Podcasts about if jesus

The most foundational doctrine of Christianity is that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the son of God and the son of man. He was virgin born, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This does not mean God came down and was sexually intimate with Mary. It means it is a miraculous conception.Main Points:1. The virgin birth reveals the deity of Jesus. If Jesus is not God, then he could not save us. And if Jesus did not save you, you are still lost in your sins.2. Jesus was born as a man because he had to be a man to be our true representative on the cross. He had to be God because He is the only one capable of saving us.3. Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is not an essential belief. It is absolutely essential. The virgin birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy and promise of God, and it reveals the deity of our Savior.Today's Scripture Verses:John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Isaiah 7:14 - “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Today we begin our look at the book of Colossians, an ancient letter written to an ancient people trying to make sense of the way of Jesus among a diverse and spiritually confused culture. Being woven together is a powerful vision for the meaning of life, and an invitation out of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light. Together we'll begin to explore these question, “If Jesus holds power over death, Jesus is LORD. If Jesus is LORD what does that mean for the darkness and evil and corruption, I see around me? If Jesus is LORD, what does it mean for authority and power and empires and government? If Jesus is LORD, what does it mean for communion and connection with people I was taught to despise?”This message is from our Sunday morning service on July 20th, 2025.We gather on Sunday mornings at 10:00am at the AMC Orchard Theatre (14653 Orchard Parkway, Westminster 80023).Connect with us:kindredchurch.co@kindredchurch.cofacebook.com/kindredchurch.co

We continue our series in Matthew, by looking at the pivotal passage where Jesus is declared the Messiah. This week's discussion questions are below: Discussions Questions: 1. What stands out to you about the setting of this passage (Caesarea Philippi)? How does the location shape the meaning of Jesus' question? 2. Why do you think Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” rather than just teaching it directly? What does this reveal about the way he leads and forms disciples? 3. What does Peter's confession — “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” — tell us about his understanding of Jesus at that moment? What do you think Peter still didn't understand? 4. What is the significance of Jesus calling Peter “rock,” and promising to build his church on that rock? Do you lean more toward that referring to Peter himself or Peter's confession? Why? 5. Jesus says the “gates of Hades will not overcome” the church. What does that say about the role and power of the church in the world today? 6. Why do you think Jesus told them not to tell anyone he was the Messiah (v. 20)? What were people likely expecting from a Messiah back then? 7. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” how do you honestly answer that right now? How have your thoughts about Jesus changed over time? 8. If Jesus is King, what are some practical areas of life where that truth should affect your decisions, habits, or priorities? Is there any part of your life that's resisting his rule? 9. What are some ways our church can live more boldly as people “on offense” — not hiding from darkness, but pushing against it with love? 10. What's one conversation you could have this week with someone far from God where you listen first, ask gentle questions, and invite them closer to Jesus?

Above All | Colossians 3 | Pastor Steve Garcia What really changes when you start following Jesus? In this powerful and practical message, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia takes us deep into Colossians 3 to explore how new life in Christ calls for a new way of living. If Jesus is truly above all, then our hearts, minds, and behaviors should reflect His rule over our lives. This message isn't just a reminder—it's a call to action to live differently, think differently, and love differently as citizens of Heaven. ✅ If you're tired of drifting, if you're ready to grow, or if you're new to faith—this message is for you.

Questions about how to respond to the concern that no one wrote about Jesus during his lifetime, why scholars say Jesus was born in AD 5–6 rather than AD 1, and what Paul meant when he said God sent his son “when the fullness of the time came.”   What should I say to someone who is hung up on the fact that no one wrote about Jesus during his lifetime? If Jesus' birth started AD 1, why do scholars say he was born in AD 5–6? Paul says in Galatians 4:4–5 that God sent his son “when the fullness of the time came.” What was “just right” about that point in history, and is God doing anything special in our day?

In this powerful message from Luke 22–23, Pastor Blake unpacks the unfair trial of Jesus and reveals how the clarity of who Christ is exposes the truth about our own commitment to Him. Through the lens of prophet, priest, and king, we see Jesus not only endure injustice but embody grace, authority, and sacrifice. This sermon challenges us to evaluate our own patterns of waffling, avoiding, or rebelling—and invites us into a deeper, more transformative commitment to Christ. If Jesus is clearly the Messiah, what does that reveal about our devotion to Him? Listen in and imagine a city where commitment to Christ matters most.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Mark Hardison from Murfreesboro, TN. Thank you for standing with us in Project23. You're helping lead people into the Word, one day at a time. This one's for you. Our text today is Mark 11:1-11: Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.  — Mark 11:1-11 If Jesus wanted to signal war, he would've come on a stallion. But he chose a donkey. Why? Because the King had come, but not to conquer Rome. He came to conquer sin. This wasn't weakness. It was fulfillment. Zechariah 9:9 had prophesied it: “Behold, your king is coming… humble and mounted on a donkey.” Everything Jesus did was intentional. A war horse meant judgment. A donkey meant peace. That's the kind of King he is. Powerful enough to destroy, but humble enough to save. The people were shouting “Hosanna!”—but most of them missed what Jesus was really doing. They wanted political rescue. He came for spiritual rescue. Presently, they cheered him in as a hero. Days later, many would cry, “Crucify him.” Why? Because he didn't meet their expectations. He didn't take their side. He took over. But most still want "war horse" Jesus. We want him to charge in and fix our culture, correct our problems, defend our comfort, and affirm our plans. But he comes on a donkey—lowly, interrupting our assumptions and calling us to die to ourselves. He's not interested in sharing the throne of your heart with your politics, your preferences, or your personal agenda. Jesus doesn't just want a place in your life—he demands preeminence over it. So here's the call to action today: Are you cheering Jesus on Sunday but living for yourself by Monday? Are you praising the King with your lips but resisting his rule in your habits, finances, relationships, or priorities? Don't settle for a “safe” Savior who never challenges your comfort. That's not the real Jesus. Submit to the Lord of Lords, and bow to the King of Kings. #HumbleKing, #JesusIsKing, #Mark11 ASK THIS: Why is Jesus' choice of a donkey so surprising? What kind of King were the people expecting? Where are you tempted to treat Jesus like a helper, not a ruler? What would it look like to welcome him on his terms? DO THIS: Where am I expecting Jesus to ride in and fix something—when he's actually calling me to surrender something? PRAY THIS: Jesus, you came in humility when I expected force. Forgive me for trying to use you instead of following you. I welcome you as my King. Amen. PLAY THIS: “King of Kings.”

If Jesus can bring freedom and defeat death in his resurrection, then we can say with confidence that Jesus has power and authority to bring freedom from whatever might oppress us.

Daily Dose of Hope July 11, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 24:36-51   Prayer:  Almighty God, We thank you for a new day and we praise your perfect name.  We are grateful that your mercies are new every single morning.  Help us see you in this day.  Help us recognize your voice.  Lord, help us reflect you today in our words.  Help us reflect you in our behavior.  Help us remember who and whose we are.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  I apologize for this devotional being late.  My rhythm got knocked off a bit with Vacation Bible School.  It was absolutely wonderful and exhausting in a good way.  We had just over 200 kids and roughly 65 volunteers.  Please continue to be in prayer for every child and every family – may those who don't know Jesus grow closer to knowing him and may those who don't have a church home come join us at New Hope.   Today, we are finishing up Matthew 24.  This is really a continuation of the discussion in the first portion of the chapter.  Jesus is saying that the time and hour he will return are not known.  And we are not supposed to be guessing and predicting.  We are simply told to be ready.   Certain groups of Christians have focused a great deal on the coming judgment and the end times. I think what we find in this chapter is that there is more that we don't know than what we do know. For thousands of years, people have predicted Jesus' return and the coming judgment and each and every time, they were wrong. I'm always a bit skeptical of anyone who makes predictions like these. I mean, the Scripture says, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” If Jesus doesn't know, then why should we?   Keep watch. Be ready. We don't need to worry about the coming judgment because we know Jesus. But we do need to be actively living as a follower. We need to be sharing the Good News with others. We need to be genuine, loving, and truthful in how we do life. Do your neighbors know that you love Jesus? Do your coworkers know that you follow Jesus? Is your faith obvious and real? Why or why not? Let's take this Scripture seriously, friends.   The chapter ends with a parable about a faithful and unfaithful servant.  Jesus says that blessed is the servant whose master finds him working diligently when he arrives.  That servant will be put in charge of many possessions.  But the unfaithful servant is the one who assumes his master is delayed so he mistreats his fellow servants and drinks instead of working.  When the master arrives home unexpectantly, the servant will be cut into pieces and thrown in with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Well, that sounds pretty terrible.   What is the meaning of the parable?  Basically, Jesus is saying that our actions, our behavior, shows what we truly believe.  If we believe in Jesus, then we obey him and choose to do the right thing.  We live a faithful life, ready for when he will return.  If we don't obey and don't live faithfully, it's like saying we don't believe.   Don't deny God with your actions.  Know God and be ready for his return at any time.    Are you ready?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Send us a textThe simplicity of Christ's gospel is constantly under threat from those who would complicate, distort, or add to it. We explore this tension between the pure message of salvation and the myriad of false teachings that have plagued Christianity since its earliest days.What strikes many as remarkable is how eager believers are to debate complex theological concepts like Calvinism, cessationism, and apostolic succession while struggling to articulate the fundamental gospel message. When asked "What is the gospel?" many launch into lengthy explanations that somehow miss mentioning Christ crucified for our sins. This disconnect reveals a troubling pattern of prioritizing theological sophistication over gospel clarity.We tackle head-on the question of Christ's kingdom, challenging the popular notion that the Kingdom of God is purely future rather than present reality. If Jesus isn't currently King, what is He? The logical inconsistencies in delay-focused eschatology become apparent when examined through Scripture. Unlike every earthly empire that has risen and fallen, Christ's kingdom continues to grow despite opposition. As one participant powerfully stated, "Christians are invincible until the Lord calls us home."False teachings throughout church history share common traits—they typically introduce "new revelations" that contradict established Scripture, often delivered through special messengers or angels. From Mormonism's strange origins to modalism's confusion of the Trinity's persons, these teachings fail the test of biblical consistency. Paul warned the Galatians that any alteration to the gospel message produces "another gospel," which is no gospel at all.The discussion culminates in highlighting penal substitutionary atonement as the diamond of our salvation—the apex of Christianity. When fully understood, this central truth about Christ giving himself "for our sins to deliver us from this present evil world" serves as an anchor against doctrinal drift and false teaching.Ready to strengthen your foundation in the true gospel? Join us as we explore how to recognize truth in a world of counterfeits, and remember: don't just know what you believe, know why you believe it.Personalized Cancer Treatment Center in USAWe treat you—not just your illness—with personalized, integrative care, love, and support.Support the show

