Awake Us Now

Awake Us Now is an online ministry sharing the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ, His Son. We have modeled our ministry after the early Acts Church and meet together in home groups. Using live broadcast and on demand video, we worship together each Sunday as one voice of praise and prayer across America. Through pertinent and vibrant teaching, we grow in faith and are encouraged to live each day in the power of the Holy Spirit that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our ministry has a heart to see revival breakout across America and we look forward to Christ's return.

Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (3) - God Reveals 05/12/2025

Forty Plus Ten - Week 1: Peace! 05/11/2025

Forty Plus Ten - Week 1: Peace! Scripture: Acts 1:3, Luke 24:36-47, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7. What does the sermon series "Forty Pus Ten" mean? There were forty days from Jesus’ resurrection to His ascension. Pastor will focus on the convincing proofs of Jesus resurrection demonstrated in what Jesus’ final words and actions during the forty days and will show us how they still speak to our lives today. There were ten days from Jesus’ ascension to the Day of Pentecost. Pastor will focus on what happened on Pentecost and what that means for our Christian walk and daily lives. Jesus lives! This is the most important event of the planet since creation! Join us and see why! Our study for today is on the evening of Jesus’ resurrection. They are experiencing fear, confusion and uncertainty. They’ve heard some of the stories going around that Jesus was alive and risen from the grave but just days earlier they had seen Him arrested, crucified, put to death and placed in a tomb. They were not expecting a resurrection! On Resurrection Sunday morning the tomb had been found empty. As they gathered together in fear in a locked room, there was also confusion. They had heard the reports of people seeing and talking to Jesus. There was uncertainty - how could this be true? And then, “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.’” Luke 24:36 How is this story relevant for us today? All of us has encountered fear and Jesus speaks to us, just as He spoke to His followers that day: “Peace” Shalom. He spoke into their fears, confusion and uncertainties and He speaks Peace to each of us into our lives to our fear, confusions and uncertainties. Jesus goes on and says why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds and then He shows them His hands and feet. In effect saying that it really is Him! He tells them to touch Him and then He eats food - He’s in the flesh, He is alive. He goes on to tell them how all that is written about Him in the Old Testament must be fulfilled and as He continues it begins to become clear to their minds - Jesus opens their mind explaining the what the Scripture declared all along has been about Him. Then He goes on to say what’s ahead, “He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46-47 What this means for us today - because Jesus is alive it changes everything and it changes each one of us! It changes: ⁃ How we look at life ⁃ The way we handle difficulties, fears, uncertainty, doubts and troubles ⁃ The way we look at the future ⁃ What matters in life It gives us: ⁃ A reason for living ⁃ True living - forever! Application ⁃ The call is personal to encounter Jesus Christ. To encounter Him and His Peace ⁃ We are called to heed the scriptures and to listen to them. As we listen - He comes into our hearts ⁃ We are called to experience a new mind - the Holy Spirit changes us from within. Jesus is ALIVE! His resurrection is not only the most significant event in the history of the world, it is the most important thing in each of our lives. No matter what we are going through - the fact that He is alive and that we by faith receive what He offers: forgiveness, hope, assurance and life forever —- that changes everything! Pastor closes with the words from the chorus of a song from Bill and Gloria Gaither. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,  Because He lives, all fear is gone;  Because I know He holds the future,  And life is worth the living,  Just because He lives! Life is worth living, just because He lives!!! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/36518025

