Podcast appearances and mentions of christ matt

June. 14, 2026 - The Suffering of Christ (Matt 27:27-54) - Matthew - Barry Smith -  cpcspokane.org

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Jim Kersey from Parrish, FL. Thanks for your partnership in Project23. We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is 1 Corinthians 14:33-35. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. — 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 This is one of the most debated texts in the New Testament, for all kinds of obvious reasons. But there are a couple of things to note here: First, he grounds this instruction in what is true "in all the churches of the saints." That language signals apostolic authority and consistency—not local preference. The gathered church belongs to Christ (Matt. 16:18), and its worship is ordered according to his revealed will, not cultural negotiation. That is sound ecclesiology. It's not your church, so you and I don't get to decide the rules. Second, we have to read this text in context. So let's go back to chapter 11 first. Paul has already affirmed that women pray and prophesy in gathered worship—under proper order. (1 Cor. 11:5) So this cannot mean absolute silence in every sense. Also, Paul has already mentioned two contexts in which certain people should remain silent in the church: those who speak in tongues without an interpreter, and those who prophesy out of order. So this present call to remain silent is not exclusively for women. Which is how many people read it. Context matters, people. The specific issue here is not female inferiority in the church. The specific issue concerns the wives of believing husbands, who are commanded in this context to address and resolve family differences at home, as clarified in the text: "let them ask their husbands at home." Paul's concern is not the participation of wives (married) or women (gender) in the church. Again, go back and read 1 Corinthians 11:5. It was how speaking was being handled in public worship. And I believe that, if we read this in context, it would make sense that the word translated as "to speak" (laleō), which was most recently used by Paul in reference to speaking in tongues and prophesying, was the main issue. Paul's bottom-line concern is preserving the structure of authority God established for gathered worship, and ensuring that all forms of speaking are handled in an orderly, not chaotic, fashion. This is not misogynistic oppression. It is a covenant structure for both his church and his covenant of marriage. Both were instituted by God, and not us, so we don't get to decide the rules regardless of culture. It flows from the same theological pattern we saw in chapter 11: Christ → man → woman — ordered environments under God's design. God's order is not a burden—it is a gift. When we submit to the structure he has revealed, we preserve both the church and the family from confusion and competition. We work in concert with his design. Faithfulness here means trusting that his design produces peace, clarity, and spiritual strength—even when culture and some opinions in the church disagree. God's church is not a democracy. DO THIS: When you encounter "the verse everyone wants to cancel," refuse to dismiss it. Slow down. Study it in context. Ask what kind of disorder it was correcting and what structure it was protecting. ASK THIS: Do I instinctively resist passages that confront modern cultural instincts? Am I tempted to edit Paul where he makes me uncomfortable? Do I really believe God's church is not a democracy? PRAY THIS: Lord, give me humility where your Word confronts my assumptions. Keep me from trimming hard texts to fit modern preferences. Teach me to trust your authority and your design for your church. Amen. PLAY THIS: "What A Beautiful Name"

Trapped by the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate asked the crowd, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 27:22)? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the grave warning found in Pilate's own answer to this question. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/pilate-who-condemned-him/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

Friends of the Rosary,Today, the First Sunday of Lent, presents the scene of the temptation of Christ (Matt. 4:1-4), when Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil after forty days and nights of fasting.The Gospel of the temptation anticipates how the Prince of Darkness will be cast out, and it heralds Christ's victory in advance.Where Adam fell, Christ, the new Head of humanity, triumphs over the power of Satan.The Church proclaims that this victory should be ours also. Our strength is His. His will be our victory at Easter.In this Second Reading (Romans 5:12-19), St. Paul stresses that Christ, through his death, not only conquered sin but also poured out divine grace abundantly on mankind, making us his brothers and, therefore, sons of God.Today, it's also the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, but it's superseded in most places by the Sunday of Lent.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠February 22, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

By Pastor Dan Nash

The creator of the heavens and the earth is also the savior of the world. Jesus, the highest name of all, means Salvation. He is the Savior of the world. He is the Light of the world and He is Resurrection and Life. He is above all and through Him all things are held together. The greatest mystery of all is that we can be united with Him - living in union with the Lord of all.

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

October 19, 2025 - Sunday PM Sermon   The Lord's Church Is Built by Christ (Matt. 16:13-19)  Neal Pollard  I. PEOPLE ___________________ ON OTHER _____________________ (13-14)    II. WE MUST _____________________ ______________________ (15)    III. THE _________________ ANSWER IS VERY __________________ (16)    IV. THE ________________ CONCLUSION IS A ________________ ONE (17)    V. THE _________________ BUILDING HAS CERTAIN _________________ (18-19)   Duration 37:54

We have been in a series diving into Vineyard values - values shared by Vineyard churches all over the world! In this message Matt talks about how we are part of the wider Body of Christ and how we are called to love and be a blessing to the Church.

