Dig Deeper - Week 12: What Did They See?
Awake Us Now
Dig Deeper - Week 12 - What did they see? Today we take a look at what John and Peter saw when the got to Jesus’ grave. John 20:3-7 ESV tells us, “So Peter went out with the other disciples, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen...
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 11
Awake Us Now
Matthew’s writings continue to show and tell us who Jesus. This week we see Jesus as the Rock, the firm foundation. We finish exploring the Sermon on the Mount and begin working through Chapter 8, where we see Jesus has authority!
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 10
Awake Us Now
In this section of Scripture, Jesus addresses common issues that all of us deal with.
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Questions - Week 24: Is the Shroud of Turin Genuine?
Awake Us Now
The Shroud of Turin is a relic housed in the cathedral in Turin Italy and claimed to be the burial cloth of Christ. The Gospels give us some details: Matthew 27:59-60 ESV “And Joseph (of Arimathea) took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.” Mark 15:46 ESV “And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking Him (Jesus) down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone...
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Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (2) - Mixed, Not Melted
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God calls His people not to blend in to society, but to stand out, to reflect the mercy and goodness of God, so that He may be exalted through all the nations!
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 9
Awake Us Now
Prayer is an amazing gift from God! We have His plea to talk with Him. Genuine prayer; not showy prayer, but rather simply experiencing the presence of our Living God, the Father. Other topics covered are Jesus’ teaching on fasting and possessions. Based on Matthew 6:5-24.
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 8
Awake Us Now
Pastor points out the Old Testament’s words, “Thus says the LORD,” and compares them to the words of Jesus in the New Testament that say, “But I tell you.” What does this tell us about who Jesus is? Pastor explores the “But I tell yous” as found in Matthew chapter 5 and we learn what Jesus calls us to. That call is to a changed heart, which can only happen when we come to faith in Jesus. God’s call is personal! He wants to change each one of us by the shed blood of Jesus, the Son of God.
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 7
Awake Us Now
In Week 7, we hear more of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus calls us salt and light. What does He mean when He uses these words to describe how we are to be? As historians have looked at world history, more and more of them are coming to the realization Christianity changed everything. Jesus has had a greater impact on the human condition than anyone in all of history. What Jesus produces in people, changes them!
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Dig Deeper - Week 11: Two Pictures of the Messiah
Awake Us Now
We will look at the two pictures of the Messiah found in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). 2 Pictures of Messiah Reigning King Humble Substitute This double picture is what led some of the great Hebrew rabbis to suggest there might be two Messiahs that would come at different times and in different manners. And that then became the dominant tradition: Messiah will raise the dead Messiah will be victorious Messiah will reign in Jerusalem Messiah will bring peace If we look at the New Testament the early followers of Jesus believed this same thing about the Messiah....
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 6
Awake Us Now
We finish Matthew 4 on following Jesus, and begin the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 that opens with the Beatitudes.
info_outlineAs pastor takes a look at the word “Christian,” its definition, what it means for us and for the world today, we will see a blueprint God has laid out for believers not just in Antioch long ago but also for us today!
The word “Christian” came about from non-believers in the city of Antioch. As persecution caused the Jewish believers in Jerusalem to seek other cities in which to live, many chose to move to Antioch. It was a welcoming city without persecution and the message of Jesus exploded. It was then that Barnabus was sent to encourage these new believers.
Barnabus, led by the Holy Spirit, taught these new believers to HOLD FAST to...
1. God’s grace - Barnabus shared the truth of what Jesus did on the cross. In our crazy world it’s important for us to hold fast to God’s grace too, and not allow the enemy to confuse us.
2. Solid instruction - Barnabus and Paul worked to impress the truths of the God onto the hearts of believers, instructing them on how to apply God’s truths in their lives and in their hearts. They encouraged them to continue to mature in their faith and to live God-pleasing lives. In our culture, applying God’s truths is becoming increasingly confused and corrupt, so it is vital that believers today understand what God desires and what He says, not what is culturally acceptable. Solid instruction and time in the Bible are key.
3. Christian = Disciple - It was here in Antioch that the word “Christian” was first used. It was used by non believers to describe those who wouldn’t stop talking about Jesus. The literal translation is “Christ-ers.” Christian only appears 3 times in the Bible but Disciple, Jesus’ favorite word for His followers, is mentioned over 200 times in the New Testament. “Followers of The Way (Jesus)” were referred to as Christians - Disciples. Being Jesus’ disciple is what God still desires today. He does not want people to simply believe He exists - He wants individuals who willingly follow Him, know the Father, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, walk faithfully, and to seek to demonstrate what Jesus taught.
4. Prophetic gifts - God also desires that we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of strengthening and encouraging and comforting others. God desires that we earnestly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to carry out the His work.
5. Holy Spirit - The Spirit of God gives insight to what the Lord desires - and the Holy Spirit helps us follow where God leads.
What started in Jerusalem with Jews coming to know Jesus as their Messiah, spread to Antioch when persecution moved the “Followers of the Way” to this city. From there, Antioch became the hub of evangelism to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. These believers relied on the Spirit of God and we too are to rely on the Holy Sprit, like them, to bring us:
Understanding
Conviction
Comfort
Guidance
Insight
Direction
And to lead us to faith to win the world for Christ.
The Hold Fast Antioch blueprint of Barnabus and Paul is still the blueprint God desires for us to use today. He says for us to Hold Fast to these truths:
That we live in the Grace found at the cross.
That we soak up solid instruction so that we might be filled with an understanding of God’s will and His word.
That as Disciples we talk about Jesus all the time and live for Jesus and follow Jesus.
That we seek God’s prophetic gifts so that we are able to share what God is revealing to the world.
That we keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 and Acts 13:1-3
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