September 29, 2025
THE WELCOME SIGHT OF BLOOD
At the cross, God used bloodshed and a gruesome instrument of death to further his holy purposes and provide salvation for lost humanity.
September 29, 2025
At the cross, God used bloodshed and a gruesome instrument of death to further his holy purposes and provide salvation for lost humanity.
August 21, 2023
A theological dilemma in the biblical story is this: How can God punish sin (and thereby stay true to his promise and character) and yet absolve the sinner? . . .
February 27, 2023
An unholy part of us—with a careless attitude about sin—wants to do whatever we please, hoping God will overlook our misdeeds. On the other hand, a guilty conscience makes us wonder if our sins are unpardonable, and that leads to despair. . . .
March 7, 2022
The law was intended to make God’s people holy. In the end, the law underlined their sinfulness.
March 7, 2022
If you base your self-image on what others think about you—or pamper your ego with an inflated sense of self-importance—you’re looking at a contorted mirror.
October 18, 2021
Every time he heard a rooster crow, did Peter choose to be reminded, “I messed up, but I am forgiven”?
July 7, 2020
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the July 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “Make the Most of Your Co-Opportunities,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Live out perfect love by letting God live in you. ________ By Mark Scott God often has more important stuff going on inside of us than around us. Make no mistake, God lives in a high and
May 23, 2014
By Nancy Karpenske William E. Barrett”s novel The Shape of Illusion tells a story about a painting. The scene depicted on the canvas is Pilate”s courtyard. Jesus is there, beaten and bloodied. He is surrounded by the angry mob screaming insults and throwing rocks. This fictional painting is no ordinary work of art. It seems that everyone who looks at it finds his or her own face in the raging crowd. Saints, sinners, priests, paupers: all instantly see themselves acting despicably in the gruesome scene. How would you respond if you saw your own likeness in that setting? What if