Words of Jesus Podcast

Seventy years of captivity was the Jews' punishment for ignoring the Sabbath commandment for 490 years. As a result, they overcorrected by building fences (traditions) to protect the Sabbath.  In reality, they made keeping the Sabbath onerous and complex.  Once a day of rest, it became an encyclopedia of dos and don’ts wielded with precision and penalties; all the while, the intent of th...

The message of John the Baptist and of Jesus to the people and the church-leadership was "[Change]! Repent.” The Kingdom of God is at hand.  The Jews murmured at this because Jesus didn't fit their ideas.  This is also true in our generation.  Jesus instructed people to look for the anti-Christ, tribulation, persecution, death - and resurrection.  He did not speak of “a rapture...

Dedicate to becoming Christian. It takes time to build the character to stand. We must know and use the Scriptures as the foundation to test traditions. False doctrines must be discarded to hear the message of "The Word of God." The people of Israel missed John-the-Baptist [Elijah] and Christ because of tradition As you go through this podcast series examine your Jesus, your Messiah, to determine...

Jesus did not come to make us prosperous. He came to make us into people of character who will not perish, come what may. Listen as Jesus parallels physical concepts with spiritual concepts. Though it's not written here the often heard cry recorded in the New Testament resounds, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." "...there is a friend sticks closer than a brother. " He wants to help. "And al...

There is an amazing story in the Bible. Jesus, the Son of God, left his Father and came to interact with mankind. Faith is required to believe and to figuratively step out of the boat of convention. Movies, Sunday school, and traditions lend an inconvenient familiarity in thought to the story. Imagine if you can being in the boat with the disciples, being in the crowd on the shore or standing in t...

The challenge for modern Christianity is to apply logic and consistency to our traditions. It requires bravery to examine established theological ideas and sacraments. However, to assure we worship the God of the Scriptures in accordance to the Son of God, this work is mandatory. Creeds, counsels and belief statements which require arbitrary obedience to the church over Christ creates a disconnect...

It takes the revelation of the Spirit of God to understand the message of Jesus.  We tend to try and simplify; to segregate “church-life” from “real life.” This segregation leads to a lukewarm Christianity. Important matters are discussed and resolved when we spend time with one another. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” *** Ch. 36 - Jesus F...

Preach the message of repentance. Evangelism should not be asking questions in an attempt to educate or proselytize. Rather be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies in you. The gospel message is simple, but not easy. Jesus said, "Many are called, few are chosen." *** Ch. 35 – JESUS COMMISSIONS, EMPOWERS, AND SENDS FORTH THE TWELVE DISCIPLES JESUS went about among cities, villages, and in...

"Hear ye! Hear ye! The Kingdom of God is at hand." The message of Jesus was not popular with religious leaders; the same message preached by his disciples will not be popular either. Change is difficult. Listen closely to the instructions of Jesus. *** Ch. 35 – JESUS COMMISSIONS, EMPOWERS, AND SENDS FORTH THE TWELVE DISCIPLES JESUS went about among cities, villages, and in the country, teaching in...

The Words of Jesus make demands for our perfection. We expect ranking in tournaments or levels in video games but we tend to apply a magical interpretation to Christianity which ignores the instructions given by Christ. The mystery of the Kingdom of God is revealed as we obey; we are forgiven as we forgive; we are saved as we repent (change). We expect challenges in life. We should expect challeng...

A change in direction happens in an instant; however, arriving at the destination you desire requires action. Daily action. It takes time to overcome the mess of living in error for years. Be patient. Keep the commandments. Never violate your conscience. Take time everyday to hear the voice of God. The discipline of change may be difficult, embrace it; knowing a relationship with God is worth ever...

Excerpted Scriptures formulated into "if, then" statements can hide the message Jesus came to reveal. It's the story of the gospel. We are privileged to have the testimonies of others in the Bible.  We can read the stories of those who succeeded in their walk of faith and of others.  We are called to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We can say we believe and we ar...

Jesus is not like us. We must take caution to mold our lives after Jesus; not mold Jesus after us. Examine the mind of Christ through his words and actions. Prophets were given for the time when communication with God was limited. Jesus instructed, "Keep my commandments and my Father and I will teach you from the inside." No hierarchy in the Kingdom of God. *** Ch. 33 - JESUS RAISES JAIRUS' DAUGHT...

Tradition is not truth. Examine "Who told you that." Historical Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Son of God, "All-knowing, all-powerful, all-present" - Is that true? Our job as Christians is not to evangelize through education and/or declarative statements. Jesus says, "My church is built on revelation." Our witness is our life. We must strive to meet the expectations of Jesus. Our hands are His ha...

The reward of no effort is atrophy.  This is true physically, mentally and spiritually.  The result of effort in exercise is strength; in relationships is sustainability; and in obedience is regeneration.  We must strive to achieve the promises offered by God. The opportunity is not something we can earn but our effort is required to bring the promises to completion. Actions and ina...

Revelation 14 - " Here is the patience of the saints: here  are  they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."   The Spirit of God has not ceased to speak to His people since the Voice of God walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden. The Scriptures record some of these conversations. God spoke to the people through Moses, through the Prophets, and through His Son (t...

Jesus came to reveal His Father, not to replace Him; and to restore communication to an internal, individual matter. No longer would a physical temple or a Levitical priesthood be required for people to meet with God. The plan of Jesus was to put his commandments into our heart.  Our obedience (keeping the commandments) opens communication with the Spirit of God. Man is where the Spirit of Go...

Effort is required to obtain the salvation we seek. We should expect opposition. Our obligation is to dispense with false doctrines to make room for the doctrine of Jesus Christ. The exercise of power [grace] that makes the Christian super-human in this world should not give us a false notion that we are righteous enough to receive such power, or even loved enough to receive the privilege, but we...

The barrier in communication is not linguistic, Jesus spoke the languages of His day. The barrier is our ability to understand. We are handicapped by our sins, the sins of society, and the corruption in modern Christianity. The good news is the way is still open, understanding still obtainable, communication still possible. *** Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in Parables A MUSTARD SEED (Matt. 1...

The goal is to reinforce Christianity with the wisdom and words of Jesus. Examine His life, His friends, and His relationship with His father as recorded in the four gospels of the Scriptures. These written accounts are a gift from God; called to the remembrance of the apostles. Here's what Jesus said, "...If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto...

It is our privilege and responsibility to participate in our salvation. We must provide the environment which allows the seed of Christ to grow to maturity. Being born again is not instant. The forgiveness we receive must be reciprocated in all our relationships. The exercise of keeping the commandments lets God know we are serious about going His way. Taking time to listen every day builds the di...

Jesus did not come to condemn the world; the world was already condemned. He came to save us; however, our effort is required. Faith, obedience and trust are required. God will not prove Himself to us. Obedience and trust are the evidence of faith. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. *** Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in Parables THE SEED (Mark 4:36-29)    &nbsp...

We don't know what we don't know. At least we should know there are things we don't know. To have the instruction of the Spirit of God, we are required to keep the commandments, to never violate our conscience, and to take time every day in meditation to hear. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." *** Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in Parables THE TARES (WEEDS)  (Matt. 13:24-30; 36-4...

If what you believe is not true, do you want to know it? We have established conventional wisdom and answers that may not coincide with the responses of Jesus. Hold your beliefs in an open hand. The Spirit of God may reveal surprising details that will change our opinions. Commit to a longer-view when judging a present condition. Some circumstances are within our ability to change. Some things wil...

"...Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." Things have not always been the way they are now. The world was created good. Bad things happen, expect it. Don't look for someone to blame. Some actions are required to open the doors of communication: 1) Keep...