The Life & Ministry of Jesus¶
We've crafted an unofficial, source-cited, non-commercial index of Dr. R.C. Sproul's publicly available teachings, weighted by how many independent sources corroborate each point. The content is authored by Dr. R.C. Sproul and published by Ligonier Ministries (a few items are third-party YouTube re-uploads); see the Methodology & Rights page for more info. Quotations are brief, linked to their source, and reproduced for study under Ligonier's Copyright Policy (ligonier.org/copyright-policy). This site is humbly offered for personal use only, out of love and respect, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ligonier Ministries or St. Andrew's Chapel.
425 positions — 26 corroborated across multiple sources.
Well-attested positions¶
Independently stated in two or more of his messages.
The primary purpose of miracles in the Apostolic age was to signify the breakthrough of the kingdom of God and authenticate the agents of revelation.
The purpose of the signs of the Apostolic age was to signify the breakthrough of the kingdom of God. Most importantly, the miracles were to signify the agents of revelation that God had set apart to proclaim these things, just as Moses was given the power to perform miracles so that his credentials would authenticate that he was speaking for God.
Corroborated across 6 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:38 · Healing & Preaching (Ligonier) · A House Divided (Ligonier) · From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier) · The Sending of the Disciples (Ligonier) · Rebirth (Ligonier)
Jesus demonstrated that his teaching was not self-generated but was given by the Father.
For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Church‘s One Foundation (Ligonier article) · Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
A miracle, in the narrow sense, is defined as an extraordinary work in the external perceivable world against the laws of nature, performed by the immediate power of God.
a miracle is defined as a work that occurs in the external perceivable world; an extraordinary work in the external perceivable world against the laws of nature, by the immediate power of God; a work that only God can do, such as bringing life out of death, such as, restoring a limb that has been cut off—by command—such as, walking on the water, such as, turning water into wine.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Does R.C. Sproul Believe in Miracles? (Ligonier article) · Healing & Preaching (Ligonier)
God is still alive and working today, answering prayers and healing people, even if the specific, narrow miracles have ceased.
God's still alive, He's still working; He's still answering prayers in an amazing way. I've seen marvelous answers to prayers, I've seen people healed of so called terminal illnesses, I just have never seen anybody raised out of the cemetery, or an arm that is severed grow back, or a preacher walk on the water, or water turned into wine.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Does R.C. Sproul Believe in Miracles? (Ligonier article) · Healing & Preaching (Ligonier)
God is the ultimate source of increase and effect in ministry, regardless of whether the preachers see the results of their work.
Context: Quoting Paul (1 Cor. 3:7)
Or they need to listen to Paul when he says, “Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase”(1 Cor. 3:7).
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Eternal Significance of the Infinitely Insignificant (Ligonier article) · The Coming of the Kingdom (Ligonier article)
The parable of the sower is unique because Jesus provides an allegorical interpretation of it, unlike most of his parables.
But in this case, when Jesus gives His interpretation of the parable He taught, He gives it allegorically.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Many Hear the Gospel with Joy but Don’t Continue in the Faith (Ligonier article) · The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
God is the ultimate and best teacher because He teaches from eternity and omniscience.
God, of course, is the best teacher. Why? Because He instructs us from the perspective of eternity and from the riches of His omniscience.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Role of Experience (Ligonier article) · What is the Role of Experience in the Christian Life? (Ligonier article)
The Holy Spirit leads believers to holiness, and any experience contradicting biblical teaching cannot originate from Him.
But Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit leads us to holiness, not to sin, and if the Spirit inspired the Scriptures, any experience we have that suggests we can go against biblical teaching cannot be from Him.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Role of Experience (Ligonier article) · What is the Role of Experience in the Christian Life? (Ligonier article)
The healing of the blind man serves as a parallel illustration of the Christian's spiritual renewal and progress.
But it serves us well as a parallel of spiritual renewal.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Tender Grace (Ligonier article) · The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
When healing the blind man, Jesus took him by the hand and led him out of the town, which was unusual because typically he heals openly in public.
In this case, they say, “Jesus, touch the man.” They are asking for a healing touch, but instead He takes the blind man by the hand.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Tender Grace (Ligonier article) · The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
Only God has the power to bring life out of death, and only God empowers agents of revelation to perform such miracles.
Satan cannot bring something out of nothing. Satan cannot bring life out of death. Only God can do that, and those whom He empowers to do it. Those He empowers to do it are then authenticated as agents of revelation.
Corroborated across 2 sources: What Does “Ex Nihilo” Mean? (Ligonier article) · From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that the Bible does not teach the universal fatherhood of God or the universal brotherhood of man.
I mean, how many thousands of times in your lifetime have you heard that said? Universal fatherhood of God, universal brotherhood of man, we're all brothers and sisters and so on. It's not the language of Scripture.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 16:26 · R.C. Sproul @ 4:35
Jesus explicitly taught his disciples that no man can come to him unless it is given to him by the Father.
Jesus says to his disciples as part of His teaching ministry, "No man can come to Me unless it is given to him of the Father."
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:09 · R.C. Sproul @ 17:35
The signs associated with Satan are not true miracles, but rather false signs or tricks.
But how are those signs described? Lying signs and wonders. That doesn’t mean that they are true miracles performed in the service of satanic purposes. No, they are not true signs used for a bad reason. They are false signs, tricks.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:23 · A House Divided (Ligonier)
Metaphysics is not limited to academic scholars but profoundly affects how people perceive life and purpose.
Metaphysics is not simply for the ivory tower scholar or for the thinker. How we perceive metaphysics, how we perceive being, and how we perceive purpose touches the very heart of our lives.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00 · R.C. Sproul @ 28:15
When on trial, Jesus stated that his mission was to bear witness to the truth.
For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 33:28 · Jesus before Pilate (Ligonier)
Moses' initial glimpse of God's glory was a reflection, while the light radiating from Christ's face at the Transfiguration was an internal, divine manifestation.
That light on the face of Moses did not come from inside of Moses. It was reflected glory, reflected by having been in the presence of God. The next time we see something like is at the Mount of Transfiguration, where Christ was transfigured. The light that radiated from His garments and face was not a reflection from outside, but it came from within, as for a moment the divine burst through the veil of the human.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 5:33 · Stephen on Trial (Ligonier)
Jesus demonstrated the authority to forgive sins by performing a miracle and subsequently healing a paralytic.
where Jesus declared that, as the Son of Man, He had the authority to forgive sins on the earth.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Authority to Forgive (Ligonier) · The Call of Levi (Ligonier)
Andrew's ministry was characterized by his consistent action of bringing people to Jesus.
Every time we find Andrew in the New Testament, we find him bringing people to Jesus.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Discipleship (Ligonier) · The Twelve Apostles (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The healing power demonstrated was not due to the Apostles' own strength or godliness, but was done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
But while you are marveling, you look at us as if we had the power or godliness to give this man his strength. The implication is: “It would be amazing if I could say, ‘Rise up and walk,’ by virtue of my own strength or godliness. Then there would be reason for amazement and astonishment. But none of you should be amazed at what you just witnessed had you noticed that when we raised this man, we did it in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: Healing at the Gate Beautiful (Ligonier) · Peter's Second Speech (Ligonier)
The miracles recorded in the New Testament served to authenticate the spokesmen for God, confirming they were sent from God.
The higher point of the miracles we find in the New Testament was to authenticate the spokesmen for God, that they were sent from God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Healing & Preaching (Ligonier) · The Great Commission (Ligonier)
Paul's ministry was authenticated by the power of the Spirit of God, which accompanied his preaching throughout various regions.
Paul references the mighty signs and wonders that accompanied his ministry by the power of the Spirit of God. Again, these were not by Paul’s inherent power, but “by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier) · Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
Jesus' ministry fulfilled the prophetic mission of the Messiah, which the people of Israel had been anticipating for generations.
The people of this nation have been reading that prophetic agenda for hundreds and hundreds of years. The people of Israel have been waiting generation after generation for the Lord’s anointed, the Lord’s deliverer, the Lord’s conqueror to come. Today, He is here, right now.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier) · John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Satan is merely a creature and, therefore, cannot perform genuine miracles because only God possesses divine power.
Satan does not have divine power. Satan is a creature. He may be stronger than we are, but he cannot do the things that only God can do.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Unpardonable Sin (Ligonier) · Rebirth (Ligonier)
The Bible does not teach the universal brotherhood of man, but rather the universal neighborhood of man.
I have to keep repeating that the Bible nowhere teaches the universal brotherhood of man. The brotherhood is something special in Scripture. It is the situation enjoyed by all that share the same elder brother, namely, Jesus Christ, who is the only begotten Son of the Father.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Ligonier) · Put on Christ (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but rather so that the world might be saved through Him.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Rebirth (Ligonier) · The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
Further positions¶
Drawn from a single high-trust (official transcript) source.
Jacob sent Joseph on a significant journey from the Valley of Hebron to Shechem, which was intended to allow Jacob to obtain a report regarding his sons and the flock.
Here, we are told that Jacob sent Joseph from the Valley of Hebron to Shechem, which was a distance of about forty miles. For a teenage boy living during this time, traveling alone was quite a journey. There was no train to ride, and he would risk encountering bandits and other dangers. We can see why Jacob would be interested in hearing from his sons. Since they were so far away, Jacob couldn’t receive regular updates from them. By sending Joseph, Jacob could obtain a report regarding the brothers and the flock.
Source: A Sin Concealed (Ligonier article)
Jesus was put to death because he was sent on a mission by his Father.
Jesus was put to death because He was sent on a mission by His Father.
Source: A Sin Concealed (Ligonier article)
Believers must reject teachings that suggest they cannot live pleasing lives without the help of a deliverance minister.
It is surely unbiblical to teach that we cannot lead lives pleasing to God unless some so-called expert on deliverance comes to our side.
Source: Are We Too Concerned with Demons? (Ligonier article)
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that during the Mass, the substance of the bread and wine miraculously changes into the body and blood of Christ, while the external qualities remain the same.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
By use of this terminology, the Roman Catholic Church teaches the miracle of the Mass, in which the substance of the bread and wine that is used in the Lord’s Supper is miraculously changed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ.
Source: The Battle for the Table (Ligonier article)
The promise of future vision of God is itself an agent that begins the process of purification in the soul right now.
Context: Quoting John (likely John's Gospel or Epistles).
John said that even the promise of this future vision works to begin our purification right now.
Source: Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Shall See God (Ligonier article)
Kant argued that human methods of knowing cannot extend beyond the physical world into the realm of God.
Kant maintained that our normal methods of knowing man never take us beyond the limits of this world and into the realm of God.
Source: The Christian and Science (Ligonier article)
Christ's work of salvation extended beyond the cross, including his ascension and ongoing reign.
He was raised for our justification, and then He ascended into heaven, where He is seated at God’s right hand, where He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords, governing creation and ruling His church (Acts 2:33; Rom. 4:23–25; 1 Cor. 15:25).
Source: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article)
The Reformation spread through multiple channels, including the printing press, music, religious drama, and fine arts.
The printing press made it possible for Luther to spread his ideas through the many books that he published, not to mention his tracts, confessions, catechisms, pamphlets, and cartoons (one of the most dramatic means of communication to the common people of the day was through messages encrypted in cartoons).
Source: Crossing the Channel (Ligonier article)
Paul acknowledged that while remaining on earth was necessary for ministry, departing to be with Christ was far better.
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account
Source: Fear and Uncertainty (Ligonier article)
Anyone who has not been covered by the righteousness of Christ lives every breath under the curse of God.
I know that every person who has not been covered by the righteousness of Christ draws every breath under the curse of God.
Source: Forsaken: Jesus Became A Curse (Ligonier article)
Christ's metaphor emphasizes that spiritual productivity requires continuous connection to Him, not just occasional visits.
If we want to be productive, we cannot simply visit Jesus every now and then. We need to abide in Him.
Source: The Fullness of Joy (Ligonier article)
The glory surrounding the angelic visitor was not the angel's own, but rather a visible divine radiance signifying God's divine mode of being.
The angelic visitor was surrounded by the glory of God. The glory was shining. This glory did not belong to the angel himself. It was God’s glory, signifying His divine mode of being.
Source: The Glory of Christmas (Ligonier article)
God often calls people inwardly by giving them gifts and talents, rather than always through dramatic, specific external events.
Instead, He usually calls us inwardly and by means of giving us the gifts and talents and aspirations that we have. His invisible sovereign will is certainly working in the background to prepare us for useful tasks in His vineyard.
Source: God’s Will and Your Job (Ligonier article)
Sproul rejects the idea that modern people or even the apostles could perform miracles or works that exceeded those performed by Jesus.
I can't think of any more serious delusion than that, that somebody would actually think they have exceeded Jesus in terms of the works He has done. There's nobody who comes close to the work that Jesus did.
Source: What Did Jesus Mean When He Said We Would Do Greater Work Than He Did? (Ligonier article)
The commission to preach the gospel and heal the sick belongs to all members of the church today.
Of course, the commission to go out with the message about Christ now belongs to all of the church, and so this warning applies to each one of us.
Source: The Greatest Joy (Ligonier article)
The success of ministry, such as seeing the power of Christ, is a source of elation, but it is not the ultimate basis for joy.
So, they were filled with elation because of two things—success and power.
Source: The Greatest Joy (Ligonier article)
The doctrine of hell is primarily derived from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Almost all the biblical teaching about hell comes from the lips of Jesus.
Source: What Is Hell? (Ligonier article)
The spread of the Reformation was not solely due to the efforts of a single theological figure, but involved multiple means and centers.
The rapid spread of the Protestant Reformation from Wittenberg, Germany, throughout Europe and across the Channel to England was not spawned by the efforts of a globe-trotting theological entrepreneur.
Source: How the Reformation Spread (Ligonier article)
Christ's life and ministry progress from humiliation in His birth to His exaltation in His resurrection and return.
The progress, as the New Testament traces it, is one that moves from humiliation in the birth of Jesus to His exaltation in His resurrection, ascension, and return.
Source: Humiliation to Exaltation (Ligonier article)
No earthly or supernatural power, including angels or forces of nature, has the ability to sever believers from the love of God in Christ.
