2 Year Gospel Study – week 74 (Friday, 05-30-25)

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 16
Scripture: John 18:28-32, Mark 15:2-5, John 18:33-38, Luke 23:4-16, Matthew 27:15-26 John 19:1-16

Pastor explores Jesus’ trial using all 4 gospels and proposing a possible timeline that tells the story with new insight. Also, throughout today’s teaching he shares interesting and important historical information and relationship information between the players in this day’s events that brings greater insight and understanding to this story of Jesus’ trial. 

We tend to look at the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion as a story we are familiar with — the old, old story of Jesus and His love…. But today Pastor will bring a freshness that will make it new as we look at the unique things each of the Gospels’ authors has to say about the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion. Pastor will use all four gospels, combining them together in a dramatic picture of the day’s event.

We pick up the story of Jesus’ trial with Him leaving Caiaphas the High Priest’s home and going before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate.  It is the continuation of the story of the day we call Good Friday.

Pastor shares pictures from a past trip to Jerusalem that show the possible place of Jesus’ public trial. 

Once everyone is in the courtyard, Pilate makes this a legal Roman trial by asking “what charges are you bringing against this man?” But the high priests and their associates didn’t want a full Roman trial – they simply wanted the Roman Governor to give them permission to execute Jesus. (At this time in Roman history permission was necessary for the Sanhedrin to be allowed to execute an individual) Pilate didn’t give them that permission, instead now they have a legal trial.

Many charges were being brought against Jesus – all sorts of charges and Pilate takes Jesus out of the public courtyard and into the Palace for a private conversation to figure out what Jesus has done. 

Following the private conversation – Pilate tells the crowd He finds no basis for a charge against Jesus and because Jesus was Galilean, He was under Herod’s jurisdiction. As it happens, Herod was in Jerusalem for the Passover so Pilate sends Jesus across town to see Herod Antipas.

Herod had been longing to meet Jesus and asks Him many questions, but Jesus does not answer against any of the accusations and charges. Herod’s soldiers ridicule and mock Jesus – dressing Him in a purple robe and send Him back to Pilate.

Back in the courtyard of Pilate’s place, Pilate brings Jesus before the high priests and people stating that both he and Herod find Jesus guilty of nothing, but the crowd rebels. Pilate says he will beat and torture Jesus and let Him go. And again the crowd disagrees greatly with this decision and Pilate then asks the crowd if he should release Jesus or Barabbas (a criminal). It’s at this point that Pilate receives a letter from his wife about Jesus because of a dream she had and the note says that Pilate should have nothing to do with the innocent man, Jesus. 

The chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas and yell for Jesus to be crucified. This crowd shouting “Crucify Him” was not the crowd who had welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with hosannas earlier in the week when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  This crowd in Pilate’s courtyard were most likely temple employees. The temple at that time employed about 20,000+ people and so the high priests had probably gathered this crowd in their favor.

Pilate at this point says again that he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus, gives in to the crowd, washes his hands, claims innocence, releases Barabbas, and has Jesus flogged.  

Pastor shares in depth what a flogging from Roman soldiers was like during this time in history. It was an incredible cruel torture, horribly brutal and painful.

Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified. In his soul, Pilate knows injustice has been committed, yet Jesus goes silently and quietly, just as it says in Isaiah 53. 

Jesus doesn’t try to disprove the charges against Him of blasphemy – remaining silent – as the charges are true. He IS the Son of the Living God. More than that, the accusation is a statement of Truth!  Jesus is the Son of the Living God and we see the Messiah being turned over into the hands of wicked men and being crucified not just for others – BUT for each one of us.

Here’s the question:
WHO REALLY PUT JESUS ON THE CROSS? 

It wasn’t the High Priests, Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate, or even all people ULTIMATELY THE ANSWER IS ME. I did. It’s my sin that put Him there.  This story is personal.  It is a beastly, brutal and tragic story but it is also the old, old story of Jesus and His love…

Pastor closes with a heartfelt prayer acknowledging all the Savior endured.  And then ends with a teaser about next week’s class that may well be absolutely shocking – something that’s often overlooked yet so dramatic it will cause us to gulp!  

Join us!

