Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness replicated key moments of human faithlessness. Where others—like Adam, Israel, and you and me—failed, he remained faithful. 

Jesus makes clear to three would-be disciples that following Him means self-denial, suffering, and sacrifice.

The word of God has the power to destroy strongholds of the world through the gospel. It will accomplish the ends for which God has set it forth.

Our faith is inflamed with the beauty, the truth, and the goodness of the gospel. 

Dr. Michael Horton exposits 2 Cor. 3, in particular to those seeking to go into pastoral ministry. He shows from this text that pastors are a “letter of recommendation” from Jesus as ministers of the New Covenant. 

A life invested in, and devoted to, Jesus  matters because of the resurrection.

Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to live according to their New Covenant status by portraying the world in absolute contrasts.

At the end of 2 Corinthians Paul proclaims a fitting benediction upon his readers.

Obsessed with success and power, the disciples are confronted with Jesus' radical definition of greatness.

How can Paul characterize the letter (the law) being a ministration of death, but the Spirit giving life when he speaks elsewhere of the law in such a positive manner?

 The story of Jesus healing the blind man (in Mark 8) is surprising in many ways. It is also revealing how difficult it is to see Jesus clearly.

Hebrews shows us that Psalm 102:25-27 reveals the eternal permanence of God's Son, our Savior, Jesus.

Our nature is to do what is right in our own eyes, but the book of Judges directs us to look to  the King of Kings. A king whom we don't see today, but whom we are called to trust in faith.

 Jesus, our priest-king, is seated in Heaven.

The foundational notion of being born again describes not just a life-changing past event, but the essence of our present life in Christ and the future of a glorious new creation.

We were reminded by Paul that all our sufferings – insults, slanders, hardship, persecutions and difficulties – if suffered for Christ’s sake become the perfect opportunity (as weakness) for the manifestation of Christ’s glory.  And for that reason, “his grace is sufficient for you”.

Paul calls us to repentance and to demonstrate gratitude for the reconciliation that we have in Jesus Christ.

Learning from Paul's example–not only what he prayed but also that he prayed.

Paul defends his ministry by contrasting it with Moses' ministry.

Jesus is the king who can be trusted to rule our lives and circumstances with absolute control, for he

would never succumb to power's corrupting influence.