Paul calls believers to live in accordance with their resurrection status… * By being heavenly minded (vv. 1-4) * By putting off our old man (vv. 5-9) * By being renewed (vv. 10-11) * By putting on the new man (vv. 12-13) * By being unified in Christ (vv. 14-16) * By doing all for God's glory (v. 17)

3 observations concerning Asa's backsliding heart 1.) Asa breaks his covenant with Yahweh as he relies on the king of syria (vs 1-6) 2.) Asa rages against Hanani's rebuke (vs 7-10) 3.) Asa fails to seek Yahweh, even unto death (vs 11-14)

Brief description on a new sermon series coming in June.

2 observations of Paul's defense of Christ's power in him 1.) Paul refuses to boast on his on behalf concerning visions and revelations (vs. 1-6) 2.) Paul boasts of Christ's power through the weakness brought by his thorn (vs. 7-10)

In 2 Corinthians 8–9, Paul encourages the Corinthians (and us!) with 6 demonstrations of generosity flowing from those who have received God's grace in Christ. As receivers of God's grace in Christ: I. The Macedonians gave generously from their poverty (8:1–6). II. You should be ready to give generously from your abundance (8:7–15). III. Titus and the brothers are earnest and trustworthy receivers of your generous gift (8:16–24). IV. You should be ready with your gift so we are not humiliated by our confidence in you (9:1–5). V. God's grace abounds to you so you can cheerfully sow with blessing from your sufficiency and receive an increase in your harvest of righteousness (9:6–10). VI. Thanksgiving and glory to God for his grace in Christ (an indescribable gift!) will overflow from your gospel-fueled submission and generosity (9:11–15).

In Isaiah 65:1–24, Isaiah closes his book with 4 pronouncements from Yahweh that encourage the word-tremblers and warn the word ignorers. III. Yahweh calls everyone who loves him and his people to rejoice (v. 10). A. In order to be satisfied from my abundant provision (v. 11) B. For I will flood you with peace and prosperity (v. 12). C. For I will comfort you as a mother comforts her children (v. 13). IV. Yahweh will judge his enemies and redeem his people (v. 14). A. Yahweh will judge his enemies with fury by fire and sword (vs. 15–17). B. Yahweh will save his people from all nations and tongues (v. 18): 1. How? I will set a sign and send survivors to declare my glory among the nations (v. 19). 2. Why? To bring worshippers as an offering to me (v. 20). 3. To what end? Eternal worship in the New Heavens and New Earth (vs. 21–23). C. Yahweh's people will look upon his eternally judged enemies (v. 24).

In Isaiah 65:1–24, Isaiah closes his book with 4 pronouncements from Yahweh that encourage the word-tremblers and warn the word ignorers. I. Yahweh proclaims his sovereign right as Creator to respond to his creation according to their deeds (vs. 1–2b). A. I will bless those who are humble, contrite of spirit, and tremble at my word (v. 2c–3). B. I will judge those who delight in sinning as they please, ignore my word, and choose to do evil in which I did not delight (vs. 3–4). II. Yahweh encourages his people who tremble at his word (v. 5a, b). A. I will shame those who shame you (vs. 5c–6). B. I will fulfill what I promised you (vs. 7–9).

In Mark 15:40-16:8 Mark closes his gospel by comparing 3 responses to the death & resurrection of Christ. I. The women respond to Christ's death by watching from a distance (15:40–41). II. Joseph of Arimathea responds to Christ's death by acting with courage (15:42-46). III. The women respond to Christ's resurrection by acting with fear (15:47-16:8).

he Psalmist calls us to worship God for his covenant love. (Vv. 1-4) The Psalmist recounts God's covenant love through personal praise. (Vv. 5-21) The Psalmist rejoices in God's covenant love through congregational chorus. (Vv. 22-27) The Psalmist closes with a bookend of God's covenant love. (Vv. 28-29) The Psalmist points us to Christ as the embodiment of God's everlasting covenant love.