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Send us your feedback — we're listening“Psalm 91:14 — Jesus, Lift My Heart When the Evening Feels Heavy and Tired” Romans 5:5 — “Hope does not put us to shame…”THEME (PT-BR): fim de tarde • cansaço emocional • esperança renovada • confiança no amor de Deus Live from London, England with Reverend Ben Cooper • Brasil • Cabo Verde • Índia • EUA • Moçambique Psalm 91:14 (NIV): “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Romans 5:5 (NIV): “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit…” Jesus, as evening settles across Brazil and the Portuguese-speaking world, many hearts feel the quiet weight of the day. Responsibilities, conversations, pressures, and decisions begin to echo in the mind, and the fatigue of the late afternoon can make everything feel heavier than it truly is. O coração fica cansado. Yet Your promise comes softly into the tired places: those who cling to You with love will be carried, protected, and strengthened. You do not step back when we feel overwhelmed; You draw near. Lord, lift the heart that feels drained tonight. Renew the one who feels stretched thin. Calm the mind that has replayed worries throughout the afternoon. Let Your Holy Spirit pour fresh hope into the inner places where discouragement has tried to settle. Bring a gentle brightness that steadies emotions and reminds the soul that it is not alone. Surround each listener with the quiet assurance that Your love is not distant; it is present, active, and restoring. Jesus, where confidence feels low, let Your encouragement rise. Where energy feels depleted, let Your peace rest like a warm covering. Where worry whispers, let Your truth speak louder. O amor de Deus sustenta a alma. May every person walking into the evening sense Your strong protection and know that Your love continues to hold their steps securely. oração da tarde brasil, salmo 91 esperança, cansaço emocional oração, renovação do coração, esperança em Jesus, presença de Deus à noite, paz interior brasil, força espiritual fim de tarde Psalm 91 evening prayer, Brazil Christian devotional, Portuguese prayer, emotional renewal prayer, Jesus hope, Reverend Ben CooperSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.
(This podcast was previously published on January 31, 2021) Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney ... To attribute the works of God and the Holy Spirit to being works of the devil would be blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Jesus said: Matthew 12:31-32 All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. As a new Christian in 1975, I went to the church my best friend and her husband attended. The pastors of that church group were professors at Dallas Theological Seminary. When I began attending this church, Believer's Chapel, the head pastor was teaching a seminar on the subject, "Tongues are of the devil." One day, I was reading the Bible and saw the following: The apostle Paul said, Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39) But at Believer's Chapel the pastor was teaching tongues to be of the devil. The church I was attending at that time was teaching something exactly opposite to that which I was reading in the Bible! I never went back to that church group. I believe this pastor was committing blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. A Baptist woman told me this story: She went into her neighborhood grocery and saw a young man and she said to the grocer, "Who is that?" He told her the name of the young man. She said, "I'm going to marry him." They did marry and they were married approximately 60-years until Jerry died. I thought this was such a wonderful story and I said to my friend, "OH, that was a word of knowledge from God!" My friend seemed frightened while I rejoiced. I suspect she had been taught at her church group against the spiritual gifts of God. (I Corinthians 12, Romans 12, I Peter 4:11) Some churches teach against the gifts of the Holy Spirit. On this podcast, I will give examples of some of the great works done in the church by the Holy Spirit and some of the blasphemy against God and the Holy Spirit as presented in the Bible. ***** The gifts of the Holy Spirit: I Corinthians 12 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE (God) will. *** Romans 12 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. *** I Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. *** At the end of the great tribulation, we read this: Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (I suspect this form of blasphemy was cursing God.) *** After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus set up the New Testament church from heaven by HIS Spirit. We are born again by the Holy Spirit of God convincing us of our sin. In 1975 the Holy Spirit spoke to me by bringing the following thought to my mind: "Joan, you know those mistakes you've been making all these years? Those weren't mistakes. Those were sins." I was born again with that Word! *** My neighbor told me he had hated his stepmother all his life. One day he went out on his porch and all of a sudden all that hatred was gone. It was a miracle! He no longer hated her. He said "something" told him all this hatred he had carried against her was no good. (Holy Spirit) *** Jesus said: John 14:16 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come. *** And the Holy Spirit searches the heart of God to reveal to us the will of God in the specific issues of this life. I Corinthians 2:9-14 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love HIM. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by HIS Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. *** Jesus, from heaven, sets HIS ministers into the New Testament church: Ephesians 4:11-12 After Jesus arose into heaven, HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Acts 26 Paul tells king Agrippa what happened to him on the road to Damascus: I heard a voice (from heaven) speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue. 15 I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Jesus speaks today to those ministers whom HE has called by HIS Holy Spirit and instructs us by HIS Spirit. *** Jesus speaks directly to us today from heaven by HIS Spirit: Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by HIS Son, whom HE hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also HE made the worlds; In the Old Testament the people of God were not given the Holy Spirit of God and they had to go to a prophet of God to find out what God wanted them to do. But in the New Testament church, all believers are given the Holy Spirit of God and that Spirit of God lives in each believer to show him the will of God by bringing scripture, thoughts, ideas to the mind of the believer. (I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19; II Corinthians 13:5) *** We are born again by the Holy Spirit of Jesus when HE (Jesus) speaks to us from heaven: John 3:3, 5-6 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto HIM, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Acts 1:8 Jesus said: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. *** In 1975, the Holy Spirit spoke to me by bringing the following to my mind: "Joan, you know all those mistakes you've been making all these years? Those weren't mistakes. Those were sins." I was very shocked! I thought I was a Christian. I had gone forward at Church of Christ and had been baptized in water. But at that time I didn't know of my sins. I just didn't want to go to hell. I was 37 when the Holy Spirit revealed sin to me and I certainly was in agreement, and I was born again by agreeing with the Holy Spirit and I was instantly changed. II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. My mother was born again when I read Deuteronomy 18:9-13 aloud to her. She had always love horoscopes and we had gone to town monthly where my mother bought the latest horoscope magazine which she read to me daily when I was a child. After I read Deuteronomy 18 to her, she was very quiet for a few minutes, then she said: "Well ... I guess we'd better not do that any more." She was born again instantly as she turned from evil and agreed with the Word of God. (The Holy Spirit was there to convince her of her sin.) The apostle Paul was born again as Jesus spoke to HIM from heaven. Acts 9 1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME? 5 And HE said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. The Holy Spirit speaks to us to reveal Jesus to us and we are born again by that Word delivered to us by Jesus's spirit. *** Jesus sets HIS ministers into HIS church today as HE calls from heaven by HIS Holy Spirit to those ministers who are called as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers: Acts 26, Paul speaks to king Agrippa: 20 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And HE said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: *** Ephesians 4:11-13 And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: *** The New Testament Bible is given by Jesus from heaven by the Holy Spirit after the crucifixion and resurrection: And the New Testament Bible was given to the church from heaven as apostles were inspired by God to speak and write the books of the New Testament. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: The early church had no New Testament Bible. The apostles wrote on "parchments" and sent these letters to the churches in various cities and countries, and these epistles are in the New Testament Bible as the instructions from God came to them and they sent these "epistles" (letters) to be circulated among the various churches in their areas. Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. So they passed these epistles, which we know today in the New Testament Bible, from church to church. These writings were inspired by God by HIS Spirit just as God inspires us today to write the blog and to record the words presented on Podcasts. *** To deny the Spirit of God when HE speaks is death. Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers (copiers/imitators) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
