The Jim Bradford Podcast

As part of our current series answering listener questions, we discuss how churches and pastors should think about power and authority. Authority is a hot topic in our culture and is often misused in our churches. We ask what scripture has to say about power and how we can handle it with wisdom and discernment in our churches and ministries. 

As we continue our series answering your questions, today we're talking preaching. One of the challenges of preaching can be finding your own voice. It's easy to sound like the preachers you listen to. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim discusses how to find your own voice and how long it takes to really feel comfortable in the pulpit. We hope it's a helpful conversation for anyone who finds themselves preaching regularly.

For many, transitions are a part of a lifetime of ministry, but how do you know when what you're feeling is your own restlessness vs a genuine call from God? In today's conversation, we're going to explore how to recognize God's call to a new place of ministry. Pastor Jim shares lessons he's learned from several of his transitions and offers advice for how to navigate your own. 

We're starting a new series answering listener questions. Special thanks to those who submitted questions. In today's episode, we talk about how we became Assemblies of God credential holders and what keeps us in the AG. We'll discuss some of the strengths of our movement and the challenges we face moving forward. 

In today's episode, we're wrapping up our conversations through the book A Sharp Compassion. If Jesus was willing to risk offending people, should we seek to offend people like Jesus did? How should we think about hard words and hard conversations? And does Jesus offer us wisdom for knowing when to risk offense? We'll explore how Christians and ministers should think about their own words of offense. 

As we continue our look at the book A Sharp Compassion, we unpack what it really means to follow Jesus. We've talked about how insecurity and imitation of this world draw us into offense, but in our conversation today, we'll discover how by imitating Jesus, we are freed from offense. We hope this conversation helps you focus your own life on following Jesus and being healed from insecurity and offense. 

In our conversation on A Sharp Compassion, we have been looking at what we've called the mechanism of offense, the complex series of emotions and desires that lead from insecurity to offense. In today's episode, we're looking at the final step of that process: accusation. We'll explore how insecurity moves us to accusation and how this spirit of accusation has consumed our modern culture. 

Over the past few episodes, we've been talking about the mechanism of offense. How insecurity creates idols and leads us into imitation. That imitation leaves us more insecure and desperate for affirmation. In today's episode, we're taking a look at why our culture is so desperate for affirmation and the temptation the church faces to offer grace as a cheap form of affirmation. We're continuing our conversation on the book A Sharp Compassion. 

As we continue our look at A Sharp Compassion, we come to the topic of imitation. With our attention fixed on an idol, we are drawn to imitating them. We become like what we worship. But imitation is more pressing than most realize. Wherever there is insecurity, there is a temptation to imitate the things of the world. We take a closer look at how Jesus freed his disciples from the things of the world and offered them a better form of imitation.

As we continue our discussion of the book A Sharp Compassion, we take a closer look at the consequences of our insecurity. Wherever there is an insecurity, there will inevitably be an idol, a hope for some salvation and security. We discuss how we become blind to idols in our hearts and how it often takes a hard word for us to recognize them. 

As we continue our discussion of the book A Sharp Compassion, we turn to the topic of insecurity. There is a deep connection between the feeling of offense and insecurity to which we are often blind. You might not have recognized it, but insecurity is one of the oldest themes in the Bible. In our conversation, we'll describe how insecurity works, how it is connected to offense, and why it's so hard for us to recognize. 

We're continuing our discussion around the topic of offense, based off of Chase's new book, A Sharp Compassion. In today's episode we track the theme of offense through the Old and New Testaments and discuss why the theme is often negelcted in our reading and theology. Through our conversation you'll come to not only better understand the biblical theme but also learn to recognize it in your own reactions. 

In this episode, we have a special conversation about the hard words of Jesus and how we should think about them in a world that is increasingly sensitive to offense. We discuss the idea of offense and how it appears in the Biblical gospels. We hope the conversation helps you better navigate hard conversations in your own life and leadership.

In the final episode of our Christmas conversations, we take a closer look at the shepherds and the magi who came to worship at the birth of Christ. We discuss how the Christmas season moves us to worship and how we can receive the incarnation anew this Christmas season. As we wrap up this year of conversations, we'd also like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

We're continuing our December conversations on the birth of Christ by taking a closer look at the scene of the nativity. While most of us have nativity sets in our homes, they don't always convey the full details the gospels record. We discuss how the night of Jesus' birth might have really looked and what it teaches us about the meaning of Jesus' coming into history and humanity. 

Over the next few weeks, we're taking a closer look at the Christmas story and why it matters to the story of Jesus. In this week's episode, we're looking at how the gospels begin and how the story of Jesus's birth connects the Old Testament story with the New Testament story. We hope these conversations through the Advent season will help you reflect more deeply on Christ's incarnation and deepen your worship of him.

We have spent the last 66 episodes working our way through each book of the Bible. In this week's episode, we take a closer look at the book of Revelation and the incredible way in which the Biblical story comes to a close. Pastor Jim helps set Revelation in its context and offers thought not only on its interpretation but on its application for believers today. 

We are coming close to the end of our conversations through the Bible. In this week's episode, we discuss the book of Jude. The next to last book of the Bible, Jude is often missed by readers of the Bible. Though it is not long, it gives us a fascinating look into the world of the early church and a compelling description of the work of discipleship. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the book, its history, and how it can guide believers today.

In this week's conversation, we're wrapping up our look at the letters of John. Pastor Jim offers an explanation of 3 John and its historical setting. It gives us the opportunity to talk about false teaching and the dangers of accumulating power as leaders. 

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come to the second letter of John. Though one of the shortest books in the New Testament, 2 John offers some important warnings to the Church. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical context of the letter and what we can learn from John's advice.

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come to three letters attributed to John. In today's episode, we explore John as an author and the unique time and setting of John's letters. It gives us a chance to see how the church was growing and the new challenges the church faced. Pastor Jim will help you apply John's first letter to your life as a believer and leader as well. 

In this week's episode, we continue our conversations through the Bible by discussing the book of 2 Peter. Last week, we had a chance to discuss the role of Peter in the New Testament; today, we dig deeper into his life and his second letter. Pastor Jim explores the book's major themes and helps us reflect on lessons we can learn for today.

In this week's episode we're exploring Peter's letters in the New Testament with a conversation on 1 Peter. A familiar figure to the gospel stories and the book of Acts, Pastor Jim explores Peter's life and writings to the churches of Asia Minor. We also discuss what today's believers can learn from Peter's teaching.  

We're continuing our series through the books of the Bible with today's conversation on the book of James. James is a unique book in the New Testament. It has often raised questions about the relationship between faith and works. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim explores the book's authorship and how James' advice shapes us as followers of Christ. 

In today's episode, we continue through the books of the Bible by discussing the book of Hebrews. While the authorship of the book is debated, it is certainly one of the richest and most complicated books of the New Testament, full of Old Testament allusions and theological comparisons. We take a closer look at the letter, its famous warnings, and also its encouragement of faith. 

In today's episode, we continue through the books of the Bible by discussing the book of Philemon. Among the Bible's shortest books, Philemon recounts a complicated personal situation that Paul sought to reconcile. In our conversation, we'll discuss ancient slavery and how the gospel transforms our identities and relationships. Though short, there is a lot to be learned from this little book. 

In today's episode, we continue through the books of the Bible by discussing the last book of the pastoral epistles, Titus. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical context of the letter and compares it to Paul's letters to Timothy. We get to see how Paul instructs a pastor to lead a new church, and we find advice for our own day as well. 

In this week's episode, we take a closer look at Paul's second letter to Timothy. In a past series, we spent several weeks working through this letter. Today, we'll do it with just one conversation, but it's a chance to reconsider Paul's words and the important lessons the letter contains. Pastor Jim offers historical context and practical applications that every believer can take away from this letter. 

In today's episode, we discuss Paul's first letter to Timothy. As one of only three letters written to an individual, 1 Timothy is among some of Paul's most personal words. Paul offers advice to the younger minister, Timothy. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the context of the letter and what lessons we can learn from Timothy and Paul's advice to him. 

In this week's episode, we're discussing Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. Last week, we saw how questions about Christ's return had been spreading in Thessalonica.  In his second letter, Paul returns to the topic and expands the conversation in his discussion of the lawless one. Yet Paul will see the truths of Christ's come as the source of real hope and an opportunity for the Thessalonians to stand strong in their faith. 

In this week's episode, we're taking a look at the first letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians may be the earliest of Paul's letters, and it was written to a church Paul loved, but one which faced very real persecution and some challenging questions about Christ and his return. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical moment and how Paul's answer for the church in Thessalonica can be an encouragement to believers today as well. 

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible as we come to another of Paul's prison letters. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the background and message of Colossians. We discuss its geographic setting, its historical context, and what is some of Paul's greatest writings on the divinity of Christ. It's an important letter to people living through challenging times, and it can be the same for believers today. 

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible as we come to another of Paul's prison letters. For many people, the letter to the Philippians is a favorite book of the Bible. And for good reason. It offers some of Paul's most moving and encouraging words. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the background of the letter and how it can be an encouragement to believers today. 