Not even the angels have the power to wrest us from the love of God in Christ. There is no clear and present danger nor future threat that has the power to divide us from Him.
Source: The Inseparable Love of God (Ligonier article)
Jesus used specific phrases and code words in his parables to communicate powerful spiritual truths to his audience.
Jesus’ parables used certain phrases and code words that communicated in subtly powerful ways to His audiences.
Source: 4 Interpretive Guidelines for Understanding Jesus' Parables (Ligonier article)
Jesus reserved his wrath and anger for those in positions of power and authority, while remaining tender with the broken and downtrodden.
He always seemed to save His anger for those who really should have known better and who were in positions of power and authority. So there is a place and a time and a way for Christians to reflect the anger of Christ in a righteous way.
Source: Is It OK to Be Angry? (Ligonier article)
Jesus' mission was to act as the Substitute, doing for humanity what they could not do for themselves.
He came from heaven as the gift of the Father for the express purpose of working out redemption as our Substitute, doing for us what we could not possibly do for ourselves.
Source: Jesus, Our Substitute (Ligonier article)
God blesses all people, including non-believers, with gifts and talents, and these gifts originate from His grace.
We can go to unbelieving medical doctors who practice their trade perhaps with a superior skill than believers. It is not simply the believer who is a gifted physician, a gifted musician, or a gifted accountant. God blesses all sorts of people with gifts and talents, and these gifts all flow from His grace.
Source: A Loving Provision (Ligonier article)
Christ's ministry includes an intercession for those whom the Father has given Him, which is reflected in the High Priestly Prayer.
Here we see in the ministry of Jesus an intercession for those whom the Father has given Him, and a taste of that type of intercession is given to us in the High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17, where Jesus prays that none whom the Father has given to Him would ever be lost.
Source: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article)
The parable of the mustard seed illustrates the greatness of God, not the physical size of the seed, showing that God can bring a kingdom from small things.
This points not to the greatness of the mustard seed but the greatness of God, who works everyday to bring about His plan for the ages.
Source: Mustard Seeds and The Greatness of God (Ligonier article)
The preacher's role is solely to be a bearer of the Word of God, not to substitute technique for substance.
He was not substituting technique for substance, but saying that the substance of the Word of God must be communicated in simple, graphic, straightforward, illustrative ways to the people of God.
Source: The Need for Illustrations in Preaching (Ligonier article)
Christ's purpose is not to provide techniques for self-improvement, but rather to work within believers to change them for God's glory.
He doesn’t come into our lives to give us special techniques to make our lives better; He works in and through us, changing us for the sake of His glory.
Source: No Shortcuts to Growth (Ligonier article)
Interpreting Paul's writings solely through the lens of rabbinic Judaism is flawed because it ignores the supreme influence of the Holy Ghost and his conversion experience with Jesus.
Paul himself claims Jesus as the supreme influence in shaping his thought, not Gamaliel or the rabbinic scholars of antiquity.
Source: Paul: A Servant of Jesus Christ (Ligonier article)
Using Paul's background as a control for his writings leads to a flawed deconstruction of his theology.
To gain insight into Paul, it may help to study his background, but when we look at that background as a control for Paul’s expression, we fall into the trap of the worst kind of deconstruction.
Source: Paul: A Servant of Jesus Christ (Ligonier article)
The speaker suggests that humans cannot find care or help from the universe or heaven, implying a source of help outside of these realms.
We cannot look above the universe or outside the universe to find someone who cares. There is nobody out there; there is nobody home in heaven.
Source: Pessimistic Existentialism (Ligonier article)
The Christian life involves awaiting the holy city and heavenly Jerusalem, which is the intended home.
We still await the holy city and heavenly Jerusalem. That is the home we were made for.
Source: A Pilgrim People (Ligonier article)
Worship can provide a glimpse of heavenly life, whether in a local church or in foreign lands.
On this side of heaven, the Lord gives us a glimpse of our heavenly home in many ways, especially when we gather for corporate worship.
Source: A Pilgrim People (Ligonier article)
Believers are spiritual pilgrims who are passing through this world, which is not their true home.
I and those peasant women were both pilgrims on our way to the heavenly country. God gives us many blessings in this world and in our earthly homes. Nevertheless, “this world is not [our] home . . . “[we’re] just a passin’ through.”
Source: A Pilgrim People (Ligonier article)
The warning about outer darkness refers to the place of the curse, where the light and radiance of God's countenance does not shine.
So when Jesus warns about the outer darkness, He’s warning about the place of the curse, the place where the light and radiance of God’s countenance does not shine.
Source: The Place of God’s Disfavor (Ligonier article)
The primary way that God's people are fed spiritually is through teaching.
The feeding of our Lord’s sheep comes principally through teaching.
Source: Preaching and Teaching (Ligonier article)
The core message of the gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, encompassing his life, death, and resurrection.
Here the focus in the preaching was on the person and work of Jesus. The gospel itself was called the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is about Him; it involves the proclamation and declaration of what He accomplished in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection.
Source: Preaching Christ (Ligonier article)
Jesus frequently addressed public issues and criticized leading authorities, not just focusing on private spiritual matters.
He was not executed because he said, "Consider the lilies, how they spin." He was executed because He said, "Consider the thieves, how they steal." Jesus took His message to the public square.
Source: Principles for Voting (Ligonier article)
All suffering in this world is temporary and will eventually be overcome by the presence of Christ.
Whatever pain we experience in this world may be acute, but it is always temporary. In every moment that we experience the anguish of suffering, there beats in our hearts the hope of heaven—that evil and pain are temporary and are under the judgment of God, the same God who gave a promise to His people that there will be a time when pain will be no more.
Source: The Problem of Pain (Ligonier article)
Paul actively worked toward his goals and was called to work out his salvation with fear and trembling, believing God works through him.
Paul actively pressed toward his goals and called us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, believing that God works in and through us to bring about His purposes (Phil. 2:12).
Source: Providence and Contentment (Ligonier article)
Paul's contentment was not a natural gift but a learned skill grounded in his union with Christ and his theology.
Note that this was something he learned. It was not a natural gifting but something he had to be taught.
Source: Providence and Contentment (Ligonier article)
At times of mission, people need an understanding of the Lord's character, not merely a promise of success.
What did they need most at a time like that? Not a promise of success—indeed, Isaiah was told that his message would harden hearts (Isa. 6:8-13). No, what they needed was an understanding of the Lord’s character.
Source: The Reformed Doctrine of God (Ligonier article)
The biblical depiction of Satan is sophisticated, showing him as a subtle, beguiling counterfeit who can appear as an 'angel of light'.
The biblical view of Satan is far more sophisticated than the caricature. The biblical images include that of an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). The “angel of light” image indicates Satan’s clever ability to manifest himself sub species boni (under the appearances of good).
Source: Satan the Proud and Powerful (Ligonier article)
Excessive focus on Satan and demons distracts believers from the central focus on Christ.
Sadly, too much concern with Satan and demons means that we focus less of our attention on Christ.
Source: Satan the Proud and Powerful (Ligonier article)
Jesus ministered among people in places of pain and suffering, rather than remaining isolated in a monastery.
Jesus did not spend His life in a monastery. He was where people were, where there was pain and suffering, because He cared about people.
Source: Self-Righteous Snobbery (Ligonier article)
He studied the concept of the holy, drawing on works by Rudolph Otto and thoughts from Mircea Eliade.
In the original series I was able to get into more detail about Rudolph Otto’s classic work on the idea of the holy and the ambivalence people have toward it—they are both repulsed and attracted. I also had a segment on holy space and holy time based largely on Hendrick Kraemer. Then, too I had some thoughts from Mircea Eliade, the anthropologist, who like Otto had studied the phenomenon of the holy in various cultures and religions.
Source: Striking a Chord in the Heart of the Believer: An Interview with R.C. Sproul (Ligonier article)
God works through human suffering for His glory and for the sanctification of His people.
When we suffer, we must trust that God knows what He is doing, and that He works in and through the pain and afflictions of His people for His glory and for their sanctification.
Source: Suffering and the Glory of God (Ligonier article)
The suffering of the man born blind was part of God's plan to display Jesus' power and divinity.
Simply put, Jesus said that the man was born blind so that Jesus might heal him at the appointed time, as a testimony to Jesus’ power and divinity.
Source: Suffering and the Glory of God (Ligonier article)
The healing described in Mark's Gospel is unusual because it occurred in two distinct stages, unlike most instantaneous miracles.
So the episode recorded in Mark’s Gospel is unusual. It records the healing of a blind man in two stages: This is a story of the power and the grace of Christ.
Source: Tender Grace (Ligonier article)
The physical healing of the man's eyes is paralleled by a deeper spiritual healing, suggesting the change of a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.
With the touch of Christ comes also the healing of the heart. His heart of stone had been changed to a heart of flesh, pulsating anew with spiritual life.
Source: Tender Grace (Ligonier article)
No human pastor or elder can care for our souls to the degree that Christ, our Bishop, does.
Although ministers and bishops are called to follow our Lord’s example, we will never have a pastor or elder who cares for our souls anywhere near the degree to which Christ, our Bishop, does.
Source: The Bishop of Our Souls (Ligonier article)
Rembrandt frequently used biblical episodes or characters as subjects for his paintings.
Rembrandt frequently used episodes from biblical history or biblical characters as subjects for his paintings. Other of his paintings include the “Descent from the Cross” and a portrait of the Apostle Paul.
Source: The Christian and Art (Ligonier article)
Ministers should not worry about seeing the immediate fruit of their service, as God works mysteriously and ultimately reaps for His own glory.
We simply need to forget about trying to see the fruit of our service immediately. It does not matter if we ever see it. We are called to take the light and let it shine, then let God do with it whatever He pleases.
Source: The Coming of the Kingdom (Ligonier article)
Dispensationalism gained significant popular support through the Bible School movement, prophecy conferences, and the preaching of figures like D.L. Moody.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
Fueled by the Bible School movement, prophecy conferences, and the preaching of men like D.L. Moody, dispensationalism gathered enormous popular support.
Source: The History of the Reformation (Ligonier article)
Christ's priestly role involves making the perfect sacrifice and continuing to intercede for believers in the heavenly holy of holies.
In his priestly role he made the perfect sacrifice, offering the perfect atonement once and for all. Yet the Cross was not the end of Christ’s priestly office. In his ascension he entered the heavenly holy of holies, and continues to act as our Great High Priest.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
When praying, one must remember that God's name is holy and that he is the source of all good things.
We must remember first and foremost that God’s name is to be kept holy. We must remember that he is the Source of our provision and that all good things come from him.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Physical touch is a vital part of ministry, mirroring Jesus' actions when healing and ministering to people.
Jesus understood the importance of touching those to whom He ministered. Very often, when He healed people, He touched them.
Source: The Sense of Touch in Worship (Ligonier article)
People desire a tender and merciful physical touch, which is a provision God has made for ministry.
People want to be touched, not in an evil sense, but in a tender and merciful sense, in a human sense. Every Christian would love to kneel in Christ’s presence, feel the touch of His hand, and hear Him say, “Your sins are forgiven” or “Be healed and go in peace.”
Source: The Sense of Touch in Worship (Ligonier article)
Christians are called to be witnesses within the world, rather than attempting to escape it.
We are called to be Christ's witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jerusalem is in this world. Judea is in this world. Samaria is in this world. The ends of the earth are still on this earth.
Source: The Theater of God's Redemption (Ligonier article)
The speaker uses the concept of an accident to introduce a deeper theological question about God's presence.
We call that an accident. I don’t think the truck driver with malice aforethought intended in his mind to ram into the side of my wife’s car with his truck. He didn’t mean to do it. And since he didn’t mean it, and my wife didn’t mean it, and no one else apparently meant it, we call it an accident.
Source: Never Safe, Always Safe: The Paradox of God’s Providence (Ligonier article)
Joseph's life demonstrates God's consistent presence with him, whether he was in slavery or in prison.
Joseph’s situation took a turn for the worse. He was thrown into prison, where his abandonment seemed to be complete and his solitude absolute—except that the Lord was with him.
Source: True Success (Ligonier article)
Although C.S. Lewis was a well-read layman, he lacked technical training in theology, leading to some lack of technical understanding in his musings.
We have to note that although a literary expert, C.S. Lewis remained a layman theologically speaking. Indeed, he was a well-read and studied layman, but he did not benefit from the skills of technical training in theology. Some of his theological musings will indicate a certain lack of technical understanding, for which he may certainly be excused.
Source: The Weight of Glory (Ligonier article)
The pastor's first responsibility is to ensure that the sheep under his care are fed, nourished, and nurtured by the whole counsel of the Word of God.
It is the first responsibility of the pastor to make sure that the sheep under his care are fed, nourished, and nurtured by the whole counsel of the Word of God.
Source: What Does It Mean to Be a Shepherd Over the Flock? (Ligonier article)
Paul emphasized that the central point of his teaching and ministry among the Corinthians was solely Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Nevertheless, he said that the focal point of his teaching, preaching, and ministry among the Corinthians was simply “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Source: What Does It Mean to Know ”Nothing except Christ and Him Crucified?” (Ligonier article)
Paul's statement about knowing nothing except Christ crucified was an exaggeration because he actually intended to teach many other subjects.
Clearly Paul was determined to know all kinds of things besides the person and work of Jesus. He wanted to teach the Corinthians about the deep things of the character and nature of God the Father. He planned to instruct them about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, about Christian ethics, and about many other things that go beyond the immediate scope of Christ’s work on the cross.
Source: What Does It Mean to Know ”Nothing except Christ and Him Crucified?” (Ligonier article)
Christianity teaches that God is actively involved in the affairs of men and nations, guiding them toward a divine purpose.
Historically, however, Christians have had an acute sense that this is our Father’s world and that the affairs of men and nations, in the final analysis, are in His hands.
Source: What Is Providence? (Ligonier article)
Jesus taught that people cannot come to him unless the Father who sent him draws them, and this drawing implies compulsion.
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44), and the word translated as “draws” properly means “compels.”
Source: What Is Limited Atonement? (Ligonier article)
Pelagius taught that people do not require divine grace or Christ's help, asserting that they possess the inherent ability to live lives of perfect righteousness.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
According to Pelagius, people don’t need grace and they don’t need the help of Christ; he said that grace and Christ facilitate salvation—that is, they assist in the process—but that they’re not absolutely necessary because we have it in our own power to live lives of perfect righteousness.
