Episodes
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 86: Debate in the Midst of the Feast
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
John 7:11-31
In this lesson, we discuss the various debates about Jesus taking place in Jerusalem both before His arrival there and following His appearance in the Temple in the midst of the festival week (the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasted 7 days). There are five main divisions to this lesson: (1) Arguments about Christ's Character, (2) Astonishment at Christ's Doctrine, (3) Accusations of Christ's Person, (4) Anger Over Christ's Word, and (5) Ambivalence Over Christ's Origin.
Find out why it is impossible to conclude that Jesus was just a "good man"! Also, learn how you can KNOW if what Jesus taught is true! He gave the answer in John 7:17 and 7:18. Learn how He pointed out yet another hypocrisy in the Jewish religious leaders concerning their supposed "love" for Moses and the Law! Learn what particular "work" and what particular claim Christ did and made that made the Jews (rulers) so indignant that they wanted to kill Him. The Jews could take no more of Christ's claims to Deity, so they sought to lay hands on Him to arrest Him, but they could not. Why? The answer is found in John 7:30, ". . . because His hour was not yet come"! He had six more months of ministry remaining, and nobody could touch Him until it was the divinely appointed time for Him to give His life - willingly! That time was the Passover.
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
Luke 9:51-56; John 7:1-10
The Lord now came to the end of His Galilean ministry. In Luke 9:51, He is headed toward Jerusalem of Judea, and we read these words, "And it came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem". It was near to the Feast of Tabernacles with only six months before the Feast of Passover - the one in which Christ would be the Passover Lamb!
Knowing His time was growing short and also knowing what awaited Him when He arrived in Jerusalem, nonetheless, He set His face like flint to complete the work He set out to do. He had put His hand to the plow, and He would NOT turn back! He was "On the Road to Rejection," and it would begin sadly. It began with the rejection of His own half-brothers, which is what we look at first, "Spurned by His Siblings," and as He passed through Samaria, He was also "Spurned by the Samaritans".
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 84: Barriers to Commitment
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Matthew 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62
The Lord said His yoke is easy and His burden light, but it does not mean He makes easy and light demands of those who would be His followers (disciples). He also said those who follow Him in committed discipleship must be willing to deny self and take up their cross. In this lesson, the Lord encountered three "would-be" disciples - men who claimed they wanted to follow Him. However, by way of these three living illustrations (and their "excuses"), we see just how real the demand of Christian discipleship are and how few people are truly willing to commit completely to Christ's service!
In His conversation with the three "would be" disciples, we learn of the three most common barriers to total Christian commitment: (1) The Barrier of Present Resources, (2) The Barrier of Future Riches, and (3) The Barrier of Past Relationships.
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 83: Key to Family Unity: FORGIVENESS!
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Matthew 18:21-35
The last section of the Lord's "Sermon on Being Children of God" came as a result of a question posed by Peter. After hearing Jesus teach about the necessary steps believers must take in regard to the discipline of an offending brother, Peter became curious about the number of times a sinning brother should be forgiven. Thinking he was being very generous, he then suggested his own number - 7 times. In answer to Peter, the Lord spoke about the importance of forgiveness in the Christian's life. This is the subject of this lesson, forgiveness is the Key to Family Unity!
Included in this lesson is the Lord's "Parable of the Wicked Servant" (Matthew 18:23-34).
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Matthew 17:15-20
This is a difficult lesson (often ignored by many churches and Christians), for it on "Discipline With the Family" (speaking of the family of God). It is the Lord's instructions for how to properly engage in church discipline. He presented the necessary and sequential steps involved in godly, Biblical discipline of believers who have stumbled into sin by offending or despising a "brother or sister" in Christ. These principles for preserving family unity are still applicable today!
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Matthew 18:10-20
This next two-part study entitled "Preserving Family Unity" is a continuation of the Lord's "Sermon on Being the Children of God" (Lesson #81), which was precipitated by the disciples' argument over which of them would be "the greatest" in the Kingdom. He taught them about humility in the section we entitled "Servants, Not Celebrities," and He taught them about true servant-greatness in the section, "Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks".
In this lesson (and #82b), He rebuked His men for their argument with each other about greatness, for in seeking self-promotion, they were actually pushing the others down. It was a form of "despising" others in the family of God. Learn from Him what some of the ways in which Christ despise each other (18:10a), and why Christians should NOT despise one another (18:10b-14).
In this study, we discuss "The Parable of the Lost Sheep"!
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 81: Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Matthew 18:5-9; Mark 9:36-50; Luke 9:48-50
Although the Lord Jesus shortly before had predicted His up-coming suffering and death (Matthew 17:22, 23), His disciples were so focused on their own selfish ambitions that they heatedly disputed over who among them was to be the greatest in the Kingdom! This is what prompted the Lord to preach a sermon on being children of God. This sermon, more than any other of His discourses, teaches Christians how to get along with one another!
