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It is quite plain that in this Gospel we are breathing a very different atmosphere from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke... In John's Gospel the discourses are long and different in style; they deal almost entirely with the great themes of life, light, love, truth and Christ's relationship with the Father. There are many similes and metaphors but no parables at all. - From the introduction
Today,we're focusing on verses 14–16, which say, "When the hour had come, He,Jesus, sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, 'Withfervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.For I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in thekingdom of God.'" Most Bible scholars believe that the following verses17–20, which describe the institution of the Lord's Supper, take place at theend of the supper, so we'll come back to those verses. Toget the full glimpse of what is taking place we remember that that it is Thursdayevening, which would have been the Jewish Friday, because sundown begins thenext day for the Jewish people. We also believe these events took place in theupper room in the city of Jerusalem. Whenever I have visited Israel we always goto this location I Jerusalem, not the same building, but an upper room where wetake the Lord's Supper with our tour group. Webelieve that's what takes place in verses 17–20. But before Jesus institutedthe Lord's Supper, the Lord has the Jewish Passover supper with His disciples. Rememberthat Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to prepare for this supper. The lamb hasbeen slaughtered and roasted. Some tell us that the lamb was roasted with apomegranate stick stuck through the middle and another crossway through thelamb, then roasted over the fire for the Passover meal—a picture of the crossof Christ, suffering on a cross, crucified for our sins and your sins. Inverse 14, it says, "When the hour had come," and we've talkedabout the hour that Jesus knew would be on that day, an hour that He would goto a cross and suffer. During this time, the Passover supper takes place inthis upper room. If you want to read the details of what was said in the upperroom, go to John chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and possibly even chapter 17, whereJesus prays His High Priestly Prayer. We know that prayer could have takenplace in the upper room or on the way to Gethsemane when He left, because John18:1 says, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciplesover the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciplesentered.” Somethingelse to notice in John chapter 13: the first thing Jesus did when they enteredthe room, as the host of the Passover dinner, was kiss each of the disciples,which means He would have kissed Judas, whom He knew would betray Him. Somebelieve Judas sat on His left and John on His right, as described in John12:23. In the upper room, Jesus washes the disciples' feet giving them anexample of humility. Which apparently the disciples didn't learn from it. Becauselater, after the Passover meal, the disciples argue over who's going to begreatest in the kingdom (Luke 22:24-30). InJohn 14, Jesus tells the disciples not to let their hearts be troubled and givesthem the promise of heaven, the promise that He will come again, and thepromise of the Holy Spirit. In John 15, Jesus gives the message of abiding inHim—He is the vine, and we are the branches. In John 16, He goes into detailabout the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who will come and be with them. Jesusknows the hour has come and says, “I will no longer eat of it until it isfulfilled in the kingdom of God."(v.16). Jesus no doubt said this because He knew this Passover time would fulfillall the Old Testament scriptures of the Passover Lamb. Jesus, that PassoverLamb, is the last Passover. In verses 17–20, we see the institution of theLord's Supper, which is now left for us, the church. Theseare very interesting scriptures. I trust you will get a glimpse into thesuffering of our Lord and understand what He did for you and me in a specialand unique way. Godbless!
It is quite plain that in this Gospel we are breathing a very different atmosphere from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke... In John's Gospel the discourses are long and different in style; they deal almost entirely with the great themes of life, light, love, truth and Christ's relationship with the Father. There are many similes and metaphors but no parables at all. - From the introduction
Today, we're looking at Luke chapter 22. This chapterdescribes the events that took place on Thursday of Passion Week. Remember, onThursday evening, when the sun went down, it was actually the beginning of theJewish day, Friday. This is the day the Passover lamb would be killed. Twothings stand out in this passage to me that I've noticed over the years, and hascaught my attention. I'd love to share it with you today. In verse 7, it says, "Thencame the day of unleavened bread when the Passover must be killed."Now, remember, from the beginning of time, Jesus Christ is the Lamb that wasslain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). God's plan was that oneday His Son would take our place on an old rugged cross in Jerusalem. Yearsago, I had my attention drawn to the passage in Job 1 that tells us ithappened on a day when Satan appeared before God and accused the brethren.God said, "What about my servant Job?" Satan got God's permission totake Job's wealth and to cause his ten children to be killed in a wind storm(Job 1:6-22). In Job 2, it begins again, "Now there was a day” whenSatan got permission to take away Job's health. Job went on to say, "NakedI came into the world, and naked I'll leave the world. Though the Lord slay me,yet will I trust Him." My friend, this all happened on a day. Everythinghappens on a day. It happened on a day when you were born. You were born in aweek, but it happened on a day. It happened on a day when we trust Jesus Christas our personal Lord and Savior. The day Luke 22:7 is speaking of, is a daythat all eternity looks forward to and looks back to—the day when the Passover,Jesus Christ, the precious Son of God, the Lamb of God, would die on a cross, beingcrucified for our sins. Alsointeresting, in Luke 22:14, it says, "When the hour had come."Not only was it a day, Friday, when Jesus would be killed as our Passover Lamband crucified on a cross, laying down His life voluntarily for you and me, butthere was the hour when this would take place—an exact time that God hadplanned from eternity past. Didyou ever notice how John points out that up to this hour, Jesus could not beharmed or killed. It says in John 7:30, "No one laid a hand on Himbecause His hour had not yet come." In John 8:20, again, itsays they did not lay a hand on Him; they would have liked to stone Him in thatchapter, but “His hour had not come”. Buy then, in John 12:28,just as Jesus goes into the upper room with His disciples, the Scripture says,"The hour has come that the Son of Man should beglorified." Jesus knew when that hour had come. Herein Luke 22:14, when the hour had come, He sat down with the twelve apostles andsaid to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passoverwith you before I suffer. For I say to you, I'll no longer eat of it until itis fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Jesus knew when His hour hadcome. In John chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, it describes what happened inthat hour in the upper room with His disciples and the hour that He would go tothat cross and die in our place for our sins. In John 17:1, in His HighPriestly prayer, Jesus said, "Father, the hour has come." Oh,my friend, Jesus knew the exact time that He would die and be glorified for oursins in our place.Today, you can trust Jesus totake away your sins. Today is the day of salvation. “Behold, now isthe accepted time” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2), the hour for you and me to makethat decision to live our lives for Jesus Christ. I trust you'll do that today.Everything happens in a day and in an hour. Ilove these Scriptures: “The day of Passover came, the hour hadcome”, and Jesus gave His life and was glorified! Godbless!
