Podcasts about apostle paul

In this message from 1 Corinthians 5, Pastor J.D. teaches about the messy but necessary process of church discipline. We may find it harsh to hear what the Apostle Paul says about those who persist in sin. But if we truly care about our people, if we truly care about the vulnerable, if we truly care about our neighbors, if we truly care about Jesus' reputation … we will be faithful to confront our brothers and sisters in love.

Today, David applies the Apostle Paul's declaration that true wisdom and knowledge are found in the revelation of "the mystery of God, of the Father and of Christ (Colossians 2:3) to a famous sentence sentence in the Declaration of Independence often quoted by Christians. Does that statement contain a clue that the signatories had been taken captive by the vain philosophies of men? Today he sets the stage for the concluding answer he will release tomorrow. Don’t miss either episode.

“Therefore” • Hebrews 10:19-25 – Elder Bryce Lowrance.   Having spent nine and half chapters proving the superiority of Christ in all things and showing that Jesus is our great High Priest, the Mediator of our salvation, and the sufficient offering for the sins of God's people, the Apostle Paul now shows how we should respond to this information. Having such blessings from God, let us respond in grateful service.  This message was preached on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

The Pharisees and Sadducees look like a unified front in the four Gospels. They were not. In this Beyond the Notes episode, Pastor Russell Howard traces the distinct origins, beliefs, and social roles of these two first century Jewish parties. The Sadducees controlled the high priesthood under Roman favor but rejected the resurrection, angels, and miracles taught in the Old Testament. The Pharisees were the devout cultural anchor of Jewish life and held the trust of the common people. Their rivalry was deep enough that when the Apostle Paul exploited it in Acts 23, a formal council meeting turned violent. What unites groups that agree on nothing? Opposition to Jesus. Pastor Howard draws from Matthew 16 and Acts 23 to show that this pattern did not end in the first century and helps listeners read the Gospels with fresh eyes and a clearer framework. Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com New to McGregor? Plan a visit at mcgregor.net/plan-a-visit

1 Timothy is the first of two letters written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor and leader at a growing church in Ephesus. This letter is filled with lessons and tools that apply to every believer and to pastors alike, and has been used for centuries to guide the lives of believers and ministries.   Join Jerry as he dives into 1 Timothy, helping us see how we can apply this book, and to "fight the good fight of faith" today.   You can take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!   Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

(2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV)Brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.One of the most important aspects of personal peace and a clear mind is unity and harmony in our relationships. The Apostle Paul promised that when we do all we can to keep our connections to others clean and right, God's love and peace will prevail in us and for us.Who do you need to restore, encourage or connect with today?What relationship do you need to give over to God's peace?Listen once again for Message Bible:Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.A life surrendered to Christ is a life marked by restoration, unity, and harmony, producing peace of mind.Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Which of these ares do you need to focus on this today?Pray with me:“God, today I want to choose to rejoice in You no matter what is going on around me. Lead me towards restoration with everyone in my life. Remind me to speak encouragement to others. Help me to choose peace in all things. I know You are with me always. As above, so below.”

Today's sermon is based on 2 Timothy 4:1-8. With his life nearing an end, the Apostle Paul gives a final encouragement to young pastor Timothy -- Preach the Word!

Many today claim it's impossible to reach a clear and conclusive understanding of end-time Bible prophecy. However, the Prophet Daniel, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and John the Revelator all declared that we can understand these prophecies. On this edition of The Endtime Show, I'll provide a clear overview of Bible prophecy. 👉 Subscribe for daily updates on world events and prophecy👉 Learn more at https://watch.osn.tv/browse ⭐️: True Gold Republic: Get The Endtime Show special on precious metals at https://www.endtimegold.com 📱: It's never been easier to understand. Stream Only Source Network and access exclusive content: https://watch.osn.tv/browse 📚: Check out Jerusalem Prophecy College Online for less than $60 per course: https://jerusalemprophecycollege.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conflict is everywhere. Nations wage war against nations. Churches divide, families fracture, friendships dissolve, and even within the human heart there is pride, fear, and bitterness. Scripture reveals that conflict is not merely psychological or circumstantial—it is spiritual.From Satan's rebellion in heaven to the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden, the story of humanity has been marked by disunity and broken fellowship. Yet in the midst of that reality, God reveals Himself as the Great Peacemaker in the short but powerful epistle to Philemon. Through this personal letter, the Apostle Paul provides a living picture of Gospel-centered reconciliation.In this episode of PostScript, Brandon Briscoe welcomes Pastor John Wright, author of Peacekeepers: Conflict Management and the Epistle to Philemon, for a discussion on the spiritual roots of conflict and the biblical path toward reconciliation. Together, they examine how Paul's mediation between Philemon and Onesimus demonstrates God's heart for restoration, forgiveness, and unity among believers.Topics discussed include:• The biblical origin of conflict• The difference between peacemaking and peacekeeping• Paul's model of mediation in Philemon• Practical principles for resolving conflict in the local church• How the Gospel transforms broken relationships• Building and maintaining a culture of peace among believersWhether facing church conflict, family tensions, strained friendships, or personal struggles, listeners will find biblical wisdom and practical guidance for pursuing peace God's way.Visit https://lfbi.org/learnmore

1 Timothy is the first of two letters written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor and leader at a growing church in Ephesus. This letter is filled with lessons and tools that apply to every believer and to pastors alike, and has been used for centuries to guide the lives of believers and ministries.   Join Jerry as he dives into 1 Timothy, helping us see how we can apply this book, and to "fight the good fight of faith" today.   You can take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!   Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

1 Timothy is the first of two letters written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor and leader at a growing church in Ephesus. This letter is filled with lessons and tools that apply to every believer and to pastors alike, and has been used for centuries to guide the lives of believers and ministries.   Join Jerry as he dives into 1 Timothy, helping us see how we can apply this book, and to "fight the good fight of faith" today.   You can take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!   Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

2026 - June 21“The Essentials” is a journey through the book of Romans, where the Apostle Paul lays out the core truths of the Christian faith. In this letter, we discover who God is, what He has done through Jesus Christ, and what that means for us. Romans shows us the reality of our sin, the depth of God's grace, and the life-changing truth that salvation is not earned but received; a free gift through faith. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, making a way for both broken people and searching hearts to be made right with God. This series will walk through the essentials of the gospel and what it means to truly live in light of it. Please take a moment to rate this podcast and if you would like to leave a comment regarding this message, please email kpsermons@gmail.com

How does God give us hope and peace?    ---    The Apostle Paul longed to get to Rome. He knew that if the gospel were well-established in Rome, it would reach the ends of the known world. Before he ever got there, Paul wrote one of the greatest works on the Christian faith ever written - his letter now entitled “Romans.” Join us as we explore highlights from this incredible letter and see why, for Paul, there was no place like Rome.    Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49623951 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions

Some of the greatest writings in history were written from prison—like Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and Nelson Mandela's Autobiography. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians is no different, but most people have never heard of it. Written from a Roman prison to a church he started in Philippi, Philippians is a short letter full of brilliant theology, no-nonsense wisdom, and tattoo-worthy one-liners that has sparked joy, resilience, humility, and more in the church ever since.

