Podcasts about greek jews

Homecoming: Holocaust Survivors and Greece, 1941-46 (Brandeis UP, 2025) records the experiences of Greek Jews who returned to their native country after World War II, when many went into hiding, fought in combat, became refugees, or were deported, some to Nazi death camps. Though they wanted more than anything to survive and come home, those who returned to postwar Greece faced isolation, anguish, deprivation, and hostility in the midst of a civil war. Their stories, which rarely feature in discussions of the Holocaust, raise important questions about its aftermath across Europe. Based on exhaustive archival research and new interviews with Holocaust survivors across several continents, Kateřina Králová's new book adds to our understanding of the genocide and its impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Homecoming: Holocaust Survivors and Greece, 1941-46 (Brandeis UP, 2025) records the experiences of Greek Jews who returned to their native country after World War II, when many went into hiding, fought in combat, became refugees, or were deported, some to Nazi death camps. Though they wanted more than anything to survive and come home, those who returned to postwar Greece faced isolation, anguish, deprivation, and hostility in the midst of a civil war. Their stories, which rarely feature in discussions of the Holocaust, raise important questions about its aftermath across Europe. Based on exhaustive archival research and new interviews with Holocaust survivors across several continents, Kateřina Králová's new book adds to our understanding of the genocide and its impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Homecoming: Holocaust Survivors and Greece, 1941-46 (Brandeis UP, 2025) records the experiences of Greek Jews who returned to their native country after World War II, when many went into hiding, fought in combat, became refugees, or were deported, some to Nazi death camps. Though they wanted more than anything to survive and come home, those who returned to postwar Greece faced isolation, anguish, deprivation, and hostility in the midst of a civil war. Their stories, which rarely feature in discussions of the Holocaust, raise important questions about its aftermath across Europe. Based on exhaustive archival research and new interviews with Holocaust survivors across several continents, Kateřina Králová's new book adds to our understanding of the genocide and its impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/genocide-studies

Homecoming: Holocaust Survivors and Greece, 1941-46 (Brandeis UP, 2025) records the experiences of Greek Jews who returned to their native country after World War II, when many went into hiding, fought in combat, became refugees, or were deported, some to Nazi death camps. Though they wanted more than anything to survive and come home, those who returned to postwar Greece faced isolation, anguish, deprivation, and hostility in the midst of a civil war. Their stories, which rarely feature in discussions of the Holocaust, raise important questions about its aftermath across Europe. Based on exhaustive archival research and new interviews with Holocaust survivors across several continents, Kateřina Králová's new book adds to our understanding of the genocide and its impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

At the end of last month Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the site of the Holocaust museum that is being built in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, a city that was home to a thriving and important Jewish community numbering in the tens of thousands before World War II. The museum has been years in the making, and, as The Guardian reported recently, is set to open in 2026. Leon Saltiel joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this means for the Jewish community of the city and of Greece, why it has taken so long, and what role this museum can play in combating worrying trends across Europe of anti-semitism, Holocaust denial, and the rise of the far-right.Leon Saltiel is a historian from Thessaloniki and author of the award winning book The Holocaust in Thessaloniki. He also serves as Director of Diplomacy, Representative at UN Geneva and UNESCO, and Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism for the World Jewish Congress.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Eighty years after thousands of Greek Jews were murdered, Thessaloniki's Holocaust museum is finally set to openGermany's president visits the site of a Holocaust museum being built in GreeceAs he heads to Athens, Turkish FM speaks of ‘positive momentum' but also ‘comprehensive solutions'Scholz sets stage for German snap election as government collapses 

While all eyes are on the US elections today, in Greece it seems that there is a permanent state of campaigning. After the PASOK elections a few weeks ago, SYRIZA is now preparing for its own leadership elections this month. In the meantime, internal drama in New Democracy and PASOK's improved poll numbers have caught the media's attention as well. Panos Koliastasis, adjunct lecturer in politics at the Hellenic Open University and author of the book Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these developments and what message they send about Greece's political scene.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Rival factions claim victory in SYRIZA delegate elections ahead of pivotal party congressND and SYRIZA contend with internal strife as PASOK advancesND's strategy against PASOK: Divide and conquerEighty years after thousands of Greek Jews were murdered, Thessaloniki's Holocaust museum is finally set to openPro-EU leader wins Moldova election despite alleged Russian meddlingMitsotakis congratulates Moldovan president on re-election

The Greek Jews wished to have a meeting with Jesus. Jesus told Andrew and Philip that the Greeks could find him through a life of self-sacrifice and following him. They needed to devote themselves to him, be a part of his people, and follow him to his cross in self-sacrifice. The same is true for us. 

Tradition, some people dislike it, want to eliminate all tradition. Other people will hold on tradition whether there's any real reason to have it or not. There's a lot of tradition that has been involved around the triumphal entry of what we call Palm Sunday and the Passion Week. Let's take a look at that tradition and to see what's actual and what has been misunderstood. Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 12:12 – 18 A great crowd is there to meet Jesus as He enters Jerusalem bringing palm branches and shouting Hosanna! John 12:19 The Pharisees are concerned their plans are not working John 12:20 – 22 Greek Jews want to meet Jesus and go to Philip John 12:23 Jesus tells them now is the time for Him to be glorified John 12:24 Jesus' death is necessary to bear much fruit John 12:25 Love your life, then lose it John 12:26 To serve Jesus is to follow Him and if you do the Father will honor you

Delving into a traditionally underexplored period, this book focuses on the treatment of Greek Jews under the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in the years leading up to the Second World War. Almost 86% of Greek Jews died in the Holocaust, leading many to think this was because of Metaxas and his fascist ideology. However, the situation in Greece was much more complicated; in fact, Metaxas in his policies often attempted to quash anti-Semitism.  The Fourth of August Regime and Greek Jewry, 1936-1941 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) explores how the Jews fit (and did not fit) into Metaxas's vision for Greece. Drawing on unpublished archival sources and Holocaust survivor testimonies, this book presents a ground-breaking contribution to Greek history, the history of Greek anti-Semitism, and sheds light on attitudes towards Jews during the interwar period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Delving into a traditionally underexplored period, this book focuses on the treatment of Greek Jews under the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in the years leading up to the Second World War. Almost 86% of Greek Jews died in the Holocaust, leading many to think this was because of Metaxas and his fascist ideology. However, the situation in Greece was much more complicated; in fact, Metaxas in his policies often attempted to quash anti-Semitism.  The Fourth of August Regime and Greek Jewry, 1936-1941 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) explores how the Jews fit (and did not fit) into Metaxas's vision for Greece. Drawing on unpublished archival sources and Holocaust survivor testimonies, this book presents a ground-breaking contribution to Greek history, the history of Greek anti-Semitism, and sheds light on attitudes towards Jews during the interwar period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Delving into a traditionally underexplored period, this book focuses on the treatment of Greek Jews under the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in the years leading up to the Second World War. Almost 86% of Greek Jews died in the Holocaust, leading many to think this was because of Metaxas and his fascist ideology. However, the situation in Greece was much more complicated; in fact, Metaxas in his policies often attempted to quash anti-Semitism.  The Fourth of August Regime and Greek Jewry, 1936-1941 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) explores how the Jews fit (and did not fit) into Metaxas's vision for Greece. Drawing on unpublished archival sources and Holocaust survivor testimonies, this book presents a ground-breaking contribution to Greek history, the history of Greek anti-Semitism, and sheds light on attitudes towards Jews during the interwar period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Delving into a traditionally underexplored period, this book focuses on the treatment of Greek Jews under the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in the years leading up to the Second World War. Almost 86% of Greek Jews died in the Holocaust, leading many to think this was because of Metaxas and his fascist ideology. However, the situation in Greece was much more complicated; in fact, Metaxas in his policies often attempted to quash anti-Semitism.  The Fourth of August Regime and Greek Jewry, 1936-1941 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) explores how the Jews fit (and did not fit) into Metaxas's vision for Greece. Drawing on unpublished archival sources and Holocaust survivor testimonies, this book presents a ground-breaking contribution to Greek history, the history of Greek anti-Semitism, and sheds light on attitudes towards Jews during the interwar period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/genocide-studies

Delving into a traditionally underexplored period, this book focuses on the treatment of Greek Jews under the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in the years leading up to the Second World War. Almost 86% of Greek Jews died in the Holocaust, leading many to think this was because of Metaxas and his fascist ideology. However, the situation in Greece was much more complicated; in fact, Metaxas in his policies often attempted to quash anti-Semitism.  The Fourth of August Regime and Greek Jewry, 1936-1941 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) explores how the Jews fit (and did not fit) into Metaxas's vision for Greece. Drawing on unpublished archival sources and Holocaust survivor testimonies, this book presents a ground-breaking contribution to Greek history, the history of Greek anti-Semitism, and sheds light on attitudes towards Jews during the interwar period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

What happens when we peel back the layers of time and examine the early Christian community through Acts 2:42-47? A revelation of unity, purpose, and a connection deeply embedded in prayer, apostolic teaching, meals shared in communion, and mutual care. In this episode, we illuminate these pillars from the past and draw parallels with our contemporary church practices.Fasten your seat belts as we chart the evolution of the church, from Greek Jews to the Gentiles, highlighting the turning point when worship shifted from Saturday to Sunday. We take a deep dive into the choppy waters of denominational divisions and church closures, seeking wisdom from the early church model of unity. The journey doesn't stop there; we also delve into the Restoration Movement, a significant period when visionaries like Alexander Campbell and Warren B. Stone endeavored to mend fences and return to the Bible as the compass guiding their path.Inspired by Jesus's prayer for unity among believers and the symbolic communion, we discuss how discipleship molds our community life, and why unity is the cornerstone for a community's work. Wrapping up, we consider the call for a deeper unity and how each one of us can contribute towards building a united church community. Hold on to your seats and get ready for an enlightening journey through the annals of Church history and its relevance to us today.

The city of Thessaloniki may be known as one of Greece's most scenic, waterfront cities, but go back to WWII, and it played stage to the deportation of thousands of local Greek Jews to places like Auschwitz, where the majority would ultimately lose their lives. Author, historian, Director of Diplomacy, Representative at UN Geneva and UNESCO, and Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism for the World Jewish Congress. Dr Leon Saltiel joins Ouzo Talk to tell the all-important story in a revealing and insightful episode. From heavy moments of despair, to rare glimmers of hope and heroism, this is an insight into what was once a thriving Jewish community in Greece and Thessaloniki during the world's greatest conflict.This episode is proudly brought to you by Meet The Greek Restaurant: https://www.meetthegreek.com.au/Support the showEmail us at ouzotalk@outlook.comSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3n85GSdk5Q&t=6sFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OuzoTalkFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ouzo_talk/

previously in our deep dive of John: A thronging mass of Greek Jews had come and desired to see Jesus. The curiosity seekers went to…

previously in our deep dive of John: A thronging mass of Greek Jews had come and desired to see Jesus. The curiosity seekers went to…

by Elder Mike Ivey (preached 5/14/22) If you’ve ever felt stressed out, burdened down, depressed, or discontent, it’s probably because you don’t have the proper view of Christ. When the Greek Jews came looking for Jesus, they said, “Sir, we … Read More

77 WABC celebrates 200 years of Greek Independence! Professor Asher J. Matathias was born in Yavan/Greece in 1943 to a Romaniote father and Sephardic mother. His parents survived the Holocaust by hiding in a cave, where he was born. He continues to advocate for Greek Jews, fighting the inherent anti-Semitism of Greek society, and lecturing around the country about Greek Jews, the Holocaust, Israel and current events. Professor Matathias joins Cats at Night with John Catsimatidis and Lidia Curanaj on Greek Independence Day.

Sermon ManuscriptI'm guilty. I have friends and family members that I've written off for the Gospel. In my mind, I've thought, “no way would they ever believe. They have too much anger, or other sin, or unbelief, or hurt. They are too opposed to the claims of Christ… or they don't see their need… or they're too proud to submit to Christ… and would never to turn their life over to him.” And the sad result of these thoughts is I've stopped praying for them, I've stopped sharing Christ.I don't think I'm alone here. Take a moment and think of one person in your life that you feel is a lost cause for Christ… Is it a sibling, a co-worker, a friend, a parent? Maybe yourself? Whoever it is – there is hope.If there's one takeaway from these verses – it's this: There is not an individual in the whole world whose heart is outside of God's ability to change and forgive. No one. And that includes you.Case in point - Saul here hated the believers in Jesus. He was breathing threats and murder against them. In other words, his hatred oozed out of everything he said and did. Saul wasn't just an enemy of the church – no, he was the chief enemy. I mean, look what happened after his conversion – verse 31 – “the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up.” Before, Saul had been ravaging the church. That's what it says in the beginning of chapter 8 – he had men and women in Jerusalem dragged off to prison. Saul was like a ravenous wolf – in pursuit of prey –he saw that the believers were scattered in Samaria. And so he sought official papers to pursue them in Damascus… and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. His goal was to snuff out those according to “the Way” – that's what some people called the believers, verse 2. And, of course, the Christians were afraid of Saul. We see a little bit of that in Ananias's initial reaction to the Lord… and even the disciples were apprehensive at first. They had certainly written him off for the Gospel. But God had other plans.In the bigger story of Acts, so far, we've seen this growing opposition to the early church. But what has happened is that the church has grown despite the persecution and actually because of it. And we come now to another big turning point in our church history. I say turning point because of all the ways God would use Saul of Tarsus for His kingdom. Let me note up-front… Saul is his Hebrew name. The translation in the Greek and Latin is Paul. We know him mostly as the apostle Paul– but he wasn't called that until a couple chapters later – so I'll stick with Saul for now. For him:• What seemed impossible was made possible. • Out of the darkness in his heart, came light. • He was an enemy that became a brother. • The one most opposed to Christ became the great proclaimer of Christ. • He was a persecutor but became the persecuted. If you look at the outline in the bulletin – those are all the subpoints. The two main things that happen here are first Saul of Tarsus was Called out of darkness into light and second, we see he was Chosen as an instrument of grace. Called by God and chosen by God… all because of his grace.And let me make this real in your life. This is not just an account of someone 2000 years ago transformed by God…. neither is it just a picture of what God can do in someone else's life who you or I have written off. No, if you are a believer in Christ, this is also the story of your life. Yes, there are a couple of unique things that happened to Saul – but our heart condition… yours and mine. our enmity with God – it's the same rejection of God and impossibility of faith… were not God to have called us and chosen us. I hope you'll see that as we work through these verses.1.) Called out of darkness into light (Acts 9:1-9)So first, called out of darkness into light. Saul had acquired letters from the High Priest so that he could imprison the Christians. And Saul is on the way from Jerusalem to Damascus! It's about a 135 mile journey. A long way back then. And his purpose was to lock up the believers.From a human standpoint – it seemed impossible that Saul could ever believe. In fact, it was impossible, humanly speaking. Romans 3 – “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… no one is righteous… no not one. No one understands, no one seeks God.” None of us are able to believe God. That's because we are dead in our sins. Spiritually dead and depraved. Our hearts are stone. We are wretched and blind. That's what the Scriptures say and what we sang. And that's the amazing grace. Because what was impossible for Saul – impossible for us. God has made possible. He's done it through Jesus.As Saul was approaching Damascus – everything changed – he was ready to put an end to the Way. And then, all of a sudden, he was blinded by a light all around him. The light was so overwhelming that Saul fell to his knees, verses 3 and 4, and a voice from heaven called to him. “Saul, Saul!” Naming him twice – that's an intimate emphasis. “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting”We're not given insight here into Saul's thoughts. But we do know that he and all those opposed to Jesus – believed that Jesus was dead. To them, Jesus was not God and they themselves had had him put to death. But here's Saul, on his knees, blinded by the light… not only was Jesus not dead, he was very much alive, displaying his glory and power in the light and his place in heaven as his voice resonated. The resurrected and ascended Jesus. And Jesus made this profound statement to Saul and for us. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” In other words, “As you, Saul, have been persecuting believers in me… you have been persecuting me”There's not time to get into all the amazing things about this – but when you are in Christ, he is in you. You've been grafted in through His Spirit into the source of life – the true vine. He abides in you. So, any persecution against the church is persecution against Christ.It's here that God called Saul to himself – out of the wretchedness of his sin – his total opposition to Christ, and into belief and forgiveness in him. He was spiritually blind. Before Saul's conversion, he could see on the outside with his eyes, but his heart was dark on the inside. And at his conversion, he became blind on the outside, and the light of the Gospel shone on the inside. In other words, his eyes had gone from sight to blindness and his heart had gone from blindness to sight. Later in Acts, Saul himself recounted his conversion… and he connected his calling to darkness and light. Spiritual darkness and spiritual light. I think God blinded Saul to show him that. To reveal the light of the Gospel within… and his utter dependance on God.This was a very different kind of conversion than the Ethiopian eunuch from last week. The Ethiopian had been seeking the truth. Reading from Isaiah. – when God placed Philip in his life. God was pursuing them both, but in different ways. For Saul of Tarsus – it was a sudden conversion. Saul was stopped in his tracks, literally! But in both cases, in fact, in all cases, it's the Lord's work. He is the one who pursues.In 1893, poet Francis Thompson penned what has been called the most magnificent poem in the English language – titled “The Hound of Heaven.” It describes God's relentless pursuit of a sinner – despite fleeing and hiding. Here are the first lines:“I FLED Him, down the nights and down the days;I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways… Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears… I hid from Him, and under running laughter. Up vistaed hopes I sped; And shot, precipitated, Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears, From those strong Feet that followed, followed after. But with unhurrying chase, And unperturbèd pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beat—and a Voice beat… More instant than the Feet—‘All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.'”Thompson was likely reflecting back on God's pursuit of him. For multiple stanzas he writes of all the ways that he fled God, all the things that he pursued besides God – He asked the darkness to hide him and the evening to cover him. But happiness and peace eluded him in all his worldly pursuits. For Thompson, that included many things even an opioid addiction. Yet God would not let upThompson ends as he has come to his end. A word from God “Rise, clasp my hand and come! …Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest, …I am He Whom thou seekest” The hound of heaven… the pursuer of sinners… For Saul, nothing would stop God's pursuit. Despite Saul's rejection of Jesus, Jesus himself would call and forgive.Some of you came to faith in Christ as an adult. And as you reflect, you sensed that pursuit of God in Christ. And you know, he pursued you, and not the other way around. Others of you, myself included, believed in Christ as a child. And although maybe you don't remember a day that you didn't know Christ, yet it was still God who pursued you, who turned your heart and mind to him. Or perhaps God is still in pursuit of you – and you sense it – he will not give up - and he's calling you as he called out to Saul. There is no sin so big that God cannot forgive you. Saul was complicit in murder and totally opposed to Jesus, yet God pursued him like the hound of heaven. Maybe you've even written yourself off… maybe you've thought that God couldn't forgive you…. Our God is greater than all our sin, as the hymn goes. Despite Saul's grievous sin, yet he was called and forgiven by Christ - out of the darkness of his sin and unbelief, and into the light of his grace. It's the work of God alone – his pursuit of Saul and you and me. God has made the impossible possible.2.) Chosen as an instrument of grace (Acts 9:10-31)That brings us to the second part of this text. Not only was Saul's heart transformed by the Gospel, God also chose him to be an instrument of His grace. That's point number 2.You see, at the same time as Saul was blinded and entered Damascus, The Lord spoke to a believer named Ananias. Ananias was to seek out Saul and pray for him to receive his sight. His first reaction was “Who?! This guy, Saul? You mean the one who persecuted the saints in Jerusalem and came here to persecute us.” Here's how the Lord responded. Verse 15, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”God had chosen Saul, before the foundation of the world, to be an instrument of His grace… not because of any worth or value or knowledge that Saul had, but because God willed it. God had prepared Saul for this very time.And Ananias obeyed – and not only did he go and find Saul but look at Ananias's first words to Saul in verse 17. “Brother Saul!” Talk about a heart receptive to God's Word. If you were in Ananias's shoes… would you have called him brother? Or would you have started out by saying, “Saul, you have caused so much pain… I hope you will never forget that.” No, that would be bitterness.“Brother, Saul” Words full of grace and forgiveness. Words that ministered to Saul. This enemy had become a brother! A brother in Christ, a brother in ministry, a partner in the Gospel. As Ananias prayed, Saul regained his sight, he could see… and he received the Holy Spirit. He was soon baptized. He'd been fasting as well, but receved food and was strengthened.Even in the first days or weeks after his conversion… God would use Saul as an instrument of Grace. Verse 20, “Immediately,” it says, “he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogue.”Think of the irony. Saul had been on his way to Damascus to destroy the church… but instead, God used him to build up the church. Instead of carting off believers taking away from their numbers, God used Saul to add to their numbers. What an amazing testimony.A few years ago, I was visiting someone in a state prison. I was there as a pastor to pray for and just be with the son of some dear friends. This young man asked if I would be willing to visit with some of his fellow inmates. Many of these guys don't have anyone to come and visit – their families have disowned them and their friends have moved on. Of course – it was an honor to meet these fellow image bearers. A couple of them were believers… and a couple of them weren't, so it was an opportunity to share Christ or encourage them in Christ.One of these men began to tell me his story. He's serving multiple life sentences with no chance for parole. He'd been a drug dealer and had taken the life of at least one other person. He described to me the initial shock of his arrest and imprisonment… and how in the first decade in prison - he grew more and more angry at God - hateful toward himself and resentful of others. Until the glorious day that God called him out of his sin and darkness and into the light of God grace. It was a transformational experience. He wrote a book about his conversion. In it he writes, “[I was] once upon a time a street dealer and hit man for hire, but now I'm a man forgiven by the Love and grace of God that comes only through His son, our Lord Jesus Christ…”And beyond God's Gospel call in his life, God chose him to be an instrument of grace. Since that day, he's grown in God's Word… taken some remote seminary classes and he's become a pastor to the other inmates. He started a Sunday church service, where he preaches the Bible every week. In fact, right now he's probably preaching God's Word.We stayed in touch for a couple years through email. I sent him a couple books on preaching and pastoring. His days are filled with study, and counselling and prayer for these other men. I remember him saying to me, “I wish there was more time in each day.”God had called Saul out of darkness and chose him to be an instrument of God's grace to the Gentiles and kings and children of Israel, verse 15. And God called this man out of darkness and chose him to be an instrument of grace and the Gospel in prison. In both cases, going from opposing Christ to proclaiming Christ. And we've each been called out of unbelief and sin to be an instruments of God's grace. Proclaiming Christ wherever God has called and placed us.But be warned, being faithful to God's call involves suffering. Back in verse 16, God said to Ananias that he would show Saul just how much he would need to suffer for his name. Saul would soon experience the same persecution that he himself had inflicted on the church.Now, these verses don't tell us how long Saul was in Damascus. but in the book of Galatians chapter 1, the apostle himself tells us that he was there for three years – and that included preaching in nearby Asia. That's a considerable amount of time. Saul was preaching that Jesus was the Son of God, verse 20, and verse 22, proving the Jesus was the Christ. Christ in the Greek is the same word as Messiah in the Hebrew. In other words, Saul was declaring to all the Jews in Damascus… that Jesus had fulfilled the Messianic promises. He was the Christ.Many believed, but of course, many were not happy with Saul! And so now he becomes the target. He had been a persecutor, and now he was persecuted. So much so, that they wanted to kill him. Twice in these verses. First in Damascus, but he escaped. That would have been a sight to behold. First of all, how did he fit in a basket? I'm not quite sure I would fit in a basket. And then, if it was me, the rope would have snapped.But Saul escaped! He made his way back down to Jerusalem – there he met some of the apostles, ministering with them. And he was faithful to boldly preach the word – it says he disputed against the Hellenists. Remember, those were the Greek Jews. Possibly some of the very men that participated in killing Stephen. But now, they wanted Saul killed! But, again, Saul escaped. This time with the help of the disciples… and they sent him off to his homeland in Tarsus to preach the Good news.The called and chosen one… was an enemy, and now a brother, was an opposer, now a proclaimer, was a persecutor and now a persecuted.Let me take a brief tangent before we close. In these 2 cases of persecution, the disciples sought to protect Saul from threats. In another case later in chapter 14, Paul was kicked out of a city. Well, he goes right back in. Applied in our lives, we are given latitude to make decisions based on circumstances –there are times when fleeing a dangerous situation is best and other times we may be called to stay.Christians sometimes have a times a fatalistic mindset. Well, if I die, I die – so be it. But taking precautions is important, it's precedented in Scripture. But yet, we do have eternal rest and peace and joy to look forward to… so remaining in a hostile situation may be God's call, just like Stephen. But we're also given tasks to do. There are people to care for and people with whom we're to share the hope of Christ – Saul had more work to do and so he escaped these two situations. We'll see other examples like this as we continuw in Acts.ConclusionIn summary, God took a man who not only rejected Christ. But who was dedicated destroying Christ. ANd Jesus himself called him and chose him. It's first of all a reminder that there's no one out of the reach of Christ… In fact, faith is impossible without Him, impossible without the Holy Spirit. But utterly possible in Him. Faith in Christ is God's work - it always has been. And so, we should continue to pray for and engage our friends and family who do not know the grace of Christ.If you were drawn here this morning… and have never submitted yourself to Jesus, never come to him with your sin and shame… he is able to forgive and give you great honor. Nothing is too great. It can all been nailed to the cross.And finally, if you are a believer in Christ, you are a chosen instrument of His. You and I are not Apostle Pauls – but you are chosen, I am chosen to bring the message of hope and grace wherever God places us. May we be faithful and obedient to the call of Jesus no matter the suffering that may come – just as Saul was faithful and obedient.

Going Deeper Have you ever felt “overlooked” in a way that you didn’t feel seen by someone else? What impresses you most about the leadership of the Early Church in Acts 6:1-7? If they did not respond to this complaint it would’ve crippled the church’s ability to grow—agree or disagree?Where do you have power and for whom will you leverage it? Teaching NotesIn those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6:1) Hebraic Jews - they were the ones who lived in Jerusalem, their heritage was from there, and they looked down on Jews were from other places Hellensitic Jews - which means, Greek Jews who were, now Jewish converts to Jesus but those deep-seeded rivalries were still in play. INTERNAL THREAT will take you down. Every time. The 5 Stages of How The Mighty Fall by Jim Collins Stage #1: Hubris Stage #2: More Stage #3: Denial Stage #4: Grasping Stage #5: Capitulation So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.Acts 6:2-7 Big Idea: Nothing is more powerful Than when those with power Leverage that power For the powerless. Q: So where do you have power? The 5 Stages of How The Mighty _______ #1 They Listened. In these moments, we listen for a person’s pain. Ruby Sales, civil rights leader: “Where does it hurt?” # 2 They Saw. ...because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1“Overlook” Greek: paratheōreō theōreō - to see para - through This is the question everyone is asking: ‘“Do you see me?” # 3 They Did Something About It Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom…Acts 6:3They re-structured They set clear guidelines They communicated Established a feedback loop #4 They Empowered. We will turn this responsibility over to them… Acts 6:3 This proposal pleased the whole group. (Acts 6:5) Who did they choose? Hebraic Jews? Hellenistic Jews? #5 They Celebrated They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:6) Challenge: Where do you have power and how will you leverage it? Sunday Set ListWho You Say I Am- Hillsong WorshipIt Is So- Elevation WorshipThis I Believe- Hillsong WorshipGlorious Day (Living He Loved Me)- Casting CrownsBe sure to follow our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!

3807 WN071818 Pentecostalism- Tongues, Faith Healing And Slain In The Spirit Are All “Lies”- Tongues Are Glossa (Foreign Languages) And Dialects (Of Greek)- Jews From Every Nation- The Truth About Acts 2

In this new series, we’ll be reading through 1Peter and studying his message to the Greek Jews and Gentiles on holy living when facing persecution. We start by looking at Peter’s introductory remarks to new believers that inspire faith, perseverance, hope and the joy of the inheritance to come.

Back by popular demand on Chatting with Sherri; author and playwright; Mary D Brooks to chat about her new play and novel!   Surviving The Peace Zoe's Journal Book 1 They survived the war, but can they survive the peace Zoe Lambros survived the war which killed her  family, her friends and destroyed her country. She fought alongside Eva Muller and Henry Franz in an attempt to save Greek Jews from the Nazis but now comes a bigger challenge.  Together with the only two people she trusts, she must find a way out of Greece before it erupts into a bloody civil war. Finding a way out will be more complicated that she thought and fraught with dangers as they are recruited for one last resistance mission in German occupied Crete before they flee to Egypt and safety. They survived the war, but can they survive the peace. An Egyptian Treasure It’s 1948 and as the year is drawing to a close, Zoe is planning a surprise for Eva. She enlists the help of Elena and together they make one of Zoe’s zaniest ideas come true. Eva, Zoe, Elena, Henry and Earl are back. It’s a feel good romantic comedy that will just make you smile – it’s all about a promise, love with a dash of sand, sun and a madcap Zoe in the sunburnt country.   This show was recorded

International Bible Encyclopedia In the New Testament, English Versions of the Bible attempts to distinguish between (Ε?´λληνες, He´lle¯nes), which is rendered “Greeks,” and (Ε?λληνισται´, Helle¯nistai´), which is rendered “Grecians” or “Grecian Jews,” or in the Revised Version, margin “Hellenists,” e.g. Act_6:1; Act_9:29. These latter were Jews of the Dispersion, who spoke Greek (see HELLENISM; HELLENIST), as distinguished from Palestinian Jews; but since many of the latter also spoke Greek by preference, the distinction could in no sense be absolute. Indeed in Joh_7:35, “the Dispersion among (the Revised Version, margin, Greek “of”) the Greeks,” can hardly refer to any but “Grecian Jews” (Helle¯nistai), although Helle¯nes is used, and in John 12:20 the “Greeks” (Helle¯nes) who went up to worship at the feast of the Passover were almost certainly “Grecian Jews” (Helle¯nistai). Easton Bible Dictionary Grecians Hellenists, Greek-Jews; Jews born in a foreign country, and thus did not speak Hebrew (Act_6:1; Act_9:29), nor join in the Hebrew services of the Jews in Palestine, but had synagogues of their own in Jerusalem. Joe_3:6 = Greeks.

In response to a visit from some Greek Jews, Jesus announces that 'the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified' and goes on to explain and wrestle with the cost of his forthcoming Passion.

Greek anti-Semitism has drawn international attention in the last two years for various reasons. Greek Jews have encountered extreme Holocaust-related anti-Semitic remarks by leading politicians, cartoons of an anti-Semitic violence rarely seen in Europe after the Holocaust, desecration of cemeteries and Holocaust monuments in various Greek cities, etc. Andrew Apostolou is the director of research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C. He writes on Iraq, the Middle East and Central Asia and has also written on south eastern Europe. He formerly worked for The Economist Group's Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). His doctoral research at St. Antony's College, Oxford is on "Bystanders and Collaborators during the Holocaust in northern Greece" and he has published in Holocaust and Genocide studies.

Greek anti-Semitism has drawn international attention in the last two years for various reasons. Greek Jews have encountered extreme Holocaust-related anti-Semitic remarks by leading politicians, cartoons of an anti-Semitic violence rarely seen in Europe after the Holocaust, desecration of cemeteries and Holocaust monuments in various Greek cities, etc. Andrew Apostolou is the director of research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C. He writes on Iraq, the Middle East and Central Asia and has also written on south eastern Europe. He formerly worked for The Economist Group's Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). His doctoral research at St. Antony's College, Oxford is on "Bystanders and Collaborators during the Holocaust in northern Greece" and he has published in Holocaust and Genocide studies.

Greek anti-Semitism has drawn international attention in the last two years for various reasons. Greek Jews have encountered extreme Holocaust-related anti-Semitic remarks by leading politicians, cartoons of an anti-Semitic violence rarely seen in Europe after the Holocaust, desecration of cemeteries and Holocaust monuments in various Greek cities, etc. Andrew Apostolou is the director of research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C. He writes on Iraq, the Middle East and Central Asia and has also written on south eastern Europe. He formerly worked for The Economist Group's Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). His doctoral research at St. Antony's College, Oxford is on "Bystanders and Collaborators during the Holocaust in northern Greece" and he has published in Holocaust and Genocide studies.

A Book Store in Six Chapters - Renee Molho

Introduction: Earned Never Given vs Given Never Earned We're looking this morning at Romans 10:9-10, two of the greatest verses and the clearest verses on the issue of saving faith. When we were on vacation, my family and I had the joy and delight of being in Arlington National Cemetery and seeing the Marine Color Guard, their precision drill team do their silent drill. And really was a remarkable thing to watch these Marines in their dress uniforms, doing all of these drills without any commands, the result of literally countless hours of practice, they're imbued with the spirit of dignity, knowing that they were in a legacy of one drill team after another, and that they were carrying the banner for the Marine Corps. And so they were standing in a line and they would do these things up and down the line and the timing was just perfect, precise, and you'd hear the kind of clattering. It was almost like a domino effect up and down the line, and we were all truly impressed while being truly hot too. It was very hot in DC over there, but we really enjoyed watching this. After it was over, the Marines got on the specially designed bus which had a huge recruiting ad on the side for the Marines. And what it was, was a huge Marine sword, a shiny sword, held by a white glove, a hand with a white glove and the beautiful sleeve of a Marine dress uniform. You didn't see the man, but you saw this sleeve and the white glove and the shiny sword. And above it where the words, huge words, simple message, "Earned, never given." Earned, never given. And I went up to a Marine after is over, who had one of those swords that was earned and never given, and I asked, "What does that slogan mean? Earned, never given?" He said, "Well, this sword is given to non-commission officers after they go through certain training, and they go through intense trials and all kinds of different things, and once they reach that level, then the sword is awarded. It's never given to anybody who hasn't gone through those tests and those trials. That's what it means, earned, never given." And I found myself grateful for men that are willing to go through those trials and we're defended by Marines who are willing to be that precise, and to go through that kind of training. But it got me thinking about the Gospel, and I was delighted, and am delighted to be able to preach to you a Gospel that is given, never earned. That God in His wisdom is willing to give us eternal life. Actually, we must not seek to earn it, it's a Gospel that is most definitely given, and never earned. It says in Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death." That's what we earn. If we want what we earn, what we earn is death. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." Isn't that wonderful? Given, and never earned. And you know why? Because God wants it guaranteed, and if it's earned, we will not get it. It says in another place in Romans very plainly. "What does the scripture say? 'Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now, when a man works, his wages are not credited him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work, but trusts God, his faith is credited to him as righteousness." And so it's just a simple gift from a God who justifies the wicked, the scripture says. And then in our passage, it says very plainly, Romans 10:8-10. "What does it say?" Namely the Word of faith. "What does it say? 'The word is near you, it is in your mouth and in your heart.' That is the Word of faith that we are proclaiming. That if you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved." The beautiful simplicity of saving faith. Saved from what? Well, saved from what we truly deserve, saved from what we have earned, saved from the wages of sin, which is eternal death, condemnation, Hell. We will be saved from that simply by believing in Christ. Now the context here of Romans 10:9-10, Paul is dealing in Romans nine through 11, with the issue of why it is that the Jews, God's chosen people, His special people, were it seems so universally rejecting saving message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why were they rejecting? Romans 9, we saw, is the answer from the top down, the heavenly perspective, they were rejecting because of the sovereignty of God, the sovereign plan of God. And we saw all of that in all of its deep mysteries. But as we go on to Romans 10, we see it more from the human point of view. The Apostle Paul says that the Jews were too zealous to establish their own righteousness rather than to take God's free gift of righteousness. They wanted a salvation that was earned, never given. They wanted to be able to say, "I achieved this through my own efforts." Look at verse 3 of the same chapter here, Romans 10:3. It says, "Since they, the Jews, did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." Do you see that? And so, they were zealous to establish their own righteousness, and therefore they were in no market to receive the free gift of righteousness through faith in Christ. Now, for two weeks, we're going to look at Romans 10:9-10. Basically it's a three point sermon in two weeks, so that gets a little complicated, I know. And it's even worse because all three of them begin with C, and you think you'd preach them all in one morning. But it's a three part sermon, a three point sermon in two weeks. II. The Content of Saving Faith This week, we're going to see the content of saving faith. The content, the mental aspect, what it is we must believe. Next week we're going to see the character of saving faith, that it is a heart matter, a matter of the heart. And we're going to see the confirmation of saving faith, namely what flows out into your life because of this saving faith. So the content, the character, confirmation of saving faith. Let's look first at this issue, the content of saving faith. And just that thought itself is radical in this day and age, at least to many. Faith must have a content. There are some things we are believing, and by believing those things we are saved. Faith must have a content. And what that means is that faith alone itself is not enough to save your soul. Just having faith does not save anybody. Friends, there are a few American Christians that can match the faith and fanatical devotion of extremist Muslims who are willing both to kill and be killed for their faith. Few of us can match that level of commitment. Few American Christians can match the faith of a Buddhist monk who sits motionless for hours conquering all of his internal drive, so that he can achieve some kind of enlightenment through meditation. Few of us can achieve that level of belief and commitment. Faith itself doesn't save anybody. Faith is the human capacity to trust, to venture forth on unseen realities, and put your whole life on the line for those realities. We have that capacity to trust. But saving faith itself is a gift from God, He gives it directly to the soul. And faith itself must have an object. I was reading some time ago, I love reading about history, and William L. Shirer, who wrote one of the authoritative histories of the Third Reich, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, was talking about... He was a CBS correspondent in Nazi Germany, in the years that lead up 1930s, that led up to World War II. And he was there at the Nuremberg Rally, the Nazi rally, in September of 1934. And he was astonished by the rabid fanaticism he saw among the German populace for this man Adolf Hitler. And this is what he wrote that night, the night of September in 1934. He says, "About 10 o'clock tonight, I got caught in a mob of 10,000 hysterics who jammed the moat in front of Hitler's hotel shouting, 'We want our Führer.' I was a little shocked at the faces, especially those of the women, when Hitler finally appeared on the balcony for a moment. They reminded me of the crazed expressions I saw once in the back country of Louisiana, on the faces of some holy rollers who were about to hit the trail. They looked up at him as if he were a Messiah. Their face is transformed in something positively inhuman. If he had remained in sight for more than a few moments, I think that many of the women would have swooned from excitement." My friends, faith itself doesn't save. No, it is faith in Christ that saves. It's faith that Jesus is Lord, that God raised Him from the dead that we're talking about this morning, that's what we're discussing. There is a faith that justifies, and God has revealed what that is. Now, behind this is a concept, like I said, that is surprising to some, or at least rejected or opposed by some. And that is that there is such a thing as absolute truth. Even in the religious and spiritual realm, there is such a thing as truth, there is such a thing as content. The Insanity of Post-Modern Relativistic Truth Now, post-modern man is relativistic. We tend to deny, or post-modern man denies this concept that there are absolute truths. We teach that... We are taught that truth is subjective, that there actually can be something, get this, that's ultimately true for me, but not ultimately true for you. How can that be? Doesn't that cause you want to scratch your head? How can it be that God raised Jesus from the dead for me, but He didn't raise Him from the dead for you? And I don't mean in sense that the person doesn't believe it, but I'm saying that it happened at all. But that's the way it is, we're in this relativistic kind of postmodern phase now, where we question all of these truths. Ravi Zacharias was writing about this, and he talked about it in a kind of a homely sort of way, talking about an umpire calling balls and strikes. He said a pre-modern umpire would have said something like this, "I call them what they are." A modern umpire would say, "I call them as I see them." A post-modern umpire says, "Ain't nothing 'till I call them." In other words, that truth and reality is in here, and I kind of created by what I claim and what I say I believe. Do you see how self-centered that is? Do you see how weird it is? I think what we need is some of the earlier Disney where they said, I think, in Lady and the Tramp where the Siamese cats are saying, "We are Siamese if you please, we are Siamese, what, if you don't please." Amen. Okay. I don't know how far that's going to get you in life, but think about it, alright? We are Siamese if you please, we're Siamese if you don't please. We just are Siamese. And if you don't please, it's your problem, okay, because it is what I am. And now we're living in a post-modern era, in which we deny this idea of content and absolute truth. I don't really know how you can live that way, I don't think you can, I just think it's a mental fad. I don't think it's going to last long. The Absolute Truth of the Gospel Romans 10:9-10 shows that there are absolute truths, that truths like this are not relative. Now, our culture is going to call us arrogant, as though we're preaching ourselves as saviors. Our culture is going to call us narrow minded because we refuse to celebrate other people's version of spiritual truth. Our culture will cause bigoted because we reject out of hand anything that opposes these truths as having come from the devil. Christians these days seem intimidated by these things, that we're going to be seen to be arrogant and narrow minded and bigoted. And they are intimidating. And so we tend to be humble about these truths. GK Chesterton saw this a while ago, saying that humility is becoming misplaced. It no longer pertains to self opinion, where it ought to be, rather it now pertains to truth, where it ought not to be. A Christian should not apologize that the Grand Canyon is magnificent. Neither should they be embarrassed to declare that that is a beautiful sunset. And why then should we be embarrassed to declare that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised Him from the dead? That is the truth, and it's a truth that saves. And if we believe these things, we will have eternal life. This says another thing to me, and that is that truth precedes and rules over religious experience. I was taught when I was in a college fellowship, I was being trained in evangelism, and very grateful for the evangelistic training that I received in college, I loved it and grateful for it, but one of the things they told me at the time, they said, "You need to focus on your personal testimony." Why is that? "Well, because your personal testimony can't be argued against, it can't be refuted." Well, that may be true, but it could also be called irrelevant. It might be called irrelevant. For example, a Buddhist could say that their meditation, the Zen meditation, has brought them to new heights of self-understanding, and a new sense of peace has flooded into their souls, and so much order and meaning has come to their lives now because of Zen Buddhism. Tom Cruise and others will tell you what's, gladly tell you what Scientology is doing for them. What a weird cult that is, but he's glad to tell you of his experiences with Scientology. Hindus in India, some of them say they have reached experiences, levels of experience where they feel that they are out of the body. But what is the truth behind all of these things? And how would we respond to secular psychologists who have put them all in one bag, and even do studies that put electrodes on the head and find out what's happening in your brain waves when you're having these religious experiences, and dismiss it all biochemically and psychologically? Behind all of this, there needs to be some objective truth. And the difference between the Judeo-Christian tradition, and our Christian faith and the others, is it's based on historical events, realities, and facts, that God raised Christ from the dead. God the Father Raised Jesus Christ From the Dead In 1 Corinthians 15:17 it says, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." In other words, that historical fact did not happen, your faith is worthless. That's not a post-modern thought, friends. That says there is something that's absolutely true, and that is that the tomb is empty. Now, what is the content that Paul says we must believe? Well, look again at verse nine and 10. It says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." The content, friends, focuses squarely and totally on the person of Jesus Christ, that's our content, He is our content. We're believing things about Jesus. Christianity is so totally identified with this person, Jesus of Nazareth, whom we call Jesus Christ, more so than any other religion that there has ever been. Buddhism probably could continue without if there had never been a Gautama, the original enlightened one. He laid down some spiritual principles that would still stand, and I think the same is true of Mohammed in Islam. But Christianity disappears if there's no Jesus of Nazareth, it's totally focused on Him, who He was, what He said and did. The Doctrine of the Incarnation and Full Deity of Christ And what specific doctrines do we have in mind? Well, first the doctrine of the incarnation, the full deity of Christ. 'Jesus is Lord' is a statement in which we are declaring that Jesus, this man was actually God in the flesh, we're believing that He was God, we're worshipping Him as our Lord and our God. Now, Jesus of Nazareth was a real man, He was really born, He really lived, He really died, He had a body, He had a face, hands, feet, He ate, He slept, He walked, He spoke, and prayed. He breathed, and wept, and He bled, just like any man. Now, Jesus of Nazareth is the politically correct term to use to refer to that individual. If you read Time magazine or News Week and they're referring, they're going to generally try to refer to Jesus of Nazareth, not to Jesus Christ, because Christ is the title Messiah, and they don't believe that. So we'll just say, "This man, Jesus of Nazareth." I'm saying, "Okay fine, Jesus of Nazareth, He's Lord, He is God, He took on a human body, He walked on this Earth, and He died for my sins." That's what we're claiming, we're claiming that this man, Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, is God. Now, this title 'Lord', it meant deity, it meant God, no question about it. In the Old Testament, the central name for God is a name that we strive to pronounce perhaps as Yahweh. Perhaps others use the phrase or the word Jehovah. It's four letters, and it appears over 6,000 times in the Hebrew Bible, JHVH, or YHVH, something like that. And we pronounce it Yahweh or perhaps Jehovah. Now, because of the Ten Commandment's clear prohibition against taking the name of the Lord in vain, what the Jewish scribes did is, they wrote the vowels for the Hebrew word Adonai, which means Lord, a lower title, and whenever they would come to the four letter word for 'Lord', which is usually in all caps, all capital letters in your English Bibles, whenever they would come to that, they would pronounce 'Adonai', My Lord, that's what they're saying. When the Greek Jews wanted to translate the Hebrew Bible into Greek, Septuagint, they used the word that Paul uses here, 'Kyrios', Lord, every time, 6,156 times. This word is used to refer to God, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and therefore, to a Greek speaking Jew. The word kyrios meant God, Lord, He is the Lord. What we are saying is that Jesus of Nazareth this man is God, that's what 'Jesus is Lord' means. It's a confession. It is the central confession, of the Christian religion. In my opinion John Chapter 20 is the utter pinnacle of John's magnificent gospel. John 20:26-31. Jesus is presenting himself after his crucifixion presenting himself alive in the body to his apostles. Of course, you know that Thomas wasn't there the first time and said, I don't believe it, as a matter of fact, if I don't see him with my own eyes, if I don't get a chance to put my finger in his wounds and touch the mark on his side, I'll never believe it. And so Jesus appears a week later, and here's how the account goes. "A week later, His disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you and then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here see my hands reach out your hand and put it into my side stop doubting. And believe, Thomas said to him, [the central confession of Christianity] 'My Lord and My God.'" That's what we're saying here in Romans 10:9. We are making Thomas's confession that Jesus is 'my Lord and my God.' Remember what Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are they, who have not seen, and yet, have believed." And then John goes on to finish that chapter. "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His name." This is what you must believe to have your sins forgiven. "My Lord and my God," applied to Jesus of Nazareth. John also put it at the very beginning of his gospel, in John 1:1 and 14 "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God." "And the word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…" He was fully man, and fully God, God in the flesh, come down to Earth. He is the one that we worship he is no mere man and this doctrine is taught, again and again, you had read earlier for you Colossians chapter one, verse 15, following this is what it says, "For by Him, all things were created, things in heaven and earth, visible, and invisible whether thrones or powers, or rulers, or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything, he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him." That's what we're saying all the fullness of God dwells in this man, Jesus, Jesus is Lord. Or it says in Hebrews 1:3, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word, and after He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven." This is the one that we worship now when we say 'Jesus is Lord,' we're also giving a statement of absolute sovereignty. He is the Lord, He rules over heaven and earth, He is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty Jesus said it this way, in Matthew 28:18. "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me" for Christian that's good news, isn't it? All authority in heaven and earth is Christs. He rules on a throne. Or it says in Ephesians 1:21-23, "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and the every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come and God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." That is the absolute exalted sovereignty of Jesus, that's who we worship, or again in Philippians 2:9 through 11, after Jesus willingly died on the cross, it says that "God exalted him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that 'Jesus Christ is Lord' to the glory of God the Father." this is the central confession of the Christian faith Jesus is Lord. But let me make it very personal for you, if you're a believer in Christ, what you are saying is Jesus is My Lord. He is my sovereign, He is my God, he's My savior, my ruler. You're making Thomas's confession 'My Lord and my God,' that's why it's the pinnacle of John's gospel, 'My Lord and my God.' I don't understand, what happened some time ago, when Somebody told us that we could separate Jesus as Savior from Jesus as Lord. Where do you get that? I mean, isn't Jesus is Lord kind of right here in Romans 10:9, I would think you would need to believe that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved because it says so and they say, "Oh that's Lordship of salvation no it's just salvation in the name of the Lord." There's no difference between Jesus as savior and Jesus as Lord. You can't have Him as Savior and not as your Lord. And so what's going to happen is the true Christian is saying Jesus is my Lord in every area of my life. I think it's what Jesus was commanding us to do inviting us to do when He said, "Come to me. All you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest, Take My yoke Upon you And learn from me For I am gentle and humble in heart. And you will receive rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." What is his yoke? It's His kingly authority, the Gospel of Matthew is all about the kingdom of Christ and what it's about, is that you are going to take that stiff neck of yours and I'm going to take that stiff neck of mine, and I'm going to put it under a yoke of authority, and I'm going to find freedom at last from the yoke of sin that I'd been laboring under all that time because his yoke is easier than sins yoke and his burden is lighter than the burden of eternal condemnation. And so that's what I'm saying, when I say Jesus is Lord, what I think it means is, I'm going to say Jesus is Lord of my private thought life, Jesus is Lord of my dreams, my aspirations and my ambitions, Jesus is Lord of my time, my minutes and my hours and my years, he is Lord of my money. What I save what I spend on myself, what I spent on others. What I spend on my family what I give away for the Lord's service, he is Lord of all of my money. He's Lord of my sex life, He's Lord of my marriage, he's Lord of my parenting, He's Lord of the books I choose to read and those I refuse to rea. He's lord of the movies I watch, and those are refused to watch. He's Lord of all of that area of my life, He's Lord of everything He is Lord, so therefore, His commandments, rule my life when He commands me to do something I must obey when he says You should go as a missionary, I must go when he says, "Take this Job or not that one." He is Lord. He rules over everything in my life, he is my King, my ruler, my sovereign, He is my God and a Christian is delighted about that a Christian is joyful about that. Glad to have a wise and powerful sovereign to tell him or her what to do. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ And we are glad to submit because he's the king, he is the Lord. That's one thing you must believe, You must also believe that God physically raised Him from the dead, you must believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Doctrinal content is essential Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. That's what we believe and friends, not merely that the spirit of Jesus imbues us all And we all just kind of enjoy the spirit of the resurrection. Kind of like the spirit of Christmas What is that? What is the spirit of Christmas? It just kind of kicks in right around the day after Thanksgiving, when all the sales begin and then the spirit of Christmas and we just breathe it in. That is not what we're saying. We're saying that there was a time in history when we could have stood after Jesus had been crucified and touched and heard him say to us flesh or a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see. I have... That's what we're saying. He was physically bodily raised from the dead. You know what that means. Death holds no ultimate fear for me anymore. Only thing that I fear is the process like you. But the ultimate results, I do not fear and the fear of the process reduces as I go on and grow in my Christian faith. The tomb is empty. We've already sung about it this morning. Isn't that glorious? We're not waiting for death, we're waiting for glory, Christ is risen from the dead, and so therefore we have to believe these things. We confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord, and we believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. And if so, we will be saved. What does that mean? It means the full record of all of our transgressions and sins, all of them for our whole life will be washed away through the blood of Christ, we will fear no condemnation we will not spend eternity getting what we deserve we'll spend eternity receiving what we did not deserve by grace. That's what it means, we will be saved. So what does that mean? It means that content is essential to evangelism. If you're going to do evangelism, you need to... You need to preach this content, you need to communicate it, content therefore is essential to save in faith. Now, Paul is going to say it openly Look down at verses 13-15. We'll say it more fully God willing, if we get to preach on that as we plan to. But look at verses 13-15 it says there "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in, and listen to this. And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" You know what that means? You've got to have content in order to have faith, content precedes faith, You see what I'm saying? How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard, and how can they hear without someone preaching to them, communicating that content and how can they preach, unless they are sent as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Friends? We must bring good news to people who haven't heard it. We must bring good news, and that good news has content. We must tell them that there is a God who created Heaven and earth, that, that God who created heaven and Earth has laws by which He expects us to live and he has the right to give us those laws and that we have sinned and have broken those laws, the Ten Commandments, the two great commandments, we've broken them. And that we deserve eternal condemnation for having broken those laws. But that God in his grace and mercy, sent His only begotten Son Jesus into this world to take on a human body, to live a genuine human life. He did miracles, signs, and wonders, he walked on water, He fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fish, he raised the dead, and then he was arrested falsely accused of blasphemy, he was nailed to the cross, his blood was shed as an atoning sacrifice for my sin and for yours, and he died, he literally died and on the third day, God raised Him from the dead, He ascended to Heaven, and at present sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. That's what we have to tell them. We have to tell them that content or they cannot be saved and as they listen to that content, what's going to happen is Romans 10:17, "Consequently faith comes from hearing the message of Christ." And so as they're listening to the message what happens inside their heart faith and God justifies they hear this content, and they say, "I believe that. I believe it." And God sees what's in their heart with their heart, they believe, and they are justified, Through faith. Now, there are two direct consequences of all this first. If our faith has content, the content must be proclaimed. Are you active and involved in proclaiming this content? Have you shared these truths with anybody in the last six months? Well, speaking positively and encouragingly. Why don't you begin why don't you start, why don't you begin sharing this week, why don't you ask God to give you an opportunity to talk to somebody about this content? I'm not saying don't share your testimony, go ahead if it gets you into talking about the content, but talk about this content of saving faith with somebody this week. This content must be proclaimed. Secondly, friends, this content must be protected. It is under attack and it will be ever increasingly. So in our interesting country, our pluralistic country in which we live, they will attack this content they already have. When I was living in Massachusetts I drove by almost every day, during one phase of my life, past Lexington and Concord where the Revolutionary War began, in April 19th, 1775 after the Minute Men the local militia, had been forewarned, not by Paul Revere sadly, for all the great poetry that was written, he never made it, but other folks did make it out and say The British are coming. And so they were ready, at dawn for 1000 British regulars who were coming. Now just a handful of militia, they were standing there. And Captain John Parker, who was commanding Lexington militia said this, "Stand your ground If they mean to have a war let it begin here." Now, let me say to you that if the rights of colonials under the British Empire are worth standing and fighting for and protecting how much more these Gospel truths. Now don't misunderstand me. We don't fight with a musket in our hands or with any weapon physically our weaponry is spiritual. It says in 2nd Corinthians 10:3-5. We defend it spiritually, we defend arguments, we challenge thoughts. So I worked for 10 years as an engineer and I know the kind of discussions that happen and people are more and more drinking in this relativistic way of thinking, challenge it. Think of interesting and clever things to say that get them to say, "Can I really live like that?" I don't live like that. There must be some truths that we all believe and work with It challenge them. This content must be proclaimed but it must also be protected, and so we need to defend these truths from attack. II. Applications Now, what applications can we take from this? Obviously, those two proclaim... Proclaim it and protect it. Let me just speak to you, as folks that I don't know all of you, I don't know everything that's going on in your heart. Can I urge you to test yourself and see if you're in the faith. Are you saved? Have you been saved according to my text? Do you believe that Jesus is Lord, Can you confess it, can you say Jesus is my Lord in truth do you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, do you believe? Have you felt the weight of your sin, do you know that you need a Savior, and if you... Are you willing to come to Christ and find in Him all the salvation, all the favor, you need. So I'm speaking to those that perhaps have never testified that Jesus is your Lord, Are You saved? Have you trusted in Christ? And for those of you that have here in, in the simple text, find your assurance it's not complicated, it really just comes down to this, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." But we're gonna talk next week about how your confession, needs to line up with reality. You're going to be confessing not just with your lips but with your life, and I'll end with this Challenging word from Christ, in which Jesus said in Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say." Close with me in prayer.