Awake Us Now

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 resurrect

We explore Truth #6: “Making disciples is our greatest mission.” We will focus on the last verses in Matthew 28 and dig into what it means to be a disciple. Pastor will also point out the command is to make disciples, not converts or church members!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 10 Scripture Luke 22, Exodus 6:6-7, John 13 & 14, Psalm 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 Jesus’ Last Supper -  Pastor opens with an interesting piece of history. Based on writings from Rabbis during the time of Jesus - the Passover lambs were actually “crucified.” What we know from Rabbinic writings is that when the priests killed the Lambs at the Temple in preparation for the Passover meal - they then took a thin stave and ran it through the shoulders of the killed lamb and then another stave was driven through its mouth and down its spine forming a cross, making it ready for roasting. As our story opens - Jesus and His disciples gather in the upper room that Peter and John have prepared. Passover - how it may have been in Jesus’ Day - Passover Table - banquet style meal, low table surrounded by couches or pillows for reclining on, head supported by left hand, ate with right hand, was a lengthy meal that started at sunset. - Four Cups Kiddish Cup (to set apart - Sanctify) Plagues C

Our natural self tells us to pray, "MY will be done." But Jesus says we are to invite God to conquer us, to take charge of our lives and change our hearts so that we willingly pray, "YOUR will be done."

"Thy kingdom come" is both a missionary and a visionary prayer. We know that in these last days God is at work in human history to establish His kingdom over all the earth, and that the day will come when the Lord Jesus returns to make all things new.

This teaching is from Matthew 28:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 1 Corinthians 15:6 Today we finish up the Gospel of Matthew. Pastor helps us see the Old Testament Feasts through New Testament eyes showing us some interesting insights. The resurrection of Jesus took place on the 1st day of the week, Sunday, which is the first day after the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday. Jesus’ resurrection also happened on the day called The Day of First Fruits which is celebrated on the first day after the Sabbath as part of their week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Day of First Fruits a day to celebrate the harvest and to give back a part of the harvest to God as an offering. Israel has two harvest times. One in the spring - this is the springtime harvest - but there is also a second harvest in the fall. (The second harvest will be at Jesus return.)  It is no coincidence that Jesus was raised from death on the day of First Fruits. God had a plan from the beginning and Jesus is the fulfillment of that plan, He is the First F

Scripture: Luke 24:45-47, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Matthew 12, Hosea 6:1-2, Genesis 22:4, Esther 5:1, Jonah 1:17, Exodus 19:10, 2 Kings 20:5, Genesis 1:9-13. As we read through the Old Testament we see time and again, God doing amazing things on “the third day.” It is something that stands out! Today we explore eight remarkable examples in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that speak of God delivering His people on the 3rd day:     1.    Hosea 6:1-2 “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”  The third day is associated with restoration, the return to life, God’s mighty work.     2.    Genesis 22:4 “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.” This day was the day that Abraham saw the place in the distance that he was to sacrifice his son, but it was also the day Abraham saw the mighty deliver

This teaching is from Matthew 27:49-28:4 We pick up the story from last week on the evening of Passover.  Jesus is on the cross, it’s three in the afternoon. Jesus cries out, “it is finished” and dies just as the sacrifice is being offered in the Temple. At that very moment the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom. That curtain separated the Holy Place of the Sanctuary from the Holy of Holies in the rear of the Sanctuary. The curtain was a massive curtain approximately 60’ by 30’ and about 8 inches thick. Symbolically - this is a sign that everything has changed. The entry way to the Holy of Holies which had been only for a chief priest to enter once a year for atonement was now wide open - a physical representation that the way to the Heavenly Father is now opened for all.  No longer through multiple sacrifices, it is now through the blood of the Son of the Living God. That entry gives us direct access to the Father through the Son. There was darkness from 12-3pm and when Christ died, there was a

