Mark continued with week 16 of Bible Study While Living with the Coronavirus: On the road to Emmaus from Luke 24 -What Jesus may have said to His disciples, part 2 of a focus on the tabernacle. This week’s topic shows how the tabernacle was an earthly shadow of a heavenly reality. Mark expands on aspects of God as revealed thru the tabernacle: 1. The uniqueness of God. God revealed Himself unique to all pagan gods. Everyone meets God in one place (the cross of Jesus). God grabs our attention but...
Jun 28, 2020
Mark continuedBible Study During the Corona Virus with more of what Jesus might have said to His followers on The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24). Mark taught additional insight into the tabernacle. The context of the tabernacle began in Genesis. Mark shares that peopleare hard-wired to be in a relationship with God. God provides meaning, significance, and purpose to our lives. Without God, people create answers to fill that emptiness/void which is sin.We learn that theconcept of the tabernacle shows w...
Jun 21, 2020
Mark continued with The Story on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24 series).Today’s lesson continued with a focus on what the Bible says about the Ark of the Covenant and what it means to us. Mark structured the lesson as a three-piece puzzle: 1. Understanding the 3 pieces of the Ark of the Covenant—The chest containing the 10 Commandments, the Covenant, and the Mercy Seat. 2. A Review of key concepts: 1) everyone living under the law has an insurmountable problem; no one can live up to the Law perfect...
Jun 14, 2020
Mark continued his series: Bible Study during the Coronavirus by focusing on The Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 with an emphasis on the Ark of the Covenant. Mark covered three points in this week’s lesson: 1) An explanation of the Ark of the Covenant and God’s detailed instruction for man to build the Ark, 2) How Jesus speaks through the Ark as the Messiah, and 3) How the Ark of the Covenant and Jesus as Messiah affects us today. Listen to Mark teach on the construction, meaning, and purpose of the A...
Jun 07, 2020
Mark continued his series: Bible Study during the Coronavirus with an emphasis on The Road to Emmaus in Luke 24. Mark related the racial unrest in the US due to the death of George Floyd with how Jesus addressed violence and racial inequality. We have three things to learn from how God instructed Israel to live: 1) The purpose of Israel 2) The focus of Israel 3) The key for Israel. Mark elaborated on each of those points and how they should be applied today so we are blessed to be a blessing to ...
May 31, 2020
May 24, 2020
Mark continues the series - The Story on the Road to Emmaus. He references the name of God as noted in the familiar Psalm 23 passage, Exodus 3, Isaiah 40, and John 10. We learn Hebrew and Greek usages for YHVH, LORD, and I AM which all reflect Him being The Good Shepherd. Mark concludes the lesson by encouraging believers to search the Old and New Testaments to quench our burning desire to love and know Him better with each day.
May 17, 2020
Mark continued with his series: Biblical Study While Living with the Corona Virus by continuing a focus on - The Story on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24). In this lesson, Mark continues with the Book of Ruth, a love story that previews the love of King Jesus for His people. We learn that Naomi and Emilech, a Hebrew family, left Bethlehem for Moab during a famine. Emilech and the two sons die, leaving Naomi alone. One daughter in law, Ruth refuses to return to her family and remains lovingly loyal t...
May 10, 2020
May 03, 2020
Mark taught Part 2 of the Road to Emmaus from Luke 24: The Story Behind the Story on the Road to Emmaus.Luke 24:27 is a reflection of what Moses in the Old Testament says about Jesus.Through Moses, we read the prophetic words of who and what Jesus would be, live, and do. Mark shares the Israelites weren’table to free themselves from slavery. Slavery begat slavery and sin begat sin, absent the redemptive hand of God. It’s impossible to have redemption of sin without death so redemption for the Is...
Apr 26, 2020
Mark continued with Bible Study While Living with the Coronavirus. This week’s lesson focused On the Road to Emmaus from Luke 24:13-35. Easter Sunday has the power to change our lives, who we are, how we live, and how we interact with others through the power of the risen Savior. Mark provided three points from the Emmaus story: 1. Journey of Luke. He tuned into journey and structured his writings like an hourglass. 2. Journey of Emmaus. The journey to faith is a journey from sad thickheadedness...
