Bible Study

Bible Study: Malachi

Malachi is probably most familiar for being the last book of the Old Testament in our English Bibles... But this final prophet of the Old Testament played a very important role in the lives of God's Old Testament people as he prepared them for the coming of the Savior. His message, like that of all of God's true prophets was one of Law and Gospel, revealing the problem of our sin, and the salvation won by God through the "Sun of Righteousness." And there is much for us to learn from this message as well!

Bible Study: Ezra

As we continue our study of the Old Testament books Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew walk us through the book of Ezra. This is one of the historical books of the Old Testament, and fits into the time of Haggai and Zechariah and gives us the historical background for those books. It includes a lot of lists and families which can be difficult to pronounce but help us to understand that time frame where the book of Chronicles leaves off. The book picks up and covers the time of Ezra himself about 60 years later with another return of the captives and some of the reforms that were carried out by Ezra in his work and ministry. The purpose of the book is to show the fulfillment of God's promises to His people!     

Bible Study: Holy Week in Matthew

How does Matthew differ from the other Gospels as he describes the events of Holy Week? During this Lenten study of Matthew's Gospel, Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew will highlight some of the unique features of Matthew's description of the final events of Christ life and ministry. Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies play an important role. The words of Jesus take on a very small role, but the words of Jesus that He does record are directed to the Jewish people and the work which Jesus came to accomplish for them and all. Deepen your appreciation of Matthew and his perspective of Christ's suffering and death in this Lenten study!

Bible Study: Matthew

What was everything in the Old Testament pointing to? Matthew tells us in his Gospel. Jesus of Nazareth was the fulfillment of God's promises in the Old Testament. Matthew bridges the Old Testament and the New Testament by showing that Jesus is the promised Savior. Matthew was written originally for the Jews to show that Jesus was the Messiah that they had been waiting for. He highlights the sermons of Jesus. He emphasizes the the theme of the "kingdom" and righteousness, both which would have been important for a Jewish audience. But his details are also beneficial for us still today. Tune in to learn more about this important Gospel and how he points us to Jesus as the Savior.

Bible Study: Zechariah

Set in the time following the Babylonian captivity, the prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. He was sent by the Lord to encourage the people for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and in preparation for the coming Savior. The message of this book is deeper in nature and full of picture language drawn from Ezekiel and Daniel. It contains 8 visions, which we will discuss briefly in this podcast. We will also see how Zechariah clearly points to the coming Savior, describing Him and His work in great detail. He would be the stricken Shepherd, the Branch, the Righteous King and coming Judge, and the Cleansing Fountain. Join us for this intriguing study!

Bible Study: Haggai

Pastor Ben Libby joins Pastor Sam Rodebaugh to study the Old Testament book of the Prophet Haggai. Haggai had the changeling task of prophesying to the people of Judah who had just come back from the exile in Babylon. He was sent with the job of taking these people to task over their attitude of apathy and inadequacy, and to get them to "consider their ways". They needed to rebuild God's Temple. While this was a seemingly daunting task, God assures them that He was with them, and they could expect blessings. God does promise earthly blessing to His believers, but even more powerful was the ultimate blessing that He was going to give. He would shake heaven and earth and send forth "The Desire of Nations" (Jesus Christ), and He would fill this new temple with His presence. Join us to learn more about the book of Haggai and the blessings that are promised to His believers! 

The Song of Solomon in view of Valentines Day

The Song of Solomon, or the Song of Songs, is a poetical book found in the Old Testament. It describes the love that a husband has for his wife, and the corresponding love the wife has for her husband. It is very descriptive and emotional. At the center of any marriage should be Christ and His love. Our love is based on His love for the church. Pastors Joe Naumann and Ben Libby take us through this book, the topic of what real love is, and how we can emulate that love in our marriages and relationships with each other.

Bible Study: Transfiguration

What is the Transfiguration all about? Why was it important? How does that event connect to the Old Testament? Join Pastors Mark Tiefel and Ben Libby to discuss the event of the Transfiguration of Jesus which is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels. The Baptism of Jesus and the Transfiguration serve as important markers in the ministry of Jesus, with God the Father speaking from heaven and acknowledging Jesus as His Son. The Transfiguration also marks a change in the ministry of Jesus as He begins to "set His face to Jerusalem" and the suffering and death that He had come to suffer for all mankind. Join us to learn about the Transfiguration and its importance for us still today. 

Bible Study: Nahum

Which Old Testament prophet's name meant comfort? Which prophet was sent to the foreign nation of Assyria to announce it's coming destruction at the hand of the LORD? Which prophet had a message which is only three chapters long? The answer: Nahum. Pastor Ben Libby joins Nathanael Mayhew to discuss the unique and yet powerfully applicable message of this less familiar Old Testament prophet. Learn about the history behind the book of Nahum,  the amazing fulfillment of his prophecy against Nineveh, as well as the importance of its message for us today! 

Bible Study: Habakkuk

Today Pastor Ben Libby joins Neal Radichel to study the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk. The prophet Habakkuk is unique in that he brings questions to God about what He is doing with His people and the the peoples around them and God's responses to Habakkuk. It is more personal in nature than the other prophets. Habakkuk's question is "Why?" but he patiently waits to hear the LORD's answer and to be corrected by the LORD. The final chapter is a song of praise, or a prayer of Habakkuk which accepts the LORD's answer and emphasizes the LORD's characteristics of omnipotence, righteous judgment, and salvation. There is much that we can learn from Habakkuk's example in our own lives as we place our confidence in the Lord's will. What a wonderful reminder!