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Psalm 46:10"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"When you hear the word stillness, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?Let me guess, probably sitting quietly and not moving. While that's certainly part of it, God is not only seeking stillness in our bodies but also stillness in our hearts. Your body can be in one place, yet your mind can wander into a whole different world, often without regard for where your body actually is.That's why we have to intentionally, by the help of the Holy Spirit, continuously bring our minds into a place of stillness before God and through His Word. It is in that quiet stillness of the heart that you truly come to know that He is God.

Today begins a consideration of the relationship the regenerate have to “the law of God.” What was missing in my understanding of that relationship was a fully-developed, biblically sound understanding what is meant by image of God. I believe the phrase has become a shibboleth in a society of unregenerate persons, and is a mystery even for many Christians. I explain why and offer two consequences of a wrong or incomplete understanding of that image.

Today begins a consideration of the relationship the regenerate have to “the law of God.” What was missing in my understanding of that relationship was a fully-developed, biblically sound understanding what is meant by image of God. I believe the phrase has become a shibboleth in a society of unregenerate persons, and is a mystery even for many Christians. I explain why and offer two consequences of a wrong or incomplete understanding of that image.

Behold, I Do a New Thing | Isaiah 43 | Pastor GlenIn this encouraging message, Pastor Glen walks through Isaiah 43 and reminds us of God's powerful promise: “Behold, I am doing a new thing.”God calls His people by name, redeems them, and assures them that they are never alone. Even in deep waters, raging storms, and fiery trials, His presence remains constant. The same God who made a way through the sea is still making a way today.This message explores how God invites us to stop dwelling on the past and begin recognizing the new work He is doing. As we draw closer to Him and grow in intimacy with Him, we gain the ability to perceive the new paths He is creating in our lives.In this message you'll be reminded that:• You are known and chosen by God• God walks with you through every trial• He is always making a way where there seems to be none• Intimacy with God helps us recognize the new things He is doingNo matter what season you are in, God is faithful to lead His people forward. The question is: Will you perceive it?

Good morning. Justice delayed is justice denied. But justice rushed is no bowl of cherries either. In July, Lord Leveson warned that "fundamental" reforms to the jury system in England and Wales were needed to "reduce the risk of total system collapse." But yesterday, a leading barrister argued the judiciary is not diverse and is unrepresentative of the communities it serves, which can be intimidating to victims, witnesses and defendants. On the surface the debate looks like a face-off. There's pragmatism, which says, ‘Forget juries for sentences under three years, and realise complex fraud trials are beyond a jury's comprehension'; and then there's principle, which says, ‘The jury system is foundational to our whole understanding of justice.' But in reality, principled opponents of change point out that, according to a think tank, only 2 percent of cases may be affected while pragmatic proponents say justice is about more than a set-piece trial. Beneath the surface lie further dynamics like the nature of a legal career and the lack of people wanting to become judges. Above the Old Bailey stands a bronze statue of Lady Justice. Personifying justice implies it's an absolute – that justice can definitively be arrived at, whereupon other blessings will follow. But justice is not an abstract goal – it's a set of conventions, arrived at through striving for social order and well-being. Pure justice is an idol; there's very little that's pure about human relations gone so badly wrong as to involve the courts. Justice is a system, not an ideal; a best attempt, not perfection. Establishing good conventions is the heart of justice. Those conventions, far from being luminous and eternal, are always in need of updating. But that moment of refining is a very sensitive one. Because conventions, whether in law or in any other institution or relationship, rest on something more fundamental. And that fundamental quality is trust. Criminal cases arise when the trust that underpins all civilised society has broken down, and it seems a person has acted in a way that undermines the confidence we place in one another to function and interact together. Justice is a process by which that trust can be restored, involving a balance of accountability, judgement, punishment, mercy and rehabilitation. When the psalmist says, ‘Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long,' he's saying well-being lies in a balance of giving each their due, which in his case includes giving God God's due. But to create new conventions, that work for victims as well as authorities, means recognising that justice is about restoring trust, in the system – and in one another.

Understanding the background of Philippi will help us appreciatethe message that Paul writes to this church in this letter. Philippiwas located in the region of Macedonia, which today would be in northernGreece. The city was set on a fertile plain near the Aegean Sea and waspositioned along one of the most important highways in the ancient world—thefamous Roman road called the Via Egnatia. This highway connected the easternpart of the Roman Empire to the western part, stretching all the way from theAegean Sea across to Rome itself. Because of its location on this major traderoute, Philippi became a very important commercial and military city. Originally,the town was known by another name. But in 356 B.C., a man named Philip II, thefather of Alexander the Great, conquered the city for Greece and renamed itPhilippi after himself. Later,when the Romans conquered the region, Philippi became an even more significantcity in Roman history. In 42 B.C., one of the most decisive battles in Romanhistory took place near the city. The armies of Mark Antony and Octaviandefeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius—the men who had been involved in theassassination of Julius Caesar. That battle helped bring an end to the RomanRepublic and paved the way for the Roman Empire. After that battle, many Romansoldiers were settled in Philippi, and the city was given the status of a Romancolony. Nowthis is very important to understand. A Roman colony was considered anextension of Rome itself. The citizens enjoyed many special privileges. Theywere Roman citizens, which meant they were exempt from certain taxes. Theyfollowed Roman laws and customs. Latin was the official language, Roman dresswas common, and Roman pride ran deep among the people. In many ways, Philippiwas a little piece of Rome located in Macedonia. Thisbackground helps us better understand something Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20:“For our conversation is in heaven…”. The word conversation thereactually means citizenship. Paul was reminding the believers in Philippithat although they were proud Roman citizens, their true citizenship was inheaven. They belonged to another kingdom. I'm proud to be an American. But myfriend, my real citizenship is in heaven. Anyone who trusts Jesus Christ astheir personal Lord and Savior has their true citizenship in heaven. Anotherinteresting thing about Philippi is that there does not appear to have been asynagogue in the city when Paul visited, as recorded in Acts of the Apostleschapter 16. If you remember, in most of the cities Paul visited he began hisministry by first going to the synagogue. As you read through the book of Acts,that pattern becomes very obvious. But he did not go to a synagogue inPhilippi. Why? Possibly because there was not one there. A synagogue requiredat least ten Jewish men in the community, and apparently there were not enoughJews in Philippi to meet that requirement. Instead,there was a small group of people who gathered outside the city by a river topray. And it was there that the gospel would first take root in this Romancity. From this unlikely beginning, God would plant the first church in Europe.This reminds us of something very important about the work of God: God oftenbegins great works in very small and unexpected ways. I could tell you manystories about how I have seen that happen in ministry over the past fiftyyears. A small prayer meeting…a few people gathered quietly…and yet God beginsto do something powerful. Thereby the riverside in Philippi sat a woman named Lydia, sitting bythe river, ready to hear the gospel. God's plan was unfolding. That littlegathering became the starting point for something that would eventually impactthe entire continent of Europe. From that small beginning came the church thatPaul would later write to with such love and affection in the book ofPhilippians.

