The Holy Days
Most Christians think the biblical holy days, are just for the Jews. According to the Bible, they are for everyone. And eventually everyone is going to observe them for the holidays that they are. Why are they for Christians? For starters, all seven of them are about Jesus Christ and the plan for our salvation. Some of them look back toward things he did when he walked the earth as a human, and some look to the future, foreshadowing things Christ has yet to accomplish. Learn more about them in this series, The Holy Days. If you like, you can also check out another series about these days, Jesus and the Holy Days. which documents, from the Bible, Christ’s connection to each holy day.
Zeroing in on Our Calling – FT
As the pace of life speeds up, the more easily it is to become distracted in every aspect of life. That would also include Christian life. Sometimes it is hard to stay focused on what is important. This presentation, given in September of 2018 at the Common Faith Network Feast of Tabernacles, draws attention back to the reason God calls people into his church. Do you know why God called you and what he wants you to do every day?
Sacrifical Love – Atonement
John the Baptist referred to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The sins of the world we know about, but what about the lamb of God? Did you know there is a biblical festival for Christians that teaches us a lot more about Jesus than Christmas?
The Return of Christ – Trumpets
A friend asked us to produce a presentation explaining Christ’s return in a way that children could understand. This presentation is my effort at that—an outline with context. A timely presentation for the Festival of Trumpets, which falls on the first day of the 7th month. A day when ancient Israel blew the 7th Trumpet.
Why So Many Types of Christians? – Pentecost
Jesus said he and the Father are one, and that we are one with them by the Holy Spirit. If that is true, why are there so many different denominations, reorganizations, splits, schisms, and sects? Shouldn’t there be just one? Or does God have something way beyond anything we can imagine in store for us? Consider the situation in this presentation.
Discerning the Body – Passover
The Apostle Paul says that the Passover, as he got it from Jesus Christ, is an annual spiritual self-evaluation. One of the things he tells us to think about is our discernment of the Body of Christ. What does that mean? If you think you already know, consider that with God, there is always more to learn.
The Courts of God – Day of Atonement
King David of Israel said he would rather spend one day in the Courts of God than “a thousand other days.” We take some time in this presentation to ponder the meaning of eternal life with God. There is a lot to it.
Giving Care – A Pentecost Presentation
We all know people, whether they be family, friends, or acquaintances, who need help and support. Sometimes their issues seem beyond our abilities to help. Still, there are things anyone can to do help and support others. In this presentation, we cover some of those helpful tools and approaches.
Is Anybody Home? – A Festival Presentation
Humans have a hard time understanding the things of God. Quite often it’s like, “the lights are on but nobody’s home.” Learn more about God and his efforts to connect with you in this presentation.
Make No Provision
We may have heard the saying, “I can stand anything but temptation.” How good are you at avoiding temptation? Would you consider your self a novice or sophisticated in your efforts to avoid it? Many Christians don’t think much about it, drifting thoughtlessly into temptation and the ensuing troubles. Learn more here about how to avoid temptation and stay out of trouble.
Rivers of Living Water
Jesus said, “Out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water? What did he mean by that? And what does it have to do with you? Learn more in Rivers of Living Water.
The Real Star Wars
A long time ago, in a realm far away, there was a might battle waged against the forces of Good by the forces of Evil. The Bible provides an opaque view of this ancient event. Learn more about it in The Real Star Wars—the consequences that affect us all every day—and how the Good will soon prevail for all time.
The First 100 Days
Presidents, in the United States, are traditionally evaluated for their accomplishments after the first 100 days. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ will return to the earth and make sweeping changes. What will it be like in His First 100 days?
Getting Past Traumatic Grief – Mental Health and the Bible 2
Why can some people get past the loss of a loved one while others seem to get stuck? Sometimes the difference has to do with the nature of the loss. Was it sudden, unexpected or violent? If so, it may be what is called traumatic grief.
Coming to Mount Zion – A Pentecost Presentation
We hear the word Zion in the news and in the Bible. What does it mean? Where did it come from? Is it a relevant word for Christians today? The answers to these questions is startling. Learn more in Mount Zion.
Relating to God – 6 – Fellowshipping for God
We think of fellowship as something that is good for us - a gift from God - and it it is. But isn't it also something we do for God by giving to our brothers and sisters in Christ? Consider how we can strengthen the Church through fellowship, a gift from God and to God, in this latest presentation, Fellowshipping for God.
Jesus and the Eighth Day
In Leviticus 23, and other places in the Bible as well, there is a unique holy day mentioned. Unlike the other biblical holy days, the significance of this day in God's plan is shrouded. The day is simply called "the eighth day." And yet it is a holy day, just as is Pentecost, or the Feast of Trumpets. What is the significance of the Eighth Day?
Jesus and the Feast of Tabernacles
In John 7, we see Jesus observing and even preaching during a biblical festival called the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival pictures the salvation plan that He and the Father have been working out. He said, in that sermon, that those who come to Him, will receive the Holy Spirit, a clearly New Testament event. And yet most Christians have never even heard of this festival!
Jesus and Atonement
The Bible predicts one of the most astounding events in all history, the restoration of the relationship between God and humankind, broken in the Garden of Eden. The prediction is mentioned in the Book of Revelation with much emphasis and fanfare, an important event in the mind of God. Many would be surprised to learn that there is a day on God's calendar every year to commemorate that incredible event. But how could that possibly be true? Very few Christians know about it.
Jesus and the Feast of Trumpets
There are seven annual Holy Days in the Bible. The New Testament shows the Church, the diciples and Jesus observing six of them. Trumpets is the only one without mention in the New Testament. Why would we observe it, then?
Jesus and Pentecost
Of all the Holy Days, Pentecost might be the easiest to explain, since most Christian churches observe Pentecost, if in only a minor way. Still there is a lot to think about when we answer the questions of those who ask.
Jesus and Unleavened Bread
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Paul warned Timothy that Christians will "accumulate for themseleves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn awy from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. That's really spooky when you consider that all the Christian holidays are based on myths. Surely God has something more relevant that that for us. Learn more about it in Jesus and Unleavened Bread.
Jesus and the Passover of Moses
John the Baptist called Jesus the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Lamb of God? What a curious thing to say! Where did that come from? If you have the courage to understand John's meaning, it will rock your world! And it will deepen your relationship with God.
Knowing God
What does it mean to know God? How does it change us? This presentation, given at the Feast of Tabernacles in Lake Tahoe explains the transformational nature of a relationship with God.
Inner Work
Part of this year's Fall Festivals series, Inner Work focuses on the connection between our future, pictured in the holy days, and our life today.
Why We Fast on Atonement
The Day of Atonement is the only day in the year when God commands us to Fast. Why?