Kings & Prophets: From Solomon to Jeremiah - Week 7
Awake Us Now
Pastor opens with Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Our class starts and ends with the story of the kings of Judah. But in between Asa’s 40 year reign as a king of Judah and his son, Jehoshaphat’s 22 year reign, we see the turmoil and chaos that is transpiring in Israel the northern kingdom. Major events of Asa’s Reign: ⁃ Zera the Cushite attacks (2 Chr. 14:8-15) ⁃ Azariah and Covenant Renewal (2 Chr. 15:1-19) ⁃ ...
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The Living One - Week 11: Cut to the Heart
Awake Us Now
In the last several decades, there has been a pendulum swing. No longer are the majority of Christian, non-Christian, agnostic and atheist theologians and historians viewing the story of Jesus as Biblical theology that was developed gradually over time. Most are now in agreement on 7 key points regarding Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. No longer do they see Jesus’ story as an evolving story. Instead, their attitudes have been transformed by recent historical, archeological and linguistic evidence. The question is: Will you allow the evidence to transform your attitude as well?
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The Living One - Week 10: The Outpouring
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Pentecost is a Jewish holiday (Shavuot, or Feat of Weeks), thanking God for His provision; a festival that gives us understanding of the Bible and also for God’s will and purpose for each of us in our walk with Him. The verses Pastor explores today are a fascinating section of Scripture that hold a mystery around the word "house." Was the place of the first Pentecost in a house, like maybe the Upper Room? Or was it referring to The Temple, the Holy House, the House above all other houses? And why does that make a difference?
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The Living One - Week 9: This Same Jesus
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In the Scripture for this message, Acts 1:9-11, we read that a cloud came down and covered Jesus as He ascended. What is it that’s so important to know about the “cloud” that came and covered Jesus? Did you know that Jesus promises to return the same way as He ascended -- on a cloud! A fascinating study on a very fascinating and unique topic! Other text references: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 14:14, Titus 2:11-13.
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The Living One - Week 8: Key Words
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The story of Jesus is not mere religion! It is life-changing, real and true, and so our lives can never be the same. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that is essential for the Christian life. Jesus will return and the season of His return is NOW. Today’s teaching explores some of Jesus’ last words before he was taken to heaven. These key words: proof, kingdom, Spirit, witness and restoration are words for us today!
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The Living One - Week 7: Opened Minds
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Scriptures for this message: Luke 24:13-48. Are you familiar with the Bible’s salvation story? Two conversations recorded in the Bible have changed how we understand God not just 2,000 years ago, but today as well. These two dialogues are important for us who are living in a culture full of deception. Join us today as Pastor showss us hope and truth!
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Questions - Week 2: Can You Explain the Trinity?
Awake Us Now
Questions about the Trinity are often asked this way: • Is the word “Trinity” in the Bible? • Do Christians worship three Gods? • Was “Trinity” invented by the Church? • Isn’t the notion of “Trinity” irrational? • Don’t you think this is a minor issue? Pastor digs into the question of the Trinity by starting at the beginning, in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In Hebrew the word for God that is...
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Kings & Prophets: From Solomon to Jeremiah - Week 6
Awake Us Now
This class will focus on Rehoboam the king of Judah, the southern kingdom, and his son Abijah as found in 1 Kings 14-15 and 2 Chronicles 11-13. They reigned 931-910 BC. In 2 Chronicles 12:1-5 we read that 5 years into Rehoboam’s reign that he and his kingdom have abandoned the law of the Lord. Rehoboam rules from Jerusalem and is attacked by the king of Egypt who has a huge army and captures the cities along the way to Jerusalem. Then the prophet Shemaiah comes and tells Rehoboam, “This is what the Lord says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore I now abandon you to Shishak (Egyptian...