Source: What Was the Cause of the Protestant Reformation? (Ligonier article)
Study Bibles are designed to teach the theology revealed in Scripture, which will guide a person's life and bring them into conformity with Christ.
The whole point of a good study Bible, such as the Reformation Study Bible , is to help you learn the theology that God reveals in His sacred Word that will shape your life and bring you into conformity with Christ.
Source: Why a Study Bible? (Ligonier article)
Paul taught that prophecy is superior to tongues because it edifies the entire church, although he also desired that all Christians speak in tongues.
Paul clearly is teaching the comparative superiority of prophecy over tongues. But he is comparing the good and the better, not the good and the bad.
Source: Zeal without Knowledge (Ligonier article)
The claim that Jesus performed miracles strains credibility when compared to talking about ordinary human beings.
But when you talk about somebody who walks around and walks on the water and raises people from the dead, and feeds five thousand people, then that strains my credibility.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:00
Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon titled “The Divine and Supernatural Light” which discusses the Holy Spirit's work in taking the Word to the soul.
in North Hampton he preached a sermon, the abbreviated title of which is “The Divine and Supernatural Light,” in which Edwards there, as you know far better than I, talks about the work of the Holy Spirit taking the Word, not only to our understanding but piercing our heart and our soul with it in such a way that we have a sense of the excellence and sweetness of the gospel.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:32
Jesus' ministry was directed toward the broken and bruised, not just hardened criminals.
He went out looking for the bruised reed, and he kindly, tenderly, ministered to them.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:27
Skepticism about historical events in the Bible often stems from a failure to accept the supernatural nature of God's actions.
We have to ask the question, is the Bible claiming a supernatural event happened here in real time, in real space, in real geographical setting and that the problem that we're confronting with those who are skeptical about it is basically a problem of unbelief -- they just don't believe in God?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:07
The descriptions given to Joseph are ultimately a tribute to God, who sustained him.
Here, the tribute is not so much to Joseph, as it is to, whom? To God, who sustained Joseph.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:11
Luther suffered from various physical and psychological ailments throughout his life, including hypochondria and nervous anxiety.
Not only was Luther intemperate in his speech, but he was clearly neurotic, particularly about his health. He was a hypochondriac. He suffered from nervous anxiety and a nervous stomach his whole life, and I can relate to that.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:10
Paul, even while imprisoned, was concerned with practical needs like warmth and his books.
“Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus.” I mean, Paul’s in this dank dungeon and he’s cold. Bring my coat. “And the books, bring my books, especially the parchments.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:50
Jesus' earthly ministry resulted in miracles that caused people to be in a state of awe and wonder before the incarnate Son of God.
Everywhere He went, people were amazed at His power. They were in a spirit of awe. They were in a spirit of wonder before the power that was displayed by the incarnate Son of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:21
Jesus did not intend for his followers to separate themselves from the world, as exemplified by the Essenes who missed the Messiah due to isolation.
Jesus was not starting a new community of Essenes. Do you remember the Essenes that were – whose work were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls? These were people who drew apart from civilization to live in total isolation so that they could keep themselves pure for the coming of the Messiah, and while they’re hiding down there in the caves along the Dead Sea, the Messiah came, and they missed Him.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:09
The parables of the lost coin, the pearl, and the prodigal son all emphasize the necessity of pressing into the Kingdom of God.
All of those parables – the prodigal son, the lost coin, the pearl of great price – are parables that emphasize the importance of pressing into the kingdom of God – of pressing
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:48
He encourages people to read the foundational works of theological giants like Luther and Calvin.
I've said many times if people would read Luther and Calvin instead of me, they could take my books and burn them because all I want to do is direct them back to the giants.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:44
Beneficence, or the beneficent love of God, relates to his good actions and benefits toward creatures in the world.
The beneficence or the beneficent love of God has to do with his activity toward the creatures in this world -- that his good actions flow out of his good will.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:36
Satan has never actually performed a true miracle.
And I say no, no, no. Satan never performed a miracle in his life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:04
Working for the Kingdom of God, including preaching the gospel and nurturing saints, is the highest calling.
to work in the most significant enterprise that God has ever created; and to work for the building of the Kingdom of God, for the preaching of the gospel, for the nurturing of the saints is the highest calling in the universe.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:07
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given to specific individuals for particular tasks, such as prophets or judges.
But also, in the Old Testament there were gifts of the spirit, the charismatic endowment of particular individuals for particular tasks where the Spirit of the Lord would come upon the prophet so that the prophet could be an agent of revelation and speak the word of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:59
The restoration of joy and the Spirit from God leads to the ability to teach others the ways of God.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me by your generous spirit, and then I will teach transgressors your ways and the sinners shall be converted to you.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:32
The persecution Jesus predicted for his disciples occurred historically and was relevant to his contemporaries.
He said, "Watch for yourselves for they will deliver you to councils, you will be beaten, you will be brought," you, you, you.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:36
The book of Revelation is attributed to the apostle John, who received its content as a direct revelation from Christ while he was in exile on the isle of Patmos.
It is attributed to the apostle John who tells us that he was in exile on the isle of Patmos and that he received this direct revelation from Christ and was commanded to write down these things for the instruction and benefit of the church.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:00
God brought the creatures into the garden not just for Adam's scientific study, but because He was looking for a suitable helpmate for Adam.
Not simply for the purpose of Adam's scientific enterprise, not simply for the purpose of Adam's individuation, but God's bringing these creatures there because they're trying to find a helpmate suitable.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:12
Jesus' actions in the text were not solely focused on delivering terrifying sermons about hell.
Jesus hasn’t just given a sermon about hell that would terrify people. All he did was perform this miracle of providing
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:42
God communicates the gift of eternal life in a way that is simple enough for even the most primitive person to understand.
It's primitive because God cares enough about His fallen people that at times He lisps; He condescends to speak to us in our lowest state so that the simplest child, the most primitive savage can understand the gift of eternal life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:46
The Holy Spirit did not inspire the text about David going to the Negev to teach a personal decision about job locations.
God the Holy Spirit did not inspire the text that tells us that David went to the Negev to teach me that I'm supposed to go to Alabama.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:22
The text's account of Jesus' miracles, such as the feeding of the five thousand, must be understood as supernatural events, not merely as ethical lessons.
But that man violated the text because the text doesn't purport to teach that Jesus persuaded people. What the text is saying is that Jesus, through supernatural powers, astonished everybody.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:35
The Apostles' Creed encompasses the entire work of Christ, including his suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension.
all of that has to do with the work of Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:43
Christ serves as a perfect High Priest who intercedes for believers with the Father in the inner chambers of heaven.
I have a perfect High Priest Who pleads my case with the Father in the inner chambers of the courts of heaven every minute, every day.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:20
Satan is highly deceptive and often disguises himself as something good, such as an angel of light, a minister, or a religious leader.
He will come to us under the cloaks of goodness. He will appear as a minister, as a priest, as a religious leader; all the outward appearances seem to be good.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:14
God cleansed Isaiah's lips by touching them with a live coal taken from the altar.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar, and he touched my mouth with it.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:32
Paul's ministry represented something that outlasted the power of the Roman Empire, even though he lacked a monument in the Forum.
I thought, "I'm standing in the place here where Paul was in chains and where Paul -- who doesn't have a monument to him here in the Forum -- represented something that far outlasted the power of Imperial Rome."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:05
God designs angels with specific appendages, such as six wings, for their environment and function in God's presence.
Well, when God makes angels to be in His immediate presence He designs and constructs them with everything they need for their environment. So He gives them six wings.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:47
The physical healing of the lepers was not instantaneous upon seeing Jesus, but occurred during their journey to the priests.
So Jesus doesn’t say, “Be clean, you’re healed.” He said, “Go see the priests,” which meant what? “This is not an idle mission. It’s not a fool’s errand. If I tell you to go see the priests, I’m telling you to go check yourselves out and you will be clean.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:40
Jacob, despite hearing stories of God, never had a personal encounter with a transcendent God in his life.
But Jacob's life was like a twentieth century man's life. He had never seen God. There was no burning bush for Jacob. There was no pillar of cloud for Jacob, no voices coming out of the sky.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:22
The core message of Jesus' teaching is the supremacy of the love owed to him above all earthly relationships.
What he was communicating was the supremacy of the love that we are to have to him above all things of this world including the ones we love the most here.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:02
God is praised because he has blessed humanity with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Because it is he who has done what? Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:43
Micah summarizes the life of godliness as doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" That's what the life of godliness is about in a nutshell.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 11:41
Jesus came into the world to bear witness to the truth.
He says, "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 30:15
God's speech possesses immense power, capable of bringing life from death and performing miracles.
The power that is unleashed when God speaks brings things out of nothing and life out of death.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:00
Jesus identifies himself as the bridge connecting the transcendent realm of God with the earthly realm.
He said, “I am that ladder. I am the bridge between heaven and earth.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:41
Jesus was a peripatetic rabbi who taught by lecturing while walking, and his students followed and memorized his teachings.
He was a peripatetic rabbi. That meant that He walked around, and as He walked the disciples literally followed Him. When they -- when Jesus said, "Follow me," He meant literally, "Walk around behind me." And the way they would do it would be this way: the teacher would give His recitation. He would lecture as He walked down the road to Emmaus, or wherever, and the disciples would follow along behind Him and commit to memory the things that the rabbi taught them.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:40
God ordained the mission of a lamb from the beginning of time.
Centuries later, God sent a lamb on a mission. In His providence, God ordained from the foundation of the world that this lamb should
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 45:21
Jesus' ministry involved periods of delayed anticipation, as evidenced by events like the triumphal entry and his eventual arrest.
And so in Jesus' own consciousness, Jesus had to go through the certain periods of delayed anticipation in His own consciousness.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 11:53
While bad things happen in our immediate, earthly experience, God has the ultimate power to use them for good.
God is on the vertical plane transcending this horizontal vale of tears in which we live, and He has the power to take every bad thing that happens to you and make it contribute ultimately to your good, doesn't He?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 34:56
Christianity teaches that God removes the veil between humanity and Himself, offering peace and access to those who are unholy through Christ.
what Christianity is saying to all of us is that in Christ, God removes the veil. He doesn’t stop being holy but he says to us who are unholy, He gives to us the righteousness of Christ so He said, “You can come into my presence. You don’t have to be afraid. I’m giving you peace, I’m giving you access. Come near to Me.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:38
Jesus' life provides the best model and guide for Christian behavior, but imitating him is not always appropriate because individuals have different missions than Christ.
We couldn't ask for a better model or a better guide or a better norm for Christian behavior than the life of Jesus Himself, except that even that creates its own breed of special problems. Why? I think the answer's obvious because no matter what else I am, I may be a Christian, but I am not Jesus, and there were certain things that Jesus did because He had a mission to perform that is not my mission, that had Jesus not done those things that He was called to do, He would have been disobedient to God, but if I imitated Jesus, I would be disobedient to God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:48
Satan will not appear in obvious, monstrous ways, but rather will masquerade as someone respectable and trustworthy, like an angel of light.
He’s an angel of light and so at the same time he’s called a roaring or devouring – a roaring lion seeking, going about seeking those whom he will devour.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:28
God uses even the most difficult trials and tribulations encountered in this world for the good of those who love him.
that even those most difficult trials and tribulations that we encounter in this world God is using, working them together for good.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:37
Joseph was gifted with the ability to interpret dreams, which he exercised even as a young boy.
He had dreams and he had the gift of interpreting dreams, and he exercised this gift while still a young boy in the presence of his brothers.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:56
Joseph was able to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker, predicting their respective fates.
And Joseph tells them what the dreams mean. And he explains to the cupbearer that his dream means that in three days he's going to be restored to favor to the king and go back to the old position that he once held. That made the baker excited and he said, "What about my dream?" And Joseph says, "Your dream means that in three days you're going to go back to the king too, but the king's going to hang you. And that's going to be it for you."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:01
Man, in his fallen state, is unable to come to Jesus Christ without divine help from the Father.
I think that passage teaches explicitly that man in his fallen state is unable -- is unable without some kind of help by God to come to Jesus Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:21
The speaker intends to focus his series on the teaching of Jesus regarding the last things, rather than covering all common issues of eschatology.
I'm going to be focusing more on the New Testament, and specifically the teaching of Jesus, for this reason:
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:19
The speaker's two main concerns when studying New Testament prophecy are addressing the critical attack on the Bible and the teaching of Jesus himself.
So let me just pause for a second here and say my two biggest concerns, as I approach these questions of New Testament prophecy, are to deal with the critical attack against the Bible on the one hand and against the teaching of Jesus Himself on the other hand.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 9:24
The Apostles are the primary sources of information regarding Jesus's life and teachings.
Well, of course let me remind you that we don't know anything about Jesus, say through the testimony of the Apostles. They are the primary sources.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:48
The author of Genesis is concerned with giving a structure that covers seven days, which raises questions about the significance of numbers in the biblical narrative.
And yet, as we look at the whole pattern of the narrative, the author of Genesis is concerned to give us a structure that covers seven days.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:25
The Sabbath points forward to the future destiny of the created world, which is characterized by holiness and peace in God's presence.
But the New Testament, particularly the author of Hebrews, sees more in this institution of the Sabbath day, that the Sabbath that we celebrate even today points to the future destiny of the created world, that every Sunday or every Sabbath day there's a sense in which we are to stop from our normal activities, stop from our labor, come into the presence of God, worship that God, contemplate that God and then think of the promise of the future that has been stored up for us.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:37
Believers have a commission to manifest the love of God (agape) by caring for, tending to, feeding, and giving themselves to the people of God.
so are we have that same commission when we have received from heaven this love that is shed abroad in our hearts to manifest it by care, tending, feeding, and giving of ourselves to the people of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:23
God demonstrated His love by sending Christ, whose unique divine status distinguishes Him from other religious figures.
