Awake Us Now
A difficult and challenging message, this week we address the reality of hell. Hell is not a topic of regular conversation, yet the reality of hell is true. Therefore, it is essential we understand the consequences of our beliefs, our actions, and our behaviors, and that we understand what the future holds. The Bible teaches we have only two destinies: With God (heaven) - or - Apart from Him (hell). Which destiny are we living for?
info_outlineAwake Us Now
The Gospel of John Week 26 Scripture: John 20:19 - 21:25. Today’s study will conclude our two year study of the Gospels with a dramatic and amazing ending. We begin with John 20:19, it is the first day of the week (Sunday) and the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing among them saying “Peace be with you.” This is a phrase in English that sounds so common, like “have a good day.” But in Hebrew it carries much more meaning. Shalom (peace) more than just an absence of conflict or warfare, it refers to all creation - it...
info_outlineAwake Us Now
Merry Christmas!
info_outlineAwake Us Now
Merry Christmas!
info_outlineAwake Us Now
Merry Christmas!
info_outlineAwake Us Now
This is the final week in our study of 400 years of Kings and Prophets from Solomon to Jeremiah. King Josiah • Young King seeks God • Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem • Book of the Law discovered • Reform beyond Judah • Passover observance - King Josiah gives an order to all people to observe God's Passover. This had not been celebrated according to what was written, not even in the days of the judges, nor in the days of any of the kings of...
info_outlineAwake Us Now
Merry Christmas!
info_outlineAwake Us Now
Merry Christmas!
info_outlineAwake Us Now
The message starts with Matthew 1:18 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” Pastor explores today’s question: “What about the Virgin Birth?” by tackling these 5 questions: ⁃ Is the “Virgin Birth” really that important? ⁃ Why do only Matthew and Luke mention it? ⁃ Couldn’t this have been a later development? ⁃ ...
info_outlineAwake Us Now
Are we recognizing the “signs of the times,” which include things from past, present and future? Pastor Dodge explores three specific and important signs that are apparent, visible and happening today! They remind us that as believers, we need to recognize the “signs of the times” and to be awake (i.e. ready for Christ’s return)!
info_outlineThe Gospel of John Week 19
Scripture: John 14:6 - 31.
As we continue with more of the evening of Jesus’ last day with His disciples, we see Him sharing important teachings with them.
⁃ that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life
⁃ that He is the only way to the Father
⁃ the promise of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate
⁃ that He’s going way for a wile but will come back
⁃ that they are not to be troubled
⁃ that they are not to be afraid
⁃ that He is sharing all of this so that when it happens they will believe.
In John 14:26 Jesus tells them, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Pastor shares that the Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it.” The Holy Spirit is a living being - not a force - and that the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of believers.
Jesus then tells them, in verse 27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Pastor shares a personal testimony about the Holy Spirit teaching him the meaning of, “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid, means don’t even imagine the things that cause you fear!
The One saying this is the One who loved us enough to die for us, He’s the One who endured hell on the cross for our sins and He’s the One saying, “don’t sweat this!” Can you imagine how much that meant to the disciples that night, but also in the days, months and years afterwards as they came to understand Jesus was risen, ascended, coming back and had given them a mission to carry out.
Jesus is still telling us these same words today, we do not have to live in fear - we are to walk in His peace.
In verses 30 - 31 Jesus says, “I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” The prince of the world is the devil, but Jesus is telling them that the devil has no hold over Him!
Soon they will see Jesus arrested, beaten, crucified and put in a grave. They will be devastated, but Jesus is telling them in advance that HE is in control - not the devil - Jesus says the enemy has NO hold on Him.
He tells them He only does what the Father tells Him (and so He will go to the cross) and Jesus tells them, “My peace I give you, fear not!” for the devil has NO control over me!
1 Corinthians 2:8 says, “None of the rulers of this age understood it (God’s wisdom/God’s plan for salvation), for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Even when it looks like the devil has won - God triumphs!
God flips what looks like disaster and turn it into salvation!
Today the battle goes on, BUT THE WAR IS WON!!!
Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper
Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01
⁃ The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.
⁃ The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most “Gentile/Greek” of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before.
Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!