Faithfulness needs to be walked out in our lives. In John's letter 3 John, he shows Gaius three areas where faithfulness can be put into action- hospitality, generosity, and honor. These principles were embedded into the Jewish understanding of what it meant to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
In John 21 the resurrected Jesus, the King of the universe, the one with all power and authority is sitting on a beach serving breakfast. His presence on that shoreline, his radical love and hospitality, sets the stage for the restoration he brings. It's a story that puts God's character front and center; it confronts our misconceptions and fears and invites us to experience the restorative love of God.
It is quite plain that in this Gospel we are breathing a very different atmosphere from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke... In John's Gospel the discourses are long and different in style; they deal almost entirely with the great themes of life, light, love, truth and Christ's relationship with the Father. There are many similes and metaphors but no parables at all. - From the introduction
In John 10, Jesus declares Himself the only true door—the way to salvation, security, and abundance. This message challenges us to reject false paths, discern the voice of the Good Shepherd, and step fully into the life Jesus offers. Are you truly living in the abundance Christ came to give, or just surviving?
In John 6:63, Jesus says, "It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Today, Danny and Kurt will examine this claim from Jesus and show that God's word is reliable and can always be trusted. Praise God for His faithfulness!
It is quite plain that in this Gospel we are breathing a very different atmosphere from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke... In John's Gospel the discourses are long and different in style; they deal almost entirely with the great themes of life, light, love, truth and Christ's relationship with the Father. There are many similes and metaphors but no parables at all. - From the introduction
In John 3, Christ pointed Nicodemus to the Old Testament account of the serpent on the pole. Through this, we see a picture of what Christ has done on the cross for us.
Does it really matter how you worship God? In John 4:16-26, Jesus says what true worship really looks like – it's not just about outward rituals, but about approaching God with a sincere heart, in spirit and in truth. Jesus reveals to the Samaritan woman that he is the Messiah, the one who will bring answers and settle disputes. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that our relationship with God needs to be rooted in genuine knowledge and a heartfelt desire to know him. Listen in and examine your own heart and ensure you're approaching God with authenticity.
Loss is real and grief is heavy, but Jesus meets us in it. In John 11, Jesus weeps with those mourning Lazarus--and then He calls him out of the grave. This message explores the tension between sorrow and hope, reminding us that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” and death is never the end for those who believe. If you're carrying grief or longing for hope, this message is for you.
It is quite plain that in this Gospel we are breathing a very different atmosphere from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke... In John's Gospel the discourses are long and different in style; they deal almost entirely with the great themes of life, light, love, truth and Christ's relationship with the Father. There are many similes and metaphors but no parables at all. - From the introduction
It's Friday, June 13th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Christians in former Soviet Central Asian nations increasingly face persecution Formerly part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the five “stan” countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — have a mix of ex-Soviet authoritarianism and Islamic nationalism that can be troublesome and even dangerous to Christians, reports International Christian Concern. The region has seen increasing repression of religious minorities during the last few years. Three of these five countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan — have seen a sharp rise in the persecution rankings. Even the comparatively less repressive nation of Kyrgyzstan has just this year returned to the Open Doors Top 50 list for the first time in more than a decade. Kyrgyzstan has used special operations police to raid state-registered Protestant and Catholic churches and threatened to banish the entire Catholic Church from the country. In rural Kazakhstan, authorities often pressure Christian business owners to pay bribes. Meanwhile, in neighboring Turkmenistan, a network of secret police and Muslim imams are primed and ready to flush out anyone partaking in so-called aberrant religious activity. In John 15:8, Jesus said, "If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you" Air India plane crash kills 241 aboard with one survivor An Air India passenger plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad at 1:38pm local time, soon after departing for London, reports CBS News. Ramesh Viswashkumar, the sole survivor of the Air India crash, escaped by jumping from the plane, reports India Today. He was in seat 11A. Campbell Wilson, Air India's CEO, expressed his condolences. WILSON: “First and most importantly, I would like to express our deep sorrow about this event.” Officials feared numerous casualties on the ground, as the aircraft had crashed into buildings, including the BJ Medical College undergraduate hostel mess, according to a social post on X. Christian leaders have also offered condolences and are vowing to help the families of the dead passengers, reports The Christian Post. Marines prepare for Los Angeles deployment as protests spread across U.S. California will face off with the White House in court today over President Donald Trump's deployment of U.S. troops in Los Angeles after demonstrators again took to the streets in major cities to protest Trump's crackdown on illegal aliens, reports Reuters. According to the Pentagon, 700 U.S. Marines will be on the streets of Los Angeles by Friday to support up to 4,000 National Guard troops in protecting federal property and federal agents, especially as they round up illegal aliens. Trump's decision to dispatch troops to Los Angeles, over the objections of California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, has sparked a national debate about the use of the military on U.S. soil. Carmen Colado, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst, spoke out publicly in uniform, condemning her own Commander-in-Chief, reports The Independent. COLADO: “We are not pawns for Donald Trump's agenda. Why now? It's because the military was called upon against the protesters. In our oath to serve, we serve the people of the United States, the Constitution. These constitutional rights are being stripped and just denied. The military will not be pawns to that. “So, I'm calling upon the conscience of military members who served previously and now. We have a duty and moral obligation to say no and resist evil.” In response, patriots have called for Carmen Colado to be dishonorably discharged or court-martialed for publicly criticizing the commander-in-chief's orders. Some argued that her actions constituted a violation of the U.S. military's Uniform Code of Military Justice and called for Article 15 to be invoked against her, which empowers a commanding officer to order nonjudicial punishments less severe than a court-martial. On Instagram, Colado describes herself as the “proud daughter of an illegal immigrant.” House cuts $9.4 billion in funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid On Thursday, the House of Representatives narrowly voted to cut $9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress as President Donald Trump's administration looks to follow through on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was overseen by Elon Musk, reports The Associated Press. The package targets foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. The vote was 214-212. This bill was passed at the request of President Trump, who has criticized PBS and NPR for alleged bias. Michelle Obama: Creating life is the least of what reproductive system does On the latest episode of the podcast “In My Opinion with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson,” the former first lady said creating life is “the least” of what a woman's reproductive system does, reports the New York Post. Listen. MICHELLE OBAMA: “A lot of male lawmakers, a lot of male politicians, a lot of male religious leaders think about the issue of choice as if it's just about the fetus, the baby. But women's reproductive health is about our life. It's about this whole complicated reproductive system -- the least of what it does is produce life.” Sadly, the former first lady despises the truth of Psalm 127:3 which declares, "Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Marcus Rogers, a Christian YouTuber, was horrified. ROGERS: “It's called the reproductive system for a reason. I really believe it's just a very demonic, antichrist spirit that these people are just so obsessed with killing babies. There's so many ways that you can prevent getting pregnant by someone you don't want to be pregnant by. There's so many things that you can do to take accountability. But the reality is these people don't want accountability. “They want to sacrifice their babies on the altar of self. They don't want a baby to inconvenience them. But they don't want to live a godly life where you would avoid all of that being a problem if you just got with the person that God has for you in the first place, instead of sleeping around.” Worldview listeners in South Carolina, Texas and Illinois share their hearts I invited Worldview listeners to share what they enjoy about the newscast in 2-6 sentences. You can share your thoughts -- along with your full name, city and state -- and send it to adam@theworldview.com Helen Mordente in Blythewood, South Carolina wrote, “Because we have a small farm and my days are full, I don't listen to the newscast. I scan the transcript to get the highlights which is all I have time to do. I trust you as a reliable source of info.” Grace Cox in Duncanville, Texas wrote, “I just started listening this week. I like the stories of the persecuted church. It informs me on how to pray and I think it is important news for Christians to hear. “ And Rene Hernandez in Chicago, Illinois, wrote, “My wife, Adriana, and I, along with our four sons -- Naithan, Neo, Kal-El, and Othniel -- have enjoyed listening to The Worldview in 5 Minutes because you give us the news from a biblical perspective. When we hear about missionaries and those being persecuted in another country, it gives us an opportunity to pray. It is great to hear the connection with God's Word and the news.” 10 Worldview listeners gave $7,506 to fund our annual budget And finally, toward our midpoint goal of $61,750 to fund half of The Worldview newscast's annual budget by tonight at 12 midnight, 9 listeners stepped up to the plate. Our thanks to Stephanie in Murrieta, California and George in Leesburg, Virginia – both of whom gave $100. We're grateful to God for Peter in Seaside, California and Kevin and Paula in Durham, Kansas – both of whom gave $300 as well as Nathan in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom who gave $506. And we were touched by the generosity of David and Tylaine in San Antonio who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, Victoria in Paradise, Pennsylvania who also pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, Sydney in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada who gave $1,000, Roger in Crossville, Tennessee who gave $2,000, and Scooter in Naples, Florida who will match those last two donations with an additional $2,000 gift. Those 10 Worldview listeners gave a total of $7,506 Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect) $32,071.20 (People clapping sound effect) That means we still need to raise $29,678.80 by midnight tonight, Friday, June 13th to hit the half-way mark, to stay on the air, and fund our 6-member Worldview newscast team for another fiscal year. Remember, if you are one of 6 final people who give a one-time gift of $1,000, Scooter in Naples, Florida will match you with a corresponding $1,000 gift. Now, if that happens today, we will have raised $12,000. In order to raise the remaining amount, I need to find 15 Worldview listeners who will pledge $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600. And another 30 listeners to pledge $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300. Has God placed it on your heart to be one of the Christian patriots to fund this unparalleled newscast which links Scriptures to stories, calls sin sin, and informs you about the persecuted church worldwide? Please, we need your help right now! Go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give on the top right. Click on the button that indicates a recurring donation if that's your wish. Let's see what the Lord will do! Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, June 13th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
It is quite plain that in this Gospel we are breathing a very different atmosphere from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke... In John's Gospel the discourses are long and different in style; they deal almost entirely with the great themes of life, light, love, truth and Christ's relationship with the Father. There are many similes and metaphors but no parables at all. - From the introduction
Grief can feel like being trapped in a dark cave—isolated, disoriented, and overwhelmed. But just as Jesus called Lazarus out of his tomb, He calls you to step out of your own cave of sorrow and into the light of hope. This episode explores how Jesus understands your pain, walks with you through it, and gently leads you toward healing and new life.
In John 7 and 8, Jesus makes many straightforward statements about who He is, though many of the Jews were taken aback by His claims. Join us as we examine our own beliefs about Jesus as we continue our series, "Behold the Lamb of God." with guest speaker, Cameron Jones.
In John 8:58, Jesus boldly declared: “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM!” What did He mean? The Jews immediately understood Him—and tried to kill Him! Rodgers Atwebembeire explains the awesome truth behind Jesus' statement. Originally aired on Rite TV Uganda
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind—and the ripple effect reveals much more than a miracle. This week's message explores how belief often begins with simple understanding, but always comes at a cost. As crowds doubt, leaders resist, and fear silences, one man boldly chooses to believe—and worship. What's keeping you from fully seeing Jesus for who He is?
In John 4:1-15, Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman. But this water is not about quenching physical thirst; it's about receiving the Holy Spirit. And Jesus' encounter reveals a profound truth: we all crave fulfillment, but only He can truly satisfy that deep longing within us. He offers a spring of living water, a constant source of grace and guidance. Are you thirsty for more than just this world can offer? Listen in and hear God's Word.
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind, but the real story is what happens after. Guest speaker and Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church, Tyler Staton, leads us as we explore the surprising and often disruptive ways Jesus brings about true healing and lasting restoration. Scripture Referenced: John 9
Friends of the Rosary,Today, June 8, is Pentecost Sunday. In this Solemnity of Pentecost — one of the greatest feasts of Christianity alongside Christmas and Easter, we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Mary, and the Disciples, as well as the fruits and effects of the completion of the work of redemption.As we read in Acts 2:1-11,When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,they were all in one place together.And suddenly there came from the skya noise like a strong driving wind,and it filled the entire house in which they were.Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,which parted and came to rest on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spiritand began to speak in different tongues,as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.Devout Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem gathered in a large crowd at this sound. They were astounded and amazed because each one heard the apostles and disciples, who were Galileans, speaking in their language of the mighty acts of God.Pentecost means the fullness of grace for the Church and its children, and the gift of faith for all nations.During Mass, we recite or sing the ancient sequence “Veni, Sancte Spiritus” (Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.)The Responsorial Psalm says, Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.We also pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit across every people and nation and the sanctification of the whole Church through divine grace.In the readings, we hear the voice of Christ:In John 7:37-39, Jesus stood up and exclaimed,“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.”As Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”In John 20:19-23, Jesus came and stood amid the apostlesand said to them,“Peace be with you.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit.Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,and whose sins you retain are retained.”Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• June 8, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Have you ever noticed how easy it is for people—even churches—to divide? Whether it's over something as serious as theology or as silly as a favorite fried chicken, we tend to split off, form factions, and guard our preferences. But Jesus prayed for something better—for unity. In John 17, He asked the Father to make us one, so that the world would believe. In this episode, we're turning to Acts 21:15–26 to see what it takes to preserve unity in the body of Christ. When tensions rise and misunderstandings happen—as they always will—how do we stay rooted in grace and keep the peace? The Apostle Paul provides a powerful picture—not just of doctrine and conviction, but of humility, sacrifice, and deep commitment to the unity of the Church. Join us as we walk through this text and discover what it means to be on the same team, deal with disunity, and give of ourselves for the sake of gospel peace. Let's dive in. This podcast is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. Executive Producer: Flavius Herlo Speaker: Dr. Jeff Bucknam Sound design, mixing, and editing: Bryan Tripp Graphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Dave Putnam WE INVITE YOU TO CONNECT WITH US: • Website: www.harvestbible.org/ WE INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: • Instagram: @harvestbiblechapel • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvestbiblechapel/
Worship is basic to everything else in the walk of faith. Seeing God for who He really is and responding to Him as he truly deserves is at the center of everything the church believes, practices, and seeks to accomplish. It is so important, that if it gets off track, it is disastrous for the people of God.When the people lost their awe of God and let their worship deteriorate, everything else fell apart. They began to compromise and fall into sin. They lost their passion for the lost around them. They stopped giving sacrificially and dissension arose within their ranks. When worship got fuzzy it led to cold hearts, hard spirits, and the death of love.The Bible gives us three reasons why worship matters both personally and corporately. 1. Worship is the dividing line of all humanity. Essentially, all human beings can be divided into two groups: those who willingly bow their knee to the true and Living God, and those who do not…and will not. This line was first seen back in the book of Genesis with the first two people ever born—Cain and Abel. Abel gave God his first and his best, and God was pleased. But Cain only gave “some” of his crops. His worship was careless and mindless, and God was displeased. In the end, Cain's hardened heart led him to murder his brother. (Gen. 4:1-12) A failure to worship wholeheartedly not only dishonors God, it removes you from God's blessing, and is the first step toward sin gaining a foothold in your life. 2. Worship is the destiny of the redeemed.We were made to worship. We were saved so that we might “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Pet. 2:9) And one day, when we see Him face to face, we will worship Him fully, an eternal celebration of the wonders and glories of God.But we don't have to wait until then to experience His presence. You can know the firstfruits of that here and now as you provide Him a throne in your worship. 3. Worship is the one disctinctive that God cannot give Himself. God is completely self-existent. He depends no one and no thing for anything. And yet, there is one thing He cannot give Himself: people who will worship Him. Indeed, He longs for this. In John 4:23, Jesus said that the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.Will you be one who says, “I will be that kind of worshipper. I will respond to all that You are with all that I have.” Text: Genesis 4:1-12; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 19:5-10; John 4:23 Originally recorded on January 3, 1999, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN
Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at the second reading from the Book of Bemidbar, or Numbers, parsha "Naso" (Numbers 4:21 through all of chapter 7.) The Erev Shabbat reading begins with the 'head count' of the families which make up the tribe of Levi, through the process for the 'sota', or woman who is SUSPECTED of adultery, through the Nazerite vow, and then the longest, and most redundant, and thus 'perplexing' chapter in the Torah: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SSM-6-6-25-Naso-teaching-podcast-xx.mp3 Since Mark has talked about the 'cup' placed in the hand of the woman suspected of adultery often, and the connections, from Moses and the Golden Calf to Gethsemane and finally the Whore of Babylon in Revelation, this time the focus of the Sabbath Day midrash is a bit different. In John chapter 8, while Yahushua is teaching at the temple, a woman is brought before Him -- to 'test him' the text says -- who was allegedly caught in adultery, "the very act." Whereupon, Mark demonstrates, that most teachings in 'sun-day skool' proceed to miss the entire point of the story! And it certainly was NOT that He "did away with the law," or even "raised the bar," on His own Word. There is a larger pattern in evidence here as well. Naso: "Where is the MAN?" https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WT-CooH-6-7-25-Naso-Wheres-the-Man-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
In this powerful message from our I AM series, we explore Jesus' declaration: “I AM the Bread of Life.” In John 6, Jesus isn't just handing out bread—He's pointing us to something far greater. He confronts a crowd more interested in miracles than meaning, and He invites them—and us—into a deeper hunger for what truly satisfies.Pastor Mason walks us through how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises, how He is the true and better Moses, and how every part of our lives—our pain, failures, strengths, and gifts—can be used by the Bread that never perishes.
In John 13, we witness a table full of disciples—some confident, some comfortable, and one quietly unraveling under the weight of hidden sin. While no one else sees it, Jesus is compassionately aware of the spiritual battles unfolding in the hearts around Him. This sermon calls us to follow His lead: to open our eyes, love one another deeply, and courageously step into the mess with grace and truth.
In John 18, Jesus walks into betrayal and denial—not as a victim, but as the sovereign Savior. Even in our failure, he remains in control, offering grace, restoration and hope.
Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, June 8, 2025 "Now this was John's testimony... He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Messiah.' In John 1:19-34, Pastor Steve offers three pieces of the testimony of John the Baptist that provide compelling evidence of Messiah's presence and purpose in the person of Jesus. Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.
God Became Human to Enable Jesus Followers to Have a Personal Relationship with Him through His Grace and Gift of the Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to followers of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit. TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight. From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Filled with the Holy Spirit?” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Patrick fields pressing questions from listeners, sharing candid thoughts on funerals, Catholic liturgy, and the discomfort that comes with boundary-crossing moments at Mass. He takes questions about marriage struggles, the reality of affordable housing fears for seniors, and clears up confusion about saints interceding in our lives, using both scripture and Church tradition as his compass. Between updates on a centuries-old monastery’s closure, playful nods to Taco Tuesday, and nuanced guidance on canon law, Patrick blends gravity and warmth, meeting faith and daily life head-on. Peggy (email) - I was recently at a funeral Mass where "words of remembrance" were shared before the Liturgy of the Word (00:41) Patrick reads and responds to an email about struggling marriages and he hopes marriages can be saved and improved (03:32) Bunny (email) – I heard a homily where the bishop said that saints might not be able to hear us or help us (08:02) Michael - Affordable housing for seniors: what is our Christian perspective for this? (20:27) Matt (email) - If a couple, after years of marriage, become aware of an impediment that was present on their wedding day, but have no interest in separating, would their attempt at marriage be invalid and require being married again? (33:18) James (email) - In John 14:27, Jesus says: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you." Could you help me understand what kind of peace Jesus is offering us here? How is His peace different from the kind of peace we often seek or experience in the world? And how can we truly attain this kind of peace in our daily lives? (39:51) Last living grandson of 10th U.S. President John Tyler, dies at 96 (43:34) Egypt Closes St. Catherine’s Monastery: Confiscates Its Property and Evicts the Monks (46:56)
In John 6:35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life." What does this mean and how can we interpret it based on the context of the passage? Join us as guest speaker, Randy Greene, unpacks this chapter in our series, "Behold the Lamb of God."
Everyone talks about love, so what in the world could I say about love that hasn't already been said thousands of time and much more eloquently? I find talking about love is pretty easy, but putting it into practice can be quite challenging. Love is such an abused word that it almost becomes meaningless in today's culture. But when we understand the Bible's definition of love, it becomes quite a challenge. If you and I are going to be the kind of lovers the Bible says we should be, we'll need some help in knowing how to practice love. That's my goal. I've prepared a two-week plan to help you and me learn to practice love by the Bible's definition. The truth is, if you're not intentional about putting God's principles into practice, they just remain words on the pages of your Bible. They don't become transformational in your life. That's why I often use specific plans, in writing, to keep me on track and help me do what I really want to do. This two-week plan is based on 1 Corinthians 13, which gives us very explicit and practical instruction on just what it means to love. It has very little to do with our emotions, but it has everything to do with our attitudes and our actions. This plan will help you focus on one thing at a time—one characteristic of real love each day—and give you ideas on how to implement them in your life. The Apostle Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus that they would be “rooted and established in love.” In John 13, Jesus says to his disciples, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35). I think it's so interesting Jesus says this is a new command; loving one another wasn't required under the Law but under the New Covenant, under grace, we have a new commandment, and it is to love as we have been loved by Jesus. I invite you to join me in this two-week plan to practice love. It's important we take this love thing seriously, and if you will join me in learning to practice love, I think it will be transformational for you and me.
God Speaks to Jesus Followers Through the Holy Spirit's Inward Voice, and with the Spirit, He Gave His Personal Relationship MESSAGE SUMMARY: Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 30:21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.". We know, from the New Testament, that Jesus Followers are given the Holy Spirit to walk with them -- "a word behind you". Since the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you, the way the Lord speaks to you is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit will speak, and you will know that it is the Lord. In John 14:26, Jesus reminds us about His promise, to His followers, of the “Helper” (Holy Spirit): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”. Additionally, in John 16-7, Jesus tells us that not only will the Holy Spirit be your “Helper”, the Holy Spirit will be your “Comforter”: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him {the Comforter} unto you.". For Jesus Followers, God speaks through the inward voice of the Holy Spirit who He gave to us along with a personal relationship with Him. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Anger. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Forgiveness. “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): Ezekiel 22:30-31; Isaiah 30:21; John 14:23-27; John 16:7-13; Psalms 134:1-3. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Filled with the Holy Spirit?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
In The Grip of Grace | John 10:17–30In The Grip of Grace | John 10:17–30 | Christ Community Church ArdmoreJesus steps into the tension of division during the Festival of Dedication, not to restore stone temples, but to reveal Himself as the true dwelling place of God. In John 10:17–30, we witness His bold claim: “I and the Father are one.”This message explores:The pain of division and disbeliefWhat it means to be known as His sheepThe deep security we find in His graspA healing practice of resting in God's loveKey Scripture: John 10:17–30 — “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me…”If you're weary, anxious, or searching for belonging, this message is for you. Grace is not something we hold onto — it's what holds us. No one can snatch us from His hand.
Do you truly believe Jesus? In John 3:31-36, we are challenged to consider the full testimony of Jesus—not just the parts we find easy or comfortable. Jesus comes from heaven, above all, speaking God's truth and authority. To reject His testimony is to reject God Himself—and the wrath of God remains on those who do not believe. But for those who trust in the Son, eternal life is a certain promise. Faith in Jesus changes everything—not just our words but our lives. Listen in if you want to understand who Jesus really is and why believing Him matters for eternity.
In John 12:1–8, Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus' feet in a bold and costly act of worship, showing that true love for Jesus often looks extravagant or even foolish to the world. This story challenges us to consider whether our lives reflect sacrificial devotion or merely surface-level faith. While Judas criticizes Mary, revealing how easy it is to fake love for Jesus, she models wholehearted surrender. True worship may seem wasteful, but it's the only fitting response to the worth of King Jesus.
In John 5, Jesus asks a man who had been disabled for 38 years a seemingly obvious question: “Do you want to get well?” At first glance, the answer feels self-evident—but Jesus' question goes deeper than it appears. Today, as we explore this powerful encounter, we'll see that true healing begins with Jesus, and that He is the only secure and lasting source of hope.Welcome to Antioch Georgetown!We are a church in Georgetown, TX our mission is simple--Leading people to follow Christ in a life-changing way.Get Connected:Our App: https://antiochgt.com/appWebsite: https://antiochgt.com/Facebook: https://facebook.com/antiochgtxX: https://twitter.com/antiochgtxInstagram: https://instagram.com/antiochgtx
Last fall, I preached a series of sermons on the armor of God as part of a series in the epistle to the Ephesians. Today, I am not preaching any of those sermons. I am preaching this sermon on a familiar passage out of a sense of urgency for all of us (me included). It might be because we are honoring six of our own from Meadowbrooke Church who have graduated from High School. It may also be because of multiple examples we are given in the Bible of individuals who started well, but whose lives ended poorly; people like Solomon, Uzziah, Judas, and the two men Paul lists in 1 Timothy (Hymenaeus and Alexander) who did not do the things Paul urged Timothy to do, which was to, ...fight the good fight, keep the faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith (1 Tim. 1:1819). Then there are the repeated admonitions throughout the New Testament; permit me to share some of those with you this morning: Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Matt. 24:42) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1 Cor. 16:13) For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. (Heb. 2:1) So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15-16) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. (1 Pet. 5:8-9) Aside from the multiple examples of the moral failure of key individuals in the Bible who started off strong spiritually and then ended badly, and the many appeals throughout the New Testament to be careful, to pay attention, to be alert, and to be sober minded. Over the past 18 years and nearly 180 hours I have spent in the book of Revelation, the thing I have seen and keep seeing is the repeated appeal throughout the book to persevere until the end: Be faithful until death... (Rev. 2:10) The one who overcomes, and keeps My deeds until the end... (2:26) Hold firmly to what you have... (3:11) The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. (Rev. 21:7) The question is how do you finish well, stay alert, and endure until the end? I believe Ephesians 6:10-18 provides us with that answer. The Enemy is Demonic and Real (v. 12) We are specifically told that the struggle we face is both demonic and real. We are told in Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. The reason we are told to be strong in the Lord is because our struggle is with powerful forces that are demonic in nature: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). The rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness are those angels who sided with Satan in his war against God. Although Satan is only one demon who cannot be in more than one place at a time, he has authority over millions of demons who obey his every command. The rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of wickedness are different demons with various ranks and responsibilities; some influence governments and kings, others have a more global influence, and many focus their attacks on individual Christians. Now to be clear, we are told that when Jesus saved you and redeemed you through the life He lived, the sin-atoning death He died, and His victory over the grave... that He, disarmed the rulers, powers, world forces, and spiritual forces of wickedness and, made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him [Jesus] (Col. 2:13-15). In his [1]book, The Warrior Savior, Owen Strachan wrote, The crucifixion represented a real death, but not a real defeat. Listen, the demonic powers have no claim or authority over you Christian except what you give to them. Paul does not mince words here and leaves no room for confusion: For our struggle... our fight is not just a fight, but it is a wrestling match in the way that it is not off in the distance but in your face, around you, on you, and is only interested in choking you out! And our struggle is not only with our flesh, but also with, ...the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Our enemys attacks come from afar and they come to us up close! The enemy brings his fight against us in all different way and techniques! It comes in the form of slander, false teaching, and the temptation to sin. Our fight can come in the form of doubt, depression, and deception. The battle can come in the form of persecution from friends, family, or state authorities. Believe me when I say this: the enemy knows you better than you know you, and he is strategic, deceptive, and is set on silencing or sidling you in any way possible. It is possible that you have already given the enemy ground, and you are trapped and not sure out to break free. There is One who is mightily greater than they! The Strength of the Lord is Necessary (vv. 10, 13-17) There is no persevering, no conquering, and no victory apart from Jesus! There is only one remedy against Satan, against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places... and that remedy is the One who disarmed them, ...having triumphed over them (Col. 2:15). There was only One capable of doing such a thing: And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Col. 2:1314). Listen, when it comes to the Christian life, when it comes to standing firm, when it comes to persevering, when it comes to being a Christian, you CANNOT do it apart from Jesus! He alone is the first and the last, and the living One; He was dead, and behold, He is alive forevermore, and it is He who holds the keys of death and Hades (Rev. 1:17-18). The One who died is the Lamb of God, and because He is the Lion of Judah, He conquered death when He got up on Sunday morning and because He is both the Lamb and the Lion, He alone is worthy, to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing (Rev. 5:1-14). When it comes to living the Christian life, you cannot do it with Jesus at a distance, you cannot do it with Him being second, and you cannot do it out of your own strength! You can only do it if He is your strength. The biblical definition for the word salvation is not confined to a date when you believed and said some prayer. No! The biblical definition for salvation includes the day you were saved but is only complete when you receive a resurrection and all things in creation are made new. It is of this salvation that the great multitude in heaven that includes every nation, all the tribes, peoples, and languages who cry out at the top of their lungs: Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Rev. 7:10). The completion of your salvation in the biblical sense, cannot be done on your own, but ONLY in the strength and might of King Jesus (Eph. 6:10)! Okay, so how can you be strong in the strength and might of Jesus? We are told that we do that by putting on the full armor of God (v. 11). What is the armor of God? Let me first tell you what it includes: The belt of truth, which is Gods truth. The breastplate of righteousness, which is Christs righteousness. The shoes of the gospel of peace, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ that that we stand firmly in. The shield of faith is our hope in God that is saturated by the truth of Gods word. The helmet of salvation, which is the security that we have in the assurance of our salvation. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God as our offensive weapon in all the armor we are to put on. For those of you who were here for the armor of God part of the Ephesian series, what I am about to say probably will not surprise you. Each piece of the armor of God belongs to Jesus. Jesus is our belt of truth, Jesus is our breastplate of righteousness, Jesus is our peace, Jesus is our shield of faith, Jesus is our helmet of salvation, and Jesus is the Word of God. I am convinced that the way one puts on the armor of God is by abiding in Jesus. This is why the phrase in Christ or in Him or any other phrase related to in Christ is repeated about 36 times in the short six chapters that make up Ephesians. The only way to put on the armor is by abiding in Jesus. What does it mean to abide in Jesus? There are scores of passages we can turn to answer that question, but I will show you two: The first is in 1 John 3:24, and this is what the apostle John wrote: The one who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He remains in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us (1 John 3:24). Listen, the only way you can know how to keep His commandments is if you know what His word says; His commandments are His words. The second passage that unpacks what we just read in 1 John is found in the Gospel of John through the words of Jesus: Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.... If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.... If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and remain in His love. (John 15:4, 7, 10) The word remain can also be translated stand. In John the Greek word that is used is abide, menō, which is a different word than the one used in Ephesians 6:10-11, (histēmi). The point is the same though, there is no standing firmly against the devils schemes unless you are abiding in Jesus by keeping His Word and making it apart of you. There is no taking up the armor of God if you are not remaining, abiding, or standing in fellowship with Jesus. The Power of Persistent Prayer is Needed (vv. 18ff.) There are six pieces of the armor of God that are typically emphasized in sermons and in books, and I listed all six that are mentioned in the Bible, but there is one more that does not get the kind of attention that it deserves. In the Bible, certain numbers are important. The number 3 signifies divine wholeness and perfection, the number 4 symbolizes completeness in relation to creation, the number 1,000 symbolizes an extended period of time or an indefinite but great amount of time, and the number 7 symbolizes completion, wholeness, and perfection. The number 7 appears throughout the Bible over 700 times. In six days, God created everything and on the seventh day, He rested, which marked the completion of creation. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit are only six pieces and do not complete the set! Yet we are specifically told in Ephesians 6:11, Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. There is a seventh piece that completes the set and that seventh piece that belongs to the whole armor of God is how you know you have put on the armor of God and how you know that you are abiding in Jesus! The seventh piece of the armor of God that completes the set is found in our dependance upon Jesus through prayer; look carefully at verse 18: With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints... How does one stay alert? How can the Christian persevere? By putting on the full armor of God? How do I put on the full armor of God? By standing in the One to whom six pieces of the armor belongs and by dependently going to Him, With every prayer and request... How often ought we to pray? We are to pray, at all times in the Spirit... So important is prayer as a part of the full armor of God, that the apostle Paul asked that these Ephesian Christians also pray on his behalf that God would do the following four things in his life: That God give Paul the words to say. That God open Pauls mouth. That God embolden Paul in the opening of his mouth. That God use Paul to clearly make known the mystery of the gospel. What is the point? The point is this: There is no persevering, no conquering, and no victory apart from Jesus! The only way to stay awake and watchful, the only way to keep yourself from falling into the foolishness of sin, the only way to be aware of the schemes of the devil is if you are, strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (v. 10). The only way you are going to do that is if you are abiding in the Lord by keeping His word, and the evidence you are abiding in Him is if you recognize that your only recourse against His schemes is to run to God in prayer. [1] Own Strachan, The Warrior Savior (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing; 2024), p. 21.
In this sermon, we looked at how the story in Numbers 21 is more than just a strange moment in Israel's wilderness journey—it's a powerful foreshadowing of the gospel. When the Israelites were bitten by fiery serpents because of their rebellion, their only hope for healing came not through human effort, but by looking in faith at a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole. In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent and lived, so must every person be born again by looking to the Son of Man, who would be lifted up on the cross. The central theme of this sermon—and of God's overall redemptive story—is that salvation cannot be earned; it is a gift we receive by putting our faith in Jesus.
John 4:30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. In John 3:35 we read, “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.” In John 3:27, John the Baptist said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” In this verse, we should be encouraged of the Father's love for His Son. The Father used the woman's testimony to draw a group of men to Jesus. In the previous two verses, we learned that she went into Sychar and shared with the men. These men came out to see if Jesus was the Christ, as she had said. The point I want to make is that these men were given to Jesus by the Father. He received them from His Father in heaven. When Jesus saw them coming, He experienced the love of His Father because He believed this great foundational truth: There is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and He is love. The Father was at work. The same is true in our lives if we are living to love with Jesus. Every person who crosses our paths is being given by our Father to Jesus, who lives in us. The Father is still loving His Son like He did that day at the well. Consider how the scope of His love has expanded since He sent His Son to live in the hearts of His people. As we share the love of Christ, the Father draws millions to His Son. It's happening all over the world simultaneously. Today, the Father will probably give His Son in you, some people to love. As we relate to them, we are entering into the work of the Father and the Son. More than likely, it will first be people with whom we are most familiar, our family members, then probably people at work and in the communities in which we live. This verse encourages us to be alert and ready to love the Father and them with Jesus. Here they come! 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.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen As women at work, we are still faced with many challenges despite all the progress that has been made. More than ever, women have excelled and held leadership positions. Pay equity has improved but surely isn't perfect, and there is still bias in the workplace as seen in how people respond to men presenting an idea versus women. What does this have to do with being an ambassador? Well, if self doubt creeps in, your role as an ambassador can feel diminished or difficult. But we would be remiss if we didn't look to an amazing example in the Bible of how the women who followed Jesus were walking counter culturally for their time. After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3). Again, we see women with imperfect past lives were following Jesus and providing for the ministry! What is significant about this? Mary Magdalene. In John 20:11-18 we find Mary at the tomb looking for the body of Jesus. He appears to her first as the resurrected Christ and tells her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her (John 20:17-18) In Mark 16:11, we learn that when they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. This did not stop her from serving as an ambassador to Jesus in the resurrection! She boldly went to them and proclaimed he had risen. To me, Mary is an encouragement. Despite her likely knowing she would not be taken seriously, she still did as Jesus commanded her. How can you follow Jesus' command today even if you are feeling self-doubt? Surely, he will equip you for every good work!
In John 10, Jesus describes Himself not just as the Shepherd but as the Door—the only way in and out. Through Him, we are saved and given life, not just survival. Are we settling for spiritual scraps or stepping into the abundant life found only through the One true Door?
Presented by Lauren Stibgen One of the ways we can show up as ambassadors for Jesus at work is in the sacrifices we make for others. This can show up in different ways. Maybe it is a financial sacrifice or perhaps it is the sacrifice of time or even placing yourself aside to shine the light on someone other than yourself. All of this can feel costly! And most of the actions we will take as ambassadors of Jesus in this world will be counter to what the culture of this world tells us we should do. In John 12:1-8, we see a costly and counter sacrifice. Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it (John 12:1-6). In the remaining verses we see Jesus rebuke Judas and tell him to leave her alone for he would not always be with them. In this time, her sacrifice was costly. What about today? If you are a leader with a budget and times are tight with the company, how will this impact pay increases and rewards for your people? Would you be willing to forgo an increase, so your team can be properly rewarded for their hard work? This would be counter to what culture tells you to do. Perhaps your team had a big win for the company. In a meeting, the CEO praises you very specifically for this win. Rather than accepting all this praise, how are you shining the light back to the contributions of your team? Perhaps it is as simple as time, which also can be costly. Are you seeing a colleague struggle with a project? Perhaps you offer to help them. Maybe the cost is defending your faith at work. In a way, we see Mary representing her faith in Jesus with the costly sacrifice of this anointing. She did what was counter to the culture. Is someone making fun of people who believe in Jesus? It may feel costly to speak up, but it is one way you can be an ambassador for the kingdom you serve.
Recording from Summer Family Bible Conference, July 2017: In John 8:31-32, Jesus emphasized that only by continuing in His Word will you know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Join Andrew as he explains how discipleship is the key to walking in victory in every area of life. You were always meant to be a disciple. Embrace this calling and experience the freedom and fulfillment that come from following Jesus wholeheartedly.
It's Monday, May 26th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Armenian Christian details abuses in Iranian prison Hakop Gochumyan, an Armenian Christian arrested in Iran in 2023 for his Christian faith, recently sent a letter to Christian Solidarity Worldwide detailing abuses he's endured while imprisoned, reports International Christian Concern. In the letter, published on May 9, Gochumyan explained that Iranian authorities have “subjected [him] to psychological violence” and threatened to take his life and the lives of his family. Mervyn Thomas, president and founder of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, called for “Gochumiyan's immediate and unconditional release” and rallied the “international community … to hold Iranian authorities to account” for their human rights abuses. Gochumyan was detained just outside of Tehran, in Pardis, in August 2023 and sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2024. His charges include “engaging in deviant proselytizing activity that contradicts the sacred law of Islam” by allegedly associating with “a network of evangelical Christianity.” The couple, along with their two children, were in Iran to visit family and, while attending a dinner at a friend's house, police arrived, and arrested them. Allegedly, Gochumyan possessed copies of Farsi-language New Testaments, which are banned in Iran, and had attended several churches during his visit. Spreading the Gospel of Christ to non-Christians is illegal in Iran. Additionally, possessing Bibles written in Farsi, the nation's official language, isn't allowed as it could draw a non-Christian to Jesus. Christian conversion is something the Iranian regime strongly discourages and attempts to dissuade, often through psychological manipulation, overt intimidation, physical abuse, and imprisonment. However, the light of Christ continues to shine in the region and cannot be extinguished. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Trump vows a 25% tariff on iPhones if made in China or India President Donald Trump vowed to enact “at least” a 25% tariff on iPhones that are not manufactured and built in the United States — in a sharp warning to Apple CEO Tim Cook, reports One America News. Apple currently manufactures the majority of its iPhones in China, and does not have a domestic smartphone production supply chain. Apple announced a move to India in an effort to “diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China.” But Trump wants the iPhones built here in America. Judge overturns Biden rule forcing employers to allow time off for abortions A federal judge in Louisiana has struck down regulations that would have forced most U.S. employers to provide pregnant workers with time off to kill their babies by abortion, reports LifeNews.com. Issued Wednesday by U.S. District Judge David Joseph, the ruling invalidated a provision of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which had been pushed during the Biden administration. Initially, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which passed with bipartisan support in December 2022, was designed to ensure that employers, with 15 or more employees, provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, such as time off for medical appointments or relief from heavy lifting. However, the Biden administration, to its shame, twisted the initial intent of the law to classify abortion as a “related medical condition” to pregnancy and childbirth. That forced pro-life employers to facilitate the termination of unborn lives against their moral and religious convictions. Alaskan volcano could blow Located 80 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, Mount Spurr is about to blow, reports the Alaska Volcano Observatory. The last time it blew was 1992. If you're picturing massive lava flows, think again, explains Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The biggest threat will actually be the ash which could reach as high as 50,000 feet into the sky, according to DailyGalaxy.com. Volcanic ash could blanket Anchorage. If the eruption happens during daylight, the ash cloud could block out the sun for hours, plunging the area into total darkness. Ash is dangerous to breathe. It damages cars and machinery and can disrupt daily life. And then there's air travel. Ash could rise high into the atmosphere, and the tiny glass-like particles, can reharden inside jet engines, posing a serious threat. Since Alaska's airspace is a major route for Trans Pacific flights, this eruption could affect a lot more people than just those in Anchorage, including flights from Toronto to Seoul or Hong Kong to Memphis. Psalm 95:4-5 reminds us that God, Who created Mount Spurr, is in control. “In His hand are the depths of the Earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.” Tapper confessed: Conservative media was right about Biden's decline And finally, in an intriguing interview with Megyn Kelly, CNN's Jake Tapper confessed that “conservative media was right” about Biden's dramatic mental decline. Tapper's new book is entitled, Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. Listen. KELLY: “Leading up to the debate which you anchored, that June 27 debate, 2024 there was a ton of news leading into that debate in that month. We looked back at your coverage and found that you ignored the freeze up that he had at the Juneteenth Celebration. You ignored what happened at the G7 when he, [Biden], wandered off and Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, had to go find him." TAPPER: “Megyn,” KELLY: “You ignored the freeze up at the George Clooney L.A. fundraiser. You didn't cover it. You only covered it after the debate, after George Clooney wrote his op-ed. Your network at every turn was telling us those were, ‘cheap fakes.' And you're not combating that narrative. CNN was actively misleading us on what our very eyes were showing us. That's the truth. That's the record.” TAPPER: “I will acknowledge that after I was named co-moderator of the [presidential] debate, I tried to make sure that my coverage was fairly vanilla, both about Trump and about Biden, because I just wanted to get to the debate. I remember that moment, the glitch at the immigration event, and not getting much attention outside of conservative media at all. “Alex and I are here to say the conservative media was right and conservative media was correct. There should be a lot of soul searching, not just among me, but among the legacy media to begin with, all of us, for how this was covered or not covered sufficiently. 100%. I mean, I'm not here to defend coverage that I've already acknowledged I wish I could do differently.” Prior to the release of this book, CNN's Jake Tapper, in his refusal to tell the truth about Biden's mental decline, did not heed the commandment found in Exodus 20:16. It says, “You shall not bear false witness.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, May 26th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
A man born blind receives his sight, but instead of celebration, he's met with religious scrutiny. Why? Because it happened on the Sabbath. In John 9, Jesus shows us that mercy always outweighs man-made rules. What kind of spirit do we bring into worship—one of grace or of burden?
Presented by Lauren Stibgen If you have followed our ministry over the years, you know the word ambassador is part of our purpose. More specifically, the purpose of The Christian Working Woman is to encourage, equip and empower Christians in the workplace to love Christ more, to live their daily lives by biblical principles, and to go to their jobs as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. To me, the title of ambassador feels important—high ranking, a leader. Ambassadors represent their country to foreign delegations. We are ambassadors of a heavenly delegation! In John 17:16 Jesus states, “They are not of this world, just as I am not of it.” Underscoring this delegation we have here in the world. The word ambassador comes from a Latin word ambactus, which means servant. Although ambassadors are diplomats and representatives to a foreign country—in our case, a heavenly country—being an ambassador truly means we are here to serve others for Jesus Christ. Are you a willing servant for Jesus at work? And are you keeping your citizenship top of mind as you walk in the workplace each day? This world is loud. The busyness and activity in our days often overshadows our citizenship and can cloud our very best efforts to be ambassadors for Jesus at work! Romans 12:2 holds a bold reminder for this reason. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). How are you starting your days? Do you pause to think about how you are being transformed in your faith? Do you stop to seek God's will for your day? How can you seek what is good, acceptable, and perfect for your day? Don't let the world overcome you! Be mindful and on watch to prepare to be the best ambassador or servant you can be.
While we are called to love others, the love between believers is the best witness and testimony to the world. In John 13, Jesus says, "Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." This love was modeled by Jesus, is unconditional, and can be tangibly seen by the world. Speaker: Mike Slayden