Podcasts about faith in jesus

Having been separated from his slave owner and eventually put into prison, Onesimus encountered Paul, a believer in Jesus. During the course of his time in prison, Onesimus comes to faith in Jesus, thus becoming an entirely different man. Paul writes a letter to his slave owner and asks Onesimus to deliver it himself upon his release. Paul declares that Onesimus is now a follower of Jesus with a new heart, direction, and standing before God and man. Paul asks his slave owner to accept him back, not as a slave but as a brother. If you are in a prison cell of some kind today, will you consider that the Lord may use it to transform your life and eternity?PHILEMON 1:10-18PHILEMON 1:11-12PHILEMON 1:12PHILEMON 1:15-18ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:EPHESIANS 2:3COLOSSIANS 1:21EZEKIAL 36:26EPHESIANS 4:22-23EPHESIANS 2:12-13EPHESIANS 5:81 PETER 2:101 PETER 2:25

Having been separated from his slave owner and eventually put into prison, Onesimus encountered Paul, a believer in Jesus. During the course of his time in prison, Onesimus comes to faith in Jesus, thus becoming an entirely different man. Paul writes a letter to his slave owner and asks Onesimus to deliver it himself upon his release. Paul declares that Onesimus is now a follower of Jesus with a new heart, direction, and standing before God and man. Paul asks his slave owner to accept him back, not as a slave but as a brother. If you are in a prison cell of some kind today, will you consider that the Lord may use it to transform your life and eternity?PHILEMON 1:10-18PHILEMON 1:11-12PHILEMON 1:12PHILEMON 1:15-18ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:EPHESIANS 2:3COLOSSIANS 1:21EZEKIAL 36:26EPHESIANS 4:22-23EPHESIANS 2:12-13EPHESIANS 5:81 PETER 2:101 PETER 2:25

It is our prayer that today's word would encourage and challenge to walk out your faith in Jesus, shine brightly in darkness and experience Kingdom impact in all you do! Stay connected with Belmont Church on our Facebook page, website or on the Church Center App.

Pastor David Hwang shared from Hebrews 12:1-3 concerning how we are to run the race of the life of faith in Jesus.

The Gospel of John Week 7 Scripture: John 4:31-5:29. Our study this week begins with a look at people beginning to realize that the Jewish Messiah has come, but He has come to be the Savior of all - not just the Jewish people, but ALL people! Jesus has been in Samaria and now returns to Cana where a high official in the government seeks Jesus out to heal his son who is dying.  Jesus heals the man's son and the official and his whole family came to faith in Jesus. 
Pastor talks about the feasts mentioned in the Gospel of John and how each finds its fulfillment in Jesus.  The feast mentioned in John 5:1-3 doesn't specifically mention which feast event is going on at this particular time, but Pastor speculates that it could be the Feast of Trumpets - Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year - a time when the Jewish people are focused on this feast's call to repentance.   As we continue we see Jesus is at the Pool of Bethesda that had 5 colonnades.  Pastor talks about the discovery of this pool in 1890 and shares some photos of his from a visit there in recent years. He also shares additional discoveries and info that are quite interesting regarding deeper insights into the use of this pool and by whom. As Jesus approached the pool, hundreds of people may well have been at the pool.  Jesus says to an invalid of 38 years “Do you want to get well?”  There were many there but Jesus chooses to speak to just one person. Jesus, on this Sabbath Day, tells the man to get up and walk and the man walks away carrying his mat. The religious leaders had added many additional specific regulations to God's Sabbath Day - rest day. They had added 39 additional man made rules and the 39th rule was that carrying a piece of property from 1 location to another location was not allowed and what this man just did in carrying his mat broke their Sabbath regulations.  Jesus had deliberately provoked the religious establishment's petty laws saying in effect “How dare you substitute the goodness of God with your own petty regulations and rules.” And the religious leaders become incensed when they hear it was Jesus that healed him and so now they are after Jesus and they begin to persecute Him and desire to kill Him. Not only had Jesus broken their religious man-made rules by doing the work of healing this man on a Sabbath, but also because Jesus called God His own Father making Himself equal with God.  Jesus claimed deity - Jesus is the Living God come to earth!! Yet they desired to reject this truth! Our website – 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     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most “Gentile/Greek” of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

In Today's Episode... In this conversation, Steve and Christine Van Diest share their transformative journey of redemption in their marriage, discussing the struggles they faced, the intensive counseling they underwent, and the personal growth that followed. They emphasize the importance of recognizing underlying issues, the need for open communication, and the significance of dreaming and personal fulfillment within a relationship. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of marriage and the necessity of addressing deeper emotional wounds to foster a healthy partnership. In this conversation, Steve and Christine Van Diest share their insights on navigating relationships, communication, and personal growth. They discuss the importance of vulnerability, accountability, and community in fostering healthy relationships and overcoming challenges. They also touch on the significance of identity and self-worth, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and seek support in their journeys. Connect with Steve and Christine Christine's  Website Instagram Linkedin   Steve's Website Linkedin   About Steve and Christine Christine is passionate about living life to the fullest, loving her family, growing her faith in Jesus, laughing with friends, traveling, cooking, eating, speaking Spanish and empowering others to look and feel their best. Steve an entrepreneur and founder of 2 businesses in the fast-growing sleep space. The first is a franchised multi-state retail mattress concept that grew nationally to over 4 regions; the second is a B2B and B2C e-commerce natural pillow manufacturing business. He spent the first half of his career in non-profit leadership internationally with Cru that took him to live in Chile, Spain & Mexico.   Don't forget about this amazing free offer from Jordan. She put a lot of time and effort into this project to be able to offer it to you, absolutely free! Take advantage now while you can! eBook: Couples Guide to Getting on the Same Page About Money   Reminder: Subscribe, Rate & Review this podcast!   Whatever platform you are listening on, make sure to follow or subscribe & sign up for notifications for when weekly episodes drop every week! And if you feel called, please leave a rating and review. This helps us to reach more people!  JordanPendleton.com

What happens when someone truly goes "all in" with God? Travis Kring's return to Road to Redemption unveils the extraordinary transformation that unfolds when complete surrender meets divine grace.Travis takes us back to that pivotal moment on a West Palm Beach shoreline in April 2021. Having lost his marriage, children, career, and hometown, he stood at life's crossroads facing a divine ultimatum: "Is this flesh day? Is this all about yourself or is this about me?" His decision to fully commit sparked a redemption journey that continues to accelerate with each passing day.The conversation vibrates with authentic passion as Travis shares how his newfound boldness manifests in unexpected places. What began as two friends praying quietly by a gym water fountain has exploded into a daily gathering of 25+ people openly praying in a secular fitness center. This "ministry field" perfectly illustrates Travis's philosophy of spiritual offense rather than defense: "The devil's on full speed every day to attack us...we want to fight him back with scripture, with passion, putting people together."Perhaps most powerful is Travis's raw honesty about isolation's dangers and community's healing power. "Isolation is where the devil takes us to die," he shares, contrasting this with the life-giving connections formed in men's groups where vulnerability and accountability flourish. His encounter with Dallas Jenkins (creator of The Chosen) reinforces his core message: listen intently when the Holy Spirit speaks and obey immediately, regardless how small the prompting.Ready to move from being a fan to a follower of Christ? Travis's testimony offers both inspiration and practical pathways forward. His contagious enthusiasm for scripture reading, church attendance, and small group participation provides a roadmap for anyone seeking the "joy unspeakable" he's discovered through complete surrender to God.For more information contact us atrtrdestiny@gmail.com

Why so many Jews are rethinking Jesus? Is a quiet revival happening amongst secular and religious Jews? Jeff Morgan from Jews for Jesus is here to explore a growing movement of Jewish men and women coming to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. He also shares his compelling story of becoming a follower of Jesus. What does it mean for the church and for the future of evangelism?SUBSCRIBE: SO BE IT! YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SOBEIT32AD *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf)*USE Discount Code [SMDCERTDISC] for 25% off the BIOLA APOLOGETICS CERTIFICATE program (https://bit.ly/3AzfPFM)*See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: https://x.com/Sean_McDowellTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sean_mcdowell?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmcdowell/Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

When Christian community falls short of what it has been and could be, we want to restore it! But we often try to get it back to what it was the wrong way. Healthy Christian community comes to us, not as the goal of our gathering, but as the overflow of faith in Jesus lived out together. Dive into this wonderful snapshot of the early church in Acts 2:42-47!

