Biblical Literacy Podcast

Mark introduced a new series that focuses on the law as found in the Torah. After giving an overview of different types of law, Mark explained that Biblical law is more than a rule of conduct or action prescribed by a controlling authority; God reveals Himself through the law. By the time of Jesus, the law held a central place in Jewish life. Biblical law can tell us what to do, but it doesn’t give us life. And the law wasn’t the source of eternal life. God reveals himself as gracious through the Biblical law. He calls us to be holy like He is holy. Listen to Mark explain the Greek meaning of “law” and how Jesus fulfills the Law perfectly. In the weeks ahead, we will see God and Jesus revealed in greater detail through the study of the Law.

Mark interviewed Pastor Brent Dyer for a joint session to discuss the power and theology of worship in song: bringing praise to our Creator.

3 areas of consideration:

1. Knowing Brent: An only child whose father and grandfather were pastors. Grew up in Dallas and attended Baylor University. He is married and they have a son and daughter.

2.The theology or philosophy of worship -Romans 12:1-2 . Worship is the day-to-day way we live our lives in sacrifice to God.

3.Q&A -Individualworship vs corporate worship. Corporate worship is an overflow of daily individual worship. Corporate worship allows us to connect with God while encouraging each other. Listen to Mark and Brent explore worship and glorifying God in song. The quality of voice is not important; worship is a true and conscious matter of the heart. We are singing to an audience of One

This week Mark taught on the power of singing praises to God. The lesson had 3 areas of focus:

1.Biblical instruction -The Bible tells us to sing, to worship God, to bless, honor, and praise what God has done.

2. Historical practice -Worship is giving God His natural place. Singing affects the way we shape thoughts, actions, and feelings.

3. Practical exercises -Worship and singing needs to focus on our target: God. Worship is not entertainment, but a place of holiness. We learn that singing requires both sides of the brain. Mark highlights Bible passages that show our singing impacts how we think, act, and feel toward God, personally and corporately.

Mark’s lesson focused on Knowing God, based on the book by J. I. Packer. Mark provided the different meanings of the wordknowin Hebrew and Greek. He taught three points:

1. Perspective: Be a watcher not a doer. We want to knowGod, not simply know about God.

2. Practical: Wegrow our relationship through Jesus, fellowship, the Holy Spirit, and personal exercise of faith.

3.Payoff or Result:We were created for intimacy with God, true peace, contentment, confidence, joy, and purpose to bring glory to God.Listen to Mark show us through many Scriptures the importance of knowing God in the sense of all the Hebrew meanings of the word

The Road toEmmaus Series (Luke 24) continues with Mark showing us pictures of Jesus from the Old Testament. Mark focused on Jesus, Abraham & Us from the passage: John 8:48-59.

 Jesus as the power of resurrection, the great I Am.

Abraham who exceedingly rejoiced to see Jesus’ day -Genesis 22:1-14 in comparison with John 3:16 and John 15:9.Comparisons betweenIssac who carried the wood like Jesus carried his cross until he was fatigued.God provided the lamb for Issac & Abraham saw the day when Jesus as the lamb of God would provide the sacrifice to take away the sins of the world.

Us, who God has always had in mind with a plan of redemption to bring sinful humanity to Himself.Mark concludes the connection of Abraham in the Old Testament with the coming of Jesus in a grand love story of joy, intimacy, and eternity.

Mark continued with The Story on the Road to Emmaus and what Jesus may have said to His followers. Mark used Isaiah 6 where it captures Isaiah’s vision of the Lord. The class focused on Isaiah’s calling in three areas:

1) Historical context

2) Detailing the vision

3) How to find Jesus in the passage. The passage shows how Isaiah’s vision provides a picture of the characteristics of God, the angelic worship of God, and Isaiah’s reaction to God’s call. Listen to Mark show howIsaiah’s calling parallels with our response to Jesus

Mark continued with Part 2 of Ezekiel 37, The Valley of Dry Bones. The book of Ezekiel can be viewed as two books: judgment and redemption. Markoffers three points to consider with anin-depth look at Ezekiel 37. 1) Context:Putting our minds back into the people and culture who lived 2,600 years ago. 500 to 600 years before Jesus. 2) Scripture:God spoke His Spirit into dry bones that brought the dead to life and 3) New Testament colors: Scripture that shows how Ezekiel 37 is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus.

Mark starts with a review of past lessons that show Jesus in the tabernacle, temple, and sacrifices of the Mosaic system. He explains theBiblical story arc is one of evil and deception which finds its victory in Jesus. Mark then focuses on Ezekiel 27, thestory of the dry bones which shows a story steeped in foreign language andculture, death and life, suspense and advent, plus love. We find God’s story becomes personal as it is shownover and over in different shapes, forms, and colors through the narrative of Jesus Christ