Podcasts about life groups

What if the foundation of your faith was stronger than you ever imagined? Join Pastor Josh Howerton and renowned apologist Dr. Frank Turek for a deep, energizing conversation that tackles some of the biggest questions about Christianity. They explore the explosive growth of the early church, evidence for Jesus' resurrection, and tackle tough questions about atheism, moral law, the Big Bang theory, and Muslim conquests. You'll also hear about Dr. Turek's personal journey, the challenges he faced standing for truth, and why a life built on Christ offers unshakable hope. Whether you're wrestling with doubts or looking to deepen your faith, this conversation will remind you that Christianity isn't blind belief—it's anchored in powerful, historical reality.

In dieser Folge spricht Pastor Dom über den bedeutungsvollen Moment, als Jesus in Jerusalem einzog. Was macht diesen Tag so besonders – und warum spricht er bis heute in unser Leben? Eine kurze, aber tiefgehende Betrachtung eines Ereignisses, das mehr ist als nur der Beginn der Karwoche.************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Held in the Gardener's Hands | Power and Promise | John 15:1-8 Walking through the rich Holy Land context of John 15, this message unpacks Jesus' intimate teaching to His disciples after the Last Supper as they crossed the Kidron Valley toward the Mount of Olives. Using the familiar metaphor of vineyards, Jesus reveals Himself as the true vine and God as the gardener who tends to believers in two essential ways. Key Insights: • Jesus HOLDS Every Branch in His Hands - Understanding your secure position in Christ and how God lifts up fallen branches to reconnect them to the source of life. • Jesus APPLIES the Shears with Love - Why pruning isn't punishment but preparation for greater fruitfulness in your life. • Jesus NOURISHES Our Connection - The vital importance of abiding in Christ and how this relationship sustains us. • Jesus DEVELOPS lasting FRUIT - How genuine spiritual fruit comes only through connection to the vine. • Jesus STAYS through Every Season - Finding comfort in being chosen and kept by the Gardener who never gives up on you. Key Scripture: John 15 (https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.15.NIV) Whether you're questioning your faith journey, struggling with spiritual growth, or seeking to understand God's purpose in difficult seasons, this message reminds us that "the gardener isn't looking to get rid of you. He's looking to reconnect you." Speaker: Marty Godfrey Series: Power and Promise Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hazkR3omjk9xvxZc7) Connect with us: ° Watch this sermon on YouTube (https://youtu.be/RWRkV7HMnFY) ° Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bhbchome) ° Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/burnthickorybaptist/) ° Visit our website (https://www.burnthickory.com/)

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Looking for the kingdom? Take the next step with boldness and faith.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

In dieser Folge spricht Pastor Dom, über die Anfangszeit von Johannes dem Täufer und was wir von ihm lernen können. Jeder Mensch hat einen Einflusskreis – eine Gruppe von Menschen, die wir durch unser Leben und Handeln berühren. Als Christen bedeutet das aber auch, Risiken einzugehen und nicht nur ein bequemes Leben zu führen. Johannes der Täufer zeigt uns, was es heißt, mutig für den Glauben einzustehen, auch wenn es unbequem wird. Lass dich inspirieren, deinen eigenen Einfluss mutig zu nutzen!************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

What does it mean to be part of a truly vibrant community? This Sunday, we looked at Acts 2 and the birth of the early church. This was the moment when the Holy Spirit was poured out, transforming ordinary people into bold witnesses for Jesus. We saw how this new community was marked by devotion, generosity, prayer, worship, and radical love. As we reflect on our own church, we celebrate the ways we gather, serve, and grow together. From worship to kids' ministry, from midweek Life Groups to our community outreach, we are part of something bigger. We are a living, breathing community centered on Jesus. If you're feeling disconnected or searching for hope, this message is for you. You belong here. Step in, lean in, and be part of a community where faith comes alive. Stay connected with Laneway Church and our lead Pastors Jeff and Rowena Lloyd:

Are you compelled to carry the cross and follow Jesus?ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Curious about Jesus but changed by the cross.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Curious about Jesus but changed by the cross.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Have you ever wondered why suffering seems to shape us more than success? This week, we dive deep into the power of perseverance, faith, and finding purpose in the trials we face.   As we explore the letter to the church in Smyrna, we're reminded that hardship isn't the end of the story—it's often the beginning of something deeper. Together with Pastors Mike Breaux, Marc McCartney, and Carlos Erazo, we unpack how God uses suffering and persecution to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him.    We also discuss how moral failures and their consequences can be a part of the journey, calling us to repentance and growth. Whether you're in the middle of a storm or walking alongside someone who is, this conversation will encourage you to hold on to the hope we have in Christ.  

