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For the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank reflects on faith in Christ.Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources. Listen to Fr. Frank's more of weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.
For the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank reflects on faith in Christ.Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources. Listen to Fr. Frank's more of weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.
Welcome to Episode #118 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our sixth of eight episodes in our fifteenth mini-series, It's All About Jesus. On this episode we're going to take a look at what the letters and epistles say is the way to maturity in the faith. In this mini-series we've been looking at unfolding TRUTH associated with Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:4-21. A key verse in this passage we've been launching from is Luke 8:18 – “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”We learned on our last episode there is a way to apostasy that has been in the church since the beginning. That way is promoted by false and deceptive teachers purposefully leading away members of the flock for their own purposes. Paul noted in Eph 4:14 the need for ALL to mature so as to avoid remaining as children and being tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. He again emphasizes this in Col 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.The problem is not in the world where we would expect trouble. But it is in the church amongst us as Paul notes in Romans 16:17-18 – I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.You will also find Peter, John, and Jude making similar warnings in their letters regarding false teachers and deceivers entering the flock in their day and beyond. Jesus pointed this reality out in his Parable of the Weeds where he told his disciples the devil will plant his children alongside God's children both in the world and in the church. The devil's children will not be removed until the end when angels from heaven will do the reaping and binding for burning.For those who may not have listened to previous episodes, there is a significant difference between being a child in the faith and being mature. Hebrews 5:11-14 – About this [Supremacy of Christ] we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word [LOGOS] of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Children in the faith are living on milk and unskilled in the word [LOGOS] of righteousness. Mature in the faith are living on meat and skilled in the word [LOGOS] of righteousness having their powers of discernment trained to distinguish good from evil. The obvious question becomes how does one go from being a child to being mature?
Have you ever wondered about the concept of justification by faith in Christianity? We're about to embark on a voyage through the deep spiritual insights in the book of Romans, and your perspective on faith and salvation might just be revolutionized. We'll start by unpacking the profound concept of justification by faith, exploring its implications for our righteousness and how we stand before God. Picture a bankrupt debtor - we'll illustrate how Christ generously fills our spiritual account with His righteousness, providing us with a secure salvation.Moving along, we'll delve into the pivotal role of Jesus Christ in our journey to peace with God. From the sinless life of Christ, his crucifixion, and resurrection, to the profound exchange that takes place when we seek Him – His righteousness for our sins – we'll grapple with the depths of these truths together. Having faith is not an option; it's an essential part of our pursuit of peace with God. You'll want to be part of this compelling discussion!Finally, we'll grapple with the profound peace and mediation that Christ brings between God and man. We'll debunk popular myths and false eschatological perspectives, shedding light on the eternal nature of peace in Christ. We'll talk about the transformative power of Christ's baptism and the assurance that comes from knowing that our salvation is secure in Him. This is an episode filled with deep spiritual insights and thought-provoking discussions. Don't skip it!Support the show
What does Jesus's gift of eternal life provide for us? In this episode of Light + Truth, that's the question John Piper explores in John 10:22–30.
How important is the "teaching of Christ?" In 2 John, the apostle instructs his readers that "anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God." Those are strong words, but what do they mean? This podcast will make John's words clear.Stay engaged with new and up-to-date content, including devotionals, articles, podcasts, etc. Download the Teach Me the Bible App from any app store or Apple TV/Roku device.
Justina Page is an international speaker and natural storyteller who speaks with a bold and refreshing honesty. She's the author of the award-winning book, The Circle of Fire which tells the story of how Justina's life was changed forever when fire swept through her home, the loss of her 22-month-old twin son, Amos, the severe lasting injuries of her other twin son, Benjamin, and her own devastating experience of third-degree burns covering 55 percent of her body. She's also the author of 20 other literary works. Justina now inspires audiences with a powerful message of hope and triumph. She's the Founder & Executive Director of The Amos House of Faith, a nonprofit organization, established to provide post-burn support to families affected by burn trauma. She's a voice over actor and children audio producer. She's also an actress in the award-winning faith-based movie We Are Stronger, the inspirational TV series Breaking Strongholds, and a few other upcoming films. She resides in Richmond, TX with her husband of 36 years Pastor James Page. She believes that with God, all things are possible!
