Podcasts about Pharisees

JOHN 9:1-16 - HEALING THE BLIND MAN - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”9 Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.”He said, “I am he.”10 Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight.”12 Then they said to him, “Where is He?”He said, “I do not know.”The Pharisees Excommunicate the Healed Man13 They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.”To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

Did Jesus come to cancel the Law of Moses—or fulfill it? In this compelling episode, Dr. Paul Sloan joins Dru Johnson to challenge one of the most persistent misunderstandings in modern Christianity: the idea that Jesus and Paul opposed the Torah. Drawing from his book Jesus and the Law of Moses, Sloan explains how legalism, misunderstanding of impurity, and modern Christian readings of Paul have distorted our view of the biblical law. Instead of a rigid checklist of 613 rules, the Torah was a wisdom-guided, relational framework that assumed the realities of sin, forgiveness, and impurity—and offered ways to address them. They explore how Jesus engaged in sophisticated legal reasoning, why Paul continued to participate in the temple sacrificial system even after his conversion, and why the “burden” of the law has been misunderstood. Sloan also critiques how Pharisees are caricatured as villains, with damaging theological consequences—especially for how Christians view modern Jews and Judaism. This episode brings clarity to what Jesus and Paul were really doing with the law—and why recovering this perspective is crucial for theology, biblical interpretation, and interfaith understanding today. To get your copy of Jesus And The Law Of Moses: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540966384_jesus-and-the-law-of-moses We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Understanding the Law and Jesus' Perspective 02:22 Hurdles in Understanding the Law 05:13 Legalism and Its Misinterpretations 08:20 The Case for Jesus and Paul Abolishing the Torah 11:35 Exploring Dietary Laws and Their Implications 14:33 The Nature of Law and Forgiveness 17:31 Ritual Purity and Its Misconceptions 20:24 Pharisees: Villains or Misunderstood Figures? 23:25 Modern Implications of Ancient Interpretations 24:43 Paul's Observance of the Torah 25:33 The Role of Sacrifices in Early Christianity 31:40 Jesus and the Sacrificial System 34:04 Cultural Critique: Rabbinics and Jesus' Teachings

Welcome to the Return period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the ninth biblical period, which covers the Israelites' return to Jerusalem, the rise of the Pharisees, and the establishment of common household practices. They explain the pattern of exiles and returns throughout the Bible, starting with Exodus and leading all the way to Jesus' ministry. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comHear directly from Zach Abraham as he shares insights in this FREE “Back To Basics” Webinar, THURSDAY, October 2nd at 3:30 Pacific.  Register now at Know Your Risk Podcast dot com. Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE.  Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeBarack Obama IS Black Fatigue's Steroid // The Disciples of Nancy Pelosi have a new sacrament  // “The PRIDE Generation's Tragedy of Riches.”Episode Links:Mark Kelly claims that "we currently have a president that at every opportunity seems to look for ways to further divide us as a nation." - "We've never had a president that has spent his time thinking about how he's going to use the DOJ..."Obama: "When I was President, in the aftermath of tragedies... my response was not... to go after my political opponents." FATIGUE: 22 years ago, Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder explained black fatigue perfectly…Pregnant woman takes Tylenol to fight Trump"Now we got Jesus, whose NOT a very 'family values' guy in the scripture, telling us to hate our parents." Also the last minute is wild, as this Lutheran impastor DOESN'T want people to "pick up their cross and follow Jesus" because "I hate these scriptures."What Does God's Word Say?Luke 16:13-1413 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.4 Blessed are those who mourn,    for they will be comforted.In Matthew 5:4, "John MacArthur's Study Bible explains that "Blessed are those who mourn" refers to two kinds of sorrow: sorrow over the tragedy of life and, more importantly, deep sorrow over one's own sin. This spiritual mourning, distinct from worldly grief, leads to true comfort from God, a comfort that brings lasting happiness and satisfaction in the kingdom of God.5 Blessed are the meek,    for they will inherit the earth."Blessed are the meek" refers to a state of spiritual humility and gentleness where one is strong but under God's control, not ruled by self-will or pride, and will inherit the earth. Meekness involves admitting one's need for others and God, receiving correction, and being willing to put others' needs first, leading to a deep and blessed walk with God. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,    for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,    for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,    for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God is actively working against the proud and pompous. If that doesn't force us to seek humility, I don't know what will…  The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, as narrated by Jesus, pierces through the facade of righteousness to reveal the profound truth of God's grace. These two men live totally different lives. On the outside, the Pharisee has his whole life put together. But is that what God really desires from us? Does God need us to be perfect in every way and polished? Does he need our lofty prayers and loud acts of righteousness? Or does he simply need a humble and contrite heart? Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, Jesus heals a man who has been lame and sick for over 38 years. The man had been sick for so long, that he lost all hope of being healed. Feeling helpless, alone, and angry at the world, Jesus changes his life forever, and the Pharisees continue to hate him for his mighty works.This story is inspired by John 5. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is John 5:8 from the King James Version.Episode 191: There was a pool in Jerusalem called Bethesda, where men and women went to be healed by the waters. Laying at this pool was a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. He could never get into the pool to receive healing because no one would carry him. However, Jesus had a plan for this man and asked him if he wanted to be made well. At His word, the man could walk and was healthy once more! But when the Pharisees saw this man they rebuked him for “working” on the Sabbath. Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Luke 7:36-50 - A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that He was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind Him at his feet weeping and began to bathe His Feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this Man were a prophet, He would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner." Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, Teacher," he said. "Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?" Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My Feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give Me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing My Feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint My Head with oil, but she anointed My Feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this Who even forgives sins?" But He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3) Jason Gale on his new book: From Sin to Sanctity (TAN Books) https://tanbooks.com/products/books/from-sin-to-sanctity-the-prayers-and-meditations-of-st-anselm/ 4) Five ways Charlie and Erika Kirk championed God and marriage https://www.christianpost.com/news/5-ways-charlie-and-erika-kirk-championed-god-marriage.html?page=2

Once again, we see the spiritual blindness and hostility of the Pharisees. These religious men are so puffed up with their own righteousness that they would demand signs from the Son of God Himself. They cry, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign!”—as if Christ had not already healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. Their hearts werehardened, like Pharaoh's, who saw the mighty hand of God and yet still refused to repent.You will not, and indeed cannot, believe in that which you hate.

Mark 3:1-6 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin see Jesus's Sabbath miracle as backing up His claim to be Lord of the Sabbath.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22680The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, Pastor Jad closes out the Love Boldly series by diving into Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:34–40, where he names love of God and love of neighbor as the heart of the entire law. As you listen, you'll be invited to imagine yourself in the story: as a Pharisee questioning Jesus, a disciple listening in, or a member of Matthew's community seeking hope in uncertain times. What happens when we see love not as optional, but as the very foundation of faith? Join us as we discover how bold, practical love shapes our lives, our relationships, and our community today.   Find discussion questions and keep the conversation going at https://www.livetherhythm.app/

Fr. Mike continues to explain the parables Christ recites in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on the dangers of preaching God's Word without practicing it in our lives. Jesus goes on to speak against the Scribes and Pharisees, reminding us that he's not only the Prince of Peace, but the Way and the Truth. Today's readings are Matthew 22-24 and Proverbs 19:17-20. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

