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  • September 3 - Acts (Part 2)

    September 3 - Acts (Part 2)
    2026/09/03
    Acts is an incredibly important book. It's not just simply history, it is a primer for how to live the Christian life and how the people of God are called to live with one another and toward the world. The book of Acts is filled with sermons and speeches. 10 major ones take up almost 1/3 of the book of Acts. Peter - 3 ⁃ 2:14-36 Pentecost pilgrims - Peter speaks to a devout Jewish audience. ⁃ 3:12-26 Temple onlookers - Peter speaks directly to the devout Jewish audience. ⁃ 10:34-43 Cornelius' household - Peter brings a message of salvation to the gentiles and here he speaks to a non-Jewish audience. Stephen - 1 ⁃ 7:2-53 Sanhedrin - Stephen gave such a great sermon, that it got him killed. He speaks of what the church is supposed to be. Paul - 6 ⁃ 13:16-47 - From a missionary trip #1, message given at the synagogue at Antioch and directed to Jewish people ⁃ 17:22-31 - From a missionary trip and delivered to a non-Jewish audience unfamiliar with scripture at the Areopagus at Athens ⁃ 20:18-35 - From a missionary trip - message is given to a gathering of Ephesian elders and tailored to who they were. ⁃ 22:1-21 - to a mob at the steps of a temple. ⁃ 24:10-21 - message delivered to Felix at Caesarea ⁃ 26:2-29 - message given to Agrippa II and to the court There is an often used phrase in Acts and is significant for the church then and for the church today. That phrase is: "Signs and wonders" used 9 times. These are God's works, and calls attention to the fact that He is who He claims to be. This phrase is first used in Exodus. It testifies to the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus. And God is still at work. We are seeing signs and wonders today, especially in the persecuted and desperate churches. The western world is Christianity light, but throughout history when people resolve to do what God calls them to do, pushback comes. When we take God seriously - the enemy hates that. As God does signs and wonders the enemy is not happy at all. When we do what is right in God's eyes the world and the enemy will hate us. This is why God says to hold tight to Him and we are drawn even closer to Him. There are mighty things that God is doing in the underground church in areas around the world. Pastor shares several testimonies of the wonders God is doing around the world today. Revival is taking place across the globe. ⁃ 2:19 ⁃ 2:22 ⁃ 2:43 ⁃ 4:30 ⁃ 5:12 ⁃ 6:8 ⁃ 7:36 ⁃ 14:3 ⁃ 15:12 "Signs and Miracles" ⁃ 8:6-13 We are introduced to "The Way" a name given to those who followed Jesus. The word Christian is also used in Acts. Disciple is the most common word for followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives direction. The model in Acts is that God has the plan, God shows His children what to do, and the children pray for God to show them how to do what He's desiring they do. Pastor takes us through chapters 3 - 7. ⁃ Peter healing a beggar ⁃ Peter and John arrested ⁃ In a matter of a few months there are at least 10,000 believers in Jerusalem. ⁃ Preach that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ and tell this to the religious leaders. ⁃ They prayed to God for more miracles and that He would continue pouring out the Holy Spirit and they continue to preach irregardless of the pressure to stop. ⁃ The story of Ananias and Sapphira teaches that we need to be honest before God. ⁃ Peter is again placed in jail for speaking about Jesus and an angel releases him. ⁃ God desires not just our mind for learning of Him, He desires our hearts and to be in communication with Him and have a relationship with Him. ⁃ Stephen's speech was to the Sanhedrin and they became very angry and grab him and stone him. Stephen dies praying for those stoning him. ⁃ Saul witnesses the stoning of Stephen. ⁃ Pastor ends with the story of Saul's conversion. Saul comes to faith in Christ and is named Paul. Join us next week for part 3 of our study of the Gospel of Acts. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen...
