Podcasts about baptizer

I Call Him The Baptizer in The Holy Spirit - Tim Bittle by TFH SF

Rev. Christian McArthur preaches the sermon "Jesus the Baptizer" from Acts 2:1-21, 37-42. From the May 24th 2026 Divine Worship Service. To access a full catalog of sermons from Providence Presbyterian Church, visit providencetemecula.com.

What does it really mean to be “Pentecostal”? Is Baptism with the Holy Spirit a one-time event, a continual filling, or something deeper altogether? In this message, we explore the ministry of Jesus as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and fire—tracing the experience from Acts, the early church fathers, revival history, and the modern global church. When Jesus truly gets a hold of your life, what comes out of your mouth—and how you live—changes dramatically. #Pentecost #HolySpirit #BaptismInTheHolySpirit #SpiritAndFire #Pentecostal #Acts2 ____ Partner with New Tribe: Give | https://newtribe.church/give/ ____Connect with New Tribe: Website | https://newtribe.church/comeexperience/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/newtribechurch Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/newtribechurch YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@NewTribeChurch

Welcome to Day 2859 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2859 – “In Defense of a Doubter”  based on Luke 7:18-35 Putnam Church Message – 04/12/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “In Defense of a Doubter.”   Last week's message was: “He is Risen Indeed!” We will celebrate the resurrected Christ and the assurance we have in the salvation that He brings. Today, we return to Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “In Defense of a Doubter.” We will explore the doubts of Jesus's cousin, known as John the Baptizer. Our core passage today is Luke 7:15-35, which is found on page 1603 of your pew Bibles.  Jesus and John the Baptizer 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. / Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'[b] 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.' 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Opening Prayer Father, thank You that You are not threatened by our questions and not surprised by our weakness. Thank You that in Jesus Christ You meet us not only in strength, but also in struggle. As we open Your Word today, give us honesty, humility, and hope. Help us to see that doubt does not have to destroy faith, and that Your Son is still enough / even when life does not make sense. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction There is a kind of faith that sounds strong but is actually fragile. It never asks hard questions. It never admits confusion.  It never confesses pain. It smiles through gritted teeth and calls that spirituality. But the Bible gives us something far more honest than that. The Bible gives us John the Baptizer. The same John who leaped in Elizabeth's womb at the presence of Christ. The same John who thundered in the wilderness. The same John who said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The same John who pointed away from himself and toward Jesus. And now in Luke 7, that same man is in prison, and he is asking a question he never expected to ask: “Are You the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7:19) That question surprises us. But Luke includes it because he wants us to learn something important: A season of doubt does not automatically mean the death of faith. Sometimes doubt is rebellion. Sometimes doubt is unbelief. But sometimes doubt is the cry of a wounded believer trying to reconcile what he knows about God with what he is living through. And that is where many believers live at one point or another. You may trust God and still have questions. You may love Christ and still ache. You may believe deeply and still struggle honestly. So today we are going to stand in defense of a doubter—not to glorify doubt, but to understand what Jesus does with it. Main Point 1: Faith Can Be Shaken Without Being Destroyed Luke 7:18–20 John's disciples come to Jesus and ask the question straight out: “Are You the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Let's not rush past how astonishing that is. John was not a casual observer. He was not a spiritual dabbler. He was not a man who had built his beliefs on rumors. He knew the prophecies. He had heard the voice of God. He had publicly identified Jesus. He had baptized Jesus. He had seen the Spirit descend. And yet now, from a prison cell, John is trembling. Why? Because circumstances can shake even the strongest believers. John expected the Messiah to come with power, to cleanse, to judge, and to bring visible kingdom change. And yet Herod still sits on the throne, evil still seems to prosper, and John himself—the faithful prophet—sits forgotten in a dungeon. If Jesus is truly the Expected One, why does the world still look so wrong? That is not a foolish question. That is an agonizing one. And many of us know something about it. A praying parent watches a child drift farther from God. A faithful wife buries a husband too soon.  A godly man loses his job while dishonest people advance. A believer fights disease, grief, betrayal, or depression and quietly wonders, “Lord, where are You?” That does not mean the believer has become an unbeliever. It may mean the believer has run out of easy answers. Object Lesson — The Storm-Bent Tree Imagine a strong tree in a storm. The wind bends it. The branches whip. Leaves tear loose. For a while, it looks unstable. But when the storm passes, the roots remain. That is John. He is bent, but not uprooted. He is shaken, but not blown away. And that is a needed reminder. A believer can be deeply troubled and still deeply rooted.   Matthew's Parallel Helps Us Matthew 11 records this same incident. Matthew gives us the same question, the same prison setting, and the same answer from Jesus. That tells us this was not a minor moment in Christ's ministry. The Spirit wanted the church to remember that even the greatest prophet of that generation went through a dark night of the soul. So, if you are in a season of doubt, do not assume that the struggle itself means your faith is fake. Some doubt is corrosive. But some doubt is the painful honesty of a real disciple asking, “Lord, help me understand.” Related Scriptures Psalm 73 — Asaph struggling with the prosperity of the wicked. Habakkuk 1 — “How long, O Lord?” Mark 9:24 — “I...

Having finished four parables and four miracles, Jesus commissions the twelve and we discover the fate of John the Baptizer, two events that have more to do with each other than meets the eye. Read Mark 6:1-29 and thanks for listening!

JT speaks from Acts in the third part of the foursquare series - Baptizer

Kindly listen and be blessed

John Mahaffey - Jesus - The Baptizer In The Holy Spirit - Mark 1:1-10 | Sunday April 19 2026 by Royal York Baptist Church

Sermon: Jesus the Baptizer, Series: Who is Jesus? Rev. Matt Howell, Mark 7:1-23

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.definedbymoments.org

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John the Baptizer was a voice crying out in the wilderness heralding the coming of the Messiah. His voice still cries out, calling people to repentance for the Lord Jesus is coming again.

