Podcasts about Bridegroom

This sermon explores how Jesus, as the Bridegroom and Lord of the Sabbath, redefines traditional religious practices by inviting His followers into joy and freedom rather than legalistic observance. Using the Gospel narrative from Mark 2:18–28, the Pastor Roydon Frost contrasts the Pharisees' rigid fasting and Sabbath rules with Jesus' teaching that His presence brings celebration, rest, and true spiritual renewal. Frost emphasises that Jesus fulfils God's law with love and mercy, showing that Sabbath rest and fasting both have their place within a life shaped by relationship with Christ. Ultimately, the talk challenges all of us to reflect on how their behaviour reveals their understanding of God's nature and to live with joyful obedience as they journey toward the eternal feast.

Sermon: Jesus the Bridegroom, Series: Who is Jesus, Rev. Matt Howell, Mark 2:18-22

In this Words From The Word devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster teaches from Ephesians 5:32-33 (KJV) and reveals the divine mystery: marriage is a picture of Christ and His church.Paul says, "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." God designed marriage to be more than a partnership—it's a living testimony of the Bridegroom's love for His bride. Every Christian marriage has a sacred responsibility: to demonstrate Christ's sacrificial, purifying, protecting love to a watching world.You might be asking:How should I love my wife as Christ loves the church?What does it mean to reverence my husband?Why does God care so much about marriage?How can my home be a testimony to the lost?In this devotion you'll learn:The mystery Paul revealed: Christ as the Bridegroom, the church as the brideGod's command to every husband: love your wife as yourselfGod's command to every wife: reverence and respect your husbandHow Christian marriages become examples the world needs to seePastor Webster reminds us: "The world is looking for examples to follow. Let's be that example that will help the world find their place... that would bring them back to the Lord."If this blessed you, like, subscribe, and share with a married couple who needs encouragement today.#WordsFromTheWord #Ephesians5 #ChristianMarriage #KJV #BiblicalMarriage0:00 Opening + hymn reflection1:04 Ephesians 5: The marriage mystery2:06 What is a mystery?3:04 The bride of Christ4:19 Every husband: love like yourself5:09 Wives: reverence your husband7:33 Your home reflects God's church8:56 Closing prayer

Rev. Kenneth Bomberger gives today's prayerful thought based on the day's Scripture readings. Begin your morning in word and prayer with Rev. Kenneth Bomberger, who shares scripture, hymns, prayers, and texts for the day, and also gives a short meditation on the day's scripture lessons. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Laura and Jenny continue their discussion of the Bridegroom's invitation to His Bride in verses 2:10-2:14 of the Song of Songs. In this episode, they focus on the Bridegroom's words, "Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet." Finding our authentic voice is a challenge for those who have been silenced or whose voices have been ridiculed. Jenny and Laura share their stories of how Jesus gently healed their hearts and provided safety in prayer for them to discover and learn to speak with their "sweet" voices. Learn more about Jesus the Bridegroom and the Song of Songs at Hopesgarden.comLearn more about Jenny's work with survivors of domestic violence at https://www.jennydubay.com/healing-guidance

An untrimmed lamp cannot guide others.An untrimmed lamp cannot endure the midnight hour.An untrimmed lamp cannot welcome the Bridegroom.

All believers play John the Baptist's role in God's kingdom, paving the way for people to receive Jesus. When that is our singular focus, all else falls into its rightful place.Subscribe to daily devotions e-mails: https://wcm.link/ddsub

Scripture Reference: Hosea 1:1-3, 3:1-5 When the prophet Hosea lives out God’s strange command to him and speaks as God’s mouthpiece, something incredible emerges. In what theologians have called the most scandalous book of the Bible, we actually see something about the desires of our heart. We long for someone to see us for who we really are and committed to love us with a never stopping, never giving up love.

A king on his deathbed and bridesmaids waiting in the dark ask the same piercing question: are we truly prepared, or do we only look prepared? We open with Hezekiah's story in 2 Kings 20—his desperate prayer, God's mercy, and the gut-check that follows when he shows everything to visiting envoys. Isaiah's warning lands hard: today's shortcuts become tomorrow's losses. That moment exposes a mindset we still battle—peace for me now, no matter the cost later—and calls us to build beyond ourselves.From there we move to Matthew 25 and the ten virgins, translating ancient wedding customs into everyday discipleship. All ten carried lamps. All expected the groom. Only five packed extra oil. We break down what oil represents—personal faith, spiritual depth, and daily attention—and why you can't borrow it at midnight. Readiness is not performance or proximity; it's prepared obedience that endures delay. We explore how humility beats pride, why busyness isn't the same as spiritual vitality, and how to stock oil through rhythms of prayer, fasting, Scripture, confession, and costly love.This conversation isn't about coddling fear; it's about clear-eyed hope. Delay is not denial. Jesus is preparing a place. The Father will say, It's time. Until then, we keep watch with full lamps and extra oil, building what our children can stand on and lighting the way so others can see the Bridegroom. Ready to trade appearances for depth and urgency for obedience? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help more people find the message. What one practice will you start this week to keep your lamp burning?Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or YouTube.

In Mark 2:15–22, Jesus calls Levi, a rejected tax collector, and transforms him into Matthew—“a gift of God.” Through three powerful comparisons—the Physician, the Bridegroom, and the New Wine—Jesus reveals His mission. He came to heal the spiritually sick, invite us into a joyful covenant relationship, and introduce something completely new that cannot be contained within rigid religious systems. True joy is not found in performance or approval, but in relationship with Christ. The challenge is to admit our need, receive His healing, and live in the joy of His presence.

