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De-Greecing the Church
By David PawsonFrom modern day politics, sports, and culture to the mindset of the church towards "heaven", the resurrection, and the Kingdom of God, the Greeks have had a significant effect on the way that we perceive the world.
The Bible was written by Hebrews, but we tend to view it through Greek glasses and come away with wrong understanding as a result. In this teaching, English author and teacher David Pawson speaks on the influence that Greek philosophy and culture has on the church beginning early after Jesus' ascension all the way up through modern day. His simple and easy to...
Deception and the Preeminence of Jesus
By Josh HawkinsThe same question Jesus asked His disciples 2,000 years ago is the same one He is posing to us today. "Who do you say that I am?" Answering this question correctly is essential for the believer, especially because of the hour that we live in.
In this teaching, Josh highlights the identity of Jesus and His equality with God as the primary issue of deception at the end of the age. Currently we are witnessing four general negative trends today that must be viewed as nothing short of a full-blown crisis in light of the coming delusion spoken about in the Scriptures.
Our only...
Episode 35 - John the Baptist and the Maccabean Revolt
By Josh HawkinsIn 166BC, the Jews revolted against their Greek oppressors in a time historians call the Maccabean Revolt. After the Jews violently fought and regained control of Jerusalem, leaders would be set in place over the next century that would cause Israel to stray from the Lord, setting the stage for a Roman takeover in 63BC. Learn more in this episode about what happened and why it's significant to the life and message of John the Baptist and the broader story of the Gospels.
Biblical Foundations of "Messiah" and "Christ"
In today's culture, "Christ" is often a synonym for "Jesus" or perhaps His last name. "Messiah" is a synonym for "Savior" and often just means "the one who died on the cross for us". While there is some measure of truth to those things, "Christ" and "Messiah" have largely been misunderstood. You may be surprised when you find out what the Bible is really saying when the scriptures use those words!
This video is a supplement to Episode 21 of Opening Up the Gospels. Watch the original episode...
Episode 52 - The Woman at the Well
By Josh HawkinsJesus heads north to Galilee after John the Baptist was imprisoned, but first passes through Samaria. Unlike His reception in Jerusalem, Jesus was joyfully received by the Samaritan people. This episode discusses the significance of Jesus' exchange with the woman near Jacob's well.
Episode 1 - Christianity and True Friendship
In this premiere episode of my weekly video series, Opening Up the Gospels, I talk about the first of four reasons why I'm doing a series on the life of Jesus as seen in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John instead of other hot topics like grace, prayer, or hell. I discuss what it means to actually have a relationship with Jesus and how it must be based on real, substantial knowledge of His life and words. As Christians, we ought to treasure the details of His life simply because we confess that we love Him.
The heavenly armies at Jesus' birth
By Josh HawkinsThe Christmas story evokes so many beautiful emotions in us this time of year. For those who have eyes to see, Jesus' humble birth fills us with joy and stuns us with amazement. What churned in the heart of the LORD of glory to be born in such lowliness?
Amazement was also a common reaction of many in the four Gospel accounts. Whether it was because of Jesus' gracious words and wisdom (Luke 4:22) or His miraculous deeds (Matthew 8:27; Luke 9:43; Luke 24:41), the crowds, single individuals, and His inner core of disciples were constantly astonished by Him.
The events...
Episode 49 - The Cleansing of the Temple
By Josh HawkinsThe very first, overtly public act of Jesus' ministry was the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus drove out money changers and those selling animals, indicting the Jewish authorities and asserting His authority over the temple. Learn why this event is so important to the story of the Gospels in this episode.
The Patriarchs and the Covenants
By Josh HawkinsAfter the dreadful moment in Eden's garden when man rebelled against the LORD's command, a plan was set in motion to restore what was lost through a seed of Eve. The story of the seed continues through the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through covenants that God makes with each of them. This session looks at the Abrahamic covenant and the promise of blessing that would come through Abraham's line.
This is Session 4 of the class Faith...
Episode 37 - The Message of John the Baptist, part 2
By Josh HawkinsThe significance of John's message to the nation of Israel is only heightened when we see that he is baptizing. Yet it is important to remember the audience of his proclamation was not Gentiles, but the Jews, the physical descendants of Abraham. This episode examines the importance of baptism and how offensive it would have been for John to call the Jews to be baptized.
