The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Life of Christ Lesson 177: Faith: A Penitent Thief {The Crucifixion} (It is Finished VI)

The sub-title for this concluding lesson on our mini-series, "It is Finished" (What Jesus Did for You) is, "Faith: A Penitent Criminal".  The conversion of one of the two thieves dying with the Lord is a wonderful demonstration of His triumphant victory over the wicked forces of Satan's principalities and powers even when He was seemingly at His weakest (He was really at His strongest).  This is the true account of a sinner who experienced the transforming power of God's grace.  There are some very significant doctrinal teachings that come to light in the Lord's promise to the penitent thief.  What appears to be five short and simple verses (Luke 23:39-43) about a man's dying salvation are actually complex and packed full of deep, spiritual, and eternal truths regarding the Christian faith.

Did you know the thief's salvation was fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy?  It was!  Be surprised to learn where that prophecy was given.

 

Life of Christ Lesson 176: Hate: A Provoking Crowd {The Crucifixion} {It is Finished V}

The title of this fifth lesson of our "It is Finished" series concerning Christ's cross-work is "Hate: A Provoking Crowd".  As Satan was in the very process of bruising the Saviour's heel (Genesis 3:15), he was also seeing to it that representatives of each First Century "people group" voiced hatred and scorn at his age-old enemy, God's Son (the One Who cast him like lightning from Heaven).  The events of this lesson occurred during the Lord's first three hours on the cross, before it became eerily dark.  The outline for this study is four-fold:  (1) The Scoffer Passing By the Saviour, (2) The Sanhedrin Calling Down the Saviour, (3) The Soldiers Mocking Under the Saviour, and (4) The Sinners Hanging Next to the Saviour.

Please understand this truth: Many people erroneously think the crucifixion manifested the Lord's weakness.  The total opposite is true!  Christ crucified is the power of God (II Corinthians 13:4)!

This lesson in written form (with Homework Questions) is found in "The Caldwell Commentaries" - Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com).

Life of Christ Lesson 175b: The Crucifixion - Part I {It is Finished IV}

This is the continuation of Lesson 175a on the Lord's crucifixion.  Repeatedly, throughout His earthly ministry, Christ's enemies sought to destroy Him, but they could not.  HIS predetermined "hour" had not come.  But finally it did, and their desires were granted by the will of God Himself.  The Lord Jesus, Prince of Life, willingly yielded Himself into their hands.  At any minute - even hanging nailed to a cross - He could have used His power to escape, but He did not.  He was fully surrendered to carry through to completion His divinely ordained mission to redeem mankind.  Regardless what it meant for Him personally by way of spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental anguish, He would drink the full, bitter cup of His Father's wrath and holy judgment against sin - for you and for me. 

As in the first part of this two-part look at Christ's horrific crucifixion, we will see how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled.  Learn, too, who wrote the first Gospel tract and what it said.  Also, did you know the Holy Spirit did NOT inspire any of the four gospel writers to record details about the Lord's actual crucifixion!  Why do you think that is?  

Life of Christ Lesson 175a: The Crucifixion - Part I {It is Finished III}

In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.com and scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)

In this lesson, we engage in the unpleasant task of describing the suffering of the cruelest, most disgraceful death instrument depraved mankind ever invented.  We discuss a four-point outline in this two-part study of "The Crucifixion":  the Pain of Crucifixion, the Prayer of Christ ("Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"), the Parting of Clothing (a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18), and the Placard of the Cross.  

Similar to the lack of any details recorded in the four gospels about the Lord's scourging by the Romans, we also find that none of the four divinely inspired authors wrote anything more about His crucifixion than simply to say, "they crucified Him" along with "two robbers".  From the human perspective, we can assume Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John saw little reason to describe the horrors of crucifixion to their contemporary readers, for everyone in that day knew more about crucifixion than they wanted to know.

 

Life of Christ Lesson 174b: The Way of the Cross - Part II {It is Finished II}

An extremely serious lesson (continuation of Lesson 174a)!  

BE BLESSED!

Life of Christ Lesson 174a: The Way of the Cross - Part I {It is Finished I}

You do not want to miss this two-part study (see also Lesson 174b) on the Lord's "Way of the Cross"!  We promise you will be blessed!  

In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.comuand scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)

Life of Christ Lesson 173b: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part IV

In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.comuand scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)

A number of prophecies were fulfilled during "Satan's Hour of Darkness" - in this lesson, Isaiah 49:7, 53:3, and First Samuel 8:5, which all predicted Israel's rejection of her King/Messiah, were fulfilled.  Also, the Lord's own prediction in Mark 10:34 and Matthew 27:30 that He would be spat upon by the Gentiles was fulfilled.  Isaiah 50:6b, which Jesus mentioned in Mark 15:19, was fulfilled.  It said that the Messiah would not hide His face from shame and spitting!  