In dieser Folge spricht Pastorin Sarah über Johannes den Täufer – seine Herkunft, seine Mission und was es bedeutet, „den Weg des Herrn vorzubereiten“. Warum spielte er eine so zentrale Rolle in der biblischen Geschichte? Und was können wir heute von ihm lernen? Tauche mit uns ein in die faszinierende Geschichte dieses Propheten, der den Anbruch von etwas Großem ankündigte.************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

In dieser Folge spricht Melina über die tiefgehenden Themen Gerechtigkeit (Justice), Barmherzigkeit (Mercy) und Versöhnung (Reconciliation). Sie beleuchtet, warum diese Werte in unserem Alltag und im zwischenmenschlichen Miteinander so wichtig sind und wie wir sie praktisch leben können. Dabei nimmt sie sich Jesus als Vorbild, der durch sein Handeln gezeigt hat, was es bedeutet, einander in Liebe zu dienen. Wie können wir mit Barmherzigkeit auf andere zugehen, für Gerechtigkeit eintreten und echte Versöhnung ermöglichen? Lass dich inspirieren, über dein eigenes Handeln nachzudenken und neue Wege zu finden, um diese Werte in deinem Leben umzusetzen.************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

The Great Commission is the Greatest Challenge ever given to man, by the Greatest Person who ever lived, concerning the Greatest Power ever revealed and the Greatest Promise ever recorded, to preach the Greatest Message which is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

The Great Commission is the Greatest Challenge ever given to man, by the Greatest Person who ever lived, concerning the Greatest Power ever revealed and the Greatest Promise ever recorded, to preach the Greatest Message which is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Anlässlich unseres 1st Wednesday im März nimmt uns LeadPastorin Sarah mit in einen weiteren Teil von THIS IS THE WAY. In dieser Serie werfen wir einen genauen Blick auf die Lebensweise und den Lebensrhythmus von Jesus. Gastfreundschaft ist eine der geistlichen Disziplinen, die er uns lehrt und die einen so großen Impact auf unser Leben als Christen hat. ************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Revere. Readiness. Reason. Respect. This is how we proclaim our Living Hope.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Revere. Readiness. Reason. Respect. This is how we proclaim our Living Hope.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Our Hope is alive and secured because Jesus rose from the grave.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Our Hope is alive and secured because Jesus rose from the grave.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Host Evan Semanco sits down with one of our favorite and most frequent guests, Amber McDonnold, the Life Group coordinator at The Simple Church. Life Groups are small groups that meet in homes or various places each week, and they're the best way to make a big church seem small.  Every semester we have Amber on to highlight some new groups and share stories of the difference being in a Life Group makes in peoples lives. Then at the end we get a preview of Amber's Greatest Hits albums and some of the songs that will be featured, IYKYK.    LINKS FROM THE EPISODE FIND A LIFE GROUP AMBERS PAST PODCAST BIBLE STORIES SELDOM ANIMATED Partner Party on March 2nd Voluntour on March 16th WE WERE SUPPOSED TO START 30 MINUTES AGO THE WI-FI WENT OUT, NOW WE'RE REALLY SEEKING JESUS MY KID IS SCREAMING IN THE OTHER ROOM UNSPOKEN PRAYER REQUEST If you have feedback for the podcast, have a guest suggestion, or just want to talk to Evan, e-mail Evan@thesimplechurch.tv. You can also find out more about the Simple Church at www.theSimpleChurch.tv.

Tithing is a grace from God for each and everyone of us. Let's be prepared for it!ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Tithing is a grace from God for each and everyone of us. Let's be prepared for it!ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Life with Jesus is a journey—one of transformation. He changes us from the inside out, and every day, He continues His work in us. One Body, Many Parts 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 reminds us that the Church is one body made up of many different parts. Each of us has a unique role to play in God's kingdom, and no one is without purpose. "All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27) We need each other – No part of the body can function alone. Just as an eye needs a hand and a foot needs a leg, we are dependent on one another to build the Church. We all have gifts – God has given us different talents and abilities. If you don't know yours yet, ask God to reveal it to you. We are called to community – Meeting together, whether in Life Groups or Sunday services, strengthens our faith and allows us to grow together in Christ. Ask yourself: What role has God given me in His body? Controlling the Tongue James 3:1-18 teaches us about the power of our words. Our tongues may be small, but they have the ability to build up or tear down. "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." (James 3:5) Our words have power – Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we say can bring encouragement and healing or cause harm. We must choose our words carefully – James 1:26 warns that if we do not bridle our tongues, our faith is worthless. Speak words of grace and encouragement – Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that only wholesome talk should come from our mouths, bringing grace to those who hear. How Can We Control Our Tongue? Rely on the Holy Spirit – James 3:8 says no human can tame the tongue, but with God's help, we can. Guard our hearts – “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) What we fill our hearts with will eventually come out in our words. Be intentional with our speech – Proverbs 15:4 says “a gentle tongue is a tree of life.” Our words should bring life, not destruction. Key Scriptures to Hold On To: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6) “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24) Final Thoughts We are called to be part of the body of Christ, using our gifts to serve and encourage one another. At the same time, we must be mindful of our words, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our speech so that it brings life and not destruction. What is the gift God has placed in your hand? Ask Him today. How can you use your words to build up those around you? Let's be people who uplift, encourage, and speak life! Romans 12:2 – Ask God to change the way you think and be an example with your words. Let's commit to using our words wisely and embracing our role in the body of Christ!