This teaching is from Matthew 27:26-49, Psalm 22:1, 7-8 Today’s story is the crucifixion of Jesus. We pick up our story with the flogging of Jesus. Pastor describes what Jesus experienced in this brutal method of torture.  Jesus was then brought to the preaetorium in front of all the soldiers where He was mocked and beaten before they lead Him away to be crucified. Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus’ cross as they walked to Golgatha because Jesus was too weak from the brutality He experienced.  Once on the cross they offered Him wine mixed with gall, but Jesus refused to drink it.  What was this drink? Evidence that has survived points to a tradition that the women of Jerusalem prepared a wine mixture that was intended to dull the pain of an individual who was being tortured or crucified.  But we see Jesus refusing to drink it. The Son of God chose to endure the pain without having anything to easy it. He chose to willingly suffer the agonies of the damned for each of us. Then they cast lots for His

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19, Romans 11:25-26, Exodus 12:3. The Palm Sunday story is a familiar story with detail that is not well known. This event was a prophetic declaration not only to the first century but also to the twenty-first century! Palm Sunday - Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of “Hosanna” the weekend before his crucifixion death and resurrection. All four Gospels record this event - each one offers a unique perspective. Pastor puts the four author’s writings together in a way that shows a host of detail about what it meant then and what it means now. Pastor Dodge takes a deeper look into the following topics, sharing the New Testament coverage of the event with the prophetic words of this very event from the Old Testament in Zechariah, Psalms, Exodus, Deuteronomy and others. We will see this event as fulfillment of what had been biblically predicted: Setting Timing Donkey Hosanna Opposition Weeping Return Jesus shares prop

Because Christ is risen, we too shall rise! But what will our resurrected bodies be like? Scripture gives us hints of the glory to come. Luke 24:36-41; 1 Corinthians 15:42-43; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 21:1-5. 

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 9 Scripture - Matthew 25-26, Luke 22 We continue with Jesus’ Mt. Olivet Discourse where He is talking about the future end of Jerusalem that did happen in 70AD several decades after His ascension and as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets. Jesus is also talking of the preparation for His second coming and the importance of being awake. Pastor reviews the conclusion of the Parable of the Ten Virgins with Jesus’ words,”Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.”  We want to be awakened      ⁃    Awake to the things of God     ⁃    Awake to what He desires of us     ⁃    Awake to our mission to lead others to a knowledge of the Savior and to usher in the Kingdom of God Additional parables covered      ⁃    The Parable of the Talents - It is possible to know about the Master without truly knowing Him and living in relationship with Him.  We are to use all He has given us to His glory so that others know and learn the Good News of our Savior. We are called to

This teaching is from Matthew Matthew 26:69 - 27:31, Deuteronomy 27:25, Zechariah 11:12.-13, Jeremiah 19:1-13, Isaiah 53:4-8 The story of Jesus’ trial continues with a look into what’s transpiring in the courtyard. We see Peter being accused of knowing Jesus 3 different times and all three times Peter denies knowing Jesus. But then the rooster crows and he remembers Jesus’ words predicting his denial. Peter leaves the courtyard in tears. Meanwhile, Judas is experiencing remorse as he sees that Jesus is condemned. Judas returns the 30 pieces of silver realizing he has betrayed innocent blood and goes out to the hang himself. The story moves into the Roman part of the trial.  Note: it is not just the Jewish leadership sentencing Jesus, it is the Gentiles as well.  Showing us that It is all of us who have put Jesus on the cross.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.  Isaiah 53:4-6 “Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    

This teaching is from Matthew 26:39-68 Come along as we see: Who Jesus is and why we so desperately need Him As we look at Jesus’ story of His arrest and trial, we will learn that Jesus is faithful and we are not, Jesus is fearless and we are not, Jesus is forthright and we are not. Today’s story opens in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus having asked His disciples to stay awake while He goes to pray and share His heart with the Father. Jesus knows what is coming and asks the Father if there is another way - yet ends the prayer saying, “not my will, Father, but Yours.”  Jesus remains faithful to accomplish the will of the Father. As Jesus returns the 3rd time from praying to the Father He again discovers the disciples sleeping.  He wakes them as the scene changes… we read next the betrayal by Judas as he point out Jesus in the crowd by kissing/greeting Him. Jesus is seized and arrested, yet He fearlessly goes with them, faithful to the will of God the Father. Peter then cuts off the ear of one of the servan

This teaching is from Matthew 26:26-39 and Exodus 6:6-7 Our story continues today with the Lord’s Supper. Jesus is going to make it clear that He is the Passover Lamb who lays down His life for all people of all time. Pastor overviews the Passover meal: why it was done, what the purpose was and shows us how Jesus changed the script that had always been spoken during this meal since the time of Moses.  Taking the bread Jesus says, “Take eat; this is My body.” Then after that He took the cup saying, “Drink from it, all of you, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Pastor shares about the 4 cups of wine during the Passover meal referencing the four verbs in Exodus 6:6-7. Four verbs, four cups of wine:     1.    Cup 1 - I will BRING you out     2.    Cup 2 - I will FREE you     3.    Cup 3 - I will REDEEM you     4.    Cup 4 - I will take you as My people According to what is said in the gospels it appears Jesus spoke the words “drink this cup…” with the 3td cup - the Cup of Redemption.  Jesu

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Exodus 25:10-22, Leviticus 16, Jeremiah 3:16, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:23 God provides remarkable glimpses of Jesus in the Old Testament. To understand what Mary Magdalene saw in the empty tomb that first Resurrection Sunday, consider the Arc of the Covenant and the part it had in the Day of Atonement. Today’s study is the eyewitness story of Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb and finding it empty. As she approaches the tomb she sees the stone has been removed from the tomb’s opening. She runs and tells two of Jesus’ disciples what she’s seen and they run to the tomb and see that what she said, was true.  They leave not understanding what has happened. Mary is left alone at the tomb. Crying, she peers into the tomb and sees two angels in white seated where Jesus’ body had been - one at the head and one at the foot. In Exodus 25:10-22 we read about God’s instruction for building the Arc of the Covenant. The directions tell us about the lid - atonement cover - of the box and that it

This teaching is from Matthew 26:1-28. As we come to these final chapters of Matthew we are exploring the final days of Jesus’ ministry on earth; His time with the disciples, His suffering, His death, His resurrection.  These are days that truly have changed the world and that’s not hyperbole - it’s fact. In today’s reading - Jesus tells the disciples yet again of His coming crucifixion. He continues to let them know what’s coming and what’s ahead so that when it happens they will remember He had told them these things and they can then begin to put the pieces together. In verses 3-5 we read of the chief priests and elders scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill Him. But they decide to wait until after the Passover festival is over to avoid rioting by the crowds that are in Jerusalem during the festival time frame. BUT something happens to change their minds from that decision to a decision of “let’s do it now!” It is no coincidence the timing of what’s coming for Jesus in the timing of the Passover Festiv

This teaching is from Matthew 25:31-46 with a review of Matthew 24:3, 30-31 with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 Pastor Dodge opens on the topic of the “Rapture?” Yes, he adds the “?” as his purpose is to plant in our minds' questions that need to be addressed around the topic of the rapture. The word rapture is not used in the New Testament, but Pastor takes a look at the teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 in the light of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24:3, 30-31. Many believers hold to a quiet, unannounced, silent rapture that’s only noticed after people have disappeared and that happens before the tribulation. The Rapture is a young teaching going back to the 1830s by John Darby who brought forth the teaching of the a Pre-Tribulational Rapture. Pastor believes in a rapture - but does not believe it will be silent or unseen, nor does he believe it will take place before Jesus’ final appearing.  Why? He bases his view on scripture and draws a comparison between the two sets of verses using some of the original Greek w

Acts 1:6-11, Psalm 22, Luke 21:28, Matthew 24:6-8, 14 Our story today, the ascension of Jesus on the Mount of Olives, takes place 40 days after His resurrection. Throughout His ministry, Jesus has shared what the end times will be like: Disasters Wars Rumors of wars Earthquakes Famine Pestilence Jesus said that these events are like birth pains - meaning they start slow and they increase in strength and frequency. These show us the end is coming nearer.  Pastor shares evidence of the ramp up to the events that lead to Jesus’ return as these signs grow closer and closer together and get more and more severe. Though Jesus had often talked about the end times, the disciples with Him that day of His ascension, ask Him yet again, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” They were anticipating that Israel’s freedom would be restored when Messiah came, that with the resurrection would come all that God had planned. And their anticipation that it must be now that it will happen, after all

The enemy has altered our core beliefs with well-crafted lies, not just influencing us in our homes and communities, but yes, even in our churches. Join us as we explore the lies and open our hearts to being Rescued by Truth. In week 14, Pastor shares the truth of being imperishable and immortal.