Background information within a narrative; one of four rhetorical modes
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John 6:22June 29th, 2025, If you'd like to get in touch with us, email us at: kerkefree@gmail.comDon't miss an episode by subscribing or following.
In this episode we're joined by Dr. Mark Glanville, who is an Old Testament scholar and jazz pianist, the Director of The Center of Mission and Leadership at St. Andrews Hall at the University of British Columbia, the host of the podcast, Blue Note Theology, and the author of Preaching in a New Key: Crafting Expository Sermons in Post-Christian Communities (published by IVP Academic). In our conversation, full of spontaneous and improvised jazz piano, Dr. Glanville talks to us about the importance of sprucing up the creativity of our preaching to meet the needs of our Post-Christian world. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Stephanie Kate Judd and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Revelation 2:18-29June 22nd, 2025, If you'd like to get in touch with us, email us at: kerkefree@gmail.comDon't miss an episode by subscribing or following.
John 1:6-8June 15th, 2025, If you'd like to get in touch with us, email us at: kerkefree@gmail.comDon't miss an episode by subscribing or following.
Shawn, Janet, Justin and "Other Justin" dive verse by verse into Matthew 4:23 - 5:4.Jesus' Healings and the Beatitudes.
2025-07-13 Judgement and Hopeby Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Micah 1:2-162 Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it,and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.3 For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open,like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel.What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria?And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?6 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards,and I will pour down her stones into the valley and uncover her foundations.7 All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste,for from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them, and to the fee of a prostitute they shall return.8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked;I will make lamentation like the jackals, and mourning like the ostriches.9 For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah;it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem.10 Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all;in Beth-le-aphrah roll yourselves in the dust.11 Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame;the inhabitants of Zaanan do not come out;the lamentation of Beth-ezel shall take away from you its standing place.12 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good,because disaster has come down from the Lord to the gate of Jerusalem.13 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish;it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion,for in you were found the transgressions of Israel.14 Therefore you shall give parting gifts to Moresheth-gath;the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.15 I will again bring a conqueror to you, inhabitants of Mareshah;the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.16 Make yourselves bald and cut off your hair, for the children of your delight;make yourselves as bald as the eagle, for they shall go from you into exile.
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- As the burdens, demands and temptations of mid-life proliferate, financial decisions take on more complexity and weight. This devotion aims to ground this phase in scripture while exploring some practical considerations for allocating capital faithfully and considering debt.
- Speaker: Chan Choi - In this class, we will journey into the fourth century to uncover the life and legacy of Basil the Great - bishop/pastor and theologian. We will examine how Basil extended mercy ministry to serve the vulnerable with dignity and purpose, all while boldly proclaiming the gospel and defending the orthodoxy against the heresies of his day. His example offers a historic blueprint for integrating truth and compassion in ministry today.
Psalm 13 - Speaker: Josh Lankford - This summer, we have heard all sorts of Psalms expounded and applied. We've learned from Psalms of thanksgiving, wisdom, testimony, pilgrimage, and lament. Although Psalm 13 is another in the "lament" category, it has a different flavor than the others. This one is not just about trials, but God's seeming absence in them. David is asking, "Where is God in my trials?" And, "How can we trust God if it seems like he isn't even there?" When we can't find God in our pain, and it seems like he's left us behind, there is something yet to trust. There is something to grab on to and keep us going, even if we feel like God is not there. Plan to come this Sunday with your honest hurts. But also plan to hear God give you new hope in his steadfast love.
- Speaker: Taylor Ainslie: I am going to be reviewing some of the main points that Frank has introduced regarding studying the attributes of God. Then I will define biblical omnipotence. Finally, I will go through about 7 verses (Isaiah 66:1-2, Deuteronomy 3:23-24, Philippians 3:20-21, John 10:27-30, 2 Timothy 1:7-8, & Ephesians 3:20) and ask the following 3 questions: 1. "what attributes is evident? 2. How is it expressed in the passage? 3. how can I apply this to my own life? After going through those main points, I will close with what I have learned and end with prayer
This sermon series examines an often-neglected member of the Trinity: The Holy Spirit. Through this series we will focus on the person and work of God the Holy Spirit and the role he plays in our lives, transforming us and the world around us.
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The post Why Are You in Despair, O My Soul? Part 2 appeared first on Calvary Community Church.
Pastor Ben Khazraee guides us through the subtle ways in which our intelligent devices and the content they offer can serve as teachers, influencing our behavior and shaping our lives. The post The Danger of Being Discipled by Our Devices appeared first on Grace Church of Tallahassee.
Acts 4:24-35 Peter and John's persecution by the Jewish leaders demonstrates how they responded to a challenge to their unwavering commitment to obeying God. Pastor Rod Bunton identifies three more points that illuminate the appropriate course of action when confronted with persecution in our own lives. The post Responding to Persecution – Part 2 appeared first on Grace Church of Tallahassee.
Ephesians 1:11-14 Paul concludes this opening section of his letter by explaining the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. Pastor Rod Bunton elaborates on this third component, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are made an inheritance through the indwelling of the promised Holy Spirit. The post To the Praise of His Glory: We are Sealed with the Holy Spirit appeared first on Grace Church of Tallahassee.
Dive into Titus 1:1-4! Understand Paul's calling, God's eternal promise of salvation, Christ's deity, and the foundation of God's family built on grace and peace.For the study resources and manuscript go to VBVF.ORG
The post Deacons appeared first on Woodland Hills Community Church.
"Who was that masked man?" I must have heard that line a hundred times growing up, watching reruns of The Lone Ranger. At the end of every episode, the townspeople would stand around in awe as the stranger rode off into the sunset, wondering about the identity of their mysterious rescuer. But it doesn't take a mask to wonder about someone's identity—or your own. Far too often, we hide behind something—pain from the past, shame we've carried too long, names that were never really ours but somehow stuck. In Mark 5, Jesus meets a man who's lost his name to chaos. He knows himself only by his wounds. But Jesus doesn't leave him there—he speaks freedom and gives him an identity greater than he could have imagined. If you've ever wondered who you really are, Jesus offers an identity rooted not in your failures, but in his grace.
Proverbs 22:28June 8th, 2025, If you'd like to get in touch with us, email us at: kerkefree@gmail.comDon't miss an episode by subscribing or following.
Proverbs 22:28June 1st, 2025, If you'd like to get in touch with us, email us at: kerkefree@gmail.comDon't miss an episode by subscribing or following.
Tony and Adam discuss the role of Barnabas in encouraging Paul and the church's essential acts of mercy that define Christianity.For the study resources and manuscript go to VBVF.ORG
Expository teaching on John 6:59-71; lean in with me!https://www.ross-steele.com
Shawn, Cullan, Justin and "Other Justin" dive verse by verse into Matthew 4:12-4:22.Jesus Begins to Preach and He Calls His First Disciples
2025-07-06 Understanding the Timesby Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Micah 1:1The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
Psalm 84 - Speaker: Jon Kopp - If the famous words of Psalm 42, "Why are you downcast, oh my soul?" reflect the straining and strugglings of our relationship with God yet unfulfilled, Psalm 84 reflects the straining and strengthenings of our relationship with God fulfilled. "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.” But, don't rush ahead too quickly. Psalm 84 is not as neat and tidy as we'd like it to be. There's still longing. Still difficulty. Still the tension of living in a world that is not yet made whole. We often assume the blessed life is about getting what we think we want, but the more we listen to the words of Psalm 84, the more we the more we realize that the blessed life isn't about getting everything we think we want—it's about getting God. The good life is found in Him. Those who desire Him, pursue Him and trust Him are blessed.
Luke 10:25-37 - Speaker: Chan Choi - In this session, we'll explore why God's mercy is not just a comforting truth but a transformative force in the life of every believer. We'll briefly trace the theme of mercy across both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting how it reveals God's heart and shapes our calling. Anchored in the parable of the Good Samaritan, we'll consider how God's mercy trains us to extend mercy to others.
- Speaker: Paul Howell - Join us for a practical and engaging four-week class on biblical stewardship, designed to help you honor God with your resources in every season of life. Each week we'll focus on a different stage—children, young adults, middle age, and retirement—offering tools and teaching for faithful financial living. Whether you're raising kids, paying off loans, planning for retirement, or thinking about your legacy, this class will give you clear, biblical guidance and practical steps. Come learn how to manage money God's way—and make an eternal impact.”
- Speaker: Paul Howell - Join us for a practical and engaging four-week class on biblical stewardship, designed to help you honor God with your resources in every season of life. Each week we'll focus on a different stage—children, young adults, middle age, and retirement—offering tools and teaching for faithful financial living. Whether you're raising kids, paying off loans, planning for retirement, or thinking about your legacy, this class will give you clear, biblical guidance and practical steps. Come learn how to manage money God's way—and make an eternal impact.”
This sermon series examines an often-neglected member of the Trinity: The Holy Spirit. Through this series we will focus on the person and work of God the Holy Spirit and the role he plays in our lives, transforming us and the world around us.
Jonah 1 - Daniel GillespieWant to learn more about Eastwood? Visit https://eastwood.church
Scripture: Matthew 13:46-50
The post Why Are You in Despair, O My Soul? Part 1 appeared first on Calvary Community Church.
Pastor Doug Link examines the perilous allure of an ever-expanding digital content landscape, highlighting the ease with which content can be published without any constraints. The post Biblical Wisdom for our Digital Media Consumption and Production appeared first on Grace Church of Tallahassee.
Acts 4:8-23 Peter and John's persecution by the Jewish leaders demonstrates how they responded to a challenge to their unwavering commitment to obeying God. Pastor Rod Bunton identifies three key points that illuminate the appropriate course of action when confronted with persecution in our own lives. The post Responding to Persecution – Part 1 appeared first on Grace Church of Tallahassee.
Ephesians 1:8-10 Paul explained that God's plan for redemption had a greater purpose. Pastor Rod Bunton teaches that God chose to reveal His will to unite all things one day for eternity. The post To the Praise of His Glory: He Revealed the Mystery of His Will appeared first on Grace Church of Tallahassee.
What if the secret to raising spiritually mature kids isn't found in the latest parenting book, but in letting Scripture do the heavy lifting? Robert interviews Josh Niemi, founder of Expository Parenting Ministries, about his unique approach to Christian parenting that mirrors expository preaching—teaching children the Bible verse by verse in systematic discipleship. Josh shares how to start with storybook Bibles for younger children before transitioning to verse-by-verse study, the importance of partnering with expositional churches, and how this method builds solid theological foundations without common evangelical misconceptions. He offers practical insights from teaching his own three children through the entire Old Testament and discusses children's surprising capacity for understanding deep theology. The conversation also covers his book "Greater Than Aaron," exploring how Christ fulfills the Old Testament priesthood. Resources: https://www.expositoryparenting.org/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by the Classical Learning Cohort The Classical Learning Cohort offers online classes for parents to become more confident and competent Classical teachers. Through small-group lessons with trained Mentors, participants practice implementing classical skills, giving and receiving assessments, while experiencing transformative growth as a classical Christian educator. Want to learn more? Attend a free, online, Experience the CLC event at classicalconversations.com/cohort.
Expository teaching on John 6:41-58; lean in with me!https://www.ross-steele.com
- Speaker: Frank Strickland - That was the essence of Martin Luther's charge against a fellow theologian. That same statement can be made today of our concept of God. This class will investigate the statement that ‘Every problem in the Christian's life can be traced back to a basic misunderstanding of some Attribute of God'. As we grow in faith, we learn to lean on his attributes to guide us in times of difficulty. In fear, we can lean on His power; in loneliness, we remember His Love; in doubt, we trust His faithfulness. When we ignore His presence in hardship, we miss the opportunity to witness His faithfulness, love, and sovereignty and prepare for the next round. We will practice understanding, and applying, the Attributes of God using Holiness, Faithfulness, Omnipotence and Love. Come see how my fear of the future/my past/current events; anger/bitterness, lack of purpose, pride etc. can be cured by taking a deep dive into who God is and living it out. Hold on, because this might just change the course of your life!
Psalm 51 - Speaker: Will Galkin - This Sunday, we'll be in Psalm 51, where David responds to the exposure of his sin with a prayer that gives words to what many of us feel when we have messed up. Instead of hiding, excusing, or trying to fix things, David owns his sin and casts himself on the mercy of God. Psalm 51 is not just a record of his repentance; it is a gift to anyone who has come to the end of themselves and still wants to be made right with God. David does not bring a plan or a promise. He brings a broken heart, and that is what God receives. If you are weighed down by sin, guilt, or shame, this Psalm shows what it sounds like to turn back to the Lord. The grace we find in this Psalm does not ignore sin. It meets it, cleanses it, and restores the sinner. That is the good news. God is still in the business of meeting His people with mercy.