Initiate meaningful conversation with your family no matter how long the commute with Joe White's age appropriate short talks on scripture, parenting, culture, and community.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 31, 2019
Tuesday Dec 31, 2019
"Time Magazine recently had a cover story that was entitled, 'Rethinking the Resurrection' like the resurrection never took place. It was an ultra liberal opinion story. An interview in that magazine with an assortment of really liberal off-base theologians and other kind of experts that cast a shadow of doubt on the plausibility of this miraculous event - the resurrection of Jesus."
Family Discussions:
- Why do unbelievers continue to scoff at the resurrection even though it's the most profitable event in all of human history?
- How does the disciples commitment unto death give credence to the account?
- What does Jesus' resurrection mean to you personally today?
Transcription:
00:13 Hey, it was the biggest day of the year. It was the biggest day of ever. It was the day of the resurrection. It was Sunday morning. We're in chapter 16 of Mark and man, what a day of victory it was. We're in verse two today and it says this "Very early, on the first day of the week that came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another who will roll away the stone from the interests of the tomb. Verse four says, looking up. They saw that the stone had been rolled away already. Although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right wearing a white robe and they were amazed and he said to them, 'Do not be amazed. You're looking for Jesus the Nazarene who has been crucified. He's risen. He's not here. Behold, here is the place where they laid him, but go! Tell his disciples and Peter. He's going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see just as he told you.'"
01:17 You know, crazy one Easter Time Magazine recently had a cover story that was entitled, 'Rethinking the Resurrection' like the resurrection never took place. It was an ultra liberal opinion story. An interview in that magazine with an assortment of really liberal off-base theologians and other kind of experts that cast a shadow of doubt on the plausibility of this miraculous event - the resurrection of Jesus. You know, as I laid the magazine aside with tremendous disappointment, I just kind of shook my head and thought, any reasonable attorney trying a controversial issue in the court of law would first go to the eye witnesses. The eye witness of the event and let them testify to the circumstantial evidence. Time magazine quoted none of them. Did the resurrection of Christ really happen? What did the eye witnesses say and do after the event?
02:11 Hey, 11 hand picked men from various walks of life on the day of the crucifixion were cowards. They were running for their lives, Matthew 26 says. After they saw Jesus alive, those same men were committed to him with sheer bravery. That led 10 of the 11 to die martyrs' deaths. As Peter's personal reports said we were eye witnesses of his majesty. John records in his personal diary, 'And when Jesus said, peace be with you, he showed the disciples both his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. That's John 20:20. You know, the next time someone questions the resurrection of Jesus, get the book of John. Think of the ones who actually saw him with their eyes. Think of the ones who died for what they saw and give them a taste of John's 2020 vision.
03:10 Here's the questions for this great devotional today. Why do unbelievers continue to scoff at the resurrection even though it's the most profitable event in all of human history? And secondly, how does the disciples commitment unto death give credence to the account? You know what, it said that a man may die for a lie when he thinks it's the truth, but only a crazy man would die for a lie when he knows it's a lie. Men won't do that. And then number three, what does Jesus' resurrection mean to you personally today? And here's the lifeline for today. He's alive, but so are you. Go live that life today.
Monday Dec 30, 2019
Monday Dec 30, 2019
"Without the crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection. And without the resurrection there would be no Christian faith. Folks, there are so many factors. You know, nonbelievers, they talk, they doubt they jeer at the resurrection of Jesus. But I'm going to tell you, it happened."
Family Discussions:
- Why did Jesus have to die?
- Win the tombs is crazy, and then how can they explain a way of Jesus' resurrection?
- What thoughts and feelings come through to you?
Transcription:
00:13 You may not be a gigantic fan of history, but I'll tell you today you will be, because today we're going to look at the most provable event in all of ancient history. According to the libraries of the world, the most provable event in all of human history. It's after the crucifixion of Jesus. We'll pick up the action in Mark chapter 15 in verse 44 and scripture says this, "Pilate wondered if he, Jesus, was dead by this time. And summoning the Centurion, he questioned the Centurion as to whether he was already dead. And ascertaining this from the century, he granted the body of Jesus to Joseph. So Joseph bought a linen cloth and took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him a tomb which had already been hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, were looking on to see where he was laid."
01:12 You know, without the crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection. And without the resurrection there would be no Christian faith. Folks, there are so many factors. You know, nonbelievers, they talk, they doubt they jeer at the resurrection of Jesus. But I'm going to tell you, it happened. First of all, you have a dead Messiah. Two Roman coroners signed his death certificate after he died, and if they were incorrect in their assessment of his death, they would have been crucified for their mistake. Eye witnesses say that a spear was driven into his side and blood and water came out. Any coroner will tell you it's a sign of a man's death. Then he was laid in a borrowed tomb in a private burial yard. He was wrapped in cloth and spices, probably about a hundred pounds of spices according to the Jewish burial from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.
02:05 A very large stone estimates that it raid between a one and a half to two tons will rolled against the door of the tomb. There've been estimates that said a stone so big that would take 20 men to move. The seal of Rome was put over the tomb. Two leather strips with a pack with a seal of Rome on the pack, threatening anyone. If you break this seal, you'll be crucified yourself for defying the order of Rome. Then a Roman guard was placed in front of the tomb and the Roman Kaleo, probably a group of 12 to 16 men trained to defeat a piece of ground against attire invading army. The tomb was guarded. Jesus was dead. But something happened on the third day. Something happened that changed the course of history. Jesus was alive. He was the resurrected savior. And so your faith is not in vain.
03:01 My questions for you today are this, why did Jesus have to die? And then secondly, why in the world or how can critics try to explain a way, Jesus' death? And to say that he was just asleep in the tombs is crazy, and then how can they explain a way of Jesus' resurrection? And then here's the third question, and this is a greatest question. True love was spoken on the day of the cross. What thoughts and feelings come through to you? And the lifeline is this. He wore the crown of thorns so that you and I someday could wear the crown of life.
Friday Dec 27, 2019
Friday Dec 27, 2019
"It was at our sports Kamps and there was a scrimmage between two great teams. One team had a young man from Boston, he was an inner-city kid and he lived in one of the poorest places in the country. But this 19-year-old young man had an incredible love for a woman he was going to marry. But there was a drive-by and that old car came by the front of that inner-city house and a gun was stuck out of the window of that car."
Family Discussions:
- What is Jesus' sacrifice for you mean to you?
- What is it about the name Jesus that makes it the name above every other name that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord?
- How can you, in some small way today in your home, in your business, in your university, or in your school?
- How can you be a little bit like that boy from Boston today who took the bullets for his girlfriend?
Transcription:
00:13 If this was the only Bible study that you and I ever had the privilege of getting to do together, and trust me, the privilege is more mine, than it is yours. It would be this Bible study today. It was the darkest hour of all time, but it was the pinnacle peak hour of all human history. In John chapter 15, starting in verse 33 scripture says this, "when the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice. 'ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI', which is translated: 'My God, my God. Why has thou forsaken me?'" At that moment in history, Christ became sin.
00:58 At that moment in history, every creepy crawly thing that we've done against a Holy God literally became a part of that dear man's sacrificial offering. You know, I get to see events like that. Not to that degree, but in small ways. I get to see people doing things like that. I'll never forget the football scrimmage. I'll never forget it. It was at our sports Kamps and there was a scrimmage between two great teams. One team had a young man from Boston, he was an inner-city kid and he lived in one of the poorest places in the country. But this 19-year-old young man had an incredible love for a woman he was going to marry. But there was a drive-by and that old car came by the front of that inner-city house and a gun was stuck out of the window of that car. And five bullets were shot at this precious innocent girl that was sitting by this young man's side. But not one bullet hit her because this young man dove across her lap and he took all five bullets into his neck and into his back. Not one of the bullets, fortunately, hit his spinal cord and he actually lived to play football again. But what a story of sacrifice, man. What a story of love.
02:23 I heard a story one time and I didn't know the man but there was a platoon that had to go fight in a very difficult war in Vietnam years ago. And the father of this soldier went over to fight and he was there for a year and somehow he survived, although tens of thousands of soldiers died in that awful war. Then the platoon was asked for another amount of soldiers. The father had come back to America to safety. But his son was in the second round and the father went to the officer and he said, 'if I go, can my son stay home?' And the commanding officer granted his request. So they got to stay home and safety and the father took his place in the battle. Boy, it just, it just fires you up, doesn't it? To see people who live and die like that.
03:11 And so my question to you today is Christ died in your place. What is Jesus' sacrifice for you mean to you? And secondly, what is it about the name Jesus that makes it the name above every other name that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. What is it about that name? And the third question is this. How can you, in some small way today in your home, in your business, in your university, or in your school, How can you be a little bit like that boy from Boston today who took the bullets for his girlfriend? And then the lifeline is two words - I'm Third. I'm Third is the motto of the Kamps that I get to be in. God first. Others second. And I'm Third.