Apr 19, 2020
On Easter Sunday, Mark continued his series: Bible Study While living with the CoronaVirus. His lesson focused on the Empty Tomb with three questions for all of us: Was the death of Christ necessary? Why the empty tomb? What does this mean for me? Mark shared solid answers to these questions using Scripture passages to strengthen our faith. Listen to his reasoning with an in-depth study of what the empty tomb and Christ’s victory over death means for our faith.
Apr 12, 2020
Biblical Study While Living with Coronavirus, lesson 4. This is Palm Sunday and this week, Mark weaves together 3 strands of thought: 1. Jewish Exile in Babylon: Jeremiah: 29:1-14. The people had to live through the crisis. 2. Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Zach 9. & John 12:12-16. Many people looked for a king who’d free them from the tyranny of the Romans, not save them from their sins. Through both of these times, we see God’s message to keep going bec...
Apr 05, 2020
Biblical Study While Living with Coronavirus, lesson 3. Mark taught from Isaiah 40: Comfort for God’s people. In this text, we read and understand God’s broken heart for His people. Israel had lived unfaithful to God, and He would tear Israel apart. Jerusalem walked away from God, but Jesus is the return of God to His people. Matthew 28:20 tells us that Jesus is with us always to the end of the age. In applying the text to today: In Isaiah 40:29-31, God promises power to the faint, strength, and...
Mar 29, 2020
Mark taught this week’s online class, Lesson 2 of Biblical Study While Living with the Coronavirus, from The Stone Chapel at The Lanier Theological Library. The number one issue facing most people during the worldwide pandemic is fear and uncertainty. The Bible speaks about these concerns. Those in biblical times shared similar anxieties: life, health, loved ones, jobs/finances, economy, life changes, supplies to exist, and more. Psalm 42 & 43 speaks to our concerns. The psalmist was having ...
Mar 22, 2020
Mark taught this week’s class titled: The Time of the Season -The Church During Times of Crisis and Change. God is sovereign, but we are to take precaution for thewelfare of others. Throughout time, the church has faced challenges in meeting for worship. The church has always and continues to figure out ways to adjust. The church knows God is in control. According to the church’s liturgical calendar, weare in Lent, a season of reflection renewal, preparation, repentance,and looking for ways to g...
Mar 15, 2020
David Capes, the Senior Research Fellow at the Lanier Theological Library, taught this week’s classes. He continued with the series: Passages Worth the Dig with the topic, “Judge not lest ye be judged” from Matthew 7:1-5. The question arises: What did Jesus mean in this passage? Today’s stats show many view Christians as judgmental. Jesus did not say to be neutral, form an opinion, or express an opinion. He did say to use righteousness with justice. We are to be careful how we judge. Listen to D...
Mar 08, 2020
Mar 01, 2020
Listen as Brent Johnson, Associate Pastor of Senior Adults, continues in the series Passages Worth the Dig focusingon “How to Pick a Pastor.”Brent shares common approaches to selecting a pastor todaybycomparing practices between various denominations. He then reviews God’s approach in choosing leaders throughout the Old and New Testament showing how He many times uses the unconventional. Brent concludes with an emphasis on God’s spirit residing in eachbeliever and how we must be attentive to His...
Feb 23, 2020
Mark continued with the series, Passages Worth the Dig, Part 3 with a further study into Romans 1:16-17. Paul writes he is not “ashamed” of the Gospel. The translation of the Greek word for “ashamed” shows us Paul did not "experience a sense of loss of status” because of his belief in the Gospel. He preached Jesus died for our sins. Mark refers to other New Testament passages that point to Jesus crucified, which is contrary to Gentile Greek and Roman gods who believed a god who died for their si...
Feb 16, 2020
This week, with the help of Scott Sager from Lipscomb University, Mark interviewed Joseph Shulam, a highly respected Hebrew scholar and Christian Minister. He was born in Bulgaria and his family moved to Jereusalem. Shulambecame a Christian in 1962 and was rejected by his family. His powerful testimony is an inspiration for every believer. He holds several degrees and speaks seven languages. Listen to Rabbi/Teacher Shulam provide unique perspectives and insights while sharing his in-depth knowle...
Feb 09, 2020
Now that Mark had described the power of the good news, an actual historical event that Paul wants everyone to know about, Paul continues with the statement that “for in this the righteousness of God is revealed”. One has to wonder what Paul meant by that word!!! Part 2 of last week’s Romans passage concentrates on the word “righteousness". Using a quote from N.T. Wright to start the conversation, Mark defines justificiation (watch and see how well he teaches you this) and how important it is to...
Feb 02, 2020
Guest teacher Dr. David Capes, Senior Research Fellow at The Lanier Theological Library, continued the series, Digging Deeper - Passages Worth the Dig. Dr. Capes’ lesson “The Devil Didn't Make Me Do It” used an excerpt from Matthew 4 that records the testing/temptation of Jesus. The Old Testament records Abraham’s testing regarding the sacrifice of his only son Isaac, and Jesus is the singular offspring of Abraham. Listen to Dr. Capes talk about the three temptations or testings of Jesus. Keywor...
Jan 27, 2020
Mark continues with a third lesson in the series Passages Worth the Dig focusing on Romans 1:16-17 and a key word of “gospel”. The book Paul wrote to the church in Rome can be summarized in these two verses. Mark shares how numerous English words come from Greek roots. Translating takes work. We must use the language tools now available to have enhanced understanding of the vocabulary - 1) Look it up (lexicon), 2) Look at context, 3) Examine other usage/contrasts by author. Mark reveals the hist...
Jan 19, 2020
Mark, continues in the series Passages Worth the Dig with a focus on Jude. This short book was authored by Judas, a brother to Jesus. Mark contextually shows how Judas took writings current at the time to help make his point. Mark digs into verse 5 specifically and shows how different English translations based their source of original Greek New Testament writings found on either parchment or papyrus. Mark concludes that knowing Judas likely wrote “Jesus” rather than “the Lord” in verse 5 can ma...
Jan 12, 2020
Mark began 2020 with a series titled Digging Deeply into God’s Word - Passages Worth the Dig. Mark begins with how people who don’t have a relationship with the Creator have a restless desire to fill their emptiness. Mark used Joshua 24:23 to show the challenge presented to people of Israel. Whom will they serve? Who will fill their needs? Mark discussed the writings throughout history of those who sought to explain the human need to satisfy their inner longing. These are people who either 1) fi...
Jan 05, 2020
Mark taught the 2019 Christmas lesson from Luke. We are in the season of Advent. During this time, we celebrate the arrival/coming/approach of Jesus. The lesson shows three veins of thought: the incarnation, the arrival of Jesus in our lives, and His second coming. The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word meaning “someone has poured oil on their heads anointing them. Prophets, Priests, and Kings were anointed. The Greek word for this action is Christo. Listen to Mark teach the deep connectivi...
Dec 15, 2019
Mark Lanier interviews Dr. Michael Lloyd, the Principal of Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford. Watch as this fascinating banter as Mark and his guest reveal Dr. Lloyd's background, his spiritual path, and his theological ideas. Listen as he explains his current interest in the the problem of evil, including that which is caused by sinful man, and that which has no root in human behavior.
Dec 08, 2019
Mark continues his series: Finding the Old Testament in the Gospel of John. This week Mark taught on the passage of John 7:53 through 8:11. Not every version of the Bible has this story or this placement where Jesus interacts with the woman caught in adultery. The Scribes and Pharisees wanted Jesus to condemn her. Should we question if John authored this passage, we need to remember original manuscripts were hand-written and copied, so differences could occur. Discover the analogy of God’s finge...
Dec 01, 2019
Nov 24, 2019
