Bible Teachings from Summit Northwest Ministries

Solomon ruled over the Glory Days of Israel. It didn't get any better than it was during his rule. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, the bigger they come, the harder they fall. But this isn't a story about Solomon's fall, this is a story about an amazingly patient God who is just crazy about His kids.

There is a book in the Old Testament called, Jesus. We know it as Joshua, but it's the same word from Hebrew to Greek. Since we are lookingfor Jesus in the OT, what better place to look than in a book that bears His name. It also tells the story of a miracle that happened, that really didn't need to happen.

If there is anything in the Old Testament that creeps us out the most about God, it has to be the sacrificial system. How can a loving God command the destruction of so many animals? And why would He do that? And why does He appear to like it so much? It's a pleasing aroma? Seriously … God likes barbecue? Or is there something deeper? Discover how 'A Pleasing Aroma' is one of the most comforting phrases in the Bible, instead of one of the creepiest.

It's the stuff of legends, myths, and movies. One cannot overstate the significance of the Ark of the Covenant to the Jewish nation. There is so much about the ark that we don't understand, but its very physical appearance begs us to focus on mercy rather than the law. Discover the meaning behind the not so hidden truth of this amazing piece of sacred furniture.

Moses is confronted by God at the burning bush. It's Jesus in disguise. He reveals His name to be "I am." Jesus claims the same identity and is crucified because of it. There is something about that name. It's as full of questions as it is answers. What does 'I am' mean? Join us as we travel back in time to be with Moses on the mountain with 'I am' as it is revealed what the name really means.

God saves His children from the Egyptians. They have been in slavery a long time. Ten plagues and the last one kills all the first born. God saves His kids, but He looks like a monster in the process. That can't be right. Let's take a closer to look at the story to see the details we often miss. God isn't a destroyer; He is a deliverer.

Let's face it, Genealogies in the Bible are boring. Long lists of strange names that we can't pronounce. Why are they even included? But when we learn the names, hear their stories, all of a sudden … this genealogy in particular is anything but boring. Find out how this once boring geneology becomes a very unboring message of the Gospel.

There is so much more to the story of Joseph than first meets the eye. He is amazing. He is always faithful. He always does the right thing. He never does anything wrong. Joseph is the only character in the Bible, other than Jesus, whose narrative covers more than a few verses who is never recorded as doing anything wrong. He never sins. Who does that? Other than Jesus … maybe Joseph deserves a closer look.

Jacob's ladder, we love singing about it. We love telling the story. But there is so much more to it than a comforting dream for a deceitful man. The Gospel is in that Ladder. Assurance is in that Ladder. There is comfort for worrying Christians in that Ladder.

There are no legalists. Just ask anybody, they'll deny it. We all know legalists, but none of us are legalists. So, what does it mean? Join us as we discover what it means to be a legalist and how to avoid falling into that trap.