Podcasts about church matthew

Series: Living by Faith as the Church Title: What is the Church? Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18 Message by: David Adams 11.9.25

Jesus says in John 14:10-11, “Do you not believe that I am IN the Father, and the Father IN Me? The words that I speak, I speak not of Myself, but the Father who LIVES IN Me, HE does the works! Believe for the works' sake!” And in v12, “He that believes in Me, the works that I do, he shall do also – and GREATER WORKS THAN THESE shall he do because I go to My Father.” Jesus is teaching us that IF WE BELIEVE in Him, once He has gone back to be with His Father, we then on earth HAVE to carry on the work that He did – we HAVE to do what He did! So many people seem to read John 14 without seemingly being able to believe it.      

Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the ChurchMatthew 16:13-19"And so I say to you, you are Peter,and upon this rock I will build my Church,and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “You shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses.” The clear promise is that HIS power would be in US. Also that we would become witnesses. A witness is one who sees something and reports on it. We need to see, experience and witness God's miraculous power in action! Not merely by sitting and waiting, but by making it happen through the power of God. Get a vision and make it happen! I have seen many miracles. In a period of five years, only in Russia and Ukraine, we recorded more than 20,000 healings! I have a very long record with the KGB! One year I arrived in a city in Russia and they were waiting to stop me preaching – but their biggest problem was not the preaching, it was the miracles of healing! They are not afraid of preachers – they are afraid of the Power of God! They asked me, “What is your authority to heal the sick?” We opened the Word of God and showed them Mark 16, “This is what God tells us to do, it's in the Bible, ‘Lay hands on the sick and they WILL be healed!' We're going to do what the Bible says,” and they couldn't stop us!

He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on people who are ill, and they will get well.' (Mark 16:15-18, NIV) When we see what is happening in the world today, the fulfilment of so many prophecies, and how close we are to the return of Christ, we need to act fast. Remember the great commission of Christ, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel!” – Mark 16:15. Remember also that the Bible says, ‘For this purpose was the Son of man revealed, to destroy the works of the evil one.' – 1 John 3:8. In order to do these things and to see the fulfilment of all that GOD, rather than what the devil wants to do in these last days, we need to experience and know God's dynamic power in us!

The Church isn't a building, a brand, or a weekend event — it's the people of God filled with the Spirit of God, called to reveal the Son of God.Jesus said, “I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18).It belongs to Him. It's built by Him.And the gates of Hades will not overcome it.In this message, Pastor Josh teaches what Scripture reveals about the Church as Jesus' ekklesia — His family, His flock, His priesthood, His bride, and His body on the earth.We don't just attend church… we are the Church — unified in love, equipped for mission, and committed to one another.

Preacher: Rocky Wyatt Text: Matthew 28:18-20

The Solid Foundation of the Church by Jason ArendsMatthew 16:13-19Wednesday (10-15-25) night Bible Study

Saturday Church - Morning Church - Evening Church - Neil Fitzpatrick - Saturday 18 Oct 25 - Sunday 19 Oct 25

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:12 — “Do to others what you would have them do to you” — sound simple, but living them out takes more than good intentions. In this message, Pastor Mitch challenges believers to move from comfort to calling, from taking to giving, and from sleeping to serving. Discover how the Golden Rule only becomes possible when our hearts are transformed by the finished work of Christ, and learn what it means to “strengthen what remains” and live as a light to the world.

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the ChurchMatthew 18:1-4"Whoever humbles himself like this childis the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchMatthew 13:47-52"Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heavenis like the head of a household who brings from his storeroomboth the new and the old."

The Live recording of the 10 am Service at Steadfast Church in Carlsbad, California with Pastor Chris Fik, September 28, 2025.