We're launching Life Groups in a big way—with an epicKickoff Tailgate Party!The truth is, you weren't made to do life alone. From the very beginning, the Church was built on faith, fellowship, and breaking bread together. In Acts 2, we see believers gathering, growing, and strengthening each other—and that's exactly what Life Groups are all about! Here's why you need Life Groups:✅ You can't grow in isolation.✅ You need people to encourage and strengthen you.✅ Life is better together!

In diesem Teil unserer Predigtreihe "This ist the Way", in der wir einen genauen Blick auf den Lebensstil und Rhythmus von Jesus werfen, nimmt Tobi Trojan uns mit in das Thema Großzügigkeit und Vertrauen. Diese Predigt fordert uns ganz praktisch heraus.Unsere Predigtserien finden im wöchentlichen Wechsel in unseren Gottesdiensten und LifeGroups statt.

This week, Community Life Leader Casey Mock shared an inspiring message about the importance of Life Groups! She reminded us of what the Bible teaches about living in community—how the early church devoted themselves to the Word, to fellowship, and to encouraging one another in the Lord. We strive to create that same environment in our Life Groups and, if you're not already, would love for you to join one soon! 

This message includes the heart behind and biblical perspective for the need for small groups in church life….

Today's Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/49378171Stay Updated on our Campus: https://linktr.ee/nlcsearcyOnline Giving: http://newlifechurch.tv/givingMailing Address: 2851 West Beebe-Capps Expy, Searcy, AR 72143For more information on our campus, email us at searcy@newlifechurch.tv or visit newlifechurch.tv. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram @nlcsearcy!

Im vierten Teil unserer Predigtserie THIS IS THE WAY, in der wir einen genauen Blick auf den Lebensstil von Jesus werfen, spricht Campus Pastor Robin über Gemeinschaft. Nicht eine oberflächliche, digitale Gemeinschaft – sondern die Art tiefe, echte Gemeinschaft, die uns näher zu Jesus bringt, uns formt und die einzige Antwort auf Einsamkeit ist. Unsere Predigtserien finden im wöchentlichen Wechsel in unseren Gottesdiensten und LifeGroups statt.

Let's be honest, bad habits are hard to break-up with, especially when you try to do it alone. In today's podcast, Pastor Jared and Pastor DJ dig deeper into how we can finally find freedom and relief from the cycle. If you missed this past weekend's message, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/qqOVPeAU19Y?si=zYXwjlK9-u9kjH-v JOIN US FOR 21 DAYS OF PRAYER - https://onelifeaz.church/21days/ -------------------------- RESOURCES: Celebrate Recovery - https://onelifeaz.church/cr/ Life Groups - https://onelifeaz.church/lifegroups/ --------------------------- STAY CONNECTED: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/onelifeaz.church/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/onelifeaz.church/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@onelifeaz.church

Send us a textWhen the lights dim, the tree returns to storage and the holidays fade into memory, what's left behind? A new year often begins with lofty expectations—what we want to achieve, who we want to become, and what we hope to gain. But how do we pause and cultivate gratitude for the blessings we already hold?Today, we're thrilled to welcome Karen Wingate back to the podcast. Karen has a remarkable gift for reigniting our sense of awe and wonder in life—and in God—even when the unexpected disrupts our plans.Karen was born legally blind and lived in a world of darkness until a life-changing, restorative surgery unexpectedly improved her sight as an adult. For Karen, this new vision is nothing short of a gift from God, and she embraces it with a heart full of gratitude. She finds joy in the smallest, most ordinary moments and shares her powerful story to inspire others. Karen captures her journey and the lessons she has learned in her award-winning book with fresh eyes. Before we talk with Karen...Registration for our upcoming Life Groups is now open!REGISTER HEREDo you feel weighed down by past pain or unhealed parts of your story? A Reclaimed Life Group offers a safe, confidential space to process, heal, and take intentional steps toward the abundant life Jesus promises. Together with other women on a similar journey, you'll gently explore your story and move forward with hope.For more information, email podcast@reclaimedstory.com or visit us on social media at Reclaimed Story. Let's take the next step together!Here are two FREE Ebooks for you! 1. Shame Off You: 10 steps to shattering shame in your life, HERE. 2. ABC's: CLICK HERE for a FREE E-book to help you combat lies and replace them with God's truth. For more encouragement, check out some of our offerings at www.reclaimedstory.comDid you know we have a jewelry line that speaks to your identity in Jesus? CLICK HERE to shop. Every purchase helps support our mission to provide healing and hope to women worldwide. Would you partner with us to spread the message of hope and healing? You can DONATE HERE. Living the Reclaimed Life is a Reclaimed Story, Inc. podcast, An Arizona non-profit corporation. If you would like to connect with a safe group of women doing real-life together, join our private Facebook page, “Living the Reclaimed Life” or on Facebook or Instagram

Bible Study Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: . Sermon Notes John is the most personal of all the gospels, making it an excellent resource to help people experience a personal relationship with God. John calls himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved." John was the last gospel to be written down, allowing him decades to reflect upon his own encounters with Jesus. He not only records events but brings out their deeper inner meanings. In 1:18 (and really vv. 1-18), John lays out the foundational truth that will undergird his gospel. It is also the key to having a personal relationship with God. No one has ever seen God But Jesus, who is unique, himself God, and in the closest possible relationship with the Father, has made him known. Therefore, to have a personal relationship with God, we must know Jesus. He is the way God seeks to be known. In each personal story we will consider in John, we are encouraged to discover what God is like by watching Jesus. Sermon Application Discussion Questions: Would you describe your faith in God as personal? How would you define personal? Does having a personal faith in God also mean that it can be private? What's the difference between personal and private? Can someone have a personal relationship with God apart from Jesus? In 1:18, what does John reveal about the inner being of God? What role does the Holy Spirit play in a relationship with God? Sermon Series Resources Guided Reading Plan for John. If you start this plan on Jan 18th and read three chapters per week, you'll stay ahead of the preaching series. This will provide a solid foundation before hearing the sermon on Sunday. Bible Study on John by N.T. Wright. This is a great resource for individual study or Life Groups. It can complement the sermon notes and questions provided on the website each week. Overview of the Gospel of John from the Bible Project. This online resource gives a helpful overview of the structure and major themes of the book. Bible Speaks Today Commentary on John. This commentary series is accessible yet offers powerful insights and applications.  It is a great companion to reading John's Gospel on your own or with a group. Questions? Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ( ). .

Zum Jahresbeginn sind wir wir mit der Serie THIS IS THE WAY in eine spannende und ermutigende Reise gestartet, auf der wir den Weg und die Lebensweise von Jesus erkunden wollen. Im zweiten Teil spricht Tobias Trojan über die Gemeinschaft mit Gott als eine der essentiellen geistlichen Disziplinen, die Jesus uns vorlebt. Unsere Predigtserien finden im wöchentlichen Wechsel in unseren Gottesdiensten und LifeGroups statt.

Join us as Pastor Bo & Pastor Mohamed recap what we accomplished, and experienced together, as a congregation this past year.  From the life-changing impact the church's missions trip to Guatemala had, to the growing partnership we have with Marcie Erickson and the Grace Center in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, you’ll be moved by the testimonies and video clips recapping the needs that were met through CityLights efforts outside of the US.  We’ll also revisit the timely message that renowned author Eric Metaxas shared this summer.  And finally, we celebrate what God did in our midst, how God showed up and transformed lives in our own congregation through Life Groups, baptisms, and serving within His church. (00:00) Global Missions and Community Involvement(08:57) Ethiopia Mission and Cultural Challenges(21:07) Healing Rooms and Life Groups(30:44) Life Groups and Baptism Celebration(47:55) Connecting With City Light Church www.citylightnyc.com

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Polley encourages us to show up in our community and share our struggles with others. God's Word instructs us to build one another up, therefore we should show up and share with our fellow believers. Our Community Groups and Life Groups are especially designed for this purpose.

