New Life Equipping Ministry Podcast

Doc and Jonathan introduce a season of transition and rest for the body of El Dorado Equip.

Taking a few minutes to refocus and remember why we are named “Equip” - Jonathan reads & teaches from Ephesians 4. We believe the Sunday morning meeting is a wonderful supplement to the main house church meetings!

Jonathan continues to teach on prayer by looking at several stories to find “lessons in endurance”. From the persistent widow (Luke 18) to Abraham (Genesis 18) to Hannah (1 Samuel 1) to Elijah (1 Kings 18) to the Canaanite mom (Matthew 15) - we see the same thread: DON’T GIVE UP! Endurance is needed because prayer can be difficult. There can be no spiritual reproduction (discipleship) without the pain of travail as in childbirth!

Sam McVay shares a word about how God works through His creation (us) to fulfill His purposes: redeeming, ruling and filling the earth. He does so through an assembly, an “ekklesia”, the church! Ephesians 2:22 (ESV) says “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” The ekklesia is THE visitation and administration of God's heavenly glory and government on earth. Jesus is bringing a Kingdom, the Kingdom of God, not starting a religion.

Isaiah 64:4 sets up the template - God works on behalf of those who obediently wait (in prayer) on Him. The formula is the same in Acts (at Pentecost), and the same for us today. In Luke 18, Jesus reminds us that prayer is good, hard work that requires endurance. Jonathan teaches about the problem of “perceived value” in prayer, and offers an example of choices to three children. “There is treasure in the work”. Praise the Lord He works on behalf of bruised reeds & smoking wicks like us!

Jonathan continues on with his series on prayer with a recap of the words from the past couple months, and then teaches about the authority and rule of God exercised in our prayer. We, like David and Jesus, fulfill the roles of kings & priests on the earth. We, like Adam, are called to rule and reign and as priests we offer sacrifices of prayer and worship. The scepter of Jesus extends out from heavenly Zion - where we have already come! May the kingdom of God explode and expand through us!

What does it mean to be mature in Christ?  Tim McVay teaches on several principles leading to spiritual maturity.  The scriptures talk of how perseverence through trials and acquiring wisdom both lead to maturity.  Seeking guidance and wise counsel are marks of maturity.  Ultimately, it is in the daily renewing of our minds and living from our identities that provide this growth.

Jonathan continues with part 4 of this teaching series on prayer.  Prayer is an invitation into joy!

Lizzie shares a vision the Lord gave her concerning the reality of “bombs” of relational offense or hurt being intentionally or accidentally handed to our brothers and sisters. The call is not to hold onto it OR throw it away, but rather to disarm it. Colossians 2 says Christ already “disarmed” the work of the enemy at the cross. Give it to Jesus instead!

Eric continues on with the focus of this teaching season on the glorious invitation the Lord gives us in the place of prayer. Revelation 4 tells us we are called to come up higher, and we have access in Christ to the throne room of God. He shares about the glory of the old Covenant under Moses - the meal the Israelite elders had in the presence of God - and the far-surpassing glory of the new Covenant under Christ! He finishes with a personal testimony.

Jonathan continues his teaching from last week on Prayer. This week, he focuses in on warfare against prayer - specifically “Fullness” (Revelation 3:17) and “Dullness” (1 Peter 4:7).

Jesus the Son was told by the Father, “Ask Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance” (Psalm 2:8). This serves as our template for interaction between heaven & earth - ASK in order to receive! Jonathan teaches through several scriptures and quotes several fathers in the faith concerning the topic of prayer. “Wherever He has engineered your circumstances, pray.” - Oswald chambers

Jonathan addresses unity in the church as revealed through the “songs of ascent” in Psalm 120-134, especially chapters 132 and 133.  As a body, we must go through Psalm 132 to GET to the unity described in Psalm 133.  And how do we do that?  Duncan Cambell says, “… When we come to an end of ourselves, we can reach the beginning of God.”

Eric Loss shares from Luke 7:36-50 on appearance or repentance.  Calling us to a surrendered life, poured out before God in pure and undefiled worship.

Drew shares a word on keeping the supremacy and headship of Jesus as the central focus of prophesy and introduces the new Prophetic Guidelines for our church body.

Matt Penner shares with the body a message of deep heart work the Lord has done in him which has been brought about by surrender, community and suffering.

The Elders continue teaching through the Goodbye Discourse this week in John 16, where we are reminded it is good for Jesus to go away so the Helper will come to us.

The Elders teach from John 15 and share a word on safeguarding our relationship with The Father by abiding in Jesus, and “staying awake” in the midst of a world full of distractions.

The Elders collectively teach on John 14, highlighting obedience to God, the figt of the Holy Spirit indwelling the regenerated Christian, Jesus - the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the reminder to not let our hearts be troubled.

Jonathan shares a sobering word about the need for submitting all we are - good and bad - to the cross.  God found His Man - Jesus Christ - and is calling us to STOP trusting in ourselves or any other man besides Him.  Judgment has begun in the Church (1 Peter 4) and God is preparing His bride to be found blameless and pure for His soon-coming return.  Jesus speaks about the “Fews and Manys” and encourages us to stand firm to the end to be saved.  Jonathan finishes with the story of the Amalekites (Exodus 17) and their comparison to the flesh.  ALL (good and bad) must be destroyed!

Using three sections of the book of Jeremiah as a guide, Eric Loss teaches about the biblical reasons the voice of the bride and bridegroom have become silent in the church.  He then lays out the hope and promise of the sound of those voices being restored - namely, repentance and restoration!  Intimacy with the Father must not be disregarded, and we must press in and seek His face knowing He IS a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!

Jonathan recaps his word last week and then teaches into the glory of Christ within us. In Genesis 41, Joseph said “I cannot do it…” meaning he was reduced and ready for the Lord’s service and high calling.  God’s program from the beginning has been looking for A MAN - whom he found in Jesus Christ.   We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord!  

Jonathan finishes up 2023 with a word from Genesis 28. Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven, and called the place Bethel - “house of God”. From Genesis to Revelation, God communicates His desire to have a “house” on the earth and dwell with man forever (Revelation 21:3). Jesus - the “Ladder” in Jacob’s dream (John 1:51) - is the connection point on the earth.  Our spirit man is now our “Bethel”. When we turn (repent) inwardly to our spirit, we encounter an open heaven, transformation, anointing, and the building up of the house of God (the church) on earth!

Matt Osborn shares on the fourth week of Advent - Love.  Love that is personified in Jesus and compels us to obey His commands.

Eric Loss shares on joy, a fruit of the spirit, that is firstly formed in the fires of adversity, and given to us on the other side of the flames in Christ.

Doc Kuhns shares from multiple old and new testament passages about Advent’s week two theme - peace (“shalom”).  Gideon called God “The Lord Is Peace.” The prophet Micah says of Christ: “He himself will be our peace.” Our God is a God of restoration - making us whole according to His original intention.

For the first week of the Advent season, Drew teaches us on the theme of “Hope” in Christ; who is our hope in times of trouble and the hope of the world.

Brother Eric Loss brings a word in season about John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Jesus.  He shares seven truths about friends of the bridegroom which we are called to be.

Jonathan teaches us about Grace & Peace - the From, To, Through, and Where. He shares a personal testimony of the Lord’s grace meeting the Lord’s call. Lizzie finishes up with a confirmation of the Zephaniah 3 passage that we meditated on to close out the service.

Continuing on in the season teaching of the shaking & exposing work of the Lord, Jonathan gives an overview of first and second Timothy. He then teaches on how to “war the good warfare“ - by recalling prophecies, holding onto faith, and also holding on to a good conscience. We have been given the tools to fight against doubt and condemnation!

Jonathan’s reminder of the exposing work of the Lord in this season - His light shining and revealing hidden sin.

Matt teaches out of Romans 12:3-21 reminding us to view ourselves with sober judgement and live as one body, in Christ.

Matt Osborn teaches out of Romans 12:1-2: to submit our bodies, soul and spirit, as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God.

Jonathan shares on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14. Our cooperation in and through God’s operation.

Jonathan teaches on Matthew 9, that our measure of faith measures mercy.

An encouragement from the Elders to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who is near in our times of trouble.

Jonathan encourages the body to accept Christ’s invitation to “come up here” according to Revelation chapter 4.

Recapping Sam’s sermon last week, Jonathan jumps off from his final point: “don’t give up on the prophetic”. He reminds us that the church in Philippi was born from prayer & prophecy (Acts 16). He gives a bible history lesson and overview of Paul's epistle, and then zeroes in on the middle of Philippians 2 - where we are exhorted to do everything “without murmuring or disputing”. The Israelite murmuring in the desert serves as an an example and warning to us, and the only solution is “holding firmly to the Word of life.”

We believe the Lord is still speaking today. In 1 Corinthians 12, 13, & 14, the plumb line in the center, chapter 13, binds together the bookends of prophesy and spiritual gifts.

Sam McVay brings a word in season regarding a reset in the prophetic. Any community that is going to walk out the work of the prophetic must be disciplined to stay centered on Revelation 19:10: “… For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Let us worship Jesus, not his “stuff” (not his miracles).

Brother Matt Osborn shares a word on his heart from 2 Peter 2, warning us against falling into a “false” salvation.

Jonathan discusses the Lord’s “spending” plan for man. Many have untold riches from the Lord that are largely unspent. 1 Samuel, chapters 1 and 2 provide the example of Hannah: Hannah wanted a son, but the Lord had so much more in mind. Jonathan sums up in 1 Peter 1:7-9, where the proof of the soul’s salvation and sanctification is revealed in rejoicing with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.

Jonathan shares out of Micah 2.

Matt teaches on Jesus’ model of making disciples.  Shepherds do not produce sheep. Sheep produce sheep! Matt discusses various scriptures illustrating how to make disciples.  Jonathan wraps up with a prayer that each person may have opportunity this week to practice disciple-making.

Matt shares a word regarding the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the new covenant.  Starting in 2 Corinthians 3, he follows the Spirit’s leading; highlighting scriptures and messages reminding us how important it is to rely on the Spirit in daily life.

Drew brings a message on the book of James, specifically chapter 1, discussing the difference between the modern idea of "hearers" of the Word vs the historical definition.  In biblical times, "hearer" meant one whose actions (obedience) demonstrates his hearing.  Many can be modern day "hearers", let's strive to be "doers".

Doc reminds us that salvation is free, but discipleship costs us our lives!

Summing up where he left off last week (being sober-minded unto prayer), Jonathan begins teaching part 2 of this sermon concerning prayer. Jesus gave six radical prayer promises in John 14, 15 and 16. The chiastic structure places emphasis on the need to abide! As we saw last week, prayer is connected back again to love. At the end of the sermon several people share encouraging words, testimonies and an original poem.

Luke 21 reminds us to be careful, lest our hearts become weighed down. 1 Peter 4 says the end of all things is near, so we must be sober minded unto prayers. The command to fervently love one another must be obeyed, but will not be if we lead prayerless lives. Jonathan teaches us the “how” from 1 Thessalonians 5 and then finishes with an example from the poisoned poppy fields in the Wizard of Oz.