Sermon by Michael Bailey on June 30, 2024.
The last chapter of Habakkuk culminates in a song that ties in all the themes we’ve looked at previously. In many ways, this song is a picture of Christian maturity, showcasing confidence in God even in the face of evil, pain, and suffering.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Michael Bailey on June 23, 2024.
In Habakkuk, we see God doing something seemingly unthinkable - He will use Babylon, a nation more wicked than Judah, to bring justice. But what about Babylon’s sin? Will God just let that injustice happen, or will He step in?
Last week, we started looking at God’s response; this week, we dive into that more.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Timestamps:
2:42 - What is the office of the prophet?
11:52 - What is the historical context of the prophetic books?
20:03 - How do we start when it comes to reading these books?
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible by Stephen Dempster
Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey by Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer
Ghosts and Ancestors sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Ruth sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Wisdom sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
How Long O LORD series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
Sermon by Michael Bailey on June 16, 2024.
As we study the Bible, many Christians notice God doing things that we don't think He should do. Last week, Habakkuk wrestled with how God was allowing evil and injustice to occur in the world around him.
This week, we'll see him wrestle with how God responds to that evil and injustice, and we'll answer the question, "What do I do, when God's actions don't seem to align with His attributes?"
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Michael Bailey on June 9, 2024.
The prophets are a diverse group of writings. They come from different periods, face different issues, and are written in different genres.
The book of Habakkuk, in particular, speaks to us on our journey to Christian maturity. It mirrors the moments we all encounter—when our understanding of God’s character seems at odds with our current circumstances, when we question God’s plans, and when injustice, both individually and collectively, seems to prevail.
When that happens, what do we do? How do we respond? How can we trust God is still in control of it all? We’ll spend the next four weeks in Habakkuk exploring these questions.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Andrew Flowers on June 2, 2024.
As we finish this series, we’ll dive into practically one of the most challenging areas to live with biblical wisdom. The Scriptures will call at times a source of healing and blessing and at other times a “raging fire” and a “restless evil” — our words.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Brandon Clements on May 26, 2024.
Underneath so many topics covered in Proverbs is the need for self-mastery-whether in refraining from destructive behaviors or pursuing the good even when it's hard. This week, we will look at the picture of the ant and the sluggard to gain insight on what we may need to stop (or start) to pursue a life of wisdom.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Timestamps:
2:45 - What exactly is the Ketuviim?
7:00 - What is the Wisdom literature (in this case: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs) all about?
14:23 - How should we read the Wisdom literature?
25:12 - So Song of Songs…what are we supposed to do with this book?
29:33 - How do these books connect to Jesus?
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
God's Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs by Tim Keller
Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible by Stephen Dempster
Ghosts and Ancestors: Torah Stories sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Ruth sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Wisdom sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
Sermon by Brandon Clements on May 19, 2024.
Last week, we discussed wisdom and friendships. This week, we discuss the inevitable outworking of that: conflict. What does the wisdom literature teach us about living in unity and handling confrontation?
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Andrew Flowers on May 12, 2024.
We’re living in what has been dubbed “the loneliness epidemic.” 60% of US adults report feeling lonely regularly, 15% of men and 10% of women report having no close friends, and 1/3 of both report only having two close friends or less.
This week, as we examine the wisdom literature, we will discuss what it means to be a good friend.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Brandon Clements on May 5, 2024.
This week, we discuss Proverbs 5 and 7, one of the most comprehensive sections of Scripture regarding the biblical vision for sex. It’s one of the few subjects that Solomon devotes extended airtime to in the book of Proverbs. What is its purpose? What does God intend for sex to accomplish? How are we to think about it?
For parents, as a reminder, Kidtown is available for 3rd grade and under. If you are uncomfortable having your preteen in the Gathering they are welcome to serve in Kidtown this week.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Michael Bailey on April 28, 2024.
The Bible is deeply aware of life's complexities and difficulties. This reality requires us to think well and wisely. Who we are and what we do shape the trajectory and person we become. Money is no exception. This week, we explore what the wisdom literature says about money.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Timestamps:
1:21 - What do we mean by the “history books” of the Old Testament?
11:28—What does Deuteronomy have to do with these books? And what is the overall message of the History/Former Prophets?
16:35 - How does the book of Joshua fit into the History/Former Prophets?
18:00 - How does the book of Judges fit into the History/Former Prophets?
20:25 - How does the book of Samuel fit into the History/Former Prophets?
23:38 - How does the book of Kings fit into the History/Former Prophets?
28:07 - Why do the History/Former Prophets matter within the scope of the Bible?
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible by Stephen Dempster
Old Testament Narrative Books: The Israel Story by Gary Edward Schnittjer
Ghosts and Ancestors: Torah Stories sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Ruth sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
Sermon by Brandon Clements on April 21, 2024.
