Podcasts about apostle peter

Church Matures G'day and welcome to Partake! We are now on day 28 of our series "Glimpses", looking at the story of the Bible in 30 days - from the time of creation through to the time of the fullness of redemption! We saw last time that the church has experienced some crises but overcame them with guidance from the Holy Spirit, prayer and wisdom. They would need that again, in another 2 events we look at tonight! King Jesus Makes An Appearance to Saul! Reading from Acts 9 ‘But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."' Paul's conversion is perhaps the most famous throughout the history of the Church. Known as Saul, he had led systematic persecution of Christians, including the death of Stephen we looked at last time.. The only possible cause for his conversion is the beautiful sovereign grace of God. Why did Paul hate the believers so much? Because, To his mind at the time, to him a dead Messiah was no Messiah at all and how could the Saviour of the Jews, the Messiah, die on a cross and be cursed by God. No, no. Paul considered it his duty as a man zealous for the law, to eradicate all those who were followers of this man. Carrying letters from the High Priest in Jerusalem, he set out for Damascus in a bid to stop these Christians. He would arrive in Damascus, a proud and pompous man, bent on ridding the city of its followers of Jesus. But Jesus appears suddenly to Paul and speaks to him! God arrested Paul, shone his light upon him, the mercy of God overflowed upon him and the grace of God through Jesus overwhelmed him! Leading to his conversion, Paul had his sub-conscious doubts about Jesus amidst the stories of Jesus being raised from the dead! The witness of Stephen as Paul watched him die and pray to Jesus asking the Lord to forgive his enemies - for as the church father, Augustine comments "If Stephen had not prayed, the Church would not have had Paul!" The inadequacy of the Old Covenant and Law to save! He knew that his thoughts & attitudes were not clean for example his sin of covetousness. Therefore he had no inner power or peace! But what were the consequences of this conversion? His name was changed from Saul to Paul (Acts 13)! His attitudes, character & relationships with God, fellow believers and the unbelieving world were utterly transformed with the Holy Spirit now living inside him. Instead of arriving in Damascus full of pride & bravery, as a self confident enemy of Jesus, Paul entered Damascus as a prisoner of Jesus, humbled and blinded. But his conversion was initially met with doubt! The first person to minister to him was Ananias who was hesitant to do so but was persuaded by the Lord to do so! Other believers in Damascus also doubted Paul's conversion, but they were won over by the Holy Spirit and Paul's transformation. Paul Sent Jesus appointed Paul to be 3 things: a servant of God; a witness for God to the world, and also an apostle engaged in pioneer work to the Gentiles. Jesus confirmed this to Ananias that Paul was a 'chosen instrument', and Ananias passed this onto Paul (v15). Four things Paul would do: His witness was centred on Jesus Christ.. His witness was powered by the Holy Spirit His witness was courageous in Damascus, the synagogues and in Jerusalem where the Sanhedrin met. He also debated with the Hellenists His witness was costly. His life was often threatened and throughout his life he was persecuted against. Paul's experience of rejection in Damascus repeated itself in Jerusalem. When he tried to join the Apostles and Christian believers, they were afraid and doubted he really was a believer. But this time Barnabas to the others about him and his changed life. Paul was eventually accepted by them into the community of believers. We see the maturing church has now five characteristics - peace - free from outside interference strength - confirming its position encouragement - comforted by the Holy Spirit growth - multiplying numerically godliness - living in the fear of the Lord. However soon after this, another problem - a matter concern doctrine! Doctrinal Issues Arise In Acts 15v1 we read "Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved." At its beginning, the apostolic church was one church under the unitary leadership of the apostles. However a new problem arose! This problem arose because some men from Judea came to Antioch and promoted the view that circumcision was necessary for salvation and that certain regulations of the Old Testament law be required of non-Jewish converts as prerequisites for their recognition as members of the church of Jesus Christ. They were opposed by Paul and Barnabas, and as there was no final resolution, help was sought from the church in Jerusalem, still at this point the heartland of the Christian church. On arriving at Jerusalem, the delegates from Antioch were welcomed by 'the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them', This gathering evidently consisted of the leadership (apostles and elders) and many of the membership, including those convened were putting forward the requirement that Gentiles 'must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses' (Acts 15v5-6). This was the context for discussion of the issue. There was free debate and no papering over differences. The apostles let the elders speak before they joined in and it is clear that their goal was to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in the matter (Acts 15v28). The Apostle Peter rose after much discussion, and proceeded to demolish the Judaist viewpoint with arguments drawn from his own experience of ministry to Gentiles. He first described the conversion of the Gentiles as the work of God (Acts 15v 7-9) as they were filled with the Holy Spirit just as Jewish believers in Jesus were! This was proved by the Gentile Christians' faith, which was no different from their own (Acts 15v9)! Rising to a glorious crescendo, the Apostle Peter declared emphatically the very heart of the gospel: that salvation is by grace alone, both for Jews and Gentiles (Acts 15v11). Now doubt he reflected on the words of Jesus who said 'my yoke is easy and my burden is light' (Matthew 11v30). James, the brother of Jesus delivered the coup-de-grace to the Judaism argument with a direct appeal to the Word of God. God had already spoken on the matter! Quoting Amos 9v11-12, James reminded them that the prophet had declared that 'David's fallen tent' was be restored and that this would involve the in gathering of all the Gentiles who bear the Lord's name' (Acts 15v16-18). This is fulfilled, James says, in all that Peter had described (Acts 15:14). The church of Jesus Christ was all along intended to encompass both Jew and Gentile and, one by one without discrimination, they are brought to the same faith by the same Lord. This, James showed, was 'the mind of God", in the Scripture'. A proposal There was a definitive doctrinal proposal: 'We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God' (Acts 15v19). It told the Judaizing party in the gentlest possible way that what they were asking for was not the Lord's will for the church, and contrary to the gospel of God's free grace in Christ by faith alone. Then in Acts 15v20 there was a practical 4 point proposal to foster church unity by asking the Gentile Christians to take particular care to distance themselves from their former manner of life. Leave Alone: Gentiles were to examine critically their old habits and give no cause to anyone to accuse them of their old sins. They were also encouraged to be graciously accommodating to Jewish dietary sensitivities. For their part, Jewish believers needed to understand that Gentiles were not to be required to observe the Mosaic ceremonial law. Grace Alone: The apostles clearly taught that salvation was by the free and sovereign grace of God through faith in Christ alone. Council of Jerusalem held that line and closed the door on further discussion. Spirit Alone: They emphasised that the decision 'seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to the church' (Acts 15v28). Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth (John 14v26; 16v13). Standing Alone: The council's four 'requirements', highlight the necessity and the blessing of the separated life for Christians and to "stand alone" from the world, whilst living in the world. 'You will do well to avoid these things' (Acts 15v29). The conversion of Paul and the Council of Jerusalem, led to the church maturing, going forward in unity and returning to the expansion of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Tap or click here to download as a MP3 audio file

Breaking Through Boundaries for Good Join Pastor Robert Schuller and his wife, Donna on this online, live service only on Sundays at 8am PT.  Learn more about Jesus, faith, and freedom.  In Acts Chapters 10 and 11 we see the Apostle Peter break the boundaries of his faith and accept the outcasts of his culture to embrace the new truth of God's love for the World.

Join Pastor Jeffrey Zimmerman for this powerful Morning Prayer session titled "Jesus Christ the Healer." In today's message from Acts 9:32–42, witness the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ at work through the life and ministry of the Apostle Peter. Be encouraged as Pastor Jeffrey reminds us that the healing power of Christ is still active and available today—bringing restoration, strength, and life to all who believe.Whether you're praying for healing in your body, your mind, or your spirit, this message will stir your faith and draw you closer to the Healer Himself—Jesus Christ.

New format. Same truth. Tune in to the revamped Daily Dose—now in podcast form—starting with the bold life of the Apostle Peter with Pastors Trent Jenkins and Jeff Whye.Video available at: https://youtu.be/eGEwOmls5wU

The 16th chapter of Matthew shows the incapacity of the nation's rulers to see what was happening in their midst. This is followed by a treatise on the deception contained in corrupt teachings; whose pervasive influence rapidly permeates like leaven. Next comes the greatest confession by Peter, upon which rock-like foundation the entire ecclesia is built - namely, that "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God" (see John 6verses 68-69; Ephesians 2 verses 20-21). Our Lord Jesus next explicitly explains to his Apostles his coming sufferings, death and resurrection on the third day. Our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection was the sign of the prophet Jonah. That prophet spent 3 days in the belly of the whale which in Jonah's prayer is called the belly of hell: Jonah 2 verses 1-2. The Apostle Paul says that this proved the Lord Jesus Christ's divine Sonship: Romans 1 verses 4; Ephesians 1 verses 15-22. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the same matter: Acts 2 verses 22-36. The chapter concludes with a final appeal to each believer to take up our stake - Greek "staurus" - and follow our Lord through suffering even unto death should that be our lot.

Join us as we continue our “Hall of Faith” summer series with Pastor Lauren Thurston teaching on the Apostle Peter who had the faith to keep trying even after failure.

In 1 Samuel 29 David will find that his lies and deception have brought him to a dilemma from which there would appear to be no opportunity to escape. The lords of the Philistines had mustered their forces at Aphek in order for a full scale war with Israel. Achish has summoned David and his men to go with them to fight against their enemies. The other 4 lords express their objections believing that should the battle not go in favour of Philistia David could change sides and fight for Israel to reconcile himself to Saul. These lords recount what a thorn in their sides David had been in the past. Achish defends David's loyalty before the lords. However they still insist that David and his men leave the Philistine camp before sunrise - before the battle. David agrees to do this. Once again David's Almighty God has saved him out of an exceptionally dangerous predicament. Chapter 30 sees David and his troop reach a very low point where David despairs of life. As David's troop come to Ziklag they find their town destroyed and burning and strewn with corpses. David's followers are so distraught that they want to blame him for what has happened and to stone him to death. David prays as verse 6 tells us. Never let us forget that no matter how bad things seem to be we can always count on our LORD for support. David then asks counsel from his God by asking Abiathar the priest to find out what the Almighty would have him do. Their Sovereign instructs them to pursue the enemy and that they will recover their families and their wealth. David's company found a sick and starving Egyptian who had been left behind by the Amalekite raiding party. Just think that had Saul destroyed the Amalekites as God had commanded him this catastrophe could not have happened. The Egyptian promised help as long as he was not sold to those Amalekites. Verses 16-20 tell us that just as the Almighty had promised so it came to pass. Two hundred of David's men had minded the luggage whilst the other four hundred had risked their life in battle. The 400 did not wish to share the spoil. David made a rule from that point and beyond the spoil was to be divided evenly whatever part his followers had played in the warfare. David always tried to act with justice and equality for all. David then distributed much of the wealth to the nearby regions with an explanation that it had come from the enemies of Yahweh. In Jeremiah 5 the prophet is told to run through Jerusalem to see if he could find anyone who would walk in the ways of the LORD. If the prophet could find such a person God promised to pardon Judah. However, says Almighty God, He saw only hypocritical lip service - outward worship without any truth. All this despite their Sovereign's discipline. Ezekiel was given a similar task in chapter 9 of that prophecy. The nation had set her face against her Maker. Jeremiah acknowledges that this is true, but claims that the LORD's people are ignorant of His ways. In verse 6 their Omnipotent Judge declares that they would be savaged by the Babylonian lion and that God would observe the nation's actions as closely as a leopard does his prey. In verses 7-9 her Sovereign describes her lascivious behaviour and that Judah's appetite for immorality is unquenchable. Graphic word pictures are used by her God. Verses 10-13 outline the vast extent of the coming judgments - even the prophets would be destroyed (excepting Jeremiah as we shall find out later). In verses 14-17 the LORD describes the arrogance and ruthlessness of the Babylonians. He also speaks of the destruction that would be brought upon Judah. The Babylonians would show no mercy. Verses 18-25 reveal that Yahweh, in contrast to Babylon, would show mercy in sparing Judah and saving a remnant. Verses 26-29 speak of the treacherous behaviours of the Judeans among themselves. God says that such actions cannot go unpunished. In verses 30-31 God describes the perverse practices of the priests and ruler. Sadly, says the prophet, the people not only tolerate it, but want it to be that way.  The 16th chapter of Matthew shows the incapacity of the nation's rulers to see what was happening in their midst. This is followed by a treatise on the deception contained in corrupt teachings; whose pervasive influence rapidly permeates like leaven. Next comes the greatest confession by Peter, upon which rock-like foundation the entire ecclesia is built - namely, that "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God" (see John 6verses 68-69; Ephesians 2 verses 20-21). Our Lord Jesus next explicitly explains to his Apostles his coming sufferings, death and resurrection on the third day. Our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection was the sign of the prophet Jonah. That prophet spent 3 days in the belly of the whale which in Jonah's prayer is called the belly of hell: Jonah 2 verses 1-2. The Apostle Paul says that this proved the Lord Jesus Christ's divine Sonship: Romans 1 verses 4; Ephesians 1 verses 15-22. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the same matter: Acts 2 verses 22-36. The chapter concludes with a final appeal to each believer to take up our stake - Greek "staurus" - and follow our Lord through suffering even unto death should that be our lot.

He was made bishop by the Apostle Peter and sent to Gaul as a missionary. Some believe that he was Simon the Leper, whom the Lord healed, later named Julian in Baptism. In Gaul, despite great difficulty and privation, he converted many to faith in Christ and worked many miracles — healing the sick, driving out demons, and even raising the dead. In time the local prince, Defenson, was baptised along with many of his subjects. He reposed in peace.

He was born in Antioch during the years that Christ walked in the flesh in Palestine. His parents, hearing of Christ's miracles and teaching, journeyed to Jerusalem, bringing their young son Pancratius. There all three of them saw and listened to Jesus Himself, and met the disciple Peter as well. After the Ascension, Pancratius and his parents were baptised in Antioch (some accounts say by the Apostle Peter himself). The Apostle Peter installed Pancratius as bishop of Taormina in Sicily, where he worked great wonders and brought many to Christ.   A pagan general named Aquilinus, hearing that Taormina had become Christian, set out with his army to destroy the town. Pancratius instructed the faithful not to fear and went out to confront the army, armed only with the sign of the Cross. When the army came near the town, the soldiers were seized with confusion and fear, fell on their own weapons and attacked one another, and finally withdrew in terror. Thus the city was saved by the prayers of the holy bishop. Later, pagans stoned him to death, granting him a martyr's end. His relics may still be venerated in Rome.