Justin Ebert sits down with Ryan Vincent and Drew Moss for a wide-ranging conversation based on Leviticus 1-15 and Mark 1-2. They discuss if and how the ancient laws still matter for Christian readers today. Together they explore overlooked details and surprising connections: clean and unclean, sin and holiness, blood and fat, animals and childbirth laws—and what all of it reveals about God's view of life, worship, and atonement. The discussion then shifts into Mark's fast-paced Gospel: why everything feels so urgent, why Jesus silences demons and healed people, how Mark 1 echoes Leviticus 13–14, and what Jesus is saying when he heals with a touch and sends a man to the priests. The episode closes by unpacking Jesus' images of patchwork cloth and wineskins—and why fasting doesn't fit when the Bridegroom is present. A conversation about depth, beauty, and the surprising unity of Scripture. Bible Project Videos On Holiness - https://bibleproject.com/videos/holiness/ On Sacrifices - https://bibleproject.com/videos/sacrifice-and-atonement/ On Leviticus - https://bibleproject.com/videos/leviticus/ On Mark - https://bibleproject.com/videos/mark/

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  iTunes: Parson's Pad Podcast Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Send us a comment or question!0:00-4:00 Why does John 3:16 say that those who believe “should” be saved?4:00-12:10 Who are the “sons of God” mentioned in Romans 8:19?12:10-25:07 Question about the Sermon on the MountCalvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  iTunes: Parson's Pad Podcast Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Marriage doesn't begin with feelings—it begins with covenant. In the opening message of Built to Last, we explore why marriage matters according to God's design. While culture often views marriage as casual or contractual, Scripture reveals marriage as a sacred covenant meant to reflect the faithful love of Christ for His Church. Through Jesus' teaching and Paul's words in Ephesians, we see that marriage is more than a relationship—it's a gospel picture. This message speaks hope to singles, clarity to those living together, encouragement to the married, and grace to the divorced, reminding us all that Jesus is the true Bridegroom who never breaks covenant.