Is Your Life's Focus on Jesus the Narrow Door and the Only Door to Your Eternal Life? MESSAGE SUMMARY: From the Gospel of Luke (12:49-56): “Jesus the Narrow Door” Introduction from “Jesus the Divider”: While Jesus does bring us “Peace”, Jesus tells us that His ways are not always our ways; and Jesus does not always bring us “Peace”. In the world, we have tribulation; but Jesus has overcome the world. In Jesus, we do have “Peace”; but when we do stand with and for Jesus, “division” and conflict are created. In this passage from Luke 12, Jesus wants His followers to know that following Him will have a cost in terms of conflict and worldly tribulation. Many in and of the world will not tolerate our communication of the Gospel. Jesus is not saying that “division” is good. Rather, Jesus, in John 17:22-23, expresses His desire, to the Father, for His followers to all be at one with Him and the Father. However, Jesus is warning us that “division” is inevitable because we are human and sinners. Jesus ends His message to those assembled, in Luke 12:54-56, with: “He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?'". In this passage, Jesus was pointing toward His purpose on earth and the cross; but no one understood His message at the time period of His teaching in Luke – they could not read God's signs. Do we see and follow God's signs, or do we miss them and become party to creating “divisions”? Today's Message -- Jesus the Narrow Door: In our Gospel focus from Luke 13:22-30, Jesus was pointing His earthly ministry toward Jerusalem, the Cross, Resurrection, and His Ascension. Jesus was asked, in Luke 13:23-25, a pivotal question; and He responded: “And someone said to him, ‘Lord, will those who are saved be few?' And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.'”". It's not that Jesus doesn't want all to be saved, it's just that the “gate”, to our Salvation, is “narrow” and difficult to enter. As Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, that Jesus wants all people to be saved: “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.". However, all people will not be saved because some will not come to Jesus – they don't want to be saved. In Luke 13:26-30, those rejected by the master of the house argue for admission: “” Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, ‘I tell you; I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”". Jesus is the “narrow door” and the “gate” by which we enter the Kingdom of God and our Salvation. Jesus Himself tells us in John 10:9-10: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”. We have been given the job, by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, to help others find the “narrow door”. As believers in the Gospel and followers of Jesus, we are invited, in Revelation 19:9-10, to the “Marriage Super of the Lamb”: ““And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.' Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.' For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”". Is your focus on Jesus, the ”Narrow Door”, that is the only way to the Kingdom of God and your Eternal Life? 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 FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 12:49-56; John 16:36; John 17:22-23; John 14:27; Luke 13:22-30; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Matthew 7:13-14; Hebrews 11:1-40; John 10:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 19:9-10; Psalms 33a:1-11. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/ WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Is Your Faith Yours, or Is Your Faith a Faith Derivative of the Faith of Others?: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Jesus is the message of eternal life. He is the confession of our hope, by whom the world has received a full pardon from their sins. There is no need to threaten people in an effort to get more love and good works out of them. Instead, preach the Gospel well, and lives will change!
Welcome to Episode #117 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our fifth of eight episodes in our fifteenth mini-series, It's All About Jesus. On this episode we're going to take a look at what happens when the church does not pursue maturity in the faith. That lack of pursuing opens The Way to Apostasy as described by Jesus and his Apostles. Apostasy is an anticipated reality in the New Testament and has been seen throughout the history of the church.In this mini-series we've been looking at unfolding TRUTH associated with Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:4-21. A key verse in this passage we've been launching from is Luke 8:18 – “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”We'll start where we left off on our last episode with Hebrews 5:14 – But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. As we walk this out on this episode we're going to be in high altitude overview mode to expose you to the wealth of passages that are on point for this topic (The Way to Apostasy). It's easiest to see good as being the TRUTH and evil being the LIE. The character of God and the redeemed in the light possessing eternal life are on one side of the line in the sand. The devil and willful mankind still in darkness and death, enslaved by the devil to do his will are on the other side of the line in the sand.
