Awake Us Now

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 3 Scripture - Luke 19:11-27, John 12:1-11, Psalm 45:4, 6-8, Mark 14:10-11, Hebrews 1:8-9 Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem and will carry out  the heavenly Father's will. People were expecting the Kingdom of God to appear suddenly - political deliverance - a great king to rule - but Jesus continued to emphasize the difficulties that lie ahead as well as the glory t...

Through redemption by the blood of Jesus, we are now part of God's Royal Family. We should conduct our lives so that they honor the King!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 2 Scripture - Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, Luke 19:1-9 "Up to Jerusalem" are words used by several of the Gospel authors - this phrase is teleological, meaning it has evidence of design, purpose, and planning of the Heavenly Father.  And it shows the heart of Jesus as He steadfastly walks the route that leads to Jerusalem where He knows the coming even...

Romans 13:4 exhorts believers to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." But what about the old clothes, the "desires of the flesh?" How do we remove sinful behaviors and keep them off for good?

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 1 Scripture - Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-33, John 11:55-57 Jesus is the most courageous man who ever lived.  He knew what lay ahead and yet He chose the road that led to the cross anyways!  Clearly, we matter to God. God loves us each individually so much that He was willing to go Up to Jerusalem. Up to Jerusalem      1.    Biblical     2.    Jewish    ...

Colossians 3:12-14 tells us about God's "dress code" for believers: We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, so that others may see the very image of Jesus in our lives!

Scripture - Luke 24:36-49  "What Is Written".  Other scripture: Exodus 15:2,Isaiah 52:7, Psalm 27:1, 1 Chronicles 16:35  Our story today continues with the two disciples in the story, "Road to Emmaus" from last week who once they understood that it was Jesus they had been talking with, immediately returned to Jerusalem. Our story picks up after they have arrived back in Jerusalem and are with the...

In the midst of life's sorrows and fears, Jesus promises to sustain us in His strength -- the strength to not only endure but to triumph -- when we give Him our worries. "Cast your care upon the Lord, and He will sustain you."

Scripture - Luke 24:13-25  "Surprise Encounter".  Other scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 13:20-21 The first day of Jesus' Resurrection was a day of surprises!   Today's story is one of the most incredible stories in the Bible. It is one of the most incredible acts of historical reporting found anywhere in all of literature and all of history!  It is the story of two disciples...

Is the Holy Spirit a "Who" or a "What?" Scripture makes it clear that not only is the Holy Spirit a definite person rather than a "force," but He is God!

Scripture - Luke 19:28-44 Triumph and Tragedy Today's teaching on Jesus crying is found only in the book of Luke. It takes place on the Tenth Day of Nissan - a day we call Palm Sunday. We will explore the triumph and the tragedy of that day and what it says about the heart of God, along with what it says to us about our need for Jesus. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the Tenth Day of Nissan - a signi...

Scripture - Luke 19:1-10, Romans 6:23, Romans 12:2, Titus 2:13-14 "Inner Healing"  Today's teaching is on the familiar story of Zacchaeus, but come along with us as we discover some new insights. Zacchaeus was a very wealthy chief tax collector. Tax collectors were despised by people for their greed, for cheating people out of more than what was owed and they were considered to be traitors. Matthe...

Scripture - Luke 18:1-8; "The Widow's Plea"  The Parable: "The Widow's Plea" is an earthly narrative with a heavenly meaning - We should always pray and not give up! This is a story that lets us know that there will be challenges and difficulties that we all will face. But in this parable Jesus is teaching us to endure - to not give up and to do so through prayer - leaning into Him and trusting Hi...

Luke 17:11-19; "Top 10%"  Today's teaching is a story from the last weeks of Jesus' life before His arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection.  This story speaks with immediacy, power and direction to us today. Top 10% - what comes to mind is human achievement- we want to be at the top, but God sees things much differently.  When God speaks of the top 10% He's talking about those who walk by fai...

Luke 2:22-40; "Simeon and Anna"  What is the meaning of the name, Jesus? Do we fully comprehend what this name means? In Hebrew it is Yeshua. It literally means Yehovah, Jehovah, Yahweh saves. "God Saves." This is the name given to Jesus.  A precious name. "God Saves" is a powerful name, a mighty name and a remarkable name, a name that blesses all who call upon Him, a name that declares God is the...

Luke 1:57-80; "John's Story"  Pastor Dodge explores Luke's account of John the Baptist in today's study.  It's a story that starts with the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth who was well past her child-bearing years, yet God was faithful to His promise to her husband Zechariah. In today's text John is born and it is the 8th day after his birth, the day that the baby boy would be circumcised and na...

Luke 1:39-56; "Elizabeth's Story"  The story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth is often a forgotten story. But what it shows us should not be ignored. It is life-changing, powerful, dynamic and has impact on the way we understand the Bible, the way we perceive and understand God and how he moves in our lives today.  Earlier in the chapter we learned Elizabeth was now about 6 months pregnant with John t...

Luke 1:26-38; "Mary's Story"  The Christmas story is familiar to most of us, but Pastor Dodge gives us a fresh view of this well know story over the next few weeks beginning today with the story of Mary, Jesus' mother. Mary's name means bitter.  She was born in an obscure village, raised in a difficult time when the children of Israel were in bondage to Roman master. BUT her Son would not only red...

Luke 14:1-24; "Dinner Disaster" Today's story is of Jesus attending a dinner with His enemies - who have an agenda and it's not a good one. Yet Jesus has a heart even for those who oppose Him.  Jesus is invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee on a Sabbath day and they are all watching Him. There in front of Him they have placed a very sick man with a serious health condition of being severely...

Happy Thanksgiving! A question: For you is thanksgiving a cultural tradition or a cultivated lifestyle? If thanksgiving is just a cultural tradition then it all centers around a one day get together and it's over until next year. But if thanksgiving is a cultivated lifestyle then it flows out of a living relationship with the Living God and THAT is a really excellent way to live because it leads t...

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-10; Revelation 2:10;  Proverbs 10:9 TPT  "The one who walks in integrity will experience a fearless confidence in life, but the one who is devious will eventually be exposed."   Integrity - or lack of it - shows itself in the way we live. The example of Daniel in the Bible shows us how personal conduct should match true faith in God.   Our study today is on Daniel.  We will e...

Luke 13:10-17; "Real Meets Ritual" Jesus is the Real Deal! He is the Messiah. He really desires that we know Him more and more and spend eternity with Him. So what does the Real Jesus have to say to us today?  Today's story in Luke tells how Jesus was in a synagogue teaching and there was a woman in attendance that had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years and was bent over and could not straight...

Luke 10:38-42; the story of Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by tasks and activities, but Jesus says that what really matters, what really lasts, is knowing Him and listening to Him. Jesus came to the village of Bethany where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. Martha invited Jesus and those with Him into their home. As Jesus taught them, Mary sat at his feet listening...

Luke 10:17-21; "Eternal Victory" It's easy to get discouraged when we look around at the world, but today's lesson will encourage us to look at what Jesus says and allow that to speak into our hearts. Everything Jesus did was focused on God the Father's divine purpose, God's will. Jesus in the last months of His life ministry is training His disciples to share the Good News throughout Israel and t...

Heavenly Father, we thank You that our citizenship is in heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ.  We also praise You for the privilege of being an American citizen, as well. We pray for divine wisdom that our choices would be shaped by Your truth and by Your values. In this time of cultural collapse, Lord, may we choose those values which are timeless and true over those which are trendy and treache...