# Miracles Week 11: The Power, Passion, and Purpose of Jesus In the final sermon of our series on miracles, we explore the profound significance of two pivotal miracles in the Bible: the Exodus and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. These events are examined through the lens of three benchmarks: **Power**, **Passion**, and **Purpose**. ## The Miracle of the Exodus - **Power**: The Exodus is a testament to God's almighty power. Only the Almighty could part the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape Egyptian bondage on dry ground. - **Passion**: This miracle reveals God's passion for freedom. He heard the cries of the Israelites and delivered them from slavery, demonstrating His deep care for His people. - **Purpose**: God's purpose was to lead His people to a land of peace and harmony, a vision for mankind that highlights His intent for human flourishing. ## The Miracle of Raising Lazarus Our focus shifts to the New Testament and the miracle of raising Lazarus, recorded in **John 11**. - **Background**: Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, falls gravely ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send for Jesus, hoping for a miracle. However, Jesus delays His visit until Lazarus is dead, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of His power. - **Power**: Jesus' ability to raise Lazarus after four days in the tomb is a powerful testament to His mastery over death. This miracle shows that Jesus' power extends beyond healing to resurrecting life itself. - **Passion**: Jesus weeps at Lazarus' tomb, illustrating His deep sorrow over the effects of sin and death on humanity. His tears reflect His compassion and His mission to overcome the devastation caused by sin. - **Purpose**: The raising of Lazarus reveals Jesus as the "resurrection and the life" (**John 11:25**). It underscores the hope and victory over death that Jesus offers to all who believe in Him. ## The Role of the Believers An often overlooked aspect of this miracle is the involvement of the community. After Lazarus emerges from the tomb, Jesus instructs those present to "take off the grave clothes and let him go" (**John 11:44**). This act symbolizes the role of the community in helping individuals shed the remnants of their old life and embrace the new life Jesus offers. - **Community Involvement**: Just as Lazarus needed help to remove his grave clothes, believers today need the support of the church community to overcome the "grave clothes" of sin and old habits. - **Privilege and Responsibility**: Participating in another's journey to freedom is a significant privilege and responsibility for believers. It is a call to actively engage in the work of healing and transformation within the community. ## Conclusion The miracles of the Exodus and the raising of Lazarus highlight God's immense power, His compassionate heart, and His divine purpose for humanity. They remind us that through faith in Jesus, we can experience new life and freedom from the bondage of sin. As believers, we are called to support one another in this journey, helping each other to fully embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. These miracles are not just historical events; they are living testimonies of God's enduring power and love, inviting us to participate in His redemptive work today.

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “The Source” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below. You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month. Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up! You will find the show notes and lyrics below: Hello and welcome to the Dennis Jernigan podcast. Through the years God has seen fit to give me many songs and there's a story behind each and everyone of them. This week's song is no different. The song is called The Source and it can found on my recording Forty Days & Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy, Volume One. This particular song came on May 8, 2010, which happened to be day six of a 40 Day Fast I was doing as a means of cleansing my soul, mind, and body in order to draw closer to Jesus. That means of helping me keep my eyes and mind focused on Jesus, I was meditating daily on Psalm 40 and on Isaiah 40. This song came as I meditated on Psalm 40 verse three part a which says, “Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.” In those days I was still traveling and ministering around the world quite a bit and honestly felt a bit overwhelmed and out of control of my life. It seems like my life was well ordered and very much in sync with the Lord, but reality was that I had many things I was clinging to which the Lord wanted me to release to him. Some of the hardest things to release in my life involved my children. Basically, I was having to learn to let them go and release them to begin their own adult journeys without me trying to control or manipulate them in anyway regarding the choices they would need to make on their own. On another level, the political climate of those days was becoming quite hostile toward me which, in turn, worked against me feeling free enough and safe enough to share my story of deliverance from same-sex attraction. Even though I knew God was the source of my strength, I begin to recognize during the fast that there were still areas of fear that I needed to deal with. I desperately needed to strip away all the fear from every area of my life and I did this by reminding myself that God loves me with the passion and intensity of 100 million stars and that he is the absolute source of everything good in my life. He spoke the universe into existence. He set every star, every galaxy, and every planet in just the exact place in the gravitational force to sustain life. Quite simply, I truly needed to see him as my all in all. The Lord reminded me that he would be with me every step of the way through this journey we call life. He reminded me that I was never and had never ever been alone. He reminded me I was not here to be served but that I was here to lay down my life as a servant to those around me. He reminded me that even if I lost my life due to my faith, there would be no big change because I would still be with him. The bottom line was becoming quite evident to me. I needed to see Jesus Christ as the source, as the only one who could truly meet my deepest needs. And let's take the next five minutes and simply acknowledge the fact that Jesus Christ is the source of everything we all need. He is here. Let's acknowledge that truth whether we feel anything or not. Let's plug into out Source right now. Ready? SONG Regardless of our circumstances, regardless of the countless hurts and wounds we receive throughout this journey we call life, and regardless of what anyone else thinks about our faith in Jesus, our God is the ultimate source and he is ultimately in control…especially when our lives seem to be spinning out of control. I have Parkinson's and I hate it, but I believe my God is able to use it for my good and for his glory - and that is enough for me. My personal goal is to just simply stay connected to him each and every moment of each and every day. John 15:4-9 in the NIV has become very dear to me due to my health issues. In these verses, Jesus says it so clearly and I take it so personally: 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.' No matter what, I must remain connected to Him. I must - WE must - remain in His love. It is in this place of God's love that the cares of this world - even Parkinson's - is unable to touch me. And I can live…I mean REALLY live…with that. Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For more about my journey, music, and updates, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and enjoy my music on various streaming platforms. If you'd like to support this podcast's creation or the many various ways I still seek to minister the life and love of Jesus to others, consider joining my team at www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan. If you're looking for the mp3 of the song “The Source" from the album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," head over to the store at dennisjernigan.com or find it on your favorite streaming service. Remember this from today's episode: the one and only place in the entire universe to have all your needs met is in our relationship with Jesus Christ through faith. He is the vine from which we receive the fulness of life and we are the branch which extends His life and love to others. You and I are not here for ourselves. We are servants of the Kingdom…even with something like Parkinson's thrown into the mix. My plan? To minister to the needs of others in spite of Parkinson's. Now, go forth and embrace the truth of who your heavenly Father says you are.   The Source Words & Music by Dennis Jernigan Received on May 8, 2010 Psalm 40:3b ©2010 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan Administered by PraiseCharts.com   Verse All of the things that I think I need Do I control them or do they control me Feed the hunger, quench the thirst in me Take control of my lack of control Loose the grip of my sense I see hold And feed the hunger, quench the thirst in me   Chorus And many will see, and many will hear And many will know, and many will fear That you are the reason, You are the answer To their existence   So here is my life Lord, take it and use it I will find life the moment I lose it You are the reason, You are the answer to my existence You are the source, You are my source   Verse Two I am not here for my own happiness You created me to proclaim and confess That you alone are God and very source   I will be the cloth used to wash men's feet Hid behind the cross helping others to see That you alone are God the very source Chorus And many will see, and many will hear And many will know, and many will fear That you are the reason, You are the answer To their existence   So here is my life Lord, take it and use it I will find life the moment I lose it You are the reason, You are the answer to my existence Chorus And many will see, and many will hear And many will know, and many will fear That you are the reason, You are the answer To their existence   So here is my life Lord, take it and use it I will find life the moment I lose it You are the reason, You are the answer to my existence You are the source, You are the source

