Two Year Gospel Study Week 65

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 7
Scripture – Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:41-42, Matthew 24:1-16, Psalm 51:10, 2 Timothy 3:11

Class opens with a teaching from Jesus on humility and His warning against hypocrisy.

The Seven Woes – spoken against hypocrisy:
    1.    Verse 13 – roadblocks to the kingdom of heaven for people
    2.    Verse 15 – produce more hypocrites
    3.    Verse 16-22 – make a show of displaying how much they give to the temple
    4.    Verse 23-24 – neglect justice, mercy and faithfulness
    5.    Verse 25-26 – love to display outward cleanliness
    6.    Verse 27-28 – do things to look good
    7.    Verse 29-32 – act like they are better than others.

An outward show – as good as it may look to others – does not matter at all to God. In fact, it destroys a relationship with God.
The seven woes are Jesus’ call to us to make sure our hearts are right with Him.

This same kind of hypocrisy is just as present today as it was then. Jesus is reminding us that what God looks at is the heart – a heart committed to Him – and one that is humble before Him and humble before others.

God’s work is to take the hard stony parts of our hearts and replace them with a renewed heart. King David says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. We are to come before God in humility and repentance through faith in Jesus and there we will find joy, peace and life.

Jesus emphasizes humility with the story of the Widow’s Offering in Mark 12:41-42. Jesus is observing the people as they drop off their offerings. The rich are making a show of how much they are giving and then a widow places only a few cents in the bowl – but it was all she had – unlike the “leftovers” the others had been making a show of giving. She gave the greatest gift as she displayed living by faith and trusting God to provide.  

We pick up the Up to Jerusalem chronology with Matthew 24:1-16 with Jesus telling of the temple’s future destruction. The disciples then ask Jesus 2 questions:
    1.    When will the temple be destroyed
    2.    What will be the sign of Jesus’ second coming

They didn’t realize how separated the 2 events would be. Jesus answers by predicting deception, war and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines and calls these the beginning of birth pains. Implying that as the end comes nearer, these things would be more frequent and greater. Jesus also shares that there will be persecution of the believers. 

Jesus ends by telling that the Gospel message will be preached throughout the whole world and then the end will come. We can see the evidence of what Jesus said as we see the Gospel message into every continent today. The time of His coming is nearer and nearer and we are called to be awake and ready!

Jesus goes on to talk about the “abomination that causes desolation” and that when they see this happening to flee Jerusalem.  Pastor shares several possibilities of what the abomination may have been.  He also speaks to the question of whether Jesus’ words speak to the last generation as well.

We end with seeing that the early believers did as Jesus said, they escaped the judgement that came on Jerusalem by leaving and fleeing as Jesus had said – and so we learn how important it is for us to hear and to heed God’s Words, not fearing the future, but facing the future in faith.

Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01

Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus’ ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Check out this episode!

Ten Words – Week 12: Mountain Men

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36, Psalm 104:2, John 14:8-9

Pastor’s teaching on Jesus’ transfiguration on a mountain top with Jesus, Peter, James, John, Elijah, Moses and the Voice of God brings this series of God’s Ten Words to a conclusion.  It’s a surprise ending, because how could Jesus’ transfiguration be remarkably connected to God’s Ten Commandments, while also having a tremendous application to what we have been studying these past weeks?

When Jesus was transfigured his face glowed like the sun. The three disciples Jesus brought along are in awe and amazed. Psalm 104:2 says, “The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;” The disciples knew the psalms well, did this verse come to mind as they saw Jesus shining so bright?  They are witnessing the true revelation of who Jesus is.  True God and true man – God-man who has come to deliver us all.  Then suddenly Moses and Elijah appear with them as a cloud (the presence of God) comes over the entire group and they hear the Voice of God, “This is My Son who I love.  With Him I am well pleased.  Listen to Him.” Jesus is revealed as the Son of the Living God. God in the flesh who has come to earth to deliver us all.

Why do Moses and Elijah appear?
    1.    Both were devout followers of God
    2.    Both had unique ends to their lives on earth
    3.    Both went to Mt. Sinai
    4.    Both heard God speak at Mt. Sinai
    5.    But neither of them saw God’s face.  
But today, at Jesus’ transfiguration Moses, Elijah, John, Peter and James all saw the face of God as revealed in the face of Jesus, the Living God. John 14: 8-9 tells us, “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Jesus revealed Himself to them. He is the Living God, the Deliverer and He alone saves and He is our only Hope because apart from Him we have nothing.

