Burden & Blessing

Life can be a pretty complex and abstract concept. But for believers, life is really based around who and what Jesus is. While the world may have many different ideas about what makes up a good life, the Bible is pretty clear. The goal should not be to live the fullest life possible on this earth, rather the goal should be to attain eternal life. How does one do this? There is only one way to eternal life. Jesus is that way, the truth, and THE LIFE!  John 12:25 “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/word-of-the-week-life-1556630606/

As we continue our study of the Old Testament books Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew walk us through the book of Ezra. This is one of the historical books of the Old Testament, and fits into the time of Haggai and Zechariah and gives us the historical background for those books. It includes a lot of lists and families which can be difficult to pronounce but help us to understand that time frame where the book of Chronicles leaves off. The book picks up and covers the time of Ezra himself about 60 years later with another return of the captives and some of the reforms that were carried out by Ezra in his work and ministry. The purpose of the book is to show the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people!     

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/bible-study-ezra/

The word Passover comes up in all three of the Gospels connected to the events of Holy Week. Jesus gathered with His disciples on Maundy Thursday in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for a final time before His death. It was here as they were celebrating the Passover, that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. But the real connection of Holy Week to the Passover is not just on Thursday night but in the events of Friday. Paul says that Jesus is our Passover, who was sacrificed for us. Jesus was the unblemished Lamb whose blood was shed to save us from death. Because of that, the Passover is not just an Old Testament celebration. It is for New Testament believers as well, as well look to the cross of Christ and see our Passover Lamb suffering death for the sins of the world.

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/word-of-the-week-passover/

As we come to the end of another Lenten season, Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and describe the connection and celebration of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (with Tenebrae) and Easter Vigil. These three services were once seen and celebrated as one service, beginning on Manudy Thursday, continuing on Good Friday and concluding with the Easter vigil on Saturday evening. They will describe the unique but powerful tradition associated with a Good Friday tenebrae service, or service of shadows which is also an ancient service, and the Easter vigil which points us to Easter. Learn more about these beautiful and meaningful services which are are often lost in our modern celebrations of the death and resurrection of our Savior.  

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/cpr-discussing-holy-week-services-and-the-triduum/