Podcasts about first jesus

Luke Looks Back Chapter 7 Luke 5: 27 – 6: 16 The Way of Jesus: people and problems This passage is a mix of good things about people and some problems Jesus has for us to consider before we start on his positive teaching in the next passage. The Call of Levi First there is the story of the call of Levi and a strong suggestion that what he did was good. Then two more stories in which Jesus was challenged over the things he did that people thought he should not do: Luke 5:27 - 32 Eating with those with whom one should not eat! Luke 5:33 - 39 Eating when one should not eat! Luke 6:1 - 11 Doing what one should not do! Finally Luke gives us the complete list of the Apostles. First Jesus was eating with those with whom one should not eat - according to those we will call 'the serious' because they were serious about their religion. We read Luke 5:27-32: eating with those with whom one should not eat! Levi seems to be the same person called Matthew in the other gospels and therefore the person who wrote what we call Matthew's Gospel. Question 1: What Jesus said to Levi was extremely brief. Just two words: "follow me". How does that differ from what one would expect a religious teacher to say to a possible disciple? This is not a call to follow a system, a philosophy, or a religion. It is a straight call to follow one person: Jesus. The true call to discipleship is just the same today. There are many half-hearted Christians in the world today. A good question for them is "do you follow Jesus?". Question 2: Meals are particularly important in Luke's Gospel. Only Luke calls this one a "great banquet" and says the serious people "complained" about who was there. Why does Luke emphasise what happened here so much? Luke recognises that, for Jesus, life and faith were all about including people in as much as possible rather than turning them away as not good enough, not learned enough, not old enough - anything else for which people are 'not enough'. Doing that still upsets people who consider themselves serious in matters of religion! Jesus and rules! In the next story Jesus did not argue against the principles of the Law of Moses but against all the many little rules that people had added to it. He knew that if people are given many rules they will forget the greater principles they should be thinking about. So concern for all these detailed rules would hide the new things he was teaching, particularly those relating to the work of the Spirit. The challenge to us is to identify which of our rules, written or unwritten, get in the way of what we should really be doing. All too often we continue to do the things that our parents and grandparents decided were the right things to do when they were young. But the world we are living in is changing all the time, perhaps faster than it has ever done before. The things that are not part of the necessary centre of our faith may need to be changed. Jesus explains that in some very vivid and exciting short sayings. Read Luke 5: 33 - 39 : eating when one should not eat! Question 3: What would you identify as your problems - as a group or as an individual? What are your 'old wine skins' that need to be changed? How? In what way? The answers to both this and the next question are going to depend very much on your circumstances. Jesus said "the old wine is better". He is being sarcastic. He knows many think old things are better than new things as old wine is better than new wine but he is challenging his followers to new and better things. Question 4: What are the things that tend to prevent you, together or individually, moving on to the new and better things of faith? Remember Paul said "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" The last two stories Luke 6: 1 - 5 and Luke 6:6-11 are both about Sabbath keeping. The Sabbath was the Saturday religious day of the Jews. The early Christians changed their day of celebration to Sunday, the first day of the week, in memory of the resurrection of Jesus. This was one of the three things (keeping the food laws, Sabbath keeping, circumcision) Jews of that time did to show that they really were the people of God. We read Luke 6: 1 - 11: doing what one should not do! Question 5: What do Christians in your culture do to show that they are Christians? In particular, what things do they do that are really just a matter of custom and tradition and not really necessary to show they are Christians? Are those things good things of themselves or do they really hinder other people becoming Christians? Question 6: What did Jesus think about Sabbath keeping? What did Jesus think was more important than rules like that? What would Jesus think about the rules you have identified in your world? Micah, an Old Testament prophet said "what does the Lord desire of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" and said that the Lord did not want offerings and sacrifices. Although Jesus never actually quoted those words he often alluded to them. Jesus chooses and appoints his disciples. Read Luke 6: 12 - 16. Of those 12 men only one, John, is certainly known to have died of old age. Peter was crucified upside down (because he did not want to be crucified the same way up as Jesus) in Rome, Thomas probably got the furthest and was killed in south India, the rest died here and there in the ancient world as they proclaimed the good message of Jesus. Question 7: In calling the Twelve Jesus commissioned them not only to action on his behalf but imitation of him in both life and work. So it is today. Which part of the Christian way do you find most difficult? Tap or click here to download as an audio mp3

