Podcasts about christian who

Discernment: Cruciformity is Active, Not Passive. On this episode of the Voxology podcast, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford focus on discernment in faith, the essence of Christian identity, and the importance of critiquing ideologies rather than individuals. They emphasize the need for community engagement and humanizing conversations across divides, particularly in the context of immigration and societal issues. Further, Tim and Mike explore the complexities of homelessness, systemic issues, and the role of faith in addressing societal challenges. They discuss the importance of understanding the root causes of homelessness, the church's responsibility in promoting human flourishing, and the significance of inclusivity at Jesus' table. The dialogue also delves into the church's political involvement, the concept of cruciformity, and the challenges of navigating emotional overload while advocating for justice. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for a Christ-like approach to engagement in the world. "Lean In" with Matthew Soerens and Mike Erre: RSVP Unless it sounds/acts like Jesus, it's not Christian Who is the real enemy? The Table is open to all, but prioritize who Jesus prioritizes First the Church Then the World  Nothing is so urgent to get off your cross for Chapters 00:00 - Celebrating a Decade of Voxology Podcast 02:56 - The Power of Live Music Experiences 05:57 - Revamping the Voxology Podcast 09:02 - Exploring Discernment in Faith 12:02 - Understanding Christian Identity 14:57 - Identifying the Real Enemy 18:06 - Critiquing Ideologies vs. Individuals 21:01 - The Importance of Community Engagement 23:58 - Humanizing Conversations Across Divides 29:59 - Understanding Homelessness and Systemic Issues 31:45 - Faithfulness and the Role of the Church 35:43 - The Table of Jesus: Inclusion and Prioritization 39:12 - Political Involvement and the Church's Role 42:34 - Cruciformity: Staying on the Cross 49:10 - Navigating Emotional Overload and Advocacy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Because our faith is always under attack, we must stand firm in it, knowing Who we are and to Whom we belong that we may contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. I. The Identity of Jude: Who is this man? v 1a II. The Identity of the Christian: Who are we as believers? v 1b III. The Prayer of Jude: What does he pray our lives will be filled with? v 2

Romans 8:31-39 The confident Christian Who can be against us? Will he not give us all things? Who will bring any charge? Who condemns? Who shall separate us form the love of Christ

In this brief message, Pastor Kevin looks at Colossians 3:1-4. This passage is fuel for a rich prayer life for the Christian: Who are you? You are Raised with Christ What do you do? Seek & Set your mind upon Christ Why should you do this? Your life is hidden with Christ How should you do it? by Prayer

Was Jesus merely a wise man and a good teacher, or is He currently God incarnate; sent to set right all that ails the world? We talk about this and much more, including: Can we live a “chicken fried” life Does inflation alone steal parts of our life away Are there dangers that require our attention Can we afford to be wrong about who Jesus is Sloppy scholarship vs good scholarship when it comes to how we got our bible What are the prerequisites required to be The Christ Are there more reasons to believe in Jesus than we believe in ourselves Are the prophecies about Christ accurate and can we trust them What are the chances Jesus fulfilled these prophecies by chance Why is God's character attacked more than his existence Do we always enjoy being a Christian Who is Jesus You knew it was coming, so don't miss this week‘s episode! Referenced On Air The Questions Christians Hope No One Asks Learn The Bible in 24 Hours Loss Of Military Bearing What are the Odds (Jesus/Prophecy) Presidential Prerequisites Pliny the Younger on Christianity Julius Africanus Additional Resources Why You Can Believe The Bible Do You Really Know Him?

Is identifying as a Christian enough to actually be a Christian? Who can be a Christian? How do you become a Christian? Hear how Jesus answers in Learning to Follow Jesus (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcast-series/how-to-follow-jesus/) . Interested in more content like this? Check out our episodes answering the questions What Does a Christian Look Like? (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcasts/what-does-a-christian-look-like-learning-to-follow-jesus-luke-6/) Like this content? Make sure to leave us a rating and share it with others, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit our Twitter (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Outline 0:20 - Mistaken identity: Man or monster? (https://nypost.com/2014/06/05/zoo-employee-in-gorilla-suit-mistakenly-shot-by-tranquilizer/) 1:25 - Luke 18.18-30 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV) : Rich Ruler 3:00 - What Does a Christian Look Like? (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcasts/what-does-a-christian-look-like-learning-to-follow-jesus-luke-6/) 4:30 - Luke 19.1-9 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19.1-9&version=NIV) : Zacchaeus the Tax Collector 8:10 - Lost and found 9:45 - How to Answer Jesus's Calling (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV) 10:30 - Subscribe. Rate. Share.   Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)   Passages Luke 18.18-30: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV) Luke 19.1-9: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19.1-9&version=NIV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19.1-9&version=NIV)   References Man or monster (from "Zoo Employee in Gorilla Suite Mistakenly Shot by Tranquilizer" in New York Post): https://nypost.com/2014/06/05/zoo-employee-in-gorilla-suit-mistakenly-shot-by-tranquilizer/ (https://nypost.com/2014/06/05/zoo-employee-in-gorilla-suit-mistakenly-shot-by-tranquilizer/)   Resources Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Luke Commentary by Luke Timothy Johnson: https://www.amazon.com/Sacra-Pagina-Gospel-Timothy-Johnson/dp/0814659667/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sacra+pagina+luke&qid=1577984288&s=books&sr=1-1 (https://www.amazon.com/Sacra-Pagina-Gospel-Timothy-Johnson/dp/0814659667/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sacra+pagina+luke&qid=1577984288&s=books&sr=1-1) The Gospel According to Luke by James Edwards: https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-according-Pillar-Testament-Commentary-ebook/dp/B00WIVFQ1C (https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-according-Pillar-Testament-Commentary-ebook/dp/B00WIVFQ1C)   Related What Does a Christian Look Like?: https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcasts/what-does-a-christian-look-like-learning-to-follow-jesus-luke-6/ (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcasts/what-does-a-christian-look-like-learning-to-follow-jesus-luke-6/) Why is God Saving the Wrong People?: https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcasts/why-is-god-saving-the-wrong-people-learning-to-follow-jesus-luke-4-14-30/ (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcasts/why-is-god-saving-the-wrong-people-learning-to-follow-jesus-luke-4-14-30/) How to Answer Jesus's Calling: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV) Learning to Follow Jesus: https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/podcast-series/how-to-follow-jesus/... Support this podcast

