The Calvary Newsline

Hebrews is a call to endure. Written to believers who were experiencing opposition and beginning to shrink back from their faith, the letter continually points them to the ultimate reason to persevere: Jesus Himself. He is worthy of our devotion, perseverance, and endurance.

Every follower of Jesus has a part in the Great Commission. God calls His church to send, and He calls His people to go. Sometimes that means going across the world to people who have never heard the gospel. Sometimes it means recognizing the mission field God has already placed right in front of us.The question is not simply, “Am I called to go?” Jesus has already commanded Hi followers to go and make disciplesThe better question is:“How am I called to go?”

God’s grace does not give us permission to live however we want. The same grace that saves us also empowers us to live holy lives. Israel’s failures serve as warnings so that we can learn from them, resist temptation, and live lives that bring honor and glory to God.

Salvation is not the finish line of the Christian life—it is the starting line. Once we have been born again, God calls us into a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. We have an active role in that process: as we work out our salvation, God is at work within us.

God spoke a blessing over His people as they prepared for an uncertain journey. That blessing pointed to His protection, provision, presence, and peace. For believers today, these promises find their fulfillment in Christ. In Christ, God gives us the power to endure, provides what we need for the journey, and gives us peace through it all.

The sixth commandment is about much more than avoiding murder. Jesus reveals that God's concern is not only our outward actions but also our hearts. Hatred, anger, revenge, and bitterness all diminish the value of human life. Because God has shown us incredible grace through Christ, we are called to value life by pursuing reconciliation, extending grace, and allowing the Holy Spirit to rule our hearts.

The fifth commandment marks a transition in the Ten Commandments. The first four commandments focus on our relationship with God, while the remaining six focus on our relationships with others. God begins with the family because it is the foundation of every healthy society. Honoring our parents is one of the primary ways we honor God's design and reflect His character to the world.

The Sabbath is God's gift of rest to His people. While Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath and changed how believers observe it, the wisdom behind the command remains. God calls us to intentionally create rhythms that help us rest in Him, trust Him, and delight in what He has done.True Sabbath rest is not found in a day. It is found in a Person. Jesus invites us to trust Him, delight in Him, and develop rhythms that continually lead us back to the rest only He can give.

God's name represents His character, nature, authority, and glory. The third commandment calls us not merely to avoid misusing God's name, but to actively honor it. As followers of Christ, we should honor God's name through reverence, praise, and sincerity.

Dr. Mark JohnsonPresident, Louisiana Christian UniversityPrayer should be:SpiritualPersonalProvidential

Main Text: Genesis 40, Genesis 41How can we remain consistent through the ups and downs in life?1. Stay in spiritual shape.2. Look for God at work.3. Focus on the good. (Philippians 4:8)

Genesis 37:2-36God has a dream and vision for your life.(Romans 8:29, Ephesians 2:10)Detours are the intended direction. 

Genesis 32:22-321. Don't run from loneliness.2. Wrestle until He responds. (Matthew 7:7-8, 2 Chronicles 16:93. Walk in your new identity in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:9)

John 12:12-19

Scriptures:Genesis 22:1-14, Hebrews 11:17-19, James 2:21-23, James 1:2-4Points:1. God’s ultimate provision is the cross.2. Your faith will be tested.“Abraham’s faith was weighed in the balance against common sense, affections, and ambitions.” - Derek Kidner

Scriptures:Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 15:5-6, Galatians 3:5-9. Galatians 3:16"All nations are blessed through Abram’s offspring."Points:Believe God’s Promise.Walk in Obedience.

Scriptures:Genesis 11:1-9To know how it all started is to know who it is all about.Are we operating within in stewardship, or ownership?3 responses we must have from the Tower of Babel:1. Root our pride and return to humility.2. Realize that God sees you and knows you.3. Rest in God’s promise to care for you.

Scriptures:Genesis 6:5-14, Romans 3:10-12, Psalm 139:23-24, Genesis 6:22, Hebrews 11:7Points:1. Man’s Sinfulness2. God’s Judgement3. Noah’s Faithfulness“God’s wrath is not a cranky explosion but His settles opposition to the cancer.” - Becky Pippert

Scriptures:Genesis 3:7-24, Romans 8:20-21, Romans 5:12Consequences of the Fall:1. Spiritual warfare2. Pain in childbirth3. Relational conflict4. Death and decay5. Separation from God3 Glimmers of God’s Grace:1. Pursuit2. Promise3. Protection

Scriptures:Genesis 3:1-7, 2 Corinthians 2:11, Psalm 103:5, Romans 8:32, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Titus 2:11-12What the enemy does:1. Cast doubt on God’s Word.2. Call God’s goodness into question.3. Convince you nothing will happen.4. Coax you into believing you know what’s good for you. 

