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Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God.  But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen?  And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’  Do not follow...

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We, as Christians, can take comfort in knowing that God loves us.  Because of God’s love for us, we can take comfort in knowing that, whatever happens to us here, we know that we will spend eternity with Him there.  Because of God’s love for us, we can take comfort in knowing that, no matter what we do and no matter how bad we are, He forgives us. Because of God’s love for us, we can take comfort in knowing that we do not need the love of others, since we have God’s love.  And, not because of us, but...

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11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we...

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I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died and was buried.   He descended into hell.  The third day He rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy Christian Church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of...

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I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died and was buried.   He descended into hell.  The third day He rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy Christian Church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of...

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11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. – John 10:11-13 What does Jesus expect from us, His disciples?  We can answer this question based on what Jesus says to His original twelve disciples, His larger group of disciples and to everyone else He comes into...

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14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered...

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18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown...

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The first half of the church year [(1) Advent; (2) Christmas; and (3) Epiphany] has been discussed in What Is Jesus Showing Us During The Church Year? – Part One. The second half of the church year [(4) Lent; (5) Easter; and (6) Pentecost] will be discussed here. … Although the showing of Jesus to us is emphasized during the church season of Epiphany, He shows Himself to us throughout the church year. The seasons of the church year are: (1) Advent; (2) Christmas; (3) Epiphany; (4) Lent; (5) Easter; and (6) Pentecost. Beginning with Advent and ending with Pentecost,...

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The word “epiphany” means “to show” or “to manifest.”  Therefore, during the church season of Epiphany, Jesus shows Himself to us, or manifests Himself to us.  What does Jesus show us?  The church season of Epiphany begins with Jesus being visited by the Magi and ends with Jesus being transfigured.  In the story of “the Visit of the Magi” (see Matthew 2:1-12), the Magi represent the world.  For that reason, in the story of “the Visit of the Magi,” Jesus shows Himself to the world, not only to His own people: the Jews.  In the story of “the Visit of...

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