Bartimaeus Baptist Temple: Recent Episodes
Bartimaeus Baptist Temple
This podcasts consists of messages from our pastors, Sunday school lessons, and other special events that take place during our weekly services.
We have come to the end of our exploration of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome. In these last few verses, he offers a few more words of wisdom, then finishes with an expression of worship that also summarizes much of what he has written. We will cover Romans 16:17-27 except for verses 21-24, which we went through last week as we explored all the people whom Paul mentioned in his lengthy exchange of greetings.
In the last episode, we considered how seemingly trivial details in a letter written over two thousand years ago still have something to teach us. We found clues that help us fit the letter into its historical context, saw how Paul put into practice the things he taught, and saw by connecting Paul's letter to the events in Acts how God's plans can replace our own to accomplish His higher purposes.
In Romans Chapter 16 we find more text that we might be tempted just to look past. Of what benefit could greetings to and from all these people be to us? We can identify a few of them from other places in the Bible, but most of them we know nothing more about than what Paul gives us here. You might be surprised.
In this age of technology, we aren't writing many actual letters. Some of us even find them to be a nuisance. I have often joked that I plan to put a paper shredder in place of my mail box and save myself a step. But a letter can be a thing of great value. Much of what we know of our nation's history comes from the letters written by the people who made that history. They reveal the personality and motivations of the people who wrote them, giving us insight beyond that which would be provided by official records. It is from their letters that we learn the deep Christian convictions of many of our founders.
But there is another collection of letters that is much older and much more important. They make up around a third of the New Testament, and account for 21 of the 27 books. Just as the founders' letters reveal the values that shaped our nation, these letters reveal the values that define God's kingdom. They give us instruction in the way we should live, and they also reveal something of the people who wrote them. Details that we might be tempted to skip over because they don't seem all that important actually help to authenticate the historical accounts and the people behind them.
As we near the end of our study of one such letter, the one Paul wrote to the church in Rome, we come to some of these seemingly insignificant details. There is a lot we can learn from them. This week we cover Romans 15:14-33. Nothing in God's word is wasted.
Drawing from Romans 15:7-13, Pastor Larry unpacks Paul’s powerful call: “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” Through this passage, we see Christ as the servant who fulfilled God’s promises to Israel and extended mercy to the Gentiles, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies that all nations would praise the Lord and find hope in Him.
You’ll discover:
- How Jesus bridges every divide—Jew and Gentile, and every barrier we face today.
- The true meaning of welcoming others as Christ welcomed us.
- The source of abounding hope, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.
Whether you're hosting visitors, engaging with people from different backgrounds, or simply seeking unity in the body of Christ, this sermon reminds us that Jesus is for all who believe—and we are called to reflect that same welcoming heart.
One survey has identified as many as 50,000 distinct Christian groups who in some way distinguish themselves from others. This number is disheartening to those who feel that we should all be one. That is after all what Jesus Himself prayed (John 17:11.) That particular study named even small congregations of people, and accepted their self-identification as Christian, so the number of groups with significantly divergent theology is probably only in the hundreds. But isn't two to many? Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 that divisions will exist, differentiating faithful from the fake. He was speaking to a single congregation, but the principle holds. Heresies began developing even as the church was in its infancy.
But not every issue is worth fighting over. Truth remains truth whatever we believe about it, but some things matter more than others. Much of what has divided us across the centuries should be set aside in favor of working together for the glory of God. Jesus said that we would be known as His disciples by our love for each other (John 13:35.) What would happen if we did that? What would happen if we also loved even our enemies in the way that Jesus did?
In Romans Chapter 14, Paul addresses some specific issues that were points of contention between the Jewish and gentile believers to which he was writing. He speaks particularly to those who have come to an understanding that their freedom in Christ meant they didn't need to observe the dietary restrictions found in the Jewish law or observe the various feasts. He admonishes them to be respectful of those who had not yet come to that understanding. He says to all that we have only one judge, one master, and each of us is accountable to Him for our own faith. If we use our freedom in a way that causes weaker members to stumble, we are not acting out of love but out of selfishness.
In Chapter 15, he concludes this admonition with a call to unity and a reminder that we all find our hope in Jesus. For this episode we will consider Romans 15:1-6.
We highly value our freedom in the United States, but what does freedom mean? Is it absolute? That would be chaos. With freedom comes responsibility. It is as true in our public life as it is in our personal lives. As Christians, we often speak of our freedom in Christ. We are not in bondage to sin. We are not in bondage to a set of rules that could never save us. But does that mean we can do as we please? Paul would disagree. In Chapter 14 of his letter to the Romans, he addresses this issue as it relates to some of the controversies of his day. We may not struggle with the same specifics, but the principles that he teaches will certainly apply to us. This week we look at the second half of the chapter (13-23) as we continue our study through the book of Romans.
Sometimes we seem determined to find fault. I think often this is an unconscious defense against the flaws we see in our own character, but whatever the reason, it’s a destructive tendency. As we continue through our study of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, we come to Romans 14:1-12. This passage addresses issues specific to the people and time when it was written, but it contains useful instruction for us today that goes beyond the obvious application. It’s hard to be in unity if we’re pointing out each others’ faults and presenting ourselves as somehow better or more holy. Obvious sin does need to be confronted, and Jesus gives us the process and the redemptive objective of applying it in Matthew 18, but too often we are the ones committing the greater sin with our criticism. We may be right, but it is better to be righteous. We should extend the same grace to others that we have received from God, and that’s a lot of grace.
We are continuing our study with Romans 13:8-14. Paul has provided teaching and instruction on everything from the basics of Christian theology to its application in our daily lives, and he is not finished yet. It may seem overwhelming, but in this passage he makes it simple, though in application it is anything but. He wraps it all up this way.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does not work evil against a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.
Romans 13:8-10 Legacy Standard BibleJesus Himself said something very similar when he was asked which was the greatest commandment in the law.
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40 LSBEverything God has said and done is rooted in love. All of the things against which He has warned us are contrary to love. Love put Jesus on a cross. Love raised Him from the dead! Accept no imitations. The law of love is perfect. The law of love involves sacrifice and is contrary to selfishness. If only we could all learn what true love is, both to give and to receive.
Chapter 13 of Romans begins with a statement that may be hard for us to swallow. Most of us recognize the need for law and order and don’t have a problem with the idea that we should submit to proper authority, but what about the next part? The end of verse 1 reads, “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” How can that be? How can a government that does evil things be established by God? As governments go ours is pretty good, but we have some real problems. Consider that Paul is writing as a citizen of Rome, hardly a model for a Godly nation. We will read from Romans 13:1-7 and apply it to our world today.
This week's study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now we've come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we see that these are the things He did. He called out sin, especially hypocrisy, but he also uttered these famous words at His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Verse 21 reads, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.". What does it mean to be overcome by evil. Sometimes it surely seems to prevail. Were the martyrs overcome by evil? Was Jesus overcome by evil when He died on that cross? Quite the opposite. In that sacrificial act He overcame evil with good forever. It isn't going quietly, but it must go. Until that day comes, we must contend with it. To be overcome by evil is to be drawn into it. Instead of standing against it and choosing good, we become participants in it.
This passage seems to be telling us how to approach relationships with all people, not just those in the church. It humanizes our enemies and reminds us that we all start from the same place. Jesus Himself warned us that our message would not be widely accepted, but it becomes real when accompanied by behavior like this, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
What's with that last part? The imagery doesn't seem to match the spirit of the message. Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22. It is likely a reference to an Egyptian custom of carrying hot coals on one's head as a sign of contrition. The hope is that in doing good to our enemies, we draw them to a place of repentance. We invite them to become part of God's family.
As we progress through Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, we come to one of the most well-known and thoroughly abused passages in the Bible, though I would say Matthew 7:1 still tops the chart for misuse. This one usually gets quoted when something bad happens to someone else, and we tend only to quote part of it. We say, "All things work together for good."
The verse is Romans 8:28, and it reads, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." (Legacy Standard Bible) Note the qualifiers. This verse is meant to be a comfort, and it follows a recognition of the suffering that has been inflicted upon all of creation because of sin. Paul also calls to mind the hope that we have as part of God's family in the redemption to come, sustained by the Holy Spirit that lives within us. But the key phrase in this verse is , "for those who love God." Those who love God are called according to His purpose. He knew them from the beginning of time, and literally everything has been planned around them.
So, let us be among those who love god. He loved us first, and sent Jesus to pay the price so that we can be with Him for all of eternity, participating in whatever amazing thing He does next. We can be assured of His love for us, and nothing in all of creation can separate us from His love.
This week we will cover Romans 8:28-39. We could spend several weeks here, but we can always come back later. Join us in His family. Be blessed. Be comforted. Be encouraged.
If you haven't been there, you will. The time comes for all of us when the pain is too deep for words. Or it seems like all the words have been said, and there is nothing left. We feel sadness, anger, even hopelessness, but as children of God we know that we are not without hope. We do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit within us knows all. Even in the best of times, we really don't know. Only God knows everything that should move us to prayer.
We pick up our study this week with Romans 8:26-27. I have shared in the past a message that begins with verse 28 and had planned to work these verses into that message so that we would not skip anything, but as I read them, God spoke to me through them and I decided to treat them separately. I pray that the message will bless you as well.
We continue our study with Romans 8:8-25. Our God will finish what he started. Until then, we endure with patience and eagerly await His coming. We can rejoice in the midst of trials because we have this hope, not in the temporal things that will all pass away, but in the eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father.
We continue our study of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome with Verses 9-17 of Chapter 8. Paul has described what it is like to live according to the flesh. That is, to be driven by our own feelings and desires instead of being led by the Holy Spirit. That path leads to death. But this does not describe God's adopted children. They are so identified because they are led by His spirit and choose to deny themselves and Follow Him. What a relationship this is! If you belong to Him, your father is the creator of all that exists! The essence of all that is holy and good lives within you in the person of His Holy Spirit! He loves you so much that He sacrificed His only son to bring you into His family. He is awesome, glorious, all-powerful and holy. He is due every act of reverence, and yet you may still call him Daddy. He has made you an heir with Jesus. I think we will require eternity to learn what that means.
Delivered with love, grace, and humility, you can always find something good in what Priscilla has to say.
In the last installment of this study, we examined the second half of Romans Ch. 7. I stressed the importance of context in understanding the text. It describes the life lived according to the flesh, attempting to keep the law under our own power. This is not the life that we are meant to live as children of God. As we move into Ch. 8, we see the distinction drawn more clearly as we learn that it is impossible to please God that way. But do not be discourage.
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:1-2 LSB)
We all know the struggle. It is common to the human condition. We just do not have it within ourselves to meet even our own standards, much less God's. So when we read what Paul writes in Romans 7, we strongly identify with it. Maybe we feel a little better about ourselves. If someone like Paul can't overcome sin, what chance do we have?
Context is always important. We recognize this in our daily lives. The same words spoken in different circumstances can have entirely different meanings. Sometimes tone of voice can convey the very opposite meaning to what is being said. If you receive a long letter, (or more likely email these days) it is unlikely that you will be able to understand it's intent by reading a few lines at random from the middle of the message. The plot of a novel isn't likely to be revealed by a single chapter.
So it is with our Bible. Translators added chapter and verse for our benefit, but the original language didn't have these features. We usually break books into chapters, but we do not do the same with letters. They are meant to be read as a whole. If we are to properly understand what the author meant to communicate, we need to read the whole thing and follow the author's thought process.
With writing as complex as that which we find in Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, this is admittedly not an easy task. We also have the added layer of translation, since none of us speaks ancient Greek. Scholars have been arguing about what he wrote for centuries, but as people who love the Lord and desire to understand what He wants us to know, we will pursue the truth that is found in His word.
Now, what was that all about? Hopefully, it has prompted you to ask the question, "Is there something here that I've been missing?" I suspect for many of us the answer would be yes. It certainly was for me until someone caused me to question the common view. We pick up our study in Romans 7:14-25, but to understand it properly, I suggest reading chapters 6-8.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, a highly effective voice for faith and conservative values among young people, was shot to death as he was engaging with students at Utah Valley University. He was murdered by someone who hated him for his views. People around the world took notice. Reactions have rained from sadness and sympathy to anger that someone would do this to deplorable expressions of joy.
It hits close to home for many of us. This is certainly not the first incidence of a Christian in America being killed for his faith, but unlike many other places around the world, these events are uncommon here. Speak out in certain contexts and you may find your career at risk, but usually not your life. Is that changing? We can't help but wonder.
And so we take a detour from our ongoing study of Romans to consider how we as Christians should process what happened. I think it is safe to say that most of us don't feel like we have enemies, but we do. There are those living among us who hate us for what we believe, or sometimes what they've been told we believe. Should that change how we conduct ourselves? What did Jesus say we should do to our enemies? (Matthew 5:44)
You might be surprised to learn that I don't spend a lot of time on social media, but I understand it's pretty disturbing right now. The level of hate being spewed by the very people who accused Charlie of such hate is breathtaking. We need to remember where it comes from. This is a spiritual battle. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul shows us where the real enemy lies. That one you are not commanded to love. We must prepare ourselves for battle, and stand firm.