The World’s Hopelessness and the Need for Comfort Many people, especially young individuals, feel hopeless and see no reason to live, leading to tragic events like suicide. Example: A recent suicide of a freshman in the community. The enemy (evil forces) plays on these feelings, suggesting that ending life is the only solution. The world is full of darkness, and people are oppressed by evil forces. Divine help is necessary to combat these forces, as individuals cannot fight them alone. Many seek comfort in worldly things like relationships, alcohol, or drugs, which only provide temporary relief. God as the God of All Comfort God is the God of all comfort, offering peace and hope that surpasses worldly solutions. Experiencing God’s comfort involves a transformation, where darkness is replaced by the light of Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of suffering and pain, believers have access to God’s comfort. Pastor Tommy emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the source of comfort. The Apostle Paul attributed all comfort to God, even amidst his own tribulations. Paul’s hardships: stonings, beatings, hunger, and cold. Pastor Tommy shares a personal testimony of finding comfort in God at a young age. At nine years old, feeling lost and scared, Pastor Tommy turned to God and found salvation and comfort. The Nature of Comfort Comfort is both a noun (something received) and a verb (something actively done). God’s comfort empowers, encourages, strengthens, aids, and helps. It is not just a passive experience but an active working of God in one’s life. True comfort comes from God, not from the things of this world. God’s Comfort in Tribulation God comforts in all tribulations, and there is nothing that He cannot help with. He offers peace and hope, even in the face of loss and sorrow. The Apostle Paul’s life demonstrates that tribulations can lead to patience, experience, and hope. The comfort of God can step into dark and bleak situations, offering deliverance. Worldly solutions only numb the senses, while God offers real and lasting comfort. Means of Receiving God’s Comfort Jesus Christ: Jesus is the conduit of God’s comfort. The story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment illustrates how faith in Jesus can bring healing and comfort. The woman had spent all her money on doctors and was desperate for healing. She believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. Jesus acknowledged her faith and declared her whole. The story of the blind man who cried out to Jesus for mercy demonstrates the importance of persistence in seeking God’s help. The blind man kept calling on Jesus despite others telling him to be quiet. Jesus heard his cry and healed him, telling him that his faith had made him whole. The Holy Spirit: Jesus promised not to leave His disciples comfortless but to send the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and brings to remembrance the teachings of Jesus. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and provides constant comfort. Even when feeling down or discouraged, believers should remember that the Holy Spirit is within them, offering comfort. Acts 9:31 mentions that the Holy Spirit comforted the churches. The Scriptures: The Bible is a source of comfort, offering hope and encouragement through its teachings. Isaiah 41:10 is cited as an example of a comforting scripture. “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Pastor Tommy shares a personal experience of receiving comfort from Isaiah 41:10 during a difficult time. While feeling discouraged in a hotel room, Pastor Tommy prayed for help. Pastor Tommy received a text message with Isaiah 41:10, which brought immediate comfort and reassurance. The People of God: Believers can comfort one another through their presence, words, and actions. The example of people gathering to comfort Mary and Martha after the death of Lazarus is given. Simply being in the house of God and among fellow believers can provide comfort. Conclusion The message concludes with an invitation to seek comfort in Jesus Christ. True comfort is found in Christ, not in the things of this world. Rejecting Christ means missing out on the comfort and hope that He offers. Pastor Tommy encourages listeners to call on the Lord and experience His saving and comforting power.
Jesus tells us that it is to our advantage for Him to go away so that we can receive the Holy Spirit. But who is the Holy Spirit? In this message, we discover that the Holy Spirit is the One who makes God's love tangible. He is guiding us, transforming us, and empowering us because of God's deep love for us. lifevineyard.org
How did the very Holy Spirit Jesus was so eager to give us become feared, divisive, and, for most Christians, simply a forgotten stranger? Pastor and author Tyler Staton joins John to explore the need for every believer to regularly experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Through personal stories and insights from his new book—The Familiar Stranger—Tyler reintroduces us to this often neglected Person of the Trinity.Show Notes: The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Staton is available wherever you buy books._______________________________________________There is more.Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at Questions@WildatHeart.orgSupport the mission or find more on our website: WildAtHeart.org or on our app.Apple: Wild At Heart AppAndroid: Wild At Heart AppWatch on YouTubeThe stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available here.More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android.Apple: One Minute Pause AppAndroid: One Minute Pause App
In a world overflowing with advice, influence, and opinion, it's easy to let someone else's voice get louder than God's in your life. But here's the truth: no one should be your Holy Spirit, Jesus, or God. In this episode, we'll uncover: How to recognize the difference between God's leading and human pressure The danger of letting others take the place of God's voice Biblical examples of discernment in action How to test motives, spot hidden agendas, and anchor in truth The role of God's Word in growing your discernment You'll leave this conversation equipped to stand firm in God's peace, filter every word through Scripture, and follow His voice above all others.
Anne shares about the Holy Spirit from John 16:5-15.
Anne shares about the Holy Spirit from John 16:5-15.
Discover how the Holy Spirit guides us primarily through God's Word, working together just as they did in creation when God's Spirit moved and His Word spoke everything into existence. Learn why you can't truly follow the Holy Spirit without pursuing God's Word, and why you can't truly understand God's Word without the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Send us a textThe Holy Spirit is essential to the existence and reality of the church. Jesus makes this truth clear to his apostles in the Upper Room just hours before his arrest and an execution o the cross. John 14 records Jesus promise to return to the disciples after he goes away. His first return was his post resurrection appearances and after he return to the Father he promises to send the Helper, the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit. John 14:18-24 contains the great truth of the Tri-unity of God and the essential ministry of the Holy Spirit to make the ones believing in Jesus a dwelling place of God. By the Holy Spirit Jesus said "will come to him and make our home with him."Bible Insights with Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://gsccdallas.orghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
The Holy Spirit is essential to the existence and reality of the church. Jesus makes this truth clear to his apostles in the Upper Room just hours before his arrest and an execution o the cross. John 14 records Jesus promise to return to the disciples after he goes away. His first return was his post resurrection appearances and after he return to the Father he promises to send the Helper, the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit. John 14:18-24 contains the great truth of the Tri-unity of God and the essential ministry of the Holy Spirit to make the ones believing in Jesus a dwelling place of God. By the Holy Spirit Jesus said "will come to him and make our home with him."
