Podcasts about grace and truth

This sermon concludes the three-week series "God Our Home," connecting the longing for God's presence with the reality of Christmas. We recap that God's desire to dwell with His people is the entire storyline of the Bible—from Eden to the New Creation. However, significant barriers like disobedience, shame, lies, and God's holiness keep us from experiencing this intimacy.The Good News of Christmas is that Jesus came to address every single barrier. He is the "obedience of the one" that makes many righteous. He clothes our shame so we can hide in Him rather than from Him. He reveals the true nature of the Father, dispelling lies. He comes full of grace and truth to make us holy, paying the entrance fee we could never afford. And He empowers us to forgive by first forgiving us.Scripture ReferencesRevelation 21:3: "I will be your God, you will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst."Psalm 22:3: God inhabits the praises of His people.Deuteronomy 8:10-14: A warning not to forget God in times of plenty.John 8:28-29: Jesus' perfect obedience to the Father.Romans 5:19: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."Colossians 3:3: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."Hebrews 4:15: We have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses.John 14:6-9: Jesus reveals the Father: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."John 1:14: The Word became flesh, full of grace and truth.Matthew 6:9-15: The Lord's Prayer, emphasizing forgiveness.Key PointsJesus Addresses Our BarriersDisobedience: Jesus' perfect submission overthrows our rebellion. His obedience is credited to us, making us righteous.Shame: Instead of hiding from God in shame, we can hide in Christ. He clothes us in His righteousness, fully knowing and fully loving us.Lies: Jesus reveals the true nature of the Father, dispelling the enemy's lies about God's character.Holiness: Jesus doesn't lower the standard; He pays the price. He comes full of grace and truth to make us holy and blameless in God's sight.Unforgiveness: We are empowered to forgive others because we have been forgiven a debt we could never pay.How to Not Miss His Presence Like the characters in the first Christmas story who did experience God, we must:Worship: Adore Him to gain perspective and crush comparison.Ponder: Like Mary, treasure God's work in your heart. Be curious and wonder about Him.Seek: Like the Wise Men, actively pursue Him. Don't assume His presence; hunt for it.ConclusionWe don't have to live separated from God. Jesus, Emmanuel, has come to bridge the gap. He has dealt with our sin, shame, and separation so that we can once again stand in the presence of a holy God—not with fear, but with boldness and joy.Calls to ActionInvite Someone: 80% of people are willing to come to church if invited. Use this Christmas season to invite someone to the Fox Theatre service.Worship & Ponder: In the busyness of the season, take time to worship and ponder what Christ has done to bring you near.Come to the Table: As you take communion, reflect on the cost Jesus paid to remove every barrier between you and the Father. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 1073AB recorded on March 30, 1986 teaching from John 1:14 – We Beheld His Glory, Full of Grace and Truth – Easter Sunday. Pastor Cyril A. Stevens’s Easter Sunday sermon centers on the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection, drawing heavily from the Gospel of John, specifically the theme of Jesus…

Luke 2:1-17; John 1:1-18 // Brooks NesseLuke presents the humble birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, focusing on the historical event, the census, the manger, and the joyful announcement to the shepherds. John's opening reveals the cosmic identity of Christ as the Word of God—who was with God, was God, and became flesh. This sermon beautifully connects the majesty of the eternal Son with the simplicity of the child in the manger, showing that the Creator entered His own creation as our Savior and Light. Essential for understanding the profound reality of Christmas.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2542/responses/new25.12.14

Luke 2:1-17; John 1:1-18 // Ben BeasleyLuke presents the humble birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, focusing on the historical event, the census, the manger, and the joyful announcement to the shepherds. John's opening reveals the cosmic identity of Christ as the Word of God—who was with God, was God, and became flesh. This sermon beautifully connects the majesty of the eternal Son with the simplicity of the child in the manger, showing that the Creator entered His own creation as our Savior and Light. Essential for understanding the profound reality of Christmas.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2509/responses/new25.12.14

Luke 2:1-17; John 1:1-18 // Manny CheryLuke presents the humble birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, focusing on the historical event, the census, the manger, and the joyful announcement to the shepherds. John's opening reveals the cosmic identity of Christ as the Word of God—who was with God, was God, and became flesh. This sermon beautifully connects the majesty of the eternal Son with the simplicity of the child in the manger, showing that the Creator entered His own creation as our Savior and Light. Essential for understanding the profound reality of Christmas.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2553/responses/new25.12.14

Luke 2:1-17; John 1:1-18 // Rachel NesseLuke presents the humble birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, focusing on the historical event, the census, the manger, and the joyful announcement to the shepherds. John's opening reveals the cosmic identity of Christ as the Word of God—who was with God, was God, and became flesh. This sermon beautifully connects the majesty of the eternal Son with the simplicity of the child in the manger, showing that the Creator entered His own creation as our Savior and Light. Essential for understanding the profound reality of Christmas.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2553/responses/new25.12.14

Luke 2:1-17; John 1:1-18 // Tim OverbyLuke presents the humble birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, focusing on the historical event, the census, the manger, and the joyful announcement to the shepherds. John's opening reveals the cosmic identity of Christ as the Word of God—who was with God, was God, and became flesh. This sermon beautifully connects the majesty of the eternal Son with the simplicity of the child in the manger, showing that the Creator entered His own creation as our Savior and Light. Essential for understanding the profound reality of Christmas.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2574/responses/new25.12.14

Pastor Will continues his series through the Book of 2 Chronicles with a message entitled "Grace And Truth - Part 2" - 2 Chronicles 33:9-20. Audio Dec 14th pm - "Grace And Truth - Part 2" - 2 Chronicles 33:9-20.mp3File Size: 24105 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

The Balance of Grace and TruthScripture: John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”The Bible says Jesus came full of grace and full of truth. Not half grace, half truth. He was not primarily filled with grace and sprinkled with truth. He embodied both truth and grace in equal measure. He was full of both. That means if we want to reflect Jesus, we must carry both in our lives.Accept Jesus Today: https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!"****Congratulations! You are now a child of the most high. John 1:12 says, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.” I would love to connect with you and chat with you about all the amazing things God is doing in your life.Click here for FREE eBook Download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love, support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cashapp: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles: https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/BooksofMalachiJoin Our Support Club: https://tinyurl.com/Support-ClubInvesting Opportunity: https://coinholders.hnocoin.com/signup/?refer=Malachi2uFREE Ways to Support Me:

The Live recording of the 10 am Service at Steadfast Church in Carlsbad, California with Pastor Chris Fik, December 7, 2025.

Pastor Will continues his series through the Book of 2 Chronicles with a message entitled "Grace And Truth" - 2 Chronicles 33:1-8. Audio Dec 7th pm - "Grace And Truth" - 2 Chronicles 33:1-8.mp3File Size: 18207 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

Mark 5:31-32

Message from Pastor Bryan Lamb on November 23, 2025

Tightrope - Balancing Grace and Truth in 1 Corinthians Week 4: “Already, But Not Yet” I. The Foundation of Our Faith: The Resurrection “But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can't be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19**, NLT**) II. The Tightrope Between Adam and Jesus: Death and Life “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22**, NLT**) III. The Hope That Transforms Today “But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-57**, NLT**) Think About It. What does living in the tension of “already, but not yet” mean to you? How does Jesus' resurrection as the “firstfruits” impact your view of current struggles? How can you walk “from victory” in moments of temptation or guilt? How can our church better support each other in this tension? Which practical step (Scripture, prayer, generosity, community) will you focus on this week and why? For more information about Middle River Assembly of God visit https://middleriverag.org/ To help support the mission of Middle River Assembly of God, please go to our new giving platform https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 CCLI Copyright License # 1013363 CCLI Streaming License # 20006236 Thank you for your support. Middle River Assembly of God 9620 Bird River Rd. Middle River, MD 21220 MiddleRiverAG@Gmail.com FB.com/MiddleRiverAG 410-391-7993 Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442

Speaker: Pastor Jon Black To connect further with Countryside Covenant Church, please visit csidecov.com.

