Awake Us Now

Truth #8: "We are all called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ." From Acts 1:1-8 we explore the ways we are His witnesses: lifestyle, language and by the love we share, show and give to others. Love is the heart of the Bible's message, that God's steadfast love endures forever. Love is the way we demonstrate the character of God and how we bear witness to the loving Son of God who gave His life for us all!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 12 Scripture: Psalm 91,John 14:15-31, John 15, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Acts 14:22,Matthew 10:22, 2 Timothy 3;12, Matthew 5:10-12.

Psalm 91 tells us that our God can be trusted. This psalm has words that Jesus depended on and held onto as He headed Up to Jerusalem. He was able to face the trial, trouble and tribulation that came on the road to the cross.

Our story today picks up with Jesus saying, "If you love me, keep my commands." This is not about earning eternal life, it's about our relationship of love with The One who showed His love for us at the cross. As we love Him we show that in genuine obedience (keep my commands). God's desire is that we mature in faith and that our very lives reflect Him through our speech and behavior and that we model Christ's example.

Then Jesus shares that He will send an Advocate to help. This Advocate is the One who speaks truth. A counselor, encourager, comforter who will help us and be with us forever - The Holy Spirit. God's supernatural presence and power in our lives. We are not called to live a life believing that God exists - we are called to live a supernatural life - we are called to live a life utterly dependent on the presence of God the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Jesus assures His disciples and us that we are never alone. Jesus says, "I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you." (This is relationship). Jesus goes on to tell them the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) is coming and will be with us, and then He encourages them not to worry or be afraid. These words are for us today - He will never abandon us - We can trust Him.

Jesus tells them He gives them peace - not the kind of peace the world gives, but His peace. Shalom. Shalom describes a relationship with the Living God where everything is done in harmony with His plan and purpose. It is supernatural peace. And we are encouraged to allow it to overwhelm our hearts and souls.

As we continue reading Jesus tells us He is the True Vine, and God the Father is the Gardener. Pastor addresses a concern that most Bible translations may have this line inaccurately translated. Most Bibles say the Gardener "cuts off" branches that bear no fruit. However, let's explore how a vineyard gardener actually cares for a vine with branches that are bearing no grapes. What he does is he lifts up the branches from the ground and brings them into the sun, lifting them up and securing them in a way they can produce fruit. Pastor believes this is what Jesus is saying here - that this is not a word of law, but instead a word of comfort. Jesus says "every branch IN ME that is not producing fruit, the Father lifts up so that it can produce fruit.

Pastor's argument is this: the Bible translations tell us Jesus says, "the Father cuts off every branch IN ME that bears no fruit ." But then Jesus says if you abide IN ME you will bear much fruit." Where is continuity in these verses? Let's take a look at the original Greek. The verse says: "He "airō" every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He "koptō" to make it even more fruitful." The words used in the original Greek are airō and koptō. airō can mean to cut off but the primary meaning of the word is to be lifted up. koptō means to be cut off (pruned).

As we learned earlier those who care for grapevines - tell us that a grapevine only produces fruit when it is lifted up from the ground and lifted into the sun. When we are in Jesus and not producing fruit, the Gardener (the Father) lifts us up, airō us up into the "Son" so that we will produce fruit, we are not cut off but lifted up. And when we are producing fruit the Gardener prunes, koptō us so that we will produce even more fruit. When we remain in Jesus - the Vine - we will bear fruit because the Father - Gardener - lifts us up and prunes us so we produce more fruit.

Jesus goes on to talk about: ⁃ True joy ⁃ Loving others ⁃ That He calls us "friend" ⁃ Answered prayer ⁃ Persecution

These are the things Jesus shared on the night He was betrayed and arrested because He loved His disciples and He loves us and He wants us connected to Him - abiding in Him and prepared for what is to come.

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Scripture: Isaiah 65:9, Isaiah 46:9-10, Deuteronomy 28:58-67, Deuteronomy 29:22-23, Jeremiah 31:35-37, Isaiah 11:11-12, Luke 21:24, Ezekiel 36:33-35, Luke 13:35, Romans 9:5, Romans 11:12-15.

We continue to look at God’s fingerprints that are readily observable but often overlooked, things that testify to God’s goodness, faithfulness, power and promises.

The Living God is true, genuine, near and He keeps His word!  2,700 years ago God declared through His prophet Isaiah that he knows how everything turns out in the end. He knows the end from the beginning and he will accomplish everything He has said he will do.

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:9-10

In today’s study we will look at the way those promises of God have been fulfilled through the ages and apply that to our lives, today.