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The Living One - Week 6: The Great Shepherd
Awake Us Now
In the last 40 years, scholars have thrown out several centuries of scholarly speculation on the Gospel of John. This book was written by Jesus’ best friend, an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. It testifies to the powerful and encouraging message for people then, and still for us today!
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The Living One - Week 5: Lord and God!
Awake Us Now
When "Doubting Thomas" saw the risen Lord for himself, his skepticism changed to acknowledgement of Jesus as "My Lord and my God." Jesus responded by saying, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” The Holy Spirit still brings faith to those who will hear, even in our skeptical generation. Today’s message invites us to come meet Jesus as we explore the story of the disciple Thomas. He was a brave believer who was willing to die for Jesus, but also one who is most well known as “Doubting Thomas.” Our world is one of...
info_outlinePastor opens with Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
Our class starts and ends with the story of the kings of Judah. But in between Asa’s 40 year reign as a king of Judah and his son, Jehoshaphat’s 22 year reign, we see the turmoil and chaos that is transpiring in Israel the northern kingdom.
Major events of Asa’s Reign:
⁃ Zera the Cushite attacks (2 Chr. 14:8-15)
⁃ Azariah and Covenant Renewal (2 Chr. 15:1-19)
⁃ Treaty with Ben-Hadad of Aram (2 Chr. 16:1-6)
⁃ Hanani the Seer rebukes Asa (2 Chr. 16:7-10)
In 1 Kings 15:16-17 we read about the tension between Baasha, King of Israel and Asa, King of Judah, and how there was war between Asa and Baasha. Baasha fortifies Ramah on the main road to Jerusalem close to the border between to Israel and Judah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering Judah’s territory.
Asa retaliates but instead of calling on God as he has in the past, he calls on a foreign power and gives temple adornments, silver and gold to the King of Aram and asks him to attack Baasha. Ben-Hadad of Aram does attack Israel, the northern kingdom and wins.
Hanani, a prophet comes to Asa following his treaty with Aram and says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” Asa was so angry at the prophet that he put him in prison.
Asa was a good king and had sought to follow the Lord when he first ruled, but in the later years of his reign he did not call on the Lord, instead he relies on himself and others and not God.
The scriptures say, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Asa started out that way, but he did not finish that way. A lesson for us today.
Meanwhile, up north… (in Israel) we read in 1 Kings 15-16. 910-870 BC during the 40 year reign of Asa in Judah, this is how it was going in Israel.
Jeroboam’s son Nadab is on the throne and he did evil in the eyes of the Lord following the ways of his father Jeroboam. Nadab rules for only 2 years. Baasha kills Nadab and rules Israel for 24 years. Baasha battles Israel because of King Asa of Judah’s request. Baasha defeats Israel and kills off all of Jeroboam’s family, ending the rule of Jeroboam’s family and fulfilling the prophetic word given to Jeroboam. Ahijah’s prophetic word had said that Jeroboam was to follow God, and if he did his family would continue to reign but if he did not it would end.
We begin to see that when a nation abandons God it invites disaster. The kingdom of Israel is in chaos. We can see it in the list of rulers of Israel over the next years:
Nadab - 2 years (son of Jeroboam)
Baasha - 24 years (kills Nadab and Jeroboam’s family)
Elah - 2 years (son of Baasha killed by Zimri)
Zimri - 7 days (killed by Baasha’s family)
Omri - 12 years (build new capital: Samaria)
Ahab - 22 years (Omri’s son - he was the worst king of all. Marries Jezebel and establishes Baal worship) 1 Kings 16-22.
God’s anger is aroused with this succession of evil kings of Israel….
…But in the southern kingdom of Judah, Jehoshaphat is king. 1 chronicles 17 870-848 BC - he was a man who sought the Lord his God. Jehoshaphat was the son of Asa. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of David instead of the practices that we see goin on in Israel.
Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor. He removed asheriah poles, he sent teachers out to the people of Judah to teach them about the law in the Torah and revival breaks out.
Join us next week as we meet Elijah!
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