“What Is the Role of Popes in Approving Ecumenical Councils?” In this episode, guest apologist Alex Jurado from Voice of Reason addresses the necessity of papal approval for early councils, explores how Jesus grew in knowledge, and discusses the connection between Mary’s Assumption and 1 Cor. 15:55. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:59 – How did Jesus grow in knowledge? And did he have knowledge of his passion from a young age? 14:30 – What’s the necessity for popes to convene and approve ecumenical councils particularly the earliest councils of the Church? 17:46 – Is there a connection between Mary’s Assumption and 1 Cor. 15:55? 21:52 – Why did the person who touched the ark dropped dead but people who stole it didn't. Why is that? 24:24 – Is it ok for a priest to consecrate a large amount of hosts and give them to a homebound person? 30:31 – Has Pope Leo expressed any opinion on Same sex unions? 32:10 – How would you explain to children deep theological questions? 43:40 – How many of the 10 commandments would exist today if there weren’t any religions? 48:48 – Why do Protestants have a different canon of scripture? 52:09 – If Jesus descended into hell to retrieve souls to enter heaven, does that mean those souls were suffering?

FORgive to Move FORward | Compassion Church SermonWelcome to Compassion Church! This week, Pastor Willie from LifePoint Church brings a powerful word that will challenge your heart and change your perspective.Have you ever struggled to forgive someone who deeply hurt you?You're not alone, and Jesus knew we would wrestle with this. That's why He didn't just talk about forgiveness… He commanded it.In Matthew 6 and Matthew 18, we see that forgiveness isn't optional, it's essential. And even though it feels uncomfortable and unfair, it's the very thing that unlocks our freedom.In this message, “FORgive to Move FORward,” we explore: • Why Jesus' words carry the full weight of Heaven • What makes forgiveness feel impossible, and how to do it anyway • The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation • How gratitude shifts our lens and weakens bitterness • The parable of the unforgiving servant, and what it reveals about our heartsYou'll be encouraged, challenged, and maybe even a little uncomfortable, but that's what transformation looks like. If Jesus said it, you can trust it. Obeying Him isn't always easy, but it's always worth it.Don't let bitterness hold you back.You were forgiven much, now it's time to walk in that same grace.Drop a comment with what stood out to you from today's message.Subscribe for more weekly sermons, devotionals, and encouragement!

Jesus Followers Practice a Weekly Time of Worship and Rest through Their Sabbath and a Daily Time Alone with God in Prayer MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus said, in Mark 2:27-28, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”. Therefore, we are to practice a weekly Sabbath – worship and rest. Also, we are to build into our lives a time alone with God each day. In Mark 1:35, Mark tells us about Jesus: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.". If Jesus needed to spend time in prayer, doesn't it make sense that we need to spend time in daily prayer as well?     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mark 2:27-28; Mark 1:35; John 16:33; John 10:10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Stand in the Gap”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Daily Dose of Hope July 7, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 22:1-22   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you this morning in awe of your blessings and love.  Thank you, Lord, for the ways you continue to guide our lives.  Lord, we want more intimacy with you.  We are desperate to know you better.  In these next few moments of silence, Jesus, please speak to us.  We need to hear your voice...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is the first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at New Hope.  We are expecting close to 200 children.  Please pray for every single child and their families, may they come to know Jesus.   Today, we are starting Matthew 22.  We are starting with the parable of the wedding banquet and it's a hard one.  Let's remember that parables are not meant to be taken literally.  Parables are intended to surprise the audience to make a point.  What can we learn from the Kingdom of God from this parable?  Let's be careful not to make arbitrary links between the text and God.  For instance, the king is like God in some ways, but he is not the same as God.  Also, his son is not Jesus.    This particular parable is somewhat complex and difficult to make sense of.  Why did the king not invite everyone to his banquet from the beginning?  Why did the invited guests reject the king's invitation?  That would have been unheard of in their culture!  And then, the king's violence against the guests who didn't attend does not make a lot of sense.  What is the radical message of this parable?   One possibility is that Jesus is actually continuing the parables of the Two Sons and the Wicked Tenants by making the point that there is nothing more important than doing God's will.  Even though people are called or invited to do God's work, they may neglect or refuse it, consumed with their own needs and self-interest.  But God isn't giving up on his work of saving people and calling others to join him in that task.  The subversive message might be that the position and status of religious leaders, such as the Pharisees, will not last forever.  God is going to achieve his purposes no matter what.  It may mean breaking traditions and doing new things.    And then we have the passage about paying tax to Caesar.  The Jewish leaders are really trying to find a way to trap Jesus.  By this point, they can't stand him and they simply want him out of their way.  He threatens their authority and what they find important.  Thus, they ask him about the poll tax.  We discussed this in Mark too.  This was a flat tax that every person living in the Roman Empire was forced to pay.  To the Jews, it was a reminder that they were far from free.  If Jesus had responded with a positive remark like “yes, definitely pay it!” then he would have turned off a lot of his audience.  If he had said, “don't pay it!” then he would have been seen as turning against Rome, a dangerous thing.  The way that Jesus answered the question blew everyone away!   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Sermon Summary: "The Discipline of Solitude" - Mark 1:35-39 Series: Sacred Rhythms (Message 1) Main Message: Solitude with God is not escape from reality—it's engagement with the deepest reality of all. Overview When was the last time you were truly alone—no phone, no music, no distractions—just you and silence? In our hyper-connected, always-on world, the discipline of solitude might seem impossible or even selfish. But Jesus shows us something different. This message launches our "Sacred Rhythms" series by exploring the spiritual discipline that Jesus practiced regularly: withdrawing to solitary places for communion with the Father. The Counter-Cultural Choice After an incredibly busy day of ministry where "the whole town gathered" for healing, Jesus made a surprising choice. Instead of capitalizing on the momentum, He got up early while it was still dark and went to a solitary place to pray. This wasn't a one-time event—Luke tells us Jesus "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." If Jesus needed regular solitude, how much more do we? Key Points 1. Jesus Prioritized Solitude Even in His Busiest Seasons Jesus chose solitude precisely when ministry was most successful and needs were most pressing. This goes against everything our culture teaches about productivity and opportunity. His solitude wasn't escape—it was preparation for purpose. 2. Solitude Provides Clarity for Life's Competing Demands When the disciples found Jesus and said "Everyone is looking for you!" Jesus had something they didn't—clarity from time with the Father. Instead of rushing back to meet expectations, He announced a change in direction based on what He'd heard in the quiet. Solitude helps us distinguish between what's urgent and what's important. 3. Solitude Counters the Spiritual Dangers of Our Connected Culture We've never been more connected yet never felt more lonely. Our culture creates spiritual dangers: addiction to stimulation, constant comparison, shallow thinking, and spiritual numbness. Solitude is the antidote, helping us find satisfaction in God alone and hear His gentle whisper above the noise. 4. Solitude Is a Skill That Must Be Developed Through Practice When we first try solitude, our minds race and spirits feel restless. This is normal—it's a discipline that requires practice. Start small with 10-15 minutes, choose consistent time and place, remove distractions, and expect initial discomfort as your soul adjusts to silence. Practical Challenge This week, commit to developing the discipline of solitude: Beginners: 10 minutes daily of silence with God Developing: Extend current quiet time to include 15-20 minutes of pure solitude Experienced: Consider a longer retreat—an hour, half-day, or full day Remember: the goal isn't perfection; it's practice. Every moment of solitude is a step toward deeper intimacy with Christ. The Invitation In a world that never stops talking, God is still speaking. In a culture that fears being alone, God is waiting to be with us. The discipline of solitude isn't about escaping the world—it's about engaging with the God who made the world. Your phone will still be there when you return. Your responsibilities will still be waiting. But you will be different. You'll have the clarity, peace, and strength that only comes from being alone with the God who loves you more than you can imagine. Start today. Start small. But start. The God who created you is waiting to meet with you in the silence. Listen to the full sermon audio above. This begins our six-part "Sacred Rhythms" series introducing key spiritual disciplines. For upcoming messages and other sermon resources, visit our sermon archive.

