Podcasts about gospel study

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 17 Scripture: Luke 23:26-34, Mark 15:21, Hosea 10:8, John 19:19-27, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27:45-49, Psalm 22, John 19:28-30., Luke 23:46, Psalm 31:5, Matthew 27:50-54. Today we take a look at a moving, powerful and emotionally packed teaching on the subject of Jesus' crucifixion.  We will explore the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion using all four gospels as each gives us unique details and special insights. Jesus' crucifixion was painful, prolonged, humiliating and demeaning, but the four gospel writers do not dwell on the sufferings of Jesus. What they dwell on is what He won for us and what He offers to each of us. Our story opens with Jesus' walk to Golgotha (Hebrew word - translates to “Place of the Skull” - Calvary - is the Latin word for ‘Place of the Skull.”) As Jesus was brutally beaten, tortured and whipped He is exhausted, weak, in great pain and unable to carry His cross to Golgotha, so Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus' cross. Jesus' first words from the cross were “Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.” A display of His love even from the cross, even in extreme suffering and incredible pain, He cries out on behalf of others. Don't ever doubt God's love. No matter how we've fallen, our God loves us dearly! The enemy likes to make us think that God is the bad guy, but the truth is - if you want to know what God is like and want to know how He feels about you, then all you have to do is look at Jesus, the One who is the visible image of the invisible God - and He says, Father, forgive them.” He offers mercy to all of us - we all are sinners and we all need a Savior and that's who Jesus is! Our story continues with Pilate making a sign in 3 languages: Hebrew, Latin and Greek. The sign says, “King of the Jews.” The way Romans announced the crime for which the individual was being executed was to post it over their heads on their cross. When Pilate had the sign placed above Jesus' head the Chief Priests became upset. Pastor takes time to dig into some truly interesting insights into why the sign made them so angry. The next words Jesus says are to His mother and the disciple next to her at the foot of His cross. He says, “Woman, here is your son.” And to the disciple He says, “Here is your mother.” Jesus' second set of words from the cross were again for others and of showing his deep love and concern for His mother. Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one of them joins the crowd in mocking Jesus. The one not joining the crowd says to the one that was, “Don't you fear God? This man has done nothing wrong,..” Then turning to Jesus he says, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus replies, “I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” This criminal displays great faith in asking, Jesus, who is beaten, brutalized and nailed to a cross, “Remember me!” This man saw what is unseen - He saw into heaven. He saw what is true.  Again Jesus' words are for others, these comforting words of promise given this man hanging on the cross next to Him. The promise is for all those who believe in Him, that we will be with Him and we will see His kingdom in all its glory and fulfillment. As we continue with the story, darkness came over the land in the middle of the day and Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus endured the judgement of God for us - He became sin for us. Pastor talks about these very words of being forsaken having been written in Psalm 22, 1000 years earlier, and they were words that every Jew was familiar with. Pastor shares how that would have impacted those around Him hearing Him say these words - they were a testimony to who Jesus is! Then Jesus says, “I am thirsty.” And He is offered wine vinegar on a sponge on the end of a hyssop stalk. Pastor shares insight into this prophetic action of using the hyssop stalk being lifted to Jesus to drink from.  When Jesus had the drink, He said, “It is finished.” Meaning PAID IN FULL. The debt for sin was paid. The price for our salvation has been paid in full. Jesus drank the cup of the wrath of God, He is the sacrificial victim - the Real Passover Lamb, who offered up His blood for us all and His blood covers our sin. And then Jesus' speaks, “Father, into Your hand I commit My Spirit.” And He dies.     ⁃    The price is paid     ⁃    The battle is won     ⁃    The victory is assured At Jesus' last words the curtain of the Temple is torn in two. Why?… This was a massive curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies where a High Priest went once a year before God making atonement for the sins of the people. Now all of a sudden people, not just the High Priests can look into the Holy of Holies and have access to the Living God. God dealt with human sin in the very Person of His own Son. The curtain is now open and the way to the Father is exposed - all are given access into the place where only a High Priest could go because Jesus open it through His sacrifice on the cross. Our time together ends with the words of the centurion guarding Jesus on the cross as the day turned dark, as the curtain tore, as the earth shook, rocks split and people walked out of tombs, the centurion exclaims, “Surely, He was the Son of God!” What a shocking day this was!  This was the day the Savior gave His life for all! And it changed everything because now - He offers life to all who believe in Him. Join us next time as we discover that Jesus is our 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 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry. The earth shakes concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

2 Year Gospel Study - week 74 (Friday, 05-30-25) Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 16 Scripture: John 18:28-32, Mark 15:2-5, John 18:33-38, Luke 23:4-16, Matthew 27:15-26 John 19:1-16 Pastor explores Jesus' trial using all 4 gospels and proposing a possible timeline that tells the story with new insight. Also, throughout today's teaching he shares interesting and important historical information and relationship information between the players in this day's events that brings greater insight and understanding to this story of Jesus' trial.  We tend to look at the story of Jesus' trial and crucifixion as a story we are familiar with -- the old, old story of Jesus and His love…. But today Pastor will bring a freshness that will make it new as we look at the unique things each of the Gospels' authors has to say about the events that led up to Jesus' crucifixion. Pastor will use all four gospels, combining them together in a dramatic picture of the day's event. We pick up the story of Jesus' trial with Him leaving Caiaphas the High Priest's home and going before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate.  It is the continuation of the story of the day we call Good Friday. Pastor shares pictures from a past trip to Jerusalem that show the possible place of Jesus' public trial.  Once everyone is in the courtyard, Pilate makes this a legal Roman trial by asking “what charges are you bringing against this man?” But the high priests and their associates didn't want a full Roman trial - they simply wanted the Roman Governor to give them permission to execute Jesus. (At this time in Roman history permission was necessary for the Sanhedrin to be allowed to execute an individual) Pilate didn't give them that permission, instead now they have a legal trial. Many charges were being brought against Jesus - all sorts of charges and Pilate takes Jesus out of the public courtyard and into the Palace for a private conversation to figure out what Jesus has done.  Following the private conversation - Pilate tells the crowd He finds no basis for a charge against Jesus and because Jesus was Galilean, He was under Herod's jurisdiction. As it happens, Herod was in Jerusalem for the Passover so Pilate sends Jesus across town to see Herod Antipas. Herod had been longing to meet Jesus and asks Him many questions, but Jesus does not answer against any of the accusations and charges. Herod's soldiers ridicule and mock Jesus - dressing Him in a purple robe and send Him back to Pilate. Back in the courtyard of Pilate's place, Pilate brings Jesus before the high priests and people stating that both he and Herod find Jesus guilty of nothing, but the crowd rebels. Pilate says he will beat and torture Jesus and let Him go. And again the crowd disagrees greatly with this decision and Pilate then asks the crowd if he should release Jesus or Barabbas (a criminal). It's at this point that Pilate receives a letter from his wife about Jesus because of a dream she had and the note says that Pilate should have nothing to do with the innocent man, Jesus.  The chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas and yell for Jesus to be crucified. This crowd shouting “Crucify Him” was not the crowd who had welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with hosannas earlier in the week when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  This crowd in Pilate's courtyard were most likely temple employees. The temple at that time employed about 20,000+ people and so the high priests had probably gathered this crowd in their favor. Pilate at this point says again that he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus, gives in to the crowd, washes his hands, claims innocence, releases Barabbas, and has Jesus flogged.   Pastor shares in depth what a flogging from Roman soldiers was like during this time in history. It was an incredible cruel torture, horribly brutal and painful. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified. In his soul, Pilate knows injustice has been committed, yet Jesus goes silently and quietly, just as it says in Isaiah 53.  Jesus doesn't try to disprove the charges against Him of blasphemy - remaining silent - as the charges are true. He IS the Son of the Living God. More than that, the accusation is a statement of Truth!  Jesus is the Son of the Living God and we see the Messiah being turned over into the hands of wicked men and being crucified not just for others - BUT for each one of us. Here's the question: WHO REALLY PUT JESUS ON THE CROSS?  It wasn't the High Priests, Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate, or even all people ULTIMATELY THE ANSWER IS ME. I did. It's my sin that put Him there.  This story is personal.  It is a beastly, brutal and tragic story but it is also the old, old story of Jesus and His love… Pastor closes with a heartfelt prayer acknowledging all the Savior endured.  And then ends with a teaser about next week's class that may well be absolutely shocking - something that's often overlooked yet so dramatic it will cause us to gulp!   Join us! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 15 Scripture: Mark 14:50-52, John 18:12-24, Matthew 26:57-75, Isaiah 53:7 Luke 22:61, Luke 22:66-23:1. Nothing about Jesus' last hours was an accident. He was totally prepared and totally committed. He knew full well what was ahead of him. The disciples did not understand what was going to happen to Jesus and about all that He had been telling them was coming until they saw Him as the risen Savior. May we understand the significance of what Jesus did, the power of His life, His death and His resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit and the power to live a life dedicated to Him. Today, we pick up the “Up to Jerusalem” study where Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane as soldiers approach Him led by Judas, His betrayer. Peter cuts off the ear of one of the men and Jesus heals it. We see that as the soldiers arrest and bind Jesus in chains most likely around the neck and ankles, that His disciples flee, leaving Jesus alone. The soldiers take Him first to Annas. Trial #1 - before Annas - Jesus is questioned, treated cruelly, Peter denies knowing Jesus, and Annas then sends Jesus off to Caiaphus. Trial #2 - before Caiaphus the High Priest - false witnesses come forward and turn Jesus' words around in a totally different way saying that this guy says he can tear down the temple and build it back up in three days when it has taken us decades to build it! (What Jesus had actually said and meant was, “Destroy this temple (My body) and in three days I will raise it up (predicting His resurrection on the 3rd day).”  But Jesus remains silent against the interrogation - a fulfillment of what Isaiah had said 700 years earlier, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth, He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mount.” Isaiah 53:7. Caiaphus finds Jesus “guilty” of blasphemy and Jesus suffered more brutality.  Peter denies Jesus a third time as the rooster crows and in Luke 22:61 we read that as Peter was denying knowing Jesus, Jesus turns His glance to Peter and looked straight at him and causing Peter to remember Jesus telling him that he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster crows.  Peter runs outside the courtyard and weeps bitterly for what he has done and who He has denied knowing. (In the coming weeks of this study we will witness the restoration, soon after Jesus' resurrection, of Peter's relationship with Jesus through a loving conversation with Jesus. A reconciliation that shows us the forgiveness and love of our Savior not just for Peter but for each one of us as well.) Pastor shares recent archeological news of the discovery of an ossuary belonging to Caiaphus along with other “holy speculation” that helps fill in details as our story moves forward. Trial #3 - Next Jesus is taken from Caiaphus to the Council. The Council asks Jesus if He is the Son of God and Jesus replies, “You say that I am.” Thus they accuse Him of blasphemy and send Him to Pontius Pilate where we will resume the story next week. Pastor ends the teaching saying Jesus really is who He says He is.  He is Messiah, the Living God come in human flesh to give His life for us all.  Nothing in all of life matters more than knowing Him. “Knowing Him”  - that's not religion and church attendance - it means personally knowing who Jesus is, knowing His heart, His love, and internalizing His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. This is not just a story — it is the story of God's love for you and me. Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Wren Austin takes us through the spiritual gifts listed in the Doctrine and Covenants in this newest Gospel Study lesson. Karen D. Austin aka “Wren” –gerontologist since 2010 with prior education and teaching experience since… The post Gifts from the D&C: Gospel Study with Karen Wren Austin appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Wren Austin takes us through the spiritual gifts listed in the Doctrine and Covenants in this newest Gospel Study lesson. Karen D. Austin aka “Wren” –gerontologist since 2010 with prior education and teaching experience since… The post Gifts from the D&C: Gospel Study with Karen Wren Austin appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 14 Scripture: John 17:1 - 18:12, Hebrews 7:23-24, Philippians 2:6-11, Matthew 26:36-44, Luke 22:42-46. Today's study focuses mainly on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, a prayer following His meal with the disciples and the night of His betrayal. Pastor talks in depth about the prayer     ⁃    Focusing in on what Jesus says about God's name     ⁃    God's name is His character     ⁃    God's name is called the tetragrammaton - it is 4 letters but we are not sure of the pronunciation.     ⁃    What we do know is that at its root is “To Be”      ⁃    The One who always IS     ⁃    At Mt. Sinai God told Moses “I Am who I Am, if anyone asks who sent you, tell them I AM has sent you.     ⁃    God is always with us     ⁃    He does not change - the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - forever!     ⁃    He is all powerful     ⁃    All merciful     ⁃    All loving     ⁃    He is gracious     ⁃    Jesus reveals the Father's character and shows us the Father's love     ⁃    He is One with the Father If you want to know what God looks like — Look at Jesus! Something to think about: what must this have felt like for the disciples to hear Jesus praying this prayer to the Father?     ⁃    When we walk with God we walk out of step with the world     ⁃    God's word is the Truth - it is a Living Word - Jesus is Truth and speaks only Truth     ⁃    Sanctification     ⁃    Believers are to be one with Christ and one with the Father and one with each other. One in Body - one mind - the mind of Chris - focused on spreading the Good new in Christ     ⁃    God is One     ⁃    Suffering for faith     ⁃    Experiencing the glory of God     ⁃    Submission to God     ⁃    Everything Jesus does is for the purpose of saving the world     ⁃    He lives to intercede for us Following the prayer, Jesus and His disciples head to the Mt of Olives and into the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus takes 3 of the 11 as He moves further into the garden. He tells them to stay awake and pray as He goes deeper into the garden. He is dealing with unimaginable anguish grief, and anxiety as He prays again to the Father expressing that His sole is overwhelmed to the point of death and prayer for “this cup” to be removed but only if it is the Father's will. Jesus is willing to do what the Father desires, and yet He shares His heart with His Father. Jesus is in so much anguish and agony He is to the point of sweating blood and yet He pushes through in endurance to follow the Father's plan. A total of 3 times He prays and then returns to find the disciples asleep instead of staying awake and praying and trying to understand this is Jesus' greatest hour of need.  The solitude and loneliness Jesus experiences must have been painful. He friends will abandon Him, His Father will abandon Him. It is Christ ALONE and He faces it all with the words of His prayer, “Your will be done.” And this is the true picture of Love. Today's study ends with a reading of the betrayal of Jesus and will pick up with this portion of the story next week.  Please join us! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

2 Year Gospel Study - week 71 (Friday, 05-09-25) Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 13 Scripture: John 16:1-33, John 17:1-2. In today's teaching we continue with Jesus and His disciples having finished the Last Supper, Judas has left and Jesus and the 11 are walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane. God's call is to radical faith - the kind that allows us to stand strong against the enemy - Jesus shares that they hated Him, they will hate them, they persecuted Him, they will also persecute them. Yet, Jesus assures the disciples by telling of the coming of the Advocate - Holy Spirit - who will testify about Jesus and will bring power and strength and truth. This persecution comes but Jesus doesn't want us to live in fear, but rather to trust and depend on Him. Jesus shares that He must leave, remove His physical presence from the world so that the Father can send the Advocate - Holy Spirit - who will be with us. And no matter what we face the Holy Spirit is with us and lives in us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, convicts us of righteousness (right relationship with God offered through faith in Jesus who is our only hope because we are sinners).  Having the Holy Spirit draws us to righteous living through His power. The Holy Spirit also convicts about judgement because Jesus is the Victor through His death and He shows that the judgement of the Holy God has been carried by the Son of God.   The measure of God's love is that: He doesn't give us what we deserve, He gives us Himself.   He doesn't give us what we've earned, He gives us what Jesus has earned.   He doesn't give us what we've achieved, He gives us what Jesus achieved - and that is resurrection through faith in Him! Jesus telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit was a prediction that He said before His ascension, but then at Pentecost after His ascension - it is our present reality!  We are living in the Era of the Spirit. We are called to:  live in the power of the Holy Spirit seek the Holy Spirit listen to the Holy Spirit follow the Holy Spirit rejoice in the Holy Spirit! Pastor shares that the Holy Spirit is not an “it,” but rather a Person. The Holy Spirit is God. A real person and we want to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and live in relationship with God that the Holy Spirit provides - dynamic and radical faith! Jesus goes on to say that they would see Him for a little while and then see Him no more and that after a little while they would see Him again. The disciples are puzzled but in the days ahead this would all be revealed as truth.  Their faith would blossom and grow! And just like His disciples, we too can always be growing in faith and in relationship with God. Jesus prophecies that there will be grief and sadness ahead but it ends with Joy - that because He suffers and dies and rises everything changes.  We now are able to come to the Father through Jesus and we can ask the Father anything - we are called to be people who are radical - not only radical in our faith but radical in our prayers because God's will is to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Whatever tribulation we face remember: Jesus has overcome the world Jesus has overcome the adversary Jesus has defeated the devil Jesus has won the final victory  And so in Him we have hope and peace. AND the promise of His return. Because of Jesus' victory - we who are followers of Jesus are overcomers, too, through our faith in Him!  Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Matthew Bowman studies the scripture and community building found within D&C 42 in this new Dialogue Gospel Study. Matthew Bowman is Howard W Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University. The post Community, Healing and Beauty: Gospel Study with Matthew Bowman appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Matthew Bowman studies the scripture and community building found within D&C 42 in this new Dialogue Gospel Study. Matthew Bowman is Howard W Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University. The post Community, Healing and Beauty: Gospel Study with Matthew Bowman appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 12 Scripture: Psalm 91,John 14:15-31, John 15, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Acts 14:22,Matthew 10:22, 2 Timothy 3;12, Matthew 5:10-12. Psalm 91 tells us that our God can be trusted. This psalm has words that Jesus depended on and held onto as He headed Up to Jerusalem. He was able to face the trial, trouble and tribulation that came on the road to the cross. Our story today picks up with Jesus saying, “If you love me, keep my commands.” This is not about earning eternal life, it's about our relationship of love with The One who showed His love for us at the cross. As we love Him we show that in genuine obedience (keep my commands). God's desire is that we mature in faith and that our very lives reflect Him through our speech and behavior and that we model Christ's example. Then Jesus shares that He will send an Advocate to help. This Advocate is the One who speaks truth. A counselor, encourager, comforter who will help us and be with us forever - The Holy Spirit. God's supernatural presence and power in our lives. We are not called to live a life believing that God exists - we are called to live a supernatural life - we are called to live a life utterly dependent on the presence of God the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus assures His disciples and us that we are never alone. Jesus says, “I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (This is relationship). Jesus goes on to tell them the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) is coming and will be with us, and then He encourages them not to worry or be afraid.  These words are for us today - He will never abandon us - We can trust Him. Jesus tells them He gives them peace - not the kind of peace the world gives, but His peace. Shalom. Shalom describes a relationship with the Living God where everything is done in harmony with His plan and purpose.  It is supernatural peace. And we are encouraged to allow it to overwhelm our hearts and souls. As we continue reading Jesus tells us He is the True Vine, and God the Father is the Gardener. Pastor addresses a concern that most Bible translations may have this line inaccurately translated. Most Bibles say the Gardener “cuts off” branches that bear no fruit.  However, let's explore how a vineyard gardener actually cares for a vine with branches that are bearing no grapes. What he does is he lifts up the branches from the ground and brings them into the sun, lifting them up and securing them in a way they can produce fruit.  Pastor believes this is what Jesus is saying here - that this is not a word of law, but instead a word of comfort.  Jesus says “every branch IN ME that is not producing fruit, the Father lifts up so that it can produce fruit.   Pastor's argument is this: the Bible translations tell us Jesus says, “the Father cuts off every branch IN ME that bears no fruit .” But then Jesus says if you abide IN ME you will bear much fruit.” Where is continuity in these verses?  Let's take a look at the original Greek. The verse says: “He “airō” every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He “koptō” to make it even more fruitful.” The words used in the original Greek are airō and koptō. airō can mean to cut off but the primary meaning of the word is to be lifted up. koptō means to be cut off (pruned).  As we learned earlier those who care for grapevines - tell us that a grapevine only produces fruit when it is lifted up from the ground and lifted into the sun. When we are in Jesus and not producing fruit, the Gardener (the Father) lifts us up, airō us up into the “Son” so that we will produce fruit, we are not cut off but lifted up. And when we are producing fruit the Gardener prunes, koptō us so that we will produce even more fruit. When we remain in Jesus - the Vine - we will bear fruit because the Father - Gardener - lifts us up and prunes us so we produce more fruit. Jesus goes on to talk about:     ⁃    True joy     ⁃    Loving others     ⁃    That He calls us “friend”     ⁃    Answered prayer     ⁃    Persecution  These are the things Jesus shared on the night He was betrayed and arrested because He loved His disciples and He loves us and He wants us connected to Him - abiding in Him and prepared for what is to come. Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 11 Scripture Luke 22:31-34, John 13:31-37, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, John 14:1-31, Hebrews 7:25 Up to Jerusalem is a story filled with tragedy and yet a story that is above all, a story of victory and hope and defeat of the devil! Pastor's teaching on Jesus' Last Supper continues with a look at 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 which documents the changes Jesus instituted in the Passover meal. As He breaks the 3rd piece of matzah Jesus says, “This is My body given for you.” He's making it clear that what they have been celebrating for centuries is being fulfilled at that very moment. The fulfillment of the meal that had been celebrated for centuries - was changed because Jesus is the fulfillment - He is the Messiah. Then He takes the cup and says, “This is the New Covenant of My blood, poured out for you.” This is the promised new covenant! There are three primary beliefs regarding the Lord's Supper:     1.    Transubstantiation - bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ     2.    Real Presence - in a supernatural way Jesus is present in the bread and wine     3.    Symbolic Presence - bread and wine are a symbol of Jesus' body and blood Doctrine is critical and important, but Jesus makes it very clear on this night that what matters above all else is that we live out the truth of the New Covenant. That truth of the New Covenant is lived out by walking in the footsteps of our Savior's self sacrifice, in absolute love, and love for our enemies not just our friends and followers of Jesus. Though we may differ in how to interpret the Lord's Supper and what is received - what needs to bind us together is our common allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and our desire to carry out His will and His purpose.  His will and purpose is that we be one in Him  - one in Him to win the world back to Him. As we look at what Jesus will suffer this night, we see that He endured so much for us but His suffering resulted in His glorification and this gives our struggles, sufferings and persecutions purpose. We know that because Jesus loves us so much He was willing to endure the cross that ended in victory over the grave - we know He has the power to take our suffering and turn it around for final victory for us as well. We too will triumph! As the meal continues Jesus gives them a new command, “Love one another as I love you.” The depth of God's love is revealed in the gift of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross - this is love - and we are to love to that depth. Then Jesus tells Peter He is praying for him - and we know Jesus prays for us too.  It says in Hebrews 7:25 “He (Jesus) always lives to intercede (pray) for them (those who come to God through Him).” We also know the Holy Spirit prays for us too. Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 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.”  What incredible comfort that is - full of strength and encouragement - to know we have the best prayer partners in the universe! As the story continues Jesus tells Peter he will deny Him three times.  Pastor shares some interesting information around the meaning of “rooster crows.” Our time together ends with Thomas asking, “How do we know the way to God?” The answer for every person on the planet is found in Jesus' answer, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Under the blood of Jesus we have EVERYTHING!! Pastor Dodge concludes with encouragement to read John chapters 14-17 as these are the important words of Jesus the evening of His arrest and in these words He shows us what should mean the most to us: love, the Holy Spirit, prayer, trusting God and bearing fruit for Jesus. Jesus encourages us with these words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”  All of His words are for us still today!  Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 10 Scripture Luke 22, Exodus 6:6-7, John 13 & 14, Psalm 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 Jesus' Last Supper -  Pastor opens with an interesting piece of history. Based on writings from Rabbis during the time of Jesus - the Passover lambs were actually “crucified.” What we know from Rabbinic writings is that when the priests killed the Lambs at the Temple in preparation for the Passover meal - they then took a thin stave and ran it through the shoulders of the killed lamb and then another stave was driven through its mouth and down its spine forming a cross, making it ready for roasting. As our story opens - Jesus and His disciples gather in the upper room that Peter and John have prepared. Passover - how it may have been in Jesus' Day - Passover Table - banquet style meal, low table surrounded by couches or pillows for reclining on, head supported by left hand, ate with right hand, was a lengthy meal that started at sunset. - Four Cups Kiddish Cup (to set apart - Sanctify) Plagues Cup (story of the Passover was shared followed by singing of Psalms 113 and 114) Blessing Cup (during the meal followed by singing of Psalms 115-118) Hallel Cup (Praise cup with singing of Psalm 126. Also referred to as Elijah's cup) Jesus shares that He will not have this meal again until the meal finds its fulfillment in the kingdom of God (following His return). There's a possibility that Jesus ended the meal early. But here's a possible order of the sequence of the events of the meal     - the seating - bickering about who sits where     - Jesus washing the disciples feet     - Jesus tells that one of them will betray Him     - Judas leaves There is uncertainty around when the meal was actually eaten.  Was Judas there or not. Based on text from Luke and John it appears Judas was present for the meal. Pastor shares that Jesus is still merciful to Judas - to the very last He is trying to help Judas see what he is doing. When considering Judas' worthiness to be at the meal, the question becomes were any worthy of participating in this meal? The meal was attended by traitors and cowards. It is a table not of merit but of GRACE. Our God is a merciful and gracious God. His own disciples would run away that very night and leave Him in the garden - abandoning Him in His hour of need and yet Jesus still loved them. He knew what was going to happen and He still gave His disciples this meal as an indication of His incredible love. This meal - the Lord's Supper - is something we have turned into law rather than grace.  None of us can stand before a Holy God and say, “Look how good I am.”  The moment we do that we walk away from the Gospel of Grace. We come to God as sinners, covered by the blood of His Son, made new by Him and when we receive the meal - the very meal He has with His disciples, we are being reassured of His incredible love, a love not based on our merit, accomplishments or achievements, but a love that is based upon the incredible love of The Father for those He has made and those He has redeemed with the blood of His Son. It is NOT a table of merit. IT IS A TABLE OF GRACE. Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Melissa Dalton-Bradford gives a beautiful sermon on Easter that complicates narratives but encourages growth and community building. Melissa Dalton-Bradford is a founding member of the non-profit Mormon Women for Ethical Government, (MWEG), a founding member… The post Easter, Atonement, and the Healing of All Divisions: Dialogue Gospel Study with Melissa Dalton-Bradford appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Melissa Dalton-Bradford gives a beautiful sermon on Easter that complicates narratives but encourages growth and community building. Melissa Dalton-Bradford is a founding member of the non-profit Mormon Women for Ethical Government, (MWEG), a founding member… The post Easter, Atonement, and the Healing of All Divisions: Dialogue Gospel Study with Melissa Dalton-Bradford appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 9 Scripture - Matthew 25-26, Luke 22 We continue with Jesus' Mt. Olivet Discourse where He is talking about the future end of Jerusalem that did happen in 70AD several decades after His ascension and as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets. Jesus is also talking of the preparation for His second coming and the importance of being awake. Pastor reviews the conclusion of the Parable of the Ten Virgins with Jesus' words,”Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.”  We want to be awakened      ⁃    Awake to the things of God     ⁃    Awake to what He desires of us     ⁃    Awake to our mission to lead others to a knowledge of the Savior and to usher in the Kingdom of God Additional parables covered      ⁃    The Parable of the Talents - It is possible to know about the Master without truly knowing Him and living in relationship with Him.  We are to use all He has given us to His glory so that others know and learn the Good News of our Savior. We are called to serve, love and honor God.     ⁃    The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats - Pastor helps us understand this parable in a first century Jewish context.  This story is incredibly profound and Pastor shares a personal testimony around the subject of sheep and goats and the question: “Do goats hear the shepherd's voice?” Pastor shares the differences between sheep and goats. In Jerusalem these two animals are in the same flock but they are very different.     ⁃    Identity: 54 chromosomes vs. 60 chromosomes     ⁃    Diet: tender grass vs. garbage     ⁃    Intelligence: great ability to learn and understand and created to thrive under a shepherd vs. independent     ⁃    Offspring: keep lambs near by vs. send their offspring out on their own     ⁃    Social structures: no competition, need a shepherd to lead them vs. butt heads, desire to dominate     ⁃    Shepherd: only thrive under a good shepherd vs. fiercely independent  This parable shows us that it is possible to be a member of the flock but not be one of The Shepherd's sheep.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd and it's important to follow Him. This parable goes on to talk about when “The King” comes and how He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Sheep on His right to eternal life and goats on the left to eternal punishment. This parable is about being a new creation in Christ, a follower, one of His sheep that hears His voice.  Goats have not become new in Christ and want be in control. We are NOT saved by works - we are saved by the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. As we continue, we move into Matthew 26 where Jesus tells His disciples, again, of His impending crucifixion.  We see Judas going to the chief priests as he prepares to betray Jesus as told in both Matthew 26 and Luke 22. From there we see Jesus send two of His disciples (Peter and John) to begin preparations for the Passover meal which includes finding a place for their meal together and also going to the temple for the lamb for the meal. Pastor points out several examples of Jesus being in control of the details leading up to His arrest and that it is not the enemy who is control. Jesus is in charge! He is the Lord! And this is something we each need to realize - we are not in charge of our destinies, we do not make the rules, when we try - then we are like goats. But when we listen to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we are His precious sheep and He desires to be both Lord and Savior in our lives. Even through Judas is “making plans” Jesus is still in control and He will not allow the enemy to divert Him from the Father's purpose. Pastor goes on to share unique details about the Passover lambs at the temple and our Passover Lamb, Jesus. Join us again next week as we continue Up to Jerusalem - the road that takes Jesus to the cross but that ends with His victory! Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 8 Scripture - Matthew 24:15 - Matthew 25:13 Luke 21, Mark 13 and Matthew 24-25 all have the story of Jesus' Mt. Olivet Discourse with His disciples. In today's opening verses in Matthew 24:15ff, we hear Jesus answering the questions we left off with last week.   The two questions the disciples asked Jesus:     1.    When will these things you are telling us happen to the temple     2.    What will be the sign of your return They are thinking that these two questions coincide one with the other…. As we now know - that was not the case.   Jesus is giving a forewarning of what would befall Jerusalem. (The fall happened in the year 70AD when the Roman General Titus laid siege to Jerusalem and ultimately leveled it to the ground.) Jesus' answer contains responses for both the questions.  The Abomination that causes Desolation - three options of what this might be were shared last week - but only one seems to fit the time frame: An event in winter 67/68AD -  the temple was profaned by Jewish insurgents. Pastor reads about the event from Josephus' writing: The Jewish War.  During this event the insurgents caused division within the Jewish community.  It's a good possibility that this event caused believers in Jesus in the city of Jerusalem to begin fleeing the city by those who took Jesus' words literally. They left because they could see what was coming and Jesus had warned them about what was coming. They fled across the Jordan River and they were protected from the siege by Titus which began shortly after the insurgent uprising.  Those who fled were protected from all that followed.  Over 1 million people died in the siege of Jerusalem. In Luke 21:20-24 we read: “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES ARE FULFILLED - This passage in Luke has been fulfilled in our day.  Pastor shares a brief history of the city of Jerusalem from 70AD to the mid 20th century of when the city of Jerusalem was dominated by gentiles. Romans Byzantines Persians Byzantines Crusaders Ottoman Turks WWI British control WWII - The Jewish people were given a homeland in 1948 Six Day War - 1967 City of Jerusalem came under control of the Jewish people and has remained in their control in an uneasy peace. THIS IS SOMETHING JESUS SAID AND IT WAS FULFILLED IN OUR LIFE TIME. "The times of the gentiles are fulfilled"... what does that mean?  Does that refer simply to gentile control of Jerusalem? Or does it mean far more? Romans 9, 10, and 11 talk about the Jewish people returning to the Messiah. When they return to Him - the end comes!  We don't know the day or hour - but He tells us when we see these things happening, look up because our redemption is drawing near. Jesus' final return will be like lightening filling the sky. He will come on cloud in great glory! As the discourse continues in Matthew 24 - 25 we read about the following:     ⁃    Fig Tree Imagery - Jesus prophesies that the end is near when we again see Israel beginning to flourish then we know “summer is near” (the end is coming)     ⁃    Jesus says, “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”  THIS GENERATION - generation in Greek has multiple meanings - one meaning refers to “this people” the other to “this nation” and in Aramaic (Jesus' language of the day) the word for generation and the word for nation are the same word. It may well be that what Jesus is declaring is that the Jewish people will not come to an end - they will survive. And they have.     ⁃    Judgement by fire     ⁃    Be awake!     ⁃    Do not grow weary in doing what is right     ⁃    Follow Jesus - receive Him as King, Savior and Lord     ⁃    Last days and times will be difficult - so we are called to walk close to God     ⁃    Then Jesus shares several parables to emphasize what He has been teaching.     ⁃    The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Be ready for Jesus' return.  Pastor shares what Jewish weddings were like in Jesus' day and how knowing that brings insight to this parable to be encouraged to be awake and to be ready for Christ's return. Join us next time as we continue with the story of “Up to Jerusalem” as Jesus travels to the cross. Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 7 Scripture - Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:41-42, Matthew 24:1-16, Psalm 51:10, 2 Timothy 3:11 Class opens with a teaching from Jesus on humility and His warning against hypocrisy. The Seven Woes - spoken against hypocrisy:     1.    Verse 13 - roadblocks to the kingdom of heaven for people     2.    Verse 15 - produce more hypocrites     3.    Verse 16-22 - make a show of displaying how much they give to the temple     4.    Verse 23-24 - neglect justice, mercy and faithfulness     5.    Verse 25-26 - love to display outward cleanliness     6.    Verse 27-28 - do things to look good     7.    Verse 29-32 - act like they are better than others. An outward show - as good as it may look to others - does not matter at all to God. In fact, it destroys a relationship with God. The seven woes are Jesus' call to us to make sure our hearts are right with Him. This same kind of hypocrisy is just as present today as it was then. Jesus is reminding us that what God looks at is the heart - a heart committed to Him - and one that is humble before Him and humble before others. God's work is to take the hard stony parts of our hearts and replace them with a renewed heart. King David says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. We are to come before God in humility and repentance through faith in Jesus and there we will find joy, peace and life. Jesus emphasizes humility with the story of the Widow's Offering in Mark 12:41-42. Jesus is observing the people as they drop off their offerings. The rich are making a show of how much they are giving and then a widow places only a few cents in the bowl - but it was all she had - unlike the “leftovers” the others had been making a show of giving. She gave the greatest gift as she displayed living by faith and trusting God to provide.   We pick up the Up to Jerusalem chronology with Matthew 24:1-16 with Jesus telling of the temple's future destruction. The disciples then ask Jesus 2 questions:     1.    When will the temple be destroyed     2.    What will be the sign of Jesus' second coming They didn't realize how separated the 2 events would be. Jesus answers by predicting deception, war and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines and calls these the beginning of birth pains. Implying that as the end comes nearer, these things would be more frequent and greater. Jesus also shares that there will be persecution of the believers.  Jesus ends by telling that the Gospel message will be preached throughout the whole world and then the end will come. We can see the evidence of what Jesus said as we see the Gospel message into every continent today. The time of His coming is nearer and nearer and we are called to be awake and ready! Jesus goes on to talk about the “abomination that causes desolation” and that when they see this happening to flee Jerusalem.  Pastor shares several possibilities of what the abomination may have been.  He also speaks to the question of whether Jesus' words speak to the last generation as well. We end with seeing that the early believers did as Jesus said, they escaped the judgement that came on Jerusalem by leaving and fleeing as Jesus had said - and so we learn how important it is for us to hear and to heed God's Words, not fearing the future, but facing the future in faith. Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Maxine Hanks looks how women have of accessed the power of God through both a scriptural and historical lens in this Dialogue Gospel Study.  In Oct. 2019, LDS Church President Nelson urged women to study… The post Women as Revelators: Dialogue Gospel Study with Maxine Hanks appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Maxine Hanks looks how women have of accessed the power of God through both a scriptural and historical lens in this Dialogue Gospel Study.  In Oct. 2019, LDS Church President Nelson urged women to study… The post Women as Revelators: Dialogue Gospel Study with Maxine Hanks appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

2 Year Gospel Study - week 64 (Friday, 03–21-25) Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 6 Scripture - Matthew 21:45-46, Matthew 22:1-45, Revelation 7:9-17, Job 19:26, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, Exodus 3:6, Mark 12:28-34, John 14:6, Micah 6:8 Today's teaching centers on Jesus' encounters with the religious leaders in the temple as recorded in the 4 gospels and enlightened by some of the latest findings of archeologists and others who have uncovered things that have been hidden for generations but that clearly testify to the truthfulness of God's Word.  We will see the display of absolute brilliance as Jesus encounters the religious aristocracy, as He answers the critics and as He clearly demonstrates the Divine plan to redeem the human race. Jesus is in the temple courts teaching - This is where we start today - Matthew 21:45-46 “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.” They wanted to arrest Him but also saw that the crowds were listening to Jesus and receiving Him with joy. Normally the Chief Priests and Pharisees did not see things the same way, but they did as far as how they both felt about Jesus.  Their desire to eliminate Jesus brought them together. Jesus' Teachings     ⁃    The Parable of the Wedding Banquet  (wedding feast / resurrection life / our destiny as true believers in Jesus) This is a banquet we do not want to refuse to come to!  In this parable Jesus also predicts the ultimate destruction of the city of Jerusalem which would happen in 70AD. Pastor dissects the part of the story about the man at the feast that wasn't dressed appropriately, in light of the teaching of Jesus found in Revelation 7:9-17.      ⁃    Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar - following the Wedding Banquet parable the pharisees came together with the Herodians to lay out a plan to trap Jesus. Herodians were strong supporters of Herod's dynasty and of Rome and the pharisees hated Roman rule and their taxes. But the two groups unite to trap Jesus with this question that would force Him to choose either the Pharisees or the Herodians: “what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”  But to this hot button issue on Roman taxes - Jesus answers: “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought Him a denarius and Jesus asks, “whose image is this and whose inscription?”  Their response is “Caesar's” Then Jesus said to them, “give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is Gods” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Their trap had failed.     ⁃    Marriage at the Resurrection - this onslaught against Jesus comes from the Sadducees with the story of seven brothers and the law in the Torah and Jesus again avoids their trap by confronting them with wisdom and scriptures.     ⁃    The Greatest Commandment -  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” We are called to show love because God love us through His Son, Jesus. And then we read, “And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”     ⁃    Whose Son is Messiah? Now Jesus decides to ask a question, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David.” Then Jesus adds a quote from King David. “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord:“Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”' David himself calls him ‘Lord.' How then can he be his son?”  Jesus is calling them to really think hard about what David is saying. Pastor shares an enlightened look at what David is saying and what Jesus is desiring for the crowd to understand. The teaching concludes with a look at some archeological  discoveries and a peek into next week's class. Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 5 Scripture - Mark 11:19-33, 1-14, Matthew 21: 28-45, Isaiah 5, Psalm 118 Pastor takes time to discuss the chronology of Jesus' ministry, the length of His ministry, and the questions of Palm Sunday or Pam Monday along with Good Wednesday, Good Thursday or Good Friday. Our teaching covers:     ⁃    The rest of the story about the fig tree     ⁃    The cleansing of the Temple     ⁃    Total reliance on God     ⁃    Living in the power of the Holy Spirit     ⁃    Having faith     ⁃    Prayer is powerful     ⁃    Jesus' command to forgive     ⁃    Jesus' authority     ⁃    Denial of the power of God, the power of the Scriptures, the power of the prophetic word, the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus     ⁃    God's authorization of John the Baptist     ⁃    Jesus' brilliance and wisdom     ⁃    Parable of the Two Sons     ⁃    The continuation of Jesus' challenge of the religious leadership and His desire to have them and those duped by them come to an understanding of who He is.     ⁃    Repudiation of the religious for not repenting and believing     ⁃    Parable of the Tenants and the vineyard story in Isaiah 5     ⁃    The consequences of being caught up in spiritual blindness     ⁃    The teaching on the Cornerstone and blindness in seeing Jesus for who he is, and the sharing of the Gospel to the gentiles.     ⁃    The plotting to get rid of Jesus continues even though Jesus is there to seek and to save the lost     ⁃    Conviction of sin and the response of “God have mercy on me!” Repenting and seeking forgiveness from The One who forgives.
 We need a Savior and our response is to be, I need Him! We need to heed Him, we need to listen to Him and we need to call on Him. Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

James Faulconer looks at the intersections of revelation, scripture, and music in the context of D&C 25 for this Dialogue Gospel Study 2025. James Faulconer was raised as an Army dependent in the US, Europe,… The post Revelation, Scripture and Music: Dialogue Gospel Study with James Faulconer appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

James Faulconer looks at the intersections of revelation, scripture, and music in the context of D&C 25 for this Dialogue Gospel Study 2025. James Faulconer was raised as an Army dependent in the US, Europe,… The post Revelation, Scripture and Music: Dialogue Gospel Study with James Faulconer appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Scripture - Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-14, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19, Psalm 118, Zechariah 9:9, Galatians 5:22-23 We explore Palm Sunday – the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of hosanna. It was the 10th day of Nissan on the Jewish calendar. The day when the Passover lambs were herded in and prepared for sacrifice in Jerusalem at the temple. Palm Sunday on Nisan 10 - recorded in these gospels: Matthew 21:1–11 Mark 11:1-11 Luke 19:28-44 John 12:12-19 There are two dates that could be the date of the first Palm Sunday. Those dates are April 3, 30 A.D. or March 29, 33 A.D.  Jesus rides in on an unbroken donkey – one never before ridden on. This is biblically significant – a young animal, never previously ridden on was an animal that could be offered in a sacrifice as a gift to God. Jesus rides in on such an animal. All donkeys across the world have the same markings on their backs. It is a long dark stripe that runs along their spine, along the center of their backs and another stripe that runs across from shoulder to shoulder, forming the sign of a cross. Every donkey carries a cross on its back. When Jesus rode on the donkey into the city of Jerusalem, he was sitting on a cross. in Zachariah 9:9 we read, “rejoice greatly, daughter, Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey. “ Jesus fulfill this prophetic word from Zachariah as he enters Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey coming in peace and offering hope. “Hope for the nations.” (more on this in the coming next weeks.) As Jesus enters Jerusalem on the donkey – it is possible that there were as many as 2.5–3 million people there for the Passover based on ancient writings of Josephus and the rabbis.  The crowds are shouting “hosanna!“ Hosanna means “Lord, save us!“. This is an acknowledgment by the crowd that Jesus is the Messiah. The crowd knew who he was, and this hugely angered the chief priest, upsetting the status quo. BUT it also inaugurates the greatest life anyone can experience and that is a relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ.  Palm Sunday Nissan 10 - order of events: Palm Sunday branches John 12:13 Pharisees object Luke 19:39-40 Jesus weeps Luke 19:41-44 Lazarus crowd John 12:17–19 Return to Bethany. Mark 11:11 As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, it is with a heavy heart because he knows what lies had; rejection by the religious authorities, the future for his disciples and believers and for Jerusalem. He knew that many would not receive him for who he is. The Messiah.  The story of Jesus going “up to Jerusalem“ continues on Monday morning Nissan 11 – the next day after Palm Sunday with the story of the cursing of the fig tree.  The fig tree – they shed their leaves in November – new leaves in late March  – paggim (early fruit)on branches in March – paggim come out early in spring. They come first before the figs. – Jesus finds no paggim -summer figs – August – October. Jesus recognizes that not finding the paggim is more than just a biological event – this is prophetic. Fig trees are the symbol of the nation of Israel. Figs are symbolic of the people of Israel. Jesus is hungry and the tree that should've been producing fruit had nothing on it. This is symbolic of the nation of Israel - so many were religious, but there is not spiritual fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree because God desires fruit. This speaks to those then and to us today. We are called to bear fruit. It says Galatians 5:22-23 “but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.“ These are what God does in the hearts of all who believe. If fruit is not there, it is a warning and a sign that calls us back to him in repentance. We don't want to just “look good” we want to be transformed by Jesus and with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so we can bear fruit. Jesus goes to the temple and finds money changers and a marketplace in the courtyard and cleanses it by turning the tables over and throwing them out. He says that his house is not a den of thieves, but is to be a house of prayer for all nations. Pastor shares a detailed description of the layout of the temple and the courtyards.  The cleansing of the temple ends with Jesus miraculously healing the blind and the lame. This is prophetic. “Blind and lame“ were not allowed into the temple or its courtyard. Jesus frees those who have never been welcomed into the temple area. In fact, he is announcing to everyone that he is the one who gives everyone access to God. By Jesus' death, he will open the gates of heaven to all who repent and believe, join us next week for the continued story of Jesus going “Up to Jerusalem.” Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 3 Scripture - Luke 19:11-27, John 12:1-11, Psalm 45:4, 6-8, Mark 14:10-11, Hebrews 1:8-9 Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem and will carry out  the heavenly Father's will. People were expecting the Kingdom of God to appear suddenly - political deliverance - a great king to rule - but Jesus continued to emphasize the difficulties that lie ahead as well as the glory that would come in the future.  Today's teaching begins with the Parable of the Mina. A mina is equivalent to 3-4 months pay. The story tells of a king and 10 servants, each are given a mina, the king goes away and then returns asking for an accounting of the mines each had been given. In this parable - Jesus is trying to show how he too will go away. The kingdom of God is coming - but the final fulfillment is in the future - His second return.  But while the king is away and we await His return - those of us that follow Him are called to wisely use what He has given us.   As Jesus continues heading “Up to Jerusalem” He stops in the town of Bethany to dine with friends: Mary, Martha, Lazarus and others. Just weeks earlier Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. During the meal, Mary pores expensive perfume on Jesus' feet - perfume worth about 1 year's wage. Judas speaks up that it was a waste of money that could have/should have gone to the poor, but Jesus speaks up in Mary's defense saying, “You will always have the poor but you will not always have Me.” Anointing with perfume had remarkable application and significance for devout Jewish people in the 1st century. They were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Messiah - Messiah means the Anointed One and now Mary anoints Jesus. She even wipes His feet with her hair - showing complete surrender - she gave Jesus everything, possibly even her life savings in this act of devotion.  On the next day Jesus would be riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as their king to the cheers of Hosanna (Save Us!) - as Mary does the symbolic, prophetic act of anointing Jesus, she's not just showing devotion to Him and not just preparing His body for death, she is announcing to all that He's her King, she serves Him and that He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Judas is angered so much by Mary's act that he goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus. These chief priests had seen the miraculous healings, they knew of Jesus raising Lazarus, and they knew what people were saying about Jesus, but their own hearts were hardened. They wanted to kill Jesus and Lazarus as well. Mere recognition of something being true doesn't always change the heart and mind, only God changes them. Only when we encounter Jesus for who He really is are we then changed and that is an action of God. This is why we are called to be humble before God, to believe and repent and to follow him. The next day (Palm Sunday) Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. Did He still smell of the perfume Mary had put on Him? He was hailed with Hosannas and the waving of palm branches. Riding in on a donkey was a symbol of peace. Something else was coinciding with Jesus coming into Jerusalem on this specific day. This was the 10th Day of Nissan for the Jewish people, which was the day that all the lambs that would be sacrificed for the Passover in 4 days were herded into Jerusalem. The very day that Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb of God, also enters the city. This is not a coincidence.And 4 days later as the lambs were slaughtered for the Passover meals to celebrate their freedom from bondage to Egypt, Jesus would be hung on the cross shedding His blood for our freedom from sin's bondage. Nothing here is coincidental. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Father has promised!! 3 Key Events that lead to Jesus' arrest, death and crucifixion:     ⁃    Resurrection of Lazarus     ⁃    Anointing by Mary     ⁃    Jesus in the temple courts These three incidents enraged the chief priests and were the final straw in their desire to get rid of Him earlier than originally planned.  We will pick up next week with the cleansing of the temple.  Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Follow along with James Jones as he discusses how we can be true Christians in loving our neighbors in this lesson of our Doctrine and Covenants Dialogue Gospel Study. JAMES C. JONES holds a masters… The post Loving our Neighbor: Gospel Study with James Jones appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Follow along with James Jones as he discusses how we can be true Christians in loving our neighbors in this lesson of our Doctrine and Covenants Dialogue Gospel Study. JAMES C. JONES holds a masters… The post Loving our Neighbor: Gospel Study with James Jones appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 2 Scripture - Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, Luke 19:1-9 “Up to Jerusalem” are words used by several of the Gospel authors - this phrase is teleological, meaning it has evidence of design, purpose, and planning of the Heavenly Father.  And it shows the heart of Jesus as He steadfastly walks the route that leads to Jerusalem where He knows the coming events of betrayal suffering, crucifixion, and paying the full penalty for our sins against the Father.  Jesus was willing to take on all the filth of the human race. The feeling of many at the time of Jesus was that now that the Messiah is here - now everything will fall into place and the kingdom of God will  - after waiting and waiting centuries - finally be established on earth.   As a precursor to our story today, Pastor shares the controversy surrounding Jericho and the controversy of Jesus' appearance in Jericho along with a look at the geography and topography of Jericho. He shares archeological discoveries and information on the ancient city of Jericho, plus archeological evidence indicating the truth of scriptures and the timeline of the scriptures. The evidence is compelling. Pastor addresses the “discrepancies” in the verses we will explore today: Matthew 20:29-34 - two blind men and Jesus leaving Jericho Mark 10:46-52 - one blind man begging and Jesus leaving Jericho Luke 18:35-43 - one blind man begging and Jesus approaching Jericho. What accounts for the differences? Two blind men vs 1 one man and Jesus leaving Jericho vs approaching Jericho. Pastor poses an interesting answer that shows all three accounts to be true. Meaning there was 1 man, there was 2 men, Jesus was leaving and He was approaching! There is evidence pointing to TWO cities of Jericho during the New Testament times. One a rebuilding of the Old Testament Jericho and a thriving newly built Jericho. Pastor shares some great insights on this. One city was just a bit south and west of the other. If Jesus was leaving the older Jericho location He would have then been entering the newer, modern, bustling New Testament Jericho location. The authors were describing the story from different vantage points. Same story, just written from differing frames of reference.  Also, Mark and Matthew wrote for the Jewish audience and would have been more inclined to speak of ancient Jericho, whereas Luke's audience was gentile so Luke would probably focus on the newer more busy and active newer Jericho. How do we reconcile 1 or two blind men? As we read the story we see one is very vocal. So much so that the crowds try to shush him. Matthew noticed both men, but Mark and Luke noticed the vocal one, the one who kept calling to Jesus and would not stop. Mark 10:46-52: The outspoken one's name is Bartimaeus and he calls out to Jesus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Bartimaeus' description of Jesus as the “Son of David” is a way for Bartimaeus to express that he understands who Jesus is, the Messiah. While Bartimaeus was physically blind, he had great spiritual sight in order to address Jesus in the way he did.  He could ”see” very clearly who Jesus was. When Jesus answers him, Bartimaeus tosses aside his cloak - a most valuable possession - and jumps to his feet going  to Jesus. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asks. “Rabbi, I want to see!” Bartimaeus answers. Jesus responds, “Go! Your faith has healed you!” And immediately Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus “Up to Jerusalem.” This is not simply an historical description of something that took place - it is a declaration that shows us that by faith we too are changed - forever changed - just like Bartimeaus.  Following the healing of Bartimaeus,,“Up to Jerusalem” continues in Luke 19:1-9. Jesus enters the newest Jericho and there he meets Zaccheaus, singles him out and goes to his house. Jesus continues to show us that He is concerned about us individually! Zaccheaus, like Bartimaeus, is transformed. Zaccheaus tells Jesus he will give away 1/2 of all his possessions and payback 4-fold anyone he cheated.  Zacchaeus is a transformed man because he met the Transformer, Jesus the Messiah.  Today's teaching ends with Jesus saying to Zacchaeus, “Today, Salvation has come to this house, for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Salvation had indeed come! And that Salvation come to us, too, for Salvation is found is none other than Jesus.  Up to Jerusalem continues in Luke 19:11 where we read many in the crowd were thinking that the Kingdom of God was going to appear suddenly.  But Jesus knows the road to Victory is paved with His blood, and the road to the kingdom is a road of sacrifice.   Join us next time for the parable of the 10 minas - another controversial 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 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Jesus tells us that we need to stop living by "an eye for an eye" and instead start loving our enemies. As Fr. Jim reminds us, this is much easier said than done, even in our "enlightened" age [emphasis mine].Matthew 5:38-48Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.When someone strikes you on your right cheek,turn the other one as well.If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,hand over your cloak as well.Should anyone press you into service for one mile,go for two miles.Give to the one who asks of you,and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.“You have heard that it was said,You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemiesand pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your heavenly Father,for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?Do not the tax collectors do the same?And if you greet your brothers only,what is unusual about that?Do not the pagans do the same?So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”Alternate for Luke 6:17, 20-26Fr. Jim recorded Gospel Studies for most Gospels from September through May but sometimes Gospels were missed or the recording quality is unusable. There is not Gospel Study for the above passage from Luke, however, this passage from Matthew is a substitute. Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryEvangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples.--Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribeSupport Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 1 Scripture - Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-33, John 11:55-57 Jesus is the most courageous man who ever lived.  He knew what lay ahead and yet He chose the road that led to the cross anyways!  Clearly, we matter to God. God loves us each individually so much that He was willing to go Up to Jerusalem. Up to Jerusalem      1.    Biblical     2.    Jewish     3.    Chronological     4.    Teleological (meaning it is by design - God's deliberate plan) In Matthew 20:17-19 we read “Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way He took the Twelve…. “ And He shares that the Son of Man (Himself) would be arrested, condemned to death, mocked, flogged, crucified and on the 3rd day He will be raised to life. Jesus is up front with telling of His death and resurrection but the disciples did not understand what He was saying.  In Mark 10:22 and 32 Mark reports that they were on their way up to Jerusalem and Jesus told them what was going to happen to Him. There is a sense of fear and uncertainty in the air….. Luke 18:31-33 as well tells us that Jesus took them aside and said that they were going up to Jerusalem and He told them everything that is written by the prophets on the Son of Man would be fulfilled…. He would be arrested, mocked, flogged, killed, and on the 3rd day He will rise again. John tells us in John 11:55-57 that Jesus was going up to Jerusalem but adds the piece that the chief priests and pharisees had plans to arrest Jesus. Comparing all four sources, we can determine a specific time when this conversation happened.  This is just days before the Passover festival (a festival commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites by God from bondage in Egypt, when they put the blood of a lamb on their door posts and the Lord passed over their homes - saving them from the 10th Plague and then God used Moses to lead them out of Egypt.) From these four sets of verses we learn that: God will carry out His purpose! Jesus will do the Father's will! And God wins! Everything in the Bible points to these final days of Jesus and everything that follows flows out of these days - because the Final Return of Jesus is coming!!  He has already won the victory! And because of that victory, we are assured that God wins and so do we as His believers! The story of Up to Jerusalem is truth that transforms- it is life-giving - it changes EVERYTHING! And so let's head Up to Jerusalem! Pastor digs deeper into who the chief priests were: their politics, their duties, their influence, their teachings, and their opposition to Jesus. They viewed Him as a threat to their power, influence, wealth and futures. What we learn is that what God desires from us is not religion - He desires relationship with Him: to know Him, to listen to Him, to follow Him. Pastor explores a few more verses in Matthew as they are on the road up to Jerusalem. Jesus teaches the disciples that life is not about achievements and being “top dog”. This life is about serving.  Jesus says, “serving, even as I have served.” Jesus is a servant - and we are called to be like that. Jesus tells that serving Him and others is the way the Father would have us do things, not the way the world does - of looking out for only one's self. Jesus teaches and shows us that with God it's all about self sacrifice and service - being humble and obedient, it's not about self-promotion and self-aggrandizement.  Did you know the word leader is mentioned only 6 times in the King James Bible, but servant is mentioned 900 times! Kinda' emphasizes the point! Jesus says, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” This is our model and we are called to be more and more like Him Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Scripture - Luke 24:36-49  “What Is Written”.  Other scripture: Exodus 15:2,Isaiah 52:7, Psalm 27:1, 1 Chronicles 16:35  Our story today continues with the two disciples in the story, “Road to Emmaus” from last week who once they understood that it was Jesus they had been talking with, immediately returned to Jerusalem. Our story picks up after they have arrived back in Jerusalem and are with the others in a private, locked room when suddenly Jesus Himself is with them in the room and greets them, “Peace be with you!” Peace… The peace we receive from Jesus is life transforming. Peace or the Hebrew word, Shalom, means everything is right with the world because everything is right with God because when Jesus rose from the grave it shows that now everything is now right with God and with those who have repented and received Him by faith.  As those people with God's peace, we know that ALL things are going to work together for good, we know God has won the victory and that we will be part of His final triumph - so fear flees and peace comes! Back to the story: Jesus' sudden appearance startles them. He's supposed to be dead and defeated and yet here He is and He is no longer dead - He is not defeated, He is VICTORIOUS! Jesus shows them His hands and feet and eats with them and reminds them that everything written about Him in the books of the Law, the prophets and the psalms was fulfilled through Him. Then He opens their minds so they can understand the Scripture and they see who He truly is and how the scripture is all about Him.  Jesus' name means SALVATION - and all throughout scripture the One who saves is mentioned over and over - Jesus is the One who has become our Salvation. Jesus IS Salvation! In Hebrew the word for Jesus is the same word as the word for Salvation.  It's an interesting exercise to read scriptures replacing “Jesus” for the word “salvation.”  Examples: Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Becomes: The Lord is my light and my JESUS; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Becomes: “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my JESUS. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. One more, Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Becomes: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim JESUS, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Jesus is all over the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). It is not simply the prophetic words that predicted His coming, his death and His resurrection; it is not merely the historic events that mirrored who He would be and give us a picture of Him before He even came; it is not simply the promisee of the prophet's that Messiah would come - HIS NAME - Is everywhere! He is salvation!  Salvation and Jesus are the same Hebrew word. Wherever you read salvation it is Jesus! Now it will be impossible to miss it every time you read it! As our story continues, Jesus talks how the scriptures say He would suffer, die but rise again. He talks of how repentance for the forgiveness of sin would be preached in Jerusalem and then into the whole world, and he shares how they were witnesses to these things. He ends with the promise of the Holy Spirit. As we look at the New Testament - we can see for example that the story of Zacchaeus when Jesus said, “Today, Salvation has come to this house” that Jesus was probably speaking Hebrew (not Greek, the language the New Testament was written in) so what is translated “salvation” was most likely “Jesus” so it sounds like this: Jesus said, “Today, JESUS has come to this house!” Jesus is the name by which we are saved because Jesus IS Salvation! May we never stop speaking Jesus! May we never stop speaking salvation! What is written - is our Salvation What is written - Is the Name of Jesus! 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Join Dr. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich in her masterful exploration of “Revelations (and Revolutions) in Context: How to read the Doctrine & Covenants” for the start of Dialogue Gospel Study 2025. Laurel Ulrich is a retired… The post Revelations (and Revolutions) in Context: Gospel Study with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Join Dr. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich in her masterful exploration of “Revelations (and Revolutions) in Context: How to read the Doctrine & Covenants” for the start of Dialogue Gospel Study 2025. Laurel Ulrich is a retired… The post Revelations (and Revolutions) in Context: Gospel Study with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Scripture - Luke 24:13-25  “Surprise Encounter”.  Other scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 13:20-21 The first day of Jesus' Resurrection was a day of surprises!   Today's story is one of the most incredible stories in the Bible. It is one of the most incredible acts of historical reporting found anywhere in all of literature and all of history!  It is the story of two disciples on the road to Emmaus and their surprise encounter with the One who is risen from the dead! The last day of the week is the Jewish day of the Sabbath Day which is a Saturday. Today's story takes place on Sunday, the first day of the week. But this was a special “first day of the week” because this particular Sunday was the first day after the Sabbath of Passover and thus a festival day: The Festival of First Fruits. Why is this significant? The Bible tells us Jesus is the First Fruits of those who rise from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:20). So there's nothing accidental about God the Father choosing this particular day for Jesus' Resurrection! The story tells of two disciples walking and talking about all that had happened in the last week. They had heard bits and pieces. Their hopes were dashed at the brutal crucifixion of Jesus and the tragic reality seemed to be that everything they had pinned their hopes and lives upon was gone and dead with Jesus' death.  As they talked Jesus Himself came up and walked with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him. Why was God so intentional for them to have this conversation without realizing who they were talking to? We will find out…. Pastor brings in some holy speculation about who one of the disciples, Cleopas, may have been. He shares that Cleopas may be none other that Jesus' step uncle (His step father, Joseph's, brother.) As Jesus joins them He asks what they are discussing.  Incredulously they can't believe He doesn't know and they share what had happened in the previous days, ending with all they knew that had happened that morning with the women finding the empty tomb, Peter and John verifying the tomb really was empty, other women seeing and speaking with angels, Mary Magdalene encountering Jesus, Himself. And how they don't even know what to think about it all. Then Jesus says, “ ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?' And then beginning with Moses, Jesus explained to them what was said in the Scriptures about Himself.”  What an amazing conversation this had to have been! Here they are hearing Jesus share about Himself, all while having no idea that it's actually Him with them! Pastor walks through Scriptures pointing out several possible sections of the Old Testament that Jesus may have shared that day with them as they walked. Whatever Jesus shared, it must have been a fascinating conversation because the Bible is a story that proclaims the goodness and faithfulness of God to an unfaithful creation.  It is the story that reminds us that the Living God will keep His Word even though we human beings so often fail. It is a story that tells there is One to come who will redeem and deliver and rule forever. How many times were these two disciples stopped in their tracks as they listened to Jesus explain the scriptures to them that day.  As they arrived at one of their houses, they invited Jesus to stay with them saying, “Please stay with us!”  What a great request…. Have you asked Jesus that? “Please stay with me.”  Have you invited Him by saying “I want to know You more and more!”  Jesus answered their request by staying with them and He will answer your request the same way! When Jesus was at the table in their home, He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and passed it out and as He did so, their eyes were opened and they recognized who He was, and then Jesus disappeared. Back to our question: Why was God so intentional for them to have this conversation without realizing who they were talking to? We were able to see how they had accepted what they had heard on that walk - before they even realized who they had been walking with! The Bible says in Romans 10:17, “Faith come from hearing and hearing comes through the Word of the God.” Their faith blossomed as they heard Jesus speak the Words of God in the Old Testament, shared through Moses and the other prophets. When we hear the Word (the Bible) today - it is still a Word that comes from the very lips of God and that Word: transforms, renews, gives hope, gives peace, brings power, and it changes everything! After Jesus disappeared from their sight, they asked each other, “were not our hearts burning within as He talked with us and opened the scripture to us!” This is still true today - the Holy Spirit opens our minds to see the truth of the Living God. This is not religion - this is real life This is not a matter of ritual, this is a matter of living in a relationship with the Living God who loves us all and gave His Son for us all. After Jesus disappeared they returned at once to Jerusalem and found the eleven Disciples, telling them it was true the Lord had indeed risen!  They shared all they had experienced that day. This story isn't just an amazing story - this story is a clear testimony about God's desire for us and about His claim on our lives because the One who created us also bought us back, redeeming us with the blood of His Son. Our God comes looking for us. He comes seeking to walk with us, just as he sought to walk with these two. And He offers to us just what He offered them: Healing Hope Forgiveness Life Assurance Peace Power Joy He is the Risen One! And He is coming back! And so we say, “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus! Pastor ends with a reading of Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Scripture - Luke 19:28-44 Triumph and Tragedy Today's teaching on Jesus crying is found only in the book of Luke. It takes place on the Tenth Day of Nissan - a day we call Palm Sunday. We will explore the triumph and the tragedy of that day and what it says about the heart of God, along with what it says to us about our need for Jesus. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the Tenth Day of Nissan - a significant day - the day the Jewish people choose and set aside the lambs in preparation for their slaughter later in the week. It's on this very day that Jesus, our Passover Lamb was being “set aside,” designated, as the sacrifice for the sins of not only the Jews but the entire world. As He rides into Jerusalem He is announcing and presenting Himself as the Lamb of God who offers Himself for us for the sins of the world as our Passover Lamb.  Truly a day of triumph and tragedy.  Triumph because God wins! Tragedy because of the incredible price Jesus would pay. 500 years earlier the prophet Zechariah announced, “See Jerusalem, your King comes to you riding on a donkey's colt.” This is just how this triumphal entry happens - it's Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as King. Why say king? In the ancient world if a king came in warfare he rode into town on a horse.  But when a king came in peace he rode in on a donkey.  And so, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, as King of Israel, just as Zechariah had said. There's something fascinating about donkeys.  Every donkey has on it's back the shape of a cross - a stripe of dark hair running down its spine and another across its shoulders making a cross upon its back.  As Jesus rode into Jerusalem He rode on a cross…. As Jesus overlooks Jerusalem His eyes fill with tears, the word in the greek has the connotation of sobbing. Jesus was sobbing with overwhelm at what he knew lay ahead, by what He knew of the Father's love, by what he knew of the cost of human rebellion that lay ahead. Jesus wept over Jerusalem knowing that although crowds acclaimed him there were many that hated Him and who were plotting His death. So many had rejected Him and Jesus knew the judgement that lay ahead for Jerusalem. He saw the consequences of their rebellion and He sobbed, “If only you had recognized what would bring you peace.”  Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Verse 44 tells of the judgement that awaits Jerusalem. This is just what happened within a generation of Jesus speaking these words. Ancient historical writings on the destruction of Israel in 70AD tell of the horrors of Jerusalem's complete destruction and of the deaths of a million Jewish people. And Jesus wept with the knowledge of what was to come. Looking at the past and looking at the present, we can see and understand: Jesus is who He claimed to be, He is the Messiah and Savior. He desires that no one perishes and that all come to the knowledge of the truth. God's purpose in judgement is to draw us back to Himself. For all people, this scripture today reminds us how serious it is to turn one's back on the Living God. The story of the Tenth Day of Nissan shows both Triumph and Tragedy.     Tragedy - of all Jesus would endure over the next 6 days, the tragedy of what awaited Jerusalem.     Triumph - of an empty tomb, the triumph of a returning Savior. The Son of God endured tragedy for us that we might triumph forever! And even in the tragedies of life God points us to Jesus who brings eternal victory and triumph!  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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Scripture - Luke 19:1-10, Romans 6:23, Romans 12:2, Titus 2:13-14 “Inner Healing”  Today's teaching is on the familiar story of Zacchaeus, but come along with us as we discover some new insights. Zacchaeus was a very wealthy chief tax collector. Tax collectors were despised by people for their greed, for cheating people out of more than what was owed and they were considered to be traitors. Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, had also been a tax collector. This makes one wonder if Matthew and Zacchaeus had known each other professionally… Was Zacchaeus curious about Jesus because Matthew had talked about Him? Was Zacchaeus curious to learn more about this Jesus person who had changed Matthew's life? Zacchaeus was a short man and was unable to see over the crowd gathered around Jesus, so he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore fig tree and from there he could see Jesus coming. Zaccheaus wanted to see Jesus, BUT what he didn't realize is that Jesus wanted to see him! Our Lord is one who seeks people out. That day He wanted to show Zacchaeus His incredible love, His great mercy and His life-changing power.  And still today, Jesus desires to seek us out too and show us all that He showed Zacchaeus that day.  Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from the tree and tells him He's staying at his house.  Zacchaeus comes down from the tree and gladly welcomes Jesus to his home. What was going through Zacchaeus' mind?     How did He know my name?     Did Matthew tip Him off?     Was he feeling shock that Jesus was speaking directly to him?     Was he wondering why he was singled out? We aren't told about the conversation Jesus and Zacchaeus had, we don't know how long Jesus stayed, what they eat, or how many others were there. All that Luke shares is this, the part that really matters:  “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” Luke 19:8-10 Jesus came to seek and to save the lost….Such beautiful and powerful words! He came to save us from our sin. Through belief in Him, we receive life forever with Him.  Jesus came to:     1.    Save us from sin's punishment (sin brings death - sin must be paid for - “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23). The blood of Jesus pays for our sin.     2.    Save us from sin's grip - Just what we see with Zacchaeus - a man in the grip of greed - and Jesus broke that grip. Jesus can and will brake whatever has a grip on our lives.  Zacchaeus' story assures us of Jesus' desire to give us inner healing. Jesus frees us from sin's punishment, but also has the power to free us from sin's grip.   We will never be perfect, the only Perfect One is Jesus, but there is to be progress in our lives because through Christ we are no longer under the control of sin. Biblical Truths found in this story: AGREEMENT - Zacchaeus agreed with what Jesus told him. Zacchaeus agreed Jesus came to seek and to save him.  When we receive Jesus by faith we are changed people, just like Zacchaeus. We have passed from death to life and are no longer controlled by the flesh. Instead we are living by the Spirit.  He gives us the power to be changed by Him.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” There is a battle raging in us between the Spirit of God and the old nature, but there is power that we can find when in AGREEMENT with who Jesus is and what He says. ACTIVITY - Zacchaeus engaged in godly activity - he acted immediately after hearing Jesus - not after thinking about it for a while - but immediately! He gave 1/2 of all he had to the poor and for those he cheated he said he'd restore them four-fold. God calls us to godly activity when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. And our faith calls forth action. Examples:     ⁃    Rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4)     ⁃    Let love be genuine (Romans 12:9)     ⁃    Don't let the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26)     ⁃    Be kind and considerate (Philippians 2:3-4)     ⁃    Be gentle (Philippians 4:5) Real faith acts!  We are not saved because of our actions, but because we are saved, our actions change. ATTITUDE - Zacchaeus has a great attitude and is zealous to do what is right. He was eager to do what is good. Titus 2:13-14 “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”  This needs to be our attitude - “eager to do what is good.” We are to have an attitude that says “Lord, here am I, use me, send me. I gladly and eagerly will do what you've called me to do.” The Bible does not tell us the rest of the story…. But what we DO know is that Jesus came to seek out Zacchaeus that day. We know that Zacchaeus was a changed man that day. And we know that Jesus seeks us out too and His desire is to change us, and to do a work in us. May we agree and act and have the right attitude!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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Scripture - Luke 18:1-8; “The Widow's Plea”  The Parable: “The Widow's Plea” is an earthly narrative with a heavenly meaning - We should always pray and not give up! This is a story that lets us know that there will be challenges and difficulties that we all will face. But in this parable Jesus is teaching us to endure - to not give up and to do so through prayer - leaning into Him and trusting Him. The parable begins be telling of a judge that didn't know God and didn't care at all about people - and there's a widow that continues to go to the judge for justice against her adversary. Over and over again and again she goes to him and each time he refuses to help her until he gets so tired of her continually pursuing him for justice that he finally gives in so she would leave him alone. Jesus goes on, “and will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?” Many interpret this to mean we need to be relentless in pounding on God's door for what is just and what is right and what we need. But what Jesus is actually doing is challenging us to compare what we know of the unjust judge to what we know about him, the righteous judge,The Living God, who cares for us all. The unjust judge doesn't care about this widow, he only care about himself. God is NOT like that!  GOD CARES! Jesus is saying that if even an unjust judge responds to pleas, don't you know God who sees His children as precious will care so much more and will respond to His children. God is good and gracious and nothing like this unjust judge. When things are rough and it seems that God is not listening, that is NOT the case! For our God is a righteous and caring judge! Let's compare the two: The Judge     ⁃    Unjust     ⁃    Unloving     ⁃    Uncaring     ⁃    Merciless     ⁃    Evil     ⁃    Rude God     ⁃    Just     ⁃    Loving     ⁃    Caring     ⁃    Merciful     ⁃    Good     ⁃    Gracious God wants us to always pray and not give up. The Lord wants us to bring our needs to Him, our concerns and worries to Him, our struggles, our cries and our pleas and to understand how good He is. PRAYER MAKES GOD REAL! When we talk to God and bring to Him the cares and concerns of our lives - His presence becomes real - in that circumstance we are living by faith! We're not giving up hope - We're praying by faith to the Living God. Jesus finishes with, “I tell you, He (The Father) will see that they (His children) get justice, and suddenly. However, when the Son of Man (Jesus) comes, will He find faith on earth?” Jesus is saying here for us not to give up hope.  Don't allow the threats of opposition and attacks of the enemy to drive us away from Him, Living God who alone delivers us. Don't allow the opposition of others to take our eyes off the goodness of God and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hang on to your faith!!! Hang on to your faith as never before! How?     1.    Pray to God - because prayer makes Him real!     2.    Listen to and meditate on His Word     3.    Be encouraged by fellow believers, those who have faith to live for God. Pastor shares a powerful story of God's victory in pain from the book “Walk On” by Ben Malcolmson. In Summary, hang onto the Lord!! It's a battle out there, but our God has won the victory. We will win because Jesus has already won!! 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Luke 17:11-19; “Top 10%”  Today's teaching is a story from the last weeks of Jesus' life before His arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection.  This story speaks with immediacy, power and direction to us today. Top 10% - what comes to mind is human achievement- we want to be at the top, but God sees things much differently.  When God speaks of the top 10% He's talking about those who walk by faith in Him and who are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving. So let's explore today's story in light of how God sees the top 10%. The story is about 10 desperate individuals with a need that was met by Jesus and that will show us the importance of recognizing what God has done and giving Him the glory. As Jesus is traveling towards Jerusalem 10 men with leprosy cry out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  Jesus!  Have mercy on us! And Jesus has mercy - He is merciful and He simply responds in love and mercy to them with, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” (Because according to the Law - If you had leprosy and it went away - you had to go through an 8 day purification ritual in order to be called “clean.”) Jesus' command to go show the priests was a way of saying - even though you have leprosy - act like you are healed! Before healing began Jesus told them to act healed. Jesus is saying act on what God has declared! And then as they walked to Jerusalem they were healed! The Lord Jesus has delivered us from our sins by His death and resurrection. He provides life forever and He calls us not to simply sit around and wait for God to do stuff in our lives, He calls us to act on what God has declared.  We are to learn from these 10 lepers that it is important to respond to what the Lord says! Jesus speaks and He calls us to act! As we read on with the story - 1 of the 10 when he saw he was healed - turned back and went to Jesus praising God in a loud voice and fell in thanks at Jesus' feet. 10 were healed but only 1 truly understood that healing is more than just healing of the body. Healing is healing of the soul, and the spirit and the mind and that is what Jesus does.  He heals the ultimate need of every person - and that is healing of the disease of the soul that destroys us - and only Jesus brings this healing as the the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This healed leper showed himself to be in the top 10 because he realized what mattered most was giving thanks and praise to God and coming to know Jesus. God calls us to gratitude and thanksgiving. Our attitude affects the way we live.  He calls us to be people filled with gratitude because of Jesus Christ and what He's done for us. Gratitude for the greatest gift of all. Gratitude verses:     ⁃    1 Corinthians 15:57     ⁃    2 Corinthians 9:15     ⁃    Colossians 3:17 Gratitude changes us! Walk by faith practicing gratitude to God the Father through Jesus Christ. 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Luke 2:22-40; “Simeon and Anna”  What is the meaning of the name, Jesus? Do we fully comprehend what this name means? In Hebrew it is Yeshua. It literally means Yehovah, Jehovah, Yahweh saves. “God Saves.” This is the name given to Jesus.  A precious name. “God Saves” is a powerful name, a mighty name and a remarkable name, a name that blesses all who call upon Him, a name that declares God is the One who saves us. Every time we speak His name we are reminded of the truth that God has broken into our world and stepped in to save us. We need this divine intervention. It is God who saves us and not we ourselves. In today's story we see Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the temple and are introduced to Simeon. The Holy Spirit told him he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon was in the temple as Mary, Joseph and Jesus entered and Simeon was prompted by the Holy Spirit to know this baby was the promised Savior.  Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and speaks, “Sovereign Lord, now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” Simeon was thrilled to be holding God's promised Savior in his arms and to know God's promise was right before his very eyes. Then Simeon blessed them and to Mary he added, “This child is destined to cause the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of hearts will be revealed.” The good news: God is fulfilling all He promised, but there's also a warning that the fulfillment of the promise of a Savior comes at a great cost - that many will not receive what God so graciously offers. This is a prophetic word about the later years of Jesus' ministry. Jesus will grow in favor with God and men, but when He begins His ministry there will be a division that will occur because many will not receive what Jesus has to offer. This is still true today. Many will not admit their need for a Savior. God loves humble people. He opposes the proud and pride will get in the way of many from believing. Simeon also prophecies to Mary, “And a sword will pierce your own soul.” Words that were fulfilled for Mary - a mother that experienced unbelievable sorrow and incredible grief. She would watch her son die on the cross, see Him rejected by many and Simeon gives her a heads up on what's to come. In verse 36 - We are introduced to Anna. Anna was a prophet who also recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah and comes up to the group. She gives thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel. What a day of joy this was as the realization of God's promises are being fulfilled in Jesus. This is also for us today, an indication of what is to come. Just as they yearned for Jesus to come, we too yearn for His return.  Through the fulfillment of the promise of a Savior - We too can trust the promised fulfillment of His return. This day IS coming! There will be a day for us like there was for Simeon and Anna when we behold the One whom the Father promised. And like Anna and Simeon we too will rejoice!  This story reminds us that God keeps His word! Just as they saw baby Jesus face to face, we too on His return will see Him face to face in His full glory! And there will be endless rejoicing! 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Luke 1:57-80; “John's Story”  Pastor Dodge explores Luke's account of John the Baptist in today's study.  It's a story that starts with the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth who was well past her child-bearing years, yet God was faithful to His promise to her husband Zechariah. In today's text John is born and it is the 8th day after his birth, the day that the baby boy would be circumcised and named.  Their family and friends are sure the baby boy will be named a family name after Zechariah. However Elizabeth follows through with what the angel Gabriel had told her husband when the angel had announced they would have a son. And Elizabeth states the child would be named John just as the angel told them to name him. Since the angel's visit to Zechariah he had become unable to speak because he doubted the word of God through the angel. As family is saying how can you name him John, Zechariah writes on his tablet that the child's name is John and he is instantly healed and able to speak.  He praises the Lord and everyone joins in thanking God for this miraculous healing. The story is a reminder that God has never stopped doing things. He has never stopped acting. He is moving constantly and revealing himself to men, women and children.  He is the Living God. He is near and He does these things still today! Zechariah is a priest - with some holy speculation - it is possible he is the one who may have circumcised John that day.  We read that Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit.  From the beginning of the Last Days which began with the coming of Jesus when Mary became pregnant God has been filling people with His Holy Spirit - men, women, young and old.  Not just then, 2000 years ago, but still today. Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and  then prophecies the coming of the Messiah, the fulfillment of God promises of a Redeemer.  Zechariah goes on to prophecy over his son as the one to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. John grew up and became strong in the Spirit. He lived in the wilderness until he began to appear publicly to the people of Israel. We read in all 4 gospels about  JOHN'S CHARACTER     1.     Prophetic - John was prophetic in his actions and his behavior.  Wearing a camel hair garment and a leather belt - an outfit that harkened back to the prophet Elijah - John like Elijah calls people back to God.       2.    Courageous - John called all to come back to God. He even told the religious. He told soldiers, prostitutes, tax collectors, even a king. John did not back down from courageously speaking God's of all needing a Savior.     3.    Humble - John knew his life belonged to God. He knew his life was not his own.  We too are called to be humble before God because a humble heart is open to receive what God desires to impart. JOHN'S MESSAGE     1.     Sin - John taught the unpopular message that God takes sin seriously. Sin is rebellion against God.  All have sinned and all of us need a Savior.  Sin is treason against God.     2.    Repentance - repentance is the proper response to recognizing that “I am a sinner.”  Repentance is a 180 degree turn around - it's an about face in one's life and it is turning back to God. Repentance is also a change of mind in the way we look at our sinful nature.     3.    Salvation - John taught that God keeps His word and redeems us by sending His Son to save us all through faith in Jesus. John points us to Jesus - our Savior who brings us Salvation. In our lives we too are to prepare the way for Jesus' return, He is coming, and so we prepare by living for Him alone.     ⁃    Prepared.       ⁃    Changed.      ⁃    Renewed.     ⁃    Inviting Jesus into our daily living.     ⁃    Reflecting on Him.     ⁃    Living out of the Good News.   He transforms us  and on the last day  He will raise us! Until then we are to serve, follow and grow in Him who is Lord of our lives. 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Darren Parry summarizes how the Book of Mormon continuously testifies of Jesus Christ in the latest Book of Mormon Gospel Study. Darren Parry is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation.… The post Finding Christ throughout the Book of Mormon: Gospel Study with Darren Parry appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Luke 1:39-56; “Elizabeth's Story”  The story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth is often a forgotten story. But what it shows us should not be ignored. It is life-changing, powerful, dynamic and has impact on the way we understand the Bible, the way we perceive and understand God and how he moves in our lives today.  Earlier in the chapter we learned Elizabeth was now about 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary is just newly pregnant with Jesus. When Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, In this first chapter of Luke the Holy Spirit is mentioned three times. Why is this significant? When we look at the Old Testament - which contains 23,145 verses, the Holy Spirit is only mentioned a total of 3 times. But now in the New Testament in this first chapter of Luke in the first 41 verses, the Holy Spirit is mentioned three times! What this indicates is a profound truth: with the coming of Jesus, EVERYTHING CHANGES! It ushers in the age of the Spirit that will continue until Jesus' return. The three Holy Spirit incidents:         Mary's told by the angel announcing her to be Jesus' mother, that the Holy Spirit will come upon her.          Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit as Mary arrives at her home and greets her.         John in Elizabeth's womb leaps in the power of the Holy Spirit. In points one and two we see they are women receiving the Spirit, this prompts us to look to see if a woman being filled with the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Old Testament and there is not a mention of that.  So let's look at Joel 2:28-29 “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Here we read God will pour out His Spirit on both men AND women!  In Luke 1 - we see this prophetic word coming true. God is pouring out His Spirit on young (Mary) and old (Elizabeth) and both men and women. God's Spirit in fullness to all! At this point everything changes because God is now dealing with His people in a dynamic NEW WAY by pouring out his Spirit in abundance. Why? Because the Messiah has come - within the womb of Mary! it is in Him that the Spirit comes and we are freed to live in this power. Additionally, we hear in our story that as Mary greets Elizabeth and Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit, the baby (John) inside her womb leaped and was filled with the Spirit. Elizabeth immediately responds: “Blessed are you among women, Mary, blessed is the child (Jesus) you will bear. But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your voice reached my ears, my womb leaped for joy!” The angel foretold this about Elizabeth's baby (John the Baptist) when he announced to Zechariah (Elizabeth's husband) he would have a son: “for he (John) will be great in the sight of God…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born!"  Luke 1:15 All these pieces coming together! What happens next? Looking  at Joel 2:28-29 we see everything prophesied happening EXCEPT for this line: “your sons and daughters will prophesy” but in the very next verse of our story what happens? Mary prophesies in a beautiful song, The Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-56) In this song of praise to God verses 51-55 are also prophetic. Pastor Dodge, using Hebrew context, goes on to explain and describe how these verses are prophecy. (Our hope is that you will listen to this most interesting and revelatory insight on Mary's song).  Jesus ushered in the age of the Spirit when He came to earth and even while still in Mary's womb this is still true. Just like Mary, Elizabeth and John, we too are told we are filled with the Holy Spirit. It's through the Spirit that we can say, “Jesus is Lord!” (1 Corinthians 12:3 “Therefore I want you to know that… no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”) In this story we see the evidence of God keeping His word. Every promise of God's will be fulfilled. We read Mary stayed three months with Elizabeth and oh the conversations they must have had! Our Christian faith is personal and communal: shared with families, friends, and others. When God's people talk together about faith and what God is doing, we are encouraging each other in our faith and exalting God's Name together! Just as Mary and Elizabeth did 2,000 years ago! 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

from Luke 3:10-18The crowds asked John the Baptist,“What should we do?”He said to them in reply,“Whoever has two cloaksshould share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,“Teacher, what should we do?”He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”Soldiers also asked him,“And what is it that we should do?”He told them,“Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” ...Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryEvangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples.--Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribeSupport Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Originally streamed on December 10, 2023, this episode of Dialogue Gospel Study features Daniel O. McClellan as he uses data to unravel understandings in Revelation. Dan McClellan, known for his tagline “Data over dogma,” has built a… The post (Rebroadcast) Unraveling Revelations with Data: Dialogue Gospel Study with Daniel O. McClellan appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Fr. Jim teaches that if John the Baptist came today he would not mince words. He would call a sin, a sin and challenge each of us to identify the sin within our lives and urge us to turn away. Click play above to hear Fr. Jim's full Advent message.Luke 3:1-6In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,and his brother Philip tetrarch of the regionof Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:    A voice of one crying out in the desert:    “Prepare the way of the Lord,        make straight his paths.    Every valley shall be filled        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.    The winding roads shall be made straight,        and the rough ways made smooth,    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”Read all the scriptures for this Sunday: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryEvangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples.--Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribeSupport Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Luke 1:26-38; “Mary's Story”  The Christmas story is familiar to most of us, but Pastor Dodge gives us a fresh view of this well know story over the next few weeks beginning today with the story of Mary, Jesus' mother. Mary's name means bitter.  She was born in an obscure village, raised in a difficult time when the children of Israel were in bondage to Roman master. BUT her Son would not only redeem Israel - He would redeem the world. Very little is know about Mary. What we know is that she was a virgin born in the town of Nazareth, a town not even mentioned in the Old Testament. However, God chose an obscure little town and an unknown young woman to be the carriers of His promised Savior. Though Mary's name means bitter, God changes things! He turns bitterness into joy! A unique birth, a unique mother and a unique child!   Today, Christmas is under attack. Yet perhaps it's more than that. The battle is larger than the attack on Christmas, it's a battle that goes back to the garden of Eden. It's not a war on Christmas, it's a war on God. The human race, since our fall, has been hostile to the things of God. But! The magnitude of God's love is that He breaks into our world even when we are His enemies. Let us pray that God would move in the lives of people to reveal His incredible goodness. This well-known story shows us many things:     ⁃    God breaks into the life of Mary and He still breaks into our lives today.     ⁃    Mary willingly listened to God's message to her through the angel Gabriel and His Word is still active and alive today!     ⁃    Gabriel tells her what to name her son. She is to name Him Jesus, meaning “God saves” and God continues to save His people today through faith in Christ Jesus.     ⁃    Mary asked “I am a virgin, how will this be?” Gabriel responded through the Holy Spirit and the angel goes on to say in Luke 1:37 “For no word from God will ever fail.” God's promises are assured. He does the impossible!  He does what no human being can accomplish - our redemption! Jesus alone redeems and saves.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit using the Virgin Mary to conceive and bear a Son - God's one and only Son - Jesus breaks into our world with His saving grace! Today's reading ends with Mary saying, “I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled” and then the angel left her. Such a powerful example of trust - she hears the word of God, receives it, believes it and rejoices in it. So much to learn from Mary. She's not just our Savior's mother, she is an amazing role model for any who desire to be servants of the Lord.  Things that stand out about Mary that we can apply in our own lives as well:     1.    Devout Faith - trusted God even when what Gabriel told her seemed impossible.  We too are called to devout faith in God today.     2.    Humility - humble individual who knew it wasn't about her, but about God. A truth for us to internalize too.     3.    Obedience - she listened, obeyed and followed God. Faith saves and when we have faith we will obey!  Faith shows itself in obedience.     4.    Worship - sing praises- thank God for what He has done. As we celebrate Christmas we're not simply looking back to what happened long ago at Jesus' first coming. We're also looking forward to His final coming when He returns - when He reigns and rules forevermore! Check out 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 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.

Luke 14:1-24; “Dinner Disaster” Today's story is of Jesus attending a dinner with His enemies - who have an agenda and it's not a good one. Yet Jesus has a heart even for those who oppose Him.  Jesus is invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee on a Sabbath day and they are all watching Him. There in front of Him they have placed a very sick man with a serious health condition of being severely swollen.  Keep in mind:  It's a Sabbath day Previously Jesus had done healings on the Sabbath and the synagogue leaders were extremely angry  No “work” was to be done on a Sabbath  Healings were considered “work”  Entrapment:  We can see this sick man placed in front of Jesus, is a set up for entrapment so that they could say Jesus broke the Sabbath by healing someone.  Jesus recognizes the trap and He addresses it head on saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they did not answer Him, so Jesus healed the man and sent him on his way. They all witnessed it.  What was that like to see the healing of this very sick man? As the swelling disappears and he goes away whole and healed. No longer critically ill. Can you imagine the murmurs and whispers of the dinner guests?  Jesus' concern and love for the lost (including the religious who in reality do not know the Living God) compels Him to take the conversation further because he loves the Pharisees and those that are hostile to Him.  So Jesus asks them, “If one of you has a child or ox that falls into a well on a Sabbath day will you not immediately pull it out?” And the Pharisees made no response.  As Jesus looks out over the table where people had worked to get the best seat reclining near the host, He continues with a parable. The summary of the parable is that you don't go to a party and take the seat of honor, as you'll just embarrass yourself. The lesson is one of humility before God and man and as Jesus continues the story He speaks these powerful words: “for all those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Rebuttal:  Jesus is rebutting their arrogance, their pride, their self-aggrandizement. He's saying - when you really know the Living God it affects how you behave. Not that we are saved by our behavior - but that when we know the love of God and the forgiveness He offers in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, it changes our behavior.  When we truly understand how much God loves us and how much Jesus paid to redeem us, that news changes our attitude about ourselves and we realize we bring nothing to the heavenly party.  It's not about what I can achieve, it's about what God offers and therefore my attitude changes and how I act changes and what I think changes.  The story continues with Jesus challenging the host to not invite friends who will simply reciprocate the invitation to his next party. Rather Jesus says to invite the poor, lame, crippled, and blind and then he will be blessed. Though they can't repay him for the invitation - Jesus adds that he would be repaid at Chris's return.  Diversion:  A dinner guest attempts to change the subject, clear the air, calm the tensions and says, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” What does Jesus respond with?  With this profound story about an owner inviting many guests to his banquet. When it was time for the party he sent his servant out to let those who had been invited that it was now time to come.But all invitees had excuses. So the host ordered his servant to bring in the poor, crippled, blind and the lame and after doing so, the servant told the owner there was still room left. So the Master sends out the servant into the country roads to compel more to come so that his house would be full. Jesus ends the story with the owner saying that not one of those who were invited and changed their minds in coming would get a taste of the banquet.  Jesus is saying this is what's happened with His own people. The very one God invited rejected God and refused to accept all that He was offering through Jesus.  These people were religious but they didn't really have a heart for God. And when you reject Jesus, you reject the Father who sent Him.  This story is not just for 1st century Israel - these words are for us today. Jesus is telling us that nothing is to get in the way of our relationship with the Living God through faith in Jesus. We are not to allow anything to get in the way of God's purpose through Christ for each one of us.  There are eternal consequences to rejecting God's mercy through Jesus, but God is faithful and works to show them then and us now the consequences of rejecting Him, rejecting the open door to coming to Him, rejecting His love for each of us.  There is a forever party coming! The joy of life forever in the presence of God! We don't want to miss the heavenly banquet! Surrender to the Living God. Jesus is summoning us to Himself. He offers life to all who repent and believe. He desires all to experience the joy of daily following Him.  Check out our website – everything we offer is FREE!! 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  St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group Bible study.

A Bible study on Mark 13:24-32, the Gospel reading for The Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B.

A Bible study on Mark 12:38-44, the Gospel reading for The Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B.

A Bible study on Mark 12:28b-34, the Gospel reading for The Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B.