Thursday Dec 26, 2019
Thursday Dec 26, 2019
"One of my favorite writers, Chuck Colson, and one of my favorite books, 'Loving God', talks about an Asian monk named Telemachus back in the days of the Roman empire. The cruel and perilous Roman empire. Telemachus one day heard the voice of God in his heart. And God said, Telemachus, go to Rome."
Family Discussions:
- How does Telemachus and his act of incredible life sacrificial bravery remind you of what Jesus did on the cross?
- How does Barabas' good fortune remind you of what Christ did for you? And then the third question is this.
- What do you think Jesus meant when he said, no greater love has any man than to lay down his life for his friends?
Transcription:
00:14 The scripture today is the pinnacle of human history. It's a moment in the life of Christ that would literally shake the foundations of the world. We're in Mark chapter 15, and we're in verse 11, and it says this, "But the chief priest stirred up the crowd to ask Pilate to release Barabas for them instead. Answering again, Pilate said to them, 'then what shall I do with him whom you call the King of the Jews?' They shouted back, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' But Pilate said to them, 'Why? What evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more. 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' So wishing to satisfy the crowd. Pilate released Barabas to them. And after having Jesus scorched, he handed him over to be crucified."
01:07 One of my favorite writers, Chuck Colson, and one of my favorite books, 'Loving God', talks about an Asian monk named Telemachus back in the days of the Roman empire. The cruel and perilous Roman empire. Telemachus one day heard the voice of God in his heart. And God said, Telemachus, go to Rome. I can only imagine the feeling that this dear old godly man had as he walked up the Appian way, that so many hundreds of Christians had marched into Rome knowing that they would soon be slaughtered for their faith in Christ. He walked straight into the Colosseum. And as the gladiators were out in the Colosseum killing people, In fact, Fox's book of martyrs says that some days in the Colosseum of Rome in the first and second centuries under Domitian and under Marcus Aurelius and under Nero, some days, 5,000 Christians would be slaughtered in the Colosseum of Rome for their faith in Christ.
02:02 So Telemachus walks into the Colosseum. The gladiators are slaughtering people and he screams with a voice that silences the crowd. He screams in the name of Christ. Forebear. The crowds begin to call him names and jir at him. So he jumped over the wall onto the dirt floor of the Colosseum where the gladiators were out in battle. And he looked up at the proconsul of Rome and he said the name of Christ forebear. Well, the second time he said it, one of the gladiators took his sword and he slashed him across the chest and as Telemachus fell to his face in the dirt of that Colosseum joining the other martyrs for the faith. With one last burst of energy, he raised his head from the dirt and he said in the name of Christ forebear. And he put his head down and he died. One by one, the people in the crowds began to walk out of the Colosseum until the Colosseum was empty. And history testifies to the truth that that was the last day of the gladiator killings in the Colosseum of Rome. That man, it ended that tradition.
03:13 So the questions today are these, how does Telemachus and his act of incredible life sacrificial bravery remind you of what Jesus did on the cross? And then secondly, what does or how does Barabas' good fortune remind you of what Christ did for you? And then the third question is this. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, no greater love has any man than to lay down his life for his friends? And here's the thought for the day. Love is love when it's strong enough to die for.
Tuesday Dec 24, 2019
Tuesday Dec 24, 2019
"There is no doubt in the world that Jesus knew exactly who he was. He said, I am the vine in John 15. John 10, He said, I'm the door. John 14, He said, I am the way. In fact, he said, I am the only way. He said, I am the Christ."
Family Discussions:
- "A man is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." What does that mean to you?
- How can you be sure in your mind, in your heart that Jesus was actually God in the flesh?
- Why is that statement so significant to you as you face eternity?
Transcription:
00:13 Hey, as we come to the end of this fantastic book together, the book of Mark and the life of Christ. And we get down to the last really breasts of Jesus's life. He's before Pontius Pilate in chapter 14, and we're in verse 60 and it says, "the high priest stood up and came forward in question Jesus saying, do you not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against you? But he kept silent. It did not answer again. The high priest was questioning him and was saying to him, are you the Christ, the son of the blessed one? And Jesus said, I am. And then he fulfill the prophecy of Daniel when he said, you shall see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power coming with the clouds of heaven."
01:06 There is no doubt in the world that Jesus knew exactly who he was. He said, I am the vine in John 15. John 10, He said, I'm the door. John 14, He said, I am the way. In fact, he said, I am the only way. He said, I am the Christ. And then there were other witnesses. You know, Peter said, thou art the Christ the son of the living God. Pontius Pilate in the trial said, I find no fault in this man. Even one of the centurions, one of the guards that crucified Jesus at the end of Jesus' life, he testified. He said, this man must surely be the son of God. And then the apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy spirit in Colassians and other places, he said, Hey, Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation. Paul Roddy said, by him, by Christ, all things were created both in heavens and on the earth, whether visible or invisible, whether rulers or dominions or powers or authorities. All things were created by Jesus Christ and for Jesus Christ.
02:09 Jesus knew who he was. Scripture testifies, and literally from BC to AD, the watershed of human history. History testifies that Jesus was God in the flesh. And you know what's important about that? Only God who created you and created every person on this earth had the shoulders broad enough and the span wide enough to die for the sins of all mankind. And that's why John 3:16 says, but who ever, whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. You know, it has been amply said, a man is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
03:02 By the way, for questions today, what does that last quote mean to you? A man is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. What does that mean to you? And then the second question is how can you be sure in your mind, in your heart that Jesus was actually God in the flesh? And then number three, why is that statement so significant to you as you face eternity? And here's the thought for the day. You know, an act of love that's unrivaled in greatness, rightly understood, can only produce consistent appreciation and obedience.
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
"It was no ordinary Christmas day in the cold damp foxhole on the American German battlefield of world war one. You know the details of this story that I read a long time ago are a little foggy, but it seems like on this unusual Christmas day in the honor of the Christ child's birth, both sides of the bloody skirmish acknowledge our ultimate savior for a few historical moments and the cannon fire and mortar fire in the rival fire ceased."
Family Discussions:
- How does this story remind you of Jesus and his historic death on the cross?
- Why were we his enemy before we surrendered our entire life to his leadership?
- If he would die for us as his enemy, how much more will love us as his friends?
Transcription:
00:14 Hey, today I've got an awesome story to tell you. But I want to read the scripture first and it's in Romans chapter five verses six through 10. And it says this, "For while we were still helpless at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly." Isn't that great? "For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Though perhaps for the good man, someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates his own love toward us. And that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than this is awesome. "Having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
01:05 It was no ordinary Christmas day in the cold damp foxhole on the American German battlefield of world war one. You know the details of this story that I read a long time ago are a little foggy, but it seems like on this unusual Christmas day in the honor of the Christ child's birth, both sides of the bloody skirmish acknowledge our ultimate savior for a few historical moments and the cannon fire and mortar fire in the rival fire ceased. The battlefield was quiet. The killing ground turned into a sanctuary of brief worship. Then as if Christmas never happened, the deadly rain of bullets and cannon fire resumed without concern for life or limb. A platoon of Germans feudally made a run across the tangled barbwire barrier to ambush the American enemy. But their raid was foiled when heavy gun fire stopped and it stopped them in their tracks. You see, several Germans died immediately, but one soldier took a hit in the shoulder and he lay screaming, tangled unmercifully in the barbwire jungle.
02:16 The screaming persisted until one young brave American soldier actually risked his life and ran to the Germans rescue as they removed him from the entanglement, again the gunfire ceased. The comrades held their fire in grateful astonishment. The heroic American freed the wounded Nazi and carried him to his friends without fear. He walked gallantly back to his foxhole. Man, although the details of this historic account are a little unclear, the certain truth remains. Only a true to the core, absolute hero would give his life for one who is innovate. The questions for today is this. Isn't this awesome, you guys? How does this story remind you of Jesus and his historic death on the cross? And then this one. Why were we his enemy before we surrendered our entire life to his leadership? And then this one wraps it up. If he would die for us as his enemy, how much more will love us as his friends? And the lifeline for today is this and it's a quote from Jesus. No greater love is this. That a man would lay down his life for his friends.
Monday Nov 04, 2019
Monday Nov 04, 2019
"This is a great story today about Karen McGregor who had wanted a horse when she was four years old. I talked to her about this and was thrilled that she had spent countless nights falling asleep with thoughts of the top item on her wishlist to the point that her desire actually appeared in her dreams."
Family Discussions:
- Are you ashamed of the gospel?
