By Mark Scott Love and forgiveness are inextricably linked. The reason that God forgives so well is because his love is ginormous. Love without forgiveness is only academic. Forgiveness without love is hypocritical. In Luke 7 we move from the amazing faith of the centurion (vv. 1-10) to the shameless faith of the penitent woman […]
By Dr. Mark Scott How can an all-knowing God be amazed at anything? Scripture affirms that Jesus was amazed—we are told of two examples in his ministry. Once he was amazed at belief (today’s passage and the parallel text in Matthew 8:10), and once he was amazed at unbelief (Mark 6:6). Our lesson concerns the […]
By Dr. Mark Scott Our celebrations of Easter can be pretty bland. Easter eggs, chocolate, and lilies are not very threatening. But the first Easter was scary. If Jesus was alive, then life could not continue as usual. The resurrection is a historical fact. Faith in the resurrected Jesus begins with the acceptance of eyewitness […]
By Dr. Mark Scott A common struggle we face is consistent faith. On Palm Sunday the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). But by Friday they shouted, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:14). Peter (and the other disciples) had that same struggle. His life did not match […]
By Dr. Mark Scott Affluenza complicates simple faith. Affluenza is a sickness caused by too many material possessions. While everything created by God is good (2 Timothy 4:4), and while God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), there probably is such a thing as too much. The […]
