Episodes
Friday Apr 15, 2016
Command #23 - Follow Me
Friday Apr 15, 2016
Friday Apr 15, 2016
The first command Jesus issued specifically to his disciples is found in a simple but life-altering challenge: Follow Me.
Thursday Apr 14, 2016
COA #16 - Do Not Be Afraid or Lose Heart
Thursday Apr 14, 2016
Thursday Apr 14, 2016
An old-fashioned phrase perfectly expresses the emotion toward which this command is directed. "His heart failed him... her heart failed her." It is that sinking feeling that comes when we realize that all hope is gone.
Wednesday Apr 13, 2016
Command #22 - Give When Asked and Do More Than Required
Wednesday Apr 13, 2016
Wednesday Apr 13, 2016
Most are familiar with the tradition behind Jesus' words in the above passage. Many sermon illustrations have explained the right of Roman soldiers in Palestine to compel any citizen to carry their equipment for a mile. To enforce the practicality of the life he would have his hearers lead, Jesus said to carry the burden two miles instead.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2016
COA #15 - Do Not Envy
Tuesday Apr 12, 2016
Tuesday Apr 12, 2016
Envy represents one of life's most lethal personal cancers.
Monday Apr 11, 2016
Command #21 - Be Humble
Monday Apr 11, 2016
Monday Apr 11, 2016
Humility in our day has fallen on hard times. Such can be said for most of the attributes of Christlikeness. But humility is especially embattled. The contrast between the world's perspective and that of Jesus is drawn with yet starker clarity when we substitute the word Jesus used to describe humility--meekness.
Friday Apr 08, 2016
Command #20 - Think No Impure Thought
Friday Apr 08, 2016
Friday Apr 08, 2016
The Sermon on the Mount is astonishing on many levels. In three succinct chapters, Jesus outlined a revolutionary new morality which was henceforth intended to visibly characterize the life lived and the attitudes held by those who would call themselves his followers.
Thursday Apr 07, 2016
COA #14 - Take Heed to Yourself
Thursday Apr 07, 2016
Thursday Apr 07, 2016
In one way or another, all the commands hit us between the eyes. If we are paying attention. This is their design.
Wednesday Apr 06, 2016
Command #19 - Apply Yourself To Think, Learn, Understand
Wednesday Apr 06, 2016
Wednesday Apr 06, 2016
One of the fascinating exchanges in the New Testament is recounted in the eighth chapter of Mark's gospel. In it we get a picture of Jesus' frustration with the disciples for not applying themselves to understand. To grasp it, we have to remember the storm at sea that took place after the feeding of the five thousand.
Tuesday Apr 05, 2016
COA #13 - Take Your Faith Seriously
Tuesday Apr 05, 2016
Tuesday Apr 05, 2016
One of the helpful benefits in focusing on the Commands is that it immediately shatters our preconceptions about spirituality. The Commands act as a giant screen to weed out superficiality and false priorities.
Monday Apr 04, 2016
Command #18 - Be Clear-minded, Thoughtful, Mentally Diligent
Monday Apr 04, 2016
Monday Apr 04, 2016
Ours is a lethally superficial age. In an era of superhuman technological achievement, the facility to think judiciously is on the endangered skills list. Our computerized culture has rendered us dependent on machines to do our thinking for us.