Life of Christ Lesson 173a: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part III

Matthew 27:23b-30; Mark 15:15-19; Luke 23:23-25; John 19:12-16

In this third part of our look at "Satan's Hour of Darkness," we look at a four-point outline (some in this lesson and the rest in the lesson to follow - 173b):  (1) The Demand of the Crowd, (2) The Denouncement of a Coward, (3) The Death Sentence of the Christ, and (4) The Depravity of a Cohort.

Life of Christ Lesson 172b: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part II

Satan's enmity against God was manifested throughout the Old Testament era by his continual striving to prevent the Christ from being born!  Satan sought to eliminate the ancestral line from which He (the Saviour) was prophesied to come.  When he failed in that mission, Satan attempted to eliminate Him shortly after He was born by using Herod the Great's horrific "Bethlehem Massacre".  God intervened, and the old dragon was again foiled in his quest.  Then, repeatedly throughout the Lord's earthly life, Satan continued in his attempts to destroy Him - either through temptations to sin or premature death.  Again, he was always hindered by the Lord from accomplishing his mission.

But during Christ's trials and crucifixion, God no longer hindered the powers of darkness.  The hour had arrived when the serpent would bruise the Saviour's heel (Genesis 3:15).  Satan fully availed himself of his opportunity to persecute, mock, and kill his age-old Enemy (his very Creator), which he did through his human dupes.

Life of Christ Lesson 172a: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part I

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John 19:1-5 SCOURGED.  MOCKED.  EXHIBITED.  HATED.  The horrible atrocities heaped upon the One Who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost went beyond the bounds of reasonable human understanding.  Where was the divinely inspired, Scripturally-based justice of Israel in the Jews' dealings with Jesus?  Where was the much praised Roman justice when it came to His civil trials?  Why was a bound Prisoner scourged and mocked and condemned to die when "the judge" repeatedly declared His innocence?  Why was the Lord Jesus treated in a way that unparalleled the treatment of any other person in history?  What is the secret of His gross mistreatment and injustice?

The answer is that divine restraint was removed so human depravity was permitted to demonstrate itself in all its deceitful fulness as representatives of both Jews and Gentiles crucified the Son of God Who came to save them.  We are also told by Christ Himself that His unparalleled mistreatment was due to the fact that it was "Satan's Hour of Darkness" (see Luke 22:53).  The "hour" had arrived when the serpent would bruise the Saviour's "heel" (Genesis 3:15).

Learn about this "hour" in both this and the following two lessons.  

Life of Christ Lesson 171b: The Lamb Before His Shearers - Part II

Matthew 27:15-21; Mark 15:6-11; Luke 23:17-19; John 18:39, 40

In this second half of our study on "The Lamb Before His Shearers" (see Lesson 171a), we do not so much look at the silence of Christ as we did when He stood before His accusers and before Herod Antipas, but we look at the selection of the crowd.  Pilate presented the crowd assembled around the Praetorium with a "Passover Bargain".  They could choose to free one prisoner, and the choice was between Jesus and Barabbas, a robber, murderer, and insurrectionist against Rome.

We also discuss "Mrs. Pilate's Precautionary Dream" - one her husband should have paid great attention to!  Thirdly, we then look at "The Multitude's Providential Choice".  Sadly, they chose to free Barabbas instead of Jesus - but, of course, Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world!

Life of Christ Lesson 171a: The Lamb Before His Shearers - Part I

For all Caldwell Commentary study books go to

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Matthew 27:12-14; Mark 15:3-5; Luke 23:5-16

This is the first of a two-part study entitled, "The Lamb Before His Shearers," speaking of the Lord Jesus, the True Lamb of God sent to redeem mankind from our sin, as He appeared before the official representatives of Rome in a three-phased "civil" trial.  After having failed to find a legitimate indictment against Jesus, the Jewish Sanhedrin Council accused Him of blasphemy when He truthfully claimed to be "the Christ, the Son of God".  The condemned Him to die.  However, since the Jews did not have the legal authority to exact the death penalty themselves, they had to turn to Rome (although this didn't stop them a little later when it came to stoning Stephen to death).  They really wanted Jesus crucified because the Old Testament declared any one who hung from a tree to be "cursed"!  They figured this would surely disqualify Him as the Messiah in the eyes of the people.  Little did they know how He literally became the curse of sin for you, me, and for them!

Life of Christ Lesson 170b: Christ Before Pilate {Pilate with the Prisoner}

In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.com and scripturetruth.com

This is the continuation of our study of the Lord's first "civil" trial, which was before Pontius Pilate (see Lesson 170a and our discussion of Pilate's conversation with the prosecutors of Jesus, the Jews).  