Intro Please grab a physical bible if possible. A few weeks ago I preached a sermon on Jesus’ authority over every unconquerable and untamable sphere in life. And I tried to make the point that unlike politicians of our day that over-promise and under-deliver, Jesus never ever does so. He has the power and character to fulfill every promise he makes and even beyond our imagination. In our text today, we will see this further demonstrated. But today, we’re not focusing as much on his authority and his power but the kind of people that he pursues for his kingdom. Outline Here’s where we’re heading in our time together: • Context of Jesus’ Mission • Jesus pursues Levi • Levi leaves everything and follows Jesus • Religious leaders have a problem with Jesus’ pursuit of sinners • How we should live? Context: › Before we get to chapter 5 v. 27, look at a few chapters before. Look at some of the headings in your Bible. Remember that in Jesus’ announcement he announces that his kingdom will care for the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed. • Jesus heals a man with an unclean demons • Jesus heals many • Jesus calls his first disciples (Who were nobody fishermen) • Jesus cleanses a leper • Jesus heals a paralytic Jesus is not moving towards the rich, the powerful, and the attractive. But rather, he’s moving towards the poor, pitiful, the outcast, the unclean, the rejected. All the kinds of people that every society ignores. So now let’s look at the calling of Levi or also known as, Matthew. The Calling of Levi Luke 5:27 ESV 27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” First of all, let me direct you that the actions of Jesus were not random but intentional. This language, “went out and saw” is more purposeful. In other words, “He’s seeking out Levi.” Let me remind you what tax collectors were like in that time. Most people hate the IRS but the kind of playful hatred we have for them is nothing like Jesus’ time. 1. They would often take extra money off the top. You see John the Baptist call this out, Luke 3:12–13 ESV 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” So we see right in the Text, that they had a reputation for theft. 2. But even more, they were looked upon as national traitors. For many Jews, freedom from Rome was everything to them. Let’s get the stinking gentiles out of our land. And yet, tax collectors worked for the enemy. They helped the enemy oppress their fellow people and got rich while doing it. So to bring this home, if our country was taken over by another nation. And that nation needed local Americans to collect exorbitant taxes for them, and I volunteered. And all the while, you knew I charged you more than I needed to and got rich while doing it. How would you feel about me? The Jew’s hatred was understandable... In chapter 5, we see Jesus call the first disciples. I can imagine Jesus going up to Levi, the tax collector and Peter is watching and tapping the other disciples and saying, “Check this out. Jesus is going to give it to that traitor!” Only to have his jaw hit the ground when Jesus says, “Follow me.” Whoah, Jesus. Maybe extend mercy by greeting him or maybe even forgiveness to him but join our band of followers? Jesus was extending mercy and fellowship with an enemy of Israel! Think about it, if you were to start a worldwide revolution and were recruiting your core team, who would you target? A despised traitor that everyone hated? Jesus’ pursuit is the opposite of our expectations. Let’s see Levi’s response, Luke 5:28 ESV 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. Let’s look at this phrase carefully. My sense is that this phrase right here is a reflection of spiritual death and rebirth. 1. So he leaves everything which is like a death. 2. He rises up. This is the same word for resurrection. Anisteimi 3. And then, follows Jesus (which is life) So Levi is physically demonstrating something that has happened spiritually on the inside. And please remember, being a christian is being a follower of Jesus. And following Jesus means you are doing the following and Jesus is doing the leading. Not that you are doing the leading and he follows you around like some cosmic genie and you ask him to bless your ideas and leadership. So if you are following Jesus, people should be able to tell that you get your orders from another. This is the basic framework for all Christians. Dying to all that we hold dear. All that we find security in. All that we look to for life. All that we look to for purpose. We leave it all behind and follow Jesus and experience resurrection life now and in the age to come. The Text says, “Leaving everything.” Everything here does not mean all possessions because the very next verse what do we see Levi doing? He’s hosting a huge feast, so he still has money and a home. But if you skip forward to v. 32 Jesus clarifies he’s calling Levi to a spiritual abandonment that will often have a physical element to it. Even though Levi may have held onto his possessions, no longer consider them his but Jesus’. This means they would be at the disposal of Jesus for his mission. And we see later on that he does this very thing. So Levi is leaving his corrupt job but more importantly, he’s leaving his own control. And in great joy, he hosts a great feast at his house in honor of Jesus. › › Let’s look at this feast, The Scandalous Feast Luke 5:29 ESV 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. This Text suggests to me that Levi’s only friends were other tax collector and rejects. Rejects in society tend to connect with each other. He has given his life to follow Jesus and now he wants all of his fellow sinner friends to meet Jesus too! To meet the one that cares for rejects like himself. This was probably a crowd of people that Jesus would normally not be able to reach with his teaching at the synagogues for these people would have been excommunicated. The statement Jesus is making by attending this feast cannot be overstated. Listen to this from Dr. Scott Bartchy, ‌It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of table fellowship for the cultures of the Mediterranean basin in the first century of our era. Mealtimes were far more than occasions for individuals to consume nourishment. Being welcomed at a table for the purpose of eating food with another person had become a ceremony richly symbolic of friendship, intimacy and unity. In v. 30, we see the Pharisees have big issue with Jesus doing this. If we piece together all this historical context, it makes sense. Jesus was having table fellowship with traitors! Friendship, intimacy, and unity to them! PAUSE Let me ask, What kind of picture do you have in your mind of Jesus here? What is he like? Is he frowning at everyone? Making sure anyone who watches knows he does not condone their lifestyle? PAUSE If we keep reading in Luke we see that this was not an isolated event, Jesus became known for doing this, Luke 7:34 ESV 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Luke 15:1–2 ESV 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” My sense from these passages and more is that Jesus smiled at them. He was warm. He laughed hard. He was able to see their brokenness and sinfulness, but also see that they still were made in the image of God. For the first time in many years, someone looked at them, truly. My Jesus filled that room with warmth and life. › It seems like the scene changes and later on the Pharisees are speaking to Jesus’ disciples, Luke 5:30 ESV 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” The Great Physician Jesus’ hears about their grumbling and responds and gives us one of his purpose statements in Luke, Luke 5:31–32 ESV 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” The logic is very simple, a child can understand. A doctor must spend time with the sick, not the healthy. With this pandemic