People ask why Jesus' disciples don't fast like John's disciples. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to declare Himself to be something entirely new, rather than just a reformer. He explains that His ministry celebrates an unprecedented Arrival (Mark 2:18-22).

Solomon continues his father's legacy by building a temple to the Lord (plus, a house for himself). Despite the majesty of this edifice, Solomon's dedication speech makes clear that it cannot contain the Person of the Lord. God's glory fills this temple and so begins the pinnacle of Israel's history.

Jesus shocks His friends and critics alike when He enters into the house of Levi, a tax collector. We learn in this passage how the Gospel always pushes the boundaries we normally impose upon It. Jesus challenges us to reach out to those on the other side and extend to them the same grace He's shown us (Mark 2:13-17).

As David advances in age, his son Adonijah plans a campaign to laud himself as the successor to the throne. Bathsheeba and Nathan ask David whether he'd intended to appoint Solomon instead. David sees to Solomon's ascension and Solomon executes his father's final orders in the beginnings of his reign of affluence and wisdom.

When faithful men bring their beloved friend to Jesus, they find the way obstructed by too many attendees. They deface the roof to lower their friend down to Jesus. When before Jesus, the man finds forgiveness (Mark 2:1-12).

The book of Acts does not follow the works of the Apostles without Jesus, rather the work of Jesus through His people. Sincere prayer is the common underlying precursor to every powerful work. We as the church today should be given to grow in prayer just like our forefathers that we may more experience the presence, power, and purposes of God.

(Acts 1:14 & 2:1; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 12:5-17; Acts 13:1-2)

The work that the Bible can do in our lives is efficacious and life changing. No other written work can demonstrate this level of activity. The power of Scripture is does not lie in the written words themselves, but that they bear the power of the God Who sent them (Hebrews 3:7-4:13).

Jesus' use and view of scripture shows us how we should uphold the Bible. We see in this passage how Jesus not only trusts the word of God but refers to it as a standard of Truth (Matthew 4:1-11).

Can the Bible really be understood? Can God truly be known through Scripture? The doctrine of the Clarity of Scripture means that because God has made himself known through human language and culture that we can understand what he said. This doctrine doesn't remove the need for study, it invites it (Deuteronomy 30:11-14).

When we say that Scripture is sufficient, we don't mean that the Bible tells us everything exhaustive detail about every individual topic. What we mean is that no prerequisite for wisdom or holiness is missing from the works of the Bible. From the wealth of Scripture, we can glean entirely what we need for a life of meaning and salvation (2 Timothy 3:14-4:4).