Podcasts about gospel christ

The Gospel is the proclamation that Jesus Christ is alive and that His Kingdom continues to advance as we proclaim salvation, deliverance, the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, and minister healing to the people. The Gospel Jesus entrusted to His Church was never meant to be merely informational. It was transformational and it's still transformational. Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... The world does not need better presentations, branding, or polished religious experiences. It needs an authentic encounter with the risen Christ and the reality of His Kingdom. The Gospel saves, delivers, empowers, and heals. That is the full Gospel Christ commissioned His Church to proclaim.

Luke 19 presents the story of Zacchaeus. Though small in stature and despised as a corrupt tax collector, Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree just to see Jesus, revealing a deep hunger that outweighed his pride and social reputation. Jesus' decision to stop, call him by name, and dine at his house demonstrates the heart of the Gospel: Christ seeks out the lost, not the self-righteous. Zacchaeus' immediate repentance and generosity show that genuine encounters with Jesus produce real transformation. His story carries a powerful message that no person is too sinful, overlooked, or rejected to receive God's grace. In a world obsessed with status and appearances, Luke 19 reminds us that spiritual greatness is not measured by outward position, but by a heart willing to respond to Christ.

Pain changes people. It exposes what we believe, tests what we trust, and leaves us searching for hope that can actually hold us together. In this message from Colossians, we'll explore how Paul endured unimaginable suffering without losing heart—and why the Gospel gives us strength to hold fast even in our darkest seasons. Jesus is not distant from suffering; He entered into it. He carried the weight of humanity's brokenness, endured the cross, and overcame death so that one day suffering would finally cease. Until that day comes, God is still working in the middle of our pain, shaping our character, strengthening our faith, and revealing to the world the mystery of the Gospel: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

2026-04-26 Don't Fear, Only Believeby Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Mark 5:21-43 21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?' ”32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don't be afraid; just believe.”37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!All are welcome. 217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448Office Phone: (985) 626-3114Sunday Service: 9:30AMAdult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AMNursery and Children's church available.AI notes from Pocket:Sermon Structure OutlineI. Introduction: The Sandwich StructureThe teaching explores Mark 5:21-43, utilizing a literary "sandwich" structure. This technique frames the story of the hemorrhaging woman within the narrative of Jairus and his dying daughter. The two accounts are inextricably linked to illustrate a singular lesson on the nature of faith versus fear.II. The Outer Layer: Jairus' DesperationJairus, a synagogue leader, approaches Jesus in a state of crisis. His daughter is at the point of death. His faith is characterized by urgency and a specific request for physical touch ("lay your hands on her"). Jesus agrees to go, but the journey is immediately interrupted.III. The Center: The Hemorrhaging WomanA woman suffering for 12 years—physically, financially, and socially—seeks healing in secret. • The Mixed Faith: She believes touching Jesus' garment is sufficient, bordering on a superstitious view of his clothing.• The Public Correction: Jesus refuses to let the healing remain private. He calls her out not to embarrass her, but to correct her "confused faith." He clarifies that it was not the garment, but her faith in Him that made her whole.IV. The Resolution: From Fear to BeliefThe delay caused by the woman leads to the news that Jairus' daughter has died. Jesus provides the core thesis of the message: "Do not fear, only believe." He enters the home, excludes the mourning crowd, and raises the girl, demonstrating absolute authority over death and timing.Key Scripture References• Mark 5:21-43: The primary text covering Jairus' daughter and the hemorrhaging woman.• Mark 1:15: The call to repent and believe the gospel.• Mark 11:22: The command to "Have faith in God," emphasizing the correct object of faith.• Hebrews 11:1: The definition of faith as the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen.Audience Reflection Section• The Object of Faith: Is your faith placed in "faith itself," or in a specific religious tradition, or is it placed squarely in the finished work of Christ?• Superstition vs. Trust: Do you treat spiritual practices as "charms" to ensure a good outcome (like the woman touching the hem), or do you trust the Person of Jesus regardless of the immediate circumstances?• The Problem of Delay: How do you respond when Jesus seems "interrupted" or delayed in answering your crisis? Can you maintain belief when the situation moves from "critical" to "too late"?Actionable Takeaways• Audit Your Traditions: Identify if any personal or church traditions have become "sacraments" or superstitions that you rely on more than Christ Himself.• Choose Faith Over Fear: In moments of crisis, consciously replace the physiological response of fear with the theological commitment to trust Jesus' timing.• Clarify the Gospel: Move beyond "platitudes" (e.g., "Jesus in your heart") to a specific understanding of the Gospel: Christ's death for sin and His resurrection as the victory over death.• Community Engagement: Note the upcoming Men's Bible Study (Romans) and the Men's Breakfast to foster grounded theological community 

Have you ever felt like faith only lives inside church walls or the pages of the Bible? In this episode, Fr Columba takes something as ordinary as water and uses it to trace the whole shape of the Gospel: Christ pouring himself down into our humanity, descending to the lowest place, shattering the gates of hell, and rising so that we rise with him. Drawing on St Francis of Assisi, he shows how creation itself can lift the heart to God when we learn to see it that way. A simple invitation to let everyday things draw you upward.

The sermon centers on the transformative power of the Gospel of Christ, presented as the sole means of salvation for all who believe, regardless of background or past failure. Drawing from Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 15, it emphasizes that the Gospel—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—is not merely historical but eternally effective, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and securing forgiveness and righteousness through divine substitution. The preacher underscores that this Gospel is not diminished by human effort or religious ritual, but is the exclusive instrument of God's saving grace, demanding bold proclamation and personal conviction. It calls believers to live with awe at the cross, where God's wrath was poured out on Christ in our place, and to share this truth with urgency, recognizing that the Gospel remains the unchanging, powerful means by which sinners are reconciled to God.

In Part 2 of our study through Isaiah 53, we explore how Jesus not only identifies with our suffering but also with our sin. These verses show the heart of the Gospel: Christ bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, and took the punishment we deserved. Though all of us have gone astray, God placed our sin on Him so we could be healed, forgiven, and made right with God. A powerful continuation of the story of the Savior who became sin for us out of perfect love.

In this Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla for March 11, 2026, we reflect on Psalm 50:7–11 (ESV), “Hear O My People and I Will Speak.” This Christian devotion explores God's authority, His ownership of creation, and the true nature of worship. The Lord addresses His people, showing that outward sacrifices alone cannot earn His favor—everything belongs to Him. Our offerings do not sustain God; they are a response of gratitude to His generosity.This Lutheran devotion emphasizes the Gospel: Christ is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice, offering Himself for the forgiveness of sins. God does not need what we give, but He calls us to trust, praise, and thank Him with hearts aligned to His Word. In Him, our relationship with God is built on mercy, not on what we can provide.If you are seeking a daily Bible devotion, Psalm 50 study, LCMS teaching, or Christ-centered encouragement, this message will strengthen your faith.Support this ministry here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphBuy Me a Coffee page: buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphGod's peace and blessings. Please like, share, and subscribe.Hashtags#DailyDevotion #Psalm50 #ChristOurSacrifice #LutheranTheology #GratitudeInChrist

