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Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
June Reflections 2022
Foxes, funerals, demons, pigs, fasting and wine skins. That’s all coming in the Gospel of Matthew as we look at various miracles Jesus performed. Lord willing, I plan to cover chapters 8-9 this summer, take a short break and then dive into the next discourse (the sending of the 12).
45 What Jesus Teaches About Fear When Life Gets Hard (Matthew 8:23-27)
When he calms the storm, we learn Jesus brings the power of God to rescue His people from the vast destructive forces of nature. The miracles of Jesus have a message: Jesus brings the mercy of God for healing and deliverance.
apostle, apostolos, G652
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for apostle, apostolos G652
44 Why Jesus Told a Man Not to Bury His Father (Matthew 8:18-22)
Matthew introduces us to two potential disciples. One says: “I will follow Jesus if it pays off now.” The other says: “Now is paying off, I’ll follow Jesus later.” The opportunity to decide to follow Jesus is now. One day it will be too late.
save, sozo, G4982
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek verb: to save, sōzō
43 Why Jesus Chose Healing Miracles, It Wasn’t Compassion (Matthew 8:14-17)
Through these miraculous healing, Jesus physically demonstrates that he came to rescue us from our ultimate suffering which is rooted in our sin and our guilt.
42 The Authority Question Everyone Must Answer (Matthew 7:28-8:13)
Matthew has just quoted Jesus as claiming to have authority from God. Now he turns our attention to how Jesus acts with God’s authority, by performing miracles only God can perform. These miracles confront us with a choice to believe Jesus is who he says he is.
Unlock Bible Passages by Analyzing Their Structure
Discover how understanding Bible passage structure can unlock deeper meaning in your Bible study. Learn the key to better observation today.
Gospel of Matthew 8-12: Behold the King!
A 24-week Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew 8-12. Having shown that Jesus speaks with the authority of God, Matthew now shows that Jesus acts with the authority of God by performing miracles.
May 2022 Reflections
No new podcasts this month as I’m busy preparing for the Gospel of Matthew Part 2. I’m planning to cover chapters 8-12 which will take us through the next major discourse of Jesus. We’ll be talking about authority a lot.
Who were the Essenes?
The Essenes are the third major “philosophical school” identified by Josephus. Little is know about them with certainty.
Who were the Zealots?
Who were the Zealots? A short guide to the Jewish revolutionary movement of Jesus’ day, Simon the Zealot, and why it matters in the Gospels.
Who were the Sadducees?
The Sadducees were linked with the high priesthood and power. The party grew out of the aristocratic Sanhedrin.
Bible Overview: A Simple Guide to the Old & New Testaments
Overview of the Bible: Just as it’s helpful to know the culture of Jane Austin before reading Emma, it’s helpful to know the history behind the Bible.
April 2022 Reflections
After studying the Sabbath, it seems appropriate take a break from the podcast. Then we’ll resume our study of the Gospel of Matthew. We’ll pick up in chapter 8 where Matthew begins to highlight the authority of Jesus.
Did Jesus change the Sabbath?
How did Jesus had to our understanding of what should we do or not do on the Sabbath? He taught that Sabbath is a rest that is given, not earned, and that our “job” is to enjoy it, not to live up to it.
Is Jesus coming back?
Yes, Jesus is coming back! Yes, he warned his disciples his return would not be soon. All the New Testament writes claim the return of Christ is integral to our Christian hope.
When do we keep the Sabbath?
Sabbath rest is yet to come —the rest we enjoy today anticipates the real Sabbath rest that awaits us in the kingdom. That future rest is granted to those who have saving faith in Jesus Christ.
authority, authenteo, G831
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb for authority authenteo G831.
How do we keep the Sabbath?
How do we keep the Sabbath? The simple command is not to work. We stop the activities we do that sustain our lives and instead we do the things that most foster our relationship to, understanding of and dependence on God.
authority, exousia, G1849
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek noun for authority, exousia G1849.
New? Start here.
If you’re a new believer or just new to Wednesday in the Word, here are some suggested places to start.
Why keep the Sabbath?
Sabbath is about who God is. It’s not about what we need to live healthy lives. It’s not about making sure we get our rest so that we can be productive at work, be nice to our family and stay awake during Bible Studies (though none of those things are bad things). Sabbath reminds us who God is. Because as we’ll see, on the Sabbath, we rest to remember God.
How do I find God’s will?
One of the first questions new believers confront is: how do I find God’s will for my life? It’s a lot easier thank you think, if you avoid the bad advice and focu
When should I use a Bible encyclopedia?
Multi-volume encyclopedias are good sources for historical and biblical themes. But background information does not impose meaning.
Sabbath: Why, how and when
A 4-week Bible study on the Sabbath. Why keep it, how to keep it, when to keep it and did Jesus change it?
March 2022 Reflections
What is the Sabbath? Why does God command it? Did Jesus change it? When do we get to enjoy it? And how can God justify resting when so much work remains to be done? We’ll tackle these questions in the April podcasts series: Sabbath: Why, how and when.
03 When God Calls: But I’m Afraid (2 Kings 6)
What if God has called me to something and I’m just plain afraid to follow? What if the path He has put before me seems too frightening or overwhelming?
Sabbath, sabbaton, G4521
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for Sabbath, sabbaton.
What good is a Bible dictionary?
Lexicons & dictionaries can reveal what might be “lost in translation” but they also tempt us to fall into the trap of “I learned a fact about a word and I must use it.”
02 When God Calls: Rethink Greatness (2 Kings 5)
How do you accomplish great things for the kingdom of God and quiet that inner voice that says whatever you’re doing, it’s not enough? In 2Kings 5 we see a series of contrasts between how the world measures greatness and God measures greatness.
hope, elpis, G1680
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for hope, elpis
What is a concordance and why do I need one?
A concordance is an organized list of all the biblical texts which contain a given word. Concordances allow you to broaden your understanding of how a word is used and its range of meanings. There are 3 types: analytical, exhaustive and complete.
01 When God calls: Burn your ox (1 Kings 19:19-21)
When God called Elisha to be succeed the prophet Elijah, Elisha was a farmer with no apparent qualifications. Yet Elisha burned his ox and followed. Then Elisha refused to leave his mentor’s side, humbly asking that God equip him for the journey ahead.
What can I learn from a Bible map?
You’ll be surprised at how the information on a map can open your study. Consider how knowing that the road to Jericho was 17-miles changes the parable of the good Samaritan