The One Minute Apologist Podcast

Watch the full message at Imagechurch.live  A Foolproof Life  Ecclesiastes 8:1-10:20   A Few Thoughts on Foolishness   ·      Foolishness Easily Contaminates  
 ·      Foolishness  is Easily Recognized      2.  Foolproof your Leadership    ·      Master Your Emotions 
 ·      Assess Leaders Before You Assimilate 
 ·      Exemplify What You Expect 
 ·      Maintain Your Responsibilities     Foolproof Your Labor    ·      Understand What You Undertake 
 ·      Work Smarter Not Harder      Foolproof your Lips    ·      Speak Tactfully  
 ·      Speak Truthfully 
 ·      Speak Tamefully 

Trying to Make Sense of Life Ecclesiastes 6:1-7:29   15 Realizations Worth Considering When Trying to Make Sense of Life: 1.      Realize that Chasing Money and Success for Money and Success' Sake Will Never Fill our Void of Discontentment. 2.      Realize that Who You Are Is More Important than What You Have. 3.      Realize that It Is Better to Live Our Vanishing Life with Purpose, than to Waste It through the Pursuit of Pleasure.   4.     Realize that remaining teachable before a sage trumps being entertained by the blissful ignorance of fools. 5.      Realize that caving into the temptation of oppressing others leads the wise into moral compromise. 6.      Realize that painful patience is better than succumbing to the price of impatient shortcuts to achieve success. 7.      Realize that one easily offended inevitably plays the fool. 8.      Realize that now is all that we have, so don't overly romanticize the past.         “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning   9.      Realize that wisdom tells us that we will either use wealth or wealth will use us. 10.   Realize that wisdom gives us the ability to trust God with mystery. 11.   Realize that we shouldn't trust in our own righteousness or grandiose wisdom, nor should choose to be foolish. 12.   Realize that wisdom is more powerful than power, for wisdom is power. (19-20) “ten rulers in a city”     "The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:1-7).     13.   Realize that if you live for the words of others, you will become fragilized by them. 14.   Realize that gaining a dose of modest wisdom doesn't arrive by accident, it comes through disciplined determination. 15.   Realize that it is better to reflect on the importance of wisdom over folly and to do so in advance.

Understanding the Times Ecclesiastes 3:1-22     “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” Psalm 90:12                1.      Understand that time will present us with a variety of experiences. 2.      Understand that God makes everything beautiful, in its time.   “Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” Philip Yancey   3.      Understand that we are to live out our time on earth with an eternal perspective. 4.      Understand that God desires us to enjoy the time we've been given. 5.      Understand that God is sovereign over time and we're accountable for how we us our it.

Watch the full message at: https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/389363 How To Approach God Ecclesiastes 5:1-20     1. Approach God Reverently     How Do We Approach God Reverently?   1. With a Teachable Heart 
 2. With a Thoughtful Heart 
 3. With a Humble Heart  
 4. With a Focused Heart 
  “The dreams appear to be daydreams, reducing worship to verbal (or mental) doodling.” Derke Kidner
 2. Approach God with the Resolve to Keep Your Commitments   Keys To Commitment:   ·       Commit to What You Commit   “Commit to what you Commit “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in doing whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows. If you don't, you will be guilty of sin. However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow. But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to do as you have said, for you have made a vow to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 23:21-23).   ·       Contemplate Before You Commit   “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows” (Proverbs 20:25).              ·       Don't Excuse Your Commitments Away                                                                Why Is It So Important to Keep Our Commitments   1.      So, We Don't Experience God's Displeasure.                  2.    So, We Don't Experience God's Discipline.      ACTION TIP: Cultivate a Healthy Respect for God!     

Watch the full message at: https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/386650 How Not to Chase Success Ecclesiastes 4:1-16   "I am not the richest, smartest or most talented person in the world, but I succeed because I keep going and going and going." - Sylvester Stallone 1. Chasing Success by Oppressing others to Gain More Power  2. Chasing Success by Never Learning the Secret to Contentment  3. Chasing Success by Neglecting the Importance of Community  4. Chasing Success by Exchanging Wisdom for Foolishness  Today's Takeaway.  *Here's something to chew on. Remember, success has a moral and a missional component. It's not just about finding out what we're “to do”, but who we're “to be.” As followers of Christ, we are to be like Jesus and the more we are like in our being, the more we will impact others through our missional “doing.”  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-3).     