Audio Transcript Yeah, Full house this morning. There we go. So, yeah, it’s good to meet in God’s house and to sing praises to the Lord. So today we are going to continue our sermon series in the book of Luke. And so if you have a Bible, you can go ahead and open up there. And if you don’t have a Bible, there should be some blue Bibles in the chairs that you can go ahead and grab. And so we are in Luke chapter six. And we’re going to be reading verses 12 through 19. And so this passage is focusing on the calling of the 12 disciples and the events that follow right after their calling. And so I’m going to read this passage and then I’ll pray and we’ll get started. So here’s what the word of the Lord has for us this morning. Luke 6:12. In these days he went out to the mountain to pray. And all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them 12 whom he named Apostles Simon, whom he named Peter and Andrew his brother, and James and John and Philip and Bartholomew and. And Matthew and Thomas and James the son of Alphaeus and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. So that’s God’s word for us. Please pray with me. God, thank you that you speak to us through, through your holy word that you have preserved so that we might hear from you. Now I pray God that you would indeed speak, and God you would help me to speak your word and that you would give us hearts and ears to receive what you are saying this morning. It’s in Jesus name we ask these things. Amen. All right. So up until this point in Luke’s eyewitness account of Jesus life, Jesus has done a lot in the region of Galilee and in Judea. And in the very beginning of Jesus ministry, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, followed by a supernatural phenomenon with the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus like a dove and the voice of the Father declaring, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Jesus was then led into the wilderness for 40 days, where he was tested and tempted by Satan and where he overcame the devil through God’s word. Jesus taught in the synagogues throughout the surrounding area of Galilee, teaching that the scriptures were now being fulfilled in him. Jesus declared that he is the Son of man, who has authority to forgive sins. The Bridegroom of God, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus had casted out demons, proving his authority over spiritual realms of darkness. Jesus had healed many people of a variety of sicknesses and malformities, including fever, disease, leprosy, paralytics, withered hand and and much, much more. Jesus had called forth specific individuals to begin following him that nobody would expect, including outcasts and fishermen and a tax collector. And with all of these things Jesus had done and continued to do, he was doing the will of his Father. But now a shift in Jesus ministry strategy was about to happen. So no longer was Jesus going to continue his mission in solidarity. And although Jesus certainly could have done this, that’s not what God planned to happen. Instead, Jesus would now choose 12among those who had been following him since the baptism of John, and they would become his personal disciples. And so understand, like this is no small thing for the ministry of the Son of God this moment here in our passage, as we know that these 12 disciples would go on after Jesus to establish God’s church for the edification of the saints and for the proclamation of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. So the establishment of God’s kingdom for generations would come, beginning with these 12 disciples. Through these 12, by the power of God, lives would change and the world would change. So how does Jesus make this very big decision? Looking at verse 12 in our text, it says in these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. So before choosing the 12 disciples, we learn that Jesus removes himself from all distractions by going to a mountain in Galilee and he goes there alone to pray to God the Father. And Jesus did this actually early, early on in his ministry that Luke mentions. And he’s doing this at the days when the Pharisees hate for Jesus was only increasing more and more as we learned about from last week’s sermon. And as Luke had mentioned, Jesus had done this in the past. What is unique here in this passage is that this is the only time Luke records Jesus takes all night to pray in isolation. Like the only other time Jesus comes close to doing this is in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion. And so there’s two Reasons why I think God’s Word gives us this information and why Jesus prays all night. The first reason is to show us the humanity of Christ. Jesus is fully God and fully man. And therefore during his time on earth, there are times when Jesus knowledge or power were willingly limited in order for him to be fully human. And so to put it another way, Jesus subjected himself to the Father’s will by choosing not to exercise the full limit of his divinity during his life and ministry on earth. So Jesus never stopped being God, but also he was man. And Jesus dependency upon prayer with his heavenly Father shows us the humility of Christ as he had to depend on his Father at times to reveal to him what the Father’s will was. And since this is such a large decision happening here, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer seeking the Father’s will. The second reason I think Jesus did this is to teach us about the vital importance of prayer. So when faced with a large decision that Jesus knew was part of God’s will for his life, he didn’t say like, I’ll pray about it and then like walk away and like forget to pray about it or just kind of briefly mention it to God in prayer and then just kind of go further about his day. Like actually Jesus, like knowing that he was going to choose the 12among this crowd of disciples, like took, made the disciplinary action to step away from the busyness of ministry to be alone with God and to pray not for five minutes, not for 15 minutes, and not for an hour, but all night long until the text tells us like the sun rose the next day. Like, let that sink in. This is vitally important what Jesus is doing and taking this time to pray. And if the Son of God felt that prayer was this vitally important for his ministry, then how much more vitally important is prayer for God’s people and determining God’s will for our lives? Jesus is the perfect example of what it means to be a Christian and what it means to walk by faith in the living God who hears and answers prayer. And so we as God’s people, we must do the same and carve out devoted time to pray to God individually as a family and corporately if we want to carry out God’s will for our lives. And so if your prayer life is lacking, then let the example of Jesus encourage you to make time for prayer this week. Make some like, attainable goals on how you can devote more time to prayer this week so that God’s will may be done in your life. For God delights in hearing and answering the prayers of his saints. And if the perfect Son of God depended on His Father to lead and direct him while on this earth through the power of prayer, how much more do we need to depend on our heavenly Father through prayer? That being said, moving to verse 13, it says, and when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them 12 whom he named apostles. So the sun rises after Jesus long night of prayer, and Jesus knows who he is going to choose as his 12 student. 12 students. The meeting that Jesus had with his heavenly Father in prayer made it clear who would be chosen and what he would teach them that morning. It’s important to note that the only reason the disciples are made like one of the 12 is, is because Jesus graciously chose them to become his apostles. Like, this isn’t something that they signed up for, but rather something Jesus called them forth to do and chose them to do. And with that line, like John the Baptist understood this as well. John the Baptist said this about his own ministry. A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven. It is by the grace of God and his choosing that these men are made into 12 disciples for the purposes that God set long ago. And the word apostle that is here in our text that Luke points out, it literally means to send. And so this is signifying the mission that was given to these men, to these disciples from Jesus. So in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark, Jesus choosing of the 12 apostles involves giving them authority to be sent out to preach, to cast out demons, and to heal every disease and affliction, which is exactly what Jesus is about to do in the next few verses. And so the 12 apostles were God’s chosen disciples in whom he gave authority to carry out his great mission. Jesus was instituting a new office of apostleship for the early church, who would serve as his official representatives. And the way he would teach his apostles is by spending time with them. 24, 7. Because of this, these 12 disciples would get to know their teacher and their Lord on a much more personal level from this point on, which is such a privilege for each of these 12 disciples. And then in our text, verses 14 through 16 gives us a list of these apostles names. And so A list of 12 disciples is also given in Matthew, Mark, and Acts. And in each of these lists, Simon Peter is always listed as first. And then Judas Iscariot is always listed as last. This is because Simon, who was renamed Peter, which literally means rock, is whom Jesus said, on this rock, I will Build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus chose Peter to be the leader in whom he would begin to build his church after his resurrection. And Jesus words are actually fulfilled later in the Book of Acts we read on the day of Pentecost, Peter preaches a sermon of repentance to all who gather to hear him in Jerusalem. And about 3,000 people profess faith in Jesus that day and are baptized. And so hence, Jesus uses Peter to begin to build his church. So overall, there’s not actually a ton of information known about each of these apostles based on what God gives us in His Word. We know that, like, four of these guys were just simple fishermen and they were called to follow Jesus. And this was Peter and Peter’s brother Andrew, and then two other men named James and John, who Jesus called the Sons of Thunder. We know that John was called the disciple of whom Jesus loved, and that John wrote the Gospel of John and as well as three epistles and the Book of Revelation. And then we know that John was exiled to the island of Patmos at the end of his life. We know that Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector who wrote the Gospel of Matthew, which we just spent some time learning about him a few weeks ago. We know Bartholomew was also known as Nathanael, and he was described by Jesus in the Book of John as an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. We know Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus until he saw him again, which, honestly is kind of a bummer thing to be remembered as. But I’m pretty sure as we get to heaven, we’ll learn like, there’s some other great things that Thomas did in faith. We know that Simon was a zealot, in which the zealots was like a zealous religious group who are committed to the fall of Rome. And then we know about Judas Iscariot, who was the money keeper for the apostles and who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. And after betraying Jesus, Judas hung himself in the field of blood and was later replaced by a man named Matthias, who became the 12th apostle in his place. And as for the rest of the disciples in this list, like, the Bible actually doesn’t give us a ton of information about them. And from what we know, these apostles, like, they did not come from noble or wealthy families. They weren’t priests or scholars. They weren’t even like, really educated. They were like untrained, ordinary people like you and me. And so don’t miss this with this list that is provided here. By Luke, these guys were just ordinary men. And yet they were called and chosen by an extraordinary God. And because they were chosen by an extraordinary God, by Jesus, their names will stand as pillars in heaven for all of eternity. Which is wild to think about. Just listen to what Revelation 12:14 says concerning the new Jerusalem that represents the city of God in the new heavens and new earth. It says this, and the wall of the city had 12 foundations, and on them were the 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. So these apostles, they may have been just ordinary guys before Jesus called them to himself, but because they were called by an extraordinary God, their names will be remembered as pillars in heaven forever. And the Bible doesn’t tell us much about the apostles, but that’s because it’s not about who the apostles are, it’s about the extraordinary God the apostles were called by and who followed for the sake of Christ’s kingdom. That’s what matters here in this passage. And because Jesus chose these 12 disciples who gave up their lives for the sake of the Gospel, according to church tradition, today there is a foundation that the household of God’s church stands upon and will forever stand upon, namely, because Christ is its cornerstone. And so we, Red Village Church, we are in debt to the way that God used these 12 disciples. And that is something incredible to think about. God chooses ordinary people like you and like me for extraordinary purposes that make ripples into eternity. And we would do good to never forget that. Moving on to verses 17 through 19, our text says, and he came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them. So after Jesus chooses his 12 disciples, he now comes off of the mountain that he was on in prayer with these 12 at his side, to what Luke said, a level place. Now, this description of a level place, it’s important because it seems to be signifying that this is a different place from the Sermon on the Mount, where Matthew clearly says Jesus went up on the mountain, and then he began preaching the Sermon on the Mount after he had ascended the mountain. And so the sermon, this sermon right here, it differs from the Sermon on the Mount in that it doesn’t focus on the Jewish law, but instead its focus is on love and fruit that a disciple’s life should have. And so although this like sermon is very similar and it’s actually using the same information that Jesus uses on the Sermon on the Mount, it’s actually only half as long as the Sermon on the Mount. And because of this, this sermon is often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, in which many scholars agree was a similar sermon to the Sermon on the Mount, but it was given a different. It was given at a different time, likely before the Sermon on the Mount. So before Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Plain, Luke tells us a great crowd of Jesus, other disciples, and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon. They all gather to Jesus for these three reasons that Luke gives us. To hear Jesus preach, to be healed of their diseases and to be freed of unclean demonic spirit. So it’s important to note that Jesus fame, like it’s now spreading beyond just the region of Galilee and Judea in which Jesus has been up to this point. And so now, like Luke says, great multitudes, which is most likely in the thousands, are now coming from the sea coast of the cities on the Mediterranean, which means these were Gentile cities. And so Gentiles are now coming in to gather around Jesus to hear him teach and to be healed and to be freed by demonic spirits by Jesus. So we know that this is the reason why Jesus came is to redeem and to save not only the Jews, but also the Gentiles from every tribe and language and tongue on the earth. And as people came from near and far, their diseases were healed. And the demons that oppressed those who were troubled were cast out and cured. And those who came wondering like, could this be the long awaited Messiah that we have been waiting for? Truly they heard and they seen that this is the Christ. Verse 19 tells us that as people began to be healed and cured, others in the crowd who had not been healed simply made it their mission to just touch Jesus. Because Luke says divine power was radiating out from Jesus that healed them all. Now this is like an incredible scene that Luke is portraying for us. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of people pressing in just to simply touch Jesus. For just by touching him, lifelong illnesses, chronic pain, infirmities, and agonized demon possessed people who have been dealing with this for who knows how long are instantly healed when they touch Jesus. Like that is incredible. All because the Son of God, the Christ, was standing on level ground on planet earth and from him was radiating this life restoring power to whom all were healed. That came to him like, what a sight this must have been. This, this had to been incredible to witness, especially for the 12 disciples that are now called to join in with Jesus ministry. Like this had to be mind blowing. And the word for power here that Luke gives is actually the Greek word dunamis, which is where we get the English word for dynamite. And so this is the same power that Luke describes Jesus having in Luke 4:14, where Luke says, and Jesus returned in the power of the Holy Spirit to Galilee. So this power that Jesus has coming from him is directly related to the Holy Spirit who we see brings life and restoration both to creation and to all of mankind throughout the Bible. And this is the Holy Spirit’s life changing power being poured out from Jesus to everybody who is coming to him and to everybody who is touching him. And so this picture is certainly painting for us. A picture of the nations coming to Jesus in great physical and spiritual need. And Jesus is at the center, allowing all to come to him and to be healed as they believe and touch the Son of God, who is the supply and source of the Holy Spirit’s power, which knows no bounds. And it’s important to think about this scene in relation to the 12 disciples who were just chosen. Like up to this point, they’ve listened to Jesus teach, they’ve watched him heal and cast out demons. But this, this is on a completely different level. Directly after being chosen to be Jesus apostles and given authority to do the same work as Jesus, this scene unfolds. And so this is the work that Jesus is doing and will continue to do with all of his 12 disciples at his side. People will be drawn to Jesus in both physical and spiritual need, both Jews and Gentiles. And Jesus will continue to restore and change lives through the power of the Holy Spirit living in his disciples. This is what Jesus Kingdom looks like. And he invites his 12 disciples to join in on this work. For it is only the beginning and that ends our passage. And so from this I have three applications for you that I want to give you from this passage of Scripture that I think speak loudest. And so the first application I have for you, if you have put your faith in Christ, remember you are chosen by Christ for the purposes of his kingdom as his disciple. In the same way that Jesus chose the 12, he has chosen you that all may be drawn to Christ. Ephesians 1:4:5 says this. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. He predestined us for adoption to Himself as the sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will. That being said, there is purpose in the will of God as He calls his people from death to. So if you are a Christian here this morning, meaning that you have made Jesus like the Lord of your life, then just like the 12 disciples, remember that God has purpose for your life. As his disciple, he wants to use you to draw others to himself by sharing the gospel and by living as Christ’s ambassador, not because of what you’ve done, but because of who God is. And that is really encouraging to know that if you are in Christ, God created you for good works to do today, tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day and the next day that will ripple into eternity. When I was in college at a fall retreat for a collegiate ministry that I was a part of, it was in New Mexico. This was a collegiate ministry called the Christian Challenge. And the director there was named David Engelhardt. And so David led us out from this little Bible camp in the mountains of New Mexico. And he had all these students, including myself, gather around a little pond that was about 50 yards wide. And what David taught me that day and the rest of the students, I will never forget. With everyone gathered around this pond, he picked up a rock and then he just threw it into the pond and told all of us just to be silent and to watch. And so David does this. The rock goes. Splashes into this pond. And then ripples are sent out from this rock that go out all the way to the edges of this pond and. And then bounce off of different things in the pond until they all begin to go completely still. And so, in silence, everyone, including myself, watches these ripples go out. And after the ripples disappeared, David said this. Serving Christ is a lot like ripples in a pond. You, by faith, make a splash in obedience to Christ. And ripples are sent all across the pond, but the rock is at the bottom of the pond. And often the rock does not see the ripples that are going on up above. But God, he sees all that his hand is doing with these ripples. And so what he is saying is, God has purpose in every splash, every good work, every step of faith, every Gospel conversation, every Sunday service that we gather. God says he is working. And even if we can’t see it, God is building his kingdom through his chosen disciples, and that is through you. If you have put your faith in Jesus, he has chosen to use you to make ripples that will last for eternity. An extraordinary God calls ordinary people like you, like me, to follow him so that they might live with extraordinary purpose for the glory of God. So first application is, do not forget this. My second application from this passage is very simple, and that is to seek to make disciples of Christ Jesus. Master plan of evangelizing the world started with investing more time into just 12 disciples. And then Jesus spent even more time in just three of those disciples who were Peter, James and John. And so Jesus intentionally invited these disciples to not only join his ministry, but to also get a glimpse into his personal walk with God. And we are called to do the exact same thing. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave the great commission for his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and to teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded his people. And so if you’re here and you believe in Jesus as the Lord of your life, then you are his disciple. And you too are called to make other disciples through baptism and teaching other followers of Jesus to observe all that Jesus has commanded in the Bible. So if you’re a believer, my question to you is, who are you discipling right now? Who are you helping to follow Christ? Discipleship can look like a lot of different things. It can look like serving in kids ministry to help teach kids about the Bible and how they can know God. It can look like having a daily time of family worship with your kids and teaching them about the Bible and how to walk with God. It can look like inviting people to church so they can hear God’s Word preached and then grow in their faith through community with other believers. It can look like meeting together with a believer who is new to the faith or with someone who is considering the claims of Christ and to study the Bible with them and teach them about Jesus. It can look like leading a small group Bible study that is teaching others God’s Word and how to put it into action. Or it can look like inviting a college student to your home for a meal to see how you are following Christ while encouraging them to do the same. Which is what I personally am praying that God will do with Adoptive Student Day today. And so, regardless of how we do discipleship, what’s important is that we do seek to do it no matter what it will. No matter what it will require you to be intentional and to invite another person into your life and into the church so that they too may become a disciple who follows Jesus and who keeps his commands and if you’re not sure where to start, then I encourage you to do what Jesus does here in our passage of scripture. Carve out some intentional time to pray to God that God would give you someone to disciple and to show you who that person is. And if you do this, then God will guide you in the right direction and he will equip you with what you need to help others grow in Christ. This is the work that God is doing and what he’s called us to do. And it’s not about who you are and how good you are at teaching or helping others. It’s about just seeking to be faithful and God using you to build up and raise up other disciples. My third and last application from this passage is point all people to the life restoring power found in Christ alone. Our passage ends with human need, both little and great being met in the person of Jesus. So Jesus is the only one with the power to change a person’s life from spiritual death to spiritual life. Only in Jesus can the Holy Spirit change a dead heart to beat for God and to live the extraordinary life that God calls us to live by faith. Jesus lived the life that we could not and died on a cross in our place. And then three days later, Jesus rose again from the dead and is victorious over sin and death. And today, Jesus is alive. That’s why we gather here and that’s why we continue to worship God. It’s because Jesus lives. And if you repent today and believe that Jesus truly is the Lord over all the earth who rose again from the dead, then scripture says you too will receive the resurrection power by the Holy Spirit who will come to live inside of you and who guarantees that you will be with God in heaven for eternity. Which is incredible. This is the gospel, the good news given to mankind. And so no matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, the power of God can change your life today. And I believe that wholeheartedly, because I am a walking example of that. God has changed my life from death to life through faith in Him. And so, in summary, point all people to the life restoring power that is found in Christ alone. May we never grow weary in doing that and in seeing that our Savior is the one who has life life restoring power so that all who believe may find new life and joy in him for eternity. That being said, please pray with me, God. We believe that Jesus truly is alive. And we believe, God, that you can use us as you use these 12 disciples to bring about life for others, to bring about Godliness, to bring about godly fruit that is good and righteous and holy. And Lord, that you call us to make other disciples. And so I pray, help us to be faithful in trusting Lord in your choosing and being faithful, to step out works of faith and to be intentional with others so that others may grow in Christ and be able to know and love you and walk with you and God, that the Gospel by your grace, may go to the ends of the earth, that you would use our small little church to fulfill your great commission. And God, that we would never grow weary in pointing people to the all powerful Christ who is alive and who gives new life to all who believe in him. And I pray God be with us as we continue our service today. And it’s in Jesus name we all pray. Amen. The post Chosen Disciples – Luke 6: 12-19 appeared first on Red Village Church.

The post The Bridegroom Has Come – Mark 2:18-2:27 appeared first on Bear Creek Church.

What if Christ's return isn't a distant doctrine, but the climax of history's greatest love story?In this episode, John explains how the prophetic vision of Christ's return is meant to transform our daily lives and purify our hearts. He uses the analogy of a puzzle to show why many find prophecy confusing—they haven't taken the time to see the complete picture.Tune in now to unravel the mysteries surrounding end-time prophecy and discover how the return of Christ is more than an event; it's the reunion of a Bridegroom with His Bride.______________________________________FREE Show Notes Here: https://page.church.tech/e1eef10f______________________________________Click here to start your free extended trial with LOGOS today: Logos.com/Bevere______________________________________Support this podcast by becoming a partner here (tax-deductible):https://3szn.short.gy/JBgive______________________________________Get John's new book, The King is Coming, here: https://www.amazon.com/King-Coming-Prepare-Return-Christ/dp/1400349672/ref=______________________________________To help you grow as a follower of Christ, we invite you to download our everyday discipleship app, MessengerX. You can get it here: https://messengerx.com/______________________________________To explore the other podcast shows that are part of the Messenger Network, click here: https://messengerinternational.org/podcasts

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  iTunes: Parson's Pad Podcast Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Jackie and Bobby reconnect with Sr. Miriam James Heidland at the SEEK 2026 conference and open up about the topic of friendship, the need for others, and what a friendship seeking the Lord looks like.--Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, is a popular Catholic speaker, a cohost of the Abiding Together podcast, and the author of the bestselling book Loved as I Am, and contributes an afterword to the new republication of Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnesbusch, OP.A former Division I athlete who had a radical conversion and joined the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity in 1998, Heidland has shared her story on EWTN's The Journey Home, at numerous SEEK and Steubenville conferences, and at the USCCB's Convocation of Catholic Leaders.Heidland is also affiliated with the Friends of the Bridegroom community and the John Paul II Healing Center in leading healing retreats for priests and religious sisters across America.Heidland earned a master's degree in theology from the Augustine Institute and speaks extensively on the topics of conversion, authentic love, forgiveness, and healing.-- Thank you for listening! For more info on our talks, books, and resources, please visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠https://jackieandbobby.com/⁠ ⁠⁠ If you feel called to support us financially in this ministry endeavor, please prayerfully consider visiting our support page: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/jackieandbobby

In today's devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster continues the series “Lamps With Oil and Lamps Without Oil” from Matthew 25 and brings us to a solemn but hopeful truth: when the Bridegroom comes, those who are ready will be secured forever.Using Scripture alone, this message explains that redemption is not based on tradition, church membership, or good living—but solely on the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Peter reminds us that we were not redeemed with silver or gold, but with the blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.Pastor draws attention to the moment in Matthew 25 when “they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.” That shut door speaks both of those who are shut out and those who are shut in—secure eternally with the Lord. Just as God shut Noah into the ark, God secures His redeemed people in Christ.This devotion also clearly explains:What it means to be redeemedWhy all believers are secure in ChristHow salvation is instant when one truly believesThe biblical steps to being ready: realization of sin, repentance, faith in Christ aloneThe message closes with a loving but direct invitation: only those who are ready will go in. The question every listener must answer is simple—but eternal.

