Podcasts about everything jesus

Today is Maundy Thursday—the night before Jesus went to the cross. This Lent Meditation will guide you to reflect on Jesus’s unconditional love. On this night, Jesus knelt to wash His disciples’ feet, shared the Passover meal, and redefined the meaning of the bread and cup. Then, He walked with His disciples to the Mount of Olives, where He spoke words they didn’t fully understand—words about their coming failure and His unwavering love. In today’s meditation, we’ll step into this moment through Peter’s eyes, listening as Jesus tells him that he will deny Him. But even in this painful prediction, there is hope—because Jesus’s love was never dependent on Peter’s strength. And His love for us is the same—unconditional, unwavering, and faithful. As you slow down and enter this sacred moment, may you remember: Everything Jesus does is because of His extravagant love for you. Listen now to enter into the story of Maundy Thursday. Get your free Lent Journal here. Here are some additional helpful links: Download your free LENT guide here. You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The Entire meditation text is: Matthew 26:30-35, NIV 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How do we know what we know about God? Many religious texts claim "true knowledge" of a deity, higher power, or state of consciousness. Christians believe the Bible has the only legitimate claims on the truth about God. Everything we know about God comes from the Bible. Everything Jesus believed, taught, and claimed came from the Bible (the Old Testament, specifically). Chris Westbrook April 6th, 2025

Jesus' most repeated question in the Gospels is, “Have you not read?” Everything Jesus did was done intentionally to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament, from His birth, to His life, to His death and resurrection. It's not enough to simply accept the historical Jesus, one must submit to the Word of God, which Christ fulfilled.

DVD With Niyi Adekunle Saturday 5th, April The Resurrection Experience. 5Greetings to you in the name of Jesus. We thank God for His love and grace, which allow us to reflect on the power of the resurrection. The resurrection experience that led to Jesus' death and resurrection is more than a historical event—it carries deep spiritual significance for each of us.Everything Jesus suffered—every pain, every shame—was not in vain. It was for our benefit, credited to our account. When we read Matthew 27, we see that at His resurrection, people in Jerusalem witnessed their loved ones rise from the dead with Him. His resurrection brought life—not just to Himself, but to all who believe in Him.Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. His sacrifice wasn't just for a select few, but for all of humanity. He died, descended into hell, and rose again, bringing us the hope of eternal life. These aren't just past events; they are powerful truths still working in our lives today.John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It doesn't matter your background—your race, gender, or religion. The promise is for everyone who believes. The resurrection experience is for everyone.This resurrection experience has made eternal life and victory available to us. Even now, Jesus is alive, interceding for us at the right hand of the Father, ensuring that everything He went through is working for our good. As painful and shameful all that He experienced was,up to His crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension was, it was all for us. Possibilities and power flows into our lives when we understand the purpose of all these.I pray, in the name of Jesus, that His sacrifice will not be in vain in your life. And may you walk in the fullness of what He has done for you. God bless you, enjoy the rest of your day.

Is Jesus the foundation you're building your life on—or the stone you're tripping over? This week, Pastor Ken dives into Matthew 21 and confronts the ultimate question: What are you building your life on? When Jesus was questioned about His authority, He didn't back down. He told the truth boldly, revealing that He is the Cornerstone—and all who reject Him will fall.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Bob explores the significance of work in the life of a believer, emphasizing that how we approach our jobs reflects our respect for God. Drawing from Colossians 3:22-4:1, he encourages us to integrate our faith into our work life, highlighting the importance of integrity, attitude, and fair treatment of others in the workplace.

Daily Voice Devotional with Niyi AdekunleTuesday 18th MarchThe Right of Use: Power of Attorney 2When you have an important document to collect from a bank and for some reasons you cannot be physically present to collect it, the bank usually allows you to right a letter authorizing some else to represent you in collecting it. This similar to how the power of attorney works but it can actually do much more. Just as you give instruction to your bank authorizing someone else to act on your behalf in collecting your document, so has Jesus also given instruction that we act on His behalf.Before leaving the world, Jesus committed everything the Father gave Him to the Church. He essentially said, "I am leaving, but I remain through you—My body." What He would have done if He was here physically, He expects us to do as His representatives. The dominion He has is now ours.We have a documented legal right in the Word that we have the right of use to all that Jesus. The devil knows this, but he does everything he can to ensure we don't know this. He like to take advantage of our ignorance. This is why understanding our redemption is vital.Mark 16:17-20 TPT 17 And these miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. 18 They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.”These were Jesus' final words before ascending to heaven. He was passing His authority to us. Jesus has given us the right to use His name, granting us the license and power to act on His behalf.If we fail to use this authority, it is not His fault—it is ours. Everything Jesus did makes it possible for us to walk in this reality, As a result of that, every power of darkness must respond to us the way they would to Him.God bless you, enjoy your day

This week, Pastor Bob explores the biblical principles of family dynamics as outlined in Colossians 3:18-21, emphasizing the importance of love, submission, and obedience within marriage and parenting to build a strong foundation for families guided by Christ.

This week, Pastor Bob emphasized that true freedom from evil desires comes through a relationship with Jesus rather than legalism or transactional faith. He encourages us to confront our struggles and find liberation at the foot of the Cross.

When the doctor taps your knee with the mallet to test your reflexes, your leg automatically swings, doesn't it? That's a reaction. It's an involuntary, uncontrolled action resulting from external stimuli of some sort. When you answer an email or a text, editing it for errors and choosing your words carefully, that's a response. It's carefully thought through, controlled, and intentional. I want to talk about reacting versus responding because I think many times we are in react mode when we should be in respond mode. Let me give you an example of reacting versus responding. Suppose you have a coworker who is very negative, and every time he or she opens his or her mouth, it seems that bad news comes out. This person never has anything nice to say about anyone or anything, and all day long you are forced to listen to his or her negative chatter. What does this negative person do to you? If you're in react mode, this person makes you angry, irritated, and frustrated. Having to listen to all that negative talk starts to make you think and talk negatively. That's a reaction. It's your automatic involuntary behavior which is caused by that external stimuli—a negative coworker. Now, instead of allowing that person to have a detrimental effect on you and your behavior, you can decide to respond instead of reacting. A response might be a smile when he or she says something negative to you. Or you may say something positive in response to his or her negative words. That positive response will help to keep you from being irritated and frustrated, and it will offset the person's negative input by your positive one, keeping you from getting negative like your coworker. Another response to this negative coworker might be that you simply remove yourself from his or her company when you can, to avoid being exposed to that negativity. You can see a response takes some self-control and discipline on your part. First, you must know you have a tendency to react poorly to this negative person, and then you must have an alternate strategy that guides your response so you don't react. One of my favorite stories about Jesus is the time when they asked him to prove by what authority he was doing his miracles. You'll find the story in Mark 11. The chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?' they asked. ‘And who gave you authority to do this?' (Mark 11:27b-28). Consider what a reaction might have been. Jesus could have torn them apart piece by piece with words, had he so chosen. How dare they question his authority? How dare they ask for proof? Who were they to demand such from the Son of God? Everything Jesus had done was to help people and deliver them from sin and sickness. Yet, they would be so arrogant as to ask where he got his authority? He could have argued with them. He could have played one-upsman with them. He could have waged a war with words. But notice how Jesus responds: “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will ask, ‘Then why didn't you believe him?'  But if we say, ‘Of human origin'....” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things” (Mark 11:29-33). Isn't that an incredible response? Don't you love it?! Jesus refused to be pulled into playing their petty games, he did not allow them to bring him down to their level, and in a thoughtful response to their stupid accusation, he pinned them against the wall—but in such a way they couldn't even argue with him. Masterful, wouldn't you agree? One thing we need to learn about our reactions and our responses is that frequently we m...

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NLT) John wastes no time in establishing Jesus’ identity. The apostle begins his Gospel with the same wording Moses used in Genesis 1:1 to show that God existed before creation. John’s point is that Jesus, too, existed before the world was created. Not only was He with God at the beginning, but He also was God. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity—that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave life and light to creation. And when the people who received life turned their backs on Him to pursue their own sinful ways, Jesus did something so amazing that John can barely find the words to do it justice. Jesus, God Himself, entered the world He created. He squeezed His infinite presence into a small container of flesh. He made Himself susceptible to pain, weakness, sorrow, and rejection. He lived among us. He humbly, faithfully, and lovingly served the people He created. John refers to Him as the Word because He embodied everything that God the Father wanted to communicate to us. Everything Jesus said and did reveals something about God. Very few people recognized Him as God, even though the Jewish people of His day were waiting for the Messiah, the Son of God. The problem was that they’d already made up their minds about what the Messiah would be like and what He would do. And Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. So they rejected Him. And the ones who led the rejection were the ones who should have recognized Him first: the Jewish leaders of Israel. Of course, God anticipated that people wouldn’t recognize His Son. So He sent John the Baptist to announce His coming. And He gave John the Baptist a sign so that he would recognize Jesus. When John the Baptist saw a dove descend on Him, he knew Jesus was the Chosen One. That’s why he was able to confidently point to Jesus and announce, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (verse 29) Still, most people—including the Jewish religious leaders—refused to recognize the truth. The leaders even sent a delegation to John the Baptist to ask if he was the Messiah. All the while, John the Baptist kept pointing to Jesus. While he was standing with two of his own disciples, John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples immediately left John the Baptist to follow Jesus. Two thousand years later, this same scenario is still being played out. People still refuse to recognize the truth about Jesus because He doesn’t fit their idea of what the Son of God should be. And those of us who do recognize and follow Him still have the opportunity and responsibility to say, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us today as we have our very own Pastor Mike Badolato speaking about, “Receiving Everything Jesus Paid For”. Check it out and let us know your thoughts in the comments!  

Everything Jesus did He did for us!!!!

We cannot see the truth of who Jesus is unless He opens our eyes. #theloriclineshow Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org! ~~~ Are you prepared to see it? You'll need these glasses! It's being called an extremely rare astronomical event and it's happening in just a few days! I'm talking about the great North American total solar eclipse that will occur on April 8th. Now while yes, we do see annual eclipses, this one is special for many reasons that are WAY over my head. You can dig deeper into the fascinating timing and geometry of it all, but just know it will be something special to experience and millions in North America will have the opportunity to see it. In fact, areas that will be in the “path of totality”, as they call it, will be flooded with tourists wanting to see it first hand. But, to see it, you must be prepared. It is NEVER safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection designed and approved for solar viewing. If you do, you could cause permanent damage to your retinas. To see the eclipse safely, you will need solar viewing glasses or if you want to simply watch the shadow, you can use a pinhole projector or a colander from your kitchen. You see the fact is, there are steps you must take to be able to fully see and experience what will take place in the sky this month. If you don't follow those steps, you won't see it. Often there is a process to really seeing and understanding what it is you're seeing. I couldn't help but think of when Jesus healed a blind man. This healing is only recorded in the book of Mark and what I love about how it unfolds is that there was a process to this blind man being made to fully see. Mark 8:22-25 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. This man was blind. He couldn't see anything. He was brought to Jesus. There was a bit of a process to him gaining his sight. Jesus took him by the hand. He, without seeing, followed. At first his vision was a bit blurry. He could only partly see. Then after another touch from Jesus, he saw everything, clearly. Isn't that interesting. This was no accident. Everything Jesus did and the way He did it had meaning and purpose. This mans sight came in stages. He didn't see clearly at first. Isn't that just like the disciples. They were so close to Jesus. He revealed himself as messiah in so many ways, still they didn't fully see or understand until His resurrection. Only Jesus has the power to open our eyes to see our need for Him OR to see where we have been blind in our own eyes. The blind man absolutely knew he was blind, but what he didn't see was his need for Jesus until his eyes were opened. It's no accident you are seeing this today. You've been brought face to face with truth. The question is, are you prepared to see it? Jesus wants to open your eyes so you can look up and clearly see your need for a savior OR maybe see areas in your life where you've been blinded by sin. Take the steps you need to take right now to see clearly. Jesus is waiting to show you what you've been missing. That's the truth. Don't miss this opportunity. Like the rare total solar eclipse that will take place, this may be the day God has prepared your heart and eyes to see where you've been blind. I'm Lori Cline.

