Podcasts about his gospel

October 28, 2025Today's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15“I chose you out of the world.” (John 15:19)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As we remember the Apostles of our Lord throughout the year, we might feel sorry for a few of them. Poor Simon “the Zealot” and Jude (a.k.a. Judas, or Thaddeus). They are some of the more obscure of Jesus' disciples. They definitely don't get the attention of Peter, James, and John. They don't even get the word count for Saint Andrew or Saint Nathanael Bartholomew. We don't know a single word that Simon actually spoke, and only one question from St. Jude is recorded. We practically know nothing except their names. In the Gospels, Jude is almost always mentioned by the name Judas, but every instance of that includes “NOT ISCARIOT.” Imagine your greatest claim to fame being that you were NOT the guy with the same name who betrayed Jesus. And then poor Simon, he might as well always have the moniker “NOT PETER.”Yet there is one thing certain, that we can celebrate; Jesus chose them to be His apostles. They were not picked because they were the most quoteworthy, eloquent speakers. They were not selected because they had the right experience, or talents, or pedigree. Simon was not chosen because of his zealot politics, nor Jude for being “not Iscariot.” Saints Simon and Jude were chosen, by the grace of God, in His mercy, to be the simple, often-forgotten human hands, feet, and voices of Christ.That love of Christ encouraged them as they carried His Gospel as His disciples, missionaries, pastors, and apostles. They preached the Word of the Lord and baptized. They forgave sins and fed the Church Christ's Eucharist. And so we end up with two contrasts: the love of Jesus and the hatred of the world.Saints Simon (not Peter) and Jude (not Iscariot) were prepared by Jesus for the hatred of the world. The world hated Him first, and would hate them. Eventually, they suffered death at the hands of those who hated them and Jesus. These faithful Apostles are said to have been martyred at the same time, Simon (not Peter) sawn in half, while many say that Jude (not Iscariot) was beaten to death with a club.Even through the violent end to their time on earth, Jesus's love sustained them through the world's hatred. Our dear Lord knows these saints infinitely more than just their names: Simon, “Not Peter,” and Jude, “Not Iscariot.” He preserved them in the one, true faith at their martyrdom and welcomed them into His presence, where they now await the resurrection with the Risen Savior who chose them and loves them completely.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Praise, Lord, for Your apostles, Saint Simon and Saint Jude. One love, one hope impelled them To tread the way renewed. May we with zeal as earnest The faith of Christ maintain, Be bound in love together, And life eternal gain. (LSB 518:28)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Through David, God exhorts us to rejoice in His Gospel - David's local and temporal gospel. - Christ's universal and eternal gospel.Time:MorningMinister:Rev. Faustin EmadjeuTexts:Psalm 22:22–31Matthew 28:16–20

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure of infinite worth. Jesus' parables reveal the supreme value of Christ and His Gospel; He is the treasure who gave up everything to purchase the field (the world) for the sake of His people. When Jesus offers up this priceless treasure, he is rejected in His own hometown, a stark reminder that the saving power of the Gospel is lost where unbelief holds sway.  The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 13:44-58.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Read OnlineThe Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Luke 10:1–2Saint Luke, whom we honor today, was a true evangelist. As an evangelist, he followed the inspiration from our Lord and was used to bring God's saving message to the ends of the earth. And there is little doubt that his ministry will continue to have a transforming effect on the lives of many until the end of the world. Tradition states that Saint Luke became a martyr, being hanged on an olive tree. He is identified in the New Testament as a physician and as a disciple of Saint Paul. Both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are attributed to him.Saint Luke is often spoken of as an evangelist to the gentiles. His Gospel was written in such a way that it didn't presume a full understanding of the Jewish faith and customs. Therefore, it is believed to have been primarily written for those who are not of Jewish origin. Thus, the life and mission of Saint Luke must remind us that the Gospel needs to be shared with all people, especially with those who do not have a deep and sustaining relationship with God.In today's Gospel from Saint Luke, we read that Jesus sent seventy-two disciples “to every town and place he intended to visit.” Only Luke mentions the larger scale sending of seventy-two disciples. The other Gospels only mention the sending of the Twelve. Though many of these seventy-two disciples would have gone to Jewish territory, some would have unquestionably gone to non-Jewish territory. The mission of these seventy-two was to prepare everyone they encountered for the preaching of Jesus and for the establishment of the Kingdom of God.As we honor Saint Luke today and read this passage from his Gospel, we are reminded that we are all sent by our Lord. We are sent to those who share our faith, such as family, friends and fellow parishioners. We are sent to love them and do all we can to help deepen their faith and love of God. But we are also called to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior. There are so many people we encounter every day who have never truly met our Lord. Are there people in your life that God is calling you to reach out to? Who do you know that God may be calling you to share the Gospel with? Reflect, today, upon the fact that the Gospel is meant for everyone. Speak to our Lord and tell Him that you are ready and willing to be used by Him to bring His saving message to others. As you do so, wait on the Lord, listen to His inspiration, and respond when He calls. If someone comes to mind whom you sense God is calling you to evangelize, begin to pray for that person. Pray for them every day and be attentive to any inspiration God gives you to share His love and saving message with them. Do not be afraid to be an evangelist like Saint Luke. Doing so might make an eternal difference in someone's life. My saving Lord, You sent Your disciples on a mission to share Your saving message with all. Today I especially thank You for the life and ministry of Saint Luke. Please use me, dear Lord, to imitate his wonderful example and to share Your glorious life with others. Please lead me and inspire me to especially reach out to those whom You have put into my life. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Window: workshop of Franz Borgias Mayer (1848–1926); Photo: Andreas Praefcke, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

We all want peace with others, especially family. At Thanksgiving, we avoid certain topics. We bite our tongues during arguments. We compromise our witness, don't we? In this section, Jesus walks in and says something shocking: "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." He doubles down, too, saying His Gospel will divide father and son, mother and daughter. What could possibly be so important, so vital to our survival, that it would demand loyalty even greater than the love we have for our own family? Jesus is drawing a line in the sand and forcing us to ask where our true allegiance lies.  The Rev. David Mumme, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 10:26-42.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitywaterville.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Starting with a prayer over the Parent-Child Dedication, join us as Pastor Kenny Bruce shares a message from Matthew 28 on the importance of the mandate God has given us to go & tell the world of His Gospel!