A Sermon for the Feast of St. Matthew St. Matthew 9:9-13 and 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 by William Klock “As Jesus was leaving that place, he saw a man called Matthew sitting in the toll booth.” I expect that Matthew was just itching to get to this part of the story as he wrote his gospel account.  It's nine chapters in, roughly a third of the way.  But he knew that the Gospel is about Jesus, not Matthew.  Still, he was excited to tell people how he had met Jesus.  Up to this point, Matthew's been telling us about walking around Galilee preaching good news and doing all the Messiah things that made the good news real and tangible to people.  He's been across the Sea of Galilee where he cast a multitude of demons out of a man and now he's back and on his way home to Capernaum.  And that's how he meets Matthew.  Matthew's a tax- or a toll-collector and here he is, sitting in his tollbooth next to the road.  I suppose there must have been some kind of gate.  Matthew would get up from his stool, go out to the road, and collect the toll from everyone going from Point A to Point B and from Point B to Point A.  And everyone who went by grudgingly handed over their money.  And they grumbled.  And probably not a few people had some choice words for Matthew.  Because everybody hated tax collectors. I was racking my brain this week trying to think of an example from our world that would explain just how much people hated tax-collectors and why and it's hard to think of a modern equivalent.  That was a different world.  No one likes a tax-collector, because no one likes paying taxes.  But in First Century Judaea there was way more to it than just people not liking paying taxes.  The local Roman government decided how much they would need to run things and then they'd farm the collection of taxes out to the highest bidder.  And, of course, the tax collectors had to make a living themselves, so they'd pad their collection.  But they weren't just getting by.  Tax collectors were notorious for using their position to enrich themselves.  And the local council or governor didn't care just so long as they got their cut of the revenue.  It was bad enough and common enough that when the rabbis wrote about tax collectors, they typically lumped them together with thieves.  And it only made it worse when the tax collectors were working for the Romans.  We don't know if Matthew was working directly for the Romans or for some local Galilean authority, but at the end of the day it didn't really matter.  At some level the Romans were in charge of it all and tax collectors were thieves doing their dirty work. But there's more to it than that.  We think of Matthew, padding his toll collecting and getting rich by stealing from people whom he's got over a barrel and we think he's a pretty rotten guy.  That's an awful thing to do.  That's a scummy way to make your money.  But for the Jews there was another layer, something deeper to what made it so horrible, what made them hate someone like Matthew so much. Let me try to explain.  So, if you or I hear about a thief—or maybe a crooked tax collector skimming off the top—we just think, “That's a bad person”.  If we found out that this thief had been baptised and grew up going to church and Sunday school, we'd think something like, “I guess he forgot everything he was taught as a kid.”  Maybe if it came out he was an active warden or elder or deacon in his church, then we might start to think about what he'd done as a betrayal not just of his faith, but of us all.  Here's a guy who professed faith in Jesus, but betrayed that faith by doing something really sinful.  And maybe that gets us closer to how Matthew's fellow Jews would have thought about him.  Because Matthew was circumcised.  Matthew was part of the covenant community.  Matthew was marked out as one of the Lord's people.  And Matthew knew their story.  Matthew knew all about the Lord and how he had delivered his ancestors from Egypt.  Matthew knew all the great things the Lord had done in the centuries that followed.  We can kind of excuse some people today.  We all know people who were baptised, but they were never really taught the faith, their parents never really took them to church, now they're grown up and say they're an atheist, and the sinful lifestyle they live kind of makes sense in light of all that.  But that wasn't Matthew.  That wasn't anyone in Israel.  Everyone knew what it meant to be God's people.  There were no atheists.  They all knew that God hates sin.  They knew what it meant to be the people who lived with God in their midst.  They knew that you had not only to be holy to enter God's temple, but that you also had to be pure.  That's what set them apart from the pagans.  Matthew knew all of this.  Even if he he'd had rotten parenting, everything and everyone around him would have reinforced all of this. And he rejected it.  Maybe he chose this life on his own.  Maybe he inherited the job from his father who inherited it from his father.  That probably would have made it easier.  But whatever the case Matthew chose to live a life in apposition to everything his family, his people, and his nation stood for and he chose to do it right in the midst of them.  Imagine an Amish boy who decides he doesn't want to be Amish anymore.  Usually they leave and go to live in the outside world, but imagine this Amish kid decided to stay in his close-knit Amish town, but he struts around in fancy clothes, whips around town in his Porsche, and throws wild parties with loud music at his house on the weekends.  And everyone would be horrified at him.  That's Matthew, a tax-collector in Israel. But it gets worse.  Or at least I think it does.  Not everyone would agree with me on this part.  Mark and Luke, in their Gospels, refer to Matthew by the name of “Levi”.  Christian tradition has mostly understood Matthew and Levi to be the same person, but to make this connection is not without its difficulties.  One of those difficulties is that it was pretty rare for a Jewish person to have two Aramaic names.  A Jewish name and Greek name?  Like Saul of Tarsus who is also known as Paul: that's common.  But usually if someone with an Aramaic name has a second Aramaic name, it's because their given name is common, like John or Judas or Joshua, and the second name—maybe the name of his father—distinguishes him from other guys with the same name.  But neither Matthew nor Levi were common names.  No one was likely to confuse this Matthew with another Matthew.  But the one instance in which we see men with two Aramaic names is when they come from prominent families.  It wasn't uncommon for these men to be known by their family names.  And I think that's what has happened with Matthew.  Mark and Luke remember him as “Levi”—his family name—but Matthew went by his given name.  Because the family name Levi mean that they were a Levitical family.  And this made things all the worse for Matthew.  The tribe of Levi were the priestly family.  They were the ones who served in the temple.  They were the ones who acted as mediators between the Lord and his people.  Israel was a holy people, but the Levites were a holy tribe within that holy people.  Consider that one of the duties of the Levites was the collection of taxes.  They collected the tithes of Israel.  Those tithes were their livelihood.  And they collected the temple tax, to pay for the upkeep of the Lord's house.  But Matthew had become a tax collector of another kind, not one dependent on the Lord and the faithfulness of his people, but a man who fleeced God's people in collusion with the pagans. Brothers and Sisters, that was Matthew sitting in his toll-booth.  A wealthy traitor not only to the Lord, but to his people and to his family and to his calling and despised by everyone.  I fully expect there were days when Matthew longed to get out of the mess he was in.  In theory he could have made everything right and returned to the Lord, but to do that he'd have had to make restitution.  I don't think Matthew would have even known where to begin.  And so he stayed in his toll-booth, he kept his riches, and he threw parties for other tax collectors and sinners—because they were the only people who would associate with him.  And every day he became a little bit more dead inside. And then, this day, along came Jesus.  Matthew knew perfectly well who Jesus was.  Everyone in Galilee was talking about Jesus.  If nothing else, Matthew would have heard about his miracles, but I expect he'd heard about his preaching, too.  Maybe Matthew had even stood at a distance a time or two in Capernaum to hear Jesus preach.  Matthew knew that in Jesus the God of Israel was doing something.  But Matthew stayed at a distance.  Because Matthew knew he was a traitor to his God and to his people and to his covenant.  As attractive as Jesus and his message were, it was not for someone like Matthew. Brothers and Sisters, how many people around us feel just like that?  They're sinners.  They feel the weight of it and would love for it to be gone.  They've got some vague knowledge of Jesus.  But they'd never come to church.  A coworker once said to me, “Church is for holy people, not for people like me.”  They see no way out. And now Matthew sees Jesus approaching his gate.  Maybe he thought, “This might be the Messiah.  I should really cut him a break instead of ripping him off like I do everyone else.”  And that's when, he writes in verse 9, Jesus “said to him, ‘Follow me.'”  And he just says, “And he rose up and follow him.” I have to think there was at least a little bit more to it than that.  But those words, “Follow me” were ultimately what did it for Matthew.  No Pharisee, no scribe, no lawyer had ever come to Matthew and said, “Follow me, Brother.  Let me help you get out of your sins.”  They paid his extortionate toll, dropping their coin in the toll-box and being extra careful not to touch it or anything else that Matthew had touched.  They sneered at him—if they looked at him at all—called him “traitor”, and went on their way.  But this Jesus, this man in whom the God his fathers was so clearly at work doing something new, Jesus smiled and invited him to join in what he was doing. Brothers and Sisters, sometimes that's all it takes.  Matthew had seen God's glory on display in Jesus, but he didn't think it was for him.  He just needed to hear that, yes, in fact it was for him—for everyone, but especially for people like him.  That was actually part of the new thing Jesus was doing.  Without Jesus, reconciliation with is people was hopeless.  He was a toll-collector.  How could he ever make things right with everyone he'd ever stolen from?  How could he even make a good faith effort?  But in those words, “Follow me,” Jesus offered Matthew forgiveness.  Jesus bypassed the temple, because he is the new temple himself; he bypassed the priests, because he is our new priest; and he bypassed the sacrifices and the law of restitution, because he is the full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of Israel and the whole world.  Jesus simply held out forgiveness and reconciliation to Matthew.  All Matthew had to do was leave his tollbooth behind—that's repentance—and follow Jesus.  And, Matthew says, that's just what he did.  “He rose up and followed him.” He “rose up”.  I think Matthew chose that language deliberately.  It's resurrection language.  When he decided to trust Jesus—and that's just what it was: trust and loyalty and allegiance—he was raised up out of his sin, he was raised up out of his alienation from God and from his people, and he was given his life back.  And not just given back his old life, Jesus gave him something even better.  He lifted Matthew up out of the life this evil age of sin and death and gave him a taste and a promise of the age to come, of new creation, of the Holy Spirit, and of the fellowship with God that his people had been so longing for. And, too, Jesus restores to Matthew his birthright as a Levite.  As the Levites mediated the Lord to his people, so Matthew now brings the good news about Jesus to his people.  In verse 10 he immediately takes us to his house.  “When he was at home,” he writes, “sitting down to a meal, there were lots of tax-collectors and sinners there who had come to have dinner with Jesus and his disciples.”  Other tax collectors and sinners were the only people who hang around with Matthew.  Matthew knew that some of them felt the same way he did.  They were traitors to the Lord and traitors to his people.  They were hopelessly lost sheep.  There was no way out.  But Matthew had found it—or, rather, the way out had found him.  And so he invites his friends to meet Jesus.  They'd heard and seen him doing amazing things.  Like Matthew, they'd been on the fringe.  If the priest and Levites—not to mention everyone else in Israel—condemned them and kept apart from them, the Messiah certainly wasn't for them.  But here he was and Jesus was saying the same thing to them that he'd said to Matthew: “Follow me.”  And, I expect, at least some of them did.  And Jesus and the disciples rejoiced with those people because they knew that heaven itself was rejoicing too. But there were always the Pharisees.  Matthew writes that when they “saw it, they said to Jesus' disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?'  But Jesus heard them.  ‘It isn't the healthy who need a doctor,' he said, ‘it's the sick.  Go and learn what this saying means: “It's mercy I want, not sacrifice.” I haven't come to call upright people, but sinners.'” Like Paul says in our Epistle today, there was a veil over their eyes.  The Pharisees were sick in their own ways, and Jesus exposed their sickness by going to the tax-collectors and sinners.  When they complain about it, he quotes the words the Lord had spoken to Isaiah.  We heard those words last week when our Gospel was the parable of the good Samaritan—Hosea 6 turned into a story.  The problem was that the people lacked the heart of God.  The sinners devoted to their sinning, the greedy tax-collectors ripping everyone off, and the Pharisees too—almost everyone in Israel—was far from God.  His absence from the temple all those years was a metaphor for Israel's problem.  Even those who were devoted to the law and who were “religious” about their tithing and their sabbaths and their diet and their sacrifices, were no closer to God than the prostitute or the tax-collector.  And so Jesus came to the sinners with God's mercy—because they so desperately needed it—and he gave it to them in front of the watching scribes and Pharisees and all the “upright” people in Israel so that they could see that they needed to learn that same mercy and know it themselves. It was that mercy that reached Matthew.  It was that mercy that reached Paul and lifted the veil from his eyes.  And it was that mercy, made manifest in Jesus, that both Paul and Matthew proclaimed.  It was this mercy that's at the centre of the Gospel that Matthew wrote to his people.  And it's this same mercy that Paul preached.  In today's Epistle from 2 Corinthians 4, he writes that it's this mercy that drives him forward despite all the obstacles.  “The ‘god' of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they won't see the light of the gospel of the glory of the Messiah, who is God's image.”  So what's the solution?  Paul writes, “We don't proclaim ourselves, you see, but Jesus the Messiah as Lord…because the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts, to produce the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Messiah.” Brothers and Sisters, Paul—and Matthew, for that matter—knew that it wouldn't be gimmicks or tricks or fancy speaking or trying to make God's word palatable to sinners that would lift the veil from the eyes of unbelievers.  It would be the proclamation of the good news about Jesus.  That light—the glory of God in the face of the Messiah as Paul describes it—that light met Matthew in the darkness of his tollbooth.  That light met Paul on the road to Damascus.  And it lifted the veil.  It dispelled the darkness.  It cast out the ‘god' of this world who enslaves us to sin and death and makes us to think there's no hope of escape.  The light of the glory of God revealed in the good news of Jesus the Messiah is the answer and the only answer.  It's our hope and our only hope.  We too often try those other things.  We water down God's word to try to make it less offensives.  We try gimmicks or we try programmes.  But Brothers and Sisters, we should know better.  The Lord has promised that one day the knowledge of his glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea and that will happen because and only because his people have been faithful to proclaim his glory revealed in Jesus the Messiah who died and rose again. Brothers and Sisters, don't be afraid.  Don't question whether it'll work or not.  If the light of the gospel could tear down the veil that once had you blinded, if it could break the chains of sin that once bound you, it will tear down the veils that blind and it will break the chains that bind the rest of the world.  Just proclaim it.  Jesus has died and Jesus has risen, not just for you or for me or for holy people, but for sinners—for everyone.  He holds out his hand to us wherever we are and invites us to leave it all behind, to follow him, and to rise to new life. Let's pray: O almighty God, whose beloved Son called Matthew from his tollbooth to be an apostle and evangelist: Set us free from the chains of our sins to follow and to proclaim your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

What did Jesus mean when He said, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven"? (Matthew 5:20 NIV). Does this really mean we have to keep all the laws the Pharisees implemented in order to ensure Jewish righteousness before God? Or, that we're supposed to become legalists? This week, Benjamin Chua walks through a personal story that illustrates what Jesus really meant when He spoke these words to His disciples and what they mean for us today.

JOHN 8:12-30 - JESUS BARES WITNESS - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025"12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not [l]true.”14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come'?”23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift[m] up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.”To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

Mark 2:23-28 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss Jesus's claim to be Lord of the Sabbath. They also discuss why Jesus brought up David and the Showbread as an illustration.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22605The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Teaching on Mark 2:23-28

Daily Dose of Hope September 19, 2025   Scripture - Luke 21   Prayer: Holy God, We rejoice and give praise for the ways you care for us.  We rejoice and give praise for how you continue to forgive us and give us second and third chances.  Help us seek lives characterized by your holiness.  Help us seek pure hearts.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers and help us bring together all our scattered thoughts and focus on you...It's in your name we pray, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan from New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are deep diving into Luke 21.    Jesus' time on earth is coming to a conclusion.  We are getting very close to Passion week.  And we can see Jesus' language and discussion getting more pressing.  There is an urgency to what he has to say.    At the end of chapter 20, Jesus speaks of how the Pharisees and scribes (and really the whole religious system) are devouring widows' houses. They require much of the poor but they give little to help them.  This leads into the beginning of chapter 21, in which Jesus points out the sacrificial offering of the widow.  He speaks of how so many of the people who are part of the religious system give gifts out of their wealth; but the widow gives all she has despite her desperate poverty.  He recognizes her faithful obedience and holds her up as an example.  Just FYI, this probably really angered the Pharisees.   We go from the Temple offering to the prophecy of the destruction of the Temple and the end times.  One of the disciples comments on the grandeur of the Temple.  Jesus then tells them that the whole Temple will eventually be destroyed.  Every stone will be turned.    Keep in mind that for the Jews, this is where God's presence resided.  This is a holy place.  But the Pharisees and the current system have allowed the Temple to be corrupted.  They have disobeyed God's ways.  And Jesus predicts that it will be destroyed.    What we know is that the Temple was destroyed by Rome just 37 years later.  This would be an ugly season in Jerusalem's history, with lots of persecution and oppression.  Is this what Jesus is referring to in nation rising against nation, famines, earthquakes, and so forth?  Scholars don't all agree but I think it's safe to say yes and no.  Yes, the Roman armies destroying Jerusalem in AD 70 was pretty horrific.  Much of the population was starved and/or eventually massacred.   But there is more to this.  This is more than just a “in the near future” scenario. It's also likely that Jesus is referring to the end of times and when he will return to judge all people.  If you recall, in the Matthew version of this text, we actually have images of Jesus returning on the clouds with the loud trumpet call; this echoes prophecy in Daniel.    And up until this point, Jesus has alluded to this.  He never tells people to be scared or worried, just to be ready and be watchful.  As believers, we have nothing to fear.  We belong to Jesus.  Just be ready.  But there is still an urgency to this – how seriously do we take this?  Are we busy doing God's business, which includes leading people to Jesus?  Is sharing the story of Jesus a regular part of who we are as believers?  If not, why?  Do you believe that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead?  These are serious questions that every single one of us has to reckon with.    One other thing to mention: At this point, the disciples still don't understand that God's presence now dwells in the person of Jesus Christ.  From their perspective, the Temple still holds the presence of God.  But the Good News of Jesus is that God's presence is no longer in a building but in Jesus.  God is Jesus and Jesus is God.   If that isn't enough to blow your mind, consider that the presence of God is now also in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Where does the Holy Spirit dwell?  Well, in us as believers!  So that means that the presence of God is in Jesus' church, his people.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

1 Chronicles 3 records the sons of David and their genealogy through Solomon to Zerubbabel the Governor under the returned exiles from Babylon around 537 BC. Jeconiah was a descendant of king Solomon David's son. But that man was disinherited by the LORD, who said of Jeconiah verses "write this man childless ... no son of his will prosper, nor sit on David's throne verses Jeremiah 22 verses 24-30. The two branches of David's family came together in Zerubbabel by way of a Levirate marriage. Matthew 1 records Jesus' legal right to the throne through Joseph (the guardian of our Lord) as recorded there. Whereas Luke 3 records Mary's genealogy and therefore that our Lord Jesus Christ's actual ancestral line through Nathan David's son. In Ezekiel 16 we have a description of Israel Yahweh's faithless wife. Her descent is said, spiritually, to be from Amorite stock - the earliest of the Canaanitish nations (meaning "great of mouth") and the Amorites were of giant stature as Deuteronomy tells us. Israel's father is said to be a Hittite from the powerful kingdom of the Hathi originally in Turkey and among the mightiest empires of that time - rivalling Egypt. Yahweh Israel's Sovereign Lord had pity on His people and took her unto Himself as His wife in love. How did Israel repay her God's loving kindness; only by scorning Him and prostituting herself without payment. God would judge her as the profligate covenant breaker that she was. But her younger sister, Judah, behaved no better. The Almighty describes them as being of the same sisterhood as Sodom, whose abominable lewdness was legendary. Nonetheless the time would come when the repentant daughters would again be covenanted by the everlasting kindness of Yahweh in the Kingdom of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. In Luke 12 the Lord counsels regarding the destructive teachings of the Pharisees. Our Lord Jesus says to his followers to have no fear when they are tried and killed by the religious authorities. This is because our Father has power over everything - including life and death. When giving testimony before rulers believers would be aided in their witness. In the parable in this chapter of the rich fool (based on the life of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25) our Lord refuses to arbitrate in a property dispute between two brothers. Instead, Jesus turns the opportunity into a discussion about the dangers of covetousness and the need to be rich in loving service to God at all times. Christ urges the disciples to be free from anxiety. Look at nature and the Almighty's abundantly providing out of His richness. Disciples need, as wise and faithful servants, to be in a state of continual readiness for their Lord's coming. A constant challenge for disciples is that often times family opposition will be the result of a person's acceptance of Christ. As disciples we must be alert to the era in which we live. Our Master is standing at the doorpost of our hearts and knocking Revelation 3 verses 20-21. Finally, if believers find themselves in a dispute, they need to quickly reach agreement with their adversaries, or the results may be much worse. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

Jesus goes on the offensive and completely shuts the Pharisees up. What did he do? Let's find out together as we read Matthew 22:41-46 and Psalm 110.

This episode is part 27 in a study of the gospel of Luke. Jesus critiques the religious leaders about the shape of their religion. They come up wanting. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jesus is present to both a broken hearted woman and a Pharisee, meeting them where they are and inviting them to grow in faith. (Lectionary #446) September 18, 2025 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Matthew 9:9-13 - As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when He heard it, He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Gospel Luke 7:36-50 A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner." Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?" Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Reflection It's fascinating and very important, I think, to understand the work of Jesus. To recognize how people responded to people who were sinners. It was not just that they were rejected, but even if you touch them, you would be considered unclean. How strange that the work of God in freeing us from sin would be held in such regard. That it was something to avoid, something to not face, something to run from. Closing Prayer Father, so often our sins make us feel that we're unworthy, that we are ashamed of who we are. Wish we were better so you would love us more. Free us from that insane way of thinking. He came to us because we need forgiveness, and he offers it abundantly. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark 2:18-22 (NCV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss why Jesus's disciples didn't fast.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22596The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In this episode we get deep into the Pharisees and how they and their Rabbinical offspring made up the Oral Torah and wrote the Talmud which is the foundation of modern Judaism. This is only part one so check back soon for part two and please listen to the entire Those We Don't Speak of series. #share Cheers and Blessings    Support My Work https://www.patreon.com/theoddmanout   Buy Me A Coffee!

