BibleTalk with Jeff Asher

The Creation

The story of human redemption begins with the creation. We can never appreciate the Messiah until we appreciate God's eternal purpose for mankind. That purpose is partially made known in wonderful work of creation.   

Hosea 12:1-14

Hosea again offers hope to Ephraim, not deliverance from the Assyrians, but redemption through the Messiah. Israel must follow the example of their forebearers: Jacob repented at Bethel . The prophet calls Israel to repentance and patient waiting upon Jehovah. 

Hosea 11:1-12

God God called Israel out of Egypt, but they went away from Him. Though He had taught them to walk and loved them as a father does a little child, they would not heed Him. Therefore, the Assyrian would be their captor. Was there any mercy left for Israel?   

We Are Members One of Another (Romans 12:8)

The phrase "one another" occurs over 100 times in the NT. Better than 50 of these refer to our mutual responsibilities as Christians. In Romans 12 Paul establishes the basis upon which these responsibilities exist: "We are members one of another." We are mutually dependent upon each other in our walk together with Christ.

The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-19)

Jesus passing through Samaria encounters a woman at Jacob's Well. Study with Jeff Asher as he considers Jesus's incredible offer of "living water" to what many would consider an unlikely candidate for discipleship.  

Authority and the Need of It

Just as there is a need for authority in the civil and social realm to maintain peace and prosperity, there is a need for the same in the spiritual and religious realm. Sadly, we live in a time when many are advocating relativism and subjectivism with respect to spiritual matters. Jeff Asher discusses the need to respect divine authority. 

Hosea 10:1-15

The nation Israel is described by the prophet under the figure of a grapevine. It is a luxuriant vine but it bears unclean fruit which Jehovah rejects. The golden calves are going as a present for Jareb (the kings of Assyria). This duplicitous nation dispairs having hitched themselves to lies (the calves and their kings). Their only hope is to do the work of repentance breaking up the fallow ground of rigteousness. 

John Answers the Jews Concerning Jesus’ Baptism (John 3:22-36)

Once Jesus entered into His ministry it was exactly as the Immerser said, "He must Increase but I must decrease." The Jews used this as an opportunity to set Jesus and John against one another. However, the Immerser will have none of it by setting his seal upon the Messiah.  

Hosea 9:1-17

Ephraim (Israel) believed themselves invincible. They regarded the prophets of God as fools and madmen. They had deceived themselves into believing that they were accepted of Jehovah, but God regarded their offerings as unclean. Their feasts and fasts were to no avail. God was through with them. The fruitful branch was dried up and barren fit only to be cast away. 

Earthly Things & Heavenly Things

Jesus expands on the New Birth to inform Nicodemas of "heavenly things" concerning the ground of our redemption. The Lord explains that salvation is predicated upon the death of the Son of God. The benefits of the Messiah's death are universally offered to everyone that believes on His name.  Jeff Asher discusses what it means to believe on Jesus.