Scott LaPierre Ministries

Jesus faced the power of darkness at Gethsemane—Judas’s betrayal, the arrest, and the cosmic clash of light vs. darkness—while showing that the power of darkness is limited to an “hour” under God’s sovereign plan. https://youtu.be/6cCpZlgUQIg Table of contentsLight and Darkness Are Metaphors for Good and EvilJudas Went Out When “It Was Night”Jesus Knew the Hour of Darkness Was ComingA High Priest Who Sympathizes with BetrayalJesus’s Kindness to His BetrayerChoosing the Physical Over the SpiritualActing Hastily Often Causes ProblemsMisdirected Zeal with Peter, Josiah, and Maybe UsJesus’s ComposureJesus’s Rebuke to the Religious LeadersThe Power of Darkness Is When Satan “Bruises Jesus’s Heel”The Power of Darkness Is Limited to One Hour Growing up, I read The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. If you asked most people about popular fiction books with Christian themes, they would likely point to these stories. They are classic tales of good versus evil. One thing I appreciate about them is that good always looks good, and evil always looks evil. You never have to guess who the good guys and bad guys are. Even when a good character like Boromir, in a moment of weakness, tries to take the ring from Frodo, or when Edmund denies Narnia’s existence to Peter and Susan to hide his relationship with the White Witch, their actions seem wrong. But I don’t think most media portrays this well, with sins like fornication and violence often being celebrated. When Judas betrayed Jesus, there was no mistaking the distinction between good and evil. Ultimately, Jesus describes the people’s actions as "the power of darkness.” Light and Darkness Are Metaphors for Good and Evil Many verses in the Bible teach that light and darkness are metaphors for good and evil. Here are a few examples: Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness! Darkness is associated with evil, while light is associated with good. John 3:19 The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. People don’t reject Jesus because they don’t believe in Him. They reject Him, the light of the world, because they love darkness, referring to their sins, more than Him. Acts 26:18 Open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.’ Paul associated salvation with turning from darkness to light. Romans 13:12 Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Again, darkness is used as a metaphor for evil, and light is employed as a metaphor for righteousness.1 I could provide more examples, but you get the picture. Judas Went Out When “It Was Night” This is the Last Supper, just hours before Jesus' arrest. There’s a detail that’s only found in John’s Gospel: John 13:27 Then after he (referring to Judas) had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”...30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he (Judas) immediately went out. And it was night. There are seven instances of demon possession in the Gospels, but this is the only instance of Satan entering someone. The phrase “It was night” isn’t just a description of when this happened physically. It is a description of what is happened spiritually: darkness has come. Many commentaries make this point. Here are a few: The Moody Bible Commentary: “Darkness had descended both literally and symbolically.”2 John MacArthur: “It was the hour for Judas to be handed over completely to the power of darkness.”3 The Berean Study Bible: “The mention of 'night' is not merely a time indicator but carries deep symbolic meaning…night represents spiritual darkness and evil. Judas's departure into the night underscores his alignment with darkness.” Before Judas left the Last Supper,

Jesus as the Last Adam is one of the most powerful truths in Scripture, as Christ came to save us from the consequences of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden. Unpack Jesus as the Last Adam from 1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 5:12-20, and Luke 22:42–43, learning how the obedience of Christ brought redemption where the first Adam brought sin and death. https://youtu.be/Tyi-1PlNKgE Table of contentsJesus Is the Last AdamThe Last Adam Had to Resist the DevilGod’s Wrath Builds Up Against UsThe Last Adam’s Agony in the Garden of GethsemaneThe Last Adam Had to Consume God’s WrathThe Last Adam Wanted Us to Know There’s No Other Way for Man to Be SavedJesus Drinks the Cup of God's Wrath for Us or We Drink It We forget things, so it’s good to be reminded. That’s why, throughout the New Testament, we are reminded of spiritual truths. Here are two examples of many I could give you: 1 Corinthians 15:1 I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand. Paul wanted to remind us of the gospel, which I don’t think we could be reminded of too many times. 2 Peter 1:12 I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. Peter’s referring to the qualities he mentioned earlier: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Then he says: 2 Peter 1:13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder. As long as Peter’s alive, he’s going to keep reminding believers. So, when I preach, I like reminding people of truths that they’ve heard many times before. It is a joy for me to be reminded of truths in my studying, and then it is a joy for me to remind people of these truths when I preach. But I also hope I can help people see new things that they haven’t seen before. This is one of my other joys when studying. Helping people see new things in the Gospels can be difficult because they are the most familiar area of Scripture. And beyond that, Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane is one of the most familiar accounts in the Gospels. But there is something deep and powerful in this account that I hope prevents people from reading this account the same. It requires looking past Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane to the first Adam in the garden of Eden. That’s where this account truly begins. Jesus Is the Last Adam Jesus has over 200 names in Scripture. We know Him as the Son of God, Son of Man, Lamb of God, and Prince of Peace. But a lesser-known title is the Last Adam: 1 Corinthians 15:45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam (referring to Jesus) became a life-giving spirit…47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man (referring to Jesus) is from heaven. The clearest passage contrasting Jesus and Adam is in Romans 5: Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Adam is a type of Jesus. For something to serve as a type of Christ, it must look like Christ. You might be quick to say, “Then how could Adam serve as a type of Christ because Adam looks like the opposite of Christ?” But there are many ways Adam serves as a dramatic type of Christ: Adam and Jesus were the only two people in all of human history created without a sinful nature; they are the only ones to enter the world sinlessly. Adam is the head of all humanity, and Jesus, as the head of the church, is the head of all redeemed humanity. They both affected humanity more than everyone else – past, present,