David Kibler's message on Sunday, March 8th, 2026 at Catalyst Christian Church.

Today we cover a quick convo between Chris Bledsoe and Jesse Michels. EnjoyOrder Shroud-PilledOrder God's Eye View: https://a.co/d/7CI89rvBuy the Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Gods-Eye-View-Audiobook/B0F55K2GT1?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpWant to publish a book? Check out my publisher https://hemisphericpress.com/Check out our ad free substack: https://hemisphericpress.substack.com/Email feedback to godseyeviewbook@gmail.com

When you look at Jesus, what do you see?It is a question that refuses to sit quietly in the corner of the mind. It presses forward. For to look at Jesus is not merely to observe a figure in history, nor to admire a moral teacher whose sayings decorate greeting cards. It is to stand before a Person who demands to be reckoned with.Some see only a carpenter's son: a man of dusty roads and rough hands, who spoke kindly to children and sternly to hypocrites. They see compassion, certainly; courage, perhaps; even genius. But nothing more. He becomes, in their sight, an admirable chap, someone nice and maybe wise.But if you look longer, if you allow the Gospels to speak without interruption, you begin to notice something unsettling. The authority in His voice is not borrowed. He does not argue as though piecing together secondhand truths; He speaks as though Truth were His native tongue. He forgives sins as though they were committed against Himself. He commands storms as one might quiet a restless dog. He speaks of God not merely as Father, but as His Father, in a manner that places Him on the very side of the throne.And then there is His humility.Here lies the great stumbling block and the great splendor. For if He were merely divine in the sense of distant and untouchable, we might admire Him from afar and remain unchanged. But this is a divinity wrapped in swaddling clothes, kneeling to wash feet, sweating blood in a garden. It is a majesty that stoops. A glory that bleeds. If this is not God, it is blasphemy of the highest order. If it is God, then we are looking at the very heart of reality.Can you see His divinity?It is not always visible in the way lightning is visible. Often it is more like the sun behind a veil of clouds, perceived not by staring at it directly, but by the way everything else is illuminated. Stand near Him long enough and you begin to see yourself more clearly: your pride, your hunger, your longing for a love you cannot manufacture. His presence exposes and heals in the same breath.To see His divinity is not merely to conclude that He is God. Even the demons, we are told, reached that conclusion. It is to behold in Him the startling claim that the Author of all things has written Himself into the story. That the Maker of the stars allowed nails to fasten Him to wood He Himself designed.When you look at Jesus, you are not simply looking at an example. You are looking at an invasion—heaven breaking into earth, mercy interrupting rebellion, love refusing to remain abstract.And here is the quiet wonder: the more clearly you see His divinity, the less crushed you feel by it. For this is not a cold omnipotence, but a wounded one. Not a tyrant's power, but a shepherd's. His divinity does not diminish His tenderness; it guarantees it.So I ask again: when you look at Jesus, what do you see?If you see only a teacher, you may admire Him. If you see only a martyr, you may pity Him. But if you see God—God with scars—then you will do something far more dangerous and far more glorious. You will worship. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, he told him his name was Yahweh, which means he will be who he will be. Throughout the Bible we see that God's people regularly used his name. It makes sense for us today to continue this biblical practice. Exodus 3:1-6 God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, introducing himself as “The God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:13-16 When Moses asked God what his name was, he replied “I will be who I will be.” Then he told him to tell Israel, “Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” God's name is Yahweh and it means that he will be who he will be. Exodus 20:7 Sometimes people point to the third commandment to not take the name in vain as a reason not to pronounce it at all. The reasoning goes that refusing to pronounce God's name guarantees that it won't be taken in vain. Although it is important not to misuse God's name, blaspheme it, or employ it in a trivial or frivolous way, there's more to it than that. If we are in a covenant relationship with Yahweh, then we carry his name where we go. We represent him to the world. Let's do our best to make him look good! Numbers 5:23-27 God told Aaron and his sons to put his name on the children of Israel. He gave him a special blessing that repeatedly uses God's name. Ruth 2:3-5; Judges 6:11-13; 1 Samuel 3:8-9 Israelites in the Bible regularly used God's name as greetings and to address God. Although it became common later to substitute “the LORD” for Yahweh, this is nowhere commanded or suggested in scripture.The post Names of God: God's Name Is Yahweh first appeared on Living Hope.