In this lesson, we learn why Pilate suspected the Jews' accusations against Jesus to be false (Luke 23:2).  We discuss why Jesus answered Pilate's first question with a question of His own (John 18:33,34).  We see WHO was really the one on trial, and it wasn't Jesus!  We find out what the religious rulers said to Pilate that actually fulfilled the prophecy of Genesis 49:10, proving that Shiloh (Messiah) had come!

We also learn of the "proof" Jesus gave Pilate that His Kingdom was "not of this world" and, thus, no immediate threat to political Rome.  Then, too, we discuss Pilate's famous question (asked sarcastically and rhetorically, not expecting an answer), "What is truth?"  Little did he know - or care to know - that Truth incarnate was standing before Him (John 14:6)!  

Life of Christ Lesson 170a: Christ Before Pilate {Pilate with the Prosecutors}

A two-part study that covers:  Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:1-4; and John 18:28-38

The Lord's prediction of Matthew 27:2 that the Jewish leaders of Israel would turn Him over to the Gentiles (Mark 10:33) came to pass.  The Sanhedrin Council and its two corrupt, co-reigning high priests (Annas and Caiaphas) decided it was expedient for them that "one man should die for the people" (John 11:50), so they condemned Him to death and sent Him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to execute Him.

There is a great deal of important dialogue to discuss in all that transpired as the Lord's three "civil" trials (they were anything but civil) began.  We only cover part of His first appearance before Pilate in this lesson (Part I), so be sure to also listen to Part II (Lesson 170b)!

Life of Christ Lesson 169c: The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part III

This lesson concludes our three-part study of Peter's three-part denial of Christ prior to the three cock crows (as the Lord predicted Peter would do earlier that night).  It must have pained both the Lord's and Peter's hearts as the two made eye contact right after Peter's third denial.  The good news is that Peter repented and was later fully restored by the grace of the resurrected Lord of glory!  We discuss the difference between Judas and Peter; between regret and true repentance, among other things.

Life of Christ Lesson 169b: The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part II {Oh, Peter, Peter}

This is the continuation of the biblical narrative concerning Peter's three denials of Christ the night of the Lord's arrest and trials.

Life of Christ Lesson 168c Christ Before Caiaphas {Terrible Mock} & Lesson169a The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part I

In the first part of this audio, we finish our look at Christ's second religious trial, which was before the corrupt high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin Council.  We discussed in the past two lessons (168a and 168b) the trial deadlock and the testimony shock (the wonderful truth of His identity from Christ).  Sadly, the trial ended with a terrible mock.  

To the fantastic news of Christ's identity, the members of the highest court of Israel revealed their "true coIors" in the way they treated their "Prisoner".  It was the highest insult a Jew could give, and they did it to the Son of the Living God!  They began by spitting in His face!  Little did they realize they had just fulfilled a Messianic prophecy - see Isaiah 50:6!  Wow!  No matter what they did, they simply kept reaffirming Who He is! 

In the second half of this lesson (Matthew 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72; Luke 22:58-62; John 18:25-27), we discuss the fulfillment of a prophecy the Lord Jesus spoke earlier that night, which was that before the cock crew three times, Peter would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:3).  Of course, Peter adamantly refuted the prediction, and yet . . .

Life of Christ Lesson 168b: Christ Before Caiaphas {Testimony Shock}

Matthew 26:63b-68; Mark 14:61b-65; Luke 22:63-65

The Lord Jesus gave a prediction regarding His Second Coming that absolutely shocked everyone listening at His second trial!  He affirmed His Deity, calling Himself the Son of God.  He likewise affirmed His Messiahship, calling Himself the Son of man by associating Himself with two well-known Messianic passages of Scripture (Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13.  His statement was also a prediction of His resurrection, ascension, and return!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 168a: Christ Before Caiaphas {Trial Deadlock}

Matthew 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:63-66; John 18:24

In this lesson, we look at the second phase of the Lord's religious trial, which was held before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin Council of Israel in an informal setting shortly before dawn.  Like the "trial" before Annas, the second one before the co-reigning high priest, was totally illegal.  Yet, even though the trial was illegal and the witnesses brought in to testify were false, yet the Council members still could not gain a charge against Jesus!  They came to a deadlock of frustration, which we talk about in the first part of our outline, "The Trial Deadlock".

The rest of this study is presented in Lesson 168b.

Life of Christ Lesson 167: Tied, Tried, and Denied

John 18-12-23; Matthew 26:58, 69, 70; Mark 14:54, 66-68; Luke 22:54-57

The threefold name for this lesson, "Tied, Tried, and Denied," is based on the threefold outline of the events that took place the night of Christ's arrest recorded in the gospel passages listed above.  We look sequentially at these topics:  (1) Jesus being prophetically tied by His enemies, (2) Jesus being tragically denied by Peter (which He had prophesied earlier that night), and (3) Jesus being illegally tried by Annas (the high priest of Israel).

The Holy Spirit's intention in these passages of alternating the reader's focus from the unfair trials of the innocent Lord Jesus to the shameful, sinful denials of Peter is to emphasize the great need for Christ's redemption by ALL men!  

Learn a lot about how absolutely ILLEGAL the trial of Jesus held by Annas, Israel's high priest, was!  It may shock you, but the illegalities continue throughout the night!  Corruption today is not anything new, is it?

Life of Christ Lesson 166: Guilt and Grace in Gethsemane {A Kiss, A Sword, An Ear, A Rebuke}

Matthew 26:48-56; Mark 14:44-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:10-12

The single outstanding feature of Jesus Christ in this third and final garden scene (Gethsemane), where He was betrayed by Judas with a kiss, disappointed by Peter with a sword, arrested by soldiers, and deserted by His disciples, is His GRACE.  In stark contrast, the one thing that stands out about everyone else in the garden is their GUILT.

This is a loaded lesson with lots of details to learn about matters you may have missed before!

Life of Christ Lesson 165: The Majesty of the Gethsemane King

Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47a; John 18:2-9

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The title for this second lesson on Christ's Gethsemane experience is "The Majesty of the Gethsemane King" because even though that garden on the Mount of Olives was where He was betrayed and arrested, it is also where His divine majesty is displayed in all that took place!  In Gethsemane, we find Jesus as the Victor over and the Designer of the circumstances!  He was not tricked or surprised what happened to Him.  He is the sovereign Son of God Who displayed both His power and authority not only to those who belong to Him (the disciples), but to those who came to arrest Him.

Believe it or not, the Scripture of this lesson reveals the excellencies of the Lord Jesus in a way that few other passages of Scripture do!  

Life of Christ Lesson 164: The Mystery of the Gethsemane Cup

Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1

A VERY IMPORTANT STUDY!!

The three aspects of this study on "The Mystery of the Gethsemane Cup" deal with the Gethsemane Mystery, the Gethsemane Agony, and the Gethsemane Victory!   You will learn about "the Apostles' sleep," "the angelic strengthening," and "the agonizing sweat".  The Lord Jesus really won the victory over sin and death for us in Gethsemane.  At the cross of Calvary, He yielded His body, but in the garden of Gethsemane, He yielded His will.

Life of Christ Lesson 162: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part IV

John 17:11b-19

The longest recorded prayer from the Lord Jesus in Scripture is found only in the gospel of John; it is called His "High Priestly Prayer" in that much of it is a prayer of intercession on behalf of those He loves.  It was actually a pre-cross "sneak" preview of Christ's post-cross intercessory work as High Priest of His Church.

In this lesson, we discuss the Lord's requests made to His Heavenly Father on behalf of the Apostles.  He prayed for their unity, for their joy, for their protection, and for their sanctification.

Life of Christ Lesson 163: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part V {He Prays for Us!}

John 17:20-26

This is the section (verses 20 to 24) of Christ's High Priestly Prayer in which He prayed for all future believers (if you are a believer in Him, this is what Jesus prayed for you)!  What did He pray?  He asked for our witness for Him to be successful on earth and in Heaven; for the world and for His glory.  

In some of the Lord's last words spoken in the presence of His men, the Apostles heard Him pray for yet-unborn people who would believe on Him because of their witness!  He was telling them, through the prayer, that the Gospel would prevail even in the face of the world's hatred and their weaknesses.  In the midst of all their confusion and despair, that must have been a blessed comfort to hear. Facing soon betrayal, arrest, and death, Jesus was not discouraged nor did He sound in any way defeated!  In future vision, He could behold the faces of the millions of people who would swell the ranks of His current little flock!  It was part of the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2)!  I hope that flock includes YOU!

Life of Christ Lesson 161: The Lords High Priestly Prayer - Part III

John 17:6-11a

This lesson continues our study of Christ's "High Priestly Prayer" of John 17, which very neatly falls into three outline parts.  First, the Lord prayed for Himself (see Lessons 160a and 160b).  Second,  He prayed for the Apostles.  Third, He lifted up His voice in prayer to His Heavenly Father to pray for all future believers.

We talk about the reasons the Son of God prayed for His men (the Apostles), and there were four of them given.  The specific requests He asked for them are found in Lesson 162a.

Life of Christ Lesson 160b: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part II

John 17:1-5

In what Warren Wiersbe calls "the Holy of Holies" of the Gospel record (Christ's High Priestly prayer of John chapter 17), the Son of God asked two "petitions" for Himself  We discuss those two important requests in this lesson (continuation of Lesson 160a).  

Life of Christ Lesson 160a: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part I

John 17:1-5

The seventeenth chapter of the gospel of John is what many great men of God have considered to be "the Holy of Holies" of the Word of God.  In this sacred chapter, the veil before the Most Holy Place is pulled aside and we are allowed to listen to inter-Trinitarian communication.  The Lord Jesus spoke audibly, in the presence of His disciples, to His Heavenly Father after He concluded His "Farewell Discourse" (John 14 to 16).  His special prayer is the longest recorded prayer of the Son of God.

In the first part of His prayer, the Lord Jesus prayed for Himself.  We discuss three aspects of this part of His prayer (see also Lesson 160b): (1) the purpose for His prayer, (2) the posture of His prayer, and (3) the petitions of His prayer.

Life of Christ Lesson 159: O Boy, Coming Joy! {Transformed, Transcendent, and Triumphant JOY}!

John 16:16-33

The eleven disciples to whom Christ spoke the words of this passage from His "Farewell Discourse" were experiencing anything but joy!  They were distressed and sorrowful because He told them He was leaving and despite all the fantastic promises He gave them, they were despondent.  They wanted HIM, not His promises.  However, the many promises He gave them from John 14 to this point DID make a difference in their lives!  All their sorrows DID turn to joy - and it was a joy no one or anything could ever take from them.  

The words Christ spoke that night to His despondent men CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE, too!  YOU, too, can have a joy unspeakable that no one or anything can ever take from you!

In this lesson, we discover what the Lord told His followers about coming joy.  He spoke about transformed joy, which is born out of pain; He spoke of transcendent joy, which is found in prayer, and He discussed triumphant joy, which is the peace of being "in Him"!  

Life of Christ Lesson 158c: The Spirit’s Teaching Ministry

Learn all about the wonderful teaching ministry of God the Holy Spirit!

We need Him to discern the Truth; to enlighten us as no other teacher can do!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 158b: The Spirit’s Convicting Ministry - Part II

John 16:8-11

This is a continuation of the Lord's teaching about the reproving ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who He promised to send to indwell believers of the Church Age.  The Spirit would not only comfort believers, who would great need comforting as the face a hostile world, but He would convict/convince the lost through the Gospel message proclaimed by the Church.  His reproving ministry involves convicting people that there is indeed a problem with the human condition, and it is called sin.   But, He not only convicts people of their unholiness, He also shows them how the righteousness of Christ is freely available for them!  When a person put his or her faith in Jesus Christ, His righteousness is imputed to them!  "God made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21)!  It is A WONDERFUL EXCHANGE - we trade our sin for His righteousness!  

A third reproving aspect of the Spirit's ministry is to convince men of judgment.  He works to convince me of the great sin of rejecting the One Way to obtain forgiveness and receive righteousness, which is by faith in Christ.  True preaching, teaching, and witnessing will never condone sin, it will always exalt the righteousness of Christ, and it will forewarn of the inevitability of eternal judgment.

Life of Christ Lesson 158a: The Spirit’s Convicting Ministry- Part I

John 16:8-11

The Lord's greatest gift-promise to His men given during the course of His "Farewell Discourse" (the night of His arrest) was to send them the Holy Spirit.  In Lesson 157, we discuss the Spirit's role to the Church as Comforter.  However, the Spirit's ministry after Christ's ascension was not merely to comfort believers as they passed through the world; He was also sent in mercy by the Lord to convict the world so many people come come to saving faith in Christ.  The Spirit not only has a defensive ministry for believers, but He has an offensive (meaning aggressive) ministry to the world!  He was sent to convict the lost; to awaken a person's conscience to three basic truths: (1) the actuality of sin, (2) the availability of righteousness, and (3) the inevitability of judgment.

Life of Christ Lesson 157: Holy Spirit’s Comforting Ministry!

John 15:26-16:7

There is much confusion today in this world about the third Member of the Triune Godhead, so the lessons on the Holy Spirit, given to His disciples on the night of His arrest as part of His "Farewell Discourse," are critical for our proper understanding the ministry and the function (role) of the Spirit.

In the previous lesson (#156), the Lord's subject dealt with the hateful opposition of the world toward the Church (Christians).  His next subject  was "The Ministries of the Holy Spirit" both to and through the Church in the world.

Christ spoke of three particular functions (roles) of the Spirit: as Comforter (this lesson), as Reprover, and as Teacher.   This lesson is about His role, to the Church, as Comforter - a very important role for believers today as we face increasing persecution worldwide!