Luke 10:17-21; "Eternal Victory" It's easy to get discouraged when we look around at the world, but today's lesson will encourage us to look at what Jesus says and allow that to speak into our hearts. Everything Jesus did was focused on God the Father's divine purpose, God's will. Jesus in the last months of His life ministry is training His disciples to share the Good News throughout Israel and throughout the world. Jesus sends out 72 commissioning them by twos in towns in the area. As these groups begin to come back from their mission trips, they returned with joy at how people had listened and expressed excitement in people being delivered even from demons. Jesus replies to them, "I saw satan fall" meaning satan's days are numbered because not even the powers of hell can stand up in the power of Jesus. This is still true today. We are in spiritual warfare, cultural war with struggles of darkness against the forces of God. This battle can be discouraging to believers, but Jesus is still saying to us today, "I saw satan fall!" Jesus' word and in the Holy Spirit, there is power to defeat the enemy! Jesus is still in control! There is power in His name - do not despair, do not give up. He is good, He is God and he is powerful and He will bring about everything He has promised that will happen! He is going to win the victory! Jesus knew that 2000 years ago and He knows that today. He IS the Victor! Jesus Christ conquers! Jesus Christ is victorious! It is very easy to become preoccupied with the tragedies of life and miss out on the incredible things that God is doing. Today he is moving around the world in remarkable ways - Here in the western world we have lost sight of that as our western culture moves further and further away from its biblical foundations and roots. But at the same time western culture has been moving away from God - the rest of the world has been coming to Him. Pastor shares statistics and information from the book, "To The Ends Of The Earth: Pentecostalism and the Transformation of World Christianity" by Alan Heaton Anderson, Oxford Press. In 1950: 80% of the world's Christians lived in Europe and North America. In 2005: the majority of Christians lived in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In Africa: 1900 - 9 million believers in Jesus 1950 - 60 million believers in Jesus 2005 - 393 million believers in Jesus God is doing remarkable things! This is the greatest revival of the human race! Jesus said, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the nations as a testimony and then the end will come." The very thing Jesus predicted and that scriptures declare - is coming true in our day and our time! What was seemingly impossible 2000 years ago in Jesus being shared around the world, is a living reality today! We are seeing scripture come to fulfillment in our lifetimes. God keeps His word and even in the darkest times He shows Himself to be God - to be good - to long for His people to return to Him. He desires to bless us and fill us with His Holy Spirit. He longs to call the Western church to the very reality that the church around the world is seeing today! That reality is that God is near, can be trusted, that His Holy Spirit is at work and can be relied upon and that He is the God that does mighty things! NOTHING HAS CHANGED! HE IS STILL THE SAME! He gives life transforming power anchored in Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus ends today's text with, "Rejoice that your names are written in heaven!!" When we come to repentance we recognize our need for a Savior, that in our own strength we can't come to God, it's only through receiving Jesus as our Savior. We do not need to be filled with despair. God says if we know Jesus we do not have to fear for the future. We can live with joy and peace, hope and assurance in knowing God will keep every promise, He will bring all to fulfillment. We have our names written in heaven! Jesus went on to say, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things form the wise and learned and revealed them to little children." What does Jesus mean by this? In western culture we are taught that the most important thing is personal knowledge, wisdom and education; but Jesus says real wisdom comes in becoming a child and recognizing that we don't bring anything at all to this heavenly party. God gives everything and like a child I need to be totally dependent upon Him. By human wisdom no one will ever draw near to God and by human intelligence no one will ever come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. "Lord, raise up workers for the harvest! We ask that what you are doing elsewhere, You do here! Bring Awakening. Bring revival!" Check out our website – everything we offer is FREE!! https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study. Check out this episode!

When church folks advocate and attempt to indoctrinate that we are required to keep and obey *everything* Jesus said, there is a very apparent and glaring problem with this mindset. You may have noticed ... *they aren't doing it themselves.* Hypocrisy is exposed but usually ignored, as the very thing they are touting is really just a selective version of pick and choose as they deceive themselves into thinking they are "doers" who end up landing in a pile of filthy rags known as self-righteousness. We don't ignore or dismiss the words of Jesus. But much of what He said to Jewish people who were still under an unprofitable law of works before the cross needs to be considered in the proper context rather than trying to "Christianize" it into something that leaves believers today misinformed and off track. Jesus did not come with a new set of rules that would be harder and more challenging than the commands from the Mosaic law that nobody had ever successfully kept. --Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

My guest this week is the incredible and hilarious Joby Martin, the lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since launching the church in 2012, Joby has been at the forefront of a movement that helps people from all walks of life discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus.  Beyond his leadership at The Church of Eleven22, Joby is also an author, speaker, husband, and father of two beautiful children. His newest book Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything just hit shelves this September.  I hope you'll join us today as we talk about this concept of grace and explore how we can better understand and apply it in our daily lives. I had an absolute blast learning from Joby's wisdom and getting into the nitty gritty on this subject!  2:09 – Joby 101 Getting saved in high school Feeling called to ministry Planting a church in Jacksonville Connecting to people through comedy 12:30 – The Importance Of Grace In Today's Culture How grace is often misunderstood and misapplied Grace transforms everything We need grace daily 16:37 – Defining Grace How grace is defined by scripture  Grace brings the dead to life God's relentless pursuit of us 26:50 – Encouragement For Those Struggling With Grace Investigating the Bible and seeking a relationship with Jesus The Gospel of John Being open to the transformative power of grace 35:18 – Final Thoughts Who is Jesus to you? Everything Jesus has for us is good Grace has a face Connecting with Joby FEATURED QUOTES “I've also realized in preaching, if I just preach from my own failures and weaknesses, I never run out of material.” “If you got hit by a train, your whole life would be different. You can't say that you've been hit by the grace of Jesus, and things don't change in your life.” “I promise you, there's more grace in Jesus than sin in you, and He wants you, and He's not disappointed to choose you.” -- Learn more about Joby: https://www.jobymartin.com/ Get your copy of Run Over By The Grace Train https://www.jobymartin.com/books/grace-train Church of Eleven22 https://coe22.com/ Joby on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jobypmartin/ Joby on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jobypmartin Joby on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PastorJobyMartin   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

Listen along as we continue through Philippians. Notes//Quotes: Philippians 1:19-30 An important clue is that Paul's words, "this will turn out for my salvation," are an exact quotation of Job 13:16 in the Greek Bible. Here Paul's unmarked quotation evokes clear analogies between the apostle's present situation and the former plight of Job. In Job 13, Job defends himself against the accusatory arrows of his pious “comforters.” The charge is that his suffering is the direct result of harboring some secret sin. In response, Job pleads his innocence, declaring that ultimately he will be vindicated by God (Job 13:16, 18). Similarly, Paul, in the face of afflictions and the attacks of rival preachers, looks forward to vindication before God in the end. - Dean Flemming James 4:13-15 “If the biblical story is true, the kind of certainty proper to a human being will be one which rests on the fidelity of God, not upon the competence of the human knower. It will be a kind of certainty which is inseparable from gratitude and trust.” - Lesslie Newbigin If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world. - Vance Havner

As followers of Christ, we are called to be authentic imitators of Him, not just in words but through our actions. Everything Jesus commands us to do, He has modeled it. Through this, we see, that He is authentic by how He loved, served, forgave, and was just real. How much different would our church, our homes, and our workplaces look if we were authentic through our love, service, forgiveness, and being real with one another? Listen to this sermon about He is authentic in the fifth part of our He Is series.Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/tW5GTtIR0FsSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zkLearn more about us at chestnutmountain.orgFollow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and let us know what you think.