John 15:9-17,As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.Christianity is unlike every other religion in a lot of different ways, but one of the biggest differences is that Christianity is not really a religion at all, but it's a relationship.Maybe you've heard that before — ‘Christianity' is more than a religion, it's a relationship. I first heard that phrase years ago during some training about how to share the gospel. In my context at the time, pretty much everybody claimed to be Christians, and that actually made spiritual conversations harder … and really short — because if you started the conversation by asking, “Are you a Christian?”, most people would say Yes. But they were saying Yes to a religion.They were saying that they theoretically believed a few things, tried to behave a certain way, and checked the “Christian box.”But ‘Christianity,' according to the Bible, is much more than all that! At the very center is one's relationship with God — it's a relationship created by God, broken by our sin, and then restored by Jesus for those who believe.So a better way to start a spiritual conversation was to ask someone what they thought of Jesus himself — What do you think of Jesus Christ?What if I asked you that this morning? What would you say?There are a few good and true things that might come to mind — Jesus is Lord; He's King; He's the Savior of the world; He's the Treasure of my heart — all these are true (and they're all relational).But maybe one of the most biblical answers that doesn't come to mind right away is that Jesus calls us his friend.What do you think of Jesus Christ? He calls me his friend. Don't you want to be a friend of Jesus?The goal of this sermon is to tell you how. Looking at this passage in John 15, we're gonna answer the question: How do you become a friend of Jesus?There are three ways. First is this …1. He calls you his friend. (verse 15)This is the first thing we need to see, and it's the most foundational. What we need to understand is that being a friend of Jesus is not a self-declared title. We don't get to ‘up and decide' that we're friends of Jesus anymore than we get to decide that we are friends of LeBron James (the second greatest basketball player of all time). Now you can try to do that, but I don't think you'll get very far … if you flew to Los Angeles, drove to LeBron's neighborhood, and walked up to his gate. You hit the buzzer and say, “Hey, it's [me], I'm a friend of LeBron.” No chance you're getting in. Because the person you say you're a friend of has to claim you as their friend. That's what makes verse 15 so amazing. Look at verse 15. Jesus says:No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. And Jesus just tells us this — we didn't even ask for it — Jesus just tells his disciples, and he tells us, I have called you friends. And by itself, we might not be impressed by this … because we all have our own ideas of friendship, informed by our own experiences. So I'm glad that Jesus doesn't leave the meaning of friend up to us, but he fills it out. He puts it in color. More to the MeaningHe tells us that a friend is different than a servant. And this is where we need to pause for a minute. Jesus says he doesn't call us servants anymore, although we are still his servants. In fact, being a “servant of Jesus” is the most common self-designation of the New Testament writers. The apostle Paul says this about himself five times, and also James, Peter, John, and Jude. They all refer to themselves as servants of Jesus — and they were … we are. So here in verse 15, Jesus is not eliminating the reality of our servanthood, but he is deepening the relationship from his point of view.We are servants and friends — and so how do we hold these together? This was a big question for me … because I talk to Jesus everyday and felt like I needed to sort this out. So consider it like this:When we describe who we are, we rightly say we are servants of Jesus, but when Jesus describes who we are, he says friends. That's the way it should be: We say to Jesus, “I'm your servant.” Jesus says to us, “You're my friend.” And the reason why Jesus says that is in verse 15. It's because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. A servant has no right to know. A servant just does what he's told.But a friend gets let in on what's going on. And that's one way to think about the whole Farewell Discourse in these chapters. That's what Jesus has been up to on this longest Thursday night ever. He is making known to the disciples all that the Father has made known to him. And he's doing this because he wants to, not because the disciples deserve it. This is verse 16:“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” Jesus, on his own initiative, chose to reveal himself to the disciples.Like Abraham and MosesIn theological terms, this is special revelation: Jesus has revealed God to his chosen disciples. And this is fascinating: because what Jesus does here fits with the ‘friend-of-God concept' in the Old Testament. In the whole Bible, before John 15, there have only been two people who were called friends of God: Abraham and Moses. In Isaiah 41:8, God says of Abraham:But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest seas … I have chosen you ...He hears in that special choosing.And back in Exodus 33:11, we read about how God would speak to Moses at the Tent of Meeting, and verse 11 says, Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.We hear in that revelation.So if we were putting together a theology for friendship with God from the Old Testament, we'd say that Abraham and Moses were called friends of God because they had this special access to God: God chose them and revealed himself to them. And in John 15, Jesus says we're his friend on the same basis — because he specially revealed himself to us. And that's where we are in this new location of redemptive history. This is where Jesus has brought us. To be a Christian means that, like Abraham and Moses, Jesus has brought us on inside. He has let us in on the mind of God! We can know God's thoughts! Because Jesus tells us. And that's why he calls us friends.That's the first and most foundational way you become a friend of Jesus. He calls you his friend.How else do you become a friend of Jesus?2. You abide in his love. (Verse 9)This is clear in verse 9. Jesus says in verse 9: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”Now Jesus has already told us to abide in verse 4. In verse 4 it's, “Abide in me.” Here in verse 9 it's “Abide in my love.” Those are not two different things — Jesus is just saying the same thing two different ways. To abide in him is to abide in his love. And for the first time in this Gospel, he tells us something about his love that is truly astounding.It starts with that the Father loves him — and Jesus has been saying this the whole time: John 3:35 — “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.”John 5:20 — “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.”John 10:17 — “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life…”One of the clearest messages in this Gospel is that God the Father loves God the Son. It's an eternal, powerful, perfect love beyond human comprehension. We can only marvel … before the foundations of the world, in all of eternity past, in the pure joy of the Holy Trinity, the Father has loved Jesus! We know that. And we also know that Jesus loves us. That's the glorious truth that emerges so clearly in the Farewell Discourse. For last several weeks, we've been hearing from Jesus how much he cares for us. In fact, at the beginning of this long Thursday night, back in Chapter 13, verse 1, John introduces this section by telling us that Jesus, “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” Jesus loves us — we know that.So these two things: We know the Father loves Jesus. And we know that Jesus loves us. We know this before verse 9, but in verse 9 this is new: Jesus tells us that he loves us as the Father has loved him. The two things come together. We learn that Jesus's love for us is patterned after, and flows from, the Father's love for him. That eternal, powerful, perfect love the Father has for Jesus is how Jesus loves you and me. And look, let's be honest. We don't really know what that means. We can't comprehend this. It's too much. We can't fully understand this love, but we must abide in it. Jesus says so. Remain