Verse by verse Bible teaching. James is Pastor of Green Meadow Community Church in Helena, MT. https://www.greenmeadowcc.org/ James is a retired US Air Force Master Sergeant who went on to earn an MA in Biblical Studies and an MDiv from Southern California Seminary. James brings a combined 25+ year experience from volunteer and vocational ministry as well as life and military experience into every episode. Here at the "FORGE" he offers his insights to the Bible, the inspired word of the one ...
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Last week I gave us part 1 of what I’m calling “The Covenant Acknowledged.” What I mean by this is that the enemies of Christ have gathered around Him now to basically ask Him how He pleads to the charges they are bringing against Him, and in so doing they are in a way, acknowledging His teachings, miracles, and all other activities. One of the thi…
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Last week I made many references to this particular Passover feast as the last supper, or the final Passover feast. Obviously, the Jews still celebrate Passover even to this day. I used those terms in spite of these continuingfeasts because it was all fulfilled in Christ. These OT practices are finally fulfilled once and for all in Jesus. So, there…
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We continue to learn about the creation of the Kingdom as seen in 5 parts, and examined through the concept of covenant. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Today is a special episode from the Book of Luke. We will be back to Mark, Lord willing, next week. There are religions out there, some of them even masquerading as some form of Christianity, which teach people in one form or another to work for salvation. They have a theology which requires certain things to achieve salvation. This kind of false t…
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Today we begin our journey through the last 3 chapters of Mark’s Gospel. In chapters 14-16, we are going to see the creation of the Kingdom. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Today we will take a break from the Gospel of Mark and look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son. May this be a blessing to you. Don't forget to share this podcast with others. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Something that we often miss in our culture today is the use of poetic, figurative, and judgment language in the Hebrew language. When we read of the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light, stars falling from the sky, floods, fire, and smoke—these are very standard prophetic imagery for political and social collapse. It does not mean now…
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Today’s sermon is a continuation from last week’s sermon where we were discussing the Olivet Discourse. We are going to continue on today, but I am speaking specifically about what is called the “abomination of desolation”. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support…
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We live in a world which seems to be in constant turmoil. In fact, it has been stated that the 20th century was the bloodiest century of known history. From 1900 to 1988 170 million men, women, and children were shot, beaten, tortured, knifed, burned, starved, frozen, crushed, or worked to death. Governments invented ways to kill people. Burning, d…
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When we left off in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus had silenced His questioners and He had told this last one in particular that he was not far from the Kingdom of God. We brought out at that time that, “To be ‘in the kingdom’ one must do more than simply approve of Jesus’ teaching; one must submit entirely to His authority and person. We are not told what b…
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Now, the elders, scribes, and Pharisees send the Sadducees and the Herodians to Jesus. Will they catch Jesus in a trick question this time? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Pastor Jay Nelson was pulpit supply at Green Meadow Community Church. This is part of his series, "The Attributes of God". Here, he focuses on God's Holiness. May God bless the hearing and the reading of His holy word, the Bible. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support…
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Mark could be split into 2 parts. The first 10 chapters would be the Person of Jesus Christ; thenbeginning at chapter 11, the focus shifts to the Authority of Jesus’ Office. From Chapters 11-13 we begin to see not only the authority of our King Jesus,but we find Him dealing with the Kingdom of Israel in crisis. Our passage today will deal with the …
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Spiritual blindness and pride can hinder us in our walk with Christ. We can fail to see just exactly how close He is to us. And, when we fail to see His closeness it often leads to fear and unbelief. So, I want to encourage you today, take note of His nearness. Consider what He endured for you. It is very personal. And, then, as you consider these …
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This was the message delivered at Green Meadow Community Church the day after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Our King Jesus is also a Prophet and our Priest, and what we see in verse 11 is a temple inspection. We have talked about our Lord’s offices in previous episodes, and He acts here within the duties of these offices. He is King of Israel, the Prophet of God –foretelling with 100%accuracy the future events soon to take place, and the only High Priest…
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We have been making our way through Mark’s Gospel, and in a sense we have been journeying with our Lordto His destination—the cross. We have heard the voice of the one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” We have been called to action, and we have seen the power of forgiveness. We learned that not only is Christ the Lord of lord…
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Jesus responds to His disciples, to Peter, James, and John specifically. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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As we consider our passage today, we need to keep in mind the previous chapters we’ve covered. Remember how we’ve considered Christian service to others. Remember the things our Lord has said about the first being the last or the greatest being the least. Remember how He has emphasized the totally helpless dependency of a child as a comparison of w…
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Many thanks to Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Manhattan, MT. I was given the opportunity to preach there, 5/26/24. I hope this is encouraging to you.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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The world’s attitude toward children of the Hellenistic society in the 1st century was hostile. Of course, we all know that Herod had children put to death at the Advent according to Matthew 2:16-20. Children were in a precarious position. Sometimes they were loved. Sometimes they were exploited. This all depended upon how the family thought they c…
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Is someone who is divorced and remarried in a permanent state of sin with no chance of salvation? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Your salvation is free. However, did you know that Jesus requires things of His disciples? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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There was too much for a single episode, so I had to make a part 2. I hope this is a blessing to all who hear it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Jesus and His disciples are now heading south from the mount of transfiguration. Jesus has told them where they are going and what is going to happen. There is a decisiveness as Jesus is passing through Galilee for the final time. Jesus is not going to be stopping. His final destination is Jerusalem. We’ve just read that the Son of Man is being bet…
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This episode was first posted on March 19, 2024. I had to do some edits. Hopefully, this is the better recording. In this episode, we might begin to understand why people wanted to make Jesus their king. However, what was in the minds of people had more to do with physical healing and free food than with true followership. We are going to further s…
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Today our attention is turned once again to a demonic confrontation where our Lord Jesus Christ shows yet again His power over evil. This account is also found in Matthew and Luke giving us 3 different witnesses. When taken together we get a full picture of what was going on. In Matthew 17:14-21 we learn that the young boy at the center of this nar…
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The text is from Matthew 21:1-11. May this be an encouragement to all who hear it.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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This is late getting posted, but there were many audio issues to work out. The text is from Luke 24:13-34. May this be a blessing to all who hear it. This sermon was preached at Green Meadow Community Church (CRC) by Pastor James. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support…
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Last week we celebrated the Lord’s resurrection. Today, we are going to cover some things which happened in the life and ministry of Jesus before His glorious resurrection. Hopefully this will be an encouragement to you as you continue to walk with Christ. You have heard me say this before, but it bears repeating. Not only is the purpose of preachi…
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Last week we learned that from this point forward Jesus was going to be focusing on His death and travel to Jerusalem. So, it comes as no surprise to us today that the very first thing we read in our Gospel passage today is how Jesus told them that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and in three days rise from the dead. We also tal…
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We have seen two miraculous feedings at this point from our Savior. The first of course was the feeding of the 5,000, and last week we saw the feeding of the 4,000. Don’t forget that there were also women and children in these crowds. This is interesting for us to note as we see the disciples getting into the boat with Jesus and forgetting to bring…
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This special episode is Pastor James' sermon for Palm Sunday, 2024. The text is Matthew 21:1-11, but many references are given which show Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophets and now holds the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support…
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Archeologists have discovered where they believe Capernaum was. This is the location we will read of in our text today. The remains of a synagogue have been found there which have a carving in the doorway of a bowl of mana and cluster of grapes.[1] Mana of course was the bread of heaven sent down by God to feed the children ofIsrael as they wandere…
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People asked Jesus for a sign. He did not give them one. Have you ever wondered why? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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Have you ever wondered why some prayers go unanswered? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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“Thoughts are the parents of words and deeds. Let us pray daily for grace to keep our thoughts in order, and let us cry earnestly and fervently, ‘lead us not into temptation’”. J. C. Ryle, Mark, Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1993), 106. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/sup…
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As we take a look at our passage today, please keep in mind that what the Holy Spirit has recorded here is for our good. What I would like to point out to you is the healing which takes place throughout this passage. The main subject is indeed the miraculous healing of the sick, but let’s pay attention to how Mark records this for us. In keeping wi…
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Today, we cover the sending, the story of John the Baptist and Herod, and finally- resting in Christ.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-reed877/support
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At this point in the life and times of Jesus, His public ministry has been focused on or around the immediate region of the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum. Today, we’re going to see a slight location change. Jesus moves away from Capernaum and Galilee and goes home. He comes back to Nazareth. This is about a 25 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee a…
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The verses which we are going to consider today describe one of those mysterious miracles which the Gospels frequently record—the driving out of a demon. “Of all the cases of this kind in the NT, none is so fully described as this one. Of all the three evangelists who relate the story, none gives it so fully and minutely as Mark.” This is something…
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We are going to continue our study today through the end of chapter 4 in the Book of Mark. As I have done several times, I want to point out the harmony of the Gospels. This account we’re reading today is also found in Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22–25. Over the last several Sundays we have seen a great deal of truth from Mark 4. We’ve learned that …
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We continue to take our survey through the Book of Mark, this week picking up in verses 26-34. We’re going to divide the passage today into 2 parts. Verses 26-29 is the first part where we see a repetition of the theme from verse 20. Jesus compares His kingdom with a seed that grows. What is interesting about this first part of our text today is th…
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Today, we are going to get into the parable of the lamp. This parable comes right after the parable from last week’s sermon, the parable of the sower. Last week we learned that some are able to receive the message of Jesus, and some are not. There’s an implication here that the mystery of the kingdom of God is already revealed by Jesus, and those w…
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The recording on this one is rough, but listenable.As we have been making our way through the Book of Mark, I have reminded you that there is a parallel within the Gospels. I have mentioned what is called the harmony of the Gospels. As I was preparing for this sermon, I noticed that Matthew’s Gospel gives us a collection of 7 parables where Mark gi…
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One thing that is common among people, generally speaking, no matter where they are from, is the fact that everyone’s got an opinion. You might think that you’re not opinionated. But I can show you with just a matter of mentioning a few words, that everyone in this room has an opinion. Let’s start with something which may seem so very obvious. Repu…
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Jesus had two sources of pressure coming at Him. First, as we have seen thus far in our journey through Mark, Jesus has had several collisions or as I like to call them conflicts with the religious leaders of the day. A second source of pressure would be His growing popularity with the people. It seems that everywhere Jesus went, a crowd followed. …
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This narrative found here in Mark is also found in Matthew 12:9-14 and Luke 6:6-11. When you put all three accounts together, here is what we learn. Another sabbath has arrived, and Jesus has entered the synagogue. Here He begins to teach (Luke 6:6). Attending the service is a man with a shriveled hand; specifically, the physician Luke (Col. 4:14) …
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This was supposed to be a the final point of the previous sermon, but ended up being its own sermon. It is my hope that this episode will be useful to you. Please take a moment and let me know the city where you hear my podcast. There's a one question survey you can take, or you can leave a voicemail through the link. --- Support this podcast: http…
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The setting for today’s text is back in Capernaum. As I often say, I would like for us to imagine ourselves in the narrative today. Imagine that you were there in the crowd. Imagine that you had heard about this miracle man—one who spoke with authority casting out demons and healing the sick. Imagine that you were there that day, and there was no r…
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