The parable of the sower is not only the key to rightly understanding all the other parables and teachings of Jesus, but it is the key to understanding His entire ministry as well. Here we see a heavenly perspective on what happens whenever the word of God is read, preached, or heard.

The ministry of Christ on earth points us to His continuing ministry to us as our Prophet, Priest, and King.

The suffering and experience of Job leads him to a series of questions, challenges to God, and laments. What does this teach us about our need for a Mediator, and the provision of an Advocate and Mediator in the Lord Jesus Christ-

Teaching Hour- If the law no longer condemns us as a covenant of works, can we sin all we want- No- Why- By God's grace, we who were once slaves to sin have now been made slaves of God, and our slavery to God does not lead to sin and death, but to righteousness and life in Christ. Far from opening the door to licentious living, this truth is what motivates us to pursue obedience, knowing that our obedience does not dictate our freedom from sin.

At the ordination of another deacon in our congregation, we look at the first ordination of deacons in the New Testament church, and the office, responsibilities, qualifications, and special honor it is to serve in such a way.

Life is not fair- -- We often cry. But is it- According to Job's friend Bildad it is, as he argues that Job is getting exactly what he deserved- the justice of God. But when viewed through the lens of the gospel, Bildad's legalism is exposed, and we see that only in Christ is God 'the just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.'

Job here firmly resists the counsel of his friend Eliphaz to 'keep quiet and repent and submit to God'. How should we interpret such- Since Eliphaz in some sense echoed the words of Satan, we must see Job's resistance to his counsel as his resistance to Satan's temptation. Here then is a true worshiper of God revealed- Job cries out in pain, lament, as in a veiled sense he looks to God for his vindication.

Teaching hour- Why is it impossible for a Christian to live in sin- What actually breaks the power of sin- How does the reality of being 'dead to sin' instruct our lives- What is the incentive for Christian living, since we -are not under Law but under grace- -6-14-- Here we see that our justification by faith in Christ is a life-giving verdict, where by the power of Christ's resurrection, the new creation has dawned in our hearts, leading us to walk in newness of life, where we are to then strive to know such with an ever-deeper understanding, living according to who we are in Him.

Seeking to comfort and encourage Job, his friend Eliphaz gives an eloquent speech that is clearly grounded in a biblical worldview and the truths of Israel's God. Where then does he go wrong- Why does this only serve to add to Job's misery and tempt him to turn away from God- Here is the essence of worldly wisdom, which although may be filled with biblical truth, has no category for the cross and the work of Jesus Christ.

Teaching hour- What does it mean that Christians are 'dead to sin'- What does it mean to die and rise with Christ, in union, symbolized in our baptism- Here the apostle Paul transitions from justification to sanctification, grounding Christian obedience in our union with Christ, by faith.