Awake Us Now

Pastor digs deeper into "Who was Theophilus?" He is mentioned 2 times in the New Testament: Luke 1:3-4 "With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Theophilus evidently had come to know Jesus. "Most excellent" possibly denotes a position of significance or of high authority. Acts 1:1 "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach…"   Theophilus means:  Lover of God Friend of God Loved God Theophilus was a common name.   Some Suggested Identities given for Theophilus Ageneric name for every believer - but this is not an accepted idea Unknown high ranking Roman  Civic leader in Antioch Paul's defense attorney  Jewish High Priest (37-41 A.D,) This suggestion has been gaining popularity over the past few years. It is possible that perhaps Theophilus was an individual who was part of the ruling elite as a high priest and that he became so dissatisfied by what he was seeing and so overwhelmed by what he was seeing in Jesus that he actually became a follower of Jesus and thus removed from high office as a result. There is no proof of this, but what a story if this is true, that one of the people instrumental in Jesus' crucifixion, actually saw the Light and came to faith.   God changes hearts! God does the impossible! God turns lives around through faith in the risen Savior.     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer  FREE.   View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class   For more check out the series, "God Acts!" https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service   Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Acts is a book filled with dramatic events, amazing characters and has great application for the Christian life. It is a powerful book showing the acts of God through the Holy Spirit and how He acts in the lives of those He calls!   This study will take us through the book of Acts one chapter at a time with a specific look at Then - things that really happened.  It's not a storybook but a history book of what really happened. And Now - it is dramatic application for today.  It's a record of what really happened long ago but these things are still happening today and it shows us what God wants in the lives of His followers today.   Chapter 1  In verses 1-2, Luke is identified as the author of the Book of Acts. In volume, Luke wrote 27.5% of the New Testament. He was a physician and accompanied Paul on some of his mission trips.   Then   and   Now Proofs then - verse 3 - the disciples and others saw Jesus after His resurrection.  Proofs now - historical, archeological, scientific and documentary evidences. What has happened in the last 100 years shows evidence for the biblical message.  There have been many pieces showing that early believers really did believe Jesus was alive. They were bold and courageous in sharing that news. More and more confirmation comes through archeology as we are finding the very places where these events took place. And unearthing little things that show that what Luke wrote really is accurate. Power then -  verse 8 the disciples were to stay in Jerusalem until they received the gift that God the Father had promised to give them - the Holy Spirit - who would give them power. Power now - we today receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live the Christian life and to be effective witnesses for God. Purpose then - verse 8 - Jesus told them to be His witnesses Purpose now - we are to testify by our life example, words and actions that Jesus is alive, risen and the Messiah and Savior. We are to bring Jesus to family, friends, neighbors, and to the ends of the earth - We have the same mission - it is still our purpose today. Promise then - verse 11 - Jesus ascended to heaven and then the angels promised His return. Promise now - the second coming of Christ is the heart of the New Testament teaching and the heart of a believer's witness.  Jesus is returning! Prayer then - the theme of prayer is found throughout the book of Acts. Verse 14 - tells us they were constant in prayer. Prayer now - we are to pray for God's will to be done. We are to put into practice praying as this is what Jesus taught and gave example to.  Provision then - verses 23 and 26. A disciple was needed for replacing Judas and Matthias was added to eleven apostles. Provision now - God never runs out of resources. God provides for His children!   This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:   Acts chapter 1     Join the conversation around this teaching. Download our Awake Us Now APP, then join the conversation. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.   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/god-acts-then-now   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams   Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

What happens before the resurrection?  What happens to believers who die before Jesus comes back.   The Apostle Paul is Rome ca 61 A.D. He is in jail awaiting trial and he writes the following to the Philippians: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Philippians 1:21-24)    In this writing we see Paul is tired from all the travels, a shipwreck, stoning, beatings, being in jail and it is personally at this point he desires to depart the world and be with Christ.    Did you hear his words "BE WITH CHRIST!"  However, he knows he has a job to do and so he continues to work for the Lord.   Five years later Paul is again in prison and in Rome ca. 66/67 A.D. and he the circumstances are that he knows he will die for his faith in Christ and he writes these words to his good friend Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)    Paul knows he will be with Jesus and he knows that he will be raised from the dead on "That Day" (the day of Jesus' final appearing, the day the dead are raised and we are taken up to be with Jesus forever.)   As we live out our lives here on earth, with eyes looking "That Day," we are to fight the good fight of faith, not with human weapons but with divine power. We are to finish the race hanging tightly to Jesus all along the way.   Fight the good fight! Finish the race! Keep the faith!     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer  FREE.   View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class   For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service   Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This is a question Pastor has received over and again throughout the years, "Will our bodies be resurrected?" The answer is "yes!" Even through there is biblical teaching and a recognition of the resurrection by believers throughout the centuries, there are still many questions from believers and non-believers when it comes to the future resurrection.    Resurrection: Doubt and Denial existed among the educated elite (Acts 17:32), religious elite especially the Sadducees (Matthew 22:29), and church members (1 Corinthians 15:12) Old Testament does not say a lot about the resurrection, but there are mentions of it and people did look forward to the resurrection.  Job is one who looked to the resurrection (Job 19:25-27), as did Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:11), Isaiah (Isaiah 26:19) and Daniel (Daniel 12:2) Jesus' Teaching in the New Testament - Jesus was clear that resurrection was what was ahead for believers. Jesus talked of the resurrection of both the good and the evil (John 5:28-29), the resurrection comes on the Last Day (John 6:40), Jesus talks about His identity being tied to the resurrection (John 11:25-26). The clear declaration of Jesus is that we will be raised! There is a tie between Jewus' resurrection and the resurrection of those of us that follow Him. There are consequences if we don't believe (1 Corinthians 15:13-14), the implications of the resurrection - our salvation is dependent on the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus' resurrection guarantees that we also will rise (1 Corinthians 15:16-18), and Jesus is the "First Fruits" of those who will rise from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:20-23),  What Kind of Body are we going to have?  The New Testament gives us only a glimpse of what our bodies will be like, God has not yet revealed fully what it will be like (1 Corinthians 2:9), there is an analogy of the seed that is used to describe the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:35-36), we also learn that our bodies will be transformed from a perishable body to an imperishable body and that it is beyond our ability to comprehend (1 Corinthians 15:43-44), Continuity will continues as we will be able to recognize each other, irregardless of the change that will happen. What it it will all be like is not yet known, but we know we will be like Christ and will see Him as He is - risen! (1 John 3:2-3), and because of Jesus we have the Final Victory (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)   When we realize the resurrection is what is ahead for us as believers, the outcome is that we want to serve the Lord even more faithfully, to concentrate on the things that are important to eternity, to be immersed in the things of God, to love our Creator, to love Jesus, love the Holy Spirit and to love others (even our enemies).    Knowing what we know about resurrection, calls us to a dedicated life as a follower of Jesus.  We are not called to sit back and wait for the end, we are called to be people of faith and prayer, a people of goodness and generosity, of faithfulness and kindness.  We are to be a people who mirror the very nature of our Jesus in the way we deal with one another and the world.    Our victory through Him is what we hold on to and eagerly anticipate. We will be raised to be in God's presence 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/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Pastor takes us through an exploration of one of the earliest Christian statements of faith.   1 Corinthians 15:3-5 Paul said, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve."   Of FIRST Importance is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Jesus is the sacrificial victim who pays for the sins of the world. Only an innocent victim can pay for the sin of another and only God Himself can pay for the sins of all.   The statement goes on with… that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter) and the twelve.   This is a statement of faith about who Jesus is. The followers of Jesus declared: Jesus' deity Jesus' death Jesus' resurrection   These are the fundamentals of biblical faith and they are at the heart of everything Jesus taught, Jesus has done and Jesus is doing and they are everything the Scriptures proclaim.     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer  FREE.   View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class   For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service   Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This is a controversial topic. The Shroud of Turin is the most studied, most scientifically tested artifact in history. It has been subjected to literally hundreds of thousands of hours of intensive study by people of multiple disciplines.   What do we know for certain…. The Foundation:   1 Corinthians 15:1-5 "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."   Paul is calling us to anchor our faith in the Biblical foundation:   Heed the Prophetic Scripture - God will send the Messiah, and here's how to recognize Him, and then the Messiah comes as Jesus Eyewitness Testimony - from the early believers who saw Jesus post-resurrection and who were willing to share that news at the risk of their lives Holy Spirit's Witness - Jesus said the Holy Spirit leads us to understand who He is. Historical Confirmation - from ancient authors who were not believers in Jesus, who were not christian, but who freely confessed the fundamentals of the christian faith: that there was Jesus, that He did remarkable things, that He was crucified by Pontius Pilate, that His tomb was empty on the third day, that His followers spread rapidly, that many were brought to faith in a short time, and that the christians were willing to die for what they believed in.    50 years later: We still can not duplicate the image - it has stumped scientists. The physics contradicts the chemistry and the chemistry contradicts the physics.   The Contradictions: Depth - why is this just a microscopic image - why didn't it seep through the cloth Contact - chemical reactions on the Shroud happened outside the area that was touching the body.  Heat - If this image was produced by a burst of energy - it should have burned through the cloth and it did not..   Is it the real thing? Pastor says he doesn't know. He's read from both sides, he's not certain…. But he says there are two possibilities: 1 Inexplicable Art 2 Incomparable Artifact   Is this possibly the burial shroud of Jesus? - Pastor says, "Yes, it could well be, and also there's evidence that maybe may not be." Pastor goes on to say that he wouldn't be surprised if it is The burial Shroud of Jesus. He goes on to explain why it would not surprise him.   We are living in amazing day and an amazing age that has seen gigantic discoveries: Scriptural - Dead Sea Scrolls - confirmed the present day scriptures Archaeological - discoveries over the last 70 years confirm biblical locations, items, etc  Scientific - evidence is overwhelming in support of a brilliant Creator Prophetic - fulfilled in the last 70 years - 1948 the nation of Israel was born. 1967 the Jewish people reoccupied the city of Jerusalem.   These are things that ought to call all people into examining what the Bible says and what the gospel of Jesus says because the evidence for the Bible's truth is incredibly powerful.    If the Shroud is genuine - then God took the first selfie!!    And we are looking into the face of the Lord Jesus!    The Shroud of Turin's image reminds us of the Scripture's truth: Christ died for our sins He was buried He rose on the third day He appeared to His disciples   Whether the Shroud of Turin is real or not we know that God has broken into our world in the person of Jesus and because He is risen, our lives are not the same.    He is real and He is coming back. He calls us to receive Him now - to turn from our old ways and turn to the Gospel message of His love for us in Christ.     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/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Dig Deeper - Week 12 - What did they see? Today we take a look at what John and Peter saw when the got to Jesus' grave.   John 20:3-7 ESV tells us, "So Peter went out with the other disciples, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself."   Note: the linen cloths were "lying there" undisturbed.   We continue with John 20:8-9 "Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead."    When Peter saw the cloths lying as they were, his reaction was something dramatic has happened!  John on the other hand, he believed. What did John believe? He accepted what the women had told them that the angel had said that the Lord was risen!   Later they saw Jesus.  The disciples' stories of Christ's resurrection are based on them SEEING Him! (Not the abandoned linen clothes.) They saw Him alive. At the very risk of their lives they believed and told that Jesus was alive. And many died for this truth and the world has never been the same.     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer  FREE.   View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class   For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service   Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Shroud of Turin is a relic housed in the cathedral in Turin Italy and claimed to be the burial cloth of Christ.   The Gospels give us some details: Matthew 27:59-60 ESV "And Joseph (of Arimathea) took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away."  Mark 15:46 ESV "And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking Him (Jesus) down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb." Luke 23:53 ESV "Then he (Joseph) took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid."  John 19:40 ESV "So they (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus) took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of Jews."   Shroud of Turin A linen shroud approximately 14 feet long, 3 1/2 feet wide.  Pastor shares a picture of the shroud. It's very hard to discern what shows on the shroud.   But on May 28, 1898 Secondo Pia (1855 - 1941) received permission to take a picture of the shroud. The photographic negative ended up being an image of a man's brutalized face.  He said "I think I may have been the first person in centuries to see the face of Jesus!" In the following years many others have used developing technologies in photography to take photos of the shroud. Pastor shares his pictures and how it shows the person has been crucified and brutally whipped with over 300 lacerations.  Many people have asked the last 100+ years if this is indeed Jesus.   Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) a group came to examine and test the Shroud 1978 - 40 U.S. scientists, multiple institutions and laboratories. Went to Turin Italy - 5 days, 122 hours, to study the shroud, fully expected to find a forgery Tests- large variety of tests and equipment And in the following years 1978-1981 they spent an additional 100,000 - 150,000 hours of intensive study on the results of their testing. And made their final report in 1981.   1981 STURP Report Findings Image is on the top surface of linen fibers. The image is only .2 - .7 microns - that's several hundred times thinner than a human hair) Identity - it is the image of a scourged and crucified man. Approx 5' 11" tall around 178 lbs.  Origin - No evidence of paint of pigment Bloodstains were found of hemoglobin + serum albumin - which is evidence of a person having been horrifically tortured. 3D data - used a VP8 Image Analyzer (developed for the space program) and discovered that what is recorded on the shroud had 3 dimensional properties. Mechanism - how was it produced - unknown   For an insider's view of the study "Report on the Shroud of Turin" published in 1983 by John Herbert Heller. (A member of the Shroud team). The book caused many questions to start emerging. Pastor shares an article "On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ" from the JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association from March 21, 1986, Volume 256 and the impact that article had on him.   Pastor goes further into the continued testing over the years. Here are the latest results: 2013 - (FTIR) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy indicated the Shroud was 2,000 years old 2013 - Raman Spectroscopy also reported the Shroud to be 2,000 years old 2022 - (WAXS) Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering was used and it showed the Shroud to be 2,000 years old.   Research continues: Physicist Paolo di Lazaro and team at ENEA Labs, after 5 years and hundred of failed attempts to reproduce an image like the shroud, concluded that to make the imprint on the Shroud it would take 34 trillion watts of radiant energy for 1/40 billionths of a second. (An energy level greater than all the energy plants in the world combined)   Final Observations: 2000 year old Linen Shroud Crown of Thorns Abrasions on shoulders from carrying Crossbeam Nailed to the cross, not tied Has a side wound, no broken bones Rushed burial - as body was not washed Brief entombment    Could this be the burial shroud of Jesus? Pastor shares an interesting quote from the book by Heller and then shares that he believes it is certainly possible that this is the burial shroud of Jesus!      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/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

We will look at the two pictures of the Messiah found in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).   2 Pictures of Messiah Reigning King Humble Substitute   This double picture is what led some of the great Hebrew rabbis to suggest there might be two Messiahs that would come at different times and in different manners. And that then became the dominant tradition: Messiah will raise the dead Messiah will be victorious Messiah will reign in Jerusalem Messiah will bring peace   If we look at the New Testament the early followers of Jesus believed this same thing about the Messiah. However, when we go back to the pictures of Messiah in the Old Testament we don't simply see the reigning King we also see the Humble Substitute.     The eyewitnesses of Jesus raised and alive, is why those believers in Jesus as Messiah changed the world - for the first time they put together that Jesus was both a Reigning King and a Humble Substitute.   They said "There is ONE Messiah but He comes 2 times!"   The resurrection of Jesus puts these 2 Old Testament pictures of the Messiah together into ONE Messiah  New Testament:  Messiah was raised from death Messiah was victorious Messiah will return in victory Messiah will reign in Jerusalem Messiah will bring lasting peace   The Messiah is Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! He is the King of Kings, He is the Prince of Peace and He IS coming back!     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer  FREE.   View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class   For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service   Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This message focuses on the question: "How are minds opened today?", which is part of our ongoing series: "What's the answer?"   Pastor explores how people's lives are changed and what changes their attitudes about God, about Jesus, the resurrection, and about the power of God's Word.   Pastor takes us through Luke 24:36-47, an encounter with Jesus that His disciples have with Him after His resurrection.  Jesus tells them: "This is what I told you while I was still with you; Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Luke 24:44. He tells them everything written there points to Him.   Then next verse says, "Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." How did Jesus do that?  Let's look at Luke's clues …   Law of Moses Passover Lamb - Exodus 12. As protection from the tenth plague God told them He would passover their homes if they would take a lamb without spot or blemish, kill it, spread its blood on the doorposts of their homes, then roast and eat the lamb.  In Luke 22:15-16 Jesus tells His disciples: "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."  What He is saying about the Passover is that HE is the one that will fulfill it as The Passover Lamb. The Passover is a preview of God's redemption through the shed blood of Jesus.   Blood of the Covenant - Exodus 24. Moses built an altar at the foot of Mt. Sinai and the Israelites pledged to follow God. Moses took the blood of bulls, sprinkled it on the altar and the people saying, "This is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you…" Exodus 24:8. What this is, again, is a preview of the coming Christ and the fulfillment being found in Him.  Luke 22:20 Jesus says, "This cup (passover meal glass of wine) is the New Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you." This is just what Moses was showing was coming in Jesus.   Prophets  New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31. God said that the days were coming when He would make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah and put His law in their minds and hearts and change them from the inside out! A Heart change!" Jesus says, "This cup is the New Covenant!"  Luke 22:20 Meaning He is the New Covenant.   Suffering Servant - Isaiah 53. "He was despised… He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was on Him… by His wounds we are healed… the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all… it was the Lord's will to crush Him… to make His life an offering for sin… He will see the light of Life (raised)… He poured out His life unto death and numbered with the transgressors."  In Luke 22:37 Jesus says, "It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me." He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament words.   Psalms Crucified Victim - Psalm 22. "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?… hands pierced… lots cast for his clothing…" Jesus speaks these very words from the cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me."   Luke 23:34 we read, "and they divided up His clothes by casting lots." Jesus is the fulfillment of the words in the psalms.   David's Lord - Psalm 110. David wrote of the Messiah, "The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand while I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."  Luke 20:41-44 We see Jesus using these very words to describe Himself.   How are minds opened today?  The same way today they were then: Encountering Jesus and seeing Him as the Risen Christ. The risen Jesus transforms people minds and brings relationship with the Living God. Encountering the Scriptures and seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of everything written about the Messiah in the Law, Prophets and Psalms. Encountering the scriptures changes us as we read them. Encountering the Holy Spirit. No one can believe without the Holy Spirit.   Luke 24 concludes with "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."  Today those words of Jesus continue to be fulfilled!   God our Father desires we repent and turn to Him so that our minds may be opened and our lives renewed 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/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Join us as we dig deeper into the teaching on "What's the answer: What did Jesus tell them?", found in Luke 24:13-27 - the story of 2 men "On the Road to Emmaus." Two men are on their way, walking to the town of Emmaus are joined by Jesus.  Let's focus in on who these men were. For one of them we are given his name. Luke 24:18 " One of them, named Cleopas, asked Jesus, …" Cleopas is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, but there is another name very similar - Clopas - and this name is mentioned other places in the Bible. Over the centuries, many believers, scholars and teachers have considered that Cleopas and Clopas could be one and the same person. John 19:25 "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."  Clopas sounds very much like Cleopas, a simple shortening of the name. So one of the men walking to Emmaus may have been the husband of one of the women who stood at the foot of the cross at Jesus crucifixion. If Cleopas and Clopas as the same person - here's what we know from early Christian historians - Eusebius (c.260-339 AD) says, "They all discussed together who ought to succeed James, and all unanimously decided that Symeon, son of the Clopas mentioned in the Gospel, was worthy of the bishop's throne. It is said that he was the first cousin of the Savior, for Hegesippus relates that Clopas was the brother of Joseph."  (Joseph was Jesus' step-father, making Clopas Jesus' uncle.) Who was the other disciple on the road to Emmaus? Some have thought maybe it was Cleopas' wife. Others have thought it may have been one of Cleopas' sons. Or maybe it was Luke. - the author of the Gospel of Luke. And writer of this story found in Luke 24.  Pastor ends with a recommendation for further study: Easter Enigma by John Wenham.      Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Pastor gives us a look at the story, "On the Road to Emmaus," found in Luke 24:13-27. We don't know the actual location of Emmaus, nor do we know the names of those walking with Jesus in this story.  The story takes place later in the day on the day of Jesus' resurrection. Those Jesus walks with do not recognize Him. They are trying to figure out everything that had happened with Jesus and thinking about what the women had said about Jesus being alive and about the disciples having gone to the tomb and found it empty. Then Jesus begins to explain the scriptures to them concerning Himself. What Jesus shared is not recorded, but wouldn't it be fascinating to hear what was shared during that multi-mile walk!  What did Jesus tell them? Pastor shares the idea of Jesus, starting with the story of Abraham and Isaac in the book of Genesis: Genesis 22:1-18 - this is the story of Abraham and Isaac at Mt. Moriah.  Pastor shares some overwhelming details of this prophetic event. God tells Abraham He is going to test him and tells Abraham to sacrifice his son. And Abraham steps into obedience.  Pastor explores several phrases found in Genesis 22 "only son," "whom you love, "Moriah." (Moriah is where the temple wold be built in Solomon's day.) Abraham travels to Moriah and "on the third day" they arrive at Moriah and Abraham and Isaac leave the servants and head out the rest of the way alone. Isaac carries "the wood" for the offering.  Isaac asks Abraham "where is the lamb?" And Abraham replies that "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Isaac willingly allowed his father to place him on the altar. As Abraham raises the knife, an Angel of the LORD calls out, "Abraham, Abraham, don't lay a hand on the boy. I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Isaac comes off the altar and the LORD provides a lamb for the sacrifice. In verse 14 we read that Abraham called the place "The Lord Will Provide." What Abraham saw was a picture of the sacrifice of God the Father in giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. The story ends with, "and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." The fulfillment to that promise to Abraham is found in Christ alone.   Jesus is the Living Hope of all the world.   First use of "love" in the Gospels… Matthew 3:17 - at the baptism of Jesus "this is my Son, whom I love." Mark 1:11 - at the baptism of Jesus "You are my Son, whom I love" Luke 3:22 - at the baptism of Jesus "you are my Son, whom I love" John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." As Jesus talked to the disciples, these are the kinds of things He would have reminded them of: He is the only One who is the Savior of the world. The only One who brings forgiveness, life and hope. The only One who brings life forevermore. He is Risen!!  He is risen indeed! He is alive! And He is returning!   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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Happy Resurrection Sunday - Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Today's question is "Why do you believe He is risen?" Pastor starts today's class with a personal testimony in which the Bible changed the direction of his life at the age of 15. Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection of Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:14 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Pastor shares the Evidence Trail of Jesus' Resurrection on the bases of writings from believers, unbelievers, recorded data, and old and new studies. The Evidence Trail will encourage believers and will challenge those who are skeptics. 1. Resurrection was a scandalous message in the ancient world.  a. The CROSS was foolishness (1 Cor 1:18,23) Sources beyond the Bible record Christ's crucifixion - this was a scandalous way to die. If it was made up they would have chosen a more honorable way to die for Jesus. b. The CROSS as stumbling block (1 Cor 1:23) yet many gave their lives for faith in Christ c. The RESURRECTION story was nonsense (Lk 23:11) yet they proclaimed the truth of His resurrection Painful Honesty  a. All 4 gospels declare that women were the first eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection. We nowadays have no problem with this. But in the ancient Middle East and the ancient mediterranean world, people of that time were skeptical about anything told by woman. Example - Women could not testify in court trials. In that day women were considered untrustworthy. Yet the writers of the Bible honestly reported the truth saying that women were first irregardless of perceived credibility. (Mt 28:1ff; Mk 16:18, Lk 24:1ff; Jn 20:1ff) b.  Gospel "heroes" were flawed (Mt 26:60ff; Lk 22:54ff; Jn 7:5; Jn20:25ff)  The writers of the New Testament told of their flaws and failures and did not hide the truth of their actions. They didn't "clean up" the stories, instead they boldly told the truth in painful honesty. Strategic Locale a, Jerusalem as the center of Judaism b. Unsilent witnesses of the empty tomb - even the enemies of Jesus admitted the tomb of Jesus was empty.  Multiple Witnesses a. Jesus' chosen Apostles - boldly shared the story of Jesus' resurrection b. Significant doubters - Jesus' brother James, for example, did not believe Jesus was who He said He was, but after the resurrection James did believe and was later martyred for His faith in Jesus. (1 Cor 15:7-10) c. 500 eyewitnesses (1 Cor 15:6) d. Vocal opponents against Jesus freely conceded that Jesus did amazing things, was crucified by Pontius Pilote, that many believed He rose from the grave, and that the message was spread throughout the ancient world. Sacrificial lives  a. Being a believer in that day was not the popular thing, as many of those ancient early believers suffered heinous deaths and yet, were unwilling to change their minds and recant and willingly died for their faith in Jesus.  They died for what they knew as truth (as one would not die for a lie.) Early documentation a. Unparalleled Gospel accounts - many copies discovered - from across the ancient world b. Early New Testament sources - the evidence shows believers and unbelievers agreeing that copies were written during the lifetimes of eye witnesses.  c. Non-Christian writings (Tacitus, Suetonius, et al) Roman officials concede the fundamentals of the Christian faith. People did believe Jesus was raised from the grave.  d. Jewish rabbinic sources (Sanhedrin 43a) Shocking Conclusion a. Those living in the year of Jesus' death and into the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60's of the first century, boldly proclaimed Jesus' death, deity and resurrection. b. The New Testament authors and the early believers, both testified to the Old Testament pointing to Jesus and that He fulfilled what was foretold about a Savior. c. Clear declaration in the New Testament that Jesus is none other than the Living God come to earth.  The Evidence Trail gives us strong, rational, historical, biblical, and literal evidence for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Let us give thanks for the evidence and be prepared to share it! If you are not a believer, check out this evidence and we encourage you to pick up a Bible. Christ is risen, He is risen, indeed!   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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Luke 22:7-8 'Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."" What we know about the Passover during the time of Jesus, is that the Passover meal had to be celebrated in Jerusalem itself.  The lambs were killed at the Temple and the priests worked hours and hours to slaughter all the lambs needed for the meals - as many as a quarter million lambs were killed.  The people came to the temple to pick up their lambs. This is where Jesus was sending Peter and John. Let's take a closer look at what the slaughtered lambs were distributed. Joseph Tabory, Ań Israeli scholar wrote in the "Jewish Quarterly Review 86:3-4" (1996): 395-406 and tells us this: "An examination of the rabbinic evidence…seems to show that in Jerusalem the Jewish paschal lamb was offered in a manner which resembled a crucifixion." Justin Martyr, (lived in the early 100's) in "Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, 40: tells us this: "For the lamb, which is roasted, is roasted and dressed up in the form of a cross. For one spit is transfixed right through from the lower parts up to the head and one across the back..." When the lambs were picked up they were handed out via the cross they were dressed on. In the time of Jesus before the destruction of the temple in 70AD, the practice shows us that even the lambs were crucified.  Even the smallest of details declare the glory and plan of God! Remarkable details that come to fulfillment in the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. God IS in the details and it all gives glory to HIM! Worthy is the lamb that was slain, our Lord Jesus Christ.   Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Happy Palm Sunday!  Hosanna!  Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem: Palm Sunday - Passion Sunday - story is found in: Matthew 21 Mark 11
Luke 19 John 12 Many of us know the Palm Sunday story, but do we know the details? Today we will look at some of the most fascinating and intentional details of this story.     1.     Did you know that donkeys around the world have a similar dark marking on their backs that runs along the spine and across their shoulders?  It is a cross.  Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a beast with a cross emblazoned on its back.      2.    Why haven't I heard this before - meaning why didn't I know about this and other details before? Join us as we talk a look at the Palm Sunday story with a Jewish view of the story to see some amazing and significant pieces of the story.    PASSOVER - Pastor reviews the story of the Passover and the 10th plague. By placing lamb's blood on their door posts, the angel of death would pass over their homes. Passover was celebrated annually. In Exodus we read about God telling Moses how to annually celebrate the Passover event, "This month (Nissan) is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household."  Jewish Passover Schedule: Nissan 10 - the lamb was chosen and set apart and we read in Exodus 12:6 "take care of them (lambs) until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight." Nissan 14 - the lamb was killed as the sun was setting. Nissan 15 - the Passover lamb was eaten. A closer look using several verses from the Bible, we see:     ⁃    Nissan 9 - John 11:1 we read "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead."     ⁃    Nissan 10 - Palm Sunday - John 12:12-13 "The next day (the day after Nissan 9) the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!""       ⁃    Reminder - Nissan 10 is the day the Passover lambs were herded into Jerusalem and set aside for sacrifice and it is at this very time that Jesus, the Lamb of God sets Himself apart as the sacrifice for all Israel and all the world as He comes into Jerusalem with all the other lambs.      ⁃    Nissan 14 - Luke 22:7-8 "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."" The Jewish people had all come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. As many as a quarter-million lambs would be needed and slaughtered. Then at sunset the next day starts - so that evening it is Nissan 15 - the day the Passover meal is eaten. Our God is a God with a plan! He's sets all pieces of the story in line for the coming of the Messiah. The prophetic pieces all fit together as we look through the scriptures.  Jesus is our Passover Lamb who sets us free. 1 Corinthians 5:7 "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."  And because of His sacrifice we willingly surrender our lives over to Him for He alone is worthy. Revelation 5:12 tells us, "In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise." Every piece fits together - God's plan and purpose AND His deep love for each of us is revealed. His love is a love that caused the Lamb of God to lay down His life for us. It is a love that culminates at the cross where the Son of God was killed by man. God's love knows no limits and His faithfulness knows no bounds.  It's at the cross that he shows us the magnitude of His love. And it's in the empty tomb that He shows us the victory. And that changes everything and is why our lives can no longer be the same. Because He loves us that much - now our lives are never the same once we see the fulfillment of the scriptures in Jesus our Messiah. John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Palm Sunday isn't Jewish, but when we look at the event of that day with Jewish eyes the significance of God's plan and His love cannot be missed. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

The past Sunday Pastor taught on "What's the Answer -  Are the Gospels believable?" This teaching is a follow up to that message. Pastor takes us to the story of the Feeding of the 5000 BUT it's not about the feeding!! So what is this teaching about if it isn't about the miracle of Jesus feeding 5000 men (plus all the women and children) from 5 small barley loaves and 2 little fish, then what's this teaching about? Why even bother looking at the story if we're not going to look at the miracle of Jesus? Well, come along and find out what Pastor is going to show us today! The story of the Feeding of the 5000 is found in all 4 Gospels and Pastor shares a small detail that has great impact on exposing the truth of the Gospels. Feeding of the 5000 in all 4 Gospels     ⁃    Matthew 14:13-21     ⁃    Mark 6:30-44     ⁃    Luke 9:10-17     ⁃    John 6:1-14 Feeding of the 5,000     ⁃    Mark talks about "the green grass" - Mark 6:39     ⁃    John tells us there was "plenty of grass" - John 6:10     ⁃    This is important because it shows that the 4 Gospels compliment one another and together give us insights we might otherwise miss. It is a testimony to their reliability and that they are written by eyewitnesses and people who know the eyewitnesses.     ⁃    John 6:4 we read "The Jewish Passover Festival was near,"     ⁃    Mark 6:31-32 tells us the "so many people were coming and going" that Jesus and His disciples "went away by themselves."     ⁃    Then we read from Luke 9:10 "they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida."     ⁃    Then in Mark 6:34 Jesus "saw a large crowd"…. And He "began teaching them". With this being the time of the Passover there would be many in Jerusalem and the surrounding area.     ⁃    Then in John 6:5 we read that Jesus said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" (Philip was from the town of Bethsaida)     ⁃    Next Andrew speaks up in John 6:8-9, "Here is a boy with 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish…" (Andrew was also one of the disciples from Bethsaida)      ⁃    Why is "barley" significant? It's because the Passover follows the Barley harvest. (Late March or early April)      ⁃    The feeding of the 5000 is happening during Passover and barley harvest times, which means the rainy season is over, and the season moves into drier hotter weather - the harvest time. The rains from the previous months during growing season would have left the hill sides full of "green grass" as Mark tell us in chapter 6 verse 39 and there was "plenty of grass" as John says in John 6:10 This is a small thing to prove, but these small details testify to an even greater truth and that is that we can trust the Word from God! He is faithful. He keeps His Word and His Word is TRUE even when it comes to green grass that grows! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Today's question is one that Pastor has heard most often from young people.  The questioning of the Gospels seems to center around miracles, especially the resurrection. Atheistic Materialism Worldview     ⁃    No God - universe is by chance      ⁃    Matter only - Life came from non-life     ⁃    No Miracles - Life is meaningless Bible's Worldview     ⁃    There is a Creator     ⁃    He created life     ⁃    Life has a purpose These two worldviews are in conflict with each other but careful analysis of the Bible shows the Biblical worldview to be trustworthy. No matter your worldview - there is evidence of the Biblical worldview. THE FOUR GOSPELS:     ⁃    The Gospels are Jewish in both their content, background and details     ⁃    Matthew - Genealogy + 55 quotations     ⁃    Mark begins with Old Testament quote     ⁃    John: "In the beginning…" just like Genesis starts     ⁃    Luke: Priesthood + "deathbed prayer" Luke 23:46 + Psalm 31:5 (Jesus spoke this prayer "into your hands…")      ⁃    Geographical knowledge - written by people familiar with the territory     ⁃    26 different towns; Sea of Galilee, etc.     ⁃    Up to/Down from Jerusalem     ⁃    John: 2 pools - Bethesda + Siloam (archeological proof has been found)     ⁃    2 Gardens - Gethsemane + Golgotha     ⁃    Details      ⁃    Common Jewish names in Israel      ⁃    Clarification: e.g. frequently used names: Simon…Mary… thus the need for the clarity given in the Gospel around common names     ⁃    Dill and cumin dispute (Mt 23:23) things known at only a specific time in history     ⁃    Tax Collectors in Capernaum/Jericho     ⁃    Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic languages     ⁃    Identity - not the most likely candidates to have written the Gospels     ⁃    Interesting names of Gospel authors     ⁃    Matthew = former tax collector     ⁃    Mark = not one of the original 12     ⁃    Luke = physician, Gentile(?)     ⁃    John = Jesus' closest friend     ⁃    Dating - when were they written? Everything that we have suggests that these books were written early and are accurate     ⁃    The Gospels reflect the "early days" of the Jesus movement. Jesus is Jewish, the 12 disciples were Jewish, the early believers were Jewish - The Gospels speak from a Jewish view     ⁃    Passover within Jerusalem's walls     ⁃    Best documented texts from antiquity     ⁃    Paul quotes Luke's Gospel (1 Tim 5:18 from Lk 10:7 and 1 Cor 11:24-25 from Lk 22:19-20)      ⁃    But this verse is a stumbling block for acceptance to the gospels because it is "productive prophecy": Jesus said, "Jerusalem will be destroyed…" And that brings us back around to the word: MIRACLES. If your worldview is that of atheistic materialism, a miracle / predictive prophecy would seem impossible. But if you believe there is a God and that He is the Creator then He does these things. If Jesus is….     who He claimed to be…     who the Gospels declare Him to be….     who the Old Testament said He would be… Then        that Good News in the Gospels changes everything     the Gospels deserve to be observed     they call us to believe     it is not irrational     it is not foolish     the Gospels make perfect sense      it is rational     it is reasonable      and Jesus alone offers life forever and He invites you and me to receive what He freely gives. May we each respond to His Word of truth as we see it proclaimed by those early eye witnesses.    Pick up a Bible and read it today!   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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

The past Sunday Pastor taught on "What's the Answer - what is the unforgivable sin?" using Matthew 12:24-32. Today, Pastor digs deeper and takes a look at Mark 3:22-29 - which also talks about the "unforgivable sin."  In Mark 3:22-26 we read that the teachers of the law say that Jesus is possessed by the devil, doing healings in the devil's power and doing what the devil wants. But Jesus responds by sharing parables and asking how can Satan drive out Satan? A house divided cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand.  Jesus explains how illogical their accusations are. Jesus goes on in verse 27 saying that in fact no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then his house can be plundered. Jesus is not denying the devil is strong, but He's saying He is stronger!  He is challenging these men to think things through, to think about what they are saying. Jesus is encouraging them to listen not to their prejudices, but to the Holy Spirit's testimony, that of what is spoken in scripture and the things that Jesus is doing and what the Spirit is revealing about who Jesus is. In verses 28-29 Jesus continues, "Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin."  He doesn't say they have done that sin, but reminds them that is the path they are on. Jesus tells them that ALL and any sins and slander can be forgiven, except the persistent refusal to listen to the Holy Spirit. Meaning never letting the Spirit in or listening to Him. The Spirit will transform our lives, Jesus will heal us, forgive us, and bring us into His eternal kingdom. Jesus' power and the Holy Spirit can deliver us from the bondage of the enemy and give us freedom through Jesus' saving power at the cross and resurrection because Jesus HAS bound the strong man! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Today's question is one that Pastor says has been the question asked with the most fear.  Other ways this question is asked:     ⁃    What is the unforgivable sin?     ⁃    What is the sin against the Holy Spirit?     ⁃    How can I be sure I haven't done this?     ⁃    If I have done this is there any hope?     ⁃    How do I avoid the unforgivable sin? Matthew 12:31-32 Jesus says, "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." What is that sin? Let's start by looking at the context …     ⁃    Jesus was preaching and healing. Religious authorities saw Jesus as a threat. Jesus heals a paralyzed man and the religious leaders say Jesus is blaspheming because He told the man your sins are forgiven, take up your mat and walk. And the religious leadership are angry and they continue to get angrier. Matthew 9:3     ⁃    Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, hosts a dinner, invites his tax collector friends and Jesus attends too. The religious leaders accuse Jesus of "eating with tax collectors and sinners." Matthew 9:11     ⁃    Jesus heals a demon possessed man and the religious leaders say Jesus was able to heal the man through demonic powers. Matthew 9:34     ⁃    Jesus and disciples are walking in the grain fields on the Sabbath Day, picking and eating grain and the religious leaders say they are working on the day of rest, which is unlawful. Matthew 12:2     ⁃    Jesus heals a demon possessed man and now the religious leaders plot to kill Jesus. Matthew 12:14     ⁃    Jesus heals a man and they say that Jesus healed by the power of Beelzebul (the devil) Matthew 12:24 It is at this point that we continue with the verses just before our text for the day on the unforgivable sin. We read in Matthew 12:25-28 "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Meaning how can I be healing from demons by using demons?) And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." What Jesus is saying is look at what you see.  Stop judging on the basis of your own anger and bitterness and look at what the Bible has said along. God's healing is being brought to people. The Holy Spirit is testifying that the Messiah has arrived! Then Jesus speaks the words we started with this morning. Note that the first words are "EVERY KIND OF SIN AND SLANDER CAN BE FORGIVEN." Jesus goes on and what He's saying is if we continually refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit and actually go so far as to call what the Spirit does as demonic then we are setting ourselves up for the unforgivable sin.  (Note: Jesus is not saying they have done this, but He is calling them to search the scriptures, to search their hearts.) The Holy Spirit always testifies to Jesus. Jesus is saying do not sin against the Spirit because if you persist in that you are cutting yourself off from the only One who can save. The Holy Spirit leads us to faith and to Jesus, who opens our eyes to see the goodness and grace of God. What is the sin against the Holy Spirit? IT IS THE CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE AND PERSISTENT REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S TESTIMONY TO THE IDENTITY AND SAVING POWER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Jesus speaks these words of warning to them to lead them to repentance and faith.  God is merciful. His desire is for ALL. Classic example:     ⁃    Saul of Tarsus - the persecutor of believers who becomes a transformed man - Apostle Paul.  Pastor shares Saul's story of transformation. Paul understood the sin of the Holy Spirit because that was the path he had been on in his life. But then Saul has an encounter with God that changes him and he understands the immense patience of God and His amazing grace. Pastor closes with Romans 10:9-10 "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." God is good! So let us listen to the Holy Spirit's voice who leads us to Jesus our only Hope. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Pastor starts today's class by taking a look at Matthew 24:37-39a "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away." This text is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount of Olives and He is talking about His second coming. Jesus compares what it will be like at the end of time, to what happened at the time of Noah's flood. Noah and his sons built the boat over a long period of time and people could see he was building a huge boat, but they continued doing their regular life things and the flood took them all away. They had not listened to Noah's preaching and warnings. It will be like that at the end when Jesus returns.   In 2 Peter 3:3-10 Peter shares another comparison of what the Second Coming of Christ will be like. There will be a time when God keeps His word once again.  There's been a warning that there will be an end - the Second Coming of Christ and it will take place. We are called to be alert, listen and respond and not to ignore that He is returning. We are to be ready and waiting. Matthew 24 continues with verses 39b-42 "That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.'" Pastor zeroes in on the words "one will be taken the other left." The question is taken to where? Believer opinions are:     ⁃    Taken for judgement     ⁃    Taken to be with Christ Pastor refers back to a recent teaching entitled "What Happens When I Die?"  That teaching can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/live/5L41Ufkiq2w?si=xxcv4CNj2FC-y7XD Part of that teaching is on 1 Thessalonians 4:13- 5:6. These verses are Paul's description of the Second Coming of Christ. Paul makes it clear that when Jesus returns the dead believers will be raised first and those still alive will be caught up with them. Pastor takes a deeper look at the original Greek text of the word Jesus uses for our translated word "taken." For the "taken" Jesus uses here, the word is paralambanō which means to be taken to one's side, to receive to one's self. It is a positive and affectionate word. It's the picture of the Bridegroom taking His bride (His people) to Himself.  In our day it is like Noah's day and Jesus' day where people are just going on like normal and ignoring God or not paying attention to Him or His Word. But Jesus speaks a word of warning to those not listening and a word of encouragement  to believers. In verse 42 He says, "Therefore keep watch!" The greek text for "keep watch" is the word grēgoreō and it means to keep awake! And to be ready for Christ's return! In closing, Pastor shares a saying he once heard: "Live as though Christ died yesterday, arose this morning and is coming again tomorrow!"   Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Pastor opens with a prayer for God to build unity among believers especially in the areas where we have differing opinions, that we would show grace to one another and humility before God. Pastor begins with the "rapture" passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord forever." "Will be caught up." This caught up is the rapture. "Will be caught up" is one word in Greek: harpazō (Latin was used to translate the Greek work and in Latin the word is rapiemur from which we get "rapture") Let's check out 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 where Paul answers the question about Christian believers who have died, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's word we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first."   These are encouraging words for believers, giving them the assurance of Jesus' Second Coming and the assurance of the resurrection of the dead, the gathering of the living and all going with Jesus in the air and of being with Him forever. If we take Paul's powerful words of summary of the Second Coming in these verses - it seems to be saying that the rapture occurs when Jesus returns, when the dead are raised and when we are all caught up in the air with Him. Paul goes on to say in verse 18: "Therefore encourage one another with these words." In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 we read that Christ comes at a time no one knows, and He comes not only to bring His people to Himself, but to bring judgement. Verses 4-6 goes on to tell us that we belong to the Light and not to the darkness and Paul calls us to understanding that Jesus can come anytime and that we should be ready and looking forward to His return.  Common questions:         What is all this talk about the Rapture - its referring to believers who have died in Christ and those who are alive when He returns and the risen dead and the alive will be united with Christ         Will there be a rapture - Yes!!!         Where is the rapture found in the Bible - In 1 Thessalonians 4         When will the rapture take place - at the Second Coming of Christ         Will Christians go through the Tribulation - The word for tribulation is the Greek word thlipsis. It is used 45 time in the New Testament. (Suffering, persecution, tribulation) Pastor takes us on an exploration of the ways thlipsis is used in the New Testament by looking at:         John 16:33         Matthew 24:21-22         Romans 5:3         1 Thessalonians 3:7         2 Thessalonians 1:4         Revelation 7:14 We see in these verses that tribulation is a reality, we read of the tribulation of others, of Jesus saying that in this world we will have tribulation, that there will be tribulation, and we read about glorying in our tribulations.  Pastor shares the tribulation of the apostles, disciples, and early believers, and that throughout the centuries there has been tribulation of Christian people and in our day the tribulation that is attacking many believers around the world (kidnapped, raped, captured, hunted down, killed, ridiculed, put down, in fear of losing jobs, etc). Tribulation is real, it's a reality. the Bible doesn't say we will escape it, instead it says we will be persecuted. Our hope is not based on being taken out of tribulation, our hope is on the second coming of Christ. And the assurance that we will be raised on the last day and will live with Him forever. Believers have differing opinions - Pastor encourages us with what the Bible says:         to maintain the peace of the Holy Spirit.          To search the scripture         to not get caught up in details that cause controversy          to focus on the mission of bringing others to Christ Jesus is the only message of reconciliation and eternal life. That is our focus, labor, prayer and service. Bottom line …. The entire New Testament points to the Second Coming of Christ and urges us to live in such a way as to be always ready for His return. Pastor's closing prayer speaks of thanks to God for the Scriptures, while in them we don't find everything we want to know, the Scriptures do provide ALL that we need to know. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

In today's class we are going to do a little math!  Come along with us as we look at the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments.  The word "Holy Spirit" in the:     1.    Old Testament - 3 times     2.    New Testament - 90 times The New Testament which is considerably smaller than the Old Testament uses the word "Holy Spirit" 30 times more frequently. The word "Spirit" + other expressions for Spirit:     1.    Old Testament - 74 times     2.    New Testament - 268 times It is clear that the Holy Spirit is being poured out! We are in the age of the Spirit! And doing the math makes that very clear!  God is at work! May we be attentive! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The answer? EVERYONE!  The Holy Spirit is found in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament the Spirit came mainly to specific people for specific purposes, but there was the foretelling of the Spirit being poured out in abundance - an age of the Holy Spirit ushered in by Jesus. Jesus the Messiah ushers in the Age of the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:7-8 John the Baptist tells us, "And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:8 Jesus tells us, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 2:16-17 "this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "'In the last days, God says,
 I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
 Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
 your young men will see visions,
 your old men will dream dreams." One of Jesus' teachings on the Holy Spirit is found in Luke 11:9-13: A.S.K.: Ask - for the Holy Spirit and you will receive Seek - the Holy Spirit and you will find it Knock - and the door will be opened Jesus' desire is that the Holy Spirit is moving in each of our lives.  Then Jesus ends this teaching with Luke 11:13 "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." Jesus is not rebuking us - He's inviting us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. His desire is to have the Holy Spirit poured out on all of us. The Holy Spirit in the disciple's life:     1.    Romans 8:5-6. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives. We are invited to let go and let the Spirit of God take control of our thoughts, behaviors, prayers and lives.     2.    1 Corinthians 3:1 "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ." We do not want to remain spiritual babies. We need to rely upon God through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. We are called to new life through the Holy Spirit governing how we think, behave and live.     3.    Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."  We can ask ourselves if we see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Since the Holy Spirit brings us to Christ, changes our minds, changes our behavior as we listen to Him so let us keep in step with Him and allow the fruit to blossom in our lives.     4.    Ephesians 5:18-20 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."   We are to be filled with the Spirit, and to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.  We are called to a God-focused life, to a life of purpose, meaning, joy and peace. We are called to go through this life with the assurance of what lies ahead. And what lies ahead for the believer is life with God forever when Jesus returns! We are called to live in the light of that truth, to make music in our hearts to God, to sing praises and to live a life that matters and to live in a what that reflects the Lord Jesus.  THAT is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit! Pastor closes with a prayer stating in faith the desire to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and to be empowered by the Spirit to call others to knowing Jesus. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Pastor starts with a deeper exploration of John 16:13 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears and he will tell you what is yet to come." People have used this verse to argue that the word Spirit is not about a personal being but about an impersonal force because in the original Greek text "spirit" (pneuma) is a neuter noun. Yes, this is true, and so they determine that neuter means the Holy Spirit is an IT. Yet the verse goes on by saying, "…He will guide you…, He will speak…. He will tell you…" The original greek text for He is a masculine pronoun (ekeinos). The Holy Spirit is a HE!  We must pay attention to this! God is speaking very intentionally here!!  The author of scripture is the Holy Spirit and the Spirit is making sure we understand HE IS personal because He's a person not an it. He desires to be a part of our lives. He's not a force imposed upon us.  The Spirit is the very presence of the Living God and desires that we come to know Him more and more and He reveals Jesus Christ to us. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This question is often asked this way:     ⁃    Is the Holy Spirit an impersonal force?     ⁃    What does the Bible say about this?     ⁃    What does the Holy Spirit do?     ⁃    Why are some afraid of the Holy Spirit? Let us consider: Is the Holy Spirit a "Force" or a "Person"  Marks of Personality:     ⁃    Intellect     ⁃    Emotion     ⁃    Will Are these evident in the Holy Spirit? Let's look in the Bible and see what we find, as there is so much confusion about the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit     ⁃    Speaks  - Acts 13:20 (….the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."     ⁃    Forbids certain things - Acts 16:6-7 (….having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching….but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."      ⁃    Guides - gives direction - John 16:13 Jesus says, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…."     ⁃    Teaches - John 14:26 Jesus says, "but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my team, will teach you all things…."     ⁃    Helps - John 14:16-17 Jesus says, "And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth….."     ⁃    Predicts - insight and prophetic revelation - Acts 21:11 "Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" And this is something that did happen to Paul.     ⁃    Can Be Lied to - Acts 5:3-4 The story of Ananias and Sepphira selling property. Peter says, "Ananias how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit ….. You have not lied just to human beings but to God."     ⁃    Can be Grieved - disappointed by our behavior or when we do not listen to God - Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holt Spirit of God…"     ⁃    Intercedes for us - he prays - Romans 8:27 "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."       ⁃    Testifies - bears witness to Jesus and makes Jesus known - John 15:26 Jesus says, "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about the Me." The Holy Spirit testifies to who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. The Holy Spirit testifies to each one of us that Jesus is our only Hope, and our Messiah. Back to the question of why be afraid of the Holy Spirit?  Father - Son - Spirit = three in One. The Holy Spirit is real and is part of the essence of the One True Living God. And Holy Spirit desires to move in power in our lives and desires that we experience a real and personal relationship with Him. It is only in the Living God that we have life forever. Pastor closes with: The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those that ask Him. That's a promise for each one of us.(Luke 11:13 "…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!") 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

We take a look at Matthew 6:13, a portion of The Lord's Prayer. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  However, we read in James 1:13 "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;" So are these two verses contracting each other? Or are we misunderstanding something. So let's look at the original words used in this Scripture.      1.    Peirazō - verb meaning to test/try or tempt - two very different meanings     2.     Peirasmos - noun meaning testing/trail or temptation - again, two very different meanings How can I know the difference? Identity: who is doing the test or the tempt. The devil tempts us into going against God's word and will. God tests us - will we follow Him and do His will? Motive: who is doing the testing or tempting. The devil's motive in tempting us is to destroy us.  God tests us to strengthen, guide and uphold us. When we are facing Peirazō (temptation or test) we can look at that experience in two ways.      1.    The devil tempting us to go against what we believe, what Jesus desires, what the Scriptures teach and what the Holy Spirit reveals OR     2.    That God is using a temptation to test us, to strengthen us, to cause us to rely on Him more and more, to look to Him and to call upon Him in the day of trouble. Testing and temptation go together in the Bible - they are the same word, but the identity of who is Peirazō"ing" us is the key.  Are we going to listen to the one who wants to destroy us - the devil - or will we listen to the One who has saved us and desires to help and save us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." In God is strength, and even when we fall and fail we are assured of finding and receiving His forgiveness through our faith in Christ and will be given the power to start over again.  "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" - what we are praying is - "Lord, let us not fall into the devil's temptations but deliver us from the evil one and help us find our strength in you. Deliver us from what is evil and from the evil one. Deliver us from the power of the devil and help us to hold onto Your strength and power so that when we face trials we can face them with confidence because our eyes are on You!" Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Common questions on this age old topic:     ⁃    Why is sin so tempting?     ⁃    Why do I do things I don't want to do?     ⁃    How can I conquer temptation?     ⁃    Where can I find strength to resist?     ⁃    Why is this so difficult? Genesis 3:1-7 - First sin in the Bible.  But prior to sin, Adam and Eve were in a time of blissful innocence. A perfect creation, perfect relationship with God, perfect relationship with each other. No death, no sorrow, no pain, but that would change once sin came. Who is the serpent in Genesis 3:1? We find the answer in Revelation 12:9 "The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray."  Satan is a Hebrew word meaning - the adversary, the enemy. And the serpent takes on the form of a serpent.  We read what Jesus says about the devil in John 8:44 that the devil "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." Satan's Garden Strategy      ⁃    Doubt God's Word -  Genesis 3:1 the devil says to Eve "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"  The devil plants doubt. Eve replies in Genesis 3:2-3 that they could eat fruit from the trees except not from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, lest they would die.      ⁃    Deny the consequences - Then the devil replies in Genesis 3:4 "'You will not certainly die,' the serpent said to the woman." The devil moves her toward denying the consequences.      ⁃    Deify ourselves - The devil continues in Genesis 3:5 "'For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'" We want to be in control instead of allow God to be. Then we read in Genesis 3:6 "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her and he ate it." From this we learn that temptation comes with: Passion - I want things that I like and that look good Pleasure - I want things that give me joy and comfort Pride - I want to be in control 1 John 2:16 we read, "For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - does not come from the Father but from the world." Our story continues in Genesis 3:7 "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made a covering for themselves." They now understood good and evil, their eyes were opened to evil and they had shame, sorrow, loss, pain, suffering, guilt. Sin took away their blissful innocence. What happened next? Then we read in Genesis 3:21 "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." What does this tell us? It tells us that sin brought death to an innocent victim - an animal was slain - and it shows us sin has a consequence - Sin must be paid for by an innocent victim - and this is a foreshadowing of the Lamb of God - Jesus - who would lay down His life on a cross for us, because we all have fallen for the devil's garden strategy.  1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Confronting Temptation:     ⁃    Remember Jesus, who He is and what He did - 2 Timothy 2:8  We are to keep our eyes focused on Jesus     ⁃    Resist the devil and he will flee from you - James 4:7     ⁃    Run from temptation and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace - 2 Timothy 2:22     ⁃    Replace our focus on the things that destroy with the things that build us up. We are not to focus on the things that are tempting, but rather we should focus on what God's word says. Let His word take root in our lives because God's word give us power and strength, direction and guidance- Psalm 119:11      ⁃    Rely on the Holy Spirit who leads us to faith and brings to mind the teachings of Jesus - Romans 8:6 Pastor closes with a beautiful hymn that his mother taught him. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Today's class is a study of Ephesians 5:21-33. A group of verses that are controversial, often attacked and many times misunderstood. Ephesians 5:21-22 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, [submit] yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord."  In the original Greek text the second [submit] word is not there. There is not a verb in this sentence and so in traditional Greek practice, you take the verb from the previous sentence and insert it into the next sentence.  Please note that this is really important - because what this is saying is, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, to your husbands as you do to the Lord." Meaning husband and wife alike are to submit to each other, to look out for one another, in service and submission to the Living God. There is no denying that throughout history many men have treated many women shamefully. But that is not biblical. It is never approved.  Instead, the Scriptures tell us that God intends for married people to be a unity and to willingly submit to one another because of their reverence for Christ. Men and women are to treat their husbands in a way that is consistent with their faith. Ephesians 5:23 goes on to say, "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." Please note the word is "head" not the boss, not the dominant individual. It says he is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.  How does Jesus show He is the head of the church.  He seeks what is best for her, He loves her, He sacrifices Himself for her, He gives Himself completely to her. And here it says the husband is to love His wife in that very same way. Loving, caring, supporting, defending, protecting, doing whatever it takes for the woman he loves. Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her…" That is what submission is all about.  It says, because I love the Lord, I will love my wife in the way He loves me. Both husbands and wives are to practice submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:32 goes on to say, "This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church."  God designed marriage to be a picture of the kind of love that Jesus has for his body, the church. Marriage is a reflection of Jesus' love. Verse 33 concludes: "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."  God made us male and female and He knows we each have unique needs. Husbands thrive when their wives respect them. Wives thrive when they know how deeply their husbands love them. These verses are a prescription for a happy, joy-filled, life-long marriage. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

In this message we will look at what the Scriptures have to say about marriage, analyze concerns and questions raised in our day, overview the cultural changes that have led to many questioning the value and benefit of marriage, and do so from a Christian worldview. We will also take a look at some secular contemporary research and what it indicates. Common Reactions:     1.    The culture has changed:     - Married Couples comprised:             1950 — 78% of all US households             2020 — 47% of all US households     - Living together before marriage:             1960's — 5%             2020's — 70%     - Recent analysis of the General Social Survey data tells us Americans' happiness declined from the 1970s to the 2020s. Sam Peltzman, Professor emeritus, University of Chicago says one thing explains the most recent decline in overall happiness - the decline of marriage.  The data indicates the benefit of what the Bible has said all along. Genesis 2:18 "The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." The literal Hebrew translation for the word helper is:  "Helper equal to Him." This is talking about two people who are complimentary to each other. Our Creator recognized we function better together.     2.    Divorce makes me fear marriage:     - the spike in divorce rate have left an impression on the generation raised in one parent households.     3.    Why not just live together?     - the Bible tells us to be faithful before and after marriage to our spouse.     - Couples who live together:         4-5 times more likely to break up than married couples         more likely to divorce once they do marry (by about 50%)         higher incidence of alcohol abuse, drug abuse and domestic violence     4.    How can I know the right one? "Fall in like before you fall in love." This means - find an individual who is like minded, who shares your faith, your values, your outlook on life, an individual who truly is a potential soulmate. Make sure that the person you choose as your life partner and spouse is one who holds like values and believes as you do.     5.    I'm not sure marriage is for me: One does not need to feel pushed into marriage. In 1 Corinthians 7:7 Paul refers to the gift of celibacy saying, "I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that." God does not say everyone is to be married.  Contemporary Research: 2 books     ⁃    "The Two-Parent Privilege" by Melissa S. Kearney Professor of Economics, University of Maryland 2023 - tells us that "Americans stopped getting married and started falling behind." Her work has been printed in:     Wall Street Journal     New York Times     National Review      Atlantic Magazine She offers a "provocative, data-driven case for marriage by showing how the institution's decline has led to a host of economic woes…"  She shows how children do better in a family where their parents are married to each other.     ⁃    Education outcomes     ⁃    Physical and mental health     ⁃    Diminishes suicide possibility     ⁃    Serves as a barrier to alcohol and drug use and child abuse     ⁃    Impacts Teenage pregnancy and delinquency She comes at this on the basis of solid economic data and what we can see happening in our culture today.     ⁃    "Get Married" by Brad Wilcox Professor Sociology, University of Virginia 2024. Also published in the following:     ⁃    Wall Street Journal     ⁃    New York Times     ⁃    National Review     ⁃    Atlantic Magazine Wilcox tells us, "When it comes to predicting overall happiness, a good marriage is far more important than how much education you get, how much money you make, how often you have sex and even how satisfied you are with your work."    Pastor concludes with these thoughts: God created us, He speaks because He knows us and wants what is best for us. God invented marriage and He gives us guidance on how to have a truly blessed and God-pleasing marriage. Malachi 2:15 says, "Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth."  Those are powerful, spirit-given words that we need to take to heart 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Let's look at the words "God" and "created." in this verse in Hebrew the word used for God is a plural noun and created is a singular verb. What day did God create the world? It says God created everything in 6 days and He rested on the 7th day, the Sabbath, and that is Saturday. Which means the first day of creation was on Sunday. What was the day of the week that God began a new creation?  That was on the day Jesus arose from the grave. The Bible tells us this was on the first day of the week, on a Sunday. Jesus' closest friend, John, begins his gospel this way: "In the beginning  was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Psalm 33:6 "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."  In Genesis 1 we read over and over, "And God said…" God brought everything into being through His Word and the Bible describes Jesus as that Word, the Living Word. John 1:3 tells us "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."  Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. Hard to comprehend, but true. John goes on in verse 14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  Let's look at these words from that verse, "made his dwelling" in Hebrew it is one word. Tabernacles. Jesus, the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us. Not simply in the spirit, but in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.  Colossians 1:15-17 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." The only way we can be held together in this fallen world is in Jesus Christ, the Savior of us all. The only way to face the future and the difficulties of life in a fallen world is through the power of His Son who has redeemed us and through His Holy Spirit who strengthens, guides and directs us. Our God is an awesome God! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Does God exist? The Bible has described this as a reality for thousands of years.  Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."     ⁃    There was a beginning     ⁃    There is a God     ⁃    God created everything This is looked at as a religious belief, but it is increasingly a scientific fact as the scientific world sees that the creation had a beginning.     ⁃    Natural knowledge of God     ⁃    Nature - Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."     ⁃    Teleological argument - "Design requires a designer." It is obvious there is incredible design which requires a designer.       ⁃    DNA - "DNA is like a computer program but far, far more advanced than any software ever created." Bill Gates.  "The coding regions of DNA have exactly the same relevant properties as a computer code or language. We know books and computer codes are designed by intelligence, and the presence of this type of information in DNA also implies an intelligent source." Stephen C Meyer, PhD.   "What I think the DNA material has done is that it has shown, by the almost unbelievable complexity of the arrangements which are needed to produce life, that intelligence must have been involved in getting these extraordinarily diverse elements to work together." Professor Anthony Flew.  There is a creator because DNA is so complex it requires a creator.     ⁃    History - "I'm a lapsed atheist… I go to church every Sunday, precisely because having been brought up as an atheist I came to realize my career as a historian that not only is atheism a disastrous basis for a society… but also because I don't think it can be a basis for individual ethical decision making"  Professor Sir Niall Ferguson.     ⁃    Conscience - Romans 2:15 "They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."  The conscience bears witness to a Creator, to a God who is:     ⁃    Transcendent     ⁃    Immaterial     ⁃    Timeless     ⁃    Powerful     ⁃    Personal     ⁃    Brilliant     ⁃    Caring To simply know that God exists is good, but to know God - that is what is necessary. And that requires that God reveals Himself to us - the revealed knowledge of God - showing Himself and drawing us to Himself.     ⁃    Revealed Knowledge of God     ⁃    Bible - profound unity of what it tells us. Read and listen to His Word and allow it to speak into our lives.     ⁃    Jesus Christ - The Living Word - Savior, Redeemer, our only Hope. God is love and gave Himself for us all.  Forgiveness and new life.  John 1:18 "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." The Old and New Testaments testify to Jesus. He died, He rose and He is returning.     ⁃    Holy Spirit - John 14:26 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." It is one thing to know that God exists but it is most important know God and to know to the Love of the Father through Jesus His Son and to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit who brings us to faith and who nourishes and guides us as we live a life of faith. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Dig Deeper Preview: Why does Jesus have two family trees shared in the Bible? Today's class is a special preview of the upcoming Tuesday Bible Class series: Dig Deeper.  Why does Jesus have 2 family trees?     1.    One in Matthew 1:1-16     2.    One in Luke 3:23-38 And they are different. So let's look a little deeper. The major accepted answer has been that one tells the genealogy of Jesus' mother, the Virgin Mary, and the other the genealogy of His step father, Joseph. There is evidence to support and suggest that that is the case.     1.    Matthew 1:1-16 The Legal Genealogy - Jesus is legally accepted as Joseph's adopted son and Joseph is a descendant of king David.     2.    Luke 3:23-38 The Physical Genealogy - born of the Virgin Mary. But as we did deeper what do we see? There are differences. They are different. Matthew Abraham David Solomon Jehoiachin Jacob Joseph Jesus Luke Adam Abraham David Nathan Heli Mary Jesus Is there significance that the lineage changes following David? Yes, dramatic significance:     1.    Matthew traces Jesus' legal genealogy from David to his son Solomon. Matthew is telling us that Jesus as the legally adoptive son of Joseph, is a descendant of David and all of the kings of Judah who followed.     2.    Luke traces Jesus' physical genealogy from David to his son Nathan. Luke is telling us that Jesus is a descendant of David in the flesh but not through Solomon but through Solomon's brother Nathan.  And this is fascinating because the prophet Jeremiah was given this word: - A word about David's decendants ending with Jehoiachin the last of the kings of Judah to survive. Jeremiah 22:30 "This is what the Lord says:'Record this man [Jehoiachin] as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.'" The curse came upon the line of David after the time of Solomon until the time of Jehoikin and then God says no descendant of the kingly line of Jehoichin will ever sit on the throne. Jesus inherits the kingship that could never have been given to any descendant of Jehoiachin. He receives that through legal means by his adopted father. But he is the descendant of David in the uncursed  line  who will reign for ever. This is just what the angel told Mary - the angel Gabriel announced Mary that she would give birth to a son. Luke 1:32-33 " He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." Legally Jesus was part of the royal line. In the flesh Jesus descended and born of the Virgin Mary - He is the One on whom there is no curse. He is the only one who can reign on David's throne and He will reign forever!   That's who Jesus is - the Living God come to earth for us - who fulfills every detail the Hebrew Scriptures. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Merry Christmas! The Christmas story from Luke 2 may be a story that is new to some of us and to others it may be very familiar. We are going to look at the part of the story that is about the shepherds. Luke 2:8-9 we read, "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." Did you know that being a shepherd in Jesus' day was one of the lowliest jobs one could have? They were in the fields all the time, they smelled like sheep and were treated like sheep. But isn't it interesting that they are the first ones to hear the announcement that the Savior has come! What was their first reaction to the first Christmas?  FEAR!  Luke 2:10-11 go on to tells us, "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." What we see happen is that the shepherds absolute fear is turned to overwhelming JOY! But let's not stop there. Let's look at what the angel says, "I bring you good news (Gospel!) that will cause great joy for all people!" And today when the GOSPEL breaks into a person's life it brings JOY!  Because Jesus would go to the cross and rise from the grave, He brings JOY!   Gospel Joy centers around one person. In vs 11 we read that a Savior has been born; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This good news brings the news of a Savior. The Old Testament is very clear about who the Savior is:     ⁃    Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the Lord and apart from me there is no savior."     ⁃    Hosea 13:4 "You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me." The Savior is none other than God Himself! Messiah, Savior, Lord!  God has come down to earth exactly as the Old Testament prophets predicted and what the New Testament declares. The One who created the universe took on human flesh. The Living Word of God dwelt among us.  He saved us by offering Himself as the sacrifice for our rebellion. He did it because we were helpless and bound to sin and destined to judgement.  But HE is the Savior, the Lord, and He comes for ALL people. He wants all to be saved!  That's the good news! THAT'S THE GOSPEL MESSAGE!   And thus, how great our joy!  1 Peter 1:8-9 says, "… you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." The Christmas story is about far more than peace on earth. The Christmas story is about the fact that God has stepped in and He offers to all of us, who repent and believe, forgiveness and life forever. THAT'S the Gospel story, that's the story of Christmas, that's the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ! May each and everyone of us experience that Gospel Joy this Christmas and forever! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Gospel of John Week 26 Scripture: John 20:19 - 21:25. Today's study will conclude our two year study of the Gospels with a dramatic and amazing ending. We begin with John 20:19, it is the first day of the week (Sunday) and the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing among them saying "Peace be with you." This is a phrase in English that sounds so common, like "have a good day." But in Hebrew it carries much more meaning. Shalom (peace) more than just an absence of conflict or warfare, it refers to all creation - it means everything is right between us and God. Real peace, lasting peace, God's peace, life-changing peace the way things were intended to be before sin broke into a perfect creation. Jesus shows them His hands and side and the disciples are overjoyed. Everything the Jewish people have been longing for has come to a dramatic crescendo. Then He breathed on them saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit."  In verse 23 Jesus says, "If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Pastor spends time digging into what this verse is really saying.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior our sins are forgiven through faith in Christ. But to those who say they don't need a Savior, that think they are just fine on their own, we can say to them, "That won't cut it. Without Christ there is no hope."  Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This commission from Jesus is given so that they can speak truth, so that they can use it to draw people into a relationship with the Living God. We read next of "Doubting Thomas." The disciples are again gathered together and Jesus appears, "Peace be with you. Put your finger here and put your hand into my side and stop doubting and believe!" And Thomas replies, "My Lord and my God!" That's not just an expression, this is a clear biblical title for the Living God. And Thomas suddenly realized that Jesus is not only alive, but He is the very One that was promised. Jesus is more than a miracle worker, He's more than a great teacher, He is God come to earth. John concludes chapter 20 with these words, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." We move into chapter 21, the epilogue. Pastor starts this chapter by sharing the story of a friend, a Russian Jew, who moved to Israel and became a Messianic believer and follower of Jesus. Pastor goes on to share the growth of Jewish believers in Jesus worldwide. Our story continues with the disciples fishing all night and not catching anything. Then a voice calls out to them to put their nets on the right side of the boat. When they do they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John knows who the man is, "It is the Lord!" And Peter swims ashore. Pastor talks about the importance of the fire Jesus had started on shore to emphasize God's intentions. Jesus invites them to breakfast with Him but Jesus has a personal conversation with Peter. Purposefully, Jesus asks Peter 3 times (remember Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times), "Do you love Me?" Peter responds yes each time and Jesus replies with, "Feed my sheep." Peter is forgiven, restored. This gospel ends with these dramatic words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." Jesus is in the business of redeeming and restoring and renewing, changing lives, transforming families, rebuilding communities, changing entire nations and continents. John is saying you've only caught a glimpse! Can you imagine the stories we're going to hear after Jesus returns! This is an incredible, amazing, uplifting, joyful, thought provoking, life-changing book! Thank you for joining us on this great two year tour of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John! 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and and we see many things that we missed before.

This is the final week in our study of 400 years of Kings and Prophets from Solomon to Jeremiah. King Josiah     •    Young King seeks God     •    Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem     •    Book of the Law discovered     •    Reform beyond Judah     •    Passover observance  - King Josiah gives an order to all people to observe God's Passover. This had not been celebrated according to what was written, not even in the days of the judges, nor in the days of any of the kings of Israel and Judah. Josiah made sure the celebration was carried out according to what was written in the Book of the Covenant. He, like David, was a man after God's own heart. He reads the scriptures and applies them and a time of revival begins.  We read in 2 Kings 23:25 "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did - with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses."     •    Death at Megiddo - A prophetic word comes from Huldah telling Josiah of the judgment that is coming from God against the people, but that because Josiah's heart was repentant he would not see the judgment that would come.  During this time there was great international upheaval between Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon.  2 Kings 23:29 "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo."  Jeremiah and the nation were devastated by the loss of king Josiah. Then Josiah's 3 sons reign. None were the king that their father was. They returned to the old ways for faithlessness to God. Josiah's 3 Sons     •    Jehoahaz - 2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-3 - reigned 3 month doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was imprisoned by Pharaoh Necho of Egypt, who was the one who had killed his father. Jehoahaz dies in Egypt.     •    Jehoiakim - 2 Kings 23:34 - 24:7; 2 Chronicles 36:4-8 - reigned 11 years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was an evil and inefficient ruler. Constructed a new palace and Jeremiah denounces him for ignoring the people and ignoring God. Jehoiakim rejects Jeremiah and even burns the first copy of the book of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 36:23) The city of Jerusalem is overtaken in 605 BC by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and many of the people are deported to Babylon. (Daniel was one that was taken - Daniel 1:1-2). When Jehoiakim dies he is given the "burial of a donkey." Jeremiah 22:13-19. Johoiachin, his son reigns for 3 months doing evil like his father and was taken captive by Babylon - 2 Kings 24:8-16; 2 Chronicles 36:9-10     •    Zedekiah - 2 Kings 24:17 - 25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:11-21; Jeremiah 39:1-10 - reigns for 11 years and he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Zedekiah breaks the treaty with Babylon (Ezekiel 17:18). He looks to Egypt for deliverance but didn't receive any. The false prophets encouraged him in his evil ways. Jeremiah warns Zedekiah of coming suffering and prophecies. But Zedekiah does not change his way and Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians and Zedekiah dies in a tragic way. Jeremiah 39:6-7.  And so ends our study with the nation, the city of Jerusalem a the Temple destroyed in 586 B.C.  Interestingly enough the Temple would once again be destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. in the same month, on the same day. This was a day Jesus predicted because they did not recognize Him and had rejected Him. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The message starts with Matthew 1:18 "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit."  Pastor explores today's question: "What about the Virgin Birth?" by tackling these 5 questions:     ⁃    Is the "Virgin Birth" really that important?     ⁃    Why do only Matthew and Luke mention it?     ⁃    Couldn't this have been a later development?     ⁃    This seems impossible to the modern mind!     ⁃    Isn't it based on pagan mythology? Importance of the Virgin Birth     ⁃    It is taught by clear Scripture throughout the Bible. Note: Matthew 1:18 (above) and Matthew 1:22-23 "…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."     ⁃    It is foreshadowed in Genesis 3:15 - a Messiah from the seed of a woman.     ⁃    It is announced by angelic authority     ⁃    It explains the sinlessness of Christ     ⁃    It confirms Christ's two natures - that Jesus is both fully human - but also fully divine. He is God incarnate, became flesh. His nature shows the Good News, because God loved this world so much He offered up His only Son for each one of us. This is the Good News. Only in Matthew and Luke?     ⁃    Only 2 Gospels (Matthew and Luke) mention the Nativity     ⁃    John (from the Gospel of John) goes back to the beginning, "In the beginning was the Word and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us…"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…"     ⁃    Mark repeatedly asserts Jesus' deity     ⁃    See Philippians 2:5 & Colossians 1:15-16 - these verse tell us Jesus was in the very form and nature of God and took on human flesh, died and rose. Makes it clear that God has come down to earth in the flesh and that the universe was created by the pre-incarnate Christ. A later development?     ⁃    Early dating of the New Testament - always been a part of the testimony from eye-witnesses     ⁃    Clearly taught by early authors (examples: writings by Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and the great scholar Irenaeus,)     ⁃    Testimony of the early Christian Creeds - the virgin birth was from the early teaching of followers. Impossible for modern people to accept this?     ⁃    The ancients weren't gullible! Even Joseph didn't accept it until the angelic visit.      ⁃    The real issue is the miraculous. "If I haven't seen a miracle, then they don't happen!"     ⁃    God is supernatural! He does supernatural things. Pastor shares some miraculous stories.  When we, in our own wisdom, seek to remove and erase the miraculous, we are not proving our brilliance, we are showing, for all the world to see, our folly. Pagan mythology?     ⁃    Note the differences!  Example the "birth" of Athena from Zeus' head Pastor closes with a graphic showing: incarnation, virgin birth and deity of Christ stating that if these are true then that changes everything. And it changes each one of us because God loves us and wants us back.  He calls us to accept Him for who He really is: The Almighty Creator of the Universe who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for each on of us that we might live forever with Him! And THAT is the Good News! 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Gospel of John Week 25 Scripture: John 19:25-20:19 Today's study will take us from the depths of hell to the heights of heaven! We start at verse 25 of John chapter 19 and it starts with who is at the foot of the cross: His mother, His aunt, His cousin (John the author of this gospel) and  another aunt who was the wife of His step-father's brother  - all family.  The disciples have all run except John and this group of women. Family.  Verse 28 we read, "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." By saying this Jesus again fulfilled prophecy from Psalm 69:21 and from Psalm 22:15. But also let's remember what Jesus said in John 18:18 when He told Peter to put his sword away and said, "Will I not drink the cup my Father has given me?" And here we see Jesus drinking the cup because as verse 28 says, He knew that everything had now been finished. He took all the judgement of human sin upon Himself and then verse 30, "When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' And with that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." Pastor spends time digging into how the drink was given to Jesus and the correlation between the hyssop plant used at Passover and the hyssop plant used to give Jesus a drink. And we see …. God is in control. Our discussion turns to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb - He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Pastor talks about the Greek word for "finished" and its secondary meaning of an accountant's terminology for a debt "Paid in Full." Jesus paid in full for every sin, every rebellion against God, everything we have done and ever will do, all paid for in full by the Lord Jesus on the cross. Pastor shares interesting information about what was going on in the Temple at 3pm - the time of Jesus' death. What he shares emphasizes what Jesus had said earlier, "No one takes my life from me. I have the power to lay it down and the power to take it up again." And He chooses the exact time when He bows His head and gives up His spirit. It is Friday. The Passover went for 8 days. On the first day of the week, Sunday, following the first Sabbath of Passover (Saturday) the Jewish people celebrated the Festival of First Fruits. And this is the day - Sunday - that Jesus rises from the grave. Paul writes, "He (Jesus) is the first fruits of those who rise from the dead." Because Jesus rose, He is the guarantee that we will be raised when He returns! As we continue with the story of what John witnessed. A soldier goes to break Jesus' legs, but He's already dead so the soldier pierced Jesus' side with a spear. Pastor shares some medical information and the way the Roman spear was used to give a death blow - aimed right at the heart. Jesus not getting his legs broken and being pierced with a spear all fulfill prophecy and show God is in the details, He is in control, always has been and always is. Next Joseph of Arimathea - a Jesus follower, asks for Jesus' body. Nicodemus is with Joseph. He brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes, and the two of them wrapped Jesus body with the spices, in strips of linen as was the Jewish burial custom. In a garden there was a new tomb, it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. Pastor shares the possibility that we may know where Jesus was buried. The history surrounding the location and where it can be found today, sharing the information about the current church built on what may be the actual site of Jesus' tomb. We continue with John 20:1 with several women going to the tomb and finding the stone moved away from the entrance. Mary shares with several disciples and they discover the strips of linen lying there inside along with the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. They leave the tomb with many questions. Mary Magdalene comes again to the empty tomb and is crying outside it and she looks in the tomb and there are two angels and then she meets a man she thinks is the gardener, and then recognizes Him as Jesus!  Jesus is alive! He is risen from the grave!  Jesus tells her to tell the others. She goes and tells the others the news, "I have seen the Lord!" 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

Last week we ended our study time looking at a great king of Judah, Hezekiah. Today we start with one of the worst kings of Judah, Manasseh, Hezekiah's son. Manasseh reigned from 697-642 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Manasseh reigned 55 years. He reigned longer than any other king and did more damage than any other king.  He did evil in God's eyes. It is a disgusting and tragic story.  He destroys everything good his father had done. King Manasseh     ⁃    Apostasy and Idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:33     ⁃    Sacrificed his children  - 2 Chronicles 33:6     ⁃    Innocent blood shed including the blood of prophets -  2 Kings 21:16. (Hebrews 11:37 - ancient Jewish tradition that says it was during Manasseh's reign that Isaiah was sawn in half by Manasseh)     ⁃    Captivity in Babylon - Manasseh was taken prisoner by Assyria and taken to Babylon  - 2 Chronicles 33:11     ⁃    Repentance and return to Judah- while in prison Manasseh had a change of heart, humbling himself greatly before God and praying. The Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so God brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom, proving to Manasseh that He is the true God - 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 What we learn: God is a gracious God and hears the cries of those who humble themselves before Him.  He responds to a repentant heart.  In the final years of his life, Manasseh worked to redo things but to no avail as his son, King Amon takes the throne. Amon reigned from 642-640 B.C. and his story is found in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon did evil in the eyes of the Lord. King Amon     ⁃    Return to idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:22-23     ⁃    Conspiracy and Assassination - 2 Chronicles 33:24-25 - Josiah, Amon's son was then made king. King Josiah Josiah is just a boy when he begins his 31 year reign and in Pastor's opinion, the greatest king of Judah. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. During his reign there were many prophets: Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Huldah.  God is working to bring the nation back to Himself. During King Josiah's reign, Judah experienced three of its happiest decades: peace, prosperity and revival.  King Josiah     ⁃    Young King seeks the God of David - he followed in the ways of David - 2 Kings 22:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 34:3      ⁃    Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem - 2 Chronicles 34:4-5     ⁃    Book of the Law of God written by Moses (possibly the original Torah) is discovered  - 2 Chronicles 34:8, 2 Chronicles 34:14, 2 Chronicles 34:19, 2 Chronicles 34:22.  In 2 Chronicles 34:27 we read of Huldah who tells the king that God says that judgment is coming, but because he (Josiah) had humbled himself before God, wept and torn his robes, that Josiah will not live to see the destruction. Josiah recognizes the Lord's graciousness and he sets forth to bring revival.      ⁃    Revival happens 2 Kings 23:2-3 - God's people pledge themselves to the covenant of God.     ⁃    Revival and reform go beyond Judah - 2 Kings 23:15, 17 Josiah was a bright, brilliant, incredible and godly leader, a man bold in his faith and one who trusted God.  May we learn from his example. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Today's message looks at the words of John the Baptist from Matthew 11:2-3, "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'" John although a deep believer came to a point where he had his doubts. Such big doubts that he had his own disciples travel 100 miles to ask Jesus that question. Matthew 11:4-5 "Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."  These are words from the Old Testament's prophecies, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 35:5-6 "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy."  And Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor." Jesus quoted these verses about the prophecies of the Messiah to show that He was the Messiah, that He and the prophecies were one. John's disciples are still listening as Jesus goes on and says in Matthew 11:11-15 "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist...For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear." Again, these words are quotes from Old Testament Scriptures found in Malachi 3:1, Malachi 4:45-6 and Isaiah 40:3 that tell about the one who will prepare the way for the coming Messiah.  These are words about John the Baptist. The Controversy: What kind of Messiah?      ⁃    Will he be prophetic, priestly or kingly?      ⁃    Will he be a Messiah of mercy or judgment?     ⁃    Would he suffer or reign?     ⁃    Will there be 2 Messiahs who come once or 1 Messiah who comes twice? The Biblical Evidence for Messiah:     ⁃    Birthplace Micah 5:2     ⁃    Lineage Isaiah 11:1      ⁃    Miracles Deuteronomy 18:15      ⁃    Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11     ⁃    Resurrection Isaiah 53:11 We close with Pastor's heartfelt encouragement to let the word of God speak to our hearts, to search the scriptures and find what Jesus the Messiah has to say to us. No matter who you are, think about this: If Jesus really is who He claimed to be, there is nothing more important than knowing Him and being known by Him. Jesus is different than what we expected…. But He is exactly what the Bible predicted! If God loved us so much He was willing to take on human flesh and fulfill everything spoken beforehand by the prophets, lay down His life on a cross, rise from the grave and announce forgiveness to all who believe, who would reject such an offer?  It's true He was different than what was expected, but He is exactly what was predicted and He's coming back!  Therefore, we need to know Him and be known by Him.   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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Gospel of John Week 24 Scripture: John 18:38 - 19:24. As we begin our story today, Pilate is telling the crowd he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus. So he offered to free a prisoner asking if they wanted Barabbas or Jesus released.  The crowd wants Barabbas release and then Pilate has Jesus flogged. Pastor talks in graphic detail what a flogging was like, the equipment used and what Jesus experienced: excruciating pain, horrendous suffering, brutal torture, and cruel ridicule.  Again Pilate goes out to the crowds telling them he can find no basis for a charge. Pilate brings Jesus out in front of the crowd and the crowd shouts to crucify Him. The Jewish leaders insisted that Jesus had to die because he claimed to be the Son of God. Pilate says to Jesus, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" And Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From that time on Pilate tried to set Jesus free. But the Jewish leaders kept shouting, that if Pilate let Jesus go that he would be opposing Caesar.  So then Pilate brought Jesus out and Pilate sat down on the judge's seat and on this day, The Day of Preparation of the Passover, at noon, Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. The soldiers took Jesus. Carrying His own cross, Jesus was brought to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha) and Jesus was crucified with two others —one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pastor shares in graphic detail about the brutality and reality of crucifixion. And how this is what Jesus endured for us. Jesus goes to the cross willingly, a clear testimony that God loved this world so much that He was willing to endure this and that, in a way beyond our ability to fully comprehend, is the love of the Living God in such a way that He took on human flesh, and He endured this for us. It is a clear indication of just how much He cares for us and when we read this it drives us to our knees realizing, "Oh Lord, have mercy on me a sinner." The the Son of God came to save us, because we could not save ourselves. Pastor goes on to talk about archeological discoveries and the possible locations of Golgotha and Jesus' tomb along with sharing many personal photos including a picture of the "Jerusalem Cross." We pick back up with the story with Pilate having a sign posted on Jesus' cross that said in three languages, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The religious leaders protested because they told Pilate it was what Jesus only "claimed." Pastor then shares a personal discovery that came to him as he was preparing for this study. It's a fascinating piece about the name of the Living God, written by Pilate and placed over the head of the crucified Jesus. (No I won't share any more than that!!  You will have to take a listen to Pastor sharing what he discovered!) In verse 23 of chapter 19 we read that the soldiers took Jesus clothes, dividing them into 4 pieces and then took his undergarment and cast lots for it. This is a fulfillment of the prophetic words from Psalm 22:18. Pastor takes the time to explore more of Psalm 22 that has several verses fulfilled in the death and crucifixion of Jesus. We see that this is not a miscarriage of justice by evil human beings. Rather, this is a profound fulfillment of God's prophetic word that was uttered by King David a thousand years before it took place. And this is not just simply a story. This is history.  This is His - story. This is my Savior's story. 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

Today we come to one of the most fascinating times in the history of the kingdom of Judah, an amazing king who does amazing things by the power of an amazing God. But first we take a look at King Ahaz who ruled from 731-715 BC. In 2 Kings 16:2-3 we read that Ahaz did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He followed the ways of other kings, even sacrificing his son in the fire. King Ahaz     ⁃    Finds himself under attack by Pekah and Rezin     ⁃    Discovers there is a price to pay when you turn your back on the Living God     ⁃    Seeks help from the Assyrians - Assyria was a massive growing super power.     ⁃    Then God brings a rebuke through the prophet Isaiah (a most effective and influential prophet) but Ahaz refuses to listen.     ⁃    Ahaz continues to turn away from God and desecrated the Temple of God as he continues to rebel against God.     ⁃    His rebellion brings sadness and tragedy and he continues to suffer military attacks. During Ahaz's reign in Judah, we read in 2 Kings 17:5-6 that Israel is defeated by the Assyrians after a 3 year siege. At the end of Ahaz's reign we see that in spite of the faithlessness of God's people, God remains faithful.  The next king of Judah is one of the best. King Hezekiah is Ahaz's son and Hezakiah rules 715-686 BC. King Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Kings 18:3.   King Hezekiah     ⁃    In the first month of the first year of his reign he had the Temple cleansed. 2 Chronicles 29:3-5     ⁃    Then Hezekiah holds a national Passover celebration inviting all of Israel and Judah. They had a 2 week Passover celebration. 2 Chronicles 30:1.     ⁃    Hezekiah destroys the sacred stones, high places and Asherah poles and also brakes into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had used to God's glory but that had become an idol of the Israelites who had been burning incense to it. 2 Kings 18:4      ⁃    Hezekiah is facing the enemy of Assyria as they are coming to conquer Jerusalem and so in 2 Kings 20:20 we read that he built a tunnel and a pool. In the 1880's the Siloam Inscription was discovered. It tells the story of the building of the tunnel. Hezekiah built this tunnel to ensure there would be water when under siege by the Assyrian army by diverting the Gehon spring into Jerusalem leaving no fresh water available to the Assyrian army.      ⁃    Then the siege begins against Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:28-29 the king's commander, speaking in Hebrew, calls out that the king of Assyria says that Hezekiah has deceived you because he will not be able to deliver you from me and my army. The king of Assyria is trying to get the people in Jerusalem to just give up.     ⁃    Then Hezekiah prays a beautiful prayer - 2 Kings 19:15-16 and God listens and the King of Assyria is defeated by God Himself. 2 Kings 19:35-36. The Assyrians withdraw and return to Nineveh and the siege is ended.     ⁃    Then Hezekiah becomes very ill to the point of death. Isaiah comes to Hezekiah to tell him to put his house in order. Hezekiah weeps and prays and God sees Hezekiah's tears and hears his prayer and God heals him. 2 Kings 20:1-5      ⁃    Hezekiah is visited by the Babylonians, a rising power that will ultimately defeat the Assyrians. 2 Kings 20:13 we read of Hezekiah being tempted by pride. The prophet Isaiah then brings a word to Hezekiah telling him that everything you just showed off to the Babylonians will be taken by Babylonians. Hezekiah repents.     ⁃    The prophets Micah and Isaiah were very active during Hezekiah's reign.     ⁃    Hezekiah was one of the greatest kings the nation had ever known. 2 Kings 18:5-6 tells us that Hezekiah trusted the Lord, that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, both before and after him, that Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and did not stop following God and that he kept the commands of the Lord. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

We begin by looking at John the Baptist. Matthew 3:1-2 and 5-6 tells us.  "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." Pastor shares a personal visit to the Jordan River with pics of the area. As our story continues we see John calling out to the Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to the Jordan River to see what he was doing. He tells them that they need to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. What John is saying is that when they truly turn to the Living God, it will change them, that their attitude, behavior and thought patterns will be radically transformed.  John goes on in verse 11 of chapter 3 to say, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John's message was repent. His message was that the Messiah they had been waiting for was coming. He says that the Messiah will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire, the fire of judgement.  People were drawn to John the Baptist because he spoke the truth in love. He wasn't the only one that talked about repentance. The Call to Repentance     ⁃    John the Baptist - Matthew 3:2     ⁃    Jesus Christ the Messiah - Matthew 4:17     ⁃    Apostle Peter - Acts 2:38     ⁃    Apostle Paul - Acts 17:30     ⁃    Holy Bible - 2 Peter 3:9 Repent means to: Change your mind Change your attitude Change your thoughts Change your direction Turn around - do a 180 Repentance IS important. Who needs Repentance?     ⁃    Isn't this the punchline to a joke? - No. Jesus says in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent, we will all perish. Jesus considers repentance to be absolutely essential.     ⁃    Isn't repentance just for bad people? - this depends on how you translate the word bad. The point of comparison is not against people, it is against a holy God. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Matthew 21:31 Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."     ⁃    This isn't for religious people, is it?  Jesus continues in Matthew 21:32 "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." Repentance is for ALL people especially the religious. This teaching brings anger and bitterness from the religious because it exposes them for what they really are not and for what they show to others.     ⁃    Isn't this Old Testament teaching? Yes, but it is also New Testament teaching as seen earlier in this message.      ⁃    Surely Christians don't need to repent? From Jesus we read a series of seven epistles in Revelation. In Revelation chapters 2 & 3 Jesus says the word "repent" 7 times. Martin Luther said in Thesis 1: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance". If you find yourself rebelling against what you are hearing today - we encourage you to hear the rest of the story. What is True Repentance     1.    I am a Sinner - when I recognize this then I understand that     2.    I need a Savior - turning to the only one who can save us. We are all sinners and we need a Savior. Without Him we are lost forever and it calls us to say     3.    I trust in Christ alone - because the Living God stepped into this world, living a life of perfect obedience and willing went to the cross to pay for rebellion and sin and the one who rose victorious of death. Jesus is that Savior. We are called by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, to trust in the redemption found only in Jesus and then to say     4.    I will live for Him - repentance changes the way we think, the way we look at God and look others and the world, it changes the way we turn to the Living God and hang onto the Lord Jesus who is our Savior and Deliverer and seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit to live a life of faith, obedience, joy and peace, power in Him. This true repentance. Although the call to repent may sound scary, the gift of God through repentance is the greatest joy any one can know in this world and the life of the world to come. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Gospel of John Week 23 Scripture: John 18. Our story begins with Jesus in the Garden and soldiers, high priests, and Judas come to the garden carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus goes out to meet them asking, "Who is it you want?" Clearly showing who's in charge. Something we will see Jesus repeat in the next hours. Jesus is in charge and He's always been in charge and that is a take home for us in our own lives as well. He's in charge! He's the Lord. Jesus knows all that is going to happen to Him. He's shared that with His disciples, though they will not fully understand until Jesus' resurrection. He is not blindsided by this group coming to the Garden. This is the reason He came, and this is the purpose for which He has come to carry out His work. Then Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest, cutting off his right ear. Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away - and Jesus says, Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?" Jesus knows what's coming and is willing to go through with it all because it is the Father's desire and the Son always obeys the Father. Pastor delves into the personality of Peter and how we will see him go from cutting off the ear of this man, to denying he knows Jesus, to going on to become a powerful evangelist. And yet Peter was flawed, we are all flawed individuals. The Lord still used Peter. He transformed Peter and He transforms us and this story is a reminder that Jesus uses us, too. As we return to our story we know Jesus is in control but He willingly allows His hands to be bound. Jesus is willing to go all the way to the cross for us. He is then taken to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.  Pastor shares some info on the recent discovery of an ossuary, bone box, belonging to Caiaphas and also some other archeological discoveries including a palatial mansion that may possibly be one of the locations where Jesus was tried. Pastor also reads some fascinating information from Eusebius' History of the Church and puts together some interesting pieces of historical evidence to help bring light to all that John is telling us. Now our story moves into Peter's first denial of knowing Jesus. Followed by Peter's second and third denial of knowing Jesus. And then we read that at that very moment the rooster crowed. And Peter suddenly remembers what he has done and what Jesus had said. There is a contentious conversation, verses 19-24, "the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest." From Caiaphas Jesus was taken to the palace of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. It is now early morning. Pastor shares the logistics of getting Jesus there and the possible location of the praetorium, the governor's house. Pastor shares on the map the possible locations of this home. Jesus is brought before Pilate in verse 29 and Pilate asks what charges are being brought against Jesus, thus opening a court proceeding. Pastor shares interesting historical information about Jewish executions (stoning to death) and Roman executions (crucifixion), and what they were like. He shares the history of how the Romans, in the early first century, took away from the Jewish high priests and from the Sanhedrin, the right to convict and punish in capital cases and how the Romans demanded that they be the ones to carry that out. So this is why Jesus was crucified, and not stoned. Pilate then begins his questioning of Jesus and they have an in-depth conversation during which Jesus says, "The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."  Pilate replies, "What is truth?"  We live in a society where people are still asking that same question. And the answer is still the same. Jesus is Truth. The truth sets us free! 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

Our story picks up with Joash (the hidden royal) being brought forth at the age of seven and hailed as the king of Judah followed by the death of Athaliah. Peace reigns in Judah as we see over 100 years of four fairly "good" kings reigning in Judah from 835-731 B.C. These kings started well but didn't always finish well: Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah and Jotham. King Joash     ⁃    Takes the kingship at age 7     ⁃    Jehoiada, the High Priest, is Joash's mentor, advisor and instructor     ⁃    Spiritual reformation was taking place across Judah as Joash starts out so well with Jehoiada as his advisor -  until Jehoiada's death     ⁃    Joash then gets new advisors (2 Chronicles 24:17-18) and they led him astray, worshiping idols and God's anger came.     ⁃    Zechariah is the High Priest after Jehoiada. Zechariah was Jehoiada's son. He tells Joash and his new advisors of their sin against God, so they plot to kill him. 2 Chronicles 24:20. Zechariah is stoned to death.     ⁃    Hazael is victorious in bottles over Judah     ⁃    Then Joash's assignation follows Amaziah      ⁃    Amaziah is Joash's son - Amaziah starts well but doesn't finish well, following the pattern of his father.     ⁃    Mercenaries come from Israel     ⁃    Amaziah is given victory as he acts on the words of God through a prophet.  2 Chronicles 25:9      ⁃    But then Amaziah brings idols back from that victory. 2 Chronicles 25:15. Again a prophet comes to Amaziah to warn him, but this time Amaziah doesn't listen.      ⁃    He is then defeated by Jehoash, king of Israel and he too is assassinated. King Uzziah (also known as Azariah)     ⁃    Uzziah is Amaziah's son. 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 tells that he had godly counsel and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.     ⁃    He was an extremely capable king     ⁃    Ruled for 52 years     ⁃    In Israel, Jeroboam II was ruling. Uzziah and Jeroboam II expanded both nations to the original size of the kingdom at the time of David and Solomon.     ⁃    New prophets arise during the reign of Jeroboam II and Uzziah: Jonah, Amos, Hosea and Isaiah     ⁃    Their kingdoms experienced the glory days of David and Solomon     ⁃    But then Uzziah does not finish well. His pride went to his head and he usurped the role of the priests in burning the incense and immediately gets leprosy.  2 Chronicles 26:16-17 King Jotham     ⁃    Uziah's son, Jotham becomes king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 27:2. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the people, however, continued their corrupt practices.     ⁃    Battle with the Ammonites - Godly king who is victorious over the Ammonites. 2 Chronicles 27:6     ⁃    Prosperity & Spiritual decline begins. The renewal did not spread throughout all the people.      ⁃    We see the growing power of their enemy in Assyria Next week our story continues with the rise of the power of the Assyrians. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Let's dig deeper into today's question by exploring five additional questions about Christ's upcoming return.     1.    Will Christ actually return in the flesh? Yes, Jesus will actually return in the flesh. Here's some words from the angels. Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."  Coming back the same way He left. At the Mt of Olives, visibly, physically to reign.     2.    How will every eye see Him? We live in a unique age where we can witness things around the world in real time. Revelation 1:7 "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen." (See also - Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10) What seems impossible will be a reality, we all will see Him.     3.    Why so many different interpretations of Christ's return will be like? There are basically 4 views of Christians of the Book of Revelation:     ⁃    PRETERIST - everything in the book of Revelation was fulfilled for those 1st century believers.      ⁃    HISTORICIST - What the book of Revelation does is it tracks Christian history until the very end of time when Christ returns.     ⁃    FUTURIST - say what the book of Revelation portrays is the events that are yet to come and will happen in the last days of our planet's history.     ⁃    IDEALIST - maintain that what the book of Revelation does is it gives us timeless truths and principles that have always been true and will be until Jesus returns.     4.    Why all the different views. Who is right? Pastor posses a "what if": What if they are all right? What if God intentionally gave this so that people of every age would see what needs to be seen to stay close to Him.     ⁃    PRETERIST -  what if the book of Revelation really did have remarkable application to the 1st century believers     ⁃    HISTORIST - What if the book of Revelation does track the Christian history til Christ returns     ⁃    FUTURIST - What if the book of Revelation will be fulfilled in some future ways.     ⁃    IDEALIST - What if the book of Revelation applies in every age because what it says is timeless and true. God is brilliant - He can and does brilliant things! Differing interpretations doesn't make the Bible unclear - it means that God is amazing!  Common Beliefs of each differing view:     ⁃    Missionary Age - great commission     ⁃    Great tribulation      ⁃    Rapture     ⁃    Millennium     ⁃    Physical return of Christ     ⁃    Resurrection of the dead     ⁃    New heavens and New Earth Early believers put together basic statements of the fundamentals of the Bible. Examples Nicene Creed says, "I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." and the Apostle's Creed says, "I believe in… the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting." They chose short summations of basic agreed on biblical beliefs and leaving out the details, acknowledging the wide diversity of interpretation around what Jesus' return will look like and because we will find out the details when He returns. The first advent Jesus came as a humble servant and laid down His life for us all. For His second advent Jesus comes in glory!     5.    What are the sign of the times that indicate the eminent Second Coming of Jesus?  Signs of the times:     ⁃    Gospel to the entire world Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."       ⁃    Persecution, apostasy & deception Matthew 24:9-11 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many."     ⁃    Warfare, earthquakes & famine - Mark 13:8 "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." What we have observed since Jesus' first advent, these signs are closer together.     ⁃    Israel's return  Luke 21:24 "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." About 40 years after Jesus spoke these words in 70AD they happened and now in 1967, after nearly 1900 years, the Jewish people have returned.  In Matthew 24:42 we are told by Jesus, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." How do we stay awake?  We keep our eyes on Jesus! The Savior of the world. God is for us! He's coming back and the day is fast approaching! May we trust the Lord Jesus with all our hearts and rejoice in the salvation He won for us at the cross as a gift by faith. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Gospel of John Week 22 Scripture: John 17:1-21. Pastor starts today's class off with an interesting observation. The other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention the prayers of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, but John does not. John talks about the prayer that occurred before Jesus got to the garden, the prayer He prayed on the way there.  When we put those two different sets of prayers together (the ones from John on the way, and the ones from the other writers at the Garden) it gives us a greater sense of Jesus' heart during this evening, but also of the assurance the He had from the Father that this is going to turn out for our deliverance.  In Hebrews 12:2-3, we are encouraged to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men that you may not grow weary and lose hope." And so we are blessed by Jesus' obedience and faithfulness so that we also do not grow weary or lose hope, but that we see and understand that God is in control. Jesus and His disciples have left the upper room and are walking to the Garden of Gethsemane. In John 17:1-2 we see Him pause on His way to the garden to pray what has been referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer." Jesus begins with, "Father." It's personal and it's an example for us to be personal with God as well. Jesus says, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." The Father is glorified by the obedience of Jesus, His Son, by Jesus being obedient even unto death on the cross.  Jesus continues, "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."  What is eternal life? It is eternal life to know the Father and know the Son and to be in relationship with the Living God. In verse 6 Jesus starts to pray for His disciples and we see the love He has for them. He sees them as precious and loved. He looks past their mistakes and loves them and He looks at us the same way, He looks past our mistakes and loves us. We are precious to Him. We don't need to remember our failures and allow those to control us. We remember what God says about who we are and allow Him to guide and direct us as His loved children. As Jesus' prayer continues we see Him blessing them, interceding for them and praying for their protection. And He prays for them to be protected in the power of the Father's name. God's name IS His character and Jesus has revealed His name, His character, because if you want to know what the Father is like, you look at the Son. Jesus goes on to pray that he wants the full measure of His joy within His disciples. He says this knowing that in just a bit He will be arrested, tried and crucified. But what He also knows is that there is victory coming. He focused on the outcome, that of giving us an eternity with Him for all who believe in Him. And that's what He wants them to hold onto, too. And he prays for their protection from the evil one and that they would be set apart for the Father's work and His purposes. Then Jesus' prayer moves from the 12 to pray about us. verses 20-21, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  Pastor talks about how Jesus continues to pray for us and believers today. In Hebrews 7:25 we read, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Intercede is to pray for). Jesus is praying that we will live in unity with God and one another. We want to love as He loved, obey as He obeyed, speak as He speaks, follow as He followed. To go where He goes.  He prays unity of the believers, so that others, non-believers, the world, will know that God the Father sent Jesus because of His love for us and that is the love we share together and with others. We should flee religion and rush to the Father, seeking out a relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus and becoming transformed. It's not about knowing certain facts, it's about knowing God. It's not about knowing the answer to how to get to heaven. It's is about knowing the One who get us to heaven!!  Jesus says, "no-one comes to the Father, except through Me." And that is Jesus; prayer, complete unity, unity with Him, even as He and the Father are one. Jesus goes on with, "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." Wow, He wants to spend eternity with us. We are truly loved! We may live in His presence and live in relationship with Him, basking in His love and taking to heart what He has promised: "I am always with you, even to the end of the age." And then we read that when He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. (And they continued to the Garden of Gethsemane.) 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

Happy Thanksgiving!  This is a time to thank God for His amazing blessings. Thankfulness is an important part of our lives. Thankfulness is to be part of the life of every believer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  God calls us to rejoice in Him always and calls us to pray continually. He desires we talk to Him throughout our day. He also calls us to give thanks in all circumstances, in the good times and bad times. Thanksgiving puts our eyes on the God who has saved us. It causes us to focus on the things that are good and worthy of praise instead of the difficulties.  Thanksgiving gives strength to God's people. It's a way of life.  "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10 Prayer was part of Daniel's life in the good days and the bad days, the days of deep and difficult persecution, but Daniel risked it all to remain faithful to God and to his prayer life with his God, even to the point of being placed in the Lion's Den. The Lord was faithful to David and delivered him. Thankfulness is powerful because God is powerful! Let us not just give thanks just today but every day all the time, because He is good. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Today's question, "How should I read the Bible?" is often asked by new believers, church going people who've never read the Bible and those questioning what they've heard about the Bible. It is often stated this way:     ⁃    Which is the best Bible translation?     ⁃    Where should I start as I begin reading?     ⁃    What schedule should I follow?     ⁃    Where can I find extra help and resources? And the often not asked question, but should be asked:     ⁃    What are the essential things to remember? The Bible is the Word of God and is self authenticating, speaking to every generation. There are difficult parts and very clear parts. The Scriptures speak the Truth from God, and they are practical and very beneficial. Which translation? There is no perfect translation. Each translation works to capture what was originally written down to convey it's original meaning without translating word for word.     1.    New International Version  (NIV) - seeks to follow a literal translation      2.    English Standard Version (ESV)  - emphasizes word for word translation     3.    King James Version (KJV) - a favorite for centuries - a language different than today's modern day language, and is easily memorized     4.    New Living Translation (NLT) - seeks to convey the thoughts of Scripture versus a word for word translation - more easily understood     5.    New King James Version (NKJV) - attempts to keep the text and rhythm of the King James Version but in more modern language Pastor shares an example of each translation using Matthew 5:17. Where to start?     1.    Start with one of the Gospels (1 of the first 4 books of the New Testament) where we meet Jesus. Listen to what He says.     2.    Matthew - written from a Hebrew perspective - Prophesied Messiah.     3.    Mark - shortest of the 4 - speaks in dramatic terms and talks about the active Son of God - Mark offers lots of details.     4.    Luke (and Acts) - Jesus as the Savior of the Nations - Luke has a heart for the desperate.     5.    John - an insiders view of Jesus' ministry and teaching and covers what's not covered in the other gospels. John's focus is the Deity of Jesus Christ. What Schedule?     1.    Find a time that works for you     2.    Consider your season of life - and don't let the enemy trip you up or discourage you     3.    A place to meet with God - it is beneficial to have a place to sit down and reflect on what God is saying in His Word.     4.    Read a section of Scripture - important to listen to God as He speaks to us in sections: chapter, book.     5.    Select a plan that will work:     •    Chapter a day, one book at a time     •    Gospel chapter and a Psalm every day     •    Bible in a year - 3+ chapters a day     •    Foundational books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke, Acts, John, Romans, Ephesians     •    Read a section of scripture out loud     •    Listen to the Bible with various platforms Where to find help?     1.    Use a study Bible - each of the suggested Bible translations mentioned at the beginning have a study Bible available.     2.    BibleGateway.com a great place to go to take a look at the Bible in a multitude of translations and also a great way to listen to the Bible - completely free.     3.    AwakeUsNow.com we have everything available free of charge: Sunday services, Tuesday Bible class, Bible in a Year, TV and radio and podcasts. What are the Essentials?     ⁃    Purpose - Read the Scriptures with the purpose of allowing God's word to be transformative in your life, for the purpose of wanting to encounter the Lord Jesus, the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.     ⁃    Approach the Scriptures with Prayer - talk to the Author, ask Him what He wants to say to you. Look at your time in God's Word not as a class assignment but a time to draw close and closer to Him.     ⁃    Ponder what you are reading, think on what you are hearing God say to you in His Word.     ⁃    Practice what you read and learn from the stories you read. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. God desires that we know Him, that we experience His goodness and forgiveness in Christ, that we experience the power of His Holy Spirit and that we be used by Him to be a blessing to others. He desires we share the news of the only One who can save. Jesus, our crucified, risen Lord who is coming back and coming soon.  May we encounter Him daily in His Word. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The Gospel of John Week 21 Scripture: John 16:1-5. This week we head into more of the final hours before Jesus' arrest. We open with John 16:1-5 ""All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me." He's telling them difficult days are ahead, but He wants to make certain that when difficult days come, they are not going to be taken off guard, that they will not fall away or lose their faith. He's telling them tough times lay ahead, be ready! Jesus continues to tell His disciples that He is teaching these things so they don't stumble, so that when even us today, see these things beginning to take place, that we look up because the time of redemption draws near. So Jesus says, to be awake and prepared for His return. And again He tells them the Holy Spirit, the Advocate will come after he goes away, that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to them. Jesus tells them it is to their advantage for Him to go away and the Spirit to come.  Why? Because this is fulfilling everything the prophets had predicted, and it is ushering in a new age, the age of the Holy Spirit. In Joel we read the Holy Spirit would be poured out. So Jesus is saying hang in there, don't stumble and the Holy Spirit will be with you when I'm gone.  Then Pastor shares a personal testimony about how reading the New Testament and only getting as far as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 how the Holy Spirit convicted him and how he realized he was a sinner in need of a Savior. The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces people about righteousness. The Bible describes our righteousness (we are sinners) as filthy rags. We cannot stand before a holy God, no matter how nice, how good we've been and say "Hey, God, let me in, I've done this and that." None of us is righteous, but Jesus is our righteousness.  He is the righteousness of God that by His perfect life, by His willing obedience, by His sacrificial death, by His resurrection, He has paid the price for our sin and rebellion.   The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and point us to Jesus as our righteousness through faith in Jesus.  It is only because of the Lord Jesus Christ  and faith in Him that we are saved. When need to we realize that God is gracious and we that we need to rely upon Jesus and on Him alone. It is only In Him that we are protected from judgement. It's at the cross of Jesus that the punishment for our sin was paid. In Him alone is forgiveness, hope, peace and life ever after. Did the Holy Spirit only guide people in truth in the 1st century? No, there is nothing in the Bible that says the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost and active for a few year and that once the New Testament was complete, that the Holy Spirit was gone. There is nothing in scripture to indicate the Holy Spirit has ever stopped working. The Holy Spirit still desires to guide and direct His children today.  Jesus says, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you." Then Jesus goes on to say "in a little while you will see me no more and then again in a little while you will see me. You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices." He adds that they will forget the anguish and goes on to say that now is the time of grief but that He would see them again and that they would rejoice and that no one could take away their joy. In just a few hours the disciples will have their lives turned upside down. They will be in fear of their lives. And they are going to think everything is being taken away, the enemy has won, BUT Jesus tells them you will see Me again and no one will be able to take away that joy! Then He says "I have told you these things so that in Me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world!" Bottom line - we win because He's the Victor! 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

Pastor beings today's class with a Flashback to twelve years earlier from where we left off last week in order to take a look at the prophet Elisha. Elisha's name means "God is my Salvation." Even in this dark time of history, God uses Elisha to draw people back to Himself. Elisha's Ministry     ⁃    Moab revolts (2 Kings 3) against Israel.      ⁃    Widow's olive oil (2 Kings 4) God shows His love for individuals     ⁃    Naaman healed (2 Kings 5) "The God of Israel is the God of the world!"      ⁃    Blinded Arabians (2 Kings 6) "Don't be afraid," the prophet Elisha answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6:16-17.     ⁃    Samaria besieged (2 Kings 7)  Now that we know the activity of Elisha during these 12 years of turmoil leading up to the deaths of both the king of Israel and the king of Judah, we return to where we left off with our story last week. King Jehu of Israel      ⁃    Kills Kings Joram (king of Israel) and Ahaziah (king of Judah) (2 Kings 9)     ⁃    Has Queen Jezebel killed (2 Kings 9)     ⁃    Has Ahab's extended family killed (2 Kings 10)     ⁃    Has King Ahaziah's relatives killed (2 Kings 10)     ⁃    Has Baal worship destroyed (2 Kings 10) "So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel.  Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit." 1 Kings 10: 28,31.  Such a powerful reminder to have a heart for the things of God, to not take lightly what God desires and has done. Jehu took political control but her did not take spiritual control. Meanwhile in Judah… "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son had been killed by Jehu king of Israel, she took over the throne of Judah and proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah." 2 Chronicles 22:10.  "But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal prices who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom.  Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah's sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him." 2 Chronicles 22:11-12 Then when the secreted away son of killed king Ahaziah of Judah was 7 years old, we read.…  "In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of the a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them deceased king Ahaziah's son." 2 Kings 11:4   God had preserved the line of David! "Jehoiada brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted "Long live the king!" 2 Kings 11:12. Join us next week as our story continues! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Today's question, "Why read the Old Testament" is often asked by church going people. It is often stated this way:     ⁃    The Old Testament is so hard to understand.     ⁃    I like the New Testament better than the Old.     ⁃    God seems so angry and mean in the Old.     ⁃    Hasn't the New Testament replaced the Old?     ⁃    All those animal sacrifices are a huge turn off. Why read the Old Testament? Here are four main themes which Pastor will use to answer today's question:     ⁃    Revelation     ⁃    Foundation     ⁃    Confirmation     ⁃    Salvation Revelation: God reveals Himself, the past, the future, His plan, His character:     ⁃    All Scripture is God-breathed. God breaths life. The Old Testament is God's Living word, it's Him speaking, His breath - a God-breathed book.     ⁃    The Old Testament is for future generations - 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us, "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come." The Old Testament is for all generations. It's not out of date and aids us in understanding the time in which we live.     ⁃    The Old Testament is for our instruction. Not just the story of people from long ago, it is for our instruction. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."     ⁃    The Old Testament is revealing God's character. It shows us what God is like. It's a record of thousands of years and we see His patience with a goal of bringing people back to Himself. Exodus 34:6-7 "And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." God's character is good. Foundation:     ⁃    The Old Testament shows God is our Creator. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."      ⁃    The Old Testament shows the Sin-Death connection. Death is not natural it is a result of rebellion against God. Genesis 2:16-17 - sin brings death.     ⁃    The Old Testament shows the need for Sacrifice. Genesis 3:21. An innocent animal had to die to clothe Adam and Eve after they sinned. Salvation requires an innocent victim to die for sin.     ⁃    The Old Testament shows Grace and Faith. What saves is God's grace and our response of faith. Genesis 15:6.  Confirmation: The Old Testament confirms what we read in the New Testament.     ⁃    The Old Testament points to Christ. It carries a unified theme that points us to the One that was promised, the One who would defeat the devil. John 5:39-40. Luke 24:27 "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself."     ⁃    The Old Testament points to the Son of Man. Jesus' favorite term for Himself. Daniel 7:13-14. The Old Testament reveals Jesus.     ⁃    The Old Testament points to the cross. 1 Peter 1:10-11 "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the suffering of the Messiah and the glories that would follow."      ⁃    The Old Testament points to the resurrection of Jesus. Luke 24:46-47. Salvation:     ⁃    The Old Testament makes us wise for salvation. 2 Timothy 3:15 "…from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."      ⁃    The Old Testament makes the New Covenant clear. The definition for the word "testament" has changed over the last several hundred years. Testament originally meant "a covenant."  Jeremiah 31:31 "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the People of Judah."      ⁃    The Old Testament makes Messiah's death our's. Isaiah 53:4-5.      ⁃    The Old Testament makes the world's future clear. Philippians 2:10-11 "…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Isiah 45:23 the Living God says, "By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked; before Me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear."  Why should I read the Old Testament? Because God speaks in it! Let Him speak to you through ALL of His Word. 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/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.