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Send us a textThe devotion for today, Wednesday, April 23, 2025 was written by Kris Baker and is narrated by Judithann Anderson. Today's Words of Inspiration come from Luke 2:13-17Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”   Support the show

Another late season game with little meaning and minimal to talk about in the first two periods. A push in the third period ultimately falls short as the Avs fall in their final home game Intro - 0:00That was a hockey game - 1:00Keep resting guys? - 3:50Expecting more from Blackwood? - 6:17Now we are talking about broadcasts - 9:00Good for Devon - 11:50LOC standing up so himself - 12:5-Landy's conditioning stint - 16:40What is the line up gonna look like? - 25:50Credit to Miles Wood - 36:03Nothing to play for - 46:45Evolution of LTIR - 50:30 An ALLCITY Network Production PARTY WITH US: https://thednvr.com/events ALL THINGS DNVR: https://linktr.ee/dnvrsports MERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/dnvr-locker SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DNVR_Sports Breck Brew Ice Deck Giveaway: http://breckbrew.com/icedeckMonarch Money: Use Monarch Money to get control of your overall finances with 50% off your first year at https://www.monarchmoney.com/dnvr bet365: Go to https://www.bet365.com/hub/en-us/app-hero-banner-1?utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=usapp&utm_medium=affiliate&affiliate=365_03485318 or use code DNVR365 when you sign up. Must be 21+ and physically located in CO.  Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLERUC Health: Learn more about Living Like There's A Tomorrow at https://www.uchealth.org/tomorrow/?utm_source=DNVR&utm_medium=Audio&utm_campaign=Brand_LLTIAT_Null_JFMFY25_AW_Null Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Instacart by going to https://coorslight.com/DNVR. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado.  Rugged Road: Gear up for your next adventure with Rugged Road Coolers - Your ultimate outdoor companion! Head to http://ruggedroadoutdoors.pxf.io/ALLCITY and use code DNVR for 10% off! Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code DNVR for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Check out FOCO merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/DNVR and use promo code “DNVR10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items. Exclusively for our listeners, Shady Rays is giving out their best deal of the season. Head to https://shadyrays.com and use code: DNVR for 35% off polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people. Get 10 FREE meals at https://hellofresh.com/freeavalanche. Applied across 7 boxes, new subscribers only, varies by plan. https://www.bet365.com/hub/en-us/app-hero-banner-1?utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=usapp&utm_medium=affiliate&affiliate=365_03485318 or use code DNVR365 when you sign up. Must be 21+ and physically located in CO.  Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.#coloradoavalanche #hockey #hockeypodcast

Send us a textThe devotion for today, Monday, February 10, 2025 was written by Charlie C. Rose and is narrated by Judith Anderson. Today's Words of Inspiration come from 2 Corinthians 3.17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Support the show

Read OnlineFrom that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17Now that our Christmas Octave and Epiphany celebrations are complete, we begin to turn our eyes to the public ministry of Christ. The above line from today's Gospel presents us with the most central summary of all of the teachings of Jesus: Repent. However, He doesn't say only to repent, He also says that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And that second statement is the reason we must repent.In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explains that the primary reason for our lives is to give to God the greatest glory we can. In other words, to bring forth the Kingdom of Heaven. But he also goes on to say that this can only be accomplished when we turn away from sin and all inordinate attachments in our lives so that the one and only focus of our lives is the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the goal of repentance.Soon we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and then we return to Ordinary Time within the Liturgical Year. Throughout Ordinary Time, we will reflect upon the public ministry of Jesus and focus upon His many teachings. But all of His teachings, everything that He says and does, ultimately points us to repentance, a turning away from sin and a turning toward our glorious God.In your own life, it is essential that you place before your mind and heart the call to repentance. It is essential that you daily hear Jesus saying those words to you: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Do not only think about Him saying this many years ago; rather, hear it said to you, today, tomorrow and every day of your life. There will never be a time in your life when you do not need to repent with all your heart. We will never reach perfection in this life, so repentance must be our daily mission. Reflect, today, upon this exhortation from our Lord to repent. Repent with your whole heart. Examining your actions every day is essential to this mission. See the ways that your actions keep you from God and reject those actions. And look for the ways that God is active in your life and embrace those acts of mercy. Repent and turn toward the Lord. This is Jesus' message to you this day.Lord, I repent of the sin in my life and pray that You give me the grace to become free from all that keeps me from You. May I not only turn from sin but also turn to You as the source of all mercy and fulfillment in my life. Help me to keep my eyes on the Kingdom of Heaven and to do all I can to share in that Kingdom here and now. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Repentance of St Peter By Guido Reni, via Wikimedia Commons

Joshua 3 Israel Crosses the Jordan 1Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” 5Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 6And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 7The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'” 9And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 10And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” 14So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.1 John 2:15-17Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?”2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' ”4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was [a]pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves [b]coverings.8 And they heard the [c]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [d]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”Genesis 3:1-10Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' ”5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,'and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' ”Matthew 4:1-613 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.Romans 7:13-21 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.James 1:14

John 3:1-17Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do the signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can one be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?”Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I have said to you, ‘You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus said, “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?Very truly I tell you, we speak about what we know and we testify to what we have seen and you do not receive our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man, and just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Holy Trinity Sunday can be kind of a chore for preachers and kind of a snore for those who show up for worship – and on a holiday weekend, no less. On Holy Trinity Sunday, preachers are invited – and expected, maybe – to do the theological gymnastics of TEACHING more than PREACHING, it seems to me, about the doctrine of God's identity that church people call the Trinity … about the namesake of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit … about how they are three in one and one in three … about how they relate to and through one another and to you and me in a very academic sense. Like I said … a chore and a snore. There's a place for all of that, don't get me wrong. I'm just inclined to think it's more meaningful in the classroom than in the sanctuary. It's a head thing, not a heart thing, if you will. And I believe worship is a place for more of the latter.One of the redeeming things, though, about the lectionary on a high-minded, theologically taxing day like today, is that we get to wonder about this moment between Jesus and Nicodemus as part of it all. See, I imagine Nicodemus seeks Jesus out, looking for something like a little academic instruction … some intellectual insight … some theological gymnastics of his own that he can use to either find some common ground or fight with Jesus about it all.And Jesus surprises Nicodemus by being all “you must be born from above” … and “what is born of the flesh is flesh,” and “what is born of the spirit is spirit” … and “the answer my friend, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.” And Nicodemus is like, “How can these things be?!?!”I had a conversation not long ago, that came to mind when I read, again, about Nicodemus coming to Jesus – by night – with his questions about life and faith, flesh and spirit, signs and salvation, and the nature of God. My questioner came by night, too. We were in a bar. This young man knew what I do for a living and, like Nicodemus, had some questions. (I don't remember them exactly, to be honest. Did I mention we were in a bar? And had been there for quite some time, if you know what I mean.)Anyway, he wanted to know something about things like grace and forgiveness and about what it means to “be saved” or “to get into heaven,” and – in short, I think it's fair to say – do we all make the cut? Is there a way to know for sure? Are there any limits to the grace, mercy, and love of God, that churches like ours preach, teach and talk about so much? Like so many of us do, my questioner had been hearing competing versions of the story. Like Nicodemus, he was surprised and skeptical about what I tried to say. “How can these things be!?!”I had another conversation a week or so ago (this time over the phone, not at the bar) with a mother – not from here – whose daughter, away at school, was being forced out of a Christian organization she helped bring to her college campus, because she refused to sign a document or make a profession of faith that denounced and excluded and otherwise deemed LGBTQ+ people to be sinners in need of repentance in order to be worthy of God's love.Like Nicodemus, this wise, faithful, grace-centered, love-your-neighbor-as-yourself kind of young woman was asking, incredulously, “How can these things be!?!”In both of these conversations – and the many others like them that I have fairly often – my go-to Bible verses include this one from John, chapter 3. It's one most people have seen or heard before. But, as some of you know, I prefer verse 17 to verse 16 – or at least I don't like so much that John 3:16 gets all the press and verse 17 never makes it onto the T-shirt or the poster board. Verse 17 says, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Jesus came NOT to condemn, but to SAVE. And I think it's safe to assume that if that was God's goal and intention, then it's likely God can make that happen.My other go-to is that bit from Romans where Paul is convinced – and convinces me – that nothing in all of creation – not hardship, or distress, or persecution – not famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword – not death or life, not angels or rulers, not things present or things to come, not powers, or height, or depth – not who or how you love – not the color of your skin – not your gender or your pronouns, and not even if they match the way the world thinks they should – not anything else in all creation, Paul says – nothing – no thing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.“How can these things be!?!”I'm just getting to know – by way of his writing and speaking – a guy named Pádraig Ó Tuama. Among so many other things, he's an Irish poet and a theologian. His book, In the Shelter, was the first thing I read when I started my Sabbatical, a year ago, and he's been popping up in meaningful ways ever since. In Christian Century magazine recently, an interviewer said to him, “My sense is that you are not particularly interested in questions about belief. If that's the case, what does interest you?”Ó Tuama replied, “I mean, what is God? God's just a sound that we make with our mouths. Whatever God is … is discovered … in the possibility of doing something surprising. That sounds like something Jesus would say. “The wind blows where it chooses … you hear it … but you don't know where it comes from or where it's going.”And Ó Tuama also said this: “I don't believe in God as character, but I do believe in God as plot.”And I like that, because it, too, sounds like something Jesus might say. And it resists our temptation and the pretense of Holy Trinity Sunday, that we can put God in a box, labeled with a name – or even three names. “I don't believe in God as character, but I do believe in God as plot.”In other words, for me, at least, God is a plot that doesn't sit still long enough to be defined in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions of even the wisest, most learned theologians – unless, maybe, that theologian is also a poet.God is the love that lives and moves and breathes among us. God is the hope that allows us to love one another when too many others refuse to share that love. God is the peace that passes all understanding, that catches us off-guard, when we least expect or deserve it.God is plot – in action, on the move, alive and well – not a character, with a single name, standing still, waiting to be painted and hung on a wall or captured with words and printed on a page. [Even God refused to name God's self when they met up with Moses at the burning bush, way back in Genesis. God was “I Am,” whatever that means. And Moses, in his own way, was like, “How can these things be?!?”]God is plot – the unfolding of a story, the development of the narrative, the movement of grace gathering us together and moving us along, too, toward one another and out into the world. God is plot – being born, rushing like water, blowing like wind, ascending and descending, lifting up and being lifted, sending and saving – never perishing, not condemning.My hope for Holy Trinity Sunday – and every day – is that we'll always be on the lookout for the surprising ways of God in our midst. That we'll communicate that with one another and out there in the world – not just by wrestling with doctrine and definitions – but by wrestling with ways to get in on the PLOT of God's plan that we love one another, forgive one another, share grace and generosity that is undeniable, abundant, and as life-giving as the God we know in Jesus, crucified and risen – not to condemn – but to SAVE the whole wide world and God's people in it.Amen

