Teachings of Jesus 6: A Key Question to Consider During All Life's Problems (With the Parable of the House on the Rock)


For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.

Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video.  The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.


HERE is the full video for Teaching 6 titled  A Key Question  to Consider During All Life's Problems (With the Parable of the House on the Rock).  A written transcript is right below the video again, if you prefer reading through it.  Enjoy...and I would love to hear any feedback/discussion you have by commenting here, on facebook, or by sending me a message on facebook.




--------------Transcript -------------------------


Today is Teaching 6, Video 6.


In the book we are on Day 19, and we are starting in the parables for the videos. Actually the parables started back on Day 14. I am going to be covering 5 parables in these videos. Many more are covered in the book. We are on page 109 if you have the book. The parable of “The House Built on the Rock vs. The House Built on the Sand.” This is a pretty popular parable. If you have studied the parables at all, then I am sure you have heard of this one before. Let's see what we can get out of it for today, for us.


I am in Matthew 7:24-27. This is Jesus speaking. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”


Ok, we are following the same theme again. Remember in the last teaching, Jesus was in the house and he said, “Those who are learning and listening from me, and applying it, and doing it – they are like my brothers and sisters and mothers.” And now he's saying, “Those who hear the words and do them, it is also like they have built their house on a rock.”


So what does that tell us, right there? When we stay close to Jesus, we are like family, and he puts us in a strong house – strong foundation.


Let me start over (with the reading of the passage.)


“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.


And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”


In this teaching itself, Jesus is saying that those that hear me and do, those that hear the word and apply it, and follow it – they are in a sturdy house. Obviously this means that when the troubles come, when hard times come, we are more likely to be able to weather those problems, and face them, and go through them. Obviously when we don't listen and follow through. And that is important – it's not just listening. It's not just hearing. It's not just reading. It's not just going to church and hearing the message. It is applying it – applying it – that is what makes the foundation firm.


So for those of us who have been walking with God for awhile, how does this apply to us? Well, here is the way I like to think of it. I like to think of it as – we have a nice strong house based on a nice strong walk. But we also have a vacation house on the sand, on the beach. And you know what? That vacation house – oh it looks so relaxing! It looks tempting! We can just move over there for awhile. And we do sometimes.


We have times when we are closer to him. And then we have times when we let distance grow, or there is something we know we need to be following through on, and we don't. And the minute we do that, we move ourselves into the tempting vacation house – the vacation house that when the storm comes – whoosh – we don't weather it very well. We are less likely to weather it, and we may even lose things, we may even lose something in that house.


When we allow ourselves to go through a time when we are not listening or applying what Jesus taught, it is as if we move into a vacation home for a time – a vacation home that is built on an inferior foundation of sand.


Now, of course – what is wrong with having a vacation house? I am just using that as an example. Sure! Go to your vacation house! But take Jesus with you. He will strengthen that house too.


Now the storms come to both. The storm came and whipped up the house on the rock, and the storm came and whipped up the house on the sand, on the beach. But only one stood. Only one made it through. I also think today of our families. Because who lives in the house? The family lives in the house. So part of this applies to us making sure that our families – that we are passing down the strong foundation, and that we are teaching them how to make their foundation secure, and how they can be close to Jesus, and how they can have this protection, as well.

I don't think I am the only one who -- well -  I can think back on my life, and I can think of times when I let a lot of distance get in, in my walk with God, and some storms came through, and I did not handle them well, and they almost took me down. And I can tell you when I stay close to him – anything can happen – and I can handle it so much better, because I know he is navigating through the storm.


Reflections –


Think about – when was the last time that you weathered a terrible storm in life? Or maybe even you are weathering one right now. Ask yourself – How did you react during that storm? Or during the current storm?


This has helped me so much – When you have a big problem and a big storm in life, or any kind of problem in life that you need to solve, or figure out, or resolve – this is a question you can ask yourself to help determine if you are responding well to that problem. Ask yourself, “Is the way I am handling this problem, is it bringing me closer to God? Or is it pushing me further away? Are my actions bringing me closer, or further?  Likewise, if you have two paths or multiple paths that you can take to solve a problem, choose the one that will bring you closer to God,the one that will keep you in that strong house on that strong foundation.

--------------------------(end transcript)-----------------------------




Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew. Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.

For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.

Teachings of Jesus 5: Jesus Family - How Did He Identify His "Mother," "Sisters," and "Brothers?"



For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.

Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video.  The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.