With a small child in the midst of them (18:2), Christ taught about God's perspective on true greatness, which begins with childlike humility. He also taught about the importance of having a servant-like attitude and spirit.
Among other subjects discussed in this lesson are "The Problem of Sectarianism" (important!), "The Peril of Stumbling Blocks"(we can either influence people for the better and help them live more righteously, or we can influence them for the worse by causing them to stumble into sin), and "The Power of Salt" (Mark 9:49, 50).
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Matthew 17:24-18:4; Mark 9:33-35; Luke 9:46, 47
This lesson covers two major events, one in the form of a miracle ("Simon's Fishy Coin") and the other in the form of an instructional sermon, which we call "Sermon on Being Children of God". The sermon is the Lord's personal instructions about being humble, harmonious, and forgiven children of God! We begin it in this lesson by talking about the importance of being "Servants, Not Celebrities"! In the lesson to follow (#81), the Lord teaches us to be "Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks"!
There is a lot of Bible teaching in this lesson about the Christian's behavior as a "citizen" of this world! Although our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven and although the governments of this world are all, to one degree or another, corrupt, yet we are under obligation to human government (i.e. to pay our taxes, obey the laws) except when obedience would directly interfere with obedience to God. By divine law, we are to be subject to human laws and government!
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 79: Moving Mountains in the Valley
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Matthew 17:14-23; Mark 9:14-32; Luke 9:37-45
With this lesson, we move into "The Private Ministry of Christ" (the final year of His ministry), when He was focused on preparing His disciples for the work they would carry on once He returned to His Father in Heaven. One of the first principles He taught His men, after He came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, was a principle regarding faith. Coming down back into "the valley of life," the Lord encountered what we call "A Hellish Situation" (a boy demoniac and the utter failure of the nine Apostles to deliver him). The Lord taught a valuable lesson on faith - not only must spiritual life initially be received by faith; it must also continually be lived out by faith! He alone had "A Heavenly Solution". He delivered the boy and not only cultivated the faith of the boy's father, but corrected the failure of His men!
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 78: Messiah’s Metamorphosis {The Transfiguration!!}
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36
For the first time, Jesus had revealed the fact of His Second Coming, something the Jews never understood about the Messiah. He then revealed the reliability of the prophecy (of His Return) by giving a glimpse of His Second Coming "Kingly splendor" to three of His Apostles: Peter, James, and John on what has come to be called "The Mount of Transfiguration". That revelation of His divine nature was a miniature preview of His Second Coming.
Learn about the conversation with two special Old Testament saints Christ had on the Mount! Why is the word "exodus" mentioned as the center of that conversation and why is that term significant for believers? Learn of Peter's suggestion and why it had to be corrected by God from Heaven! Why did Christ only allow three men to witness this unveiling of His glory - and then forbid them from telling the others about it (until after His resurrection).
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 77: Profiting by Loss
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27
The Lord was intently concentrated on teaching His twelve disciples the deeper truths concerning the divine plan for man's redemption. They not only needed to hear about His need to die, His resurrection, their own need to suffer for His sake and bear their own crosses, but they needed to know the truth about His glorious Second Coming. These subjects are discussed in the five divisions of this lesson, which are (1) The Sovereign Plan, (2) The Satanic Presumption (oh dear, Peter), (3) The Saviour's Protest, (4) The Sacrificial Paradox (profit in the Christian life only comes through loss, which is primarily the loss of pride and selfishness), and (5) The Sure Promise (of His Second Coming).
Learn what Jesus meant when He said, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross".
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 76: Upon this Rock {WHAT is the Rock? Peter?? NOPE!}
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21
In the first part of this lesson, the Lord Jesus asked His men the question every person must eventually answer, ". . .Whom say ye that I am?". This all-important questions and the response He received from the disciples are the subject matter contained under our heading, "The Choice". This question session ended with Peter's great confession (given on behalf of the other men, as well), "Thou art teh Christ, the Son of the Living God". The Lord accepted it because it is true! He then took them to a new stage of enlightenment; for the first time, He spoke to them about The Church"!
We get into a very important discussion about the Lord's words to Peter, "Thou art Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I will build My church". Was He stating that Peter is the rock upon which He would build His Church - or does "this rock" refer to something else? This is important, for this is the very verse Roman Catholicism bases its authority for the office of the pope! CRITICAL DOCTRINAL STUDY about this and other matters (i.e. Christ's words to His men about "binding and loosing" in Matthew 16:19).
