Podcasts about Cephas

Season 4, Episode 5 | Pastor Chad and Tyler Smith reflect on a key moment in Galatians 2 where Paul challenges another early church leader, prompting a discussion on truth, unity, and the integrity of the gospel.

Welcome to another conversation with a member of Citizens, talking about how the Lord has been at work in their life. This episode, we learn more about Courtney LaRussa.Talking points include restaurants, mystery novels, NYC, and incremental change.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Ahhh, Nantucket! My wife and I had some wonderful, romantic times on that picturesque little island 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The little village of Nantucket is just full of colonial charm. And everywhere you look you find reminders of its glory days in the whaling industry. I was surprised to learn, though, that during those glory days most of the town actually burned to the ground, right to the docks. It was a tragedy that nearly put Nantucket out of business. But it was a tragedy that never had to happen. It was an ugly, four-letter word that ultimately destroyed Nantucket, and the word wasn't fire. It's a word that's still destroying things. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "No Turf In His Kingdom." Turf. Yep, that's what destroyed Nantucket Village many years ago. See, when the fire companies arrived at the site of the blaze that day, the fire was still small. But the firefighters got into an argument over who got to use the fire hydrants. They all wanted to be the heroes. Duh! And while they were fighting over turf, literally, the fire spread and they lost the town. That's hard to believe isn't it? But it's true. Or is it that hard to believe? Losing the town while the rescuers fight over turf. That's still happening today, and it's not a new problem. It's talked about in our word for today in the Word of God, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. "I appeal to you, brothers," Paul said," in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some of Chloe's household have informed me there are quarrels among you." Sadly, this tendency for God's people to fragment into camps and different groups, to focus on their differences, to get entangled in quarrels, has infected Christ's church for 2,000 years. And we tend to operate as if only our group, our leader, is right. Paul said here, "One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas"; and still another, 'I follow Christ'" (that was the really spiritual group.) "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" The apostle seems to be saying, "Folks, can't you see? It's all about Jesus! This turf thing is tearing His Body apart!" It was this turf pride that allowed a fire to destroy Nantucket Village while the rescuers argued with each other. Well, today our world is burning down. Lost people are farther from Christ than ever, but we have more means of rescuing them than ever before! So where are the spiritual firefighters? They're fighting over turf. We're so concerned about our organization, our denomination, our church, our group's doctrinal distinctives, the agenda of our group, getting the credit so we can get the glory, or maybe the donations, or loyalty to human leaders rather than to the Lord who raised up those leaders. And meanwhile, a lost world is burning down around us. This has to break the heart of God. There's probably 90% Bible-based Christians agree on, maybe 10% we disagree on. Why do we have to spend 90% of our energy on the 10% we disagree on? That's what makes us "us." We're surrounded by a life-or-death situation! And like the people at Ground Zero when the towers came down, we need to pull together for a desperate rescue operation! Turf does not matter when people are dying! It's time to unite our resources to defeat a militant and united enemy; to get the attention of neighbors who know nothing about the cross, replacing "My kingdom come" with "Thy kingdom come!" There's no stopping God's people when they're united; there's no stomaching God's people when they're divided into hundreds of little personal kingdoms. The town's on fire, folks! The firemen have got to work together!

I, Stewart Alsop, am thrilled to welcome Leon Coe back to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast for a second deep dive. This time, we journeyed from the Renaissance and McLuhan's media theories straight into the heart of theology, church history, and the very essence of faith, exploring how ancient wisdom and modern challenges intertwine. It was a fascinating exploration, touching on everything from apostolic succession to the nature of sin and the search for meaning in a secular age.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:43 I kick things off by asking Leon about the Renaissance, Martin Luther, and the profound impact of the printing press on religion.01:02 Leon Coe illuminates Marshall McLuhan's insights on how technologies, like print, shape our consciousness and societal structures.03:25 Leon takes us back to early Church history, discussing the Church's life and sacraments, including the Didache, well before the Bible's formal canonization.06:00 Leon explains the scriptural basis for Peter as the "rock" of the Church, the foundation for the office of the papacy.07:06 We delve into the concept of apostolic succession, where Leon describes the unbroken line of ordination from the apostles.11:57 Leon clarifies Jesus's relationship to the Law, referencing Matthew 5:17 where Jesus states he came to fulfill, not abolish, the Law.12:20 I reflect on the intricate dance of religion, culture, and technology, and the sometimes bewildering, "cosmic joke" nature of our current reality.16:46 I share my thoughts on secularism potentially acting as a new, unacknowledged religion, and how it often leaves a void in our search for purpose.19:28 Leon introduces what he calls the "most terrifying verse in the Bible," Matthew 7:21, emphasizing the importance of doing the Father's will.24:21 Leon discusses the Eucharist as the new Passover, drawing connections to Jewish tradition and Jesus's institution of this central sacrament.Key InsightsTechnology's Shaping Power: McLuhan's Enduring Relevance. Leon highlighted how Marshall McLuhan's theories are crucial for understanding history. The shift from an oral, communal society to an individualistic one via the printing press, for instance, directly fueled the Protestant Reformation by enabling personal interpretation of scripture, moving away from a unified Church authority.The Early Church's Foundation: Life Before the Canon. Leon emphasized that for roughly 300 years before the Bible was officially canonized, the Church was actively functioning. It had established practices, sacraments (like baptism and the Eucharist), and teachings, as evidenced by texts like the Didache, demonstrating a lived faith independent of a finalized scriptural canon.Peter and Apostolic Succession: The Unbroken Chain. A core point from Leon was Jesus designating Peter as the "rock" upon which He would build His Church. This, combined with the principle of apostolic succession—the laying on of hands in an unbroken line from the apostles—forms the Catholic and Orthodox claim to authoritative teaching and sacramental ministry.Fulfillment, Not Abolition: Jesus and the Law. Leon clarified that Jesus, as stated in Matthew 5:17, came not to abolish the Old Testament Law but to fulfill it. This means the Mosaic Law finds its ultimate meaning and completion in Christ, who institutes a New Covenant.Secularism's Spiritual Vacuum: A Modern Religion? I, Stewart, posited that modern secularism, while valuing empiricism, often acts like a new religion that explicitly rejects the spiritual and miraculous. Leon agreed this can lead to a sense of emptiness, as humans inherently long for purpose and connection to a creator, a void secularism struggles to fill.The Criticality of God's Will: Beyond Lip Service. Leon pointed to Matthew 7:21 ("Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven...") as a stark reminder. True faith requires more than verbal profession; it demands actively doing the will of the Father, implying that actions and heartfelt commitment are essential for salvation.The Eucharist as Central: The New Passover and Real Presence. Leon passionately explained the Eucharist as the new Passover, instituted by Christ. Referencing John 6, he stressed the Catholic belief in the Real Presence—that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ—which is essential for spiritual life and communion with God.Reconciliation and Purity: Restoring Communion. Leon explained the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) as a vital means, given through the Church's apostolic ministry, to restore communion with God after sin. He also touched upon Purgatory as a state of purification for overcoming attachments to sin, ensuring one is perfectly ordered to God before entering Heaven.Contact Information*   Leon Coe: @LeonJCoe on Twitter (X)

Patrick shared a quick but oh-so-needed reflection that will resonate deeply. He read a recent interview from Vatican News featuring Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (from Africa), about that ever-present buzz around division in the Church. The real story is way deeper than the drama on your social media feed. Media vs. Reality: Not the Same Thing Cardinal Ambongo said this: “The press often claims the Church is divided between conservatives and progressives... These categories do not exist among the Cardinals themselves.” Whoa. So, while social media might make it seem like the Church is at war with itself (team trad vs. team modern, etc.), the actual Cardinals are not playing that game. According to the Cardinal, what really happened at the conclave (you know, the one that just gave us Pope Leo XIV) was unity. Not fake, PR-crafted unity, but a shared love for Jesus Christ. The Church = A Person, Not a Platform Cardinal Ambongo gets to the heart of it: “The Church is not an ideology... but rather an attachment to a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.” Can we get an Amen? This isn’t about being “Team Benedict” or “Team Francis” or “Team Trad Latin Mass Only.” The real “team” is: Team Jesus. At the end of the day, Jesus didn’t ask Peter, “Do you have the right liturgical preference?” He asked, “Do you love me?” Patrick’s Take: Strive for Unity, Not Cliques Patrick ties it back to Scripture: St. Paul calling out early Christians for splitting into camps (remember “I’m with Apollos!” “I’m with Cephas!” etc.). Paul shut that down hard because it missed the point: It’s all about Christ. Patrick’s challenge for us? Even when the online world feels loud, snarky, and divided... especially within Catholic circles, we have to remember our purpose. And live like it. It’s Jesus. Period. Final Word If you’ve been feeling a little disheartened by all the Catholic infighting online, let this be your reminder: the Body of Christ is bigger than our factions. Like Patrick said: this is also an ideal to strive for. Let’s get back to what unites us. Want more thoughtful commentary like this? Catch The Patrick Madrid Show live weekdays on the Relevant Radio app, 8–11am CT. Because in a noisy world, we could all use a little more truth... and a little less X/Twitter.

