Podcasts about Cephas

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live September 28, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ann Hinz.A Bigger TableThe good news of Jesus welcomes all Jesus Followers to the table, let us walk in unity. What issue arose in Antioch that led Paul to confront Peter (v. 11–12)?What does Paul accuse Peter of in verse 14?Why did Paul view the pressure to circumcise Gentile believers as a threat to the gospel? What does it mean that Peter was “not acting in line with the truth of the gospel” (v. 14)?Are there ways today that we might add requirements to table fellowship?Have you ever felt pressured to compromise your beliefs to fit in with a group?Why is it essential for church leaders and mature Christians to model gospel-consistent behavior? Galatians 2:1-14 1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 But because of false brothers and sisters secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us— 5 we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. 6 And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood self-condemned, 12 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. 13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 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?”

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 Holly Hall.Talking points include skiing, speech pathology, SoCal, and playing the drums.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Big Idea: The resurrection causes radical life change.1 Corinthians 15:1-11I. Hope in Jesus's resurrection power. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: 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,…II. Hold on to Jesus's resurrection promise.1 Corinthians 15:5-8…and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.III. Help others see how Jesus's resurrection has changed you.    1 Corinthians 15:9-11For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy 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 toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed.Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to resurrect my dead heart today.Become: I will let hope give me strength this week. Be Sent: I will let someone Jesus at work in me this week.Discussion Questions: What is the biggest change that the gospel has produced in you?When did your faith last help you to stand firm in the face of difficulties? Did the resurrection impact your life goals?How do a person's beliefs about eternal life influence their everyday actions?Why does Paul “work hard” for a promise that has already been given to him through Christ's resurrection?What is one thing you will work on this week to align your life with the promise of the resurrection? Pray for the opportunity to show someone the hope of your faith this week. 

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Official Christianity, of late years, has been having what is known ‘as a bad press'. We are constantly assured that the churches are empty because preachers insist too much upon doctrine — dull dogma as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man — and the dogma is the drama…. That God should play the tyrant over man is a dismal story of unrelieved oppression; that man should play the tyrant over man is the usual dreary record of human futility; but that man should play the tyrant over God and find him a better man than himself is an astonishing drama indeed. Any journalist, hearing of it for the first time, would recognize it as news; those who did hear it for the first time actually called it news, and good news at that; though we are likely to forget that the word Gospel ever meant anything so sensational.”~Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957), novelist and playwright, in “The Greatest Drama Ever Staged” “Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich.”~Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390), 4th century church leader and theologian “Once, when Paul came to Athens, a mighty city, he found in the temple many ancient altars, and he went from one to the other and looked at them all, but he did not kick down a single one of them with his foot. Rather he stood up in the middle of the marketplace and said they were nothing but idolatrous things and begged the people to forsake them; yet he did not destroy one of them by force. When the Word took hold of their hearts, they forsook them of their own accord, and in consequence the thing fell of itself…. For the Word created heaven and earth and all things; the Word must do this thing, and not we poor sinners.”~Martin Luther, at his return to Wittenberg under an Imperial death threat (March 10, 1522) “I would propose that the subject of the ministry in this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshippers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.' …Christ Jesus, who is the sum and substance of the gospel, who is in himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth, the all-glorious personal embodiment of the way, the truth, and the life.”~Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), his first words at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London “As for me, my charter is Jesus Christ, the inviolable charter is His cross and His death and resurrection, and faith through Him.”~Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35 - c. 107), student of John the Apostle “…upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”~Jesus in Matthew 16:18SERMON PASSAGEselected passages (ESV)Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” 1 Corinthians 1 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God….  22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 2 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.1 Corinthians 15 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.  Galatians 2 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but 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.  Colossians 1 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.

“But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”” (Luke 22:32 NLT-SE)

“But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”” (Luke 22:32 NLT-SE)

“But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”” (Luke 22:32 NLT-SE)

“But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”” (Luke 22:32 NLT-SE)

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live September 7, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Nicki Bailey.Heaven is Not the GoalGetting to heaven is not our hope, we look forward to resurrected bodies on a renewed earth. What are the core elements of the gospel according to verses 3–4? Why is the resurrection essential to the gospel message?Do you ever struggle to believe in the resurrection? How do these witnesses help confirm your faith?What does it mean for you personally to “hold firmly” to the gospel?What “mystery” is Paul revealing in verses 51–52? What takes the sting away from death? (v. 55–57)How does this passage give you hope when facing loss or thinking about your own mortality? 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 51-58 1 Now I want you to understand, brothers and sisters, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures 4 and that he was buried and 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 and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 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.51 Look, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will 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 will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When this perishable body puts on imperishability and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, 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 and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Today, the Lord calls us like He did in the gospel. He called Simon, whom He renamed Cephas, Andrew, Simon's brother, and James and his brother John, all of them fishermen. With the miraculous catch of fish, Simon sees himself unworthy because he was a sinner. All the same, Jesus confirms his choice. He encourages us not to fear. He is greater than any sinfulness. We only need to trust Him.

A Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 & St. Luke 18:9-14 by William Klock “Two men went up to the temple to pray,” Jesus said.  The temple was the place where heaven and earth met.  The place where men and women could go to be in the presence of God.  Twice a day the priests would lead the people in prayers, at nine in the morning and at three in the afternoon, but people could go any time to pray. On this day, two men climbed the steps to the temple courts to pray.  “One,” Jesus said, “was a Pharisee.”  A Jew could pray anywhere—at home, wherever.  But if anyone was going to go out of their way to pray at the temple, it was going to be a Pharisee.  The temple was everything to them.  They weren't priests, but they lived their lives as if they were.  So it was natural for a Pharisee to go to the temple to pray. But there were two men this day, Jesus said, who went up to the temple.  “The other was a tax collector.”  If there was a polar opposite of the Pharisee, it was the tax collector.  The Pharisees were devoted to God's covenant and to his law.  They kept every last jot and tittle of it.  But the tax collectors.  When Jesus mentioned a tax collector, his whole audience recoiled.  They were the worst of the worst.  There were “sinners”—that means Jews who made lifestyle that rejected God's covenant with them—but then there were tax collectors.  They were a special kind of sinner.  The scum of the earth.  They got rich sucking up to the gentile dogs while swindling their own people. I expect that as Jesus described these two men, everyone had a similar mental picture.  The Pharisee, dignified, wearing his fine clothes, making his way confidently up the steps to the temple complex, and striding just as confidently through the outer courts.  Everyone knew him, everyone he passed greeted him respectfully as he made his way through the various gates and colonnades, further and further into the temple complex.  But then the tax collector.  Maybe it took him three times to make it up those steps, because twice he turned around, overwhelmed by guilt and shame.  And on the far side of the court of the Gentiles, the soreg, the low wall that marked the boundary between the pure and impure, made him pause.  He didn't belong on the other side.  But he'd already spent weeks tracking down the people he'd fleeced and making restitution to them.  There was no going back.  So he steeled himself and passed through, head down, trying to look unobtrusive, because he knew—he just knew—that everyone recognised him.  And he went to one of the men selling lambs.  And he picked one out, paid for it, took it in his arms—he wasn't used to handling animals—and he got in line in the courtyard outside the sanctuary, waiting for a priest as the lamb struggled.  And finally, a priest motioned him toward the altar.  He presented the lamb, his sin offering, and as the priest held it, the tax collector laid his hands on it and slit its throat.  And the priest collected the blood and poured it out at the base of the altar, then butchered the little lamb and burned its fat.  Now he was pure.  But there was still more to do.  The tax collector went back out to the outer court and this time he bought a ram for a guilt offering.  And a servant helped him with the ram as he, again, went back to stand in line for a priest.  And, again, he placed his hands on the ram as the priest held it.  And he killed it, and as with the lamb, the blood was poured out and the fat was burned.  And his guilt was expiated.  And now he could go and pray.  And there he saw the Pharisee.  The Pharisee had seen him, too.  The Pharisee had seen him all along.  As he'd chatted with a friend, the Pharisee had seen the tax collector buy his lamb.  And he'd seem him again as he bought his ram.  As he stood there praying, he'd seen the sacrifice.  God may have forgiven the tax collector, but the Pharisee sure didn't see him that way.  He took a smug look back at the tax collector and, Jesus says, “he prayed in this way to himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: greedy, unjust, immoral, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week.  I give tithes of all that I get.'” And the tax collector.  Jesus says he “stood a long way off, not even wanting to lift his eyes to heaven.  He beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am.'”  He'd gone through the formal actions of forgiveness, but he knew that mere formalism would never see him reconciled to God.  And so, after offering his sacrifices, he knelt humbly and prayed the words of Psalm 51: “Have mercy on me, O God—the psalm goes on—according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.”  He knew.  God isn't a vending machine.  Offering a lamb isn't like pushing B4 and absolution drops into the slot for you to take.  He knew the words of the psalm.  David went on to sing, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”  And so the tax collector knelt—and without any presumption—threw himself on the grace of God.  And, as Jesus has said elsewhere, all of heaven rejoiced over this repentant sinner—even as the Pharisee scowled at him. And Jesus said to the people, “Let me tell you, he—the tax collector—was the one who went back to his home vindicated by God, not the other.”  That had to make some people angry.  It was one thing to grant—even if a little grudgingly—that there was something good about a repentant tax collector.  Okay, he offered his lamb and his ram and his contrition was obviously real.  But dissing the Pharisee?  That was too much.  But you see, this is exactly why Jesus told this story.  Luke introduces this episode saying, “Jesus told this next parable against those who trusted in their own righteous standing and despised others.”  And so Jesus explains: “Don't you see?  People who exalt themselves will be humbled, and people who humble themselves will be exalted.” Going to the temple, standing before the Lord, and singing out a litany of your own pious greatness—that's not pleasing to the Lord.  That's a good way to find yourself humbled on the last day.  And having this in mind that makes this bigger than the Pharisees.  Maybe they were the worst offenders, but Jesus gets to the heart of Israel's problem and exposes it.  They knew they were “in”.  They knew that when the Day of the Lord came, judgement would fall on everyone else and that they would be vindicated and go on to live in his presence in the age to come, they knew this because they faithfully bore all the markers of God's covenant.  They were circumcised, they kept the sabbath, and they ate the right foods—they kept God's law.  That meant they were righteous…or so they thought.  But Jesus sort of asks here: “Where is your heart?” This is what the prophets had been asking Israel—and warning her about—for centuries.  Reminding the people that formalism doesn't cut it.  Yes, God required sacrifices.  He'd given them a law.  But obedience was supposed flow from a humble heart overflowing with gratitude for God's grace.  It was supposed to be rooted in faith—faith in a God who had called a childless pagan named Abram and blessed him beyond anything he deserved; faith in a God who called a sorry and miserable group of slaves out of Egypt and blessed them beyond anything they deserved.  But Israel got complacent, and comfortable, and forgot the source of her blessings.  Instead of trusting God, she trusted in horses and chariots and kings—and even foreign gods.  She thought mere formalism would satisfy God's requirement for holiness.  And her heart became hard, idolatrous, and self-righteous.  So for all their love of torah, the hearts of the Pharisees were far from God—and in that, they represented most of the people in Israel.  They exalted themselves and presumed upon God, when they should have been humble before him, thanking him for his grace.  When judgement day came, they were ready to sing that litany of their righteousness: We're not like other people.  We fast and we tithe.  We're circumcised and we keep the sabbath.  And God would high-five them and the invite them along to go smite the sinners and tax collectors and gentiles.  Their hearts will filled with pride, not faith. Habakkuk was one of those prophets that had warned Israel in the days before the exile.  “Look at the proud!” he said, “His spirit is presumptuous and is not right, but the righteous shall live by faith.”  Pride and faith, Brothers and Sisters, are polar opposites. Habakkuk looked around him lamented to the Lord: O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. (Habakkuk 1:1-4) Wickedness, idolatry, injustice—pride.  Judah no longer trusted in the Lord and it showed.  