Podcast appearances and mentions of christ himself

The dangers of Ecumenicalism. Most people don't realize that the world is using their fear of offending people in order to bring on, the ecumenical - global - one-world government religion we see in Bible prophesy! "Let's just all get along"... The fear of offence.... when in fact, Christ Himself brings a sword of separation of light and darkness! Light is symbolism for TRUTH! In the last days, it'll be an ecumenical "spirituality" that'll lead people to The BEAST SYSTEM and FALSE PROPHET! It's deep folks, and I'm not embarrassed to blab about it! Thanks for listening to this megatron- episode of the Divine Nature Podcast! Blessings to you and your family!:)

Send us your feedback — we're listeningPhilippians 4:13 — Christ Strengthens You: Renewed Power at Midday“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13Recorded live here in London, England with Reverend Ben CooperAs the day reaches its midpoint, Philippians 4:13 rises across global searches as millions look for strength, stamina, encouragement and resilience. Across Brazil, the Philippines, Scotland, India and the United States, believers speak this scripture when they feel stretched, tired or overwhelmed. prayer moves Day 2 into a moment of RENEWAL, declaring that Christ Himself is your strength for the rest of the day. Yet God speaks strength into tired hearts. The Holy Spirit meets us at the midpoint and reminds us: “You are not doing this alone.” Christ provides courage for the weary, stamina for the discouraged and power for the overwhelmed. Strength in Scripture is never self-generated — it flows from Christ. When we lean on Him, something supernatural begins to rise within us: clarity, resilience, courage and spiritual momentum. Your day is not determined by your ability but by His presence. Jesus strengthens your hands, steady your heart and carries the weight you cannot carry. We pray for Brazil, the Philippines, Scotland, India and the United States. Lord, pour strength into those facing pressure today. Lift the discouraged, energise the weary, and empower believers to walk boldly in Christ. Let Your Spirit renew momentum, restore joy and release confidence for the hours ahead. Ask God to renew energy and stamina today. Pray for clarity for those facing difficult decisions. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove heaviness and discouragement.Pray for resilience in workplaces, homes and communities.Ask Jesus to carry burdens people struggle with.Pray for joy to return where frustration has grown.Ask God to renew courage for the rest of the day.Pray for believers worldwide to walk in Holy Spirit power.Thank God that strength comes from Christ alone. Day 2 moves into intercession for nations at 6 p.m Through Christ who strengthens me, I have power, courage and victory for today.Subscribe to DailyPrayer.UK as we continue the Day 2 DevotionalSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.

Episode SummaryWhat if peace wasn't just a feeling you occasionally experience but a person you follow daily? In this episode, Coach Alex sits down with author, speaker, and podcast host Michelle Brumgard to explore what she calls The Pace of Peace.Michelle shares how years of praying for calm—in her body, her marriage, and her home—revealed that true peace isn't found in quick fixes, quiet moments, or the absence of chaos, but in Christ Himself, the Prince of Peace.Through vulnerable stories of motherhood, marriage struggles, overwhelm, and the practical demands of daily life, Michelle helps us understand how to pause, pray, and invite Jesus into the middle of our messy days.Together, Alex and Michelle unpack how peace intersects with our health, fitness, and homes—and why striving for control only leads to more overwhelm. Whether you're a busy parent, a believer battling stress, or simply hungry for God's presence in your everyday life, this conversation will remind you to slow down, breathe, and walk at the pace of peace.Main Discussion Themes-Why peace is not just an emotion but a person (Jesus, the Prince of Peace)-Michelle's journey: from overwhelm, anxiety, and striving to living at God's pace-The difference between worldly peace (quick fixes, calm moments) and biblical peace-Overwhelm as the opposite of peace—and practical ways to reset-The P.A.C.E. acronym: Pray And Continue Earnestly-How overwhelm shows up in parenting, marriage, health, and the home-Simple daily practices for pausing, praying, and re-centering on Christ -Michelle's free resource: Five Proverbs to Pray When You Feel Overwhelmed-Her upcoming book The Pace of Peace (January release)Timestamped Outline00:00 – 05:00 | Pre-show: life on the farm, fiber internet, kids growing up05:00 – 12:00 | Introducing Michelle: mom of two, podcast host, relaunching her coaching ministry 12:00 – 20:00 | Why peace became her life's message (journaling, prayer, revelation)20:00 – 28:00 | What peace is not: quick fixes, pills, naps, or achieving goals28:00 – 40:00 | Biblical peace as presence with Christ—even in chaos 40:00 – 55:00 | Overwhelm: the opposite of peace (parenting, schedules, meals, body image)55:00 – 01:05:00 | Practical resets: journaling, prayer, prioritizing with God01:05:00 – 01:15:00 | The P.A.C.E. acronym: Pray And Continue Earnestly01:15:00 – 01:25:00 | Free resource: Five Proverbs to Pray When You Feel Overwhelmed01:25:00 – 01:30:00 | Final encouragement + closing prayerMove Forward Today✅Get Coach Alex's new book today! Faithful Fitness Devotional (40-Day Guide): https://faithfulfitnessdevo.com✅Join the BetterDaily community! Faith And Fitness Foundations: https://betterdaily.live/beginner ✅Download Michelle's free resource – Five Proverbs to Pray When You Feel Overwhelmed (link in show notes).✅Listen to The Pace of Peace Podcast for weekly encouragement and biblical guidance.✅Pause & Pray – When overwhelm hits, stop and bring your list to God.✅Look for Evidence of Peace – Write down small ways God is showing His faithfulness today. ✅Pre-order Michelle's book The Pace of Peace (January release).Featured Guest Resources-Free Resource: Five Proverbs to Pray When You Feel Overwhelmed-Podcast: The Pace of Peace Podcast-Book: The Pace of Peace (releasing January)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.

Strength to Strength welcomes Dean Taylor for another episode on the Radical Reformation.In this episode of Strength to Strength, Dean Taylor revisits the Radical Reformation through the lens of the sacraments—Baptism and Communion—and challenges many of our modern assumptions about them. Too often, he argues, the early Anabaptists are dismissed as anti-sacramental. In reality, their vision was profoundly sacramental—rooted in a realized Incarnational real presence that placed Christ Himself, not stopping with mere ceremony or institution.Drawing from both the Early Church and the Radical Reformers, Dean explores how this Incarnational presence was meant to be embodied in a people who looked like Jesus—not ending in dogmatic definitions or legalistic systems, but in the lived result of putting the teachings of Jesus into embodied practice on the earth. When that living presence fades, he warns, Christianity drifts into abstraction—devout in language, but detached from life. Such a faith, he argues, remains at least partly Gnostic until the real presence of Christ is manifested in a tangible way within the body. History bears witness to the tragic outcome: a faith adorned with piety yet emptied of compassion, capable of sanctifying violence and uniting church and state in complete contradistinction to the teachings of Christ.Dean does not claim the Anabaptists had the last word on sacramental theology. He acknowledges that each Christian tradition contributes valuable insights and encourages believers to learn from one another outside of sectarian lines. Yet he contends that the divisions of the Reformation often obscured something vital: a living theology of the Incarnation.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/sacred-roots-the-anabaptists-the-sacraments-and-the-words-of-jesus/

FROM THE VAULT: Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Set Apart with Authority, Part 2Series: Younique: Live A Life Set Apart By Christ Scripture: Eph 6:1-9 Episode: 795 Scripture Summary: In Ephesians 6:1–9, Paul provides practical instructions for household relationships rooted in Christ. He begins by urging children to obey and honor their parents, which is the first commandment with a promise—so that they may enjoy a good and long life. Fathers are instructed not to provoke their children to anger, but to raise them with godly training and instruction. Paul then addresses bondservants (slaves), telling them to obey their earthly masters with sincerity, as if serving Christ Himself, not just to win favor. Likewise, masters are told to treat their servants with respect, remembering that both master and servant have the same Master in heaven, who shows no favoritism.

Crystal Rivers | Open Book | Nov 18, 2025 You are not merely a believer attending services or reading scriptures—you are a living temple, the actual dwelling place where God has chosen to make His home. This isn't metaphorical language meant to inspire; it's the fundamental reality of your existence in Christ. Consider this: when Jacob laid his head on a stone and saw angels ascending and descending from heaven, he wasn't just witnessing a vision. He was seeing a prophetic picture of what you have become. That place he called "the house of God" and "the gate of heaven"—that's you. Angels ascend and descend through you. Heaven flows into earth through your very being. Every temple and tabernacle built in ancient times—from Moses' tent in the wilderness to Solomon's golden temple—was merely a shadow pointing to you. Notice how each one was filled with images of angels, gardens, and heavenly beings. Notice how glory fell when the priests shouted in unity. These weren't just historical buildings; they were prophetic illustrations of your spiritual architecture. The glory that filled those ancient structures already dwells within you. Christ Himself, who is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person, lives in your spirit right now. But here's what you must understand: this glory is meant to journey. It begins in your spirit, where it was deposited when you believed, but it must move into your conscious awareness, into your heart, and eventually manifest in your physical body. This journey requires your active participation. When you speak declarations like "Christ is in me" or "The glory of God dwells in me," you're not engaging in positive thinking—you're opening a door between your spirit and your consciousness. Your mouth becomes the gateway through which spiritual reality flows into mental and emotional awareness. This is why meditation on these truths isn't optional; it's the mechanism of transformation. Every time you pray in the Spirit, every time you declare your identity in Christ, you're exercising your consciousness to align with what already exists in your spirit. You're teaching your mind and heart to agree with what God has already accomplished. This isn't about becoming something you're not—it's about manifesting what you already are. The spots, wrinkles, and blemishes mentioned in Scripture aren't moral failures as much as they are areas where your union with Christ hasn't yet become tangible. Each day you choose faith over sight, each moment you declare truth over circumstances, you're allowing the glory within to consume another area of unbelief. This transformation is both a process and a destination. You're changing daily, becoming more aware of Christ within you, more conscious of your union with Him. Yet there will come a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—when this internal reality will fully manifest. The trumpet will sound not to bring something foreign but to reveal what has been growing within you all along. Until that day, your assignment is clear: Touch the glory within you. Don't just read about it or think about it—engage it. When you pray, don't just recite words; establish contact with the divine presence in your spirit. When you worship, don't just sing; let the rivers of living water flow from your innermost being. When you meditate on Scripture, don't just memorize; let the reality of Christ in you become more real than the chair you're sitting on. You are being sealed, marked, and claimed by the Holy Spirit each time you engage this reality. Like an owner marking their territory, God pours His essence upon you, declaring to all creation: "This one is Mine." Death cannot touch what God has sealed. Darkness cannot overcome where His glory dwells. Remember: you're not working toward becoming God's house—you already are. You're not trying to get Christ inside you—He's already there. You're simply learning to live from that reality, to let what's inside manifest outside, to allow the hope of glory to become the visible glory. This is your identity. This is your reality. This is your destiny: to be the living, breathing, walking temple of the Most High God, where heaven and earth meet, where angels ascend and descend, where the glory of God finds its home. Zoom every weekday : http://www.caveadullam.org/zoom

FROM THE VAULT: Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Set Apart with Authority, Part 1Series: Younique: Live A Life Set Apart By Christ Scripture: Eph 6:1-9 Episode: 794 Scripture Summary: In Ephesians 6:1–9, Paul provides practical instructions for household relationships rooted in Christ. He begins by urging children to obey and honor their parents, which is the first commandment with a promise—so that they may enjoy a good and long life. Fathers are instructed not to provoke their children to anger, but to raise them with godly training and instruction. Paul then addresses bondservants (slaves), telling them to obey their earthly masters with sincerity, as if serving Christ Himself, not just to win favor. Likewise, masters are told to treat their servants with respect, remembering that both master and servant have the same Master in heaven, who shows no favoritism.

Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran — The Last Rites (Summary) This weekend in our series Arise: On Death and Dying, we reflect on one of the most consoling and misunderstood gifts of the Church at the end of life: the Last Rites. And right away—what I say at the end I'll say at the beginning: Call early, and when the priest comes, ask for everything. Priests love offering the Last Rites. This is what we're ordained to do—don't worry about "bothering" us! Today's feast gives a fitting backdrop: the readings show us God's life flowing like living water, Jesus as the true Temple, and St. Paul reminding us that we are God's temple. Yet parts of our "temple" can fall into disrepair—sin, fear, neglect, or suffering. As life draws toward its end, those places can feel heavier. This is why Christ gave us the Last Rites. First is Confession, the cleansing of the temple—restoring friendship with God, clearing away anything unresolved, and filling the soul with peace. Second is the Anointing of the Sick, which brings Christ's strength, healing, and courage into physical or spiritual weakness. It's not only for the final moments—it's for anyone seriously ill or preparing for major surgery. Third is Holy Communion, Viaticum—food for the final journey, Christ Himself accompanying the soul home. And if death is near, ask for the Apostolic Pardon, a beautiful prayer granting full remission of temporal punishment. So again: Call early. Call when your loved one can still confess, receive Communion, and take in every grace Christ offers. And when the priest arrives, ask for everything: Confession, Anointing, Holy Communion, and the Apostolic Pardon. The Church does not fear death—Christ has conquered it. The Last Rites prepare the temple of our body and soul for rising with Him. They are Christ's final embrace, His last strengthening for the journey home. Call early—and ask for everything.

In the message, “THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS,” Pastor Rich Whitter teaches from Hebrews 9:6–12, highlighting the contrast between the old sacrificial system and the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Pastor Rich explains how the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies only once a year with the blood of animals but Jesus entered once for all, securing eternal redemption through His own precious blood. This passage reminds us that forgiveness, freedom, and access to God were purchased not by human effort, but by the spotless sacrifice of Christ Himself.We'd love to have you join us in person this Sunday at 9AM, 10:30AM, or 12PM come worship with us and grow deeper in your faith.

Todaywe're continuing to look at the prayer, the petition, that the Apostle Paulprayed for the saints there at the church of Ephesus. The first thing he prayedfor in verse 16 is that they would “be strengthened with might through HisSpirit in the inner man”. They'd have spiritual energy to live for the LordJesus Christ and to do the will of God. Secondly, Paul prayed, “that Christmay dwell in your hearts through faith that you being rooted and groundedin love”. So, the second thing now Paul is praying for is the depth oftheir spiritual experience in Christ. How deep is your spiritual life? Youknow, so many Christians are like a mile wide and an inch deep. They display alot of Christianity until they end up in a different situation, a crisis, thenit's revealed they have no depth to their Christian life. That's what Paul ispraying for, that there would be depth in their spiritual walk with God. Heuses three words in verse 17 to speak of this depth. The first word is “dwell”.Then the second is “rooted”. The third word is “grounded”.  Theword “dwell” is a word that speaks of Christ being at home in our hearts. WhatPaul is praying for is a deeper experience between Christ and His people. Heyearns for Christ to settle down and feel at home in their hearts—not a surfacerelationship, but an ever-deepening fellowship. Not only are we at home inChrist, He's at home in our hearts. Abraham is a good illustration of this.When God and the two angels came to see Abraham after He has promised him ason, God felt at home with Abraham. He sat down to have a meal with him. Heconversed with him. He talked with him. But then, God had another thing on Hisagenda, that was the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He didn't go to Lot'shouse. He sent the two angels because He didn't feel at home in Lot's heart.So, my friend, to dwell in our hearts means Christ is at home. He has a placewhere He can commune and fellowship with us. Jesus is always a welcome guest. Now,already we are saints. That's what Paul addressed these Christians at Ephesuswith in the very first verse of the book: “To the saints at Ephesus”. So,they're saints already. They are already in Christ. Christ is already in them.But the question is, does Christ dwell in your hearts? Is He abiding in yourheart? (John 15:7-8).  Thesecond word that we see here is the word “rooted”. The verb rootedmoves us into the plant world. The tree must get its roots deep into the soilif it is to have both nourishment and stability; and the Christian must havehis spiritual roots deep into the love of God. Psalm 1:2-3 is a perfectdescription of this word. Jeremiah 17:5-8 is agood commentary on it. One of the most important questions a Christian can askhimself is, "From what do I draw my nourishment and my stability?" Ifthere is to be power in the Christian life, then there must be depth. The rootsmust go deeper and deeper into the love of Christ. Thirdly,we see the word “grounded”. Grounded is an architectural term; it refersto the foundations on which we build. There's only one foundation that can bein our lives and that's the foundation of Jesus Christ. We know that theexperiences of life, the trials of life will expose if we're building on thefirm foundation of Jesus Christ. Which means we have depth. Jesus said it thisway in Luke 6:47-48, He is like a man building a house, whodug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  We'redwelling in Christ. Christ is dwelling in us. We have deep roots into thefoundation, Christ Himself. “Christ is our life” (Colossians 3:4). “Forto me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  That is then the story of our life. It's aChrist-like life. It's exchanged life, as Hudson Taylor put it.  Myfriend, that's what we need to have. That's why Paul prayed for the depth, thedepth of our love in Christ. We should pray for that not only for ourselves,but for others.  Godbless!

The Lord is Faithful. The Church Will Go On Luke 21:5–28. Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple Empires fall. Kingdoms crumble. Civilizations fade into dust. Yet the Church still stands. Christ's Bride endures because she is not founded on marble or money or men, but on the living Word of Christ who says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Every generation has believed it lived in the Last Days. The early martyrs believed it. Luther in the Reformation believed it. Our parents during the Cold War believed it too. Jesus reminds us that no one knows the day or the hour. Instead of fear, He calls us to faith and watchful hope. St. Paul gives the same comfort. “The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Though nations rage and the earth trembles, God's promises stand firm. “Not a hair of your head will perish.” “The Lord will keep your life.” Christ Himself died yet did not pass away. He rose again, conquering death for us all. And when our final day comes, we do not simply pass away. We pass through death into life in Him. History bears witness. When Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70, the Church went on. When Trinity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee burned to the ground, the congregation still gathered among the ashes to sing and hear God's Word. They rebuilt. They endured. Because the Lord is faithful, His Word endures, and the Church goes on. So too here at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. For 172 years, Christ has sustained this congregation through every joy and every trial, preserving His people by His Word and Sacraments. The world may change. Christ remains. His mercy abides. Lift up your heads and do not fear. The Lord is faithful. The Church will go on. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

The Lord is Faithful. The Church Will Go On Luke 21:5–28. Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple Empires fall. Kingdoms crumble. Civilizations fade into dust. Yet the Church still stands. Christ's Bride endures because she is not founded on marble or money or men, but on the living Word of Christ who says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Every generation has believed it lived in the Last Days. The early martyrs believed it. Luther in the Reformation believed it. Our parents during the Cold War believed it too. Jesus reminds us that no one knows the day or the hour. Instead of fear, He calls us to faith and watchful hope. St. Paul gives the same comfort. “The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Though nations rage and the earth trembles, God's promises stand firm. “Not a hair of your head will perish.” “The Lord will keep your life.” Christ Himself died yet did not pass away. He rose again, conquering death for us all. And when our final day comes, we do not simply pass away. We pass through death into life in Him. History bears witness. When Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70, the Church went on. When Trinity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee burned to the ground, the congregation still gathered among the ashes to sing and hear God's Word. They rebuilt. They endured. Because the Lord is faithful, His Word endures, and the Church goes on. So too here at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. For 172 years, Christ has sustained this congregation through every joy and every trial, preserving His people by His Word and Sacraments. The world may change. Christ remains. His mercy abides. Lift up your heads and do not fear. The Lord is faithful. The Church will go on. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

There comes a moment in every believer's life when inherited faith will no longer suffice. The gentle warmth of family tradition, the comfort of familiar hymns, the rhythm of ritual—all these are good and precious things. Yet when the cold wind of opposition blows, when faith is mocked or maligned, or when sorrow cuts deep into the soul, such belief will crumble like a house built on sand. It is not enough to say, “I am Catholic because my parents were.” We must know why we are Catholic, and we must know it in the deep marrow of our being. To know why is to have met the Person behind the practice. Christianity is not a philosophy that one may simply agree with; it is an encounter with the living God. The Catholic faith, at its heart, is not a set of customs, nor even a system of thought, but the life of Christ extended through His Church across time and space. If you have not yet found Christ at the center of your Catholicism, then your faith has not yet reached its depth. You have the shell, but not yet the pearl.When persecution comes—and it always does, in one form or another—it strips away pretense. The comfortable explanations falter. To be Catholic because one enjoys the incense, the music, or the solemnity of liturgy is as fragile as being married because one enjoys the wedding reception. There will come a day when the joy of ceremony gives way to the labor of love, and only love will endure. So too, only love for Christ will hold us fast when, not if, the world turns against us.To say, “I am Catholic because I believe it is true,” is the beginning of strength. But even that belief must not rest on the shifting sands of emotion or cultural approval. It must be rooted in the conviction that truth Himself has revealed it. That Christ, who said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” continues to speak through His Church. That the sacraments are not symbols only, but encounters with the divine. That the Eucharist is not bread and wine, but God-with-us, under humble forms.If you know this, if you know Him, then no flame of persecution can consume your faith. For you will not merely cling to a doctrine; you will cling to a Person. You will not merely defend a tradition; you will defend your Beloved.So ask yourself, and ask sincerely: Why am I Catholic? Do not be content until your answer is alive with love, conviction, and wonder. For the day will come when you must answer not to the world, but to your own heart. And may your heart, knowing Whom it has believed, answer boldly: I am Catholic because it is true, because it is beautiful, and because through it I have found Christ Himself. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In this episode, Fr. Anthony reflects on Christ's call of St. Matthew as a revelation of the Lord's pastoral wisdom, patience, and mercy. Drawing on St. John Chrysostom, he shows how Christ approaches each person at the moment they are most able to receive Him, gently leading sinners to repentance while shielding the weak from the self-righteous. The homily invites us to imitate this divine pedagogy—offering mercy before rebuke, healing before judgment, and a way of life that draws others to the knowledge of God. +++ Mercy, Not Sacrifice: Christ's Pastoral Method in the Calling of Matthew St. Matthew 9:9-13 At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he rose and followed Him. And as He sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when Jesus heard it, He said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  When looking at this encounter, it is important to know the context.  Jesus had been at this for a while.  He had already called at least four of the twelve; Andrew, Peter, James and John, to be his disciples.  Moreover, in addition to them, many others were following him.  He had already been baptized, been tempted, given the Sermon on the Mount and performed several public miracles. Knowing this allows us to better appreciate Christ, how He operates, and therefore how we might better imitate Him as we claim to operate in + His name. Example One: Calling the disciples Let's go back to His calling the disciples.  Why didn't He call Matthew at the same time He called Andrew, Peter, James, and John?  St. John Chrysostom indicates that it was Christ's pastoral heart that determined when we called each of His disciples.  Remember, as the Logos, He shares the Father's will that "all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4).  This means that He addressed people in the time and manner they were most likely to hear.  St. John Chrysostom points out that Matthew's heart was not open to Christ's call at the same time as Andrew, Peter, James, and John.  It took miracles and profound teaching to soften His heart for the encounter.  And He didn't just do this for Matthew, look how long it took for the Apostle Paul!  And perhaps, we can look at long he waited for us! We should learn from this lesson from Christ's earthly ministry and imitate Him.  We may need to live among some people for a while, showing the miracle of God's love working in and through us in the way we act and the things we say, before they are ready to accept an invitation to join us in The Way that heals and perfects.  Many of us jump the gun; skipping the vital step of living a public life of miraculous love – and then are surprised when the call to "follow Christ" goes unheeded.  Yes, there are times when the modern equivalents of scribes and pharisees need to be confronted, but once again, let's imitate Christ and let them out themselves when they question our motives and sanity for performing acts of sacrificial compassion.  If we skip the step of imitating Christ in His love for mankind, not only won't we win converts, we may also be indicating that we aren't really working in His Name at all.   Example Two: Leaving, not owning the opposition Speaking of which, Christ also demonstrates his pastoral care at the very beginning of today's lesson.  You may remember that today's lesson begins with something that seems to be a throwaway line; a transitional clause that lets the reader know that the narrative is moving on to another scene.  St. Matthew writes; "At that time, as Jesus passed on from there,…" and then segues into this lesson about how Christ called him, the author, to be His disciple.  But what did He leave and why?  What did He "pass on" from in the previous scene? Let me share that with you; just prior to this, Jesus had publicly corrected some scribes - leaders in the Jewish community - by healing a man of his paralysis after they doubted His ability to forgive sins.  Do you see how they out themselves as fools?  But Christ doesn't want them to remain in ignorance.  He desires that they, too, be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth …  but He also knew that they were not ready to accept the truth, so He left before they could double down on their sin and thus become even less likely to change their way of thinking and eventually answer His call to discipleship. As St. John Christostom puts it; For when He had performed the miracle, He did not remain, lest, being in sight, He should kindle their jealousy the more; but He indulges them by retiring, and soothing their passion. This then let us also do, not encountering them that are plotting against us; let us rather soothe their wound, giving way and relaxing their vehemence. Jesus could have owned those scribes!   This is what our polarized and self-indulgent culture seems to require of us: to immediately jump on any perceived weakness to show the superiority of our way.  We even manufacture offenses so that we have an opportunity to score points and play to the crowd.  But that's not what Jesus did; there was a real offense and a real weakness – but He didn't want or need to impress anyone.  Again, his desire is that of His Father; that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.  And so He forbeared and gave them an opportunity to cool off and repent while He moved off to spend time with someone who was ready to hear Him. These are the kinds of lessons that are obvious to those who have "eyes to see and ears to hear," but for the rest of us, it takes time.  As we have discussed previously, we still see the Gospel "through a glass darkly" and only see reality as "trees walking."  But we want to learn, and so we ask those who have made this journey successfully before us, men like the Holy Apostle and Evanglist Matthew, whose memory we celebrate today and St. John Chrysostom who shares the deeper Truths that St. Matthew shared – we ask them to guide and pray for us as go deeper into The Way. Let's see what more we can learn about Christ's approach to evangelism and pastoral care in today's lesson.  It is worth remembering that Matthew was a tax collector.  When Jesus gave him the invitation to "follow me", he responded with hospitality.  He opened his house to the Lord, his disciples, fellow tax collectors, and unspecified sinners.  Just to make sure everyone had a good time, this was all done within view of some local Pharisees.  The Pharisees spent their whole lives dedicated to righteousness (as should all of us).  I am perfectly willing to believe that they were sincere in their devotion to the Law.  In fact, it was probably their devotion to the Law that led to their revulsion at seeing an alleged rabbi (Jesus) eating with sinners.  They shared their righteous indignation with the Lord's disciples and He overheard them.  We can learn a lot about how to pastoral ministry by looking at Christ's response. First, He said (e.g. St. Mark 2:17); Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.  This is the most obvious point: God was explaining what His mission to these sinners (and the world) was:  He had come to bring them to repentance.  This would hardly satisfy any ultra-Orthodox takfirists – they always want their pound of flesh!  After all, they say, repentance requires tears, and the best way to bring someone to tears is not to eat with them and provide them a living example of the better way; no, surely it is more effective to beat them over the head with the Sin-Stick, right?!  Evidently not, at least according to the all-knowing and all-loving God-man Jesus Christ. After acknowledging the sinfulness of His dinner companions and their need for repentance, He corrected the Pharisees' dubious pedagogical and evangelical instincts with this (e.g. St. Matthew himself in 9:13); Go and learn what it means, 'I will have mercy, and not sacrifice': for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Christ is quoting Hosea when He says; "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice".  The full passage (which was implied) continues with (Hosea 6:6); "… and [I desire] the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."  This is huge.  The Pharisees knew the full quote and its context; they would have seen that Christ was telling them that they were guilty of the very same sorts of things that went against God throughout the Old Testament.  He was telling them that they were more concerned with fulfilling the letter of the law (i.e. doing the "burnt offerings" well) than they were with knowing God or bringing others to Him.  At that meal, He was doing something that they should have been doing themselves. How Christ Discipled His Sinners cum Apostles More importantly, along with His entire response, Christ used this quote to describe His method for bringing the "knowledge of God" to sinners; He would use mercy to lead them to repentance, which would in turn allow them to grow in the knowledge of God.   St. John Chrysostom brings this point out at the end of his homily on this passage; What Christ is saying through his words and deads is this, "The disciples have not yet become strong; they still need a lot of condescension. They have not been renewed by the Spirit yet.  You really shouldn't put a lot of injunctions on people who are still weak."  And He said all these things in order to set laws and rules for His own disciples, so that when it was their turn to train disciples, they would deal with them very gently.  To reiterate St. John Chrysostom's point, God is showing His disciples how the Gospel is to be taught: gently and with mercy … while protecting the weak from the attacks of the self-righteous.  This is important for us as Christian leaders: we are called to follow Christ!  We are called to take His Gospel to sinners so that they might repent,  come to the knowledge of God, and be saved.  Keep the Sin-Stick ready, but use it the way Christ Himself did; to defend the weak from the attacks of the self-righteous. There is a temptation to bring sinners to a full awareness of their sin in order to drive them towards repentance, but be careful with this.   Psalm 129: 3-4 (which we often repeat as a prokimen so that we will master it – or rather so that it might master us);  If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee. And later in that same Psalm, we learn from the Psalmist, in the Spirt, what the purpose of this merciful forgivness is; so that He might bring salvation to Israel (129:8). Repentance, kenosis, and discernment are fostered over time.  It is an iterated and communal process.  The wounds this world inflicts on God's children are serious and it takes time for Him to heal them.  This means that you may not be able to see the process through to its conclusion, but it is okay to simply begin the treatment; the Church has trained other physicians that can continue the process, just as you will be called to continue the work others have begun.  As Christ said "One soweth, and another reapeth." (St. John 4:37:4) Conclusion Saint Matthew's life is a testimony to the efficacy of this gentle discipleship process.  He was a sinner.  The Lord protected Him and showed Him mercy.  Over time, through His example, His holiness, and His teachings, He brought Matthew through repentance to the true knowledge of God.  As a recipient of this grace, St. Matthew could do nothing else but offer it to others.   It is true that the Church is a hospital, and that Christ is the Great Physician; and it is also true that St. Matthew found healing in the Church under the Doctor's care.  But it is also true that He did not stay in the hospital bed. After a lifetime spent spreading the Gospel, this "good and faithful servant" earned the martyr's crown in Ethiopia. May the Lord transform us into the kind of patient, merciful, and holy pastors who can do the same.

In Luke 14:1–6, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of religious leaders by healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath, exposing how human traditions had corrupted the true purpose of the Sabbath as a day of mercy, necessity, and delight in God. The passage reveals that Jesus' willingness to engage with His enemies—those who sought to trap Him—demonstrates His mission to save sinners, including the self-righteous, because salvation comes not from moral superiority but from recognizing one's need for grace. The sermon emphasizes that the Sabbath was never meant to be a burden of legalistic restrictions but a sacred time for worship, good works, and compassion, with Christ Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath who consistently prioritized mercy over ritual. It warns against substituting human traditions for divine commandments, urging believers to reject cultural and religious practices that elevate man-made rules over Scripture, and to embrace the gospel with humility, even when it requires stepping outside comfort zones to reach the lost. Ultimately, the passage calls the church to live out the Sabbath's true meaning: a joyful, active commitment to God and neighbor, reflecting Christ's redemptive work in the world.

Todaywe're specifically looking at Ephesians 3:16. Two things we're going to talkabout and that's, “the riches of His glory” and “in the inner man”.As we look at this passage of scripture, we realize that the power of the HolySpirit is given to us “according to the riches of His glory”. Christreturned to glory. But remember He said, "If I don't go away, I can'tsend the Holy Spirit. But if I go away, I will send the Comforter, the HolySpirit." (John 14; John 16:7). Christ returned to glory and sent theHoly Spirit from heaven to indwell and to empower His people.  So,it's not necessary for us to work something up. The power of God has been sentdown. Jesus said, "Tarry at Jerusalem till the power of the Holy Spiritis come upon you." (Acts 1:4-8). They did tarry and the HolySpirit, 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost, came down upon them. The HolySpirit was sent down. The Holy Spirit is the “gift of God” according tothose first passages of Scripture in the book of Acts (Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45;11:17). Now the Holy Spirit dwells in us and empowers us.  Goddoesn't give us the Holy Spirit's power out of His riches, but “according toHis riches” and that is a far greater thing. If I'm a billionaire and Igive you $10, I've given you out of my riches. But if I give you a milliondollars, I have given you according to my riches. The first is a portion, butmy friend, the second is a proportion. Oh, God has His riches in heaven thatare immeasurable, unfathomable, endless, eternal. He gives you not out of Hisriches but “according to the riches of His glory”. Nowvery interesting this power is available for “the inner man”.This means the spiritual part of man where God dwells and God lives in us. Weread in Romans 8:16; “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit thatwe are the children of God”. The inner man of the lost sinner is dead (Ephesians2:1), but that inner spirit becomes alive when the Holy Spirit of Christ,Christ Himself comes to indwell us. We find that the inner mancan see in Psalm 119:18, "Open mine eyes that I may see wondrous thingsout of your law." The inner man can hear Matthew13:9, Jesus said, "He who has ears, let him hear."  “Theinner man”has taste in Psalm 34:8; “Taste and see that the Lord is good”. We findwe can feel with the inner man (Acts 17:27). According to 1 Timothy 4:7-8,we find that bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness exercises greatprofit for those who trust and believe in Him. The outward man is perishing.But the inner man, the inner man can be renewed day by day in spite of thephysical outward decay that takes place. I love that passage in 2 Corinthians4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man isperishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our lightaffliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceedingand eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen,but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen aretemporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal”.  Whatdoes it mean to have the Holy Spirit empower “the inner man”? Itmeans that our spiritual faculties are controlled by God, and we are exercisingthem and growing in the Word (Hebrews 5:12-14). It is only when we yield to theSpirit and let Him control the inner man that we succeed in living to the gloryof God. This means we are feeding the inner man the Word of God, praying andworshiping, keeping clean, and exercising the senses by loving obedience. MayGod help us to trust Him today to have that strength that only He can give forHis glory and for His ministry of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ withthe world around us.  Godbless!

The Lord is Faithful. The Church Will Go On Luke 21:5–28. Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple Empires fall. Kingdoms crumble. Civilizations fade into dust. Yet the Church still stands. Christ's Bride endures because she is not founded on marble or money or men, but on the living Word of Christ who says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Every generation has believed it lived in the Last Days. The early martyrs believed it. Luther in the Reformation believed it. Our parents during the Cold War believed it too. Jesus reminds us that no one knows the day or the hour. Instead of fear, He calls us to faith and watchful hope. St. Paul gives the same comfort. “The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Though nations rage and the earth trembles, God's promises stand firm. “Not a hair of your head will perish.” “The Lord will keep your life.” Christ Himself died yet did not pass away. He rose again, conquering death for us all. And when our final day comes, we do not simply pass away. We pass through death into life in Him. History bears witness. When Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70, the Church went on. When Trinity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee burned to the ground, the congregation still gathered among the ashes to sing and hear God's Word. They rebuilt. They endured. Because the Lord is faithful, His Word endures, and the Church goes on. So too here at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. For 172 years, Christ has sustained this congregation through every joy and every trial, preserving His people by His Word and Sacraments. The world may change. Christ remains. His mercy abides. Lift up your heads and do not fear. The Lord is faithful. The Church will go on. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

In this thought-provoking episode, Tony and Jesse delve into Jesus's twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price from Matthew 13:44-46. They explore the profound economic metaphor Jesus uses to illustrate the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through careful examination of both parables, they discuss what it means to "count the cost" of following Christ while simultaneously recognizing that no earthly sacrifice can compare to the infinite worth of gaining Christ. The conversation moves between practical application—considering how believers assess value in their spiritual lives—and deeper theological reflections on Christ's perfect sacrifice that makes our entrance into the Kingdom possible in the first place. Key Takeaways The Kingdom of Heaven has such surpassing value that sacrificing everything to obtain it is considered a joyful exchange, not a loss. Both parables show different paths to discovering the Kingdom (unexpected finding vs. intentional seeking), but identical responses: selling everything to obtain the treasure. The parables are not primarily commanding material poverty, but rather illustrating the "sold-outness" required in pursuing the Kingdom of God. Counting the cost of discipleship is not only permissible but necessary to fully appreciate the value of what we gain in Christ. The ultimate treasure we receive in salvation is not merely benefits like eternal life, but God Himself—union with Christ and fellowship with the Trinity. Christ Himself is the one who ultimately fulfills these parables perfectly, giving everything to purchase us as His treasure. The irresistible draw of the Kingdom illustrates how God's grace works in the heart of believers, compelling joyful surrender. Exploring the Incomparable Value of the Kingdom The economic metaphor Jesus employs in these parables is striking—both the hidden treasure and the pearl are deemed so valuable that the discoverers "sell all they have" to obtain them. As Tony and Jesse point out, this transaction reveals something profound about how we should view the Kingdom of Heaven. It's not simply that the Kingdom is valuable; it's that its value so far exceeds anything else we possess that the comparison becomes almost absurd. As Tony notes, "For sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine... there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how worthwhile it is." This perspective transforms how we understand sacrifice in the Christian life. When opportunities or comforts are foregone because of our faith, we're not simply losing something—we're experiencing the reality that we've chosen something infinitely more valuable. The parables teach us to view these moments not with regret but with a clearer vision of the treasure we've received in Christ. The Ultimate Prize: God Himself Perhaps the most powerful insight from the discussion is the realization that the ultimate treasure of salvation is not the benefits we receive, but God Himself. As Tony eloquently states: "All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God... we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." This perspective reshapes how we understand the value proposition of the gospel. It's not merely that we receive eternal life, freedom from suffering, or other benefits—though these are real. The pearl of great price is relationship with God Himself. This helps explain why both men in the parables respond with such dramatic, all-encompassing sacrifice. When we truly grasp what's being offered, nothing seems too great a price to pay. Memorable Quotes "What we get in salvation ultimately is we get God. We get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." — Tony Arsenal "I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value... it's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We'll just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it." — Jesse Schwamb Full Transcript [00:00:08] Tony Arsenal: All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. We get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. [00:00:47] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 469 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. [00:00:54] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. [00:00:59] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. Discussing the Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:01:00] Jesse Schwamb: Speaking of ears to hear, we're back at it again with a whole new, or let's say different parable from our Lord and Savior Jesus. And we've been talking about how really these parables give us this view of the face of heaven through these earthly glasses. And I am pretty interested in our conversation about what's coming up because sometimes we don't like to put too fine a points to our, our point of question to our faith. And in this case, we're gonna get to ask the question, what is it all worth, this kingdom of heaven, this rule and reign of Christ? What is it all about? Who are the beneficiaries of it? And what is it all actually worth? There's a little bit of economics in this, so we're gonna get there. And while we talk and do a little affirming or denying, you should just go ahead write to just skip, go. Do not collect $200 or maybe. Pass, go and collect $200. I dunno. But just go to Matthew chapter 13 and hang out there for just a second. Affirmations and Denials [00:01:58] Jesse Schwamb: But first, I'm always curious to know whenever we talk, are you gonna affirm with something or are you gonna die against something? We've been on a string of lots of affirmations, but I'd like to think that's just because we're fun, loving, optimistic people. But there was a day where we had to do both. And now that I only have to choose one, I do find myself gravitating almost naturally toward the affirming width. But I leave it to you, Tony, are you affirming with or denying against? [00:02:22] Tony Arsenal: I, unfortunately am denying tonight. Technical Issues with Apple Podcasts [00:02:25] Tony Arsenal: So you and I already talked about it a little bit, but uh, I'm denying Apple Podcast Connect. Oh yes. So, uh, I. Obviously, like if you're affected by this, you're not hearing the episode 'cause it's not updating for you. But, uh, if you happen to be using Apple to listen to the podcast and for some reason you're listening somewhere else, maybe you realize that the podcast has not been updating for several weeks. And so you went to a different podcast catcher. Um, apple just decided for some reason that none of our feeds were gonna update. No good reason. So I've got a ticket out to Apple and hopefully we'll get it fixed. Uh, if you do know someone who listens to the show and they use Apple, please tell them to subscribe to something else or to, uh, go to the website. You can get all of the, all of the episodes on our website. You could go to Spotify, you could do something like, uh, overcast or PocketCasts. Um, it really is just Apple. It's, it's the actual account that we use to, uh, to access. Apple's Directory is not pulling new episodes and it's not pulling new episodes on another show that I run as well. So, uh, it's not just this show, it's not our RSS feed. These things happen. It'll, you know, you'll get four or five episodes all at one time. When it, when it corrects itself, usually they're pretty quick. I put in a ticket like late on Friday afternoon, so I didn't expect them to get to it on, uh, Saturday or Sunday. So hopefully by the time you're hearing this, uh, it's resolved. I would hope so, because that means it would be about a week from today. Um, so hopefully they'll have a resolve. But yeah, it's just th thorns and thistles. This is our own, our own, uh, manifestation of the curse here in this little labor that we do. It's, it's thorns and thistles right now, but no big deal. Just, uh, catch up when you can. And, uh, yeah, so denying Apple Podcasts now, really, it's, it's a great service and this is a, a little glitch. It's, it's just a little frustrating. [00:04:20] Jesse Schwamb: The sweat of our brow. Yes. Here it is. We're just toiling over getting Apple to please release our episodes. Well, it'll be your happy day if you use Apple Podcasts and then get a bunch of them all at once. That's fantastic. It's like the gift that is over in abundance. Supporting The Reformed Brotherhood [00:04:36] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, it is a good reminder that you just said, Tony, that everybody should go, just take some time. Head on over to our form brotherhood.com. You can find all the other 400 some odd episodes living over there. And while you're over there and you're perusing or searching by topic to see what we've talked about before, you're probably gonna think to yourself, this is so incredible. How is this compendium, this omnibus of all these episodes just hanging out here free of cost? And I'm so glad you're thinking about that because there are so many lovely brothers and sisters who have decided just to give a little bit to make sure that all that stuff gets hosted for free for you Yeah. And for us, so that anybody can go and explore it and find content that we hope will be edifying. So if that's something you're interested in, maybe you've been listening for a while and thought, you know what? I would like to give a little bit one time or reoccurring, we would love to, for you to join us in that mission. You can go to patreon.com/reform brotherhood, and there's all the information for you to give if that's something that you feel you would like to do, and we would be grateful for you to do it. [00:05:32] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. We, we have a group of people who support the show. They make it possible for your, uh, your ear holes to be filled with our voices. And, uh, but again, you know, the costs are going up all around and, and we would, uh, certainly love to have people partner with us. Um, we've committed to making show that the, making sure that the show is free and available. Um, it's never our intention to put anything behind a paywall or to, to barrier and in that way, but we can only do that if there's people who are supporting the show and making, making sure that we've got the funding that we need to, to keep going. So, thank you to everybody who gives, thank you to anyone who's considering it, uh, and thanking anybody who decides to, uh, jump on board with that. [00:06:11] Jesse Schwamb: Right on. We're appreciative who we really are. [00:06:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. So Jesse, what are you affirming or denying today? Exploring Open Webcam DB [00:06:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, this is what I've kind of done before, but I think I've found a new place for it. I just am continually impressed and fall in love with how great and big and lovely God's world is. So I love these types of sites that give you insight into this great big world, even if it's in unexpected places or maybe in strange places. So I'm affirming with a website called Open webcam db.com. Open webcam db.com. And it's exactly like what it sounds like. It's a database that has something like 2000 live cameras streaming daily from over 50 countries, all searchable by a category. So you can find natural landscapes, airports, construction sites, and one of my recent favorites, honestly, and this is. It's so strange, but kind of awesome is this warehouse, it's called Chinese Robotic Warehouse Buzz, and it's just robots moving pallets around or like stacks of all of these items. It's mesmerizing. But I would encourage you go to open webcam db.com, search for like your stage or your country. You'll find so many amazing things. So I've sat and just watched, you know, between tasks or when you know you just need a break or you're just curious about the world. Like I look, I watched the Krakow Maine Market Square quite a bit because it's. Beautiful and brilliant, and to think about the people moving to and fro and what they're doing, what their lives are like. There's some great scenes from San Francisco Bay. There is a bird feeder in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that I often watch. So of course, like go out as we've said, and live and breathe and be in your own communities. And as well, if you're looking at scratch that itch of just seeing all these different places, all the different things that are happening in God's created world, I can firmly and unreservedly recommend open webcam db.com for that. [00:07:58] Tony Arsenal: Nice, nice, uh, little known fact at one point, Dartmouth Hitchcock, which is the hospital that I worked for, had to block a penguin cam, uh, because it was causing such a productivity drain combined with an actual measurable decrease in internet bandwidth at the hospital. 'cause so many people were watching this little penguin cam at some zoo in Boston. I think it probably was. Yeah, I, I love this kind of stuff. I think this kind of stuff is great. Uh, I use, uh, Dartmouth College has a, like a live one that I use all the time, especially when we're trying to figure out what the weather's gonna do. You can see it on the camera. Uh, we, we often will, you know, see, especially as we get closer to the season when we're talking about traveling to the beach and whatnot, uh, often look at the ocean grove. Oh, that's right. Uh, pier cam. So yeah, check it out. Uh, sounds like a fun time. Do not share it with too many of your friends at work. Or it may crash the network and Yeah. But [00:08:53] Jesse Schwamb: yeah, for [00:08:54] Tony Arsenal: sure. That was a funny email that they had to send out. I remember that [00:08:57] Jesse Schwamb: for sure. Use, use the penguin cam responsibly. I just did a quick search. There are four different penguin cams. Uh, three of them are in the United States, one is in New Zealand, and you better believe I'm gonna be checking those bad boys out. Yes. I didn't even think about. The penguin feature here and penguins are an amazing animal. Like we could stop right now and just shift our topic to penguins if you want to. [00:09:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. ' [00:09:16] Jesse Schwamb: cause there's so much there. And the spiritual truths are so broad and deep, but I just think penguins are kind of undervalued. Birds. Everybody should go check them out. [00:09:26] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. They're, they're pretty cool. [00:09:28] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Um, I'm like, I will watch any Penguin documentary and just be astounded by Penguin. Like, whether they're Emperor Penguins or South African Penguin, wherever. I just think they're phenomenal and hilarious and seem to be living the dream. And he doesn't want a little bit of that. [00:09:46] Tony Arsenal: You just gotta get Morgan Freeman to do the voiceover in any documentary or, or nature documentary is better with Morgan Freeman doing the voiceover. [00:09:55] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I all, this might be a deep cut real quick, but I just learned this, and I'm guessing some of our listening brothers and sisters probably already know this. Maybe you do too, Tony. So, Benedict Cumberbatch, do you know where I'm going with this? Yep, [00:10:06] Tony Arsenal: yep. Pen wing. [00:10:07] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I didn't. I cannot say that word or stumbles over its pronunciation. He did some kind of big documentary in which Penguins played at least some part. Yeah. And they were in an interview. They were giving him such a hard time because they played his reading of it like within the same kind of five minutes. And his, the word just kept degenerating in his mouth every time he said it. So it became like almost undistinguishable from the actual word. And it's like initial pronunciation. It was so hilarious. Apparently it's a big joke on the internet and I just didn't know it. [00:10:38] Tony Arsenal: Especially for someone like Bent Cumberbatch who just is, uh, like he's a world-class voice actor. [00:10:44] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:10:45] Tony Arsenal: And like a super smart ude guy and he just can't say the word penguin and penguin. Yeah. [00:10:51] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. He said, you got everybody go look it up. 'cause it is super hilarious. And now it's kind of gotten stuck in my head. But um, again, this suddenly became like the All Penguin episode all of a sudden. [00:11:01] Tony Arsenal: I mean like, he can pronounce his own last name just fine, but the word penguin escapes him. I like to call 'em blueberry crumble bottom or whatever. Crumble bunch. [00:11:11] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, see that's the good stuff right there. That's what everybody we know. This is what you all tune in for. This is what you're missing when Apple Podcast doesn't send everything out on time. Yeah. You're welcome. [00:11:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl [00:11:23] Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, why don't we, why don't we get into it? Because you know it, it's interesting. Let's [00:11:27] Jesse Schwamb: get into it. [00:11:28] Tony Arsenal: Well, it's interesting because when you, you know, you kind of, we, we sort of do the little lead to the episode and I, I suddenly realized that I think I've been interpreting this parable very differently than maybe you have or other people. Great. Do, uh, because I, I think I, I think I might have a different take on it. Let, let's do it. Yeah. So let's get into it. Uh, do you have the, the text in friend you wanna read? Uh, why don't we just do 44 all the way through 46? We'll do both parables in one reading. We'll come back and talk about it. [00:11:54] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Sorry, everybody. So here's a two for one for you. Beginning in where we're in verse 44 of Matthew chapter 13. This is Jesus speaking. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field again. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Interpreting the Parables [00:12:22] Tony Arsenal: I think maybe this is the, like the beauty of parables, uh, when Christ doesn't give us a interpretation. I, I think we're, we're, we're not free to like make up whatever we want, but these kinds of teaching tools are useful because the fact that there can be multiple interpretations actually is, is probably intentional. [00:12:43] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:12:43] Tony Arsenal: So it's funny because I think when you intro the episode here, it sounds like you're going to the kingdom of Heaven being a treasure hidden in a field, being something that we should sell everything we have and go after. And when I read this, I read it as the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden a field. And the man who is Jesus goes and sells all that. He has. He gives all that he has and buys the field. So, and I, I think this is one of those ones where like. Probably both of those things are in play. Sure. But it's interesting 'cause I've never, I've never really read this and thought about myself as the person who buys the field. [00:13:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Interesting. [00:13:20] Tony Arsenal: I've probably heard sermons or read devotionals where people have said that and it just never clicked. And it didn't register until just now. And you were, when you were, uh, introing the parable that maybe you are the, maybe your way of introing your, your interpretation. Maybe that's the dominant one. So I, I looked at a couple quick, um, commentaries while you were speaking and I didn't get a chance to do my commentary reading before the episode. It seems like I'm the weird one. So, but it's interesting, um, 'cause again, I think that's the, kind of the beauty of parables is that sometimes the, the, um. Ambiguity of what the possible meaning could be, probably plays into the, the, um, teaching technique itself. [00:13:58] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I, I think that's fair. I totally can take and understand what your perspective is on this. What I find interesting is that these, we've got these two abutting each other, like the cheek to cheek parallel approach here, and in doing so, there seems to be like kind of an interesting comparison between the two. Actors in this. And I think we should get into that. Like why in one case Jesus is talking about a person who finds this in a field, which by the way, I think the, the thing that jumps out to me first about that person is this person doesn't actually own the field at first. Right. That the treasure is in. So that is interesting. I'm totally with you. But then the second one, so in the first one there's kinda almost like this sense, and I don't wanna like push this too far, but that this person who finds this treasure does so very unexpectedly, perhaps like he's even the hired hand and of course not the one who owns the field. [00:14:48] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:14:49] Jesse Schwamb: And in the second case, we have somebody who almost is volitionally looking for this thing of great value, but finds the one thing above all the other things that they're used to looking for that clearly has the greatest and most. You know, essential worth and therefore the end is always the same in both of 'em. They give everything they have. They're willing for forsake all other things with great joy, recognizing the great value that's in front of them. I think there is a place to understand that as Christ acting in those ways. I think there's also interesting, again, this comparison between these two people. So I'm seeing this as we've got these varied beneficiaries of the kingdom. They both come to this place of the incomparable value of the kingdom, but then there's also like this expulsive power of the kingdom. All, all of that's, I think in there, and again, these are really, really, really brilliant, I think, because the more that you spend time meditating on these, the layers just kind of come and they fall away and you start to really consider, well, why again is Jesus using these two different characters? Why is he using this kinda different sense of things of, of worth what the people are actually after? I think all of it's in play. You're totally right. [00:15:54] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. The Cost and Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:15:55] Tony Arsenal: So I think, you know, when we think about the kingdom of heaven, when we think about these perils, we made this point last week, we shouldn't, um, we shouldn't restrict, we have to be careful not to restrict the comparison to just like the first noun that comes up, [00:16:08] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:16:08] Tony Arsenal: So it's not just that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, it, it is like a treasure, but it's like a treasure that's hidden in a field. Yes. And it's not just like a treasure that's hidden in a field, it's a treasure that's hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Right? So, so like we have to look at that whole sequence. And I think, I think, um, you know, obviously like the, the interpretation that we are the, we're the man who finds the kingdom of heaven and we, you know, we go and buy the field. Um, that, that obviously makes perfect sense now that I'm looking at a few different commentaries. It seems to be the predominant way that this gets interpreted. And we, we look at it and we say, what, well, what does this mean for like our Christian life? Like. What does it mean? Do we have to, do we have to give everything away? Do we have to sell everything we have? Is that the point of the parable? I think some people make that the point of the parable. Um, I'm not convinced that that actually is the point of the parable. Um, because it, you know, it, it, it just, there's lots in the scripture that, that, uh, doesn't seem to require that Christians automatically like, give away everything they have. Um, maybe that's your calling. Maybe it is something that God's calling you to do to sort of, um, divest yourself of your, your belongings, either to sort of fight materialism or greed or, or just because like you're gonna need to have that fluidity and liquidity to your assets 'cause you're gonna need to move around or whatever it is. But I don't think we look at this parable and have like a, like a, a command for a life of poverty or something like that. Right. Um, really this is more about the. Utter sold outness of the Christian to pursue and seek the kingdom of God. [00:17:48] Jesse Schwamb: Right? Right. [00:17:49] Tony Arsenal: And and I think that that's the same in both, even though the way that the person in the parables comes a, comes across the kingdom or they come across this, this thing of great value or thing of great price, that they find their response in both parables is the same. And to me, that that actually tells me that that's more the point of these parables. Um, or, or maybe we shouldn't even think of these as two parables, right? Some of the introductory language that we see in when we transition from one parable to another, we don't really see that here. Uh, and if, if we're gonna follow that, actually we would be going to the next parable would also kind of fall into this. But he says the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure. And then in 45 he says, again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. We're gonna run into something like this later on when we get to like the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of lost coins. Where there are these distinct parables, but they're kind of stacked on top of each other in order to make a specific point. All of the parables that are sort of in these parable stacks are making the same point. And so I think it's not so much about like, how do we find the Kingdom of Heaven or how do we come upon the kingdom of heaven? It's more about what do we do once we've come upon it? Once we've thrown it's, that's the point of the parable that we need to unpack. [00:19:03] Jesse Schwamb: That's right. And I would add to that, like who is it that is the beneficiary of this kingdom? We have two different, very different individuals, which I, again, I think, we'll, we'll talk a little bit about, but I'm totally with you. I, I think it's, it's easier, it's almost too narrow and too easy to say. Well, this is really just about like physical ma or about wealth. Like in some way the, what we're being taught here is that you have to get rid of everything of value in exchange for this. In some ways, that almost feels too transactional, doesn't it? As if like what, what we need to do is really buy the kingdom. We express our seriousness about this kingdom or the rule and reign of God by somehow just giving up everything that we own as if to prove that we're really worthy of receiving that kingdom that we prayed enough. Right. That we've done enough, even though that we're contrite enough. Yeah. And all that stands like in direct opposition to the mercy and grace, which God gives to us through his son by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us into this kingdom. So we know it can't really be about that. And so that leads me back again to just like the lovely details here. And like you've already said in the first case, here's what really strikes me is. For probably most of us in the West, this idea of treasure is novel and maybe romantic. There's a adventure and an energy to it. Because we've all heard stories about this, whether it's like, I don't know, pirates of the Caribbean or the county Mount Cristo. Like there's something about treasure finding some kind of, or national treasure. Sorry, that just came to my mind. Like I couldn't go any further without mentioning Nick Cage. So you know, like there's something there that pulls us in that finding this thing almost unexpectedly in a hidden place of immense worth and value is, has a real draw to it. But I imagine that in Palestine being like a war torn region in Jesus' day, in the way people might store goods of great value in the fields they own. And then of course the owner may never be able to achieve for lots of reasons, including death. And then somebody might stumble upon it. And as I understand the, the laws there, of course, if you were to stumble upon something. I was in somebody else's property and and on earth that thing take it out of the ground. In this case, you would be by law required to bring that back to the person who owned the field. So there's something interesting here that this first person, probably the more meager and humble of the two with they at least respected, like their socioeconomic status is let's, we could presume maybe going about their normal work. They find this unexpectedly in the field and it's immediately recognized to be something of great value that it is to stop and to, again, there's like a measuring that happens behind the scenes. This person at least is measuring of all the things that I own, all things I could possibly own. The better thing for me to do is to consolidate all the rest of my wealth. And this case, again, it's not the message of the story to do this, it's the exemplification of what's happening here. This person is so sold out to ensure that they acquire this great treasure that they stumbled upon, that they will take literally everything else of value that they own to exchange it for this very thing. So I'm totally with you because I think the predominant message here is not like take all your wealth and make sure that you give it to the church or that it goes to ministry or to missions. That may all be well and good and it may all be the kind of calling that you receive. However, I think the principle message here is the kingdom of God is so valuable that losing everything on earth, but getting the kingdom is a happy trade off. Like that's actually a really, really good deal. And so having the omnipotent saving reign of Christ in our lives is so valuable that if, if we lose everything in order to have it, it would be a joyful sacrifice. [00:22:20] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I think, um, I think there is a level of. Encouragement in Sacrifice and Joy in the Kingdom [00:22:27] Tony Arsenal: Sacrifice that happens for every Christian and. I mean, I, I know there's a lot of people who they, uh, come to faith as young children and we've kind of talked about that as like, that's that testimony that, you know, I think everybody really wants is like they wish they never had a time that they didn't know Jesus and Right. I don't know any parent that I've ever spoken to, and I'm certainly not any different here that doesn't want that testimony for Jesus, but, or for, for their kids in their relationship with Jesus. But. I think most people who come to faith at some point in their life when they're able to remember it, like they, they have a conscious memory of their conversion experience. There is this sort of sense of sacrifice and e even a sort of a sense of loss. Um, I think there, there are times where, and, and you know, I think maybe, um, even people who've always been in the faith, um, they probably can resonate with this. I think there are times when we might look at how our lives could have been different or could be different if we weren't in the faith. Um, and, and sometimes there's a sort of wistfulness to that. Like being a Christian can sometimes be difficult right On, um, you know, maybe you miss a promotion opportunity because you're not willing to work on the Lord's day or because you're not willing to do something unethical. Like you, you miss out on some sort of advancement and you think, well, if I could just, you know, if I could have just gotten past that, like my life would be much different. And what this parable teaches us is. That's an understandable, like that's an understandable emotion or response. Um, and there is this weighing of the cost. And in the parable here, he, like you said, there's this calculation that goes on in the background. He finds this treasure, he makes the calculation that to have this treasure is worth. Everything it's worth everything he has. He sells everything he has, and he buys the field in order to get the treasure right. And, and there's some interesting textual dynamics going on through this chapter. We've talked about how the parables kind of like the imagery across the parables in chapter 13 here of Matthew, they kind of flip certain figures around and almost, it's almost intentional because he is getting the treasure and the treasure. The kingdom of heaven here is like the treasure, but he's also getting the field right. And the kingdom of heaven is, is the field in other parables. Um, but this, this calculation that happens, um. I don't know, maybe my heart is just sensitive to this right now. I, I, I, I feel like a lot of times we look at that sort of wis wistful second glance at what could have been if we were not Christians, and we automatically feel like that's gotta be a sinful impulse. Like, how could I ever even consider what life might have been? Like this parable implies that that's the thing we actually have to do. You have to know and consider what it is you've sacrificed or will be sacrificing in order to make this transaction happen. You can't just blanketly say like, oh, of course. You know, you've gotta, you've gotta count the cost, as it were, and then you have to actually make the purchase. So I think we should look at this as a source of encouragement. Um, like I said, I'm not sure why. I feel like maybe there's, maybe there's just a, a. I dunno, I'm feeling a little weird and charismatic right now. I feel like this is something that I definitely need to be saying, like, I feel like someone needs to hear this. Maybe it's just me that needs to hear this. And that's, I'm tricking myself by thinking of someone else. But we are able, as Christians, I think God permits us and in some sense, maybe even expects and commands us to recognize what we have given to be Christians in order that we might realize how much we have gained with that transaction. It's not just this like remorse or regret, um, for the sake of remorse or regret. It's to be able to see how good and how beautiful and how worth it is the kingdom of God, uh, to, to, to claim that. [00:26:23] Jesse Schwamb: I like that there is a great discipline and a great joy in remembering worth and worthiness. So there's gonna be times, like you said, when it's hard and if you look back, look back at the ministry of Jesus, I've often thought that he's like a poor evangelizer from like modern standards. Yeah. Because often people come to him and say things like. I, I wanna be part of the kingdom of God. Well, what do I need to do to enter the kingdom of God? And here you have like a seemingly a willing convert. And he always says things like this, like, you gotta go count the cost. Yeah. Like is, is this worth it to you? Like you have to deny yourself, you have to hate your own father and your mother, and your wife and children, and brothers and sisters, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And in this kind of language, it's clear that Jesus is saying you fail often. And maybe this goes back like you're saying, Tony, it's like the parable of the soil that you fail to really take into account what it means to follow with full fidelity, to commit yourself in a fully unencumbered way. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to consider that? And as human beings, we're just not good often at counting costs. We're not good at thinking about opportunity costs. And it's interesting here that we're called out to say, even if you've already purchased the field as so to speak, that as if you've been saved by Christ, to continue to remember how good it is to be in the kingdom of God. And that the joy. Of knowing as like the Heidelberg Catechism says in the first question that all things are subservient to our salvation. Yeah. That incredible worth of, that should be a source of encouragement in times of great trial and tribulation, no matter how big or small, so that this joy that this person has when they go and sells everything he has and he buys this field, you know those details, like you're saying, do press us. It really comes to us with this idea that we should be able to see plainly why having Christ is more valuable than all other things. If the omnipotence all wise, God is ruling, ruling over all things for our joy, then everything must be working for our good, no matter how painful and in the end, God is gonna triumph over all evil and all pain. So this kingdom is a real treasure. Like it is a, it is a real. A real quantity in our life and our wellbeing and in our spiritual consistency, that'll ought demand some reflection of how valuable it truly is. And then knowing that in our minds, that like influencing our behavior, our other thought patterns, and then our actual feelings about stuff. So that when, like you said, we're passed over, we're looked over, we're ridiculed for something, we go back and we count it all joy to be worthy of being part of God's kingdom, knowing that it was because of the entrance and acceptability and the identity in that kingdom that we experience. Those things, those hardships begin with. [00:29:05] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And, and I, um, I don't want us to miss out on the fact that even as the parable may be encouraging or forcing us to think about. The cost. It, it really is trying to emphasize the great value of the kingdom. Right? Right. We, like I said, we, we don't just count the cost. In order to count the cost for its own sake. We count the cost in order to understand the great blessing that is ours in Christ. Right. All I, I count all that I have as a loss compared to the greatness of Christ Jesus. And, um, I think we just don't often do that. I, I, I think as Christians, that's probably a thought that is in our head more as young Christians, especially if we come to the faith in, in a time in our life where we're aware of things like that. We think about things like that. Reflecting on the Cost of Faith [00:29:59] Tony Arsenal: You know, I was 15 when I first came to faith and, um, I, I don't think I was in a frame of mind as a 15-year-old boy to think about, like. The cost of what I was doing, right? It's not like I was a particularly popular kid. I didn't have a, you know, I didn't, I wasn't unpopular, but it wasn't like I lost a ton of friends when I became a Christian. I didn't really lose anything that was measurable. Um, but I do think that, as, you know, someone now in my forties, looking back at, you know, 15, 20, 25 years of, of Christian life, it's easy to see that things could have been different on a sort of temporal scale. Like my, my life could probably be more comfortable in terms of wealth or opportunities or other things that might, uh, aren't, aren't even bad things necessarily. There is a sense of sacrifice. But again, God has brought us into this kingdom and he's given us parables like this and given us the ability to recognize. That we do have a cost, that there is a cost to be counted in order that we might now look at it and praise him for how great and glorious and valuable the gift that he's given us is. Understanding the Parable of the Pearl [00:31:08] Tony Arsenal: And so I think, you know, I think that's the same basic meaning of this second, second half of the same parable. I guess the, the pearl of great price or the pearl of great value. But it's not exactly the same, right? It's not like Christ is just repeating the same ver, you know, parable with, with different words for variation. Um, every word is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching correction, reproof, and training and righteousness. And I had a, I had a prophet in, uh, in Bible college who would say like, difference means difference. And he was often talking about like minute things, like the difference, um, or why, why is this word used instead of that word? This word would've worked. And, and the author chose that one. There's a reason for that. Difference means difference, but. Christ here chooses to, to tell the parable a second time, um, in a slightly different way. Uh, and Matthew chooses to record these in the same sense next to each other in slightly different ways. So what, what do we, what do we wanna pull out of this second parable that's different and what do we think it's telling us that's a little bit different than the first version Y? [00:32:14] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's a great question. Diverse Approaches to the Kingdom of Heaven [00:32:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, I love this idea because not until really, I was thinking about it this week when I read through them, was I really, again, drawn to the differences between these two main characters. Interestingly, I think in both, and we can make the case that the, the treasure, the kingdom of heaven here represented in both this pearl or in this literal treasure is in a way hidden. Certainly the first man is not necessarily looking for, it's still revealed to him, but the second in a way. And on the other hand, he knew this guy knows treasure. He's been seeking it with diligence in vigor, or at least like this is what he does for a living in his vocational career. He's out there trading pearls, presumably, and he knows something about them and how to evaluate them effectively. And so it's his business and he's dedicated himself to finding them. And apparently he's seen plenty of them over the years. But then all of a sudden, and this is wild, the beautiful, all of a sudden, clearly the search comes to like an abrupt end because he finds this one of immeasurable value, so much beauty exceeding and value exceeding all the other ones. And he doesn't need to search anymore. He just finds the one pearl that he can retire on a pearl with more than everything else. Or anything else that he's ever possessed and he gets it again. He does. And this brings him into symbol two with the first man. He does the same thing, then liquidate everything else and go after this one. Great pearl. So to me, and I'm curious your perspective on this, I'm not necessarily promulgating that. Well, the first one is not a seeker and the second one is like a seeker of of God things. Right? There is though, like you said, a difference in their approach and what they're after. And so I think what we can take from this, at the very least, is that there is diversity in these beneficiaries of the kingdom of God that's covering everybody. And just by these two kind of bookended or polar examples, that's what Jesus draws us to. But I would turn the question back to you. What do you think about this second guy? What do you think about the fact that his business is searching after these things? What? What do we take away from that? [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Ultimate Value of the Kingdom [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: And you know, the thing that drop that jumps out to me immediately in the first parable, the kingdom of heaven is, is like the treasure hidden in the field, [00:34:16] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:16] Tony Arsenal: In the second one, the kingdom of heaven is the merchant who's searching, [00:34:20] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:20] Tony Arsenal: Right. The kingdom of heaven is like the merchant in search of fine pearls who finds one. That's right. And so I think that they kind of are like, almost like mirror images of each other, right? One of them is about the treasure and what it takes to come upon it and then obtain it. The second is about the person who is coming upon the treasure and, and finding it. And then what it takes again to obtain that treasure. And I think, I think you're right, there is an element here that. Um, in this second parable, the person who is seeking for this treasure is one he's seeking for the treasure, right? Right. You get the image in this, in this first parable that the dude just kind of stumbles upon it. Um, I've heard this Todd as like, it's actually more like a guy who's just walking through a field rather than like a person working the field. And I'm not sure that matters that much, but there is this sense in the first parable that the guy kind of stumbles upon it. He wasn't looking, it wasn't what he was trying to do, but you're right in the second one, the kingdom of heaven, and this is where I, this is where I think I need to think more about it, is what does it mean for the kingdom of heaven to be like a merchant searching for fine pearls right [00:35:23] Jesse Schwamb: on. [00:35:23] Tony Arsenal: Rather than the pearls being the kingdom of heaven, which is what we see in the first bearable. Um, and I don't know the answer to that question. I think I need to, need to think about it and study it a little bit more. But I do like this distinction that in, in the first case, it's sort of a happy accident. And in the second case, this is, this is the life, this man's life work. He finds he's, he's in search of fine pearls. I'm not sure I know exactly what he's trying to do with the fine pearls. It seems like it implies that he's a pearl merchant or a pearl trader, but then he finds this pearl. He doesn't seek to sell it. He buys it. Right. [00:36:00] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:36:00] Tony Arsenal: And, and the, the, the fact that the parable stops with him buying it sort of implies that like. He actually is not going to sell it. He's just gonna keep this pearl. Now before the, the pearls, the, the source of the value of the pearls was kind of in the, the financial gain that selling or trading them could bring. But now he suddenly finds this pearl that is so valuable. It's so great, it's so beautiful. Everything he was working to obtain before all of the money he's gathered by finding and selling pearls in the previous like mode of living. He now gets rid of all of that just to purchase this one pearl and presumably to keep it. And I think that again, is kind of a, kind of a, um, statement on our Christian life is that we, we probably have all sorts of things that we've been doing our whole life and we are seeking to, to move forward in our life. And the kingdom of heaven is kind of the ultimate goal of all of that, for those who are in Christ, for those who are called according to his purpose. The purpose is not just to accumulate wealth. It's not even necessarily, uh, in and of itself to like grow in righteousness. It's to be transformed to the, uh, to the image of God's glory son, for the purpose of making him great, making his name renowned. Right. When we look at that passage in Romans that have kind alluded to, he's, he would transform into the image of Christ so that he might be the first born among many brothers. The Incomparable Worth of Salvation [00:37:24] Tony Arsenal: Ultimately, our, our sanctification and glorification is about making Jesus great and glorified, um, to give him glory, to have our glorification reflect his already intrinsic glory and the gift that he gives us, and I think that's kind of, kind of in play here, is that. Uh, we might have all sorts of goals in our life. We might have goals in our Christian life, um, that are good things that we should strive for, but at the end of the day, all of those things only serve to bring us to the kingdom of heaven, which is this pearl of great price that we, we purchase, we buy it and we just kind of hang onto it. It is its own treasure and it's, it's not about what this, this treasure can bring to us, right? Which is what the fine pearls were before they were about what the merchant can find and sell. It's, it's now about just obtaining the pearl and enjoying that pearl. Um, which I think is a little bit different than, than, um, what I would've thought of with the par before. [00:38:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I totally agree with you. I think, I think you're actually onto something with the distinction because I think of. So much of my career has been spent in financial services among people who are buyers and sellers of things. They're traders. And the way I read this was very similar to what you were saying to me. What resonated was if this gentleman or this person is. Trading, collecting these pearls. Presumably they have appreciation for the beauty of the pearl itself. So there is like something innate that draws them to this particular thing. And with that experience and with that knowledge and with that, that appreciation of that beauty. I think when they see this other pearl, it moves from, well, why would I ever sell that? I've seen everything. This is the most beautiful pearl I've ever laid my eyes on. And now I want to keep it for me. I want to have it in my possession. I want to cherish it and not just keep it in the inventory and then turn around and sell it for markup, presumably, because there is no nothing that would be of greater value to this person. 'cause they just sold everything else that they had. So they, it's appreciation for the pearl itself. It's going after that finding and seeking that great beauty. And then that led me right into Philippians chapter four, where Paul writes the church in Philippi, beginning of verse eight. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever's honorable, whatever's just whatever's pure, whatever's lovely, whatever's commendable. If there's any excellence, if there. Anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Practice these things and the god of peace will be with you. So this idea, like you and I, Tony, have talked about like the world has great wisdom, it has great knowledge, it has things that can lead us by way of common grace into certain amounts of peace. But the pearl of great price, the seeking after the going after all these great things is to find the gospel, to be given the gospel it revealed to you. And then say everything else I count as a loss. Everything else is worthless compared to this thing. And if you're a person that can appreciate even just by turn of mind or God's influence in your life, you know, knowledge and wisdom, and you're seeking after that, which is the ultimate expression and representation of those things, and then you find you come upon this pearl of great price, the gospel wisdom and the beauty of God represented in his son Jesus Christ. And you say, this is it. I, I know enough to know, again, by the regeneration that comes through the spirit, this is the real deal. Then I think the message still stands. We come through two different directions into the same final culminating point, which is there is a condition for having this kingdom of God, for having the king on your side as your friend, but the condition isn't like wealth or power or negotiating or intelligence or even good trading behavior or going out and finding the right thing. The condition is that we prize the kingdom more than anything else we own. The point of selling everything in these parables is to simply show where our hearts are at. And so I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value. Actually, it's true for everything that we. We presumably spend our time or our money on cost only matters in the absence of value. And I think like you and I could do a fun little experiment where I don't know, you ever talking to somebody about something and you're paying a cost to have that service delivered to you and you're, and you're just like totally worth it, like I would do totally worth it. Like, yeah, that's kind of the vibe I'm getting here. It's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We're just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it, that that's what we'll be saying for all of eternity as we worship him. [00:41:45] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think even more than saying, totally worth it. I think when we are given our new eyes to see, and we no longer see through a da a glass dimly, we're gonna recognize saying that it was worth, it is is like it's a pale, like it's a faulty answer to begin with because the, for sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine. And in our, you know, locked in little meat brains that we have now, we're kind of com we're just comparing it to. You know, like what, what we could have had or what we, what we've given up. Um, it, it's gonna be an incomparable comparison. Like there's no, there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how, how worthwhile it is. And, you know, we've, we've made a point of it, like the, the blessing of salvation and, and really like what it is that we're getting, uh, in, in the. You know, the Christian understanding of salvation, it's not, it's not an eternal destiny. It's not bigger mansions in heaven. It's not freedom from death. All of those things come with it. All of those things are attending gifts. That's right. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. Uh, not, not in the, you know, like. Eastern Orthodox deification sense, although I think there's a proper way we can talk about deification. Um, but we get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. There's nothing that we could ever point to. Um, it's funny, my, my wife and I, um, this is a little corny, but, um, we'll often say to, to each other instead of saying, I love you more than anything, we'll say, I love you more than everything. Right. And, and it's, it's a way to say like. You could take all that there is in the world, everything that I have that I could possibly consider and sum up the value. And I love my wife more than that. I love my children more than that. So it's not that I love them more than any one thing, it's that I love them more than everything combined. And this is even greater than that, right? We, we will look back at our lives and if, if it's even in our mind, if we even can, can comprehend anymore. The idea of thinking about what it costs us to obtain this pearl of great value, which is the kingdom of heaven, which is just another way to say, is just fellowship with the God of the universe. Um, we'll look at it and say no matter what it was. No matter what it could have been, I would give everything I, I love God more than everything. Right. Right. There's nothing that could ever possibly be considered that even comes close to what we gain in, in Christ Jesus, in union with, with God. And I think that's the point of this, like I think the guy who, um. Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and Our Response [00:44:58] Tony Arsenal: I think about what it would take for me to even like to sell everything, like the concept of selling everything I own. I'm not even sure how I would do that, to be honest with you. Like, I don't even know the mechanism for that kind of thing. But the idea that there's anything that could be valuable enough that I would just sell every piece of human property that I have, there's probably nothing like that in this world. Like, there probably isn't. And to, to take that comparison and then basically say like, that's just what the kingdom of God is like. 'cause that's the other thing I think we miss about parables is you, you only make a comparison when you can't describe something, um, analytically, right? There's the difference between analogically and analytically Ana lot analytically means we're able to actually quantify and explain it kind of in strict terms, right? I can, I can say that, um, uh, a heavy object ways, X number of grams or it, you know, or, um. Pounds or whatever. I can, I can measure that and make an analytical statement, or I can make an analogy, an analogy that is comparative. Uh, but by definition, or almost by by nature of the thing, when you make that comparison, you're kind of saying like, not only is it like this, but it's actually it, like it's more like this than I can even describe. Right? So when we're talking about the kingdom of Heaven here, and we say it's, it's like, it's like a man who goes, he finds a treasure and then he sells everything. He has to get that treasure. It's infinitely more like that than it actually can be described. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm rambling on that a little bit. Maybe trying to describe something that can't be described is, is hard to do. [00:46:35] Jesse Schwamb: It's, that's, yeah. But yeah, that's, that's very difficult to do. I'm actually totally with you on this. I think I understand clearly what you mean, this idea that no matter how hard we actually try to value it, we'll be incapable of doing so. Yes. And at best, it almost seems like this is a strange command in a way because it's, it's asking us to do in some ways a thing that is impossible for us to do. However, I think what you're saying is it doesn't mean that we shouldn't turn our minds toward that. We're a bit like people who, I don't know if this show is still on PBS, but like, do you know that show, remember that show The Antiques Road Show? Yeah. Where people would like come, they'd ran ransack their homes or their garages with these old antique items and they bring them to this road show where there'd be experts who would value them. And inevitably we'll be like those people who come with what we think is like a. A thousand dollars clock that we got at a garage sale thinking, wouldn't it be great? I know this is valuable. It's probably a thousand dollars. It'll be, look at the return, tenfold return, I'll get on this item, and then instead finding that it's worth $10 million when it's appraised. Yeah, I assume it'll be just like that in the Beautific vision that even maybe for all of eternity will be growing in our appreciation for just how valuable this great salvation is. And yet at the same time, I think what this should encourage us to do is to pray things like God make us real in seeing and savoring Christ in his saving work above all the other things. Yeah. So that, as you said in your example, we would cherish him above everything, above all things that you have that right place in our hearts or that we be inclined to undertake that posture, which says, God, though I cannot understand it in full. Would you help me to see that? Encouragement in Our Spiritual Journey [00:48:08] Jesse Schwamb: And I wanna just say like, as a word of encouragement, maybe I'm speaking more to myself here so everybody else can disregard this if you like, but I think sometimes there can be a little bit of intimidation then when you hear these things and say like, ah, I'm just not, I just dunno if I love God enough, like I wanna love him, or I want to want to love him more. And I think even that posture is appropriate. Yeah. Sometimes there, oftentimes in my personal life, I'll pray something like, God, help me to know how much you love me and would you give me the strength to love you back? So that even that awareness, that energy, that volition, that vitality, that, that heat, all of that, that fire itself is kindled by the Holy Spirit. It's not like we need to like try to again manufacture here. Because the point of these, these stories is not again, that we just find the means to do a transactional exchange here, but that instead we really just sit in the full promises of God. And of course to that, I would say we always need to go back to, to something like Romans eight. I mean, I know that we should, like you said, Tony, the. The standard description we give for the Bible is the one that gives itself, which is that all of it, all of it's is carried along by the Holy Spirit. All of it is God breathe. All of it is useful for something. And yet, of course, I say somewhat tongue in cheek that, you know, if I have 10 minutes to live, I'm probably not gonna the s descriptions of reading a genealogy, I'm going straight from Roman and say, Romans say, I think it's just like the pinnacle of the scriptures. And so just a couple of verses at the end there, because I think this is, this is leading us into what is this great treasure? What is the kingdom of God? Why do we value it so much? What is the saving power? And uh, these verses, I mean, always just entirely get me ready to run through a wall. So this is the end of, of Romans eight beginning verse 35. Who shall separate us from the law of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword as it is written for your sake. We are being killed all the day long. We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No. In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us for I'm sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from a love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. [00:50:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's a good word. And I, I, I like what you're saying too, is, is I think we, we can. There's this paradoxical thing that happens when the scriptures is trying to encourage us to do something, is we often like to get our, in our own way. And, and actually that becomes a source of discouragement for us. The Bible calls us to something and we know we can't live up to it. And that's actually like part and parcel of, of reform theology to recognize that this is law, like the, the, the, the, you know, maybe not in like the strict sense, like when we talk about dividing the scripture into law and gospel, um. It may not be that this particular passage would fall under that rubric of law normally, but this idea that we need to count the cost and that we need to be treasuring Christ more and more, and then when we feel like I'm just not getting it. I'm just not there. Like, I don't, I don't treasure Christ as much as I so should. Um, that Yeah, that's right. Nobody does. Nobody can, like, that's, that's kind of the point of this, and that's why it's law is it's, it shouldn't drive you in Christ. It should not drive you to despair. Right. It should not drive you to discouragement. It should drive you to gratitude that God saved you anyways. That, that this pearl of great value is still yours even though you can't possibly deserve it. Um, you know, we're, we're a little bit different than the, the merchant and the man who finds the treasure in the field in that we can't sell everything we have and obtain it like they have the ability to do that in the, in the parables. Right. Um, we, we don't, and we never will. And so rather than let that drive you to being discouraged that like you're just not getting. I recognize God is of infinite value and we are finite creatures. So we, we could, uh, value God perfectly. Like whatever that means, and I don't even know what that means, but we could value and cherish and love God perfectly as far as our capacities are concerned, and it still would not be enough to sufficiently merit God's favor for us. Like as much as we can, even in, even in eternity. As much as we can value and worship and love and praise Jesus, he is worth infinitely more than we could ever give, even when we do it perfectly. And this is, this is why you know Christ coming to die, to live on our behalf, to die in our place. Why that's necessary is because only this is a, maybe a different take on it. We, I think we talk a lot about how, um. Only God could, could carry, bear the wrath of God and not be destroyed. Right. Right. Only God could, um, could stand up under his own wrath, could stand up under the wrath of God and bear that punishment and not be destroyed. And so therefore, um, Christ had to be not just a man, but had to be God. But on the flip side. And God requires perfect perpetual obedience, which involves loving the Lord your God, perfectly with your whole heart at all times. Right? Only God can do that too. So it's not just that God. It's not just that G

In this powerful episode of the Weekly Comprehensive Bible Study, host David Paxton leads a deep and revealing exploration into one of the most important covenant themes in all of Scripture — the identity of the true Seed of Abraham. Drawing from the foundational promises God made to Abraham, the prophetic line carried through Isaac and Jacob, and the New Covenant revelation revealed through Christ, this study uncovers the full meaning behind God's eternal plan of redemption.Video Version available immediately upon release at 9:00pm ET/8:00pm CTat https://www.lastchristian.net with viewing available on multiple video platformsDavid reveals how the singular Seed is Christ Himself, how believers become heirs through faith, and how the covenant given thousands of years ago still shapes the destiny of Israel, the Church, and the world as we move rapidly toward the final generation. This episode connects biblical history, covenant theology, and end-time prophecy in a clear, grounded, and uncompromising way that equips believers to understand their identity, inheritance, and calling in these last days.This is essential teaching for anyone who wants to grasp the fullness of God's promise, the unity of Scripture, and the prophetic significance of the days we are living in right now.For more information of to support our Ministry. Please visit https://www.lastchristian.net/

What does it really mean to pray for the Pope? In this episode, Fr Columba shares a heartfelt reflection on the humanity and burden of the Holy Father — Pope Leo XIV — and our shared responsibility to intercede for him. Drawing on personal experience, Fr Columba reveals how prayer unites us not only with the Pope, but with Christ Himself, reminding us that even the one who leads the Church is first a beloved child of God. Discover why praying for the Pope matters — and how your prayers can strengthen the entire Body of Christ.

Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell returns to the show to discuss his new book, Christ as Truth and Truth as Christ. In this conversation, we explore what it truly means that Christ is Truth—not as a concept, not as a feeling, but as a living Person. Protodeacon Patrick helps us unpack the difference between objective truth and the modern world's obsession with "personal truth," showing how our understanding of Truth shapes everything from our love for others to our view of the world. We then examine the five great enemies of Truth: Gnosticism, Romanticism, Anarchism, Nihilism, and Tribalism, each of which distorts the human mind and heart in its own way. Along the way, we discuss the God of Israel and the temptation to make the self the measure of all things. This is a deep-dive into how Truth, rightly understood, leads us not into ideology or isolation, but into the life of Christ Himself. Sponsors: Fox n Sons Coffee: https://www.foxnsons.com  Code: BUCK15 Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Get the new Counterflow T-shirt before it sells out! Visit https://www.counterflowpodcast.com/store or send $30 via PayPal to buck@counterflowpodcast.com with your size and shipping address! Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow  Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Josaphat, a bishop and martyr who gave his life for the unity of the Church — a unity founded in Christ Himself, who “is our peace, He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity through His flesh” (Eph 2:14).In today's Gospel, we encounter the ten lepers who call out to Jesus from a distance. Only one returns to give thanks — a Samaritan, a foreigner. Yet it is this “outsider” who draws near, falls at Christ's feet, and glorifies God. His gratitude becomes worship. The Greek word used here is eucharisteo — to give thanks — the same root of our word Eucharist. In that moment, the healed man “Eucharisted” Jesus, showing us that true thanksgiving is communion with God Himself.Fr. Tyler reflects on how this healing foreshadows what Christ accomplishes in the Eucharist: God drawing near to the outcast, uniting what was divided, and restoring communion through His Body and Blood. Just as the Samaritan crossed the barrier between distance and intimacy, Christ crosses the infinite divide between heaven and earth, destroying the walls that sin has built.St. Josaphat lived this mystery to the end. In a time of bitter division between East and West, he longed for the unity of all Christians under the successor of Peter. For this, he was martyred — his blood becoming the seed of reconciliation. His life echoes the very prayer of Christ in John 17: “That they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.”Let us pray today that, like St. Josaphat, we may become instruments of unity — people who heal, reconcile, and draw others toward the Eucharist, where all division is destroyed and all hearts are made one in Christ.Watch today's Daily Homily with Fr. Tyler on DivineMercyPlus.org or the free DM+ app.#frtyler #stjosaphat #unity #eucharist #onenessinchrist #catholicunity #bodyofchrist #massreflection #dailyhomily #divinemercy #thedivinemercy #marian #marians #marianfathers #marianhelpers #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #romancatholicism #catholictiktok ★ Support this podcast ★

Christian joy is unshakable—its source is Christ Himself. Thank you for listening to Encourage-Mint. If you've been refreshed, don't forget to subscribe, Leave a review on iTunes, and share a little Encourage-Mint with someone you love. Encourage-Mint is a podcast from Family Radio. These moments are just a taste of what you can hear every day. Listen at FamilyRadio.org or find more encouragement on the Family Radio app.  Get daily Scripture and encouragement by following Family Radio on your favorite social media platforms:FacebookInstagram Twitter

Fr. Dom is back! James and Fr. Dom tackle one of the most misunderstood yet absolutely essential topics in the spiritual life: baptism. This is not just another Church formality. This is the dividing line between belonging to the Kingdom of God and the dominion of Satan.Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, and the wisdom of the saints, TMC lays out with clarity and conviction what baptism truly does: freeing us from original sin, making us sons of God, and incorporating us into the Body of Christ. Without it, you remain enslaved to sin and outside the family of God.You'll hear why the early Church Fathers, councils, and even the Protestant revolution itself reveal that there's no salvation without baptism. Fr. Dominic doesn't sugarcoat the truth — he calls modern men to wake up to the spiritual reality of this sacrament and to recognize the Church as the one true means of salvation given to us by Christ Himself.James and Fr. Dom also confront why our age resists authority, why relativism and pride have blinded so many, and why men must reclaim their God-given duty to lead their families into the faith by baptizing their children without hesitation.In this episode, you'll discover:The biblical foundation of baptism — from Acts to Corinthians to the Great Commission.Why baptism isn't symbolic but supernatural warfare.How baptism undoes the curse of Adam and Eve and reclaims your soul for God.Why relativism, pride, and modernism are destroying moral order — and what Catholic men must do to restore it.The spiritual danger of delaying baptism for your children.Why contemplating death (memento mori) prepares your soul for heaven.Challenge to Men: If you have children who aren't baptized — schedule it now. Don't delay. Fathers, you are the protectors of your family's souls. Take your post. Lead your household back under the protection of God. Baptism is the first weapon in your family's arsenal against hell.3 Powerful Quotes:“Through baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God. We become members of Christ and sharers in His mission.”“If you're not going to follow God, then who do you belong to? Baptism begins to undo definitively the faults of our first parents in the garden.”“Parents, you're supposed to protect your child. Why would you let them walk this world owned by Satan when baptism can claim them for God?”Key Takeaway: Baptism isn't optional — it's the decisive act that transfers your soul from the dominion of darkness to the Kingdom of Christ. Every Catholic man must treat it as a matter of eternal life and death.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Today, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on the true meaning of love through the example of St. Martin of Tours — a man remembered for one simple act of charity. A Roman soldier who divided his cloak to clothe a beggar, St. Martin discovered that in serving the poor, he had served Christ Himself (cf. Mt 25:40). What seems like a small moment reveals an eternal truth: love is not sentiment but sacrifice.We often misuse the word “love.” We say we love our favorite show, a meal, or even a football team — but authentic Christian love runs much deeper. As St. Thomas Aquinas teaches, “To love is to will the good of another.” (ST I-II, Q.26, A.4) True love is not indulgent approval of anything someone does; it's the desire for their eternal good, even when that means speaking truth or making hard choices.Fr. Chris reminds us that not all giving is love. Some give out of duty, guilt, or to feel superior — but only one kind of love endures before God: the love that gives simply because it can't do otherwise. The love that expects no return. The love that flows from a heart transformed by grace.This is the love of Christ on the Cross — “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) It is the love that becomes mercy when it takes action, when it clothes the naked, visits the sick, forgives, and gives without reward. It is the love that turns the ordinary into something eternal.Watch Fr. Chris's full homily on DivineMercyPlus.org or on the Divine Mercy Plus app — free and ad-free Catholic streaming that helps you deepen your faith. And visit ShopMercy.org for more spiritual resources to grow in authentic Christian love.#frchrisalar #stmartinoftours #love #charity #mercy #catholicfaith #catholicchurch #catholichomily #divinemercy #thedivinemercy #marian #marians #marianfathers #marianhelpers #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #romancatholicism #catholictiktok #holylove #sacrifice #faithinaction ★ Support this podcast ★

In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul reveals that the secret to resilient faith is not rooted in fleshly leadership, control, or self-reliance, but in the sacrificial, parental love shared by spiritual leaders and the community of faith. Paul, Silas, and Timothy demonstrate both the nurturing care of a mother and the exhorting guidance of a father- pouring themselves out to serve, protect, instruct, and exemplify holy living for the Thessalonians. Their ministry is a powerful model of building true spiritual endurance: believers are shaped not by being pushed or manipulated, but by being “loved into resilience,” challenged to grow, and shown what it means to endure and persevere, all while pointing back to the ultimate love and example of Christ Himself. Faithful investment in others- out of genuine love- becomes the crown and joy of spiritual parenthood, with eternal significance at the return of Christ.

In this message from Colossians 2, Christian Barrett explores Paul's warning not to be taken captive by empty philosophy and human tradition, but to find true freedom in Christ.Learn how to stay rooted in JesusDiscover the freedom of surrenderSee why spiritual maturity means being fully alive in HimKey Passage: Colossians 2:6–15This sermon unpacks Paul's call to let no one take us captive except Christ Himself—who leads us in triumph, disarms the powers of darkness, and fills us with His life.Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingmy reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrettFollow us: on Instagram instagram.com/emetministriesFor more resources, visit emetministry.orgSubscribe for more gospel-centered sermons and Bible studies on Colossians, Ephesians, and the life of the early church.#Colossians2 #CaptiveToChrist #FreedomInChrist #BibleTeaching #ChristianSermon #FaithOverPhilosophy #JesusAlone #SpiritualFreedom #GospelTruth #ChristianLiving #Discipleship

We live in a world obsessed with signs—looking for confirmation, direction, and meaning. But what if we're reading them all wrong?In this episode, Pastor David Buchs explores how Scripture teaches us to interpret the signs God gives—not through superstition or self-confirmation, but through faith in the one true sign that matters: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Drawing from the story of the wise men and the Gospel of John's “seven signs,” Pastor Buchs contrasts those who seek miracles for their own sake with those who follow them to their true destination—Christ Himself.You'll hear:Why signs are meant to point us forward, not keep us stuck.How even the disciples missed what the temple and miracles were really about.Why Jesus' resurrection is the only sign you'll ever need.What it means to become a sign—reflecting Christ's light in your daily life.

“So walk ye in Him.” — Colossians 2:6 If we have received Christ Himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with Him by a walk of faith in Him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect […]

Colossians 3:10-14 | November 9, 2025 | Pastor Todd SmithIn this powerful exploration of Colossians 3:10-14, we discover what it truly means to dress ourselves spiritually. Just as we carefully choose our physical clothing each day, Scripture calls us to an intentional wardrobe change of the soul. The passage presents a radical transformation: we're not just being tweaked or improved, but renewed from the inside out, being conformed to the very image of God Himself. What makes this particularly profound is that Paul uses the aorist tense, indicating a once-and-for-all decision. This isn't about trying harder or doing better; it's about making a decisive commitment to put on Christ. The eight garments we're called to wear—compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness, and love—aren't just nice suggestions for better behavior. They're the actual characteristics Jesus displayed during His earthly ministry. When we wear these spiritual clothes, we're literally putting on Christ Himself. The passage also reminds us that at the foot of the cross, all human barriers dissolve. Whether Jew or Gentile, educated or uneducated, slave or free, we all stand equal before God. This was revolutionary in Paul's time and remains countercultural today. The binding element that holds this entire spiritual wardrobe together is love—not sentimental feelings, but the deliberate choice to give someone what they need most when they deserve it least, at great personal cost to ourselves.To find out more about Crossroads Community Church or to connect with us, visit the following links:→ lifeatcrossroads.org→ facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsTo give online: lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonline.CCLI License: 2915685CCS WorshipCast License: 9466GRANT OF LICENSE. Crossroads Community Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.

Colossians 3:10-14 | November 9, 2025 | Pastor Todd SmithIn this powerful exploration of Colossians 3:10-14, we discover what it truly means to dress ourselves spiritually. Just as we carefully choose our physical clothing each day, Scripture calls us to an intentional wardrobe change of the soul. The passage presents a radical transformation: we're not just being tweaked or improved, but renewed from the inside out, being conformed to the very image of God Himself. What makes this particularly profound is that Paul uses the aorist tense, indicating a once-and-for-all decision. This isn't about trying harder or doing better; it's about making a decisive commitment to put on Christ. The eight garments we're called to wear—compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness, and love—aren't just nice suggestions for better behavior. They're the actual characteristics Jesus displayed during His earthly ministry. When we wear these spiritual clothes, we're literally putting on Christ Himself. The passage also reminds us that at the foot of the cross, all human barriers dissolve. Whether Jew or Gentile, educated or uneducated, slave or free, we all stand equal before God. This was revolutionary in Paul's time and remains countercultural today. The binding element that holds this entire spiritual wardrobe together is love—not sentimental feelings, but the deliberate choice to give someone what they need most when they deserve it least, at great personal cost to ourselves.To find out more about Crossroads Community Church or to connect with us, visit the following links:→ lifeatcrossroads.org→ facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsTo give online: lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonline.CCLI License: 2915685CCS WorshipCast License: 9466GRANT OF LICENSE. Crossroads Community Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.

St. Luke 8: 41-56 Drawing on St. Nikolai Velimirović's image of divine grace as electricity, this homily on the raising of Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:41–56) invites us to become  living conduits through whom God's uncreated energy continually flows. Christ's tender command, "Talitha koum," reveals the greater reality that in Him even death is but sleep, for the fire of His love transforms all who see with eyes full of light into partakers of His eternal life. Homily on Jairus' Daughter  St. Luke 8:41–56 Glory to Jesus Christ! It is a blessing to be with you this morning. I have really appreciated your hospitality throughout this weekend. In his homily on this beautiful event in the history of our salvation, St Nikolai Velimirović compares our Lord to electricity—or perhaps to magnetism, and to light. What he is describing is what we in the West call grace. The idea is that the Lord's uncreated energy – His spiritual electricity - is continually available; and those who allow themselves to be connected to Him become receptacles and conduits of that spiritual electricity—of that grace, of that beautiful light.  We see this especially at Pascha, when the priest sings "Come receive the light," and one candle lights another, and the flame spreads from person to person. Magnetism is a similar image: not only does it attract, but it also bestows magnetism in a lesser degree to some of the objects it touches. This a lovely and apt metaphor—though, as St Nikolai warns, don't take it too far or you'll end up spouting heresy– for instance, a screwdriver that has received magnetism from a magnetic source retains the magnetism even after the source is removed.  As we discussed yesterday, anything that is removed from the Source of Divine Energy loses its spiritual life.  Going back to the metaphor of electricity, our hope is not to become a sort of battery that receives grace and then stores it separate from its source; rather, our hope is to increasingly become pure conduits of divine energy through whom it continually flows.  Switching metaphors again, Jesus Christ describes this as living water in the Gospel according to St. John when He says; If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (St. John 7:37; also St. John 4:14) The grace that we share as Christians is flowing to and through us from its source, and that source is God. There is another lesson here.  St. Nikolai points out that there were many people in the crowd that day, but only one was healed. Let me develop a point from yesterday's talk.  You may remember my sharing that the scripture about the newly healed blind man seeing "trees walking" as a metaphor for our need to work on seeing the world as it really is.      A related scriptural metaphor from Christ Himself has to do with the "eye of darkness;"    "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (St. Matthew 6:22-23). In part, these are eyes that fail to see the Lord even when He is present among us. Imagine that He turned to you and healed you after you had endured fourteen years of suffering. How would you respond? Lord willing, you would respond with thanksgiving and joy; a thanksgiving and joy that never fades. But the eye of darkness might quickly slip from thankfulness and joy back into bitterness and think or say: "Where have you been these fourteen years?" Do you see the trap? Do you see how such a response, such an attitude, misses the whole point of God's work among us — it's kind of like saying to Christ the God-man when He appears in His glory to bring us into His Kingdom; "O Lord, I thought you'd be taller." The eye of darkness is a terrible thing. For those who see truly, the world is permeated with the grace of God.  Let us strive increasingly to the world with these eyes of light. Another lesson the Fathers draw from this story is that the healing itself wasn't even the main point. Do you remember the plot line we are following in the Gospel lesson? A ruler of the synagogue—a leader of the Jews—comes to Christ and begs: "My daughter lies dying. Please come to our house." As the Lord goes with him, the crowd presses in around Him. And even along the way, miracles happen. This is a lesson we need to learn: with the Lord, there is no such thing as "along the way." His grace is always active. Every moment with Him is transformed in Him and by Him.  For the Christian, every moment of grace is an experience of eternal glory… and that moments lead in time to the next which is similarly transformed and transformative. For the Christian, after such an encounter, there is no darkness left to return to, only life in Christ so full that we can say with St Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)  When we are connected to Him in this way, His grace—like living water, or electricity, or magnetism, or light—flows through us and straightening our connections with the world around us. This is what St Seraphim of Sarov meant when he said, "Acquire the Holy Spirit, and thousands around you will be saved."   And this is the same things that we celebrate in the life of St. Nektarios, whose memory we celebrate today, when we proclaim this verse at Orthros: "Since thou drunkest the nectar of life eternal, thou gushest, O Nektarios, streams of healings. Again, there is no such thing as being merely "on the way"; rather, all of life is "along the Way"—in Christ, growing in Him forever.  Every moment is an opportunity to grow and share in this, the great Mystery of the Sacrament of our salvation. Now, about this man—Jairus. Jairus had great power in his community and a relationship with God through the Law. Yet here he found himself powerless in the face of death. Everyone who tries to find salvation through secular power or the Law alone eventually meets that same limit. At that time, the Jews were deeply divided over what death meant and whether there was truly a resurrection. So this became a teaching moment for the Lord. The other Gospels describe how the mourners had gathered, the flutes were playing lamentations, and the house was filled with grief. A twelve-year-old girl—the only child of a leader in the community—had died. And Jairus, for all his authority, was utterly powerless. To make the moment even more striking, Jesus said something that caused the people to laugh Him to scorn: "She is not dead, but sleeping."  He said this precisely so that they would affirm—beyond any doubt—that she was truly dead: the body cold, the breath gone. And then, having confirmed the reality of death, He revealed the greater reality of life. He went in, took her by the hand with such tenderness; this pointed out most clearly in the version shared by St. Mark, in which he is recorded as having said in Aramaic, "Talitha koum"—literally, "Little lamb, arise." (Mark 5:41) "Talitha" is a term of affection, something like "little lambkin." And she arose and He told her parents to give her something to eat. All those who had mocked Him now faced undeniable evidence of a miracle. They could not rationalize it away or pretend they were mistaken. They had declared her dead—and now she was alive. There was only one explanation: the life-giving power of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him is life, and in Him there can be no death. (John 1:4; John 11:25) Now, here is a more difficult lesson.  Some steak for us to chew on.  Jesus did not spend His earthly ministry going to every grieving parent to restore every child. I'm sure that's hard for you to hear—it's hard for me, too. But He did not come simply to prolong life in this world; He came to transfigure it. What good would it be to restore someone to this mortal life, only for them to die again after a few years? Instead, He performed this miracle so that we would know that when He says, "I go to prepare a [better] place for you," that He has the power to fulfill that promise. (John 14:2-3) There will be times—there have already been times—when we are the ones saying, "She is dead." But the Church uses a different language: "fallen asleep" and "in blessed repose." These are not naive phrases. They are reminders that for the Christian, death is but a rest before the age to come. (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14) And honestly, we long for that age, don't we? Life in this world can be exhausting —wars, suffering, the loss of children, — all the griefs that weigh us down. But as we sing in our funeral service; in the age to come, there will be "no sighing, no sorrow, no sickness, but life everlasting"  This is the time, quoting both the funeral and Revelation, "God will wipe away every tear." If I may change metaphors one last time: our God, who was earlier described as electricity, is also called a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) Those of us raised in the South have heard preachers use that image as a warning. But for the Christian—for the ones who live in Christ so completely that it is no longer they who live but Christ who lives in them (Galatians 2:20)—that fire is not torment but glory. It is the radiant warmth of divine love. For those purified by grace, the fire of God becomes the very source of joy and life. So when you find yourself saying, "Our beloved, our little lamb, is dead," remember this: our Lord, who loves our beloved even more than we do, holds her hand and says, just as He did in today's Gospel, "My dearest one, arise." That is the future that awaits all who have given their lives to Him. May we be strengthened by this as we grow in Him. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He wasn't calling people to a casual belief — He was inviting them into a life of discipleship. In this message from Matthew 4:12–25, Pastor Eric Echols unpacks what those two simple words really mean and why they still change everything today.Discover who the “Me” is that we follow — the Savior, King, and Light of the world — and what it looks like to respond to His call with faith, surrender, and purpose. Following Jesus means leaving behind comfort, control, and convenience to gain something far greater: Christ Himself.Whether you're new to faith or have walked with Jesus for years, this message will challenge you to ask one question: Am I truly following Him?

The sermon traces the biblical narrative of God's dwelling with His people from the garden to the new heavens and new earth, revealing how the tabernacle—constructed according to divine blueprint and symbolizing God's presence among a sinful people—points forward to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment. It unfolds the progression from the temporary, portable tabernacle in the wilderness to Solomon's temple, the subsequent destruction and rebuilding, and finally to the eternal reality in heaven, where Christ Himself is the temple and God dwells with His people without need for a physical structure. Through this journey, the preacher emphasizes that Christ is the true mediator, the perfect sacrifice, and the living embodiment of God's presence, making access to God possible through His atoning work and indwelling Spirit. The sermon calls believers to see Scripture not as isolated stories but as a unified redemptive history culminating in Christ, who is the fulfillment of every sacred symbol and the eternal dwelling place of God with humanity.

Hebrews 3 paints a vivid picture of the Church as the household of God, built by Christ Himself. Unlike Moses, who served in the house, Jesus is over the house—as its builder and High Priest. This episode reminds us that our confidence and unity come from keeping our minds fixed on Jesus.

In this episode, I'm joined again by Mano Elia for a wide-ranging conversation on discernment, community, and the spiritual struggle of our time. We're not in an age where truth is hidden anymore; everything, from truth to lies, is out in the open. The real challenge is no longer finding information, but seeing clearly through it. What we face now isn't a war of disinformation; it's a war of discernment. Mano and I zoom out from the noise of world events to explore the deeper physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of our modern crisis. We discuss how evil reveals itself openly in today's culture, how digital life isolates us, and why the ultimate answer isn't political power or conspiracy-chasing, but a return to Christ, creativity, and tangible community. The conversation also challenges common misunderstandings about the so-called "black pill" mindset. While many look for salvation in politics or cultural battles, Mano and I argue that the only true white pill is Christ Himself. For more of Mano's content, go here: https://www.skool.com/the-bored-no-more-network-8401  ...and here: https://borednomore.net  Sponsors: Fox n Sons Coffee: https://www.foxnsons.com  Code: BUCK15 Perfect Spiral Capital: https://PerfectSpiralCapital.com/counterflow Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow  Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Pastor Chad's message—part of the Let the Church Rise series—focuses on the truth that believers are the body of Christ, united under Jesus as the head. Drawing from Ephesians 1 and 1 Corinthians 12, he teaches that the Church is not a human idea but God's design, created for our benefit and filled with the life of Christ Himself. Our union with Christ means we share His life, His Spirit, and His mission in the world. Pastor Chad emphasizes that just as a body cannot live without its head, Christians cannot function apart from Jesus or from one another; faith is never meant to be a private, solo experience. The Church, though imperfect, remains God's chosen instrument to reveal His love and bring hope to the world—His hands, feet, and eyes today. Calling the congregation “Team Jesus,” he encourages everyone to “get in the game,” faithfully serve their role, and let the Church rise through unity, humility, and compassion as they prepare for the upcoming Share Hope outreach offering.

In this week’s episode, Shelley Hurley is talking about A Better Hope. In a world that feels so uncertain, financial pressures, moral decay, wars, and fear, it’s easy to feel hopeless. But as Hebrews reminds us, Jesus brings in a better hope, one that anchors our souls and keeps us from drifting when life’s waves crash hard. This hope is not found in circumstances or systems but in Christ Himself, our refuge, our guarantee of a better covenant, and the One who gives us access to draw near to God.Support the show: https://harvest.org/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Rodney's message, Lord of My (Our) Identity, centered on how faith in Jesus redefines who we are. Through Christ, we are adopted into God's family—not by works, but by faith—becoming new creations clothed in His righteousness. Our identity is no longer shaped by our past, our labels, or what divides us, but by Christ Himself, who unites us as one body and calls us heirs of His eternal promise. Listen and be challenged. Support the show

This discussion focused on the believer's secure position in Christ and the joy that flows from understanding God's finished work. We reflected on reconciliation and justification as complete realities—not goals to reach but gifts already received. Through Romans 5 and John 10, we explored what it means to “enter in” through the Door, where Christ Himself keeps us. Once we enter by faith, we do not leave His presence—wherever we go, He goes with us. The teaching emphasized the difference between our unchanging position in Christ and our daily experience, reminding us that even when we stumble, the Holy Spirit remains present to guide and restore us. Joy in God, freedom from fear, and confidence in His unbreakable fellowship define the life of those who have truly “gone in.”Romans 5:1–11, joy in God; finished reconciliation/justification Romans 7:22, delight in God's law in the inward man 2 Corinthians 4:16, inner man renewed Psalm 16:8, 11, set the Lord before us; fullness of joy Psalm 37:4, delight in the Lord; desires shaped by Christ John 10:8–11, the Door and Good Shepherd; abundant life Philippians 4:13, “I can” through Christ Ephesians 4:29–30, words from grace; do not grieve the Spirit Hebrews 13:5, never leave nor forsake (triple emphasis) Psalm 139:7–12, God with us in every depth 1 John 2:1–2, advocacy and provision when we sin.ThemesFinished, not ongoing: reconciliation and justification are settled facts in Christ.Joy shared: we “delight” with God in what satisfies Him about His Son.Entered through the Door: once we go in, wherever we go, He goes with us.Thief vs. Shepherd: any thought placed ahead of Christ is a thief/robber.Position vs. experience: struggle happens in the flesh, not in who we are.Don't grieve the Spirit: He longs to show us the things of Christ.Trust equals rest: “I can” because He is with us.Fellowship builds us: each joint supplies encouragement and perspective.What We LearnedGod's joy in His Son is the source and stability of our joy in Him.Our desires are transformed as we delight in the Lord—not by striving.Experiential ups and downs don't alter our position; they invite deeper fellowship.Corrupt communication starts with corrupt thoughts; grace speech edifies.The Spirit's grief is our missed experience of love already secured for us.We never face “out there” alone; He never leaves nor forsakes us.

November 2, 2025We centered on God's incomparable nature, redemption through Christ's blood, and the believer's complete sufficiency in Him. Through worship, teaching, and fellowship, the group reflected on how divine love frees believers from comparison, fear, and division—revealing one body united under one Head, Christ.ThemesWorship and Thanksgiving — The meeting opened with songs of gratitude, lifting praise to the Lord for His resurrection and daily mercy.The Reality of Redemption — Judy shared that redemption means being purchased out of sin's marketplace, never to return. Christ paid the full price with His blood, setting believers permanently free.Adopted and Chosen — Discussion of Ephesians 1 emphasized being chosen before the foundation of the world—holy and blameless in His sight. Adoption into sonship was described as God's pleasure and will, rooted in grace and not human striving.The Mystery Revealed — God's plan was portrayed as a mystery now made known in Christ: believers are united in Him, destined for the praise of His glory.Christ's Sufficiency — Edward shared that Christ Himself is each believer's personal and total sufficiency. His love removes comparison, blame, and self-effort, inviting rest and dependence.One Body, One Church — The group discussed the Corinthian letters, noting how Paul addressed division and “party spirits.” They emphasized that the Church is one body under one Head—Christ—and not divided by denomination or comparison.Love That Waits — God's love was described as patient and non-forcing, waiting to be gracious. Like the father of the prodigal son, He anticipates our return without condemnation.Spiritual Growth and Dependence — Paul's example showed that even correction flows from love, not anger. Growth happens through resting in Christ's finished work, not through striving or self-righteousness.The Mind of Christ — The session closed with reflection on resting in one's position in Christ rather than striving to “become” spiritual. True balance comes from depending on God's love, which removes competition and judgment within the Body.What We LearnedWe have been bought out of sin's power and belong fully to Christ.Our identity as holy and blameless exists in His sight, not by self-effort.Christ's sufficiency ends all comparison, pride, and performance.The Church is one body; division and party zeal oppose love's unity.God's love corrects gently, without violating free will or removing His gaze.True growth happens by resting, receiving, and reflecting His love toward others.Even when others misunderstand or reject us, love remains the answer.Dependence on Christ protects the believer from reacting in the flesh.Reflection QuestionWhere do we still rely on our own sufficiency, and how can we let Christ's love become the only measure of our identity and unity?

Summary: In this episode, Dr. Michael Easley and former NFL quarterback Jeff Kemp talk about what it means for men to follow Jesus with humility, dependence, and intentionality. Kemp draws from John's Gospel, where Jesus repeatedly affirms that He only does what His Father tells Him to do. Michael reflects on how staggering it is that the God-man chose to say and do only what pleased His Father. Jeff unpacks this further: if Christ Himself modeled such dependence, then we too must stop striving to impress God and instead learn to receive from Him. The conversation then turns to one of the greatest needs among men today—true friendship. Many men isolate, even while surrounded by people, leaving them lonely, insecure, and vulnerable. Kemp encourages men to take simple but intentional steps: initiate, honor others, pray together, and practice accountability. He shares practical questions for building deeper friendships, emphasizes the power of confession, and reminds us that level-five friendships are rooted in Christ and His Word. At the heart of this conversation is a simple challenge: don't try to live the Christian life alone. Depend on Christ. Invest in other men. Take the initiative to build friendships that are honest, prayerful, and life-giving. Takeaways Jesus modeled total dependence on the Father, and we are called to do the same. Men often isolate, leaving them vulnerable to loneliness and insecurity. True friendships require initiative—reaching out, honoring, and encouraging others. Confession and prayer with trusted friends bring healing and strength. Practical questions and accountability take friendships beyond the surface. Deep, Christ-centered friendships are essential for spiritual growth and resilience. LINKS MENTIONED: Receive by Jeff Kemp Men Huddle Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.

In this message from Sheridan Hills Baptist Church, Pastor Jason Hill teaches from 1 Peter 2:18–25 about what it means for a follower of Christ to be subject and to endure suffering. This passage reminds us that submission, even in difficult circumstances or under unjust authority, is not weakness but a powerful testimony of faith. Christ Himself suffered unjustly, leaving us an example to follow. Our response should be rooted in doing good, trusting God's justice, and building our hope on His character rather than our comfort. The sermon challenges believers to fix their eyes on the unseen God by speaking truthfully about Him, living honorably, and following Christ's example when hardship comes. Suffering for righteousness is not without purpose; it becomes a witness to the transforming power of the gospel. As we endure, we walk in the new life that God has given us, no longer wandering like lost sheep but living under the care and protection of the Shepherd of our souls. ________________________________________ Links to Sermon Notes & Answers: ➤Sermon Notes (Blank): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_e0de67c77dea4575ae6891d1621d9dfe.pdf ➤Sermon Notes (Answers): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_5a1b2f38157c4cb488b67d7f65032ad7.pdf ________________________________________ In this video: Review of previous sermons in series Main Points Application ________________________________________ Subscribe to this channel to catch weekly expositional sermons from the Bible. ________________________________________ Explore more sermons and information: https://www.sheridanhills.org/watch-new ________________________________________ Follow us: ➤Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanhills/ ➤Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheridanhills01 ➤Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanhills/

The central theme of the Book of Hebrews is the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all Old Testament figures and systems. In chapter six, the author warns against spiritual stagnation and raises a pressing question: Can salvation be lost? By allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, we come to see that salvation does not rest on the strength of one's faith, but on the steadfast assurance found in Christ Himself, the ultimate fulfillment of everything to which the Old Testament pointed. Speaker: Mike Slayden

The central theme of the Book of Hebrews is the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all Old Testament figures and systems. In chapter six, the author warns against spiritual stagnation and raises a pressing question: Can salvation be lost? By allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, we come to see that salvation does not rest on the strength of one's faith, but on the steadfast assurance found in Christ Himself, the ultimate fulfillment of everything to which the Old Testament pointed. Speaker: Mike Slayden

Speaker: Rob BerrethScripture: Hebrews 12:18-29Episode Overview:In Hebrews 13:1–3, the author moves from the truths of who Jesus is to the commands that flow from His grace. This sermon explores how genuine faith expresses itself through love—love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, love for strangers, and love for those who are suffering or sidelined. As we reflect on the deep, initiating love of Jesus—the One who welcomed us when we were strangers and suffered for us when we were lost—we find both the motivation and power to live lives pleasing to God. True worship is not confined to songs or services, but seen in everyday acts of love rooted in the gospel.Key Highlights:• The Gospel's Grammar: God's commands (imperatives) are always grounded in His finished work (indicatives). We love because Christ first loved us.• Brotherly Love Continues: The mark of a true disciple is enduring, family-like love within the church.• Hospitality to Strangers: Biblical hospitality extends beyond comfort or reciprocity—it welcomes those outside our circle just as Christ welcomed us.• Remembering the Sidelined: God calls us to identify with and care for the suffering, the forgotten, and the persecuted, just as Jesus did.• Pleasing and Serving God: When we love others, we not only please the heart of God but serve Christ Himself.Call to Action:Ask God to open your eyes this week to someone you can love sacrificially—whether it's a brother or sister who needs encouragement, a stranger who needs welcome, or someone suffering who needs to be remembered. Let your acts of love be an offering of worship, pleasing to the Lord who first loved you.Redeemer Church211 Northshore Dr. Bellingham, WA 98226www.redeemernw.org

This section of The Evergetinos is among the most luminous and convicting in its entire corpus. It speaks with the voice of a Father who has entered deeply into the mind of Christ; where justice is transfigured by mercy, where the love of neighbor becomes inseparable from the love of God, and where even material loss becomes a gate to eternal life. The Elder's teaching exposes the great inversion of values that defines our time. In an age obsessed with self-preservation, power, and vengeance, the Christian is called not simply to resist these tendencies, but to live from an entirely different center. His measure of life is no longer self-interest or fear, but the eternal horizon of the Kingdom. The Elder begins with a piercing truth: God's commandments are light. It is only our attachment to self-will that makes them seem heavy. In modern terms, we could say that the weight we feel in forgiving enemies, in relinquishing possessions, or in enduring wrongs, comes not from the Gospel itself, but from our clinging to the illusion of control and possession. The commandment of Christ is light because it is love; and love is only heavy to one still bound by pride. The parable of the gem-engraver is a mirror for us. The man, faced with imminent danger, discards all his treasure to preserve a fleeting life. We, knowing the eternal stakes, cannot part with even trifles to save our souls. The Elder's irony cuts deeply: a worldly merchant becomes a philosopher in action, while we who claim the Kingdom behave as fools. Has the Christian fallen below the moral and spiritual clarity of the pagans who could endure insult or misfortune with composure? The Elder's words imply as much, for true wisdom is to value what endures, and to let go of all that perishes. We live amid a civilization that sanctifies vengeance, calls anger justice, and worships material gain. The Christian, if he is truly of Christ, stands as a contradiction to this world. His meekness will appear as weakness; his patience as passivity. Yet the Elder shows that it is precisely this self-emptying love that manifests divine power. To endure injury without resentment is to share in the Cross. To pray for the one who wrongs us is to participate in the compassion of the Crucified. The image of the Body, so carefully developed by the Elder, destroys the illusion of separateness that fuels violence. To harm my brother is to wound Christ Himself; to harbor anger is to cut myself off from the Body's life. The Christian is thus called to a supernatural realism: to perceive the unity of all in Christ and to respond to injury with the same tenderness one shows a diseased limb of one's own body. One does not amputate a member in anger; one tends it with healing concern. So must we treat the sinner who has harmed us. In the closing examples, the Elder incarnates this teaching. The monk who relinquishes his books rather than quarrel over them, the ascetic who frees the brigands who attacked him — these are not tales of naiveté but of divine wisdom. They show that peace of heart and fidelity to Christ outweigh any claim to justice or property. The true betrayal, as Abba Poimen tells the frightened hermit, is not the crime of the brigands but the monk's own fear and loss of faith. The victory of Christ is not in punishing evil but in overcoming fear through love. St. Ephraim's brief counsel at the end grounds this lofty teaching in ordinary charity. Justice begins in the smallest acts; in returning what is borrowed, in honesty, in remembering that we “owe no man anything, but to love one another.” The ascetical heroism of forgiveness begins with these humble fidelities. In an age of terror, noise, and material excess, the distinctive mark of the Christian is not moral superiority or rhetorical witness, but peace that disarms the world. The Evergetinos reminds us that the Gospel's revolution lies in meekness; in the refusal to let hatred dictate our actions or possessions define our worth. If we have not yet attained even the calm of the pagan sage or the detachment of the shipwrecked merchant, then our first step is repentance: to rediscover the lightness of the commandments and to trust that the Cross, embraced without vengeance, is still the truest power in the world. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:02:23 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 291, G 00:08:34 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: www.philokaliaministries.blogspot.com 00:10:48 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 291 G 2 00:10:57 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: http://www.philokaliaministries.blogspot.com 00:19:21 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 292, # 2, 2nd paragraph 00:21:44 Rick Visser: We think we can have both, temporal and eternal. 00:24:02 Anthony: Prosperity gospel also came from sectarians reading the Hebrew Scriptures in a carnal manner. 00:27:45 Janine: Blessed are you poor 00:28:00 Adam Paige: Happy Are You Poor: the simple life and spiritual freedom (Thomas Dubay) 00:28:27 Rick Visser: All of us here in the class are in the top 10% of the wealthiest people in the world. 00:36:26 Jessica McHale: I got rid of just about everything. I have two boxes, one clothes, one religious items. I have never felt free-er. 00:36:44 Rick Visser: Reacted to "I got rid of just ab..." with ❤️ 00:37:56 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "I got rid of just ab..." with

In today's Here We Go episode, Nancy shares from Clewiston, Florida—just after arriving with Alex and Tina for Cross Encounter. As the journey begins, she opens up about the joy and depth of true fellowship that isn't based on personality, convenience, or performance but on Christ Himself. Nancy reflects on how traveling, collaborating, and simply being with others in God's timing can leave a lasting deposit for when we're apart. This is a raw and personal invitation to recognize how our connections—when rooted in Christ—can break the cycles of creature worship, ego, comparison, and insecurity. Whether you're serving in ministry, parenting at home, or showing up to work, this episode reminds you that divine fellowship is more than good company—it's a supernatural strategy. Thanks for Listening! Nancy McCready Ministries is committed to building cultures of personal and corporate discipleship so that believers can walk in maturity and their destiny with the Father. We hope this conversation today has helped you along your journey. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, so we would like to invite you to join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries LINKS Want to host or attend Cross Encounter? Click here: nancymccready.com/crossencounter/ Shop to Support NMM: nancymccready.com/shop/

For many people, contentment feels just out of reach—always tied to the next raise, the next purchase, or the next season of life. Yet Scripture calls us to something deeper and more lasting: a contentment that doesn't depend on circumstances but rests in Christ Himself.Psalm 23 begins with a stunning declaration:“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” — Psalm 23:1 (NLT)David's words remind us that contentment doesn't come from acquiring more but from trusting the One who provides. Just as sheep rest securely under the care of their shepherd, we can rest in God's faithful provision.True contentment isn't about suppressing desire—it's about redirecting it. When we find sufficiency in Christ rather than in money, possessions, or achievements, we're freed from the trap of covetousness and anchored in the truth that in Him, we already have all we truly need.The Ancient Lie of DiscontentmentDiscontentment has plagued humanity from the beginning. In Eden, Adam and Eve had everything they needed, yet the serpent's lie convinced them they lacked something essential. Discontentment still whispers, “God is holding out on you—you'd be better off if you had more.”Today, that same voice is amplified through advertising, social media, and cultural comparison. We scroll through highlight reels and feel our lives don't measure up. But Hebrews 13:5 offers the antidote:“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”The cure for discontentment isn't having more—it's remembering that God is always with us.The Freedom of “Enough”Contentment is not resignation—it's liberation. It frees us from envy, overspending, and the crushing weight of comparison. Instead of striving endlessly for more, we learn to steward wisely what God has entrusted to us.Proverbs 30:8–9 captures this balanced perspective beautifully:“Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me…”The wise steward seeks enough—not excess. When we live this way, our financial decisions change. We spend with purpose. We give with joy. We save with peace. Contentment reorients money from being our master to being a tool for God's Kingdom.Think of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. With only a handful of flour and a little oil left, she faced famine. Yet when Elijah asked her to make him a cake first, she trusted God's word—and He provided, not with overflowing barns, but with daily sufficiency.Or consider the Macedonian believers in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul wrote,“In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity.”Despite having little, they gave with glad hearts because their contentment was in Christ, not in their circumstances.These examples remind us that contentment and generosity often go hand in hand. When we are satisfied in Christ, we're free to bless others.Trusting the God Who ProvidesAt the heart of contentment is trust. Jesus said in Matthew 6:25–26,“Do not be anxious about your life… Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”Contentment flows from believing that God knows what we need and delights to provide for His children. As Elisabeth Elliot once wrote, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”When Christ becomes our treasure, everything else finds its proper place.That's why Paul could say in 1 Timothy 6:6:“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”Contentment isn't a loss—it's true gain. It's the kind of wealth no market downturn can erase and no thief can steal. Choosing contentment doesn't mean settling for less; it means resting in the sufficiency of Christ.When we stop chasing “more” and start trusting God's daily provision, we discover freedom, peace, and joy. That's the essence of faithful stewardship—not just managing money, but aligning our hearts with the One who promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I own several rental properties and would like to leave one to each of my children. I still want to collect the rental income, but I'd like to avoid probate and ensure a smooth transition when I pass away. How can I set up a trust to do that, and what's the best way to move forward?I got divorced in my mid-50s and had to start over from scratch. I'm now 66 with a little over $37,000 in my 401(k), which I'm eligible to roll over into an IRA. I'd really like to invest that money through a biblically based firm, but most of the ones I've contacted require a minimum investment of $50,000. Do you have any suggestions? And how can I build my savings over the next four years? $37,000 won't last long.I'm retired, and my husband will be retiring soon. We don't have a lot saved, but he does have a 401(k) through work. We're unsure what to do with it or how to ensure we'll have enough to live on in retirement. Can you help us think through the next steps?I work with students, and I've offered to invest $4,000, allowing them to choose some stocks to learn how investing works. Since I'll keep the money but let them make the decisions, what's the best way to buy individual stocks for this kind of project?My daughter's credit score is around 625, and she's committed to improving it. My score is over 800, and I've heard that adding her as an authorized user on my credit card could help her. Can you explain how that works and whether it could affect either of our credit scores?I feel completely lost when it comes to finances, but I want to set my family up for success. Can you recommend a reliable resource or starting point for learning the basics of managing money wisely?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Open Hands FinanceFidelity | Charles Schwab | Robinhood | Public | Stash | SoFi InvestYour Money Counts: The Biblical Guide to Earning, Spending, Saving, Investing, Giving, and Getting Out of Debt by Howard DaytonMaster Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment by Ron Blue with Michael BlueRedeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts by Paul David TrippMoney, Possessions, and Eternity: A Comprehensive Guide to What the Bible Says about Financial Stewardship, Generosity, Materialism, Retirement, Financial Planning, Gambling, Debt, and More by Randy AlcornWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.