This is part 5 of our response series on The Incarnate Christ and His Critics. Today in our fifth episode in this series critiquing the book, The Incarnate Christ and His Critics, we broach the topic of thrones. If Jesus sits on God’s throne, does that make him God too? If so, isn’t that two Gods? We’ll deal with these kinds of questions while examining throne texts, including Daniel 7.13-14; Psalm 110.1; Revelation 3.21; and Hebrews 1.3. In each case we’ll see how incredibly subordinationist the throne texts are.   Listen on Spotify   Listen on Apple Podcasts —— Links —— Support Restitutio by donating here Check out Will Barlow’s presentation: The Throne Room Problem Check out Susanne Lakin’s presentation: Biblical Anthropomorphism: Evidence of a Unipersonal God Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on X @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here Get Finnegan’s book, Kingdom Journey to learn about God’s kingdom coming on earth as well as the story of how Christianity lost this pearl of great price. Get the transcript of this episode Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library.

Daily Dose of Hope Happy 4th of July everyone! It is our prayer that God bless America and that we will never take for granted the freedom and many blessings we enjoy in this great nation. Matthew 21:28–46 Jesus tells a story: A dad says, “Go work the field, boys.” Son #1: “Nope.” Then later... shows up sweating. Son #2: “Yes, sir!” Then... disappears like socks in a dryer. Which one obeyed? The one who actually did something. Catch this: God's not impressed with your churchy “yes” if your life says “no.” Talk is cheap. Action? That's where the faith grows. Stone Cold Truth: Jesus Doesn't Do Fake Next, Jesus drops a parable about a vineyard (again). God plants it, hires folks to care for it, sends people to check on it… The tenants beat the messengers, kill the heir (which represents… Jesus), and think they'll get away with it. Spoiler: They don't. This is a wake-up call for anyone playing landlord with God's stuff, your life, your time, your talents. It all belongs to Him. Steward it. Don't steal it. " The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." (Matthew 21:42) Don't toss Jesus out of your plans, He's the only foundation worth building on. Here are some practical truths: • Be the sweaty son. Even if your start was slow, finish strong. • Faith is more than a bumper sticker. Obedience is louder than opinions. • You're not the owner of the vineyard. Just the manager. Use it well. • Don't reject the Stone. If Jesus isn't the center, the whole thing cracks. This might be funny but trust me, it´s true: If saying “yes” was all it took, gym memberships would make us all fit, and Bible apps would make us saints. But showing up daily, faithfully, that's what changes things. Prayer: Lord, help me obey with more than my lips. Let my life say “yes” where my pride once said “no.” Keep me grounded in Christ, the Cornerstone. And make my life a vineyard that gives You glory. Amen. Challenge: • Say “yes” to God and follow through. Make the call. Send the text. Serve the need. • Ask: Where have I said “yes” to Jesus but acted “no”? Repent and reset. • Identify a place in your life where Christ isn't the Cornerstone, just yet. The Daily Dose of Hope is a devotional intended to provide context and reflection to the New Hope Church Bible Reading Plan.  It's our goal  to read the Bible in a year together as a family of faith.  Five days a week we read.  Two days a week we either rest or catch up.  Reading the Bible is the number one way to grow in our walk with Jesus.  We have to know God's Word to live God's Word.  Now for our Daily Dose of Hope… https://www.findnewhope.com

How effective are your prayers? Jesus said that if we don't forgive those who have hurt us, our prayers will be hindered. God forgives our sins—and He also forgets them. If Jesus can completely wipe away our sins, can't we forgive others? Today let's bring that person or situation to God and see how it will clear the way to effective, powerful prayer.

John 4:31-32 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." In verses 31-38, John let us in on the conversation he and the rest of the disciples had with Jesus while those from the city were on their way to the well. The disciples had returned from the city with the food they went to purchase (vs. 8). Apparently, they were just ahead of the men whom the woman had told about Jesus. They were concerned that Jesus get sustenance for the rest of the journey. Although it isn't mentioned in the text that Jesus either drank or ate, more than likely, He did. But physical water and food wasn't foremost in Jesus' mind; His relationship with His Father was, and John picked up on that for sure. It's always interesting to me to look at Jesus' words and actions through the lens of His relationship with His Father. We know from John 14:9-10 that Jesus is the revelation of the Father. We know that His worldview is that everything that happens comes from His Father with the purpose of making the Father known. So when the disciples say, “Rabbi, eat.” We are to view Jesus' response with what the Father gave Him. Just like with the woman, Jesus redirected their worldly focus, in this case food, to the spiritual focus of being satisfied in doing the Father's will. We are watching what worshiping the Father in spirit and truth looks like. We are seeing Jesus abide in the Father as He lives to love with His Father. We can be encouraged in our living to love with Jesus by following His example. First, receive everything that happens as from the Father. Second, seek your deepest satisfaction in Jesus' love and doing His will. Third, realize that God's purpose in everything that happens in your life is to reveal the living, Lord Jesus Christ, for the glory of God through the Son. The disciples didn't know of this food at the time of this encounter at the well, but we do know that Jesus' food was to do the Father's will, which we will see in the next two verses. I hope you'll be encouraged in your living to love with Jesus by remembering these three foundational worldview truths that guided His life. He lives in you. He still has the same purpose of revealing the Father, for His glory, in and through your life. If Jesus is your life, and His food is to do the will of the Father, then you also will be sustained and strengthened as you do the will of the Father, which is to make Jesus first place in your life (Col. 1:18). Your purpose is to reveal Jesus as you live to love with Him. No one can take that food away from you. You can live in the fullness of Christ as you think like He thinks and abide in Him for the glory of God. Living to love with Jesus is our true food. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

If Jesus needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to do His Father's business, how much more do we need this anointing today? Check out the video version of today's podcast.  You can check out the full sermon from which I took this clip: The Father's Business. Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens  ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

As the church in Colossians grappled with issues of race and religion, family and slavery – Paul brings a message of equality and freedom. If Jesus is King, as Paul argues - then he rules over all of us as his people who are equally valued and loved. And this must work its way out in all aspects of life and society – from church life to family relationships and even work. In a time where slavery was the norm, Paul challenges the norm. Take your next step Receive prayer - https://gatewaybaptist.com.au/prayer Learn more about Jesus - https://gatewaybaptist.com.au/alpha Get Baptised - https://gatewaybaptist.com.au/next-st... _______ Gateway Baptist Church meets across five locations in South-East Queensland and also online. For more than 90 years we've been a community dedicated to leading people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. To learn more about us, visit https://gatewaybaptist.com.au or join us on Sundays at https://gatewaybaptist.online.church

When Jesus said, “She is sleeping,” He wasn't confused—He was showing us Heaven's perspective. In this sermon by Pastor Alex, we explore the story of Jairus' daughter and his unstoppable faith.  If Jesus has power over death, surely He has power over everything you're facing today. Mark 5:35-43, Acts 6, James 5:14-16, Matthew 9:23-26, Luke 8:41, John 14:6, James 2:26   Please follow our websites for more!

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." — 1 Corinthians 14:1 God never meant for spiritual gifts to be optional or forgotten. In this message, we explore why prophecy matters, how it builds the Church, and why desire is the starting point for spiritual maturity. If Jesus paid for more than salvation — why settle for less?