HERE is the full video for Teaching 5 titled  Jesus's Family - How He Identified His "Mother," "Sisters," and "Brothers."  A written transcript is right below the video again, if you prefer reading through it.  Enjoy...and I would love to hear any feedback/discussion you have by commenting here, on facebook, or by sending me a message on facebook.




--------------Transcript -------------------------


Welcome Back to....what has become...."Summer with Willa [indicating towards the dog, a yorkie] and the Teachings of Jesus." We're Back! I'm really excited today. This is one of my favorite scenes in all of the gospels. It's a really short scene. Not too much is happening in this scene. The focus is on what Jesus said. And I am just so happy – I often wonder, “Why did they even put this scene in?” And I am so happy that the gospel writers felt that what happened here was significant enough to write down and to remember and to share with us.

We are still in He Called: 56 DailyStudies and Reflections with the Words of Christ. We have jumped ahead to Day 13 in the ebook. If you have the paperback it is page 82. We are in Mark 3. I am going to read from verse 31 to 35.

“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him and called him.--”

Ok, a little background. So Jesus once again, he is having to go into homes (to get a break from the crowds), and he went into a home with his disciples, and he was continuing to teach in there. And his mother and his brothers came, and they were outside the home. In Matthew it tells us they couldn't quite get into the home because of the crowd.

“And a crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, 'Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.' And he answered them, 'Who are my mother and brothers?' And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, 'Here are my mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.'” (Mark 3:33-36)

In one of the other videos, I was talking about that the will of God is listening to him and following him, and letting him lead. That is the will. And Jesus exemplifies this right here. Just in case you don't believe me, let's see what Jesus said. He said, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him –

Now his disciples were there. But there was a crowd there. He said, “Here are my mother and sisters and brothers!” And he was pointing to the people that were listening to him, who were staying close to him, who were learning from him, and following him. And then he says, “Whoever does the will of God; he is my brother and sister and mother.”


So Jesus just said himself – “these people are doing the will of God. They are here. They are my brothers and sisters and mothers.”

And I love this, because it is Jesus himself explaining who he considers to be his. And what are these people doing? This is still early on in the ministry. These people aren't going out and proclaiming him yet. They're not working to build new churches yet.

Once again, it starts with doing the will of God which is...

being with him,

learning what he has to say, and

allowing that to change you, and

allowing that to prompt you in the ways you go about your days.



Just one reflection today.....

How would you describe your relationship with Jesus today?

Are you his sister, or his brother?

Or is he just someone that you know about or that you learned about?

Or is he just someone you learned about – maybe when you were much younger, but you let a whole lot of distance creep in.


I just want to say....he's still near. He's still near. He doesn't leave; we do. He doesn't forget about us; we forget about him. And all it takes, all it takes if there is distance growing in your relationship with the Lord. All it takes is, turning back....listening to him again, knowing what he wants you to know, and allowing that to change us.


--------------------------(end transcript)-----------------------------


Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew. Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.

For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.

Teachings of Jesus 4: What Is His Will for You? How To Stay In His Will?

Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video.  The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.

For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.



HERE is the full video for Teaching 4 titled What Is His Will For You? (Hint: It's Not Following Traditions or Rules).  A written transcript is right below the video again, if you prefer reading through it.  Enjoy...and I would love to hear any feedback/discussion you have by commenting here, on facebook, or by sending me a message on facebook.



--------------Transcript -------------------------


Welcome back to the Teachings of Jesus series that we are going through this summer. And yes, look who is here? Willa the mascot is here, and are you ready for this? Someone else is here too. (Removes pillow to reveal another dog under it). I guess this will be our other mascot. This is Romeo. He's my dachshund. He's a dachshund terrier mix. He will just stay back there, buried behind the pillow. My dogs, they act like cats, they bury themselves in pillows (on the back of the sofa.)


Anyway – today we are going to continue with the last video in which we left off. It is immediately after. In fact, let's go back and remember what was happening in our last teaching. The people came over and were criticizing Jesus because he and his disciples were not fasting. They were not maintaining this tradition that the Pharisees were maintaining and that John's disciples were maintaining. And they were saying, “Why aren't you fasting?” But it was in a critical way.


Immediately after Jesus responded with the wedding metaphor – the wedding analogy; he then continued, and this is what he continued to say. I am in Mark 2:21. In the book it is Day 9, in the ebook Day 9 and in the paper book on page 62. Here is what he said:


“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

The traditions, the issue with traditions is we use – we rely on those – to replace our closeness with God. From the very first video, and if you haven't watched it, go back and watch it or read the transcript. After studying the teachings of Jesus – studying them for two years, deeply researching them - we keep going back to the first thing that Jesus taught – that God is near, that His kingdom is near. And we remember the last thing that Jesus taught – he said, “I will be near, always, to the end of the age.”