Do not be afraid. Keep speaking the truth. Keep on sharing His love. They can kill a messenger, but they can't kill the message.
When we hear the expression, "the long arm of the law", we may think of law enforcement's power to find the criminal wherever he may hide. If only it were always so. Sometimes human laws and law enforcement can be unjust, but just as hard to escape.
But there is a law which is always good, just, and perfect. Its reach goes beyond that of any man-made system. It reaches into our very hearts, and it uncovers the things we would rather keep hidden. That is its purpose. It exposes our sin, and teaches us that we need a savior. Join us as we continue our Bible study in Romans 7:7-13.
Law is generally a good thing. We would not want to live in a society without it. But law is generally made by humans, and thus will be imperfect and in some cases actually bad. There is a law that that is entirely good. It comes from our creator, who is the definition of good by nature.
If God's law is good, why do we speak of being free from it? Paul has told us that we are not under law but under grace. In our passage this week, Romans 7:1-6, he uses the example of a woman bound to her husband by marriage. Under the law of Moses, only the man could initiate divorce. Jesus made it clear in Mark10 that even this was a concession to hard-hearted humanity that God never favored, but it serves here to illustrate Paul's point.
We were bound to the law, with it's ultimate consequence. We could not avoid breaking it and suffering the judgment that must result. Jesus provided us with a solution. We are no longer under the law and no longer slaves to sin. In the next couple of episodes, we'll explore more fully the role that the law plays. Paul contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit. We have not been set free to sin, but we have been set free from sin. A life lived in communion with the Holy Spirit changes our perspective. We no longer look to the rules for salvation. That never worked and never will. We now rest in our relationship with Him, and choose righteousness because we love Him.
"Slave" is a charged word these days. We feel a little uncomfortable using it. But in Paul's day, slavery was a fact of life, and made for a readily understandable metaphor that explains the human condition. We don't like to think of ourselves as slaves to anyone or anything, but if we do not choose the right master, we will never be free. Our study continues with Romans 6:15-23.
There isn't one of us that hasn't encountered some suffering in life. Drawing from the experiences of the apostle Paul, Linda teaches us to keep on fighting.
When you give your life to Jesus, a radical change takes place. It will probably take some time to work its way outward, but you have become something different than you were before. Jesus called it being born again. We symbolize that change through the ritual of baptism in water, the old gone and buried, the new raised to new life. We often make reference to the language Paul used in Roman 6:3-4 as we perform the baptism.
But this illustration is given in the service of a broader point that Paul is making. Verse 2 says in part, "How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" Having now been set free from the rule of sin, we must intentionally throw off its chains. We must now choose to serve life instead of death. Join us as we continue our study with verses 8-14.
Our study continues with Romans 6:1-7. Paul has just written that the increase of sin revealed by the law resulted in an even greater revelation of grace. He now poses a rhetorical question, "should we keep on sinning so that we can receive more grace?" (paraphrased) Absolutely not! He explains why not in the following verses. As redeemed believers in Jesus, we are dead to sin! He uses the symbolism of baptism to illustrate his point. If you have been in Baptist churches for very long, you will have heard the pastor use portions of this passage in the ceremony as the new believer is submerged and brought up out of the water.
But is this paragraph actually about water baptism? The practice is certainly taught in the Bible. Jesus Himself was baptized. His disciples baptized others. He commanded them to do so before He ascended. In almost every case of someone coming to faith in the New Testament, they are immediately baptized. The word we translate as baptize means to immerse, and it appears in other context that do not have to do with a believer's baptism. In these cases, translators will usually use a different word.
If it isn't a reference to water baptism, what is it? It is the reality that the water baptism symbolizes. Our old self is crucified and buried with Jesus the Christ, and we are raised to walk in a new life as a new creation. Our life is immersed in His life. We are baptized in His Holy Spirit. Don't go back and dig up the dead man. That's disgusting!
We pick up our study of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome with Romans 5:12-21. If you've ever heard someone refer to Jesus as the second Adam, this is the reference they are making. This is a great lesson in Christian theology, but what I hope you see most clearly is the depth of God's grace that it explains. For context, consider this from verse 8, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
On this Fathers Day, we trace our spiritual heritage back to Abraham, considered righteous because of his faith, and thus the spiritual father of us all. Our study continues with romans 4:9-15
Let’s look at what Jesus had to say in His very first sermon, which we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:3-12. In this age of “influencers,” His list of Beatitudes (from the Latin word “beatus,” meaning blessed or happy) may sound a bit strange to us today:
Blessed are: the poor in spirit, they who mourn, the meek, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean in heart, the peacemakers, Those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Wait, what?!! Who signed up for that? Well if you profess to be a Christian, YOU did! But here’s the deal Good Peeps: Joy Bombs abound when we anchor our faith not in this world but in our Awesome Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Source: https://missionaccess.org/blessed-are-the-joy-bombs/
Our study continues with Romans 4:1-8. Having explained that faith is the one and only means of reconciliation with God, Paul now illustrates this truth through the example of Abraham. It was not by his works that Abraham was considered righteous by God, but by his faith. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (rm 4:3, Ge 15:6)
Priscila speaks on the topics of the importance of family and the power of God for redemption based on the story of Nick Cruz.
It has always been faith. It was faith before God gave the law to Moses. It was faith after the law was given. It is faith now, faith in the one true God and God the Son, Jesus, who sacrificed His own life to save us, and lives again. His blood is sufficient for all people in all time. He purchased for us that which we could never obtain for ourselves, righteousness, right-standing before a holy God. He is the fulfilment of the law and the answer to the necessity of justice.
His only requirement is that we believe. To believe Him is to trust Him. To trust Him is to know that His words are true, and act on them. Put your faith in Jesus today!
Our study of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome continues with Chapter 3, verses 27-31.
Paul has laid out the problem for us in detail. We are all deserving of God's judgment. Now we come to the solution. His name is Jesus.
As we continue our study, we now come to a passage that may be familiar to us, either because we were trained to use it as we share the good news, or because we ourselves were ushered into the faith by someone who read from it. You might call it the head of the "Romans road." Paul wraps up his indictment of humanity by quoting from the Psalms and the prophet Isaiah. He draws from passages concerning those who never knew God as well as those who forgot Him. The verdict, "There is none righteous, not even one." (Roman 3:9-18)
As we move into Romans, Chapter 3, Paul has shown us the hopeless condition of both Gentile and Jew. In Chapter 2, he has addressed the Jews in particular, for these had the advantage as direct recipients of His favor and His word. Now he will address some objections we might have from our limited human perspective. Has God acted unjustly? Absolutely not! This week we cover Romans 3:1-8.
God commanded circumcision as a sign of His covenant with His people, but from the beginning, it was always about the condition of their hearts. So it is with us. The trappings of religion are worthless if they do not extend beyond the surface. We continue our study with Romans 2:25-29.
I felt like we all could use some encouragement this week. As I was praying, i remembered some of the instances when Jesus talked about our rewards. Even after studying it, I am not sure how to think about rewards from God. If you asked me, I would say that He is our reward. What more could we want but eternity in His presence, being involved in His next big thing. And besides, a reward is something you get for something you did. We all know that we cannot earn salvation, so what are these rewards? I still don't have a clear answer for that, but I know that they exist, because Jesus talked about them, and His disciples did too.
I am certain of this. However small you may think your contribution to be, God see it. His accounting is different than ours, so you might be surprised at his assessment of what you have done. However you may feel that what you do goes unnoticed, God sees, and he will reward you. Besides, if you are doing it to be seen, Jesus says you already have all the reward you're going to get.
Not even a simple act of kindness like giving someone a cup of cold water in service to our Lord goes unnoticed. We're not necessarily working for the rewards, but they come as evidence that He is pleased with us, and that's a wonderful thing. There is so much we could talk about, but since we don't have all day, I'll stick to Matthew 10:44-22 and bring in just a few other things.
It's still pretty easy to call yourself a Christian in the U.S. You may experience some ridicule from time to time and even some real persecution, but most of us can expect little pushback for declaring our religion. I wonder if that's a good thing. Maybe it means we aren't different enough from the world around us for it to matter that much to them. The pitch we make to get people to join us sure doesn't sound much like what Jesus told His would-be followers.
If Jesus were preaching in our streets today, I don't think he'd be invited to many seminars on how to draw a crowd. He said things like, (highly paraphrased from Luke 14:25-35) "If you want to follow me, you have to hate your family, march toward your own death with the implement of your torture on your back, count the costs and decide whether you can really do it, surrender to a greater power, and give up everything you have." Where do I sign up?
The Gospel is truly good news! It is a wonder and a joy to know that the creator of the universe came and lived among us, subjected Himself to a horrible death on our behalf, and then rose from the grave that He might give us life. We should loudly and joyfully proclaim it to everyone who will listen. But we seem to think we need to soften the message. We want to relegate the hard parts to the find print in hopes that we can close the deal. A life committed to Jesus will not be easy, but it will be worth it. We may be assured that wen we set our feet upon the narrow path, He will always be there to make sure we reach the destination.
We serve a good God. In fact, He is the very definition of good. I am so thankful that He loved us so much that He made a way for us to be part of his family. As His children, we can come right to the throne of almighty God! ! Do you ever stop to think how amazing that is? For us still living here, that's metaphorical, made possible by Holy Spirit, but some day it will be actual! Lord, may that day soon come!We could save ourselves so much disappointment and heartache if we could grasp this one thing. Prayer is not a tool to get what we want from God. If Jesus's instruction through what we call the Lord's prayer is taken as example, the first priority of prayer is to recognize the holiness of God, and the second is to align ourselves with His will. Only then do we come to the petition part. We tend to make prayer more complicated than it is. Just open your heart and talk to Him. He already knows what you need and everything about you, and He still loves you! In this message, we'll take a closer look at the "Lord's prayer" and the other things Jesus said as He gave it to us. I'm praying that you will be blessed by it.
Linda encourages us with the message that when we lose things that are important to us, God may be making room for new and better things.
A few years ago, I was praying, writing it down as I sometimes do, looking for inspiration for my next message. I started thinking about what I would do if things changed in the future. There was a good chance I could be laid off. How would I care for Linda? What about the church?I sat there for a minute, then the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42 came into my head. I started to write down my thanks for the idea for a message, but that it didn’t have much to do with what I was just praying about. Then it hit me. It had everything to do with it. The circumstances are different, but the message is the same. In that moment He might have said to me, “Larry, Larry, ‘you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary.”Our lives are full of distractions. It’s not that they aren’t important. Jesus didn’t say that what Martha was doing didn’t need doing, though I wonder if she felt that way at the moment. The truth is, we wouldn’t function very well without the Marthas among us making sure everything gets done and practical needs are met. Martha was a faithful servant, and Jesus loved her as much as He did her sister Mary and brother Lazarus, whom he would later raise from the dead.The question that came into my mind as i read this story was, “why did Luke, lead by the Holy Spirit, feel it important that we read about this incident. We have so little recorded of what Jesus said and did. Every detail has been given to us for at least one reason. I think there are several here, but to put it in a few words, it might be that we know more about who Jesus is and know that there is no better think than to be His disciple. Only one thing is necessary. Let us choose the good part. I did lose that job, and the one after that, but we were provided for and now I have an even better one. The time off was put to good use. I didn't need to worry about anything. I just needed to listen to Jesus.
How often do you hear the word, repent. It just doesn't come up in normal conversation. We mostly hear it in church, and even there in many cases not as often as we should. One of the ladies who used to attend would stop me every time I used the word to ask me what it meant. I don't know if because of her condition she truly could not remember from the last time or if she was making another statement entirely, but some questions only God can answer.
It is something we can all use reminding about from time to time. Repentance is an essential part of the message. We better know what it means. We love to share, and rightly so, of how Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. We urge people to accept Him, but if we leave out repentance, we have accomplished nothing at all. The hearer is left in the same condition as we found him, destined for Hell. Many people who attend church and do all the "right things" are in no better condition. They have never truly changed direction. Once when Jesus was teaching, some people came up and told him about how King Herod had killed some worshipers even as they were making their sacrifices. Jesus asked them if they supposed these people to be worse sinners than everyone else. He says, "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) He then offers a second example with the same conclusion. Jesus preached a message of repentance. His disciples preached a message of repentance. So did John the Baptist, and so did the early church. God is good and full of mercy. He will wait, but He will not wait forever. Our passage this week is from Luke 13:1-9.