A Sermon for the Second Sunday after Trinity 1 John 3:13-24 & St. Luke 14:16-24 by William Klock Another town.  Another Sabbath.  And Jesus found himself in the synagogue reading the scriptures.  He'd spent the last few days doing the usual Messiah things: healing the sick, casting out demons, proclaiming good news to the poor, calling the people to repentance because God's kingdom was coming.  Some people loved it.  Others hated it.  If Jesus was the Messiah, he sure was doing it all wrong.  St. Luke says some of the Pharisees were determined to trap him.  They lurked everywhere he went, waiting for him to do or to say just the wrong thing that would get him into trouble.  “See!  See!” they want to shout to the crowds.  “He's a fake!”  If they were really lucky, maybe Jesus would do something downright arrestable and he'd end up in jail.  So far, no such luck. One of the leading Pharisees in this town invited him to lunch after the synagogue service.  If nothing else, it would look good to have this popular rabbi in his house, but maybe he'd get lucky.  Maybe he'd catch Jesus breaking the law red-handed.  And lo and behold as Jesus arrived at this Pharisees' house, he met a man whose limbs were swollen with dropsy.  I doubt he was invited.  The rabbis taught that dropsy was the Lord's punishment for secret sexual sins.  But in those days, doors were open, people came and went from banquets.  The poor and needy would show up looking for handouts.  On any other day, this Pharisee might have shooed away the man with dropsy, but not today.  It was a perfect opportunity to see what Jesus would do.  It was a given that Jesus healed the sick—but would he do his messianic doctoring on the Sabbath? But instead of letting himself be put on the spot, Jesus—as he so often did—flips the tables.  He takes one look at the afflicted man, then turns to the Pharisee and his torah-expert friends and puts them on the spot.  “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath or not?” he asked.  They really should have seen that coming.  Now, no matter what they said, they'd condemn themselves.  And so while they stood there looking awkward, Jesus healed the man with dropsy and sent him away.  And then he turned back to the Pharisees and to the lawyers and said, “Suppose one of you has a son—or an ox—that falls in a well.  Are you going to tell me you won't pull him out straightaway even on the sabbath day?”  And, of course, they just looked at him.  They had nothing to say that wouldn't condemn them.  Because if their son or their ox fell in a well, even on the sabbath, of course they'd pull him out. It was hard to hear.  The Pharisees were right about a lot of things. They knew that Israel was supposed to be a bubble of God's light in the middle of a dark world.  They were the people who lived with the living God in their midst.  They were his people, graciously chosen, delivered from bondage, and made holy for just this task: to be light in the darkness.  The Pharisees were zealous for the law because they were grateful for God's grace.  Not all of the people in Israel were as faithful as the Pharisees.  The Pharisees tried to live their lives—even the little things—as if they were in the temple, in the presence of God.  They saw themselves as walking manifestations of God's light and of his kingdom—walking bubbles of what the world is supposed to be like.  And Jesus just exposed them, because as much as they were right on a lot of things, they'd forgotten the most important thing.  The law was about more than do this and don't to that.  It was about loving God and loving neighbour.  It was about showing others the same grace, the same lovingkindness that God had shown to them.  They knew this deep down, but somehow, through the generations, they'd forgotten.  Instead of being a light to lighten those lost in the dark, they were being light to shame and condemn those lost in the dark—and that's not light at all. At this point Jesus had already spoiled the party, so he just kept going.  Luke tells us in 14:7 that Jesus noticed how each guest claimed the best seat he could, so he told them that God's people should, instead, be humble.  “If you go to a wedding and just assume you can sit in the seat of honour, the host is going to tell you to move so the real guest of honour can sit there and you'll look like a fool in front of everyone.  No.  Instead, be humble.  Take the lowliest seat and let your host offer you a better place.” They were starting to figure out what Jesus was getting at.  He said, “Everyone who pushes himself forward will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be honoured.”  They knew this wasn't just about banquets.  Jesus was saying that the way these leaders of Israel were behaving at banquets had become representative of how they thought of themselves in relation to God and to each other.  They acted like God had chosen them because they were special when it was really the other way around: They were special because God had chosen them.  They knew better—just like we do.  They knew God chose Israel because he is gracious.  But they didn't act like it. So Jesus says: If you truly want to represent God and his kingdom, stop thinking so loftily of yourselves, stop avoiding the people who aren't like you and who don't share your status, and start throwing banquets for the crippled, the lame, and the blind.  Rejoice when sinners repent.  Rejoice when God saves the lost.  That's what God has done for you, after all—you've just forgotten. Everyone could feel the tension in the room growing and that's when some poor, clueless soul shouted out, “A blessing on everyone who eats bread in the kingdom of God.”  Maybe he'd totally missed point.  Maybe he was just trying to defuse the situation.  Blessed, indeed, is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God, but who will be there.  That was Jesus' point.  These people were sure they'd be there, but in so many ways the way they acted and the way they saw themselves said otherwise.  They weren't the walking bubbles of the kingdom they thought they were.  For all their holiness, they were really more like walking bubbles of darkness. So in response, Jesus told them another parable.  This is our Gospel today beginning at Luke 14:16. Jesus said, “Once a man made a great dinner, and invited lots of guests.  When the time for the meal arrived, he sent his servants to say to the guests, ‘Come now.  Everything is ready!'  But the whole lot of them began to make excuses.  The first said, ‘I've just bought a field, and I really have to go and see it. Please accept my apologies.'  Another one said, ‘I've just bought five yoke of oxen, and I've got to go and test them out.  Please accept my apologies.'  And another said, ‘I've just got married, so naturally I can't come.'  So the servant went back and told his master all this. As they sat eating what was probably a simple sabbath lunch prepared the day before, Jesus brings to mind an elaborate and expensive feast—the sort of thing that took days to prepare and that cost so much that the man throwing the part would send out invitation months in advance.  And the guests responded, “Yes, we'll be there!” and he made preparations.  So much wine and so much fruit.  So much meat and so much bread.  He arranged for musicians and dancers and other entertainers.  He got his house ready.  He sent his servants around to remind everyone.  And then the day of, he put on his finest clothes, threw open his doors—and no one came.  So he sent his servant out to find out what was up with his guests.  And they all had excuses.  This one bought a field sight unseen and had to go have a look at it.  This one bought a bunch of oxen and just had to try them out.  Another just got married.  Obviously his honeymoon was more important than this man's great feast. Imagine all the effort and expense that this man invested.  It was a huge deal for him.  But no one else cared.  No one else valued all that he had done for them.  Imagine how you'd feel if no one came to your wedding banquet after they all returned their RSVP cards saying they'd be there.  Jesus says the man was understandably angry, but he wasn't going to let all his expense and preparations go to waste. ‘Go out quickly,' he said to his servant.  ‘Go into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.'  ‘Alright, Master,' the servant said, ‘I've done that—but there's still room.'  ‘Well then,' said the master to the servant, ‘go out to the highways and the hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be full!  Let me tell you this: none of those people who were invited will get to taste my dinner.' If his rich friends won't come, he'll invite the poor.  Notice that his servant literally has to bring, to compel them to come to the banquet.  Imagine what the poor people in the town thought at the invitation.  Imagine what the blind beggar sleeping in a ditch thought when this rich man's servant pulled him up and dragged him into a fancy house full of fancy food.  They would have thought it was a joke, at least until they actually got there.  That's why the servant had to compel them to come, because they knew how these things worked.  They didn't belong.  But the rich man brought them in.  He brought them all in.  And they had the time of their lives—and, I think, so did he. Now, Luke doesn't tell us how the Pharisees responded.  In the next verse he jumps to a completely different time and place.  But we know.  We know that this just made them angrier and more hostile to Jesus—not every last one of them, but most of them.  Eventually they'd be angry enough that they'd conspire to have Jesus arrested.  But why did the things that Jesus did and said at that sabbath lunch make them so angry? So remember that the Jews, and especially the Pharisees, were waiting for the Lord's return.  The prophets had talked about that day in terms of a great banquet and this banquet idea then became a common image of the coming Day of the Lord.  Israel's God would return to judge and to cast down the nations (and the unfaithful within Israel—like the tax collectors and the sinner with dropsy) and then he'd throw a great feast for his beloved people.  The closest things they had to describe it was their entry into the promised land, the land of milk and honey, and the prosperous days of King David.  It would be like that, only a thousand times more so.  When Jesus told a story of a man preparing a great feast, everyone listening knew he was talking about the Lord and how he would come to deliver his people and set everything to rights and usher in the age to come—the age when they would feast in his presence.  And now Jesus explains that he's come to throw open the doors to God's great banquet.  This is what Israel has been waiting for all these years.  And yet Jesus rebukes them.  This isn't the first time the Lord has extended his invitation.  For centuries he had called to his people through the prophets, but they had refused to hear the prophets and had even killed some of them.  The Pharisees knew that and they were committed to making sure they didn't do the same thing.  Except that's exactly what they were doing.  This time God has spared no expense.  His people had rejected and killed the prophets.  This time he's sent his own son, who humbled himself to be born in their flesh.  He's travelled through Galilee and Judea, calling everyone to the banquet, but like the people in the parable, they all have excuses. And those excuses.  One man says that he's bought five yoke of oxen sight-unseen and has to check them over.  Another has bought a field sight-unseen and needs to go have a look at it.  The third just got married and has obligations to his new bride.  All three of these excuses have echoes that go back to the law in Deuteronomy.  A man who had built a new house, but hadn't dedicated it yet; a man who had bought a field, but hadn't enjoyed its produce; and a newly married man were all legitimately excused from going off to war.  And now these guests twist those laws as excuses to reject their host's banquet.  But this is what Israel had done with the law: twisting it into something it was never meant to be.  And it's that twisting of the law that was particularly exemplified by the Pharisees.  Jesus didn't meet their expectations of the Messiah.  His banquets included too many sinners, unclean people, and outsiders.  Those were the people that the Pharisees, with their hyper-holiness, left exposed.  The Messiah was supposed to come and feast with people like them, while raining down fire and brimstone on all those unholy people.  And so they scowled as Jesus forgave sins and welcomed home the prodigals.  The Pharisees had gutted the torah of its loving heart and that was profoundly exemplified by their angry glares as Jesus healed a sick man on the sabbath.  There could be no better way to celebrate the sabbath than to dance and sing and glorify God for his lovingkindness, but instead they tisked-tisked and frowned and gave Jesus disapproving how-dare-you scowls.  The angels rejoiced in heaven to see God's mighty works—but here on earth the people most expecting it, the people most longing for it, frowned and disapproved because God didn't do his mighty works according to what they thought the rules were.  That was their attitude towards Jesus' entire messianic ministry.  The banquet had come, but now they wanted nothing to do with it.  And so Jesus warns them: I'm going to take my invitation to the unclean and to the sick and to the poor—and even to the gentiles—and having rejected me, you will have no share in God's new creation.  If I were to let you in, you'd only mess it up—because you don't know what love is. The parable was a warning.  Matthew records it too, and I expect he was thinking of his people, most of whom continued to rejected Jesus even as their judgement day was so close.  But think of Luke.  He was one of those gentiles.  He was one of those poor men, sleeping in a ditch while the rich man prepared his banquet.  Maybe he didn't even know the banquet was going to happen.  He saw the caterers coming and going, wondered what it was all about, but he never expected to be there.  He'd never received an invitation, but more importantly, he wasn't even the right sort of person.  He was a gentile—uncircumcised and unclean.  Jews didn't associate with his sort.  And then the rich man's servant came, woke him up with a kick, and said, “Hey!  My master's thrown a banquet and no one came, so now he's inviting you to know his goodness.”  For Luke, that servant seems likely to have been the Apostle Paul.  And Paul gave Luke a firm gospel shove into the banquet.  And before he knew it Luke was dancing and singing and praising and glorify the God of Israel—the God of those weird, annoying Jews—and this God was like none of the gods he'd ever known.  This God was good and loving and most of all faithful.  And even though Luke, as a gentile, had no right to be at the banquet, he was welcomed in because when he heard about this Jesus, this Messiah who had died and risen from the dead, and he believed and he was caught up in God's great redemptive act of new creation. In fact, this unexpected and undeserved invitation to the banquet so transformed Luke that before too long he joined Paul as they set sail for Europe as gospel heralds—to proclaim to the lordship of Jesus.  A few years later he would join Paul on another missionary journey.  And about ten years after they'd left Troas that first time, Luke would journey with Paul on his final voyage, the one that took him to Rome to appeal his case before Caesar.  And not only was Luke, with Paul, singing the glories of Jesus and the God of Israel through Greece and on to Rome, he also talked to those who had met Jesus and he recorded their stories and wrote his gospel and then followed it up with the book of Acts.  Luke learned profoundly what grace is.  He knew profoundly the love of God.  Because even though he was a foreigner, through Jesus, the God of Israel had made him a son and even poured his own Spirit into him—including Luke in promises he had no natural right to be part of. Brothers and Sisters, Luke is us.  Like Paul hauling him out of the ditch and sending him into the banquet, the Lord's servants have come to us, proclaiming the good news about Jesus, hauling each of us out of our own ditch, giving us a gospel kick in the pants, and (with the Spirit's help) propelling us into God's great banquet.  We need a reminder of this, because we're prone to taking our place before the Lord for granted.  The Pharisees had their way of taking their family status for granted and we have our ways, but however we do it, it always seems to stem from forgetting that whether Jew or gentile, whether we were born into the family or whether we came later, we forget that it is by the gracious lovingkindness of God—who gave his son to die so that we who were his enemies can be here as his sons and daughters.  And when we forget the lovingkindness of God, we tend to become unloving ourselves—just like the Pharisees. Remember how Paul rebuked the Corinthians saying that they could have all sorts of spiritual gifts, but without love, they were might as well just be clanging cymbals?  Well, here's how John puts that same sentiment in today's Epistle—form the third chapter of his first letter: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the family.  Anyone who does not love abides in death.  Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has the life of the coming age abiding in him.  This is how we know love: [Jesus] laid down his life for us.  And we too ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  Anyone who has the means of life in this world, and sees a brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against them—how can God's love be abiding in him?  Children, let us not love in word or in speech, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:14-18) Does God's love abide in us?  I think that all too often, we come to the banquet, to the Lord's Table.  We eat the bread and we drink the wine, but we've forgotten the amazing sacrifice of love in which we participate here.  We take the Lord's feast for granted.  Or maybe we eat it for the wrong reasons.  But we find some kind of assurance here, the Table reminds us that we belong to God and to his family, but then we go out into the world—or maybe we even interact with our brothers and sisters here—and instead of being bubbles of gospel light in the darkness, instead of being bubbles of God's future here in the present, we're darkness.  We call ourselves God's sons and daughters, we follow the rules, but there's no love.  We eat the Lord's bread and we drink the Lord's wine and we should be reminded of God's great provision for us, of his great blessings, but we ignore the needy.  Here we're reminded that in Jesus and because of his death on our behalf, we've been given life and have a share in God's new creation, but too often we keep it to ourselves instead of taking it to the highways and hedges.  Here we have the means of life, the gospel, the good news about Jesus, crucified and risen.  We know the gracious lovingkindness of God.  We don't belong here, but he's invited us anyway.  He's forgiven our sins and filled us with his Spirit and given us a promise of new creation.  And we go out to a world in need, people suffering physically and people dying spiritually, and we close our hearts against them. So, Brothers and Sisters, come the Lord's Table this morning and be reminded that in Jesus, God has humbled himself and given his life for our sake.  This is the defining act of love.  But don't just remember.  The Lord's Supper is more than an intellectual exercise.  As we eat the Lord's bread and drink his wine, we participate in that great act of love ourselves.  So be shaped, be transformed by the love of God made manifest at the cross.  Every time you come to the Table and participate in God's perfect love, let it define you more and more.  Abide in God's love and, more and more, let God's love abide in you, that you might truly be a gospel light in the darkness. Let us pray: Father, you delight to show mercy to sinners and you graciously sent your Son to suffer the punishment we deserve.  We have received your grace and have been given new life.  Remind us to set aside all thoughts of self-righteousness.  Give us opportunities now to share your gracious love with others—with each other and with the world, that everyone we encounter may be transformed by your gospel.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

