Synopsis
By harmonizing the four Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- we will study the life of Christ in chronological order, from the first utterances of the angels heralding His birth, to His crucifixion and resurrection. It is our sincere hope and expectation that as we immerse ourselves in Jesus' life and ministry, we will fall more deeply in love with Him, and become more and more like Him.
Episodes
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Peter in HD (Part 41) -- On the Road Again
04/02/2018 Duration: 59minIt had to be a rather rude awakening to be sure—Paul’s initial introduction to the unenviable life of an apostle. As we will learn in this PODCAST, there is much—much more than we could possibly imagine—behind Paul’s otherwise enigmatic statement in 1 Corinthians 4:9, a rare moment of personal reflection (and dare-I-say exasperation and frustration) in the writings of this most-prolific apostle: “I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.” Well, here in Acts 9, the Apostle to us Gentiles endured quite the humiliating spectacle indeed. It was hardly the homecoming our new friend, the Apostle Paul, had anticipated as he entered archway in the main gate leading to Straight Street in Damascus. Was his heart all a-flutter? Mine would have been. After a three-year absence from its legendary landscape, his formal training as an apostle now complete. I have to
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Peter in HD (Part 40) -- Saul Goes to Seminary
28/01/2018 Duration: 55minDo you know what I love about Bible? Well, truth be told, there are a lot of things that I love about the Bible. Far too many to tell in this PODCAST. But certainly residing at or near the top of my rather lengthy list is this: The window the biblical writers open to the growth and maturity of its principle players. Case in point: The Apostle Paul. Paul did not emerge from his road to Damascus encounter with Jesus a wholly-mature believer. Nor did Paul burst on the scene armed with a fully-formed theology that would become the capstone of his prolific writings. Paul had to grow in his faith as a committed Christ-follower just like the rest of us. I love that! Paul moved from a measurably primitive understanding of Jesus to a remarkably profound comprehension of who Jesus was and is and all that Jesus did and accomplished. This growth, this development, this maturity takes place right before our wondering eyes ever to behold in all of its spiritual splendor. In short, Paul was a person in process, just like us
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Peter in HD (Part 39) -- "All for the Want of a Nail"
21/01/2018 Duration: 57minI believe that I can say this without equivocation. See if by the end of this PODCAST, you agree with me. My unequivocal observation? He is the single-most important person in the New Testament of whom you have never heard. There is an overarching theme to tonight’s discussion, born out of this story. One that relates directly to something that Jesus said. You talk about Paint the picture, Rabbi. This story here in Acts 9 paints THIS amazing picture. Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” That was in Matthew 19. So important is this principle that Jesus repeated it in the very next chapter: “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” Whatever did Jesus mean? More to the point: What does this look like? Paint the picture, Rabbi. Fortunately for us, Jesus is about to paint this picture—as beautiful a picture as you’d ever want to see—courtesy of Saul here in Acts 9, as illustrated so wonderfully in the lives of two otherw
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Peter in HD (Part 38) -- Saul, the Man Who Had It (And Lost It) All
14/01/2018 Duration: 57minYou talk about a rising star. You are about to meet him in this PODCAST, up close and personal: Saul of Tarsus. Disciple of the renowned Rabbi Gamaliel. One of the Jerusalem-based Pharisees. Soon to become a voting-member of Israel’s Supreme Court—the Sanhedrin. This was a guy whose career-path was rocketing skyward in an ever-ascending trajectory to greatness. In terms of his religious tradition, passed on to him by his Pharisee-father, Saul was a guy who had it all—A rapidly-increasing influence. A growing respect among his peers. Certainly the pride of his parents. The possibility of fortune to go along with his ever-expanding fame. And, of course, to his way of thinking, the super-abundant approval of God, along with all of God’s bountiful blessings that Saul though he deserved, and that allowed Saul to justify to himself his murderous rage. Indeed, Saul had it all. And consequently, Saul had it all to lose. And lose it, he did. In the blink of an eye, literally. Please remember that depending upon your w
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Peter in HD (Part 37) -- The Remarkable Man to Whom was Passed the Torch of Torah
07/01/2018 Duration: 59minHate is a horrible thing. Hate unbridled and unchecked is a murderous thing. Hate in name of God is terrifying and terrorizing thing. And as you are about to hear in this PODCAST, hate in the name of God is indeed a terrorizing thing because such religious hatred is actually viewed by the hater as a righteous thing. Just ask a certain Pharisee—emphasis upon that lofty religious title, Pharisee, since it goes to the very heart of this story—named Saul. Yes! Saul was a Pharisee. On the night before He was executed, as Jesus and His now-eleven disciples were slinking through the dark alleys of Jerusalem, literally one step ahead of His betraying-disciple Judas, the Temple guards, and the Roman cohort that Judas was leading to arrest and ultimately to crucify Jesus, Jesus made this chilling statement which should have given His disciples pause, assuming that in that desperate hour they had presence of mind to pause. It’s found in John 16:2, where Jesus said this: “The time is coming when those who kill you will t
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Peter in HD (Part 36) -- Predestination: A Cause for Separation or Celebration?