Rescued by Truth: Week 19 05/10/2025

Two Year Gospel Study Week 71 05/09/2025

Two Year Gospel Study Week 71 2 Year Gospel Study - week 71 (Friday, 05-09-25) Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 13 Scripture: John 16:1-33, John 17:1-2. In today’s teaching we continue with Jesus and His disciples having finished the Last Supper, Judas has left and Jesus and the 11 are walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane. God’s call is to radical faith - the kind that allows us to stand strong against the enemy - Jesus shares that they hated Him, they will hate them, they persecuted Him, they will also persecute them. Yet, Jesus assures the disciples by telling of the coming of the Advocate - Holy Spirit - who will testify about Jesus and will bring power and strength and truth. This persecution comes but Jesus doesn’t want us to live in fear, but rather to trust and depend on Him. Jesus shares that He must leave, remove His physical presence from the world so that the Father can send the Advocate - Holy Spirit - who will be with us. And no matter what we face the Holy Spirit is with us and lives in us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, convicts us of righteousness (right relationship with God offered through faith in Jesus who is our only hope because we are sinners). Having the Holy Spirit draws us to righteous living through His power. The Holy Spirit also convicts about judgement because Jesus is the Victor through His death and He shows that the judgement of the Holy God has been carried by the Son of God. The measure of God’s love is that: He doesn’t give us what we deserve, He gives us Himself. He doesn’t give us what we’ve earned, He gives us what Jesus has earned. He doesn’t give us what we’ve achieved, He gives us what Jesus achieved - and that is resurrection through faith in Him! Jesus telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit was a prediction that He said before His ascension, but then at Pentecost after His ascension - it is our present reality! We are living in the Era of the Spirit. We are called to: live in the power of the Holy Spirit seek the Holy Spirit listen to the Holy Spirit follow the Holy Spirit rejoice in the Holy Spirit! Pastor shares that the Holy Spirit is not an “it,” but rather a Person. The Holy Spirit is God. A real person and we want to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and live in relationship with God that the Holy Spirit provides - dynamic and radical faith! Jesus goes on to say that they would see Him for a little while and then see Him no more and that after a little while they would see Him again. The disciples are puzzled but in the days ahead this would all be revealed as truth. Their faith would blossom and grow! And just like His disciples, we too can always be growing in faith and in relationship with God. Jesus prophecies that there will be grief and sadness ahead but it ends with Joy - that because He suffers and dies and rises everything changes. We now are able to come to the Father through Jesus and we can ask the Father anything - we are called to be people who are radical - not only radical in our faith but radical in our prayers because God’s will is to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Whatever tribulation we face remember: Jesus has overcome the world Jesus has overcome the adversary Jesus has defeated the devil Jesus has won the final victory And so in Him we have hope and peace. AND the promise of His return. Because of Jesus’ victory - we who are followers of Jesus are overcomers, too, through our faith in Him! 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 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/36109765

Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (2) - Mixed, Not Melted 05/09/2025

Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (1) - Daniel's God 05/08/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (36) - Rock Solid 05/07/2025

Fingerprints of God #3 - The Reliability of Scripture 05/06/2025

Fingerprints of God #3 - The Reliability of Scripture Scripture: Psalm 119:105, Mark 7:6-23, Ezekiel 26, Luke 24. "Can I really trust what the Bible says?" An increasing body of evidence says "Yes," but are we willing to let God's Word impact our lives? We continue to look at ordinary things that are often overlooked but when we have eyes to see - we suddenly recognize the incredible power and presence of God among us. Today, we talk about the Bible and its reliability. ⁃ Can I trust the Bible? Is it trustworthy? True? ⁃ Does this really matter for me today? Does it apply to my life? What God desires is to bring answers to those questions, life changing answers, answers that speak directly into our doubts and questions. Sometimes we don’t want our doubts answered because we are comfortable with them. Are you willing to let His Word (Bible) change that? FIVE EVIDENCES that tell us of the reliability the Word - things readily seen, clearly demonstrated, and that can be carefully researched and checked out - Documentary Evidence How do I know that people didn’t change what was originally written? How do I know the words haven’t been tampered with over the years? Are there ways to examine if the word has been changed over time? In the last 70 years remarkable discoveries for the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures make it very clear how incredibly reliable those ancient words of the Bible have remained. Pastor shares archaeological information of recent discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls that show really remarkable faithfulness of the transmission of these scriptures down through the ages. These scrolls date back to before Jesus. For the New Testament Pastor shares proofs of the New Testament being remarkably well attested as one compares all the diverse copies written down in various centuries preserved over the years. We are able to compare multiple volumes and find they have been faithfully preserved. As well, other ancient writings from even non-Christian historians document the events of Jesus’ life bearing evidence of reliability of the scriptures. ⁃ Archaeological Evidence Discoveries in the last few decades give cause to even the most skeptic of minds to say, “maybe there’s something to this!” Pastor shares several archaeological discoveries of 2005 (David’s palace), 2004 (Pool of Siloam), 2015 (ancient bullah - clay seals with the inscription, “belonging to Hezekiah son of Ahaz, King of Judah.”) and 2018 (another seal inscribed with “belonging to Isaiah the prophet” dating nearly 3000 years ago). These are the very names of people who are described in the Old Testament scriptures and this reminds us that these people as well as the places they inhabited are REAL! The Bible is not made-up stories. It is the true and living account of real people who encountered the real God and whose lives were transformed. These ancient evidences remind us that the Bible is something genuine, sharing the successes, but also not does hesitating to share the failures of its heroes. God is a truth teller. ⁃ Prophetic Evidence These are things recorded for centuries before Jesus came and which were fulfilled decades, centuries and for some millenia later - some in our own day. (See week 2 for more on this) Biblical prophecy is the clear declaration of what is to come, and shows the truthfulness of what the Bible proclaims and has been proven reliable. Pastor shares several prophetic examples. Throughout the Scripture we can see amazing prophetic words that are key, critical and powerful testimonies to an all knowing God! ⁃ Christological Evidence Pastor shares evidence of Jesus - Jesus was more than a “great man” and tremendous teacher. He made it clear that the Hebrew Scriptures point to Him. Pastor sights several examples of Jesus fulfilling what the Old Testament proclaimed. ⁃ Personal Evidence Pastor shares testimonies from people whose lives were dramatically changed through encounters with God’s Word, including his own testimony. God’s Word (Bible) is reliable - allow His Word to speak to your heart. God speaks to us personally through His Living Word. It’s a Word that changes lives. Let Him change yours. It’s a Word that renews the soul. Let Him renew yours. It’s a Word that gives direction, guidance, comfort, assurance and power to those who will hear His voice. Will you see the Scriptures as reliable? WE ALL NEED HIS WORD IN OUR LIVES TODAY! Watch the video from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. We invite you to join us for our Sunday service every Sunday at 9:30am CT (live or on demand) here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/6895716

The Sermon on the Mount (35) - Phoney Faith 05/06/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (34) - False Prophets 05/05/2025

What Are You Waiting For? #2 - Family Matters 05/04/2025

What Are You Waiting For? #2 - Family Matters Scripture: Mark 16:15, Acts 16:11-34. Individuals matter to God, and so do families. In today’s study of God’s Word, we see entire households being baptized into the family of God. God calls us to proclaim the Truth of the Message of Jesus, The Gospel of God. For today’s teaching let’s consider this frequently asked question: Is baptism necessary for salvation? Answer: NO BUT! Is baptism necessary? Answer: YES Baptism IS necessary but the Bible makes it clear it’s not necessary for salvation. Yet, it’s incredibly important. Today’s story is of Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke in Philippi. In this city of retired Roman soldiers, there was evidently no synagogue in town, so on the Sabbath Day Paul and his group went to where people would be gathered. That was at the river outside of town and it was women that were gathered there. Paul’s team shared the gospel with the women and Lydia - a business woman - was there. God opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. After accepting Jesus as her Savior, she and her household (family, servants, employees) were baptized. As the story progresses, Paul and Silas end up being thrown into jail after being flogged. They were held in irons around their ankles and how are they responding to this? It’s midnight and they are trusting God in this time of difficulty, praying and singing while the other prisoners and the jailer were listening. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake causing the prison doors to fly open and the chains to fall off. The jailer woke and when he saw the prison doors were all open he drew his sword and was going to kill himself because he thought all the prisoners had escaped. But instead this jailer’s life was spared in every way imaginable: Paul shouts for him not to hurt himself. The jailer calls for light to be brought in and he sees they are still in their cells and he says “what must I do to be saved?” The jailer sees something in Paul and Silas that he himself is lacking and he wants what they have: JESUS! In Acts 16:31 we read, “And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then the jailer invites them to his house. Paul and Silas share the Gospel Message with him and his family and then the Bible text tells us that “immediately” he and his household were baptized. The jailer now has what Paul and Silas have - JESUS - and the jailer was filled with joy because he and his household came to believe in God. Biblical Basics RE: Baptism ⁃ Baptism is not magic ⁃ Baptism is miraculous ⁃ Baptism is the beginning nt the end ⁃ Baptism is never delayed ⁃ Baptism is never restricted. Baptism changes lives! God wants His Gospel Message to reach households, the people nearest and dearest to us all. God desires all to be saved to come to a knowledge of the truth. He wants all to become followers of Jesus and be baptized into Him. We are important to God, our families are important to God and He wants all to be part of His family, the Family of God because Family Matters! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/14472746