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 five 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!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:6-8, Acts 1:15, Matthew 28:16, Matthew 28:20, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 4:11

During the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension, Jesus saw many individuals and small groups, but He also saw over five hundred people at one time.  Where was it, and when did Jesus see this large group of people?

Jesus kept showing up…
    ⁃    Jerusalem
    ⁃    Emmaus
    ⁃    Mount of Olives
    ⁃    Galilee (Pastor shares why he thinks that Jesus may have been in Galilee when He saw the 500. Pastor shares several pictures of the area around Galilee.)  

Those Jesus appeared to had a heart to share the amazing news after seeing Jesus truly was alive. 

Because Jesus is alive – because there are convincing proofs – what does that mean for our lives?
    ⁃    sharing the Gospel message
    ⁃    Obeying what Jesus had commanded 

APPLICATIONS
    ⁃    Purpose: Testimony – The One who rose, changes our lives and He is coming back! Peter’s testimony – 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts revere Christ as lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”  When God has changed our lives through Jesus Christ, that gives us a testimony, it gives us purpose to share our personal testimony with friends, family, strangers. Our testimony isn’t just what we say, it’s how we live, too.

    ⁃    Purpose: Maturity – We are to grow in our faith, in our witness, in our knowledge of the living God,  and not remain baby believers. 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  We are not saved because we are mature, but rather it is because we’re saved, we want to mature. We don’t; want to remain baby believers, we want to grow up in Christ. And that gives Him glory, Our purpose is anchored and centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen King. And we are to keep on maturing.

    ⁃    Purpose: Service – We are called to service Him with the gifts He has given us, with the time He has given us, with the opportunities and settings He has given us,  1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”  Speak the words of God and bring joy and hope, conviction and power into the lives of others. And serve them in God’s strength so that He is praised through the witness we share of Jesus and who He is. Be encouraged to serve Him with the gifts you’ve been given., to serve Him with your lives, your talents, your examples and in the opportunities He provides.

Our purpose is to live for Him – Not for ourselves – but for HIM!

Today, people are coming to faith in the Lord Jesus like never before, faith in Christ is exploding. And we are called to be part of that!! 

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

Check out this video series from our website: 
https://www.awakeusnow.com/40-10

Join us Sundays 
https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

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

Check out this episode!

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 15
Scripture: Mark 14:50-52, John 18:12-24, Matthew 26:57-75, Isaiah 53:7 Luke 22:61, Luke 22:66-23:1.

Nothing about Jesus’ last hours was an accident. He was totally prepared and totally committed. He knew full well what was ahead of him. The disciples did not understand what was going to happen to Jesus and about all that He had been telling them was coming until they saw Him as the risen Savior. May we understand the significance of what Jesus did, the power of His life, His death and His resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit and the power to live a life dedicated to Him.

Today, we pick up the “Up to Jerusalem” study where Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane as soldiers approach Him led by Judas, His betrayer. Peter cuts off the ear of one of the men and Jesus heals it.

We see that as the soldiers arrest and bind Jesus in chains most likely around the neck and ankles, that His disciples flee, leaving Jesus alone. The soldiers take Him first to Annas.

Trial #1 – before Annas – Jesus is questioned, treated cruelly, Peter denies knowing Jesus, and Annas then sends Jesus off to Caiaphus.

Trial #2 – before Caiaphus the High Priest – false witnesses come forward and turn Jesus’ words around in a totally different way saying that this guy says he can tear down the temple and build it back up in three days when it has taken us decades to build it! (What Jesus had actually said and meant was, “Destroy this temple (My body) and in three days I will raise it up (predicting His resurrection on the 3rd day).”  But Jesus remains silent against the interrogation – a fulfillment of what Isaiah had said 700 years earlier, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth, He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mount.” Isaiah 53:7. Caiaphus finds Jesus “guilty” of blasphemy and Jesus suffered more brutality. 

Peter denies Jesus a third time as the rooster crows and in Luke 22:61 we read that as Peter was denying knowing Jesus, Jesus turns His glance to Peter and looked straight at him and causing Peter to remember Jesus telling him that he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster crows.  Peter runs outside the courtyard and weeps bitterly for what he has done and who He has denied knowing. (In the coming weeks of this study we will witness the restoration, soon after Jesus’ resurrection, of Peter’s relationship with Jesus through a loving conversation with Jesus. A reconciliation that shows us the forgiveness and love of our Savior not just for Peter but for each one of us as well.)

Pastor shares recent archeological news of the discovery of an ossuary belonging to Caiaphus along with other “holy speculation” that helps fill in details as our story moves forward.

Trial #3 – Next Jesus is taken from Caiaphus to the Council. The Council asks Jesus if He is the Son of God and Jesus replies, “You say that I am.” Thus they accuse Him of blasphemy and send Him to Pontius Pilate where we will resume the story next week.

Pastor ends the teaching saying Jesus really is who He says He is.  He is Messiah, the Living God come in human flesh to give His life for us all.  Nothing in all of life matters more than knowing Him. “Knowing Him”  – that’s not religion and church attendance – it means personally knowing who Jesus is, knowing His heart, His love, and internalizing His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our sins.

This is not just a story — it is the story of God’s love for you and me.

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 five 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!

Scripture: Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Galatians 1:18-19, 1 Timothy 1:13-17.

In today’s study we take a look at a Credal Statement. What is a Credal Statement? 
    ⁃    It is a fundamental of faith
    ⁃    It enable people to talk about what they know and believe
    ⁃    It is easily memorized
    ⁃    It is easily understood
    ⁃    It is easily shared

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 “What I received I passed on to you. And it is the most important of all. Here is what it is. Christ died for our sins, just as Scripture said he would. He was buried. He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as Scripture said he would be. He appeared to Peter. Then he appeared to the 12 apostles.” (The Credal Statement in bold.)

Then Paul continues with verses 6-8, “After that, he appeared to more than 500 brothers and sisters at the same time. Most of them are still living. But some have died. He appeared to James. Then he appeared to all the apostles. Last of all, he also appeared to me. I was like someone who wasn’t born at the right time.”

Paul mentions three men in these verses: Peter, James (Jesus’ 1/2 brother) and himself. 2000 years later we have evidences of authenticity: There is convincing physical evidence of Peter’s home in Jerusalem.  Pastor shares pictures.  There is a bone box, The James Ossuary, which has also been discovered and has an inscription, “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” The basic consensus of scholarly opinion is that this is very likely authentic.  

Who were these men? 
Peter: denied Jesus publicly three times
James: his brother, was an unbeliever – did not believe Jesus was who He was, and James ridiculed his brother Jesus
Paul: persecuted and killed believers and denounced Jesus

Who did they become?
    ⁃    Peter became an apostle of Christ and bold preacher of God’s Word. Even arrest, beatings, and threats didn’t lessen Peter’s determination to preach the risen Christ.
    ⁃    James, after seeing Jesus risen from the grave, became a believer and also became the leader of the early Christian church in Jerusalem.
    ⁃    Paul was born Saul and he persecuted believers, but after meeting Jesus on a walk to Damascus Saul became Paul the Apostle and defender of the Gospel.

What did these three have in common?
    ⁃    They had all failed Jesus
    ⁃    A denier
    ⁃    A radical
    ⁃    A persecutor
    ⁃    All come to faith in the Risen Lord 
    ⁃    Their lives are changed
    ⁃    They give powerful testimonies to Christ’s love  for all sinners
What else do they have in common?
    ⁃    The PARDON of Christ – Forgiveness in full.
    ⁃    Each of their stories is a story of redemption in Jesus and a testimony that not a single one of us is beyond the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    ⁃    In these three men we see that God saved the worst of us so that He might save all of us. Their changed lives are a testimony to the heart of God wanting us all.

How do their stories speak to us today?

Applications of the Pardon of God
    ⁃    Christ’s mercy and grace is for us too – 1 Timothy 1:13-14 “I used to speak evil things against Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers. I really pushed them around. But God showed me mercy anyway. I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer. Our Lord poured out more and more of his grace on me. Along with it came faith and love from Christ Jesus.”
    ⁃    Christ’s saving power is for us too – 1 Timothy 1:15 “Here is a saying that you can trust. It should be accepted completely. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst sinner of all.”
    ⁃    Nothing we have done can cause Jesus not to want to win us over to Himself
    ⁃    Nothing that would cause Him to say He’s done with us
    ⁃    God wants ALL to be saved.
    ⁃    Christ’s patient renewal is for us too- 1 Timothy 1:16 “But for that very reason, God showed me mercy. And I am the worst of sinners. He showed me mercy so that Christ Jesus could show that he is very patient. I was an example for those who would come to believe in him. Then they would receive eternal life.”

Incredible Love – Incredible Grace – Incredible Pardon
And Jesus’ mercy and grace, saving power, patient renewal and incredible love are for us, too!

Paul, Peter and James were living examples of God’s incredible grace – we too are living examples of His incredible grace.

Pardon – God offers pardon, forgiveness to all who will repent and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and we become the children of God…. FOREVER!!

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

Check out this video series from our website: 
https://www.awakeusnow.com/40-10

Join us Sundays 
https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

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

Check out this episode!

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 14
Scripture: John 17:1 – 18:12, Hebrews 7:23-24, Philippians 2:6-11, Matthew 26:36-44, Luke 22:42-46.

Today’s study focuses mainly on Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, a prayer following His meal with the disciples and the night of His betrayal.

Pastor talks in depth about the prayer
    ⁃    Focusing in on what Jesus says about God’s name
    ⁃    God’s name is His character
    ⁃    God’s name is called the tetragrammaton – it is 4 letters but we are not sure of the pronunciation.
    ⁃    What we do know is that at its root is “To Be” 
    ⁃    The One who always IS
    ⁃    At Mt. Sinai God told Moses “I Am who I Am, if anyone asks who sent you, tell them I AM has sent you.
    ⁃    God is always with us
    ⁃    He does not change – the same yesterday, today and tomorrow – forever!
    ⁃    He is all powerful
    ⁃    All merciful
    ⁃    All loving
    ⁃    He is gracious
    ⁃    Jesus reveals the Father’s character and shows us the Father’s love
    ⁃    He is One with the Father

If you want to know what God looks like — Look at Jesus!

Something to think about: what must this have felt like for the disciples to hear Jesus praying this prayer to the Father?

    ⁃    When we walk with God we walk out of step with the world
    ⁃    God’s word is the Truth – it is a Living Word – Jesus is Truth and speaks only Truth
    ⁃    Sanctification
    ⁃    Believers are to be one with Christ and one with the Father and one with each other. One in Body – one mind – the mind of Chris – focused on spreading the Good new in Christ
    ⁃    God is One
    ⁃    Suffering for faith
    ⁃    Experiencing the glory of God
    ⁃    Submission to God
    ⁃    Everything Jesus does is for the purpose of saving the world
    ⁃    He lives to intercede for us

Following the prayer, Jesus and His disciples head to the Mt of Olives and into the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus takes 3 of the 11 as He moves further into the garden. He tells them to stay awake and pray as He goes deeper into the garden. He is dealing with unimaginable anguish grief, and anxiety as He prays again to the Father expressing that His sole is overwhelmed to the point of death and prayer for “this cup” to be removed but only if it is the Father’s will. Jesus is willing to do what the Father desires, and yet He shares His heart with His Father. Jesus is in so much anguish and agony He is to the point of sweating blood and yet He pushes through in endurance to follow the Father’s plan.

A total of 3 times He prays and then returns to find the disciples asleep instead of staying awake and praying and trying to understand this is Jesus’ greatest hour of need.  The solitude and loneliness Jesus experiences must have been painful. He friends will abandon Him, His Father will abandon Him. It is Christ ALONE and He faces it all with the words of His prayer, “Your will be done.” And this is the true picture of Love.

Today’s study ends with a reading of the betrayal of Jesus and will pick up with this portion of the story next week.  Please join us!

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 five 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!

Scripture: Acts 1:3, Luke 24:36-47, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7.

What does the sermon series “Forty Pus Ten” mean?
There were forty days from Jesus’ resurrection to His ascension. Pastor will focus on the convincing proofs of Jesus resurrection demonstrated in what Jesus’ final words and actions during the forty days and will show us how they still speak to our lives today. There were ten days from Jesus’ ascension to the Day of Pentecost. Pastor will focus on what happened on Pentecost and what that means for our Christian walk and daily lives. Jesus lives!  This is the most important event of the planet since creation! Join us and see why!

Our study for today is on the evening of Jesus’ resurrection. They are experiencing fear, confusion and uncertainty. They’ve heard some of the stories going around that Jesus was alive and risen from the grave but just days earlier they had seen Him arrested, crucified, put to death and placed in a tomb. They were not expecting a resurrection!

On Resurrection Sunday morning the tomb had been found empty. As they gathered together in fear in a locked room, there was also confusion. They had heard the reports of people seeing and talking to Jesus.  There was uncertainty – how could this be true? And then, “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.'” Luke 24:36

How is this story relevant for us today? All of us has encountered fear and Jesus speaks to us, just as He spoke to His followers that day: “Peace” Shalom. He spoke into their fears, confusion and uncertainties and He speaks Peace to each of us into our lives to our fear, confusions and uncertainties.

Jesus goes on and says why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds and then He shows them His hands and feet. In effect saying that it really is Him!  He tells them to touch Him and then He eats food – He’s in the flesh, He is alive.

He goes on to tell them how all that is written about Him in the Old Testament must be fulfilled and as He continues it begins to become clear to their minds – Jesus opens their mind explaining the what the Scripture declared all along has been about Him. Then He goes on to say what’s ahead, “He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46-47

What this means for us today – because Jesus is alive it changes everything and it changes each one of us!

It changes:
    ⁃    How we look at life
    ⁃    The way we handle difficulties, fears, uncertainty, doubts and troubles
    ⁃    The way we look at the future
    ⁃    What matters in life

It gives us:
    ⁃    A reason for living
    ⁃    True living – forever!

Application
    ⁃    The call is personal to encounter Jesus Christ. To encounter Him and His Peace
    ⁃    We are called to heed the scriptures and to listen to them. As we listen – He comes into our hearts
    ⁃    We are called to experience a new mind – the Holy Spirit changes us from within.

Jesus is ALIVE!  His resurrection is not only the most significant event in the history of the world, it is the most important thing in each of our lives. 

No matter what we are going through – the fact that He is alive and that we by faith receive what He offers: forgiveness, hope, assurance and life forever —- that changes everything!

Pastor closes with the words from the chorus of a song from Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
 Because He lives, all fear is gone;
 Because I know He holds the future,
 And life is worth the living,
 Just because He lives!

Life is worth living, just because He lives!!!

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/sunday-service

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

Check out this episode!

2 Year Gospel Study – week 71 (Friday, 05-09-25)

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 13
Scripture: John 16:1-33, John 17:1-2.

In today’s teaching we continue with Jesus and His disciples having finished the Last Supper, Judas has left and Jesus and the 11 are walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane.

God’s call is to radical faith – the kind that allows us to stand strong against the enemy – Jesus shares that they hated Him, they will hate them, they persecuted Him, they will also persecute them. Yet, Jesus assures the disciples by telling of the coming of the Advocate – Holy Spirit – who will testify about Jesus and will bring power and strength and truth. This persecution comes but Jesus doesn’t want us to live in fear, but rather to trust and depend on Him.

Jesus shares that He must leave, remove His physical presence from the world so that the Father can send the Advocate – Holy Spirit – who will be with us. And no matter what we face the Holy Spirit is with us and lives in us.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, convicts us of righteousness (right relationship with God offered through faith in Jesus who is our only hope because we are sinners).  Having the Holy Spirit draws us to righteous living through His power. The Holy Spirit also convicts about judgement because Jesus is the Victor through His death and He shows that the judgement of the Holy God has been carried by the Son of God.  

The measure of God’s love is that:
He doesn’t give us what we deserve, He gives us Himself.  
He doesn’t give us what we’ve earned, He gives us what Jesus has earned.  
He doesn’t give us what we’ve achieved, He gives us what Jesus achieved – and that is resurrection through faith in Him!

Jesus telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit was a prediction that He said before His ascension, but then at Pentecost after His ascension – it is our present reality!  We are living in the Era of the Spirit. We are called to: 
live in the power of the Holy Spirit
seek the Holy Spirit
listen to the Holy Spirit
follow the Holy Spirit
rejoice in the Holy Spirit!

Pastor shares that the Holy Spirit is not an “it,” but rather a Person. The Holy Spirit is God. A real person and we want to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and live in relationship with God that the Holy Spirit provides – dynamic and radical faith!

Jesus goes on to say that they would see Him for a little while and then see Him no more and that after a little while they would see Him again. The disciples are puzzled but in the days ahead this would all be revealed as truth.  Their faith would blossom and grow! And just like His disciples, we too can always be growing in faith and in relationship with God.

Jesus prophecies that there will be grief and sadness ahead but it ends with Joy – that because He suffers and dies and rises everything changes.  We now are able to come to the Father through Jesus and we can ask the Father anything – we are called to be people who are radical – not only radical in our faith but radical in our prayers because God’s will is to accomplish the seemingly impossible.

Whatever tribulation we face remember:
Jesus has overcome the world
Jesus has overcome the adversary
Jesus has defeated the devil
Jesus has won the final victory 

And so in Him we have hope and peace. AND the promise of His return. Because of Jesus’ victory – we who are followers of Jesus are overcomers, too, through our faith in 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!

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 12
Scripture: Psalm 91,John 14:15-31, John 15, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Acts 14:22,Matthew 10:22, 2 Timothy 3;12, Matthew 5:10-12.

Psalm 91 tells us that our God can be trusted. This psalm has words that Jesus depended on and held onto as He headed Up to Jerusalem. He was able to face the trial, trouble and tribulation that came on the road to the cross.

Our story today picks up with Jesus saying, “If you love me, keep my commands.” This is not about earning eternal life, it’s about our relationship of love with The One who showed His love for us at the cross. As we love Him we show that in genuine obedience (keep my commands). God’s desire is that we mature in faith and that our very lives reflect Him through our speech and behavior and that we model Christ’s example.

Then Jesus shares that He will send an Advocate to help. This Advocate is the One who speaks truth. A counselor, encourager, comforter who will help us and be with us forever – The Holy Spirit. God’s supernatural presence and power in our lives. We are not called to live a life believing that God exists – we are called to live a supernatural life – we are called to live a life utterly dependent on the presence of God the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Jesus assures His disciples and us that we are never alone. Jesus says, “I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (This is relationship). Jesus goes on to tell them the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) is coming and will be with us, and then He encourages them not to worry or be afraid.  These words are for us today – He will never abandon us – We can trust Him.

Jesus tells them He gives them peace – not the kind of peace the world gives, but His peace. Shalom. Shalom describes a relationship with the Living God where everything is done in harmony with His plan and purpose.  It is supernatural peace. And we are encouraged to allow it to overwhelm our hearts and souls.

As we continue reading Jesus tells us He is the True Vine, and God the Father is the Gardener. Pastor addresses a concern that most Bible translations may have this line inaccurately translated. Most Bibles say the Gardener “cuts off” branches that bear no fruit.  However, let’s explore how a vineyard gardener actually cares for a vine with branches that are bearing no grapes. What he does is he lifts up the branches from the ground and brings them into the sun, lifting them up and securing them in a way they can produce fruit.  Pastor believes this is what Jesus is saying here – that this is not a word of law, but instead a word of comfort.  Jesus says “every branch IN ME that is not producing fruit, the Father lifts up so that it can produce fruit.  

Pastor’s argument is this: the Bible translations tell us Jesus says, “the Father cuts off every branch IN ME that bears no fruit .” But then Jesus says if you abide IN ME you will bear much fruit.” Where is continuity in these verses?  Let’s take a look at the original Greek. The verse says: “He “airō” every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He “koptō” to make it even more fruitful.” The words used in the original Greek are airō and koptō. airō can mean to cut off but the primary meaning of the word is to be lifted up. koptō means to be cut off (pruned). 

As we learned earlier those who care for grapevines – tell us that a grapevine only produces fruit when it is lifted up from the ground and lifted into the sun. When we are in Jesus and not producing fruit, the Gardener (the Father) lifts us up, airō us up into the “Son” so that we will produce fruit, we are not cut off but lifted up. And when we are producing fruit the Gardener prunes, koptō us so that we will produce even more fruit. When we remain in Jesus – the Vine – we will bear fruit because the Father – Gardener – lifts us up and prunes us so we produce more fruit.

Jesus goes on to talk about:
    ⁃    True joy
    ⁃    Loving others
    ⁃    That He calls us “friend”
    ⁃    Answered prayer
    ⁃    Persecution 

These are the things Jesus shared on the night He was betrayed and arrested because He loved His disciples and He loves us and He wants us connected to Him – abiding in Him and prepared for what is to come.

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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!