We see the world spiraling downward around us and think the end is surely near, but is it? We wouldn't be the first to think so. Throughout the centuries, others have been just as certain, and they've all been proven wrong. Our modern day "prophets" aren't having any more success in their predictions. I am beginning to question some of the beliefs common in today's evangelical circles regarding the end times. That questioning for me only drives home even more forcefully the words of Jesus as he calls us to be alert and "stay awake!" We should not presume to know the things that we are explicitly told that we cannot know, but we are exhorted to observe the season. We must stay awake, vigilant, and ready to welcome our master home. Our text is from Mark 13, focusing on verses 33-37
Some things we think we just can't do, but when our source is the power that created the universe, is there ever room for “I can’t?” Maybe, but not when it comes to doing what He wants you to do, whether it involves something He’s given you specifically or simply doing what is right.
Let's take a closer look at a passage that contains one of our favorite verses, Philippians 4:11-13. Verse 13 is the one we all know. I’ve included the others to provide some context. The context is key to our understanding. Paul's letter to the Philippians contains some very useful advice for changing the way we think so that through the power of God, “I can’t” becomes “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” I do feel the need to point out that I am focusing very narrowly on some helpful concepts in this text and not attempting to fully explain the primary lines of thought in this letter. For that, we will need to begin at the beginning and make a careful study, which we may do at some future date.
They say talk is cheap, but Jesus says otherwise. Your words matter. They reveal who you are. They can do great harm, and they can do great good. Jesus went so far as to say, "by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” That should make us think before we speak. Read Matthew 12:33-37.
This is an election year, and unless you've been living in a cave somewhere, I didn't need to tell you that. We are perpetually pelted with political proclamations of how one candidate is the best and the opposing candidate is the worst. You can't escape it. It's in your mail box, on your TV, on your social media feeds and even in your text messages!
So, how do we know what to believe? That question isn’t limited to politics. We have so many denominations in part because every little detail of Christian theology has been magnified by some group or other into a pivotal issue that defines who is really Christian or at least faithful and who is not.
Please understand, I believe the truth is knowable and cannot be disputed once established, but I do not suppose that I or anyone else on this earth knows all of it. Only God is that smart. He defines what truth is. We’ll always have disagreements, and probably one of us is right or maybe all of us are wrong. But Jesus did give us a way to help determine who is telling the truth. It works on profits, preachers, and politicians too!
He said they will be known by their fruit. Is what they say demonstrably true or false? Do their words stir up strife or bring peace? Do they inspire good works? When the spotlights are off, are they the same person? What about our own lives? Are we producing good fruit or bad fruit? By what measure do we judge it? We will start reading in Matthew 7:15-20 and explore the scripture to answer these questions.
Those of us who desire to serve the Lord recognize the conflict. Sometimes the choice is clear. At others we are not so sure what to do. It is right in the sight of God to work for our own provision and to have something to give to others. It is right to provide for our families. The challenge is to do these things out of faithfulness rather than fear, and to recognize the voice of the Lord if He should call us to forego material sustenance in favor of something much better.
As with all things, it is a matter of your heart. Jesus said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) And He said, "“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." (v. 24) Verses 22-23 seem disconnected from the theme, but they do contribute to the point Jesus is making. To serve anything other than God is to serve the darkness, and it will ruin your life. Here he addresses wealth in specific, but at the root of wealth accumulation for its own sake is a self-centered existence.
This is the context for his next words, "“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (v. 25) It would have been very unusual for a slave to have more than one master, though not unheard-of. The problem with this arrangement is that he will be unable to fully commit to either. They will have competing priorities, and he will naturally come to prefer one over the other. We can have only one master. The wonderful thing is that He is unfailingly good. Jesus gives examples from the natural world to illustrate this truth. We do not need to fear that by abandoning the master of materialism for the master of everything we will be in want of the things we need for life. He is able to provide.
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (v. 33) When the choice is clear, we must choose rightly. When it is not, we must turn to Him for the answer. If we must act, we can trust that if we have done so with a pure heart, he will direct our paths.
Who are you? It's a simple question that may have a very complicated answer. If we don't know each other, I might simply be asking your name. If we do know each other, you might find the question invasive, offensive, or both, but it is a question we all need to answer for ourselves. The way we perceive ourselves will affect the choices we make, and the way we react to people and circumstances around us. Much about who we are may change as we mature and experience life, but there are some things that should never change.
We all begin life as sinners. The Bible is pretty plain about that (Romans 3:10,23.) Every one of us would be without hope if Jesus had not paid the price for us. But we know that He did, and at the moment we give our hearts to Him, we are reborn. We have become, as Paul put it in 2 Corinthians 5:17, new creations.
Why, then, do so many Christians still refer to themselves as sinners? Paul writes in Romans Chapter 6 that we are dead to sin. Howe can we be dead to sin and still be sinners? No one honestly believes he stopped committing sins at the moment of salvation. In fact, the more we come to understand what it is to live a holy life, the more of our own sins we discover. We will struggle against the desires of our flesh as long as we inhabit these earthly bodies. But when Jesus becomes our Lord, we get a new identity, and that is not as a sinner, but as a saint.
It is important for us to internalize this truth, because it will strengthen our ability to withstand temptation. If you think of yourself as a sinner, you will be more likely to come to an accommodation with sin. If it's who you are, then what's the use of fighting it? We are defeated before we even join the battle. But if we think of ourselves as saints, sanctified not by our own effort but by the blood of Jesus, we can stand firm against the attacks of the enemy and the perils of living in a fallen world. Do you know who you are?
We consider freedom a core value in the United States, but what does freedom mean? Is it absolute? That would be chaos. With freedom comes responsibility. It is as true in our public life as it is in our personal lives. As Christians, we often speak of our freedom in Christ. We are not in bondage to sin. We are not in bondage to a set of rules that could never save us. But does that mean we can do as we please? Paul would disagree. In Chapter 14 of his letter to the Romans, he addresses this issue as it relates to some of the controversies of his day. We may not struggle with the same specifics, but the principles that he teaches will certainly apply to us.
When you hear the phrase, "mind control," You might think of one of the various cult leaders that have made the news over the years. Or, if you're a sci-fi geek like me, maybe you think of any number of dystopian societies envisioned by authors wishing to make a statement of their own through the medium of fiction. We speak of people being brainwashed. We know that what we believe to be true affects how we think and act. It is very important for us to understand that we are the ones who must be in control of our minds. We can choose what and how to think. The seeds we cultivate in our minds will produce fruit in our lives, so what will we choose? Will we choose truth or lies, good or evil, that which builds up, or that which tears down? Paul writes of being transformed by the renewing of our minds. We’ll read from Romans 11:33-12:2. We will focus our attention on 12:2, but a little context is necessary to show just how vital this concept is for us.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word "work?" For some, it might be what you do for a living. For others, it might be anything that requires effort. Some love it. Others hate it. Some consider it a curse; others, a blessing. Many of us think of work as a necessary evil, but that view has a huge problem. God created us to work. That we find much of it unpleasant has a lot to do with living in a fallen world.
The Garden of Eden was certainly a beautiful place. We tend to imagine Adam and Eve idly strolling about the place until the day that Satan showed up to ruin the mood. That he succeeded was actually Adam's fault, but that's another discussion for another day. I do not doubt that it was a wonderful and happy place to live, and at the end of the day they got to hang out with their creator.
But did you know that Adam had a job to do? "Then Yahweh God took the man and set him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it." (Gen 2:15 LSB) We were created in God's image. He is a creator, and He is always working. It should be no surprise, then, that we were made to work.
So what happened? How did our relationship with work get so complicated? Does it have to be that way? And what about those of us who can't or don't work? If we were made to work, is there room for retirement? Do we ever reach a point where enough is enough? God's word has answers to these questions. I believe you will find strength and comfort in those answers.
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)
Priscilla teaches us to look to Jesus for our example of love as described in 1 Cor. 13:4-8.
It's no wonder that some people in our society have tried to diminish the importance of fatherhood. God has revealed Himself as our Heavenly Father, so of course our enemy seeks to destroy the role and respect of our earthly fathers. Yet studies have shown what happens when the father is absent. Children without a father figure in the home are: at greater risk of poverty, more likely to have behavioral problems, more likely to go to prison, more likely to become pregnant as teenagers, more likely to be abused, more likely to use drugs or alcohol, and More likely to drop out of school. Those are just some of the findings published by the National Fatherhood Initiative.
Of course, not all fathers are good, so it is reasonable to ask what makes a good father. A good father guides, protects, and disciplines, but most importantly he does so out of love. A good father sets boundaries in order to protect his children. So it is with our Heavenly father. When we look at the Bible as a collection of rules, we miss the whole point, but the rules are there for a reason. God is saying, just like our parents may have said more times than we can remember, "Don't hurt yourself!" The boundaries are there because He loves us. When we do things the way He intended, life may not be perfect, but it will definitely be better.
Sin has consequences. God may choose to punish us because He loves us. The book of Hebrews, chapter 12, tells us that we should expect discipline from Him if we are truly His children. But I believe most of said punishment simply comes as the natural consequence of violating the natural order that He established. Sin is a cruel master, and it will eventually destroy us. Our text this week is from Romans 6:16-23.
If you’ve been involved in church a while, you may have heard someone make mention of the proper procedure for dealing with someone who has wronged you drawn from Matthew 18. It is of course a sound approach, but it takes on much more gravity when we consider the context in which Jesus gave it to us. The most important thing to know about it is that its purpose is redemptive. The goal, stated simply in verse 15, is to “have won your brother.”
As we continue to rebuild, I want to shore up our foundation by bringing to mind some basic principles that should inform the choices we make, particularly with regard to sinful behavior and the conflicts that inevitably arise among us imperfect people. We read Matthew 18:15-20, but it will be helpful to have read the entire chapter and have it in front of you as you listen. It all fits together.
I know that I'm talking to people who don't need to be convinced of God's existence. I also know that we all have people in our lives who aren't so sure. It is estimated that 3 out of 4 young people raised in the church leave it while in college, in part because of the intellectual challenges they find there. No one explained to them the facts that actually support our believe. When they encounter atheist professors, they have no defense. In too many cases, adults have never really thought through their belief either, so how could they share with their children? Scientists with lots of knowledge and ego to match look down their noses and call us foolish for believing in a creator, but if we look at the evidence, it takes more faith to believe there isn’t one. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” (1:20 CSB) We’ll cover at a high level some of the reasons why belief in God is completely logical, and I’ll share some resources with you that you can study for yourself and share with others. I know how much it helped me when I began to discover that one doesn’t have to check in the brain at the door of the church. Following Jesus requires faith. There are some things we cannot know and yet we must trust Him. But there is much that we can and should know so that we can effectively stand against the enemy’s deceit and help others to stand as well.
Sometimes I stop to think about the mission our church. Why do we do what we do? What drives us to keep going even when things get messy? I think there is genuine compassion and a desire to give, to comfort, and to love. I also think that occasionally we need to remind ourselves that there’s a greater mission than what appears on the surface. We can get caught up in all the good things we do. Pastor David used to exhort us each week to go out and do something good for someone, but why? We can and should spend ourselves doing good for others, but we dare not forget the greatest good. Our objective is ultimately that people are led to the place where Jesus becomes Lord and savior of their lives. If we miss that, we’ve wasted everything. We’ve provided a bit of temporary comfort in the place of eternal salvation.
So are good works important? Absolutely yes! On Sunday, we’ll read from Matthew 5:14-16. There we find that it is our good works that should lead others to glorify our Father in Heaven. But it is not the works themselves. Many well-meaning people do good works but they don’t necessarily point to God. It is the light, illuminating the good works, that draws them in. The reasons why we do what we do are more important than the works. When we reach out in compassion for the broken bodies, let us not forget that it is the broken souls that we really must reach. Sometimes a doctor can heal the body, but only the Holy Spirit can heal the soul.
Does it seem to you like the world is falling apart around us? Throughout history, Christians have thought that they must surely be living in the end times. We have always lived in a fallen world, and it will be that way until Jesus comes back to reclaim it. We hardly have anything to complain about here in the U.S., though there is much cause for concern. Around the world, Christians are suffering and dying for the cause of Christ.
I have often contemplated how I might do in such circumstances. I don't know anyone who truly believes who thinks they would fold under pressure, but does one ever really know until it happens? I find comfort in the knowledge that I belong to Him, and He would never leave me without hope. My hope is not in my own strength, but in His. I pray that we will never have to find out, but we may.
Consider Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24-27. If we are to be His disciples, we must take up the cross. We have reduced the cross to a pretty symbol, but to His hearers, the imagery would have been vivid and bloody. They saw crucifixions regularly and knew what He was saying. When he said "follow me," He invited them, and us, to die. For many who heard Him that day, it would be literal. All but one of his closest followers was martyred. But we are all called to die to ourselves, to our flesh, to our sinful desires, to anything that draws us away from following Him.
Salvation is a free gift (Eph 2:8-10.) The thief on the cross who believed at the last moment is hanging out in Heaven with the likes of the apostle Paul. None of us can earn it. None of us deserve it. Yet when we accept it, we are making a choice that changes our lives. Jesus has called us all to a life of sacrifice. We don’t live for ourselves anymore. We live for Him. We die to ourselves that we might have life eternally. This is what it means to follow Him.
