New Work Fellowship Podcast

One More Time (4/7/24)

On This Very Spot - "One More Time" (Acts 2)

After 40 days, you come to the day of Pentecost - the day when the Spirit of God falls in power. It is Sinai all over! (Exodus 19) But this is the coming of the Holy Spirit. God is pouring out His temple to all people; Jesus is for you; Jesus came for you; He died for you. The Holy Spirit is for you; He has come for you; He lives in you! 3,000 believed that day. What about this day? One more time God is coming to you. Will you come to Him?

This Is It! (3/31/24 - Easter)

On This Very Spot - "This Is It" (John 19:30, 19:4--42, 20:1-18)

Resurrection is the moment that everything has been building toward. Jesus is the rescuing sacrifice. He is the Passover Feast in the flesh (remember John 6:56). He is the altar of sacrifice; He is full embodiment of the glory of God - the God that could never be contained in a house. He is the untamed God who can never be put in a box. He is the greater glory. He is the salvation of all; the glory of God - and He is the only Temple! And what should be our response? Fall to His feet in worship, and then...go tell!

Wait. What Temple? (3/24/24)

On This Very Spot - "Wait. What Temple?" (John 2:13-22)

It wasn't His first visit to the temple, but it was the beginning of the end of His visits. John places the temple conflict early in his gospel to tell the reader - this is the reason for the coming conflict. Likely, it was at the end of His ministry, and it was the final straw that led to Jesus' death. It was a temple battle, and while it may have seemed that the great battles of the temple were in the past (when Babylon destroyed the city), the real battle came with the arrival of Jesus. He dares to speak of "destroying the temple." Now, we know he was talking about His body, but He was also talking about the temple. After Jesus, the presence of God is not just in that "very spot." It will soon be made available to every person who believes and puts faith in Jesus. What is your temple? Have you come to the temple?

He Is Here (3/17/24)

On This Very Spot - "He Is Here" (Luke 2:25-49)

Luke includes two early visits of Jesus at the temple. The first time, Simeon declares, "I have seen your salvation...He is the glory of [Israel]." Anna immediately erupts in praises to God. And then she talks to others about how God's rescue has come. At the end of this story - Jesus then makes another pilgrimage to Jerusalem - and this time, it is the great festival migration of Passover. Don't miss the foreshadowing of Joseph and Mary's searching for a missing Jesus - 3 days later they find him. There, in the temple, Jesus is the focus and in the middle of all the instruction. He is asking questions, but He is also answering questions.

Temple 2.0 (3/10/24)

On This Very Spot - "Temple 2.0" (Ezra 3, Haggai, Zechariah)

God doesn't give up. In the face of the rebuilt temple - those who remembered the splendor of what was before, wept. It didn't compare. They were undone. But where the people saw decline and despair - God was at work. Haggai 2:9. It's pointing to Jesus.

God Has Left the Building (3/3/24)

On This Very Spot - "God Has Left the Building" (Ezekiel 10:15-22)

There came a time when the people began to believe that the temple was their security blanket. They had "god" locked in and locked down. The God of the universe could never be defeated, and this was His Temple - therefore, he would never leave. This led to false security. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were rejected, in part because they foretold the fall of the temple and the departure of God's presence. God is not tied to a place or a people. Do not presume upon God.

Solomon Raised the Roof (2/25/24)

On This Very Spot - "Solomon Raised the Roof" (1 Kings 6-9, 2 Chronicles 5-7)

David so wanted to build the house of God. But that was not to be. The temple would be built not by a king of war, but rather by the king of peace. The entire dedication is a beautiful picture of God wanting to dwell with His people. The glory of the temple was spectacular! God's glory filled the temple. But all of this was a foreshadowing. Jesus Himself would embody God's presence among his people.

David Laid the Altar (2/18/24)

On This Very Spot - "David Laid the Altar" (2 Samuel 24:15-25)

After David sinned (this man who is described as having a heart after God); God calls upon David to build an altar to the Lord. This altar is to be the place where sin is put aside. David declares that he will not give to the Lord that which cost him nothing. In a very real way - that is also what God does for us. He makes a way for our sin to be removed - and it cost him far too great a price. It all points to Jesus.

The Feast is Under it All (2/11/24)

On This Very Spot - "The Feast is Under it All" (Exodus 12, Deuteronomy 16, Luke 2:41, Revelation 19:9)

The Passover, which began in Egypt, is transported to the land of promise - just like the people. By the time you come to Deuteronomy - the festival MUST be observed "at the dedicated place of worship." By the time you come to Jesus, it is the annual pilgrimage. Through the festival, God was not only reminding the people of what was before; He was teaching about what was to come.

He Began with Abraham (2/4/24)

On This Very Spot - "He Began with Abraham" (Genesis 22)

The near sacrifice of Isaac is stunning and disturbing. You cannot look at it in isolation. God is laying the foundation for all that is to follow. The path that Abraham must walk is a path that our Heavenly Father will walk. It all points to Jesus. Mount Mariah is deeply connected to both the Passover and the death of Jesus.