Jesus First Jesus Always Part 3 | Pastor Justin McNeil by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always: Mother's Day | Pastor Amy Smith by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always | Pastor Jeffrey Smith by City of Life Church

This week, Pastor Sean Steinke guides us through "Jesus' Prayer School" as we explore the gift of prayer that connects us directly to the heart of God.Jesus often retreated to lonely places to pray, establishing a rhythm of communion with the Father. In this message, Pastor Sean unpacks the Lord's Prayer as more than just words to recite but as a pathway to genuine intimacy with God. He emphasizes that prayer isn't about performance but participation in the Trinity's eternal fellowship.You'll discover how prayer transforms us from independence to submission, from commitment to love, and from fear to faith. Pastor Sean provides practical insights on incorporating prayer into daily life and highlights forgiveness as the crucial key that unlocks us from spiritual prisons.Whether your prayer life feels vibrant or you're struggling to establish consistent rhythms, this message offers fresh perspective on approaching God with the simple but profound invitation: "Here I am."Scripture ReferencesMatthew 6:1-15 (The Lord's Prayer)Philippians 2 (Christ's nature song)Matthew 18:21-35 (Parable of the Unmerciful Servant)Genesis 1 (Evening and morning rhythms)Psalm 32

Listen to a message from Josh Hurst from our Colossians series on March 23, 2025.

We are kicking off our new series, 'FIRST' today. Join us as we discover the reality that Jesus is already first.

We are kicking off our new series, 'FIRST' today. Join us as we discover the reality that Jesus is already first.

Join us as we look at the One who moves us from alone to attached… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Join us as we look at the One who changes communication… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Today we will finish our study in Luke 4 where Luke shared several things about the early ministry of Jesus. First Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness and successfully overcame him and his temptations by the Word of God (vv. 1-13). Then Jesus begins His teaching, preaching and healing ministry in the dark region of Galilee (vv. 14-15). After becoming well known, Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth where He was rejected after His first message because He clearly proclaimed Himself to be the Messiah (vv. 16-30).   At this point, Jesus goes down to the city of Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee which becomes His headquarters for ministry for the next three and a half years. At the synagogue there, as He was teaching, He was confronted by a demon possessed man. Jesus cast the demon out and we discussed how Jesus has authority over demons (vv. 31-37). Immediately afterwards Jesus went to Simon Peter's house where He heals Peter's mother-in-law, and before the evening is over more people came to be healed, and He cast out more demons (vv. 38-41), and we discussed Jesus's authority over disease.   It is interesting to note in both cases in this chapter where Jesus confronted the demons He “rebuked them, and did not allow them to speak” and proclaim “that He was the Christ, the Son of God” (vv. 35, 41). Why? Because Jesus didn't need the demons to tell the world that He was the Son of God, but knew that was the reason He came to preach (v. 43). And that is my lesson today, Jesus came to preach. Later Jesus sent His disciples to preach and has also commission us even today to proclaim and preach Jesus to the world. To share the Gospel, the Good News of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His power to forgive us our sins and to live a transformed life.   In verse 42 we read, “Now when it was day”. It appears that Jesus spent the evening and most of night healing the people that were coming and early the next morning He went to a place to pray before He continued His preaching ministry. Jesus knew the necessity of restoring His spiritual energy, of restoring His spiritual strength in prayer, in spending time in communion with His Father. In this time of prayer Jesus is also getting direction of where He should go and what He should do. Jesus knew the importance of the leading and guiding ministry of the Holy Spirit in ministry.   My friend, we should never enter our daily ministry with others until we have spent time with God in His Word and in prayer. Not only Luke, but Mark points out how Jesus went to a quiet place, a solitary place, away from the crowds and the demands and distractions of the world and He prayed (Mark 1:35). Jesus later taught His disciples and us, that when we pray we should “go into the closet and shut the door” (Matthew 6:6). This does not mean that we go into a literal closet or room, which we might need to do, but that we shut the door to the things in our mind and around us that would distract us from concentrating on our communion with our heavenly Father.   It might mean that we turn off the cell phone, the computer, the tv, or any other thing that might keep trying to get our attention.  We make sure that we spend quality time with Jesus, with our heavenly Father, with the Holy Spirit, getting strength and direction for the day. Now notice in verse 42, even after Jesus went to a deserted place to pray, “the crowd sought Him and came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them.” And Jesus informed them that, “I must preach the kingdom of God… for this purpose I have been sent”. Jesus made it clear He didn't just come to heal people or do miracles, but primarily He came to preach the Gospel!   Today, like Jesus we can minister to the hungry and to the sick people around us, but we must never forget our main purpose is to share the message of God's Good News of Jesus with those who are lost and dying!   God bless!