Join Pastor Stuart for the last lesson in our series, The Good Life. This week, we turn to Matthew 5:10-12 to learn how . . . "The Good Life = Persecution for Following Christ". In this lesson, we learn: According to Jesus, those who are persecuted for following him have the good life. If we truly follow Jesus, we can expect some form of persecution. We experience God's blessing in persecution in several ways: Persecution because of Jesus is part of our confirmation that we belong to him. Suffering refines the faith of those who belong to Jesus. The witness of the church is often strengthened through persecution. We are promised the kingdom. All of this shows us why we can rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted. So, let's focus on Jesus knowing that nothing, not even persecution, can keep us from sharing in his glory. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC. Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Pastor Matt Ruckel continues in Ephesians 4, talking about the importance of having the mind of Christ, and aligning ourselves with HIS truth. Pulling out simple and practical ways from this Scripture to help us renew our minds daily, Pastor Matt encourages us from the Word and personal experiences about how we can apply Paul's teaching to our lives to walk in righteousness and holiness. Big House Church is cultivating a community of passionate worshippers who partner with Jesus to create a kingdom culture on earth as it is in heaven. We regularly meet on Sundays @ 9 & 11 AM at the Zeider Theater in Town Center Virginia Beach.Learn more at www.bighousechurch.com.

Pastor Matt Ruckel continues in Ephesians 4, talking about the importance of having the mind of Christ, and aligning ourselves with HIS truth. Pulling out simple and practical ways from this Scripture to help us renew our minds daily, Pastor Matt encourages us from the Word and personal experiences about how we can apply Paul's teaching to our lives to walk in righteousness and holiness. Big House Church is cultivating a community of passionate worshippers who partner with Jesus to create a kingdom culture on earth as it is in heaven. We regularly meet on Sundays @ 9 & 11 AM at the Zeider Theater in Town Center Virginia Beach.Learn more at www.bighousechurch.com.

Who makes up the kingdom community of Christ? People. More specifically, it's people who have come to Christ in faith, committed themselves to following him fully, and received the kingdom's benefits through faith.

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

Why is marriage so hard? If you're single, does marriage scare you? We are grateful to have our friend, Pastor Matt King, join us to discuss the real struggles in marriage, but also the real hope we find in God's beautiful design, which points us to the glory and grace found in Christ. We hope this episode encourages you to see the goodness and beauty of marriage in whatever season you're in.  Check out Insight Biblical Counselling and Broomtree Care. They are willing and able to help. Be sure to send your thoughts, questions and concerns to realtalk@reformedperspective.ca.  A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/ We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Sunday July 20, 2025: Pastor Matt continues in our teaching on our shared life of union in Christ and how from our location "in Christ" we are to pray and live our every moment of our lives in His glory.We are not praying from separation, we are not trying to get God's attention or twist His arm to answer our cry, we are fully accepted sons and daughters learning to knock from the rhythm of His heart and agree with His desires to be seen in the earth.You were born for union.

Worship, Wilderness, and the Way to RighteousnessThis episode focused on biblical worship, the importance of submitting to God's authority, and the contrast between earthly and heavenly people. Drawing from stories and verses from Psalms, John, and Revelation, the message emphasized the believer's identity as part of Christ's heavenly bride. Listeners were exhorted to worship in spirit and truth, remain tenderhearted, and grow in righteousness through Christ as the Chief Shepherd. It closed with a call to thanksgiving, joy, and the enduring power of God's justice and love.Themes:Worship and submission to God as Creator (Psalm 95; John 4:23)Lessons from the wilderness and unbelief Jesus as the one who draws all to God (John 6:44; Eph. 5:25–27)Earthly vs. heavenly people: understanding true IsraelChrist as Messiah, Prophet, King—and our Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4–6)Finding joy, peace, and righteousness in Christ (Matt. 5:6; John 16:33)The power of thanksgiving and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16; Psalm 19)The dangers of a hardened heart and resisting God's callThe process of sanctification and growing in graceGod turns curses into blessings (Deut. 23:5)Scripture References: Psalm 95; John 17:14–16; John 4:23; John 6:44; John 16:33; Ephesians 5:25–27; Colossians 3:16; Revelation 21; Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 5:4–6; Deuteronomy 23:5; John 1:1–3; Psalm 19

Trapped by the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate asked the crowd, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ” (Matt. 27:22)? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the grave warning found in Pilate's own answer to this question. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/pilate-who-condemned-him/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Trapped by the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate asked the crowd, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 27:22)? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the grave warning found in Pilate's own answer to this question. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/pilate-who-condemned-him/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, we all long for something deeper. True connection isn't just about being around others—it's about relationships that fill your soul, honor God, and transform your life. This message series is designed to help you build meaningful, biblical relationships in every area of life. Don't let isolation define your story. Step into the beauty of God-designed connection and experience the joy of doing life with Him and others. It's essential for a body to be connected—obviously... The collective of Christians around the world is what the Bible calls "the Body of Christ." If a part of a physical body is disconnected, that part and the entire body don't operate properly. The same goes for the spiritual Body of Christ. It's essential for the body to be connected! In this message, Matt Bustamante shares 8 Biblical ways for Christians to live AS the Body of Christ. We know that navigating life in college can be hard, so here's the main thing to know: Challenge is a place where you meet your best friends, grow in navigating the challenges of life, and explore what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Challenge is a place for you and we'd love to connect more this semester. We'd love for you to join us at our next event! https://www.challengecsuc.com/connect... Want to get connected with Challenge CSUC or simply have a question for us? Fill out and submit the form below and we will get back to you soon. https://www.challengecsuc.com/contact-us STAY CONNECTED WITH US Website: https://www.challengecsuc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challengecsuc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@challengecsuc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/challengecsuc

