Podcasts about because christ

Sermon Title: Moment at the MangerMain Scripture: Hebrews 2:14 "Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death."Synopsis: In this message, we look at the wonder of the incarnation. It is a call to see Christmas not as a means to get more from God, but to worship Him for what He has already given. Because Christ humbled Himself, fulfilled the law, defeated sin and death, and adopted us as God's children, the incarnation is more than enough. Like the shepherds and the wise men, we are invited to leave what's familiar, bow in worship, and respond with gratitude.December 21, 2025 • Kyle Smith• • • • • • • •.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Join us for service in person and online every Sunday at 10am (MST) at the City Life Community Center in Missoula, MT. We believe that you matter. We would love to connect with you and hear your story! https://www.anchorchurchmissoula.com/contactIf you would like to engage financially with Anchor Church you can give by texting any amount to 84321 or by visiting https://www.anchorchurchmissoula.comNeed prayer or have a praise report? https://www.anchorchurchmissoula.com/prayerpraiseFor more information about Anchor Church or ways to get connected visit us at https://www.www.anchorchurchmissoula.com or follow us on our social media platforms below.Instagram - @anchorchurchmissoula - https://www.instagram.com/anchorchurchmissoulaFacebook - @anchorchurchmissoula - https://www.facebook.com/anchorchurchmissoula

Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2 December 21, 2025 AM.We began reading through a harmony of Matthew and Luke birth accounts of Jesus. We looked at a few debated issues, like whether Mary and Joseph wanted to stay in an "inn" but were turned away; whether December 25 was really the date of Jesus's birth, Christmas trees, the abbreviation Xmas, and who the "three kings of orient" are. Why Christmas? Because of the incarnation. And why the incarnation? Because Christ came to reveal God to us, to die for us and rise again, and to call us to repent and receive life instead of judgment. The whole Christian faith is the reason for Christmas. Do not be a grinch that steals the real meaning of Christmas. And do not let the secular society define your belief and practice of Christmas!

Because Christ is born, our faith can stand secure, as we receive God's gift of salvation and trust in His promises.

Because Christ has come, we should love him.In the fourth and final week of Advent, we look at Isaiah 11:1-10 and how it encourages us, in light of the coming of Jesus, to be a people who deeply love him.

Because Christ is the Perfect Image of the invisible God, our all-powerful Creator and Redeemer, we must entrust all we are and have to Him and praise Him as Lord and Savior of all. I. Christ is Preeminent as Creator of All Things (1) He is the Perfect Image of the Invisible God (2) He is the First-Born of Creation (3) He is Before All Thing (4) He Holds All Things Together II. Christ is Preeminent as Redeemer of All Things (1) He is the Head of the Church (2) He is the Beginning (3) He is the Firstborn from the Dead (4) He is Preeminent (5) He is the One in Whom the Fulness of God Dwells (5) He is Our Savior Who Reconciles Us to God by the Blood of His Cross

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1-5 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today's episode, December 16th, 2025, Hunter invites us into the pages of First Peter, encouraging listeners with the message that our God is both with us and is love itself—even when life's trials seem overwhelming. Together, we journey through the themes of hope, transformation, and sincere love for one another, guided by Peter's call to embrace God's grace and kindness, and to support each other in our faith. As Hunter reminds us, the story of God's love ends not in betrayal but in an eternal embrace—a kiss of peace and acceptance. The episode closes with prayers for strength, peace, and unity, urging us to let God's joy be our strength and to share that hope with those around us. Whether you're tuning in during a difficult season or simply seeking daily encouragement, today's message is a gentle reminder: you are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: This letter ends with a kiss. Peter admonishes the church to kiss one another, to offer each other a kiss of love. Christ offers us a kiss today, too. Even in the reading of this word, we can receive a kiss of love, his embrace. We can receive the kindness that he offers us. That's what we have in Christ. And our story will end just like this letter ends, with a kiss and an embrace from him. Judas offered Jesus a kiss, but it was a kiss of betrayal. All of us have offered God that same kiss of betrayal, in one way or another. We once were enemies of God, opposed to Him. But God was never opposed to us. And he was never our enemy. And he does not deal with us as our sins deserve. He does not betray us as we have betrayed Him. He does not even turn away from us in the wake of our betrayals. No. He does something absolutely scandalous. He offers us love in exchange for our betrayal. He doesn't pay back in kind. He gives us instead a kiss of love. And that love cost Him. The price was paid not in silver and gold, but with his precious blood shed for all of us—the sinless, spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Because Christ gave us a kiss of love for our betrayal, Peter says we must show sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters. You are cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth. So now he says you must show sincere love for each other. Love each other deeply with all your heart. That's verse 22. This letter ends with a kiss. So let's do that. I know that right now is kind of a strange time to be thinking about, let alone actually trying to do what the Scriptures are admonishing us to do here. It might be a real long time before we offer each other a kiss of love at our churches. But there are other ways that we can show kindness to each other. We can embrace each other regardless of our differences. We can do what Peter has said here. We can do what the Spirit implores us to do, even if for a while we have to hold back from actually physically kissing one another. But the point still stands, doesn't it? It does indeed. Christ offers us that kiss today. Go ahead and receive it. Allow yourself to receive that. You might cringe at first at the thought for a whole host of reasons, but just take a moment, will you, and receive God's kiss, God's embrace of you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Because Christ is risen, we who are saints know our future resurrection is certain, our present suffering is not final, and our faith is not in vain—we are still standing.

Because Christ has come, we should rejoice.In the third week of Advent, we consider the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-7. In light of Christ's coming, Christians should be a people of profound joy!

Title: “Not An Empty Visit” Part 3 Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 FCF: We often struggle identifying true faith in contrast to non-saving faith. Prop: Because only true faith saves, we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Today we will conclude the thought that Paul began with in chapter 2. However, keen observers might have noticed that there is a significant amount of overlap between chapter 1 and what we've discussed in chapter 2 so far. Indeed, if you took it upon yourself to set the two chapters side by side and drew lines or highlighted with different colors themes that are saying the same things with different words – you could illustrate this quite clearly. I won't impose that upon you – but if you are up for the challenge, I'm sure it would be profitable to you. Chapter 2 has largely been put to the Thessalonians in order to prove to them that the mission to their city was one that proved to be fruitless. Paul began by stating that they know it was not in vain because it was God's Gospel at work. He continued by saying that they know it was not in vain because they conducted themselves like a family. Today, Paul will conclude his assurance to them, in that they know it was not in vain because it rendered familiar results both positively and negatively. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Holy Father, You have revealed Yourself to us Your people through the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to us, as God With Us. He has come to us to save us from sin, death, hell, the devil, and the kingdom of darkness. You have freed us from the tyranny of our own wisdom and enabled us to believe in You the giver of life. God give us eyes to behold the truth of Your word this morning as we see what makes true faith and what awaits us if we are without it. May we take the words of hope and warning today in faith, and may it have the effect upon us You desire. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Faith that saves has one distinguishing quality; saving faith is a faith that produces obedience, it is a faith that brings about a way of life.” Billy Graham “A man at his wit's end is not at his faith's end.” Matthew Henry “The function of faith is to turn God's promises into facts.” J. Oswald Chambers Let these thoughts wash over you as we embark on the truth of the passage this morning. I.) True faith produces belief in God's Word and suffering for Christ, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (13-14) a. [Slide 3] 13 - And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. i. It takes two sides to make a visit profitable. ii. Paul has, in the first twelve verses, explained how he and his companions did their part to produce a successful and fruitful mission among them. iii. They took God's gospel and gave it to them without unseemly methods or greedy motives. iv. They adopted them as family and loved them accordingly. They cared for them like parents, both supplying what they needed to grow and thrive and teaching them to live a life worthy of God's Kingdom. v. But all of this would have been for nothing if the message was ineffective to produce any kind of spiritual change in them. vi. In fact, without God's empowering the message of His gospel, the Thessalonians would never have heard it as His Word. vii. So Paul gives thanks once again, without ceasing, to God, that the Thessalonians responded to the message the way they did. viii. Going back to chapter 1 verse 4-5, we see that Paul expresses similar thoughts. ix. He is thanking God because he is confident that the Thessalonian believers were elect of God. x. Why? xi. Primarily because of how the gospel came to them. xii. Not in word only (ie words of men only) but in the power of the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. xiii. Paul's thanksgiving here is expressed in more detail. xiv. What does it mean that the gospel came in power, in the Spirit, and with full conviction? xv. It means they responded in true faith. Well, how do they know they have true faith? There are two examples in this text. xvi. First, that they believed the content of the message as though it were from God and second, that they received the power of the message. 1. The content of the message, if received in true faith, must be from God. a. The evangelists were demonstrating holy, righteous, and blameless lifestyles and exhorting, encouraging and insisting that the Thessalonians do the same. b. All of this is couched in the idea that a Kingdom is coming where Christ reigns over all, and demands purest devotion and worship. c. The same Lord who died to save them from their sins, will one day return to judge the living and the dead. He will restore His people and make them to rule with Him in that Kingdom. d. If someone receives this in true faith – they must conclude it is from God. e. Paul reveals in a later letter that the Word of God is hidden from those who are without God's Spirit. God's Spirit must do a work in an unbeliever in order to enable them to understand and believe what the Word of God teaches. f. So, we say that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God… which is true. But hearing the Word of God to the point of understanding that it is from God and even what that message means – all comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. g. We call this step in the salvation process – regeneration. And although the bible does not explicitly teach that it precedes faith, the scriptures clearly teach that God must do something to enable a person to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. And He must do this to bring them out of their spiritually dead state. Since this is what regeneration is, it is safe for us to conclude that it must precede faith. h. Paul alludes to this here – in that the Thessalonians did not perceive this as a message from men – but they took what the evangelists said as the very words of God. A conclusion they could not have arrived at without the power of the Holy Spirit – which Paul said in chapter 1, did happen when the gospel came to them. 2. The second way we know they responded in true faith, is by the powerful result of that message being received. a. To those who truly believe, the Word of God produces an effect. b. We should expect the Word of God, preached, taught, read, heard, studied, mediated on, memorized, and illustrated to have a powerful effect upon those who are truly God's people. c. Warnings about sin and falling away, and pursuing righteousness, and loving God and others – should have a distinct influence over the hearts of those who are God's people. d. It is a predictable outcome that if absent calls into question the very legitimacy of our faith. xvii. So how specifically were the Thessalonians powerfully affected by the Word they received from God? b. [Slide 4] 14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, i. Paul calls out their suffering in the same way that the first members of the church suffered. ii. In fact, he uses the word – imitate again. iii. This also goes back to chapter 1 verse 6. iv. They became imitators of Christ and the evangelists by receiving the word with affliction. v. Paul again denotes that Christians are the same no matter where they are. Whether in Judea or Macedonia. They are also the same no matter WHEN they are. Whether at Pentecost in the formation of the church or now. vi. There are general markers that are common among all those who receive true faith. vii. In this example, Paul points to how on the day of Pentecost, believers on Christ suffered great persecution at the hands of fellow countrymen who rejected the gospel. viii. In a similar way, the Thessalonians are being treated quite poorly by their neighbors, family, friends, and others in the city who rejected the gospel message. ix. Being persecuted by unbelievers who are among those closest to you is one way that the legitimacy of your faith is demonstrated. c. [Slide 5] Summary of the Point: Paul's primary point in this chapter so far has been to verify that the mission they had among the Thessalonians only a few months previous, was not an empty and fruitless mission. Countering the claims of their fellow residents of Thessalonica, Paul knows it wasn't fruitless because they spoke God's gospel with confidence and for His approval. He also knows it wasn't fruitless because they felt a familial connection to the Thessalonians. And finally, they know it wasn't a fruitless mission because it produced predictable results in the city. The first result is regarding those who received the gospel message. Because they received this message in true faith, they were convinced it was a message from God and were changed by this message to the extent that they endured suffering for Christ's name. True faith produces belief in God's Word and a willingness, and even a joy to endure suffering for Christ's sake. This would be very encouraging to the Thessalonians, to know that these seasoned believers were confident in their faith. But our application must cautiously approach this. We must begin rather with a need for us to make sure that we have received true faith in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can we be assured and take comfort in the apostle's words. Transition: [Slide 6 (blank)] But what other predictable result comes when the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly received by a group of people? In what else does Paul draw confidence that the Thessalonian mission was not fruitless? II.) Without true faith it is impossible to please God or be at peace with Him or mankind, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (15-16) a. [Slide 7] 15 - who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, i. Paul now embarks upon what seems like a rabbit trail. ii. He seeks to expand upon the behavior of the Jewish people who have so opposed the gospel message and have had a history of opposing God's word in general. iii. Here he says that these same Jews who persecuted their own countrymen for believing on Jesus, are the ones who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. iv. Paul again uses familial or collective language. Obviously, the same people who killed Jesus could not be the ones who killed all the prophets down through their history. And most likely they are not the same ones who drove Paul or the apostles out of Judea. v. Instead, Paul refers to a branch of Israel that has been cut off. vi. Paul is not being antisemitic here. He is merely pointing out a group of people who although having the racial privilege of being God's portion, have continued to reject Him as their King and Lord. vii. They are following in an unfortunate history of the Jewish people who strayed from Yahweh both in worship and in conduct to kill their own prophets and those God has sent to speak the truth to them. viii. The crown jewel in this ungodly behavior is, of course, the murder of their own Messiah and God – Jesus of Nazareth. ix. They continued their work of unbelief with Paul and his companions. b. [Slide 8] and drove us out, i. This could be referring to several instances where the Jews drove Paul or Christ's other servants out of certain places. ii. The “us” here could simply refer to Jewish believers, or may even refer to the evangelists themselves. iii. In any case – he points to the majority opposition of the Jewish people to receive their own Messiah or any who preach in His name. c. [Slide 9] and do not please God, i. Since Jesus is God's Messiah, His Servant, the Son of Man that the Ancient of Days will lift up to occupy the same throne as Yahweh… ii. You cannot oppose Christ or Christ's followers without also opposing God. iii. It is impossible for any to please God without first believing on Jesus Christ. iv. All the effort put in keeping the law, even if it were successful, would fail to please God if the person did not put their faith in Christ alone. v. And so, these Jews, in spite of being God's portion and part of Abraham's line, cannot please God and oppose His Son or His Son's Bride, at the same time. vi. But not only are they opposed to God… d. [Slide 10] and are hostile to all men, i. In opposing Christ, the Savior of the world, it is also impossible to love others. ii. To reject Christ is to render yourself unable to truly love other human beings. iii. Why? iv. Because Christ is the hope of the nations. Christ is the King of Kings. Christ is the Bright and Morning Star. Christ is the Lord of Light. v. As Psalm 2 says, we must kiss the Son lest He be angry. vi. All nations must bow to His rule. All nations have hope only in His rule. vii. All nations who do not hope in Him, will cease to exist. viii. And so, to oppose Christ is to oppose the only hope the nations have. ix. The most hateful thing you can do to humanity is to reject His Messiah and harm His Son's Bride. x. Our culture says the most loving thing you can do is to be tolerant and accepting to all faiths. xi. The truth could not be more opposed to this thought. xii. The exclusivity of Christ as Savior and Lord of all, is the way we establish peace with all men. Peace only comes by the Exclusive rule of Christ alone. xiii. Next, Paul specifically calls out in what way the Jews were hostile to all men… e. [Slide 11] 16 - hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; i. To hinder the gospel message from going out to the nations is to hate the nations. ii. To stop the message of Christ crucified for sinners is to hate sinners and desire their eternal judgment. iii. The salvation of every man's soul rests in the work of Christ, alone. iv. And to prevent this message from going to all men – is to hate all men. v. No, telling people they are sinners and they need a Savior is not hateful, or unkind. It is the most loving thing we could do. But do you know what is truly hateful and hostile? Doing what you can to prevent others hearing the exclusive gospel of Jesus Christ. vi. Suggesting there are many paths to God through many religions, is the most hateful and hostile thing you could ever tell someone. vii. Since the Jews have opposed God, and man in this way… what is the result? f. [Slide 12] with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. i. Their sins have come to completion. ii. There is a call back here to the ban God put on the Canaanite nations before Israel entered into the promised land. iii. God speaks of the sins of the people who lived in the land as filling up a cup. Or coming to completion. iv. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in a similar way, telling them that they are filling up the cup of their judgment. v. Like when you cook rice on a stove top… vi. The starches in the rice react to the boiling water and produce bubbles. And those bubbles if not kept in check with rise to the top and overflow. vii. Burnt rice water on a glass stove top is one mess you don't want to have to clean up – Not that I know from experience

In today's Advent reflection, Paul reminds us that God's heart has always been for all people and that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to bless every nation. Because Christ has welcomed us with open arms, we're called to welcome others with that same generosity — choosing unity over division, mercy over suspicion, and peace over agitation. Romans 15 shows us that God's family is far bigger and wider than we often imagine, and we're invited to live like that's true. As Paul closes with his beautiful blessing — that the God of hope would fill us with joy, peace, and an abundance of hope through the Holy Spirit — we're reminded that these Advent gifts don't come from perfect circumstances but from God's presence with us. Today, we're invited to embody that welcome, that unity, and that hope as we move through our day.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015%3A%207-13&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, yet many people enter this season exhausted, overwhelmed, or feeling far from joyful and triumphant. In this message, Lead Pastor Aaron Pennington opens our Christmas series, Songs of Christmas, by taking us deeper into the meaning behind the classic hymn O Come All Ye Faithful.Rather than treating Christmas music as background noise, Pastor Aaron shows how this 250 year old hymn is actually a calling to reorient our hearts toward Jesus. Using Colossians 1, Matthew 11, Hebrews 4, and the overarching story of Scripture, he explains what it truly means to adore Christ and why adoration goes far beyond seasonal emotion. It is the highest biblical expression of worship, placing Christ as the supreme affection of our lives.Whether you walked into this season feeling faithful, joyful, or triumphant, or whether you feel weary, broken, disappointed, or unsure about faith, this message reminds you that the hymn is not describing your performance. It is describing the victory of Jesus that you step into by faith.Pastor Aaron also addresses the emotional weight many people carry in December and offers the comfort Jesus gives to the weary. Because Christ took on flesh and experienced suffering, betrayal, exhaustion, and pain, we can never say to God, “You do not understand.” He understands completely and invites us to come boldly to receive mercy and grace.This message will help you slow down, refocus your heart, and rediscover why Jesus is worthy of all devotion, affection, and adoration this Christmas. Learn why Christmas is not about having it all together but about the Savior who came to rescue us, redeem us, and offer eternal life to all who trust him.

Peace on earth is more than a Christmas sentiment. Pastor Chris Meads teaches from Romans 5 that true peace comes only through being justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Because Christ becomes our righteousness, we now live with peace with God, access to grace today, and hope for glory when He returns.

Join Pastor Stuart for the seventh lesson in our series, High Hopes. Today, we look at Colossians 1:24-27 to hear a message . . . "Christ in You, the Hope of Glory". In this message, we hear the following points: We are to find great encouragement in these seven words: Christ in you, the hope of glory. Christ dwells with and in his people by the Holy Spirit. The hope God promises in Christ is glory. Because Christ dwells in us by the Spirit, we who believe are guaranteed glory. These truths give us great confidence not simply for the future, but also for today. So let's live in a way that demonstrates Christ lives in us and he is our hope of glory. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC. Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Because Christ has come, you should set your hope in Him.Advent Series Description: Advent is the season of the year when Christians reflect upon the coming of Jesus. Our Savior's lowly incarnation & birth at Christmastime was the fulfillment of prophetic hopes the Scriptures had been sounding for centuries. In this series, we explore four key prophetic passages that reveal Christ and point to the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.To begin the Advent season, we consider the prophecy of Isaiah 40:1-11, a passage that encourages us to set our hope on Christ. Because Christ has come, you should set your hope in Him.

In this sermon on Leviticus 23:4–5 and Luke 22:7–20, Robin Kinstead continues the Thanksgiving for Jesus the Messiah series by exploring the meaning of Passover and redemption. He traces the original Passover event in Exodus 12, where God rescued Israel from slavery through the blood of a spotless lamb, and shows how this rescue anticipates the greater salvation Jesus accomplishes as the true Passover Lamb. Robin explains how Jesus fulfills the Passover meal at the Last Supper, establishing the new covenant in His body and blood, and calls the church to remember God's rescue with gratitude rather than entitlement. He also connects the Passover to the Lord's Supper and the believer's ongoing call to repentance, reconciliation, and holy living, reminding us that Jesus is not only the Lamb who was slain but the risen Lamb who reigns and will gather His people to the final feast in the new creation. 5 Questions to Think About: How does the original Passover in Exodus 12 help you appreciate more deeply Jesus' sacrifice as the true Passover Lamb? What does Jesus mean when He says, “Do this in remembrance of me” during the Last Supper (Luke 22:19–20)—and how do you respond to that call? In what ways might entitlement or forgetfulness lead you to lose sight of God's rescue and instead diminish your gratitude? How should examining yourself and pursuing reconciliation (as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 11:28) shape the way you approach the Lord's Supper? What difference does it make in your daily life to remember that Jesus is the Lamb who was slain and the risen Lamb who reigns (Revelation 5:6–10)? 3 Things to Take Away from the Message: Jesus is our Passover Lamb — He redeems us from sin through His body given and His blood poured out (Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Remembering shapes our hearts — God gives His people feasts and practices like the Lord's Supper to form gratitude, humility, and dependence rather than entitlement (Leviticus 23:4–5). Redemption leads to holy living — Because Christ has bought us at great cost, we are called to live reconciled, repentant, and set-apart lives until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:28; Revelation 5:9–10).

November 28, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Workers of All KindsDaily Lectionary: Isaiah 2:1-22; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; 1 Peter 1:13-25“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The language here is…challenging. Slave. Obey. Earthly masters. Just as you would obey Christ. First of all, slaves. Second of all, I'm not even great at obeying Christ in the first place, let alone sinners like every earthly master. I'm not going to parse the word slave and come up with a definition that's more palatable. I'm not going to wax eloquent on the working class that can't escape poverty. Almost all of you have someone in charge of you. That's plenty to talk about already. When one sinner has power over another, that doesn't naturally produce a sense of peace. Those kinds of power dynamics are easy to abuse. But Luther sees only gift. Vocation isn't just “thou shalt not rage against the machine.” The gift of vocation sees God behind all things. Even sinners who are your boss. Ephesians says to serve them as if you were serving Christ. Because Christ works through your neighbor. Now there are two things to talk about. First, if your boss abuses you, that's always bad. That's never good. God is not pleased by this sin. You can tell, not because He gives you the boss, but because He gives your boss the same Ten Commandments. Second, you can expect God to work good through your boss anyway. Think about it, as sinful as all of us are, and as prone as those power dynamics are to abuse, we have not descended into anarchy. God brings more good from these relationships than we have any right to deserve, but we can expect them anyway because He is gracious. When it comes to your boss, recognize that God wants to care for you through them. Your role as a worker, in whatever phraseology you use, is challenging. Because all of us, in an uneven power dynamic, would rather be God than the Christian. Repent, and recognize just how much good we receive because God, who is powerful, is merciful to us. He even wants to use your boss to make sure you're provided for. It won't be perfect this side of glory, but we can dare to hope because God, who knows your boss too, dares to promise good here. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In what You give us, Lord, to do, Together or alone, In old routines or ventures new, May we not cease to look to You, The cross You hung upon— All You endeavored done. (LSB 853:4)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

November 27, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 17:11-19Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 1:1-28; 1 Peter 1:1-12“[the lepers] lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.'” (Luke 17:13)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today, we celebrate the blessed and historic feast of American Thanksgiving and try to keep the sarcasm off our faces. Pilgrims and Indians ate together, got along perfectly, and avoided arguing about politics. If you sprinkle some Jesus on it, there's a sermon in there about who you're thankful to. The problem is, I'm bad at it. All I can do is hang onto the losses. The what could have beens. I can come up with something to say at the table, but my heart just isn't in it most years. I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me a long list of stuff I can't list here because of word counts. This is most certainly true. Still, it's easier to find two things missing than all the ones there. That's why trying to be more thankful doesn't work for long. We don't need Thanksgiving sermons here. We need Jesus healing the least of these. Us. This is more than just a reminder to look on the bright side. Leprosy sermons aren't about feeling better with your lot in life; they're about Jesus helping people who can't help themselves. He's not with the worthy, but the outcasts, the unclean, and even helps those who don't know what thankfulness really is. Even the nine who fail to return are still healed. Because Christ isn't in it for the thank yous. He did it because He loves them. He bears the cross for them. And He loves you. It isn't measured in how many things you can list at the table to give thanks for. It's measured in the cross. Only Samaritan was truly thankful because thankfulness isn't halfhearted praise, but going back to the source for more. True thankfulness is getting seconds because that means more to whoever cooked for you all day than anything else. Go to the Thanksgiving Meal. The Eucharist. Communion. Then, go back for more. Thanksgiving is just returning to it over and over, heaping everything else that wasn't enough on a pile, and rejoicing in forgiveness and mercy for it all. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest home; Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, There, forever purified, In Thy garner to abide: Come with all Thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home. (LSB 892:4)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

As we head into a season full of special occasions, extended family dynamics, and old patterns, I've been thinking a lot about boundaries, forgiveness, reconciliation, and what it actually means to be self-sacrificing.  We all need better boundaries, especially with the people outside our immediate home during the holidays, because boundaries are vital for protecting our peace.  But so often, boundaries feel bad because we confuse protecting our peace with being selfish.  We get told to "offer it up" and "serve others," and while those are beautiful invitations, how we go about doing that matters just as much as the actions we take In today's podcast episode I explore the difference between harboring a grudge and simply being guarded, the distinction between forgiveness and reconciliation, and why you can forgive someone fully and still not want them present in certain spaces of your life. And how setting healthy boundaries to protect your peace can be an act of unconditional love. Because Christ calls us to unconditional love, not servitude.  Self-sacrificial love is intentional, it bears good fruit. If the fruits of your actions are guilt, shame, resentment, or emotional turmoil, that's a sign you might be acting sacrificial, not being sacrificial. And we talk sort through it all in today's value-packed episode! So, if you're wrestling with grudges, navigating historically hard family dynamics, and dreading the upcoming holidays (or even just homeschooling today), then grab your earbuds and join me for: Boundaries, Forgiveness, and Being Self-Sacrificial.   Celebrate the Catholic New Year with me! Use the (case sensitive) code: HAPPYNEWYEAR to take 20% off the Monthly or Lifetime Membership tiers of Happy, Holy Mama HERE!

Teacher: Larry Kim (Central Square Church) Text: Acts 2:1-8 NIV Guest preacher Larry Kim continues The Story series with Acts 2, when God fulfills His promise to dwell with His people forever through the Holy Spirit. With wind, fire, and the miracle of tongues, the Spirit forms the Church and empowers ordinary people with God's own power. Because Christ now lives in us, we're invited to live differently—rooted in God's promise, power, purpose, and presence.

Because Christ died and rose again, we who are united to Him by faith will also rise from the grave to be in the presence of God.

Main Point: Because Christ is coming again, be patient in suffering and steadfast in faithChrist is Coming Again (5:7-8)God will vindicate his people and give them victory over their enemies. That is a promise! But that promise is something we have to wait forBecause Christ is coming again, we don't have to vindicate ourselves or retaliate against our enemies. We leave the judgment to himBe Patient in Suffering (5:10)Be Steadfast in Faith (5:11)Because Christ is coming again, be patient in suffering and steadfast in faithPut Patience into Practice (5:9, 12)Waiting for the Lord keeps us from turning against one another in times of difficulty (v. 9)Waiting for the Lord keeps us from manipulating others to change our situation (v. 12)

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:   The Preeminence of Christ Today we're in Colossians 1:13–20, one of the highest mountain peaks in all of Scripture. Paul takes us straight to the throne of the preeminent Christ—the One who rescued us from the dominion of darkness, the One by whom and for whom everything exists, the One in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, the One who reconciled all things by the blood of His cross. Here's the big idea we'll keep coming back to: Jesus Christ is supreme over creation, supreme over the new creation, and therefore supreme over every square inch of our lives. The proposition is simple and life-changing: Because Christ is preeminent in everything, we must gladly give Him first place in everything. During the next minutes we'll look at three points in the text: He has delivered us and transferred us (vv. 13–14) He is the Creator and Sustainer who holds all things together (vv. 15–17) He is the Head of the church and the Reconciler of all things (vv. 18–20) Then we'll land on some very practical ways this supreme Christ changes how we wake up tomorrow morning, how we face cancer or any other trial, how we treat our spouse, how we spend our money, and how we speak about Jesus to our neighbors. * * * * * Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word! If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media. "Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Revive Us Again" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. 

This talk will offer an introduction to the principle that Christ is not a human "person" but is fully human. The first half of the talk will explore how this is expressed in the foundational Patristic writers (especially Cyril of Alexandria), and then the other half will explain why this principle is essential to understanding that salvation flows from Christ's humanity. Because Christ is the person of the Word (with his humanity) we are saved by union with the Word's humanity.

This talk examines the question of whether Jesus Christ possessed the theological virtue of faith and, if not, in what sense he can be called faithful. Drawing upon Scripture, and particularly the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, it argues that while Christ did not have faith in the proper sense—since faith concerns truths not yet seen—he nevertheless embodied its perfection through the beatific vision granted to him from the first moment of his conception. Aquinas teaches that faith and the beatific vision are mutually exclusive: one either sees God's essence directly, as in the vision of the blessed, or one believes in what is unseen. Because Christ, as the Incarnate Word, saw the Father immediately, he did not live by faith but by vision. Yet this vision was necessary for his role as the immovable and perfect principle of human salvation, the “author and finisher of faith” (Heb 12:2). The study further explores the Pauline expression pistis Christou (“faith/faithfulness of Christ”) and argues that even if read as a subjective genitive, the phrase refers not to Christ's personal act of believing but to his unwavering fidelity to the Father's salvific will. Through his obedience “unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8), Christ merited the perfection of faith without sharing its defect of unseeing. Consequently, his beatific knowledge grounds his perfect charity, by which he redeemed humanity. Thus, while Christ did not have faith as a wayfarer does, he was supremely faithful—the exemplar and efficient cause of all faith. His fidelity, flowing from divine vision and perfect love, ensures the faith and salvation of those united to him.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 7-10 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today's episode for Friday, November 17th—day 321 of our journey through the Bible—Hunter invites us into a time of reflection, encouragement, and prayer rooted in Second Corinthians chapters 7 through 10. Together, we explore the themes of generosity, spiritual strength, and the source of true Christian living found in Christ. Hunter reminds us of the promises we have in Jesus, guiding us to cleanse our hearts, embrace holiness, and rely on God's power for a life that is both generous and resilient. Through thoughtful prayer and insightful commentary, we learn that we have all the riches and strength we need in Christ, empowering us to serve, give, endure, and heal. Prepare to enter a new day with God's word spoken over you, uplifting prayers for yourself and the world, and encouragement to walk in truth, peace, and hope—trusting in the deep love God has for you. Let's continue this journey together, discovering joy and strength in every step. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Do you want to live a life that is generous and strong? Can you afford to live a generous Christian life? Do you have strength to defend yourself against spiritual attack—or, forget about spiritual attack, just plain old discouragement, depression, or self-loathing? We all need strength to overcome these things, whether spiritual or otherwise. Paul reminds us in the previous chapters where our riches for generous living and the strength for our struggles come from. They come from the One who alone is rich enough and strong enough. They come from Christ. Christ in you. So, do you want to live a life that is generous and strong? Then Christ will be the source of your strength and the source of your riches—your heart partnering with him to serve, to give, to endure, and to be healed. Yesterday's reading sets this up for us: it says that God's power is working in us. And now, in today's passage, 2 Corinthians 7:1, we read, "Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. Let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God." So, what's the promise? It's the promise of Christ's presence in you. What are the earmarks of holy living? Generosity and strength. Because Christ lives in you, you are able to cleanse yourself from everything that defiles your body and spirit. Now, you have the strength and generosity to move forward and to experience real change. Because you fear God, because Christ lives in you, you have what you need. Can you afford a generous life? It depends on how rich you are. Do you have the strength you need to move forward? Well, that depends on how strong you are. How rich are you? How strong are you? If Christ is in you, then you have all the riches you need and then some. If Christ is in you, then you have all the strength you need and then some. And I'm here to tell you, Christ is in you. As John said, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." So because we have these promises, we can live the Christian life. Let's be awakened today by the presence of God in you, your true life which is hidden in Him. You have been fully embraced in Christ just as you are in Him. You are a new creation, and because of Him, you can be wise and generous—strong. And the prayer of my own heart today is that we will all begin to see this just a little bit more today than we did yesterday. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family—for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

This week, Pastor John Durham concluded our Desert Rose series with a message from Mark 15, reminding us that Jesus entered the deepest form of loneliness so that we would never be alone. On the cross, He was forsaken so we could be accepted, and His separation allowed for our connection with God. Because Christ fills our loneliness with Himself, we can live with confidence that we are seen, we are not abandoned, and we are called to represent His love to others.

Because Christ finished His work for us, there can be no doubt that He will finish His work in us. Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 51-52 & Hebrews 9 

Because Christ, our Divine Warrior, has triumphed over all principalities and powers, we must stand firm in His strength, taking up His armor and persevering in prayer for the advance of His kingdom.

Because Christ has triumphed in the cross, no one can judge Christians based on those things that Jesus has fulfilled. The Old Testament regulations concerning food and drink and Sabbaths are a shadow of the body of Christ who has now been revealed. Although false preachers peddle practices that may look religious, any worship or piety that does not teach us to cling to Christ has no value. Only Christ, the Head of the Church, can hold His body together and cause it to grow and bear fruit.  Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Colossians 2:16-23.  To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit gracebrenham.org. “Letters from Prison” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Even when Paul was imprisoned for the sake of Christ, the Word of God remained unbound. The apostle's letters from prison still fill us with the same joy that his chains could never silence. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

"If you knew what that man did to me..." Barry addresses the emotionally challenging (yet liberating) journey of forgiving your father. Tune in to discover what forgiveness truly is, what it is not, and why it is crucial for your personal and generational healing.Get some discipline! Join the FS100 Challenge by signing up today!FS Facebook FS Instagram FS YouTube Got a question? Need some discipline? Email Barry at barry@fatherseekers.orgTIMELINE00:00 How can I forgive HIM?00:33 Because Christ forgave you02:03 Misconceptions About Forgiveness04:34 The True Meaning of Forgiveness06:40 The Journey and Importance of Forgiveness09:11 God's Requirement for Forgiveness16:03 Practical Steps to Forgiveness21:08 fatherseekers.org--FatherSeekers helps fatherless fathers become better fathers.Get discussion guides, devotionals, and more at FS Website

“A Psalm to Help Us Pray” Psalm 20               November 2, 2025 Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn  Sermon Application [file]   ----more---- Psalm 20:1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! [2] May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! [3] May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah [4] May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! [5] May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! [6] Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. [7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. [8] They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. [9] O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call.  I. The Nature of Psalm 20 II. This Psalm Points Beyond David to Christ III. Because Christ's Prayers Were Answered, Ours Will Be IV. How This Psalm Helps Us Pray 

there are certain things that only God can accomplish. Man has his part but it all depends on God.When you see people coming to Christ, then you know that God is at work for only God can save souls.Only God Can Save A PersonOnly God can draw someone to Himself.no one can draw any body to God.II. Only God Can Cause People To Seek After Him.Rom 3:10-1210 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.. Only God Can Convict A Man Of Their Sin.Only God Can Convict Someone Regarding Who Christ Is And What He Did On CalvaryWe can argue with an atheist all day but will get nowhere unless God is working in their heart. This is why prayer and evangelism go hand in hand.VI. Only God Can Convict The World Of Judgment.Because Christ bore our sins on Calvary, He was judged for us.Only God Can Bring Real Revival.

Main Idea. Only the blood of Jesus brings sinners out of darkness and into fellowship with God. Question. Why do we need the blood of Jesus to have fellowship with God? 1. Because God is holy (v.5) 2. Because sin breaks fellowship (v.6) 3. Because Christ's blood restores fellowship (v.7) Takeaways (for walking in the light). Cling to Christ. Confess your sin. Live in fellowship.

Because Christ is God the Son sent by the Father and revealed the Spirit, we must give Him our whole attention and follow Him faithfully as Lord and Savior. I. The Declaration by God the Father that this is His Son! v 5 II. The Fear that Fell Upon the Disciples Because of the Presence of God in His Glory v 6 III. The Mediator and the Comfort that Comes When Jesus Draws Near! . vv 7-8

Because Christ has won, we do not need to fear the loss of what this world might take.

According to a NASA engineer, Jesus was coming back in 1988, then 1989 and he was wrong. Then Jesus was supposed to come in 2000 during Y2K, then in 2012 at the end of the Mayan calendar and then in 2020. How do people keep getting this wrong? Because Christ himself said ONLY the Father knows when it will all go down. The Stwrong1 has spoken… Kneel This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingsplaining.substack.com/subscribe

Because Christ will certainly return at an unexpected time, His disciples must remain watchful and faithful, living each day in obedience and readiness.

Sunday, September 14, 2025 - Today, Pastor Mike titles the message: “Identity Determines Activity.” We live in a culture where identity has become one of the most confusing and contested issues of our time. People are searching—often desperately—for something to anchor who they are. Too many look to the wrong sources: past achievements or failures, the opinions of others, or the ever-changing standards of society. For those of us who are born again—washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and standing on the unshakable Word of God—our identity comes not from man, but from God. Because Christ lives in us, the way we live—our actions, our character, our decisions—must reflect the identity we have in Him. Holiness is not optional. Obedience is not outdated. We are called to prove our identity to a watching world in authenticity and love. Come worship and study with us.

Sunday, September 14, 2025 - Today, Pastor Mike titles the message: “Identity Determines Activity.” We live in a culture where identity has become one of the most confusing and contested issues of our time. People are searching—often desperately—for something to anchor who they are. Too many look to the wrong sources: past achievements or failures, the opinions of others, or the ever-changing standards of society. For those of us who are born again—washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and standing on the unshakable Word of God—our identity comes not from man, but from God. Because Christ lives in us, the way we live—our actions, our character, our decisions—must reflect the identity we have in Him. Holiness is not optional. Obedience is not outdated. We are called to prove our identity to a watching world in authenticity and love. Come worship and study with us.

Because Christ has brought us from darkness to light, we joyfully walk in his goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Summary In this sermon from Romans 5:9–11, Dr. Michael Easley explores the profound truth of reconciliation with God. Drawing from the story of Eric Lomax, a British POW who endured years of torture under Japanese captivity, Dr. Easley illustrates the unimaginable depth of forgiveness and reconciliation between bitter enemies. Lomax's eventual reconciliation with his tormentor serves as a powerful picture of the greater reconciliation God offers to us. Paul reminds believers that through Christ's death we are justified—declared righteous before God—and through His life we are reconciled, no longer enemies but friends of God. Dr. Easley explains the difference between justification, a legal declaration of righteousness, and reconciliation, a relational restoration to peace and friendship with God. Because Christ died for us while we were His enemies, we can be assured He will also save us as His friends. Dr. Easley challenges us to embrace the joyful confidence that comes from being reconciled to God. Our salvation is secure, not by our contributions but by Christ's finished work. As reconciled enemies, we are called to live with humble confidence, rejoicing in the love and grace of God who declares us righteous and calls us His friends. Takeaways Through Christ's death we are justified, declared righteous before God. Reconciliation goes beyond justification, restoring relationships between former enemies. Believers are assured they will escape God's wrath through Christ. If God loved us enough to die for us as enemies, He surely saves us as His friends. Our salvation is secure in Christ's finished work, not our own contributions. Reconciled enemies of God should live with joyful confidence and humble worship. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Because Christ has served us, we are freed and empowered to serve one another in love.

Send us a textGrace stands alone as the pathway to salvation, yet so many stumble by trying to add their own efforts to what Christ has already perfectly accomplished. This powerful discussion cuts through confusion to reveal why "faith working through love" is the only thing that matters in Christ Jesus.We begin with a sobering reminder—eternal souls hang in the balance when we communicate the gospel. The clarity of our message matters because people are choosing between eternity with Christ and eternity apart from Him. There's no middle ground.At the heart of our conversation is Paul's declaration that "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything." This strikes directly at our tendency to add religious requirements to faith. But doesn't Paul elsewhere say "keeping the commandments of God" matters? We explore this apparent contradiction, revealing that while God's law must indeed be perfectly kept, Christ has already fulfilled it on our behalf. His righteousness becomes ours through faith alone.The most profound insight may be the simplest: "We are saved by works, just not our own works." Christ's perfect obedience is credited to us when we trust Him completely. This total surrender frightens our flesh, which desperately wants to maintain control and share the throne of our hearts. Yet in that surrender comes ultimate freedom.Because Christ has infinite worth, His grace has infinite value. This helps us understand why rejecting this infinite salvation has eternal consequences. The debt sin creates can only be paid by eternity itself, which means without Christ's payment, one would never emerge from that debt.Are you trying to earn what's already been freely given? Stop trying to fly by your own strength and surrender to the One whose perfect righteousness is offered to you as a gift. The throne of your heart was designed for one King alone.The Balance of GrayFaith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Growing In God Podcast Title: The Bread We Know Not Of   Web Description: Is it really possible to run without getting tired or to walk without becoming weary? That is not our normal experience, but it is God's. He is never weary or tired, and He promises to give us His strength if we wait on Him. Christ knew how to do this. The food that sustained Him was in His connection to the Father, and we are connected to the Father through Him. Isn't it time for us to learn how to draw from Him?   Show Notes: Isaiah 40 contains a familiar passage about waiting on the Lord. This passage tells us that when we wait for the Lord, we gain new strength. God wants us to have a new strength that is beyond any strength we have ever known because it is His strength. Unlike our strength, His strength never dissipates. Whereas the strongest and most vigorous human will grow weary, God never gets tired. He does not need to rest or eat because He always has energy. And this is the energy He has promised us if we wait on Him.   As humans we get our energy from food. But Yeshua (Jesus) told His disciples that He had food to eat that they did not know of. There is a spiritual food that He knew how to partake of. He knew how to connect with the Father's unlimited energy. In His weariness in the flesh as a human being, Yeshua reached into God the Father and was energized without eating natural food. Unfortunately, we do not know of this food, but we are supposed to learn about it. We are supposed to learn how to wait on the Lord and connect with the energy that God provides.   If we are not drawing this energy, then have we really learned how to wait on the Lord? Let us set aside any passivity or conditioning we might have and put the force of our faith behind what God has said in His Word is ours. Let us learn to walk in the spirit as Christ did and wait on the Spirit of God until He dwells within us. According to the Word, if the power of the Father that raised Christ from the dead dwells within us, our mortal bodies will be energized. We will run and not get tired. We will walk and not become weary. Let us reach into it. Let us learn to wait on the Lord.   Key Verses:   •       Isaiah 40:28–31. “Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength.” •       John 4:31–34. “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” •       John 3:3–5. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” •       Galatians 5:25. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” •       Romans 8:10–11. “He … will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”   Quotes:   •       “If we are really tuning into His strength, then it becomes evident to us that it is His strength. Why? Because it doesn't dissipate. His strength doesn't grow weary. He doesn't lack. He doesn't grow tired. All of these aspects of God's energy are extremely different than the human energy that we are used to.” •       “We have to be born into another world, into another relationship with the Father. That's different than just relating to Him at arms distance from this material world that we live in.” •       “I know I live physically by the food I eat. But is there a life that can come to me, and even come to my flesh, that comes through this relationship with Christ and having the Father—the Spirit of the Father—dwell within me?”   Takeaways:   1.    After many years of reading the Scriptures, we tend to become conditioned in our response to God's Word. And we might not put the emphasis and force of faith we need to behind experiencing what God is speaking to us. 2.    God promises in His Word that if we wait on Him, we will renew our strength. How real is that in our lives? Are we drawing on His power daily for a strength that never dissipates? Or is our strength continually dissipating because we look to our human flesh for our enabling? 3.    Physically we gain energy and sustain our strength through food. But Yeshua said He had food that was not known about on the physical level. He was energized and strengthened by His connection to the Father. Because Christ reconciled us to the Father, we can learn to draw that energy, strength, and life to our physical bodies.

Because Christ paid the ultimate price to redeem us, our love for him should compel us to put aside our old desires and live wholly for him.

Because Christ paid the ultimate price to redeem us, our love for him should compel us to put aside our old desires and live wholly for him.

Send us a textThe Reality of Our Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–28)Death comes to us all — one out of one. And yet, Scripture declares that death is not the end. In this message, we turn to 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, where Paul shows us that Christ's resurrection is both the guarantee of our resurrection and the promise of His final victory over every enemy, including death itself.In this episode, you'll discover:Why Christ's resurrection is the “first fruits” — God's guarantee that more resurrections will follow.How Jesus, the “last Adam,” reverses the curse of the first Adam.The hope we have in the ultimate destruction of death itself.What it means to live with joyful submission to God, following the example of Christ.Because Christ is risen, we can live with confidence, hope, and assurance: there is more beyond.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Doing something a little different than usual! A full verse-by-verse Bible study on the book of Colossians. This letter isn't just historical... it's prophetic. Paul wrote it to combat spiritual deception, legalism, mysticism, and religious elitism in his day… but it reads like it was written for ours. So that's what this is about digging into. In this in-depth teaching, we'll walk through every chapter of Colossians and expose: -The religious spirit behind Catholicism, Orthodoxy & legalism -The mysticism behind the New Age, asceticism & progressive Christianity -The counterfeit gospel of self, performance, and philosophy -And the TRUE supremacy of Jesus Christ over all creation—past, present, and future. Bring your Bible. Take notes. My prayer is that this one's going to equip you with bold truth in an age of spiritual confusion. Let's study Colossians together. :-) Because Christ is enough. Period.       Follow me on Instagram: @AngelamarieScafidi       -       Ways to Support the Show:      

Because Christ has tasted death for our sin, His eternal reign has begun and the glorious destiny designed by God is and will be restored to believers. Psalm 8:1–9 (ESV): 1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Hebrews 2:6–9 (ESV): 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Carl and Todd welcome Reverend David McKay to discuss his new book, A Spiritual Checkup for a Healthy Life with Christ. With over four decades of pastoral experience, David shares insights on spiritual health, the importance of living out our faith, and the role of the church in our spiritual journeys. But why does David advocate a spiritual checkup for believers? Because Christ has done everything for us, he is the foundation of our new life, we have been given a new life that now must be lived out; sometimes said, we are to become what we are. We are righteous in Christ…that needs to be worked out in daily, godly living and there's always progress to be made in our likeness to Christ. – David McKay Tune in for a thoughtful conversation that emphasizes the balance between grace and the call to live a godly life. This book is a really excellent tool for assessing the condition of your heart. – Carl Trueman We are pleased to offer three copies of David McKay's book, A Spiritual Checkup for a Healthy Life with Christ, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Crown & Covenant. Enter here for the opportunity to win. Sponsor link: https://www.logos.com/mos