Scriptures:Genesis 2:15-18, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 2:23-25, Hebrews 13:4Points:1. Every person bears the image of God. Imago Dei.2. Every person has a mission.3. Every person was made for companionship.4. Every person should honor marriage.

Scriptures:Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:31-2:1, Colossians 1:16, 2 Corinthians 3:16, Deuteronomy 29:29Points:Genesis is a historical and theological book written by Moses to the Israelites.Genesis helps us understand the Bible, our identity and purpose, and the world around us.1. God is attentive to His creation.2. God has a design for His creation.3. God delights in His creation.

Scriptures:Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:16-17, Romans 1:20Points:1. God is in Control2. God makes Himself known3. God has a Plan

Scriptures:Psalm 1:1-6, Psalm 1:2, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22-24Points:"The law of the Lord is the written Word of God that reveals who He is and how we should live in a relationship with Him.""To delight in the law of the Lord means you find joy and pleasure in reading, studying, and applying God’s word."1. Consumption2. Obedience3. Discipline"Discipline complements desire."

Scriptures:Psalm 1:1-6, Matthew 7:13-14, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Corinthians 15:33The Way of the Wicked:1. Naturalism - rejects faith2. Relativism -  there is no absolute truth3. Materialism - needing material items for joy4. Hedonism - the pursuit of pleasure is the highest aimHow to Guard Against the Way of the Wicked:1. Drink with a filter.2. Guard who influences you.3. Walk the right path.

Scriptures:Psalm 1:1-6, James 4:8, John 15:16, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 92:12-15, Ezekiel 47:122 Words for Blessed in Hebrew:BaruchAshrayPoints:1. Position2. Productivity3. Perseverance

Scriptures:Revelation 21:4, Romans 8:10, Romans 8:22-25, Revelation 20:12, 1 John 5:11-13, Ephesians 5:1-2Points:We will live in a new place.We will live in a new way.We will be judged according to what we have done with our lives.Judgement will happen for all people.If you know Jesus, you join the new heaven and new earth.The ABC's:A-AlwaysB-BeC-Christ like+A-AdmitB-BelieveC-Confess

Scriptures:Colossians 3:15, Luke 2:14, Colossians 1:19-21, Psalm 3:3, Romans 12:17-18Points:1. Peace with God2. Inner Peace3. Peace with Others

Scriptures:Matthew 5:9, Luke 2:14, Isaiah 2:4, James 3:16, Proverbs 25:15Points1. Peace will reign when sin is gone2. Bring peace into your worldTraits of a Peacemaker1. Determined2. Humble3. Rooted4. Gracious“Peace with God leads us to make peace like God.” - Tim Challies

Scriptures:Luke 2:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 103:2, Psalm 4:8 Ecclesiastes 1:18Points:1. Repent2. Pray3. Give Thanks4. Slow Down5. Reduce the Noise

Scriptures: Luke 2:14, Roman 5:1, Numbers 6:24-26, Colossians 1:21, Romans 5:2 Points:1. What prevents me from having peace of with God?2. How can I have peace with God? - Substitutionary Atonement3. How can I experience peace with God?

Scriptures:John 21:4-19, 1 Corinthians 11:27-28Points:1. Restoration2. Recommissioning

Scriptures:John 20:31, John 19:33-38aPoints:1. A kingdom that can’t be stopped2. A truth that can’t be ignored3. A question that can’t be dodged

Scriptures:John 11:1-7, John 11:17-27, Psalm 34:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:13Points:1. His Presence2. A Promise3. Perspective

Scriptures:John 9:1-12, John 9:25, John 9:34-41, Psalm 27:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17Points:1. His compassion is unending.2. His power is overwhelming.3. His glory is revealing.

Scriptures:John 5:1-18, John 5:40Points:This miracle and conversation confirm some basic thoughts about miracles and therefore about God:1. This miracle confirms a basic definition of miracles.2. This miracle confirms a basic question about miracles.3. This miracle confirms a basic conclusion about miracles.Cont.- God is confirming who He is.- God is chasing us.- God is confronting spiritual issues as He cures physical issues.

Scriptures:John 4:4-24, John 4:25-26, Jeremiah 2:13, John 1:18Points:1. We have a spiritual thirst that can only be quenched by Jesus.2. Before Jesus pours out living water, He has to prepare the vessel.3. Worship flows from a relationship with Jesus.

Scriptures:John 1:43-51, Psalm 34:8, Hebrews 11:6Points:1. Jesus exceeds our expectations.2. Jesus knows you.3. Through Jesus, we experience God’s power and goodness.

Scriptures:Ephesians 4:11-13, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Corinthians 12:4-7Points:1. We must be contributors and not just consumers.2. We are equipped for ministry.3. We mature as we do ministry.