This sermon is from our Sunday series through Matthew preached by Pastor Taylor Ince Sojourn Galleria Church is an Acts29 church in Houston, Tx that exists to enjoy Jesus and join Him in the renewal of all things. To learn more, visit our website: www.sojourngalleria.org

Jan. 5, 2025 - Commissioned by Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) - Barry Smith - cpcspokane.org

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Sunday November 10, 2024: Pastor Matt teaches on communion and the significance of seeing this practice, not as a simple symbolic ritual, but rather, as a daily acknowledgement of our lives mirrored in Christ. More than a cup and a cracker it is an invitation to witness our inclusion in perfect union every time we break bread. Communion is the lifestyle of the kingdom.

September 29, 2024 | Final Words of a Dying Man | 2 Peter 3:1-10In 2 Peter 3, Peter addresses doubts about Jesus' return, assuring believers of its certainty despite skepticism. He calls for a sincere mind, rooted in the truth of God's Word. Peter highlights three attributes of God: His sovereignty, demonstrated in creation and judgment; His transcendence, showing that time is different for God; and His mercy, as He patiently awaits repentance from humanity. He warns that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, bringing justice and vindicating God's righteousness. Peter encourages believers to urgently share the Gospel, recognizing that God's patience is an invitation to repentance. Our readiness for His return hinges on how we respond to His grace.Do you know JESUS? ⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠Need PRAYER? ⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠Support through GIVING: ⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠

Into the Heart of the Gospel: Our Identity in Christ // Matt Metzger | 09.22.24

Sept. 15, 2024 - Staying Connected to Christ (Matthew 12:43-50) - Matthew - Barry Smith - cpcspokane.org

There is no neutral ground in leadership with God. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." Here's the context for this moment. Samuel has gone to Bethelem for what looks like a sacrifice of atonement, but it's a sacrifice of anointment. Here, he is going to anoint David, king of Israel. The town has prepared for the sacrifice, and Jesse has seven sons whom God has not chosen. We realize the youngest of his boys, David, was out tending the sheep and was absent. David, the youngest and left out child, now enters the ceremony. All eyes are locked on him, and this happens: And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.  — 1 Samuel 16:13-15 There are two important observations in this text. First, the rushing of the Spirit. The Spirit rushes onto David and noticeably off of Saul. This appears to happen instantaneously, meaning that the events coincide, which would be appropriate. This is the passing of the divine anointing from one king to the next, as Samuel predicted. God's people, authority, and blessing would pass to the next man. I have mentioned this before, but the anointing of the Spirit was different in the Old Testament than today. In the Old Testament, the Spirit fell on certain men at certain times, but after Jesus's ascension, the Spirit lives in us. The difference is on versus in, and the reason for this is that the anointing of Jesus is permanent and done by a perfect prophet, priest, and king. Here are a couple of texts that emphasize this: And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us. — 2 Corinthians 1:21 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. — 1 John 2:20 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. — 1 John 2:27 A second observation is that the Spirit not only rushes off Saul, but a harmful spirit torments him. This can appear disturbing for two reasons: first, it's tormenting him, and second, it reads like God is doing the tormenting. But let's remember that Saul was in this situation because he was deliberately disobedient, which means that the torment directly resulted from Saul's wicked choices. The observers had no problem seeing God's sovereign hand in this situation. This is not to infer that God made Saul do it, but that he gave Saul the option to obey or disobey. The blessing of being God's anointed and the consequences of not was up to Saul, but whatever his choice in the end, God was never surprised by the result and still in complete control of the outcome. There is no "neutrality" when it comes to God. I think even believers get this wrong. We believe that there are neutral positions tucked into God's commands. When action is required, we convince ourselves inaction is permitted. But inaction is just apathetic disobedience disguised by our inclinations for indifference. We believe our indifference and passivity are neutral, but they're not. The options are to obey God or obey the Devil. You submit to the Spirit of God, or you submit to the Spirit of the Devil. One brings truth, and the other brings torment. Throughout the Bible, God demands that his followers and leaders make a choice. The choice is definitive. You are either with Christ or against Christ (Matt. 12:30); you are either hot or cold (Rev. 3:15-16); otherwise, you are spat out of his mouth. #LeadershipByGod, #DivineAnointing, #ObeyOrDisobey

Thank you for listening to this message from Pastor Matt Holcomb! Join us on Sunday mornings around 10:40 AM for our live service. To Give to River Valley Church click this link - https://rivervalleychurchpa.org/giving/ If you would like to learn more about River Valley Church please click this link - https://www.rivervalleychurchpa.org/a... Remember to hit that subscribe button and click the bell to get notified. If you liked what you saw make sure to click that like button! We can't wait to connect with you next week!

Trapped by the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate asked the crowd, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 27:22)? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the grave warning found in Pilate's own answer to this question. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/pilate-who-condemned-him A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Gospel of John 20:11-18 (John 20:11, John 20:12, John 20:13, John 20:14, John 20:15, John 20:16, John 20:17, John 20:18)---------- In addition to the CC Podcast: Daily Dose Devotions, which includes today's Bible overview devotion and many other Bible study texts, Christian Crusaders also publishes two other Christian podcasts: a weekly 30 minute worship service, The CC Broadcast, which is aired on secular and Christian radio stations around the world AND The CC Podcast: Conversations, where we feature inspiring stories from interesting Christians in an interview format.Along with thanking our Daily Dose Devotions sponsor, The FAMiLY LEADER, we want to highlight two other Christian ministries:(1) The Cedar Falls Bible Conference, which has gathered annually since 1922 in Cedar Falls, Iowa and features world-class, Bible-based, Gospel-centered preaching, as well as children's and student ministry programming ... all for FREE from the last Saturday in July through the first Saturday in August.(2) Power to Change Digital Strategies, which recruits and trains anonymous, online Christian mentors to help people who are searching for answers to life's problems on the internet. If you or anyone you know could benefit from an anonymous, online Christian mentor, please visit IssuesIFace.com, a website built and maintained for the purpose of connecting people searching online with Christian mentors willing to provide love, encouragement, and truth.Please subscribe to or follow this Christian podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or through our free mobile app (see below), leave a 5-star review, and prayerfully consider supporting us financially. All these steps will help us more effectively promote the Truth of God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Thanks!Our regular Daily Dose Devotions contributor is Matt Reisetter, Executive Director for Christian Crusaders Radio and Internet Ministry. Other contributors include Steve Kramer and Tim Boettger, who are preachers for The CC Broadcast, as well as Andrew Nordstrom, Technical Director for Christian Crusaders.Special thanks to, Terri, our podcast announcer!Thank you for listening, and may God richly bless you!To listen or subscribe to our podcasts and free content on various platforms, click here:Apple Podcasts:Daily DoseConversationsBroadcastGoogle Podcasts:Daily Dose

The Gospel of John 19:38-42 (John 19:38, John 19:39, John 19:40, John 19:41, John 19:42)---------- In addition to the CC Podcast: Daily Dose Devotions, which includes today's Bible overview devotion and many other Bible study texts, Christian Crusaders also publishes two other Christian podcasts: a weekly 30 minute worship service, The CC Broadcast, which is aired on secular and Christian radio stations around the world AND The CC Podcast: Conversations, where we feature inspiring stories from interesting Christians in an interview format.Along with thanking our Daily Dose Devotions sponsor, The FAMiLY LEADER, we want to highlight two other Christian ministries:(1) The Cedar Falls Bible Conference, which has gathered annually since 1922 in Cedar Falls, Iowa and features world-class, Bible-based, Gospel-centered preaching, as well as children's and student ministry programming ... all for FREE from the last Saturday in July through the first Saturday in August.(2) Power to Change Digital Strategies, which recruits and trains anonymous, online Christian mentors to help people who are searching for answers to life's problems on the internet. If you or anyone you know could benefit from an anonymous, online Christian mentor, please visit IssuesIFace.com, a website built and maintained for the purpose of connecting people searching online with Christian mentors willing to provide love, encouragement, and truth.Please subscribe to or follow this Christian podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or through our free mobile app (see below), leave a 5-star review, and prayerfully consider supporting us financially. All these steps will help us more effectively promote the Truth of God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Thanks!Our regular Daily Dose Devotions contributor is Matt Reisetter, Executive Director for Christian Crusaders Radio and Internet Ministry. Other contributors include Steve Kramer and Tim Boettger, who are preachers for The CC Broadcast, as well as Andrew Nordstrom, Technical Director for Christian Crusaders.Special thanks to, Terri, our podcast announcer!Thank you for listening, and may God richly bless you!To listen or subscribe to our podcasts and free content on various platforms, click here:Apple Podcasts:Daily DoseConversationsBroadcastGoogle Podcasts:Daily DoseConversations

Before we can jump into Ephesians 1:13-14, I must address what or who it is that Paul is talking about in these verses. Until you understand what or who the apostle is talking about in these verses, you cannot understand or feel the gravity of Ephesians 1:13-14 upon your life. So, to feel the full weight of these verses, permit me to introduce you to the Holy Spirit. The first time we are introduced to the Holy Spirit is in Genesis 1:1-2 with these words: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for Spirit is raḥ, which can also mean wind or breath, but when used in association with God, it often refers to the Holy Spirit, not as a thing or a characteristic like love or holiness, but a person. This same word is used in Ezekiel 36: And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances (v. 27). So, when we read through the Bible what we discover about the Holy Spirit is exhaustive. Of the Holy Spirit, we discover that He is the giver of life (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 33:6; 104:27-30). As the giver of life, He raised Jesus from the grave on the third day and will give life to the body of every person who is joined to Him by faith, through a physical resurrection like the one Jesus experienced (see Rom. 8:11). As the giver of life, He caused Mary to conceive with the incarnation of Jesus (Luke 1:35, 41-42). The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus before He performed any miracle, after He was baptized by John, as a way of giving life and power to His earthly ministry; it is important to note that at Jesus baptism all three persons were present and witnessed: After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matt. 3:16-17; see also Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). Throughout the Bible, what we discover is that the Holy Spirit sustains and empowers the people of God to do the work of God. The Holy Spirit indwelled and led Israel out of the slavery of Egypt into the wilderness (Isa. 63:11-14), the Holy Spirit empowered Israels judges after they entered the promised land (i.e. Judges 6:34), and anointed Israels kings to lead the nation (i.e. 1 Sam. 9:27-10:1; 16:1, 13). From the beginning Gods plan was to do the same not just for a select few, but for all of His people as foretold in Joel 2:28-29, It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, your young men will see visions. And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days (Joel 2:2829). Gods promise from the beginning was that a deliverer would come, and that deliver was God in the person of Jesus the Son; this is the great theme of the Bible. This is why the Bible declares: For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you was not yes and no, but has been yes in Him. For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us (2 Cor. 1:19-20). In other words, there is no pouring out of the Holy Spirit apart from the redemption that can only come through the shed blood of the Son of God for, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (Eph. 1:7). Against the backdrop of all we have considered so far, I want you to listen to Ephesians 1:13-14, for it will help you feel the weight of these verses for your life today: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:1314). But the question still must be answered: Who or what is the Holy Spirit? Not long before Jesus died to redeem lost sinners by going to the cross, He made a promise to His disciples, and that promise was the coming of the Holy Spirit. We find Jesus promise in John 14; Jesus told them He would be betrayed and would go to a place that they would not be able go (John 13:33). Jesus then consoled His disciples by telling them that He was going to prepare a place for them where they would one day live (14:1-6), but consider carefully what Jesus promised to His disciples that they would receive in His physical absence: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. (John 14:1620) How will Jesus not leave His disciples as orphans? He will ask the Father to send them the Helper who is the Holy Spirit. It is possible that verses 18-20 are referring to Jesus resurrection, but even after His resurrection, He ascended to heaven after He again promised to send them the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). I think that when Jesus assured them, I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you that He was referring to the Helper because of what Jesus said in John 16:13, But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (John 16:13). Who is the Holy Spirit? Well, when Ananias lied to the apostle Peter about what he and his wife had sold and given to the Church, Ananias was told: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? You have not lied to men, but to God (see Acts 5:1-16). The Holy Spirit is not a power, a force, or a character trait of God; the Holy Spirit is a Person, and He is God. As God, the Holy Spirit can be everywhere at once (Ps. 104:30), He is all-knowing (1 Cor. 2:10-11). Jesus said that the one unforgivable sin was the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which I believe is unbelief in the Jesus that the Holy Spirit anointed and affirmed to be the Christ (Matt. 12:31-32). And like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirt can be grieved by the way we live our lives and how we treat one another (Eph. 4:3-32). The Holy Spirit is not an awkward member of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father as He is equal to the Son because He is also fully God. In his book, Simply Trinity, Matthew Barrett put it this way: The Father does not exist without his Son, the Son does not exist without his Father, and the Spirit does not exist without the Father and the Son[1] The Trinity is not God divided into three parts as if 1/3 of God is the Father, 1/3 of God is the Son, and 1/3 of God is the Holy Spirit. What we see in Ephesians 1:1-14 is a Father who orchestrated our redemption, a Jesus sent from the Father to purchase our redemption, and the Spirit sent by both the Father and the Son to secure and preserve our redemption. How is the Holy Spirit Preserving Your Salvation? Look at verse 13 again: In Him (that is God), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed YOU WERE SEALED! What does that mean? To be sealed in the Holy Spirit simply means that I am secure in Jesus Christ and now I belong to God as His child and the only One who has the authority to remove the Holy Spirit from me is the God who chose me in Jesus (v. 4), and who purchased my redemption through the blood of Jesus (v. 7). I am sealed because the blood of Jesus secured for me the forgiveness of my wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on me (vv. 7-8). I am sealed because in Jesus, I have obtained an inheritance by Gods sovereign decree to make me His son before the foundation of the rest of creation was even laid (v. 11), and what is the guarantee that God has done all of that through the Son is the preserving power of His all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-pervasive Spirit. The moment you heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; Rom. 6:1-7). This is not a mystical event where you feel something strange, but it is a supernatural event where upon your belief in Jesus Christ, you experience what Deuteronomy 30:6 and Ezekiel 36:25-27 spoke of when the Holy Spirit regenerated your dead soul just as Jesus said had to happen for new birth to happen (John 3:1-15). The supernatural phenomenon that happens with the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that you are now able to respond to God in love and faith in a way you were unable to previously. Why the Holy Spirit Cannot be Manipulated. For about two weeks now, there has been one thought that has haunted me during the day and in the night hours that I believe that if I did not share it with you, I would be disobedient to my God. Because the Holy Spirit is not a force, and because He is God, you must understand that He cannot be manipulated by cheap tricks or recipes couched in religious language. He is God and nothing less! There is a passage that has overshadowed my thoughts as I prepared this sermon, and it is found in Isaiah 46:9-10; here is what it declares: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:910). He declares the end from the beginning because He is infinitely sovereign, and what He is doing from beginning to end and beyond is that He is accomplishing all His good pleasure! His good pleasure includes sealing you with His Holy Spirit, which is a first instalment (down payment) of an inheritance that is guaranteed to all He has chosen and redeemed. If you are a Christian, the inheritance that we are sealed for includes the reality that today you are a son/daughter of the almighty God (v. 5), you are forgiven (v. 7), you are a new creation in Christ (vv. 9-10), and you have glorious inheritance waiting for you that will never fade with time, can never be destroyed, and will forever be untouched by sin (v. 11; see also 1 Pet. 1:3-5). If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit guarantees that your inheritance includes all things made new (Rev. 21:1-5), all things for your good (Rom. 8:28-30), and all things for Gods glory! Think for a moment what that means in light of all that we have considered in Ephesians 1:1-14, Why has God blessed the Christian with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. Why did God choose you before the foundation of the world? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. Why did God predestine you for redemption through His Son? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. Why did God seal you with His Holy Spirit as a guarantee for an inheritance we do not deserve? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. According to Ephesians 1:1-14, you have all of Gods love you will ever need, all of the redemption in Jesus that you will ever need, and all of Holy Spirit you will ever need. The question I have for you is threefold: How much of your heart does God have? How much of your loyalty does Jesus have? How much of your life does the Holy Spirit have? We will eventually get to Ephesians 4:30, but consider this verse in light of your identity in Christ: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. In Ephesians 5, we are told: Be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil but be filled with the Spirit (vv. 15-21). When the Holy Spirit has all of you, then you will begin to experience the kind of manipulation that only He can do in your life by shaping you like clay, pruning the dead branches from your life, and applying His holy fire upon your life to remove the dross out from your life. Dear Christian, your sin and unbelief is robing you of the kind of life God intends for you now. How long will you hold back the sin that is sucking the joy out from the life God has purposed for you as His child? In closing, I want you to consider Isaiah 46:9-10 before each section of Ephesians 1:3-14; I want Isaiah 46:9-10 to settle upon your heart like it has for me this past week as I prepared this sermon. I would like you to see Ephesians 1:3-14 in light of Isaiah 46:9-10 before each statement about the Father (3-6), the Son (7-12), and the Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14) in his majestic sentences concerning Gods role in our salvation: God: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10) Paul: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Chris, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:46) God: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10) Paul: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:712) God: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10) Paul: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:1314) [1] Matthew Barrett, Simply Trinity (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books; 2021), p. 144.

Before we can jump into Ephesians 1:13-14, I must address what or who it is that Paul is talking about in these verses. Until you understand what or who the apostle is talking about in these verses, you cannot understand or feel the gravity of Ephesians 1:13-14 upon your life. So, to feel the full weight of these verses, permit me to introduce you to the Holy Spirit. The first time we are introduced to the Holy Spirit is in Genesis 1:1-2 with these words: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for Spirit is raḥ, which can also mean wind or breath, but when used in association with God, it often refers to the Holy Spirit, not as a thing or a characteristic like love or holiness, but a person. This same word is used in Ezekiel 36: And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances (v. 27). So, when we read through the Bible what we discover about the Holy Spirit is exhaustive. Of the Holy Spirit, we discover that He is the giver of life (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 33:6; 104:27-30). As the giver of life, He raised Jesus from the grave on the third day and will give life to the body of every person who is joined to Him by faith, through a physical resurrection like the one Jesus experienced (see Rom. 8:11). As the giver of life, He caused Mary to conceive with the incarnation of Jesus (Luke 1:35, 41-42). The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus before He performed any miracle, after He was baptized by John, as a way of giving life and power to His earthly ministry; it is important to note that at Jesus baptism all three persons were present and witnessed: After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matt. 3:16-17; see also Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). Throughout the Bible, what we discover is that the Holy Spirit sustains and empowers the people of God to do the work of God. The Holy Spirit indwelled and led Israel out of the slavery of Egypt into the wilderness (Isa. 63:11-14), the Holy Spirit empowered Israels judges after they entered the promised land (i.e. Judges 6:34), and anointed Israels kings to lead the nation (i.e. 1 Sam. 9:27-10:1; 16:1, 13). From the beginning Gods plan was to do the same not just for a select few, but for all of His people as foretold in Joel 2:28-29, It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, your young men will see visions. And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days (Joel 2:2829). Gods promise from the beginning was that a deliverer would come, and that deliver was God in the person of Jesus the Son; this is the great theme of the Bible. This is why the Bible declares: For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you was not yes and no, but has been yes in Him. For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us (2 Cor. 1:19-20). In other words, there is no pouring out of the Holy Spirit apart from the redemption that can only come through the shed blood of the Son of God for, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (Eph. 1:7). Against the backdrop of all we have considered so far, I want you to listen to Ephesians 1:13-14, for it will help you feel the weight of these verses for your life today: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:1314). But the question still must be answered: Who or what is the Holy Spirit? Not long before Jesus died to redeem lost sinners by going to the cross, He made a promise to His disciples, and that promise was the coming of the Holy Spirit. We find Jesus promise in John 14; Jesus told them He would be betrayed and would go to a place that they would not be able go (John 13:33). Jesus then consoled His disciples by telling them that He was going to prepare a place for them where they would one day live (14:1-6), but consider carefully what Jesus promised to His disciples that they would receive in His physical absence: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. (John 14:1620) How will Jesus not leave His disciples as orphans? He will ask the Father to send them the Helper who is the Holy Spirit. It is possible that verses 18-20 are referring to Jesus resurrection, but even after His resurrection, He ascended to heaven after He again promised to send them the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). I think that when Jesus assured them, I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you that He was referring to the Helper because of what Jesus said in John 16:13, But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (John 16:13). Who is the Holy Spirit? Well, when Ananias lied to the apostle Peter about what he and his wife had sold and given to the Church, Ananias was told: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? You have not lied to men, but to God (see Acts 5:1-16). The Holy Spirit is not a power, a force, or a character trait of God; the Holy Spirit is a Person, and He is God. As God, the Holy Spirit can be everywhere at once (Ps. 104:30), He is all-knowing (1 Cor. 2:10-11). Jesus said that the one unforgivable sin was the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which I believe is unbelief in the Jesus that the Holy Spirit anointed and affirmed to be the Christ (Matt. 12:31-32). And like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirt can be grieved by the way we live our lives and how we treat one another (Eph. 4:3-32). The Holy Spirit is not an awkward member of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father as He is equal to the Son because He is also fully God. In his book, Simply Trinity, Matthew Barrett put it this way: The Father does not exist without his Son, the Son does not exist without his Father, and the Spirit does not exist without the Father and the Son[1] The Trinity is not God divided into three parts as if 1/3 of God is the Father, 1/3 of God is the Son, and 1/3 of God is the Holy Spirit. What we see in Ephesians 1:1-14 is a Father who orchestrated our redemption, a Jesus sent from the Father to purchase our redemption, and the Spirit sent by both the Father and the Son to secure and preserve our redemption. How is the Holy Spirit Preserving Your Salvation? Look at verse 13 again: In Him (that is God), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed YOU WERE SEALED! What does that mean? To be sealed in the Holy Spirit simply means that I am secure in Jesus Christ and now I belong to God as His child and the only One who has the authority to remove the Holy Spirit from me is the God who chose me in Jesus (v. 4), and who purchased my redemption through the blood of Jesus (v. 7). I am sealed because the blood of Jesus secured for me the forgiveness of my wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on me (vv. 7-8). I am sealed because in Jesus, I have obtained an inheritance by Gods sovereign decree to make me His son before the foundation of the rest of creation was even laid (v. 11), and what is the guarantee that God has done all of that through the Son is the preserving power of His all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-pervasive Spirit. The moment you heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; Rom. 6:1-7). This is not a mystical event where you feel something strange, but it is a supernatural event where upon your belief in Jesus Christ, you experience what Deuteronomy 30:6 and Ezekiel 36:25-27 spoke of when the Holy Spirit regenerated your dead soul just as Jesus said had to happen for new birth to happen (John 3:1-15). The supernatural phenomenon that happens with the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that you are now able to respond to God in love and faith in a way you were unable to previously. Why the Holy Spirit Cannot be Manipulated. For about two weeks now, there has been one thought that has haunted me during the day and in the night hours that I believe that if I did not share it with you, I would be disobedient to my God. Because the Holy Spirit is not a force, and because He is God, you must understand that He cannot be manipulated by cheap tricks or recipes couched in religious language. He is God and nothing less! There is a passage that has overshadowed my thoughts as I prepared this sermon, and it is found in Isaiah 46:9-10; here is what it declares: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:910). He declares the end from the beginning because He is infinitely sovereign, and what He is doing from beginning to end and beyond is that He is accomplishing all His good pleasure! His good pleasure includes sealing you with His Holy Spirit, which is a first instalment (down payment) of an inheritance that is guaranteed to all He has chosen and redeemed. If you are a Christian, the inheritance that we are sealed for includes the reality that today you are a son/daughter of the almighty God (v. 5), you are forgiven (v. 7), you are a new creation in Christ (vv. 9-10), and you have glorious inheritance waiting for you that will never fade with time, can never be destroyed, and will forever be untouched by sin (v. 11; see also 1 Pet. 1:3-5). If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit guarantees that your inheritance includes all things made new (Rev. 21:1-5), all things for your good (Rom. 8:28-30), and all things for Gods glory! Think for a moment what that means in light of all that we have considered in Ephesians 1:1-14, Why has God blessed the Christian with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. Why did God choose you before the foundation of the world? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. Why did God predestine you for redemption through His Son? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. Why did God seal you with His Holy Spirit as a guarantee for an inheritance we do not deserve? Because He is God, there is no one like Him, He will establish His plan, and will accomplish all His good pleasure. According to Ephesians 1:1-14, you have all of Gods love you will ever need, all of the redemption in Jesus that you will ever need, and all of Holy Spirit you will ever need. The question I have for you is threefold: How much of your heart does God have? How much of your loyalty does Jesus have? How much of your life does the Holy Spirit have? We will eventually get to Ephesians 4:30, but consider this verse in light of your identity in Christ: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. In Ephesians 5, we are told: Be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil but be filled with the Spirit (vv. 15-21). When the Holy Spirit has all of you, then you will begin to experience the kind of manipulation that only He can do in your life by shaping you like clay, pruning the dead branches from your life, and applying His holy fire upon your life to remove the dross out from your life. Dear Christian, your sin and unbelief is robing you of the kind of life God intends for you now. How long will you hold back the sin that is sucking the joy out from the life God has purposed for you as His child? In closing, I want you to consider Isaiah 46:9-10 before each section of Ephesians 1:3-14; I want Isaiah 46:9-10 to settle upon your heart like it has for me this past week as I prepared this sermon. I would like you to see Ephesians 1:3-14 in light of Isaiah 46:9-10 before each statement about the Father (3-6), the Son (7-12), and the Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14) in his majestic sentences concerning Gods role in our salvation: God: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10) Paul: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Chris, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:46) God: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10) Paul: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:712) God: I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10) Paul: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:1314) [1] Matthew Barrett, Simply Trinity (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books; 2021), p. 144.

