Fig Tree Ministries Podcast

The story of the birth of Jesus as the Christ - or the King - in Luke is specifically set against the Imperial Cult of the Roman Empire. The reigning emperor at the time was Caesar Augustus. Join us in this lesson as we see how the story of Jesus and of Caesar Augustus intersect. The New Testament writers are forcing us to ask the question, 'who do you call Lord? Video: https://youtu.be/MP9TwKI1RN...

Over the past two thousand years, we have told and re-told the Christmas story so many times that details have crept in where they should not be. Over the next few videos, we'll take a closer look at the biblical narrative to see what is actually being said. People are usually surprised at what has been added over the years. A great resource: www.earlychristianwritings.com Infancy Gospel of James:...

Our first look at the ancient city of Pergamum and John's letter to Pergamum in Revelation 2: 12-17. Why does John refer to Pergamum as Satan's Throne? There are many candidates from the 1st century which qualify. One candidate is the god Asclepius - a god of healing and medicine. Today we will take a trip to the shrine of Asclepius which is called an Asclepion. The Asclepion in Pergamum was world...

Our second look at the ancient city of Sardis. John's letter to Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 is full of historical and cultural references to the ancient city. This week we will explore the goddess Cybele and her cult. We will also explore the idea of "who holds the seven stars." Many gods claimed to have the keys to the afterlife and the ability to get you to heaven. John uses cultural references t...

Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem is a representation of God's "visitation" where he returns to become king. "Visitation" is a Hebrew word - Pakad - that carries tremendous meaning in the Old Testament. Join us as we explore this dynamic Hebrew word and how the full force of its meaning comes to fruition when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. Bible Visualization: https://www.chrisharrison.net/index.php/Visual...

The parable of the minas (or pounds) is told just as Jesus is about to arrive in Jerusalem as king. This is a complex parable that even includes historical data about Herod Archelaus. Join us as we explore the many aspects of this parable. https://smile.amazon.com/Parables-Jewish-Tradition-Christian-Interpretation/dp/0801048206/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QUGQ5LMFOEIC&dchild=1&keywords=brad+young+parables&qi...

The parable of the minas (or pounds) is told just as Jesus is about to arrive in Jerusalem as king. This is a complex parable that even includes historical data about Herod Archelaus. Join us as we explore the many aspects of this parable. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com

This video has two connected parts. We start with a P.S. on the Zacchaeus story - Luke 19:1-10 - which explores Ezekiel 34. The very next story in Luke - 19:11-27 - is what we call the Parable of the Minas (or Pounds). The way Jesus tells the story is connected to events from recent history and an ancient site where Herod the Great has his palace complex.

The story of Zacchaeus the tax collector is a popular one in the minds of Christians. But was he the "notorious sinner" that many claim him to be? How often do we slow down to take a closer look at the text? Join us as we dissect this popular story to see if we can "rescue truth from familiarity." see bibliography below... Bibliography: Joseph Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke (10-24) - pg. 1...

One of the great cities of the ancient world was Sardis. In this lesson, we introduce the city of Sardis and how John weaves their history and cultural context into his letter. John also inserts the context of the Old Testament to speak his message.

The story of Zacchaeus the tax collector is a popular one in the minds of Christians. But was he the "notorious sinner" that many claim him to be? How often do we slow down to take a closer look at the text? Join us as we dissect this popular story to see if we can "rescue truth from familiarity." see bibliography below... Bibliography: Joseph Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke (10-24) - pg. 1...

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector provides a unique glimpse into human nature and what happens when we turn people into "them" or "other."

We take a second look at the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus which is found in Luke 16:19-31. In this episode, we will look at how, with one detail, Jesus points his message directly at a character from his day that everyone in the audience would have known. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741

This is part of a 16 part series we did on the Seven Cities of Revelation. Over the next 15 weeks, we look at each of the seven cities as well as some of the histories from that timeframe that affect how we can understand some of the language John uses while writing the book of Revelation.

In this lesson, we look at Luke 16:19-31 - the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Many people debate whether this story is a parable or not. Join me as we break down the details to show you how it is a parable and who Jesus is pointing his message toward.

This video explores the seventh and final holiday from Leviticus 23 - the Festival of Tabernacles. We explore the meaning of the holiday and the traditions which developed before Jesus' birth. When Jesus interacts with the holiday, he is firmly established within the cultural nuances.

God's appointed seven holidays in Leviticus 23. Jesus fulfills all seven holidays. In this video, we look at the Day of Atonement and how Jesus is our atoning sacrifice.

Fig Tree Ministries - smile.amazon - https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 Jesus fulfills all seven of the biblical holidays from Leviticus 23. This lesson explores the fifth holiday - the Feast of Trumpets.

Jesus preached and demonstrated a message of forgiveness. People didn't want to hear it. Many in the first century thought they could bring about the kingdom of God through violence. It ended in what the Rabbi's call - "Baseless Hatred." They hated each other for no reason.

#12 Parables (part 4) The Wicked Tenants part II (Mark 12:1-12) by Scott Broberg

Jesus directs this complex parable at the religious leaders - the priests and the teachers of the law. This parable is a masterful weaving together of Old Testament texts (and 1st-century interpretation) to communicate the identity of Jesus.

The book of Acts tells the amazing story of how the Kingdom of God is spreading unstoppable. In this video, we look at how Luke structured the book of Acts to tell us this message.

Join us as we follow Paul (Saul) out on his first missionary journey. A careful reading of the text will shed considerable context of what is happening with Paul and Barnabas.

The parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the most well known of all Jesus' parables. Unfortunately in many interpretations there seem to be a few things missing. Join us in this episode as we explore the cultural and scriptural context of this parable. Although the parable is short - it is packed with imagery of the kingdom of God that will still have an impact on us today.

Understanding parables is foundational to understanding Jesus message. Join us as we walk through what a parable is and how they are used to communicate a message.