New Testament Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville The Gospel of Christ Crucified 1 Corinthians 1–2 Introduction: If you were asked what the primary sin-problem confronting the Corinthians, I'm sure most of you would immediately answer that it was a problem of being divisive. Paul said it plainly in the opening of his letter (1:10): “I appeal to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” That solved it! Well, no. How can a church that won't even eat the Lord's Supper together, just be told to stop it, and then it happens? Even if you are very familiar with our text, Paul's teaching about the wisdom of God vs. the wisdom of man usually diverts our attention away from the subject of division. In other words, if a church called you and said, “We need help. Our church is full of division, would you come and help,” would you do a study of chapter two of 1 Corinthians with an exposition of the gospel of the cross?  Quickly notice some of Paul's key statements that will give you a feel of his foundational message on division: 1:17-18 “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  1:20-21 “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”  2:1-4 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  2:6-9 “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”  Now, having read those texts, would you say that Paul is correcting the divisions of the Corinthian church? Everything in this text has to do with the gospel of Christ crucified. But how is that an answer to division? That is the message we want to discover this morning. It is a message that will expose and correct every division within a church. Becoming Familiar with the Message of the Text First, Paul's emphasis is on the cross of Christ and that the message of the cross is foolish to those who hold to worldly wisdom including both Jews and Greeks. But the cross is our power to salvation (1:22-24). Second, Paul admits that it was God's intention to preach a “foolish” message to save the world (1:21).  Third, this foolish message preached is a revelation of the thoughts and words of God, and could never have been thought of or discovered by a human mind. Not even the most exalted human could have understood what was hidden in the mind of God “before the ages for our glory” (2:7).  Fourth, the thoughts of the mind of God have only been revealed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit alone has access, and he alone chooses to whom the message will be revealed (2:10-13). Further, God has used the Spirit to reveal to the apostles and prophets the words of the Spirit, not the words of human thought. Fifth, Paul stresses a contrast between two kinds of “wisdom.” There are those who are wise according to this world's standards, and there are those who have rejected the wisdom of this world in favor of the “foolishness” of the wisdom of God, the foolishness of Christ crucified (2:6). These two “wisdoms” are opposed to one another. Sixth, those who hold to the wisdom of the world cannot understand, nor will they accept the wisdom taught by the Spirit (2:13-14). Seventh, only the “mature, spiritual person” (one who has accepted the things of the Spirit) can understand and receive the words of the Spirit because those words are spiritually discerned. A “natural man” cannot understand the hidden message of God because he is not spiritually discerning (2:14-15).  Eighth, and possibly most importantly, Paul refused to preach this message with lofty speech or wisdom or plausible words of wisdom as was being done by the Corinthian sophists. Though Paul's preaching was considered unimpressive, the power of the sophists was in themselves, while the power of Paul's preaching was in the Spirit of God. The contrast was boasting in the man or boasting in the message of God—faith in the man or faith in the power of God. (2:2-4) Knowing Nothing Except Jesus Christ and Him Crucified As we briefly noted, Paul's concern is to rid the church of preaching that lifts up human wisdom and calls attention to the eloquence of the preacher instead of presenting the message of Christ crucified (2:2). We must get the significance of those words: “Jesus, the Christ (Messiah, King) crucified.” That really is foolish! It makes no sense!  Combine 2:2 with 1:17. Paul was sent to preach a gospel that is grounded in Jesus Christ/King being crucified. Thus every part of Paul's message had as its foundation crucifixion. Anything else would empty the message of its power.  But why is a crucified Messiah/King so important? Sure, we need to teach people why Jesus died and was raised and that he is enthroned as King. Yes, we want to urge them to obey Jesus, to repent of their sins and be baptized so they can be free from the bondage of sin. All of us get that point. But why does Paul say, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified?” In fact, in 1:18 Paul refers to the gospel as the “word of the cross,”  or the “message of the cross.” Paul is obviously magnifying the word “cross” to the extent that anything taught about Jesus or any teaching of Jesus would go right back to the cross! The problem wasn't so much that “Jesus died for our sins,” but the implications of Christ crucified. The message of the cross is that if we believe in Christ crucified we must also accept the teaching of disciple–crucified. In 2:7, this is the hidden wisdom God decreed “before the ages to our glory.” That is in contrast to 1:27, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise…even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” Do you see the message? The world seeks glory in themselves, boasting in their mental acuity, strength, and wealth. But a life of disciple–crucified seeks no glory in this world, but only the glory God has promised.  Paul will later summarize the message of the cross in 2 Corinthians 4:11-12, “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”  The Gospel of Christ Crucified Applied, Chapters 3-4 What does Christ crucified have to do with division in the church and solving the Corinthian problem? In chapters 3-4 Paul transitions from his explanation of the gospel to how that gospel (disciple-crucified) message should be lived. When we read these first seven verses it is not difficult to see that the Corinthians are living out the wisdom of the world instead of what was considered the “foolishness of Christ crucified.” Look at Paul's directness! Imagine it read to the church! “You are still of the flesh!” I'm feeding you like an infant (Greek for “baby”) sucking on “milk!” You are “behaving in a human way” practicing jealousy and strife, exalting one teacher over another and boasting in them! “Are you not being merely human!”  “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants…!” Vs. 6-7, “…but God gave the growth. Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth!” Vs. 16-21 Listen to the power in Paul's words as he drives home how these Christians are to act in accordance with Christ crucified:  You are God's temple. Destroy God's temple and God will destroy you! (17). “If anyone thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” How dare any Christian to act independently of the rest of the body! Ephesians 5:22, “Submitting to one another out of reverence to Christ.” “For the wisdom of this world is folly to God. The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile!”  “So let no one boast in men!”  4: 1: Regard us as servants and stewards. It is a small thing that I should be judged by you! 6-21 Mic drop!  Conclusion: The Gospel of Christ Crucified Is Lived as a Disciple Crucified “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'”  (Matt. 16:24) Berry Kercheville The post 1 Corinthians 1-2 The Gospel Christ Crucified appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.

On this episode of Day by Day, what to look for when looking for a church. Today Dr. Clif and his guest center on identifying and cultivating churches that are word centered, gospel centered, Christ centered, and missions focused, emphasizing that these foundational traits are essential for meaningful, lasting ministry and growth. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org

Located in the heart of downtown Maryville, Coram Deo Baptist Church (formerly Pleasant Grove at College Street) was founded as a church plant of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 2017.

Located in the heart of downtown Maryville, Coram Deo Baptist Church (formerly Pleasant Grove at College Street) was founded as a church plant of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 2017.

Teaching on 1 Timothy 1:15

Garon DarDar//10.26.25

Mark 8:11-31

Whatsapp/Call: +91 6364252164 Email: info@febaonline.org

By Adam Young

As we continue our study on religion, the Gospel, and Christ, Pastor Ricky points us to the cross. Jesus' death and resurrection calls us to lay religion down at the foot of the cross. They free us up so we can take hold of the gospel of grace. We don't need religion to try to earn our salvation from Christ. Nothing we can do can make Him love us any more than He already does. Likewise, nothing we do can make Him love us any less either.

Pastor Ricky teaches today about the difference between religion and Jesus. Religion takes what Jesus did and adds to it with works as if we could earn our salvation, as if Jesus needed more convincing to die on the cross for us. Jesus died because He loves us. He was the creator of the universe. He was fully man and He was also fully God. Maybe today you're trying to earn what Christ did on the cross for you, no need. He already saved you from your past, present, and future sins.

