Bible Refresh: Recent Episodes
Ken Virzi
The end of the gospel of Matthew, a lot happens, but let's just say Jesus is a feminist!
It is crazy how quickly Jesus is falsely arrested, falsely tired, falsely accused, and falsely killed.
Jesus continues teaching before he departs and he is focusing on making sure we are ready for his return. He wants us to enter his rest, and does not want us to perish, so he is spending a lot of time warning us of the coming judgment.
Jesus turns into full time prophet in this chapter and deciphering the meaning of what he says sure feels like it.
Jesus continues to battle with the religious and political leaders and then declares that the Kingdom is about to shift.
The battle continues and Jesus starts teaching the religious leaders through parables, the scene is just brilliant.
Jesus brings the heat as he enters Jerusalem. Clearing out temples, cursing fig trees, and taking on the religious leaders again!
In this chapter we get a great story from Jesus as well as some clear as day teaching about being a servant!
Jesus responds to Peter's question about how many times he should forgive someone, the answer is unlimited.
Jesus gives a lot of instruction to his disciples here. Warns them about sin and division and enforces their authority on earth.
In Matthew 17 we see a huge transition from Jesus doing his ministry to Jesus turning towards the cross.
The disciples keep putting their feet in their mouths and Jesus is trying to realign their vision about many things in this chapter.
We get some beautiful pictures of Jesus from many different angles in this chapter. How do you experience Jesus?
The rest of Matthew 13, there are two main types of parables Jesus tells here. The value of the Kingdom, and the coming judgment of the Kingdoms.
Matthew 13 begins the parables of Jesus, we look at the first one here, known as the Parable of the Sower
The gloves come off and the fight gets real. Jesus in chapter 12 has the hottest confrontations with the religious leaders yet.
John the Baptist, Violent Kingdoms, Woes, and Rest, such a roller coaster of a chapter.
Jesus is preparing his disciples for his leaving them and them taking over. He is preparing them for the trials they will face and wants to them know He is there.
Does Jesus have any limits to his authority? How does faith bring healing? And the standoff between Jesus and the religious authority begins.
Matthew chapter 8 we get scenes of Jesus interacting with people of all types, be it healing, casting out demons, or just challenging them in their quest to follow Jesus. Really some good stuff in this chapter!
We finish the sermon on the mount and chapter 7 of Matthew. What kind of foundation are you building your house on?
light that is darkness, money vs God, anxiety and stress, logs and specks, there is so much goodness here.
Also should we despise money if we follow God?
Continuing with the Sermon on the Mount we look at some difficult teachings of Jesus, the most famous prayer in history, and motivations for good works and rewards.
Jesus confronts the law and teaches how it really needs to be fulfilled. Breaking down individual commands and going deeper with them, we get some of the most challenging instructions from Jesus yet.
We begin the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' core teachings. Only got through the first 14 verses, but man it is such good stuff I could have gone two hours on 4 verses.
Jesus is tempted, Jesus starts his ministry and the first thing he does is call two sets of brothers, then Jesus becomes known all over the place and starts attracting huge crowds.
Read through chapter 3 with me as we look at things that stand out. Different perspectives can help refresh the Bible for us, and stopping and looking familiar things can remind us how exciting it all really was.
Chapter 2 of Matthew. God communicating to insiders and outsiders. Jesus fulfilling crazy prophecies, demonstrating being God and savior of the World, and some parallels with Moses.
Here we see the birth of Jesus and the first fulfillment of a prophecy pointing towards the messiah.
Looking at the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1-17. What are things we might be missing? What are some questions we did not know to even ask?
Before we read the Bible it is good to know if the text is trustworthy. How can we know what we have is accurate and truthful?
A podcast to bring new perspective to the Bible to open it up in fresh ways, to refresh your love of the Bible, and refresh your relationship with God. Read Scripture and listen to thoughts that will open you up to new ideas and understanding.