Podcasts about baptizer

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

Learn about the Son of God from eternity, God's work through John the Baptizer, and the response to Jesus during His ministry.

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.

December 8, 2025Today's Reading: Malachi 4:1-6Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:14-25:12; Obadiah 1-21; 1 John 2:15-29"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." (Malachi 4:5)"On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true." (End of the Explanation of the Third Article) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We look forward to the coming of the Day of the Lord. A day when all evil will end. A day when those arrogant, who are sure they know better than to believe in God, will come face to face with Him. A day of fire for the sinful world. So that sin, death, and the devil have roots to take hold any longer. On that day, we will go out leaping with joy at the resurrection, the forgiveness of sins, our salvation, and eternal life with God. And all that's left which is wicked will be ash under our feet. We are ready for the Last Day, to be sure. But there is another day that has already happened. A day where evil ended, because it was conquered. A day when the arrogant, who were sure they knew better than God, saw God face to face. A day of fire, as the wrath of God over the world's sin burned brightly. And by this day, by the death of God on this day, sin, death, and the devil have no way for roots to take hold any longer. On that day, that great and awesome day of the Lord, Jesus Christ died on His cross. We call that day Good. What Jesus won for us on that day causes us to go out leaping with joy. Joy over the forgiveness of all our sins. Joy that He has saved us. Joy that eternal life has been made ours. Joy, because resurrection is coming. All promises made by the God who keeps His every promise. Elijah was indeed sent before that day. Jesus Himself will show us that John the Baptizer is the Elijah who was to come. And that same John the Baptizer has likewise made the way ready for Jesus to come to us. From God's perspective, these two are the same day. And we can see them that way as well. We look forward to the coming Day of the Lord. We look back at the already arrived Day of the Lord. And on both days, we rejoice that Jesus Christ has paid for our sin, conquered our death, defeated that devil, and saved us forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Behold the Lamb of God That bears the world's transgression, Whose sacrifice removes The devil's dread oppression. Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away our sin, Who for peace and joy Will full atonement win. (LSB 346:3)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.

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.

This week we explore Matthew 3:1-12, in which we meet John the Baptizer - who always confronts our values and priorities. © Kate Heichler, 2025. To receive Water Daily by email each morning, subscribe here. Here are the bible readings for next Sunday. 

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.

Hungry to move from religion to reality? In this powerful message, Pastor Isaac shows why the true promise of God is the Spirit, how Jesus is the Baptizer with the Spirit, and what really happened when you got saved. You will see your authority clearly, why you are seated with Christ far above every power, and how to live fearless in a world that pushes darkness. It is clear, bold, and deeply practical. If you have ever wondered about “the mark,” spiritual warfare, or why rituals cannot change you, this teaching will flip the lights on. Listen in and step into Spirit life and victory.

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

In this episode, we delve into the significant and sometimes controversial topic of baptism within the Christian faith. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, this discussion addresses key questions: Is baptism optional? Should it be immediate or after a class? The different methods like sprinkling versus full immersion. We explore scriptural references from Psalms, the Gospels, and epistles, and analyze Jesus' baptism, the teachings of John the Baptizer, and the significance of being born of water and the Spirit as detailed in John 3:5. With insights from respected Bible scholar Derek Prince, we emphasize the importance of baptism as an essential step in the Christian journey, likening it to a wedding garment and a sign of true discipleship. We also discuss topics such as re-baptism and infant baptism, encouraging believers to seek understanding through the Scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We continue in our Luke series and Pastor Clayton show us how John the Baptizer prepared the way for Jesus' first coming, and his message is just as urgent for us as we prepare for Jesus' return. Follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages and subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see how God is moving at MetaChurch.Support the show

This week, Luke 3 opens with John the Baptizer stepping into his God-given calling after 400 years of prophetic silence in Israel. Luke roots this moment in real history, naming emperors, governors, and high priests — showing us that this is not myth but fact. Follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages and subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see how God is moving at MetaChurch.Support the show

A new MP3 sermon from Old Providence ARP Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Matthew 3: The Baptizer Subtitle: Daily Devotionals Speaker: Patrick Malphrus Broadcaster: Old Providence ARP Church Event: Devotional Date: 8/18/2025 Bible: Matthew 3:1-6; Isaiah 40 Length: 23 min.

Cloud of Witnesses Brian Silver Hope Community Church - Lowertown St. Paul Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Abby shares her story of wilderness. Debbie continues our summer series, "Experiencing God in the Wilderness" preaching on John the Baptizer's words in the wilderness.

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.

In this rare 1984 recording, Lance Lambert teaches on Christ as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, a subject he calls impossible to ignore since it appears at the beginning of all four Gospels. Lambert addresses why the Holy Spirit is often the "ignored person of the Trinity" and explains what it really means to be baptized in the Spirit. He argues that nothing in Christian life, from conversion to church life to spiritual gifts, is possible without the Holy Spirit's work. This Holy Spirit baptism message was recovered from VHS footage after the original audio was damaged. You'll see a young Lance Lambert delivering this Bible teaching with his characteristic clarity. Watch the video: YouTube From the book: "Rivers of Living Water: Talks on the Holy Spirit" Lance Lambert (1931-2020) was a Jewish Bible teacher who taught extensively on Christian living and God's eternal purpose. Chapters (00:00:00) - Lance Lambert's Message on Christ the Baptizer and the Holy(00:02:27) - Lance Lambert - "Christ the Baptiser" (1983)(00:08:15) - The Burden: Simplicity and Purity Toward Christ(00:10:30) - Christ as the Life and Power(00:16:30) - Facing the Controversial Subject(00:22:30) - Nothing is Possible Without the Holy Spirit(00:29:30) - The Cross Requires the Spirit(00:41:30) - The Meaning of Baptism: Immersion(00:45:33) - Don't be Afraid of the Holy Spirit(00:54:15) - Do You Know Jesus as the Baptizer?