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    56 分
  • August 27 - Acts (Part 1)

    August 27 - Acts (Part 1)
    2026/08/27
    Acts is an important book. It is the only spirit-inspired history that we have of the Christian church. It is far more than just what God once did. It is a description of how God works. It is a description of what His people are supposed to be, how we're to live, and how to carry out that work. Acts is a foundational book. Acts is a powerful book. It is a practical and applicable book for us today, because we are living in a repeat of the New Testament era in so many ways. Acts Author: Luke, the physician, gentile, also authored the Gospel of Luke. An historian and excellent author. Date: ca. 60-62 A.D. written shortly after the events of Acts took place.and while Paul was waiting for his trial. Book has an abrupt ending and leaves you wondering what happened next. Shortly after this book was written there was a fire in Rome and the emperor Nero blamed the Christians for it and thus unleashed a wave of persecution against Christians. It was during this time that Peter was crucified, that the Apostle Paul was beheaded, and much of the leadership of the Christian church was killed. Contents: 1. Volume 2 of a 2 volume work 2. Luke / Acts together are 1/4 of the New Testament 3. It is known as the Acts of the Apostles but might more accurately be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. It's about the roll of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding believers in Jesus. 4. Historical value and Theological insight. Shows us life as a first century believer. The New Testament shows us that God does not change. What He did He still does. The Father gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask. We are to base our theology on all of Scripture, not excluding Acts. Luke gives us amazing teachings about the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. He gives us amazing truths that are life-changing. Pastor shares some personal stories of how the book of Acts has changed his life. Outline of Acts ⁃ Acts 1-12 Acts 1:8 Jesus says to his disciples: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria..." In the heart of the Israelite nation. These first chapters show Peter's work in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. ⁃ Acts 13-28 Jesus' words in Acts 1:8 after Samaria, continue with "to the ends of the earth." These chapters starting in chapter 13 are about Paul taking the message to the "ends of the earth." Pastor focuses in on the first 2 chapters of Acts. Jesus has ascended, and the Holy Spirit has come and the Holy Spirit leads and guides us. In Acs we see that when God moves the enemy pushes back. Doing things God's way brings opposition from the enemy, but they faced it in the confidence of God. They took up their crosses, died to self and followed Jesus no matter what the cost. We are to suffer for the cause of Christ. Through faith in Jesus we receive that gift of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is to make disciples not church goers, Our goal is to hasten the day of Jesus' return because He is coming again. Chapter 2 tells us of Pentecost and the day the Holy Spirit came to the disciples. A wind came and tongues of fire were on their heads and they were able to talk in different languages. Peter tells doubters that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is what God has promised. He quotes from Joel and Peter is saying that we have not entered a new era, that we have entered the "last days." Join us next week for part 2 of our study of the Gospel of Acts. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
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    56 分
  • August 20 - Luke

    August 20 - Luke
    2026/08/20
