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For followers of Jesus Christ, every area of our lives should reflect His Lordship, and people should see a difference in the way we live. On this episode of The Verdict, Pastor John Munro begins the final lesson in our study of Colossians as we review this transformation of the Gospel.
In this earnest exploration of John 14, Pastor Jason invites the congregation into a deeper understanding of Jesus as The Way, The Truth, and The Life, emphasizing that while His claim is exclusive, His invitation is radically inclusive. By contrasting the disobedience of the first Adam in the Garden of Eden with the triumphant obedience of Jesus, the "second Adam," in Gethsemane, Jason illustrates how Christ paved a unique and necessary path to restore our relationship with God. He reassures us that although there is only one way to the Father, there is "plenty of room" in the Father's house for everyone, reflecting a God who never pushes us away but constantly draws us closer with compassion and mercy. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond religious pluralism or mere inspiration and to fully embrace the unique reality of Christ's incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. Ultimately, Jason calls the community to walk in the ways of Jesus—through serving the marginalized and giving generously—believing that as they align their lives with His Lordship, they will witness the "greater things" God has promised for their city and the world.Referenced Scriptures:John 14:6Psalm 113:7-82 Corinthians 8:2John 14:1-3Romans 5:18-19Deuteronomy 30:19-20John 14:9-12John 1:18
Romans 14 focuses on Christian liberty, love, and unity within the church, and faith, love, and conscience shape our actions and relationships as believers. Christ's death and resurrection establish His Lordship over all, and love and conscience should guide our actions toward others. While we avoid passing judgment and causing others to stumble, our actions should reflect faith and gratitude to God. Our faith is personal but should be expressed in love. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Unity in Christ requires patience and understanding, and avoiding unnecessary disputes preserves church unity. The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins guest host the Rev. Sean Daenzer to study Romans 14:1-23. Why does doing the right thing sometimes feel impossible? Why do feelings of guilt follow us even when we've been forgiven? These aren't new questions. St. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans for a church he had never visited, and yet he addressed the struggles every Christian knows firsthand: the weight of the law, the persistence of sin, the sufficiency of what God has done in Christ. Romans covers enormous ground. Paul moves from the universal problem of sin through justification by faith, the role of baptism, the war between flesh and spirit, God's faithfulness to Israel, and the shape of life together in the body of Christ. There's a reason the Reformation was born in this letter. Join us on Thy Strong Word as we open up Romans, weekdays at 11am or on-demand anytime, at KFUO.org. 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.
Pastor Colins Nwosu continued our teaching series with The Lordship of Jesus (Part 2), further exploring what it truly means to submit to Christ as Lord. Reading from Romans 14:8–9, we were reminded that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord because Christ died and rose again to establish His Lordship over all. Today's teaching emphasised that acknowledging Jesus as Lord goes beyond verbal confession; it requires a life of complete surrender and obedience. Using the account of Saul in 1 Samuel 15, we saw that partial obedience is ultimately disobedience. Although Saul was explicitly commanded to destroy everything, he kept the choice livestock and spared King Agag, proving that partial obedience is nothing more than complete disobedience. We learned that to God, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Drawing also from James 1:22–24 (NLT), we were challenged to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, warned against looking into the mirror of God's Word and immediately forgetting what we have seen. True alignment with the Lordship of Christ means following His instructions completely, even when they challenge our preferences or personal desires. Pastor Colins concluded with a powerful reminder from missionary S. M. Zwemer: "Unless Jesus is Lord of all, He is not Lord at all." The call was clear and personal: Christ's Lordship must extend to every area of our lives, not just the parts that are convenient or comfortable. Confession: Lord Jesus, I surrender every area of my life to Your Lordship. Help me to obey You wholeheartedly, not selectively, and to build my life upon the solid foundation of Your Word. May my actions reflect my confession, and may Your will be done in me completely. Amen.
Because of Christ's humility and obedience, Godthe Father responded. “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him”.The world rejected Jesus, but the Father exalted Him. Men mocked Jesus, but theFather crowned Him. Men nailed Him to a cross, but the Father raised Him fromthe dead and seated Him at His own right hand in glory. The resurrection andascension were heaven's declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thephrase “highly exalted” means super-exalted or exalted to the highest place. InEphesians 1:20–21, Paul wrote that “God seated Christ at His right hand inthe heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might anddominion”. No one is higher than Jesus. No one is greater than Jesus. Noone will ever dethrone Jesus. Heaven is moving toward one great conclusion, andthat is the complete triumph of Jesus Christ.This exaltation of Jesus includes Hisresurrection, His ascension, His heavenly reign, and His future visiblekingdom. The One who wore the crown of thorns will one day wear many crowns.Revelation 19:16 says Jesus is, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” ThenPaul continues: “and given Him a name which is above every name.” Whatis that name? Some believe it might refer to the name Jesus, but most likelyPaul is speaking about the title Lord. In verse 11, every tongue confesses thatJesus Christ is Lord. In the New Testament, Paul is declaring thatJesus Christ shares fully in the divine authority and glory of God Himself. Thisis astonishing because, in the Roman Empire, Caesar claimed to be lord, butChristians boldly proclaimed, “Jesus is Lord.” That confession often cost themtheir freedom, their possessions, and even their lives. Still today, declaringJesus as Lord is radical. Because if Jesus is Lord, He has authority over ourlives. He determines truth. He deserves obedience. He deserves worship. Hedeserves first place in our lives. Manypeople want Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord. They want forgiveness withoutsurrender. They want heaven without holiness. They want salvation withoutsubmission. But the gospel calls us to bow before Christ as Lord. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believein your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”The resurrection proves His Lordship.God exalted Jesus after Jesus humbled Himself. Thisis the principle throughout Scripture. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselvesin the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humbleyourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” Wealso know that we live in a world obsessed with self-promotion. But God'skingdom works differently. The way up is down. The way to greatness isservanthood. The pathway to honor is humility. Wesee in the Old Testament that when people humbled themselves—like Joseph,David, and Moses—God exalted them. Jesus went to the cross before ascending tothe throne. Today, maybe you feel overlooked. You might feel forgotten or misunderstood,or faithfully serving without recognition. Remember, God sees humble obedience,and your humility is never wasted. God knows how to exalt His servants in Hisperfect time and in His perfect way. Ourresponsibility is not self-promotion. Our responsibility is faithful obedience.One day every wrong will be made right when Christ reigns over all. Today,worship Jesus not only as Savior, but as your Lord. Ask yourself: Is there anyarea of my life resisting His authority? Have I surrendered my plans, myfuture, and my ambitions to Him? Am I living for my kingdom or His? The exaltedChrist deserves complete surrender. Let'spray together. Father, thank You for exalting Your Son, Jesus Christ. Weworship Him today as Lord of all. Forgive us for the areas where we haveresisted His authority. Help us to walk in humility and faithful obedience,trusting You to lift us up in Your perfect time. We pray this in Jesus' name.Amen.