Dear friends,Welcome again to Two Ways News. We do appreciate your fellowship in recommending this podcast to friends and colleagues.Today we are looking at freedom from slavery in the beginning of 1 Corinthians 9, but we decided to call this episode ‘My Rights', for the way the passage has been translated raises the question of ‘rights'. The passage is really about the authority of the Apostle—an authority he does not use in his concern for other people's salvation.It is an extraordinary explanation of the nature of Christ's work of salvation, preached in the apostolic gospel and lived out by the Apostle Paul.Yours,PhillipFreely available, supported by generosity.If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club—friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Todaywe begin a new section in Philippians chapter 3. In the previous verses, Paulhas been sharing the great passion of his heart when he said, "That I mayknow Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of Hissufferings." Now, as we come to Philippians 3:12, Paul begins to describehis pursuit of Christ. He writes: "Not as though I had alreadyattained, either were already perfect..." Paul gives us one of themost important secrets of spiritual growth, and it is surprisingly simple. Thesecret is this: never become satisfied with where you are spiritually. Nowthink about who is making this statement. This is not a new convert. This isnot a believer who has only been walking with Christ for a few months. This isthe Apostle Paul. By the time he writes Philippians, Paul has walked withChrist for nearly thirty years. And yet, Paul says: "Not as though Ihad already attained, either were already perfect." The word"perfect" here does not mean sinless perfection. It means complete,finished, mature, or having fully arrived at the goal. Paulis saying, "I have not crossed the finish line yet. God's work in my lifeis not complete." What humility! The very man we would probably considerone of the greatest Christians who ever lived looked at himself and said,"I still have room to grow." One of the surest marks of spiritualmaturity is realizing how much more maturity is needed. The closer we get toJesus, the more clearly we see areas in our lives that need His transforminggrace. Have you ever noticed that when you first clean a window, it lookspretty good? But when the sunlight shines through it, suddenly you noticestreaks and smudges you never saw before.  1John 1:7 says: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we havefellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses usfrom all sin.”  The closer we walkwith Christ, the brighter His light shines on our hearts. We begin to seeattitudes, motives, habits, and weaknesses that need to change. That does notdiscourage a growing Christian. Instead, it motivates him. Paul had what wemight call a holy dissatisfaction. He was satisfied with Christ, but he was notsatisfied with his own spiritual progress. There is a tremendous differencebetween those two things. Paul had found complete satisfaction in Jesus Christ,but he still longed to know Him more deeply, love Him more fully, and serve Himmore faithfully. Sadly,one of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is spiritual complacency. Thechurch at Laodicea is a perfect example. In Revelation 3:17 they said: "Iam rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing."ButJesus saw them differently. He said they were: "Wretched, miserable, poor,blind, and naked."  They thoughtthey had arrived when in reality they were far from where they needed to be.That danger still exists today.  Sometimeswe compare ourselves with other Christians instead of comparing ourselves withChrist. Paul never compared himself to other believers.He compared himself to Jesus Christ. And when you compare yourself to Jesus,there is always room to grow. Psalm42:1-2 gives us a beautiful picture of holy dissatisfaction: "As thedeer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soulthirsts for God, for the living God." The psalmist was not contentwith yesterday's fellowship. He longed for more of God today. That was Paul'sattitude. That should be our attitude as well. A satisfied Christian is often astagnant Christian. The Christian race is not over until we see Jesus face toface. There are still lessons to learn, victories to win, prayers to pray,people to reach, and ways to become more like Christ. So let us embrace whatPaul embraced—a holy dissatisfaction that keeps us pursuing Christ every day ofour lives. 

ശക്തമായ ക്രിസ്തീയ ജീവിതത്തിൻ്റെ രഹസ്യം | The Secret To A Strong Christian Life | Malayalam Christian Message | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory 1951 | 22 June 2026നിങ്ങളുടെ ആത്മീയ ജീവിതത്തിൽ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച വളർച്ചയില്ലേ? പ്രാർത്ഥനയും വചനപഠനവും തടസ്സപ്പെടുന്നുവോ? ശക്തമായ ഒരു ക്രിസ്തീയ ജീവിതം കെട്ടിപ്പടുക്കാൻ നിങ്ങൾ അറിഞ്ഞിരിക്കേണ്ട നിർണായക സത്യങ്ങൾ!True spiritual maturity, structural faith-building, and consistent supernatural growth never happen by accident, sudden coincidence, or erratic emotional bursts. In this profound Malayalam Christian message, we break down the urgent biblical framework of daily spiritual discipline, intentional godliness training, and consistent devotional habits required to live a victorious, anointed, and powerful life in Christ Jesus. Drawing from Apostle Paul's prophetic mentorship to his spiritual son Timothy, this sermon exposes how temporary religious excitement, seasonal revival conferences, and occasional fasting prayers can never replace structured scriptural study, dedicated silent prayer, and personal sanctification.ദൈവവചനത്തിൻ്റെ അനുഗ്രഹങ്ങൾക്കായി Blessing Today ചാനൽ ഇപ്പോൾ തന്നെ Subscribe ചെയ്യൂ! ✨പുതിയ വീഡിയോകൾക്കായി Bell Icon അമർത്തുക.

The Apostle Paul was a wonderful encourager to all of those who supported and benefited from his ministry and message and nowhere is that more evident than in his letter to the churches. Since Thessalonians is one of his first letters, it reveals why and how he saw encouragement to be a natural outflow of a Spirit filled and transformed heart. Join us to discover how we can become encouragers and why it is such a vital part of our Christian growth and ministry. From 1st Thessalonians 3:6-13. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Cheering for the Home Team - Together in ChristColossians 4:7-18        Gist: With this final passage, Paul lifts up members of his team and basically cheers for them. As we learn from this passage, we will lift up and cheer for our team at Orchard!Christ Over AllThe Book of ColossiansWe live in a fast-paced, complex world filled with exciting new ideas and possibilities.  Yet this is also in a time of turmoil and change that can make us feel uneasy.  In the midst of these things, our world is constantly pushing human ideas and philosophies about who we are, what this life is about, and how we should live. With the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul declares that Jesus is supreme over all things, and that in Him we have everything we need. So, whatever our challenges and concerns may be, if we keep our focus on the one who is “over all,” everything else will take care of itself.Orchard Community Church8180 Telephone RdVentura CA 93004www.OrchardVentura.orgContact us at Info@OrchardVentura.orgOrchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190

