John Mark Hicks

Hosea, the prophet who functions as a prosecutor, announced God’s judicial verdict in the previous chapter. Yet Hosea still holds out hope if Israel will seek God’s face (Hosea 5:15). Will Ephraim repent? Will they return to the Lord? Will they seek God’s path rather than their own? Hosea 6 opens the door, but Israel’s […]

Who may sojourn in God’s tent and live on God’s holy hill? Those who love their neighbor with integrity! Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the significance of Psalm 15 as an entrance instruction. Like in Matthew 25 with its judgment scene, those who enter are those who have loved their neighbors–feeding the hungry, […]

This is how God loves Israel: Go, love one who has other lovers. God calls Hosea to imitate Yahweh who loves Israel despite their covenant-breaking, despite their betrayals. This is the unrelenting love of God who pursues us. This is the God who loved us even while we were yet enemies. Nothing can separate us […]

The Hebrew Bible’s word for the theological idea of “grace” in the New Testament is hesed (steadfast love). Psalm 136 celebrates God’s initiative and commitment, God’s grace, by reciting the line “because his steadfast love endures forever” 26 times. Israel, gathered in assembly in Psalm 135 and Psalm 136 to bless, praise, and give thanks […]

How do we maintain the unity the Spirit created? We walk in love. This means, in part, that we speak the truth to each other (rather than promoting lies), we manage our holy anger well (rather than sinning in our anger), we share our resources with each other (rather than stealing), we speak graciously for […]

The focus of Paul’s prayer is not that the Ephesians would be filled with information (though Paul does want them to understand the mystery of Christ and live with wisdom) but that they might be filled with the fullness of God. He prays that through the Spirit strengthening their inner persons and Christ dwelling in […]

(An English version is available here.) Aunque no está limitado ni contenido por la creación, el Dios Trinitario de Luz y Amor vive en relación con la creación y actúa dentro de ella. La trascendencia de Dios es a menudo donde comenzamos a hablar de Dios. “Esta es la manera terrena de pensar en un […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss Psalm 62, a classic psalm of trust and confidence. Though vulnerable to the assaults of secret enemies, the Psalmist trusts God because of Israel’s history with God’s power and steadfast love. The Psalmist finds a safe, stable, and peaceful place in God as a refuge until the storm […]

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true […]

This sermon, which begins at the 30 minute mark, provides an exposition of John 13:31-35 in the context of Jesus’s “table talk” (farewell discourse) with his disciples.