“EITHER-OR” vs. “BOTH-AND”: HARMONIZING OLD TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS Mark’s narrative paints a Jesus who is intentionally identifying himself with two OT figures—the Danielic Son of Man and the Isaianic Servant of YHWH; and describes his mission as the fulfillment of their drastically different destinies—the glorious triumph of the Son of Man over Israel’s enemy (“the fourth … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 2 (Mark 10:45)
Warning: This is a dry, dusty old seminary term paper…but grappling with some foundational, mind-blowing stuff worth revisiting and sharing. –JB In the introduction to his massive commentary on the second gospel, R.H. Gundry contends that “the Gospel of Mark contains…no riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma…Mark’s meaning lies on the surface. He … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 1 (Mark 10:45)
“Mountain God” is a series of reflections I shared on a youth adventure trip climbing in the Rocky Mountains in 2009. “It’s not I who has caused trouble in Israel,” said Elijah, “but you and your government—you’ve dumped God’s ways and commands and run off after the local gods, the Baals. Here’s what I want … More Mountain God 6: Facing Idols (1 Kings 18)
“Then Elijah was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.” A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the … More Mountain God 5: God’s Quiet Whisper (1 Kings 19)
I’m reposting this series from 2009 when I was a youth pastor leading a trip to Colorado. Enjoy! -JB After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!” “Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.” 2 He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering … More Mountain God 4: Faith & Obedience (Genesis 22)
I’m reposting this series from 2009 when I was a youth pastor leading a trip to Colorado. Enjoy! -JB God said to Moses, “Go to the people. For the next two days get these people ready (i.e., “consecrate them”) to meet the Holy God. Have them scrub their clothes so that on the third day … More Mountain God 3: A Holy God (Exodus 19)
“Mountain God” is a series of reflections I shared on a youth adventure trip climbing in the Rocky Mountains in 2009 with a group of teenagers. Enjoy! Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites entered the Wilderness of Sinai. They followed the route from Rephidim, arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai, and set up camp. … More Mountain God 2: A Holy People (Exodus 19)
I recently was invited to attend another church’s leadership council meeting to present the needs of MainStreet as we move into the next phase of launching this new church. These dear “mission friends” have embraced our little MainStreet team with a big bear hug, reaching into their pockets to support us, letting us use their … More God’s Economy: Give Him What You Have (Mk 6:35-44)
“They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained … More Chained In or Out? (Mark 5:1-5)
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, … More JONAH 6: Prayer & Vomit (2:1-9)
“Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17). Sinking toward the bottom. Overcome by despair. Near the end of your rope. At death’s door. Holding your breath and gasping for air. Jonah’s stubborn rebellion and insistence on … More JONAH 5: In the Belly of the Fish (1:17)
“Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that … More JONAH 4: Shoot the Skunk (1:11-17)
“So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So … More JONAH 3: Rude Awakening & Unlikely Prophet (1:6)
“But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had … More JONAH 2: Sinking Ship & Tossing Cargo (1:4-5)
“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went … More JONAH 1: Where are you headed? (1:1-3)
I’m preparing a message on the stoning of Stephen this Sunday. Here’s something to ponder from William Willimon in his commentary on Acts: Stanley Hauerwas has written about the mass suicide at “Jonestown” when hundreds of followers of Jim Jones and his “People’s Temple” took their lives and the lives of their children (p. 106). … More A Faith Worth Living & Dying For?
Let the Lord judge the peoples.Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts. My shield is God MostHigh, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge…. (Psalm 7) This is one prayer of David … More PSALM 7 – When Not to Pray Like David
What adjectives do many associate with the word ‘church’ or ‘faith’? Solemn, holy, boring, stained glass, choir, pew, robe, potluck, etc. Reading (and trying to preach) through the Book of Acts paints a far more exciting scene. Just skimming through the first 4 chapters we read the following adjectives and phrases that paint anything but … More Wonder and Amazement in Acts
Blessed is the one….whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law morning and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1) Happy New Year. I’m a wreck! Never have I began a new … More Planted by the Stream (Psalm 1)
[Following the Resurrection] “When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy … More HE IS RISEN!! Now what? (Acts 1:6-12)
After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a … More Crossing Jordan 2 – Following God & His Leaders
“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp giving orders to the people” (Josh. 3:1-2). MainStreet Church is standing on the bank of the Jordan these days and gazing across at the Promised Land of … More Crossing Jordan 1 – Camping by the River
MainStreet is preparing to launch a new youth ministry in Mound to reach Westonka youth for Christ. MainStreet Church is about bringing the light and love of Christ beyond the church walls and into the marketplace — i.e., Main St. Our foundational verse is Acts 17:17 where Paul conducted his ministry “in the marketplace daily … More Welcome to The Alley!
Here’s a reposting of a message I gave to the Confirmation class in 2009. 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to … More Confirmation Message: Walk the Plank!
The following post is worth reading. I found it during my Easter sermon study and preparation as I prepare to trace the New Creation theme through the Gospel of John. I have read the book he’s referring to by N.T. Wright. I, too, am a huge fan and student of Wright. Get the book! Enjoy! … More N.T. Wright: The Gospel of John & Second Genesis
Jeremy Berg 