- How are you going to show today in your circumstances that you're not ashamed of the gospel?
- Have you ever felt ashamed or embarrassed to share your faith?
- If you have, what was it like?
- What prize would you sacrifice to share your love for Jesus?
Transcription:
00:13 Well, it's a beautiful day in the Ozarks again, as it has been for the last 37 years. Ice, snow, whatever happens here, it's beautiful in the Ozarks. Today, we're in Romans chapter one, verse 16 and 17. A fantastic Bible verse. I love this verse. Paul is writing to the Romans and the world and he says this, "For I'm not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. As it is written, the righteous man shall live by faith." This is a great story today about Karen McGregor who had wanted a horse when she was four years old. I talked to her about this and was thrilled that she had spent countless nights falling asleep with thoughts of the top item on her wishlist to the point that her desire actually appeared in her dreams.
01:09 Alast to a rural girl in Calgary, Alberta. Money didn't come easy, but as she saved her money in her piggy bank, the $1,500 needed for her purchase might as well have been $1 million. She had never beheld that kind of money, but her desire grew even stronger as she saved every penny she could muster working every odd job she was able. At the same moment she had achieved her financial goal to buy her dream horse. She coincidentally heard of a mission trip to San Jose, Bolivia. The only thing stronger than the desire to own her first horse was her desire to share the tremendous love for the one who had died to set her free from the penalty of her sins. The mission trip too had a price tag. The dilemma became painfully apparent.
01:57 One of the two had to go like so many other choices in life. She simply couldn't have both. After some time of intense prayer. You can imagine the anguish she went through. She had made her decision. The horse had to wait maybe even forever. The mission kids of Bolivia and her impressible desire to share Christ with them prevailed. And you know what? Bolivia will never be the same. Neither will Karen. And so it is with my friend Trace who just left a lucrative radio career to spend his life in Haiti with the beautiful people there ravaged by earthquakes and hurricanes and poverty. Their treasures are in Heaven. And I think they know that those are the greatest place in the world to store their treasures.
02:45 Here's a couple of questions for you today. Karen and Trace were not ashamed of the gospel. Are you? And how are you going to show today in your circumstances that you're not ashamed of the gospel? And the second question is this. Have you ever felt ashamed or embarrassed to share your faith? If you have, what was it like? And here's the biggest question of all today. What prize would you sacrifice to share your love for Jesus? Would it be your finances? Would it be your boyfriend? Would it be a bad relationship? Would it be your car? Sometimes there's a high price to share the gospel. Here's the lifeline for today. You know, shame brings timid, but love produces sacrifice.
Saturday Nov 02, 2019
Saturday Nov 02, 2019
"Like everything is good that ever happened, there's cynics. There's critics who deny the fact that it ever happened, but they have not considered the evidence. And I thank my good friend Josh McDowell for his exhaustive research on this subject. But there's four main arguments that the cynics and critics give. The ones who don't want to believe in Christ have you give for their excuse that there was no resurrection."
Family Discussions:
- What does the resurrection of Christ, what difference does that make in your life today?
- If Jesus is alive inside of you, what kind of life should you and I be living in our homes, in our schools, in our, in our workplace, and especially in relationship with those that are close to us?
- What is the resurrection Jesus do inside of me for the people that I'm around?
Transcription:
00:14 This is one incredible line in scripture. This is awesome. This is from the eye witness accounts, the greatest moment in history. Luke 24:46 and it says this, "and he said to them, thus it is written that Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day." We talked just the other day about what happened to Jesus on the day of his crucifixion and about the resurrection. Well, like everything is good that ever happened, there's cynics. There's critics who deny the fact that it ever happened, but they have not considered the evidence. And I thank my good friend Josh McDowell for his exhaustive research on this subject. But there's four main arguments that the cynics and critics give. The ones who don't want to believe in Christ have you give for their excuse that there was no resurrection.
01:10 First of all, the cynics and critics say that Jesus really didn't die. It's called the Swoon theory. That that somehow on the cross, Jesus just sort of went to sleep. That somehow he survived the flogging of Rome. There was a torture designed to take a man within one breath of his own death. He survived the Roman crucifixion, which always meant death. He survived the signature of two Roman coroners, who according to Roman law would sign the certificate of the dead body. And if they were wrong, they would be crucified for their mistake. Somehow he survived the wrapping of the Jewish tradition of the bombing process of that day where they would take linen clothes and a hundred pounds of spices and wrap around the man's head and his body. Somehow he would be able to with his shoulder, revive himself in the tomb and knocked the one and a half to two ton stone away from the opening. Somehow he would have the ability after going through all of that to overcome a guard of 12 to 16 men trained by Rome to defend a piece of ground that gets an entire invading army. And then somehow he would get out of those linens and he would be able to show himself as more of life and appear to over 500 people over a period of 40 days. He is the Lord of life. That's not true. Jesus died and Jesus was resurrected.
02:29 The second argument is that the Jews stole the body, and that's probably the funniest argument in the world because if the Jews would have stolen the body, all they would've had to do is take the body of Jesus, put it on a wagon and parade it down Main street in Jerusalem and Christianity would have been done forever. The third argument is the disciples stole the body. The disciples went and moved the stone and beat up the Roman guard somehow and they stole the body and hid it away. But not so because men, especially 11 cowards who ran after crucifixion of Christ, knowing that they would be the next to be crucified, that something happened in those men's lives, that those menwent out and died martyrs' deaths. Men will not die for a lie. They know is a lie. Men will die for lie if they think it's the truth. But when will not die for a lie if they know it's a lie. Those men became some of the bravest man who ever lived on the face of this earth because they saw a resurrected Christ.
03:22 And then the fourth argument is preposterous as it may sound, is that the women went to the wrong tomb. That someday somehow on Sunday morning, they forgot where he was buried. Although if they went to the wrong tomb, that meant that the disciples must have gone to the wrong tomb. That meant that the Jews must've gone to the wrong tomb and the tomb was a private burial. Tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Folks, Jesus is alive and again, it is the fact that history that sets Christianity apart from every other faith. You could go to the tomb of any other man who ever lived and especially one who claimed to be God and raised so much attention as Jesus did and you'll find their bones. Jesus is unique. Jesus is indeed Lord and Savior. And Jesus is indeed one who deserves for you and me to give our allegiance and give our lives. And my question for you today is what does the resurrection of Christ, what difference does that make in your life today? And if Jesus is alive inside of you, what kind of life should you and I be living in our homes, in our schools, in our, in our workplace, and especially in relationship with those that are close to us? What is the resurrection Jesus do inside of me for the people that I'm around?
Friday Nov 01, 2019
Friday Nov 01, 2019
"The resurrection of Jesus men and women is the crown jewel of history. It is the most written about the most provable, the most factual, the most life changing event in all of classical literature and in all of history. The resurrection of Jesus indeed sets Jesus apart from every other figure of religion or belief that ever lived."
Family Discussions:
- What difference do you see the resurrection as it has made in the history of the world?
- What difference does the resurrection of Jesus make in your heart as a follower of Christ today?
Transcription:
00:14 Have you ever wondered why Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and life. No one comes to the father except by me?" Have you ever wondered what separates Jesus apart from every other religious figure who ever lived? Luke chapter 24 one through nine tells you why, and it says this, according to the eye witness accounts, Luke writes this, "but on the first day of the week at early Dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. But when they had entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing. And as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he is risen. Remember how he spoke to you while he was still in Galilee saying that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of criminal men, sinful men, and then be crucified. And on the third day rise again and they remembered his words and they returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the 11 and to all of the rest."
01:26 The resurrection of Jesus men and women is the crown jewel of history. It is the most written about the most provable, the most factual, the most life changing event in all of classical literature and in all of history. The resurrection of Jesus indeed sets Jesus apart from every other figure of religion or belief that ever lived. And here's why. Number one, when Jesus was crucified, he was crucified under the Roman government. It was a crucifixion unto death. It always meant a crucifixion unto death. Two Roman coroners would examine the lifeless body after he'd been dragged down from the cross, and they would sign his death certificate according to the Roman law. And if they were incorrect in their assessment of his death, then they would be crucified for their mistake. Number two, he was prepared according to the Jewish custom of burial, which meant that he was wrapped with a hundred pounds of spices and wrapped with linen cloth when he was laid in the tomb. Number three, a very large stone and historians have classified that stone that was put in front of his tomb as a stone that would weigh about one and a half to two tons. A stone was put in front of this tomb. Number three it says a Roman guard was placed in front of his tomb and some would say it was a Jewish guard, and whether it was a Roman guard or whether it was a Jewish guard, it was a gourd that was taught to die on duty.