Sermon Overview: There is a war going on. There is a spiritual fight for souls that is being fought. As Christians, we are squarely in the middle, caught between heaven and hell here on earth. But that's why this festival of St. Michael and All Angels is so important. It reminds us that Satan and his minions have been conquered – not with gold or silver, or moneybags or knapsacks, not with guns or tanks or even flaming swords. "[The angels] overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." Satan has fallen. He has been struck down by a lamb on a stick – Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God on a cross. Dragons should easily defeat lambs, but not when the Lamb is the Son of God! The wounds of the Lamb mortally wounded the dragon. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ (Revelation 12:10). Amen.He was a Christian apologist – a defender of the Christian faith through discourse and debate. He hadn't always been a strong proponent of Christ. But then he encountered a Christian who challenged his philosophies and encouraged him to the deeper calling of the higher religious authority of Jesus Christ. This became this young man's turning point.That interaction ignited a new passion within him. He dedicated his life to teaching and defending the Christian faith in the public square. He welcomed debates. He debated life issues and the sexual deviancy of the culture by always pointing to Jesus Christ – his morals, virtues, and salvation. For this debate, his voice was silenced. He met his death with a blow to the neck by his enemies.This was the life and death of Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist, who was martyred for his faith by being beheaded in the second century AD.God's people have been murdered for their faith almost from the beginning. Abel was killed by his brother because of Cain's jealousy. The infant boys in Jerusalem were slaughtered by King Herod's soldiers because of their proximity to the Christ child. Stephen was stoned to death and became the first martyr of the Christian Church because he boldly and bluntly preached Jesus to Christ's enemies.It has been said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Christian Church. When Christians are persecuted, the Church propagates. When Christians suffer, the Church spreads. When Christians are imprisoned, the Church becomes impassioned. When Christians are martyred, the Church matures and multiplies. The blood of Christians is shed because we Christians are in a war.This is a war that has been raging since the beginning of time. It's a war that continues to this day. It's a war that will continue until Judgment Day. You feel the wounds. You bear the scars.The war began in heaven. St. John writes: "There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down-- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him" (Revelation 12:7-9).The Lord kicked Satan out of heaven. God called upon St. Michael and his fellow angels to be his enforcers. The devil became a trespasser on God's property, and the holy angels were the military force who made sure he left. Satan is pictured as a huge, red, seven-headed dragon, the ancient serpent from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1). The dragon and his angelic allies did not want to go quietly. It became necessary to boot them out by force. So, there was war in heaven, a titanic struggle between the hosts of heaven and the hosts of hell. Jesus witnessed their ultimate demise with his crucifixion and resurrection, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18).The great news for us is that St. Michael and his angelic army are more powerful than Satan and his angelic allies. The bad news for us is that this spiritual war in the heavenly realms has been brought to earth. "He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. ...Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short" (Revelation 12:9, 12).There is an ongoing war in our society. It is a culture war for the hearts and minds – and souls – of our young people. We are in a war against those who want to destroy the Christian faith, those who are acting in allegiance with the Father of Lies.Satan is filled with furious rage against God. He knows he has a limited time before Judgment Day ends all his wicked activity forever. So, he is busy, attacking ferociously like a dragon. One goal of Satan is to silence Christians, Christian churches, and Christian pastors. How does he do this?You've probably been told that churches and pastors should not engage in discussing anything political. So, what does Satan do? Everything that used to be moral is now political. Everything that used to be spiritual is now social. Everything that used to be theological is now cultural. Transgenderism, gay marriage, abortion, justice, race, male and female relations, etc. Today, those are all political issues. But they are cultural issues, first. Before that, they are moral issues. And moral issues mean they are ultimately theological issues. Therefore, we need to speak to them to apply God's powerful and eternal Word to solving these issues.People – especially young people – are looking for answers. Specifically answers on social, cultural, and political issues. What happens if pastors and churches are not giving them the biblical answers to their cultural questions? They'll seek their answers elsewhere. From another church. From another pastor. From secular society – which is where Satan reigns as the Prince of this World.We – pastors, churches, people – need to be willing to discuss social, cultural, and even political issues. This is how we bring Jesus and his Word into the discussion. This is how we introduce and engage people with our Lord and Savior. We can tell them he is the One who lived perfectly in their place to exchange his righteousness for their unrighteous living with sexual sins, mistreatment of the opposite sex, having an abortion, and so on. We can tell them that Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated on his glorious throne ruling all things for the good of his people. He is in control amid injustice, racism, political upheaval, mass shootings, and assassinations. We preach that Christ is the glorious King of Kings who always defeats the lowly Prince of this World.Satan desires for Christians to be silent on cultural, moral, and political issues. Then the only ones talking are him and his minions. Christ desires for Christians to speak on cultural, moral, and political issues. Then we unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in the words that come from our mouths into the ears and hearts of those who are trapped by the lies of the Father of Lies.The so-called "Christian" culture of the past fifty years was a delusion of Satan to create a merely superficial, Sunday morning faith. That faith won't hold up in the Last Judgment, nor will it hold up in our modern culture. Christianity cannot be something we engage only on Sunday mornings. Our Christian faith must permeate everything we think, say, and do at home, work, school, athletic field, political rhetoric, etc. Christianity is not a club we belong to or a job we go to. Christ living in our hearts and reigning in our lives is our very core as Christians.Christians are often on the defensive in this cultural and spiritual war. Look at who we are going against! A dragon! A demonic horde! Enemies who want us canceled, imprisoned, and killed. Of course, we're afraid and on the defensive!Yet, what does Jesus promise? He says that the gates of hell cannot stand against his Church (Matthew 16:18). This is a clear statement of fact, a declaration of spiritual reality. It is a call for Christians to be confident in the clear Word of God, and to apply this Word in our lives even as we declare its truth to a culture that purposely ignores it. We often see that those who hate Christ are more outspoken than those who love Christ. We have fought this spiritual war poorly. We've been lackadaisical, indifferent, apathetic – even pathetic – in this war. We've laid down our weapons, silenced our mouths, and shut our Bibles.Fellow soldiers of the cross, we need to go on the offensive again. Not with the physical weapons of modern warfare, but with the ancient and time-tested weapons of the gospel. St. Paul gives us our marching orders: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand. Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. At all times hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:10-17).Christians are called to speak up in the public square and on social media platforms about good and godly things. We received this directive from St. Paul: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if anything is excellent, and if anything is praiseworthy, think about these things. The things that you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: Keep doing these things" (Philippians 4:8,9). We think about these things to protect them – and speak about these things to project them.The Devil is the Ruler of this World (John 12:31). But we must go on the offensive to break Satan's stranglehold on our culture. Jesus wants to use his Word to bring freedom for those enslaved in sin, and hope for those deluded by temptation. It is not our goal to change the culture, but to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified into the culture.The devil hates order. That's why Satan attacks marriage, family, and life. He fosters confusion. That's why he makes people imagine there are dozens of genders. He loves chaos. That's why he creates violence in our cities. He champions death. That's why his sacrament is the murder of the unborn. The devil's goal is to hate, kill, and destroy.Speaking the truth in love is a form of spiritual warfare. All lies come from the Father of Lies. All truth comes from Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Preaching truth isn't about siding with a political party. It's about proclaiming God's design, God's justice, and God's grace into every area of life. When we do this boldly, but with love, the gospel shines brighter. We remind people that Christ is not only Savior of their souls, but also the Lord over all creation. Satan wants silence, but Jesus commands proclamation. That means speaking truth, with grace, into every sphere – personal, cultural, and yes, even political, so that hearts are transformed and God is glorified.We have been equipped and sent by the Lord. We don't rejoice that we can trample on snakes or scorpions. We rejoice that Christ has already won the eternal victory. He saw Satan fall like lightening from the sky. He has granted us his victory by writing our names in the Book of Life through our Baptism and conversion.Now, as his baptized and equipped soldiers, we don't wait. We don't sit still. We don't remain silent. We fight. Not with fists, but on our knees. We pray for Jesus' kingdom to come and Satan's kingdom to be defeated. We pray for God's will to be done and Satan's will to be broken. We pray for God to deliver us from the Evil One. Demonic shrieks, screams, and shouts cannot drown out our prayers. "The Lord is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29).God has promised that St. Michael and his angelic army are fighting for us in the spiritual realms. All the plans of the Evil One will ultimately fail. We may be canceled, but more importantly, Christ has canceled our sins. We may be imprisoned, but more importantly, we have found freedom in Christ's forgiveness. We may be martyred, but more importantly, we will have gained our ultimate victory of being with Christ Jesus. The Word of Christ still drives out demons, and his Church will prevail against the gates of hell. The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Christian Church. Amen.They conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/heavens-war-brought-to-earth/