.videoWrapper {position: relative;padding-bottom: 56.25%; /* 16:9 */padding-top: 25px;height: 0;}.videoWrapper iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;width: 100%;height: 100%;} 2）迦1:11-24 天主將他的聖子啟示給我，叫我在外邦人中傳揚他。 11弟兄姊妹們：我告訴你們，我所宣講的福音，並不是由人而來的，12因為，這不是我由人而得來的，也不是由人學來的，而是由耶穌基督所啟示的。13你們一定聽說過，我從前尚在猶太教中的行動：我怎樣激烈地，迫害過天主的教會，竭力想把她消滅；14我在猶太教中，比我本族許多同年的人，更為急進，對我祖先的傳授，更富於熱忱。15但是，從母胎中已選拔我，以恩寵召叫我的天主，卻決意16將他的聖子，啟示給我，叫我在外邦人中傳揚他。我當時沒有與任何人商量，17也沒有上耶路撒冷，去見那些在我以前作宗徒的人。我立即去了阿剌伯，然後又回到了大馬士革。18此後，過了三年，我才上耶路撒冷，去拜見刻法，在他那裏逗留了十五天；19除了主的兄弟雅各伯，我沒有看見別的宗徒。20我給你們寫的都是真的，我在天主前作證，我決沒有說謊。21此後，我往敘利亞和基里基雅地域去了。22那時，猶太境內屬於基督的各教會，都沒有見過我的面；23只是聽說過：「那曾經迫害我們的，如今卻傳揚他曾經想消滅的信仰了。」24他們就為了我而光榮天主。 ❖保祿因不要求外邦人遵守猶太法律，人們便指他叛離了宗徒們的教導。然而保祿卻指出，他雖然比任何人更熱衷於猶太教，主耶穌的啟示卻令他超越了猶太教，叫他在外邦人中傳揚福音。他所宣講的並非人的智慧，而是天主的話。在保祿的這短短的自白中，我們可以窺探到他所經歷的歸依過程。 ❖「我所宣講的福音，並不是由人而來的……也不是由人學來的，而是由耶穌基督所啟示的」（11-12）── 保祿現在要證明自己所宣講的福音，是主耶穌親自啟示給他的。保祿這句話並不是要否定教會傳統的事實和價值，他在別處也肯定承認：「我當日把我所領受而又傳授給你們的」（格前15:3）。值得謹記的是，保祿傳教時尚未有人寫成福音，一切有關耶穌言行，全以宗徒的宣講來承傳。保祿的敵人誹謗他只能算是一個次等的宗徒，不能與十二宗徒等量齊觀，因為他們是直接從耶穌領受了傳佈福音的命令（瑪28:18-20）。他們認為保祿不曾認識耶穌，又不是由十二大宗徒所委派的，故此他所宣講的一切，怎能算為耶穌的真正福音呢？保祿卻力證：1）他所宣佈的福音，不是十二大宗徒教給他的，也不是如其他的信友一樣，由講授教理的教師學來的，而是直接得自耶穌基督的啟示；2）他雖不屬十二宗徒的團體，但他們，尤其是伯多祿卻認可了他所宣講的福音（2:1-21）。 ❖「你們一定聽說過，我從前尚在猶太教中的行動：我怎樣激烈地，迫害過天主的教會，竭力想把她消滅」（13）── 保祿像耶肋米亞先知一樣，提起了他親身所經歷的一些事，以證明自己的宗徒身份。因為人人都知道保祿從前激烈地迫害過基督的教會，設法要把她徹底消滅（宗9:1-30）。他不但是一位激烈的迫害者，同時更是一位激進的法利塞人，他對於猶太教義、習俗和祖先的傳授，比他同年的猶太人更加倍熱愛和保守（14）。保祿曾向在耶路撒冷的猶太人表明自己的身世說：「我原是猶太人，生於基里基雅的塔爾索，卻在這城裏長大，在加瑪里耳足前，對祖傳的法律，曾受過精確的教育；對天主我也是熱忱的，就如你們大家今天一樣」（宗22:3）。事實上，如今人們都會知道，「那曾經迫害我們的，如今卻傳揚他曾經想消滅的信仰了」（1:23）。 那麼保祿這翻天覆地的改變，由設法消滅這信仰，轉而去宣傳這信仰，是怎樣發生的呢？他是如何歸依的呢？我們聽他繼續親自表白⋯⋯ ❖「從母胎中已選拔我，以恩寵召叫我的天主，卻決意將他的聖子，啟示給我，叫我在外邦人中傳揚他」（15-16）── 天主在大馬士革附近發顯了奇蹟，給保祿啟示了復活的主耶穌，一方面叫他明白耶穌就是天主的聖子，是默西亞，另一方面，天主更選拔他在異民中作宣揚耶穌的宗徒。保祿感到自己就如舊約中的先知般，是天主所簡選，或更準確的說，是天主「從母胎中已選拔」並「以恩寵所召叫」的。 這正是保祿所熟悉的耶肋米亞先知的經驗，天主曾親自給先知說：「我還沒有在母腹內形成你以前，我已認識了你；在你還沒有出離母胎以前，我已祝聖了你，選定了你作萬民的先知」（耶1:5）。保祿日後反省這經驗，衷心感謝天主對自己及眾信友的召選說：「願我們的主耶穌基督的天主和父受讚美！他在天上，在基督內，以各種屬神的祝福，祝福了我們，因為他於創世以前，在基督內已揀選了我們，為使我們在他面前，成為聖潔無瑕疵的；又由於愛，按照自己旨意的決定，預定了我們藉着耶穌基督獲得義子的名分，而歸於他，為頌揚他恩寵的光榮，這恩寵是他在自己的愛子內賜與我們的」（弗1:3-6）。 ❖「我當時沒有與任何人商量，也沒有上耶路撒冷，去見那些在我以前作宗徒的人。我立即去了阿剌伯，然後又回到了大馬士革」（16-17）── 天主的啟示是人不可否定的，更是不可抗拒的；耶肋米亞曾經寫過：「假使我說：我再不想念他，不再以他的名發言；在我心中就像有火在焚燒，蘊藏在我的骨髓內，我竭力抑制，亦不可能」（耶20:9），所以保祿也沒有和任何人商量，也沒有往耶路撒冷去見大宗徒，而隨從了天主的指引，起身往阿剌伯去了（即大馬士革東南方的曠野）。有人以為保祿在阿剌伯開始傳教，但更可能的是保祿到那裏是為了專務默想、祈禱、苦身克己，準備去作外邦人的宗徒。我們不知保祿逗留在阿剌伯有多久，但按《宗徒大事錄》記載，他不久「又回到了大馬士革」，而且「更強而有力」地繼續「在各會堂中宣講耶穌，說他是天主子⋯⋯使僑居在大馬士革的猶太人驚惶失措，因為他指證耶穌就是默西亞。過了一些時日，猶太人就共同商議要殺害他」（宗9:20-23）。關於這事，保祿也曾在致格林多教會的信中提及，當「我在大馬士革時，阿勒達王的總督把守了大馬士革人的城，要逮捕我，而我竟被人用籃子從窗口，沿著城牆繫下，逃脫了他的手」（格後11:32-33）。 ❖「過了三年，我才上耶路撒冷，去拜見刻法」（18）── 這「三年」應是指保祿歸化後三年，他往耶路撒冷拜見刻法（阿剌美語 ap'yKe - Kefa' || 希臘文Khfa/j - Kēphas: Cephas＝石頭，喻指西滿伯多祿）。保祿去拜見伯多祿的原故，無疑的是因為他知道伯多祿是教會的首領。路加也記述了保祿這次上耶路撒冷見宗徒的事，在這機會上保祿更認識了巴爾納伯（宗9:26-30），但保祿在那裏「只逗留了十五天」（18）。 ❖「除了主的兄弟雅各伯，我沒有看見別的宗徒」（19）── 保祿在耶路撒冷除了伯多祿外，還看到了宗徒雅各伯。教會傳統為分辨他與若望的哥哥雅各伯，常稱他為次雅各伯。他之所以也被稱為「主的兄弟」，應是指耶穌的表兄弟而言。那些不接受耶穌的母親瑪利亞是終身童貞的人，往往按這句話大做文章，但他們也應注意路加提到耶穌復活後三位婦女向宗徒報告時，列出她們的名字是「瑪利亞瑪達肋納及約安納和雅各伯的母親瑪利亞」（路24:10），這裡提到位的「雅各伯的母親瑪利亞」，是指次雅各伯的母親而言。如果次雅各伯是耶穌的親兄弟，路加必然會稱他的母親為「耶穌和雅各伯的母親瑪利亞」。 ❖「此後，我往敘利亞和基里基雅地域去了」（21）── 保祿在耶路撒冷只逗留了十五天，但按《宗徒大事錄》記載，他也在耶京「因主的名字勇敢講道，並且同希臘化的猶太人談論辯道，他們就打算殺害他。兄弟們一知道這事，就領他下到凱撒勒雅，以後打發他到塔爾索去了」（宗9:29-30）。保祿在自己的故鄉塔爾索傳道，亦即他在本信中提到的「基里基雅地域」（Cilicia），有時也到附近的「敘利亞」。當時這兩個地方同為羅馬帝國的一省，受駐節於安提約基雅的敘利亞省督導使（legatus）管轄。 ❖「那時，猶太境內屬於基督的各教會，都沒有見過我的面；只是聽說過：那曾經迫害我們的，如今卻傳揚他曾經想消滅的信仰」（22-23）── 天主的計劃往往是出人意表的，掃祿想消滅基督信仰和初生的教會，天主偏要藉着這樣一個迫害者，去傳揚他的真道，完成一項偉大的傳教使命。保祿對自己曾迫害教會一事，直認不諱，至少在書信中四次承認了（格前15:9；迦1:13；斐3:6；弟前1:13），路加在《宗徒大事錄》中，更指他在耶路撒冷和凱撒勒雅，也親口承認了這往事（宗22:4; 26:10-11）。 ***** ***** ***** 保祿雖然堅稱自己所傳的福音是來自天主的啟示，但他並沒有獨斷獨行，或另立門戶。事實上，他歸化後雖然沒有立即去見在耶路撒冷的大宗徒，但過了三年，他也上了耶路撒冷，「去見那些在我以前作宗徒的人，」尤其是伯多祿。保祿深明教會合一的重要，而且這合一的可見標記，正是耶穌曾向他說：「你是伯多祿（磐石），在這磐石上，我要建立我的教會」的那位（瑪16:18）。

On this week's program, we continue with our occasional feature focusing on the fundamentals of a particular style of music. Piedmont blues is a ragtime inspired music played mostly on the guitar. Originally it emanated from Virginia and traveled south to Atlanta, but today can be found most anywhere. We'll hear classics from John Jackson, Mississippi John Hurt, Cephas & Wiggins, Pink Anderson and others, and selections from the collection on Smithsonian Folkways Records - Classic Piedmont Blues. Some classic blues selections … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine. Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysStefan Grossman & Rory Block / “Pony Blues” / Country Blues Guitar / Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop John Jackson / “Red River Blues” / Classic Piedmont Blues / Smithsonian FolkwaysRoy Book Binder / “Kentucky Blues” / Live Book...Don't Start Me Talkin' / RounderBukka White / “Special Streamline” / The Complete Bukka White / Columbia-LegacyMississippi John Hurt / “Avalon Blues” / DC Blues Part 2 / FuelCephas & Wiggins / “Mamie” / Classic Piedmont Blues / Smithsonian FolkwaysCorey Harris / “Bumble Bee Blues” / Fish Ain't Bitin' / AlligatorElizabeth Cotten / “Buck Dance” / Shake Sugaree / Smithsonian FolkwaysStefan Grossman & Rory Block / “Mississippi Blues” / Country Blues Guitar / Stefan Grossman's Guitar WorkshopNapoleon Strickland Fife & Drum Band / “My Babe” / Traveling Through the Jungle / TestamentFannie Lou Hamer / “Woke Up the Morning” / Songs My Mother Taught Me / Smithsonian FolkwaysEric Bibb / “Mornin' Train” / Migration Blues / Stony PlainPink Anderson / “Meet Me in the Bottom” / Classic Piedmont Blues / Smithsonian FolkwaysDom Flemons w/ Guy Davis / “It's A Good Thing” / Prospect Hill / Music MakerTaj Mahal / “Fishin' Blues” / The Real Thing / Columbia Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 15:3–7.

