In Introduction to the Parables (Matthew 13:10-17), David Henke explains the purpose of parables and why Jesus shifted to using them in His teaching. Contrary to popular belief, parables were not meant to simplify the message but to reveal truth to believers while concealing it from those who rejected Christ. Henke highlights how the purpose of parables demonstrates God's sovereignty in granting spiritual understanding to those who seek Him.

In a world shadowed by sin and guilt, Psalm 32 offers a way out—a path marked by forgiveness and restoration. David Forsyth draws from his own experiences and King David's profound reflections to illuminate the six signposts that guide believers from the darkness of sin into the light of God’s forgiveness and joy.

The Six Signposts Out of Darkness

1. Escape Is Possible
   David begins by asserting that forgiveness and freedom from sin are attainable. Quoting verses 1-2, he emphasizes the blessedness of a forgiven life. Forgiveness is rooted in God's mercy, made possible through Christ's atoning sacrifice. True happiness is found when sins are forgiven and peace with God is restored.
2. Guilt Is Wretched
   The burden of unconfessed sin is heavy. Drawing from verses 3-4, David describes how guilt affects the body and soul. Like King David, who endured God's heavy hand before confessing, guilt is a painful but necessary nudge back to God.
3. Confession Is Essential
   Verse 5 reveals the power of confession. To escape sin's misery, one must voluntarily and humbly acknowledge it before God. Confession brings release, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son and echoed in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us."
4. God Is Near
   Verses 6-7 remind us that God is always present, ready to rescue and preserve those who call on Him. Despite fear or shame, we are assured that He will not cast us away but will surround us with songs of deliverance.
5. Resistance Is Foolish
   Verses 8-10 caution against stubbornness, likening it to the irrationality of a mule that requires forceful guidance. The path of wisdom is marked by prompt repentance and trust in God’s loving-kindness, avoiding the needless suffering caused by resistance.

Good King Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous rulers, exemplifies faith and reform throughout his life, as recorded in 2 Kings 22–23. Despite a lineage of wickedness, he ascended the throne at age eight and sought the Lord wholeheartedly, rediscovering the Book of the Law and implementing sweeping reforms. Josiah eradicated idolatry, renewed the covenant, and celebrated a historic Passover, reflecting his deep conviction and submission to Scripture. His story underscores timeless lessons on leadership, repentance, and the enduring sovereignty of God, even amidst personal and national challenges.

Pastor Jim Osman interviews Joel Baker, a candidate for a lead biblical counseling role at Kootenai Church. 

Questions and Answers

1. Salvation Testimony: How did you come to know the Lord? What are the details of that, and tell us that story?
2. Southern California Transition: What was your dad doing in Southern California?
3. Theological and Spiritual Influences: Who were your early theological and spiritual influences?
4. Theological Convictions: Have you always had your current theological convictions, and how would you characterize them?
5. Family Introduction: Tell us a little bit about your family. What is your wife’s name, and how did you meet?
6. Educational Background: Can you share the steps you went through in your education and the degrees you earned?
7. Biblical Counseling Definition: Can you define biblical counseling?
8. Difference in Counseling Approaches: How is biblical counseling different from other forms of counseling?
9. Hobbies and Non-Ministry Interests: What are your hobbies and interests outside of ministry?
10. Influential Books: What five books have most influenced and shaped you?
11. ...and more.

Questions and Answers

1. Did the prophecy concerning Damascus in Isaiah 17 happen in Sennacherib's time or is there something yet future?
2. Question about Zipporah being upset with Moses about circumcision and casting bloody foreskins at his feet (Exodus 4:25)
3. Over 30 years of ministry, where has Pastor Jim's mind been changed?
4. What about languages/tribes that have been lost before hearing the gospel - how will they be represented in heaven if "every tongue and tribe" will be there?
5. What happens to babies who die before reaching an age of understanding?
   1. Article: What Happens to Infants Who Die? The OT Answers
   2. Article: What Happens to Infants Who Die? The NT Answers
6. Regarding Exodus 20 and visiting sins of fathers on children - how does this align with individual accountability?
7. For tribes that have never heard the gospel, does the judgment based on knowledge principle apply to adults and children?
8. How does the Doctrine of Sovereign Election align with children being imputed Christ's righteousness?
9. Since faith is a gift of God, is there any reason babies cannot be given the gift of faith?
10. Can 1 John 2:2 about Christ being the propitiation for "sins of the whole world" be correctly understood just by reading 1 John, or does one need cross-references from other Scripture?

