The sermon explores the theological significance of Jesus being crucified between two robbers in Matthew 27. It identifies these criminals as violent revolutionaries who fulfill Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would be numbered with transgressors. This association demonstrates God's willingness to identify with sinners, not to condone their sin, but to rescue them from it.

This sermon introduces the Gospel of Mark by establishing Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and Son of God. Through an exegesis of Mark 1:1-13, the text highlights how John the Baptist prepares the way, Jesus' baptism confirms his divine identity, and his temptation in the wilderness demonstrates his faithfulness where Israel failed. The preacher emphasizes that understanding who Jesus is requires a response of repentance, belief, submission, and hope. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to order their lives around the truth that Jesus is God's faithful Savior.

The Voluntariness, Visceralness, and Vicariousness of Christ's Death

Daniel 11 is more than nearly four centuries of historical intrigue leading up to the coming of Messiah. It is a prophetic forewarning of the constant political upheaval of the world powers that struggled for supremacy in the Middle East and beyond with the returning exiles caught up in the middle. These pagan anti-God kingdoms appear so powerful compared to the 'littleness and weakness' of God's people returning from exile. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The people of God are not to be caught off guard and paralyzed into inaction by the trials and tribulations that threaten to destroy them. Those who know their God will stand firm and take action, resting in the truth that the proud ambitions of earthly kings will always be destroyed by God's enduring kingdom. The Kingdom of God towers over the puny kingdoms of this world including the rival kingdoms we are prone to set up in our own hearts. Even the death dealing anti-Christ who sets Himself up as God cannot stand before the overcoming, resurrection power of God's Kingdom. The big boys are on the block but not for long!

John the Baptist's doubt arose from his bad circumstances, and his bad theology.

We must continually seek God's forgiveness for our sins, acknowledging our debt, while also extending genuine forgiveness to others as Christ has forgiven us.