Title: The Day of the Lord… Not Yet Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 FCF: We often struggle waiting for the events of the last days and trusting in what we've been taught. Prop: Because the Day of the Lord will bring comfort to God's people, we must hold fast and stand firm in what we have received. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 2 serve to close out a section talking about God's justice and the great hope we have when Christ is revealed from heaven. It also allows Paul to move to addressing another concern the Thessalonians have about the end times. There is no question that this is one of the primary reasons that Paul writes this letter. Of course, it is quite interesting to modern readers because what Paul talks about concerns the study of the End Times or Eschatology. But it might be easy for us to focus on the discussion of eschatology and miss the truths that are far more applicable to us today. I will do my best to guide us to these truths. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Awesome, Holy and Terrible God, You incite fear in the hearts of Your enemies. You are untamable. You cannot be muzzled. You cannot be resisted. You cannot be thwarted. You are just and will have justice. You are sinless and will have a sinless and perfect world one day. For Your people, these words are not fearful words. For we desire what You desire. You have changed our hearts to want what You want. A world ruled by You and governed by Your law where sin doesn't exist and we can worship You in Your presence. But for the wicked, for those who hold only a loose affiliation to Christianity, those who think themselves Christians but love the world and all its distractions, for these – such an eternity sounds terrible and boring. Help us today to see the Comfort and the Terror of the Day when you make all things right. May Your Spirit convict us, guide us, and conform us to You. Be with us and teach us today from Your word, we pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near. It is he who, whether it be far or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love.” Augustine of Hippo “In the first advent God veiled His divinity to prove the faithful; in the second advent He will manifest His glory to reward their faith.” John Chrysostom [Slide 3] “As Christians we should not be exit-ists, looking for our going, but advent-ists, looking for His coming.” William Freel “The primitive church thought a great deal more about the coming of Christ than about death, and thought a great deal more about His coming than about heaven.” Alexander MacLaren “Many people will be surprised when Jesus comes again – but nobody will be mistaken.” John Blanchard Let these words concerning the Lord's return prepare our minds for the exposition of this text. I.) The Day of the Lord will bring comfort to God's people, so we must hold fast and stand firm. (1-2a) a. [Slide 4] 1 - Now we ask you, brothers, i. The word, “now” here suggests that what follows is really a result of all that Paul has said. ii. So, what has he said? iii. He has expressed his thankfulness to God for them because they are growing in faith and love and remaining steadfast against persecution. iv. He has reminded them that their growing faith and endurance amid persecution is evidence that God has counted them worthy of His Kingdom, and that God will eventually punish those harming them while rewarding them with glory when Christ returns v. He has even assured them that the justice of God is perfect and that it is His prayer that God will keep His promises to them and deliver them safely through to that day when they are all gathered together with Jesus. vi. As a result of this, Paul has a request. vii. It is not a command. But the primary reason this is so, is because of the relationship between Paul and the Thessalonians. viii. Because they are obedient, submissive, and desiring to grow in their faith and love – Paul doesn't need to bark orders to them. His kind requests are readily heard and joyfully observed. ix. So, what is his request concerning? b. [Slide 5] with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, i. Paul has been addressing the Thessalonians' concerns regarding the timing of the Day of the Lord, really since the beginning of the book. ii. He has talked about what will be when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven – and it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that what they are going through is not the Day of the Lord at all. iii. But Paul won't leave them uncertain any longer. He will bring clarity directly to their concern. iv. Is the persecution they are experiencing now a sign that The Day of the Lord has come? This is their concern. v. Paul will address it head on. c. [Slide 6] 2 - that you not be quickly shaken in your mind. i. We should note that this is the third question or concern they have expressed regarding the Day of the Lord. ii. The first, was whether or not those who had died in Christ had missed the revelation of the kingdom. Paul answered them comfortingly that those who had died in Christ would not miss the revelation of Christ nor the Kingdom He brings. iii. The second, was concerning the timing of the Day of the Lord. Specifically, its suddenness. Paul answered them again, comfortingly, informing them that although it would come unexpectedly to unbelievers, it should not take them unawares. But even if it does – it will not prevent them from joining Him in the air and living with Him in His Kingdom. iv. This third concern they face has yet to be truly unveiled although we have discussed it quite freely since it helps to make sense of much of what Paul says and why. v. But before we get to the specifics of their concern – we ought to dwell on the concern itself. vi. Since this is the third separate issue related to the Day of the Lord – Paul desires them to stop being so unstable on this issue. vii. In less than a year Paul has now had to deal with three different concerns regarding the Day of the Lord. viii. Furthermore, they went from concerned about the suddenness of its coming to thinking it had already come. ix. This really paints the picture of the words Paul uses here “quickly shaken” x. Shaken has the idea of tremors and vacillating back and forth. xi. They are quite unstable on this issue, quickly vacillating between concerns and opinions. xii. You can hardly blame them. The idea of a future eternal judgment beyond death was not common in the paganism they left. If anything, paganism saw things in cycles, so that even if there was some kind of judgment it only led to renewal. xiii. So, the idea of a future judgment with such stark contrasts of eternal destinies for the righteous and the wicked, really raises the stakes. xiv. Paul adds the prepositional phrase “in your mind” to sharpen the discussion of their vacillation. xv. By mind, Paul means – their understanding or discernment. It is their seat of reason. xvi. They are not being thoughtful, discerning, or reasonable about this issue. xvii. They are allowing the high stakes of this issue to overwhelm them and cloud their judgment. xviii. Paul's request is for them to stop allowing their discernment to be quickly moved. To take time to think and reason and consider what they have been taught before being overwhelmed with concern. xix. But what is the root of their instability? What else is Paul requesting them to stop doing? d. [Slide 7] or be alarmed i. Not only has Paul requested them not to continue to quickly shift their discernment on the teaching of the Day of the Lord, but he also requests that they not be alarmed. ii. To be alarmed is to be afraid – but not a growing nagging fear. Rather a startling fear. iii. Something they are caught by surprise and startled by. iv. This seems to be the cause of the quick changes in the discernment of the Thessalonians. v. They continue to be on unstable and shaky ground with the teaching regarding the Day of the Lord, because they are easily startled and alarmed. vi. Paul wants them to arrive at comfort and stability regarding the teaching of the Day of the Lord. vii. He wants them to hold fast to what he has taught them and stand firm and courageous against sudden fears. e. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: When Paul mentions that his next topic is concerning the Day of the Lord's return and His gathering together of… US… he leaves no room for uncertainty. He expresses to the Thessalonians that for the believer there is no fear concerning the Day of the Lord. In fact, the Day of the Lord is consistently taught by Paul in these two letters as an aspect of COMFORT to God's people. It will be the day when they experience true peace and meet with their Savior and never be separated from Him. So, Paul requests that they keep themselves from doing two things. Do not be quickly shaken in your mind or be alarmed. If we were to put these commands positively it would be, hold fast and stand firm. Be courageous and discerning. Transition: [Slide 9(blank)] But Paul isn't done addressing their vacillating discernment or their fear. He needs to assure them that no matter what caused them to fear – or what they have heard – they must believe what Paul has already taught them. II.) The Day of the Lord will bring comfort to God's people, so we must measure all teachings of the Day of the Lord by what we have already received. (2b) a. [Slide 10] whether by a spirit or a word or a letter as if from us, i. It becomes clear there is some sort of false teaching causing them to be suddenly startled and thus quickly vacillate in their discernment regarding the teaching they have received about the Day of the Lord. ii. Paul isn't sure what the source of this false teaching is but offers three different examples of places they might have received it. iii. A spirit. 1. Although I originally had a different idea of what this meant, every single commentator I consulted, unanimously interpreted this as people coming to them with a spirit of prophesy. This is one of those cases where I don't feel confident about my interpretation… certainly not confident enough to disagree with EVERYONE else. 2. So how did they arrive at this conclusion? 3. In 1 Thessalonians Paul cautioned them to not quench the Spirit and to not despise prophesies. But he also said to test everything taught and hold fast to what is good and abstain from everything evil. 4. What is clear is that they have obeyed the first part of Paul's previous exhortation and failed at the second part. 5. Probably people came to them who have said, “I have a word from the Lord” and demonstrated some level of charismatic gift to bring the new revelation to them. 6. Paul warns them to not be suddenly fearful but to exercise discernment, even if someone comes in signs and with a message, supposedly from God, that contradicts what they have already received. They must not quench the Spirit or despise prophesies… but they must also test everything. 7. Whatever is not of God, must be avoided. iv. A word or message would be the preaching of some teacher or prophet going about either intentionally or unintentionally sowing fear. 1. Paul no doubt was aware of traveling preachers going about, and perhaps some of them not adequately trained to understand the exact nature of the end times. 2. Perhaps they were false teachers or prophets peddling a new message concerning the end. 3. Perhaps they were not posing as Christians at all, but were simply pagans attempting to take the Christian teaching and adapt it to paganism. This wouldn't be the first time or the last that such a thing happened. 4. Paul warns them not to be startled and discard discernment just because someone comes preaching a message about the coming judgment from an angle that is new and foreboding. 5. Instead, they should rightly divide truth by the truth they have already received. v. A letter as if it is from us. In this Paul relays, perhaps, more than we might expect. 1. First, he gives us a third medium by which people can communicate startling news that may disrupt their discernment regarding the Day of the Lord. 2. The written word. 3. But over and above that, Paul adds, as if it is from us. Meaning what? 4. Paul either knows of or suspects that there are letters being circulated at this time pretending to be from himself, Silas, and/or Timothy. Letters that call into question some of the teachings they had already given to the Thessalonians regarding the Day of the Lord. 5. Paul warns them not to be alarmed by these letters nor to blindly believe them, but to use their discernment and hold fast to what they had already received. 6. In Galatians Paul said that even if he himself came with a different gospel – that he should be accursed and they should not listen. Paul doesn't quite go to that extreme here – but he does make plain that it doesn't matter who supposedly teaches these false teachings about the Day of the Lord. 7. If it contradicts what they had already been taught – then it must be avoided. vi. Well, we have hinted at it long enough… what is the nature of these false prophesies, these new messages and interpretations, or these letters, about the Day of the Lord, that has caused them to abandon discernment due to startling fear? b. [Slide 11] to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. i. Well, we didn't keep that secret very well – but such is the nature of studying a book of the bible rather than simply reading it. ii. Still, we see that the main reason that the Thessalonians keep vacillating, and abandoning reason, and becoming fearful – is because someone or perhaps many sources are telling them that the Day of the Lord has already come. iii. But Paul says that the Day of the Lord hasn't come yet – no matter what anyone told you. iv. But after arriving at this, we are left with the question, why? v. Why would the Thessalonians think that the Day of the Lord had come? What could have been taught to them to convince them that the Day of the Lord had arrived? vi. [Slide 12] I see two possibilities for what might have happened and both of them are found within the context of 2 Thessalonians. 1. Perhaps the persecution they are experiencing reminds them of what they were taught about the Day of the Lord including a time of difficulty and tribulation. a. When we discussed the Day of the Lord while studying Paul's previous letter, we observed that the Day of the Lord includes 4 categories of events. i. A terrible tribulation. Mankind will be afflicted including cosmic signs, wonders in heaven, terrible bloodshed, natural disasters, all spoken of as if they were world ending or crippling. ii. The revelation of Christ and the gathering together of His people with Him. Which may also include some kind of earthly kingdom ruled from Jerusalem. iii. A day of judgment which is the culmination of God's Justice where all sin will be paid and all sinners, both angelic and human, will be removed from the earth and cast into the Lake of Fire which is the second death. iv. Finally, there is a remaking of the universe. There will be a new heaven and earth. A new Jerusalem will descend, and we will enter into an eternal state. This could be a second earthly kingdom or the same one we already mentioned. b. Interestingly enough, Paul covers both the revelation of Christ and the eternal judgement of the wicked in both 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Seeming to indicate that these events occur at the same time. c. Which might suggest that the Thessalonians understood the other two events to occur before and after these. d. Perhaps they assumed that the persecution they were experiencing was the terrible tribulation. e. And so, a false teaching that may have arisen is to take what they had been taught about the cosmic signs and reinterpret them as metaphors to refer to less cataclysmic events. f. This would cause them to think that they were in the midst of the Day of the Lord and that the persecution they were experiencing was part of the terrible tribulation that preceded Christ's return. 2. Another option is for us to look ahead in this context and see that Paul had already taught them about the man of lawlessness and the coming apostasy. So, perhaps they have been convinced that their present condition fit that description and they were already seeing the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. vii. In either case we are left with the same question… what about these teachings would lead them to sudden fear? Why might they be afraid of the Day of the Lord when they were clearly taught in both letters that the Day of the Lord is a day of victory for God's people and should give us comfort and peace? viii. [Slide 13] For myself it only makes sense in one way. That they assumed that the events of the Day of the Lord would happen in quick succession. They assumed that once the tribulation or apostacy and man of lawlessness stepped on the scene, that Christ would return and gather them together. ix. Why would that be fear inducing to hear people say – The Day of the Lord is here? x. Because they haven't been gathered together to be with Christ. xi. So that leaves them with a few questions and all of them have terrible answers. xii. Did we not make the cut? xiii. Is this the best it gets? xiv. Has God's justice somehow been served already? xv. If we break down Paul's statements in chapter 1 and 2 into its most basic message, it is, essentially, that the Day of the Lord is a sequence of events that occur over a period of time. Paul does not say how long until it begins or how long it would take to get through it. But He does indicate that there is a sequence that must be followed. We'll get to more of that later. xvi. I mention it now only to prove why they were suddenly fearful. xvii. They thought they missed it. And that this was their life from now on. Or worse… that they were to be judged with those who afflicted them because they were NOT counted worthy of God's call after all. xviii. This is why Paul spends so much time expounding God's perfect justice. This is why Paul prays that God continue to count them worthy of His calling and continue to give them power to walk worthy of their calling. xix. He wants them to understand that this will all happen over a course of time. And that that time has not yet begun. But when it does… it will be good for them and for all God's people. c. [Slide 14] Summary of the Point: Paul did it in the last letter and he will continue to do so in this one. He will continue to point back to what he and his companions have taught them already. He taught them that the Day of the Lord is a great comfort to God's true people. And if they hear another teaching that causes them to fear or their discernment to be shaken, because it tells them the Day of the Lord has already come – even if that teaching came from someone who was a prophet, a preacher, or even posing as Paul himself – they should not believe it. They should measure every message they hear by what they have already received. And if what is new doesn't match up – they should avoid it. Conclusion: So, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and shapes our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 15] In his first letter and so far in his second, Paul has always spoken of the Day of the Lord as a comfort to those who believe on Jesus. The scriptures as a whole speak of the Day of the Lord as a Terrible day, but a Great day for those who are God's children. Since this is true, a true believer should not be shaken or startled by any teaching regarding the Day of the Lord. No matter the source of the teaching, we should use discernment and compare it to what we have already received regarding the nature of the Day of the Lord and avoid any teaching that does not fit. But how does this apply to us today? Are there any that say the Day of the Lord has already come? 1.) [Slide 16] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that the Day of the Lord has come. a. If you have spent any time conversing with me, you know that there are some teachings that I am very passionate about. Even some debated teachings that I have taken a strong stand upon and unless the Spirit of God moves me – I do not intend to budge. b. You also know that eschatology… is not one of those. c. I am VERY VERY VERY uncommitted to any eschatological system. I tend to see the merits in most of them and am ready to admit when a passage favors one view over the others. d. But there is one vein of eschatological teaching upon which I can and will be quite strong. It is eschatological teachings that we must… REJECT! e. There are indeed some folks who have concluded that everything predicted in the bible has come about. f. They are called preterists. From the Latin word praeter, meaning past or gone beyond. g. Preterism is divided broadly into two groups. Partial preterists and full preterists. h. Partial preterists would see some predictions in the scriptures as fulfilled. i. Some would conclude that the Roman Catholic church is the apostasy spoken of in 2 Thess chapter 2 and that the Pope is the Man of Lawlessness. j. Therefore, they would conclude that the next thing we are waiting for is for Christ to be revealed from heaven. k. The key here is that they still say that Christ's revelation from heaven is still in the future. l. This then is the distinguishing mark between a partial and a full preterist. m. A partial preterist… in my estimation… could still very well be a solid brother and close Christian friend. n. But not so for the full preterist. o. A full preterist would say Christ has… in some way… already returned. They would say that this has already occurred in the events of AD 70 and that we are currently living in the New Heaven and the New Earth today. p. My friends, you cannot be a full preterist and be an orthodox Christian. Why? q. Because the earliest creeds confess that Christ will come (future tense) to judge the living and the dead. r. Full preterism is… a heresy. And must be denied. s. The Day of the Lord – has not come. At least not the whole of it. And on this I will firmly stand. And you must too. t. Another end-times conclusion I believe we must draw from this text, is that there is a necessary sequence of events to the Day of the Lord. 2.) [Slide 17] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the Day of the Lord will not happen all at once but must follow a sequence of events. a. It is not an event that any believer could conceivably have missed. b. Now I think we can go overboard here when we get out our timelines and mark days and months and years to every event. c. I've pointed it out several times now, that every single timeline of these is wrong because there are 7 thunders in Revelation that we know nothing about because God told John to seal up the scroll and not write down what the 7 thunders said. d. Again, pointing out safely what all acceptable positions of the end times do, is that the Day of the Lord is a period of time that covers several kinds of events. They happen in sequence. Now where we are in that sequence, how long they last, and how long until the next one, is all up for debate. e. But we should not be looking for all of it to happen at once. f. Another thing I can say with confidence about the Day of the Lord… 3.) [Slide 18] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” The Day of the Lord is only spoken of in the scriptures as a comfort to believers. a. Any teaching that causes a genuine believer to fear the coming of the Day of the Lord should be rejected without distinction. b. And any Christian who allows mortal fears to overwhelm their heavenly comfort with regard to the Day of the Lord – should be rebuked. c. Some teachings of the end times tell us that we will avoid the Great Tribulation because the Lord Jesus will rapture us out beforehand. d. Possibly. But my friends – you should expect to experience everything the church has continued to experience in the church age as a normal amount of trouble and suffering. Even if you believe we will be raptured before the cataclysmic events of the tribulation- do not think for a moment that you won't be abused, beaten, burned, flayed, raped, pillaged, and murdered for your faith. Because that has happened to Christians for the last 2000 years and guess what – it is happening today in other parts of the world. e. Nevertheless, the Day of the Lord should bring comfort to us. f. Friends, even if God permits us to go through the whole tribulation. Even if the tribulation lasts 7000 years instead of just 7. The Day of the Lord… is still a comfort to God's people. Why? g. Because the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven, and we will all be gathered together to Him and we will never be apart from Him again! h. That single teaching… makes the Day of the Lord a great comfort to His people. i. It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. j. So, since it is a comfort to us… 4.) [Slide 19] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must not fear the Day of the Lord. a. What is there to fear? b. What if the stars fall on me? c. What if the plague takes me? d. What if I am a victim of the wars and rumors of wars? e. What if the demons from the abyss sting me with their tails? f. What if all this happens to you… but you still see Jesus in the air face to face? g. What can be taken from you that the Lord has not promised to restore? h. Some may be truly concerned about the man of lawlessness and the strong delusion… i. Do not fear either my friends. We'll get to that in due time and I will show you conclusively that Paul actually goes out of his way to assure genuine believers that such a delusion will not come upon them and that they will be preserved through the lies of the man of lawlessness. j. But Paul's words in this text are sufficient. k. There is no reason to be startled or alarmed about anything regarding the Day of the Lord if you are a true believer. l. Well, how do we not allow teachings about the Day of the Lord to cause us to fear? 5.) [Slide 20] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must filter everything we are taught about the Day of the Lord through what the Scriptures have revealed to us. a. Friends, many pastors like to speak long about all of this. They really want to make many things certain that I don't think we have any business making certain. b. But there are a few things about the Day of the Lord that are certain. c. The reason I say they are certain is because no matter what eschatological view you hold to – they all agree on these things. i. There will be a time of tribulation and trouble. ii. Christ will return and take His bride to Himself. iii. There will be an eternal kingdom set up with God living among His people with a New Heaven and a New Earth. iv. And all will be judged, the living and the dead, and Christ will separate the sheep from the goats. v. These things are certain. d. And any teaching that contradicts these – is false. e. Do not listen to those who claim to know when the Lord will return. Do not listen to those who have calculated when things will be. f. Do not believe those who say that all will go to heaven eventually or exist in that New Kingdom with God and His Son's bride in peace. g. Do not believe the scientists that say this world will burn up in a billion years by colliding into the sun. h. Rather than spending a bunch of time and energy speculating on what is unclear – we should hold fast and stand firm in what is clear. i. And there is one more thing that is abundantly clear that we need to talk about this morning… 6.) [Slide 21] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” The Day of the Lord is only spoken of in the scriptures as a terrifying day of judgment to the unbeliever. a. As much as I have taken great pains to convince everyone who is a believer here today that the Day of the Lord is only a comfort to us, I must now take great pains to convince you, if you are not a believer, a Christian in name only, or a Christian who is living in unrepentant sin, that the Day of the Lord is not a comfort to you… at all. b. In fact, the Day of the Lord is a horrifying, cataclysmic, sudden, and terrible day of judgment and death. c. All the enemies of God, all who have not truly believed on His Son, all who have not bowed the knee and submitted to His Lordship, will suffer the eternal wrath of God both in body and in soul forever. d. Not only will the tribulation be a time of great pain and anguish, but it will culminate in the utter defeat of Satan and his children, and finally end in the eternal death of him and his children as they are separated from the merciful and saving presence of a holy God. e. [Slide 22] There are several lies many prominent people have probably told you, that must be exposed. i. Only God can judge me. 1. Indeed. And He will. And only those found in His Son will inherit His Kingdom 2. All others will be separated from His presence to spend eternity in anguish in His wrath. ii. I'm not as bad as other people. 1. All men are wicked. All men are unrighteous. All men miss the mark of perfection which God has set for all who would enter into His Kingdom. 2. Whether you are as bad as Hitler or only told a single lie in your entire life – if you depend on your good deeds to save you – you will be damned. Indeed, as Jesus said, you are damned already. 3. Revelation 19 tells us that the books which record your deeds will be opened. And they will be examined on the day of judgment. But here is the thing. Everyone who is judged by the books containing their deeds – will be cast into the lake of fire. 4. The only people spared from that fate are judged by a different book. A book that doesn't record their works… only their name. A name chosen and written before the foundations of the earth were created. A name who has believed on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and served Him with their lives. 5. Not being as bad as others won't matter. You must be as perfect as Christ. iii. I'll see the signs and remember what you said and I'll submit to Christ then. 1. My friends, Paul in 1 Thessalonians, told them that the Day of the Lord would come like a thief in the night. And it would be sudden and take people unawares. 2. Jesus said that people would be going about their normal lives, continuing to make plans for marriage and acting like tomorrow would come just like today did… when all things would come to an end. 3. And Paul is about to say in this book that those who are unbelievers will 100% believe and follow the man of lawlessness and God will send a delusion upon them to make sure they do not believe. 4. The truth is, that when the Day of the Lord begins… you will never know it… and by the time you do… it will be too late. f. [Slide 23] The fact of the matter is, that no man or woman is assured another day on this earth. Insurance agents make millions of dollars every year by relaying this one powerful truth. Life is uncertain and the days we have on this earth are not in our hands. g. So, I implore you… I beg you… will you not turn from your sin? Reject your claim on your life and submit your plans, your destiny, your lifestyles, your beliefs to Christ as Savior and Lord. Confess He is Lord and believe He is Savior. Serve Him for the rest of your days. h. And then you will know the comfort of the Day of the Lord. i. If you need to do this today, don't leave without talking to myself, another Elder, or someone you know is a Christian. [Slide 24 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the church father Augustine of Hippo Lord God, as we turn to you in purity of heart, we give you our highest and most abundant thanks, as best we are able to in our frailty. Our whole mind prays for your unmatched goodness, that by your power you would drive out the enemy from our thoughts and deeds. Father Almighty, enlarge our faith, direct our minds, and help us to focus our thoughts on your kingdom. And in the end, bring us safe to your place of endless blessings, through your Son Jesus Christ, Amen. Benediction: May the Lord your God, our help in ages past, And our hope for years to come, Be your guard while troubles last, And lead you to His eternal throne. Until we meet again, grace and peace to you.
April 29, 2026 Daily Devotional: “Every Knee Shall Bow”Romans 14:11 "For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'" The reality of His Lordship in a world that prizes autonomy and self-governance, Romans 14:11 serves as a grounding reality check. Paul is quoting the prophet Isaiah, reminding us that there is a day coming when all debates will cease, all posturing will end, and every person who has ever lived will acknowledge the ultimate authority of God. Notice the phrasing: "As I live." God stakes this promise on His very existence. It isn't a suggestion or a "best-case scenario"—it is an ontological certainty. The context of this verse is vital. Paul is addressing a church divided by "disputable matters"—what people eat, which days they keep holy, and how they judge one another. He uses this verse to pivot our focus away from our neighbor's "shortcomings" and back toward our own accountability. If we are all destined to bow before the Creator, why do we spend so much time trying to make others bow to our own opinions? When we judge a fellow believerover secondary issues, we are essentially trying to sit in the seat that only God is qualified to occupy. The verse emphasizes that accountability is universal and unavoidable. In "Every knee shall bow"-This represents physical submission and an acknowledgment of power. In "Every tongue shall confess"-This represents a verbal acknowledgment of the truth. It suggests that whether someone acknowledges God willingly now or is confronted by His reality later, the truth of His Lordship will eventually be undeniable to everyone. The beauty of the Christian life is that we get to practice for eternity today. When we choose to "bow our knee" in our decisions, our finances, and our relationships now, that final confession isn't a moment of terror, but a moment of homecoming. Is there an area of your life where you are currently "standing tall" in pride rather than bowing in surrender? Are you more concerned with whetheryour neighbor is bowing to God, or whether you are? What particular area of your life feels the most difficult to surrender to His authority right now? Romans 14:11 is a reminder of Divine Sovereignty. It humbles us by reminding us that we are not the ultimate authority, and it relieves us of the "burden"of judging others, because that role belongs solely to God.
https://www.uncommen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/April-18th.mp3 Quick Answers Are my hobbies actually a sin? Absolutely not. Hobbies, sports, and interests are good gifts meant to be enjoyed. The problem arises when these good gifts are elevated to ultimate things. When a hobby dictates your schedule, your finances, and your emotional state more than your relationship with Jesus, it has crossed the line into idolatry. How do I know if I have modern day idols in my life? Look at your schedule and your emotional reactions. If you feel devastated about missing a football game but feel absolutely nothing when you skip your daily Bible reading, your priorities are inverted. Your calendar and your bank statement will always reveal what you truly worship. Do I have to give up the things I love? No, but you have to bring them into submission under Christ. You don't necessarily have to sell your golf clubs or cancel your sports packages, but you must establish firm boundaries. Hobbies should fit into the margins of a life centered on God, not the other way around. What is the "fishing boat" excuse? It is a common justification men use to skip gathering with other believers. Men will say, "I can worship God just fine on my boat or in my deer stand." While God is present in nature, using recreation as an excuse to avoid church community is a clear sign that a hobby has taken the throne. The Subtle Creep of the Weekend Idol When most Christian men hear the word “idol,” their minds immediately jump back to ancient history. We picture the Israelites melting down their jewelry in the desert to forge a golden calf, or we imagine ancient temples filled with statues of wood and stone. Because we don't physically bow down to statues in our living rooms, we falsely assume that we are completely immune to the sin of idolatry. But the human heart is a factory for worship, and the enemy is perfectly content to let us trade golden calves for fiberglass boats, fantasy football rosters, and pristine vinyl record collections. This is the subtle, dangerous reality of modern day idols. They don't announce themselves as false gods. They enter our lives disguised as harmless hobbies, much-needed stress relief, and well-deserved weekend entertainment. You start by just wanting to catch a few football games to unwind after a brutal work week. You start by taking up golf to get some fresh air and network. You start hunting or fishing to find a little peace and quiet away from the noise of the city. These are good, natural desires. But as men, we have a terrible tendency to take things to the absolute extreme. What starts as a simple, relaxing interest slowly begins to demand more of our time, more of our money, and more of our mental bandwidth. Before you know it, you are organizing your entire family's schedule around kickoff times, dropping thousands of dollars on equipment, and spending your Monday mornings completely consumed by your fantasy league standings. The transition is so quiet that you never even realize your hobby has taken the throne of your heart. But make no mistake: anything that commands your greatest loyalty, time, and affection above Jesus Christ is functioning as a god in your life. Defeating modern day idols requires us to drop our defenses and take a brutally honest look at how we are spending the one life God has given us. Examples of Modern Day Idols in a Man's Life If you are looking for examples of modern day idols, you don't have to look very far. You simply need to look at how the average man spends his weekend. As discussed on the Uncommen podcast, the sheer volume of time and resources we dedicate to entertainment is staggering when viewed objectively. Consider the reality of the fall football season. A single NFL or college football game takes roughly three and a half hours to watch. If a man watches a Thursday night game, a college game on Saturday afternoon, a Saturday night prime-time game, two NFL games on Sunday, and Monday Night Football, he has suddenly dedicated twenty to twenty-five hours of his week solely to watching a screen. That is the equivalent of a part-time job. When twenty-five hours are sacrificed to the television, and zero hours are sacrificed to reading God's Word or leading a family devotional, football has officially become one of the most prominent modern day idols in that home. Or consider the massive, dedicated communities built around motorsports and tailgating. Men will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury RVs, burn through weeks of hard-earned Paid Time Off, and completely relocate their lives to a speedway parking lot for two weeks just to watch cars drive in a circle. It is a modern-day pilgrimage. We treat sporting events with the kind of absolute devotion, financial sacrifice, and communal dedication that the early church used to reserve for the Kingdom of God. The danger isn't limited to sports. Modern day idols can be found in the quiet corners of our personal lives. It can be an obsession with building a perfect vinyl record collection, hunting down rare trading cards, or spending endless hours doom-scrolling through YouTube and TikTok videos. It can be the relentless pursuit of lowering your golf handicap while your marriage struggles to survive. The object of the obsession changes from man to man, but the spiritual result is exactly the same: we become spiritually numb, emotionally distant from our families, and completely disconnected from our God-given purpose. The "Fishing Boat" Excuse and the Heart Check When a man's hobbies begin to be challenged by his wife, his pastor, or his brothers in Christ, the immediate response is almost always a defensive justification. "I work hard all week; it's just my thing," we say. Or, we try to spiritualize the hobby to make it untouchable. This is where the infamous "fishing boat" excuse comes into play. A man will skip Sunday morning service for months at a time to go out on the lake, and when confronted, he will say, "I read my Bible while I'm out there. It's just me and the Lord on the boat. That's my worship." While God certainly created the outdoors and we can experience His presence in nature, using a hobby as an excuse to perpetually ditch the gathering of believers is a massive spiritual red flag. It is a convenient lie we tell ourselves to protect our modern day idols. We want the blessings of God without having to submit our schedules to His Lordship. To determine if you are harboring modern day idols, you have to perform a ruthless heart check. Ask yourself this highly revealing question: Do you feel as much conviction and sorrow about missing your daily Bible reading as you do about missing your team's big game? If your DVR fails to record the game, you are furious. You spend the whole day avoiding social media so the score isn't spoiled. But if you go four consecutive days without opening your Bible or spending time in prayer, do you feel any urgency? Do you feel that same level of frustration? Furthermore, if you can readily explain every detail of what happened on last week's episode of Survivor, but you couldn't even summarize the last sermon you heard or name the book of the Bible you are supposedly reading, you have a major priority issue. Modern day idols blind us to our own spiritual starvation. They feed us cheap entertainment while our souls wither away. The Great "I'm Too Busy" Myth The ultimate defense mechanism for a man protecting his modern day idols is the excuse of busyness. When a man is asked to step up and lead—whether it is joining a men's small group, volunteering in the community, or simply dedicating thirty minutes a day to family prayer—the default answer is almost always, “I am just so incredibly busy right now. I don't have the time.” But time is the ultimate lie detector. The truth is, you are never too busy for the things that you truly value. A man will look his pastor in the eye and say he cannot possibly find the time to attend a 6:30 AM Wednesday morning Bible study, but that same man will gladly wake up at 4:00 AM on a Saturday, hitch up a boat, and drive two hours to hit the water before sunrise. A man will say he doesn't have the bandwidth to mentor a younger man, but he will somehow find three hours every single night to grind through video games. You are not lacking time; you are lacking priority. When you take a hard look at your weekly routine, your modern day idols will be glaringly obvious based on where your free hours are spent. We convince ourselves that our busy season just became a busy decade, but when we finally audit our time, we realize we have thrown away thousands of hours on trivial pursuits. Eradicating modern day idols requires us to stop lying to ourselves about our schedules and start taking radical ownership of our daily choices. Practical Steps to Dethrone Your Modern Day Idols It is important to remember that the goal is not to eliminate fun from your life. God designed you to enjoy creation, to experience brotherhood through sports, and to have hobbies that allow you to decompress. The goal is proper alignment. You have to put God at the absolute center of your life and sprinkle your hobbies around Him, rather than putting your hobbies at the center and trying to squeeze God into the leftover cracks. If you are ready to smash the modern day idols in your life, here are three practical Uncommen steps you can take today: 1. Perform a Brutal Time Audit: You cannot manage what you do not measure. This week, check the screen time report on your smartphone. Track exactly how many hours you spend watching sports, gaming, or scrolling. Write the number down. Then, write down exactly how many hours you spent reading Scripture, praying with your wife, and serving your local church. The resulting ratio will expose your modern day idols instantly. Let that conviction drive you to repentance. 2....
The Resurrection is the "macro" event that flipped the world upside down—birthing concepts of human dignity, ending slave trades, and fueling civil rights movements. But behind every global shift is a "micro-encounter": an individual human heart meeting the risen Jesus. Whether it was "Little Bird" in the Rwandan genocide praying for his executioners or the disciple Thomas touching the wounds of Christ, an encounter with Jesus is something you simply cannot unsee. In John 20, we find the disciples trapped in a "Friday reality"—locked in a room by fear and trauma. Jesus enters their locked space and does three things that reorient their existence: He shows them His scars, He gives them His breath, and He identifies Himself as their Master. These aren't just historical details; they are the blueprint for our own transformation. When we encounter Jesus, our past is redeemed by His scars, our spirit is reborn by His breath, and our mission is defined by His Lordship.Support the show
In this episode, we deconstruct the root of defensiveness, revealing how it stems from a desire for control and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. When defenses are built against correction, it robs Jesus of His Lordship and blocks the Holy Spirit's ability to train and guide. The discussion explores the "Octopus Ink" defense mechanism—the passive and aggressive reactions used to confuse, deflect, and punish those who bring hard truths. True freedom and teachability require vulnerability, surrender, and becoming a safe place for others to bring the "wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6, NKJV). Key Topics Covered:• The Root of Defensiveness: How unresolved offense, fear, and a refusal to be teachable keep strongholds in place. • The "Octopus Ink" Mechanism: Recognizing the emotional and relational smokescreens used to escape accountability and dissuade others from speaking into our lives. • The Five Types of Control: Identifying control marked by striving, self-pity, drama, domination, and distrust, along with the acceptable "masks" used to hide them. • A Posture of Surrender: Learning from David's response to Shimei's curses (2 Samuel 16:10-12) and embracing radical teachability rather than seeking isolation.
What does God want from you the most? If you knew the answer to that question would you live differently? Chip shares, from scripture, what God is looking for from you and me. Join Chip and discover how to give God what He wants the most.Introduction: Risk, reason, and the decision-making processCase Study #1 – John's Civil War CoinsCase Study #2 – Sheila's PicassoQuestions to ponder:What are the risks?What are the potential rewards?What would you do?Why?Three Principles:Truth – What is true about the issue?Knowledge – Have you educated yourself about the issue?Faith – Do you believe it to the point of action?Case Study #3 – Ancient Treasure -Mat. 13:44-46Thesis – Total surrender is the CHANNEL through which God's best and biggest blessings flow.Definition – “Total commitment is the alignment of one's motives, resources, priorities, and goals to fulfill a specific mission, accomplish a specific task, or follow a specific person.” -Webster's DictionarySpiritual Insight – Through which lens do you view total commitment? Positive vs. NegativeThe Problem: What does total commitment look like in our relationship with God? How does it work?The Answer: Romans 12:1The Command: “OFFER your bodies”The Motivation: “The MERCY of God”The Reason: “Spiritual act of WORSHIP.”What does He want most?He wants you!All that you are and all that you have fully surrendered to Him.Why surrender to His Lordship? -Ps. 84:11Because total surrender is the channel through which God's best and biggest blessings flow.The Question: Are you ALL IN?Broadcast ResourcesMessage NotesAdditional ResourcesBecome a Monthly PartnerTrue Spirituality BookTake the Real You Assessment FreeWhat Every New Believer Needs to KnowConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003
What does God want from you? When you boil it all down, what is God looking for from you and me? Chip reveals the one thing that God is looking for from his children.Introduction: “Risk, reason, and the decision-making process” –Excerpt from Harvard Business ReviewCase Study #1 – John's Civil War CoinsCase Study #2 – Sheila's PicassoQuestions to ponder:What are the risks?What are the potential rewards?What would you do?Why?Three Principles:Truth – What is true about the issue?Knowledge – Have you educated yourself about the issue?Faith – Do you believe it to the point of action?Case Study #3 – Ancient Treasure -Mat. 13:44-46Thesis – Total surrender is the CHANNEL through which God's best and biggest blessings flow.Definition – “Total commitment is the alignment of one's motives, resources, priorities, and goals to fulfill a specific mission, accomplish a specific task, or follow a specific person.” -Webster's DictionarySpiritual Insight – Through which lens do you view total commitment? Positive vs. NegativeThe Problem: What does total commitment look like in our relationship with God? How does it work?The Answer: Romans 12:1The Command: “OFFER your bodies”The Motivation: “The MERCY of God”The Reason: “Spiritual act of WORSHIP.”What does He want most?He wants you!All that you are and all that you have fully surrendered to Him.Why surrender to His Lordship? -Ps. 84:11Because total surrender is the channel through which God's best and biggest blessings flow.The Question: Are you ALL IN?Broadcast ResourcesMessage NotesAdditional ResourcesBecome a Monthly PartnerTrue Spirituality BookTake the Real You Assessment FreeWhat Every New Believer Needs to KnowConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003
What causes God's blessings to flow to you and me? Chip looks at how God chooses whom He will pour out His blessings and how you can begin receiving those blessings, starting today.Introduction: “Risk, reason, and the decision-making process” –Excerpt from Harvard Business ReviewCase Study #1 – John's Civil War CoinsCase Study #2 – Sheila's PicassoQuestions to ponder:What are the risks?What are the potential rewards?What would you do?Why?Three Principles:Truth – What is true about the issue?Knowledge – Have you educated yourself about the issue?Faith – Do you believe it to the point of action?Case Study #3 – Ancient Treasure -Mat. 13:44-46Thesis – Total surrender is the CHANNEL through which God's best and biggest blessings flow.Definition – “Total commitment is the alignment of one's motives, resources, priorities, and goals to fulfill a specific mission, accomplish a specific task, or follow a specific person.” -Webster's DictionarySpiritual Insight – Through which lens do you view total commitment? Positive vs. NegativeThe Problem: What does total commitment look like in our relationship with God? How does it work?The Answer: Romans 12:1The Command: “OFFER your bodies”The Motivation: “The MERCY of God”The Reason: “Spiritual act of WORSHIP.”What does He want most?He wants you!All that you are and all that you have fully surrendered to Him.Why surrender to His Lordship? -Ps. 84:11Because total surrender is the channel through which God's best and biggest blessings flow.The Question: Are you ALL IN?Broadcast ResourcesMessage NotesAdditional ResourcesBecome a Monthly PartnerTrue Spirituality BookTake the Real You Assessment FreeWhat Every New Believer Needs to KnowConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003
What does a disciple actually do? In this episode, we continue our study of Michael Heiser's What Does God Want? by exploring the everyday practices that shape believers into the likeness of Christ. Disciples don't just believe the right things—they live differently. They care for one another like family. They pursue intentional fellowship that forms the mind of Christ. They pray—not to inform God, but to depend on Him. They fast—removing distractions so they can seek Him more fully. These rhythms are not religious performance. They are not ways to earn God's favor. They are the steady practices that align our hearts with His Lordship and knit us together as a spiritual family. If you've ever wondered what spiritual growth actually looks like in real life—not in theory, not in church slogans—this episode will give you a biblical and practical framework for walking faithfully with Jesus. This is Part 1 of the final section in our series on discipleship. Next week, we'll continue with worship, confession, Scripture, suffering, and making disciples. This podcast is listener-supported. If you believe in equipping believers to discern truth, leave deception, and stand firm in Christ, you can help carry this mission forward here:
Kanishka Raffel is the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, leading the diocese since 2021. Born in England and of Sri Lankan descent, Raffel migrated to Australia as a child and initially raised as a Buddhist, he embraced Christianity during his university years. Before his current role, Raffel served as the Dean of St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney and held pastoral positions in Canberra, Goulburn, and Western Australia. His unique background and leadership in the Anglican Church are marked by a commitment to multiculturalism and community integration. Key Points: Multiculturalism and Faith: Raffel appreciates multiculturalism as both a cultural reality and a gospel opportunity, highlighting the biblical narrative from Babel to Pentecost. Christian Hospitality: The episode stresses the importance of Christians extending hospitality, modeled after God's hospitality, as a powerful means of advancing social cohesion and community relations. Navigating Fear: Exploring the role of fear in immigration debates, Raffel points to the online world’s potential to fuel radicalisation, emphasising the need for communities to remain non-reactive and welcoming. Biblical Framework for Immigration: Raffel uses Old Testament principles of welcoming the stranger to offer insights into current immigration policies. Leadership in Multicultural Contexts: Raffel calls for gentle, gospel-shaped leadership that acknowledges immigrants' vulnerabilities and models a Christ-like posture in public discourse. Notable Quotes: "At Pentecost, the Gospel is proclaimed in many languages. In Antioch, the walls that divide the ethnic quarters come down in the church of Jesus Christ." "The openness of the people of God to the stranger culminates in the person of Jesus Christ. His Lordship is a hospitable one, not a totalitarian one." "There’s tremendous opportunity for Christians who have experienced the hospitality of God in the gospel to offer hospitality." "It's very easy for native-born Australians to underestimate how disruptive, isolated, and confusing it is to be a migrant." "Peaceable and considerate leadership is needed in today's multicultural debate, as it provides a great opportunity to engage with gospel-shaped responses." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus saves the outcasts of society who humbly receive Him but rejects the self-righteous who proudly refuse His Lordship. Therefore, rejoice in the Savior who has come and serve the King who will come again.
Where are you going spiritually? We may believe in Christ, we may attend a church, but how are we following Jesus? Pastor Heath preaches from Luke 5, that following Jesus is seeing His Lordship and our lack, hearing His call and learning to let go, and understanding how to be led by His Spirit.
Spencer Davis | College RetreatIn this episode, Spencer will look at Mark 14, where Jesus stands firm before a corrupt council, declaring His Lordship and embracing the cost, while Peter crumbles by a courtyard fire out of fear of being seen. This episode contrasts courage and collapse, exposes the quiet ways we deny Christ today, and points to the hope found in Christ.College RetreatPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.
In examining the interrogations of Jesus by Pilate and Herod in Luke 23, we recognize the human tendency to view Christ through the lens of our own personal interests and convenience. We see that while Pilate sought political peace and Herod sought entertainment, neither was willing to confront the reality of Jesus' true identity or authority. We understand that our faith cannot be something "moderately important" or a means to get what we want from a "heavenly genie," but must instead be a total surrender to His Lordship. By looking past our own desires and distractions, we commit to following Jesus not for the "signs" He might perform or the comfort He might provide, but because He is the King of Kings whose will must become our own.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023%3A1-12&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/
In this conversation, we're wrestling through identity, purpose, and belonging in a way that keeps bringing us back to one core truth: our identity is not rooted in what we do, what we've built, or what we've achieved. Our identity is rooted in who we are in Christ, and who we are with Him. We're reminded that obedience is not an add-on to faith; it's the evidence of it. And the more we abide in Jesus, the more we recognize that purpose is not something we manufacture; it's something we discover in relationship. We don't find clarity by striving harder. We find clarity by staying close. As we examine Scripture, we see this pattern repeated again and again: identity precedes assignment. God doesn't hand people a calling first and hope they figure out who they are later. He establishes belonging, then He entrusts responsibility. When we understand that we belong to God, it reshapes how we make decisions, what we say yes to, and what we can finally release. Our "why" gets purified. Our motives get exposed. Our pace changes. Our ambition gets reordered under His Lordship. Ultimately, this conversation is our call back to the center: a deeper relationship with Jesus. Not using Him to fuel our goals, but yielding our goals to His leadership. Because when Jesus is Lord, we don't have to chase identity. We live from it. If you want to go deeper with me, join the waitlist for my newest offer for Christian writers and authors: • 7 minutes a day • 7 days • 7 trainings • The old way of selling books is dead. • Learn the framework for repeatable book sales beyond Amazon. Join here If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone you think it will encourage and uplift. And be sure to follow me on Instagram at Resist and Roar for more faith-filled business leadership, plus support for writers and Christian authors who want consistent book sales. I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to DM me your thoughts on the podcast, or send over your prayer requests.
Following Jesus was never meant to be done alone—devotion to Christ shows up in how we pray, give, gather, serve, and submit our lives to His Lordship. This message calls us back to wholehearted devotion, reminding us that the Church is not optional, community is spiritual warfare, and unity is one of God's loudest witnesses to the world.
Jesus confronts the religious leaders with a profound theological challenge drawn from Psalm 110, exposing their limited understanding of the Messiah as merely a human descendant of David, while Scripture reveals Him as David's Lord—demonstrating His divine authority and eternal nature. The passage underscores that true faith requires more than intellectual assent; it demands personal submission to Jesus as both Christ and Lord, the sovereign ruler seated at God's right hand. The sermon emphasizes that a diminished Christ leads to a distorted religion, where human control replaces divine sovereignty, and warns against the modern error of accepting Jesus as Savior without acknowledging His Lordship. Ultimately, the central call is to recognize Jesus as the all-encompassing Lord of life, whose authority is inescapable, and whose salvation includes both forgiveness and transformative surrender, inviting all to bow in genuine worship before the King of Kings.