Tightrope: Balancing Grace and Truth in 1 Corinthians Week 3: “Freedom and Responsibility” Write Up: In this sermon, we will look into Paul's teachings on Christian freedom and its limitations. We'll discuss how to balance the grace of freedom in Christ with the truth of our responsibility to others and to God. This includes addressing issues of personal conduct, and how our actions affect the community of believers. We will also discover that just because we can do something doesn't mean that we should. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 10:23-33 Think: Freedom in Christ is a gift that carries responsibility. Feel: Conviction about areas where my freedom may have been selfish or harmful. Do: Encourage others to live with freedom that is balanced by responsibility. POINT #1 – WHAT WE DO MATTERS  1 Corinthians 6:12-18 “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can't say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don't you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:12-18**, NLT**) POINT #2 – OUR CHOICES EFFECT OTHERS 1 Corinthians 10:23-30 “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.” If someone who isn't a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?” (1 Corinthians 10:23-30**, NLT**) POINT #3 – WALK THE TIGHTROPE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD  1 Corinthians 10:31-33 “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33**, NLT**) Think About It. 1. How have you experienced freedom in Christ, and what challenges have come with it? 2. Can you think of a time when your personal freedom affected someone else—positively or negatively? 3. What “guardrails” could you put in place to help you make choices that honor God and others? 4. How does knowing the Holy Spirit is with you change the way you approach freedom and responsibility? 5. In practical ways, how can you walk this tightrope in your daily life—at work, at home, online, or in relationships? For more information about Middle River Assembly of God visit https://middleriverag.org/ To help support the mission of Middle River Assembly of God, please go to our new giving platform https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 CCLI Copyright License # 1013363 CCLI Streaming License # 20006236 Thank you for your support. Middle River Assembly of God 9620 Bird River Rd. Middle River, MD 21220 MiddleRiverAG@Gmail.com FB.com/MiddleRiverAG 410-391-7993 Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 Find out more at https://love-connect-grow-serve-sermon.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Part 2 of our study on Grace and Truth.  References: John 1:14-18 1John 2:8 Hebrews 8:1-2 Hebrews 9:23-24 Ephesians 4:22-24 Hebrews 10:1-2 Romans 9:33 - 10:10  Isaiah 26:1-14  Isaiah 65:17-18 www.thesatisfiedgod.com Subscribe to our YouTube page - The Satisfied God Podcast YouTube Please like and follow our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/thesatisfiedgodpodcast Thanks for all your support in every way. Please share this podcast with your friends. We are available on every major podcast provider, including Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Spotify. Also, please subscribe to be made aware of every new episode. Thanks for listening and feel free to contact me at rabonbyrd@gmail.com You may help financially in the following ways: Give via PayPal by clicking this link: www.paypal.me/thesatisfiedgod Give via Cash App - $RabonByrdTSG Give via Zelle - rabonbyrd@gmail.com You may send financial support or other communications via U.S. mail to: PO Box 186 Marshall, AR 72650. Checks payable to Rabon Byrd. Memo: Satisfied God Podcast

What if the secret to authentic Christianity isn't choosing between love and truth, but holding both in perfect tension? This message takes us deep into John 1:14, where we discover that Jesus was 'full of grace and truth'—not 50% of each, but 100% of both, simultaneously. We're challenged to examine which way we naturally lean: Are we 'gracers' who avoid difficult conversations about sin and righteousness, or are we 'truthers' who wield Scripture like a weapon without compassion? The reality is that grace without truth becomes liberalism—excusing everything and confronting nothing. Truth without grace becomes legalism—judging quickly and forgiving slowly. But grace plus truth equals the liberty that transforms lives. This balance is even illustrated in our DNA, where two strands run in opposite directions yet perfectly complement each other. The cross of Jesus stands as the ultimate symbol of this divine balance: grace declares that anyone can be forgiven, while truth reminds us that forgiveness comes only through Christ's sacrifice. As we navigate our relationships, our witness, and our own spiritual growth, we're called to embody both—speaking truth in the spirit of grace, and extending grace in the spirit of truth. The question isn't whether we'll offend anyone, but whether we'll be balanced enough to draw people to Jesus the way He drew sinners, tax collectors, and outcasts to Himself.Connect with First Baptist Starkville: https://bit.ly/3imWgqv Subscribe to see our latest sermons: https://bit.ly/3DxRyjH Support this ministry and our work in Starkville, MS: https://bit.ly/44muvW0

Tightrope: Balancing Grace and Truth in 1 Corinthians Week 2: “Love and Knowledge”  **CHRISTIAN MATURITY IS BEING SENSITIVE TO OTHERS ** 1 Corinthians 8:1-8 “Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. It's true that we can't win God's approval by what we eat. We don't lose anything if we don't eat it, and we don't gain anything if we do.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-8, NLT) LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 “But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won't they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble.” (1 Corinthians 8:9-13, NLT) LOVE IS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-7, NLT) Think About it: Paul says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” How have you seen knowledge used without love in your own life or in the church? How did it impact people? What does it mean for love to be “sacrificial” in your daily life? Can you think of a recent example where you or someone else practiced sacrificial love? Love transforms knowledge into something meaningful. How can you apply this idea to your words, actions, or decisions this week? How can you tell the difference between doing something just because you can and doing it because it's loving toward others? Who in your life right now might need you to walk the tightrope—balancing truth, freedom, and love—and what's one step you can take toward them this week? For more information about Middle River Assembly of God visit https://middleriverag.org/ To help support the mission of Middle River Assembly of God, please go to our new giving platform https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 CCLI Copyright License # 1013363 CCLI Streaming License # 20006236 Thank you for your support. Middle River Assembly of God 9620 Bird River Rd. Middle River, MD 21220 MiddleRiverAG@Gmail.com FB.com/MiddleRiverAG 410-391-7993 Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 Find out more at https://love-connect-grow-serve-sermon.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ - Part 01 Enjoy! References: John 1:14-18 Psalms 119:160 Isaiah 10:20 -21   www.thesatisfiedgod.com Subscribe to our YouTube page - The Satisfied God Podcast YouTube Please like and follow our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/thesatisfiedgodpodcast Thanks for all your support in every way. Please share this podcast with your friends. We are available on every major podcast provider, including Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Spotify. Also, please subscribe to be made aware of every new episode. Thanks for listening and feel free to contact me at rabonbyrd@gmail.com You may help financially in the following ways: Give via PayPal by clicking this link: www.paypal.me/thesatisfiedgod Give via Cash App - $RabonByrdTSG Give via Zelle - rabonbyrd@gmail.com You may send financial support or other communications via U.S. mail to: PO Box 186 Marshall, AR 72650. Checks payable to Rabon Byrd. Memo: Satisfied God Podcast

Tightrope: Balancing Grace and Truth in 1 Corinthians Week 1: “Unity in Diversity” Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 12:12-27 **POINT #1 – PUTTING JESUS FIRST HELPS US KEEP OUR BALANCE ** 1 Corinthians 1:10-15 (NLT) I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. POINT #2 – UNITY, NOT UNIFORMITY 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NLT) The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. ** POINT #3 – PLAY YOUR PART** 1 Corinthians 12:15-27 (NLT) If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don't need you.” The head can't say to the feet, “I don't need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. Think About It. How can keeping Jesus as the center of our faith help prevent division in our church community? What are some practical ways we can intentionally balance grace and truth in our daily relationships within the church? How do you see your unique gifts and role contributing to the health and unity of our church body? What are ways churches or groups unintentionally promote uniformity rather than unity? How can we avoid that trap? When conflicts arise because of differences, how can the Holy Spirit and our shared focus on Jesus help us “stay steady” and work through those challenges? For more information about Middle River Assembly of God visit https://middleriverag.org/ To help support the mission of Middle River Assembly of God, please go to our new giving platform https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 CCLI Copyright License # 1013363 CCLI Streaming License # 20006236 Thank you for your support. Middle River Assembly of God 9620 Bird River Rd. Middle River, MD 21220 MiddleRiverAG@Gmail.com 410-391-7993 Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 Find out more at https://love-connect-grow-serve-sermon.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

What if justice could heal instead of harden? We explore how God's justice and grace are not competing forces but a unified power revealed in Jesus—where sin is taken seriously, paid in full, and people are invited into real change. Drawing from John 1, Micah 6:8, Psalm 89:14, Romans 3, and Ephesians 2, we define grace, mercy, truth, and justice in simple, grounded language and show how they work together rather than cancel each other out.As agents of reconciliation, we can offer holiness without a harsh tone, justice without cruelty, truth without coldness, and mercy without weakness. Grace invites people close; truth keeps them grounded; together they set us free. If your feed is full of outrage and your relationships feel brittle, this conversation offers a better way—one shaped by the cross, where justice and mercy meet and where love gains its depth from holiness.If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review with one way you're choosing grace and truth this week. Your stories help others find hope.

Scripture Reading: John 1:16-17Speaker: Jim AngehrSeries: "The Gospel of John"        

John closes his magnificent prologue using language with overt connections to Exodus 33-34, making clear his view of Jesus' divinity and beauty.   Taught by Ryan Doucet  

Overcoming deception and embracing the transforming power of divine love.Summary: We gathered for prayer and fellowship before diving into a powerful discussion on spiritual growth and the dangers of bad teaching. The meeting explored how false or incomplete doctrine often originates from the enemy's deception, subtly pulling believers away from God's love and grace. Through personal reflection and scriptural insight, we examined how the Holy Spirit exposes error and restores understanding through truth. The conversation also focused on humility, forgiveness, and submission to proper teaching as essential parts of growth. We ended by affirming that true transformation comes through grace—where God's love refines us, restores us, and replaces fear with freedom.Themes:Bad teaching and deception trace back to the enemy's lies (Revelation 12:9)Grace and truth expose error and lead to spiritual maturity (John 1:17)Overcoming fear through the perfect love of God (1 John 4:18)Submission to proper teaching brings protection and growth (Hebrews 13:17)God uses imperfect leaders to shape and refine His people (Romans 8:28)Forgiveness within the body of Christ strengthens unity and humility (Ephesians 4:31–32)Spiritual growth requires letting go of pride and relying on divine truth (James 4:6–8)Love and grace transform pain into understanding and maturity (2 Peter 3:18)Scripture References: Revelation 12:9; John 1:17; 1 John 4:18; Hebrews 13:17; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 4:31–32; James 4:6–8; 2 Peter 3:18Reflection Question: Am I willing to let God's truth confront my comfort—to unlearn what the world taught, so I can grow in grace and walk in His freedom?

Send us a textGood In Tension Week 1: Grace and TruthJesus' way of Loving was:Messy, Inconsistent, Unfair, ConfusingThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIVIt's not a problem to solve, it's a tension to manage.Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety -nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:1-8“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:17-24“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' “‘My son,' the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'” Luke 15:28-32God could not love you more. Nothing you do will cause Him to love you less.Discussion Questions:What's a funny or everyday “tension” you deal with, something like coffee vs. sleep or eating healthy vs. eating happy?When you hear the phrase “full of grace and truth,” which word do you personally lean toward, grace or truth.How have you seen people misuse grace or truth — leaning too hard on one side and missing the heart of Jesus?In that story, Jesus says, “I don't condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin.” How does that sentence hold tension between grace and truth?What does it mean for Relate Church (or your small group) to be “comfortable in the messy”? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Jesus is the eternal Word who created all things. Jesus became a human being and lived among us so we could see God's glory. In Jesus there is fullness of grace and truth, and through faith in him receive grace upon grace. Scripture References: John 1:14-18, 1 John 1:1-3 (NLT), Exodus 34:6, John 1:16 (Amplified Bible) -- Out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift], Revelation 21:3 Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson

The phrase “Have faith in God” is far more profound than we realize. It's not passive belief; it's an active choice to trust God over your own sensory knowledge. We must recognize that the world system is constantly being manipulated, designed to cause us to think opposite of the Word of God. Choosing to trust in the reality of God’s infinite truth is the key to living a successful life. Tune in as Pastor Mark A. Stroud delivers the powerful message, "Fight for Love" which is "Have Faith in God," Part 2, and learn how to make that essential choice. Connect with us at www.kingdomrock.org #FaithInGod #ChristianLiving #TrustGod #WordOfGod #ChristianMessage #SuccessfulLife #BibleStudy #Sermon #love #fightforlove

The phrase “Have faith in God” is far more profound than we realize. It's not passive belief; it's an active choice to trust God over your own sensory knowledge. We must recognize that the world system is constantly being manipulated, designed to cause us to think opposite of the Word of God. Choosing to trust in the reality of God’s infinite truth is the key to living a successful life. Tune in as Pastor Mark A. Stroud delivers the powerful message, "Fight for Love" which is "Have Faith in God," Part 2, and learn how to make that essential choice. Connect with us at www.kingdomrock.org #FaithInGod #ChristianLiving #TrustGod #WordOfGod #ChristianMessage #SuccessfulLife #BibleStudy #Sermon #love #fightforlove

"Grace and truth are like two arms with which he embraces us in love." Eric Wayman

The phrase “Have faith in God” is far more profound than we realize. It's not passive belief; it's an active choice to trust God over your own sensory knowledge. We must recognize that the world system is constantly being manipulated, designed to cause us to think opposite of the Word of God. Choosing to trust in the reality of God’s infinite truth is the key to living a successful life. Tune in as Pastor Mark A. Stroud delivers the powerful message, "Have Faith in God," Part 1, and learn how to make that essential choice. Connect with us at www.kingdomrock.org #FaithInGod #ChristianLiving #TrustGod #WordOfGod #ChristianMessage #SuccessfulLife #BibleStudy #Sermon #love #fightforlove

The phrase “Have faith in God” is far more profound than we realize. It's not passive belief; it's an active choice to trust God over your own sensory knowledge. We must recognize that the world system is constantly being manipulated, designed to cause us to think opposite of the Word of God. Choosing to trust in the reality of God’s infinite truth is the key to living a successful life. Tune in as Pastor Mark A. Stroud delivers the powerful message, "Have Faith in God," Part 1, and learn how to make that essential choice. Connect with us at www.kingdomrock.org #FaithInGod #ChristianLiving #TrustGod #WordOfGod #ChristianMessage #SuccessfulLife #BibleStudy #Sermon #love #fightforlove

Grace AND Truth — not one or the other. Jesus didn't just come to make us feel better… He came to set us free.

Shame has a way of whispering lies that drown out truth. For today's girls, those lies are amplified by comparison, perfectionism, and a culture that magnifies flaws instead of celebrating God's design. Left unchecked, shame doesn't just shape how our daughters see themselves—it can entangle whole families in cycles of silence, generational sin, and negative self-talk. But as followers of Christ, we know shame doesn't get the last word.  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden step into one of the hardest yet most necessary conversations for parents: how to help our daughters battle shame with grace and truth. With vulnerability, Melissa shares how childhood trauma left her searching for comfort in all the wrong places—and how God's faithful love brought freedom where shame once ruled. Rachael opens up about the weight of generational patterns and the importance of showing our girls that Christ's redemption runs deeper than family history.  Together, they explore why negative self-talk is so powerful, how inherited shame can quietly shape a girl's identity, and what it means for parents to model speaking God's truth over their own lives. This episode also offers practical tools—from “lie detector” check-ins to truth journals and worship playlists—that help girls replace the “not enough” lies with the promises of Scripture. And woven throughout is the unshakable hope that God rebuilds what shame has broken, turning burdens into blessings for generations to come.  This Week's Reminders:  Truth is the Antidote to Shame — Help your daughter identify lies and replace them with God's Word.  You're Her Coach, Not Her Constant Companion — Equip her with tools, but let her practice walking in truth on her own.  God Redeems Family Stories — Generational shame doesn't define her future—Christ does.  Scripture Referenced in This Episode:  2 Timothy 1:7  Daniel 3  Romans 8:1  Isaiah 61:3 (beauty for ashes)  Ecclesiastes 1:9 (“nothing new under the sun”)  Moms, you'll walk away from this episode encouraged not to fear these conversations, but to step into them with honesty, authenticity, and faith. Because when we teach our daughters to name shame and answer it with truth, we give them the confidence to live free in Christ.  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.  To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

Send us a textWhen King Rehoboam secured his throne, pride quickly followed--and it cost him everything. But when the nation finally bowed low before God, mercy moved, and wrath turned to grace.This message from 2 Chronicles 12:1-12 explores how pride can quietly pull us away from God, how humility opens the door to restoration, and why the way up in God's kingdom is always down.If you have ever tried to stand tall through your own strength and found yourself worn out instead, this message is for you. Discover the hope that comes when we stop fighting, stop pretending, and let God lift us up.Linkoln shares his story on why he started coming to Ravenna Church of the Nazarene and shares why you should consider doing the same.Ravenna Church of the Nazarene530 Main Street, Ravenna, KY 40472Support the showThe Dirt Path Sermon Podcast is a place for real sermons that speak to real life. Subscribe and walk the path with us every week. Consider visiting Ravenna Church of the Nazarene where Pastor Jason is the Senior Pastor. Have a prayer need? Want to share something with Pastor Jason? Email rav.naz.ky@gmail.com

How do you pass along the cold, hard truth and a warm and loving way? Is it in the words we choose . . . the body language we present . . . the context in which it’s expressed? Yes, yes and yes. But more than that, today Pastor Greg Laurie points out that it comes from a heart of genuine compassion and concern, energized by God’s love. Today here on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg begins the final message in his series in First, Second and Third John. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you pass along the cold, hard truth and a warm and loving way? Is it in the words we choose . . . the body language we present . . . the context in which it’s expressed? Yes, yes and yes. But more than that, today Pastor Greg Laurie points out that it comes from a heart of genuine compassion and concern, energized by God’s love. Today here on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg begins the final message in his series in First, Second and Third John. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last 6 weeks, we've been talking through our vision, mission, and philosophy as a church. We started with 4 sermons on the pillars to our ministry.·   First, being a faithful church, which begins with God's faithfulness to us in the Gospel.·   Second, the means through which God applies his grace in us – which are his Word, prayer, and the sacraments.·   Third, the overarching theme of the entire Bible, God's covenant promises and their fulfillment in Christ.·   And forth, God's appointed leaders for his church – elders.And now we are applying those pillars to our worship, our discipleship, and our missions. Last week we focused on worship – that is, corporate worship. This week's focus is on discipleship, and then next week, we will conclude with missions and outreach.Please turn to Matthew 28 in your Bibles. Our first of two sermon texts is what we call the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20. That is on page 993 in the Pew Bible.You may be wondering why our sermon text is the great commission, yet our focus is on discipleship. Well, that is because this passage is about discipleship. You can't really separate missions and discipleship. In fact, worship is in the mix as well. Discipleship begins in worship and includes missions. They all overlap.Reading of Matthew 28:18-20Our second sermon text is from 2 Peter chapter 3. That is on page 1209 in the Pew Bible. 2 Peter 3 verses 14-18.This is one of the more traditional passages related to discipleship. The apostle Peter has just written about the second coming of Christ. And then Peter writes these very important words as far as our godliness and our knowledge of Jesus Christ, as we wait for the new heavens and hearth.Reading of 2 Peter 3:14-18PrayerIf you were to survey 1000 pastors and you were to ask each one for a definition of discipleship, you would get 1000 different answers.Some would focus on relationships. Others would focus on Bible study. Some would center their answer on serving. Others would say it's about being real. Others would make the case that discipleship is all about missions. Some would say that it is about God's kingdom – kingdom discipleship. For others, it's life-on-life ministry. Others talk about sonship – being sons of God. Yet others describe it as head, heart, and hands. For some, families are the most important thing. For others, the church is key. Some say discipleship is about self-denial and taking up your cross.And we ask why? Why are there a gazillion definitions of discipleship?Well, I think the main part of the answer is quite simple.The word “discipleship” is not in the Bible. It is therefore difficult to come up with a Biblical definition for that reason. To be sure, the word “disciple” singular and “disciples” plural are in the Bible. It's just that the word discipleship is not. It's is a word that we've come up with to capture the task of making disciples. The word discipleship seeks to answer the “how” questions. How do we make disciples of Jesus? Discipleship is about implementation. That is why there are so many definitions.And so, I think it's better not to come up with a single approach to discipleship. Rather, I think it's best to first understand what a disciple is, then second, consider the foundations to making disciples. And only after we do that, can we evaluate discipleship approaches and start identifying our own principles.Here's what I am saying… rather than trying to come up with a definition of discipleship, it's better to consider the broader Biblical framework for the task of making disciples. That framework can then be used to evaluate discipleship approaches.By the way, this is an impossible task. I'm not talking about identifying the Biblical principles for making disciples, I'm talking about trying to preach on it in one sermon. I realized this on Friday afternoon. I thought, what have I got myself into? There is no way to fit this into a 30+ minute sermon. I also thought, I'm looking forward to getting back to our regular expository sermons in a couple of weeks.But we are here now. And many of you have mentioned that this series has been helpful. So, I'm going to press on and try.1. What is a disciple and what is the call?As I mentioned, let's begin with the question, what is a disciple?Let's start by looking at Matthew 28. These verses give us a good foundation on what a disciple is and what a disciple should pursue. And we know these verses well. Matthew 28 verse 19 – “Go therefore and make disciples.” By the way, much debate has been had about the underlying Greek words, especially the word “go.” We're not going to “go” there today. Let me simply say that the imperative here is to “make disciples.”The call is to bring people from not following Jesus to following Jesus. That is what the word disciple means - a follower. Being a follower includes, of course, believing in Jesus, but it implies a lot more. It includes a commitment to Jesus' teaching, and his ways, and pursuing his commands… just like Jesus' 12 disciples did.So the call in Matthew 28 is to “make disciples” and that involves two things here. First, it's bringing them into the covenant community. That's what Baptism is. It includes either being part of a household, like circumcision in the Old Testament – that's one reason why we disciple our children. Or it includes those coming into the covenant community for the first time as believers in Christ. So that's the first task.Second, making disciples also includes teaching the commandments of God. That is captured in verse 20. After the call to baptize, Jesus adds, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Being a disciple requires learning God's commands and pursuing them.I think that all makes sense because that is what a disciple is and what he does. He believes and follows Jesus.And the message to make disciples is simple. Faith, repentance, and obedience.Matthew 28 does not speak to the message. But Jesus has been clear. The Bible is clear. The core message is repentance from sin and faith in Christ. That is what we call our children to, and it is the call for all humanity. Obedience is part of that call. It comes after faith and repentance, as a response to God's grace. Again, Jesus said, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”However, let me say this. The call to faith and repentance does not end when we come to Christ. No, actually, faith, repentance, and obedience is the ongoing call for a disciple. Ongoing repentance from sin; an ongoing renewal of our faith; and an ongoing commitment to observe the commandments of God.Now, just to be sure, when you come to faith in Christ, you are secure in him. You are forgiven of your sin. That does not go away. Rather, renewing your faith in Christ, repentance from ongoing sin, and new obedience are in response to God's saving grace. I just want to be clear about that.Now, you may be thinking, “well, yeah, isn't that obvious? Of course, a disciple should believe that Jesus died for his or her sin and should believe that we need to pursue holiness despite our ongoing sin.”Well, the reason you may think those two points are obvious is because we teach them. We teach the heinousness of our sin before our holy God. We teach that the only path to God is by faith, repenting to God of our sin and trusting in Christ as our Savior. We teach that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is necessary to atone for our sin. And we teach that in our redeemed state, we are still sinners. We are redeemed sinners who struggle with sin but are empowered by God's Spirit to pursue holiness – and God calls us to pursue him. That is the Gospel.But let me say, that message is not emphasized in many parts of Christianity. Often sin is minimized. The word “sin” is not seen as culturally sensitive today. And so, some circles replace it with words like “brokenness” or “struggle” or “woundedness.” I am not saying that we are not broken nor struggle nor have wounds. But when those ideas are used in place of sin and not in connection to it, then the underlying problem of our separation from God because of sin is suppressed.What I am saying is that the task of making disciples of Jesus begins and ends with faith, repentance and the call to observe Jesus' commands.2. How do we mature as disciples?Ok, let's move on to a second helpful question. Let me ask you, how do you mature as a disciple of Jesus?It's important to ask that question because the Bible calls us to mature in our faith. We call that maturity sanctification. It is the ongoing work of God's Spirit where more and more we die to our sin and live to righteousness. The task of making disciples needs to include that lifelong pursuit. All throughout the Bible we are called to grow in our faith. We're called to be conformed to the image of Christ. We are called to be filled with the knowledge of his will. Hebrews 5 calls us to mature from milk to solid food like children. Ephesians 4 calls us to mature into manhood, growing up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. In 2 Timothy 3, we're to know the Word that the man of God may be equipped for every good work. Romans 12, we're to renew our minds.We would be here all day if we were to go through every single passage that speaks of being conformed more and more to Christ. Rather than doing that, I picked one example that I find to be very helpful as a representative passage. 2 Peter 3:14-18 – it was our second sermon text. If you'll turn there.This is one of my favorite passages about our sanctification.We're going to focus on verse 18, but I don't want to overlook the context.The apostle Peter had just written about Christ's second coming when he will make all things new. While we are waiting, we're called in verse 14 to “be diligent” that we may be “found by him without spot or blemish…” And then a couple of verses later in verse 17, there is a warning against sin. It says, “…take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people...”Then we get to verse 18 which is my favorite. If you only remember one thing about this sermon on discipleship, I want you to remember this verse. 2 Peter 3:18. It says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I love it. Let me read it again. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”Look first at the titles given to Jesus. Lord and Savior. He is to be both. He is to be Lord over us as we live. We look to him, as Lord. He is to lead us in what is true and right and good. But Jesus is not only our Lord. Jesus is not just a model for living. His teaching includes more than just commands about how to live. He is also our Savior. He has redeemed us. He calls us, as I mentioned earlier, to faith and repentance.And the command in verse 18 is to grow in two things: grace and knowledge of him.·   First, we are to grow in grace. That is, more and more we need to see our sin and the depths of his mercy and love. We are to grow in our understanding of the cross and the hope of the resurrection in our suffering, and grief, and pain. That is all growing in grace.·   And second, we are to grow in our knowledge of him. We need to know his Word, not for the sake of head knowledge but for the sake of knowing him, knowing God, in his fullness, and living out his commands.You see, when it comes to discipleship, verse 18 is so very helpful. It directs us to the core things that discipleship needs to be about. It direct us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And that is very consistent with the rest of Scripture.A few weeks ago do you remember that I sang you a song during my sermon? Remember it? “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you'll grow, grow, grow.”That was probably the first and last time that I'll do that. Remember that we talked about the ordinary means through which God changes us. And what are those ordinary means? God's Word, Prayer, and the sacraments. We considered Acts 2:42, about the early church, and we looked at Hebrews 4 as well as 1 Corinthians 10.Our sanctification, that is, our growth in grace, comes through the Holy Spirit's work in us as we engage in these appointed means – (1) reading and studying God's word, (2) praying to the one true God of heaven and earth, and (3) participating in the visible signs through which he shows us the Gospel and strengthens our faith, Baptism and the Lord's Supper.And to tie that back to what I mentioned earlier, through those means, we are called again and again to repentance, to a renewal of our faith, and to further observance of and obedience to God's word and will.Here's what I am saying. Any discipleship approach needs to include some aspect of those foundations. I'm not saying every discipleship approach needs to include all of it. But every discipleship approach needs to direct us toward maturing in Christ by… revealing our sin and his grace and commands… or directing us to God Word, prayer, and the sacraments. It is through those avenues, that God conforms us more and more to his image.·   So, if a discipleship approach is only about loving as Jesus loved but mentions nothing about sin nor Jesus' call to repentance and faith, then it falls short.·   If a discipleship approach is all about being a better husband or wife, or a better doctor or electrician, or a better neighbor, but there's nothing about the grace of God in Christ and being conformed to him and his commands, then it falls short.·   If a discipleship approach is about the disciplines of the Christian life, but does not focus on knowing God's Word and being in prayer, then it falls short.I could go on with more examples. My point is that the Scriptures do give us a framework for making disciples. And that framework needs to be at the heart of our discipleship approach.Discipleship at Tucker PresbyterianWhich brings us to our church – Tucker Presbyterian. Given what I've said already, how are we seeking to make disciples?By the way, it's entirely impossible for me to answer that question over the next 10 minutes.But I do want to let you know that on the welcome table is a draft of our new philosophy of discipleship. We, as your elders, have been working on this for the last 2-3 months. It includes the foundations to discipleship, which I've just mentioned, but also includes our priorities in discipleship and how we desire to work those out… in worship, in our children and youth ministry, and our adult ministries, which includes our men's and women's ministries.I can't cover it all, but I do want to highlight 8 priorities or principles of our discipleship.1. We believe discipleship begins in worship. This is really important. Corporate worship is where the means of grace converge, as I mentioned last week. God works through our worship, including our family or private worship. Through worship, he conform us to him as we declare salvation in Jesus Christ and praise God for his grace and mercy.2. In our discipleship, we desire to foster a heart for missions – a heart for our neighbor and a heart for the nations. In other words, disciple making involves disciple making, which is calling people to faith in Christ. More on this one next week.3. Discipleship needs to direct people to the local church. Local congregations, where God's covenant people gather, are God's ordained avenues for worship, discipleship, and missions. The sign of baptism is the sign of our ingrafting into Christ and therefore ingrafting into one another as a body of believers.4. We seek to disciple one another across generations. God's call for the church is to be a people of God together. We want our members, old and young alike, to know and care for and support one other in the task of discipleship. To be sure, we do not believe this should be the exclusive pattern. As Proverbs teaches, a brother is born for adversity, and as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. There is value in peer discipleship, but often times, churches overprioritize that and not intergenerational discipleship.5. Every single one of us is called in one way or another to the task of making disciples. You may be a parent, you may be an ordained leader in the church, you may have been given one of several Holy Spirit given gifts mentioned in the Bible such as teaching or knowledge or wisdom. Even if none of that applies to you, you are still called to be a witness to your neighbor or co-worker or family member. We are all to be disciple makers.6. This next one is about children and parents. Parents are ordinarily to be the primary disciplers of their children. However, not all children have believing parents or parent, nor are all parents available for different reasons. The church needs to support parents and children in the discipleship endeavor.o7. Church discipline is a matter of discipleship. Two months ago, when we were in 2 Corinthians chapter 13, we considered the responsibility that the church has to disciple those whose sin is destroying the family of God or whose sin is unrepentant and grievous. We can't unpack all of that here, but that sermon is out on our website and podcast. And let me remind you that the goal of church disciple is always repentance, renewed faith, and restoration. 8. Finally, number 8. Discipleship needs to happen in the context of fellowship. In Acts 2:42 intentional fellowship, or koinonia fellowship, is included with the means of grace. Fellowship is important. We believe discipleship happens in relationships with one another because we are brothers and sisters united together in Christ.So, those are our priorities in discipleship: the priority of worship, a heart for missions, the centrality of the local church, discipleship across generations and in support of peers, assisting parents, church discipline, and all in the context of deep fellowship.ConclusionIn summary, we do not believe there's a one-size-fits-all pattern for implementing discipleship. However, that does not mean that all discipleship approaches are good. We need to evaluate each according to God's pattern for making disciples which he has given in his Word.And at its core, that pattern for making disciples involves (1) calling each other to faith and repentance and obedience in Christ, and (2) directing one another to the Word, prayer, and the sacraments. It is through those means that God will grow us in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Over the last 6 weeks, we've been talking through our vision, mission, and philosophy as a church. We started with 4 sermons on the pillars to our ministry. ·      First, being a faithful church, which begins with God's faithfulness to us in the Gospel. ·      Second, the means through which God applies his grace in us – which are his Word, prayer, and the sacraments. ·      Third, the overarching theme of the entire Bible, God's covenant promises and their fulfillment in Christ. ·      And forth, God's appointed leaders for his church – elders. And now we are applying those pillars to our worship, our discipleship, and our missions. Last week we focused on worship – that is, corporate worship. This week's focus is on discipleship, and then next week, we will conclude with missions and outreach. Please turn to Matthew 28 in your Bibles. Our first of two sermon texts is what we call the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20. That is on page 993 in the Pew Bible. You may be wondering why our sermon text is the great commission, yet our focus is on discipleship. Well, that is because this passage is about discipleship. You can't really separate missions and discipleship. In fact, worship is in the mix as well. Discipleship begins in worship and includes missions. They all overlap. Reading of Matthew 28:18-20 Our second sermon text is from 2 Peter chapter 3. That is on page 1209 in the Pew Bible. 2 Peter 3 verses 14-18. This is one of the more traditional passages related to discipleship. The apostle Peter has just written about the second coming of Christ. And then Peter writes these very important words as far as our godliness and our knowledge of Jesus Christ, as we wait for the new heavens and hearth. Reading of 2 Peter 3:14-18 Prayer If you were to survey 1000 pastors and you were to ask each one for a definition of discipleship, you would get 1000 different answers. Some would focus on relationships. Others would focus on Bible study. Some would center their answer on serving. Others would say it's about being real. Others would make the case that discipleship is all about missions. Some would say that it is about God's kingdom – kingdom discipleship. For others, it's life-on-life ministry. Others talk about sonship – being sons of God. Yet others describe it as head, heart, and hands. For some, families are the most important thing. For others, the church is key. Some say discipleship is about self-denial and taking up your cross. And we ask why? Why are there a gazillion definitions of discipleship? Well, I think the main part of the answer is quite simple. The word “discipleship” is not in the Bible. It is therefore difficult to come up with a Biblical definition for that reason. To be sure, the word “disciple” singular and “disciples” plural are in the Bible. It's just that the word discipleship is not. It's is a word that we've come up with to capture the task of making disciples. The word discipleship seeks to answer the “how” questions. How do we make disciples of Jesus? Discipleship is about implementation. That is why there are so many definitions. And so, I think it's better not to come up with a single approach to discipleship. Rather, I think it's best to first understand what a disciple is, then second, consider the foundations to making disciples. And only after we do that, can we evaluate discipleship approaches and start identifying our own principles. Here's what I am saying…  rather than trying to come up with a definition of discipleship, it's better to consider the broader Biblical framework for the task of making disciples. That framework can then be used to evaluate discipleship approaches. By the way, this is an impossible task. I'm not talking about identifying the Biblical principles for making disciples, I'm talking about trying to preach on it in one sermon. I realized this on Friday afternoon. I thought, what have I got myself into? There is no way to fit this into a 30+ minute sermon. I also thought, I'm looking forward to getting back to our regular expository sermons in a couple of weeks. But we are here now. And many of you have mentioned that this series has been helpful. So, I'm going to press on and try. 1. What is a disciple and what is the call? As I mentioned, let's begin with the question, what is a disciple? Let's start by looking at Matthew 28. These verses give us a good foundation on what a disciple is and what a disciple should pursue. And we know these verses well. Matthew 28 verse 19 – “Go therefore and make disciples.” By the way, much debate has been had about the underlying Greek words, especially the word “go.” We're not going to “go” there today. Let me simply say that the imperative here is to “make disciples.” The call is to bring people from not following Jesus to following Jesus. That is what the word disciple means - a follower. Being a follower includes, of course, believing in Jesus, but it implies a lot more. It includes a commitment to Jesus' teaching, and his ways, and pursuing his commands… just like Jesus' 12 disciples did. So the call in Matthew 28 is to “make disciples” and that involves two things here. First, it's bringing them into the covenant community. That's what Baptism is. It includes either being part of a household, like circumcision in the Old Testament – that's one reason why we disciple our children. Or it includes those coming into the covenant community for the first time as believers in Christ. So that's the first task. Second, making disciples also includes teaching the commandments of God. That is captured in verse 20. After the call to baptize, Jesus adds, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Being a disciple requires learning God's commands and pursuing them. I think that all makes sense because that is what a disciple is and what he does. He believes and follows Jesus. And the message to make disciples is simple. Faith, repentance, and obedience. Matthew 28 does not speak to the message. But Jesus has been clear. The Bible is clear. The core message is repentance from sin and faith in Christ. That is what we call our children to, and it is the call for all humanity. Obedience is part of that call. It comes after faith and repentance, as a response to God's grace. Again, Jesus said, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” However, let me say this. The call to faith and repentance does not end when we come to Christ. No, actually, faith, repentance, and obedience is the ongoing call for a disciple. Ongoing repentance from sin; an ongoing renewal of our faith; and an ongoing commitment to observe the commandments of God. Now, just to be sure, when you come to faith in Christ, you are secure in him. You are forgiven of your sin. That does not go away. Rather, renewing your faith in Christ, repentance from ongoing sin, and new obedience are in response to God's saving grace. I just want to be clear about that. Now, you may be thinking, “well, yeah, isn't that obvious? Of course, a disciple should believe that Jesus died for his or her sin and should believe that we need to pursue holiness despite our ongoing sin.” Well, the reason you may think those two points are obvious is because we teach them. We teach the heinousness of our sin before our holy God. We teach that the only path to God is by faith, repenting to God of our sin and trusting in Christ as our Savior. We teach that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is necessary to atone for our sin. And we teach that in our redeemed state, we are still sinners. We are redeemed sinners who struggle with sin but are empowered by God's Spirit to pursue holiness – and God calls us to pursue him. That is the Gospel. But let me say, that message is not emphasized in many parts of Christianity. Often sin is minimized. The word “sin” is not seen as culturally sensitive today. And so, some circles replace it with words like “brokenness” or “struggle” or “woundedness.” I am not saying that we are not broken nor struggle nor have wounds. But when those ideas are used in place of sin and not in connection to it, then the underlying problem of our separation from God because of sin is suppressed. What I am saying is that the task of making disciples of Jesus begins and ends with faith, repentance and the call to observe Jesus' commands. 2. How do we mature as disciples? Ok, let's move on to a second helpful question. Let me ask you, how do you mature as a disciple of Jesus? It's important to ask that question because the Bible calls us to mature in our faith. We call that maturity sanctification. It is the ongoing work of God's Spirit where more and more we die to our sin and live to righteousness. The task of making disciples needs to include that lifelong pursuit. All throughout the Bible we are called to grow in our faith. We're called to be conformed to the image of Christ. We are called to be filled with the knowledge of his will. Hebrews 5 calls us to mature from milk to solid food like children. Ephesians 4 calls us to mature into manhood, growing up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. In 2 Timothy 3, we're to know the Word that the man of God may be equipped for every good work. Romans 12, we're to renew our minds. We would be here all day if we were to go through every single passage that speaks of being conformed more and more to Christ. Rather than doing that, I picked one example that I find to be very helpful as a representative passage. 2 Peter 3:14-18 – it was our second sermon text. If you'll turn there. This is one of my favorite passages about our sanctification. We're going to focus on verse 18, but I don't want to overlook the context. The apostle Peter had just written about Christ's second coming when he will make all things new. While we are waiting, we're called in verse 14 to “be diligent” that we may be “found by him without spot or blemish…” And then a couple of verses later in verse 17, there is a warning against sin. It says, “…take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people...” Then we get to verse 18 which is my favorite. If you only remember one thing about this sermon on discipleship, I want you to remember this verse. 2 Peter 3:18. It says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I love it. Let me read it again. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Look first at the titles given to Jesus. Lord and Savior. He is to be both. He is to be Lord over us as we live. We look to him, as Lord. He is to lead us in what is true and right and good. But Jesus is not only our Lord. Jesus is not just a model for living. His teaching includes more than just commands about how to live. He is also our Savior. He has redeemed us. He calls us, as I mentioned earlier, to faith and repentance. And the command in verse 18 is to grow in two things: grace and knowledge of him. ·      First, we are to grow in grace. That is, more and more we need to see our sin and the depths of his mercy and love. We are to grow in our understanding of the cross and the hope of the resurrection in our suffering, and grief, and pain. That is all growing in grace. ·      And second, we are to grow in our knowledge of him. We need to know his Word, not for the sake of head knowledge but for the sake of knowing him, knowing God, in his fullness, and living out his commands. You see, when it comes to discipleship, verse 18 is so very helpful. It directs us to the core things that discipleship needs to be about. It direct us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And that is very consistent with the rest of Scripture. A few weeks ago do you remember that I sang you a song during my sermon? Remember it? “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you'll grow, grow, grow.” That was probably the first and last time that I'll do that. Remember that we talked about the ordinary means through which God changes us. And what are those ordinary means? God's Word, Prayer, and the sacraments. We considered Acts 2:42, about the early church, and we looked at Hebrews 4 as well as 1 Corinthians 10. Our sanctification, that is, our growth in grace, comes through the Holy Spirit's work in us as we engage in these appointed means – (1) reading and studying God's word, (2) praying to the one true God of heaven and earth, and (3) participating in the visible signs through which he shows us the Gospel and strengthens our faith, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. And to tie that back to what I mentioned earlier, through those means, we are called again and again to repentance, to a renewal of our faith, and to further observance of and obedience to God's word and will. Here's what I am saying. Any discipleship approach needs to include some aspect of those foundations. I'm not saying every discipleship approach needs to include all of it. But every discipleship approach needs to direct us toward maturing in Christ by… revealing our sin and his grace and commands… or directing us to God Word, prayer, and the sacraments. It is through those avenues, that God conforms us more and more to his image. ·      So, if a discipleship approach is only about loving as Jesus loved but mentions nothing about sin nor Jesus' call to repentance and faith, then it falls short. ·      If a discipleship approach is all about being a better husband or wife, or a better doctor or electrician, or a better neighbor, but there's nothing about the grace of God in Christ and being conformed to him and his commands, then it falls short. ·      If a discipleship approach is about the disciplines of the Christian life, but does not focus on knowing God's Word and being in prayer, then it falls short. I could go on with more examples. My point is that the Scriptures do give us a framework for making disciples. And that framework needs to be at the heart of our discipleship approach. Discipleship at Tucker Presbyterian Which brings us to our church – Tucker Presbyterian. Given what I've said already, how are we seeking to make disciples? By the way, it's entirely impossible for me to answer that question over the next 10 minutes. But I do want to let you know that on the welcome table is a draft of our new philosophy of discipleship. We, as your elders, have been working on this for the last 2-3 months. It includes the foundations to discipleship, which I've just mentioned, but also includes our priorities in discipleship and how we desire to work those out… in worship, in our children and youth ministry, and our adult ministries, which includes our men's and women's ministries. I can't cover it all, but I do want to highlight 8 priorities or principles of our discipleship. 1. We believe discipleship begins in worship. This is really important. Corporate worship is where the means of grace converge, as I mentioned last week. God works through our worship, including our family or private worship. Through worship, he conform us to him as we declare salvation in Jesus Christ and praise God for his grace and mercy. 2. In our discipleship, we desire to foster a heart for missions – a heart for our neighbor and a heart for the nations. In other words, disciple making involves disciple making, which is calling people to faith in Christ. More on this one next week. 3. Discipleship needs to direct people to the local church. Local congregations, where God's covenant people gather, are God's ordained avenues for worship, discipleship, and missions. The sign of baptism is the sign of our ingrafting into Christ and therefore ingrafting into one another as a body of believers. 4. We seek to disciple one another across generations. God's call for the church is to be a people of God together. We want our members, old and young alike, to know and care for and support one other in the task of discipleship. To be sure, we do not believe this should be the exclusive pattern. As Proverbs teaches, a brother is born for adversity, and as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. There is value in peer discipleship, but often times, churches overprioritize that and not intergenerational discipleship. 5. Every single one of us is called in one way or another to the task of making disciples. You may be a parent, you may be an ordained leader in the church, you may have been given one of several Holy Spirit given gifts mentioned in the Bible such as teaching or knowledge or wisdom. Even if none of that applies to you, you are still called to be a witness to your neighbor or co-worker or family member. We are all to be disciple makers. 6. This next one is about children and parents. Parents are ordinarily to be the primary disciplers of their children. However, not all children have believing parents or parent, nor are all parents available for different reasons. The church needs to support parents and children in the discipleship endeavor.o 7. Church discipline is a matter of discipleship. Two months ago, when we were in 2 Corinthians chapter 13, we considered the responsibility that the church has to disciple those whose sin is destroying the family of God or whose sin is unrepentant and grievous. We can't unpack all of that here, but that sermon is out on our website and podcast. And let me remind you that the goal of church disciple is always repentance, renewed faith, and restoration.   8. Finally, number 8. Discipleship needs to happen in the context of fellowship. In Acts 2:42 intentional fellowship, or koinonia fellowship, is included with the means of grace. Fellowship is important. We believe discipleship happens in relationships with one another because we are brothers and sisters united together in Christ. So, those are our priorities in discipleship: the priority of worship, a heart for missions, the centrality of the local church, discipleship across generations and in support of peers, assisting parents, church discipline, and all in the context of deep fellowship. Conclusion In summary, we do not believe there's a one-size-fits-all pattern for implementing discipleship. However, that does not mean that all discipleship approaches are good. We need to evaluate each according to God's pattern for making disciples which he has given in his Word. And at its core, that pattern for making disciples involves (1) calling each other to faith and repentance and obedience in Christ, and (2) directing one another to the Word, prayer, and the sacraments. It is through those means that God will grow us in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When Isaiah wrote "Truth has stumbled in the public squares" (Is. 59:14), he could just as well have been describing our day. Dennis and Barbara Rainey discuss the importance of training kids to recognize, appreciate, and love the truth.Barbara and Dennis Rainey tackle a question facing so many Christian families: how do we teach our children to love and stand for the truth in a world full of shifting values and competing ideas? Barbara shares insights from her own parenting journey—including the challenges of finding engaging material for kids of different ages—and explains why stories, especially those rooted in history and faith, are so powerful for passing down unchanging truths.Together, the Raineys reflect on our culture's drift toward relativism and the importance of grounding kids in the absolute standards found in Scripture. You'll hear why instilling a love for truth goes far beyond simple lessons about honesty, and discover the enduring role that family storytelling can play in shaping character and courage for generations to come. Stay tuned for practical encouragement and a preview of inspiring real-life stories that illuminate the hope and freedom found in living by the truth.00:00 Inspirational Family Storybooks05:37 "Passing Faith Through Storytelling"07:21 Stories About Truth for Families11:42 "I Am" Statements Poster Calendar13:25 "Dying Father's Words Revealed"

When we think of justice, we often think of fairness, punishment, or legal systems, but what does God's justice actually look like? And why is it good news, not just for the world, but for each of us personally?In this episode, we take a deep dive into a biblical look at God's justice. We explore how God's justice through Christ is beautiful, a blessing to us, and a reminder of how we should treat others. We also briefly address the tension that can arise when someone who has caused harm to us comes to Christ. How do we trust in God's justice when the person who hurt us is forgiven by Christ? What does it mean that Jesus paid for their sin, too?Join us for a conversation that re-centers our view of justice as we see it in scripture.Connect With Us providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook Email Us formation@providenceomaha.org

Segment 1: • Kirk's assassination sparked memes and laughter—proof of hollowed-out consciences. • “Demons among us” isn't metaphorical—darkness rules when life is mocked. • Redemption through Christ, not politics, is the only cure for such depravity. Segment 2: • Culture sets standards low—and behavior sinks even lower. • Mandates, laws, and culture shifts can't fix broken hearts. • Only heart transformation raises behavior and restores dignity. Segment 3: • Attacks on penal substitution are assaults on forgiveness itself. • PSA: Christ bore our punishment as our substitute—without it, no salvation. • Critics dismiss it as “cosmic child abuse,” but Scripture repeatedly affirms it. Segment 4: • Denying PSA guts the meaning of the cross. • Alternative atonement models may explain effects, but not the cause. • With PSA, the cross is God's greatest act of love AND justice—without it, just sentiment. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

In this episode with all five pastors we talk about our Sunday breakfast routine as pastors, we learn about what happens to Jeremy when he doesn't eat breakfast before his training session, and we discuss grace and truth.

Jesus' leadership was marked by both grace and truth—never one at the expense of the other. Truth sets boundaries, confronts sin, and reveals God's standards. Grace offers forgiveness, kindness, and help for people to flourish. When we look at Jesus' interactions—the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery—we see Him refusing to excuse sin while still welcoming sinners. Too often, we lean toward one side: emphasizing grace in a way that tolerates sin, or emphasizing truth in a way that crushes people under legalism. But Jesus shows us a better way. Compassion, not mere empathy, allows us to feel for others while staying anchored in God's truth, offering comfort and correction. As His people, we're called to represent Him by walking in this same framework of grace and truth—speaking truth in love, extending compassion, and standing firm in a culture that often demands one without the other.You can join our OneLife Sunday morning gatherings via livestream at 8:45am and 10:30am CST every Sunday morning. Or if you're local to the Bay Area of Houston, we'd love to have you join us in person Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 8:45am, 10:30am, and 12:30pm!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to join us live on Sunday mornings: / @onelifehoustonListen to more messages from OneLife Church at https://www.onelifehouston.com/messagesIf you would like to give to OneLife Church, you can do that here: https://www.onelifehouston.com/giveAt OneLife, we want to be and make disciples of Jesus who love God, one another, and our world. We are God's people making much of Jesus in everyday life for the good of the neighborhoods in the Bay Area of Houston and beyond.For more information about us and our gatherings, visit https://www.onelifehouston.com

Pastor, author, and activist Lucas Miles joins me today for a candid conversation about the challenges facing today's church. Lucas, author of Woke Jesus, brings a powerful perspective on how wokeness has infiltrated the pulpit and what it means for believers navigating these cultural shifts. We're exploring the importance of standing firm on biblical truth while engaging a culture that often resists it. Whether you're a church leader or a believer seeking to stay grounded in faith, this episode will encourage and equip you to think critically and biblically about the pressing issues of our time.Lucas Miles | lucasmiles.org | nfluencechurch.orgPrime Sponsor: No matter where you live, visit the Functional Medical Institute online today to connect with Drs Mark and Michele Sherwood. Go to homeschoolhealth.com to get connected and see some of my favorites items. Use coupon code HEIDI for 20% off!BRAVE Books | heidibrave.comLifestone Ministries | Lifestoneministries.com/heidiGive Send Go | givesendgo.comShow mentions: heidistjohn.com/mentionsWebsite | heidistjohn.comSupport the show! | donorbox.org/donation-827Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohnYoutube | youtube.com/@HeidiStJohnPodcastInstagram | @heidistjohnFacebook | Heidi St. JohnX | @heidistjohnFaith That Speaks Online CommunitySubmit your questions for Mailbox Mondayheidistjohn.net/mailboxmonday