaches about the necessity of not just Jesus' death, but the shedding of His blood. By that sacrifice, we are forgiven. Jes…

It is readily granted that resurrection sounds too good to be true! In fact, alive from the dead can sound like a fable. But it is no fable. Dr. John walks us through the undeniable evidence for Jesus' resurrection. From the fact of an empty tomb. testimony of eye witnesses and the life changing impact upon believers, the evidence of Jesus' resurre…

Distract. Deny. Desensitize. These are the ways many cope with guilt and shame. On our own, we have no remedy to silence our guilty conscience except distract, deny, desensitize. But God has the answer. Today, Dr. John teaches on the grace of a clear, cleansed conscience. It is found in the sufficiency of Jesus. Jesus, Our Sacrifice: The God of pro…

We are quick to criticize the old once something new arrives. The new car reminds us of how antiquated our old car was! From Hebrews 9, Dr. John teaches on the value of the old covenant, even when the new one has come. The first covenant proclaimed that our sin creates a barrier between us and a holy God. That distance can only be crossed by God's …

A covenant is a promise. It is the assurance of what will be. So why did God give two covenants to His people, the "Old and the New?" Dr. John teaches from Hebrews 8 to compare the covenants God has made. The new covenant is not a changing of purpose or a contradiction of the old. The covenant made by Jesus in His blood fulfills and enlarges what G…

Every collector knows that the real item is of more value than a copy of it. The book of Hebrews repeats this central truth. The priestly ministry of sacrifices in an earthly sanctuary are symbols that point to the ultimate ministry of Jesus for us all. Dr. John reminds us that symbols are worthy only if they point us to what is real - the full and…

To understand the forest, you can't go tree by tree. Trees vary in size, colour, and structure. Is the forest filled with contradictions? Of course not. We understand the whole by the particulars and the particulars by the whole. The same is true of Bible teaching. We need to understand the specifics by understanding the whole of Scripture. Dr. Joh…

It is said that the best way to discern counterfeit currency is to be very familiar with what real currency looks like. If you know the genuine, the false is readily identified. If we are to recognize Bible teaching that is false or imbalanced, we need to be personally familiar with the Scriptures. Today Dr. John calls us to a personal commitment o…

Today’s society seems to be driven by polls. Decisions and direction are determined by the voice of the majority. Polls set political agenda, marketing strategy and community development. But polls must not determine Biblical teaching. Dr. John reminds us that Bible teaching tied to the voice of a generation will become dated. The truth of God's Wo…

Some approach the Bible like a set of instructions for life, emphasizing what we should do. We ought to obey the 10 commandments, slay the Goliaths of our life and remain as faithful as Daniel. Their instruction focuses on our efforts and abilities. But the Bible is about God's grace rather than our efforts. Dr. John reminds us that good Bible teac…

If a love letter is all about the thoughts and feelings of the author, you may wonder if the letter is misguided. Shouldn't the letter be about the beloved? Much of today's Bible teaching is like that. Sermons are filled with our own concerns and problems. But shouldn't Bible teaching be about God? Today Dr. John reminds us that Bible teaching you …

Psalm 22 was written by David to convey a struggling time in his life. We can identify with his words when we too encounter troubles. Today Dr. John reminds us that the ultimate subject of this Psalm is Jesus Christ. The sufferings of Jesus become not simply a means of sympathy for us, but the deliverance from sin, over death, for all eternity. He …

It's hard to imagine that our difficult times can become a cause of encouragement for others. Yet, you know that it is true. The story of God's deliverance for us becomes hope and joy to those who hear. Listen as Dr. John teaches on David's experience. He was isolated in trouble, but shared God's rescue as cause for community celebration. Never Alo…

The world can be a dangerous place. There are dangers we see and try to avoid. There are unseen dangers that we are susceptible to because of our ignorance. In Psalm 22 David sees that he is surrounded by enemies like bulls and lions - powerful, terrifying. He calls to God for deliverance. Listen as Dr. John teaches that despite our vulnerable plac…

To be forsaken is bad. To be betrayed is worse. In Psalm 22 David thinks of those that have turned their backs to him. They have treated him as if he was valueless. But since God created him, David has value before God. Dr. John reminds each of us that regardless of how others treat us, we find our hope and approval in God. Never Alone: Isolation i…

Psalm 22 is a song about suffering unjustly. It tells the experience of King David. It points to the innocent suffering of Jesus. Perhaps it echoes your own experience. Today, Dr. John begins to unpack this song and reminds each of us that we are not alone. Our pains may tell us that God is distant. Our faith whispers that He is near. Never Alone: …

It is readily granted that resurrection sounds too good to be true! In fact, alive from the dead can sound like a fable. But it is no fable. Dr. John walks us through the undeniable evidence for Jesus' resurrection. From the fact of an empty tomb. testimony of eye witnesses and the life changing impact upon believers, the evidence of Jesus' resurre…

