Messiah's Upper Room Podcast: Recent Episodes
Messiah Lutheran Church
Step into the classroom and join the conversation with Messiah Lutheran Church's Upper Room Bible study class led by Pastor Jim Otte. Each week we go deep and discuss select topics from the Bible and its impact on daily Christian living.
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 2 Peter 3:10-18.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
Season 14
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 2 Peter 2:13 - 3:9.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
Season 14
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 2 Peter 1:19 - 2:12.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
Season 14
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 2 Peter 1:1-18.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
Season 14
Session 8: Lesson
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 1 Peter 4:12 thru 5:14.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 1 Peter 3:18 thru 4:11.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 1 Peter 2:13 - 3:6.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
This week, the class continues the lesson series, focusing on 1 Peter 2:4-10.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
This week, the class continues the lesson series on the 1st and 2nd books of Peter, an epistle of hope for anxious times.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
Season 14
This week, the class continues a new lesson series on the book of Peter, an epistle of hope for anxious times.
Leading the class is Gina Lehrmann.
Session 1: Introduction
This week, after an Easter break, the class begins a new lesson series on the book of Peter, an epistle of hope for anxious times.
Leading the class this week is Gina Lehrmann.
Season 14
This week, Pastor Otte resumes the topic Living an Abundant Life, moving on to the book of Matthew.
Season 13
This week, the class continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 11th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 10th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 9th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 8th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 7th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 6th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 5th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 4th session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, with the 3rd session on the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, and resumes the topic of the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues the topic Living an Abundant Life, and speaks about the Letter of James.
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte introduces our new topic and it's basis in scripture. John 10:1-10 Matthew 5:1-12
Season 13
This week, Pastor Otte continues our discussion of Colossians. Today it speaks about our relationship with Jesus and what he has done for us to bring us closer to God.
Season 12
This week, Pastor Otte continues with the third week of responding to Gnostic influences.
Season 11
This week, Pastor Otte continues to speak about responding to Gnostic influences.
Season 11
This week, Pastor Otte speaks about responding to Critical Theory, DEI, and Gender Issues from the perspective of a Conservative Biblical Lutheran.
Season 11
This week, Pastor Otte speaks about responding to the differences between men and women.
Season 11
This week, Pastor Matthew Lee dives into Psalm 8 and discusses God's works of creation.
Season 11
This week, Our guest speaker, Don Steiss, talks to us about artificial intelligence.
Season 11
This week, Pastor Otte teaches about spiritual warfare, and what that looks like today.
Season 10
This week, Pastor Otte guides us through the biblical references to the Holy Spirit.
Season 10
This week, Pastor Otte tells us about Jacob giving prophesy to his sons, and drawing his last breath.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us about the passing of Joseph's father Isreal, and his blessings.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte continues with the story about Joseph and his brothers.
Season 7
This week, Our guest speaker, Bob Orr, tells us more about Joseph and his interactions with his estranged brothers.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us about Jacob returning to Edom and his brother Esau.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us how Jacob came to take his family and flocks to Gilead.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us how Jacob discovers and names the town of Bethel.
Season 7
In this lesson, Pastors Otte and Lee discuss Chapter 6 of the book Replenish. When is ambition bad? Selfishness born of noble purpose.
Season 8
In this lesson, Pastors Otte and Lee discuss Chapter 3 of the book Replenish. The balance between ministry and personal life. What are we connected to?
Season 8
In this lesson, Pastors Otte and Lee discuss Chapter 2 of the book Replenish. Do we wear professional masks? The Public VS Private personality.
Season 8
In this lesson, Pastors Otte and Lee discuss Chapter 1 of the book Replenish. What is missing from the modern church?
Season 8
This week, Pastor Otte talks about how God moves us to where we need to be in our world, so we can be closer to him spiritually.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte speaks about Isaacs is challenged in faith and how God then rewards him.
Season 7
This week, We hear about how Abrahams family grows after the marriage of Rebekah and Isaac.
Season 7
Lesson 37: Genesis 24:15 - 57
This week, Pastor Otte talks about the search for Issacs's wife Rebekah.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte speaks to us how Abraham secures family burial lands and sets a servant out to find a wife for Isaac.
Season 7
Lesson 34: Genesis 21:11-32
This week, Pastor Otte tells us what happens to Ishmael after Isaac becomes Abrahams heir.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us about God's Blessing to Sarah and Abraham of a child.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells about Lot and Abraham each deal with the sinful culture surrounding them.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells how Lot is delivered from the destruction of Sodom and Gamorrah.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us how God presents His judgement of Sodam to Abraham.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells us about Abraham and Sarah receiving God's plan for them.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte tells how Abram recieves God's covenant, and then becomes Abraham.
Season 7
This week standing in for Pastor Otte, newly ordained Pastor Matt Lee expands on the Apostles' Creed first article, as a contextual theme for the Genesis lessons.
Season 7
This week, Pastor Otte gives us tips on how to be a witness for Christ.