In this episode, Pastor Mark teaches on submission from 1 Peter 3:1-7 where the Apostle Peter encourages wives and husbands to exercise submission, responsiveness, and showing honor toward one another in their marriages.Today's Message Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7 Thanks for listening in to The Ridge's Sunday Audio podcast! Although we hope you are greatly blessed by listening to this message, we also believe it's important to belong to a local body of believers. If you live in our area, we would love to worship with you on Sunday mornings at 8:00a, 9:30a, or 11:15a!

From swinging through New York to walking on water, both Miles Morales and the Apostle Peter faced the same challenge: will I step out in faith or stay where it’s safe? Join us this Sunday as we explore one of the most important lessons Jesus teaches us about faith.

The Apostle Peter describes the heart of a pastor (overseer) beyond the qualifications that we normally think of today. More than their education or experience, he looks at the motives in their heart. Peter closes his epistle with encouragement, from one elder to another.Nathan Pearl finishes the book of First Peter.Watch on YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@thedoormichaelpearl⁠ 

Thequestion I have today is, what will it take for the Lord to bring you torepentance, to call you back to Himself, for you to recognize your failure justas Peter did? Well, God used a rooster to get Peter's attention after he haddenied the Lord three times. You might remember in the Old Testament, God useda donkey to talk to Balaam to get his attention and remind him he was going inthe wrong direction. What will the Lord use to get your attention to say,"Hey, you're headed in the wrong direction. You need to listen to Me andremember My word." Well, that's what we find here in these last verses 54-62. AtPeter's third denial he used an oath and said, "I don't know the Man! Idon't know what you are talking about!" It was then that the roostercrowed for the second time and the Lord's prediction was fulfilled (Mark14:30). At that moment, Jesus, being led away to the next trial, turned andlooked at Peter; and His look broke Peter's heart. While the bystanders werewatching Jesus, Peter slipped out and went off and wept bitterly. It is toPeter's credit that all the Lord had to do was look at him to bring him to theplace of repentance. Forone rooster to crow at the right time while the other birds in the cityremained silent was certainly a miracle. But the crowing of the rooster wasmuch more than a miracle that fulfilled our Lord's words; it was also a specialmessage to Peter, a message that helped to restore him to fellowship again.What encouragements did the crowing of the rooster give to the Apostle Peter? First,it was an assurance to him that Jesus Christ was still in control of thingseven though He was a prisoner, bound and seemingly helpless before His captors.Peter could recall witnessing his Lord's authority over the fish, the winds,and the waves, and even over disease and death. No matter how dark the hour wasfor Peter, Jesus was still in control! This is good for us to remember too, especiallywhen we have fallen so far away from the Lord back into the world, Jesus isstill on His throne and has total control of everything that concerns our lifeand future. Second,the crowing of the rooster assured Peter that he could be forgiven. Peter hadnot been paying close attention to the Word of God. He had argued with it,disobeyed it, and even run ahead of it, but now he "remembered the wordof the Lord" (Luke 22:61), and this brought him hope. Why? Becausewith the word of warning was also a promise of restoration! Peter would beconverted and strengthen his brethren.  (Luke 22:31-32). We should remember that “theLord ever lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25). We also shouldbe encouraged with 1 John 2:1. Finally,the miracle of the rooster told Peter that a new day was dawning, for afterall, that is what the rooster's call means each day. It was not a new day forJudas or for the enemies of the Lord, but it was a new day for Peter as herepented and wept bitterly. "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thouwilt not despise" (Ps. 51:17). On Resurrection morning, the angel senta special message to encourage Peter (Mark 16:7), and the Lord Himself appearedto Peter that day and restored him to fellowship (Luke 24:34). Eachone of us, at one time or another, will fail the Lord and then hear (in one wayor another) "the crowing of the rooster." Satan will tell usthat we are finished, that our future has been destroyed, but that is not God'smessage to us. It was certainly not the end for Peter! His restoration was socomplete that on the Day of Pentecost he was able to say to the Jews, "Butyou denied the Holy One and the Just!" (Acts 3:14) Peter did not have1 John 1:9 to read, but he did experience it in his own heart. So the question,what will it take to get your attention? The rooster crowed and Peterremembered the word of the Lord. Will you? Godbless!

This week's episode looks at Acts 2. What advice does the Apostle Peter give to those who want the Holy Spirit? Get ready to chuckle or even chortle with Pastor “Jolly” John Lukomski and Pastor Matt “Youngblood” Clark as they take a humorous approach to Bible Study. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

The Apostle Peter encourages the elders of the early church, reminding them that the suffering that they experiencing is only temporary. Nathan Pearl teaches through the book of 1st Peter.Watch on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thedoormichaelpearl⁠ 

The Apostle Peter gives very clear direction, not just what 'not to do', but how believers should live in light of what Christ has done for them.Nathan Pearl teaches through the book of 1st Peter. Watch on YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thedoormichaelpearl⁠ 

Are you feeling discouraged by the state of the world? Drawing a parallel between our current times and the "days of Noah," Servant Marcia Carty addresses the critical question: What should we do when sin seems to be winning? This sermon moves from the challenges of living in a perverse generation to the believer's steadfast hope and divine calling. Listeners will be encouraged to look back at God's unchanging covenant faithfulness, as seen in the lives of Noah, Abraham, and the Israelites. The message then provides practical, scriptural actions for today, drawing from the wisdom of King David, the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul. Learn how to "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," study to show yourself approved, and understand the victory that overcomes the world—your faith. This is a call to move beyond fear and into the power, love, and sound mind God has given His children to not only survive but to reign with Christ. +++++++ We have begun building a new website which you can see here: https://www.noahdays.org/

In this sermon, we explore a pivotal moment in the history of the early Church as recounted in Acts 10:1-11:18, where the Gospel is extended to the Gentiles for the first time. Through the story of Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, and the Apostle Peter, we see how God breaks down ethnic and cultural barriers, emphasizing that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all people, regardless of background. The sermon highlights the transformative power of the Gospel to unite diverse groups and calls us to see others through God's eyes, recognizing that everyone is made in His image. Join us as we delve into this message of inclusivity and the universal reach of God's love. For more information about our church, visit npfcc.org To help support the ongoing work of NPFCC and our mission partners around the globe, you can make a donation at npfcc.org/give

Presented by Julie Busteed Have you ever caught yourself grumbling about serving others? The Apostle Peter addresses this issue in 1 Peter 4:9-11. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:9-11). Did you catch that? You and I are called to offer hospitality without grumbling! That means showing God's love by serving others with the gifts he's given us—and doing so without complaining. Peter gives examples of how to serve others using our God-given gifts. Whether it's through speaking truthfully from God's Word or helping one another with all our strength. Everything you and I have is from him, and we are called to use it for his purposes. Hospitality can take many forms: Listening with care Sending an encouraging message Reaching out to someone who's struggling Praying with or for someone Helping with a task or technology Running errands or grocery shopping Visiting someone who is homebound Peter emphasizes we're not to complain about this kind of service. Why? So that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. When we serve others with a willing heart, we reflect Christ and bring glory to God. Offering hospitality can be inconvenient, expensive, even aggravating at times. But you and I are called to pursue this with a good attitude. It pleases God and is a witness to how Christians are meant to love and care for one another.

Witness the awe-inspiring miracle of Dorcas' resurrection, as Peter, through the power of Jesus, brings life and hope back to a mourning community.In this episode, the Apostle Peter performs a miraculous healing, raising Dorcas from the dead and restoring hope to the grieving believers in Joppa. Her resurrection becomes a powerful testimony of God's love and power, strengthening the faith of those who witnessed it.Today's Bible verse is Deuteronomy 10:21, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost brought with it power and boldness. It enabled one and all a voice to reach out to others wherever they are. Ruth brings a message focusing on the Apostle Peter and how, through the enablement of the Spirit, he became radically bold for the gospel.

I take a look at some key Scriptures about the harvest timing of both wheat and grapes, showing the connection between an ancient prophecy and the Apostle Peter's preaching.

Many Christians have had the disheartening experience of feeling like they have lost their connection with God. There you were, going along through life's experiences, and something happens. Whether it is one big change or many little things over time, you wake up one day and realize God seems far away. Now what? Is it over? How do you find your way back to that precious connection that you lost? A good way to understand what to do to reconnect is to observe some of the experiences of the Apostle Peter. We all know how he denied Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. What we don't often think about is how he got to that point and what it took to draw him back into God's favor. The third and final time Jesus called Peter to follow him Peter openly and fearfully admitted that he was a sinful man. Jesus called him anyway. Peter's journey following Jesus would show him just how little he knew about his own faults and how little he knew about what discipleship required. The night before Jesus' crucifixion... Peter confidently claimed he would never forsake Jesus. In spite of that bold proclamation of loyalty, Peter would deny Jesus three times early the very next morning. His denials escalated from simple avoidance to emphatic rejection. If we have ever alienated ourselves from God ...we have likely gone down a similar road to Peter's. The good news is we can now learn how to bring ourselves back to God by following the pattern that Peter himself followed. So, what happened? How was Peter's alienation slowly dissolved and he was able to reconnect? Peter's experience shows us there are three key steps to reconnecting with God: Prepare Your Mind for Action: Peter running to the empty tomb on the morning of Jesus' resurrection was taking the first step. Even though he still didn't understand what was happening, he showed that he wanted to. This was crucial. Be Serious and Reverent: Peter likely wrestled with self-doubt, but God's grace persisted. Jesus would reaffirm Peter's efforts through two miraculous personal appearances to him and others on that resurrection day. Embrace Forgiveness & Change: Weeks later, Jesus restored Peter by asking if he loved him. This restoration would come with the profound responsibility of being a shepherd to Jesus' flock after his ascension up to heaven. For each of us, to spiritually reconnect requires small, intentional steps which include prayer, scripture study and humility. The beautiful message here is that God's faithfulness ensures that even in failure, restoration is possible!

Send us a textJoin us for the latest episode of Bible Time at The Barn with Dawn as we begin a new series on the life and journey of Peter. This introduction sets the stage for powerful lessons ahead, rooted in scripture and real-life application. Tune in for encouragement, insight, and reflection — all from Bible Time at The Barn. www.BetterHelp.com/TheBarnhttp://www.betterhelp.com/TheBarn http://www.betterhelp.com/TheBarnThis episode is sponsored by www.betterhelp.com/TheBarn and brought to you as always by The Barn Media Group. YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheBarnPodcastNetwork SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/show/09neXeCS8I0U8OZJroUGd4?si=2f9b8dfa5d2c4504 APPLE https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1625411141 I HEART RADIO https://www.iheart.com/podcast/97160034/ AMAZON https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7aff7d00-c41b-4154-94cf-221a808e3595/the-barn

Starting in Acts 2, Pete shares Apostle Peter's Pentecost message to consider how we are living with the gift of God - The Holy Spirit. Are we living satisfied and hungry for more?

It's Wednesday, June 11th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Islamic legal system discourages Christian conversion in Brunei, Iran & Yemen Christians face significant persecution in countries that follow Sharia law like Brunei, Iran, and Yemen.  The Islamic legal system is used to ban people from converting out of Islam to another religion.  International Christian Concern notes, “The abuse inflicted upon the Christians of these nations is an open secret.  … Forcing Christians into prisons — often under the guise of slanderous accusations, sexually assaulting Christian women, and forcing Christ followers into demeaning work has become commonplace in far too many nations.” Muslims experienced highest growth rate among religions Pew Research released a report on the growth of religious groups in the world between 2010 and 2020. All religious groups except Buddhists increased numerically during the time frame. Muslims grew the most, followed by the religiously unaffiliated. Christians increased by about five percent from 2.1 billion to 2.3 billion people.  As a share of the global population, only Muslims and the religiously unaffiliated experienced growth. Christians and Buddhists decreased as a share of the global population while Hindus, Jews, and other religions held steady. Muslims have a notably higher fertility rate than other religious groups around the world. Supreme Court affirmed right of Catholic group to tax exemption In the United States, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of a Catholic nonprofit last Thursday. The state of Wisconsin had denied a tax exemption for the Catholic Charities Bureau in 2016. The case went before the state Supreme Court which ruled against the nonprofit.  Nick Reaves, an attorney at Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, commented on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling. He said, “When every justice agrees and says ‘Yes, this is foundational to our understanding of religious freedom, that you can't discriminate among religions,' that's really exciting for us.” RFK Jr. replaced entire Advisory Committee on Immunization The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is replacing the 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. The committee makes vaccine recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Biden administration had appointed all 17 members. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated, “A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science. ACIP's new members will prioritize public health and evidence-based medicine. The Committee will no longer function as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas.” The younger the kids of divorce, the worse the trauma The National Bureau of Economic Research released a report last month about the effects of divorce on children. The study noted that nearly a third of American children experience parental divorce before adulthood. Children had more negative outcomes the younger they were when the divorce occurred.  Researchers wrote, “We find that parental divorce reduces children's adult earnings and college residence while increasing incarceration, mortality, and teen births.” Speaking of husband and wife, in Matthew 19:6, Jesus said, “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Trump: We “will always defend right of every American to worship God freely” The White House released a presidential message on Pentecost Sunday this week. The message from President Donald Trump said, “Today, I join in prayer with Christians joyfully celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—one of the most sacred events of the Christian faith. We commemorate the fulfillment of Jesus Christ's earthly mission and the birth of His holy and living Church. "As we celebrate this glorious feast day, we also honor all Christians who, like the Apostles, have willingly endured persecution because of their faith.  My Administration will always defend the right of every American to worship God freely and without fear.” On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter said,  “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Lesson from The American Miracle movie: “God governs in the affairs of men” If you have not yet seen The American Miracle, the new docudrama about God's providential hand in America's founding, then get tickets to see it tonight.  And bring a bunch of your friends with you. It's the last day it will be in the theaters. Actress Lauren Lael portrayed the daughter of a slave named Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman who was portrayed by Christian singer Nicole C. Mullen. Remarkably, the slave won her freedom in a Massachusetts court on August 22, 1781.  This is what Lauren Lael said. LAEL: “I think that one of the biggest Biblical themes that The American Miracle embodies is, I think, a spirit of integrity and a message of hope and a message also of connectedness, that really exalts God. This is such a pivotal time that this type of message needs to come out.” People who have seen the film have been reminded afresh of God's intervention in American history. TESTIMONIAL 1: “Something that I've learned in the film tonight is that we cannot underestimate how great our God is and how powerful He is, and how much He does govern the affairs of men." TESTIMONIAL 2: "It really reminded me how great our country is, because the Lord ordained America to be great.” TESTIMONIAL 3:  “I enjoyed it immensely. And I thought, if there's ever been any doubt about the faith and the beliefs of our founders, then this movie clears all that up and lets you know that, yes, they believed that God governs in the affairs of men.” Watch the trailer. Go to the website www.AmericanMiracleMovie.com, watch the trailer, click on the Tickets tab, type in your zipcode, and purchase tickets for tonight. It's the last night of a 3-night national run. 18 Worldview listeners gave $9,129 to fund our annual budget And finally, toward our midpoint goal of $61,750 to fund half of The Worldview newscast's annual budget by this Friday, June 13th, 18 listeners stepped up to the plate.  We missed our 20-donor daily goal by two donors. Our thanks to Anna in Great Falls, Montana who gave $4, Trudy in Los Olivos, California and Gwyndol in Albany, Oregon – both of whom gave $25, as well as Cathy in Fate, Texas who gave $35. We appreciate Janet in Canton, Illinois, Ed in Ramara, Ontario Canada, Emily in DeForest, Wisconsin, Sheila in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and Jess in  Forestville, California – each of whom gave $50. We're grateful to God for Titus in Omaha, Nebraska who gave $80, Kerry in Parowan, Utah who gave $100, Melissa in Great Falls, Montana who gave $110, and Calvin in Odessa, Minnesota  who gave $300. And we were touched by the generosity of Elizabeth in Carol Stream, Illinois  who gave $1,000, Keith and Lisa in Lansing, Michigan who gave $1,000, an anonymous donor in Texas who gave $1,000, Rick and Shannan in Lynchburg, Virginia who pledged $100 per month for 12 months for a gift of $1,200, and Scooter in Naples, Florida who will match all four of those gifts with another $4,000. Those 18 Worldview listeners gave a total of $9,129.  Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please.  (Drum roll sound effect) $ 23,800.20 (People clapping sound effect) That means we still need to raise $37,949.80  by this Friday, June 13th to hit the half-way mark, to stay on the air, and fund our 6-member Worldview newscast team for another fiscal year. In an audience of this size, I know that there is someone who could fund half of that amount with a one-time gift of $18,974.90. A couple of you could give a one-time gift of $5,000.  If you were one of 8 more people who could give a one-time gift of $1,000, Scooter in Naples, Florida will match you with a corresponding $1,000 gift. Could 10 of you pledge $100 per month for 12 months? And another 20 of you pledge $50/month for 12 months?  We could knock this annual budget out of the park overnight if everyone did something. Just go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give on the top right.   Click on the button that indicates a recurring donation if you want to give monthly. Invest in a newscast that's succinct, factual, and Biblically based. Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, June 11th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Peter in his second chapter exhorts his listeners to crave God's word just as newborns cry incessantly for their mother's milk. He encourages us to become' living stones' founded upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the only true foundation laid in Zion (Isaiah 28:16). We must be built up into a holy temple in the Lord. We, like the hearers of the first century, must submit to authority and demonstrate through holy lives that we are of the same faithfulness as our shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. We shall faithfully adhere to our Father's requirements as we await the time of blessed release, which will come with the coming of our Saviour: Christ our Lord. Peter continues the theme that closed chapter 1 ie human flesh is temporary and worthless and the hope of eternal life is that the Word of God can develop within us a character that our Father will choose to perpetuate. Verses 1-10 describe the building of an edifice to the Almighty God from stones He has chosen and enlivened by His satisfying Word which when consumed produces an intense thirst and desire. The foundation stone on which the house is built is our Lord Jesus Christ – Paul elaborates on this same theme in1 Corinthians 3verses 10-17 (note the similar introduction of Paul to Peter's thoughts ie compare the beginning verses of 1 Corinthians 3 and 1 Peter 2) and Ephesians 2verses 19-22. Peter shows that the Father's purpose in making faith in His Son our Lord Jesus Christ was always the LORD's plane by citing Isaiah 8 verses 14-18; and Isaiah 28:16. Our Lord Jesus Christ also quoted these words to prove that believe in him would be the basis of salvation, whereas rejecting Jesus as God's appointed means of saving can only lead to certain and total destruction. In verses 9-10 the Apostle Peter expresses his confidence that his readers have been chosen to show the praise of their Father. In verses 11-12 the Apostle urges his readers to live lives consistent with their profession of faith. From verse 13 to the end of chapter 2 Peter expresses God's requirement for believers to endure persecution for Christ's sake following his example of submission to rulers who cruelly took his life. The argument in verses 13-14 is that the authorities are in power because the Almighty has allowed this – compare Romans 13verses 1-7. Peter's readers would find submission difficult as Rome was persecuting believers. In verses 17-20 the Apostle says that exemplary and faithful obedience even in the face of testing circumstances would demonstrate that believers were truly God's children. History tells us that such behaviour led to the acceptance of the truth by many of the pagans of that era. God will reward faithfulness which showed believers knew and understood the example that the Lord Jesus Christ had shown them in the laying down of his life for his saints – verses 21-25. Peter quotes Isaiah 53 which illustrates that our Lord was silent in his suffering that he might bring us to God. Now our Lord Jesus is overseeing and shepherding us as we walk in trust towards our Father's kingdom.

Jesus wasn’t the only one who walked on water. Remember? For a few moments, the Apostle Peter walked on water when Jesus bid him, “come to me.” But when his faith turned to fear, his feet didn’t float! Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how we can keep our faith above water, and let fear sink to the bottom. It’s an encouraging message called “How to Live a Successful Christian Life.” Good inspiration for the times of trial and challenge we face. Listen on harvest.org --- Become a Harvest Partner this month and receive Life Hacks, Pastor Greg Laurie’s thoughtful book in which he imparts years of wisdom gathered as a Christ-follower, pastor, evangelist, husband, and more.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus wasn’t the only one who walked on water. Remember? For a few moments, the Apostle Peter walked on water when Jesus bid him, “come to me.” But when his faith turned to fear, his feet didn’t float! Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how we can keep our faith above water, and let fear sink to the bottom. It’s an encouraging message called “How to Live a Successful Christian Life.” Good inspiration for the times of trial and challenge we face. Listen on harvest.org --- Become a Harvest Partner this month and receive Life Hacks, Pastor Greg Laurie’s thoughtful book in which he imparts years of wisdom gathered as a Christ-follower, pastor, evangelist, husband, and more.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first of many sermons in the books of 1 and 2 Peter, Pastor Andrew emphasizes the important theme of Peter's first letter: Take Heart! Because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who persevere in Him can have true hope amidst their own suffering and hardships, knowing that God's saving promises will be delivered both now and forever. This message also introduces the historical background of the Apostle Peter—his identity, relationship with Jesus, role in the early church, and legacy. This first message also highlights the foundational truths of 1 Peter 1:1–25, including the identity of believers as elect exiles, the new birth into a living hope, and the refining purpose of trials. These themes set the stage for the rest of the letter, emphasizing God's grace, the believer's secure future, and the reality of trials in a fallen world. ________________________________________ Links to Sermon Notes & Answers: ➤Sermon Notes (Blank): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_8ae84fa32c58492d9282875e9fd6f208.pdf ➤Sermon Notes (Answers): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_07b9fd2f0068439689b8f6967063b052.pdf ________________________________________ In this video: Review of previous sermons in series Main Points Application ________________________________________ Subscribe to this channel to catch weekly expositional sermons from the Bible. ________________________________________ Explore more sermons and information: https://www.sheridanhills.org/watch-new ________________________________________ Follow us: ➤Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanhills/ ➤Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheridanhills01 ➤Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanhills/

"When the Emperor Diocletian summoned him and threatened him with torture, he offered sacrifice to idols and was, because of this, rewarded by the Emperor with a costly garment. But Marcellinus repented bitterly and began to weep both day and night for his rejection of Christ, even as the Apostle Peter had before him. A synod of bishops was held at that time in Campania, and the Pope dressed himself in sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on his head, and, going before the Synod, confessed his sin and asked them to judge him. The fathers said: 'Let him judge himself.' Then he said: 'I strip myself of the sacerdotal rank of which I am not worthy; and, further, let my body not be buried after my death, but let it be thrown to the dogs.' Having said this, he pronounced a curse on any who should dare to bury him. He then went to the Emperor Diocletian and, casting the precious garment in front of him, confessed his faith in Christ and cursed the idols. The enraged Emperor ordered that he be tortured and killed outside the city, together with three other men: Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus. The bodies of these three were buried at once, but the Pope's body lay there for thirty-six days. Then St Peter appeared to Marcellus, the new Pope, and told him to bury Marcellinus' body, saying: 'Whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.' " (Prologue)

In this chapter of Footnotes, Connor and Nick explore the life and ministry of the Apostle Peter, diving into his writings and his transformation from an impulsive, uncertain disciple to a pivotal leader in the early church. Join us for this engaging conversation.

The Apostle Peter contrasts the life of the believer and the former life that they have been redeemed from. Not only behavior, but the heart.Nathan Pearl teaches through the book of First Peter.Watch on YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thedoormichaelpearl⁠ 

What if every Christian prioritized sharing the Gospel?  The Gospel didn't stop in Jerusalem, and it's not meant to stop with us. In Acts 11, the Apostle Peter describes how God broke down cultural barriers to reach new people through vision, obedience, and the power of the Holy Spirit. If God's heart is to reach all people, then sharing the Gospel isn't optional for us—it's essential.  As believers, we're called to advance the Gospel together in a world that desperately needs Jesus.  

When someone cuts you off on the road, how do you respond? When your boss seems to single you out unfairly, what do you do?  When decisions are made that you disagree with, what are your options?  This Sunday, we will once again look at the words of the Apostle Peter as he guides us in the way of hope in all of life: our families, our careers,  our country, and beyond.