Sometimes being a parent involves making some hard choices. I'm sure that many scenarios fill your mind as you read that. Imagine the choice that Moses' mother had to make. If abortion had been a thing back in ancient Egypt, the Hebrews would have ben forced into the clinics much as Chinese women were up until a few years ago before China lifted its one child policy. As it was, the Pharaoh first instructed the midwives to kill the male babies, and when they refused, commanded his people to throw the baby boys into the Nile river.
This was the state of things when Moses was born. The easy thing would have been to do as the king commanded. How much easier it would have been if she never had to even see the baby. But she delivered the baby, and then acted to preserve his life, thus endangering her own. Having hidden him as long as she could, she put him in a basket and set him down at the edge of the river. Doubtless, she hoped against hope that something like what happened would happen, though she might not have anticipated who would end of taking the child in, Pharaoh's own daughter.
Her act of defiance in refusing to kill her own child set in motion a chain of events that would eventually lead to freedom for her people. And, not just her people, but in time all who call upon the name of Yahweh. We find out who she is in Exodus, Chapter 6, but her name is not used in the story of the event chronicled in Exodus 2:1-10. Yet, this mom changed the world!
I hope you will be encouraged by her story. When things seem bleak, keep doing the right thing. Keep doing the best you can. Trust that God can do amazing things with just a little faith.
What comes to mind when you hear the word, mercy? Doubtless many of us who have been in church for years will think of God’s mercy toward us, or maybe Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Depending on the version of the Bible you read, you may find the word used in several different ways. The King James often uses it where newer translations use “lovingkindness, faithful love, or loyal love. So we’re going to focus on the meaning most precious to us as children of God. God offers us mercy. That is, we are spared the punishment we all deserve. Mercy doesn’t mean much to us until we come to the place where we realize we need it. Sometimes even after we have been there, we get caught up in the life of the church and we forget we still need it. We learn all the right things to do, and if we think we’re checking off the to-dos at least most of the time we think we’re doing alright. I don’t say that we need always be in fear of judgement. God tells us there’s no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus, but when we forget how much mercy we have been shown, we lose the capacity to truly show it to others. We can only appreciate the mercy of God when we understand how much we need it. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and let’s explore God’s word together.
We have come to the last chapter in our study of John's Gospel. I hope and pray that you have gained a greater understanding of who Jesus is. Chapter 21 almost seems like a post script. John has just given us the reason that he wrote the book, and that would seem to be a good place to stop, but he keeps going. He gives us one more story, and Peter seems to be its focus. The narrative serves, among other things, to leave no doubt about peter's relationship with Jesus after his denials and to show all of us one more time the character, power, and purpose of Jesus.
Most noteworthy is the conversation that takes place between Jesus and Peter in verses 15-20. Sadly, most English translations of this exchange conceal an important detail because we have only one word for love. The Greek language has four, and two of them are used here. In verses 15-16, what Jesus says is recorded as agapaō. Peter's reply contains the word phileo. Agapaō is the stronger word. It is the word we find throughout the New Testament in reference to God's love for us, our love for Him, and our love for each other. It is the kind of love that put Jesus on that cross. Peter, formally bold and brash, now humbly refuses to profess for His Lord a love which he has proven that he does not yet have.
So, in verse 17, Jesus switches to Peter's word, and Peter is grieved by the change as well as the repetition. But we should notice something else. Jesus' commission remains essentially the same each time, though his wording varies, "Tend My sheep." Peter would go on to do Just that, leading the first church, performing miracles in Jesus' name, and eventually following Him to the cross as well. I think it is safe to say that Peter did find his agapaō.
Hear Jesus' message to Peter. Give him all you have, and it will be enough. If He is your Lord, you have been chosen. He is aware of your shortcomings, and he still has a job for you. It's easy to become discouraged and fall back into our old ways, but His is the better way. Follow Him!
The devil will try to kick you when you're down. So don't stay down! Priscilla gives us some tips.
All of us face challenges. There is not one of us that isn't dealing with something, from the merely vexing to the potentially life threatening. Though we may trust the Lord, sometimes it's hard to see what He could be doing. Jesus' disciples must have felt the same way before they were finally convinced that He had risen. Even though He had told them beforehand, what they thought they knew was stronger even than the evidence in front of their own eyes.
Thomas gets singled out in John's account of the events following the resurrection, but he is not necessarily more doubtful than any of the others. They all had to be convinced. If anything, Thomas, though late to the party, was more easily convinced once he saw Jesus. He didn't have to see Him eat as many of the others did. (See Luke 24) Thomas wasn’t with the rest of the disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. When they told him they had seen the Lord, he famously responded, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) And so throughout history he has acquired the undeserved appellation, “Doubting Thomas.” The point of John’s account here is not to single out Thomas, but rather to communicate Jesus’ words in their context. “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (John 20:29) That’s all of us, if we do in truth believe. Our text will be in John 20:24-31. Let’s look a little closer at Thomas and what was going on here. I think you’ll be encouraged
Our study of John continues with Chapter 20, verses 19-23. This is the first time that Jesus appears to the majority of the disciples after His resurrection. A few saw him earlier, and we know that John believed as soon as he saw the empty graved clothes arranged as if the body had still been in them in the tomb. However, most of them could not quite bring themselves to believe it had really happened, even though He had told them it would. Even after he appeared among them, they thought they were seeing a ghost. In their defense, He did appear in the room with them where all the doors and windows were shut.
The first thing He said to them was, "Peace be with you." It was a common greeting of that time, but coming from Jesus, it had a much greater significance than a mere hello. He said it again after finally convincing them that it was really Him, then personally imparted the Holy Spirit to them and gave them their commission. Remember how He said to them after the Passover meal, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) He had just been speaking of the Holy Spirit when He said this.
Verse 23 may leave us with questions. Only God can forgive sins. Is He, in the person of Jesus, giving that power to the disciples? Did it pass from then to their disciples and so on through history? Though there does seem to be some indication that one having spiritual authority may have some say over consequences and we have all been instructed that we must forgive, no man has that kind of power over another's soul. There are differing views about what Jesus is saying here, but there are some things we can know for certain. If no one tells the unbeliever the truth, how can they find forgiveness? Their sins have been retained. If we present the truth, we have the authority to explain what it means. If you believe, your sins are forgiven. If you do not, your sins are not forgiven, and you face judgment
It is said that we should celebrate the resurrection all year long. I completely agree, and for the next few weeks, Lord willing, we will continue to learn from the events following that momentous occasion as chronicled by the Gospel according to John. Last week, we considered the significance of the empty grave and the empty grave clothes. Now, we continue with John 20:11-18, where Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb and is the first to meet the risen Lord.
Mary didn't hear the first proclamation of the angel that morning when the women first came to the tomb. We know this because she remains convinced that someone has taken his body out of it. She had apparently already run to tell Peter and John that it was missing. So, now we find her weeping at the entrance of the tomb.
It seems she was so stricken with grief that she did not even react as most people did when coming into contact with angels. Not even when she saw Jesus Himself did she recognize him, until He spoke her name. Mary's devotion and her response upon recognizing her Lord is an example to all of us. Maybe that is one reason she was given the honor of being the first to see Him alive. Have you heard Jesus calling your name? How will you respond
Our study of John returns to where we left off a couple of weeks ago with chapter 20, verses 1-10. All of the gospel writers share details of this defining event of our faith and history, but there intent is to supply us with information that should lead us to believe, not necessarily to provide a detailed chronology of everything that happened on that day. Many people have attempted to reconstruct the order of events, but there is room for debate as to exactly what happened when.
We may disagree on fine points, but we who believe all agree on this: Jesus came out of that tomb! John, in his usual fashion, lets us in on some specifics that strengthen the other accounts. He mentions the empty grave clothes, and the head cloth folded and separate from the wrapping. From the text One might picture the cloth neatly folded up as we might fold a napkin, but an alternative description of the scene suggests the cloth still folded as if the head were in it. John previously wrote of the 75lbs of spices wrapped with the body in the grave clothes. What Peter and John likely saw in that tomb was the grave clothes and head cloth lying in the shape of a body, but no body. If Jesus had struggled out of the wrapping or if He had been stripped by a grave robber, the wrappings and head cloth would have been in a pile on the floor. Thus, John saw and believed (v. 8.) Jesus would later walk through a wall, so this is not unreasonable. It also suggests the moving of the stone by the angel was for the benefit of those who would see it, not for Jesus. He could have passed through the stone as easily as he would later pass through the wall.
The living Jesus was first seen by the women who came to tend to the body. By the end of the day everyone but Thomas had seen Him. Over the next forty days, he would meet with them on several occasions, and at some point was seen by over 500 people at once. The 11 men who were cowering in fear after his arrest became bold proclaimers of the risen Lord, willing to die for Him as He had died for them.
We celebrate an empty cross and an empty grave. His death paid for our sins, and his life is life in us. We are now presented with a choice. Will we embrace that life, or will we reject it? If we give our lives to Him, we will receive His life in return. It lasts forever!
Last Sunday, we discussed that well-known passage in John, Chapter 3, where Jesus explains to Nicodemus that one must be "born again" to enter God's kingdom. Here we have the Gospel message in Jesus' own words, containing the famous verse we all know and love, "“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (3:16)
This week, we pick up Chapter 3 from verse 22. Both John the Baptist and Jesus are baptizing, and John's disciples note that Jesus is beginning to draw away followers. John's response is a humble one. To highly paraphrase his answer, "I told you I wasn't the one. He's supposed to outshine me, and I am pumped that it's happening!"John's mission was always to point to Jesus. Now, Jesus will take the spotlight. It's possible that what we read starting with verse 31 is actually the commentary of John the disciple on what he has just written. The writing style does lend credence to this thought, but either way, the truth remains. The final word on the subject is in verse 36, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Choose life today
Due to circumstances at the time, we jumped over chapter 3, so now I am filling it in so that we can pick up in our study with the resurrection in two weeks.
If I ask you if you’ve been born again, you probably know what I’m asking. It’s the basic message of our faith. But I wonder how many outside of the church, especially among the younger generations, would recognize that phrase. Sadly, many who do understand and would answer “yes” to that question don’t really know what it means. Research suggests that as little as 5% of the population in the U.S. actually meets the definition of a genuine Christian.
So, when we share the good news, it never hurts to have it fresh on our minds, told in various ways, giving us a variety of approaches to sharing it with others. With that in mind, let’s look ad the familiar story from John 3:1-21. Here Nicodemus, a Pharisee, ruler and teacher in Israel, comes to Jesus at night. He knows by the miracles that Jesus has performed that He must be sent from God, but apparently Nicodemus wants to know more. I am certain there was more to the conversation than John wrote down for us, but what we have is a concise and informative presentation of the truth of the gospel by Jesus Himself. John 3:16 is probably the most well-known bible verse in the world. And why not? It is the essence of the message. Let’s see what new insight we might gain as we drop in on this amazing conversation between Nicodemus and our Lord.
Priscilla offers up some tough love, that we will be ready for God to move in our church.
In celebration of 65 years of ministry, we invited our long-time friend, Jay Gibson of Harvest Oaks Church, to bring the message for this Homecoming Sunday. Listen and be encouraged.
The podcast audio has been enhanced so that it is a little easier to hear than that of the video.
We continue our study with John 14:1-7. Having instructed His disciples to love each other as He has loved them, illustrating what He means by washing their feet, he also introduces the topic of his departure. He has been telling them what is about to happen for some time, but they are not making the connections. He has just told them that where he is going they cannot follow.
He now offers words of comfort, explaining again the purpose for which He has come. He makes an interesting statement in verse 4, "you know the way where I am going.” Thomas doesn't agree, so Jesus clarifies with these famous words in verse 6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me." At first glance, these words don't seem to make sense, but they do answer the question. They are a powerful statement of Jesus' identity and mission.
Jesus says in John 13:34-35 (LSB), "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
What makes it new? Before this, when asked about the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus replied, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Jesus has just illustrated in part what He means by washing the feet of the disciples. He is about to provide the ultimate example on the cross. What makes this commandment new is the extension of the old. We are not called just to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are called to love him more than ourselves! He said that we are to love each other as He has loved us. He gave His life for us!
Anything else we know or do has little value unless we know the Lord. Linda urges us to pursue that relationship
We are now in John 13:1-20, as Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. We've always known this moment is special. Some churches even take his statement that the disciples ought to wash one-another's feet quite literally, incorporating it into their ordinances and worship. Jesus' instruction has more to do with the attitude than the act.
