The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

The Key that Opens All Scripture, and Eternity Itself

Matthew 17.  

Jesus fulfills the Torah, the Psalms, the Prophets, and all Scripture, He is the key that has been hidden from all ages, who is revealed in the Gospels.  The Transfiguration is an event which points to Christ as this fulfillment in a number of ways . . . .  He is also the key that opens the miracle of forgiveness to you, life, and salvation . . . .

A new hymn recording this week: Beautiful Savior #537

A public domain hymn.   

 

Assumptions and Agendas, Motives and Miracles

The discussion is over Matthew 16.  

What you believe about Jesus' question, "Who do YOU say that I am?" will govern exactly about how you live your life in this world.  The answer you give means everything regarding what comes next . . . . 

The hymn: "I Bind Unto Myself Today." 

When Truth Cuts Through Theater

Topic of discussion: Matthew 15.  

So many times in life, people do not confront the real issues.  They dance around them, and what we have instead is theater.  Truth cuts through the charade and confronts us with the realities of life.  Jesus always pushed to confront the issues of real importance, while others put their own righteousness ahead of the realities of God.  

Jesus' truth cuts through their theater . . . . 

Newly recorded him: "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word".  #655

A public domain hymn.  

When the Winds of Life Blow

The text for discussion: Matthew 14.  

Jesus faced the sorrow of losing his relative and friend, John the Baptist.  He goes out to a desolate place to seek the Father, but where Jesus is, there is no desolation, and He has compassion on the crowds who seek His healing and feeds them.  

In the times to come He will feed them with eternal things that only God can provide . . . . 

 

The hymn: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me 

Powerful Parables

Text for discussion: Matthew 13.  

Some of the most powerful connections we can make with another person is through our stories.  Jesus uses the parables to connect with the crowds who gather on a deeper level.  Yet, encoded in them are deeper meanings, hidden in them for the one who believes in Jesus.  

Matthew 13 is chock full of these parables . . . .  In this podcast we decode them together. . . . 

 

The hymn: On My Heart Imprint Your Image

One Greater than Jonah

Discussion: Matthew 12.  

Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.  He was kind of a pitiful prophet when we look at his book in Scripture, yet Jesus uses Jonah as an example of the great sign which will show that Jesus is the Son of God.  

Jonah ran from Nineveh, but Jesus didn't run from the great and mighty work that He would do for us on the cross; He truly shows that He is greater than Jonah . . . and all the prophets.  

 

Hymn: O Love How Deep 

Hidden in History

Text for discussion:  Matthew 11.

Have you ever tried to find something that completely eluded you?  God's chosen Messiah, born into history as a child was protected from the evil one until the appointed time.  Jesus, the Christ, was hidden in history, but God did not live us without signposts to find Him.  Those signposts are still evident today in the Holy Scriptures. 

 

The hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

No One Can Finish the Race for You

Matthew 10.  

While no one can finish the race for you, Christ did pay the price for all our sins, taking up His cross that we might have life.  

Jesus tells us that we may also have to take up the cross in this life . . . 

This life's rewards are temporary, but we have an imperishable reward in Christ . . . . 

Hymn: What is the World to Me?  

Of White Picket Fences and Lush Green Grass

Matthew 9.

All seems "normal" in the Fallen world, but we often overlook the sustenance of God-in life, breath, and in caring for all our needs.  Jesus cares for another need-our very souls, bringing with Him the healing of soul only He can give.  

The hymn: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven 

Who Is This Man?

Matthew 8.  

In Matthew 8, Jesus comes down from the sermon on the mount to heal lepers, those with fevers, exorcise the demon possessed, and even demonstrates control over nature . . . . 

 

Just who is He?  He is more than a friend, more than a good teacher . . . .  He has come to bring light to the creation.  How?  

 

The hymn: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me