     For Christians, there is blessing through submission to God. This blessing comes from operating within the sphere of God's love and laws, which establish boundaries for us to thrive and survive.[1] This is because “a man's way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer 10:23); rather, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way” (Psa 37:23). As God's children, we are instructed, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:5-6).      Living in submission to God means putting His will above our own, trusting in His plan, and following His directives. It entails aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with God's will and commandments. This submission is characterized by humility, trust, and obedience to follow God's directives over personal desires.      In the Old Testament, Abraham exemplified submission when God called him to leave his homeland and go to a land that He would show him. Moses wrote, “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you…So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him” (Gen 12:1, 4). Abraham's obedience to the Lord made him “the friend of God” (Jam 2:23; cf., 2 Ch 20:7; Isa 41:8). When God said to Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? (Isa 6:8a), Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8b). And when it was revealed to Mary that she would conceive in her womb and bear the humanity of Christ, she said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Jesus, the Perfect Example of Submission      Jesus Christ provides the perfect example of submission to God. He's the perfect example because He is perfect and never disobeyed the Lord. Jesus said, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30), and “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). In the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matt 26:39; cf., Matt 26:42, 44). Paul tells us that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). Jesus' willingness to submit to the Father's will, even to the point of death, is the ultimate example of submission. Jesus never deviated from the Father's course for Him.      Jesus' submission to the Father started when He was very young. By age twelve, Jesus knew God was His Father and what the Father's mission was for Him (Luke 2:40-47).[2] Isaiah wrote, “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (Isa 50:4). This passage refers to Jesus' humanity, where God the Father would educate Jesus as His disciple. This education enabled Him to minister to others, as He says, “that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word” (Isa 50:4b). To those who are weary in their souls, a divinely spoken word can lift the spirit and revive the heart (see Matt 11:28). And Jesus' discipleship training took place in the early morning hours, as Messiah states, “He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (Isa 50:4c). According to Arnold Fruchtenbaum, “During His boyhood in Nazareth, every morning, Jesus was awakened by His Father in the early hours of the morning to receive instruction. In this way Jesus learned who He was, what His mission was, and how to act and react accordingly.”[3] As a human boy, Jesus had to be educated, which meant the discipline of acquiring knowledge over time. Because of His daily discipline, Jesus was fluent in the Scriptures by age 12. Fruchtenbaum states: "The New Testament gives us an account of a 12 year old Jesus visiting the Temple in Jerusalem for the first time (Luke 2:41–50). By the age of 12 Jesus was fully conversant with the Hebrew Scriptures and able to debate deep spiritual matters with the leading theologians of the day. Furthermore, when Jesus is later rebuked by His mother for remaining in the Temple, He replies, “Did you not know I would be in My Father's house?” This one statement shows that by the age of 12 Jesus knew that Joseph was not His father, knew that God was His Father, and therefore understood that He was the Messiah of Israel."[4]      Jesus was fully submissive to the Father, saying, “The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back” (Isa 50:5). Another translation reads, “The sovereign LORD has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled, I have not turned back” (Isa 50:5 NET). The word “disobedient” translates the Hebrew verb marah (מָרָה), which, according to HALOT, means “to be recalcitrant, rebellious.”[5] Jesus was not hardhearted nor defiant to the Lord in any way. When God spoke to Messiah, His Servant, He was in total submission to God in everything. Throughout Scripture we observe where other servants of the Lord tried to escape His call to service. When Moses was called by the Lord (Ex 4:1-12), he replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else” (Ex 4:13 CSB). When God called Jonah, we're informed His prophet rebelled, and “Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jon 1:3a). But Messiah never rebelled against the Lord. He was in total submission to Him. And such submission required a mind that was saturated with divine viewpoint, and a will that was totally surrendered to God. Warren Wiersbe states: "His mind was submitted to the Lord God so that He could learn His Word and His will (Isa 50:4). Everything Jesus said and did was taught to Him by His Father (John 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:28). He prayed to the Father for guidance (John 11:42; Mark 1:35) and meditated on the Word. What God taught the Servant, the Servant shared with those who needed encouragement and help. The Servant sets a good example here for all who know the importance of a daily “quiet time” with the Lord. The Servant's will was also yielded to the Lord God. An “opened ear” is one that hears and obeys the voice of the master. The people to whom Isaiah ministered were neither “willing” nor “obedient” (Isa 1:19), but the Servant did gladly the will of the Lord God. This was not easy, for it meant yielding His body to wicked men who mocked Him, whipped Him, spat on Him, and then nailed Him to a cross (Matt 26:67; 27:26, 30)."[6]      Later, Jewish scholars would marvel at Jesus' wisdom (Matt 13:54; John 7:15); yet, they were unwilling to submit to Him as Messiah. This is an amazing thing, for though “the Light has come into the world” (John 3:19a), and that Light was bright and clear, we are informed that “men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19b). Here, we are reminded that at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart, and the human heart is very corrupt and in great need of life and light. King David: An OT Example of Submission      David provides a good example of an OT believer who lived in regular submission to God. The Bible describes David as a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). David walked faithfully with the Lord and surrendered to His will. David was an obedient king, for the most part, and subsequent kings were measured by him (1 Ki 3:14; 9:4-5; 11:4-6, 31-34, 38; 14:7-8; 15:1-5; 11-15; 2 Ki 14:1-4; 16:1-3; 18:1-3; 22:1-2). David set the bar for what it meant to be a good king, and this allowed others to have a standard to guide them. However, we should not conclude that David was perfectly obedient and kept the Lord's will in all matters in his life. He did not. No believer ever does, for there are none who are sinless (Eccl 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10), except the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:5).      David personally acknowledged his sins, saying “my iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me” (Ps 38:4). He also wrote, “My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; they are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me” (Ps 40:12). Among David's recorded sins, the most offensive was his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah (2 Sam 11:1-17). Scripture tells us that David had slept with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed; and “the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Sam 11:27). What is commendable about David is that he handled his sin in a biblical manner by confessing it and seeking the Lord's forgiveness. Concerning Uriah and Bathsheba, David said, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam 12:13; read Psalm 51 for the longer version of David's confession). And upon his confession, the prophet Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die” (2 Sam 12:13). Here we see God's grace and government at work; for though David was forgiven and restored to fellowship with God, there were still consequences for his actions and the Lord dispensed judgment upon David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:14-18).      On another occasion, David followed Satan's temptation and “sinned greatly” by taking a census in Israel (1 Ch 21:1, 8), presumably because he was trusting in his military strength rather than the Lord. When God judged David for this, David confessed his sin and declared, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing” (1 Ch 21:8a). Not only did he confess his sin, but he also sought the Lord's forgiveness, saying, “Please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly” (1 Ch 21:8b), and “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great” (1 Ch 21:13). It is a hallmark of mature believers to humble themselves before the Lord through confession.      Furthermore, David practiced the sin of polygamy contrary to the Law of Moses, which specifically commanded the king of Israel, that “he shall not multiply wives for himself” (Deut 17:17). From Scripture we know the names of eight of David's wives: Michal (1 Sam 18:27), Abigail (1 Sam 25:39-42), Ahinoam (1 Sam 25:43), Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:24), Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah (2 Sam 3:2-5). And he had other wives and concubines that are not named, as Scripture reveals, “David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron” (2 Sam 5:13a). Interestingly, the Bible says nothing about David's practice of polygamy, and though it is a sin according to Scripture, it was apparently tolerated in David's life, perhaps because it never resulted in his wives leading him into idolatry as it had with his son, Solomon (see 1 Ki 11:1-11).       Despite David's imperfections and sins, he was still regarded as a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). His life demonstrates several key areas of faithfulness that are instructive for Christians. David exhibited a deep love and devotion to God, as reflected in his heartfelt expressions throughout the 75 Psalms he wrote (see Psa 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 8:1; 9:1; 11:1; 12:1; 13:1; 14:1; 15:1; 18:1; etc.).[7] Many of the Psalms reveal David's heart of worship to the Lord. His repentance and humility are evident after his sin with Bathsheba, where he sincerely sought God's mercy and forgiveness (Psa 51:1-2). David's trust in God's sovereignty was unwavering, as witnessed in his confrontation with Goliath and his reliance on God (1 Sam 17:37). His obedience to God's commands is seen in his refusal to harm King Saul, respecting God's anointed king (1 Sam 24:1-6). His commitment to justice and righteousness was evident in his reign, where he sought to administer justice and equity for all his people, for “David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people” (2 Sam 8:15). Even in difficult times, David depended on God for guidance, protection, and comfort, as beautifully expressed in Psalm 23. Lastly, his desire to build a house for God, although fulfilled by his son Solomon, demonstrated his dedication to honoring and prioritizing the Lord (2 Sam 7:1-2). These aspects of David's life highlight the important areas of faithfulness: devotion to God, humility, trust in God's sovereignty, obedience to God's commands, a heart for worship, commitment to justice and righteousness, dependence on God in difficult times, and a desire to honor and prioritize the Lord. The life of David demonstrates that believers can have a healthy walk with the Lord and be in submission to Him and doing His will in the major areas of their lives. Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] This truth can be compared to the relationship between a loving and wise parent and their child. Just as a parent establishes boundaries and rules to protect and guide their child, God provides His commandments for our well-being, and this because there is much evil in the world. A loving parent sets these boundaries to ensure the child's safety from evil and help them thrive. They know that without guidance, a child might make harmful decisions because they lack the wisdom and experience to navigate life's complexities on their own. Similarly, God's laws create a framework within which we can experience true freedom and blessing. By submitting to God's guidance, we avoid the pitfalls and dangers that come from relying solely on our own understanding. When we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He directs our paths, leading us to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [2] Jesus, in His humanity, was not omniscient, and needed to develop and grow in His understanding. Luke tells us that Jesus “continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:40). When Jesus was twelve, He traveled with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-42), but after they left, we're informed “Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:43b). Joeseph and Mary were not aware that Jesus had stayed behind (Luke 2:43-44), but when they looked for Him and could not find Him, “they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him” (Luk 2:45b). Luke tells us, “Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:46-47). Jesus, in His humanity, had great biblical wisdom, but not because He learned from the Rabbinic scholars of the day. The Jewish leadership understood this. John wrote,  “The Jews then were astonished, saying, ‘How has this man become learned, having never been educated?'” (John 7:15). Jesus replied to them, saying, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16). [3] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Messianic Christology: A Study of Old Testament Prophecy Concerning the First Coming of the Messiah (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 1998), 51. [4] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Messianic Christology: A Study of Old Testament Prophecy Concerning the First Coming of the Messiah (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 1998), 51. [5] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 632. [6] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 126. [7] King David is traditionally attributed with writing 73 of the 150 Psalms in the Book of Psalms. These Psalms often bear his name in their superscriptions, indicating his authorship. Additionally, the New Testament ascribes two other Psalms to David (Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25 and Psalm 95 in Hebrews 4:7), bringing the total traditionally attributed to David to 75.

Everything Jesus had said would happen, was now happening. Jesus was betrayed to fulfill what the Scriptures said, as the Passover Lamb surrenders His life to save ours.

Mark 7:31-37 The healing of the Deaf Man

Jesus Adopts UsIt's common to add things to the good news. For some early Christians, it was Jesus plus the law. Today, it might be Jesus plus a particular political party, spiritual habit or value. Others think it's Jesus plus their good deeds. But Paul's message in Galatians is crystal clear: it's Jesus plus nothing.  That is what truly changes everything for us and the world. Join us this summer as we journey through Galatians. Today we talk about how Jesus adopts us.Support the Show.

The law exposes our need, Jesus meets our needIt's common to add things to the good news. For some early Christians, it was Jesus plus the law. Today, it might be Jesus plus a particular political party, spiritual habit or value. Others think it's Jesus plus their good deeds. But Paul's message in Galatians is crystal clear: it's Jesus plus nothing.  That is what truly changes everything for us and the world. Join us this summer as we journey through Galatians. Today we talk about how the law exposes our need but Jesus meets our need.Support the Show.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28–29These lines conclude the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew's Gospel chapters 5–7. In that lengthy sermon, Jesus touches on many topics and presents us with a summary of all we need to know in our lives of faith. In these concluding lines of His sermon, the words “astonished” and “authority” should stand out. Why were the crowds astonished at Jesus' teaching? Because His teaching was new and relied upon a new authority that the people hadn't experienced before.The authority with which the scribes taught was based upon their knowledge of the traditions handed down to them from earlier teachers. The scribes studied long and hard and then presented what they had learned. This was the form of religious teaching that the people were used to receiving.Jesus, however, arrived on the scene and astonished the crowds, because He spoke with a new authority that they had not seen before. Jesus' authority came forth from His very Person. It was not based upon what He had studied and learned from those who preceded Him. Instead, when He spoke, it was He Himself Who was not only the mouthpiece of the New Law of grace, He was also the Author of the Law and its source.Try to ponder the idea of authority. For example, a child knows that a parent has authority over them. They may not like it at times, but they understand that they do not set the rules of the house but must abide by the rules set by their parents. Or consider the authority of civil leaders. Law enforcement officers, for example, have an authority entrusted to them by their office. They are not only well versed in the rule of law, they can also enforce it and everyone knows it.Similarly, Jesus did not just know about the new and glorious truths He taught. He did not simply learn them from the Father in Heaven and then pass them on verbally. Instead, when He taught, He did so as the One Who knew the New Law of grace, the One from Whom it originated, and the one and only Person sent to enact and enforce this New Law. Reflect, today, upon the New Law of grace and mercy taught by our Lord, especially as it is contained in the lengthy Sermon on the Mount. Reading those words is much more than something we study and learn. The words themselves are alive; they are the Word of God. Reading them makes present to us the same authority that the crowds experienced in Jesus' time. Everything Jesus taught was and is new, deep, profound, transforming and alive. And when He teaches it, He also establishes His divine authority to enforce it upon the world. This is good news, because His New Law is not an imposition; it is the one and only source of freedom and new life. Reflect upon this New Law of our Lord and pray that you will more fully come under its authority. My glorious Lawgiver, You taught as One with authority. Today, as Your holy Word is read and proclaimed, You continue to exercise Your new and glorious authority of love and mercy. Please help me to listen to You and to always submit myself to Your authority so that I am governed by Your New Law of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Jesus teachers, via flickr

Not Writing, Dying To Self, Bad Advice, Breaking Animal News BONUS CONTENT: Bad Advice Follow-up   Quotes: “My desires don't have to rule me.” “Everything Jesus tells us is for our own good.” “I'm miserable. Now there's TWO of us!” “Are you trained to work on a giraffe?”