31/12/2017 Duration: 55minThroughout His life and ministry, Jesus made some absolutely amazing statements, as only He could do! As you will hear in this PODCAST, Jesus was able to pack into just a few words the most deeply profound theological truths, the implications of which have taken the most incisive theological minds centuries to unpack. Case in point: This otherwise obscure little gem buried deep within the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, AKA “The Feeding of the 5000.” Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” An absolutely remarkable statement that underscores our gloriously precious theological proposition known as Divine Election, along with its sister doctrine of Sovereign Predestination—sadly, with all of its attendant questions and endless theological wranglings, divisions, and separations that these blessed concepts unnecessarily generate. Trust me, courtesy of Philip and an unnamed Ethiopian Eunuch, this is a cause NOT of confusion, but of ce
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Christmas in HD (Part 2) — "And THIS Shall be a Sign Unto You..."
24/12/2017 Duration: 50minIt has become THE iconic image of Christmas: a Manger scene. So readily recognizable that its image graces the fronts of so many of our Christmas cards. So singularly significant that churches throughout country often display what they call a Living Nativity. So emotionally effusive that the mere suggestion of placing a Manger Scene on the steps of a City Hall can stir up a cauldron of contention. So famously familiar that many-a-home have a Manger Scene proudly/prominently displayed on a table or mantle. And as you will hear in this PODCAST, so iconic that hand-carved Manger Scenes are far-and-away the #1 hot seller when I take people to my favorite olive wood shop in Bethlehem. A Manger Scene. Even though everything about it is absolutely wrong. No knock on the artisans who hand-craft these treasured keepsakes. But you see, it’s all about a picture. An iconic picture. Manger Scenes paint pictures in wood. Luke painted a picture in words. And Luke’s picture, when properly understood, is SO MUCH MORE POWERF
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Christmas in HD -- "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night..."
17/12/2017 Duration: 45minThe Christmas story is without a doubt #QuiteAStory. A familiar story. A profound story. An oft-repeated story. So familiar is this story that I really do not need to comment on it. Or do I? As you will hear in this PODCAST, the principal parts of the story are well-known. The principal players in this biblical drama are names everyone has heard -- Mary, Joseph, Jesus. Yet, with all of that familiarity, there is one little tidbit of information -- one word, really -- that absolutely jumps off the page at me. One word that puts the entire Christmas story into its proper perspective. One word that goes straight to the heart of who Jesus was, who God is, what the Gospel is all about. One word that goes straight to the heart of who we are. One word… Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.
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Peter in HD (Part 35) -- My Story
10/12/2017 Duration: 55minYou’ve perhaps heard the old line, “Things aren’t always as they appear to be.” Well, as you are about to hear in this PODCAST, sometimes things are exactly as they appear to be. Case in point, Peter’s exposé of Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer. Kudos to Peter. The apostle properly diagnosed the terminal condition of Simon’s tortured soul with pinpoint accuracy. A diagnosis that, were I to be honest with you, hits me way too close to home. For as much as I am ashamed to admit it to you, I have battled this very demon too. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.
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Peter in HD (Part 34) -- The FIRST of Some Pretty Amazing Firsts
03/12/2017 Duration: 59minIf this doesn’t send shivers up your spine, I don’t know what will. In this PODCAST, you are about to hear an absolutely amazing story about a most-remarkable individual, whom we barely met last week—Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer. A man, BTW, whose eternal destiny—when all is said and done—remains a question mark, shrouded in mystery. For of Simon we read, “Then Simon himself believed and was baptized” (Acts 8:13). So far, so good! But then we read a mere 8 short verses later, “But Peter replied… ‘Your heart is not right with God.’” Uh oh. Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer—A living, breathing contradiction—as we might expect from someone trafficking on dark side. There is so much to this story that it is hard to know where to begin. So we will start with this… Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.