Malachi 1:1-5 - From Doubting God's Love to Declaring God's Love We're beginning a new sermon series this morning. We'll be in the Book of Malachi for the next couple of months. You can find Malachi chapter 1 on page 953 in the Pew Bibles. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, so if you can find the book of Matthew, turn left a couple of pages. We'll begin with verses 1-5. One note before I read. In these verses, you will hear of a reference to Edom. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau. That will be some helpful context. Reading of Malachi 1:1-5 Prayer When I was in high school and college, I spent a few summers working at a Christian camp. Well, one particular summer, one of my fellow counsellors had a very difficult camper. This kid was, I think, only in 1st grade. And he was rambunctious. He was mean to the other campers. He struggled to follow rules. He didn't want to participate in activities. In those moments, his counsellor would get down on one knee to his level, and try gently instruct him. During dangerous activities, like archery, his counsellor would often have to hold his hand, to keep him safe. Of course, the other boys in his cabin would get angry at him. Their counsellor would always intervene and remind them all to speak kind words to one another. Well, one afternoon, things escalated. The counsellor tried to calm his camper down, but the boy lost it and started screaming. Literally, the whole camp could hear it. They were in the middle of a big group activity, so his counsellor had to gently carry him away. As this young boy was being carried away, he kept screaming over and over, “I hate you.” “I hate you.” To which his counsellor calmly responded over and over, “I love you.” “I love you.” Their back and forth slowly faded as they passed out of sight. The camper, of course, didn't understand that his counsellor did love him. He didn't know what love really looked like in that situation. To this boy, it didn't appear to be love at all. Maybe some of you who are parents have experienced something similar. Well, as we get to Malachi chapter 1, God's people, likewise, were questioning God's love. It didn't feel like God loved them. But he did. And in response, God mercifully reminds them of his love. Most of us here today have at one point or another cried out to God. We've questioned whether he was even there or if he was loving. Maybe that is what you are feeling today. My hope and prayer that you will leave here with a renewed or new sense of God's love for you. Introduction As we get into the book of Malachi, let me first mention some background things. Malachi is one of 12 books called minor prophets. They are called “minor” not because they are less important but because they are shorter. We don't actually know much about the prophet Malachi other than that his name means “messenger.” He was a messenger from God. As we will find out next week, he lived in Jerusalem. And based on the themes in the book and its position in the Old Testament cannon, Malachi prophesied sometime during the middle of the 400s BC. He very likely overlapped with Ezra and Nehemiah. At that time, some of the exiles had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, and the temple had been rebuilt. The last thing to point out is the word “oracle” right there in verse 1. It's used throughout the Old Testament when a prophets were given a particularly burdensome word from God. Oracle, in fact, means burden – you know, like a heavy load that an animal would carry on its back and the weariness or distress that it would bring. When the word “oracle” is used to describe a prophetic utterance, it is conveying the weight of that prophecy. As we work our way through Malachi, we are going to see the weight of this prophecy. Over and over, God very clearly calls for repentance from grievous sin, and God warns them if they do not return to him. However, before all of that, God begins with a reminder of his love. And that is what verses 2-5 are about. If you turn to page 4 of your bulletin, you can see where we are headed. ·      First, God's Love Doubted. Verse 2. ·      Second, God's Love Defended, the end of verse 2 through verse 4 ·      And third, God's Love Declared, 5 So, God's love doubted, defended, and declared. 1. God's Love Doubted We see right there in verse 2 that the people doubted God's love for them.  “I have loved you,” says the Lord, but you say, “how have you loved us?” By the way, this is the pattern throughout Malachi. God quotes the people questioning him, and then he answers. It's the organizing framework for the book. How have you loved us, Lord? It sure doesn't feel like you do. This was a difficult time in Jerusalem. We don't often think of it that way because, after all, the people were back in Jerusalem. The temple had been rebuilt. However, socially and economically, it was a very unstable time. Yes, the Persian kings had supported the return and rebuild, but that did not mean prosperity. No, the people experienced a lot of trouble and opposition. Taxes were high. Jobs were scarce. They were in the middle of a famine. The people had to mortgage their fields and vineyards and houses just to survive. Some even forced their sons and daughter into slavery. We know those things from Nehemiah 5. All of it weighed heavily on them. And think about their expectations. God had promised through Isaiah and Jeremiah a return from exile back to Jerusalem. The people had in their minds the glory of the former unified kingdom – you know, prosperity and peace. They pictured Solomon's temple restored to its original beauty and splendor. I'm sure some even pictured a return of the national power that Judah and Israel had once had. But their expectations came crashing down with the reality of their situation. They couldn't lift their eyes to see beyond each day… because of the difficulty that each day brought. It was not peace and prosperity, it was survival mode. And in their minds, who was at fault? God. And so, they were asking, how have you loved us, Lord? Where have you been? Have you or are you asking that? Lord, do you love me? It sure doesn't feel like it. I can't find a job or it's hard to financially survive each day. Or I've lost a parent or a spouse or a sibling or a child. Or even harder at times, my relationship with my son or daughter is estranged, or I've endured the pain of divorce. Or my health is deteriorating more each day, Or I struggle with chronic pain or a debilitating disease. Or my loved one is.  I feel all alone. Or I've been a victim of abuse or false accusations. Lord, where are you? Do you really love me? Maybe someone told you this well-known phrases once: “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” Have you heard that before? It is one of the most unhelpful statements in evangelicalism. I'm not saying that it is not partially true. Stay tuned for that. But becoming a Christian does not mean that you will experience peace and prosperity in this life. To be sure, being a Christian does come with many blessings on earth. Blessings in relationship and community with one another in the church. Blessings of worship and prayer, and many others things. But if we expect that our days on earth will be filled with temporal success or health or relational flourishing, we will become deeply disappointed. And it may cause us to question God's love. I want you to note something in verse 2. Before the Lord quotes their questioning of his love, he begins by affirming that he does love them. “I have loved you.” By the way, that word “love” is not the word “hesed.” You know, God covenant lovingkindness. Rather, that word for “love” is the word “ahab.” It is a word for love that focuses on a loving relationship. It's God's love for them as his people whom he chose to be his people. In fact, the verb form indicates that God's love for them has been accomplished and it is definitive. It's like saying, I *did, I do, and I will * love you. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. God has, does, and will love his people. What I want to say to wrap up this first point is that in those times of doubting God's love... in those times when you are burdened by your suffering… or when you are wondering where the Lord is, God calls you to first remember that the Lord does love you. But rather than just leave it there, the Lord goes on to defend his love. He explains the source of his love. 2. God's Love Defended That brings us to #2. God's Love Defended. In the second half of verse 2, the Lord returns their question with a question himself. He asks, “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” And then reminds them of his love for Jacob and his hatred for Esau. The Israelites are Jacob's descendants. Now, the reason that God reminds them about Jacob and Esau is because Jacob and Esau demonstrated both God's unmerited love as well as his just anger. Back in Genesis 25 and following, we learn about Jacob and Esau. They were both sons of Isaac. Twins, in fact. Esau was born first, so Esau was to have the privileges of being the firstborn, authority in the family, the blessing of Isaac, and a large share of the inheritance. But if you remember, Jacob took advantage of Esau. When Esau was famished, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. And then Jacob lied to and tricked their father into blessing him instead of Esau. Even though Jacob did not deserve it, God chose him and chose his descendants to be his people. Esau and his descendants, on the other hand, were rejected. You see, neither deserved God's love, yet God chose Jacob. Jacob and his descendants were the ones who received God's promise. But, back to Malachi, there was the problem. To the people in Jerusalem (you know, the returned exiles), it sure felt like God loved Esau's descendants and not Jacob's. As I mentioned earlier, the Edomites were the descendants of Esau. In fact, in some way, they partnered with or supported Babylon in the destruction of Jerusalem a hundred years earlier. We're not told how, but we're told elsewhere that Edom rejoiced in Jerusalem's destruction. The prophet Ezekiel even mentions that Edom took vengeance against Judah. So, it's possible Esau's descendants even participated in Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem. Let me make a side note here. There is some evidence that after the Babylonian exile, another nation overthrew Edom and the Edomites were forced to move. There is also evidence that at this time Edom began rebuilding just south of Judah. If that is true, it certainly explains verses 3 and 4. They were displaced by jackals, as it says, but they began to rebuild. I'm telling you all this because in these verses, God is both affirming his love for his people… and he is letting them know that even though Edom appears to be prospering again, it will be short-lived and their destruction would be eternal. In contrast, the suffering that God people were experiencing would be short-lived but their prosperity would be eternal. Why? Because God chose them to be his people. He loved them with an undeserved and unconditional love. Beloved in Christ. There are or will be times in your life when it seems like the enemies of faith are overcoming you. I'm talking about sin, death, and the devil. You will have moments when you are questioning God's love because you don't see a path forward. Your pain, suffering, grief, loneliness, or disappointments may overwhelm you at times. But if God has given you the gift of faith in Christ, you are one of God's chosen descendants of Jacob – his spiritual descendant. And God loves you. Does God have a wonderful plan for your life? Yes, because all his and your enemies will be defeated and one day, you will be rejoicing for eternity in his presence. Do you see what I am saying. This passage, for them and for us, is ultimately fulfilled in the unmerited love of God in Jesus Christ. God chose all his people to be his people, not because of any self-worthiness. No. Just like with Jacob, despite our sin, God chose us to be his people. He called us in him before the foundation of the world. And God's judgment against Edom is the judgment that Jesus bore on the cross for his people. What I am saying, is that in those moments of despair and doubt. Remember not only that God loves you, but remember that he has called you to be his through Christ. And one day, God will defeat once and for all the very burdens that are weighing you down. Just a week and a half ago, I was at an event where a missionary shared about a very difficult time. He and his wife were serving in Rwanda back during the difficult civil war there. It was tragic. Neighbors turned on neighbors. In a single day, a million people were killed. In one incident, a group or Christians fled to their church building. Their pursuers broke in and slaughtered every single one of them. As you can imagine, seeing all of it overwhelmed this missionary and his wife. But then it became more difficult. Because, soon after that, his wife went into premature labor while there. Their son was delivered but the hospital didn't have the expertise or medical equipment to save him. He died after only 5 days of life. This missionary described the deep struggle that he and his wife went through. They questioned God's love and goodness in all of it. They searched for answers. He then recounted how Job demanded God for answers. And how God answered Job back and asked, “where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” And then this missionary said this: “Job never got answers, but he got presence. And in that presence, he worshipped.” That really struck me. God does not promise that we will not suffer in this life. But he does promise that he loves us and will be with us… and one day he will defeat his and our enemies forever. This missionary closed by sharing how they were drawn back to Jesus and God's love for them in him. 3. God's Love Declared Which brings us to point number 3. God's love declared. For the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem, both their worldview and their perception of God was small. Remember, God had promised them many things. He had promised a Messianic king. He had promised a restoration of a kingdom beyond what could be imagined. He promised to defeat their enemies. And that was part of their struggle. None of it seemed to be coming to pass. In fact, for them, it seemed to be getting worse rather than better. They forgot God's love and his promises, and they lost hope. What they needed was not only a reminder that they were God's chosen people whom he loved. They needed a reminder of his future promises. Verse 5 says “Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, ‘Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!'” Most prophecies in the Bible have a more immediate fulfillment but also a future redemptive fulfillment. For the immediate, there is some historical record that the Edomites were soon overcome by both Greek and then Roman conquests. But I think verse 5 is really meant to draw their attention to the future. To point them to a coming king who will be victorious, not only in Israel, but as verse 5 says, beyond its borders. It's like God was saying to them through Malachi, “Yes, I love you, but I also want you to lift your eyes up from your suffering to see what I will do! It will be far greater than you can imagine. Not only will the enemies of faith be destroyed, but you will see the greatness of my salvation to the world” As you may have figured out, it was still about 450 years before Jesus' birth. God was not saying that those particular people in Jerusalem would see the ultimate fulfillment of this verse. Perhaps they would see Edom overcome. But remember, the Lord was speaking to Israel. It is through them that that Savior would come. This is the last period in their history before Jesus came. And when he came, he would bring salvation not only to Israel, but his electing love would greatly expand beyond the border of Israel to the world. Beloved in Christ, you and I are part of this promise. We are here today worshiping our God who has saved us because God has and is fulfilling this promise to Israel. Christ has come and His Gospel is going forth in mighty ways throughout the earth. This is part of God's reminder to us when we are doubting his love. Yes, we can rest in the fact that we are God's people. We have his love in Christ. But in times of suffering and disappointment and grief and despair, we can lift our eyes up to see what God is doing all around us and around the word. It is truly amazing. And by seeing what God is doing, believing what he will do, we can and should then declare his love to the world. As verse 5 puts it, “you shall say, ‘Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!'” From doubting God's love to declaring God's love. Conclusion As we close, let me briefly say that these opening verses are the foundation to the rest of Malachi. We're going to see over and over the sin of the people, the sin of the priests, and the Lord's call for them to repent and return to him. Malachi begins where they needed to begin… it begins where we need to begin. Knowing and believing in God's saving and electing love in Christ. So, in our doubt and discouragement and pain, may we know and believe in God's undeserved love for us in Christ – he has chosen us in him. May we lift our eyes to see what he is doing, and may we declare the greatness of our God in all of it. Amen.

