Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
POPULARITY
Today, we are introduced to the prophet Elijah, who repeatedly responds to God's invitations with faith. The readings are 1 Kings 17-18, 2 Chronicles 18-19, and Song of Solomon 5. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
There are endless ways to bring beauty, life, and order into this world—from cultivating ideas, gardens, and relationships to creating stories, songs, and an atmosphere of love. We do so through who we are and what we make. Yet something is off. Projects and pursuits that once filled us with joy now fill us with turbulence, confusion, and exhaustion. In this life-giving conversation, John and Allen reveal why everyone is creative, ways to get unstuck, and how to reawaken our desire to create with God—based on concepts from Allen's new book, The Creativity Glitch: How to Stop Being Stuck, Find Your Groove, & Create with God.Show Notes: Allen Arnold's new book, The Creativity Glitch, is available on Amazon. For more on God, story, and creativity, visit Allen's website at withallen.com.Keywords: Creativity, Book, The Creativity Glitch, Author, Christianity_______________________________________________There is more.Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at Questions@WildatHeart.orgSupport the mission or find more on our website:WildAtHeart.org or on our app.Apple: Wild At Heart AppAndroid: Wild At Heart AppWatch on YouTubeThe stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available here.More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android.Apple: One Minute Pause AppAndroid: One Minute Pause App
All Scripture was written for our admonition and learning (1 Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4). Join Andrew Wommack as he explores the life of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Learn lessons from David's life that you can apply directly to your own.
CheckoutThe God Centered Concept Academy Training Community to learn what growth in Christ ishttps://api.tuvu.com/redirectGroup/6a2ac0e2c9f728027338244cCheck out this link to view Kingdom Cross Roads on TV.https://jesussaid.tv/?affiliate=tswright_gccTo get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.In this episode of Kingdom Crossroads, TS Wright welcomes Matthew Mark McWhorter, author of Canon Crossfire, for a thoughtful conversation about faith, Scripture, evidence, and the formation of the biblical canon.Matthew shares how his journey began not in church, but through a personal crisis. After facing cancer and surviving a massive “widow maker” heart attack, he began reading the Bible seriously for the first time. As someone trained as a lawyer, Matthew approached Scripture through investigation, evidence, and comparison—reading across multiple Bible translations and Christian traditions.The conversation explores Matthew's path from skepticism to faith, including how books like The Case for Christ and Evidence That Demands a Verdict helped him examine whether Christianity is true. Matthew explains why he believes Christians must be grounded not only in the goodness of Christianity, but in the truth of Christianity.TS and Matthew also discuss Matthew's book, Canon Crossfire, which addresses questions surrounding the Old Testament canon, the differences between Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Ethiopian, and other biblical traditions, and why simplistic answers about the canon can create problems when examined historically.A major theme of the episode is the importance of honest investigation. Matthew encourages believers, students, pastors, and scholars to look carefully at the evidence, especially when discussing disputed books such as 2 Maccabees and the broader historical development of the Bible.In This EpisodeTS and Matthew discuss:Matthew's personal testimony and health crisisHow reading the Bible changed his lifeWhy Christianity's truth claims matterThe role of apologetics in strengthening faithThe historical complexity of the biblical canonDifferences among Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Ethiopian, and Syriac canonsAthanasius and the early recognition of the New Testament writingsWhy Christians should avoid shallow answers when defending ScriptureMatthew's book Canon CrossfireWhere listeners can find Matthew's workGuest ResourceLearn more about Matthew Mark McWhorter and his book at:CanonCrossfire.comMatthew also mentions that his book is available in multiple formats, including print, ebook, audiobook, large print, and free copies for seminarians.Mentioned in this episode:TUVU - God Centered Concept Academy
Dan Chung is the Executive Director of Crossing Borders, an organization that brings the gospel to North Korean refugees. Dan is one of the foremost experts on the North Korean refugee crisis, with relationships with both organizations and scholars researching the ongoing developments of the Korean Peninsula. Dan's book, A Hard Freedom: The Dreams and Trauma of North Korean Refugees, chronicles his insights and observations in his work with Crossing Borders.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary begin a new series looking at “the how” behind the work we do. It is intended for everyone, but perhaps will be especially helpful for those who lead ministry at any level. Give Jesus Back the Pen | Fr. John Riccardo & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #224 Road to Renewal: How Faith, Vision, And Courage Are Fuelling A Church Comeback Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [mission@actsxxix.org](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram: @acts.xxix Facebook: @ACTSXXIXmission The Rescue Project Web: https://rescueproject.us Instagram: @the.rescue.project Our Streaming Channels Web: https://watch.actsxxix.org/browse YouTube: @actsxxix (https://youtube.com/actsxxix)
Today's Bible Verse:: "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." — John 6:27 John 6:27 challenges us to examine what we are truly pursuing. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus recognized that many people were following Him because of what He could provide physically. He used this moment to point them toward something greater—a life that is not centered only on temporary needs, but on the eternal nourishment found in Him. Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe MEET YOUR HOST: Dr. Kyle Norman at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. Rev. Norman has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.Find more from Rev. Norman at revkylenorman.ca Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Cardio Miracle, Learn More! - https://cardiomiracle.com/?ref=t4Hpzrm3 Alive and Intelligent Substack - https://aliveandintelligent.substack.com Fathom The Good - https://fathomthegood.com/ How the West Lost Its Balance Between Love and Virtue Athens, Jerusalem, and the Modern Soul The Problem With "Love Is Love" Christianity Why Christianity Needs Virtue to Resist Radical Secularism Cwic Media Website: http://www.cwicmedia.com
The post Do the words ‘thinking’ and ‘believing’ even belong in the same sentence? appeared first on Key Life.
Share a commentDarkness has a way of making our deepest desires louder and our best sales pitches weaker. We start the conversation with a blunt claim: without the gospel there is no real light, no solid truth, no lasting life, and no dependable hope, only speculation and futility dressed up as confidence. That frame reshapes what we think we're offering the world and what we're actually calling people to when we talk about Jesus Christ.From there, we challenge a common habit in modern evangelism, treating Christianity like a personal upgrade: feel better, get your needs met, be happier. Drawing on Martin Lloyd-Jones and Paul's words in Romans 7:4, we argue that union with Christ is not built on making the unbeliever the center. The purpose is startling and clarifying: we are joined to the risen Bridegroom so that we might bear fruit for God. We walk through what that fruit looks like in Christian discipleship: thankful speech, surrender that dies to self, spiritual maturity through discipline, sacrificial giving that invests in people, and saving truth that multiplies across the world.Then a real-life story drives it home: a hydroplane crash, a replacement van, a breakdown in Connecticut, and a chain of frustrations that turns into an unexpected gospel conversation with a man who thinks he has six months to live. It's a practical reminder that providence often looks like interruption before it looks like meaning.If you care about the gospel, spiritual growth, and what “bearing fruit for God” actually means on an ordinary Tuesday, listen through to the closing questions. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the fruit you want to see grow next. Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show
Support for the death penalty is going down in America. But is this a sign of moral progress or moral decay? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes debate this question with political theologian and ethicist Dr. J. Daryl Charles. References and resources American support for the death penality going down: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/religious-statements/opinion-polls-death-penalty-support-and-religion? Religious-secular divide on the death penalty: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/06/15/unlike-other-u-s-religious-groups-most-atheists-and-agnostics-oppose-the-death-penalty/ Dr. J. Daryl Charles Recommended Resources J. Daryl Charles, van den Haag, Ernest, “On Deterrence and the Death Penalty.” Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science 60, no. 2 (1969): 141-47. idem, “The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense”; accessible at the PBS “Frontline” website. idem and John P. Conrad, The Death Penalty: A Debate. New York: Plenum Press, 1983. J. Budziszewski, “Capital Punishment: The Case for Justice.” First Things (August 2004); accessible the First Things website J. Daryl Charles, “Outrageous Atrocity or Moral Imperative?: The Ethics of Capital Punishment.” Studies in Christian Ethics 6, no. 3 (Fall 1993): 1-14. idem, “Crime, the Christian, and Capital Justice.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 38, no. 3 (1995): 429-41. idem, “Toward Restoring a Good Marriage: Reflections on the Contemporary Divorce of Love and Justice and Its Cultural Implications.” Journal of Church and State 55, no. 2 (2013): 367-83. idem, “Capital Crime and Punishment: Reflections on Violating Human Sanctity.” Touchstone (September 2002): 29-35. idem, “Lethal Rejection: Is Capital Punishment Barbaric, Uncivilized and Always Wrong?” Touchstone (September 2016): 30-36. idem, “Capital Crimes and Capital Punishment.” Public Discourse (March 14, 2023); accessible at the Public Discourse website idem, “Capital Crimes and Punishment.” Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy (September 22, 2025); accessible at the Providence website Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkers.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes Dr. J. Daryl Charles: https://crcd.net/fellow/j-daryl-charles-phd/
This Summer at The Story Church you have the power to select which questions we will address from the pulpit! In our FAQ series, we'll look to the Bible to answer six controversial questions people ask about Christianity. We hope this series will encourage skeptics and equip believers to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Ahead of our summary discussion of the TV show Dark, Season 3, we wanted to provide a collection of our previous conversations about this excellent and fascinating show.Recorded over a period of 4 weeks towards the end of 2019, we covered every episode of Dark's second season, culminating in an exploration of its themes and predictions for what was to come, although we wouldn't revisit the show again for another seven years! Also featuring an early podcast appearance by Ghoul Scout troop leader Vera Goudie, this is a fun throwback to the early days of the show. We hope you'll enjoy this stroll through the past as we prepare to bring our coverage of Dark to a close.0:59 - Episodes 1 & 226:39 - Episodes 3 & 41:05:51 - Episodes 5 & 61:48:26 - Episodes 7 & 8 and the show's broader themesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Share a commentDarkness has a way of making our deepest desires louder and our best sales pitches weaker. We start the conversation with a blunt claim: without the gospel there is no real light, no solid truth, no lasting life, and no dependable hope, only speculation and futility dressed up as confidence. That frame reshapes what we think we're offering the world and what we're actually calling people to when we talk about Jesus Christ.From there, we challenge a common habit in modern evangelism, treating Christianity like a personal upgrade: feel better, get your needs met, be happier. Drawing on Martin Lloyd-Jones and Paul's words in Romans 7:4, we argue that union with Christ is not built on making the unbeliever the center. The purpose is startling and clarifying: we are joined to the risen Bridegroom so that we might bear fruit for God. We walk through what that fruit looks like in Christian discipleship: thankful speech, surrender that dies to self, spiritual maturity through discipline, sacrificial giving that invests in people, and saving truth that multiplies across the world.Then a real-life story drives it home: a hydroplane crash, a replacement van, a breakdown in Connecticut, and a chain of frustrations that turns into an unexpected gospel conversation with a man who thinks he has six months to live. It's a practical reminder that providence often looks like interruption before it looks like meaning.If you care about the gospel, spiritual growth, and what “bearing fruit for God” actually means on an ordinary Tuesday, listen through to the closing questions. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the fruit you want to see grow next. Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public. Today's host was Michael Wear. Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org. A message from our June sponsor, The Wonder Project: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial.Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more! Today's scripture: Psalm 108:1-6 (ESV) News sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-spacex-ipo-trillionaire-wealth/ https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-hospital-health-senate-kentucky-bf3d75527d77002c430f4270afbfc0af https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/14/big-tech-takes-a-drubbing-in-albany-00959462 https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-to-pull-out-of-talks-after-israel-strikes-beiruts-outskirts-d0390e22?mod=hp_lead_pos1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/27/iran-war-civilian-deaths/ https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/25/us/us-military-deaths-iran-war Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork Music by: King Sis #politics #faith #prayer #scripture #SpaceX #stocks #ElonMusk #MitchMcConnell #NewYork #tech #Iran #war Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the importance of prayer in the work of an evangelist and the life of a congregation.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here. Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org. Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here. Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=25851The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/
In today's episode of Truth Wanted, Objectively Dan is joined by Bored Agnostic to explore the complexities of deconstruction, racial religious identity, and the foundations of morality! They dive into the slave morality of the black church, the philosophical pitfalls of personal experience, and why typewriter gods fail the reality test. Can critical thinking bridge the gap between religious tradition and objective truth?Nye in NC asks why cognitive dissonance is prevalent in black Christian communities. Bored Agnostic explains how religious identity often overrides racial identity, creating a slave morality. Will recognizing these roots help break the cycle?Ray in NY presents a typewriter God thought experiment. Dan argues that a being interacting with the sky is still a natural phenomenon, not a prime mover. Ray claims to know God's nature through ecstasy. Can personal feelings prove a deity?Bob in CA, a former atheist, argues for Christianity through objective morality and the cosmological argument. Dan and Bored Agnostic debate moral realism versus evolved biological strategies. Is secular logic a better ground for ethics?Thank you for joining us today! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/truth-wanted--3195473/support.
Controversial Christianity The church is in a series called Controversial Christianity, where the goal is to: Talk about difficult or uncomfortable topics Bring clarity, conviction, compassion, and Christ into the conversation Model how to disagree while staying united This year's topics are a little lighter—but still meaningful. This Week's Topic: Mega Churches This week's conversation focuses on: What it means to attend a megachurch A “megachurch” is simply a church with 2,000+ people attending regularly and Northeast is one of them. The Challenges of Mega Churches Mega churches often carry negative stereotypes, such as: Celebrity pastor culture Entertainment over worship Financial greed and excuses Shallow theology and teaching Shallow relationships and community Complex bureaucracy and leadership Consumer mindset in attendees While these aren't always true, they exist because of real examples in church history and culture. The Goal: Defy the Stereotypes The goal is not to be a “big church” for the sake of size. Instead: We want to be a healthy church, no matter the size. Healthy churches can be: Big or small Simple or complex Size doesn't determine health, people do. Big Church vs. Small Church People coming from smaller churches may notice differences: More structured systems Larger worship environments Less direct access to certain leaders But these differences are not necessarily problems; they're just different cultures. The Biggest Issue: Consumer Christianity The biggest risk in a megachurch is this: It's easy to just show up, consume, and not engage. With so many people, it's easy to: Stay anonymous Avoid serving Only attend occasionally But that's not what the church is meant to be. The Real Challenge The message shifts from this: “Just attend church” To: “Help build a healthy church” That means: Showing up consistently Getting involved in community Serving others Taking ownership of your church family Next Steps Everyone is encouraged to take a step deeper: Alpha – explore Christianity Basics – learn about the church Groups – build community Serving – get involved Mentorship – grow spiritually Final Takeaway The church is not a product to consume. It's a family to belong to and a mission to live out. And ultimately: Our impact as a church depends on how much each of us leans in.
Moses was the father of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and he also served as a father figure to the entire Hebrew people as they escaped from slavery in Egypt.He loved his people and helped discipline and provide for them on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Imagine leading a frustrated, tired, hungry group of travelers through the desert — without air conditioning or handheld electronics — for four decades!So many aspects of Moses' life story seem larger-than-life, and he was indeed a hero of his time — but he was also merely a man. Moses' perseverance in the face of incredible challenges over the course of his life shows today's fathers that overwhelming tasks can be achieved when we stay close to God.Exodus 16:11–12 says, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'”The Israelites were afraid they would starve in the barren desert after fleeing Egypt, and complained to Moses that it would have been better if they had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt, where they had enough to eat, than to wander the desert without provisions. Imagine how frustrated Moses must have been! The Lord had miraculously saved the Israelites from slavery, and now they worried God wouldn't provide what they needed to survive.Through God's faithful guidance, Moses was able to shepherd the Israelites through 40 years of wilderness living. They quarreled with Moses. They accused him of leading them to disaster and ruin. They complained frequently — even after they had seen God's promises fulfilled. Yet still, Moses carried on. He brought every concern to the Lord, and with God's blessing and guidance, he was able to keep going.Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”Moses teaches fathers that with God, all things are possible.God answers prayer, and desires intimate fellowship with every believer.No one can follow God's laws perfectly. We all need a Savior.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, sometimes parenting is exhausting! Thank you for the blessing of children, and we ask you to bless dads with patience to spare and to make your presence known to tired dads in the trenches who need your wisdom, and your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Freedom Con 2026: Rise of the Statesman June 19-20, 2026 • Father's Day Weekend The Gorge Amphitheater, George, WashingtonREGISTER: https://www.FreedomCon26.comIn this message, Pastor Josh McPherson casts vision for Freedom Con (starting this Friday!) and explains why this moment matters for our church, our state, and the next generation. The message also features a group of Gen Z speakers from Vector West University, giving a powerful preview of the talks they will bring this Saturday—calling young men to reject the lies of their generation and rise in truth, discipline, gratitude, humility, and courage.Support the showThanks for listening! Go to www.StrongerManNation.com for more resources.
Discover the profound spiritual lesson hidden in the viral 2015 dress debate that divided the internet. This message explores the crucial difference between biblical truth, personal convictions, and opinions, and why understanding these distinctions is essential for healthy Christian living and relationships. Learn from Jesus's encounter with religious leaders in Mark chapter 2, where Pharisees and John's disciples criticized Him for not fasting according to their traditions. Explore how Jesus responded with powerful analogies about wedding celebrations, patches on old garments, and new wine in old wineskins to reveal a transformative truth about His mission. This teaching addresses common misconceptions about Christianity, including the tendency to judge other believers based on personal convictions and the mistake of trying to add Jesus to an existing lifestyle rather than embracing complete transformation. Discover why Jesus didn't come to patch up your old life but to give you an entirely new one. Key topics covered include understanding biblical truth versus personal conviction, avoiding the trap of mandating personal preferences on others, recognizing Jesus as the Bridegroom and Messiah, and embracing genuine spiritual transformation rather than religious performance. Perfect for anyone struggling with legalistic thinking, judgmental attitudes toward other believers, or confusion about what it means to truly follow Christ. This message will challenge you to examine whether you're treating Jesus as a life improvement or allowing Him to give you completely new life. Whether you're a new believer, longtime Christian, or someone exploring faith, this biblical teaching offers practical insights for authentic spiritual growth and healthier relationships within the Christian community.
(Originally Published on November 15, 2021)Satisfying personal desires has become the definition of the "good life." Follow this notion far enough and it leads to distorted definitions that end in moral chaos. If you want to understand cancel culture, you've got to start here.Resources:The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution - Carl R. Trueman
Today, we're pulling Reaching the Next Generation, Part 2 from the archives. The Church misses something vital when it overlooks the “dew” of youth that God has given to bring refreshment and life. Too often, we wait for young people to mature instead of helping them mature. Rather than counting them out until they are older, we can give them opportunities right where they are and walk alongside them as they grow. We have the privilege of being encouragers, affirmers, and investors in them.
Imitation is a huge part of the human experience, as we imitate role models and loved ones. Oscar Wilde called it the 'highest form of flattery'. But what did imitation – or mimesis – look like in early Christianity? To find out, Helen and Lloyd take a trip in the time machine with Professor Cornelis Bennema. They discuss what imitation meant in the ancient world, how the New Testament writers adapted the concept, and why Paul instructs his listeners to 'imitate me'. Dr Cornelis (‘Cor') Bennema is Head of Research and Professor of New Testament Studies at the London School of Theology. His main research interests include the Johannine literature, character studies in biblical narrative and early Christian ethics. He is the author of a number of works on mimesis, most recently Imitation in Early Christianity: Mimesis and Religious-Ethical Formation (Eerdmans, 2025). Support the showTheme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson.
Send me a Text Message!One of the ways that my stream of Christianity likes to describe our faith is with the words, "A personal relationship with God." It's not about religion, it's about relationship, a personal relationship with God. But what in the world does it mean to have a personal relationship with God? In Psalm 46:10, it starts with these words, "Be still and know that I am God."Usually when we think of the stillness, we think of quiet; a lack of distractions and in our world today, the noise is part of our problem. I'm not saying we don't need quiet. But when God says in Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." it's a far deeper call than just "be quiet." The Hebrew word means stop striving. Literally let your arms hang down and your hands go slack. Stop fighting. Relax. Quit trying to measure up. Give up. Hands up. Let it go. And watch me be God. That's at the heart of this message in answer to the question, "Do you know God?"
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna and Elliot Toman discuss the multifaceted nature of religion, dynamic interpretations of Islamic principles, and the socioeconomic impacts of modern capitalism. The conversation begins with a casual sci-fi reference to Star Trek and quickly segments into a philosophical debate regarding whether religion is meant to enforce a collective societal order or serve as a strictly personal, inward-facing moral code. Pinna delves into standard Islamic principles, emphasizing the explicit historical allowance for non-Muslims, pluralism, and private free-will options under genuine Islamic law, highlighting how the faith's spiritual intentions are often corrupted when fused with state governance, political violence, or totalitarian empires. This leads to a broader systemic critique of extreme modern capitalism, exploring how billionaires like Jeff Bezos use theoretical loopholes and "shell game" rhetoric to redirect conversations about wealth responsibility toward government inefficiency. The hosts contrast standard corporate structures with sovereign wealth funds and perpetual endowments. arguing that the super-wealthy should leverage their influence to address systemic crises rather than hoarding their wealth. Yesterday's Enterprise
Have you ever felt like you were one more hard thing away from completely falling apart? Like the weight of everything you're carrying — the loss, the grief, the disappointment, the unanswered prayers — was just too much to hold anymore? If that's where you are right now, this message was made for you.
This may sound like a tongue-twister, but…when we move from just knowing about God to actually knowing God, that is being known by God. There is more to religion and life than what you may expect; There is a real-life transformation when you have an intimate relationship with the God who knows you! In today's message, Pastor Mark will explain the vast differences between the religions of the world and the relationship that Jesus offers, called Christianity! Many people claim to be Christians because they're scared of hell, but declaring Jesus is Lord and creator of the universe is what real Christianity is!
Fr. Mike connects today's reading from Songs to the teachings of St. John Paul's Theology of the Body. He also points out how helpful it is to track the timelines of the kings of Israel and Judah as we read from Kings and Chronicles simultaneously. The readings are 1 Kings 15-16, 2 Chronicles 16-17, and Song of Solomon 4. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Jesus was not a religious leader. He was a righteous Leader and a relational Leader. But He was often confronted by the religious leaders of His day because of the obvious differences in both substance and style. It seems that religious people are the hardest to reach with the gospel. Let's discover why.I. The Religious Question (v. 18)II. The Reasonable Explanation (vv. 19-20)III. The Real Consideration (vv. 21-22)Learn Your Bible: Using your favorite Bible dictionary or concordance, dive deeper into the parable of the wineskins and “the new covenant in [His] blood” (Luke 22:20).Love Your Neighbor: Do you know someone who views Christianity as rules, rituals, or religious performance? How can you demonstrate Jesus' loving heart to them this week?Live in Freedom: Meditate on Galatians 5:1-6 and ask the Lord to reveal areas of your walk that have become a religious practice rather than a reflection of your relationship with Him.