Today, we make a broad but apt, I think, illustration from John 1:35-51. We see through this passage a simple conversation with Jesus and then perplexing words from The Word of God, Jesus. Finally, we see an enigmatic revelation from our Savior. Before we get to the content, we highlight, almost all (spoilers) the island nations in which we have listeners! Thank You, treasured ones (Psalm 83:3), from the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Jamaica, Japan, Madagascar, Mauritius, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Puerto Rico. The Lord has blessed us, knowing you are there. Simple: "Where are you staying?" John 1:38Perplexing: "He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter)." John 1:42Enigmatic: "You shall see greater things than these." John 1:50Our So What?We often don't put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples or Biblical characters; we should; even the fiery Elijah James tells us is a man with a nature like ours, so all the Biblical characters, we begin simply, basically, we often find the word of God and always the character of God inexplicably in human terms, but when we pursue Him, He opens our eyes, and then we pray for knowledge and wisdom and discernment.Pray, Pray, Pray, family of the Most High in faith continually. Brethren, let us pray for one another to overcome the weakness of the flesh through prayer. ""What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."" Robert Murray M'CheyneeDonation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 038

Welcome to another conversation with a member of Citizens, talking about how the Lord has been at work in their life. This episode, we learn more about Kaylin Claiborne.Talking points include angels, golf, baby names, and cheerios.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

A Biblical Exposition on the Bodily Resurrection of Christ: Its Meaning for the World and the Believer   The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, a historical and theological truth that reverberates through time, shaping the destiny of humanity and the hope of every believer. The resurrection is not merely a symbolic or spiritual event but a physical, bodily reality that validates Christ's identity as the Son of God, secures salvation for believers, and guarantees the future resurrection of all who trust in Him. Today we will explore the biblical teaching on Christ's resurrection, its implications for the world and the believer, the consequences if Christ had not risen (as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15), and the hope of our future resurrection grounded in His triumph over death   I. The Fact of Christ's Bodily Resurrection The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a well-attested historical event, recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21) and affirmed throughout the New Testament. It was not a hallucination, a spiritual metaphor, or a myth, but a physical reality witnessed by many. John 20:27–29 “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”   Jesus' invitation to Thomas to touch His wounds demonstrates the physicality of His resurrected body. This was no ghost or vision; Christ's body bore the marks of crucifixion, yet He was alive, speaking, and interacting. Thomas's response, “My Lord and my God,” reflects the magnificent weight of the resurrection: it confirms Jesus' deity and lordship.  The blessing pronounced on those who believe without seeing extends the resurrection's significance to all believers across generations, calling us to faith in the testimony of Scripture. Luke 24:39–40 “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.”   Jesus explicitly counters any notion that His resurrection was merely spiritual. His body was tangible, composed of “flesh and bones,” yet glorified, able to transcend physical limitations (e.g., appearing in locked rooms, John 20:19). The continuity of His body (bearing crucifixion scars) and its transformation (no longer subject to death) reveal the nature of the resurrection body—both physical and glorified. This is the prototype for the believer's future resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”   Paul's summary of the gospel emphasizes the resurrection as a historical fact, corroborated by multiple eyewitnesses. The appearances to Peter, the apostles, over 500 brethren, James, and Paul himself provide overwhelming testimony. The phrase “of whom the greater part remain unto this present” invites scrutiny, as living witnesses could be questioned at the time of Paul's writing.  The resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecy (“according to the scriptures,” e.g., Psalm 16:10), anchoring it in God's redemptive plan.   II. The Significance of Christ's Resurrection for the World The resurrection of Christ is not an isolated event but a cosmic turning point with implications for all creation. It declares God's victory over sin, death, and Satan, and it reshapes the world's destiny.       Romans 1:4 “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”   The resurrection is God's public declaration of Jesus' divine sonship. It validates His claims to be the Messiah and the Son of God, distinguishing Him from all other religious figures. For the world, this means Jesus is the rightful Lord and Judge (Acts 17:31). The resurrection demands a response: acceptance of Christ's lordship or rejection, with eternal consequences.   Acts 17:30–31 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”   The resurrection establishes Jesus as the appointed Judge of all humanity. God's command to repent is universal, and the resurrection serves as “assurance” (proof) of Christ's authority.  For the world, this is both a warning and an invitation: judgment is coming, but salvation is offered through faith in the risen Christ. The resurrection thus reorients human history toward accountability to God. Colossians 2:15 “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”   The resurrection is Christ's triumph over demonic powers. His death disarmed Satan's hold over humanity through sin (Hebrews 2:14–15), and His resurrection publicly humiliated the forces of darkness.  For the world, this means the power of evil is broken, and Christ's kingdom is advancing, ultimately culminating in the restoration of all creation (Romans 8:21).   III. The Significance of Christ's Resurrection for the Believer For believers, the resurrection is the foundation of salvation, sanctification, and eternal hope. It assures us of justification, empowers us for holy living, and guarantees our future resurrection. Romans 4:25 “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”   Christ's resurrection is integral to our justification. His death paid the penalty for sin, but His resurrection confirms that God accepted His sacrifice. Because Christ lives, believers are declared righteous before God, forgiven, and reconciled. This is the bedrock of the believer's assurance: our standing with God is secure because Christ is risen.   Romans 6:4–5 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”   The resurrection empowers believers to live transformed lives. Through union with Christ, symbolized in baptism, we share in His death to sin and His resurrection to new life. This “newness of life” is not merely future but present, enabling us to overcome sin and live for God's glory. The promise of sharing in “the likeness of his resurrection” points to our future glorified bodies, but it also assures us of spiritual vitality now.     1 Peter 1:3–4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”   The resurrection gives believers a “lively hope”—a confident expectation of eternal life. Christ's triumph over death secures our inheritance in heaven, which is imperishable and guaranteed by His resurrection.  This hope sustains believers through trials, knowing that our future is as certain as Christ's empty tomb. We do not clench a crucifix around our neck, or cling to a catechism, or a ritual— we are clinched in the hands of God through the resurrected Christ.   IV. The Consequences If Christ Had Not Risen (1 Corinthians 15) In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses the Corinthian church's doubts about the resurrection, arguing that denying the resurrection of believers undermines the resurrection of Christ Himself. He outlines the devastating consequences if Christ had not risen. 1 Corinthians 15:12–19 “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”   Paul's logic is airtight: if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen, and the entire Christian faith collapses.    He lists the consequences: Preaching is vain (v. 14): The gospel message, centered on Christ's death and resurrection, would be empty and powerless. Evangelism would be a lie. Faith is vain (v. 14, 17): Belief in Christ would be futile, offering no salvation. Believers would remain “yet in your sins,” unforgiven and under God's wrath. Apostles are false witnesses (v. 15): The apostolic testimony, including Paul's own, would be a fabrication, making them liars about God's work. The dead in Christ are perished (v. 18): Those who died trusting in Christ would have no hope of eternal life; they are lost forever. Christians are most miserable (v. 19): If hope in Christ is limited to this life, believers who endure persecution and sacrifice for Him are pitiable fools. Paul's argument underscores the resurrection's centrality.    Without it, Christianity is a delusion, offering no forgiveness, no eternal life, and no purpose. But because Christ is risen, the opposite is true: preaching is powerful, faith is effective, the apostles are trustworthy, the dead in Christ are secure, and believers are the most blessed of all people.   V. The Hope of Our Future Resurrection The resurrection of Christ is the “firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:20) of the resurrection of all believers. His triumph over death guarantees our future resurrection and the ultimate redemption of creation. 1 Corinthians 15:20–23 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.”   The term “firstfruits” implies both priority and promise. Christ's resurrection is the initial harvest, guaranteeing the full harvest of believers' resurrection at His return. Just as Adam's sin brought death to all humanity, Christ's resurrection brings life to all who are “in Christ.” This order—Christ first, then His people—assures us that our resurrection is as certain as His. Philippians 3:20–21 “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”   The believer's future resurrection involves the transformation of our mortal bodies into glorified bodies like Christ's. This is not a mere spiritual existence but a physical reality, free from corruption and suited for eternal life. Christ's resurrection body—capable of eating (Luke 24:42–43) yet unbound by physical limitations—is the model for our own. 1 Thessalonians 4:14–16 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” The resurrection of believers is directly tied to Christ's resurrection (“if we believe that Jesus died and rose again”). At His return, the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by living believers, all transformed to meet the Lord. This hope comforts believers, especially those grieving loved ones, assuring them of reunion and eternal life.   VI. Conclusion: Our Hope Rests on Christ's Resurrection The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of the Christian faith. It declares His victory over sin and death, validates His deity, secures salvation for believers, and promises the restoration of all creation. For the world, it demands repentance and faith in the risen Lord, who will return as Judge. For the believer, it assures justification, empowers holy living, and anchors our hope in an eternal inheritance.   The stark consequences outlined in 1 Corinthians 15—if Christ had not risen—highlight the resurrection's indispensability. Without it, our faith is vain, our sins remain, and our hope is lost. But because Christ is risen, our preaching is true, our faith is effective, and our future is secure. Our hope of future resurrection rests firmly on the fact of Christ's resurrection.  As the “firstfruits,” He guarantees that we, too, will rise to eternal life with glorified bodies, free from sin and death. This hope sustains us through trials, motivates us to live for Christ, and fills us with anticipation for His return.    Let us, therefore, echo the words of Job, confident in the risen Savior: Job 19:25–26 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” May we live in the power of Christ's resurrection, proclaiming His victory and awaiting the day when we shall be “fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21), forever with the Lord. Amen.

The episode ends at 15.40, and then we have our close if you are disposed to listen.How do we find Jesus?A preacher, pastor, or evangelist points to Jesus. John 1:35-37 We hear about Jesus through one another. John 1:41, John 2:45 Jesus in His way comes to find us. John 1:43He speaks to us first:"What do you seek?" John 1:43 "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" John 1:42 "Follow Me." John 1:43: "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" John 1:47.We realize He speaks to us first in our reference to Hebrews 1:1-2, and we see we are led to the truth through the word."So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."Romans 10:17"Jesus *said to him, '"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'"Our So What?No matter how we are drawn to Jesus, He speaks to us. First, the Bible declares Jesus to everyone who reads it, and we realize we need the Savior who came to seek and save the lost, and we need Him daily. Brethren, let us pray for one another to overcome the weakness of the flesh through prayer. ""What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."" Robert Murray M'CheyneeM'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 036

The Resurrection of Christ15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Rev. David Thompson was preacher for this service. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 73 - Thine is the Glory, Risen, Conqu'ring Son - 1 Corinthians 15:1-8: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 359 - Worthy is Christ, the Lamb Who Was Slain - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. David Thompson (Preacher), Laura Matzke (Organist)

Luke 24:1-12 NLT1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. • • •1. Resurrection: Is it true? • • •a. Testimony of historical documents • • •Luke 24:1-7 NLT1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” • • •b. Testimony of women • • •Luke 24:8-12 NLT8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. • • •c. Testimony of multiple eyewitnesses • • •1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. • • •d. Testimony of angels • • •Luke 24:4-7 NLT4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” • • •2. Resurrection: What does it mean for us? • • •a. Jesus is with us now • • •2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! • • •Romans 8:11 NLT11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. • • •Matthew 28:18-20 ESV18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” • • •b. We will be with Jesus for eternity • • •Luke 23:43 ESV43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” • • •John 14:1-3 ESV1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. • • •John 14:6 ESV6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. • • •John 11:25-26 ESV25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” • • •Application:Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

QUOTE FOR REFLECTION “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”~Jesus, as recorded by John (11:25-26) “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.” “Did the resurrection happen? Yes! But, you will be able to confront it only if you let it convince not only your reason and head, but also the commitments of your heart.”~Timothy Keller  “The New Testament writers speak as if Christ's achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe... He is the trailblazer of life... He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because He has done so.”~C.S. Lewis “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen—nothing else matters.”~Jaroslav Pelikan “...Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!”~Clarence W. Hall  “With Jesus, even in our darkest moments the best remains and the very best is yet to be…”~Corrie Ten BoomSERMON PASSAGE1 Corinthians 15:1-10, 17-19, 30-34, 58 (ESV) 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”  34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.1 Corinthians 15:1-8 and 17-20 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,1 Corinthians 15:2-34 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.1 Corinthians 15:4-717 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.1 Corinthians 15:1717 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep1 Corinthians 15:17-201. Christ died for our sins2. The resurrection is a real event, or this is a waste of time.3. One way or another, you are betting your life on the resurrection.