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bible Readings Isaiah 40:1-5, Acts 13:13-26, Luke 1:57-66 Worship Folder Pastor John Melke Sermon text: Acts 13:24-26 24 Before he appeared publicly, John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But look! That One is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.' 26 “Gentlemen, brothers, sons of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, this message of salvation has been sent to you. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today's message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

What kind of men did Jesus call to be His twelve disciples? Was John the Baptist the second Elijah? What did Jesus say about the Baptizer? And here's the good news about “The Lord's Prayer.” 

Saint Isaac the Syrian asks the question that has been put forward for centuries - “how are we to pray?”  In fact, our Lord himself was asked by his disciples to teach them how to pray as John the Baptizer taught his disciples. Within a few beautiful paragraphs Isaac opens up for us not only what we are to pray for but why. What Isaac would have us understand is that our prayer should be a reflection both of who God is and what he is revealed already in regard to his desires for us and a reflection of who we are and our understanding of our dignity and destiny in Christ. It is as if God says to us, “I became man in order that you might become God. If you did not desire to become God, you would do me wrong“. We are to refrain from asking for the things of this world not because it is wrong to do so in a moralistic or legalistic understanding of things. Rather, we are to ask for what is heavenly. At times our focus upon and anxiety about the things in this world makes our vision myopic. We lose sight of the presence of God and the life and the love that he has promised us. Isaac tells us that when our petitions to God are in accord with His glory then our honor is magnified before Him and He rejoices over us. Similarly, Isaac tells us, the angels and archangels are astonished and exalt whenever they behold one who has been made from the earth asking for what is heavenly – one who is been made from the dust asking for what endures to eternity. Therefore, Isaac, echoing the Scriptures tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all else will be given to us. We need only be humble and patient - trusting above all in the providence of God and not rush onwards to great measures before the appropriate time. “For anything”, Isaac tells us, “that is quickly obtained is also easily lost, whereas everything found with toil is also kept with careful watching.“ That which is precious comes only after striving to give our hearts to God and then we must hold onto it with great watchfulness.  What is most essential, however, is that we thirst for Jesus and that He would make us drunk with His love. Do not let your eyes focus on the delights of this world, but rather trust that God desires to give you his peace and the invincible joy of the kingdom. Simply put, “the man who desires the greatest things does not concern himself with a lesser“ --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:47 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 135, first full paragraph on this page 00:14:39 Myles Davidson: Top of pg. 135 “Do not become foolish…” 00:26:38 Anthony: This reminds me of a quote by Henri Nouwen, that our biggest affliction is a feeling of self hatred. You shared this on Facebook. 00:30:00 Rick Visser: Is it fair to say that Therese L. was disposed to a love that went beyond the sensual-- the felt--and was disposed to a pure love that transcended the feelings? 00:32:28 Joshua Sander: Isaac's mention of us leaving "our dunghill" for the things of Heaven also reminds me of C. S. Lewis, who writes, "It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." 00:33:53 Anna: So the desert fathers and mothers didn't have psychological tools and neurological tools to overcome things like anger, anxiety, fear and so on... did they overcome such things through only ascetic life and prayer? 00:35:58 Gwen's iPhone: It was Leo XIII allowed her to enter Carmel at a young age. 00:46:28 Rick Visser: What are vain repetitions in prayer? 00:46:35 Anthony: When we pray, should we be very specific,  or say only, "Lord have mercy as you know how"? 01:02:05 Rick Visser: Does this mean I must give up my herb garden and pray, give up the lesser things for the greatest things? 01:02:13 Eleana: lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi 01:10:01 Anthony: A Man For All Seasons,  the counsel Thomas More gives to the scholar 01:10:25 Anna: My daughter is asking... Were the desert fathers living in the desert and if so how did they find their food? 01:14:12 Myles Davidson: Desert Christians by William Harmless is a great book about how they lived 01:14:25 Catherine Opie: There are places in the desert where springs come up and monasteries are built on those places 01:15:36 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing 01:15:39 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:15:47 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you!! 01:15:54 Catherine Opie: Thank you God bless 01:16:03 David: Thank you father and may God bless you and your mother

Pastor David Miller will take us Beyond his Notes from the last sermon on Sunday. Matthew - The King has Come   Presented by McGregor Podcast 2025 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com

Matthew - The King has Come "John The Baptizer, No One Greater" (Matthew 3:1-17) Sermon Notes June 8, 2025 David Miller • Membership & Missions Pastor   Presented by McGregor Podcast 2025 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com

Week 2 | Baptizer with the Holy Spirit with Pastor Josef Massanari June 8, 2025 Visit us online https://www.cornerstonelv.com https://www.facebook.com/lvcornerstone  https://www.instagram.com/cornerstone_lv/

John The Baptizer | Upside Down Kingdom | Zach Chronley by Akouo Church

Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the life and ministry of John the Baptist - cousin of Jesus, lived in the wilderness, martyred by Herod, and much more.Transcript

Continuing to march through and with Mark. We have reached the touch passage of the beheading of John the Baptizer. We see in this passage the seriousness of sin and what it can drive those who love their sin to do. Praise God for His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus. May you love Him and not your sin. (During the sermon there was a health emergency with a church member. She is doing well. I did edit that part out, so I apologize if there is a rough cut.)www.christianpodcastcommunity.org

Like an overture that introduces a great musical work, John the Baptizer is the living voice sent by God to bear witness to Jesus' lordship and salvation.