What do we mean when we called the Bible "God's Word?" In this message we explore the shocking, powerful and beautiful mystery behind Scripture's origin.

When mankind is united some beautiful or horrific things can happen. Led by Hitler, a generation was united to destroy a common enemy, the Jews. 6 million of them. Led by Martin Luther King Jr. masses were united to fight racism and discrimination. Through unity militaries conquer entire land masses, businesses thrive, Rwanda happens, water wells are drilled and politicians are elected. What would happen if WE united?

Caesarea Philippi was the most pagan place in all of Palestine. Most devout Jews would avoid it altogether, but Jesus went there deliberately. In a rocky part of the city were two temples. One was built to honor Caesar. That alone would be considered blasphemy to the Jews, but nearby there was another temple built to worship the Greek god Pan.

The story of Hanukkah, Jesus driving out the money changers and the Resurrection and how they're all connected.

Lent is during winter when everything is dead. Creation even works in cycles, in winter it tells us to slow down, pause, stay inside. All of creation speaks of death and resurrection. Stars die and are born. A seed has to fall into the ground and die before it can grow into a plant. Leaves fall off of the trees and die so that new life can come in the Spring. God built death and resurrection into the very fiber of Creation.

John 2:1-11 Dionysus was the Greek god of wine and ecstatic experience, and was popular with common people during the time of the early church. Dionysus demonstrates a parallel to the teachings about Jesus. He was born as the son of the king of the gods; Zeus. He was born through a mortal mother, Semele. Hera, wife of Zeus tried to destroy him but he was rescued by Zeus and raised by nymphs, the bringers of rain. He grew to be the provider of life, particularly the life of the vine and grapes. Hence he was the god of wine. He passed through death every fall only to be raised to new life in the springtime—and he promised the same to his faithful. So Dionysus was the god of wine and sex.

Jesus is a radical. A “radical” is one who goes to the “radix” or root of the issue. Radical means root. The root problem was these Pharisees majored in the minors. They loved to strain out gnats and swallow camels. They missed the forest for the trees, going to great lengths to observe the law while totally missing the point.

Jesus is a radical. A “radical” is one who goes to the “radix” or root of the issue. Radical means root. The root problem was these Pharisees majored in the minors. They loved to strain out gnats and swallow camels. They missed the forest for the trees, going to great lengths to observe the law while totally missing the point.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 "there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance”. In the Jewish tradition, there are four points of mourning, what does that mean for us today? How do we learn to mourn with those who mourn?

In the Hebrew the word Dabaq, which is translated as "be united," "cleave to," "cling to," or "hold fast." can also mean "to fall in love with" Because God took apart one whole being to make Adam and Eve, that is the reason why men and women fall in love and want to become one being once again, both physically and spiritually. When they are united in marriage, God himself puts together what he separated at first. But in order to cleave, you've got to leave.

Romans 8:19 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].

Matthew 7:13,14 Doubt has saved millions of lives through out history. Think of the people who doubted Hitler’s way of life was right. Although there were thousands of people following it, the people who will be remembered through out history are the few who doubted and resisted the system. The protestant reformation was started by someone questioning the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church. Slavery was abolished because enough people began to doubt and question if it was the best way to treat people. Doubt and questions aren’t always a bad thing.