This week, we discuss something that has the power to destroy your life and keep you from becoming a wise person: pride. Thankfully, the book of Proverbs offers us a framework to think about pride’s destructive nature and, ultimately, its solution.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Michael Bailey on April 14, 2024.
Last week we began exploring what it means to be a person of wisdom. This week we look at Proverbs 16:1-3 and ask ourselves, how exactly do we make wise decisions and what resources does God give us to become these sorts of people?
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
Sermon by Brandon Clements on April 7, 2024.
How do we become people who build our lives on God’s wisdom rather than ruining them? How do we navigate life and all its complexities? How do we make sense of death and suffering? How about friendships, wealth, and decision-making? What about sex and marriage?
These questions are where the Old Testament’s wisdom books come in. Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs depict how to navigate life’s complexity. Through poetry and narrative, the Bible shows us following Jesus is more than just acquiring knowledge. It’s about seeing reality the way God sees it and learning how to live within it—in short, it’s about becoming a person of wisdom. And the book of Proverbs is clear: wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.
This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.
For this episode, we interviewed Dr. Jay Sklar. Jay Sklar is vice president of academics and professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary. He has written commentaries on Numbers and Exodus (forthcoming with Crossway), and two on Leviticus (TOTC and ZECOT). He has also published a website of resources to help those preaching or teaching in Genesis through Deuteronomy.
Timestamps:
2:22 - What were your initial impressions of the Bible?
6:24 - Why did you decide to pursue doctoral work in the Old Testament?
9:08 - Why did you decide to specialize in Leviticus?
10:12 - How would you broadly summarize Leviticus?
11:59 - What makes Leviticus so tricky to understand?
17:35 - How do we make sense of impurity laws?
28:42 - Is the Day of Atonement really the centerpiece of understanding Leviticus and the Torah?
33:22 - How do we understand Leviticus in light of the New Testament?
37:24 - If Jesus fulfilled Leviticus, why should we even bother reading it?
40:32 - How do we extrapolate and practice the wisdom principles from the commands in Leviticus?
43:15 - What does abiding with Jesus in Scripture and prayer look like for you?
Leviticus: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) by Jay Sklar
Numbers (The Story of God Bible Commentary) by Jay Sklar
Preach and Teach the Bible website
Also Dr. Sklar has a number of (free!) commentaries and articles available on The Gospel Coalition that you can check out here.
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
And check out our other site on the spiritual practices…FollowingJesusTogether.com
Ghosts and Ancestors: Torah Stories sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Ruth sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
For this episode, we interviewed Dr. Gary Schnittjer. Gary Edward Schnittjer (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is distinguished professor of Old Testament in the School of Divinity at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and author of Old Testament Use of Old Testament (Zondervan Academic, 2021), Torah Story, 2nd edition (Zondervan Academic, 2023), and Old Testament Narrative Books: The Israel Story (B&H Academic, 2023).
Timestamps:
8:20 - What were your initial impressions of the Bible and what changed?
11:44 - What made you want to pursue PhD work in the Old Testament?
16:10 - Why did you want to write a textbook on the Torah?
20:06 - What do you think people have to know about the Bible before reading it? How does the Torah fit into it?
26:36 - How exactly does the gospel begin in the Old Testament?
30:34 - How do we read Old Testament narratives?
38:18 - How do we think about the biblical laws?
40:09 - What have been helpful Bible reading practices and resources for you?
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
Torah Story, Second Edition: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch by Gary Edward Schnittjer
Old Testament Use of Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Guide by Gary Edward Schnittjer
Old Testament Narrative Books: The Israel Story (Scripture Connections) by Gary Edward Schnittjer“
Why We Need the Bad News of Israelite History” by Gary Edward Schnittjer from The Gospel Coalition
Ghosts and Ancestors sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
Timestamps:
2:35 - What does the word “Torah” mean and what’s its purpose?
7:45 - How do we read the Torah as a unit?
11:55 - Breaking down the Torah book by book
12:31 - How Genesis fits into Torah
13:32 - How Exodus fits into Torah
16:11 - How Leviticus fits into Torah
22:24 - How Numbers fits into Torah
26:40 - How Deuteronomy fits in Torah
30:52 - What are the main themes of the Torah and how does it point us to Jesus?
32:05 - Tool one: Biblical Theology
36:15 - Tool two: Typology
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible by Stephen Dempster
Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth D. Postell
Torah Story, Second Edition: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch by Gary Edward Schnittjer
Ghosts and Ancestors sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
Timestamps:
1:40 - Why does the Old Testament even matter?
8:22 - Ok, but what is the Old Testament about?
10:48 - What about the Christian vs the Hebrew order of the Old Testament?
19:15 - What makes reading the Old Testament so difficult?
28:25 - How do I start reading the Old Testament?
Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans
Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible by Stephen Dempster
Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth D. Postell
Torah Story, Second Edition: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch by Gary Edward Schnittjer
Ghosts and Ancestors sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch
Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.
To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.
Music by Levvy and Midtown Music
