This series, titled “Faith in What?” explores the basics of Christianity, based on Romans 10:9.

Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians with an overview of the plan of salvation. He details how we were hopelessly lost, unable to save ourselves, and how God delivered us from this in a way that gives all glory to Himself and none to us.

It’s all about Him.

Exodus is much more than the story of Israel’s miraculous deliverance from bondage. It contains some of Scripture’s clearest portraits of man’s sinful nature – Moses’s, Pharaoh’s, Israel’s, ours.

Genesis is the foundation of the Bible. Understand what God is trying to teach us in this opening work and the rest of Scripture becomes clear. Misunderstand it, and you’ll misunderstand everything else.

Jesus’ resurrection launches Christianity as he shows himself to many people and then disappears into the clouds. The disciples struggle to take it all in.

Jesus prepares his followers for the trials to come. They need to not be confused about what just happened, and they need to understand what it all means. Jesus does this through a series of dramatic appearances, combined with specific teaching, so as to sear into their memories what they saw and what they learned. These well-prepared believers will become an unstoppable force, spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire – and beyond.

After telling the thief next to Him that’ll he’ll be in paradise soon, Jesus dies. Everyone witnesses this and the Centurion declares His innocence. Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus but then Joanna and the two Marys find the tomb empty. Upon hearing this, Peter rushes to the tomb and finally connects the dots.

Pilate and Herod find Jesus innocent, but Pilate caves to the rabble and sends Jesus to the cross anyway.

Things are happening fast now. Jesus issues a final warning to His disciples. He prays, “Let this cup pass,” is betrayed and arrested, and heals the ear of the servant of the high priest. Then Peter denies Him 3 times, and a quick trial before the council determines that he’s claiming to be the son of God and so must be guilty.

The action really picks up as we approach Jesus’ arrest. Satan enters Judas and he plots with the authorities to betray Jesus. They eat the last supper and the disciples, clueless about what’s coming, get into a silly debate about who’s the greatest. Jesus turns this into a teachable moment, then predicts Peter’s denial.

Jesus gives a long and detailed description of the end times. Though parts of it are widely misunderstood, one part proves life-saving; He tells the disciples to flee to the hills instead of retreating within the city walls. The Roman siege of the city in 70AD was a slaughter. The Christians who fled survived.

Jesus frustrates all the attempts to trap Him with trick questions. Then he fires back with some harsh criticism. The disciples ask about the end times and Jesus launches the Olivet Discourse.