Podcasts about first jesus

First Jesus was betrayed by Judas, and then denied by Peter. What could cause them to do such a horrible thing? To learn about the situation surrounding the Peters denial, tune in this week to Every Last Word. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/790/29?v=20251111

8.9.26 - But First, Jesus - Part 2 - Preaching - Matt Summers // Welcome friends! You are listening to the Podcast for First Christian Church in Fort Myers, Florida. To learn more, join us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fccfm.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It is a blessing to be able to share God's word with you today! Thanks for joining us.

8.2.26 - But First, Jesus - Part 1 - Preaching - Matt Summers // Welcome friends! You are listening to the Podcast for First Christian Church in Fort Myers, Florida. To learn more, join us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fccfm.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It is a blessing to be able to share God's word with you today! Thanks for joining us.

The home renovation business is a 600 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture . . . and He’s looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside-Down Life. It’s a look at the part we’re called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 600 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture . . . and He’s looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside-Down Life. It’s a look at the part we’re called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have an important privilege and responsibility. Believers are called to impact our culture for Christ! Yes, that's a tall order ??? but we have a big God! Friday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points to the help we find in the book of Acts. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Covid, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don’t want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It’s the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Covid, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don’t want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It’s the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Greg Laurie points out how our culture has lost its way ?' good is considered evil, and evil considered good. But there's hope! Thursday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg shows us how to follow in the footsteps of First Century believers who turned their upside-down world right-side up. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teacher: Rob Zimmermann Download Sermon Notes  Watch Episode Give Online: http://westgatechapel.org/give Chapters (00:00:00) - He Changed My Life(00:04:27) - Wonders of the Westgate Chapel(00:11:42) - It's Only by the Blood(00:18:15) - Junior Bible Quiz(00:21:31) - Time of offering(00:23:28) - "First Things First"(00:26:16) - Celebrating 22 People Who Put Jesus First(00:27:59) - Meet the Kids Who Are Baptized(00:30:39) - Jesus Made a Difference in My Story(00:33:42) - Tell Everybody in Here What Did Jesus Do For You(00:36:38) - What Jesus Did For You(00:37:14) - Six Students Get Baptized(00:40:08) - Getting baptized at church(00:41:49) - Noah and Paiza(00:42:15) - Baptism for Kids(00:45:18) - Baptist Kids Get baptized(00:46:20) - Five High Schoolers Get Baptized(00:51:37) - 13 Amazing Stories of Being Baptized Again(00:57:29) - A baptism for the first time(01:01:57) - Praise the One Who Broke My Chains and Bought My Freedom(01:13:09) - A New Year's Celebration with Baptists