Welcome! Church Online is a community of people all over the experiencing God and connecting with one another like never before in history. Introduce yourself in the chat and let us know where you're from! Get Connected Check us out on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram Find a Small Group www.southpoint4u.com/groups Find out more at www.southpoint4u.com Notes: WHY are we here celebrating Easter? Easter celebrates the historical event of Jesus's resurrection If Jesus stayed dead, His words, actions, ideas, and teachings are useless Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6 -Con man -Crazy delusional -Christ the King When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” “…This is blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!” - Mark 2:5-7 The thief said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!” Jesus replied, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.” - Luke 23:42-43 …the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day.” - Matthew 27:62-66 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. - Matthew 27:62-66 JESUS PROMISES: - Forgiveness - Eternal life - God's love conquers evil & you matter NO RESURRECTION: - No forgiveness – No eternal life – evil wins and life is meaningless Jesus can't be good if he was lying about who he claimed to be For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. - 1st Corinthians 15:3-8 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. - 1st Corinthians 15:3-8 PAUL THE APOSTLE -Martyred in 64/65 AD -Corinthians written 55 AD -Jesus crucified 33 AD -That's 22 YEARS, not centuries later! “Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who became his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, AND THAT HE WAS ALIVE.” Flavius Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews- 90's AD Personally Matters: -Jesus's love shows you matter -Jesus's death erases our sin -Jesus's life destroys death Jesus's resurrection proves that His love, forgiveness, and offer of eternal life are real!

   Church Life                              “Resurrection Grace” (Acts 13:26-41)The Why of Gospel Grace (vv.26-27)Jo. 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ... 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.The Heart of Gospel Grace (vv. 28-33)1 Cor. 15:3-4 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15:5-8 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. Psa. 2:1-2c, 10-12 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, .... 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. The Future of Gospel Grace (vv. 34-37)1 Cor. 15:20-22,35 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. .. 35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”  - The hope of glory 1 Cor. 15:53-55,57 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?”57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gift of Gospel Grace (vv. 38-41)1 Cor. 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.1 attachment

A Triumphant Church Remembers the Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55  “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I. Remembering the Resurrection Delivers the Gospel II. Remembering the Resurrection Discovers the Authenticity of the Resurrection III. Remembering the Resurrection Deals Correctly With the Dead IV. Remembering the Resurrection Details Eternity

Moreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also ye have received and wherein ye stand By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you unless ye have believed in vain For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures And that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep After that he was seen of James then of all the apostles And last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time

The proverbs of Solomon make many points for us to meditate upon – vital principles for daily living.  It is good to take them individually and reflect carefully on how many of them apply to daily living in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  Chapter 13 today at v.13 says, “Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.”How true that is – but in an increasing number of ways and places today the word of God is ignored as being of no account.  In others the ‘knowing' of God's word is left to a select few – ‘elders' they might be called – and the danger is that they selectively apply them according to their own interpretation; evidence of this is seen in those who opposed our Lord.There is danger when believers become followers of individuals instead of adequately reverencing God's word and making that word part of their thinking. Paul lamented to the Corinthians, “each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul' or ‘I follow Cephas,' or ‘I follow Apollos, …  Is Christ divided?” [1 Cor. 1 v.12]Solomon writes, “In everything the prudent act with knowledge” [v.16] and God's word is the source of that knowledge.  “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”[v.20]Our world is out of balance, so few are now wise in the principles God's word sets before us.  “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him (or her) is diligent to discipline him.” [v.24]  Many parts of the world now spurn any physical discipline.  It is true that in the days of old it was sometimes done far too much. Solomon later writes, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” [22 v.6]When we come to Ephesians 6 on Sunday we will read, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” [v.4]   When this is done there will be no need for any rod – but spiritual joy in having our children as fellow believers and followers of the Lord.Returning to our Proverbs chapter, if we can truly develop both a love and an awe of God we will see ever more clearly that his word is a “tree of life” [v.12] and the time will come when Christ will say “to the one who conquers … eat of the tree of life., which is in the paradise of God.” [Rev. 2 v.7]  But “whoever despises the word …”

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (NKJV)10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Big Idea: Will your life leave a dent on Hell?1 Corinthians 3:10-23I. Quality that passes the toughest test 1 Corinthians 3:10-13According to God's grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one's work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work.II. Setting your faith on fire 1 Corinthians 3:14-15If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire. III. Which way to the sanctuary?1 Corinthians 3:16-17Don't you yourselves know that you are God's temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and that is what you are.IV. Fooling no one but yourself 1 Corinthians 3:18-20Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness; and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are futile.V. You have everything when you have Christ1 Corinthians 3:21-23So let no one boast in human leaders, for everything is yours—whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come—everything is yours, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I place my life in Jesus's hands. Become: I will spend my time and energy on what matters for eternity.Be Sent: I will live out my faith at work or school this week.Discussion Questions: What happens if you throw paper in a fire?  What happens if you throw silver in a fire?Will the most precious parts of your life survive a house fire? Explain your answer. Why should you “go' to church when the Holy Spirit lives inside you?How can it be possible for people to “deceive themselves” about their own faith?What part of your faith is missing in your life?What measure do you use to ensure that your life will leave an eternal impact?Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you how to impact eternity this week.  

Welcome! Church Online is a community of people all over the experiencing God and connecting with one another like never before in history. Introduce yourself in the chat and let us know where you're from! Get Connected Check us out on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram Find a Small Group www.southpoint4u.com/groups Find out more at www.southpoint4u.com Notes: All of us are betting our lives on something No one should bet their life on “blind faith” “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” - John 14:11 Whatever we bet our life on needs more than emotion; it should have strong evidence Why should I trust the Bible? Myths: ● NT was written centuries later ● Bible is corrupted - many versions ● Has contradictions For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. - 1st Corinthians 15:3-8 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 PAUL THE APOSTLE -Martyred in 64/65 AD -Corinthians written in 55 AD -Jesus crucified in 33 AD --- That's 22 years, not centuries, later! --- Myths: ● NT was written centuries later ● Bible is corrupted - many versions ● Has contradictions Bible written in: Hebrew – Aramaic – Greek The Great Isaiah Scroll, a Dead Sea Scroll dating back to around 125 BC, is remarkably similar to the Masoretic Text, the standard Hebrew Bible, with only a few minor textual variations, confirming the accuracy of the transmission of the Book of Isaiah over a millennium. Myths: ● NT was written centuries later ● Bible is corrupted - many versions ● Has contradictions The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus. - Matthew 27:44 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him… But the other criminal rebuked him. - Luke 23:38-40 Using an unequal standard creates an unfair picture Literary Evidence Manuscript Evidence Archeological Evidence LITERARY EVIDENCE 66 different books 40+ Authors (varied backgrounds) Written on 3 different continents Written in 3 different languages Over a 1,500-year time span It's a coherent message & has thematic unity NON-CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL SOURCES: Tacitus Suetonius Josephus Pliny the Younger Lucian Talmud -Jesus lived during the time of Tiberius Caesar. -He lived a virtuous life. -He was thought to be a wonder-worker. -He had a brother named James. -He was acclaimed to be the Messiah. -He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. -An eclipse and earthquake occurred when He died. -He was crucified on the eve of the Passover. -His disciples believed He rose from the dead. -His disciples were willing to die for their beliefs. MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE 1,000 years – 10 copies – GAELIC WARS 750 years – 7 copies – NATURAL HISTORY 500 years – 500 copies – ILIAD 50 years – 24,000 copies – NEW TESTAMENT ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE Luke: 32 countries, 54 cities, 9 islands, 0 mistakes ---------- Politarchs – city officials No reference in existing Greek literature 1st century archway with inscription “In the time of Politarchs” ----------- Lysanias the Tetrarch of Abilene (no mention) 2 Greek inscriptions from Abila dated 14-29 A.D. “Freedman of Lysanias, the Tetrarch” “It may be stated categorically that no archeological discovery has ever controverted a single biblical reference.” - Archeologist Dr. Nelson Glueck (Time Magazine Person of the Year) Believing the Bible does not require any blind faith. It has mountains of evidence that points to its trustworthiness. “A person who rejects Christ may choose to say that I do not accept it, he may not choose to say there's not enough evidence.” - Simon Greenleaf

John 1:42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter). Names are important. Obviously they are identifiers. The name, Simon, was the most popular name in the first century Hebrew culture. It is a derivative of Simeon. It means to hear or to listen or to understand. In Matthew 16, when Jesus told Simon he would be called Cephas or Peter, we learn that Peter means rock. Let's consider how these two names relate to each other for our encouragement today. First, Jesus told Simon Peter that He would build His church upon this rock. He didn't say He would build it upon Peter, but upon the Father revealing that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Let's consider the context of Matthew 16:16-19. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Jesus would often say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Simon Peter was a testimony to how Jesus builds His church—with the Father giving its members ears to hear— that's the meaning of the name Simon. Jesus stated it plainly—His Father gave Simon the ability to hear and understand who Jesus is. He gave Simon the power to believe. The apostle Paul understood this truth when he wrote to the Romans in 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” So hearing from the Father comes first. Second, once someone hears and faith in Christ is received, then he or she becomes a living stone in Jesus' church. The gift of hearing—Simon—is the rock—Peter—upon which Jesus builds His church. The second name follows the first name. God builds His church through Jesus as faith comes from supernatural hearing. There must first be Simon before there can be Peter. When you put the two together, the church of Jesus Christ is built. The names Simon and Peter reflect God's work in building the church. What happens when you put hearing and faith together? Notice in the Matthew 16 passage, Jesus said He would give Simon Peter the keys of the kingdom, which in essence is faith at work, binding and loosing what has already been bound and loosed in heaven. It is the gift of faith that unleashes the will of God in the unseen realm into this world. That is the work of His church. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, said, “For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” That's how the Lord builds His church. We are given ears to hear Him, faith is produced, and then we love with Him, unleashing His power and will in the world. In a wonderful sense, all believers are built on the meaning of the names Simon and Peter. That's what's in the names. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

As long as you preach the Gospel and you witness and you win souls, I know God is going to support you!--Even if He has to drop it out of the sky!FAITHBUCKS.COMPaul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,1CO.1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:1CO.1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.1CO.1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;1CO.1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;1CO.1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:1CO.1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:1CO.1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.1CO.1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.1CO.1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.1CO.1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.1CO.1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.1CO.1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?1CO.1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;1CO.1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.1CO.1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.1CO.1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.1CO.1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.1CO.1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.1CO.1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?1CO.1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.1CO.1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:1CO.1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;1CO.1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.1CO.1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.1CO.1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:1CO.1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;1CO.1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:1CO.1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.1CO.1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:1CO.1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Welcome to another conversation with a member of Citizens, talking about how the Lord has been at work in their life. This episode, we learn more about Taylor Morrow.Talking points include surprising honesty, parenting, cheerleading, and playing the discipleship long game.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Introduction: Congratulations to the Peacemakers! (Matthew 5:9) Who are the Peacemakers? Those who Love unity and actively seek to Promote and Defend it in all circumstances. Why are We Congratulating the Peacemakers? For they shall be called Sons of God. Galatians 2:11-14 - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. How Can I Become a Peacemaker? By Resting in the peace that Christ purchased for me. Ephesians 2:13-14 - But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Colossians 1:20-22 - And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. By valuing the good of others above my Feelings and Preferences . By having a healthy view of Conflict . I shouldn't Desire tt. I shouldn't Avoid tt. Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Audio Transcript Maybe you have a hard time being happy for anyone else besides yourself.Maybe you're envious of the person you're supposed to be congratulating.You know, at times we all struggle with truly congratulating other people.But do you know whose congratulations are always 100% genuine, heartfelt, and passionate?Jesus Christ.Over the past two months, we have been digging into the beatitudes.These are Jesus' blessed statements from the Sermon on the Mount, where he congratulatesthose who we would never think to congratulate on our own.We've already seen him congratulate the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, thosewho hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, and the pure in heart.Jesus doesn't congratulate these people to make them feel good about themselves.He truly congratulates these individuals because he means it.He gives his most sincere congratulations to his followers who choose to go against thegrain and be different than the rest of this world because he knows that they will experienceeternal rewards that defy expectation and imagination.So this morning, we will zero in on Jesus' next round of heartfelt congratulations tothe peacemakers.So let's join our Lord and Savior in congratulating the peacemakers, okay?Great job, everybody.I'm very proud of you.In all seriousness, this is such a chaotic world, isn't it?Hatred, slander, betrayal, shattered relationships, broken families, murder, and war all aroundus and in our faces 24/7.Do you ever get tired of it?I know that I do.There is so much trouble in so little peace.There are so many trouble makers and so few peacemakers.I hope and pray the Lord will use His word this morning to recruit more peacemakers inthis room and watching online for the work of His kingdom.So let's go to the Lord in prayer.Please pray for me to faithfully communicate God's word and I will pray that you faithfullyreceive and submit to it.Father, we thank you for this most important appointment of the week.We come together as your people to worship you together and come under the preachingof your word.But maybe take this seriously.Maybe take what your word has to say to heart and live it out, not just today, not justthe rest of this week, but the rest of our lives.We thank you in advance for what you will do.We ask all this in Jesus' name.Amen.So as Pastor Jeff and Pastor Rich have said over the course of this series, the Beatitudesare not random and isolated statements to be read and understood on their own.The Beatitudes are like steps on a staircase and rungs on a ladder that work together tolead us towards a specific destination.This means that we cannot become peacemakers until we walk the previous steps and climbthe rungs that Jesus has already laid out before us since the beginning of February.With that in mind, let's read the entire Beatitudes and really keep track of what Jesus is tellingus here.Matthew chapter five verses one through 10."Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciplescame to him, and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecutor for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdomof heaven."So let's follow the logical flow of what Jesus is preaching here.You cannot be a peacemaker if you do not recognize your spiritual bankruptcy beforea holy God.You cannot be a peacemaker if you do not mourn over your sin and seek after repentance.You cannot be a peacemaker if you are not meek and do not put aside your self-interestfor the ultimate interest of God's glory.You cannot be a peacemaker if you have no appetite for the things of God.You cannot be a peacemaker if you demand mercy for yourself but you refuse to show mercyto other people in your life.And finally, you cannot be a peacemaker if your heart is set on perversion rather thanpurity.At this point, you may be thinking, "Okay, Taylor, I get it.I need to exhibit all the rest of the Beatitudes to be a peacemaker."But what is a peacemaker?Who are the peacemakers?Well you must have read my mind or pay attention to the whole entire series and how it reallyrolled out before you.But that is the first question on our outline this morning.Who are the peacemakers?In the original Greek, the term "peacemakers" only used once in the entire New Testamentand it's found right here in the Beatitudes.Is a compound word of peace and to make or to do?Let's unpack each individual word so we can better understand the whole term.In Scripture, peace is such a beautiful concept that goes so far beyond our limited Americandefinition.To most people in this country, here is what peace looks like.Gas prices are down and there's no major wars right now.We can breathe easy for a minute.Or yay, no one's fighting in my family today.We have peace.The biblical definition of peace is so much greater than that.That is a worldly view of peace that is based on circumstances and what happens to you.It can easily be changed and stolen away.Biblical peace is way more than the absence of conflict in your life.Biblical peace is the presence of God in your life.The missing puzzle piece in your soul has been found and filled.You experience a sense of fullness and completeness that no one else can take away from you.It is an eternal reality that works its way outward into your life and other people aroundyou.And there is no true peace apart from the one true God.There is no true peace apart from submission to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.And the word make and peacemaker brings an important reality into focus.Peace isn't just something for you to experience on your own.It is meant to be shared with others.For this to happen, you must be active and not passive.Peace is what you need to be taken to bring this God-given peace to others.So here is the definition of peacemakers that I want you to write down and meditate uponfor the rest of this week.Who are the peacemakers?Those who love unity and actively seek to promote and defend it in all circumstances.When you put the words peace and make together, you don't get a picture of someone just sittingback in their lazy boy recliner saying, "Man, I love peace.I love them.People get along.That's my jam.Can't really do much about it."That's a peacemaker, not a peacemaker.Peacefakers talk of big games.But do nothing to back up their empty words.While peacemakers do something about their desire for harmony with the people who Godhas placed in their lives.Peacefakers pretend like nothing is wrong.But they seed with anger on the inside.While peacemakers refuse to sweep issue after issue onto the rug, they just rip the rugup to deal with all those issues.Peacefakers put the ball other people's courts when it comes to resolving disagreements.While peacemakers grab the ball and run with it.Peacefakers do nothing to contribute to the solution.While peacemakers find God's answer, the problem.Now, some people take a sinful step beyond peacemakers.Some people take a sinful step beyond peacemaking and become peacetakers.Where they realize that or not, peacetakers prefer dysfunction.And they actively seek the dismantle unity everywhere they go.Peacefakers, actually peacetakers stir the pot on purpose.They toss grenades in the people's laps.And then they act like they did nothing wrong.They act like they're totally innocent in the situation.While peacemakers seek to diffuse tough situations with the Word of God in a calm attitude.Peace takers look at conflict as a contest to win.While peacemakers look at conflict as an opportunity for relationships to be restored.Peace takers badmouth those they have conflicts with to make themselves look like the goodguys in the situation.While peacemakers refuse to speak poorly of anyone out of respect for people's publicreputations.I want to challenge you this morning to figure out which label best describes you.Are you a peacemaker who puts on a performance?Are you a peacetaker who makes matters worse?Or are you a peacemaker who brings people together?It's so easy to spot peace faking and peace taking tendencies in others.But it's so difficult to see it within yourself.You can ask your loved ones for their perspective in counsel.Talk to your spouse, your kids, a close friend, a pastor, an elder at harvest after service.Others can point out the blind spots that you cannot see on your own.But I beg you, please do not assume that you're doing just fine in this area of life.Evaluate yourself and allow others to evaluate you as well.So we figured out who the peacemakers are and who they are not.Now we need to answer the second question of the morning.Why are we congratulating the peacemakers?Why are they worthy of these big balloons that Pastor Jeff pointed out earlier?Why are they worthy of this big party?Well Jesus clearly tells us why in Matthew chapter 5 verse 9.He says, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."So why are we congratulating the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God?I don't want to bore you with my seminary homework, but in the original Greek, "shallbe called" is a verb in the continual future, passive tense.And some of you who didn't do very well in English like, "What in the world does thatmean?"Let me make it really simple for you.Jesus is describing something that will be repeatedly declared about peacemakers in eternity.On this earth, peacemakers are often misunderstood.In this life, Christians are hit with the wildest of lies and accusations.Has that ever happened to you personally?A family member cuts ties and walks away even though you did nothing wrong.Someone at work causes others to think poorly of you because of a slight that has no basisin reality.A friend turns his or her back on you for seemingly no reason.In our culture, biblical peacemakers are called a lot of rude and untrue things.But if you are a genuine peacemaker, take heart in this astounding truth.One day, all of heaven will openly and eagerly acknowledge what is already true of you rightnow.You are a child of God.More specifically, you are a son of God.Ladies, you may be scratching your heads and thinking, "I'm a son, but I'm a woman.I don't want to be called a son of God."Trust me, you really do.2,000 years ago, sons were the ones who received the inheritance.They were heirs of so many blessings and privileges.In God's family, His daughters are treated like sons and heirs of His infinite riches.Both men and women enjoy the reward of sonship.We aren't equal footing with one another.Whether you're a man or a woman, you do not earn your sonship by being a peacemaker.You simply demonstrate your sonship by being a peacemaker.Let me encourage you.Those who label you with hateful names right now are showing themselves to be children ofthe enemy.Children of Satan who follow in His footsteps of slander and accusation.While you prove yourself to belong to your heavenly Father when you follow in His peacefulfootsteps and refuse to sink to the level of this world.Sometimes my kids don't act the way that I would like them to in public.They can really embarrass me at the store by yelling, "No!" or questioning me.To be honest, in those moments, I wish I could take a massive step away from them and justsay, "Whose child is this?There's a lost kid here.Excuse me, I need help.Can any other parents relate to me?"Okay, you know exactly what I'm talking about.Thank you, Jillian.One person was honest enough.Several years ago, my son, Sam, had a Christmas concert at school, and he was the only kidin the entire school who cried the whole time and didn't sing any of the songs.Kate and I just wanted to slide down in our seats and just fall through a trap door inthe floor.Unfortunately, there was no trap door underneath of us.But the next year, Sam had a complete turnaround.He did awesome.He sang every song.He did all the motions, and he even gave the crowd a big thumbs up after he was done.I'll never forget how I felt in that moment with tears in my eyes.I wanted to yell out, "That's my son.That's my boy."God feels the same exact way about you if you're a peacemaker who actively seeks to promoteand defend peace everywhere that you go.He wants everyone to know that you are one of his precious children.An eternity, the courts of heaven will ring out with God saying, "That's my child.He belongs to me.She is mine."Angels and other believers will wholeheartedly accept and agree with that truth.No one will ever misunderstand you ever again.You will be fully known by God and other believers forever.Does that sound worthy of congratulations?At this point, you may be thinking, "Okay, I get it.I know who the peacemakers are.I get what the reward is.I'm sold.How can I become a peacemaker?"Paul provides the answer to that question in Galatians chapter 2 verses 11 through 14,where he provides a personal example of peacemaking from his own life.Please turn there with me.Galatians chapter 2 verses 11 through 14.Galatians chapter 2 verses 11 through 14, "But when Cephas," that's the apostle Peter,"came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.For certain men came from James.For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles.But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him.So even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I saidto Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like aJew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"This passage may seem random to you.It may seem off-topic, maybe thinking the word peace isn't even mentioned in theseverses.It seems like Paul is picking a fight and causing trouble.But that's not true at all.I chose this passage because it demonstrates three important lessons about becoming a peacemaker.So how can I become a peacemaker?Number one, you're outlined by resting in the peace that Christ purchased for me.By resting in the peace that Christ purchased for me.You throughout biblical history, there was a tension between Jews and Gentiles.Jews held to restrict diet and schedule of worship while Gentiles did not.Gentiles did things that seemed very unacceptable to the Jews.And the Jews did things that seemed very strange to the Gentiles.These two groups didn't hang out and spend time together.They stayed as segregated as humanly possible.Their relationship was one of hostility, not peace.But that all changes with Jesus Christ.Christ came to bridge the massive gap between a holy God and sinful humanity in the processhe did the same for Jews in Gentiles.Listen to what Paul has to say about this in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 13 through 14.But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the bloodof Christ.For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His fleshthe dividing wall of hostility.There are many differences.Cannot compare to their greatest similarity, salvation in Jesus Christ.Before the cross, there was a wall that divided Jews and Gentiles from one another, but ithas been torn down by the death and resurrection of Christ.Both Jewish and Gentile believers belong to the same God, have been adopted into the samefamily and have experienced the same peace.But this doesn't mean that Jewish and Gentile believers always sing kumbaya around the campfire and enjoy perfect peace during the days of the early church.Peace must be actively promoted and defended or both parties are going to fall back intobad habits.And that's what happens in this passage.The apostle Peter becomes a part of the problem.He used to eat with the Gentiles and now he decides not to.Unity is broken.Peace is disturbed.Paul and Barnabas and the rest of the people they led astray are acting like peace takersand not peacemakers.They are trying to rebuild the wall that Christ has already demolished.They are making the gospel look very bad.And Paul is very concerned that they are making Christ look bad.And they are ruining the reputation of the church.So Paul knows he can't stand by and do nothing.Paul can recognize this issue because his spiritual antenna is always up to catch anythingthat threatens the unity of the church.Paul can seek after the right solution because he cares about the gospel more than anythingelse.Paul can be a peacemaker because he has personally rested in the peace that Christ purchasedfor him on the cross.As I said earlier, only Christians can enjoy the peace that God offers.You cannot share the peace of Christ if you have not personally experienced the peaceof Christ for yourself.So I have to ask the most important question of the entire message.If you're just totally tuned out, please tune back in.Are you at peace with God?Are you at peace with God?And I know that question may seem so dumb to some of you.And you may say, "Well, of course I'm at peace with God.I'm sitting here, aren't I?I'm a good person.I do the right thing.If I weren't on good terms with God, I wouldn't be sitting here."All of those answers are wrong and unbiblical.Your peace with God has nothing to do with you and your list of accomplishments.Your peace with God has everything to do with Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished.Apart from faith in Jesus Christ, you hate God.No matter how much you say that you love Him, you are an enemy of God.You were at war with Him, not at peace with Him.But the great news this morning is that doesn't have to be true of you any longer.Colossians chapter 1 verses 20 through 22 tells us this, "That Christ came to reconcileto himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of Hiscross.And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind doing evil deeds, He is now reconciledin His body of flesh by His death in order to present you holy and blameless and abovereproach before Him."Christ purchased never-ending peace on the cross with His precious blood.But that peace can only be given to you if you ask for it and you accept it.You can be at peace with God right now if you turn from your sin and turn towards JesusChrist for forgiveness and eternal life.If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raisedfrom the dead, you will be saved.You will transform from an enemy of God into one of His beloved friends.So the first step to become a peacemaker, you must first bow the knee to the Prince of Peacewho freely offers what the world can never give.How can I become a peacemaker?Second step, by valuing the good of others above my feelings and preferences.By valuing the good of others above my feelings and preferences.Since Paul is so concerned with the integrity of the gospel and the unity of the church,he deeply cares about the ultimate good of his Christian brothers and sisters, Jewishand Gentile alike.But before we can talk about what Paul says and does, let's talk about what he doesn'tsay and do.First of all, he doesn't take Peter's side and ignore the Gentiles.But also notice from this text that Paul doesn't sidebar the Gentiles and say, "Man, I can'tbelieve what Peter and Barnabas are doing to you guys.They are such jerks.You should be so angry with them and ignore them right back."That wouldn't be good for the Jews or the Gentiles.That would be childish behavior that belongs in the school playground and not in the church.Kids are obsessed with their feelings and preferences.I don't want milk in the blue sippy cup.I want it in the orange sippy cup.Kids not naturally care about the good of others.Susie's so weird.I'm not going to sit with her at lunch.Billy was mean to me, so I'm never going to talk to him ever again.I'm not going to say sorry and you can't make me.You may smile at those examples, but you may not be much better.So many professing Christians are little kids wearing adult clothes.They look like grown-ups.They certainly do not act like grown-ups.I have to ask you this morning, is that you?Are you a little kid in the church wearing adult clothes?Do you keep a mental file with personal offenses?Do you give the silent treatment to those who offend you or offend a loved one?Do you ignore people who frustrate you?Do you completely write people off?Face those ungodly attitudes and behaviors with godly disciplines.If someone offends you in a small way, you don't have to dwell on it and hold on to it.You can let it go.Proverbs 1911 says, "It is your glory to overlook and offense."That should become the new life first for many of us in this room.If someone maybe in the aisle next to you constantly annoys you and frustrates you instead of writingthem off, write them notes of encouragement.And I promise you, your attitude towards this person will begin to change.If someone sins against you and refuses to apologize, pray for that person every singleday.I can tell you from personal experience, it is so hard to hold on to anger and bitternesstowards someone that you constantly lift up before the throne of grace.Harvest, it's time to put childish ways behind us.It's time to grow up and become peacemakers.It's time to put yourself last so others can come first.It's time to care more about the good of others than your petty preferences and flaky feelings.It's time to stop caring about what you want and to start caring about what other peopleneed.How do I become a peacemaker finally by having a healthy view of conflict?By having a healthy view of conflict?So we've covered what Paul does not say and do.Now let's talk about what he does say and do to promote and defend peace at Antioch.Galatians 2.11 says that Paul opposes Peter to his face.And according to verse 14, Paul did this in front of everyone.Peter sinned publicly so he must be rebuked publicly.In verse 14 also lays out exactly what Paul says.If you though a Jew live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentilesto live like Jews?In other words, you are acting so too faced right now.You used to eat with the Gentiles, but now you act like they're inferior and they haveto keep the Old Testament laws to be at the table with you.Cut it out right now.Paul isn't rude, but he is firm.Paul proves that peacemaking sometimes involves direct and uncomfortable conversations.A bone must be reset before it can be repaired.A wound has to be cleansed and disinfected before it can be healed.For a plant to thrive, the parts that are dying need to be cut off and primed.Biblical peace cannot be enjoyed in Antioch apart from this conflict between Peter andPaul.We often think that conflict gets in the way of peace, but sometimes it is the way towardspeace.Paul has a healthy view of conflict which makes him a productive peacemaker.Every single one of you in this room, and myself included, we need to imitate his exampleand view conflict the way that he did.So what is a healthy view of conflict?Well really quickly, letter A in your outline, I shouldn't desire it.I shouldn't desire it.Paul isn't a fake tough guy looking to get into fist fights and arguments.He isn't making big deal out of nothing.He isn't just blow up at people who rub him the wrong way.Paul doesn't desire conflict and neither should you.But maybe you do desire conflict.Maybe you like drama when it pops up and you add fuel to the fire with gossiping and complaining.But please, don't be hungry for the next controversy, debate, and dispute.Instead, work hard to be the calmest and most collected person in every single room.Endeavor to be the person that other people invite into conflict because you are knownfor your helpfulness, your humility, and your wisdom.For this to happen, you must be quick to listen.Slow to speak and slow to anger.Or what is a healthy view of conflict?Letter B, I shouldn't fear it.I shouldn't desire it, but I shouldn't fear it.Paul isn't afraid of conflict.He isn't pacing on Antioch wondering what's going to happen if he opposes Peter.Oh no, what's going to happen?Were people going to think about me?No, he is confident.He's confident not in himself, but in the word of God and the spirit of God who liveswithin him.If you want to become a peacemaker, you have to get over your obsession with being likedand appreciated by everyone.When you are convinced that God approves of you, the disapproval of mere human beingsloses its hold.And sometimes you need to hurt someone's feelings to tell them the truth.You can't make a peace on without breaking a few eggs.You can't rise above a painful situation without stepping on a few toes.You will fear conflict if you care more about the opinion of man than the commands of God.This may be hard for you to believe because I'm a pastor and I talk in front of peopleall the time, but I was painfully shy growing up.And I used to dread ordering food at a restaurant.And so I made my family do it for me.And my family who's not here right now, but they'll be happy to tell you more about thatlater on.So I used to tell them, "Okay, I'll give them my order."They would tell the waiter or they'd go to the cashier and tell them what I wanted.But there was just one particular Sunday after church growing up, my family was done.They were done with my avoidance tactics and they forced me to go up and order my own chocolatefrosty at Wendy's.I got to tell you, I was terrified.I'll never forget that moment, just shuffling up to the counter with my crumpled up $1 bill,getting to the cashier, putting my head down, putting my hand up and saying, "Smell frosty."Guess what?Everything worked out just fine.The cashier was nice and I was able to enjoy the blessing of eating a chocolate frostythey ordered myself.I'm so glad that my family forced the issue and I stopped avoiding this important task.Maybe you need to force the issue.Maybe you need to stop avoiding the important task of dealing with a specific conflict inyour life.If you need to confront someone or have a painfully honest conversation, do not procrastinate.Do not push it off any longer, rip off the bandit and do it today, not tomorrow, not nextweek and not some magical may have time when things slow down because guess what?Things are never ever going to slow down.You may be wondering, "Didn't Pastor Jeff already tell me this two weeks ago during his sermonon mercy?Jeff, didn't you say this already?"Yeah, he did say that.But did you listen?Did you follow through?Or did you decide not to listen and not to follow through?Now is your chance.Stop avoiding conflict because by doing so, you are delaying the blessing of true peace.And I know what some of you are thinking right now.Taylor, that's all well and good, but you don't know my spouse.He or she is so stubborn.You don't know my family.They are never going to change.Or you don't know that situation in my friend group that history is so long, it's so messy.My attempts to make peace will fall on deaf ears and not accomplish anything.Well, it seems like you have a very low view of what God is capable of.It seems like you've already decided that God cannot and will not change that personin situation.Is that mindset honoring to God?It's insulting to him.It's destructive to those you care about.It's harmful for your own soul.You have to take your eyes off of the results that you do or do not expect and choose tofocus on your God-given responsibilities.What is your God-given responsibilities?Well, Paul tells us in Romans 12, 18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceablywith all."You are responsible for the action of your peacemaking, not the response to your peacemaking.You cannot control other people's actions and reactions, but guess what?You can control your actions and your reactions.Do your small part of peacemaking and trust God with His big part that He will take careof the results.As the worship team comes forward, I have some final questions for you.Are you sick and tired of giving into the temptation to be a peacemaker or a peacetaker?Are you ready to make some big changes?Have you truly rested in the peace that Christ purchased on the cross?Are you willing to place your feelings and preferences aside so you can focus on thegood of others in the unity of this church?Are you willing to deal with conflict in the biblical and healthy way?If your answer to those questions is yes, then I want to offer you my heartfelt congratulations.Congratulations to the peacemakers.Congratulations to the peacemakers for you shall be called sons of God.Let's pray.Father, we come to you and we admit our faults.We admit our sins.Lord, there's not one person in this room who shouldn't be feeling the conviction ofyour word.All of us can be peacepakers or peacetakers in different ways and around different people.Lord, I pray that by your spirit we would stop.Lord, we would put off anger.We would put off bitterness.We would put off giving people the silent treatment.And we would put on unity and harmony and love.Lord, we thank you that you didn't turn your backs on us.We want nothing to do with you.But you pursued after us through your Son and you gave us your perfect peace.Lord, help us to pursue after others to share that peace that you have given to us.We ask all this in Jesus' name.Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead Matthew 5:9 & Galatians 2:11-14What was your big take-away from this passage / message?What is biblical peace and how do we share it with others?How do you see yourself being a peace-faker or a peace-taker right now? How is the Lord calling you to address these issues and move forward?Which do you struggle with more: desiring conflict or avoiding conflict? Why are both harmful? BreakoutPray for one another.

JOHN 1:30-51 - COME AND SEE - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025JOHN 1:30-51 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”Philip said to him, “Come and see.”47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

A Triumphant Church Part 9: Establishes Leadership 1 Cor 9:1-27 9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. I. Establishing Leadership Understands the Rights of Those Serving II. Establishing Leadership Understands the Heart of Those Serving III. Establishing Leadership Understands the Discipline of Those Serving

How do we know we are saved even when we believe Jesus died for us as a gift from God? How can we ensure a life where we don't become passive or deferring away from God? Hebrews 10:16-18: what does it mean "I will put my laws on their hearts...?" Is it not the OT law? Is it that we should want to do God's will and not obey God's law?" Why does Paul refer to Peter as "Cephas"? Is there any significance to this? In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus tells us to rebuke fellow Christians in private first before public, was this the case for Paul rebuking Peter? In the passage if seems very public "I opposed him to his face" (v11).  If I'm trying to live with Jesus and in doing so fulfil the law, how can I make it clear to people that Christianity isn't about law keeping but trusting in Jesus?

Galatians 2:1–141 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas,taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and setbefore them (though privately before those lwho seemed influential) thegospel that mI proclaim among the Gentiles, nin order to make sure I wasnot running or had not orun in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me,pwas not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 qYet because offalse brothers secretly brought in—who rslipped in to spy out sour freedomthat we have in Christ Jesus, tso that they might bring us into slavery— 5 tothem we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that uthe truthof the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those vwho seemed tobe influential (what they were makes no difference to me; wGod shows nopartiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential xadded nothing to me. 7 Onthe contrary, when they saw that I had been yentrusted with zthe gospel tothe uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to thecircumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministryto the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 andwhen James and Cephas and John, vwho seemed to be apillars, perceivedthe bgrace that was given to me, they cgave the right hand of fellowship toBarnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to thecircumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, dthe very thing Iwas eager to do.11 But ewhen Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him fto his face, becausehe stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, ghe waseating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separatedhimself, fearing hthe circumcision party.1 13 And the rest of the Jews actedhypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by theirhypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their iconduct was not in step with jthetruth of the gospel, I said to Cephas kbefore them all, “If you, though a Jew,llive like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to livelike Jews?”

There are more Jamaicans living abroad than on the Island itself, a fact not lost on Courtney Cephas. As director of the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF), the philanthropic arm of Jamaica's Ministry of Health and Wellness, he wants to tap into this large and charitable community — referred to as the diaspora — to improve health care in Jamaica. In this episode of 20 Minute Health Talk, Cephas joins host Sandra Lindsay, RN, herself a member of the diaspora eager to give back, to discuss the NHEF's work, including its focus on building sustainable partnerships with organizations like Northwell Health, to address critical needs. Cephas and Lindsay detail two recent trips by Northwell clinical teams to the island, where they provided free surgeries for women suffering from uterine fibroids — one of several surgeries that have been backlogged since Covid-19, leaving hundreds desperate for a solution. These trips represent a powerful example of the diaspora's impact, bringing relief to patients while also strengthening Jamaica's healthcare system for the future. Hear how this unique collaboration is transforming lives and learn about the NHEF's work to create a healthier future for Jamaica. Future episodes will feature the inspiring personal stories of the women whose pain, resilience, and renewed hope embody the spirit of this initiative.

Welcome to the Citizens Spotlight, a conversation with a member of our church family about how the Lord has been at work in their life. This episode, Stephen has a conversation with Tyler Lucas.Talking points include rock climbing, J.R.R. Tolkien, 6AM wake-up calls, and finding joy in mundanity.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Send us a textRevelation 14:6-7 - "Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”There is a sect that seeks to say there is a gospel in the first century but they have another gospel for the current generation. They build their view of how they read into and interpert the so called "Three Angels Messages."However, we must remain very vigilant against any other so called gospel!The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 1:6-8, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."The first angel's message is a call to worship the true and living Creator God. It's wording is like Nehemiah 9:5-7, “Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting! Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!  You are Yahweh, even you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all. The army of heaven worships you.  You are Yahweh, the God who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, gave him the name of Abraham."The one eternal gospel is the message of Jesus -  his person and saving acts in his death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for us sinners.  Mark 16: 15 says, "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.In Luke 24:44-49 we read, "Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,  and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”The one eternal gospel is declared in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twBible Insights with Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://gsccdallas.orghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Paul Called by God11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ga 1:11–24.

Big Idea: No one wants to ride in a car with fighting children. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17I. We have a common family.  1 Corinthians 1:10Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. II. We can't allow factions.1 Corinthians 1:11-16For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe's people, that there is rivalry among you. What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul's name? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. I did, in fact, baptize the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't recall if I baptized anyone else.III. We all share the same mission1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.Next Steps: Believe: I want to become part of the family of God today. Become: I repent of spreading lies or gossip today.Be Sent: I will serve Christ's mission this week.Discussion Questions: Did your family fight a lot?  If so, over what reasons?Since there is no division in the trinity, where does division among God's children originate?Do denominations honor God?  Explain your answer.Who did you last argue with about faith?Define gossip?  Is it a sin?  Are you guilty of gossip if you fail to stop it when you hear it?What happens to the time, energy, and resources when factions develop in the church?Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you humility with other Christians. 

Reading 1Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8In the year King Uzziah died,I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne,with the train of his garment filling the temple.Seraphim were stationed above.They cried one to the other,"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!All the earth is filled with his glory!"At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shookand the house was filled with smoke.Then I said, "Woe is me, I am doomed!For I am a man of unclean lips,living among a people of unclean lips;yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"Then one of the seraphim flew to me,holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.He touched my mouth with it, and said,"See, now that this has touched your lips,your wickedness is removed, your sin purged."Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,"Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us?""Here I am," I said; "send me!"Reading 21 Corinthians 15:1-11 I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,of the gospel I preached to you,which you indeed received and in which you also stand.Through it you are also being saved,if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,unless you believed in vain.For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:that Christ died for our sinsin accordance with the Scriptures;that he was buried;that he was raised on the third dayin accordance with the Scriptures;that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.After that, Christ appeared to morethan five hundred brothers at once,most of whom are still living,though some have fallen asleep.After that he appeared to James,then to all the apostles.Last of all, as to one born abnormally,he appeared to me.For I am the least of the apostles,not fit to be called an apostle,because I persecuted the church of God.But by the grace of God I am what I am,and his grace to me has not been ineffective.Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them;not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.Therefore, whether it be I or they,so we preach and so you believed.GospelLuke 5:1-11While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listeningto the word of God,he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.He saw two boats there alongside the lake;the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."Simon said in reply,"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,but at your command I will lower the nets."When they had done this, they caught a great number of fishand their nets were tearing.They signaled to their partners in the other boatto come to help them.They came and filled both boatsso that the boats were in danger of sinking.When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized himand all those with him,and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,who were partners of Simon.Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;from now on you will be catching men."When they brought their boats to the shore,they left everything and followed him.

Gospel Reading- John 1: 35-42 Key Verse- Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter). 43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." 50 Jesus answered and said

John 1:35-51,35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Can you recall the first time that you really saw Jesus? The first time you truly began to understand who he is? The first time when all his goodness, all his glory, all his worth began to really sink in and you saw him? You saw him. And, in a moment, your entire life recentered around him? For some in this room, that moment may have happened a long time ago. Perhaps when you were very young. For others, it may have happened fairly recently. For still others, you may not recall a specific moment, but perhaps a season, where it just steadily grew more and more apparent to you, “Jesus is King, Jesus is everything.” For some here, you may have no idea what I am talking about right now. You've never seen Jesus this way. Perhaps you want to. Perhaps you're open to it. If that's you, be assured, you are in the right place, because this morning our text is really about two things: Seeing Jesus (in the ways just described), and sharing Jesus.People will see Jesus, really see him. Then, they'll go and share Jesus with someone else. As a result, that someone else will also see Jesus. On and on and onIt is the heartbeat of this text — Jesus seen, Jesus shared, Jesus seen, Jesus shared.It is also the heartbeat of the church. At least, it ought to be. For if we truly are seeers of Jesus, then it only makes sense for us to be sharers of Jesus as well. Toward that end then, we're going to trace this story of Jesus seen and Jesus shared with an eye toward two encouragements for sharing Jesus with others. So, Jesus seen, Jesus shared, and, along the way, two encouragements for sharing Jesus with others.Let's pray and ask God for his help…Alright, so Jesus seen, Jesus shared. And that first one, Jesus seen, has already shown up in John.In John 1:14, John the Apostle writes,“And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”In John 1:32, John the Baptist says of Jesus, “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.”And in verse 34, John the Baptist says again,“I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”So Jesus has been seen. And now, beginning in verse 35, Jesus is going to be seen by more and more. Look with me at John 1:35.Jesus Seen: Andrew and the Other Disciple“The next day again John [that is, John the Baptist] was standing with two of his disciples…”Two of his followers. Men who, as followers of John, would've already been interested in spiritual matters and expecting John's invitation to go forth as Jesus followers. It's no surprise then that, in verse 36, these two disciples do exactly that. Upon hearing John proclaim, “Behold the Lamb of God!” they immediately turn and go after Jesus… And just imagine the smile upon John's face when they did! “At last, they've found him!”Well, Jesus sees these two former disciples of John now following him and asks, verse 38: “What are you seeking?” “What is it that you want?” What are you following me for? Are they in search of entertainment? Wanting to see impressive miracles and hear captivating speeches?Are they in search comfort? Hoping Jesus will solve all their problems and make their lives easier?Are they hoping for wealth and prosperity, and thinking Jesus is the way to get it? Are they looking for a supplement to an otherwise fairly good life?There's more than one reason to go after Jesus, right?So Jesus asks,“What are you seeking?”Their answer, still verse 38,“‘Rabbi' (which means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?'”It is a good response. Better, in fact, than they perhaps knew. For the truth of the matter is what these two men most needed in that moment — more than they needed anything else in all the world — was to simply be near to Jesus. Their souls, whether they knew it or not, were dying for nothing less than him. And, indeed, so are ours. Amazingly, Jesus doesn't respond by saying, “Get away from me.” Or, “Show me your credentials.” Neither does he merely give them his address, which alone would've been a kindness to them. Instead, he invites them in. He invites them near. Verse 39,“Come and you will see.”See what? At one level, they were going to see Jesus — a man who looked just like them. Two eyes, ten fingers, ten toes. And they were going to see him in a home — one that looked just like theirs. Small, simple, nothing to write home about.But at a whole other level, while in that home, while listening to Jesus, they were going to see that this was no ordinary man. This, Jesus, was indeed the long-awaited Messiah. The long-awaited Christ. The promised descendant of David, who would defeat God's enemies, build a house for God's name, and sit upon a throne of glory forever and ever.Hence, Andrew's words to his brother following this event: Verse 41,“‘We have found the Messiah' (which means Christ).”That's what Andrew saw in Jesus. And his first thought afterwards was, “I want my brother to see it too.”Verse 40,“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah' (which means Christ).” You catch the flow of the story so far?John the Baptist sees Jesus. He then shares Jesus with his disciples, “Behold [it means look! See!] the Lamb of God.”Those disciples go and see Jesus.At least one of them, Andrew, then goes and shares Jesus with his brother. Jesus Seen: PeterSo, verse 42, Andrew brings his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. And Jesus says of him, verse 42,“‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas' (which means Peter).”Now, in that moment, did Peter see in the face of Jesus the same Christ, the same Messiah, that his brother Andrew saw? We don't know. The text doesn't tells us. But what we do know, from the rest of the New Testament, is that Peter did eventually see it. In Matthew 16, Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter's answer was remarkably similar to his brother's. Matthew 16:16, “You [Jesus] are the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God.”So Jesus seen, Jesus shared, Jesus seen, Jesus shared. But one thing I want to note amidst this continued rhythm is what appears to be just the slightest degree of variance. And the variance is regarding who the particular persons are who are doing the seeing and sharing.For example, the whole thing begins with what we might call the spiritual A-team of that time. John the Baptist sharing Jesus with his disciples. But then it moves to one of those disciples (Andrew) sharing Jesus with Peter (who, unlike his brother, is not labeled a disciple).John the Baptist → one of his disciples → someone who was not a disciple.Now, if we're meant to detect that slight shift, and I believe we are, then it seems we're also meant to detect an even greater shift in what comes next. Namely, the sharing of Jesus by someone who had not been a disciple of John, with someone who, at least initially, puts up some resistance. See it with me in verse 43. Jesus Seen: PhilipVerse 43,“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip…”Again, nothing here about Philip being a disciple of John (like Andrew), nor a sibling of a disciple of John (like Peter). Nevertheless, Jesus finds him anyways, and says,“Follow me.”It's a call much like that of Andrew's in verse 39,“Come and you will see.”And the effect is likewise similar. Just as Andrew, after seeing Jesus, went and shared Jesus with Peter, so Philip, having now seen Jesus, goes and finds Nathanael. Look with me at verse 45:“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote...”That's basically long-hand for we have found the Messiah. The Christ. The one foretold by Moses and the prophets. But then comes a wrinkle. Still verse 45: “‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'” Not Wanting to See Jesus?Now, pause here for a moment. Do you know why those two disciples of John, back in verse 37, went after Jesus in the first place? I know we're moving backward here a little, but stay with me. Do you know what it was that allowed those two disciples of John, as well as Peter, as well as Philip, to see Jesus? To have interest in Jesus? To come to the point of understanding Jesus for who he truly was? Was it the fact that they were living in a time when people commonly thought about and talked about spiritual things? That they had grown up in a context, ancient Judaism, where people commonly anticipated the coming of the Messiah? Do you understand their spiritual interest and spiritual sight to be a direct result of them being pre-conditioned and predisposed towards it?If you do, then you likely already put these men of John 1 into a category far different than all the unbelievers currently around you. Your co-workers, after all, don't seem to ever think about spiritual things. Your neighbors aren't on the lookout for a coming Messiah. And since they're not, then we'd certainly not expect them to, if they were to have Jesus shared with them, actually go after him the way Andrew, Philip, and Peter did, right?Brothers and sisters, could I remind us of something this morning? God is the one who draws the human heart, not worldviews. God is the one who woos people to himself, not cultural contexts.To be sure, God often uses God-conscious worldviews and God-focused contexts to draw people to himself. Hence, the many people in this room who grew up in a Christian home and are now Christians themselves. But remember what God tells us in the Word about the human heart. It is a thing far too dead in sin and far too set on following the course of this world for any mere context — no matter how God-conscious, God-focused it may be — to draw them to Jesus.Do you know why Andrew left John to go after Jesus? Do you know why Philip saw Jesus as Messiah? Do you know why you and I are worshipers of Jesus today?It is because God worked a miracle! Had he not, not one of us — neither you, nor me, nor Andrew, nor Philip — would've ever gone after Jesus, at least not in a way that'd be of any spiritual profit. The truth is that in order for anyone to ever truly see Jesus, God has to work a miracle. God has to draw them in to see. And, that's exactly the work that God has been doing for the last 2,000 years.First TraitAnd so, the first encouragement for sharing Jesus with others: God draws people in to see. People who are far from him, who are initially disinterested in him. People who claim to be dead set against him. God draws people in to see. Because he can, and because he wants to. So, we put in our effort. We still extend the invitation. Andrew got his brother. Philip pursued Nathanael. But God is the one who ultimately draws people in to see. He did so with each one of us who are believers in this room this morning. He did it, and he can do it again. God draws people in to see.Now, back to our wrinkle: Philip talking to Nathanael. Jesus Seen: Nathanael (part one)Verse 45,“We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”Now look right there. Nathanael was not expecting, let alone looking for, a Messiah from the Podunk city of Nazareth. He'd not been pre-conditioned for that. His worldview couldn't seem to put those two details together which is why he responded the way he did in verse 46,“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”Philip does not take that as a sign he should give up. “Whoa, okay man, sorry I brought it up. I guess I'll cross you off my list of potential converts.” No, he doesn't do that. Instead, he just says,“Come and see.”And Nathanael does! Amazing. Second TraitNow, here is a second encouragement for sharing Jesus with others.First encouragement: God draws people in to see.Second encouragement: Jesus is a sight worth seeing.Here's what I mean…Philip did not try and lure Nathanael in with treats and trinkets and balloons, though those things in and of themselves are not bad.Philip did not launch into a philosophical argument or verbal challenge of how Nathanael's worldview was wrong and his own was right, though there may be a place for that. And Philip certainly did not waiver, thinking, “Perhaps Nathanael's right. Perhaps a Messiah from Nazareth really is a bit far-fetched. Unimpressive. Unlikely.” Philip did not do any of those things, and you know why he didn't? Because Philip had seen Jesus! He had seen his glory, seen his goodness, seen his power, seen his beauty. He had seen, in Jesus, the greatest thing he had ever beheld in his entire life.Therefore, his one and only aim in that moment was to just get Nathanael in front of Jesus. Just get him to lift his eyes up to Jesus and see him too! I mean, Jesus can take it from there. His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth, is more than sufficient to captivate any unbeliever no matter how seemingly far from him. Jesus is a sight worth seeing.Do we know this? Do we believe this? Are we convinced that if our unbelieving neighbor, our unbelieving co-worker, could just see Jesus, that that'd be enough? Brothers and sisters, Jesus is not a semi-impressive individual. He walks on water. He gives sight to the blind. He heals the paralyzed. He never lies. Never sins. Never disappoints. His love is deep beyond measure. He is God in the flesh! He is a sight worth seeing. So, first encouragement: God draws people in to see.Second encouragement: Jesus is a sight worth seeing.Now, back to Nathanael.Jesus Seen: Nathanael (part two)Philip and Nathanael go to see Jesus. Turns out, Jesus is way ahead of them. Verse 47,“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!' Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?' Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.'”Nathanael's jaw drops. His eyes widen. He then answers,“‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!'”Nathanael saw Jesus.Now note: when we see that phrase, “Son of God!”, it sounds like Nathanael is calling Jesus God — calling Jesus divine. And while Jesus is God, fully divine, it's far more likely that what Nathanael meant by “Son of God” in this text was Jesus is Messiah. Jesus is the King of Israel, just as he says next. And the reason for that is because the Messiah, the long-awaited king-figure of the Old Testament is also called a son of God. Psalm 2:7,“I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.'”2 Samuel 7:14, God says,“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.”So it seems Nathanael, Andrew, and Philip are all essentially saying the same thing in slightly different ways in this text — Jesus is the Messiah.And Jesus receives all the variations of that title that they give him. It's interesting. Remember earlier when John the Baptist had rejected all his supposed titles… “Are you the Christ? No. Are you Elijah? No. Are you the Prophet? No.” Here, Jesus receives all his titles: Lamb of God, Messiah, One who Moses and the prophets wrote, Son of God, King of Israel. “Yes”, says Jesus, “I am Messiah. And now, watch as I blow the lid off your understanding of who the Messiah really is.” Jesus Seen As GreaterVerse 50,“Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”Greater than the Messiah? Really?Verse 51,“And he said to him ‘Truly, truly, I say to you [and the “you” here is plural, so he's referring to more than just Nathanael], you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” That's incredible. What Jesus just did is take two major Old Testament references, smush them together, and say they're all about him.Let's take that first one, “…you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending…” It's a reference to Jacob's vision in Genesis 28. When Jacob, in his sleep, saw a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels going up and down on it. And it's his interpretation of the event that is truly breathtaking. Listen for the emphasis, Genesis 28:16,“Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.' And he was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.'”The gate. The doorway. The point of entry between earth and heaven. Jesus, taking ahold of that story, is now saying here, “I am that gate. I am that point of entry between heaven and earth. The angels are going to ascend and descend upon me.” “And who am I? Well, I am the Son of Man.” This is a reference to Daniel 7. And I'm going to read it, and what I want you to mainly focus in on is where this scene from Daniel 7 is taking place. Daniel 7:13-14,I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days [that's God the Father] and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.Where is this vision taking place? It's taking place in heaven. The Son of Man is King, in other words, not just of Israel, but all of heaven. And Jesus is saying “that's me.” Jesus can be the gate between earth and heaven because he's come from heaven down, for his people, with the invitation, “I'm going back up to reign as King, and if you receive me, then I will take you back with me to be where I am. Andrew, Philip, Nathanael, you see that I am the Messiah. You will soon see that I am a Messiah far greater than anything you ever expected.”Welcome Others to See Him TooFriends, have you seen Jesus? Has God drawn you in to see Jesus? Has he been revealed to you through God's Word and in God's church? Has the sight of Jesus changed your life? Changed your eternity?Be encouraged, share Jesus with others. Share Jesus with others. Invite your neighbor, though he may not care two cents about Christianity, to come and read the Bible with you. Invite your co-worker, though she thinks little if ever upon spiritual matters, to listen to a sermon on the gospel. Invite your family member, though they may be dead set against all forms of organized religion, to hear what you so love about Jesus.And invite people here. Invite them to see Jesus in the book of John. I know there aren't often a lot of empty seats left, but look, I've been around this church enough to know that if you come even just 15 minutes early you'll have plenty of seats to choose from. Invite people to see Jesus. They will not be disappointed. Jesus is a sight worth seeing, and God can draw them in to see him.The TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is the fact that Jesus, Messiah, King of Heaven came down to earth, ultimately, to die for the sins of the world. He shed his blood, had his body broken, so that forgiveness of sins could be made possible for those who receive him — so that forgiven people could rise with him into heaven for all eternity.

Welcome to the Citizens Spotlight, a conversation with a member of our church family about how the Lord has been at work in their life. This episode, Stephen has a conversation with Mia Blanton.Talking points include friendship, saying goodbye to old places, Charlotte hang out spots, and the beauty of church family.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Episode NotesFor Daily Prayers and more become a Member on PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com  Opening Words:I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.Isaiah 49:6b Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. Psalm 95:1-7The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God,and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 119:49-72ZayinRemember your word to your servant, *because you have given me hope.This is my comfort in my trouble, *that your promise gives me life.The proud have derided me cruelly, *but I have not turned from your law.When I remember your judgments of old, *O Lord, I take great comfort.I am filled with a burning rage, *because of the wicked who forsake your law.Your statutes have been like songs to me *wherever I have lived as a stranger.I remember your Name in the night, O Lord, *and dwell upon your law.This is how it has been with me, *because I have kept your commandments.HethYou only are my portion, O Lord; *I have promised to keep your words.I entreat you with all my heart, *be merciful to me according to your promise.I have considered my ways *and turned my feet toward your decrees.I hasten and do not tarry *to keep your commandments.Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *I do not forget your law.At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *because of your righteous judgments.I am a companion of all who fear you *and of those who keep your commandments.The earth, O Lord, is full of your love; *instruct me in your statutes. TethOLord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *according to your word.Teach me discernment and knowledge, *for I have believed in your commandments.Before I was afflicted I went astray, *but now I keep your word.You are good and you bring forth good; *instruct me in your statutes.The proud have smeared me with lies, *but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.Their heart is gross and fat, *but my delight is in your law.It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *that I might learn your statutes.The law of your mouth is dearer to me *than thousands in gold and silver. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. LessonsIsa. 49:1-12Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God." And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength-- he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, "Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, "Come out," to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up. Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Te Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of deathand opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting. Gal. 2:11-21But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Mark 6:13-29They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus Dominus DeusBlessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Let us 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Suffrages BV. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;R. Govern and uphold them, now and always.V. Day by day we bless you;R. We praise your name for ever.V. Lord, keep us from all sin today;R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;R. For we put our trust in you.V. In you, Lord, is our hope;R. And we shall never hope in vain. The CollectsCollect of the DayGive us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

John was standing with two of his disciples,and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,“Behold, the Lamb of God.”The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,“What are you looking for?”They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher),“where are you staying?”He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”So they went and saw where he was staying,and they stayed with him that day.It was about four in the afternoon.Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.He first found his own brother Simon and told him,“We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ.Then he brought him to Jesus.Jesus looked at him and said,“You are Simon the son of John;you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.