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Click below to fill in your information so we can connect with you!New to Church: https://churchalivenj.churchcenter.com/people/forms/631827I've Decided to Follow Jesus: https://churchalivenj.churchcenter.com/people/forms/631829Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://churchalivenj.churchcenter.com/giving Stay connected with us through our:Church Alive Website: https://churchalive.tvInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchalivenj/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchAliveNJ/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center9AM, 11AM, 1PM 15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

All our hope is in Jesus. We trust him for salvation, follow him as Lord, and live in union with him. Jesus is the cornerstone, and his chosen apostles laid the foundation of truth on which the household of God is built. Today, from Acts 1, we see what Jesus did to prepare his apostles before he ascended into heaven. We come to faith in Jesus and enter the kingdom of God through their witness of him. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God's grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

In the message, "Faithful Faith," Pastor Rich Whitter explores Hebrews 3:1-6, highlighting the steadfast faithfulness of Jesus compared to Moses. Pastor Rich emphasizes that while Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house, Jesus is faithful as the Son over God's house our ultimate high priest and the foundation of our faith.This passage calls believers to recognize the superiority of Christ's faithfulness and to remain faithful in return. Pastor Rich challenges us to hold fast to the hope we confess, trusting that our faith in Jesus anchors us firmly, even amid life's uncertainties.We hope this message inspires you to deepen your faith, reflect on Jesus' unwavering commitment, and live with the confidence that comes from trusting the Faithful One who leads and sustains us.

Faith in Christ is powerful, but will it really fix everything in our lives? Pastor Joe explores Hebrews 11 to show what true faith in Jesus can do and how it helps us to not lose heart.Watch full video here. 

8-10-2025The message emphasizes the importance of unity within the church, centered on Jesus Christ. ​ It contrasts unity with uniformity, explaining that unity is not about agreeing on every doctrinal detail but about being united in faith in Jesus as Lord. ​ Will Dyer highlights the revolutionary nature of this unity, both in the early church and in today's fractured world, and stresses that the church's unity reflects God's love and serves as a witness to the world. ​ Despite historical divisions and denominational differences, the church is called to focus on the essentials—faith in Jesus—while allowing liberty in non-essentials and practicing love in all things. ​ The message concludes with a call for the church to embody this unity, offering grace and generosity of spirit, and to be a community that reflects the love and goodness of God. ​

Topics: Going to Church Is not in the Bible, The Words "Go to Church" are not Found in the Bible, Church is a Living Organism not a Building, Constantine Created the Model for the Church Building, Pulpits and Sermons are Based on Tradition, The Only Bible Passages About Our Gatherings are in 1 Corinthians 11-14, Women are Encouraged to Speak in the Gathering, 1 and 2 Timothy are not Pastoral Letters nor is Titus, Hebrews 10:25 Does not Command you to Go to Church, Hebrews 10:25 is about Meeting to Encourage one another, Hebrews is not a Letter about Going to Church, The Hebrews Went to the Synagogue and Temple not Church, The Hebrews were Warned not to go to the Temple in Hebrews 10:26, Remember the Sabbath is not about Going to Church, The Sabbath was for the Jews and was on Saturday, You do not Fall from Grace for not Going to Church, Falling from Grace is about Adding the Law to Faith in Jesus, You don't have to Prove You're a Real Christian, You are a Christian by Grace, Not Going to Church does not Mean you Can't Hear the Gospel, Going to Church is not the Only way to Hear the Gospel, Fellowship at a Church is not Biblical, The Bible says your Gatherings can do more Harm than Good, Not Going to Church does not Make you Lazy, You don't have to Prove you're a Christian, There are no "Pastoral Letters" in the Bible, The Entire New Testament Does not Tell you how to Do Church, The New Testament is about Everyday Life, 1 Corinthians 11-14 is the only Section about Gatherings, Jesus Forbade Christians from Lording over One Another Support the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

It is our prayer that today's word would encourage and challenge to walk out your faith in Jesus, shine brightly in darkness and experience Kingdom impact in all you do! Stay connected with Belmont Church on our Facebook page, website or on the Church Center App.

In Acts 15, the church faced a crisis: was faith in Jesus enough, or did Gentile believers also need to keep the Mosaic Law? Revival had spread so quickly that leaders struggled to keep pace. Some insisted, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1, NASB 2020). Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed, which led to a gathering of apostles, elders, and even opposing voices in Jerusalem. Peter testified that God had chosen […] The post Hearing God Together appeared first on Revival Life Church Boca Raton, FL.

