Claim OwnershipBiblical Book Review
Subscribed: 1Played: 14
Subscribe
© Kevin MacDonald
Description
Many individuals in times past have studied the Scripture and written volumes of insightful and meaningful works that can fortify, encourage and motivate. The objective of this Biblical Book Review podcast is to present some of the best of these books, several of them coming from earlier centuries, and glean valuable information in order to get us back into the Book of books, the Holy Bible.
To God be the glory “in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen!” (Ephesians 3:21).
To God be the glory “in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen!” (Ephesians 3:21).
48 Episodes
Reverse
This is good news bad news for Peter and by extension us. Satan demanded permission to sift the disciples and Jesus allows it to happen. Satan still knows who is in charge and goes to the master to get the permission he must ask. Jesus warns his disciples the crisis is coming, and they should prepare. During the minor crisis that they had already experienced they all remained faithful but now that Jesus is physically leaving them, he prays that they don’t lose their faith. They were weak but they were not wicked and so Jesus allowed them to be sifted. In going through this sifting there was a benefit for the disciples just as going though spiritual trials today still provides benefits.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This week we look at the sad reality that at the end of Jesus’ ministry all the disciples forsook him and fled. A.B. Bruce asks the question how should they have acted? Why did they fail? They could have resisted the mob with violence, Peter actually does this with his sword, but this is not the answer. Should they suffer? Jesus says they will, but it is not at this time, at this time they should have faith. All faith comes from hearing the word of God and the same was true for them at this time they should of listened. Their weakness was in forethought, clear perceptions of truth, self-knowledge, and discipline of experience.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
A.B. Bruce does a deep dive into what we call the high priestly prayer that is found in John chapter 17. After Jesus talks to his disciples he goes to God In prayer and spends some serious time discussing his immediate followers and those that will follow based off their work. Jesus knows he is on a timeline and tells his heavenly father that the hour has come, it is time for him to go home. The plan has always been for Jesus to die to save us and on the cross Jesus says it is finished. He starts this prayer talking about the 11, these men are the hope of the future, he prays that they remain unified in the truth so they can accomplish what they are sent to do. Then Jesus speaks of us, and we must be sanctified in the truth of God and like the apostles we must remain unified in that truth.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
Jesus wraps up his farewell address with his disciples with a paradox, he tells them he must go away to be with them. In a little while all this discourse is pointing to, they are all going to be sad for a little while. The spiritual illumination that Jesus is after will be here in a little while. They are shown the light at the end of the tunnel to give them hope and this light is the Holy Spirit with all truth. They will also have unlimited influence with God via the avenue of prayer which was a brand-new concept at the time. Jesus gives them an enlarged heart with hope, and he leaves his peace with them to face all trials. He reassures them that they will have trouble but to take heart he has overcome the world.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
While Jesus is speaking of the fruit that the apostles will produce, he warns them that they will have trouble. The lesson that he wants them and by extension us to learn is we get to have trouble, it is a privilege. First Jesus says don’t be blindsided by this trouble he tells them upfront that it is coming so they can prepare now. Jesus warns them that the world hated him first and so be ready for the world to hate them to. Jesus also promises them that they will not be alone the Holy Spirit will come but Jesus must leave for that to happen. He must die be buried and then resurrected for the ministry of the Holy Spirit to begin.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
In the first part of this chapter Jesus was had a tone of comfort, but here there is a change in that tone to a more serious note. This is a dying charge to his disciples; he says I am the vine, and you are the branches. The fact that they didn’t choose him, but he was the one making the choosing and he has seen their potential. They are going to be needed soon to be spiritually fruitful and they will no longer be like children but mature. To produce fruit, they must abide in Jesus and remain unified to the same vine. Jesus has some high expectations of these men they must produce good quality and good quantity of spiritual fruit.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
Looking this week at the questions that the disciples asked Jesus during the discourse on comfort in the wake of Jesus telling his friends that he is going away. God can handle our questions we just have to have the courage and faith to ask them. First Peter asks where you are going if you tell me I will follow, and Jesus’ answer to this is will you? Thomas asks the second question how we know the way, and Jesus’ response is I am the way, the truth and the life. Philip asks the third question and tells Jesus to show us the way to the Father, and Jesus tells him that I and the Father are one if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Lastly Judas (not Iscariot) asks why are you disclosing yourself to just us and not the whole world? Jesus tells us all if we want to see Jesus, we keep the commandments.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This two-part chapter begins with Jesus saying his last farewell to his disciples. A.B. Bruce splits this chapter into two by getting all the compiling words compiled together and then we will look at the questions that the disciples ask next week. Jesus wants them to know that he is going to die and he talks to his disciples as if they were little children facing a parent’s death. First and foremost, he tells them to love one another and calls this a new commandment. Second believe in God and believe in me and then there is a reward in it for them. Third while Jesus will be leaving physically, he said that he will be leaving his comforter with them forever. We will never be alone and if we love God, we will keep his commandments.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
We take some time this week looking at the Apostle that will betray Jesus, Judas Iscariot. Jesus as he is just instituting the Lord’s Supper and washes all of the disciple’s feet, they then recline at the table where Jesus precedes to expose and then expel the false disciple. Judas is told to go and do what you are going to do and to do it now. Judas has his free will intact and is free to make up his own mind on the matter. By all accounts he came into the twelve with good intentions, but for whatever the reason, and we speculate why, he decides to betray the Lord. Jesus did not choose him because he was or could be a traitor and we must learn from his mistake, we all have the capacity to turn from possible traitor to a traitor every time we sin.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This week A.B. Bruce goes into the fourth lesson on the doctrine of the cross, Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper. “Do this in remembrance of me”, Jesus tells his disciples, and it is also a way to look at the over all mission of Christ. First when we take the Lord’s supper the key is the death of Jesus. Second the Lord’s death is THE event in all of history, better the day of his death than the day of his birth. Third Jesus gave his body for us. This death started this new covenant, and it was God’s plan since before the foundation of the earth. Jesus’ blood seals or ratifies this new covenant, and we remember all of this when we partake of the supper.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
Jesus now after washing the disciple’s feet and getting the response from Peter, is now going to give an explanation as to why he did this act of service. They needed to be taught that true Christians should and will be focused on humility and brotherly kindness. We must follow the lead that Christ gave us, following his example and do this ourselves. Many people learn in different ways and this example was a hands-on demonstration. If we do these things the promise is that we will receive blessings from God, the clearer the light the greater the responsibility.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This week we get another lesson on humility, which as it turns out is a common theme in Jesus’ ministry. This time Jesus physically washes his disciple’s feet. Jesus has finalized his public ministry and now is going to spend his last hours on earth with his closest friends and followers. Jesus’ love for his disciples is on full display and he is going to demonstrate that with this menial act of washing their feet. Jesus approaches Peter and doesn’t say a word at first just stoops down to his feet and Peter witnessing all of this responds as Peter usually does, and he bursts out with a never will you do this to me Lord. Peter puts his own judgment ahead of the will of the Christ and in doing so gives us another lesson on humility.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
We look at the second half of chapter 20 this week, and unfortunately, we believe that A.B. Bruce misses the mark. We investigate what Jesus says in Matthew chapter 24, where he looks into the future when individuals will ignore God’s will and destruction will come upon them. This chapter is often misunderstood and misused, and Jesus himself says in this chapter that many will be misled. We ultimately learn that we must prepare for his second coming at any time. We also learn that God will judge people at the end of time, but he will continue to judge nations in the confines of time. The end of time is coming, but we do not know when and we cannot predict it.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This week we break up A.B. Bruce’s chapter 20 into two parts. This first part Jesus is here again calling out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. Before this event Jesus had what we would call petty fights with them, and Jesus had been uniformly victorious. In our text today five times Jesus wins the arguments, from Matthew chapter 21-22. Then in Matthew 23 the Pharisee’s hypocrisy is explicitly called out. 7 woes are said by Jesus an attack not just to get the religious leaders but as a teaching moment for all. Jesus ends these woes with the phrase O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem, and all the emotion built up in his love for the people. Jesus can look into the future and see the destruction of the city and the lives lost and he can see his death on the cross.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
The gospel of John records this account of the first time that the Gentiles are answered directly by Jesus. These Gentiles approach Jesus and ask him a sincere question they were not trying to trap Jesus or trick him. Jesus’ answer is deep and thoughtful, he is also going to use the opportunity to teach about his death. He is looking forward to his death as a joyful occasion which is odd. Philip as the inquirer is always asking good questions and he sees these Gentiles are genuine truth seekers. Jesus teaches that his death will provide increase and he will be lifted up to bear fruit. We get a voice from heaven on this occasion as well saying that Jesus has glorified his name and the sound of thunder could be heard.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This week A.B. Bruce looks at this small story that is found in Matthew, Mark and John. A Story of a woman that comes to Jesus and anoints his feet with perfume. Some will miss the true significance of this story and A. B. Bruce points out the lesson that we can learn about the doctrine of the cross. She comes and pours all this expensive perfume on Jesus, just as Jesus himself came to pour all of himself out for us. The disciples were upset at her, they wanted to sell the perfume and use the substantial funds for good. Her love drove her to do this thing that we still talk about to this day. A. B. Bruce points out the resemblance between the cross and this story, and we look at Mary as a model to follow.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This episode goes back to the sons of thunder, back to James and John in another incident with Jesus and the rank in the kingdom that they think they deserve. This time, however, their mother is involved. Their mother approaches Jesus and makes a bold request, she wants her sons to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in this new kingdom. Seemingly both James and John are blinded by their own selfish ambition. This request degrades the divine kingdom it is almost keen to earthly kingdoms full of bribery and corruption. Jesus’ response is asking a question “Are you able to drink the cup?”, and their response is an immediate yes. There will be suffering but there will be glory. We can learn from this that we must ask God for the right things with the right mindset, and if you want to be great in the kingdom you must be a servant of all.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
This week Jesus gives us three parables about work and wages in the kingdom. The main point that A.B. Bruce dives into is that we cannot earn our salvation, you cannot be good enough to be good enough. There are some things that we must do as citizens of the kingdom of God and some of those things may seem like work to us, but it still doesn’t earn our salvation. We look at the quantity of work, the ability of the worker and most important the motive behind the work. The parable of the vineyard shows us that even a small amount of work with the right motivation can have a great impact. There are warnings that A.B. Bruce gives us that we are to steer clear of self-righteousness.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
After the rich young ruler asks arguably the most important question, what must I do to enter the kingdom of heaven, Peter approaches Jesus and asks what about us? Peter sees the failure of the rich young ruler and sees the opportunity to say what’s in it for me. Jesus’ answer is fantastic there is so much in it for true disciples willing to self-sacrifice. For the apostles Jesus says they will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel and it is true to this day we use the words and witness of the apostles to know the will of God. We learn that God’s promises may be illusive and may be generational but when fulfilled they are a blessing to not only this life but eternally as well. The reward for proper self-sacrifice in this life is heaven and it does not matter if you had a little or a lot to sacrifice the fact that you put God in his proper place, first, your reward is eternal life in heaven.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
Towards the end of Jesus’ earthy ministry, he returns to were it all began the Jordan river. A.B. Bruce describes this region as Perea and all, but the gospel of John goes into detail on the events that took place here. The first lesson is on divorce and remarriage, the Pharisees ask him a question trying to trap him, but Jesus answers their question with scripture. After the seriousness of Jesus’ answer the disciples are concerned and their response of well it is better to not marry proves how serious they take it. The second event is Jesus’ tells his disciples to let the little children come and that unless we become like the little children, we will not enter the Kingdom of God. Lastly the rich young ruler asks to follow Jesus and he responds sell all your stuff and the ruler goes away sad. We must honor God over everything else and seek first the Kingdom of God.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz
License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States