Here, Jesus illustrates what true greatness is, even as his disciples are still squabbling over who among them will be the greatest. We may suppose that no one of them offered to do the job, not even for the master Himself. That would be lowering themselves to the level of a slave. But Jesus had no problem doing that. He knew who He was, and so could do what needed doing with no concern for the opinion of others. In Luke's gospel, apparently after he has done this though Luke doesn't mention it, he says, "...the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." (Lk 22:26 LSB)
In so doing, he also illustrates in a small way the sacrifice he is about to make. Before the next day is over, he will willingly submit to the worst torture and humiliation that humanity can imagine, all for the sake of the ones whom He loves. By this act we are saved. When peter objects to the Lord washing his feet, Jesus makes a profound statement, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (Jn 13:8) We must be cleansed by the blood of His sacrifice, and we must also return to him each day that the dirt we accumulate by walking through this world may be washed off. We are called to serve each other in this way, as all of us who call Him Lord have been sent to do as He did, that the world may know and receive Him.
Not knowing if I would be able to attend this week, I asked my learned friend if he would bring the message. I did make it, but I'm glad I asked him. Listen and be encouraged as he speaks from the text of 2 Corinthians, Chapters 4 and 5.
We will finish up John, Chapter 12 with verses 44-50. This is the last public address of the crowds by Jesus that John records. Jesus briefly summarizes everything that He has been teaching throughout his ministry. Exactly when and where this takes place isn't given, but it is reasonable to think that he might have made this speech from the temple. John says that he "cried out". In other words, He made sure everyone there would hear Him. Let us hear Him too!
One of the things I like about going through a book of the Bible as we have been doing with John this year is that it causes me to study passages that I never really understood and haven't yet taken the time to explore. Today's text is from John 12:20-43, and it begins with one of those mysteries. Most of it addresses themes we are already familiar with, but what do the Greeks have to do with anything? John must have had a reason for including this detail, but it's Greek to me. Now having studied it, I am still not sure I fully understand the significance of the Greek's coming to see Jesus as the starting point for what Jesus has to say, but I think the connection may be in verse 32, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." Jesus came for all of us, Jew and gentile alike. There's a lot of good stuff in here! Get you some!
Our study continues with John 12:12-19. We are now into the final week before Jesus will be crucified. All of the writers cover this period as it is central to the Christian message, but John again provides us with detail that the others did not record. This is the day following the dinner at which Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Jesus with the expensive perfume. When others criticized her , Jesus defended her action and made a statement that surely must have seemed strange at the time, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial." They did not yet understand how soon that would come, or what would happen next. We're told that a crowd began to gather, wanting to see Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead the last time He was in town. Jesus now sets out for Jerusalem, and he gets quite a reception. People would have been there from all over the land of Israel for the Passover. Many of them would have come from areas where Jesus performed His miracles, and they were praising Him for what He had done. John specifically mentions the raising of Lazarus as inspiring the crowd. Many churches celebrate this event as Palm Sunday. The people were waving palm branches and spreading their coats in the road as he came into town. This was a way of welcoming royalty. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” These words were taken from Psalm 118;25-26 and were sung by the temple choir at Passover. They spoke of the coming messiah. How soon they would seem to forget. But Jesus knew what He was doing, and what would come of it. The crowd has always been fickle. The question for us is this. Will we follow the crowd, or will we follow Jesus? He went to the cross so that we can still say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of The Lord!"
Our progress through the book of John now takes us to Chapter 12, and a story that should be familiar. It's one of the few where John covers the same event as the other gospel writers, adding some details that they did not record. Jesus has returned to Bethany, where he had recently raised Lazarus from the dead. We find Him sharing a meal with the family, during which Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair. In the other accounts, she pours it on His head. Evidently, she did both.
Some of the other dinner guests, His disciples included, were not impressed with this gesture. Judas in particular complained of the waste, saying it would have been much better to sell it and give to the poor. John let's us know that Judas' motivation was far from pure. Jesus set them straight. What Mary did had a significance far greater than she would have known. Let's dig in. (John 12:1-8)
The Lord's plans for us are good, but not necessarily on our timetable. We must wait, and we must trust.
This week's message is from John, Chapter 11. Of the three accounts of Jesus raising the dead given to us by the gospel writers, this is probably the best known. It's the most spectacular, and the only one where we have the name of the one who was raised. His name is Lazarus.
Throughout his account, John has been showing us who Jesus is by highlighting illustrative miracles and the teaching that follows each of them. This is not the first resurrection that Jesus performed, but it is the only one that John records,. By waiting until Lazarus had been dead four days, Jesus removed any alternative explanation for his revivification. Only the power of God can do this!
I will focus on Jesus' conversation with Martha, Lazarus' sister, when He arrives at Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters lived. He says, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26) This is the central question of our faith. If we do not believe this, we do not believe Him and we are cut off from the source of life.
Even after seeing what Jesus did, many did not believe, and actually plotted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. They would eventually succeed with Jesus, but it didn't work out quite the way they planned. That is why we are here today, still asking the question, "Do you believe this?" Many will not. I pray that you are not one of them.
We will be in John, Chapter 10, starting with verse 22. Jesus is back at the temple, this time during the Feast of Dedication, what we know as Hanukkah. The Jews have gathered around Him and are pressing Him to tell them plainly if He is the messiah. Jesus gives them their answer, but not the way they wanted. He says in verse 25, "“I told you, and you do not believe;". Indeed He has told them, and I think they know it. I think this is another attempt to draw Him into a trap.
Now he tells them again using the shepherd metaphor that we saw in the first part of the chapter. He also provides the reason why they do not believe, "you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. (v. 26) Many of us will be familiar with the next two verses, particularly v. 28. We take comfort in it. However, it doesn't stand alone, and it is v. 27 that used to scare me. That fear came from a misunderstanding of its context, though as followers of Jesus we should all be hearing His voice. But what does it mean to hear His voice, and how do we do that?
27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28 Legacy Standard Bible
Are you listening?
Linda brings us encouragement based on the story of Benjamin Hall, a Fox reporter injured while covering the war in Ukraine.
we pick up where we left off in John, Chapter 9. After Jesus healed a man who was blind, the people hauled the man up before the Jewish leadership. Under hostile questioning, he again offers powerful testimony about what Jesus did for him. But they still refuse to believe and throw him out of their synagogue. When Jesus hears of this, He finds the man, reveals his true identity, and powerfully summarizes what this all means, "that those who do not see may see"
We resume our study of John with Chapter 9. This passage troubled me for many years. It's the story of the blind man that Jesus healed by putting clay on his eyes and sending him to the Pool of Siloam to wash. The disciples wanted to know whose sin caused this man to be blind, his or his parents'. It was Jesus reply that troubled me, "this was so that the works of God might be manifested in him."
It seemed so unfair. This man was blind all of his life so that Jesus could have a moment? My own resentment surfaced when I thought about it. I felt somehow wronged by God, too. But my perspective has changed over the years. As I draw closer to the Lord and see His work in my life, i grow to love Him more. Now I look at Jesus' words and take them as if they were spoken of me, and I rejoice! In my case, those works of God may not include my own healing, but He can use me to heal others. It is the spiritual healing that we all need. The physical would be nice, but what happens to this cracked old clay jar is of no real importance. I have an eternity to look forward to. Can you see it? Has He opened your eyes?
This man became a testimony to the religious leaders of his time, illustrating the words that Jesus had been speaking to them all along. Just as He brought light to the eyes of this blind man, He has brought light to the world. We do not know his name, but he is still witnessing to the world of the power and purpose of our Lord through John's record. Was not such an honor worth a few years of blindness? If you have seen the light, someday you may meet him. I am certain that he will tell you, "absolutely, yes!"
On Memorial Day weekend, many have Monday off. We often take the opportunity to get with friends and family and enjoy good food and the good weather. I think that's great! When we share a meal, we are sharing more than just food. That was a regular practice in the early church. But we would do well to note what it is that we're supposed to be remembering on this day. We enjoy it at the cost of human lives, given in sacrifice so that we remain free.
Many of us have experienced the sadness of seeing loved ones slipping away due to memory loss. Though we've all been through things we might like to forget, we know that forgetting is usually not a good thing. But we are a forgetful people. The hectic pace of modern life doesn't help, but we've always been that way. It's not just the little things either. Sometimes we forget the things that really matter. That's why God gave His people so many different ways to remember who they were and who He is. Yet even with all of that, they still forgot. We read about it and wonder, but we are no different. Let's look at just a few of the tools God gave to His people to help them remember, and consider how we can hold onto the things that are worth remembering.
I think it’s safe to say that Matthew 7:1 is one of the most misused verses in the Bible today. Even people who don’t believe anything in the Bible know that verse and are quick to throw it up as a shield against any Christian who dares to challenge the way they choose to live. The same thing happens among people who do claim some form of belief.Are they right? Are we forbidden to make any judgment at all regarding another person’s choices or actions? Maybe if you stop right there, but no document can be understood by reading just one sentence plucked conveniently from its text. To understand what Jesus said here, we need to read at least through verse 5, and I think you need verse 6 too. Then we need to consider it along with other things that Jesus said on the topic of judging. That will give us a very different understanding.
In recognition of Mother's Day, I thought we'd take a look at one of the great women of the Bible. She is interesting both for what she did and for how little we know about her. We're told the name of her husband, but given no information that would tie either of them to a particular family or tribe. We can only speculate. We are told only what is important, that she heard from God and she delivered His message. We are also told that she was a judge in Israel before the time of the kings. She is the only woman of the twelve judges who are recorded for us,. There is much for us to learn here. Join us as we consider the story of Deborah from Judges, Chapter Four.
You've heard people say, "The truth will set you free." If you know your Bible, you know where that came from. Though often used out of its context, it's a profound statement by itself. When we believe things that are not true, we become enslaved to a harsh master. Put the phrase in its context, and it becomes even more powerful. Spoken by Jesus as he continues teaching in the temple, it refers to the truth of His word, and the Truth that is Himself. We continue our study of the book of John. We'll finish out Chapter 8, with particular focus on verses 31-36.
We continue our study of the Gospel of John with Chapter 8, verses 21-30. I read this as a separate conversation from the one that takes place in verses 12-20, but it's all connected. John continues his revelation of who Jesus is using Jesus' own words. He strengthens many of the themes we've already explored, but if I had to choose the strongest message from this passage, it would be this from verse 24, "unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” The word "he" here is added because in English the sentence would seem incomplete without it, but what Jesus really said here was "unless you believe that I am." He is not only laying claim to the role of the promised messiah. He is taking the name of the Great I AM. Unless we will believe, we will die in our sin. The word in verse 21 where Jesus uses similar language is singular. The one sin that will most certainly lead to death is disbelief in the person, power, and true nature of Jesus.
One of the things I hope we gain as we study this gospel is a sense of urgency. Jesus is the only way. Those who do not find him face eternal damnation. We have the answer. Let us not be silent!
Our text will be from John 8:12-20. Jesus is back in the temple, teaching. John's narrative is chronological, so this likely occurred at some point shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles, where he spoke the words from Chapter Seven that we studied on April 2. John 7:37 says that those words were spoken on the last day of the feast. In John 8:12, we have another "I am" statement, "I am the light of the world." The contrast of light and darkness occurs frequently in John's writing. Jesus is the source of that light.
The Pharisee's again challenge Jesus, this time trying to trap Him in his own words from Chapter 5, But He doubled down on what He has said and adds this, "“You know neither Me nor My Father." v. 19. Jesus has already made it clear to them what He means by the Father, though they pretend ignorance in an effort to discredit Him. He has just told them in essence that they don't know God.
We look at this passage and many like it and wonder at the hard-hearted Pharisees, but what about our own hearts? A common question asked in evangelism is, "do you know Jesus?" If we once prayed a prayer, were raised in church, or otherwise believe ourselves to be Christians, we might reflexively answer "yes". But knowing Jesus is more than knowing about Jesus.
We use the word "know" rather loosely. We might say that we know someone if we recognize them or simply know their identity, but we understand that we don't really know them if that's all we have. We might say that we know someone if we've met them. That's a little bit deeper, but not much. To really know someone, you have to spend time with them. You know their character, their likes and dislikes, their personality.
Can we ever say that we know Jesus that way? We're extremely unlikely to meet Him in person until we go to Him or He comes to us. We can't see Him. We can't talk to Him face to face. How can we know Him? That's part of why we have the Bible. It tells us everything we need to know about Him. When He spoke to the Pharisees, he chided them for not believing their own scriptures, which we know as the Old Testament.
But is reading a book about him enough, even if it's a really good book? It provides us with the foundation, but it also offers us the key to knowing Him. This is the mystery of almighty God, three distinct persons and yet all one. They operate in complete harmony. When you give your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you. This is how you begin your journey to truly knowing Jesus. It does not happen instantly. We don't know much about someone we've only just met. As we spend time with them, we learn more and more. As we sped time with His word and prayer, we will learn more and more about Jesus. Prayer, if we will allow time to listen as well as speak, will open the door to greater revelation of His character, His desires, and His love for you. I pray that we all come to know Jesus; really know Him!
In this message, I just share some things that are on my heart for our church. However, there is truth here for all who claim to be servants of our Lord. I hope you will listen and be encourage.