Spiritual warfare is not just a concept—it’s a daily reality for every believer. Unpack why Jesus instructed His disciples to carry swords, revealing deep biblical truths about preparing for spiritual warfare in a hostile world. Through Luke 22:37-38, we learn that spiritual warfare requires discernment, courage, and readiness—not physical weapons, but the armor of God. Spiritual warfare is not about attacking people but standing firm against the enemy’s schemes with the right weapons, such as prayer, God’s Word, and fellowship. https://youtu.be/DBkrSarLOck Table of contentsThe Context for Jesus’s Words about Spiritual WarfareNew Testament Authors Don’t Ignore Old Testament ContextJesus’s Followers Must Expect To Be Treated Like HimJesus’s Listeners Often Mistook The Spiritual For The PhysicalThe Disciples Mistook Spiritual Preparation for Physical PreparationThe Disciples' Problems Caused by Misunderstanding Jesus’s Words about Spiritual WarfareThe Irony with Peter and UsJesus Wants His Disciples To Prepare For Spiritual Warfare.Two Questions We Should Ask Ourselves The saying, “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight,” originated in the American West during the late 19th century, when people carried guns for protection, and disputes were often settled with duels. Today, the phrase has become a figure of speech to describe someone being ill-equipped or unprepared to handle a difficult challenge or task. We could adapt the saying for the disciples: “Don’t bring a physical sword to a spiritual fight.” They misunderstood Jesus’s words. He wanted them to prepare for spiritual warfare, but they thought He wanted them to prepare for physical combat. The Context for Jesus’s Words about Spiritual Warfare Jesus just celebrated the Last Supper with the disciples. He’s about to leave the upper room and head to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He will pray and be arrested, and He wants them to know that after that happens, things will change for them dramatically: Luke 22:35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” This refers to when Jesus earlier sent out the disciples to preach the kingdom of God when Jesus was at the height of His popularity. The disciples were His royal ambassadors preaching the kingdom for the King of Kings. Everyone loved them because everyone loved Jesus. Things were going to go so well for the disciples that they didn’t need to bring a moneybag, knapsack, or sandals. They could rely on people’s generosity and hospitality. But after the cross, things were going to be very different: Luke 22:36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. This is a radical shift. The kindness and generosity the disciples knew would be replaced with cold looks, opposition, and persecution. They were previously welcomed into people’s homes, but now they would be pilgrims traveling in a hostile world. The obvious question is, why such a dramatic change in the disciples’ treatment? Jesus tells us in the following verse: Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” This is a quote from Isaiah 53:12. New Testament Authors Don’t Ignore Old Testament Context There is a tendency to think that when an Old Testament verse is quoted in the New Testament, the context doesn’t matter. The New Testament author quoted the Old Testament verse simply because it captured what he was trying to say. The problem with this is that it would mean the New Testament author is violating one of the primary rules of Bible interpretation: consider the context. The truth is that God quotes Old Testament verses because of their context. So, why would Jesus quote Isaiah 53:12 to the disciples at this mome...

Unpack some of Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples to live as pilgrims in hostile environments. As the world grows increasingly resistant to the Gospel, Christians today must understand their true citizenship and mission. From being royal ambassadors during Christ’s ministry to becoming pilgrims in hostile environments after His crucifixion, the disciples’ journey mirrors our own. https://youtu.be/WDss9AeVwik Table of contentsFrom Genesis to Malachi, the Gospel was, “The Messiah is coming!”From Matthew to John, the Gospel was, “The Kingdom has come!”From Matthew to John, Jesus’ Disciples Were Royal Ambassadors In Welcoming EnvironmentsFrom Acts on the Gospel is Christ CrucifiedFrom Acts On Jesus’ Disciples Are Pilgrims In Hostile EnvironmentsOur Heavenly CitizenshipWhat Is Commendable About the Faith of Those in Hebrews 11?We Must Be Born Again When I was growing up, my parents made me feel thankful to be an American. It usually took place at the dinner table when they wanted me to finish my food. They would encourage me to eat by telling me how children in other countries didn’t have the same blessings, and I guess at that moment, the blessings I was supposed to be thankful for were peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. There are few people who, if asked where they would want to live, would say a country other than the United States. But no matter how good American citizenship is, we will see in some of Jesus’s last words to His disciples that He didn’t want any of His followers to see themselves as citizens of any earthly country. Instead, we’re to see ourselves as pilgrims. To fully understand some of Jesus’s final words to the disciples, we must understand the mission of God’s people throughout human history. From Genesis to Malachi, the Gospel was, “The Messiah is coming!” Sometimes people mistakenly believe the Gospel is a New Testament invention; something Paul invented during the Church Age. The even worse situation is when people think man was saved differently in the Old Testament than in the New Testament. But man has always been saved the same: by grace through faith. In the Old Testament, people were saved by believing God would send a Messiah. People looked forward in faith to the Messiah coming, like we look backward in faith, believing the Messiah has come: Galatians 3:8 God…preached the gospel…to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” This shows that the gospel was preached in the Old Testament, as it was preached to Abraham. But it begs the question: How could the words “in you shall all the nations be blessed” be a gospel presentation? This is a prophecy that the Messiah will come as a descendant of Abraham. That’s how all the nations would be blessed in or through Abraham. As people believed this prophecy that the Messiah would come, they would be saved. That’s what happened with Abraham, the father of faith: Genesis 15:6 [Abraham] believed the Lord, and [the Lord] counted it to [Abraham] as righteousness. This is justification: Abraham believed and was justified, or declared righteous, by his faith. (NKJV) Hebrews 4:2 The gospel was preached to…[the Israelites in the wilderness]. We aren’t told exactly what this Gospel presentation looked like, but there was some way for the Israelites to look forward in faith to Jesus so they could be saved. I think they could look forward to Christ in faith through the fantastic types and shadows in the wilderness: They saw Christ through the Bronze Serpent: John 3:14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” They saw Christ through the manna: John 6:32-33 “Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, My Father gives you the true bread from heaven (referring to Himself). For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 1 Corinthians 10:4 says Jesus was the rock in the wilderness that provided I...

Naaman’s pride nearly cost him everything – don’t let it happen to you! In 2 Kings 5:1–14, we witness a powerful story of how Naaman’s pride nearly prevented him from receiving God’s healing and salvation. We, too, can be blinded by our own expectations. The story of Naaman’s pride is a warning for all of us: don’t let ego or expectations block the work God wants to do in your life. Recognize the signs of pride and discover how obedience and humility lead to transformation. https://youtu.be/sIs9T1l8crA Table of contentsNaaman Almost Missed Out On Salvation Because It Seemed Foolish to HimNaaman Almost Missed Out on Salvation Because It’s Not How He Wanted to Be SavedNaaman Almost Missed Out On Salvation Because It Wasn’t Glamorous Enough for HimNaaman Almost Missed Out On Salvation Because He Wasn’t Required to Do EnoughNaaman Almost Missed Out On Salvation Because of His PrideNew Humility ShownWhat the People of Nazareth Could Learn from a Gentile Consider this familiar story: A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. One of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.“Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast.""No," says the preacher. "I have faith the Lord will save me."Still, the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, when another guy arrives in a motorboat."Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here."Once again, the preacher is unmoved. "I shall remain. The Lord will see me through."After a while the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is clinging to the cross when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone."Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance."Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will save him.Predictably, he drowns, but goes to heaven. He asks God, "Why didn't you save me?"God says, “ I sent you two boats and a helicopter." The story is about a man who misses out on the ways God provided for him to be saved. I want to replace it with the better one found in God’s Word. God provided a way for Naaman to be saved, but he almost missed out on it, like the fictional preacher who drowned. The reasons Naaman almost missed out on being cleansed of physical leprosy are the same reasons we miss out on being cleansed of spiritual leprosy, or sin. 2 Kings 5:1 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. He probably wore an impressive, well-decorated uniform, but beneath that uniform was a body being consumed by leprosy. This is one of the most impressive descriptions of an individual in Scripture. He’s the commander of the Syrian army. He’s called a mighty man of valor, a title given to only four other people in Scripture, including men like Gideon and David. However, it’s unique here because Naaman is a Gentile. His master, referring to the king of Syria, holds him in high regard. God has used him to secure military victories for Syria. But we also read something that nullifies everything else: he’s a leper. He probably wore an impressive, well-decorated uniform, but beneath that uniform was a body being consumed by leprosy. But God graciously put someone in Naaman’s life who was going to help him in ways he never imagined: 2 Kings 5:2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids (against Israel) had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3 She (the young Israelite girl) said to her mistress (Naaman’s wife), "Would that my lord (referring to Naaman) were with the prophet (Elisha) who is in Samaria! He (Elisha) would cure him of his leprosy." During one of Syria’s victories over the Israelites,