Talk 31    Mark 10:32-45     Jesus teaches the way of sacrificial service Welcome to Talk 31 in our series on Mark's Gospel. Today our passage is Mark 10:32-45 where Jesus again predicts his death and resurrection, deals with a request from James and John that they might sit next to him in the coming kingdom, and teaches us that the way to true greatness is sacrificial service. The passage is also a healthy reminder about how we should pray, and has much to say that's relevant to church leadership today. We'll begin by reading verses 32-34:   32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."   The NIV translation of verse 32 seems to suggest a distinction between the disciples and those who followed. However, although there may well have been people following who were not among the disciples, the word disciples is not in the Greek text and Mark almost certainly intends us to understand that all those who were following Jesus were both astonished and afraid. They may well have been astonished by what Jesus had said in verse 31 – Many who are first will be last, and the last, first. And his mention of persecutions in verse 30 could easily account for them being afraid.   And what Jesus says next could hardly have made them feel any better! He tells them what is going to happen to him, and this time in more detail. In Mark 8:31 we read that   he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again (Compare Mark 9:31).   But now he tells them he will be betrayed… condemned him to death… handed over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. This information was both astonishing and terrifying, and it seems unlikely that they had any clear idea about what he meant by saying that three days later he would rise. Of course, it's easy for us, with the benefit of hindsight, to know what he meant, and of course so did the disciples after he had showed himself to be alive by many convincing proofs over a period of six weeks (Acts 1:3). But they clearly did not understand it in advance. Even as late as resurrection morning, John 20:9 tells us that they still did not understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead.   But Jesus himself knew what he was saying. He knew that he would be betrayed. He knew they would condemn him to death. He knew they would mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. But he went up to Jerusalem anyway because he knew that he must give his life as a ransom for us (v45). For you, for me, and for people like James and John whose self-seeking attitude we read about next:   35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."   The main purpose of these verses, and those that follow, seems to be to teach us the importance of having a servant heart and not to seek great things for ourselves, but they also teach us some important principles about our attitude when we come to God in prayer. James and John want Jesus to do for them whatever they ask him. This certainly revealed some faith. They believed that Jesus could do whatever they asked. And according to Matthew 20:20-28, along with their mother, they also believed in his coming kingdom. And didn't Jesus say elsewhere that If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24)? So what was wrong with James' and John's request to sit beside Jesus in his coming kingdom?   Three things. Firstly, their motive was wrong. It was selfish. They were seeking personal greatness. In the letter that James the Lord's brother wrote to first century Jewish Christians he stresses the importance of having faith when we pray (James 1:6-7), but he also warns of the possibility of not receiving what we ask for if we ask with wrong motives (James 4:3).   Secondly, they didn't get what they asked for because they didn't know what they were asking (v38). Promises like the one we have already referred to in Matthew 21:22 must be balanced  with what John was later to write in 1 John 5:14, when he says:   This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.   I wonder if, when he wrote this, John had in mind Jesus' refusal to grant his request in today's passage. The truth is that, unless we have received a clear revelation from God in a certain matter, we too do not know what we are asking. We never fully understand the implications of what we ask for in prayer. Our requests should always be made in faith, but also in an attitude of submission to God's will.   And thirdly, closely connected to the last point, they did not understand that even Jesus could not grant their request without reference to his Father. In verse 40 he says your request is not for me to grant. In John 5:19 he said:   The Son can do nothing by himself. He can do only what he sees the Father doing…   Everything Jesus said and did was in dependence on what he saw the Father doing. Each of the members of the Trinity works in complete harmony with the others and does not work independently. And while he was here on earth Jesus as a man did not know everything. He did not know the day or the hour of his second coming. Only the Father knew that (Mark 13:32).   So these verses teach us much about how we should bring our requests to God. Our motives should be right. Our requests should be brought in submission to God's will, recognising that we do not always know the significance of what we are asking, and if there were some requests that even Jesus did not have the authority to grant, they are certainly not for us to claim! God's perfect will for us may be, as it was for James and John, a pathway of suffering (vv38-39).   But before we leave the subject of prayer, just one more thing. In verse 36 Jesus says, What do you want me to do for you? He actually asks the same question of blind Bartimaeus in verse 51. More of that next time, but just for now please notice that the question does not guarantee the answer we may be looking for. For Bartimaeus his request was granted. For James and John, theirs was not.  Beware of preachers who tell you that Jesus is asking you, What do you want me to do for you? implying that whatever you ask you will get. Of course it's fine to tell Jesus what we'd like him to do, but we need to understand that, because he knows best, his answer could be No.   41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to  give his life as a ransom for many."   Quite understandably, when the other ten apostles heard about James' and John's request, they became indignant. Who do they think they are? I hear them saying. So Jesus calls all twelve of them together. It's important to notice here that, although Jesus' teaching in these verses would be of value in society as a whole, in the context what he says it's addressed to the future leaders of the church. And he stresses that church leadership must be very different from the style of leadership we see in the world. So let's look at what Jesus says here and then see how his teaching was reinforced by his own example and by the teaching of apostles like Peter and Paul in the New Testament.   Firstly, then, Jesus himself. In these verses he teaches that true greatness is expressed in a willingness to serve, to become a slave for the sake of others (vv. 43-44). Even the Son of Man, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many (v.45). This reminds us immediately of two passages of Scripture, John 13 and Philippians 2. In John 13 Jesus literally fulfils the role of a servant and washes his disciples' feet, and after he has done so he says:   12 …Do you understand what I have done for you? 13 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger (Greek, an apostle) greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:12-17).   We hear a lot about apostles in the church today, and I truly believe that this ministry is essential for the church in every generation – see Body Builders, Chapter 2 – but the signs of a true apostle must surely include a willingness to take the role of a lowly servant. That's what Jesus did, for, as we read in Philippians 2:   …being in very nature God, (he) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11).   And, as we have seen, Jesus told the apostles that they should follow his example. But it doesn't just apply to apostles. Listen to what Peter says:   To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 1:1-4).   Here in verse 3 Peter is reflecting the words of Jesus in today's passage when he talks about the rulers of the Gentiles lording it over those who are under their authority, and says Not so among you. Peter is referring to every aspect of leadership in the church. He refers to the elders as shepherds (or pastors), and as overseers (or supervisors or bishops). Now is not the time to discuss the significance of each of these terms – for more, please see Body Builders, Chapter 5, where I deal with the matter in more detail – but what is abundantly clear is that, whatever the role of leadership, what's required is a servant heart.   This does not mean that church leaders should not be honoured and respected. They certainly should. But it's not for them to seek that honour or respect. Respect must be earned, not demanded. While I welcome the renewed emphasis on the importance of apostles in recent decades, it's a sad fact that in some quarters, abuses have occurred to the detriment of all concerned. There is a desperate need for a biblically balanced understanding of the subject. So let's finish with a brief look at two words that are frequently used in the New Testament to describe what church leaders should be – diakonos and doulos.   Diakonos is the word used in today's passage where Jesus says in verse 43, Whoever wants to become great among you must be you servant. See also Matthew 20:26 and Mark 9:35 where it's used in the same way. Its basic meaning is a waiter or someone who runs errands. It's used in this way in John 2 to describe the servants at the wedding feast in Cana and in Acts 6 we have the related word diakonia to describe the ministry of those who were to wait on tables and supervise the distribution of food to the poor. It may be that this was the role of those who are described as deacons in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8-12.   But it's also used more widely to refer to anyone who serves the church in whatever capacity. There are too many examples in the New Testament to mention them all, but it's noteworthy that in 1 Corinthians 3:5 Paul refers to himself and Apollos as Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord assigned to each his task.   But in fact he often uses a far stronger word than diakonos to describe his ministry. He uses doulos which means slave – a word also used by Jesus in Mark 10:44. It's the very first word Paul uses to describe himself in his letter to the Romans – Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle. Yes, he's an apostle, but first he is a slave. Compare also Galatians 1:10, Philippians 1:1 and Titus 1:1. In these verses he's a slave of Christ, but in 2 Corinthians 4:5 he goes even further and says:   For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves your slaves for Jesus' sake.   He is not only a slave of Jesus Christ, he's the Corinthians' slave too! His apostolic authority came from none other than the Lord Jesus, but his right to exercise that authority was his willingness to serve not only Jesus, but those to whom he was called to preach.   And finally, it's worth mentioning that it was not only Paul who saw his ministry in this light. That's how James saw himself too (James 1:1), and Peter (2 Peter 1:1), and Jude (Jude 1:1), and John (Revelation 1:1). It seems that they had all learnt the lesson taught and exemplified by Jesus:   Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all (Mark 10:43-44).   My prayer is that we may learn it too.        

238 – Have you ever wondered if there's a way to really know God loves you?Does God's love ever seem far away? Or maybe you know theoretically that God loves you, but you just don't feel it?Maybe you've made bad life choices that makes it hard to imagine God still loves you.When I'm discouraged, it's been really helpful to remember that God sent Jesus because He loves us so much, all of  us.Jesus's whole life, everything he said and did, is an example of how God loves you and me, not just the people he talked to and healed 2,000 years ago.In this week's episode I share some examples of how Jesus's life, and how he treated someone with love, is actually proof that God loves us just as much as He loves the people in Jesus's time.Jesus chose a tax collector, Matthew, to be one of his disciples, even though Matthew was considered a sinner by the Jewish leadersJesus healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician  woman, whom Jews wouldn't normally even talk toIn both these cases, Jesus loved these people because he could see God loving them, even though society had rejected them to some degree.The ultimate "proof" in Jesus's life that God's love us is the crucifixion. Jesus won the victory over death, not just for himself but for you and me as well.Nothing you do can ever make God stop loving you. Jesus proved this. No matter how terrible someone's life choices or circumstances were, Jesus treated them with compassion, love, and healing.That gives us hope that God loves us, no matter what life mistakes we may have made.Jesus wants us to love each other the way he loved his disciples. And you can do this.Previous episode mentioned:Episode 165: How Did Jesus Love His Disciples? Show notes:Full transcript and Bible verses mentioned: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/238Support the Show._________________________James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

Have you ever read the story where Jesus cursed a fig tree for not having any figs on it? Doesn't that story seem a bit weird? Did Jesus let His hunger and disappointment in not getting any figs cause Him to act rashly and out of character? Absolutely not! Everything Jesus did was under control and purposeful. Listen as Pastor Matt explains this unusual narrative, and the symbolic lesson it is teaching concerning the future of Jerusalem and the Temple.

JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING // Jesus Changes My Perspective Message by Pastor Brian Benton Broadcast from New Life Turlock

When life feels uncertain and we're faced with difficult choices, it's natural to hold onto what's familiar and comfortable. But what happens when God asks us to place ourselves in a vulnerable spot and trust Him completely? In this video, we dive into the stories of three men in the Bible who were called to make extraordinary sacrifices. Through their stories, we'll see that true fulfillment and purpose aren't found in clinging to what we know, but in surrendering to God's plan and stepping into the unknown. Together we'll gain practical tools for navigating adversity, deepening your relationship with God, and aligning your life with the greater story He is writing in our world.

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Anxiety, Less Anger, I Will Rejoice, Chips Ahoy, A Quasar, Hansen 2038, Parenting BONUS CONTENT: The Narrow Way   Quotes: “We're, by nature, local.” “Everything Jesus tells us is really good for us.” “They're just as good.”