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 75: Battling Blindness {Physical and Spiritual}
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Matthew 15:39-16:12; Mark 8:10-26
In the next two chronological steps of Christ's earthly ministry, we have a picture of His battle with both complete and cloudy spiritual vision. As He returned to Galilee from the area of Decapolis, He again encountered a battle with the willfully blind Jewish religious leader, who tried to tempt Him so as to discredit Him publicly. They were (1) completely sightless (spiritually speaking). Next, the Lord dealt with His disciples, who received their spiritual sight by their faith in Christ, but still had what we call (2) cloudy sight. There were yet many things about Him, His plan of redemption, His Church, and His Second Coming they did not understand. When He warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they thought he spoke about actual bread.
Finally, in the Lord's healing of a blind man in Bethsaida, we have a picture of (3) cleared sight. The blind man actually pictured the disciples, who spiritual sight would gradually clear (especially after the Lord's resurrection). This is the only miracle Christ ever performed in which "the healing" took place gradually! Learn how that unique miracle illustrates an important spiritual truth for all of us!
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 74: Decapolis Ministry {Feeding the 4,000}
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Matthew 15:29-38; Mark 7:31-37.
In this lesson, we learn the Lord's traveling schedule demonstrated that though He came to reveal and present Himself first to Israel, He also came as the Saviour of the world. His ministry among Gentile people (i.e. Tyre, Sidon, the ten cities of Decapolis) was a "sneak preview" of the extension of His Kingdom to the entire world.
Jesus performed many miracles while in the area of Decapolis (the Gadarene demoniac had spread word in Decapolis about the great thing he did for him), but two specific miracles are recorded and discussed in this lesson. They are the healing of a deaf man (Mark 7:35) and the feeling of the 4,000+ (8:7-9).
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 73: A Faith Called Great [And it is a Gentile Woman!}
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30
This is the account of the Lord's deliverance of a demon from a Syro-phoenician woman's daughter. The woman had a desperate request, which she took to the right Source, the Lord Jesus! He, however, seemed to be against her! He did not speak a word to her pleading request for His mercy. His disciples were rude to her. She did not give up. She overcame all kinds of obstacles (her nationality, her gender, Satan - who had done his part to attack her precious daughter, and the Lord's seeming apathy), but then Jesus said to her these strange words, "It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs"! YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS LESSON SO YOU RIGHTLY UNDERSTAND HIS WORDS AND WHAT JESUS WAS DOING WITH THIS WOMAN!
Amazingly, the Syrophoenician woman humbly accepted her place in God's providential plan of things (Jew first, then the Gentile). She was fully accepting of the divine order. She willingly accepted God's plan and submitted to it. She put away pride and became an illustration of the millions of Gentiles who have been blessed and saved by the Messiah of Israel. She became the only woman the Lord Jesus is recorded to have commended for her GREAT FAITH!! Her daughter was not only delivered, the woman was saved!
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 72: Defection and Defilement
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
John 6:59-71; Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23
The Lord Jesus had fed 5,000+ people with only five barley loaves and two fish. It was such an amazing miracle, the people tried to crown Him their King, but their motive was wrong and their understanding of His Kingship and His Kingdom was wrong. In His "Bread of Life Sermon," which He preached to the people the next day, He revealed Himself as the True Bread of Life (spiritual bread that gives eternal life). The response of the people was resentment when they heard Him speak of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to receive everlasting life. He was using metaphoric language to speak of the need to receive Him personally into the core of one's being to experience the New Birth. The Jews murmured when they heard His claims to Deity in the first part of His sermon, but they aggressively began to argue among themselves when they heard His words about eating and drinking His flesh and blood.
Jesus was finished with His message. He said to the people, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I am that Bread of life" (6:47, 48). As always, there was division among the people when He finished. Most of the people rejected His words and, subsequently, rejected Him. Only a small minority received His words and determined to remain with Him.
Sunday Aug 06, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 71b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part IV
Sunday Aug 06, 2023
Sunday Aug 06, 2023
This is the fourth lesson on the very important "Bread of Life Sermon" of John chapter 6. It is critical to rightly interpret this discourse. Much of Christendom follows a false interpretation of it, which has led to millions of people participating in a false doctrine called Transubstantiation!
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 71a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part III
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
From John chapter 6; the Lord's continued teaching on "The Bread of Life Sermon" (Part III). A very important sermon to understand on many levels, particularly when it comes to having correct Bible doctrine (literally multi-millions of people have been led astray about the significance of the ordinance of Communion due to improper interpretation of this critical sermon)!
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 70b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part II
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
John chapter 6, "The Bread of Life Sermon" (Part II - continuing look at verses 26-40). The main point Jesus wanted the people and His disciples to understand through this discourse was that His Kingdom is not a political or even an earthly issue, but a spiritual one. The crowd had wanted to crown Him King after the miraculous feeding, but He evaded their efforts. They needed to understand He did not come to be a political King to free them from Roman bondage, but as a spiritual King (the only King of Heaven and Earth) to set them free from much more serious bondage - to sin and death!
