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.
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 5
Awake Us Now
Week 5 of our Matthew study digs into chapter 4 on the Temptation of Jesus, His three temptations and the reality of an unseen spiritual world.
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Questions - Week 23: How Are Minds Opened Today?
Awake Us Now
This message focuses on the question: “How are minds opened today?”, which is part of our ongoing series: “What’s the answer?” Pastor explores how people’s lives are changed and what changes their attitudes about God, about Jesus, the resurrection, and about the power of God’s Word. Pastor takes us through Luke 24:36-47, an encounter with Jesus that His disciples have with Him after His resurrection. Jesus tells them: “This is what I told you while I was still with you; Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets...
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Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (1) - Daniel's God
Awake Us Now
The Book of Daniel is the story of the collision of two kingdoms, a spiritual war that is still being fought in the heavens and on the earth. In the end, the Kingdom of God wins!
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 4
Awake Us Now
Week 4 of our Matthew study is all about John the Baptist and his message of repentance, a message that can be difficult for the religious to accept.
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 3
Awake Us Now
In our study of Matthew this week we look at chapters 2 and 3, with an emphasis on deliverance through Jesus the Messiah and the fulfillment of the New Covenant through Him as well.
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The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 2
Awake Us Now
This week our study of Matthew takes us into chapter 2 and the story of Jesus’ birth focusing on the Magi, their interaction with Herod, and their interesting gifts to Jesus.
info_outlineToday’s question, “How should I read the Bible?” is often asked by new believers, church going people who’ve never read the Bible and those questioning what they’ve heard about the Bible. It is often stated this way:
⁃ Which is the best Bible translation?
⁃ Where should I start as I begin reading?
⁃ What schedule should I follow?
⁃ Where can I find extra help and resources?
And the often not asked question, but should be asked:
⁃ What are the essential things to remember?
The Bible is the Word of God and is self authenticating, speaking to every generation. There are difficult parts and very clear parts. The Scriptures speak the Truth from God, and they are practical and very beneficial.
Which translation?
There is no perfect translation. Each translation works to capture what was originally written down to convey it’s original meaning without translating word for word.
1. New International Version (NIV) - seeks to follow a literal translation
2. English Standard Version (ESV) - emphasizes word for word translation
3. King James Version (KJV) - a favorite for centuries - a language different than today’s modern day language, and is easily memorized
4. New Living Translation (NLT) - seeks to convey the thoughts of Scripture versus a word for word translation - more easily understood
5. New King James Version (NKJV) - attempts to keep the text and rhythm of the King James Version but in more modern language
Pastor shares an example of each translation using Matthew 5:17.
Where to start?
1. Start with one of the Gospels (1 of the first 4 books of the New Testament) where we meet Jesus. Listen to what He says.
2. Matthew - written from a Hebrew perspective - Prophesied Messiah.
3. Mark - shortest of the 4 - speaks in dramatic terms and talks about the active Son of God - Mark offers lots of details.
4. Luke (and Acts) - Jesus as the Savior of the Nations - Luke has a heart for the desperate.
5. John - an insiders view of Jesus’ ministry and teaching and covers what’s not covered in the other gospels. John’s focus is the Deity of Jesus Christ.
What Schedule?
1. Find a time that works for you
2. Consider your season of life - and don’t let the enemy trip you up or discourage you
3. A place to meet with God - it is beneficial to have a place to sit down and reflect on what God is saying in His Word.
4. Read a section of Scripture - important to listen to God as He speaks to us in sections: chapter, book.
5. Select a plan that will work:
• Chapter a day, one book at a time
• Gospel chapter and a Psalm every day
• Bible in a year - 3+ chapters a day
• Foundational books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke, Acts, John, Romans, Ephesians
• Read a section of scripture out loud
• Listen to the Bible with various platforms
Where to find help?
1. Use a study Bible - each of the suggested Bible translations mentioned at the beginning have a study Bible available.
2. BibleGateway.com a great place to go to take a look at the Bible in a multitude of translations and also a great way to listen to the Bible - completely free.
3. AwakeUsNow.com we have everything available free of charge: Sunday services, Tuesday Bible class, Bible in a Year, TV and radio and podcasts.
What are the Essentials?
⁃ Purpose - Read the Scriptures with the purpose of allowing God’s word to be transformative in your life, for the purpose of wanting to encounter the Lord Jesus, the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.
⁃ Approach the Scriptures with Prayer - talk to the Author, ask Him what He wants to say to you. Look at your time in God’s Word not as a class assignment but a time to draw close and closer to Him.
⁃ Ponder what you are reading, think on what you are hearing God say to you in His Word.
⁃ Practice what you read and learn from the stories you read.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God desires that we know Him, that we experience His goodness and forgiveness in Christ, that we experience the power of His Holy Spirit and that we be used by Him to be a blessing to others. He desires we share the news of the only One who can save. Jesus, our crucified, risen Lord who is coming back and coming soon. May we encounter Him daily in His Word.
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