PastorLanny's Podcast

There were two trials the night Jesus was arrested. One was illegal but formal. The other trial was in the court of public opinion. Peter didn't do so well in his trial.

Let's go to a parade in Jesus' honor.

There are times when we take things for granted. They're too familiar, easily overlooked. Disciples of Jesus can fall into that trap if we're not careful.

Watch out for fakes! Whether we're talking about counterfeit products from the internet or people, the results are similar. We're disappointed, angered, distrustful. The fake stuff just doesn't live up to the expectation we have. For disciples of Jesus, becoming the "real deal" is vital. In today's message, we'll see what happens when Jesus interacts with people who think they're the real deal but in truth, are just fakes.

Bob Dylan famously wrote, "But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yesIndeed you're gonna have to serve somebody." As disciples of Jesus, we must choose daily who gets to be king in our life. This is particularly relevant in the fractured and contentious world of 21st century American politics. Jesus is confronted with a similar question in a 1st century context. Which king do you follow?

To see the video I reference in the message, go here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRwt25M5nGwWe often find ourselves putting people in "boxes." We make assumptions based ethnicity, gender, body type, the list is endless. And it's limiting. We put limits on our expectations of others and ourselves when we box people in. As we follow Jesus, we get to watch him "blow up" the box around a man born blind.

February means Valentine's Day. Expectations run high for many. Others, from previous experience, may expect nothing. What's a disciple of Jesus supposed to do with this holiday?

How much is enough? What do we do and where do we turn when we're afraid we don't have enough of (fill in the blank)? Jesus confronts his disciples with an enormous challenge to feed 5,000 people. But there's not enough. Now what?

We can know the price of an item but not necessarily understand what it's going to cost us. Jesus asks us to make and informed and deliberate decision about deciding to follow Him by outlining what it's going to cost us. (spoiler alert: it's everything - but it's worth it.)

Unexpected things happen at weddings. Some are fun and humorous, some are embarrassing and hurtful. As we continue to following Jesus as His disciples, we find ourselves at a wedding where a potentially embarrassing situation turns into an abundant blessing!You can contact me at:email: lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgFacebook: @preacherlanny

What tempts you? How do you resist? We often find it difficult to not give in. Let's follow Jesus into the desert as he experiences the same temptations as we do.

Did you ever play "follow the leader" as a kid? Sure. It's a lot of fun until the leader makes you do weird things or some action you're uncomfortable with. How about following a leader you can always trust? Our opening 2021 podcast series is on following the only leader you can truly trust.

In our current cultural context, resurrection is often thought of as "reanimation." Biblical resurrection is something completely different. Our understand of what life after death will look like is based on Jesus' resurrection.

At times, God seems more interested in revealing His will than we are in receiving it...

Ever feel like you're dried up like old bones? Just tired of it all? You're not alone. We want to change, but how?

Q: How can I experience freedom? We're all experiencing a "national burnout." But the Christian doesn’t have to be subject to the same oppression as the rest of the world because we live under grace. we are free in Christ.

Racial tensions are running high in America. What are we supposed to do about it?

What's this baptism thing all about? Do I really need to get dunked? You can contact me: lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgI'm on social media: @preacherlanny

We talk a lot about the resurrection but often skip over the ascension (when Jesus rose into the heavens). It's an important part of our doctrine and deserves some attention!Contact me: Lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgI'm on Twitter & FB: @preacherlanny

To be consistently transformed into the image of Jesus, we're going to need a power greater than ourselves. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in.

Once saved, always saved? Or not? Questions about eternal security have plagued Christians for centuries. The Bible holds truths in tension with one another. Salvation is by grace through faith and is never withdrawn by God. But what about our responsibility to demonstrate our faith by our lives? Does it matter? Let's dig in and see what we can discover.You can contact me with questions, ideas, comments: lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgI'm on twitter: @PreacherLanny

It's dangerous to cut off the blood flow to your extremities. We risk damage or even the loss of a limb when this happens. It's also very dangerous to cut ourselves off from God and one another spiritually and relationally. Communion helps us to stay healthy and thriving spiritually and relationally.