What truly led to the fall of Gehazi? Dive into 2 Kings 5:15-27, unveiling the deeper spiritual truths behind Gehazi’s fall and how his actions became a tragic example of hypocrisy, greed, and divine judgment. Just like leprosy spreads through the body, Gehazi’s sin spread from the heart, leading to devastating consequences. Learn how Gehazi’s fall also illustrates the dangers of spiritual compromise and the urgent need for repentance. https://youtu.be/zbC01GX3EUc Table of contentsGehazi Was a Religious HypocriteGod Faithfully WarnsWhen God Warned DavidGod Faithfully Warns UsWe Escape and EndureGehazi’s DeceptionsSin Often Leads to More SinElisha Saw What Gehazi Did as God Sees What We DoElisha Had a Heart for Elisha as God Has a Heart for UsGehazi Already Had Spiritual LeprosyWe Must Be Cleansed of Our Spiritual LeprosyGehazi Ruined a Picture of the GospelLeprosy Must Be Cleansed On the fifteenth anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, the record industry honored him as the best-selling singer of all time. He seemed to have many of the most common things people seek: wealth, fame, and success. But on August 16, 1977, at only forty-two years old, his fiancée, Ginger Alden, found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor of his Graceland mansion. Attempts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead. Photos and videos of him at the end of his life show a bloated man with distorted features. Most people will say the years of drug use and careless living took their toll. But I would say the biggest cause of his death was covetousness. Here’s what I mean: even as his health deteriorated, he continued to tour intensively because he desired even more fame and success. In 1973, only a few years before his death, he had his busiest schedule with 168 concerts.1 The day he died, he was scheduled to fly out of Memphis to Portland, Maine, to begin another tour. No matter how successful and famous he became, he always wanted more. We would be hard-pressed to find someone whose health was damaged by covetousness more than Elvis's. But we do with Elisha’s servant, Gehazi. His covetousness caused him to get leprosy! Here’s the background to the account. The prophet Elisha told the Syrian general, Naaman, how to be cleansed of leprosy. After Naaman was cleansed: 2 Kings 5:15 Then [Naaman] returned to the man of God (Elisha), he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” Naaman was incredibly grateful and tried to repay Elisha: 2 Kings 5:16 But [Elisha] said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. Naaman attributed his cleansing to God, and Elisha wanted to keep it that way, so he refused the gift. 2 Kings 5:19 [Elisha] said to [Naaman], “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” Gehazi was Elisha’s servant, and he knew that Naaman had tons of wealth. Briefly look back at 2 Kings 5:5: 2 Kings 5:5 And the king of Syria said [to Naaman], “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So [Naaman] went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. Naaman travels with more changes of clothing than most of us. When Gehazi watches Naaman walk off without giving anything, he thinks he’s missing out on a fortune. Gehazi Was a Religious Hypocrite Gehazi said, “As the Lord lives.” He likely heard his master, Elisha, use this phrase frequently. This is a classic illustration of religious hypocrisy. Gehazi spoke the right words, but the spiritual reality was far from his heart.

Perseverance of the saints is not just a theological idea—it’s a powerful reminder that true saving faith always endures. Learn what it means to persevere as a believer, even in the face of trials and failures. The perseverance of the saints is a work of Christ in us. Though we may stumble, true believers rise again and walk in repentance, proving the genuineness of their faith. https://youtu.be/6iMawZ59C7o Table of contentsJesus Is the Founder and Perfecter of Our FaithJesus Already Prayed for Our PerseveranceEncouraged When We DoubtJesus Doesn’t Pray Exactly Like UsA Saint’s Faith PerseveresEternal Security and Once Saved Always SavedTrials Reveal the Genuineness of Our FaithJob Is the Premier Example of a Persevering SaintPeter and Job Demonstrate That Perseverance Does Not Require PerfectionPeter and Job Demonstrate That Perseverance Does Involve Repentance A long-time friend of mine shared a testimony with me. He was one of my closest friends when we were in California, and I knew him to be a committed Christian. Around 2015, he relocated to Los Angeles and began working for a large, well-known company. He didn’t want me to mention the company’s name. I knew this friend as a responsible and hard worker, so I wasn’t surprised when he told me that he had advanced to upper management in the company. He said he regularly worked 12 to 20-hour days. When I asked how you work 20-hour days consistently, he said, and I quote, “That’s what I want to talk to you about. A select group of senior-level management chose to use cocaine, and I started using it too, and became addicted. I would use it throughout the day to keep going, and when I returned home, I would drink half a gallon of whiskey and take sleeping pills to come off the cocaine so I could fall asleep. Then I would wake up four or five hours later and use more cocaine to have the energy to make it through the day. This went on for years. I knew I was going to kill myself and leave my wife and children without a husband and father, so one night, God heavily convicted me, and I called a Christian rehab facility and said they had to come pick me up. My wife knew something was wrong with me, but she didn’t know what it was. She never gave up praying for me or loving me, and before I left the house, I confessed to her what was happening and informed her that she wouldn’t be able to communicate with me while I was in the facility. I also told her where she could find the stashes of cocaine around the house, because I didn’t want to stumble upon them when I returned home. When I left the facility, I went to work one more time, and that was to quit. I didn’t give them two weeks' notice because I didn’t want to create further temptation. I have been sober since then. I moved my family to Wyoming, where we found healing, and the Lord redeemed our family. We experienced this victory because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The cross can help us defeat anything.” End quote. It blessed me to hear this because I’m sure there were many sacrifices and much suffering on his part to see the positive changes in his life and family. Most of you know our familiarity with addiction: my brother died of a drug overdose, my dad was an alcoholic, and Katie’s mother died of alcoholism. Sadly, there are not many success stories in the addiction world. Some of you know this firsthand. But instead of looking at what he had done, he looked at what Christ had done for him. I don’t think my friend became a Christian during this time. I knew him from 2005 through 2010, and I was confident in his salvation. I believe Christ was with him through this season, praying for him and strengthening his faith, just as He described doing for Peter: Luke 22:32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus said He would pray for Peter’s faith so that it would not fail. Just as He did so with Peter,

