Reading the Word Together: Recent Episodes
Pastor Clinton
Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer, and responds to an accusation with a teaching on demonology. He continues with an admonition to use one’s eyes to bring light into the body rather than darkness, after calling out the wickedness of his own generation. Finally, an invitation to dinner with a Pharisee results in many Pharisees […]
Jesus sends out his disciples on a mission to preach and exercise the power of his coming kingdom. On their return, he instructs them not to rejoice in the awesome authority he has given them over the spiritual realm, but in the fact that their names are written in heaven. Jesus is tested by an […]
Jesus gives authority to his disciples to cast out demons and heal, and sends them out, taking nothing with them, to preach the gospel in every town and village. After their return, he works miracles, teaches his disciples about his true identity and mission, is confirmed by God on a mountain, and ensures anyone who […]
Jesus travels from town to town, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God and exercising his sovereign authority over the physical and spiritual realms. On the way, he explains his parables to his disciples and why he shares the explanation with them alone.
Jesus exercises his complete power over sickness and death, answers questions from and about John the Baptist, and deals with the hypocritical double standards of the Pharisees.
Jesus preaches to the crowd on a level place, pronouncing who is blessed and who is not, and commanding his followers to love their enemies, avoid being a charlatan or a hypocrite, to assess a person’s heart by his actions and words, and to put his teachings into practice.
Jesus forgives sins, heals paralysis and leprosy, and teaches the Pharisees and teachers of the law that something new is happening, they just don’t want to accept it.
Luke gives the account of Jesus, after being baptized, being led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. After 40 days without food, Jesus resists the temptations and begins his public travelling ministry, starting at Nazareth and then Capernaum, with his sights set on all the towns of Judea.
Luke narrates the ministry of John the Baptist, including Jesus’ baptism, and goes on to document the earthly lineage through which Jesus was considered to be descended. We discuss a few points surrounding John’s word from the Lord and the implications of Jesus’ genealogy.
Luke continues his account of Jesus’ conception and birth, and adds one anecdote from Jesus’ life as a child. He ends the chapter by saying that Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and people.
Luke writes his account of Jesus’ life, addressed to Theophilus, so that his reader can have certainty about the things he was taught. Luke begins with the account of Jesus’ birth.
The Apostle Peter continues his description of false prophets, and assures believers that Jesus’ promised return is reliable even though many scoff. The end of the world gives believers all the more reason to live holy and godly lives as they wait for the day of the Lord Jesus’s appearing.
The Apostle Peter writes a second time to remind believers of the most important things so they can stand strong in their faith, live a holy life in keeping with their calling, and avoid being led into error by false prophets.
Peter gives the example of Christ’s suffering as the model for believers as they keep the faith firm to the end. He then exhorts the elders and younger people to fulfill their role with humility, and keep watch for the enemy who is looking for someone to devour.
Peter continues to describe our identity as believers and how that identity determines how we should live. We are now God’s people, and this world is not our true homeland.
Clinton begins reading in 1 Peter, giving explanation and commentary after the passage.