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Peter in HD (Part 33) -- Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer
26/11/2017 Duration: 44minHis legacy is set in stone, indelibly etched in granite as Simon the Sorcerer. As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, Simon the Sorcerer is the very first person we meet outside of the cozy confines of the Holy City, Jerusalem. #ThisIsHuge! You talk about a guy who had the deck stacked against him, meet this Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer. That gasp you just heard was the rush of disbelieving air exploding out of the collapsing lungs of Luke’s original readers. Trust me: We should gasp too! Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.
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Peter in HD (Part 32) -- The Man Who Bore the Stigmata
19/11/2017 Duration: 57minHis name is Saul of Tarsus. To us, he will forever be memorialized as the celebrated Apostle Paul. Though, as you will hear in this PODCAST, he would reject out of hand that lofty adjective “celebrated.” We celebrate Paul because we owe to him more than we could ever hope to repay. For starters, thirteen epistles preserved as New Testament Scripture. Which, when taken together, form 23% of NT. It is true that our old friend Luke was actually the more prolific of the two—Luke wrote slightly more of the New Testament in terms of word count, 27%. (And BTW, in case you are interested, the Apostle John gets the bronze medal—John’s Gospel, 3 epistles, Revelation combine for 20% of the New Testament.) It is to Luke we owe a huge debt of gratitude for his compelling biography of Jesus and his gripping history of the ancestors in our faith, in whose glow we bask each week as we study this great book of Acts. But it is really Paul who more than any other biblical writer lays for us theological foundation for our faith.
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Peter in HD (Part 31) -- The Most Glorious Gift You Can Imagine (Courtesy of Stephen)
12/11/2017 Duration: 30minPhilippians 1:3 (in the NLT) reads, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” As you will hear in this PODCAST, Philippians is a “Thank You” note from Paul’s sizable soul to the not-so-sizable ékklesia—or small faith family—meeting in Philippi. Paul wrote this precious little letter upon receiving a financial gift that the believers there sacrificially sent to him to help sustain him during some very dark and difficult days during which he was imprisoned in Rome. As I reflected upon the fact that this week we will celebrate five glorious years together as our own Safe Haven ékklesia, it did not take me long to realize that (as it is translated in the NIV), “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Do keep listening until the end, where I give to you a little anniversary gift of my own, courtesy of Stephen—the first martyr of our precious Christian faith. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God
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Peter in HD (Part 30) -- A Sermon for the Ages (Not mine, but Stephen's!)
05/11/2017 Duration: 52minIt was a sermon for the ages. As you will hear in this PODCAST, it was originally preached by a layman. He had no formal training in advanced biblical studies. There is no mention of any degrees. No diploma hung on his office wall, if he had an office. We have no indication that he had studied under a leading rabbi, such as Saul studied under Gamaliel. His only claim to fame? Stephen was (Acts 6:3) “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom”; (6:8) “a man full of God’s grace and power.” And that was certainly enough! Stephen was a humble, unassuming man, selected by Hellenistic, Greek-speaking Jewish believers in Jesus to be one of “The Seven,” chosen to care for their neglected widows. Through circumstances not of his choosing, Stephen was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, hauled violently before the Sanhedrin, and forced to testify on his behalf. But instead, Stephen chose to testify on Jesus’ behalf. And oh what a testimony it was. You talk about power. Stephen embodied God’s power as he took the High Court on
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Peter in HD (Part 29) -- Pivot-Point
29/10/2017 Duration: 58minI LOVE meeting new friends. As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, we have the privilege of meeting yet-another. A standout individual. A stellar human being. Though given his humility, I am sure that he would not be comfortable with my characterization. His name is Stephanos. Significantly, a Greek name. (As we learned last week, a not-so-trivial factoid.) A man affectionately known to us as Stephen. A name that means “crown.” In Stephen’s case, a well-deserved crown that he is no doubt wearing in Heaven as we speak. A man who stood as—and at—pivot-point of history. There haven’t been many of those throughout human history. But the event about which you will hear certainly rises to that level of an event after which our world, let alone our lives, would never be the same again. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.