Rescued by Truth: Week 18 05/03/2025

Two Year Gospel Study Week 70 05/02/2025

Two Year Gospel Study Week 70 Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 12 Scripture: Psalm 91,John 14:15-31, John 15, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Acts 14:22,Matthew 10:22, 2 Timothy 3;12, Matthew 5:10-12. Psalm 91 tells us that our God can be trusted. This psalm has words that Jesus depended on and held onto as He headed Up to Jerusalem. He was able to face the trial, trouble and tribulation that came on the road to the cross. Our story today picks up with Jesus saying, “If you love me, keep my commands.” This is not about earning eternal life, it’s about our relationship of love with The One who showed His love for us at the cross. As we love Him we show that in genuine obedience (keep my commands). God’s desire is that we mature in faith and that our very lives reflect Him through our speech and behavior and that we model Christ’s example. Then Jesus shares that He will send an Advocate to help. This Advocate is the One who speaks truth. A counselor, encourager, comforter who will help us and be with us forever - The Holy Spirit. God’s supernatural presence and power in our lives. We are not called to live a life believing that God exists - we are called to live a supernatural life - we are called to live a life utterly dependent on the presence of God the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus assures His disciples and us that we are never alone. Jesus says, “I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (This is relationship). Jesus goes on to tell them the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) is coming and will be with us, and then He encourages them not to worry or be afraid. These words are for us today - He will never abandon us - We can trust Him. Jesus tells them He gives them peace - not the kind of peace the world gives, but His peace. Shalom. Shalom describes a relationship with the Living God where everything is done in harmony with His plan and purpose. It is supernatural peace. And we are encouraged to allow it to overwhelm our hearts and souls. As we continue reading Jesus tells us He is the True Vine, and God the Father is the Gardener. Pastor addresses a concern that most Bible translations may have this line inaccurately translated. Most Bibles say the Gardener “cuts off” branches that bear no fruit. However, let’s explore how a vineyard gardener actually cares for a vine with branches that are bearing no grapes. What he does is he lifts up the branches from the ground and brings them into the sun, lifting them up and securing them in a way they can produce fruit. Pastor believes this is what Jesus is saying here - that this is not a word of law, but instead a word of comfort. Jesus says “every branch IN ME that is not producing fruit, the Father lifts up so that it can produce fruit. Pastor’s argument is this: the Bible translations tell us Jesus says, “the Father cuts off every branch IN ME that bears no fruit .” But then Jesus says if you abide IN ME you will bear much fruit.” Where is continuity in these verses? Let’s take a look at the original Greek. The verse says: “He “airō” every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He “koptō” to make it even more fruitful.” The words used in the original Greek are airō and koptō. airō can mean to cut off but the primary meaning of the word is to be lifted up. koptō means to be cut off (pruned). As we learned earlier those who care for grapevines - tell us that a grapevine only produces fruit when it is lifted up from the ground and lifted into the sun. When we are in Jesus and not producing fruit, the Gardener (the Father) lifts us up, airō us up into the “Son” so that we will produce fruit, we are not cut off but lifted up. And when we are producing fruit the Gardener prunes, koptō us so that we will produce even more fruit. When we remain in Jesus - the Vine - we will bear fruit because the Father - Gardener - lifts us up and prunes us so we produce more fruit. Jesus goes on to talk about: ⁃ True joy ⁃ Loving others ⁃ That He calls us “friend” ⁃ Answered prayer ⁃ Persecution These are the things Jesus shared on the night He was betrayed and arrested because He loved His disciples and He loves us and He wants us connected to Him - abiding in Him and prepared for what is to come. 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 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/36109750

The Sermon on the Mount (33) - The Narrow Road 05/02/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (32) - The Gold Standard 05/01/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (31) - The Promise of A.S.K. 04/30/2025