The humanity of Jesus provides peace, joy, and delight for all believers experiencing trouble. This lesson focuses on the four relationships made possible by the man Christ Jesus so that we can delight in Him and find peace for our souls.

Application Questions:

• What kind of a theologian are you?
• What does your walk say?
• Does your obedience speak of a delight in your dependence on the Spirit?
• If not, what is preventing this?

Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth twice, and in both instances, His teaching is rejected. This reality demonstrates that despite Jesus' powerful proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom, the minds and hearts of unbelievers will remain closed unless the Holy Spirit regenerates them. Observing Jesus' persistence in preaching the gospel helps us learn how to speak the gospel truth to our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and persist if there is a face of rejection.

Application Questions

• Will you imitate Jesus’ example and not give up the proclamation of the good news when our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and unbelieving church attendees do not respond?
• Will you be faithful to proclaim the gospel as proclaimed in Scripture?
• Will you be thankful that God has graciously chosen to remove the scales of unbelief from our minds and hearts?
• Will you have compassion for the unbelievers around us who are lost in unbelief?

The Gospels provide us the opportunity to encounter not only the humanity of Jesus but also the responses to His humanity from those who encountered and joined Him in his early public ministry. As we observe the words and actions of John the Baptist, Jesus' first disciples, and his mother, Mary, as recorded by Luke and John, we see two righteous responses to Jesus' humanity - humble questions and faith-filled expectations. Like these men and women, we can encounter truth and allow it to conform our minds, hearts, and lives to the obedience of Christ through the power of the Spirit.

Application Questions

• Will you believe that Jesus is who He said He was?
• Will you trust God and find your hope solely in Jesus’ righteous life and sacrificial death?
• Will you study the Old and New Testaments and take the Scriptures at face value?
• Will you honestly wrestle with the hard questions?
• When you find the truth, will you change?
• Will you proclaim it to a lost and dying world without shying away from the difficulties?

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul challenges them to have the same mind as Christ Jesus. How is this possible? This lesson focuses on how Paul commends Christ-like humility as critical to church unity. It points us to Jesus' humanity as the example of humility that believers are to embrace as we battle selfishness and guard the unity of Jesus' body—the church. 

Application Questions

1. How highly do you regard the importance of church unity? What are you doing to demonstrate this?
2. What is currently threatening the unity of our body, and how are you guarding against this threat?
3. Will you commit to protecting the unity of the body by choosing to submit joyfully to the authority of Jesus through the elders and their exposition of the Scriptures, even if you disagree in areas of preference and application?
4. Will you commit to reading the Gospels frequently and contemplating how Jesus exemplifies humility?
5. Will you humble your heart by cultivating a consistent prayer life where you confess your sins and where you pray for the needs of others above your own?
6. Will you ask God to give you a genuine love for other believers and help you build up your love muscle by serving others regularly?

In this sermon, Simon Pranaitis explores 1 Peter 2:21 and how Jesus' example of suffering provides a pattern for believers to follow in their trials. Pranaitis explains that just as Jesus endured unjust treatment and hostility without sinning, Christians are called to bear up under suffering while entrusting themselves to God patiently. By studying Jesus' fully human life and example of suffering, believers can find encouragement and guidance for handling life's difficulties in a way that honors God.

Applications

1. What are the ways in which you are currently suffering or have suffered in the past?
2. How do these sufferings compare to the sufferings that Christ experienced in His life?
3. Discuss your sufferings with other believers, and rather than complaining, talk about the ways in which sufferings enhanced your sanctification.
4. When you encounter new suffering, immediately pray that God would help you endure like Jesus and follow His example for bearing up righteously.
5. Refuse to accuse God of injustice and rather remember that suffering is a sign of His love toward you as sons/daughters.
6. Read the Gospels regularly and remind yourself that Jesus lived a fully authentic human life more like your own than you could ever imagine.