Life of Christ Lesson 156: The Hatred of the World

John 15:18-25

Continuing with the Lord's "Farewell Discourse," addressed to His disciples, first in the Upper Room and then on their way to Gethsemane, we find that after speaking about "The Love of the Lord" (Lesson #155), He then talked about the world's hostility toward Him and His people. 

The transition from this lesson to the previous one is a natural one.  Jesus had just finished telling His men that He would no longer call them "servants," but "friends".  He then furnished them with three proofs of His love for them.  Now (in this section of His sermon), He forewarned them of the enemies' hatred; since they were His friends, they could expect to encounter the same hatred He encountered (and was about to encounter, beginning that very night)!

The Lord does not want His followers to be naïve about our opposition.  He does not want our spirits quenched by the evil we encounter as we proclaim Him to the world.  So, He told us ahead of time (through His words to the disciples), of the hatred we can expect from the world because of our identity with Him.

"What on Earth is Going On?!" - Part 1 NEW STUDY {A Jet-Tour Through God's Plan of the Ages}

Take a "jet tour" through the entire Bible in this NEW STUDY, as we explore "God's Plan of the Ages" to see where we are today in HIS-story!  This is an extremely powerful message to strengthen faith in the undeniable RELIABILITY OF GOD'S WORD - and to use the information learned in SHARING with others so their "eyes are opened" to the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ!

Many exciting prophetic picture-types of the Gospel throughout the Old Testament are presented - some of which may even surprise the seasoned Bible student.

"What on Earth is Going On?" Part 2 - NEW STUDY {End-Times' Indicators in the World Today}

This second part of this BRAND NEW STUDY, "What on Earth is Going On," looks at today's extremely alarming world scenario through the lens of prophetic Scripture! 

Discussed in this study are not only New Testament descriptions of "the last days" (which we are clearly in), but some very important "end times" Old Testament prophecies. These include the prophetic vision of Ezekiel's "Valley of Dry Bones" ... which is already partially fulfilled ... and his divinely inspired description of the yet-future "War of Gog and Magog" (the geopolitical alignment of the nations involved in this battle exist today for the first time in 2600 years)!

We also summarize what many consider the greatest prophecy in support of the Identity of Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world: Daniel's God-given "Seventy Weeks' Prophecy"! Not only did it predict the very day of His official presentation of Himself as Messiah to Israel, but this prophecy fully supports a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of Christ's Bride, the Church. Furthermore, it clearly teaches (as does "The Valley of Dry Bones Prophecy") that God has not replaced Israel with the Church! He will fully keep all His covenant promises with her! Romans 11:26!

God has placed blinking neon signs everywhere to warn the world He is coming soon! DO NOT be like Israel at the time of Christ's First Coming, when she MISSED THE DAY OF HER VISITATION!  Receive Him today as your sin-Substitute Savior, for He is LORD, and the Bible clearly proves that truth from Genesis to Revelation.

 

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Life of Christ Lesson 155: The Love of the Lord

John 15:9-17

The Lord moved away from His analogy of the Vine and its branches (15:1-8) and focused on love and friendship as He spoke to His men on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He would be betrayed and arrested (and knew it).  In this study entitled "The Love of the Lord," we discuss (1) The Depth of Christ's Love (15:9), (2) The Demands of Christ's Love (15:10), (3) The Delights of Christ's Love (15:11, 12), (4) The Demonstration of Christ's Love (15:13-16), and (5) The Duplication of Christ's Love (15:17).

Learn about having joy within and peace without!  Learn of His Self-sacrifice, His special friendship, and His sovereign selection.

Life of Christ Lesson 154: The Vine and Branches - Part II

John 15:4-8

As the Lord and His men were on their way from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane on the final night before Jesus' death on the Passover, He used the analogy of a vine and its branches to compare His relationship with believers.  In the first part of this two-part study on this beautiful metaphor, we considered "The Vine and its Background" and "The Vine and its Branches," where we learned that Christ is the Vine, God the Father is the Vinedresser (Husbandman), and true believers are the fruitful branches.  In this study, we look at "The Vine and its Bountifulness" (15:4-8).  VERY IMPORTANT discussion on abiding in the Vine and abounding for the Vine!

Did you know that every true believer bears fruit?  What about the thief on the cross?  He died shortly after he was saved by trusting in Jesus as Lord!  He had no time to bear fruit - or did he?  Find out!

Life of Christ Lesson 153: The Vine and Branches - Part I

John 15:1-3

After the Lord finished comforting His disciples with His words of John chapter 14, it was time to leave the Upper Room to make His way to Gethsemane, where He knew Judas would lead His enemies to arrest Him.  His instruction to His men as they made their way to that garden began with an analogy regarding a vine and its branches, which is the subject of this two-part study on John 15:1-8.  In this first lesson, we will discuss "The Vine and its Background" (verse 1) and "The Vine and its Branches" (verses 2 and 3).

The Lord Jesus declared Himself to be the Vine of His analogy with His seventh "I AM" statement.  He said, "I am the True Vine" (15:1).  His Father is the Vinedresser, and believers in Christ are the "branches" who both abide in and abound for the True Vine. 

THERE IS A LOT OF DEEP INFORMATION in this analogy!  Does verse 2a mean that Christians can lose their salvation?  Are the fruitless branches "professing only Christians" (in name only)?  Do the discarded branches represent the Christian's works?  What about the role of the husbandman (the vinedresser) and the very important pruning process of the Christian?  All these questions are discussed - and many others.

Life of Christ Lesson 152: The Promised Peace!

John 14:22-31

In the first part of this lesson, "The Promised Peace," the Lord Jesus answered yet another question from one of His men during His "Farewell Discourse" to them.  Peter had asked Him where He was going and why he could not immediately follow Him there (John 13:36, 37).  Thomas wanted to know the way to get wherever Jesus was going (14:5), and Philip made the request to get a glimpse of the Father (14:8).  Now, Thaddaeus wanted to know how Jesus could manifest Himself to them and not to the world (14:22).  We discuss Christ's answer as to how He manifests Himself only to those who love Him.

In the second part of this lesson, the Lord continued giving His men comforting promises to ease the pain of His announcement about His upcoming death and departure from them (after His resurrection).  Six of those promises were covered in Lessons #149-151.  The remaining two are discussed in this lesson: "The Promise of Assured Perpetuation" (the promise of the believer's undying life) and "The Promise of Astonishing Position" (the union believers have with the Holy Trinity, and Christ's special manifestation of Himself to them).

Life of Christ Lesson 151: The Promised Paraclete {Four Wonderful Promises Concerning the Holy Spirit}

John 14:15-21

The Lord's promises related to the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers after His departure. The promises are about another Paraclete (One Who comes alongside), His abiding presence, an assured perpetuation, and an astonishing position.  Listen to learn of these four wonderful promises for believers in Christ!!!

Life of Christ Lesson 150: Christ and the Father {Including What it Means to Pray in Jesus’ Name}

John 14:7-14

Jesus told Philip that to know Him is to know the Father; to see Him is to "see" the Father; that He is "in the Father" and the Father is in Him; that when He speaks, it is the Father speaking; and that when He does works, it is the Father in Him doing the works!  He also talked about those who believe in Him doing even "greater works" than His works when He ascended back to His Father.  There is a lot of rich "meat" in this passage of Scripture - including the Lord's promise of answered prayer for believers who ask "in His name" (7:14). What exactly does that mean??  

Life of Christ Lesson 149b: True Comfort for Troubled Hearts - Part II

In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.com and scripturetruth.com (search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)

Sub-titled, "The Heavenly Highway Proclaimed".  This message is about the well-known words of immense comfort from the Lord Jesus on a night when He should have been receiving words of comfort from His men, for He told them He was going to be betrayed and killed.  Instead, He was selflessly concerned for them and how they were going to need to remember the things He was telling them to strengthen their faith for all that lay ahead for them in the days, weeks, and years to follow.  These words have helped millions of Christians go through all manner of troublesome times.  They are words of truth about our sure future with the One Who is even now preparing dwelling places for all who belong to Him, where we will enjoy fellowship with Him forever.

Life of Christ Lesson 149a: True Comfort for Troubled Hearts - Part I

Sub-titled, "The Heavenly Home Promised".  The number one "destroyer" of Christians is heart trouble caused by anxiety and stress.  Anxiety is a killer.  That is why the Great Physician spoke soothing, "medicinal" words of His very anxious men on the night of His betrayal and arrest.  He ministered to their great mental and spiritual needs with words that began with, "Let not your heart be troubled"!

The great, comforting words of Christ in John 14:1-6 have brought immense comfort to Christians in times of trouble and bereavement throughout the Church Age.  We study them in detail in this two-part study (see also Lesson 149b), for they are worth knowing to the depth of our souls.  If you are anxious about living in these troublesome times, take these verses and hide them in your heart!  They will help you remember the fact that Christ Jesus is in complete control of every aspect of your life.  He cares for you from head to toe.  He will never leave you nor forsake you even though you can't see Him!  

Life of Christ Lesson 146: Passover Predictions {Sifting, Scattering, Crowing}

Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:36-38

After Judas was dismissed from the Upper Room, Jesus immediately spoke of the glory He and His Father would receive because of the cross.  For the first time, He called His disciples "little children," and told them He was going to leave them and where He was going they could not come.  Following a question from Peter, who was perplexed about something Christ said, Jesus gave some shocking "Predictions Regarding the Disciples' Deeds".  Those predictions include His separation from them, Satan's sifting, the sheep scattering, and Simon's (Peter's) shame (he would deny Christ three times before the cock crow in the morning).  In the second part of this lesson, we discuss "Predictions Regarding the Disciples' Needs".