This message being for Resurrection Sunday, I asked the Lord what I should speak about in light of the special occasion. It would seem appropriate to take a detour from our present course of study to reflect on some detail concerning the cross or the resurrection of Jesus. We will indeed make a connection to these events that are central to our faith. However, we will do so while maintaining our present heading. Thus, we will continue our progress through the book of John with Chapter 8, verses 2-11. Wonder how? Play it and see!
We pick up our study of John's Gospel with an overview of Chapter 7. John records Jesus saying many of the same things He has said all along, but in slightly different ways. We'll hit the highlights, and spend a bit more time with verses 37-39. I pray that you will be refreshed today in rivers of living water.
Priscilla shares thoughts on Palm Sunday, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and what it all means.
The wword "sin" is disappearing from our culture. As we drift further away from our Christian roots, terminology that many of us grew up with is unknown to many in the younger generations. We didn't all believe them, but we had some idea of waht the words meant.
But just a few minutes on social media should convince you that we still very much believe in sin, and we are adept at spotting it in other people. We may not use the word and we may not believe there is a universal standard to define it, but we don't hesitate to call it out.
The modern day evangelist must begin by establishing that sin is a thing and that we're all guilty of it. Otherwise, the rest of the Gospel message has no meaning.
So, let's review the concept. We explore the definition, root causes, and remedies for sin. We know that Jesus is the only true answer to our sin.
In this message, we will focus on John 6:51-58 and cover the rest of the chapter. Here, Jesus concludes the lesson that began back at verse 4. Many of His followers couldn't stomach it, and walked away from Him, but the application of Jesus' message was spiritual, not physical (v. 63.) What are we to do with that message today?
The "He Gets Us" ads present a Jesus just like us. There is truth in that, but is it the whole truth? Is it truth that can save anyone? The central message of the Christian faith is the good news of the cross, plainly stated in the words of John 3:16.
We're in John, chapter 6. This time, we'll cover verses 41-51. We pick up the dialog that began after the crowd found Jesus on the other side of the lake. The previous day, he fed 5,000 men along with the women and children, setting up for the lesson that we have been exploring over the last few weeks. At some point, this exchange moves from the lakeside to the local synagogue. The text does not make it clear at what point the transition happened, but it might have been here, as Jesus will now respond to the grumbling of the unbelieving Jews because he has said, "I am the bread that came down from Heaven." He will conclude his response with an even more provocative statement in verse 51, "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."
John tells us that his gospel was written, "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." (20:31) Most likely I am speaking to believers, but I pray that this strengthens your faith and gives you information that will help you as you share the good news of salvation through Jesus. If you have not made Him lord of your life, I pray that your time will be now.
We pick up our study of the book of John in Chapter 6, verses 30-40. Jesus continues the lesson which began on the other side of the Sea of Galilee where he fed the 5,000. The crowd is still seeking signs and sustenance, but Jesus reveals himself as the true bread from Heaven, the bread of life.
We continue our study with John 6:22-29. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sens his disciples ahead. After dismissing the crowds he goes up on the mountain to pray. Seeing the disciples in distress as they struggle against the wind, He comes to them walking on the water.
The next day, the people come back to fund him missing. They saw the disciples leave in the only available boat, but Jesus is nowhere to be found, So, other boats having arrived, they get into them and head off in the same direction as the disciples went, looking for Jesus.
When they find him, they want to know when he got there. Doubtless they would also like to know how, but Jesus doesn't oblige them. Instead, He continues the lesson that he started back when He fed all those people. I'm paraphrasing here, but He tells them, "You're not following me. You're following your stomachs. Don't spend your effort on the temporal when I'm offering you the eternal." When they ask Him what they need to do, he has a surprisingly simple answer, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (v. 29)
This is a small part of the overall lesson, but it is leading to the same place. Are we looking to Jesus for what He has, or who He is? Are we focused on the temporal or on the eternal? Are we looking for a path to salvation through the works that we do? We should be doing works, but there is only one that saves.
We've been studying the book of John. This week's text is John 6:15-21. Jesus has just finished feeding over 5,000 people with a kid's lunch, and has sent the disciples ahead of him while He dismisses the crowds. We learn these details by combining the accounts of that event from all the Gospel writers. Jesus has gone up onto a mountain to pray, and the disciples have started out across the lake when the wind kicks up. Jesus, seeing their peril, comes to them walking on the waves. Understandably, they are terrified, thinking they see a ghost. From Matthew and Mark we learn a few more details about what happened that night, but John gives us only the basics, except for one thing the others don't mention. As soon as He got into the boat, they were immediately at their destination. It would seem there were two miracles that night. John is focused on the revelation of Jesus and illustrates His command over nature. We might summarize with this quote, which might be translated, "“I am; do not be afraid.”
Drawing from the inspirational story of Gary Miracle, Linda encourages us all to keep doing what we can.
Her presentation included the two videos below, the first presented as an introduction and the second as a finale.
The Story of Gary Miracle - YouTube
MercyMe - Say I Won't (Official Music Video) - YouTube
We'll be continuing our journey through the gospel of John with Chapter 6. Versus 1-14 present to us a story many of us probably grew up hearing. It is one of the few that occur in all four of the Gospel accounts. Jesus takes 5 little loaves of bread and two small fish, and feeds over 5,000 people. It's a great story, but what makes it so great that all the Gospel writers felt the need to include it in their chronicles of the things that Jesus did? It shows the power and provision of God, but is there more here? I think that's why John also writes about this even though Mark, Matthew, and Luke had already recorded it. He provides us with some details that they did not, and in the rest of the chapter he shows us why Jesus did what he did. It seems to me the key is in verse 4.
We conclude our study of John, Chapter 5 as Jesus now turns to 4 "testimonies" that corroborate his claims. The chapter end with a scathing rebuke of those who should have known Him, but refuse to believe.
Our study will be from John 5:25-30, continuing with Jesus' words after the healing of the sick man at Bethesda. He adds more depth to the statements he made in verses 18-24 that we read last week. The time has come, and the time will come. The time has come, "when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." (v. 25) It began with Jesus' public ministry. It was sealed by his death and resurrection. This is a spiritual statement. When the dead receive the words of life, they gain life eternal and abundant!
The time will come when "all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." (v. 28-29) We will all stand before our Lord. We are all deserving of death, but he gave His life to give us life. We, too, committed evil deeds, but by His grace, those deeds have been forgotten. Yet it is also true that our deeds can reveal our hearts. Jesus also said that we are known by our fruit.
Jesus came to do his Father's will, and provided us an example for our own lives. He gave us life, let us also be givers of life. The life is in the Word of God. Spread the Word!
We continue our study of the book of John in Chapter 5, verses 18-24. Jesus has just healed the sick man at the pool of Bethesda, and the Jewish leaders want Him dead. What has He done that's so bad? He healed a man on the Sabbath day, then told him to pick up his palate and walk. In so doing, he broke the rules for what could and could not be done on the Sabbath, a day on which no one was supposed to do any work. But that's not all, He then claimed to be doing the work of His father, which the Jews clearly understood as a statement of equality with God. This was blasphemy and carried the death penalty.Jesus now elaborates on His claim, with every word taking for Himself those qualities that properly belonged only to Yahweh. This is a problem passage for anyone who says that Jesus never claimed to be God. He says in verses 22-23, "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.How then do we honor the Son? We start by believing what He said, which leads us to the inevitable conclusion, He is God. If He is God, then let us honor Him as God by heeding His words and doing what He said.
We continue our progress through the book of John with Chapter 5, verses 2-17. John continues with his revelation of who Jesus is and the extent of His grace to all people. Here, Jesus does something surprising. We might even think it was a little insensitive. He walks up to a man lying on a mat who had been sick for 38 years and says, “Do you want to get well?” This man is lying near a pool where people come in hopes of getting healed. Could the answer be more obvious? Apparently not, because Jesus asked the question. But He is doing much more than a healing. He is setting the stage for this man’s salvation, as well as that of all who believe in Him. I hope you’ll listen and marvel with me at the masterful way Jesus does what He does.
Linda teaches on the importance of a holy life and helps us to think about it in a better way.
We continue our study in the book of John with Chapter 2, verses 1-11. This story always puzzled me. It's the account of Jesus' first miracle. You might expect it to be something of great significance, but on the surface it sure doesn't seem like it. One might even wonder just what Jesus was up to, turning water into wine so that drunken party goers can keep drinking. But as you might guess, there's more to this story. Jesus actually makes quite a statement with this seemingly frivolous miracle. By looking a little deeper into the details, we find, as one commentator put it, a mini gospel. The end result, according to John, was that He " revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." (v. 11)
our Thanksgiving message for 2022. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God; I will exalt you. Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, for his loyal love is forever. (Ps 118:28-29 LEB
We finish up John Chapter 1 with a focus on verses 35-39. This is an account of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry as he begins to gather his first disciples. After John the baptist points Him out as the “lamb of God,” two of John’s disciples begin following Him as He walks. When Jesus notices them, He asks them a simple but powerful question, “What do you seek?”
When speaking to a church, there’s a pretty good chance everyone listening would call themselves followers of Jesus. Some have taken to using the term “Christ follower” instead of Christian, noting that the latter term has become merely a cultural or familial reference. But one may follow for many reasons. Jesus is not content to have picked up a couple of hangers-on. He want’s to know what it is they are truly after.
That’s a good question for us. What do we seek? Is Jesus little more than an insurance man for us? Can we check in with Him once in a while and make sure the fire policy is up to date and then go off on our own way again? Or is He the Christianized equivalent of a genie who will grant us wishes if we make Him happy? Are we seeking His face, or only His hand?
The disciples responded with another question, "Where are you staying?" That was a polite way of asking for a visit. Thus the implied answer is, "we seek You!" We want to be where You are! That is my desire for us as individuals and as a church. I want us to be where Jesus is. I don’t want to be where He’s been and left, trying to get Him to come back. I want to hear His voice and follow Him to where He is staying now and wherever He goes next!
We continue our study in John, Chapter 1, with verses 14-18. John continues his introduction and begins drawing his themes together so that we will hear them in the words of Jesus and believe. Many people make a distinction between the law of the old Testament and the grace of the New. The writers of the New Testament also do this, so far be it from me to contradict them. However, I want you to see something. Grace was always there, even in the law. It was the legalists who took it out. Just as Jesus has always existed, grace has always existed. God's nature has never changed. Listen as we discover grace upon grace.
Priscilla gives us five warning signs that we are distancing ourselves from fellowship with our Lord.
We sing about Jesus. We often pray to Jesus. We end our prayers in Jesus’s name. We talk about knowing Jesus, but sometimes I wonder if many who go by the name Christian really get who Jesus is. I dare say we all picture Him as less than what He is most of the time. Our pictures certainly do not depict Him as He is now, and most are not even close to what he probably looked like while He was here. Turn to Chapter 1 of Revelation to get as close as we are likely to get to what He might look like if he appeared today. What we need to understand is who He is. For that we can turn to the Gospel of John. John opens his account with this, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Know this, and everything else falls into place. May the Word open our hearts.
Linda encourages us to work together to help each other and achieve worthy goals. "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
In Luke 13:1-5, Jesus is asked about a local atrocity, perhaps in an attempt to get Him to say something against the Roman government that they could use against him. Whatever the motive, Jesus turns it into a teaching opportunity. His message, the victims were not, as many might have supposed, worse sinners than everyone else. He warns them, and also us, that without repentance, we are equally doomed as they. Though we are not as prone to assume divine judgment when tragedy strikes, it is a trap we can fall into, especially on an individual level. It is not for us to presume. It is for us to repent, and to live in a state of repentance.
If someone asked you to make a list of things that someone would go to Hell for, you could probably think of a few. The evil world around us supplies plenty of examples. Would you include mean words in that list? If you read Matthew 5:22, Jesus apparently did. Does that make Facebook and Twitter the gates of Hell? I always thought that was kind of harsh, but what is He really saying? To put it in context, we need to read from verse 21 through 24 at minimum. The problem begins in our hearts, and if left unchecked, will lead to our destruction. We need to take action and do what we can to make things right. Above all, we need to have our own hearts right.
Larry
Sep 29
Hello friends. I hope you're enjoying the cooler weather. I sure am. Walks are so much more pleasant in the morning. God is Good. It will be a great day for the fair starting tomorrow. Other places haven't had it so nice though. Pray for those affected by the storm in Florida.
I love the book of Proverbs. The older I get, the more I see the truth in them. But I still run across some that puzzle me. One of those was Proverbs 15:15, which reads, "All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast."
At first I thought, "Well that's depressing." What does it mean? It almost sounds like the "afflicted" are doomed! But then one day the light came on. The Lord let me see that this proverb is really about the condition of the heart, whatever the circumstance. How do you think about your circumstances? Do you dwell on the problems and expect the worst? Do you fret over the future and ponder over the past? Or, do you reflect on the blessings of the Lord? Do you look at every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow? Do you trust the Lord when He says that he has your good in mind? Which outlook do you think will bring the most joy? If you have an attitude of affliction, all of your days will be bad. If you choose the joy of the Lord instead, you will feast at His table for eternity.