What happened between the cross and the resurrection? Why does it matter?In this episode we explore one of the most mysterious—and neglected—moments in the story of salvation: Christ's descent into Hades. Highlights include:What the early church believed about Christ's descentWhat scripture has to say about itHow this informs our understanding of the gospel as a source of hope, rescue, and restoration for all of creation

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, host Hunter invites us on the 178th day of our journey through the Bible, focusing on powerful stories from 2 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 25, and 2 Timothy 3. Together, we'll encounter the rise and fall of Israel's and Judah's kings, their ongoing struggles with faithfulness, and God's unwavering mercy—despite their failures. Hunter also draws us into the wisdom of Paul's words to Timothy, reminding us of the power of Scripture to correct, heal, and equip us for every good work. As always, we'll be guided in prayer and reflection, encouraged to root our lives in the truth of the Gospel, and reminded that we are deeply loved. Settle in for a thoughtful, hope-filled time in God's Word. TODAY'S DEVOTION: What message are you listening to? Every day, our hearts and minds are being shaped by the messages we take in—some true, some painfully untrue. The world is full of voices: past experiences, the culture around us, even old wounds, all speaking into our lives, sometimes with words that harm and mark us, sometimes with words that heal. Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy that God uses Scripture—His Word—in our lives. The Word of God is more than just ancient text or religious teaching; it's profitable, Paul says. It's useful for teaching us truth, for pointing out what is wrong in our lives, and for correcting and training us in righteousness. Through Scripture, God offers us wisdom—wisdom that leads us to trust Christ and to receive salvation. The truth is, false messages will never lead us to life. They'll run us into the ground and hold us down. But the liberating message of the Gospel sets us free. God, through His Word, prepares and equips His people to do every good work. He brings healing where there have been wounds and roots us in what is real—His love, His truth, and the life of His Son. So, what kind of message are you building your life on today? Sink your roots deep into the truth of the Gospel: Christ lives in you. By the faith of the Son of God, you can change, you can be healed, even from the deepest wounds, here and now. That's a prayer I have for my own soul. That's a prayer I have for my family—my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord of heaven and earth, you have awakened us in your mercy once more. Still our anxious minds, quiet our striving hearts and help us to rest in the knowledge that we are held by you. May we walk in step with your spirit today—not ahead, not behind, but beside you in trust and love—through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O God of all peoples, you formed every soul in your image and breathed life into every heart. Open the eyes of the nations, soften hearts grown cold, and teach us to live as neighbors and friends. Let your spirit move in power. Renew the face of the earth and usher in your reign of peace. Amen. And now, Lord, let me be a bearer of your peace. Where voices divide, let me speak grace. Where fear takes root, let me plant trust. Where the world rushes on, let me walk with you. May I seek not to climb, but to kneel—not to win, but to love—not to grasp, but to give. For it is in emptying that we are filled, in surrender that we are strengthened, and in union with you that we find our truest joy. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

This Sunday, Fr. Michael preaches on the radical heart of the Gospel: Christ's commandment to love as He has loved us. With the story of Michelle Duppong—a young woman now on the path to sainthood—he shows how ordinary people become holy by extraordinary love. This homily is a call to all the baptised to embrace the universal vocation to holiness, through a love that gives all, even in suffering. #Catholic #Homily #Easter #UniversalCallToHoliness #LoveAsChristLoved #SaintsAmongUs #FrMichaelPodcast #FifthSundayOfEaster #Gospel

Jesus celebrates Passover with His Apostles. Baptism and Communion are the bookends of Jesus earthly ministry. Both of these ordinances reflect the good news of the Gospel: Christ's life, death, burial, and resurrection. Passover was the ordinance for the Jews to celebrate the freedom from Egyptian slavery. Jesus said to His Apostles at the Passover dinner that He “earnestly desired to eat… The post Jesus Orders the Supper, Part 1 | The lord's Love of Fellowship appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

Long and sore have we been tossed in the sea of trouble; in our youth we were plunged into it, we are come out of it in old age; our case has been the same with what happened at the siege of Tyre, Ezek. 29:18. Every head is made bald, and every shoulder is peeled; but yet all these things seem troublesome rather than wonderful, to any one who seriously considers the thing prophesied by the great apostle, 2 Tim. 3:1. In the last days perilous times shall come.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Letter To Ministers of the Gospel- Christ Knocking at the Door Subtitle: Christ Knocking at the Door Speaker: John Flavel Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 4/7/2025 Bible: Revelation 3:20 Length: 27 min.

Episode Synopsis:If someone walked up to you and asked, “What is the gospel?, what would you say?  If you cannot come up with the answer immediately, then please carefully consider what follows.  The definition is given us in a concise form by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3–5.  The gospel is called “good news” because it is the proclamation of a set of particular historical facts—Jesus suffered on a Roman cross, died as a payment for our sins, was buried, and then was raised from the dead by God after three days as proof that his death turned aside God's wrath toward sinners.  And all this, Paul says, is in accordance with the Scriptures (the Old Testament).  The gospel is a nonnegotiable and fundamental article of the Christian faith.  To deny it is to reject the Christian faith.When Easter rolls around, I often look at the flyers and social media from neighborhood churches to examine the sermon topics for Easter Sunday.  I am amazed and saddened by how many local churches virtually ignore the biblical emphasis on the empty tomb and the bodily resurrection of Jesus, which is both a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith and an objective fact of history.  Instead, many churches focus on the so-called “Easter experience” of the apostles.  If the meaning of Easter is the experience and change of heart felt by Jesus's apostles—who at first did not believe, but then later did so—then Easter is yet another experience that we can share with the early followers of Jesus.  For these folks, Easter is a time of new beginnings, a time to change our life's course.  Sadly, it is not the account of a crucified savior raised from the dead who came to save us from our sins. But to remove the resurrection from ordinary history and proclaim it as an example to follow, or to downplay or ignore the fact that Jesus was crucified, dead, buried, and was then raised bodily to life for the forgiveness of our sins, robs the resurrection of any redemptive-historical and biblical significance.  The first Easter is not about an experience the apostles had in which we can share; rather, it is the apostles's account of Jesus being raised bodily from the dead.  The empty tomb tells us that Jesus's death was the payment for our sins, the new creation has dawned, and God has conquered our greatest enemy, death, by overturning the curse.  Easter is not an experience in which we share; the bodily resurrection of Jesus is both a fact of history and a biblical doctrine that we must believe.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

Unity isn't about being the same or conforming to one culture. People can have different political views, dress differently, and eat different foods, yet still be unified. A strong mission, vision, and purpose can bring people together. True unity centers on the Gospel/Christ, True unity has love at its core. True unity recognizes and honors differences.