in this love. Stay put in this love.Daily Assurance of His LoveIf you do — if you just stay put in the love of Jesus — you will never go wrong. Jesus tells us this, but our own experience often points in same direction.Over the years, I've learned that I get my wobbliest when I lose sight of Jesus's love for me. I'm convinced that the most critical need in my daily experience as a Christian is to be assured of the love of Jesus. I think this is an aspect of how the Spirit ministers the realness of Jesus to us, and I learned this from the apostle Paul … Because in Ephesians Chapter 4, Paul prays for the church — for us — that, according to the riches of God's glory, that God would strengthen us with the Spirit's power to comprehend the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. That's what Paul says. Paul prays that we comprehend more and more the incomprehensible love of Jesus. That is God's power in our lives.And in my own life, it works out like this … the more I am assured of Jesus's love for me and how much I don't deserve it, then the more I am humbled and filled with joy, and then the more I am poured out in love for others, and then the more I magnify the glory of God. That's my testimony. Any kind of meaningful fruit in my life has come from abiding in the love of Jesus. I know I'm no good for you apart from that. I'm no good for my wife, for my children apart from that. We are all no good for anybody apart from the love of Jesus. Stay put in that love. How to Stay PutBut how exactly? How do I stay put in the love of Jesus? Well, Jesus tells us in verse 10:“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”That's simple enough. And we've already seen some of this back in Chapter 14: that our obedience to Jesus demonstrates our love for Jesus — We learn here that our obedience to Jesus is what it means to abide in him.In other words, abiding in the love of Jesus means we do what Jesus says. And this is not fine print we're supposed to ignore. It's right there, right beside the abiding. If we keep his commandments (if we do what he says), we will abide in his love. These two always come together: salvation and discipleship. And we need to make sure to get this right in how we give Jesus to others. Sometimes, I think in an effort to make Jesus seem more appealing to people, Christians can emphasize his love but downplay his moral demands … as if his moral demands are not part of his love. We gotta understand that Jesus telling us how to live is part of his love for us. He saves us to lead us, not to leave us to ourselves. This is why true faith in Jesus always includes repentance from sin. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. Every time we turn to Jesus, we are turning from something else. And that is always good news. It's always the best thing you can do. And if you're concerned that obedience to Jesus is a burden, just look what he says in verse 11. He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”The real question is: Do we want the joy of Jesus, or are we gonna keep chasing the lesser joys of this world?If we want the joy of Jesus, abide in his love, which means doing what he says, which means … he calls us friends. See how this comes together? Verse 10: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”Verse 14: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”Abiding in the love of Jesus (and doing what Jesus says) are one thing — and that's how you become a friend of Jesus.Now, the third way you become a friend of Jesus …3. You love his other friends. A couple of weeks ago we talked about what's in view when Jesus mentions his commandments. It's not just the quotations of Jesus in the Gospels, but the commandments of Jesus are really the entire biblical testimony. It's the whole hog of God's moral will revealed in Scripture which is summarized in love — love for God and love for neighbor. The Bible teaches us to show kindness and goodwill to all people (Matthew 22:37–40; Romans 13:9). This is called neighbor-love. It's all background and baseline to what Jesus says here, and it's important to keep in mind because it helps us understand that the love Jesus is talking about in verse 12 goes a level deeper.And this is one you gotta see. So everybody find verse 12 for a minute and help me out. Chapter 15, verse 12, Jesus says:“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Our Supernatural LoveSo Jesus has narrowed the object of love and the kind of love it is. The object of love is not all people everywhere — he's not talking about neighbor-love. He's talking about one another.As we've seen back in Chapter 13, this is love for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. And as for the kind of love we have, Jesus says, is the love he has for us. Which, remember, is the love that the Father has for him.This is dense, but track with what Jesus is saying: Jesus loves us as the Father has loved him. Jesus tells us to love one another as he has loved us! Which means: the love of Jesus for Christians becomes the love of Jesus between Christians. This is next level. The love we share as brothers and sisters in Christ is love that finds its source in the Holy Trinity. It is supernatural love. It literally is not of this world. And that's why divisions in local churches, among Christians, should grieve us. So often it's because we've adopted the world's way of thinking.Framework for DivisionTo help here, let's step back for a minute and I want to give you a framework for how to think about division overall. Think about it in three tiers: there's disagreement, then dispute, then division.Disagreement is simply when we think differently about something (happens all the time). Dispute is when the thing we disagree about merits formal mediation (we need to deliberately talk it out). Division is when you cannot find either agreement or acceptance, and so parties must separate.Got those three categories? Y'all wanna know why our world is so polarized? It's because in our world, every disagreement is automatically a division. Our world just flattens the whole thing. Because why not? Life is more comfortable that way. Where there is no bond of love between people, you don't put up with discomfort — that's the world's way of thinking. And so often — not all the time — but often, when there are divisions in the church, it's because we have adopted the world's mindset. We think our disagreements have more power than the love of the Trinity that we share. We Are a ChurchThis is why the polarization of local churches should grieve us. And it's why we don't do it here.Over the years, we've had people divide from our church because we're not woke and because we're not MAGA. Which is true. We are neither. Because we're a church. … a church.And that means, yes, we stand firm with moral clarity: Abortion is murder. Every human is created in God's image and has wonderful dignity. Marriage is between a man and woman. There are only two sexes, male and female, and they're different. If one's highest allegiance is to anything other than Jesus it's idolatry.None of that's political. They're just facts according to the Word of God, and we believe them like we believe in oxygen.That's part of what it means to be a true church — and it means that we are friends of Jesus. The love we share is Jesus's love for us, which is sacrificial, verse 13 — it's love sacrificial enough to endure disagreement. To bear with one another, forgiving one another as the Lord has forgiven us (see Colossians 3:13).To be a friend of Jesus, it means you love his other friends.Don't you wanna be a friend of Jesus? First, he's gotta call you his friend.Second, you abide in his love (do what he says).Third, you love his other friends.And all these things are true of us only by the power of the Holy Spirit. And that's what brings us to the Table this morning — because where else do friends go?The TableWhat we do here when we eat the bread and drink the cup is often called communion. It's because we are together sharing in our common union to Jesus. We are, at the same time, remembering the death of Jesus for us, and that it's his death that brings us together and keeps us. We are brothers and sisters together of Christ. He calls us friends.And if that's you, if you've trusted in Christ, we invite you to eat and drink with us. His body is the true bread. His blood is the true drink. Let us serve you.