Children of Israel:     ⁃    Scattered worldwide - Deuteronomy 28:58-64 “If you disobey Me, then I will scatter you.” (Not as punishment but to return you to Me.)  Two times this has happened to the Jewish people     ⁃    At the Babylonian captivity      ⁃    and again in 70AD until 1948.     ⁃    Endlessly persecuted - Deuteronomy 28:65-67. No other people in the history of the world have suffered the kind of endless persecution that the Jewish people have endured.     ⁃    Land desolated - Deuteronomy 29:22-27. Land of Israel was once a land of milk and honey, vibrant, alive and prosperous and became a desolate wasteland.     ⁃    Nation preserved - Jeremiah 31:35-37. God promises He will not forsaken them - they would be preserved      ⁃    People regathered - Isaiah 11:11-12. Currently, there are more Jewish people in Israel than in the USA      ⁃    Jerusalem reclaimed - Luke 21:24. This took place in 1967.     ⁃    Land restored - Ezekiel 36:33-35. Wasteland will become like Eden. Pastor shared how he has witnessed the change in the land over the last decade of his visits there. Desert has begun to bloom, cities are springing up and ancient town are growing.

This list - the words of God that were spoken - are things that have taken place just as they were predicted - showing us the Fingerprints of God on history.

A darkness of heart came on the Jewish people and as a result the message of Jesus has spread to the gentile world. God is merciful and faithful - even though many Jewish people rejected Messiah when He came. Romans 11:12,15 “Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!”

Many Jewish people rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, meant the message of Jesus was spread throughout the non-Jewish world  and not billions confess Jesus as Savior and believe in God the Creator who is the God of the prophecies. Their rejection of the Messiah meant riches for the world but when they finally receive Him - Look Up! Because that brings the Resurrection of the dead! That brings Christ’s return!

These are exciting times that we live in. There is a massive revival taking place worldwide. Pastor shares exciting stats showing a booming revival!  

When we look at God’s fingerprints on the pages of history, when we look at the way the prophetic word has been fulfilled in such remarkable ways - it’s difficult to think this is all coincidence.  What it is is the fulfillment of everything God has said.  

And this fulfillment of His words is not just an argument for His existence - this is His plea for us to take Him seriously! And to return to Him as Lord and Savior of our lives.

Watch the video from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class

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Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

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We explore Truth #7: "The Old Testament Points to Jesus," focusing on Luke 24:45 to see how everything written about a Savior in the Old Testament books of The Law, The Prophets and The Writings pointed to Jesus and was fulfilled by Jesus. He is returning, and He will rule forever!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 11 Scripture Luke 22:31-34, John 13:31-37, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, John 14:1-31, Hebrews 7:25

Up to Jerusalem is a story filled with tragedy and yet a story that is above all, a story of victory and hope and defeat of the devil!

Pastor's teaching on Jesus' Last Supper continues with a look at 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 which documents the changes Jesus instituted in the Passover meal. As He breaks the 3rd piece of matzah Jesus says, "This is My body given for you." He's making it clear that what they have been celebrating for centuries is being fulfilled at that very moment. The fulfillment of the meal that had been celebrated for centuries - was changed because Jesus is the fulfillment - He is the Messiah. Then He takes the cup and says, "This is the New Covenant of My blood, poured out for you." This is the promised new covenant!

There are three primary beliefs regarding the Lord's Supper: 1. Transubstantiation - bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ 2. Real Presence - in a supernatural way Jesus is present in the bread and wine 3. Symbolic Presence - bread and wine are a symbol of Jesus' body and blood

Doctrine is critical and important, but Jesus makes it very clear on this night that what matters above all else is that we live out the truth of the New Covenant. That truth of the New Covenant is lived out by walking in the footsteps of our Savior's self sacrifice, in absolute love, and love for our enemies not just our friends and followers of Jesus. Though we may differ in how to interpret the Lord's Supper and what is received - what needs to bind us together is our common allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and our desire to carry out His will and His purpose. His will and purpose is that we be one in Him - one in Him to win the world back to Him.

As we look at what Jesus will suffer this night, we see that He endured so much for us but His suffering resulted in His glorification and this gives our struggles, sufferings and persecutions purpose. We know that because Jesus loves us so much He was willing to endure the cross that ended in victory over the grave - we know He has the power to take our suffering and turn it around for final victory for us as well. We too will triumph!

As the meal continues Jesus gives them a new command, "Love one another as I love you." The depth of God's love is revealed in the gift of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross - this is love - and we are to love to that depth.

Then Jesus tells Peter He is praying for him - and we know Jesus prays for us too. It says in Hebrews 7:25 "He (Jesus) always lives to intercede (pray) for them (those who come to God through Him)." We also know the Holy Spirit prays for us too. Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."

What incredible comfort that is - full of strength and encouragement - to know we have the best prayer partners in the universe!

As the story continues Jesus tells Peter he will deny Him three times. Pastor shares some interesting information around the meaning of "rooster crows."

