Episodes
Friday Oct 30, 2015
Command #72 - Don't Judge
Friday Oct 30, 2015
Friday Oct 30, 2015
Many of the Commands are implied, but this is a direct, clear, forceful, and unyielding command--Judge not.
Wednesday Oct 28, 2015
Command #71 - Do and Think Toward Others As You Would Have Them Behave Toward You
Wednesday Oct 28, 2015
Wednesday Oct 28, 2015
Throughout the Commands, we have repeatedly emphasized that this or that word from Jesus is THE essential, THE first, THE foundational command. "Wait a minute," some may object, "If this is the most important command...how can that be the most important?"
Monday Oct 26, 2015
Command #70 - Take Up Your Cross
Monday Oct 26, 2015
Monday Oct 26, 2015
The cross has become the essential symbol of Christianity. It was not so, however, when Jesus spoke these words.
Friday Oct 23, 2015
Command #69 - Remain Gratefully Aware of Your Spiritual Need
Friday Oct 23, 2015
Friday Oct 23, 2015
There are many "firsts" in the Gospel story -- the first disciples called, the first command, the first sermon, the first Follow me, etc. We have noted some of these as we have progressed through the Commands. One of the most instructive such firsts occurs in Matthew 5:3: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Wednesday Oct 21, 2015
Command #68 - Do Not Pray Ostentatiously and With Empty Phrases
Wednesday Oct 21, 2015
Wednesday Oct 21, 2015
This is a very interesting and seriously convicting command. And one mostly ignored by the vast majority of Christendom's churches.
Monday Oct 19, 2015
Command #67 - Do Not Desire More Than God Gives You
Monday Oct 19, 2015
Monday Oct 19, 2015
Contrary to what many think, Jesus had nothing against either money or rich people. Many of his closest friends were possessors of means.
Friday Oct 16, 2015
Command #66 - Worship the Lord and Serve Him Only
Friday Oct 16, 2015
Friday Oct 16, 2015
We here encounter a Command made all the more intriguing when we consider to whom Jesus addressed it. He did not speak these words to his disciples or followers or to the crowds. This was his response to Satan after the final temptation in the wilderness. Can we then consider it a universal Command which Jesus places upon his followers as well?
Wednesday Oct 14, 2015
Command #65 - Do Not Show Goodness and Hospitality Only to Those Who Are Kind to You
Wednesday Oct 14, 2015
Wednesday Oct 14, 2015
So many of Jesus' Commands are interrelated. In these combined passages from Luke, we hear echoes of Love, Give to the poor, Do more than required, Be a servant, Be kind, Do good, Do not demand back what you have given, Serve the least of humanity as you would Jesus.
Monday Oct 12, 2015
Command #64 - Don't Fret About Trifles
Monday Oct 12, 2015
Monday Oct 12, 2015
Two individuals in the Gospels occasionally cause the sensitive heart a pang of empathy. In both instances, at first glance we feel that Jesus is a little harsh.
Friday Oct 09, 2015
Friday Oct 09, 2015
The passage from Mark 7 concerning the pharisaic worship of the letter of the law, as manifested by an obsession with clean cups and bowls and hands, gives a singularly important teaching in all the Gospels. Jesus here addresses an inevitable tendency in all religions--the susceptibility of truth to degenerate into doctrines and legalisms, defined by what Jesus calls the "traditions of the elders" rather than by constantly renewing reality.