Bible in Life

Didn’t Jesus Want People to Understand His Teaching? | Luke 8:4-21

Jesus is famous for teaching in parables. In all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus explains that he teaches in parables so that "seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand." Which raises a serious question...

Didn't Jesus want people to understand his teaching? 

Why would he hide it from them and try to confuse them?

Doesn't he want people to get it so that can repent and be saved? 

In this episode of The Bible in Life podcast, we dig in Luke 8:4-21 to explore this question. 

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What is the Mission of the Church?

What is the mission of the church? 

Very often there are lots of different answers given to this question. But there shouldn't be. In fact, I am repeatedly surprised how much confusion there is about this. There should be no confusion. 

Jesus made the mission of the church crystal clear. 

This is not something we have to wonder about.There should be complete agreement about this. We don’t get to invent it or make up our own. 

Jesus already told us. 

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

How do we do that?

What did Jesus mean by "disciple"? 

Tune in to this episode for a full discussion of this crucial topic.

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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

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Why Did Ananias and Sapphira Die? | Acts 5:1-11

The story of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts is a shocking story. Two members of the church sell their property, bring the money to the apostles, are called out, and die! Why?

Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira? 

And why did Luke include the story in the book of Acts?

What lesson does the story of Ananias and Sapphira teach?

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Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

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Smell Like Jesus | 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

What does is mean to be led in triumph in Christ and be the fragrance of Christ in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16? 

We like impressive people. People who look good. People who are successful. People who's lives look fun and exciting. Paul's life was none of that, and that made him unimpressive. 

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul gives us word picture for how he viewed his life and ministry and it's subversive to the normal way we think life and service to God should go. 

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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The Glory of the Cross

The cross. Good Friday. 

At the time Jesus was crucified, a cross was an object of horror and a symbol of shame. So vulgar was it, that Romans wouldn't even use the word in polite company.

But now... now the the cross is a wall hanging, jewelry, and a symbol of hope. All because one particular crucifixion changed everything.

More than forgiveness (as great and necessary as that is!), the cross of Jesus provides a whole new world and a whole new way to live!

In this episode we look at how all-encompassing the achievement of the cross actually is. 

 

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Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Bonus Episode: The Study Hub - Making It Easier to Study the Bible

The Listener's Commentary Study Hub makes it easier for you to study the Bible and is a great way to support this ministry. Check it out at the link below:

 https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up

 

GIVE - The Listener’s Commentary and the Bible in Life are a CROWDFUNDED Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you!

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When God Doesn’t Answer Prayer | James 5:16-18

Have you heard the phrase “the power of prayer”? Or “prayer changes things”?

We've been taught to believe God answers prayer. In fact James 5:16 is a well-known version among Christians: "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

And it's true ...

Except when it isn't. 

Sometimes, it seems like prayer doesn't make any difference at all. Sometimes it feels like God is hiding.

Why is that? How should we think about that as followers of Jesus? 

Set up a monthly donation and get free access to the Listener's Commentary Study Hub here

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

The Bible is Your Life Source - 4 Ways to Read It

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

The Importance of Grace | Jesus Centered, pt. 11

We've said a lot about living a Jesus centered life and how it takes deliberate intentional effort. If we're not careful, that could to a lot of striving ... a lot of trying to get it right ... to doing more and more, so we can live Jesus centered. 

But that misses the importance and power of grace. Living Jesus centered happens in the circle of grace. 

So in this final episode on living Jesus centered, we explore how grace is the key to the whole thing!

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Arranging Your Life for Jesus Centered Living | Jesus Centered, pt. 10

Jesus centered living happens on purpose. We need to arrange our life to live attached to Jesus so we can become like Jesus. This is the essence of being a disciple and this is heart of living a Jesus centered life. 

So how do we arrange our life for this? What's the plan? What are the objectives? 

That's what we explore in this episode of the Bible in Life. 

Listener's Commentary Study Hub -  Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.