Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

On Being Teachable Part 1 Luke 11:1-13 Long Creek Baptist Church  August 30, 2020 Introduction  In Chapter 10 Jesus pends his prayer with a focus on how to get to know the Father. This is a greater revelation of who he is as a prophet (messenger from God) and a focus on his purpose for the Kingdom of God on earth. The disciples are clearly listening, so when the see him in prayer again, they are b...

Introduction I find it interesting to note that we seem to learn more about Jesus in times of conflict and trials and struggles than when everything runs smoothly? In a sense that is comforting and even encouraging to know that in my trials, Jesus is there to help us through our own difficulties, and prepare us for the future. This appears to be true in the follow up encounter that Jesus has after...

Read Text Luke 10:25-37 The Big Question:  What must I do to inherit eternal life?   First the question:  how would you respond? Confess, repent, believe, and accept?  This story revolves around two things: the big question, and the lawyer’s attitude. The lawyer is in a critical mood.   As are other religious leaders the closer they get to Jerusalem.   And so are the Samaritans from chapter 9. The...

Repetition of main points Disciples returned with joy at Demons going out Jesus corrects them, I saw something even greater, but it’s not about that, it’s about the Kingdom and your place in it!   Jesus Rejoices After the Woes in the sending part, now come great blessing His joy is “in the Holy Spirit”. His Joy is in His Father, God’s purposes being made known, and the relationships being restored...

Introduction:  The purpose of signs             Show direction, help us arrive at the correct location             They are not the destination.  You do not stand and stare at signs, but you are grateful for them!             In Mark 16:17 it says, these signs will follow those who believe: like the wake of a boat.  But the wake is not the destination of the boat!  Ferry to Southport and the birds...

The instructions are not just for a few, as in Chapter 9       The 70 or 72 others  Specific instructions for general application The casting out principle Not just because we are comfortable, complacent, ignorant, or disobedient, but a demonstration of power Meekness is not weakness, but power under control Knowing what others do not Exercising in kindness and love and clarity Do not be concerned...

Topsy Turvy – upside down, confused, inside out, wrong way around, doesn’t fit my perceptions, a paradox, not the way things are done or understood.  Topsy Turvy theology is how I would describe today’s lesson Coming off the mountain to discover we are still not up to par Complaint, or comfort?  Taking time  End result is to glorify God as opposed to anger and disappointment Second time of prepari...

I always wondered about why this event is recorded in scripture.  And as I studied, why is it that Peter James and John always seem to fall asleep at key moments in their lives? Notice, that it follows a key discourse on the sufferings that Jesus will go through: Here is the sequence: suffer unjustly, die, rise again and then be in glory with the redeemed. That in itself is a great message! What a...

Introduction: the great confession! Why does Jesus tell them not to tell anyone at this moment in time?  Surely he wants the world to know? And what he tells them next is critical to the love of God being spread around? Two things concerning the two kingdoms: There is a general misconception concerning the messiah; he is greater than a political deliverer They are going to need to be prepared for...

Participation in the Kingdom  An unsolvable puzzle: you give them to eat. A God solution: Prayer and faith in action, doing what Jesus says The miracle in their hands The command is cemented in their lives: what do I do with people who are hungry for God?  I give them spiritual food while meeting their needs.  Multiply what you have by faith. Seeking a place of quiet rest The prayer life of Jesus...

Here is a major shift in the development of the plan that Jesus is implementing: Until now, the disciples have been observers, followers, learners. Now they are going to become participants in the Kingdom.  They are moving  from classroom studies to being actively involved in implementing what they have been learning. When the focus is on training and sending, one key ingredient can be overlooked:...

All the events are centered around one main purposeful activity: the deliverance of the demoniac. There are 3 different groups of people who will experience Jesus in different ways: Group One are the disciples whose purpose is training and instruction Group Two includes the demoniac and all who know him, the purpose is deliverance and freedom Group Three are the people throughout the region of the...

Jesus uses the art of storytelling and the use of illustrations to leave a lasting impression Transformation begins on the inside and becomes visible on the outside The Kingdom of God comes to those who believe! You cannot buy your way in You cannot think your way in You cannot work or force your way in You enter by submission and acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus  Jesus knows the way Jesus is t...

1. Judgement, condemnation, and pardon a. Not a focus on our judicial system, but he addresses disciples! b. Personal attitudes are in play here, and Jesus points to our basic attitudes of self preservation, being right, and wanting to think more of ourselves (or less) than we should c. Jesus will go through these trials personally on his way to the cross d. In doing so, he reiterates the previous...

Jesus teaches on mercy in this talk: 1. Love your enemies 2. Bless and pray for those who curse you and mistreat you 3. Treat others like you want to be treated Conclusion 1. We cannot do this in our own strength.   2. It goes against our sense of fairness   3. We need power to live like this, to forgive like this, to love like this