The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

Big Fish Story

Text: Jonah 1 

We are often called upon to go beyond our comfort zones, to do things which we don't always really want to do.  

Jonah was called upon by God to go to a city called Nineveh, and call on them to repent and turn to God.  He didn't want to go. 

We are fortunate to have a Savior who went beyond doing the uncomfortable things for us. 

In following Him, we will go beyond our comfort zones . . . . 

The View from the Cave REVISITED

Thank you for listening to this podcast!  

For those who are behind, this week is an opportunity to catch up a little. 

This week's lessons in the church year, and a newly recorded version of Abide with Me (text: Copyright CPH) are included along with a message about Genesis 23, originally recorded January 29, 2021.  

Again, thanks for listening.  Barring unforeseen circumstances, I look forward to sharing a fully NEW episode next week, including a new start to another book of Scripture . . . .  Tune in next week to find out which one . . . . 

Matthew 28 - Hush Money Can’t Overcome the Truth

 

Long before the skeptics and atheists of today, the Apostle Paul pointed out what the reality would be if Jesus had not actually risen from the dead.  

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 ". . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Life is not meaningless, and the resurrection flies in the face of the narrative of meaninglessness.  

Christ is risen, and because He has risen there is something greater than this life, indeed Jesus has greater things in store for us.  

[I would like to dedicate this episode to the memory of Lutheran Hour Speaker Ken Klaus, who saw it so very important to begin his messages with "Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed, alleluia!"  Because Christ is risen, we have a sure hope in Jesus who has greater things in store for us . . . .]

The hymn is #480.  "He's Risen, He's Risen" 

Newly recorded today, this hymn was written- both text and tune by CFW Walther.  The text is copyright 1941, Concordia Publishing House.

 

Artwork: Disciples Running, by Eugene Burnand, d. 1921.  Public domain.  

Stations of the Cross Service

I encourage you to observe one of your congregation's Good Friday services, but I invite you to share in this one, especially, if you are not able to make it to a service on Good Friday.

Recorded in 2021, here we observe Good Friday with the Stations of the Cross Service . . . .   May this service be a blessing to you as you remember how our Lord died upon the cross to atone for our sins.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is now risen . . . .  Let us hear God's word together and recall how Jesus, the lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world . . . . 

[The illustration is "The Crucifixion" by Jacopo Bellini, early Renaissance, and is public domain in the US and elsewhere.)

Part VII - The CONCLUSION of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: The Great Day of Friendship

As friends go, Peter wasn't a very good friend on Good Friday, but Jesus' loyalty to Peter and to humanity never wavered . . . .  He died for us while we were still sinners . . . (and rises again on the 3rd day).  

The podcast concludes with several hymns for reflection on Good Friday:

Glory Be to Jesus 

Lamb of God, Pure and Holy 

What Wondrous Love is This 

Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us 

O Love How Deep 

My Soul Now Praise Your Maker

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

(all are public domain) 

 

This afternoon, the Stations of the Cross Service will be available . . . . 

Part VI of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: Get Ready!

The Passover was the ultimate event of getting ready-preparing to leave Egypt at a moment's notice.  In the same respect, the disciples had no idea the kind of turmoil that was coming their way, but Jesus was preparing them.  

Whatever may come in this world, we ultimately rest on Jesus' mercies-be not afraid . . . . 

 

Part V of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: Something Bigger Than Ambition

As Jesus tells His disciples of His impending crucifixion, James and John approach him about something less . . . important.  Jesus in turn teaches His disciples what it means to be great.  

[The hymn: My Faith Looks Up to Thee, public domain]

[The artwork: Christ Calling the Apostles James and John, by Edward Armitage, 1869.  Public domain, U.S. and elsewhere]

Part IV of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: The Elephant in the Room

There is a sickness called sin, which leads to death.  

It cannot be denied; everyone who enters this world must exit it.  

That is the elephant in the room.  

Jesus, the great physician comes to heal us of this sickness.  

 

[The hymn: What Wondrous Love is This]

[The illustration: The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio, 1600]

Part III of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

Part III of our Lenten series.  

The text for our discussion is John 14:14-31. 

If you find the current state of the world to be troubling, you. are experiencing nothing new.  It was troubling before Jesus came into the world.  It was troubling in Jesus' time, and so we shouldn't be surprised when troubling things seem to come out of nowhere.  

Jesus has better things in store for us; we rest our faith in Him.  

 

[Hymn: Built on the Rock]

The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem, Part II: The Cup of Wrath

 

The text for discussion is John 1, starting at verse 43.

This week we continue our Lenten series on the disciples who followed Jesus up to Jerusalem.  

We follow Jesus as He brings Philip and Nathanael into discipleship.