Scripture: Matthew 5
These videos below reference the Scripture: Matthew 5.
Discipleship 101: Nobody notices you, and that’s a good thing
In this second video about basic discipleship, I discuss an "easier said than done" aspect of following Jesus. We are prone to seeking the praise of man more than praise from God. How we live when no one is looking matters deeply to God.
Discipleship 101: Bench the bar
No, this video isn't about weight training. But my weight training story definitely applies to being a disciple of Jesus. How do we grow and mature as followers of Christ? It's not mysterious, and has so much to do with how we relate to the people around us every day and what we're looking forward… Read More »
Episode 95 - Perean Ministry Between the Feasts
Between the Feast of Tabernacles in October and the Feast of Dedication in December, Jesus ministers in the region of Perea. This episode looks at the events of Luke 13, including Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees and His yearning for Jerusalem's repentance.
Episode 93 - Woes to the Pharisees
As the window of opportunity for their repentance slowly closes, Jesus offers harsh rebukes to the Pharisees and to the people of Israel. This episode examines Jesus' strong words to the crowds and the "woes" to the Pharisee as He dines with him after the Feast of Tabernacles.
Episode 92 - Ministering in Judea and Perea
After the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus continues ministering in Judea and Perea. This episode looks at the chronological context for the Lord's prayer as well as Jesus' often misunderstood words "the kingdom of God has come upon you" from Luke 11.
Episode 63 - The Sermon on the Mount, part 1
Jesus begins the famous Sermon on the Mount with the "beatitudes", a series of "blessings" and "woes" for the Jewish hearers. Luke's account of the Sermon shows Jesus being radically divisive and indicating that God is interested in a repentant heart, not merely outward actions. This episode examines several of the beatitudes from Luke and… Read More »
Episode 62 - Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is arguably the most well-known of Jesus' teachings, yet its meaning is often misunderstood by casual readers. This episode introduces the Sermon by looking at its context within the story of the Gospels, when and where Jesus spoke it, as well as developing some of the major themes found in… Read More »
Episode 61 - Introduction to the Middle Galilean Ministry
Jesus has already amazed crowds and confounded the Jewish authorities. In the next period of His ministry, His teaching is recorded much more and His miracles surge in their magnitude. Tension also continues to mount between Him and the Jewish authorities. This episode introduces the Middle Galilean period, stretching through several months of the spring… Read More »
Episode 7 - Introduction to Matthew's Gospel
Who wrote Matthew and when was it written? What are some of the key themes of Matthew's Gospel? In this episode of Opening Up the Gospels, I give a very brief overview of some of the important points we should understand as we seek to construct a chronological narrative of Jesus' life from the Gospels.… Read More »