Fingerprints of God #2 - The Children of Israel 04/29/2025

Fingerprints of God #2 - The Children of Israel Scripture: Isaiah 65:9, Isaiah 46:9-10, Deuteronomy 28:58-67, Deuteronomy 29:22-23, Jeremiah 31:35-37, Isaiah 11:11-12, Luke 21:24, Ezekiel 36:33-35, Luke 13:35, Romans 9:5, Romans 11:12-15. We continue to look at God’s fingerprints that are readily observable but often overlooked, things that testify to God’s goodness, faithfulness, power and promises. The Living God is true, genuine, near and He keeps His word! 2,700 years ago God declared through His prophet Isaiah that he knows how everything turns out in the end. He knows the end from the beginning and he will accomplish everything He has said he will do. “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:9-10 In today’s study we will look at the way those promises of God have been fulfilled through the ages and apply that to our lives, today. Children of Israel: ⁃ Scattered worldwide - Deuteronomy 28:58-64 “If you disobey Me, then I will scatter you.” (Not as punishment but to return you to Me.) Two times this has happened to the Jewish people ⁃ At the Babylonian captivity ⁃ and again in 70AD until 1948. ⁃ Endlessly persecuted - Deuteronomy 28:65-67. No other people in the history of the world have suffered the kind of endless persecution that the Jewish people have endured. ⁃ Land desolated - Deuteronomy 29:22-27. Land of Israel was once a land of milk and honey, vibrant, alive and prosperous and became a desolate wasteland. ⁃ Nation preserved - Jeremiah 31:35-37. God promises He will not forsaken them - they would be preserved ⁃ People regathered - Isaiah 11:11-12. Currently, there are more Jewish people in Israel than in the USA ⁃ Jerusalem reclaimed - Luke 21:24. This took place in 1967. ⁃ Land restored - Ezekiel 36:33-35. Wasteland will become like Eden. Pastor shared how he has witnessed the change in the land over the last decade of his visits there. Desert has begun to bloom, cities are springing up and ancient town are growing. This list - the words of God that were spoken - are things that have taken place just as they were predicted - showing us the Fingerprints of God on history. A darkness of heart came on the Jewish people and as a result the message of Jesus has spread to the gentile world. God is merciful and faithful - even though many Jewish people rejected Messiah when He came. Romans 11:12,15 “Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!” Many Jewish people rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, meant the message of Jesus was spread throughout the non-Jewish world and not billions confess Jesus as Savior and believe in God the Creator who is the God of the prophecies. Their rejection of the Messiah meant riches for the world but when they finally receive Him - Look Up! Because that brings the Resurrection of the dead! That brings Christ’s return! These are exciting times that we live in. There is a massive revival taking place worldwide. Pastor shares exciting stats showing a booming revival! When we look at God’s fingerprints on the pages of history, when we look at the way the prophetic word has been fulfilled in such remarkable ways - it’s difficult to think this is all coincidence. What it is is the fulfillment of everything God has said. And this fulfillment of His words is not just an argument for His existence - this is His plea for us to take Him seriously! And to return to Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. Watch the video from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. We invite you to join us for our Sunday service every Sunday at 9:30am CT (live or on demand) here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/6868704

The Sermon on the Mount (30) - Judgmentalism 04/29/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (29) - Worry 04/28/2025

What Are You Waiting For? #4 - An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit 04/27/2025

What Are You Waiting For? #4 - An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Scripture: Acts 2:14-21, Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:38, Luke 11:13, Acts 2:17. Have you repented? And have you been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and believe on Him? Then the gift of the Holy Spirit is already yours (Acts 2:38). But... have you opened that gift? Pastor will examine what the Scriptures have to say about the Holy Spirit and what that means for our lives today. Our text is Peter’s speech to the crowd on the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit found in Acts 2. Peter shares that what has happened to a group of believers is that they had received the power of the Holy Spirit. This giving of the Holy Spirit came after Jesus ascension and was told in the book of Joel. Peter recounts those words: Acts 2:17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” We are living in “The Age of the Last Days.” Those days are from the coming of the Messiah until His final return. These are the days of God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, being poured out. This is “the age of the Spirit” the Spirit is poured out on all flesh. What does the Holy Spirit Do? He gives the power to Live for God Live a meaningful and significant life in a world that is decaying around us Live confidently What does the Spirit’s power look like? Teaches us Convicts us of sin and our need for a Savior and to turn our lives around Dwells with the people of God, our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit Reveals the things of God Guides us, leads and directs us Gives us gifts Intercedes and prays for us Sanctifies, transforms and renews us, changes our minds, attitudes and behavior to resemble the mind, attitude and behavior of Christ. Why is it that many Christian circles ignore the Holy Spirit? God instructs us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, to follow Him, listen to Him and to be guided by Him. What is it that has prevented so many of God’s people from doing that? THE ANSWER: F E A R What will happen if we start talking about the Holy Spirit What will take place if we begin to explore what the scriptures say about the Holy Spirit How will people respond What will be the result Fear sets in the idea it might cause division F E A R does not produce good theology! F E A R leads to a crippled theology that ignores the reality of the Holy Spirit. It speaks about the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, but so often stops there. BUT THE BIBLE DOES NOT! This is a new age - the age of the Spirit - and so we must act on it by faith. Fear keeps us from going where God wants us to go. IS FEAR KEEPING YOU FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT? The Bible declares we do not need to fear having the Holy Spirit, BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE IT! ACTS 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” When we repent, received Jesus as our Savior and are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So the question is: HAVE YOU OPENED THAT GIFT? A good gift needs to be opened! God is saying “Open the gift and just watch what I will do!” We are not to have half-hearted faith but rather whole-hearted commitment to God who has given us His Spirit! What are you waiting for? OPEN THE GIFT! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/14653943