Struggling with worry and anxiety? No matter what you're struggling with, discover how to cast your cares on God.Receive It's easy to feel overwhelmed with worries, cares, and anxious thoughts, but you're not meant to carry all those burdens on your own. Jesus said not to worry, and the apostle Paul said to cast all your cares on God. What are you worried about? What may be hindering you from trusting God with your worries, anxious thoughts, cares, and concerns? What could your next step toward trusting God more and worrying less look like? Reflect How does it feel knowing that God wants you to cast all your cares on Him as it says in 1 Peter 5:7 and that we're to be anxious for nothing as you read in Philippians 4:6–7? How does Matthew 6:19–34 help you to not worry so much about tomorrow? How does the good soil Jesus mentioned in His parable found in Luke 8:4–18 differ from the other soil He mentioned? How can you stay focused on what matters most like Mary in Luke 10:38– 42 instead of being distracted by good things like Martha? How does Timothy's genuine concern for the well-being of the Philippian church that the apostle Paul commended him for in Philippians 2:14–24 differ from unhealthy worry? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that I don't have to be consumed with worry and anxious thoughts. Thank You that I can go to You with all my cares and concerns. Help me to keep trusting You no matter my circumstances.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Resilient Bible Engagement and "The Power of 4": A Key to Spiritual Growth| Center for Bible Engagement| Our Daily Bread Listen: Resilient Don't Worry! Read: The Resilient Life How Can We Put Our Worries to Work for Us? Watch: Uncovering Resilient Faith with Lina AbuJamra (Unshakable Moxie) Worrying Steals Your Days - Luke 12:25
My Struggle with Approval Addiction | Let it go Two | Rick Atchley by The Hills Church
Why does the world feel both beautiful and broken? In Week 1 of The Story We're In, we explore Genesis 1–3 and uncover the biblical story behind our deepest longings, our fractured relationships, and our hope for the future. As we examine God's good design and humanity's rebellion, we see both the beauty of shalom and the brokenness introduced by the Fall, while discovering God's promise of redemption that points forward to Jesus and the restoration of all things.Check out the sermon on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or bridge.tv/sermons.To support this ministry and help us continue our God given mission, click here: http://bit.ly/2NZkdrCSupport the show
This week in our All Sufficient series, Pastor John Durham preached from Romans 2, reminding us that both the rebellious and the religious are equally in need of God's grace. He challenged us to stop comparing ourselves to others and defending our own sin, recognizing that salvation is not found in religious knowledge or performance, but in the righteousness of Christ alone.
From yoga and mindfulness to meditation and manifesting, Eastern spirituality has become part of everyday culture. But how does it compare to Christianity? Discover the key differences between Hinduism, Buddhism, and the message of Jesus—and why grace changes everything.
Sunday morning message with Pastor Brad Wilkinson. Visit christianlifeustin.com, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram @christianlifeaustin to stay up to date with the exciting things happening here at Christian Life Austin.
Pastor Logan shared how Jonah's story reveals God's heart for restoration, second chances, and repentance. After running from God's call, Jonah discovered that the same God he fled from was the God who rescued him, reminding us that no failure is final and no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and through Jesus, God's grace continues to pursue and transform lives.
The treasures of all wisdom and knowledge are found in Jesus.
Friends of the Rosary,As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states (863), the Church is, and remains, apostolic through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles. All the faithful share a vocation to the apostolate of spreading Christianity on earth.We read today (Matthew 9:36—10:8) how Christ the Lord summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority to cure the sick from any disease, raise the dead, drive out demons, and proclaim: “The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”They were: “Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”Also, this Sunday we see how Jesus' heart — his sacred heart — “was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”The Lord was moved with pity because he wanted each person in that crowd to respond to his love.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
This is the message from our Sunday morning service on 6/14/2026 with Pastor Chet Lowe.
The Most High Rules: No Other God Like This
One Generation From Extinction: Purity in Crisis
Why do Christian men often know what is right, but still fail to live it out when pressure hits? In this episode of Leadership Formation for Christian Men, Tim Holloway unpacks why pressure reveals the man being formed, why spiritual knowledge alone is not enough, and how God uses stress, relationships, emotions, business challenges, marriage tension, and personal pain to expose the gap between what a man knows and who he has become. If you have ever wondered why your Christianity feels like it is not “working,” why you keep reacting the same way under pressure, why you struggle with anger, control, avoidance, numbing, fear, or emotional shutdown, this conversation will help you see pressure differently. Pressure is not always something to escape. It may be the very place where God is speaking, refining, and forming Christ in you. This episode is for Christian men, husbands, fathers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and believers who want deeper spiritual formation, emotional maturity, stronger leadership, and a more surrendered life with God. You'll learn why pressure reveals the difference between biblical knowledge and true spiritual formation, and why knowing Scripture is not the same as allowing Scripture to read and transform you. Tim explains how God speaks through your real life, including marriage, family, business, emotions, weakness, conflict, fear, and repeated patterns that keep showing up under pressure. You'll discover why avoidance, numbing, control, anger, defensiveness, and performance mode often come from old programming—and how God uses pressure to bring those hidden patterns into the light. This episode also shows how Christian men can begin responding to pressure with surrender, reflection, wisdom, and emotional maturity instead of reacting from fear, shame, or control. 00:00 Intro00:45 Why Christian men know what to do but still struggle02:19 Why Christianity can feel like it is not working03:15 God comes disguised as your life05:25 Pressure reveals where formation has not caught up07:17 Pressure is a revealer, not the enemy09:01 Why avoiding pain keeps you stuck10:49 How pressure brings hidden patterns into awareness12:48 Why men know better but still react poorly14:00 Letting Scripture read you, not just reading Scripture15:38 Where God speaks through love, family, and business18:38 God meets men inside their emotions20:11 The two builders and the test of integration22:09 Why pressure forms spiritual strength24:55 Becoming a leader who can stand under pressure25:13 The war horse analogy: God as rider, man as horse26:56 How pressure reveals anger, fear, and control28:29 Pressure reveals your patterns29:45 Childhood programming and emotional reactions31:53 Why control and defensiveness show up under pressure33:37 Questions to ask when pressure hits34:26 Where pressure is showing up in your life36:08 How God meets men in weakness and deficiency38:05 Why personal formation affects leadership and business40:34 Deal with pressure privately before it becomes public42:26 Pressure reveals what a man knows vs. who he has become43:26 Why men struggle to hear God's voice45:11 Formation happens by beholding God #ChristianMen#SpiritualFormation#ChristianLeadership#MensMinistry#BiblicalManhood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Vanity of Life Under the Sun Without the Son, Pt. 16The End of the MatterEcclesiastes 12:9–14 | King's Chapel Live StreamAfter sixteen chapters of searching, questioning, wrestling, and reflecting, Ecclesiastes arrives at its final conclusion.What is the meaning of life? What truly matters? What should we do with the days we've been given?Solomon has explored wealth, pleasure, wisdom, work, power, success, and every pursuit life under the sun has to offer. Again and again, he exposes the emptiness of looking for ultimate meaning in temporary things.But Ecclesiastes does not end in despair.It ends with a call to fear God and keep His commandments, because every deed matters and every life will one day stand before Him.In this message, we discover that everything matters because God is the Judge of all things. We see that the deepest emptiness of the human heart can only be filled by the fullness of God. And we are pointed to the One Shepherd whose words guide us, ground us, and ultimately lead us home.The good news of Ecclesiastes is not that we must find our way to God. The good news is that God has come to us in Jesus Christ. The Judge became the One judged for our sins. The Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep.At the end of the matter, life is not meaningless. Life finds its meaning in Him.If you've followed this journey through Ecclesiastes or if you're searching for purpose, hope, and lasting meaning, this message points us to the only One who truly satisfies.Connect with King's Chapel in Longwood, FL - ▶️ www.kingschapelfl.com▶️ https://www.facebook.com/KingsChapelfl▶️ https://www.instagram.com/kingschapelfl/For the GLORY of our Great GodFor the GOOD of our NeighborEcclesiastes 12 sermon, the end of the matter, fear God and keep His commandments, meaning of life Bible sermon, Good Shepherd sermon, purpose of life Christianity, Ecclesiastes conclusion, finding meaning in God, Jesus the Good Shepherd, King's Chapel Longwood FL
Pastor Marcus Lane continues our series on Acts, Vol. 1 with a message titled The Gospel on Trial. In this sermon Pastor Marcus outlines the power, scandal, and abundance of the Gospel. Scripture Reading: Acts 4:1-22, 32-37 Digging Deeper Questions: How does the notion that "the word does the work" shift how you approach the calling to take part in God's mission? Have you ever encountered the accusation or felt like Christianity is exclusive? How does the nature of grace help address this concern? How might the life of the early church challenge you to grow in generosity?
This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7), Year A, falling on June 21, 2026. We are well into the green season now — the long, ordinary stretch of Sundays during which the church listens, week by week, to the long witness of Scripture.This Sunday's readings are not gentle. The Gospel continues last week's account of Jesus sending out the Twelve, but where last week was the calling, this week names the cost. Jesus tells the disciples three times not to be afraid, then warns them that the message will divide families, that they will be hated, and that those who try to hold on to their lives will lose them. The Old Testament tracks each offer their own difficult companion. Track One follows Hagar and her son into the wilderness after they are cast out at Sarah's demand — one of the most painful scenes in Genesis. Track Two gives us Jeremiah's famous lament, in which the prophet accuses God of having tricked him into a vocation that has cost him everything. The Epistle, from Romans 6, sets the baptized at the heart of this difficulty: we have died with Christ, and so what could ordinarily destroy us no longer has the final word.This is a Sunday that asks the preacher for both courage and tenderness. The Gospel in particular has been used in some of the most damaging ways in the church's history — to justify family estrangement, to coerce loyalty, to bless suffering that people did not choose. The guide names those misuses plainly in the cautions, because the texts will preach better when their misuses are named than when those misuses are left to lurk.The ReadingsGenesis 21:8–21First Reading (Track One) — Hagar and Ishmael in the WildernessSummaryThe day Isaac is weaned, Abraham throws a great feast. Sarah looks across the celebration and sees Ishmael — the son Hagar bore to Abraham years earlier — and something hardens in her. She tells Abraham to send Hagar and the boy away, so that Ishmael will not inherit alongside Isaac. The text says the matter is very distressing to Abraham, but God tells him to do as Sarah says, with the promise that God will also make a nation of Ishmael. The next morning Abraham sends Hagar out with bread, a skin of water, and the boy. The water runs out in the wilderness. Hagar puts the child under a bush so she will not have to watch him die, and she lifts up her voice and weeps. God hears the boy's voice. An angel speaks to Hagar — do not be afraid, God has heard him where he is. God opens her eyes, and she sees a well that was there all along. The boy grows up in the wilderness and becomes the ancestor of a great nation.Key Ideas for Preaching* The text says God heard the voice of the boy — and the name Ishmael means “God hears.” The story is its own argument: there is no one whose voice God does not hear, including the ones the official story has cast out. Where does your congregation tend to assume that some voices reach God and others do not, and how might Ishmael's name interrupt that assumption?* Hagar does not see the well until God opens her eyes. The water was already there. What might it mean for your people that the help they have been pleading for may already be present, waiting to be seen rather than waiting to be made?* God's promise expands rather than narrows. Isaac receives the promise, and Ishmael will also become a great nation. The text refuses to make this an either/or. Where in your congregation has the assumption taken hold that God's blessing is a finite resource — that someone else's portion must come out of ours?* The story sits uncomfortably with us, and it should. There is real cruelty here, and real grief. What might it look like to preach this scene without rushing toward a moral, letting your people sit with the painful complexity of a family text that does not resolve neatly?Significant Cautions* Hagar's story has been used in the church to claim that one religious people has displaced another — most painfully in claims that Christianity has replaced Judaism, or that the Arab descendants of Ishmael are outside God's care. The text itself refuses this reading. God's blessing extends to both lines.* Sarah's demand and Abraham's quick compliance are easy to moralize — to make Sarah a villain or Abraham a coward. The text is more honest than that. They are real, flawed people inside a real, flawed family system, and the story does not ask us to pick sides among them.* The line that God told Abraham to listen to Sarah has sometimes been used in troubling ways. Read in context, it is God's particular guidance about this particular moment — not a general endorsement of any voice that arrives within a family.* This is a Genesis story that Muslims also hold as sacred — Ishmael is the ancestor of the Arab peoples, and the well in this text is foundational to Islam. Be particularly careful with any language that would imply Christians have an exclusive claim on the material.Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert by Christoffer Wilhelm EckersbergPsalm 86:1–10, 16–17The Psalm (Track One) — Incline Your Ear, O LordSummaryThis is a psalm of supplication from someone in deep need. “Incline your ear, O Lord,” it begins; “I am poor and needy.” The psalmist names God's character — good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love — and pleads for an answer. The middle of the psalm widens the view: God is unique among all the gods of the nations, the maker of all peoples, the one to whom every people will one day come. The selected verses close with another plea: turn to me, give me strength, save me, show me a sign of your favor.Key Ideas for Preaching* The psalmist names himself “poor and needy” — and names it to God, not hides it. What does it look like for your congregation to bring their actual need to God without first trying to dress it up?* The psalm holds together a private cry and a cosmic vision. In the same breath the psalmist asks God to listen to him and reminds himself that all the nations will one day come and bow down. How might your sermon hold those two together — the intimate and the vast — without flattening either?* The plea is grounded in who God is, not in who the psalmist is. God is good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love. Where in your congregation has prayer started to feel like throwing words into a void, and how might naming who God is steady that?Significant Cautions* The psalmist asks God to act so that “those who hate me may be put to shame.” That is honest prayer, but it can also become a weapon. Be careful about preaching this verse in a way that licenses contempt for those we disagree with.* “I am devoted to you” can be heard as the psalmist claiming exceptional faithfulness. Read in the context of the whole psalm, it is relationship language, not a boast about merit.Jeremiah 20:7–13First Reading (Track Two) — A Fire Shut Up in My BonesSummaryJeremiah turns to God in something close to anger. You have tricked me, he accuses; you have overpowered me. He has become a laughingstock. Everyone mocks him; his message of judgment has cost him friends and reputation. He has tried to keep silent — but the word of God, he says, is like a fire shut up in his bones, and he cannot hold it in. Even his closest acquaintances are watching for him to stumble. And then, in the middle of the lament, the tone turns. He remembers that God is on his side, that the Lord is with him like a dread warrior. He calls on the assembly to sing to the Lord. The lament does not erase itself, but it ends — for now — in praise.Key Ideas for Preaching* Jeremiah accuses God of trickery and gets away with it. The text does not punish him for the accusation; it preserves it as Scripture. What might it mean for your congregation to hear that even rage toward God can be a faithful prayer?* The word inside Jeremiah is “like a fire shut up in my bones.” He cannot keep it in even when keeping it in would be easier. Where in your congregation is there a truth that needs to come out, and what is it costing your people to hold it in?* The lament ends in praise — not because the problem has been solved, but because Jeremiah remembers who is with him. What does it look like for your people to praise from inside a difficulty that has not yet resolved?Significant Cautions* Jeremiah's lament can be used to suggest that faithful people quickly arrive at peace and praise after suffering. The turn is real in this passage, but it is not automatic, and the rest of Jeremiah's life is not exactly peaceful. Do not rush a lament toward resolution.* “There is something like a burning fire in my bones” has sometimes been used to pressure people into evangelism, as if a faithful Christian must always feel compelled to proclaim. Jeremiah's compulsion is the experience of a particular prophet under particular circumstances, not a universal test of faithfulness.Psalm 69:7–10, (11–15), 16–18The Psalm (Track Two) — A Stranger to My KindredSummaryA lament from someone who has been alienated by their devotion to God. It is for your sake, the psalmist says, that I have borne reproach — I have become a stranger to my kindred. Zeal for God's house has consumed him. He is mocked in the streets; even drunkards make him the subject of their songs. The psalm pleads with God to draw near, to answer, to redeem him from the muck. The selected verses close with an urgent appeal: do not hide your face from me; come near and redeem me.Key Ideas for Preaching* The psalmist's faithfulness has cost him relationships — even with his own family. This pairs powerfully with the Gospel's hard language about division. What does your congregation know about the real cost of taking faith seriously, and how might this psalm give them words for it?* The image of being stuck in the mire, where there is no foothold, is one of the most physical pictures in the psalms. It is not abstract theology; it is what real trouble feels like in the body. How might your sermon let the body of the psalm meet the bodies of your people?* The psalmist does not pretend to be patient. “Do not hide your face from me” is urgent, almost demanding. What might it free in your people to hear that urgent prayer is faithful prayer?Significant Cautions* The psalm has been used to claim a kind of spiritual martyrdom for ordinary discomfort — to dramatize mild inconvenience as suffering for the gospel. The cost the psalmist describes is real. Be careful applying his words to a much smaller scale.* Some verses near these (not included in the reading) contain sharp curses against the psalmist's enemies. The lectionary leaves them out for a reason. If you reach for them, handle them with care.Romans 6:1b–11The Epistle — Buried with Him by BaptismSummaryPaul has just argued in Romans 5 that grace abounds where sin abounds. He hears the objection coming: shall we then sin all the more, so that grace can abound all the more? Absolutely not, he says. And the picture he gives in answer is baptism. To be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into his death — buried with him so that we might also walk into a new kind of life. The old self has been crucified with him. The pull of the old life no longer has the final word. Christ, having been raised, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. And so, Paul says, we are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.Key Ideas for Preaching* Paul defines baptism not as a religious rite added on top of a person's life but as a death and a resurrection. The old self has been crucified. The new life is something already begun. How might it shift your congregation's sense of baptism — their own, and any they are about to celebrate — to hear it described in these terms?* “Death no longer has dominion over him” — and so, by extension, over us. This is the same Romans 6 that ties directly to today's Gospel, where Jesus tells the disciples not to fear those who can kill the body. The two readings are saying the same thing in different keys. What changes in your people when the deepest threats lose their final authority?* Paul tells us to “consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.” That is not a description of how it feels; it is a posture, a reckoning, a choosing to remember what is true even when experience suggests otherwise. Where in your congregation might this practice of remembering provide more steadiness than trying to feel a particular way?Significant Cautions* “Dead to sin” has sometimes been read as the claim that Christians no longer struggle. Paul is not saying that — he goes on in chapter 7 to describe at length the ongoing struggle. He is describing an orientation, not a finished condition. Say so plainly.* The language of being “crucified with Christ” can be used to romanticize suffering, or to suggest that hardship is the proof of faith. Paul's image is about baptismal identity, not a measuring stick for who is suffering enough.* “Walking in newness of life” can be flattened into self-improvement language. Paul's vision is much larger — a whole new sphere of life in which the powers that used to determine us no longer have the final say.Matthew 10:24–39The Gospel — Do Not Be AfraidSummaryThe sending discourse continues, and Jesus turns to the cost. He warns the disciples that they will be treated as he is treated — if people call the master of the house Beelzebul, his household should expect worse. Three times he tells them not to be afraid. Do not fear those who can kill only the body; fear instead the one who has authority over both body and soul. Do not be afraid: even the sparrows are not forgotten, and you are worth more than many sparrows. Acknowledge me before others, Jesus says, and I will acknowledge you before my Father. And then the hardest verses: do not think I came to bring peace; I came to bring a sword. Loyalty to me will cause division — even within families. Whoever loves family more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up the cross is not worthy of me. Those who try to hold on to their life will lose it. Those who lose their life for my sake will find it.Key Ideas for Preaching* The phrase “do not be afraid” appears three times in this passage. It is the constant beneath everything else. The hard language about division and loss is held inside that frame. What would it look like for your sermon to make the “do not fear” as loud as the difficult verses around it?* Jesus uses sparrows — the cheapest birds at the market — to make a point about God's attention. Not one of them falls without God noticing; and you are worth more. How might this small, almost throwaway image be exactly the picture your congregation needs of a God whose attention reaches the least-counted parts of their lives?* The “sword” Jesus brings is not his intention but his effect. He is naming a social reality: following him will not be welcome everywhere, even in some families. He is preparing his disciples for that, not endorsing the division. How might your sermon help your people tell the difference between division that follows costly faithfulness and division that follows from cruelty or stubbornness?* “Take up the cross” was, in the first century, the specific image of a condemned prisoner carrying the crossbeam of their execution. It was a death-march image, not a metaphor for ordinary hardship. What is your congregation actually being asked to die to for the sake of Jesus, and how can you name it without trivializing the image?* “Those who lose their life for my sake will find it” is one of the central paradoxes of the Gospels. It is not a license for self-destruction; it is the strange truth that the life that tries to protect itself shrinks, and the life that is given for something larger grows. Where in your people's lives is a small, protected life keeping them from a larger, given one?Significant Cautions* “Do not fear those who kill the body” has sometimes been used to pressure people toward martyrdom or to invalidate ordinary fear. Jesus is not condemning fear; he is steadying people facing genuine threat. Don't use this verse to shame the afraid.* The verse about fearing the one who can destroy both body and soul is genuinely difficult, and many faithful readers have understood the subject of that verse differently. Be cautious about turning it into a casual threat. The weight of the passage is not on the warning; it is on the comfort that immediately follows.* “I came not to bring peace but a sword” has been used in some of the most damaging ways imaginable — to justify religious violence, to bless the cutting off of LGBTQ+ family members, and to license abusive religious leaders demanding total loyalty. Be especially clear: Jesus is naming a social effect, not endorsing harm to anyone.* “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” has been weaponized by spiritually abusive systems to demand that members cut off family. The wider witness of Scripture — including Jesus' own care for his mother from the cross, and the command to honor parents — flatly contradicts that use.* “Take up the cross” should not be applied to suffering that people did not freely choose — illness, abuse, poverty, grief. Such suffering is not their cross to bear, and calling it that has been used to silence people who needed to be heard.* “Lose your life to find it” should never be used to validate self-harm, the staying in dangerous situations, or the spending of oneself in service of leaders or institutions that demand it. Jesus is talking about the freedom of the gospel, not about self-destruction.Thematic ConnectionsBoth tracks open onto the same difficult Gospel, and both offer it different company.Track One brings Hagar's wilderness story. A woman and her son have been cast out — by the official story, by the family that should have held them. The water runs out. The mother cannot bear to watch the child die. And God hears. The story does not solve what Sarah has done; it does not undo the cruelty. But it insists that no voice is unheard, no person is forgotten, and that the help God provides may already be present, waiting to be seen. Paired with the Gospel's “do not fear” and the sparrow image, the message is the same in two keys: God's attention reaches the ones the world has overlooked.Track Two brings Jeremiah's lament and Psalm 69's cry of alienation. Both texts give voice to the cost of faithfulness — the rejection, the social isolation, the impossibility of keeping silent. Read alongside the Gospel, they put words in the mouths of disciples for whom following has cost something. The whole day, on this track, gives a congregation permission to be honest about how hard faithfulness has been, and a promise that the honesty is itself a form of prayer.Romans 6 anchors both tracks in baptismal identity. Whatever the world's hostility can do, the worst of it has already lost its dominion. Christ has gone down into death and come back out the other side, and the baptized have gone with him.The Gospel is the natural preaching center either way, and it asks particular courage from the preacher. These texts have been weaponized; the cautions in this guide are not theoretical. But the heart of the passage is the threefold “do not be afraid” and the small, almost tossed-off promise about the sparrows. A sermon that lets those quieter verses set the temperature, while taking the harder verses seriously and naming their misuses plainly, will land more honestly than one that either avoids the difficulty or leans into it as something to admire.For preachers following the recent series: this is the third Sunday in the Matthew 10 arc. Two weeks ago, Jesus called Matthew from his table. Last week, he sent the twelve out with empty hands and the compassion of the Lord of the harvest. This week, he is honest with them about what the sending will cost. The shape is now complete: found, sent, warned. Next week, the lectionary begins to move into the parables of the kingdom. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe
In this teaching I share a personal update and then explore my "two god problem". If you want to know the latest happenings in my world and what I'm doing or if you left the god of your religion but still hunger for something more please join me for this update. If you appreciate my efforts please consider a donation to: "paypal.me/newdayglobal" or search for me on Substack where I post a lot of material on this. Thank you!
In a world bombarded with misinformation, conspiracy theories, and overhyped claims, it's easy to dismiss things that sound too good -- or too supernatural -- to be true. Many people view Christianity that way. That's why we're exploring the claims of faith like a CSI detective, cutting through the noise with hard evidence and coldly examining the facts surrounding Christianity's biggest claims. Join Horizon at the Exploring Service for COLD CASE DETECTIVE, an honest investigation of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Fr. Mike points out the results of what happened to the kings who built idols, and what happened to the kings who tore them down. He encourages us to tear down the idols we've built up in our own lives by trusting God with our first fruits. Today's readings are 1 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 14-15, and Song of Solomon 3. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
