Church On The Edge

The temple for the Jews was the place where God dwelt. From the tabernacle or tent of meeting in the wilderness to Solomon's great temple, and later the temple in Jesus's day, worship centered around the temple. But when Jesus came all that changed. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge

Idols. Not just carved images from wood or stone. The idols commanding the worship of many Christians in the United States today are prompted by well-known Christian leaders.  taken from Dan's book, Prophets or Patriots: How Evangelicals are Giving to Caesar What Belongs to God. You can find that here: https://shorturl.at/pV8gB For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge

We can live in a “free” country, amass great wealth, and emphasize our personal rights without ever experiencing the freedom God offers us. True freedom is internal. Like the oxygen in our blood, it is woven into the very fabric of our being.  For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge

Three words in the New Testament describe the various dimensions of life experienced by people in our world. How would you describe your life? Listen to find out what Jesus has to say about the best life. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge

The word "Babylon," appearing approximately three hundred times in our Bibles, and finding its ultimate meaning in the book of Revelation, is a word we would do well to understand in our day when so many Christians are choosing the way of the Beast over the way of the Lamb. In this episode, Dan seeks to open our eyes to the seductive nature of Babylon in the church today. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Beginning in the book of beginnings, the book of Genesis, the roots and history of the word “Babylon” evolves into a dramatic symbol for the dehumanizing and broken world in which we live. In this two-part podcast, Dan traces the origin and fall of Babylon, as he warns followers of Jesus to “come out of her, my people.” For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

The Christian faith was never meant to be a "one size fits all" religion. Just the opposite. In this episode, we will be examining what the apostle Paul refers to as the "multicolored wisdom" of God. It is a term he used to describe the church. A community composed of people from various backgrounds, cultures, and ways of life. It is the ultimate "whosoever" word of God.  For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Like repentance, confession is a word for which the meaning has been drastically reduced in a large portion of the church in our day. In this episode, we look at the larger concept of confession and its powerful effect on our growing self-awareness as followers of Jesus.  For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

We tend to associate the word "repentance" with sin. While this is not exactly wrong, it does a disservice to the message of Jesus as he calls us to see our lives and world from the perspective of God's kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we are called to a lifelong process of repentance. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

We often refer to the Bible as "The Word of God." The Old Testament writers spoke of the scriptures in this way. But when Jesus entered our world, God's Word became completely associated with him. Jesus is the Word of God. In this episode, we examine the powerful impact God's Word, Jesus, had upon both Jews and Greeks in tne first century. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

What kind of follower of Jesus will you be?  Will you be led astray by the lying preachers and politicians in our day, or will you take a stand and speak out against the corruption and deceit in our churches and our nation? What legacy will you leave behind? For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Confronting the wickedness of Israel's king, Elijah announces the inevitable judgment that will come to Ahab and his family. While the other so-called prophets in the land were busy sucking up to Ahab, Elijah wasn't afraid to confront this wicked leader. Are you willing to do the same? For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Moses expressed his desire that all God's people would be prophets. Jesus answered Moses when he promised his disciples that they would be talked about, lied about, and rejected like “the prophets before you.” If you are one who clearly sees the spiritual drought in the wayward church of our day, you are a prophet. Stand tall. Speak out. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Elijah expected immediate results after the fire fell on Mount Carmel. Instead, Queen Jezebel vows to end his life. Questions and doubts fill the prophets heart and mind. He takes those doubts to God. And God honors Elijah's transparency and vulnerability. He will do the same for you. Don't walk away from it all. Take your anger, pain, doubts, and questions to God. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is a turning point in this great story. The drought will end, the rains will fall, and God's Living Word will return. It won't be all at once. In fact, it will be a process that takes several years. But it begins when one man courageously confronts the source of spiritual drought among his people. Do you have the courage to confront the spiritual drought in today's church? For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Ahab called Elijah a troublemaker. And so he was! Today's comfortable, drought-stricken church needs more troublemakers. More followers of Jesus who refuse to go along with the crowd. More willing to question the authority of leaders whose track record in our day demonstrates how far from the way of Jesus they have fallen. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Carrying a dead Gentile boy up to his room wasn't exactly kosher for a Jewish prophet. Neither was placing that boy on his bed and laying his body over the boy's dead body. Clearly prohibited according to God's Word in Leviticus. But mercy trumps sacrifice, and religious rule keeping contradicts the love of God demonstrated so clearly in Jesus. We need more rule breakers in today's church. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Jesus's parable of the “Good Samaritan” is not unique. It is anchored in the teaching of Scripture. God sends Elijah to Zarephath, the stronghold of Baal worship, to be cared for by a Gentile widow with an orphan. When Jesus implied that this was because there were no widows in Israel with this kind of faith, his fellow members in the synagogue at Nazareth tried to push him off a cliff. The more things change . . . For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

“The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.” These are the words of Jesus to the Roman politician, Pilate. Pilate responded cynically, “What is truth?” In these days of alternative facts and conspiracy theories, of high paid lawyers who know how to “work” the system, Pilate's question makes a lot of sense. But truth can be found for those who seek it. We just have to know where to look. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

I'll be back. Until then just read the Book. That's not what Jesus said, but you wouldn't know it by the way many teach in today's American church. The worship of the Bible has replaced the worship of God. God's Living Word is desperately needed. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Passing the living flame of God's presence and power is how Christianity works. That's not happening today and the church in America is dying as a consequence.  For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Unlike physical drought, spiritual drought often goes unnoticed. Churches and denominations dry up, wither, and experience slow deaths. But no one seems to notice. Welcome to the twenty-first century church in America.  For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Dan ends this season with some final thoughts on God's wisdom, rejecting the Martha model of ministry, and learning to walk in the unforced rhythms of God's grace. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

The way of God has always been opposed by institutionalized religion. In this episode Dan explains that if we follow in the ways of a prophet like John the Baptist, and our Lord and Teacher Jesus, we can expect criticism and opposition by the insiders. But Lady Wisdom proves us right by our deeds done in the gentleness and humility seen in God's people. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

John the Baptist stood directly on the dividing line of history. He was the greatest servant of God born of women. But unlike those of us born of God's Spirit, and living on this side of the cross, John was unable to see and comprehend the wisdom and ways of God's kingdom found in Jesus. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? What does that even mean? Is it “reverential respect”? In this episode, Dan tries to steer us away from the religious jargon and helps us understand in plain words what “The Fear of the Lord” really means. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

As followers of Jesus, we are to be as crafty as serpents, and as innocent as doves in dealing with those who are guided by the wisdom and ways of the world rather than God's kingdom. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

The smoke screen of the world hinders us from seeing the reality of God's Kingdom all around us. In this episode Dan points to Jesus' message to stop casting your pearls before pigs. Jesus calls us to reorient our thinking and priorities from those of the world and the smoke screen that keeps us seeing the reality of God's Kingdom. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Each of us has a kingdom over which we exercise personal authority. In this episode Dan explains that as we manage our kingdoms in accordance with God's will and ways, we will become a blessing to those around us. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

As we grow in God's wisdom, Dan explains that two inevitable things will take place in our lives: we will grieve over the brokenness of our world, and those who are suffering, while at the same time experiencing the inexpressible joy that comes from our entering into God's eternal kingdom. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask for? In this episode Dan explains that when we make God's wisdom the priority of our lives, we can be certain that along with it, God will grant us the desires of our hearts. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Like the merchant on the hunt for the pearl of great price, you and I must diligently seek God's Kingdom. But where do we begin our search? In this first episode of the season, Dan explains that the answer is found in the greatest sermon ever preached. Jesus's Sermon on the Mount has been called His Kingdom Sermon. It begins with the words "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Recognizing our desperate need for God's wisdom and ways is the first step in our search for God's pearls of great price. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

As we conclude our study of "Galatians: Confronting Cultural Christianity," we look at the final characteristic of those who are called to be the Israel of God in our day - they are dead to the world and the world is dead to them. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

Who are the true members of God's family? Who are considered children of Abraham and members of Israel? That's the question Paul answers throughout this letter, and as he concludes he describes the markers of those who are truly the Israel of God. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=

As Christians, we are free from living according to the law, that is, rules and regulations governing our behavior. In this episode, Dan points to Galatians 5:16-25 to show that to do that successfully, we must live according to the Spirit. As we walk in the Spirit, we inherit more of God's kingdom blessings in our lives, families, churches, and communities. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Expectations that have nothing to do with God's grace that comes to us in Christ are the bane of the church in our day. Those who stand firm against these expectations are labeled social pariahs. We need more social pariahs as we serve together as God's church on the edge. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

How does the average non-Bible scholar church member learn to distinguish false teaching from those whose Bible knowledge far surpasses their own? Listen to this week's podcast and find out. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Using well-known Greek teachings on friends and friendship, Paul draws a stark difference between his relationship with the Christians in Galatia, and the unhealthy relationship they have with the Jewish teachers ministering among them. In doing this, he demonstrates the incarnation truth of gospel ministry - become like me for I became like you. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

The Greek word, Stoicheia, is the key to understanding Galatians 4:1-11, where Paul warns the Gentiles in Galatia that if they place themselves under the Sinai covenant given to Israel, they will go back to their old ways as pagan, polytheist Gentiles, relating to God through ritual observances rather than a heart that trusts in Jesus as Lord and Savior. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

One seed, one purpose, one family, one way. This was God's purpose from the very beginning of time as seen in His promise to Abraham. In this episode Dan explains that once the purpose was fulfilled, the "markers" for God's people, found in the covenant at Mount Sinai, were no longer needed. Faith in Christ alone secures our promised inheritance as God's children. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

What is the mark or sign of a follower of Jesus? One thing and one thing only - faith or trust. It's a great mistake to identify believers by any other standard. In these days when so many are not raised in Christian homes, we must learn to look beyond lifestyles that are often very different from those of us who grew up in church. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

In this episode, entitled All in the Family (Gal. 2:11-21), Dan takes us through the difficulty for Jewish Christians to fully embrace Gentile believers. Gentiles converts had been idol worshipers, and this is exactly what led Jews astray, resulting in exile from their nation. But Christ Jesus changed everything for both Jews and Gentiles. He does the same today. We must learn to accept new Christians from whatever backgrounds they come to faith in Christ. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Few people relish confrontation, but there are times when, as followers of Jesus, we must take a stand for the gospel. Paul does that in Antioch, as he rebukes the apostle Peter for hindering the discipleship of the Gentile Christians in that city. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

As diverse and different as we may be, all of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ are members of one family - the family of God. Jesus was King not only of the Jews but of all people who placed their faith in Him. This was Paul's gospel, and the Jewish leaders of the church in Jerusalem recognized this gospel and accepted their Gentile brothers and sisters unconditionally. We need to follow their example today. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

After meeting the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul, the brilliant Pharisee spent three years in Arabia, likely near Mount Sinai. When he emerged, he was a changed man. No longer Saul, but Paul, God's ambassador to the Gentiles or nations. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

The message of the gospel or good news of God's Kingdom that comes to us through Jesus Christ, His Son, is that God's great family is recognized not by a unity that demands conformity, but rather a unity seen in the wonderful diversity found among God's children. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Salvation is deliverance. But deliverance from what? In Galatians 1:4, Paul tells us we have been delivered or rescued from this present evil age. In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, Peter urges his listeners to "save yourselves from this corrupt generation." You and I have been saved from the corruption of this present evil age to live in God's kingdom of light, right here, right now. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

To defend the gospel he preached, Paul needed to defend God's calling on his life. In doing so, he sets forth a truth all followers of Jesus need to hear. Join Dan today as he explains what this truth is. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

A place at the table. More than anything else, this is the message of Galatians. In this episode Dan explains the reality that God's people come from different backgrounds with different perspectives, customs, and lifestyles, but in Christ, they are all one. This unity in diversity is a powerful witness to a broken, divided world. Join Dan today as he explains how as followers of Jesus, we are called to celebrate our diversity, not abolish it. For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Welcome to season 4 of Church on the Edge! In this season Dan will be focussing on Paul's letter to the Galatians. “I am entitling this series Confronting Cultural Christianity,” Dan says. “So many Bible studies on Galatians focus on ‘grace and law,' ‘faith and works.' This is certainly a major theme in Galatians, but running much deeper than that is the apostle Paul's militant defence of the customs and culture of new Christians whose faith in Jesus was never meant to reflect Jewish religion or culture. What makes Galatians so relevant for our day is its eye-opening revelations of the danger of culture-bound Christianity with its demands on conformity rather than the rich diversity God intends for His children to reflect to our world.” For more from Dan check out his website, medium articles, and books at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Armistead/e/B08HY8JLVF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

In this episode, Dan talks about writing his new book and what he has been learning through the process. Dan's new book entitled "Philemon: Reflections on Christian Maturity" is out now on Amazon as both a printed book and an ebook. You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Philemon-Reflections-Christian-Dan-Armistead-ebook/dp/B09KHMG2M9/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Philemon+reflections&qid=1636023290&sr=8-2 Dan is running a giveaway for a signed copy of his new book. Click here to enter: https://gleam.io/fL0Kf/new-book-giveaway For more from Dan check out his website and medium articles at: www.danarmistead.com www.medium.com/church-on-the-edge