In this enlightening episode of the Choose 2 Think Inspirational Podcast, Victoria sits down with Rev. Dr. Billy Burch, the Lead Pastor at Christ Community Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and author of the captivating book In the Wind. Dr. Burch delves into the profound journey of spirituality and the quest for understanding the elusive 'something more' that many individuals feel is missing in their lives. Drawing from his extensive experience in ministry and his own personal insights, Dr. Burch shares invaluable wisdom on recognizing God's presence in the everyday moments of life through practical examples and heartfelt anecdotes. From discussing the balance between tangible religious practices and personal spiritual experiences to addressing doubts and challenges in feeling valued by God, Dr. Burch offers profound insights and compassionate guidance for seekers of all backgrounds. Bottom line: God's Spirit lives within you as a 21st-century, Christ-follower. If you're not a believer, nothing on earth can fill the spiritual void in your heart save the love of your true Savior. CONNECT WITH DR. BILLY BURCH Lead Pastor at Christ Community Church, West Chester, Pennsylvania Author of In the Wind Host of At the Table podcast, Everything Jesus podcast, and the [UN]apologetic podcast Links and Resources: book: In the Wind https://amzn.to/3vCooRf church: www.visitccc.com website: www.billyburch.com CONNECT WITH VICTORIA: *NEW RELEASE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pickleball Passion A Marriage Devotional: 21 Days to a Stronger Connection on and off the Court ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/48wnvaV *⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1 *⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:  https://amzn.to/3WvinND EMAIL: choose2think@gmail.com ⁠⁠WEBSITE:⁠⁠  www.choose2think.co ⁠⁠MENTORING:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.co/coaching.html ⁠⁠YOUTUBE:⁠⁠ www.youtube.com/channel/UCz8Z2B9TtXvWn0RKelVY5DQ ⁠⁠FACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think ⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/ *When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! DISCLAIMER: The Choose 2 Think Inspirational Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/support

There are plenty of things in life where the meaning matters... big time! If you don't know the meaning, you may think something to be impractical or irrelevant. But, once the meaning becomes clear, so does the relevance and so does the importance. Such is the case with the resurrection. So, in this sermon, let's look at the impact of the Risen Jesus on Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John, because that impact is still the impact of the Risen Jesus today. The Risen Jesus means: ✅ Jesus was who he said he was ✅ Jesus did what he said he'd do ✅ Everything Jesus has said was true ✅ Forgiveness has been won and death has been defeated Thanks for join us for this Easter sermon! If you grew in your faith because of this sermon, please share it with a friend! This is a really easy way to share the gospel with others. Lord's blessings to you!

Welcome to the Beaches Chapel Church podcast! Beaches Chapel is a home for all to begin and grow in their relationship with Jesus. For more information visit beacheschapel.com or download our app.

Nothing escapes the eye of God. He commands and His will is established. Nothing can limit His achievement. At His Word, we see His Glory revealed and causing things to shift around us. He operates in our lives in seasons, for time belongs to Him. Everything Jesus does He does it so well, and there's no controversy. Dare trust Him and invite Him in your life and your life will become a wonder when His Glory is revealed.....

When Jesus walked the earth, He considered everything going on. Even Him using spit to heal a blind man was intentional. Everything Jesus did was not just for the moment, healing a blind man or feeding the five thousand; it was also a bigger picture of WHO He was.

God calls us to reflect His perfection. What does that mean and how can we possibly be perfect? Let's learn together as we walk through Matthew 5:33-48 and Luke 6:27-36 on today's episode of Walking in the Word. **** Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leader's podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. And I'm so glad you've joined us. We at Women World Leaders seek to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. We do this by listening to and obediently following God's call to action. We are thrilled that you're listening to our podcasts and pray that they are helping you grow in Christ. If you are seeking more, I invite you to visit our website, womenworldleaders.com, and discover all the amazing things that God is doing. There you can access our quarterly magazine – Voice of Truth – which you can read digitally for free or receive your own physical copy by becoming a monthly donor to the ministry. We also offer opportunities to write your story in one of our books, to share the gospel to those around you by using our Love Cards, and gather with us for monthly Zoom leadership connects and prayer calls. You are also invited to join our Facebook group, where we post daily devotions and inspirational messages from women around the globe. On this our Wednesday edition of the women world leaders podcast we have the opportunity to delve into God's Word. We are currently walking through the Gospels chronologically and trusting that God will illuminate his words for us as He guides us. This week, we continue to enjoy Jesus' teaching to His disciples, known as the Sermon on the Mount, as primarily written about in the Gospel of Matthew. Our scripture, today is Matthew five, verses 33 through 48, and Luke chapter six, verses 27 through 36. And it includes Jesus teaching to us to reflect the perfection of God. Allow me to pray before we begin… Dear most holy God. Today, we are reminded of your perfection, which is so impossible for us to grasp with our feeble minds. And yet we read that you call us to be perfect. God, we confess to you that we don't even completely understand perfection. So we fall before you and ask you to teach us, guide us, and open our hearts to understand what you want us to know today. Thank you for meeting us where we are and loving us purely and completely. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen. Well, let's begin at the end of our Scripture teaching for today. Matthew five verse 48. From the New Living Translation, it quotes Jesus words, But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. I begin here because this is the subject sentence, the climax of Jesus teaching to his disciples and to us. Everything Jesus says before, leads up to this one sentence. God our Father is perfect. He is holy, sinless, He does no wrong. Everything he does is praiseworthy, and as his children made in His image, we are to emulate and reflect that quality of perfection. We are made to be perfect as our Father is perfect. And that can only be accomplished by our ongoing willingness to submit to His will and to allow his power to work within us. To do this. We must put ourselves aside and trust God. And we must learn, continually learn, what it means to be perfect.   I'm assuming that you are listening today because you are seeking to follow God's will. If you are, here is his call to you. Be perfect. Simple, right? Simple, but not easy. Let's back up to Matthew 5:33, to begin to see what God's perfection looks like. Jesus teaches. You have also heard that our ancestors were told you must not break your vows. You must carry the vows you make to the Lord. This original law comes from Numbers 30 Verse 2 which says, A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it, he must do exactly what he said he would do. The word translated as a vow here is nadair, meaning a promise to God. The Bible tells us that when we vow to God, when we promise or commit to him, perfection requires that we fulfill that vow. But the Pharisees complicated this, they made loopholes in this biblical teaching. When making an oath that they were not serious about keeping, instead of sealing it with the Lord's name, they sealed it with something else, swearing by heaven, or Jerusalem, or even the Earth. None of those things were binding by God's teaching. But they sounded pretty good. They in essence, were making people read the fine print of their vow. I can remember as a kid on the playground learning that if I crossed my fingers behind my back, I could lie. And it wouldn't count as a lie. I have no idea where that came from. But I'm guessing the Pharisees might have approved of my playground law. Jesus, however, is pretty straightforward, and He is not at all about loopholes. So He continues in verse 34. But I say, do not make any vows do not say by heaven, because heaven is God's throne. And do not say by the Earth, because the Earth is his footstool. And do not say by Jerusalem for Jerusalem is the city of the great king. Do not even say by my head for you can't turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple yes, I will. or No I won't. Anything beyond this is from the evil one. Perfection is holding to your word. Your simple Yes. And your simple No. A deep study into God's Word reveals that God will always do what he says He will do. No ifs, ands, or buts. That is part of God's perfection. And as his followers, we are called to be perfect. We are called to keep our word. The practical side of this is that keeping our word builds trust within relationships and makes commitment possible. The reality is that keeping our word can be downright difficult. It can be tempting to go back on our commitments when the going gets tough to want to step away from the work of a situation and to not trust God's provision to help us finish well. Well, next Jesus teaches about the imperfection of revenge. Verse 38, you have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. This teaching comes from several places in the Old Testament, including Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21. Biblical scholars will tell you that this law was originally written in brutal times to protect the guilty. It kept people from forcing an offender to pay a price greater than the offense warranted from seeking Revenge. This was our merciful, perfect God, protecting even offenders from undue harm. This law was meant to be used by civil authorities and civil courts as a means of maintaining public order. And it was never intended for the rationalization of privately enforced judgment. Jesus speaks to the disciples in verse 39, He says, But I say do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. This statement was less about being physically injured by someone and more about being insulted as slapping someone in the face was considered an insult to one's honor. Jesus is saying, don't put yourself on so high of a pedestal that you turn and walk away when someone insults you. No. We are called to be the light of the world to show the love of Jesus. And we can't show someone anything. If we turn and walk away. Verse 40, if you are sued in court, and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. Today, most of us have a closet of clothes. If someone takes my shirt, I might be mad. But truthfully, I can just go grab another one. That wasn't necessarily the case in Jesus day. In fact, if someone gave their coat to someone as a pledge, by law, it had to be returned by sunset, as a coat often doubled as a person's only blanket. Jesus says if someone takes your shirt, likely your only shirt, give them your coat as well. likely your only coat. Okay, so now you are naked. But as a Christian, that's okay. Because we can trust that God will provide and care for us. He is perfect. And we have His Word. Verse 41. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. This was a normal occurrence. These people lived in the heart of oppression that many of us can't even begin to understand. We balk at being asked to wear a mask. They on a dime could be forced to carry a soldier's gear, deliver official correspondence, build a road or a public building, or like Simon of Cyrene carry across for a man sentenced to death who was too weak to carry it himself. Jesus says to the oppressed, go the extra mile. We've all heard of the phrase that actions speak louder than words or even kill them with kindness. I think Jesus would have liked these sayings. This leads us to verse 42. Give to those who ask and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. Perfection and generosity go hand in hand. That's a concept that doesn't need a lot of explanation. Jesus continues in verse 43. You have heard the law that says Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Okay, I note here, love your neighbor is a central teaching of the Old Testament, but nowhere does it say to hate your enemy. In fact, it says the opposite and Exodus 23 verses four and five, we read. If you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey that is straight away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load. Do not walk by instead, stop and help. Jesus here is giving us a perfect example of how man can warp God's teachings, reminding us that we must always go to Scripture ourselves to hear from God. The Bible is not a book intended only for preachers and teachers. It's intended for all of us. Well, Jesus sets the record straight. You have heard the law that says love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. And Jesus reminds us that our perfect God does not play favorites and neither should we. He says, For he gives sunlight to both the evil and the good. And he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much? If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that? Luke records the same teachings in chapter six but writes it this way. Even sinners love those who love them. Even sinners do good to those who do good to them. And even sinners, lend to other centers for a full return. Luke records a succinct directive beginning in Luke chapter six, verse 35. Love your enemies, do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid, then your reward from heaven will be very great and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. Ah Yes, I for 1am thankful that God is kind to those who are on thankful and wicked. Because otherwise, how would I have ever been drawn to him? How would any of us? We are made in God's image and as his children, we are called to reflect His attributes. Luke records You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate, And Matthew records, But you are to be perfect. even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Perfection isn't easy. Holding to your word and your commitment isn't easy. Standing strong and showing the love of Christ as you are disrespected is not easy. Trusting God for complete provision when you are left naked, is not easy. Being kind and going the extra mile when you're oppressed is not easy. Being generous and praying for your enemies is not easy. No one ever said being a Christian and swimming upstream against an evil world would be easy. But as you strive to reflect the perfection of God, you can be assured that God Himself will empower you, protect you, and guide you, and that your reward in heaven will be very great. Let's pray. God we want to please you. We want to reflect your love, compassion and grace to a hurting world. God thank you for reminding us today that our reward is not here on this earth but is waiting for us in heaven and is far greater than we can ask or imagine. God I asked you right now that you infused each listener with a shot of holy adrenaline as only you can empowering her to walk powerfully in the path that you have put her on to walk in your perfection and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.   Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.