Rescued by Truth: Week 17 04/26/2025

Two Year Gospel Study Week 69 04/25/2025

Two Year Gospel Study Week 69 Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 11 Scripture Luke 22:31-34, John 13:31-37, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, John 14:1-31, Hebrews 7:25 Up to Jerusalem is a story filled with tragedy and yet a story that is above all, a story of victory and hope and defeat of the devil! Pastor’s teaching on Jesus’ Last Supper continues with a look at 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 which documents the changes Jesus instituted in the Passover meal. As He breaks the 3rd piece of matzah Jesus says, “This is My body given for you.” He’s making it clear that what they have been celebrating for centuries is being fulfilled at that very moment. The fulfillment of the meal that had been celebrated for centuries - was changed because Jesus is the fulfillment - He is the Messiah. Then He takes the cup and says, “This is the New Covenant of My blood, poured out for you.” This is the promised new covenant! There are three primary beliefs regarding the Lord’s Supper: 1. Transubstantiation - bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ 2. Real Presence - in a supernatural way Jesus is present in the bread and wine 3. Symbolic Presence - bread and wine are a symbol of Jesus’ body and blood Doctrine is critical and important, but Jesus makes it very clear on this night that what matters above all else is that we live out the truth of the New Covenant. That truth of the New Covenant is lived out by walking in the footsteps of our Savior’s self sacrifice, in absolute love, and love for our enemies not just our friends and followers of Jesus. Though we may differ in how to interpret the Lord’s Supper and what is received - what needs to bind us together is our common allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and our desire to carry out His will and His purpose. His will and purpose is that we be one in Him - one in Him to win the world back to Him. As we look at what Jesus will suffer this night, we see that He endured so much for us but His suffering resulted in His glorification and this gives our struggles, sufferings and persecutions purpose. We know that because Jesus loves us so much He was willing to endure the cross that ended in victory over the grave - we know He has the power to take our suffering and turn it around for final victory for us as well. We too will triumph! As the meal continues Jesus gives them a new command, “Love one another as I love you.” The depth of God’s love is revealed in the gift of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross - this is love - and we are to love to that depth. Then Jesus tells Peter He is praying for him - and we know Jesus prays for us too. It says in Hebrews 7:25 “He (Jesus) always lives to intercede (pray) for them (those who come to God through Him).” We also know the Holy Spirit prays for us too. Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” What incredible comfort that is - full of strength and encouragement - to know we have the best prayer partners in the universe! As the story continues Jesus tells Peter he will deny Him three times. Pastor shares some interesting information around the meaning of “rooster crows.” Our time together ends with Thomas asking, “How do we know the way to God?” The answer for every person on the planet is found in Jesus’ answer, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Under the blood of Jesus we have EVERYTHING!! Pastor Dodge concludes with encouragement to read John chapters 14-17 as these are the important words of Jesus the evening of His arrest and in these words He shows us what should mean the most to us: love, the Holy Spirit, prayer, trusting God and bearing fruit for Jesus. Jesus encourages us with these words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” All of His words are for us still today! 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 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/36019425

The Sermon on the Mount (28) - Treasures 04/25/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (26) - Deliverance 04/24/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (25) - Temptation 04/23/2025