Death is the inevitability that we all must face. We may try to delay it with healthy regiments and medical procedures - but death arrives for everyone. We are powerless before it. Jesus is not. His resurrection is a victory cry over the grave. Today Dr. John reminds us that while death visits everyone, at His second coming Jesus shares His victory…

Corruption and decay are laws of this world. A tree grows, falls and turns back to the earth. Time brings a decline to everything and everyone that ends in death. That is the natural order. But resurrection is supernatural. Dr. John teaches on God's great reversal of what has always been. Corruption becomes incorruptible. Weakness becomes power. De…

It's understandable that some of the Corinthians had questions about the resurrection, even as we do. Paul taught the certainty of physical resurrection both for Jesus and us. Despite the clarity of this truth, some mystery remains. Dr. John teaches of three metaphors Paul uses to describe the resurrection. A seed and a plant. The variety of life o…

Resurrection is an event of the past. It also points to our eternal future. But what implication does it have for the present? What difference does the resurrection make for the now? Today Dr. John points to implications of the resurrection for our moral lives. We will find both motivation and hope for godly living. Without the resurrection, we mig…

We are not simply products of our past. We are shaped by our future. The hope of the resurrection impacts our living today. It grants courage and perseverance to battle for God's Kingdom in the now. It offers comfort and confidence through the victory of our Lord. It assures us that death itself will be defeated for us all. The Resurrection: Like C…

It would not be hard to convince someone about the certainty of death. It is all around us and undeniable. Paul uses the reality of death passed to all humanity from Adam as certainty of the resurrection promised us in Jesus Christ. All in Jesus Christ will be raised. The Resurrection: Like Christmas, our society has added cultural symbols to Easte…

Do you believe in life after death? If so, what type of life do we have after death? As Paul responds to the questions and misunderstandings among the Corinthians about the resurrection, he focuses on the fact of physical resurrection. Listen as Dr. John offers seven reasons why physical resurrection is necessary for Jesus Christ and our own hope. …

If a confused hiker who has lost his way starts wandering down every path, they are likely to get more lost. It is better to get your bearings and stand on what you know. Then you can find your way. Today Dr. John teaches on the bearings Paul reminded the Corinthians of. Jesus' death. Eyewitnesses to His resurrection. The transformation of His foll…

Before Paul begins to explain the resurrection to the Corinthians, he focuses on the death of Jesus Christ. It stands to reason. There can't be a resurrection unless there is a death. But Paul wants the Corinthians to grip the importance of Jesus' death - in fact it is of first importance. Listen as Dr. John speaks of the penal, substitutionary ato…

If Hebrews is written to persuade Christian Jews to not return to Judaic ways, what is its relevance to us? While many references to the priesthood of the Old Testament may seem opaque to us, this truth stands. We all need a Priest to intercede for us. Jesus is our High Priest who ushers us before the Father. Listen as Dr. John teaches why Jesus is…

Given a choice, we would prefer the convenience of cell phones instead of looking for a phone booth. We are glad that electric lights have replaced kerosene lamps. That which is obsolete ceases to be necessary or helpful. The Judaic priesthood ended in 70 AD with the destruction of the temple. Dr. John explains that the imperfect passes so the perf…

People may cheer for the same team year after year, despite a consistent losing record. You may applaud their consistency, but the fact is, they never taste victory. Today Dr. John speaks of the Priesthood of Jesus, after the order of Melchizedek, doing what the priesthood of Aaron could never do. The superior has surpassed the inferior. The eterna…

Hebrews establishes that Jesus is our Great High Priest. But there are some questions the readers need addressed. Jesus was not from the tribe of Levi, but of Judah. How could Jesus be a High Priest when He was not from the priestly tribe? Hebrews points to a different order of priests - the priesthood of Melchizedek. Who was he? Dr. John explains …

What's the ground on which hope stands? Is it a natural sunny disposition? Is hope the product of a "charmed life" or reading the circumstances around you in the best light possible? If hope is simply an expression of optimism, then those foundations may last for a while and for a few. Today Dr. John teaches on the sure grounding for hope for all b…

Many times, we are attracted to bad news. We listen to the whisper of our fears. Having heard the warning of apostacy in Hebrews, now we are consumed by worry that we might fall away! Dr. John speaks of hope in place of fear. The warnings of God are not ignored, but the grace of His hand is greater than the sum of our fears. We are held in the grip…

We are surrounded by warnings. We are warned not to eat detergent pods, not to crank the volume on our ear buds, not to drive drowsy. There are so many warnings, we become immune to them. That is a problem. Dr. John points to a warning in Hebrews that can't be ignored. We disregard it to the detriment of our soul. The warning is both a caution and …

Not everyone who begins a journey completes it. Not everyone who progresses through school matures. Growth is a sign of health. Not growing suggests a problem. Today, Dr. John points to the admonition of Hebrews that our spiritual appetites ought to move from milk to solid food. Stagnation and complacency are not the design God has for us. Jesus, O…

Jesus is our King, Prophet and Priest. He has the power to rule, the authority to speak and the grace to intercede for us all. Today Dr. John reminds us that Jesus' role as High Priest was a calling from the Father and that Jesus embraced the office through painful obedience. He did not resist the Father's call nor shrink from the suffering of His …

If a priest acts before God on behalf of the people, who acts on behalf of the priest? Every human priest is sinful and fallible. By the mercy of God, a sacrifice was provided annually on the Day of Atonement. Listen as Dr. John points to Jesus, our High Priest who alone is perfect and needs no sacrifice for sin. Rather, He becomes the sufficient s…

Fairy tales end with, "they lived happily ever after." But life is no fairy tale, and the ending of our days and efforts is not guaranteed to be happy. Today, Dr. John teaches on the ending of King David's reign. It is not a finale we would write. King David sins out of pride and Israel is judged by God's avenging angel. But the final scene of King…

King David had faced his share of enemies. He was battle hardened. But even all of this did not prepare him for rebellion and warfare from his own son, Absalom. There was pride and arrogance from Absalom and his advisors, which led to their downfall. But God walked King David though a period of public humility, in which he found God's grace and res…

A boy can be forgiven for throwing the rock that shatters a window - but he may still have to pay for the repair. A man can be forgiven for driving drunk and killing another driver, but he still lives with the painful consequence. King David is forgiven for his transgressions, but his actions sowed trouble in his own family. Dr. John teaches today …

If we are lost, stopping and turning in the right direction is the best course. If we are suffering from cancer, a proper diagnosis and treatment is the path to healing, even if it is hard and painful. When David was confronted with his sin, the harsh words of Nathan the prophet were key to David's restoration. Listen as Dr. John speaks on the grac…

Anyone can fall into a hidden trap. Walking through a wooded area and stepping on false ground will result in a fall. But if the danger was highlighted by signs and marked by ropes, it would be foolish to ignore the warnings and step over the rope. That's what David does. Dr. John points to the steps David took and the warnings he ignored as he gaz…

A Kingdom cannot simply be declared, it must be won. There are dangers within and without for every kingdom. Today Dr. John teaches about David's actions meant to ensure the Kingdom is firm. We find the actions of a warrior against enemy threats. We also find the actions of a friend who deals compassionately with the descendants of Saul and Jonatha…

The leader of a nation usually dwells in its capital city. King David built his home in Jerusalem. But he wanted to do more. David wanted to build a house for God. He was not commanded to do so, but the King's heart moved his plans. Listen as Dr. John speaks on God's response to the intention of David. When David wanted to do something for God, God…

Jerusalem has been a global focus for three millennium. How did this city capture the attentions of Kings, nations, and countless devotees? Dr. John traces the plans and actions of David as Israel’s new King. King David would make this place more than a national center. It would be a city for God's dwelling. Jesus would walk upon its streets. Life …

David's transition from military hero to King was not smooth. As one might expect, there were threats to his rise, competition from enemies and warfare among his followers and those still loyal to king Saul. Listen as Dr. John traces not just the events of David's ultimate crowning as King, but his response to those who opposed him. You will see gl…

We tend to have binary thinking, that is, we prefer "either or" categories. Today's weather is sunny or showers; we can deal with either, but the partly sunny and partly rainy forecast is harder to prepare for. What we do with the weather, we do with people. As Dr. John begins this series on King David, he reminds us that David cannot be categorize…

Prayer is a means of grace. We find the favour and blessings of God not simply in the answers to our prayer, but in our praying. Today, Dr. John offers some practical insights to support and guide our personal, private times of prayer. These are places of grace. The Adventure of Prayer: Prayer. What is it? Why is it important? How should we actuall…

If prayer is a communication of heart, then the question of "will" becomes important. We want something when we pray; but we pray to our Father of infinite wisdom, and His will steers the course of history. Today Dr. John speaks of the interplay of "will" when we pray. Clearly, we do not receive everything we want - unless what we want is God's wil…

When you pray, who are you talking to? The obvious answer is God of course! But there is a theological framework at play in our prayers. Dr. John teaches today that our prayers are rightly addressed to the Father by the agency of the Son through the enablement of the Spirit. So, as our prayers are heard and answered, there is a Trinitarian response…

A well-known commercial for cell phones repeats the line, "Can you hear me now?" It is also echoed by believers when they address the throne of God. How can we be certain God is listening to our prayers? Dr. John teaches on the confidence for every praying believer. Our hope is not in our worthy life or eloquent words. We are heard because of Jesus…