Scripture: Acts 2;22-41 Pastor continues our study of Pentecost with a look at part two of Peter's sermon as shared in Acts 2 on that first Pentecost. The Bible account of this story tells us that “Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” So let's dig into what Peter said that pierced their hearts, into what the Holy Spirit was doing and into their response. Then, let's see what we can learn. In part one of Peter's sermon in Acts 2, he shared the story of Jesus' incarnation - of God coming to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. As we pick up with the rest of this sermon, Peter is talking about how Jesus is the Promised One that fulfills God's promises made in the Old Testament. Then Peter tells them of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion and states that they are the ones who crucified Jesus. As we consider this accusation, we ask who did put Jesus on the cross? Was it the Roman rulers who ran the Jesus trial? The soldiers that beat, whipped and nail Him to the cross? Was it the religious zealots that wanted Jesus stopped? Who put Jesus on the cross. The Bible tells us that “everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.” Meaning we all need a Savior Jesus died for our sins. WHO put Him on the cross? WE put Him on the cross. Peter goes on with the good news of Jesus' resurrection from the grave and that death could not hold Him quoting King David, “‘…My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave….'” Acts 2:26b-27. Peter shares that this prophetic word from David was about Jesus who is the Messiah they have been awaiting. Peter tells them that after Jesus' resurrection He ascended to God's right hand and that the Holy Spirit was released just as Jesus had promised and tells them that is what they are witnessing this very day. Then the high point of the message is reached in verse 36, “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Jesus is the Chosen One, the Savior! In the next verse we see their response to hearing Peter's words. It is the verse we started with today, “Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Their response was their hearts are pierced, cut to the heart by what Peter said, heart-broken, filled with sorrow, convicted. Having their hearts pierced, led them to see Jesus' story as personal and made them want to change so they say, “What shall we do?” Accepting Jesus as our Lord, our Savior, our Messiah requires a response. What He's done for each of us is personal and it requires a personal response. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Peter's message is one of the most important ever taught. ⁃ Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophesied Messiah ⁃ Repentance is recognizing that, “I'm a sinner. I need a Savior.” It is a change of heart and a change of mind. ⁃ Baptism in Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sin. ⁃ Holy Spirit - Jesus desires to pour the Holy Spirit out into us today and everyday! Peter's sermon brought thousands of people to faith in who Jesus is, to repentance, and to baptism. If you have walked away from Jesus or if you have not come to faith in Jesus, our prayer is that Peter's message pierces your heart and brings you to faith in Jesus your Savior and Messiah! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/40-10 Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
Jesus shares about the Holy Spirit from John 1:1-18.
Anne shares about the Holy Spirit from John 1:1-18.
Basic Bible Study | John 1:1-18 and Luke 1:5-80 (Part 5) This is part 5 of 6 In today's podcast, join Chris and Robyn as they continue their discussion in John 1:1-18 and Luke 1:5-80. Here is a breakdown of what was discussed: - childlessness was seen as a curse - the angel Gabriel appears in front of Mary & informs her she will give birth to Jesus - Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit - Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but grew up in Nazareth “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ABOUT Opening a Bible for the first time can be intimidating. Join Amy & Robyn in an easy-to-follow discussion. This Basic Bible Study is perfect for beginners & those who have never read the Bible. Look for new podcasts every Tuesday & Friday! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BIBLE RESOURCES https://biblehub.com/ https://www.bible.com/ http://betterdaysarecoming.com/bible/pronunciation.html https://biblespeak.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/mybasicbiblestudy WEBSITE http://www.mybasicbiblestudy.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can contact us via e-mail or regular old snail-mail: Basic Bible Study 7797 N. 1st St. #34 Fresno, CA 93720 basicbiblestudy19@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sermon for Quinquagesima 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 by William Klock The other night I was trying to read while Veronica was practising in the other room. She has a concert with the Symphony next week. I was finding her practising more distracting than usual, because the piano part of this one piece is really quite unpleasant all on its own. There's no melody, just sort of periodic backup for the rest of the orchestra. Lots of rests and then a few notes that seem almost random if you don't know the piece. It was very disracting to listen to. But bring all the instruments together, let them all play their parts and you've got a wonderful piece of music. The Bible is very much like that. There are all sorts of themes and sometimes we put all our attention on just one and it ruins the music. But the better we know and understand the Bible and the big story of God and his people, the better able we are to hear all of those themes, each playing at the right time, each balanced with the others, so that we're able to hear the grand music that God has—not only for us to hear, but for us to participate in. So if I were to tell a parable the way Jesus did, I might say, “The kingdom of God is like…a symphony.” When Jesus came he introduced a new piece of music to his people. The thing was that it wasn't really new; it's that everyone had forgotten it. The Lord had taught it long before to Adam and to Eve. When their children lost the tune the Lord came and taught it again to Abraham and then to Moses and to the Israelites. It wasn't an easy tune—mostly because sinful human beings lacked the full ability to play it. And so the tune God taught Abraham and Moses was a bit like a simple melody line played on the piano with one hand. But it was still true to the original. But even as simple as it was, Israel struggled to play it. And then when Jesus came he amazed everyone by sitting down at the piano and playing the full harmony with both hands. The music took on new life. It was fuller and richer and more beautiful than anything anyone had heard since Adam's day. Some people didn't like it. Some people flat-out refused to learn it or even listen to it. But Jesus taught it to a few and each of them taught it to a few and each of those to a few and pretty soon thousands were playing and the music was spreading all over the world. At some point someone taught it to each of us and now you and I are playing that tune. And yet, even still, we know—or at least we should know—that there's more yet to come. What Jesus has taught us to play isn't the full piece of music. It's like the piano solo leading into the great orchestral piece. It gives a taste of what's to come, but to hear the full symphony we have to wait for Jesus to return—for Jesus to come back from heaven, bringing the kingdom with him in all its majesty and eternal glory. In the meantime, we play the piece he's taught us, the piece he's specially equipped us to play. And as we see in our Epistle this morning from First Corinthians, at the heart of this music Jesus has taught us—the melody of it that holds it all together and that will lead into something so much greater one day—the heart, the theme of that music is love. So let's look again at 1 Corinthians 13. We often call it the “Love Chapter”. But think about the context. Paul sticks this love chapter in the middle of a discussion about the Church, about living together as the body of Christ, about spiritual gifts, and about worship. A lot of times we take this chapter out of context and we think of it in terms of, say, romantic love. We read it at weddings. (Not that that's bad!) There is a sense in which what Paul describes here is about the love of husband and wife, but only because it is first and foremost about love amongst Christian brothers and sisters, love in the Church, that spills over into every aspect of life and into every relationship in light of Jesus and what he's accomplished. During Epiphanytide we were reading in Romans where Paul describes the Church as being like a body, everyone gifted and equipped for a certain task, not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of the whole Church and our kingdom mission. And at the beginning of the season, we were reading about the Church as a temple, each of us a stone, shaped and carved and cut very carefully by the Lord and all purposefully fitted together as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday we read Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. They were boasting to each other about their gifts and achievements and they'd started following teachers who boasted in their achievements—boasting as Greeks and Romans typically boasted. It was how people climbed to the top of the heap and demanded respect and honour. But in contrast Paul describes his own accomplishments: he'd been arrested, beaten, whipped, scourged, shipwrecked, cold, hungry, naked, shamed and run out of town in dishonour—all for the sake of his brothers and sisters, the very ones, in fact, who rejected him. And we think: How is this all possible? How do we live for the sake of others? How do we die to self for the sake of others? How do we sacrifice for the sake of others? The last two Sundays pointed us toward discipline and humility. Today the lessons point us to love. Love is the theme that ties the whole symphony of the kingdom together. And so after describing the way the Church acts as a body with each using his or her gifts for the sake of others and, ultimately, for the sake of Jesus and his kingdom Paul writes: I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:4) It's not just about having and using gifts or about doing things in the Church. The Corinthian Church had no lack of gifts. It had no lack of activity. It had no lack of people wanting to contribute money to this cause or that cause. (One of the reasons Paul