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.Now there was a sinful woman in the citywho learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,she stood behind him at his feet weepingand began to bathe his feet with her tears.Then she wiped them with her hair,kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,"If this man were a prophet,he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,that she is a sinner."Jesus said to him in reply,"Simon, I have something to say to you.""Tell me, teacher," he said."Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty.Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.Which of them will love him more?"Simon said in reply,"The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven."He said to him, "You have judged rightly."Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,"Do you see this woman?When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,but she has bathed them with her tearsand wiped them with her hair.You did not give me a kiss,but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.You did not anoint my head with oil,but she anointed my feet with ointment.So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;hence, she has shown great love.But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."The others at table said to themselves,"Who is this who even forgives sins?"But he said to the woman,"Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Father Edward Looney reads and comments on The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich.Day 114Volume 2JESUS' TEACHING MISSION IN THE COUNTRY OF GENESARETH AND ON THE BANKS OF THE JORDANChapter 7: Jesus in Peter's House Measures Taken by the Pharisees. CuresLEARN MORE - USE COUPON CODE ACE25 FOR 25% OFFThe Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations: From the Visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich Four-Book Set - https://bit.ly/3QVreIsThe Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich - https://bit.ly/4bPsxRmThe Life and Revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich Two-Book Set - https://bit.ly/3yxaLE5The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich - https://bit.ly/3wTRsULMary Magdalen in the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich - https://bit.ly/4brYEXbThe Mystical City of God Four-Book Set - https://bit.ly/44Q9nZbOur Lady of Good Help: Prayer Book for Pilgrims - https://bit.ly/3Ke6O9SThe Life of Jesus Christ in a Year: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich is a podcast from TAN that takes you through one of the most extraordinary books ever published. Follow along daily as Father Edward Looney works his way through the classic four-volume set, The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations, by reading a passage from the book and then giving his commentary. Discover the visions of the famous 19th-century Catholic mystic, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, a nun who was privileged by God to behold innumerable events of biblical times.Anne Catherine's visions included the birth, life, public ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the founding of His Church. Besides describing persons, places, events, and traditions in intimate detail, she also sets forth the mystical significance of these visible realities. Here is the infinite love of God incarnate and made manifest for all to see, made all the more striking and vivid by the accounts Blessed Anne has relayed.Listen and subscribe to The Life of Jesus Christ in a Year: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich on your favorite podcast platform or at EmmerichPodcast.com.And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code ACE25 for 25% off your next order.

Daily Dose of Hope September 18, 2025   Scripture –  Luke 20:20-47   Prayer: Amazing Father and Lord, Thank you for who you are.  Thank you for how you care for us.  We get distracted.  We veer away from you and your Word.  For that, we are so very sorry.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us to abide in you.  Help us to remain close so that we can be fruitful and effective for your Kingdom.  Help us get outside ourselves and see others as you see them.  Lord, we belong to you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional/podcast that goes along with the daily Bible reading at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently deep diving into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish Luke 20.   In this chapter, we get a pretty clear picture of how hard the Pharisees are trying to catch Jesus saying or doing something punishable by Jewish law. They keep trying to trick him; they have no idea with whom they are dealing!   No one enjoys paying taxes, and in first century Palestine, this was a particularly sticky topic. The Jewish leaders are trying to trap Jesus so they ask him if it is lawful to pay taxes, meaning according to God's law. If Jesus says it isn't lawful, then he could get in trouble with the Romans. The Jewish authorities are hoping he will be in trouble no matter which way he answers.   But Jesus is not deceived. He asks for a coin, which had Emperor Tiberius' image stamped on it, and asked who was on it. When they said Caesar, he told them to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what it God's. It left no room for argument and his enemies are literally stunned silent.   Jesus is making the point that we are citizens of both earth and heaven at the same time. While we have allegiance to both our nation and God, there is no question that our first and primary loyalty is to God. Jesus is Lord over all the earth, over our nation, over the church, and over our lives. Think of Paul's words in Philippians 3, But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.   After the coin incident, there are some Sadducees who want to grill him on the concept of the resurrection of the dead.  By addressing Levirate marriage, they also are trying to trap Jesus in his words.  The Sadducees, the intellectual aristocracy of the day, did not believe in resurrection.  They were pressing Jesus on the topic, hoping to make him look foolish.  If you will recall from Mark and Matthew, levirate law was intended to protect widows without a male heir.  When a brother died, leaving his wife without children, a surviving brother marries the widow with the sole intention of producing an heir.  If a son is conceived, he is actually considered to be the deceased brother's child.  In ancient near-East culture, a widow without any connection to a male would either starve or be forced to beg or prostitute herself.    Thus, the Sadducees question makes a little more sense even though it is a bit absurd.  A woman's husband dies and she marries a brother.  That brother dies and she marries another brother and so forth until she has been married to all seven brothers.  Then she dies.  Whose wife will she be at the resurrection?  Keep in mind, they ask this question knowing that they think the resurrection is false.    Jesus basically tells them they are missing the point. In the resurrection, our bodies will be different – perfect and glorious.  There will also be a change in our spiritual nature.  Jesus is saying that in regard to marriage and sexual matters, we will be like the angels (note that he did not say we will be angels but we will be like them.)    But the Sadducees were mistaken so significantly not because of this absurd question but because they didn't believe in the resurrection.  This is a fundamental aspect of Jesus' teaching and they missed it entirely.    Rather than allowing the Pharisees to continue trying to trap him, Jesus decides to ask a  hard question of them.  He asks the group, “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?”  They immediately respond, “The son of David.”  How then, Jesus asked, could David call him by the Spirit ‘Lord' when he said, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”' (Psalm 110:1). “If David”, Jesus said, “Calls him ‘Lord,' how can he be his son?” The Pharisees were unable to answer and “from that day on no one dared to question him any longer”. Jesus' point was missed.  Of course, Jesus had descended from David. He was the Son of God.  He was the Messiah, the one the Jews had been waiting for, for hundreds of years.  He was right before their eyes and they were missing it.  How often is Jesus right before our eyes and we totally miss it? More tomorrow. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

The Chronicle's account does not begin with the genealogy of Saul, the nation's first earthly king, as we might have expected, since he was disgraced and taken away by God in Yahweh's anger. It rather begins with the Almighty's chosen king - the man after His own heart. It tells us of David's thirteen wives and seventeen sons and the circumstances that brought one of David's younger sons, Solomon, to succeed him on the throne. It also outlines the genealogies of some of his prominent wise counsellors and of David's administration. In Ezekiel 15 we find a short but powerful parable about the vine that tells us that the wood from the is useless for making anything. The vine is also very poor in its use for kindling heat. The vine has but one use; to produce fruit and the kingdom of Judah had shown that they were useless in this respect. The vine is an oft used symbol of God's people, Israel - Isaiah 5; Psalm 80 etc. The same lessons must be applied to spiritual Israel - those who have embraced the gospel message verses Matthew 21 verses 43. We come across it in each of the four gospel accounts. The greatest lesson on our need for fruitfulness comes from the Master teacher verses John 15 verses 1-11. We can only produce fruit by abiding within the Vine of our Father's planting i.e. of ourselves we can produce fruit, but in our Lord Jesus Christ we can and will by his grace do. In Luke 11 we start with a record of, what is termed, the Lord's Prayer. It is a model prayer, not a mantra to be repeated without thought. It commences with an acknowledgement of the Father's awe-inspiring status. Then follows petitions for the Almighty's will to be fulfilled on earth, as it is in heaven. The kingdom will come when Messiah returns in glory. Lastly are personal petitions for forgiveness and for food. The prayer closed with an acclaiming of the praise, greatness and glory of our Sovereign. Then follows teaching about generosity among friends and our need to be seekers, askers and knockers on doors. Our Father is generous and gives only benefits to His children. Upon curing a deaf-mute Jesus is accused of doing it by a demon power Beel-zebul - the Lord of the dung heap. This was equivalent to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells his enemies that if he was casting out diseases by a demonic power then Jesus would be a destroyer of the kingdom of the enemy who had "inflicted" those who suffered. No, just as the magicians of Egypt at the time of Moses were forced to acknowledge - "this is the finger of God". A parable of the need to fill our cleansed and empty house with good things after the sweeping out of evil is next mentioned in the chapter. The Lord says that happiness lies in hearing and keeping the Word of God. Then follows Christ's telling the hearers of the sign of the prophet Jonah. There is more to this sign than would first seem apparent verses 1) Jonah from Gath-Hepher which is in Galilee where our Lord's ministry thrived verses see John 7 verses 52; 2) Jonah means 'dove' the evident sign at Jesus' baptism; 3) the overwhelming majority of Jesus' disciples were Galilean as Isaiah 9 verses 1-7 predicted; 4) Jonah spent three nights in the belly of hell i.e. inside the belly of the great fish before being symbolically resurrected. The chapter then instructs us to be single minded seekers. The record in this chapter concludes with the pronouncing of woes upon the Pharisees and the Lawyers because of their hypocrisy. Rather than having the effect of curtailing them in their behaviour these evil men sought even more to provoke our Lord.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

In John 3, a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night to ask questions, and Jesus tells him that the in order to be saved you must be born again, born of the Spirit, not of flesh. He uses the story of the Bronze Serpent in Numbers 21 to show how it is a picture of the salvation Jesus offers. Then, many of John the Baptist's disciples note how many are leaving him to follow Jesus. John the Baptist affirms their choice since Jesus from above and greater than himself. Both stories remind us that it is only through belief in Jesus as the Christ that we find eternal life.For more information on this study, go to FeastingOnTruth.com/JohnFor recommended resources, go to FeastingOnTruth.com/ResourcesFor booking inquiries, go to FeastingOnTruth.com/Speaking 

