Why is instruction important? The purpose of instruction is to help us understand the basis and foundation of our faith. Deuteronomy 5:32-33 gives us this wise instruction:"So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." >>Watch on YouTube Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children. This message was hosted by FinishWell, a ministry of The Center. >> Learn More about FinishWell

As we start this new year, what kind of plans, thoughts and ideas have you been having? Have you made any resolutions. Two days ago I went to the gym early in the morning - usually only a few people there, but this day the parking lot was jam packed!​ ​Of course by mid-February things will probably be back to normal. My question to each of us today is, "Do​ we need to make any sort of resolutions regarding our spiritual lives?" And before we can answer that, we must first ask ourselves, "Where am I spiritually?" Revelation 21:5-7 tells us this faithful promise from God, "And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son.'" >>Watch on YouTube

Both CS Lewis and RC Sproul asked, "If you could boil down take Christian theology and boil it into one word, what would it be?" Love? Faith? They answered that the one word would be Grace. Grace is like a huge bank account and faith is the account number to get access to it. God provides the grace, and we respond to it with faith. Another way to look at it is to contrast 3 words and what they mean: Judgement - getting what you deserve Mercy - not getting what you deserve Grace - getting something that you don't deserve Grace is something that costs everything for the Giver (Jesus) and nothing for the recipient (you and I). John 1:14 tells us that, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, ...full of grace and truth." Today we're studying Matthew 20:1-16.

What does God promise to those who hope in Him? Last week was an overview of chapters 1-39 of the book of Isaiah . Something occurs between chapter 39 and chapter 40 that is kind of seismic. It's like the car of the prophet Isaiah just shifted into a different gear. Chapter 40 describes where God is moving from judgement to redemption, pronouncing comfort and peace to His people: "Do you not know?    Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,    the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary,    and His understanding no one can fathom.He gives strength to the weary    and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,    and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord    will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;    they will run and not grow weary,    they will walk and not be faint." In this episode we'll cover the rest of the book, chapters 40-66. Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

How does Isaiah present the gospel? Early church fathers, interestingly enough, would refer to Isaiah as the fifth Gospel. I love that term. It would be Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and then Isaiah, right? Because Isaiah is a prophet, he prepares us for the gospel in ways that are pretty unique in the Bible. Isaiah points us to Christ. Then we can see our need for Christ - our need for the new covenant. In Luke 24 where Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus with the two men, Luke says, "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He (Jesus) explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself... When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'" Today is an overview of chapters 1-39. Next week we'll cover the rest of the book, chapters 40-66. Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

Where do you look when you need help? Jesus boldly claims who He is in John chapter 10: "Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the Gate for the sheep. All who have come before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." - John 10:7-11 >>Watch on YouTube

What Child is this? We sing the familiar song at Christmas, but who are we singing about? John 1:14 explains who this Child is to us. This is the scripture that I think so much of our Christian faith hangs on: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." - John 1:14 Jesus. The Word, who is the very being of God Himself, at one with the Father, the Instrument of creation, the beginning One, has taken on human flesh and He has tabernacled among us. He is the Temple of God's presence in our midst. He is the light of God's countenance shining on us. He is the light that has come into the world to expel the darkness. >>Watch on YouTube⁠ Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

What kind of man or woman are you? Just after the 911 attack, I was in New York City. I've seen some real heroes to me from the New York City Fire Department. I remember their courage and selfless service to save lives - to give up their lives. I want you to open your hearts and really examine yourself. What kind of man or woman are you? Each one of us is called to lead in some fashion. Ask yourself these questions: Are you doing it? Have you stepped up to the plate? Are you doing your part? When we talk about leadership, there are some men who are going to help win the war. And there are some men who are just never gonna really do anything. What kind of man or woman are you? What kind of man am I? Jerry Leachman of ⁠Leachman Ministries⁠ is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S. He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.

What are two words that represent some of the most important issues in life? The two words are light and truth. Interestingly, in the Bible, Jesus Himself boldly claimed, "I am the Light" and "I am the Truth." In John 3:19-21, Jesus tells us, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." >>Watch on YouTube

What are the two paths of life? A path of obedience to God and its blessings, and A path of disobedience to God which brings curses. The path of obedience to God is marked by the fear of the Lord. Well what is the fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord is that all-encompassing idea that the Bible brings together this sense of awe and reverence and worship and fear, so that every facet of your life is lived in the recognition that God is—that you've been made for God and you are moving toward God. It is to be in a place marked by worship. Today's message finishes Mark's study on Deuteronomy. "The Lord will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to Him." - Deuteronomy 28:9 >>Watch on YouTube Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.