We tend to think of joy and sorrow as being opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. But God – God has this thing where He wants to pour His joy, into our sorrow..   A Letter of Some Friends Last week on the programme we began a new series called, “It's Time to Start Enjoying My Life”. Look around, the joy in this world seems to be in such very short supply and yet "joy" is something that Jesus, so much, wants us to experience. Not the joy that the world has to offer; not some short term happiness fix – not that – real joy; abiding joy; lasting joy. You can read what Jesus said about "joy" in John chapter 15 and verse 11. This is a time when the disciples were afraid because Jesus was about to be crucified – they knew it. Everything was falling in a screaming heap. And look at what Jesus talks about. He says: I have said all these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Isn't that awesome? So that My joy (Jesus joy) may be in us and that our joy might be complete. The problem is that, well, that can be really, really hard to swallow. I receive so many emails from people who are struggling in life. One man in Africa, he belongs to one tribe and his wife to another and her family are trying to tear the marriage apart. I had an email from a woman the other day who has had so many people in her life disappoint her and fail her. There are so many people living life in circumstances that, well in the natural; in our flesh, they don't warrant joy. Joy and sorrow after all, are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. How dare some joker come on the radio and start talking about joy? "If he only knew my circumstances. How can he say that God wants me to experience joy? What a load of rubbish!" Well, that's a common reaction. If you are struggling with things in your life at the moment, it's not a surprising reaction. You are not on your own. Okay, then, let me as you a question. If God meant us to wallow in sorrow why is it that Jesus said: Until now you haven't ask for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. You can read that – if you have a Bible, open it up – that came from John chapter 16, verse 22. See God never meant us to live life in despair. If He did, why would the Bible say this: Even though you haven't seen Him with your own eyes, you love Him and even though you don't see Him now, you believe in Him and you are filled with an unspeakable and glorious joy because you are receiving the goal of your faith which is the salvation of your soul. That comes from First Peter chapter 1, verse 8. Or Psalm 33: Sing to Him a new song, play skilfully and shout for joy. No, God means us to live in His joy and so often He calls us to joy when our lives and circumstances demand sorrow. It's a bitter sweet irony and today and the next couple of weeks we are going to spend some time with a man on death row. A man locked in a dungeon in chains under the sentence of death; a man who, if anyone did, deserved to wallow in sorrow. His name is Paul and he opens his letter to his friends with this mournful and sorrowful words. Have a listen – it comes from Philippians chapter 1, verses 1 to 11: Paul and Timothy, both servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and the deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all of my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. Being confident of this: that He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It's right for me to feel this way about all of you since I have you in my heart. For whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the Gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ and this is my prayer: that your love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and the praise of God.” Does that sound like a guy who is on death row; in a dungeon? Look how he starts: “I thank my God” – he begins with thanksgiving. And then he says “I always pray for you with joy.” What right has this man in a dungeon to feel joy? And then he says “It is right for me to feel this way about you because we all share in God's grace.” See, what he is doing is he is pouring out to his friends what is in his heart. He is saying “In my heart I feel these things. Sure, outside I am in chains but in my heart I experience joy.” And his prayer for them is that their love may abound more and more and more – this abundant over-flowing story of love and joy. See, this man is in chains on death row and in fact he gets a whole bunch worse, we'll have a look at that a little bit later on the programme. In the second chapter it gets a whole bunch worse and yet he opens his letter; his letter of chains with an overflow of abundance of joy that comes from the grace of God in Jesus Christ. It's interesting you know, that the Greek words used in the New Testament for "joy" and for "grace" come from the same root word. Joy and God's grace are closely linked for Paul. And he's saying, "Look, what's going on in my heart is what really matters because the Spirit of God has taken up residence here." I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy. It's right for me to feel this way about you, even though I'm in chains we all have a share in God's grace. I want to share with you an email that I received last Christmas. I sent out a word by email to several thousand of our ministry supporters and just a gentle word about God being on our journey with us and one woman, Karen, replied and said this, "I seem to attract people who seem to want me around and yet when someone else comes along that they prefer, I get pushed aside. Especially at these times I feel God is the only one I can trust. I'm sorry if I sound a bit glum, I'm not really. Sometimes I feel a bit sad but then I think about God and how He's still loves me and He wants me to be with Him." You see, Karen knows the thing that Paul knows – that joy doesn't come from other people or what's happening on the outside of us, it comes from God Himself. I thank my God every time I pray for you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray in joy. We are going to look next at how the Apostle Paul handled rejection.   Outrageous Fortunes In his play, “Hamlet”, Shakespeare talks about "suffering the slings and the arrows of outrageous fortunes" and when we take a look at the next part of this letter of the Apostle Paul from his dungeon on death row; a letter to his friends at Philippi, well, this letter makes sense of this line from “Hamlet”. Have a listen – I'm reading from the Bible – Philippians chapter 1, verses 12 to 26. If you've got a Bible, grab it, open it and read it with me. Now I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It's true! Some people preach Christ out of envy and rivalry but others out of good will. The latter do so in love knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Gospel. The former, well, they preach Christ out of selfish ambition not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I'm in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached and because of this I rejoice. Yes, I will continue to rejoice for I know that through your prayers and help, given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn our for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but I will have sufficient courage so that now as always, Christ will be exalted in me, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am going to go on living in this body this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I don't know! I am torn between the two – I desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that through my being with you again, your joy in Christ will overflow on account of me. This is an amazing passage because remember, the Apostle Paul is in chains in a Roman dungeon on death row. He is there because he went out and told people about Jesus so this is religious persecution – he has been locked up for his faith and for sharing his faith with other people. But instead of grumbling, I mean wouldn't it be so easy to be in prison and say, "God, why have You put me here? God, I only went out to tell them about You, God what are You doing?" Would be so easy for Paul to do that, and instead he sees the positive? You know, so often we only see the negative. I remember a time a dozen or so years ago when I was going through some really difficult times – my own dungeon; so incredibly dark. I experienced some really difficult things in my life and it was as black as black could be. It was incredible pain of loss and fear and loneliness and betrayal. I wasn't suffering for the Gospel like Paul, I was just suffering. That's the place where I first met Jesus Christ. Now, as much as it hurt, I always had the sense that God had a purpose in it – that God would somehow use it. Can I tell you something? Without that suffering I would be completely useless to you right now. I was Mister "I'm perfect" and full of myself and arrogant and conceited and only interested in "me" and the suffering broke open my heart, let Jesus in; the Great Healer. I look back on it now and I see the positive. Paul was mature in his relationship with Christ and he was able to sit there in the dungeon and see the positive thing there. Right when it was happening; right when he was chained up; right when he was under the fear of death, he wanted to say to his brothers and sisters in Philippi, "You know something? What's happened to me is good because it served to advance the Gospel." And then the second bit is the one that really gets me. He goes on to talk about what other people were doing and saying and they were preaching out of envy. They were preaching out of selfish ambition; they were preaching to stir up more trouble for Paul. Paul has poured at least ten years of his life out into preaching the Gospel and planting churches across Asia Minor and here he is, he's suffering the most incredible things. He had the right to some recognition; he had a right to some respect and honour and yet, the other Christians instead were taunting him. The worst possible thing – he's in jail and they're taunting him and his response? Let's read it again: But what does it matter? The important thing that is in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is being preached and because of this I rejoice. See, he's not interested in what other people are doing. He doesn't care about what other people think; he humbly just wants people to meet Jesus. And that humility sets him free to experience joy. And he finishes up that passage and he says: I am convinced that I will be with you and I know that I will remain and I'll continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith. See, for Paul it's about joy and enjoying life no matter whether he's doing well and he's got lots to eat or whether he is locked up in a dungeon on death row. “Yes I'll continue to rejoice,” he says, “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” If we are going to rejoice, we have to enter into God's joy we have to "enjoy". Now, either Paul is totally mad or he is onto something here. What do you think? What's going on for Paul here in his dungeon? It looks to me like there is a light in his heart; a fire that's burning so bright all the darkness around him can't put it out. I remember being in the Army on an exercise, years ago and they gave us waterproof and windproof matches. It was a real problem when you are out in the bush and it is really windy and the flame always blows out – these matches were amazing. You lit one, even when it was soaking wet it would light and the strongest gale couldn't blow it out. You could blow as hard as you liked and this match kept burning. That's the picture of what's going on in the heart of Paul; a joy unspeakable; a joy that comes from out of this world; a joy that comes from God Himself. Well, that's Paul. What about you and me? Can we have joy like that? We'll take a look at that next.   The Joy of the Lord is My Strength Well, it's great to have a listen to the Apostle Paul's circumstances and realities but you and I, we're not Paul; we are different people; we've got different circumstances. So this is not a message that goes "Paul had his act together, let's live our lives like Paul" because, truthfully, I don't believe that it works that way. That would be a "works" thing. The Bible talks about "dead works" and trying to be like Paul, I think it would be exactly that – a dead work. So what then? We have troubles and trials in life – we do. Sometimes we go through circumstances that are so incredibly tough; times that appear to be filled with sorrow and despair. What role does joy have? I want to go back to what I said at the beginning of the programme and last week. Not talking about some worldly joy that we conjure up in our hearts; I'm not talking about pulling our socks up and having a good attitude; I'm not talking about "works". God's joy is a gift of grace so I'm talking about God's joy. Let's go back to what Jesus said to His disciples – John chapter 15, verse 11 – when they were afraid; when they were in despair; when they knew that Jesus was about to be crucified and everything was falling apart – He says: I have said all these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. … His joy in our hearts. He wants to impart His joy into our lives and that's a gift of grace; a free gift from God. Last week on the programme we looked at the story of Israel in Nehemiah chapter 8. They had heard the word of God and they wept because they knew that they had turned their backs on God. They were convicted in their hearts by the Holy Spirit of their sin and that's the time, isn't it, when we feel least deserving of God's joy? Actually what we feel deserving of is God's punishment and wrath. And the reason we feel that is that we are made in His image. We have His sense of justice and that is exactly what we deserve. But then, instead of what they deserved, listen to what God said to them through Nehemiah, their leader. You can read it in the Old Testament. Nehemiah chapter 8, verse 10: Nehemiah said “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to the Lord; don't grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Whose joy? God's joy – grace a free gift from Him when they deserved punishment, God said to them through Nehemiah, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” When we turn to Him; when we get up close with Him, a glorious joy that words can't describe is His free gift to us – a joy unspeakable. And the key is this, "The joy of the Lord is our strength”. This is not a "be like Paul" message – it's not that. When we draw close to Jesus; when we spend more and more time with Him; when we do that, He fills us with His joy. Have a listen again to the way the Apostle Peter puts it in First Peter chapter 1, verse 8: Even though you haven't seen Him with your own eyes, you love Him. And even thought you don't see Him now, you believe in Him and you are filled with an unspeakable and glorious joy because you are receiving the goal of your faith; the salvation of your souls. And that joy … that joy is a joy that God imparts to us. We are receiving the goal of our faith – we are receiving His joy. So many people are going through tough times in life and they will call a friend on the phone before they talk to God about it. Wake up! Jesus is in this place with us, with you and with me. Whatever our dungeon looks like; whatever those other people are doing to hurt us and taunt us, the joy of the Lord is our strength - in dark places, in dark times, in dark dungeons. Those are places of great opportunity, when there is no other light that shines, His light will shine in our hearts. Listen to what Paul says in Second Corinthians chapter 4, verse 6: It's the same God, who at creation commanded the light to shine over the darkness, who has shone in our hearts with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you with something today: Jesus died and rose again so that we could be forgiven all the things we have done wrong and have a relationship with Him and experience His joy. This joy is not something that you and I conjure up – it's not something that we buy off the rack. This joy comes from God Himself. It's His free gift and when we humble ourselves; when we turn to Him; when we desire Him with all our hearts; we turn away from all that rubbish that we are into and day after day and week after week, month after month, He will fill us with a certain joy so wondrous that there are no words to describe it. Paul knew that. That's what was going on for him in the dungeon. Paul couldn't write about joy to the Philippians because he was some spiritual superman, Paul was just a weak man in chains in a Roman dungeon but those chains didn't bind his heart because he had a real experience of Jesus Christ. Not some distant experience, he had a real experience of Jesus Christ and it was Jesus Himself who gave him that joy. Jesus said: I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. It is time to start enjoying your life and joy – real joy comes from Jesus.

Pastor Heath paints a picture from Scripture of the New Heaven and New Earth and challenges us with the Apostle Peter to look and long for God's promises. Be encouraged by this message. Painting Paradise with Pastor Heath Harris. May 2025

In 1 Peter 1:6, the Apostle Peter encourages early Christians enduring persecution, emphasizing the importance of finding joy amid trials. He reassures them that suffering is temporary and serves to deepen faith. Believers are reminded to focus on the eternal hope in Christ, fostering resilience and trust in God's promises through challenges.

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageA historic moment has arrived for Catholics worldwide as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV—the first American pontiff in the Church's 2,000-year history. This Chicago-born Augustinian, who spent much of his ministry in Peru, stands as the 267th successor to the Apostle Peter, breaking precedent in ways few expected to witness in their lifetimes.The announcement "Habemus Papam" echoes with particular significance as this 69-year-old cardinal steps onto the world stage. What makes this papal election especially intriguing is that Cardinal Prevost remains something of a mystery on many pressing Church issues. As veteran Vatican observers note, his positions on controversial matters aren't widely documented, making hasty judgments premature. History teaches us that cardinals often govern differently than expected once they assume the papacy—just look at Pius IX or Leo XIII, whose name our new pope has chosen.Already, Pope Leo XIV has made notable choices: delivering the apostolic blessing in Latin, appearing in traditional vestments, and seeming visibly moved by the moment's gravity. These initial signs defy simple categorization into progressive or traditional camps. The weight of guiding 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide is undoubtedly overwhelming, and this unprecedented American papacy deserves our prayers and patience. Rather than rushing to conclusions, let's support our new Holy Father as he navigates the enormous responsibility of leading the Church through challenging times ahead. Share your thoughts on this historic moment and join us in praying for unity, love, and peace for all the world under Pope Leo XIV's guidance.Key items• Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old Augustinian has spent most of his ministry in Peru• Despite immediate reactions on social media, Cardinal Prevost remains "largely a mystery" on major Church issues• Historical precedent shows cardinals can govern differently than expected once they become pope• The new pope gave his first apostolic blessing in Latin and wore traditional garments• He appeared emotional while standing on the Loggia after his introduction• As Pope Leo XIV, he has chosen a name respected by both conservative and progressive CatholicsNEW Pope Leo XIV's Cardinals profile https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/robert-francis-prevost/Please remember to pray for our new Holy Father as he takes on this monumental responsibility of guiding the Church through challenging times.

Please note that the 1st part is in English, and the 2nd part is in Malayalam starting at 22:28 mark.Matthew 4:19,20 -– And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  എന്റെപിന്നാലെ വരുവിൻ; ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളെ മനുഷ്യരെ പിടിക്കുന്നവരാക്കും” എന്നു അവരോടു പറഞ്ഞു.Peter was the first disciple chosen by Jesus.  Peter's name is first in the list of the apostles as per Luke 6:14.  Peter was a very ordinary, weak and ignorant fisherman to begin with Jesus, but he rose above everyone and got strong and blessed once he walked with Jesus for three years  and the Holy Spirit came upon him. Ten points about Peter are discussed: the choosing of Peter, the foundation of the Christian church, the weakness of Peter, the repentance of Peter, the strengthened Peter, the healing gift of Peter, angels in the life of Peter, the works of the Holy Spirit through Peter, Peter's teachings, how Jesus prepared Peter, and the rewards for Peter and other apostles.  Any weak or sinful person can become strong when the Holy Spirit comes upon the person. My name... Cicilysunny@gmail.com

The Apostle Peter shares secrets of life and Christian living, including how to have peace with God, how to know God, how to escape the pollution of the world, and how to have everything we need for life and godliness.

Is the Apostle Peter the true author of 2 Peter? Why is 2 Peter so different from 1 Peter? What are the similarities between 2 Peter and 2 Timothy? Our teacher, Dr. J. Vernon McGee, answers these questions and more in this introduction to the New Testament book of 2 Peter.

The Apostle Peter has learned that God does not show favoritism, that grace cannot coexist with prejudice.  The Gospel is for everyone. We are to see one another as God sees us, with eyes of grace.  By Dave Bartlett

"Mark was an idolater from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. Having come to the Faith of Christ through the Apostle Peter, he followed him to Rome. While there, at the prompting of Peter himself and at the request of the Christians living there, he wrote his Gospel in Greek... Afterwards, travelling in Egypt, he preached the Gospel there and was the first to establish the Church in Alexandria. The idolators, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he, cut to pieces on rocks, gave up his soul. It is said that he completed his life in martyrdom about the year 68. He is depicted in holy icons with a lion next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), and a symbol of Christ's royal office, as St Irenaeus of Lyons writes." (Great Horologion)

Paul offered some gems in the opening segment in his letter to the Ephesians, explaining that as adopted children, God *made us* accepted in the beloved and brought redemption through the blood of Jesus, according to the *riches* of His grace. And let's not forget this reminder in Titus chapter 3: "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." However, if we don't skim past it, we'll notice a bit of a clash with a recorded statement as quoted from the Apostle Peter in Acts chapter 10. The point is ... the Jewish apostles were human—as we are—and nobody knows everything, not even close. They were also growing in their understanding of the grace of the gospel, and we should take it into account as we read the writings in the New Testament. --Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

By Elias Vazquez - As we are called to observe the First Day of Unleavened Bread, let us consider 1 Peter 2:9 in the context of this special Holy Day. Here the Apostle Peter reminds us of this calling and makes clear our true identity, and the vision and purpose for our lives. We are called a chosen generation, called

The old saying, "haste makes waste" seems to be coming true as a result of the way some Christians have been approaching certain legal and political isssues. Many say to me, "The situation is urgent; its dire. Putting a 'stop' to a human and sexual ethic that's 'in the gutter' requires action." That's the attitude I took to these issues most of my time in politics. Isaiah, the Apostle Peter, John Owen and what they say about Jesus Christ is upsetting the way I've thought about things. Don't forget to ask for the extra material I offer.

God is moving in the earth in new, exciting ways, and we don't want to just be observers. We want to participate in His Kingdom! In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the current state of the Church in the nation, and the importance of developing our faith to be more fully devoted followers of Jesus. He teaches from the life of Apostle Peter to demonstrate the disruption and change Christ-followers will experience as we mature in our relationship with the Lord. Pastor Allen also speaks about World Outreach Church's own mission in our community and beyond. Godliness and wickedness are both increasing in our culture, but let's decide each day to fulfill what God has planned for us.

God is moving in the earth in new, exciting ways, and we don't want to just be observers. We want to participate in His Kingdom! In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the current state of the Church in the nation, and the importance of developing our faith to be more fully devoted followers of Jesus. He teaches from the life of Apostle Peter to demonstrate the disruption and change Christ-followers will experience as we mature in our relationship with the Lord. Pastor Allen also speaks about World Outreach Church's own mission in our community and beyond. Godliness and wickedness are both increasing in our culture, but let's decide each day to fulfill what God has planned for us.   To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, visit this link: allenjackson.com/podcastdonate