Sunday Scripture Podcast

Episode 238: Podcast - May 14th - Luke 24:13-35 - The Road to Emmaus

Link to the theme for the next 5 weeksLuke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked.“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Episode 237: Sermon - 5.11.25 - Psalm 73 - When My Heart Was Grieved

{ILS} The Phone Call HomeThe content of calls home matches the emotions of the psalms joy, love, fear, anger, sorrow, grief, and gratitude Sometimes in a series of calls, sometimes all in one {MPT} Surely God Is Good To Israel Asaph’s thought is in the present tense but the assurance of the truth comes from the past. {MPT} Does the Most High Know Anything? If God is good and wants humans to mirror, God must not be aware People are trading on your name and worse they are thriving2nd Kings 5 - Elisha and his assistant help Naaman with leprosyElisha had an assistant Gehazi {MPT} I Was A Brute Beast, Yet I Am Always With You When I didn’t get what I wanted  When i didn't get it when I wanted it I wasn’t aware of the incredible love and sacrifice that preceded my action {MPT} And Why Do We Make or Receive The Call To pour out the emotions in our heart To know we are part of a larger part of creation, with a timeline longer than we can imagine To gain guidance

Episode 236: Podcast - May 7th - Psalm 73

Psalm 73_A psalm of Asaph_All Time Notes1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4 They have no struggles;  their bodies are healthy and strong.5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;  their evil imaginations have no limits.8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?12 This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!20 They are like a dream when one awakes;  when you arise, Lord,  you will despise them as fantasies.21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Episode 235: Sermon - 5.4.25 - Psalm 30 - Out of the Depths

e1_05_04_25_#141_Psalm 30_Out of the Depths{ILS} Coach running to hug a player I have been through the ringer No one thought it would happen I want someone to hug {SCR} Psalm 30:1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 6 When I felt secure, I said,  “I will never be shaken.” {MPT} I misjudged momentary securityYoung Joseph told his brothers he was the most special and loved by his father {MPT} You lifted me out of the depthsJoseph found himself in prison, proved his worth, but he was forgotten for two years{SCR} Psalm 30:7 Lord, when you favored me,  you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: 9 “What is gained if I am silenced,  if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.” 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise you forever. {MPT} My heart will sing your praisesJoseph navigated arrogance, rejection, imprisonment, famine, isolation, and unresolved feelings to welcome his brothers

Episode 234: Podcast - April 30 - Psalm 30

Psalm 30_A song for dedication of the Temple_All Time Notes1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.2 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.6 When I felt secure, I said,  “I will never be shaken.”7 Lord, when you favored me,  you made my royal mountain[c] stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.8 To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:9 “What is gained if I am silenced,  if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.”11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise you forever.Jin H. HanProfessor of Biblical StudiesNew York Theological SeminaryNew York, N.Y. One need not read hatred into the term “foe,” for the word covers all situations of opposition.  The poet does not dwell on details of the dangerous situation that transpired. Only in sight is the thanksgiving for God’s intervention that saved the poet.  The life-threatening situation is no more. Neither is the fear of death The poet invites others to join in thanksgiving. In the Hebrew text, the command of praise is clearly marked in the second-person plural verb.  The poet compares God’s favor with God’s anger. The latter is momentary, whereas the former lasts for life.  The poet testifies to joy that returns with the rise of the sun. The poetic image may also speak of the passage of time that turns and mends steadily (compare with “the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day” in Proverbs 4:18). The poet acknowledges that there had been a time of prosperity that provided confidence and fortitude (verse 6).  In retrospect, the poet realizes that it was none other than God that sponsored the time of wellness. In those days, thanks to God, the psalmist was as sturdy as “a strong mountain”; by contrast, without God there was nothing but fear and confusion (verse 7).  In spite of present trouble, however, the poet realizes there is no reason to remain in despair.  With a hint of humor, the poet reminds God that the dust has no capacity to praise God. Nor can the inanimate object tell the truth of God’s faithfulness.