John 8:39-40, They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do.” When Abraham heard the truth from God, he believed and obeyed. He had a place in His heart for God's word, which showed God was at work. When the devil is at work, people reject God's word and the truth, and seek a way to silence the messenger. Hold fast to the word of God and stir afresh your love for Jesus. Beware of anyone who has gone down the path of cancelling parts of the word of God. We are encouraged by these verses to love the truth. If we love the truth, we love the words of Jesus. The Pharisees and rulers of the Jews didn't love the truth. The apostle Paul speaks of those who don't love the truth in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. He spoke of… …the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. The Pharisees were obviously in accord with the activity of Satan. They were entangled in the deception of wickedness because they didn't love the truth. Therefore, God sent a deluding influence so that they would believe the lies of the devil. Loving the truth protects us from going down this road to destruction. I trust that you love the truth, because you probably wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't. My aim is to lift up Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, who is the only way to the Father. Jesus has promised to be with all who believe forever. His life lived in us for the glory of His Father. What a privilege it is for us today to live for the purpose of loving with Jesus because we love the truth. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Dive into Biblically Literate Episode 6: Understanding the Background of the New Testament with Jon Rhoades from First Christian Church! Explore the rich historical context that shaped the New Testament, from the Persian period to Roman rule. Learn how the intertestamental period, Greek influence, Maccabean Revolt, and Jewish sects like the Pharisees and Sadducees set the stage for Jesus' ministry. Discover how God's love and promises unite Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their Bible knowledge and understand the cultural and historical roots of Christianity.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:30 - Purpose of Understanding the Bible01:24 - God's Character03:07 - Persian Period03:59 - Greek Influence06:04 - Maccabean Revolt & Hanukkah08:16 - Roman Rule09:29 - Nero & Temple Destruction10:24 - Greco-Roman Beliefs13:12 - Jewish Sects15:44 - Unity in Christ18:11 - Closing ThoughtsSubscribe for more biblical insights! Leave a comment or email Jon at jrhoades@fccbrazil.org. Visit us at First Christian Church! #NewTestament #BibleStudy #Christianity #BiblicalHistory

Read OnlineHe said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48–50These loving words from Jesus were spoken to a sinful woman who showed up unannounced at a dinner Jesus was having at the house of a Pharisee. The Pharisee looked down upon her in judgment, but she didn't care. In sorrow for her sins, she anointed Jesus' feet and humbled herself before Him, bathing His feet with her tears and drying them with her hair.The conversation ends with Jesus looking at her and telling her “Your sins are forgiven.” Note the reaction of those who were at the table. We are given an insight into their interior thoughts. They said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Those who have been born and raised within the faith have always understood that God forgives. We were taught this from an early age, learned much about it in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and have heard this message throughout our lives in one form or another. But imagine never hearing about or experiencing the forgiveness of God throughout your life, and then suddenly one day you do. Imagine what these people must have been experiencing as they encountered the forgiveness of sins for the first time in the Person of Jesus as He forgave this sinful woman. They may have been a bit confused by this, but, perhaps more than anything else, they would have experienced a holy awe and amazement at what God had done. They saw this sinful woman come in, they sensed the judgment and demeaning attitude of the Pharisees, they saw her express sorrow and humiliation, and then they saw Jesus forgive her.Are you amazed at the gift of the forgiveness of your sins and the sins of others? Or do you take forgiveness for granted? The wonder and awe that the people manifested at the forgiveness of the sins of this woman should help us to examine our own attitude toward God's mercy and forgiveness. We need to continually foster within ourselves the same amazement at God's mercy that these people had. We must work to never take forgiveness for granted or to see it as just one more normal part of life. Rather, we must see it as extraordinary, ever new, ever glorious and forever awe inspiring. Reflect, today, upon the awe-inspired words of these first followers of Jesus: “Who is this who even forgives sins?” As you do, let God fill you with the deepest gratitude for the forgiveness He has offered you. Renew your appreciation for this unmerited gift from God and allow that gratitude to become the source of your ongoing amazement at the mercy of God. My forgiving Lord, Your mercy and compassion for the sinner is truly awe-inspiring. Thank You for loving me and all Your followers with a love so deep. Please fill my heart with a holy awe at Your incredible mercy. May I always be amazed at Your forgiveness and always be filled with the deepest gratitude as I experience it in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Paolo Veronese, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Reading Luke 20:9-18 where Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants, exposing the Pharisees for the plot to kill Him, and showing how the kingdom of God will be given to others. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

We all carry an invisible resume, trying to prove our worth through titles, accomplishments, or image. Paul names his old resume — circumcision, tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee, zeal — then calls it all loss compared to Christ. John shares his own “impressive-itis” and failures, then draws from Henri Nouwen and John Wesley's line “I submitted to be more vile” to show the new resume: weakness, humility, and love. To shine is to let go of self-promotion and live from God's love.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Mark 2:13-17 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss Jesus's meal with the tax collectors and sinners. If we want to be with Jesus, we have to admit we're sinners.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22588The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Daily Dose of Hope September 17, 2025   Scripture - Luke 20:1-19   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Provider, Sustainer, Thank you for being the God who creates, cares, loves, and saves.  All we have is from you.  As we talk about today's text, give us a fresh revelation; help us see your Word in a new way. Lord, thank you most of all for Jesus.  Thank you for his sacrifice.  Thank you for showing us a different way of doing life.  Help us actually live the way you taught us.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin a deep dive into Luke 20.   We start today's text with the Pharisees asking Jesus by what authority he speaks and teaches.  Keep in mind, this was right after Jesus cleanses the Temple and the Pharisees are a bit annoyed.  In Jewish culture, authority was based on lineage and education.  Jesus' authority was divine and so these earthly leaders are feeling incredibly threatened.  They are more concerned with losing their own power and authority than anything else at this point, or so it seems.    I do love how Jesus so often answers a question with a question, as he does in this text.  He asks the men where the authority of John of Baptist came from.  They were in a bind and knew that whatever they answered, it would get them into trouble.  So, because they said they didn't know, Jesus told them he had no need to say from where his authority came from either.   We move from there to the parable of the tenants.  This is a hard parable with violence involved in every aspect of it.  A landowner, presumably a man of means, builds a vineyard and gets it set up with all the right equipment.  He has tenants plant the vines and run the farm for him, while he lives in another place.  When the harvest comes, the absent landowner sends a slave to collect his portion of the harvest or profits.  The slave is beaten up pretty badly by the tenant farmers and limps away.   You would think the landowner might do something different next time but he doesn't.  He sends another slave.  Actually, he sends a lot of different slaves to collect on his behalf.  Some are badly beaten while others are actually killed.  We get the impression this happens over many growing seasons.    The landowner decides he has one option left, his beloved son.  He feels assured that the tenants won't hurt him.  Did the son feel the same way?  Not sure.  But things don't go so well.  The tenants know this is the heir and they kill him too, throwing his body out to the wild animals.   The question that Jesus asks is what will the landowner do?  The answer is that he will come there himself, kill the tenants, and give the land to others (or possibly get new tenants.)  What in the world is meant by all of this?  There are several possible things to think about here and none of them are pleasant.   First, throughout the Bible, the concept of the vineyard is associated with the people of Israel.  With that as a backdrop, could it be that God is the stubborn landowner, the slaves are prophets, and the son is Jesus?  That would make the tenant farmers the corrupt religious leaders.    Second, there are aspects to the parable that the first-century hearers would get that aren't necessarily evident to us.  It wasn't that unusual for the wealthy to obtain the land of those who were poor, possibly because of outstanding debts or because the impoverished are forced to sell land to feed their families.  Life was hard.    It also wasn't that unusual for landlords to live elsewhere and demand a large percentage of the harvest from those who are performing the labor.  The reaction of the parable will be different for different people, depending on where they fall on the social ladder in Israel.  There are those who will identify with the slaves.  There are those who will see the landowner as uncaring and reckless and possibly identify with the plight of the tenants.  There are those who will identify with the landowner and his son.  Every single reaction is unsettling.   One thing I do want to mention is that people have used this parable over the years in an antisemitic way, stating that it was the Jews who killed the son and it is the Jews who should then be killed by the landowner.  Jesus is not speaking of ethnicity or religion here, he is speaking about faithfulness.  The big issue in the parable is not the identity of the players but rather the failure of the tenants to respond faithfully to their obligations.  It's no secret that Christians over the centuries have also treated the cornerstone with disrespect, irreverence, and indignation, while Jews can (and many have) responded faithfully to God's revelation.   What do you make of this parable?  Why do you think Jesus told it?  What are your takeaways?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

There are some people whom others might considered a lost cause. Certainly that was the case when the Pharisees sneered at some in the crowd who had come to hear Jesus preach. In many cases, it continues today. Jesus knew that those listening to His words could easily relate to the joy and relief that comes when someone finds a lost coin.  So Jesus went on to share another “lost” story, but this one involving a person.

Faith for the Coming Wilderness (5) (audio) David Eells – 9/17/25 God has really good plans for us, brethren, and we don't need to fear a thing about living in the wilderness. The Bible says in (Isa.35:1) The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (2) It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. (3) Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. (4) Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you. God cannot fail us; He's made these promises, and He can do anything but fail. He is going to be creating sons through this tribulation we're coming to, and our concern ought to be that we don't hinder Him with our own works. That's a big problem. Remember that Jesus said, (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you, so obviously a lack of faith will hinder what He really desires to do for us. When Jesus came to His own hometown, He couldn't do many miracles for them because of their unbelief. (Mat.13:54) And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (55) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? (56) And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (57) And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. (58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Unbelief can certainly block God from giving us the benefits that we should have. The reason I mention works is because your works prove whether you have faith or not. Many people are blocking God by attempting to save themselves through their own works, so they never get to see God's works, but what did Jesus tell His disciples? (Mat.16:6) … Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They eventually understood that Jesus was talking about the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, which was so dangerous to the real salvation of God because their teaching was self-works. (Mat.16:5) And the disciples came to the other side and forgot to take bread. (6) And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (7) And they reasoned among themselves, saying, We took no bread. (8) And Jesus perceiving it said, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have no bread? (9) Do ye not yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? That was 12 baskets of uneaten fragments they took up. (10) Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? That time, they took up seven baskets of uneaten fragments. (11) How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (12) Then understood they that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their teaching had replaced God's works in their lives and God's works through them with self-works. However, notice that the more loaves the people provided of their own supply, the fewer the number of people who were fed, and the fewer baskets of leftovers there were. Jesus was obviously making a point here about the leaven of the Pharisees, and His point was that the more you put in of your own works to save yourself, the less God will put in to save you. Salvation in any form is by grace; it's unmerited and it's unearned. Yet many of God's people are attempting to save themselves with their money and by their own methods, which they claim are now God's methods. All the worldly methods to which we've had access, and worked for us in “Egypt,” are not going to work in the wilderness. So, what Jesus was saying, to the extent you trust in God and let Him do the work, He'll do it, but to the extent you're trying to do it yourself, it's doomed to failure. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved (the Greek word sozo) through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (9) not of works (This is referring to your works.), that no man should glory. God will not share His glory with anybody else (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 42:8; 43:11; 48:11; etc.). Men get the credit when men do the work and when man's ingenuity is involved, but God has designed a way where man can get no credit. Sozo covers a very broad territory and, as a matter of fact, I'm going to show you that it covers everything. Salvation includes receiving every benefit that the Lord gave to you at the cross, and salvation includes being delivered from every curse, but it's not by our works. (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Jesus became a curse for us so that we might have the blessing of Abraham. The all-inclusive curse listed in Deuteronomy 28 is everything detrimental that ever happened to man because man went his own way and did his own thing, was put upon Jesus. Jesus bore that curse upon Himself. And since we have been saved, there's not much we can do to add to what God has already accomplished, except to walk by faith so that it is accomplished. The wilderness is a completely safe and secure place for believers; it really is! Everything has already been provided there, just like God provided for the Israelites. The only thing He really desired of them in the wilderness was faith in His promises. Our faith in His promises is the very substance from which the desired need is made. (Heb.11:1) Now faith is assurance (or the “substance”) of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. Jesus said, (Mar.11:24) … All things whatsover ye pray and ask for, believe ye received them and you shall have them. Your translation may say “receive” but the word there is past tense in the original Greek. And all throughout the Bible, God uses the past tense concerning His provision for our needs and His deliverance of our curses. Why does He do that? He uses the past tense because it was all accomplished at the cross. This past tense, sacrificial provision has already been accomplished. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved (past tense) through faith.... (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare (past tense) our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins (past tense), might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed (past tense). It's already been accomplished. Your healings have already been accomplished! Your sins have already been taken away! It's not by your works, not by self-effort, but by faith. God lets your faith stand in temporarily as the substance of the thing hoped for, until He brings it to pass. (Col.1:13) Who delivered us (past tense) out of the power of darkness.... Many people are anxious and troubled about being delivered from their past curses or the family curses that have been passed down to them, or demonic oppression and possession in their lives. But, as you see, we've already been delivered. (Col.1:13) Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. We don't have to strive through self-effort to enter into His Kingdom; we have to strive through faith to enter into His Kingdom. Faith will give us the obedience that we need to enter into His Kingdom. (2Co.5:18) But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. The word translated “reconciled” is the Greek katallasso, and it means “exchanged.” God made an exchange through Jesus Christ. He took our life and gave us His life. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. We were crucified with Christ, and we don't live anymore. He now lives in us by faith, so a reconciliation has been made, and God is constantly bringing this reconciliation to pass through our faith in Him. He's giving us the blessings of Christ; He's giving us the spotless purity of Christ. And as we confess our sins and walk by faith, He's taking away our old, sinful life and the curses under which we've been living. Salvation is not by self-efforts; it's by faith in Jesus and what He already accomplished for us. Apostle Paul said, (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ.... There are preachers out there who like to emphasize, “We have to die; we have to die.” Well, here's the way to die: “I have been crucified with Christ.” You accept this free gift of crucifixion with Christ, and God brings it to pass as you continue to believe it and confess it. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified (past tense) with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me.... That's a confession of faith, a confession that the promise has already been accomplished. Through this we will be able to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.  (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us (past tense) from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.... (1Pe.1:3) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again (past tense) unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Father begat us again by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Heb.10:10) By which will we have been sanctified (past tense) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (14) For by one offering he hath perfected (past tense) for ever them that are sanctified. All the promises are past tense. (Eph.1:3) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us (past tense) with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ. (2Pe.1:3) Seeing that his divine power hath granted (past tense) unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue. And this “knowledge” shows us how to exercise our faith for this victory. And Jesus told us in His day, which is, of course, in our past, that (Joh.12:31) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (Joh.16:33) These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome (past tense) the world. (Joh.19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished (past tense): and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. “It is finished.” This is the reason we believe that we received, past tense: because everything was accomplished at the cross. That really prevents our works from being of any benefit, doesn't it? The Lord has already given everything to us; that's why we are to believe we have received “all things whatsoever” we pray and ask for. “All things whatsoever” were given to us at the cross as a free gift. It's not as if you have to talk God into giving you a healing, or deliverance, or provision, or protection, or sanctification. You don't have to talk God into it; you have to believe you have received whatever you asked because God already took care of it. That's why Paul said, (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. It's already been accomplished; it's already been paid for. Redemption from the curse and provision for life were truly accomplished at the cross. In fact, God's works were finished from the foundation of the world; that's when He spoke the plan into existence. (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. The only thing left is for the true sons of God to enter into those works by faith, believing they have received. Since the works were finished, we should believe and rest from our own works. We can't save, or heal, or deliver ourselves, but we can exercise faith in those promises so that they do come to pass. This resting in faith on the grounds of God's promises is the “rest” in the wilderness that God expected of the Israelites. (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest.... When you believe these past tense promises, what do you do? When you believe that you have been saved, were healed, were translated, have been crucified, have been redeemed, have been perfected, have been sanctified, have been blessed in all things; when you believe that it's all been done, what can you do to bring it to pass? If you do something in the flesh to bring it to pass, what you are saying is, “I don't believe it has been accomplished.” Listen, I have tested this out for many, many years and I know it works, and I know it works consistently. I also know that, to the extent I've added to the works of God in seeking to bring something to pass, it turned out to be kind of like what Jesus said: (Mat.16:9) Do ye not yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (10) Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Whenever I've put in, God hasn't. God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). And so, (Heb.4:3) … we who have believed do enter into that rest.... This is speaking of a spiritual Sabbath rest. (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. The Greek word here for sabbath rest is sabbatismos, and it means a “keeping of rest.” It's not a one-day rest like it was in the Old Covenant. In the New Testament, the Sabbath is never said to be one day of the week; that's just a type and shadow of the continual keeping of rest, which is commanded here. “There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.” This constant keeping of rest every day through these past tense promises is our New Testament spiritual Sabbath. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. The rest is to believe in these promises, to accept them as done, to hold fast to them. (Heb.4:1) Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. In other words, don't leave out even one promise that would cause you to enter into this rest. And this rest is ceasing from your own works. Many of God's people are dead today because they wouldn't cease from their own self-efforts to save themselves. (Heb.4:2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. God has designed salvation to be by grace, the unmerited, unearned favor of God toward those who believe. You see, we're going to a very dry place, a place where man will not provide our needs, but God will. Through these promises, God will consistently provide our needs. He was very, very consistent the whole time I was raising my children. Of course, when they got out in the world, some of them decided to go their own way, and they'll have to learn their own lessons. But while they were under my authority and headship, God consistently healed, delivered, and provided all these things. I learned early on in my Christian walk that when I exercised faith in these promises, God fulfilled them. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. He not only works in me to will and to do of His good pleasure, but He brings forth that which is promised. Let me share another testimony with you. Years ago, when I lived in Louisiana, a lady preacher contacted me one day. She had traveled all over the country to try to get help, but she was still in desperate need. She said, “David, I've travelled all over the country and I've gone here and I've gone there. I have two very large inoperable tumors, and the doctors say if they operated on me, they would kill me.” She went to so and so, and so and so, and so and so, all these faith preachers who are known for laying hands on the sick, and if I gave you their names, you would probably recognize them. And she went on, “David, I just don't understand it; I just don't understand why I haven't been healed!” And I answered her, “You just told me why you haven't been healed. You're expecting something to come, but you know, tomorrow never comes. You don't believe the true Gospel because the true Gospel is that God's already done it.” A lot of people understand the Gospel as, “One day, God will heal me.” No. God already healed you. God already delivered you. God already provided for you. It's already done; it's a sure thing. That's why we can have such faith in the Lord. It's not a matter of us talking Him into it; it's a matter of our accepting this free gift He's already given us. And so I told that lady preacher, “You've been looking in the wrong direction. You're looking forward, and you need to turn around and look back. That's where God healed you. ‘By the stripes of Jesus, ye were healed'; that's the Gospel you must believe! Romans 1:16 says the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes it. The Good News is not that Jesus will heal you; the Good News tells you that He already did heal you; that's the real Gospel.” Now, the reason people are not receiving from God is they are trying to talk God into it, and as long as you are trying to talk Him into it, you never know whether the answer is “yes” or “no.” But what does the Scripture say? (2Co.1:20) For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. All the promises of God are “Yes.” That means God is not going to go back on anything He's said to us. (Num.23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good? He's going to bring it to pass, as long as you believe the Gospel. The Gospel is that you already received these things as a free gift; long before you ever came into existence, they were given to you as a free gift. Be convinced by what the Bible says, not by what it doesn't say. When I explained this to the lady preacher, I could almost see a light bulb go on; it was like her eyes just started glowing. She understood, and I could see she understood. And I said to her, “Okay, we're going to pray one more time, and this time, you receive this free gift from God. You accept it because it's yours,” and she agreed. So we prayed and, as we were still praying, as a matter of fact, she said, “They're gone! I felt them go!” She actually felt those tumors leave her, and I pointed out to her, “This is the first time you believed the Gospel. All that other was hope; it wasn't faith. Faith believes you have received; hope looks forward to the future.” If you look up the Biblical word for “hope,” it basically means “a firm expectation,” but a “firm expectation” is not believing you have received; salvation is by faith. Everybody who has faith has hope, but not everybody who has hope has faith. “Believing you have received” is something only true believers can do. Many people in the Church are not believers. We need to identify believers the way Jesus identified believers. He said, (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. And also, (Joh.14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. Believers have the works of God manifested through them, not their own works. They have the works of God manifested through them because they believe the works were finished. I remember another time when I was a very young Christian. My wife and I had just come to the Lord, and we'd spent a month in a dead church that didn't believe the full Gospel. But I'd been reading the Bible for some time and really believing what I was seeing there. I was living it out, and God was proving to me that all of it was still true; none of it had passed away, as these people were saying. So, I just left this church and went to a full Gospel church. Well, at the time, my wife had been in a motorcycle accident in which she was injured. Her kidneys had been badly bruised, and the doctors put her on some antibiotics to clear up an infection so that they could operate on her kidneys, but in the meantime, we called for the elders of the church and had them pray for her, as the Bible tells us to do. (Jas.5:14) Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. So the elders prayed for her, and I think it was something like a week later that my wife was walking through the house, and she was complaining to the Lord. She said, “Lord, I just don't understand. We did what You said: we called for the elders, we prayed the prayer of faith. I just don't understand why it's not happening.” And the Lord spoke to her. She said it was the first time the Lord had ever spoken to her, and it was almost audible. He said to her, “If you believe that I have healed you, why are you taking all that medicine?” Well, you know, it was such a shocking thing that she ran immediately into the bathroom and started pouring the medicine down the commode, and she was healed instantly right there. The question the Lord spoke was to make her believe the Gospel: “If you believe that I have healed you, why are you taking all that medicine?” In other words, “Why are you trying to heal yourself when I've already told you in the Bible that I healed you?” This is the kind of self-effort that hinders God from doing what He wants to do because self-effort proves you do not believe that this is a free gift. Self-effort proves you do not believe that it's already been given to you. Now, a lot of people are going to ask, “David, are you saying that God doesn't use doctors and medicine?” Well, I'm going to answer that question. First of all, if God already healed you, if He already delivered you, and you believe it, what are your actions going to be like? Just stop and think. (Jas.2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Faith without works is dead; it's incomplete. (18) Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith. How do you prove that you believe you already received this at the cross? It's going to be by your works that agree with what you say you believe; anything else is hypocrisy. You say you believe it, so your actions should agree with what you say. I learned this was the main reason people don't receive from God. They say they believe what the Bible says, but all their actions prove that they believe they have to help God out because He's not a very powerful God and He hasn't already taken care of their need. They're still trying to talk Him into it, but since we're not talking about something in the future or something in the past, we have to just accept it as done. Our oldest child, Deborah, was about four when we first came to the Lord, but our next child, Corban, came along after my wife and I came to the Lord. By that time, we were convinced that God had already given us these gifts and that salvation covered all of this, as the Bible clearly says: (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. Notice, too, that the Bible always connects salvation with deliverance from sin and deliverance from the curse of sin: (Psa.103:3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases. God connects salvation for the soul with salvation for the body, and we knew this was a part of salvation. We knew (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. And we knew that salvation includes receiving every benefit and being delivered from every curse. So we felt like the Lord was convicting us that He wanted us to put our trust in Him and to have our children at home, which we did from that day forth. I am not putting anyone under law to do this because it has to be faith. At that time when we had faith, the first child to come along was Corban. We were trusting God to do the delivery and it was just an awesome miracle when he was born. I didn't know anything about delivering babies, though, and most dont deliver babies without forceps. That's not God's way. I knew that God was going to deliver this baby, just like He's done for thousands of years, and that I was just there to catch. The only thing I really studied was how to tie the cord. Somebody gave me a book after they found out we were going to do a home birth, but when the thought came into my mind, “Are you going to do this or am I going to do this?” I knew the Lord was talking to me. The only thing I actually looked for in the book was how to tie the cord, so I saw how they did that and gave the book back to the person who gave it to me. When it came time, Mary went into labor, and the first thing that actually appeared was a little purple toe. I thought, “Uh, oh! I know it's not supposed to work like this!” We knew we had a breach, so we prayed and we committed it to the Lord. Literally, I stood there and I pointed at that baby and I said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, come out of there!” People laugh at me when I say that, and I laugh at myself when I say that, but that's what I did. I want you to know, we didn't realize at the time that this boy was not only a breach, he was a footling breach, which is one foot up and one foot down and wrong end down. I've talked to several medical people since then, and they said, “That's impossible!” Doctors always do a C-section when they have a situation like that, but I was trusting in God, and God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Well, that baby did come out of there. He came out of there as a footling breach, and he didn't turn. God just had to show us that He could do it, and He did do it. And I'll tell you something else: after Corban was born, he was a very deep, deep yellow because we were told my wife and I had incompatible blood types. I think the doctors call it a RhoGAM problem. In the hospital, they would give you a RhoGAM shot because the condition actually causes blood poisoning in the child. So here he was, very yellow and since he was born at home, we decided we would call the Public Health Unit to see how we could get a birth certificate for him. And the nurse who answered said, “Well, did you just not make it to the hospital in time?” We said, “No, that wasn't the situation at all.” Then she asked me, “Was it just too fast?” I told her, “No, that wasn't the situation either; we planned it.” She said, “Oh. We'll send a nurse out to do the certificate.” So they sent a nurse out, but as soon as the nurse got a look at Corban, she said, “Mr. Eells, you have to rush this baby to the hospital! This baby has blood poisoning and he's going to die without a transfusion!” Now, before I go on, I want you to know I'm not talking about peer pressure here. I've heard the horror stories out there of people who had home births because that's what their church expected of them, and they did it because of peer pressure to be accepted in their religion or whatever. That's not the way of faith. God's not in it, and it's doomed to failure. You don't want to get the cart before the horse. It's not works before faith; it's faith before works. This nurse was a Catholic lady and, after we had talked to her for a few minutes, I told her, “Ma'am, Corban is healed. He'll be just fine, so don't you worry.” I quoted a few verses to her, and she went away, but I could tell she wasn't convinced. And she came back after a little while and knocked on the door again, and I thought, “Uh, oh. I wonder what's going on here.” I was thinking she might take some kind of legal action, but by the time she came back, Corban's skin was the same color as my skin. All the yellow had gone, and this little Catholic lady was astounded. She said, “That just doesn't happen without a transfusion,” and I said, “Well, you're looking at it!” I didn't say, “I told you so,” but she knew it. The year after that, we had Nathan, and Nathan was two months premature. Now listen, when you trust God, it's not as if you always get out of a trial and everything goes smoothly. We had trials just about every time, but God showed us that there was no problem from which He couldn't save us. Nathan was very premature and very, very small. We prayed over him, and I tell you, he never looked back. He just grew and grew. The boy never slowed down; he outgrew children who were born full-weight at the same time he was born. And when we called the Public Health Unit to get a birth certificate for Nathan, it happened that they sent out the same nurse, and she brought company with her: another nurse. As soon as they came in the door, she said, “Oh, Mr. Eells, can I show her the baby who was born last year?” I said, “Sure.” So they went in to see Corban and I could hear her talking to this other nurse. She said, “Now, this is the baby I was telling you about. This is the baby, this is the miracle!” Then they went and looked at Nathan, but this lady had gotten some faith in her because she wasn't worried, even though Nathan was very, very small. He was about four pounds, just a little bitty thing, but she wasn't a bit worried about it. I don't know what all happened to her, but I know Corban's miracle did something to this little Catholic lady. The reason I wasn't worried was that I knew it was already done. I didn't have to convince God. If you think you have to convince God, then you are walking by sight to see if God's answered. But when you walk by faith, you know He has already answered, and that's a moot point. Many people spend all of their energy trying to convince God to do something that He says He's already done. Amen! Praise the Lord! Many have questions about God using doctors and medicine. Many people today believe that this is God's way, but I want to point out some things to you from the Scriptures. Jesus is called “The Great Physician,” when nothing could be further from the truth because a physician is a Doctor of Medicine. He's legally qualified to practice medicine and Jesus never touched medicine. Calling Him “The Great Physician” is just a sorry translation of the Greek iatros, which simply means “healer,” or iaomai, which means “to heal” or “make whole.” Now, Jesus was “The Great Healer” but He never practiced medicine because He didn't use the methods and the things of the world. He just used the spoken word. He commanded it done and it was done. Some people ask, “What about Luke? Luke was called ‘The Beloved Physician.'” Again, the word there has nothing to do with physician; it's the same word iatros, meaning “healer.” Luke was a healer, but he was a healer in the same way that Jesus was a healer. The Book of Acts tells us that Luke traveled with Paul and wherever they went there were healings, but there is absolutely no place in the Bible that says Luke used any physician skills. The word is simply “healer.” However, there is another term that's used in the Scriptures and it's translated “sorcerer.” The word is pharmakeus or pharmakeia, and it does involve the use of medicine. It's where we get our word for “pharmacy.” A pharmacist doesn't generally practice pharmakeus; he just sells the drugs, but the physician is legally qualified to practice pharmakeia, which is healing through drugs. The Bible has nothing good to say about pharmakeus or pharmakeia. It calls pharmakeia a work of the flesh. (Gal.5:19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these:] fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) idolatry, sorcery (the word there is pharmakeia), enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (21) envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. And over in Revelation, God demands that the people repent of their pharmakeia. (Rev.9:20) And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk: (21) and they repented not of their murders, nor of their sorceries (that's the word pharmakeia again),nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. In Jesus' day, the disciples all repented of pharmakeia; they walked by faith. (Heb.10:38) But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. The disciples spoke the word of faith and God healed, and God delivered, and God did miracles! Today we're coming to our own Book of Acts. God is once again going to give grace through faith that those people who have knowledge of the Word to begin to walk in that knowledge. (Eph 2:8)  for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Also, Revelation says that the Harlot deceived the earth with her pharmakeia. (Rev.18:23) And the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived. People are deceived into thinking that, “Now God has changed. Now He needs help. He doesn't have the power He once had to heal the sick. He doesn't do it by faith.” (1Pe.2:24) … by whose stripes ye were healed. If you were healed, why are you trying to heal yourself? Why are you running to lost men and pharmakeia? God says, “cursed is the man who trusts in man.” Before the vax, the Journal of the American Medical Association admitted to 450,000 deaths a year are because of medical mistakes. This is not something I haven't proven. We've had almost every kind of healing miracle you can think of, from broken bones made whole overnight to heart and cardiovascular problems taken away, and I can tell you that God consistently heals today like He did back then, if you believe what you read in the Book. (Heb.13:8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Are there reasons why some do not get healed? Yes, a person may want to go home, there may be willful disobedience, there may be unforgiveness, there may be idolatry. Honest confession of sins is powerful. Believe the Good News. (Rom.1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Jesus is confronted with two tricky questions, one about paying taxes to Caesar and one about the resurrection. In this episode of Midweek Move, Dallas and Carlos unpack Mark 12:13-27, exploring Jesus' wisdom, the motives of His challengers, and what this passage means for us today. Time Stamps 00:00 – Intro: Death and taxes 00:21 – Setting the stage: Confrontations in Mark 12 01:27 – Pharisees and Herodians team up 03:01 – The trap question: Pay taxes or not? 04:29 – Jesus' brilliant response 06:01 – What this means for Christians and government today 07:46 – Enter the Sadducees: another trap question 08:56 – Reading motives into Scripture carefully 12:00 – The hypothetical marriage question 13:07 – False dichotomies and modern parallels 16:15 – Jesus' answer: No marriage in the resurrection 19:02 – Jesus proves resurrection from the Pentateuch 20:26 – Importance of knowing Scripture and staying teachable 23:29 – Final thoughts and challenge

In our second episode going deeper into the Gospel of Mark, Ben and Mitch sit down with Dr. Tim Gombis, a Markan scholar and author, to discuss themes of complacency in the Christian faith, contestation with the Pharisees, and the power of metaphor throughout Mark chapters 3 and 4.GO DEEPER IN MARK+ ⁠Entering the Kingdom Translation of Mark⁠+ ⁠A Journey Through Mark Study Devotional⁠+ ⁠A Journey Through Mark Family Companion Guide⁠+ ⁠⁠Video Teachings⁠⁠RESOURCES + Mark: The Story of God Bible Commentary + Power in Weakness+ The Drama of Ephesians + Faith Improvised | Podcast hosted by Dr. Gombis + Faith Improved | Blog by Dr. Gombis CONNECT+ Learn more about First Church Williamsport by checking out our ⁠website⁠+ ⁠Watch⁠ our services online every Sunday at 9 AM+ Follow us on social media: ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠TikTok⁠

In this Bible Story, Jesus accepts a sinful and broken woman who has been scorned by the world, and He rebukes the pharisees for their judgement. This story is inspired by Luke 7:36-50. Go to BibleinaYear.com  and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Luke 7:43 from the King James Version.Episode 186: Jesus was sitting among the Pharisees at a feast when a woman of questionable repute came in. She wept at His feet and anointed Him with precious perfume. She knew she needed the healing and wholeness that He could bring. When one of the Pharisees, Simon, began to question Jesus for allowing this, Jesus called him out and revealed the condition of their hearts.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reading Luke 19:45 to 20:8 where Jesus cleanses the temple, and when His authority is challenged, He responds to the Pharisees with a question their sin won't let them answer. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

In this powerful episode, Michael McIntyre shared his heart on the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, emphasizing that this wasn't just another political tragedy—it's spiritual warfare. As Michael explained, Kirk was targeted because he was effectively reaching millions of young people with the gospel and exposing the lies being spread on college campuses. While acknowledging that Charlie could be forceful in his approach, Michael reminded us that Jesus also confronted the Pharisees with boldness. This is our Martin Luther King Jr. moment—a watershed moment for Christianity where we must choose to stand firm or retreat in fear. Michael's challenge to the church was clear: too many pastors are staying silent when they should be honoring those who boldly proclaim truth. His call to action for all of us is to show up big, be bold in Christ, and remember that fear is not from God. The episode closed with an important reminder that if you're a man listening, you have a responsibility to teach other young men how to walk in godly masculinity with both strength and gentleness. Remember, the Next Level Experience is coming October 3rd-5th in Dallas and November 7th-9th in Tacoma—this is for people whose lives are working and who are ready to step into their next level of impact. https://www.mcintyre.institute/nle-dallas-texas https://www.mcintyre.institute/nle-pnw-tacoma  

Peter Thiel of Palantir is hosting a lecture series on the Antichrist in San Francisco between September 15 and October 6, 2025. Entirely secretive, the talk is put on by Acts 17 Collective, referring to the Biblical book of Acts wherein we read about how the divine being is not like material things (gold and silver) but instead something far more valuable. Is this ironic or intentional? Many see this as the fulfillment of prophecy, but perhaps it is the fulfilling of pop-culture prophecy instead. Perhaps technocrats are playing and preying on 4 billion Christians and Muslims to run a scenario designed to strip away faith in the divine and parlay it into technology. A satirizing of eschatology? The tech-bros believe that God messed up and man can fix it by replacing organic creation with synthetics. Everlasting life can be achieved through gold and silver (material means) which will extinguish the real spiritual nature of mankind - the true gold that is ‘Christ' consciousness - and replace it with antichrist consciousness. In the process, vampires like Thiel will feed on your corpse. True eternal life begins with recognizing death and choosing to make the world a better place anyways rather than becoming a nihilist. It is the choice of Christ consciousness and of faith in what lies beyond. One often overlooked detail of the technocracy is the apparent obsession with homosexuality, transgenderism, and Judaism. Consider the gay technocrats of Thiel, Yuval Harari, Sam Altman, and the debated sexuality of Alex Karp. All but Thiel are also Jewish, as is Larry Ellison and Curtis Yarvin, the man giving JD Vance many of his philosophical ideas. In fact, Thiel and Yarvin created Vance and influence him through their Dark Enlightenment philosophy, which wants to replace governments with a techno-monarchy equivalent to the Christian concept of a NWO. Are their Homosexual practices recycling sexual energy to create synthetic life? Homosexuality is also a rejection of God's creation, which is why so many Jews embrace not just homosexuality but the entirety of LGBTQ. People like Sam Altman have placed the hexagram into his ChatGPT logo while he has unveiled an ORB device that is a machine which confirms your humanity. We need only recall Matthew 26 where the high priest Pharisees accuse Jesus of being the Son of God to which Jesus rejects such a notion and lectures them on the end of their monopoly over salvation. The tech-bros are the modern pharisees and they not only reject Christ, but intend to convince his followers to fight a Holy War, and then offer salvation from the destruction with their vampiric machines. Alex Karp has promised a 3-front war is coming and Larry Ellison did say that most of the advanced AI technology was coming from Herzliya Israel, not Silicon Valley, which would make it a brother to transgenderism which finds its home in Tel Aviv. If all of this is slightly more true then it means Israel is the beast and the Balfour Declaration of 1917 was the dragon giving power unto the same. This is probably why the Trump administration has given military roles to the tech-bros and held high-profile dinners for Silicon Valley technocrats who he is himself a slave too. Hence the cutting of his right ear as a result of an assassination attempt, which Biblically speaks to the servant of the high priest, which in the Church of Satan is MAGA.*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.FREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVEX / TWITTER FACEBOOKWEBSITEBuyMe-CoffeePaypal: rdgable1991@gmail.comCashApp: $rdgable EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / TSTRadio@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

Send us a textActs 26:4-11My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.Support the show

This week we look at how Jesus called Israel to repentance, and how his approach differed from that of the Pharisees. 

In Week 2 of our Get Well Soon series Pastor Aaron McRae teaches from Mark 3:1–6, showing how Jesus heals a man with a withered hand and reveals that true transformation begins in the heart. Discover how to surrender control, receive healing, and live with the compassion of Christ.Jesus responds to conflict—not by retreating or lashing out, but with compassion and courage. In Mark 3, we see Jesus heal a man with a withered hand in front of critics who were ready to trap Him. While the Pharisees' hearts grew harder, Jesus revealed that God's heart is always tender toward those who are hurting.This message reminds us that our greatest brokenness is not just in our circumstances but in our hearts, and Jesus is the only one who can restore us. Whether you identify with the man in need, the critical Pharisees, or the onlooking disciples, this teaching invites you to stretch out your hands to Jesus—surrendering control, receiving His healing, and lifting them in praise.Key ScripturesMark 3:1–6 – Jesus heals on the SabbathJohn 9 – Jesus redefines suffering and God's gloryExodus 31:12–14 – Sabbath law and life1 John 2:1–2 – Jesus as our AdvocatePsalm 103:13 – God's compassion as a FatherJames 4:8–10 – Purify your hearts, humble yourselvesPsalm 63:3–4 – Lift up your hands in praiseKey Resources & QuotesJohn Ortberg, Steps — “The Fellowship of the Withered Hand...”Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly — on Jesus' righteous anger and tender compassionReflections on spiritual formation and the danger of hardening heartsFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

In this Bible Story, Jesus calls the twelve disciples. They are not chosen because of their skills or accomplishments, wisdom or prowess. Jesus chooses a ragtag group of misfits and outcasts. Through them, the kingdom of God spreads across the entire world. This story is inspired by Matthew 10:1-4, 16, 28-32, 37-39; Matthew 12:9-15; Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:6-16. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 10:1 from the King James Version.Episode 184: As another Sabbath approached, Jesus went into the synagogue to worship. As He entered He saw a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees were eager to catch Him in a trap on the Sabbath, but Jesus knew this and would not be stopped from doing good to a man in need. After this, Jesus and His followers went over to a mountain where He spoke words of encouragement to them and chose twelve of them to become His disciples. These twelve men would follow Him everywhere and learn what it truly meant to live a life that is honorable to God.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.