| C.A.P. 2012 Session 2: Theological Diversity | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
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| C.A.P. 2012 Session 3: Sound Ecclesiology | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
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| Genesis 5:19-24 | The Just Shall Live By Faith: Enoch | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Pentecost | |
| Enoch was taken up by the Lord himself, commended as having pleased God. God took him in order that he might not see death, and as the text says, Enoch was not found, since God had taken him. We too ought to strive to please God, continuing in our confidence in God, knowing that he exists and will reward those who diligently seek him. |
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| C.A.P. 2012 Session 1: Missionary Calling | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
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| Genesis 4:1-16 | The Just Shall Live By Faith: Abel | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Pentecost | |
| As Abel clung to God in faith, and who was accepted before God because of his superior sacrifice and offering, so we too find acceptance with God on the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ, our foundation and strength. Even the jealous rage of Cain that led to Abel’s murder did not extinguish the clear and amazing testimony of Abel, whose sacrifice of blood prefigures him who would ransom all the world through his own blood on the cross. |
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| Hebrews 1:1-3 | Introduction to Faith | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Pentecost | |
| The writer of the Hebrews calls on all faithful followers of Jesus to live by faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for and the convictions of things unseen. Through it the ancients were commended, coming to know that the universe itself was created by God ex nihilo (out of nothing). Truly, apart from faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to him must believe that he exists and will reward those who seek him. |
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| John 3:1-17 | The Salvation of Our Triune God | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Pentecost | |
| In his conversation with Nicodemus, rabbi and member of the Jewish ruling Council called the Sanhedrin, Jesus explains the origins of true faith and the Kingdom of God. Without being born again from the Holy Spirit, one could neither see nor enter into the Kingdom of God. Salvation is entirely from the triune God alone. God the Father so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. The Father’s love, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s impartation of life comprise the salvation of our triune God for us. |
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| Acts 2:1-21 | The Coming of the Holy Spirit | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Pentecost | |
| On the day of Pentecost, the 50th day that followed the Feast of Firstfruits (i.e., an annual feast counted seven weeks or 49 days, from the beginning of the grain harvest) the followers of Christ were all together in one place, and the house was filled with the sound like the blowing of a violent wind, and tongues of fire came to rest on each of Jesus’ disciples, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They spoke in tongues that the pilgrims in Jerusalem could understand, as they spoke in all their languages the wondrous works of God. In this glorious and unique event the Spirit formed the Church, and inaugurated God’s gracious kingdom offer to the world. |
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| Acts 1:15-17 | True Apostleship | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Eastertide | |
| With the death of Judas, who betrayed the Lord, the apostolate needed to be completed once more. Peter, summarizing the situation of Judas’ betrayal and ignoble death, called on the apostolic community to select from among themselves someone worthy of a place among the Twelve, one who must be a witness with them of everything from the baptism of John to the resurrection and ascension of the Lord. Two men were selected as fitting, Joseph (also called Barsabbas and Justus) and Matthias. After prayer, they drew lots, and Matthias was selected to be among the Twelve and give witness of the risen Christ. |
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| 1John 5:1-6 | Overcoming the World | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Eastertide | |
| We now know through Jesus of Nazareth who the ones are who overcome the temptations and trials, the allurements and challenges of the world. Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God are those who can be called world-conquerors, who by virtue of their faith in Jesus escape the condemnation of the world, experience his gracious victory, and who are released to obey God as the Source and Strength of their lives. |
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| Christ the Victor Church Plant School 2012 - Session 2 - Dr. Don Davis | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Church Planting | |
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| Christ the Victor Church Plant School 2012 - Session 1 - Dr. Don Davis | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Church Planting | |
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| Psalm 23:1-6 | The Lord Is My Shepherd | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Eastertide | |
| The Lord is our Shepherd, our Leader and Provider, who meets our every need – providing spiritual nourishment, feeding and protection, restoration and grace. He alone can feed, guide, and direct us throughout the various phases of the journeys of our lives, and even in the valley of death itself we need not fear for his rod and staff will protect and comfort us. His goodness, mercy, and care will follow us every day of our lives, and even at our passing, he will welcome us into his presence evermore. |
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| Luke 24:36-48 | Thus It Is Written | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Eastertide | |
| In their midst and through many signs, our Lord proved to his disciples that he in fact had risen from the dead. Jesus confirmed through his own teaching of the Scriptures concerning himself that all that was written of him as Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, had to be fulfilled. Thus, it was written that the Messiah must suffer, rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached to all peoples, beginning at Jerusalem. The apostles, as eye witnesses of his death and resurrection, would be entrusted to start this glorious task. |
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| John 20:19-31 | The Ones Truly Blessed | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Eastertide | |
| Jesus appeared to his disciples with Thomas being absent. While the disciples affirmed Jesus’ resurrection to him, he rejected their testimony, saying he would need bodily proof of Jesus himself before he would believe. A week later, Jesus again appeared in the midst of the disciples behind locked doors, this time with Thomas in attendance. Jesus asked Thomas to inspect his hands and side, to believe and not doubt. Thomas, overwhelmed, affirmed Jesus as Lord and God, and Jesus says those who have not seen and yet believe are those truly blessed. |
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| Mark 16:1-8 | He Is Risen, Indeed! | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Easter | |
| Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, women followers of Jesus went to the tomb where he was buried, bringing spices to anoint his body. Worried about how to remove the stone at the entrance of the tomb, they arrive only to see that the stone had been removed. They entered the tomb and saw a young man sitting to their right. Sensing their fear, the angel told them not to be alarmed, for Jesus whom they sought had risen from the dead; he was not there. The angel commanded them to go and tell his disciples and Peter to return to Galilee, where he would appear to them. Jesus is risen – he is risen, indeed! |
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| Isaiah 52:13-53:12 | Man of Sorrows | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Good Friday | |
| Jesus of Nazareth is the suffering Servant who is rejected and despised, but is destined to be exalted and glorified. He will be rejected by his own, chastised for their transgressions, and suffer harm for the sin the nation has committed. He will lay down his life voluntarily, and many will be appalled and astonished at his sacrifice, but he will carry out his sacrifice for the Lord. He will act wisely, win redemption for those who cling to him, and be highly exalted by God for his willing sacrifice for sin. |
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| John 13:1-35 | The Measure of True Discipleship | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Maunday Thursday | |
| Before the Feast of the Passover, being with his disciples in the Upper Room, our Lord knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father. During supper, he laid aside his outer garments, took a towel tied around his waist, poured water into a basin and washed the disciples feet. In this grand act of humility, he demonstrated the kind of servanthood that should characterize the relationships among his disciples in the church. He also gave a new commandment of love to his disciples: that we love one another, as he had loved us. |
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| Isaiah 50:4-9 | The Vindication of God | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Palm Sunday | |
| In Isaiah 50, Isaiah prophesied regarding the Messiah’s openness to the Lord God, who granted to him the tongue of a disciple in order that he might know how to sustain the weary with a word. The Messiah would be taught of God, and would neither be rebellious nor a backslider. He would give his back to those who beat it, and his cheeks to those who would pull out his beard’s hair. But because the Lord GOD helped him, he would neither be disgraced nor put to shame. |
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| Jeremiah 31:31-34 | The New Covenant | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season of Lent | |
| Through the prophet Jeremiah the Lord promised that he would make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, one of a different kind than the one made at Horeb. God promised to place his law within them, and write it on their hearts, and that he would be their God and they would be his people. Now in Jesus of Nazareth, those who cling to him by faith walk in the New Covenant, ratified in the blood of Christ. |
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