Psalm 96,Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12 let the field exult, and everything in it!Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. You were made to worship God. That is true of every single human being that has ever existed. If you're here and you're a human, you were made for worship. Look around, most of us in this room would say that we were made for worship — so here's a question: What is worship? What is the meaning of true worship?You don't need to answer this out loud, but imagine for a minute that you're having a conversation with a friend or a co-worker — if they asked you to explain the meaning of worship, what would you say?See I wonder if worship might be the most important calling in our lives that we know the least about.So that's our topic this morning. We're gonna focus on the meaning of true worship because that's what Psalm 96 is all about. And I think we discover here at least two truths about what true worship is, and I can't wait to show you, but first let's pray again.Father in heaven, we recognize that there are countless things that could get in the way of our hearing you this morning. There are countless things inside us and outside us that would block our hearts from receiving what you have for us, and so right now, I ask that you would triumph over all those things. I ask that you break through every barrier to magnify your glory in the preaching of your word. In Jesus's name, amen.Here's the first truth we discover about true worship:1. True Worship is a vertical response to the greatness of God. In Psalm 96, there are 18 verbs spread across 12 verses and they're all about worship. Just listen to the verbs: It's … Sing, sing, singBless, tell, declareAscribe, ascribe, ascribeBring, worship, trembleSay, be glad, rejoice, Roar, exult, sing!This is most of the psalm.Now none of these verbs by themselves are true worship because you can sing, tell, and ascribe anything to anybody — and people do — so what makes this true worship, at the start, is that all of this is directed to God. And this makes sense. If it's true worship, of course, it must be to God, about God, and also because of God.This last part is really important. See, in the context of all these directives to worship God in Psalm 96, the psalmist grounds that worship in who God has revealed himself to be.We see this in verses 4–6 and in verse 13. And I want you to see it with me beginning in verse 4. Following the “For” in FourSo everybody find verse 4. This will be super easy. I want you to find the verse 4 and the word “for” — it's the very first word of the verse. Find verse 4, word “for” — if you see it, say Got it.Verses 1–3 has been sing, sing, sing, bless, tell, declare — here's why: 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Skip to verse 12: Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. Our worship of God is because of God — this means that worship is a response. Now think about this: a response is something that comes second. It doesn't happen unless something else happens first. It's like answering your phone — you answer your phone after it rings. Most people still answer their phone after it rings. But what nobody does is just pick up their phone at random and say ‘hello' — if you did that we'd be concerned. You answer your phone in response to the ring.Worship is kind of like that — it's not an original act. It's a secondary act — we can only worship God because he first has shown us who he is. Without him doing that, we'd still be in the dark. We're not smart enough or good enough to worship God on our own. True worship is vertical in direction and vertical in source. God first has to tell us who he is — and he has through his world and his word. This is God's grace to us.The Greatness of God DisplayedAnd in his word, Psalm 96, we see the revelation of his greatness.We can see the word “great” in verse 4 — the Lord, Yahweh, is great and therefore he is worthy of our praise. And then we see that his greatness is demonstrated in two facts about him. Here they are: God is Creator and God is Judge. Now where am I getting that? …God Is CreatorFor Creator, we see it in verse 5. The psalmist does a little comparative religion here. He says:“The gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.”And that's why Yahweh is greater. See, back in the day — which has been most of human history before the last 300 years — people were much more aware of how enchanted our world is. People recognized little-g gods everywhere — tribal deities, geographic deities, all of that. The world is still as spiritual today as it was then, but people saw it then. They were awake to it. And that's what makes verse 5 so amazing. The psalmist was well aware of the competing deities of his day, and he calls them all “worthless idols.” He is radically unimpressed by them. They're pathetic. They're useless. They're powerless. But, in contrast, Yahweh made the heavens.Your ‘little-g' god is a block of wood, while Yahweh is the one who spoke trees into existence. See the difference? Yahweh is greater. He's the Creator.Now, in our day, in our society, most non-Christians are not bowing down to carved statues — some do, most don't — but our world is still full of idols. There are still countless things that people honor in the place of God. And there are dark spiritual forces at work here. The big three for a long time has been money, sex, and power. These are gods in America.I had a conversation yesterday with a neighbor — a great guy — we were talking and he said he wasn't religious and I explained to him that everybody is religious. Everybody has some god, the question is who. I told him the gods of our day, for a lot of people, are money, sex, and power and he was like totally. It made sense to him. And if we're honest, none of us are oblivious to their seduction…If I could just get more money, how much better life would be! …If I could just have a romantic relationship, then I'd be satisfied …If I could just get my way all the time, everything would be great …These are the idols of our day, and like the psalmist here, we should be passionately clear that God is greater than all of them. They will not deliver what they promise. And what we'll find if we chase these things is one dead-end road after the other. But Yahweh made the heavens! Yahweh is behind and before everything that is. Yahweh is greater, he's the Creator!God Is JudgeBut not only that, Yahweh is also the Judge. That's the concluding fact in verse 13:“The Lord [Yahweh], for he comes. For he comes to judge the earth.”You ever heard that before?God is going judge this world. We learn more about this judgment in the New Testament. It's carried out by God the Son, Jesus Christ. Paul says in Acts 17:31 that God has “fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed [that's Jesus]” 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” One day, every human being will stand in front of Jesus and be judged by him. We don't think about this a lot, but the Day is coming. I remember the first time I met my friend Ray. He visited our church for the first time, and I was talking with him after the service, and he told me he wanted to be baptized and get plugged into the church because, he said, “Jesus is coming back to judge the world.” True story. That's what he said. He's right. God will judge the world.And that's why he's great. God is Creator and Judge. Which means he is first cause and final say. You've heard the phrase “you're about to meet your Maker.” That's a threat in action movies, but it's theologically on point. Every one of us will meet our Maker. The one who gave you life will one day call you to account for that life. The hands that formed you are the same hands that will judge you. And that's why God is great.God is great and greatly to be praised. True worship is a vertical response to the greatness of God.Here's the second truth we learn about worship …2. True worship is a horizontal declaration of the goodness of God.We see this in verses 2–3. We've already seen here that worship is the theme of Psalm 96, but notice what this worship includes. Verse 2: Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!Now the keyword here is that word “tell.” Do y'all see that in the second part of verse 2? I want you to circle that word with your eyes. This is a special word in the Old Testament. It shows up in some key places. One big one is Isaiah 52:7. You may have heard this verse before. Isaiah 52:7,How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”Now that phrase “brings good news” — that's the word translated as “tell” in Psalm 96:2. In the Greek Old Testament, it's word euangelizō. In English it means “preach the gospel.”Did you know that preaching the gospel is part of worship?According to Psalm 96, preaching the gospel (telling the good news) is part of worshiping God. Worship is a vertical response to God for his greatness and there's a horizontal declaration of his goodness.This means that true worship has a missionary character. We're singing and ascribing, and we're telling and declaring, because we want others to join us in the singing and ascribing. And if there is no telling and declaring it means that our worship is deformed. It's less than true. That's the implication here.And that's the danger of an ingrown church. I'll use that phrase “ingrown church” a lot these days because that's a real temptation for any church that's been around for a decade, and maybe especially for a church that has a nice building like this. Can't we just come here and worship, just us? Do we really need more people here? New people here? Can't we just keep it us?I want to be clear here: if our worship of God is not something we want others to be a part of, then it's broken. And I believe Jesus doesn't like it that way.True worship includes a horizontal declaration of the goodness of God. Because he is good. We have good news. We have a God who saves. He saves! I want to end like this: I want to give you three facts about God's salvation. This is what we get to declare.1. God's salvation is for all peoples.The psalm says it — we declare his glory among the nations and his marvelous works among all the peoples! We call all the families of the peoples to ascribe to God the glory due his name.This is amazing. It means that God is not just for one particular tribe, or one kind of people. He truly is for everyone from everywhere. To make it personal, think about your own life, your own story. There's nothing about your person or nothing about your past that excludes you from God. Listen: God can save you wherever you're from and whatever you've done — amen? If you're not moved by that it's because either you didn't hear what I just said or you're self-righteous.Seriously — the most literal Pharisaical thing someone could do is to despise or ignore the universal reach of God's salvation. Everybody gets to be saved if they would just come home. Come home to the love of God! That invitation goes to everyone. God's salvation is for all peoples.2. God's salvation is from his wrath. To be “saved” is a great Bible word, but it doesn't make sense to a lot of people. If we were to ask someone if they're saved, the first thing they might say is, “Saved from what?”This is where Psalm 96 is really helpful. The perspective here keeps in view the coming judgment of God. Again, remember Jesus is coming, as Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Jesus is coming “with his mighty angels in flaming fire [to inflict] vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”What does it mean to obey the gospel? That's a phrase used in the New Testament. It has to do with the reign of God. That's part of what makes the good news good. It's that God reigns. We heard that in Isaiah 52:7; we see it in Psalm 96:10; and it was also how the apostles preached. The apostles didn't just say, “Your sins can be forgiven” — they said, “Jesus is Lord of all” (see Acts 10:36). They proclaimed that Jesus is risen from the dead and reigning. They preached the supremacy of Christ as good news because it is — and that is one way to divide the world. When we read in Psalm 96:10, “Say among the nations, ‘Yahweh reigns!”' — there are two kinds of people in the world. There are those who love the reign of God and those who hate the reign of God. No middle ground. And if you hate the reign of God, too bad, because it's coming anyway. And if you hate the reign of the King when the King comes, you will face the wrath of the King. That makes sense, right?Well, the good news is that you can be saved from that wrath if you bow to the King. That is the proclamation! That's what the herald says:Hear ye! Hear ye! The King is coming! He has conquered sin and death, and his victory is on the way! Receive it now while you can!And I mean that. In this room right now, I'm inviting you … Stop hating the reign of God. Bow to Jesus Christ and believe. Receive his salvation. Receive the goodness of his rule.3. God's salvation is awaiting final consummation. The salvation of God that we receive now is real. We receive it by faith in Jesus and it's effective. We become new creatures; we're filled with the Holy Spirit; our lives are changed. But also, it's a salvation not yet complete. There's a grand finale of our salvation that we're still waiting for at the return of Jesus.The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3 that as Christians, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it [from heaven] we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…”And the theological word for this future transformation is consummation. It's the final and complete fulfillment of our salvation. When Jesus returns, every detail of brokenness will be restored and we will be made perfectly like him. The New Testament talks about this hope in several places, but Romans Chapter 8 is the go-to.Paul says in Romans 8:18 that we're waiting for a future glory that will be revealed to us … and then he says something that we didn't see coming. He says that all of creation is also waiting for our future glory. Romans 8:19, “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” The whole creation will experience the freedom of the glory of the children of God, and so the whole creation is groaning (or sighing) for that future day.Can you imagine that?Back in July, my family and I spent a week at the beach in North Carolina, and one of my favorite things to do at the beach is get up early and watch the sunrise. You're watching the giant orange ball in the sky right here, and then the waves are crashing here, and it's music. It's beautiful. And you can hear the longing in it, if you use your imagination. To think that all of us together are waiting for a future day. The sun and the sea, the seagulls and the sky — we're all waiting for something. So we can say:11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.The day is coming. And we worship now in that hope.Two truths about worship:True worship is a vertical response to the greatness of God. True worship is a horizontal declaration of the goodness of God. And we come to the Table to do both. The TableAt this Table, we give thanks to Jesus for his death and we proclaim his death until he comes. Vertical response and horizontal declaration. It goes like this:If you're a Christian, if you have trusted in Jesus Christ to save you, let's eat and drink and give him thanks.If you're here and you're not yet a Christian, we proclaim him to you: Jesus is the Lord of all and he came to save you — put your faith in him. Come home.