by Aubrey Botha https://cpcchurchimages.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/31161222/March-29-Palm-Sunday-Sermon.mp3 Matthew 16:21-28 (NLT) Jesus Predicts His Death 21 From then on Jesus[a] began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him[b] for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?[c] Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Transcription (Transcribed by TurboScribe) Palm Sunday begins on a road leading to Jerusalem. A king enters the city, not with armour, not with force, but on a donkey. Palms wave in the air like declarations of victory. Voices cry, Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. They were celebrating a king, but didn’t understand the kind of king he was. Because this celebration is moving somewhere. The cheers of Sunday are already casting the shadow of Friday. This same road leads to a cross. Palms will give way to thorns. Shouts will fall silent beneath the weight of nails. Yet this is not a story of loss. It’s a story of love. Because the cross was never the end. It was the doorway. Palm Sunday leans toward an empty tomb. Toward a morning where death is defeated and hope rises with the sun. The king who came in humility will rise again in victory. Good morning. It’s good to see so many of you and to see your faces on this Palm Sunday. Alexander just said he forgot to remind you that there is a Maundy Thursday service, but it’s online only. So if you go to the website, it will be online and you can watch the Manndy Thursday service online. Father God, thank you for these moments, moments in your holy presence. We’ll hear your words again this morning, Lord Jesus, as you remind us why you came into this world. Help us then to see you and honour you. In your holy name we pray. Amen. I’m sure you’ll agree with me if I say that this amazing life that God gives us, with all of its joy and happiness and also sometimes with a struggle, isn’t always easy and sometimes really painful. There’s many reasons for that. We suffer loss. We struggle. We fail. We get angry. We get frustrated. All of these things and it causes pain. But maybe the most difficult of all of these challenges is the pain of surrender. That moment that I stand before God and I look God in the eye and I say, Lord, here’s my everything, my whole life, and I want to give that to you in a surrender. And from now on, Lord, you lead and I will follow. Because just think, most of us like to lead. Most of us like to make the decisions. Most of us like to be in control. And all we want of God is to follow behind and clean up the messes. So the question we’re going to ask this morning, and each of us has to answer that for themselves, is the question in my life, who leads and who follows? It’s a little bit of the question of Palm Sunday. Because for Jesus to get to that open grave, he had to surrender. And it started on Palm Sunday. So read with me Matthew 16. That was interesting. When I saw this, my last sermon here before I went off was from Mark, and it was the same passage, not the same sermon. So Caesarea Philippi is where they are. You’ll remember that, where Jesus asked the question, who do you say I am? And then we go in Matthew from verse 21, and I’m reading from the New Living Translation. From then on, Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders. Presbyterians, you know that. The word for elder in Greek is presbyteros. He didn’t suffer by the presbyterians. By the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but, and that is a big biblical but. He would be killed, but on the third day, he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. Heaven forbid, Lord, he said, this will never happen to you. Jesus turned to Peter and said, get away from me, Satan. You’re a dangerous trap to me. You’re seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s. And then Jesus said to his disciples, who wants to lead, who wants to follow? If any of you want to be my follower, you must give up your own ways. Take up your cross and follow me. For if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. So what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but you lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with His angels in the glory of His Father and will judge all people according to their beliefs. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in His glory. So here we have Jesus in this discussion with His disciples, telling them what’s waiting for them as they journey to Jerusalem. For what they’ll see in a moment is they’ll go in there and they’ll hear the Hoshana, save us, Lord. They’ll hear what we just sang. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Baruch haba b’Shem Adonai. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. They’re going to hear all of this, and they’re going to see this King. And Jesus says, stop. Let me tell you what’s really going to happen when you see all this. I’m going to Jerusalem because I am surrendering to the plan of God. I’m going there, and they will take me prisoner, and they are going to torture me, and I am going to suffer, and they are going to nail me to a cross, and I am going to die. But on the third day, God is going to let me walk out that tomb. And when you read this, and when you go read it again, you’ll see that when Jesus says this, you cannot feel in the language that there’s regret or a heaviness or, oh, my Holy Moses, why am I having to go and do this? Yes, He says, it’s going to be hard. Yes, it’s going to be difficult. I am going to suffer. I am going to be nailed to a cross. I am going to die. But, and there’s that big biblical but, on that third day, God is going to show up, and I am going to walk right out of that grave. Can you hear that, my friends? What He’s saying is this, if I am prepared to surrender and give it up to God, God will show up on the third day. Sometimes the third day is longer than three days. Sometimes the third day feels like it’s never going to happen. And Satan will stand, as he did outside the tomb of Jesus, and he was celebrating because he’s gone and dead. And on that third day, God says, arise, my love, arise, my love. Death no longer has a hold on you. And Jesus says to you and me, if you surrender your life to me, and you give it up, and I lead, and you follow, whatever it might be, there is a third day, and on the third day, God shows up. Is there any Baptist in this church that can say amen? Because that God that shows up is a good God, and a loving God, and a caring God, a God who knows me, and a God who gave His only Son for me. If I surrender, God shows up. Always. And this is not a biblical, well maybe it is, biblical, but this is one of ours. It’s a causal relationship. Jesus, being obedient and going to the cross, causes God to show up and open that grave. If Jesus did not go to the grave and give it all up, there would be no third day. Not for Him, not for me, not for you, and not for anyone. When I surrender, God shows up. Didn’t sit well with Peter. By now we should know that. And Peter has a word to say. In that beautiful verse 22, Peter took him aside and said, Heaven forbid, Lord, that would never happen to you. Now, if it wasn’t so serious, we could have a little chuckle out of this. Because just think about it. Here’s Peter looking at the Son of God, trying to stop the Son of God from doing what the Son of God had come to do in this world from the beginning. The irony is also a little sad. Peter, in doing this and just being so in a hurry, he misses, doesn’t see what it means for God to show up. Because Peter’s doing the Peter thing and the us thing. Peter’s looking out for Peter’s own interests. He’s thinking, Jesus, we’ve got a good thing going. Look at all the people with us. They’re just coming. We’re going to Jerusalem. It’s the feast. Do you know how we can build that congregation? Do you know how we can build this movement? We’ve got a good thing going. Don’t you talk about dying and stuff like that. Because here’s the thing. Peter’s looking out for Peter’s best interest. And the problem is so many of us fall into that same trap. And we think, if I lead, if I do the things, if I stay in command, if I do, then I’ll be fine. Because it’s for my best interest. How sad the answer that Jesus gives him. And no wonder Jesus is a little sharp in his answer. Because in doing what Peter is doing, he’s violating the most fundamental characteristic of God. Of who God is. Of who God works. Of how God functions in this world. And that is that God is always looking out for the best interest of others. When this world was messed up, he called the Noah. And he started over. When he needed to start out new, he called the man Abraham from Ur. And brought him all to the promised land. When things were not good, he sent a young man called Joseph. And three days was a little longer for him. But that was in preparation for him to show up when they needed him. Took a little baby and put him in the River Nile. Because God did show up for our best interest. He called prophet after prophet. He sent a man called John the Baptizer. And he sent his son. Problem is, when we start looking out only for our own interest. When we try and do things for ourselves and just manipulate and make them work as we think they should be working. Oftentimes we end up living in the wrong stories. And I think I’m great. And when I’m not doing great, I’m kind of angry at God. Why? Because I’m living in the wrong story. I’ve told you this story before, but it’s a really good illustration of this. There’s a story of the couple who were married 60 years. They decided to downsize. And as they were going through the house, the husband discovers this little box. Way back in the cupboard. Opens the box. There’s two beautiful crochet dolls in the box. And then there’s also this envelope with $90,000 in it. And he’s kind of stunned. So he walks in. He says, look what I discovered. Do you know anything about this? He says, yeah. It’s all me. He says, tell the story. He says, well, when we got married, my grandmother called me. And she said, I want to give you some advice for your marriage. When you get into a fight, don’t fight. Go to your room. Go calm down and crochet a doll. And just put it away. Put all the anger away with the doll. And he looked at this box. And he thought, wow. In 60 years. He says, that’s good. But what about the $90,000? She said, well, after the second doll, I didn’t have any more room for the dolls I crocheted. So I took them to the craft store and sold them for $5. He was living in the wrong story. And sometimes we live in the wrong story. So I ask myself, what if I’m living in the wrong story? What if I’m living in the wrong story when I’m trying to take control and I’m not waiting for God to show up on that third day? What if I’m running after this world because the world says, this is what you should be doing. This is what you should be running after. You want it all. You want it now. And if you don’t get it now, then fine with you. I’m going to do my own thing. What if Jesus says, verse 25, if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you follow me and you give up your life for my sake, you will save the world. Why? Why should I give up my life? Because in that moment that I surrender is when God shows up. God’s power is not seen by our control in our lives. God did not raise Jesus because Jesus shied away from the cross. God raised Jesus from the dead because Jesus was obedient and went to the cross. And on that third day, God showed up and Jesus walked. My question in the beginning was, who lives, who falls in my life? Can we just for a moment look at our own lives and ask the question in my life, have I surrendered? Who’s in control when I get angry? Who’s in control of my finances? Who’s in control of my relationships? Who’s in control of the emotions? Who’s in control when I feel this world is overwhelming? Who lives? When you’ve answered that and when I’ve answered that, because remember what I’ve always said, every sermon I write is written for this person. And then I come share it with you on my own life. So I ask these questions of myself. So here’s my challenge for me, for us this morning. Will you surrender? Will you take all of the things in your life, also the control, also the things that you’re afraid of, also the things that you’re not sure that you can let go, can you take those? And can we put them in the hands of our Father? The one who sent His Son into this world. The one who turned His back when His Son cried out, my God. And then the one who showed up on that third day and He opened that door. Can we place it in the hands of the Lord and surrender? There’s a song that we sing, I surrender all. I surrender all, all to Jesus. Will you take that? I’m going to give you a moment before I pray with you, just to think about what in my life is there that might, instead of helping me because I’m trying to control it, it’s hurting me. What is there in my life that this morning I can come and lay at the feet of Jesus and say, I surrender. You lead, I follow. I’m scared because it might lead to Jerusalem and there might be an angry mob and there might be the cross, but on the other side there’s an open grave. This is my Lord, I surrender. Take a moment and be quiet with the Lord and then I’ll pray with you. Lord Jesus, when you invite us, your promises are never empty. You’ve kept them all and you’ve fulfilled them all, more than we could ever think. And if you, if you come and you say, this is what I call you, surrender. Use your life, follow me. I have more than you could ever think. We trust you. And you heard our hearts this morning. As we just surrender, Lord, what needs to go to you. Thank you that you lead. Thank you that we may follow. Sorry that sometimes we stumble and we take our own road and kind of want to do the Peter thing for a moment. Thank you that you are gracious because that is who you are. Thank you for the blessing of this morning. Thank you for this blessing of this day. All these things we pray in the name of him who came in the name of the Lord, the one who can and did save us. Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour. Amen.

Sermon in a sentence: "Followers of Jesus don't just celebrate baptisms; they help create them."Application: Have you taken the step of baptism yourself?Who are you helping take their next step toward Jesus?

When I was an 18-year-old, I set off for college to Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky. I drove the route from Lakeland, Florida, to Louisville, Kentucky, many, many times. I can tell you that the best place to stay the night …

In Mark's Gospel, the crowds are initially highly receptive of Jesus and his ministry. But, starting in chapter 6, they begin to take offense. This sentiment begins in his hometown of Nazareth and spreads throughout Galilee as his disciples are sent to preach his gospel. A flashback scene featuring John the Baptizer and King Herod foreshadows how many in the world will respond negatively to Jesus and his disciples.

Send a textIn this 'EPISODE 453 WHY ARE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS HATED? WHAT END-TIME PROPHETIC PREDICTIONS SAY ABOUT THE NEAR FUTURE? DID JOHN THE BAPTIZER PROPHECY ABOUT TODAY? WHO WILL SAVE THE WORLD FROM THE GREAT TRIBULATION?', author and host Elbert Hardy explores the reasons we see in the world today for troubles mounting and leading us into the Great Tribulation... Where will we go from here?Support the showGo to itellwhy.com to read Elbert's books free of charge, no Ads and no requests for money or Email addresses. You can watch faith building YouTube Links to Videos and the listen to Elbert's Life of Christ Audio Book in 30 minute Episodes arranged and read by the author straight from the Bible, but rearranged in logical harmony of the Gospels, Revelation and other scriptures. All FREE of charge in the public interest.

