This month’s Pastor’s notes were taken from: R.C. Sproul, “Before the Face of God: Book 3: A Daily Guide for Living from the Old Testament.”
Word and Deed Revelation
It was the third hour when they crucified him. [Mark 15:25]. Read Mark 15:16-39 Radical liberal theologians such as Rudolph Bultmann maintain that Scripture is not revelation—that neither words nor nature reveal God. We must look to wordless “encounters” or mystical experiences.
This is far removed from the multifaceted biblical concept of revelation. God reveals himself in many ways. First, let us focus on the necessary relationship between God’s acts and God’s words. Perhaps the best illustration of this relationship is the crucifixion of Christ, which surely is the central event of history. But what do we know about this event? What does it mean? Here is a Jew being crucified outside Jerusalem. How would you interpret this event? How does the Man on the center cross differ from those crucified on either side of him? Does his death differ from theirs?
The Roman interpretation is that this man has been charged, probably falsely, with insurrection. To prevent trouble, however, they will play along with the Jewish leaders. The Jewish Sanhedrin is partly concerned that this Man’s teaching will bring down Roman wrath upon Israel. They also are infuriated by his claims to be God in flesh. One thief ridicules him as deluded; the other grasps at the chance to enter into God’s kingdom. All of these perspectives interpret the event. Not all can be correct.
New Testament writings provide the true interpretation of this event. The New Testament says this Man was God incarnate, the promised Messiah. His death effected cosmic redemption. The New Testament writers and their believing readers based this interpretation on writings in the Old Testament that predicted and explained these events. Into the second century of the church, the primary defense of the faith was made by appealing to predictive Old Testament prophecy. Events without interpretive words are meaningless.
Coram Deo (“before the face of God”)
The primary defense of the faith continues to be based upon Scripture. If the Bible’s authority is undermined and inspiration denied, then all certainty is destroyed. Without a sure word from God, our hope of salvation is merely wish projection. Settle the question of scriptural authority or you will never have the assurance of salvation.
For further study: Psalm 119:49–64; Revelation 22:12–19 ... See MoreSee Less
This month’s Pastor’s notes were taken from: R.C. Sproul, “Before the Face of God: Book 3: A Daily Guide for Living from the Old Testament.”
Jesus in the Old Testament
What you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. [Acts 17:23b]. Read Acts 17:16-31.
An understanding of the Old Testament is absolutely necessary to a full understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. American church culture breeds spurious “Christian” conversions because of its impoverished understanding of Scripture and its incessant appeal to emotions.
You may have had a conversion experience, but be careful: You might know very little about the real Jesus and his saving love. What you consider a conversion experience may not be centered in the Christ of the Bible. Some are converted into a group with a particular lifestyle, a dynamic spirit, or an acceptance they feel lacking from others. Some are converted to friends, not Jesus.
If you have read the entire New Testament but have never read the Old Testament, chances are that you know precious little of Jesus Christ. No matter how many times you approach the text asking the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind and heart—without studying the Old Testament, you cannot possibly understand the New Testament Jesus.
Jesus’ comes to us against the backdrop of the redemptive history of the Old Testament. Those events foreshadow the meaning of the events of Jesus’ life. God used the lives and roles of kings, prophets, judges, priests, and patriarchs to teach about the coming Christ. Their sinful efforts looked forward to the perfect that was displayed in the person of Jesus.
The Old Testament shows how God cultivated the world, making it ripe for Jesus to confront the mightiest humanistic empire the world had ever seen, showing himself to be not only the true Patriarch, Judge, and King, but also the true World Emperor. All the New Testament imagery used to describe Jesus is taken directly from the Old Testament.
Coram Deo (“before the face of God”)
No wonder the first converts from Judaism found delight in Christ’s fulfillment of all that had been spoken of him in the Old Testament Scriptures. Because they were thoroughly immersed in the Scriptures, their capacity to love and delight in him was enlarged. Ask God to produce a similar delight in you. How is Jesus like an Old Testament king? A priest? A patriarch? Record your answer where you can review it later. ... See MoreSee Less
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Pastor’s notes for 17 May 2026
This month’s Pastor’s notes were taken from: R.C. Sproul, “Before the Face of God: Book 3: A Daily Guide for Living from the Old Testament.”
