Podcasts about apostle john

Read OnlineA Model of Holy Love and DesireOn the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.” John 20:1–2When Jesus first encountered Mary Magdalene, she was afflicted by seven demons. Many Church Fathers interpret this number as symbolizing a complete domination by evil spirits. Though later traditions identified Mary Magdalene with the repentant prostitute or the woman caught in adultery, the Gospels themselves do not explicitly make that identification. What is certain is that she had been grievously afflicted by demons (cf. Luke 8:2).To fall into such spiritual bondage suggests a life marked by serious sin. However, diabolical possession is not always the direct result of mortal sin; at times, God may permit such affliction for reasons known only to His providence, allowing a greater good to emerge from it. Whatever the cause of Mary Magdalene's prior affliction, it is clear that God, in His infinite mercy, transformed her into a radiant model of holy love and desire. From her profound healing flowed a singular devotion to Christ.Today's Gospel beautifully portrays the emotion, desire, sorrow, and love flowing from Mary's heart. She was one of the few faithful disciples who remained with Jesus during His Passion and death. She stood by the Cross alongside Jesus' mother, the Apostle John, and a few other holy women. Her strength and devotion likely sprang from her heartfelt gratitude toward Jesus for delivering her from diabolical affliction. The freedom she experienced through Him enkindled in her an unwavering faith, recognizing Him as the Messiah and the Son of God.On Easter Sunday morning, before the sun had even risen, Mary made her way to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. Since Jesus had died shortly before the Sabbath began—sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday—Mary and the other women had been unable to properly anoint His sacred Body. We can imagine that from the moment the Sabbath began, her heart was fixed on one desire: to return to the tomb and perform this final act of love. Her devotion could not wait. Love compelled her to act as soon as it was permitted, and in doing so, she became the first to behold the empty tomb—and soon after, the Risen Lord.We see Mary's holy love and desire also in her determination to remain at the empty tomb. After seeing the stone rolled away, she ran to tell the Apostles, and then returned with Peter and John. But after they departed, Mary remained. She stayed, weeping, loving, and longing. She was so consumed with desire for her Lord that, when she saw two angels seated in the tomb, she was neither startled nor impressed—not even when they spoke to her: “Woman, why are you weeping?” Her only thought was for Jesus: “They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him.”Even when Jesus appeared, His identity veiled from her eyes, she still sought only His body. Yet it was His voice—tender, familiar, unmistakable—that pierced the veil and opened her eyes of faith: “Mary!” She responded with that beautiful, personal cry of recognition, “Rabbouni!”Reflect today on the transformed soul of Saint Mary Magdalene. She went from diabolical affliction to a heart overflowing with holy love and desire for our Lord. She is a model for each of us. We must allow ourselves to be filled with the same gratitude for His grace and reconciliation, cultivate the same unwavering devotion, and burn with the same longing to find Him. When our hearts mirror Mary's, we too will hear the Lord call us by name. Be grateful. Desire Him. Listen for Him. And like Mary, you will find that He is already standing before you.Rabbouni! With Saint Mary Magdalene, I give thanks to You with all my heart for the freedom You have mercifully bestowed upon me. You have forgiven my sins, restored me to grace, and kept me safe from the snares of the enemy. With Mary, I pray that my passions and every movement of my soul may be caught up in love of You, driving me to seek You with all my being. Speak my name, O Lord, call me lovingly, and open my eyes to see You always before me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: St Mary Magdalene, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

The Apostle John urges us to abide in the truth about Christ in a world that is passing and full of spiritual danger, with many "antichrists" and false teachers denying who Jesus really is. To abide in Christ is to remain in the truth about Him, resist lies that distort His person and work, and continue in fellowship with the Father and the Son so that we may have confidence at His coming. We must test all teaching by Scripture, cling to the biblical Christ, and live in daily dependence on Him.

Introduction Revelation is God's picture book; induces impressions, rather than deducing facts. The call here is to forget about the question: what next? and ask: what now? This is about the end of the beginning. God's revelation says: 'serve the Lord, and watch this space!' Jesus' death and resurrection make Heaven possible for believers in Him. 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ [1:1-8] # "God showed the orderly way that things must happen." It is a blueprint, not a timetable. God reveals his mind on the purposes of History. v2 John witnessed to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, "in all the things he saw" in this vision. John saw Jesus on the Cross. In 90-95 AD he saw Jesus on the throne of heaven. v3 records the first of seven blessings in the book. "Blessed are those who read / hear / keep the words of this prophecy". Revelation is authorised by the Apostle John. v4 God the Father… "who is… and was… and is to come" anchors the prophecy. The Holy Spirit activates it by making believers' prayers acceptable to the Father. v5 Jesus the Son… "the faithful witness" is the achiever of the prophecy; described here as who is… and was… and is to come. [John 14:8-9] # He is "the firstborn from the dead". Because he rose, believers live also. "He is the ruler of the kings of the earth". "Unto him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever". Jesus is at the centre of our worship because v5b "He loved us…. and loosed us from our sins by his blood." He achieved our salvation "once and for all". There can be no further offering for sin. v6a "He made us a kingdom of priests unto his God and Father…" We can pray effectively for others… we can proclaim the hope of the Gospel. # Mankind produces ideas about the future: 'look what we have achieved.' If you do not follow the Saviour, you cannot be with the Lord forever. Here is 'the blueprint' for what will definitely happen. v1 [i] "Jesus Christ… the faithful witness comes in the clouds" v5 Daniel [7:13] in an apocalyptic dream had a glimpse of Christ's glory. Matthew 24 Jesus announced the end of temple worship and sacrifice. Sun, moon and stars fade. "The sign of the Son of Man appears" [Matt 24:30] Jesus' Ascension [Acts 1:9] "a cloud hid him from their sight…" An angel [Acts 1:11] said, "This Jesus will come back in the same way." [ii] "Every eye will see him" [v7] No announcements on social media, mobile phone or AI. "They who pierced him" will see him clearly. "All will see Jesus…" [iii] "All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him." Seeing him without knowing him by faith is the ultimate disaster. v8 "I am… the alpha and the omega": the beginning and the end. Seven times he says: "I am the Almighty…" 2. The Vision to John [1:9-20] John [v10] "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day"… was open to God's leading. John explains he is a brother — sharer in troubles and the patience God gives. # John says "I heard a Voice like a trumpet" v12 John "turned to see the voice, but… saw seven golden lamp stands…" v13 "In the midst of the lamp stands: I saw one like a son of man". He was someone like no other he had ever seen. v14 The man… "had snowy white hair… eyes like flaming fire…" v17 "When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man…" v15 The voice continued to demand attention. Later [14:2] John speaks of the sweetness of "a choir with harps singing a new song before the King's Throne…" Deeper [19:6] "a mighty clap of thunder" and the call: "Hallelujah, for the Lord God, the Almighty reigns". # I Saw a Vision for All People [v12] A vision of the end of time, a vision of the Son of Man [v13] Matthew 26:64 Jesus spoke as King. "You will see the Son of Man… sitting on the right hand of power… coming in the clouds." Cf Stephen the first Christian martyr [Acts 7:55] # On the Isle of Patmos John saw the everlasting risen Lord. John saw the Son of Man [a] dressed as King. [v13] [b] crowned in holiness. [v14] [c] enduring forever. [v15] [d] administering Justice The Churches are upheld by his right hand. [v4] They are lamp stands providing light around the Throne. [v20] People who oppose the Gospel face the "two-edged sword of his mouth" [v16] 19:15 With it "he will smite the nations… ruling with a rod of iron…" Those who embrace the Gospel see God's face shining like the sun at the highest point of the day. # Notice the Lord's tenderness toward his servant John. [v17; Matthew 8 & 17] John was commanded to do two things. [i] "Do not be afraid" v18. [1 John 4:18] the Apostle says: "There is no fear in love…. Perfect love drives out fear…" v17 The Risen Lord is the first and the last…. v18 "I am the Living One…" [ii] Write what you have seen. v19-20 Israel had a physical temple. Followers of Jesus are the temple of God. Many churches have lost their way… rejecting Jesus as Lord. Challenging Biblical authority… remaining quiet about what God demands… not distinguishing right from wrong… substituting entertainment for worship. Revelation 2 and 3 provide God's mission statement for HIS church. [Rev Tom Halls]

A Palm Sunday sermon by Kezzie Joyner, Evan Schmalzbach, William Sleeman, Ava DealScents have a way of rapturing us out of our present into a memory. The other day Daphne made beignets, the kind we both grew up eating in Africa, and as I bit into it and the smell filled my senses, I was a 6-year-old boy on the streets of Malabo. I can't describe how the smell and taste populated my mind and memory with the sights and sounds of Equatorial Guinea in 1988.I'm guessing the Apostle John had a similar scent memory with the smell of the perfume broken free from Mary's alabaster box. Decades later as John composed his Gospel, I wonder if the smell came back to him. I think it did. I think whenever he smelled nard, he was transported back to that night when, “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12.3). It was a sweet memory because it signaled the time had come for Jesus to become our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5.7b). Anointed for burial He will bring us to new life in His resurrection!The Apostle Matthew would remember this night, recalling how Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26.13). Mary's love for Jesus is vibrantly evident. Jesus is the One who made room for her among His disciples (Luke 10.38-42). Jesus is the One who wept with her in her deepest grief (John 11.32-35). He is the One who raised her brother Lazarus back from the dead (John 11.38-44). Who else was more deserving of her absolute devotion, but Jesus Christ?!Friends, it's right we call Jesus our Christ and Messiah. Both words, in Greek and Hebrew, carry the meaning of being anointed. When He began His ministry, Jesus was anointed by the Father with the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10.38). Divinely anointed at the beginning, it's fitting then we would anoint Him on his way to the cross. We, the humanity made in His image. We, who are made whole in His sacrifice, would devote our most priceless gifts for His worship. This Holy Week may the Lord, our anointed Messiah, fill our senses with the fullness of His glory.

There is power in asking. Think about it in the business world. Selling is asking, isn't it? I remember when training for sales with IBM I was taught to ask for the order and not to be shy about it. To ask again and again. And I was carefully taught how to ask. So, there's no doubt that there is power in asking. So, why are we often shy and reticent to ask for something? Well, for one reason, asking for something is humbling, isn't it? It's admitting a need and acknowledging that you don't have total control in some area. You need something that you don't have and you have to admit it. Also, asking sets you up for rejection. The answer could be “No.” Recently I was in a position of asking for something really significant; it wasn't for myself but for an important project at my church. I knew who to ask, but for weeks I procrastinated about asking because I didn't want to get a negative response. When finally I asked, the reception I received was far more favorable and pleasant than I had imagined. But regardless of the response to my request, as long as I didn't ask there was no way I was going to get it! There was a lot of pride in my attitude toward asking. If the answer was no, I would have to tell everyone involved and I might look foolish. Or I might lose their confidence in me. So, instead of asking, I wasted time worrying about how I would look to others if the answer was no. Not only foolish of me, but prideful as well. In the book of James we read, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2b). I wonder how many blessings we've missed for ourselves and others because we simply have not asked God. Please understand, I'm not talking about asking for frivolous things or for selfish reasons. But as Christ-followers we have a Heavenly Father who invites us to ask him for what we truly need, for blessings for ourselves and others. He expects us, as his children, to ask him for help, and yet how often we do not have what he would give us because we do not ask. A few years ago, I was stuck in an airport for two days because of weather-related cancellations, trying to get home, trying to locate my luggage, standing in long lines and hoping to get on a flight soon. As I was standing in one long line with probably fifty other people, a woman who looked like she had some authority walked by, and I just nicely stopped her and asked her a question. She said, “Come to my office,” so I followed her and for about an hour she made phone calls and arrangements, and I walked out of there with a free hotel for the night and a seat on a flight the next day. I asked and got special treatment, not because I deserved it any more than the others in that line, but because I asked. As I said earlier, studies show that women are far more reluctant to ask things for themselves than men are. For example, men are more likely to ask for a raise than women are, and when they do ask, women ask for much less than men do. Women will freely ask for the benefit of others but are reluctant to ask something for themselves. Notice how freely children ask for things. They don't hesitate to ask Mom or Dad for whatever it is they want at the moment. And they keep asking until often we parents give in just because they keep asking. Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept asking an uncaring and unkind judge for justice against her adversary. Finally the judge decides to grant her request, not because he wanted to do the right thing, but because she kept bothering him. Jesus said, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly” (Luke 18:7-8a). In other words, we have a kind and loving God to ask, not a wicked judge, and yet often we give up asking him to meet our needs. Jesus taught us to keep on asking; don't quit. What have you given up on asking for? Jesus taught us to be persistent in asking. In all areas of our lives we have to ask for things if we're ever going to get what we need, succeed at our jobs, complete our tasks. . . whatever! But of course we don't always get what we ask for, do we? What are some of the reasons that we don't get what we ask for? In James 4 we are told: When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures (James 4:3). Motives—what are our motives for asking? Receiving what we ask for depends largely on why we are asking for it. So, we have to examine our motives. Asking God—or anyone else, for that matter—for frivolous things, unnecessary things that are simply for our own selfish desires, just doesn't motivate God or people to want to grant our requests. I remember a woman asking me to pray that God would send her a husband. Well, in itself that's not a bad request, but her whole motivation was selfish: I want a husband to take care of me. I don't like being single. God owes me a husband. That was her attitude, and it wouldn't impress God or anyone else, I don't think. Secondly, we sometimes don't get what we ask for because we don't know how to ask. For example, be specific in what you ask for. If you need some money for a very good reason, not because you've been a poor steward of your money, you should be clear about why you need the money, how it will be used, and how much you really need. If you're asking someone to donate money to a good cause, be prepared to give a good explanation of how the money will be used and the good it will do. When you're asking for a change in circumstances, like a better work environment, instead of asking that the boss make the situation better for you, ask for the change because it will benefit the company or organization. Put yourself in the other person's shoes and ask yourself what would motivate that person to want to grant your request. Maybe you're job hunting right now, or looking for a raise or a promotion. If so, you really need to know how to ask, because the way you ask will in large part determine your success. And the way you ask will be controlled by the questions you ask yourself. For example, do you ask yourself, “What's wrong with me? Why am I not able to find a job?” Those kind of questions will simply discourage you. You're telling yourself negatives that affect the way you behave. Are you thinking: I'm too old, or I'm overqualified, or I'm just not aggressive enough? That kind of thinking just provides you with an excuse for why you're not getting the answers you want. Instead, ask What can I do to make a better impression on an interview? Or, How can I show that my age is an asset and not a liability? Now you're asking yourself questions that can lead to positive results. These are constructive questions, not destructive ones. If you want to ask better questions, begin by examining the questions you are asking yourself. And be ready to change the way you've been thinking. Once again I'm reminded that everything begins in our thought lives. If you think wrong, you ask wrong. If you think according to Philippians 4:8—thoughts that are true, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy—that kind of thinking will lead you to positive, constructive questions. And that certainly includes the questions you ask yourself! I find that I must be intentional about choosing good questions to ask myself—questions that will help me rather than discourage me. I have to bring those questions—those thoughts—into captivity and make them obedient to Christ, as we read in 2 Corinthians 10:5. So, today think about the questions you ask yourself. Are they constructive or destructive? Asking right questions begins with right thinking. Ask and keep on asking. That is a principle that we see in scripture. We are to be askers—and persistent askers, at that. Have you learned the power of asking? We have to ask with right motives, we have to be specific when we ask, and we can't give up easily. That is true if we're asking something from God or from our boss—or anyone else for that matter. There's an important biblical teaching when it comes to asking God for something. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15). The Apostle John gives us a really startling principle—one that almost seems too good to be true. Whatever we ask, we have! Is that what he said? Yes, that's what he said, but there's a qualifier—if we ask according to his will. So, that means our motive has to be for the glory of God, not just for our pleasure. And it also means that we need to know what God's will is so that we can ask in accordance with it. You can't short-change God's Word in your life, because knowing God's will in any particular situation is a function of knowing the Word better and better. God reveals his will through his Word and through his Spirit, who usually reveals his will to us through the Word of God. So, how much time do you spend in God's Word? Romans 12:1 and 2 says that we can know what God's good, pleasing and perfect will is by offering ourselves as living sacrifices and being transformed by the renewing of our minds. That transformation happens more and more as we immerse our life in the truth of God's Word. Do you see the progression here? We need to know God's will in order to ask appropriately and therefore get what we ask for. In order to know God's will, we must know God's Word and be sensitive to the Spirit of God who resides within us, as Christ-followers. Then, as we are more and more confident of what God's will is, the requests we make to God are more and more in line with his will and he will hear and answer. I want to learn the power of asking God for great things that bring him glory and see the great and mighty things he wants to do. Will you join with me in asking God to teach us the power of asking?

Journey from the foot of Mt. Sinai to the mysteries of Revelation in this eye-opening teaching with Michael Rood. At the Exodus, the Almighty offered an eternal covenant to make His people priests and kings forever — but that covenant was broken almost immediately. Now travel thousands of years beyond that pivotal moment as the Apostle John is shown a future neither Moses nor even we have fully seen: the unveiling of the One worthy to break the seven seals and reveal the destiny of the Kingdom! Join this channel to get access to perks: / @aroodawakening Watch more on the Michael Rood TV App! https://bit.ly/2X9oN9h Join us on ANY social media platform! https://aroodawakening.tv/community/s... Your Donation keeps these videos going! Thank you! https://aroodawakening.tv/donate/ Support us by visiting our store! https://roodstore.com/ Support us with purchases on Amazon!* https://amzn.to/3pJu9cC Have Questions? Ask us Here! https://aroodawakening.tv/support/con... "PLEASE NOTE: This is an affiliate link. This means that, at zero cost to you, A Rood Awakening! International will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrate true freedom this week as we dive into a powerful, line-by-line study of 1 John Chapter 1. It is easy to feel close to God on Sunday morning, but what happens when Monday rolls around and the daily pressures of life take over? In this message, Pastor Jared breaks down a vital spiritual habit and principle that allows us to move past Sunday-only faith and live in daily, experiential freedom. By exploring the deep connection the Apostle John had with Jesus, we discover that Jesus is a real person who actively invites every single one of us into Koinonia—a deep, 24/7 shared partnership and fellowship. But walking in this light requires radical honesty. God does not demand our perfection; He requires our honesty. Learn what it truly means to step out of the darkness of hiding, how to rightly confess your struggles before God and trusted people, and how to receive the ultimate healing care of the Great Physician. If this message impacts your heart, let us know in the comments below!

When you think about what you believe as a Christian… where did those beliefs come from?For many, the trail leads back to the apostles, the earliest followers of Jesus, and church leaders like Papias of Hierapolis.Papias was connected to the Apostle John, knew Polycarp, and helped preserve early Christian teaching during the generation after the apostles. Though most of his writings have been lost, what remains gives us valuable insight into the origins of the Gospels, the importance of eyewitness testimony, and the early church's commitment to passing down the truth about Jesus.This episode explores Papias' life, writings, and lasting influence on Christian theology.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Papias of HierapolisPapias of Hierapolis was one of the earliest church fathers in the Patristic Period and a significant link between the Apostolic Era and the generation that followed.02:00 Papias and His Connection to the Apostle JohnIrenaeus described Papias as a hearer of the Apostle John, and Papias was also known as a companion of Polycarp.03:15 Why Papias MattersPapias was deeply concerned with preserving what the apostles actually taught about Jesus and passing that truth along faithfully.04:30 The Lost Writings of PapiasPapias wrote a five-volume work called The Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord, but only fragments remain through later writers like Eusebius and Irenaeus.05:30 Papias and the Origins of the GospelsThe surviving fragments of Papias give early insight into the origins of the Gospels, including Mark's connection to Peter's teaching and Matthew's original composition.08:10 Apostolic Tradition and Eyewitness TestimonyPapias placed strong value on the oral testimony of those who knew the apostles, emphasizing the reliability of eyewitnesses in preserving the truth about Jesus.11:40 Papias' Focus on Jesus' TeachingsPapias sought to compile and interpret the sayings of Jesus while relying on apostolic sources, helping later Christians understand the early transmission of Christ's teaching.13:00 Papias' Theology and Lasting InfluencePapias taught a premillennial view of Christ's return and preserved early Christian traditions that continue to shape how believers understand the apostles, the Gospels, and early church theology.“Papias gives us a solid historical testimony for the formation of our Christian theology. His story reminds us that the early church wasn't built on rumors or legends that developed some centuries after Jesus ascended into heaven.”  – Pastor Jeff CranstonSources: Background on Papias of Hierapoli:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papias_of_Hierapolis

For Jesus Followers, Jesus Presence Provides Confidence and Light in Times Which Could Bring Fear and Uncertainty into Your Life MESSAGE SUMMARY:  If You are a Jesus Follower, you can live in the presence of Jesus for your life. Living in the presence of Jesus means that you live in personal holiness; therefore, you are living in the light of Jesus. Many times, you are so tempted to walk in the darkness of doom and gloom; and when you go through something difficult in your life, you walk in darkness without the presence of Jesus and His light for your life. The Apostle John, in 1 John 1:5-7, so clearly presents what it means to “walk in the presence and light of Jesus” for those times that bring fear and uncertainty into your life: “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.". One day, the Lord will come in judgment; but for now, you can walk in the light and presence of Jesus through your prayerful personal relationship with Him.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I have spent much of my life running from pain and loss, medicating my pain, and quickly moving on to the next project — the new urgent demand. I ask for the grace to embrace all of life — the joys and the sorrows, the deaths, and the births, the old and the new. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 110). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight.   From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 7:12-16; 1 John 1:5-10; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Psalms 38b:12-22. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “You Are Personally Responsible and Accountable, to God, for All He Entrusts to You” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Feast of Saint Thomas, ApostleJohn 20:24-29Jesus came, although the doors were locked,and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side,and do not be unbelieving, but believe."Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Love is one of the greatest marks of a true follower of Jesus Christ. In this episode of Brothers Just Searching, we continue our verse-by-verse study through 1 John 3:11-15, where the Apostle John reminds believers that we are called to love one another—not live in hatred like Cain.We discuss:What it truly means to love your brothers and sisters in Christ.The story of Cain and Abel and how jealousy, pride, and hatred lead to destruction.Why church division and unresolved conflict damage our witness to the world.How Christians should handle disagreements according to Scripture.Why the world hates those who faithfully follow Jesus.The difference between salvation by faith in Christ and trusting in our own works.Our prayer is that this conversation encourages you to pursue unity, forgiveness, and genuine biblical love while keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.Scripture: 1 John 3:11-15If this episode encourages you, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share so more people can hear the truth of God's Word.If You Like To donate to this podcast you can through cashapp or email us at brothersjustsearchingpodcast@gmail.com for more infoAnything is appreciated Cashapp infoBJSmediaThis podcast is brought to you by BJS MEDIA. A christian media production from the swamps of Louisiana. Teaching THE WORD OF GOD (The Bible) and discussing religion, cults, and other world events. "The New Kingdom" Book By Anthony HayesAmazonhttps://a.co/d/bGeKR6WYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@anthonyhayes4492Brothers Just Searching Links Check out our website https://brothersjustsearching.wordpress.com/Check out Our Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/bjspodcastCheck out our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/channel/UCSKi3Aywyd1PQWQ5K1rrIUAhttps://campsite.to/bjsmediaThis is where you can listen to our podcast “Brothers Just Searching”. Below me :). Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brothers-just-searching/id1490823255?uo=4Google Podcast https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMDk2MjdhMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0xxj0itGZrlN6EvUpHnel1Breakerhttps://www.breaker.audio/brothers-just-searchingOvercasthttps://overcast.fm/itunes1490823255/brothers-just-searchingPocket Casts https://pca.st/7uduo3tzCoteau Holmes Fellowship Church https://www.facebook.com/coteauholmesfellowship/Upper Room Fellowship Church1910 S College Rd, Lafayette, LAhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583220302823Music Provided ByUltima Thule by a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/51198"Blue Dot Sessions/a- [ ]#bible #biblestudy #faith #jesus #god

The Prosperous SpiritTeaching & Prayer with Overseer Azizah MorrisonLaunching the July series, Even As Your Soul Prospers: Understanding, Accessing, Activating, and Living a Prosperous Life, this teaching explores the biblical foundation of prosperity from a perspective that goes far beyond money.Drawing from 3 John 2, Joshua 1:8, and Proverbs 23:7, Overseer Azizah Morrison examines why the Apostle John prayed that Gaius would prosper "even as thy soul prospereth" and reveals that prosperity begins within before it is ever manifested without.This lesson challenges common misconceptions about prosperity by teaching that biblical prosperity is not merely financial increase, but the flourishing of a life under the influence of God's wisdom, truth, and purpose. Listeners are encouraged to examine the governing influences of their thoughts, beliefs, expectations, and perspectives, recognizing that many external limitations are rooted in internal conditions of the soul.Through practical and spiritual insight, this teaching explores the difference between living under a spirit of fear, lack, and limitation versus cultivating a prosperous spirit shaped by faith, truth, vision, and Kingdom thinking.The accompanying prayer focuses on the renewal of the mind, freedom from limiting beliefs, deliverance from scarcity thinking, and the development of a soul that is capable of sustaining the increase, opportunities, and assignments God desires to entrust to His people.This is the beginning of a deeper conversation about prosperity—not merely as something we possess, but as something that first transforms us from within.

We are living in strange, exciting times before the second coming of Christ. In recent years, the UFO/alien phenomena have been on news headlines everywhere like never before and disclosure is happening. The Apostle Paul mentions in 2 Thessalonians 2 that lawlessness is already at work secretly behind the scenes. The Apostle John tells us in 1 John 4 that we as believers are to test spirits to see if they are of God or not. Could all this be connected as we get closer to the return of Jesus Christ? The believer needs to be equipped with God's Word and seek discernment from Him to know what is the spirit of truth verses the spirit of deception.

Why is the Apostle John famously known as "The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved?" How does an ordinary fisherman with a short fuse turn into the author of some of the most important books of the Bible? As we follow his journey through key moments in the Gospels and beyond, we discover how Jesus calls imperfect people and patiently shapes them into witnesses of His grace. John's life becomes a mirror that helps us see how Jesus can meet us where we are, change who we are becoming, and send us out with a new purpose shaped by the love of God.

Polycarp lived at a time when the early church was facing pressure from Rome, false teaching from within, and the growing challenge of preserving the message handed down by the apostles. In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany look at the life of Polycarp of Smyrna, one of the Apostolic Fathers and a direct link to the Apostle John. They discuss his role as bishop of Smyrna, his influence on Irenaeus, his defense of apostolic truth, and his faithful witness even unto death. Chapters:01:00 Who Was Polycarp of Smyrna?Polycarp was one of the Apostolic Fathers, a bishop in Smyrna, and a direct link between the apostles and the next generation of Christian leaders.03:00 Polycarp's Connection to the ApostlesPolycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John and was known by Irenaeus as someone instructed by the apostles and connected to those who had seen Christ.05:00 The Apostolic FathersThe Apostolic Fathers were early Christian leaders who lived just after the apostles and helped guide the church through its first generations.08:30 False Teaching in the Early ChurchThe early church faced pressure from Rome on the outside and false teaching from within, including movements like Gnosticism and Marcionism.10:00 What Was Marcionism?Marcion rejected parts of Scripture and taught a divided view of God, claiming the Old Testament God and the God revealed by Jesus were different.15:00 Polycarp and IrenaeusPolycarp mentored Irenaeus and modeled how to stand firmly for truth while showing grace in secondary disagreements.17:30 Polycarp's ArrestRoman authorities arrested Polycarp when he was 86 years old and pressured him to deny Christ by offering incense to Caesar.20:00 The Martyrdom of PolycarpPolycarp refused to deny Jesus, declaring that Christ had never done him wrong and that he “Nearly 2,000 years later, we sit here and we still remember Polycarp, not because he was powerful or wealthy or famous. We remember him because he was faithful.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

How do you know you belong to your family? You might share a last name, certain physical traits, or even a few quirky habits. This resemblance, this shared DNA, gives you confidence in your identity. In the same way, God wants His children to have a deep, settled confidence that they belong to Him. This is not a matter of wishful thinking but of spiritual reality.The Apostle John wrote his first letter for this very purpose: “These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). This knowledge is not just intellectual; it is an intimate, internal assurance. As we explore the Scriptures, God gives us clear spiritualmarkers, a kind of family resemblance, that confirm we are truly His children.

Fatherhood has changed dramatically over the last twenty years. Today's fathers face challenges previous generations never imagined—smartphones, social media, competing worldviews, constant distractions, and increasing pressure to be providers, mentors, coaches, counselors, and spiritual leaders all at once.Yet while the challenges have changed, God's design for shaping people and generations has not.In this Father's Day message from 2 and 3 John, we discover that the Apostle John's final letters revolve around three timeless tests of genuine faith: walking in the truth, walking in obedience, and walking in love. These simple but profound principles reveal how God continues to shape fathers, families, churches, and future generations.Join us as we explore why God is the God of Faithfulness and why John's greatest joy remains the greatest goal for every believer: seeing the next generation walk in the truth.

Pastor Ray Peoples Sunday June 14, 2026Luke 22:14-23IF I HAD 10 MORE MINUTES:There is one disciple that I unintentionally skipped over, and honestly, I am glad we have a chance to come back to him because his story adds something beautiful to the picture of the table.I skipped the Apostle John.Throughout Scripture, John is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23; John 21:20). Now, that doesn't mean Jesus loved John more than the others. Rather, it reveals how deeply John understood and experienced the love of Christ. John's identity was not primarily found in what he did for Jesus, but in the fact that he was loved by Jesus.When you read John's writings, that theme is impossible to miss.The Gospel of John continually points us to the love of God displayed in Christ. Then you come to 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John, and they are saturated with the language of love.1 John 4:7-8 says,"Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love."A few verses later John writes,"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)John understood something that every believer needs to understand: the Christian life begins with receiving the love of Christ before it ever moves into extending the love of Christ.And when you look around the table of the disciples, that truth becomes even more powerful.At that table sat fishermen and tax collectors.At that table sat Peter, who would deny Jesus.At that table sat Thomas, who would doubt.At that table sat Matthew, who had a complicated and sinful past.At that table sat Simon the Zealot, a political revolutionary.At that table sat Judas, who would betray Jesus.Different personalities.Different backgrounds.Different stories.Different failures.Yet they all had a seat at the table.The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus does not gather people because they are alike. He gathers people because they all need Him.And the same is true today.Some of us come to the table carrying shame.Some come carrying pride.Some come carrying doubt.Some come carrying wounds.Some come carrying questions.Some come carrying a long history of mistakes.Yet the invitation of Jesus remains the same.The table is not filled with people who have it all together. The table is filled with people who have found grace.That is why communion is so significant. Every time we gather around the Lord's Table, we are reminded that our hope is not in our goodness, our performance, our church attendance, or our spiritual resume.Our hope is in Christ.The bread reminds us of His body that was broken.The cup reminds us of His blood that was shed.As Jesus said in Matthew 26:28,"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."His body was broken.His blood was shed.Not merely for one type of person, but for people from every tribe, every tongue, every background, every story, and every failure.The cross is the great equalizer.At the foot of the cross, Peter and John stand on the same ground.Matthew and Simon stand on the same ground.The faithful and the broken stand on the same ground.And so do we.The table reminds us that while our stories may be different, our Savior is the same.The invitation is the same.The grace is the same.And the love that John wrote about so often is available to every person who comes to Jesus in faith.Because in the end, the greatest thing about John was not that he was the disciple who loved Jesus.The greatest thing about John was that he understood he was loved by Jesus.And that is the invitation for every one of us today. Not simply to know facts about Christ, but to sit at His table, receive His grace, and rest in the overwhelming reality that we are deeply loved by Him.

The final chapters of the book of Revelation present the end of the world as we know it—but there’s also a glorious beginning. In this message from Revelation 21–22, Pastor J.D. walks us through the vision of a new heaven and a new earth described by the Apostle John. The fact that God will once again dwell with his people should cause all of us to rejoice. But the fact that those who reject God will not experience this reunion with him should motivate us to share the gospel with urgency, inviting people to put their faith in the God who delights in making all things new.

We all sin. We all make mistakes and sometimes they are just plain embarrassing. As Christians, we know that forgiveness for our sins can be readily available as a result of Jesus' sacrifice. The question is, what do I have to do to access that availability? Is it automatic? Am I forgiven just because I have claimed the name of Jesus? The answer to that question is an emphatic NO! While being a disciple of Christ grants us access to forgiveness from God, it does not automatically apply that forgiveness to our ongoing sins. So, what do we have to do? Do we actually have to confess our sins in detail to God? What does confessing our sins actually mean? Are there rituals that we should be following? Should we confess them to others? Is there a right way and a wrong way to do this? Confession is not a ritual or a formula. Scripture presents it as something far more meaningful: a relational step that brings us back into alignment with God. The Apostle John uses the Greek word homologeō—to “say the same thing”—meaning confession is agreeing with God's assessment of our actions rather than defending, minimizing or hiding them. It is the moment we stop managing our image and start embracing honesty before the One who already knows every detail. King David's experience in Psalm 32 gives us a vivid picture of this process. Before he confessed, he described his inner life as wasting away under the weight of guilt. But once he acknowledged his sin without excuses, he found relief, clarity and restored fellowship with God—even though the severe consequences of his actions remained. Confession didn't erase the earthly fallout, but it reopened the door to God's mercy and peace. The New Testament builds on this foundation by reminding us that we confess not to inform God, but to align ourselves with Him. Hebrews shows that Jesus, our sympathetic High Priest, opens the way to the throne of grace so we can approach God with confidence. Confession becomes the pathway out of darkness and into light, where cleansing and transformation can actually happen. It is how we keep our hearts soft, our conscience clear, and our relationship with God vibrant and honest. Key Takeaways • Confession is relational, not ritualistic—it restores alignment with God. • The biblical meaning of confession is to agree with God's truth about our actions. • God already knows our sins; confession helps us see ourselves clearly. • David's example shows that confession brings relief, honesty and renewed fellowship, even when consequences remain. • Confession is part of walking in the light, keeping us spiritually awake and accountable. • Through Jesus, we can approach God with confidence, knowing forgiveness and cleansing are available. • True confession leads to transformation—allowing God's grace to work in us and through us.    

Welcome to Gospel Rant! Watch me also on DrBillSenyard YouTube channel. This, in my opinion, is the #1 prayer of not only the New Testament, but both testaments. It was among the final words of Jesus to the Apostle John, on the last page of the Bible, and he commands us to pray this. We are standing at the edge of the last page of the last book in the entire revelation of God. Ink drying. History trembling. Heaven leans close. And here, at the very end of everything written— we hear a voice. Not an angel. Not a prophet. Not a rumor of hope. Jesus. “Yes. I am coming soon.” Come Lord Jesus, Come. My Top NT Prayer. We will see what you think. And now, it’s your turn… Your interaction helps this message reach more people! We’d love your feedback: Bill@gospel-app.com Thanks in advance—and enjoy the series! Next week, I will begin a series through the Book of Judges. I am calling it Breaking Badly after the hit TV show a while back. Relevant, important, and not what you will usually hear. See you next time. Support The Show: https://www.gospelrant.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Great White Throne Judgment: The Final, Dreadful, and Eternal Reckoning of the Wicked Dead   In the majestic and awe-inspiring closing visions of the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John, carried along by the powerful inspiration of the Holy Spirit, beholds a series of breathtaking scenes that unveil the final consummation of all things and the eternal destiny of every soul. Following the glorious thousand-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth, after the last desperate and futile rebellion of Satan, and after the complete and utter defeat of Gog and Magog with fire from heaven, the divine spotlight turns with solemn intensity upon the most terrifying and irreversible event in all of human history: the Great White Throne Judgment. This is the ultimate, final, and most dreadful courtroom of the entire universe, where every single soul that has ever died in unbelief, impenitence, and open rebellion against the living God will be supernaturally raised from the dead, solemnly examined with perfect scrutiny, and eternally sentenced according to the flawless, unerring, and infinitely holy justice of Almighty God. Revelation 20:11-15 stands as one of the most sobering, heart-shaking, conscience-piercing, and fear-inducing passages in all of Holy Scripture, a passage that should cause every reader to tremble and every unrepentant sinner to flee without delay to the mercy of the cross. The full text of this profoundly solemn and eternally weighty passage, as given in the inspired and infallible Word of God, reads as follows in its complete and unbroken form: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” This tightly woven, divinely inspired passage forms a self-contained and climactic unit that brings the entire millennial section of the Book of Revelation to its dreadful, everlasting, and irreversible close. It follows immediately after the final casting of Satan, the devil, into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. It stands just before the glorious and radiant unveiling of the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. The context is saturated with absolute finality, divine justice, and the irreversible nature of eternity. The redeemed saints of all ages have already participated joyfully in the blessed first resurrection and have reigned triumphantly with Christ for a full thousand years. Those who now appear trembling before the throne are precisely “the rest of the dead” who “lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5). The old creation, stained and cursed by sin, is even now dissolving before our eyes, and every unsaved soul must now give a full, terrifying, and inescapable account before the burning, all-seeing holiness of Almighty God. Let us now carefully, reverently, and thoroughly exposit this passage verse by verse, drawing out its rich and multifaceted meaning through the original Greek language where it adds vivid force and eternal impact, through the surrounding biblical context, and through the weighty, soul-stirring eternal truths it so powerfully proclaims to every generation. The Scene (Revelation 20:11) “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” The apostle John begins this vision with the majestic and familiar apocalyptic declaration “And I saw” (Kai eidon), words that immediately signal the introduction of a fresh, breathtaking, overwhelming, and panoramic heavenly vision that seizes both the apostle's enraptured gaze and our own hearts with a profound sense of holy dread and reverent awe. What suddenly bursts upon his enraptured sight is nothing less than the supreme, final, and most glorious tribunal of the entire created universe: “a great white throne” (thronon megan leukon). This throne is described as megan—vast beyond all human imagination or comprehension, majestic in unrivaled dignity and splendor, and clothed with overwhelming, absolute, and unchallenged sovereign authority. It towers infinitely and eternally above every earthly court of law, every royal palace, and every seat of human government or power that has ever existed. It is leukon—brilliantly, purely, dazzlingly, and radiantly white—symbolizing in the most vivid way possible the spotless, unapproachable, and infinite holiness together with the flawless, unblemished, and perfect righteousness of God Himself.  No shadow of injustice, no whisper of partiality or favoritism, no trace of corruption or bribery can ever approach, touch, or stain its gloriously radiant surface. It glows and pulses with the blazing, consuming purity of the One who is eternally “light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Seated in awesome, majestic, and terrifying splendor upon this throne is “him that sat on it” (ton kathemenon ep' autou). Though not explicitly named in this particular verse, the consistent, harmonious voice of all Holy Scripture clearly identifies this enthroned and sovereign Judge as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself—the very One to whom the Father has committed all judgment without exception (John 5:22, 27).  It is the same pierced and crucified Savior who once hung in agony upon the cross as the meek and lowly Lamb of God, now appearing in indescribable glory and power as the exalted Lion of the tribe of Judah and the righteous, eternal Judge of all the earth (Acts 17:31). From His glorious and unveiled face—“from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (ephugen ho ouranos kai he ge apo tou prosopou autou)—the entire created cosmos recoils in utter panic-stricken terror and helpless flight. The powerful Greek verb ephugen paints a vivid, dramatic picture of frantic, desperate, and uncontrollable flight, as though the whole vast universe is fleeing away like a terrified servant before the blazing anger and consuming holiness of its rightful Master. The material heavens and earth, which have groaned and travailed together in pain for long ages under the heavy curse and bondage of sin (Romans 8:22), simply cannot endure or withstand the unveiled, searing, and infinite holiness of the incarnate Son of God. “And there was found no place for them” (kai topos ouch heurethe autois). No towering mountain can hide the guilty. No vast ocean can swallow them up or conceal their shame. No dark cavern, no remote corner of the universe, and no hiding place anywhere offers the slightest refuge or shelter. The old creation completely and obediently dissolves in trembling submission to make way for the new heavens and the new earth, soon to be revealed in all their pristine and eternal glory. Behold this scene in all its terrifying majesty and cosmic grandeur: the Judge's holy countenance shines with such consuming, blinding splendor that the very stars vanish from the sky, the mountains melt like wax before the fire, and the fabric of the universe itself flees away in helpless panic. There is absolutely no escape, no delay, and no hiding place anywhere for the guilty. This is the awe-inspiring, universe-shaking, cosmic backdrop against which the final judgment of all the wicked dead will now unfold in solemn and eternal detail. The Subjects (Revelation 20:12) “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” With the majestic, terrifying, and holy scene now vividly established, the apostle John solemnly describes the vast multitude of those who must appear before this awesome throne: “the dead, small and great” (tous nekrous tous megalous kai tous mikrous). This innumerable host includes every single human being who has ever lived and died without Christ—from the mightiest emperors, renowned philosophers, and world conquerors of history to the poorest peasants, nameless slaves, and long-forgotten souls in obscure corners of the earth. The term nekrous powerfully and solemnly underscores their former dreadful and hopeless condition: they were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and physically dead and decaying in the grave. Now they are resurrected—not unto glorious and eternal life, but solely and exclusively to stand condemned and trembling before the righteous Judge. They “stand before God” (hestanda enopion tou theou) in solemn, trembling, and inescapable accountability. They do not sit as honored guests or relaxed observers; they stand as helpless, guilty defendants before the bar of infinite holiness and perfect justice. All earthly distinctions, privileges, and ranks vanish instantly: kings and beggars, the rich and the poor, the famous and the obscure—all stand equally naked, exposed, and without a single defense. Then the books are dramatically and solemnly opened: “the books were opened” (kai biblia eneochthesan). These are the perfect, unerring, and exhaustive records of God's infinite omniscience—containing every single thought, every idle word, every secret deed, every hidden motive, every act of open rebellion, and every neglected opportunity for repentance. Nothing is lost in the mists of time, forgotten, exaggerated, or diminished by even the slightest degree. “And another book was opened, which is the book of life” (kai allo biblion eneochthe, ho estin tes zoes). This is the precious, blood-bought Lamb's Book of Life, the eternal and unchangeable roll call of all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb (Revelation 13:8; 21:27). The dead “were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (ek ton gegrammenon en tois bibliois kata ta erga auton). For the unredeemed, their own accumulated works rise up as silent but utterly damning witnesses against them, proving beyond any shadow of doubt the universal guilt declared throughout Scripture: “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). The Significance (Revelation 20:13-14) “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” The resurrection is total, universal, complete, and absolutely inescapable. “The sea gave up the dead which were in it” (kai edoken he thalassa tous nekrous tous en aute)—even those whose bodies were lost in the darkest ocean depths, shipwrecked, or dissolved into nothingness over centuries are raised whole, intact, and fully conscious. “Death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them” (kai ho thanatos kai ho hades edokan tous nekrous tous en autois). Death releases the bodies it has claimed; Hades surrenders the disembodied spirits it has held in waiting. Every single prisoner is freed without exception for this final, terrifying accounting. “They were judged every man according to their works” (ekrithesan hekastos kata ta erga auton)—a perfectly personal, individual, thorough, and unanswerably just judgment. Then comes the climactic declaration of finality and eternal victory: “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (kai ho thanatos kai ho hades eblethesan eis ten limnen tou pyros. Houtos ho thanatos ho deuteros estin). Here we must clearly, carefully, and biblically distinguish the First Resurrection from the Second Death if we are to grasp the full weight and significance of this moment. The First Resurrection, described in detail earlier in this same chapter, is the glorious and blessed rising of all the righteous saints of every age: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). These blessed and holy ones rise to glorious life, priestly service, and triumphant reigning with Christ, enjoying complete and eternal immunity from all judgment and condemnation. The Second Death, however, is the lake of fire itself—the final, conscious, unending, and irreversible torment and eternal separation from the presence of God for all who die without Christ. It is not annihilation, cessation of existence, or temporary punishment. Scripture repeatedly describes those confined there as being “tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10; see also Revelation 14:11 and Mark 9:44-48). The first death is physical, temporary, and universal; the second death is spiritual, eternal, conscious, and reserved only for the impenitent. Those who share by faith in the First Resurrection escape the Second Death forever because the Lord Jesus Christ has already borne their full judgment and condemnation in His own body on the tree. Those who reject Him will experience both deaths in their fullest, most horrifying measure. How infinitely, eternally, and gloriously better it is to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ—the Bema Seat described in 2 Corinthians 5:10—than to stand condemned before this Great White Throne of terrifying justice!  At the Bema Seat, believers, already washed in the atoning blood and forever accepted in the Beloved, have their works examined only for the purpose of rewards and commendation, never for condemnation or loss of salvation. Christ has fully and completely borne our judgment at Calvary: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). We may lose certain rewards through unfaithfulness, yet we ourselves are saved “so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). At the Great White Throne there is no Advocate, no covering blood of the Lamb, and no possibility of mercy—only the damning books of works and the horrifying, eternal absence of one's name from the Book of Life.   The Sentence (Revelation 20:15) “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The sentence falls with devastating, irreversible, and terrifying finality and simplicity: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (ei tis ouch heurethe en te biblo tes zoes gegrammenos eblethe eis ten limnen tou pyros). No appeal is possible. No second chance is granted. No mitigation or end is ever offered. The lake of fire—originally prepared for the devil and his fallen angels (Matthew 25:41)—becomes the everlasting, conscious abode of every soul whose name is missing from the Lamb's Book of Life.      All human works, however outwardly impressive or religious in human eyes, prove utterly powerless to save or deliver on that day. Conclusion and Appeal Dear friend, the blazing, inescapable reality of the Great White Throne Judgment should cause every heart to tremble with godly fear, every conscience to awaken, and every soul still outside of Christ to flee without a moment's delay to the only place of safety—the cross of Calvary.    To every sinner still living in unbelief and rebellion: Come now! Do not delay another heartbeat or take another breath without settling this eternal matter. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Repent of your sins with genuine sorrow and place your full, trusting faith in the finished work of the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. His precious, sin-cleansing blood can write your name in the Lamb's Book of Life this very moment, delivering you forever from this throne of terror and granting you a joyful place in the blessed first resurrection and the eternal joys of the redeemed. To every true believer already resting in Christ: Live with holy urgency, eternity burning brightly in your soul, and a passionate desire to please your Lord. Be ready to meet your Savior at any instant, whether by death or by His glorious return.        Serve Him with wholehearted devotion, faithfulness, and love so that when you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ you may hear His glorious “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) and receive a full and abundant reward. “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42). May the solemn, weighty, and eternal truths of this passage stir us all to fervent prayer, pure and separated living, compassionate love for the lost, and bold, urgent gospel witness until Jesus returns in power and great glory.  To the Lamb upon the throne, our blessed Savior and coming Judge, be all honor, praise, dominion, and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Truth and love go together. They're often mentioned side by side in Scripture. And Pastor Greg Laurie says they present a balanced approach to human relationships. Friday on A NEW BEGINNING, we'll get some practical insight on the matter from the Apostle John. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we journey on into 1 John 3, remembering our foundational concept for this series: walking with Jesus means letting Him lead. Its a reminder to us that the goal is to be led by Him into what He has called us to do. As we walk with Him, John points out in this chapter that part of the way we need to be led is in how we love each other in this family of the Body of Christ. God wants us to be a part of His family, a loving family. The apostle John reminds us that we are called to support each other when the needs present themselves. Just as Christ laid down His life for us, we too are supposed to sacrifice and serve one another in actions and truth. Because love unknown is love unshown. Ultimately, the Apostle John reminds us in this chapter that love is a verb. - Key Verses // 3 John 1:4, 1 John 3 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Today, Pastor Al Dagel brings us a short letter from the Apostle John to help guide us in our walk in the Lord and in His service.

Send us Fan MailCan emotional wounds keep us from experiencing the fullness of healing and freedom that Jesus purchased for us?In this conversation, Karl Gessler sits down with Dave Hayes (The Praying Medic) to discuss what he calls "3 Easy Steps to Emotional Healing." Dave shares how he first began seeing miracles and healings, why emotional and inner healing are so important, and a simple process believers can use to partner with Jesus in bringing healing to the soul.We also explore the connection between emotional wounds and physical health, and Dave shares remarkable testimonies of people who experienced physical healing as Jesus healed the deeper issues of the heart.As the Apostle John wrote:"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:2)Whether you're carrying past hurts, struggling with recurring emotional pain, or simply want to learn how to help others find freedom in Christ, this conversation offers practical insight and encouraging testimonies of God's healing power.In This Episode: What is emotional healing?  What is inner healing?  How Dave Hayes began operating in healing and miracles  The 3-step emotional healing process  The connection between soul health and physical health  Testimonies of emotional and physical healing  How Jesus heals the brokenhearted today Connect with Dave Hayes (The Praying Medic):https://prayingmedic.com/healing-prayer/Connect with The Faith of the Fathers:https://www.karlgessler.com/#EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #PrayingMedic #DaveHayes #HealingTestimony #Deliverance #ChristianPodcast #FaithHealing #HolySpirit #JesusHeals #TheFaithOfTheFathersSupport the show❤️ SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - LINKS BELOW...➡️ Email me: https://www.karlgessler.com/deliverance➡️ DONATE ➡️  Join our team!https://www.givesendgo.com/karlgessle...  / karlgessler  ...

Our Awesome God -- Part 3: Trinity; Jesus, the Christ MESSAGE SUMMARY: We pray and sing to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – the Trinity: one God and yet three persons in the one God. All analogies fall shot in explaining an incomprehensible God and the Trinity. The Trinity is a mystery, and the word Trinity is not found in the Bible – the Bible has inferences to the Word Trinity and each of its component persons without naming the overarching word “Trinity”. However, the authority of speaking about the Trinity comes from the Bible. During the first few centuries of the Church, Christians wrestled with how to describe and communicate God in writings and teachings. These early Christians, in their study of the Scriptures, saw that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all Devine; however, they knew that God was one. Therefore, these early Christians concluded that the Scriptures taught that there was only one God; but that the Father is God, the Son is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God – what we now call the Trinity. Today, we will look at the second person of the Trinity – Jesus. Jesus is the rock upon which Christianity is built. Typically, we refer to “Jesus Christ”; however, “Christ “is not Jesus last name. “Christ” is a title that means Messiah. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is viewed from three perspectives: 1) the pre-incarnate Christ; the incarnate Christ (God man); and the post-incarnate Christ. In John 1:1-5, the Apostle John tells us that the pre-incarnate Christ was the Word (Logos) and in the beginning. Also, the pre-incarnate Christ was a person, but He was: with God, a deity (God), and a participant in the Creation. Also, the pre-incarnate Christ, in the Old Testament, is referred to as “The Angel of the Lord” (Exodus 3:1-18). Whenever The Angel of the Lord appears in the Old Testament, God ends up being referenced as the person speaking. In John 8:58, Jesus removes all doubt that He was God, The Angel of the Lord, speaking to Abraham in Exodus 3: “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.'". In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies the God-man Jesus, the incarnate Christ, as God: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". Jesus was the person of God's Son and He was Devine. In the year 325, leaders from all over the Church met in Nicaea to debate and understand who Jesus was. These Church leaders came out of this meeting saying that Jesus was co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. In the Incarnation, Jesus remained God; but, also, Jesus became fully a sinless human – Son of Man and Son of God. The incarnate Christ was crucified, and He was resurrected; and He is living today as the post-incarnate Christ. As the post-incarnate Christ, Jesus is the reigning and redeeming Christ. Also, we are told that the post-incarnate Christ will return. Therefore, Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. It is because of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, that we are able to have access to the first person of the Trinity – God the Father. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are inseparable because they are one God together in the Trinity. We are God's children; but God, our Father, has no grandchildren. Jesus tells us in John 14:6-7: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'". The understanding of the Godhead and the Trinity are a gift to us through our Salvation brought to us by Jesus.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-5; Exodus 3:1-18; John 8:58; Exodus 17:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:4; John 1:14; Luke 1:35; John 14:6-12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-11; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19-24; Revelation 19:1-21; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15; Ephesians 2:18. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Our Relationship with God Is Based Solely on Our Relationship with God, and He Desires to Have a Relationship with Each of Us”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

SummaryThis sermon centers on the Apostle John and his unique calling to reveal Jesus Christ to the world. The pastor traces a remarkable thread through Scripture, from the tabernacle in Exodus to Ezekiel's vision to the book of Revelation, showing how the four faces (lion, ox, man, and eagle) correspond to the four Gospels and point to the fullness of who Jesus is. John's Gospel stands apart because it presents Jesus as the soaring eagle, the divine Son of God who became flesh and dwelt among us, combating early heresies like Gnosticism that denied the physical humanity of Christ.The sermon also highlights John's core message: believe. John mentions the word 'believe' 98 times and states plainly in John 20:31 that his entire Gospel was written so that readers would believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name. Through stories like Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and the healing at the Pool of Bethesda, the pastor calls the congregation to move beyond passive familiarity with Jesus and into genuine, active faith. The invitation is extended to anyone who feels spiritually dry or thirsty to come to Jesus, who promises that rivers of living water will flow from those who believe in Him.Key Verses- John 1:1- John 1:14- John 3:16- John 20:31- John 7:37-39Life ApplicationThis week, set aside time to read through the Gospel of John, even if it is just a few chapters each day. As you read, pay attention to every time the word 'believe' appears and ask yourself honestly: Do I truly believe this about Jesus? If you are in a dry or thirsty season spiritually, take one concrete step toward Him, whether that is returning to prayer, reaching out to a trusted believer, or simply telling God out loud that you need a fresh touch of His presence.Key Takeaways- John's Gospel has a singular purpose: to reveal Jesus as the divine Son of God who became flesh and dwelt among us, and to call every reader to genuine belief in Him.- The fingerprints of God are woven consistently throughout all of Scripture, from the tabernacle in Exodus to Ezekiel's vision to the book of Revelation, all pointing to the same Jesus.- Believing in what Jesus can do is not the same as believing in who Jesus is. True saving faith goes beyond admiring miracles and involves a personal, spiritual new birth.- Jesus pursues people that others overlook, as seen in His deliberate journey through Samaria, and His love is not reserved for a select few but is offered to the entire world.- For anyone who feels spiritually thirsty or dry, Jesus extends an open invitation: come to Him and drink, and out of that belief will flow rivers of living water through the Holy Spirit.

Send us Fan MailIn this 'EPISODE 467 WHY IS OUR WORLD FALLING APART AROUND THE ENTIRE WORLD--HOW LONG WILL CAN IT GO ON LIKE THIS-- WHAT IS NEXT FOR AMERICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST--JOHN WAS CLOSE TO JESUS SO WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT END-TIMES', author and host Elbert Hardy presents hope in these hard times from the Gospel of the Apostle John and the Book of Revelation. Please go there and to his website, itellwhy.com. Support the showGo to itellwhy.com to read Elbert's books free of charge, no Ads and no requests for money or Email addresses. You can watch faith building YouTube Links to Videos and the listen to Elbert's Life of Christ Audio Book in 30 minute Episodes arranged and read by the author straight from the Bible, but rearranged in logical harmony of the Gospels, Revelation and other scriptures. All FREE of charge in the public interest.

Pastor Lucas kicked off a brand-new summer series through the Book of Revelation with an introductory message focused on understanding the book's purpose, context, and major interpretive approaches. Rather than diving immediately into prophetic details, he challenged believers to approach Revelation with humility, avoiding sensationalism and dogmatic certainty where faithful Christians have historically disagreed.The message explored Revelation as three distinct genres woven together, apocalyptic literature, prophecy, and a letter written to seven real churches. Pastor Lucas examined the historical background of the book, including its authorship by the Apostle John while exiled on the island of Patmos, the debate surrounding its dating, and the significance of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.He also provided an overview of the four primary interpretive views of Revelation, preterism, historicism, futurism, and idealism, as well as the major millennial positions held throughout church history. The sermon briefly addressed the origins of modern Rapture theology and encouraged believers to focus on the central message of Revelation rather than becoming consumed by speculation.The message concluded by highlighting the powerful connection between Genesis and Revelation as the bookends of Scripture: where Genesis begins with paradise lost through sin, Revelation ends with paradise restored through the victory and reign of Jesus Christ.Prior to the sermon, board member and Marine Corps veteran Cody Pierrou shared a message during the offering on personal growth and stewardship. Drawing from biblical principles, he outlined six key areas of Christian growth, purpose, mindset, habits, associations, accountability, and reflection, and challenged the church to steward both spiritual and financial resources faithfully through the principle of earning all you can, saving all you can, and giving all you can.Key Themes:Humility in InterpretationThe Revelation of Jesus ChristUnderstanding Biblical ContextAvoiding End-Times SensationalismUnity Amid Different ViewsThe Reliability of ScriptureGod's Sovereignty Over HistoryGenesis to RevelationParadise Lost, Paradise RestoredHope for the FutureTimestamps:0:42 — Capacity, growth & six biblical areas of personal development7:04 — Financial stewardship: earn, save & give all you can10:09 — Introduction & Revelation series kickoff12:24 — Why it's "Revelation," not "Revelations"29:18 — John, Patmos & the dating of Revelation47:04 — Preterism, futurism, millennial views & the Rapture53:29 — Genesis and Revelation: paradise lost & restored

Pastor Lucas kicked off a brand-new summer series through the Book of Revelation with an introductory message focused on understanding the book's purpose, context, and major interpretive approaches. Rather than diving immediately into prophetic details, he challenged believers to approach Revelation with humility, avoiding sensationalism and dogmatic certainty where faithful Christians have historically disagreed.The message explored Revelation as three distinct genres woven together, apocalyptic literature, prophecy, and a letter written to seven real churches. Pastor Lucas examined the historical background of the book, including its authorship by the Apostle John while exiled on the island of Patmos, the debate surrounding its dating, and the significance of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.He also provided an overview of the four primary interpretive views of Revelation, preterism, historicism, futurism, and idealism, as well as the major millennial positions held throughout church history. The sermon briefly addressed the origins of modern Rapture theology and encouraged believers to focus on the central message of Revelation rather than becoming consumed by speculation.The message concluded by highlighting the powerful connection between Genesis and Revelation as the bookends of Scripture: where Genesis begins with paradise lost through sin, Revelation ends with paradise restored through the victory and reign of Jesus Christ.Prior to the sermon, board member and Marine Corps veteran Cody Pierrou shared a message during the offering on personal growth and stewardship. Drawing from biblical principles, he outlined six key areas of Christian growth, purpose, mindset, habits, associations, accountability, and reflection, and challenged the church to steward both spiritual and financial resources faithfully through the principle of earning all you can, saving all you can, and giving all you can.Key Themes:Humility in InterpretationThe Revelation of Jesus ChristUnderstanding Biblical ContextAvoiding End-Times SensationalismUnity Amid Different ViewsThe Reliability of ScriptureGod's Sovereignty Over HistoryGenesis to RevelationParadise Lost, Paradise RestoredHope for the FutureTimestamps:0:42 — Capacity, growth & six biblical areas of personal development7:04 — Financial stewardship: earn, save & give all you can10:09 — Introduction & Revelation series kickoff12:24 — Why it's "Revelation," not "Revelations"29:18 — John, Patmos & the dating of Revelation47:04 — Preterism, futurism, millennial views & the Rapture53:29 — Genesis and Revelation: paradise lost & restored

What happens when you fail to see or believe the truth? Your life will always, to some degree, be out of alignment with reality. And this leads to all sorts of problems! When the Apostle John had a vision of heaven's throne room, he realized that the fundamental truth of reality is this: God deserves all our worship as both Creator and Savior. Read more...

Alan's Soap https://AlansSoaps.com/ToddHonor John's memory and the legacy he created for Ian and Alan with Alan's Artisan Soaps “John's Favorites” bundle.  Get one bar of each of his favorites for only $28.99. Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes. Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeSpencer Pratt's Race Is The Great Cultural Explainer of Our Time. Great political ad here from @spencerpratt - the reality TV star turned wannabe mayor of LA who had his house burned down in the Palisades fires Delves into shy voters who are afraid to say who they want to win. - “You Are Not Alone. Vote Spencer Pratt.” Raman: Pratt using AI videos is “deeply insulting” to entertainment industry workers in LA. Michaelson: He would say he's just sharing other people's AI videos, that's not what he puts out. Raman: Well, you know, sure, but...*changes subject* Talking point nuked. Hysterical. Portland Business Owner: “I have to be honest, I have never felt so unsafe in this city” “I betta not catch you over here with those devil blue eyes!” - L.A. (May 22) — CA Democrat governor candidate @TomSteyer was surrounded by militant blacks in the Leimert Park neighborhood. They demanded reparations, shouted racial slurs and threatened him. Los Angeles resident says she is very inspired by hearing Spencer Pratt speak about becoming Mayor. She says she drove to LAX airport, on the way home she saw 3 different homeless people drop their pants and poop right on the street, right out in the openAn Australian “Doctor” Wants To Make Sure Men Don't Get Fired for Getting Pregnant.  A scene from Monty Python's the Life of Brian. My word. This is incredible. A real-life version of that scene from The Life of Brian: "Stan, you haven't got a womb! Where's the foetus going to gestate?! You going to keep it in a box?!" The Dangerous Lie Casual Christians Believe About JesusIn 5 words, Jesus explained exactly who He is. "Before Abraham was, I AM." (From John 8:58). Not “I WAS”, I am. Or, if you look at the raw Greek manuscript that the Apostle John penned, it is the two-word phrase: Ἐγώ εἰμι“Ego Eimi”.Jesus claimed self-existence—an uncreated, eternal nature that has no beginning, no end, and relies on absolutely nothing else to exist.The Pharasees knew exactly who Jesus said He was and IS. “I AM THAT I AM... Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14 Jesus was appropriating the unutterable Name of Yahweh for Himself. "So they picked up stones to throw at Him." Under Levitical law, claiming to be the self-existent God was punishable by immediate stoning for blasphemy.'The "I AM" Statements (Gospel of John)“I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35): Describing himself as the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment that satisfies the soul.“I am the Light of the World”  (John 8:12): Describing himself as the guide who removes spiritual darkness and brings truth.“I am the Gate for the Sheep” (John 10:7): Describing himself as the only way to enter into a relationship with God and find safety.“I am the Good Shephder” (John 10:11): Describing his sacrificial love, protection, and willingness to lay down his life for his followers.I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25): Describing his power over death and his ability to give eternal life to those who believe in him.“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6): Describing himself as the exclusive path to God, absolute truth, and the source of eternal existence.“I am the Vine.” (John 15:1): Describing himself as the source of spiritual vitality; believers are the branches that must stay connected to him to bear fruit.

Thank you for joining us this week as Pastor Tyler Alvarez continues our series through Abide. This week, Pastor Tyler teaches through 2 John where the Apostle John is writing a letter to one of his church plants offering encouragement, reminder, and warning. We hope you are encouraged and convicted by this message, and we can't wait to see you next week! As always — love God, love others and make disciples!

Sunday Morning, May 24, 2026 | S0634 SPEAKER: Jason Hardin DOWNLOAD: Interactive outline WATCH NOW: Livestream S0634

God Is Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and You Pray to One Triune Being – God, the Creator of the Universe MESSAGE SUMMARY: In Mark 8:29, Jesus asked His Disciples the question He asks you: “And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, ‘You are the Christ {Messiah}.'". As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1-6: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.”.  God IS Father, IS Son, and He IS Holy Spirit. Jesus told the crowd in the Temple; and He tells us, as it is recorded for us now by the Apostle John, in John 10:25,30: “Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me . . . I and the Father are one.'”. Also, Jesus provides more insights to your Trinitarian relationship with God in John 14:18-20: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.". God is one God, but He is in three natures: God is Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when you pray, you are praying to one triune being – God, the Creator of the Universe.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to be still and to wait patiently for you in silence. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 125). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, He will supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 4:1-8; John 10:24-30; Mark 1:9-11; Psalms 139a:1-12. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Filled with the Holy Spirit?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Time out! The Apostle John sometimes pauses the timeline of the book of Revelation to bring us some essential background information. We'll consider a couple of those "interludes," or "parentheses" today; we'll find them in chapters 7 and 11. The title of the sermon is: The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses. And I have some news about Right Start that I'd like to share with you after the message - please don't sneak out of church early today! Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS05192026_0.mp3Scripture References: Revelation 7 & 11

God Gives a Jesus Follower's Life Meaning and Purpose, Satisfies their Hunger to Know Their Life's Purpose, and Forgives Their Sins MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His Resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to Jesus Followers, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Loneliness. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Presence. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Filled with the Holy Spirit?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

284 Intro Historical Theology: Why Church History MattersAfter the apostles died, the church did not disappear. It continued to preserve, defend, and pass down the truth once delivered to the saints. In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany continue their historical theology series by introducing Clement of Rome, one of the earliest Apostolic Fathers. They explain why Clement matters, what his letter to the Corinthian church reveals about early Christian belief, and how his writings point believers back to Scripture, humility, unity, and justification by faith in Christ alone.00:55 What Is Historical Theology?Historical theology studies how Christian doctrine developed and was defended throughout church history.02:30 The Patristic PeriodAfter the death of the Apostle John, the church entered the patristic period, the era of the early church fathers.04:00 Who Were the Apostolic Fathers?The Apostolic Fathers include Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Papias of Hierapolis, and several key early Christian writings, including The Didache, The Epistle of Barnabas, The Shepherd of Hermas, and The Epistle to Diognetus. 06:15 What Does Orthodoxy Mean?Orthodoxy means right belief, helping Christians distinguish true biblical doctrine from error.07:30 Preserving Apostolic TeachingAfter the apostles died, the church did not disappear. Early Christian leaders helped preserve and defend the teachings handed down to them.11:00 Who Was Clement of Rome?Clement of Rome was an early bishop who lived near the end of the first century and wrote an important letter to the church at Corinth.18:15 Justification by Faith in the Early ChurchClement clearly taught that salvation is not earned by human effort, but received by faith in Christ.20:30 What Clement Teaches Us TodayClement reminds believers to be shaped by Scripture, pursue unity, and trust in Christ alone for salvation.“ Studying historical theology should make us steadier. Clement reminds us that faithful Christians anchor themselves in scripture. We pursue humility.” – Pastor Jeff Cranston

I was 3½ years old, standing before an open casket looking at my grandfather, the man I called Papa, wondering why he wouldn't wake up. My aunt finally pulled me away and said, “He's not waking up.” God planted a seed in my heart that day. I came to realize that the single most important thing any person can know, in light of the fact that we are all going to die, is to know for certain that when you do, you will be with God in Heaven forever. But wanting to know and actually knowing are two very different things. Mark Twain famously said, “It ain't what you know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” I know of nothing more dangerous than being sure you're going to Heaven when you're not and nothing more miserable than being on your way to Heaven but not knowing how or why. That is exactly who the Apostle John is writing to. In five chapters he uses the word “know” 39 times, because Jesus didn't die on the cross to give us a “hope-so” or “feel-so” salvation. He died to give us a “know-so” salvation. John gives us facts, not feelings, and leads us to three truths that will help you know for certain where you stand.

April 22, 2026 - Wednesday Bible Class This episode introduces a new week-by-week series through 1 John (and later 2–3 John), taught in a classroom setting where the instructors have swapped: Hiram leads the 1 John series while Neil teaches Nehemiah in the adjacent adult class. The approach for the quarter is big-picture, one major theme per chapter, emphasizing themes that John repeats across his letters rather than a verse-by-verse technical exposition. The program opens with a survey of the author and audience: the Apostle John — one of Jesus' “inner three,” present at the cross and later exiled on Patmos — whose long ministry and eyewitness testimony give weight to his teaching. The instructor highlights John's transformation (from one of the “Sons of Thunder” to the “disciple Jesus loved”) and explains why that life experience matters for understanding 1 John. The class unpacks who John was writing to (experienced Christians) and why: three explicit purposes surface across the book — to clarify who believers have fellowship with (the apostles and, ultimately, the Father and the Son), to lead readers into full joy, and to give assurance that those who believe already possess eternal life. Hiram stresses that biblical “knowing” is meant to change how you live, not remain merely intellectual. Common false teachings that motivated John's letter are discussed: early tendencies that denied Jesus' true humanity and divinity (later associated with Gnostic or docetic ideas), claims of spiritual elitism that excused ongoing sin, and teaching that separated knowledge from love. John's core counters are reiterated: Jesus came in the flesh, love for the brotherhood proves genuine faith, and Christians will struggle with sin but should not live in willful, habitual sin. The class reads and expounds 1 John 1:1–10. Key points from that passage highlighted in the episode include John's eyewitness testimony (“we heard, we saw, we touched”), the central declaration that “God is light,” the condition for fellowship (walking in the light), the ongoing efficacy of Christ's blood to cleanse believers from sin, and the importance of honest confession (contrasted with the deception of denying sin). Listeners can expect seven weeks of chapter-focused teaching, practical application for Christian living (fellowship, confession, loving others, persevering in truth), and repeated reminders that sound doctrine should produce joy and transformed behavior. The episode prepares the listener to continue with chapter-by-chapter themes: fellowship, walking in light, assurance of eternal life, resisting false teachers, and the supremacy of love in authentic Christian faith.   Duration 44:35

In this profound podcast episode originally aired on March 1, 2024, Senior Pastor Charles Barksdale, M.B.E. provides an expert breakdown of Revelation 4:10 from the Amplified Bible, exploring the heavenly scene where the twenty-four elders fall in total worship. Moving beyond a simple reading, Pastor Barksdale utilizes the twelve big divisions of systematic theology and the tools of hermeneutics to examine the historical background of the Apostle John's exile on Patmos and the biblical context of the celestial throne room. Through the lens of homiletics, the teaching bridges the gap between ancient scripture and a contemporary application for today's time, challenging believers to identify their own "crowns"—their achievements and status—and follow the elders' example of surrendering them at the feet of the Father. This study serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and the vital importance of a lifestyle rooted in humility and praise.

There are seasons when the voices around us — and sometimes within us — speak so loudly that we begin to forget who we truly are. Guilt whispers that we have strayed too far from grace. The words of others write a story over us that feels more real than what God says. Failure leaves us feeling untethered, and we begin to walk not as beloved children of God, but as people weighed down by an imposed identity of unworthiness and shame. In those moments, we desperately need someone to speak our name and remind us of what is true. 1 John 3:1 does exactly that. The Apostle John does not say we will one day be called children of God, or that we might be if we try hard enough. He says we are — right now, in this moment, with all our imperfections and all our doubts. And as if anticipating our disbelief, he adds a quiet but stunning clarification: and so we are. This is not a self-proclaimed identity we talk ourselves into on good days. It is a reality declared by the Father Himself, rooted not in anything we have earned but in the great love that compelled Him to bring us near, adopt us, and call us His own. When other aspects of life — our failures, our relationships, our sins — try to define us, we can return to this truth again and again. He knows our name. He has declared who we are. And He will keep calling us by that name until we finally believe it. Today's Bible Verse "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." — 1 John 3:1, ESV Ponder Today Our identity as children of God is not self-proclaimed or conditional — it was declared by the Father Himself, rooted entirely in His love and not in anything we have earned or deserved. Guilt, shame, and the words of others will always try to write a false narrative over our lives — but the Sovereign of all has already spoken the definitive word about who we are. John's quiet addition — "and so we are" — is one of the most grounding statements in all of Scripture, a simple but stunning confirmation that our identity in Christ is a present reality, not a future hope. We are not distant individuals straining to reach God — we have been brought near, adopted, and welcomed into the family of God through the love that sent Jesus to lay down His life for us. Even when we forget or struggle to believe who we are, God does not — He knows our name, He calls us His own, and He will keep speaking that truth over us until it takes root in our hearts. Today's Prayer Great God, You are the One who names the stars and spoke the world into being — and You are the One who has already declared who I am. Yet I so easily forget when warring narratives come my way or failure leaves me feeling untethered. Remind me again, gracious Father, that I am Your child — beloved not because I am perfect or have earned Your favor, but simply because of Your love. It was love that sent Your Son, love that led Him to lay down His life, and love that sustains and keeps me today. Help me walk in that love as Your child, living from the truth of who You say I am rather than the lies that try to define me. In Jesus' name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There will be no atheists in the Tribulation! The Apostle John reveals that, while the wrath of God is pouring down upon the Earth, humans will worship demons - not that the demons appreciate it. Yesterday we talked about the Fifth Trumpet, and the Abyss being opened. The demons like locusts, that sting like scorpions, are about to teach humanity a painful lesson: Our times are in God's hands. Here's Jim with the finale of his message, The Seven Trumpets. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS05132026_0.mp3Scripture References: Revelation 8

In Revelation 17, the Apostle John warned of the mystery of Babylon, the great mother of harlots. Join us as Steve Gallagher unpacks this profound chapter and warns us of how if we do not separate ourselves from the lawlessness of this world that has even crept into church culture, we will be seduced into the spirit of Babylon.

There is a scripture in the 35th chapter of Exodus that opens up a subject I don't recall hearing very much ever said about. Numbers 35, beginning in verse 30:Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover you shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. And you shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. So you shall not pollute the land wherein you are: for blood it defiles the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which you shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.Numbers 35:30–34 AKJVThe only way that the land can be cleansed of blood is by the shedding of the blood of the person who originally committed the murder. Don't defile the land.Now, it's interesting: the land is dirt; we walk on it every day; we live on the land, and the land is something we take for granted. And here is a categorical statement that suggests that murderers—unavenged murderers—actually defile not merely the society, but defile the land. I think that's kind of curious, in a way, that he should say that, and that it should be presented to us in that way.You know, it's been a long, long time since God has spoken to us. The fact is that it's been some 1900 years since the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation. As far as we know, there has been no direct revelation of God to Man since, that has been conveyed to mankind in general. Maybe he's talked to one person here or there for their own benefit. But as far as I know, God has been silent for over 1900 years now…and maybe for some little time yet.But it occurred to me that the land may be speaking to us. Now, I'm not talking today about environmental issues that can be solved by politics. I'm not talking about that at all. I'm talking about something much more serious than that—something where politics is really not the solution. This issue is not political, but moral. The land does figure prominently in Old Testament scripture—the defilement of the land, the effect of the land, and what we have done with the way we've lived our lives here. The land does figure strongly to it—but in ways that are not always very apparent. One of the things I'm going to try to do in the sermon is to make these things more apparent.

Do you believe in Heaven? I mean, really? We've been lulled to sleep about the realities of Heaven and Hell. Today these doctrines are dismissed as relics of an unenlightened age. Who today could possibly believe in a "literal" Heaven, and a "literal" Hell? Well, the Apostle John believed. He was transported, somehow, to Heaven. And he didn't see fluffy clouds, and people strumming harps. He didn't see a metaphor. What did he see? Let's find out today, with Jim. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS04292026_0.mp3Scripture References: Revelation 4

Jesus' response to Peter's question about his fellow Apostle John, "Lord, what about this man?" applies to us as well! The transcription for this Podcast can be found at https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/whats-it-to-you.html  

Patrick helps callers who grapple with moral questions about employment in clinics offering transgender surgeries, confronts the worn edges of trust in church leadership, and fields thoughts on faith as listeners digest painful realities of abuse scandals and financial cover-ups. He answers practical curiosity about scripture and Catholic traditions, all while wrestling with tension and hope threaded through stories of doubt and perseverance. One conversation stirs into the next, from Middle East politics to relics beneath the altar, as Patrick refuses to shy away from hard truths or wavering voices. Peter - Is it a grave sin to work for a clinic that does transgender surgeries? 00:49) Kathy - It felt like the caller was blaming Israel for a lot of the things in the Middle East. I feel like this is unfair. (12:14) Brian (email) - What does it say in the Quran about killing infidels? (20:08) Mary (email) - I work for the Post Office and it bothers me when I have to deliver donation requests from Planned Parenthood. Brooke - Where did the angel with the flaming sword come from in Genesis? (23:46) *Andre - How can I reconcile the bad things happening in the Catholic Church, such as bankruptcy and financial mismanagement of a diocese? Also, the Pope is losing his mind. I am ready to leave the Church. (33:06) Will - I always heard that John of the Cross was the Apostle John. (48:55)