02:51 The Roman guard was a group of 12 to 16 highly trained men trained to defend a piece of ground against an entire invading army. The Jewish guard who some would say was guarding Jesus' tomb was a guard that was dispatched in groups and if one of the men under Jewish law went to sleep on duty, the entire guard was burned alive with the fire started with the guard's own clothing. Next, Jesus was buried in a private tomb. He was buried in a place that everyone knew where it was. It was the private grave of Joseph of Arimathea. He was flogged before crucifixion, a torture. They would render a man within an inch of his own death. Somehow he carried the cross up the Hill. Somehow he took the crucifixion. He was died, he was buried, but on the third day, something happened. Something happened on the third day that changed the world. Something happened on the third day that took 11 men who were cowards. 11 disciples who fled for their lives. Something happened on the third day that changed those men's lives and those men became the testimony of Christ of the world. 10 of those 11 men went out and died martyrs' deaths.
04:02 According to history and tradition. The other one died in exile. But because of that day, there had been more hospitals built in his name. There've been more orphanages built in his name. There've been more hungry mouths fed in his name in third world countries throughout this world. He not only ended slavery in his name in America, but slavery in the entire free world. There has been more life change in the name of that one man. More goodness done more people's lives and hearts change. More families healed, more marriages put back together than the name of any other man that ever lived. That man's name was Jesus Christ. And the faith on which you build your belief system is the faith in that day that that man rose from the dead. Just as he said he would. And here's my question for you today. What difference do you see the resurrection as it has made in the history of the world? And more importantly, what difference does the resurrection of Jesus make in your heart as a follower of Christ today?
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
"I remember years ago, my son Cooper saw a hand drawn picture of Jesus hanging lifelessly on a Roman cross. He was so captured by emotional trauma that you looked up at me with these as full of tears and he asked me, he said, "Daddy, did God take away the pain?" I said, "no Cooper" softly."
Family Discussions:
- Describe your appreciation for Jesus paying the price he paid for your salvation.
- Describe what the vertical beam of the cross now means to you.
- Describe now with the horizontal beam of the Cross means that your relationships with other people that you love.
Transcription:
00:14 You know, every book in this Bible is just amazing but the book of Hebrews just fascinates me. Every time I get into it, it seems like I'm in a gold mine for the first time in my life. Today we're in Hebrews chapter 10, and we're looking at verses 19 through 23. This is a good one to memorize. It says this, "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way. Inaugurated for us through the veil that is his flesh. And since we have a great high priest over the House of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of our faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscious and our bodies washed with pure water and let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
01:07 You know, the reality of Jesus' work on the cross, you know, agonizing as it was, it just creates a trimmer in your soul that shakes the stained glass windows of your heart until your emotions are forever gripped with the indescribable appreciation. Do you feel that way? You know, I remember years ago, my son Cooper saw a hand drawn picture of Jesus hanging lifelessly on a Roman cross. He was so captured by emotional trauma that you looked up at me with these as full of tears and he asked me, he said, "Daddy, did God take away the pain?" I said, "no Cooper" softly. You know, God didn't take away the pain. You know Jesus, his nerves shattered on the cross just like yours or mine would shattered because the price to buy your way to God was so high that only a complete human sacrifice of God's only son could foot the bill.
02:04 And that's the, that's the vertical beam of the cross. It stands forever pointing skywards to God. Triumphly pointing the way to His throne of grace for your travel. As you live, as you pray, as you die and victoriously face the portals of eternity. Work done, case closed, sin paid, sacrifice remembered, salvation purchased, prayers answered. Then to complete this incredible cross is the horizontal beam of the cross where you and I out about heart, exploding with appreciation, reach out like Jesus did. To give that same kind of love to our kids, to our parents, to our spouse, to our friends, and even to our enemies. You know, the gift that pours out of our mouth from a heart that Christ indwells is the gift of, and that's our response. You know, when we say I love you mom, when you say I, I'm proud of you.
03:04 When you say I love you when we say I believe in you, you know, when we say, Hey, what can I do for you today? Uh, when I say to somebody, how can I pray for you today? That's a response to the incredible love he's given for us. And so is the, is the vertical beam of the cross reaches upward confidently to God's heart through Christ. So the horizontal beam reaches outward from the goodness that's in your heart, to the goodness of somebody else's heart around you. Isn't that great? So the questions today: describe your appreciation for Jesus paying the price he paid for your salvation? And today, describe what the vertical beam of the cross now means to you. And describe now with the horizontal beam of the Cross means that your relationships with other people that you love.