Featured in this episode:
"Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Every Day Life" - Rev. Mark A. Wood
This week, We hear from Pastor Otte about the promises God makes to Sarai and Hagar. Genesis 16:1-12
This week, Pastor Otte tells us about Abrams impatience with God's promise of countless decendants. Genesis 15:1-21
This week, Pastor Otte tells us how Abram rescues Lot from pillaging armies and is then tempted by the King of Sodom. Genesis 14:1-21
This week, Pastor Otte describes how Abraham and Lot settled in the land of Canaan. Genesis 13:1-13
This week, Pastor Otte introduces us to Abram and describes his first test of faith. Genesis 12:1-20
This week, Pastor Otte helps us relate to the early post-flood world. Genesis 11:1-12:1
This week, Pastor Otte finishes his deep dive in to the covenant Noah had with God, and then talks about how the people were scattered over the earth. Genesis 9:6-10:32
This week, Pastor Otte talks dives deep in to the covenant Noah had with God. Genesis 9:1-7
This week, Pastor Otte talks about the new world and the new covenant Noah found when he left The Ark. Genesis 7:23-8:22
This week, Pastor Otte talks about the day that the earth was suddenly flooded. Genesis 7:1-16
This week, The Upper Room Class takes a detour to discuss the importance of being culturally conscious while sharing God's message. Genesis 6:8-12
This week, guest speaker Bob Orr guides us along the geaneology from Adam to Noah. Genesis 4:13-6:7
This week, Pastor Otte discusses the story of Cain and Abel through the dichotomy of envy and contentment. Genesis 4:8-12
This week, Pastor Otte discusses what the early years after leaving the garden was like. Genesis 3:17-4:26
This week, Pastor Otte talks about how all of us are witnesses for Christ even if we don't realize it.
Featured in this episode:
"Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Every Day Life" - Rev. Mark A. Wood
This week, Pastor Otte discusses how God approached Adam and Eve after they committed the first sin. Genesis 3:7-16
Next week we will tak a break for Easter, but you can expect an episode from our vault recorded in January of this year.
This week, Pastor Otte discusses Man's response to the sudden presence of Sin in the world in Genesis 3:6-7
This week, guest speaker Richard Edwards discuses Genesis 2:15-25, Introducing Adam to the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, and The Creation of Eve.
This week, Pastor Otte takes a detour to talk about the Biblically Conservative response to the LGBTQ+ community based on Genesis 1:27
This week, Pastor Otte establishes the biblically conservative world-view from which we will analyze the book of Genesis.
This week, guest speaker Bob Orr discusses the significance of Genesis 1:1 and what it reveals to us about the nature of God.
This week, Pastor Otte Begins a new study on the book of Genesis with an introductory lesson.
Fetured in this episode:
The Universe Next Door by James Sire
Beginning with this episode, we are returning to our weekly publication schedule.
This week, guest speaker Paige Lehrmann shares from her Christian Apologetics Studies at Oklahoma Baptist University.
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
This week, Pastor Otte concludes his mini-series on "Critical Theory"
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
This week, Pastor Otte continues his mini-series on "Critical Theory"
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
This week, Pastor Otte takes time to define "Critical Theory" and gives examples of where we encounter it today
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
This week, Pastor Otte talks about the importance of wisdom, how to attain it, and how to pass it on.
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
Now that we have finished Revelation, we will be covering topics submitted by you!
This week, Pastor Otte draws wisdom from James 1-8 to help us understand how to serve Jesus during unprecedented times.
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Our next series will begin in early 2022. In the meantime, we will be publishing episodes every other week in order to build up a catalogue of episodes to publish during the christmas and easter holidays.
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
Now that we have finished Revelation, we will be covering topics submitted by you!
This week, Pastor Otte draws wisdom from James 1-8 to help us understand how to serve Jesus during unprecedented times.
If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Our next series will begin in early 2022. In the meantime, we will be publishing episodes every other week in order to build up a catalogue of episodes to publish during the christmas and easter holidays.
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
This week, guest speaker Gina Lehrman dives deep on the topic: The Armor of God
Now that we have finished Revelation, we will be covering topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Our next series will begin in early 2022. In the meantime, we will be publishing episodes every other week in order to build up a catalogue of episodes to publish during the christmas and easter holidays.
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
Now that we have finished Revelation, we will be covering topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Our next series will begin in early 2022. In the meantime, we will be publishing episodes every other week in order to build up a catalogue of episodes to publish during the christmas and easter holidays.
When we begin our new series, the podcast will return to our weekly publication schedule. If you have questions, please email our producer Toby at tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Finish Chapter 22 of Book of Revelation. It is finished.
Now that we have finished Revelation, we will be coving topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Finish Chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation.
When we finish revelation, we will be coving topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Begin Chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation.
When we finish revelation, we will be coving topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room finish Chapter 19 of the Book of Revelation.
When we finish revelation, we will be coving topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room begin Chapter 19 of the Book of Revelation.
When we finish revelation, we will be coving topics submitted by you! If you would like to submit a lesson topic, email james@messiahlutheran.com
If you would like to purchase a copy of the Messiah Cooks Cookbook, you can email tmeeks@messiahlutheran.com
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 18.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 17.
Guest teacher Richard Edwards and Messiah's Upper Room finish up chapter 16 of the book of Revelation
Due to a rogue garage door spring, Pastor Otte was house-bound this week. So we decided to take this opportunity to thank our Producer Phil Kasper for his years of service on this podcast as he will be moving on to other projects.
This podcast will continue to be published every week on Wednesdays by our director of Arts Ministries, Toby Meeks.
Bob Orr presents his guide to the imagery found in this portion of the book of Revelation
Pastor Otte and Messiah's Upper Room finish up chapter 15 of the book of Revelation and begin chapter 16.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 14.
Pastor Otte and Messiah's Upper Room finish up chapter 13 of the book of Revelation and begin chapter 14.
Pastor Otte and Messiah's Upper Room finish up chapter 12 of the book of Revelation and begin chapter 13.
Pastor Otte and Messiah's Upper Room finish up chapter 11 of the book of Revelation and begin chapter 12.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 11.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation and complete Chapter 10.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation and complete Chapter 9.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 8.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 7.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study in the book of Revelation with Chapter 6.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room jump into chapter 4 of the book of Revelation, discussing John’s first vision and how God will be worshipped in heaven.
We finish the letter to the church in Laodicea with discussions on why Jesus tells his followers are “…wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” even though the members of this church were quite wealthy and well-off.
This week Messiah’s Upper Room finishes Jesus’s message to the church in Thyatira with a discussion of who is “the one who is victorious” and what has happened to the people of the church in Sardis.
This week Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room review the messages for the churches of Pragamum and Thyatira.
Pastor Otte returns from his retreat to continue our study through the book of Revelation. This week we learn about the church in Pergamum and what it meant for Christians participating in the city’s society.
Richard Edwards takes over during Pastor Otte’s absence this week as Messiah’s Upper Room studies the messages to the angels of the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna.
There is plenty to unpack throughout the very first chapter of the Book of Revelation as Pastor Otte and the class dive directly into the Word.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue to lay the ground work for our study of the book of Revelation through an examination of Millennialism, Amillennialism, and the differences between these interpretations and more.
After a couple of weeks of setbacks, Messiah’s Upper Room is back with a new study series over the Book of Revelation. Pastor Otte helps lay the foundation in this introduction to interpreting this inspired, apocalyptic and symbolic text.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue their series over reconciliation as the class and Pastor Otte discuss managing one’s stress level before starting the reconciliation process with a brother or sister in Christ.
We continue our series over reconciliation as we talk about the outline given to us by the Bible on how we are to approach reconciliation with a brother (or sister) in Christ and how we are not to let the sun set on our anger such as to contribute to our “yuck” pile.
Messiah’s Upper Room returns from their brief holiday hiatus to finish the Gospel of John. Jesus talks with His disciples while they eat fish and bread on the shore. Jesus then singles out Peter to talk to him about love and forgiveness.
Messiah’s Upper Room edges closer to completing the gospel of John with a discussion on the relationship between faith and fear, our fears of today, the fears of the disciples, and the reassurance Jesus provides for all of us.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room begin to approach the end of the Gospel of John as they discuss the burial of Jesus, the discovery of the open tomb, and the reappearance of Jesus.
The Upper Room continues through the Gospel of John with the recounting of Jesus’s crucifixion and how the Scriptures were fulfilled.
Messiah’s Upper Room continues through the Gospel of John as Jesus is brought before Pilate. Pilate appeals to the crowd and, despite his best intentions, fails to draw sympathy from those that wish to put Jesus to death.
This week Messiah’s Upper Room talks about the arrest and trial of Jesus, how Peter tries to defend using the sword, and ask ourselves the question: what is truth?
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue in the Gospel of John as they discuss Jesus’s prayer for God to keep His disciples and guard them from the evil in the world after Jesus departs from it.
Jesus starts to speak plainly with His disciples as the time of His arrest draws closer.
Messiah’s Upper Room dives in deeper into what Jesus means when He mentions to the disciples that “your sorrow will turn to joy” on this week’s episode.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue through the Gospel of John and discuss relative truth, what people mean when living by their truth, and what it means living by the truth.
This week we continue through the book of John as we discuss Jesus’s message to His disciples about the Helper to come after Jesus.
Pastor Otte and the rest of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class return this week as we continue our journey through the book of John. Jesus explains to His disciples why He is telling them everything up to now, and provides reassurance as to what is to come after He goes to be with the Father.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class takes a week off from the book of John for a time of fellowship as we celebrate the service of Pastor Welmer as he accepts a call to serve a church in Kentucky.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue their study if the book of John as Jesus reminds His disciples of the hatred they will receive from the world because of the world’s hatred for Jesus.
Join Pastor Otte and the rest of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class as we continue through the gospel of John as we discuss whose joy we may obtain by sharing our fruit and a new commandment that Jesus gives to His disciples.
We continue on our journey through the Gospel of John with our continued discussion of Jesus being the one true vine and how we as His followers should abide in Him such as a branch remains grafted to the vine in order to produce many fruits.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue through their study in the Gospel of John and discuss what Jesus means when He says that He is the vine, His father the vinedresser, and who are the branches that do or do not bear fruit.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible class continues the trek through the gospel of John with a discussion on what it means to keep the commandments, how the world gives, and the peace Jesus gives to us.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room class continue their discussion of Philip and his comment to Jesus about showing the disciples the Father. As Jesus continues his instruction to the disciples we analyze what it means to keep God’s commandments as Jesus tells us.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue through the gospel of John with their discussion on how we should keep on loving one another despite our differences.
The class enters into a discussion on who is easy to keep on loving, who is hard to keep on loving, and the new commandment Jesus issues to His disciples.
We continue our journey through the Gospel of John this week as we explore chapters 12 and 13 where Jesus prepares his disciples for the events that are to come. The class discusses how Jesus already knew what was to come, who was to betray Him, and how Jesus continued to show His love through it all.
Gina Lerhmann steps up to fill in this week for Pastor Otte in guiding Messiah’s Upper Room through the next session over the Gospel of John. The class discusses the hardening of hearts with respect to the many signs Jesus performed in their presence.
Join Pastor Otte and the rest of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Study class as we continue our study through the Gospel of John.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper room discuss the lenses in which people view the acts of Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead.
Join Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Study class as we discuss the range of emotions we may feel during a time of loss and hardship as we recount the story of Lazarus in the gospel of John.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room discuss the grief and anger felt from the recent protests across the nation and how we as Christians can help with that grief by listening. The discussion then turns back to the gospel of John and to the grief felt by Martha and Mary at the loss of Lazarus, who has been dead for four days.
We continue our adventure through the book of John as we discuss the definition and interpretation of love and how Jesus’s view of love surpasses our own understanding.
Messiah’s Upper Room returns this week to finish chapter 10 of the Gospel of John with a discussion on how the shepherd never stops loving His sheep, how the hearts of the Jews were hardened when Jesus proclaims that He and the Father are one, and what our purpose as Christians is in this life on earth.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class is back! Join us this week as we continue through the book of John, discussing the wandering nature of sheep and how God’s love is always in relentless pursuit of us.
We continue in the book of John this week with Jesus’s teaching about thieves and robbers, how He is the door pasture, and how He is the good shepherd.
We jump back into the book of John this week and talk about the figure of speech Jesus uses with the Pharisees about how the sheep knows the shepherd’s voice and flee from the robber. How do you tell the real shepherd from the stranger, thief, or robber? What voice are you training yourself to hear? We discuss these questions and more in this week’s episode.
Pastor Otte and Phil Kasper come together to continue their talk over “Heaven and Hell issues” with a discussion on foundational items about the Christian belief, what topics Pastor Otte considers negotiable and non-negotiable, and the account of creation as told in the book of Genesis.
We take a break from the Gospel of John this week due to the Easter holiday. Instead, join Pastor Otte and Phil Kasper as they discuss “Heaven and Hell” issues, the different beliefs of Christian denominations, and what the core belief we share despite our differences is.
We continue our study in the book of John with a discussion on how the Pharisees blinded themselves through their attempt to strictly follow God’s Law so much so that they neglected to see the fulfillment of God’s Law in Jesus Christ.
We complete our two-week break from the book of John as Pastor Otte finishes our lesson over why we should not worry and trust in Jesus to provide blessings in our lives. Pastor Otte also goes over some practices and habits to develop that can help ease our tensions and anxieties in life.
Pastor Otte and the remainder of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class take a break from the Gospel of John this week to visit the book of Matthew as Pastor Otte leads a discussion on why we should not worry.
Pastor Otte builds upon last week’s session about Jesus’s confrontation with the Pharisees and performing work in the sabbath. This leads to a deeper discussion on the connection between God’s first three commandments versus the remaining commandments and our relationships with one another.
Jon Switzer is our guest speaker this week as Messiah’s Upper Room continues through our study of the Gospel of John. Jesus’s disciples ask what a blind man’s sin was to make him blind, Jesus answers that it’s not the man’s sin that made him blind, but the works of God may be displayed through him. Join the class as we discuss how we may react to bad situations and pray that we work through them for the glory of God.
Jesus continues teaching the law and gospel to the Pharisees as we continue our journey through the book of John. Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible class discuss why Jesus tells the Pharisees the harsh reality that their father is the devil and not Abraham.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue through the book of John. Jesus talks to the Pharisees about His Father, but the Pharisees do not understand what Jesus is telling them. The conversation then leads to a discussion about slavery and being a slave to sin.
We continue through our study in the Gospel of John this week first with a discussion of the Pharisees and the division among the crowds Jesus is making with His teachings. Pastor Otte then leads the class into chapter eight of John with the Pharisees bringing an adulteress to Jesus, testing Him to see what He would say would fit as punishment for her sin. His answer leaves the crowd speechless.
Pastor Otte leads a discussion on examining ourselves first when it comes to calling out sin and the topic of judging with right judgement. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees who uphold the letter of God’s law so strictly that they neglect the spirit of God’s law. Join the Upper Room Bible class as we learn about this and more in this week’s episode.
We continue this week through chapter 7 of the Gospel of John with a discussion on how we may tell the difference between preaching for God’s glory and preaching for personal glory. The class also talks about how they may approach someone preaching the gospel in a way they do not understand.
Pastor Otte and the rest of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class complete John chapter 6 and their discussion about predestination with thoughts on God’s elect, free will, and the gift of faith. The class then moves on to chapter 7 where Jesus talks to his brothers in Galilee.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class struggle with the concepts of pre-determination and election as they discuss why Jesus chose Judas as one of the twelve, knowing since the beginning that he would betray Jesus.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class talk about cracked eggs and culling the herd on this week’s episode. We continue through the Gospel of John with a discussion on what Jesus means when He says that He is the “living bread that came down from heaven” and that “whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.”
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” - John 6:44 brings about much discussion in today’s podcast as the class struggles why people must be drawn to the Father first, what others mean when they say “God has a plan” and much more as we continue our journey through the Gospel of John in today’s episode.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class returns this week with Pastor Otte to resume their study in the Gospel of John and how the will of the Father, that belief in Jesus as your Savior, grants you eternal life with Him.
Pastor Otte and Phil Kasper sit down one final time this year to chat about bridging the worlds of psychology and theology, mental health, and the altruism of atheism.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continues their break from the gospel of John, but that doesn’t mean the podcast is left out. Pastor Otte and Phil Kasper sit down to discuss reading the entirety of the Bible, how we may better understand and communicate with other cultures, reading books of other faiths, and more.
Messiah’s Upper Room Bible class time exploring the gospel of John has been postponed this week due to the Christmas holiday season. However, that doesn’t mean you on the podcast must go without.
Pastor Otte and Phil Kasper sit down to discuss anxiety, what we can do to ease it, how to maintain consistent Christian values while tackling societal issues, and much more.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue the trek through the gospel of John with a discussion on the food that perishes versus the food that endures forever, what it means to be doing the works of God, and what Jesus’s love means for you.
Pastor Otte and the Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue through the Gospel of John after Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 and how He told His disciples to not be afraid when the disciples saw Jesus walking towards them on the water. The class discusses what type of “fear” Jesus means and what different generations today may fear.
Join Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class as we continue our journey through the book of John. This week we complete Chapter Five with a discussion on what it means to be a people pleaser, to be self-pleasing, and why, in our efforts to do what is pleasing God, we may end up displeasing others.
The class then jumps into Chapter Six of John where Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the 5000, and how we as humans may take a more limited viewpoint and look at the practical capabilities in life. The class compares that against God’s unlimited viewpoint and limitless possibilities God can accomplish.
A supplemental session from last week, the class of Messiah’s Upper Room and Pastor Otte continue where we left off in a discussion about whether we should judge someone as being a Christian or not.
This week Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible class continue through John chapter 5, talking about who and what the witnesses are that testify to the truth of Jesus as the Messiah. The class also discusses what it means to abide in the Word, and to have the Word abide in you.
Pastor Otte and the rest of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class jump back in to the book of John, picking up where we left off with Jesus performing a miraculous healing on the Sabbath. Here the class discuss Jesus’s teaching and proclamation that a time is coming when the dead will come to life again, and those who do good and evil are judged.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class complete their series over the Red Letter Challenge with a discussion on the principle of “going” to make disciples of all nations. What did Jesus look for in terms of making someone a disciple? What fears may keep us from going forward to be disciples for Christ? The answers to these questions and more on this week’s episode.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room discuss what it means to give generously, and how being a grateful receiver of God’s gifts can change our focus from having a “scarcity mindset” to an “abundant mindset.”
Messiah’s Upper Room continues the church-wide series The Red Letter Challenge as John Switzer leads the class in discussing the challenge week of Serving.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class continue into the second week of the #RedLetterChallenge with a focus on what the Bible says about “forgiving.” Why should we forgive others? Is there a difference between forgiving someone in our head versus forgiving them in our heart? What does Jesus say about forgiveness? Listen to this week’s episode as Pastor Otte discuss these questions and more.
Gina Lerhmann is our guest speaker while Pastor Otte is out this week as we continue with the first full week of the Red Letter Challenge. This coming week is all about “being” - being with God and being with His Word. The class discusses what it means to “be” and what it means to “feel”, what earthly treasures we may try to place over heavenly treasures, the importance of rest, and our identity given to us by God.
Messiah’s Upper Room takes a break from the book of John as they participate in a 6-week church-wide event called the Red Letter Challenge, exploring the words of Jesus Christ (often shown in red text across translations of the Bible) and putting those words into action. This is a short introductory episode to this new series with a sneak peek at what is to come.
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class continue their talk about the man at Bethesda. The class discusses what Jesus may have meant when He tells the man “sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” Was the man paralyzed because of a past sin?
The class also discusses Jesus’s clarification on why He is performing work even on the Sabbath, since His “Father is working until now.” Jesus later goes on to equate Himself with God, which deeply upset the Jews during that time. Learn more in this week’s episode.
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room continue through the gospel of John with the story of the invalid at the pool of Bethesda. The class discusses whether the man truly wanted to be healed when Jesus Himself asked the question. What would be the ‘cost’ of being healed? We quickly learn what the price may be as the man is soon accosted by orthodox Jews for carrying a burden on the Sabbath.
Pastor Otte and the class complete chapter 4 of the book of John. Jesus speaks to His disciples about the type of food that sustains Him, and the bountiful harvest that has come.
Pastor Otte and the class finishes the talk between the Samaritan woman and Jesus at Jacob's Well. Join as we continue our journey through the book of John discussing what it means to worship, and whether it matters to worship at a specific place, or what defines the body of the church.
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room class returns to John this week where we left off with Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. Pastor Otte and the class discuss Jesus's truthful approach with this woman and how attention is brought to her sin. Does to show love mean being truthful even if that truth may hurt someone's feelings? Listen along as we discuss this and more on this week's episode.
This week the class steps away from the book of John and listens as Mr. Bob Orr steps in for Pastor Otte to talk about love ("agape"), God, and what it means for the Christian.
We continue on our journey through the book of John as Pastor Otte and the rest of the Messiah Upper Room class discuss the everlasting, living water Jesus provides. Whoever drinks of it will no longer thirst. The class also examines what people in society, and even ourselves, may thirst for today.
Pastor Otte and Messiah's Upper Room Bible Class continue through the book of John, discussing God's wrath and why it remains on some but not others, the societal tensions between Jews and Samaritans, and what living water Jesus can bring that water from Jacob's well cannot.
Join Messiah's Upper Room Bible Class and Pastor Otte as we continue our series on the book of John. We discuss the concern John's disciples had with more people going to Jesus and fewer people coming to John or his disciples for baptism and how similarities may be drawn for current Christians comparing church organizations.
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room class continue the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus. The class tackles several thought-provoking questions regarding the love we receive from God and how it may brush against our human logic.
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class continue their journey through John, learning about Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night to gain a better understanding of this man come from God.
Join Messiah's Upper Room as we continue into the second chapter of the book of John and discuss the greater things Jesus foretold His disciples.
We finish the first chapter of John discussing Nathaniel's realization that Jesus is the Messiah, and what Jesus means when He tells His disciples that they will "see greater things than these." The class also jumps into the wedding at Cana and the first documented miracle performed by Jesus in turning the water to wine.
In this latest installment on our series through the book of John, Pastor Otte and the class discuss Jesus and His disciples answering others who have questions by telling them to "come and see" and decide for themselves. Class members also examine what brought them to church, and how we may be able to make ourselves more involved in the church in order to invite others to "come and see" the good news of Jesus for themselves.
Pastor Otte and the class continue their study in the book of John where John bore witness about Jesus, calling Him the Lamb of God. The class discusses how we may also bear witness, and the importance of learning what people seek before offering our own answers in haste.
"I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,'Make straight the way of the Lord'"
Join Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class as we continue our study in the gospel of John. We examine why it was important for John to identify himself and letting people know he was not a prophet or the Christ, but only a messenger - a voice to prepare and make clear the road ahead for God.
Download the class notes here.
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class continue through the book of John, discussing how the world did not know Jesus, how His own people did not receive him, and how we may come to know Jesus Christ through baptism.
"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."
Join Pastor Otte and the class as they continue through the Gospel of John. This week the class talks about how Jesus is the "true light, which gives light to everyone" and what that means.
In this episode, Pastor Otte and the class discuss how we may learn from the book of John on how to be a better witness - how to meet people where ever they are in their spiritual walk in life, realizing we are called to be witnesses and to provide a bridge of understanding of the gospel with the world.
Pastor Otte and the class resume their discussion and introduction to the book of John, what influences and beliefs contended with John's sharing of the news of Jesus to a different people, and John's approach in how he wrote this book of the Bible.
No Bible class was held on Sunday due to Messiah's Easter Sunday celebration schedule, but Pastor Otte and Phil Kasper sat down on Good Friday to talk about a meditation call "The Scapegoat". We discuss how we may discern assigning blame versus holding a person accountable, how the term hate may be used, and how, even though we all are hypocrites in one way or another, that should not keep us from witnessing to others about Jesus Christ.
Join Pastor Otte and the class this week as we start a new series over the Gospel of John. We first look to understand the environment and audience John had to take into consideration, and how he approached writing about God and His Son.
Pastor Otte and the class conclude our series on Famous People in the Bible You've Never Heard of with those who make up the great clouds of witnesses in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The class also discusses how God has a race in our lives marked out for us, and how we may train ourselves to endure and persevere through our race in life.
Join Messiah's Upper Room Bible Class this week as we talk about the workers in the master's vineyard. Join us as we discuss the message of this powerful parable and how we may guard against resentment creeping into our minds and souls.
We're beginning a new series about famous in the Bible that you never heard of. This week we start with a Midianite named Jethro, who was the father-in-law to Moses. Join Pastor Otte and the class as they discuss how a follower of God may witness to another person outside of their religion and how to deliver criticism to others in a caring way.
This week we're going back into our vaults to dig out a previously unreleased episode. If you're part of the Christian faith, you may have heard of the Apostle's and Nicene Creeds, but did you know there's a third creed? Mr. Bob Orr guides us through the lesser known Athanasian Creed and provides a history of how and why it was developed.
Pastor Otte and the class discuss what it means to be happy and content, how we may find happiness through the reassurance of our baptism, and how we may be content in our work.
This week not only marks our completion on our series of the Ten Commandments, but also marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of Messiah's Upper Room Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the discussion. During this week's episode, Pastor Otte and the class discuss both the Ninth & Tenth commandments, what it means to covet, and the process by which temptation and coveting may cause us to sin and how to prevent sin from taking hold.
Guest speaker Gina Lehrmann leads the class this week in discussing the Eighth Commandment, how we may discern what is gossip, how we may THINK before we speak, and how we may help guide others into not bearing false witness.
The Bible commands us not to steal. What are some ways theft is possible? What may some consider stealing, while others may not? Pastor Otte and the class discuss the Seventh Commandment and more on this week's episode.
Due to popular demand, Pastor Otte provides bonus material of what marriage for God's beloved looks like, what "to submit" means, how wives submit themselves to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ, and how husbands love and give themselves up for their wives as Christ loved and died for the Church.
We conclude our discussion on the 6th Commandment by examining what Jesus had to say not about the subject of divorce, but the subject of marriage. The class also discusses the topic of when a christian divorces, and what may result from that situation.
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class continue to unpack the Sixth Commandment by discussing the modern cultural practice of couples living together before marriage, how pastors may treat the situation should the couple want to get married, and how the saturation of the pornography industry may tempt people into "virtual adultery".
Two thoughtful, provoking, and honest questions spark a deep discussion within Messiah's Upper Room Bible Class as we continue our deep dive through the Sixth Commandment.
Join Pastor Otte and the class as we continue discussion the Sixth Commandment, who the righteous and unrighteous are, and how Jesus has washed, purified, and sanctified us through baptism and His sacrifice. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through … Continue reading MURP 0045: The Righteous And Unrighteous
Upper Room Bible Class continues with the Sixth Commandment. Pastor Otte and the class also discuss the differences between conservative and liberal biblical principles among church bodies. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page on your favorite podcast … Continue reading MURP 0044: Biblical Principles
Pastor Otte and Messiah’s Upper Room Class briefly revisits the Fifth Commandment regarding vigilantism and capital punishment before diving into the Sixth commandment and how the Bible defines marriage and adultery. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page … Continue reading MURP 0043: The Sixth Commandment
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class conclude the Fifth Commandment with a discussion on how life is celebrated from the Fifth Commandment and how we are to be a neighbor to one another. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? … Continue reading MURP 0042: Celebrating Life And Granting Mercy
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class continue their discussion on the Fifth Commandment and focus on what role anger plays when talking about sacredness of life. How may anger be an appropriate response for Christians? Can anger be an appropriate response? Explore the answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode. … Continue reading MURP 0041: Anger And The Commandment
The four words in this verse speak volumes throughout the Bible as Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible Class start to unpack the meaning and spirit behind the Fifth Commandment. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe … Continue reading MURP 0040: The Fifth Commandment
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room class talk about how we as Christians may apply the Fourth Commandment as it pertains to honoring employers or governments – even when employers make unethical demands on employees or governments limit religious liberties their people. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to … Continue reading MURP 0039: Honoring Employers And Government
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” We are called to honor our parents, but what are some ways parents may exasperate children? Pastor Otte and the class dive deeper into the next part of our ongoing discussion of the Fourth Commandment. Directly download … Continue reading MURP 0038: Do Not Exasperate Your Children
Join Pastor Otte and the class as they continue their discussion on the Fourth Commandment, what are some extensions of authority, and how authority exercised responsibly within the family earlier in life can teach us how to interact with those in positions of authority later in life. Directly download the audio file here. Download the … Continue reading MURP 0037: Authority, Honor, And Respect
Pastor Otte and the class begin the Fourth Commandment and what it means to “honor your father and your mother.” Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page on your favorite podcast app!
Pastor Otte and the class conclude the Third Commandment by discussing how the Sabbath helps us prepare for our week of service by giving us spiritual rest. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this … Continue reading MURP 0035: Spiritual Rest
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room Bible class discuss how we may become too caught up with the definition of work that we may lose sight of God’s message through the Third Commandment. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure … Continue reading MURP 0034: The 3rd Commandment – Work And Rest
Pastor Otte and the Upper Room class discuss what the Second Commandment means by not taking God’s name in vain and how we may use God’s name respectfully. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through … Continue reading MURP 0033: The 2nd Commandment
Pastor Otte and the class conclude their study of the First Commandment. If we reject God, who do we replace God with in our lives? How can we witness to others about the hope that God gives us? What can we do to engage and converse with others of different beliefs? Find out the answer … Continue reading MURP 0032: Intergenerational And Cultural Belief
Join Pastor Otte and the class as they continue their discussion on the First Commandment, the benefits of organized religion, and why God is a jealous God. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this … Continue reading MURP 0031: A Jealous God
Pastor Otte and the class continue their discussion over the First Commandment. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page on your favorite podcast app!
Pastor Otte and the class begin their discussion over the First Commandment. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page on your favorite podcast app!
This week Messiah’s Upper Room Podcast begins a new series over the Ten Commandments. Join Pastor Otte and the class as we learn what truths we can use as our foundation as we all navigate this world of confusion. Directly download the audio file here. Download the class notes here. Want to receive each new … Continue reading MURP 0028: Foundational Truth
This week we are going back into the archives one more time to conclude our series on Philippians. Join Gina Lehrmann and the class as they discuss whatever is excellent and praiseworthy. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this … Continue reading MURP 0027: Whatever
This week, Pastor Otte and the class discuss what Paul means when he says for us to rejoice in the Lord and how we may continue to put our trust in God recalling the knowledge that His mercies are new every morning. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as … Continue reading MURP 0026: Rejoice in the Lord Always
Pastor Otte and the class discuss conflict, its nature, and what we should do when we find our Christian brethren in conflict. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page on your favorite podcast app!