In this lesson, He taught them how He is the True Manna from Heaven and that He is far superior to Moses. Manna was only for Israel and it was temporary. He is the Bread of God Who gave His life for the world, and it is permanent. Moses was merely the human instrument God used to feed the people, as the disciples had been Christ's instruments to distribute the food to the people the previous day. Christ performed the miraculous miracle in His own power. Manna was the shadow; He is the Substance.
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 70a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part I
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
After feeding the 5,000+ people with five barley loaves and two fish (an amazing miracle), the Lord Jesus then presented a powerful message in what has come to be known as His "Bread of Life Sermon" of John chapter 6. We present this very important discourse in four parts (of which this is the first).
This sermon was a defining moment in Christ's life, for after hearing it and misunderstanding what He taught, most of His followers turned and walked no more with Him. It is critical to rightly interpret this sermon, which we do!
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 69: Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea {Handling Life’s Storms}
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
In this lesson from our 8-year Life of Christ study (through all four gospels), titled "Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea" in the accompany commentary-book ("Life of Christ Vol. 3), we discuss the Lord's amazing deliverance of His disciples from sure death in a very violent storm. The Lord calmed that storm by simply getting into the ship with His disciples, but there was another miracle that occurred at the very same time!! That simultaneous miracle is mentioned so briefly, it is OFTEN NOT NOTICED AT ALL. It also took place quickly (in the twinkling of an eye), and may very well serve as a beautiful prophetic picture of THE RAPTURE (and/or the individual Christian's "home-going"). The ship and all "on board" were instantly on the shore of safety (i.e. Heaven)!
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 68: Lord Multiplies a Lad’s Lunch!
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
John 6:1-15; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-40; Luke 9:10-17
The feeding of the 5,000 men (plus women and children, so more likely at least 15,000 people) is the only specific miracle recorded in all four gospel accounts other than Christ's resurrection! It was a spectacular miracle that produced a peak in the peoples' interest in Jesus, even causing them to want to crown Him king, but for the wrong reasons. This is why after we discuss Part I of this lesson, "Jesus Feeds the Multitude," we then look at Part II, "Jesus Flees the Multitude". Many spiritual lessons were taught the disciples of Christ through this miracle; they also apply to us today! A "must" listen message!
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 67: Fears and Follies of Herod
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Matthew 14:1-12. We come in this lesson to the death of one of the most fearless men of God who ever lived, John the Baptist. In this same episode about the godly, fearless Baptist, we learn about a godless man who feared just about everyone except God! His name was Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea; the man responsible for the beheading of the Baptist. This is a great lesson to illustrate the truth of Proverbs 29:25, "The fear of man brings a snare". It is also a good lesson on the human conscience, as well as on the very serious danger of lust and peer pressure.
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 66: The Ordination Sermon IV
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
In the final section of the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His men, found in Matthew 10:24-42, His words apply to all believers. In fact, in this interesting passage, we find some of His most definitive teaching on the true nature of Christian discipleship in the New Testament. He "pulled no punches". He "painted" no pretentious pictures when it came to revealing what is involved when a person chooses to follow Him. He spoke about the blessings and the bruises; the promises and the persecutions, and the rewards and the rejections.
This is the key passage in Scripture on Christian discipleship, which is the great task of the Church! IMPORTANT LESSON
Saturday Jul 29, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 65: The Ordination Sermon - Part III
Saturday Jul 29, 2023
Saturday Jul 29, 2023
In this next section of the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His Apostles, Matthew 10:16-23, we find that the Lord really had something important to say to all His "helpers" (followers), not only the ones present with Him at that time, but also to those who would serve Him in the future (us and the Tribulation believers).
As we cover the information of the Lord in verses 16 to 23, we will discuss His words of warning about the opposition of the "wolves" His disciples can expect to encounter (then, now, and in the future). He forewarned that the opposition to their message about Him would come from the religionists, the rulers, and their own relatives. So very true!
The persecution the godly believer can expect to encounter will give him or her opportunities to witness. Jesus assured His men (and all future disciples) they need not be concerned what to say in those situations, for the Spirit would speak through them (10:19, 20). We also hear the Lord talk about the disciples' obligation to withstand. We discuss what He meant by His words, ". . . but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (10:22b) - often misunderstood.
Friday Jul 28, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 64b: The Ordination Sermon- Part II
Friday Jul 28, 2023
Friday Jul 28, 2023
In this lesson, we further discuss the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His men. We discuss the men in their groups of four and then in the pairs by which they were sent forth. Also important is why they were to travel in pairs - we talk about the various wise reasons for that. Jesus explains to them what their ministry was to be, as well as the message they were to give and the miracles they would be empowered to perform. So, too, He talked about their "means" (to trust God to provide) and their method(s) they were to use as they went to towns and cities and stayed in homes, etc.
There is a lot of practical information for us today as we go forth in the name of Christ, proclaiming Him to those of our communities and beyond!
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 64a: The Ordination Sermon - Part I
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Matthew 9:35-10:42. This is the record of the very first ordination that ever took place among those who would serve as the foundational, living stones of Church, the lord's Apostles. In the fourth recorded sermon of Christ's ministry, He gave the ordination charge to His men before sending them out, in pairs, on their first mission venture without Him.
To this point in His ministry, Jesus was doing everything (teaching, healing, preaching) on His own. His men were merely observers and learners, but not participators in His works. They needed to learn how to also become directly involved as "laborers" in the ministry of sowing seed and harvesting souls for the Kingdom of God. The Lord's time with them was getting short. They needed to have some "hands-on" training!
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 63: Binding Blindness
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
There are two kinds of blindness that afflict the human race: physical and spiritual. The Lord encountered both types in this lesson, "Binding Blindness". He healed the physically blind eyes of two man whose eyes may have seen nothing, but whose spiritual "eyes" were enlightened to "see" the Light of Christ!
The Lord also encountered the spiritual blindness that abundantly existed in Israel, particularly among the citizens of His hometown of Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6a). Sadly, Jesus encountered far more cases of spiritual blindness than ALL the other types of physical deficiencies and diseases put together!
There are two miracles discussed in this lesson: the miracle of sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:29) and the miracle of healing a dumb demonian (Matthew 9:33).
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Mark 5:22-24, 35:45 (also Matthew 9:18, 19, 23-26; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56). This is the account of the "healing" by Jesus of the third humanly incurable situation in Mark chapter 5 (the first two were the healing of dehumanized demoniacs - Lesson #61 and the healing of the disgraced daughter of Israel - Lesson #62a). The third consecutive healing miracle of the Great Physician (Jesus) in this chapter was the most "incurable" of all. Jairus' dying 12-year old daughter actually died before Jesus made it to the home. After the delay with the woman with issue of blood, the Lord arrived "too late" (it would seem), for the little girl was dead and the professional mourners had already arrived!
If you don't already know this story, you will be richly blessed; if you do already know it, you will also be richly blessed. Why? Because we can never hear enough how our Great Physician Saviour, Who is incarnate God, can "heal" every humanly incurable situation, including the worst of all, death! Halelluiah!
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 62a: The Great Physician {Touching the Hem} - Part II
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
Mark 5:25-34 (also Matthew 9:20-22 and Luke 8:43-48) is the record of the Lord's encounter, as He was on His way to Jairus' house to see his 12-year old daughter, who was dying, with a woman who suffered from an issue of blood for 12 years. Not only did the woman suffer physically (never finding any physician who could help her), but she also emotionally and socially. Her ailment made her ceremonially unclean, so in Jewish society this meant she would be excluded from all social gatherings, including to worship in her local synagogue.
The woman heard about Jesus and His incredible healing powers. Thus, when she found out He was in her hometown of Capernaum, she carefully joined the thronging crowd around Him as He made His way to Jairus' house. She believed that if she could just reach out and slightly touch His clothing (not Him), that she would be made whole! When she managed to touch the hem of the Lord's clothes, the Lord felt power issue forth from Him. He knew someone had reached out to Him in faith, and when the woman came forward to share "all the truth" about her situation and what she had done in secretly touching His garment, the Lord, on the only occasion in the gospel accounts, called her "Daughter". Then He said to her, "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (5:34). It is a beautiful story about our Great Physician!
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 61: The Great Physician {Delivering Demons} - Part I
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Mark 5:1-20. The fifth chapter of Mark is often referred to as the Bible chapter for "incurables" because it contains the written record of Christ's confrontations with three humanly incurable cases.
First, He had "a divine appointment" with two men who were mentally deranged because of demonic possession. That will be the subject of this first of a three-part study on "The Great Physician".
The Lord's second encounter was with a physically disabled woman who had gone to every doctor she could find, and none could cure her of the issue of blood that plagued her for 12 years. The third situation was the most "incurable" of all, from the human perspective, It was death, in this case it was the death of a 12-year old girl, the daughter of a man named Jairus. Both of these situations will be discussed in the second part of this study (see Lesson #61a and b).
The three humanly incurable situations of Mark 5 picture man's incurable situation regarding sin. Apart from the healing/saving power of the Great Physician (Jesus Christ), men are the hopeless, helpless victims of Satan (first case of this chapter), of disease (second case), and of death (third case).
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 60: Handling Life’s Storms! MUCH NEEDED TODAY!
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Friday Jul 21, 2023
America, and, in fact, the world, is in the midst of a "storm" this very hour. These are unsettling times as we face the potential for World War III or some kind of nuclear or cyber attack, terrible inflation, open borders, high gas prices, continued possibility of another COVID variant, government corruption on every level, and on and on. How are Christians to respond? Well, actually, the same way we should respond to all the rest of life's storms! It is often said if you are not in a storm, it is either because you have just come through one or one is just ahead! Storms are a natural part of living in a sin-cursed world. There is no way to avoid them, but there is a very calm way to "ride them out" free of fear and full of faith - not faith in ourselves (or we will surely sink); not faith in all the resources of government and science (we will still sink, for there are storms greater than mankind's combined intelligence and strength), but faith in the one Person Who is able to guide us safely through any and all storms.
There is no reason to fear the furies and floods of life if you have invited Jesus Christ "on board" to be the Captain of your ship! He will see you safely to your final destination, no matter what is happening in your personal life or in the world today.
This lesson comes in our "Caldwell Commentary" series "Life of Christ Vol. 3" (available through www.scripturetruth.com and Amazon.com
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 59: Mystery Kingdom Separation
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
From Matthew 13:44-52, the Lord continued to teach what theologians call "The Mystery Parables Discourse". In the next two parables: "The Parable of the Hidden Treasure" and "The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price," He spoke of what God Himself would gain during the intermediate stage of His Kingdom. He would gain a precious treasure an a valuable pearl.
In the seventh parable, "The Parable of the Dragnet" (13:47-50), the Lord spoke of the judgment that would come at the consummation of the mystery form of the Kingdom, when He would return to establish the Messianic form of the Kingdom offered at His First Coming - but postponed because of Israel's rejection of Him, the King. the judgment will be a time of separation (wheat from tares; good fish from bad fish).
Matthew 13 ends with "The Parable of the Householder," by which Christ charged His disciples with personal responsibility to generously distribute both the old and new truths they were so very privileged to have!
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 58: Mystery Kingdom Sprouting
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
In this lesson from Matthew 13:24-43, the Lord Jesus fulfilled another Messianic prophecy, which is that the coming Messiah would speak in parables (Psalm 78:2), for in teaching His men on the inter-advent Kingdom of God on earth (roughly equivalent to the Church Age), He gave seven parables. It was followed with an eighth parable, not directly related to the others, but one that taught a Biblical principle: with understanding comes responsibility (see "The Parable of the Householder" in Lesson #59).
We discuss the reason the Lord often taught by way of parables before we then get into an indepth look at three important parables which shed a lot of light on the current age of Christendom. They are (1) "The Parable of the Wheat and Tares," (2) "The Parable of the Mustard Seed," and (3) "The Parable of the Leaven Hidden in Meal". We spend valuable time explaining the varied interpretations of these parables, always settling on the one that best fits the context, the original meaning of the Greek, and the rest of Scripture.
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 57b: Mystery Kingdom Sowing
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
This is the second half of our study of "The Parable of the Sower" and the four types of human heart types upon which the Seed (God's Word) is sown!
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Witnessing the rejection of Jesus by both Israel's religious rulers and even His own step-brothers would cause the Lord's disciples and other followers to wonder what would happened to the promise of the Messianic Kingdom if Israel rejected the King? The answer is the primary focus of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 13 (with parallel accounts in Mark 4 and Luke 8). Through a series of parables, He told His men that the literal Kingdom on earth would be postponed until a time when Israel would accept Him (His Second Coming).
However, though the literal Kingdom was postponed, the Lord taught about a "mystery" form of the Kingdom that would be established in the interval between His rejection and His return. This "interregnum" would be an internal, spiritual Kingdom on earth - not visible because it would exist in the hearts of believers. This truth was unknown to the Old Testament prophets and writers, which is why it is called a "mystery". Through the parables presented in Matthew 13, the Lord revealed the "mysteries" or "secrets of the Kingdom" to those with ears to hear and understand.
The first parable of "The Mystery Kingdom" is the very famous "Parable of the Sower". The Sower is Christ (and His followers); the Seed is His Word; the four types of soil represent the four types of heart conditions (human responses) upon which the sown Word falls: (1) roadway soil, (2) rocky soil, (3) reprobate soil, and (4) ready soil.
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
A deeply tragic truth about the Lord Jesus is how greatly misunderstood He was - not only by His foes (jealous of His power and popularity), but also by those closest to Him, His family.
In this lesson (Matthew 12:22-50), Israel's religious rulers gave their "official" decision that Jesus performed His works with satanic power. At this same time, we also find that His own brothers thought He was not quite right in His mind.
Included in this study: Christ's healing of a blind and mute demoniac; "The Parable of the Divided Kingdom," "The Parable of Subduing the Strong Man," "The Parable of the Empty House," and another prophecy given by Christ about His up-coming death and resurrection.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 55: To Whom Much is Given . . .
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
From Matthew 11:20-30, we discuss what the Lord had to say about greater spiritual privilege bringing greater judgment. The citizens of the Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had greater spiritual privileges and opportunities for repentance and salvation than any other people, for Jesus Christ, God's Son, spent more time in their vicinity than anywhere else on earth. However, although the people were amazed by His miracles and authoritative teaching, few were spiritually and eternally affected by putting their faith in Him as Saviour and Lord. Thus, Jesus pronounced three "woe judgments" on them. Discussed also in this lesson is the sin of indifference.
From Luke 7:36-50, the Lord taught a second important Biblical principle: greater pardon brings greater love. This is the account of the sinful woman who came uninvited to Simon the Pharisee's house to annoint Jesus' feet with her tears of joy and wiped them dry with her hair. Simon and his other self-righteous guests were horrified that Jesus would allow the woman to even touch Him. He used the occasion to make the contrast between a humble "babe" in Christ and a narcissitic "wise and prudent" man (see Matthew 11:25). He then taught "The Parable of the Two Debtors".
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
From Matthew 11:2-19 and Luke 7:18-35, we see more of the Lord's great heart (see Lesson 53 regarding His compassionate response to faith and to despair) as He responds compassionately to the doubts of those who belong to Him. In this case, He had just received word from John the Baptist, who had been in prison for about one year after publicly denouncing the adulterous marriage of Herod Antipas with his brother's wife. While in his confinement, the Baptist allowed certain doubts to captivate his thoughts, which is a danger every believer can fall into at times. Fortunately, John rightly took his doubts, confusions, and perplexities to the right Source. He dealt with his doubts by going to (via letter) Jesus, Who confirmed His identity to John in no uncertain terms!
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
There are two fantastic demonstrations of Christ's compassion in this lesson, which covers Matthew 8:5-13 regarding His compassionate response to great faith (healing a centurion's servant boy) and Luke 7:1-17 regarding His compassionate response to a widow in Nain (raising her dead son from the dead)!
A terrific study about the magnificent love in the heart of the world's only Saviour!
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 52: The Two Builders
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
This lesson is on Matthew 7:24-29, the final words of the Lord's great "Sermon on the Mount" in which He talks about "Two Builders". After having given an invitation to salvation in Him with His discussion of "Two Gates" (Lesson 50) and "Two Trees" (Lesson 51), He went on to say that the person who responds to His invitation is like a wise man who builds his life on a solid foundation of rock. The Rock is Himself and His Holy Word. Conversely, the one who does not respond positively by receiving the truth of His teaching and His invitation is like a foolism man who builds his life on the shifting, insecure, sinking sand of this world.
If you really want to know how to survive all the storms of life, the Lord's words we discuss in this lesson give you the answer. Be wise! Heed His advice. Build your life on HIM.
Friday Jul 07, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 51: The Two Trees
Friday Jul 07, 2023
Friday Jul 07, 2023
In His final words before descending the Mount where He spoke what many declare to be His greatest Sermon, the Lord Jesus extended an invitation to His listeners to do some serious self-examining to make certain their salvation was real. He began by inviting any who had not yet entered the Kingdom of God to enter at the strait gate, which is Him! He IS the narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:14) - see Lesson #50.
In Matthew 7:15-23, in the second part of Christ's extended invitation, He gave a solemn warning about two prevalent dangers that deceive many into thinking they are going to Heaven, when they are really on the broad road to destruction. In this important, but difficult lesson to hear, which is entitled "The Two Trees," He warned to beware of false prophets and to beward of false professions! "Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven . . ." (7:21)!! SERIOUS.
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 50: The Two Gates
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
In the Lord's seventh and final section of His "Sermon on the Mount," He invites His immediate audience - and all of us - to choose between two diverse ways for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven: (1) Christ's way (which is through Him) and (2) man's way (a merit/work system exemplified by the system of the scribes and Pharisees). There is either the system of grace (where it all a matter of divine accomplishment) or the system of works (where it is all a matter of human achievement, which fails utterly to get anyone into God's holy Presence).
There are only "Two Gates," my friends! One is narrow, for it is Christ and Christ alone. The other is very wide, for it consists of every devised "way" to Heaven man has ever invented. The only problem with the wide gate, is that it leads to destruction, not life.
THIS IS A MOST SERIOUS LESSON FOR ALL PEOPLE TO HEAR! The Gospel is presented and the way to be saved is laid out clearly! SHARE with your non-Christian family and friends!
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 49: The Golden Rule
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Of all the "Rules for the Redeemed" discussed by the Lord Jesus in "The Sermon on the Mount" (the treasure, worry, criticism, and prayer rules), the last is the most well known: "The Golden Rule" (Matthew 7:12). In this study, we take great care to connect this important truth for godly living with the context; thus, we see how it relates to the subjects of judgment (see Lesson 47) and prayer (Lesson 48).
Find out what the difference is between "The Brass Rule of Humanity" and "The Golden Rule of Heaven"! Find out the great difference between what Israel's religious rulers, the ancient philosphers, and the Greek stoics taught about proper treatment of others compared with what Christ Jesus taught! Did you know that "The Golden Rule" is actually a consolidation of all Old Testament teaching (the Law and the Prophets) about human relationships? If ONLY mankind could OBEY this ONE rule!!
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 48: The Prayer Promise! {Ask, Seek, Knock!}
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Are you frustrated with the quality of your Christian life? Do you seriously desire to be a Beatitude-type believer? Do you long to have the righteous motive in your service for the Lord? Have you longed to rid yourself of some harboring bitterness, vengefulness, or maybe a critical spirit? Have you wondered about ways you could and should be investing in heavenly treasure? Have you longed to have greater spiritual discernment? Do you truly want to fully trust God about your needs and your future - and cease worrying? If your answer to any or all of these questions is "Yes," then listen to Jesus' command-prayer-promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7).
God will not do for us, apart from prayer, that which He has promised to do for us only through prayer! Though He is Sovereign, that does not mean we receive all the blessings He has for us and desires to give us if we fail to ask for them - "ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:2b)! Did you realize that a lot of the frustrations of our Christian lives are the result of not having turned our frustration-energy into prayer-energy!
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
From Matthew 7:1-6 (part of "The Sermon on the Mount"), the Lord Jesus "switched gears" from having taught about having a right perspective toward material things ("The Treasure Rule" - Lesson 45 and "The Worry Rule" - Lesson 46) to having a right perspective toward people!
In this lesson, we discuss both the positive and negative sides of what we call "Teeter-Totter Theology". We also discuss that verse so often taken out of context, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (7:1). There is a righteous form of judging! There is also an unrighteous form of judging - and we need to know the difference! There is also a right way and time to criticize and a wrong way and time to criticize! Again, we need to know the difference. We also need to know how to do honest self-judgment to make sure we are not pointing out someone's "eye-mote," while there is a major "beam" in our own!
Another important lesson from the Greatest Teacher ever, Jesus!
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 46: The Worry Rule {Christ Teaches on Anxiety}
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
This lesson on Matthew 6:25-34 (from the Lord's "Sermon on the Mount") is on the subject of WORRY! Oh dear. With the current Coronavirus Pandemic upon us, this is an extremely important message from the Lord Jesus for all of us to hear and adhere!!
In His words of wisdom, the Lord tells His followers that to worry about earthly matters demonstrates three things: 1. distrust of our Father's Providence, 2. distrust of our Father's Promises, and 3. doubt in our Father's Protection.
What do we do when circumstances arise that appear to be potential situations for worry (anxiety)? We discuss 6 reasons why Christians should NOT worry in the midst of storms (or any time). Listen and sleep well tonight.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 45: The Treasure Rule {A Serious Message about Materialism}
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
From Matthew 6:19-24 (part of "The Sermon on the Mount"), the Lord taught how Kingdom citizens are to have the right perspective on earthly "treasures," which are merely temporary, as compared to heavenly "treasures," which last forever. The Christian is to set his affection on things above, "For where your heart is, there shall your heart be also".
In this lesson, we discuss how the Christian is to have a single focus and a solitary Master, "For no man can serve two masters . . . ye cannot serve God and mammon [money/material things". This is a serious message for our day of vast materialism!
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 44: How to Pray Effectively - Part II
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Friday Jun 30, 2023
To be effective in our prayer lives so God is honored and pleased by our prayers, we need to fulfill certain Christian "responsibilities". In this second lesson on the Lord's "Perfect Prayer Pattern" from His "Sermon on the Mount". Whereas the first three petitions of the Lord's prayer pattern deal with exalting God, His name, His Kingdom, and His will, the last three petitions (6:11-13) have to do with us (the believers). We discuss these petitions under the headings of (1) or present provision, (2) for past pardon, and (3) for future protection (from temptation and evil).
We also discuss the closing doxology of the prayer ("For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen"), as well as the postscript on the subject of forgiveness found in verses 14 and 15. That postscript has upset a lot of Christians over the centuries, for they think Jesus was saying a person's savlational forgiveness is conditional upon his own forgiveness of others. That is not what He was teaching, and we explain the meaning of those verses in this lesson.
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 43: How to Pray Effectively - Part I
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Prayer is perhaps the single greatest activity in which the human soul can engage, for in prayer we come face-to-face with God. Prayer is our golden opportunity to give God the opportunity to manifest His power, majesty, love, and providence to His beloved children. Although prayer is one of the most vital aspects of the Christian life, most of us feel it is the area in which we are the weakest. The disciples of Christ obviously felt this way, too, which is why they asked Him to teach them to pray. Thus, He gave them instruction and guidance for proper, effective prayer in Matthew 6:7-15 (part of "The Sermon on the Mount").
First, Jesus spoke about the errors of ineffective prayer (vanity prayers, valueless prayers, and verbose prayers), before He then taught about the essentials for effect prayer (having right relationships, with God and others; having right responsibilites, and making right requests - which is discussed in Part II of this study).