Have you ever felt spiritually confident, only to be blindsided by weakness? Pastor Scott LaPierre unpacks the biblical warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” This is a wake-up call for every believer, illustrating how spiritual pride and overconfidence can render us vulnerable to temptation, as seen in Peter's case in Luke 22:31-34, who denied Jesus despite his bold declarations. https://youtu.be/A9BnHpeBV2I Table of contentsSpiritual Injuries Occur Like Weightlifting InjuriesTake Heed Lest You Fall, Peter!We Can’t Trust OurselvesWe Need New HeartsThe Way Godly Men Describe Disqualified LeadersTake Heed Lest You Fall, Because We Fail Regarding Our StrengthsWe Must Be Warned About Our StrengthsMany Men Failed Regarding Their StrengthsNoah Was UnrighteousAbraham Lacked FaithMoses Was ProudSolomon Was FoolishRepent and Then Help OthersTake Heed Lest You Fall I want to discuss weightlifting injuries. First, I will tell you how I wish they occurred. And then I will tell you how they occur. I wish they occurred very slowly, so you knew they were coming. I wish you were bench pressing and your rotator cuff said, “This is too heavy. I’m about to tear.” Or you’re squatting in your 20s and your lower back says, “You better not do this. You’re going to have lots of problems in your 40s.” Instead, weightlifting injuries take place in one of two ways: first, and most obviously, when you’re working out. If you’re interested, you can go to YouTube and search for videos of people tearing their biceps and chest muscles. I decided against showing you any videos because they are gruesome to watch. But here’s what you’ll see: a man bench pressing and he lowers the weight, probably a weight he’s lifted many times before. Suddenly, a large gap develops around his armpit where his chest muscle detached from his shoulder. Or someone is bent over a preacher bench curling, they lower the weight, and suddenly their biceps tears and rolls up their arm. The second way weightlifting injuries occur is when people are not working out. You shut the car door or drop something and quickly reach for it, and your shoulder tears. There’s only one time my lower back went out at the gym. Every other time I was at home, feeling fine, and I bent over or threw a kid in the air, and then suddenly felt the shoting pain. What you notice with these injuries is that there’s no warning sign. Instead, we feel strong. We are confident nothing bad will happen. We are doing something that we have done many times before. Next thing you know, we are severely injured. Spiritual Injuries Occur Like Weightlifting Injuries I think sin often occurs in this manner, too. There’s no warning sign that we are going to have trouble. We feel strong. We are confident about this particular area of our Christian lives. But then we fail. We are, spiritually speaking, severely injured. That’s what happened with Peter. He felt confident. He thought he was strong. So strong, in fact, he told Jesus he would die for him. But then he failed. Here’s the context. Jesus is celebrating the Last Supper with the disciples. The evening began with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. You would think this would produce some humility in the disciples. But it didn’t. At least three recorded times earlier, Jesus told the disciples that He would die, but when He instituted the Lord's Supper, He told them that He would die for them. You would think that would produce some humility. But it didn’t. Then Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. You would think they would respond, “That is horrible. We can’t believe this. What can we do to help? Please tell us what to do.” Instead, they started arguing about who’s the greatest. Jesus rebuked them, and you would think that would produce some humility. But it didn’t, at least not with Peter, who we will see demonstrate serious pride. That catches us up:

Are you struggling with procrastination, lack of motivation, or a sluggish spiritual walk? Discover what the Bible really says about laziness and how to overcome it biblically. Proverbs 6:6-11 and other scriptures provide a biblical warning against laziness, and how it impacts our work, witness, and walk with Christ. Whether you’re looking for bible verses about laziness, searching for answers on how to stop being lazy as a Christian, or seeking a solid Bible study on laziness in Proverbs, this sermon delivers the truth with love, clarity, and conviction. https://youtu.be/NCsbmBNQycw Table of contentsGod’s Work Brings Him GloryOur Work Should Bring God GloryFour Important Points About Serving Christ In Our JobsLaziness Is a Bad TestimonyAvoid laziness By Learning from the AntAvoid Laziness by Avoiding Oversleeping.Avoid Laziness By Avoiding ExcusesAvoid Laziness by Avoiding Lazy PeopleGiving to the Lazy Does More Harm than GoodLaziness Leads to Other SinsLaziness and BusybodiesThe Solution to Laziness In April 2025, approximately 7.2 million people in the United States were unemployed, representing a 4.2% unemployment rate. Additionally, nearly 20% of prime-age adults (25-54) were not working, with the vast majority (around 21 million) not seeking work. What could help these people? I think the Bible’s teaching on laziness, because it is incredibly convicting. God’s Work Brings Him Glory Let’s begin by understanding a little more about God’s work: Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows the work of His hands. God created the heavens and the earth, and they bring Him glory. Isaiah 6 contains the incredible vision of God sitting on His throne, high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Angels fly around Him giving Him praise: Isaiah 6:3 One cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” Of all the things the angels could say to praise God, they mention His holiness and the earth, His workmanship, giving Him glory. Think of it like this: We see a beautiful painting and praise the painter. We see an impressive building and praise the architect. Similarly, when we see creation, we should praise the Creator. The greatness of creation reveals the greatness of the Creator. The greatness of creation reveals the greatness of the Creator so well that people are condemned when they refuse to worship the Creator: Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. God reveals Himself to the world through His creation because work says something about the worker. Work reveals character, motivation, and skills. God’s work is of the highest quality because it expresses His character and majesty. Our Work Should Bring God Glory Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him. God created us in His image; we should work because He works. Ephesians 5:1 commands us to “be imitators of God.” We imitate God by bringing Him glory through our work, as He does with His work. We might tend to think that only certain things bring God glory, such as praying, singing, worshiping, and serving, but anything we do can bring God glory if it honors Him: 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. This includes our work. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” While we’re working we aren’t even really serving man. We’re serving Christ. Ephesians 6:5-9 discusses bondservants or slaves obeying their earthly masters. This is more like an employee-employer relationship than what we think of...

What does the bible say about work? This sermon explores a biblical view on labor, sharing insights from my recent mission trip to Malawi and Uganda. Through firsthand stories, scriptural analysis, and spiritual reflection, the message unpacks what the Bible says about work, the spiritual causes of poverty, and how God created us to work as a form of worship and obedience. From Genesis to Ecclesiastes, we see that work is not a curse, but a God-given gift. The sermon contrasts the productivity seen in Scripture with the cultural issues faced in parts of Africa, highlighting how laziness, unbiblical marriage roles, and entitlement contribute to poverty. Most importantly, this sermon is a wake-up call to view work as a spiritual calling and a platform for Gospel witness. Whether you're asking “What does the Bible say about work?” or wondering how to find purpose and fulfillment in your labor, this message will challenge and equip you with biblical truth. https://youtu.be/Tc1kco1Spxw Table of contentsThe Poverty Problem Is Spiritual Versus PhysicalThree Consequences of Disobeying the BibleUgandans Are Poor Because They Disobey What the Bible Says About WorkFirst, people have no concept of saving or planning for the futureSecond, socialism is destroying the countryThird, there’s no shame about not workingWhat Does the Bible Say About Work?The Bible Says God Is a WorkerThe Bible Says God Created Us to WorkOur Motivations with WorkThe Fall Brought a Curse on WorkWe Work After the Curse Is RemovedThe Bible Says Enjoying Our Work Is Good and Fitting I was a business major in college. I’ve always enjoyed finance and economics. In 2024, I took a mission trip to Malawi, Africa, to teach at a Bible College and a Pastor's Conference. In 2025, I went to Malawi and Uganda to put on marriage conferences. I was very interested in the countries' economies on both trips, particularly why they are so poor. This is Afghanistan. Out of almost 200 countries, Afghanistan is the 10th poorest, and Malawi is 20th. There are two reasons Afghanistan is poor. First, all the military conflicts that have occurred within their borders. Second, as you can tell from the picture, nothing grows there. There’s little farmable land. Malawi is a beautiful and lush country. We ate well there because of the bananas and the largest avocados I’ve ever seen. We broke down in front of this restaurant in Malawi. I have been trying to get Katie to come to Africa with me. She kept refusing, so I sent her this picture and told her I would make us reservations if she would come with me. She’s still thinking about it. What surprised me about Malawi and Uganda is how similar they are in terms of beliefs, marriage problems, environments, and economies. This is a picture of the Nile I took from our hotel in Uganda. Again, you see how lush and green it is. This furniture store is right outside our hotel and might reveal part of Uganda's economic problems. It was raining incredibly hard at times, but the store owner kept the tarp over his bricks but left his couches exposed to the weather. When Ricky, Johnny, and I visited Robert Wafula, our missionary, in Uganda, we had to take a ferry back and forth among the islands. This is a picture from when we approached the port. Again, you can see how lush and beautiful it is. Can you see why I wondered why Malawi and Uganda are so poor? I am not going to say that either country has the resources to be wealthy, but I believe they have the resources to be in much better situations than they are in. The Poverty Problem Is Spiritual Versus Physical The more I traveled and spoke with people, the more convinced I became that poverty seems like a physical problem. However, while some physical factors exist, the problem is primarily spiritual. Much of Africa's poverty can be attributed to disobeying God’s word. That’s why the best way to help the people in Uganda and Malawi i...