Caden Metcalf | Lead Pastor

Join us as we look at the One who grows us… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Join us as we look at the One who changes our perspective on life… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Join us as we look at the God-Man who came to rescue us… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

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CLICK HERE toText JB and join the 3rd Rate fun!!... who will the Olympics declare war on next? Female Boxer, Angela Carini withdrew from the match so as not to get mauled by her opponent, Imane Khelif, a TRANS boxer. She tapped out, dashing her hopes of Olympic glory and cried about the unfairness and injustice - only to go full woke and talk about fairness and inclusion of all athletes during her press conference later.The Olympics is a joke and an abomination on mankind. This foolishness combined with mocking Jesus during their opening ceremonies is a pretty good snapshot of the evil we are drowning in on this planet. The enemy is right in front of us - yet we refuse to call him out.Good luck America~jb~Support the Show.Thanks for being a part of America's #1 (3rd Rate) Podcast!!PLEASE visit our homepage and become a supporting member today!!We thank ALL of you who support us spiritually and financially. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!TWITTER (X)@Gives0ShowTRUTH Social@JoeyBrunoIVDon't forget our home page!!GIVES0.comAlso, we endorse (and are compensated by) My Patriot Supply and NORD VPN. We work with them because they are trusted names by we Patriots and we use their products and services ourselves. Use the links below for them, we get a little love when you do.My Patriot SupplyNORD VPN