The Book of Acts tells the story of the birth of the church and its remarkable expansion in the early decades of its existence. Central to that story is the crucial encounter between the Apostle Peter, an observant Jewish man, and Cornelius, a respected Gentile military officer, and his family. Through this encounter, the fledgling church-- and our church, too-- learns that faith in Jesus is not merely for Jewish people but for people of all nations who call on God in faith. Come out this week and bring a friend to hear more about "The Whole Church for the Whole World" and hear from a special guest and ECV friend about how God is working in Taiwan today.- Series Description -Among the most compelling stories in the Bible are several contained in the Book of Acts, written by the humble and gentle physician, Luke. In Acts, Luke tells the story of the birth and expansion of the church in the early decades following the Lord's death, resurrection, and ascension. He tells the story of the coming and work of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and of other early saints. He tells the story of early opposition to the faith, of the first martyrs, and of the courage of early Christians in the face of resistance and even death. At the beginning of the book, the Christian community is limited to Jewish believers mostly in and around Jerusalem; by the end of the book, the church is growing and expanding among Jewish and Gentile communities throughout the Mediterranean world and beyond. Come out for this 10 week series and join us in living out in our own day and time what it is to be the church together.

The sermon uses a parable of discovering a treasure in a pond to illustrate the Christian journey, emphasizing the importance of turning away from familiar paths, treasuring spiritual riches, and trusting in God's provision. Drawing from Jeremiah, it highlights the necessity of repentance and the pursuit of holiness, contrasting a life focused on worldly pursuits with a life transformed by faith in Jesus. Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to actively share their faith and demonstrate God's grace to others, recognizing that a life centered on Christ brings lasting value and impacts the world around them.

Are you searching for real hope? Ever wondered what it truly means to “believe in the Son”? Why is John 3:16 the most famous verse in the Bible—and what does it mean for you today? Today we'll discuss the deeper meaning behind John 3:16 and its promise of eternal life. Discover how God's love isn't just a feeling, but an action—giving His Son so you can have relationship with Him. What are we really saved from? Can anyone be too far gone for God's love? Is there more to life than just surviving? Listen as we explore how faith in Jesus brings forgiveness, purpose, and hope—no matter your past. If you're seeking answers, this message invites you to step into the light and experience the life God offers. Key Takeaway: God's love is for you. Eternal life is a gift—will you believe in the Son?

August 10, 2025: Faith in Jesus involves risk. Teacher Charlie Dodril. by Platt Park Church

Today on the podcast:- (02:04) Indianapolis Colts legend and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday shares his journey from being undrafted to becoming a successful NFL player and analyst. He discusses the impact of Jesus on his life and career, the importance of strong leadership, and the lessons learned from winning the Super Bowl XLI in 2006. Jeff also reflects on the challenges of life after football, including health issues and the significance of relationships and community.Thanks to our partnership with Filament Bibles. You can learn more by checking out their website - http://FilamentBibles.comHave a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.comWATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazineSign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/Have you heard our other Sports Spectrum podcasts?Sports Spectrum's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What's Up Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Annabelle Hasselbeck - https://open.spotify.com/show/7CvX5oXnEuKIYI5GCVT7Hi?si=9c61982675f1413dSports Spectrum's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get in the Game Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Scott Linebrink -https://open.spotify.com/show/7CFPZVet3TcsSJMZqRHndI?si=d6599c85917146a7

I want Christians in the Church to come back to recognising the Power that God has. I want the Church to come back to the simplicity of faith that those men had when they brought the paralysed man to Jesus, and Jesus saw their faith!  For me, the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is a supernatural faith IN JESUS, IN THE POWER OF GOD – TO FORGIVE SIN and to give us authority over ALL THE POWER OF THE DEVIL – here ON EARTH. I haven't got time to die. I want to continue on in my ministry because I want to demonstrate WHO JESUS IS. I want to demonstrate the Power of God in our world TODAY. I want to show – THIS IS GOD! And I want YOU to see answers to your prayers. God bless you.

Thursday, 7 August 2025   A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;  Matthew 12:20   Note: You can listen to today's commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).    You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).   “A reed, being battered, not He will break, and flax being smoldered, not He will extinguish, until if He ejects judgment into victory” (CG).   In the previous verse, Matthew continued his citation of Isaiah 42, revealing that the passage prophetically pointed to Jesus and His ministry. That citation continues with his next words, which are comparable to Isaiah 42:3 –   “Reed bruised, not He will break, and flax darkish, not He will extinguish it. To truth, He will cause to bring verdict” (CG).   Matthew's words of citation begin with, “A reed, being battered, not He will break.”   Two new words are seen here. The first is suntribó, to crush completely, such as breaking into pieces. The next is katagnumi, to rend in pieces, such as cracking apart.   The words of Isaiah, and now cited by Matthew, point to extreme care and attentiveness to being gentle. A bruised reed will collapse with the slightest bit of force because its fibers have been damaged. The analogy is to a person who has been bruised by a life of sin or affliction.   For example, in Luke 7:36-50, we read about the sinful woman who came to Jesus, washing His feet with her hair. The Pharisee would have taken her and cast her out, destroying any faith-fiber left in her. But Jesus allowed her to wash and kiss His feet, knowing she was crushed from her life of sin. Because of her faithful display of love for the Lord, His words to her were, “Your sins are forgiven,” and “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”   In a similar metaphor, Matthew next says, “and flax being smoldered, not He will extinguish.”   Three new words are seen in this one clause. The first is linon, flax. It is the material (the flax plant) used to make linen. One can see the etymological connection between the two, linon and linen.   The second new word is tuphó, a word found only here in the New Testament. It signifies to make a smoke, as in something slowly being consumed by fire, but without a flame. It is hot enough to burn, but there isn't enough oxygen for it to turn into a blaze, and so it sits and smolders.   Also, the word sbennumi is used. It signifies to quench or extinguish.   The idea is that a smoldering flax, such as a piece of linen, will go out with the slightest touch. The teeny amount of oxygen that was available to cause the smoldering is removed, and even the smoldering is quenched. The meaning of the words is that of someone with the smallest bit of faith will not have it quenched by the Lord. He will never deprive such, quenching their faith by treating them contemptuously or as if they were unimportant.   And this state of care for His people is, “until if He ejects judgment into victory.”   There are various opinions on the meaning of the words. Each of them, however, finds its fulfillment in the work of Christ. The care of the Lord for those who are bruised or smoldering will not cease until the end. Their judgment will be realized in victory. The direct translation from Isaiah said, “To truth he will cause to bring verdict.”   The judgment of the Lord will be vindicated as a state of truth. The idea seems, therefore, to ultimately point to the Lord's care of His people until the final victory is realized, such as the state of those who are glorified at the rapture of the church –   “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.' 55 ‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'” 1 Corinthians 15:53-55   None shall be rejected who comes to the Lord by faith, even if their faith is comparable to a bruised reed or a smoldering piece of linen.   Life application: Understanding the care of the Lord for His people, we should be careful how we evaluate others. The sinful woman at Jesus' feet would have been cast out by anyone in the religious circles of Israel. But Jesus understood her faith and was unwilling to quench it merely out of social propriety.   The same will be true with anyone who comes to Him in true faith. Each of us will fail the Lord from time to time. This is inevitable, but it demonstrates the immense grace of God that is found in Jesus. Despite our failings, He forgave us. Despite our continued failings, His grace continues.   The Lord would have us not sin at all, but He is aware of our limitations. Because of this, even when we do sin, He is not counting those transgressions against us any longer –   “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19   Heavenly Father, You are aware of our every failing, and yet You still have forgiven us through our faith in Jesus. Help us to be strong in our ability to stand against sin and its many temptations so that we will be pleasing to You. Above all, help us to keep our faith in Christ strong as we live in Your glorious presence, holding fast to Him until that wonderful Day of redemption. Amen.

Each one of us came to saving faith in Jesus and was brought into God’s family because of faithful witnesses sharing the gospel message. And so, it’s our privilege as the church to keep on telling others this amazing news! Jonathan Dodson will give us practical, biblical wisdom on how to share the gospel in a compassionate and winsome way. Using many real-life examples, he will encourage us to live in a manner that draws people to the truth and beauty of Christ. And, to proclaim the gospel with a natural ease that speaks into the lives of the people we meet. Together with our church family, we can feel confident in reaching the community through effective Spirit-filled evangelism, underlined with confident, persistent prayer.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” — Matthew 14:31 Have you ever walked on water? I have, but only in the dead of winter, when the ice on a pond has been thick enough to hold my weight. Even then, I've always felt uneasy, especially if I hear an ominous cracking sound. Miraculously, Peter did walk on water. But when he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. After reaching out and catching Peter, Jesus seems to scold him, saying, “You of little faith. . . . Why did you doubt?” But is Jesus really scolding here? After all, Peter had enough faith to begin walking out on the water—and none of the other disciples even got out of the boat. In this story Peter's walking on and then sinking into the water captures the highs and lows of his faith in Jesus. In some ways, we who follow Jesus have had similar experiences, haven't we? In our daily walk with the Lord, we all have moments of faith and moments of doubt. Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and noticed with horror the howling wind and the rolling waves. We too begin to sink when we focus on the dangers of life's storms. When Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat, however, the wind and waves died down. Only Jesus, the Son of God and Lord over creation, can do such amazing things. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He will never let you sink. When life's storms overwhelm us, Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you, trusting that we are secure in your hands. Amen.

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Click below to fill in your information so we can connect with you!New to Church: https://churchalivenj.churchcenter.com/people/forms/631827I've Decided to Follow Jesus: https://churchalivenj.churchcenter.com/people/forms/631829Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://churchalivenj.churchcenter.com/giving Stay connected with us through our:Church Alive Website: https://churchalive.tvInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchalivenj/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchAliveNJ/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center9AM, 11AM, 1PM 15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

Unveiling Truth: The Dark Worlds of Epstein, Diddy, and Mind ControlIn this episode of Discovering Truth with Dan Duval, Dan welcomes back Hope for a deep and illuminating conversation. They discuss the extensive manipulation and mind control tactics used by figures like Jeffrey Epstein and P. Diddy. Hope shares her harrowing personal experiences of being trafficked, programmed, and tortured. She reveals how the dark world of rituals, cannibalism, and mind control extends beyond pop culture into high-level strategic operations.They explore the intersections of military, political, and religious influences in these sinister agendas. Despite the darkness, Hope's unyielding faith in Jesus provides a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the pursuit of truth.Learn More About Hope's Story:https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Truth-Hope-Beryl-Green/dp/1642588776

When Christian community falls short of what it has been and could be, we want to restore it! But we often try to get it back to what it was the wrong way. Healthy Christian community comes to us, not as the goal of our gathering, but as the overflow of faith in Jesus lived out together. We're excited for you to join us as we dive into this wonderful snapshot of the early church in Acts 2:42-47!

Mark 10:46-52 Coleton taught on the story of Bartimaeus, highlighting three key themes: Persecution, Prayer, and Faith.     1.    Persecution: Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus despite being rebuked and told to stay quiet. Coleton emphasized that faith in Jesus will sometimes annoy others or invite persecution. We can silence opposition by stopping, but doing so risks missing out on what Jesus wants to do in our lives. When we press on despite resistance, God not only works in us but often transforms our persecutors, turning opposition into partnership for the Kingdom.     2.    Prayer: Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus prayed honestly and personally, asking for sight. Coleton reminded us that God delights in hearing our voices, no matter how small or self-focused our requests seem. Prayer is both sharing our hearts freely with God and praying His promises back to Him, believing He wants to fulfill His Word in our lives.     3.    Faith: Jesus said, “Your faith has healed you.” Faith is more than belief—it's belief put into action. Bartimaeus cried out, came to Jesus, and asked for healing. Our faith impacts what we experience from God because He waits for us to respond to Him in action and prayer. The invitation is to keep calling out to Jesus despite opposition, to pray openly and according to His promises, and to act on what we believe so that we experience His power and presence. ⸻ Discussion Questions Persecution     •    When has following Jesus brought misunderstanding, ridicule, or pushback from others in your life? How did you respond?     •    What might it look like for you to “get louder” in your faith instead of backing down? Prayer     •    If Jesus asked you today, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would you answer?     •    What is one promise of God you need to pray over your life this week? Faith     •    Where in your life do you believe something about Jesus but haven't yet acted on that belief?     •    What practical step can you take this week to turn belief into action? ⸻ Quotes from Authors Used in the Sermon     •    Tertullian: “We (Christians) are not a new philosophy but a divine revelation. That's why you can't exterminate us; the more you kill the more we are. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” – Apologeticus     •    Pastor Shen Xiaoming: “Exactly, and your opposition forces us to be dependent on Jesus. Your opposition makes us love our enemies. Your opposition makes us hungry for an authentic faith. And that beautiful white hot faith spreads everywhere and delivers people. If you really wanted to get rid of the church, you should let us do whatever we want, and then we would compromise and become weak like the American Church.”     •    Richard Foster: “In prayer we allow ourselves to be gathered up into the arms of the Father and let him sing His love song over us.”     •    Charles Spurgeon:     •    “It glorifies God to use His promises… Plead the promises of God. Open your Bible, put your finger on the passage, and say, ‘Lord, this is Your Word; fulfill it to me.' This is the kind of praying that has never yet been met with repulse.”     •    “Whether we like it or not, asking (in prayer) is the rule of the kingdom. ‘Ask, and you shall receive.'… If the Royal, Divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that He may have, you and I cannot either.”  

John 3:16 ESV16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. • • •1. Spiritual life is the work of the Holy Spirit. • • •John 3:1-8 ESV1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” • • •2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. • • •2. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus. • • •John 3:9-17ESV9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. • • •Ezekiel 36:25-27 ESV25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. • • •Numbers 21:5-9 ESV5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. • • •3. The effect of being born again is seen on earth and in heaven. • • •John 3:18-21 ESV18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” • • •1 John 1:5-10 ESV5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. • • •Application:But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.John 1:12-13

Who is in Kelby's treasure chest this week? Kelby, Arlo, and Tilly all learn about an amazing woman named Esther this week! Come along with us to Happy Harbor to pop some bubbles, ride the Bible train, and hear an amazing story all about God's love.EstherHey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week's lesson about Esther with your child after they've watched the video service!Who was today's Bible story about?Esther. God made Esther and she loved God.What did Esther wear on her head?A crown! The crown showed everyone that Esther was a queen.One day, she heard someone was going to do something bad. Uh oh! Did Esther stop the bad thing from happening?Yes! She stopped the bad plan. Shake your head “no” because the plan was not good.Esther had to do something brave and tell the king to stop the bad plan. Can you be brave, too?Yes! God helps us be brave. Show me your strong arms because God made us to do good and brave things.Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:God, thank you for loving us and wanting to be our friend. Thank you for making us. Help us do good things and be brave like Esther! We love you! Amen.Parent Encouragement - EstherHey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!DownloadToddler Craft – Esther Character StickIn this craft, your toddler will create their own Esther Character Stick to remind them of the main character from the Bible story. God made Esther, and God made them!DownloadToddler Activity – Talk Like EstherIn this activity, your toddler will bring the craft they made to life. They will practice saying and doing things with their Esther Character Stick to remember this Bible story about Esther.DownloadToddler Coloring Page - EstherWe have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month's lesson!DownloadNavigating Parenthood - EstherHey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about how to foster healthy obedience in our children that comes from a place of love and respect rather than rules they follow out of obligationDownloadAt Saddleback Kids we believe every kid should be known, connected, equipped and empowered. KNOWN by another kid and a leader. CONNECTED to a group where they can grow spiritually. EQUIPPED with the tools and the knowledge to develop a strong faith in Jesus. EMPOWERED to serve others and share Jesus in the world.To sum it up, Saddleback Kids exists to connect kids to God and others while helping them live a purpose driven life.

In this message, Pastor Andrew unpacks Romans 3:21-26 to show how the gospel frees us from the crushing weight of performance. We are all broken and fall short of God's glory, yet Jesus offers a righteousness we could never earn, he gives it as a gift of grace. Through the cross, we are invited to trust God as a loving Father and receive a new identity as his sons and daughters. This sermon challenges both skeptics and believers to stop striving, embrace grace, and discover the life-changing power of faith in Jesus. Sermon: Why Everyone Falls Short Series: Romans Speaker: Andrew Shields Full Service: https://youtu.be/0sKKZVm7590 Apple Podcast: http://thisisvillage.church/podcast/apple Spotify Podcast: http://thisisvillage.church/podcast/spotify Your Next Steps: http://thisisvillagechurch.com/nextsteps Village Kids Online: http://villagekids.online Give: https://thisisvillagechurch.com/give Website: https://thisisvillagechurch.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillageChurch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisvillagechurch/ X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/thisisvillage TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisisvillagechurch

It is our prayer that today's word would encourage and challenge to walk out your faith in Jesus, shine brightly in darkness and experience Kingdom impact in all you do! Stay connected with Belmont Church on our Facebook page, website or on the Church Center App.

The spirit of this fallen world wants everyone to strive for money, fame, power, and glory. It glamorizes these and markets them in a way that is convincing and irresistible. It wants you to believe that if you have these things, you will be happy but most people will never have these things and those that do, will discover that they do not bring any amount of true and enduring happiness. What matters is faith in Jesus. It is the very thing that secures true joy, peace, and happiness. Join us as we discover that our faith in Jesus is more precious than gold.

Today’s Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we place our faith in Jesus, we’re not just improved—we’re made new. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul reminds believers of their brand-new identity in Christ. The past no longer defines you. This verse is a powerful promise of transformation, forgiveness, and fresh beginnings through God’s grace. If you’re in Christ, the old is gone—and your new life has begun.

It's Friday, August 1st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Christians evicted from their homes in Chhattisgarh, India Three years ago, Manu, a 37-year-old day laborer in Chhattisgarh, India, came to faith in Jesus after experiencing a miraculous healing. Then, roughly two months ago, he started to pay a price for his Christian faith, reports International Christian Concern. Manu said, “I was thrown out of my house because I follow Jesus.” He is one of the hundreds of Christians who have been evicted from their homes and banned from their villages in Chhattisgarh because of their faith in Christ. Hindu nationalists, who want India to be a purely Hindu nation, are increasingly forcing Christians to become homeless and destitute. The goal of the violent attacks is to force the believers to return to Hinduism. Manu, his wife, and their two children have taken shelter in a temporary bamboo shed since May 21. He said, “My children are getting sick ever since we moved into this shed. The small bamboo shed does not protect us from rain, wind, and extreme weather conditions. This shed was used as a chicken shed prior to our occupation, with no facilities for people to live.” The persecution didn't end with the family losing their property. Hindu villagers also shunned the family, preventing them from purchasing products from certain vendors and hindering Manu from securing employment. When asked what keeps him from giving up on his faith, Manu explained, “Jesus gave me life, He gave me peace, and I am willing to make any sacrifice and bear all these hardships. I know it's all worth it.” In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” House Speaker: Democrats never mentioned Epstein files during Biden's term Appearing with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Saturday's “This Week on Capitol Hill,” House Speaker Mike Johnson explained that the Democrats are using the Epstein files as a wedge issue. JOHNSON: “The Democrats have been engaging in a civil war. They're trying to determine if they're going to go full Marxism, like with [Zohran] Mamdani, their nominee for mayor of New York City, or if they're going to go Marxism Light with their woke progressive nonsense that they tried to hoist upon the people for the last four years. So, they found a wedge issue trying to manufacture some controversy with the so-called Epstein files. Here's the problem they have, Tony, with their hypocrisy. It's quite laughable. “Remember, the Biden Department of Justice had all of these files in their possession for the previous four years. Not one time did [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) or Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), or Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), or any of the Democrats who made so much noise over the last two weeks, not one time in the last four years that they mention the word Epstein at all. It's nowhere in their social media and their interviews or anything. And now, suddenly, it's the most important thing in the world. “We're not buying it, and I'm not going to allow them to drag the Congress into this. “The House Republicans are 100 percent united and 100 percent consistent, as we have been for many years regarding this matter. We want full transparency, total disclosure of all credible evidence. We want to and we must protect the innocent victims of those unspeakable crimes, trafficking and all the rest that were involved there. But it needs to be done in the right way.” The audacity of the Democrats surprises even House Speaker Johnson. JOHNSON: “They're trying to claim that this is some sort of cover-up. Remember, each of them were involved in orchestrating what was the largest political cover-up and political scandal in the history of the United States. And that was covering up for the rapid mental decline of the previous occupant of the White House. When Joe Biden was no longer fit to serve, they went out and tried to convince us of the opposite -- very, very dangerous stuff. They need to answer for that, and there needs to be a lot of accountability all the way around. And House Republicans are the ones urging that and pushing it along with every tool in our arsenal.” American Academy of Pediatrics says Trisomy 13 and 18 are not 'uniformly lethal' The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidance stating that the genetic disorders Trisomy 13 and 18 are not "uniformly lethal" and the practice of promoting abortion and "postnatal comfort care" for all children with the conditions is outdated, reports The Christian Post. The guidance, published July 21, notes the "steady increase in medical and surgical interventions for infants and children with trisomy 13 and 18.” The medical organization described the conditions as "chromosomal syndromes associated with a range of congenital anomalies and universally severe neurodevelopmental impairment." The American Academy of Pediatrics noted that about 12.3 percent of those with Trisomy 18 survive beyond their fifth birthday and 9.7 percent of children with Trisomy 13 survive as well. U.S. divorce and out-of-wedlock births are becoming less common The Institute for Family Studies is reporting that after many decades of increasing divorce, nonmarital childbearing, and children living in broken homes, current statistics show that the trends are either leveling off or reversing, reports The Washington Stand. The group notes that the largest shift has become apparent with divorce. After reaching a peak in the late '70s and early '80s, “the divorce rate has been falling in recent decades,” currently hitting a 50-year low. Divorce is less likely because “marriage has become more selective, with more educated, affluent, and religious couples becoming more likely to put a ring on it than the general population.” The Institute for Family Studies further observed that according to the most recent projections, the risk of first marriages ending in divorce is now around 40 percent, a significant drop from couples who married in the '80s and '90s, of whom 50 percent experienced divorce. Malachi 2:16 says, God “hates divorce.” Another factor contributing to more intact families is that the amount of children being born to unmarried women has leveled off. Children born out of wedlock peaked in 2009 and has plateaued ever since, remaining at roughly 40 percent over the last 15 years. Transgender Lady Liberty stirs debate at Smithsonian And finally, Amy Sherald is a 51-year-old woke artist who became famous for depicting the Statue of Liberty as black and transgender, reports Christian talk show host Todd Starnes. She also created a rendition of the famous World War Two Times Square kiss featuring two homosexual black men. And Sherald earned national acclaim for painting the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. What an unusual combination – transgender statues, homosexual black men, and Michelle Obama. The National Portrait Gallery alerted the artist that they might remove her painting of “Transgender Lady Liberty” over fears it might anger President Donald Trump. Sherald accused the Smithsonian of censorship and pulled out of the exhibit.  The White House, which believed that the painting all but desecrated one of our most sacred symbols, celebrated the development as a step toward restoring sanity in the taxpayer-funded art world. Starnes concluded, “The only person censoring Sherald's exhibit is in fact Sherald. And Lady Liberty is meant to inspire national unity – not pronoun confusion.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, August 1st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Desiring to win at anything always costs something… what was the cost of becoming a 2 time high school wrestling state champion? Les Schwab career? And now, finding purpose after retirement? How is God still working out HIS plan in Mike's life? Mike shares his life… high school and college wrestling, his amazing wife, kids, grand kids, a 30+ year career with Les Schwab and his faith in Jesus! Everyone wants to win at something, but it's rare to win at everything!  With that said, wanting to win in one area of your life will cost you something in a different area of your life! The question is, what is it and was it worth it? Mike is very transparent in this podcast to share his life… winning in wrestling, his career and what the costs were!  The good news… God has a way to draw us back to HIMSELF when we get too far away and bring us back into the fold!You will really enjoy hearing about the joys of Mikes life, what a career with Les Schwab did for him and his family, what his wife, kids and grand kids mean to him.“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16#DiscipleofJesus #realfaith#retirement #LesSchwab_ _ _For more stories like this, go to: https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyJamesPuckettIf you or someone you know want to be on the podcast, please reach out to me on Instagram @conversationswithbuddy or text me at 503-851-8031. _ _ _About Buddy Puckett:Buddy Puckett has been in the mortgage and finance space and mentoring men for over 25 years.  A mentoring opportunity all started when he first began in the mortgage industry in 1998, when he began to mentor a younger guy who happened to be married.  This person was not making great choices and it was sadly affecting his marriage.  We all are 1 decision away from something really dumb, so accountability became something Buddy knew he needed as well.  Buddy's wife, Shawn, suggested he start a podcast in 2022 to share the stories of people who have struggled,failed, overcame by realizing the life of love, joy and peace is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ! “Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me'.” John 14:6

When we come to faith in Jesus and are united to the crucified, risen Savior, our old life is left on the other side of the cross. Today, Sinclair Ferguson identifies what it means for Christians to be crucified with Christ. Request Union with Christ, the new book by Sinclair Ferguson, with your donation of any amount. You'll also receive lifetime digital access to the Union with Christ video teaching series and study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4168/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the ebook, digital teaching series, and digital study guide for Union with Christ with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   Sinclair Ferguson is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow, vice-chairman of Ligonier Ministries, and Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

in this episode of "revival: a good news brand podcast," hosts stephan taeger and dave butler share uplifting stories and insights centered on faith in jesus christ and the restoration within the lds church. dave recounts the emotional experience of sending one son on a mission while welcoming another home. the hosts discuss highlights from elder bednar's talk, exploring themes of personal divine encounters, the restoration's connection to christ, and the transformative power of god working through ordinary people. the episode encourages listeners to find hope, purpose, and belonging in their faith journey.join us for a weekly revival!your hosts, david butler & stephan taeger

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Lectionary: 402/607The Saint of the day is Saints Martha, Mary, and LazarusSaints Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ story Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their home simply as a welcomed guest, rather than as one celebrating the conversion of a sinner like Zacchaeus or one unceremoniously received by a suspicious Pharisee. The sisters felt free to call on Jesus at their brother's death, even though a return to Judea at that time seemed to spell almost certain death. Martha's great glory is her simple and strong statement of faith in Jesus after her brother's death. “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world'” (John 11:25-27). No doubt Martha was an active sort of person. On one occasion, she prepares the meal for Jesus and possibly his fellow guests and forthrightly states the obvious: All hands should pitch in to help with the dinner. The Lord recognizes that Martha is “worried about many things,” also noting that Mary, who has spent the preparation time at Jesus' feet listening to his words “has chosen the better part.” John 12:1-8 describes Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet at Bethany, an act which he praised highly. Immediately after we are told that the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus “because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.” Lazarus was the one of whom the Jews said, “See how much he loved him.” In their sight Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. Legends abound about the life of Lazarus after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is supposed to have left a written account of what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life. Some say he followed Peter into Syria. Another story is that despite being put into a leaking boat by the Jews at Jaffa, he, his sisters, and others landed safely in Cyprus. There he died peacefully after serving as bishop for 30 years. It is certain there was early devotion to the saint. Around the year 390, the pilgrim lady Etheria talks of the procession that took place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday at the tomb where Lazarus had been raised from the dead. In the West, Passion Sunday was called Dominica de Lazaro, and Augustine tells us that in Africa the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus was read at the office of Palm Sunday. Reflection In its 2021 decree on combining veneration of Mary and Lazarus with Martha, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said, “In the household of Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the one who humiliated death.” Saint Martha is a Patron Saint of: CooksHomemakersRestaurant servers Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are Patron Saints of: Siblings Click here for more on Mary and Martha! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

This week, Pastor Suzy Silk continued our series through the Book of Acts, The Fifth Act, by teaching on Act 15 and the critical role it can play in defining the time in history we are currently living in. The Early Church was still a primarily Jewish community, and as the Gentiles began to be integrated in, it disrupts their normal practices, despite Gentiles receiving the same gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10. A council of elders and leaders is called in Jerusalem to discuss how they should handle the influx of Gentile brothers and sisters, and the conclusion they came to should shape how we see people becoming Christians today: salvation is given by grace through faith in Jesus the Messiah—there is no other requirement.

Some of you feel persecuted in your faith. Your family thinks you are crazy because you follow Jesus. Your boss thinks you are a Jesus Freak and your friends don't want to hang out with you! Today we will meet Stephen who felt the exact same way and yet he never wavered in his faith!

Some of you feel persecuted in your faith. Your family thinks you are crazy because you follow Jesus. Your boss thinks you are a Jesus Freak and your friends don't want to hang out with you! Today we will meet Stephen who felt the exact same way and yet he never wavered in his faith!

Michelle Van Loon was "getting around," doing drugs and acting 'a fool as a Jewish teenager but when a friend introduced and evangelized her to Jesus (may or may not have been over some weed), her life has never been the same.  Michelle, author of numerous books, recently wrote "Downsizing: Letting Go of Evangelicalism's Nonessentials," and joins Joey to discuss the contents. Could "downsizing" be the only hope for unity in the church?  Among the many topics discussed, the two talk whether "spiritual authority" has to go, what makes a pastor a pastor, Joey's former zeal for Mark Driscoll, how the church has made an idol of the nuclear family, and the silly notion that deconstruction is usually a bad thing.  Synopsis of book: Michelle Van Loon came to faith in Jesus as a Jewish teenager and embraced the first Christian community she found: evangelicals. Over the next fifty years, she enthusiastically worshiped and worked in a wide variety of evangelical groups. Looking back on those experiences today, Van Loon treasures the things that truly deepened her faith. At the same time, she laments the accumulation of baggage—religious ideas and practices that were unhelpful at best, and harmful at worst. Unlike many who have given up on evangelicalism altogether, Van Loon is committed to saving what's worthwhile in the evangelical faith tradition, and she invites others to join her. Simultaneously critical and hopeful, Downsizing encourages readers to reflect on their own experience with evangelicalism, evaluate the movement's legacy, and participate in shaping its future.Michelle Van Loon / Instagram / Website E-mail Joey here. Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo) Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Pastor Gabriel Hughes preaches on Romans 5:2-5, about how by faith in Jesus, we are not only justified, but we are sustained in Him by the grace of God and have hope to the end. Visit providencecasagrande.com for more info about our church!