Learn how Jesus redefines greatness through humility and service in this sermon on Luke 22:24–30. Explore the surprising moment when the disciples begin to argue over who is the greatest only moments after Jesus washed their feet and revealed His betrayal and coming death. Instead of rebuking them harshly, Jesus offers a life-changing teaching on true greatness, humility, and servant leadership. Instead of rebuking them harshly, Jesus offers a life-changing teaching on true greatness, humility, and servant leadership. https://youtu.be/uyI4wm01DZQ Table of contentsThe Importance of Foot WashingJesus’s Passover PreparationsJesus Washes the Disciples’ FeetJesus Was Teaching Service and HumilityThe Disciples Wouldn’t Wash Each Other’s Feet Because of PrideHumility Is Thinking of Ourselves Less Versus Less of OurselvesPhilippians 2: The Humility ChapterThe Disciples’ Sad Response to Jesus’s Statement About His Betrayal and DeathThree Things Making the Disciples’ Argument Even WorseHow Could This Argument Happen?Jesus Used the Moment to Teach The Disciples About LeadershipLeaders Should Be HumbleLeaders Should Be ServantsThe Greatest Are ServantsPursue Rewards in God’s Kingdom The Top Tens lists the top 10 of many things, such as songs, movies, albums, cell phones, workout programs, and mountain bikes. Here’s their list of the Top 10 Greatest People of All Time: Jesus Martin Luther King Jr. Albert Einstein Muhammad Buddha Gandhi Abraham Lincoln Moses Nelson Mandela Isaac Newton If the disciples read this list, they would be upset because they thought they should be on it! They argued about who was the greatest, not once but at least twice, first in Luke 9 and again in Luke 22. These are just the recorded instances; maybe it happened more than this! Context is always important, but sometimes it is especially important, and this is one of those instances. We will never fully appreciate this account without considering what occurred before it: Jesus washed their feet! The Importance of Foot Washing To understand Jesus washing the disciples' feet, let’s first look at a few verses in Luke 7. Beginning at Luke 7:36, we have the account of Jesus going to eat at the home of one of the Pharisees. During the meal, a woman, probably a prostitute, approached Jesus, wept, and washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Then she anointed His feet with ointment. This would’ve been a dramatic and moving scene to witness. Unless you are the Pharisee, in which case it makes you mad: Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” The Pharisee only thought this to himself, but you must be careful around Jesus because He can read people’s thoughts. He rebukes the Pharisee and contrasts the woman’s actions toward Him after entering the Pharisee’s home with the Pharisee’s actions when Jesus entered his home. Consider what He said about the situation: Luke 7:44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Jesus commended the women for washing His feet and rebuked the Pharisees for failing to do so. This reveals how big of a deal it was in Jesus’s day to wash your feet before meals because dust, mud, and other filth accumulated on people’s feet as they walked on unpaved roads. Jesus’s Passover Preparations Notice Jesus’s attention to detail as He tells Peter and John how to prepare for the Last Supper: Luke 22:8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying,

Discover How God Uses Even Betrayal for His Glory. What do Ahithophel and Judas have in common? Both were trusted companions—both committed heartbreaking betrayals—and both served a purpose in God’s sovereign plan. Walk through the betrayal of King David by Ahithophel and how it foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot. See God's sovereignty over their betrayals and be encouraged God is sovereign over our betrayals. https://youtu.be/iQB0t3lO6W4 Table of contentsDavid Is a Type of ChristAhithophel Is a Type of JudasFirst, Ahithophel betrayed David, just as Judas betrayed Jesus.Second, Ahithophel plotted David’s death to Absalom, just as Judas plotted Jesus's death to the religious leaders.Third, Ahithophel hanged himself, just as Judas hanged himselfDavid wrote about Ahithophel’s Betrayal in the PsalmsIs This Old Testament Verse a Prophecy?Jesus’s Two Shocking StatementsGod Is Sovereign Over BetrayalIs Judas Still Responsible?God’s Sovereignty Over Our BetrayalThree Points About the Disciples Questioning ThemselvesTwo Reasons the Disciples Didn’t Know It Was JudasGod Uses Betrayal for GoodGod Uses Joseph’s Betrayal for GoodJesus Could Say Joseph’s Words Even Better The Sound of Music tells the story of the von Trapp family escaping the Nazi takeover of Austria before World War II. A young Austrian named Rolf, who had been pursuing the oldest von Trapp daughter, joined the Nazis. When the von Trapps were hiding from the Nazis, Rolf found them. While holding the family at gunpoint, he demanded that they surrender. Captain von Trapp, the father of the family, confronted Rolf, and gave him a choice: join the von Trapps while they flee to Switzerland or remain with the Nazis. Even though Rolf was conflicted, he chose to betray the von Trapps to the Nazis. At the Last Supper, Jesus declared that He would be betrayed by one of the disciples. We know Jesus was speaking of Judas. We might wonder if Judas was conflicted because he tried to return the money and then committed suicide. But he was an evil man, and we shouldn’t make any excuses for his actions. David Is a Type of Christ Jesus’s betrayal is so significant that God prefigured it or foreshadowed it in the Old Testament through another man’s betrayal, and that’s David’s. As far as types and shadows of Christ go, David is one of the most dramatic: David and Jesus were both born in Bethlehem David was a shepherd, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd David was anointed, and Jesus is the Messiah or Anointed One David was a king, and Jesus is the King of Kings David defeated Goliath, the greatest enemy in his day, and Jesus defeated the devil, the greatest enemy in our day: 1 Corinthians 15:57 Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The list could go on, but you get the idea. Another way David is a picture or type of Christ is that they both experienced horrible betrayals. If I were David, I would have felt betrayed by my family when they left me out in the field to watch the sheep, rather than inviting me to the anointing of the next king of Israel. Think of how Saul betrayed David. David killed Goliath, something Saul should’ve done. David comforted Saul with music when the demonic spirit tormented him. Then, David faithfully served Saul as his greatest general. After all that, Saul spent 10 to 15 years trying to murder David, forcing him to flee from his friends and family and live in caves in the wilderness. David saved the city of Keilah from the Philistines, but then the people he saved were willing to turn him over to Saul. David’s son, Absalom, betrayed him, taking his wives, the throne, and the hearts of the people of Israel. At the end of David’s life, his son, Adonijah, betrayed him like Absalom did. Making the betrayal worse, Joab, David’s nephew and great general, and Abiathar the priest, David’s longtime friend, betrayed David and joined Adonijah in his rebellion. ...