And then suddenly it is just Jesus and the 3 disciples. Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about what they have just witnessed until after His is risen from the dead.. (but they didn’t understand what He was talking about or what He meant.)

In summary, The Ten Commandments are brilliant, powerful and profound instructions from God, but they can’t save us – they are like a curb, a mirror and a guide but they don’t save us.

In Jesus, the Messiah, are revealed grace and truth and He alone can save. He willingly went to the cross to bring us righteousness as He bore our sin on Himself..

A. W. Tozer says, “The only sin Jesus ever had was ours.  The only righteousness we can ever have is His.”

We are encouraged to follow the Ten Commandments, but that will never save us.  There’s only Jesus, the Living God, The Living Word of God, The Word that became flesh who can do that!

Now What? Learn about God at  https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/ten-words

Check out the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwt1kzFvsbAtGq6PLMPCn65

Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Check out this episode!

Two Year Gospel Study Week 64

2 Year Gospel Study – week 64 (Friday, 03–21-25)

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 6
Scripture – Matthew 21:45-46, Matthew 22:1-45, Revelation 7:9-17, Job 19:26, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, Exodus 3:6, Mark 12:28-34, John 14:6, Micah 6:8

Today’s teaching centers on Jesus’ encounters with the religious leaders in the temple as recorded in the 4 gospels and enlightened by some of the latest findings of archeologists and others who have uncovered things that have been hidden for generations but that clearly testify to the truthfulness of God’s Word.

 We will see the display of absolute brilliance as Jesus encounters the religious aristocracy, as He answers the critics and as He clearly demonstrates the Divine plan to redeem the human race.

Jesus is in the temple courts teaching – This is where we start today – Matthew 21:45-46 “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.” They wanted to arrest Him but also saw that the crowds were listening to Jesus and receiving Him with joy.

Normally the Chief Priests and Pharisees did not see things the same way, but they did as far as how they both felt about Jesus.  Their desire to eliminate Jesus brought them together.

Jesus’ Teachings
    ⁃    The Parable of the Wedding Banquet  (wedding feast / resurrection life / our destiny as true believers in Jesus) This is a banquet we do not want to refuse to come to!  In this parable Jesus also predicts the ultimate destruction of the city of Jerusalem which would happen in 70AD. Pastor dissects the part of the story about the man at the feast that wasn’t dressed appropriately, in light of the teaching of Jesus found in Revelation 7:9-17. 
    ⁃    Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar – following the Wedding Banquet parable the pharisees came together with the Herodians to lay out a plan to trap Jesus. Herodians were strong supporters of Herod’s dynasty and of Rome and the pharisees hated Roman rule and their taxes. But the two groups unite to trap Jesus with this question that would force Him to choose either the Pharisees or the Herodians: “what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”  But to this hot button issue on Roman taxes – Jesus answers: “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought Him a denarius and Jesus asks, “whose image is this and whose inscription?”  Their response is “Caesar’s” Then Jesus said to them, “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is Gods” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Their trap had failed.
    ⁃    Marriage at the Resurrection – this onslaught against Jesus comes from the Sadducees with the story of seven brothers and the law in the Torah and Jesus again avoids their trap by confronting them with wisdom and scriptures.
    ⁃    The Greatest Commandment –  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” We are called to show love because God love us through His Son, Jesus. And then we read, “And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”
    ⁃    Whose Son is Messiah? Now Jesus decides to ask a question, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David.” Then Jesus adds a quote from King David. “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord:”Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”‘ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”  Jesus is calling them to really think hard about what David is saying. Pastor shares an enlightened look at what David is saying and what Jesus is desiring for the crowd to understand.

The teaching concludes with a look at some archeological  discoveries and a peek into next week’s class.

Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01

Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus’ ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Check out this episode!

Ten Words – Week 11: Don’t Covet!

Scripture:  Exodus 20:17, Mark 7:21-23, Matthew 6:33, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17

Covet – to yearn to possess or have what belongs to another.
Covet – insatiable desire for more at the expense of others.

Today’s tenth word is unique as it regulates thought. The other ten words all regulate behavior (e.g. have no other gods, remember the Sabbath Day, honor your parents, don’t steal, don’t murder).

We see in scripture how our thought-life has a huge influence on our behavior:
Cain – Genesis 4
Joseph’s brothers – Genesis 37
Korah – Numbers 16
David – 2 Samuel 11
Ghazi – 2 Kings 5
We see in the Bible that our thought-life greatly controls our behavior, actions and even our futures.  As the mind thinks – so we behave. 

Pathology
Envy
Jealousy
Dishonesty
Relationships
Dissatisfaction
Focus
Mental health
Financial issues

Where does coveting come from?  Mark 7:21-23 tells us, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (ESV) 
Jesus is calling us to realize our thought-life matters!

How do we stop coveting?
    1.    Christ – we need to look to Jesus and remember that He died on the cross and rose for us. Matthew 6:33 tells us to rely on Him and 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
    2.    Contentment – while in this fallen world, we still know what the future holds: life forever with God. This is where our containment is found – in the promise of our future with Him. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
    3.    Celebration – celebrate what we have. In Philippians 4:4-7 we are told, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Celebrate the good things of God and have a thankful hearts.

God’s 10 Words are still powerful words today. He gives them to us to:
    1.    Protect us – keep us on His path
    2.    Reveal our sin – so that we come to Him
    3.    Give us direction – that guides our lives and shows us how to live

When we take to heart God’s Ten Words – that brings blessings to us as believers AND blessings to the world.

Now What? Learn about God at  https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/ten-words

Check out the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwt1kzFvsbAtGq6PLMPCn65

Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Check out this episode!

Two Year Gospel Study Week 63

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 5
Scripture – Mark 11:19-33, 1-14, Matthew 21: 28-45, Isaiah 5, Psalm 118

Pastor takes time to discuss the chronology of Jesus’ ministry, the length of His ministry, and the questions of Palm Sunday or Pam Monday along with Good Wednesday, Good Thursday or Good Friday.

Our teaching covers:
    ⁃    The rest of the story about the fig tree
    ⁃    The cleansing of the Temple
    ⁃    Total reliance on God
    ⁃    Living in the power of the Holy Spirit
    ⁃    Having faith
    ⁃    Prayer is powerful
    ⁃    Jesus’ command to forgive
    ⁃    Jesus’ authority
    ⁃    Denial of the power of God, the power of the Scriptures, the power of the prophetic word, the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus
    ⁃    God’s authorization of John the Baptist
    ⁃    Jesus’ brilliance and wisdom
    ⁃    Parable of the Two Sons
    ⁃    The continuation of Jesus’ challenge of the religious leadership and His desire to have them and those duped by them come to an understanding of who He is.
    ⁃    Repudiation of the religious for not repenting and believing
    ⁃    Parable of the Tenants and the vineyard story in Isaiah 5
    ⁃    The consequences of being caught up in spiritual blindness
    ⁃    The teaching on the Cornerstone and blindness in seeing Jesus for who he is, and the sharing of the Gospel to the gentiles.
    ⁃    The plotting to get rid of Jesus continues even though Jesus is there to seek and to save the lost
    ⁃    Conviction of sin and the response of “God have mercy on me!” Repenting and seeking forgiveness from The One who forgives.

We need a Savior and our response is to be, I need Him!

We need to heed Him, we need to listen to Him and we need to call on Him.

Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01

Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus’ ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Check out this episode!

Ten Words – Week 10: No Lies!

Scripture:  Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 19:5, John 8:44, Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 26:20, Romans 1:28ff, Philippians 2:5, John 8:31-32

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16

The Bible tells us that there is One who is only truth. One who is total and absolute in His Truthfulness and that is our Living God.

God values truth and judges lies. Proverbs 19:5 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”

Pastor shares two examples from scripture. 
    1.    From the Old Testament in 1 Kings 21 about Naboth
    2.    From the New Testament in Acts 6-7 about Stephen
These stories encourage us to take seriously the importance of truth.

Lying is an issue in our culture today. Lying is seen in some of the highest places and some of the most common parts of our daily lives.

What does it mean “you shall not give false testimony”
    ⁃    REJECT THE LIE – Recognize where lies come from. John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  Lies come from the enemy – He’s a liar and his lies are destructive to our culture and to ourselves.  We are to turn our backs on the father of lies.
    ⁃    SPEAK THE TRUTH – we are to speak only truth. Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” God only speaks truths and we are to speak truthfully, too.
    ⁃    SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE – do not be spiritually haughty – that attitude tears people down. We are to speak what is best for people who we know Jesus died for. (Because he died for ALL) We are not to lie in order to seek to get even, or to lie in order to hurt others or to lie to make ourselves look good.  Ephesians 4:15 ” Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Our words are to give glory to God and blessing to others.
    ⁃    RENOUNCE GOSSIP – Gossip destroys reputations, it destroys relationship with God. Proverbs 26:20 “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”  God detests gossiping – so live like children of God.
    ⁃    BE CHRIST-LIKE –  have the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”

Jesus is Truth and Truth sets us FREE!  John 8:31-32 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”  God’s truth changes us, changes families, changes communities and changes countries,

God is calling us to embrace the truth and to live the truth.  He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.  (John 14:6). 
And we are to reflect His goodness in this darkened world.

Now What? Learn about God at  https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/ten-words

Check out the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams

Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Check out this episode!

Two Year Gospel Study Week 62

Scripture – Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-14, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19, Psalm 118, Zechariah 9:9, Galatians 5:22-23

We explore Palm Sunday – the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of hosanna. It was the 10th day of Nissan on the Jewish calendar. The day when the Passover lambs were herded in and prepared for sacrifice in Jerusalem at the temple.

Palm Sunday on Nisan 10 – recorded in these gospels:
Matthew 21:1–11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19

There are two dates that could be the date of the first Palm Sunday. Those dates are April 3, 30 A.D. or March 29, 33 A.D. 

Jesus rides in on an unbroken donkey – one never before ridden on. This is biblically significant – a young animal, never previously ridden on was an animal that could be offered in a sacrifice as a gift to God. Jesus rides in on such an animal.

All donkeys across the world have the same markings on their backs. It is a long dark stripe that runs along their spine, along the center of their backs and another stripe that runs across from shoulder to shoulder, forming the sign of a cross. Every donkey carries a cross on its back.

When Jesus rode on the donkey into the city of Jerusalem, he was sitting on a cross.

in Zachariah 9:9 we read, “rejoice greatly, daughter, Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey. “

Jesus fulfill this prophetic word from Zachariah as he enters Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey coming in peace and offering hope. “Hope for the nations.” (more on this in the coming next weeks.)

As Jesus enters Jerusalem on the donkey – it is possible that there were as many as 2.5–3 million people there for the Passover based on ancient writings of Josephus and the rabbis. 

The crowds are shouting “hosanna!” Hosanna means “Lord, save us!”. This is an acknowledgment by the crowd that Jesus is the Messiah. The crowd knew who he was, and this hugely angered the chief priest, upsetting the status quo. BUT it also inaugurates the greatest life anyone can experience and that is a relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. 

Palm Sunday Nissan 10 – order of events:

Palm Sunday branches John 12:13
Pharisees object Luke 19:39-40
Jesus weeps Luke 19:41-44
Lazarus crowd John 12:17–19
Return to Bethany. Mark 11:11

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, it is with a heavy heart because he knows what lies had; rejection by the religious authorities, the future for his disciples and believers and for Jerusalem. He knew that many would not receive him for who he is. The Messiah. 

The story of Jesus going “up to Jerusalem” continues on Monday morning Nissan 11 – the next day after Palm Sunday with the story of the cursing of the fig tree. 

The fig tree
– they shed their leaves in November
– new leaves in late March 
– paggim (early fruit)on branches in March
– paggim come out early in spring. They come first before the figs.
– Jesus finds no paggim
-summer figs – August – October.

Jesus recognizes that not finding the paggim is more than just a biological event – this is prophetic. Fig trees are the symbol of the nation of Israel. Figs are symbolic of the people of Israel.

Jesus is hungry and the tree that should’ve been producing fruit had nothing on it. This is symbolic of the nation of Israel – so many were religious, but there is not spiritual fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree because God desires fruit. This speaks to those then and to us today. We are called to bear fruit. It says Galatians 5:22-23 “but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

These are what God does in the hearts of all who believe. If fruit is not there, it is a warning and a sign that calls us back to him in repentance. We don’t want to just “look good” we want to be transformed by Jesus and with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so we can bear fruit.

Jesus goes to the temple and finds money changers and a marketplace in the courtyard and cleanses it by turning the tables over and throwing them out. He says that his house is not a den of thieves, but is to be a house of prayer for all nations.

Pastor shares a detailed description of the layout of the temple and the courtyards. 

The cleansing of the temple ends with Jesus miraculously healing the blind and the lame. This is prophetic. “Blind and lame” were not allowed into the temple or its courtyard. Jesus frees those who have never been welcomed into the temple area. In fact, he is announcing to everyone that he is the one who gives everyone access to God.

By Jesus’ death, he will open the gates of heaven to all who repent and believe, join us next week for the continued story of Jesus going “Up to Jerusalem.”

Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01

Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus’ ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Check out this episode!

The Gospel According to Matthew – Week 44

This teaching is from Matthew 28:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 1 Corinthians 15:6

Today we finish up the Gospel of Matthew. Pastor helps us see the Old Testament Feasts through New Testament eyes showing us some interesting insights.

The resurrection of Jesus took place on the 1st day of the week, Sunday, which is the first day after the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday. Jesus’ resurrection also happened on the day called The Day of First Fruits which is celebrated on the first day after the Sabbath as part of their week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Day of First Fruits a day to celebrate the harvest and to give back a part of the harvest to God as an offering. Israel has two harvest times. One in the spring – this is the springtime harvest – but there is also a second harvest in the fall. (The second harvest will be at Jesus return.) 

It is no coincidence that Jesus was raised from death on the day of First Fruits. God had a plan from the beginning and Jesus is the fulfillment of that plan, He is the First Fruits of the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” 

Our story picks up with another earthquake, the guards being frightened and running off as an angel comes down from heaven to the tomb of Jesus and talks to the women that are there. The tomb is open and Jesus is not there and the angels tells them Jesus is risen. The story goes on with the women being the first to meet Jesus and worship Him.

The runaway guards go to the chief priests to tell them all that’s happened. So the chief priests and elders gather to devise a plan, paying off the guards, they tell them to say that Jesus’ disciples stole Jesus’ body. Verse 15 ends with “And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.”   

There is no record of anyone suggesting the tomb was still occupied, everyone knew the tomb was empty – the only story the priests could come up with was that the disciples stole the body. Yet the truth is – Christ rose!! Victorious over the death and the grave.

Our story goes on with the disciples going to a mountain in area of Galilee to see Jesus where they worshiped Him. He tells them that all authority of heaven and earth has been given to Him. Jesus is the Lord of the Universe!  Jesus is the image of the invisible God, He’s the One through whom everything was created.

Jesus saying he has all authority is the first part of the Great Commission and explains why He can give the command of the great commission. The Great Commission tells all disciples then and now to make more disciples, not believers, but disciples, meaning those who believe AND follow Christ.

We are told to baptize them in THE NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  “The Name” why not “names” – Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three names. Jesus specifically says, “Name” no “s” – not plural. Because they are ONE.  

Jesus goes on telling us to teach everything He’s commanded us. Ending with the assuring promise that He is always with us.

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Ten Words – Week 9: Don’t Steal!

Scripture:  Exodus 20:15, Joshua 6-7, James 1:17, Ephesians 4:28, Leviticus 9:13, 1 Timothy 6:17-18, 1 Peter 2:12, Philippians 2:4, Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:8-10

This command is simple words, but words with great depth.

What does “stealing” cover? It’s the taking of what’s not ours. Pastor shares a biblical demonstration from the story of the Israelites of the consequences of taking what is not ours and what the Lord has said not to take. There are consequences to disobeying God’s clear will and He has established moral law that’s be given to us for a purpose – It’s for the protection of society and for everyone.

You Shall Not Steal
    ⁃    Ownership – there is personal ownership but this is not absolute ownership, because everything we have comes from God. God is the giver of all good gifts.
    ⁃    Stewardship – take care of what we have – use wisely what God has given us, and bless others with what we have.
    ⁃    Citizenship – Be a good citizen – we are part of a culture and called to be a blessing. The way we behave: integrity and honor can be seen by others and can bring them to knowing Jesus and the way we behave brings glory to God. We are called to look out for not only our own interests but also those of others. Our citizenship is in heaven and so we live that way. Citizens of this world but above all we are citizens of heaven through Jesus and what He has done for us and THAT calls us to live like we know that!

TWIN DANGERS
    ⁃    Legalism – thinking we’ve done so much better than others. Legalism destroys faith, destroys relationship with God and becomes the worship of self rather than worship of God.
    ⁃    Antinomianism – is the thinking that since Jesus died for me and paid for my sins, I can do whatever I like. That is not true and is a complete misunderstanding of what the Bible says. It doesn’t say sin doesn’t matter! Jesus DID die, DID pay for our sins, DID rise from the grave, IS returning AND BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT – we don’t want to do what we please.  We want to do what pleases Him!

When God gave the Ten Commandments – He did not say, “Do these (Ten Commandments) to be save.” He began these commands by saying, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. I am the One who saves you. THEREFORE – now live this way: The Ten Commandments.”

Ephesians 2:8-10: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

So by faith we give thanks for Jesus and we desire to live lives that give God glory and bless others.

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