Speaker: Pastor Dudley Rutherford

Speaker: Pastor Dudley Rutherford

The Mission 2038 TS Wright pt 2 You've heard me say over and over and over again, that the soon return of Jesus is about to happen. And I'll continue to say it over and over and over again, too. Amen! Folks, can there be any doubt?  Look at what is happening all around us! Everything Jesus talked about in Mathew 24 is happening – right now! Now, if you've been listening recently, you've heard several session with our guest today, TS Wright. We've done a deep dive on Revelation and the “7 Church Ages.”  If you missed any of those episode, go look them up in our archives. Today, we are going to discuss something even more exciting… the year 2038.  And to do that, help me welcome to the program, Scott Wright! I've been saying for years that the governments of the world would attribute the Rapture of billions of people – to extra-terrestrials. They would say something like, “They took out those folks that were impeding our efforts to bring unity and utopia” or things like that… But, in order for that to happen, first they have to get us to accept their existence. That way, they have something to blame. Whether they exist or not is not the argument. If you ask my personal opinion, I would venture to guess YES, they probably do exist. But, like when someone asked Billy Graham what he thought about ET, he replied, “I don't know if they do or not. But if they do exist, Jesus is still their Savior.”  Amen! So, I'll just leave it at that. But what do you think of all this talk about ET and the government, first the cover up and now their “unofficial recognition” that we may not be alone – and how all of that could play into the end time scenario? Think about this… the Bible says, “All the armies of the world, come out against Jesus.” Could it be, and I'm just throwing this out there as a hypothesis of sorts, that they label Jesus as an ET, just to create the “one world order” to try and fight him? What better reason to unite a one world government than if we are “protecting our world” from an invasion by ET?  The writers of the Bible would have no clue what an ET was? Huge “Tetrad in 2044” – that could be a date that coordinates the end time scenario. Scott lays out an interesting timeline that takes us from NOW (2023) to 2044 and 2050 that provides several possible scenarios that lead us to culmination of 7000 years human history! Scott gives a calling to “The Church” to fulfill our calling and to “let the Great Harvest” begin! Pastor Bob gives a prayer of Salvation for those that are ready to receive it… Scott shares that next time, we will discuss the importance of the “Great Harvest” mentality. CONTACT INFORMATION: Email:   gccgodcenteredconcept2038@gmail.com Book: 

The Mission 2038 TS Wright pt 1 You've heard me say over and over and over again, that the soon return of Jesus is about to happen. And I'll continue to say it over and over and over again, too. Amen! Folks, can there be any doubt?  Look at what is happening all around us! Everything Jesus talked about in Mathew 24 is happening – right now! Now, if you've been listening recently, you've heard several session with our guest today, TS Wright. We've done a deep dive on Revelation and the “7 Church Ages.”  If you missed any of those episode, go look them up in our archives. Today, we are going to discuss something even more exciting… the year 2038.  And to do that, help me welcome to the program, Scott Wright! Scott, we've been looking at each of the “Seven Ages of the Church,” so let's kind of sum up all of the sessions we've had.  What is the significance of understanding the “Seven Ages of the Churches?” So, that leaves us where, exactly? From your research, what does it look like from now until the end of this age of the church? Let me get your opinion on this… At the time of this recording, the United States Congress has just held hearings on the existence of extra-terrestrials. You can't make this stuff up! I've been saying for years that the governments of the world would attribute the Rapture of billions of people – to extra-terrestrials. They would say something like, “They took out those folks that were impeding our efforts to bring unity and utopia” or things like that… But, in order for that to happen, first they have to get us to accept their existence. That way, they have something to blame. Whether they exist or not is not the argument. If you ask my personal opinion, I would venture to guess YES, they probably do exist. But, like when someone asked Billy Graham what he thought about ET, he replied, “I don't know if they do or not. But if they do exist, Jesus is still their Savior.”  Amen! So, I'll just leave it at that. But what do you think of all this talk about ET and the government, first the cover up and now their “unofficial recognition” that we may not be alone – and how all of that could play into the end time scenario? Think about this… the Bible says, “All the armies of the world, come out against Jesus.” Could it be, and I'm just throwing this out there as a hypothesis of sorts, that they label Jesus as an ET, just to create the “one world order” to try and fight him? What better reason to unite a one world government than if we are “protecting our world” from an invasion by ET?  The writers of the Bible would have no clue what an ET was? CONTACT INFORMATION: Email:   gccgodcenteredconcept2038@gmail.com Book:  “God Centered...