Numbers 31:13-20,13 Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp. 14 And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come from service in the war. 15 Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? 16 Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. 17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. 18 But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves. 19 Encamp outside the camp seven days. Whoever of you has killed any person and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. 20 You shall purify every garment, every article of skin, all work of goats' hair, and every article of wood.” “Kill every male among the little ones.” If I told you, that's a quote from Scripture, and asked, “Where's it from?” Some might say, that's Pharoah, when he orders the destruction of newborn Israelite boys in Egypt. Others might say, with Christmas fresh on our minds, that's Herod, when he orders the destruction of infant boys in Bethlehem.An angel had warned Joseph in a dream in Matthew 2:13:“Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”Joseph obeys, and ironically Egypt becomes the place of safety, and the land of Israel becomes the Egypt where baby boys are slaughtered by a bloodthirsty Pharaoh, Matthew 2:16,“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the [magi], became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under.”However, that ominous quote, “Kill every male among the little ones,” is not from Herod or Pharaoh; it's from Moses — verse 17 in Numbers 31.It's one thing to hear that from Herod, who obviously is a bad guy (one of the worst in all the Bible). But it's another to hear words like these from Moses, who is not only a good guy, God's guy, but who speaks on God's behalf. When Moses says this, he's not speaking for himself but for God. This is God's command: “kill every male among the little ones.” God said this, through his chain of command in Moses. So, how do we renounce the evil of Herod at that first Christmas, and yet honor Moses and God himself?This is a dark subject for the Sunday before Christmas. But isn't this what we teach our children? Advent is a season of waiting. And,“Where are we waiting? In a land of deep darkness.”But then we say, “What are we waiting for during Advent? For the light to shine on us.”The slaughter of infants is not holly-jolly. Numbers 31 is not all merry and bright. But this is actually the real setting for Christmas — a desperate, cursed, evil world in which surprising light dawns.Unfinished BusinessAt this point in the book of Numbers, a new generation has arisen. The previous generation has perished during forty years in the wilderness. Now, only Moses remains and he's about to die. But before he departs, he readies this new generation for the conquest to come.Which means Moses finishes well. Even after striking the rock twice and being barred from the promised land, Moses doesn't crumble into self-sabotage. He gathers himself. He finishes the race. He dies well, by preparing the next gen in these chapters: he will teach them the pattern for holy war as they conquer the land, and just principles for sharing the spoils. He still cares enough to get angry and speak words of rebuke, and then make thoughtful provision for the next leaders after he's gone, in chapter 32.And as we come to chapter 31, the main item of unfinished business for Moses, not to leave to the next generation of leaders, is Midian.So, what rays of Advent light might we see in this land of deep darkness on the Sunday before Christmas?1. God will destroy the enemies of his people. (chapter 31)If you are his, in Christ, God will destroy your enemies, our enemies. It's just a matter of time. The adversaries of God will not be left forever to wreak havoc on his people. In love for his people, he will see to the destruction of our enemies, whether in the end, or even in this life, if God chooses to have his final judgments break into the present. Which is what happens with Midian.Let's not forget what happened with the Midianites in chapters 22–25. They are not innocent. They see that Israel has defeated two nations east of the Jordan River. They are in dread of Israel, and so they send for a prophet named Balaam, to pay him to curse Israel. But God keeps Balaam from cursing them, and instead gives him words of blessing. So Balaam fails to derail Israel. But in chapter 25, some men from Israel, now living in such proximity to Midian, are drawn into idolatry and immorality with their new neighbors. God's judgment begins with his own people when 24,000 die of plague (about 4% of the men). Then, God had said at the end of chapter 25,Harass the Midianites and strike them down, for they have harassed you with their wiles, with which they beguiled you in the matter of Peor [where the idolatry happened] . . . . (25:17-18)So, now, chapter 31 addresses God's righteous vengeance on Midian. Look at verses 1–3:The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.” So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord's vengeance on Midian.This will be the last war campaign before Moses dies. But don't miss who's calling the shots. It's not Moses. God is the one who says, This will be it for you, Moses. And God says in chapter 25, “Harass the Midianites and strike them down.” And God says now, “Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites.”So verse 7, “They warred against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses.” This chapter turns on that phrase, “as the Lord commanded Moses” — in verses 7, 21, 31, 41, 47. In the word of verse 3, this is “the Lord's vengeance on Midian.”So Israel's warriors kill the Midianite men, and take the women and children captive, and bring them back to Moses. And Moses is angry with the officers. They have not completed the task. So he says in verses 15–18, which make us cringe the most:“Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.Verses 25–47, then, address how to divide up the spoils (and young girls): in two parts (for the warriors and the congregation), and then distribute 1/50 (of half) to the Levites and 1/500 (of the other half) to the