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture . . . and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside-Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture . . . and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside-Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Covid, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Covid, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 340-billion-dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture and He???s looking for our involvement in the project. Today, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside Down Life. It???s a look at the part we???re called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live.Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before COVID, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don???t want to be OF the world, so we try not to be IN the world. Today, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It???s the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life.Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are celebrating the Ascension of our Lord. This actually happened on Thursday, 40 days after Easter. It is when Jesus officially, physically, goes back home. Luke feels it is important enough to share it in his Gospel briefly and then in more detail in Acts. For the Gospel writer John, it was also important, as it was always death, resurrection and ascension. Although John only said it was going to happen, but never told the story, we only find the actual account in Luke-Acts. When people leave us, to stay overnight for the first time, to go off to live elsewhere from what has been called home, we don't really know when or whether we will see them again. It normally gives us pause. We may linger after that good-bye or see you later. It may take us a bit to resume and continue on. Sometimes it gets easier. Then there is that time that we lose a loved one. It could be a friend, parent, sibling or partner/spouse. It hurts as we come to realize that we will not see them again until we go to join them. It can take time to move forward, at first it may be slow. Even after we get moving forward, there will be days or so that we stop and process before we can move forward again. Even though leaving is part of life it is not easy. Moving forward and at what speed looks and feels different for everyone. The leaving/grieving process requires giving others and ourselves space. One needs to experience it, before we can move forward. Without acknowledging the feelings and giving ourselves permission we may always come back to the same place. In turning to our Ascension Sunday stories, we are reminded that Jesus had told his disciples to remain in Jerusalem after the resurrection. He told them to wait for what God had promised. Jesus reminded them that he had been baptized by John the Baptist with water, but within a few days he will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. We know what is coming and that is the Holy Spirit, Pentecost. This happens 50 days after Jesus' resurrection. The disciples did not know what they would be experiencing. Thus, Jesus was saying just wait and you will get what you need to be my witnesses. Now I must say the disciples had a little bit different experience in Jesus leaving. While they were meeting together, they were wondering if Jesus was going to retore the kingdom of Israel. In other words, bring restoration back that God would be reigning. Jesus says, it is not for you to know when this will happen. I'm sure this caused great anxiety. Jesus goes on to tell them that they will be his witnesses to Judea and Samaria and even to the ends of the earth. He is alluding to Jews and Gentles, that is everyone. This is the disciples commission to continue the work that he had begun with them. Having said this, he was lifted up into a cloud before their eyes and taken from their sight. I can almost safely say that none of our loved ones left us in that way. What could they do but continue looking up. Is this it? Is he gone forever? Does this mean that we are on our own now? What was going to happen to and/or for them in Jerusalem? It was normal for them to be lingering and taking some space to be in that moment. There are times that all of us need someone to say don't forget that I am here for you and with you. Two messengers dressed in white stood beside them and asked, “You Galileans, why are you standing here looking into the skies? Jesus, who has been taken from you, this same Jesus will return, in the same way you watched him go up into heaven.” I'm not sure how quickly any of us could have moved forward from there. First Jesus goes up into the air, then these two messengers dressed in white say Jesus will return in the same way. It is a great deal to process. There was at least some precedent for going up into the air as this is what Elijah did. Also, we are not sure what happened to Moses. Moving forward is not easy as many of us have and are experiencing. Faith Lutheran Church is working on moving forward. The transition team is in the process of writing the Ministry Site Profile. Many of you have been waiting to hear this. As a community of faith, we have paused in some respects to examine who we are, who is our neighbor, and what God is calling us to do. On the other hand, ministry has not stopped as the Holy Spirit has still been moving and we have continued witnessing. Taking time and space in the midst of doing ministry is not easy. Sitting can often seem like wasting time, but it can also be a time of refocusing and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us. When we give ourselves permission to stop and rest in Jesus, we often see and hear more than we want to. At that point human nature often says get up and get moving. It is often hard to see and hear what God is calling us to do. Whatever it is will require change. This is true for us as individuals and as a community of faith. We are challenged then to trust the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will speak to us in many different ways, scripture, others, or events. This is where I have the difficult part, to know when to sit and when to move. Most often our human nature relies on anxiety to know these things. This is not usually the Holy Spirit's timing, it is ours. When we rely on our timing, we will not be the effective witnesses that we are called to be. The disciples did not technically have the Holy Spirit yet to be the effective witnesses that they were called to be. We do have the Holy Spirit. Our challenge on this Ascension Sunday is to take the time to rest in the Spirit and deal with our anxiety to discern when to move forward and when to sit. I believe this is true for every thing in our lives as individuals and as a community of faith. Discernment is not really a one human person determination. It takes listening to those who can be objective and taking it back to the Spirit to check it out. I believe just as the disciples had the two messengers, we do also. They come in different forms at different times. Look and listen for these messengers. When we find times that we are in discernment or asking questions or maybe running to fast, stop and sit with the Spirit. The Spirit will eventually tell us when it is time to move forward. We will experience times of anxiety when there is leaving and grieving in our individual lives, it happens in communities of faith. When something makes us uncomfortable, I challenge us to sit with the Holy Spirit. Look and listen for the messengers that God in Jesus Christ will send to us. As disciples of Jesus Christ, the only way that we can be effective witnesses is to trust the Spirit and listen for her discernment. Let us pray, Gracious God, we thank you for sending Jesus to earth to model for us how to live out our lives in you, loving you and our neighbor. As we live out our lives we find out that there will be times of leaving/grieving. You provide your presence in so many ways to help us through these times which involve change. May you Holy Spirit help us to stop and rest in you when we are anxious and uncomfortable in life. Help us to know your time table as to sitting and moving forward. In Jesus name, Amen.

Talk 25   Mark 8:27-38   The Challenge of the Cross Welcome to Talk 25 in our series on Mark's Gospel. If you listened to my Easter Sunday message recently (which was not part of this series), you will remember that we concentrated our attention on the repeated emphasis on the use of the word must in connection with Jesus' death and resurrection.  One of the verses we referred to is found in today's passage: 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. We saw that it was necessary for Jesus to suffer and to die and to rise again because that was the only way we could be saved. But in today's passage we see that this was clearly something the disciples, especially Peter, didn't want to hear. Nevertheless, Jesus went on to insist that not only was it necessary for him to suffer and die, but that if anyone wanted to follow him, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow him (v34). This presented an enormous challenge to his disciples then, and, if we take Jesus' words seriously, it is equally challenging for us today. In this passage we see three challenges: ·      The challenge of confessing who Jesus really is (27-30) ·      The challenge of acknowledging that his death was necessary (31-33) ·      The challenge of taking up our cross and following him (34-38).   The challenge of confessing who Jesus really is (27-30) 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. The important thing here is not what other people – your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends – say about Jesus. What matters is what you say. And notice that the word is say, not think. Of course, what we say will be affected by what we think, but if we believe that Jesus is who he claimed to be, it's important that we say so. Paul tells us that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Of course, Peter had not yet come to understand these things, but by divine revelation (see Matthew 16:17) he had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and was not afraid to say so. Others might see Jesus as an outspoken preacher like John the Baptist, or as a powerful miracle worker like Elijah, or as just another prophet or religious leader, but salvation depends on the acknowledgement and confession that JESUS IS LORD. But, as the next few verses make clear, Jesus was not the kind of Messiah that Peter and the other disciples were expecting. They were certainly not expecting a Messiah who would suffer and die. The challenge of acknowledging that his death was necessary (31-33) 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." The disciples would have understood that the Son of Man was a title used for the Messiah in Daniel 7:13-14. And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is and everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. This was almost certainly the kind of Messiah they would have been expecting, and Jesus' claims that as the Son of Man he had authority on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:10) and to be Lord of the Sabbath (2:28) would undoubtedly have backed up their conviction. And later in today's passage Jesus uses the title in connection with his coming in his Father's glory with the holy angels (v38), a theme which he repeats in 13:26 and 14:62. So their expectation was not entirely wrong. But it was only half the story. Jesus now had to teach them that certain things had to happen first. The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed. We should not be surprised at Peter's reaction. Surely suffering and rejection and death could not possibly be the role of the Messiah? But in fact they were not only possible. They were essential. The Son of Man must suffer… And Jesus not only rebukes Peter strongly for remonstrating with him, but he repeats the message again and again in chapters 9 and 10 (Mark 9:12, 31; 10:33, 45). But why was his suffering necessary? Why must he die? Because this was the only way that we could be saved. He died for our sins. He died in our place. He took the punishment our sins deserved. He died, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin. He only could unlock the gate of Heaven and let us in. To be saved we must acknowledge that his death was necessary. Our pride holds us back. Human wisdom rejects the message of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-19). We hesitate to admit that it was our shortcomings that made it so. But there was, there is, no other way. The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), for me, for you, and if it were not so, would the Messiah have allowed himself to be crucified? The challenge faces every man and woman, every boy and girl. The challenge must be faced, and it must be embraced. To be saved I must accept the fact that Jesus died for me. The challenge of taking up our cross and following him (34-38).   34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Having begun to teach his disciples that it was necessary for him to suffer and die and rise again, Jesus now includes the crowd. What he is about to say applies to everyone. Notice the use of the words anyone and everyone. There can be no exceptions. Acknowledge Christ and be saved or deny Christ and perish. The way of the cross is inevitable, not only for Christ, but for all who will follow him. If he must suffer, then we must expect to suffer too. We must take up our cross and follow him. Peter, from whom Mark probably obtained most of the material for writing his Gospel, writing to Christian slaves who were being unjustly punished, reminded them of the suffering of Christ and told them: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). If the opponents of Christ treated him unfairly, we must not be surprised if they treat us unfairly too. But Jesus said that whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Throughout the world today there are thousands who are losing their lives because of their faith in Christ. But suffering for the cause of Christ must not be confused with the things we suffer along with the rest of humanity. By no means all that Christians suffer is caused by persecution. Most of our suffering is caused by the fact that we're living in a fallen universe. In Romans 8 Paul tells us that, ever since the Fall, creation has been in bondage to decay and has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (vv21-22). But our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (v18). Meanwhile we are still eagerly waiting for the redemption of our bodies (v23). So suffering is inevitable. We are not exempt from it. Until Jesus returns we suffer along with the rest of humanity. The difference is that we Christians have hope. If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. So suffering along with the rest of humanity because we're all living in a fallen universe is not the same as suffering for the sake of Christ. It is not taking up our cross to follow Jesus. Yet this is required of every Christian. Jesus says, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. This will mean different things for different people, but if I am not denying myself and actively choosing to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ, can I really call myself a Christian? This choosing to deny ourselves and to live a sacrificial life for Christ is a practical demonstration of what is known as our identification with Christ. When we first came to Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, believing that he died in our place, God counted Jesus' death as our death, and we too were accepting his death as our death. That's why Paul could say that we died with Christ, we were crucified with Christ, buried with Christ, made alive with Christ and raised with Christ. In short, we are identified with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. With this in mind, let's compare verse 31 with verses 34-35. First Jesus teaches them that he, the Son of Man, must suffer many things and be rejected … and that he must be killed and … rise again. Then he says that as his followers his disciples must expect the same: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.   The pattern is the same. Rejection and suffering, followed by resurrection and reward. But of course, we don't want to suffer. We don't want to be rejected. But neither did Jesus. Hear him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death… My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:38-39). Taking up one's cross means saying this daily. Not what I want, but what you want.  Jesus didn't want to suffer and die, but he chose the way of the cross, and so must we. But of course, the cross was not the end of the story. He rose again, and so, says Jesus, will we. What a wonderful promise to all who will accept him, but how serious a warning to those who reject him: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels (v38) And then he will reward each person according to what he has done (Matthew 16:27). And in Matthew 10 he says: 32 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. …38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. The choice is ours. And the consequences of that choice are eternal. What choice will you make? Will you accept the challenge of confessing who Jesus really is? Will you acknowledge that his death was necessary for you? Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Jesus presses us with what it means for him to be "Lord." First Jesus surprises the scribes with his reading of Scripture, and then he surprises his disciples with a poor, overlooked widow as the model for their discipleship. Let's talk about what it means for him to be "Lord of Lords & Widows" (Mark 12:35-44).

Terry Sanderson, Lead Pastor at Bayview Glen Church, preaches a sermon titled "Introduction to Jesus First" in our series “Jesus First” (September 17, 2023). At Bayview Glen Church, we work together so that everyone, everywhere, can experience God's love and His created purpose through Jesus. Connect with us! Website: www.bayviewglen.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/bayviewglenchurch Facebook: www.facebook.com/BayviewGlenChurch

Jesus First Jesus Always PT.2 | Pastor Justin McNeil by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always PT.3 | Pastor Jeffrey Smith by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always PT.1 | Pastor Jeffrey Smith by City of Life Church

Lord Teach Us How To Pray Jesus taught us how to pray - Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore you shall pray: Our Father which art in heaven - Thank God we can call Him Father. It is Jesus who teaches us to pray to God as our Father and leads us into intimacy with Him. Hallowed be thy name- Hallowed – signifies to set apart for God, purify, consecrate You are saying I acknowledge You are holy. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven Pray for yourself and your family, your church, your nation and the peace of Jerusalem. Give us this day our daily bread -present your needs before Him. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors - ask God to forgive you, forgive and release others. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil - put on the Lord Jesus Ephesians 6:14 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen - make faith declarations, be bold in faith – God hears and answers prayer. End with praise! Date of service 10/26/23 #OurFather #LordsPrayer #pray #seekHim #firstJesus #Bible #boldforChrist #faith #prayerful www.houseofglorychurch.org www.cathycoppola.org

Lord Teach Us How To Pray Jesus taught us how to pray - Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore you shall pray: Our Father which art in heaven - Thank God we can call Him Father. It is Jesus who teaches us to pray to God as our Father and leads us into intimacy with Him. Hallowed be thy name- Hallowed – signifies to set apart for God, purify, consecrate You are saying I acknowledge You are holy. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven Pray for yourself and your family, your church, your nation and the peace of Jerusalem. Give us this day our daily bread -present your needs before Him. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors - ask God to forgive you, forgive and release others. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil - put on the Lord Jesus Ephesians 6:14 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen - make faith declarations, be bold in faith – God hears and answers prayer. End with praise! Date of service 10/26/23 #OurFather #LordsPrayer #pray #seekHim #firstJesus #Bible #boldforChrist #faith #prayerful www.houseofglorychurch.org www.cathycoppola.org

Jesus Teaches His Disciples 1 Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 19 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Mark 8:13-26 He got into a boat again and crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had forgotten to take any bread along and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus warned them, “Be careful! Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!” They had been discussing with one another that they didn't have any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying and asked them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you don't have any bread? Don't you understand yet? Don't you catch on? Are your minds closed? Are you blind and deaf? Don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces?” They told him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many large baskets did you fill with leftover pieces?” They answered him, “Seven.” He asked them, “Don't you catch on yet?” As they came to Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus. They begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man's hand and led him out of the village. He spit into the man's eyes and placed his hands on him. Jesus asked him, “Can you see anything?” The man looked up and said, “I see people. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes a second time, and the man saw clearly. His sight was normal again. He could see everything clearly even at a distance.  Jesus told him when he sent him home, “Don't go into the village.” Jesus and His disciples have now crossed the Sea of Galilee. Jesus on the journey across the sea had warned them about the yeast of the Pharisees, Sadducees and King Herod. Why does Jesus include King Herod? Jesus mentioned King Herod because he was a fickle ruler who was mean and treacherous. Herod would do everything to compromise with others for his own benefit alone. Both groups had wanted further signs from Jesus! The Pharisees and Sadducees as we saw yesterday! Herod we discover later from Luke 23, had longed for Jesus to give him a further sign! The yeast talked about by Jesus was their hypocrisy and evil. This was seen in evidence in our last study where they asked Jesus for a sign. Yeast in the New Testament is often used to illustrate evil. A little evil can spread a long way, much like yeast can in bread. Just as false teaching can decimate a church. Jesus was also warning his disciples to be convinced of the signs they had already seen, without coveting yet more signs! The disciples however, were discussing between themselves the problem of not having enough food. They were thinking that the yeast Jesus was talking about was yeast which went into bread. Jesus knew what they were talking about. They had obviously forgotten that they had witnessed the great feeding of the masses, and that Jesus had the power to feed them. No wonder Jesus seems exasperated with them and rebukes them! It is as if he is saying to them “Look,guys! Don't you realise who I am yet? Even though we have been together for a while now! Two times you have been with me and collected the leftovers after we fed the crowds together!” Oh the disciples had seen and heard but they still were lacking spiritual discernment and were spiritually blind and deaf. Their hearts were still hardened towards him in that aspect for now. It was also an act of ingratitude towards Jesus, that having twice seen bread created from nothing, they were now showing anxiety about not having enough bread. Then as if to exacerbate the point, Mark puts here a little story that isn't in the other gospels. When they get to Bethsaida, a blind man is bought to Jesus. First Jesus heals his eyes in part. The man looks and sees people walking as if they were trees, so there is no clarity yet with his vision – but at least he can see in part! Then a second time, Jesus heals the man's eyes fully and his sight is restored. Jesus didn't want to be seen as only a healer and miracle worker, so he tells the man not to say anything. Mark is making the point that the disciples at this time were like that blind man. They were like the man at the first stage of his healing. They couldn't see the spiritual truths and lacked understanding. To the disciples at this time, Jesus was still only a miracle worker, wise man, prophet and healer. It would not be until later that they would fully see! What about you? Again, I ask, who do you say Jesus is? What are you waiting for? Jesus is offering you free eternal salvation, by grace alone through faith alone! The choice is yours! Jesus loves you and because He loves you, He will not force you to love Him in return! But His love is compelling and He is calling you to come and take up His free offer of eternal life! It is not too late! Today can be the day of your salvation and new life! Are you going to acknowledge Him as your saviour or are you going to merely put him aside as a miracle worker or man of wisdom? Come back tomorrow for Day 20 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We will see together, another example of Jesus teaching his disciples... See you soon! Right Mouse click or tap here to save this as an audio mp3 file

Do our actions as a Christ-follower really matter?   "You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you." John 15:16 CSB   Notice a few things in this passage. First Jesus chose them. Jesus is choosing the people and assigning the work. He chooses which branches bear fruit.   Notice second that the fruit we bear will remain. This means that what we do matters. We get to take part in Jesus' strategy for saving the world. Our actions matter and if our actions matter, our inaction matters too. This is why I think complacency and lack of urgency is a problem for us. We can get occupied with so many useless things. But we can do things that will last forever.   As a result, when we ask God for something according to his will, he will do it. The reference to the ask being according to God's will comes from the phrase "in my name."   So you can pray for every person you meet. Your prayers will be answered when they line up with the will of Jesus and you will experience joy. What you do matters. If you never pray, God still accomplishes his work. He still saves people. He will still be glorified. But you will miss out. If we all celebrate the victory, but you know you didn't have much to do with it, you are less joyful than if you scored the winning run or if you made a key play.   Today, we can remember that we can bear fruit and that fruit can remain. What we do matters. Even if you have a meaningless job you hate, you can still say or do something that can matter forever. So stand up straight. Take your position and do your job like you're doing it for God. You are. Any moment you can interact with someone and impact their eternity.   Please also remember we're a donor supported ministry. If these podcasts, or our Marketplace Mission Trips are beneficial to you, please consider paying it forward. We want to help every Christ-follower integrate their faith into their daily life. Find out more and join us at https://FollowerOfOne.org.

Witnesses tell others what they have seen, heard, experienced, and learned about Jesus. We are witness for Jesus, and so is the Holy Spirit who helps us with everything we need.

Colossians 1:9-20

How clever are you when it comes to using money?   And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:42-44 ESV   I don't know about you, but I like to think I'm pretty sharp with how I handle money. I am a pretty good shopper and I can make a good deal. I'm not the best I've seen, though. I've seen better.   We've been talking about how we use temporal resources in our world and we've called this series Eternally Shrewd. To be shrewd means that we are clever, resourceful. We may even be cunning, or a bit under-handed. We get the results we want.   In this passage 2 really extreme things are happening. First Jesus is noticing something and he makes a point of it. He sees something no one else sees and he points it out to the disciples. But the second thing is this poor lady gave away everything she had to live on.   I can't imagine the kind of guts that took. I want to be courageous, but I confess when it comes to money, I can be a coward. I want the courage of this lady, but I am afraid to ask for it. In one way, only having a penny would be a bad situation. But in another, Jesus makes a great point.   She put in all she had to live on. The next move is up to God. Jesus doesn't even discuss it. She is dependent on God. Jesus also said in Matthew 6, "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26 NASB.   Can we trust Jesus like a bird, or like this widow? And what do we miss if the answer is "No?"   To be eternally shrewd it would mean to make choices and take actions that produce the best result. Everywhere in scripture, I see God challenging me to trust him more, to give more away, to go big.   Today, I want to live more like that. You can pray about that for me, and I will pray about that for both of us. I hope God's people live so radically different that every person notices. If you heard yesterday's podcast, ask me what I did. Head over to https://twitter.com/mikehenrysr and ask.   Let's work to be shrewd in the eyes of God. Let's do the things he says even when they sound a bit crazy. That may mean taking a marketplace mission trip. Or getting some friends together to take one. God to www.MarketplaceMissionTrip.com to learn more and step out.

In this episode I will show how nonduality underlies Jesus' ethics. His ethical teachings in the Sermon on the Mount have a pattern. First Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…” and then he quotes a passage from the Torah. Then he adds, “but I say to you.” Then he give his teaching. In other words he says, “The Bible says this, but I say this.” He was not negating what the Bible said. He was building upon it and completing it. He was fulfilling it. I am going to take each of these sayings in his section of the Sermon on the Mount and see how his teachings reflect a nondual ethic that goes beyond dualistic understandings of right and wrong, us and them. Living in nonduality is entirely different than living by moral rules and laws. When one is aware of the nondual Reality that unites everything, we live naturally out of this nondual nature rather than trying to figure out with our heads what we should do. Paul calls this walking in the Spirit as opposed to obeying the Law. 

This episode is 534 of The Daily CHRIST TODAY Podcast.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the all-powerful one: the still point around which everything turns. Do we believe it? Do we live it?

"What Are You Standing On or For" preached by Pastor William Moore at the First Jesus name Church of Benndale on the Sunday Night of August 28th, 2022. For more information about our church or this message please email us at fjncbenndale@icloud.com or visit our website fjncb.com. Have a wonderful and blessed day.

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before COVID, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before COVID, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.