Jesus instituted the New Covenant at the Last Supper, fulfilling God's promise in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Learn how Christ's words, "This is My body... This is the new covenant in My blood," revealed the redemptive purpose of His death and forever changed how we understand communion. From the blood of the Old Covenant in Exodus to Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, understand the deep spiritual meaning behind the bread and the cup and how they point to our salvation and eternal hope. If you're a believer, whether you’ve taken communion for years or are learning about it for the first time, I hope this helps you remember and rejoice in Christ’s love for you. https://youtu.be/KvxU2-A2Q2Q Table of contentsCovenants Must Be Instituted with BloodJesus Finally Revealed His Death Was RedemptiveCommunion Encourages Us to Look Back to Christ’s Work on the CrossCommunion Encourages Us to Look Inwardly at OurselvesWhen Should Children Partake in Communion?Communion Encourages Us to Look Forward to Christ’s Second ComingCommunion Encourages Us to Four Remember Christ died “For You” A man asked his wife why she always cut off the ends of her roast. She replied that she had learned this from her mother but didn’t know why her mother did it. So, she asked her grandmother, who said she didn’t know either; that’s just what her mother taught her to do. Then, she went to her great-grandmother, who didn’t know, saying it was also what her mother had taught her. Finally, she visited her great-great-grandmother, who explained that the ends of the roast were cut off so the meat would fit in the pan she had used seventy years ago. All these women followed a tradition passed down to them. They had always done it without understanding why they were doing it. This illustrates what happened with Passover. The Jews followed a tradition passed down to them. They went through the motions, doing everything they were supposed to do, without understanding it looked forward to Christ. When Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, He spelled it out for them. Covenants Must Be Instituted with Blood Some important verses in Exodus 24 help us understand Jesus’s words at the Last Supper. This chapter contains the institution of the Old Covenant. The people agreed to the terms of the Old Covenant, and Moses instituted them. Let’s start with verse three for context: Exodus 24:3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. Moses told the people everything the covenant entailed, and they agreed to it, so it looked like it was ratified. But there’s still one more important step. Notice the emphasis on blood: Exodus 24:6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” The word blood occurs four times in three verses. Now the covenant is ratified. There’s no instituting a covenant without blood: Hebrews 9:18 Not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. If you want a covenant, you have to shed blood. God instituted a New Covenant because we couldn’t keep the old one. God could have condemned us to hell for eternity for failing to keep His law perfectly, but instead,

Explore the identities of the two witnesses in Revelation, their mission during the Great Tribulation, and how they testify about Jesus.

📖 Old vs. New Covenant: Understanding God’s Redemption Plan The transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant is one of the most profound shifts in biblical history. Why was a New Covenant necessary? How does it transform our relationship with God? Let's unpack Jeremiah 31:31-34, exploring how Jesus's Last Supper fulfilled prophecy and established a better covenant for believers. https://youtu.be/04ZpwaZQnHI Table of contentsLasting Change Must Begin with the HeartThe Heart’s ImportanceThe Old Covenant Didn’t Change the HeartThe Old Covenant Reveals Our SinfulnessThe Most Important Verses in the Old TestamentSix Ways the New Covenant Is Not Like the Old CovenantUnlike the Old Covenant, Under the New Covenant, God Does the WorkSecond, Unlike the Old Covenant, Under the New Covenant, the Focus Is InwardThird, Unlike the Old Covenant, Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit Teaches UsFourth, Unlike the Old Covenant, Under the New Covenant, Christ is the Only MediatorFifth, Unlike the Old Covenant, Under the New Covenant, We Become the Priests, Temple, and SacrificesSixth, Unlike the Old Covenant, Under the New Covenant, Sin Is ForgivenFootnotes The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonpartisan law and policy institute. They published an article titled Prison and Jail Reform. Here’s a surprising part of the second sentence of the article: “Prisons often provide little to no effective rehabilitation.” This is an astonishing admission from a secular research institute about the ineffectiveness of our prison system! Why don’t prisons work? There is a saying that the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Prisons don’t work because they don’t deal with people’s hearts. Lasting Change Must Begin with the Heart If punishment could change people’s hearts, we could provide prison sentences long enough for inmates to return to society as model citizens when released. The best example in Scripture of punishment not changing the heart: Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. That is an incredible indictment. Things were so bad that God had to flood the earth. I can’t imagine a worse punishment than a global flood, which is to say that if a punishment could change man’s heart, a global flood should. The water subsided. Noah and his family got off the ark. Noah built an altar and offered burnt offerings to God. Then we read: Genesis 8:21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. This is what God said in His heart, which means it isn’t my, Noah’s, or Abraham’s. Even this catastrophic punishment didn’t change man’s heart. Not long after the flood, what sins do you start seeing? Polygamy, incest, prostitution, and homosexuality. So you ask, “If the flood wouldn’t change man’s heart, what was the point?” God didn’t bring the Flood to change man. He brought the flood to remove the demonic influence in the world, and it worked. You don’t see demonic influence again until Christ’s First Coming, when the demonic realm flared up against the kingdom of God coming from heaven to earth. If punishment could change hearts, what parents wouldn’t keep spanking their children until their hearts changed? We hope punishment, whether prison systems or spanking, is a deterrent and provides outward change. But we would be foolish to think it provides any change inwardly. Only the Gospel can do that. The Heart’s Importance Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do (all outward behavior) flows from it. That is incredible. We are not told that some things we do, or even most, flow from our hearts. Everything we do flows from our hearts. All outward behavior originates inwardly. The way we talk, act, dress,