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Thy Kingdom Come - Gray AreasWritten on the hearts of men Romans 2:15 How do you decide things? When you live for God and the Kingdom of Light, Kingdom values should affect how you discern and decide.And culture and the ways of the kingdom of darkness creep in and make things grayWhat if you could know that you were discerning and deciding in alignment with the Kingdom of Light?4 gospels: Matt 21:1-11 (can open to this one), Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-15Jesus & disciples were approaching Jerusalem (where all the sacrifices took place, the religious and social capital) John 12:12First Jesus gives instructionsMatthew 21:1-3 NIV As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”Matthew 21:4 NIV This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'”Jesus has a plan beyond what you know or can understand Matthew 21:6-8 NIV The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.King Jehu 2 Kings 9:13 They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”Matthew 21:9 NIV The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,“Hosanna to the Son of David!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”Discernment is knowing what is Right vs Almost Right8 Value-based questions you can ask: What does God's Word say? Does it warn against or encourage it?Psalm 119:105 KJV Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my pathThe Word of God is everlasting, applicable, and alive. Following it requires obedience and trust in God's plan.What is my heart's motive?Psalm 139:23-24 NIV "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.“We must not think of the clothes on our backs too dear to part with for the service of Christ” - Matthew Henry commentaryWe need to hold our “coats” out and make sure that not only the logic aligns but that our affections are in line.Where might I see the consequence of this in my life?1 Corinthians 6:12 TLB I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren't good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I'll refuse to if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can't easily stop when I want to. Choose what makes you happy holy.Is this what Jesus would do? 1 John 1:6 Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.Does it bring glory to God?1 Cor 10:31 NIV So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.Africa Dominican Republic Alaska Japan Haiku PoemDomain of shadowsSpirit, my fog navigatorPriceless Kingdom light Matthew 5:16 NIV In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Will it set the right example for others that might be watching?Romans 14:13 “Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you do something he thinks is wrong”Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.God created us for community - be a light magnifier not a shadow maker.Have I discussed with others that are kingdom-minded?John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Remember, as we were studying the book of Ephesians, we talked about how firstwe need to know that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. We arein Christ. We are blessed with all the spiritual blessings of heaven right nowin Christ. Then we learned that we need to walk in purity—walk in love—walk ina way that identifies us as true followers of Christ. Third, we need to be ableto stand against the wiles of the devil. In three words: Sit, Walk, Stand. NowPaul concludes this book with this final word by saying to us today that “gracebe to those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen”. It'sfitting that the Apostle Paul ends this letter with the word grace, becausegrace is the foundation of the entire Christian life. In fact, if you remember,Paul began this letter the same way in Ephesians 1:2: “Grace to you andpeace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” As a matter of fact,if you read all of Paul's epistles, every one of them begins with this wordgrace, and every one ends with this word grace. ExperiencingGod's grace is very important. Grace is often defined as God's unmerited favortoward us. It's grace that saved us when we trusted in Christ. It's grace thatsustains us throughout life. And it's grace that one day will bring us safelyinto the presence of God in heaven. I've often said that, “Grace is God givingme everything I need to live the Christian life, which includes the desire, thewill, the power, and the ability to always do those things that please Him!  ButPaul adds a very important description here. He says, “This grace belongs tothose who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.” The word translatedsincerity carries the idea of something that is incorruptible—unfading. Itdescribes a love that is genuine, pure, and lasting. In other words, Paul isnot talking about a temporary emotional feeling. True love for Christ is fardeeper than that. It is a sincere devotion that remains steady throughout everyseason of life. Our love for Christ should not be sentimental or shallow. Ourlove should be rooted in truth, grounded in faith, and demonstrated inobedience. Rememberwhen the Lord was restoring Peter in John 21. He asked him three times, “Do youlove me?” And Peter replied, “You know that I love you.” The Lord responded tohim each time with three simple instructions: First Jesus said, “Feed mylambs.” Secondly, “Tend my sheep.” The third time He said, “Feedmy sheep.” He is not asking us to stand in a garden with a sword and fightthe enemies of Jesus. No, He is asking us to feed His lambs—to care for Hischildren—to make sure they are growing. He calls us to join Him in sharing Hislove and caring for the believers around us. Something very simple!!! When wesincerely love the Lord, Jesus said it this way in John 14:21 says, “He thatloves me will keep my commandments.” That's the proof. We obey Him. We joinHim in what He is doing. AsPaul closes the book, he intentionally uses the full title: our Lord JesusChrist. Each part of that name reminds us who He is. He is Lord—the one who hasthe final authority over our lives. He is Jesus—the Savior who rescued us fromour sins. He is Christ—the promised Messiah of God. Oh, my friend, when wetruly understand who Jesus is, our love for Him should grow stronger and deeperevery day. So, Paul ends this powerful letter by leaving us with our eyes fixedon Jesus. Yes, this grace is for those who love our Lord Jesus Christ withsincerity. TheChristian life really is all about a relationship with Jesus Christ—every daytaking time to spend time with Him in His Word, in prayer, in communion. Beingon mission with Him—feeding and loving His sheep, taking care of others, andsharing the good news with those who do not know Him. My friend, those who loveHim with a sincere, enduring heart will experience the grace of God throughoutthe entire journey of faith. And that grace will lead us all the way home. 

It's another fraught healing story, so we say a few quiet parts out loud, e.g. OF COURSE SIN DOESN'T CAUSE DISABILITY! And then we notice a few key moments from the story of the man whose sight is restored by Jesus' mud. First: Jesus seeks out those who are cast out. Second: Establishment folks, observing and overhearing, wonder if they've gotten a few things wrong. As ones who seek to follow Jesus AND as religious establishment folks ourselves, our wondering about these moments may be instructive for a life of faith. May we keep our good humor and humility, and laugh our way into communities of love and liberation.Sermon begins at minute marker 5:01Scripture: John 9.1-41Resources:BibleWorm podcast: Episode 726 - Blind From Birth, Amy Robertson and Robert Williamson, Jr.Image: Life preserver on a ferry named Wenatchee, by Megan Ramer, 2026

Presented by Lauren Stibgen The Oxford language dictionary defines evangelism as the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.[1] It is also defined as zealous advocacy of a cause. Merriam-webster.com defines evangelism as a winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ, and it's also defined as militant or crusading zeal.[2] An evangelist is, therefore, someone who spreads the gospel by preaching or personal witness, winning personal commitments to Christ—and, I would add, with zeal! There are three ways to consider evangelism: proclamation, incarnational/relational, and apologetic/intellectual. Proclamation evangelism is the preaching mentioned above. It is a direct telling of the gospel to others. You probably will not be deploying this tactic at work, unless you are a preacher! Incarnational/relational evangelism is the living it out—building relationships and sharing your faith at work, with a bit of apologetic/intellectual evangelism as well. Meaning, you will need to be able to explain why you are living it out. One of the most relevant definitions of evangelism I have read is this working definition presented by the Theology of Work project that says, “Evangelism is the organic process of intentionally engaging individuals in their spiritual journey, joining the Holy Spirit, watching for where he is already at work to help these individuals take one step closer to God and a new life in Christ, becoming the unique reflection of the image of Christ as the resurrected, glorified persons God intended.”[3] This punctuates that evangelism is focused on the individual, and not some large group of people. We certainly come across many individuals during our workday! But why evangelize? Isn't this for the well-trained and professionals? And, surely, we shouldn't do this at work—or should we? Studies show 90% of church going people who come to Christ as adults do so because of a relationship with one or more Christians outside of the four walls of the church. With many of these adults going to work, this makes our workplace evangelism key to God's plan for salvation! Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). Earlier in Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus tells his disciples, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. I want to remind you the disciples were not some well-studied priests of the time. And remember, Jesus was a humble carpenter before he began his ministry. God did not call the qualified, he qualified the called! Thinking about the disciples as fishermen and a tax collector and Jesus as a carpenter, helps me to feel more qualified in my calling to be an evangelist at work! Our purpose here at The Christian Working Woman is to encourage, equip, and empower Christians in the workplace to love Christ more, to live their daily lives by biblical principles, and to go to their jobs as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Rooted in the verse from 2 Corinthians 5:20, which tells us we are Christ's ambassadors, we are here in ministry to help you grow as workplace evangelists. Clearly the word evangelism is rooted in our faith as followers of Jesus Christ. Are you zealous about it yet? Many women I encounter don't feel like they can share their faith at work. Whether it is feeling unqualified to share the gospel or simply fearing it will not be welcomed, there are more perceived obstacles than there are perceived open doors for Jesus at work. This is one of the reasons I like the working definition from the Theology of Work project mentioned earlier. The definition helps us frame the process of evangelism at work rather than simply telling us, “Hey, go proclaim Christ at work!” Evangelism is an organic process, specifically meaning it happens naturally. We don't need to get all worked up and plan it all out. Consider the examples we have in the Bible. First Jesus. Notice how he shared his good news with others. His evangelism was incarnational and relational in every way with a touch of apologetic wisdom! Even though I am sure Jesus divinely knew who he would encounter, he wasn't on a direct quest to find them, except for the disciples. They came to him. He encountered the woman at the well when he was thirsty, and he encountered the bleeding woman as he was going to heal another's child. Think about the healing of the demon possessed man when the evil spirits were cast into the pigs. This man was in Jesus's path as he arrived from crossing the sea. Think about the leper needing healing. He was also in Jesus's path. Finally, the criminal on the cross at the crucifixion. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Now, I am not saying Jesus wasn't a preacher evangelist. We absolutely see Jesus speaking to great crowds and in the synagogue, but it happened organically. Evangelism at work can happen organically throughout the course of your day. It can be in a breakroom, or after a meeting. It could be grabbing a cup of coffee with a colleague you want to know better. If we pay attention to the example of Jesus, we also see he is intentional in how he engages each one of the people in his path. He engages individuals! Each one had a need, even before they knew they needed Jesus. Whether it was healing, food, or even a friend, Jesus met people where they were at. Being intentionally engaging with others was the next part of the definition I mentioned earlier. The Word is clear in Matthew 18:12. What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off (Matthew 18:12)? How can you intentionally engage with others? How can you help with the search for the one? Before you share the gospel with someone, have you ever considered what you know about them? Jesus had a clear advantage in being all knowing, so we will need to be good listeners and good at asking questions! In James 1:19, the word tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listen to colleagues when they talk about what they did over the weekend or even after work. Listen when they talk about family, favorite hobbies, or holiday plans! Next, discern if you can come alongside them in any way. Again, thinking of Jesus. How are you serving those around you? …not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:4). How can you extend intentional kindness to someone? Is it an encouraging word or an expression of gratitude? Is it bringing someone a cup of coffee, or lunch? Perhaps it is simply the act of listening itself. These organic and intentional engagements can build trust and a connection to start naturally sharing about your faith when it fits into the conversation, of course making sure it isn't making the other person feel uncomfortable. Has someone expressed a feeling like sadness, anger, concern, or fear? Maybe you can relate and mention how your faith has helped you in a similar situation. Ultimately, you will need to be prepared to make a defense if anyone asks you for a reason for the hope you have. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to do this with gentleness and respect. I would encourage you to make a list of ways God has helped you. This way, examples will be top of mind if this ever comes up! As you are deploying this organic and intentional evangelism, be encouraged! You are not expected to evangelize alone. Jesus has given to us the power of the Holy Spirit to help guide every situation. The early church was filled with evangelists just like you and me! Acts 1:8 promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. And they would be Jesus's witnesses in Jerusalem and in all of Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say (Luke 12: 11-12). It is less about the perfect words and more about the ability to be a witness of Jesus through your life. How are people seeing the incarnational and relational Jesus through you? Paul reminds us of this. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Allow Christ to work through you! You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). And remember you are not solely responsible for saving anyone! No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day (John 6:44). Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). You are merely the ambassador representative, a laborer in the harvest. While you may be a very important part of God's plan for someone's salvation, you simply are just that—one part. Paul beautifully states this. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). Jesus is the foundation of everything. Every interaction, every way you “build” into an individual's faith journey. Remember the statistic I spoke about as we stated our time today? 90% of adults making a decision for Christ are doing so because of interactions outside of the Church! Back to evangelizing at work. As you intentionally engage with others through the help of the Holy Spirt, take time to discern where God is working. Does someone show extra interest in your conversations about reading the Bible or joining a Bible study you are part of? Are they asking questions about why you are different when things seem to all be chaos around at work? These can be the promptings of the Holy Spirit drawing someone closer to Jesus! At your job, help people keep taking steps closer to God. Thinking of a builder placing one piece of a house at a time, place something simple each day and return. Perhaps you will be able to celebrate with someone that turns to a new life in Christ! Consider yourself and evangelist today! Pray about who will come organically into your path, intentionally engage them and lean in to how the Holy Spirit can move through you! [1] evangelism, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary. (2023). Oed.com. https://doi.org/10.1093//OED//6381426726 [2] Definition of EVANGELISM. (n.d.). Www.merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evangelism [3] Work, T. of. (2018). Evangelism – Sharing the Gospel at Work (Overview). Theology of Work. https://www.theologyofwork.org/key-topics/evangelism-sharing-the-gospel-at-work-overview

