The Journey: Chronological Bible Study

After getting run out of Thessalonica, Paul steps "off the beaten path" to share with the noble minded Bereans, and then it's off to Athens where the love "do nothing but talk about ideas all day."

To circumcise or not to circumcise, that is the question.

How should we related as a community, especially with those who are displaying acts of the flesh instead of fruit of the spirit?

What is wrong with the "adjusted Gospel" they are adopting? Isn't it close enough? (Hint: The answer is no)

Paul spent so much time with the Churches in Galatia and now in what seems like no time at all to Paul, they've adopted a false view of the Gospel. How could this happen he wonders as he writes them with warnings, encouragements, and corrections .

Paul and Barnabas and the first missionary journey of Paul.

God begins to make clear his intentions regarding the gentiles.

Luke is once again our guide on this leg of the journey and we get to meet some important new characters as we travel through these first infant days of the church.

The Church starts really well, basically picking up where Jesus left off.

Luke has more to say!

The twist at the end of the gospels, the happiest of endings, is a reminder that the reality of the universe is good! Happy endings, THE happy ending, is realistic!

This is what it's all been about. For Jesus at His apparent defeat lies His great victory.

Everything about Jesus' trials was illegal, rushed, and inevitable.

John records Jesus last words to the apostles.

The Last Supper

Be ready!

When will these things happen?

Jesus continues to field challenges, all the while desperately trying to rescue the pharisees from their own self destruction and teach the apostles what true leadership should look like.

Jesus fields challenges and arguments, turning traps back on those who try to spring them on Jesus.

When Jesus does arrive back in Jerusalem He doesn't sneak in! He rides in to great acclaim and then cleanses the temple! Jesus is a celebrity, some hate Him, some fear Him and many love Him but no one is neutral,

With full knowledge that the leaders are looking to kill him, Jesus nonetheless begins to work his way back to Jerusalem, making a stop in Jericho on the way.

Jesus goes to Ephraim to lay low for a bit, but that doesn't mean he stops ministering. Of course he continues to teach and minister.

It's instructive to watch how Jesus interacts with some of his best friends during their time of grief. It's interesting to note how he responds to each according to their grief and need.

Jesus tells two of his strangest stories.

Jesus explains his priorities.

Jesus says he's the shepherd and the pharisees are sheep stealers!

Who's the blind man now?

Jesus gives a few reasons not to fret.

Beware the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy!

Luke takes us into some last days priorities for Jesus

Jesus is making it hard for people to remain neutral about Him. His claims are becoming too large!

Jesus continues to turn up the heat, leaving no room for a neutral opinion on himself.  People must decide if he's a mad man and blasphemer of the worst kind, or someone to worship.

John begins to reveal the confusing and conflicting attitude of the crowd towards Jesus.  Things are heating up and Jesus is even beginning to caution people who want to join him that it's a very serious moment. 

What does Jesus say about Hell?  What does he say about church authority?

Jesus forces the apostles to recognize their tension about what they think is Glory and power and what Jesus thinks is Glory and power. 

Jesus continues to challenge the apostles and their ideas of the Messiah and the kingdom coming in power.

Jesus begins to make his apostles uncomfortable as he gets them ready for the big moment. 

Jesus tries to help people see the difference between coming to Jesus because we're hungry for a miracle and recognizing that our true hunger is for the miracle worker Himself.

Poor Jesus wants to get away to grieve but so many people need His help.

Jesus sends out His apostles to do the works He's been doing.

The pace of Jesus ministry amps up with some highly public very dramatic miracles which show not only his authority over all things but also his tendency towards acts of compassion in His miracles. 

Jesus often uses parables to shake the confidence of those who are convinced they know exactly what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like.  Possibly you don't know everything, says Jesus.  So here's some weird ways to think about it!  And it turns out so much of it applies to our own misconceptions perhaps. 

Why does Jesus speak in Parables?  Why does he reserve the explanations only for the closest disciples?  What should we be learning from the Parables? In what ways is the sower of the seed parable a key to the other parables?

We've seen Jesus preaching about the inclusive nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and  and that even the poorest have access to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Now, a visit to a pharisees house prompts a series of events where Jesus demonstrates forcefully that everyone is welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven.  The only people who can't come in are those who refuse the only way in there is, Jesus Himself.  

Remember John the Baptist?  Remember he got arrested?  Whatever happened to him anyway...oh, here he is!

We wrap up the typical sermon of Jesus and see just how atypical His message is.  Few people will accept it but for those who do there is blessing and stability and relationship with God.

Jesus continues the sermon on the mount, asking, "What are you devoted to?"  and pointing out that what you are devoted to is what ultimately becomes your master. 

What are we going to do with the exhortations to turn the other cheek, or to walk two miles with the oppressive force which forces us to walk one?