Priscilla goes off the cough and Spirit led, delivering words of teaching and encouragement that go right along with today's message.
"Nobody's perfect." You hear that all the time. Sometimes we're excusing our own faults. Other times, we're acknowledging fault in someone else while attempting to be gracious about it. But the truth remains. Nobody is perfect, and neither is anything we create. There is one exception to that rule. His name is Jesus. Now comes the scary part. He told us to be perfect too! (Matthew 5:48) How are we supposed to do that? Is he setting us up for failure? Not at all! He didn't just give us the command. He told us how to do it. Listen and learn how to be perfect
If you know children, or even remember being one, you'll know the truth of what I'm saying. When they get in trouble, it's always someone or something else's fault. It may be easier to spot in children, but we don't grow out of it as much as we'd like to think. Our excuses just get more nuanced and elaborate. It might be for something we do, or for something we don't do. It doesn't matter, as long as we can shift the blame off of ourselves. Excuses come in many forms. Sometimes what we're really saying is that whatever is expected of us was not as important as something else. We didn't want to, so we made up a reason. Sometimes in life we do have to make those choices, but we better have our priorities straight when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. We'll be in Luke 14, with the focus on verses 16-24.
In Matthew 28:18-20, not long before he ascended back to Heaven, Jesus gave His disciples some instructions. He said, “…make disciples of all the nations…” He was not telling them to create their own batch of followers to be disciples of disciples. He was telling them to make disciples of Himself. Our mission is to be and to make disciples of Jesus! He is our model. He is the one we follow, and as we seek to bring Him ore followers, we do so by “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Our job is not simply to get people to make professions of faith or even to get baptized, though this He also told us to do. Our objective is to make disciples. How might this focus change the way we evangelize and conduct church activities?
We share memories of our friend and sister in Christ, Anita Hooks, February 17, 1956 - August 25, 2022. Rejoice in peace.
We read from Mark 12:41-44. This is the story of the poor widow who gave all that she had into the temple treasury. Jesus said that she gave more than all of the rich people who were giving at the same time. She had almost nothing, but she gave it all, and it was priceless to God. This is not a message about money, though money certainly figures into it. This is a message about giving whatever little you have to the service of the Lord, and the value He places on that gift. We don’t have much, but when we give it willingly, we delight our Lord and open the way for His blessing.
The passage we examine in this episode brings up a red hot issue in today's world.
In fact, I have looked at this several times with a desire to teach on it, but because of the context I shied away from approaching it. The part that I wanted to share from is Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Great quote, right? But look back one verse and you find, "Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord." See why I kept putting it off?
Don't Christians teach that slavery is wrong? Pretty much everyone in the western world believes this now, but we all know it wasn't always so, and we are arguing over whose version of history is right. If we are going to rely on the Bible as our standard and agree that slavery is wrong, what do we do with passages like this one? Does it have any relevance in today's society?
"Good", "beautiful", "kind": These are words to which we should all aspire. These are words that describe our creator. There is another word that describes him, "love." In love we will fine all of the others. Let us all seek to be "Formed into love."
Would it surprise you to learn that God prayed for you? You might well ask how that could even be. To whom would He pray? It is we who pray to Him! But that 's exactly what happened. When Jesus was among us, fully God yet also fully man and living as a man, He prayed to the Father for you. You can find that prayer in John 17. There He prayed for His disciples and those who would believe in Him through their word. That's you and me! So, let's look at what He prayed. After all, it's going to be answered!
One time, Jesus was literally preaching to a packed house. It was so crowded that no one else could get in. He had already performed healing miracles, and everyone was flocking to him. Among them were 5 men, one of whom was paralyzed. They were determined to get to Jesus, knowing that He could heal the paralyzed man. Finding that they were never going to be able to carry the man through that crowd to get to Jesus, they got up on the roof and broke through to lower him right in front of Jesus.
There are many things we can learn from this story, but what happens next is what I want you to see this time. It is pretty obvious what these men want and they will get it, but that isn't where Jesus starts. His first words to the man who is paralyzed are, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." Jesus sees past the apparent need to the real one. If He ad only healed the man, it would have done him no lasting good. He might enjoy his life a bit more while he had it, but he would have died with no hope. The Bible tells us we've all sinned, and we all need forgiveness. Jesus, through the pronouncement of forgiveness and the act of healing, establishes that He is the one who can offer it. (Luke 5:17-26)
This one was kind of personal, but nothing was said that can't be repeated, at least not in the part we're sharing. :) If you're feeling a little down, come back and listen to the good words Pris spoke about you.
It's a story we all know well. We learned it in Sunday school if we grew up in church, but it's one of those that almost everyone knows even if they didn't. We love it when the underdog wins against impossible odds. The story of David and Goliath has become a symbol everyone recognizes. It is found in 1 Samuel 17.
David was a young man, possibly just a teenager. WE know he was good looking, but doesn't seem to have been presented a very formidable image to those who saw him. Goliath was a giant, standing over 9' tall, wearing armor and weapons estimated to be 175lps. But Goliath made a giant mistake. He thought himself invincible. He trusted in his size and power, boasting that he could take on anyone in Israel and win. The army of Israel also made a giant mistake. They believed him. So, they cowered and muttered and watch him swagger and curse.
But David saw things differently. He believed in Yahweh, the one true God, the God of Israel. He was angry that this was allowed to go on. He determined to take on Goliath, knowing that God was on his side. Taking along only the tools he employed as a shepherd, he defeated the Giant and cut off his head.
There is a lesson for us today. We are surrounded by giants. Giant governments, giant corporations, and giants of wealth boast against our God. In their arrogance they imagine that no one can oppose them. They taunt, ridicule, and try to destroy anyone who dares even to disagree with them. They are making a giant mistake.
Too many of us cower in fear. We huddle together and complain about what they say and do. We long for someone to do something about them, but we stand at a distance and do nothing ourselves. We might get hurt! We have believed the giants, and that is our giant mistake.
We need to take a lesson from David. He was young and inexperienced in battle, but God uniquely prepared him for the task at hand. He knew that God was on his side. He knew that God would give him the victory. He took the tools God gave him, and won a victory for the whole nation of Israel that day.
We may be at a different point in history. It may be that the giants will prevail for a while, but we know the end of this story too, and our God will prevail. So, let us stand up and fight, keeping in mind that our weapons are not those of the world, but those of the Word.
Our text is from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Recently some good things have happened for our country, but there is still a battle raging. The forces of evil have not given up. Though they have been slowed on one front, they continue to advance on others. How is the Christian to respond? We must stand and even fight for the truth, but we must do so with love and humility. We must remember that the true enemies are not the people who oppose us, but the spiritual forces behind them. (Eph. 6:12) We must speak the truth of God's word, because to do otherwise would not be loving. It would be closer to the hate of which we are often accused, because without the truth they will be lost forever. It will also help to remember that we were once just as lost, and it is only by God's grace that we are saved from the same judgment. (Eph. 2:8-10) So, we come to one of those controversial passages that some might prefer to leave out or explain away, but if we finish the thought, we find the grace of God. Paul reminds the church at Corinth that sinners don't get into God's kingdom, and he lists a number of offenses specifically. (1 Cor. 6:9-10) Then he concludes the thought with this, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:11) There are two ways to read the first part of this statement. Doubtless there were some there who did not practice any of the listed sins. However, everyone is covered by the word "unrighteous" until they repent and follow Jesus. Therefore I think the proper understanding, based on the issues Paul was addressing in the church, is that there were some there who had not repented. Thus, only some of the people to whom he wrote would be among those to which the rest of verse 11 applies.
It is no secret that many who appropriate the name of Christ are not really His. When we see churches embracing some of the very sins Paul lists in verses 9 and 10, we can only conclude that these are not true churches at all. They may contain sincere believers, but the churches have gone astray and no longer follow Jesus. Let us be devoted to the truth, humbly loving each other and those who need to know what true love is.
Priscilla teaches through testimony that we should trust in God even when we don't understand.
Christians have been taught that the whole Bible points to Jesus. This is true. In some places He may be a little harder to spot than others, but He's there. I even found Him in the book of Job. The book is a long read, but really needs to be taken in all at once to be understood. It is hard to pick out one verse that expresses the content succinctly, but I will settle on this one.
The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. (Job 42:10)
People lie, and their search data proves it. God sets a different standard. Linda takes us through the bible, where we learn that, "you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)
As I was praying over a personal relationship the Lord reminded me of my own teaching that trust has to be given before it can be earned. WE may deem someone trustworthy by observing their conduct and interactions with others, but we really don't know until we choose to place some level of trust in them ourselves. There is always the risk that our trust will be betrayed.
What about trusting in God? WE know from His word that He is trustworthy. By His very nature He cannot be otherwise. Yet, we are still called upon to place our trust in Him. But what if we have, and it seems He has violated that trust? The problem lies in our limited understanding. We can always trust that He will keep His word. We can trust that He will remain true to His nature. But we cannot expect that He will conform to our understanding of what that means. The more we come to know Him, the more we will come to trust Him. WE must take that first step, and open our hearts.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust is integral to any relationship. When we learn to trust in God, it becomes possible to extend a little trust to others. We can know that even though they may fail, our lord will never fail. He is always there to break our fall.
On Friday, June 24, 2022, something happened that few of us dared to imagine possible. It may well be that this one decision changed the course of our nation. We may hope that God's judgment, so greatly deserved for what we have done, may at least be delayed. In the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Row V. Wade decision, which invented a constitutional right to abortion. This does not mean that abortion is now illegal across the country. It does mean that each state will decide whether and when to permit it.
Needless to say, this decision was not universally applauded. That is to be expected, but should there be any question on this matter among followers of Christ? To the degree that it is, I can only conclude that there is a lack of understanding. We should all be prepared to address this issue with truth and compassion.
The answers to two questions will lead us to a final conclusion for Christians on the matter of abortion. When does human life begin? What is God's position on the taking of human life; in particular, innocent human life? The Bible does contain those answers. We will begin with Isaiah 1:15-18.
Psalm 133 begins, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!" Unity is a big deal. We already know this as it is taught throughout the New Testament, but it was not a new concept. It was always God's desire. It is in His very nature.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
"See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God..." (1 John 3:1) It is a love beyond any other. It is a gift eternal and unequaled. If Jesus is your lord, you have been adopted. You are a joint heir with Jesus! You have been saved from sin. Rejoice in His love! Take comfort from it. Spread it around. His family is still growing!
Linda speaks of the world's escalating assault on fatherhood and its negative effects on our children and culture. She talks about who is really behind it and what we should do about it.
The Bible tells us that we should expect an answer when we pray, so when we don't seem to get one, it can cause us to question its truth. Some passages seem to be pretty clear about what should happen, like the one we're going to look into during this message, from James 5:13-20. What are we missing?
Priscilla teaches on obedience, trust, devotion, and sacrifice based on the account of Abraham, when God called him to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Our text is from Hebrews 12:14-17. I would say that the book of Hebrews is one of the more difficult reads in the New Testament, but worth the effort. The author expertly weaves together the stories of the Old and New Testaments and points us to Jesus as the key to it all. In this chapter, he has just finished explaining the necessity and value of discipline. Now he goes on to some general advice for Christian conduct within the church.
As I was praying about what to say, part of verse 15 came to mine, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." what is this root of bitterness? How can we see to it that it does not spring up?
Our text is from 1 Corinthians 3:9-17. The church is not the building. The church is not the ministry. The church is not the mission. The church is God's people. We, individually and collectively, are God's temple. Jesus Christ is our foundation. Let us take care that we build on nothing else and build well. The trial by fire is coming. Will our work endure?
Christians should be familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9, but too often we stop short of verse 10. God gives us grace because He loves us, but he also gives it to us with a purpose. It is to help us as we go about doing the work that he has planned for us. When we come to appreciate the value of the gift we have been given, we will do it gladly, and gladly give grace to others.
In 1983, Brad Urschel was an Olympic hopeful. Bright and talented, he graduated from Princeton having studied neuroscience. He had plans to enter medical school. He had every reason to look forward to a life that the world would call successful, then it happened. A serious car accident changed his life forever. But Brad has not given up. God got his attention after that night, and now he lives to tell "His story." Find out more at https://www.spiritinbrad.org/
Sometimes we question our circumstances. Usually it's when they are not what we would wish them to be, but it is just as reasonable to question them when they are good. God gives us good things for good reasons. Yes, He does it because He loves you, but He also does it because He wants you to do something good with them. Consider Esther. Actually, things didn't start out so good for her. Born into a subjugated and scattered people, she lost her parents at an early age and was raised by her older cousin, Mordecai. Then she is taken away from him to the king's palace, basically to be a high-class sex slave, albeit with the potential for becoming queen. She does become queen, but her troubles are not over. An evil man has hatched a plot to destroy her entire race, and she must risk her life in an attempt to save them.
If you ever thought the Bible was boring, read the book of Esther. Why not read it now?
