People Of The Way Acts 9:2 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

Today it is common to use terms referring to the people of God such as; The church of Christ, the church of God - Ro 16:16; 1Co 1:2,  The body of Christ, the kingdom of Christ - Ep 1:22,23; Col 1:13,  The temple of God, the bride of Christ - 1Co 3:16; Re 19:7-8
But in the early days of the church, they were also known as people of "The Way"  Saul of Tarsus persecuted those of the Way - Ac 9:2; 22:4. Others spoke evil of the Way - Ac 19:9,  At Ephesus there was a riot about the Way - Ac 19:23,  Paul confessed to worship God according to the Way - Ac 24:14,
Acts 24:14  However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way,  Felix the governor gained accurate knowledge about the Way. Today the expression "The Way" is rarely used. But what did it mean in the early days of the church...?

Nevertheless At Your Word I Will Luke 5:1-11 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

Jesus charged His apostles to make disciples of all the nations baptizing them upon His authority - Mt 28:18-19.  Teaching them to observe what He commanded - Mt 28:20. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?  The mindset of a disciple was displayed when Jesus called Peter. When Jesus was teaching at the Sea of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee) - Lk 5:1-3.  When Jesus called on Peter to let down the net - Lk 5:4-5. When Jesus called on Peter to lay down his net - Lk 5:10-11. Did you notice the mindset of a disciple of Jesus?

A Reason For Our Hope 1 Peter 3:15 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

In 1Peter3:15, we find Peter giving the following command: 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;"

Here we learn that we are to always be ready to explain the basis of our hope.  What reasons are there for the hope we have in Christ? We must be ready to provide such reasons!

The Parable of Jesus "The Minas" Luke 19:11-27 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

With this lesson we come to the end of our series on "The Parables Of Jesus".  We have covered most, if not all, of the parables taught by our Lord. In many lists, the last parable is the one before us now, the parable of "The Minas", Found in Lk 19:11-27.

"God's Second Law of Pardon" Acts 8:22 By Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

The Scriptures reveal different instructions on how to obtain forgiveness.  To alien sinners outside of Christ - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16
To erring Christians guilty of sin - cf. Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:19
The difference has been described by some as "God's Two Laws Of Pardon".
For the alien sinner, there is God's first law of pardon
1)    Hear the gospel
2)    Believe that Jesus is the Christ, who died for our sins
3)    Repent of sins
4)    Confess faith in Christ
5)    Be baptized for the remission of sins

For the erring Christian, there is God's second law of pardon

1)    Repent of sins
2)    Pray to God
3)    Confess sins to God

As we evangelize, we often spend much time explaining the first law.  As Christians seeking to maintain our relationship with God, we should be equally concerned with the second law. 

"The Pharisse And The Tax Collector" Luke 18:9-17 by Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

In the parable before us now, known as "The Pharisee and The Tax-Collector" Jesus illustrated the spirit that ought to pervade our prayers. He teaches us how and in what manner we ought to pray to be heard by God - Lk 18:14. Without the proper spirit, our perseverance in prayer will be for nothing. This second parable on prayer is therefore very important, and worthy of our consideration.  

"The Persistent Widow" Luke 18:1-8 by Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

This is not the first time Jesus used a parable to teaching concerning prayer.  Remember "The Friend At Midnight"? - Lk 11:5-13 in which Jesus taught the value of persistence in prayer?     Evidently the element of persistence in prayer was very important to Jesus for that is also the theme of the first parable in Luke 18
as the first verse reads:  "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart..."  Are we persistent in our prayers? Do we appreciate the value of such persistence? Or have we lost heart and don't pray as we ought?