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Peter in HD (Part 28) -- Problem Solved!
22/10/2017 Duration: 59minIt was a scandal in the making. As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, a vast cultural divide threatened to rip asunder the fragile fabric of unity these first believers in Jesus earlier enjoyed. As we learned last week (Podcast #27), the story begins, “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.” That was, as you will remember, a dire situation for these precious widows. Dire in the extreme. Women who had lost their husbands, and who were now among the most vulnerable in that male-dominated society. Females forced to live in a world that diminished women to a subservient status. One that rendered them uneducated, unskilled, unemployable, utterly without resources. Totally dependent. Now that they had become followers of Jesus, they could not return to their synagogues for support. Not to worry. We read ear
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Peter in HD (Part 27) -- More Than Just a Food-Fight. So.Much.More
15/10/2017 Duration: 57minIt was a matter of life and death. Literally. Make no mistake about this: As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, these “rumblings of discontent,” as Luke characterized them, represented anything but some small-time, garden variety, trivial church-squabble. What happened here in Acts 6 exposed a clash of cultures that tore asunder the awe-inspiring oneness heretofore enjoyed by the Jerusalem Christian Community. You might remember what we observed as recently as the end of Acts 4. Verse 32, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” Not any more! Now, sadly, at the beginning of Acts 6, that blessed unity coupled with their selfless generosity Was.No.More. Something had changed. Their fellowship fractured. Their unity dissolved into disunity. A rift developed that literally rent the fragile fabric of unity completely in half. Again, at the risk of sounding redundant, I must stress two vitally important point
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Peter in HD (Part 26) -- THE Man who was God's Reward
08/10/2017 Duration: 59minHe is the unsung hero of Church History. As you will hear in this PODCAST, I would not be overstating the case to suggest that if it wasn’t for this individual, there would be no Church History. Indeed, if it wasn’t for him, all twelve apostles would have been executed, summarily stoned to death on the spot. Hear it for yourself in Acts 5:33, “When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill the apostles.” And they surely Would.Have.Killed the apostles—all of the apostles—if it wasn’t for this one man. This one man who wasn’t even a believer in Jesus. This one man who stood as a buffer between the High Priest and the Apostles. His name was Gamaliel. And whether you have heard of him before or not, he factors prominently in the development of the New Testament Church in multiple ways. Gamaliel, a man who certainly lived up to the meaning of his legendary name: “God's Reward.” For God surely rewarded the faithful obedience of the twelve apostles by sovereignly superintending Gamaliel to be
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Peter in HD (Part 25) -- A Fury Unleashed
01/10/2017 Duration: 01h02minLuke records in Acts 5 that “The apostles (rejoiced that) God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.” As you will hear in this PODCAST, a most-interesting word, “disgrace.” Both the NKJV and the NASB translate it “worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus.” In the ESV? “Worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. It’s a word that means to render infamous through insult, innuendo, and/or intimidation; to strip someone of their honor and dignity; to sully one’s name and reputation. This is the exact same pattern that we saw with Jesus—a gradual escalation of opposition against Him, that we are now seeing intensify against the Apostles. In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested, imprisoned, warned, and threatened. Here in Acts 5, all twelve Apostles were arrested, imprisoned, and flogged. They were publicly disgraced, purposefully stripped of their honor as well as their skin, insulted, rendered infamous, their reputations sullied before the watching world. It should therefore co
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Peter in HD (Part 24) -- The "Gracious" Holy Spirit
24/09/2017 Duration: 01h01minAs you are about to hear in this PODCAST, The Apostle Paul made an astonishing statement to the committed-Christ-Followers living in Rome. In other words, to those living in the belly of the beast. Rome. The capital of an Empire that redefined hedonism, paganism, unbridled moral perversion. Rome. The city that literally drank itself into daily stupor on cheap wine and human blood. Rome. The city of the Colosseum and Gladiator. Rome. The city where human life held zero value. Rome. The city of which Paul wrote in Romans 1, “They invent new ways of sinning… They are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse, they approve and applaud others who practice them.” Rome. The epitome of a religiously/politically lethal environment for every follower of Jesus. Rome. Where Peter would eventually be crucified. Rome. Where Paul himself would be beheaded. So to encourage these embattled believers living right there as resid