Life of Christ Lesson 145: ”And It Was Night”

John 13:23-35

The Lord Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to repent and turn from the wicked path he was taking, but He could no longer postpone the inevitable.  There were critical truths to share with His disciples that could not be said while a "tare" was among them, and as long as Satan himself hovered about in the room.  This lesson, "And it was Night" is about the deliberate steps Christ took to expel Judas from His presence.  Jesus was about to transition the Passover Supper into "The Lord's Supper," which was to become an ordinance for His future Church to be observed only by believers.  Thus, Judas (unless he repented) needed to be released so the events that led the cross would begin to transpire.

In this lesson, "The Giving of the Sop," we  discuss Judas and the Devil; Judas and the Disciples, and Judas and the Darkness.

We also discuss Christ's "new" commandment of John 13:34.

Life of Christ Lesson 144: Traitor at the Table

Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:12-22

In this lesson, "Traitor at the Table," we continue to look at the circumstances surrounding the events that occurred early during the Lord's final Passover Supper.  Jesus had just given His men a demonstration on humility when He girded Himself in a towel and washed their feet.  Following His return to the table, He then gave them a discourse on humility in which He spoke of "The Requirement of Humility" and "The Reward of Happiness".  

During the course of our narrative, we branch off to talk about the 3 requirements for something to be a valid, Biblical ordinance of the Church (such as baptism and communion).

In the second half of this lesson, "A Shocking Report," Jesus told His men that His betrayer was one of them!  Each of the 3 subdivisions of this section center on Judas Iscariot: "Revelation about the Betrayer," "Response Regarding the Betrayer," and Christ's very serious "Remonstration to the Betrayer".  An unholy man was used by Holy God to accomplish His holy purposes for an unholy world!

Life of Christ Lesson 143: Teaching in a Towel {Humility & Servanthood}

John 13:1-11; Matthew 26:10; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14-16

This lesson, "Teaching in a Towel," is about an embarrassing lesson the disciples again had to learn "the hard way".  Jesus girded Himself in a servant's towel to do what none of them had done when they entered the Upper Room to celebrate the Passover Supper together.  He washed the disciples' feet, giving them a lesson by example on humility - one they would never forget, we can be sure!

The outline for this lesson consists of 3 divisions: "Selfish Contention," "Selfless Condescension," and "Simon's Contradiction".

In an atmosphere of selfish strife among His chosen few,

The King of kings took off His robe to teach them something true.

With a towel His humble clothing (as swaddling strips had been),

The Lord of Glory, Son of God, washed the feet of sinful men.

Such willful condescension, the world can't understand,

Nor can it grasp the Love that let coarse nails pierce His hand!

                                       K. Caldwell

Life of Christ Lesson 142: Preparing the Passover {Judas’ Betrayal}

Matthew 26:14-19; Mark 14:10-16; Luke 22:3-13

In addition to discussing the final recorded event of Passion Week Tuesday ("the busy day"), which we have entitled "Rulers Purchase the Passover" (from Judas, the betrayer), we also discuss the events of the next day, which we have entitled, "Disciples Prepare for the Passover Supper".  It was going to be the Lord's last full, pre-resurrection day with His men, and He had much more to say to prepare them not only for the next few very critical days, but for their future ministry to the world, as well.

The Resurrection Reality - Part II {More Events, Evidences, and Excitement Regarding Resurrection Sunday} RECENT STUDY

Why did the Apostles not believe the report of the resurrection of Jesus they received from the two groups of women who had been to the empty tomb and talked with angels? One of those two groups even met Jesus Himself in His glorified body - yet, the men did not believe them.  They thought they were full of "silly talk"! Nor did the men believe the report that came later Sunday afternoon from the two disciples who met the resurrected Christ on the Road to Emmaus!  In fact, they did not even believe Jesus had resurrected bodily when He first appeared before them in the Upper Room! 

We discuss why the dramatic change in the Apostles from adamant disbelief and despair to absolute conviction to the point of martyrdom is a very strong proof of His resurrection!  How many post-resurrection appearances did Christ make (that are at least recorded in Scripture)? To whom did He make them?  

Also included is our discussion on the divinely inspired account of one of the most emotionally charged scenes in Scripture - where Mary Magdalene finally . . . on her third trip to the tomb . . . comes to believe in the resurrection of Christ.  A beautiful poem (by Katherine Caldwell) about Mary's experience is shared at the end of this lesson and it may bring you to tears.