God is faithful to us for His own Glory.

David continues the sermon series, Knowing God. Today, he is in Exodus 33:12-19. Sermon titled "God is Good." Come back next week to hear the next sermon in this series.  Don't forget to follow First Baptist Church of Olton here on PodBead to get the latest sermons from Brother David.  Make sure and go subscribe to our YouTube Channel also. We stream live every Sunday at 11 am.  We invite you to come and worship with us every Sunday. 

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” (Psalm 10:4) It is significant that the word “wicked” does not necessarily... More...

It's the critic's counterclaim, the “faithful doubter's” last redoubt: “Say less about the grace of God, and more of human duty.” Afraid that others may secure by gift what they haven't won by long, intensive effort, persistent voices challenge those who speak and preach of grace.  “You make it all too easy,” they complain. “Where's the struggle, pain, and sacrifice? Where are the nights of deep uncertainty when you despair of ever being right with God?”  There's just one answer for such fears, and it originated in the mind of God: “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Eph 2:8).  Only the Word that comes from God can overcome the human pride that needs its efforts recognized. The apostle Paul, filled with the truth that rests in God, emphatically declared: “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law” (Rom 3:28). Those who truly grasp God's grace are never slow to live His love. The life of holiness begins when we receive what we can never earn.  So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

It's the critic's counterclaim, the “faithful doubter's” last redoubt: “Say less about the grace of God, and more of human duty.” Afraid that others may secure by gift what they haven't won by long, intensive effort, persistent voices challenge those who speak and preach of grace.  “You make it all too easy,” they complain. “Where's the struggle, pain, and sacrifice? Where are the nights of deep uncertainty when you despair of ever being right with God?”  There's just one answer for such fears, and it originated in the mind of God: “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Eph 2:8).  Only the Word that comes from God can overcome the human pride that needs its efforts recognized. The apostle Paul, filled with the truth that rests in God, emphatically declared: “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law” (Rom 3:28). Those who truly grasp God's grace are never slow to live His love. The life of holiness begins when we receive what we can never earn.  So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.Hebrews 3:12-19BETTER DELIVERERTherefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.Hebrews 3:12-19“They shall not enter my rest.”6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.Hebrews 3:12-19Green Day - American Idiot “Don't want to be an…”Rage Against The Machine - Killing in the Name “I won't do what you tell me”JONATHAN EDWARDS(photo)70 Resolutions by Jonathan EdwardsResolution one: “I will live for God.”Resolution two: “If no one else does, I still will.”Resolution six:“I won't live halfway — I'm going all in while I have time.”Resolution seven: “I'm going to live now the way I'll wish I had at the end of my life.”Deliverance: the action of being rescued or set freeDeliverance is not a transition from something bad to something neutral, it's going from some bad to something good.According to Morris, the ancient Rabbis considered Moses to be the greatest man ever, greater than the angels.The writer to the Hebrews does nothing to criticize Moses.David Guzik7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,“Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,     on the day of testing in the wilderness,9 where your fathers put me to the test     and saw my works for forty years.10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;     they have not known my ways.'11 As I swore in my wrath,     ‘They shall not enter my rest.'”12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. Hebrews 3:7-12What they did —> What that shows us about God —> The outcomeMoses - (OUT)What Moses did: freed God's people from 400 years of oppressionWhat that shows us about God: God cares deeply about rescuing us from our burdens16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Hebrews 4:16The Outcome: It was not enough for themJoshua - (IN)What Joshua did: Brought God's people into the Promise Land after 40 years of wanderingWhat that shows us about God: God cares deeply about fulfilling our desiresThe Outcome: It was not enough for them19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.Hebrews 3:15-19One can truly believe God, yet be occasionally troubled by doubts. There is a doubt that wants God's promise but is weak in faith at the moment. Unbelief isn't weakness of faith; it sets itself in opposition to faith.David GuzikYour unbelief is your fault, not your misfortune.Charles Spurgeon6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.Hebrews 4:6-10Jesus - (NOW)What Jesus did: Paid for sin with His own life once and for all.What that shows us about God: What God cares most about is our DEEPEST good.“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same.”C.S. LewisThe Outcome: Jesus is enough and can be en...

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. – Ephesians 3:17 In this message from Ephesians 3, we're reminded that God's presence isn't reserved for a place, but for a people—and that we experience His fullness together.

Janine van Niekerk gesels met Bianca de Bruyn oor haar nuwe liedjie, God My King.

February 15, 2026Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-9And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.  Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean,  for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines.  Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”  His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring.  Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.  Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson's eyes.After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion.Big Idea: God's story of deliverance doesn't end with defeat or death, so we must live into our powerless posture to reveal the grace of God.

In God Can Write Your Love Story, we're reminded that our relationships are safest in God's hands. Whether you're waiting, building, healing, or rebuilding, this message speaks to trusting God's timing, protecting what matters most, and allowing Him to shape your heart along the way. No season is wasted when it's surrendered to Him. If you've ever wondered how faith and love truly come together, this message will encourage you to let God be the Author of your story.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life-changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

In God Can Write Your Love Story, we're reminded that our relationships are safest in God's hands. Whether you're waiting, building, healing, or rebuilding, this message speaks to trusting God's timing, protecting what matters most, and allowing Him to shape your heart along the way. No season is wasted when it's surrendered to Him. If you've ever wondered how faith and love truly come together, this message will encourage you to let God be the Author of your story.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life-changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

God: God the Son | Colossians 1:15-20 | Corbin Hobbs ABOUT THIS MESSAGE: Jesus Christ is God made visible. This week Corbin teaches us how He creates, sustains, leads, and saves. Colossians 1 calls us from casual opinions to personal conviction, worship, and wholehearted surrender. ABOUT THE HEIGHTS CHURCH: We are a church making disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Denver. Have a question or want more information about The Heights Church? Learn more by visiting: theheightsdenver.com FIND US ONLINE Website: theheightsdenver.com YouTube: @theheightschurchdenver Instagram: @theheightsden

Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 5In this message, Russ explores one of the most familiar yet most misunderstood attributes of God: God is love. Scripture says it plainly—but many of us still live with a quiet belief that God's love is conditional, dependent on our performance or our ability to “get it right.” Drawing from 1 John 4, Romans 8, Philippians 3, and real-life stories, we look at how performance-based faith distorts our identity, fuels shame, and keeps us from experiencing the unconditional love God already offers. This message invites us to lay down legalism, embrace the freedom of grace, and rediscover a God whose love is unchanging—on our good days and our bad ones.

In this episode of God's Big Story, kids learn that God is in charge of everything through the incredible story of Jesus walking on water. As the disciples face a terrifying storm, Jesus shows His power over creation, reminding them—and us—that we never have to be afraid when God is in control.

A message from our Lead Pastor Randy Dane 

Today, we move from a hidden season into a holy interruption. At the end of Exodus chapter 2 we read of 4 actions of God: God heard, God remembered, God saw, and God knew what was going on with his people. Today, in Exodus chapters 3 ad 4, we'll discuss how God speaks. God called Moses to a specific task, but Moses was reluctant to step into his calling. Thankfully, God even works through reluctant leaders when they reach the place of obedience. Today, we'll learn that excuses delay what obedience delivers.

TITLE: God: God the Father | Luke 15:11-32 | Jonathan Hunt DESCRIPTION: ABOUT THIS MESSAGE This week, Jonathan helps us discover a Father who isn't a distant authority, but a compassionate, merciful, and patient home for every lost, weary soul. ABOUT THE HEIGHTS CHURCH We are a church making disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Denver. Have a question or want more information about The Heights Church? Learn more by visiting: theheightsdenver.com FIND US ONLINE Website: theheightsdenver.com YouTube: @theheightschurchdenver Instagram: @theheightsden

Jesus can be present right in front of us—and still be missed. This Crosswalk Devotional reflects on John 1:11–13, inviting us to examine how easily familiarity, pain, or assumptions can blind us to the presence of Christ. When Jesus came to earth, many failed to recognize Him for who He truly was. Yet Scripture reminds us that those who did receive Him were given the right to become children of God. This Christian devotional challenges us to consider how we see Jesus today. Do we recognize Him as Lord, Savior, and faithful Friend in the middle of ordinary life, hardship, or disappointment? Or do distractions, expectations, and appearances cloud our spiritual vision? God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent—and He is still at work, even when we struggle to perceive Him. Highlights Jesus was rejected because many did not recognize who He truly was God’s presence can be missed when we judge by appearances or expectations Pain, disappointment, and distraction can dull our spiritual awareness Christ is still present, powerful, and actively working in our lives Recognizing Jesus begins with faith, humility, and openness When we receive Christ, we are reborn as children of God God calls us to reflect Christ’s love in how we treat others Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: If We Only Knew By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” - John 1:11-13 NLT While scrolling on social media a few weeks ago, I saw several skits with similar themes: a hotel concierge or a fancy purse store employee who treated someone poorly based on their appearance and denied service to them. However, after finding out who they were (famous, prominent, important, and influential), these people apologized profusely, but it was too late to take back their bad behavior and negative comments toward that person. A real, modern-day example of how people may treat you when they don’t know you’re rich and famous or influential happened several years ago when a famous American broadcast journalist was traveling in Europe. She visited a local store to shop for a purse. When she saw a purse she liked, she asked the clerk to see it. But the clerk said no because it was too expensive. The clerk proceeded to try to show the journalist other purses that she assumed were in the customer’s budget. The journalist decided to leave the store. Later, when management received news of what had happened and realized who this famous person was, they apologized and said that they didn’t know it was her. They implied that if they only knew who this famous woman was, then they would have treated her better and let her see the purse she wanted because she could afford it. After all, this woman is a billionaire. Reflecting on this real-world situation caused me to think of the Bible stories about how most people didn’t recognize the Messiah. I realized how often we can be just as shortsighted as the Pharisees and other Bible characters who didn’t recognize our Savior (Jesus Christ) when He was there with them. When Jesus was living on Earth, His own people rejected him and treated him poorly because they didn’t know who He was. It wasn’t until Christ’s death on the cross that a Roman soldier nearby said in Mark 15:39 (NIV), “Surely this man was the Son of God!” This made me think: If Jesus Christ were standing right in front of us, would we know Him? Would we recognize Him as our Lord and Savior? Would we know Him as the most faithful friend we ever had? Would we treat Him well or would we treat Him poorly based on how He appeared? It boggles my mind to know that when our Savior came to save humankind, most people didn’t recognize Him. Even the disciples of Jesus Christ had trouble realizing they were walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection (Luke 24:13-35). Did they not feel His comforting Presence? Did they not experience His peace? Did they not feel that familiarity with the man whom they followed for several years? How did they not know that this was their Savior who had risen from the dead and now lives forever, just like He said would happen when they were part of His ministry prior to His death? Perhaps the disciples of Jesus were too traumatized and depressed by all the events that unfolded leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Maybe they felt too hurt to see the hope who was walking right beside them. I can understand that because I also have felt too weighed down by the woes of the world at times, making it nearly impossible to sense God’s Presence in our broken planet. But the good news is that Jesus is here. The Bible says God is omniscient, which means He knows all and nothing is hidden from Him (Psalm 139:1-4 and Jeremiah 23:24). God is also omnipresent, which means His Presence is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). God is omnipotent, and that means He is the most powerful force in this world and the entire universe (Psalm 147:5). What a mighty God we serve! When you feel burdened by the problems in our world, turn to Jesus. Know Him for who He is: Our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and most Faithful Friend. It is my hope and prayer that we will always recognize God in our lives. Let’s not be like the people of the Bible era who missed the Messiah even when He was with them. Let’s be like the ones who recognized the Son of God and welcomed Him with open arms. Let’s allow the bright light of Jesus Christ to shine through us and fill the world with His pure love for humankind. May we also treat each other with agape love, kindness, and respect, no matter how we look (Leviticus 19:18). In closing, I’d like you to listen to these songs listed below. Song of Reflection #1: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey. Listen HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “Each One, Reach One” by Babbie Mason. Listen HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: Will you know Jesus Christ when you see Him? Further Reading: Micah 6:8Matthew 5:162 Corinthians 5:20Hebrews 7:24-25Romans 10:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

David continues the sermon series, Knowing God. Today, he is in Luke 15:11-32. Sermon titled "God of Mercy." Come back next week to hear the next sermon in this series.  Don't forget to follow First Baptist Church of Olton here on PodBead to get the latest sermons from Brother David.  Make sure and go subscribe to our YouTube Channel also. We stream live every Sunday at 11 am.  We invite you to come and worship with us every Sunday. 

The prophet Jeremiah has a word for the prophets of today- who prophesy lies in the Name of God- God did not send you! The Power of God's wrath is coming!

Your questions aren't a threat to your faith. They're often the doorway to deeper connection with God.In this episode, Constance Hastings, author of The Trouble with Jesus, shares why honest questions and seasons of doubt can actually strengthen our relationship with God. We talk about what it looks like to bring fears, confusion, and skepticism to the Holy Spirit and why doubt isn't the opposite of faith. It's part of the journey.Constance explains how Jesus handled doubt in Scripture and why He never shamed people for wrestling with hard things. We discuss practical ways to process faith questions, how to stay open to God's presence in messy seasons, and how honest dialogue with God leads to deeper trust. This conversation gives space for anyone who feels unsure, stuck, or afraid to voice their questions.TAKEAWAYSDoubt is not the enemy of faith. It can lead you deeper.God invites your questions. Honest dialogue builds trust.Jesus met people in their doubt with compassion, not shame.The Holy Spirit brings clarity when you bring your fears to Him.Your questions can grow your faith rather than weaken it.Connect with Constance at https://www.constancehastings.com/Download My Free Joyful Living Devotional: https://kristinfitch.com/devotionalReady to take your first step towards a more joyful, faith-filled life? Download our Reignite Your Passion Workbook and start living with purpose today!What to feel more energized in midlife? Grab my 5 Day Energy Reset Jump Start Guide here.Ready to work with Kristin to make a shift in your life? Click here to get started.A powerful Christian conversation on faith questions, doubt, and how God meets us in uncertainty. Kristin Fitch and Constance Hastings talk about wrestling with Jesus' teachings, bringing questions to the Holy Spirit, overcoming doubt, biblical examples of skepticism, spiritual growth, and mental and emotional health in the faith journey. Perfect for Christian women navigating hard questions and looking for guidance and encouragement.faith questions, Christian doubt, understanding Jesus, Holy Spirit guidance, wrestling with faith, biblical doubt, Christian encouragement, skepticism and faith, mental health and faith, Jesus and doubt, Trouble with Jesus, spiritual growth, faith journey, Christian women podcast, bringing doubts to God

This is a special ediction because I'm asking you to consider telling me if I am missing something about the meaning of the words "faith of God" in my understanding of Romans 3:3, "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the FAITH OF GOD without effect?" (KJV). I ask in sincerity because I noticed this morning that ALL translations since the KJV, even the NKJV, translate "faith of God" as "the faithfulness of God." As I thought about the difference, I began to think the "faithfulness-of-God"-translations may be missing something important that is in the KJV.

This is a special ediction because I'm asking you to consider telling me if I am missing something about the meaning of the words "faith of God" in my understanding of Romans 3:3, "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the FAITH OF GOD without effect?" (KJV). I ask in sincerity because I noticed this morning that ALL translations since the KJV, even the NKJV, translate "faith of God" as "the faithfulness of God." As I thought about the difference, I began to think the "faithfulness-of-God"-translations may be missing something important that is in the KJV.

God is a sending God. Abraham; Moses; Gideon; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Jonah; Etc.; Jesus; Me; You; Us

Yom Shabbat Service - 7 Tevet, 5786 / December 27, 2025   Parshat Vayechi - He lived   Torah: Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

In this episode, we kick off a 6-week series exploring the life of David, one of the most significant figures in the Bible. But to understand the king David became, we first have to look at the man he replaced: Saul.Saul looked like a king on the outside—tall, handsome, and commanding—but his heart drifted from God on the inside. Through the story of Israel's first king, we discover that it's possible to "look the part" while lacking spiritual power. We'll contrast Saul's heart with David's and identify three dangerous spiritual drift patterns: fear, expedience, and pride.Key Discussion Points1. From Fear to TrustWhen God doesn't show up on our timeline, fear often takes the driver's seat. Saul felt "compelled" to disobey God's instructions because he was afraid of his dwindling army and a looming enemy.The Lesson: Every sin begins as a failure to trust. Faith is the ability to wait on God when fear tells you to rush.Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:12-142. From Expedience to ObedienceExpedience is taking the convenient shortcut rather than doing what is right. Saul tried to mask his partial obedience as a "sacrifice" to God, but Samuel reminded him that "obedience is better than sacrifice."The Lesson: Integrity means doing what is right even when it's inconvenient. You are only as accountable as you make yourself.Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:223. From Reputation to RepentanceEven when confronted with his sin, Saul's primary concern was his public image. He asked Samuel to honor him before the elders rather than humbling himself before God.The Lesson: True repentance doesn't make excuses or worry about saving face; it focuses solely on returning to God.Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:30The Man of the Moment: David and the Grace of GodGod rejected Saul's man-made efforts and chose David—a man after His own heart. While Saul represented human effort, David's story points us toward grace. Centries later, Jesus (the "Source and Heir of David") offers us the same Spirit that empowered David. When we fail, Jesus provides the transformation we cannot achieve on our own.Resources & Next StepsReflect: Are you currently making decisions based on fear or trust?Go Deeper: Find more Bible studies, videos, and leadership resources at pursueGOD.org.Discuss: Share this episode with a friend or your small group to talk about the "drift patterns" in your own life.

Share a commentWar ends where the cross begins. We explore why peace keeps slipping through human fingers—from Pax Romana to modern headlines—and why Romans 5:1 offers something the world can't manufacture: objective peace with God, secured by Jesus and received by faith. Not a mood, not a placebo, but a settled verdict that ends enmity and opens a new life.We trace the difference between the peace with God that never changes and the peace of God that rises and falls with prayerful surrender. You'll hear how counterfeit calm can soothe for a season while justice still stands, and why the gospel is not self-help but victory news from a battlefield already won. Drawing on Scripture and vivid stories, we show how Christ “made peace by the blood of His cross,” why you don't make peace with God—God makes it for you—and how that truth steadies anxious hearts when feelings fluctuate.Finally, we lean into our calling as ambassadors. In the Roman world, ambassadors delivered terms of surrender from the victorious army; in the same way, we carry God's gracious terms of peace to a world at war with Him. If you're weary of trying to earn approval, learn how justification by faith ends the oldest conflict. If you already believe, be equipped to share the good news with clarity and courage.If this conversation helps you see Jesus more clearly, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a rating to help others find the show. Tell us: what kind of “peace” have you chased that never lasted?Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentWar ends where the cross begins. We explore why peace keeps slipping through human fingers—from Pax Romana to modern headlines—and why Romans 5:1 offers something the world can't manufacture: objective peace with God, secured by Jesus and received by faith. Not a mood, not a placebo, but a settled verdict that ends enmity and opens a new life.We trace the difference between the peace with God that never changes and the peace of God that rises and falls with prayerful surrender. You'll hear how counterfeit calm can soothe for a season while justice still stands, and why the gospel is not self-help but victory news from a battlefield already won. Drawing on Scripture and vivid stories, we show how Christ “made peace by the blood of His cross,” why you don't make peace with God—God makes it for you—and how that truth steadies anxious hearts when feelings fluctuate.Finally, we lean into our calling as ambassadors. In the Roman world, ambassadors delivered terms of surrender from the victorious army; in the same way, we carry God's gracious terms of peace to a world at war with Him. If you're weary of trying to earn approval, learn how justification by faith ends the oldest conflict. If you already believe, be equipped to share the good news with clarity and courage.If this conversation helps you see Jesus more clearly, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a rating to help others find the show. Tell us: what kind of “peace” have you chased that never lasted?Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

In the spirit of the Christmas Season, Dr. Tom Curran identifies 13 attributes of God: God is unavoidable, God sees, God takes the initiative, God is not caught off guard, God waits, God is not fooled, God fills to overflowing, God accompanies, God encompasses, God redeems, God is trustworthy, God perseveres, and God makes all things new.

This message is from our "God Gave" series.John 3:16 reveals a God who loved first, offering His Son so the world could know Him personally. In this series, we'll see salvation as a gift we receive through faith. We'll explore God's generous love and how it shapes our response as we give our first and best back to Him in gratitude and devotion.Crosspoint City is one church in multiple locations and we exist to relentlessly pursue those far from God to help them know and follow Jesus. To help support this mission and work, visit https://mycpcc.com/giveSTAY CONNECTED:Facebook: https://mycpcc.com/facebookInstagram: https://mycpcc.com/instagramTiktok: https://mycpcc.com/tiktok

In Today's Uncertainty, We Need to Remember that God Wants to Walk with Us In All Our Life Situations, Both Good and Bad – Just Ask Him MESSAGE SUMMARY: “Lord is my helper and confident, why should I be afraid? What can man do to me?” For this confidence, you must know who Jesus is – both in your heart and in your mind. Jesus is the Son of God – God in the flesh. As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.". Therefore, You do not need to worry about troubling circumstances in your life because you know that He is with you; and He will guide you no matter how dark your life seems. Jesus is the light that shines in darkness.  As Jesus tells you in Luke 12:4-5, that when you have anxiety and fear in your life, you must determine if this anxiety derivative of the right kind of fear: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”. When you are faced with life's tragedies and the anxieties that result from just living your life, Jesus can turn those situations and your fears into ways and results that you cannot fathom, understand, or anticipate; but you can certainly appreciate. Why not give God a chance to walk with you in all your life situations -- good and bad? Ultimately, the Psalmist got it right in Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.".     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will entrust to Him my future. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.  From 2 Timothy 1:12 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:4-9; Mathew 6:25-34; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalms 22b:17-31 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB