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Can We Derive Doctrine from Bible Stories?Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with Dr. David K. BernardNearly 60 percent of the Bible is written in narrative form. Instead of presenting theology in systematic outlines, Scripture often teaches through stories, especially in books such as Acts. But can doctrine be established from these narratives?In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses a foundational question of biblical interpretation: How do we distinguish between what is merely descriptive in Scripture and what is prescriptive for the church today?Referencing his book Understanding God's Word, Dr. Bernard challenges the common Western assumption that the propositional teaching of the Epistles carries more theological authority than the examples recorded in Acts. He explains why narrative passages are not secondary theology and why the practices of the early church matter for doctrine.With biblical clarity, Dr. Bernard explores how to properly interpret Scripture and why the example of the early church remains essential for believers today.This episode is a thoughtful and practical guide for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of hermeneutics, apostolic doctrine, and the authority of Scripture.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.
HGCS Head of School, Dr. Jimmie QuesinberryWednesday, February 25, 2026
~~~~~~~ No 6 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 1:17-21** And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as....... that your faith and hope might be in God. *1/ Our Father, God. 2/ How we are to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear. 3/ Five reasons to live in Godly fear.* - We were not redeemed with corruptible things - (1 Peter 1:18) - We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ - (1 Peter 1:19) - Christ was foreordained for us before the foundation of the world - (1 Peter 1:20) - It is by Christ that we believe in God - (1 Peter 1:21) - That our faith and hope might be in God - (1 Peter 1:21) **Sermon Summary:** The sermon presents a profound call to live in godly fear before God, grounded in the reality of divine judgment, redemption, and eternal purpose. It emphasizes that believers, having been redeemed not by perishable things like silver and gold but by the precious blood of Christ—a lamb without blemish—must recognize the weight of God's holiness and justice. This fear is not rooted in terror but in reverent awe, shaped by the knowledge that Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world and manifested in the last times for their salvation. Ultimately, this godly fear is not a burden but a mark of genuine spiritual life, reflecting a heart transformed by the grace of God and sustained by the assurance of His eternal covenant.
What does it actually mean to study the Bible, not just read it, but truly dig into it? In this episode of Explore the Bible, Amir Tsarfati and Pastor Dr. Rick Yohn introduce a powerful approach to understanding the Epistles as a literary genre and apply it directly to 2 Peter, Chapter 1.Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned student of the Word, this episode will give you fresh tools to open your Bible with confidence.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael
Pastor, Family Discipleship, Missions & Outreach, Kyle ScarlettWednesday, February 18, 2026
~~~~~~~ No 5 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 1:13-16** Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. *1/ A right mindset for sanctification. 2/ The obedience called for to not return to our past sinful life. 3/ Exhortation to holiness.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon centers on the imperative of holy living as a natural outflow of God's redemptive work, grounded in the believer's identity in Christ and the ongoing process of sanctification. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:13–16, it emphasizes a right mindset—girding the mind with truth, maintaining sobriety, and fixing hope on the grace to be revealed at Christ's return—as the foundation for spiritual discipline. It distinguishes between the believer's positional holiness in Christ and the progressive sanctification that demands daily obedience, resisting the former lusts of ignorance, and embracing a transformed life in all areas of conduct. The exhortation to holiness is not a call to earn salvation through perfection, but a response to divine calling, rooted in God's own holiness and sustained by grace. The message calls believers to vigilance, repentance, and reliance on divine strength, warning against complacency while affirming that true holiness is both a gift and a lifelong pursuit.
By Jorge de Campos - Paul describes characteristics of deacons and deaconesses. Christ is the head of the House of God, of the Church of the Living God, of the pillar and ground of the Truth. We got to strive for godliness. Jesus came in the flesh, proved tht He was who He was as God backed Him up with His power, God's
by Nathan Hoag
The central message of the sermon is the profound and all-encompassing faithfulness of God, which undergirds every aspect of our lives—past, present, and future. Rooted in Scripture, particularly 1 Corinthians 1:9 and passages from Isaiah, Psalm, and the Epistles, the preacher emphasizes that God's faithfulness is not contingent on human performance but is the foundation of salvation, sanctification, and eternal hope. This faithfulness is revealed in God's eternal plan, His personal redemption of individuals, His sustaining presence in daily trials, His readiness to forgive, and His certain promise to complete the work He began in His Children. The sermon calls for a posture of surrender, humility, and trust, urging listeners to release their reliance on self-effort, routines, and religious performance, and instead to rest in God's unchanging character. Ultimately, the message is one of profound comfort and freedom: because God is faithful, believers need not fear failure, doubt, or future uncertainty, for His love, provision, and power are sufficient and eternal.
Welcome! We are so excited you are joining us today! Head on over to any of the links below for more information about what is happening here at Covenant.*New visitors, please fill out our Connect Card!*Submit a Prayer Request HERE*Check out our Sermon Notes & Archives*Visit our Website!*Download the Covenant Church App for important links, digital sermon notes & archives and more.
In this episode of our series on Sinclair Ferguson's "Devoted to God," we examine one of the most crucial passages in the New Testament: Romans 6. Ferguson guides us through Paul's explosive answer to a dangerous question: if grace covers all sin, why not keep sinning?Discover the three dimensions of our union with Christ—eternal, covenantal, and existential—and what it means that we were crucified, buried, and raised with him. Learn how baptism isn't merely a sign of our faith, but God's declaration of what he has done: delivering us from death to life.We explore what it means to have died to sin's reign, to live under grace rather than law, and to embrace the daily rhythm of the baptized life through four powerful commands from Romans 6.Tags: Romans 6, Union with Christ, Baptism, Sinclair Ferguson, Sanctification, Gospel Identity, Reformed Theology, Christian Living, Paul's Epistles, Belgrade URC
Worship Pastor, John StegemertenWednesday, February 11, 2026
This sermon from the Abundant Life Church podcast serves as an impassioned defense of the Holy Spirit's role within the modern church. The speaker argues that contemporary Christianity has often traded spiritual power for entertainment and popularity, resulting in a "weak and anemic" faith. By citing various Biblical passages from Acts and the Epistles, the preacher emphasizes that the baptism of the Holy Ghost, accompanied by the evidence of speaking in tongues, is a vital New Testament mandate. He challenges congregants to move beyond intellectual skepticism and human tradition to embrace the supernatural empowerment required for a bold Christian life. Throughout the message, the speaker encourages listeners to study the scriptures independently rather than relying on social media or denominational opinions. Ultimately, the text calls for a revival of apostolic power to equip the current generation for spiritual victory.
God Sees a Jesus Follower as Being “In Christ”; Therefore, God Sees a Jesus Follower as His Son or Daughter MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Followers of Jesus, you are "In Christ" -- God looks at you, as a Jesus Follower, and He sees Jesus in you. Throughout the Epistles we find: "In Christ" or "In Him". In Galatians 3:14, Paul tells you that your faith in Jesus makes you “In Christ” and a recipient of God's Covenant with Abraham: “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.". Also, Paul goes even further, in Galatians 3:25-28, to tell you that, through your faith in Jesus, you no longer need any kind of intermediary because you are “In Christ” and you have a personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”. When God sees you, “In Christ" as a Jesus Follower, He sees Jesus, the Son. Therefore, God sees you as His son or daughter. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Despair. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Joy. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 3:21-26; Romans 6:5-11; Romans 6:22-23; Psalms 63:1-11. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 3 – Incomplete Finished Work”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
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QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “Christ pervades all Scripture, as salt all waters of the sea, as light the brightest day, as fragrance the garden of choice flowers.”~Henry Law (1797-1884), Cambridge-educated Dean of Gloucester in Christ is All “The righteousness of God is God's righteous initiative in putting sinners right with himself, by bestowing on them a righteousness which is not their own but his. The righteousness of God is God's just justification of the unjust, his righteous way of pronouncing the unrighteous righteous, in which he both demonstrates his righteousness and gives His righteousness to us.” ~John Stott (1921-2011), British Anglican pastor and theologian “The righteousness of God is not that by which God is righteous but that with which he clothes man when he justifies the ungodly”~ Augustine (354-430), North African church leader, explaining Paul's understanding of “righteousness” in the Letter to Romans (A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter) “God allowed his Son to suffer as if a condemned sinner, so that we might be delivered from the penalty of our sins. This is God's righteousness, that we are not justified by works…but by grace, in which case all our sin is removed.”~John Chrysostom (c. 347-407), Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians “He Himself took on Him the burden of our iniquities, He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for them that are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! that the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!”~The Epistle to Diognetus (c. 150AD) 9:2-5. “The operation of the Church is entirely set up for the sinner; which creates much misunderstanding among the smug.” “Don't expect faith to clear things up for you. It is trust, not certainty.”~Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964), American authorSERMON PASSAGERomans 1:14-17 (ESV)Romans 1 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 321 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 4 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
Welcome! We are so excited you are joining us today! Head on over to any of the links below for more information about what is happening here at Covenant.*New visitors, please fill out our Connect Card!*Submit a Prayer Request HERE*Check out our Sermon Notes & Archives*Visit our Website!*Download the Covenant Church App for important links, digital sermon notes & archives and more.
Discipleship Pastor, Matt Phipps Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Welcome! We are so excited you are joining us today! Head on over to any of the links below for more information about what is happening here at Covenant.*New visitors, please fill out our Connect Card!*Submit a Prayer Request HERE*Check out our Sermon Notes & Archives*Visit our Website!*Download the Covenant Church App for important links, digital sermon notes & archives and more.
The Word That Endures Forever: Creeds, Canon, and the Test of Doctrinal Consistency In this foundational teaching, Jacob Prasch examines the nature of biblical Christianity by contrasting the unchanging authority of Scripture with the evolving doctrines of religion. Beginning with the early creeds—the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed—he explains how the “line of faith” preserved essential Christian truth before the New Testament canon was fully written and recognized. From there, the message traces a consistent biblical warning against adding to or subtracting from God's Word, drawing on Deuteronomy, Proverbs, Isaiah, the Gospels, the Epistles, and Revelation. Prasch argues that while Scripture remains coherent and self-consistent, false expressions of Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and modern ecumenical and emergent movements are marked by progressive doctrinal invention and internal contradiction. By documenting historical developments, shifting dogmas, and extra-biblical authorities, the teaching exposes religion as man's attempt to reach God, in contrast to the gospel—God's unchanging revelation reaching fallen humanity. The message concludes with a clear test of truth: what is from God remains consistent, but what adds to His Word will inevitably prove unstable, contradictory, and false. This teaching was originally taught on RTN TV's "Word for the Weekend" on July 6, 2024 and can be found on RTN and Moriel's YouTube and ministry channels. Word for the Weekend streams live every Saturday. See RTNTV.org for more information.
Senior Pastor, Clint PressleyWednesday, January 28, 2026
There is a thread through most of our lessons. Not in the Epistle, where there is a little insider stuff. The Epistle is rarely selected to match the other lessons, except on special days. Generally, we read through one of Paul's Epistles, as we are working our way through 1st Corinthians now. The Epistle does not match the other lessons today, but the first reading, the Psalm, and the Gospel are selected to have at least one thread that connects them. There is a thread that is pretty clear in these readings today, and it is light. As we heard in Isaiah, “the people who walked in deep darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.” And in the Psalm we hear “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom then shall I fear?” And in the Gospel we heard Matthew quote Isaiah in a slightly different translation, “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.” We see this thread of light. Listen to read Bingham's entire sermon by clicking “Read More.”
Welcome! We are so excited you are joining us today! Head on over to any of the links below for more information about what is happening here at Covenant.*New visitors, please fill out our Connect Card!*Submit a Prayer Request HERE*Check out our Sermon Notes & Archives*Visit our Website!*Download the Covenant Church App for important links, digital sermon notes & archives and more.
Unity Through Humility — Review of Lesson #4 of the 1st Quarter of 2026 -The Sabbath School Lesson study guide can be found here:— https://ssnet.org/lessons/26a/less04.html— https://www.adultbiblestudyguide.org/archives— https://sabbath-school.adventech.io/enThe title of this quarter's theme is: Uniting Heaven and EarthFor the next 13 weeks (January to March 2026), we will look at two important letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians and the Philippians. In them, we will see what the Apostle writes concerning Christ and Him crucified.Related Podcasts:— Introduction to Introduction to the Writings of Paul— The Purpose of the Church— Unity in Christ— Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?— Christ, Humanity and Salvation— The Divinity of Jesus ChristRelated Podcasts at TrueWisdom:— If Christ is NOT risen...— Revelations of the Godhead— Why Hasn't Christ Returned Yet - Part 1— Why Hasn't Christ Returned Yet - Part 2 Text UsSupport the showSend questions or comments to: BibleQuestions@ASBzone.comThe Key Principles of Effective Bible Study is a resource which outlines core concepts shown in the Scriptures that will help you to better understand many Biblical themes and doctrines. We have an extended, 24-part podcast series on these principles, and a condensed, 9-part series called God's Precious Word, that is based on the same resource. We also recommend that you check out the True Wisdom podcast which I co-host with Robert Baker -- a different format for Bible Study. Finally, check out these awesome Bible Maps! We pray that all of these resources will be very helpful to you in your Bible Studies.
This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him. The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.
Welcome back to Season 6, where we return to the New Testament! We will study the 1-3 John epistles!For starters, we discuss the many reasons why John is widely believed to be the author of these letters, including his writing style, the history of the books, and the purpose and reasons for his writing.John was one of the first apostles chosen, had the closest relationship with Jesus, witnessed many miracles of the Great Physician, heard the lessons from the Master, and had a tremendous part in the beginning of his King's church.Join us as we learn more about our Lord from one ofJesus' closest friends, if not the best one.
Senior Pastor, Clint PressleyWednesday January 21, 2026
A Powerful Interview with #1 Best Seller Frank Viola About His New Book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church Revised And Expanded This Book Will Change How You Read the New Testament Forever In this powerful and eye-opening interview, Stephen Lewis sits down with bestselling author and teacher Frank Viola to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded. Frank reveals why so many believers struggle to understand the New Testament—not because God's Word is unclear, but because it's often read without its original historical, cultural, and chronological context. He explains that reading the Bible without the full story is like hearing only one side of a phone conversation, and that his book restores the background that brings Scripture to life. This conversation explores what the first-century church truly looked like, how the book of Acts and the Epistles fit together, why traditions have drifted from biblical roots, and how Christ—not systems, structures, or institutions—was always meant to be the center of the Christian life. #FrankViola #UntoldStoryOfTheNewTestamentChurch #NewTestamentChurch #EarlyChurch #ChurchHistory #BibleContext #ChristianPodcast #RelevanceForToday #ChristIsAll
Series: Signs & GloryTitle: What happens when Jesus shows up? Part 2Scripture:
Senior Pastor, Clint PressleyWednesday January 14, 2026
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Senior Pastor, Clint PressleyWednesday January 7, 2026
God Sees Jesus Followers as “In Christ”: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Followers of Jesus, we are "In Christ" -- God looks at us and sees Jesus in us. Throughout the Epistles we find: "In Christ" or "In Him". In Galatians 3:14, Paul tells us that our faith in Jesus makes us “In Christ” and recipients of God's Covenant with Abraham: “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.". Also, Paul goes even further, in Galatians 3:25-28, to tell us that, through our faith in Jesus, we no longer need any kind of intermediary because we are “In Christ” and we have a personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”. The benefit our position "In Christ", as Christians, is that when God looks at us, He sees Jesus, the Son; therefore, He then sees us as His sons and daughters. TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 3:21-26; Romans 6:5-11; Romans 6:22-23; Psalms 77a:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Struggle with Time -- Until I Determine How We Want to Use Our Time, Others Will Determine How Our Time Is Used” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Notes - https://www.generationword.com/notes/Epistles/21-Hebrews-diagram.jpg
Series: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd JohnService: Sun Bible StudyType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shannon Crawford
In this teaching, the speaker introduces Genesis (Beresheet) through a distinctly Jewish-Christian lens, arguing that the Bible is a unified, Christ-centered revelation in which Genesis, Proverbs 8, the Gospel of John, John's Epistles, and Revelation form a deliberate theological structure—“like a loaf of bread, the same on both ends.” He explains how early Jewish believers understood Scripture typologically rather than as modern historiography, emphasizing historicity without modern historical genre, and shows how Jesus is present as God's agent of creation and new creation throughout the Old and New Testaments. Drawing connections between creation and redemption—light and darkness, water and the Spirit, the tree of life, the fig tree, marriage, and the Trinity—he frames Genesis as the foundation for understanding salvation history, human identity, marriage, gender roles, deception, and spiritual warfare. The message also addresses creation and science, warning against both Darwinism and naïve creationism, insisting Genesis answers why God created rather than how, and concluding that all Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—reveals God declaring the end from the beginning, calling believers to read Genesis not only to learn what happened, but to understand what is happening now and what is yet to come.
Notes - https://www.generationword.com/notes/Epistles/20-Hebrews_the_Epistle.pdf
Sermon Date: December 28, 2025 Speaker: Pastor Landon Churchill If Christmas only lives in December, we never truly understood it. In this message, we move into Christmas in the Epistles—where the New Testament letters explain what the incarnation changed and how it reshapes our identity, obedience, hope, and everyday life. From Hebrews 1, we see that God has spoken fully and finally through His Son—Jesus is not a partial message, but God revealed. From Galatians 4, we're reminded that because Christ came at the perfect time to redeem us, we are no longer slaves but adopted sons and daughters, able to cry “Abba, Father.” In Philippians 2, we're called to live with the same humble mindset of Christ, who laid aside privilege and became obedient even to death on a cross. And in Titus 2, we learn that grace doesn't just forgive—it trains and transforms us as we live with hope, watching for Christ's return. Finally, 1 John 4 shows us what real love looks like: love moved toward us—so now love must flow through us. This is Christmas theology for real life: God has spoken, we belong, humility matters, grace is active, and love must move. Christmas doesn't end—it expands into every day of the year. ComeToFreedom.com
Friends of the Rosary,Yesterday, we honored St. Stephen, who by his words and by laying down his life for his faith, bore witness to Christ. Today, December 27, we receive the testimony of John, Apostle and Evangelist (d. 101).The Church celebrates the Feast of this Galilean fisherman born in Bethsaida, son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother to St. James the Greater, who became the beloved disciple of Jesus.John and James were called by Jesus to be disciples as they were mending their nets by the Sea of Galilee.The pure and spiritual life of John kept him very close to Jesus and Mary, resting on the Master's breast at the Last Supper and being filled with divine wisdom.He wrote the fourth Gospel (about sixty-three years after the Ascension of Christ), three Epistles, and an excellent and mysterious Book of the Apocalypse or Revelation.John is the evangelist of the divinity and fraternal love of Christ. With James, his brother, and Simon Peter, he was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration.He was permitted to witness His agony in the Garden. At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusted His Mother to his care as He hung dying on the Cross.St. John was the only one of the Apostles who did not forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion and Death.He was brought to Rome and, according to tradition, cast into a caldron of boiling oil by Emperor Domitian's order, but he was miraculously preserved unhurt. He was later exiled to the Island of Patmos, where he wrote the Apocalypse.In his extreme old age, he continued to visit the churches of Asia. Every time he preached, he said: "My dear children, love one another."St. John died in peace at about ninety-four years old at Ephesus in the hundredth year of the Christian era, or the sixty-sixth from the crucifixion of Christ.Ave MariaCome, 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 YorkNew Upgrade! Enhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• December 27, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
"This Martyr was the daughter of most distinguished and noble parents named Philip and Claudia. Philip, a Prefect of Rome, moved to Alexandria with his family. In Alexandria, Eugenia had the occasion to learn the Christian Faith, in particular when she encountered the Epistles of Saint Paul, the reading of which filled her with compunction and showed her clearly the vanity of the world. Secretly taking two of her servants, Protas and Hyacinth, she departed from Alexandria by night. Disguised as a man, she called herself Eugene [Eugenios -ed.] while pretending to be a eunuch, and departed with her servants and took up the monastic life in a monastery of men. Her parents mourned for her, but could not find her. After Saint Eugenia had laboured for some time in the monastic life, a certain woman named Melanthia, thinking Eugene to be a monk, conceived lust and constrained Eugenia to comply with her desire; when Eugenia refused, Melanthia slandered Eugenia to the Prefect as having done insult to her honour. Eugenia was brought before the Prefect, her own father Philip, and revealed to him both that she was innocent of the accusations, and that she was his own daughter. Through this, Philip became a Christian; he was afterwards beheaded at Alexandria. Eugenia was taken back to Rome with Protas and Hyacinth. All three of them ended their life in martyrdom in the years of Commodus, who reigned from 180 to 192." (Great Horologion)
Topics: The Word Disciple Is Not Used in Epistles, Doctrine of the New Covenant, Great Commission Completed in Acts 2, No Need to be Discipled, No Disciples Now, No Apostles Now, Cannot be Jesus' Disciple (Luke 14:26-33), Literal Following in that Time, Disciple Means Student or Learner, John the Baptist's Disciples, Law-Based Prayer in Luke 11, Grace-Based Prayer in John 17, Jesus' Yoke is Easy, None Truly Followed Him by Counting the Cost, Holy Spirit Counsels from Within, One Spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17), Sins No Longer Held (2 Corinthians 5:19), New Covenant Based on Christ's Blood, Old Covenant Obsolete, Better Covenant on Better Promises, Sins Remembered No More, Hebrews Chapters 8-10, New and Living Way (Hebrews 10:20), Rightly Dividing Scripture (2 Timothy 2), Foundations of New Covenant, James and Covenant Mixture Theology, Apostles are Sent Out, Disciples and Apostles Interchangeable (Luke 16:13), Apostle Must be Taught by Jesus, Paul Taught by Risen Jesus (Galatians 1), Apostleship of Paul (Multiple 2 Corinthians Passages), Greater Things Now Is Christ in All of Us Equally, Must Hate Family and Self (Luke 14:26), Must Carry a Cross (Luke 14:27), Count the Cost of Building a Tower, Cannot Win the War (Luke 14:31-32), Accept the Terms of Peace, You are One with Him (1 John 3:1), Grow in Grace and Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18)Support the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter
Matt, Ken, and Kenny continue their discussion about one of the most important questions a Christian can ask: what is the Gospel? Former Baptist pastor Ken Hensley looks at how St. Paul reflects on the nature of justification in his Epistles, to see how it compares with the Reformed and Catholic understandings of how we are saved. More episodes: https://chnetwork.org/on-the-journey-show/ Join our Online Community: https://www.chnetwork.org/community Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass
Welcome to The Church period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to discuss the final time period of the Bible Timeline. They discuss the historical context of the early Church, why Rome and the early martyrs are so significant, and how the Holy Spirit takes on a major role. They also explain the differences between Acts, the epistles, and the book of Revelation. 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.
Today, we begin the age of the church, transitioning from the Gospel of Luke to the beginning of the book of Acts. Fr. Mike draws our attention to the Ascension of Jesus and encourages us to respond to Christ's call to participate in his mission. He invites us to be part of his story and not be ashamed of the Gospel. Today's readings are Acts 1, Romans 1, and Proverbs 26:24-26. 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.