Pastor Derek Walker explores the 2 Streams of Messianic Prophecy, that reveal the Messiah as both the suffering Servant and glorious King. Understand how these prophecies are central to the biblical narrative, revealing God's Salvation and Kingdom programs. These 2 Streams (the Sufferings and the Glory) correspond to the 2 Comings of Christ, based on the Salvation and Kingdom Programs of God. First Jesus had to come as the Suffering Saviour before He can return as the Conquering King. First, the Suffering and then the Glory (Luke 24:26,27).

Pastor Derek Walker explores the 2 Streams of Messianic Prophecy, that reveal the Messiah as both the suffering Servant and glorious King. Understand how these prophecies are central to the biblical narrative, revealing God's Salvation and Kingdom programs. These 2 Streams (the Sufferings and the Glory) correspond to the 2 Comings of Christ, based on the Salvation and Kingdom Programs of God. First Jesus had to come as the Suffering Saviour before He can return as the Conquering King. First, the Suffering and then the Glory (Luke 24:26,27).

In a world full of labels and options, Jesus calls us back to one thing that truly matters — abiding in Him. Every word, every action, every part of our lives must flow from that truth: Christ first, everything else follows.

Pastor Sam        Colossians 1:15-20 

Luke Looks Back Chapter 7 Luke 5: 27 – 6: 16 The Way of Jesus: people and problems This passage is a mix of good things about people and some problems Jesus has for us to consider before we start on his positive teaching in the next passage. The Call of Levi First there is the story of the call of Levi and a strong suggestion that what he did was good. Then two more stories in which Jesus was challenged over the things he did that people thought he should not do: Luke 5:27 - 32 Eating with those with whom one should not eat! Luke 5:33 - 39 Eating when one should not eat! Luke 6:1 - 11 Doing what one should not do! Finally Luke gives us the complete list of the Apostles. First Jesus was eating with those with whom one should not eat - according to those we will call 'the serious' because they were serious about their religion. We read Luke 5:27-32: eating with those with whom one should not eat! Levi seems to be the same person called Matthew in the other gospels and therefore the person who wrote what we call Matthew's Gospel. Question 1: What Jesus said to Levi was extremely brief. Just two words: "follow me". How does that differ from what one would expect a religious teacher to say to a possible disciple? This is not a call to follow a system, a philosophy, or a religion. It is a straight call to follow one person: Jesus. The true call to discipleship is just the same today. There are many half-hearted Christians in the world today. A good question for them is "do you follow Jesus?". Question 2: Meals are particularly important in Luke's Gospel. Only Luke calls this one a "great banquet" and says the serious people "complained" about who was there. Why does Luke emphasise what happened here so much? Luke recognises that, for Jesus, life and faith were all about including people in as much as possible rather than turning them away as not good enough, not learned enough, not old enough - anything else for which people are 'not enough'. Doing that still upsets people who consider themselves serious in matters of religion! Jesus and rules! In the next story Jesus did not argue against the principles of the Law of Moses but against all the many little rules that people had added to it. He knew that if people are given many rules they will forget the greater principles they should be thinking about. So concern for all these detailed rules would hide the new things he was teaching, particularly those relating to the work of the Spirit. The challenge to us is to identify which of our rules, written or unwritten, get in the way of what we should really be doing. All too often we continue to do the things that our parents and grandparents decided were the right things to do when they were young. But the world we are living in is changing all the time, perhaps faster than it has ever done before. The things that are not part of the necessary centre of our faith may need to be changed. Jesus explains that in some very vivid and exciting short sayings. Read Luke 5: 33 - 39 : eating when one should not eat! Question 3: What would you identify as your problems - as a group or as an individual? What are your 'old wine skins' that need to be changed? How? In what way? The answers to both this and the next question are going to depend very much on your circumstances. Jesus said "the old wine is better". He is being sarcastic. He knows many think old things are better than new things as old wine is better than new wine but he is challenging his followers to new and better things. Question 4: What are the things that tend to prevent you, together or individually, moving on to the new and better things of faith? Remember Paul said "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" The last two stories Luke 6: 1 - 5 and Luke 6:6-11 are both about Sabbath keeping. The Sabbath was the Saturday religious day of the Jews. The early Christians changed their day of celebration to Sunday, the first day of the week, in memory of the resurrection of Jesus. This was one of the three things (keeping the food laws, Sabbath keeping, circumcision) Jews of that time did to show that they really were the people of God. We read Luke 6: 1 - 11: doing what one should not do! Question 5: What do Christians in your culture do to show that they are Christians? In particular, what things do they do that are really just a matter of custom and tradition and not really necessary to show they are Christians? Are those things good things of themselves or do they really hinder other people becoming Christians? Question 6: What did Jesus think about Sabbath keeping? What did Jesus think was more important than rules like that? What would Jesus think about the rules you have identified in your world? Micah, an Old Testament prophet said "what does the Lord desire of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" and said that the Lord did not want offerings and sacrifices. Although Jesus never actually quoted those words he often alluded to them. Jesus chooses and appoints his disciples. Read Luke 6: 12 - 16. Of those 12 men only one, John, is certainly known to have died of old age. Peter was crucified upside down (because he did not want to be crucified the same way up as Jesus) in Rome, Thomas probably got the furthest and was killed in south India, the rest died here and there in the ancient world as they proclaimed the good message of Jesus. Question 7: In calling the Twelve Jesus commissioned them not only to action on his behalf but imitation of him in both life and work. So it is today. Which part of the Christian way do you find most difficult? Tap or click here to download as an audio mp3

Jesus First Jesus Always Part 3 | Pastor Justin McNeil by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always: Mother's Day | Pastor Amy Smith by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always | Pastor Jeffrey Smith by City of Life Church

Listen to a message from Josh Hurst from our Colossians series on March 23, 2025.

Join us as we look at the One who moves us from alone to attached… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Join us as we look at the One who changes communication… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Today we will finish our study in Luke 4 where Luke shared several things about the early ministry of Jesus. First Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness and successfully overcame him and his temptations by the Word of God (vv. 1-13). Then Jesus begins His teaching, preaching and healing ministry in the dark region of Galilee (vv. 14-15). After becoming well known, Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth where He was rejected after His first message because He clearly proclaimed Himself to be the Messiah (vv. 16-30).   At this point, Jesus goes down to the city of Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee which becomes His headquarters for ministry for the next three and a half years. At the synagogue there, as He was teaching, He was confronted by a demon possessed man. Jesus cast the demon out and we discussed how Jesus has authority over demons (vv. 31-37). Immediately afterwards Jesus went to Simon Peter's house where He heals Peter's mother-in-law, and before the evening is over more people came to be healed, and He cast out more demons (vv. 38-41), and we discussed Jesus's authority over disease.   It is interesting to note in both cases in this chapter where Jesus confronted the demons He “rebuked them, and did not allow them to speak” and proclaim “that He was the Christ, the Son of God” (vv. 35, 41). Why? Because Jesus didn't need the demons to tell the world that He was the Son of God, but knew that was the reason He came to preach (v. 43). And that is my lesson today, Jesus came to preach. Later Jesus sent His disciples to preach and has also commission us even today to proclaim and preach Jesus to the world. To share the Gospel, the Good News of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His power to forgive us our sins and to live a transformed life.   In verse 42 we read, “Now when it was day”. It appears that Jesus spent the evening and most of night healing the people that were coming and early the next morning He went to a place to pray before He continued His preaching ministry. Jesus knew the necessity of restoring His spiritual energy, of restoring His spiritual strength in prayer, in spending time in communion with His Father. In this time of prayer Jesus is also getting direction of where He should go and what He should do. Jesus knew the importance of the leading and guiding ministry of the Holy Spirit in ministry.   My friend, we should never enter our daily ministry with others until we have spent time with God in His Word and in prayer. Not only Luke, but Mark points out how Jesus went to a quiet place, a solitary place, away from the crowds and the demands and distractions of the world and He prayed (Mark 1:35). Jesus later taught His disciples and us, that when we pray we should “go into the closet and shut the door” (Matthew 6:6). This does not mean that we go into a literal closet or room, which we might need to do, but that we shut the door to the things in our mind and around us that would distract us from concentrating on our communion with our heavenly Father.   It might mean that we turn off the cell phone, the computer, the tv, or any other thing that might keep trying to get our attention.  We make sure that we spend quality time with Jesus, with our heavenly Father, with the Holy Spirit, getting strength and direction for the day. Now notice in verse 42, even after Jesus went to a deserted place to pray, “the crowd sought Him and came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them.” And Jesus informed them that, “I must preach the kingdom of God… for this purpose I have been sent”. Jesus made it clear He didn't just come to heal people or do miracles, but primarily He came to preach the Gospel!   Today, like Jesus we can minister to the hungry and to the sick people around us, but we must never forget our main purpose is to share the message of God's Good News of Jesus with those who are lost and dying!   God bless!

Caden Metcalf | Lead Pastor

Join us as we look at the One who grows us… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Join us as we look at the One who changes our perspective on life… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Join us as we look at the God-Man who came to rescue us… His name is Jesus!For this week's Outline and Community Group questions, download our app or visit hillsidefellowship.org, click on Resources, and find today's sermon.

Support the pod and get so much extra content for $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/stiffsockspod Bonus eps also available on Apple Podcasts! https://www.apple.co/socks

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture . . . and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside-Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture . . . and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside-Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Covid, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Covid, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Harvest Crusade 2024 --- Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 340-billion-dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture and He???s looking for our involvement in the project. Today, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside Down Life. It???s a look at the part we???re called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live.Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before COVID, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don???t want to be OF the world, so we try not to be IN the world. Today, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It???s the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life.Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus presses us with what it means for him to be "Lord." First Jesus surprises the scribes with his reading of Scripture, and then he surprises his disciples with a poor, overlooked widow as the model for their discipleship. Let's talk about what it means for him to be "Lord of Lords & Widows" (Mark 12:35-44).

Jesus First Jesus Always PT.2 | Pastor Justin McNeil by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always PT.3 | Pastor Jeffrey Smith by City of Life Church

Jesus First Jesus Always PT.1 | Pastor Jeffrey Smith by City of Life Church

Do our actions as a Christ-follower really matter?   "You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you." John 15:16 CSB   Notice a few things in this passage. First Jesus chose them. Jesus is choosing the people and assigning the work. He chooses which branches bear fruit.   Notice second that the fruit we bear will remain. This means that what we do matters. We get to take part in Jesus' strategy for saving the world. Our actions matter and if our actions matter, our inaction matters too. This is why I think complacency and lack of urgency is a problem for us. We can get occupied with so many useless things. But we can do things that will last forever.   As a result, when we ask God for something according to his will, he will do it. The reference to the ask being according to God's will comes from the phrase "in my name."   So you can pray for every person you meet. Your prayers will be answered when they line up with the will of Jesus and you will experience joy. What you do matters. If you never pray, God still accomplishes his work. He still saves people. He will still be glorified. But you will miss out. If we all celebrate the victory, but you know you didn't have much to do with it, you are less joyful than if you scored the winning run or if you made a key play.   Today, we can remember that we can bear fruit and that fruit can remain. What we do matters. Even if you have a meaningless job you hate, you can still say or do something that can matter forever. So stand up straight. Take your position and do your job like you're doing it for God. You are. Any moment you can interact with someone and impact their eternity.   Please also remember we're a donor supported ministry. If these podcasts, or our Marketplace Mission Trips are beneficial to you, please consider paying it forward. We want to help every Christ-follower integrate their faith into their daily life. Find out more and join us at https://FollowerOfOne.org.

How clever are you when it comes to using money?   And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:42-44 ESV   I don't know about you, but I like to think I'm pretty sharp with how I handle money. I am a pretty good shopper and I can make a good deal. I'm not the best I've seen, though. I've seen better.   We've been talking about how we use temporal resources in our world and we've called this series Eternally Shrewd. To be shrewd means that we are clever, resourceful. We may even be cunning, or a bit under-handed. We get the results we want.   In this passage 2 really extreme things are happening. First Jesus is noticing something and he makes a point of it. He sees something no one else sees and he points it out to the disciples. But the second thing is this poor lady gave away everything she had to live on.   I can't imagine the kind of guts that took. I want to be courageous, but I confess when it comes to money, I can be a coward. I want the courage of this lady, but I am afraid to ask for it. In one way, only having a penny would be a bad situation. But in another, Jesus makes a great point.   She put in all she had to live on. The next move is up to God. Jesus doesn't even discuss it. She is dependent on God. Jesus also said in Matthew 6, "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26 NASB.   Can we trust Jesus like a bird, or like this widow? And what do we miss if the answer is "No?"   To be eternally shrewd it would mean to make choices and take actions that produce the best result. Everywhere in scripture, I see God challenging me to trust him more, to give more away, to go big.   Today, I want to live more like that. You can pray about that for me, and I will pray about that for both of us. I hope God's people live so radically different that every person notices. If you heard yesterday's podcast, ask me what I did. Head over to https://twitter.com/mikehenrysr and ask.   Let's work to be shrewd in the eyes of God. Let's do the things he says even when they sound a bit crazy. That may mean taking a marketplace mission trip. Or getting some friends together to take one. God to www.MarketplaceMissionTrip.com to learn more and step out.

In this episode I will show how nonduality underlies Jesus' ethics. His ethical teachings in the Sermon on the Mount have a pattern. First Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…” and then he quotes a passage from the Torah. Then he adds, “but I say to you.” Then he give his teaching. In other words he says, “The Bible says this, but I say this.” He was not negating what the Bible said. He was building upon it and completing it. He was fulfilling it. I am going to take each of these sayings in his section of the Sermon on the Mount and see how his teachings reflect a nondual ethic that goes beyond dualistic understandings of right and wrong, us and them. Living in nonduality is entirely different than living by moral rules and laws. When one is aware of the nondual Reality that unites everything, we live naturally out of this nondual nature rather than trying to figure out with our heads what we should do. Paul calls this walking in the Spirit as opposed to obeying the Law. 

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The home renovation business is a 340 billion dollar industry. Reviving an old home takes some skill and a lot of hard work. Well, God has a blueprint for reviving our culture and He's looking for our involvement in the project. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie continues his opening message in a new series called The Upside Down Life. It's a look at the part we're called to play in bringing a spiritual renovation to the world in which we live. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before COVID, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before COVID, few of us had ever been subjected to a quarantine. But that experience effectively isolated us in a bubble. In a spiritual sense, sometimes believers are constantly isolated from the world in a self-imposed quarantine. We don't want to be OF the world so we try not to be IN the world. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that neglects one of our most important responsibilities. It's the kick off of a new series in Acts called The Upside-Down Life. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org. A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.