Fingerprints of God #1 - The Miracle of Life 04/22/2025

Fingerprints of God #1 - The Miracle of Life Scriptures: Acts 17:24-27, John 1:4, John 6:4, 1 Timothy 4:8, Ecclesiastes 3:11. This is a series that takes a look at things that are readily obvious, but whose significance is frequently missed. We’ll look at Fingerprints of God that are truly all over the world today and all over our lives and yet so often in the busyness of the moment we miss those amazing reminders of God’s goodness, of His presence, of his faithfulness and of His great gift of Jesus Christ for each of us. God IS speaking in amazing ways in our generation and in our time! Pastor talks about the miracle of life and the odds that science has placed on life happening, they say it requires at least 150 unique things to make life possible. The research calculates the chance of that “accidentally” happening to be 1 chance to the 50th power - that’s a 1 with 50 zeroes behind it… or impossible…. How life happened cannot be explained, but there is a 1 word, three letter answer - IT’S G-O-D! LIFE IS A MIRACLE! Our culture sees life as just happening, but with a 1 to the 50th power chance that’s saying it’s impossible. Life didn’t just happen, life is created and God is The Creator! Living things like singing birds, our pets, the sky, truly are fingerprints of God. Acts 17:24-27 tells us, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth … He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Fingerprints of God ⁃ Life - everything living ⁃ Us inhaling and exhaling at this moment! ⁃ Raising Jesus from the dead ⁃ Creation ⁃ Salvation John 1:4 tells us, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” Jesus didn’t come to this world to make bad people good, Jesus Christ came to this world to make dead people live. We are spiritually dead and in the Lord Jesus Christ, God offers real life to each of us - it’s life that lasts forever! John 6:40 says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Life itself is a fingerprint of God and we were created to live forever and that forever life is found in Jesus. There is a present life and there is the life to come. In that life to come we will live forever even through we experience physical death. God has left His fingerprint on our hearts and He tells us He has put eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11: “ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” The way we spend our forever life hinges on ONE thing and that is how we receive the gift that God offers. JESUS IS THAT GIFT. God offers life through His Son and that’s a gift and promise we want to accept through faith in the perfect One, Jesus, who’s fingerprints were nailed to the cross, who conquered sin, death and the devil when He rose from the grave, the One who promised to return! LIFE is in Jesus and Life is the FINGERPRINT OF GOD AND HIS LOVE. Watch the video from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. We invite you to join us for our Sunday service every Sunday at 9:30am CT (live or on demand) here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/6847280

The Sermon on the Mount (24) - Forgive! 04/22/2025

The Sermon on the Mount (23) - Daily Bread 04/21/2025

Resurrection Sunday: Nonsense? 04/20/2025

Resurrection Sunday: Nonsense? Scripture: Luke 24:1-11, Mark 15:42-45, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53. Doubts about Jesus’ resurrection? Are you a skeptic? Is it nonsense that can’t be true or if you know a skeptic or one who doubts the resurrection story, everyone is invited to come along with us today as we take a look at the skeptics and doubters in the Bible and explore if they remained skeptics and unbelievers! Pastor explores several examples of doubters regarding Jesus’ resurrection in the New Testament. He shares a list of individuals who did not believe in the resurrection at first. Then Pastor explores Alternative Explanations that have been suggested for what took place that morning: ⁃ Multiple conspiracies ⁃ Women went to the wrong tomb ⁃ “Christ myth” ⁃ Disciples lied But all these alternative explanations fall by the wayside when carefully examined which leads us to the: Evidences ⁃ Empty tomb ⁃ Eyewitnesses ⁃ Prophecies ⁃ Bold martyrs The heart of the story of the resurrection of Jesus is the: Good News ⁃ Consequences of sin = death ⁃ Death is not the end ⁃ God’s gift is Christ ⁃ Saving Faith - in the One who has risen from the grave, is alive and will return Being “good” doesn’t save us Trying hard doesn’t save us It’s not that we’re better than others IT’S PURELY A GIFT FROM GOD! Pastor shares a call to come to Jesus as your Savior. He leads us through a prayer of recommitment to Christ for believers and a prayer of commitment to Christ for first time believers. Happy Resurrection Sunday! He IS risen! He is risen, INDEED! HALLELUJAH! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. /episode/index/show/awakeusnow/id/36230580

Rescued by Truth: Week 16 04/19/2025

Awake Us Now

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