Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19, Romans 11:25-26, Exodus 12:3.

The Palm Sunday story is a familiar story with detail that is not well known. This event was a prophetic declaration not only to the first century but also to the twenty-first century!

Palm Sunday – Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of “Hosanna” the weekend before his crucifixion death and resurrection.

All four Gospels record this event – each one offers a unique perspective. Pastor puts the four author’s writings together in a way that shows a host of detail about what it meant then and what it means now.

Pastor Dodge takes a deeper look into the following topics, sharing the New Testament coverage of the event with the prophetic words of this very event from the Old Testament in Zechariah, Psalms, Exodus, Deuteronomy and others. We will see this event as fulfillment of what had been biblically predicted:
Setting
Timing
Donkey
Hosanna
Opposition
Weeping
Return

Jesus shares prophetically in these words: “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'” And we read this in Romans 11:25 “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.”

The day is coming when the Jewish people will receive Jesus as their Messiah. We can see this now:

23 – in 1948 the nation of Israel was established in a single day, a nation that had not existed for almost 19 full centuries. In 1948 there were 23 Jewish believers in the Messiah.
2000- and in 1948 there were 2000 Jewish believers in the whole world

30,000 – today there are 30,000 Jewish believers in Messiah in Israel
1,000,000 – and Jewish believers around the world and growing.

Something dramatic has happened – the Jewish people are coming to recognize Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. It mean the very thing Jesus predicted is taking place in our day and the King is coming back!!

This account from the New Testament is an historic account. One that summons us to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, one that calls us to recognize that God is in control, one that helps us understand that the Lord’s desire is that we know Him, that we be filled with His Holy Spirit and that we be part of the great assembly of believers who will ultimately welcome our King – because THE KING IS COMING BACK!

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!

Up To Jerusalem – Teaching 9
Scripture – Matthew 25-26, Luke 22

We continue with Jesus’ Mt. Olivet Discourse where He is talking about the future end of Jerusalem that did happen in 70AD several decades after His ascension and as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets. Jesus is also talking of the preparation for His second coming and the importance of being awake.

Pastor reviews the conclusion of the Parable of the Ten Virgins with Jesus’ words,”Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.”  We want to be awakened 
    ⁃    Awake to the things of God
    ⁃    Awake to what He desires of us
    ⁃    Awake to our mission to lead others to a knowledge of the Savior and to usher in the Kingdom of God

Additional parables covered 
    ⁃    The Parable of the Talents – It is possible to know about the Master without truly knowing Him and living in relationship with Him.  We are to use all He has given us to His glory so that others know and learn the Good News of our Savior. We are called to serve, love and honor God.
    ⁃    The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats – Pastor helps us understand this parable in a first century Jewish context.  This story is incredibly profound and Pastor shares a personal testimony around the subject of sheep and goats and the question: “Do goats hear the shepherd’s voice?” Pastor shares the differences between sheep and goats. In Jerusalem these two animals are in the same flock but they are very different.
    ⁃    Identity: 54 chromosomes vs. 60 chromosomes
    ⁃    Diet: tender grass vs. garbage
    ⁃    Intelligence: great ability to learn and understand and created to thrive under a shepherd vs. independent
    ⁃    Offspring: keep lambs near by vs. send their offspring out on their own
    ⁃    Social structures: no competition, need a shepherd to lead them vs. butt heads, desire to dominate
    ⁃    Shepherd: only thrive under a good shepherd vs. fiercely independent 
This parable shows us that it is possible to be a member of the flock but not be one of The Shepherd’s sheep.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd and it’s important to follow Him.

This parable goes on to talk about when “The King” comes and how He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Sheep on His right to eternal life and goats on the left to eternal punishment.

This parable is about being a new creation in Christ, a follower, one of His sheep that hears His voice.  Goats have not become new in Christ and want be in control. We are NOT saved by works – we are saved by the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep.

As we continue, we move into Matthew 26 where Jesus tells His disciples, again, of His impending crucifixion.  We see Judas going to the chief priests as he prepares to betray Jesus as told in both Matthew 26 and Luke 22.

From there we see Jesus send two of His disciples (Peter and John) to begin preparations for the Passover meal which includes finding a place for their meal together and also going to the temple for the lamb for the meal.

Pastor points out several examples of Jesus being in control of the details leading up to His arrest and that it is not the enemy who is control. Jesus is in charge! He is the Lord! And this is something we each need to realize – we are not in charge of our destinies, we do not make the rules, when we try – then we are like goats. But when we listen to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we are His precious sheep and He desires to be both Lord and Savior in our lives.

Even through Judas is “making plans” Jesus is still in control and He will not allow the enemy to divert Him from the Father’s purpose.

Pastor goes on to share unique details about the Passover lambs at the temple and our Passover Lamb, Jesus.

Join us again next week as we continue Up to Jerusalem – the road that takes Jesus to the cross but that ends with His victory!

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 8
Scripture – Matthew 24:15 – Matthew 25:13

Luke 21, Mark 13 and Matthew 24-25 all have the story of Jesus’ Mt. Olivet Discourse with His disciples.

In today’s opening verses in Matthew 24:15ff, we hear Jesus answering the questions we left off with last week.  

The two questions the disciples asked Jesus:
    1.    When will these things you are telling us happen to the temple
    2.    What will be the sign of your return
They are thinking that these two questions coincide one with the other…. As we now know – that was not the case.  

Jesus is giving a forewarning of what would befall Jerusalem. (The fall happened in the year 70AD when the Roman General Titus laid siege to Jerusalem and ultimately leveled it to the ground.)

Jesus’ answer contains responses for both the questions. 

The Abomination that causes Desolation – three options of what this might be were shared last week – but only one seems to fit the time frame: An event in winter 67/68AD –  the temple was profaned by Jewish insurgents. Pastor reads about the event from Josephus’ writing: The Jewish War.  During this event the insurgents caused division within the Jewish community.  It’s a good possibility that this event caused believers in Jesus in the city of Jerusalem to begin fleeing the city by those who took Jesus’ words literally. They left because they could see what was coming and Jesus had warned them about what was coming. They fled across the Jordan River and they were protected from the siege by Titus which began shortly after the insurgent uprising.  Those who fled were protected from all that followed.  Over 1 million people died in the siege of Jerusalem.

In Luke 21:20-24 we read: “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES ARE FULFILLED – This passage in Luke has been fulfilled in our day.  Pastor shares a brief history of the city of Jerusalem from 70AD to the mid 20th century of when the city of Jerusalem was dominated by gentiles.
Romans
Byzantines
Persians
Byzantines
Crusaders
Ottoman Turks
WWI
British control
WWII – The Jewish people were given a homeland in 1948
Six Day War – 1967 City of Jerusalem came under control of the Jewish people and has remained in their control in an uneasy peace. THIS IS SOMETHING JESUS SAID AND IT WAS FULFILLED IN OUR LIFE TIME.

“The times of the gentiles are fulfilled”… what does that mean?  Does that refer simply to gentile control of Jerusalem? Or does it mean far more? Romans 9, 10, and 11 talk about the Jewish people returning to the Messiah. When they return to Him – the end comes!  We don’t know the day or hour – but He tells us when we see these things happening, look up because our redemption is drawing near.

Jesus’ final return will be like lightening filling the sky. He will come on cloud in great glory!

As the discourse continues in Matthew 24 – 25 we read about the following:
    ⁃    Fig Tree Imagery – Jesus prophesies that the end is near when we again see Israel beginning to flourish then we know “summer is near” (the end is coming)
    ⁃    Jesus says, “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”  THIS GENERATION – generation in Greek has multiple meanings – one meaning refers to “this people” the other to “this nation” and in Aramaic (Jesus’ language of the day) the word for generation and the word for nation are the same word. It may well be that what Jesus is declaring is that the Jewish people will not come to an end – they will survive. And they have.
    ⁃    Judgement by fire
    ⁃    Be awake!
    ⁃    Do not grow weary in doing what is right
    ⁃    Follow Jesus – receive Him as King, Savior and Lord
    ⁃    Last days and times will be difficult – so we are called to walk close to God
    ⁃    Then Jesus shares several parables to emphasize what He has been teaching.
    ⁃    The Parable of the Ten Virgins – Be ready for Jesus’ return.  Pastor shares what Jewish weddings were like in Jesus’ day and how knowing that brings insight to this parable to be encouraged to be awake and to be ready for Christ’s return.

Join us next time as we continue with the story of “Up to Jerusalem” as Jesus travels to the cross.

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 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!