Acts 10:1-33 Peter and Cornelius 1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. Peter's Vision 9The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 17Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” 30And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.' 33So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

December 19, 2023  Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelations 7:1-17Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. That's right, Paul is talking about Advent, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he's referring to the second Advent the whole church prayerfully waits for. Yes that's right, just as God's people of old sought the first Advent of God's Messiah, His anointed one, who God has long promised would come and redeem His people. This was not just a redemption, and return from an earthly exile. Although God would certainly deliver Israel home in time. This was a redemption with eternal consequences.But we know that story. The Advent of the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem, not as a king in a palace, but the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who came to redeem you. To end your exile of wandering in slavery to sin, and death, and to know God's love for you in the wounds of His crucified Messiah, Jesus. Only these wounds are not found in the arms of a dead man, but the wounds of your crucified, dead, and risen Savior. Who came for you, died for you, and conquered death for you. In Jesus, the God of peace sanctifies you completely. It's all His gift, given to you through faith by the simple means of the water of your Baptism, and nourishing you weak after weak with His life giving body and blood that He gives you to eat and to drink. He does this without any merit or worthiness in you, purely out of His fatherly divine mercy, that just as His people of old wait for Him, you too may wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, assured of the promises of the God of Israel, the God of the church, and the God who will come and bring you out of the great tribulation, and into the life to come. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Comfort, Comfort ye My people, Speak ye peace,” thus saith our God; “Comfort those who sit in darkness, Mourning ‘neath their sorrows' load. Speak ye to Jerusalem Of the peace that waits for them; Tell her that her sins I cover And her warfare now is over.” (LSB 347:1) -Vicar Justin Chester is vicar at Shepherd of the City in Fort Wayne, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Wise Up! Part Four: Wisdom in Action by Louie Marsh, 11-12-2023   Intro. Continuing our series on Wisdom. Need for wisdom shown this week by couple who were drinking and driving with some dynamite in car. Thought it would be funny to light it and throw it, drank more - if became funnier. Finally they lit and threw it - just one problem - they had forgotten to roll down the car window! They are expected to recover.   1) Get the FACTS   “14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. 15Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. 16They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.”” (1 Samuel 25:14–17, ESV)   “28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.” (Luke 14:28–32, ESV)   Remember…   1, You can't make wise decisions without sound data.   2, You can't always be fact gathering, you must make a decision sooner or later.   2) Make A PLAN   “18Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. 19And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.” (1 Samuel 25:18–19, ESV)   “3Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)   Remember…   1, Godly wisdom isn't without thought & plans – God wants us to plan (and so be like Him!).   2, Time spent in creating a good plan is rarely wasted – but you can't do this forever!   “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow,” – George S. Patton Jr.   3) Take RESPONSIBILITY   “24She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.” (1 Samuel 25:24, ESV)   “20The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:20, ESV)   ·       The Bible teaches that YOU are responsible for YOU! ·       Don't play the victim game - take responsibility!   4) Be Painfully HONEST   “25Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent.” (1 Samuel 25:25, ESV)   “15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)   ·       It's not always easy to tell the truth - but it's the wise thing to do. ·       This must have been painful for Abigail - but God blessed her for it   5) Ask For FORGIVENESS   “28Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live.” (1 Samuel 25:28, ESV)   “7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Ephesians 1:7–8, ESV)   ·       Don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong and ask for forgiveness ·       This is the KEY to finding your way to God and receiving His blessings in your life!   6) Solve the PROBLEM   “33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!” (1 Samuel 25:33, ESV)   “6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.” (Proverbs 4:6, ESV) ·       Remember - Godly wisdom is practical - it is seen in good results! ·       You must have the faith to act - “But what if I'm wrong?”  What if you ARE? ·       Go back to #1 - and work your way through this wisdom loop   7) Be REWARDED   “39When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.” Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.” (1 Samuel 25:39, ESV)   “14Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 24:14, ESV)   ·       Living by God's wisdom brings God's blessings into your life. ·       Ultimate blessing - salvation!    

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11 [Edited: Changed 26 to 11.] I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. 4 While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”[Edited: Moved verses 12-26 to next week.]Main ThemesLiterary PrefaceThe literary preface of Acts is its first two verses, although its introduction could be considered to extend through verses 11, 14, or even the end of the second chapter (verse 2:47) when the book adds its first summary statement.As we discussed last time, the book is addressed to Theophilus, possibly a patron of Luke or a person of high standing who Luke hoped to honor. In ancient times, an author's hope in dedicating a book to such a high-ranking person was that the book be read to audiences during parties or other events.Transition of LeadershipAlmost immediately, with its second verse, the book of Acts tells us of a key event: a transition of leadership in the early church. We are reminded that Jesus has been “taken up,” almost surely referring to the Lord's ascension, and who was left with his instructions? The apostles. This might seem obvious to us, but it isn't. One could at least imagine an egalitarian early church in which every believer had equal voice and insight. That is certainly not what Acts describes. A very select group—the apostles—are left to guide the flock. In fact, just a few verses down (15-26), this leadership group is clearly defined. (My commentary here is not addressing potential corollaries to this transition of leadership, such as apostolic succession or the magisterium.)Later in the book of Acts, we will encounter another transition of leadership, namely, to Paul. He will lead the mission to the gentiles. We will discuss that in future sessions, however.Notice that the acts of the apostles are described as following what “Jesus began to do and teach.” The word began in verse 1 is debated. Some argue that it is simply a Semitic pleonasm, that is, a distinctly Jewish way of speaking. This Semitic construction appears mutliple times in the Septuagint, with which Luke and his audience would have been familiar. If this is the case, the expression does not imply a continued action. Conversely, some have suggested that it means that Acts addresses what Jesus continued to do and teach (presumably by his name and the Spirit) through the disciples. This would make Jesus the paradigm of the church and the church an extension of Jesus. Although the first explanation is more likely, the latter certainly fits the theology in Luke.Luke's RecapitulationChapter 1 of Acts quickly catches up the listener to the end of “volume 1,” the Gospel of Luke. Here is a brief Acts 1 to Luke 24 correspondence. (The format is a bit strange, but I did not want to add an unwieldy table. I added verse quotations when helpful.)1. Acts 1: Jesus teaches the disciples through the Spirit (1:2). Luke 24: Jesus teaches the disciples after the resurrection, including explicit times (24:25-27, 32, 44-48).They said to each other, “Didn't our hearts burn within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:44-482. Acts 1: Jesus offers many proofs of his risen state (1:3a). Luke 24: Jesus demonstrates his risen state (24:13-32, 34, 36-40).Now that very day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them . . . . Luke 24:13-15While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 Then he said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; it's me! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones like you see I have.” Luke 24:36-393. Acts 1: Jesus appears for forty days (1:3b). Luke 24: Technically missing (i.e., 40 days are not specified). However, some period of time is assumed to accommodate the appearances of Jesus.4. Acts 1: Jesus speaks of the kingdom (1:3b). Luke 24: As with the 40 days, the kingdom lessons are not explicit in Luke 24, but they can be inferred given Jesus' repeated mentions of the kingdom in the earlier chapters of Luke.[Jesus] said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47See below for a discussion of the kingdom.5. Acts 1: Jesus orders them not to leave Jerusalem (1:4b). Luke 24: Jesus orders them to stay in Jerusalem (24:49b).And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:496. Acts 1: Jesus instructs them to wait for the Father's promise (1:4b). Luke 24: They must stay in the city until they receive the Father's promise (24: 49). (See the verse under number 5 above.)7. Acts 1: Disciples expect the kingdom's restoration to Israel (1:6). Luke24: A similar notion expressed by other disciples, who expected Jesus to redeem Israel (24:21).But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened. Luke 24:218. Acts 1: Jesus promises the Spirit and that they will be witnesses (1:8). Luke 24: They are witnesses and will receive promised power (24:48-49).You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-499. Acts 1: They will receive power (1:8). Luke 24: They will be clothed with power (24:49). (See the verse under number 5 above.)10. Acts 1: Jesus ascends (1:9-11). Luke 24: Jesus ascends (24: 51).Now during the blessing he departed and was taken up into heaven. Luke 24:5111. Acts 1: The disciples leave Mount Olivet for Jerusalem (1: 12). Luke 24: They leave Bethany (24:50; this is near the Mount of Olives, 19:29) and return to Jerusalem (24:52).12. They pray in the upper room (1:13-14). Luke 24: In the gospel, they worship in the temple (24:53). Luke probably expects us to suppose that they met both in homes (here, the upper room) and in the temple.The KingdomActs Assumes We are Familiar with the Gospel of LukeAs suggested above, Jesus spoke much about the “kingdom” in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus preached about the kingdom (Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:11), promising it to the poor (6:20), little ones (18:16-17; cf. 12:32), and the radically obedient (9:62; 16:16); by contrast, it would be difficult for the rich to enter it (6:24-25; 18:24-25). Jesus also sent his disciples to preach the kingdom (9:2, 60; 10:9, 11).In Acts, we will see a continued proclamation of the kingdom (Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). However, in Acts Luke seems to presuppose that the reader is familiar with Jesus' words about the kingdom found in the Gospel of Luke. So, we need to take a minute and go back.Already in the gospel we see something curious about the kingdom. People should yearn for the kingdom (Luke 11:2; 12:31; 23:51), although the kingdom was already present in a hidden way (13:18-21), currently available for those willing to receive it (8:10). Jesus's followers could enter the kingdom and find there a role greater than that of John the Baptist (7:28; 16:16). Then Acts opens with what seems like a realized eschatology—that is, the kingdom, whatever that is, is here! Craig Keener explains this present but future mystery as follows:The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek terms here translated “kingdom” usually signify the concept “reign” or “authority” or “rule.” Like the OT (e.g., Isa 6: 5), Jewish teachers could speak of God's present rule (especially among the people who obeyed his law). But Jewish people also looked for the kingdom as God's future rule, when God would reign unchallenged, as attested in regular Jewish prayers. Because “heaven” was a common Jewish periphrasis for “God,” some other Jewish texts use “kingdom of heaven” as a periphrasis for “kingdom of God” (e.g., Sipra Qed. pq. 9.207.2.13; y. Qidd. 1: 2, §24; Matthew, passim). Sometimes they also seem to use “kingdom” as a periphrasis for the divine name.…If one examines the entire evidence available in the Gospels, the kingdom appears to be both present and future, as is widely recognized today. It was only natural for Jesus and his first followers, once they recognized that Jesus would need to come again to establish his kingdom fully, to recognize that the anticipated kingdom would arrive in two stages corresponding to Jesus's first and second coming. If one does not arbitrarily exclude either set of evidence by posing a contradiction that the first generations of disciples would not have recognized, both sets of evidence fit together adequately. If Jesus implied his messiahship and spoke of a future Son of Man, we may thus assume that when he announced the kingdom, he undoubtedly announced God's imminent rule in the final sense (rather than simply God's providential rule over creation or over Israel through the law). But his claim also suggests that he expected to play a role in the kingdom, already active in a hidden way in the present (Luke 13: 18– 30).Kingdom Talk in the Gospel of LukeBecause the kingdom of God is such a recurrent theme in Acts, and that theme is built upon the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, I think we must read the Luke verses before we move on. I will offer brief commentary on these. My purpose is to create some narrative tension that perhaps can be resolved as we study the rest of Acts.The next morning Jesus departed and went to a deserted place. Yet the crowds were seeking him, and they came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them. But Jesus said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, for that is what I was sent to do.” Luke 4:42-43Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort already. 25 Woe to you who are well satisfied with food now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets. 27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:20-27I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. Luke 7:28Sometime afterward [Jesus] went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. . . . While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it. Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it. But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!” Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand. “Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away. As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. Luke 8:1, 4-15After Jesus called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. . . . When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida. But when the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing. Luke 9:1-2, 10-11As they were walking along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Jesus said to another, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62Whenever you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in that town and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come upon you!' But whenever you enter a town and the people do not welcome you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this: The kingdom of God has come.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town! Luke 10:8-12Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” So he said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, may your name be honored; may your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And do not lead us into temptation.'” Luke 11:1-4And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life? So if you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you people of little faith! So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves purses that do not wear out—a treasure in heaven that never decreases, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:25-34Thus Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the wild birds nested in its branches.” Again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen.” Luke 13:18-21The law and the prophets were in force until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a letter in the law to become void. Luke 16:16-17Now at one point the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, so he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!' or ‘There!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:20-21Now people were even bringing their babies to him for him to touch. But when the disciples saw it, they began to scold those who brought them. But Jesus called for the children, saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Now a certain leader asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'” The man replied, “I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this, he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy. When Jesus noticed this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this said, “Then who can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for mere humans is possible for God.” And Peter said, “Look, we have left everything we own to follow you! Then Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of God's kingdom who will not receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18:15-30Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man. (He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-52The Spirit and the KingdomI think we need one last bit of background before we move on—and that is the connection between the pouring of the Spirit of God and the coming of the kingdom. Certainly Jesus taught about and proclaimed the coming of both, the Spirit and the kingdom. What we often miss though is that given the Old Testament (the Jewish scriptures), the disciples would have had every reason to understand these two themes as inseparably linked. The prophets had regularly linked God's pouring out his Spirit with the time of Israel's restoration. Take the end of Isaiah 43 and the beginning of 44, for example:[The Lord Rebukes His People] 22 “But you did not call for me, O Jacob; you did not long for me, O Israel. 23 You did not bring me lambs for your burnt offerings; you did not honor me with your sacrifices. I did not burden you with offerings; I did not make you weary by demanding incense. 24 You did not buy me aromatic reeds; you did not present to me the fat of your sacrifices. Yet you burdened me with your sins; you made me weary with your evil deeds. 25 I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember. 26 Remind me of what happened. Let's debate! You, prove to me that you are right! 27 The father of your nation sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me. 28 So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.[The Lord Will Renew Israel] 44 “Now, listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!” 2 This is what the Lord, the one who made you, says—the one who formed you in the womb and helps you: “Don't be afraid, my servant Jacob, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water on the parched ground and cause streams to flow on the dry land. I will pour my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your children. 4 They will sprout up like a tree in the grass, like poplars beside channels of water. 5 One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord,' and another will use the name ‘Jacob.' One will write on his hand, ‘The Lord's,' and use the name ‘Israel.'”Notice, then, that the disciples are not off base when they ask: When will Jesus restore the kingdom to Israel? Some view their question as shortsighted, but this context specifies that the problem with the question, if any, is with timing (Acts 1:7), not with content.The Promise of the Holy SpiritIn the Gospels and immediately in the opening of Acts we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the foretaste of the kingdom and the empowerment to prepare a people for it. The Spirit thus enables the witnesses (e.g., the apostles) to carry on Jesus' mission after his ascension.We are so used to the stories in the Bible, that sometimes we are unsurprised by details that should otherwise give us some pause. Notice that after Jesus is gone the disciples could not generate the Spirit or spiritual experience on their own. They must “wait” for the “promise” of God, requiring faithful dependence on God. In Acts, this dependence is another key theme. God both assigns tasks and provides the power to accomplish them. Luke's pneumatology emphasizes especially the Spirit's empowering the church for mission.Luke expects his audience to be able to fill in details surrounding the promise by remembering what they have already learned in Luke 24:49. There Jesus promises the believers “power” for their mission, which probably includes signs and wonders that would confirm their powerful message.For Luke, the “promise” here is not only a matter of historical interest concerning Jesus's first witnesses; it is paradigmatic, at least in some sense, for all Christians. This is clear from the fact that the promise is later reiterated for all who will repent (Acts 2:38), including the “far off” Gentiles (2:39).Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” Acts 2:38-39The promise here also evokes the prophecies of John the Baptist.Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed—he did not deny but confessed—“I am not the Christ!” So they asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not!” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No!” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”John said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) So they asked John, “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, who is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal!” These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan River where John was baptizing.On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.' I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.”Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”John 1:19-34From Jerusalem to the Ends of the EarthThe Spirit and the kingdom come together in the central thesis of Acts expressed in Acts 1:8.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth. Acts 1:8Two points can be made. Salvation begins in Jerusalem. Salvation will come to all the earth. Chapter 2 of Acts will quote Isaiah and give us more details about this mission. Nevertheless, the allusions to Isaiah are already present in verse1:8. The language of “my witnesses” is reminiscent of Isaiah. The same can be said for the geographic range of the testimony of God's salvation (Isa 41:5, 9; 42:10; 43:6; 45:22; 48:20; 49:6; 52:10; 62:11). That Luke depends on Isaiah's language here is clear: although mention of the ends of the earth is common in ancient literature, Luke's complete and exact phrase “to the end of the earth” appears four or five times in the Septuagint (Isa 8:9; 48:20; 49:6; 62:11; also Pss. Sol. 1:4) and only twice in the NT (Acts 13:47 and here); it also appears in Christian writings dependent on Isaiah or Acts but “nowhere else in the immense range” of literature in the Thesaurus linguae graecae.[Edited: All text from this point forward was moved to next week.]

2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.Support the show

When you receive the Holy Spirit you are now born of a incorruptible seed. You are no longer of this world, you have been translated out of darkness and into his marvelous light.1 Corinthians 15:45-47And  so it is  written, The  first  man  Adam was  made  † a  living  soul; the  last  Adam  was  made a  quickening  spirit.     Howbeit that  was  not  first which is  spiritual,  but that which is  natural; and  afterward that which is  spiritual.   The  first  man  is  of the  earth,  earthy: the  second  man  is the  Lord  from  heaven.  We much understand what we have been born into now that we receive the Holy Spirit. Everything about a child of God is spiritual, divine and not of this world. So why do we have people always pointing to the flesh? It's because many people don't understand what truly happened to them in salvation. When you receive Christ you have been free from the bondage of sin and now have been liberated to choose righteousness.2 Corinthians 3:17Now the  Lord  is that  Spirit:  and  where the  Spirit of the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty.The lord gives us the ability to choose him, but it's up to us as children to prefer his will and not our own. We must walk in the nature we were born into and not quench the spirit Support the show

Matthew 21:1-17Now when they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:“Tell the people of Zion,‘Look, your king is coming to you,unassuming and seated on a donkey,and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'”So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those following kept shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” As he entered Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”Then Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying in the temple courts, and turned over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are turning it into a den of robbers!”The blind and lame came to him in the temple courts, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the experts in the law saw the wonderful things he did and heard the children crying out in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant and said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of children and nursing infants you have prepared praise for yourself'?” And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and spent the night there.

GospelJOHN 11:1-451Now a certain man was ill, Laz'arus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Laz'arus was ill. 3So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." 4But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it." 5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz'arus. 6So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go into Judea again." 8The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11Thus he spoke, and then he said to them, "Our friend Laz'arus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him out of sleep." 12The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14Then Jesus told them plainly, "Laz'arus is dead; 15and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." 17Now when Jesus came, he found that Laz'arus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." 23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world." 28When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled; 34and he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35Jesus wept. 36So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" 38Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." 40Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me." 43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Laz'arus, come out." 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." 45Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him;

John 3:1-17Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do the signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can one be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?”Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of heaven without being born of water and spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I have said to you, ‘You must be born of the spirit.' The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”Jesus said, “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak about what we know and we testify to what we have seen and you do not receive our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Let me start by saying that I've always really liked Nicodemus. Every sermon I've ever preached about him has expressed as much. He's always been a figure of faith and courage for me … someone who took some risks to show up to Jesus – which was hard for someone like him, being a Pharisee and all – one of those Jewish believers and religious leaders who were so often at odds with what Jesus was trying to do and say and teach and bring into the world.So, I've always been inclined to love his honest curiosity. His hard questions. His rebellious willingness to approach Jesus under cover of darkness – probably risking his reputation, maybe even risking his life by consorting with the enemy, which is likely how he'd been convinced to understand Jesus. After all, what would all of his buddies, his fellow Pharisees say, if they knew where he was that night, hanging out with that heretic from Nazareth?And I always saw it as an admirable sign of surprising deference and humility – a reverent kind of respect – that Nicodemus called Jesus “Rabbi,” and “Teacher,” before approaching him with his questions the evening they met … in secret … “by night” as the story goes.So bear with me … because this time I wondered, for a change, if Nicodemus' motives weren't purely innocent when he showed up at Jesus' door or window or whatever, under cover of that darkness? What if he was B.S.-ing Jesus? What if he was faking all of that deference, humility and curiosity? What if, as happened more than a few times throughout the course of Jesus' ministry, Nicodemus was just another religious leader trying to trap Jesus with some trick questions?(Before I go on, it's important to say, in these times when anti-Semitism is rearing its sinful head in ever-prolific ways, that when I make note of the flaws of the Pharisees in Scripture, I do that, not because they're Jewish – as too many misguided souls believe – but because they look and smell and act too much like religious people of all kinds in the world as we know it. They are meant to be more like reflections in our mirror, than like targets of our derision and judgment.)Because there was that one time we're told some other Pharisees plotted to entrap Jesus … so they sent their disciples to him…saying, “Teacher,” …Tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”And another time, not long after that, we know some Pharisees heard about how Jesus had silenced the Sadducees and one of them, another Pharisee who was also a lawyer, asked Jesus a question deliberately to test him. “Teacher,” that Pharisee wanted to know, “which commandment in the law is the greatest?”There was that other time, too, when a different lawyer stood up, again, specifically to test Jesus, we're told, and asks him “Teacher … what must I do to inherit eternal life?” That little inquisition leads to one of the greatest stories ever told – by Jesus or anyone, for that matter – the story of the Good Samaritan.And finally, later on in John's Gospel, which we just heard, the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman before Jesus who had been caught in adultery and, we're told … again … in order merely to test Jesus so that they might have some charge to bring against him, they say, “Teacher … in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women…what do you say?”Teacher… Teacher… Teacher… Teacher… Test… Test… Test… Test…In each and every one of these stories – appearing in some way, shape or form, in each and every one of the Gospels – the inquisitor – a Pharisee of some sort – calls Jesus “Teacher” before testing him or trying to trap and trick him into some sort of trouble. So, as much as I've always been inclined to want to like good ol' Nicodemus … this time around, for the first time ever, I started to wonder if he just might be up to some similarly sinister shenanigans.And this only matters, because of the state of our world these days and because of how things pan out for Jesus, for Nicodemus, and for the Good News we stand to gain from it all.See, if we're allowed to imagine that Nicodemus had ulterior motives that were less than pure … if not downright dangerous and deadly for Jesus … then what if his friends were waiting outside? What if there were others waiting for a word or a whistle or a warning from inside the house so they could finally catch Jesus in the act of blasphemy or heresy or whatever it was they thought they could use to justify his arrest or worse?Because it feels like that's how we live in the world these days … like everything is a trick or a trap; like there's a single right or wrong answer to everything depending on your political party or religious affiliation or race or station in society or according to any other of the various and sundry labels and measuring sticks we use to identify ourselves and judge each other at any given moment on any particular topic.And the consequences of that are closed minds and what we've come to call “cancel culture.” The effects of this way of life are resistance to honest reflection and a disdain for curious inquiry. The results of this phenomenon are banned books and culled curriculum and conspiracy theories; racism and religious fanaticism and dying churches; echo chambers and siloes of exclusive, similarly-minded souls; and fear and suspicion and hatred, even, of “the other” and of the outsider and of anyone who doesn't think or believe or behave like we do.And none of it is Christ-like – which is what Jesus shows Nicodemus and the rest of us, that night we read about in this morning's Gospel. Because if we imagine that what I proposed about Nicodemus and his motives is true … it is Jesus who was brave and vulnerable, humble, full of faith, and gracious – as always. If Nicodemus was just like every other religious leader who had approached him before, Jesus had to be suspicious – if not downright afraid – of this stranger at the door … in the night … and whatever he had up his sleeve, that might be hiding behind and beneath his questions.But Jesus welcomes him and his questions and his curiosity, anyway. He responds to Nicodemus without a lot of hard and fast, black and white certainty – “the wind blows where it chooses,” he says … you hear it … but who knows where it comes from or where it's going? (What in the world does that even mean?)Jesus offers Nicodemus honesty and patience and his own kind of curiosity – “If I speak to you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I speak to you about heavenly things…?”Jesus speaks from his own experience, nothing more and nothing less – “we speak about what we know” … “we testify to what we have seen…”And he gives Nicodemus something to think about, extending to him simple grace and good news – the Gospel in miniature, as Martin Luther calls it: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son … God did not send the Son to condemn the world, but in order that the world would be saved through him.”And something about all of that honesty, patience, lived experience, grace and good news reaches Nicodemus. And, if what I imagined about his motives this time around is true, it changed something for Nicodemus – and changed him big time. If he didn't mean it when he called Jesus “Rabbi” and “teacher” at the start of it all, he seems to have learned a thing or two from Jesus, in the end.Because we know Nicodemus hung with Jesus after that night. He defended Jesus in front of his accusers later on in John's Gospel, and it was Nicodemus who showed up, after his crucifixion and death to tend to Jesus' body, along with Joseph of Arimathea.All of this, for me, means that if the Church and its followers want to live like Jesus and encourage others – our kids, our neighbors, our supposed enemies, and anyone/everyone who could be blessed by the grace we proclaim – if we want them to join us for this journey of faith we share, we're called to be brave in times like these. We're being called to be patient, curious, and open to hard questions and different points of view. We're being called to testify to what we've seen and experienced about God's grace in our lives. And we're being called to remind each other and whoever will listen – especially those who aren't sure about any of this – that God's grace and goodness belong to them, and to the whole wide world, just the same;that God showed up in Jesus – humble, brave and vulnerable, too;willing to be condemned, not to condemn;but to save – all of it – at all costs;even when that meant his very life, in the end.Amen

Last Sunday in Epiphany The Collect: O God, who before the passion of your onlybegotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Exodus 24:12-18 12The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” 15Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Psalm: Psalm 2 or 99 1 Why are the nations in an uproar? *        Why do the peoples mutter empty threats? 2 Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt,   and the princes plot together, *        against the Lord and against his Anointed? 3 “Let us break their yoke,” they say; *       “let us cast off their bonds from us.” 4 He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; *        the Lord has them in derision. 5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath, *        and his rage fills them with terror. 6 “I myself have set my king *        upon my holy hill of Zion.” 7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord: *        he said to me, “You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for                             your inheritance *        and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall crush them with an iron rod *        and shatter them like a piece of pottery.” 10 And now, you kings, be wise; *        be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Submit to the Lord with fear, *        and with trembling bow before him; 12 Lest he be angry and you perish; *        for his wrath is quickly kindled. 13 Happy are they all *        who take refuge in him! or 1 The Lord is King;   let the people tremble; *        he is enthroned upon the cherubim;        let the earth shake. 2 The Lord is great in Zion; *        he is high above all peoples. 3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *        he is the Holy One. 4 “O mighty King, lover of justice,    you have established equity; *        you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” 5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God   and fall down before his footstool; *        he is the Holy One. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,   and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *        they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. 7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *        they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them. 8 “O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *        you were a God who forgave them,        yet punished them for their evil deeds.” 9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God   and worship him upon his holy hill; *        for the Lord our God is the Holy One. Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21 16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 1Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Last Sunday after the Epiphany The Collect: O God, who before the passion of your onlybegotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Exodus 24:12-18 12The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” 15Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Psalm: Psalm 2 or 99 1 Why are the nations in an uproar? *        Why do the peoples mutter empty threats? 2 Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt,   and the princes plot together, *        against the Lord and against his Anointed? 3 “Let us break their yoke,” they say; *       “let us cast off their bonds from us.” 4 He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; *        the Lord has them in derision. 5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath, *        and his rage fills them with terror. 6 “I myself have set my king *        upon my holy hill of Zion.” 7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord: *        he said to me, “You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for                             your inheritance *        and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall crush them with an iron rod *        and shatter them like a piece of pottery.” 10 And now, you kings, be wise; *        be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Submit to the Lord with fear, *        and with trembling bow before him; 12 Lest he be angry and you perish; *        for his wrath is quickly kindled. 13 Happy are they all *        who take refuge in him! or 1 The Lord is King;   let the people tremble; *        he is enthroned upon the cherubim;        let the earth shake. 2 The Lord is great in Zion; *        he is high above all peoples. 3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *        he is the Holy One. 4 “O mighty King, lover of justice,    you have established equity; *        you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” 5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God   and fall down before his footstool; *        he is the Holy One. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,   and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *        they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. 7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *        they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them. 8 “O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *        you were a God who forgave them,        yet punished them for their evil deeds.” 9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God   and worship him upon his holy hill; *        for the Lord our God is the Holy One. Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21 16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 1Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” 9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so. 10And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'”Paul Kept in Custody 22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. 24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Speaker or Performer: Pastor Grover Cleveland Scripture Passage(s): Luke 2:4-12, 16-20 Date of Delivery: December 24, 2022 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.Glory in the Highest8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Speaker or Performer: Pastor Grover Cleveland Scripture Passage(s): Luke 2:4-12, 16-20 Date of Delivery: December 24, 2022 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.Glory in the Highest8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.Support the show

1Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 2And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. 4David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. 6And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. 7I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. 8Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.'” 9When David's young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. 10And Nabal answered David's servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. 11Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” 12So David's young men turned away and came back and told him all this. 13And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. 14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. 15Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. 16They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.” 18Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahsa of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.19And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.20And as she rode on the donkey and came down under cover of the mountain, behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. 21Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. 22God do so to the enemies of Davidb and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.” 23When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. 24She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. 25Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabalc is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. 26Now then, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, because the LORD has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. 27And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. 28Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. 29If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the LORD your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. 30And when the LORD has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you princed over Israel, 31my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.” 32And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 34For as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” 35Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.” 36And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. 37In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. 38And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died. 39When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The LORD has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.” Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife. 40When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife.” 41And she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” 42And Abigail hurried and rose and mounted a donkey, and her five young women attended her. She followed the messengers of David and became his wife. 43David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both of them became his wives. 44Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.

Today's Reading: Ephesians 3:13-21Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:21-40; Matthew 8:1-17Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When that widow at Nain saw Jesus outside the gate of Nain, staring intently at her and at her son's body, what do you think went through her mind? Did she know it was Jesus? If so, what did she expect Him to do?For some reason, I doubt that she expected Jesus to resurrect her only son. My guess is that the miracle was a surprise to her. After all, nothing seems more permanent than death. Furthermore, only Yahweh can give life and every Jew expected the dead to rest until the Day of Resurrection. Her reason, experience, and theology would prevent this widow from asking Jesus to resurrect her son.As Paul says, the Lord is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. Sinners don't grasp God's power and God's mercy. Our doubting hearts try to limit God. We don't expect God to do the impossible and we don't pray for the unbelievable. What fools we are! Jesus said, “Ask, and you will receive” (Matthew 7:7). Such a promise should cause us to ask for the moon and more!I think that Paul realized that his imagination was once too small and that it limited God. Once he hoped that God would save Israel. Then, the risen Jesus appeared to him and revealed that He has taken away the sins of the world. Therefore, the people of God will consist of people from every race, tribe, and kingdom. After his conversion, Paul observed the nations streaming into the Church. He witnessed Jews and Gentiles receiving the Lord's Supper together, reconciled to God and to each other. Paul saw what he never expected, and he could only fall on his knees in awe and praise God. Consider what little things you ask for. Also, consider the marvelous things God gives you—more than you dare ask or imagine! He gives you His grace, His Spirit, His Kingdom, and eternal life for the sake of His crucified and risen Son. Consider all this, and then join Paul in giving glory to this God of surprises. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus, advocate on high, Sacrificed on Calv'ry's altar, Through Your priestly blood we cry: Hear our prayers, though they may falter; Place them on your Father's throne As Your own. ("Hear Us, Father, When We Pray" LSB 773, st.3)-Pastor Alexander Lange is pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Albany, Oregon.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane BamschStudy Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Daily Devotionals with Religionless Christianity are a quick walk through the word. Each day we look at either a verse or two from scripture a meaningful commentary or other inspirational writing. Also, we include a daily Psalm, Proverb and a prayer. In today's show, August 8th 2022, we are looking at Luke 14:15, Psalms 100:4, Proverbs 8:17Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Luke 14:15Daily devotionals Monday-FridayReligionless Christianity Podcast every SaturdayDWELL- Dwellapp.io/showcodeIf you enjoy the content, please leave us a review and join us on social media through the links below.Check out the website: www.religionlesschristianitypodcast.comPLEASE COME JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE MINISTRY:DISCORD- https://discord.gg/W5nACNcVUxFACEBOOK- https://www.facebook.com/ReligionlessChristianityPodcastTWITTER- https://twitter.com/ReligionlessCPARLER- https://parler.com/user/ReligionlessChristianityPodcastSUPPORT THE MINISTRY:AMAZON AFFILIATE- https://amzn.to/3lV4cBPBUY ME A COFFEE- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RCPodcastListen to other Podcasts on the Christian Podcast CommunityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Galatians 5:17 New American Standard BibleFor the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].Kamran YaraeiSupport the show

If I could tell you a way whereby you could live forever, would you be interested? Well, the question was put to Jesus, and Jesus gave a straight answer. Would you like to hear it?And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?Mark 10:17Now, there is our question. But the answer comes as a bit of surprise. One of the most fundamental Christian doctrines is that salvation is by grace, through faith and not of works. But listen to Jesus response.And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Matthew 19:17Now this comes as a bit of shock, not that we should keep these commandments, but the suggestion that works have anything to do with eternal life, right? There is a funny thing about the 10 commandments, though. They don’t call so much for you to do anything as to avoid doing things. Is it a good work to abstain from committing murder? And surely we don’t think that men who habitually break the ten commandments will receive eternal life, do we?I think what many confuse in this issue is that salvation is a rescue operation. Sin is the transgression of the law, right? And the wages of sin is death, right? Well, you cannot get rid of the guilt of sin by keeping the law. That can only come about by grace through faith. But the person who will not forsake the sin that killed him cannot receive the grace of God, no matter that God extends it to him. It is called repentance.

Who is Jamie?Jamie is a CRM expert. No matter what size your business is, the importance of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system should not be underestimated. Over time it will become your greatest asset for delivering more sales.Key Takeaways1. An effective CRM system means you capture the details of each customer from their personal details (with full GDPR compliancy) to how they found you, what they bought, the value, when they bought, how they use your product/service and so on. This also gives your customer the feeling that you understand their needs and show a degree of care which in turn delivers a great customer experience. This customer experience will hopefully develop into customer loyalty which will help to generate referrals for your business.2. You need to think about GDPR - if you're not registered with the ICO, and you store data about people's personal details, you are subject to putting yourself in a very difficult position when it comes to being fined for breach. So yeah, that the whole GDPR process is becoming very much, much more strong.3. You really need a CRM strategy, If you don't have a strategy for how to build a relationship with customers. And that comes from their stakeholdersValuable Free Resource or ActionSee Jamie's website at https://jamie-allan.com/crm/A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube : https:////youtu.be/zrPDzr2q-Bo————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast)SUMMARY KEYWORDSbusiness, jamie, crm, data, problem, customers, relationship, question, people, book, talking, companies, coffee, realise, programme, clean, called, smes, database, contactsSPEAKERSJamie Allan, Stuart WebbStuart Webb  00:33Hi, welcome back to it's not rocket science, five questions over coffee. Although today I have in front of me very nice green tea being a little bit more healthy than having too much too much coffee in the morning. I'm here with Jamie Allen, Jamie, and welcome to the podcast. I'm looking forward to this conversation very much. Jamie is a CRM specialist and has been a CRM specialist for all let Jamie decide if he wants to say how many years it's been. He's been a CRM specialist, let's just say it's more years than I want to accredit him with. But I think he's more than happy to answer any CRM questions. So, Jamie, welcome to It's not rocket science, five questions over coffee really looking forward to the conversation.Jamie Allan  01:17Now, thanks for inviting me, Stuart, and I've suitably complied with my coffee.Stuart Webb  01:22Excellent. Well done. Okay. So, Jamie, let's, let's just start by asking you the obvious first question, which is, who is your ideal client and what's what's the problem that they've got, which you help them to overcome?Jamie Allan  01:38Ideally, their businesses are growing, so they're at least three years old, want to develop the business, get people on board get new products and services, so very focused on that that development stage. But one of the main problems is actually finding out that they've got data that they don't know where it is. So they need to centralise that, and more importantly, need to get it clean, because a lot of companies do is they can go through their business career, it just keep on going for new business without actually understanding about the existing business, and looking after your existing customers. Because relationships are really important. So really, the biggest problem is actually realising that they need to clean the data, because it goes out of date, really, really quickly. But every six months, you should really do a review. And very, very few companies, I haven't come across a business yet, that's got an absolutely clean database. It's it's, at best, okay, which is no good. Because it's the old 8020 rule. 80% of your business comes from critics and your customers. So make sure at least that 20% is right. And that's where you build the relationships. And reallyStuart Webb  02:44interesting you say that, because regulators are getting more and more firm at the moment with the idea of making sure that you're not just contacting people unnecessarily, the GDPR, the, the even in California, they're now getting very firm on there. So we've really got to be much more careful about how many emails and contacts we meet with people, which are just inappropriate, haven't we? Yeah.Jamie Allan  03:06Oh, very much. So the the ICO was started off going for the larger companies, but they're really powering down now on the SMEs. I mean, they sent out a an email to all SMEs saying, Are you registered, and it costs 40 quid a year. But if you're not registered, and you store data about people's personal details, you are subject to putting yourself in a very difficult position when it comes to being fined for breach. So yeah, that the whole GDPR process is becoming very much, much more strong. So far as the ICO is concerned.Stuart Webb  03:41Sorry, I interrupted you, I think you're gonna go on and say a second problemJamie Allan  03:45I get the second problem was, they really don't have a CRM strategy, they don't have a strategy for actually how to build a relationship with a with their customers. And that comes really from the fact that they don't get input from their, from their stakeholders. So they buy a CRM, put it in the system and make it work with really, you've got to plan the workflow, about how everybody wants to use the system. So that data gets put onto the system and managed properly. Because if you've got Duff data going in, you've obviously got data going out, which means the reports are useless. So your CRM is never going to work. And I've been into many organisations, and they've said, look, what we've got just isn't working, can you make it work? Or should we start again? So we do that whole process of well, what have you spent, what's the investment? If we do this, what's the return on investment on a new project? So, we have to go through that phase, but more often than not, we go back to the basics was start small and keep it simple. If you keep it simple, people could then build and see value as they as they work through the the business and and develop those relationships. So you then got a centralised CRM, which is not siloed so all your data Once cleaned, is centralised, you know, sales marketing admin accounts, everybody looks at the CRM because the customer is everybody's responsibility. So everybody needs access. So that's really the second part of it. Keep it simple growers, the business needs it. So don't have all the bells and whistles, which, obviously, a lot of the online businesses, they have to offer all the options, because they have to be a one for all. But what I'm trying to do is say, look, tell me what you want, what's your workflow, and then make the business? Have a CRM that actually works for the business?Stuart Webb  05:38Terrific, Jamie? What are the common mistakes that people make them when they're trying to solve those problems without any sort of help?Jamie Allan  05:47Well, they try and do it themselves. I mean, once they do realise and accept that they may have an issue, they try to themselves. But again, you've heard the stories of companies just sending out emails willy nilly, oh, you know, we've got this fantastic product you were with with us a few years ago, would you like and what they're doing, they think they've got it right. But actually, when you try and clean a database like that, and you have been in touch, you really need to actually, first of all, say something like, you used to do business with us, would you still like us to keep in touch, you shouldn't try and market to them. Because for all you know, three years ago, whatever they could have said, we don't want to be contacted anymore. So you've got to start again. And if there's any doubt, just get rid of it and start again, just to be safe. So that's the main thing. They try and do it themselves. And they can't they fall into holes occasionally. The second thing is they think that they need to do well, they, they think that they ought to do it sooner rather than later. So they give it to some employee, like a marketing manager or somebody in the business. So go on and do that. Well, they've got the same problem. So it's passing the buck almost. So you've got to actually, if you're going to do it yourself, you've got to actually do your research, and get onto it and do it properly. And it takes time.Stuart Webb  07:09Yeah, brilliant. So what's that valuable free action or valuable free resource that the audience can implement that will help them solve that problem?Jamie Allan  07:20Well, there's so much research out there, all you need to do is punch into the, into the URL, free data cleansing, or data cleansing services, and a number of opportunities will pop up. I mean, I think you've got a link on the on the programme now. But if you go to something like data cleaning tools, you've got a plethora of options that you can tag on to where you can get some ideas as to how to do it for yourself. I mean, there are companies out there that will do up to a certain amount of time for nothing, just to give you an idea of this is what it could look like we will do a sample I mean, I work with a business that we do samples, this is what the data will look like. And then if you want to clean the rest of the data, then obviously we'll do a quote. But there are data free data cleansing tools out there. But again, you've got to learn how to use them. So you've got to invest the time. So this is balance of do I invest the time? Or do I actually do a horses for courses? They've got it what doing they're doing? I'm going to do what I'm doing? Why don't we just share the share the results?Stuart Webb  08:28I completely agree with you, Jamie, I'm so frustrated by so many business owners, even even very serious, large business owners, who so often attempt to do things, as I call it, using the path of least assistance. They also around say, well, that's something we could do. And often I turn around to them and say, it would be cheaper, quicker and easier to just employ an expert who does nothing but this because frankly, even if you have bought bought the the time and effort to learn how to do it yourself, they'll do it better. They'll do it so much easier than than trying to sort of learn how to do so much. So much of this yourself, it's so much easier to just get an expert and say, just make that happen for me, please and then walk away confident that it's going to happen.Jamie Allan  09:15Well, you're right, because again, data is a real asset. A lot of companies think data is a whole lot of numbers, words on a page. It's actually what your business is all about. It's your customers, it's the value that your business will deliver for you. So why don't you just get it done, right? What's the right people at the right time and help everybody get more business as a result? It is not rocket science. I mean, this is really what the process is. It's keeping it simple. Get it right. Talk to the right people.Stuart Webb  09:49Brilliant, love it. So what's the concept or or books that's been most impactful in your experience that you want to pass on?Jamie Allan  10:00Well, two areas, first of all a book and then a programme. But the book that has been quite influential. It's a recent book written by a Michaels V band, Zed VI, ba, MD. And his book was called success in your sphere. And what this does is it leverages the power of the relationship. So you can achieve your business goals. So the focus is on the hot the customer journey, effectively what you do from start to finish. And he's got an an acronym called capital. And I don't know if you picked up the notes that I sent you, but essentially, that the capital is the see is the consistent execution. So you need to be able to develop good habits, stronger customer relationships. So you need to have the right customers at the right level. And then the aggregate, you need to actually then curate the the database of who your professional contacts and what level they're at. And then you prioritise. So you order that database, you investigate, which is the eye, so you collect intelligence, I mean, the whole thing about a CRM is to collect the soft, the soft aspects, you know that the birthday dates, the children's names, the dog's names, so that you can go back to them and you have this empathy with this emotion, emotional capacity. Another another book, two links to this to the power of persuasion by Robert Cal Dini, he talks about the law of reciprocity. And you know, if you if you, if you give, or if you take the time to learn about others, it will be astounded, and then that, that, that that relationship gets stronger, because the know like trust in a relationship is really important. You can't get to doing except this without, in the first place, liking them. And then trusting them. It's when you get to the trust, and say, the V band book, it's all about getting through that process and building that strong relationship. So the T is timely engagement, then you add value, then you leverage the process. And you constantly doing this with your contacts that match your power.Stuart Webb  12:14Or make sure that that accurate and that that goes into the notes, Jamie, because I think that's some valuable stuff to try and remember there, Jenny, my final question to you, and this is my Get Out of Jail Free card. I'm happy to admit it. So what's the question that I should have asked you today? That I haven't? And please bear in mind that having told us what the question is, please answer it. Otherwise, you'll leave us hanging, waiting for part two of the of the podcast.Jamie Allan  12:47Well, how do I keep customers that my task my leads and maximise sales opportunities? It's a straight question. And you do that by making sure the data is out there. And it's clean. Because without data, there's no business. If you understood data, you can get more out of it. And really, it's about looking at what you've already got. maximising what you've already got. So it's actually the way we came in. It's looking at that at 20% Your customers will deliver 80% Your Business. Jamie pretty imposed profile business, and you threw a cent.Stuart Webb  13:29Sorry, you broke up for a minute, just just carry on. Gone. Now I'm just I'm so glad you put it like that. Because I don't know where I got to. You were talking about the fact that you can you can leverage the data in order to maximise customer value.Jamie Allan  13:47Yes, the data is everything.Stuart Webb  13:51It is. It absolutely is. Jamie, it's fascinating. I'm sure we could talk for many more hours on this, but we've run out of time, largely because otherwise coffee will be getting cold. And none of us want that. So I'm just gonna remind everybody if you want to see more of these and know when they're coming up, because we do get out and tell people when they're coming up. You can you can find us all over the social medias. But also we're on this link which is HTTPS, colon forward slash forward slash TCA dot FYI, forward slash subscribe. I'll just see those last few things again, t ca dot FYI, forward slash subscribe, get onto the mailing list, and then we will let you know what's coming up in the next couple of weeks. Jamie has been an absolute pleasure talking to you this morning. It's been so I'm so pleased. You're talking about this. And I think it's incredibly important that people understand how they can use those relationships use that understanding they've got of customers in order to be able to maximise the time they spend with their customers and and sell more of them. stuff to customers. Because, you know, if you've made a sale to a customer, it's probably because they really want to have more of what you've got. And just understanding the right time to engage them. And understanding more about them enables you to do exactly that. So it's been a brilliant conversation. Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing more of your more of what you're talking about on the internet. And I really hope that we get to do some of this again, thank you so much.Jamie Allan  15:25Thank thank you for inviting Mr. Pleasure.Stuart Webb  15:28Absolutely, no problem. Speak to you soon. Bye._________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at https://TCA.fyi/newsletterFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at  apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:1. Download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/1pageIt's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way2. Join The Complete Approach Facebook Group :  https://TCA.fyi/fb Connect with like-minded individuals who are all about growth and increasing revenue. It's a Facebook community where we make regular posts aimed at inspiring conversations in a supportive environment. It's completely free and purposely aimed at expanding and building networks.3. 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Reflect God's Glory By Deepening Your Knowledge Of Him. Spend Time With Him. 2 Corinthians 3:17 - 18 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate a the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

It is so easy to define ourselves by what we do, what we own, or what we achieve.  John's words remind us of where our true identity comes from bringing worth and freedom.Join me as we take a moment to ponder 1 John 2:12-17Now...breathe, rest,  and ponder.

17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.-2 Corinthians 3:17-18

John 3:1-17Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, who came to Jesus, by night, and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God because no one can do the signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said, “How can one be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?”Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh. What is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with anyone who is born of the spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? We speak about what we know and we testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but might have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” I had some remarkably strange and difficult conversations last week with three very different people I'd never met before. One was with a man who had seen me around town and who knows what I do here at Cross of Grace. He wanted to know if I'd be willing to talk with a friend of his who was struggling with a son, of his, who was struggling, too, with suicidal thoughts – attempts, even – and a very serious experience of abuse, to boot.I had another series of conversations with a different young man altogether – a high school kid –who's been struggling with some drug use, problems at home and school, some severe anxiety and, to top it off, harbors some serious fear about whether or not God could love or forgive him for some of the things he'd said and done – when he was in the third grade!And I had a short, sweet little chat with the woman who cut my hair – about how she wouldn't be doing much for the holiday weekend – partly because her sister's birthday is today, but her sister died last year. So my barber and her family would be trying to find a way to do both things – the holiday and the grieving – at the same time.Of course, I wanted for these people I didn't know to know about God's love and grace and mercy in their lives. I wanted to describe for them something about how deep and wide that love is meant to be felt by them. I wanted to find words that would overwhelm them with hope and the power of that divine kind of love so that they could feel it in a way that was as life-affirming, as life-giving, as life-changing – as the love of God is intended to be.So, I outlined for them the intricacies and particulars – the theological trappings – of the doctrine of the Trinity, which we are invited to worship around and to celebrate this morning. No, I didn't do anything of the kind, because that would be ridiculous.See, the irony of this Sunday is as funny to me as it is frustrating. Holy Trinity Sunday I mean, where we are charged with celebrating church doctrine, is always a strange proposition … this notion that God can be described and defined and defended and dumbed-down, if you ask me, into three things … three persons … three images … three identities – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the context of worship.As if we could do that. As if that were enough. As if there's a way to say it all, here, now.Because if we were to pretend to say it all, it wouldn't be enough. Because not everyone speaks the same language – literally or figuratively or spiritually, either. Not everyone holds the same regard for “Father,” or for “Son,” or understands what in the world a “Holy Spirit” is, or a “Holy Ghost” for that matter. Right?It's funny to me because it seems strange to wrap worship up with such academic musings.It's frustrating to me because there are people out there in the world – and some listening to me now, I imagine – who have had enough with words. Enough with doctrine and theological trappings. Enough defending and dumbing-down what is too big and more beautiful and embarrassingly limited by our simplest terms and most convenient definitions.There's a time and a place for everything, don't get me wrong. But Jesus didn't spend a lot of time with plying definitions or playing defense. Maybe he's doing some of that this morning with Nicodemus, but we also heard him say that he simply spoke about what he knew. That he testified to what he had seen. And it seems to me, Jesus was at his best – most fully, most faithfully, and most loving – when he was doing the work of God – not just defining or describing or defending it.Jesus created experiences. He told stories. He touched and loved, he held hands and welcomed. He fed and watered, he wined and dined. He walked with people, he worked alongside them, he washed their feet and let them wash his. He prayed and sang and laughed and wept, too.Which is why this conversation with Nicodemus, under cover of darkness, never seems like enough for me either. I don't know exactly what Jesus is getting at, of course. I'm just as confused as Nicodemus was about “being born again,” about being “born of the flesh or born of the spirit,” about where the wind comes from or where the heck it goes to next. How can these things be? And what the heaven are you talking about, Jesus?But Jesus is just getting started, really. He goes on to do some more talking and teaching and theologizing for Nicodemus, and it all ends up with the Son of Man … on the cross … giving it all up for the sake of the world. And that's that. We don't really know what happens with Nicodemus. We don't hear about how they parted ways. Did they hug it out? Did they shake hands? Did they say a prayer? Did they agree to disagree? Whatever the case, I imagine Nicodemus left with his head spinning a bit – still wondering, “How can these things be?”And we don't hear much about Nicodemus after this, except in Chapter 7 when he actually stands up for Jesus, in the face of some of his fellow Pharisees. And then Nicodemus shows up one more time, at the end of John's gospel.After the crucifixion, which it's safe to assume he witnessed, it's Nicodemus who helps anoint Jesus' body and prepare it for burial. So I suspect his time with Jesus that night in the dark got his wheels spinning enough so that he was willing to get his hands dirty too.Like all of that talk about being born again, about the wind blowing where it chooses, about the Son of Man ascending and descending, about God so loving the world that he gave his only son … all of that came together for Nicodemus when he saw it come to life – and come to death, as it were – in the flesh of Jesus, himself. The words weren't enough all on their own. The definitions weren't enough all by themselves. The doctrines of what we believe only go so far and so deep and are rarely enough to speak to everyone in a way that matters.So for the guy who approached me this week, looking for help for his friend, I gave him my name and number so we might get together and meet. I hope that happens.For the high school kid wondering if God could ever forgive him or still love him, I reminded him that his mom and dad still did – that they still do – and that they've shown him that love over and over and over again – and that God's love was even bigger and better than that.And for the woman who cut my hair, I gave her a bigger tip than usual and told her to have a meaningful time remembering and celebrating her sister this weekend.All that to say, again, I'm convinced we don't find or understand or experience or share the fullness of God – Father, Son, or Spirit – solely or supremely by wrapping our brains around doctrines and definitions. The Word of God in Christ Jesus comes alive for us when we DO – like Jesus did – the work of loving one another, forgiving one another, creating experiences where grace and generosity and good news live and breathe and move through us in undeniable, abundant, life-giving ways that surprise us and others with God's presence in all of its forms, and always crucified and risen for the sake of the world.Amen

Communion is about us, as a body of believers, coming equally together to remember how Jesus sets us free from our sins. 17Now in giving this next instruction I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. 19For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 20Therefore when you come together it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, 21for when you eat, each one takes his own supper first; and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What am I to say to you? Shall I praise you? In this, I do not praise you. 23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”25In the same way He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 27Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28But a person must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For the one who eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not properly recognize the body. 30For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number are asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. 33So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34If anyone is hungry, have him eat at home so that you do not come together for judgment. As to the remaining matters, I will give instructions when I come. - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Are You God’s Child? Then Act Like It! Romans 8:13 - 17 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. f And by him we cry, “Abba, g Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

In this episode, we continue in the Old Testament and the story of Gideon. Get access to the entire 12-part Christian Podcast Bible Study LessonThis is found in the book of Judges 6:11-8:35Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the SpiritJudges 6:11-17Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"Gideon said to HIM, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites."Then the Lord turned to him ans said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have i not sent you?"So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."(God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble)And the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man."Then he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me."

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17Now that our Christmas Octave and Epiphany celebrations are complete, we begin to turn our eyes to the public ministry of Christ. The above line from today’s Gospel presents us with the most central summary of all of the teachings of Jesus: Repent. However, He doesn’t say only to repent, He also says that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And that second statement is the reason we must repent.In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explains that the primary reason for our lives is to give to God the greatest glory we can. In other words, to bring forth the Kingdom of Heaven. But he also goes on to say that this can only be accomplished when we turn away from sin and all inordinate attachments in our lives so that the one and only focus of our lives is the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the goal of repentance.Soon we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and then we return to Ordinary Time within the Liturgical Year. Throughout Ordinary Time, we will reflect upon the public ministry of Jesus and focus upon His many teachings. But all of His teachings, everything that He says and does, ultimately points us to repentance, a turning away from sin and a turning toward our glorious God.In your own life, it is essential that you place before your mind and heart the call to repentance. It is essential that you daily hear Jesus saying those words to you: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Do not only think about Him saying this many years ago; rather, hear it said to you, today, tomorrow and every day of your life. There will never be a time in your life when you do not need to repent with all your heart. We will never reach perfection in this life, so repentance must be our daily mission. Reflect, today, upon this exhortation from our Lord to repent. Repent with your whole heart. Examining your actions every day is essential to this mission. See the ways that your actions keep you from God and reject those actions. And look for the ways that God is active in your life and embrace those acts of mercy. Repent and turn toward the Lord. This is Jesus’ message to you this day.Lord, I repent of the sin in my life and pray that You give me the grace to become free from all that keeps me from You. May I not only turn from sin but also turn to You as the source of all mercy and fulfillment in my life. Help me to keep my eyes on the Kingdom of Heaven and to do all I can to share in that Kingdom here and now. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2020 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The REAL meaning of CHRISTmas with Scott CHRISTMAS EVE December 24th, 2020 ... Luke 2:1–20 (NKJV) 1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Luke 2:820 (NKJV) 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

By Charlie Lacey| James 4:13-17Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.James 4:13-17New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

LUKE 13:10-17Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.Support the show (https://onrealm.org/suncreekumc/SignIn?ReturnUrl=%2Fsuncreekumc%2FGive%2FKERLVPEKEP)

“You can’t put the wind of the Spirit in a doctrinal box, though it seems like we try to do that all the time."What “doctrinal boxes” have you experienced in your life?//John 3:1-17Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Cameron Trimble. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Opus 04 by Dexter Britain, and CIrcle Veroni, Careless Morning, and Surly Bonds by Blue Dot Sessions.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.Rev. Cameron Trimble is the CEO of Convergence US, network that supports the movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion.” Cameron is the author of Piloting Church, a book designed to help congregations take flight. Visit www.PilotingChurch.com to find out more.This season of Be Still and Go is supported in part by Convergence as they help share each episode with their community. (You should do the same!) Convergence a network that supports the reshaping of organizations, congregations and leaders engaged in an age of movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion” driven by the values of an inclusive, progressive theological vision for a more just world for all. Visit www.convergenceus.org to find out more.

“You can’t put the wind of the Spirit in a doctrinal box, though it seems like we try to do that all the time."What “doctrinal boxes” have you experienced in your life?//John 3:1-17Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Cameron Trimble. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Opus 04 by Dexter Britain, and CIrcle Veroni, Careless Morning, and Surly Bonds by Blue Dot Sessions.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.Rev. Cameron Trimble is the CEO of Convergence US, network that supports the movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion.” Cameron is the author of Piloting Church, a book designed to help congregations take flight. Visit www.PilotingChurch.com to find out more.This season of Be Still and Go is supported in part by Convergence as they help share each episode with their community. (You should do the same!) Convergence a network that supports the reshaping of organizations, congregations and leaders engaged in an age of movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion” driven by the values of an inclusive, progressive theological vision for a more just world for all. Visit www.convergenceus.org to find out more.

Speaker or Performer: Pastor Grover Cleveland Scripture Passage(s): Luke 2:8-20 Date of Delivery: January 5, 2020 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14“Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Speaker or Performer: Pastor Grover Cleveland Scripture Passage(s): Luke 2:8-20 Date of Delivery: January 5, 2020 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14“Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Listen to the recording of this sermon on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/what-does-it-look-like-when-our-savior-goes-after-a-lost-sheep/It is often not a sheep that you would want in the flock, but that sheep is made valuable to the shepherd and to the flock, and God is glorified by His grace to His sheep.12I give thanks to the one who empowered me, namely, Christ Jesus our Lord, that he treated me as trustworthy, appointing me into his ministry. 13He did this even though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. But I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord overflowed on me along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," of whom I am the worst. 16But I was shown mercy for this reason: that in me, the worst sinner, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his unlimited patience as an example for those who are going to believe in him, resulting in eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, to the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 13:10-17Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this Week:First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35Moses’ face shone with the reflected glory of God after he received the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. The sight caused the Israelites to be afraid, so Moses wore a veil to mask the radiance of God’s glory, taking it off when he spoke directly with God.29Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.Psalm: Psalm 99Proclaim the greatness of the Lord; worship upon God’s holy hill. (Ps. 99:9)1The Lord is king; let the | people tremble.The Lord is enthroned upon the cherubim; let | the earth shake.2The Lord, | great in Zion,is high a- | bove all peoples.3Let them confess God’s name, which is | great and awesome;God is the | Holy One.4O mighty king, lover of justice, you have es- | tablished equity;you have executed justice and righteous- | ness in Jacob. R5Proclaim the greatness of the Lord and fall down be- | fore God’s footstool;God is the | Holy One.6Moses and Aaron among your priests, and Samuel among those who call upon your | name, O Lord,they called upon you, and you | answered them,7you spoke to them out of the pil- | lar of cloud;they kept your testimonies and the decree | that you gave them.8O Lord our God, you answered | them indeed;you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their | evil deeds.9Proclaim the greatness of the Lord and worship upon God’s | holy hill;for the Lord our God is the | Holy One. RSecond Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2In his debates with the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the glory of Moses with the glory of Christ. The Israelites could not see Moses’ face because of the veil. But in Christ we see the unveiled glory of God and are transformed into Christ’s likeness.12Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.4:1Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]The conversation about Jesus’ suffering and death is enclosed in a dazzling foreshadowing of the resurrection. God affirms Jesus’ identity, the disciples are stunned speechless, and Jesus resumes his mission with a demonstration of his power over evil.28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. [37On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43aAnd all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

You Are a Child in God's Family – March 24, 2019 – Steve MillerWhen I was a teenager, every time my brothers or I would leave the house to go out somewhere, my mom would send us off with this directive: “Remember whose you are!” This truth, if I believed it and kept it in mind, would have a big impact on my confidence and the choices that I made.Galatians 3:23 – 4:726So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.4But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. We should not be afraid, for God is with us. For we are His children, and He is our good Father. We should not take lightly what that means for us. We are sons and daughters in the same family in which Jesus is a Son. We are beloved by the Father and co-heirs with Christ. We have been made new and given entrance into the family of God.Romans 8:14-17, 28-3014For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.Again it says that we are heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ. The concept reminds me of the cartoon character Little Orphan Annie, who was adopted by the wealthy and powerful industrialist Daddy Warbucks. Imagine the ways that this new relationship impacted her life, and what protection, care, influence, and resources she became heir to, not just what she would own after he died, but even more with him looking after her as a father.Now think about the grace that Jesus walked in as He lived His life as a man on earth. Although He is God, He laid aside His heavenly glory and lived as a true man filled with the Holy Spirit. So we now, as God's children filled with the same Holy Spirit, have access to the same grace, power, and resources to live God-pleasing lives and bring the influence of the Kingdom to the world around us! Are we mindful of this?Romans 8:28-3028And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. We are members of a household, God's household. We are being built together into a house, God's dwelling. We're like the Brady Bunch, only better and not dressed in plaid bell-bottoms. Ephesians 2:19-2219Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. I think about how our family has grown from our marriage until now. With hope, prayer, and training of our children, I look forward to what we will be in the future. In the same way, we are growing and maturing and adding to God's family. In Christ the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.1 John 3:1-31See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Now we must remain in His love, remembering who we are and Whose we are. He will never leave us, neglect us, or abandon us. He will not abuse us, for He is a good Father, and we are His true children by faith. Our Father has loved us, and we must love our brothers and sisters in His family. Because we are His, that is who we are.John 15:9-129“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. We live under grace, and not through our performance. Yes, God wants us to please Him, but He provides the grace and love that empowers us to do that. God loves His children! He provides for us and trains us so that we will mature, growing to be like Jesus. He wants us to put our trust and hope in Him, for He has promised to be good to us. All this He has accomplished at the cross.

Ephesians 4:17—5:2          17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.          25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.          1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this week:Isaiah 6:1-8In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory.”The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”Psalm 29Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;worship the Lord in holy splendor.The voice of the Lord is over the waters;the God of glory thunders,the Lord, over mighty waters.The voice of the Lord is powerful;the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,and Sirion like a young wild ox.The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,and strips the forest bare;and in his temple all say, “Glory!”The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.May the Lord give strength to his people!May the Lord bless his people with peace!Romans 8:12-17So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.John 3:1-17Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

This is the sixth class on the book of Hebrews. This Bible class was taught at the Pilot Point Church in Pilot Point Texas. This podcast ends two of us the greatest chapters in the Bible. The following is the outline of the class. Jesus is greater than the Angels Chapter 1:4-2:18 Comparing Jesus with the angels Jesus Only begotten Son • Direct lineage to God • Worship Him • Sits on the throne • God the father calls Him God Angels They're not • They never • Never worshipped • They serve • Ministering spirits Keep this in mind Not only did Jesus become flesh • Not only did Jesus live in the flesh • Not only  die  in  the flesh • But  He was raised in the flesh • He ascended  in the flesh-He is  still  a man, He kept  His humanity  Outline for chapter 2:5-18 Another problem associated with angels In the first chapter the writer emphasizes the Son’s deity now, he emphasizes  Jesus humanity to complete the picture of why the Son is greater than the angels. • Not only God but man and He can bridge a gap that the angelic host could not 5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? 7You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor 8 and put everything under their feet.”  In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present, e do not see everything subject to them. 9But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, Hebrews 2 (NKJV) 5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? 7You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor 8 and put everything under their feet. The Jews spoke of 3 worlds The world that was = the world before Mt Sinai 2. The world that is = as a Jewish nation 3. The world to come = when the Messiah comes Hebrews 2 (NKJV) 5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified:  “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? 7You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor 8 and put everything under their feet.  In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them .9But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Philippians 2 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Romans 8 New (NIV) 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Suffering and death for God’s violated law 1 Corinthians 2:9 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” 13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” To defeat the most powerful angel Lucifer 14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Romans 8 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  To defeat the most powerful angel Lucifer 14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. • 17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Relating to the 2 different offices of Jesus LORD Work • Obedience • Service • Always relating to His Lordship HIGH PRIEST Sin • Forgiveness • Grace • That’s where we relate to His Priesthood 17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. He rules the universe and angels and will send one to help me • I have one of my kind raised from the dead in a glorified body assured me I can be in heaven with him • I know he understands and identifies with me • He has rendered powerless my enemy Satan • He's freed me from the fear of death so I don't have to live in that bondage • He's a faithful and merciful High Priest always ready to serve my every need • He has entered into heaven waiting for the day that the father says it's time to go get our people That's the message of the first two chapters of Hebrew Subscribe to the podcast: {Apple Podcasts}{Stitcher}{Google Play}

The Invisible God Mad Visible Colossians 1:15-231. The Supremacy of Christ “God is Spirit” John 4:2417Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17“Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me hasseen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'?” John 14:9John 1: 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.John 8:58 58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”Rev 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.2. The Sufficiency of Christ      

The Invisible God Mad Visible Colossians 1:15-231. The Supremacy of Christ “God is Spirit” John 4:2417Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17“Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me hasseen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'?” John 14:9John 1: 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.John 8:58 58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”Rev 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.2. The Sufficiency of Christ