Amazing Grace Community Church

Queen of Heaven

Who is the Queen of Heaven?  Listen in as we open the door to this answer.  Find out about the connection between Genesis and Revelation. (Hint: a city, people, gods, and a religion)  Surprisingly, this Old Testament teaching helps us understand the reason behind the changing of holidays, times, seasons, traditions that are sweeping through our present age.  Question the rituals and events you are participating in without thinking about them. 

Scriptures:  Jeremiah 7:16-20, 44:15-19;  Ezekiel 8:7-18; Daniel 7:25

Preacher: Pastor Mark

Ride On King Jesus

On the first day of the week, Jesus presented Himself as King riding on the colt of a donkey.  People followed Him, shouted and danced Hosanna!  As Jesus approached Jerusalem He wept over her.  At the end of the day He returned to Bethany.  We read the many profound things that happened as Jesus went into Jerusalem Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Listen in and put this portion of the Gospels into chronological context.

Scriptures:  John 12:12-19; Luke 19:39-44;  Matthew 21:12,13;  John 12:20-26;  Matthew 21:42-44;  John 12:42-50. 

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Six Days Before the Passover

In today's inquiry into the scriptures we find Jesus and His disciples preparing to leave Jericho and head uphill to Bethany, just outside Jerusalem.  Jesus knows His crucifixion is only a week away.  He lays out the mission of the journey to the disciples.  The Pharisee's plot to kill Jesus has expanded to include Lazarus.  Why?  The drama of this passage reveals the short-term thinking caused by pride and the division it creates among the Twelve.  Jesus points out the way for anyone to be great and we are well-served in taking it to heart.   Jesus joins Lazarus, Mary, and Martha for dinner at their house in Bethany.  And whoa, Jesus lays out some truth!

Scriptures:  Matthew 20:17-34; John 11:55-12:9;  Deuteronomy 15:9-11

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

What Do You Need to Let Go?

Jesus counseled the rich young ruler to let go of the one thing that was keeping him from salvation.  The man was grieved because he couldn't.  Jesus continued teaching in response to questioning by pharisees trying to trap Him.   They posed a legal question to which Jesus pointed out their hard hearts were the problem.  Jesus wraps this lesson into a restatement on divorce and adultery.  Jesus finishes up be comforting Peter and the apostles that their sacrifices will be rewarded in heaven when the first will be last and the last will be first.  Listen in and see if Jesus challenges you to let go of something and to hold onto another.

Scriptures:  Luke 18:35-40, 19:1-10;  Mark 10:1-31
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Jericho to Bethany

We spend more time in Perea with Jesus.  We find Him teaching some curious lessons albeit with profound points such as use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.  Another, as Abraham in the parable responded to the rich man in hell, your brothers have Moses and the Prophets to listen to and hear the story of salvation. Wha?..  

And then! Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in Bethany.  But what is the most important statement in that miracle? It is the question Jesus asks Martha, do you believe...   listen in to find out what Jesus said we must all believe.

Scriptures:  Luke 16:14-18, 27-31;  18:9-14; Matthew 20:13-16;  John 11:45-53

Preacher:   Pastor Mark

Truth and Parables in Perea

Jesus left the temple in Jerusalem and returned back across the river to Perea where He taught in the villages and towns.   A couple dozen of our most cherished parables were taught in this location and during this time.   Jesus lays out what it means to be a disciple of His.  And it's not easy to hear for some.  I hope as you listen, you will come to understand the joy of following what some describe as "hard teachings".

Scriptures:  Luke 13:22-35; 14:1-15:10

Preacher: Pastor Mark

I Have Told You

Tell us plainly Jesus, "Are you the Christ or not?"  I have told you and you do not believe.  Jesus was teaching in the temple in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication having made His way from the Jordan River up through Bethany and the Mount of Olives.  After this He returns to Perea.  Jesus remains on His final journey to the cross.

Scriptures:  Luke 10:38-42; 11:1-13; John 10:22-42

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Lessons Along the Road

Jesus starts His final journey towards Jerusalem.  He chastises the cities that had experienced His miracles yet refused to believe on Him.  This makes me wonder how the city I live in would be assessed by Him.  I'm part of the city.  

During this journey Jesus is not received by the Samaritans.  Two of the apostles want to call down fire from heaven upon them.  Jesus responds with a heavenly truth: He didn't come to destroy people, but to save them.  

Join us as we open up the lessons along the road.

Scriptures:  Luke 9:51-62; 17:11-19; 10:1-24; 25-37;  Matthew 11:28-30

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

 

I Am's of Jesus

The Jews were making conclusions based on wrong facts.  The "world" does this same thing today.  Who is Jesus?  When He speaks who really hears Him?  The pharisees kept asking Jesus questions and no matter how many times He answered, they would not believe.  Instead they got angry and wanted to kill Him.  They refused to accept that He is God.  Jesus uses an illustration of sheep and a shepherd to explain who actually hears Him.  Do YOU hear Jesus?  Are YOU one of His sheep?   

No Truth = No Sight = No Freedom.  Must have Truth to be free.

Continue Jesus' journey to the cross with us.

Scripture: John 9 and 10

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

The Source of Light and Freedom

Jesus' "debate" with the Jews continues during the Feast of the Tabernacles wherein He declares Himself to be the Light of the word.  Jesus clearly teaches how He and the Father are one.  A discussion arises over who His Father is and who theirs is.  An important point of having two or three witnesses arises. Jesus reveals how the Truth gives us freedom.  Without Truth, there is no freedom, only slavery.  

Walk with us as we look at Jesus' journey to the Cross.

Scriptures:  John 8;  Romans 6:15-23;  Galtians 4:30;  1 John 3:8-10

Preacher:  Pastor Mark