Podcasts about jesusthe

Title: LegationScripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2Series: The “L” Fruits of JesusThe final "L" fruit of Jesus is legation, meaning disciples are called to act as Christ's ambassadors to the world, a concept explored through four "ships." This identity begins with Citizenship, as we represent the Kingdom of Heaven while living here on earth, stepping into the divine Partnership God established with humanity from Adam onward. Since history shows that humanity repeatedly failed to fulfill this role, the core of our message must rest on the Lordship of Jesus, the perfect legate who secured reconciliation through the cross. Finally, our ultimate Worship as legates is expressed through urgency, embracing our authoritative mission to advance Christ's agenda today, right now.

Experience fresh insight on trust as Barbie Loflin explores what it means to follow Jesus with childlike faith. Learn how storms and hardships build spiritual trust, the difference between believing, following, and fully trusting God, and why stepping out of life's boat can change your relationship with Christ forever. Be encouraged to embrace simple trust in Jesus and invite Him into every uncertain moment.Scriptures ReferencedExodus 33:11; Psalm 16:1; Proverbs 18:24; Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 1:18; James 2:19Key InsightsThe three phases of faith: believing, following, and trusting GodHow storms grow trust and reveal your relationship with JesusThe power and beauty of childlike faith in JesusHow God's voice can guide you when storms and darkness make it hard to see HimEmbracing God's voice over fear in your hardest momentshttps://springhouse.captivate.fm/episode/jesus-walks-on-the-water Subscribe & Follow the PodcastDownload our appOur WebsiteOnline Tithes & OfferingsJoin our LivestreamGathering TimesSundays, 9:00 AMSundays, 11:00 AMThursdays, 6:00 PM Contact InfoSpringhouse Church14119 Old Nashville HighwaySmyrna TN 37167615-459-3421 CCLI License 2070006

Title: LavishnessScripture Reading: Ephesians 1:7-8Series: The “L” Fruits of JesusThe 1986 "Hands Across America" generosity event fell short, but how does God's abundant generosity prove that His plan for us is truly **lavish**? This sermon explores the concept of lavishness as an essential fruit of a follower of Jesus, illustrating the profound generosity of God through the metaphor of hands. True discipleship begins with The Receiving Hand, recognizing the immense, abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness God has lavished upon us through Christ. This received forgiveness establishes a necessary pattern for us to follow. We are called to extend the same mercy to others through The Forgiving Hand, remembering that forgiven people must forgive people, thereby reversing the curse of cyclical revenge. Finally, we express lavishness through The Giving Hand, sharing our finances, resources, and time, confident that if God cares for the birds and lilies, He will supply all our needs, allowing us to live the abundant life Jesus promised.

In this week's episode of the Jesus Everyday Podcast, Ethan Callison, Andrew McPheron, and Josh Horne unpack John 6:60–71 — a powerful and sobering moment where many of Jesus' own disciples walk away.After hearing Jesus' hard teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, the crowd says, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” What follows is one of the most defining moments in the Gospel of John — and in discipleship itself.

The church is facing a moment of truth. In a culture where free speech and the gospel are under attack, it's time for believers to rise with courage and begin again.In this episode, we'll talk about: • Why silence is not an option for the remnant church • The urgency of raising our voices and having hard conversations • How belief must lead to transformation and holiness • The call to use our platforms to boldly declare the truth of JesusThe remnant is rising. Will you take your stand?

Romans opens with a powerful introduction to Paul's identity, mission, and message. He calls himself a “slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” In these opening verses, Paul reminds us that the gospel is not a new invention but God's eternal plan, promised long ago through the Old Testament Scriptures and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We see Jesus revealed as both fully man and fully God, the Son of David and the risen Son of God, who brings life and salvation to all who believe.Here are some things we'll learn from Romans 1:1–7:Why Paul begins by declaring himself a servant before anything else.How the gospel is promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in JesusThe necessity for Jesus to be fully God and fully man.Why the resurrection is central to Jesus' identity and our hope.What it means to live “set apart” for the sake of God's name.How God's love calls us to belong to Christ and to live as saints in His presence.Support our mission and learn more atwww.alloflife.churchGive to the work of the gospel herewww.alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving

Betrayal and Arrest of JesusThe cup that Jesus talked about was the cup of the New Testament, in the book of Luke Jesus said “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” What can wash away my sin nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Send us a textVictory Through Jesus – 1 Corinthians 15:57Unshakeable: Daily Christian Devotional Podcast with Reverend Ben CooperDaily Prayer Devotional | Spotify & Apple Podcast -  1 Corinthians 15:57“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57Victory isn't just a distant hope—it's your present-day reality through the finished work of Jesus Christ. In today's Daily Christian Prayer Devotional, Reverend Ben Cooper leads a transformative five-minute prayer rooted in the unshakable truth of Scripture. This isn't just another devotional; it's a divine invitation to step into your identity as a victor in Christ.Episode Focus: Victory in the EverydayWhether you're on the school run, commuting to work, folding laundry, or simply needing peace in a chaotic moment—this episode meets you where you are. Through heartfelt prayer and biblical reflection, you'll be reminded that “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This devotional is designed to encourage and strengthen your walk of faith in the middle of your day.Like clay in the potter's hand, we are continually being shaped and refined. This episode draws on that imagery—surrendering to God's will, trusting His process, and embracing the victory already won for us at Calvary.Biblical Insight + Spiritual EmpowermentThis episode explores:1 Corinthians 15:57 – Victory through JesusThe potter's wheel: transformation through surrenderThe power of Christ's name: “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10)Faith over fear and anxietyWalking confidently as a vessel of God's gloryCall to ActionIf today's daily devotional prayer has uplifted your spirit, support this ministry and help spread God's Word around the world.Buy Me a Coffee at RBChristianRadio.net – just £3/month helps keep this daily devotional prayer podcast alive, reaching thousands who need hope.Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts – your rating helps increase visibility and encourages others to discover daily prayer and biblical hope. Share this episode with someone who needs a spiritual boost today!Why This Daily Devotional Podcast MattersProvides consistent, faith-filled connection with God's WordOffers daily Christian prayer rooted in ScriptureEncourages believers to live in victory, not defeatDesigned for everyday moments—powerful prayer in just 5 minutesA global ministry bringing hope, healing, and spiritual strengthdaily Christian devotional podcast, daily prayer devotional, victory through Jesus podcast, 1 Corinthians 15:57 devotional, Christian daily prayer, spiritual encouragement podcast, ReveSupport the showThank you for listening! For more inspiring content, visit our main site at RBChristianRadio.net. Explore our ministry services and celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net. If you'd like to support our work, you can now Buy Me a Coffee and help us keep spreading the word. Every bit makes a difference! God bless and see you in the next episode.

In this episode of the Jesus Everyday Podcast, Ethan Callison and Andrew McPheron unpack the powerful and humbling words of John the Baptist from John 3:22–36:“He must increase, but I must decrease.”This passage dives deep into the heart of discipleship, challenging us to lay down pride, comparison, and control to make much of Jesus. From wrestling with jealousy to reflecting on God's wrath, this rich discussion touches on biblical theology, Old Testament imagery, cultural context, and everyday life application.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.Ezekiel 34:1-6Shepherd“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.John 10:1-6Strangers, Sheep, and Shepherds“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.John 10:1A shepherd in scriptures represents any spiritual leader who is called to lead, feed, and care for God's people.John 10 is Jesus' response to John 9 and the Man born Blind34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.John 9:34The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.Ezekiel 34:1-2, 4A stranger is anyone who operates in spiritual authority over another person without going through Jesus, with Jesus, and like JesusThe man who makes much of Christ is a pastor after God's own heart, whom God delights to honor. The minister who makes little of Christ is the one whom God regards as an imposter—as one who has climbed up to his holy office not by the door, but by “some other way”J.C. RyleConfidence in a  stranger leads to REJECTION.34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.John 9:34DO I EASILY FEEL REJECTED BY PEOPLE?He that enjoys the favor of the Son of God will not tremble at the frown of the Sanhedrim.Charles Spurgeon2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.” John 10:2-5A sheep is anyone who belongs to Jesus, listens to Jesus, and follows JesusConfidence in a sheep leads to PRIDE18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will rescue[b] my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.Ezekiel 34:18-22A true shepherd is anyone who feeds, leads, and cares for the sheepConfidence in Jesus leads to WORSHIP· Jesus is a man (John 9:11).· Jesus is a prophet (John 9:17).· Jesus is my master, I am His disciple (John 9:27).· Jesus is from God (John 9:33).· Jesus is the Son of God (John 9:35-38).· Jesus is who I trust (John 9:38).· Jesus is who I worship (John 9:38).24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” John 9:2438 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.John 9:38

In today's world, raising confident, faith-rooted daughters can feel overwhelming. Parents often struggle to guide their girls toward a faith that's truly their own—especially amid the noise of culture, peer pressure, and internal insecurity. How do we parent with purpose and help our daughters build their identity on something unshakeable?About the Guest:Nellie Harden is a wife, mother of four daughters, trauma survivor, family life and leadership coach, and passionate advocate for raising girls with a strong foundation of worth, esteem, and confidence. With a background that spans from studying humpback whales to human behavior, Nellie brings a unique and deeply insightful lens to parenting and leadership. She is the author of 40 Scriptures & Conversations to Have When Raising Daughters and No Problem Parenting Book. When she's not coaching or writing, she's off adventuring with her husband and four daughters—her #happyharden crew.Key Takeaways:Your daughter's faith can't be forced—but it can be formed through how you model your own dependence on JesusThe first 6570 days of a child's life are critical for shaping her identity, values, and confidenceA parent's role isn't to prevent every mistake, but to provide a safe, Christ-centered foundation where daughters can grow and return to truthScripture and guided conversations are powerful tools for navigating modern challenges in parenting girlsParents need support too—and building your own foundation of worth and purpose is just as vitalHow This Helps You:If you've ever wondered how to lead your daughter toward owning her own faith instead of simply mimicking yours, this conversation is for you. Nellie's wisdom will challenge, encourage, and equip you to have intentional faith-building conversations, model dependence on Jesus, and steward your daughter's heart during the most formative years of her life.Our All the Best Devotional will help you connect with Jesus and find peace and restoration. Through guided reflection on the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, you'll gain insight into how to overcome distractions, worry, comparison, and more. Connect with Nellie: WebsiteFollow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

The thing about snakes – why put it up on a pole? And why does it bring healing? What is the type in the OT that Jesus wants us to be aware of? Is there a connection to the Passover feast that they are celebrating? Would Nicodemus have a different understanding about this from his historical and cultural background that we in our era and culture may have difficulty relating to?The snake, the devil and the bite of sin that brings destruction and death compared to the one who takes that sting of death away! It is a type of the cross and a prophetic view of what was to come with the real exodus from slavery to sin in the world of the flesh. The abundant nature of God's generosity to those who believe in him. Condemnation and believing in JesusThe love of God for humankind is contrasted by our love of darkness. How do we identify darkness? By deeds that are evil – by God's definition, which is the only one that counts in the face of eternity!The focus on truth as the means of coming to the light.Matt Carter: The reality of God's love – 14-16 for us and so reveals the need, the reason,  the intensity and the demonstration of God's love. The proof of the Love of God is in the giving. The demonstration proves the intensity and assurance of love, not just the words. The sacrifice is the proof more than time or money. Compare gave to sent in 17!The reason Jesus came – 17 sent not to condemn Romans and liberate Jews. To condemn means to judge a person guilty and liable to punishment. The result of belief – 18 the message of the Bible is about God's love and mercy and about man's sin and need leading to the rescue found in Jesus ChristThe response of man – 19-21 our choice

Text: Acts 1:1-11Series: The Movement of RenewalTitle: “Behind the Movement”Points:The ministry of JesusThe power of the SpiritThe kingdom of GodReflection Question: How does this text encourage you to see yourself as a witness for Christ within his movement of renewal?

Topics covered in this episode:Weather proverbs for the month of JuneThe talisman of Al-Nathrah, for victoryThe talisman of Al-Tarf, for illness and injuryMajor celestial events of the month of JuneA Mercury-Jupiter in Gemini electionA Venus in Taurus electionFixed Star Conjunctions for the month of JuneThe feast of Saint Anthony of PaduaMidsummer's EveThe feast of Saint John the BaptistThe feast of the Sacred Heart of JesusThe feast of Saint PeterSt John's WortHoneysuckleHyacinthMay's Patreon community ritual recap; Hawthorn against the Evil EyeFind us on:PatreonInstagramwww.kitchentoad.com

How can generations partner together to prepare the way for God to move? In this message, Youth Pastor Anna Oaks shares insight to help us encourage each other and pursue the Lord together. Young people who were used by God. David, the shepherd and kingShariah, meshach, and AbednegoMary, the mother of JesusThe boy who brought his lunch to JesusWhat was the common thread? Called Young, Often Unqualified Faced Rejection, Resistance, and Trials Stayed Faithful in Obscurity Said "Yes" When It MatteredDavid was a teenage shepherd, forgotten by his own family— yet chosen to slay giants and become king.Joseph was a 17-year-old dreamer in a dysfunctional family, sent to save nations.Mary was likely in her early teens when she carried the Savior of the world.Jeremiah said, "I am only a youth"— but God said, "Don't say "I am only a youth." (Jeremiah 1:6-7)David worshiped in the fields.Daniel prayed in secret.Joseph honored God in prison.Mary pondered God's word in her heart.Willing to say "Yes":"Here I am, Lord," said Samuel"Be it unto me," said Mary"I cannot help but speak," said JeremiahYouth were significant leaders in the First Great Awakening (1730s - 1740s) and the Second Great Awakening (Early 1800s).The revival leader of the Welsh Revival was a young man. And the worship leaders were young people. Jesus Movement (Late 1960s-1970s)Where teenagers and college-aged started leading mass baptisms (80,000 attendees) and launched the modern Christian music movement.  2023 Asbury Revival: a 16 day revival that started when students spontaneously stayed beyond chapel for worship and prayer. Tens of thousands GenZ soon gathered.What was the common thread? A Deep Hunger for God's Presence Radical Surrender and Repentance Prayer and Unity1. Recognize That a Revival Doesn't ComeWrapped in Familiar Packaging.Be willing to let go of preference and brace God's presence, even when it comes in unexpected ways.2. Pray, Cover, and Intercede Like It's Your Calling (Because It IS)You might not lead the move —but your prayers, mentorship, and spiritual protection fuel it.3. Mentor and Model Without MicromanagingBe the spiritual scaffolding that helps youth rise— not the ceiling that holds them down.What is your part in what the Lord is doing in the youth today?

WATCH ON YOUTUBE MESSAGE NOTES: Scripture: Exodus 3:1-22 & 4:1-31The general call - to follow JesusThe specific call - a specific mission that is unique to youThe call to our duties and responsibilities.History & Lived Experience​Capacities​Intentional EngagementGod made you and knows youGod is with youGod is enoughGod will use what you have“Vocational living is the intentional stewardship of our history, lived experience, capacities, and resources to serve God's purpose in God's timing.”A. Your HistoryB. Your CapacitiesC. Your Intentional EngagementD. God's Purpose and TimingPay attention and practice Holy CuriosityVocational Living = (A+B+C)*D

Welcome to Wellspring Church!Why did Jesus speak in parables? In this message, Bishop Thad Barnum launches our new teaching series by diving deep into that question, guiding us through Matthew 13 and Isaiah 6 to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.Jesus draws a dividing line—not between good and bad people, but between those who hear and those who cannot. Through stories, He reveals the heart of the Father and the invitation to a kingdom that is not of this world, calling us to repentance, faith, and a whole new way of seeing.

For Me? | Palm Sunday 2025Title: For Me? | Palm Sunday 2025On this special Palm Sunday episode, we explore Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem through Matthew 21:1-11. Pastor Lawrence unpacks why this pivotal moment begins Holy Week and what it reveals about who Jesus truly is.Discover:Why religious people left their Passover traditions to run toward JesusThe three responses to Jesus' arrival that still happen todayThe profound difference between empty religion and life-changing relationshipWhy Jesus wept over Jerusalem even as crowds cheeredHow a humble King riding on a donkey brings more hope than worldly powerWhether you're spiritually curious or a long-time believer, this message will help you experience Palm Sunday in a fresh way. Join us for this powerful start to Holy Week, and don't miss our Good Friday services at 4:30 & 6:30 PM featuring Scripture readings, worship, and communion.Listen, reflect, and prepare your heart for Easter with this timely message about what Jesus' arrival means for your life today.Connect with us at www.grandpoint.church/nextstepsWatch online on YouTubeFollow us on Facebook and InstagramSign up for our free weekly newsletter

Send us a textThe phrase “no room at the inn” is often heard during Christmas, but its spiritual weight carries far beyond the nativity scene. In this timely and prophetic episode of the Unshakable podcast, Pastor Ben Cooper reveals how this simple statement speaks directly to the modern world—and challenges us to examine our own hearts.When the innkeeper turned Mary and Joseph away, he unknowingly echoed a message still ringing out today: “There's no room for Jesus.” From school systems to governments, media to even religious organizations, Christ is increasingly pushed to the margins. But the greater question is: Have we done the same in our personal lives?This powerful message explores:What “no room at the inn” means in today's societyWhy many Christian spaces have replaced truth with traditionHow the modern church can unintentionally close the door on JesusThe prophetic connection between Jesus' birth and burial wrappingsHow to make room for Christ in your life, not just in your theologyPastor Ben makes a striking connection between Jesus being wrapped in cloths at birth and again at death—revealing that both moments involved people covered in His presence and His blood. Mary, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea each represent moments where Jesus was embraced, wrapped, and honored. In the same way, we're called to wrap the Word within us and be covered in the blood of Christ, not merely follow surface-level religious traditions.In an age where religious performance is mistaken for biblical faith, this episode is a call to return to Scripture—not rituals. Pastor Ben urges believers to walk in authentic faith, not plastic religion. We're not called to reject church, but to pursue Bible-based Christianity rooted in the Word, not man-made customs.So, where is God calling you to make room for Jesus today? What distractions, traditions, or systems have taken His place in your life?This message will stir your heart, provoke thought, and push you toward true intimacy with Jesus Christ. Whether you're in the U.S., Ghana, the U.K., the Philippines, or anywhere else around the world, this episode speaks to anyone who wants to move from religion to relationship with Jesus.Support the showhttps://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/https://www.rbchristianradio.net/

“Timeless Truths” Episode 72 - “The Last Supper & The Garden of Gethsemane - Replay” SHOW NOTES:This is the second of 3 episodes to prepare us for Easter Sunday. Last week, was Palm Sunday. In this podcast, I am going to discuss the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane. Next week, will be Good Friday to Easter Sunday. This is what is discussed in this episode:The PassoverThe Passover for JesusThe significance of Jesus' Passover MealThe Cup of RedemptionThe Fourth CupThe Garden of GethsemaneJesus declares that He is GodTwo references that I mentioned were:· “The Feasts of the Lord” by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal· “Sparking Gems from the Greek” by Rick Renner (pages 230-231) You can listen in on Apple or Spotify - Same links each time.Apple –https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timeless-truths/id1695920504Spotify –https://open.spotify.com/show/0TU2Tj6gmTY3tuwiU3DrUHFor links to other podcast platforms use LinkTree –https://linktr.ee/drchris024 I want to invite you to FOLLOW this podcast so that you never miss an episode! Please give it a “5” rating if it speaks to you and comment.This is Dr. Christine Van HornWebsite: www.drchris.coEmail: chris@drchris.coFB: https://www.facebook.com/wisdom.drchris “Timeless Truths” is rated by “ListenNotes.com” as being in the top 10% of podcasts globally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here are just a few highlights about this wonderful portion of scripture, covered in this sermon:The deity and authority of JesusThe change the Spirit does in us and how He makes us ALIVEThe meaning of our baptismThe distinction between Law and Gospel - what the Law even meansSpiritual warfare (the ‘disarming of rulers and authorities')

Here are just a few highlights about this wonderful portion of scripture, covered in this sermon:The deity and authority of JesusThe change the Spirit does in us and how He makes us ALIVEThe meaning of our baptismThe distinction between Law and Gospel - what the Law even meansSpiritual warfare (the ‘disarming of rulers and authorities')

"So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." - Matthew 22:21This statement from Jesus is one of the most profound and thought-provoking verses in the New Testament. While it is often quoted in discussions about paying taxes, it carries far deeper implications. What does this passage truly mean for us as Christ-followers today? Let's explore its historical context and the spiritual truths that challenge us to live with a kingdom perspective.The Trap Set for JesusThe words of Jesus in Matthew 22:21 came during a tense confrontation between Him and the Pharisees. They sought to trap Him with a politically charged question:"Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"At that time, Israel was under Roman rule, and paying taxes to the emperor was a sore subject among the Jewish people. Saying “yes” would alienate Him from His Jewish followers, who resented Roman oppression. Saying “no” would paint Him as a revolutionary in the eyes of the Roman authorities.But instead of falling into their trap, Jesus turned the question back on them. He asked for a denarius—a Roman coin bearing Caesar's image—and posed a question of His own:"Whose likeness and inscription is this?"When they answered, “Caesar's,” Jesus delivered His famous response:"Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."On a surface level, Jesus affirmed that people should fulfill their civic duties, including paying taxes. The coin bore Caesar's image, signifying that it belonged to the government. By saying, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's,” Jesus acknowledged the legitimacy of human authority.This teaching aligns with what the Apostle Paul later wrote in Romans 13:1-7, where he urged believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing them as instruments of God's order. Paying taxes, respecting laws, and contributing to society are responsibilities of every Christian.Yet, Jesus did not stop with Caesar—He introduced a deeper spiritual truth.What Belongs to God?Jesus followed His statement: "Render unto God what is God's.” This raises an important question: What belongs to God?To answer this, we must look at Genesis 1:27, which tells us that humanity is made in the image of God (Imago Dei). Just as the denarius bore Caesar's image and belonged to him, we bear God's image—meaning our entire lives belong to Him.This truth calls us to complete surrender. While we owe taxes, respect, and obedience to earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to God. He doesn't just claim a portion of our income—He claims our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.Many people compartmentalize their lives, separating the "secular" from the "sacred." Work, finances, and citizenship belong to the earthly realm, while prayer, worship, and church belong to God. But Jesus' teaching destroys this false divide.If everything belongs to God, then every aspect of our lives—including our work, relationships, finances, and civic responsibilities—should be offered to Him as an act of worship.By pointing to the coin's image, Jesus subtly challenges us:Whose image do we bear? To whom do we belong? Where does our primary allegiance lie?This is not just a lesson about paying taxes—it's about our identity and purpose in God's kingdom.Jesus' words also highlight the temporary nature of earthly governments compared to God's eternal reign. Rome's empire, like every human government, would eventually fall. But God's kingdom is everlasting.This is why Scripture reminds us:"Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." - Philippians 3:20"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." - Matthew 6:19-20While we must live responsibly within earthly systems, we do so with the understanding that our true home is in God's unshakable kingdom.Faithful Stewards in Both Realms"Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" is a call to faithful stewardship both in earthly and heavenly matters. As followers of Christ, we are called to:Honor our civic responsibilities (pay taxes, obey laws, engage in society). Live with eternity in mind (prioritizing God's kingdom above all else). Offer our whole lives to God (because we bear His image and belong to Him).As 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, we are "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession." This identity should shape every decision we make, including how we manage our finances, serve others, and navigate our role in the world.Ultimately, Jesus' response was not just a clever answer to a political trap but a profound statement of divine truth.While we live in this world, we are not of it (John 17:16). Our ultimate purpose is not to accumulate wealth, power, or influence in earthly systems but to live in a way that reflects God's glory.So, as you navigate financial decisions, work responsibilities, and civic duties, ask yourself:Am I honoring God with everything I have? Am I living as a faithful steward of both my earthly and heavenly citizenship? Am I prioritizing the eternal over the temporary?By faithfully rendering what is due to Caesar and God, we live as true citizens of heaven, bearing witness to His sovereignty and grace in a world that desperately needs Him.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm on a limited budget, paying for school, and my husband covers more of the bills. We've been asked to give small gifts at work, like $10 for the boss, and contribute to other occasions. But these little gifts have added up, and I've spent over $200 in the last month. I don't have the budget for this. Is it wrong or unchristian of me not to want to give? Should I have a different mindset or tell my co-workers I don't have the budget for this?I'm 57, and my wife and I are debt-free. We want to start a business together, but I'm unsure if it's too risky at my age. Am I ever too old to start a new venture? What process should I consider, and should I set it up as an LLC or sole proprietorship?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly PublicationLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Ever wondered why there are so many imposters and hypocrites in churches? What should we do about it? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares insights both this topic from a story that Jesus told.  Why did Jesus use parables?Matthew 13:12-13a Jesus didn't use parables to make everything clear, but to make everyone think. Jesus' parables reveal people's hearts—they penetrate some hearts and they harden others. With His use of parables, Jesus isn't hiding truth FROM people; He's hiding it FOR people, in hopes that it draws them closer to Him. Questions to ask when reading a parable:1. Who does each character represent? 2. What is the surprise twist in the story? 3. What are the kingdom lessons behind each story?  Today's parable: The Wheat and the WeedsMatthew 13:24-30  The weeds in the story, are also called tares, but they're known today as darnel weed, often called false wheat. Jesus' explanationMatthew 13:36-43  3 Questions to ask:Who does each character represent?Jesus – FarmerThe field – the worldWheat – people who follow JesusWeeds – the people who don't follow JesusThe farmer's enemy – the devilThe harvest – the end of the worldThe harvesters – the angels What is the twist in the story?The farmer waited until harvest to sort the wheat from the weeds.28-30 God is playing the long game. God's justice is coming eventually, but God's mercy is here currently. What are the kingdom lessons in the story?1. It is often difficult to distinguish between believers and unbelievers, especially at the earliest stages of growth. We must be slow to declare which is which.Jude 1:22-23 NLT God is long-suffering towards those you find insufferable.This is why we don't throw people away when they make a mistake, when they struggle with sin, or when they're taking longer to "get it" than we think they should.Our father is a farmer and growing people takes time. 2. God is not calling you to be a holy weed eater.We have not been instructed to go in guns blazing, clearing out and cleaning up all we see wrong in someone's life. Why? Because sometimes, you look like a weed too.Galatians 6:1 NIV Christians shouldn't be passive against evil, but we're called to be patient with people.John 3:17 NLT If God didn't send Jesus into the world to judge the world, I doubt He sent you to judge it. 3. God's judgement is real, but not yet revealed.Romans 2:5 Some of you are too excited about the prospect of people going to hell. Others of you aren't concerned enough about people going to hell.Be angry at injustice, but trust the wisdom of the Lord of the harvest and share God's grace with others while we can.   Are you learning the lessons found in the parable of the wheat and the weeds?

Colossians 1:15-20 NIVMark 1:15 NIVAvailability of life with GodMark 10:17-22 NIVAvailability of life with GodApprenticeship to JesusSurrender to JesusThe aim isn't to get what [we] need from God but to become something for God.  … You weren't meant to stay the person you are right now; you were meant for something more. … It's worth being, and becoming, that person. (Mindy Caliguire, Discovering Soul Care)Availability of life with GodApprenticeship to JesusSurrender to JesusAll this is graceEphesians 2:8-9 NIV 

John 1:1-13,1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. The first Sunday of a new year is a good time for a new series — and to give spiritual focus to a new year. New years are like new beginnings. The old is gone. It's over. You can't change it. Now the new has come. All of 2025 lies ahead. What might this new year bring? And who might we be together as a church in 2025?I'm not sure we could find a better new-year's passage than these opening verses of John, because what they mainly do is celebrate Jesus. That's how we will start 2025 as a church: making much of Jesus, considering him, enjoying him, marveling at him — which is how John opens his Gospel. Three Excellencies of JesusThe apostle John, who will five times call himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23; 19:26; 20:2, 7, 20), knew Jesus as closely as anyone during his earthly life. And as his dearest friend and companion, he begins his Gospel in awe, in a spirit of worship. Perhaps you felt the dramatic flair as you heard these verses read.John begins like a show that opens with fog on the stage. He talks about a particular person, but uses images, and doesn't reveal this person's name until verse 17. This person is the Word, he says, capital W. The Word of God who is with God and is God.And he is the true Light. Other lights are secondary at best, and he eclipses them when he shines in his full strength. And this world was made through him, John says, and he came into the world he made, and the world did not know him. Who is this person? We'll see next week in verse 14 that he became flesh, human, and dwelled among us. Then finally comes verse 17: the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through . . . Jesus Christ.So, John begins in this dramatic, worshipful spirit with elevated and “rhythmical prose.” These opening verses are not poetry, but they are stylized, carefully chosen words with short, punchy sentences and striking repetition of key words: Verses 1–3: beginning, word, word, God, God, word, beginning, God, made, made, made.Verses 4–5: life, life, light, light, darkness, darkness.Verses 7–8: witness, witness, light, light, witness, light.There is fog and rays of light as John introduces and anticipates the key themes that are to come. And as John worships in these opening verses, he celebrates three particular excellencies of Jesus Christ.So, here's our plan: let's celebrate with John these three excellencies of Jesus as we begin 2025.1. Jesus Is God's Word to the World (verses 1–3)That is, he is the divine Word. This is the lead image in these verses; John starts with Word and comes back to Word in verse 14. Until he names him as Jesus Christ in verse 17, he is the Word.Why Word? John could have started, with his dramatic flair, in so many ways. Why start with Word? Why not Son, S-O-N? Why not sun, S-U-N? Why not Christ or King or Lord?John writes in Greek. And the word for word in Greek (logos) has a certain intrigue. It often was invested with philosophical significance. Logos was provocative, yet at the same time, its connotations were not too fixed and singular. It was flexible enough for Christian use.But more than that was the Hebrew background. The Old Testament is chalk full of the divine Word: God's word to his prophets, and God's speaking through them to his people. And John starts with “In the beginning,” which brings to mind Genesis 1, where the Bible begins with “In the beginning...” And you know what (or who) is the sleeper in Genesis 1? The Word of God. Eleven times Genesis 1 says, “God said”; four more times, “God called”; two more times, “God blessed.” If you ask, How did God create the world? What did he do to create? How did he act in Genesis 1? The clear answer is he spoke. He said. He called. He blessed. He made the world through his Word (as Hebrews 11:3 says, “the universe was created by the word of God”).But more than even that, as we'll see in this Gospel, Word anticipates the fullness of Christ, in his coming, as God's final, decisive Word. Jesus is not just a revelation of God, and even a very special revelation of God. He is the climactic and decisive revelation of God to humanity. As verse 18 will say, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.” And Jesus will say to Philip in John 14:9, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus is God's Word to humanity.All God's lowercase words are preparing the way and pointing to his uppercase Word, Jesus. God's singular word, for all time, for all humanity, is Jesus.So, John begins his Gospel in verses 1–3:In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.Here John bundles together two essential truths about this divine Word. One, the speaking, self-reveling, self-disclosing of God almighty — is God himself: “the Word was God.” And this divine Word is not just God's own self, but two, he is God's eternal fellow. He was “with God” — which is not an adversarial with but a with of peace, love, mutual joy, shared life. It's a with of intimacy, companionship, personal relationship — a with-ness of persons before creation.The divine Word is God and with God. One divine essence, as the church would learn to say, and (here) two divine persons, as we'll soon see in this Gospel — Father and Son. (And soon enough a third divine Person will emerge!)What do we mean, then, when we celebrate Jesus as the Word of God? As God, he is fully divine, fully God, God himself. And as God's Word, he reveals God, perfectly. He proceeds from God to reveal God. He makes God known to us. Jesus shows us God and tells us about God. He is God himself and the climactic and final place that we look to, and listen to, that we might know God. He is the divine Word who became human: Jesus Christ.Tangible Word in 2025So, how might we make it tangible here at the outset of a new year? What difference might it make in 2025 that Jesus is the divine Word, God's word to us?Well, for one, know this about yourself, and learn to live in light of it: you were made to receive a Word from God. Or, say it this way, God made you to hear his revelation and respond to him. One of the strangest things about you, next to your nose, is those holes in the side of your heads. Have you ever thought about that? You have holes, God-designed holes, on either side of your head. And you know what those holes are made for? Words. Not just sounds and noises. Mainly words. The height of human hearing is receiving words.God made us to hear the words of our fellow humans, and he made us to hear him through his word, whether read or heard from someone reading aloud or heard through preaching. God made our souls, our inner person, to feed and live by hearing words through our ears. Like Jesus said, battling Satan's temptations in the wilderness, and quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”Try this for 2025: What if you attempted to have God's Voice, through his Word, be the first voice you heard in the morning? Not the word of texts and emails and notifications. Not the anxious voice of national news. Not the endless scores and numbers of ESPN and fantasy football. Not the broken English your aunt posts to Facebook, or the clips from your niece on TikTok.What if day after day, the first voice you heard was God's through his Word, Jesus, through his word, the Bible? How might your soul live, really live, if you started the day hearing God himself, feeding on God himself, in Jesus, rather than on the gravel of news and other noise?2. Jesus Is Our True Light (verses 5–9)Divine Word is the main term, but true light is the dominant image (light appears seven times in verses 4–10).In the rest of the Gospel, we'll see light is about salvation from our sin and the death sin deserves. But here, right after verses 1–3, light is first about creation. The Word shines in his world and makes sense of the world like no other light. Verses 4–9:In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.Three quick clarifications. First, look at the word “overcome” in verse 5. Other translations have “comprehend.” A good word that's a close equivalent in English is “grasp” (another is the verb “master”). You can grasp someone physically and overcome them; you can also grasp something mentally and understand it. I think that's what John means here: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.” This anticipates the rejection theme we'll see again in a few moments, and throughout this Gospel.Second, see the word “true” in verse 9. We will see this over and over. When John says “true,” he doesn't just distinguish true from false, but the real and genuine from rival claims — true bread, true worshipers, true drink, true vine. Sometimes, he means ultimate. The light that came before was true (in nature and in the Old Testament), but now the true light has come, the ultimate light. It's a contrast with what came earlier and anticipated what was to come, and has now come, in Jesus. Creation itself and all the more the Old Testament and Israel and its temple and regulations gave light. But now the true light has come, the definitive light, the climactic light, the ultimate light.Which leads, third, to that phrase “gives light to everyone.” What does John mean that Jesus, “the true light . . . gives light to everyone”? Or better, how does he shine on all humans?His shining on all humans does not mean he saves them all, or even that all humans hear the name and full story of Jesus. They will not hear his name and the truth about him if Christians don't send and go and tell. What “shine on all humans” does mean is that Jesus divides humanity. His light divides the world. We'll see this in verses 10–13. Before the light comes, all are in the darkness of sin and death:John 3:19,“…this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”John 12:46,“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”Because of sin, our world is in darkness. The divine light shines enough to condemn through creation. And the divine light shines through the law and prophets and God's first-covenant people. Then in Jesus comes the true light, and for two thousand years, he has been the decisive issue in the world. What you do with Jesus, how you respond when the true light shines on you, either leads to life, or keeps you in the grip of death.Which brings to mind a famous statement by C.S. Lewis:I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.Jesus, the true light, is the one person who makes sense of the world. Or, Christianity is the faith that makes the most sense of the world in which we live. Its account of the world's goodness in the doctrine of creation. Its account of the world's pervasive darkness in the doctrine of sin. And its account of hope and redemption in the coming of the Divine Word, the true light, to secure for us real life. Which leads to the third image, and the one that meets us most deeply where we are as humans, as we'll see in verse 12.3. Jesus Gives Us Real Life (verse 4)The Gospel of John has much to say about life: God's life, human life, spiritual life, abundant life, and the most frequent mention, eternal life. For now, we'll just touch on this theme, and then we'll enjoy it scene by scene in the coming months.Just as the backdrop or contrast for light is darkness, so the contrast for life is death, or perishing (10:28), wrath (3:36), and judgment (5:29). Life begins with God. Jesus, like his Father, has life in himself (5:26). He creates and gives life, and he is able to give spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead because of sin. Jesus is “the bread of life” (6:48), “the resurrection and the life” (11:25), “the way, the truth, and the life” (14:6).In verse 4, Jesus, as God, is the source of all created life: “In him was life.” As God, he breathes life into all who live. But they are born into sin, and walk in darkness, under divine wrath and the just sentence of death, destined to perish forever. But Jesus lays down his own life to give life to his people (John 10:11, 15, 17; 15:13).This life is eternal, indestructible life, and it begins now, in the heart, in this earthly life (4:14 and 6:27, 33, 35; 6:63; 8:12; 10:10). We drink and eat now, by faith, and have divine life already in our souls by the Holy Spirit. And this spiritual life now leads to eternal life, which is the most important meaning of life. (Life eternal is already in those who believe: 5:24, 39-40; 6:53-54)And what is the essence of this eternal life? John 17:3: “this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”Death and Life in Verses 10–13How, then, does the life that is in Jesus relate to verses 10–13? Remember we said that Jesus, the true light, divides humanity. All are born into darkness. The light shines, and some come to the light; others turn from the light. Verses 10–11:He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him [the rejection theme we saw in verse 5]. 11 He came to his own [that is, his own land or home], and his own people did not receive him.The point here is life. Those who reject him, who is the life, do not have life — life in their souls now, and eternal life in the age to come.But then, verse 12:But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right [“authority”] to become children of God, 13 who were born [birth! That's life!], not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.There are two key elements here in having this life that is in Jesus. First is the legal, the “right.” What does John mean by “the right” to be children of God? This is right, not might. It's not power; it's authority. Official, formal, objective arrangements have been made such that there is a new covenant people, new covenant children, who are not based on ethnicity but faith. Not on first birth, but on new birth.When the Divine Word himself came, when the true light arrived, he brought with him a new formal arrangement for the people of God. Their right to be God's children, heirs of all his promises, and recipients of all privileges comes not through natural, human birth. John says: “not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man.” How, then, does it come?That's the second element: the subjective. The heart. The inner person. You are not born into his new-covenant people, but born again into his people. We call this “new birth.” What is it?God himself is the source of this new life in the soul. It is birth “from above,” birth by his choice, spiritual birth in his timing. Our action and choice is not determinative but God's. But we experience it.The cry of this new life, then, is believing in Jesus — not just faith (noun) but believing (verb). It's active, not static. John emphasizes this in his Gospel by never using the noun for “faith” (pistis), while using the verb “believe” (pisteuō) 98 times.Which leads us to John's stated purpose for why he wrote this Gospel, 20:31:“…these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”That would be worth memorizing and praying regularly for yourself and others in 2025: John 20:31: Father, help me to believe and keep believing that Jesus is the Christ [long-promised human hero-king], the Son of God [both rightful king of Israel and eternal second person of the Godhead], and that by believing I may have life in his name.” If you're with us this morning, and you do not yet believe, this Gospel was written that you might (for the first time) believe and experience real life in your soul, and one day, eternal life. And if you believe in Jesus already, as perhaps most of us do in this room, this Gospel was written that you might keep believing, and grow stronger in believing, and deepen and enrich your experience even now of the real life in Jesus. The essence of this new life is not the external, outward circumstances of our lives that we're so prone to focus on. The essence is in us, the inner person, the heart, the desires. And so we end with the word “receive” in verse 12: “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”Receive Jesus with JoyWhat does it mean to “receive” Jesus? To receive him is to believe in him, but in what way? How do you receive him?You can receive something you don't like. You can receive a blow to the face. You can receive a pink slip. You can receive a traffic ticket. That's not the kind of receiving we're talking about here. We're not talking about receiving as a burden, or receiving with apathy. Jesus means to be received as a treasure.What's so amazing about this new birth, from God, is that he gives us a new heart. He puts in us new desires, so that when the divine Word comes to our ears, when the true light comes to our eyes, God's own life in us doesn't recoil from Jesus, or ignore Jesus, but receives him with joy. I believe in him. I enjoy him. I prize him. I treasure him.This heart is the heart of my prayer for us as a church in 2025: that we would receive him with increasing delight. Week after week, in the Gospel of John, glad reception. Give me more of Jesus. No apathy. No boredom. No burden. But eagerness. Joy.Our question for a new year is this: Where are you going for life? Where are you going for joy? Where are you trying to satisfy the deepest longings of your soul?Are you trying to drink it? Eat it? Watch it? Play it? Perform it? Accomplish it? Scroll it? I sat down next to a guy on a plane a couple months ago, just scrolling vigorously. Like he wanted life. He wanted joy. Like his soul was thirsty and he was trying to find something to satisfy. And he kept scrolling and scrolling, and I thought there's no way he can do this for more than a few minutes. And he scrolled like that, seeming so thirsty, for the whole flight from Atlanta to Springfield, Missouri.Are you like that, in front of a screen, at your job, in your eating and drinking, in your relationships, in your exercise, your automobile, your home decor — just vigorously clawing to find satisfaction there?What would it mean for you to “have life” in Jesus in 2025? Really have life? What needs to go? Or diminish? And what do you need to receive with joy more often and more deeply?Church Alive in '25And so we come to the Table to feed on Jesus for spiritual life, and drink in his grace, for life in our souls.Cities Church, let's seek to be fully alive in 2025 — alive in Jesus, and alive to Jesus.If you have new-year's resolutions, fine and good. Eat better. Exercise. Fine. Good secondary resolutions. But what are they serving? What's the focus? What if the focus were this: real life in your soul — Holy Spirit given and sustained affections for Jesus?

For our Christmas Eve service, Pastor Brad reflects on the people God intentionally invited to celebrate the birth of Jesusthe shepherds and the magi. By understanding the significance of these two groups, we gain a beautiful glimpse of how God sees and values all people. Music: 'A Cradle In Bethlehem' Phil Wickham Evan Wickham

John Piper delves into the Gospel of Luke, showing how the first chapters highlight God's central role in the birth of Jesus. He explores the significance of faith, humility, and obedience, drawing insights from biblical characters like Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth.He teaches: The purpose and structure of Luke's gospelThe importance of confidence in faithParallelism in the first two chapters of LukeThe centrality of God in Luke's gospelJesus's unique natureThe assurance of salvation through JesusThe way of faith and humilityThe joy of the Holy SpiritThe call to receive the Holy SpiritThe final encouragement to know and experience the gospelHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

Excerpt--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --IntroIn our penultimate lesson of our Christmas seriesThe story of Christmas from people who were actually thereThe inn keeper - making room for JesusThe shepherds - loners and outcasts invited into the storyThe magi - pagan astrologers used by GodToday: King HerodBut, as always, let's start with a question:Q. Whose Kingdom Are You Building?Think about it: everyone's building someone's kingdomA successful friend of mine wants to start his own businessHe's made a lot of money for the owner of his companyDawned on him: why doesn't he start his own!!Today's point isn't to inspire a new generation of entrepreneursIt's to call your attention to this fact:Everyone's working for someone's kingdomEither God's or yoursToday as we meet King Herod we'll find a ruler desperate to protect his kingdom at all costs, even opposing God's eternal plan.NOTE: The Bible mentions several rulers named Herod, each playing a distinct role in different contexts. The Herods were a dynasty of Edomite rulers under Roman control, and they feature prominently in the New Testament:1st Gen: Herod the Great: Ruler at Jesus' birth. (Matthew 2:16-18)2nd Gen:Herod Archelaus: Feared by Joseph. (Matthew 2:22)Herod Antipas: Executed John the Baptist, mocked Jesus. (Mark 6:14-29, Luke 23:7-12)Herod Philip I: First husband of Herodias. (Mark 6:17)Herod Philip II: Tetrarch of northeastern territories. (Matthew 16:13)3rd Gen: Herod Agrippa I: Executed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter. (Acts 12:1-4)4th Gen: Herod Agrippa II: Heard Paul's defense. (Acts 25:13–26:32)Herod the Great = clear bad guy in the storyDriven by self-interest (building his own kingdom) made some terrible decisionsIt's easy to see sin in someone else's life, isn't it?But when we look in the mirror, we're often blind…Truth is: We are Herod - we all tend to do this, act out of destructive self-interest:Sinful HabitsAddiction that destroys you and your relationshipsOr Even Good things:Careers: pushing hard at any cost (often families)Finances: building wealth without asking “what for?”Relationships: burning bridges Influence: Gaining followers but losing friendsBlinded by self-interest: Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos (see “The Dropout” podcast) once celebrated as a groundbreaking entrepreneur who promised to revolutionize the medical industry with her blood-testing technology. obsessed with maintaining her

In his TGCW24 message, David Platt teaches Jesus's final “I am” statement from John 15:1–11, which Jesus spoke to his disciples on the night he was betrayed.Jesus calls all believers to abide in him like a branch remains in its vine, drawing everything we need from him. We don't rely on our obedience to save or sanctify us; we rely on the finished work of Jesus, depending fully on him. Because apart from him, we can do nothing. He is the true vine.Platt teaches the following:Childlike boldness and the will of GodThe metaphor of the vineJesus as the true vineExperiencing abundant life in JesusThe role of prayer and meditationThe battle for belief and trustBearing fruit for the worldHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together 

We all know what it's like to screw up. To go somewhere we shouldn't have gone and done something we shouldn't have done. When we do, we wonder, “Will anybody come and set things right?”It's this longing that is answered in the attribute of God we're going to look at today. God is gracious. Full of grace. From the Greek word charis, grace means helpfulness toward someone in need without receiving anything in return; generosity merely for the sake of another.The scarlet thread of grace runs all through the Bible. ·      Rahab: A prostitute living in Jericho, she risked her life to save two Hebrew spies. They made a promise to her that if she would hang a scarlet cord from the window of her home when the Israelite army attacked, she and her family would be spared. She trusted in that scarlet cord and by grace, she was given a new life.  ·      Adam and EveThe scarlet thread begins in the opening pages of the Bible. Having committed the first sin, they now experienced guilt, shame, and brokenness. Yet God made garments of animal skin to cover their guilt and shame. But the covering came at a price. Death has now entered the world. Innocent blood has been shed. And a message has been sent: Your sin is covered because a sacrifice has been accepted on your behalf.·      PassoverThousands of years later, God's people were trapped in slavery in Egypt. But God had a plan to free them from their bondage and the judgment that was coming. They must take the blood of a flawless lamb and spread it on the doorposts of their homes. Then when the Death Angel moved through the land, he would see the blood and pass over their homes. Grace was offered, but that grace came at a cost.  A sinless substitute paid the price that justice required.  ·      Day of AtonementIt is the satisfaction of the demands of justice so that oneness can be restored. On the Day of Atonement, two goats would be chosen. One of the goats would be sacrificed and the blood sprinkled over the Ark of the Covenant. But the chief priest would lay his hands on the remaining living goat and confess all the sins the people had committed. This goat would then be led out of the camp and into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people. This goat was called…the scapegoat.·      JesusThe scarlet thread is woven throughout Jesus' life and ultimately leads to a hill called Calvary where the Lamb was sacrificed for the sins of all mankind. Here is the message of the scarlet thread, as clear as I know how to make it. God is not willing that any should perish, but He gives to everyone a choice. Who are you trusting to set things right between you and God?  There are two options. You can say, “I'm trusting myself,” and God will allow that – for now. But the Bible is real clear that if you do, when the time comes that you face the righteous God, there will be an accounting. And it's then that the issue of atoning for your sin will have to be dealt with by you and you alone.  OR… you can take advantage of the grace that God offers through His Son. You can ask that the Lamb of God, Jesus, atone for your sin. Text: Joshua 2:1-21; Is. 53Originally recorded on October 31, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Relevant Verses: John 8:54–58; 12:1–8; 19:4–22; 20:19– 31 Theme: Signs Faith versus Blessed Faith Leading Question: What do you need to believe? The tension between signs faith and belief without having seen is a curious one in John's Gospel. On one hand, Jesus' sings are featured with prominence in order that people might believe that Jesus is the Messiah. On the other hand, Jesus rebukes the seeking of signs, and those who believe without having seen are considered blessed. The Anointing of JesusThe anointing of Jesus, like previous sign acts in the Gospel of John, is described in a single verse, indicating that ...

At TGCW24, Vanessa Hawkins invites us to consider Jesus's third I AM statement, "I AM the door" from John 10:1-10.There are times when we rely more on what Jesus gives us access to rather than resting in the truth that he himself is our access. Jesus is not merely our passage to eternal life with God—he is always more and better than we can imagine. As we turn to Jesus and learn from him, we will more clearly recognize his voice. As we read, study, and obey the Word of God, his voice will become easier and easier to follow.Hawkins teaches the following: The positive impact of a father's relationshipAdam and Eve's relationship with God and separation as a result of sinThe promise of a Savior and the closing of a doorThose who do not enter the sheepfold by the door are thieves and robbersA real threat: the enemy's attempts to steal, kill, and destroyWhat are the spiritual thieves and robbers in our lives?Jesus's promise of abundant life and what it truly means for usWalking in obedience and embracing the invitation from JesusThe power of death defeated and the hope of resurrectionEnter through the Door and walk into the Father's presence with bold accessHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

Scripture Reading: Acts 16:13–40 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there. 14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us. 16 Now as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit that enabled her to foretell the future by supernatural means. She brought her owners a great profit by fortune-telling. 17 She followed behind Paul and us and kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” 18 She continued to do this for many days. But Paul became greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out of her at once. 19 But when her owners saw their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion. They are Jews 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.” 22 The crowd joined the attack against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and commanded the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Receiving such orders, he threw them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors flew open, and the bonds of all the prisoners came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he assumed the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out loudly, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell down trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house. 33 At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized right away. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set food before them, and he rejoiced greatly that he had come to believe in God, together with his entire household. 35 At daybreak the magistrates sent their police officers, saying, “Release those men.” 36 The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. So come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to the police officers, “They had us beaten in public without a proper trial—even though we are Roman citizens—and they threw us in prison. And now they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! They themselves must come and escort us out!” 38 The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas were Roman citizens 39 and came and apologized to them. After they brought them out, they asked them repeatedly to leave the city. 40 When they came out of the prison, they entered Lydia's house, and when they saw the brothers, they encouraged them and then departed.OutlinePaul's Encounter with LydiaLooking for Jews or God-fearersFinding women and a “place of prayer”Lydia the God-fearerLydia the (wealthy?) purple dye merchantFancy purple!Lydia's home and hospitalityThe Slave Girl with the Spirit of ProphecyA slave girlThe girl's (more properly, the spirit's) prophecyWhy did Paul wait to act?Paul and Silas Are ProsecutedThe slave-owners' hope of profit is “expelled”Paul and Silas are dragged into the marketplace and before the magistratesPaul and Silas are charged with disloyaltyPaul and Silas are beaten with rodsWhy did Paul and Silas not protest based on their citizenship?Jail, an Earthquake, and a JailerPaul and Silas are imprisonedPraise in sufferingA providential earthquake frees the prisoners, but they refuse to escapeThe jailer is saved by Paul, then is saved by JesusThe jailer takes the missionaries to his homeThe Authorities Are in TroubleThe authorities broke the lawThe irony clears the missionaries' shame

Hey there! I'm Jonathan Gouthier the Associate Pastor here at First Church of Torrington and also the co-host of the Faith First Podcast that you're listening to. Our episode today is all about the faithfulness of God. No matter how we feel during the day, we are guaranteed that God will be faithful to His purpose and plan. Today, I'm joined by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr so join us as we discuss the faithfulness of God.In this episode, you'll discover:What assurance do we have when we know the faithfulness of GodHow our emotions cloud our view of the faithfulness of GodWhy it is important to understand the faithfulness of God as His characterWhat the title of “Faithful and True” means for JesusThe faithfulness of God is always linked to what He promises or does. When we don't have faith in ourselves, we can hold onto the faithfulness of God because He is faithful and will never change.If you've been listening to the Faith First Podcast for some time, we'd love to connect with you. If you need prayer or have any questions for Pastor Steve or myself, head over to our website: www.firstcong.org, and send us a message directly. Until next time, hold onto the faithfulness of God faith first.

“It is not only the shortest psalm in the collection but also the shortest chapter in the Bible” Alter, 414; Longman, 398.  It is 27 words in the NASB and 28 in the ESV. In Hebrew it is only 17 words. “Many Hebrew mss.attach it to Ps. 116….Other Hebrew mss. join the psalm to Ps. 118” Allen, 117.The basic structure of a song of praise is simple. It begins with a call to praise (vs. 1). Then the word translated for or because introduces the reason for praise (lines 1 and 2 of vs. 2). Last, there is a final call to praise (line 3 of vs. 2).“Underlying this invitation is the conviction that the God of Israel is the God who rules the world” McCann, 1150.117:1 Praise the LORD, all nations- Other psalms, like Psalm 96:3, speak of praising God among the nations, but here all the nations and all peoples are called to praise God- Alter, 414. Laud Him, all peoples!- “This verb appears to be an Aramaic word for ‘praise, laud'; and unless it was also Hebrew but not used much in the psalms, it may indicate that the Psalmist chose it to address the nations since Aramaic was spoken in the non-Israelite world and became the dominant language at the time of captivity” Ross, 435. The word is used 11 times in the OT: I Chron. 16:35; Pss. 63:3; 65:7; 89:9; 106:47; 117:1; 145:4; 147:12; Prov. 29:11; Ecc.  4:2; 8:15.117:2 God's lovingkindness is described as ‘great.' The word ‘great' can refer to victory on the battlefield. For example, it is used twice in Exodus 17:11 in the description of Israel's battle with Amalek. Also see the word in military contexts in I Sam. 2:9; II Sam. 1:23; 11:23. The word is used for the flood waters prevailing- Gen. 7:18-20 – our iniquities prevailing- Ps. 65:3- God's blessings- Gen. 49:26- His lovingkindness- Ps. 103:11. “The Hebrew root is often used to indicate the power of a military conquer. Here it also affirms that God conquers the world, but that God does so by the power of His faithful love” McCann, 1150. God's lovingkindness has triumphed; it has prevailed.  Lovingkindness and truth are accompanied by each other in Ex. 34:6; Ps. 25:10; 36:5; 40:10; 57:10; 85:10; 86:15; 89:14; 92:2; 98:3; 100:5; 108:4; 115:1; 138:2 And the truth of the LORD is everlasting- The emphasis of the second line can be summed up by saying that God's plans and promises are as fresh and intact now as on the day that they were made; and they will remain so” Kidner, 412. His love and truth know ‘neither measure nor end” Allen, 118.God's lovingkindness and truth were dramatically demonstrated in the exodus and the events surrounding it. God revealed Himself to Moses as “abounding in lovingkindness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). “Their history was a monument to the greatness of His loyal love, for it was full of instances of loving, protecting, delivering, pardoning grace” Allen, 118. As Israel sang Psalm 117 at Passover, they remembered God's lovingkindness and truth in the exodus. God's dealing with Israel are a cause for universal praise among all nations and an attraction to all nations to worship such a God. Psalm 117 and JesusThe crucifixion/resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate display of the LORD's lovinkindness and truth. In the cross, God's lovingkindness and truth have triumphed, prevailed, and conquered the ruthless enemies of sin and death. The cross serves as a call for all nations to worship Him (John 12:32; Phil. 2:5-11; Rev. 5:8-14). Interestingly, as brief as Psalm 117 is, it is quoted in the New Testament. In Romans 15:8-12 Paul quotes from several OT passages (Rom. 15:9/ Psalm 18:49; Rom. 15:10/ Deut. 32:43; Rom. 15:11/Psalm 117:1; Rom. 15:12/Isaiah 11:10) to show God's desire has always

When we develop the self-awareness to identify all that we are carrying with us then and only then are we able to ask Jesus to give us the clarity that we need to discern what is true; and what is a lie.Topics discussed in this episode:Traveling light and the essentials vs compulsive over-packerFlying on an airplane with…scissors We often don't know what we are carrying with usToxic self-talk and finding clarity with JesusThe battle ground of our mindWhen was the last time that you heard God tell you that he loves you?Romans 2:4 “His kindness leads me to repentance.”God's voice is kind and lovingResources mentioned in this episode:Life of The Beloved by Henri NouwenThe Thing Beneath The Thing by Steve CarterThe Daily Rhythm at seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17. When you invite God into your life, He will change how you speak, how you act, how you play sports, and how you live. How have you seen that happen in your life? Have you experienced that change? For Dra Rogers, he can say that God has completely changed how he lives and how he coaches the game of basketball. Dra is the head basketball coach at Verrado High School in Arizona and also works with FCA Arizona West Valley. As someone that has coached both as a Christian and as someone who was not, he understands what it means to have Christ truly change the person that you are.Today, we sit down with Dra to discuss: How sports shaped Dra before coming to know ChristThe biggest difference in how he coaches now vs. when he wasn't a believerA crazy story of him starting his work with FCAHow to connect with athletes today through JesusThe balance of exercising free will vs. letting God be in controlNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

00:00 - 10:05 The message is about changing your algorithm to walk closer to God in the new yearIt emphasizes the importance of desiring to be closer to God as the most important goalThe speaker uses the example of social media algorithms to explain the concept of changing your life's algorithm to favor drawing close to GodThe story of Manasseh in 2nd Chronicles 33 is used to illustrate the possibility of change and hope for anyone seeking to draw closer to God 09:58 - 20:02 The piece discusses the story of King Manasseh, who was described as evil and did many bad things in the sight of the LordDespite his wickedness, Manasseh eventually changed his ways while in captivity and prayed to God for forgiveness and restorationGod heard his prayers and restored him, and Manasseh returned to Judah a changed man, cleaning up the mess he had madeThe story serves as a message of hope and redemption, showing that sincere prayers and a desire for a deeper relationship with God can lead to restoration 19:45 - 29:52 To draw closer to God, prayer must be a priority in life, not just a one-time thingReading the Bible is essential for spiritual growth and understanding God's wordInvolvement in Christian community, beyond just attending church, is necessary for building strong relationships and receiving spiritual encouragementConsistency in prayer, Bible reading, and community involvement is key for spiritual growth and drawing closer to God 29:40 - 39:41 Consistency in prayer, reading the Bible, and communing with friends is powerful because it compounds over timeConsistency in eating well and exercising also compounds over time and positively impacts healthBeing consistent in the things of God helps in tough times and allows for the identification of the moves of the Holy SpiritSpending time with the Lord helps in understanding how He speaks to youRemoving things from your life that don't glorify God or take your attention away from Him is importantChanging the algorithm and prioritizing a closer walk with the Lord is necessary for believersDrawing near to God is important and requires making Him a priority in your lifeThe first step to drawing near to God is accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. 39:38 - 42:23 Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we could be right with GodWhen we accept Jesus as the Lord of our life, we desire to follow his waysThe Holy Spirit helps us to live for JesusA prayer is offered for those who want to give their life to JesusThe speaker wishes for a deeper relationship with Jesus in the new yearA benediction is given for blessings and peace Visit Focus Church: https://www.focuschurch.com To Give Online: https://www.focuschurch.com/give/ Join the Focus Email List - https://app.birdsend.co/forms/5546/hosted Join the Bible Study: https://www.focuschurch.com/weekly-bible-studies/ Get the Bible Reading Plan: https://youtu.be/cvA63doFN5I Download a Copy of the Prayer Plan Prayer Plan - http://bit.ly/focusprayer Prayer Plan (blanks) - http://bit.ly/pplanblanks Prayer Plan (w/ Scriptures) - http://bit.ly/pplanwbible Watch the Video - https://youtu.be/p5MbbWr2GK0

TAKEAWAYSThe film was made for kids and parents to watch together and remember the reason for the season - Jesus ChristAntonio Banderas plays the role of evil King Herod along with a stellar cast including Joel Smallbone from the band For King & CountryThe movie explores some of the feelings and fears that young Mary may have faced before betrothing Joseph and giving birth to JesusThe movie is not just for Christians but for people who have never heard about the good news of Christ's birth

The Pattern of HeavenExodus 25:1-9IntroductionA trip through cathedrals – illiterate people and keeping the faith by art and sculptures.A lot of history in these amazing structures: major events, burials, events that moved the world to remember: Luther nailing his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg that began a reformation! Or the move in Leipzig that brought down the Berlin Wall? Or the simple pastor in Timisoara, Romania that brought about the downfall of the government there. The many small chapels across England as John Wesley preached up and down the land. Show pictures:Sistine Chapel at the Vatican- ItalyCathedral in Krakow, PolandCathedral in MilanCathedral in Salisbury – a worker who loved JesusCathedral in Wesel – Peter Minuit who bought Manhatten from the IndiansSt. Paul's Cathedral London – taken into the Holy of HoliesBut all of these do not compare with what God gave to Moses!Then the Tabernacle – above all the othersRead TextThe Character and nature of God is revealedThrough the blood of JesusThe courtyard for sin, and the Holy place leading to the Holy of Holies.46x23 meters (150 feet X 75 feet) cf Biltmore is 175,000 ft2 CFNBC 11,250 ft2Outer Court and Inner CourtHoly Place – 10 X 5 meters 48x24Holy of Holies – 5 X 5 meters 24ftWorshiper could not go any further than bringing sacrifice to altar. Only priests could go farther to laver. Worth – Over 100 billion USD equivalent.See the Revelation 21 for the New JerusalemPrayers of incense Revelation 5:8 and 8:3,4Assumptions and shadows.  Solving the mystery and wanting to know all things. But there are issues that can develop because of this: the presence and leadership of God is replaced by dead works and dead traditions.  Where there. Is no life being infused, but the very condemnation that does not come from the Father:  ignoring him can lead to lifelessness. See what happens in Exodus 32.1See what is in Cebu or in Chichicastenango. The tents in the wilderness were facing the tabernacle.When we look forward to what Father intends for us both individually and collectively as a church, we can do a lot more moving forward in unity. “Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day— things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Take care that no one keeps defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding firmly to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”Colossians 2:16-19 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”James 1:14-17 “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the form of those things itself, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”Hebrews 10:1-4  

September 17, 2023Pastor Matt KendrickA Holy People1 Peter 1:13-21God isn't calling us to be perfect, but to be distinct from the world. We're to live a set-apart life, not trying to "blend in" with the world, but instead living according to God's Word.Prepare your minds for action and as you go into the world be holy like JesusThe same Father God who is setting this high expectation of holiness for us is quick to forgive. He's quick to welcome us home. He's eager to heal and restore and renew. The first step toward holiness is setting your hope fully on the grace of ChristThank you for listening!For more info on Redemption City Church check out our website. If you'd like to connect with us further, please fill out a Connection Card and one of our staff will get in touch with you.Follow us on on social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Krishna Das offers up wisdom from his years of practice and study, answering questions about Hanuman, finding peace through practice, working with the ego and much more.This episode of the Pilgrim Heart Podcast was originally aired during Krisha Das' “Hanging Out In the Heart Space” online satsang on December 16, 2021. Be sure to subscribe to Krishna Das on Youtube to get new episodes of “Hanging Out In the Heart Space”, fresh music from KD and more: Krishna Das MusicIn this episode of Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das answers questions on:Attachment and working with the egoChanting, finding a regular practice for yourself, and chanting the Hanuman ChalisaLiving a peaceful lifeNeem Karoli Baba, sharing a story about Dada Mukherjee and Maharaj-jiPractices for cultivating wisdomHanuman & JesusThe role of doubt and questioning on the spiritual path“You can always find some time to chill and to relax and to let go. Chanting is my main practice. One has to develop the ability to pay some attention to what one is doing. If you don't plant the seeds of the things you want peace, where will you find them?” – Krishna DasSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Study the Bible with me in Israel March 4-15, 2024This is not a tourist trip! While we do explore the main sites, we spend much of our time away from the tourists as we walk the land, climb mountains, and learn about Scripture in the places it happened!I love experiencing the Bible "on location"—the Word deepens and becomes more profound when you see it in light of its cultural, historical, and geographical context.And these Bible Study Tours in Israel combine several of my favorite things: a small group of believers who want to seek after Christstudying the Bible togetherdiscovering the profound context of God's Word and how it deepens our understanding experiencing greater intimacy with Jesusthe beauty, profundity, and life-changing opportunity to do all the above in IsraelInterested?You can find all the details for the next trip at deeperChristian.com/israel. I encourage you to prayerfully consider joining me next March as we seek the Lord and study the Bible together in the Holy Land. I'd love to have you there.-----------------Deeper Christian Podcast • Episode 285View the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperChristian.com/285

http://bible.com/events/49046169 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Tough Sayings of Jesus Part 2 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away... Tough Sayings of JesusThe desire of this series is not to take some difficult sayings of Jesus and turn them into not-difficult sayings of Jesus. They will be difficult before and after this sermon series. The purpose of the series is for us to more deeply understand the Lord's purpose in saying these difficult things and how we are to think and behave accordingly. Often these sayings are tough for us because they shine light into the dark corners of who we are, they take us places within our hearts that we would honestly rather not go…they show us our great need for Him. However, it is important that the church teach the whole truth of the Bible – the ideas that are pleasant and those that are terrifying and make us uncomfortable. Today we look at Christ difficult declaration, "Cut off your hand..."‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭30‬‬ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. John Stott What he was advocating was not a literal physical self-maiming, but a ruthless moral self-denial. Not mutilation but mortification is the path of holiness he taught, and ‘mortification' or ‘taking up the cross' to follow Christ means to reject sinful practices so resolutely that we die to them or put them to death.‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭7‬-‭9 ‬‬Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Note the words ‘eternal fire' in verse eight. For most of the history of the church, some have asserted either some form of ultimate universal salvation for everyone or ultimate annihilation of the lost. But for the entire history of the church, the vast majority of Christians and the vast majority of the church's most eminent and reliable theologians have affirmed that what Jesus and the apostles taught about hell is eternal, conscious punishment.“ The devil doesn't care if you read your Bible or go to church, as long as you don't apply it to your life.” Sin is gruesome and deadly - not laughable and light hearted‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭24 ‬‬So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. The moment you think sin is acceptable, cut that thought off!‭‭ 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬‬ Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD John Stott continues: Jesus was quite clear about it. It is better to lose one member and enter life maimed, he said, than to retain our whole body and go to hell. That is to say, it is better to forgo some experiences this life offers in order to enter the life which is life indeed; it is better to accept some cultural amputation in this world than risk final destruction in the next. Of course this teaching runs clean counter to modern standards of permissiveness. It is based on the principle that eternity is more important than time and purity than culture, and that any sacrifice is worthwhile in this life if it is necessary to ensure our entry into the next. We have to decide, quite simply, whether to live for this world or the next, whether to follow the crowd (the culture) or Jesus Christ. Today is the day, choose to obey God whatever it cost. Giving at COTN If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@abeaconofhope_pbz6m2Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ! https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/EXTRA: Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. 1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.“ St Ignatius of Loyola notes that, ‘Sin is unwillingness to trust that what God wants is our deepest happiness.' Until I am absolutely convinced of this, I will do everything I can to keep my hands on the controls of my life because I think I know better than God what I need for my fulfillment.”

Episode 5January 23 - January 29 | Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3 | “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”Baptism day Not healed Pharisee lately #OldTestament2022 #comefollowme #comefollowme2022 #TalkofHim #FindHimJoin hosts Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum on this New Testament episode of Talk of Him as we explore these important themes, topics, and questions from Matthew 3; Mark 1; and Luke 3: The baptism of JesusThe relational aspect of covenant making and keepingReceiving Jesus' healing & how to cope when the journey is long and difficultA New Testament reframe → seeing ourselves as the PhariseesStubborn clinging to the past vs. being humble and openEternal progression and preparing for MORE that God wants to reveal to us (the ONGOING restoration!)What are fruits worthy of repentance as John the Baptist taught?—Invitation: When is a time you have felt that God is pleased with your efforts? As you participate in ordinances, strive to keep commandments, and live your covenants, consider that these efforts are opportunities to act in love. — Quotes & Links: Link to FIND HIM New Testament Study Guide:https://www.seagullbook.com/find-him-new-testament-come-follow-me-guidebook.html “Covenants bind us to God. And baptism is the first step on the covenant path. Heaven cheers as you take that first step and all the other steps on the path to come unto Christ. God is pleased with your efforts and offerings. And as you choose to enter the gate, you can hear God say, as He did at the Savior's baptism, that He is well pleased with you (see Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22).” [FIND HIM STUDY GUIDE, p. 9]“During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ healed the sick and the afflicted, but each person had to exercise faith in Him and act to receive His healing. Some walked for long distances, others extended their hand to touch His garment, and others had to be carried to Him in order to be healed. When it comes to healing, don't we all need Him desperately? “Are we not all beggars?” [2019–O:57, Reyna I. Aburto, Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!]—Talk of Him is presented by Seagull Book and hosted by Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum.

It is the LordThe Miracles of JesusThe following account would not be in the Bible if Simon [Peter] had not trusted in the Lord, following His command to lower his net one more time. Is there somewhere God is asking you to "lower your net" just one more time this season?When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon [Peter], “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch [of fish].” Simon replied, “Master, we worked hard all night [to the point of exhaustion] and caught nothing [in our nets], but at Your word I will [do as you say and] lower the nets [again].” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were [at the point of] breaking; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats [with fish], so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Go away from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all his companions were completely astounded at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon [Peter]. Jesus said to Simon, “Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!” After they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example]. - Luke 5:4-11 AMPWe also mediate on this account from the book of John 21:1-11 NKJVBlessing you to trust the Lord, and to follow His spirit which is at work in your life.Thank You!Becoming a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital.As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect with God, discover identity, and awaken purpose for their lives. Learn more on our website at CultivateConnection.comWe Need You!Cultivate Connection is listened to in 129 countries and averages 2,000 listeners a week. Help us reach even more people by sharing this episode on Facebook, Instagram, via email, or whatever other way you prefer.Visit our Facebook page and share your thoughts or ask a question. We read every comment and love responding!Leave a review on iTunes or your favourite podcast app. Your ratings and reviews mean a lot and help this podcast get discovered by others.And lastly, subscribe to Cultivate Collection Weekly, our email providing you with resources and inspiration to help you grow your relationship with God.

What does it mean to be a "successful" parent? And what does it mean to raise "successful" kids? Though the world has one definition for this term, we talk to a mom (and grandma) this week who is on the other side of the trenches, having successfully raised her seven kids in every sense of the word. Helen Smallbone is a co-founder of MUMlife Community and a podcast host with AccessMore, as well as a mom of Grammy Award--winning artists--Rebecca St. James and FOR KING + COUNTRY. In this episode, we talk with Helen about her new book Behind the Lights: The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family, and what her journey looked like behind the scenes of instilling faith in seven children. We talk to her about about: How to go deeper in conversations with your kids and finding the "why" behind their actionsWays to prioritize self care and solitude as a parent Strategies Helen used to handle sibling rivalry in her homeThe weight of pointing our kids to JesusThe power of simply asking God for help Click here to watch this episode on YouTube. Show Notes Order a copy of Behind the Lights: The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family Learn more about the MUMlife Community

My guest this episode is Ray Comfort. Ray is the bestselling author of more than 100 books and the CEO of livingwaters.com.  He cohosts the award-winning television program Way of the Master, airing in every country in the world, and is an Executive Producer of “180,” “Evolution vs. God,” “Audacity,” and other films. He is married to Sue and has three grown children and hasn't left the house without gospel tracts for decades.In this episode we discuss:The purpose of lifeIrresistible zeal for GodServing from love not for loveBy all means reach someHow to have initiative in reaching the lostIgnoring your fear and the possibility of rejectionOpen air preachingHow to show people they need JesusThe interplay between God's sovereignty and free will in witnessingThe pressure of today's world on people's understanding of the futureDiscerning the times we are in concerning prophecyFor more on Ray Comfort: Go to his website https://www.livingwaters.com/Check out Ray's list of books on Amazon here https://www.amazon.com/Ray-Comfort/e/B001JS57SW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1652484246&sr=8-1Follow Ray and Living Waters on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/livingwatersofficial/For more information on the ministry of Discerning Dad:Support me on Faithful- I have exclusive content you can't find anywhere else! https://faithful.place/users/discerningdadCheck out my website!  https://discerning-dad.com/Order my newest book- "Eyes on Jesus: A 90-Day Discernment Devotional" now!  This is a must-read for your personal quiet time with Jesus. Order here https://amzn.to/3vIArYYGrow your YouTube account like I did with TubeBuddy!  Use my link https://www.tubebuddy.com/discerningdadYou can purchase my book that started it all, Everyday Discernment: The Importance of Spirit-led decision making, on Amazon https://amzn.to/3dDGKVwBecome a patron supporter and get exclusive benefits such as my second podcast and much more https://www.patreon.com/Discerningdad

If you've ever tried to stand up for your faith in a hostile setting, you know all about the subtle ways people can twist your words. In this study of Matthew 22 and 23, see how Jesusthe most brilliant person who ever walked the earthstood up to three different kinds of intellectual attack.