It is important to ask for great things from God, seeking by faith to perceive what God wills to do and by prayers to be involved in his work. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Turn in your Bibles to Mark 11. We resume a series now in the Gospel of Mark, and the focus, as you heard in my prayer today, is Mountain-Moving Prayer. On Wednesday, May 30th, 1792, at Friar Lane Baptist Chapel in Nottingham, England, a simple cobbler named William Carey preached one of the greatest sermons in church history. It was later called the Deathless Sermon. It was a call for Christians to make every effort to take the gospel to unreached peoples to the ends of the earth and to the end of time. Up to that point in history, missionaries had usually been Roman Catholic, often Jesuits who are taking Roman power to distant lands, but not the pure gospel. Christians who had rediscovered the gospel through the reformation led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others had, up to that point, not really gotten that involved in foreign missions. William Carey would be a pivotal leader in the history of Protestant missions and would himself be part of the solution when he boarded a ship and went to Kolkata, India. William Carey's deathless sermon was broken into two main headings. Number one, expect great things from God, and number two, attempt great things for God. Since that time, at the close of the 18th century, the true gospel has spread to every political nation on earth and the number of genuine Christians all over the world has exploded beyond all boundaries. We don't know how can we know how many are truly born again, but the number may be 500 million, 700 million, a billion, 1.5 billion. We don't know, but it's astonishing. Compared to that, the moving of a physical mountain into the depths of the sea is as nothing. I'm going to take liberties with our brother, William Carey. I don't think he'll mind me adding a third heading to the sermon. I'm not trying to improve on a deathless sermon. How could I? Certainly, we should expect great things from God, but before we can attempt great things for God, I think, based on the text I'm going to preach today, we should ask great things of God. That links the two. Expecting great things, asking great things, attempting great things. I don't think William Carey would mine. Mountain-moving prayer links our expectations, great expectations with great actions. Look at the text, “'Have faith in God.’ Jesus answered. ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he has said will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” The passage is stunning. Jesus uses lavish language to charge his people to ask God to do mighty things and answer to prayer. So let's set the context. I. From a Withered Fig Tree to a Fruitful Church We're moving from a withered fig tree to a fruitful church. It is the last week of Jesus's life. Lots of dramatic moments are happening, beginning with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. “Hosanna! Hallelujah to the son of David. Blessed it is the coming kingdom of our father, David,” all of that. He goes to the temple, scouts it out. But because it's so late, He goes out of the city to Bethany. The next morning, He goes back in to cleanse the temple, to purify the temple of all that wickedness. En route, He sees this fig tree. Look at verses 12 -14. "The next day, as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry, seeing in the distance of fig tree and leaf. He went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again,’ and his disciples heard him say it.” Now, Jesus' hunger was both physical and prophetical. Jesus represented his father, and this fig tree symbolized Israel. God wanted fruit from Israel from centuries of him pouring out blessings on that nation. But the tree had only leaves, just as Israel had only an appearance of spiritual vitality, but without any genuine fruit in the sight of God. It represented essentially a spiritually dead Israel. So Jesus cursed the tree in a massively significant prophetical action. Prophets did this kind of thing, these kind of symbolic actions. The cursed fig tree died instantly, but not apparently so, not in appearance. Moments after Jesus cursed it, it looked the same. Just like the nation of Israel had leaves and would continue seemingly apparently alive for decades before God finally brought the hammer blow down through the Romans in A.D. 70, destroying the temple. So, immediately after the cursing, it looks fine, but the next morning radically different. The moment Jesus cursed it, it died. But the next morning, it became apparent that that's what had happened. The following morning, Peter noticed and remembered, look at verse 20-21, "In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look the fig tree, you cursed is withered.’" There's nothing miraculous about a fig tree withering, but there is something miraculous about that happening after powerful words spoken by the son of God, and hours later it looks like it's been dead for years. Now that's a miracle, and the disciples wanted to understand it. In Matthew's Gospel, they asked the question, how did the fig tree wither so quickly? That's the issue. So Jesus at that moment pivots to teach about faith-filled prayer. On the surface, this may seem a bit strange. How did the fig tree wither so quickly? Have faith in God and ask great things in prayer. What's the connection? How do we understand why that lesson at that moment? I think the connection, the link, is fruit. The reason that the fig tree was cursed was fruitlessness. The reason that God would judge Israel was the same fruitlessness. He's about to tell a parable of a vineyard that He's going to give this same lesson on the issue of fruit. In that parable, Jesus speaks of a vineyard planted by an owner. The owner works the soil thoroughly, plants the vines, puts a wall around it, digs out a wine press, and builds a watchtower. Then he rents out the vineyard to some tenant farmers and leaves. But when he sends messengers to collect his share of the fruit, they beat one, kill another, stone a third. Last of all, he sends a son, and they kill him too. In Matthew's telling of that parable, Jesus sums it all up. Matthew 21:43, "Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you." He says to his enemies, "And given to a people who will produce its fruit." Friends, that's us. That's our job. It's given to the church, both Jews and Gentiles, believers in Christ. It's given to us to produce the fruit of the kingdom, and that fruit will only come about by the power of Almighty God, and that expressed in prayer as we pray. I want you to take a minute, put your finger here in Mark, and go over to John 15, and we're going to look at verses 5-8. This is a phenomenal cross-reference. Usually, cross-references are okay, give them a B+ for connection. But this is a top to bottom cross-reference connection here. The lesson of the withered fig tree and the issue of fruitfulness is overtly and clearly taught in John 15:5-8. Look what it says. Jesus said, "I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains in me, and I in him, he'll bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he's like a branch that is thrown away and what withers. Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." Surely you must see the points of connection here. It's an agricultural image, that's true, not a fig tree in this case, but a vine with branches. But this goal is the same. It's fruit. A fruitless branch is severed from the vine, thrown to the ground. It withers, and it's thrown to the fire and burned, judgment. Branches that remain in Jesus, people like you and me that stay close to Jesus are intimately connected with him through repentance and faith and are alive in him and stay connected with him. We abide in him. We can pray. If we have God's word saturating our minds, we will know what to pray for. We're not guessing here. God will tell us in his word, what we should pray for, and as we are saturating God's Word, if we remain in him and his words dwell, or abide, or remain in us, then we will ask according to his will, we'll ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us. In this way, we'll bear the fruit of the kingdom that He talked about. Go back to Mark now, and you see those same lessons. This is a new lesson for his apostles, they were not prayer warriors up to this point. They were not men of prayer. He says in John 16:24, "Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you'll receive, and your joy will be complete." You've not learned this lesson to pray. They're about to be commissioned to go into all the world and be fishers of men, and build the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth. They've got to be men of prayer. So He says in John 14:12-14, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father, and I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the son may bring glory to the Father." You may ask me for anything in my name, and I'll do it. It's prayer. It's prayer. Again and again, it's prayer. There are lots of mountains to be moved from Jerusalem through Judea, and Samaria to the ends of the earth. Lots of mountains had to be moved. People's hearts would have to be changed. The heart of stone removed, the heart of flesh given. People would have to cross over from death to life, and there'd be practical aspects of the spread of the gospel, obstacles that would have to be overcome or moved out of the way. Lots of mountains would have to be moved, and only the Holy Spirit could move them, and He would do it in answer to faith-filled prayer, Mountain-Moving Prayer. That's why Jesus went from the dead fig tree to a lesson on prayer. II. Walking Through Jesus’ Words So let's walk through it now. Let's look at the words. Let's just go step by step through what He says. I'll read them again, beginning at verse 22. "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he has said will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Just walk through it, it begins with the statement, “have faith in God.” Jesus points his disciples to Almighty God as the focus of their lives and especially the focus of their prayer. Focus on God. Faith is the eyesight of the soul, by which you see the invisible God on his throne. Focus on that. Have faith in him. Everything comes from God. For him and through him and to him are all things in his hand is every blessing you want. He opens his hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing. Have faith in the God who can give you what you want, what you need. Have faith in God. Then He says, "Truly, I say to you." Jesus says this from time to time. Everything Jesus said was true, but when he says, “truly, I say to you” or something like that, He's saying, pay attention. Take notice. This is a very important thing I'm about to say to you. Unusually significant, a solemn assertion. Then Jesus says, "If anyone says..." The doctrine He's about to give about prayer is universal; it's for all his followers, not just for the apostles, or for the super spiritual ones, or for the real super leaders, the great William Carey. It's for anyone and everyone. “If anyone says,” basically, in these words, He's going to give three universals. “If anyone says”... so it's any person and then, anything. Whatever you ask in prayer, you'll receive it. Amazing. And then, any unforgiven sin. If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, these are universals. Sweeping statements “If anyone says.. .” Jesus is expanding our conception of prayer. God is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. "God is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. " Then He says, "If anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea." Now this should not be taken literally. Some of you have literalistic minds, right? It's like, well, that's it. We believe in errancy, pastor. I do believe in errancy, but I also believe in figures of speech. This is a figure of speech. Jesus did this. He said to the Pharisees, “you strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.” I'm going to stop you right there, you literalist. That never happened. It's a metaphor. You're focused on tiny details, and you're missing the big picture. The mountain represents some massive obstacle to the plan of God. That's what the mountain represents. This mountain, was almost certainly the Mount of Olives, and just so you know from Zechariah 14, God has plans for the Mount of Olives, He doesn't want it moved and thrown into the sea. It's going to be the very place where Jesus will return at the second coming, so let's just leave that mountain right there. In any case, it's a metaphor, and it represents massive obstacles to the plan of God. Then He says, "and does not doubt." Now we get to the issue of doubt. The enemy of faith is doubt. The essence of doubt is questioning God, questioning his existence. Is God even with us? Questioning his nature, questioning his word, did God really say this or that? Questioning his truthfulness to his promises, questioning his faithfulness, questioning his power, his goodness, his love, quavering, wavering on it, going back and forth. It's an essential instability, a rootless instability. James gives us this picture in James chapter 1:5, “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind, that man should not think he'll receive anything from the Lord. He's a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." That's the picture of doubt, isn't it? It's instability. It's like, I don't know, Will he? Won't he? Will it happen? I don't know. That's doubt. Paul, the apostle, cites Abraham, our father in faith, as a powerful example of faith despite all obstacles. Romans 4:19-21, talking about how he was going to have a son in his old age and his wife, his barren wife, would have a son in her old age, and he's dealing with that promise, the promise from God. Paul writes this about Abraham, "Without weakening in his faith, Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead. Since he was about a hundred years old and that Sarah's womb was also dead." That's scoping the mountain. Well, it's a big mountain. He's looking at it. He's facing the fact that's going to be, it's impossible actually if God doesn't work. "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God." That's Romans 4:20. That's a clear description of doubt, wavering through unbelief like a flickering light bulb, "But was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." That's the essence of faith-filled prayer. God has power to do what He has promised He will do. So Jesus says, If anyone has faith and does not doubt but believes that what he has said will happen, that he has said in prayer, you going to speak prayer, and it's going to happen. Instead of doubting, this prayer warrior really believes a mountain's going to be lifted up and thrown into the sea. God has the power to do anything. And he reasons, which is harder for God to make the mountain out of nothing or to move it from one place to the other? You think about that, if God can make a mountain out of nothing, He can move it from one place to the other, and every mountain that exists on planet Earth, God made out of nothing. The prayer warrior believes that God has told him to pray for this. This mountain must move, and God has laid this burden on my heart. It is essential for this mountain to move for the kingdom of God to advance in this specific way that mountain's going to move. That's what faith and prayer is, is being a human channel of God's awesome power to do amazing things. The nature of faith therefore is perceiving and then receiving, perceiving then receiving. Perceiving the will of God as He has revealed it in scripture and in providence, and then receiving the will of God as He delivers it by his power and Jesus says, "It will be done for him." Prayer accomplishes amazing things, mighty things, but it doesn't in and of itself accomplish anything. It's always God that does things through prayer. It's God that moves the mountain. Your prayer didn't move anything. John Piper speaks of prayer in this way. "Prayer is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightning bolt of heaven." Isn't that a great image? Splicing your limp wires. Is your wire limp? Mine feels limp a lot. Splice that thing to the lightning of heaven and see what God will do. There's nothing mighty in prayer in and of itself. It's that God is mighty, and He answers prayer. Then Jesus gives a universal application in verse 24, "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." It's awesome. Then He goes to another topic, it seems, look at verse 25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” When I was memorizing the Gospel of Mark, this one verse stuck out to me more than any other of the 876 verses, or 676 verses, in this Gospel, this one verse. Let me be honest, just like any sinner, I can easily hold things against people. It's easy to be bitter. It's easy to remember the hurts that people have done in your life. Any of you like that? Any of you specifically know right now that this person, that person or the other person has hurt you and you're holding something against them? It's really very remarkable here. Jesus is here, giving you effectively emancipation proclamation of your own slavery to bitterness. He's telling you, let it go. Just like the parable of the 10,000 talents, you've been forgiven much. You must forgive. And look at how sweeping it is, "Whenever you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him." In other words, every time you pray, it's an opportunity to do that. “Search me, oh, God, and know my heart. Show me if I'm bitter against somebody. Show me if I'm upset at my mom or dad or my son or daughter or my brother, my sister, a fellow church member, a pastor, a spouse, a husband, a wife, a neighbor, a roommate, a person from my past.” You know the person. You know the group of people. Maybe you have a lot of them. Anytime you pray, it's an opportunity to obey this verse and be set free. Set free. Stop drinking the poison. You're just set free from bitterness. Now you may wonder, what does it have to do with mountain moving, faith-filled prayer? It seems like an odd thing to go from verse 24 to 25, but not so much. Just keep in mind what is happening. The faith-filled, mountain-moving prayer is all about the building of the kingdom of God. How important would you say the forgiveness of sins will be in the kingdom of God? And is not that forgiveness going to be both vertical and horizontal? Are we not going to spend eternity in heaven with other sinners, some of whom we knew in life, and we'll be free, and there'll be no bitterness, there'll be nothing but sweet fellowship? So that's the kingdom Jesus is building, and He wants us to be set free and not harbor sin. An image on this came to me, I love Hebrews 4:16, it’s a great verse. It says, "Let us draw near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Isn't that a great verse? The curtain and the temple, torn in two from top to bottom, is open. We have access to the throne of God. We're invited in this text to draw near to the throne of God, but before you enter the throne room of God, you got to give up your weapons. I watch the “Lord of the Rings” movies, some of you have as well. And in movie number two, a bunch of warriors are trying to get into the Hall of the King, Théoden, but they can't go in with their weapons. They have to leave their weapons at the door. That's the image I have here. You can't bring bitterness and unforgiveness to the throne of grace and expect to get anything from God. You got to let your weapons go. Now let me extend the image. I find it may be one of the hardest things there is to do in life. It's easy to hold onto bitterness. Have you ever heard of the expression nursing a grudge? What a weird thing to do to a grudge. I would kill the grudge, but instead we nurse it. Why? Because it puts us in a position of power. We can hold it over that person and be bitter toward them, and they can maybe walk on eggshells toward us and all that. Let it go. What's so beautiful is the one seated on the throne of grace, if we're having a problem, will come out to the doorway where we're having trouble giving up our weapons and say, “what's the problem here?" “Well, I want to come in, but they won't let me. I can see why they won’t.” “Can I help you with that? Can I help you get rid of that bitterness? Can I remind you that I forgave you all of that sin because you begged me to? Let it go. Let it go.” So that's walking through. III. Elements of Mountain-Moving Prayer Now, let's draw out elements of mountain-moving prayer. First of all, faith in God. Have faith in God. That has to do with history and theology. First of all, remember what God has done. Remember how Peter looked back and remembered that Jesus had cursed the fig tree? That's an issue of remembrance. Remember what God has done. Psalm 77:11-12, "I'll remember the deeds of the Lord. Yes, I'll remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” Think of God, the God of the Bible. Is there anything He cannot do? Think of the Red Sea crossing. Before that, think of creation. "In the beginning, God created heaven and earth." God can do anything. Look at his track record again and again and not just in the Bible, but look at his track record with you. How many of your prayers has He answered? George Mueller kept a record, a record book, 50,000 answers to prayer in connection with his care for 10,000 orphans over his life, 50,000 answers to prayer. He wrote them down, and that built and built and built his confidence in prayer, the specificity of it. So have faith in God, remember his mighty deeds, and think who God is. What should you consider when you have faith in God? I would say these elements, first of all, God's glory. Pray in reference to God's glory. God does everything for his glory. Whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. What is that? The manifestation of the perfections of God. Pray that in this moving of this mountain that God may be displayed as a great, loving, kind, powerful God. That God may be put on display, the glory of God. Secondly, God's omniscience. Keep in mind, God has already thoroughly studied the problem. He has all wisdom and knows exactly what to do. “Your father knows what you need before you ask him." [Matthew 6:8], or this Romans 11:33-34, "Oh, the depths of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" I'm going to say something in a minute about this, but let me tell you something. In prayer, you're not God's counselor. You do know that, don't you? It's not like, “God, let me tell you what I think you should do here.” We'll get to all that. Next, God's sovereignty. God is sovereign and has meticulously crafted a plan that goes down to the tiniest detail of every day of redemptive history. He's already sovereignly, decreed his will. Ephesians 1:11 says, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." That's everything. God is sovereign. God's omnipotence. There is nothing that God cannot do. Is anything too hard for God? Isaiah 40:26:"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." The power of God. And then think of the goodness of God. God wants to do good things for his people. He wants that more than you do. Matthew 7:9-11 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" God wants to give good gifts to us, and again, Romans 8:28, "We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." I've struggled my whole Christian life to understand the effectiveness of prayer. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, I'm told in James. I'm an engineer. I know what power and effect is. It means that I am a change agent. I'm a catalyst. I'm an earth mover, I guess, if I'm effective. That's not what effective prayer is. Prayer is not us, number one, teaching God a solution He hadn't thought of, or number two, persuading him to do something He didn't want to do before He talked to you. I know that that logically seems like effective prayer. It's like, it made a difference because I told God something He didn't know or I persuaded him to do something He wasn't going to do. That is not what powerful, effective prayer is all about. Rather, effective prayer is discerning what God has already determined to do and asking him to do it for His glory by his power. That's what effective prayer is. So putting it all together, whatever we pray, we do so mindful of God's glory and that is our top priority. God's omniscience in that God's already figured out what's best to do. God's plan, He's already decreed based on his wise plan. God's power, there's nothing He cannot do and God's goodness is in his desire to bless his people. We pray like that. He will give us anything we ask for. "Effective prayer is discerning what God has already determined to do and asking him to do it for His glory by his power." Now, what is the mountain that needs to be moved? Seeing the mountain that needs to be moved. “If you say to this mountain, go throw yourself in the sea, it will be done for you.” I said it's a specific obstacle to the spread of the gospel, a specific obstacle to the growth of the kingdom of God. That's what it is. So you could see that there's a specific government official somewhere withholding a visa, and he won't let some critical workers into a country because he is withholding a visa. It's a mountain that needs to be moved. Some prayer warrior praises until that individual, for some strange reason, changes his mind. That kind of stuff's happened again and again and again. Or a pastor being held at a restrictive nation, and the people of God pray, and he's released. That happened in the Bible with Peter. They prayed, the people of God, were praying even after James had been executed. They kept praying for Peter, and he was released, an answer to prayer. Or with George Muller's specific physical needs for hundreds and hundreds of orphans. They need to eat today, give them this day their daily bread, and then stuff happens. Amazing. You don't want to be driving a bread truck by the orphanage when there's a need. Your truck's going to break down, and you'll have nowhere else to go with that bread except the orphanage, and God answers those prayers. Now, what does it mean for us? What is our field? We are in the Raleigh/ Durham/ Chapel Hill area. We are positioned here by the wise plan of God. We're positioned here for the kingdom of God. We're positioned right here in Durham, this triangle area with the RTP and all that is attractive to people. People are moving in here in large numbers. Last night I went walking around all the restaurant areas. I walked all the way down to the Insomnia coffee or cookie place, I walked in there. There was no one there. I said, what time do you close? "3:00 AM.” Anyway, but there was no one working. That was interesting. Then I walked back, and as I was walking, I was thinking and praying. I was like, I wonder how many of these people are lost? They're pouring in here. They're living in all those condos and houses and all that that are being built, and the overwhelming majority of them are unchurched. They're lost. Our mountain to be moved is within their hearts, their hatred for Christ, their opposition to God. They're thinking they don't need any of this. That's our field, that's our mountain. That we would see baptisms in numbers like we have never seen before, that people would be brought from death to life because we boldly attempted great things for God after the first two things happen, expected great things, and ask great things. That's our mountain to be moved. We ask God to do it. We keep on asking and it will be given to us. We keep on seeking, and we'll find. We keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. As Jesus said, He told the parable of the persistent widow that they should always pray and never give up. I'm not a big fan of church sign ministry. Some of them are just cheesy. You know what I'm talking about. I mean, really bad, but I saw one that stuck with me. I really like it, “Pray until something happens." I love that. Doesn't it line up with this text? Pray until something happens. Keep praying until you see that mountain move. We expect God to answer. Mark 11:24, "I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Charles Spurgeon was talking to a young preacher about his lack of fruit and street evangelism. He preached again and again without seeing any converts at all. Spurgeon asked him, "Do you expect people to be converted every time you preach?" "No, sir." He said, "Well, that's the reason you don't succeed because you do not expect to do so. According to your faith, it will be done to you." Wow, Spurgeon's tough. Imagine him as your mentor. But what's our level of expectation? Do we expect to see people converted because of the witness of us? Expect it, and then be humble about sin. The next time you go to pray, ask the Lord to show you. Are you holding anything against anyone? Are you bitter toward anyone? Ask the Lord to help you forgive and to release. IV. Warnings Against Misunderstandings I have a section of my sermon here on warnings against misunderstandings about the “name it and claim it” thing and all that. I'm not going to say any of it. You want to know, come and ask, and I'll tell you about Creflo Dollar and all those guys, but I just don't think that's our problem. I don't think we're “name it and claim it” people. We're under-utilizers of the promises in this text. That's the problem. We're erring on the side of not asking enough. So let's ask and see what God can do. V. Lessons Applied to Us So applications, first of all, to any that are here that are lost, you're on the outside looking in. You don't know this, not like you should, but your sins are like a mountain that has to be moved. Your sins are like a mountain between you and friendship with God, adoption into God's family. That mountain has to be moved, and if it's not moved, you cannot come into sweet fellowship with God. In Micah chapter 7, He has promised that He will take our sins and throw them into the depths of the sea, and you'll see them no more. All you have to do is call in the name of the Lord Jesus, know that He shed his blood to provide that ocean of grace, and trust in him. Call on the name of the Lord, and He'll move that mountain of your sins and throw it in the depths of the sea, and you'll see it no more. For us as Christians, there's two applications: pray that we would pray. Let's start there. Pray that we'll become a praying church. That the obstacles to us praying like this would be removed, and that we pray as we have never prayed before, and that we would pray to fulfill the mission for which we have been positioned here in the Raleigh/ Durham/ Chapel Hill area, and that is the winning of lost people. Pray for that, and pray that we would be a sweet, gracious, and forgiving church. That whatever grievances we may have against each other, against anyone that we would readily, quickly forgive. We're going to go now to a time of the Lord's Supper, so I'm going to close the sermon in prayer. Father, thank you for the things we've learned in Mark's Gospel about mountain-moving, faith-filled prayer. We thank you for that, and we pray now that as we experience the Lord's Supper, that you would be mighty in this place, giving us an encounter with God, the living God, through the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do we need to repent of each sin in order to be restored as children of God? Does Hebrews 10 teach us that God took away our feelings of shame? Jesus told the disciples to teach everything He commanded, so why don't we see their epistles filled with instruction from the Sermon on the Mount? Should a believer live with another person without marrying them? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1258/29

Summer Bible Study: Everything Jesus Does Is Intentional- Devotional Study of Mary of Bethany   Everything Jesus does is intentional. When we realize that, we can step into the calling He has already set us apart for.   This audio devotional is a companion to the She Hears Bible Study, today's content is from Chapter 5- Mary- A Woman of Discipleship.   The Hearing Jesus Podcast will encourage and equip you to step into the calling God has for your life, living out your faith in the everyday. Together we will break down walls that keep us from growing spiritually. We will dig deep into our Bibles to understand and connect the Scriptures to our lives. We will boldly obey what God calls us to do, walking through doors that only He can open.   Purchase the Bible Study- She Hears: Learning to Listen to Jesus: https://shehears.org/resources In this six-week study from the Book of John, Rachael Groll takes you on an in-depth exploration into the lives of six women Jesus knew. Women often deal with feelings of insecurity and unworthiness, yet the lives of these women show that Jesus values us, wants a relationship with us, and can use us to further His kingdom. In her warm, conversational style, Rachael ties together her life experience, knowledge of the Scriptures, and her compassion for women to encourage us and enable us to become the women God has called us to be. Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast.  Do you sometimes doubt if you are truly hearing God's voice or if it's really your own? Do you wonder how you can know the difference? Do you struggle to feel confident in your relationship with God and what He says in his word? Do you sometimes feel stagnant or like you hit a wall in your spiritual life? Hey, I'm your host, Rachael Groll: missionary, author, pastor, and life coach. And I have been there. I, too, was doubting God's voice in my own life. I, too, felt insecure about the things I thought God might be calling me to do. I wanted to make a difference in the world and be obedient to what God was calling me to do, but I wasn't quite sure how to figure out what exactly that was. I kept telling myself that I was wasting time trying to figure it out or waiting for Him to show me. Or that I wasn't qualified to do the things I thought He might be telling me to do. The answer for me was found in the pages of the Bible, as I learned how to understand what it was actually saying. If you are ready to grow in your faith and to step confidently into the calling God has for you, then join me as we dig deep into God's word so you can learn to live out your faith in your everyday life. Friend, you are loved, you are cherished, and you are His. The Hearing Jesus Podcast will encourage and equip you to step into the calling God has for your life, living out your faith in the everyday. Together we will break down walls that keep us from growing spiritually. We will dig deep into our Bibles to understand and connect the Scriptures to our lives. We will boldly obey what God calls us to do, walking through doors that only He can open.  Join me for your daily dose of faith, honesty, and prayer. Learn -> https://shehears.org Shop -> https://shehears.org/resources Connect -> rachael@shehears.org Community-> https://www.facebook.com/groups/743928930315696/ Instagram-> https://www.instagram.com/she_hears/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Everything Jesus ever did seems counterintuitive. Instead of feeding his ego, Jesus cultivated his heart. He knew that only time with the Father was enough to satisfy our deepest longings and give us the strength that we need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer Bible Study: Everything Jesus does is intentional- A Devotional Look at Mary, Mother of Jesus   Today we look at Mary's example of how to handle the seasons when God asks us to lay something down.  Her example of faith helps us to surrender to what Jesus is calling us to lay down in our own lives.   Everything Jesus does is intentional.  He doesn't react, He responds.   From today's episode:   Heart Check: Is there an area of your life that you are hesitant to bring to Jesus?  Or when you do, it's accompanied by a justification or explanation of why you are feeling the way you do? Let the Lord reveal the things in your life that you need to take to Him.   The role and responsibility given to Mary by God was also taken away by God.   This audio devotional is a companion to the She Hears Bible Study, today's content is from Chapter 1- Mary- A Woman of Authority.   Mary had authority because God gave her authority.  Authority is a gift from God.   Purchase the Bible Study- She Hears: Learning to Listen to Jesus: https://shehears.org/resources In this six-week study from the Book of John, Rachael Groll takes you on an in-depth exploration into the lives of six women Jesus knew. Women often deal with feelings of insecurity and unworthiness, yet the lives of these women show that Jesus values us, wants a relationship with us, and can use us to further His kingdom. In her warm, conversational style, Rachael ties together her life experience, knowledge of the Scriptures, and her compassion for women to encourage us and enable us to become the women God has called us to be. Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast.  Do you sometimes doubt if you are truly hearing God's voice or if it's really your own? Do you wonder how you can know the difference? Do you struggle to feel confident in your relationship with God and what He says in his word? Do you sometimes feel stagnant or like you hit a wall in your spiritual life? Hey, I'm your host, Rachael Groll: missionary, author, pastor, and life coach. And I have been there. I, too, was doubting God's voice in my own life. I, too, felt insecure about the things I thought God might be calling me to do. I wanted to make a difference in the world and be obedient to what God was calling me to do, but I wasn't quite sure how to figure out what exactly that was. I kept telling myself that I was wasting time trying to figure it out or waiting for Him to show me. Or that I wasn't qualified to do the things I thought He might be telling me to do. The answer for me was found in the pages of the Bible, as I learned how to understand what it was actually saying. If you are ready to grow in your faith and to step confidently into the calling God has for you, then join me as we dig deep into God's word so you can learn to live out your faith in your everyday life. Friend, you are loved, you are cherished, and you are His. The Hearing Jesus Podcast will encourage and equip you to step into the calling God has for your life, living out your faith in the everyday. Together we will break down walls that keep us from growing spiritually. We will dig deep into our Bibles to understand and connect the Scriptures to our lives. We will boldly obey what God calls us to do, walking through doors that only He can open.  Join me for your daily dose of faith, honesty, and prayer. Learn -> https://shehears.org Shop -> https://shehears.org/resources Connect -> rachael@shehears.org Community-> https://www.facebook.com/groups/743928930315696/ Instagram-> https://www.instagram.com/she_hears/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Mark 16:1-6 which says, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to on another, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?' Looking up, they observed that the stone - which was very large - had been rolled away. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side' they were amazed and alarmed. ‘Don't be alarmed,' he told them. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here!…” What is the most important thing Jesus did? Is it even possible to answer that question? Everything Jesus has done, continues to do, and will do is absolutely perfect and totally consistent with His nature. It was in His nature to create the universe. It was in His nature to love humanity. It was in His nature to take on all the responsibility of reestablishing the lost relationship with us. It was in His nature to go the distance in dealing with sin all the way to the bloody cross. And it's in His nature to live! Nothing can keep Jesus from doing exactly what He sets out to do. Is resurrection hard to believe? It's actually not complicated. All you need to do to perform a resurrection is to apply the perfect amount of energy, in the absolute perfect way, perfectly understanding all the variables, and with perfect wisdom. Nothing to it. For God that is. Doing things perfectly is simply what He does. And God lives. What is death compared to an infinitely energetic God? It's an aberrant only here briefly to accomplish even more mysterious but perfect wishes of the King. Resurrection in itself is hardly miraculous for God. He generates universes with such wisdom as to confound physicists. The science behind it is like breathing for God. The true miracle, if there is such a thing with God, is the fact that God is Who God is. We have a God Who wants to create, and pursue, and go the distance, and not cut a single corner along the way. Our God wants You, and our God will not stop until He has you. The resurrection is just one more indication of what He's like. And He's just getting started. The resurrection, like the cross, is not the end but simply the beginning. Jesus started it. But He's taking us along for the ride. So buckle up. Because He is way more energetic, and way better than we could possibly imagine. Jesus, praise Your name! You are alive. Nothing can hold you back. I worship You and celebrate You! Hallelujah.

On Easter Sunday Jesus rose from the dead, proving all of the claims he made about himself. Pastor Tony explains that this truth is what everyone must respond to.