Word and Deed Revelation
It was the third hour when they crucified him. [Mark 15:25]. Read Mark 15:16-39
Radical liberal theologians such as Rudolph Bultmann maintain that Scripture is not revelation—that neither words nor nature reveal God. We must look to wordless “encounters” or mystical experiences.
This is far removed from the multifaceted biblical concept of revelation. God reveals himself in many ways. First, let us focus on the necessary relationship between God’s acts and God’s words. Perhaps the best illustration of this relationship is the crucifixion of Christ, which surely is the central event of history. But what do we know about this event? What does it mean? Here is a Jew being crucified outside Jerusalem. How would you interpret this event? How does the Man on the center cross differ from those crucified on either side of him? Does his death differ from theirs?
The Roman interpretation is that this man has been charged, probably falsely, with insurrection. To prevent trouble, however, they will play along with the Jewish leaders. The Jewish Sanhedrin is partly concerned that this Man’s teaching will bring down Roman wrath upon Israel. They also are infuriated by his claims to be God in flesh. One thief ridicules him as deluded; the other grasps at the chance to enter into God’s kingdom. All of these perspectives interpret the event. Not all can be correct.
New Testament writings provide the true interpretation of this event. The New Testament says this Man was God incarnate, the promised Messiah. His death effected cosmic redemption. The New Testament writers and their believing readers based this interpretation on writings in the Old Testament that predicted and explained these events. Into the second century of the church, the primary defense of the faith was made by appealing to predictive Old Testament prophecy. Events without interpretive words are meaningless.
Coram Deo (“before the face of God”)
The primary defense of the faith continues to be based upon Scripture. If the Bible’s authority is undermined and inspiration denied, then all certainty is destroyed. Without a sure word from God, our hope of salvation is merely wish projection. Settle the question of scriptural authority or you will never have the assurance of salvation.
For further study: Psalm 119:49–64; Revelation 22:12–19 ... See MoreSee Less
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Why did God reject Saul but choose David? In 1 Samuel 16 we see the contrast between outward appearance and the heart, the hidden value of “keeping the sheep,” and the danger of continually resisting God. Before David became king, God was shaping him in the quiet places no one else valued.
#1Samuel16 #David #Saul #Obedience #Humility #HeartOfGod #Shepherd #WaitingOnGod #ChristianLiving #OldTestamentSermon ... See MoreSee Less
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Pastor’s notes for 10 May 2026
This month’s Pastor’s notes were taken from: R.C. Sproul, “Before the Face of God: Book 3: A Daily Guide for Living from the Old Testament.”
Jesus in the Old Testament
What you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. [Acts 17:23b]. Read Acts 17:16-31.
An understanding of the Old Testament is absolutely necessary to a full understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. American church culture breeds spurious “Christian” conversions because of its impoverished understanding of Scripture and its incessant appeal to emotions.
You may have had a conversion experience, but be careful: You might know very little about the real Jesus and his saving love. What you consider a conversion experience may not be centered in the Christ of the Bible. Some are converted into a group with a particular lifestyle, a dynamic spirit, or an acceptance they feel lacking from others. Some are converted to friends, not Jesus.
If you have read the entire New Testament but have never read the Old Testament, chances are that you know precious little of Jesus Christ. No matter how many times you approach the text asking the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind and heart—without studying the Old Testament, you cannot possibly understand the New Testament Jesus.
Jesus’ comes to us against the backdrop of the redemptive history of the Old Testament. Those events foreshadow the meaning of the events of Jesus’ life. God used the lives and roles of kings, prophets, judges, priests, and patriarchs to teach about the coming Christ. Their sinful efforts looked forward to the perfect that was displayed in the person of Jesus.
The Old Testament shows how God cultivated the world, making it ripe for Jesus to confront the mightiest humanistic empire the world had ever seen, showing himself to be not only the true Patriarch, Judge, and King, but also the true World Emperor. All the New Testament imagery used to describe Jesus is taken directly from the Old Testament.
Coram Deo (“before the face of God”)
No wonder the first converts from Judaism found delight in Christ’s fulfillment of all that had been spoken of him in the Old Testament Scriptures. Because they were thoroughly immersed in the Scriptures, their capacity to love and delight in him was enlarged. Ask God to produce a similar delight in you. How is Jesus like an Old Testament king? A priest? A patriarch? Record your answer where you can review it later. ... See MoreSee Less
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