priests. Finally, we learn in verses 48–54 that they have taken a count of Israel's warriors; none are missing; and according to the Exodus 30, the officers make atonement for having taken a count.Advent LightThere's a summary of chapter 31. Now we ask, How can this be? How can God — through Moses, but originating with God — order the destruction of these Midianites, including the infant boys?Christmas is helpful here. It doesn't answer every question, but it puts the destruction of the Midianites in some fresh light when we see it side by side with Herod's destruction of the boys:Herod, Rome's puppet king, is watching out for himself, seeking to preserve his own fragile power; Moses is the prophet of the living God who hears from him and speaks for God, not for himself, as God is the one who brings divine justice on the enemies of his people.When the magi don't return to report where to find the child, Herod is furious (with unrighteous anger); Moses, as God's prophet, burns with righteous, godly anger when God's people do not live up to their calling as God's people.Herod, in sin, from his wicked heart, orders the slaughter of infant boys in Bethlehem; his kingly order is horribly unjust, and profoundly evil. Moses, on the other hand, orders God's people, at God's initiative, to act as his instrument to destroy the Midianites because of their sin. Mark this: the Midianites are not innocent before God. He does them no wrong in judging them and ordering their destruction.The destruction of the Midianites is not the same as Herod's destruction of Bethlehem's boys. This is the Lord's vengeance, not Moses's, not Israel's. The question is not whether Midian is innocent; the question is why God doesn't destroy Israel as well.And Christmas has a clarifying word to speak into this unnerving episode in Numbers 31, and in the conquest of the land to come in the book of Joshua.Christmas is both the reason we cringe, and the resolution to this darkness. When Jesus came at Christmas, he split history in two. We cringe like we do today because we live on this side of Christmas. We've been influenced by the ethics of Jesus. And the grace and compassion and comfort brought by Christmas have made it possible for us, to our fault, to soft-pedal how dark and sinful and evil this world is — and what sinful people and nations like the Midianites, and us, justly deserve. Part of why we cringe at this is because we have such a shallow view of sin, beginning with our own. We should be cringing that we deserve the same.When we say we live in a land of deep darkness, what do you think we mean? Deep darkness — a world so evil that infants are slaughtered, whether wickedly in Egypt or Bethlehem or America, or justly by God Almighty before whom all stand guilty and he does no one wrong. And if he so chooses, the holy God can use imperfect Israel as his instrument to recompense the profound wickedness in Midian, and Canaan, even as he later will use wicked Babylon as his instrument of judgment against Israel.To be clear, with Christmas, with the coming of Christ, and the bringing in of the supra-national church age, God will never again commission his covenant people to execute his judgments on other's sins. After Christmas, God does not do it this way anymore. Now, his fullness of times has come.And when we get a glimpse in the book of Revelation, what do we see the church doing, as God's judgments fall? We are not administering them. We watch in awe, and rejoice, as Jesus takes care of business. In the end, God's people will observe his judgments, and praise him for them, and say Hallelujah, but we do not execute our enemies for God. We wait for him to execute his judgments for us.So, to be clear, if some imbalanced person tells you that God told him to kill someone, you tell him, I guarantee you that you are wrong. God did not say that. That's from your own head, or from Satan. You have profoundly misread the era. God's covenant with one particular nation-state in the previous era made that possible, while still unusual. But now Christmas has come. God does not work like that, not after Christmas. God will never call his new-covenant people to what he says through Moses here.So, #1, God will destroy the enemies of his people — and we, his church, will watch in awe and praise as Jesus does the work with the word of his power (Revelation 1:16; 2:16; 19:15, 21).2. God will not destroy his people who repent. (chapter 32)Now we come to chapter 32. Moses faces another threat — this time from within. In verses 1–5, the tribes of Gad and Rueben ask to settle down east of the Jordan River, outside the promised land. What in the world? Here we go again. This is a crisis moment. God's people come up to the edge of the promised land, and two tribes, Gad and Rueben, see that the land east of the Jordan looks good for livestock, and they have livestock. So, they ask, Can we stay here? In verses 6–15, Moses responds by remembering the Lord's anger. This has happened before, forty years ago. The people's faith failed, and God sent them back to the wilderness for forty years. So, Moses rebukes the leaders of Gad and Reuben. Verses 14–15: behold, you have risen in your fathers' place, a brood of sinful men, to increase still more the fierce anger of the Lord against Israel! For if you turn away from following him, he will again abandon them in the wilderness, and you will destroy all this people.So, the threat is destruction. Then, amazingly, in verses 16–27, the new generation of leaders in these two tribes respond with humility. They are not stubborn like their fathers. Their hearts are soft. They receive Moses's rebuke, and adjust their request, and the chapter ends in verses 28–42 with everyone happy: the warriors from Gad and Reuben will join the rest of the tribes in securing the promised land — in fact, they will lead the way, and Gad and Reuben (now joined by the half tribe of Manasseh) will expand the lands of Israel to the good pasturelands east of the Jordan. Win, win, win — but it started with a failure of faith. It started with sin. Yet Moses engaged, and God was gracious with his people, the two tribes listened and changed their tune, and responded humbly. And so God does not destroy Gad and Rueben and the whole nation.Two Words for UsEarlier we mentioned Moses finishing well. How admirable that Moses cares enough to speak the word of rebuke. He's old. God's told him he's about to die. He could just phone it in and say, Whatever, like King Hezekiah will do many centuries later. But Moses cares what will happen to God's people after he's gone. He cares enough to be angry. His anger over such a crazy request shows how much he cares.I wonder if when you hear of anger, you assume that's sin. Is Moses angry? That must be sin. Not so fast. Anger can be righteous or unrighteous, godly or sinful. In Ephesians 4:26, Paul says,“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”Anger can be holy, righteous, and good. Anger is not necessarily sin, but soon leads to sin if you let it linger. Righteous anger is godly, to observe something that's not right, and to care about it. Not just say, Whatever. Righteous anger prompts to action; it summons Moses to say what needs to be said. It makes him bold to rebuke. And then Gad and Rueben respond with humility, alter their plan, and what emerges is better for the whole nation.When you feel a flare of anger, ask it questions. Anger, how are you trying to help me right now? What holy, patient, loving step do I need to take to address this perceived injustice in a way that is reasonable and wise? Am I seeing that right, and if so, what is God calling me to do?A second word for us here in chapter 32 is how our actions (and our presence and absence) affect the hearts of others. When Moses objects to Gad's and Rueben's initial request, he doesn't just say, “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?” But he also talks about the effect on their hearts. He says your bowing out will “discourage the heart of the people.”Our world may look at this, and ignore timeless social dynamics like this, say, “Just let them choose where they want to live. What's the big deal? Let everyone choose for themselves.” But it's not that simple. Your decision to show up or stay home, to continue with the community or head for the pastureland affects other people. Which is really relevant in church life, and especially in smaller groupings like CGs and Life Groups. Don't overlook the power of your presence to encourage the hearts of others. And don't ignore the power of your absence to discourage the hearts of others.So, #1, God will destroy the enemies of his people. #2, God will not destroy his people who repent. But now what? Who is this God? Is he the God who destroys, or the God who does not destroy. How do we put chapter 31 and 32 together? Is this the same God?We finish with two texts from outside this passage. One I came across this week, reading through the Minor Prophets, as I do every December. I came to the end of Micah, and read these stunning wordings of grace to his people in the last three verses (7:18–20):Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.Then, back to back, next page, there's Nahum, and what's the first thing out of his mouth for Nineveh and the Assyrians (1:2)?The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.So, who is this God? Is he the pardoning God of Micah or the avenging God of Nahum? Part of the answer here is in whom the prophets are addressing. Micah is talking to God's people, his “remnant,” his covenant people, sinners who have repented. To them, God shows compassion and steadfast love. However, Nahum is talking to the Assyrians, who are the adversaries and enemies of his people. To them, God is full of righteous wrath and vengeance. It all comes down to whether your sins are covered with his covenant people, or whether you remain unshielded as his adversary and enemy of God.So, we finish with a Christmas text, and final ray of Advent light.3. Jesus came to pardon his people and destroy the devil. (1 John 3:5, 8)I love 1 John 3:5 and 8, and especially during Advent, because here together John gives us two expressions of why Jesus came.Verse 5: Jesus “appeared in order to take away sins.” That is, he came to die in the place of his sinful people, that those who are in him, by faith, would have their sins covered, and their enemies destroyed, and live with Jesus in unending joy forever.Verse 8: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” That is, Christmas is holy war. He came to ruin Satan, and destroy his works. And oh was the devil at work in ancient Egypt. And was he at work in Midian, and in Israel, and in Herod and Bethlehem.The God of Christmas is a pardoning God because Jesus takes away the sins of those who genuinely repent. And the God of Christmas is an avenging God, who will right every wrong in the end.This crooked and cursed and sinful world, this land of deep darkness, is the one into which Jesus came at Christmas. Which means the great joy of Christmas comes precisely in the midst of this age's pains and horrors, not by repressing, ignoring, or reframing them. Death and sin and destruction don't ruin Christmas; they are the reason for Christmas, and why Christmas is so precious. The darkness around us, and in us, is why the light of Christmas shines so bright. Ignore the darkness, or pretend it isn't there, and your Christmas light will be dull and faint. But acknowledge evil, own your own sin, recognize the size of your need, and the light of Christmas shines out in its true greatness.Christmas's brightness doesn't depend on all being merry and bright. It is brightness in the midst of much darkness, real merriment that comes after and in the midst of real tragedy.Why Jesus CameAs we come to the Table, we remember why Jesus appeared — that is, why he came at Christmas. He came, on the one hand, to war against and to destroy the works of the devil. And a day is coming when he will return and speak the word to enact eternal destruction to the enemies of his people — to our praise and applause.This Table celebrates his taking away the sins of his people. He bled and died, gave his body and blood, that we the guilty, who deserved destruction, might receive his compassion and love.

Alex and Drake sit down for a quick conversation to help life group leaders thrive by cultivating healthy groups.

Alex and Drake sit down for a quick conversation to help life group leaders thrive by cultivating healthy groups.

Our podcast host, Allen Kleine Deters shares an intimate personal story of his mental health journey as he dealt with a broken marriage, bladder cancer, the challenges of ministry and more…. The quote Allen shares from a course he took, is attributed to Dr. Danjuma Gibson, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. Allen is the Pastor of Congregational Life at Northend Church in St. Catharines, ON.  He focuses on discipleship in everyday life, Life Groups, Pastoral Counselling and Spiritual Direction. northendchurch.ca

When God calls, are you ready to stop resisting and take your next step in faith?Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome & Introduction1:20 - When God Calls You to Something New2:11 - The Story of Saul: A Radical Encounter with Jesus4:30 - Saul's Background and Zeal for Judaism5:56 - God's Dramatic Intervention7:35 - How God Prepares Us Before Major Changes8:19 - Saul's Encounter with Jesus: “Why Do You Persecute Me?”9:25 - Kicking Against the Goads: What Does It Mean?11:16 - Stop Resisting God's Will12:20 - Forgiveness Is a Straight Line13:12 - Saul's Salvation and Transformation15:00 - Understanding Forgiveness: From God to Others18:09 - The Importance of Forgiving Others20:00 - Are You Holding Unforgiveness in Your Heart?23:33 - Don't Be Stubborn: God's Discipline is His Mercy26:22 - Taking Next Steps: Baptism, Life Groups, and Bible College30:35 - Connecting to the Body of Christ32:53 - Stop Kicking Against the Goads: God Has a Plan for You34:00 - Freedom Bible College: Preparing for God's Call37:00 - Invitation to Follow JesusWhen God Calls | Justice Coleman | Freedom ChurchJoin us every Sunday at 9AM, 10:30AM & 12PMI BELIEVE: If you said YES to Jesus, we'd love to connect with you and get some resources in your hands. Head to https://rb.gy/uhwyy3 and let us know!PRAYER: If you need prayer, we'd love to pray with you. Head to https://www.freedom.church/prayerGIVE: If you would like to support Freedom Church financially and join with us as we Adopt The City text ‘FREEDOMCHURCH' to 77977 || https://www.freedom.church/give TELL US ABOUT IT: We would love to hear how God is touching your life. Share your story with us here: https://rb.gy/hbnq12SUBSCRIBE: For the latest sermons click here: bit.ly/FRDMSubscribeStay Connected:- Website: https://www.freedom.church- Instagram: https://bit.ly/46x8k0d- Facebook: https://bit.ly/46Tw1zN - Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3FpmHHT

When God calls, are you ready to stop resisting and take your next step in faith?Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome & Introduction1:20 - When God Calls You to Something New2:11 - The Story of Saul: A Radical Encounter with Jesus4:30 - Saul's Background and Zeal for Judaism5:56 - God's Dramatic Intervention7:35 - How God Prepares Us Before Major Changes8:19 - Saul's Encounter with Jesus: “Why Do You Persecute Me?”9:25 - Kicking Against the Goads: What Does It Mean?11:16 - Stop Resisting God's Will12:20 - Forgiveness Is a Straight Line13:12 - Saul's Salvation and Transformation15:00 - Understanding Forgiveness: From God to Others18:09 - The Importance of Forgiving Others20:00 - Are You Holding Unforgiveness in Your Heart?23:33 - Don't Be Stubborn: God's Discipline is His Mercy26:22 - Taking Next Steps: Baptism, Life Groups, and Bible College30:35 - Connecting to the Body of Christ32:53 - Stop Kicking Against the Goads: God Has a Plan for You34:00 - Freedom Bible College: Preparing for God's Call37:00 - Invitation to Follow JesusWhen God Calls | Justice Coleman | Freedom ChurchJoin us every Sunday at 9AM, 10:30AM & 12PMI BELIEVE: If you said YES to Jesus, we'd love to connect with you and get some resources in your hands. Head to https://rb.gy/uhwyy3 and let us know!PRAYER: If you need prayer, we'd love to pray with you. Head to https://www.freedom.church/prayerGIVE: If you would like to support Freedom Church financially and join with us as we Adopt The City text ‘FREEDOMCHURCH' to 77977 || https://www.freedom.church/give TELL US ABOUT IT: We would love to hear how God is touching your life. Share your story with us here: https://rb.gy/hbnq12SUBSCRIBE: For the latest sermons click here: bit.ly/FRDMSubscribeStay Connected:- Website: https://www.freedom.church- Instagram: https://bit.ly/46x8k0d- Facebook: https://bit.ly/46Tw1zN - Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3FpmHHT

In this message, we explore the transformative power of personal stories, emphasizing how God uses every chapter of our lives, even the challenging ones, for a greater purpose. We highlight the importance of sharing our stories within the community, as seen in Paul's relationship with the Corinthians, and encourage joining Life Groups for deeper connections. Discover how your story, no matter where you are, can bring hope and impact to others in this new series, Storytellers. Text Us: (650)600-0402