The heart of the people was far from God and those who were humble, who did lean on his grace were trampled under foot.  And Habakkuk knew it couldn't go on like this forever.  He knew the Lord's judgement on a wicked and faithless and proud people had to come soon.  And so he cried out to the Lord and the Lord assured him: “The righteous shall live by faith.”  In other words, the righteous will live the way they always do, regardless of circumstances: by faith in the grace and mercy and goodness of God—not in pride, but by faith.   Pride is insidious.  It can take any form in order to push out faith.  The Pharisees were, in most ways, so close—but in them pride twisted faith itself.  I wonder what Habakkuk would think of our world.  We now have a whole season devoted to pride.  At first it was a month, but now it just seems to go on and on: Pridetide, the unholy parody of Trinitytide.  At least the Pharisees were prideful for their good works.  Today, the wicked and perverted announce their sins with pride and their “ally” lackies signal their virtue as loudly as possible.  And the wealthy and the powerful, governments and corporation and businesses big and small join in the litany of pride and woe to anyone who dares to dissent and on whom the scorn and wrath of the Pride Pharisees falls.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  The proud are always convinced of their own righteousness and standing before God. And yet Jesus told so many stories in which the proud—so sure of their righteous standing—ended up finding themselves in the outer darkness, weeping and gnashing their teeth, while the tax collectors and sinners—having discovered the mercy and grace of God, having repented in faith—found themselves welcomed into the feast.  Again, pride and faith are polar opposites, mutually exclusive. And I think this is why the church, for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, has coupled this Gospel about the Pharisee and the tax collector with St. Paul's affirmation of faith at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 15.  He begins with the gospel, with the good news about Jesus.  He writes: “Let me remind you, Brother [and Sisters], about the good news which I announced to you.”  I love the way it works in Greek.  Paul talks about the gospel that he gospelled to them.  The gospel is the best news ever.  It's the news that changes everything.  It's the news that dispels—or, at any rate, it should dispel—any ideas we have about being proud of ourselves.  Because Paul goes on and says, “You received this good news, and you're standing firm on it, and you are saved through it, if you hold fast the message I announced—I gospelled—to you.  Unless it was for nothing that you believed.” These were men and women who had stood on all sorts of things.  Some of them were Jews and once they had stood on that: on their circumcision, on their sabbath keeping, on their general keeping of torah.  Some of them were Gentiles.  They'd stood on their pagan gods, or on the emperor, or on their philosophies.  But then Paul came and he gospelled the gospel.  He announced the good news and it changed everything.  Or, at least it did for a time.  And then pride started creeping back in.  It's insidious.  And as pride crept in, it pushed faith in the good news out.  And Paul says of that good news: “What I handed on to you at the beginning, you see, was what I received, namely this: The Messiah died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, he was buried, he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve, then he was seen by over five hundred brothers and sisters all at once, most of whom are still with us, though some fell asleep, then he was seen by James, then by all the apostles.” The good news is that Jesus died and Jesus was raised and that it happened just as God had promised in the scriptures.  Jesus led his people in a new exodus and in that exodus he revealed God's mercy and grace and God's power and might and glory.  He revealed God's faithfulness to his promises.  In Jesus' death sins are forgiven and in his resurrection the life of God, his new creation began.  If the exodus from Egypt and all it revealed about God and its annual remembrance every year in the Passover could dispel Israel's pride and fill the people with faith in their God, how much more should this new exodus from sin and death dispel our pride and bring us humbly in faith to God through Jesus?  If we will only believe and trust. That was Paul's problem.  He was filled with pride.  He refused and refused and refused.  He persecuted the church.  But as a testimony to the patient grace of God, Paul goes on.  He writes, “And last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared even to me.”  It's hard to say exactly what he means here when he says “untimely born”.  The word in question is only used this one time in the New Testament, but it refers to a premature birth.  It could be a miscarriage or premature birth where the baby lives, but it could also refer to a child monstrously deformed by having been born premature.  It may be that some people in Corinth who didn't like Paul called him a monster because of his appearance and Paul is humble owning the accusation.  But the key thing, what Paul's getting at is the risen Jesus—not just a vision of Jesus but the real, live living Jesus—appeared to him last of all and Paul wants to stress that he didn't deserve it.  “I'm the least of the apostles,” he writes.  “In fact, I don't really deserve to be called ‘apostle' at all, because I persecuted God's church.  But I am what I am because of God's grace, and his grace to me wasn't wasted.” Paul has been the epitome of the proud Pharisee.  And then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and every last bit of his pride came crashing down around him.  Seeing Jesus alive was the proof that the gospel was true and if the gospel was true, none of the things in which Paul had prided himself mattered any more.  The only thing that mattered was faith—faith in Jesus the Messiah who died and rose again.  Paul knew he didn't deserve that vision of Jesus.  He didn't deserve the grace of God.  But there it was.  God had given his son to die, so that Paul, the proud Pharisee could live.  And ditto for everyone in the church in Corinth.  God gave his son to die so that those other Jews there could live.  He gave his son to die so that soldier proud of his devotion to Caesar or the prostitute proud of her devotion Aphrodite or the witch proud of her magic or the philosopher proud of his philosophy could live.  Each one of them, confronted with the gospel had their pride dispelled and that same gospel filled them with faith in the living God and his son who died and rose again.  And forever after they came to him in humility to fall on his grace and to praise him for his merciful lovingkindness.  Even Paul, after all he accomplished as a missionary apostle, writes to them: “I am what I am because of the grace of God, and his grace to me wasn't wasted.  On the contrary, I worked harder than all of them—though it wasn't me, but God's grace which was within me.  So whether it was me or them, that was the way we announced it, and that was the way you believed.”  Paul won't even take credit for what had happened in Corinth as a result of the gospel being preached.  It wasn't Paul's skill or his reasoning or his apologetics.  It was the grace of God. Brothers and Sisters, be captivated by the grace of God on display at the cross.  There God displayed his glory and that glory ought to dispel every last bit of pride we have—whatever it is we take pride in.  The gospel shines so brightly, it exposes the things in which we take pride as filthy rags in comparison.  And when pride is gone, then the gospel—this good news of God's saving grace, this good news about the God who humbled himself to take our form and to die for us so that we, his enemies can be his friends again, good news of the god who gave his own life to forgive our sins, that good news ought to fill us with faith overflowing.  So Brothers and Sisters, hear the good news about Jesus this morning.  How he died and rose again for you.  Not because you are so great, but because he loves you—his precious creation so much—hear that good news in the scriptures and in the liturgy and when you come to his Table.  Let it dispel all pride; be humbled by the gospel, and be filled instead with faith.  In the midst of a broken word, faith in the living God will begin to set things to rights, not pride in ourselves.  Faith in the living God, not pride in ourselves, is our real and lasting source of hope. Let's pray: Lord God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

The Five Facets of The Gospel Part One, The Gospel Events By Louie Marsh, 8-31-2025   1) Is This Sermon Really Necessary?   ·  YES!! Many Christians don't know what they believe. Inviting people to church is good - but it's not sharing the Gospel. Besides that there are two major problem areas that make this series something YOU should pay attention to.   · The world continually DISTORTS what the Gospel is.   “3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:3–4, ESV)   Just talking about Jesus isn't enough!  We must speak the truth about the true Jesus   “2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)   · Too often Christians get CONFUSED as well.   The Spectacular - miracles, "words of revelation knowledge," Side issues - music, abortion, politics, etc.   Psychologized Religion. This isn't an attack on all psychology - but on it's extremes. At its worst it denies the Gospel!   Robert H. Shuller, Self Esteem, The New Reformation, January 1982, Pg. 98; "The most serious sin is the one that causes me to say, 'I am unworthy.  I may have no claim to divine sonship if you examine me at my worst.'  For once a person believes he is an "unworthy sinner," it is doubtful if he can really honestly accept the saving grace God offers in Jesus Christ."   “8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:8–11, ESV)   If that's true - and it isn't - the Gospel was never preached or accepted for nearly 2000 years! The need for this series is clear, as the Reformers said, "Ecclesia Semper Reformanda," The church must always be reforming itself.   “19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21, ESV)   2) The First Gospel Event   “1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:1–5, ESV)   ·  Jesus DIED on the cross.   “3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death…(Romans 6:3–4a, ESV)   His burial is mentioned as proof that He really died. Baptism is called burial. It's proof of our death to sin! o Paul taught this.   “12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12, ESV) [2 Cor. 5:20-21; Gal. 1:4]   o Peter taught this.   “23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23, ESV) ] Acts 4:27-28]   “30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.” (Acts 5:30, ESV)  [Acts10:39, 13:28-29]   “22“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 21:22–23, ESV)   3) The Second Gospel Event ·  Jesus PHYSCIALLY ROSE from the dead.   “25who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25, ESV) “23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:23–24, ESV)   · These two events should DOMINATE my conversations about Jesus.   THESE should dominate our conversations about Christ.   NOT side issues That's hard to do.  The Gospel Confronts us.    

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 Kevin Wismer.Talking points include cooking, recent conversion, rabbits, and working with a gospel mindset.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Tuesday, 12 August 2025   But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25   “And Jesus, having known their thoughts, He said to them, ‘Every kingdom, having divided against itself, it desolates, and every city or house having divided against itself, not it will stand'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by Beelzebul. This was obviously done quietly among themselves or towards the crowds without Jesus directly hearing it because Matthew next records, “And Jesus, having known their thoughts.”   Jesus perceived their thoughts even though He was not openly privy to their conversation. It is a trait that belongs to God –   “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10   In knowing what they were thinking, He responds to their accusations, as recorded by Matthew, “He said to them, ‘Every kingdom, having divided against itself, it desolates.'”   There are two new words. The first is merizó, to apportion. As such, in this context, it signifies to divide one part from another. The second is erémoó, to desolate or make waste. If a kingdom is united, it will be alive and thriving, but when it is divided, it will become like a ruined wilderness where nothing productive takes place.   The sly accusation of the Pharisees does not hold water because it stands against simple logic. Jesus next provides a second example to solidify this truth, saying, “and every city or house having divided against itself, not it will stand.”   This is an example that would have been obvious to even someone as observantly dull about the world around them as the Pharisees. They may have been so stuck in their legalism that they never lifted their eyes to see how the normal world works, but Scripture and history would tell them that a city that did not possess the same goals and spirit of unity could not stand –   “And the house of Joseph also went up against Bethel, and the Lord was with them. 23 So the house of Joseph sent men to spy out Bethel. (The name of the city was formerly Luz.) 24 And when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, ‘Please show us the entrance to the city, and we will show you mercy.' 25 So he showed them the entrance to the city, and they struck the city with the edge of the sword; but they let the man and all his family go. 26 And the man went to the land of the Hittites, built a city, and called its name Luz, which is its name to this day.” Judges 1:22-26   A single man not in step with the rest of the city brought the city to destruction. Evidence of such division makes the accusation of the Pharisees completely untenable.   Life application: Paul spends most of his time in the book of 1 Corinthians writing against divisions within the church. He does this because of the very precept Jesus highlights in this verse. The church at Corinth had many divisions of various types. If this problem were not corrected, the church could not stand.   His letter is a warning and admonition to churches throughout the age. Unless there is unity within the church, little divisions will lead to a total division of the congregation or even a total collapse of the church.   People have many pet peeves that drive their choice of church attendance. Generally, doctrine is not first and foremost on people's minds. Some people want comfortable chairs. Some want a church where food is served. Some look for a certain type of entertainment.   When these types of things are one's priority for church attendance, it is a rather shallow foundation on which continued attendance can be expected. With a simple change in the direction of the music, some will protest. If their protest isn't catered to, there will be disharmony. Depending on the size of the church, it can cause a split, or it may just cause those who are disenchanted to find another church.   As silly as this seems, it is as common as chicken meals at KFC. Churches, first and foremost, are intended to analyze and instruct in the word, which explains God and His redemptive plans for man through Jesus Christ. Once this main reason for gathering loses priority, there is no longer a sound footing for the church to continue without division.   Hold fast to the word, honor God through Jesus, and be ready to restore harmony within the church when it is called for. Jesus spoke about division and its consequences. Paul then set the example for us in his letters. We should do our best to emulate his instruction.   “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?” 1 Corinthians 1:10-13   Lord God, may we stand united in our devotion to You and to growing in You through a proper evaluation and right understanding of Your word. Help us in this, O God, so that we may be mature in our thinking, always placing You first in our hearts and lives. Amen.

Church Life                         “Law and Gospel, Pt. 1” (Acts 15:1-5)The Controversy Over Legalism (vv. 1-2)Ro. 4:2-3 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”Gal. 2:3-4, 11-14 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 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.[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step 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 force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”Col. 2:16,18, 20, 21-22 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath...18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions...  20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? The Controversy Over Liberty (vv. 3-5)Ro. 2:1-3, Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 12; For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.  Ro. 3:9-12,18,20,23  9 What then? Are we Jews[a] any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11  no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good..... 18   “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”... 20 For by works of the law no human being[c] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.....23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Gal. 5:3-4 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.Gal. 5:13-15  13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Jesus' invitation to Philip—“Follow me” (John 1:43)—is still for us today. In a city that never stops moving, His call is simple: “Come and see.” Amid changing headlines and daily rush, Jesus invites you into hope, purpose, and connection. Whether you're facing new beginnings or uncertainties, His invitation stands. Will you come and see what He has in store for you? Join us as we hear from guest speaker Patricia Lau on how all are invited. If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/ ================ This Week's Scripture: // John 1:35–51 (NIV) // John's disciples follow Jesus The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!' When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?'They said, ‘Rabbi' (which means ‘Teacher'), ‘where are you staying?' ‘Come,' he replied, ‘and you will see. 'So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter). Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.' Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,' said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.' ‘How do you know me?' Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.' Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.' Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.' He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.'

On my music radio show Bluesland I have the pleasure of interviewing Rick Estrin about his appearance at The Nanaimo Blues Festival this weekend with his band The Nightcats.  We talk about the bands history, music and more. Included is the music of the band, Mitch Kashmar, Buddy Guy, Fleetwood Mac, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Cephas and Wiggins and more. Thanks for the interview Rick. See you all this weekend at The Nanaimo Blues Festival. 

Peter was bold, brash, and broken. In this powerful episode of our Meeting Jesus series, we explore the journey of Cephas, the disciple whose greatest failures paved the way for his deepest transformation.From confident fisherman to conflicted follower to commissioned preacher, Peter's story reminds us that Jesus sees our potential beyond our flaws. Through real-life reflections and rich biblical context, we examine what it means to walk with Jesus through doubt, repentance, and renewal.Episode highlights:Why Peter's confession was divinely inspiredThe real reason Jesus rebuked him with “Get behind me, Satan”The power of love and restoration at the Sea of GalileeWhy your personal story with Jesus is the most powerful gospel you can shareListen in and be reminded: Jesus doesn't give up on us. He calls us, shapes us, and sends us, just like He did with Peter.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon. . . . You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). — John 1:42 “Buster,” “Scout,” “Ace,” and “Sunshine” are all great nicknames. Some nicknames are humorous, some are affectionate, and some reveal character traits. Jesus gave Simon a nickname that we could translate as “Rocky.” In the book of John we meet Andrew, who began following Jesus after John the Baptist called him “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Filled with excitement, Andrew later brought his brother Simon to meet Jesus as well. And when Jesus met Simon, he looked at him and gave him a new name: Cephas. This Aramaic word means “Rock,” or “Rocky,” and in Greek it translates to Petros (“Peter”). This nickname carries a lot of weight, and Peter becomes a major figure in the New Testament. Sometimes he speaks with courage and faith, like when he says Jesus is the “Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). At other times, though, Peter shows that he can be remarkably weak, like when he denies even knowing Jesus (John 18:15-27). What should we make of this towering yet flawed figure in Jesus' inner circle and in the early church? All of Jesus' followers are a bit like him—sometimes strong and other times weak. The good news for Peter, though, is that Jesus never abandoned him but called him to serve despite his flaws. The good news for us, too, is that Jesus will never leave us and that he equips us to serve despite our failures. Lord Jesus, thank you for your faithful love. Help us to serve you in all we do. Amen.

Where's that state budget? And more importantly, where's that SEPTA money? Host Trenae Nuri went to Overbrook Park to sit down with Pennsylvania State Rep. Morgan Cephas to ask about the long-delayed state budget that could result in SEPTA operations cut nearly in half. Cephas gives us the latest on the SEPTA funding crisis … and tells us if she's running for Congress. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We're also on Instagram: @citycastphilly Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Framebridge Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Tedra Roper.Talking points include Spotify, life changes, dogs, and what to call a run that involves walking.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Color: Red First Reading: Acts 15:1–12 First Reading: Acts 15:1–21 Psalm: Psalm 46; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Galatians 2:1–10 Gospel: Matthew 16:13–19 Introit: Psalm 89:1, 5, 15–16; antiphon: Psalm 119:46 Gradual: Romans 10:15b, 18b; Isaiah 52:7b, alt. Verse: Matthew 16:18b St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles   Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” So confessed St. Peter. And Christ promised to build His Church on it by the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 16:16–19). He does this so we don't try to build the Church ourselves, on this or that person, or by any human means. “Let no one boast in men … whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas,” for “all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Cor. 3:21–23). The same Lord “who worked through Peter … worked also through” Paul and is still at work in His Gospel and Sacraments (Gal. 2:7–8). The Church of every age must be recalled to “hear the word of the gospel” — the free forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake apart from the Law — “and believe.” The Holy Spirit makes “no distinction” among men, but cleanses “hearts by faith” alone. So “we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:7–11). Both were imprisoned (Acts 12:1–11), both wrote Scripture (2 Peter 3:15–16), both opposed the world — and sometimes each other (Gal. 2:11–16) — all so “that the truth of the gospel might be preserved” for us (Gal. 2:5). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

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 Josh Floyd.Talking points include government, intentional friendship, YouTube, and Christian media.To learn more about our church, visit citizenscharlotte.comThe intro/outro music for this podcast is “Existence” by Cephas, licensed through Adobe Stock.

Galatians 2:1-7a, 8b, 10 - [Paul wrote:] “Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the Gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the Gospel might be preserved for you. And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Gospel … to the Gentiles … and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the [Jews]. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”

Big Idea: No sacrifice is too great for … 1 Corinthians 9:1-14I. … the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:1-6Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who examine me is this: Don't we have the right to eat and drink? Don't we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife like the other apostles, the Lord's brothers, and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working?II. … God's people,1 Corinthians 9:7-11Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn't the law also say the same thing? For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned about oxen? Isn't he really saying it for our sake? Yes, this is written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing the crop. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?III. …, or the glory of King Jesus. 1 Corinthians 9:12-14If others have the right to receive benefits from you, don't we have an even greater right? Nevertheless, we have not exercised this right; instead, we endure all things so that we do not obstruct the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who conduct the temple services eat the food provided there, and those who serve at the altar share in the altar's offerings? Similarly, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should support themselves through the gospel.Next Steps: Believe: I offer my life to King Jesus for the first time today.Become: I will offer Jesus everything again tomorrow.Be Sent: I will sacrifice so that someone can start a relationship with Christ.Discussion Questions: What sacrifice did you make for King Jesus last week?Can you recall a time when you made a sacrifice for someone? How did it change your relationship?Are you in a loving relationship if one person refuses to sacrifice for another? Explain your answer.How do you balance your needs with the needs of those you love?How do you respond when your sacrifice goes unnoticed?What sacrifices will you make for King Jesus this week?Ask the Holy Spirit to help you surrender it all to Jesus again this week. 

For many, music is as much a part of life as breathing. We drop the needle on a conversation with Shawn Cephas, owner of Forever Changes, a record store in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Shawn shares how his deep love for and expansive knowledge of music has driven him to open a shop that is as much a space to learn about music as to buy records. We explore the intimate connection that Shawn's family has with music. Through our conversation, Shawn offers a lesson in music history as we journey through genres. Whether you're a lifelong collector or just getting into the groove, this episode strikes a chord.OUR PARTNERSouthern Chester County Chamber of CommerceLINKSForever ChangesWebsite: foreverchangesrecords.comInstagram: instagram.com/forever.changesForever Changes on FacebookBluesky: @foreverchangespxv.bsky.socialAdditional LinksWXPNSteel City CaféPhoenixville Area Community Services (PACS)Ann's HeartKit's ClosetLocal Music VenuesThe Fenix Bar & LoungeSoulJoel's (at SunnyBrook, Pottstown)SunnyBrook BallroomThe GemBands and Artists MentionedWe linked to the Wikipedia page for all the artists below. We invite you to check out their music wherever you listen.Hüsker DüBlack FlagMinor ThreatRites of SpringMetallicaSlayerAnthraxDeathBig StarThe ClashThe JamThe SmithsR.E.M.Talking HeadsRamonesDepeche ModeThe CureBad BrainsMy Morning JacketBelle and SebastianChappell RoanDeath Cab for CutieThe Postal ServiceCat PowerMannequin PussySoccer MommyBlondshellBullyFlorence + The MachineGreta Van FleetMadonnaDuran DuranTaylor SwiftRay CharlesLuther VandrossPocoBuffalo SpringfieldJethro TullJapanese BreakfastBlack PumasMaya DelilahAdeleLordeCulture ClubCharlie ParkerDuke EllingtonDizzy GillespieBill EvansPaul MotianScott LaFaroMac MillerSuki WaterhouseSteve LacyN.W.A.Dr. DreIce CubePrinceJimi HendrixMovie: High FidelityRecord LabelsBlue Note RecordsOriginal Jazz Composers (OJC)Riverside RecordsTranscriptThe transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

1 Corinthians11:17–22 (ESV) — 17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when youcome together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 1 Corinthians10:6 (ESV) — 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. BEWARNED BY CORINTH'S EXAMPLE AS YOU PREPARE FOR WORSHIP OF CHRIST TOGETHER! (1)    DON'T NEGLECT THE LOCAL GATHERING (v17,18,19,20,22)REMEMBER THE TRES LECHUGAS1.        Let usDraw near!  in full assurances andcleansed in conscience and action!  (Hebrews10:22  Ephesians 3:7-13)2.        Let usHold fast! Don't waver in hope! Because he has promised and he  is faithful! (Hebrews 10:23  1 Timothy 3:14-16)3.        Let usStir one another!  To love and gooddeeds, encouraging one another all the more as we wait… (Eph. 4:11-16) Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) — 24 And let us considerhow to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, butencouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  (2)   DON'T BE THE SOURCE OR SUPPORT OF FACTIONS… BUTTAKE REST IN THE WISDOM OF GOD.  (v18-19)Matthew 18:7 (ESV) — 7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!1 Corinthians 3:16–23 (ESV) — 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 Ifanyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it iswritten, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that theyare futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.  (3)    DON'T COME SELF FOCUSED/ SERVING,  BUT CHRIST ORIENTED AND OTHERS SERVING (v20-21)-             Not the Lord's Table   (1) Self -satisfying ignoring the needs of others   (2) Self- indulging   (4)     DON'T IGNORE HIS PROVISION OF YOUR SPACE FORAUTONOMY (v22) 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?  (5)    DON'T COME IN ARROGANCE AGAINST HIS CHOICES AND COMPASSION TO YOU(v22) 22 What! …Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?  (6)     INSTEAD BE ATTENTIVE TO JESUS' PREPARATION AT THETABLE (v23)1 Corinthians 11:23 (ESV) — 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread…

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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