Baldhead Bible Podcast

This week we are starting a new series on the book of Jeremiah. We will be focusing on specific scenes from the life of Jeremiah, the prophet. Jeremiah was called by God to speak, to preach, to weep over a crumbling culture slowly drifting away from the worship of Yahweh. I believe there are things that we can learn from Jeremiah's life, from his story, to help us live a faithful witness in the middle of our own drifting culture. This week we learn about the call of God on the life of Jeremiah. God called him to stand up, speak out, and call the people of Judah back to God. What does God's call look like today? Do followers of Jesus have a similar call like today? If we do, what can we learn from the call Jeremiah experienced? Listen to this week's podcast to find out. Turn to Jeremiah 1 to follow along.

In the Bible, God would use any means to reach His people Israel. He would send prophet after prophet to warn His people, or He would send plague, disaster, or some other act of judgment to try to wake His people up. And sometimes, if the people were unwilling to listen, God would use symbolic action, or a visual parable, to try to help his people understand and get them to listen. In the next couple of episodes, we will hear four of them. Today we are going to listen to the first two. And this first one is quite the doozy. Turn to Jeremiah 13 and Jeremiah 18 and 19 to follow along.

What was it like for Jeremiah to preach? This week, we look at a scene from Jeremiah's life showing the challenges he had to face every time he preached. And one of his greatest challenges was that he spoke under the threat of imprisonment and the grave possibility of death every time he preached. And yet he still preached and warned his fellow Israelites of God's coming judgment, but also he told them about God's offer of grace. Finally, we hear the story of a contemporary of Jeremiah: the prophet Uriah. He preached the same message that Jeremiah preached, but he ended up paying the ultimate price for his devotion and obedience to God's calling on his life. Listen to this week's podcast to learn more about Jeremiah, Uriah, and the high cost of discipleship. Read Jeremiah 7 and 26 to follow along in your Bibles.

We go back and look at two more visual parables this week. God would use any method He could to reach His people Israel. Sometimes he asked His prophets to portray His message to His people visually. Last time it was dirty underwear and broken clay pots. This week it is a yoke and buying a field. How will God use these images, these visual parables, to reach His people? What messages is He trying to send? Listen on to this week's podcast to find out. To follow along in your Bible turn to Jeremiah 27 and 32.

Jeremiah is a wanted man. King Jehoiakim of Judah wants Jeremiah gone, dead, killed off. Yet God commands Jeremiah to go and read all the prophecies of doom and destruction that God has given to Jeremiah over the last 25 years, to go and have them read to Jehoiakim, the very man who is trying to kill him. How is Jeremiah going to do that? First, he has to write them down and then read them to the King. Enter the scribe, Baruch. Listen to this week's story to hear about Baruch and the reaction of King Jehoiakim to the reading of the scroll. Turn to Jeremiah 36 to follow along.

It had to be dark in that pit as Jeremiah slowly sank into the mud. As he stood there, he must have felt himself sinking further down into the mud at the bottom of this nasty, stinky cistern. How did Jeremiah end up there? Why did Jeremiah end up there? What could have been so bad that he deserved being shoved into a deep, dark mud hole? If you have ever sometimes wondered where God is in the middle of your pit of despair, well, this is a story you have to hear. Turn to Jeremiah 37 and 38, and Lamentations 3 to follow along.

This is the final episode in the Jeremiah series, and this is the last day he gets to spend in Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar has sacked Jerusalem and burned it to the ground. And now the people of Judah are being deported to Babylon, and Jeremiah is being dragged along with them and his trusty sidekick Baruch. These were two men who tried to live for Yahweh, who did their best to obey His commands, yet they still had to suffer the consequences alongside those who chose to disobey. Is that fair? How do we make sense of that? Why do good people suffer along with the bad? Is there an answer? Listen to this week's episode to find out the answer we find in the story of Jeremiah. To follow along, read Jeremiah 38 - 45.

In the next couple of episodes, we will look at snapshots from the life of Jesus. From the last supper to His triumphant resurrection. We begin with looking at graduation day for His disciples. Jesus had been honing and shaping them in the Jesus school of ministry for the past three years, and now they were ready. Graduation day had come. So what was Jesus going to say? As the graduation speaker, what were the words of encouragement He wanted to send His disciples? We know exactly what He said, and it's found in John 13. Listen to this week's story to hear His stirring words that still encourage those who call Him Lord and Master today.

In this week's snapshot, we see the humanity of Jesus on full display. Remember that Jesus was 100% man and 100% God all simultaneously. And many times, we forget that Jesus was fully man and suffered in very human ways down here on earth. Sadly, in the garden, we see Jesus overwhelmed with the horror of the coming cross. Where others saw a beautiful garden, Jesus saw a beckoning sorrow, and with that, he began to weep. How did Jesus handle the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm Him? Listen to this week's podcast to find out and learn ways to make it through the trials you face. Turn to Mark 14 and Luke 22 to follow along.

We last left Jesus in the garden, praying, begging for this cup of suffering to pass from him. But in the end, Jesus knew it was His cup to bear, His cup to drink, and with His final conversation with His Father, He stood up ready to face the coming onslaught. And there was very little time for Him to reflect on the coming ordeal because right away, what He saw coming towards Him would have terrified the average person, but for Jesus, instead, He saw an end and a beginning. The end of His ministry on earth, but the beginning of His future glory. What did He see coming towards Him? Listen on to find out. Turn to John 18, Luke 22, Mark 14, and Matthew 26 to follow along.

This week we start a new series on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Many believe they were originally one book later split into two, and that idea makes sense when you realize their story focuses on the same overall event: the return of the exiles to the promised land. The return of the Jewish people to their homeland occurred in three waves. Today's story focuses on the first wave led by Prince Zerubabbel and the decree of King Cyrus, allowing the people of Israel to return and rebuild the temple. But we begin by telling the story of Daniel. Now, what would Daniel have to do with this story? Listen on to find out. To follow along in your Bible, turn to Ezra 1.

Zerubbabel is forced to stop building the Second Temple. Jeshua and Zerubbabel had done so well. They had led the people back to the promised land, and they had made a new altar and begun daily sacrifices again to Yahweh. After a silence of 80 years, sacrifices were once again being offered to Yahweh. Progress was being made. But there was an enemy present. One who did not want to see God's people back and one who wanted to see all this progress come to a screeching halt. But how? How could they stop the work of God? Listen to this week's podcast to learn what they did and how Zerubbabel and Jeshua kept moving forward despite the opposition. Turn to Ezra chapters 3 - 5 to follow along.

The people gave up. For over 15 years, the Jewish people quit building the temple. They were threatened by the people of the land, who did not want them to continue the rebuilding. The Babylonian authority told them to stop. Everything was working against them, and in many ways, the Jewish people just gave up. But then God sent two prophets to wake the people up. Who were they, and what happened next? Listen on to find out. Turn to Ezra 5 and 6 to follow along.

This week we meet Ezra, the man the book is named after. We also come to the end of the story. Ezra was a man dedicated to three things: studying the Word of God, obeying the word of God, and teaching the word of God. Those three things were the dominant theme of his life and ministry, and they are on full display in this story. Because of those things, in just five months, Ezra causes a nation to realize something dreadful: they have broken their covenant with Yahweh and are in danger of judgment. What will happen? Will the nation be judged once again by Yahweh? Listen to this week's episode to find out. To follow along turn to Ezra chapters 7 - 10.

The book of Ezra introduced us to the exiles' journey back home to the Promised Land after a 70-year absence and all that the exiles went through attempting to rebuild the Temple. Finally, the Temple was built, and Ezra worked hard preaching and teaching the Law to the people. But now we run into a problem: the Temple is rebuilt, but the people are not moving forward. Jerusalem's walls are in ruin, and the Jewish people are fading into the culture around them. Enter Nehemiah. He sees the problem, and he weeps for his people and yearns for the safety of his people in Jerusalem. But he is an influential man stuck back in Susa, the Persian capital. What can he do about it? How can he help the people in Jerusalem? Listen to this week's podcast to find out. Turn to Nehemiah Chapter 1 to listen.

Nehemiah wept over the state of the wall in Jerusalem. He was grieved to hear of the city's danger and the failure of the returned exiles to complete the job of establishing Jerusalem once again. Nehemiah felt that he had to do something. He felt God calling him to holy action. And so, his first step was also one of the most dangerous steps: he had to ask the King for help. But King Artaxerxes had recently decreed for all of the work to stop in rebuilding Jerusalem. And now Nehemiah had to go ask this same King to allow him to return, and not only that, Nehemiah had to ask for physical and financial help from this same King. What if the King got mad? He could lose his life just for the asking. Listen on to find out what Nehemiah does and how the hand of the LORD was with Nehemiah every step of the way. To follow along, turn to Nehemiah chapter 2.

Nehemiah is an organizational genius. He not only had to come up with a way to rebuild a wall nearly 2 miles long and 30 - 40 feet high, but he also had to come up with a way to build it under the threat of constant attack. How is he going to do that? How can he organize the people so they can overcome these obstacles and at the same time give glory to God while fighting to defend their homeland? Listen to this week's episode to understand that the genius behind Nehemiah was the fact that he relied on God to accomplish the task to which God called him. You can follow along by turning in your Bibles to Nehemiah 2 - 5.

Nehemiah, and the people of Judah, finally complete the wall. And they meet it in record time. They completed the wall in only 52 weeks. What a fantastic feat, and it shows the brilliance of Nehemiah, but it also indicates that the hand of God was with Nehemiah. One way the hand of God was revealed was through saving the life of Nehemiah again and again. Listen to this week's podcast to hear how God rescued His servant Nehemiah from certain death and how Nehemiah was able to complete the wall. To follow along in your Bible, turn to Nehemiah 5 and 6.

The walls are built, and the people are moving into Jerusalem to live safely behind the new walls. Things are going exactly to plan. And then Ezra reads the law. He reads the Pentateuch for 6 hours as the people stand and listen. And what happened next will shock you, but it will also remind you of the power of hearing scripture and how simply hearing God's words can change a life and a whole culture. To follow along, read Nehemiah Chapters 7 - 12.

We come to the end of the story in Nehemiah, but sadly for Nehemiah, the obstacles he faces are not over. He is about to meet one of his most significant obstacles, one of the tallest mountains he has ever had to climb. King Artaxerxes called Nehemiah back to be his cupbearer once again, and for two years, he left to serve the King. But then he returned to Jerusalem, and the thought he was returning to a people reinvigorated to serving Yahweh. But instead, what he found was something completely different and some significant challenges. Listen to this week's podcast to find out. To follow along in your Bibles, turn to Nehemiah 12 and 13.

This week we are going to start a new series. We are going to tell the story of Israel and its desert wanderings. We are starting today where the desert wanderings began: right after the victorious high of experiencing the miracle of crossing the Red Sea. Moses then leads roughly 2 million people to their first stop or station on the way to Mount Sinai to receive the Law. In today's story, we will hear the miracle of salty water turning sweet and bread falling from the sky. Listen to this week's episode to find out more. Turn to Exodus 15 and 16 to follow along.

Israel is on the move, all 2 million souls. They are following Moses and Yahweh as they lead them away from Egypt towards the promised land. They move in stages, from one oasis to the next, making their way towards Mount Sinai. It felt like aimless wandering to the average Israelite but not to Yahweh. He had a purpose and a plan for this journey from the Red Sea to Mount Sinai and the giving of the Law. That purpose was to reveal the hearts of the Israelite people. To reveal whether they had soft hearts ready to obey or hard, selfish hearts bent on pleasing themselves. This week we hear the miraculous story of God giving His people water from a rock and how, in the end, the people proclaimed Yahweh-Nissi: The Lord is our Banner. To follow along, turn to Exodus 17

I am unable to put out a podcast this week on our new series of Israel and their years of wandering in the desert. I am unable to because I am at one last camp for the summer season of 2022. This summer I told the story of Kings Joash and Josiah, and how their lives teach us many things. Some bad from Joash and some really good things from Josiah on how to live a life devoted to the Lord. I took those sermons and mushed them into one sermon when I have been asked to speak at churches this summer. Here is that sermon. I hope you find it encouraging and that it gives you practical ways to live courageously for the Lord in times of moral fog, or what I call cultural chaos. This sermon is taken mainly from 2 Chronicles 23,24,33,34 and 35.

I will admit this next story is not full of battles between Israel and a clan of giants, or there aren't any miraculous moves of God to amaze. Instead, this is a simple story of Moses being stuck with a difficult task to perform and his father-in-law Jethro coming up with a brilliant solution. But this seemingly simple story is also about pride versus a teachable spirit and how willing we are to accept and listen to criticism. If you find criticism hard to take and would like to become better at taking feedback, then today's story is for you. To follow along, turn to Exodus 18.

It has been three months since Israel crossed the Red Sea and left Egypt behind. It has been three months following Moses and the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. It has been three months of seeing Yahweh work miracle after miracle every day. It has been three months since the gift of manna was provided for them every day so they could eat in the desert. It has been three months of being tested by God to prepare them for this moment: the moment they meet God on Mount Sinai. Listen to this week's podcast to hear the exciting story of Yahweh descending on the mountain to meet Moses and to give Moses something that will change Israel and the history of the world forever. Turn to Exodus 19 and 20 to follow along.

Moses is desperate. Yahweh is so fed up with the people of Israel that He will not allow His presence to be with them anymore. He is afraid they are so stubborn and sinful that His anger will break out and kill them. So Yahweh has decided not to lead the people of Israel into the promised land anymore. The people are devastated when they hear the news: God almighty will no longer be with them. What are they going to do? How can the people possibly take on the powerful tribes around them and the giant clans that await them in the promised land without the presence of God with them? They can't, and they know it, and Moses knows it. So Moses goes to the tent of meeting to intercede for the people. Will Yahweh listen? Will Moses find favor in the eyes of the Lord and change the mind of God so that He is willing to lead them and be with them once again? Listen to this week's story from Exodus 33 and 34 to find out.

The day has finally arrived. Roughly eight months after arriving at Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle is ready to be built. It took 80 days of listening to specific directions from God on the exact dimensions of each piece of furniture, how each covering was to look, and how all the objects in the courtyard were to look. It was time to put all the various parts together and build the Tabernacle where Yahweh would come to reside to be with His people. Listen to this week's podcast as we recount the story of the Glory of the Lord filling the Tabernacle and as Moses remembers the blessings of Yahweh as we wrap up the book of Exodus. Join us by turning to Exodus 40 and following along.

Moses gets attacked by his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron in this week's story. But it's not Moses' fault. The man did nothing wrong, and the Bible even says in Numbers 12 that Moses was the meekest man to ever walk the face of the earth. So you know he didn't pick the fight. So what made Miriam so mad? Why did she try to tear Moses' leadership down and why did Aaron join in? Sadly, it all came down to one ugly word: jealousy. See how it started and the miraculous way that Yahweh stopped Miriam and Aaron dead in their attempt at a hostile takeover. Turn to Numbers 12 to follow along with this week's story.

Have you ever sung that Sunday School song about the twelve spies? If you have, you know ten were bad, and two were good. But you don't realize from that song how bad the ten other spies were. They forgot about Yahweh's promises and His miracles and chose instead to focus on the reality around them. And what you also don't realize from that famous Sunday school song is how terrifying a prospect it was to take on the giants in the land. These were not just tall people; these were giants who were the descendants of the Nephilim. And for the average Jew, the Nephilim represented a supernatural evil that would have been truly frightening. Listen on to find out the fear displayed by the ten spies and the faith demonstrated in the face of evil by Joshua and Caleb. To follow along, turn to Numbers 13 and 14. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The Jewish people were at the border of the Promised Land and had to turn around. They saw the grapes that were so big they had to be carried on poles. They also saw giants and became afraid for their very lives. So they ran rather than trusting in Yahweh, and for that, they paid a very heavy price: they were forced to wander in the desert for 40 years until everyone over 20 died. Unhappy with God's will, some men decided to rebel and lead a coup to try to take the leadership of the country away from Moses and Aaron. But in rebelling, they weren't simply rebelling against Moses; they were ultimately rebelling against Yahweh and His choice and will for Israel. Korah has two prominent leaders of Israel on his side and over 250 tribal leaders backing his bid for control. Things are looking bleak for Moses, and his leadership of Israel seems to be hanging in the balance. But then, the order is restored through a miraculous intervention by Yahweh. Listen to this week's episode to find out how. And to follow along, turn to Numbers 16 and 17.

Moses and the people of Israel are back. God had commanded them to wander in the desert for 40 years until the faithless generation died, and now their children were ready to inherit the Promised Land. They were back at the southern border. But you know what else was back? Fear. Complaining. Faithlessness. The people again cried out to Moses about the lack of water to drink. They were complaining just like their parents about how they were all going to die, and if they had just stayed in Egypt, they would all have been eating well and drinking all the water they wanted. And so Moses approached Yahweh and asked for help. And God gave him an answer, and Moses pretty much obeyed every command God gave him. Except for one very vital command. And disobeying in that one area would cost Moses dearly. Do you want to know what it was? Listen to this week's episode to find out and learn that complete obedience matters to God. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week we hear the story of Moses rescuing the people of Israel with a snake. Now a snake was the shape Satan took in the garden when he deceived Eve, and generally speaking, a snake is a bad thing, but here God commands Moses to use a snake to save the people of Israel from certain death. Jesus later uses this passage from the book of Numbers to help explain what it means to be born again. If Jesus used it, then this must be a pretty important story. Listen to this week's episode to discover how snakes, Moses, and Jesus are connected, and point to a great salvation offered in Christ. Turn to Numbers 21 to follow along. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Moses and the people of Israel are getting closer to entering the Promised Land. God led them and watched over them as they took their winding, wandering route to finally end up in the land of the Moabites, home to the Amorite Kings: Sihon and Og. But these weren't just your ordinary Kings. No, these two were powerful, and also they had a bloodline that could be traced back to one of the scariest moments in human history. What was that moment, and what in particular made them so frightening? And why were they both giants? Listen to this week's fascinating story about how God used the people of Israel to defeat these powerful giant Kings on their way to the Promised Land. To follow along, turn to Numbers 21. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Israel is winning battle after battle led as they are by Yahweh, the God of Israel. They are camped in the Moabite region, across the Jordan river from Jericho. The promised land is just around the corner, the people are about to see the promise God made to Abraham and Jacob fulfilled. But there is one King who is not happy. One King is hoping to stop their advance with a curse delivered through a mysterious prophet named Balaam, who says he talks to Yahweh on a regular basis, and who promises to be able to divine the very mind of God. Will this curse work? Will this curse stop Israel in its tracks? And how does a talking donkey factor into this story? Listen to this week's episode to find out. To follow along turn to Numbers 22 as that is where the story begins. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Balaam was a prophet for hire, and he had just lost a lot of money because of Israel and their God, Yahweh. For which he was angry at Israel and their God. So, as he was heading home penniless, growing angrier and angrier with each passing mile, I believe Balaam hatched a plan to get back at the people of Israel for all the money he had lost and to stick it to the God of Israel. What was that plan? Listen to this week's podcast to learn about faithful Phineas and his action that stopped a plague in its tracks. To follow along in the Bible, turn to Numbers 25. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Moses has led the people of Israel from their mighty exodus out of Egypt to where they are now: about to enter the Promised Land. But Moses cannot lead them into the land. Because of what happened at the waters of Meribah and the act of outright rebellion against God committed by Moses, he was no longer allowed to go into the Promised Land. He had to die and go to be with Yahweh. And so Moses dies at the age of 120. In this episode, we briefly sum up his life, and we also sum up this series. In the end, the writer of Deuteronomy sums up Moses' life this way: No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. 11 He was unparalleled for all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do against the land of Egypt — to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land— 12 and for all the mighty acts of power and terrifying deeds that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. -- Deuteronomy 34:10-12 (CSB)

What was it like to be Joseph and to hear your beloved wife-to-be tell you that she was pregnant and that the Father was God almighty? What must that have been like? I think I would not have believed her either, and instead of putting her away privily as my King James Version says, I would have divorced her loudly. But Joseph wasn't like you or me. Instead, he was a righteous man, and a loving man, and a man of great faith. Hear the story of Joseph and what he went through and what we can learn from him about how to live righteously in our chaotic, confusing times.

This week we tell the story of the angelic announcement to the Shepherds of the arrival of the Messiah. How would you react if suddenly a glowing figure appeared before you? How would you handle it if all of a sudden, the place where you were standing was full of other supernatural beings all glowing with a great fire, proclaiming that a miraculous event had occured? How you would handle it,? Well, these shepherds were afraid enough that the main angel had to tell them to stop being afraid. They had good news of greaforjoy for all people. And you want to know what it was? Well, listen to this week's story and follow along in Luke chapter two to find out.

Who was John the Baptist? How did his ministry relate to the life and ministry of Jesus? And if Jesus was God, why did He have to be baptized? Today we tell the story of John the Baptist and the incredible honor and privilege he was given when he was chosen to baptize the son of God, and we also wrestle with the question as to why Jesus needed to be baptized by John. Listen to this week's episode to find out more. Turn to Matthew 3 to follow along.

Jesus had just been baptized. He had heard His Father say to the world how proud He was of His son. This must have been a wonderful moment for Jesus during His short time here on earth. But now we see Jesus facing one of the darkest chapters of His life. During the next 40 days, Jesus is asked by His Father to go without food, to face wild beasts, and to wander in a hot and dangerous desert. And then, at the end of it, Jesus would have to face one of His greatest tests: He would have to face being tempted by Satan. How Jesus handles Satan's onslaught is a perfect example for us today of how to handle our daily temptations and should make us love our Savior even more. Turn to Matthew chapter four to follow along.

Jesus triumphed over Satan and his temptations, and now Jesus is ready to continue His earthly ministry. He was preaching and teaching in Nazareth, but then Jesus heard that John the Baptist was arrested. And so for His own safety, Jesus leaves Nazareth and heads north to a small fishing village called Capernaum. There Jesus begins to preach the same message that John the Baptizer preached: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." And while preaching, teaching and healing, and calling for repentance, Jesus also calls four disciples to leave all they had to find life and come follow Him. Listen to this week's story to find out who those disciples were, and what it means to repent and follow Jesus. Turn to Matthew 4 to follow along.

Jesus gives the greatest sermon of all time. We know it as the Sermon on the Mount. This week, we touch on this sermon, but we mainly tell the backstory of what happened after Jesus preached. We give you the story around the sermon and tell the miraculous story of the faith of a Roman Centurion. It was faith in Yahweh that the Bible says amazed even Jesus. Turn to Matthew 5 - 8 to follow along.

This is the exciting story of Jesus and the disciples caught in a terrible storm on the Sea of Galilee. It is a story where Jesus demonstrated His power over nature, and it is the moment some of the disciples finally realized that Jesus is God. This is also a story about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and what it takes to follow Him. To follow along, turn to Matthew 8.

Can you imagine asking God to leave because He is doing too much good? Well, that is what the townsfolk of Gaderene asked Jesus to do. To go, get out of town, leave before you do too much good. Jesus had faced two men who were demonically possessed, who had threatened and hurt their people, and He defeated them. He cast the demons out of these two men, and for His good work, the people asked Him to leave. Why? Why did they do that? Well, you better listen to this week's episode to find out. Or turn to Matthew 8 to follow along.

What is your spiritual story? When did you get saved? How did you come to faith? In this week's story, we hear the call of Matthew by Jesus to follow Him. We hear the beginning of his spiritual story and the healing by Jesus of a paralyzed man. But Jesus did not just heal this paralyzed man but also forgave his sins. And when He said that, some scribes in the audience began to cry blasphemer, heretic. Why would that cause these men to accuse Jesus of such a thing? Isn't forgiving sin a good thing? Well, listen to this week's episode to find out more. To follow along, turn to Matthew Nine.

With this episode, we continue with the telling of the conversion of Matthew. Now that Matthew is a follower of Jesus, he wants others to hear about Jesus, so he invites all his friends to one big party—a party where they could meet with Jesus and decide whether they should follow Jesus. But the thing is, Matthew was an outcast in Jewish social circles, and because of that, many of his friends were outcasts as well. People shunned by polite society, are now coming to Jesus, to be saved and to follow Him. This sounds all good, right? But to some people, this was the worse thing imaginable. Listen to this week's episode to hear more about Matthew and all his friends. To follow along, turn to Matthew 9.

So what do you accomplish in an average day? How much do you get done? Well with this week's story, we catch a glimpse into an average day for Jesus, and you might be surprised at how much Jesus did in an average day. According to Matthew 9, Jesus taught, Jesus healed, Jesus raised people from the dead, and yet Jesus' day wasn't yet finished. I hope with this week's story you come away with a better appreciation for what Jesus did during His time on earth, and that He lived with compassion for the "distressed and dejected" people around Him. If you would like to follow along please turn to Matthew 9.

With this episode, we come to chapter ten in the book of Matthew, and here we meet the twelve disciples by name. We learn how Jesus commissioned them and sent them as "sheep among wolves." And so, in their final pep rally, before Jesus sends his workers out into the harvest, Jesus tells them some exciting news and reminds them of a sober reality. His words are important for all of us to hear as we work to harvest in the field God has called us. To follow along, turn to chapter ten in the book of Matthew.

Have you sometimes doubted whether Jesus is real? Have you ever wondered if another religion has it right, and we followers of Jesus are wrong? What if we are wrong? What if Jesus is not the way to Heaven? If you have ever doubted, I want to say that others have doubted before you. One of them was John the Baptist. Listen to John's question, but also listen to Jesus' resounding answer. We do not have it wrong. Jesus is the Messiah, and we can be confident in that fact no matter our circumstances. Turn to Matthew 11 to follow along.

Jesus takes on the Pharisses through a series of Sabbath controversies. On one Sabbath He eats some grain, which to a Pharisee is fine. It was the plucking of the grain that got Him in trouble because that was work. Later on, Jesus performs a miracle and heals a man on the Sabbath, which to the Pharisees who were scrutinizing His every move, it was too much. Why is doing good getting Jesus in so much trouble? Because the Pharisees are forgetting that people are more important than sheep and that God wants mercy more than sacrifice. Listen to this week's story to find out about how Jesus took on the religious establishment and showed the true heart of the Father for people. Turn to Matthew 12 to follow along.

We continue working our way through the book of Matthew and his telling of the story of the life of Jesus. In today's episode, we hear about a sin that is so bad and horrible that Jesus says it's unforgivable. If you commit this sin, it can never be forgiven. But I thought God died for all sins, and there is no condemnation in Christ. So how can there be an unforgivable sin? And if there is an unforgivable sin, have I committed it? Great questions, and in this episode, Jesus answers each one. Turn to Matthew 12 to follow along.

Are you a follower of Jesus who likes the show and the rituals? You like the fact that going to church pleases your grandma and that you are a better person because you obey the basic principles found in the Bible. But you don't really believe what the Bible says, and you are not really sure if Jesus was God or just a good man. But you like your church and eating out afterward for Sunday dinner. But whether you genuinely want to follow Jesus is still up in the air. Well, if that is you, I want to say: this week's story contains a warning for you. Listen to learn more about Jesus and the danger of a Swept Out Soul. To follow along, turn to Matthew chapter 12.

This week we tell the story of Jesus beginning to speak and preach in parables. What would cause the son of God to begin speaking in stories and illustrations with deeper spiritual meanings? Why would Jesus speak in obscure ways? Wouldn't Jesus want to be as clear as possible, so He can tell as many people as He could about the Kingdom? Well, there was a reason found in the prophecies of Isaiah. Listen to this week's podcast to find out more. To follow along turn to Matthew 13.

Jesus is beginning to teach in parables as an act of condemnation upon the people of Israel for not accepting Him as King and believing He is the Messiah. But what about His own family? Wouldn't it be hard to take if your own family didn't believe you were the Messiah, and some of your brothers tried to kill you at one point? This week we hear the story of Jesus' brothers and how they refused to believe that their older brother Jesus was, in fact, God in flesh. This week we learn more about Jesus and His immediate family and how Jesus turned their cold hearts from unbelief to belief.

When Jesus heard that His friend John the Baptist had died, Matthew writes that Jesus went to a remote place to be alone. John the Baptist was killed for standing up for the truth. He was killed because he wasn't afraid to confront those in power with their sin. But he paid a high price for doing what was right. From a human perspective, it was a terribly sad moment, and I believe Jesus felt the deep grief and injustice of that moment. I wonder if the way John died bothered Jesus because the way he was murdered was bizarre and horrific. Turn to the book of Matthew, chapter 14, to follow along.

Jesus has learned that John the Baptist was beheaded and martyred for his faith. Jesus escapes the crush of the crowd in order to be alone, but soon the crowd follows and they find Him. And in His compassion, Jesus leaves His grieving to minister among them and to heal their sick and to cure the blind. Jesus performs miracle after miracle, but then the evening begins to draw near, and the people do not have enough food to eat. How are Jesus and the disciples going to feed all these people? Listen on to find out. To follow along in the Bible turn to Matthew 14.

O you of little faith, why do you doubt? That is the message I want all of us to learn after listening to this week's story: we should never doubt that God will provide for our needs. Listen to this week's story and be encouraged in your faith. Be encouraged that if Peter can walk on water, we can trust that Jesus will provide for us. To follow along, turn to Matthew 14

This week's story focuses on the importance of handwashing. While it may not seem like the most captivating topic, it carries significant religious questions and practical applications for living a life of faith. To read more, turn to Matthew 15.

Now, that is quite a provocative title. Can you imagine! There is a story in the Bible where Jesus compares a woman to a dog. But He also heals her daughter, feeds 4,000 people, and, by the end of the story, provides blessings upon blessings to people who do not deserve it. Why would Jesus compare a woman to a dog? And how does this lead to blessings? Turn to Matthew 15 and listen on.

Jesus is about to enter the period where He begins His long march to the cross and crucifixion. But before that, He has a lot of teaching and warning and encouragement for the disciples. He does not want them to lack knowledge and the spiritual fortitude to take on the evil forces amassing all around them. And one group in particular He wants to warn them about. Listen to this week's story as we hear our Savior warning His disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees. Turn to Matthew 16 to follow along.

Jesus and His disciples are about to declare holy war on Satan and His doomed minions. But Jesus doesn't do it through any act of violence, but simply through His words. Well, more specifically, through the words of Peter. What were those words that would storm the gates of Hades? Turn to Matthew 16 and make sure to listen to today's podcast to find out.

It is now roughly 6 weeks after the events from last week and Jesus and the disciples are still hanging around Cesearea Philippi and the Gates of Hell. I believe Jesus was witnessing in the town: witnessing the glory of the Father and the kindness of God upon the nation of Israel. But I also think Jesus was there to send a theological, supernaturally devastating message to all the hostile spiritual forces surrounding Him. This message was simple: The Messiah is here, the Kingdom has arrived, and you rebellious, evil supernatural forces, your time has come. To follow along turn to Matthew 17.

At the end of Matthew 17, we stumble across a delightful but odd story. It's a story of taxes, Jesus' declaration of His deity, and fishing. It's a story showing that Jesus cares about the mundane things in life and that He provides for His own in miraculous and marvelous ways. Turn to Matthew 17 and listen on to find out more.

Children were not worth a lot to society in Jesus' day. They could not generate any money; instead, they cost you a ton of money as a parent. Plus, many of them never made it out of childhood. So, the average kid costs you a lot of money and heartache. Consequently, many were neglected and fought for survival at the margins of society. But then came Jesus. Jesus loved children, elevated their status, and saw in them the perfect example of what it meant to be one of His followers. Jesus also warned anyone who would hurt one of these little ones: mess with a child and you will literally have Hell to pay. Listen to hear the rest of the story and turn to Matthew 18 to follow along.

The power of a story. Stories move us, do unique things to our brains when we listen and can engage us for a longer time than any lecture. We know this from modern studies of the brain, but the ancients knew the power of story. And the greatest man who ever lived also knew the impact of story. Jesus would tell parables to teach great spiritual truths. He would tell stories to move the hearts of his listeners. Today we are going to hear one of those stories, one of the parables Jesus told to teach His disciples. Today, we will hear a story that will teach us the importance of forgiveness and how forgiving others is a sign that you are a true follower of Jesus. The power of story and the power of forgiveness come together in this parable from Matthew 18.

Can you imagine dealing with the fact that every day you would meet people who would seek to trip you up, or try to embarrass you? Essentially, you would be tested every day of your life., Well, that was the life that Jesus led every single day, as He was constantly being tested by a group of men desperate to make Jesus look bad in the eyes of His followers. These men were the Pharisees. And on this day, they had the perfect controversial question to try to humiliate Jesus with, or to use a modern concept, to cancel Him. And that was the issue of divorce, specifically the question of on what grounds could a man legitimately divorce his wife? This was a dangerous question for Jesus to answer because He could offend so many people. What is Jesus to do? Turn to Matthew 19 to follow along.

In this week's episode, we listen to Jesus teaching through story, or as we often call them, parables. In this parable, Jesus is trying to get his thick-headed disciples to understand what it means to live with generosity based on the grace of God. He wants His disciples, then and now, to see that the rules for living in the Kingdom of God are not like the worlds and are fundamentally different. So, Jesus tells the story of the Vineyard Workers. What is that story, that parable? Well, listen on to find out.

As you read the gospels, it is interesting how difficult it was for the disciples to learn spiritual truths from Jesus. He would make a point that seems clear to us, the reader, but it goes right over the disciple's heads. Well, in today's story, we will hear one of those moments, and be reminded again of the wonderful Savior we serve and how He came to serve and to give Himself as a ransom for many. Turn to Matthew 20 to follow along.

This is a beautiful day and the beginning of the final week in the earthly life of Jesus. It is a Sunday, and what will happen today will fulfill an ancient prophecy Daniel and other Old Testament prophets foretold. Today will be a day that will introduce Jesus as King to His people. Sadly, they will ultimately reject Him, but today they are shouting Hosanna, today they are praising His name, calling Him King. Today is a good day.

It is now Monday of passion week, the week Jesus will die for the sins of the whole world. But that is on Friday, and there is still Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to come. Today is full of service, ministry, healing, and teaching. But before all that starts, Jesus and His disciples need to eat some breakfast. A nice juicy fig will do. So, as they walk towards Jerusalem, Jesus spots a fig tree. What happens next will be an opportunity for us all to learn more about faith and what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. Turn to Matthew 21 to follow along.

It is now Tuesday of Holy Week and Jesus is heading back into Jerusalem. He is about to encounter a group of men who will hound His every move, looking for any opportunity to discredit His ministry and arrest Him. These men were part of a powerful religious organization called The Sanhedrin who are afraid of Jesus and His attack on their power and prestige. They were beginning to fear Jesus, and they were looking for ways to try to take Him down. Listen on to hear how Jesus fights these attacks and along the way teaches us how to be better disciples.

It is the Tuesday of Holy Week, the week Jesus went to the cross to die and then 3 days later defeated sin and death by resurrecting from the grave. But before that Friday, Jesus still had a lot to do. His Father had much for Him to accomplish on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. One of those jobs was to confront the Pharisees and Sadducees, to warn them of the peril they were in and to offer redemption. Confront their hypocrisy and call them to repentance. Listen on to find out what happens on Tuesday. You can also turn to Matthew 23 to follow along.

We are coming down to the end of Jesus' earthly ministry. We are in the middle of passion week. It's Wednesday. But I wonder if the knowledge of what He is about to go through on Friday begins to weigh on His shoulders and begins to color everything that He sees and tastes. Remember, Jesus is 100% God, but He was also 100% man and lived and felt the things any human would feel during His time on earth. And I cannot imagine the feelings He must have felt knowing what He was about to go through. But I think one caring soul did sense the deep sorrow that Jesus was feeling, and she did something about it. She celebrated who Jesus was. How? Listen to this week's story and turn to Matthew 26 to follow along.

The disciples are eating the Last Supper in the upper room. They are enjoying their time together as they reflect upon Yahweh's faithfulness in leading the people of Israel out of Egypt. But then Jesus makes an announcement: one of them sitting right there will betray Him. The disciples look at each other in fear and begin shouting: is it I, Lord? But there was one who was silent, plotting and scheming, and was glad to be rid of this imposter Messiah. Who it was and what happened next, listen to todays episode to find out.

We are sharing the story of Saul of Tarsus, who was once a persecutor of Jesus' followers but has now been radically transformed by faith. The gospel has changed him from a persecutor into a believer. If you have ever wondered about the power of the gospel to change someone's life, please take the time to listen to today's story and be encouraged. The gospel is real, and lives can be changed—even those who seem most hardened to it. If you'd like to follow along, please turn to Acts 9.

We now come to the first recorded resurrection in the Book of Acts. And it happens to one of the worst-named women in the Bible. Yes, you guessed it: Dorcas. But before Dorcas is raised, we meet another poorly named disciple named Aeneas. Listen to this week's story to hear more about these two and hopefully come away with a greater appreciation for the power of the gospel. Turn to Acts Chapter Nine to follow along.

This week we hear about the conversion of a man named Cornelius and a whole bunch of animals on a bedsheet. Now how are those two things connected, and what does that have to do with the gospel? Turn to Acts Chapter Ten to follow along.

In today's episode, we see Peter pulling another miracle escape. But it's not because he is an early Harry Houdini. No. It is because Peter serves a miracle-producing God. We hear the story of his escape, but then we also hear of the tragic death of Herod Agrippa the First. Who instead of giving glory to God, decided to take it all for himself and paid the ultimate price. Listen to this weeks episode to hear of the last great adventure of Peter recorded in the Book of Acts, and the reintroduciton of Saul of Tarsus after disappearing from the story for over 12 years. But now, the story will center on him and his missionary work. Turn to Acts 11 and 12 to follow along.

The Book of Acts so far has followed the birth of the church and focused on Peter and the activities of the disciples in establishing the church in Jerusalem. But starting in Acts 13 we see a new focus, a focus on Paul, previously called Saul, and his work of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. This week, we are telling the story of Paul and Barnabas and the exciting adventures they experienced during their first missionary journey. Turn to Acts 13 and follow along as we begin this first great missionary adventure.

Join us as we delve into Acts 15, where the early church faces its first major doctrinal dispute: How is one saved? Understand how the church leaders, including Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James, debated the necessity of Jewish law for salvation and ultimately confirmed that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. Learn about the cultural and religious tensions and how the early church addressed and resolved critical theological issues, setting a precedent for doctrinal clarity and church unity. Turn to Acts 15 to follow along.

In this episode, we explore the poignant story of Paul and Barnabas, two early church leaders whose sharp disagreement caused them to part ways. The disagreement over John Mark leads to their separation, but we do see that these three men always leave room for reconciliation. So, now, a new partner in ministry joins forces with Paul, and his name is Silas. Together Paul and Silas begin the second missionary journey to visit the churches they had just planted. Along the way, they encounter a young man named Timothy, who joins them in the work, and finally, the author of the book of Acts, Luke, joins them as well. In this episode, we will hear about the great sacrifices some made to spread the gospel. We also see how God leads his people through a combination of the Holy Spirit and circumstances to affect His will. And finally, we see the gospel expanding westward into Europe for the first time. God is doing incredible work through Paul and Silas. Turn to Acts 15 and 16 to follow along.

Join us as we delve into the inspiring and challenging journey of Paul and Silas in Philippi. From their encounter with Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman, to a transformative moment with a demon-possessed slave girl, this story highlights the power of the gospel to change lives. Witness Paul and Silas' unwavering faith despite severe persecution and explore the early expansion of Christianity into Europe. Learn important lessons on the dangers of demonic influences and the enduring power of Christ's name. Turn to Acts 16 to follow along.

In this episode, we recount the story of Paul and Silas in Philippi, focusing on their imprisonment and the miraculous events that unfolded. Despite being beaten and thrown into the depths of a grim Roman prison, Paul and Silas turn to prayer and hymns, demonstrating unwavering faith. Their responses lead to an earthquake that opens their prison doors and the conversion of the jailer and his entire household. This story highlights the power of joy and faith in adversity, and how God's work can transform lives and build communities of faith. Turn to Acts 16 to follow along.

In this episode, we follow Paul, Silas, and Timothy as they spread the gospel from Philippi to Thessalonica and beyond. From freeing a demon-possessed girl to igniting a cultural revolution in Thessalonica, witness how their teachings on Jesus as the Messiah disrupt societies and "turn the world upside down." Then follow Paul as he heads to Athens and finds a city full of idol after idol, and is invited to address the great Athenian thinkers of his day with this new philosophy founded by a man they had never heard of before... Jesus. Join us as we go from Phillipi to Thessalonica, Berea, and then Athens. Turn to Acts 17 to follow along.

Jesus had just spent the evening celebrating the Passover meal with the disciples. Jesus introduced the New Covenant and gave His disciples a new perspective on the Passover meal. A new perspective that they were to do from now on "in remembrance of Him." But now, as they began to ascend the Mount of Olives, I believe the burden of what He was about to bear on the cross became real to Him. Maybe it's too real. And this is where Jesus finds a quiet place to beg His Father to take this cup of wrath from Him. Will the Father do it? Listen to this week's episode to find out. Turn to Matthew 26 to follow along.

We now come to Friday of Jesus' last week on earth. It is one of the saddest stories in the Bible and one full of hope because of what Jesus accomplished. This is a story of two Marys and their devotion to Jesus. This is a story of betrayal, abandonment, and denial. But it is also a story of hope, loyalty, and spiritual power. It is the end of one story and the beginning of a more glorious one. Read on and learn more about Jesus's death and burial and how all the disciples abandoned Him except for two women named Mary. Turn to Matthew 26 - 28 to follow along.

The Bible sometimes has peculiar little-known stories that many people skip over on the way to the really important stuff. One such story is found in Matthew 27. It's a story I like to call the time Jesus met some Zombies. But they weren't Zombies, no these were people coming out of graves, but they weren't half dead, half alive monsters. No, they were resurrected saints proclaiming the victory of Jesus over death. Who were they? And what story am I talking about? Turn to Matthew 27 to find out.

At last, we have arrived at the end of Matthew's story. However, this is just the beginning of a greater and more marvelous story. Matthew concludes his account of Jesus' life with the starting call of the ongoing, unending tale of God's glorious love for us who acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Jesus calls all His followers to go out and make more disciples, but what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? How can one know if they are truly a disciple? To find the answers, let's turn to Matthew 28 and follow along.

We are going to tell the story of the birth of the church. From its early days in Jerusalem to its final expansion through the work of the Apostle Paul, we see it all unfold in the book of Acts. The whole book is the story of the early church, and we will follow the adventure of the gospel spreading forth as we tell the story found in the book of Acts. First, we begin with an ending of sorts: the end of Jesus' time here on earth and His ascension to be with His Father. But before He left, He left the apostles with a mission: to spread the gospel's good news and make disciples. Listen to part one of the exciting story in the Book of Acts.

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem after He left. To wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. And so, as we turn to Acts chapter two, that is exactly what we find: the disciples waiting and praying, and praying. And then they are still waiting when they find themselves in the middle of the Feast of Pentecost. And then it happens. One of the most glorious events during one of the most glorious Jewish festivals of the season. What was that event? Listen to this week's podcast to find out.

Jesus. Some people use it as a swear word, others use it only at Christmas or Easter, while others use it when talking about the man they worship and serve. In today's story, we will look at the power of the name of Jesus. In today's story, we meet a man who was healed simply because of the name of Jesus. And we will also learn the importance of talking and sharing His name. There is immense power for a Christian to simply talk about Jesus and to boldly proclaim Him as Lord. So, who was the man who was healed, how did it happen, and what kind of power can be found in Jesus' name? Listen to find out, and turn to Acts chapters 3 and 4 to follow along.

It has been a while since I last posted. I have been speaking non-stop at camps for the past three weeks, but finally, I could carve out some time to record a podcast while speaking at Trout Creek in Oregon. This week's episode is a sad one. Ananias and Saphira are found lying to God and paying the ultimate price with their lives. But we also meet a new character in the story of Acts, a character introduced for the first time, but one that will play a significant role in the story of the growth of the church moving forward. His name is Barnabas. Hear his story and that of Ananias and Saphira in this week's podcast.