Linda speaks of the evil of abortion and other societal trends that counter God's design for mothers and families. She leads with this powerful introduction by Candace Owens from her podcast on the Daily Wire. If you are interested in hearing more from Candace, see the links below. Note that the full episode is part of a paid podcast subscription.
Apple Podcast Candace on the Daily Wire
We continue in 1 Corinthians 15 with verses 50-58 as our focus. Paul is wrapping up his defense and explanation of the resurrection of the dead. In verses 51-52 he says, "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Some teach that in this statement he has revealed the mystery, the word being defined in this context as a truth hidden until God reveals it. Maybe so, but there is still a lot of mystery here. It raises a lot of practical questions that we won't really be able to answer until the day it happens. Combined with the teaching in the preceding verses, this passage does give us some information and encouragement that we can apply to our lives today. Listen as we explore the mystery of the resurrection.
We continue from last week's message by looking at 1 Corinthians, chapter 15 with a focus on verses 20-28. In this chapter, Paul is addressing the subject of resurrection of the dead, and explaining the centrality of the resurrection to our message. In the versus we will study, he teaches the significance of Jesus' action and how the final resurrection of the saints will take place. "Then comes the end."
It seems we have always been fascinated with the end of the world. Christians know that it will happen, and the Bible gives us some idea of how, though there is much debate about the specifics. But even unbelievers seem to be drawn to the idea. Just look at the volume of entertainment set in apocalyptic futures where the world we know has been devastated in countless ways. I think it is because we all know that despite our ability to do good and amazing things, humanity also has an unrivaled talent for making a mess of itself. However comfortable our lives may be, it makes us just a little afraid.
But Christians have no need to fear. Yes, we may endure hardship. Jesus leaves us no doubt about that, but we have confidence that we know how this ends. You can kill us, but we will never die. Our risen Lord will return someday. He will destroy His enemies. Not even death itself stands a chance.
This should make us bold, and also fill us with a sense of urgency. We look forward to His glorious appearing, but meanwhile we have work to do. We are commanded to love our enemies, because God desires that they become friends. It is not his desire that any should be lost. Let our love be loud!
We talk a lot about how Jesus died for our sins. Well we should, because without that sacrifice we are lost. But it is equally true that without the resurrection we are still lost. Without the resurrection, His death was a pointless tragedy, depriving the world of the greatest treasure it has ever known. Without the resurrection, our faith is just one more myth. But Jesus did rise, and we have every reason to believe it. Our text will be from the book of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 15.
Linda shows us what has been happening around the world with Muslims coming to Christ and urges us to pray and to go, around the world or around the block.
I have always been intrigued by Pilate's question to Jesus in the book of John, Chapter 18. Here's part of the exchange from verses 37-38.
Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
Is that not the question we hear all the time now? I think it is asked for much the same reason that Pilate asked it. I'm making a presumption here, but I think the text gives it sufficient support. If truth can't be defined, then whatever you want to be true can be true. It would be easier for Pilate if Jesus were actually guilty of something, so he presses him for an admission. Jesus not only doesn't give him one, but makes it clear that Pilate also knows He's innocent.
It seems a strange move for Jesus at this time, since we know that He has orchestrated this situation from the beginning with the express purpose that he will be crucified for the sins of the world. He knew that Pilate would be swayed by the crowd, but he is not willing to absolve him of the guilt of his action. Could Pilate have repented? Maybe so. God's will would have been done some other way. Jesus seems to have offered him the opportunity.
But Pilate missed it. The man who actually committed the crimes they crucified Jesus for walked free. What a picture for us! We are all Barabbas. We were all guilty, but Jesus died for the crimes we committed.
You may have heard people say, "All things work together for good." The problem is, that's not what the Bible says. The full verse says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Note the qualifiers that proceed the part we like. This is a true statement and I personally take great comfort in it, but to understand what is being said, we need some context. Listen as we study together from Romans 8:28-39.
I have been reading a book that describes Jesus as our friend. I've asked a couple of people if they find that to be a hard thing to imagine. From their responses I gather that I must be the only one, but I think not. Allow me to explain. I certainly know this to be true. Jesus said it Himself, "No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 CSB) Jesus gave us the ultimate expression of friendship with His own life. But implied in the word friend is relationship. A friend is one with whom you share things in common, spend time, laugh and cry together. He is so great and I am so small. How can we really be friends? I'm not sure I would want to be friends with me. How can it be that the one who is perfect in every way would want to do so?
Oh, but I know that He does! He paid the ultimate price to make it possible. He gave me the Holy Spirit so that we could always be together. He's always ready to spend time with me, talk with me, and show me that He loves me. I am the one who resists, argues, and tries to hide in shame. Even so, he calls me friend. He is the same way with anyone who follows Him, and reaches out to those who don't. He wants to be your friend, too!
There's a quote many of us know well from the book of James, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. " (1:2-4) If you've gone through any trouble at all as part of a body of believers, you've probably had these thrown at you. You may have resisted the urge to duck! It's easy for people who are not in the midst of suffering to say these things, but they ring hollow. The verses are true. They are part of God's word. The trouble is until we see them lived out, it's hard to imagine them as other than lofty goals that are out of reach for you and me. That is why our ministry is so important. We have the opportunity to show the world what God can do with broken vessels. But we need help. If we don't stop reading, we'll find some. James follows this difficult directive with advice that will show us how we can "consider it all joy." Join us as we study James 1:2-12.
Christians believe that Jesus will return someday. What if that is today? Would we be living differently? No one knows how much time we have. Let's act like it.
Acts 19:11-20 is an account of some of the things that happened while Paul was in the city of Ephesus. I believe that Luke, who wrote the book of Acts by direction of the Holy Spirit, put these things together the way he did so that we would see the connection between them. On one hand we have the power of God on display through the miracles being done through Paul. On the other we have an illustration of what can happen when we try to appropriate that power without the relationship that gives us the right to call upon it. The end result is that the Ephesian believers turned from their evil practices and burned their spell books in an open bonfire. There are principles here that we can apply to our own lives today.
Linda explains the study of end time prophecy and provides a brief overview of three common views.
There is an interesting statement by Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:20, "..the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power." We talk a lot about the power of words. We speak of the word of God. John refers to Jesus as the Word. So, what does this phrase mean? This is how we get in trouble. By taking this verse from it's context, we could end up running in circles, but when we consider it as part of the whole letter, it poses no problem at all and teaches us an important truth. The power of words comes from the speaker. Paul addresses division within the church and calls out arrogant windbags that are fomenting that division. To rephrase what he said, if you do not have the power of God within you, your words are empty. These men were also appropriating authority within the church that did not belong to them. Paul lets them know that their time is short. He will come back, Lord willing, and they will be found out. The way he writes this letter shows us something about spiritual authority within God's church. This too, we explore. Our focus is on 1 Corinthians 4:18-21, but we survey the first 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians for context.
Over the past few months we've talked a lot about God's kingdom. We've seen how it operates on principles completely foreign to the world. We've seen how it's citizens are to distinguish themselves. We have gotten a glimpse into the nature of our loving, just, and all-powerful king.
There's just one thing we haven't really talked about. That is what happens when we come into that kingdom. We all know the story. If I ask you if you've been born again, you probably know what I'm asking. It's the basic message of our faith. But I wonder how many outside of the church, especially among the younger generations, would recognize that phrase. Sadly, many who do understand and would answer "yes" to that question don't really know what it means. Research suggests that as little as 5% of the population in the U.S. actually meets the definition of a genuine Christian.
So, when we share the good news, it never hurts to have it fresh on our minds, told in various ways, giving us a variety of approaches to sharing it with others. With that in mind, let's look ad the familiar story from John 3:1-21. Here Nicodemus, a Pharisee, ruler and teacher in Israel, comes to Jesus at night. He knows by the miracles that Jesus has performed that He must be sent from God, but apparently Nicodemus wants to know more. I am certain there was more to the conversation than John wrote down for us, but what we have is a concise and informative presentation of the truth of the gospel by Jesus Himself. John 3:16 is probably the most well-known bible verse in the world. And why not? It is the essence of the message. Let's see what new insight we might gain as we drop in on this amazing conversation between Nicodemus and our Lord.
Our text is from Luke 9:57-62. Jesus is making His final journey to Jerusalem, and on the way He holds conversations with three people that seem to want to follow Him, but in each case something holds them back. His answers sure don't seem designed to encourage them. To the first He points out that He has no permanent home. To the second He seems to show a calloused disregard for the death of the man's father, and to the third, who just wants to say goodbye to his folks, he says, ""No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." By this time we should know Jesus well enough to understand that His words are more than what they seem. His purpose is always redemptive. So let's dive in and see if we can learn what He is teaching us.
Matthew 25:31-46 ends the teaching that Jesus began after the disciples asked Him for signs of the end. It is not an analogy in the same way as the previous parables that He has used to illustrate kingdom principles...or is it? This is one we hear a lot, usually to scare us into doing what someone thinks, rightly or wrongly, that we should be doing. Certainly we aught to care for the needy, but is that really the primary message of these verses? Does our salvation hang in the balance? Let's take a look.
In this episode we'll pick up with our study of Jesus' references to the kingdom of Heaven. A couple of weeks ago we covered the parable of the ten virgins at the beginning of Matthew 25. Jesus is still speaking when we come to the well-known parable of the talents starting in verse 14. He continues to expand the themes of readiness and diligence, and He reinforces the "long time" before the master comes. When he gives a similar parable recorded by Luke (Ch. 19) we are told it is in response to those who thought the Kingdom was to be established in an earthly sense immediately. A few years back we looked at the parable in Luke. This week we will focus on the one in Matthew, which has some differences but a similar message.
I'm disappointed to report that the previous installment is not available online due to some technical difficulties.
We continue our study with the next parable that Matthew records in chapter 22, verses 2-14. It's not clear whether this is part of the same discussion at the temple that we studied in the previous episode, but it does follow the same themes.
In this story, a king prepares a wedding feast, but the invited guests refuse to come. Some of them even beat and kill the messengers. In response, the king burns their city, and fills his hall with anyone he can drag in. There's a similar parable in Luke 14, but it is given at a different time and place. Some of the same themes are present, but the stories have significant differences, so we will stick to this one.
The ending always puzzled me. What is the significance of the man who is discovered among the guests without proper attire for the occasion? He is thrown out, and Jesus uses references associated with Hell to describe his fate. I was not surprised to learn that there are competing interpretations of this passage. I may not answer all the questions, but I will lay out some truth that can be found here.
Linda teaches from Isaiah 22, drawing parallels to our own time and encouraging us to seek revival.
We continue from the last message with a closer look at the next parable that Jesus gave while speaking to the Pharisees at the temple. This one is even more pointed. It was a message to Israels leaders, but there is much for us to reflect upon as well. We'll read from Matthew 21:33-44, but again it will be helpful to review the entire chapter for context.
In Matthew 21:28-32, we find another parable that Jesus gave with a very pointed message. To understand it more completely, we need the context of events surrounding it, so it will be helpful to read all of chapter 21 before listening. Jesus is now in His last week of ministry, and he's turning up the pressure. Make no mistake, Jesus has been in control of this process all along, and he knows what will happen and when. Now He puts the Pharisees on notice. They have missed the very thing they hoped for while it was right in front of them. Their pride and lust for power blinded them to it. But the sinners, the tax collectors (considered traitors to their nation) and the prostitutes believed and it changed their lives.
Jesus makes an interesting statement at this point. Speaking of the teaching of John the Baptist, He says, "and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him." (v. 32) This is why I say that the lives were changed. John had two major points to his message. "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand," (Mt 3:2, also part of Jesus' message Mt 4:17) and "He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals;" (Mt 3:11) The sinners believed. For there to be anything to see here, something about those sinners must have changed, so that Jesus could say that upon observing their belief the Pharisees should have reconsidered. He said in paraphrase, "These people whom you despise are getting into God's kingdom ahead of you." The greatest sign of God's kingdom is a changed life. We would do well to consider this as we plan our way forward.
Matthew 20:1-16 contains the story of the vineyard owner who hired workers at different times throughout the day and then paid them all the same wage even though some only worked for an hour. This is another parable that Jesus begins by saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." Again, He contrasts the ways of the world with the ways of the kingdom. It is a message of grace and of hope for all of us.
I have something to share with you that has caused me to question a belief I have had for years about Christmas. Yes, I think I was wrong, and since I shared one side with you before, it's only right to share the other. It's good news. It will strengthen your testimony. Does it change anything? Maybe not, but I think you will enjoy hearing it. There is no one central verse, for this message, but there are a couple that should inform our attitude and conduct regarding this as well as other issues.
Romans 14:5: One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence
Whether or how you celebrate is a matter of your own heart before God. Whatever you do, be ready during this time of openness to share the good news with anyone who will hear it.
In observance of our Christmas celebration, Larry gives a brief summary of the year with a message of encouragement before reading the traditional Christmas story from Luke 2:1-14.