The Day of Pentecost marked a pivotal moment where God united the scattered Israelites, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Jews from all nations congregated in Jerusalem, drawn by God's call, and heard the gospel in their native tongues through the Holy Spirit. Dr. Smith reveals this event signified salvation, the end of exile, and the birth of the Church, a new family open to all who believe, including Gentiles. Peter emphasized that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, sent the Holy Spirit, signifying His Lordship and Messiahship. This unified the twelve tribes into one kingdom under Christ, offering salvation and a new life to all who turn from sin and embrace Jesus.
The Day of Pentecost marked a pivotal moment where God united the scattered Israelites, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Jews from all nations congregated in Jerusalem, drawn by God's call, and heard the gospel in their native tongues through the Holy Spirit. Dr. Smith reveals this event signified salvation, the end of exile, and the birth of the Church, a new family open to all who believe, including Gentiles. Peter emphasized that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, sent the Holy Spirit, signifying His Lordship and Messiahship. This unified the twelve tribes into one kingdom under Christ, offering salvation and a new life to all who turn from sin and embrace Jesus.
Jesus confronts the religious leaders with a profound theological challenge drawn from Psalm 110, exposing their limited understanding of the Messiah as merely a human descendant of David, while Scripture reveals Him as David's Lord—demonstrating His divine authority and eternal nature. The passage underscores that true faith requires more than intellectual assent; it demands personal submission to Jesus as both Christ and Lord, the sovereign ruler seated at God's right hand. The sermon emphasizes that a diminished Christ leads to a distorted religion, where human control replaces divine sovereignty, and warns against the modern error of accepting Jesus as Savior without acknowledging His Lordship. Ultimately, the central call is to recognize Jesus as the all-encompassing Lord of life, whose authority is inescapable, and whose salvation includes both forgiveness and transformative surrender, inviting all to bow in genuine worship before the King of Kings.
Our culture often defines love as emotion, affirmation, or sentiment. But Jesus defines love differently: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” In this Advent message, Pastor Nathan teaches from John 14 that true love for Jesus is not mental assent or spiritual feelings—but a life shaped by obedience, holiness, and submission to His Lordship. This kind of love is only possible because of the grace of God at work in us through Christ.
When the Holy Spirit manifests the Lordship of Christ, freedom is ALWAYS the result. Any area where there is a lack of freedom, there is a lack of surrender to His Lordship.www.realchurch.us
This sermon reminds us that our identity is not defined by status, power, limitation, or circumstance, but by belonging to Christ. Those with earthly freedom and influence are called to remember they are slaves to Christ—purchased to serve Him. Those who feel constrained, indebted, or trapped are called to remember they are free in Christ—purchased to belong to Him.Wherever we find ourselves, the calling is the same:Follow Christ in your situation and declare and demonstrate His Lordship and character.Listen and be strengthened to live faithfully—right where God has placed you.
We continue looking at what it means to follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Remember, Jesus as Shepherd is an aspect of His Lordship. It demonstrates how He lovingly guides, protects, and leads us in every part of our lives. Don't miss the wrap up of our series, Jesus is Lord.
In our INTERSECTION service, Mary Beth preaches from Luke 23: 33-43. We see Jesus upon the cross, and see His call to love, even those who may be different from us. He is Lord, and He loves us. He calls us to do the same, love all we meet. His Lordship pushes us away from the edges of our society, but to the middle, where we smash idols and love all.
We continue exploring what it means to submit to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Jesus as Shepherd is an aspect of His Lordship. It demonstrates how He lovingly guides, protects, and leads us in every part of our lives.
Jesus as the Shepherd reveals a tender yet powerful aspect of His Lordship. His constant guidance, care, and leading is crucial to our daily lives. When we follow His voice, we find direction, peace, and freedom from poverty in all its forms. Join us as we continue our series, Jesus Is Lord. Discover how the Shepherd's heart shapes our daily walk with Him.
You may have heard of a war movie from the 1940"s called, "God is My Co-Pilot". Bur if you think that God is just your co-pilot, perhaps you need to switch seats! God is the sovereign Lord of the universe and rules over every aspect of His creation. Have you submitted to His Lordship and sovereignty, and handed over the controls of your life to Him? Dr. Barnhouse reminds us that God is in control on Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/791/29
There is a four word phrase in the Lord's Prayer that not only embodies the mindset for prayer, but also for everything in our life as believers. Humbly and sincerely asking for the Lord's will to be done shows our desire to see the world brought to Christ, while declaring our gratitude to Him for all He has done to transform us. So it is vital that we are willing to fully surrender ourselves to His Lordship, asking Him to make this the greatest hunger of our heart and mind. Video of this service is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7z_kQy1RyU&t=2289s
Join Pastor Derek as he delves into the story of Jesus' first miracle: turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This video explores the significance of this event as a sign of Jesus' divine power and its meaning for believers. Discover how this miracle symbolises transformation and the abundant life offered through faith in Christ. Pastor Walker explains the spiritual message behind the miracle, encouraging viewers to invite Jesus into their lives for a personal transformation. The first sign-miracle of Jesus in John 2 was turning water into wine, which was a demonstration of what He will do for us if we believe in Him. This is a picture of our New Birth and our ongoing transformation by the Spirit of God. The way this miracle happened shows that we must give Jesus the right to turn our water into wine, by submitting to His Lordship.
QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans.” “We mustn't live like those with ‘little faith' who compromise for the sake of food and clothing. What we do matters. And not every job is a good job.” “I understand that there are different expressions of Christianity in different cultures. Contextualization is essential for the growth and expansion of the church. But there is a difference between contextualization and compromise. Using goat's milk for communion in a culture that has never heard of wine or grapes is contextualization; sacrificing the goat is compromise. Having a Saturday night service because we have run out of room in all four Sunday services is contextualization; having a Saturday night service to accommodate and/or appease people who are ‘too busy' on Sunday is compromise.”~Voddie Baucham (March 11, 1969 to September 25, 2025), American pastor and author, who left this world too early “If God is Creator of the Universe, then it must follow that He is the Lord of the whole universe. No part of the world is outside of His Lordship. That means no part of my life must be outside of His Lordship.”~R.C Sproul, American theologian (1939-2017) “When Jesus is truly our Lord, He directs our lives, and we gladly obey Him. Indeed we bring every part of our lives under His lordship - our home and family, our sexuality and marriage, our job or unemployment, our money and possessions, our ambitions and recreations.”~John Stott, British theologian (1921-2011)SERMON PASSAGE1 Peter 2:1-12 (NIV) 1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
In this first part of the Walking by Faith series, we explore what true biblical faith really is. The Bible says it's impossible, not just difficult, to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). But faith is more than just belief. Belief acknowledges truth, but faith acts on it. Abraham didn't just believe God's promises; he left home and followed. The heroes of Hebrews 11 weren't remembered for what they believed, but for what they did by faith. Many today confuse belief with saving faith, but Scripture is clear: we are saved by grace through faith, a faith marked by repentance, surrender, obedience, and transformation. The question is not simply, “Do you believe in Jesus?” The real question is: “Have you placed your faith in Him, turning from sin, surrendering to His Lordship, and living daily by faith?”
On this edition of the Reardon Roundtable, Mark is joined by Jane Dueker, Jeff Rainford and James Knowles to discuss a variety of topics including the ICE rhetoric, Jimmy Kimmel's return to all affiliate stations, the takedown on Tylenol, and much more! Mark opens hour two with a little discussion about smoke detector madness he's been having recently. Then Paul Hall of Common Guy's Film Review discusses some of the most recent interesting films that were showcased this week. In hour 3, Mark is joined by Leland "Lucky" Vittert, a News Anchor at NewsNation, a former Fox News Reporter, a former KMOX Intern and a St Louis Native. He discusses his new book, "Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, a Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism" and his event tomorrow at Annie Gunn's in St Peters on Saturday from 1-3 with Charlie Brennan. He's then joined by Jeff Jarrett, the Senior Vice President and Partner at Contemporary Productions and James Walborne with His Lordship. They both promote this weekend's Evolution Festival in Forest Park. Dan Reardon then recaps day one of the Ryder Cup and Mark wraps up the show with the Audio Cut of the Day.
In this segment, Mark is joined by Jeff Jarrett, the Senior Vice President and Partner at Contemporary Productions and James Walborne with His Lordship. They both promote this weekend's Evolution Festival in Forest Park.
In hour 3, Mark is joined by Leland "Lucky" Vittert, a News Anchor at NewsNation, a former Fox News Reporter, a former KMOX Intern and a St Louis Native. He discusses his new book, "Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, a Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism" and his event tomorrow at Annie Gunn's in St Peters on Saturday from 1-3 with Charlie Brennan. He's then joined by Jeff Jarrett, the Senior Vice President and Partner at Contemporary Productions and James Walborne with His Lordship. They both promote this weekend's Evolution Festival in Forest Park. Dan Reardon then recaps day one of the Ryder Cup and Mark wraps up the show with the Audio Cut of the Day.
Pat welcomes guitarist, singer and songwriter James Walbourne to the Zoom Room to promote the new His Lordship album "Bored Animal" and discuss his career in music with Pretenders and The Rails!Credit Photo of James Walbourne by Photographer Larry NieheusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pastor Micah Klutinoty in John 17:1-5 reminds us that Jesus, the eternal Son of glory, stepped into the world of shame to accomplish through the cross what no one else could—securing salvation and eternal life for those who believe. His prayer acknowledges His coming glory through the cross, His Lordship over all, the gift of eternal life, the finished work of redemption, and His eternal divine glory.
Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God – God's rule and reign. It did not come as everyone expected. People had to change their mind (repent) and believe in Jesus the King. In this panoramic look at the acts of Jesus after He announced the Kingdom we see the nature of His Kingdom and what happens 'When The Kingdom Comes' among us. As you listen, expect God's Kingdom to invade your life. Allow Him to change your thinking and embrace His Lordship in your heart. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format...
Christ made all of what we know and experience in this world. He holds it altogether. Our hearts are drawn to His existence in an inexplicable way, and even science itself points to the need for an intelligent designer and a force that holds all things together. As Pastor Ken will warn in today's message, one day this will be made clear to all men. We can choose to trust in Him by faith, submitting ourselves to His Lordship, or we can wait and be subjected to judgment when He establishes His eternal Kingdom.
On His way to Jerusalem to give His life on the Cross, Jesus turns aside to the crowd following Him ... summoning those that would follow Him to wholehearted allegiance to His Lordship in thier lives. (Lk 14:26) As we do so, we find the abundant life Jesus said He came to give. (Jn 10:10)
Spring Lake Church – Bellevue and DowntownSermon: Road MapsTeacher: Jack GuerraPassages: John 2:11, John 11:1-4, John 14:6, etc...In “Road Maps,” Pastor Jack Guerra looks at the miracles and “I Am” statements of Jesus in John, showing us how Christ reveals His power and identity. From turning water into wine to raising Lazarus, each sign points us to His Lordship. Jesus is the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, and the Way, Truth, and Life. As a church, we're called to step in through serving, inviting, and praying. What is your part to play in this season?springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer
Sometimes the Jesus we want isn't the Jesus we get. As Jesus begins His journey to the cross, He reveals His true identity—and it demands a response. The crowds shout “Hosanna,” hoping for the kind of king they expected. But Jesus came not just to save, but to rule. His Lordship means dethroning ourselves and surrendering fully to Him. From the fig tree that appeared alive but bore no fruit, to the temple He cleared with righteous authority, Jesus exposes spiritual hypocrisy and calls us to full submission. He is King, Judge, and Lord of all—and when we welcome Him in, He comes with authority, ready to purify our hearts and realign our lives with His mission and His ways. That purification may bring disruption, but it's a holy disruption—a reordering of our lives under His rule. It challenges us to ask: does Jesus have access to every area of our lives—our time, our resources, our giftings—or are we still holding the reins?You can join our OneLife Sunday morning gatherings via livestream at 8:45am and 10;30am CST every Sunday morning. Or if you're local to the Bay Area of Houston, we'd love to have you join us in person Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 8:45am, 10:30am, or 12:30pm!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to join us live on Sunday mornings: https://www.youtube.com/@onelifechurch381Listen to more messages from OneLife Church at https://www.onelifehouston.com/messagesIf you would like to give to OneLife Church, you can do that here https://www.onelifehouston.com/giveAt OneLife, we want to be and make disciples of Jesus who love God, one another, and our world. We are God's people making much of Jesus in everyday life for the good of the neighborhoods in the Bay Area of Houston and beyond.For more information about us and our gatherings, visit https://www.onelifehouston.comConnect with us over social media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onelifehoustonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelifechurch
Sometimes the Jesus we want isn't the Jesus we get. As Jesus begins His journey to the cross, He reveals His true identity—and it demands a response. The crowds shout “Hosanna,” hoping for the kind of king they expected. But Jesus came not just to save, but to rule. His Lordship means dethroning ourselves and surrendering fully to Him. From the fig tree that appeared alive but bore no fruit, to the temple He cleared with righteous authority, Jesus exposes spiritual hypocrisy and calls us to full submission. He is King, Judge, and Lord of all—and when we welcome Him in, He comes with authority, ready to purify our hearts and realign our lives with His mission and His ways. That purification may bring disruption, but it's a holy disruption—a reordering of our lives under His rule. It challenges us to ask: does Jesus have access to every area of our lives—our time, our resources, our giftings—or are we still holding the reins?You can join our OneLife Sunday morning gatherings via livestream at 8:45am and 10;30am CST every Sunday morning. Or if you're local to the Bay Area of Houston, we'd love to have you join us in person Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 8:45am, 10:30am, or 12:30pm!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to join us live on Sunday mornings: https://www.youtube.com/@onelifechurch381Listen to more messages from OneLife Church at https://www.onelifehouston.com/messagesIf you would like to give to OneLife Church, you can do that here https://www.onelifehouston.com/giveAt OneLife, we want to be and make disciples of Jesus who love God, one another, and our world. We are God's people making much of Jesus in everyday life for the good of the neighborhoods in the Bay Area of Houston and beyond.For more information about us and our gatherings, visit https://www.onelifehouston.comConnect with us over social media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onelifehoustonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelifechurch
Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 15 Jesus continues His discourse with the Apostles. Jesus identifies Himself as “the true vine.” His followers are like branches that draw nutrients from Him. To “abide in Him” is to be connected to Jesus, to hear His words, and to gain strength from His power. This must result in good fruit born by the branches. To bear the fruit of good works is to prove to be His disciple. Love binds the Vine to the branches. Jesus has shown His love by laying down His life for His friends. His friends show love in return by keeping His commandments and loving one another. The world hates Jesus and His followers, but love will define His people. Jesus again promises the Apostles that the Holy Spirit will help them in their work. As noted in the previous chapter, some of this content is unique to the Apostles. The Holy Spirit would testify through the Apostles in miraculous ways. The Holy Spirit is also at work for us; He teaches us through the scripture. Many other elements of this chapter apply to us all. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. We must remain connected to Him and bear fruit, lest we be cut away by the Father. Specifically, Jesus demands that we keep His commandments and love our fellow believers. We will be maligned by the world for serving Jesus because people of the world reject His Lordship. But fellow Christians should always be a source of love and support. Creator God, we know that You have made us to bring honor to You. And that means living obedient lives and loving others the way You love us. Will You help us see how desperately we need Jesus to do these things? Show us how to connect to Jesus and how to draw our strength and direction from Him. We are committed to bearing the good fruit of obedience and love in a world of disobedience and hate. Show us how to love Christians in an enduring way, and please help us through the presence and teachings of Your Holy Spirit. Thought Questions: - Are you abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through His strength? What examples in your life demonstrate this process to others? - The Lord has commanded us to love one another. Can your faith be a saving faith if you do not actively love and serve Christians? - The worldly have no excuse for living in sin and disregarding the King. How can you help them see their need for Jesus?
Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 7 Jesus' unbelieving brothers encourage Him to go to Jerusalem and publicly work miracles. Jesus refuses and later goes up more privately, and He eventually enters the temple and teaches the people. He gives all glory to His Father for His words of wisdom. Though many believed in Jesus when He acknowledged having come from the Father, many Jewish leaders sought to kill Him. Jesus makes a series of beautiful claims. He is soon to return to His Father. All who come to Him with spiritual thirst will be gifted a flowing river of living water. Those who believe in Him will be given the Holy Spirit. These messages divide the crowd. Some proclaim Him as the Christ, but the Pharisees will not believe and become even more angry. Even Jesus' brothers had doubts about Him before His resurrection from the dead. Jesus continues to be patient with them and with all His disciples in His teaching. He is also insistent that He has come from the Father, and He has all authority to teach and would be returning to the Father. The kingdom would leave no middle ground for disciples to believe in His blessing without also trusting in His Lordship. Jesus will come and take us home with Him. He will fill us with eternal life and the Holy Spirit. But there cannot be doubt within us. We must confidently assert Him to be “the Prophet” and “the Christ”, even in the face of those who reject Him. God of Grace, You have shown Your deep love for us in sending Jesus to guide us back to You. Thank You for His ministry, His wisdom, and the undeniable proofs of His Sonship. So many will not believe in Him. So many are inconsistent in their willingness to obey Him. We pray for the resolve to put our lives in the hands of the Prophet and to surrender to Him as the Christ. Please fill us with salvation from Your Holy Spirit. We also ask for boldness to always defend Your honor and to invite others to surrender to Jesus. Thought Questions: - Many hated Jesus because He exposed their sinful deeds to be evil. Do you also have to see sin as evil to be a follower of Jesus? - Jesus always redirected glory away from Himself and to the Father. In what ways should we be openly redirecting all praise to God? - The Pharisees rejected all testimony about Jesus. What leads hearts to be that hard to truth, and how do you avoid that same fate?
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