In this episode of The Bridegroom Speaks, Laura reflects on verse 2:14 of the Song of Songs and invites Jenny duBay to give her insight on how this verse helped in her healing from an abusive marriage. Jenny resonates with this verse, likening herself as a "withered rose" who went into seclusion so as not to seem hypocritical to her friends, family, and the outside world. It was through a Song of Songs Scripture study offered by Hope's Garden that Jenny encountered this verse in a new way and heard the Bridegroom speaking to her heart. He invites all of us to come to Him and let Him love us into full bloom. Learn more about Jesus the Bridegroom and His divine love song at Hopesgarden.com

When Jesus comes, there will be no delay. In this devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster continues the Lamps With Oil / Lamps Without Oil series from Matthew 25:1–13 (KJV) and explains a sobering truth: when the Bridegroom arrives, those who are ready will enter immediately.Jesus' parable shows that all ten virgins had lamps and were waiting, but only those with oil were prepared when the moment came. Pastor reminds us that the oil represents the Holy Spirit—to have oil is to have Christ, and to lack oil is to lack Him.This message connects Matthew 25 with the clear teaching of Scripture concerning Christ's return. Paul declares that believers will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51–52) and that the Lord Himself will descend, the dead in Christ will rise first, and living believers will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).Pastor also points ahead to the joy awaiting the redeemed—the marriage supper of the Lamb—where Christ receives His bride, the church. Those who are ready will go in with Him. When the door is shut, it will be final.The question is not how long we've been around church, but whether we are truly ready. If you are ready, help someone else get ready. If you are not ready, today is the time.

In the fourth session of our Return of Christ Conference, Pastor Maiola calls us to develop a ready faith - a faith that actively prepares for the return of Jesus Christ rather than passively waiting or becoming distracted by speculation. He reminds believers that the purpose of end-times teaching is not curiosity about signs, but transformation of life. Paul's instruction to the church in Thessalonica makes clear that readiness for Christ's return is expressed through obedience, sanctification, and faithful living.   Readiness is not found in staring into the sky, abandoning responsibilities, or disengaging from the world, but in faithfully obeying Christ in everyday life. Maiola emphasizes that true faith produces real fruit. Salvation is not merely intellectual belief or simply praying the sinner's prayer, but a life-altering trust in Jesus that leads to repentance, growth, and obedience. Sanctification is God's will for every believer - a joyful process of becoming more like Christ as we prepare to meet Him.   As we wait for the Lord's return, we are encouraged to live as a bride eagerly preparing for her Bridegroom—marked by holiness, love, faithfulness, and mission. As believers fix their hope on Christ's return, they are called to live awake, obedient, and ready, echoing the prayer of the early church: "Come, Lord Jesus."

As Jesus saves a wedding, we see the glory of the true Bridegroom.

Messiah: Session 10Speaker: Ty Gibson

Salvation isn't something you can borrow or inherit—it's personal. In this powerful message from Pastor Jeff Schreve, learn why secondhand faith won't save anyone. Just as the foolish virgins in Jesus' parable tried to borrow oil for their lamps, many today try to rely on a parent's faith, a church background, or religious activity instead of a real relationship with Christ. But when the Bridegroom comes, borrowed faith won't do. Discover what it truly means to be born again and to have the Holy Spirit living within you.

Jesus doesn't love you in a casual way—He loves you with a jealous, covenant love that won't be quenched, bought, or replaced. So today, don't just admire His love—lean into it, abide in it, and let nothing come between you and the Bridegroom who's preparing you for the coming wedding feast.

Jesus doesn't love you in a casual way—He loves you with a jealous, covenant love that won't be quenched, bought, or replaced. So today, don't just admire His love—lean into it, abide in it, and let nothing come between you and the Bridegroom who's preparing you for the coming wedding feast.

John's gospel emphasizes God's plan to redeem the world.Wednesday • 1/21/2026 •Wednesday of 2 Epiphany, Year Two This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 38; Genesis 9:18–29; Hebrews 6:1–12; John 3:22–36 This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom—five wise and five foolish. In this eye-opening message from Pastor Jeff Schreve, discover what the Parable of the Ten Virgins teaches about true salvation and spiritual readiness. Some were prepared with oil in their lamps; others thought they could borrow from someone else. But when the midnight cry rang out—“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming!”—it was too late to get ready. Don't wait until the door is shut. Be wise, be watchful, and be ready for the coming of the King!

Read OnlineThe disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Mark 2:18–19Fasting was common in Old Testament times. Its purpose was to express repentance, mourning, or preparation for divine intervention. This was especially true among John the Baptist's disciples who fasted in response to John's call to repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.Though the Pharisees fasted, their fasting was often for show, to illustrate a false piety. Recall the Pharisee's prayer in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: “The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income'” (Luke 18:11–12). In today's Gospel, Jesus explains that His disciples do not fast now, but that a day is coming when they will need to fast. Jesus explains this within the context of revealing His divine identity as the Bridegroom of God's people.Through the prophets, God often described His relationship with His people in terms of a marriage covenant. Isaiah said, “For your husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name, Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5). Hosea prophesied, “I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion…” (Hosea 2:22–23).While Jesus, the Bridegroom, was with them physically, His disciples were at their wedding banquet, celebrating the new marriage covenant God was establishing with them. It was inappropriate to fast at such a banquet. However, “the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day” (Mark 2:20). This is a reference to Jesus' Passion, Death, and Ascension. He prophesied that once the New Marital Covenant was sealed in His Blood and His earthly mission completed, “they will fast on that day.” That day is today!In the early Church, fasting was also common: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2–3). In this instance, fasting helped the teachers and prophets in Antioch discern Saul and Barnabas' mission in preparation for sending them forth.Today, Jesus not only calls us to regular forms of fasting and mortification, doing so is an essential part of our spiritual journey. This teaching is clear in the New Testament. For example, at the beginning of Jesus' ministry He entered the desert and “fasted for forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2). This models for us the value of fasting as we attempt to fulfill our missions and overcome the temptations of the evil one.If we want to imitate our Lord, deepen our covenantal bond with Him, and further His mission, then we must regularly fast. Though fasting is only required twice a year—on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday—we are encouraged to do so weekly, especially on Fridays, uniting this practice to our prayer life. Reflect today on your practice of fasting and other forms of regular mortification. Fasting is an interior discipline that unites us to the suffering Christ and prepares our hearts to receive His abundant grace. By helping us overcome the enticements of the flesh and distractions of this world, fasting refocuses our souls on the eternal wedding feast that awaits us in Heaven. Embrace fasting not as a burden, but as a joyful opportunity to grow in holiness, deepen your covenantal relationship with the Bridegroom, and prepare more fully for the mission on which He sends you.My Lord and Bridegroom, through the shedding of Your Blood, You have established a New Covenant of love and salvation with me. I long to deepen this covenant and remain faithful to the mission You have entrusted to me. When I am tempted by the disorder of my appetites or distracted by the allurements of the world, remind me of the necessity and grace of fasting. Help me to embrace this holy practice with joyful anticipation of its spiritual rewards and with greater trust in Your providence. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe Stock Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

People asked Jesus why He and his disciples did not fast like Pharisees and John's disciples. Jesus answered that wedding guests do not fast during a wedding feast. Rabbi even said that joy was more important than religious rules. Inferring that He is the bridegroom means He is the Messiah. He predicted His departure saying they would fast when He is forcibly taken away. This is about the Kingdom of God breaking into the world and an invitation to joyfully be the bride of Christ.

In this sermon Pastor Antonette delves into the biblical mystery of Christ as the Bridegroom and the church as His bride, using Ephesians 5 to illustrate His sacrificial love and pursuit. It calls believers to reject lukewarm faith, rekindle passionate devotion through personal encounters with Jesus, and remember the high price He paid (His blood) to claim His bride. Drawing from ancient Hebrew wedding customs, the message emphasizes being chosen by the Father, the bride price, the covenant contract, spiritual gifts bestowed, and the shared cup as a foretaste of the ultimate wedding feast. Corporate prayer and activation of gifts are urged to prepare the church as a ready, on-fire bride. The core invitation is to shift from talking about Jesus to experiencing Him face-to-face daily.

In this excerpt from the Hope's Garden heart-led study of The Song of Songs, Laura talks about the Bride and the Bridegroom praising one another's beauty in verses 1:15-16. She also leads us in a short visualization of how God the Father praises the beauty of each one of us - His beloved daughters.To learn more about the Song of Songs, visit hopesgarden.com

Jesus doesn't love you in a casual way—He loves you with a jealous, covenant love that won't be quenched, bought, or replaced. So today, don't just admire His love—lean into it, abide in it, and let nothing come between you and the Bridegroom who's preparing you for the coming wedding feast.

Jesus doesn't love you in a casual way—He loves you with a jealous, covenant love that won't be quenched, bought, or replaced. So today, don't just admire His love—lean into it, abide in it, and let nothing come between you and the Bridegroom who's preparing you for the coming wedding feast.

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011226.cfmFather Daniel Klimek, PhD reflects on the beginning of Christ's public ministry and the radical call of discipleship. When Jesus calls the first apostles, He does not simply invite admiration, but demands surrender. Peter leaves his nets behind—his livelihood, his security, his safety—to follow Christ. Those nets, Fr. Daniel explains, symbolize the attachments and “safety nets” that often keep us from deeper freedom in God.Discipleship always requires sacrifice. Christ asks for totality, not partial allegiance. “You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Mt 6:24; NABRE). Idols must be broken so that Jesus may take first place in the heart. Yet this surrender is not rooted in fear, but in love. God desires intimacy, the love of a divine Bridegroom who wants the whole heart of His beloved.Father Daniel reminds us that true discipleship is not merely intellectual. The apostles were transformed because they spent time with Jesus—resting in His presence, listening, and being sanctified by Him. That same presence remains with us today in the Holy Eucharist. In Eucharistic adoration, Christ heals anxiety, grants supernatural peace, and draws souls into deeper friendship with Him.Even fatigue before the Blessed Sacrament is not wasted. Resting in Christ's presence is still prayer. As Scripture assures us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28; NABRE). Time given to Jesus is never lost—it is the sacrifice that forms true disciples.To grow in understanding of how Christ works through the Sacraments, explore Understanding the Sacraments, available at ShopMercy.org. Watch the full homily on YouTube, where it is also available ad-free on Divine Mercy Plus, offering faithful Catholic content. ★ Support this podcast ★

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. Today, we are going to learn an easy-to-remember Gospel presentation. Our pattern to share the Gospel is based on five main words – Grace, Man, God, Christ, and Faith and we are pairing each one with a finger of our hand as a learning aid. Today we'll focus on the fourth word - picture your ring finger and think of the Bridegroom because today's word is CHRIST. Jesus Christ is both God and Man. John's Gospel opens with this emphasis, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” While Jesus had many great accomplishments, there's no doubt about His most important:  He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin…and rose from the dead to prove He has purchased a place in Heaven for us. This gift is received by faith. You can visit sharelife.today to view a video demonstrating the Hand Presentation of the Gospel. That's sharelife.today.

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings: 1724 General George Patton Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 Wednesday evenings: 274 Mallory Station Rd, Franklin TN 37967 (Aspen Grove Christian Church)Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Who holds all these titles: Faithful witness, Firstborn of the dead, the Prince of the kings of the earth, He who loved us, He who washed us, He who made us kings and priests. Savior, Bridegroom, the Lover of our souls, the great “Amen.” Can you guess? Come learn more about the Lord Jesus Christ in our study of Revelation. To Him be the glory and the authority unto the ages of the ages.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12-14; Luke 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! In today's episode, Hunter invites us into the fifth day of our journey through the scriptures, exploring Genesis 12–14 and Luke 5. As we travel with Abram through moments of faith and challenge, witness God's promises unfold, and encounter Jesus calling his disciples, healing the outcast, and challenging the religious status quo, we're reminded that these stories point us towards transformation in Christ's love. Hunter reflects on what it means to walk with the Bridegroom—to live joyfully in Jesus's presence, embracing an abundant, childlike faith even in times of hardship or grief. As always, the episode weaves in meaningful prayer and encouragement for your journey, offering hope, comfort, and a reminder that you are deeply loved. Settle in and let God's word nurture your heart today—let's continue this journey together! TODAY'S DEVOTION: Is the bridegroom with us or not? That's the question that comes to the surface as we listen to Jesus respond to the religious leaders in Luke 5. They were disturbed, unsettled by Jesus and his disciples, and how different they seemed from the expected religious norm. Why all the eating and drinking, the lightness and celebration? Shouldn't holy people look more somber, more weighed down by the gravity of spiritual things? But Jesus invites us into a startling possibility—when the bridegroom is with us, it's not a time for gloom. It's not the season for heavy restriction or ritual sadness. It's time to live, to eat and drink, to walk in the abundant life and the joyful celebration of his presence. There certainly is a time for mourning, for fasting, Jesus says. There are seasons of loss and waiting and longing. And yet, even then—for those who belong to Jesus—those seasons are now carried out in the presence and company of the One who is our comforter, our wisdom, our light. He walks with us even through the valley of the shadow of death. He prepares a table for us, a banquet of grace, even when we are surrounded by difficulty, sorrow, or even our enemies. This is the new wine that Jesus brings, the unexpected freedom and fullness of life that flows from walking with the bridegroom. It is a new thing—and sometimes, we may struggle to accept the joy, the lightness, the new way Jesus calls us into. The religious self in us may want to revert back to old patterns, the requisite religious gloom. But Jesus calls us forward, into a childlike, unselfconscious, abundant life, alive to his joyous presence. He's making all things new, and that includes you and me. The prayer of my own heart is that I will live today awake to the bridegroom's presence. That I might even surprise myself with the freedom, joy, and love that spring up when I remember who is with me—the bright and morning star, my joy, my life. In sorrow or in celebration, in fasting or in feasting, may I choose to live as a loved child of God who walks in the newness Christ has made. That's my prayer for my soul, for my family, and for you today. 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  

In this powerful message from the Presence 25 Conference, Eric Gilmour calls the Church back to her first love. This isn't a teaching about ministry, platforms, or performance. It's a call into bridal intimacy — the deep, sacred place where the Bride of Christ learns to behold, love, and respond to Jesus with an undivided heart.Eric unpacks the beauty of becoming lovesick for God again. He reveals how true revival is not found in striving, but in surrender. Not in noise, but in nearness. Not in doing more for God, but in being with Him.This message will awaken hunger, soften hearts, and draw you into a deeper place of communion with Jesus. If you've felt the stirring for more — more presence, more intimacy, more of Him — this word is for you.Recorded live at the Presence 25 Conference, a gathering marked by worship, tears, repentance, healing, and a burning cry to make Jesus the center again.Come back to the secret place. Come back to the gaze. Come back to the Bridegroom.Let the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary The discussion focuses on becoming living epistles—believers whose lives and words embody the living Christ. Using the parable of the wise and foolish virgins as a foundation, the speakers emphasize that maintaining the oil of the Spirit is essential to engage with the Bridegroom. True transformation and ministry flow not from intellect or revelation alone, but from impartation—the living Word of Christ spoken through a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. The group also reflects on building upon the true foundation of Christ, allowing the Spirit—not human leadership—to guide this maturing movement. The conversation concludes with an acknowledgment of God's love, grace, and free will given to all, highlighting that every person is being drawn to deeper relationship and maturity in Him. Show Notes • The parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins illustrates spiritual readiness through maintaining the anointing (oil). • Revelation is valuable, but the goal is relationship and impartation, not just knowledge. • Living epistles are those who speak Christ—their words create, impart, and transform. • The true Word of the Lord brings fruit; if no fruit appears, it's time for growth, not condemnation. • Foundation in Christ remains essential—believers must build upon it, not start over. • The movement today is leaderless in human terms but guided by the Spirit of Christ, the true Apostle and Head. • As each person matures, roles shift—sometimes shepherd, sometimes sheep—all under grace. • Even those focused on basic salvation messages have their purpose in God's plan. • Spiritual growth comes through hunger and choice—a willingness to move beyond the familiar. • God's plan is inclusive—He gives everyone opportunity to come into the knowledge of the Lord. • We are living in the day of impartation, where transformation happens through the Spirit's presence and spoken Word. Quotes • “Without the oil—the anointing, the Holy Spirit—there's no connection.” — Ken • “The true living epistles aren't revelators or expositors. They are those who speak Christ in the earth.” — Ron • “If a true living epistle speaks to you, you're going to change if your heart's open.” — Ron • “Be careful how you build on that foundation.” — Ken (quoting Paul) • “We're leaning on the Spirit to lead us. The true apostle is Christ Himself, the Head.” — Mike • “It's because we're solid in that foundation that we can go higher in revelation.” — Lois • “Every heart has to decide—am I hungry enough to seek out something different?” — Ron • “This is the day of Spirit—the year of Spirit—we are there.” — Ken Scriptural References • Matthew 25:1–13 — The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins; keeping oil (the Spirit) to engage the Bridegroom. • 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 — You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. • John...

Jesus the Bridegroom comes full of grace and truth, His head covered with the dew drops of night. What is the symbolism of the dew drops in the Song of Songs and in other Scriptures? How can we receive the dew drops of grace and healing which Jesus offers us? Laura addresses these questions and more in this excerpt from the Hope's Garden Brides of Christ study of the Song of Songs.Learn more about Jesus the Bridegroom and the Song of Songs with the Hope's Garden Brides of Christ scripture study. https://hopesgarden.mykajabi.com/brides1-landingLearn more about Laura's ministry and classes at Hopesgarden.com

She was born to a pious, noble and very wealthy family in Thessalonica. When both her parents died while she was an adolescent, Anysia consecrated herself to Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom. She cast off all her jewels and fine clothing, dressing herself as a commoner. She freed all her many slaves, giving each of them a generous sum of money to establish themselves. She gave away all of her inheritance, which included large estates. Thenceforth she spent her days visiting the sick, helping widows and orphans, and, especially, aiding Christians suffering under persecution. She would visit those in prison, bringing them food and water and tending their wounds. All the time not devoted to aiding the poor or oppressed she spent in prayer in a small cell. One of her prayers was that she, like those that she helped, would be granted the crown of martyrdom.   One day, while she was walking to church, an imperial soldier accosted her and roughly questioned her. When she plainly declared herself a Christian, the soldier seized her and dragged her to a temple of the idols, where he commanded her to make sacrifice. In response, she only spat in his face. The enraged soldier drew his sword and thrust it into her side, slaying her. Some pious Christians took her body and buried it outside the city. When the persecutions had ended, a church was built in her honor at the place of her burial.