wrote to them was to raise money to support the struggling Christians in Jerusalem.) The problem in Corinth was a lack of love. Without love all the amazing things they were doing might as well have been nothing. Back in Chapter 3 Paul used the illustration of building a temple. Like the temple in Jerusalem, it was built of carefully hewn wood, cut stones, gold, and precious jewels. Jesus is the foundation and others, like Paul and the Corinthians, were building on that foundation, but not everyone was building with stone or with gems and precious metals. Some were building with hay and straw. At the end, he says, it'll all be tested with fire. The hay and straw will go up in smoke. This is an image here that gives us a sense of what lies in store. Other passages talk of the old heaven and earth passing away and a new world being ushered in. I'm sure much of the language is figurative—the reality is at this point beyond our understanding. However it happens, though, that which is unworthy, that which is the product of sinfulness and selfishness, that which does not honour God will be consumed and will pass away, leaving a new world in which only the holy and the God-honouring remains. Only the work in which people truly invested—the stone, the gold, the silver, the precious jewels—will remain. Some people will make a good show of building, but if love is not their motive, it's not going to last—it will be exposed and consumed by God's judgement. If love isn't the motive, when Jesus comes and draws our music into his own great symphony, those who have been playing their own tune will have nothing to contribute. Paul goes on in verses 5-7: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. This is what will be left. This is the melody that Jesus will take up into his great symphony. And it stands in stark contrast with the ways and values of the present age, but it stands in contrast, too, with the ways and values of many people in the Church. What Paul does is to hold up Jesus as our model for love. Jesus is patient and kind. Remember, he came to condemned sinners, not to heap up more condemnation, but to redeem. We have dishonoured God and made a mess of this creation he so lovingly created. He would be within his rights to simply hit control+alt+smite and reboot everything—to wipe us out and start over from the beginning. God has every right to leave us dead in our sins, but because he loves us, he is patient and has given himself—the life of his Son—to restore us to life and to his presence. To make us his people once again. Again, love is patient and kind. And, Paul writes, love is not envious or boastful. Think again of Jesus. He who is God humbled himself in the incarnation—again, for our sake—becoming one of us. And he came not as a great king or warrior, but as the son of a humble girl and her very ordinary husband, raised in a poor backwater, and finally dying—for our sake—the humiliating and painful death of a criminal—a death we deserve, but that he did not. He had more right to boast than anyone who has ever lived, but as they pressed the crown of thorns on his head and beat him, mocking his sovereignty, he chose not to revile them in return. Instead, as he was dying he prayed for the very men who were standing there gloating and jeering at him. Love is not irritable or resentful. Again, God is patient and long-suffering. Rather than resenting us for our sins, the Lord has given himself to redeem us from them. Love does not rejoice at wrongs. Just the opposite. The angels in heaven rejoice with the Lord whenever a sinner repents. Again, think of Jesus: Love bears all things…believes all things…hopes all things…endures all things. Has anyone borne more or endured more than Jesus? And with that image in our heads we need to think of ourselves. Are we patient and kind? And we need to be honest. It's easy to be patient and kind some of the time and with the people we like, but what about the people we don't like? What about those difficult situations we find ourselves in? Are we really patient and kind? Are we envious and boastful or, like Jesus, are we humble and willing to give up our honour for the sake of others—even for the sake of people who hurt us and wrong us. Are we willing to admit when we are wrong and when we have sinned? Are we irritable and resentful? These are sins that Christians can be very tolerant of. Sometimes we even turn irritability and resentment into virtues when the right people and situations come our way. What's my reaction when Mormon missionaries knock on my door or when a telemarketer calls? I admit that I can be pretty irritable and most people would say that that's just fine when it comes to telemarketers and cult members. People of Jesus' day were often like that when it came to tax collectors and prostitutes and gentiles, but Jesus instead forgave these people, made them new, and welcomed them into his family. Again, where and how do we fall short of Jesus' model of love? In our families? In our workplaces? In our schools? In our church? And imagine the difference it would make around us if love were the driving force, the motive behind everything we do. Imagine what it would be like if we gave of ourselves, our rights, our honour, our glory the way that Jesus did. And it sounds good, but I know it also sounds impossible. How can we ever give of ourselves the way Jesus did? Sometimes it's hard enough giving this way to people we love. What about people who aren't close to us, people who have hurt us, people who are our enemies? This is why we need to have the example of Jesus always before us. We need to remember that we were his enemies. We need to remember that he owed us nothing but judgement, and yet he became incarnate and died for us. We need to think and meditate on the depth of love that God manifested towards us in Jesus. Brothers and Sisters, the love of God in Jesus should motivate and transform us. But that's not all. Love is impossible, and for that reason Jesus has done more than give us an example. He's washed us of our sin and he's given us God's own Spirit. Think back to John the Baptist. He told the people, “I've plunged you into the water, but one is coming who will plunge you into the Holy Spirit.” Jesus doesn't forgive our sins and leave us in some kind of neutral state. He forgives our sins and then pours his own life into us. Remember: The Lord didn't rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt just to leave them wandering in the wilderness. No. He freed them from Egypt, he made them his people, and he took up his dwelling in their midst as he led them into a new home and new way of life. And just so with Jesus, but on an even grander scale. Jesus rescues us and frees us from sin and death, he makes us his people—more specifically, Paul talks about Jesus making us his own body—and he comes and dwells, not just in our midst, but actually inside us. He makes us his temple as he pours his Spirit into us. But his ultimate plan isn't just to save us, but to redeem his entire creation—to set us back on the track that Adam and Eve abandoned when they sinned, to make us his stewards and his priests. And so as Israel's destination was the promised land, our destination is the New Jerusalem, the kingdom that Jesus has promised to bring in all its fullness. That's the future, but in Jesus that future has burst into our present. In the Holy Spirit Jesus gives us a foretaste of what is to come. He invites us to play the music of the kingdom and the music of the kingdom is love. Again: If it's not driven by love, it won't last. And Paul drives this point home in the rest of the passage. It's not just that the things we do without love will go up in smoke when the kingdom finally comes in all its fullness, but even many of the good things Jesus calls us to do will be overwhelmed by the great theme of love. Look at verses 8-13: Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. First Corinthians gives us the distinct sense that the church in that city was fixated on certain miraculous gifts, especially prophecy and tongues, not only elevating those who had these gifts above others, but emphasizing to everyone that these gifts were sort of the end-all-be-all of Christianity. Forget everything else—put it all aside—and pursue prophecy and tongues! But Paul is warning them and saying, “No. These gifts are great and they're useful, but there's something far more important: cultivate love. Real love. The kind of love manifest by Jesus at the cross. If you want to build the kingdom, don't pursue gifts. If you've got them, use them—lovingly—but pursue love above all else. When the kingdom is here and we're all living in God's presence, there will no longer be any need of prophecy, but there will be a need for love. The same goes for tongues. Who needs tongues when the curse of Babel is done away with? But we'll still need love. Paul describes it in terms of growing from a child into an adult. I had a Big Wheel when I was a little kid, but now I ride a real bicycle. The Big Wheel taught me how to pedal and steer and not run people over. At one point I had training wheels on my bike that kept me from falling over. But they did their work and now I'm a grown-up and I don't need those childish things. In the present age our view of God is dim. Paul describes it in terms of an ancient mirror made of polished metal. The reflection was imperfect and dark. And so is our view of God. Even as redeemed men and women, there's a veil, a gulf between us and God. Our sin has split apart heaven and earth, but Jesus has begun the work of bringing us back together. One day we will stand before God face to face. We'll know him not only through the mediating words of Scripture or through the mediating work of the Holy Spirit, but we'll stand before him and know him face-to-face. And it's on that day that our music will be taken up into God's great symphony and all that will remain is love. Faith, hope, and love remain, he says—they're essential to our life as the Church, as the people of God today—but above all we need to learn to love. It's not that faith and hope aren't important. They're vital, but without love they'll be out of tune with God's symphony. We live by faith. We take hold of Jesus, the forgiveness of sin and the promise of life, and we take hold of him by faith as we trust in him. We submit to his lordship by faith. And we live in hope—living for a kingdom and a world for which we have only a down payment. But on the great day when Jesus returns and the kingdom is consummated, faith will vanish into sight, hope will be fulfilled, but love will only intensify, growing greater and more profound as we see our Lord face to face and the weight of sin and death is finally and fully lifted from us—as the blurry image of the mirror is replaced by the real thing—as our simple one-handed song of love on the piano is taken up as part of the Lord's grand symphony of love. Brothers and Sisters, think of the words of the Lord's Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We pray these words so often and know them so well that we easily forget what they really mean. This is a prayer that looks forward in faith and hope to the day when we will see him face to face; this is a prayer that looks forward to the day when we have grown from little children into adults; this is a prayer that looks forward to that day when love becomes Creation's all-consuming theme. The Lord's Prayer looks forward to that day in hope and faith, but what it asks for is that this theme of love be manifested here today. It asks in faith for love to be made known today in the midst of sin and of fear and of hate and of death. And, Brothers and Sisters, that means that it's a prayer for our own hearts and minds to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, because if anyone is to manifest love in this present age, it is us, the only people in this world who know first-hand the love of Jesus. So pray, “thy will be done, on earth as in heaven” and pray those words in hope of the coming kingdom and pray those words in faith, trusting and seeking for the Lord to give you his loving heart so that you can show his love in your church, in your family, in your workplace, in your school, in your community, and in your world. Let us pray: O Lord, you have taught us that whatever we do without love is worth nothing: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues; without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Send us a textChristians remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, son of Mary. Traditionally this has been done throughout many centuries either on January 6 or December 25. The date of his birth is never revealed, but the fact of his birth is essential for the salvation of people. The death of the Messiah Jesus by crucifixion was decreed by God from all eternity. He is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8, 1 Peter 1:19-20, Acts 2:23). In order for him to make the one real and sufficient sacrifice for sin it was necessary for the Word, the Son, to assume humanity in a mortal body. Although death had no claim on him he was born the sinless holy son of Mary in order that he might as a man in the prime of his life lay down his life in death on behalf of humans. All people die because they are born sinful in Adam. Because of the virgin birth through the power by the Holy Spirit Jesus was not born in Adam (Romans 5:16-19). Thus he could offer his sinless body as the sacrifice for the sins of his people (Hebrews 2: 10-15, Hebrews 10: 3-10, John 10:17-18, Isaiah 53). The hymnist Charles Wesley expressed it thusly:Christ, by highest Heaven adored;Christ the everlasting Lord;Late in time, behold Him come,Offspring of a virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail th' Incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with men to dwell,Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all He brings,Risen with healing in His wings.Mild He lays His glory by,Born that man no more may die.Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.Bible Insights with Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://gsccdallas.orghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Christians remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, son of Mary. Traditionally this has been done throughout many centuries either on January 6 or December 25. The date of his birth is never revealed, but the fact of his birth is essential for the salvation of people. The death of the Messiah Jesus by crucifixion was decreed by God from all eternity. He is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8, 1 Peter 1:19-20, Acts 2:23). In order for him to make the one real and sufficient sacrifice for sin it was necessary for the Word, the Son, to assume humanity in a mortal body. Although death had no claim on him he was born the sinless holy son of Mary in order that he might as a man in the prime of his life lay down his life in death on behalf of humans. All people die because they are born sinful in Adam. Because of the virgin birth through the power by the Holy Spirit Jesus was not born in Adam (Romans 5:16-19). Thus he could offer his sinless body as the sacrifice for the sins of his people (Hebrews 2: 10-15, Hebrews 10: 3-10, John 10:17-18, Isaiah 53). The hymnist Charles Wesley expressed it thusly:Christ, by highest Heaven adored;Christ the everlasting Lord;Late in time, behold Him come,Offspring of a virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail th' Incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with men to dwell,Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all He brings,Risen with healing in His wings.Mild He lays His glory by,Born that man no more may die.Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.
Anne shares about Holy Spirit, Knowing God and Jesus from John 16:5-15
Anne shares about Holy Spirit, Comfort and Salvation from John 16:5-15
Anne shares about Jesus, Light and God's Glory from John 1:1-18
Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the New Law or the Law of the Gospel. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the New Law “fulfills, refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection.” He also explains how the New Law of Christ that is expressed through the Sermon on the Mount is perfected by the grace of the Holy Spirit and works through charity and the Sacraments. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1965-1969. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Anne shares about God's Word, Jesus and Light from John 1:1-18
Send us a Text Message.Subscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessStudy Notes: "The Work of the Holy Spirit" (John 16:7-15)IntroductionTransformative Life with Christ: Emphasizes the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus Christ, leading to love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, and self-control.Eternal Impact: Highlights the eternal life and peace promised with Christ, countering nihilism and providing a purposeful life.Context of John 16:7-15Preparation for Departure: Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, introducing them to the Holy Spirit.Promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus explains it is beneficial for Him to leave so that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, can come.Key Verses (John 16:7-15)Advocate's Role:Verse 7: Jesus' departure allows the Holy Spirit to come.Verse 8: The Holy Spirit will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.Verses 9-11: Details on conviction—sin (unbelief), righteousness (Jesus' ascension), and judgment (Satan's defeat).Verses 12-13: The Holy Spirit guides into all truth and reveals future events.Verses 14-15: The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus and shares divine truths with believers.The Holy Spirit's WorkConvicting the World:Sin: Convicts people of their sin to lead them to faith in Christ.Righteousness: Reveals true righteousness in Jesus' absence.Judgment: Declares the defeat of Satan and the impending judgment.Guidance for Believers:Into All Truth: Leads believers into comprehensive spiritual truth.Future Revelations: Discloses future events, particularly concerning the Church.Glorifying Jesus: Exalts Jesus by revealing His truths to believers.Practical ImplicationsEvangelistic Empowerment: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness effectively.Divine Guidance: Believers receive continuous guidance and truth from the Holy Spirit.Progressive RevelationUnderstanding Over Time: Revelation is progressive; believers grow in understanding as they mature spiritually.Word + Spirit: God's truth extends beyond theological knowledge to all areas of life.Living Revelation: Jesus' revelation continues through the Holy Spirit's work in believers.Personal ApplicationCloser Relationship with Jesus: The closer believers are to Jesus, the more they understand His teachings and purposes.Living Out the Truth: Embrace the Holy Spirit's guidance to live a life that glorifies Jesus.ConclusionThe Holy Spirit's Role: Essential in guiding, revealing truth, and glorifying Jesus.Believers' Responsibility: To accept Jesus as Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to work through them.By understanding the role of the Holy Spirit, believers can experience the transformative power of God's truth in their livSupport the Show.Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com
Understanding the Trinity and the role of the Holy Spirit can be very confusing, but don't worry! Patrick Madrid is here to explain. Let's delve into the highlights: Understanding the Holy Spirit Nature of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. This means we're talking about one God in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is fully God, possessing the same divine nature as the Father and the Son. Eternal Mystery Beyond Time: God exists outside of time. When we say God is eternal, it means He is not bound by temporal limitations. This applies equally to the Holy Spirit. Trinity Explained One God in Three Persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate gods. They share one divine essence. If they were separate, it would limit God's infinitude, contradicting His nature. Analogies: Patrick uses the analogy of a reflection in a mirror to illustrate the distinct yet unified nature of the Trinity. Though this analogy is not perfect, it helps us grasp the concept of distinct persons sharing one essence. Scriptural Insights Incarnation and the Holy Spirit: Jesus, the incarnate second person of the Trinity, receives the Holy Spirit in His humanity. This is seen at key moments like His baptism, where the Holy Spirit descends like a dove. Mary's Role: Mary, full of grace and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, becomes the mother of Jesus through a miraculous, divine act, showing her unique relationship with the Holy Spirit. Divine Knowledge and Love Infinite Attributes: God's knowledge, power, and love are limitless. The Holy Spirit, sharing in this divine infinitude, also embodies these attributes fully. Go Deeper If you want to learn more, Patrick recommends Dominum et Vivificantem, an encyclical by St. Pope John Paul II, which delves into the Holy Spirit's role and nature.
Fr. Mike examines how the Holy Spirit recalls the mystery of Christ. We explore how the Holy Spirit both inspires the Word of God and recalls the Word of God. Fr. Mike emphasizes that it is the Holy Spirit that helps us hear and understand God's Word. It is the Holy Spirit that helps elicit a response of consent and commitment within us. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1099-1103. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
What did the prophets have to say about the Messiah and the Spirit? Check out this episode.
As Christians, we are not only “image bearers” of the living God, but we are also filled with His Spirit. As such, we are called to live holy, godly, and righteous lives in this present age. As Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:30, when we live counter to the life and character of Christ, we grieve the Holy Spirit, in whom we were sealed for the day of redemption.
Fr. Mike explores the formation of the Church's dogma on the nature of the Trinity. He unpacks the terms used by the Church in an attempt to explain the nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, as Fr. Mike reminds us, with the story of St. Augustine and the child on the seaside, the Trinity is a mystery that none of us can fully comprehend. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 249-252. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
The Lord is One…the Father, Son & Holy Spirit…Jesus is God…Amen! He is the most wonderful, most beautiful Person in the universe. Some of the ways the Lord God Almighty is described in the Bible: “The glorious splendor of Your majesty” . . . “treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; […] The post The Lord is One…the Father, Son & Holy Spirit…Jesus is God…Amen! appeared first on Wonder & Reality.
Church on the Go is a ministry of Messiah Church in Plymouth, MN. We're so glad you've joined us for this casual church service you can take with you wherever you are! This week, our message is: The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit - Jesus promised to send a Comforter to be with us, to guide us, and to comfort us. But how do we plug into that power? --- Welcome to Messiah Church. We've been waiting for you! Messiah is an inclusive community of people who have come alongside each other to love as Jesus did: loving God, loving each other, and putting that love to work in the world. To learn more about Messiah Church, visit: Website: https://www.MessiahChurch.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessiahChurchMN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MessiahChurchMN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MessiahChurchMN
Set The Captive FreeIsaiah 61:1“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” My teacher from Encounter sent this verse to me yesterday. His words in the email where, “We need an army of Christians to live Isaiah 61:1-2!” I had know idea what this verse said, so I immediately looked it up and I agree, we need an army of Christians to live out this verse. The first part of the verse says, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me.” This is true for each one of us who is baptized. If you have been baptized then you have received the Spirit of the Lord. If you have made your confirmation you have also received the Spirit of the Lord. Sometimes we think we don't have the Spirit of the Lord within us because we don't feel it. We hear verses like this one and we think it is definitely talking about someone else. Be honest, when you heard the verse above did you count yourself out? The Spirit of the Lord is upon you, that is a fact. The next part of the verse says, “The Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” God is not talking to everyone else but you here. Whether you feel like you are anointed or not, you are. When we were baptized we were anointed as priest, prophet and king. Being a prophet means it is our job to proclaim good new to the poor. What good news are we proclaiming, hope and love, are what come to my mind. Hope that there is something better out there. Hope that this world is not forever and there is another world that is everlasting happiness. Hope that just because they are in this circumstance right now, doesn't mean they will be forever. Hope that change is possible. Love, that they are not alone and forgotten, that their heavenly Father sees them and loves them. The next part says, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners.” That feels like a pretty tall order and yet it really isn't because we aren't doing it alone or with our own strength. How can we bind up the brokenhearted? Who do you know that is really struggling right now? Who do you know that is really sad and misguided right now? What could you do for them? How could you be there for them in their time of need? Next it says, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners. Who do you know that needs a little freedom? Freedom from worry, freedom from anxiety, freedom from their past mistakes. Who do you know that needs to be released from the darkness? The weight of bills pilling up, the darkness of mental illness, the darkness of divorce, separation, feeling alone. Even listing all that my mind keeps telling me I can't help them. Who am I to help them? What can I do, I am just one person? We are not just one person though, we are one person with the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us and there is nothing that the Spirit of God can't do. I get it if you heard this verse and counted yourself out. Who feels qualified to set the captive free and release from darkness the prisoners? How are we supposed to help the brokenhearted? It all feels like too much and we don't feel qualified. Even after taking a whole year of classes on the gifts of the Holy Spirit I still don't feel qualified and yet, I know I am. I am not qualified because of the year I took at Encounter School of Ministry Boston Campus. I am not qualified because of my life lessons. I am not qualified because of my faith. I am qualified because God gave me His hope and His love and He asked me to share it with the world. He asked you to do the same too. We don't have to know exactly what to say to heal people. We don't have to know exactly the right thing to say to help people. We don't have to know the right thing to say to pray over people. We just have to ask the Holy Spirit to come and do it through us. We can ask the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say to those in need. We can just listen and not say anything, sometimes that helps more than talking ever could. People want to be heard, they want to be seen. They want to know that someone cares about them. You can be the face of Jesus to all you meet, not by your own power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God. Week after week in my prayer group God is asking us to go out and to be His love, His hope, His joy, His peace to others. If we were doing it, He wouldn't have to keep asking us. The world needs more Jesus now more than ever. I say that although, if you read the lives of the Saints over the years, they always said that. I am not sure if these times are worse than other times, I do know that these times are bad. I know that we definitely need more Jesus. People are starving for His love and His peace. People are also starving for His Word. They are searching for truth and if we aren't giving it them, others will. I was listening to Father Mike's Catechism in a Year podcast the other day and he was talking about this famous person who is an atheist. He does not believe in God. This man was doing a show and he went out into the lobby afterwards to shake hands with the fans and take photos. One man waited for others to leave and then went up to him and said, “I know you don't believe in God, but I wanted you to have this,” and gave him a little form of the Bible, maybe just the Gospels and the Psalms or something. The man took the Bible and was so moved he talked about it later in a live stream or an interview. He said some people might get really upset that this man gave me this Bible when he knows I don't believe in God. However, I am not upset and I don't think it is rude. I don't believe in God. However, if I did, if I truly believed that there was a heaven and hell wouldn't I do anything to make sure others knew about it? Wouldn't it make sense that I would want to save all those I could from an eternal life in Hell? What can we do to make sure others know of God's love, His peace, His joy, and His hope? Are we spreading His message around? Are we living our lives as a living testament to Jesus? When people see us, do they see Jesus? I have told you that God is telling us each and every week to be His face to the world. Here is just one of the many directives we received from Him. “I have promised, and I have given you my Spirit. I do not renege on my promises or hold back my Spirit from you. Let your light shine for me. There is enough darkness in the world. Let the light that is within you from me shine on others. Be not afraid to speak words of hope, love, and peace. Be my witnesses to the love that I have to give to them.” God is not asking a lot from us. He is not asking us to go out and travel the world spreading His love. He is asking us to be his Love, Light, Hope, Peace & Joy to those around us. He is asking us to live our lives in a way that others will see us and want what we have. The peace, love, hope and joy of the Lord is contagious. If we have it and live in it, others will want it. When they do, when they come and ask about it, give the glory to the Father. Point them to the Father. Show them that they can have what you have if the turn to the Father. We can do this. We can do it together. We can be there to support each other as we tell those around us that Jesus is awesome. Also, I feel I need to say, if your immediate loved ones don't want to hear how amazing Jesus is, that is ok. Live in His light and it will shine on them too. It might not be your job to bring them to Jesus. Maybe God has another plan for them. All we can do is pray for them and keep shining God's light on them by letting it shine brightly through us. Rest assured that God has a plan for them. Also, believe that if you are out sharing God's love with those around you, then someone around them, someone they will be able to hear it from, will share God's love with them too. I know it may be scary and yet it doesn't have to be. All we have to do is say yes to God and He will give us all we need to do anything He is asking us to do.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, we ask that you show us where in our lives we can help spread your light, your love, your peace, your hope and your joy. Show us who in our lives is open to hearing about you. Show us how we can set the captives free. Show us how we can bring your light into their darkness. Show us how we can bring the good news to the poor. We feel inadequate Lord, please help us. Please fill us with your strength. Please remind us that we have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, the same Holy Spirit Jesus had inside him. Remind us we are not alone, we are not doing this alone. Remind us you are with us and the Holy Spirit can tell us what to do if we just ask and listen. We love you Lord, you are amazing. We thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. My book is on sale on my website right now. If you buy from my website I will write a personal message and sign it before sending it to you. If you are following me on Facebook, Catherine Duggan, I did a live video yesterday with the link in the comments. Click Here for the book and Click Here for my website in the show notes. Thank you for all your support, I really appreciate it! I look forward to meeting you hear again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day!
May 28, 2023Today's Reading: John 7:37-39Daily Lectionary: Numbers 21:10-35, Luke 22:1-23Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7:38)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There are certain things in life that are meant to go together, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or bacon and, well, just about anything. And if this is true with some of our favorite things in the kitchen, imagine how much greater it is in Holy Scripture. There are many things in God's Word that are meant to go together. Law and Gospel. God's gifts of Word and Sacraments. Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The cross and the Christian life. The list could go on. Here in John 7, Jesus reveals another one of Scripture's sacred combinations, the Holy Spirit and water. This connection between God the Holy Spirit and water goes back to creation. In the beginning, in Genesis 1, the Spirit hovered over the waters as God began his creating work. Fast forward to the beginning of the four gospels and once again, you water and the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus at His baptism in the Jordan River. In John 7, Jesus is at the Feast of Booths - the Old Testament feast remembering Israel's wilderness wandering and living in tents -Jesus joins brings water and the Holy Spirit together again. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” John tells us that Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit who would be poured out at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit who dwells with believers. The Holy Spirit who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies you in Jesus' death and resurrection. This is the same Holy Spirit Jesus gives you, and who in turn, gives you Jesus. Jesus makes this connection personal. He takes water and His Holy Spirit and gives them both to you in your Baptism.Remember the words spoken at your Baptism, as the living water of the Holy Spirit and water were poured over you. I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. There it is again. Water and the Holy Spirit. Jesus joins them together so that you would be joined together with Him forever. For you, our Lord brings together the greatest combination of all, water and the Holy Spirit to forgive, save, rescue, wash, and restore you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and to evermore rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Day of Pentecost) Pastor Samuel Schuldheisz is Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WAAudio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
Your Faith Journey - Finding God Through Words, Song and Praise
“Honesty and love”…foundational words that came to me during my junior year in college in 1963 and '64. Years marked by JFK's assassination… by George Wallace declaring “segregation forever”… by the reawakening of the women's movement (Betty Friedan)…by MLK's arrest in Birmingham –“Parading without a permit”… by the cruel tactics of Bull Connor… by the Supreme Court ruled that state mandated Bible reading in schools was unconstitutional….by an attack on American journalists in South Vietnam…by our entrance into the war in Viet Nam after North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked a US destroyer ship in the Gulf of Tonkin… by MLK's “I have a dream” speech and his letter from the Birmingham Jail, by the bombing at 16th St. Baptist Church in Birmingham killing four young children, by a mock election to protest systematic disenfranchisement of blacks in Mississippi, by the killing Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby, …by Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison….by President Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act. A tumultuous both deeply troubling and hope-filled time in so many ways, affecting so many lives… “Honesty and love”… One day in my sophomore year while working in the chemistry lab (pursuing a major in chemistry), it came to me that this was not to be my profession. My grades were fine, though calculus was a struggle. But my really difficult, deeper struggle was about discerning what God was calling me to be and do with my life. My father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all pastors. I was determined not just to follow in their footsteps. This past week my brother, Jim, and I drove to Dubuque, Iowa to visit folks at Wartburg Seminary where my dad, grandpa, and great grandpa had all studied to become pastors. Jim and I, together with Phylis and Jim's wife, Livvy, were supporting a new program intended to equip men and women especially in Latinx faith communities to become pastors through study and practice in their home place, honoring each person's learning pace and style (rather than having to move themselves and their families to the seminary, to try to conform to a more traditional educational model). We've been giving gifts for this new initiative to honor the memory of our forebears who set high bars for commitment and diligence and often, creativity in their ministries. We wanted to see how this new way of forming leaders for the mission of the church was progressing. At 20+ years old in those early ‘60's, I couldn't see myself measuring up to the gifts and contributions of my forebears. But now realizing that being a chemist was probably not the best path for my future, I started to pray: Okay, God, I haven't experienced a clear call from you to follow in my family's footsteps, but [in the words of the anthem the choir sang last Sunday] I'll take “one step” toward becoming a pastor. I'll continue to pursue a degree in chemistry (just in case) but also take classes like Greek and world religions to prepare for seminary. At least bless me, God, by clearly closing the door to this path if this is not what you want for me to be and do. And now some 60 years later, while more than once I have struggled with doubts and feelings of inadequacy for this calling, I realize that God never shut the door. To paraphrase the words of the psalmist, God heard me. God did not reject my prayer. God did not withhold unfailing love for me. God did not leave me alone. And in the language of the Gospel, Jesus did not leave me orphaned. I was never not God's child, never not a member of God's family, never not with Jesus and the Holy Spirit at my side Surely the times we live in now are no less tumultuous than in 1963. All I knew then and more fully know now was that, is that, honesty and love are all that matters. Now I can say more confidently from whence that honesty and love comes. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth [honesty]…I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you…because I live, you also will live.” This is the gospel, the good news I proclaim to you this morning. In what ever ways you struggle, in what ever ways you worry about what's happening in our world, however befuddled and discouraged you may be by the plethora of lies and hate, Jesus, risen from the dead, asks only that we love him and that we love one another. Jesus, risen from the dead, promises to plant in our hearts the Spirit of truth. Through this Holy Spirit Jesus will never not walk with us, never not stand up with us and for us. Then, living lives of God-given honesty and love, whether as a chemist or a pastor, a teacher or a line worker, whether single or married, whether working full time or semi-retired, whether a mother or father, daughter or son, we can live boldly and humbly and reverently and gently and graciously in this world too often filled with broken promises, with fear, harshness and ill will. For to us, through Jesus' suffering and death and resurrection, is given the Spirit of truth and of love. One day we will all be judged by this One who died for us, who daily forgives all our sins, forgives all our deceptions, forgives all our failures to love as we ought. We will be judged by the One who raises us up every day to try again to be honest and loving. On that day that One who judges us will also stand with us and for us. This judge is the One who heard our cries, listened to our prayers, and never, never stopped loving us. Amen.
A new talking board promises to connect Christians to the Holy Spirit and Jesus, and while the product — which is legitimately for sale — allegedly seems to be a massive troll, ex-psychic Jenn Nizza is sounding the alarm about the board and over Ouija boards more generally. She explains why Christians should avoid the occult at all costs and why such boards are dangerous and problematic.Listen to Nizza explain the issue and share how her own experience in the occult showed her the reality of evil.MORE INFORMATION:- Want to know more? Read Billy's book, "Playing With Fire: A Modern Investigation Into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts"- Follow Billy on Facebook- Follow Billy on Twitter- Follow Billy on Instagram
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Patrick answers listener questions about indulgences, if there are different levels in heaven, is the Holy Spirit Jesus' natural father, and is it okay for a couple to be married in the Catholic Church if it's only to appease their families? Patrick recommends "The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Challenge to Modern Atheism" Madison 14-years-old - Are there different levels in heaven? Peter 12-years-old - Can you explain indulgences? Mary Ann - My adult son doesn't believe in purgatory. Where can purgatory be found in the bible? Lucy - Sister is getting married in the Catholic Church to appease the family. Is that okay? Joe - Is the natural father of Jesus the Holy Spirit since he was conceived by the Holy Spirit? Lydia - Why is care something that comes from just nature? I don't think even 'care' can be reasoned out on the natural level. Mary - My non-Catholic parents wants to have their ashes spread when they die. Do I need to fulfill their wishes? Antoinette - Should I celebrate Easter with family members who are no longer Christians?
receivejesuschrist.com Home page jesusisalive.world Home page wonderreality.org Home godsholyangels.com Home page jesuswordsabouthell.com Home page thepresenceofjesus https://thepresenceofjesus.com/ The post Fellowship, Koinania w/ God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit…Jesus is the Treasure…He is Alive! appeared first on Wonder & Reality.
If you enjoyed this podcast and want to learn more about who we are, please visit our website at valleychurch.us - Also if you feel led to give in order to help improve what we do here at Valley please follow this link - https://valleychurch.us/giveIf you enjoyed this message, you may also enjoy Pastor David's separate podcast, Take a Knee. Click here to listen!
Anne shares about Jesus, Light and God's Glory from the book of John
Anne shares about God's Word, Jesus, Light from the book of John
Who's your favorite wicked witch? Elphaba? Ursula? What about...you? The BIble says that we although we might not have green skin and broomsticks, we're all wicked. To be a sinner is to be wicked. But by the Holy Spirit Jesus can remove our wickedness, and make us good.
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We must carry on the ministry and mission of Jesus through His Church. In Wind + Fire: The Extraordinary Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Uprising of the Church in the Book of Acts, discover how to return to the pattern of Acts and position ourselves for when Jesus returns. To kick off this series, Pastor Lee teaches out of Acts 1 and reveals four important priorities we must live by on a daily basis. Sermon Highlights Acts 1:1-14 (ESV) “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Four priorities that brought critical mass: I. They were to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus knew that the same power that fueled His ministry must fuel the Church II. Mobilize to reach the ends of the earth Jesus was forming a Gospel Catalytic Movement, not a stagnant institutional Monument The Book of Acts is the chapter by chapter radioactive mushroom cloud that moved across the Empire III. Anticipate Jesus' return and reign Reminiscent of Elijah, being caught up and dropping his mantle upon Elisha Our anticipation should create a sense of urgency IV. Stay united in prayerful focus
0:00 - Introduction1. 1:13 {Adam Buried Beneath where Jesus Crucified?} I heard on a program by the National Geographic that there’s a belief out there that Adam was buried beneath where Jesus was crucified. They say when Jesus died, His blood flowed down into the ground and through some cracks inside a tomb where Adam was buried, and Adam was resurrected from that. I am trying to find out where this belief even started, why it was started, and if there is any Biblical or Historical evidence to suggest that this ever happened. Have you ever heard of this, and do you know of any resources on this subject that might help me?2. 6:04 {About Bribery in the book of Proverbs} Can you please help me and my friend understand Proverbs 21: 14 about bribery? We read the references below the verse but still find it hard to understand. 3. 10:15 {Should I Attend a Calvinist Church?} The church that I currently attend is in search of a new pastor, and the one that will be voted in is a Calvinist. I don't agree with Calvinism and question if I can submit to his authority/teaching. What do I do? Stay? Go? I don't want to be divisive but want to stand on God's truth in love.4. 14:09 {Faith vs. Works Contradiction?} I’m confused on two verses, Romans 4:3 and James 2: 21. I don’t believe the Bible has any contradictions, can you please clear up my confusion on this?5. 22:51 {Is God Faithful when We’re Faithless?} Is 2 Timothy 2: 13 saying God is faithful to us, or to Himself? I hear people thanking God that when we are faithless, He is faithful to us, but it seems to read the opposite.6. 25:26 {About God’s Will in our Lives} How do I know if I am living in the will of God for my life? Do wrong choices mean we have messed up Gods plan and we’re now living plan B?7. 29:32 {About the Age of Accountability} Does Numbers 14: 29 give us any biblical reason to believe the age of accountability to be 20? In Numbers 14: 18-19 Moses pleads with God, and God pardons the sins of the children 19 and younger.8. 34:40 {About the Wedding Feast/Garments} The man who was at the wedding feast without a wedding garment in Matthew 22: 11, is he like what would called a nominal Christian?9. 41:48 {About Cohabitation Before Marriage} What Scripture shows that 2 heterosexual Christians who love each other and intend to marry can’t cohabitate if they are celibate?10. 46:18 {How to Honor an Abusive Parent} My father was physically and mentally abusive when I was a child. Can I stop talking to him and still be honoring him?11. 49:19 {About Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia} What are your thoughts about assisted suicide and euthanasia?12. 52:55 {Is the Holy Spirit Jesus’ Father?} Might be a dumb question but if the Holy Spirit came upon Mary so that Jesus could be born, wouldn't that make the Holy Spirit Jesus' father?13. 54:59 {About “Pascal’s Wager”} What is Pascal’s Wager, and do you believe that it has been refuted?14. 59:10 {About Revelation – New Names/White Stones} What is the "new name" in Revelation 2: 17? Is it the individual's new name that receives the white stone, or is it Jesus' new name?15. 1:01:28 {Should Pro-Life = Immigration Support?} Do you think that being pro-life means that I should also support immigration/refugee resettlement due to the pro-life belief that children should be taken care of regardless of circumstances?16. 1:04:40 {Can a False Teacher Cast Out Demons?} What is the deeper meaning of Matthew 12:22-28? I’m a little confused. Can a false teacher cast out demons? If so, wouldn't that be a kingdom that is divided against itself?17. 1:09:20 {Defense of the Trinity} Hi Mike! I fully believe in the Trinity due to ALL of Scripture. But 1 Corinthians 8:6 is a bit problematic and seems Unitarian. What do you make of it?18. 1:13:20 {Should our Shortcomings Disco