Then we see all these examples, like in our last lesson when he told the Pharisees that it is important that we enjoy our nearness together, me and my disciples with each other. We know the story of Mary and Martha where he teaches the same thing again. God is near – and he wants us to keep that awareness. And in our busy, busy lives – I call them micro-distractions. Our texts are chirping, our TVs are running in the background – or livestreams or whatever, it's not even really TV anymore. We have this on our schedule or that on our schedule, and we just let the busyness – and so it is easy then, it is easy to just fit in a little tradition or a little routine and then to say – “Ok, I have done my time with God.”


But Jesus said, “No, what I am teaching – you can't just take my teaching and stick it into your old ways of thinking. It will burst. If you try to take what I am teaching you and stick it into your old ways of being, it is going to ruin your old ways and it is going to ruin the new teachings. It doesn't work. And the same thing with the cloth. If what I am teaching you, if you just take it and try to stick it on (what you are already doing) – no – it won't attach.”


And likewise, if we just try to "tack on a little prayer time," or  a "little worship time," or one even a weekly routine of volunteering -- if we just try to "tack on" some religious routines into our busy and distracted schedules -- it does not work that way. The spiritual truths don't just attach by tacking them on. It is necessary to change all of what you are doing, to keep focused on Him.

Ask yourself – What are some traditions that you are holding on to. Traditions or routines or activities that you are holding on to? But you are actually letting those traditions take more precedent in your life than your actual relationship with God, your actual relationship through Christ?


If you are a church-goer, how many hours do you spend at church, and then how many hours do you actually spend one on one with God? Or just even being aware that He is near? Now this is one for me. I spend a whole lot of time reading other Christian writers' books and reading commentaries. And that's good; but I have found that reading Christian genre books – whether it is Christian fiction or non-fiction – even that does not replace time in the word. There is just something about reading the word, the raw word, that inspires and instructs and reveals more to me – than even reading a great theologian or their take on a passage.

So I say this to you! If you are watching these videos for 20 minutes a week, I hope you are spending at least 40 minutes a week – at least twice as much time directly with God on your own. And in this new wineskin, in this new container, let's fill this one up with relationship building with God, with Jesus. Ask yourself, is my relationship with God, through Jesus – is it really the number one focus in my life? And then ask yourself – what would my daily routines look like if the relationship really was number one?


So think about that. How would my day look? What would I need to do to make the relationship truly first?

Not too long ago I was reading some things from Billy Graham, some of his life reflections. He was asked by the interviewer, “Do you have any regrets? Anything you would change about your life?”
And do you know what he said? He said that if he could go back and change things, or do things over, then he wishes that he had actually spent more one on one time with the Lord.

I hear a lot of people that are trying to grow spiritually with Christ and they are often like, “I just wish I knew what the will of God was. I just wish I knew what the will of God was. What does he want me to do? What door is he going to open or close? Should I go this direction or should I go that direction? What is His will?


The will of God is that you be in relationship with Him. Everything starts there. That you remember that He is near. That is His will. And why in our world is that so HARD to do? Again, go back to the first video and watch it, and get some practical ideas on how to keep Him at the forefront of your mind. Not just in the morning or at night, but all throughout the day. Because if you can keep him there – at the forefront of your mind throughout the day. If you are able to multi-task and keep Him there, while you are going throughout your day – you will be in His will. That is when the promise from Psalms comes, when he says, “I will guide you, I will show you the way to go.” (from Psalms 32:8)


And that, my friend, that is the new wineskin. That is the new cloth. Traditions – you can't do anything to be in His will outside of remembering that He is there, seeking what He wants, going with Him.

So one more time – if you are not someone that keeps God in mind all day long – like I wasn't. I was not! That first video has some practical strategies. Or if you have some other ideas or strategies – please share them! If you have some other practical strategies to help us fight the enemy of distractions and micro-distractions, I would love to hear them.


Until next week, thank you, bye for now.

--------------------------(end transcript)-----------------------------



Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew. Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.



For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.




Teachings of Jesus 3: Traditions, Relationships, Grudges, and Bitterness



For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.

Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book covers the teachings I am not able to make videos for, due to lack of time (I do have a "real" job too, by the way! I work on the special education team for our local school district.)  The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew, and it is on sale at the time of this posting.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.


HERE is the full video for Teaching 3 titled Traditions, Relationships, Grudges, and Bitterness.  A written transcript is right below the video again, if you prefer reading through it.  Enjoy...and I would love to hear any feedback/discussion you have by commenting here, on facebook, or by sending me a message on facebook.




--------------Transcript -------------------------


Good morning and welcome back to our Teachings of Jesus series. Look who joined us. This is Willa (picking up her dog, a little yorkie). I think she will be good. At first I was going to put her up in a room or something so she wouldn't be bothering my videos, but then she starts barking and yipping and wants out.


Ok, if you have the book, we are in HeCalled: 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Words of Christ, and we are skipping ahead today to Day 8. I am going to read our passage today, it is from Mark 2:18-21:


“Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting,” –


and I want to make a point here, that their choice to fast was a tradition. It was not actually in the Torah or in the law that they had to fast at this time. It was a tradition that they did.

“and people came and said to him (they said this to Jesus), 'Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast? But your disciples do not fast?'

And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast on that day.'”

In my research for this passage, I learned quite a bit about Jewish wedding feasts during the time of Christ. What happened – when a Jewish couple got married, they didn't leave and go off on a fancy honeymoon like we do today. They stayed at home; they had a big event at home; they had an open house where all the closest friends and family of the bride and groom could come. They held this open house for a whole week and they had feasting laid out. And there was a rule, or a tradition, that during that week – if it was a regular fasting day or a fasting time, they didn't have to fast. The bride and groom and all their friends and family – anyone who was participating in the wedding celebration – they didn't have to fast.
So when Jesus was responding to this criticism that he and his disciples weren't fasting while the Pharisees and John's disciples were – he indicated – this was a very special time. He and his disciples being together was a time to celebrate. The fact that God had come near was a time to celebrate, and they would be exempt from fasting.
And like I said before, this was not a rule or law under Moses. It was just a tradition. So when I was reading this passage and wondering how could this apply to me – I thought of it in the context of us with our Christian friends and with our Christian family members.

John's disciples and the Pharisees were Jews, like Jesus – yet they were critical and judgmental because Jesus and his disciples were not following a certain tradition.

How often do we, maybe we don't speak it – but how often do we have critical thoughts and critical hearts against our own, our own Christian friends and family members?

Friends, as this world gets crazier and crazier and we are just seeing more evil abound and – I think we need to recognize that the gift of Christian friends – or if you have Christian family members – that is something to celebrate. And, I do think there is an issue, and it is a heart issue in all of us. Maybe I am the only that struggles with this? But I don't think so.

Are we passing judgment on other people, just because they are not following a tradition, or they are not following something that we expect? Jesus recognized, that when he was with his disciples – and when we are with others followers of Christ – that is not the time to bring in petty grudges, or judgments over petty little things like, “Why aren't you fasting today?”

We do this to our family members too, when one family member can't make an “event.” “Mmmh...I can't believe she's not coming.” After reading the passage today, we see how Jesus overlooked tradition for the sake of cherishing relationships with his disciples. And there are many other times, I think you know there are many other instances in the Bible where Jesus indicated that relationships – our relationship with Him and our relationships with other Christians – should supercede all these little traditions.

But let's search our heart today. The challenge for today, or the instruction, is to really think about your habits or your thoughts –

Are there any Christian brothers or sisters in your life that you are silently judging as being less committed than you are? Or maybe you are judging them the other way. Maybe they are stepping out more than you, and you are thinking, “Oh, Well, how holy are they?! Why are they doing that? Who do they think they are?” It goes both ways.

Any family members, Christian family members who you are holding a grudge over about how things should be done? Maybe, just maybe, we tend to act like the critics in this story. Maybe we are spending time judging other Christians in our lives, when instead we should be appreciating them and finding ways to grow spiritually with them.

So in this passage in Mark 2, starting in verse 18, Jesus indicates that appreciation for time together is more important than following outside traditions. So when you are with Christian friends or family, just celebrate that.


And I truly believe, no – I know based on my own experience – that these little grudges and grievances, they block – if that is appropriate to say – they can block – your own walk with Christ and your own ability to get close to Him.


Matthew 6:14-15 tells us that we are to forgive others, so God may forgive us. Letting go of grudges and bitterness against others for small slights, or for not meeting your expectations – letting go of these is a form of forgiveness.


So I recommend that everyday – I do this everyday – I'm just being open here. This is something that I think I am getting better at, but I used to struggle with this a lot. Not outwardly, you wouldn't know by my smiling face – you would never know. But inside my mind - I would do this – keep grudges ,and it's very hurtful – to yourself, if not to the other person.


So I just ask that we pray this prayer; and if this is something you struggle with too, that you pray this prayer as well:

God, search me...
I want you to bring to mind the grudges and the bits of bitterness that are in my heart
Bring those to mind...
(Then when they start coming to mind, say)
God I give this to you.
I want you to pull this bitterness out of me
I know it is not your will for me to be bitter
Whatever bitterness I have against this person or that person
Pull it out of me
I do not want that to be in there, I don't want to be like that.
If that is something you struggle with – I encourage you to pray that every single day, until the bitterness cannot even take root anymore!

And with that, I'm going to leave – the next video goes up in two days! Bye for now...


--------------------------(end transcript)-----------------------------



Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book covers the teachings I am not able to make videos for, due to lack of time. The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew, and it is on sale at the time of this posting.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.



For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.






Teachings of Jesus 2: God Looks for You to Look to Him (He Searches the Earth to Strongly Help You When Your Heart Is Turned Toward Him!)



Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book covers the teachings I am not able to make videos for, due to lack of time (I do have a "real" job too, by the way! I work on the special education team for our local school district.)  The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew, and it is on sale at the time of this posting.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.

For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.


HERE is the full video for Teaching 2 titled God Looks for You to Look at Him.  A written transcript is right below the video again, if you prefer reading through it.  Enjoy...and I would love to hear any feedback/discussion you have by commenting here, on facebook, or by sending me a message on facebook.



--------------Transcript -------------------------


Hello this is Sherry, and welcome back to Summer with the Teachings of Jesus.

If you have not seen the first video teaching, go ahead and go on back and see that one first and come back; because the first teaching lays the foundation for everything else we are going through this summer.

Some quick reminders – we are going through 18 teachings this summer. 18 hopefully very brief videos. They all come from this book He Called: 56 Daily Studies andReflections with the Words of Christ. This is my book. It is pretty comprehensive. This, as the title says, has 56 teachings. It starts in Mark and goes through all of the teachings, without skipping any. Then each day there is a passage to read; there is some information about the background of the passage, and then there are some practical applications at the end of each day. The purpose, remember – remember the illustration? [Showing the Bible and the section of the Bible that has the gospels printed on it.] The purpose of this study is to start us on our journey of knowing and mastering “this” [showing the gospels and how it is not that long of a section of the Bible.] The life and teachings of Jesus – mastering what he did, and what he taught, mastering what he wanted us to know.

If you remember from day one, I hope that you have done something to help yourself remember that "God is Near". We start re-training our brain to recognize that God is near, because the people who are walking with God, who are having spiritual breakthroughs, and who are growing closer to Him, are those who have mastered the skill, or the ability, to even remember frequently that He is near.

Today, if you have the book – we did Day 1 in our last teaching. Today we are skipping ahead to page 38, which is Day 5 if you have the ebook, it's Day 5. And I'm going to start; we are going to look today at one of Jesus' very first miracles. This is when he healed the leper. And I'm going to read – we are in Mark 1:40:

"And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching him, and falling on his knees before him, and saying” – listen carefully now to how and what he says – “' If you are willing, you can make me clean.' Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and he touched him; (he touched the leper), and he said, 'I am willing, be cleansed.' And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”

Then look at this –

“Jesus sternly warned him and immediately sent him away.” So Jesus is now warning the leper and telling him sternly, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go – show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded as a testimony to them.”

But of course, the leper – he went out and began to proclaim it freely. And he began spreading the good news all around to such an extent that Jesus could no longer stay in the cities. He could no longer even publically enter into a city. But he had to stay out in unpopulated areas, but still all the people were coming to him from everywhere.


There are so many directions we could go with this teaching. But I want us to focus on two things. The first is this: God is near; however, when you see Jesus and the way he helped people and healed people – Jesus never strapped on his sandals and went out for the day and specifically went looking for people to heal (physically heal.) And that can be a little perplexing, because we wonder – if he had these abilities to heal – why didn't he just go out and offer healing to everybody?


Jesus provided these miracles and healing to people who came to him. See, Jesus was near – just as today in a spiritual sense God is near. And Jesus, when somebody came to him, and entered into Jesus' world, and said in a humble way, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” That is when Jesus healed. And I think this is important in our culture today, because I hear so many people today – typically unbelievers or skeptics, and they say, “Well, if God is real, why wouldn't he just do something majorly miraculous to let us all know that He is real.” Well first of all, God did do that through the resurrection of Christ! That is probably the most miraculous event that has happened throughout all of history! But the scriptures are clear, when you look at how Jesus intervened in people's lives, he never forced his way in. He never – like I said – he never went out looking for people to heal (physically). Instead, the Bible says that God is looking down for hearts that are turned up to Him, so that He can help them greatly. Now I'm saying that from memory and it is not word for word – but I will post the verse underneath here, when I finish the video. (The verse is 2 Chronicles 16:9 - “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely his. The Hebrew word is hithchazzaq  and it means "to show himself strong", "to strongly support and supply" them.)

God is near, and He is waiting for us to come to Him, so he can help us immensely. So the first thing that we remember is that He is near, and then just like the leper – we don't just expect Him to help us or to heal us – we have to come to Him.

And then the second point is the way the leper asked for healing. “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” I will tell you that is the prayer – that is the way a request is made – that allows the Holy Spirit to flow through, and to work. When you come to Jesus, not with a sense of entitlement. It is always when the person comes with a sense of humility and an understanding, that this man, Jesus – there is something very special and divine about him and I need to respect him for who he is. And I – I don't deserve anything; but if he is willing, he can do it. That type of attitude is rewarded by God. And we see that in all the physical examples of the people who approached Jesus in the New Testament.

The second thing I want to point out quickly – why wouldn't Jesus want the leper – why would he tell the leper sternly, “Don't tell anybody what happened here.” Here's why, and I had to research this – this was perplexing to me. I had to do a lot of reading on the background of this passage. And here is why. Jesus did not want people coming to him for the wrong reasons. His mission was not a mission of physical healing on this earth. His mission was to bring spiritual healing – to the people of Galilee and then to the whole world.

And I want to talk more but I promised to keep these short. So that is all for today. Let's put our two teachings together:

Remember that God is near – throughout the day. Do something to help yourself remember His nearness throughout the day.
And then come to Him. He's looking for you to look up to Him.

Bye for now. I will see you next – our next teachings we will be talking about how Jesus – we will be skipping ahead and talking about how Jesus talked about how the relationship is more important than religious tradition. See you next week – if you are watching this on Thursday, have a good weekend.




Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book covers the teachings I am not able to make videos for, due to lack of time. The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew, and it is on sale at the time of this posting.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.



For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.



Teachings of Jesus 1: God Is Near (And this is good news!)





Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video.  The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew, and it is on sale at the time of this posting.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.

For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.


HERE is the full video for Teaching 1.  A written transcript is just below the video if you prefer to read what is taught. Enjoy...and I would love to hear any feedback/discussion you have by commenting here, on facebook, or by sending me a message on facebook.




--------- Transcript Begins -------------

Welcome Back to Summer with the teachings of Jesus.

Today we are going to go over teaching number one.

I want to let you know I am here in the bedroom because it has the best light. For those of you who know me, you know I have four pets. I have two dogs and two cats, and they are all here. You can't see them in the video, but it's really cute. Hopefully they will behave; they are being very good right now.

Today we are going to go over the very first thing that Jesus taught.

Just a reminder, if you missed the introduction – we are going to be going over 18 videos, going through the teachings of Jesus. Nine weeks over the summer. So that will be 18 teachings in the videos. However, They all come from this book, my book, He Called 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Words of Christ, and this book has 56 teachings. So if you want to go over even more of the teachings, the parables, and the miracles, then this is available. It can be found – there is a link somewhere -- the most recent edition is only found on Amazon. There is an e-book and a paperback, and you may get that if you would like an additional resource.

So let's go ahead and start and get right into the teaching. What is the very first thing that Jesus taught? Do you remember? It's in the book of Mark. In the first chapter of Mark. Let's remember that Jesus began – first he was baptized by John. Then he went into the area of Galilee and he gave his first teaching. And he said,

“The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.”

That is what he was proclaiming, after he had been baptized. And also there was the temptation that came before this – the temptation of Christ in the desert. And then he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” A very short teaching. Two or three sentences depending on how you punctuate it. Ok, but what was he actually saying?

I have read this for many, many years. I always thought that Jesus was saying, “The kingdom is coming;" when he says the kingdom is at hand – that it is close and it is almost here. There are some translations that say, “the kingdom of God has drawn near;” and I think that is the best translation, and I am going to explain why in just a minute.

There is something that I learned that really reveals the layers of the message that Jesus was giving. Some of you know that I have been studying the Biblical Greek over the past year. Now I love languages – I love complicated languages – and so it was fun for me to study the greek. And I promise you that I am not going to be a “greek geek” in all these videos; but this is a particular passage where an understanding of the greek verbs and the ways they are used is important. One thing about the greek verbs is they have many more tenses than we have in English, and not only do they have more tenses, they have additional layers of meaning embedded within the verb that we don't have. The verb tells how it happened, and specifically when it happened, and what kind of effects this action is having. Our English verbs – I'm sorry by our English verbs are not this rich. The greek verbs are rich!

So remember, many people think – as I thought – that Jesus was saying the kingdom of God is about to come, it has drawn near; it is about to come so believe this – that he was talking about the coming of the complete fulfillment of the Kingdom in this passage. But, that is not what he was speaking of, and I am going to explain why. Now stay with me here – because you are going to get it too! Now, it is true – yes – the Kingdom is coming and one day we will be living in the fullness of the Kingdom, but let me get back to my point on the greek verbs –

The greek verbs have a tense, called the perfect tense. It is one of the least used tenses in the Bible, that the gospel writers used. The perfect tense is a very special tense because it describes an action that has been working out, that has then been completed – they use the word “puncticular” – it's been completed, but also has continuing effects up until the present time of the speaker. When the gospel writers wrote this passage in Mark, they used the perfect tense for the verbs fulfilled and drawn near. So when Jesus said, “The time has been fulfilled, the Kingdom of heaven has drawn near,” it was this special perfect tense which was used. This means “the time has been fulfilled – it's been working out – it's been fulfilled and there are continuing effects.” And he said, “the Kingdom of God has been drawing near – it has drawn near – and there are continuing effects.” That is what Jesus was proclaiming, according to the way the gospel writer recorded it with this perfect tense.
Now, I'm going to digress here because I have to share something else with you. Do you know one other time this perfect tense was used? This might give you chills. This gave me chills. This perfect tense is used when Jesus is on the cross. And he said, “It is finished.” The word for finished was also in this perfect tense. So Jesus was saying, “the plan of God has been working out...it is finished on the cross, and will have continuing effects.”
Repent and believe the gospel. When he says repent here, the word come from metanoia, and it means simply to change your mind – to change your thinking, and believe this good news. So one more time, Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled (and is going to have continuing effects); the Kingdom of God has drawn near (and is going to have continuing effects). Change your mind and believe this good news of God!” He is giving a message from God directly to the people.

So this is the very first thing Jesus wanted us to know – that the Kingdom of God has drawn near, that it is near. And just in case you do not think that this really is that important of a teaching. Let's think about this: this is the first thing we have recorded; let's think about the last thing that Jesus said to his disciples before he left – before the ascension. What did he say? He said, “Behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.” The actual translation there, word for word, is I am with you "all of the days" – always – even until the end of the age. So Jesus began his teachings with “The Kingdom of God is near.” That theme is the foundation of everything else he taught during his three years of ministry on earth. Then at the end of his teaching, he gave the same message - “I will be near; I will be with you always, until the end of the age.”

So I want to close out with a challenge. Not just a challenge, but an instruction. I want you to ask yourself, honestly, “How often during my week, and during my day, do I actually take time to pause and consider, and really let it sink in, that God is Near?

Now here is the truth. Here is what I used to be like for many years, until I took on this study. In the mornings I would wake up, and I would try to have a little prayer and take in some sort of devotional reading – if the morning was not too rushed. I would have some time with God and thinking about God being with me throughout the day. Then I would go throughout my day, as normal. Then at the end of the day, as I'm going to bed was when I would read and pray. So before I took on this study, I was very much "checking in" with God at the beginning of the day – sometimes, because sometimes I would oversleep (and not have this time with God in the morning). And then I was "checking out" with God at the end of the day. But what I want you to do is to do something practical to help you remember throughout the day, multiple times throughout the day – just to remember that God is near.

Now you can do what you think will work best for you. If you are in a room for much of the day or if you are at home; you can put up signs all over your house – just paper signs write them in crayons or markers or whatever. Signs saying “God is Near.” And put them up all over your house. Put them on your alarm clock; stick one in your car, in your bathroom, in the kitchen. Now that is just one idea; you don't have to do that. But I will say if you do do that, just make basic, white paper, handwritten signs so you will see them. Because I know some of my craftier people are going to say, “Oh I'm going to make some beautiful signs,” and that's great. But you know what happens with beautiful signs? You put them up, and then they blend in with your decor, and you don't even really see them because they are just blending in. Now these are only going to be up for a week or two, so that is one idea that you can do.

If that is not going to work, maybe because you spend all day in an office or something and you can't really – and people will think you are really weird if you do this. Which they shouldn't – but they might. Then another idea I have is to set your cell phone to buzz silently every 20 minutes. And when it goes off – wherever you are – whether you are in a meeting or in a store – you just silence it and you think to yourself, “God is near. Thank you God for being near.” And if you do that every 20 minutes – now turn it off at night so it's not buzzing through the night. Every 20 minutes throughout the day. If you do that for two weeks, I can promise you by the end of two weeks you will have retrained your brain to remember that “God is Near” all throughout the days.
I can tell you that the people who are really walking with God. And the people who are experiencing Him and seeing his works...the people who are having spiritual breakthroughs – they are the ones who have mastered this thinking – mastered remembering that God is there. Because we have to remember that He is there in the first place, to be able to go with Him, and to experience Him.

So that is not just a challenge, that is an instruction. Do something today. Do something today that you will keep doing for the next two weeks to help you remember that God is near (all throughout the day).
Ok, I will be posting the next video in two days, early Thursday morning. And the next teaching is on one of the early teachings of Christ, one of the early things that happened. And I will see you then! Bye for now!




Get the book or e-book to go along with the study. We will be covering 18 teachings this summer by video. The book, however, has nearly all Jesus's teachings in Mark and into Matthew, and it is on sale at the time of this posting.  Get the book or e-book at Amazon by clicking HERE.



For a list of all free video teachings and transcripts in this series, go HERE.







Teachings of Jesus - Intro Video



Here is the intro video for this summer's study:  Summer with the Teachings of Jesus

As I explain in the video, you will not miss much by not actually being in front of the video watching it.  I had originally planned to do these as podcasts, but then decided that video would have more potential to reach more people and introduce more people to a relationship or deeper relationship with God. My thinking is that you may want to listen to these videos as you are getting ready in the morning, or at other times during the day when you may be doing some other "rote" task -- like laundry or working in the kitchen. I know we are all too busy, and we need to be multi-tasking much of the day, So I made these videos with the intent to "come along side you" at some point during the day, to remind you to stay close to Christ.

We will go through 18 teachings over the summer. My book covers more. It has 56 teachings,  starting in Mark and into Matthew, and it goes through each teaching without skipping any. Get the book or e-book to go along with the study here by clicking on this link:  He Called: 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Word of Christ   

Summer Video Teachings - Starts on the Facebook Page in One Week!


Today is June 5th, 2017....and next week I am launching my first, free,  summer online bible study, with short video teachings posted at least twice a week throughout the summer -- from the week of June 12 through August 12th. 

The videos and study resource links will be posted on the Facebook page first. So if you are not already connected to our page on Facebook, go here https://www.facebook.com/GospelLifeBooks/ and click on "Like." Then on the drop down box, you may wish to click on "See First" so that you will be sure to see each video at the top of your feed so you will know that it has been posted. Otherwise, Facebook may "hide" the videos from your feed, and you will have to check my FB page manually each day to see if the video has posted. 

What is this all about?

In just over a week, I will start a teaching a series "Summer with the Teachings of Jesus" from my author facebook page, Gospel Life Learning, on Facebook. I will be sharing two brief videos a week through the summer to help women and others keep focused on Christ, even during the busy and off-schedule summer season. 

Yes! Can you believe it? This writer will be doing videos! (Short videos,approximately 8 minutes each!) Believe me, this is not my preferred communication style as I am an introverted writer and researcher first of all -- but let's just say I have been pressured to do this, and I have decided to follow through -- with joy! 

As mentioned above, if you would like to join us, just come over to my Gospel Life Learning facebook page and click on "Like," and then on the drop down box, click on "See First." Do this if you don't want to miss any of the videos or postings through the summer. Again, this will start on June 12 and run through August 12th.

Also, the book that goes along with the teachings will be going on sale within the next 24-48 hours. The book is titled He Called: 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Words of Christ. The sale price for the Kindle book is $5.79 and the sale price for the paperback will be $12.49. Check Amazon by clicking HERE on this link to order. 

I hope to see and interact with many of you soon -- next week -- on the Gospel Life Learning page! Let's walk through Summer 2017 together, with Jesus and His teachings.....

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, 
so walk in Him, 
rooted and built up in Him
and established in the faith
just as you were taught, 
abounding in thanksgiving."
Colossians 2:6-7