Matthew (2013)

Are you a failure as a parent? Listen to this lesson to see that nothing you do in life is more important than taking time to teach your children the Word of God and living it in front of them. See that it is the father who has the primary responsibility for this. Hear a number of principles to apply about true biblical worship and parenting skills. Review the incident where the unknown woman anointed Jesus’ head with an expensive oil and how the disciples were told by Jesus three reasons why her work was good. Learn that ultimately all of our decisions focus on our volition and we need to prioritize our time according to the Scriptures.

Why did the Lord Jesus Christ come to this earth as the Son of Man? Was it to feed the hungry, heal sick people, or teach His disciples? Listen to this lesson to hear His overriding purpose was to be crucified as our Redeemer. Find out the many contrasts in this passage including contrasts between the anonymous woman, Judas, the religious leaders, and the disciples. Hear the chronology of the events in these last few days before Jesus died on the cross. Today's message includes a presentation by Jeff Phipps regarding his recent trip to teach the Word of God in the Natal, Brazil area.

Would a loving God send unbelievers to never-ending punishment in the Lake of Fire? Listen to this lesson to learn the characteristics of God with emphasis on His sovereignty, righteousness, and justice. Find out for whom the Lake of Fire was created. See what the Bible says abut eternal fire and whether it is a metaphor or literal. Hear biblical terms referring to what happens after death. Let the reality of the future motivate all of us to witness and pray for unbelievers.

If you’re truly saved, does it always mean you’ll perform good works? Listen to this lesson to hear three views on how to get into Heaven and which is the correct one.. Learn about three gospels and how all include belief in the Messiah and are on the basis of faith and grace. See that faith plus works is a false gospel. Understand that in James 2, he is talking to believers and urging them to apply what they believe to their lives. Learn what being “swift to hear” means. When talking to unbelievers, let them know they need to believe in Christ as their Savior in order to go to Heaven.

Is faith in Christ sufficient for eternal salvation or are good works also necessary? Listen to this lesson to hear about the Sheep and Goat Judgment. Understand that this is not a gospel message but is referring to a future time when Jesus comes to establish His Kingdom on earth. Learn what the gospel is and the three variants which depend on the dispensation of each. See that all versions depend on faith alone in Christ alone and the meaning of justification.

Does this passage teach us that good works are required to enter into the Kingdom? Listen to this lesson to learn that the term “my brethren” is a key to understanding this. See reasons why this is not a parable but a narrative describing a judgment at the end of the Tribulation. Find out this event takes place at Christ’s Second Coming and the “throne of His glory” refers to His earthly throne. Learn five differences between the Sheep and Goat Judgment and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Who is Jesus talking about that will “weep and gnash their teeth”? Listen to this lesson to learn that this parable of the talents is directed to Jewish people in the Tribulation. See how this parable is connected to the last two parables during the Olivet Discourse and how they differ from one another. Find out who the servants are and whether or not all three of the men entrusted with talents are believers. Learn how much a talent was worth in Jesus’ day. One implication of this parable for Church Age believers is that we have been given incredible blessings and resources and will be held accountable for how we utilize them.

Do you consider yourself wise or foolish? Listen to this lesson to learn about Jesus’ parable about 10 bridesmaids, five who were wise and 5 who were foolish. Find out who the bridesmaids represent and what is the significance of the oil for their lamps. See that the context of this parable, like the others in the Olivet Discourse, is referring to Jews and not to the Church Age. Learn that the whole point of this parable is to warn the Jews of coming judgment at the end of the Tribulation which they need to be prepared for. By implication, see that today we should believe in Christ and be prepared for the coming Rapture.

How do we know what date Easter comes each year? Listen to this lesson to learn that not all Christians celebrate on the same day. Find out the reasons and how the controversies separated churches. Hear the parable of the wicked and righteous servants which Jesus told to His disciples. See that the imagery is of a homeowner who is trying to keep his family safe. Since he doesn’t know when danger will occur he has to always be prepared. Learn that the thief refers to unbelievers who will be judged at the Second Coming of Christ which will surprise them because they are not prepared.

Is the Rapture going to happen during this generation? Listen to this lesson to learn that in the parable of the fig tree Jesus is not talking to Church Age believers but is referring to Jews in the Tribulation. See the fallacy of trying to set dates for the Rapture and the Tribulation. Learn the meaning of “day and hour” and how Jesus was referring to His humanity when He said He didn’t know the timing. Find out how Jesus compares the circumstances of His Second Coning to Noah’s Flood as they were both times of judgment.

Nearly everyone is interested in what will happen in the future but there is little agreement on the subject. Listen to this lesson to hear about two future events, one only for believers and the other for all the inhabitants of the earth at the time. Find out that Jesus is talking about His future return to earth in the Olivet Discourse. Hear the distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming and that our response should be a reminder that all believers should be living their lives in light of eternity.

What is the Day of the Lord? Listen to this lesson to hear that the Day of the Lord is used in a general sense as a day of judgment in the Old Testament and also as a specific climatic event when Christ returns to judge the earth. Find out a chronological order of a number of Old Testament judgments. Hear about the cosmic disturbances that accompany the Day of the Lord. Understand that no one gets away with wrongdoing even though it may appear so at the time, but that Christ will eventually judge all sin and evil.

Does the Bible mean what it says and should we take it literally? Listen to this lesson to hear how precise the directions are to the Christian Jews living in Judea when they are told to flee. Find out the significance of Jesus’ warning about false messiahs and false prophets. Hear a description of the powerful, dramatic coming of Christ when He returns to the earth. Learn what the gathering by the angels is and see that our response should be to realize God is in control of history and will fulfill all His promises.

What can believers in the Church Age take from Jesus’ Olivet Discourse? Listen to this lesson to learn that all believers will be removed from the earth before the Tribulation occurs. Hear six questions that need to be answered in this passage. Find out what the “abomination of desolation” is and Jesus’ instruction to the Jews in Judea at that time who are told to flee to the mountains without grabbing their bug-out bags. As believers today we can see that just as God will provide for those who obey Him in the Tribulation, we will always be provided for whatever the circumstances.

What does tribulation mean? Listen to this lesson to learn there are several meanings to the word, including adversities that believers have in the Church Age but in the future there will be tribulation like nothing the world has ever seen. See that this horrific time is for Israel. Find out why Satan intensifies anti-Semitism during the last three and a half years of these seven years. Find out that the antiChrist is lawless and hear the promises of hope which refer to the time when Christ returns at His Second Coming.

Why is it important to study Bible prophecy in the Church Age? Listen to this lesson to hear several reasons including that it gives us confident hope, endurance, and motivation to walk by the Holy Spirit. Learn about the five major discourses of Jesus in Matthew which all involve the coming Kingdom. See that Jesus’ last instruction was that His words were to be taught to all believers. When you study prophecy you come to understand that we do not have to be shaken or fearful or worried at all because God is always in control. Click to access the Different Dispensational Interpretations of Matthew 24 that Dr. Dean referenced in this class. Dr. Steve Austin's article entitled: Are Earthquakes Signs of the End Times? Gordon Franz's article entitled Earthquakes: On the Increase? or Warning of Judgment to Come?

Why should we learn about Christ’s Olivet Discourse when it is for Jews? Listen to this lesson to learn that knowing about these future events is designed to be a comfort for Church Age believers today. See why we will not be present when these things occur on earth. Find out about Daniel’s Seventy Weeks and hear what will happen during the first and second halves of the Tribulation. See the importance of the word “then” in the text. Take comfort knowing that God’s plan for the ages is being worked out and will occur on schedule. Click to access the Different Dispensational Interpretations of Matthew 24 that Dr. Dean referenced in this class. Dr. Steve Austin's article entitled: Are Earthquakes Signs of the End Times? Gordon Franz's article entitled Earthquakes: On the Increase? or Warning of Judgment to Come?

What is the sign of Jesus’ coming? Is it something in the future, something that has already happened, or something presently happening? See what the disciples should have known based on the book of Daniel. Hear three views of this time and which one is biblically correct. Learn seventeen differences between Jesus’ coming and the Rapture of the church.

Would you like to know what’s going to happen in the future? Listen to this lesson to hear what Jesus said about things that would occur. Hear the answers to questions that help us understand His prophecies and find out how the disciples were amazed when He told them the Temple would be destroyed. See that part of Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled soon after He spoke those words but most is still to occur in the future. See that we can relax and trust God even in the midst of judgment and that our job is to fulfill our mission of telling others about the gospel message.

What is the most significant passage of prophecy in the Bible? Listen to this lesson to learn about Jesus’ Olivet discourse to the Jews. Understand that He is not giving one single word of prophecy to those of us living in the Church Age. Listen to a flyover that breaks down this message in its historical setting and context. Hear the questions the disciples asked Jesus. Find out what a “sign” question means. See which parts of the message were fulfilled in AD 70 and which are still future. See that trusting in Christ as Savior is the way to avoid any of the catastrophic events that are prophesied.