What is the true meaning of Jesus’s Last Supper and Passover? Luke 22:7-18 reveals the deep spiritual significance of the Last Supper, how it fulfilled the Passover, and what it means for believers today. Learn why Jesus earnestly desired to celebrate this meal with His disciples before becoming our Passover Lamb and how it foreshadows the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven. https://youtu.be/NWk8lTM16GU Table of contentsJesus’s Passover Preparation Instructions to Peter and JohnBe Encouraged By Jesus’s Sovereignty and ComposurePassover's Comparison with the Triumphal EntryWhy Did Jesus Earnestly Desire to Celebrate Passover with the Disciples?Jesus Earnestly Desired to Celebrate Passover Because It Looked Back on Israel’s DeliveranceJesus Earnestly Desired to Celebrate Passover Because It Looked Forward to Jesus Becoming Our Passover LambJesus Earnestly Desired to Celebrate Passover Because It Looked Forward to the Marriage Supper of the LambThe Passover Will Be Fulfilled at the Marriage Supper of the LambWhy Draw Attention to Christ as the Lamb?Why Use the Word Marriage ?Aren’t All God’s Words True?Christ, Our Passover Lamb, Delivered in a True and Greater Way Leonardo da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper, is the clearest depiction many Christians have of Jesus's final meal with His disciples. While it is regarded as a masterpiece, da Vinci's painting is historically inaccurate, and the details are misleading. For instance, here are some mistakes: The painting shows daylight outside the window, but the Last Supper occurred at night. The painting shows Jesus and the disciples sitting on benches around one long rectangular table, but Jesus and His disciples reclined around a low table on pillows or couches. The painting shows thirteen Renaissance Italian men in oriental attire within a Florentine palace, but Jesus and the disciples were Jewish men in an upper room in Palestine. To complicate matters further, Dan Brown authored the best-selling fiction novel The Da Vinci Code, which also became a major Hollywood film. In it, he asserts that Christianity was built on a cover-up. He proposes that the church has conspired for centuries to conceal evidence that Jesus was a mere mortal, married to Mary Magdalene, and had children whose descendants reside in France. Da Vinci allegedly sought to reveal this cover-up, supposedly embedding clues in paintings like The Last Supper. In this artwork, Mary Magdalene is claimed to be the figure beside Jesus, rather than the apostle John. Amid the confusion generated by both da Vinci and Dan Brown, many of us have our ideas about the Last Supper. I was raised in the Catholic Church, which shaped my understanding of Jesus celebrating the Passover with His disciples. Even if you were raised in a Protestant church, you might misunderstand some details. We should set aside our preconceived notions and impressions about this meal to focus on the biblical account because it is the only reliable source of information regarding what transpired and why. With that in mind: Luke 22:7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Passover was the first of the spring feasts on Nisan 14, or March 30th. The feast of unleavened bread began the next day, Nisan 15, and lasted for one week until Nisan 22, from Friday to Friday. The Feast of Unleavened Bread began the day after Passover. When people prepared for Passover, they also prepared for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Over time, these two feasts began to be viewed as one feast lasting eight days, with the people simply calling it Passover. Luke 22:8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” Luke 22:9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” From the previous chapter, we know that Jesus taught in the temple during the day and went to the Mount of Olives at night.

Why did Judas betray Jesus? Understand one of the most tragic and evil acts in history. Drawing on Luke 22:1-6 and other scriptural insights, we learn Judas’s betrayal was not simply an act of greed but resulted from a complex interplay of unbelief, Satan’s influence, bitterness in the hearts of the religious leaders, and disillusionment. https://youtu.be/8YGeaWHt_rg Table of contentsJesus Modeled Faith and WisdomJudas: The Religious Leaders’ Solution to Their DilemmaSatan Entered Judas Because He Was an UnbelieverThe Religious Leaders’ WickednessThe Leaven of Bitterness Grew in the Religious Leaders’ HeartsJudas Betrayed Jesus Because of Satan’s InfluenceJudas Betrayed Jesus Because of GreedJudas Betrayed Jesus Because He Was Disillusioned with HimJudas (Might Have) Betrayed Jesus to Get Him to ActJudas Committed the Evilest Act in HistoryReligious and UnsavedThe Application for Us Capt. Scott O’Grady was an American fighter pilot who was shot down over Bosnia in 1995 during the Bosnian War. When he ejected, he realized the Bosnians would be searching for him since they had witnessed his plane explode. Rubbing dirt on his face, he hid face-down as enemies approached his parachute, shooting their rifles mere feet from his hiding spot multiple times to try to flush him out or kill him. He had only his essential survival gear: a radio, pistol, map, compass, and a survival kit containing food and water-purifying tablets. Knowing that moving during the day was too risky, he traveled at night and concealed himself during daylight. He ate leaves, grass, and bugs and collected the little rainwater he could with a sponge in plastic bags. He used his radio sparingly to avoid detection, sending brief signals in hopes that NATO forces would pick them up. The dense forest and mountainous terrain made it extremely challenging to locate him. A NATO aircraft detected his radio signals, leading to his rescue after six grueling days. Capt. O’Grady’s story garnered national attention, and the 2001 film Behind Enemy Lines is loosely based on it. I’m not minimizing the danger Capt. O’Grady was in, but when Jesus entered Jerusalem, He was behind enemy lines, and I would argue that the danger He was in was even worse: Luke 19:47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. The religious leaders have wanted to murder Jesus since early in His ministry, but they couldn’t because of the people. A public arrest would risk backlash from those who think so highly of Christ. In Luke 20:9-18, Jesus preached the parable of the vineyard owner and said the vineyard owner, representing God the Father, would destroy the tenants or religious leaders for murdering His Son. We can only imagine how much this would further upset the religious leaders. Look how they responded in Luke 20:19: Luke 20:19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. Again, we see why they couldn’t do anything to Jesus yet. It is shocking to think about: the religious leaders had no fear of murdering the Son of God, but they were terrified of the people. Jesus Modeled Faith and Wisdom Consider how Jesus responds to the opposition: Luke 21:37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. Luke added this at the end of the chapter to inform us of how Jesus handled the situation He was in. Although Jesus’s teachings in the temple were popular, they only increased the opposition against Him. He was safe during the day because of the crowds, but when the crowds went home in the evening,

Daniel 9:24 says, "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, make an end of sins, make atonement for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the most holy place." There are six things listed that are broken into two groups: the first group of three is negative and relates to sin. It's important to understand each! Table of contentsThe First Group of ThreeFinish the TransgressionMake an End of SinsMake Atonement for IniquityThe Second Group of ThreeBring in Everlasting Righteousness,Seal Up Vision and Prophecy,Anoint the Most Holy Place Daniel 9:24 says, "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, make an end of sins, make atonement for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the most holy place." The Hebrew word for weeks is šāḇûaʿ and it means seven like our word dozen means 12, so it’s saying 70 sevens, or 490. Daniel’s people would be the Jews and Daniel’s holy city would be Jerusalem. So this is not a prophecy primarily for Gentiles or the church. The only way Bible prophecy makes sense is by understanding God has a separate and distinct plan for the Jews and the church. The second half of the verse lists six things that will mostly be accomplished during the 70th week, which is discussed in Daniel 9:27. The six are broken up into two groups. The First Group of Three The first group of three is negative and relates to sin. Finish the Transgression Daniel 9:24b to finish the transgression Notice two things. First, it says transgression, which is a type of sin where people sin willfully when they should know better; it’s like people see the line but they step over it anyway. Second, transgression is singular because it refers to one specific transgression of the Jews. No matter how many sins the Jews have committed, there’s one transgression that trumps all others combined and that’s their rejection of Jesus. And it’s the same today: if someone isn’t a believer, no matter how many sins are in that person’s life, there’s really only one sin that matters at that moment and it’s that person’s rejection of Christ…because that is the sin that determines where they spend eternity. Consider: John 16:9 [Jesus said], “When the Holy Spirit has come, He will convict the world of sin, because they do not believe in Me.” That doesn’t sound like it makes much sense, but Jesus says it because even though there are tons of different sins, THEE one sin that really, really matters is whether we believe in Jesus, and that’s why that’s THEE sin the Holy Spirit is going to convict the world of because if you believe in Jesus, I don’t want to say your other sins don’t matter, but IN A WAY they don’t matter, because they’re forgiven and paid for by Christ And if you don’t believe in Jesus, your other sins don’t matter in a way, because you’re going to be condemned for not believing in Jesus anyway: John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him This is why the Unpardonable or Unforgivable Sin is blaspheming the Holy Spirit, because that’s referring to people deliberately, willfully rejecting the Holy Spirit’s work in pointing them to believe in Christ. That’s the sin they can never be forgiven for, because they will have rejected the one way God has chosen to give us salvation. So this is saying by the end of the 70th week the Jews will have received their Messiah. Make an End of Sins Daniel 9:24c to put an end to sin, There will also be an end off the Jews’ other sins, because coming to Christ, or conversion,