John 5:37-38 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. Today, we are encouraged by the testimony of the Father regarding Jesus. All the miraculous works of Jesus were the Father's validation that He sent Jesus and that He was the Son of God. When Jesus spoke, they were hearing the word of God, but they didn't recognize it. Since they didn't believe Jesus' words, they could not hear God's voice. The voice of Jesus was the voice of God. Amazing! Jesus testified that they had never heard His voice or seen His form. That was Jesus' witness regarding them. He was telling them that they were dead. Let me remind you of what Jesus had said only a few minutes earlier to them recorded in John 5:25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” Even though the time now is that the dead will hear the voice of God and live, they haven't heard and therefore were in a helpless and hopeless condition—dead to God. For everyone who has received life in Christ, there is great encouragement. We believe God sent Jesus. We believe His words are the words of God, and therefore His words abide in us. We who were dead have heard His voice and now live. Hallelujah! Will you rejoice with me today in the amazing grace of God that gave us ears to hear His voice? Jesus told His disciples just before leaving them to go to the Father, John 15:7-8, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” If Jesus' words abide in us, we will ask Him to do what He commands us to do, believe in Jesus (John 14:1) and love with His love (John 13:34). The promise here is that the believing and the love will be done for us so that the Father is glorified in the Son as He does it in us. Remember, He had just said that apart from Him, we can do nothing to produce fruit and glorify God. So our encouragement today is that we have heard His voice, have life in Christ, and may ask for Jesus to live His life in and through us for the glory of God, and we know we will be heard and answered. What hope we have today as we live to love with Jesus! We have the witness of the Father—eternal life in His Son, who loves through us. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

“If Jesus rose from the dead, we accept all that He said; if He did not [rise from the dead], who cares about anything He said?” -  Keller, The Reason for GodOn what basis does Jesus call His disciples?To understand Jesus' teachings, we must realize that deep in our orientations of our spirit we cannot have one posture toward God and a different one toward other people. We are a whole being, and our true character pervades everything we do. We cannot, for example, love God and hate human beings. As the apostle John wrote, "Those who do not love their brother who is visible cannot love God who is invisible" (1 John 4:20). And: "The one who does not love does not know God, who is love" (1 John 4:8). - Willard, The Divine ConspiracyWhat is Jesus talking about?-The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) ?-The Second Coming (Revelation 19) ?-The Early Church (Acts)Accomplishments Owed to Christianity-Universal human rights-Body Autonomy-Modern Science-AbolitionHow can you join in the Kingdom of God?

Today,we're continuing to meditate and look atthe scene of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. Remember, Heleft eight of them somewhere—we're not sure where—but took three of them,Peter, James, and John, a little further. Then immediately He told them inverse 40, “Pray that you enter not into temptation.” Now Matthew'sGospel tells us that He also said to them at that time, “Stay here and watchwith Me.” And then He went a little further and fell on His face andprayed.  Weknow that Jesus, when He prayed the first time, said, “Not My will, but Thywill be done,” to the Father, He came back and found the disciples sleeping.Jesus is praying and He asked them to pray. He needs the comfort and assurancethat the disciples are there with Him during His time of trial—His time oflaying down His life, of accepting the cup of sins of the entire humanity. Heneeds that support in prayer. If Jesus needed support in prayer, how much moredo we need support in prayer? Now,these three disciples, instead of praying, all fall asleep. Luke also tells us inverse 45, that He came after He prayed the last time and found them sleepingfrom sorrow. They're overwhelmed with sorrow. Jesus, as He shared the cup ofthe Lord's Supper with them had been telling them, “I'm going to die. This isMy flesh, this is My blood,” and reminded them that the Lamb had to die, and thatHe was the Lamb who was going to die. They're overwhelmed with sorrow. Theyexpected Him to set up His Kingdom, and He's talking about dying. That's why Jesustold them in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God,believe also in Me.” Jesus saw the trouble in their hearts, the sorrowthat's overwhelming them. But now, instead of praying, they're sleeping becauseof sorrow.  Twoof the Gospels tells us that their eyes were heavy with sleep (Matthew 26:43;Mark 14:40). They were also overwhelmed with just physical tiredness. Andthat's a bad place for us to get into—where we're emotionally, physically,mentally, and spiritually worn out to the point that we cannot pray. The secondtime when He came and found them sleeping, He said to them, “Watch andpray.” In Matthew 26:41, we read that Jesus also said, “that you enternot into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” RememberPeter's declaration just minutes earlier? “If I have to die with You, I willnot deny You.” (Matthew 26:35). Okay—the spirit is willing. Especially whenwe go to church on Sunday morning and hear the message or the Sunday schoollesson, and we get around God's people, we feel strengthened. We feel strong.And we leave saying, “Man, I'm going to serve Jesus this week. I'm going tolive for Him. I'm not going to go back to those old habits and sins that takeme away from Him, keep me from praying, and keep me from getting up andspending time in the Word with the Lord in the morning.” Andyet, as willing as the spirit is on Sunday, Monday morning comes, and the fleshis weak. Or when the trial and the time of temptation comes—my friend, theflesh is weak. It's weaker than we ever imagined. Peter didn't know himself aswell as he thought he did. And neither do we.  Fromthis experience, Peter later writes in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant;your adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion.” I'm convinced thedevil was out to kill Jesus there in the Garden of Gethsemane—to keep Him fromthe cross. I mean, the bastions of hell surrounded Jesus as He goes to thecross (Psalm 22:12-13). But Jesus is prepared, He prays three times. He praysand yields in obedience to the will of the Father. The disciples? What are theydoing? Sleeping.So,when the moment of temptation comes, what happens with Peter and the disciples?They all forsake Him and flee. Jesus stands strong, yields Himself as a Lambgoing to the slaughter, and goes with the soldiers to be crucified.

The empty tomb changes everything. When Jesus conquered death through resurrection, He didn't just complete His earthly mission - He transformed human existence itself by proving that death has lost its ultimate power.In this deeply meaningful exploration of Mark 16, we confront the varied reactions to Jesus' resurrection. The women fled in fear. The disciples refused to believe. Even after multiple eyewitness accounts, many remained skeptical until personally encountering the risen Christ. This pattern of initial disbelief followed by life-altering conviction mirrors how many people respond to resurrection claims today.But what made the disciples willing to later face torture and execution without recanting? What transformed these frightened followers into bold witnesses ready to die for their testimony? Only the undeniable reality of having seen, touched, and spoken with the resurrected Jesus can explain such extraordinary commitment.The theological implications stretch far beyond mere historical curiosity. As Paul writes, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile." The resurrection validates Jesus' claims about His identity, demonstrates His power over death, and guarantees the future resurrection of all believers with glorified, imperishable bodies. It's the firstfruits promise that transforms our understanding of both life and death.This resurrection hope provides profound perspective when facing life's greatest challenges. If Jesus conquered humanity's ultimate enemy - death itself - then what problem in your life could possibly be too great for Him to overcome? The empty tomb reminds us that God's power extends beyond any limitation we might imagine.Jesus' final commission calls believers to share this good news throughout the world, a mission that continues today. His ascension to sit at God's right hand confirms His royal authority, the completion of His redemptive work, and His promise to return as King.Have you encountered the risen Christ? Has the reality of resurrection transformed how you view your problems, your future, and your purpose? Join us in discovering the power and hope found only in the One who conquered death.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T.J. FitzGerald and Rev. Beth Dana dive into the theological roots and modern-day relevance of Universalism within Unitarian Universalism.

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”John 18:37The goodness of God is so boundless that no mind can grasp it, no tongue declare it. To know Him is to worship, for His attributes are not just mighty—they are lovely.Ulrich ZwingliThe divine attributes are not separate parts of God; they are how He is. And this God—eternal, infinite, unchanging—is the most beautiful being that ever was or could be.A.W. TozerGod's attributes are the beams of the sun of His nature. Is He wise? His wisdom draws admiration. Is He powerful? His power begets awe. Is He holy? His holiness evokes reverence. The perfection of all His attributes makes Him infinitely beautiful.Thomas WatsonKingAuthority: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”John 18:33-38Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews[a] answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. John 19:1-11‘Any one might make himself king by putting himself at the head of a band of rebels whom he fell in with.'Josephus, 4 B.C.These [rebels] were the only types who would be foolish enough to claim to be the King of the Jews in the face of Roman domination. Pilate had seen these kinds of men before, and knew Jesus was not like them.David GuzikWhen the kingship of Jesus is misunderstood: Worldly power is OVERestimatedGod's power is UNDERestimated Worldly Power is OVERestimatedPilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews[a] answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”John 19:6-10The same man who claimed to have all power tried to wash his hands of the decision (Matthew 27:24) claiming, “I didn't really want to do this.”GuzikGod's Power is UNDERestimated11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. John 19:11What happens when we understand Jesus is truly king? We find true power in: HIS VOICE37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”John 18:33-38HIS AUTHORITY36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”John 18:36SUMBISSION33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”John 18:33Whose authority are you under?"If Jesus is King, then there is no part of our lives—no politics, no finances, no relationships—that He does not claim with authority and grace."Tim Keller

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Mark Maple from Kokomo, IN. Your partnership with us through Project 23 is helping people find the answer to the most important question that still demands an answer. This study is for you. Our text today is Mark 8:27-30: And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. — Mark 8:27-30 Jesus comes with his disciples to Caesarea Philippi—a place known for temples, idols, and false gods. And in the shadow of this spiritual confusion, he asks the most defining question of all time: "Who do people say that I am?" They answer with the popular responses. It's what all the headlines proclaim: "John the Baptist. Elijah. A prophet." Opinions swirled then, just like now. But then Jesus turns to the more personal question: "But who do you say that I am?" This isn't a theology test. It's a heart check. It's not about reciting what others believe. It's about declaring their beliefs. And Peter, with clarity and courage, answers: "You are the Christ." The Anointed One. The Messiah. The fulfillment of every promise. Peter was right to answer this way because this is the most important question he would ever answer. But it's also the most important question we could ever be asked and respond to: "Who do you say Jesus is?" And when asked, you can't hide behind a parent's faith. Or echo your pastor's voice. Or repeat what Christian culture says. Eventually, you must give your answer. Not just with words—but with your life. If Jesus is truly the Messiah, then he must be the Lord of all. Not just a one-time Savior. Not just a once-in-a-while helper. Not just there to rescue you from your mistakes. But Lord of all you life. Lord of your time. Lord of your thoughts. Lord of your decisions. And you must serve him. This confession would alter the rest of Peter's life. And it will change yours, too. But Jesus cannot just be a one-time Savior. He must be a Lord who has complete leadership of your life. If you question the answer to the question—surrender it all to him today. #JesusIsLord, #Mark8Devotional, #ChristConfession ASK THIS: How would you answer Jesus' question today? Why do people hesitate to call Jesus the Christ? In what areas of your life is Jesus not yet King? What does it look like to confess Christ with action, not just words? DO THIS: Write your answer to Jesus' question: “Who do you say that I am?” Then, pray it out loud. PRAY THIS: Jesus, You are the Christ—my Savior and King. Help me live today in a way that reflects that confession with boldness and faith. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Christ Is Enough.”

What if I find the flood kind of offensive? What if it makes me uncomfortable? If Jesus is kind and forgiving, how can God just end everybody? Lindsay Schott joins me to explore the flood narrative, where God grieves over human wickedness but also offers mercy through rescue. Lindsay shares how God transformed her judgy heart and gave her more compassion, and we talked about how trust is admitting God knows more than we do. Guest: Lindsay SchottBible Passage: Noah and the Flood - Genesis 6-9Get your Free Resource: 20 Page WorkbookRecommended Resources: Check out TeachEquip.com. Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HEREResound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.ccMusic: Cade PopkinLindsay SchottLindsay Schott is a watercolorist, Women's Ministry Teacher at Stonegate Church and co-founder of Teach Equip. She has a passion for women to know the scripture and to experience deep transformation in relationship with Jesus and others. Lindsay is also the co-author of Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss. She and her husband, Landon, live in the Dallas area with their four children, Hannah, Ruby, Piper and Ben. You can see Lindsay's watercolor work at lindsayschott.com and see her creative journey on Instagram @lindsayschottwatercolor.  Connect with Lindsay:WebsiteFacebookInstagram Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God. Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Wednesday, 25 June 2025   As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Matthew 11:7   “And these going, Jesus, He began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What you went out into the wilderness to view? A reed wavering by wind?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus finished His words to the disciples of John, saying, “And blessed, he is, who if not he should stumble in Me.” Matthew next notes, “And these going.”   It is referring to the departure of John's disciples, carrying Jesus' words back to him. As they are departing, “Jesus, He began to speak to the crowds about John.”   This is specifically noted by Matthew to ensure that we can see what transpired. The words of Jesus about stumbling would have left John with a negative feeling about his ministry and his efforts. He would feel that he had failed the Lord, and prison was his just due because of it.   Likewise, any in the crowd who heard it, including the disciples, might come to an erroneous conclusion about John. They may laugh off his ministry as a failure, shun his message, look down on him for having been so weak, etc.   Any such thing may come to the minds of the people. Jesus, not wanting anyone to assume they were somehow better than John, or that his ministry was a failure, will speak about him to correct such thoughts.   And He is doing it while the disciples are departing. Thus, these would be the last words they would hear and carry to John. As such, Jesus begins with, “What you went out into the wilderness to view?”   It is a probing question. The people went out in the wilderness to see John, but what was the impetus behind it? Curiosity? Looking for enlightenment? Freedom from a day of boredom? Each person went out for his own reasons. Jesus wants them to consider their reasoning.   The word Jesus uses, theaomai, indicates to look closely at, notice, view, etc. It is the root of théatron, a spectacle in a theater, something one carefully sees and contemplates.   The fact that they had gone out into the wilderness to see John and that they were now there with Jesus meant that the connection between the two was likely the reason why they were now with Jesus. As such, Jesus next asks, “A reed wavering by wind?”   Here are two new words. The first is kalamos, a reed. This is a general word for reed which includes a reed such as the one mentioned now, and which would have grown in regularly flooded areas. This would probably include types of reeds from tall grass to stronger reeds like cane.   This can be deduced from other uses of the word where this same word describes a reed used to beat Jesus (Matthew 27:30), to put a sponge doused with vinegar on it to give Jesus a drink (Matthew 27:48), as a pen (3 John 1:13), and as a measuring rod (Revelation 21:15).   The word corresponds to the Hebrew word qaneh, a reed or a cane, which is translated at times as calamus, a sweet-smelling fragrance derived from cane.   The second new word is saleuó, to waver. It is used to describe agitation, something shaken, etc. Figuratively, it can signify being disturbed (shaken) in the mind, such as in 2 Thessalonians 2:2. In this verse, it signifies the wavering of reeds as the wind blows across them.   The intent of Jesus' question is to alleviate any perceptions by the people that maybe Jesus felt John may have been a vacillator or unsure of his teachings. He did not want such a thought to arise in their minds. This is all the more likely because people in general, including Israel as seen in the Bible, are just like this.   It is a common trait among people to waver and vacillate. Single reeds do not normally pop up. Rather, they come up in clumps or even thick lines. The wind will blow over them and they will all waver. Thus, it would be a common trait possessed by the people that they may have now thought John possessed as well. Jesus will correct this thinking.   Life application: Of this verse, Bengel states, “The world praises to the face, reviles behind the back.” The people went out to see John. They probably felt his words were sound and reasonable. In fact, that idea is seen in the comparable passage to this one in Luke 7:29. After hearing Jesus' words about John, they “justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.”   But would they have done so if Jesus hadn't corrected their thinking first? People tend to hear things and then respond according to what the speaker is saying without really thinking things through, especially when gathered in crowds. If Jesus had said, “John was a great guy, but he really let the ball drop,” the people would have agreed and reviled John from that point forward.   Instead of justifying God, they would justify themselves. “Yeah, we left John for Jesus because John was a failure!” This is how fickle humans can be. A great example of this is when Paul and Barnabas spoke to the people in Lystra. In one breath, they were calling them gods. In the next, they were preparing to stone them.    It happened again to Paul on Malta, where the people called him a murderer and a few minutes later a god. Jesus is setting the stage to explain the importance of John's ministry while at the same time getting the people to see that they need to be careful in quick, rash judgments about things.   As we read the Bible, we should allow it to mold us to be people who are steady, clear-thinking, and willing to justify God rather than ourselves. We are the ones who are easily swayed. God's purposes and plans are unchanging and unwavering. How He presents them (such as in various dispensations) is what we need to learn so that we don't come to faulty conclusions about what He is doing.   Glorious God, help our minds to be clear and unvacillating as we consider Your word. When we see things that seem contradictory, we can know it is not so because You are God, unchanging and reliable. Therefore, the perception is faulty on our part. As this is so, help us to contemplate and understand what we are unclear about. Help us in this, O God. Amen.  

Is the Eucharist cannibalism? Why is the Precious Blood sometimes withheld from the laity? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we respond to common misunderstandings and explore the deep theology behind Catholic beliefs. Learn how to explain the Eucharist to skeptics, understand the Church's teaching on the Sacrifice of the Mass despite Christ's once-for-all death, and explore the scriptural, theological, and historical support for the Assumption of Mary. We also tackle the question of whether God calls all Christians to become Catholic. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 20:50 – How can the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist be explained to clarify that it is not cannibalism? 29:33 – What are the theological and historical arguments for the bodily Assumption of Mary? 36:17 – If Jesus died once for all sin, why does the Church continue to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass? 45:03 – Is God calling all Christians to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church? 49:05 – Why is the Precious Blood of Christ sometimes withheld from the laity during Communion?

Audio Download Questions Covered: 20:50 – How can the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist be explained to clarify that it is not cannibalism? 29:33 – What are the theological and historical arguments for the bodily Assumption of Mary? 36:17 – If Jesus died once for all sin, why does the Church continue to offer the […]

Tuesday, 24 June 2025   And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:6   “And blessed, he is, who if not he should stumble in Me” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus provided John's disciples with a list of things the Messiah was prophesied or anticipated to do, expecting them to hear and see if what He was doing matched what was anticipated. Next, he says, “And blessed, he is.”   It is the same word, makarios, that Jesus used nine times between Matthew 5:3 and Matthew 5:11 while proclaiming the beatitudes. As such, it doesn't appear this is a direct appeal to John's heart nor a subtle but tender rebuke to him. Rather, it appears to be a general statement intended for anyone who heard the words that discernment concerning Him and His role was needed.   Those things stated in the Beatitudes stand as much as a warning as they do a promise of hope. To say, for example, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy,” implies that those who are not merciful will not obtain mercy. If Jesus' words here follow that tone, the next words stand as an opportunity for blessing or judgment. Those words are, “who if not he should stumble in Me.”   Again, He returns to a word used twice during the Sermon on the Mount, skandalizó. It signifies to entrap, and thus to trip up. Jesus is saying that a person who is not tripped up because of Him and how He conducts His ministry will be blessed. The one who is tripped up will then, by default, not be blessed.   John was in the process of getting tripped up because he heard of what Jesus was doing for the people while he languished in prison. He assumed that the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah meant all of the prophecies for all of the people.   However, it is apparent after the fact that this was not the case. For example, Acts 3 refers to a man who was lame and who was left at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. It says he was carried there daily, implying this was an ongoing thing for an extended period. Jesus surely would have walked by him, and yet, he wasn't healed.   That man's healing after Jesus' ascension served its own purpose, though. John was myopically looking at the events around him and comparing them to his own situation, and his mind was not rightly processing how Jesus was conducting His messiahship.   Life application: A similar statement could be made today concerning those in the church in relation to Jesus' words in this verse. The Bible is written. It has various truths in it which we are to consider immutable. It holds the instruction for numerous doctrines we are to consider inviolate. It presents various theologies we are to understand and consider as infrangible.   For example, the Bible presents the understood theology that Jesus is God incarnate. To accept that would be worthy of blessing. To reject it, then, would not be acceptable. The Bible instructs us concerning the doctrine of end-time events.   If Israel of the tribulation period is the Israel who has returned to the land today, to reject that would mean there is no blessing for holding to such a doctrine.   Likewise, the Bible presents the truth that man is created in God's image and that all men stem from one man, Adam. This reveals a further truth that Adam was... anyone? Yes, Adam was created. As such, to believe that one race is superior to others or that evolution is true will carry with it no blessing. These things are incompatible with what the Bible presents.   Despite there being a mentally exhausting number of truths, doctrines, and theologies in Scripture, do we want to ignore them and remain uneducated in our Christian lives? Do we want to be inaccurate in what we believe because we trusted a pastor or preacher, or a denomination's teachings, without checking?   How important is it to you to want to know God more intimately and fellowship with Him more closely? Are you happy to stand in a church spewing out gibberish and claiming it is speaking in tongues? Does that satisfy your deepest desires to impress God and others?   Think! We have the word of God written and ready to be studied. Is it more important to watch a second movie in the evening, or will one suffice so that you make time for the word? Where are your priorities? Put God first by learning about Him and His wonderful message of love and life guidance for you.   Lord God Almighty, surely Your word is big, complicated, and will require a lot of our time and mental exertion to grasp. But China built a great wall, the Egyptians built humongous pyramids, and we have sent men to the moon. Can't we expend our efforts on searching out Your word? What value is human endeavor if You are not included in it? Help us in our pursuit of You through the study of Your word. Amen.

If Jesus is who he says he is, it changes history. And that's something worth sharing. Because not only did he say he was the Son of God, but he lived it out, too. This week, Charles Tapp continues with the third part in his series Why I Believe In...as he examines and shares why he believes in Jesus.

Ever wonder what true faith really looks like?Kyle Norman explores how faith isn’t just something we hold—it’s something we do. Meeting the risen Jesus transforms lives radically, like it did for Saul, Ananias, and Peter. Through their stories, we see Jesus calling each of us to a new way of living marked by grace, change, and bold love.

A showdown between the Son of God and the grave—and spoiler alert: Jesus doesn't lose. In this electric sermon, guest pastor Nolan Tjaden unleashes 7 hard-hitting lessons from John 11 that will shake you out of apathy, fire up your faith, and show you what happens when Jesus walks into death's domain. You'll realize your darkest moments are not the end—they're the setup for God's glory.This message is for:Anyone drowning in grief, depression, or fearAnyone tired of playing it safeAnyone who's ready to live (and die) with spiritual authority ⚡

Send us a textA celebration of the 70th anniversary of Christ Church Memphis. In Pastor Paul's sermon, he asks: If Jesus walked through your church today, would He find faith on fire—or fading embers? One letter in Revelation may hold the answer.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

The Gospel of Luke is the most detailed and comprehensive account of Jesus' life, revealing how He reached people from all backgrounds with His message of hope and salvation. Throughout this series, we explore how Jesus interacted with the outcasts, the religious, the rich, and the poor—demonstrating that He came to seek and save the lost. No matter who you are or where you come from, Jesus is for everyone.Join us as we walk through Luke's Gospel, uncovering its powerful themes and life-changing truths. Whether you're new to faith or a longtime believer, this series will deepen your understanding of who Jesus is and what His message means for you today.Subscribe for more! Don't miss an episode—follow along on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform as we explore Jesus for Everyone.Reflection Questions:Where have you been tempted to give up on prayer, and what would it look like to persist in faith instead?Are you approaching God with honest confession, or are you still trying to prove yourself with spiritual performance?In what areas of your life are you still trying to rely on your own strength instead of depending on your Father like a child?If Jesus returned today, would He find you praying with persistence, penitence, and dependence?

Lazarus has died, and his family went through the entire process of burying him. In the midst of their grief, Jesus tells the disciples that He is glad that He wasn't there to stop Lazarus from getting sick and dying. NOW was the time for Jesus to strengthen their faith! When facing a Lazarus situation, the enemy will try to cloud your mind with emotions and thoughts that God could have stopped it. But what if we peel back those emotions and thoughts, and receive Jesus's red letters for the truth that they are? What if God needs our faith strengthened for what is to come? If Jesus hadn't resurrected Lazarus, would the disciples and Mary and Martha believed that Jesus would resurrect after His crucifixion?   Monologue: Autumn shares advice she was asked for by a young man about raising children.    Message: Autumn visits the red letters of Jesus when Lazarus died in John 11.     Testimony: A listener shares how God clearly orchestrated their last baby for them.   Bible References John 11:1-12; 2   Links from the show BOOKS: www.autumnmiles.com/resources SPEAKING: www.autumnmiles.com/speaking MERCH: autumnmiles.square.site   Sponsors: NuWell Online Christian Counseling https://nuwellonline.com/ Purpose Jewelry https://purposejewelry.org code AUTUMN2024   If you have a suggestion for the ministry, a question for Autumn, a testimony to share, or other inquiry for the Autumn Miles Ministries, click here and fill out the form, or send us an email at hello@autumnmiles.com    Join us on social media! Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheAutumnMiles/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/autumnmiles/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutumnMiles   Click here to join our weekly and monthly newsletters and get updates on our podcast and exclusive content! If you feel led to give to the Autumn Miles Ministries, click here to donate. Thank you for supporting Autumn Miles Ministries!

Michael, Debi & Nathan Pearl answer these questions from viewers:(00:00) Start(00:58) Generational curses(06:45) Is the AIDS virus judgment from God?(17:58) Is my teenage daughter being influenced at her job?(32:24) Should my children have unchristian friend?(37:46) What is the appropriate age to wean a child?(51:18) Could the antichrist be saved?(54:51) If Jesus washed my sins away, what will we be judged for?(59:38) Can women be delivered if they do not have children?(1:10:23) How can I teach other kids at my church to stop making messes at home?

Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Diane, ID (3:38) - What should I think about Derek Prince's teachings? Can demons possess Christians? Can you recommend any resources for spiritual warfare? DM316, YouTube (9:17) - Is open air preaching a specific calling that some people have? What advice would you give to those who feel called or drawn to that kind of ministry? John, PA (12:08) - Why does God cast the demons into the pigs? John, NY (14:17) - Can you help me find a Bible believing church in Saint George, New York? Mike, NJ (16:18) - Is it true that if you get divorced and remarry, you are committing adultery for life? What about leaders in situations like Michael Tait? Calvary Young Adults Q&A (25:45) - How do I stop watching pornography? Carl, NH (33:50) - Recommending an audio Bible for people who have poor vision. Nelsun, Facebook (35:36) - Is it okay to consume media from former Christian authors and artists? Specifically someone like Josh Harris? Jason, SC (37:45) - When did the world switch over to the BC and AD calendar? Carlos, NJ (40:58) - I need to repent of a sin that my wife convicted me of. How do I do it? Demetrious, KY (44:13) - If Jesus forgives us, then why are all of our actions written down and recorded in the Book of Life? Tara, NJ (50:05) - What happens to people that are born far away from Christians and don't ever hear the Gospel? Ask Your Question: 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org

Questions about why Jesus didn't know the day of his return if he truly is God, and why it's important for Jesus to be both fully God and fully man.   If Jesus is God, then why didn't he know the day of his return, and if the answer is that he limited himself, wasn't it a lie to say that he didn't know? Why is it important for Jesus Christ to be both fully God and fully man?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Karlo Broussard tackles one of the most common objections to Catholic teaching: If Jesus is the “one mediator” between God and man, why ask Mary and the saints to intercede for us? Drawing from 1 Timothy 2:5, Ecclesiastes 9:5, and Revelation 5:8, Karlo addresses Protestant concerns about the awareness and intercessory role of the saints in heaven. He explains what the Bible really says about heavenly mediation, the beatific vision, and whether the saints are aware of and respond to our prayers. Along the way, he refutes key counterarguments and clarifies Catholic teaching with clarity and Scripture. Please support our mission by donating! Catholicanswersradio.com Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 13:50 – You ask Mary and the saints to intercede for you. But doesn't Paul say in 1 Timothy 2:5 that Jesus is our one mediator?   19:20 – If Paul isn't denying mutual Christian intercession (whether that's between us here on earth or the saints in heaven and us), then what does he mean by “one mediator”?   21:57 – It's true that the Bible says we can pray for each other. But the Christians in heaven have died. They aren't aware of what's going on here on earth. Ecclesiastes 9:5 says, ‘the dead know nothing.' So, your requests are futile.   33:23 – Okay, you say that it's at least possible the saints in heaven could know what's going on here on earth in virtue of the beatific vision, which the saints in the afterlife before Christ's ascension didn't have. But is there any biblical evidence that the saints in heaven in fact are aware of what's going on here on earth?   36:00 – Okay, so you've shown that the saints in heaven can at least be aware of the affairs of men here one earth. But what about their intercessory prayer? Is there any biblical evidence that the saints in heaven in fact pray for us?   “But Karlo, you're assuming that the 24 elders are human souls. You're also assuming that the “prayers of the saints” refers to petitions made by Christians on earth. How do you know these assumptions are true?   46:07 – I'll concede that Revelation 5:8 shows the 24 elders interceding for Christians on earth in a general way. But I don't think this text gives the Catholic what he's after—namely, intercessory prayers for specific requests. 

Discipleship curriculum for your teens | School requirement for illegal immigrants | “Every Student Belongs” resolution | How should Christians handle the difficult topic of taking one's own life? | Ionic foot baths | If Jesus is God then who is he praying to in the Garden? | How do I stop comparing myself to others? -----------------------Prime Sponsor: No matter where you live, visit the Functional Medical Institute online today to connect with Drs Mark and Michele Sherwood. Go to homeschoolhealth.com to get connected and see some of my favorites items. Use coupon code HEIDI for 20% off!Sponsors: RVL Discipleship Curriculum | RVLCurriculum.com/heidi HEIDI10Give Send Go | givesendgo.comLifestone | www.lifestone.com/illuminateBrave Books | heidibrave.comShow mentions: heidistjohn.com/mentionsWebsite | heidistjohn.comSupport the show! | donorbox.org/donation-827Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohnYoutube | youtube.com/@HeidiStJohnPodcastInstagram | @heidistjohnFacebook | Heidi St. JohnX | @heidistjohnFaith That Speaks Online CommunitySubmit your questions for Mailbox Mondayheidistjohn.net/mailboxmonday