    Luke Author: Luke, the physician, was a Gentile, possibly from Antioch, he was an associate of Apostle Paul Date: ca. 58-62 A.D. Contents: 1 Gospel of Luke is the 1st of a 2 volume work. 60% of this Gospel is unique to Luke and not recorded elsewhere. 2. Addressed to "most excellent" Theophilus, Theophilus may have been a man of high standing, a government official 3. Stresses Jesus as Savior of the world (19:10 is the central truth of the Gospel of Luke "the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.") 4. Focuses on both Jesus' works and His teachings Purpose: Possibly a Legal defense of "the Way" (followers of Jesus) Emphases: 1. Holy Spirit 2. Prayer 3. The importance of Women 4. Gentiles - that God intends the entire world to hear the Gospel message 5. Jesus' message is for the Outcasts - and we are called to do the same Unique to Luke: 1. Birth narratives and Songs - Tells of Jesus' birth in greater detail. The Song of Mary (Magnificat), the Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) 2. Jesus' childhood years 3. Parables only in Luke: - Good Samaritan - Prodigal Son - Rich Fool - Persistent Widow 4. People only in Luke: - Zechariah - Elizabeth - Simeon - Anna - Zacchaeus 5. Disciples on the Emmaus Road and Jesus' Ascension stories are only told in Luke Luke tells things that were from eyewitness testimonies. Ex: "Mary treasured these things in her heart" has the feel of a personal interview. Luke is also good at giving details such as where things happened and personal information on who was involved. Luke gives many detailed stories surrounding Jesus' birth story that are not in any of the other Gospels. The book opens with the story of the Priest Zechariah and his wife and their son John the Baptist. Then the book moves to Mary. Luke tells the birth story from Mary's perspective. And then into the Baptism of Jesus and Luke includes the detail that it was as Jesus was praying that the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a dove. The bulk of the book is on the works and teachings of Jesus including several Parables included in Luke that are not in the other gospels but that share important faith lessons for us to learn. God does not look at what people look at. It's not about what we've earned and achieved. God looks at the heart. We can have everything the world has to offer and we end up with nothing. But with God even though we have nothing, we have everything! Jesus' desire is that all come to know Him. He warns the disciples about the coming difficult days but to continue to depend on Him. He also predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and that Jerusalem would be over taken by Gentiles, (which happened in 70 A.D.) Jesus tells them the control of Jerusalem by the Gentiles would continue until "the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled." The time of the Gentiles continued for 1900 years, but then in 1948 the Jewish people returned to their homeland. Pastor shares that then in 1967 - an event he says he is old enough to witness - took place. The Jewish people took control of Jerusalem. We've lived to see "the time of the Gentiles fulfilled." What does this tell us? It is saying we're getting closer to the time of Jesus' return! Luke shares the words of Jesus from the cross. And it is Luke who shares the story of the man on the cross next to Jesus who gave his life to Jesus. Luke shares the story of Jesus' death, resurrection and the story of the women finding the empty tomb. Luke then shares the story of the two people on the road to Emmaus. Jesus joins them along the 7 mile walk, Jesus explains to them what is said in the scriptures concerning Himself. Following this event, Jesus shows Himself to the disciples in Jerusalem, opening their minds to understand the scriptures. Jesus tells them the Holy Spirit is coming and the book closes with the Ascension of Jesus. Luke's Gospel is a carefully written book. Written in chronological order, it is an intentionally laid out book. Next week we explore the second volume of Luke's work. Join us next week for part 1 of our study of the Gospel of Acts. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/...
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    56 分
  • August 13 - Mark

    August 13 - Mark
    2026/08/13