But think about the depths of the love that God has displayed by giving us Christ, whose name is not worthy to be mentioned in the same breath with that of Mohammed or Buddha or Confucius or anybody else as God has one son who from all eternity, beheld the glory of the father came from the bosom of the father to be lifted up on a cross that anyone who puts their trust in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:42
People often struggle to reconcile the portrayal of God in the Old Testament with the understanding of God as a loving and merciful being found in the New Testament.
you hear this attitude voiced all the time, like there are two different Gods, a New Testament God and an Old Testament God, and we just have a difficult time relating to the God of the Old Testament because of certain narratives that we encounter therein.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:35
The primary function of angels, according to the New Testament, is to minister to the people of God during times of severe crisis.
Later in the New Testament, however, we are told that the primary function of the angel is to minister to the people of God in times of severe crisis.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The Bible introduces the reality of the supernatural through heavenly beings called angels, who represent the intrusion of heaven into earth.
Luke, the historian, just a few sentences into his history, introduces the reality of the supernatural. He introduces the reality of the intrusion of heaven into earth by these heavenly beings called “angels.”
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Humans live in a world owned by God, and angels are heavenly beings sent by the Lord to minister to people during times of trouble.
We live in a world that is owned by God and we are not the highest creatures in it. The creatures above us are the angels, who are sent by the Lord to minister to us in times of trouble.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 1) (Ligonier)
While angels appear in the New Testament, their occurrences and manifestations are exceedingly rare.
However, in spite of these mentions that I have given to you, their occurrences and manifestations, even in the New Testament, were exceedingly rare.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Zacharias expressed doubt about the divine message due to his advanced age and his wife's inability to conceive.
How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The angel, Gabriel, asserts his high status and divine backing when speaking to Zacharias.
I’m Gabriel. I’m an archangel. My normal habitation is in the immediate presence of God, and it’s the Lord God Himself who sent me here with all of the power of His might and all of the might of His truth.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Before the angel's visit, Zacharias was generally characterized by his blamelessness and obedience.
Up until this point in his ministry, God had been pleased with the singular posture of obedience and righteousness displayed by this man, Zacharias. In fact, Scripture describes him as having been “blameless.”
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Pastors are mandated to be ministers who preach expository sermons by breaking forth the text of Scripture, rather than giving psychological advice or speaking on contemporary events.
One of the reasons I am so grateful for the opportunity I had in California is that we live in a time in America where there is a famine of the Word of God. It is difficult to find pastors and preachers who preach expository sermons, who break forth the text of Scripture to their people and do not just give psychological advice, insights on contemporary events, or other forms of public speaking. Pastors are to be ministers of the Word because that is our mandate.
Source: Apostles and Deacons (Ligonier)
The friends of the paralyzed man demonstrated proactive care by going out of their way to bring him to Jesus, going beyond mere prayer.
However, they went out of their way to do something to help him. They heard about Jesus. Perhaps some of them had even seen the miraculous healings He had performed in their region. So, these fellows got together and said, “We have to take our friend to Jesus.”
Source: The Authority to Forgive (Ligonier)
Jesus observed the paralyzed man's journey and recognized it as an extraordinary example of faith, comparing it favorably to all of Israel's faith.
I’ve seen people go to desperate measures to come into My presence. The kingdom is being taken forcibly by these people who are pressing into it, but I’ve never seen faith like this in all of Israel.
Source: The Authority to Forgive (Ligonier)
Jesus' initial focus was on the man's sins, not merely his physical healing, which caused confusion among the crowd.
We read in verse 20: “When He saw their faith, He said to him, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’”
Source: The Authority to Forgive (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit works in our hearts by shedding the love of Christ, which produces various spiritual fruits.
The Holy Spirit works in our hearts when He sheds abroad the love of Christ in us that produces the fruit of joy, peace, hope, forbearance, patience, kindness, goodness, and humility.
Source: Bearing Others' Burdens (Ligonier)
The ministry of mercy involves addressing people's basic needs, such as hunger and thirst, rather than focusing on assigning blame or determining fault.
Our job is to bind up people’s wounds; if they are hungry, to feed them; if they are thirsty, to give them a drink. This is what the ministry of mercy is in the life of the church.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Miraculous activity in the Old Testament was concentrated in specific periods, such as the time of Moses and the ministry of Elijah, rather than happening constantly.
A more careful study, however, shows that there were concentrated periods of time in Old Testament history containing an outbreak of miracles.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Miracles were given by God to certify the Law (with Moses), the Prophets (with Elijah and his successors), and especially the messianic ministry of Christ.
These miracles were given by God to certify the Law with Moses, to certify the Prophets with Elijah and his successors, and above all, to attest, authenticate, and certify the messianic ministry of God’s only begotten Son.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier)
When Christ appears (the Dayspring), he brings light to those who are in darkness or the shadow of death, leading to the remission of sins.
He gives light to those who sit in darkness. He gives light to those who are in the shadow of death, light that makes it possible for us to see where our feet are going, into the way of peace—remission of sins, the knowledge of salvation, the tender mercy of God, the Sun of Righteousness coming amid darkness and the shadow of death.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Judas was never saved or converted; he was the son of perdition from the beginning, as predicted by Scripture.
He was never saved. He was never converted. It was not like suddenly Judas lost his faith and turned to darkness to sell his soul. No, he was the son of perdition from the beginning, as the Scriptures told us.
Source: Betrayed (Ligonier)
Mary demonstrated the importance of meditating on significant life events, continuing to reflect on them throughout her life.
Mary kept these things, everything that she saw, everything that she heard, she kept it and pondered it in her heart. Eight days later, when she took the child to the temple for circumcision, she pondered that. When the boy was twelve and confounded the doctors in the temple, she pondered that.
Source: The Birth of Jesus (Ligonier)
The life and ministry of John the Baptist were guided by the hand of the Lord from before his birth through his martyrdom.
It was with him the day he was born. It was with him before he was born, when he leaped in his mother’s womb. It was with him when he came to the Jordan River to baptize and call Israel to repentance. It was with him when he was in prison, and it was with him when he was martyred.
Source: The Birth of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The speaker's ministry philosophy emphasizes expository preaching from whole books of the Bible and reliance on ordinary means of grace.
We are totally committed to expository preaching from whole books of the Bible. We have been following through the gospel of Luke. Before that, we went through Matthew, Mark, John, Acts, Romans, and so on, verse by verse, the whole counsel of God.
Source: The Blind Man (Ligonier)
Jesus' healing and salvation are understood as a gift of Himself, not merely the restoration of physical ability.
He gave Himself: “Now your faith has made you well.”
Source: The Blind Man (Ligonier)
Jesus used object lessons to teach Simon Peter a profound lesson that Peter would never forget.
After teaching the multitudes with His Word, Jesus was about to teach Simon Peter something by giving him an object lesson he would never forget.
Source: The Catch of Fish (Ligonier)
Christ possesses supreme authority over life and death, enabling him to perform miracles simply by speaking the word.
He has authority over heaven and earth, and the centurion recognized that. He said: “I understand authority. I’m a man who is under authority. I’m a man who has authority over others. I say ‘Go,’ and they go, ‘Come,’ and they come, ‘Do this,’ and they do it. I understand, Christ, that You have authority. You have authority over life. You have authority over death. You don’t have to be in the room. Just say the word.”
Source: The Centurion's Servant (Ligonier)
Jesus' power to heal is demonstrated by his ability to bring life back from death merely by speaking a word.
The one who had been dead for four days began to breathe, his heart began to beat, brain waves rushed through his head, and he emerged from his tomb alive and well by the power of the word of Christ.
Source: The Centurion's Servant (Ligonier)
The news of Jesus' ministry spread rapidly because his actions were unprecedented miracles.
What Jesus did in Galilee, Judea, and Samaria were things the world had never seen before. A blaze of miracles followed Jesus, and news of that kind of ministry spread like wildfire through every inch of the territory.
Source: Cleansing of the Leper (Ligonier)
The speaker believes that Jesus cleansed the temple twice, specifically arguing that the event occurred early in his ministry.
I think it did occur in the early part of His ministry, and I join many others in church history who believe that Jesus cleansed the temple twice.
Source: Cleansing of the Temple (Ligonier)
People often demand visible miracles or signs before they will believe in Christ.
People were constantly asking for a sign. People today ask for signs. People say: “I’m from Missouri. Show me a miracle, and I will believe.”
Source: Cleansing of the Temple (Ligonier)
A minister must constantly examine their teaching to ensure it is the unvarnished truth of God's Word, rather than personal preference.
So I had to—and still have to—keep examining myself and ask, “Is what I am teaching the unvarnished truth of the Word of God, or is it my favorite hobbyhorse?”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Paul taught that the Christian life is a continuous process sustained by God's grace.
Paul told us earlier that we move from faith to faith, from life to life, from grace to grace. Our Christian pilgrimage begins in grace, it is sustained by grace, and it is finished by grace.
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Jesus had to be killed outside the holy city of Jerusalem to fulfill Old Testament prophecy.
In all these details of fulfillment of the prophetic messages of the Old Testament, it was necessary that Jesus be killed outside the holy city of Jerusalem, in the land of outer darkness.
Source: The Crucifixion (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Regeneration is not a miracle because it is an invisible work that takes place in the soul, unlike external, perceivable miracles.
I do not think regeneration is a miracle, because regeneration is invisible. A tight definition of miracle in the biblical sense is something that happens in the external , perceivable world that only God can bring to pass, such as bringing life out of death or something out of nothing. But regeneration is hidden.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Regeneration is solely the work of God the Holy Spirit, which happens supernaturally and immediately in the soul.
Only God has the power to raise a human soul from spiritual death to spiritual life. So, we define regeneration as that work of God the Holy Spirit that happens supernaturally and immediately in the soul of a human being.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that one should not forbid others from ministry, because those who are not against us are on our side.
But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him. For he who is not against us is on our side.”
Source: Discipleship (Ligonier)
Jesus stated that His purpose in coming to the world was to send fire upon the earth.
Jesus said, “I came to send fire on the earth.”
Source: The Dividing Christ (Ligonier)
The Christian life requires focusing on the Word of God to become aware of Christ's constant presence.
To live the Christian life means to focus on the Word of God so that we become more and more aware of the presence of Christ with us.
Source: The End of Anxiety (Ligonier)
Paul would have requested that modern technological aids, such as a multimedia presentation and a drama skit, be used to enhance the preaching of the Word.
Context: Hypothetical scenario based on the speaker's imagination of Paul.
First, please remove this plexiglass podium that we have in the middle of the church, and let’s have a drama skit to add some entertainment to the message I’m about to preach from the Word. I would also ask that you put it up on the screen at the back of the synagogue, where we can have a multimedia presentation that will also enhance the preaching of the Word.
Source: Eternal Appointment (Ligonier)
The early church's missionary work began before Saint Paul, as evidenced by the ministry of Philip.
We often hear about the missionary journeys of Saint Paul and sometimes forget that the missionary journeys of the early church began before Paul, and we see it specifically in this text in the person of Philip.
Source: The Ethiopian Eunuch (Ligonier)
The instruction to Philip to travel south was given by an angel of the Lord.
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Source: The Ethiopian Eunuch (Ligonier)
The Ethiopian man was sitting in his chariot, reading a text out loud from the Old Testament when Philip intercepted him.
The Ethiopian man was sitting in his chariot, reading a text out loud from the Old Testament. He looked up and there was an unfamiliar man running alongside his chariot.
Source: The Ethiopian Eunuch (Ligonier)
The speaker's primary focus is preparing the audience for the study of Paul, the Apostle, as the supreme missionary of the New Testament church.
For now, we are being prepared for the introduction of the supreme missionary of the New Testament church: Paul, the Apostle.
Source: The Ethiopian Eunuch (Ligonier)
Christ's ministry is understood as mediation because he brings together parties estranged from God.
It is because the God-man comes into a world that, in its hostility toward God, is estranged from God. The work of Christ, then, is to be the Mediator who brings these estranged parties together.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Christ, like a good master, will not only return but will also serve his servants and provide for them.
When the master of the house, for whom the servants labor, comes back late at night and finds them ready for him such that they open the door immediately, he comes in, girds his loins, invites the servants to sit down, and prepares a meal for them.
Source: The Faithful Steward (Ligonier)
One theory suggested the miracle was a myth, while another theory proposed it was an intentional fraud staged by Jesus.
Another theory came forth that was even more critical. This theory said that the feeding of the five thousand was not only a myth, but an intentional fraud perpetrated by Jesus Himself.
Source: The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
A third theory suggested that Jesus did not perform a physical miracle, but rather an ethical miracle involving voluntary sharing.
The third theory, which was the one favored by my minister in high school, was that Jesus did not perform a physical miracle of multiplying loaves and fishes, but an ethical miracle.
Source: The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
The supernatural feeding of the thousands by Jesus demonstrates that He is the incarnate Son of God and that God actively cares about humanity's suffering.
What that means, friends, is the radical breakthrough of the supernatural into the natural. What that means is that Jesus of Nazareth is not a clever, ethical teacher. What that means is that He is who He said He was—the incarnate Son of God.
Source: The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
Humans cannot achieve entrance into heaven through their own works or adherence to the law.
We are not able to get into heaven by the works of the flesh. The Apostle Paul has already told us, “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified” (Rom. 3:20).
Source: Freed from the Law (Ligonier)
The two gospel writers present the lineage of Jesus through different figures: Matthew through Solomon and Luke through Nathan.
In Matthew’s genealogy, Jesus is traced through Solomon, the son of David. In Luke’s genealogy, Jesus is traced through Nathan, the son of David.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
The Synoptic Gospels focus primarily on the life and ministry of Jesus, while the Gospel of John is more theological than biographical, covering the last week of Jesus' life.
The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—focus their attention almost totally on the life and ministry of Jesus, whereas in John’s gospel, two-thirds of the book cover the last week of Jesus’ life. The focus in John’s gospel is much more theological than it is biographical.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
Matthew was written for a Jewish audience, as evidenced by the material unique to his gospel, which deals almost exclusively with the application of Old Testament prophecy to Jesus' claims of being the Messiah.
In the material that is unique to Matthew, almost all of it exclusively deals with the application of Old Testament prophecy to Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah. When you see that, it’s as clear as the nose on your face that Matthew was writing for a Jewish audience.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul was tasked with taking the gospel beyond the regions of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, expanding into Asia Minor, Rome, Greece, and beyond.
The Apostle Paul was given the mission to go to the ends of the earth to take the gospel beyond Judea, Samaria, and Galilee into Asia Minor, Rome, Greece, and beyond.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
Nothing, whether physical, spiritual, or temporal, can separate a believer from the love of God found in Christ.
neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
The power to save people resides in the Word of God, not in the preacher, the program, or the liturgy.
The power is not in the preacher. The power is not in the program. The power is not in the liturgy. It is the Word attended by God the Holy Spirit.
Source: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier)
The ordinary believers, not the Apostles, were responsible for spreading the message of Jesus' ministry.
Remember, these were rank-and-file believers, not the Apostles. It was the laity of the church carrying the message of Jesus’ ministry abroad.
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
Ancient magicians did not possess supernatural power, but Simon claimed to have it.
Ancient magicians had no supernatural power, but Simon claimed to have supernatural power.
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
Many people who claim to perform miracles today are often less than authentic and know that they do not possess the power they claim.
When you investigate them carefully, you will find out more often than not that they are less than authentic. I wonder if they know. If I stood here today and claimed to heal you, it is almost inevitable that somebody would respond and say, “While you were saying that, my headache went away.”
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
Jesus gave His twelve disciples power and authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons.
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
Every person in Christ is empowered by the Spirit of God for ministry, and while gifts differ, all believers are gifted to participate in the kingdom's work.
The New Testament tells us that every person in Christ has been visited by the Spirit of God and empowered for ministry. Paul tells us that we do not all have the same gift. Our gifts differ from one another, but we all are gifted to participate in the ministry of the kingdom of God.
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
Jesus's healing of the boy was not merely an act of complaint resolution, but a demonstration of His authority and care for the father.
I didn’t come down from the mountain just to complain about the perversity of this generation. Let me see your son. I’ll look at him, and I won’t just look at him—I’ll heal him.
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
Jesus' visit to Zacchaeus was not a matter of social duty or request, but an urgent necessity stemming from a divine appointment.
Rather, He said, “Zacchaeus, get down, because I must come to your house today.” The word “must” communicates urgency and necessity.
Source: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Ligonier)
Jesus came to seek and save those who were spiritually lost.
The first reason Jesus said He must go to the home of Zacchaeus is obvious. Zacchaeus was lost. Jesus told us that He came to seek and to save those who were lost.
Source: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Ligonier)
Salvation is an active, external event brought by Christ to the believer's life, not merely a passive presence.
It was not just the Savior who came, but the Savior brought salvation with Him to Zacchaeus.
Source: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Ligonier)
Humans cannot fully comprehend divine things without the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit assisting them.
Context: Part of a prayer/confession.
We acknowledge that we cannot fully comprehend or even apprehend the things that are contained in Your Word unless You assist us by the illuminating power of Your Holy Spirit.
Source: Haunted By Guilt (Ligonier)
The healing was physically enacted by Peter taking the beggar's hand and helping him to his feet.
We read, “And he”—that is, Peter—“took him by the right hand and lifted him up.” He told the man, “Rise and walk.”
Source: Healing at the Gate Beautiful (Ligonier)
The power to heal people like the Apostles did did not come from the church's riches, but rather from a power invested by Christ in His Apostles.
It was because that was a power invested by Christ in His Apostles to establish the church in the first place.
Source: Healing at the Gate Beautiful (Ligonier)
The healing of the beggar led to the people being filled with wonder and amazement, which prompted Peter to give a second sermon.
The event we have just read about became the provocation for the second famous sermon of Peter.
Source: Healing at the Gate Beautiful (Ligonier)
While Jesus can cleanse a person, the religious authorities (the priest) must verify the healing and allow the person to be legally readmitted into the community.
I can cleanse you, but only the priest can verify that you have been cleansed and are now legally permitted to join your family and the community. You have to go through all of the ritual that is involved, including the offering of the sacrifice.
Source: Healing of the Leper (Ligonier)
Christ possesses the authority to rebuke natural ailments, such as fever, just as he rebuked demons.
The same One who can calm the sea and still the storm by the word of rebuke has the power and the authority to command rocks to speak or bacteria to leave a human body.
Source: Healing & Preaching (Ligonier)
The primary motivation for Jesus' miraculous ministry was His compassion for suffering people.
Certainly, one of the strongest motivations for Jesus’ miraculous ministry was His compassion for people who were suffering.
Source: Healing & Preaching (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that he does not believe miracles happen today.
If you want me to give the simple answer, the answer is “No.”
Source: Healing & Preaching (Ligonier)
Sproul thanks God for certifying the Apostolic Word through incontrovertible proofs of the miracles performed by Jesus and His Apostles.
Our Father and our God, we thank You that You have certified the Apostolic Word by the manifestation of incontrovertible proofs of the miracles that were performed by Jesus and His Apostles.
Source: Healing & Preaching (Ligonier)
Jesus' suffering was not due to human conspiracy but was ordained by the Father's eternal counsel.
Our Lord Jesus would not have suffered even a scratch simply by the conspiracy of human enemies against Him were it not for the determinant counsel of the Father, who ordained from all eternity that the Son should suffer at the hands of wicked men for your sake and for my sake.
Source: Holy Boldness (Ligonier)
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is universal among believers, affecting every single person, whether at Pentecost or in the household of Cornelius.
Rather, among believers both at Pentecost and in Cornelius’ household, every single one of them received the gift or outpouring of the Holy Ghost.
Source: The Holy Spirit to the Gentiles (Ligonier)
Even after Jesus' victory, Satan continued to assault Him throughout His earthly ministry.
Even with Jesus’ victory, Satan’s assault against Him did not cease, but followed Him every step of His earthly ministry.
Source: A House Divided (Ligonier)
The power to perform miracles belongs only to God, as evidenced by Nicodemus's statement.
Context: Referencing Nicodemus's statement.
He said to Jesus in a complimentary and flattering way, “Teacher, we know that you are sent from God, or you wouldn’t be able to do the things that you are doing.”
Source: A House Divided (Ligonier)
True miracles are works wrought through the power of God that violate the laws of nature (contra naturam).
In classic theology, part of the definition of a miracle is a work wrought through the power of God that is contra naturam , meaning, “against nature.” An axe head floating, a virgin bringing forth a child, or water turning into wine violates the laws of nature.
Source: A House Divided (Ligonier)
True miracles are genuine divine empowerments, unlike the 'lying signs' performed by magicians.
God told Moses, “Here’s how they’re going to know that I sent you: I’m going to empower you to do miracles—the kind of miracles that only I can empower.”
Source: A House Divided (Ligonier)
Satan works for evil but does not have the power to work against nature, which is the basis for a true miracle.
I believe and agree that Satan never works against evil, against peccatum . He works pro peccatum , for evil. I disagree that he has the power to work contra naturam , because that is the basis for a real and truthful miracle.
Source: A House Divided (Ligonier)
Paul taught that believers are not their own, having been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.
As Paul taught later, saying to the church as a whole and to the individual believer: “You are not your own. You’ve been bought with a price. You’ve been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
Source: Introduction (Ligonier)
An apostle is someone who is commissioned to speak for the Master, acting like an ambassador.
In the ancient world, an apostle was like an ambassador who could speak on behalf of a king, and his message would carry with it the stamp of the authority of the one who sent him.
Source: Introduction (Ligonier)
The Messiah can only descend from heaven if the Lord God omnipotent sends Him.
The only way the Messiah can descend from heaven is if the Lord God omnipotent sends Him.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The speaker's own desire to know more about Jesus began after Jesus found him.
The last thing in the world I was seeking was Jesus, until He found me. Once He found me, then I wanted to know everything I could find out about Him.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
Paul experienced a deep, continuous sorrow and grief regarding his fellow Jews.
He says, “This grief, this pain is not a passing thing, but it is a grief that attends my life and perturbs my heart continually.”
Source: Israel's Rejection of Christ (Ligonier)
The power of the Word of God to change lives does not rest with the preacher, but with God and the Holy Spirit.
The efficacy of that preaching, the power of that exposition, thank God, never lies with me. That is not on my shoulders. I am not responsible for the effect that the Word of God has upon the hearer. God is the one who takes His Word and applies it to people.
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Purpose (Ligonier)
Paul's ministry was given by Christ to be an apostle to the Gentiles, even though he was a Jew.
Even though he is a Jew, the mission Christ gave to Paul was to be the Apostle to the gentiles.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Paul's boasting about his ministry was intended to remind the Roman readers of the high level of authority Christ gave him for his work among the Gentiles, which included the Romans.
Paul wants to remind the Roman readers of the exalted level of authority that Christ chose him to carry out in his ministry to the gentiles, in which the Romans were included.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus' predictions regarding the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem serve as strong evidence of his divine prophetic status.
I think that Jesus’ prediction of the future destruction of the temple and Jerusalem is the clearest proof in recorded literature of Jesus’ being, at the very least, a prophet sent from God.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The phrase 'all things' in Jesus' teaching refers specifically to the temple, Jerusalem, and a coming of Jesus, not necessarily his final return at the end of time.
I do not think so. The “all things” of which Jesus speaks specifically refer to the temple, to Jerusalem, and to some kind of coming of Jesus.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Jesus' words and actions demonstrated his divine authority, capable of bringing life and healing.
Jesus said, “Everything is going to be made well.”
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Paul's aim was to preach the gospel in places where Christ had not been named, following the principle that those who have not heard will see and understand.
And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Paul's role was to minister the gospel of God, which is the possession of God and comes from God.
Paul is an Apostle who is called to proclaim not his own message, not his own gospel, but the gospel that is the possession of God and that comes from God.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Paul's offering to God was not the sacrifices of the gentiles, but rather the gentiles themselves, which were the fruit of his ministry.
I think Paul is talking about his offering of the gentiles to Christ. Paul’s ministry was that he was set apart to go to the gentiles.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Nothing good or changed life happens because of human skill or oratory; it requires the attendance of the Holy Ghost with the preaching of the Word.
The only thing that moves people to changed lives and to growth in the Spirit is the attendance of the Holy Ghost with the preaching of the Word.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
The primary purpose of miracles during the Apostolic age was to signify the breakthrough of the kingdom of God and authenticate the agents of revelation.
The purpose of the signs of the Apostolic age was to signify the breakthrough of the kingdom of God. Most importantly, the miracles were to signify the agents of revelation that God had set apart to proclaim these things, just as Moses was given the power to perform miracles so that his credentials would authenticate that he was speaking for God.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Paul maintained his joy and ministry despite facing imprisonment and difficulties.
He could arrive in Rome in chains and still rejoice that he was there because of the privilege of being a minister of the gospel.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Paul was confident in his ministry and willing to endure suffering, even arriving in Rome in chains.
He could arrive in Rome in chains and still rejoice that he was there because of the privilege of being a minister of the gospel.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
The Bible records that Jesus ascended into heaven after blessing the disciples in Bethany.
While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Source: Jesus Appears (Ligonier)
Jesus used parables, which are stories, to illustrate a point or provide a broader answer to a question.
If Jesus wanted to illustrate a point, He would throw a parable along the way; He would tell a story. He proceeded to give a parable as part of the broader answer to the question.
Source: Jesus’ Authority & the Parable of the Tenants (Ligonier)
The parable describes an owner who repeatedly sent servants to collect profits from tenants, but the tenants beat and mistreated them until the owner sent his own son.
The tenants beat the messenger and sent him away empty-handed. The messenger came from the owner of the vineyard. They fell upon him, and they punched, choked, kicked, bruised, and wounded him. They sent him back with empty pockets, giving not one penny of the return owed to the owner.
Source: Jesus’ Authority & the Parable of the Tenants (Ligonier)
The Scriptures teach that Jesus' will was always perfectly united with the will of the Father throughout His earthly ministry.
At no time in the history of His earthly ministry had the wills of the Father and the Son ever been in conflict.
Source: Jesus at Gethsemane (Ligonier)
Jesus asserted that a vast, invisible heavenly host was present during His trial and execution.
There is a panoply of a heavenly host staring at this very moment, observing everything that is taking place, listening to every word that I utter or is spoken to Me.
Source: Jesus at Gethsemane (Ligonier)
A person cannot receive anything unless it originates from heaven, and Jesus' testimony confirms God's truth.
A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
Source: Jesus & John the Baptist (Ligonier)
John the Baptist's gift from heaven was to prepare the way for Christ, rather than to be the Messiah himself.
The gift I’ve been given from heaven is to be the one whom the Father sent to go before the Christ.
Source: Jesus & John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Jesus' unique supernatural ministry was exorcism, which was not seen in the same way in the Old Testament.
Virtually every miracle you see Jesus performing in the New Testament was also performed in the Old Testament by prophets like Elijah, Elisha, or Moses. What was radically new about the supernatural ministry of Jesus was exorcism.
Source: Jesus Meets a Demon (Ligonier)
Jesus' initial ministry was marked by a moment that established the tone for the rest of his time on earth.
You have just heard a record of this moment in the life of our Lord Jesus at the very beginning of His public ministry, a moment that set the tone for the rest of the time He would spend on this earth accomplishing the mission the Father gave Him.
Source: Jesus Rejected (Ligonier)
Jesus used historical examples to illustrate that His ministry was not limited to the people of His own nation or hometown.
Jesus was saying that the miracle that Elijah performed was not for somebody from his home nation. There were many widows there that he could’ve ministered to in this miraculous fashion, but in the providence of God, He was sent to Sidon.
Source: Jesus Rejected (Ligonier)
Jesus was anointed to preach the gospel to those who were spiritually poor and broken-hearted.
Jesus had the full unction promised to the Messiah, and He was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor. He preached not just to the physically poor, as we see in His teaching on the Beatitudes, but to those who were poor in spirit, who were numbered among the broken-hearted, who were spiritually poverty-stricken.
Source: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
The primary purpose of the Messiah's anointing was to preach the gospel to the poor.
The first manifestation of that power is in the text: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me,” to do what? “To preach the gospel to the poor.”
Source: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
Jesus of Nazareth was the most anointed preacher who ever lived, possessing the greatest power and ability to convert people.
However, the most anointed preacher that ever walked the face of the earth, the one who had the greatest unction, whose preaching was so powerful that thousands of people could be converted at a single sermon, was Jesus of Nazareth.
Source: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
Jesus lamented the city's spiritual blindness, predicting its eventual destruction because the people did not recognize the time of his visitation.
Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.
Source: Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem (Ligonier)
The term episkopos was translated into religious categories to refer to the ultimate general, God Himself, who visits His people through Jesus.
Translated over into religious categories, the episkopos was the One who would visit His people; the ultimate general, God Himself, who would now visit His people through the One whom He would name the bishop of our souls, Jesus.
Source: Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem (Ligonier)
John the Baptist's preaching was highly confrontational and used vivid, insulting metaphors to address the crowd.
Instead, he saw all those people in front of him, and he said, “You brood of vipers, you den of serpents, you nest of poisonous snakes.”
Source: John Preaches (Ligonier)
Paul desired to visit Rome not only to encourage the believers but also to be encouraged by them.
Paul says to the Romans, “I long to be with you, not just that I can encourage you, but also that we can be encouraged together.”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul views his life as an obligation to preach the gospel to every person he encounters, regardless of their wisdom or foolishness.
He says, “As long as I’m alive, I can’t pay that debt, because I owe my life to every person that I meet, both to the wise and to the unwise.”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The biblical account makes a clear distinction between lunacy and demon possession, asserting that the demonic world is real and active.
However, when you look at the pages of the New Testament carefully, the authors made a clear distinction between the category of lunacy and the category of demon possession. They did not blend the two into a confused mass. Rather, the biblical account is a sober one. The demonic world is real, it was extremely active then, and it is active today.
Source: Legion (Ligonier)
Satan is described in Scripture as an angel of light who seeks to devour, appearing under the guise of good.
He is described as an angel of light who goes about seeking to devour whom he will. He appears, as we say in theology, sub specie boni , that is, under the auspices of the good.
Source: Legion (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that while he was not demon-possessed, he was in bondage to sin like every unbeliever and served Satan rather than God.
I do not think I was ever possessed by demons, but I was certainly in bondage to sin, like every unbeliever, and served Satan rather than God, as every unbeliever does.
Source: Legion (Ligonier)
Jesus healed the woman by speaking to her and laying his hands on her.
He called her from the back of the synagogue to come forward. He did two things: He spoke, and He touched her. As the woman came to Jesus, He looked compassionately upon her and said: “Be loosed from this infirmity. Be released from the grip of this dreadful disease.” Then He laid His hands on her.
Source: A Little Leaven (Ligonier)
Jesus spent time with sinners not because he wanted to be like them, but because he was driven by compassion.
Jesus spent time with sinners not because He wanted to be like them but because He was driven by compassion. This was His mission.
Source: The Lost Son (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The young man in the parable left the confines and restraints of his family to live anonymously and wastefully.
He left the confines of his family. He left the restraints of his parents. He did not just go to the next town where somebody might know him; he went to a far country where he was anonymous.
Source: The Lost Son (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus told the parable because He genuinely cares about people who are wasting their lives.
Jesus was telling this story because He cares about people like them.
Source: The Lost Son (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The parable was given by Jesus in response to the Pharisees complaining that he was spending time with sinners.
You recall the context it was given in was when the Pharisees complained that Jesus was spending time with sinners.
Source: The Lost Son (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The restored man was instructed by Jesus to proclaim the Lord's compassion to his community.
He said: “No, you can’t go with Me. Go back home, and when you get there, tell your family, your friends, and everybody in your community how the Lord has had compassion on you.”
Source: A Fearful Deliverance (Ligonier)
The purpose of ministry is not to eradicate poverty, but to minister to people who are already living in poverty.
I knew when I came here that the poor were always going to be here, and that my mission was not to eradicate poverty but to minister to people who were in the midst of poverty.”
Source: The Anointing at Bethany (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to perform his miracles through his human nature, specifically at his baptism.
But no, He performed them in His human nature through the power of the Holy Spirit that was given to Him at His baptism.
Source: The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (Ligonier)
Satan repeatedly attacked Jesus, but Jesus endured these attacks, and angels ministered to Him afterward.
He withstood everything Satan had to throw at Him. In his frustration, Satan left Him, and we must note two things about that. First, we are told that he departed from Jesus for a season. It would not be the last time in Jesus’ life or ministry that Satan would throw everything he had against the Son of God.
Source: The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (Ligonier)
John the Baptist's ministry was highly significant because the Jewish people were astonished by the renewal of the prophetic office.
John the Baptist got more interest at this time than Jesus because the Jews were astonished at the renewal of the office of prophet, which had been so important in Old Testament days but had ceased for a period of four hundred years, until John came out of the wilderness in the spirit and in the power of Elijah.
Source: The Beheading of John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The healing of the blind man and the healing of the deaf man are the only two miracles of Jesus in Mark that are not found in Matthew or Luke.
Those two miracles, the healing of the deaf man and now the healing of the blind man, are the only two miracles of Jesus in the gospel of Mark that are absent from the gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Luke.
Source: The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
The healing of the blind man was gradual rather than instantaneous, which the speaker suggests has significance for Mark's message, even though Jesus possesses instant power.
This is the only miracle of Jesus in the whole New Testament where His work of miraculous healing does not take place instantly. In this case, the man’s healing required a second touch.
Source: The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
Jesus' action of taking the blind man by the hand and leading him out of town was intended not for immediate healing, but to take him away from the people who brought him.
The purpose of taking the man by the hand is not to heal him at the moment but to take him away from his friends who had brought him to Jesus.
Source: The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
Unlike most healing instances where Jesus commands the healed person to act, in this specific account, Jesus asks the healed man about his vision.
In most cases, when Jesus heals somebody, He commands them in the affirmative, saying, “Do this,” or, “Do that.” This is the only time we see that Jesus, when He touches somebody for healing, asks him how he’s doing. He asks him if he sees anything.
Source: The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
The disciples, despite witnessing many miracles, had only a partial understanding of Jesus' identity.
For all intents and purposes, when they looked at Jesus, if they had been asked, “Who do you say that He is?” the disciples may have said something like, “I look at Jesus, and I see a mighty oak walking around, but I don’t really understand the full measure of who He is.”
Source: The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
God established the tithe in the Old Testament specifically to support the ministry, which involves the care of the mind and souls.
I have often wondered why it is that in the Old Testament, when God established the principle of the tithe, He did it to support the ministry of the church, preaching, teaching, priesthood—that is, the care of the mind and souls.
Source: The Calling of the Disciples (Ligonier)
The most important session is the one where Christ is seated in heaven, signifying his exaltation and enthronement at the right hand of God.
The most important session of all time is the session seated in heaven. Psalm 110 says that Yahweh says to David’s Lord, “Sit at My right hand,” which means, “Be seated in the highest place of authority in the universe according to My delegation.”
Source: David's Son and Lord (Ligonier)
Defilement does not come from outside a person but originates from within the heart.
There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
Source: Defilement from Within (Part 2) (Ligonier)
One interpretation suggested that the feeding was a hoax perpetrated by a fraudulent preacher, involving a cave and a robe.
The worst interpretation was that Jesus had carefully prepared for this event by the devious means of filling a cave near the Sea of Galilee with foodstuffs. Jesus had a flowing robe with loose sleeves, much as you might see with the attire of a magician. He had His disciples hidden in the cave behind Him, and they formed a bucket brigade of sorts, passing loaves and fishes up through the back of His robe, which He then distributed to the mass of humanity gathered there.
Source: Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that the true miracle of the feeding was an ethical one, based on human sharing.
The true miracle that took place here was an ethical miracle—the miracle of human beings sharing their provisions one with another.
Source: Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
The true miracle in the feeding of the five thousand was an ethical miracle, representing human sharing rather than divine intervention.
The true miracle that took place here was an ethical miracle—the miracle of human beings sharing their provisions one with another.
Source: Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
The pastor's job is to feed the congregation with the Word of God, which is described as nurturing and non-poisonous.
My job is to feed you with food that will not make you sick, food that will not poison you but food that will nurture you—the very Word of God.
Source: Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
Jesus was continuously feeding the sheep with truth and the Word throughout the entire time, not just during the miraculous feeding of bread and fish.
No, the whole time, Jesus was feeding the sheep with truth and with His Word.
Source: Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
Jesus will provide spiritual sustenance by himself, motivated by compassion for the people.
He will feed you by Himself, of Himself, out of His compassion for you.
Source: Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
This narrative records the only miracle in the New Testament that involves a miracle of destruction.
This narrative records the only miracle in the New Testament involving a miracle of destruction.
Source: The Fig Tree and the Temple (Ligonier)
The narrative is intended to increase understanding of Christ's deity, majesty, and power, particularly his ability to conquer chaos and hell's forces.
my prayer is that it will increase our understanding of the deity, majesty, and power of Christ, who created the world, who conquers all the forces of chaos, including the demons of hell.
Source: The Gadarene Demoniac (Ligonier)
Signs (miracles) are given to the church primarily and essentially to confirm the truth proclaimed by the Apostolic testimony.
These signs that we call miracles are given to the church primarily and essentially to confirm the truth proclaimed by the Apostolic testimony.
Source: The Great Commission (Ligonier)
Jesus performed a healing ritual involving touching the man, spitting on him, and applying the spittle to the man's tongue.
And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
God's actions, both in creation and in Christ's ministry, demonstrate that He does everything well.
That’s the heart of a Christian, because it’s the same God who is manifest here in Jesus ministering to this afflicted man by the Sea of Galilee in the Decapolis. It’s the same God who created the heavens and the earth. When God created the heavens, He looked at what He made through the power of His voice, He saw the lights shining into the darkness, and He said, “Well, that’s not too bad.” No, no. He looked at the work of His hands and pronounced His divine benediction upon it, “That’s good,” because what God does in creation, He does well.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
The peace and joy found in the soul come from the Spirit of God, who works perfectly in the believer.
That’s why we can sing in the midst of tribulation, “It is well with our souls”—not because we make our souls well in the midst of the storm, but because when the Spirit of God comes into the soul of a person and brings His peace and His joy, He does it well.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
In ancient times, the Scriptures were taught and commented upon by various teachers and visiting rabbis, not primarily by the synagogue leader.
The synagogue was a place of assembly where the Scriptures were taught not by the leader of the synagogue, who was basically an administrator, but the Torah and the rest of the Scriptures of the Old Testament were read and commented on by various teachers and visiting rabbis, like Jesus in this text.
Source: Healing of the Man with the Unclean Spirit (Ligonier)
Jesus asserted that He had the power on earth to forgive sins, demonstrating this by commanding the paralytic to walk.
But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Source: Healing the Paralytic (Ligonier)
The four men carried the paralyzed man up to the roof and began digging through the structure to create a hole large enough for the man to be lowered down to Jesus.
Pressing on with their mission to get the suffering man to Jesus, the four men carried him up the stairs to the roof and began digging—taking apart the tiles, cutting through the thatch, breaking the sticks—to make a hole big enough for them to let the paralyzed man down so that Jesus might touch him.
Source: Healing the Paralytic (Ligonier)
The New Testament explicitly teaches the deity of Christ, which is evident in narratives like the one described.
Not only does the New Testament explicitly teach the deity of Christ, but we see in narratives like this the clear implication of Jesus’ claim to deity.
Source: Healing the Paralytic (Ligonier)
The man was seeking physical healing, not spiritual forgiveness, when Jesus addressed him.
There is nothing in the text that suggests the man was looking for forgiveness. He was looking for healing.
Source: Healing the Paralytic (Ligonier)
Jesus' primary purpose in his actions was not merely to heal the man physically, but to demonstrate His divine authority to forgive sins.
In other words, Jesus was saying: “I said it not just to heal this man thoroughly, body and soul—I went deeper than his paralysis. I went to the deepest need he had: his relief from guilt.”
Source: Healing the Paralytic (Ligonier)
Although Jesus physically departed, he remains present through the Holy Ghost.
Even though Jesus is no longer present with us touching His human nature, He’s never absent from us touching the presence of His Holy Ghost.
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
Jesus demonstrated power over disease and death by healing the woman with the hemorrhage and raising Jairus' daughter.
But just as we saw Jesus’ power over nature in the calming of the storm and His power over the realm of the demonic in His freeing of the one possessed by a legion of devils, so now we see the record of our Lord’s power over disease and death itself.
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Jesus traveled to different towns to preach and cast out demons.
But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus touched the leper and declared him cleansed, instructing him to follow specific religious protocols.
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
The account of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law was supplied by Peter himself, based on his own recollections.
First, this particular event was supplied to Mark by his mentor, Peter himself, and Peter gave his own recollections of how Jesus touched his mother-in-law and instantly made her well—to the point that she was able to rise from her bed and begin to serve Christ and His disciples.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus' primary mission was to preach the truth of the kingdom of God, not merely to heal physical ailments.
I didn’t come to this earth to heal everybody’s diseases. I didn’t come here to perform miracles for everybody in need. I came to preach the truth that My Father has sent Me to declare.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
People often approach God out of physical need or sickness, but they fail to pursue a deeper understanding of God's Word.
Sometimes we are just like that. We come to God in prayer when we are sick, when our bodies hurt, yet at the same time we do not pursue an understanding of His Word.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus would not allow his mission of preaching to be diverted by popular demand for miracles or power.
Jesus was not going to be diverted from His mission because everybody was screaming with popular applause for His power.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
The priest was responsible for examining skin afflictions to determine if they were harmless or leprosy, using God's Word.
The first thing you would do is go to the priest, because it was the priest’s job, using the guidance of God’s Word, to determine whether this outbreak in your flesh was a harmless skin affliction or leprosy.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus emphasized that the man must follow the established legal process, including going to the priest and making an offering, even when healing was miraculous.
He said, “You know the law: go back to the priest, make your offering, and have the priest declare you clean.”
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus' teaching and power consistently provoked a response of astonishment from people wherever he went.
According to the writers of the Gospels, everywhere Jesus went, His teaching, His power, and His miracles provoked a response of astonishment.
Source: Jesus at Nazareth (Ligonier)
The people of Nazareth were surprised that Jesus was teaching in the synagogue because they believed he lacked the necessary credentials.
They knew Jesus. They knew He didn’t go to seminary. They knew He didn’t go to the university. They knew He didn’t study under the great rabbis of the day. For all intents and purposes, they knew that Jesus was not qualified to be a teacher and a rabbi.
Source: Jesus at Nazareth (Ligonier)
The people of Nazareth viewed Jesus as a low-status laborer, which led them to question his authority to teach in the synagogue.
Carpenters were considered menial laborers, so the people looked at Jesus and said, “What’s He doing—a carpenter—teaching in the synagogue?”
Source: Jesus at Nazareth (Ligonier)
People cannot truly come to God unless the Holy Spirit opens their eyes and hearts and regenerates their souls.
Unless God the Holy Spirit opens the eyes and hearts of sinful human flesh, no one will truly come to Him.
Source: Jesus at Nazareth (Ligonier)
Peter was present at the high priest's courtyard, sitting with the servants and warming himself by the fire.
But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
Source: Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Ligonier)
Peter's weeping was not immediate but occurred after he remembered Jesus' prophecy and contemplated his actions.
Notice it does not say simply, “He wept.” He did not weep, friends, until he thought about it, until he remembered what Jesus had said, and he began to contemplate what he had done, and then he was sick to tears.
Source: Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Ligonier)
The disciples, like the crowd, tended to view Jesus' miracles as signs of him being a political warrior-deliverer from Rome.
He saw that they were as excited as the crowd, and they were looking to Him with a glaze in their eyes that maybe Jesus would be the one to drive the Romans out of the land.
Source: Jesus Walking on Water (Ligonier)
The biblical text clearly indicates that Jesus was performing a supernatural act by walking on top of the water.
The language in the text makes no mistake about what Mark is saying. The word there means “on top of” the water. Clearly, Jesus was doing something that no mortal can do.
Source: Jesus Walking on Water (Ligonier)
Jesus' action of walking on water was a supernatural event that no mortal could perform.
Clearly, Jesus was doing something that no mortal can do.
Source: Jesus Walking on Water (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that John the Baptist's ministry fulfilled the role of Elijah, even though John stated he was not Elijah.
We are told that John came in the spirit and the power of Elijah, and Jesus was saying that the ministry of Elijah was fulfilled in the work of John the Baptist.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Mark was aware of the prophecy and therefore provided a citation regarding the messenger who prepares the way for the Messiah.
Mark was clearly aware of that prophecy, and so he gives the citation: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness.”
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The wilderness is a significant and recurring setting in the Old Testament, serving as the traditional meeting place between God and His prophets.
In the Old Testament, the traditional meeting place between God and His prophets was almost always the wilderness.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
John the Baptist's ministry was characterized by his appearance in the wilderness and his preaching of repentance.
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
John the Baptist proclaimed that a greater figure would come after him, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Jesus possessed deep knowledge of Old Testament scriptures, including Psalm 22 and passages in Isaiah, which applied to his own crucifixion.
Not only that, but Jesus was not just a student of the Old Testament Scriptures, He was the actual subject of the Old Testament Scriptures. He was intimately aware of Psalm 22, which He quoted on the cross. He was also aware of all of those passages in the later portion of the prophet Isaiah, particularly Isaiah 50 and Isaiah 53, which read almost like an eyewitness account of the crucifixion.
Source: Kingdom Climbers (Ligonier)
When participating in the Lord's Supper, believers can be assured of Christ's real presence.
so we can have full assurance when we come to the table this morning, dear friends, that we come to be in His real presence.
Source: The Last Supper (Ligonier)
Jesus' ministry involved engaging with people wherever they were, including those who were in difficult situations.
Jesus did not just keep Himself in a convent or in a monastery somewhere. He was where people the people were, where pain existed, because He cared about people.
Source: New Wine Skins (Ligonier)
Christians should minister to people who are in the world, rather than avoiding contact with those who are sinners.
But we must minister to people who are in the world. That is how Jesus did His ministry.
Source: New Wine Skins (Ligonier)
Jesus gave a strong exhortation to his listeners, commanding them to pay attention to his teaching.
In both cases, the form of the word is imperative. It is a command, and it is translated here into the English in this manner: Jesus says, “Listen!” He gives a strong exhortation to those around Him who are listening to His teaching, and He says, “I want you really to listen.”
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
Jesus' interpretation of this specific parable is allegorical.
But in this case, when Jesus gives His interpretation of the parable He taught, He gives it allegorically.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The sower in the parable is God, and the seed represents God's Word.
The sower here is God. The seed refers to God’s Word.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The meaning of the parable is plain and easy to understand, and it was specifically intended for the religious leaders of Israel.
We also must take note that this parable is not designed to hide some truth of the kingdom of God from those outside the kingdom of God, who have no eyes to see or ears to hear, but the meaning of this parable is plain and easy to understand. Those to whom it was targeted, namely the religious leaders of Israel, understood it clearly.
Source: The Parable of the Vinedressers (Ligonier)
Jesus used parables, including the vineyard parable, to provoke His enemies and reveal the Father's wrath against the religious rulers.
We see on this occasion one of those episodes where our Lord used a parable that only thinly veils His and the Father’s wrath against the rulers over Israel.
Source: The Parable of the Vinedressers (Ligonier)
Jesus' use of the parable demonstrates His detailed knowledge of the wine-growing industry in Israel.
Let us look now at the content of this parable: “He began to speak to them in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.’”
Source: The Parable of the Vinedressers (Ligonier)
Believers are called to be children of the light and set forth the light of Christ to the world.
It is a tremendous thing that we are called to be children of the light, and we are called to set forth the light of Christ to this dying world around us.
Source: Parables of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that his ministry's primary focus was on the children of Israel, not on providing food for the little dogs.
My ministry is to take care of the children, the children of Israel, not to give the food that is designed for the children to the little dogs.
Source: The Syro-Phoenician Woman (Ligonier)
Jesus' ministry, including casting out demons and healing, was powered by the Holy Ghost, not Satan.
The biblical portrait of Christ is that the power by which He cast out demons and healed people afflicted with various diseases was the power of the Holy Ghost.
Source: The Unpardonable Sin (Ligonier)
Jesus' ministry involved binding Satan and making ruin of his domain.
Jesus, of course, was alluding to His own ministry, where He had broken into the very domain of Satan and bound him, rendering him impotent against Jesus’ power: “Why am I casting out demons? Because I’m binding the strong man so that I can make ruin of his house and dominion.”
Source: The Unpardonable Sin (Ligonier)
Jesus instructed his followers not to forbid those who work miracles in his name, because such people are on their side.
But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.”
Source: Who Is the Greatest? (Ligonier)
Jesus' primary point regarding his delivery to men is that he is being handed over or delivered by the Father, not by Judas or the disciples.
The primary point Jesus is making is that He, at this very moment, is now being handed over or delivered.
Source: Who Is the Greatest? (Ligonier)
The speaker argues that the time Mary spent in conversation with Jesus was superior to the physical act of serving, as it was devoted to attending His teaching.
She was devoting herself to a means of grace that was far more powerful than even service itself.
Source: Martha & Mary (Ligonier)
The biblical account of Mary visiting Elizabeth demonstrates that the unborn child was alive and responded supernaturally to the presence of Christ.
However, we see in this text a living child, not yet born, whose heart was beating, whose brainwaves were circulating, and who recognized the presence of Christ while he was still in his mother’s womb. He leaped for joy in the womb.
Source: Mary's Visit to Elizabeth (Ligonier)
The five songs mentioned in Luke's account of Jesus' infancy are significant and can enrich and change a person's life through meditation.
The five songs are these: this song of Elizabeth, the Magnificat (Mary’s song), the Benedictus (Zacharias’ song), the Gloria in Excelsis (the song of the angels on Christmas Eve), and the Nunc dimittis (Simeon’s song when the baby Jesus was presented at the temple).
Source: Mary's Visit to Elizabeth (Ligonier)
The sermon material is God's Word, which is superintended and inspired by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of instruction, edification, and sanctification.
This is His Word, superintended and inspired by God the Holy Spirit for our instruction, edification, and sanctification.
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The ministry of the people of God in the mission field causes a visible fall of Satan's power from heaven.
I could see it wasn’t just lightning. It was Satan and the great fall of his power because of the ministry that you have undertaken in My name.
Source: The Mission of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that the path to life is narrow and difficult, and that few people will find it.
Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Source: The Narrow Way (Ligonier)
Jesus' earthly brothers were initially skeptics and unbelievers regarding His Messianic claims.
We know from other indications in the text that during the earthly ministry of Jesus, His earthly brothers were skeptics. They did not accept His Messianic claims. They were unbelievers.
Source: A New Apostle (Ligonier)
People often approach Jesus seeking only physical benefits or miracles, rather than repenting of their sins or accepting him as Lord and Messiah.
The people pursued Jesus for the benefit they could derive from Him without any purpose of repenting from their sins or receiving Him as Lord, Messiah, and Savior.
Source: The Nobleman's Son (Ligonier)
The people welcome Jesus only when they are looking for signs and wonders, which is a problem observed throughout his ministry in Galilee.
People welcome Him only when they are looking for signs and wonders. Sure, the people welcome Jesus for His miracles, but there is no honor given to Him as the Messiah.
Source: The Nobleman's Son (Ligonier)
Believers have a divine obligation to speak and teach what they have seen and heard, regardless of threats from earthly authorities.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Source: Obeying God or Man? (Ligonier)
Jesus was acclaimed by the masses as being the teacher par excellence, even though he did not receive formal academic credentials.
In any case, Jesus was acclaimed by the masses as being the teacher par excellence.
Source: The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Ligonier)
The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho passes through a desert area that contains a bona fide oasis called Jericho.
Jericho was not a mirage; Jericho was a bona fide oasis. It still is today. When you cross the wilderness, you see green trees in the distance. There is water running in streams and canals, and you see a whole town built around a place of refreshment, where there is water in abundance.
Source: The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Ligonier)
The Samaritan demonstrated compassion by actively caring for the injured man, including treating his wounds and ensuring his care at an inn.
The Samaritan went to the man and bandaged his wounds. He poured oil and wine on his wounds, then he helped him up and put him on his beast of burden. He walked alongside the man who was now on the beast belonging to the Samaritan. He guided the animal bearing the wounded man to an inn, and he did not leave him at the front door and go about his business. He took him inside the inn and—listen to what it says: “He took care of him.”
Source: The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Ligonier)
The master instructs the servant to expand the invitation beyond the borders of Israel to include the Gentiles and strangers.
Then go into the highways and the byways. Go outside the city. Go to the strangers.
Source: The Parable of the Great Supper (Ligonier)
Servants are expected to multiply the gifts or talents they have been entrusted with while the master is away.
The talents (as Matthew calls them) or minas (as Luke calls them) were entrusted to each servant, and while the master was away, each servant was expected to multiply the talents or gifts for which they were responsible.
Source: The Parable of the Minas (Ligonier)
Christian life, particularly in ministry, should be characterized by productivity and diligence, mirroring the principle of production found in the kingdom of God.
Every Christian is given a gift by God, and God expects every Christian to be productive in an honest, compassionate, righteous way, and diligent way.
Source: The Parable of the Minas (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that knowing the mysteries of the kingdom of God was given to some, while the rest were given parables.
He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables.”
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
For those who are hostile to God's word, parables function as a form of divine judgment.
But for those whose hearts were hardened, who did not have ears to hear, whose necks were stiff, who didn’t want to hear the Word of God, who had a basic antipathy and hostility to the things of God, the parables were a form of divine judgment.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
Paul's commission was to preach the gospel to the Jewish people first, and subsequently to the Gentiles.
Paul reminds us later in his letter to the Romans that his commission was to give the gospel to the Jew first and then to the gentile.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
Jonathan Edwards delivered his warning sermon in a controlled, non-hysterical manner.
They said he fixed his gaze on the bell rope in the back of the church and in a gracious tone continued with these biblical images, warning the people, saying: “Do you realize that some of you who are in the congregation this morning, within the next twelve months, will be in hell? Some of you may be there before the sun rises tomorrow.”
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
Jesus Christ is the sole means of accessing Heaven and eternal life.
Jesus alone is the gateway to Heaven and everlasting life.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
Belief in God's truth comes from being overwhelmed by the teaching of the Lord, not merely witnessing a miracle.
He did not believe simply because he was an eyewitness of the judgment that befell the false prophet, but we are told that he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. It was the Word of God.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
Paul understood that when he was addressed, he was speaking to the Sovereign One of heaven, whom he addressed as Lord (Kyrios).
Paul was not using the term kyrios in the lower sense of simple polite address, but rather in the supreme, imperial sense. He knew that he was being addressed by the Sovereign One of heaven, but he did not know exactly why, and he asked, “Who are You, Lord?”
Source: Paul's Conversion (Ligonier)
Being turned upside down by the power of God the Holy Spirit radically changes one's life, much like Paul's life was changed on the road to Damascus.
Because his life was turned upside down by the power of God the Holy Spirit, so the world was turned upside down, and so we have been turned upside down through the testimony that God put on Paul’s lips and his pen that feeds the church even to this day.
Source: Paul's Conversion (Ligonier)
Paul's preaching of the gospel always began by pointing to Christ's birth according to Scripture as the seed of David.
This is where Paul started every time he preached the gospel: Christ was born according to the Scripture as the seed of David.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
The inner circle of disciples during Jesus' earthly ministry consisted of Peter, James, and John.
The inner circle of disciples throughout the earthly ministry of our Lord consisted of three people: Peter, James, and John.
Source: Peter in Prison (Ligonier)
The miraculous healing of the man was a demonstration of God's power, specifically through the name of Jesus.
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.
Source: Peter's Second Speech (Ligonier)
Peter's sermon was carefully structured to include a summation of Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah.
Rather, if you look carefully at Peter’s words, he was compacting them, choosing his words carefully, and he included a summation of Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah who was to come.
Source: Peter's Second Speech (Ligonier)
God pours out the Spirit on all flesh, enabling prophecy and signs in the last days.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
Peter's sermon was reasoned and rational, focusing on the truth of God's Word rather than manipulating the emotions of the listeners.
Context: Referring to observations made by Dr. James Montgomery Boice.
The Apostle Peter did not simply play on the emotions of his hearers and try to gain an emotional response. Rather, he reasoned with them, showing them the rational character of the truth of the proclaimed Word of God.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
The essential message of the Apostles (kērygma) must always include the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the person and work of Jesus, along with a summary of His life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
The kērygma always contained certain things. It always pointed out that in the person and work of Jesus, there was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as we began to see last week with Peter’s application of the prophet Joel to the day of Pentecost. But also essential to the kērygma was a brief recap of the life and ministry of Christ—how He was born of the seed of David, how He performed miracles through the power of God, and how He was crucified, buried, raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 2 (Ligonier)
The primary significance of Jesus' miracles was not merely compassion, but the authentication of his claims to divinity.
But beyond the local and immediate work of compassion that these miracles exhibited was a far deeper significance. It was what the philosopher John Locke called “the credit of the proposer,” that the claims Jesus made to being the Son of God were verified, authenticated, and demonstrated to be genuine by the miracles God performed in and through Him.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 2 (Ligonier)
God provided specific instructions to Cornelius, including the destination (Joppa) and the specific people he needed to meet (Peter, who was lodging with Simon the tanner).
He essentially said, “You go to Simon the tanner’s house, and find Peter, Simon Peter, and tell him to come.”
Source: Peter's Vision (Ligonier)
The man's ability to carry his bed was based on the direct command of the healer, not his own initiative.
He is saying, in essence: “It wasn’t my idea. If someone comes along and tells me to walk, and I walk for the first time in thirty-eight years, and then He tells me to pick up my bed and carry it, what do you think I’m going to do? I’m going to pick up the bed and carry it.”
Source: The Pool of Bethesda (Ligonier)
People who are outwardly active in church life and religious rituals may still be rejected by Christ if their hearts are not truly connected to Him.
Jesus will say: “What’s your name? I don’t recognize you, you who are workers of lawlessness.”
Source: Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
The Gospel of John is highly theological and focuses on the critical redemptive-historical activities of Jesus, unlike the Synoptic Gospels which provide a general overview of his ministry.
His is the most theological of the four Gospels, and he devotes almost two-thirds of the material in his written account to the last week of Jesus’ life.
Source: The Prologue of John's Gospel (Ligonier)
The life and light described in John's Gospel refer to divine life, which is contrasted with the natural, fallen condition of the world.
There may be biological life, but not this kind of life that He came so we might have. And this life, John says, “was the light of men.”
Source: The Prologue of John's Gospel (Ligonier)
Most people hearing the sermon are likely unaware of Christ and are still living in spiritual darkness.
But if we go by the odds, the probability is extremely high that there are people hearing this who do not know Christ, who are still living in darkness.
Source: The Prologue of John's Gospel (Ligonier)
Satan lacks the power to perform miracles, and any attempts he makes are merely frauds and counterfeits.
I quite vocally took the position that Satan has never performed a miracle. He does not have the power to perform miracles. All his attempts at miracles are frauds and counterfeits because he does not have the power that God alone possesses.
Source: The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
Peter was the primary leader of the church in Jerusalem and was considered the pre-eminent apostle to the Jews.
In the first-century Christian community, the church in Jerusalem was led chiefly by the Apostle Peter. He was pre-eminently the Apostle to the Jews, while Paul’s principal mission was to be the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Source: The Raising of Dorcas (Ligonier)
Aeneas was paralyzed and confined to his bed for eight years.
We are told that Aeneas had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. He was paralyzed to such a degree that he was not able to walk. He was not able to move about. He was confined to his bed for eight years.
Source: The Raising of Dorcas (Ligonier)
Peter emphasized that the healing of Aeneas was attributed to Jesus Christ, not to Peter himself.
Peter did not take any credit for healing Aeneas. Peter did not say, “In my name, get up off your mat and walk.” No, he said: “Get up, Aeneas, for Jesus the Christ is making you whole. Make your bed.”
Source: The Raising of Dorcas (Ligonier)
The Pharisees who later charged Jesus with performing miracles through Satan's power made an unsound theological judgment.
they later charged Jesus with performing His miracles through the power of Satan—an unsound judgment.
Source: Rebirth (Ligonier)
God is thanked for removing spiritual blindness and granting the desire to enter the kingdom.
Oh Father, we thank You for giving us life from above, for removing the scales from our eyes where we were blind to Your kingdom and see it now. Where we had no desire to enter into that kingdom, now we rush to it as those who would take it by force if necessary, because now we want nothing greater.
Source: Rebirth (Ligonier)
The parables served a dual purpose: to reveal truth to some people and to conceal it from others.
The parables had a double-edged purpose to reveal the truth to some and to conceal it from others, and this is where we struggle.
Source: The Return of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
Jesus spoke more about hell in his earthly teachings than he did about heaven, and more than the prophets or apostles.
First, in His earthly teachings, as recorded for us in the New Testament, Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven. Obviously, it was a matter of great importance and concern for Him. Also, we hear much more about hell from Jesus than we do from the prophets or the New Testament Apostles.
Source: The Rich Man & Lazarus (Ligonier)
The rich young ruler was not merely seeking healing, but was genuinely curious about how to achieve eternal life.
He was not sick as much as he was curious. The young ruler came with a question, which Luke tells us: “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Source: The Rich Young Ruler (Ligonier)
Jesus used the young man's riches to test his devotion to God.
Jesus said, “I think I’ll put this young man to the test about his other God that is before Me: his riches.”
Source: The Rich Young Ruler (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit acts upon the soul and heart, causing a profound, internal spiritual awakening.
The Spirit of God pierced their souls and hearts, and they said one to the other: “I know that my heart was burning inside, and I can’t believe that yours wasn’t, too. Did not our hearts burn within us as He spoke to us from His Word?”
Source: The Road to Emmaus (Ligonier)
Jesus repeatedly claimed a special intimacy and authority derived directly from the Father during his ministry.
I do nothing on My own authority, but only what the Father tells Me to do. All that the Father has given Me to do, that is what I do. All of those whom the Father has given to Me come to Me.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
Before his conversion, Paul was actively involved in persecuting Christians and wreaking havoc on the early church.
Luke goes on to tell us that not only did Saul give consent to the murder of Stephen, but then he wreaked havoc on the early church.
Source: Saul of Tarsus (Ligonier)
Paul's life was dramatically changed by meeting the risen Christ, transforming him from a persecutor into a great champion for the church.
After Saul met the risen Christ, and Christ turned his life upside down and blinded him by the radiance of His own glory, this man who wreaked havoc against the body of Christ became the greatest champion that the church of Jesus Christ has ever known.
Source: Saul of Tarsus (Ligonier)
The speaker deduces that Luke was the author of both his gospel and the book of Acts based on the use of 'we' passages describing Paul's missionary journey.
When he speaks in terms of “we,” he is referring to himself as the writer of this book, so it is not difficult to deduce, as the church has, that Luke was the author of both his gospel attributed to him and the book of Acts.
Source: A Second Account (Ligonier)
The power and authority for the apostles' ministry of healing and preaching came from Christ, who distributed it to them.
The Twelve had no power in and of themselves. They had no authority in and of themselves. The authority and power by which they were to exercise the ministry of healing and preaching was the power and authority of Christ, who distributed that power and authority to His Apostles.
Source: The Sending of the Twelve (Ligonier)
Jesus' preaching of the kingdom of God was central to His ministry, and this message continued after His earthly ministry.
Jesus had been preaching the kingdom of God throughout His earthly ministry, but the time of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee was coming to an end.
Source: The Sending of the Twelve (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul's teaching is presented as coming from God's grace, not from his own merit or background.
This is how the Apostle begins this segment of Romans 12: “For I say”—he does not just say it on his own, simply out of his own background, but “through the grace given to me.”
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
Before considering the glory of ministry, one must conduct a sober analysis of their own gifts and abilities.
First of all, before you think about the glory and drama of the ministry, you need to sit down and have a sober analysis of your gifts.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
The gift of prophecy, as discussed by Paul, is limited to the immediate time of the Apostolic age.
Being one of those who believes that the gift of Apostleship was only for the first century and was not capable of being passed on to the next generation, I often think that this gift of prophecy that Paul describes only describes the immediate time of the Apostolic age.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
The primary function of a prophet, both in the Old and New Testaments, is to interpret and communicate God's Word to the people.
The primary task of the prophet, in New Testament terms, is to function as an interpreter of the Word of God. Although we like to think of the prophets in the Old Testament as those who predicted the future, what we call foretelling , their primary task was not predicting the future but forthtelling , communicating the Word of God to the people.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
The role of the prophet today is fulfilled by the preacher, who must interpret and expound the Word of God.
What continues to this day is that the role of the prophet, in interpreting the Word of God and expounding it to the people, is the primary task of the preacher.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
Paul's discussion in Romans 7 is not merely an autobiography of his pre-conversion struggles, but rather describes a struggle that characterizes every Christian's life.
Not for one minute do I believe that is what the Apostle is doing in this text. When the Apostle speaks autobiographically in Romans 7 of the struggle that continues between the flesh and the spirit, he is talking about the struggle that characterizes every Christian’s life.
Source: Sin's Advantage in the Law (Ligonier)
Believing in the Son who was sent by God grants everlasting life and exemption from judgment.
he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Source: The Son of the Father (Ligonier)
God's love for the world is demonstrated by sending His only Son.
He loves the world how much? Enough to send His monogenēs , His one and only Son.
Source: The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
Stephen's radiance was similar to Moses' experience, suggesting that grace and loveliness emanated from him due to God's presence.
The radiance shining from the face of Stephen was more like Moses than Jesus. At that moment, Stephen was not reflecting the ugliness and horror in the faces of his accusers. Rather, the grace, loveliness, and sweetness of God poured forth from his countenance.
Source: Stephen on Trial (Ligonier)
For unbelievers, every blessing received from God in this life ultimately contributes to their damnation.
For the unbeliever who persists in his unbelief, every blessing that he receives from the hand of God in this life is ultimately working together for his damnation.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God works all things together for good specifically for those who are called according to His divine, supernatural, and omnipotent purpose.
God works all things together for good for those who love Him, for those who are the called, not just outwardly, but who are the called according to His divine, supernatural, and omnipotent purpose.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God speaks audibly from the heavens on specific, significant occasions.
Only three times in the New Testament are we told that God speaks audibly from the heavens. The first time was at the baptism of Jesus, when the dove descended, the heavens opened, and the Father spoke, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Source: The Transfiguration (Ligonier)
John was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved and was also known for being the Apostle of love.
John was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved, and he was also known for being the Apostle of love.
Source: The Twelve Apostles (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Philip was a missionary who traveled to ancient Gaul and was martyred in Turkey.
Tradition tells us that the missionary outreach of Philip carried all the way to ancient Gaul, or France. He also spent much time in Turkey where he was despised by the pagan priests and martyred in the year AD 54.
Source: The Twelve Apostles (Part 2) (Ligonier)
When Jesus told parables, one should not assume that He spoke of a real-life situation, as He may have created stories for illustrative purposes.
When Jesus told parables, we need not assume in every case that Jesus spoke of a real-life situation with which He was familiar. I am sure there were times that He created stories for the purposes of illustration, which is a legitimate thing to do.
Source: The Unjust Judge (Ligonier)
Jesus asserted that healing was lawful on the Sabbath, citing exceptions for emergency situations.
Healing was lawful, according to Jewish law. There were exceptions to the prohibition against work. Those exceptions involved emergency situations when human beings or animals were in severe distress.
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The Bible clearly indicates that Jesus performed a miracle by turning water into wine, and this event is central to understanding His ministry.
I think the Bible is manifestly clear that our Lord made wine. He drank wine, and there is not a word in the Bible that teaches it is sinful to drink wine.
Source: The Wedding Feast (Ligonier)
The office of prophet ceased after Malachi and was later renewed by John the Baptist, who began a new prophetic ministry.
Israel’s history of having prophets sent from God ended with the last canonical prophet of the Old Testament, whose name was Malachi. For four hundred years, there was not a peep out of God. The office of prophet ceased after Malachi until it was renewed again with this strange and bizarre figure coming out of the desert—the traditional meeting place between God and His prophets—beginning a new and radical prophetic ministry.
Source: Who Are You? (Ligonier)
The Apostles taught that their proclamation of Jesus' life was based on eyewitness accounts, not fabricated stories.
The Apostles declared to us that they did not proclaim cleverly devised myths or fables but rather what they saw with their eyes and heard with their ears.
Source: The Widow's Son (Ligonier)
The water Jesus offers is not physical but spiritual, providing everlasting life and quenching thirst permanently.
Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The Gospel of John is valuable because it contains many narratives detailing Jesus' encounters with people from diverse backgrounds.
One of the reasons I love the gospel of John so much is that it is filled with narratives of the encounters Jesus had with people from all walks of life.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus, acting as a rabbi, was responsible for ensuring his students were cared for, including providing food.
They were also responsible to serve their master, the rabbi, and to take care of his requirements, such as where he would lodge and where the food would come from. So, Jesus, being a good rabbi who had good students, sent them into the city to get lunch and bring it to Him.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The work of the disciples is to reap the harvest of eternal life, which is a continuation of God's work.
I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Jesus' testimony to Scripture is not primarily about his omniscience, but about his sinlessness, meaning he must be correct in everything he claims to be true.
So, what’s at stake here in terms of Jesus’ testimony to the Scriptures is not His omniscience, but His sinlessness. Jesus must be correct in all the things that He claims to be true, or He sins.
Source: How can we defend the doctrine of sola Scriptura using Scripture? (Ligonier Q&A)
Worship services should be primarily designed for believers, who are the true seekers, rather than for unbelievers.
That’s why worship on Sunday morning is to be designed chiefly and principally for the believer, not for the unbeliever.
Source: If “no one seeks for God,” why did Paul call his listeners to seek God? (Ligonier Q&A)
The Holy Spirit empowered people in the Old Testament for specific tasks, such as building the tabernacle or serving as prophets and kings.
The first people we read about being “filled” by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, strangely enough, were those whom God called to be artisans for the construction of the tabernacle (Ex. 31:1-6; 35:30-36:2).
Source: Were the Old Testament saints indwelt by the Holy Spirit? (Ligonier Q&A)