The singer says he's "getting back to the heart of worship." It's a laudable and important goal. What does it really mean? Jesus interrupts a Samaritan woman's life to point her (and us) in the right direction.

John 3:16 is probably the most well-known Bible reference in the world. But when you look it up, what does it mean for God to love you? What does Jesus coming into the world have to do with it? Let's see just how much and what it means for God to love you.Please like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite player. You can contact me at: Lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgI'm on Instagram at: @pastorlannyOr on Twitter at @preacherlannyI'd love to hear from you!

God has, indeed, become one of us. it's a foundational doctrine of the New Testament that Jesus of Nazareth was born to be fully human and, at the same time, fully God. The doctrine is called "incarnation." This message elaborates on what it's so important for us to understand the implications of this wonderful mystery.

Maybe the Beatles were right. In a world that shifts constantly, what principle do we rely on to guide us? A classic question with a timeless response. Love God and love one another.Please send feedback or comments to: lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgFollow me on Instagram: @PastorLannyI'm on Twitter: @PreacherLanny

Leadership is a messy, dirty business. But not the way you might think. Jesus leads us the heart of what it means to lead through service.

We simply don't get enough rest. And it's not just being short on sleep. We're not well-rested in our hearts. Not much is likely to change until we find our rest in God alone.Please send feedback on this podcast to me. Whether it's about technical things, content or just to say hi, you can email me: lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgFollow me on Instagram: @pastorlanny

Semper Fi - Ever Faithful. The motto and driving force of the United States Marines. It's an excellent principle for all to follow. What if Christians pledged to "semper fidelis" as well? Let's dig in to a deeper understanding of faith.

We could all use some good news in these difficult times. What's the best news you could hear right now? Let's find out.Follow me on Instagram: @PastorLannyI'm on Twitter: @PreacherLannyIf you'd like to contact me: lanny(at)tcccfamily.org

Everyone's circumstances have been drastically altered by Covid-19 and quarantines. This has been especially true for the church. Even as we have change and adapted so many of our practices, we must remember that our mission has not changed.

We may not always notice, but there's an unseen world that surrounds us. It's a supernatural world that influences us for good or ill. How do we remain alert to its influence and power? How do we engage the supernatural and protect ourselves from its potential evils? Let's follow a man's story in Mark 9 to see.If you have comments or questions, please email me: lanny(at)tcccfamily.orgYou can follow me on twitter: @lannypastoror on Instagram: @pastorlanny

Predestination. Election. Free will. These are some of the most hotly debated doctrines in the church. We think we have to be in one camp or the other. But is that true? Let's find out together.If you have any comments, feel free to email me: lanny (at) tcccfamily.orgFollow me on twitter: @LannyPastor

This week's Core 52 lesson is from my friend and partner in ministry, Chris Humby.

Jesus turns our cultural ideas of "the good life" upside down by affirming a radical shift in our thinking and actions away from our own agenda and living for Him will bring us true happiness and contentment.

It's a common complaint about pastors and churches: "All they ever do is talk about money." The reality is we rarely talk specifically about money. This isn't really biblical when you explore the text. Both Old & New Testaments have a LOT to say about money and possessions. Let's hear Jesus' heart for us on the topic of money.If you like this content or just want to chat, let me know through email at: lanny@tcccfamily.orgI'm on Twitter at: @lannypastor

Communication is the foundation of every relationship. Miscommunication is hard on relationships. Prayer is communicating with God. While God is never confused about our communication, it helps us to be clear in praying about what’s on our minds.Here are five words to remember to help us learn how to talk to God.If you liked the podcast or just want converse, drop me a note: lanny@tcccfamily.orgCatch me on twitter: @lannypastor

How do we know the right thing to do? We get lots of advice from family, friends, media, you name it. But what direction do we truly trust to guide us into right thinking and right behaviors? Jesus shows us the way in the Sermon on the Mount.Feedback is always appreciated! If you enjoyed the podcast or have any suggestions, feel free to contact me on email: lanny@tcccfamily.org

Where do we look for happiness? So often, our happiness is temporary, circumstantial. What if we could find a source of happiness that was longer-lasting? Even eternal? Jesus points us to this source in Matthew chapter 5.Feedback is always appreciated! If you enjoyed the podcast or have any suggestions, feel free to contact me on email: lanny@tcccfamily.org

Our names are more than a bunch of letters put together. They usually have a meaning as well. Jesus was known by several names but He had one in particular He used for himself: Son of Man. What does this mean? Why is it important that He is the Son of Man?Feedback is always appreciated! If you enjoyed the podcast or have any suggestions, feel free to contact me on email: lanny@tcccfamily.org

God promised through the prophet Jeremiah to make all things new.

Our atonement was won at the cross. Resurrection means that God has made all things new. We have a new leader, we are a new creation, and we have new opportunities.

How do we make wise choices in life? This is vitally important as we navigate the "new normal" of quarantine during the Coronavirus crisis. Let's hear some words from Solomon on gaining wisdom.

In trying times like these, what is at the foundation of your life? In what have you based your faith? Psa. 118:22 tells us that trusting our lives to any foundation not set by the Cornerstone (Jesus Christ) is foolish.

We look for and need an authority to trust with our lives - especially now. Jesus is the Messiah - the greatest authority in all creation. How will we respond to Him?

People tend to have two very different responses to a threat. We find ourselves facing threats of varying intensity all the time. Our current cultural focus is on the threat of COVID-19 - commonly called the coronavirus and our social response to this virus has been to each extreme. Some want to completely downplay it and ignore it and others are running around with their hair on fire.We often explore scripture here with a question in mind: What is the Christian response to this current event? What guidance can we take from the Holy Spirit and the Word?Our Core 52 direction for this week is Psalm 23. This is an excellent time to bring this word into our minds and hearts. To let David’s beautiful imagery transform our thinking and actions when we face trials, struggles, threats.

People are really bad at making predictions. In this podcast, I'm going to talk about predictions, probability, and prophecy. Specifically, how very unlikely it is that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies. We'll walk through Psalm 2 and then expand our study over representative passages from the rest of the Old Testament. Our goal today is strengthen our trust in the One who fulfilled every prophecy made about Him.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! Question: How do you know when you're happy? Do we even know what it means to be happy? Psalm 1 makes it all clear.

Intro:[VIDEO] King Jesus video from SermonCentral - “No Other King.”The past two weeks we have seen folks give their lives to Christ and experience the death and resurrection of Jesus in baptism as well as welcome believers “formally” to the family at T&C.In both circumstances, we witnessed their confession before the church that “Jesus is Lord and Savior.” Here at T&C, we repeat that confession along with them in a spirit of unity.While it’s never “run of the mill” or boring, we can get used to repeating that good confession and perhaps miss the universe-shaking power that is inherent in them.To confess Christ as Lord and Savior is to name him before heaven and earth as your king.Jesus is an “All or Nothing” King[IMAGE] Lego JesusMark 8:29 NLTJewish perception of Messiah (King) like David.Week’s memory verse:2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESVExpectation that Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise.But Jesus’ plan didn’t meet their expectations.​They didn’t get to choose what kind of King he would be.Mark 8:31–33 NLTMatthew 10:32–33 NLT2 Timothy 2:11–13 NLTWe don’t get to choose how Jesus is King.Jesus demands to be king of my life in every respect. He must be at the center of my life.He must be the form I pour my life into.Jesus is More Than a One-Time DecisionPhilippians 2:9–11 NLTOnce we have made that declaration of the Lordship of Jesus, a lifestyle must follow.Luke 9:23 NLTMark 8:34–35 NLTMark 8:35 NLTColossians 1:13 NLTPhilippians 2:9–11 NLTPhilippians 3:20 NLTConclusion:[IMAGE] legend of the unbaptized arm (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/66520/on-stories-by-guy-mcgraw?ref=TextIllustrationSerps)What have we withheld from our King?

Be careful who you follow!Core52 has brought us through Abraham, Moses and, a couple weeks, David. Greatest leaders of Jewish history. Main passage for this week:Deuteronomy 18:18 ESVFollow the Leader - MosesNumbers 21:4–5 NLTNumbers 21:1–5 NLTThey failed to trust in Moses’ leadership and God’s power and started to grumble and complain. They cast doubt on the goodness of God.Loathe food from heaven? Just shows that even the best gifts and blessings of God can be taken for granted.Numbers 21:4–9 NLTNumbers 21:6–8 ESVNumbers 21:6–7 NLTThere are consequences for doubting God and for rebellion.Numbers 21:8–9 NLTGod’s direction is a bit odd. Not too many man-made symbols (outside the tabernacle which a shadow of heaven) in Jewish faith.Deuteronomy 18:18 NLTFollow the True Leader - JesusMatthew 4:19 NLTJesus calls us to follow him to healing. Not to stare at a snake on a pole, but to himself.Matthew 9:9 NLTMatthew 10:38 ESVWe hurting, we’re sick to death.We’ve tried every remedy we can think of.Nothing completely heals our hurts, fulfills our needs and desires.John 3:14–15 NLTWhat does it look like to come to Jesus? It looks like following him, taking his leadership.Matthew 16:24 NLTMatthew 19:21 ESVAn unusual call to follow the leader.John 12:32 NLTJohn 5:24 NLTIn a deeper and more meaningful way, Jesus draws us to be healed at his cross.John 5:21 ESV1 Peter 2:24 NLTWho you chose to follow in life matters.It’s likely there were many in Moses’ day who thought looking at a bronze snake on a pole wasn’t going to save them. They still rejected Moses’ leadership and direction. Bible says it was a deadly decision.Putting our faith in Jesus as he calls us to his cross may also seem like an unusual decision. Following any other source is equally deadly.

Intro:Finding underwear in used car I just bought. Yuck.Some things are set apart for specific uses and specific people.ToothbrushesWedding china not used for your Saturday morning cereal bowl.Mom’s pinking shears not used for cutting out cool shapes on paper.We “get it” instinctively that some things are not common. They’re special because of their purpose or perhaps an emotional attachment.That uniqueness, special regard is the idea behind the biblical concept of holiness.As we’ve traced the Core52 ideas so far, we’ve seen how God made everything (Creation) and put his apex creation in the world (humanity as his image-bearers) to have dominion over that creation. But humanity did not choose to remain faithful to God and rebelled (The Fall from Grace). God ultimately chooses to initiate his restoration of creation through making an agreement with one man, Abram ( Covenant).Logically, the next concept to consider will be how we live in that covenant with God. God repeatedly says that we are to be holy because He is holy.Leviticus 11:45 ESVWhat Is Holiness?Cultural context - moral purity, behavioral.If this is what we think God is asking for, we’re going to fail.Not so much in Biblical context. What makes us able to do ask God has commanded over and over?To appreciate that holy is not so much sacred as selected.Someone or something becomes holy when they are claimed for a purpose. Like your toothbrush, God takes ordinary people and claims them for his purposes. It is not our intrinsic nature that is holy, but we become holy when our purpose becomes different.You are not holy because of your performance but because of God’s proclamation.Leviticus 11:45 NLT1 Peter 2:9 NLTGod selection, not Israel’s moral excellence.The declaration makes them holy.Exodus 19:6 NLT1 Peter 2:9 ESVThis is biblical fact. We doesn’t rely on our own estimation of holiness. We’ll be wrong. We rely on God’s assertion that this is true.At the same time, God calls us to holy living. So...How Do I Practice Holiness?Again, God has declared us holy and calls us to holiness. What do we do with that?Holiness (and here’s where we might get mixed up a bit) is manifest when our actions align with God’s declaration.Our lives represent the nature of God who has set us apart.The trouble begins when we attempt to become holy by our own efforts rather than allowing God to transform us.Reference the initial study behind Core52 - regular Bible engagement is the single greatest predictor of behavioral transformation.2 Timothy 1:9 NLTEphesians 4:22–24 ESVEphesians 4:21–24 NLT​Conclusion:Parents telling newly independent teens before they leave the house: “Remember who you are and whose you are.”The message is, act according to your family and upbringing. Bring honor and respect on yourself and your people by your behavior.Want to be holy in the world? Remember who you are and whose you are and act accordingly.