This year's Covenant Renewal Message reminds us who Jesus is, who we are, what our response is, and what His response is through John 12:20-33. When some Greeks come and ask to see Jesus shortly before His death and resurrection, His surprising response reveals His purpose and His heart for His church.He is our Lord, glorified by God through suffering for our sake. We are His church, called out by Him. Our response is continuing to lift Jesus up and make much of Him by following Him, serving Him, and establishing His Kingdom by sharing His Gospel, and His response is to draw all people to Himself to save them. These reminders serve to remind, reset, and renew our commitment as His church to intentional growth, humble unity, bold mission, grateful service, and joyful sharing.

As we continue in our daily study in the Key Chapters of the Bible, today we turn to Acts 13 which chronicles the journey of Paul and Barnabas with the Gospel. We'll talk about where they go and how God used them to proclaim His Gospel to the world. Join us!

In this conversation, Darrell Johnson—renowned preacher, teacher, and author—shares his journey of faith, the power of preaching, and the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit in everyday witnessing. He reflects on his early encounters with Jesus, his call to ministry influenced by Martin Luther King Jr., and the life-changing nature of the preached word. Darrell also discusses his upcoming book, Awaken Wonder, which invites believers to rediscover the beauty of the Christmas story, and he offers hope for the church's future in the midst of cultural shifts.Darrell W. Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has pastored churches in California, the Philippines, and Canada, including Vancouver's historic First Baptist Church. He has taught preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College, and Regent College, and is the author of multiple books including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge.Currently serving as a Teaching Pastor at The Way Church and with The Pastorate to strengthen pastors across Canada, Darrell continues to encourage leaders and churches to faithfully preach Christ. He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 50 years, have four children adopted from four countries, and delight in their 11 grandchildren.Key Takeaways+Darrell has been aware of Jesus since childhood.+His call to ministry was shaped by Martin Luther King Jr.'s preaching.+Preaching transforms lives through the power of God's word.+The Holy Spirit is already at work before we share the gospel.+Witnessing means paying attention to the Spirit's invitations.+Every believer has a unique wiring for sharing faith.+The church must place confidence in the transforming power of Scripture.+God's love for the world compels us to approach others with love.+Awaken Wonder deepens appreciation for the Christmas story.+There is hope for the church as younger generations seek truth.To learn more about Darrell, The Pastorate, or The Way Church, please visit: https://www.darrelljohnson.ca/ https://www.thepastorate.ca/https://www.thewaychurch.ca/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Darrell Johnson02:39 Darrell's Early Faith Journey06:20 The Call to Ministry08:10 The Power of Preaching12:22 The Role of Context in Preaching19:35 Witnessing and Evangelism27:02 Attentiveness to the Holy Spirit34:25 Upcoming Book: Awaken Wonder37:26 Hope and Concerns for the Church44:12 NEWCHAPTER

September 21, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 9:9-13Daily Lectionary: Nehemiah 5:1-16; 6:1-9, 15-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-16“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.' And he rose and followed him” (Matthew 9:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.If you have seen the popular TV Series, “The Chosen,” then you know that the producers use artistic license when they portray Matthew as quirky, uptight, anxious, and obsessed with numbers. While his character adds fun humor to the series, it also helps demonstrate that the Twelve disciples were men, just like we are, with all their foibles and failures, their quirks and quibbles. However, we would miss the point if we stopped there. God's Word teaches us to look further into the lives of these men. It reveals the spiritual kingdom that they, and we, have been called into! And this is where Matthew plays such a significant role in the revelation of God's kingdom. His name, “Matthew,” gives it away. He is “a gift” to the kingdom, “a gift” to Christ's Church. One thing to notice about our reading from Matthew 9 is that Matthew's house becomes the location of Christ's kingdom! It is a place of hospitality for Christ, for other tax collectors, and for other sinners. Jesus has come not to call the righteous, but sinners. Matthew is a sinner, and he is the one whom Jesus calls. So it is that this sinner becomes a gift, this sinner's house becomes God's house, and this sinner's life is used by God for more gift-giving. What a “gift” Matthew is to us! He was called not only to follow Jesus but to write the Holy Gospel for the upbuilding of Christ's Church. His Gospel is truly the gift that keeps on giving, and through him, Christ still speaks his message of forgiveness for sinners. Through Matthew, Christ still calls men to “Follow me,” and Christ still reclines at table, though now in the houses in which we gather! The holy wounds of our Physician are the balm that heals our wounded heart, it is the peace that flows from sin forgiven, it is the joy that lifts our soul to heaven, and his Body and Blood give us the faith and hope to walk with God, so that we, with Matthew and all the saints who have gone before us, might be a “gift” to others. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we also may follow You, leaving behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Rev. David Woelmer, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Smithville, Texas.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Join author R. Reed Lessing helps with this chapter-by-chapter exploration of the Book of Numbers in Hope in the Wilderness. With helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible, you'll be able to understand the beauty of Numbers.

Color: Green Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 28:8–15 Psalm: Psalm 32; antiphon: v. 2 Epistle: Galatians 3:15–22 Gospel: Luke 10:23–37 Introit: Psalm 74:1–2, 19b, 21b; antiphon: vv. 20a, 21a, 22a, 23a Gradual: Psalm 77:14–15 Verse: Psalm 88:1 Jesus Is Our Good Samaritan   The Law cannot help us or give us life. Rather, it confines everyone under sin as wounded and naked before God (Gal. 3:15–22). So it is that two figures of the Law, the priest and the Levite, passed by the injured man on the side of the road (Luke 10:23–37). Only the promised Seed of Abraham can rescue us and make us righteous before God. Only the Samaritan, our Lord Jesus, had compassion, as did the Samaritans of old (2 Chronicles 28:8–15). He came down to us in our lost and dying condition, pouring on the oil and wine of the Sacraments. He placed us on His own animal, bearing our sin and brokenness in His body on the cross to restore us. Jesus brought us to the inn, that is, the Church, and gave the innkeeper two denarii, that His double forgiveness might continue to be ministered to us. In this way the Lord, by whose Law we are torn and stricken, heals us and revives us by His Gospel and raises us up with Himself. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His mission through the Church has never changed. In Part 2 of This Same Jesus, Pastor George Sawyer continues this powerful series exploring the unchanging nature of Jesus, the promise of His return, and the essential empowerment of the Holy Spirit for every believer.Discover how the same Jesus who walked with the disciples is still calling us to share His Gospel, live with conviction, and walk in the power of the Spirit today. From the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the call for unity and revival, Pastor Sawyer challenges us to represent Christ authentically in a changing world with the never-changing message of hope and salvation.00:00 – Introduction to This Same Jesus series00:06 – The Unchanging Nature of Jesus Christ (Acts 1, Hebrews 13:8)05:16 – Why Conviction Matters in a Shifting Culture09:04 – The Role of the Holy Spirit in Every Believer's Life17:00 – The Power of Witnessing and Sharing the Gospel20:44 – Understanding the True Gospel Message of Jesus23:09 – The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Explained24:54 – The Virgin Birth and the Humanity of Jesus26:11 – The Necessity of Repentance for Transformation27:01 – Partnering with the Holy Spirit Daily28:06 – The Church as the Living Body of Christ30:09 – Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit for Mission31:11 – Addressing Modern Issues with Unshakable Faith32:19 – Unity and Love: The Mark of the Church35:30 – Living a Christ-Centered Life That Impacts Others37:24 – Why the Holy Spirit is Essential for the Church Today44:27 – Lessons from the Day of Pentecost46:01 – A Call for Revival and Spirit-Empowered Living