While this passage is short, it is a vitally crucial passage in the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus establishes his authority of scripture and teaches a different king of Righteousness.Matthew 5: 17-20Main Theme: Jesus is Lord of the Old and New Testament.This passage of scripture provides us with three aspects of our faith that of which we need to have a proper understanding.A Proper understanding of Christ (Matt 5:17)A proper understanding of scripture (Matt 5:18-19)A proper understanding of righteousness (Matt 5:20)Need Prayer?

Join Reality Church Miami as Pastor Gus continues our summer Gospel of Matthew sermon series. Taking us through the passage of Matthew 11:16–24 to show us how we can navigate through doubt when following and considering Christ. For more information, follow us on Instagram @realitychurchmiami and check us out online at www.realitymiami.com. If you have decided to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and would like to know what's next, please let us know by contacting us on our socials or emailing us at info@realitymiami.com

Dr. Dustin Smith is currently Professor of Theological Studies at Reformed University near Atlanta, Georgia. Among other writings, he is co-author of the book The Son of God: Three Views on the Identity of Jesus" and he is the host of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast.   In this first of a series of three One God Report podcast episodes, Dr. Smith describes some differences between pre-millennialism and a-millennialism. Eventually we are leading up to the question: is the 1000 years in Revelation 20 to be understood as a literal 1000 years, or does the 1000 years symbolically represent something else? Dr. Smith makes these points in the current episode:   Both pre-millennial and a-millennial views see two levels, or two tiers, two time-periods to the kingdom of God.   For pre-millennialism the two tiers are: 1) after the physical return of Jesus, a literal 1000-year rule of Christ on earth, and then 2) the eternal kingdom which begins after the 1000 years.   For amillennialism: 1) the kingdom of God and of His Christ has already been inaugurated with the coming of Jesus and his ascension to heaven at the right hand of God. And 2) the eternal kingdom is consummated when Jesus physically returns to earth. The amillennialism that Dr. Smith describes believes that Jesus will physically rule over a kingdom on earth, just not for an intermediate 1000-year period. Rather, Jesus's return is the transition to his to an eternal rule on earth.   In this podcast Dr. Smith begins to explain some problems with the pre-millennial view.   1) Pre-millennialism maintains that even after Jesus returns and raises the dead, some non-believers, that is, mortals, will enter the millennial kingdom. But biblically, there are considerable problems not only with mortals entering the kingdom of God, but with people continuing to die after the resurrection which accompanies the second coming of Christ (Matt 25:46; 1 Cor 15:23-26, 54-55; 2 Tim 1:10; Rev 21:4).   2) Pre-millennialism maintains that the resurrection of the just precedes by 1000 years the resurrection of the unjust, that is, the righteous are resurrected when Jesus returns, but the unrighteous 1000 years later. But in the Bible the resurrection of the just and the unjust always occurs at the same time, (e.g., Dan 12:2; Matt 12:41-42; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Rev 11:15-18). Specifically, the resurrection of all the dead occurs at the return of Jesus (1 Thes. 4:13-17). Biblical Unitarian Podcast, Host Dr. Dustin Smith https://biblicalunitarianpodcast.podbean.com/   The Son of God: Three Views on the Identity of Jesus https://www.amazon.com/Son-God-Three-Views-Identity-ebook/dp/B07FYTZFZK   #millenium, #biblicalunitarian, #unitarian, #returnofchrist, #deityofchrist, #dustinsmith, #billschlegel --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onegodreport-podcast/support

Matthew 28:18-20; Preached by Senior Pastor David Bayly

The Empowered Church: The Body of Christ // Matt Metzger & Tiffany Malloy | 04.16.23

Trapped by the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate asked the crowd, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 27:22)? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the grave warning found in Pilate's own answer to this question. Read the transcript: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/pilate-who-condemned-him