Watch the full message at Imagechurch.live  I Can't Get No Satisfaction! Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 1. Trying to Find Satisfaction through Hedonistic Pleasure. 2. Trying to Find Satisfaction through Philosophical Wisdom. 3. Trying to Find Satisfaction through Hard Work.

Life Is Short! Ecclesiastes 1:1-18   Embrace the moment I have been given 
 Engage my responsibilities with the right perspective 
 Explore nature, but know it alone will not provide the ultimate meaning of life.
 Expect nothing new to explain the purpose of life 
 Enter a personal relationship with the Creator of all things!   “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ.” ― Pascal “For Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” Augustine

Watch the full message at Imagechurch.live Purpose of This Letter 1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,  2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.  Peter's linking of the prophets and apostles placed them on the same level of authority. Follow the commandments of the Lord and Savior, and the apostles which are now found in scripture. The Coming Day of the Lord 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,  4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."  Conversational Notes:  We see mockers being mockers because they want their sexual sin, and it might be true, but it not usually fruitful in conversation with non-believers to bring this up. Paul's audience is believers. Induction, Hume's argument 1. Definition of a Miracle: Hume defines a miracle as a violation of the laws of nature. These laws are based on uniform and consistent human experience, like gravity, the behavior of light, or the consistency of physical objects. 2. The Balance of Probabilities: According to Hume, when faced with a claim of a miracle, one must weigh the evidence for the natural law (which is based on consistent experience) against the evidence for the miracle (which is based on the testimony of a witness or group of witnesses). Since natural laws are supported by universal and consistent experience, they are highly probable. By contrast, a miracle, by definition, is a rare and exceptional event that goes against this established order, making it inherently less probable. Therefore, the evidence for the miracle must be extraordinarily strong to overcome the very high probability that the natural law remains unviolated. 3. Testimony and Human Nature: Hume argues that human testimony is often unreliable. People can be deceived, misinterpret events, or have motivations like the desire for attention or to support religious beliefs that might lead them to fabricate or exaggerate accounts of miracles. Furthermore, Hume points out that reports of miracles often originate in "ignorant and barbarous nations," where critical scrutiny of such claims is less likely. 4. The Principle of Diminishing Credibility: Even if multiple sources independently report the same miracle, Hume suggests that their testimonies do not multiply the probability of the miracle occurring. Instead, they simply add layers of evidence, each of which is still less probable than the natural law they contradict. Therefore, the more extraordinary the claim (such as a miracle), the more extraordinary the evidence needed to justify belief in that claim. 5. Hume's Conclusion: Hume concludes that it is never reasonable to believe in miracles based on testimony alone because the improbability of the miracle outweighs the reliability of the testimony. A wise person should proportion their belief to the evidence, and since the evidence for natural laws is overwhelmingly strong, it would be irrational to believe in a violation of those laws without equally strong evidence. 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,  6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. (contrast between formed out of water, and destroyed by water and then fire on Judgment day)  7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  You have seen God work!  Peter refers to creation, to show that God has been at work before. The scoffers deliberately put aside God's Word and then complained that God was not doing anything. Creation options: Young Earth Creationist: Our universe was created by God 6,000-10,000 Day age view or standard Old Earth Creationist: The Universe is 14 billion years old, but every day in Genesis was a unique creation event Intelligent Design or a Theistic Evolutionary model: There are differences in the details, but God set forth the unfolding of our reality with the law that guided it in such a way to bring about the diversity and intelligent humans like us.    Isaiah (66:15–16) and Malachi (4:1) associated fire with the return of the Lord. WARNING: There will be a Judgment day and there will be destruction of ungodly men.  8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  The words not wanting (mē boulomenos) anyone to perish do not express a decree, as if God has willed everyone to be saved. Universal salvation is not taught in the Bible. Instead those words describe God's wishes or desires; He longs that all would be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4) but knows that many reject Him. Think about your day and all of the activities you do. If the Lord comes back, what will he catch you doing? A New Heaven and Earth 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.  11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,  15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,  The Lord's patience is because of His desire that people come to salvation (cf. v. 9). The seeming procrastination of the Second Coming, far from being negative inaction on God the Father's part is rather a demonstration of His makrothymian ("long-suffering"). 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  Peter calls Paul's letters Scripture or at least put them on the same level. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,  18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.  Search the scripture and get God's heart on the issue Observation Interpretation  Application Categories of language  Multiple places where the command is given or that it is followed

Watch the full message at Imagechurch.live  1.      Resolve To Live in Harmony with God's Moral Character 2.      Remember The Past from Which You Were Saved 3.      Rigorously Evaluate the Genuineness of Your Profession of Faith 4.      Repeatedly Reflect on the Warnings Enclosed in God's Word

Watch the full episode here: https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/channels/4149/series/44941 Keeping the Church Healthy 1 Peter 5:1-14   Five Marks of a Healthy Church!   1. Healthy Churches Are Led by Godly Leaders 2. Healthy Churches Honorably Relate to One Another 3. Healthy Churches Rely Deeply On God through Life's Difficulties 4. Healthy Churches Guard Against Satan's Tactics 5. Healthy Churches Trust God to Bring Good Out of Suffering

Watch the full message here: https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/361277 Living Out God's Will  1 Peter 4:1-11  
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:15 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17 “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21   1. Realize that Suffering is an Inescapable Part of Life (Circumstantial Component). 2. Radically Live Distinct Lives of Virtue (Moral Component). 3. Richly Relate to Others through Connected Community (Relational Component). 4: Readily use Your Spiritual Gifts to Serve the Church (Selfless Component).

Watch the full message at Imagechurch.live https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/358595 Thoughts on Suffering Unjustly 1 Peter 3.8-22   1. Refrain from returning evil for evil.   -Returning blessing for evil increases the quality of our own life. -Returning blessing for evil protects our words from evil and deceit. -Returning blessing for evil is the best way to discover peace. -Returning blessing for evil is possible when we live for an audience of One.   2. Refuse to allow cultural evils to strip away your passion for the good.   3. Realize that suffering unjustly presents us with opportunities to share the Gospel.   4. Reflect on Christ's example of suffering unjustly to inspire holy living a hostile culture.

Showcasing Counter-Cultural Marriages 1 Peter 3:1-7   “The percentage of 23- to 38-year-old Americans who are married steadily decreases by generation: 81% for the Silent Generation, 61% for baby boomers, 53% for Generation X, and 44% for millennials. The percentage of unmarried Americans 15 years or older has risen from 23% in 1950 to 34% in 2022.” Pew Research Survey   “41% of Gen Z men and 52% of Gen Z women believe that marriage is an “outdated tradition.” Thriving Center of Psychology Survey

OutLive the World! 1 Peter 2:13-25   How Do We Outlive the World?   Readily and willingly serve as cooperative citizens of the state.  Recognize the value of self-imposed limitations to our freedom. Realize the importance of treating everyone honorably. Refuse to return evil for evil.

Be Holy! 1 Peter 1:13-25   How to Live Holy:       Live Holy by anticipating Christ's future return   2.      Live Holy by refusing to return to your past   "Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11).   3.      Live Holy by reflecting on God's Holiness   “With our loss of the sense of Majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine presence. … The decline of the knowledge of the holy has brought on our troubles. A rediscovery of the majesty of God will go along way toward curing them.” A.W. Tozer     4.      Live holy by fearing God's just judgment   "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10).     5.      Live holy by remembering the cost paid to purchase your salvation   “GOd's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4).   6.      Live holy by obeying the truth of God's Word   7.  Live holy by loving others with a pure heart

Order Bobby's latest book, 'Does Christianity Still Make Sense?' at:  https://www.amazon.com/Does-Christianity-Still-Make-Sense/dp/1496476433/ Visit www.christianitystillmakessense.com Take a course: https://www.christianitystillmakessense.com/courses In a world where Christianity no longer makes sense this channel exists to show that it still does. As a pastor/apologist and one who was a near apostate after suffering through his own season of gut-wrenching doubt, Bobby now seeks to make sense of Christianity, by helping thoughtful believers resolve doubts when presented to them about (1) God, (2) the Bible, (3) Morality, (4) the Church, and (5) Culture. Our Creed We believe God is Triune, That Scripture is our final authority  That Jesus is God incarnate That humans are sinful and in need of redemption That humans can only be reconciled to God by grace through faith That Jesus is our redeemer who atoned for our sins on the cross That Christ rose from the grave and is coming again in bodily form!

On this week's episode of 'Christianity Still Makes Sense,' Bobby Conway and Tim Hull discuss some of the major headlines of the week and what they reveal about today's culture. Topics covered include: Media Reaction to Harrison Butker's Commencement Speech. Faith revival in the UK among Gen Z. Scary statistics on which religious groups actually take their faith seriously. Personal vs group responsibility for societal change. And a pope that believes that mankind is inherently good.   Order Bobby's latest book, 'Does Christianity Still Make Sense?' at: https://www.amazon.com/Does-Christianity-Still-Make-Sense/dp/1496476433/

Watch the full message at https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/334368 Losing What Matters Most Ruth 1   1. Sometimes things go bad   2. Sometimes things go from bad to worse   3. Sometimes things go from worse to impossible What NOT to Do When You Lose What Matters Most:   Refuse to push others away. Refuse to blame God.   “Some dreams important to us will shatter, and the realization that God could have fulfilled those dreams pushes us into a terrible battle with Him.” Crabb, Shattered Dreams, 53.  Refuse to grow bitter. Refuse to become hopeless and disillusioned with God.   Next time you experience loss remember the story is not complete!

On this week's episode of 'Does Christianity Still Make Sense' Tim and Bobby discuss some of the most common objections against Christianity and organized religion. Topics include hurt experienced in church caused by poor leadership, favoritism, legalism, bad doctrine, a dysfunctional congregation, cliques, and gossip. Plus, what is an appropriate way to respond to these problems when they happen, and when is it time to leave a specific church and look for another? ⏱Timestamps⏱ - What is a harmful way to react to church hurt or abuse? - Why do some people choose to completely walk away? - How should people respond when a church hurt is felt whether it be real or perceived? - What should a person do when they hear rumors of scandals in the leadership? - Has the American church created a culture of ignoring celebrity church scandals? - What can the Christian do when they observe instances of abuse or poor leadership and teaching in their church?

In this episode of 'Christianity Still Makes Sense' Tim gets to ask Bobby questions on one of his favorite topics - moral philosophy! Together they discuss the moral objection to Christianity and elaborate on the need to be able to both acknowledge that objective morality exists and that it must be grounded in God. For more specific responses to moral objections against Christianity watch Bobby's full sermon on 'The Moral Objection' where he answers questions such as: If God is good why is there so much suffering and evil in the world? Isn't Christianity oppressive to women? Doesn't the Bible promote slavery? Isn't God a genocidal maniac? Why does God seem to hate all things gay? What kind of just God sends people to hell?

In this episode of 'Christianity Still Makes Sense' Tim and Bobby dive into the pluralist objection to Christianity that many people struggle with. Though this objection certainly isn't new, it is hardly surprising that it has become an even greater hindrance to people over recent years. Particularly when one considers the cultural climate we find ourselves in today that values diversity, equity, and inclusion above all things. Bobby answers questions such as: - Can't there be more than one way to a destination? - Can the validity of someone's beliefs be measured by their sincerity? - Are Christians too dogmatic about the idea that Jesus is the only way to heaven? - Isn't love the only thing that matters? And much more!

In this episode we are introduced to Tim's non-Christian, super skeptical twin, Mit who explodes onto the scene with lots of questions for the Doc. Some of the objections covered include: The hiddenness of God. What would God's presence even feel like? What evidence is there for the existence of God? Isn't morality just a social construct? What about people who do evil in the name of God?

Oprah says the most important tool you have is "speaking your truth". But what does that mean if we're living in a post-truth era. If truth can mean anything, it quickly means nothing. I this episode of 'Christianity Still Makes Sense' Tim and Bobby discuss some of the philosophy that got us here and how we can respond. Pre-Order your copy of 'Does Christianity Still Make Sense?' Here: https://www.amazon.com/Does-Christianity-Still-Make-Sense/dp/1496476433/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EFQEN1ZA0NY1&keywords=does+christianity+still+make+sense&qid=1706650762&sprefix=Does+Chris%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1 Visit www.christianitystillmakessense.com Take a course: https://www.christianitystillmakessense.com/courses

Watch the full episode at imagechurch.live Encountering Gospel Freedom Romans 6:1-14   “I would say that if you don't believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.” Christopher Hitchens   “If Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14).   “Jesus said..., “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).   “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).   “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”( 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Watch the full message at imagechurch.live   7 Marks of a Spiritually Mature Christian 1 Corinthians 16   1.      Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked by Generosity   “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).   “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.”Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes” (Haggai 1:2-6).     2.  Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked by Discernment   “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14, NLT).   “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2-3).   “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).     3. Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked by Resilience   4. Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked by Courageous Strength   5. Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked by Love   “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). 6. Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked by Faithful Service 7. Spiritually Mature Christians Are Marked their Encouragement of Others

Watch the full episode at imagechurch.live  Hope Beyond the Grave 1 Corinthians 15   Questions to Ponder:   First off, do you believe in Jesus? I mean, are you trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection as your hope for both now and beyond the grave?   Second, if not, what's preventing you from believing? Like what's it going to take to remove the barriers to belief you're experiencing?   Third, given that this life is our rehearsal for eternity what adjustments do you need to make in your life to make it count the most for Christ?   Fourth, knowing that we aren't meant to keep our faith to ourselves, is there anyone you can offer some hope to by extending an invite to our upcoming Easter service?

Watch the full message at imagechurch.live 1. When we gather, each of us has a part to play in building up the church. 2. When we gather, our words are meant to provide clarity to each other, not confusion and chaos. 3. When we gather, it should be both tasteful and orderly.   “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control” (1 Timothy 2:11-15).

Thoughts to Ponder:   -While everything may not make sense in the church, we shouldn't go out of our way to make nonsense out of what is supposed to make sense.  -Spiritual gifts aren't given to us to create confusion and chaos, but rather they're given to unify the church and build it up.  -When we gather, our aim should be to encounter God through our collective worship.  -Finally, when it comes to the non-believer in our midst, our goal is to make sense of church so people can make sense of God.   

Watch the full message: https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/252027 “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Jean-Jacque Rousseau.  ‘Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved.” (G.K. Chesterton, emphasis added)     “What would you think of a woman student who entered the college quad wearing an earring stamped with the mushroom cloud of Hiroshima on it? What would you think of a church building adorned with a fresco of the mass graves of Auschwitz, the worst of the Nazi death camps? Even to ask questions like that produces a kind of shudder of embarrassment. The images are so grotesque and abhorrent and shocking because of Western history in the last 50 or 60 years, but that was the sort of shocking overtone associated with the word cross or crucifixion in the first century…Yet today, crosses dangle from our ears. We sport them upon our lapels... We put them on our buildings. Our bishops wear them around their necks. Nobody's embarrassed, and thus it is hard to hear the sheer audacity of a verse like 1 Corinthians 1:18.” D.A. Carson

God's Reconciling Grace The Book of Philemon     “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;that is,   in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19).   “Slaves were found in all professions and generally had more opportunity for social advancement than free peasants; unlike the vast majority of slaves in the United States and the Caribbean, they were able to work for and achieve freedom, and some freed slaves became independently wealthy.   This social mobility applied especially to the household slaves—the only kind of slave addressed in Paul's writings. Economically, socially, and with regard to freedom to determine their future, these slaves were better off than most free persons in the Roman Empire; most free persons were rural peasants working as tenant farmers on the vast estates of wealthy landowners.” Craig Keener   “From the standpoint of ancient slave owners, the lost time of an escaped slave was lost money and was legally viewed as stolen property, to which one harboring him was liable. But more important, slaves themselves were not cheap, and Philemon might have already bought another slave to replace him.)   Recapture normally meant severe punishment. Old Testament law required harboring escaped slaves (Deut 23:15–16), but Roman law required Paul to return Onesimus to his master, with serious penalties if he failed to do so. Paul uses his relationship with Philemon to seek Onesimus's release: in a standard “letter of recommendation,” one would plead with someone of equal (or sometimes lower)   status on behalf of someone of lower status. Paul was not Philemon's equal socially or economically, but as his spiritual father he had grounds to claim the equality that characterized ancient friendship.” Keener     Six Feautures Regarding God's Reconciling Grace God's Reconciling Grace Encounters Each of Us in An Undeserved State   2. God's Reconciling Grace Is Designed to Change Us   3. God's Reconciling Grace Should Motivate Us to Reconcile with Those We've Wronged “No Christian should grumble at extra demands of love. They are golden opportunities to draw on the reserves of divine love, and in so doing to become more fully oneself in Christ, more completely in the image of God, more authentically human. It is not merely Onesimus for whom Paul is here pastorally concerned.” N.T. Wright   4. God's Reconciling Grace Is Always Costly   5. God's Reconciling Grace Contains Within It the Power to Overcome Social Evils “Paul's message to Philemon goes beyond other documents of his time in not only pleading for clemency for an escaped slave but asking that he be released because he is now a Christian. So powerful was this precedent that many early U.S.   slaveholders did not want their slaves to be exposed to Christianity, for fear that they would be compelled to free them; only in time was a distorted enough form of the Christian message available for use in sustaining slavery.” Craig Keener   6. God's Reconciling Grace Transforms Relationships “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).

Love Is the Final Apologetic 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).     "Upon his authority he gives the world the right to judge whether you or I are born-again Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians...   [If] people come up to us and cast in our teeth the judgment that we are not Christians because we have not shown love toward other Christians, we must understand that they are only exercising a prerogative which Jesus gave them." Francis Schaeffer   “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves     “Love that person who rubs you the wrong way. Love the unfaithful. The immature. The obnoxious teenager. The grumpy father-in-law. The noisy neighbor. The nosey neighbor. The fruit cake making old aunt. The unfair boss. The inconsistent friend.   The lazy worker. The worrying wife. The hateful husband. The wannabe hipster. The argumentative church member. The unruly two year old. The angry atheist. The bitter, unattractive single women. The unwise college student. The blatant homosexual. That snippy sister-in-law. The Muslim. “Love them”, Jesus says. “No, really. Show them who I really am by bringing some agape their way.” Yours Truly, The Fifth Gospel     “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:44-46).   "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

  If We Are the Body 1 Corinthians 12:12-31   “If we are the body why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way?” Casting Crowns, If We Are the Body, chorus.     "'If We Are the Body' addresses a problem I've seen in churches all over - that churches are a lot like a circle. Circles are great if you're in the circle, but most people find themselves outside that circle for whatever reason.   There's not a sign on the door but you get the feeling they've got everybody they need. You're welcome to come, but you're not really ever going to be part of the circle and that's certainly not what the Bible teaches." Mark Hall   “I love this song. I agree with it completely. I've been to a lot of different churches where I just didn't feel welcome whatsoever. That's why I ended up in the church I'm in because people opened up to me and made me feel like I belonged.” Shebalba8   “My church that i grew up in had cliches and... it felt really uncomfortable. the church I am at now... it's like a 180. all it takes is a simple introduction to make a person feel at home. it won't kill ya...” Itzadoozy   “I really love the lyrics for this song. How often do people judge others who come to their church or judge other Christian's b/c they have beliefs slightly different from theirs? We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and we must stand together or perish.” Singmesweet   If we are the body, we will value unity and diversity.   2. If we are the body, we will recognize the inestimable worth of each part.   3. If we are the body, we won't elevate one set of gifts above another, but we'll be mutually dependent on one another.   4. If we are the body, we won't divide over our spiritual gifts, but rather we will use them to build each other up and to care for each other.   5. If we are the body, we will rally around Christ, our ultimate unifying member of the body.   6. If we are the body, we will be driven by something far greater than our giftings, we will be driven by our love for one another.

“Many of us who affirm and practice spiritual gifts would feel more comfortable among anticharismatics who are at least grounded in Scripture than among such flaky charismatics.” Craig Keener     1. Spiritual gifts are meant to be unwrapped.   2. Spiritual gifts and those who profess to have them should be tested.   3. Spiritual gifts come variously packaged.   “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8, emphasis added).     4. Spiritual gifts are given for the good of others.   “We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).   “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).   5. Spiritual gifts are just that, they're gifts. they shouldn't puff us up, but they should humble us.   “Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God's loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own. We have no more right to claim credit for special abilities than for blue eyes or strong muscles. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:17).– AW Tozer –The Pursuit of God     6. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly distributed by the Spirit of God and should be gratefully received.

Approaching Communion Sacredly 1 Corinthians 11:17-32   Approach communion with a heart of gratitude   2. Approach communion by remembering Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf   "And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (Ex 24:8).   Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt,   my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:   I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Je 31:31–34).   3. Approach communion by realizing how it dramatizes the Gospel   4. Approach communion by examining your posture toward the Gospel

Hats Off! 1 Corinthians 11:2-16   Five Reflections to Chew On:   First, when reading the Scriptures, be careful to discern between the timeless and the timely.    Second, value the cultural traditions of other cultures without necessarily assuming them as your own. Third, honor the cultural traditions of your own culture where you can without compromise by refusing to be a stumbling block.  Fourth, realize that male and female are created equal but different and for unity's sake learn to value God's order of things. Fifth, remember, gender distinctions aren't too blurred, but instead, we are to celebrate our God-given genders.     Sermon Link https://imagechurchlive.churchcenter.com/episodes/288754

1. Learn from the immoral examples of others verses experiencing a moral wipeout for yourself.   2. Never think you're above a moral wipeout. It can happen to any of us.   3. Know how to overcome temptation when it comes your way.   4. Eliminate the idols in your life that can ultimately take you down.

We are counting down the most-watched Christianity Still Makes Sense Episodes of 2023. As we approach the end of the year, please remember your support fuels our efforts to reach a wider audience, bringing comfort and encouragement to those doubting the Christian Faith. By backing our channel, you become an integral part of this ministry, impacting lives and fostering a sense of community. Your contributions enable us to create more meaningful content and provide resources that nourish the soul. Together, let's amplify the light of Christ in the digital space. Whether through prayers, donations, or simply sharing our content, every gesture makes a difference. Join our mission and help us continue this faith journey, spreading God's love far and wide by visiting ChristianityStillMakesSense.com and clicking donate. Together, we can touch hearts, inspire change, and make a positive impact on the lives of many. Thank you for being a beacon of support in our shared mission.

We are counting down the most-watched Christianity Still Makes Sense Episodes of 2023. As we approach the end of the year, please remember your support fuels our efforts to reach a wider audience, bringing comfort and encouragement to those doubting the Christian Faith. By backing our channel, you become an integral part of this ministry, impacting lives and fostering a sense of community. Your contributions enable us to create more meaningful content and provide resources that nourish the soul. Together, let's amplify the light of Christ in the digital space. Whether through prayers, donations, or simply sharing our content, every gesture makes a difference. Join our mission and help us continue this faith journey, spreading God's love far and wide by visiting ChristianityStillMakesSense.com and clicking donate. Together, we can touch hearts, inspire change, and make a positive impact on the lives of many. Thank you for being a beacon of support in our shared mission.

We are counting down the most-watched Christianity Still Makes Sense Episodes of 2023. As we approach the end of the year, please remember your support fuels our efforts to reach a wider audience, bringing comfort and encouragement to those doubting the Christian Faith. By backing our channel, you become an integral part of this ministry, impacting lives and fostering a sense of community. Your contributions enable us to create more meaningful content and provide resources that nourish the soul. Together, let's amplify the light of Christ in the digital space. Whether through prayers, donations, or simply sharing our content, every gesture makes a difference. Join our mission and help us continue this faith journey, spreading God's love far and wide by visiting ChristianityStillMakesSense.com and clicking donate. Together, we can touch hearts, inspire change, and make a positive impact on the lives of many. Thank you for being a beacon of support in our shared mission.

We are counting down the most-watched Christianity Still Makes Sense Episodes of 2023. As we approach the end of the year, please remember your support fuels our efforts to reach a wider audience, bringing comfort and encouragement to those doubting the Christian Faith. By backing our channel, you become an integral part of this ministry, impacting lives and fostering a sense of community. Your contributions enable us to create more meaningful content and provide resources that nourish the soul. Together, let's amplify the light of Christ in the digital space. Whether through prayers, donations, or simply sharing our content, every gesture makes a difference. Join our mission and help us continue this faith journey, spreading God's love far and wide by visiting ChristianityStillMakesSense.com and clicking donate. Together, we can touch hearts, inspire change, and make a positive impact on the lives of many. Thank you for being a beacon of support in our shared mission.

Another breaking scandal in the Christian sphere! Mike Bickle is accused of sexual misconduct. What is the story, and what, if any, effect might this have on our Christian faith? We look at 4 Truths we need to remember when facing scandals.

Oddly enough, evangelism has become almost a curse word to many Evangelical Christians. 47% of Millenial Christians think it is immoral. In Episode 41, we looked at some cringe-worth examples of evangelism and gave you some tips on making it less weird. This week, famed author, apologist, and speaker Greg Koukl, founder of Stand To Reason, shares more secrets to better evangelistic interactions. Welcome to Christianity Still Makes Sense, the show that loves doubters.

96% of Millennials claim that being a witness for Jesus is an important part of their faith, yet 47% say it is morally wrong to practice evangelism. Perhaps you share the same view as Ray, who said this about why he dislikes evangelism: the idea behind evangelism is wrapped up in this idea that you are this poor pitiful sinner who needs to be saved. That you are inherently defective and you have no merit or value on your own. We will look at what others are saying about evangelism and hope to give you a way you can be a witness for Jesus without the cringe associated with it.

A March 2023 Barna Study found that "52% of adults and teens have experienced religious doubt in the past few years." If you are in the 52%, it may be comforting to know you aren't alone. If that number is shocking to you, you likely know a doubter and you aren't aware. In our last episode, we heard the despair in the words of a teenager named Jane Doe. She sent an email to Bobby recounting her struggles. We will start with hearing her words again before we get to 4 more ways to help those who are doubting.

If you've never heard the agony of a doubter, the despair of a near apostate now is your chance. In 2013, Bobby received an email from Jane, a teenage girl in the final stages of doubt, marked by depression, despair, and nearly ready to depart. We are going to hear her words and take 2 episodes to help people in their doubt. Visit www.christianitystillmakessense.com

Yes, Bobby has once again handed over the reins of the show to me. My name is Tim, and I am the executive producer here at Christianity Still Makes Sense. Today, I get to share some of my thoughts on what I think is a very important topic. Keeping Your Faith Intact Through Turbulent Times | Episode 37 https://youtu.be/H90EVmn-TYA Tim Whitaker and Sean McDowell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg0ID6q0rg8&t=2444s Vaush Debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0rNwoVdZVo&t=1820s Bobby's Sermon from October 8th, 2023 https://youtu.be/zat_Wt8NJEU

Turbulent times have been known to shake us off our foundation. Answering some key questions, we believe, will help keep our faith centered on Christ. In this episode of Christianity Still Make Sense, we will look at the most significant issues in our world today and answer questions like: What are some of the key philosophies at play? How should we respond as believers? What advice would you offer to pastors leading at this time? Visit www.christianitystillmakessense.com

A horrifying attack occurred on October 7th, 2023, in Israel when Hamas terrorists breached the security lines. There are reports of more than a thousand dead, and we learn more about how evil these attacks were each day. This attack raises several questions for Christians about how the US should respond, whether Christians should support Israel, and what, if any, are the theological implications of this war. Heads of state have expressed support for Israel and Pro-Palestine rallies have taken place in the US, England, Canada, and others. This is truly a global event that demands our attention, and we intend to address it on today's show.

The conversation of race in American society isn't going away, as there is still much to talk about and a lot of healing left to do. Critical Race Theory seems to find itself at the center of much of that conversation. Whether you applaud restrictions on CRT or see those restrictions as masking a real issue, knowing what CRT is can be very important. Author and Speaker Neil Shevni has his Ph.D. in Chemistry but has taken up the task of helping Christians understand Critical Race Theory. He joined Bobby back in 2020 for a live discussion, answering questions such as: What is the difference between Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory? What is the worldview that unpins Critical Race Theory, and is that worldview compatible with Christianity? How does CRT work? And many other important topics. Here is a link to the full episode https://youtube.com/live/CFjK3BLDLr4 Visit www.christianitystillmakessense.com

We love those in the LGBTQ community. It is confusing then to hear people claim we don't. But what does that look like? Bobby continues his dialogue with Dr. Robert Gagnon. He is considered the foremost scholar on the traditionalist position. He's credentialed from the Ivy League system at Dartmouth, Harvard, and Princeton and currently serves as a professor at Houston Baptist Seminary. I will hand you over to the scholars. More Information at: http://www.robgagnon.net/ Visit www.christianitystillmakessense.com