Every year on the 31st of October, an Eastern European country named Slovenia celebrates Reformation Day - the day Martin Luther posted his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. It's a national holiday when people stay home from work and school. Particularly interesting is that less than 1% of Slovenians are Protestant! So why these celebrations? Tune in to Kids Talk Church History as Emma, Christian, and Ruth discuss this with Slovenian historian Todd Hunnicut and delve into the adventurous life of Primoz Trubar, the father of the Slovenian language. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr's books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway! Show Notes: Episode 46 about Cyril and Methodius: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/cyril-lucaris-a-controversial-reformer/ Trubar Forum: https://trubarforum.si/ (Be sure to click on the English setting, unless you read Slovenian!) YouTube videos created by Todd Hunnicut and his teammates about Primoz Trubar: https://youtu.be/aQnARBpsK7k?si=jSUKwt6oXk4wgaM7 https://youtu.be/_MJw39g3834?si=p6nynZojtFN8OclT  Article by Simonetta Carr about Primoz Trubar: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/primo%C5%BE-trubar-%E2%80%93-protestant-reformer-who-fashioned-language Other Resources from Todd Hunnicutt:  A small booklet with three chapters summarizing the message of the first Slovene book, the Katekizem. It is designed as an evangelistic tool, but it also shows key ideas from the Katekizem.  An English translation of the first printed Slovene song. Here is a link of my wife, myself and a friend singing it in Slovene. The tune is a German church song, but a completely different text. It's a great summary of the Gospel message, mixing the biblical narrative of Genesis 3 and 4 with extra Gospel/Christ comments. Imagine this being the first ever printed song in the language, and the solid, simple Gospel message in it. https://youtu.be/zZ8LgodEFRk?si=IxFDPv1bJVdqKYxi A section introduction and three chapters I wrote for the Slovene version of the missionary/Christian hero biographies book, Hero Tales. A family devotional with stories from Trubar's life that might be the most appealing of these to kids. The final section of the Katekizem, the “Sermon on Faith.” This is key because the phrase “Stand and Withstand” which is well-known, which is on the Slovene €1 coin, is here in its proper context. It's on page 5 in the fourth paragraph. The part before that, where he defines true faith, I find to be very, very profound; I quote this in sermons in English and in Slovene often because it's a gritty, realistic, biblical view of what faith is – basically holding on to God's truth on the Word no matter what.

January 28, 2024 • 9:30am

In this powerful sermon titled "Gravity of the Gospel," Paolino Curto, Communications Specialist, delves into the profound significance of Christianity, drawing inspiration from the timeless words of C.S. Lewis. Lewis, one of the most well-known Christian thinkers of the 20th century, famously stated, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” This thought-provoking quote serves as the foundation for exploring why the Christian faith is not just a set of good morals or a comforting belief system but something of utmost, eternal importance. Paolino acknowledges the immense impact Lewis has had on the world and on Christianity. Lewis's insight about the all-or-nothing nature of Christianity resonates deeply with the Apostle Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul emphasizes the centrality of the Gospel: Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. As Paolino wrestles with the question, "What makes Christianity so important?", he concludes that the Gospel is the only answer that adequately addresses the deepest questions of life. In a world filled with division, war, and anxiety, the need for the Gospel is as crucial as ever. Curto breaks down three aspects of the Gospel that underscore its infinite importance, not only for salvation but for living the life God intends for us. The first aspect is that we are saved by a person—Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 declares, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Curto emphasizes that salvation is not something we can earn through our actions; it is a gift offered by Jesus, who lived a sinless life and gave Himself for us. Drawing from Charles Spurgeon's analogy, he explains that trying to earn salvation is like dressing a corpse—it's futile because only God can give life. The second aspect highlights that we are saved powerfully. Many Christians struggle with the idea that their standing with God depends on their daily actions, but Curto reassures that our salvation is secure because it was earned by Jesus, not by us. Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks to the assurance of our salvation: “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” This powerful truth should fill us with confidence and wonder, knowing that no one can snatch us out of God's hand. Finally, Curto explores how we are saved for a purpose. Christianity is not just about living a quiet, comfortable life; it's about knowing God intimately and making Him known. Drawing from John 17:3, Curto explains that eternal life is not merely about going to heaven but about having a deep, intimate relationship with God. He challenges listeners to examine their lives and ask if they are truly living out this purpose or if they are merely scratching the surface of what God intends for them. Throughout the sermon, Curto weaves in personal anecdotes and relatable analogies to make complex theological concepts more accessible. He also addresses common struggles Christians face, such as the temptation to punish themselves for sin or the challenge of living out their faith in a world that often sees Christianity as only moderately important. In conclusion, "Gravity of the Gospel" is a compelling call to recognize the infinite importance of Christianity. It challenges believers to move beyond a superficial understanding of their faith and to fully embrace the life-changing power of the Gospel. Whether you've been a Christian for decades or are still exploring what you believe, this sermon invites you to consider the true gravity of the Gospel and its impact on your life. Join us in this deep dive into the heart of the Christian faith and discover why the Gospel is not just good news—it's the best news, infinitely important for every person in every moment of life.

About the Guest(s): DJ McLean is an elder at Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, England. He has a PhD in 17th-century reformed theology, focusing on Scottish theology. In addition to his role as an elder, he serves as a trustee for the Banner of Truth and Tyndale House, edits the theological journal "Foundations" for Affinity, and has a deep interest in fly fishing. McLean's work has greatly influenced theological studies around the law, gospel, assurance, and the free offer of the gospel, particularly through his engagement with the marrow controversy. Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of Renewal Cast, hosts Coalt and Jay delve into the historic marrow controversy with DJ McLean, a seasoned theologian and elder from Cambridge Presbyterian Church. McLean brings a wealth of knowledge from his studies in 17th-century reformed theology, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of pivotal theological debates that have shaped Christian doctrines, especially those surrounding the law, gospel, and assurance of faith. McLean's insightful discussion begins by tracing the origins of the marrow controversy back to its roots in 17th-century England and its resurgence in 18th-century Scotland. He unpacks how the debates from Edward Fisher's "The Marrow of Modern Divinity" challenged the prevailing legalistic views of repentance and faith, advocating for the free offer of the gospel and the essential role of assurance in Christian life. The conversation also covers key theological concepts including federal theology, the order of salvation, and the difference between legal and evangelical obedience, emphasizing how these doctrines provide profound pastoral benefits and fostering a life of joy and freedom in Christ. Key Takeaways:Understanding the Marrow Controversy: The controversy focused on how one begins and continues the Christian life, stressing that salvation comes through Christ alone without preconditions.Free Offer of the Gospel: Christ is freely offered to all sinners, aligning with reformed theology's compatibility with particular redemption.Order of Salvation: Faith must precede repentance for true evangelical conversion, highlighting that repentance flows from a heart redeemed by Christ.Evangelical Obedience: True obedience to God's commandments stems from the redemption in Christ rather than legalistic observance.Pastoral Applications: The doctrines discussed enrich pastoral work by providing a framework for a joyful and free Christian life, rooted in the assurance of faith.Notable Quotes:"We don't bring anything to earn the right to trust in Christ…you just are called to come to Christ as you are." – DJ McLean“Faith must precede repentance, as evangelical repentance can only flow from a heart that's been redeemed.” – DJ McLean"The free offer of the gospel means that Christ is held out as the savior of sinners and everyone is invited to come to him without money and without price." – DJ McLean“We live the Christian life from joy, from faith, from assurance, from that freeness of access that we have to God as our father.” – DJ McLean"Evangelical obedience flows from the redemption that is ours in Christ." – DJ McLeanResources:Cambridge Presbyterian Church: WebsiteBanner of Truth: WebsiteTyndale House: WebsiteFoundations Journal by Affinity: WebsiteThe Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson: LinkThe Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher: LinkListen to the full episode for an in-depth exploration of how these historical theological debates remain deeply relevant to modern Christian life and pastoral ministry. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on Renewal Cast!

