Archive for the ‘God’ Category
The Risen King On The Emmaus Road
Audio – Part 1a: 33 min
Audio – Part 1b: 33 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Luke 24:13-35
After His resurrection, King Jesus joined two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. By listening in on their conversation, we learn that the risen King draws near to His people in times of sorrow and confusion. We also see how all of Scripture is a testimony to Jesus Christ, who reveals Himself to those who trust Him. As witnesses to the risen King, we proclaim the Bible’s grand story, which culminates in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Theological Theme:
All Scripture is a testimony to Jesus Christ.
Christ Connection:
On the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus explained how the Old Testament Scriptures pointed forward to His suffering and glory. Like the disciples, we read the whole Bible in light of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, focusing our attention on the gospel that lies at the heart of the Father’s written Word to us.
“The Bible unveils Jesus Christ as the focal point of human history. All creation exists by Him, through Him, to Him, and for Him. Our Bible study should exist for Him too.” – Trevin Wax
Missional Application:
God calls us to read and interpret the Scriptures in light of Christ’s life, death and resurrection.
“In the church…the story of creation must be read in a way that begins with Christ and only then moves on toward him as its goal; indeed one can read it as a book that moves on toward Christ only when one knows that Christ is the beginning, the new, the end of our whole world.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
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Jesus Is Risen! So Go…To Fellow Believers (Church!)
Audio – Part 1a: 33 min
Audio – Part 1b: 33 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28
This Good News series is about Jesus’ Believers and Disciples “GO”ing in Active Participation with Him, Wherever He Says to “Go!…”
Theological Theme:
As Christians called to Christ and in Union with him, Jesus sends the Spirit so that we can be transformed and begin to Organize and Execute our Lives Around the Father with him and his priorities! We no longer seek to live only for ourselves. Believers have died to selfishness and self-centeredness in Jesus and now we live unto the Father and for others by God’s Grace! The Father’s people are our people, especially those of the household of faith!
Christ Connection:
Immediately following his Resurrection, Jesus began to meet with his disciples, directing them to “Go” in the Spirit. In this message his disciples are encouraged to go to their fellow disciples, encouraging and equipping them to worship together and witness about him to others in his shared faith, hope and love!
Missional Application:
God the Father calls us to embrace a life of participation with His Son, our Savior and Lord, and in his life of fellowship and communion, whose mission was only to seek and to do what his Father was doing, in the Spirit.
Photo Compliments: faithpro.org
Jesus Christ Transforms Our Fallen Expectations!
Audio – Part 1a: 34 min
Audio – Part 1b: 34 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 21:1-21
Matthew 21 contains three scenes that occurred on the day Jesus entered Jerusalem during the week prior to His crucifixion. Jesus’ entry into the city was welcomed with great fanfare, even though He approached in humility while sitting on a donkey. He cleansed the temple of those there to take advantage of the worshipers. And as the true Son of David, He permitted and welcomed the praise of children. In these events, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament expectations and longings for the Messiah, who would redeem His people, restore true worship, and receive all praise.
Theological Theme:
Jesus is the Messiah who cleanses the temple and welcomes the unworthy into God’s presence.
Christ Connection:
By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah. Through His actions in the temple, Jesus conveyed His judgment toward those who would misuse God’s house for exclusionary and greedy purposes. For the sins of His people, Jesus offered His own body as a temple to be destroyed and then raised again.
“Only the redeeming, all-powerful, transforming grace of God can raise our sin-besotted heart from the dead, give us eternal life, and set our gaze on Jesus, our blessed hope.” –Gloria Furman
Missional Application:
God calls us to put away hypocritical and hollow worship and to exalt Jesus as Savior of the world.
“Let his coming in the name of the Lord be mentioned with strong affections, to our comfort, and joyful acclamations, to his glory. Well may we say, Blessed is he; for it is in him that we are blessed. Well may we follow him with our blessings, who meets us with his.” – Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
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Are You Becoming More Like Mary or Judas?
Audio – Part 1a: 36 min
Audio – Part 1b: 36 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 26:6-16
The account of Jesus’ anointing at Bethany contrasts the generosity of a woman and the greed of Judas. In their respective responses to Jesus, we see the importance of giving Him priority and honor over everything in our lives. The distinction between these two people serves as an opportunity for us to consider our own hearts in light of the opportunity we have to express our devotion through visible acts of worship.
Theological Theme:
Our heart’s condition is revealed either by our giving or by our greed.
Christ Connection:
Pouring expensive oil on Jesus was not a waste but an act of worship. By allowing Mary to anoint Him, Jesus showed that He is more valuable than anything. This act of devotion foreshadowed Jesus’ death and burial.
“Matthew’s unnamed woman is Jesus’ invitation to all women, and men and children, to come to the table of Christian koinonia… There is no hierarchy of holiness upon entrance, and there is no pedigree and no degree requirement for entrance. The only prerequisite is faith in Jesus. All who have faith in Jesus can come for a meal.” 4 –Sean Douglas O’Donnell
Missional Application:
God calls us to treasure Christ above all wealth and to express our devotion through visible acts of worship.
“Jesus’s teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day…That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did.” –Timothy Keller
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