Like the “COEXIST” bumper stickers we see on cars, the worldview that many paths lead to heaven is pervasive and politically correct in our culture. But this concept, that “all roads lead to God” is not a new philosophy; in fact, Jesus confronted the same issue during His earthly ministry. The world will call it “intolerant,” “judgmental,” and “exclusive,” but the truth remains: narrow is the path to life. Listen to the full-length version, watch the video, or read the manuscript for this message here: https://www.wisdomonline.org/teachings/luke-lesson-73
Like the “COEXIST” bumper stickers we see on cars, the worldview that many paths lead to heaven is pervasive and politically correct in our culture. But this concept, that “all roads lead to God” is not a new philosophy; in fact, Jesus confronted the same issue during His earthly ministry. The world will call it “intolerant,” “judgmental,” and “exclusive,” but the truth remains: narrow is the path to life. Listen to the full-length version, watch the video, or read the manuscript for this message here: https://www.wisdomonline.org/teachings/luke-lesson-73
Listen to the full-length version, watch the video, or read the manuscript for this message here: https://www.wisdomonline.org/teachings/luke-lesson-73 Like the “COEXIST” bumper stickers we see on cars, the worldview that many paths lead to heaven is pervasive and politically correct in our culture. But this concept, that “all roads lead to God” is not a new philosophy; in fact, Jesus confronted the same issue during His earthly ministry. The world will call it “intolerant,” “judgmental,” and “exclusive,” but the truth remains: narrow is the path to life.
Listen to the full-length version, watch the video, or read the manuscript for this message here: https://www.wisdomonline.org/teachings/luke-lesson-73 Like the “COEXIST” bumper stickers we see on cars, the worldview that many paths lead to heaven is pervasive and politically correct in our culture. But this concept, that “all roads lead to God” is not a new philosophy; in fact, Jesus confronted the same issue during His earthly ministry. The world will call it “intolerant,” “judgmental,” and “exclusive,” but the truth remains: narrow is the path to life.
Do you know God or do you merely know God? Eternal life is the difference between one and the other. A devotional by Vince Miller.
In this series, I discuss five biblical proofs that teach eternal security of the Christian. The third proof is that eternal life is a present reality not a future thing to be obtained.Check Out C4C Books:Investigating Lordship Salvation:https://www.amazon.com/Investigating-Lordship-Salvation-Response-Works-Based/dp/B09XZJD4RHA Biblical Sketch: Free Grace Theologyhttps://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Sketch-Theology-Understanding-Basics-ebook/dp/B0B4X8JMHG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11WY6AK3UBPUC&keywords=weierbach&qid=1662478524&s=books&sprefix=weierbach%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-1C4C Apologetics Website:www.c4capologetics.comOpen Door Baptist Church:https://odbaptist.com/Financially Support C4C Apologetics Ministry:https://odbaptist.com/giveGrace Zone App:https://subsplash.com/gracezone/appDon't forget to check out our YouTube Channel!https://www.youtube.com/c/C4CApologetics
Jesus tells us that eternal life is the full experience of knowing God - being in an intimate, life giving relationship with him. This is the blessed life. The path toward this blessing starts with an awareness of the seriousness of sin. In all its forms, sin creates separation between God and us. It is only through Jesus that this gap is closed. And that gospel embrace is not just a one time reality, but an ongoing reality in the life of believers. Thus, before we can pray the prayer to thrive, we have to pray the prayer of rescue. Our intimacy with God depends upon it.
Are you ready to truly comprehend the complexities of faith and obedience? Prepare to uncover the stark differences between non-believers, true believers, and apostates. As your hosts, we invite you on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, using the past 40 years of our amassed wisdom to build a stronger foundation for your spiritual path.Let's voyage back in time, to the reign of King Saul, the first king of Israel. Through his story, we aim to demonstrate the dire consequences of partial obedience to God's command. Were his actions simply a reflection of human nature, a tendency to cherry-pick what's convenient from God's commands? We'll delve into these contentious questions, encouraging you to reflect on your own practices.Finally, we'll confront the age-old habit of rationalizing disobedience. Hear us out as we discuss the danger of supporting sin, even if indirectly, and the importance of enduring trials of faith. Remember, God has a perfect plan for each one of us. So, tune in and let's discover together how we can remain faithful, endure temptation, and overcome challenges on this winding spiritual journey.The Mystic CaveAn exploration of the spiritual terrain on the far side of conventional religion.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify AI & Aliens Unveiled • The WordThe Word pulls the veil on AI and AliensListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
This week we share a sermon delivered by Bill Haley back in 2019 on the universal reality of death, which our culture consistently downplays, and the Christian's hope in the midst of that sobering reality. This is the first in a four-part sermon series drawn from the Sermon on the Mount; we will be sharing the rest of that series over the coming weeks.inthecoracle.org | @inthecoracleSupport the show
Old Testament: Proverbs 7–8 Proverbs 7–8 (Listen) Warning Against the Adulteress 7 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,5 to keep you from the forbidden1 woman, from the adulteress2 with her smooth words. 6 For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice,7 and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense,8 passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house9 in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. 10 And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.311 She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home;12 now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait.13 She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him,14 “I had to offer sacrifices,4 and today I have paid my vows;15 so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.16 I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen;17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.19 For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;20 he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.” 21 With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast523 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,26 for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. The Blessings of Wisdom 8 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?2 On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:4 “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.9 They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.617 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22 “The LORD possessed7 me at the beginning of his work,8 the first of his acts of old.23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established9 the fountains of the deep,29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his10 delight, rejoicing before him always,31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. 32 “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD,36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” Footnotes [1] 7:5 Hebrew strange [2] 7:5 Hebrew the foreign woman [3] 7:10 Hebrew guarded in heart [4] 7:14 Hebrew peace offerings [5] 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool [6] 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth [7] 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created [8] 8:22 Hebrew way [9] 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [10] 8:30 Or daily filled with (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 66 Psalm 66 (Listen) How Awesome Are Your Deeds To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm. 66 Shout for joy to God, all the earth;2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah 5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,7 who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah 8 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard,9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.11 You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs;12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. 13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you,14 that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah 16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on1 my tongue.218 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Footnotes [1] 66:17 Hebrew under [2] 66:17 Or and he was exalted with my tongue (ESV) New Testament: John 6 John 6 (Listen) Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 6 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii1 worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Jesus Walks on Water 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,2 they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. I Am the Bread of Life 22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven'?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—46 not that anyone has seen the Fath
Welcome to Episode #116 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our fourth of eight episodes in our fifteenth mini-series, It's All About Jesus. On this episode we're going to take a look at mature fruit not seen in Jesus' Parable of the Sower. We get a sense of what this mature fruit looks like from Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17 and Paul's description of the unity of the body in Ephesians 4.On our last episode we looked at Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower to his disciples in Luke 8:16-21. In his explanation of the parable Jesus gave his disciples both encouragement and a warning regarding spiritual maturity in Luke 8:18 – “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”We are going to be in overview mode as look at the passages today from the book of John and the book of Ephesians. I want to encourage you to do your own reading, meditation, study, and discussion of these passages with fellow believers to begin to experience how deep and crystal clear is the call to spiritual maturity for all believers. The New Testament indicates Jesus' disciples and apostles were taught by Jesus how to follow him. After the Day of Pentecost these disciples and Apostles were given instructions and guidance by the Holy Spirit to teach others how to replicate following Jesus in new disciples. The letters and epistles indicate the four soils were present in the first century church. The writers of the letters and epistles provide instructions for how to start where you are and strive daily toward spiritual maturity and pitfalls to avoid that people take wandering off the path. Jesus explained why people wander in his Parable of the Sower and it has to do directly with how they “HEAR” the word of God and what they do in response.With that as a brief introduction, let's get into the text.
A Study of I John 5:13 and the great Bible Doctrine of the Eternal Security of the Believer
Jesus Is the Only Door to Your Eternal Life, But Jesus Has Given You the Key – His Gospel MESSAGE SUMMARY: From the Gospel of Luke ”Life's Possessions and Wealth” A Yale Pediatric Oncologist's (A Window to Heaven: When Children See Life and Death) experienced a life transformation from being an Atheist to an Agnostic and then becoming a Christian because of her involvement with the death and near-death experiences of young children with cancer. These children had no predisposed reason to understand God or Heaven; however, their verbalized near-death experiences are compelling. In Luke 13:22-30, Jesus gives us a glimpse of Heaven because He does not want us to miss out on Paradise. Are you going to be saved? Before presenting His Parable of the Narrow Door, Jesus sets up this Parable in Luke 13:24: “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.". in John 10:7-9, Jesus tells us that He is the door: “So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.". Also, Jesus paints the picture, in Luke 13:24, of a feast in Paradise: “And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.”. In this Parable in Luke 13:25, Jesus expresses how difficult it will be to get into Heaven: “When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.'". After the door is inaccessible, Jesus tells us in Luke 13:27: “But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!'". Knowing God personally and His Grace, through Jesus on the cross and Jesus' Resurrection, is what enables us to have eternal life – Jesus the Christ is the door, as Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that He is the only way to eternal life: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'". Eternal life is offered to us through God's grace, but we can only receive eternal life through our personal faith and our knowing God through a personal relationship with Him. 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 A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 13:22-30; Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:7; John 3:16; John 10:7-9; John 17:3; Matthew 7:21-23; John 14:6; Psalms 22b:17-31. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Jesus Followers Have Eternal Life, Even Before their Earthly Death, Because Whoever “believes him {God} who sent me {Jesus}”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Jesus Followers Have Eternal Life, Even Before their Earthly Death, Because Whoever “believes him {God} who sent me {Jesus}” MESSAGE SUMMARY: First, the moment you become a Jesus Follower, you have immediate Eternal Life; and you become a Citizen of Heaven. Jesus tells us, in John 5:24, that His followers have Eternal Life and are Citizens of Heaven here on earth living their earthly lives: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.". As Christians and Citizens of Heaven, we know that the Lord is coming back -- either to greet us when we die or before we die at His Second Coming. For most of us, however, our vision of Heaven is clouded by looking backwards; therefore, the return of Jesus does not have any power in our life. Paul reinforces the return of the Lord of Heaven in Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.". When Jesus returns, we will put on our spiritual bodies, as promised. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Peter 1:1-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-27; Luke 22:20; Psalms 1:1-6. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Jesus Is the Only Door to Your Eternal Life, But Jesus Has Given You the Key – His Gospel” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Psalm 23 - The Shepherd Cares For His Sheep Point 1 – V.1 – All my needs are met in the LORD Point 2 – V.2-3 – For a healthy and fruitful Life Point 3 – V.4 – For an action-packed, yet powerfully secure Life Point 4 – V.5 – For an Honored and Spiritually Blessed Life Point 5 – V.6 – For an Eternal Life of love in relationship
Catalyst Church NWA September 3, 2023 Pastor Nate Sweeney (Lead Pastor)
Jesus Followers Know the Cornerstone of Christianity Is: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus is The Door and The Gate by which you must enter the Kingdom of God. In John 14:6-7, Jesus answers a question by the Apostle Thomas with the fundamental tenant of Christianity when He tells us all: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'". Also, in John 10:9-10, Jesus tells us: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief {Satan} comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Also, Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13-14, that He was "the Narrow Gate", and whomever enters the Kingdom through Him will be saved and have Eternal Life: {You} “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.". Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection are the events, of about two thousand years ago, that provided us all, by God's Grace, with access to The Narrow Gate, which is Jesus. Through Jesus' death on the cross for your sins and His Resurrection, He has given you eternal life, if you choose to enter The Narrow Gate. You may ask: “How do I enter this ‘Narrow Gate' of Jesus?”. By God's Grace you can enter Eternal Life, through Jesus, by your true belief and faith in Jesus as God along with your prayerful confession of your sins to God. With your belief, faith, and confession, you have entered through the narrow and only door to your Salvation. However and after your entry through the door, you must continue, in your faith and obedience, to follow Jesus – this is the only, and it is The Way provided by God's Grace through Jesus. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight. From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:5-7; Psalms150:1-6; John 10:9-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Stop Making Excuses for Not Following Jesus and Follow Him Without Reservations”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Listen to CapeTalk's John Maytham's weekly book reviews and share his passion for all things literary. From fiction to non-fiction, John reads and reviews a range of books that would sit well on your reading list. FICTIONZero Days by Ruth WareThe invisible hour by Alice Hoffman NON-FICTIONQuantum Physics Made Me Do It: A Simple Guide to the Fundamental Nature of Everything from Consciousness and Free Will to Parallel Universes and Eternal Life by Jeremie HarrisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are You Prepared to Face Your Death? Have You Prepared Your Family for Your Death and Led them on a Path to Their Eternal Life? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Most of us do not like to think about and plan for death, especially our own. However, Paul in. Romans 6:23, made your life and death position very clear: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.". As part of your preparations for eternity, you should take one time each year to evaluate and to reflect on your position for facing death and realizing eternal life by identifying those changes that you must make in your life and in your relationship with God. This preparation for your death will be a blessing for you and your family. Are you prepared to face your death? Will you have eternal life? What about those you leave behind – are you being a good steward? Also, what about your family? Is your family prepared for your earthly death and their earthly death; and have you led your family on a path to receive their eternal life? In Matthew 28:18, Jesus gave us His Great Commission for your life focus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.". Have you followed Jesus' Great Commission, for your own family, by making disciples of your family members? 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 who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Past Failures. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Grace. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 5:12-15; Romans 7:24-25; Matthew 28:18-20; Psalms 147:1-20. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Stop Making Excuses for Not Following Jesus and Follow Him Without Reservations”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Welcome to Episode #115 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our third of eight episodes in our fifteenth mini-series, It's All About Jesus. On this episode we're going to take a look at the often overlooked explanations of the Parable of the Sower presented by Jesus in Luke 8.On our last episode we looked at the parable, Jesus' reason for parables, and Jesus' interpretation of the parable all presented in Luke 8:4-15. On this episode were going to see how the passages described as a Lamp Under a Jar and Jesus' Mother and Brothers found in Luke 8:16-21 illuminate the central theme of the parable up to verse 15.In addition to presenting different aspects of the parable on our last episode I weaved into the discussion how the narratives of the fall in Genesis 3 and of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 are reflected in the parable. What is plainly seen in the Bible is Jesus. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, the entire Bible from cover to cover is all about Jesus. Here's a short side-bar before I continue. If I've learned anything from the word of God it is to get over myself; a reality I still struggle with to this day. It is a daily battle of resisting the flesh to please, impress, inspire, and keep at bay people I don't even know and to a lesser extent people I do know. How crazy is that? Or should I ask, “How normal is that?” I'm vividly aware as a born again believer, in-Christ, sanctified, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit I should constantly be yielding to the Spirit in all aspects of my life. Yet I can forget who I am as the cares, riches, and pleasures of the world press in. I can forget whose I am as persecution presses in. And I can forget where I am when I expose myself to those who trample the word of God underfoot.In each of these instances, the only thing that awakens me out of temporary slumber is the heart piercing and thought discerning word of God. It is not an awakening into condemnation, quite the opposite. It is an awakening into the power of the right hand of God to silence and bind-up any and all that would come against me. We are each in our own way deeply entrenched in spiritual warfare not against those we know and see but against powers, principalities, and dark spiritual forces in the spiritual realm. We now know their presence as we are no longer part of them. At one time we were part of them being enslaved by the devil to do his will and locked down tight in darkness and death. But now, by the redemptive power of the Gospel, we were set free into true life, into light, into eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ by the grace and mercy of God our Father. We are to constantly remind ourselves we died, we were purchased with a price, we were adopted into God's family, and we live a new life not of the flesh but of the Spirit.And in this new life the list is likely endless of the things we've become and inherited. A short list I presented by Paul in Ephesians 1:3-14. In this passage Paul tells us in-Christ we are: Blessed, Chosen, Predestined, Adopted, Accepted, Redeemed, Forgiven, Enlightened, Given an Inheritance, Sealed by the Holy Spirit, and Assured of our Salvation. And there's more much more than these, and given time, LORD willing, over the life of this podcast we'll explore many of them. This change from who I was to who “I am,” and then to who I will become takes the rest of this life as Paul and others epistle writers make plain. I encourage you to join with me on this quest to fully Believe God and Follow Jesus and be immersed in the Way of the Bible that leads to life, fellowship, and Union with God through Jesus Christ. And it can all start with this seemingly simple Parable of the Sower. END OF SIDEBAR
Ariel Anderssen is the author of Playing To Lose: How a Jehovah's Witness Became a Submissive BDSM Model. We chat: Leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses, BDSM, Eternal Life (yes or no), […]
In this last message of our Eternal Hope series, Pastor Zach reminds us of God's perfect plan for the future.
Thank you for catching up with us! This audio is of the sermon on "Light, Love Life: Celebrating Eternal Life in Jesus" Rev. Vicki Harrison. If you'd like to watch our full worship experience live, visit our Online Campus, go to findnewhope.online.church We're live Sundays at 9:00 am EST for our Traditional Service, at 11:00 am EST for our Modern service. Replays happen throughout the week! Watch the sermon and more here: https://www.findnewhope.com/archive Donate via PayPal to support the podcasts and the Technical Arts Ministry of New Hope! https://goo.gl/o2a9oU Subscribe to our New Hope Sunday Sermon Podcast on: * Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/new-hope-umc-sunday-sermon-podcast/id1093524425?mt=2 * Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2habfMJ6S8jirQnpimNwHg?si=nKlvpZRrQYKnsJSJc6Du3Q) * Stitcher Radio - http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=87782&refid=stpr) * Subscribe on Android - http://subscribeonandroid.com/findnewhopesunday.libsyn.com/rss * Google Play - https://play.google.com/music/m/Ijonx62ajd5qwxv3qgxkizdqnva?t=New_Hope_UMC_Sunday_Sermon_Podcast) * YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFZw6j-ZlY45HU-m-lQ5XYuphsrbeJMsk Connect with New Hope: * Website: http://www.findnewhope.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findnewhopefl * Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/findnewhope
This week we conclude our sermon series on the Parables of Jesus by studying a story Jesus told about his second coming – when it will be, how it will happen, and how we should live in light of that. You'll be surprised at how much practical wisdom this parable offers for how we should live our everyday lives in the here and now.
Eternal Life is knowing Jesus intimately. It means sharing all of our life with Him and being fully engaged in His life. This week we'll look at what it means to bring Jesus into our sexuality. This is one of the hottest topics in our culture today and one of the most important aspects of what it means to be human. Scripture tells us that all things were created in, by and for Christ. That includes sexuality. It is all His idea. In this message we'll be diving in to see what our Creator has revealed through Scripture about His design and purpose for sex. Dave Nelson
Eternal Life is knowing Jesus intimately. It means sharing all of our life with Him and being fully engaged in His life. This week we'll look at what it means to bring Jesus into our sexuality. This is one of the hottest topics in our culture today and one of the most important aspects of what it means to be human. Scripture tells us that all things were created in, by and for Christ. That includes sexuality. It is all His idea. In this message we'll be diving in to see what our Creator has revealed through Scripture about His design and purpose for sex. Dave Nelson
Today's episode is a serious departure from our usual way of doing things, and we are using the inspiring conversation we had with Randy Stocker as a jumping-off point to start an exploration of spirituality, Christianity, and eternity. This episode serves as the first in a seven-part series, that will more than likely continue on a separate feed or platform, but we wanted to introduce it here, and welcome you all to join us on this journey. In this episode, the focus is on death, what comes after, and what your strategy is for understanding and confronting that. The idea here is to use a logical and non-emotional approach to answer some of life's biggest questions, and share some hope for future generations at the same time! This new avenue might evolve into a book to be published in the future, but for now, it felt like the right time to begin this exploration and start asking these questions together, as a community, even if some of our individual answers might be different. So if this interests you at all, please feel free to tune in for this first part of something new and deeply meaningful.
Welcome to Episode #114 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our second of eight episodes in our fifteenth mini-series, It's All About Jesus. On this episode we're going to take a closer look at Jesus' Parable of the Sower presented in Luke 8:4-21.On our last episode I had a conversation with Pastor Chan Willis concerning the idea and/or expectation in the scriptures that Christians are to mature in faith. Related to this topic was Jesus' parable of the sower and interpretation found in Luke 8:4-15. In this parable Jesus mentions the sowing of the word of God to people who “hear.”Jesus illustrates and then explains four different ways (the soil) people hear the word of God and respond. Similar versions of this parable are also found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4.I'll summarize the parable beginning with an insight by Jesus and the key that opens that insight. I'll then introduce each of the four soil parables and their respective interpretations in order of appearance.In addition, I'll also weave in how events in the Garden of Eden, the consequence of sin, and mankinds first offerings may have direct relevance to this parable. My hope is that you hear and begin to see for yourself, the Bible is a Unified book. Jesus was not just a guy walking the earth teaching thoughts and insights about God. Jesus is God incarnate in human form, born into the world to reveal the need for what he offered of himself; salvation through his name. Critical to our maturing in faith is belief in his word as well. Listen to Jesus. Believe and simply follow him and his word. Let's get started.
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Ever wondered how the simple 'I', 'we', 'you', and 'them' pronouns could influence the interpretation of an entire Biblical letter? Join us, Tim Webb and Dr. David Klingler, as we journey through the intricate layers of 1st John, unraveling these pronouns' significance, particularly the third person masculine pronoun's fascinating reference to God the Father and His son Jesus. We'll also talk about how the evolution of technology has revolutionized our ability to share the Bible globally, proving to be a game-changer in spreading God's Word! Don't forget to visit our website for insightful study guides and other enriching resources.Then, let's illuminate your understanding of the profound interplay of light and darkness, life and death in this letter. Together, we'll dissect the application of the Old Testament's command to follow the law and the New Testament's revelation of Jesus, the promised one who exemplified the law's fulfilment. Get ready to dive deep into the essence of abiding in Jesus and walking in his footsteps. We'll conclude by focusing on the transformative power of gathering as the church and delving into God's life-changing Word. Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, the Teach Me the Bible Podcast is here to enrich your understanding and appreciation of God's Word.Stay engaged with new and up-to-date content, including devotionals, articles, podcasts, etc. Download the Teach Me the Bible App from any app store or Apple TV/Roku device.
Paul White teaching from Binghamton, NY.
Welcome to Episode #113 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our first of eight episodes in our fifteenth mini-series. On this episode we're going to have a conversation with Pastor Chan Willis of First Presbyterian Church in both Lake Charles and Welsh, Louisiana on the topic of Seed to Fruit Bearing FaithThe primary launch text for this topic comes from Jesus' Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:4-15. In this parable Jesus mentions the sowing of the word of God to people who “hear” and are planted in four types of soil. Similar versions of this parable are also found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4.
Fifty years ago this week, Charles W. Colson became a follower of Jesus Christ. Chuck would subsequently become one of the most respected evangelical leaders of the 20th and early 21st centuries, founding both Prison Fellowship Ministries and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and authoring bestselling books such as Born Again, How Now Shall We Live?, and Loving God. Chuck Colson's influence came about because of how deeply and thoroughly Jesus Christ changed his life. Certainly, he was an incredibly gifted person (after all, not everyone lands in a White House office as special counsel to the President of the United States in their thirties!). Yet, Chuck's giftedness before he found faith was corrupted by pride, which led to an incredible public fall. On the thirtieth anniversary of his conversion, Chuck Colson described it in detail. Here, in his own voice, is Chuck Colson: "Thirty years ago today, I visited Tom Phillips, president of the Raytheon Company, at his home outside of Boston. I had represented Raytheon before going to the White House, and I was about to start again. But I visited him for another reason as well. I knew Tom had become a Christian, and he seemed so different. I wanted to ask him what had happened. That night, he read to me from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, particularly a chapter about the great sin that is pride. A proud man is always walking through life looking down on other people and other things, said Lewis. As a result, he cannot see something above himself immeasurably superior—God. Tom, that night, told me about encountering Christ in his own life. He didn't realize it, but I was in the depths of deep despair over Watergate, watching the President I had helped for four years flounder in office. I had also heard that I might become a target of the investigation as well. In short, my world was collapsing. That night, as Tom was telling me about Jesus, I listened attentively but didn't let on about my need. When he offered to pray, I thanked him but said, no, I would see him sometime after I had read C.S. Lewis's book. But when I got in the car that night, I couldn't drive it out of the driveway. Ex-Marine captain, White House tough guy, I was crying too hard, calling out to God. I didn't know what to say: I just knew I needed Jesus, and He came into my life. That was thirty years ago. I've been reflecting of late on the things God has done over that time. As I think about my life, the beginning of the prison ministry, our work in the justice area, our international ministry that reaches one hundred countries, and the work of the Wilberforce Forum and Breakpoint, I have come to appreciate the doctrine of providence. It's not the world's idea of fate or luck, but the reality of God's divine intervention. He orchestrates the lives of His children to accomplish His good purposes. God has certainly ordered my steps. I couldn't have imagined when I was in prison that I would someday go back to the White House with ex-offenders as I did on June 18—or that we would be running prisons that have an 8% recidivism rate—or that Breakpoint would be heard daily on a thousand radio outlets across the United States and on the internet. The truth that is uppermost in my mind today is that God isn't finished. As long as we're alive, He's at work in our lives. We can live lives of obedience in any field because God providentially arranges the circumstances of our lives to achieve His objectives. And that leads to the greatest joy I've found in life. As I look back on my life, it's not having been to Buckingham Palace to receive the Templeton Prize or getting honorary degrees or writing books. The greatest joy is to see how God has used my life to touch the lives of others, people hurting and in need. It has been a long time since the dark days of Watergate. I'm still astounded that God would take someone who was infamous in the Watergate scandal, and soon to be a convicted felon, and take him into His family and then order his steps in the way He has with me. God touched me at that moment in Tom Phillip's driveway, and thirty years later, His love and kindness touch and astound me still." Chuck Colson's life and legacy continues to be a testimony to God's amazing grace. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.