Resources sorted by total number of views today.
Episode 1 - Christianity and True Friendship
In this premiere episode of my weekly video series, Opening Up the Gospels, I talk about the first of four reasons why I'm doing a series on the life of Jesus as seen in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John instead of other hot topics like grace, prayer, or hell. I discuss what it means to actually have a relationship with Jesus and how it must be based on real, substantial knowledge of His life and words. As Christians, we ought to treasure the details of His life simply because we confess that we love Him.
The Passover Feast
By Josh HawkinsIn Exodus 12, God commands the people of Israel to hold a yearly feast remembering their slavery in Egypt and God's miraculous deliverance of the entire nation after the death of all of the firstborn of Egypt. This short teaching on the significance and simplicity of the "mechanism" of the Passover meal was given to a group of students at Texas A&M University in April 2019.
Why do we fast?
By Josh HawkinsMany people across our nation are entering into a 40-day "Daniel" fast starting today, eating no meats or "pleasant food" from March 1st to April 9th. The Lord has given us an invitation to focus our prayers on Matthew 9:38, asking the "Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest", specifically to the college campuses of our nation.
I've been examining my own motives for entering into this fast, specifically related to the posture of my heart and the expectation I have for it. I've come to this major conclusion:
Fasting itself is not what moves God's...
Episode 102 - The Parable of Dishonest Manager
By Josh HawkinsWhile still in Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Jesus gives a story to the tax collectors and sinners who had surrounded Him to hear His words. Through the story of the Dishonest Manager, Jesus teaches them to be prudent and wise with their wealth, unlike the Pharisees who loved money. This episode develops the parable and the words following it found in Luke 16.
Episode 50 - Jesus and Nicodemus
By Josh HawkinsAt some point after Jesus cleanses the Temple, He meets with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. In this well-known scene in John 3, Jesus corrects Nicodemus' confidence and hope. Jesus was indeed the Messiah but would not establish His kingdom by an insurrection, and adherence to the Law of Moses qualify anyone to be a part of it. With a historical and biblical background, Jesus' words with Nicodemus take on a meaning that is quite different from the understanding of many today.
Episode 142 - Back to Pilate
By Josh HawkinsJesus was sent back to Pilate after His interrogation before Herod Antipas, and the Jews were even more enraged. Though the Roman governor believed Jesus did not commit any crime nor was He deserving of death, the people cried out "crucify Him!" out of jealousy, envy, and a hatred for God in their hearts. This episode looks at select passages from Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23.
The humility of God in the Incarnation
By Josh HawkinsPerhaps the humility of God in the incarnation is one of the most considered aspects of Advent and Christmas. How could One surrounded by perfection and beauty descend to the lowest place and be born in a filthy animal feeding trough? How could one so highly exalted stoop so low to be the Servant of all?
To rightly understand His humility in becoming a human, we must be informed biblically on where He dwelt and how He was worshipped before He took on flesh. Only with this backdrop are we rightly prepared to experience the potency of His emotions and desires that flooded His...
Episode 78 - The Bread of Life
By Josh HawkinsJust before the second Passover feast of His ministry, Jesus delivers His well-known "eat my flesh, drink my blood" sermon. By casting Himself as the true bread from heaven, He causes many to harden their hearts and turn away from following Him. This episode looks at the sermon from John 6.
Episode 94 - Teaching in Judea Between the Feasts
By Josh HawkinsAfter the Feast of Tabernacles in October, Jesus gives an extended teaching to the crowds in Judea in Luke 12-13. Unlike the Pharisees who were leading the people of Israel astray, the good shepherd Jesus instructs the people in righteousness and encourages them to seek first His coming kingdom instead of possessions and wealth in this age.
Episode 6 - Pondering the Life of Jesus, Part 2
In episode 5 of Opening Up the Gospels, I introduced Biblical meditation and a prayerful pondering of Jesus' life as the way for His life and words to become more real to us. In this episode, I give some practical tips on meditation and how to dialogue with Him about His story. I also share a story of how Jesus touched my heart as I talked to Him about the scene in John 2 and the Wedding at Cana.
Also be sure to check out 50 Questions to Ask in Prayer During Gospel...