Our time together ends with Thomas asking, "How do we know the way to God?" The answer for every person on the planet is found in Jesus' answer, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Under the blood of Jesus we have EVERYTHING!!

Pastor Dodge concludes with encouragement to read John chapters 14-17 as these are the important words of Jesus the evening of His arrest and in these words He shows us what should mean the most to us: love, the Holy Spirit, prayer, trusting God and bearing fruit for Jesus. Jesus encourages us with these words, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." All of His words are for us still today!

Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Scriptures: Acts 17:24-27, John 1:4, John 6:4, 1 Timothy 4:8, Ecclesiastes 3:11.

This is a series that takes a look at things that are readily obvious, but whose significance is frequently missed. We’ll look at Fingerprints of God that are truly all over the world today and all over our lives and yet so often in the busyness of the moment we miss those amazing reminders of God’s goodness, of His presence, of his faithfulness and of His great gift of Jesus Christ for each of us.

God IS speaking in amazing ways in our generation and in our time!

Pastor talks about the miracle of life and the odds that science has placed on life happening, they say it requires at least 150 unique things to make life possible. The research calculates the chance of that “accidentally” happening to be 1 chance to the 50th power - that’s a 1 with 50 zeroes behind it… or impossible…. 

How life happened cannot be explained, but there is a 1 word, three letter answer - IT’S G-O-D!

LIFE IS A MIRACLE!

Our culture sees life as just happening, but with a 1 to the 50th power chance that’s saying it’s impossible.  Life didn’t just happen, life is created and God is The Creator!

Living things like singing birds, our pets, the sky, truly are fingerprints of God. Acts 17:24-27 tells us, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth … He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

Fingerprints of God     ⁃    Life - everything living     ⁃    Us inhaling and exhaling at this moment!     ⁃    Raising Jesus from the dead     ⁃    Creation     ⁃    Salvation

John 1:4 tells us, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” Jesus didn’t come to this world to make bad people good, Jesus Christ came to this world to make dead people live. We are spiritually dead and in the Lord Jesus Christ, God offers real life to each of us - it’s life that lasts forever!

John 6:40 says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Life itself is a fingerprint of God and we were created to live forever and that forever life is found in Jesus.

There is a present life and there is the life to come. In that life to come we will live forever even through we experience physical death.

God has left His fingerprint on our hearts and He tells us He has put eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11: “ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

The way we spend our forever life hinges on ONE thing and that is how we receive the gift that God offers. JESUS IS THAT GIFT.

God offers life through His Son and that’s a gift and promise we want to accept through faith in the perfect One, Jesus, who’s fingerprints were nailed to the cross, who conquered sin, death and the devil when He rose from the grave, the One who promised to return!

LIFE is in Jesus and Life is the FINGERPRINT OF GOD AND HIS LOVE.

Watch the video from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

We invite you to join us for our Sunday service every Sunday at 9:30am CT (live or on demand) here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11, Mark 15:42-45, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53.

Doubts about Jesus' resurrection? Are you a skeptic? Is it nonsense that can't be true or if you know a skeptic or one who doubts the resurrection story, everyone is invited to come along with us today as we take a look at the skeptics and doubters in the Bible and explore if they remained skeptics and unbelievers!

Pastor explores several examples of doubters regarding Jesus' resurrection in the New Testament. He shares a list of individuals who did not believe in the resurrection at first.

Then Pastor explores Alternative Explanations that have been suggested for what took place that morning: ⁃ Multiple conspiracies ⁃ Women went to the wrong tomb ⁃ "Christ myth" ⁃ Disciples lied But all these alternative explanations fall by the wayside when carefully examined which leads us to the: Evidences ⁃ Empty tomb ⁃ Eyewitnesses ⁃ Prophecies ⁃ Bold martyrs

The heart of the story of the resurrection of Jesus is the: Good News ⁃ Consequences of sin = death ⁃ Death is not the end ⁃ God's gift is Christ ⁃ Saving Faith - in the One who has risen from the grave, is alive and will return

Being "good" doesn't save us Trying hard doesn't save us It's not that we're better than others IT'S PURELY A GIFT FROM GOD!

Pastor shares a call to come to Jesus as your Savior. He leads us through a prayer of recommitment to Christ for believers and a prayer of commitment to Christ for first time believers.

Happy Resurrection Sunday! He IS risen! He is risen, INDEED! HALLELUJAH!

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

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Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

We explore Truth #6: "Making disciples is our greatest mission." We will focus on the last verses in Matthew 28 and dig into what it means to be a disciple. Pastor will also point out the command is to make disciples, not converts or church members!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 10 Scripture Luke 22, Exodus 6:6-7, John 13 & 14, Psalm 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118

Jesus' Last Supper - Pastor opens with an interesting piece of history. Based on writings from Rabbis during the time of Jesus - the Passover lambs were actually "crucified." What we know from Rabbinic writings is that when the priests killed the Lambs at the Temple in preparation for the Passover meal - they then took a thin stave and ran it through the shoulders of the killed lamb and then another stave was driven through its mouth and down its spine forming a cross, making it ready for roasting.

As our story opens - Jesus and His disciples gather in the upper room that Peter and John have prepared.

Passover - how it may have been in Jesus' Day - Passover Table - banquet style meal, low table surrounded by couches or pillows for reclining on, head supported by left hand, ate with right hand, was a lengthy meal that started at sunset.

- Four Cups Kiddish Cup (to set apart - Sanctify) Plagues Cup (story of the Passover was shared followed by singing of Psalms 113 and 114) Blessing Cup (during the meal followed by singing of Psalms 115-118) Hallel Cup (Praise cup with singing of Psalm 126. Also referred to as Elijah's cup)

Jesus shares that He will not have this meal again until the meal finds its fulfillment in the kingdom of God (following His return).

There's a possibility that Jesus ended the meal early. But here's a possible order of the sequence of the events of the meal - the seating - bickering about who sits where - Jesus washing the disciples feet - Jesus tells that one of them will betray Him - Judas leaves

There is uncertainty around when the meal was actually eaten. Was Judas there or not. Based on text from Luke and John it appears Judas was present for the meal. Pastor shares that Jesus is still merciful to Judas - to the very last He is trying to help Judas see what he is doing.

When considering Judas' worthiness to be at the meal, the question becomes were any worthy of participating in this meal? The meal was attended by traitors and cowards. It is a table not of merit but of GRACE. Our God is a merciful and gracious God. His own disciples would run away that very night and leave Him in the garden - abandoning Him in His hour of need and yet Jesus still loved them. He knew what was going to happen and He still gave His disciples this meal as an indication of His incredible love.

This meal - the Lord's Supper - is something we have turned into law rather than grace. None of us can stand before a Holy God and say, "Look how good I am." The moment we do that we walk away from the Gospel of Grace.

We come to God as sinners, covered by the blood of His Son, made new by Him and when we receive the meal - the very meal He has with His disciples, we are being reassured of His incredible love, a love not based on our merit, accomplishments or achievements, but a love that is based upon the incredible love of The Father for those He has made and those He has redeemed with the blood of His Son.

It is NOT a table of merit. IT IS A TABLE OF GRACE.

Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01

Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

This teaching is from Matthew 28:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 1 Corinthians 15:6

Today we finish up the Gospel of Matthew. Pastor helps us see the Old Testament Feasts through New Testament eyes showing us some interesting insights.

The resurrection of Jesus took place on the 1st day of the week, Sunday, which is the first day after the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday. Jesus' resurrection also happened on the day called The Day of First Fruits which is celebrated on the first day after the Sabbath as part of their week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Day of First Fruits a day to celebrate the harvest and to give back a part of the harvest to God as an offering. Israel has two harvest times. One in the spring - this is the springtime harvest - but there is also a second harvest in the fall. (The second harvest will be at Jesus return.)

It is no coincidence that Jesus was raised from death on the day of First Fruits. God had a plan from the beginning and Jesus is the fulfillment of that plan, He is the First Fruits of the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."

Our story picks up with another earthquake, the guards being frightened and running off as an angel comes down from heaven to the tomb of Jesus and talks to the women that are there. The tomb is open and Jesus is not there and the angels tells them Jesus is risen. The story goes on with the women being the first to meet Jesus and worship Him.

The runaway guards go to the chief priests to tell them all that's happened. So the chief priests and elders gather to devise a plan, paying off the guards, they tell them to say that Jesus' disciples stole Jesus' body. Verse 15 ends with "And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day."

There is no record of anyone suggesting the tomb was still occupied, everyone knew the tomb was empty - the only story the priests could come up with was that the disciples stole the body. Yet the truth is - Christ rose!! Victorious over the death and the grave.

Our story goes on with the disciples going to a mountain in area of Galilee to see Jesus where they worshiped Him. He tells them that all authority of heaven and earth has been given to Him. Jesus is the Lord of the Universe! Jesus is the image of the invisible God, He's the One through whom everything was created.

Jesus saying he has all authority is the first part of the Great Commission and explains why He can give the command of the great commission. The Great Commission tells all disciples then and now to make more disciples, not believers, but disciples, meaning those who believe AND follow Christ.

We are told to baptize them in THE NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "The Name" why not "names" - Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three names. Jesus specifically says, "Name" no "s" - not plural. Because they are ONE.

Jesus goes on telling us to teach everything He's commanded us. Ending with the assuring promise that He is always with us.

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