In this episode of Tell Me More, hosts Dr. Wiles, Katy Reed Hodges, and Luke Stehr reflect on what it looks like to faithfully shepherd a church family in a season marked by both grief and gratitude—sharing updates on recent funerals and the lay leaders who help care so well for First Baptist Arlington.From there, the conversation pivots to Sunday's message on John the Baptist—including a lively (and clarifying) detour into Baptist history. Dr. Wiles explains why “John the Baptist” is better understood as “John the Baptizer,” unpacks the Trail of Blood idea and why it faded, and traces Baptist origins to the English Separatist movement and early figures like John Smyth and Thomas Helwys.The episode then returns to the heart of the sermon: being a faithful witness today. The hosts talk practically about personal evangelism—praying, preparing, and proclaiming in a way that's authentic, gospel-centered, and Spirit-led—along with stories from ministry that illustrate how God opens doors at the right time.Finally, they highlight important moments in the life of the church, including Ash Wednesday, Ramadan outreach, gospel conversations training, the budget presentation meeting, upcoming men's and college events, Faith at Home, youth Encounter Weekend, and the launch of the Heart of Arlington Foundation as a way to invest in the church's long-term future.

Welcome to Day 2799 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2799 – The Day the Pupil Stumped the Professors – Luke 3:1-38 Putnam Church Message – 01/11/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News - “The Day the Pupil Stumped the Professors.”    Last week was the first week of 2026. We explored the third and final story of Jesus's childhood. We will explore “The Day the Pupil Stumped the Professors.”  Today, we will investigate a prophet who was unmatched in all history, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, in a message titled “The Greatest Mortal Who Ever Died.” Our Core verses for this week are Luke 3:1-38, found on page 1593 of your Pew Bibles. Since this is a long passage and there is a lot to cover, I will include many of the verses during the message.  Opening Prayer Gracious and holy God, we come before You today not to be entertained, not to be affirmed by the world, but to be shaped by Your truth. You are the God who speaks in the wilderness, who calls Your servants when the times are dark, and who prepares hearts for the coming of Christ. As we open Your Word, strip away our need for approval, our fear of standing apart, and our temptation to measure faithfulness by success. Give us ears to hear, hearts willing to repent, and courage to live differently for Your glory. Prepare us, O Lord, as John prepared the way— that Christ may be clearly seen among us today. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God and Savior of the world. Amen. Introduction: When God's Best Doesn't Look Like Success We live in a culture that worships success. Success is measured in numbers—attendance, followers, influence, platforms, budgets, and visibility. We admire what is polished, efficient, impressive, and scalable. If something grows quickly and looks professional, we assume God must be blessing it. And if it struggles, suffers, or fails—well, we quietly wonder what went wrong. That mindset has seeped into the church. We speak of ministries being relevant, which often means marketable. We talk about impact in terms of reach. We measure faithfulness by results. And we subtly assume that if God is truly at work, it will look powerful, admired, and upwardly mobile. Then Luke introduces us to John the Baptizer. John doesn't fit any of our categories. He doesn't go where the people are; he goes where they aren't. He doesn't dress to attract; he dresses to repel. He doesn't soften his message; he sharpens it. He doesn't protect his influence; he surrenders it. And he doesn't end his life honored—he ends it executed. And yet Jesus will later say of him: “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.” (Luke 7:28, NLT) That's a shocking statement. Not Moses. / Not David. / Not Elijah. / Not Isaiah. The greatest mortal who ever lived—and ever died—was a wilderness prophet who never performed a miracle, never held office, never wrote a book, never founded a movement, and never lived to see the results of his ministry. Luke chapter 3 forces us to confront a hard truth: God defines greatness very differently from the way we do. Main...

What does it mean that Jesus is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit? In this message from Dwelling House Church, Pastor Jeremiah Genin teaches on one of the powerful names of God: Jesus, the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Scripture in Acts, Luke, and the Gospels, this sermon explores the difference between being born again and being filled with the Holy Spirit, why Jesus commanded His followers to wait for the Spirit, and how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live bold, discerning, and victorious lives. This teaching invites believers to move beyond salvation alone and step into the fullness of life Jesus promised—marked by spiritual power, wisdom, prayer, boldness, and intimacy with God. If you're hungry to grow in your faith, understand the role of the Holy Spirit, or deepen your walk with Jesus, this message will encourage and equip you. Dwelling House Church exists to lead people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and to help believers live Spirit-filled lives rooted in God's Word. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What does it mean that Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit? 2. Is being filled with the Holy Spirit different from being saved? 3. Why do Christians need the Holy Spirit to live out their faith today?

John 1:19-34 • Chad FrancisOne of the Most Underrated Characters in the Jesus Story (0:00) John the Baptizer's Backstory (2:16)Repentance (6:46)Baptism in the Holy Spirit (28:44)Jesus the Baptizer (44:42)

In the Sunday school classic story from Matthew's Gospel, Jesus approaches Peter and Andrew, James and John along the lakeshore and offers them a choice: To follow him, or not. But there's definitely more than just a Sunday school context to that invitation: Jesus' prophetic mentor John the Baptizer has been arrested and soon will be executed by the state, and Jesus is headed deeper into Galilee to speak truth to power and liberation to the "least of these" and put his own life on the line for the Gospel of love. Do the fishermen want to follow him to that same end? Do we? The choice is before us.(Matthew 4:12, 17-23)Join us for worship Sundays @ 10am Eastern Time, on-site & online via Zoom. Connect at www.NeedhamUCC.org—-The Congregational Church of Needham strives to be a justice-seeking, peace-making, LGBTQ+ affirming, radically inclusive congregation of the United Church of Christ in Needham, MA. www.NeedhamUCC.orgChurch is the practice.Love is the point.

This message was given by Pastor DJ Ritchey on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Memorial Heights Baptist Church.

Do we get what we lost in the garden and what Jesus came to give? Pastor Heath Harris shares a powerful message God gave him about Jesus the begotten one and baptizer. Genesis 2-3; Luke 3-4

In this week's Gospel text, Jesus is named "The Lamb of God" and Simon becomes Cephas/Peter. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy dive into these different names and the symbolism found in their stories. Plus, John offers a hot take on Anselm's theory of atonement and how it might've been misunderstood all along.Questions for Further Discussion:Themes and ApplicationNames matter deeply in this passage: Jesus is named, Simon is renamed Peter, and John the Baptizer points away from himself. How do names and labels shape identity, vocation, and calling in our own lives?Jesus does not explain, persuade, or argue. He invites. How does “come and see” challenge modern expectations that faith should be fully explained or defended upfront?Discipleship in John is deeply imitative. We become who we follow. Who or what do you notice shaping your habits, values, and imagination right now?Personal ReflectionWhich title for Jesus in this passage resonates most with you right now, and why? Lamb of God, Rabbi, Messiah, Son of God, Light, Word?What does “abiding” mean in your daily life? Where do you sense yourself truly dwelling, spiritually or emotionally?Can you recall a moment when being “seen” or “named” by someone changed how you understood yourself?Broader Spiritual ConsiderationsHow does rethinking sacrifice reshape our image of God? What might it mean to say God absorbs violence rather than demands it?The discussion frames sin less as rule-breaking and more as separation, division, and “us vs. them.” How does this understanding change repentance or reconciliation?If Jesus shows us what true humanity looks like, what habits, assumptions, or behaviors might need to be unlearned to follow him more fully?Want to have your question or comment featured on the podcast? Leave a voicemail on our Rev'd Up hotline! Call (203) 442-5002.Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Matthew 3:1-12

Advent 2: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-19; Romans 15:1-13; Matthew 3:1-12 (Fr. David)

John the Baptizer was a fascinating character. More attested to historically than Jesus, John was a genuinely big deal! One of the historically attested facts about John was his execution by Herod. Which Herod? You're going to be sorry you asked. But John's death is fascinating- what do the gospels say about it? Do they agree with each other about how/why it happened (what a world that would be!)? And do the gospel accounts line up with other extra-biblical tellings of the story? Then, we're talking pastors. What, exactly, is a pastor? Who gets to be one (only men?)? We're going to dive into the New Testament clergy org-chart, and figure out what the Bible actually says. Pastor, apostle, bishop, deacon... does the Bible tell us what these positions are? Who is supposed to do what? Who qualifies for which position? Who gets to tell who what to do? ---- For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠      Follow us on the various social media places: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bible Says So⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ yet??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SHOW 12-25-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT THE MODERN STORY OF MARY AND HER FAMILY. 1868 NAZARETH SEPPHORIS AND THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF MARY'S LIFE Colleague James Tabor. Tabor identifies Sepphoris, a Roman capital near Nazareth, as Mary's birthplace. He reimagines Jesus and Joseph as "tektons" (builders) working in this urban center rather than simple carpenters. This proximity meant Mary witnessed Romanbrutality and the city's destruction, influencing her family's spiritual views on the Kingdom of God. NUMBER 1 INVESTIGATING THE NAME PANTERA Colleague James Tabor. Tabor explores the name "Pantera," found in rabbinic texts and on a Roman soldier's tombstone. He suggests this might be a family name rather than a slur, investigating the possibility that Jesus's father was a relative or soldier, which challenges the theological narrative of a virgin birth. NUMBER 2 RECLAIMING THE HISTORICAL JEWISH FAMILY Colleague James Tabor. Highlighting the Protoevangelium of James, Tabor contrasts its depiction of a perpetual virgin Mary with historical evidence of a large Jewish family. He argues Mary had numerous children and that her parents were likely wealthy property owners in Sepphoris, integrating Jesus into a close-knit extended family. NUMBER 3 JAMES THE JUST AS TRUE SUCCESSOR Colleague James Tabor. Tabor asserts James, Jesus's brother, was the movement's true successor, not Peter. Citing Acts and the Gospel of Thomas, he notes James led the Jerusalem council and stood at the cross. Tabor argues the "beloved disciple" entrusted with Mary's care was this blood brother, not Johnthe fisherman. NUMBER 4 THE HEADQUARTERS ON MOUNT ZION Colleague James Tabor. Tabor describes excavations on Mount Zion, identifying a first-century house foundation as the "upper room" and headquarters of the early movement. He visualizes Mary as the matriarch in this courtyard, welcoming pilgrims and apostles like Paul, and establishes James as the leader of this house synagogue. NUMBER 5 THE FLIGHT TO PELLA AND MARY'S DEATH Colleague James Tabor. Tabor discusses the Christian flight to Pella during the Roman revolt. He speculates Mary died before this event, likely around 49–63 CE, and was buried on Mount Zion. Consequently, she disappears from the New Testament record, which shifts focus to Peter and Paul after the Jerusalem church's dispersal. NUMBER 6 THE TALPIOT TOMB AND DNA EVIDENCE Colleague James Tabor. Discussing the Talpiot tomb, Tabor details ossuaries bearing names like "Jesus son of Joseph" and "Mariamne." He argues statistical clusters and potential DNA evidence suggest this is the Jesus family tomb, positing that physical remains support historical existence without necessarily negating the concept of spiritual resurrection. NUMBER 7 THE Q SOURCE AND MARY'S TEACHINGS Colleague James Tabor. Tabor identifies the "Q" source as a collection of ethical teachings shared by Matthew and Luke. He attributes these core values—such as charity and humility—to a family tradition taught by Mary to Jesus, James, and John the Baptizer, aiming to restore Mary'shistorical influence as a teacher. NUMBER 8 VIRGIL'S RURAL ORIGINS AND AUGUSTAN CONNECTION Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. The guests discuss Virgil's birth in 70 BCE near Mantua and his rural upbringing, which influenced his poetry. They trace his move to Rome during civil war and his eventual connection to Augustus, noting that Virgil promised a grand epic for the emperor in his earlier work, the Georgics. NUMBER 9 TRANSLATING THE SOUND AND METER OF VIRGIL Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. The translators explain choosing iambic pentameter over dactylic hexameter to provide an English cultural equivalent to the original's epic feel. They describe their efforts to replicate Virgil's auditory effects, such as alliteration and assonance, and preserve specific line repetitions that connect characters like Turnus and Camilla. NUMBER 10 THE AENEID'S PLOT AND HOMERIC INFLUENCES Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. McGill and Wright summarize the plot, from Troy's destruction to the war in Italy. They analyze Virgil's dialogue with Homer, noting how the poem's opening words invoke both the Iliad's warfare and the Odyssey's wanderings. They also highlight the terrifying, visual nature of Virgil's depiction of the underworld. NUMBER 11 ROMAN EXCEPTIONALISM VS. HUMAN TRAGEDY Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. They discuss whether the Aeneid justifies Roman empire or tells a human story. McGill argues the poem survives because it creates sympathy for antagonists like Dido and Turnus. They explore how Virgil portrays the costs of empire and Aeneas's rage, complicating the narrative of Augustan propaganda. NUMBER 12 CLODIA'S PRIVILEGE AND CICERO'S AMBITION Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin introduces Clodia, a privileged woman from an ancient Roman family on Palatine Hill. He contrasts her aristocratic, independent nature—manifested in her name spelling—with the rise of Cicero, a talented outsider. Boin frames their eventual conflict as a clash between established power and ambitious newcomers. NUMBER 13 THE POLITICS OF TRIBUNES AND REFORM Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin details the divide between the Optimates and Populares. He explains how Clodia and her brother Clodius used the office of Tribune—the "people's protector" with veto power—to enact reforms. This strategy allowed them to challenge the Senate's authority and set the stage for Clodius's political dominance. NUMBER 14 THE TRIAL OF RUFUS AND CICERO'S MISOGYNY Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin describes a trial where Clodia accused her ex-lover Rufus of poisoning. Cicero defended Rufus by launching misogynistic attacks on Clodia, calling her "cow-eyed" and alleging incest. Boin argues this famous speech unfairly solidified Clodia's negative historical reputation while obscuring the political power she wielded. NUMBER 15 THE DEATH OF CLODIUS AND THE REPUBLIC'S END Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin recounts the violent death of Clodius by rival gangs, marking a turning point toward the Republic's collapse. He views Clodia's subsequent disappearance from history as a symbol of the loss of women's influence and civic rights, framing her story as a cautionary tale about political violence. NUMBER 16

THE Q SOURCE AND MARY'S TEACHINGS Colleague James Tabor. Tabor identifies the "Q" source as a collection of ethical teachings shared by Matthew and Luke. He attributes these core values—such as charity and humility—to a family tradition taught by Mary to Jesus, James, and John the Baptizer, aiming to restore Mary'shistorical influence as a teacher. NUMBER 8

Color: Blue Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1–8 Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1–11 Psalm: Psalm 85; antiphon: v. 9 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 Gospel: Matthew 11:2–11 Gospel: Matthew 11:2–10 Introit: Psalm 85:1–2, 6, 8; antiphon: Philippians 4:4–5 Gradual: Psalm 80:1–2 Verse: Psalm 80:2b John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord   The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah's coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come . . .?” (Matt. 11:2). Jesus' works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord's hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ's overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God's people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

One of the best things about this season is the surprises. There are all sorts of situations that may leave you thinking, “Well, I didn't expect that!”  For many, the arrival of John the Baptizer, and the message he proclaimed, is another one of those surprises.

Creation to Cradle: 25 days of Devotions, is a short series of devotions to help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus during this Christmas Season. In today's episode, Chris Fuller talks the mission of John the Baptizer in preparing the way for Christ. We hope you enjoy these devotions, Merry Christmas from Real Talk Christian Podcast! // Helpful Links // https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com) Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

Advent is a time of great anticipation as we await the Christ-child entering our world at Christmas. This year, through the imagination of C.S. Lewis and his book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, join us on Sunday mornings as we uncover the story of the birth of Christ in a new way. A thaw has come to Narnia, and with it comes a forerunner of Aslan: Father Christmas bringing gifts to all the Narnian animals, the Sons of Adam, and the Daughters of Eve. The gifts he brings are meant to prepare the Pevensie children for the hard work of following Aslan, who is coming. Isaiah 35 tells the story of a spring thaw too. Meanwhile, we remember that Christ also had a forerunner in his cousin, John the Baptizer. And in baptism we receive the gifts we need to follow Christ, who is coming. Passage: Isaiah 35 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service 10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service  Please consider joining us for one of these services.  To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline.  To get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church

December 15, 2025Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 30:27-31:9; Revelation 3:1-22"A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain." (Isaiah 40:3-4)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.When John the Baptizer was asked who he was, he pointed to this verse from Isaiah. So, how did he change the landscape? By preaching repentance. Turns out people aren't generally keen on confessing their sins. The world is not a very forgiving place. We ourselves have been trained from the earliest ages to find reasons why our wrongs were actually rights. A child who is confronted with knocking over a lamp might blame a stuffed animal. That doesn't work, but our reasoning gets more sophisticated as we grow. It was a sibling's fault. It was a parent's fault for putting the lamp so close to the edge. It was an emergency, so haste was more important than the lamp. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter. So long as someone believes it, we show ourselves to be right.We live in a world that demands self-righteousness. If you cannot justify yourself, you will be blamed. However, when people without faith sin in such a way that they cannot justify themselves, it breaks them. Guilt overwhelms them. All that self-justification was actually protection. And without it, people lose their minds, which is why confession and absolution in the Church is so weird to people. Why would anyone willingly put themselves through such guilt and shame? However, the repentance of a Christian has two parts. First is sorrow over our sin. That is the same as anyone else. It's the second part that is different. The second part is hope. A sure and certain hope that all our sin is forgiven. The guilt is made Christ's. The shame hangs on His shoulders. His blood pays for it. And His life is given for our salvation.Without Christ, we would make mountains to hide our sin behind. We would bury in whatever valley we could. But the way of the Lord leaves nowhere for our sin to hide. All our hiding places are made an open field, so the sin can all be seen. And so that Jesus can take it all away. That is why we are so willing to turn in repentance. That is why we willingly confess our sins. Because we know the one who takes them and makes them His. And they're ours no longer. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Make ye straight what long was crooked; Make the rougher places plain. Let your hearts be true and humble, As befits His holy reign. For the glory of the Lord Now o'er earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token That His Word is never broken. (LSB 347:4)Author: Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

Luke checks off all of the boxes. The WHO of Christmas. The HOW of Christmas. The WHERE of Christmas. The WHY of Christmas. The WHAT of Christmas. The Clues of the Christ. Jesus has the right parents, the right line, the right birth, the right Name, the right life, the right ministry, the right Elijah to come, the right mission, the right death, the right resurrection, the right mission, the right Return, the right forever home. I. The Birth of John the Baptizer - The Witness of the Word-prophetic The Witness of Luke - 1:1-4 The Witness of the Angel - 1:5-25 The Witness of Mary - 1:26-56 The Witness of Zechariah - 1:57-80 John is the Elijah to come; The one chosen to roll out the red carpet for the Messiah; The best man for the wedding for the Groom of His Bride (aka “The wedding coordinator” - Weddings in first-century Israel were a major undertaking and oftentimes lasted for a week-long celebration. John was born to get the people and the place ready. John 3:22-30 Matthew 11:11-19: Two games children played in the days of Jesus were called “Wedding” and “Funeral”. They would be dancing for the Wedding game and a dirge for the Funeral game. Jesus is indicting the JRE for their reasons for rejecting Him and John. John had a dirge and you want a dance. I have a dance and you want a dirge. You are proud. You are jealous. You are hypocrites. BUT WISDOM IS VINDICATED BY HER CHILDREN! II. The Birth of Jesus (the) Christ - The Manger of Jesus - 2:1-7 The Message of Jesus - 2:8-14 The Mission of Jesus - 2:15-21 The Messengers of Jesus - 2:22-40

December 14, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 11:2-11Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 30:15-26; Revelation 2:1-29"Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.John the Baptizer has been faithful since before he was born. John leapt in his mother Elizabeth's womb in greeting when Jesus visited inside Mary before He was born. He proclaimed a baptism of repentance while dressed in camel's hair and eating locusts. He stood against Herod marrying his brother's wife, which is why he was in prison. But such faithfulness doesn't make doubt impossible, especially when things don't work out the way you hoped they would. We, too, might be faithful in much of what God gives to us. We have confessed Christ when it cost us. We have shared the Gospel with those who needed it, even if they didn't want it. We have called upon Him in times of great need. But what happens when things don't turn out the way we planned? That prayer didn't receive the answer we wanted? That friend betrayed us? A loved one dies? In those moments, we want Christ to answer us: Are you the right one? Or is it someone else? Jesus answers John, John's disciples, and us in the same way, by actually doing the things that He promised. And every promise finds its yes in Jesus' death and resurrection. Because Jesus died for you. Those things that didn't go according to our plan? Remember that God's plan included a cross for Christ to die on. Prayer didn't get the answer we wanted? Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from Him, though not if it was against the Father's will. And the Father's will was for us to be saved from our sin. That friend who betrayed us? By Jesus' betrayal, the price for sin was paid forever on our behalf. A loved one dies? By the death of Jesus, death itself is destroyed. It may have seemed like things were not working throughout Jesus' passion and death. But as Easter morning dawned, sin was forgiven, paid in blood. Death was conquered, as Jesus rose as the firstborn from the dead. The devil had no more claim on anyone, as Christ kicked down the gates of Hell itself in victory. Yes, those moments of doubt come. But all God's promises are answered with “yes” at His cross. Look there, and see what our Lord thinks of you. You are worth God giving up His own life to save. And what can matter more than that?In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent)Author: Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

John the Baptizer was rough, grizzled, unkept, and uncouth. His message was straight and to the point. Things are broken, we are broken, but one is coming who would fix all things, change all things. John was not the light, but he was a witness to the light, and reflected the light who had come. We, too, are called into the Light and invited to bear witness to the Light, which shines in the darkness.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251208dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1-2 Something Has Got to Change Something has got to change. Have you ever thought that? You might have thought that about your marriage or your relationship with your kids. You probably have thought that about your job or a working relationship with a coworker. At some point in your life, you have probably said that about something going on in government. Something has got to change. I would suspect, however, that when we’ve had this thought, often, we think this change should happen in someone else. Someone else needs to be fixed. Someone else needs to turn things around. After all, wouldn't the world just be better if everyone thought like I do and did things my way? But before we try to change everyone else, it might be helpful if we first look in the mirror and see if there are things about ourselves that need to be changed. That's really the message that God teaches us through the voice of John the Baptizer. If you had to summarize, John’s whole message, it would be this: repent. Repentance has two parts: 1) to acknowledge shortcomings, failures, and guilt, and then 2) to turn to Jesus and find forgiveness. You and I can’t change the hearts of other people. But God can and does change our hearts! Through the voice of John, God is calling for you and for me to look at our own lives and be honest about where we fall short, where we have done wrong, not just against others but against God. But in that call to repentance, God beckons us to lift our eyes to see the Savior who has forgiven us of our faults! That’s what Jesus has done for you! You don’t have to live in shame or fear for your faults. No, Jesus has paid for them with his sacrifice! Recognize your guilt but turn to Jesus and find that peace of forgiveness! Prayer: Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Continue to help me daily repent and see the peace which Jesus brings. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251208dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1-2 Something Has Got to Change Something has got to change. Have you ever thought that? You might have thought that about your marriage or your relationship with your kids. You probably have thought that about your job or a working relationship with a coworker. At some point in your life, you have probably said that about something going on in government. Something has got to change. I would suspect, however, that when we’ve had this thought, often, we think this change should happen in someone else. Someone else needs to be fixed. Someone else needs to turn things around. After all, wouldn't the world just be better if everyone thought like I do and did things my way? But before we try to change everyone else, it might be helpful if we first look in the mirror and see if there are things about ourselves that need to be changed. That's really the message that God teaches us through the voice of John the Baptizer. If you had to summarize, John’s whole message, it would be this: repent. Repentance has two parts: 1) to acknowledge shortcomings, failures, and guilt, and then 2) to turn to Jesus and find forgiveness. You and I can’t change the hearts of other people. But God can and does change our hearts! Through the voice of John, God is calling for you and for me to look at our own lives and be honest about where we fall short, where we have done wrong, not just against others but against God. But in that call to repentance, God beckons us to lift our eyes to see the Savior who has forgiven us of our faults! That’s what Jesus has done for you! You don’t have to live in shame or fear for your faults. No, Jesus has paid for them with his sacrifice! Recognize your guilt but turn to Jesus and find that peace of forgiveness! Prayer: Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Continue to help me daily repent and see the peace which Jesus brings. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

You may have heard of John the Baptizer, but have you heard of “The Little Dipper”?  This week in Matthew 3, John the Baptizer shows up calling Israel to repent — turn around, prepare, get ready for the King.   But then we meet his opposite: the Little Dipper — a made-up “prophet” who says, “Relax… a little sin is fine. The kingdom's far away.”   John prepares the way. The Little Dipper prepares excuses.   Join us as we explore real repentance — turning, immersing, confessing — and why John is the coach we need even right now.   The Kingdom of Heaven is upon you!

In this episode of The Choice, Ashe in America and Ghost dive deep into Episode 4 of The Chosen, exploring the pivotal moment when Simon Peter hits rock bottom, morally, spiritually, and financially, only to encounter Jesus in a way that changes everything. The hosts unpack themes of faith, pride, desperation, and redemption through Simon's struggle to fix his problems by his own hand, contrasting his self-reliance with Eden's steadfast faith and Jesus' divine timing. They draw powerful parallels between biblical archetypes and modern life, analyzing Simon's journey as a portrait of every person who must surrender control before experiencing true transformation. From John the Baptizer's radical defiance of religious authority to Nicodemus' curiosity about miracles, Ashe and Ghost illuminate how faith challenges the rational mind and redefines power itself. A moving, cinematic reflection on obedience, grace, and the moment when belief becomes action.

They were the evidence given when John the Baptizer doubted. They forced the Pharisees to accept or reject his claims. So, how would his "home crowd" respond? How will Herod, who has only heard of him, respond?

The Wilderness E8 –– In the Bible, God often turns wilderness wanderings into times of testing, purification, and preparation for returning to the garden land. The tragedy of the Hebrew Bible, however, is that when people do return to the garden, they keep following their own distorted wisdom and desires. This is why the beginning of every gospel account features a wild prophet named John, who is out in the wilderness by the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance. It's a symbolic reenactment of when God purified the exodus generation through the deadly chaos waters and treacherous desert. But then Jesus approaches John, also asking to be baptized. Why? In this episode, Jon and Tim unpack the background and ministry of John the Baptizer and how Jesus' baptism connects to his larger Kingdom mission.CHAPTERSRecap of Theme and Setup for John the Baptizer (0:00-15:53)John's Background and Words to the Pharisees (15:53-38:03)Why Jesus Participates in a Baptism of Repentance (38:03-44:47)The Heavenly Announcement After Jesus' Baptism (44:47-51:33)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESThe Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English, translated by Geza VermesYou can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Lunch Break ft. Abstractv” by Lofi Sunday“Old Record” by Lofi Sunday, Marc VanparlaBibleProject theme song by TENTSSHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When we left off, Jesus was enjoying a meal at Matthew's house. Matthew happens to be our author, and he was a tax collector. That led the Pharisees and religious leaders to sneer at Jesus and question his disciples about why their teacher would eat with tax collectors and sinners. The setting for our passage on Sunday is still at Matthew's house. Having been questioned by the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus then faced questions from the disciples of his cousin, John the Baptizer. His response was three cryptic parables about a wedding, a patch of clothing, and wine in wineskins. What Jesus conveyed touches on what I find to be the most exciting and compelling kind of study we can do in the Bible. Jesus, who has already claimed to be the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, is speaking to the connection between the old covenant, old ways, and old methods of the religious leaders of his time and pointing to the new work God was doing right in front of them. We are going to look into that connection between the Old and New Covenants (or Testaments), how Jesus redefined the work of God and the people of God, and how we can make sense of what from the Old Testament continues forward through Christ versus what was completed and fulfilled in Christ, now becoming obsolete for those who follow him.------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

What happens when even the most certain faith is shaken by doubt? John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Christ who boldly proclaimed the coming of the Lamb of God, now sits in a cold prison cell. From the darkness of his dungeon, he sends his disciples to Jesus with a desperate, soul-searching question: "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" Is this John experiencing doubt? A crisis of faith? Or is this an object lesson for his own disciples? Opinions vary. In this episode, we dive into Jesus' compassionate and powerful response.  The Rev. Mark Duerr, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 11.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit www.tlcmonroe.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

A thunderous voice cries out from the Judean wilderness, calling an entire nation to turn back to God. John the Baptizer, the last of the rugged Old Testament prophets, confronts the corrupt religious leaders and urges repentance. Jesus appears and, despite being our sinless Savior, wades into a pool of our sins and submits to John's baptism to fulfill all righteousness. Join us as we witness the incredible moment when the heavens open and the Holy Trinity is revealed at the Jordan River.  The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 3.  To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Missy surprises Jase with news of her first baptism during a late-night women's retreat, and Jase recalls why he avoids celebrity baptizer requests and altar calls, keeping the focus on Jesus instead of distractions. Al shares a reflection on Charlie Sheen's infamous “winning” interview, contrasting it with the true victory Jesus promises in John 16. Zach jumps in to explain that God's commands aren't a “buzzkill” but real freedom when the Spirit is living in you.  In this episode: John 16; 1 Corinthians 1, verse 17; Romans 10, verses 9–10; Acts 8, verses 26–39; Acts 16, verses 13–15; 1 John 1, verses 6–7; 1 John 2, verses 1–2; 1 John 3, verses 4–6; 1 John 5, verses 2–3; Romans 6, verses 1–4; Colossians 2, verses 9–15; Hebrews 5, verses 12–14; Genesis 2, verses 9; John 7, verse 39; Matthew 5, verse 48 “Unashamed” Episode 1171 is sponsored by: https://andrewandtodd.com or call 888-888-1172 — These guys are the real deal. Get trusted mortgage guidance and expertise from someone who shares your values! https://tomorrowclubs.org/unashamed/ or text 30KIDS to 44321 — Join us in bringing Christ-centered discipleship to kids in underserved communities. https://duckstamp.com/unashamed — Get your all-new digital duck stamp today. It's easier than ever! https://fieldofgreens.com — Get 20% off with code UNASHAMED http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Chapters: 00:00–10:11 Missy Becomes a Baptizer & Altar Calls Gone Wrong 10:12–15:49 What It Looks Like When You Fall in Love with Jesus 15:50–25:45 Jesus Can Handle Your Anxiety 25:46–35:46 What Does It Mean for the Holy Spirit to Move IN You? 35:47–46:21 The Centerpiece of a Christ-Focused Relationship 46:22–56:57 Imitating Christ with Maturity & Good Judgment — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we learn from imperfect spiritual teachers and embrace our own incompleteness? In this episode, we're exploring Chapter 6 of Richard Rohr's final book, The Tears of Things, titled "Unfinished Prophets: Elijah, Jonah, and John the Baptizer." In an extended conversation at Richard's hermitage, hosts Mike Petrow and Paul Swanson dive deep into three biblical figures who never quite completed their prophetic journey from anger to sadness to love. Later, Carmen Acevedo Butcher joins to discuss what it means to love our own imperfection and learn from flawed teachers without idealizing them. Mike and Carmen explore how perfectionism serves oppressive systems, why self-compassion is essential for spiritual growth, and address the significant absence of women's voices in prophetic literature.