going on, it would be insanity if all the doctors flew to the areas where there was no infection. Jesus is using this obvious logic. Since he’s the great physician, his pursuit and focus are those who are sickest. In saying this, Jesus is not affirming that the Pharisees were righteous. But Jesus is playing by the categories of the Pharisees since they consider all of Jesus’ new friends as sinners. The Pharisees didn’t think they were sinners. Didn’t think they needed Jesus. We see the heart of many Pharisees exposed, Luke 18:9–12 ESV 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ So the church is not made up of the righteous, it’s made up of repentant sinners. It’s not made up of those who think they’re good, it’s made up of people who know they’re not. It’s not made up of people who are righteous enough for God to accept them, it’s made up of people who are accepted because Jesus’ righteousness has come down and covered them! The paradox is that those that society considered outside the bounds of salvation or even friendship were the very people Jesus came for. What does this mean that he calls sinners to repentance? This word, repent is one we have highlighted before but worth revisiting because we all can easily forget what we’re saying. When we repent, we’re not merely saying we’re sorry. Or admitting we did something wrong. The word, μετανοέω The root word of it is, νοέω It’s the Greek word that means, your understanding, thinking, perception. Meta compounded means change or turning. So that means your understanding, thinking, perception has changed. It’s turned directions. So when we repent to God we are expressing to him that we are fundamentally changing our mind about our own control. We are humbling ourselves and admitting we are wrong and believing God’s way is the best way. And when you change the way you think, it changes the way you live! So Levi and his friends are being called to radically change their thinking about everything, especially God. They are called to reject their own control. Their very purpose for living. Their values. Their desires. A radical reorientation of theirselves, the world, and God. You may have repented once before on some specific day, Christian? But are you still repenting today? Repentance is not a single event only. It’s a daily, moment by moment heart posture. Are you continually declaring your wrongness and Jesus’ rightness. And asking him to radically change the way you think about everything? Gospel Call For those who need to come to the great physician for the first or the millionth time, The British preacher, Charles Spurgeon made these observations with some edits in the 1800’s: What is his medicine? It his own blood. Unlike other physicians, who give bitter potions to their patients, the great Physician drank all the medicine himself. But you will ask, “What is his fee?” He gives healing “without money and without price.” Who can access this medicine? Anyone who trusts him, Christ presents a free and complete cure. And you will ask, “What are his hours?” Any hour, and every hour, by night or by day. But you will say, “Where can I find him?” Just wherever you are sitting or standing now, you can find him if you will but breathe this prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” If you trust him with your soul, Jesus will cure you. This is the great hope for us sinners. Christ Jesus is the great physician who drinks our spiritual sickness so that he can offer the cure to anyone who will have him. How should we now live? Two responses: 1. Seek after the Sick What Jesus has done to us, he wants to now do through us. As those who have received the great cure to the soul, we ought to seek after the sick and introduce them to the great physician. Two ditches I must warn you about: The Ditch of Compromise On one side of the ditch you have Christians who have embraced the call to reach the lost by going to them. But they have done so in such a manner that they are not salt anymore but have lost their saltiness. Instead of influencing the world, they’ve become like the world. Furthermore, they never preach the gospel. They may alleviate temporary suffering but have neglected eternal suffering. I’ve seen this happen a lot over the years with many dear friends. And I too went through a season doing the same. The Ditch of Avoidance On the other side, you have Christians that are rightfully fearful of compromising and becoming corrupted by the world. But then, they wrongly respond by avoiding the world completely and isolating themselves in Christian bubbles. They forget they are sent into the world like Jesus was. They my lob gospel grenades at sinners without ever sharing a table or actually befriending sinners. They go out and preach and then go home and check off the box. They will never ever be accused of being a friend of sinners. OR PROBABLY for many of you, you want to love the lost but due the busyness of life, you just find yourself essentially not in relationship with the sick. Jesus’ purpose in v. 31-32 is very relevant for us in our circles who have access to so much theological knowledge. Some of you are like doctors who have received the best training in the world and yet, instead of spending time helping the sick, you just hang out with other doctors. You’re like doctors during this pandemic who are just spending time with other doctors, filling your days just talking about the newest procedures on how to help the sick without every helping the sick. Criticizing other doctors who are on the field and not doing it quite right. You’re reading doctor blogs and tweeting about doctors stuff. You’re always learning more but rarely using it for their good. On the contrary, Jesus seeks Levi out. He gets his hands dirty. He pursues him. This is a common pattern in Jesus’ ministry. He will often pursue and go where the sinners are. And ultimately, that’s what Jesus does in his incarnation. He is sent by the father and leaves the privilege and purity of heaven and enters our brokenness and filth. This is one of the reasons why we included the phrase, “Especially those far from God” in our mission statement. We didn’t want to forget the emphasis of Jesus’ ministry and the easiest people to neglect. This is important point for us to consider. Who are you seeking out that is sick and rejected? If you are committed to seeking the sick, allow me to make one implication and one challenge: 1 Implication: Your inner pharisee will be exposed and you will grow deeper into the gospel Your inner Pharisee will be exposed. Loving the lost regularly will undoubtably expose you to great heartache, disappointment, and even betrayal. What this will do is test your belief in the Gospel. It will give you a glimpse of how insufferable we were to God. It will cost you to enter into the fellowship of his suffering. And rejoice in the gospel much more deeply. Loving the Lord doesn't always automatically result in seeking the sick but loving the Lord and knowing the gospel will sustain you in seeking the sick. 1 Challenge Pray and Pick a Person Who is someone in your life that you can specifically to seek after? Is there someone you know that is rejected and the most unlikely to become a Christian? Who is completely alone and feeling isolated that you can reach out and bring hope to them now and even more so, eternal hope? Get creative by the Spirit, and enlist your DNA and MC to help support you in this pursuit. › Second response and I conclude on this. 2. Rejoice in the Great Physician Aren’t you glad Jesus came for the sick? That he came for sinners? Aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t say, I have not come for the sick but for the healthy! The attractive. The pure. The competent. Praise God he comes for the sick, like me and like you. And since he did, let’s go find those who need healing also! __ Response

Intro Please grab a physical bible if possible. A few weeks ago I preached a sermon on Jesus’ authority over every unconquerable and untamable sphere in life. And I tried to make the point that unlike politicians of our day that over-promise and under-deliver, Jesus never ever does so. He has the power and character to fulfill every promise he makes and even beyond our imagination. In our text today, we will see this further demonstrated. But today, we’re not focusing as much on his authority and his power but the kind of people that he pursues for his kingdom. Outline Here’s where we’re heading in our time together: • Context of Jesus’ Mission • Jesus pursues Levi • Levi leaves everything and follows Jesus • Religious leaders have a problem with Jesus’ pursuit of sinners • How we should live? Context: › Before we get to chapter 5 v. 27, look at a few chapters before. Look at some of the headings in your Bible. Remember that in Jesus’ announcement he announces that his kingdom will care for the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed. • Jesus heals a man with an unclean demons • Jesus heals many • Jesus calls his first disciples (Who were nobody fishermen) • Jesus cleanses a leper • Jesus heals a paralytic Jesus is not moving towards the rich, the powerful, and the attractive. But rather, he’s moving towards the poor, pitiful, the outcast, the unclean, the rejected. All the kinds of people that every society ignores. So now let’s look at the calling of Levi or also known as, Matthew. The Calling of Levi Luke 5:27 ESV 27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” First of all, let me direct you that the actions of Jesus were not random but intentional. This language, “went out and saw” is more purposeful. In other words, “He’s seeking out Levi.” Let me remind you what tax collectors were like in that time. Most people hate the IRS but the kind of playful hatred we have for them is nothing like Jesus’ time. 1. They would often take extra money off the top. You see John the Baptist call this out, Luke 3:12–13 ESV 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” So we see right in the Text, that they had a reputation for theft. 2. But even more, they were looked upon as national traitors. For many Jews, freedom from Rome was everything to them. Let’s get the stinking gentiles out of our land. And yet, tax collectors worked for the enemy. They helped the enemy oppress their fellow people and got rich while doing it. So to bring this home, if our country was taken over by another nation. And that nation needed local Americans to collect exorbitant taxes for them, and I volunteered. And all the while, you knew I charged you more than I needed to and got rich while doing it. How would you feel about me? The Jew’s hatred was understandable... In chapter 5, we see Jesus call the first disciples. I can imagine Jesus going up to Levi, the tax collector and Peter is watching and tapping the other disciples and saying, “Check this out. Jesus is going to give it to that traitor!” Only to have his jaw hit the ground when Jesus says, “Follow me.” Whoah, Jesus. Maybe extend mercy by greeting him or maybe even forgiveness to him but join our band of followers? Jesus was extending mercy and fellowship with an enemy of Israel! Think about it, if you were to start a worldwide revolution and were recruiting your core team, who would you target? A despised traitor that everyone hated? Jesus’ pursuit is the opposite of our expectations. Let’s see Levi’s response, Luke 5:28 ESV 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. Let’s look at this phrase carefully. My sense is that this phrase right here is a reflection of spiritual death and rebirth. 1. So he leaves everything which is like a death. 2. He rises up. This is the same word for resurrection. Anisteimi 3. And then, follows Jesus (which is life) So Levi is physically demonstrating something that has happened spiritually on the inside. And please remember, being a christian is being a follower of Jesus. And following Jesus means you are doing the following and Jesus is doing the leading. Not that you are doing the leading and he follows you around like some cosmic genie and you ask him to bless your ideas and leadership. So if you are following Jesus, people should be able to tell that you get your orders from another. This is the basic framework for all Christians. Dying to all that we hold dear. All that we find security in. All that we look to for life. All that we look to for purpose. We leave it all behind and follow Jesus and experience resurrection life now and in the age to come. The Text says, “Leaving everything.” Everything here does not mean all possessions because the very next verse what do we see Levi doing? He’s hosting a huge feast, so he still has money and a home. But if you skip forward to v. 32 Jesus clarifies he’s calling Levi to a spiritual abandonment that will often have a physical element to it. Even though Levi may have held onto his possessions, no longer consider them his but Jesus’. This means they would be at the disposal of Jesus for his mission. And we see later on that he does this very thing. So Levi is leaving his corrupt job but more importantly, he’s leaving his own control. And in great joy, he hosts a great feast at his house in honor of Jesus. › › Let’s look at this feast, The Scandalous Feast Luke 5:29 ESV 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. This Text suggests to me that Levi’s only friends were other tax collector and rejects. Rejects in society tend to connect with each other. He has given his life to follow Jesus and now he wants all of his fellow sinner friends to meet Jesus too! To meet the one that cares for rejects like himself. This was probably a crowd of people that Jesus would normally not be able to reach with his teaching at the synagogues for these people would have been excommunicated. The statement Jesus is making by attending this feast cannot be overstated. Listen to this from Dr. Scott Bartchy, ‌It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of table fellowship for the cultures of the Mediterranean basin in the first century of our era. Mealtimes were far more than occasions for individuals to consume nourishment. Being welcomed at a table for the purpose of eating food with another person had become a ceremony richly symbolic of friendship, intimacy and unity. In v. 30, we see the Pharisees have big issue with Jesus doing this. If we piece together all this historical context, it makes sense. Jesus was having table fellowship with traitors! Friendship, intimacy, and unity to them! PAUSE Let me ask, What kind of picture do you have in your mind of Jesus here? What is he like? Is he frowning at everyone? Making sure anyone who watches knows he does not condone their lifestyle? PAUSE If we keep reading in Luke we see that this was not an isolated event, Jesus became known for doing this, Luke 7:34 ESV 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Luke 15:1–2 ESV 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” My sense from these passages and more is that Jesus smiled at them. He was warm. He laughed hard. He was able to see their brokenness and sinfulness, but also see that they still were made in the image of God. For the first time in many years, someone looked at them, truly. My Jesus filled that room with warmth and life. › It seems like the scene changes and later on the Pharisees are speaking to Jesus’ disciples, Luke 5:30 ESV 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” The Great Physician Jesus’ hears about their grumbling and responds and gives us one of his purpose statements in Luke, Luke 5:31–32 ESV 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” The logic is very simple, a child can understand. A doctor must spend time with the sick, not the healthy. With this pandemic going on, it would be insanity if all the doctors flew to the areas where there was no infection. Jesus is using this obvious logic. Since he’s the great physician, his pursuit and focus are those who are sickest. In saying this, Jesus is not affirming that the Pharisees were righteous. But Jesus is playing by the categories of the Pharisees since they consider all of Jesus’ new friends as sinners. The Pharisees didn’t think they were sinners. Didn’t think they needed Jesus. We see the heart of many Pharisees exposed, Luke 18:9–12 ESV 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ So the church is not made up of the righteous, it’s made up of repentant sinners. It’s not made up of those who think they’re good, it’s made up of people who know they’re not. It’s not made up of people who are righteous enough for God to accept them, it’s made up of people who are accepted because Jesus’ righteousness has come down and covered them! The paradox is that those that society considered outside the bounds of salvation or even friendship were the very people Jesus came for. What does this mean that he calls sinners to repentance? This word, repent is one we have highlighted before but worth revisiting because we all can easily forget what we’re saying. When we repent, we’re not merely saying we’re sorry. Or admitting we did something wrong. The word, μετανοέω The root word of it is, νοέω It’s the Greek word that means, your understanding, thinking, perception. Meta compounded means change or turning. So that means your understanding, thinking, perception has changed. It’s turned directions. So when we repent to God we are expressing to him that we are fundamentally changing our mind about our own control. We are humbling ourselves and admitting we are wrong and believing God’s way is the best way. And when you change the way you think, it changes the way you live! So Levi and his friends are being called to radically change their thinking about everything, especially God. They are called to reject their own control. Their very purpose for living. Their values. Their desires. A radical reorientation of theirselves, the world, and God. You may have repented once before on some specific day, Christian? But are you still repenting today? Repentance is not a single event only. It’s a daily, moment by moment heart posture. Are you continually declaring your wrongness and Jesus’ rightness. And asking him to radically change the way you think about everything? Gospel Call For those who need to come to the great physician for the first or the millionth time, The British preacher, Charles Spurgeon made these observations with some edits in the 1800’s: What is his medicine? It his own blood. Unlike other physicians, who give bitter potions to their patients, the great Physician drank all the medicine himself. But you will ask, “What is his fee?” He gives healing “without money and without price.” Who can access this medicine? Anyone who trusts him, Christ presents a free and complete cure. And you will ask, “What are his hours?” Any hour, and every hour, by night or by day. But you will say, “Where can I find him?” Just wherever you are sitting or standing now, you can find him if you will but breathe this prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” If you trust him with your soul, Jesus will cure you. This is the great hope for us sinners. Christ Jesus is the great physician who drinks our spiritual sickness so that he can offer the cure to anyone who will have him. How should we now live? Two responses: 1. Seek after the Sick What Jesus has done to us, he wants to now do through us. As those who have received the great cure to the soul, we ought to seek after the sick and introduce them to the great physician. Two ditches I must warn you about: The Ditch of Compromise On one side of the ditch you have Christians who have embraced the call to reach the lost by going to them. But they have done so in such a manner that they are not salt anymore but have lost their saltiness. Instead of influencing the world, they’ve become like the world. Furthermore, they never preach the gospel. They may alleviate temporary suffering but have neglected eternal suffering. I’ve seen this happen a lot over the years with many dear friends. And I too went through a season doing the same. The Ditch of Avoidance On the other side, you have Christians that are rightfully fearful of compromising and becoming corrupted by the world. But then, they wrongly respond by avoiding the world completely and isolating themselves in Christian bubbles. They forget they are sent into the world like Jesus was. They my lob gospel grenades at sinners without ever sharing a table or actually befriending sinners. They go out and preach and then go home and check off the box. They will never ever be accused of being a friend of sinners. OR PROBABLY for many of you, you want to love the lost but due the busyness of life, you just find yourself essentially not in relationship with the sick. Jesus’ purpose in v. 31-32 is very relevant for us in our circles who have access to so much theological knowledge. Some of you are like doctors who have received the best training in the world and yet, instead of spending time helping the sick, you just hang out with other doctors. You’re like doctors during this pandemic who are just spending time with other doctors, filling your days just talking about the newest procedures on how to help the sick without every helping the sick. Criticizing other doctors who are on the field and not doing it quite right. You’re reading doctor blogs and tweeting about doctors stuff. You’re always learning more but rarely using it for their good. On the contrary, Jesus seeks Levi out. He gets his hands dirty. He pursues him. This is a common pattern in Jesus’ ministry. He will often pursue and go where the sinners are. And ultimately, that’s what Jesus does in his incarnation. He is sent by the father and leaves the privilege and purity of heaven and enters our brokenness and filth. This is one of the reasons why we included the phrase, “Especially those far from God” in our mission statement. We didn’t want to forget the emphasis of Jesus’ ministry and the easiest people to neglect. This is important point for us to consider. Who are you seeking out that is sick and rejected? If you are committed to seeking the sick, allow me to make one implication and one challenge: 1 Implication: Your inner pharisee will be exposed and you will grow deeper into the gospel Your inner Pharisee will be exposed. Loving the lost regularly will undoubtably expose you to great heartache, disappointment, and even betrayal. What this will do is test your belief in the Gospel. It will give you a glimpse of how insufferable we were to God. It will cost you to enter into the fellowship of his suffering. And rejoice in the gospel much more deeply. Loving the Lord doesn't always automatically result in seeking the sick but loving the Lord and knowing the gospel will sustain you in seeking the sick. 1 Challenge Pray and Pick a Person Who is someone in your life that you can specifically to seek after? Is there someone you know that is rejected and the most unlikely to become a Christian? Who is completely alone and feeling isolated that you can reach out and bring hope to them now and even more so, eternal hope? Get creative by the Spirit, and enlist your DNA and MC to help support you in this pursuit. › Second response and I conclude on this. 2. Rejoice in the Great Physician Aren’t you glad Jesus came for the sick? That he came for sinners? Aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t say, I have not come for the sick but for the healthy! The attractive. The pure. The competent. Praise God he comes for the sick, like me and like you. And since he did, let’s go find those who need healing also! __ Response

What does it mean to be a Christian? Who is Jesus Christ The old testament tells us who He is Isaiah 7:14 as prediction Jesus is born from a virgin Psalm 78:1-2 Jesus is a teacher, who teaches in parables Isaiah 35:5-6 Jesus will do many miracles The New Testament tells us who He is John 5:37 Jesus was sent by God John 3:17 Jesus was not sent to condemn the world 2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus was without sin --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sean-fooks/message

What does it mean to be a Christian? Who was Jesus and how are we saved? What is the Bible? How should we understand it and is it a reliable source of truth?In this five part series of Foundational Faith, we’ll seek to answer these basic fundamental questions that are clearly revealed in the Scriptures and the words of Jesus.1st We’ll examine our Theological House - The Foundation2nd Who Jesus claimed to be,3rd What he did, namely his resurrection4th How the nature of salvation5th What the bible is and how to understand it.If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life or at the complexity of what some have made Christianity to be or just simply don't know what to think about placing faith in Jesus, may I suggest that we simply humble ourselves and approach God as a child. Needy and dependent - almost like a baby.1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV - “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,”The “pure spiritual milk” Peter refers to is the Word of God - it is the Bible. The connection between growing in our salvation from beginning to end and the essential teachings of Christianity in the scriptures is clear. You cannot have one without the other.Concerning the divine yet very practical relationship between spiritual life and the Scriptures, C.H. Spugeon (One of the most renowned preachers of all time) wrote, “It is true that in the Scriptures there are great mysteries … but the knowledge of these deep things is not essential to salvation, or else few of us would be saved. The things that are essential to salvation are so exceedingly simple that no child need sit down in despair of understanding the things which make for his peace. Christ crucified is not a riddle for sages, but a plain truth for plain people. True, it is meat for men, but it is also milk for babes.”So whether you want milk or meat, I hope these first 5 episodes of Salvation and Stuff will be Foundational to your Faith. They will be launched January 1st and I’d be honored to have you listen.If your interested in more info please go to https://salvationandstuff.simplecast.com ___________________________________________________________________SPONSOR: COMMUNITY RENEWAL - Community Renewal invites the whole body of Christ to take the whole Gospel ​to the whole city in order to demonstrate "our good works and glorify our father who is in heaven."631 N. 2nd StreetTucson, AZ 85705(520) 622-1482

THIS IS WAR-WEIGH FIRST, THEN WORSHIP---Last session- ROMANS 8-1-17 --THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN ME MAKES ME HOLY- -- --What Happens WHEN The Spirit Lives In Me- - ------------1- I Think Spiritual - ---2- I Kill Sin - ---3- I Desire God - What's the --4- I Remain Defiant - connection-- - - --Today- ROMANS 8-18-39 - -----------WEIGH FIRST, THEN WORSHIP- ----WEIGH FIRST--- Perpetua -AD 203------- Joni -AD 2019-------- ROMANS 8-18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.---- Consider- ------- Side A Side B------IS IT REALLY WORTH IT--YES, BECAUSE OUR END IS GLORY- -Verses 19-25---Cf. verse 24 ----Glorified-Verse 19 - the revealing of the sons of God--Verse 21 - the glorious liberty of the children of God--Verse 23 - the adoption, the redemption of our body--Verses 24-25 -- HOPE-----PHILIPPIANS 3-21 - He will transform our lowly -vile- body that it may conformed to His glorious body.-----Verse 23 - . . . first fruits of the Spirit . . .-------YES, BECAUSE OUR NEEDS SHALL ALL BE MET- -VERSES 26-27---------------YES, BECAUSE OUR GOD IS FULLY IN CONTROL- -VERSES 28-30---Verse 28--Who is the Christian-----Who works-----How does God work-----So what-------THEN WORSHIP---1- GOD IS WITH US AND FOR US- --Verse 31 - If God is for us, who can be against us----Allusion to NUMBERS 14-9 - Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread- their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.-----------2- GOD HAS ACQUITTED US-

So how do you know if you are a Christian? Do you call yourself a Christian? Does anyone else call you a Christian? Who even came up with the term Christian? Join us today as we discuss the word Christian, where it started being used, and how it is widely misused today. Facebook: www.facebook.com/onewaypodcast Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/OneWayGospelMinistries Twitter: twitter.com/oneway_podcast Soundcloud: @onewaypodcast On The Web: www.onewaypodcast.com Support Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/onewaygospel

What does it mean to be a Christian? Who can be a Christian? "When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:11-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ http://bible.com/111/gal.2.11-16.niv Cephas was "the rock" or Peter At this time Paul would've been following Jesus for about 15 years. Paul let the gentiles know that they could be forgiven by believing in Jesus Christ. Antioch is between Turkey and Syria, had many christians and unbelievers.

Does hearing theologians explain doctrine make you feel inadequate? Or does hearing a mature Christian pray and in-depth prayer to God make you feel unqualified to be a Christian? Who did Jesus say was blessed and qualified for Heaven?

Are you a Christian? Who does that mean you are?

What does it mean to be a “bold” Christian? Who is the boldest Christian you know? Are you tempted to “play it safe” when it comes to living out your faith? Do you sometimes act like a “secret Christian”?

Who are you as a Christian? Who are you in Christ? The world (and we, sometimes) limit who we are to how we behave. But who we are in Christ is so much more than what we do. Who we are in Christ is our identity, our direction, and our destiny. 1 Peter 2:4-12 – In Christ, Christians are: A Royal Priesthood – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Now it is true of Christians. • Reflect the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15) • Offer spiritual sacrifices o Sacrifices of our bodies (living in holiness) (Romans 12:1) o Sacrifices of money or material goods (Philippians 4:18) o Sacrifices of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15) o Sacrifices of doing good (Hebrews 13:16) • Intercede for people before God (James 5:16) • Represent God before people (2 Corinthians 5:20) A chosen people – This was said of the Israelites throughout the OT. Deut 10:15 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Now it is true of Christians. Ephesians 1:4-5 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will A holy nation – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 (above) Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” Paul quoting Hosea – in the original context these passages refer to the spiritual restoration of Israel. But Paul applies this to Gentile believers, that God is a saving, forgiving, restoring God who delights to take those who are “not my people” and make them “my people.” A people belonging to God – we were not the people of God. That title belonged to the Israelites. But now we are the recipients of God’s mercy. The phrase is literally we are God’s “possession.” The word refers to something owned, especially something that has been purchased by the owner. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies Now declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Because who we are in Christ is so much more than we can even grasp. SO MUCH MORE Who we are in Christ is our identity, our direction, and our destiny. 1 Peter 2:4-12 – In Christ, Christians are: A Royal Priesthood – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Now it is true of Christians. • Reflect the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15) • Offer spiritual sacrifices o Sacrifices of our bodies (living in holiness) (Romans 12:1) o Sacrifices of money or material goods (Philippians 4:18) o Sacrifices of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15) o Sacrifices of doing good (Hebrews 13:16) • Intercede for people before God (James 5:16) • Represent God before people (2 Corinthians 5:20) A chosen people – This was said of the Israelites throughout the OT. Deut 10:15 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Now it is true of Christians. Ephesians 1:4-5 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will A holy nation – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 (above) Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” A people belonging to God – we were not the people of God. That title belonged to the Israelites. But now we are the recipients of God’s mercy. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies SO MUCH MORE Who we are in Christ is our ________, our _________, and our __________. 1 Peter 2:4-12 – In Christ, Christians are: ____________________ – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Now it is true of Christians. • Reflect the _________________ (1 Peter 1:15) • Offer ________________ o Sacrifices of our _________ (living in holiness) (Romans 12:1) o Sacrifices of _______ or _______________ (Philippians 4:18) o Sacrifices of ______________ (Hebrews 13:15) o Sacrifices of ______________ (Hebrews 13:16) • ________________ for people before God (James 5:16) • _________________ before people (2 Corinthians 5:20) _______________ – This was said of the Israelites throughout the OT. Deut 10:15 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Now it is true of Christians. Ephesians 1:4-5 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will __________________ – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 (above) Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” ______________________ – we were not the people of God. That title belonged to the Israelites. But now we are the recipients of God’s mercy. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies SO MUCH MORE Who I Am In Christ I AM GOD’S… • possession 1Cor 6:20 • child John 1:12 • workmanship Ephesians 2:10 • friend James 2:23 • temple 1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16 • vessel 2 Timothy 2:2 • co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18 • witness Acts 1:8 • soldier 2 Timothy 2:3 • ambassador 2 Cor 5:20 • minister/instrument Acts 26:16 / 1 Tim 4:6 • chosen Ephesians 1:4 • beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13 • heritage 1 Peter 5:3 I HAVE BEEN… • redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9 • set free from sin /condemnation Rom 8:1-2 • set free from Satan’s control Col 1:13 • set free from Satan’s kingdom Eph 2 • chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4 • predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11 • forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13 • washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5 • given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 • given the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:22 • adopted into God’s family Romans 8:15 • justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24 • given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3 • given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4 • given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22 • given access to God Ephesians 3:12 • given wisdom Ephesians 1:8 I AM… • complete in him Colossians 2:10 • free forever from sin’s power Romans 6:14 • sanctified 1 Cor 6:11 • useful for the Master’s use 2 Timothy 2:21 • loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 • eternally kept in the palm of his hand Jn 10:29 • kept from falling Jude 1:24 • kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5 • not condemned Romans 8:1-2 • one with the Lord 1 Cor 6:17 • on my way to heaven John 14:6 • quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1 • seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3 • light in the darkness Matthew 5:14 • candle in a dark place Matthew 5:15 • city set on a hill Matthew 5:14 • salt of the earth Matthew 5:13 • his sheep John 10:14 • a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11 • protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18 • kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5 • secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29 • more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37 • born again 1 Peter 1:23 • a victor 1 John 5:4 • covered by blood of Jesus Rev 12:11, 1 Pet 1:19 I HAVE… • access to the Father Romans 5:2 • a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2 • all things in Christ 2 Cor 5:17 • a living hope 1 Peter 1:3 • an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19 • power to witness Acts 1:8 • the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16 • boldness and access Hebrews 10:19 • peace with God Romans 5:1 I CAN… • do all things through Christ Phil 4:13 • find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16 • come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16 • quench all the fiery darts Eph 6:16 • pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36 • defeat (overcome) the enemy Rev 12:11 I CANNOT… • be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39 • perish or be lost John 10:28, John 3:16 • be taken out of my Father’s hand John 10:29 • be charged or accused Romans 8:33 • be condemned 1 Cor 11:32