Podcasts about Boasting

There is no pride in anything except in Christ dying for our sins. Bible in a Year: Psalms 18-19 & Acts 20:17-38 

Boasting about tomorrow is a fast track to disappointment—you never know what a day may bring. Let your life speak louder than your words, and trust that God sees your faithfulness, even if no one else does.

Boss of the seminal Belgian techno imprint, Token, and absolute legend of the game, Kr!z returns to the series with a propulsive monster of a mix, ready to take you into the zone, halfway some demented inward dive and trance-inducing dance floor occultism. Boasting the kind of corrosive punch and textural maestria that've come to define his style, both elegant and tendinous, Kr!z dishes out a mind-altering treat of a sonic journey, packed to the rafters with spine-tingling climaxes and chiselled crescendos. As the true master of the craft he is, Kr!z unfolds his narrative like a sonic origami of sorts, preserving each twist and turn from easy spoiling and maintaining the kind of tension throughout that keeps you craving for that next bar like some mystic revelation. Thrilling as it gets. 

In this sermon from Romans 3:21–31, Pastor Byron Chesney explains that true righteousness is not earned by keeping the Law or doing good works, but is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fall short of God's glory, and no one—Jew or Gentile—can be justified by their own merit. Instead, God offers justification freely by His grace through the redemptive work of Christ, who is the propitiation for our sins. Pastor Chesney emphasizes that this righteousness comes not from our faithfulness, but from Christ's faith—He is the author, finisher, and captain of our salvation. Boasting is excluded because salvation is entirely dependent on Christ, not man. Though some accuse Paul of dismissing the Law, he makes it clear that faith doesn't destroy the Law but fulfills it, just as Jesus did. The sermon calls believers to trust wholly in Christ's finished work rather than in religious effort.

"IF THE LORD WILL". We should never boast about tomorrow nor anything that lies before us. In making goals and plans for the future, believers must always consider God and His Will. We must not act like the rich fool spoken of in Luke 12:16-21; instead, we must recognize that true happiness and a helpful life are entirely dependent on God. Blessings,Presiding Elder Barbara HayesNIV | FLSB

2 Corinthians 11:16-33 - Boasting as a Fool Please remain standing. Our sermon text this morning is 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. Please turn there. It is on page 1152. In this passage, the apostle Paul comes back to the theme of boasting. He introduced it in chapter 10. Remember, our boasting should be in the Lord and his work, not ourselves and our work. That was in contrast to the super apostles, who boasted in themselves. That is why, at the beginning of chapter 11, Paul had the most pointed critique of them yet. They taught a different Gospel and were actually messengers of Satan. That brings us to our text this morning. As you will hear, Paul hates their boasting. But to counter the super apostles, he first sarcastically boasts in his credentials and then surprisingly he boasts in something very different. Listen for those things as I read. Reading of 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Prayer On the world stage, there is no shortage of bragging and arrogance. I'm talking mainly about world leaders. I think there's been an increase over the last couple of decades. We certainly saw it back in the late1990s with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Vladimir Putin in Russia has certainly displayed a confident arrogance in his 25 years of power. And no matter your political opinions, I think everyone here would agree: our current president is quite the self-promoter, and I'm being kind. Now, don't be distracted by that comment. Stay with me. Let me say that none of this is new. If we go back to the first century in the Roman Empire, boasting was at a similar high. In fact, I read in a commentary this week that Ceasar Augustus, one of the great Roman Emperors, raised the bar of self-promotion. Near the end of his life, Augustus wrote a short treatise about himself. Listen to the title - “The Deeds of the Divine Augustus.” It was released in the year of his death, AD 14. In it, Augustus highlighted all of his successes – his military accomplishments, his public works, his diplomacy, and his reforms in the empire. You can find it online. In it, you will read over and over. “I did this, I did that.” I triumphed over such and such nations. I built the senate house and the capital building. Four times, I helped the senatorial treasury with my own money. I restored peace to the sea from pirates. I gave shows of gladiators under my name. I extended the borders of the empire… etc. etc. This kind of self-absorbed boasting permeated the culture of the Roman Empire. And to give a little historical context, it was published about 60 years after Corinth was re-settled as a Roman city; 20 years before Jesus' crucifixion, and about 40 years before Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. So, it is no surprise that the false apostles in Corinth praised themselves. That is what you did if you were to be known and honored. We've seen it over and over, these “super apostles” did not live by the Spirit with a humble and contrite heart. No, rather they lived by the world's standards and beliefs and lifestyle. And part of that was to elevate themselves and their own self-defined credentials. As we just read, the apostle Paul hated it. In verses 16 to 21 he calls it all foolishness. In fact, look at verse 19. He writes to the church, “for you gladly bear with fools.” So, not only was their boasting foolish, but the false apostles themselves were fools. That word fool or foolish, if you remember from our Proverbs study, can be understood either as passively ignorant, you know, not really knowing any better… or being foolish can be understood in a more active way, someone being unwise with a senseless arrogance. That second understanding best fits the context. Paul even sarcastically calls the Corinthians “wise.” You see that in the second half of 19. “For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!” It wasn't wisdom at all, but rather foolishness. So, that was part of the problem in Corinth. The arrogant boasting of the culture had come to the church through the super-apostles. So, what does Paul do? Well, for a brief moment, he enters into their boasting. It is like he is saying, since you are foolishly boasting, let me show you what this foolish boasting is like. He doesn't want to toot his own horn, but he feels like he has to in order answer the super apostles. That why he says in verse 16, “…let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.” He goes on in 17, “What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.” Can you sense it? Paul can't stand boasting. Nonetheless, he is compelled to do it. The false apostles were enslaving the Corinthians with their lies and deceit. To use some of the other words in verse 20. They were “devouring” them and “taking advantage” of them. The false apostles had “air” of superiority. In all of it, they were in essence “striking [the church] in the face.” But really, they had nothing on Paul. Paul's fleshly credentials were greater than theirs. He says in verse 22, “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.” He could have gone on with his worldly credentials. In other places in Scripture he mentions that he is from the tribe of Benjamin. He was among the few. Furthermore, he had been an esteemed Pharisee. But he says in his letter to the Philippians chapter 3 that he “counts it all loss for the sake of Christ.” There is something far greater, and that is his identity in Christ. “Corinthian church, you have bought into this ungodly boasting. It is all foolishness. And even if you go by the super apostles foolish criteria, they still do not measure up.” Any and all boasting in human strength and ability is self-centered and not Christ-centered. It is foolishness because (1) it does not recognize God and his Glory and his gifts, (2) it does not recognize our sin and our unworthiness apart from Christ, and (3) boasting in human strength does not acknowledge that all good gifts come from him alone. Now, we covered some of that a couple of weeks ago. But we learn something very interesting here in the middle of chapter 11. We learn, there is something that we can boast about in our lives. We can boast in our weakness. Jump down to verse 30. “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” Verses 23 to really the middle of chapter 12 are specifically about that. Boasting in weakness. Now, boasting in our weakness does not mean glorifying failure or seeking pity. It is not drawing attention to ourselves as a victim. Nor is it seeking our identity in suffering. The apostle Paul is not doing any of that, here.   So then, what is boasting in weakness? It is giving glory to God who sustains us in our weakness. And it is recognizing that the Lord has gone before us in our suffering. Just as he endured the weakness of the flesh and affliction from the world, so too, in him, God will sustain and use us in our weakness. I just want to make that clear. As we look at this, there are two things that the apostle focuses on. First, here in chapter 11 he focuses on the affliction that he received as a result of his ministry. You know, all the things that he suffered as an apostle. Second, when we get to the beginning of chapter 12, he focuses on the weakness of the flesh. Paul will write about his thorn in the flesh. We'll get to that next week. But today, let's consider this unbelievable list of Paul's suffering and God's protection. Go back up to verse 23. Paul begins, “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one” Now, put yourself in the shoes of the Corinthians. What do you think they expected Paul to say, next? Perhaps they expected him to give a Caesar Augustus type list: I, Paul, planted 13 churches; I saw the risen Lord, himself, on the road to Damascus; I raised Eutychus from the dead; I cast out demons in Jesus name; I healed the sick; I confounded the Greek philosophers in Athens. Etc. etc. But he doesn't do that. No, instead, he rattles off a most surprising list. All the things that he suffered (so far!) as an apostle. And it is overwhelming. God sustained him over and over and over to bring the Gospel all throughout the northern Mediterranean. Only a portion of this list is included in the book of Acts. Acts is the history of the early church. ·      Paul was imprisoned multiple times. In Phillipi, which we read about earlier, he was beaten and then imprisoned with his feet in stocks. ·      He mentions, here, multiple beating with rods. In Lystra he was stoned outside the city and left for dead. ·      The most severe thing on this list is the forty lashes minus 1. It was a Jewish punishment for breaking the law. The guilty party would be severely whipped. Each lash would score the skin of the recipient. It would create what was called a stripe. A bloodied line across the back that would eventually scar. 39 lashes was one short of 40. More than 40 would have broken the Jewish law, so 39 was just in case someone didn't miscount. Paul bore on his body the marks of his sacrifice for the Gospel. ·      He mentions being shipwrecked three times. However, the most famous shipwreck had not even happened yet. That one is recorded in Acts 27. That would be a couple of years later. ·      He furthermore endured multiple dangers. He endured danger from the elements… from cold and heat. Sometimes he went without food. But also, he experienced danger from others. Danger not just from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles and from robbers. Notice at the end of verse 26 he includes danger from false brothers. He uses the word “brothers” because there were men in the church who threatened him. They were wolves in sheep's clothing, just like the false apostles in Corinth. This kind of persecution happens all over the world today. We have so many freedoms in our country, that it's hard to imagine the suffering that our brothers and sister in Christ experience throughout the world. Some of you know or have met Pastor Zaki. He pastors the Orthodox Presbyterian Church over on Chamblee Tucker. It's just down the road from here. He is a dear brother and a friend. Zaki is from Eretria. He's been in the US for about 15 years. A couple of years ago, at a conference here in the area, he spoke about persecution. As part of that, Pastor Zaki shared a little about the persecution that he endured. In 2002, the government of Eritrea shut down many of the churches. Some believers were imprisoned, especially pastors, and the church had to go underground. Well, Zaki was arrested. He was not even allowed to tell his family, when it happened. He was brought to the prison. They put him in a metal shipping container. There was just one small vent in it so he could breathe. Literally, nothing else was in it. Zaki described how he, at first, struggled to rejoice. He remembered the words of Jesus, blessed are those who are persecuted for my name sake. And he remembered the words of the apostle Peter that we're to rejoice in suffering. He thought, “had I led my people astray telling them that they should rejoice even if they suffered persecution for their faith.” Those first few hours weighed heavily on him, and he prayed. Then it happened. The Holy Spirit opened his heart, and he began rejoicing in the Lord. Something even more amazing happened that first night. About midnight, he said, he began hearing other believers all throughout the prison singing. They were suffering, but they were rejoicing. And he joined in their joyful praise. Brother Zaki was release but arrested 4 more time over the next 9 years. As I understand it, he was beaten. At one point he almost died, but the Lord preserved him. In 2011, he was able to flee to the United States. He moved to Greenville to study. And then the Lord then brought him here to the Tucker area to pastor. The kind of suffering and affliction that Paul endured is experienced by many today who love and serve Christ. And I want you to notice, it's not just external suffering that Paul endured. Look at verse 28. “Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” Paul loved the Corinthians. Really, he loved every single church that he participated in planting. He prayed for them. He communicated with them. He longed to see them be faithful and true. And it all weighed on his soul. And look what he says in verse 29. He asks, “who is weak, and I am not weak?” In other words, when someone in one of his churches suffered, Paul suffered alongside of them. His heart suffered. The next question in verse 29 is even stronger, “Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?” In other words, when a fellow believer in Christ was led into sin by one of these false brothers, Paul was indignant. He had a righteous anger at these false apostles for all the ways in which the church was being led astray. That internal turmoil was part of the suffering that he endured. Ok, now, jump down to verses 32 and 33. Paul mentions one final experience. Many, many years earlier, when he was in Damascus, in order to escape persecution, he had to be lowered in a basket out of a window. By the way, if someone tried to lower me in a basket, I think it wold probably go very poorly. I wouldn't even fit in a basket. But Paul escaped. Now, when you hear this last trial, doesn't it feel like an addendum to his list? But let me ask, do you remember the significance of Damascus? Paul was on the road to Damascus when the Lord blinded him and called him to faith. Damascus was the very city that he first stayed in as a believer in Jesus. Do you see what Paul is saying? His suffering as an apostle began at the very beginning of his ministry. All the suffering that he has endured is not new. It goes back to the very beginning of labors for Christ. Despite what the false apostles were saying, his suffering did not disqualify him as an apostle. No, rather, it testified to his true apostleship. Do you see now why Paul could boast in this affliction and weakness? It showed and demonstrated that God had called him to suffer and God sustained him through it all. This was not the theology of the super apostles. Part of their false prosperity Gospel, which we've considered multiple times in weeks past, was to reject sickness and suffering as part of the Christian life. Like many counterfeit pastors today, they taught that suffering was not part of God's purpose and will for your life. They rejected Paul because he suffered. But God is saying through Paul that suffering is part and parcel of the Christian life. He's been saying that all throughout 2 Corinthians. Remember, in our affliction, we share in the affliction of Christ, so that we may share in his comfort. And also, these light momentary afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. And so, we can boast in our weakness. It's a humble boasting. Yes, that's a little paradoxical, but I think you know what I mean. It's a humble boasting that gives glory to God. Isn't that the upside-down world of the Gospel? Strength comes through weakness. Exaltation comes through humility. Life comes through death. Go back up to verse 23. We've already considered it. Paul asks, “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one.” Did you notice that it is the only question where Paul raises the bar. He doesn't say, “so am I” like how he answers the other questions. Rather he says, “I am better.” Literally translated, it would say I am a degree beyond. His service to Christ is far better because of his suffering, not despite it. That question and Paul's answer prefaces the entire list of his suffering. To put it another way, Paul suffered in this life, we suffer in this life, just as our Savior suffered in this life. Jesus endured many trials in this life. False accusations; rejection from his people; temptations from Satan; Jesus disciples abandoned him at his hour of need; he was spit on and mocked and whipped…  not with regular whips, like 40 lashes minus one, but wips with metal or bone fragments in it, which tore into his skin. Isaiah wrote in his prophecy that our Savior was oppressed and afflicted, yet did not open his mouth. “he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Other translations say, “with his stripes we are healed.” Paul boasted in his suffering because his Savior suffered and died for him. Jesus suffered and died so that in eternity his people would be freed from suffering and affliction. In other words, Jesus did not suffer and die so that we would not suffer in this life. No. Rather, Jesus suffered and died to forgive and redeem us, and in heaven we will be freed from our suffering forever. And that gives us great hope in our suffering in this life. And we can therefore boast in it. If we must, as Paul says. So, to recap – Paul's boasting in his earthly credentials, was simply to put the super apostles in their place. All boasting in human strength and wisdom is foolishness and it dishonors God. If we must boast about ourselves, we should boast in our weakness. For Paul, his suffering was a testimony of his true ministry as an apostle. And when we boast in our suffering we ought testify to Christ's suffering for our salvation. Truly, in all of history, there was only one man who could rightfully boast in his accomplishments. It was not Caesar Augustus. It was not any world leader today or in the past. No. The only one who could rightfully boast was and is our Lord. As God the son, Jesus is the king of kings; the agent through which God created the heavens and the earth; He is the very word of God; and redeemer of God's people. Yet, on earth, he boasted not of those things. Instead, he humbled himself. He did not respond when mocked, he suffered and died, but was raised. As we sang earlier, “I will not boast in anything; No gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection” So, let us boast in him… and when we suffer, let us boast because we suffer in him. Amen

At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--July 6, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Boasting In Christ!" -- Galatians 6:14(6) Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted. 2 Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings. 3 So if any one of you thinks you're important when you're really not, you're only fooling yourself. 4 Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. 5 Assume your own responsibility. 6 The person who is taught God's word should share all good things with his teacher. 7 Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you'll harvest. 8 If you plant in ⌞the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in ⌞the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life. 9 We can't allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive everlasting life⌟ at the proper time, if we don't give up. 10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers. ... 14 But it's unthinkable that I could ever brag about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. By his cross my relationship to the world and its relationship to me have been crucified. 15 Certainly, it doesn't matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God. 17 From now on, don't make any trouble for me! After all, I carry the scars of Jesus on my body. 18 May the good will [b] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters! Amen.http://www.bethanylutheran.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach

Sony's revolutionary cassette player, the Walkman, debuted in the USA on 1st July, 1979, costing $150. It went on to shift a staggering 450m units. Boasting a classy aluminium chassis, audio splitter, and novelty ‘Hotline' button for dance parties, the device took off after an advertising campaign featuring sexy models and an elderly Japanese monk. In this episode, Olly, Arion and Rebecca reveal the genesis of the Walkman's brand name; consider whether it deserved an even HIGHER place in TIME's list of the Top 50 Most Influential Gadgets, and ask if, in 2021, we are living in the shadow of ‘The Walkman Effect'... Further Reading: • ‘The History of the Walkman: 35 Years of Iconic Music Players' (The Verge, 2014): https://www.theverge.com/2014/7/1/5861062/sony-walkman-at-35 • The original TV spots for the Walkman in Japan (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrrTv_BzAAQ • TIME's list of the 50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time (2016): https://time.com/4309573/most-influential-gadgets/ Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Message from Kevin King on June 29, 2025

Pastor Travis Grainger continues our journey through 2 Corinthians with "Boasting in Weakness". Have your being overconfident? Is boasting a problem? Or is it where it is directed? What is Paul's boast? Where is the power in this story? Where is God calling you?Tonight's passages: 2Cor 12: 1-10, Phil 2: 8-9Date: 29.06.2025Please send prayer requests to prayer@bridgeman.org.au or on our website: www.bridgeman.org.au/prayer/To contact Bridgeman Baptist Community Church please email hello@bridgeman.org.auIf you would like to give at Bridgeman Baptist Community Church please go to www.bridgeman.org.au/giving/Please view our Sermon List if you would like to order from our back catalogue, please email bridgemedia@bridgeman.org.au 

1 Corinthians 11:21b-30

Today, we connect with award-winning author, educator, consultant, entrepreneur, and speaker Dr. Patrick K. Porter to explore the intriguing world of brainwave entertainment technology. Boasting more than 20 years of experience operating the largest self-help franchise in the world, Dr. Porter has become a respected expert within the personal improvement industry – and has over 3 million of his self-help products worldwide… Dr. Porter founded BrainTap in 2014 to activate the brain's neuroplasticity using light and sound technology. Used in tandem with his proprietary guided visualization audio sessions, Dr. Porter is on a mission to help people achieve brain fitness, overcome stress, increase productivity, and more.  Dr. Porter is also the author of several groundbreaking books, including Awaken the Genius: Mind Technology for the 21st Century, Discover the Language of the Mind and Thrive in Overdrive: How to Navigate Your Overloaded Lifestyle, and the upcoming Brain Fitness Blueprint: Integrating Ancient Wisdom and Modern Technologies for Peak Performance. Join the conversation to learn about: The intricacies of neuroplasticity and brainwave science. What the Silva Method is, and how it aimed to help people in the past.  How to harness the power of the brain to relax, reboot, and revitalize yourself. Various ways to achieve optimal brain fitness. Keep up with Dr. Porter's work by visiting his website here! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

The more we acknowledge our weakness and inability, the more God's power will rest upon us. Subscribe to daily devotions e-mails: https://wcm.link/ddsub

Boasting in God and His Work, Not Ourselves or Our Work Please turn to 2 Corinthians 10. Our sermon text is chapter 10 verses 8-18. That is on page 1150. As you are turning there, be reminded that the apostle Paul has been defending his apostleship over and against the false apostles. This morning's reading continues the contrast between true and false apostles. These verses focus on boasting and comparing. In whom should we boast and with whom should we compare ourselves. Listen for those things as I read. Reading of 2 Corinthians 10:8-18 Prayer As I was studying this passage, I realized that it's pretty relevant for our church's 5th anniversary. I promise I didn't pick this text for that purpose. And then as I studied it, more, I realized, oh this is actually pretty convicting. I was reflecting back on all the feelings I was going through when we were organizing. This is going back to 2019 and early 2020. A big one was fear of failure. I had read that something like 80% of church plants don't make it. That was hard to consider. My temptation, like other pastors, is to connect my identity to the success or failure of the church. When things are seemingly going well, it's tempting to think that somehow it's due to my gifts or leadership. And on the other side, when things are seemingly not going well, the temptation is to feel like a failure instead of turning to Christ and relying on him. So that was one thing. But also, I had feelings of rejection. Like when a person or family was exploring churches, but decided to go to another church, it was (and it still is!) easy to feel a personal rejection. Related to that, it has been tempting to compare myself with other pastors or compare our church with other churches. I have struggled with those but especially when we were beginning. I've had to ask myself some hard questions. 1. Is my identity wrapped up our church instead of Christ? That's a hard question for any pastor. 2. Do I have a worldly understanding of success and failure? That's another hard one. Am I focused on numeric growth or, instead, spiritual growth? 3. Am I comparing myself with others or looking for affirmation from others instead of from Jesus? Those are hard things to ask. The reason I'm bringing these up is because our text this morning asks and answer some of these very questions. Now, to be sure, none of us are apostles. No, Paul had a special ordained role as one of the apostles called by Jesus himself. Moreover, the office of apostle concluded in the first century when the Scriptures were complete. However, even though none of us are apostles, the foundation that Paul laid for the church, and the pattern that he modelled as a faithful shepherd certainly apply to us today. In these verses, as Paul compares the true apostles to the false apostles, we can see the pattern. On the one hand, God glorifying, Christ exalting ministry and on the other, man-centered, self-exalting ministry. As we work through this, my hope is that we, as a church, can hear and apply these words to us. In the outline provided, you'll see 3 questions. 1. Whose standard are we using? 2. Whose glory are we seeking? 3. Whose message are we proclaiming? Actually, I want to extend that third question. Whose message are we proclaiming and what mission are we pursuing? Pencil that in. Again, whose standard, whose glory, whose message, and what mission. 1. Whose standard are we using? So, #1 whose standard? We've already considered that the impostors in Corinth critiqued Paul because he appeared weak in the flesh. Look at verse10: “For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.'” There are really three critiques here. 1) Paul was physically weak or at least he came across as wimpy; 2) his speech was unimpressive. In other words, because he didn't use all the rhetorical devices of the era, he was therefore sub-par... and 3) he was self-contradictory. His letters were strong but that wasn't matched by a strong in-person impression. That last one is addressed directly in verse 11. Paul writes, “Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.” He was saying to them, you may have an impression of weakness when we are in person, however, we are living out our boldness in our lives when we are with you. And make no mistake, we are prepared to speak with the same boldness if necessary. What was the false apostles standard? How were they evaluating Paul? And the answer is, they were using the world's standards. They were comparing Paul to what they considered superior. Verse 12 gets to the heart of their problem. It says, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” They were measuring themselves with one another. Their standard did not come from God, it came through their worldly comparison. I think we can all understand the temptation. Our natural sinful disposition is to look to others. We constantly measure ourselves by what we see around us. I was recently reading a book that identified the 10th commandment – do not covet – as the consummate problem with the entire world. The author was saying that man's covetous heart is the source of all evil and war and anger and stealing and adultery. Someone has something that we don't have and we want it. We want to be better than and stronger than and more prominent than and more popular than our neighbor. Do you see how that is true? A covetous heart leads to ungodly and self-centered thoughts and words and actions that betray God's standard of righteousness. Now, I do not believe the 10th commandment is the only path to sin and evil in the world. I think the 1st and 2nd commandments are also an entry point into corruption and evil. The 1st and 2nd commandments are about having no other god and not making or worshiping an idol in the place of God. But for sure, coveting was a big problem in Corinth. The false apostles coveted what Paul had – they wanted his authority and popularity. And so what did they do? They turned to each other and the world's standards… and they undermined Paul, whom God had ordained as faithful and true. Last month, something really sad and unfortunate happened. A prominent pastor in the reformed church world was found to be slandering other pastors. He had created multiple anonymous X accounts, and he was using those fake accounts to criticize and undermine other pastors. This pastor was doing the same thing as the false apostles in Corinth. He was elevating himself and suppressing others. Now, that's a negative example and I think it's a rare example. At least, I hope. A more common example is when we envy the so-called success of other churches and try to mimic their tactics. In other words, when we see or hear of another church attracting a bunch of people, we think, what are they doing that we could also do or even do better? On my way here last week, I drove by a big church. Lots of cars were pulling in. And there was a guy with one of those giant bubble makers. You know, with the rope, and it makes big ubbles. And I thought, do we need a giant bubble maker? Just kidding. Actually, I was a little irritated because one of the bubbles popped on my car. On a serious note, much of today's church growth movement is focused on external things. It's just a modern version of what the false apostles were doing. Today it's about emotionally driven and high production experiences; or innovations to attract people; or it's a focus on feel-good messages that avoid difficult topics like sin and judgment and repentance and holiness; Now, I am not saying that we shouldn't be thoughtful and engaging in the responsibilities God has given his church. We definitely should. Rather, I'm saying that our natural sinful proclivity is to turn to the world's standards and approach which includes compare ourselves to others. It's one of my temptations and I think probably to some extent, a temptation for all of us. Instead, we should be looking to the Lord and his criteria. That begins by seeking to be faithful to him and to his ways and to his purposes rather than the world's. Instead of being man-centered we should seek to be God glorifying. We should focus on the Gospel – our utter need for God's grace in Christ because of our sin and God's judgment. In our practices, we should submit them to God's Word. Those are just a few. So, whose standard are we using? Are we following God's standard which he has reveled to us in his Word, or are we following the world's standard, comparing ourselves to one another? 2. Whose glory are we seeking? #2. Whose glory are we seeking? Are we seeking God's glory and are we boasting in him, or are we boasting in and exalting ourselves? You heard the word boast in these verses. It's used 7 times. In fact, the theme of boasting will continue into chapters 11 and 12. And we get the sense that Paul doesn't even like the word boasting. But because the so-called super apostles were boasting, Paul needed to correct their misguided boasting by presenting what they should really be boasting in – which is the Lord. By the way, let me give you a definition of the word boasting. The Greek word boast is to brag about, or rejoice in, or have confidence in something. To boast is to lift up something or someone as exceptionally noteworthy. Paul is saying all throughout these verses that our boasting needs to be in the Lord and his work. Nowhere in these verses does Paul commend himself. Rather, he directs their attention to the Lord and what the Lord commends. Let's look at two examples here. First, verse 8. Paul writes, “For even if I boast a little too much of our authority.” Do you hear that uneasiness. But listen to what he says next,  “which the Lord gave….” You see, he focuses on the Lord. It's not a self commending authority, but an authority that the Lord gave. Verse 18 is similar. “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” The impostors were boasting in their own self-assigned authority. It was not a God-ordained authority. They were putting each other on a pedestal. I don't know if you'll remember this from chapter 3, but they even had letters of recommendation to somehow prove their authority in the church. It was all very self-serving and not God glorifying. It's kind of like they were applying for a job. You know the drill. The way to get a job is self-promotion. You put together a resume or a CV. You have to include all your expertise and credentials and education and certifications. Then if you get an interview, you basically have to talk about why you are the best… or at least the best fit for the job. It's a little uncomfortable, isn't it? …because you are essentially boasting about yourself. That's the way the world works, and it's hard to break out of that mindset in ministry. It's not that Paul didn't have the credentials. Actually, in the next chapter he is going to be clear about his credentials. Rather, what he is emphasizing is that we need to direct our attention to the Lord. It is his work, not ours. It's his work in us, his work through us, and he is the one to be exalted in it. Let me put it this way: No heart transforming work happens in anyone's life by man's work. No, it is the work of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit that turns hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Furthermore, there is no sanctification in one's life that happens by our will, no, rather it is likewise the ministry of God's Word through his Spirit that matures us in Christ. Our church is here today, not because of anything that any of us did. I am not saying that seeking to be faithful to fulfill God's call for the local church is not important. It is important. But there have been many faithful church plants that have closed. There was a church plant in Lilburn that closed a couple of years ago. It was a daughter church of Perimeter in John's Creek – Perimeter is a sister church of ours. And I remember a very meaningful comment by Perimeter's church plant director. As they prepared to close their doors, he encouraged them that their labors were not in vain. No, rather that the Lord had been faithfully at work during the time of their existence as a church. And furthermore, he said, that when that great day comes when Christ returns, the work that the Lord did through their church plant will be celebrated… celebrated as part of the broader kingdom work of God throughout the world. It was a great reminder that it was the Lord's work. That's hard to get our minds around because we often apply the world's criteria of success and failure. But we can still boast in what God has done in that community and the lives of his people. The key verse is right there in verse 17. It's a quote from Jeremiah. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Paul is clearly boasting here. But he is boasting in God's authority over his apostleship, and he is boasting in the Lord's work in Corinth. There is only one place to direct our boasting. It is to the Lord. What he has done and is doing. So, whose glory are we seeking? Are we seeking our own glory? Are we commending and boasting in ourselves or are we seeking to give glory to God and his work? 3. Whose message are we proclaiming and what mission are we pursuing? Which brings us to the third question. Whose message are we proclaiming and what mission are we pursuing? We've already seen throughout 2 Corinthians that the false apostles were not only promoting themselves, but they were proclaiming a false gospel. Their gospel was about power and it was about prestige. It was not about the true Gospel of Christ crucified and the weakness and suffering and humility that comes from that. Furthermore, their mission was to build up themselves and their little kingdom. We're not given any sense in 2 Corinthians that the false apostles desired to spread the Gospel. Paul focuses on these things in verses 14 and 15. And they merit a little explaining. He says in verse 14, “we are not overextending ourselves as though we did not reach you.” What he means is that they had a vested interest in Corinth. Corinth was under their oversight. They were not interjecting themselves into the situation in Corinth without warrant. On the contrary, they had come, as it says, “all the way to them to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Paul and the others had sacrificed much to bring the Gospel to them and had labored many months to establish the church. When Paul planted the church in Corinth, he was there for 18 months. Of course he desired to see the church in Corinth prosper. And there are two things on his mind. First, he wanted them to be firmly established with the Gospel message and, second, he wanted them to participate in the Gospel mission. The message of the Gospel and the mission of the Gospel go hand and hand. As Paul said in his letter to the Romans in chapter 1, “The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.” Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. He wanted to see the Gospel message go to the ends of the earth. And he wanted the Corinthians to help. That is what the second half of verse 15 means. “our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged.” In other words, as you grow in your faith, we hope you will take the Gospel to other communities around you and thus enlarge what God began. And then look what he says in verse 16, “so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you.” When the church in Corinth matures in Christ and stabilizes, two things will happen. First, the Gospel will spread in southern Greece. And second, Paul, Timothy, Titus, and the others will no longer need to focus their efforts on Corinth. They will be able to take the Gospel to other lands that have never heard of Jesus Christ. A church that loses the Gospel message loses the Gospel mission. You may have heard this, but a couple of months ago, the mainline Presbyterian denomination in the US ended its foreign mission's agency. They let go their remaining 60 missionaries. Over the last 100 years, they had slowly lost their belief in Jesus as the only hope for salvation. And with that loss of message, they slowly lost the purpose of missions. If there's no message, then why bother with the mission? When the so-called super apostles infiltrated Corinth, not only did they distract the church away from the truth, they also distracted the church away from its mission. And it furthermore required a lot of effort from Paul and others, which distracted them from their broader mission to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Are we seeking to be true to the message of the Gospel and faithful to our mission to proclaim it to all the world? Conclusion To recap: 1. Whose standard are we using? Are we comparing ourselves to others using the world's standards or are we seeking what the Lord commends and has designed for his church? 2. Whose glory are we seeking? Are we boasting in ourselves , or are we boasting in the Lord and his work, recognizing that in him and through him and to him are all things? 3. Whose message are we proclaiming and what mission are we pursuing? Are we being faithful to the hope that is found in Christ alone and faithful to the great commission… or is the message and mission waning in our lives and church? Every church needs to be constantly evaluating and re-evaluating these questions. I don't know what plans the Lord has for us over the next 5 years. But my prayer is (1) that we would not align ourselves to the standards of the world, (2) that we would boast in the Lord and his work, and (3) that we would be faithful to Christ, seeking to be a light of his Gospel to our neighbors and taking that Gospel to the “lands beyond” as the apostle put it. In all of it, boasting in the Lord. Amen.

Sun 5:00 pm | Speaker/s: Elijah Neibling

Today's devotion is written by Rachel Balducci.

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful and paradoxical passages in all of Scripture — Paul's “Fool's Speech” from 2 Corinthians 11 and 12. What does it mean to boast in weakness? Why does Paul mock the very idea of spiritual superiority? And how does this speech dismantle everything we think we know about leadership, success, and Christian identity? Get ready for an uncomfortable but necessary confrontation with the gospel of weakness.

In this summer replay, Heather digs into this common sentiment, "I just want to feel good" or "I just want to feel okay" about my body. What's wrong with wanting a body you can be "proud of?" She explores how this is a struggle for many women who wrestle to feel confident about their bodies. They don't want to look like supermodels. Instead, they want to feel okay to be in the skin they're in. But what is this desire to have a body that you can feel good in or good about? Could the core of this issue be something you'd never expect? Heather digs into an unusual biblical concept, that is, boasting. Not that we want to tell other people that we are great, but instead, perhaps we want our bodies to tell our story for us. Do we want our bodies to tell everyone who sees us that we know how to take care of our bodies well? That we know the secrets to fitness or weight loss? Or, that we are just really good at making our bodies look their best? It's a concept few of us have spent a lot of time thinking about it. Heather walks through some fantastic teaching on the topic of boasting taken from Romans 3:27-31 and shows us how we can find a place to boast that is far better than the appearance or weight of our bodies. Anything you look at and say, "This is where my value is," can become an idol. Listen, be encouraged and exhorted today. Listen to the Tim Keller sermon that Heather references here: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/boasting-and-faith/ Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Date: 06/08/2025Series: Book of James: Faith WorksSpeaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/ElderScripture: James 4:13-17

Throughout the years, Detroit-born Berlin-based groove operator and Tresor / Globus resident Eric Cloutier has been honing and refining his palette as both a producer and a DJ. Not one to engage in dogmatic restraint, Cloutier keeps developing his vision through carefully curated selections and an equally impeccable mixing technique. Boasting the variety and precision of his releases for his own imprint Palinoia, the present mix was recorded live at The Chinese Laundry in Sydney last year. Playing the main room open-to-close, Cloutier put together this mix as an evolving story and, much like the crowd of that night which proved highly receptive to the narrative, we hope this one will resonate with you. A most exquisitely complex and deep-diving plunge into Cloutier's shape-shifting headspace, alternating heavyweight punch and dubbed-out minimalism with swashes of textured membranes and faux-organic, modular-like intricacies, this mix is as elusively impossible to pigeonhole as it proves sophisticated in its design. 

Message from Dan Moran on June 15, 2025

If I ever lose sight of this simple reality, then I've completely lost the thread of what it means to be His disciple. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Corinthians 11. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

Pastor Gabriel Hughes preaches from Romans 3:27-31 and being reminded of the debt we owed that we could not possibly have paid back, but Jesus paid it all. Visit providencecasagrande.com for more info about our church!

We welcome Maameefua @maameefua.koomson to the BKL podcast to indulge on her multi faceted business occupations including 3 of her own marketing businesses. Venture through the day in the life of a Louisiana foodie queen/marketing genius! Featuring: yapping/nerding out/pure unadulterated inspiration.

Boasting in the Cross - Galatians 6:11-18

Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Dr. Tim ScheuersTexts:James 4:13–17Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 9

Nayo Campbell is an Emmy nominated journalist, Webby Nominated producer, and host. She is the Utah Jazz Digital Content Reporter and Producer and entering fourth season serving as one of the In-Arena Hosts for the Jazz.Born and Raised in PG County Maryland, Nayo is a proud graduate of Howard University and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Boasting and impressive resume in communications, her expertise includes all things media from digital, television, radio and more. With the Jazz she dives into the human interest of players, focusing on stories centered around their journeys to the NBA, hobbies outside of basketball and more. Which gained her three Emmy nominations for her long form content. When not sitting down with players she can be seen, hosting content centered around the organization and fans! Outside of sports she has interviewed notable people such as Kevin Hart, Ava Duvernay, Mary J. Blige , Jamie Foxx, and more.She was the lead producer on the Webby-nominated “Power Players” highlighting the black women behind the 2020 democratic campaigns.

Blueprint of Faith: Boasting and Planning

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation." (Galatians 6:14-15) Paul refused to boast like the Judaizers. His boasting was better, because it placed all the focus on Christ.

In today's episode, John discusses Trump visiting the Capitol to try to bully House Republicans into embracing the SUCK of his Big Beautiful Budget Bill. Then, he welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to talk about recent criminal charges against a sitting member of Congress and the weaponization of justice; the Supreme Court temporarily halting controversial mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, highlighting serious concerns about due process and executive overreach; and a troubling House bill which threatens nonprofits and universities critical of the administration - the bill strips nonprofit status and imposes punitive endowment taxes which are designed to stifle opposition. Next, John interviews award-winning journalist Claudia Rowe about her new book "Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care" which paves a road to reform by pulling back the curtain on a broken system and the searing realities faced by kids in the foster care system. Then lastly, he chats with Comedy Daddy - Keith Price on today's news and the hottest trending pop culture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A lot of interesting things are happening in real estate right now. The more agents are aware of the market forces shaping today's landscape, the better equipped they are to adapt, and thrive. One big issue is the clear corporation debate. On one side, luxury agents are keeping listings private, relying on off-market deals and exclusive networks to serve high-end clients. On the other hand, traditional agents are fighting to maintain transparency and access through the MLS, for buyers and sellers who actually need it.  At the same time, a different kind of rift is unfolding: Sellers are still chasing yesterday's price tags, and buyers are hitting the ceiling of what they can afford. Inventory is rising. Affordability is collapsing. And agents are stuck in the middle, navigating a market full of contradictions. Few people are better equipped to talk about these tensions than Jenny Wemert. She's the leader of Orlando's #1 real estate team, managing 58 full-time agents and overseeing $400 million in annual volume. She hasn't personally sold a home in over a decade, but don't mistake that for being out of touch.  As the team's “mom, therapist, and firefighter,” Jenny is deeply embedded in the day-to-day challenges real agents face, and the strategic decisions that keep them growing, even in tough markets. In this episode, she breaks down the Clear Cooperation controversy, the challenges of the affordability crisis, and how strong leadership can help agents weather industry-wide shifts with integrity and clarity.   To the average consumer, most sellers want the most money and to sell in the least amount of time. To be able to do that, maximum exposure matters. -Jenny Wemert   Things You'll Learn In This Episode: The real story behind “clear cooperation” Is the MLS still the best tool for consumers, or are luxury agents right to fight for off-market deals? When it's time to step out of production How did Jenny know it was time to stop selling, and how did she build a team that could run without her? Why most teams struggle with retention What's the secret to keeping your agents for 10+ years, and why do most team leaders get it wrong? What Airbnb's decline means for the housing market Is the short-term rental gold rush over, and what does that mean for investors in places like Florida?   Guest Bio Jenny Wemert is a Realtor® and team leader of Wemert Group Realty. She has focused her energy on cultivating and building her team to serve clients and always exceed expectations. Serving 1029 families last year alone, Jenny's team is comprised of agents, transaction coordinators, a full marketing department, and support staff. She combines innovative vision and strategic marketing concepts with unmatched dedication to achieve the highest level of results truly creates clients for life. Boasting many awards, the ones that matter most to Jenny and her team are that of the reviews written by their clients. With over 2160+ five-star reviews for the Wemert name to date throughout social media, common notes of trustworthiness and dedication are woven throughout. There is no higher compliment for a realty team. Follow @jennywemert on Instagram.    About Your Host Remington Ramsey is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and visionary in the world of real estate. As the creator of "Real Producers", a widely acclaimed magazine connecting top agents and industry leaders, Remington has built an impressive platform dedicated to celebrating and elevating the real estate community. Remington is also the author of Agent Allies: Building Your Business With Strategic Real Estate Partnerships. With a passion for motivating and mentoring, he's shared stages with some of the biggest names in business, helping professionals break through barriers and reach new heights. When he's not busy being a real estate guru, Remington is known for his contagious energy, practical wisdom, and a good dose of humor—because let's face it, navigating life and business requires both grit and a sense of humor. With multiple successful ventures under his belt and a reputation for engaging storytelling, he has the rare ability to make even the driest industry stats sound exciting.    Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode! Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

Stephanie this time talks about Trump pressuring House GOP members to stop debating and pass his immigration and tax budget bill which makes the rich richer and the deficit sky high. She also discusses the Supreme Court allowing Trump to end immigration protections for 350,000 Venezuelans. Guest - Charlie Pierce.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Support our channel & Become a Partner ⇨  https://www.missiondelafe.org/   Listen on Podcast Spotify Podcast ⇨ https://spoti.fi/3RBKdq3Apple Podcast ⇨ https://apple.co/3evzCuuConnect with ushttps://www.facebook.com/delafetestimonieshttps://www.instagram.com/delafetestimonies/Connect with Neil:Website ⇨ https://neilgetzlow.com/X ⇨ https://x.com/NGetzlowFacebook ⇨ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067863003969Credits:Testimony by Neil GetzlowDirected by Eric Villatoro Interviewed by Eric Villatoro Edited By Joshua GayleAudio Mixed by Paul Nicholas Production Assistant: Darvin RamirezTestimony Recorded in Gaithersburg, MarylandDelafé Testimonies is a global evangelistic project with the mission of creating the world's largest archive of Jesus testimonies until His return. Our vision is to save souls, build community, and set people free through the testimony of Jesus.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:21 Boasting in My Weaknesses02:24 My First Exposure to Pornography03:18 Feeling Like an Orphan after My Parents' Divorce06:42 Being Raised Jewish, Becoming an Atheist09:59 My Pornography Addiction Worsens13:28 Seeking Out Sexual Encounters15:27 My First Marriage is Destroyed By My Addiction17:25 My Wife Gives Her Life to Jesus After We Get Married20:30 Cheating On My Wife for Several Years22:59 Being Blackmailed26:31 My Wife Catches Me Cheating32:32 Crying Out to God for the First Time36:06 Telling My Wife Everything39:31 Giving My Life to Jesus43:07 My Wife Prayed for Me For Eight Years48:13 Discovering the Root of My Addiction51:33 Experiencing God's Love Through Community57:29 My Transformation Process1:01:23 Reading the Bible as a Jewish Believer1:03:30 To the Couple that Blackmailed Me 1:04:58 My Jewish Family's Response to Me Becoming a Christian1:10:23 Finding New Family in Christ1:11:39 How God is Using My Life Today1:15:48 Sharing Jesus with My Dad Before His Passing1:20:00 Who is Jesus to You?1:21:02 Prayer1:24:14 The Importance of Obedience1:26:13 Final WordsJEWISH ATHEIST Turns to JESUS After THIS Happens...

If we desire to walk humbly with our God and obtain eternal life, then we must resist the seduction of pride and boast only in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 12

As humans, we spend so much time boasting. We do it to defend ourselves, earn respect, or seek after love. The Bible tells us instead to boast in Jesus. It is in knowing God, His love, and redemption that we discover the reason and power of this boasting.

Cultish is a 100% crowdfunded ministry. Partner with us & be part of the mission to mission to change lives. Aaron's Article: HEREAaron's YouTube: HERELearn about Aaron: HERESkyler's Podcast: Distinctive ChristianityEpisode on Blake Ostler with Loren Pankratz: HERESkyler's Deep Dives on King Follet Discourse and Sermon in the Grove: King Follett Discourse (also here) Past Episodes: here and hereThe Sermon in the Grove (also here) Bradley Campbell on King Follett:  here and hereBooks to be educated on the "New Perspective of Paul"Justification: New Studies in Dogmatics - Michael HortonCracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul: Covenantal Nomism versus Reformed Covenantal Theology - Robert CaraJustification Reconsidered: Rethinking A Pauline Theme - Stephen WesterholmPerspectives Old and New on Paul: The "Lutheran" Paul and His Critics - Stephen WesterholmWhere is Boasting?: Early Jewish Soteriology and Paul's Response in Romans 1–5 - Simon GathercoleJustification and Variegated Nomism - D.A. CarsonJustification and Variegated Nomism: The Paradoxes of Paul - D.A. CarsonUncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16-3:26: Discovering a New Approach to Paul's Argument Argument - Marcus Mininger

Boasting In The CrossSERIES: No StringsKey Verses: Galatians 6:9-18; Romans 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 5:5-6Teaching Pastor: Matthew CorkMay 4, 2025

Garth Heckman TDAgiantslayer@Gmail.com  The David Alliance   The life and times of Remus Reid   Check the source Check the money trail Check the background Check the history Check the    Someone trying to manipulate you might display a range of traits aimed at gaining control or influencing your decisions and feelings. Here are some common ones: Emotional Tactics:  * Playing the Victim: They portray themselves as helpless or wronged to evoke your sympathy and make you feel obligated to help them.  * Guilt-Tripping: They make you feel responsible for their problems or emotions, leading you to do things you wouldn't normally do.  * Love Bombing: They overwhelm you with excessive attention, affection, and praise early on to create a strong emotional bond and make you more susceptible to their influence.  * Playing on Your Insecurities: They identify your weaknesses and use them against you to undermine your confidence and make you dependent on them.  * Emotional Blackmail: They threaten to harm themselves or others, or to withdraw affection if you don't comply with their demands.  * Gaslighting: They distort or deny your reality, making you doubt your memory, perception, and sanity.  * Using Charm and Flattery: They can be excessively nice and complimentary to disarm you and make you more agreeable.  * Creating Chaos and Drama: They thrive on instability and may create conflicts to distract you or make you rely on them to resolve the issues.  * Inconsistent Behavior: Their moods and actions can change unpredictably, keeping you off balance and making you try harder to please them. Communication Tactics:  * Lying and Deception: They may outright lie or omit information to control the narrative and achieve their goals.  * Exaggeration and Generalization: They might exaggerate their own achievements or misfortunes and use sweeping statements to influence your opinion.  * Blame Shifting: They avoid taking responsibility for their actions and instead blame others, including you.  * Changing the Subject: They abruptly switch topics to avoid uncomfortable conversations or deflect scrutiny.  * Vagueness and Indirect Communication: They may not clearly state their needs or intentions, making it easier to manipulate the situation later.  * Using Confusion: They might use complex language or illogical arguments to confuse you and make you doubt your understanding.  * Withholding Information: They strategically omit details to give you an incomplete picture and steer you in their desired direction. Behavioral Tactics:  * Boundary Violations: They disregard your personal boundaries and push your limits to see what they can get away with.  * Controlling Behavior: They try to control aspects of your life, such as your time, money, or relationships.  * Isolation: They may try to isolate you from your friends and family to increase your dependence on them.  * Triangulation: They involve a third party to manipulate the situation, often by creating jealousy or using the third person to relay messages.  * Pressuring You: They create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly without thinking.  * Ignoring or Dismissing Your Needs: They prioritize their own needs and disregard your feelings and desires.  * Playing the Martyr: They act as if they are making huge sacrifices for you to make you feel indebted to them. It's important to remember that these traits can appear individually or in combination. Recognizing these patterns is the first step in protecting yourself from manipulation. Trust your instincts if something feels "off" in a relationship.           What does the Bible say about deception… well it actually comes down to one simple - not so simple thing: Words! Your mouth gives away your heart… but they are tied to your actions… meaning if I use the words “I love you… sounds good, but my words might be true OR they might be manipulative. So words are only as powerful as the actions behind them.  Again… think on this: If I say one thing and it is true - it proves my heart and my words back it up. If I say one thing and it is not true according to my actions- then it is just as powerful in that it reveals my deception.      Focus on Deception and Falsehood:  * Speaking Lies and Deceit: The Bible frequently warns against lying and those who speak falsehoods. Manipulators often rely on deception to achieve their goals.    * "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." (Proverbs 12:22)    * "Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully." (Proverbs 12:17)  * Having a Double Heart: This refers to those who say one thing but mean another, or who act with ulterior motives.    * "They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (Psalm 12:2) Emphasis on Selfishness and Pride:  * Seeking Their Own Interests: Manipulators are often driven by their own selfish desires and disregard the needs of others.    * "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3-4) This verse highlights the contrast between selfless love and self-centeredness.  * Boasting and Arrogance: Manipulators may inflate their own importance and achievements to impress and control others.    * "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 16:5) Warning Against Flattery and Smooth Talk:  * Using Flattering Words: Manipulators often use excessive praise and charm to disarm and influence their targets.    * "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." (Proverbs 29:5)    * "For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue." (Psalm 5:9) Importance of Discernment and Wisdom:  * Testing the Spirits: The Bible encourages believers to be discerning and not believe everything they hear.    * "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) This principle can be applied to discerning the motives behind people's words and actions.  * Seeking Wisdom: Wisdom allows you to see beyond surface appearances and understand people's true intentions.    * "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5) Focus on Actions and Fruits:  * Judging by Their Fruits: Jesus taught that we can recognize people by the results of their actions. Manipulative individuals often leave a trail of broken relationships, hurt feelings, and negative consequences.    * "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So also, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit." (Matthew 7:16-17) The Contrast with Genuine Love and Humility:  * True Love is Selfless: Biblical love (agape) is characterized by selflessness, patience, kindness, and a focus on the well-being of others – the opposite of manipulation.    * "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)  * Humility Values Others: Genuine humility leads to valuing others above oneself, which stands in stark contrast to the manipulator's self-centeredness. In summary, while the Bible doesn't provide a checklist of "manipulator traits," it equips us with principles to discern those who operate in deceit, selfishness, and pride. By focusing on truth, humility, genuine love, and the fruits of their actions, we can gain wisdom in recognizing and protecting ourselves from manipulative individuals.

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