Cutting edge for pastors and ministry leaders.
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Lazarus, though dead, had been alive in the world of the spirit for four days. Jesus called Lazarus by name and although Lazarus had died physically, he was very much alive in spirit and answered to his name. Lazarus heard and obeyed the voice of Jesus, his agape friend. Jesus […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. “Deeply moved in spirit and troubled” is an apt description of the Lord’s emotions when He arrived in Bethany. The Greek term for “deeply moved” conveys a variety of feelings, such as anger, indignation, groaning with sorrow, and the stern voice that starts giving orders. The term translated “troubled” communicates […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. THINK ABOUT IT: Martha’s faith had largely moved her out of her grief when she stood side by side with Jesus on the outskirts of Bethany. Faith in Jesus Christ and His promises of eternal life are the cure for grief. At this point Martha became an evangelist. She went […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. The classic example of the silence of God occurred on Mt. Calvary. The Heavenly Father’s only Son was hanging on three crude nails between two thieves. Talk about humiliation. Wow! Jesus was already weak from loss of blood and His body was beginning to shut down. The Grim Reaper was […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. “On his arrival, Jesus found Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days” (John 11:17). Jesus knew in the Spirit and prophesied before He left Bethabara on the east side of the Jordan that Lazarus had died. But the disciples missed it. The Lord was going to Bethany […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. The last lesson ended with three questions: “We earnestly prayed, but Jesus did not answer our prayers.” “He could have prevented this if He had wanted too.” “Can Jesus be trusted to do good in the crises of life? Is He truly good, all the time?” Questions like these show […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days” (John 11:5-6). The sovereign authority of God often comes into focus in the tension between two kinds of love, phileo and agape. The Apostle John used the […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. The Lazarus story is full of human pain and disappointment. It unveils high drama fed by the rawest of human emotions. Many of the great stress issues families’ face will be in this study. One of them is how are we to manage our faith when God does not answer […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear. Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Thomas Gray, an English poet, published this poem in 1751 to recognize common people who do noble and […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. When Jesus was eight days old, His parents made the five-mile walk from Bethlehem and took Him to the temple for dedication and circumcision (Luke 2:21-24; Leviticus 12:8; Exodus 13:1-2, 12). John (the Baptist) was about three months old when Baby Jesus was dedicated. A man named Simeon who was […]