     For those living in the church age, the content of faith is the good news that Jesus—the Messiah—died for our sins, was buried, and resurrected on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). When people accept this as historically true, and then place their faith in Jesus, they experience salvation. According to Fruchtenbaum, “we must believe that Yeshua died for our sins as our substitute, that He was buried and rose again, and that He therefore has provided salvation. Thus, one trusts Yeshua for one's salvation.”[1] According to Robert B. Thieme Jr., “First Corinthians 15:3-4 defines the boundaries of the Gospel, beginning with the work of Christ and ending with His resurrection…Any Gospel message that strays from the cross or denies Jesus Christ's resurrection from physical death is inaccurate and out of bounds.”[2] Today we understand the saving gospel message as, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Knowing the good news of what God accomplished for us through Christ at the cross, we must then “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31), and trust exclusively in Him as our Savior, for “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Salvation is by grace alone (Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Rom 3:28; 5:1; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9), in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). And when we believe in Christ as Savior, we are forgiven all our sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), given eternal life (John 10:28), become children of God (John 1:12; Gal 3:26), are “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13), become citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20), and are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3).      During the seven-year tribulation many will be saved, both Jews and Gentiles. The apostle John described 144,000 Jewish believers, taken from the twelve tribes of Israel, who are called “bond-servants of our God” (Rev 7:3), and who will be  sealed by the Lord (Rev 7:4). After describing these Jewish believers, John then saw “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes” (Rev 7:9). When John asked, “where have they come from?” (Rev 7:13), the answer was given, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). The last clause that mentions “the blood of the Lamb” speaks of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, “the blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:19) which purchased our salvation. But what did these Tribulational saints believe that resulted in their salvation?      In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapters 24-25), Jesus prophesied about the future tribulation and His second coming and said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:14). The gospel of the kingdom that was offered to Israel during Messiah's first coming is similar to the gospel message preached during the time of the Tribulation. J. Dwight Pentecost notes, “Although the news at the first advent was restricted to Israel, prior to the second advent it will be announced not only to Israel but to the whole world.”[3] William MacDonald states, “the gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Christ is coming to set up His kingdom on earth, and that those who receive Him by faith during the Tribulation will enjoy the blessings of His Millennial Reign.”[4]The gospel of the kingdom offers both spiritual and national deliverance to those living during the tribulation. According to J. Dwight Pentecost. “This was the Gospel Christ proclaimed as He offered Israel the covenanted kingdom and invited them to put faith in Him. This same message will be proclaimed again during the years of the Tribulation period preceding Messiah's second advent to the earth.”[5] The first part of its message directs people to look to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This results in spiritual and eternal salvation. The second part of the gospel of the kingdom pertains to Israel's theocratic kingdom, where God will rule over His people and the world, through Jesus, the descendant of David and rightful King of the nation. This gospel will last until the seven years are completed, and then, as Jesus said, “the end will come” (Matt 24:14b). The “end” refers to the end of the seven year tribulation, when Jesus returns and puts down all rebellion (Rev 19:11-21) and establishes His kingdom on earth for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-6). It is at that time, “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne” (Matt 25:31), and He will reign for “a thousand years” (Rev 20:6). According to Louis A. Barbieri Jr.: "Though this will be a terrible time of persecution, the Lord will have servants who will witness and spread the good news concerning Christ and His soon-coming kingdom. This message will be similar to that preached by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel, but this message will clearly identify Jesus in His true character as the coming Messiah. This is not exactly the same message the church is proclaiming today. The message preached today in the Church Age and the message proclaimed in the Tribulation period calls for turning to the Savior for salvation. However, in the Tribulation the message will stress the coming kingdom, and those who then turn to the Savior for salvation will be allowed entrance into the kingdom. Apparently many will respond to that message (cf. Rev 7:9-10)."[6] J. Dwight Pentecost adds: "The Gospel of the kingdom is the message that John the Baptist proclaimed to Israel. It involved first a call to repentance, then an invitation to behold or to look by faith to the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This is the same message that will be proclaimed in the world during that period Christ called, literally, “the tribulation, the great one” (Matt 24:21). This future period is the unfulfilled seven years of Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks (Dan 9:24-27). During this period the Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to Gentiles by 144,000 who will be sovereignly redeemed and commissioned to be God's servants (Rev 7:1-8). They will proclaim salvation by grace through faith based on blood so that men can have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). The same message will be proclaimed by the two witnesses (Rev 11:3), prophets God will raise up to bring a message to the nation Israel. Indeed, their message is no different than the one the prophets have always brought to a disobedient covenant people down through the ages."[7]      In summary, saving faith is always a response to God and a promise He has made. Today, God the Holy Spirit draws people to Christ, convicting them of one particular sin, and that is the sin of not trusting in Jesus as Savior. Jesus specified the particular sin, saying, “because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:9). When people respond positively to the work of the Holy Spirit, they will believe in Jesus as Savior, accepting the truth “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). And having accepted this good news, they will then turn to Christ as Savior, and “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31), and be saved. Long and Short Gospel Presentations      In the New Testament, the gospel that saves is presented in both long and short form. A long presentation of the gospel is found in the Gospel of John as a whole. The apostle John states, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). The gospel that saves is clearly presented in the Gospel of John.      A short form of the gospel is found in Acts 16, where Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). The text of Acts 16 as a whole is not evangelistic in nature, but a brief account of Paul's missionary journey in the city of Philippi, of which the jailer was a part of that historical narrative. How much the Philippian jailer knew about God, sin, the personhood of Jesus, and the cross and resurrection is not revealed in the text. What is plain is that Paul told the jailer that if he believed in the Lord Jesus, he would be saved. A Warning to Any Who Would Pervert the Gospel of Grace      The gospel that saves spiritually is specific in its content, and to preach any other gospel will not only result in a failure for the lost to obtain that which is necessary for entrance into heaven, but it will bring great judgment upon the one who proclaims it. The apostle Paul wrote, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Gal 1:8-9). It is noteworthy that Paul includes himself in this warning, as the gospel that was delivered to him, once it was received, could not be changed, even by one so great as the apostle Paul himself. Concerning this verse, Arnold Fruchtenbaum comments: "In verses 8–9, Paul pronounces the anathema, which is a rebuke against false teachers. Anyone who teaches a gospel that is different from the gospel they have received is to be anathema. Another gospel is any gospel other than the gospel of the grace of God. Any addition to the simple statement that salvation is by grace through faith is another gospel. Any addition to the gospel—be it baptism, tongues, ceremonies, church membership, repentance—perverts the gospel and is anathema."[8] Lewis Chafer adds: "This anathema has never been revoked, nor could it be so long as the saving grace of God is to be proclaimed to a lost world. From the human point of view, a misrepresentation of the gospel might so misguide a soul that the way of life is missed forever. It behooves the doctor of souls to know the precise remedy he is appointed to administer. A medical doctor may, by an error, terminate what at best is only a brief life on earth. The doctor of souls is dealing with eternal destiny. Having given His Son to die for lost men, God cannot but be exacting about how that great benefit is presented, nor should He be deemed unjust if He pronounces an anathema on those who pervert the one and only way of salvation which was purchased at so great a cost. A sensitive man, when realizing these eternal issues, might shrink from so great a responsibility, but God has not called His messengers to such a failure. He enjoins them to “preach the word” and assures them of His unfailing presence and enabling power."[9]       [1] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, ed. Christiane Jurik, Second Edition. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2016), 6. [2] Robert B. Thieme, Jr. “Gospel”, Thieme's Bible Doctrine Dictionary, (Houston, TX., R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, 2022), 113 [3] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1958), 472. [4] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1294. [5] J. Dwight Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come: Tracing God's Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises throughout History (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1995), 311. [6] Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 77. [7] J. Dwight Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come, 121–122. [8] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, 12–13. [9] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol. 3, p. 10.

In the AM we consider the sixth sign of John's Gospel - Christ healing the sinner's blindness. We see that the greatest blindness each of us has is spiritual, the Lord's sovereignty in healing it, and how refusing to see will only increase this blindness.

In the AM we consider the sixth sign of John's Gospel - Christ healing the sinner's blindness. We see that the greatest blindness each of us has is spiritual, the Lord's sovereignty in healing it, and how refusing to see will only increase this blindness.

Rom. 6:6-14. 4/7/24.  An expositional series from the letter to the Romans.

Pastor Nick preaches about how it isn't enough to just have Jesus as your savior but you must also acknowledge him as Lord.

Pastor Nick preaches about how Jesus is not just a Passover lamb, but THE Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

For Holy Week this year, we'll recapture our -first love- by focusing our minds and hearts on the simple gospel- Christ died, Christ buried, Christ raised. As God's love is shown to us in the cross and tomb, we'll also regain our love for the unsaved world around us. --WHO DIED---WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE DIED---FOR WHOM DID HE DIE--

For Holy Week this year, we'll recapture our -first love- by focusing our minds and hearts on the simple gospel- Christ died, Christ buried, Christ raised. As God's love is shown to us in the cross and tomb, we'll also regain our love for the unsaved world around us. --WHO DIED---WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE DIED---FOR WHOM DID HE DIE--

For Holy Week this year, we'll recapture our "first love" by focusing our minds and hearts on the simple gospel: Christ died, Christ buried, Christ raised. As God's love is shown to us in the cross and tomb, we'll also regain our love for the unsaved world around us. WHO DIED?WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE DIED?FOR WHOM DID HE DIE?

The Gospel of Mark SeriesMark 6:14-29

The Gospel of Mark SeriesMark 6:14-29

Paul can leave prison; all he would have to do was recant. However, he won't. Why? Paul knows the truth of the Gospel- Christ died and rose again. His message for the council and every trial he undergoes is the same- look to Jesus. Originally February 4th, 2024. Hank Atchison. Covenant Church. Tuscaloosa, AL.

The Eternal Son of God: Prophet, Preist, and King - Rev. Erik Veerman Hebrews 1:1-6 We'll be taking a break from our Proverbs study until January. In the meantime, we'll be in the book of Hebrews for a brief Advent series. Last year for advent, we spent time the book of Matthew chapter 1 - Jesus' genealogy and his birth narrative. The year before we looked at Luke 1… both Mary's song - her Magnificat as well as Zechariah's song. This year, our Advent focus will be a little bit different. We'll be considering who Jesus is as the Son of God - specifically as Prophet, Priest, and King. This morning will be an introduction from Hebrews 1, then next week, Prophet, the following week Priest, and then Sunday morning, December 24, Jesus as King. You can find Hebrews 1 on page 1187 in the provided Bibles. We'll focus on the first 6 verses. Later in this short series, we'll consider the rest of chapter 1. As I read, listen for the different aspects of Jesus' identity as prophet, priest, and king. Reading of Hebrews 1:1-6. Prayer Back when I was in grade school, I always enjoyed visiting my grandparents. They had a large farmhouse in western Pennsylvania. As a kid, there was lots to explore, both inside and outside. And one of my memories was their large formal living room. It had bookshelves and chairs and tables, and a big picture window that let the afternoon sunlight in, which light up the whole room. In front of the window, my grandmother had strategically hung a set of crystal prisms. They were oval shaped glass-like prisms with angled surfaces. When the sun hit them, it would refract the light in different colors around the room. Small little colored spots would appear on the walls and furniture - yellows, blues, greens, reds. Of course, I would stick my hand out to capture the light on my palm. It was mesmerizing because at the time, I didn't know how a prism worked. How could this sunlight turn into different colors? I didn't realize that the sunlight was actually made up of different colors… and the prisms were simply revealing that. In a similar way, Hebrews 1 is like a prism. Instead of revealing the different colors of the sun s-u-n, it is revealing different aspects of the son s-o-n. Essentially who Jesus is - His nature as God and the different redemptive roles he fulfills. I think it's a beautiful thing to consider the breadth of Jesus's identity and ministry. At least for me, it expands the awe I have of God in how he accomplished salvation for his glory and our good. And, I would add, it deepens my understanding of and relationship with Jesus – my savior, my Lord, my king, my hope, and my redeemer. The prism of Hebrews 1. This morning, we'll begin with Jesus as God's son. And then we'll briefly consider Jesus as prophet, priest, and king from these verses. It will be an introduction to his three redemptive offices. That's what we call them. Like the “office” of president or the “office” of governor. The redemptive offices of Jesus are “prophet,” “priest,” and “king.” As I mentioned, over the next 3 weeks we'll be exploring each in details from Hebrews. But before we get there, let me make some introductory comments about the book. We haven't studied Hebrews together so let me briefly touch upon the author and audience. First, we do not know who wrote Hebrews. We often refer to the author as simply… “the author of Hebrews.” Over the centuries, different possibilities have been suggested. ·       Some believe that the apostle Paul wrote this letter. The problem with that view is that the style and grammar in Hebrews is very different from the apostle Paul. John Calvin points out that the author's teaching approach is also different than Paul's. So, I think it's unlikely to be him. ·       Others have proposed Apollos or Barnabus. Those could certainly be possibilities. ·       But in the end, it's best to simply say: we don't know. God does. Second, as the title of the book indicates, it's written to a Hebrew audience – a Jewish audience. If you were to flip through chapter by chapter, you will see dozens of Old Testament quotes. And what the author is emphasizing is how Jesus has fulfilled the promises and prophecies of old. How he is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than the High Priests and the priesthood. His covenant is greater than the old covenant. Those were all shadows of the one to come. But now Jesus has come and fulfilled them all as the promised Savior. When I think about the book of Hebrews, I think of ever chapter as a different sermon about Jesus. In some ways, it teaches us how to exposit the Old Testament and explain how Jesus has fulfilled God's promises. Many have said that the book of Hebrews can be summarized this way: The supremacy of Christ. I think that's a good succinct summary. So, this Advent, as we briefly study Hebrews. we'll behold Jesus for who he is as God, and as Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus: God in the Flesh Number 1. Jesus as God – God in the flesh – fully and truly God in every way. The first thing I want you to see is that Jesus is referred to as God's Son. That's right there in the middle of verse 2. And related to that, there is a clear distinction in these verses between God (including his Son) and his creation. We, you and I, are his creation. The whole world is his creation. God the Son is not identified as being created. In fact, God the Son is the one, “through whom [God] created the world.” That's right there at the end of verse 2. You may remember, just 3 weeks ago, we were studying Proverbs chapter 8. That amazing chapter is about the wisdom of God in Christ, who was there at the beginning. In God's wisdom through Christ, the full expanse of the universe was made. And if you remember, we considered a couple of New Testament texts which speak of Christ as creator. ·       One of them is the Gospel of John chapter 1. It says in John 1 verse 3, “all things were made through him.” That is, through Christ, through God the Son. ·       And also very similar is Colossians chapter 1. It says, “For by him, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.” The prepositions are helpful here. Everything was created “through him” or “by him.” It's not that God the Father and God the Holy Spirit were uninvolved. No, creation was an act of God - the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. God the Son was and is the instrument through which creation came to being. Sometimes we say, Christ was the agent of creation. I want to make the point really clear here: God's Son was not created. No, rather he is God and is central in all of creation coming into being. This is really important. Over the last two years, we've had Jehovah's Witnesses come to our door, I think, 3-4 times. You will also see them on Main Street. In talking with some of you, I know that that you are also dialoging with them. Well, they would say that God's Son is not part of the Trinity. He is a lesser god, they believe, who has some of the powers of God. They would also say that Jesus Christ was created by God before he created the world. And also, they will say that Jesus himself is not God in the flesh. As some of you know, they will often go here to Hebrews 1 to argue their point. For example, they will go to verse 5 and say “see, Jesus was begotten, that means he was created.” Furthermore, they will point out the word ”today” there in verse 5. To them, it means there was a time when the Son did not exist. That's a lot, isn't it? And as you know, they have their script. Well, what do you say to all of that? Do you say, “can I give you the phone number to my pastor?” You're welcome to do that, but they are not going to call me. There's a lot to say about Jesus being fully and truly God – it's all through the Bible. But let's focus on Hebrews chapter 1. First, let me respond to the word “today” in verse 5. It does not mean there was a day when God's Son didn't exist. Rather, verse 5 is referring to the incarnation – when God became man. When through the Holy Spirit, Jesus was begotten by God, in his mother Mary. We know this because the apostle Paul quotes the very same verse (Psalm 2:7) in the book of Acts chapter 13. There, the apostle specifically uses it in reference to the incarnation. In other words, Hebrews 1:5 in no way suggests that the Son of God was created. In fact, quite the contrary. Let me give you 3 brief reasons from verse 3 why these verses testify to Jesus's divine nature: 1. Let's go to the beginning of verse 3. “Jesus is the radiance of the Glory of God….” “is…” “Jesus is the radiance….” It does not say Jesus reflects the radiance of the Glory of God. No, it's not like the moon reflecting the light of the sun. Rather, Jesus has all the glory of God because he is God. He radiates the glory of God as God. 2. Second, verse 3 continues, Jesus is also “the exact imprint of his nature.” In the Greek, it implies identical in form. Jesus being, in other words, is one and the same nature as God because he is God. That statement alone is pretty clear. There are dozens of New Testament passages that support this, including words from Jesus himself. 3. And third, verse 3 continues. “He upholds the universe by the word of his power.” That adds to what we already talked about - Jesus as creator God. What an amazing testimony to the power of Christ as God – as creator of all things. You see, verse 3 testifies to Jesus in all his glory as God. Now, much more can be said, of course. In fact, as we work through Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King, it will add to the testimony that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh. Well, I hope that does two things for you. I hope it helps you in your conversations to stand firm on Jesus as fully and truly God. And I hope that it draws you to an even deeper awe and reverence – that this Jesus whom we worship, the one we celebrate at advent, is not some little “g” god. But rather he is God the Son, the one through whom all things were created, the exact imprint of God's nature. And who upholds the universe… he uphold us… by the word of his power. The entire cosmos is created by and sustained by the Son. Very God of very God… Prophet Next, Jesus as prophet. Now, next week we're going to dive deep into this redemptive office, but in the meantime, there's so much here in these opening verses. Jesus as Prophet is where this chapter begins. It says: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets… but, ” it says, “ in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” A prophet, by the way, is one chosen by God to speak the word of God on behalf of God. In the Old Testament time, there were many prophets. In the Scriptures, there are 16 prophetic books, but there were dozens of other prophets mentioned in Scripture. Think of Elisha, Elijah, Nathan. Each of their prophetic messages were similar, but for different contexts. And what did they do? They called the people to repentance and back to God. They warned about coming judgment. They proclaimed God's mercy. They performed signs and miracles which demonstrated their call as prophets and demonstrted God's power. They foretold what was to come, including the Messiah. But in the end, each of their voices died out. Each prophet was limited and each prophet was a frail, fallen man. Even the repetition of prophecies and the number of prophets revealed a weakness in the prophetic role of old. But then we read Hebrews 1. There's a finality to Jesus as Prophet. His prophecy is for all… every people and nation. Jesus is not just a new prophet that has come on the scene. No rather, his words… his voice is the voice of God. God has given us his Son, through whom God now speaks. ·       Jesus is the Word of God as God himself, as the apostle John writes. ·       He is the final and ultimate pronouncement of mercy and judgment. ·       His words are eternal because he is eternal. ·       His signs and miracles culminate in the greatest sign and miracle of all… his death on the cross and his resurrection. ·       And it is his word, as we considered in verse 3, which upholds the universe. And let me point out something important in verse 2. That phrase “last days” is a special phrase. It's specifically referencing the New Testament times. It doesn't say “these days” but instead “last days.” You see, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others prophesied that the “last days” would come. Those days would usher in a final prophet who would bring fulfillment to their prophecies. It is his voice which would go out to the world. In other words, we are in the last days. The author of Hebrews is declaring that the time has come because God's Son has come. The Word made flesh has come. He is THE prophet. Through him, the last days have come. Priest And notice, the reference to “last days” in verse 2 doesn't only apply to Jesus as the ultimate prophet. No, the description of the “last days” continues. It also includes Jesus' fulfillment as priest and king. Let's consider priest next. Jump down to the end of verse 3. There's a short phrase there… sometimes we skip right over it. It says “After making purification for sins, he [that is, Jesus] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” That sentence right there is the Gospel - Christ is the one who purifies us from our sin. In some way, that one sentence summarizes the driving emphasis of the book - Jesus as the ultimate High Priest. A priest, by the way, was the one who represented the people before God. He was their intermediary… their go-between to God. And what the priests of old did were to made sacrifices for the people. Sacrifice after sacrifice, year after year. And these sacrifices were to make purification (or cleansing) for sins. That's what verse 3 references. But the problem was, (1) the priests had to make sacrifices for themselves, for their own sin, and (2) the sacrifices were inadequate. You see, the whole Old Testament sacrificial system was pointing to something greater. A greater sacrifice and a greater priest. In fact, one in the same. As God the Son, Jesus' himself was the only sacrifice that could once-and-for-all cleanse us from our sin. And as God in the flesh, he was the perfect priest – the perfect mediator between God and man. Let me submit to you this: in order for Jesus' sacrifice to be effective as a once-and-for-all sacrifice AND in order for him to be the eternal mediator, Jesus had to be fully and truly God and fully and truly man. That goes back to the question earlier about Jesus as God. Before we move on to king… let me mention one more thing about Jesus as the Priest. He lives. Verse 3 highlights that. Jesus is now seated in heaven… it tells us. After his sacrificial death, Jesus was raised and then ascended to heaven. You can also see the present tense there in verse 3. Jesus IS the radiance of the Glory of God. He UPHOLDS the universe. He overcame death as the perfect sacrifice so that he could be the perfect priest and continually intercede for his people from heaven. Now, you may have more questions about the Old Testament sacrificial system… and maybe the role of the High Priest… and how it all relates to Jesus. Well, stay tuned for 2 weeks from today. We'll be in chapter 9. King That bring us to one last redemptive office. Jesus is King. THE King. The greater king. You see, the kings of Judah and Israel all had their weaknesses. Some were downright evil. But even the good kings like David and Solomon and Hezekiah and Josiah had their weaknesses. Their governing was limited. Their sins were apparent. They all passed from this earth. But we have a king today. Not an earthly king, but an eternal king. And one without any limitation or sin. Let me note two things here from the text. First, verse 3 identifies Jesus as the “heir of all things.” What's an heir in this context? Well, Jesus is the heir to the throne. He's the one who has the full status as heir to the eternal throne of God – Heir to God the Father. The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus is the heir of “all things.” That's language of dominion and authority. He is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” as Revelation 19 puts it. And the second thing to note is at the end of verse 3. We already considered part of this. It says, “he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Actually, this is the first of four refences in Hebrews to Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father. The phrase “right hand” is significant because it indicates power and authority. The one who sits on the right hand of a throne is the one given authority to govern and judge. He has all the majesty and glory of the one next to whom he sits. In other words, it's a testimony of Jesus as equal with the Father in authority and glory and power. He is our king. Let me summarize it this way. Jesus is the eternal King with all dominion, power, authority, and Majesty… all of that “due his name.” That's from verse 4 – Jesus is superior than the angels. Why? Because he is the Son. That's his name. That means Jesus is worthy for us to ascribe all those attributes to him because he is king of kings. Conclusion So, Jesus is Son the God – He's one with God… He's the ultimate Prophet as the eternal Son of God and Word of God. He's the perfect high Priest. He's the triumphant King with all God's radiance and power. And he's all of that together. Isn't that the incredible part? The prism of Hebrews 1 merely reveals who Jesus is in all these aspects of his nature and ministry. They are not separate. but are unified in the person and work of Christ. The dominion of his kingship, his priestly intercession, and the authority of his prophecy as the Son are who he is and what he has and will do for all eternity as the redeemer of the world. And in conclusion what is our response? Worship! Look at the response of the angels in verse 6! Worship. “Let all God's angels worship him.” When the Son of God entered the world as a baby in a manger, what did the angels do? They worshipped. Verses 5 and 6 here takes us back to Luke 2. Do you remember that? The angel appeared to the shepherds. He announced the great joy of the birth of the Savior, who IS Christ the Lord, he declared. And then verse 13 of Luke 2. “and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'” This advent, may we worship Jesus with the angels… worshipping our Lord in all the radiance and glory of God due his name as our Prophet, Priest, and King. Amen.

Galatians 5: Embracing Spiritual Freedom and Living in LoveWithin the sacred scriptures of the Bible, the book of Galatians has long stood as a beacon of spiritual guidance and enlightenment for believers.Chapter 5 of Galatians, in particular, radiates with profound teachings on freedom, love, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This chapter encapsulates the essence of Christian living and presents a roadmap for cultivating a life rooted in faith, love, and liberty.Context and BackgroundThe Galatian churches were grappling with the influence of Judaizers, who advocated for adherence to Jewish laws and customs as a means of salvation.In response, the apostle Paul wrote this epistle to reaffirm the core tenets of Christianity: salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Christ, and believers are no longer bound by the legalistic demands of the Old Testament law.Freedom in ChristGalatians 5 opens with a resounding declaration of the freedom that believers have in Christ. Paul asserts that Christ's sacrifice on the cross has liberated believers from the burden of the law, freeing them to experience the fullness of God's grace.This liberation isn't a license for sinful behavior, but rather an opportunity to live a life guided by the Spirit and motivated by love.Walking by the SpiritCentral to Galatians 5 is the concept of walking by the Spirit. Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. The desires of the flesh, he explains, lead to sinful actions and attitudes, which are counter to the principles of Christian living. On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – are the characteristics that mark a life yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.By submitting to the Holy Spirit and allowing His transformative work, believers can overcome the temptations of the flesh and cultivate virtues that reflect the nature of God.This aligns with the central message of the Gospel: Christ's work not only redeems humanity from sin but also empowers them to live righteous and holy lives.Love as the Fulfillment of the LawA key highlight of Galatians 5 is the emphasis on love as the fulfillment of the law. Paul underscores that all the commandments are summed up in the command to love one's neighbor as oneself. When believers walk by the Spirit, they naturally exhibit love in their interactions, relationships, and choices.This echoes Jesus' teachings, where He emphasized that love is the distinguishing mark of His followers.Crucifying the FleshPaul encourages believers to crucify the desires of the flesh and to live in harmony with the Spirit. This requires a conscious decision to renounce selfish desires and sinful behaviors. Through this crucifixion of the flesh, believers can fully embrace the freedom they have in Christ and allow the Spirit to guide their lives.Cultivating Freedom and LoveIn Galatians 5, Paul provides a blueprint for a life of spiritual freedom and love. By walking by the Spirit, believers can bear the fruit of godly virtues and demonstrate Christ-like character.The chapter calls for an active engagement with the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, which enables believers to rise above the trappings of the flesh and experience the abundant life Christ promised.ConclusionGalatians 5 resonates with the eternal truth that Christianity is not a set of rigid rules but a transformative relationship with Christ. It emphasizes that true freedom is found in surrender to the Spirit and that genuine Christian living is marked by love – for God, for oneself, and for others. As believers, we are invited to embrace the liberty Christ secured for us, to nurture the fruit of the Spirit, and to manifest love in all our actions. Galatians 5 stands as a radiant reminder that the life of a Christian is a life of freedom and love.SendMe Radio is now an online streaming internet radio station, packed with all the messages on the podcast. Listen to awesome Interviews, thousands of Gospel Music, and discover new businesses and their inspiring stories. Also if you would like a radio commercial for your Church, social or business event contact us via email digitalink@sendmeradio.com Google Assistant Google Action is available on Google Home:
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After a mountain-top vision from the text last week, John now gives a startlingly dark description of what awaits those who reject the living God and worship the beast. This week's passage contains probably the most explicit reference to the nature of God's wrath in all of the scriptures and so it is rightfully met with a sense of trembling. But ultimately, this is a word to encourage the saints to endure all the more.

As we continue our study on religion, the Gospel, and Christ, Pastor Ricky points us to the cross. Jesus' death and resurrection calls us to lay religion down at the foot of the cross. They free us up so we can take hold of the gospel of grace. We don't need religion to try to earn our salvation from Christ. Nothing we can do can make Him love us any more than He already does. Likewise, nothing we do can make Him love us any less either.

Pastor Ricky teaches today about the difference between religion and Jesus. Religion takes what Jesus did and adds to it with works as if we could earn our salvation, as if Jesus needed more convincing to die on the cross for us. Jesus died because He loves us. He was the creator of the universe. He was fully man and He was also fully God. Maybe today you're trying to earn what Christ did on the cross for you, no need. He already saved you from your past, present, and future sins.