Pastor Marc Bertrand

  Carpenter's son Matthew 13:55 - "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" Matthew 13 focuses mainly on a series of parables. Jesus first describes these to a large crowd along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Later, in a house, He explains to the disciples the meanings of the parables of the sower, the weeds, and the fish caught in the net. Jesus then travels to Nazareth, teaches in the synagogue, and is rejected by the people of His original hometown. Matthew 13:55 describes Jesus' return to His childhood hometown of Nazareth, where He has taught in the synagogue and performed miracles . The verse mentions Joseph, who was by trade a carpenter, and whose son Jesus was supposed to be. The people of Nazareth are astonished at Jesus' teaching and miracles, but they do not respect Him . Instead, they ask where His wisdom and power come from. Matthew 13:53–58 describes Jesus' tr...

  “The bread of God” John 6:33 - "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." In John 6:33, Jesus refers to Himself as “the bread of God” that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world . This statement holds several layers of meaning: Divinity of Christ: By calling Himself the “bread of God,” Jesus emphasizes His divine nature and authority. He is not merely a physical provision but a heavenly gift with spiritual significance. Source of Life: Jesus provides life to the world. Just as bread sustains physical life, He offers eternal life through belief in Him. This echoes His earlier teaching that eternal life is found in faith, not works (John 6:27–29). Universal Grace: The “bread of God” extends to all people. It’s not limited to a specific group but encompasses the entire world. This reflects God’s love and grace for humanity. John 6:33 underscores Jesus’ divinity, His role as the life-giving provision, and the universa...

  God spake unto Noah, Chapter 9 describes God's interactions with Noah and his sons following the flood. First, God gives blessings and instructions, including the command to reproduce and fill the earth. Next, God makes a unilateral covenant with humanity and animals never to end all life with a flood again. He offers the rainbow as a sign of this promise. Finally, Noah prophesies about the future of his son's descendants after an awkward episode in which Ham talks to his brothers about seeing Noah passed out drunk and naked. Genesis 9:1–17 continues God's interaction with Noah and his sons following the flood. First, God blesses them and gives them specific instructions about how to live in this remade world. God commands them to reproduce and fill the earth, among other things. Next, God establishes His unilateral covenant to never again end all life on earth with a flood, offering the rainbow as a sign of this promise. Genesis 9:8 - "¶ And God spake unto Noah, and...

  Fig tree. This chapter typifies the dramatic, heavily symbolic description of end-times events for which Revelation is famous. John sees a series of visions corresponding to Jesus opening the first six seals of the scroll He received in chapter 5. The first four seals unleash four horsemen, respectively symbolizing a world leader, war, famine, and death. The fifth seal reveals the prayers of martyrs pleading with God to avenge their deaths. The sixth seal unleashes massive natural disasters. In response, the people of the world cower in fear, admitting that they are suffering under the wrath of God. Revelation 6:12–17 continues the episode of Jesus' opening of the seven seals of God's judgment. The first four opened seals brought devastation at the hands of four horsemen. The fifth opened seal revealed a company of martyrs under the altar in heaven. This sixth opened seal launches horrific terrestrial and celestial disturbances that cause earth's mighty men to hide among ...