Topic: Bible Characters

What were the last days of Jesus on earth like? How did His followers understand His message? Did Jesus have to go to the cross? What messages are there in the struggles of Jesus for us today? What can we learn from the betrayals of Judas and Peter? What was so significant about the Passover and the time of Jesus' death? How was the last supper similar to a marriage covenant? This week we explore the fulfillment of the prophecies surrounding the death of Jesus and what He accomplished on our behalf.

Have you ever been through situations where you felt abandoned by God? Are there times in your life where you wondered if God was really present? When things go wrong, does it mean God is not there or that He doesn't care? As we look at the story of Joseph, you'll be surprised that in the darkest of situations,  God is still ever-present.

John Spellman preaches at the Beith Shalom SDA Congregation on the story of Jonah who was commanded by God to go to Nineveh, but made plans to go elsewhere. In many ways believers are doing the same thing today. Has God called you to something that perhaps you don't want to do? Are you living a life that is contrary to God's plan for you? Have you been brought to a solitary place so that God can redirect you? If so, you might be going through a Jonah experience. When we make other plans, God steps in to correct our paths and to reach people around us.

Have you ever found personalities difficult to deal with? Are there some strong personalities in your life that many find hard to adjust to? Whether in your marriage, friendships, home, church, work, or your community, sometimes people commit crimes against relationships. Why is it so hard to be kind to others? Where does God fit in with all this? Does God care about relationships? Does He have the power to fix broken ones? If so, how? Find out this week on Ever-Present.

How did Jesus relate to people who weren't Jewish during his ministry on earth? Was He Lord of the Jews only? How can we understand Jesus' interactions with Gentiles and Jews? What messages might these interactions have for us today? Why did Jesus challenge the traditions of His time? Should we too challenge traditions that go against God's commands today? What can we learn from Jesus' interactions with His disciples? This week we explore the ministry of Jesus focusing on Matthew 14 and 15.

Is there a war going on that we may not see but experience the effects? Is the idea of the great controversy Biblical? Who are the key players in this conflict? Who will ultimately be the winner in this contest? How does God prepare us for spiritual warfare? Does being a prophet of God mean that one will not experience difficulty or oppression? Does God prevent His people from suffering all the time? How did misconceptions about Jesus' first arrival play a role in the lives of His people? Why did John the Baptist have a moment of doubt? What evidence was given that Jesus was the Messiah?

Have you ever had a problem that you wanted to hide from everyone around you? Are there things in your life you wish no one knew about? Why is the world the way it is? Why do we see so much corruption, greed, disease, sickness, and problems as we observe the world around us? Is God still involved in the affairs of humanity? Where was God when everything started going wrong? Can we trust that God is still present today even in the midst of political and moral turmoil? Man hides from God, but God is ever-present and seeking out humanity. Where are you?

Dr. Andy Nash joins us this week as we study the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Why was Jesus led into the wilderness? How did Jesus fulfill prophecy as He went to different places during His ministry? What did Jesus' life reveal about the character of God in contrast to the character of Satan? What message did both Jesus and John the baptist preach, and how would that compare with the message that the world needs to hear today? How can we gain comfort and encouragement looking at the early days of Jesus' ministry according to the gospel of Matthew?

Benhadad, the king of Syria, oppressed Israel during the reign of Ahab. Because of Israel's rebellion this was, for a time, permitted by God. Soon Benhadad begins to make insulting demands of Ahab and when Ahab refuses they go to war. But God was with the Israelites and delivered Benhadad into their hand. The Syrians attack again reasoning that the only reason they lost was because God was a god of the hills. God answers this challenge also but when Benhadad is spared by king Ahab, a prophet makes a strange request. A request that if refused, could cost someone their life.

How did Paul summarize the gospel? What was his take on the reality of rebellion and the Great Controversy? How did Paul suggest that we fight in this spiritual war? What did he mean when he compared the church to members of a body, materials of a building, or crops to be grown? How did Paul answer challenges that suggested that there was no resurrection of the dead? This week we take a look at Paul's teachings and how he illuminated many of these themes. Paul spoke of Jesus as the 2nd Adam and showed how the consequences of Adam's mistake was reversed through Christ's ministry.

John Spellman preaches at the Beit Shalom SDA congregation. Sermon is based on Exodus 17: Moses prays for the children of Israel despite their constant murmuring and complaining. God blesses Israel only as Moses continues to pray for them. But what happens when the prophet grows tired? What happens when he loses strength? Today, God has many leaders who need support. How do we support those that need our help? What about families that need to support one another? What happens when they don't? Is there still a need today to lift people up?

How did Jesus' teachings portray the Great Controversy? In what way did Jesus describe the struggle between good and evil? How can we have rest in Jesus? In what ways does He lighten our burdens? With all the challenges we face in life, can this rest Jesus offers truly make a difference? What does the parable of the sower reveal about how people respond to the gospel? How does it portray the struggle between good and evil? What kind of ground best represents you and I? What did Jesus teach about foundations? How can we make Him our rock?