GDLC Audio

The Church is the body of Christ on earth. As a body we have many members with different gifts/functions; and yet, called to work in harmony as one. In Romans 12, Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to serve with the unique gifts God has given them, not for personal glory but for the good of the whole. In Mark 3, Jesus calls a diverse group of disciples to be with Him and to be sent out together. Unity of body means valuing every part, honoring each other's role, and functioning as a team with one mission. When the body works in Unity, the world sees Jesus more clearly.  

The Church is the body of Christ on earth. As a body we have many members with different gifts/functions; and yet, called to work in harmony as one. In Romans 12, Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to serve with the unique gifts God has given them, not for personal glory but for the good of the whole. In Mark 3, Jesus calls a diverse group of disciples to be with Him and to be sent out together. Unity of body means valuing every part, honoring each other's role, and functioning as a team with one mission. When the body works in Unity, the world sees Jesus more clearly.  

Unity begins in the mind—how we think about God, ourselves, and one another. Philippians 2 calls us to “be like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind”. But Paul also warns against the enemies of unity: selfish ambition, vain conceit, grumbling, and divisiveness. These behaviors hurt our unity by fracturing our community and distorting our witness of Jesus. Instead of this we are invited to adopt the mindset of Jesus—humble, obedient, and self-giving. In John 10, Jesus speaks of being the Good Shepherd who draws all people into one flock under one voice. True Unity of mind doesn't mean uniformity—it means living with our Shepherd at the center, aligning our thoughts with His love and mission, and resisting the pride and division that could pull us apart.  

Unity begins in the mind—how we think about God, ourselves, and one another. Philippians 2 calls us to “be like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind”. But Paul also warns against the enemies of unity: selfish ambition, vain conceit, grumbling, and divisiveness. These behaviors hurt our unity by fracturing our community and distorting our witness of Jesus. Instead of this we are invited to adopt the mindset of Jesus—humble, obedient, and self-giving. In John 10, Jesus speaks of being the Good Shepherd who draws all people into one flock under one voice. True Unity of mind doesn't mean uniformity—it means living with our Shepherd at the center, aligning our thoughts with His love and mission, and resisting the pride and division that could pull us apart.  

Before going to the cross, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one—united in heart just as He and the Father are one (John 17). This unity isn't based on sameness, but on shared sacrificial love, shared grace and shared purpose. In Romans 15, Paul calls believers to bear with one another, welcome each other, and glorify God with one heart. In a divided world, the Church is called to live with hearts knit together in the grace, humility and love of Jesus. Our unity is not optional but essential for our witness as we reflect the oneness of the Trinity in our Unity on earth.   

Before going to the cross, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one—united in heart just as He and the Father are one (John 17). This unity isn't based on sameness, but on shared sacrificial love, shared grace and shared purpose. In Romans 15, Paul calls believers to bear with one another, welcome each other, and glorify God with one heart. In a divided world, the Church is called to live with hearts knit together in the grace, humility and love of Jesus. Our unity is not optional but essential for our witness as we reflect the oneness of the Trinity in our Unity on earth.   

The fourth type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that rich and ready for unbelievable growth. This soil portrays a person who hears, understands, and receives the Word and then allows the Word to accomplish its result in their lives. This life understands what truly leads to a rich life and it has nothing to do with material possessions, worldly wealth or personal power. This heart beats for the things of Jesus and desires to give to others the grace that has been given to them.  

The fourth type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that rich and ready for unbelievable growth. This soil portrays a person who hears, understands, and receives the Word and then allows the Word to accomplish its result in their lives. This life understands what truly leads to a rich life and it has nothing to do with material possessions, worldly wealth or personal power. This heart beats for the things of Jesus and desires to give to others the grace that has been given to them.  

The third type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that appears to be fertile and ready for good growth. This soil receives the seed and growth begins in their lives but this soil is plagued by other growth that impedes the good growth. This soil is full of weeds, thorns and plants that choke the good plant, so it does not receive the light it needs. This is a heart full of riches, pleasures, lusts and cares and concerns of worldly things leaving no time or energy for the things of the Kingdom and leads to an unfruitful life.   

The third type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that appears to be fertile and ready for good growth. This soil receives the seed and growth begins in their lives but this soil is plagued by other growth that impedes the good growth. This soil is full of weeds, thorns and plants that choke the good plant, so it does not receive the light it needs. This is a heart full of riches, pleasures, lusts and cares and concerns of worldly things leaving no time or energy for the things of the Kingdom and leads to an unfruitful life.   

The second type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that shallow and full of rocks that don't allow the roots to grow very deep. The immediate growth leads to excitement, joyful praise and acceptance but the moment trouble arises they quickly abandon faith. This soil needs to be cared for as God tills up the false trusts of their lives to allow room for deeper and richer growth of roots that can withstand in times of trouble.   

The second type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that shallow and full of rocks that don't allow the roots to grow very deep. The immediate growth leads to excitement, joyful praise and acceptance but the moment trouble arises they quickly abandon faith. This soil needs to be cared for as God tills up the false trusts of their lives to allow room for deeper and richer growth of roots that can withstand in times of trouble.   

The first type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that has been hardened by the treading of the world. The Sower throws seed on this heart soil, and it is instantly snatched away by Satan and never allowed to grow. Suffering of the world, sin in ourselves and from others, and the constant treading of others has a hardening effect on our hearts. This ground needs love, care and attention to be softened, tilled and receptive to the new growth of the Kingdom of God.   

The first type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that has been hardened by the treading of the world. The Sower throws seed on this heart soil, and it is instantly snatched away by Satan and never allowed to grow. Suffering of the world, sin in ourselves and from others, and the constantly treading of others has a hardening effect on our hearts. This ground needs love, care and attention to be softened, tilled and receptive to the new growth of the Kingdom of God.   

God stands alone without an equal or a rival, “His light shines in the darkness” and will not be overcome (John 1:5). The desire of God is that we would place our full faith in His character, power and love and yet we have an enemy who seeks to deceive us and lie to us about God's character, God's power and God's love. While God stands victorious through the resurrection power of Jesus, we are prone to give up the battle of faith and give into fear and temptations. How will we learn to trust God's promises over what we see with our eyes in trials and temptations? God calls us to put on His armor, to stand strong on His Word, and the Lord will fight for you. Will we heed the command of the Word from Hebrews 12:2 “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”.  

God stands alone without an equal or a rival, “His light shines in the darkness” and will not be overcome (John 1:5). The desire of God is that we would place our full faith in His character, power and love and yet we have an enemy who seeks to deceive us and lie to us about God's character, God's power and God's love. While God stands victorious through the resurrection power of Jesus, we are prone to give up the battle of faith and give into fear and temptations. How will we learn to trust God's promises over what we see with our eyes in trials and temptations? God calls us to put on His armor, to stand strong on His Word, and the Lord will fight for you. Will we heed the command of the Word from Hebrews 12:2 “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”.  

God knows the hearts in all of humanity and is not ignorant of our sinful/selfish ways. Over and over the Bible speaks of God being holy, He's entirely opposed to sin and death. Yet God comes to us in Jesus and claims to have a solution. His solution was not to avoid us, or punish us, but rather to deal with our sin. God shows us His law so that we would clearly know His expectations, and we must agree with Him that we have utterly failed. But the good news in Jesus is that God loves you enough to pay the penalty for your sins on the cross. God's full and final Word is a “sword to pierce your soul”, to bring you healing for your sins with His truth and His love. While sinners need a diagnosis to admit the filth that's in our hearts, God's Word from the cross is our only hope. Will we grow in our trust that only grace can save me, or will we insist on proving that we're good enough by our works? 

God knows the hearts in all of humanity and is not ignorant of our sinful/selfish ways. Over and over the Bible speaks of God being holy, He's entirely opposed to sin and death. Yet God comes to us in Jesus and claims to have a solution. His solution was not to avoid us, or punish us, but rather to deal with our sin. God shows us His law so that we would clearly know His expectations, and we must agree with Him that we have utterly failed. But the good news in Jesus is that God loves you enough to pay the penalty for your sins on the cross. God's full and final Word is a “sword to pierce your soul”, to bring you healing for your sins with His truth and His love. While sinners need a diagnosis to admit the filth that's in our hearts, God's Word from the cross is our only hope. Will we grow in our trust that only grace can save me, or will we insist on proving that we're good enough by our works? 

God is the source of all wisdom in this world, greater than any science, philosophy, or university. People will spend thousands upon thousands of dollars towards education, but God offers personal lessons of wisdom in His Word. His desire is that human beings would flourish, that we would be our best in life. The trial and test that all of us face is deciding what defines “success”. The biblical word for success is righteousness - living rightly in relationship with God and with one another. But God says money and achievement and status are idols, they are prone to lead sinners astray. When we hear from God's Word we can grow in wisdom, but will we be humble ourselves to learn His ways?  

God is the source of all wisdom in this world, greater than any science, philosophy, or university. People will spend thousands upon thousands of dollars towards education, but God offers personal lessons of wisdom in His Word. His desire is that human beings would flourish, that we would be our best in life. The trial and test that all of us face is deciding what defines “success”. The biblical word for success is righteousness - living rightly in relationship with God and with one another. But God says money and achievement and status are idols, they are prone to lead sinners astray. When we hear from God's Word we can grow in wisdom, but will we be humble ourselves to learn His ways?  

God is the author and director of your story, though most of us want to be like Invictus: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” When we approach God's Word and submit to His authority, we find a God who chooses to use us. He meets us in our brokenness and calls us to greater purpose. To Moses, God said “Go and free my people from slavery in Egypt”, but Jesus says to you “Go and make disciples”. In a world where our culture says “go and write your story”, the Bible says “God has bigger plans for you". Will we go on living for ourselves, or will we listen to the author of life?  

God is the author and director of your story, though most of us want to be like Invictus: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” When we approach God's Word and submit to His authority, we find a God who chooses to use us. He meets us in our brokenness and calls us to greater purpose. To Moses, God said “Go and free my people from slavery in Egypt”, but Jesus says to you “Go and make disciples”. In a world where our culture says “go and write your story”, the Bible says “God has bigger plans for you". Will we go on living for ourselves, or will we listen to the author of life?  

God is the main character of the biblical story. He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. But our God is not like other “gods” people know. The fact that He's sovereign means that He is in control, and yet this God is personal and cares about our troubles. So much so that He entered our world as humanity and made Himself known through the person of Jesus… “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” The Ruler of the Universe is personal and powerful, and He has a Word for you: “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) Will we submit our lives to His authority, or will we believe that we're competent on our own? 

God is the main character of the biblical story. He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. But our God is not like other “gods” people know. The fact that He's sovereign means that He is in control, and yet this God is personal and cares about our troubles. So much so that He entered our world as humanity and made Himself known through the person of Jesus… “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” The Ruler of the Universe is personal and powerful, and He has a Word for you: “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) Will we submit our lives to His authority, or will we believe that we're competent on our own? 

 This week we'll be reminded of the truth…the truth that is at the heart, the soul, the center of the book of Ruth.  This book is about redemption!  Boaz paid the price to redeem Ruth…and in doing so, redeemed Naomi too!  And of course, his actions in their lives point us to the price our Lord Jesus would pay to redeem us…not just in time, but for eternity!  

 This week we'll be reminded of the truth…the truth that is at the heart, the soul, the center of the book of Ruth.  This book is about redemption!  Boaz paid the price to redeem Ruth…and in doing so, redeemed Naomi too!  And of course, his actions in their lives point us to the price our Lord Jesus would pay to redeem us…not just in time, but for eternity!