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the ChurchMatthew 23:8-12"The greatest among you must be your servant.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Rev. Dr. Brent Easton's message on Matthew 28:16-20, Biblical Growth and Identity of a Local Church.

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the ChurchMatthew 5:13-19"You are the light of the world.A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;it is set on a lampstand,where it gives light to all in the house.Just so, your light must shine before others,that they may see your good deedsand glorify your heavenly Father."

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the ChurchMatthew 23:8-12"The greatest among you must be your servant.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Join us for today's sermon podcast, where we delve into the powerful message drawn from Apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians, urging believers to share the gospel fearlessly and with clarity. This episode explores the intersection of faith and patriotism, challenging the notion that Christians cannot be patriotic. Emphasizing the true meaning behind the phrase "God Bless America," we reflect on what spiritual blessings are essential for our nation and how we, as Christians, can be good stewards of our nation and faith. Through the lens of biblical teachings, we address the importance of prioritizing God's kingdom and His righteousness in our lives and communities. We draw inspiration from historical figures like George Washington and explore how reverence for God's Word, house, and will can lead to national repentance and renewal. This sermon encourages us all to live out our faith actively, becoming salt and light in our communities and leading our nation back to its spiritual roots.   “America – God Shed His Grace on Thee” “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” -  Psalm 33:12 Main Idea: The true blessing of a nation comes not from power or prosperity, but from honoring God through repentance, righteousness, and the faithful witness of His people. Introduction: What Do We Mean by “God Bless America”? - Matthew 6:33 “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” — George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789 “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” — Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785 “God Bless America” with Spiritual Blessings - Proverbs 14:34 a. Recover Lost Values Micah 6:8 “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” - George Washington b. Recover the “Faith of Our Fathers” The Mayflower Compact (1620) began with a covenant “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.” “To the distinguished character of a Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian.” — George Washington c. Rebirth of Reverence For God's Day (Sabbath), God's Book (Scripture), God's House (worship), and God's Will (obedience). Hebrews 10:25 “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease.”— Calvin Coolidge, 1924 III. “God Bless America” Should Also Mean “God Save America!” 2 Chronicles 7:14 a. From Moral Decay Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. - 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT) “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven... but we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace... and we have vainly imagined... that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”  — Abraham Lincoln b. From False Ideologies and Religions Colossians 2:8 “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” — John Quincy Adams “God Bless America” Through the Church - Matthew 5:13–16 a. The Church Must Lead in Repentance and Renewal “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams, 1798 “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” — Benjamin Franklin, 1787 b. Faith Must Be Active James 2:17 “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.” — Benjamin Franklin, June 28, 1787, Philadelphia Constitutional Convention Conclusion: A Call to Hope and Holiness - Psalm 33:20–22 America's hope is not in her wealth or might, but in her Maker. “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Ronald Reagan, 1984 Call to Action: Pray for national repentance. Live as a holy people. Be salt and light in a darkening world.   Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect

This sermon was preached at Hope Fellowship on Sunday, June 29, 2025 by Kyle Truman.We gather every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium at Gatesville Elementary School in Gatesville N.C.Contact us and learn more about Hope Fellowship at hopegatesville.com.Sunday's Live Sermon Broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/@hopegatesville6365/streamsPastor Kyle's Blog: https://onthechristianlife.substack.com/Online Giving: https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/hopegatesville/general

Is the church more than just a building where people gather on Sundays? According to Jesus in Matthew 16, the answer is a resounding yes. In this powerful message, guest speaker Pastor Mike Nolen unpacks five foundational truths every Christian should know about the Church—what it is, why it matters, and what role we each play in it.--Sermon by Pastor Mike Nolen--New to Heritage? Want to get more involved? Looking for a Group or Ministry Team? Let us know at https://heritage.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/6/responses/new--Stay Connected:Website: http://www.hbcmonroe.orgHeritage Facebook: /heritagebaptistchurchmonroe

May 11, 2025. Sunday Bible Study with Pastor Cason Kelly.

This is the process of restoration when a brother or sister is in sin. 

Preached by Blaine Walls

In today's message, we examine the process for what to do when a Christian has sinned. We learn that it's a step by step process that takes time and heart. We also go through the importance of forgiveness and how forgiving someone releases bondage on ourselves. Join us Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30am, and also Wednesdays at 7:00pm.

April 27, 2025 | Luke Harding

In this episode Pastor Tyler Medina takes you on a journey through Matthew 10, and elaborates on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Matthew and Steve have some pointed observations that they make about church worship, structure and motivations in our day and age. We hope and pray that Grounded has become a useful and regular part of your Christian learning and growth! - the Grounded team Would you like to know one of the best ways to help our ministry? Telling others about Grounded, we would be very thankful if you did!

Morning:Fourth Day Morning: True Christianity: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-morning-true-christianity/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, April 2Leviticus 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Leviticus+5Psalm 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+3Psalm 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+4Proverbs 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Proverbs+20Colossians 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Colossians+3A Christian's Prayer (108)Evening:Amazing Grace (110)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, April 2, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/04/02Message: God's Purpose For His Church, Matthew 28:16-20, Pastor Don ThomasFourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-evening-god-all-sufficient/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Caroline Hood preaches on the mission of the Church and Jesus sending them out into the world.

Opus Dei often sparks curiosity—and controversy. But what is it really, and how does it function within the wider Catholic Church? We explore this question and also discuss papal resignation and the balance of free will and institutional pressure. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 33:36 – Does a papal resignation raise concerns about free will vs. pressure within the Vatican? 37:31 – What is Opus Dei, and how does it fit into the larger Catholic faith?

The Purpose of the Church (Matthew 28:16-20) - Morning Sermon

Today, a sharply divided Supreme Court reinstated a lower-court order for the Trump administration to release frozen foreign aid. In this episode, I talk with Matthew Soerens of World Relief about some of the recent executive orders and how marginalized voices can help restore the American church in its places of prominence. Matt began his World Relief journey in 2005 as an intern in Nicaragua. Since then he served as a Department of Justice-accredited legal counselor in Chicagoland before assuming the role of U.S. Director of Church Mobilization and Advocacy. He is the co-author of three books including  Welcoming the Stranger (InterVarsity Press, 2018) and Inalienable (InterVarsity Press, 2022). He is a graduate of Wheaton College, where he has also served as a guest faculty member in the Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership program, and earned a master's degree from DePaul University's School of Public Service.  Cross & Gavel is a production of CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY. The episode was produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento.

The Power of the Church - Matthew 18:17-20

Pastor Kris Ullman continues our series "Church Matters" with "Our Mission" from Matthew 28:19-20.

More Than A Name: A Jesus Church (Matthew 16:13-20) w/ Darren Tyler

Mary welcomes back Mike Gendron today to discuss Catholicism and this vast mission field of over 1 billion souls. If you have been raised in that tradition and come to true faith, you know how difficult it is to evangelize them. Why is this? The average Catholic has one string on their guitar: "I'm basically a good person." By whose standard? And by putting their faith in this one basket, how can we as believers help them see that being wrong about this, about salvation, is to be wrong forever? Mike helps us sort out how to lovingly, compassionately share the truth with Catholics and get their nose in the Scripture. Also discussed: the Pope, FOX News and it's chronic Catholic cheerleading, and the canonization of a teenager who died in 2006. What is it that makes this sort of religiosity palatable to today's religious cynic? A full hour with Mike that will challenge and confirm the importance of the faith once delivered to the (real) saints of the Most High.   Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A From Stand Up For The Truth research team: Here are some areas where the Catholic Catechism is often seen as departing from a purely biblical foundation: 1. Authority of Tradition & the Magisterium Catechism (CCC 80-82, 85): Catholicism teaches that divine revelation comes from both Scripture and Tradition, and that the Church's Magisterium (Pope and bishops) has the authority to interpret both. Biblical Challenge: Protestants argue that the Bible alone is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 15:3-9) and reject extra-biblical traditions as authoritative. 2. The Role of Mary Catechism (CCC 491, 494, 966, 971, 2677): Catholicism teaches that Mary was immaculately conceived (without sin), remained perpetually a virgin, was assumed bodily into heaven, and can intercede for believers. Biblical Challenge: The Bible states that "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23), never explicitly teaches Mary's perpetual virginity (Matthew 1:24-25), and does not mention her bodily assumption. Additionally, Christ is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). 3. Salvation by Grace & Works Catechism (CCC 1987-2029): Catholic doctrine teaches that salvation is initially by grace but involves cooperation with God through faith, works, and the sacraments. Biblical Challenge: Many Protestants cite Ephesians 2:8-9, which states salvation is "by grace... through faith, not by works." Romans 4:5 and Galatians 2:16 emphasize justification apart from the law. 4. The Sacraments as Necessary for Salvation Catechism (CCC 1129, 1257): The Catholic Church teaches that the sacraments (such as baptism and the Eucharist) are necessary for salvation. Biblical Challenge: While baptism and communion are important, the Bible presents salvation as a matter of faith in Christ (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). The thief on the cross was saved without sacraments (Luke 23:42-43). 5. Purgatory & Prayers for the Dead Catechism (CCC 1030-1032, 1472): Catholicism teaches that purgatory is a place of purification before entering heaven and that prayers for the dead can help souls be freed from temporal punishment. Biblical Challenge: The Bible does not explicitly teach purgatory. Hebrews 9:27 states that after death comes judgment, with no mention of an intermediate purification. Christ's sacrifice is sufficient (John 19:30, Hebrews 10:14). 6. The Papacy & Apostolic Succession Catechism (CCC 882, 936-937): The Pope is seen as the successor of Peter and the supreme authority over the Church. Biblical Challenge: While Peter was a leader, the Bible does not establish a single, infallible ruler over the Church (Matthew 23:8-10). Christ is the true head (Colossians 1:18), and leadership is shared among elders (1 Peter 5:1-3). 7. The Eucharist (Transubstantiation) Catechism (CCC 1374-1377): Catholicism teaches tha...

Program for 12/26/2024 "Best Of" Covenant Community Church: Matthew 1:18-2:23, Joseph's Story