Join Pastor Otte and the class as we discuss mentorship, how to be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing, and what it means to be as shrewd as a serpent and as innocent as a dove. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe … Continue reading MURP 0024: Shrewd As A Serpent, Innocent As A Dove
We go into the unreleased archives again on our series in the book of Philippians. This week, Pastor Otte and the class explore what is covered under “everything”, how grumbling about actions or situations may lead to resentment, and what we may do when we feel like grumbling ourselves. Directly download the audio file here. … Continue reading MURP 0023: Do Everything Without Grumbling
We are digging into the unreleased archives to give a look into a series in the book of Philippians. Join Pastor Otte and the class as we discuss what it means to be humble, how Paul instructs to have humility like Christ, and how God may show us how to be humble in our lives. … Continue reading MURP 0022: Have Humility
In the concluding episode of our “Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged” series, Pastor Otte and the class discuss what it means to enter through the narrow gate, how to discern people who bear good fruit from bad, why we should build our house upon the rock. Directly download the audio file … Continue reading MURP 0021: Beware of False Prophets
Guest speaker Gina Lerhmann leads the Bible study this week as we continue with part 18 of the Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged series. Join the class as they discuss how we should be careful about judging others, what it means to remove the plank from our own eye, how God means for us to be persistent when asking or seeking an answer, and much more.
Pastor Otte is away on vacation this week, but we are blessed with guest speaker Richard Edwards to lead us in part 17 of our Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged series. Join the class as we discuss sources of anxiety in life, the cautions against trying to serve two masters, and … Continue reading MURP 0019: You Can’t Serve Two Masters
Part 16 of our Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged Series: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Join Pastor Otte and the rest of the Upper Room Bible Class as we discuss what people may consider treasures, how we protect those treasures if we feel they are … Continue reading MURP 0018: Store Your Treasures in Heaven
Join Pastor Otte and the class this week during part 15 of our “Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged” series as we discuss the importance of being able to forgive others. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free … Continue reading MURP 0017: Forgiving Others Their Sins
Pastor Otte and the class continue their discussion of the Lord’s Prayer in part 14 of our “Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged” series in the book of Matthew. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this … Continue reading MURP 0016: The Lord’s Prayer 2
Pastor Otte and the class begin their discussion of the Lord’s Prayer in part 13 of our “Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged” series. Directly download the audio file here. Want to receive each new episode as they’re released? Be sure to subscribe for free through this page on your favorite podcast … Continue reading MURP 0015: The Lord’s Prayer
We continue this week with part 12 of our “Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged” Series. How should we pray to God? What does the Bible warn us about when praying in public? Why should we pray to God when He already knows what we will pray about? Join Pastor Otte and … Continue reading MURP 0014: Pray in Your Room
In part 11 of our “Living the Life of the Beloved and the Belonged” Series, Pastor Otte and the class discuss what Jesus means when He commands us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”, and for us to “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” In this session, … Continue reading MURP 0013: Love Your Enemies
“But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” Be impeccable with your word. Let your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no.” … Continue reading MURP 0012: Living the Life of the Beloved Pt10
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery…” How was marriage, divorce, and adultery defined during Jesus’s time, and what did Jesus have to say about it all? What makes a man or woman a victim of adultery despite remaining faithful to their … Continue reading MURP 0011: Living the Life of the Beloved Pt09
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Pastor Otte and the class discuss issues of the heart and lust. Who or what do we consider as objects to satisfy … Continue reading MURP 0010: Living the Life of the Beloved pt08
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement.” Jesus expands on the meaning behind the commandment “You shall not murder” by going into detail why we should resolve any disputes we may have with a fellow brother or sister, to reconcile with them, and … Continue reading MURP 0009: Don’t Let Anger Consume You
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Are we as Christians good enough to follow God’s Law to the exact letter? How did the scribes and Pharisees interpret God’s Law in an attempt to quantify and qualify … Continue reading MURP 0008: Living the Life of the Beloved pt06
“You are the salt of the earth.” Pastor Otte and the class examine Matthew 5:13 to discuss the role of salt during the time of Jesus and why we, as his followers, are likened to this universal seasoning. Directly download the audio file here. Want to follow along with the class? Download the class notes … Continue reading MURP 0007: Living the Life of the Beloved pt05
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children off God.” What does it mean to be “pure in heart” so that we may see God? How may we see God? How may we become peacemakers so we may share God’s message with … Continue reading MURP 0006: Living the Life of the Beloved pt04
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” As we continue our series through the book of Matthew we study what it means to be comforted through the forgiveness of God, how we may use that comfort to forgive others, and how our … Continue reading MURP 0005: Living the Life of the Beloved pt03
Direct Episode Download Due to Easter Sunday, no Bible Class hour was held this past Sunday, but that won’t keep us from bringing a weekly episode to you! Please enjoy this interview with Pastor Otte as he talks about his spiritual walk through life, what influenced him to become a pastor, and how he strives … Continue reading MURP 0004: A Spiritual Walk With Otte
Direct episode download Join Pastor Otte and the rest of Messiah’s Upper Room Bible Class as we continue our lessons in the book of Matthew. We dive deeper into God’s claim to us as His “Beloved” who “Belong” to Him and how Satan may try to cast doubts on His claim. Want to follow along … Continue reading MURP 0003: Living the Life of the Beloved pt02
Direct Episode Download What does it mean to be “loved” and to “belong?” What does it mean to love like Jesus? How does God empower us to love others? This week we look to answer those questions and more. Want to follow along with the rest of the class? Download the MURP:0002 class notes here
Direct Episode Download Hello and welcome to the first episode of Messiah’s Upper Room Podcast! Each week we will bring you into Messiah Lutheran Church’s Upper Room Bible Class led by Pastor Jim Otte. This is an introduction episode where we sit down and have a short interview with Pastor Otte to discuss what future … Continue reading MURP 0001: Sharing His Light