Do you know what truly shapes our obedience? Our actions are governed by what we fear. Drawing from the timeless examples of Abraham, the Hebrew midwives, Pharaoh, Saul, and even the religious leaders, we learn that obedience to God flows from a genuine fear of Him—and not from our fear of man. Why? because we obey what we fear. https://youtu.be/qGrBmyob1o8 Table of contentsAbraham Obeyed God Because He Feared HimThe Midwives Obeyed God Because They Feared HimPharaoh Disobeyed God Because He Didn’t Fear HimThe Israelites Would Obey God If They Feared HimSaul Disobeyed God Because He Didn’t Fear HimThe Religious Leaders' Hatred for JesusThe Religious Leaders Obeyed the People Because They Feared ThemWe Obey God If We Fear HimThe Whole of Duty of Man Let me share four of the strangest fears I read about and observe how they affect people’s lives. Nomophobia is the fear of being without your cell phone. People with nomophobia experience excessive anxiety about not having their phone, their battery running low, or their phone being out of service. They have difficulty going anywhere or doing anything without frequently checking their phones. I wish Katie had this fear so I could reach her more easily. One of her most common statements is, “I can’t find my phone.” Arithmophobia, derived from arithmetic, refers to an intense fear of math. Individuals with this phobia experience anxiety when doing math or interacting with numbers. Katie often sends the kids to my office for help with math, and a few seem to have this fear. Arithmophobia can significantly affect a person’s life because many tasks and jobs require dealing with numbers. Xanthophobia is the fear of the color yellow. Individuals with this phobia fear yellow objects like school buses and flowers. These people avoid the color at all costs and find yellow foods distressing. Xanthophobia can disrupt daily life because yellow items are found everywhere. Ablutophobia is the fear of bathing. We can imagine how this fear impacts the lives of those who have it and those around them. We have a child, and I’m not going to tell you whether it’s our oldest, who claims to be afraid of holes. Because I love this child and don’t want her to live in fear of something absurd, I told her there’s no such thing as a fear of holes. Unfortunately, we live in a world where anything can be labeled as a phobia. So when I took out my phone to search the Internet, prove to my daughter that she has nothing to worry about, and help her overcome this irrational belief, I discovered trypophobia. Trypophobia is the fear of irregular patterns with numerous holes, such as those found in sunflowers, honeycombs, sponges, and seedy fruits. If fears did not affect our lives, they wouldn’t matter. But because fears shape our decisions, they matter greatly. The Bible doesn’t mention any of the fears I just discussed, but it does teach that what we fear controls us. I want to show you some examples and discuss their application to our lives. Abraham Obeyed God Because He Feared Him Genesis 22:2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Because God commanded Abraham to sacrifice the son he loved, we would be led to believe that Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac because he loved God so much. He loved God even more than he loved Isaac. But look at Genesis 22:11 to see what the Angel said when he stopped Abraham: Genesis 22:11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that YOU FEAR GOD, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” James 2:23 calls Abraham the friend of God. This leads me to believe that Abraham loved God. That’s not a question in my mind.

Discover the powerful call to vigilance. Jesus commands us to "stay awake and be watchful" so that we are always ready for His return. In this message, learn how being alert—watching rather than merely predicting—produces obedience and prevents disobedience. Drawing on teachings from Luke 21 and other prophetic scriptures, this sermon challenges us to live each day in anticipation of Christ’s imminent return. Learn how spiritual watchfulness can transform your life and prepare your heart for the blessed hope of His coming. https://youtu.be/Pg3hPQBSasg Table of contentsJesus Said We Can Tell When His Return Is NearBe Watchful Versus PredictingAvoiding Being Weighed Down By Dissipation, Drunkenness, and the Cares of this LifeBeing Watchful for Christ’s Return Produces ObedienceIgnoring Christ’s Return Leads to DisobediencePray (Stay Awake) to Escape TemptationChrist Expects Us to Stay Awake SpirituallyThe Relationship Between Staying Awake and PrayingEvery Generation Is Supposed to Believe They’re the LastChrist Returns Soon or Quickly?Regardless of When Jesus Returns I was always happy to see my students read C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when I taught elementary school. I loved the allusions to Christianity, and Aslan remains one of my favorite fictional pictures or types of Christ. Consider this exchange between Susan and Mr. Beaver about Aslan: “Who is Aslan?” asked Susan.“Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. It is he, not you, that will save Mr. Tumnus.”“Isis he a man?” asked Lucy.“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lionthe Lion, the great Lion.”“Ooh!” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is hequite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”“I’m longing to see him,” said Peter, “even if I do feel frightened when it comes to the point.”1 I like how Mr. Beaver describes Aslan: not safe but good. I also like how Susan describes seeing Aslan as frightened but still longing to see him. As we come to the end of the Olivet Discourse and think about Christ’s return, maybe this is how we feel about seeing Him, too. Later in the book, I believe C.S. Lewis was trying to convey a lesson about readiness when Peter faces his first battle against a monstrous wolf that threatens all the creatures and the children. Peter is afraid, yet he charges at the monster anyway and kills it after a fierce struggle. Out of breath but relieved, Peter turns and sees Aslan “close at hand.” Aslan immediately says, “You have forgotten to clean your sword.” Blushing, Peter notices that the sword is “smeared with the wolf's hair and blood,” so he bends to wipe it clean. After this, Aslan knights Peter and says, “Rise up, Sir Peter Wolf’s-Bane. And whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword.” I believe Aslan was trying to teach Peter a lesson about being prepared. Jesus does the same in this morning’s verses. Of all the ways Jesus could conclude the Olivet Discourse, He tells us to do two things: stay awake and be watchful. Jesus Said We Can Tell When His Return Is Near Consider this theme that sets up this morning’s verses. In Luke 21:8-11 Jesus looked to the far future and described the birth pains that precede His Second Coming, or precede the birth. He said there would be false christs, wars, and tumults. Then, in Luke 21:25-27 He described more signs associated with His Second Coming: