In our study of The Story, today we turn our attention to the teachings of Jesus. The Bible tells us that crowds were drawn to Jesus because, unlike the Pharisees and scribes, He taught as one with authority (Matthew 7:28-29). The Sermon on the Mount has been called “the greatest sermon ever preached” and the insights Jesus gives for Kingdom living resonate as deeply today as on the day He first spoke them.In our study this morning, we will focus on the parables of joy found in Luke 15. Crowds of tax collectors and “sinners” are drawn to Jesus to hear His words of life. But the Pharisees and scribes criticize Jesus for sharing table fellowship with people of such low standing. In response to their judgmental legalism, Jesus issues three parables: the story of the Found Sheep; the Story of the Found Coin; and the Story of the Loving Father, a Father who runs.

There is one miracle of Jesus that appears in all four Gospels (Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15): the miraculous feeding of thousands of people with only five loaves and two fish. As the crowds continue to surround Jesus, the disciples are so busy with ministry that they can’t even take time to eat! Even when Jesus tries to retreat with them, the crowds continue to press in to hear the words of life from the Master Teacher.After seeking solitude by boat, Jesus finds that the crowds have run on ahead of him. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd,” (Mark 6:34). It is the compassion of Jesus that prompts the miracle that follows. And even today, we marvel at the compassion of the One ho shepherds us with such care and concern.

“Follow me.” These are the words Jesus uses to call His earliest followers. In the ancient world, it was a common practice for disciples to choose their masters. Aspiring disciples would discuss the respective merits of the popular teachers of the day before selecting the one they wanted to train underneath. But Jesus inverts this practice by selecting ordinary, untrained men -- fishermen and tax collectors -- to become His disciples. “Follow me.” These are the words He uses to change their lives. And these are the words He uses to change our lives as well.

“Follow me.” These are the words Jesus uses to call His earliest followers. In the ancient world, it was a common practice for disciples to choose their masters. Aspiring disciples would discuss the respective merits of the popular teachers of the day before selecting the one they wanted to train underneath. But Jesus inverts this practice by selecting ordinary, untrained men -- fishermen and tax collectors -- to become His disciples. “Follow me.” These are the words He uses to change their lives. And these are the words He uses to change our lives as well.

Known for her beauty, Esther is a model of bravery, risking her own life for the sake of her people. Key verse: "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

Known for her beauty, Esther is a model of bravery, risking her own life for the sake of her people. Key verse: "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

We attempt to deal with our guilt in a variety of ways: we deny it, we minimize it, we rationalize it, we even fixate on it. But in Psalm 51, David helps us to see the only way to deal with guilt is to repent. This episode looks at David's progression from confession of sin to a request for restoration to a final word of praise and trust in a God who forgives when we truly repent.

David: the shepherd boy who bravely took down Goliath; the poet who sang, "The Lord is my shepherd"; the man after God's own heart. This is how we often remember David. 2 Sam. 7 has been called "the peak of the Old Testament" because of the promises David receives from God, promises that reach ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. And yet, David's story -- like ours -- contains a few dark chapters as well. 2 Sam. 11&12 marks a low point in David's life -- and the consequences are tragic. Join us today as we examine David's story and the many ways it parallels our own lives.

Dr. Bradley continues his discussion of Isaiah 53, examining the predictive prophesies of Jesus' miraculous birth, manner of life, the meaning of His death, His resurrection and what they mean for us today.

Isaiah is a book of predictive porphesy in that Isaiah, the prophet, foretells 59 tiimes, 800 years before Christ's birth, the story of Christ's life. Chapter 53 provides insight into Christ's story, predicting the miraculous birth (being born of a virgin and the son of God) as well as the manner of His life. Join Dr. Bradley as he discusses the significance of this predictive prophecy in our understanding of Jesus's life and His relationship with His children.