Episodes
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In Acts, Peter addressed a crowd at the Temple. He told them, "You killed the author of life." As you and I hear these words, we're reminded that it wasnât one particular person, such as Pontius Pilate or any of the other leasers of that day, or even the crowd standing before Peter that was solely responsible for Jesusâ death on the cross. It was our sins that also led Him to be there. However, Jesus' death wasn't an accident. Here's how God has accomplished our salvation and here's how you and I are now invited to "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.â
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Does it feel like the rest of the world is looking up while you're looking down? Last Monday, the "Great North American Eclipse" took place. Chances are good that many of you may have been among those dawning special glasses and looking up to the sky. However, for those of you looking down at that moment, you may have noticed another incredible phenomenon. It's called a 360-degree sunrise! In John's first letter, the apostle shares an incredible observation that he doesnât want you to miss. Though there are times when you may feel engulfed in darkness, God's grace and mercy surrounds you on all sides.
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Episodes manquant?
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When Jesus drew His last breath on the cross He paid for our sins in full. He also conquered death. What does this mean? Three days later and just as He promised, He rose from the dead – a real physical, bodily, resurrection. He stepped out of the grave alive. Now consider the words that John shares, here in his first letter, and all that this means when Jesus promises that at the resurrection you, too, shall rise.
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On the day that Jesus rose, the very next thing He did after announcing "peace" to the disciples was to show them His hands and side. These were the hands through which the nails had been driven. This was the side into which the soldier thrust his spear to ensure that Jesus was dead. Why would Jesus hang onto such a reminder of the painful sacrifice that He endured? Wouldnât the disciples have been satisfied seeing, simply, the beauty of His face? Wouldnât seeing these wounds be a painful reminder instead a joyous reassurance? The answer to this brings astonishing comfort!
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When it comes to Easter, Paul tells us about the eyewitnesses who were on hand and the historical facts of Jesus' resurrection. However, faith is more than acknowleging the fact that we have a living Savior. As the apostle goes on to point out, faith lays hold all that this precious fact brings with it - forgiveness of sins, life and salvation! Knowing this changes not only history, but your life each and every day right now.
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At Easter, you may have shared a familiar greeting on Sunday morning. Itâs called the âPaschal Greeting.â It goes like this: One person exclaims, âHe is risen!â And itâs followed by the joyful response, âHe is risen, indeed!â But, you know, the angel who announced our Savior's resurrection also included four more words that are easily overlooked, but which are wonderful, reassuring and too good to miss.
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Chances are good that a few days ago on Good Friday you may have sung that enduring hymn, “Were You There?” It comes with that familiar refrain, “Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.” On Easter morning, as the women left the empty tomb they found themselves trembling ... with joy! The good news is that Jesus is risen and He is here. He is here with us this very day, and with all the Easter blessings that come with having a living Savior.
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Crushed it! According to the folks at the Free Dictionary to “crush it” means “to succeed at something in a particularly impressive way.” And according to the Collins Dictionary, “If you crush it, you succeed completely in doing something.” That phrase really takes on a special meeting as we look at the full context of what took place for us on Good Friday.
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Luke alone records this remarkable detail from Peterâs denial of our Savior. It happened after all of the disciples abandoned Jesus. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit God ensured that this event was recorded for you and me to hear. They're a wonderful reminder that, even in the midst of our sin, crushing guilt and remorse, Jesus has not abandoned us.
Episode Art by Jan van't Hoff. Copyright www.GospelImages.com and licensed to FreeBibleImages.org Used by permission.
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Did you know the words to âGod Save the Kingâ? Itâs the national anthem of the United Kingdom and itâs also the royal anthem of many of the nations which form the British Commonwealth. Do you know the words? Itâs a well known song around the world and it's actually a prayer. On Psalm Sunday the crowds cried out, âHosanna!â Chances are good that you sang it last Sunday in church. And this too is a prayer â but it's a very different and remarkable prayer.
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âWeâre not number one!â Have you ever gone to a game and seen someone holding one of those big foam hands with big X through and shouting, âWeâre NOT number one!â Ya, me neither. So, imagine what must have went through the disciples' minds as He explained to them what it meant to be "first" and "greatest."
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When someone loves another so much that it’s obvious to everyone around them, they’re often described as “wearing their heart on their sleeve.” In medieval times, knights would wear a handkerchief, embroidered with the name of a lady, tied on their sleeves during a tournament. They wanted their love for to be known by all. Wait until you hear what Jesus has worn in love for you, as both the perfect High Priest, and the Sacrifice for all of your sins!
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When confronted with our sins it's tempting for to want to bargain and made a deal with God. It always fails. But what God announced to Jeremiah, and fulfilled in His Son, is so much better. God has revealed a remarkable prize. No games, just grace!
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Police wasted no time. The aviation team was called in. Using thermal imaging cameras they scoured the thick vegetation of the forested area below. Deputies on the ground rushed in. The pilot indicated to the officers below that they were now within 80 feet. Body cam footage showed the deputy drawing closer and closer with his arms fully stretched before him. What comes next in this story made headlines and may surprise you. It's the kind of news that makes what John says here in the Gospel leap right off the page.
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You and I are hard-wired to cover our eyes and turn away whenever we see something that terrifies us. So, why would God command Moses to erect a bronze snake on a pole as their means of rescue from the venomous snakes that were killing them? Why would He command the Israelites to look at the very thing that frightened them the most? And why would God direct our attention to the terrifying death of our Savior on the cross? God lovingly pull the hands with which we would cover our eyes to witness His love, mercy and rescue.
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Itâs the classic scene from movies that has Moms and Dads nodding their head. Everyoneâs excited to get in the car and hit the road on vacation. But now the trip is beginning to seem too long. Then the kids begin to murmur and moan in back seat. Then the quarreling and fighting gets underway. Finally, it reaches a crescendo when exasperated parents thunder out that familiar phrase which declares that theyâve now crossed the line: âDonât make me turn this car around!â Israel discovered what happened when it reached point during their travel to the promised land. What God did next may surprise you. But did you notice the one thing that Jesus didn't do?
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In recent years there's been a crackdown on fake degrees and fraudulent credentials. And the religious leaders may have felt that they were doing the same thing after Jesus cleared the temple of money changes and dove dealers. They demanded that He show them a miracle as proof of His authority. But, as shocked as we might be by their insistence that Jesus show them His "credentials," do you ever find yourself making that same demand today?
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It seems foolish to todayâs world to think that God's Word declared each week, the message of our Savior's crucifixion, can waken faith, bring sinners to repentance, and bring comfort and assurance in place of despair. But thatâs exactly what Paul tells us that God does through the 'foolishness' of this message.
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Are you trying to make yourself a good person, and make yourself right with God, by keeping the Commandments? You'll never be able to dig yourself out from under your guilt. However, the Commandments do serve a very important purpose â they point to our need for a Savior. And that's exactly what God has given to us in His Son. He lifts us out of the pit.
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When Peter heard Jesus tell them about His upcoming suffering and death on the cross, he replied âNever, Lord! ... This shall never happen to you!â But, then, as Jesus went on to tell them about the cross they would soon take up, you could almost imagine them taking a gulp and thinking, âNever, Lord ⊠may this never happen to us.â But both crosses â our Saviorâs, and the one He tells us to take up daily, bring far greater blessings than could be imagined.
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