1 Timothy is the first of two letters written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor and leader at a growing church in Ephesus. This letter is filled with lessons and tools that apply to every believer and to pastors alike, and has been used for centuries to guide the lives of believers and ministries.   Join Jerry as he dives into 1 Timothy, helping us see how we can apply this book, and to "fight the good fight of faith" today.   You can take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!   Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

What is the Gospel? Is it simply good advice, or is it something far greater?In Week 1 of our brand-new Romans series, Pastor Jason explores one of the most important words in the entire Bible: Gospel. Romans is often considered the Apostle Paul's greatest theological work, and it begins with a powerful reminder that the Gospel isn't about what we can do for God—it's about what God has already done for us through Jesus Christ.In this message you'll discover:✅ Why the Gospel is the best news you'll ever hear✅ How God's plan of salvation was established before the foundation of the world✅ Why Jesus is at the center of the Gospel message✅ How faith produces obedience—not legalism✅ Why the Gospel is for everyone✅ How the Gospel is the power of God for salvation✅ The incredible truth of Christ's righteousness being credited to believersRomans reminds us that no one is righteous on their own, but through faith in Jesus Christ we can be forgiven, redeemed, and made right with God.

People are obsessed with the end of the world, but we spend far less time thinking about our personal ending in this life. Maybe it's too hard to think about. Yet for the Apostle Paul, the assurance of life that comes through Jesus Christ removes the sting of our own mortality and actually gives us purpose; to pray for and participate in the ever-expanding work of taking the life-changing Gospel to every person, tribe, and tongue. We do that with the confidence that God promises to hold on to us forever. 

Life rarely goes according to plan, and neither did Paul's. Shipwrecked, stranded, and then snake-bitten the moment things seemed to be looking up, the Apostle Paul had every reason to despair. Yet in Acts 28, we discover three timeless truths for moving forward after the storm: God's promises outlast the chaos, His purposes are often found in life's detours, and He uses His people to carry us through.

What does it really mean to be in Christ?In this powerful teaching series from Central City Assembly, Pastor Kai walks verse-by-verse through the book of Ephesians to help believers understand their true identity in Jesus, the transforming power of the gospel, and how to live with purpose every day.The phrase “in Christ” changes everything. It speaks to who we are, what we've been given, and how we're called to live. In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reveals the spiritual blessings we have in Christ, the grace that saves us, the unity of the Church, and the practical call to walk in holiness, love, and spiritual strength.Whether you're new to faith, exploring Christianity, or a long-time believer wanting deeper spiritual growth, In Christ will anchor your heart in the gospel and equip you to walk confidently in who Jesus says you are.Reflection Questions:Am I first submitted to Christ in a way that shapes how I love, respect, serve, and relate to others?Where have I allowed culture, past wounds, selfishness, or fear to shape my view of marriage more than God's Word?In my relationships, am I asking first, “Is the other person doing their part?” or “Am I willing to obey Christ in mine?”What is one honest confession or faithful next step God is calling me to take so that my life better reflects the love and humility of Jesus?

The Apostle Paul wrote 1st Thessalonians to help the 1st century church keep their faith in Jesus, hold on to their hope for the future, and live in light of God's love in the present, even as they faced factors fiercely opposed to them doing so. Join us at Faith Covenant Church as we discover how what Paul wrote to the church then, is just as relevant and helpful to us as the church now.

Today we come to one of the most remarkable statements, andperhaps one of the most quoted, made by the Apostle Paul. In Philippians3:10-11, he writes: "That I may know Him and the power ofHis resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Hisdeath, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Afterstudying verse 9, we learned about the great exchange. Paul had received arighteousness not his own. He had been justified by faith and accepted by Godthrough Jesus Christ. Now,in verses 10 and 11, Paul moves from justification to sanctification. He movesfrom being found in Christ to growing in Christ. Notice the first phrase: "ThatI may know Him." These words reveal the passion of Paul's heart. Thinkabout who is speaking here. This is not a new convert. This is not a youngbeliever just beginning his Christian journey. This is the Apostle Paul, a manwho had walked with Christ for nearly thirty years. He had preached the gospelacross the Roman Empire. He had suffered greatly for Christ. Yet after all those years, hisgreatest desire remained the same: "That I may know Him." Theword "know" here speaks of personal, intimate, experiential knowledgeof Jesus Christ. Paul was not asking for more information about Jesus. Hewanted a deeper relationship with Him. This is the goal of the Christian life.  Sometimeswe become more interested in knowing about God than actually knowing God. Welearn Bible facts, study Bible doctrines, and memorize Bible verses, yet weneglect a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity is not merelyabout information. It is about transformation through a daily relationship withJesus Christ.  ThenPaul says: "And the power of His resurrection." What does this mean? Paulwanted to experience the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Theresurrection was not merely a historical event. It is a present reality in thelife of every believer. Romans 8:11 tells us: "But if the Spirit of Himwho raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from thedead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells inyou." Think about that. The power of Christ's resurrection gives usvictory over sin. It gives us strength for daily living. It gives us courage intimes of trial. It gives us hope when circumstances seem impossible. Pauldoes not stop there. He also says: "And the fellowship of Hissufferings." That sounds very different. Most of us want resurrectionpower, but few of us want fellowship in His sufferings. Yet Paul understoodthat suffering often draws us closer to Christ than anything else. When we walkthrough trials, disappointments, hardships, losses, and difficulties, we learnto depend upon the Lord in ways we never would have otherwise. Peter wrote in 1Peter 4:13: "But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ'ssufferings." This does not mean that Christ's sufferings for oursalvation were incomplete. Rather, it means that as we suffer for His sake, weidentify more closely with Him. We often learn more about Jesus Christ in ahospital room than in a classroom, more through tears than through triumphs,and more through trials than during times of ease. ThenPaul says: "Being conformed to His death." Do you know what thismeans? It means that we die toself. We deny ourselves, as Jesus taught, and we learn to walk with Him. Oh, myfriend, may God help us realize that we can walk with Jesus Christ more closelyevery day, enjoy a deeper relationship with Him every day, and become more likeChrist because we are getting to know Him more intimately every day. You see,the Christian life begins by trusting Christ, continues by knowing Christ, andends with being forever with Christ. That is what it means to attain to theresurrection from the dead. We have a glorious and blessed hope. One day wewill see Him, and we will be like Him.

This powerful message invites us to experience familiar biblical stories through fresh eyes—specifically, through the perspective of Timothy as he witnessed the Apostle Paul's ministry. Drawing from 2 Timothy 3:10-11 and the book of Acts, we're challenged to consider what makes someone worth following in our faith journey. The sermon walks us through four transformative lessons Timothy learned: he watched Paul bleed after being stoned in Lystra, he heard him sing worship songs in a Philippian prison, he received encouragement through Paul's letters, and he learned profound humility from a man who considered himself the chief of sinners. What emerges is a portrait of authentic discipleship—not sanitized or heroic, but raw, vulnerable, and deeply committed. We're reminded that true spiritual authority comes not from perfection but from faithfulness in suffering, worship in adversity, generous encouragement of others, and genuine humility about our own weaknesses. The sermon culminates in Philippians 4:9, where Paul urges us to practice what we've learned, received, heard, and seen. This isn't about imitating superhuman saints; it's about embodying obedience over comfort, worship over worry, encouragement over despair, and humility over ego in our everyday lives.

Is your To-Do list overwhelming? Do you feel constant pressure to perform-at home, at work, even in your downtime? Sometimes it can feel like you're barely keeping up. Our culture pushes us to achieve, finish, and win-but what happens when it's all too much?In 2 Corinthians, we meet someone who knew the pressure firsthand. The Apostle Paul faced expectations, criticism, and weakness-yet he discovered something surprising: God works powerfully not through our strengths, but through our weaknesses.Support the show

Most of us have heard sermon after sermon, message after message, telling us that we shouldn't sin. That instead, we should repent and live a godly, holy life. That's great – but the real question is HOW?   STIFF-NECKED GENERATION I was never much of an accountant but I do remember learning about double-entry book keeping systems. They were really important back in manual accounting systems because they provided a double check to make sure that the accounts balanced. Basically, here's how it worked. Every financial transaction in the accounts had two entries – hence the name double entry. A credit entry and a debit entry. And the whole point of that was the double entry provided a double check. And it's not just in accounting that you find this approach. You find it in physics too. Newton's third law says that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In other words – whenever a body exerts a force on a second body, that second body exerts an equal and opposite force on the first body. Maybe that's something we should have learned at school. And it's not just in accounting and physics that we see this two sided approach to life, we also find it in the spiritual dimension. Absolutely we do. Every spiritual transaction has two sides to it. Every spiritual action in one direction creates an equal and opposite action in the other direction. So what's the point? Well in this double-sided mystery lies our rubber-hits-the-road solution to overcoming stubborn sin – which is the thing that we're talking about in this series, "Eliminating Stubborn Sin Once and For All". And it's a powerful solution indeed. Last week on the program we saw that each one of us finds ourselves with at least one stubborn sin in life that we can't seem to overcome. Now it's different for each one of us – anger, temper, sexuality, greed, self esteem, pride … the list goes on. And somehow that one particular sine comes back again and again to defeat us. But whilst sin is all too common, it's not normal – and God's intention is to set us free from that sin. Not only His intention – it's His plan, it's His will and it's something that He has the power, the divine power to do. Last week on the program we looked at this particular passage, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: For the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. Every proud obstacle in our hearts that sets itself up against the knowledge of God – and that's what the strongholds are that the Apostle Paul's talking about here – can be destroyed by the weapons of warfare which are not human, they're divine. God's divine power. And it's a power that God delights in exerting right in the moment our of our weakness – so that it's His power and not our strength that overcomes sin. Here's Paul again. We looked at this last week too, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9: To keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Don't you just love this. Instead of just taking the messenger of Satan that was tormenting Paul away – God instead gives Paul the opportunity to discover God's perfect power – the power of Jesus Himself – in His own experience in overcoming Satan. But it's one thing to know that whilst we all have a stubborn sin and even though it's God's plan to wield His divine power to overcome that sin in our lives – well, all that's one thing. But what you and I really need to know, beyond that wonderful liberating truth – is how! HOW to lay hold of God's power and how to overcome the stubborn sin that's been wracking our bodies for a lifetime. Well today, right now, I want to take you deep into God's Word and show you God's how. Not my how. Not the world's how. But God's HOW! Now I've heard this Scripture we're about to go to have a look at quoted often – but only half of it, only one side of the transaction, and not the other side. And a half truth is as good as an untruth because a half truth can easily be made into a lie. It's something the devil does all the time. The half truth – the part of this Scripture that's most often quoted – goes like this, James Chapter 4 verse 7: Resist the devil and he will flee from you. And so a whole bunch of people set about resisting the devil. Problem is that the old enemy's been around much longer than you and I have, and he's seen it all. He's wily, crafty and deceptive and he'll go to any length to catch us in his snare. He'll wait to till the most opportune moment, until we're tired or weak or distracted or frustrated or all of the above – and then he'll pounce. 1 Peter Chapter 5:8: Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Lions wait in the long grass until they see a weak animal or a young animal or a slow animal separated from the pack – and then they pounce on their prey. The devil's the exactly the same. And what we discover when we set about resisting the devil – is that working hard just doesn't work. We don't need human weapons in this spiritual battle, we need weapons full of divine power. And it turns out that the way to access and wield those weapons involves a double-sided transaction. The half truth from the Scriptures that I gave you before – let me give the whole thing to you now – and you'll see what I mean. James Chapter 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Do you see the two sides of the transaction involved in defeating the devil – in overcoming stubborn sin? The first is, submit yourself to God and then resist the devil – two sides – and the result of that is that he will flee from you. When we submit ourselves to God, we rebel against the devil. When we submit to the devil – we rebel against God. It's a double sided entry, it's a double sided transaction. But some people have a foot in both camps – they want to honour God but they want to go with the devil and they're the ones who are double-minded, the ones who have to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. We're going to look at some intensely practical examples of this after the break – but just for now think back to Adam and Eve in the garden. When they were living that perfect life prior to the fall – they were submitting to God (and getting all the benefits) – but on the other side of the ledger, they were resisting the devil. The tree in the middle of the garden, the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, it was there all the time, they just didn't eat of it – and so they lived in the benefit of God's blessing. BUT – the moment they submitted to the devil – on the other side of the ledger, they were resisting God, they were rebelling against God – in that very first, terrible, double-sided act of rebellion. Submission to God = rejecting the devil. Submission to the devil = rejection God. And in this double-sided transaction lies the practical truth of overcoming stubborn sin. If we try to do it by resisting the devil, as we've already seen – that's a half truth and it doesn't work. The answer is first to submit to God, to draw near to Him, because in so doing, He will draw near to us. And since He's the one with the power – He's the one with the weapons of warfare that have the divine power, the first thing that we need to do, is to submit our selves to Him. Resisting the devil is what flows out of that.   RULES DON'T WORK Stubborn sin – that sin that we just can't shift, sin that keeps on keeping on long after we'd hoped that we would have defeated it – is a fact in many, many people's lives. And over the last couple of weeks on the program, we've seen that not only does God understand that, but He wants to give us His weapons full of His divine power, right in the middle of our weaknesses defeat the sin. Jesus died and rose again to give us victory, to give us a new life – and so whilst stubborn sin is commonplace, it's not normal and it's not what God means for our lives. In fact, this is something that God takes so seriously – that He sends not only His Son just to die to pay for all our sin on the cross, but to rise again to give us a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17: that if anyone believes in this Jesus, then that person is a new creation – old things have passed away and look all things are new. So, whilst many a Christ-follower is convinced that their particular brand of stubborn sin is just a fact of life, just something that they have to live with for the rest of their lives here on Earth, that's a luxury that the Gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't afford us. Jesus came to set us free from every sin. And right now we're going to continue our look at this practical "how to" – how do we lay hold of God's divine power to allow ourselves to be set free, by God – of this sin and, and it's painful consequences. Now this is something that frankly puzzled me for a long time. First, I thought I had to do it all. And so I fought against the devil and I tried and I tried and I tried to resits him and overcome these temptations … but as strong willed an individual as I am, that just didn't work. I ended up lying bloodied and beaten and discouraged and dejected and defeated on the battlefield. OK ... OK ... OK that didn't work. So, what I'll do is I'll leave it all up to God. I'll sit back and let God do it all. But let me tell you – the old "spiritual couch potato" model didn't work either. And it wouldn't amaze me at all to know that you've been there too – right? So the question is, how do we make it work? What's God's part, what's our part? Come on – how do we break free from the power of stubborn sin?? Well, before the break we discovered that not only do accountants have double entry book keeping, not only did Isaac Newton discover that in physics and in nature, every action has an equal and opposite reaction – but when it comes to defeating sin, this spiritual transaction too is double-sided. And, it's in the double-sidedness of the transaction that we discover our role and God's role. If you were with us before the break you'll have heard this Scripture, James 4:7-8: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Do you see its double sidedness? This is really important – that's why we're covering this ground again briefly. It's not just about racing on and resisting the devil – that's something we can't win on our own. First, first submit yourselves to God – that's the God side of the ledger, and then, on the devil's side – resist him and he will flee. That's because when we submit to God, we lay hold of His power, and we have the power to resist the devil – and once he sees that power at work – he's on his bike and out of there because he and all his demons have to submit to the name that is above all names – the name of Jesus Christ. Now the danger is that we leave it there and we don't get down and practical enough to give us something to take away to implement. So I want to go deeper into the "how to" so that each one of us knows how to live out this submission to God AND resist the devil, so that the devil will flee from us. That's how you overcome stubborn sin. This first example is one that jumped out at me in a Bible study group. Have a careful listen, it's the Apostle Paul on death row, writing to his friends in Philippi – telling them how not to worry: now listen and see if you can pick up the double-sidedness of God's solution to worrying, Philippians chapter 4:6-7: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I remember sitting in this Bible study group and we talked about worry and people hedged around this and they were prepared to move on from it without taking God at His Word. Worry is a sin – people with their trust in God needn't worry. Worry falls a long way short of living the life of abundant peace that God purchased for us on that cross. What this passage says is – look, here's the solution to overcoming this sin of worry. Instead of worrying – instead of spending your time doing that, replace that with praying and giving thanks to God and telling Him your needs. First submit to God – see that's what's going on here. This is God's way of dealing with the problem, the sin of worry. First submit to Him, do it his way. Pray and give thanks. Let your needs be known to God. If we take the time that we would have spent worrying … and instead we used it to do it God's way – to pray. The devil loves throwing doubt in our minds. He loves it when we're discouraged. How to deal with him?? We submit to God, we do it God's way – and the promise is that when we do that, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". What's just happened here? God's weapons of divine power have been brought into play – we have a confidence that comes from God, because we did it His way in faith – and so the devil ceases to have any power over us to make us worry. Now, now stand in this newfound power from God … and watch the devil flee. The secret is in proactively replacing the bad with the Good, proactively stepping into this space and saying – No, no – no, no! This worry is from the devil. My only answer is to submit to God. Now I discover His divine power in my weakness. Now I can resist, now the devil must flee. Let's have another quick look at another practical example. It has to do with the things that we say that hurt other people. So many of us have a problem with that don't we – always grumbling, always pulling other people down. Have a listen again to the double-sided solution, Ephesians chapter 4:29: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. How do I stop this addiction of evil talk coming out of my mouth. Do I just sit there and try to hold my tongue. No! – God's saying – instead of doing that, proactively replace it with my way – instead of speaking the things that are only going to hurt people, speak only what is useful for building other people up as there is need. Replace the bad with the Good. Deliberately step out with God and do it God's way and not our way. So when we feel like cursing people with our words instead we go "No! God's way is to bless them". The devil's got nowhere to go. He's lost his power. Then, having submitted to God, then we simply stand and resist the devil in the power of God because we've done it God's way. And let me tell you – they way I've learned this is simple. I sat down and thought about my weaknesses. I identified them. And I had more than my fair share. And I looked through the Bible and found a simple verse to tell me - when I'm in a situation where I'm prone to live out this particular stubborn sin – what is it that I CAN DO, to submit to God in my actions and my thoughts and my words, right there and then how can I submit to God. And so when I found myself in that place, I knew God's word, I knew how to submit to God. And you know what happened, little by little – God changed me. And the devil, well, he had no choice. He just had to flee. And when you think about it – this isn't rocket science. This is something that we can apply to any sin in any situation. It'd be just like God to make it that simple, wouldn't it? In fact next week on the program, we're going to look at some more specific details – common stubborn sins that people have in their lives, – to help each one of us stop sin dead in its tracks.   THE POWER TO CHANGE Over the next couple of weeks on the program, we're going to be looking at some very common stubborn sins that people deal with – anger, sexual immorality, selfishness, low self esteem – and how to overcome each of those. But as we come towards the end of our time together, I want to share with you perhaps the most important thing that I know about overcoming stubborn sin in my life. In fact – there's no maybe about it. It is the most important thing that I know. And it's this – that prayer works. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says very simply that we should: Pray without ceasing. Can I tell you something – that verse has stuck with me over and over and over again as God's done His work in me to overcome the stubborn sin in my life – and let me tell you, I had more than my fair share – and this is what I've found. When I was in that time of overcoming anger or overcoming selfishness – God dealt with them one at a time in me – I discovered that on those days when I specifically and deliberately prayed about that sin in my life first up in the morning – and got focussed on those handful of scriptures that God gave me – perhaps only a five minute investment each day – but when I made that investment I didn't sin. But somehow when I didn't quite get around to it, didn't have time, you know what it's like– those sins just got the better of me – time and time and time again. And still today, if I don't spend that time with the Lord each morning in prayer and reading His Word and letting Him have sway in my heart – I tell you - those stubborn sins will find their way back into my life. To put it very succinctly – PRAYER IS THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS. I can't make it any simpler than that. And even through the day, when I was in a situation where that sin was prone to come out of me – just a quick prayer under my breath – LORD HELP ME – that's all It takes. Pray without ceasing – because prayer works. I'm always taken by the time that the disciples were trying to cast a demon out of a boy while Jesus was up on the mount of the transfiguration – they couldn't do it. And Jesus came down – cast the demon out no problem and later the disciples went to Him and said, "So Lord, how come you could do it but we couldn't?" And Jesus said the most surprising thing to them, Mark 9:29: He replied to them, This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting. Now just stop and think a minute – He's been up on the mountain, He's walked down into this farce where there's a crowd and the disciples are trying to cast out a demon and the demon's not going and instantly Jesus casts out the demon. Let me ask you – did Jesus have time for prayer and fasting right at that moment? Not at all – He was talking about his normal, every day prayer life, He was talking about the fasting He'd been doing before that. And when I scratch around looking at the original text of what Jesus said – recorded in Greek not English – the deep sense of what He's saying here is this – nothing but prayer and fasting has the power to cast out the stubborn demons such as these. – The stubborn demons. The sort that wont go – like our stubborn sins. The power is in the prayer – Jesus was incredulous when He saw what was going on – He said "How long must I bear with you, you faithless and perverse generation?" Pretty strong language. He was expressing His frustration - why is it that you people still don't get it? My friend if you would defeat the stubborn sin in your life – it will only happen by prayer. And the odd bit of fasting isn't going to hurt either I have to tell you. Pray without ceasing. Pray every day. And little by little that stubborn sin will be gone – so out there in the heat of the battle, with the crowds looking on – that hidden prayer life will bring its rewards. That hidden prayer life will bear the fruit that others see in your life. That hidden prayer life will bring the power of God to bear in overcoming the most stubborn sin in our lives that we could ever imagine.

The Apostle Paul delivers to us what he has received concerning the Lord's Table, a revelation which can be divided into three parts:The Ordinariness of the Table: Bread and WineThe Ordinance of the Lord's Table: "This Do"The Order of the Lord's Table: Taking, Blessing, Breaking, Giving

When we think about difficult relationships, especially with our parents, God invites us to view them through the lens of His grace and redemption. Honoring a father does not mean ignoring pain, excusing harmful actions, or pretending wounds do not exist. Instead, it means trusting God to bring healing, justice, and transformation in ways only He can. Highlights: God cares about both the wounds we carry and the people who have caused them Forgiveness does not mean ignoring pain, excusing wrongdoing, or removing healthy boundaries God’s grace extends to every person, including those who have deeply failed others We can trust God to bring healing and transformation where we cannot Honoring others begins with allowing God to shape our hearts through compassion and forgiveness Join the Conversation Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: No Father Left Behind By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.” - Proverbs 30:11 Nowadays, some adult children believe they are justified in dismissing their earthly fathers, seeing it as a personal matter between the two of them and believing God is okay with whatever they decide to do. But nothing could be further from the truth, because God cares not only for us but for our fathers, too. Like the Marines’ unofficial slogan of leaving no man behind, God doesn’t leave fathers behind either, even in their failures and sins. Sadly, many individuals have valid reasons for turning their backs on their fathers. Yet God calls us to follow His lead in responding to the pain in our lives, because too many fathers have fallen by the wayside and need His help, mercy, and redemption. Tragically, some fathers have been drunkards, drug users, criminals, murderers, prisoners, abusers, and more. Still, God holds children accountable for their attitudes toward their fathers because it’s a matter of the heart—the kind of issue that, if left unchecked, can lead to lifelong sorrow. Regardless of a father’s sin, God doesn’t write fathers off or give children permission to do the same. Instead, He calls us to forgiveness and to trust Him to work in our fathers’ lives. Trusting God with the Pain We can trust God with our pain, too, because He isn’t going to ask us to embrace or entrust ourselves to fathers who aren’t trustworthy, or to pretend they didn’t hurt us. He isn’t asking us to say or believe things about our fathers that aren’t true, or to overlook their sins. But He also doesn’t support us disowning, abandoning, or labeling them as toxic and unworthy of redemption. Likewise, God doesn’t give us permission to punish, correct, dishonor, or treat them disrespectfully, even when we believe they deserve it. This is often a hard pill to swallow for those who’ve lived life with a derelict dad. Sometimes God Asks More of Us Along with leading us to forgive our fathers, sometimes God asks more of us when it comes to dealing with our dads. Author and speaker Joyce Meyer’s dad sexually abused her while she was growing up, giving her every earthly reason to walk away from him and have nothing to do with him for the rest of her life. Yet, unbelievably, God called her to provide for and care for her abusive father in his old age—something she resisted at first, shocked that a holy and just God would ever ask her to do. After all, why would a loving God call her to care for a father who had so cruelly abused and mistreated her? He certainly didn’t deserve her kindness and generosity. Still, God didn’t let her off the hook. He asked her to do what seemed impossible. Choosing to live in obedience to Him rather than remain bound by her pain, Meyer took on the responsibility. Remarkably, through her kindness and generosity, her father came to know the Lord before passing away. Does God Love Fallen Fathers? So one has to ask: Does God love the godless fathers who have failed miserably and caused unimaginable and unspeakable wounds in the lives of their children and others? Some of us, even as Christians, are ready to throw in the towel when it comes to caring about deeply flawed dads, believing they don’t deserve to receive God’s love. But we are mistaken if we see ourselves as more deserving of His love than they are. The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” If we see ourselves as more deserving of receiving God’s forgiveness and love than faithless fathers, then we don’t truly understand the sin nature we are all born with. We all enter life undeserving of God’s grace and in desperate need of a perfect, sinless Savior to redeem us. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re trying to come to terms with a father who failed you, ask God to help you forgive him and give you a heart of compassion toward him. Trust Him to bring healing to your heart and to work in your father’s life in ways only He can. Further Reading:How to Offer Your Dad Forgiveness this Father’s Day Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God uses pain, suffering, and hardships in our lives for a greater purpose. Just as Jesus told the Apostle Paul, when we cry out in our weakness, He reminds us that His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our struggles. Join me as we lean on God's strength, trusting that even in our weakest moments, His plan is at work for our good and His glory.

God uses pain, suffering, and hardships in our lives for a greater purpose. Just as Jesus told the Apostle Paul, when we cry out in our weakness, He reminds us that His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our struggles. Join me as we lean on God's strength, trusting that even in our weakest moments, His plan is at work for our good and His glory.

Today, I want us to focus on the next phrase: "for theexcellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." This is thereason Paul gladly counted everything else as loss. Nownotice carefully. Paul does not say, "for the excellence ofreligion." He does not say, "for the excellence of theology." Hedoes not say, "for the excellence of church membership." He says,"for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Christianityis not primarily about a system. It is about a Person. It is about Jesus.  Theword "knowledge" here means much more than intellectual information.Paul is not talking about knowing facts about Jesus. He is speaking aboutknowing Jesus intimately and personally. There is a great difference betweenknowing about someone and actually knowing that person. You can read abiography about a famous person and know where that person was born, where theylived, what they did, and so forth. But that does not mean you know thatperson. You see, many people today know about Jesus. They know that He was bornin Bethlehem. They know that He died on the cross. They know that He rose fromthe dead. They know Bible stories and verses. Yet they do not truly know Him. Paulis speaking about a living relationship with a living Christ. Remember whatJesus said in John 17:3. This is a key verse in the New Testament: "Andthis is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and JesusChrist whom You have sent." Notice that eternal life is not merely aplace where we go when we die. It is a relationship that we enter into when wetrust Christ. The Christian life begins by knowing Christ, and it continues byknowing Christ better. Themost wonderful thing about Jesus is that we never reach the end of knowing Him.After decades of serving Christ, Paul still yearned to know Him even more. Infact, later in this chapter, in verse 10, Paul says, "that I may knowHim and the power of His resurrection." Think about it. This is not anew believer talking. This is a man who had walked with Christ for nearlythirty years. Yet his desire was still the same: "that I may knowHim." The more Paul learned about Jesus Christ and walked with Him,the more he wanted to know Him. The more he experienced Christ's faithfulness,the more he loved Christ. The more he understood Christ's grace, the more heworshiped Christ. This is a mark of genuine spiritual growth. Christianityis not simply about learning more Bible facts. It is about growing in apersonal relationship with Jesus Christ. We know Him through His Word. We knowHim through prayer. We know Him through obedience. We know Him throughfellowship with His people. We know Him through the trials that teach us todepend upon Him. We know Him through daily communion with Him. NoticePaul's personal language when he says, "Christ Jesus my Lord."It was not merely Jesus the Lord. It was Jesus my Lord. That is why we can saywith Psalm 23: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Canyou say that? Not merely that Jesus is a Savior. Not merely that Jesus is theSavior. But that Jesus is your Savior and your Lord. Oh, there is a differencebetween knowing about someone and actually knowing that person. The greatesttreasure in all the world is not wealth. It is not success. It is not fame. Itis not even religious achievement. The greatest treasure in life is knowingJesus Christ personally. Thatis why Paul could count everything as loss, because he found somethinginfinitely better. He found a relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesuspersonally? If you know Him, are you growing in that relationship? Is your lovefor Jesus Christ increasing daily? Is it your desire to know Him in a deeperway? Oh, my friend, may we be able to say with the Apostle Paul: "forthe excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord."

In this episode  the Apostle Paul's deep longing for the salvation of Israel is explored through Romans 9–10. The lesson examines God's promises, the meaning of election, and the power of the gospel to convict and save. Listeners are urged to avoid fatalism, to cultivate compassion for the lost, and to actively share the gospel, trusting Christ's sufficiency and the work of the Holy Spirit.

This weekend our theme revolves around the gracious nature of our Heavenly Father, as seen in His love for us in Jesus. We will consider the truth that we were "lost," and "prodigal" from our heavenly Father. Yet in His love for us, He seeks us, redeems us to Himself and receives us eagerly to Himself in spite of our unworthiness. The title of the hymn comes from the words of the Apostle Paul where He writes:  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)  This hymn highlights first of all, our nature. We are sinful and unclean. We are ungodly and the enemies of God. It is only in understanding this reality that we can ever truly comprehend the nature of our God as Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus: "that you... may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge." (Ephesians 3:18) Only the True (Triune) God can offer such love in the person and work of Jesus, who "shed His blood for me." The love of Jesus, which we come to know through faith, is what offers "peace... from sin forgiv'n, joy that lifts the soul to heav'n." The prayer of the Christian is that the LORD would preserve us in the true faith through Word and Sacrament as we face the trials and burdens and temptations of the fallen world and our own sinful flesh, and lead us in repentance back to the open arms of our gracious Father in heaven!  May the LORD sustain us in the earthly strife while we await the heavenly life! Amen!

In this excerpt from Office Hours, Pastor Amos distinguishes between a lifelong "calling" (mission) and an "occupation" (provision), using the Apostle Paul's tentmaking as an example of a skill used to generate income without becoming one's identity. __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

This week's Office Hours focused on balancing faith, calling, and entrepreneurship. One participant sought guidance about managing an existing tutoring business while considering a new food-related venture. The advice emphasized discerning whether new opportunities align with God's timing and calling, noting that sources of provision should support rather than distract from one's primary purpose, similar to how Apostle Paul's tent-making ministry supported his apostolic work. Suggestions included testing the new business concept through blogging or community-building before making a larger commitment.  Another participant offered a business connection in the childcare industry, while the conversation broadened into the challenges of balancing multiple ventures. Participants discussed the importance of maintaining focus and, when pursuing several projects, shifting from doing all the work personally to leading, managing, and delegating effectively.  A caregiver entrepreneur shared plans to expand services through a nonprofit foundation, receiving encouragement to focus directly on the larger vision rather than investing significant time in smaller preliminary projects. The group also explored the relationship between faith and business success, discussing the differences between worldly systems and kingdom principles, the value of small businesses, and the importance of thinking boldly about God-given visions and opportunities.  The meeting concluded with encouragement to pursue one's calling without limiting ambitions, announcements regarding upcoming ministry activities and Bible study opportunities, and discussion of an upcoming mission trip to South Africa focused on youth evangelism. __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

It often seems like the Ten Commandments are about outward behavior: Don't steal. Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't kill. But “You shall not covet” reaches into the hidden places of the heart where comparison and dissatisfaction grow. Even when our lives look fine on the outside, our hearts can still be restless, angry, and convinced that everyone else has been given something better. In this introspective last episode of our 10 Keys to the Universe series, John Tinnin, MFT, and Shay Roush, M.Div., explore why coveting is more than simply wanting nice things. Envy has the power to shape our entire lives, turning good desires into controlling desires. Coveting affects the way we see our homes, relationships, success, possessions, and our sense of worth. Along the way, they look at why this commandment leaves even the Apostle Paul feeling exposed, and why comparison never actually satisfies. They also talk about the difference between healthy desire and destructive craving, and why contentment must be learned over time. Coveting is actually connected to the first commandment about idolatry: whatever we believe will finally make us happy can slowly take God's place in our hearts. But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus meets the ache underneath all our desires. If you've ever struggled with comparison, disappointment, envy, or the feeling that everyone else's life is better than yours, this conversation is for you. Listen to the full episode as we wrap up our series on the Ten Commandments and discover how true contentment is found not in getting everything we want, but in belonging to the God who already loves us completely. Connect with us:  Instagram: @withyouintheweeds Facebook: @withyouintheweeds            X: withyou_weeds Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: Website: withyouintheweeds.com

The Apostle Paul asked Philemon to prepare a room for him, while he was still in prison in Rome! Join Pastor Cameron as we look at the inspiring faith of the Apostle Paul. 

Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. That was an exhortation from the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians. We DO the work of the Lord, and we’re to BE steadfast and immovable. When the winds of change blow through our culture, we’re to be solid as a rock. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how to do that as we consider a man who showed us how NOT to do that. We’re considering an epic failure in the Old Testament. Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. That was an exhortation from the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians. We DO the work of the Lord, and we’re to BE steadfast and immovable. When the winds of change blow through our culture, we’re to be solid as a rock. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how to do that as we consider a man who showed us how NOT to do that. We’re considering an epic failure in the Old Testament. The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joy isn’t a feeling that falls on you … it’s a decision you have to make. Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe begins a practical series in Philippians and gives us a masterclass from the Apostle Paul … a man who wrote about joy from a prison cell. If your circumstances are setting your attitude, this message is for you ... listen to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. Bold Steps Gift: Tenacious: Living a Faith That Outlives YouBecome a Bold Partner: https://www.moodyradio.org/donateto/boldstepsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@gmal.com Garth Heckman So what am I talking about today?  But we get our gifting, our passions our talents and our purpose all confused. What is what? Gifting is a natural ability. Athletics, singing, math, Art Passion is something we love doing. Performing, creating, teaching, playing Talents are typically something we have practiced to achieve.  And sometimes these all weave together for the perfect storm.    But none are the sum total of our purpose!    The Bible doesn't give just one single sentence for a person's purpose;  it unfolds it like a grand narrative with a few core pillars.    OT and NT a person's ultimate purpose is generally broken down into three main relationships:    -  your relationship with God,    -  your relationship with others,    -  and your relationship with the world around you.   1. To Know God and Bring Him Glory MGLG At the very foundation, the Bible states that humans were created by God and for God. Your primary purpose is to be in a relationship with Him and to reflect His character to the world.   Reflecting His Image: In Genesis 1:27, it says humans are made in the "image of God." Think of this like a mirror—our job is to reflect His love, justice, kindness, and creativity into the world. Bringing Him Glory: MGLG -The prophet Isaiah quotes God as saying, "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made" (Isaiah 43:7). BOTTOM LINE: LOOK LIKE GOD AND MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD       2. The Twin Pillars: Love God, Love People When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment in the entire scripture was, He simplified the entire Old Testament law into two direct actions. This is often looked at as the "Ultimate Summary" of human purpose.   MATTHEW 22:37 The first commandment Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and spirit. Second greatest is to lover your neighbor as yourself.        3. Cultivate the World (The Cultural Mandate) Purpose in the Bible isn't just spiritual; it's also practical and action-oriented. Right at the beginning of the human story, God gave mankind a specific job description regarding the earth itself. In Genesis 1:28, humans are told to "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." This is often called the Cultural Mandate. It means humans are designed to be stewards—caretakers of creation. Your purpose includes taking raw potential (whether that's land, a business, a family, or a talent) and cultivating or literally squeezing everything out of it to help life thrive. 4. Walking in Unique, Prepared Good Works   the Apostle Paul writes about how Gods purpose intertwines with our purpose which is good works.  We are uniquely crafted for specific contributions to this world.   "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10   The word used for "handiwork" or "workmanship" in the original Greek text is poiema (where we get our word poem). The Bible views your life as a unique masterpiece designed to carry out specific good deeds that match your exact strengths, personality, and experiences. Does "Handiwork" Tie into "Good Works"? Thematically yes, strongly: The verse's logic flows from identity (we are God's crafted masterpiece) to purpose (created for good works God pre-planned). Being God's poiema equips and orients us toward the erga agatha. Good works are the outworking and goal of His creative work in us—not the cause of salvation, but its fruit (tying back to vv. 8–9).   Picture this: His work in us, created us for his works through us to fulfill his purpose.      Handiwork vs. Good works in Eph. 2:8,9 Two different words. Gods work is a masterpiece Our work is a labor. ONE IS OUR IDENTITY THE OTHER IS OUR ACTIVITY     Life experiences we see in scripture and the real world.  Their life experiences were not random or wasted but formed the precise preparation, character development, skills, relationships, and credibility God used for their callings.** The Bible shows a consistent pattern: God shapes people through seasons of obscurity, suffering, failure, cultural exposure, and incremental faithfulness long before the "big moment." These experiences built humility, dependence on God, specific competencies, empathy, and strategic positioning.     David (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel) **Key experiences**: Rejected by His father born illegitimate, Shepherd boy overlooked by family, given menial jobs, trials by lion/bear protecting sheep, anointed privately as future king, served Saul as musician/warrior, faced Goliath with past faithfulness as proof, 13 plus years as fugitive hiding in caves from Saul, attracted misfits and losers, forced to work with the Philistines his enemies.    - **How it prepared him**: Learned how to deal with rejection and turn to God. Shepherding taught leadership, courage, and reliance on God (Psalms reflect this). Defeating Goliath came from tested faith in small battles. Wilderness years forged trust in God's timing (refusing to kill Saul), developed military strategy, and created a loyal following. These equipped him to unite Israel, establish the kingdom, write worship that endures, and prepare the way for the temple/Solomon. His "rejection" years were kingship training.

The Apostle Paul's charge to “work out your own salvation” can, at first glance, seem contradictory to the idea that our salvation is something that can't be earned. But when we read the rest of the sentence, we see that what Paul is talking about is the process of sanctification, where God continues to work in us throughout our entire lives. In this week's message from Philippians 2, Pastor Curtis helps us unpack the practical implications of this rich theological truth. Yes, salvation is a gift we receive—but it's also a life we live.

Did the Apostle Paul invent Christianity? Did his teachings contradict the message of Jesus? These claims have become increasingly common in popular books, documentaries, podcasts, and online discussions. The Fellows refute this idea and present compelling reasons to see and believe that the New Testament speaks with one voice. More from 1517: Give to the June 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! Learn more about the 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education   New Books from 1517 Publishing: By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation   More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman   Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook