Podcasts about kingdom values

Jesus' words, "Blessed are the meek," are a counter voice to the growing number of angry alpha pseudo-religious. They are an invitation... They are a challenge... They are healing...“We may say as a general rule for life that it is never right to be angry for any insult or injury done to ourselves – that is something that no Christian must ever resent – but that it is often right to be angry at injuries done to other people.  Selfish anger is always a sin; selfless anger can be one of the great moral dynamics of the world.” William Barclay

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break,"  Shakespeare, Macbeth

As a follower of Christ, what is our place in this moment? The way of the Kingdom of God is a different path.“Blessed are the poor. Blessed are you who are conscious of your lack of merit and readily open yourselves to the divine mercy.”
 Brennan Manning, The Importance of Being Foolish

Send us a textWhen Jesus answers a question about marriage and divorce, he shows us how people are valued in God's kingdom. Kingdom people must value the vulnerable. (Text: Mark 10.1-12)

Bible talk from Luke 18:9–14

Before Jesus ever began his sermon, the disciples first came to him. Are we willing to come to Jesus... even when that means God is going to disrupt our lives?

Bible talk from Luke 16:19-31

Bible talk from Luke 14:12-24

Bible talk from Luke 12:13-21

Bible talk from Luke 10:25-17

The weekly podcast of Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, led by Dr. Gregg S. Magee, Sr.

 Jesus redefines greatness as humble service. In this message, we explore how grace frees us from striving for status and empowers us to lift others up, following Christ's example of self-giving love. 

A ship's rudder is crucial for the safety of the vessel and its crew—without it, the craft is at the mercy of winds and waves. Dr. Tony Evans explains how God's Kingdom values serve as our spiritual rudder, guiding us safely through life's storms.

A ship's rudder is crucial for the safety of the vessel and its crew—without it, the craft is at the mercy of winds and waves. Dr. Tony Evans explains how God's Kingdom values serve as our spiritual rudder, guiding us safely through life's storms.

A ship's rudder is crucial for the safety of the vessel and its crew—without it, the craft is at the mercy of winds and waves. Dr. Tony Evans explains how God's Kingdom values serve as our spiritual rudder, guiding us safely through life's storms.

Jesus teaches us a high view of marriage taking us all the way back to creation - two become one flesh.  And it points us to the Christ and His church.  

Today we're discussing the debate between feminists and non-feminists, and why I side with the non-feminists for biblical reasons. Just because women can do some of what men do doesn't mean we should. We'll also continue discussing the Charlie Kirk case, Erika Kirk's strange behavior, why being a widow doesn't automatically make you innocent, and why it's deeply concerning that TPUSA refuses to distance itself from Israel, even as Charlie's final words publicly challenged Israel, Judaism, and the control of figures like Ben Shapiro over the conservative movement.

The Nature of RedemptionWhen Christ institutes the Lord's Supper, he captures the uniqueness of the Passover in contrast to the familiar myth-making found in "' Twas the Night Before Christmas." While the poem crafts a benevolent Santa Claus who rewards the good, Christ's Lord's Supper, which builds on the Passover, underscores the necessity of violent redemption, revealing humanity's deep need for a savior who does more than merely reward or punish based on merit. Christ's appropriation of the Passover demonstrates that redemption is not a gentle or sentimental transaction, but a costly one that addresses the fundamental brokenness and unworthiness present in every person.Christ's TransformationCentral to the message is how Christ's celebration and redefinition of Passover radically departs from tradition. Instead of recounting a distant act of salvation, Jesus identifies himself as the sacrificial lamb, instigating the new covenant through his body and blood. These actions confound expectations and overturn religious scripts, compelling the disciples and all who remember the story to reflect on the true meaning of remembrance and participation in God's redemption. The meal serves not merely as a memorial, but as a sign of ongoing spiritual communion, nourishment, and transformation that only comes through Christ.Kingdom Values and DiscipleshipFinally, the sermon challenges listeners to reconsider their attitudes toward significance, worthiness, and power in God's kingdom. The disciples' arguments over position at the table reveal human tendencies to seek status, even at a sacred moment of redemption. Christ responds by redefining greatness in terms of humble service and dependence on divine grace. The text calls believers to find joy not in our achievements or entitlement, but in Christ's radical grace that alone makes the recipients worthy to draw near. Ironically, we find our significance by emptying ourselves of significance.

Restoring three things back to the church:1. The preeminent pursuit of Jesus.2. Returning to the biblical church design.3. The call of God to the nations.Also includes the deacon ordination!

What if our relentless drive to be better than others is quietly breaking us?Miroslav Volf unpacks the core themes of his 2025 book, The Cost of Ambition: How Striving to Be Better Than Others Makes Us Worse. In this book, Volf offers a penetrating critique of comparison culture, diagnosing the hidden moral and spiritual wounds caused by competition and superiority.Drawing on Scripture, theology, philosophy, literature, and our culture's obsession with competition and superiority, Volf challenges our assumptions about ambition and identity—and presents a deeply humanizing vision of life rooted not in being “the best,” but in receiving ourselves as creatures made and loved by God.From Milton's depiction of Satan to Jesus' descent in Philippians 2, from the architectural rivalry of ancient Byzantium to modern Olympic anxieties, Volf invites us to imagine a new foundation for personal and social flourishing: a life free from striving, rooted in love and grace.Highlights“The key here is for us to come to appreciate, affirm, and—importantly—love ourselves. Love ourselves unconditionally.”“Striving for superiority devalues everything we have, if it doesn't contribute to us being better than someone else.”“The inverse of striving for superiority is internal plague by inferiority.”“In Jesus, we see that God's glory is not to dominate but to lift up what is low.”“We constantly compare to feel good about ourselves, and end up unsure of who we are.”“We have been given to ourselves by God—our very existence is a gift, not a merit.”Helpful Links and ResourcesVisit faith.yale.edu/ambition to get a 40-page PDF Discussion Guide and Full Access to 7 videosThe Cost of Ambition by Miroslav Volf (Baker Academic, May 2025)Philippians 2:5–11 (NIV) – Christ's Humility and Exaltation – BibleGatewayRomans 12:10 – “Outdo one another in showing honor” – BibleHubParadise Lost by John Milton – Project GutenbergParadise Regained by John Milton – Project GutenbergShow NotesOpening Reflections on CompetitionThe conversation begins with Volf recalling a talk he gave at the Global Congress on Christianity & Sports.He uses athletic competition—highlighting Lionel Messi—as a lens for questioning the moral value of striving to be better than others.“Sure, competition pulls people up—but it also familiarizes us with inferiority.”“We compare ourselves to feel good… but end up feeling worse.”Introduces the story of Justinian and Hagia Sophia: “Oh Solomon, I have outdone you.”Rivalry, Power, and InsecurityShares the backstory of Juliana's competing church and the gold-ceiling arms race with Justinian.“Religious architecture became a battlefield of status.”Draws insight from these historic rivalries as examples of how ambition pervades religious life—not just secular.Modern Parallels: Yale Students's & the Rat RaceVolf notes how even Yale undergrads—once top of their class—feel insecure in comparison to peers.“They arrive and suddenly their worth plummets. That's insane.”The performance-driven culture makes stable identity nearly impossible.Biblical Illustration: Kierkegaard's LilyVolf recounts Kierkegaard's retelling of Jesus's lily parable.A bird whispers to the little lily that it's not beautiful enough, prompting the lily to uproot itself—and wither.“The lesson: we are destined to lose ourselves when our value depends on comparison.”Intrinsic Value and the Image of God“We need to discover the intrinsic value of who we are as creatures made in the image of God.”Kierkegaard and Jesus both show us the beauty of ‘mere humanity.'“You are more glorious in your humanity than Solomon in his robes.”Theological Anthropology and Grace“We have been given to ourselves by God—our lives are a gift.”“We owe so much to luck, to others, to God. So how can we boast?”Paul's challenge in 1 Corinthians: “What do you have that you have not received?”Milton and Satan's AmbitionShifts to Paradise Lost: Satan rebels because he can't bear not being top.“Even what is beautiful becomes devalued if it doesn't prove superiority.”In Paradise Regained, Satan tempts Jesus to be the greatest—but Jesus refuses.Christ's Humility and Downward GloryHighlights Philippians 2: Jesus “emptied himself… took the form of a servant.”“God's glory is not domination—it's lifting up the lowly.”“Salvation comes not through seizing status, but through relinquishing it.”Paul's Vision of Communal HonorRomans 12:10: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”“True honor comes not from climbing over others, but from lifting them up.”Connects this ethic to Paul's vision of church as an egalitarian body.God's Care for Creation and HumanityLuther's observation: God calls Earth good but not Heaven—“God cares more for our home than his own.”“We are called to emulate God's loving attention to the least.”Striving vs. AcceptanceVolf contrasts ambition with love: “The inverse of striving for superiority is the plague of inferiority.”Encourages unconditional self-love as a reflection of God's love.Uses image of a parent greeting a newborn: “You've arrived.”A Vision for Healed Culture“We wreck others in our pursuit of superiority—and we leave them wounded in our wake.”The gospel reveals a better way: not performance, but grace.“Our salvation and our culture's healing lie in the humility of Jesus.”“We must rediscover the beauty of our mere humanity.”About Miroslav VolfMiroslav Volf is the founding director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School. One of the leading public theologians of our time, he is the author of numerous books including Exclusion and Embrace, Flourishing, A Public Faith, Life Worth Living, and most recently, The Cost of Ambition. His work explores themes of identity, reconciliation, human dignity, and the role of faith in a pluralistic society. He is a frequent speaker around the world and has advised both religious and civic leaders on matters of peace and justice.Production NotesThis podcast featured Miroslav VolfEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie Bridge and Taylor CraigA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Mike Howells from Lakeville, MN. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping spread God's Word to hearts that are hungry for truth. This one's for you. Our text today is Mark 10:35-45: And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:35-45 They asked for thrones. Jesus pointed them to a cross. James and John want glory seats. They want to have status next to Jesus in His kingdom. But they don't understand what kind of King he is—or what kind of kingdom he's bringing. Jesus gently pushes back. “You don't know what you're asking.” He speaks of a cup of suffering. A baptism of pain. He's not headed for a throne just yet. First, he'll serve. Then, he'll bleed. Last, he'll give his life. And then Jesus delivers one of the most explicit mission statements in all of Scripture. His mission. One worth pursuing that's better than a seat on the right and left of the throne: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” In a world obsessed with climbing the ladder, Jesus sees his mission differently. The path to true greatness is not up—it's down. Down into humility. Down into service. Down into sacrifice. And here's the irony: the greatest person in the room is telling the secret to descending into greatness. So, stop chasing a name for yourself and start serving the Name above all names. Don't ask, “How high can I rise?” Instead ask, “How low can I go—for Jesus?” #ServeLikeJesus, #TrueGreatness, #Project23 ASK THIS: What are some subtle ways you chase status or recognition? Why do you think Jesus connects suffering with greatness? How does Jesus redefine leadership and authority in this passage? What is one practical way you can serve someone today? DO THIS: Serve someone today without needing thanks. Just do it—for Jesus. PRAY THIS: Jesus, I confess that I chase status and recognition. Help me embrace true greatness—humble, sacrificial, and patterned after you. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Jesus, Son of God” by Chris Tomlin.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to David Freeman from Palm Coast, FL. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping people everywhere live with authentic faith. This one's for you. Our text today is Mark 10:23-31: And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”— Mark 10:23-31 Jesus speaks a sobering fact: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Not because riches are wrong. But because riches are deceptive. Wealth, comfort, and success—all can offer an illusion. An illusion of control, security, and self-made power. But these are shadows, not substance. And many of us, even those without great wealth, fall for the same illusions. We often cling to: Titles for identity. Relationships for validation. Savings for security. Performance for peace. And yet, when these things are threatened, we freak out, because what we thought was firm was faulty, what was solid was shifting sand. And Jesus wants to set us free from this illusion. Not to take away our joy, but to free us from the illusion so we can experience the freedom of greater joy. Then Peter exclaims as he beats his chest, “We've left everything for you!” And Jesus reassures his statement, even though he knows his own words will test him. Peter has not left everything because a rooster is yet to crow. He was still clinging to his ideas about Jesus and his security, safety, and significance, which is why Jesus explained again, "The first will be last. And the last will be first." Stop clinging to things that pretend to be saviors. Your status, your stuff, your success—none of them can save you; only Jesus can. Let go of the illusions, and grab hold of what's real. True security is never found in what you secure, but in the One who saves and secures your salvation. #LetGoAndTrust, #FaithOverComfort, #Project23 ASK THIS: What illusion of control are you tempted to believe? Why do comfort and success often feel more trustworthy than faith? Where is God asking you to trust Him more deeply today? What's something you need to release so you can follow Jesus more fully? DO THIS: Identify one illusion you're tempted to trust—then name it in prayer and replace it with faith in Jesus. PRAY THIS: Lord, open my eyes to the things I rely on instead of you. Help me let go of what's false so I can live by true faith. Amen. PLAY THIS: “More Than Anything” by Natalie Grant.

We're encouraged in our world to build many things. A business. Our nation. Our career. Our family. These are all good things. But they can become idols if they're not placed in the context of God's Kingdom and His purposes in our world.Join us as we unpack what it means to build the Kingdom - and how everything else falls into place when we “seek first the Kingdom”! (Matthew 6:33)

Marcus Herbert (Cornerstone Church, South Africa; NCMI team) shares with us how the Church is not meant to be an ocean liner but an aircraft carrier - for jets to take the gospel to the world.

We're encouraged in our world to build many things. A business. Our nation. Our career. Our family. These are all good things. But they can become idols if they're not placed in the context of God's Kingdom and His purposes in our world.Join us as we unpack what it means to build the Kingdom - and how everything else falls into place when we “seek first the Kingdom”! (Matthew 6:33.)

As we look at the present season, one of the things God has been highlighting to the elders is the story of the ten spies in Exodus 13. Two spies wanted to advance in God's promises, while ten wanted to shrink back. The outcome for each was vastly different.How do we cultivate a “two-spy” attitude and heart? A conquering attitude? We cannot have any other attitude for the present season, or we, like the ten, will perish!

West Hill Baptist ChurchJosh Leiner"Embracing Kingdom Values: Known By Your Fruit"Luke 6:43-45Contact Us

West Hill Baptist ChurchJosh Leiner"Embracing Kingdom Values: Grace Over Judgement"Luke 6:37-42Contact Us

West Hill Baptist ChurchZach Swift"Embracing Kingdom Values: Live"Luke 6:27-36Contact Us

Are you worried about raising your kids to stay strong in their faith while the world pulls them in a hundred different directions? In today's episode, we're diving into how to guide your children's hearts toward God's Kingdom values—even when culture seems louder than truth.  I'm sharing practical encouragement on: Why modeling your own faith matters more than being perfect How to lean into hard conversations about faith, identity, and truth Ways to create simple faith rhythms in busy family life How to trust God's promises when you can't see immediate fruit