Posts by Dr. John Neufeld

Various companies make it possible to trace your lineage back to your ancestors via DNA. While the technology is new, the idea is not. Israel excelled at naming and tracing ancestors. Dr. John teaches on the lineage of Jesus given to us from Luke. He explains why it is different from Mathew’s recorded lineage and highlights the importance of those differences. There is a message among the names.

When lost, the first step is to stop going the wrong way. But the next step is even more vital to reaching our destination. We need to start going the right way. As John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus, he preached a message of repentance. Today Dr. John reminds us that John’s message was more than, “Stop!” It was also a time to “Start!” Listen to the new way of life that accords with repentance.

Dough must rise before the bread is baked. The ground is plowed before a planting. Fruit must ripen to be enjoyed. The idea of preparation is all around us. So too for the arrival of Jesus. Israel had to be prepared for the arrival of the Messiah. That preparation was the work of John the Baptist. Listen as Dr. John teaches on the timing, nature, and content of John’s message. It was time for Israel to get ready.

As a rule, the Scriptures do not satisfy our curiosity. We have more questions than God gives answers. The childhood of Jesus is one area of interest that is met with silence – except for Luke. He is the only gospel writer that speaks of Jesus in His youth. Listen as Dr. John teaches on the single incident of Jesus’ boyhood which demonstrates His lifelong commitment.

The rise of social media has given rise to suspicion as well. We read something online and wonder if we can trust it as credible. If that applies to things current, can we trust something written 2000 years ago? Dr. John begins this series on Luke’s gospel with reasons why we can stand on what was written. Every believer needs to know the certainty of what they believe.