    Mark is the shortest and fastest moving of the Gospels. Mark ⁃ Author: John Mark (called Mark) ⁃ Date ca. 45 A.D. (?) ⁃ Contents: ⁃ Mark wrote what he heard from Peter. ⁃ Emphasizes Jesus' deeds over teachings ⁃ Stresses Jesus as Son of God (1:1, 3:11, 15:39) The Gospel of Mark opens with "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God." In Mark the people testifying to Jesus' identity are not the people we expect. The demons: Mark 3:11 "whenever the impure spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, 'You are the Son of God.'" But the irony is that the religious leaders do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. They call Jesus demon possessed, out of His mind and dangerous. Also, a Gentile pagan Roman Centurion in Mark 15:39 says, "And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, 'Surely this man was the Son of God!'" Being the "Son of God" is ultimately the reason Jesus was crucified. What we will see in this book is Jesus really is God come to earth. He is truly God in human flesh. This is revolutionary and transformative truth. ⁃ Written for a Gentile audience ⁃ Who was John Mark? ⁃ He was about 15-16 years old at the time of Jesus' death. ⁃ Possibly with Jesus at Gethsemane? (Mark 14:51-52) ⁃ Close associate of the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13) ⁃ Cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) ⁃ Missionary companion of Barnabas & San; (Acts 13:5) ⁃ Son of Mary of Jerusalem (Acts 12:12-14) ⁃ Abandoned 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13:13) ⁃ Helpful assistant to Paul in later years (2 Timothy 4:11) What do we know about Mark's Gospel? ⁃ Mark uses the Greek word εὐθέως 40 times in his writings. εὐθέως means immediately, straightway. ⁃ Mark 2:1-12 - Mark tells this story in more depth than the other gospels. Jesus has his headquarters in Capernaum in Simon Peter's home. (Pastor shares some information on an archeological dig from 1968 and the possible discovery of Peter's home). Along with the healing that happened in this story is a confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders. Again we see that Jesus is the Son of God. ⁃ Mark's target audience is the Gentiles so he explains Aramaic words and Jewish customs. His goal is that all understand that Jesus is the Son of God ⁃ We see details throughout the book that only Peter would have known and also details that are only shared in the book of Mark. ⁃ All throughout the book we see how the religious leaders are continuing to try to trap Jesus so the can get rid of Him. ⁃ Pastor specifically addresses these sections of the book: ⁃ 2:1-12 ⁃ 2:27-28 ⁃ 4:35-41 (in addition to this story Pastor shares a discovery from 1985 of what 2 brothers discovered along the shore of the Sea of Galilee - a 2000 year old fishing boat. The boat discovery brings additional understanding to this story.) ⁃ 5:41 (rise up little lamb) ⁃ 6:30-44 ⁃ 10:17-27 ⁃ 10:45, 46-52 the blood of Messiah is the payment for the redemption of the human race. Pastor also explains the controversy between whether Jesus was coming or going from Jericho and uses archeological discoveries to clear things up ⁃ Throughout the book we see Jesus' amazing compassion. The only ones who receive harsh words from Jesus are the religious leaders. In closing Pastor takes us through Mark 13:35-37 and Mark 14:66-72 ⁃ To bring understanding to these texts to be AWAKE Pastor explains the Roman Night Watch shifts were as follows from Mark 13:35-37 and between shifts a trumpet was blown to signify the change of guards ⁃ 6-9pm = evening ⁃ 9-12pm = midnight ⁃ 12-3am = rooster crow ⁃ 3-6am = dawn ⁃ In Mark 14:66:72 with the above understanding we see scripture with new understanding. We can now see what time of night Peter denied Jesus. Mark ends by telling us it was the women who first witness the resurrection of Jesus. Pastor explains why this is such a convincing evidence of ...
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    56 分
  • August 6 - Matthew

    August 6 - Matthew
    2026/08/06
    This is the opening study of the New Testament books. Pastor gives an overview of the first three books of the New Testament. They are called the "Synoptic Gospels." They tell much of the same stories but from unique views. Their uniqueness is what Pastor will focus on as we study each of them. Synoptic Gospels ⁃ Matthew - focuses on Jesus as the Messiah - the One they were waiting for and is specifically addressed to the Jewish people and that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophesied Messiah. ⁃ Mark - focuses on Jesus as the Son of God - The Living God took on human flesh and lived among us. ⁃ Luke - focuses on Jesus as the Savior - that He saves all who come to Him in faith. Matthew is the first book of the New Testament. 
Matthew ⁃ Author: Matthew (one of the 12 disciples) He was a tax collector. He was also named Levi. ⁃ Date: ca 40 A.D. (?) written while the eye-witnesses were alive. First Gospel to be written. ⁃ Contents: 1. Originally written in Hebrew (?) 2. 1st of the Gospels to be written (?) 3. Emphasizes Jesus the Messiah 4. Stresses fulfillment of the Prophetic Word There is a set of words repeated often in the book of Matthew, "This was to fulfill…" showing that Jesus is the One who fulfills the prophetic word of God. The book opens with a genealogy of Jesus as descendant of David, and descendant of Abraham, something important to a Jewish audience. In the genealogy are listed also several women of note. Also of note is that the genealogy ends with Joseph "who was the wife of Mary" not the father of Jesus, but Joseph was the adoptive father of Jesus. This genealogy is of Jesus' legal lineage. Matthew focuses on the story of Jesus birth from the vantage point of Joseph. Joseph and Mary were betrothed (legal agreement for a marriage) and he finds out Mary is with child, so Joseph plans to divorce her (legal action needed to end the legal betrothal) But then he has a dream and an angel tells him to go through with marrying Mary, that she had conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he was to name the baby Jesus because He will save the people from their sins and is the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Joseph does what the angel tells him and marries Mary and names the baby Jesus. Joseph has another dream and moves the family in order to save Jesus' life from death from Herod who had the babies killed after talking to the Magi who were looking for the Promised One. The book goes on to the story of John the Baptist - who was the one that was like Elijah. John's message is of repentance. John baptizes Jesus, not because He needed repentance, but it is a picture of Jesus entering the waters of the Jordan where people were baptized (cleansed from their sins) and Jesus goes into the water to take on all the sins of the world. It shows His willingness to accept why He came into the world. He came to take on the sins of us all and to take them to the cross and shed His blood for them. He is the Messiah! Jesus brings the Kingdom of God to earth. The kingdom of God is NOW! It is turning from sin and the world and receiving the gift of life through Jesus the Messiah, the gift of forgiveness, of blessing and the joy of living in Him and for Him. 5 Major Powerful Teachings of Jesus ⁃ Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount - longest of Jesus' sermons recorded in the Bible. ⁃ Matthew 10 Commissioning of the Twelve ⁃ Matthew 13 Parables of the Kingdom ⁃ Matthew 18 Kingdom Living ⁃ Matthew 24-25 Olivet Discourse Pastor takes a look at some specific teachings from Jesus ⁃ The sin against the Holy Spirit ⁃ Paying taxes to the king Pastor closes with an overview of Jesus' trial, death, resurrection, commissioning of the disciples and important details from these events that are shared in Matthew. Join us next week for our study of the Gospel of Mark. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living ...
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    56 分
  • July 30 - I & II Chronicles

    July 30 - I & II Chronicles
    2026/07/30
    In the Jewish Hebrew Bible Chronicles is all one book. It is an important book for the church today, for our nation and for all that is going on in the world. Author - Jewish tradition is that Ezra was the author of Chronicles Date: Ezra c. 450-430 BC? Contents: 1. Last of the Ketuvim/Writings 2. Hebrew title + "Words of Days" (journals) Chronicles is a theological interpretation of history. It not only tells what happened long ago but it shares the spiritual impact of those events. Judgment falls in order to bring them back to God. 1. unfaithfulness by the leaders, priests, Kings and people brings judgment not just individually but nationally. 2. faithfulness by God's leaders and people brings blessings individually and nationally. It does not mean everything will go smoothly. Outline of 1 7 2 Chronicles ⁃ 1 Chronicle 1-9 - Genealogy that goes from Adam to King Saul ⁃ 1 Chronicles 10-29 - about David knowing the living God and how influential David was in the building of the Temple ⁃ 2 Chronicles 1-9 - about Solomon building the Temple and reminds God's people that when we worship the Lord as He ought to be worshipped the results are incredible. ⁃ 2 Chronicles 10-36 - Some of the stories of Judah's kings and prophets up through the Exile. We read about David's desire to build a temple for worship of God. But David was a warrior and the Lord wanted David's son to build the temple - God wanted a man of peace. David gave his son Solomon the detailed plans for the Temple that the Spirit of God had given him. David also has all the materials set aside for building the Temple. He encourages his son to be strong and courageous in staying firm in getting the Temple built and that the Lord would be with him. David was a man of faith, future "good" kings were those who walked in the way of David. David was whole-heartedly devoted to God, but NOT sinless. 
 Solomon starts well by ends not so well. When he started God told Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted and that He would give it. Solomon replies with a request for goodness and knowledge and wisdom to rule the people wisely. God replies that wisdom and knowledge, wealth and honor would be given to Solomon in great measure. Solomon gets the Temple built. After his dedication prayer, fire comes down from heaven and the glory of the Lord fills the Temple. One of the themes in Chronicles is that if we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him. But if we turn our backs on Him the consequences are disastrous. God makes the promise of "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Many look at that verse and say it doesn't apply to us now, but only to the nation of Israel. Pastor points out that it is addressed to "God's people" not to a nation. Over and over again in the Bible, we see God is continually calling His people to return to Him, to turn from their wickedness and sin and to answer the call to repentance. The stories in Chronicles, of turning back to God, give us great encouragement and comfort and hope. No matter how far we wander from Him, when we turn back, He is ready to receive us with open arms. There is no one outside God's radius of love and mercy and His ability to transform and renew and forgive and change. Pastor overviews several kings and rulers in 2 Chronicles sharing the consequences of their choices around following God or not. And then gives us a look at a letter written by the prophet Elijah to King Jehoram. Chronicles ends with the original Books of Moses being found by a priest and Josiah has the books read to him. He realizes there is a need to repentant, and works to bring the people back to God. God's desire is to always draw us back to Him. Join us next week for our study of the New Testament starting with the Gospel of Matthew. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today!...
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    56 分
  • July 23 - Ezra & Nehemiah

    July 23 - Ezra & Nehemiah
    2026/07/23
    In the Hebrew Bible Ezra and Nehemiah were originally 1 book. They are books that are often ignored but that have so much to tell us. Author or editor is Ezra Contents - close affinity with 1 & 2 Chronicles, memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, firsthand writings. Ezra and Nehemiah cover a period of about 100 years. Simplified Chronology of Ezra/Nehemiah Ezra 1-6 —- 537-515 BC Ezra 7-10 & Nehemiah 1-13 —- 458-433 BC In these two book we will see that God is in control! Chronology of Ezra/Nehemiah • 538 BC Cyrus decrees that the Jewish people can return to their homeland • 537 BC (Sept/Oct) They build the altar for the Feast of Tabernacles - The feast's prophetic fulfillment will be found in the final harvest - the day the Messiah returns. God keeps His promises. He is good. • 536 BC (Spring) Temple foundation laid and they praised the Lord with great joy and shouts of adoration. • 516 BC (12 Mar) Temple dedicated - God told them through Haggai and Zechariah that the glory of this temple will surpass the first temple - the first temple was built by Solomon - a beautiful temple where the cloud of God's presence came down. So how can this temple be better? God's word to Malachi was that the Lord whom you seek will suddenly appear in His temple. The glory of the second temple would be greater than the first because God in the person of Christ stretched His arms out on a cross. • 515-459 BC 50 years where nothing is recorded in these books • 479-474 BC Esther as Queen • 458 BC (Aug) Ezra arrives in Jerusalem and teaches the Torah to the people and God uses Ezra to bring national revival. • 445 BC (Spring) Nehemiah is the cup bearer to King Artaxerxes and he goes to the king to say he's grieving because the city of his ancestors is falling apart and he is made governor of Judea and the king tells Nehemiah to go. God uses Nehemiah to accomplish His purpose. Nehemiah begins by re-establishing the ten gates of the city. Profound truths are found in these gates. • Sheep gate - Neh 3:1 Sheep gate is located north of the temple - Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Lamb who was slain for us and He calls us His sheep and to follow Him • Fish gate - Neh 3:3. Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. • Old gate - Neh 3:6. When we follow Him we leave the old behind. • Valley gate - Neh 3:13. Reminds us of a verse in psalm 23. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…" Even when we go through the hard times, God is with us. • Dung gate - Neh 3:14. God ministers to us and transforms us and renews us. As we obey and follow Him and He gets rid of all the garbage in our lives. • Fountain gate - Neh 3:15. Is located by the Pool of Saloam where Jesus sent the blind man. This was fresh and flowing water - it was referred to as "Living Water." As we follow the Lord He fills us with Living Water - the Spirit of God. • Water gate - Neh 3:26. Is located by the Gehon Spring. A source of fresh water. It bubbles up - We are to live by the power of the Living Water, to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to relationship with Him. • Horse gate - Neh 3:28. In the ancient world horses were used for war - for battle. Horses were war horses. This is what the christian life is. It is a war - put on the armor of Christ! We go into the battle with the knowledge that God wins and thus so do we. • East gate - Neh 3:29. This is the golden gate - the prophetic word is that Jesus will return through that gate. • Inspection gate - Neh 3:31. It was also known as the Judgment gate. There is a day of judgment coming and so we want to stay faithful to God. • The gates take us on a tour through the whole Bible! • Nehemiah 8:10 - teaches that our joy in the Lord is our strength, our refuge, our protection. As we rejoice in God moving and preparing the way for the return of the Messiah, there is power in worshiping Him, power in prayer, power in obedience. • Nehemiah closes with the people of God rededicating their lives to Him - they recommit their lives to Him. These books remind us of the battle but also that the Joy of the Lord is our Strength!! Join us next week for our study of 1 & 2 Chronicles. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by ...
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    56 分
  • July 16 - Daniel

    July 16 - Daniel
    2026/07/16
    The Book of Daniel is one of the most controversial books in the Bible. Author: Daniel Date: ca 530 B.C. (500 years before Jesus) Contents: - Three of the Bibles best known stories. - Three men in the fiery furnace (chapter 3) - Handwriting on the wall (chapter 5) - Daniel in the lion's den (chapter 6) - The Book of Daniel is essential to understanding the Book of Revelation written by John and the creatures, images and verbiage from Revelation relates to what God gave to Daniel 500 years earlier. Characteristics: - One of the most debated/disputed books of the Bible - It is a prophetic book - The majority of the criticism around the Book of Daniel is centered on the prophetic. - Divided into 2 basic parts: - Narrative (chapters 1-6) tells the story of Daniel and his friends and the rise of the Persian empire - Prophets words from Daniel's visions (chapters 7-12) and the prediction of what is to come in the future from Daniel's day until the coming of the Messiah, but also about those things that will take place before the Second coming of Christ. ⁃ Bilingual: Hebrew and Aramaic ⁃ Chapter 1:1 to chapter 2:4a = Hebrew ⁃ Chapter 2:4b to chapter 7:28 = Aramaic ⁃ Chapter 8:1 to chapter 12:13 = Hebrew ⁃ Everything that applies directly to the Jewish people is written in Hebrew, but those chapters that apply also to the non-Jewish people (because God reveals Himself to all people) - those verses are written in Aramaic. Pastor goes through the history surrounding the Book of Daniel and tells how educated Jewish men were deported from Judah to Babylon for three years of training and then they were assigned into the King of Babylon's service: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were probably in their early teens. Everything they had known was taken from them: family, homeland and most likely castrated. Daniel led them in maintaining their faith and commitment to the Lord. Even under the rule of a pagan king, they maintained their kosher diet. They wanted to abide by the laws of Moses. Pastor shares a look at several of the familiar stories about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and recent discoveries that assist proving the truth of this book. In Daniel, we witness that God intervenes in the lives of individuals and nations. And we see that even in his 80's, Daniel is promoted even further and through it all he remains faithful to the Lord. Then Pastor takes us through the dreams and visions of Daniel - visions of what is to come. Some of what Daniel saw has already been fulfilled in dramatic fashion. Daniel 9:25-26 - "Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed." And Jesus (The Anointed One) has comes and the temple was destroyed in 70A.D. The Dead Sea Scroll discovery - held the proof of Daniel's authenticity and that the book was written before the time of the prophetic words being fulfilled, not after. The class concludes with Pastor sharing an interpretation of and insights into Daniel's vision in conjunction with the historic empires and the Book of Revelation. Empire Daniel 2 Daniel 7 Revelation 17 Egyptian n/a n/a 1st head Assyrian n/a n/a 2nd head Babylonian Gold Head Lion 3rd head Medo-Persian Silver Chest Leopard 4th head Greek Bronze Thighs Bear 5th head Roman...
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