Dwell On These Things - Embry Hills Podcast

At Jerusalem, Jesus prophesies about the coming Roman forces that will destroy the city. He helps us take our eyes OFF of how things appear and ONTO what truly matters. The widow appears to offer the least, but she gives the most.  The temple appears to be impressive, but their hearts are far from God. Judas appears to greet with love, but he greets with deceit. The council appears to be in charge...

Zaccheus demonstrates remarkable faith as Jesus continues His journey into Jerusalem. Once in the city, Jesus handles the critical questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees with brilliant answers that continue to inspire us today.

Jesus teaches a series of lessons that go straight to the core of discipleship. He sets forgiveness, humility, and mercy forward as essential traits for following Him.

A sheep, a coin, and a family are all used to explain the Father's resolve to seek and save the lost in chapter 15, but chapter 16 also shows the contrast between the comfort of Lazarus and the lost condition of a selfish rich man.  We learn the need to rescue the lost ASAP!

True love honors God and serves others - and no one does this better than Jesus! The Pharisees thought they could trap Jesus by presenting an opportunity to heal a man on the sabbath, but Jesus exposes their errors by acting with Love. 

Jesus calls His generation and our generation to look ahead to the cost of discipleship. He helps us understand a Godly approach to our money, and the heavenly treasure that comes from following Him.

Jesus puts a spotlight on the priorities of His disciples. From the parable of the GOOD Samaritan to Mary's focus on the GOOD part, Luke 9-10 challenge us to be sure we choose "the good part." 

As Luke writes about the love and power of Jesus, these chapters highlight multiple women who Jesus heals, forgives, and comforts.

The heart of Jesus' message is delivered in His 'Sermon on the Plains.' This sermon was perfect for the Gentile audience Luke wrote to because it contained specific instructions from Jesus in how to please God. So while many statements are similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matt.5-7, you'll notice that Luke 6 does not contain the extra information about the Law of Moses that...

Luke takes us from the bold preaching of John the Baptist, to the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.  On this journey, we learn the importance of repentance, baptism, and Jesus' purpose to spread the gospel not only where he is welcome - but far and wide!

Luke investigates and records the power of the gospel in the lives of people who were often overlooked or excluded in his day. He helps us see the arrival of Jesus as good news that is both glorious and humble.

At the cross, the centurion declares that Jesus is the Son of God.  All the evidence points to Jesus being more than a man and more than a prophet.  Joseph reaches the same conclusion, courageously caring for the body of Jesus.  Their faith is confirmed when on the first day of the week, Jesus is raised!  Truly...This Man Was THE Son of God.

Mark 14 shows the strength of Jesus on trial contrasted with the weakness of Peter and the rest of the apostles. As we study this chapter, Peter helps us learn from his sins and mistakes, so that we can learn how to deal with our own failures as well.

Jesus describes Jerusalem as a vineyard, and he's looking for good fruit. As Christians let's produce the fruit of faith and love based on the life and teachings of Christ.

Divorce. Sacrifice. Humility. Jesus shows us that following Him means facing hard truths and making real sacrifices.  But not alone.  He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life.  As servants we are following in His footsteps.

It is critical that we see Jesus clearly. In Mark 8 and 9 we are challenged to take up our cross and follow Jesus...believing that ALL THINGS are possible for God!

Mark takes us from Jesus' hometown of Nazareth to the distant city of Tyre in these chapters. Along the way, everyone who meets Jesus has an opportunity to show if they really believe in Him...and the results are surprising.

Jesus moves from teaching the crowds to having one-on-one interactions with a demon possessed man, a very sick woman, and a desperate father. In Mark 4 and 5 we see how Jesus welcomes us when we bring our heart, and our troubles, to Him.

Mark boldly proclaims who Jesus is and launches into stories that prove the authority, power, and compassion of Jesus Christ. These stories introduce us to the earliest followers of Jesus, and reveal how we can become part of God's family.

Mary and her friends are the first to hear the good news: He is risen! But the message won't stop with there. Jesus has a plan for His good news to be told all over the world.

Jesus is going to be arrested and the darkest night in human history will unfold. How will Jesus, the apostles, and those around respond to the events that will take place? Matt 26-27 details the plot to kill Jesus, His prayers at Gethsemane, His arrest, the trials, and His crucifixion. 

Jesus prepares His disciples for the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and urges all His followers to be ready and alert for the day we will stand before His throne.

Jesus demonstrates His incredible wisdom and perfect righteousness by answering the attacks and questions of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Then, He pours his heart out in a final lesson to expose the hypocrisy of his critics - and hopefully to open their eyes to their need to repent.

Jesus doesn't enter Jerusalem with soldiers and a sword. He enters with mercy and conviction. In these chapters, Jesus helps us understand the grace of God and the fruit He wants to see in our lives.

Jesus addresses stumbling blocks, lost sheep, and divorce. His teachings highlight the big decisions that disciples have to make in order to forgive others and follow Him.