People, unlike plants which are one part (body) and animals which are two part (body and soul), are comprised of a body, a soul and a spirit. As such, we face trials, tribulations, temptations and troublesome situations in each phase. We have physical struggles, emotional struggles and spiritual struggles. When Christ became incarnate, He shared in each of these areas of struggles. We are told in the book of Hebrews that He was tempted in every way such as we are, yet without sin. The greek word for tempted is peirazo which refers to a troublesome situation and is translated as temptation or trial, depending upon the context. As Christ went from His Arrest to His Crucifixion, the war against Him intensified. Satan knew that his only hope at this point was to get Jesus to sin; in order that Christ could no longer be the perfect sin sacrifice and propitiation for our sins. Hence, Jesus began to be assaulted with struggles in each area of our human existence. He faced physical struggles being scourged and crucified. He faced emotional struggles being reviled, mocked and scorned by those who were His creation. He faced spiritual struggles as He, who in the eternal Godhead was holy, became sin and was thereby separated from the Father for one eternal moment! Through each of the struggles Christ conquered! In Christ, we can conquer those troublesome situations that beset us as well! ... This message was presented on October 30, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

Throughout the life of Christ there was a war going on in the spiritual realm. At His birth, we read in both the gospels and Revelation 12, there was battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. When Satan lost that battle, He sought to destroy the Messiah in order to preempt the plan of God. When that was foiled, his next target became those who were the followers of the Lamb. At the arrest of Christ, we see this war being intensified and addressed by Christ. Jesus said to those who had come to arrest Him, "this is your hour and the power of darkness." Throughout this passage we see the inferiority of the power of darkness and the superiority of the power of light. The power of darkness is limited in time and limited in authority. As well as the spiritual nature of the war, we see the personal nature of the war through the life of Christ and that of Peter. Jesus not only was attacked by His enemies but He was deserted by His disciples. Peter was targeted by Satan, but he was torpedoed by himself. Are you engage in the war? Are you a soldier of Christ? ... This message was presented on October 23, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem marked both the entrance of the prophesied Messiah but also the entrance of He would fulfill the role of the perfect Passover lamb, the lamb who would be slain to take away the sin of the world. Upon His entrance there was great exaltation by the people who threw their cloaks and palm branches under the donkey that He was riding upon. However, in this event, not only do we see the exaltation of Christ, but as well, the lamentation of Christ. For as Christ entered into Jerusalem He wept for a city, and a people, who were missing the true reason for Him coming to them. They were missing the true peace, shalom, that God was offering them. ... This message was presented on October 16, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

Last week we considered the immediate promises of Christ that He made to His disciples. This week we consider those promises that were imminent. Christ promised that there would be a time in the future for the Reckoning of the World. Christ stated that time would be marked by great physical and spiritual calamity. He also stated that though the world would not believe that it was coming, it was for certain. Secondly, He promised that there would be the Resurrection of the Dead. All people who have evered lived on the face of the earth will be resurrected, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting condemnation. The difference is whether they placed their trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the payment for their sins. Finally, Jesus promised the Reception of the Saints. There is coming a day when Christ will return in the clouds to receive His saints to Himself. This theologically has been referred to as the Rapture of the Church. ... This message was presented on October 9, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

While Jesus was on the earth, He made several promises. If we believe that Jesus did not lie and that He always keeps His Word, then those should be important for us to know. Sadly, many have twisted the promises of Christ to say things that He did not say. We can break His promises, and their fulfillments, into two categories: those with immediate fulfillments and those whose fulfillment would be imminent. The promises that would be fulfilled immediately were those regarding the ministry of the Godhead to His followers soon after His death, burial, and resurrection. First, there is the promise of answered prayer. This is not the "name it, claim it" prayers with which many false teachers have deceived their followers. Rather Jesus stated if you ask anything in My name (according to My will), I will do. This is supported by the testimony of John, who in his epistle declared that if ask anything according to the will of God that it would be granted. Again, this is consistent with the Old Testament, where we are told in Psalm 37, where are told that if we delight ourselves in the LORD that He would give us the desires of our heart. The second immediate promise was the giving of the Holy Spirit through Whom we are sealed unto the day of redemption and led into all truth ... This message was presented on October 2, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

You can determine alot about the priorties of an individual by examining their life patterns. What type of tasks are they accustomed to performing, or what type of events are they accustomed to attending? According to the Word of God, we are called by God (and predestined) to be conformed to the image of Christ. Hence, if our desire should be to be Christlike in all our endeavors then it would make sense to consider what the life pattern of Jesus Christ was while He walked on the earth. Interestingly, the Scriptures are very clear regarding this issue. Three times we are told specific items that Jesus was accustomed to doing. It was His custom to attend synagogue. It was His custom to share the Word of God. It was His custom to pray. What does your life pattern look like? Does it match up with that of Jesus? ... This message was presented on September 18, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

Your passions, that which you become strongly emotional about, will ultimately affect your priorities and decision making. In last week's message we saw that Christ's primary passion was for God, His Father. This passion was consistent with what He declared to be the greatest commandment. Similarly, Christ's secondary passion is consistent with the second greatest commandment, "You should love your neighbor as yourself." Christ's passion for people was revealed in His recognition of, compassion for, and involvement in their needs. Jesus willingly set aside His own needs and desires in order to meet those with whom He came into contact. Having a passion for others is also a command for His followers. The presence, or absence, of that passion in our lives is a commentary regarding our relationship with the Father. Finally, having a passion for others will be a criterion as we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. What are your two greatest passions? Are they consistent with one who claims to be a follower of Jesus? ... This message was presented on September 11, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

Your passions, that which you become strongly emotional about, will ultimately affect your priorities and decision making. What passion characterized the ministry of Christ? Earlier in our series, we saw that from a youth Christ knew, and was focused on, His purpose in life and sought to finish the work which the Father had given Him to perform. Christ had a passion for God, His Father. This passion is consistent with that which He declared to be the greatest command, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." We, too, are to have this primary passion for God. This passion for God will be revealed in our passion for His Word and His Work, will be a result of knowing His passion for us, and is the basis of the blessings and curses which we individually (and as a nation) experience. ... This message was presented on September 4, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

The word "parable" is a transliteration of the Greek word "parabolae" which is made up of two separate words: para (alongside, beside) and ballo (to throw, to place). Hence, it means "to throw alongside" as a comparison. A parable is a word picture, used to compare the unknown with the known, in which the listener himself has to find the similarity. Jesus used parables frequently in His teaching of the Kingdom. He stated that His purpose was both to conceal and to reveal. Those who had eyes to see and ears to hear would understand. Do the teachings of Jesus make sense to you? Do you desire to understand the Word of God? How much time do you spend in His Word? ... This message was presented on August 28, 2011 by Bob Corbin.

The validity of Jesus as Messiah and the proclamation of His ministry, that the people should repent (change the way they think) because the Kingdom of God was at hand, was provided through the display of His power and authority over nature, demons, disease, handicaps, death and sin. Only God could perform the mighty works which Jesus performed. This divine authority and power is, as well, the basis for our Victory, Eternal Security and Evangelism! ... This message was presented on August 21, 2011 by Bob Corbin.