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BOOK BY BOOK #52: YESHUA IN THE FOUR GOSPELS

Written By: Dave

Over the next several weeks we will encounter the 4 eye-witness accounts of the life of Jesus. Matthew spoke to a Jewish audience and was most interested in Jesus’ connection to Moses. Mark is more Greek in orientation, and is focused more on what Jesus did than what He taught. Show me what He did! Luke was a physician (he also compiled the book of Acts) and was very interested in the consecutive order of WHAT happened. John’s account is filled with insights about the heart of Jesus: what did His coming mean to those closest to Him.

First we will embrace Matthew. Here is a Matthew reading guide to help focus your treasure hunt. What was Matthew’s purpose? As you read and follow the guide you will encounter questions which will help you dive deeply into Matthew’s Spirit-directed take on Who Jesus was.

There is more material than you can cover now, but get a good start, and you will find a great foundation when you return to experience more. Lot’s of great home conversation resources!

The theme of Matthew is KING COMES. Jesus is the King of the earth. He is announcing His Kingdom (4:17). He is displaying what it means to be a King in His Father’s realm. He invites us to be right in the middle of His Kingdom and His plan for His Bride: the Church! Pay attention to the word Kingdom in Matthew. It is key to His teaching!

We also have a great resource called the “Streamsbook: 40 Days to get to Know God’s Son” at Streamsbook.com. You can connect with a 4-Gospel harmony reading guide as well as a series of pretty awesome teaching videos (if I do say so myself). Invite one of your friends!

Either way let’s immerse ourselves in Jesus’ life over the next month. What a great time to find hope in One Who is first place in all of creation. Good for us, good for our kids, our friends, and good for our neighbors. Enjoy the process!

Matthew Overview #1
Matthew Overview #2

PASSOVER & EASTER ARE COMING QUICKLY! (April 12th)

Written By: Dave

Passover and Easter (one of the most sweepingly hopeful human celebrations) are connected because Passover explains the deep roots of God’s work in the world. Without His intention to “pass over” His people, the resurrection would be powerless. God has clearly explained His plan through His Chosen People, His Son, and His work within the Church. Processing this connection is key. It is not merely a consideration of two separate faith systems (Judaism and Christianity) but God’s intention to create “one new man” who together will inhabit heaven (Ephesians 2:15).

We are encouraged during easter/passover that the Story of Jesus is continuing to revolutionize and revitalize the world. It is comforting that there is more to existence than “living a long life” and then submitting to the inevitable grave which awaits us.

We would like to highlight two things for you to contemplate today as you search for the kind of hope that will answer every question concerning the mortality of your body and the immortality of your soul.

First: 1 Corinthians 15.26 “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
Jesus abolishes our inherited sin and chosen sins and takes them out of the way (Colossians 2:14). He absorbs the hatred between us and our Creator (Ephesians 2:15). And then – He abolishes our forever death – and gives us eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son.

Next: Acts 2.24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” The anticipated and experienced agony of death goes far beyond our physical demise. And now this ultimate agony has been taken away for those of us who have hoped in Christ.

Is there any true hope apart from the work Jesus has done on the cross to take away our sin?
Is there any antidote to the futility and obscurity of our brief, imperfect human lives upon this earth?
We think there is – and it is found in the resurrection from the dead.

Click here for an extended video teaching on what you own in the treasure of the resurrection.
Eggs and bunnies are great, but depictions of existence without the hope of resurrection are bleak indeed.

We choose hope!

Here’s to an awesome approaching Resurrection Day for you and those you love – even if we must Face-Time!
Dave & Burnadette

THIS IS SERIOUS

Written By: Dave

There are always issues for any person who chooses to balance the natural with what is supernatural. While God is 100% supernatural He has placed us in an imperfect, natural environment which offers opportunity for faith to germinate, grow, and produce. This is happening all around us right now.

The window of uncertainty and fear that has opened can be squandered or maximized. Whenever people face mortality there is fertile soil for faith. This is where WE come in. Because God has clearly explained who we are, what He is doing around us, and ensured an ultimate outcome for our souls – our personal earthly welfare can take a back seat to things which are truly revolutionary.

I love this advice from one of Jesus’ early followers:

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ — that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.”
– Colossians 3:1-4/Message

If we remember who God is we can once again uncover our true identity. God did not set things into motion for life to run smoothly or for faith to emerge only out of what is convenient. Living real lives of faith not only honors God, it unlocks faith for lost souls.

Join us in praying today:
– for God’s people in our city to look to Jesus and engage our true selves
– for the spirit of fear to pivot to unlock the door of faith for our families, friends, and neighbors
– for our eyes to perceive the Spirit’s direction regarding how we expend our time and energy
– for our God connection to deepen as each day unfolds and as our leaders search for answers and strategies

This will pass. We are with you!
Dave & Burnadette

Sign up here for your copy of Dave’s new book Mentored by God
Join us in our ongoing consideration of the prophets
Here is a great faith song for the serious-minded follower

MY MUSIC: WEEPING PROPHET BLUES

Written By: Dave

We had fun writing, composing, and recording this one. I am pretty eclectic in my musical tastes, but blues is a pretty narrow part of my spectrum. We always thought if we shot a music video someday, we would have four harmonious singers around a burning barrel, blues-hamming our way through. It was fun to see what my younger friends did with this in the studio! When we used to perform this live, my friend Dean played an awesome sax interlude. It still makes me smile – it was perfect.

Jeremiah the prophet watched the actual fall of Jerusalem, Israel’s great capital and center of worship. After hundreds of years of warning against their idolatry, the worst was now here. Jeremiah weeps over the city. The Lamentations are those of Jeremiah as he watches the unthinkable unfold. The crown has fallen from their heads. You will find all of the lines of this song within the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.

“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned into mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!” – Lamentations 5:15,16