VIDEO: Woman at the Well
March 11, 2012
Category: Bible Commentary
“Download My Soundtrack” (Matt 11:28-32)
February 29, 2012
When Jesus says to his disciples, “Take my yoke upon you” and “learn from me” (Matt 11), he is not just drawing upon a vague farming metaphor. “Yoke” was a common metaphor for a particular rabbi’s interpretation and application of God’s torah to everyday life. In Jesus’ day, all devout Jews wholeheartedly sought to live … More “Download My Soundtrack” (Matt 11:28-32)
EPHESIANS 8: Jesus our Head and Body (1:22-23)
February 8, 2012
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:22-23). Paul pushes hard here. First, who leads your church? Whose agenda always seems to get passed? Pastor? Key elders? Prominent, influential … More EPHESIANS 8: Jesus our Head and Body (1:22-23)
EPHESIANS 7: Death Defying Power (1:18-21)
February 7, 2012
I pray that….you may know….his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only … More EPHESIANS 7: Death Defying Power (1:18-21)
NEHEMIAH 6: Chapter 4 Sermon Transcript
November 22, 2011
This is the transcript/notes from a sermon preached at MainStreet Covenant Church on November 13, 2011, as a rally cry to mobilize a community to join us in furthering the mission of MainStreet in Mound. This was the 3rd monthly preview service before beginning regular weekly worship in 2012. Nehemiah chapter 3 is misleading if … More NEHEMIAH 6: Chapter 4 Sermon Transcript
EPHESIANS 6: Paul’s Prayers & Priorities
November 21, 2011
Our prayers reveal our priorities. The requests we bring before God give a window into our heart’s greatest concerns at any particular moment. Sometimes they are petty and selfish: “Lord, help me find a good parking spot” or “Help me pass this test I didn’t study for.” Often they focus on more urgent immediate needs … More EPHESIANS 6: Paul’s Prayers & Priorities
EPHESIANS 5: Chosen in Christ (1:4-12)
November 8, 2011
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves…. In him we … More EPHESIANS 5: Chosen in Christ (1:4-12)
EPHESIANS 4: The Greatest Cause on Earth (1:18-23)
November 7, 2011
This is a timely repost from 2011 when MainStreet was just getting launched. It was during a local election season where people were passionately campaigning for and against a school referendum. You sense my urgency and deep burden for this community. -JB “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may … More EPHESIANS 4: The Greatest Cause on Earth (1:18-23)
EPHESIANS 3: Grace and Peace (1:2)
November 5, 2011
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:2). Two words of enormous weight and depth so easily slip off our tongue as we hurry past Paul’s characteristic greeting: grace and peace. But let’s pause to consider them for a moment. In all his letters, these are the two … More EPHESIANS 3: Grace and Peace (1:2)
EPHESIANS 2: A New Address (1:1)
October 29, 2011
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus” (1:1). When we surrender our lives to God and begin our new life with Christ, we receive a new address. Regardless of our earthly residence — whether Ephesus or Minneapolis — we’re given a new … More EPHESIANS 2: A New Address (1:1)
NEHEMIAH 5: Overcoming Verbal Assaults by Faith
October 25, 2011
“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can … More NEHEMIAH 5: Overcoming Verbal Assaults by Faith
EPHESIANS 1: Introduction
October 24, 2011
A few years back I was able to blog through the entire Letter to the Philippians, which was a long and arduous journey. But rich and rewarding too. I hope to do the same with the Letter to the Ephesians. Let me start with Klyne Snodgrass’s introductory words in his commentary on Ephesians to whet … More EPHESIANS 1: Introduction
NEHEMIAH 4: Gateways Into God’s Presence
October 23, 2011
At first glance, Nehemiah’s rebuilding project of the walls of Jerusalem can seem quite…well…unspiritual. Is it all about brick and mortar? Is the purpose strictly practical and militaristic? Are the walls being rebuilt merely to keep the city safe from enemy attack? I think not. The clue to the deeper motivation behind Nehemiah’s project, and … More NEHEMIAH 4: Gateways Into God’s Presence
NEHEMIAH 3: More than Monotonous
October 17, 2011
At first glance, Nehemiah chapter 3 is a monotonous list of random people doing seemingly mundane tasks (e.g., “So and so repaired such and such gate, putting in the doors and hinges…”). Yet, digging deeper we find a beautiful picture of an entire community — local families, business owners, religious leaders, neighborhoods — all uniting … More NEHEMIAH 3: More than Monotonous
NEHEMIAH 2: They Came From Abroad
October 10, 2011
We’re studying the life and mission of Nehemiah at MainStreet this fall. I’m amazed at Nehemiah’s sacrifice, prayerfulness, leadership abilities and perseverance. I have used Nehemiah as a role model as Keri and I have set out with our own burden to rebuild in Mound — not physical walls but a new church community to … More NEHEMIAH 2: They Came From Abroad
VIDEO: Fall Message Series Promo
September 24, 2011
Join us at MainStreet this fall as we explore the life and call of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 1 – The Citadel Factor
September 23, 2011
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those … More Nehemiah 1 – The Citadel Factor
Prayer Walking with Nehemiah
September 15, 2011
This was prepared as a guide for a prayer walk about the city of Mound. Enjoy. -JB This fall Nehemiah will be our guide and model for mobilizing MainStreet in the task of restoring the city of Mound for the glory of God. Nehemiah was living in the King’s winter palace when he got word … More Prayer Walking with Nehemiah
Strong & Courageous 3
March 31, 2011
“God’s ways are not our ways,” we often say somewhat flippantly. But to what extent are we willing to live into that reality? How far “out there” are we willing to in our obedient to God? Are we willing to follow the Apostle Paul in being “fools for Christ” (1 Cor 4)? Will we risk … More Strong & Courageous 3
A Cruciform Perspective
March 30, 2011
I was blessed to be sitting at a table having breakfast yesterday with a fella who was baptized in a high school pool the evening before. Sadly, this is rare for me. By God’s grace I hope to be surrounded by a constant flow of newly baptized believers in the years ahead — and may … More A Cruciform Perspective
Strong & Courageous 2
March 29, 2011
In Joshua 4 the Israelites cross the Jordan River after God miraculously parts the waters for them. To commemorate the mighty work of God among them, Joshua has them set up 12 stones to be reminders of God’s faithfulness. “When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men … More Strong & Courageous 2
Strong & Courageous 1
March 23, 2011
Enjoy some reflections from the book of Joshua in light of our mission as a church to be moving into territories today with the love, grace, selfless acts of service and the good news concerning Christ and the Kingdom of God. “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your … More Strong & Courageous 1
A Different World is Calling You!
March 14, 2011
This is the most significant spiritual lesson I have learned in my entire life – perhaps. There is a world of difference (literally, a “narrative world” of difference) between (1) being a religious person who holds certain beliefs in their head, and (2) a person who has decided that the narrative world of the Bible … More A Different World is Calling You!
American Idols (Rom 1:22-25)
March 12, 2011
Here’s the notes from a message I gave to a youth group awhile back. Always a timely and tough topic. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images… … More American Idols (Rom 1:22-25)
Enrolled in the School of Jesus (Mark 3:13-15)
February 12, 2011
What is the primary task of the disciple of Jesus? When one enrolls in the school of Jesus, or receives the call to give one’s life to following after him, what is the first step? Let’s play fill in the blank. (No cheating or reading ahead for the right answer.) When Jesus chose his twelve … More Enrolled in the School of Jesus (Mark 3:13-15)
Kingdom Harbor 