Lessons for Living (Audio)

The Sadducees, religious leaders of Jesus’ time, were constantly in conflict with Jesus. They didn’t believe that their scriptures were what God said they were – they left out everything after Deuteronomy. This lack of belief kept them from seeing and understanding the true power of God. Jesus tried to get them to understand their need for all of God’s Word. Pastor Mark will be sharing this story and teaching about our need to understand what God’s word actually is. We need to separate traditions from truth. That way, we can become the people God intends us to be.

The Sadducees, religious leaders of Jesus’ time, were constantly in conflict with Jesus. They didn’t believe that their scriptures were what God said they were – they left out everything after Deuteronomy. This lack of belief kept them from seeing and understanding the true power of God. Jesus tried to get them to understand their need for all of God’s Word. Pastor Mark will be sharing this story and teaching about our need to understand what God’s word actually is. We need to separate traditions from truth. That way, we can become the people God intends us to be.

We all say that we believe what the Bible says about how to live our lives. But when the rubber meets the road, so to speak, do we really believe what God has said? The book of James talks a lot about the necessity of both faith and works. Pastor Mark is teaching from the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus is laying it out once and for all to the religious leaders, trying to get them to confront their hypocrisy, which they don’t do. It is important for us to not only believe what the Bible actually says, but to also try to live consistently the way the Bible instructs us to live.

We all say that we believe what the Bible says about how to live our lives. But when the rubber meets the road, so to speak, do we really believe what God has said? The book of James talks a lot about the necessity of both faith and works. Pastor Mark is teaching from the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus is laying it out once and for all to the religious leaders, trying to get them to confront their hypocrisy, which they don’t do. It is important for us to not only believe what the Bible actually says, but to also try to live consistently the way the Bible instructs us to live.

As followers of Jesus, the challenge is always to trust that He knows not only what’s going on with us, but that He does indeed know what He’s doing. As we hear stories of our brothers and sisters undergoing persecution we are tempted to despair, as we desire justice for them now. Pastor Mark will be teaching that God looks at things a little differently than do we. He can see the end of all things even now, and understands that this time is only a small part of what’s to come. It will benefit us to remember that God will use all things to accomplish His will on the earth.

Indeed, most people do think that they run their lives. They have believed the lie of the devil, who wants to see them destroyed, separated from God. Even after becoming a follower of Christ, we can struggle with trying to take control of our lives back from God. And He will let us have it back if we don’t have the wisdom to put on the brakes and give Him control again. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the Pharisee’s challenge to Jesus of the source of His authority, and the quandary Jesus put them in.

He will also remind them of the ultimate source of all earthly authority.

Indeed, most people do think that they run their lives. They have believed the lie of the devil, who wants to see them destroyed, separated from God. Even after becoming a follower of Christ, we can struggle with trying to take control of our lives back from God. And He will let us have it back if we don’t have the wisdom to put on the brakes and give Him control again. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the Pharisee’s challenge to Jesus of the source of His authority, and the quandary Jesus put them in.

He will also remind them of the ultimate source of all earthly authority.

Often, the Gospels note that the people, including the religious leaders of the day, were amazed at Jesus’ teachings. They were wiser and contained more truth than the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The religious leaders, of course, didn’t like this. Jesus was increasing in popularity, while they were diminishing. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, they challenged Jesus’ authority to speak as He spoke. We have the same challenge today: will we accept Who Jesus says He is, and decide to follow and obey Him, or will we reject His authority and go our own way?

Often, the Gospels note that the people, including the religious leaders of the day, were amazed at Jesus’ teachings. They were wiser and contained more truth than the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The religious leaders, of course, didn’t like this. Jesus was increasing in popularity, while they were diminishing. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, they challenged Jesus’ authority to speak as He spoke. We have the same challenge today: will we accept Who Jesus says He is, and decide to follow and obey Him, or will we reject His authority and go our own way?

We all try to work hard in our daily jobs, but the idea of working hard for the kingdom of God seems kind of nebulous. How do we know that we’re working hard? More importantly, I suppose, is how do we know when we’re not working hard for the Gospel’s sake? Pastor Mark will be teaching about working for the kingdom using a parable that Jesus taught to His disciples. We’ll discover that God has a definite plan for us and tasks that we’re expected to carry out. best of all, we have access to God’s plan for us through the leading of the Holy Spirit so we aren’t groping blindly.