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The Marvelous Stone-work of God

You remember Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenant farmers. They had been hired by the Vineyard Owner (God) to tend his vines (Israel), so they bear fruit and enjoy its blessing and the Owner’s favor. Instead they refused to bear fruit, they killed his messengers (the prophets) and finally they killed his Son, all for selfish greed.

The Vineyard Owner’s Son is Jesus Christ. The chief priests, scribes and elders to whom Jesus told this parable understood his meaning perfectly when they perceived that Jesus told this parable against them (Mark 12:12).

Marvel at the wonder of Christ’s teaching in this parable. He denounces the blindness of Israel. With a siren alarm, Christ exposes the great sin of Israel’s leaders. They are given great honor to care for God’s people (the vineyard) and instead of nurturing it toward the great fruit of worship and faithful obedience, they foster unbelief and error in the people. Those builders who should know good stones when they see one, reject the best Stone.

Marvel also, at the prediction our Lord makes of his own death and resurrection. In his parable, Jesus shows that he, the Son, will be killed by the tenants. Christ predicts his own crucifixion, and exactly who will kill him. But it isn’t just the horrific sin of Christ’s death foretold, but his rising as well. That’s the point of his quoting Psalm 118. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  Literally this reads: “He has become the head of the corner.”  This means, after death, Christ will rise to the head of the entire building. Though killed he will be the heir of the vineyard! That’s why Peter concludes of this verse: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus’ dangerous parable exposing the religious leaders’ wickedness, climaxes on our His being our true and singular Savior.


Shane & Shane - The One You Need

Here's a music video from Shane & Shane's lateset album, The One You Need. They'll be in concert at Five Points this Tuesday at 7:30 pm.


Shane & Shane - Yearn

Tuesday, May 8th, we're having Shane & Shane in concert. Tickets are $15 at the door, or $12 online. Group tickiets (8+) are $10 a piece. Here's a video of their song Yearn.


Go to Jesus Outside the Camp

At the climax of the entire sermon of Hebrews, the writer makes a bold call to his readers: “Let us go to Him outside the camp.” I say it was bold because it was a call to identify with Jesus’ own suffering outside the sacred city of Jerusalem, on the dung heap of Golgotha for the sins of his people. Christ death on the cross, for the writer of Hebrews, not only saves effectually, but serves as our example.

In fact, it seems he means to draw tightly together our pardon and our pattern in the crucified Son of God. In verse 12 of chapter 13, he writes, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” Christ was the final and climactic sacrifice for the sins of the people. There need not nor cannot ever be another sacrifice for sin; Christ’s was the preeminent atonement.

Immediately the writer says, “Therefore.” That is, since Christ’s sacrifice effectively  sanctified his people, therefore “…let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” Two things amaze: first, Christ is not back inside the camp after his death at Calvary, He is still outside the camp. When we go, we go to him. We never go alone.

Second, he bids us come and join him. We are not to remain inside the apparent safety of the Christian camp, because Christ did not. He endured reproach for God’s glory, we who are being remade into his image will gladly join Him in bearing that same reproach. I say the ‘apparent’ safety of the camp, because there is a danger in disobeying this text. There is a grave danger in shrinking back from following Christ, even when it means a call to come and die. Jesus said, “Whoever would seek to save his life, will lose it” (Mk. 8:35).


By What Authority Does Jesus Purify?

After Jesus cleansed the Temple with his violent and just anger against Israel’s sin, the Jewish leaders banded together to question Jesus. In the verses that follow, they interrogated him with this insincere question: “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mark 11:28 ESV). I say it was insincere because they knew the answer.

When Jesus deftly countered their question with his own about John the Baptist’s authority, they were caught - like a wolverine in a trap of their own making. They couldn’t say John’s authority was from God, yet they knew it was. Because then they would have to admit that John was a prophet to be believed and not murdered. Much more the One John spoke of would also have to be believed: Jesus Christ standing in front of them!

Neither could they say John’s authority was from men, for then they would come under the scorn of all the people who knew he was from God. Their credibility among the very crowds they feared would be crushed.

What did they do? They committed spiritual suicide. They said: “We don’t know” (v.33). What a horrific sin to use ignorance as a cloak for unbelief. They did know and so do you and I.

Twice God the Father spoke audibly over His Son: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” (Mark 1:11, 9:7). We’ve seen his authority over demons, to interpret the Scriptures, to present himself as King, to judge the temple and ultimately to offer himself as a ransom for sinners. He will soon declare what is always true: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:19).

Do you happily acknowledge and live under Christ’s absolute authority? The moment you open the Scriptures to read, Christ’s authority is plain: it no longer will do to say, “We don’t know.”


The Marvelous Stone-work of God

You remember Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenant farmers. They had been hired by the Vineyard Owner (God) to tend his vines (Israel), so they bear fruit and enjoy its blessing and the Owner’s favor. Instead they refused to bear fruit, they killed his messengers (the prophets) and finally they killed his Son, all for selfish greed.

The Vineyard Owner’s Son is Jesus Christ. The chief priests, scribes and elders to whom Jesus told this parable understood his meaning perfectly when they perceived that Jesus told this parable against them (Mark 12:12).

Marvel at the wonder of Christ’s teaching in this parable. He denounces the blindness of Israel. With a siren alarm, Christ exposes the great sin of Israel’s leaders. They are given great honor to care for God’s people (the vineyard) and instead of nurturing it toward the great fruit of worship and faithful obedience, they foster unbelief and error in the people. Those builders who should know good stones when they see one, reject the best Stone.

Marvel also, at the prediction our Lord makes of his own death and resurrection. In his parable, Jesus shows that he, the Son, will be killed by the tenants. Christ predicts his own crucifixion, and exactly who will kill him. But it isn’t just the horrific sin of Christ’s death foretold, but his rising as well. That’s the point of his quoting Psalm 118. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  Literally this reads: “He has become the head of the corner.”  This means, after death, Christ will rise to the head of the entire building. Though killed he will be the heir of the vineyard! That’s why Peter concludes of this verse: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus’ dangerous parable exposing the religious leaders’ wickedness, climaxes on our His being our true and singular Savior.


Shane & Shane - The One You Need

Here's a music video from Shane & Shane's lateset album, The One You Need. They'll be in concert at Five Points this Tuesday at 7:30 pm.


Shane & Shane - Yearn

Tuesday, May 8th, we're having Shane & Shane in concert. Tickets are $15 at the door, or $12 online. Group tickiets (8+) are $10 a piece. Here's a video of their song Yearn.


Go to Jesus Outside the Camp

At the climax of the entire sermon of Hebrews, the writer makes a bold call to his readers: “Let us go to Him outside the camp.” I say it was bold because it was a call to identify with Jesus’ own suffering outside the sacred city of Jerusalem, on the dung heap of Golgotha for the sins of his people. Christ death on the cross, for the writer of Hebrews, not only saves effectually, but serves as our example.

In fact, it seems he means to draw tightly together our pardon and our pattern in the crucified Son of God. In verse 12 of chapter 13, he writes, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” Christ was the final and climactic sacrifice for the sins of the people. There need not nor cannot ever be another sacrifice for sin; Christ’s was the preeminent atonement.

Immediately the writer says, “Therefore.” That is, since Christ’s sacrifice effectively  sanctified his people, therefore “…let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” Two things amaze: first, Christ is not back inside the camp after his death at Calvary, He is still outside the camp. When we go, we go to him. We never go alone.

Second, he bids us come and join him. We are not to remain inside the apparent safety of the Christian camp, because Christ did not. He endured reproach for God’s glory, we who are being remade into his image will gladly join Him in bearing that same reproach. I say the ‘apparent’ safety of the camp, because there is a danger in disobeying this text. There is a grave danger in shrinking back from following Christ, even when it means a call to come and die. Jesus said, “Whoever would seek to save his life, will lose it” (Mk. 8:35).


By What Authority Does Jesus Purify?

After Jesus cleansed the Temple with his violent and just anger against Israel’s sin, the Jewish leaders banded together to question Jesus. In the verses that follow, they interrogated him with this insincere question: “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mark 11:28 ESV). I say it was insincere because they knew the answer.

When Jesus deftly countered their question with his own about John the Baptist’s authority, they were caught - like a wolverine in a trap of their own making. They couldn’t say John’s authority was from God, yet they knew it was. Because then they would have to admit that John was a prophet to be believed and not murdered. Much more the One John spoke of would also have to be believed: Jesus Christ standing in front of them!

Neither could they say John’s authority was from men, for then they would come under the scorn of all the people who knew he was from God. Their credibility among the very crowds they feared would be crushed.

What did they do? They committed spiritual suicide. They said: “We don’t know” (v.33). What a horrific sin to use ignorance as a cloak for unbelief. They did know and so do you and I.

Twice God the Father spoke audibly over His Son: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” (Mark 1:11, 9:7). We’ve seen his authority over demons, to interpret the Scriptures, to present himself as King, to judge the temple and ultimately to offer himself as a ransom for sinners. He will soon declare what is always true: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:19).

Do you happily acknowledge and live under Christ’s absolute authority? The moment you open the Scriptures to read, Christ’s authority is plain: it no longer will do to say, “We don’t know.”


The Marvelous Stone-work of God

You remember Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenant farmers. They had been hired by the Vineyard Owner (God) to tend his vines (Israel), so they bear fruit and enjoy its blessing and the Owner’s favor. Instead they refused to bear fruit, they killed his messengers (the prophets) and finally they killed his Son, all for selfish greed.

The Vineyard Owner’s Son is Jesus Christ. The chief priests, scribes and elders to whom Jesus told this parable understood his meaning perfectly when they perceived that Jesus told this parable against them (Mark 12:12).

Marvel at the wonder of Christ’s teaching in this parable. He denounces the blindness of Israel. With a siren alarm, Christ exposes the great sin of Israel’s leaders. They are given great honor to care for God’s people (the vineyard) and instead of nurturing it toward the great fruit of worship and faithful obedience, they foster unbelief and error in the people. Those builders who should know good stones when they see one, reject the best Stone.

Marvel also, at the prediction our Lord makes of his own death and resurrection. In his parable, Jesus shows that he, the Son, will be killed by the tenants. Christ predicts his own crucifixion, and exactly who will kill him. But it isn’t just the horrific sin of Christ’s death foretold, but his rising as well. That’s the point of his quoting Psalm 118. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  Literally this reads: “He has become the head of the corner.”  This means, after death, Christ will rise to the head of the entire building. Though killed he will be the heir of the vineyard! That’s why Peter concludes of this verse: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus’ dangerous parable exposing the religious leaders’ wickedness, climaxes on our His being our true and singular Savior.


Shane & Shane - The One You Need

Here's a music video from Shane & Shane's lateset album, The One You Need. They'll be in concert at Five Points this Tuesday at 7:30 pm.


Shane & Shane - Yearn

Tuesday, May 8th, we're having Shane & Shane in concert. Tickets are $15 at the door, or $12 online. Group tickiets (8+) are $10 a piece. Here's a video of their song Yearn.


Go to Jesus Outside the Camp

At the climax of the entire sermon of Hebrews, the writer makes a bold call to his readers: “Let us go to Him outside the camp.” I say it was bold because it was a call to identify with Jesus’ own suffering outside the sacred city of Jerusalem, on the dung heap of Golgotha for the sins of his people. Christ death on the cross, for the writer of Hebrews, not only saves effectually, but serves as our example.

In fact, it seems he means to draw tightly together our pardon and our pattern in the crucified Son of God. In verse 12 of chapter 13, he writes, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” Christ was the final and climactic sacrifice for the sins of the people. There need not nor cannot ever be another sacrifice for sin; Christ’s was the preeminent atonement.

Immediately the writer says, “Therefore.” That is, since Christ’s sacrifice effectively  sanctified his people, therefore “…let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” Two things amaze: first, Christ is not back inside the camp after his death at Calvary, He is still outside the camp. When we go, we go to him. We never go alone.

Second, he bids us come and join him. We are not to remain inside the apparent safety of the Christian camp, because Christ did not. He endured reproach for God’s glory, we who are being remade into his image will gladly join Him in bearing that same reproach. I say the ‘apparent’ safety of the camp, because there is a danger in disobeying this text. There is a grave danger in shrinking back from following Christ, even when it means a call to come and die. Jesus said, “Whoever would seek to save his life, will lose it” (Mk. 8:35).


By What Authority Does Jesus Purify?

After Jesus cleansed the Temple with his violent and just anger against Israel’s sin, the Jewish leaders banded together to question Jesus. In the verses that follow, they interrogated him with this insincere question: “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mark 11:28 ESV). I say it was insincere because they knew the answer.

When Jesus deftly countered their question with his own about John the Baptist’s authority, they were caught - like a wolverine in a trap of their own making. They couldn’t say John’s authority was from God, yet they knew it was. Because then they would have to admit that John was a prophet to be believed and not murdered. Much more the One John spoke of would also have to be believed: Jesus Christ standing in front of them!

Neither could they say John’s authority was from men, for then they would come under the scorn of all the people who knew he was from God. Their credibility among the very crowds they feared would be crushed.

What did they do? They committed spiritual suicide. They said: “We don’t know” (v.33). What a horrific sin to use ignorance as a cloak for unbelief. They did know and so do you and I.

Twice God the Father spoke audibly over His Son: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” (Mark 1:11, 9:7). We’ve seen his authority over demons, to interpret the Scriptures, to present himself as King, to judge the temple and ultimately to offer himself as a ransom for sinners. He will soon declare what is always true: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:19).

Do you happily acknowledge and live under Christ’s absolute authority? The moment you open the Scriptures to read, Christ’s authority is plain: it no longer will do to say, “We don’t know.”


The Marvelous Stone-work of God

You remember Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenant farmers. They had been hired by the Vineyard Owner (God) to tend his vines (Israel), so they bear fruit and enjoy its blessing and the Owner’s favor. Instead they refused to bear fruit, they killed his messengers (the prophets) and finally they killed his Son, all for selfish greed.

The Vineyard Owner’s Son is Jesus Christ. The chief priests, scribes and elders to whom Jesus told this parable understood his meaning perfectly when they perceived that Jesus told this parable against them (Mark 12:12).

Marvel at the wonder of Christ’s teaching in this parable. He denounces the blindness of Israel. With a siren alarm, Christ exposes the great sin of Israel’s leaders. They are given great honor to care for God’s people (the vineyard) and instead of nurturing it toward the great fruit of worship and faithful obedience, they foster unbelief and error in the people. Those builders who should know good stones when they see one, reject the best Stone.

Marvel also, at the prediction our Lord makes of his own death and resurrection. In his parable, Jesus shows that he, the Son, will be killed by the tenants. Christ predicts his own crucifixion, and exactly who will kill him. But it isn’t just the horrific sin of Christ’s death foretold, but his rising as well. That’s the point of his quoting Psalm 118. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  Literally this reads: “He has become the head of the corner.”  This means, after death, Christ will rise to the head of the entire building. Though killed he will be the heir of the vineyard! That’s why Peter concludes of this verse: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus’ dangerous parable exposing the religious leaders’ wickedness, climaxes on our His being our true and singular Savior.


Shane & Shane - The One You Need

Here's a music video from Shane & Shane's lateset album, The One You Need. They'll be in concert at Five Points this Tuesday at 7:30 pm.


Shane & Shane - Yearn

Tuesday, May 8th, we're having Shane & Shane in concert. Tickets are $15 at the door, or $12 online. Group tickiets (8+) are $10 a piece. Here's a video of their song Yearn.


Go to Jesus Outside the Camp

At the climax of the entire sermon of Hebrews, the writer makes a bold call to his readers: “Let us go to Him outside the camp.” I say it was bold because it was a call to identify with Jesus’ own suffering outside the sacred city of Jerusalem, on the dung heap of Golgotha for the sins of his people. Christ death on the cross, for the writer of Hebrews, not only saves effectually, but serves as our example.

In fact, it seems he means to draw tightly together our pardon and our pattern in the crucified Son of God. In verse 12 of chapter 13, he writes, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” Christ was the final and climactic sacrifice for the sins of the people. There need not nor cannot ever be another sacrifice for sin; Christ’s was the preeminent atonement.

Immediately the writer says, “Therefore.” That is, since Christ’s sacrifice effectively  sanctified his people, therefore “…let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” Two things amaze: first, Christ is not back inside the camp after his death at Calvary, He is still outside the camp. When we go, we go to him. We never go alone.

Second, he bids us come and join him. We are not to remain inside the apparent safety of the Christian camp, because Christ did not. He endured reproach for God’s glory, we who are being remade into his image will gladly join Him in bearing that same reproach. I say the ‘apparent’ safety of the camp, because there is a danger in disobeying this text. There is a grave danger in shrinking back from following Christ, even when it means a call to come and die. Jesus said, “Whoever would seek to save his life, will lose it” (Mk. 8:35).


By What Authority Does Jesus Purify?

After Jesus cleansed the Temple with his violent and just anger against Israel’s sin, the Jewish leaders banded together to question Jesus. In the verses that follow, they interrogated him with this insincere question: “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mark 11:28 ESV). I say it was insincere because they knew the answer.

When Jesus deftly countered their question with his own about John the Baptist’s authority, they were caught - like a wolverine in a trap of their own making. They couldn’t say John’s authority was from God, yet they knew it was. Because then they would have to admit that John was a prophet to be believed and not murdered. Much more the One John spoke of would also have to be believed: Jesus Christ standing in front of them!

Neither could they say John’s authority was from men, for then they would come under the scorn of all the people who knew he was from God. Their credibility among the very crowds they feared would be crushed.

What did they do? They committed spiritual suicide. They said: “We don’t know” (v.33). What a horrific sin to use ignorance as a cloak for unbelief. They did know and so do you and I.

Twice God the Father spoke audibly over His Son: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” (Mark 1:11, 9:7). We’ve seen his authority over demons, to interpret the Scriptures, to present himself as King, to judge the temple and ultimately to offer himself as a ransom for sinners. He will soon declare what is always true: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:19).

Do you happily acknowledge and live under Christ’s absolute authority? The moment you open the Scriptures to read, Christ’s authority is plain: it no longer will do to say, “We don’t know.”