Jesus starts on a refrain that He continues for the rest of the chapter: “You have heard that it was said to those of old … but I say to you…”.  What is His point with these statements, and how can it transform our thinking, both about ourselves and others?  How can we be ambassadors … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 5:21-22

What do we do with the Law? How are we to understand it?  Jesus articulates this in these verses from the Sermon on the Mount.  That's what we'll discuss in this episode. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17515322

At the end of the beatitudes, the tone shifts to being persecuted.  How are to be encouraged by Jesus' promises in these verses?  Where else is “salt” mentioned in the Bible?  What uses does salt have, and how can we can apply that idea to our lives? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17479166

This passage is the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the beatitudes.  How can we understand these?  What do "blessed" and "happy" mean in the Greek text? And "poor in spirit"??  How can we understand the first beatitude? It's important to consider these with a biblical worldview.  Listen to more about this worldview from … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus begins to call His disciples. What is notable about this passage and these men?  How will God will use their experiences and background for extending His kingdom? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17428511

After Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, He begins His ministry in the north.  Why is that important?  This passage is also an example of themes we see that connect all four Gospels.  What is that connectedness?   https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17379857

In this text, we see Jesus experiencing the second and third temptations from the devil in the wilderness. The devil tries to use God's Word, but out of context and for the opposite of its purpose.  That worked with Adam and Eve; why didn't it work with Jesus?  We also see the devil take Jesus … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 4:5-11

In this passage, Jesus experiences the first of three temptations in the wilderness.  The first—turning stones to bread—is the temptation to become selfish and succumb to intense longings for food. Yet, that is not the most important thing in life. What is the one thing that man can’t live without? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17306765

Why was Jesus tempted in the wilderness?  Why did the Holy Spirit lead him there?  Learn about this, and how Jesus retraced the steps of Israel (but perfectly) in His early life. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17275409

John the Baptist is confused about why he should baptize the Lord.  But what does Jesus’ baptism reveal?  We also see the Holy Trinity in this passage—the public witness about the identity of Jesus as He begins His public ministry. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=17257283