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible, we come to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Known as the first of Paul's prison letters, Ephesians was not only an important letter in the life of Paul but the church played an important role in Paul's life and ministry. Pastor Jim describes the situation of the letter and offers thoughts on what we can learn from it today.

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come to Paul's letter to the Galatians. The book is one of Paul's strongest and most direct words. And it also offers one of Paul's most impassioned appeals for the centrality of the gospel. Pastor Jim explores the historical context for the book including the tensions that risked dividing the early church. We also discuss how Galatians can serve Christians and churches today. 

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come this week to the book of Second Corinthians. Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church is one of Paul's most personal and painful. Paul was forced to defend his own claim to be an apostle. Pastor Jim explores the difficult situation that led to this letter and what we can learn from it as believers and ministers. 

As we continue to work our way through the books of the Bible, we come to two of Paul's most well-known letters, his letters to the church in Corinth. The Corinthian church was facing pretty serious problems, but Paul took the time to work through them in two theologically rich letters. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the first of those letters. We discuss the background and the major themes.  

The book of Romans is one of the most theologically dense books of the Bible and can be one of the most challenging to understand. In today's episode, we take a closer look at the background of the letter, Paul's situation, and the context of writing to Rome, and we explore the letter's major themes and lessons. Though challenging, Romans also contains some rich explanations of the gospel and the hope we have for Jesus. 

In this week's conversation, we take a closer look at the Book of Acts. We discuss how Luke structured the book to work with his gospel and how Acts introduces us to the early church and the ministry of Paul. Pastor Jim explores what the church today can learn from those first days of the church, taking Jesus's message from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible and over the last few weeks, the gospels, we come to the book of John. John stands out amongst the Gospel writers as containing a unique style and a significant amount of unique content. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim takes a closer look at John, his gospel writing, and what we can learn from it.

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible and over the last few weeks, the gospels, we come to the book of Luke. As perhaps the only gentile writer in the New Testament, Luke offers a carefully constructed two-part account of Jesus and the church. Pastor Jim explores Luke's approach, his reason for writing, and what we can learn from Luke's work. 

This week's episode takes us back to the gospels to take a look at Mark's account. As normal, we discuss the author, the book's historical context, and its major themes. Each of the gospels offers a unique perspective on Jesus' life and work. Pastor Jim explores the unique place of Mark's gospel in those accounts. 

In today's episode, we're moving from the Old Testament to the New. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at each of the gospel accounts. We'll discuss the author, the reason for writing, and what makes each of the gospel books unique. In our conversation today, we're discussing the book of Matthew. We hope these conversations will help you learn and inspire you to read and love Scripture in all of its fullness.

Today is a milestone conversation for us. We are discussing our final book of the Old Testament, Malachi. As the last of the minor prophets, Malachi offers us some of the prophetic words closest to the arrival of Jesus in the New Testament. We take a closer look at Malachi's words, his lessons, and reflect on our time together in the Old Testament.  

As we come close to the end of our conversations in the Old Testament, we find ourselves in the post-exilic period discussing the prophets of that time. In today's episode, Pastor Jim looks at the life and work of Zechariah. We'll see the unique challenges Israel faced upon their return from exile and how Zechariah called them to faithfulness and obedience. We'll also discuss how Zechariah's words can be read for today.

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible. Today, we come to a new section within the minor prophets. For the next few weeks, we will be looking at the post-exilic prophets, those prophets who did their work after Israel's return from exile. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical moment, the work of these prophets, and how their voices prepare us for the story of the New Testament.

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Zephaniah. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. The scope of the coming judgment Zephaniah saw was immense, including not only Judah but also the surrounding nations. Zephaniah also included one of the prophet's most expansive views of coming salvation as well. 

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Habakkuk. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. Habakkuk offers us a unique kind of prophetic work. Habakkuk describes his own personal struggles as a prophet and the challenges that go with seeing the sin of his people and speaking the truth of God.

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Nahum. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. Naham turns his prophetic attention to the ancient Assyrian empire. Pastor Jim offers historical background on Naham and suggestions on what we can learn from this prophet today.

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Micah. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. Pastor Jim offers historical background on Micah and suggestions on what we can learn from this prophet today.

Lately, we have been working through the books of the minor prophets. Many of those books are unfamiliar to believers, but the story of Jonah is one of the Bible's most recognized stories. In today's episode, we discuss the book of Jonah and take a closer look at the often neglected portions of the story. Pastor Jim offers lessons and a compelling case for the heart of God, which is to reach all people.