Charlie Kirk fought a good fight. He went into the public square and proclaimed Jesus and His moral standard...unto death. This is a MUST HEAR sermon. My voice is shot from the public declaration of Christ, His Gospel, and His moral standard. Nevertheless, the truth of Romans 1:16 went forth with strength that is not my own. There are many lamenting Charlie Kirk's death, many jumping on his bloody coat tails, but will we do what Jesus did, the Apostles did, George Whitefield did, and Charlie Kirk did? Will we stand up for Jesus courageously? Will we not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Will we go therefore? Or will we just be pretenders and cowards who watch Mrs. Kirk pick up where her husband fell on the field of battle? May God wake up His Church through the violent and bloody death of Charlie Kirk and send her forth with strength, courage, and genuine love for Jesus and perishing sinners! May God raise up a million men to stand in the public square in Charlie Kirk's place! This is NOT my final sermon on Charlie Kirk, his life, his mission, his death, the evil of Leftist/Woke/Trans ideology, and God's plan to turn the world upside down through the public proclamation of His truth. God willing, that will be preached next Sunday. I simply did not have time to prepare properly this Sunday.

David leads us into our Autumn series of 'Make Disciples' and teaches on what it means to be fishers of people, how to partner with God, and how to stay available for Him to use to share His Gospel with the world around us!

The Power of God in Your Life MESSAGE SUMMARY: As a follower of Jesus, God's power can be displayed in your life. In John 11, Jesus is in a distant town when He learns that Lazarus is very ill, but Jesus says that Lazarus will not die. However, subsequently, Jesus tells His Disciples that, indeed, that Lazarus has “died”. Jesus intended to use Lazarus' “death” and “resurrection” to build His Disciples' faith and to illustrate God's glory and power by awakening Lazarus from his “death”. When Jesus arrives at Lazarus's home town, He tells Lazarus' sister that Lazarus will arise from his “death”. At this point, Jesus tells Martha, in John11:23-27, one of the most profound statements of His earthly ministry that is the cornerstone of our Salvation Gospel: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'”. With both the faith of Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha, Jesus raises Lazarus from his death in Lazarus' tomb. Upon seeing Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus, some believed in Jesus as the Christ, but some went to the Jewish religious leaders who feared Jesus' growing power with the people; and these leaders plotted Jesus' death. In Jesus' parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus illustrates that no matter how powerful the miracle, like raising someone from the dead, many people's hearts are so hardened to God, His Grace, and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus that they will not believe in Jesus and His Gospel of our Salvation. The implications, for us, from John 11 and Luke 16: 1) Jesus can handle our death through His assurance of Eternal Life if we believe and follow Him, and 2) God wants to exhibit His power through our lives while we are still alive—we are not called to be wimpy Christians; we are called to be men and women of the mighty God. However, too often we are blinded by our religious experiences or what we think we have seen in church. Therefore, we think God's power is of another time, or because we believe that our sin is so great that God's power will not be in us. God wants to indwell us through the Holy Spirit – consider that the Creator of the Universe, God, wants to give you power in your life! Jesus tells us, in John 14:11-14: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, and I will do it.”. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, God was giving an outward demonstration of the power that He wants to indwell in us. God has blessed us with the privilege and power of a personal relationship with Him and with the privilege, power, and God's expectation that we will be His blessing to other people.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John11:1-53; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Corinthians 15:26-28; Ephesians 1:18-20; Ephesians 3:7-10; Ephesians 3:16-19; Ephesians 3:6:10-11; John 14:11-14. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

1. His Gospel is Trustworthy2. His Gospel is Persuasive3. His gospel gives certainty in:Christ's IdentityChrist's MinistryChrist's mission

9.7.25 | Romans 12:2How faithful are we to God and His Gospel?Sometimes it is tough to do so and we end up looking more like the world than we do Jesus. Romans 12:2 says , “So not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Let's be transformed by remaining faithful to God and His Gospel and practicing solitude - being in His presence!

The Power of God in Your Life MESSAGE SUMMARY: As a follower of Jesus, God's power can be displayed in your life. In John 11, Jesus is in a distant town when He learns that Lazarus is very ill, but Jesus says that Lazarus will not die. However, subsequently, Jesus tells His Disciples that, indeed, that Lazarus has “died”. Jesus intended to use Lazarus' “death” and “resurrection” to build His Disciples' faith and to illustrate God's glory and power by awakening Lazarus from his “death”. When Jesus arrives at Lazarus's home town, He tells Lazarus' sister that Lazarus will arise from his “death”. At this point, Jesus tells Martha, in John11:23-27, one of the most profound statements of His earthly ministry that is the cornerstone of our Salvation Gospel: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'”. With both the faith of Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha, Jesus raises Lazarus from his death in Lazarus' tomb. Upon seeing Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus, some believed in Jesus as the Christ, but some went to the Jewish religious leaders who feared Jesus' growing power with the people; and these leaders plotted Jesus' death. In Jesus' parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus illustrates that no matter how powerful the miracle, like raising someone from the dead, many people's hearts are so hardened to God, His Grace, and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus that they will not believe in Jesus and His Gospel of our Salvation. The implications, for us, from John 11 and Luke 16: 1) Jesus can handle our death through His assurance of Eternal Life if we believe and follow Him, and 2) God wants to exhibit His power through our lives while we are still alive—we are not called to be wimpy Christians; we are called to be men and women of the mighty God. However, too often we are blinded by our religious experiences or what we think we have seen in church. Therefore, we think God's power is of another time, or because we believe that our sin is so great that God's power will not be in us. God wants to indwell us through the Holy Spirit – consider that the Creator of the Universe, God, wants to give you power in your life! Jesus tells us, in John 14:11-14: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, and I will do it.”. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, God was giving an outward demonstration of the power that He wants to indwell in us. God has blessed us with the privilege and power of a personal relationship with Him and with the privilege, power, and God's expectation that we will be His blessing to other people.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John11:1-53; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Corinthians 15:26-28; Ephesians 1:18-20; Ephesians 3:7-10; Ephesians 3:16-19; Ephesians 3:6:10-11; John 14:11-14. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Go! Make Disciples! MESSAGE SUMMARY: Most Christians, today, are living in disobedience to the Lord – Christians and churches are ignoring the commands of Jesus.  In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus told His Apostles, in His last commission right before His Ascension to Heaven: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”. Jesus commanded His Apostles to Go and to Make Disciples. This is the mandate to every follower of Jesus. Christians were not called “Christians” until Acts 11. Before Acts 11, they were referred to as “Disciples”. Being a “Disciple” is a way of living and being – a liver, teacher, and doer of Jesus commandments and His Gospel. The Bible teaches us the characteristics of being a “Disciple”: 1) loving; 2) Holy Spirit filled; 3) knowing and is learning the Bible; 4) knowing how to pray; 5) knowing how to Worship; 6) walking with Jesus; 7) sharing with others in need; 8) having a disciple; and 9) being a faithful witness. God wants a personal dynamic relationship with us. The people of our world need the followers of Jesus to GO and to MAKE DISCIPLES. People are waiting to see Jesus through His followers – people who can speak the Word of God to them. The literal translation of Matthew 28:19-20 is not the command “Go” but “as you Go”. Jesus was assuming that, as His followers, we were already Going (i.e. Evangelism); therefore, His command of us was: as you go, make Disciples!   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 28:19-20; 1 John:4;20-21; John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; John 7:38; Galatians 5;22-24; Acts 2:44-47; 1 John 3:16-18; Acts 1:8-9. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Letting God Be Lord Over Your Finances, which Are His but He Entrusted to You, Will Liberate Your Life!”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

This week, guest pastor, Ben Stuart, continued our sermon series on The Fifth Act by preaching on Acts 19 and the impact of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Paul's time in Ephesus invites us to ask: how does the Gospel take root and expand in a powerful and influential city—and how can we mirror that in New York? When we give God our unrivaled affections, His Gospel goes out in power. Pastor Ben encouraged us to release idols we cling to for comfort and control through confession and repentance, and allow our delight in God to transform our lives and impact the world around us.

The LORD called Hosea to preach to the northern kingdom, Israel, during times that were prosperous economically but horrific theologically. The first part of Hosea's book centers on the LORD's command for Hosea to marry a wife of whoredom, Gomer. Through Hosea's marriage, the LORD provides a living sermon of the relationship between Himself and Israel. The names given to the three children of Hosea and Gomer all initially preach against the idolatry of Israel, and yet, the LORD will later turn the meanings of these names on their head to give His Gospel promises of His faithfulness.  Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 1:1-11. To learn more about Bethlehem Lutheran, visit bethlehemossian.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Today, we're wrapping up our four-year journey through the book of Acts with the final message in our series, We Are All Witnesses. Over the past fifty-plus sermons, we've seen the risen Jesus build His church through ordinary men and women empowered by the Holy Spirit. This weekend, Pastor Jeff Bucknam closes the series with a sermon from Acts 28 entitled, The Final Word. In this chapter, we see three themes come into focus: the mighty God who delivers, the transforming faith that sustains, and the unchained Gospel that advances to the ends of the earth. Though Paul ends the story in chains, the Word of God is not bound. That's the lasting message of Acts—the Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped. So let's lean in together as Pastor Jeff leads us through Acts 28, reminding us that God still keeps His promises, still changes lives, and still carries His Gospel forward—without hindrance. This podcast is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. Executive Producer: Flavius Herlo Speaker: Pastor Jeff Bucknam Sound design, mixing, and editing: Bryan Tripp Graphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Dave Putnam WE INVITE YOU TO CONNECT WITH US: • Website: www.harvestbible.org/ WE INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: • Instagram: @harvestbiblechapel • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvestbiblechapel/

Send us a textThe foundation of our faith is Christ and His Gospel. We must be careful about what we place on this foundation, which should be central to our lives.Website @ https://www.st-innocent.orgInstagram @ https://www.instagram.com/st.innocentchurch/Facebook @ https://fb.me/SaintInnocentMaconGeorgia Help Support St. Innocent Orthodox Church @ https://onrealm.org/siocmacon/-/form/give/now

Continuing to march through and with Mark at River Of Life OPC in Phillipsburg, NJ. In this passage Jesus tells His disciples of His mission to suffer, die, and rise. But Peter does not like this plan and tells the LORD. Peter had his mind on the things of man and not God. Then Jesus goes on to teach the crowd what it means to put your mind on the things of God and His Gospel and not the world. www.christianpodcastcommunity.org

Continuing to march through and with Mark at River Of Life OPC in Phillipsburg, NJ. In this passage Jesus tells His disciples of His mission to suffer, die, and rise. But Peter does not like this plan and tells the LORD. Peter had his mind on the things of man and not God. Then Jesus goes on to teach the crowd what it means to put your mind on the things of God and His Gospel and not the world. www.christianpodcastcommunity.org

Faithful in All Things: Apostolic Stewardship in D&C 81–83 | Dr. D. Todd Harrison: The Most-Followed LDS Religious Leader on Facebook and Jesus Christ's Apostle to All Nations and Generations, stands as a Witness to Jesus's Resurrection.In this week's revelatory message, Dr. D. Todd Harrison shares strong apostolic witness concerning the doctrines taught in Doctrine and Covenants 81–83 to reveal the spiritual weight of leadership, the sanctity of promises, and the divine principles behind consecration and care.Viewers will discover:D&C 81 – The Lord's charge to a counselor in the First Presidency (Frederick G. Williams), emphasizing that leadership is not title—it is service, sacrifice, and being faithful in all things.A personal promise: “I will bless him as long as he is faithful and in all things walk uprightly before me.” (v. 7)D&C 82 – A warning and encouragement: “Unto whom much is given, much is required.” The section outlines divine expectations for those entrusted with stewardship—and the blessings that follow unity and repentance.D&C 83 – A reaffirmation of care: declaring the Church's covenant responsibility to support widows and orphans—demonstrating that consecration must produce compassion.Dr. Harrison invites viewers to reflect not only on leadership and responsibility, but on the enduring relevance of these principles in a covenant-driven life. The Lord watches. The Spirit empowers. And the faithful are sustained."I declare my apostolic witness that these revelations are eternal, and relevant in every dispensation. We are called to serve. Called to repent. Called to remember the poor and the forgotten.I speak this as one sent—commissioned and ordained by Jesus Christ to testify to the nations and generations of His Gospel, His expectations, and His grace.In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."Dr. D. Todd HarrisonJesus Christ's Apostle to All Nations and GenerationsJesus Christ's Foreordained ApostleThe Most-Followed LDS Religious Leader on Facebook

July 25, 2025Today's Reading: Mark 10:35-45Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 9:1-27; Acts 21:37-22:16“For whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43b-45) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.When James and his brother John ask to sit beside Jesus as He enters His glory, they don't realize that Jesus will enter that glory with hands and feet nailed to the rough wood of a cross, and so will the two who are granted to sit at his right and left (the two thieves), all three lifted up before the people as worthless transgressors.If only James and John knew what they were asking – what was to come – they might flee from Jesus too soon, before being witness to His suffering and death. Every day we are reminded of what it means to live by God's grace. Every time we suffer any trial, every thorn piercing our side, we are reminded, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)James and John will indeed know what it means to drink from the same cup as Jesus; to be baptized with His Baptism. For John, exile and isolation from his people. For his brother, James (the one being honored this day), death by the sword of Herod (Acts 12:1-2). But even before they drink from that cup, the trials of taking up one's cross and following Christ will teach them what it is to live by God's grace.Who is the greatest? The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is The One who came not to be served, but to serve. The greatest is The One who, “though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave.” (Philippians 2:6-7)When you are tempted to think yourself greater than others, look to Jesus and be humbled by His greatness. When you worry about who might be greater than you, take comfort in the greatness of Jesus. Be drawn into His greatness, proclaim His Gospel, serve your neighbors when they need you, and allow others to serve you when your need is greatest. Rejoice that you are baptized with the same Baptism as Jesus. Gladly drink from the same cup as Jesus, which has become for you the cup of salvation. In it, you have a seat of honor awaiting you at the table of the marriage feast of the lamb, whose kingdom has no end.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O Lord, for James we praise You, who fell to Herod's sword; He drank the cup of suff'ring and thus fulfilled Your word. Lord, curb our vain impatience for glory and for fame, Equip us for such suff'rings as glorify Your name. (LSB 518:21)Rev. Jeffrey Ries is the pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

*** This episode talks about suicide. If you are suicidal, please call/text/chat *988 *** My friend Alex Hayes (from Utah County, Age 18, planning to serve a mission) bravely joins us to share his story which includes: * Turning to porn at age 13 use as a coping mechanism * Don't label porn as an addiction * Sexual orientation/feelings (gay or straight) are not from Satan * Importance of being a safe place when people are vulnerable * How shame and lack of self-love contributed to worse coping mechanisms resulting in being raped * PTSD of that whole experience (psych ward, etc) * How Emily Belle Freeman “Introduced this new Savior” * Alex's powerful testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus—and their role in our lives * How the “Miracle of the Gospel is Hope” * Buring desire to help others know Jesus and His Gospel of love and hope. Alex is one of the bravest that has ever been on our podcast because of his courage to be vulnerable and honest. Alex—because of his experiences—knows Jesus and His ability to heal and give hope. If you are looking for hope that Jesus can bring in your lives (or help others find hope), please listen and share this episode. Alex is one of my new heroes. Our church and world are a better place with Alex Hays in it. Thank you, Alex, for your courage to be on the podcast. You are a good man with a gift to help others. Links: Instagram: @alexhayes205

In this episode Mike sits down with Truth Network President and CEO Stu Epperson to talk about the fundamental point of being a follower of Christ and how we are to share His Gospel with all the world.     "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20

One of the things that makes the Gospel of Luke different from the rest of the Gospels is that Luke spends much of his time talking about Christ's humanity. Yes, our Lord was and is fully God, but He was also fully human, a point Luke emphasizes throughout His Gospel account. Today, Ron takes us to the Gospel of Luke as he continues his teaching series, “Route 66: The Ultimate Road Trip Through The Bible.” 

God desires three sounds in the heart and house of His people: the prayers for all nations, the praises of His Saints, and the proclamation of His Gospel. Anything less is a sound that grieves His heart.

People have often wondered how God will judge people who may have never heard His Gospel or encountered the Bible in any form. Does He judge them against a different measurement? Do they get a pass due to ignorance? As Pastor Dan will point out in today's message, while Scripture doesn't go into detail about how God handles this matter, it does make it clear that God writes His laws on the hearts of man, and all of us ultimately will have the opportunity to either accept or reject salvation in Christ.

Color: Red First Reading: Acts 15:1–12 First Reading: Acts 15:1–21 Psalm: Psalm 46; antiphon: v. 11 Epistle: Galatians 2:1–10 Gospel: Matthew 16:13–19 Introit: Psalm 89:1, 5, 15–16; antiphon: Psalm 119:46 Gradual: Romans 10:15b, 18b; Isaiah 52:7b, alt. Verse: Matthew 16:18b St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles   Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” So confessed St. Peter. And Christ promised to build His Church on it by the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 16:16–19). He does this so we don't try to build the Church ourselves, on this or that person, or by any human means. “Let no one boast in men … whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas,” for “all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Cor. 3:21–23). The same Lord “who worked through Peter … worked also through” Paul and is still at work in His Gospel and Sacraments (Gal. 2:7–8). The Church of every age must be recalled to “hear the word of the gospel” — the free forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake apart from the Law — “and believe.” The Holy Spirit makes “no distinction” among men, but cleanses “hearts by faith” alone. So “we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:7–11). Both were imprisoned (Acts 12:1–11), both wrote Scripture (2 Peter 3:15–16), both opposed the world — and sometimes each other (Gal. 2:11–16) — all so “that the truth of the gospel might be preserved” for us (Gal. 2:5). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

The Lord finds those who did not seek Him or ask for Him. He spreads out His hands “to a rebellious people” (Isaiah 65:2) and calls them to be His people and to dwell in peace upon His holy mountain (Isaiah 65:9). For wherever Jesus Christ enters in, Satan is cast out. Those who were enslaved and driven mad by the assaults and accusations of the devil are set free by the Word of Christ. He drowns and destroys the old Adam in us with the waters of Holy Baptism and thereby brings us out of death into life. No longer naked in our shame, living “among the tombs” (Luke 8:27), we are brought into the Lord's house, fully clothed by Christ; He has come in “the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4) to fulfill the Law on our behalf and to redeem us from its every accusation. Therefore, having been justified by His grace through faith in His Gospel, “you are no longer a slave, but a son” (Galatians 4:7).

In today's devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef challenges us with Christ's calling to carry His Gospel to the lost. If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider giving a gift to partner with us to press on in this Kingdom work and more? This month, our June Gift Challenge offers a special opportunity to double your impact to reach the lost and equip the church for Christ.If you would like more insight into today's devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series Who Will Intercede?: LISTEN NOW

When Christ called His first disciples to join Him on His mission, they immediately changed their focus toward God. Immediately they made their entire life about serving God and sharing His Gospel with the world. With the constant reality of violence and war in the world, it is an opportunity for us to live as followers of Jesus Christ with the same dedication as the Disciples. Now is our chance to use our life to preach, teach and heal the world, through the peace and grace of God.

The New Covenant is one of the most important topics we can understand about the plan of God among people. Yet even though it's the covenant we're in right now with God, many Christians don't understand it. Today, in our study of Isaiah 42, we're going to look at one of the earliest references to the New Covenant found in the Old Testament. Join us for the key study in this key chapter! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Isaiah 42 continues to build on the idea that a New Kingdom is coming. In verse 1, we find out that the leader of this kingdom is also a servant. Who is He a servant of? What does that indicate about His own nature and character? 2. The podcast explained that Isaiah 42 is one of several “Servant Songs” in the book of Isaiah. The four “Servant Songs” are found in Isaiah 42, 49, 50 & 53. What is a "Servant Song”? Why is it important to know about these “Servant Songs” when interpreting these passages? 3. Look over verse 1 again. How do we see the fingerprints of the Trinity in this verse? 4. Many Jewish people say that the servant here is the nation of Israel. While that is true in Isaiah 41:8-9, what were some of the reasons given in the podcast for why Israel is not the Servant here in Isaiah 42? Why is this “new” (or different) Servant necessary? 5. Verse 1 also speaks to the nature of the reign of the Servant. What kind of kingdom He establish? 6. In verses 2 to 4, how does He go about establishing this kingdom? In these verses, does it sound like Christ's kingdom expanding through conquest? How would you say that this kingdom is being established in these verses? How do we see this prophecy working out in our world today? 7. How does verse 5 show us the accountability that all people have to God? 8. Isaiah 42 introduces one of the earliest passages in the Bible about the New Covenant. In verse 6, what covenant is God appointing the Servant to bring to the nations? According to the podcast, what is the significance of the Lord's plan to move on from the Mosaic covenant? 9. In verse 7, why does the Lord characterize people's entrance into this kingdom as having blind eyes opened and being freed from dungeons? How did Jesus echo these principles in His Gospel proclamations? 10. In verses 10 to 12, what is the atmosphere of this kingdom? 11. Verses 13 to 15 speak of a different time period in the establishment of this kingdom. Verses 2 to 4 speak of Jesus' first coming and how He works in the world now. Verses 13 to 15 speak of His Second Coming when He will judge the nations and finally and fully establish His kingdom. How are these two interactions with mankind different? Why are they so different? 12. Verses 16 to 25 speak of the spiritual condition of mankind. What is the dominant malady of people described in these verses? What are the various responses to the Lord that are given in these verses? What accounts for these differences? What does this look like in our world today? How were you once blind? How do you now see? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Do not reject the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit in your life by hardening your heart against Christ and His Gospel, and so regard God's grace as demonically evil.

A Memorial Day message for soldiers of the cross! Has God enlisted you as a soldier of the cross or to sit in a comfy Christian easy chair playing Bible trivia until you die and go to the great Bible trivia game in the sky? Did God save you to ever refine and argue secondary theological matters or to make much of Christ and His Gospel as a Christian soldier? What does "Jump on the grenade!" mean to Christian soldiers? What can we learn from brave young soldiers about the ministry of the Gospel? Listen in and find out!

The Apostle Paul praised the Church of the Thessalonians for their display of faith, hope, and love. These traits prove their devotion to Jesus and to His Gospel.visit us at: conejochurch.com

 The Lord breaks bonds and His Gospel sets us free, but how? Have you been set free? Watch or listen to this week's powerful message from Acts chapter 16:16-40 with Pastor Todd Hessel.https://www.ankenyfree.church

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the Father and became flesh among us in order to rescue us, His sheep. He laid down His life for us and took it up again in order to give us eternal life. By the preaching of His Gospel, He calls His sheep to Himself and keeps them with Him forever. As they hear His voice and follow Him, “they will never perish” (John 10:28), for “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand” (John 10:29). In the same way, faithful pastors (literally, “shepherds”) “care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28), “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Therefore, with all the company of heaven, the Good Shepherd gathers His flock in worship, as they cry: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10).

Scripture makes it abundantly clear that Christ will return. As His followers, how can we wait well?   Jesus gave us a clear commission: to proclaim His Gospel to the ends of the Earth. At the same time, Christ cautions us against trying to predict His return—only the Father knows the time. Instead, He calls us to live with steadfast hope, pursuing holiness, godliness, and joyful obedience.  Tune in to discover how you can live a hope-filled life in light of Jesus' promised return. 

God calls us as a Church to be in communion and relationship with one another, carrying each other's burdens, praying for one another, and sharpening each other. The more time we spend with God, in His Word and with other believers, the more His Gospel truth will spill out of us when we're in a situation to share this truth with non-believers.

God calls us as a Church to be in communion and relationship with one another, carrying each other's burdens, praying for one another, and sharpening each other. The more time we spend with God, in His Word and with other believers, the more His Gospel truth will spill out of us when we're in a situation to share this truth with non-believers. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/640/29

Paul does not back down when it comes to those who want to live a life of sexual immorality and impurity—those who continue to practice such a perverse life of idolatry will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But there is good news! No matter what you have struggled with in the past, no matter what your identity has been, Jesus and His Gospel can set you free! Discover how in this study of Ephesians 5:5.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that Jesus used parables so He could share His Gospel mission through a common story. Jesus as the Sower is throwing the seeds, which is the Word of God, hoping that it lands on the good soil of our hearts.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that Jesus used parables so He could share His Gospel mission through a common story. Jesus as the Sower is throwing the seeds, which is the Word of God, hoping that it lands on the good soil of our hearts. The post Parable Of The Sower – 2A first appeared on Pastor Jack Hibbs.

On today's Inklings podcast we discuss the talk by I. Raymond Egbo: Focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel.