Podcasts about life in christ

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you expected?You thought you'd be further along by now.You thought the relationship would last.You thought the diagnosis wouldn't come.You thought the job was secure.And then the storm hit.In Acts 27–28, the apostle Paul is on his way to Rome—confident in a promise God had already spoken over his life. But before he reaches his destination, he faces a violent storm that tears apart the ship, disrupts the journey, and threatens every life on board.Yet what looked like disaster became a platform for God's purpose.In Shipwrecked, we'll discover that storms are often unexpected—but never outside of God's control. What feels like a delay may actually be divine positioning. What looks like a detour may be preparation for something greater.Because the storm may change your plans—but it does not change God's purpose.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

Colossians 3:18-4:1 (NIV) Learn more about us at intown.org

When you trust Jesus Christ to be your Saviour, He not only gives you a new eternal destination, He gives you a completely new life. In this series, New Life, we will discover the scriptural truths that teach us what it means to be a new creation. Christians at every stage of spiritual growth need to experience the abundant, victorious new life in Christ that God intends them to live on a daily basis.

Discover the characteristics of a spiritual father in The Faithfulness of A Spiritual Father Part 1 as we examine Paul and Timothy. In his final letter, the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy with an unmatched urgency and deep affection. Knowing his earthly life is drawing to a close, Paul models what it means to invest in the next generation. He exhorts his beloved child in the faith to remain strong, courageous, and sound in biblical doctrine. A core theme of this exposition from 2 Timothy 1 is remaining faithful to a God-given relationship. True love for others never contradicts our obedience to the roles God assigns us in the local church or at home. Genuine affection must always be paired with spiritual stewardship and a reverence for Christ. Paul carried out his ministry with a heavenly perspective and a reliance on the grace of the Chief Shepherd. By keeping eternity in view, we are fortified to fulfill our own relational responsibilities today. This message will challenge you to depend fully on God as you serve the people He has placed in your life. Key Biblical Takeaways: - Genuine love and respect for God-given roles must coexist in our spiritual relationships without contradiction. - Faithful stewardship requires seeing our relational assignments as imparted by the sovereign will of God. - Present faithfulness is only possible when we maintain an eschatological view of eternal life in Christ. - True spiritual leadership relies entirely on grace, mercy, and peace from God rather than our own strength.

Discover the characteristics of a spiritual father in The Faithfulness of A Spiritual Father Part 1 as we examine Paul and Timothy. In his final letter, the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy with an unmatched urgency and deep affection. Knowing his earthly life is drawing to a close, Paul models what it means to invest in the next generation. He exhorts his beloved child in the faith to remain strong, courageous, and sound in biblical doctrine. A core theme of this exposition from 2 Timothy 1 is remaining faithful to a God-given relationship. True love for others never contradicts our obedience to the roles God assigns us in the local church or at home. Genuine affection must always be paired with spiritual stewardship and a reverence for Christ. Paul carried out his ministry with a heavenly perspective and a reliance on the grace of the Chief Shepherd. By keeping eternity in view, we are fortified to fulfill our own relational responsibilities today. This message will challenge you to depend fully on God as you serve the people He has placed in your life. Key Biblical Takeaways: - Genuine love and respect for God-given roles must coexist in our spiritual relationships without contradiction. - Faithful stewardship requires seeing our relational assignments as imparted by the sovereign will of God. - Present faithfulness is only possible when we maintain an eschatological view of eternal life in Christ. - True spiritual leadership relies entirely on grace, mercy, and peace from God rather than our own strength.

When you trust Jesus Christ to be your Saviour, He not only gives you a new eternal destination, He gives you a completely new life. In this series, New Life, we will discover the scriptural truths that teach us what it means to be a new creation. Christians at every stage of spiritual growth need to experience the abundant, victorious new life in Christ that God intends them to live on a daily basis.

This teaching is taken from Colossians 2:9-10 and teaches you about Jesus' Power in us to do great things for the Kingdom of Heaven. If you have any questions, or you would like to share how our teachings have affected your life, please email us or visit us at rejoicingheart.net Our email is listed under the about tab on this page. God bless you! Rob and Donna Rejoice In You From the Integrity Music Release One, featuring Planetshakers Ministries Int'l ©2009 Planetshakers Publishing (APRA) (admin. By Music Services, www.musicservices.org) All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV) 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:10 (AMP) 10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]. Ephesians 2:6 (KJV) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 1 John 4:17 (KJV) 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Romans 8:17 (KJV) 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. John 1:12 (KJV) 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV) 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Philippians 3:20 (AMP) 20 But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior, Romans 8:37 (KJV) 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Ephesians 1:3 (KJV) 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:19-21 (KJV) 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 1 John 4:4 (KJV) 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The following is two-way journaling handed in from a Christian Leadership University student taking the course, “Naturally Supernatural.”Lord, speak to me about the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. How have I been using it? Have I failed to use it?Read more here.Support the show

Launching into a new portion of the Tent Talk Summer Reading Series, Nancy begins reading from Chapter 7, Appropriation, in The Green Letters by Miles J. Stanford. She unpacks the difference between merely admiring biblical truth and actually appropriating it by faith into daily life. Drawing from Ephesians, Philippians, Isaiah, and the writings of T. Austin-Sparks, Nancy reminds listeners that everything needed for life in Christ has already been provided. The Father's work is to patiently form those realities into our character over time. Sharing a personal story of how The Green Letters profoundly shaped her own journey, Nancy encourages listeners to embrace the lifelong process of spiritual formation, trusting God to make His truth an abiding reality rather than simply admired knowledge. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Episode-1098-Summer-Reading-Series.pdf LINKS The Devotional Podcast with Nancy McCready https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2hHjwQ_3Qrp1rhbR9nu68wnBtQY0IHzc The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you expected?You thought you'd be further along by now.You thought the relationship would last.You thought the diagnosis wouldn't come.You thought the job was secure.And then the storm hit.In Acts 27–28, the apostle Paul is on his way to Rome—confident in a promise God had already spoken over his life. But before he reaches his destination, he faces a violent storm that tears apart the ship, disrupts the journey, and threatens every life on board.Yet what looked like disaster became a platform for God's purpose.In Shipwrecked, we'll discover that storms are often unexpected—but never outside of God's control. What feels like a delay may actually be divine positioning. What looks like a detour may be preparation for something greater.Because the storm may change your plans—but it does not change God's purpose.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

It's Monday and Lauretta has as her guest, Dr. John Gresham, a renowned theology instructor and key figure in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He serves as a course instructor for the Renewal Leadership Program and serves on the board of Pentecost Today USA.  Today he joins Lauretta to discuss the Renewal Leadership Programs sharing what the program offers, the time commitment, the instructors and leaders involved as well as describing the process of getting involved and accepted into the program.  Lauretta inquires as to how Dr. Gresham got involved with the Holy Spirit and its impact on his life and his teachings.  Dr. Gresham shares how he was touched by the Lord and impacted by the Holy Spirit and how it all led to his work as he shares the gifts with others through his ongoing teaching despite being retired.  He is thrilled to offer his knowledge and honoring God through this work.  He also discusses his role as a spiritual director, what that entails and how one can go about finding a spiritual director.  Lauretta wraps up the program asking Dr. Gresham to describe the practical requirements of the program: classes, readings, papers, and test requirements.  Dr. Gresham ends with words of prayer for all calling on the Lord to offer words of wisdom and guidance to listeners that may be called to this program and a life in Christ in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. To learn more about the Renewal Leadership Program visit their website at PentecostTodayUSA.org or call them at 1-800- 338-2445. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish  https://www.pentecosttodayusa.org/

The lampstand in the Tabernacle speaks of the light of Christ - let's learn to let Jesus' light shine on all aspects of our lives.

Sunday morning message from Pastor Scott Barber. July 12, 2026

Ephesians 4:17-32. As Christian's, we are called upon to lay aside our old life and embrace our new life in Christ. This daily action of faith is part of our stewardship and path of sanctification. This new way of living is not through mere morality or following a pattern of an outward life style, but […]

Agnostics, Atheists, Seekers, and Christians Watch Jesus Followers; Do They See Jesus or a Christian Hypocrite in You? MESSAGE SUMMARY:  In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul writes a complex statement that tells you, as a Jesus Follower, about the most important tool that God gives you for communicating the Gospel to others-- God lets others see Jesus in you through your life in Christ! Therefore, by living in Christ, your life becomes the most compelling argument for the Gospel – an argument that far surpasses the power for God's Kingdom from written or spoken words. Paul's 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 text reads: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”. Do others, from your life, see Jesus in you?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, in order to be with you, I need you to show me how to “create a desert” in the midst of my full, active life. Cleanse me from the pressures, illusions, and pretenses that confront me today so that my life may serve as a gift to those around me. Amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 26). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isiah 35:1-9; John 1:14; Isaiah 11:1-2; Psalms 44b:14-26. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “And They Asked Jesus to Leave” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

July 11, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 6 - Psalm 28:1-2, 7; antiphon: Psalm 28:8-9Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21“Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever” (Psalm 28:9) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In Psalm 28:9, David prays that God would save his “people” and bless his “heritage.” He then adds the image of a shepherd and his flock: “Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” Psalm 23 and John 10 immediately come to mind. Yet what about this image of a “heritage” or “inheritance?” How can we, God's people, be called his inheritance? Throughout Scripture, “inheritance” typically refers to the gift or portion that God gives to His people—first, the land of promise, and ultimately, eternal life in Christ. God himself is also his chosen people's inheritance:“I am your portion and your inheritance” (Numbers 18:20).“The Lord is my portion” (Lamentations 3:24).“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).“In him we have obtained an inheritance” (Ephesians 1:11). Yet here in Psalm 28:9, the relationship is reversed—God's people are called his heritage! How can this be? After Moses ascended Mount Sinai a second time to receive the tablets of the Law, he prayed, “Take us for your inheritance.” Likewise, Moses wrote, “The Lord has taken you … to be a people of his own inheritance” (Deuteronomy 4:20). St. Peter takes up this same theme when he declares, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9), and St. Paul prays that believers may know “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). Paul also joins this “heritage” and “shepherd” imagery in his charge to the Ephesian elders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock … the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). This is how we become God's inheritance! He has purchased his flock with his own holy blood! Psalm 74:2 echoes the same truth: “Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!”   We are God's heritage—his treasured possession. He has purchased us with his own blood, sealed us with his name, and joined us to his death and resurrection in Holy Baptism. We are his, and he is ours. Where he is, there we shall be also. He is the Vine, and we are the branches. Will God be silent to us? Will he turn his face away and ignore our pleas for mercy? No—“The Lord is my strength and shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped” (Psalm 28:7). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. He never shall forsake His flock, His chosen generation; He is their refuge and their rock, Their peace and their salvation. As with a mother's tender hand, He leads His own, His chosen band: To God all praise and glory! (LSB 819:4)Rev. David Woelmer, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Smithville, Texas. 

Understanding that dying to self leads to abundant life in Christ; practical insights from the story of the rich, young ruler (Included in the series Dying To Live)Order this full message on MP3 HERE To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Understanding that dying to self leads to abundant life in Christ; practical insights from the story of the rich, young ruler (Included in the series Dying To Live)Order this full message on MP3 HERE To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Continue your journey through the book of Romans as we uncover deeper truths about God's grace, righteousness, and the believer's new life in Christ. This message offers practical insights to help you understand Scripture and live out your faith with confidence. Be strengthened by the transforming power of God's Word.

Independence means Freedom, Sacrifice, and Unity. This is exactly what a life in Christ is all about.

On the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, we learn that our life in Christ springs from the living history of what the Holy Spirit has done in the life of the church through the foundation set by their apostolic witness.

Dorotheos and Eusebia, a devout, aging Christian couple who lived in Anatolia, had no children. After many years, their fervent prayers for a child were answered, and they were blessed with a daughter, whom they named Kyriake ('Sunday' in Greek) because she was born on the Lord's day. The child grew up beautiful in body and soul and, though she had many suitors, chose to consecrate herself entirely to God and remain single. One of her suitors, angered at her refusal, denounced her and her parents to the Emperor Diocletian. Dorotheos and Eusebia were subjected to cruel tortures, then sent into exile, where they died under further torture. Kyriake was sent to Maximian, Diocletian's son-in-law, for trial. By his orders, she was subjected to a horrifying series of torments; but Christ Himself appeared to her in prison, healing and comforting her. Many pagans came to believe in Christ when they saw her miraculously saved from death by fire or from wild beasts; all of these were beheaded. Kyriake told Apollonius, the general who supervised her tortures: 'There is no way that you can turn me from my faith. Throw me into the fire — I have the example of the Three Children. Throw me to the wild beasts — I have the example of Daniel. Throw me into the sea — I have the example of Jonah the Prophet. Put me to the sword — I will remember the honored Forerunner. For me, to die is life in Christ.' Apollonius then ordered that she be beheaded. At the place of execution, she raised her hands in prayer and gave up her soul to God before the executioner could take her life.   Note: St Kyriake is also known as Dominica or Nedelja, Latin and Slavonic words for 'Sunday'.

When things get tough, do you try to figure it out yourself, or do you take it straight to God? This week, we examine the core differences between living an independent life versus a dependent life in Christ. Grounded in the central theme of aligning our lives with God, this episode challenges us to evaluate where we are still relying on our own plans, abilities, and self-made coping mechanisms.We open the room to raw, honest testimonies from the congregation, highlighting how God moves practically when we remain patient and trusting. Whether it is a major career shift, a hidden trap, or everyday anxiety, you will discover why submitting all your ways to Him is the only path to true victory.Stop managing the pressure alone. Listen now to discover how to fully depend on God for your wisdom, strength, and guidance.

This week's message from Hosea 5–6 reminds us that God's discipline is an expression of His love, meant to draw us back to Him rather than push us away. While we often look to temporary comforts to ease our pain, only God can truly heal and restore our hearts. Through the gospel, we see that His discipline isn't meant to destroy us but to transform us, leading us from brokenness to new life in Christ.

Pastor Wilson Green preaches from 1 John 5:13–21, bringing John's letter to a close with the assurance that believers can truly know they have eternal life in Christ. This message highlights what Christians know because Jesus has come: that our prayers are heard, sin does not have the final victory, we are protected by God, and we belong to Him in a world under the power of the evil one. John's final exhortation calls us to rest in the true God and eternal life, while guarding our hearts from idols.

Jesus calls people out of their old life of rebellion into a new way of faith and obedience. From his sermon series in the book of Ephesians, today R.C. Sproul underscores how important it is to bear the spiritual fruit of our new life in Christ. Get R.C. Sproul's commentary on the book of Ephesians with your donation: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Ephesians commentary ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), Year A, falling on July 12, 2026.The Gospel turns a new corner this morning. For six Sundays we have been reading through Jesus' words to his disciples — the sending discourse of Matthew 10 and the closing invitation of Matthew 11. Today we move from instruction to story.Matthew 13 opens what is sometimes called the parables chapter, where Jesus shifts into the long, slow, indirect work of telling stories about the kingdom of heaven. The Parable of the Sower is the first of these stories — and, fittingly, it is a story about how words like these actually land.The Matthew sending discourse is complete. The next several weeks will move through parables — the sower, the wheat and tares, the mustard seed, the pearl, the net. The shape of Jesus' teaching shifts from imperative to image, and the shape of our preaching may shift with it.The Old Testament tracks both lead naturally toward the Gospel, in different ways. * Track One brings us deeper into Genesis with the family of Jacob and Esau — twins struggling in the womb, parents picking favorites, a birthright traded for a bowl of stew. * Track Two brings us Isaiah's beautiful image of rain and snow that do not return to the heavens without watering the earth, paired with Psalm 65's celebration of God's lavish care for the soil. * The Epistle moves into Romans 8 — one of the high points of the New Testament — opening with the famous declaration: there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.The ReadingsGenesis 25:19–34First Reading (Track One) — Jacob and EsauSummaryTwo movements in one passage. * In the first, after years of barrenness, Rebekah conceives twins. They struggle so violently in her womb that she goes to inquire of the Lord, who tells her two nations are inside her — two peoples destined to be divided, with the elder serving the younger. The twins are born: Esau first, ruddy and hairy; then Jacob, with his hand grasping Esau's heel. * The second movement skips ahead to their adulthood. Esau is a skilled hunter, his father's favorite. Jacob is quieter, more domestic, his mother's favorite. One day Esau comes in from the field famished. Jacob is making stew. Esau demands some, and Jacob makes him swear to sell his birthright first. Esau swears, eats, and goes on his way. The narrator's verdict is blunt: thus Esau despised his birthright.Key Ideas for Preaching* The struggle inside Rebekah's womb is named long before the brothers can do anything to cause it. The text suggests that some of what shapes our lives starts before we have any agency in it. How might your congregation hear this without flattening it into determinism — recognizing the conditions we did not choose, while still taking seriously the choices we now make inside them?* The oracle that “the elder shall serve the younger” reverses the standard social order. God's choosing does not follow the rules of human inheritance. Where does your congregation still quietly assume that God's blessing tracks with rank, age, status, or success — and how might this reversal interrupt that?* Esau trades his birthright for a single meal. He gets what he wants in the moment and loses what would have been his future. Where in your congregation has the urgency of the immediate crowded out what people will later wish they had kept?* The parents pick favorites. Isaac loves Esau; Rebekah loves Jacob. Genesis does not pretend that this family is healthy. What might it mean to read these stories with both reverence for what God is doing and clear eyes about what is going wrong?Significant Cautions* Do not make Jacob the hero or Esau the villain. The text is more honest than that. Jacob is a calculating manipulator; Esau is impulsive and short-sighted. Both will need grace.* “The elder shall serve the younger” has been used in some traditions to claim that Christianity has replaced an older covenant. That is a misuse. The text is about this specific family, not a doctrinal program.* Esau's loss of his birthright has sometimes been preached as a warning about losing your salvation through carelessness. That is more than the text says. It is a moral judgment about despising what was given, not a soteriological warning.* Parental favoritism is destructive. Do not preach this story in a way that normalizes it or treats it as a charming family quirk.Psalm 119:105–112The Psalm (Track One) — A Lamp to My FeetSummaryA short section of the longest psalm in the Bible. Each stanza of Psalm 119 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each stanza is a meditation on God's word and law. This section opens with one of the most famous lines in the psalms: “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The psalmist commits to obey God's righteous ordinances. He acknowledges that his life is constantly in danger — “I hold my life in my hand continually” — but does not forget the law. The wicked have laid snares, but he has not strayed. He has taken God's decrees as an inheritance forever.Key Ideas for Preaching* A lamp is a small, focused light — enough to take the next step, not enough to see all the way down the road. What does it mean for your congregation to have a faith that gives them light enough for the next step rather than visibility of the whole journey?* The psalmist names that his life is “continually in his hand” — meaning, in continual peril. The psalm does not pretend that following God spares us from difficulty. What does it look like for your people to keep walking faithfully in a season when nothing feels safe?* The psalmist takes God's decrees as an inheritance “forever.” This is the same language Jacob and Esau will fight over in today's Genesis. How might your sermon set these two inheritances side by side — what we receive from God, and what we trade away?Significant Cautions* The piety of Psalm 119 can sound boastful out of context. Read in full, the psalm is more a series of vows and longings than self-congratulation. Be careful not to use a line from it to humble-brag from the pulpit.* “Your word” should not be flattened into “the Bible says” in a way that closes down honest inquiry. The psalmist's relationship to God's word is a long love affair, not a system of proof-texts.Isaiah 55:10–13First Reading (Track Two) — As the Rain Comes DownSummaryThe closing of Isaiah's great chapter of invitation. The verses for today open with one of the most beautiful images in the prophets: as the rain and snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth…. The chapter closes with extravagant joy: you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills shall burst into song; all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Where the thornbush stood, the cypress will grow; where the brier was, the myrtle.Key Ideas for Preaching* The image is one of the most natural and concrete in the prophets: rain comes down, waters the earth, makes things grow. The word of God works the same way, the text says — patiently, naturally, without immediate visible effect, accomplishing what it sets out to do. What does it look like for your congregation to trust God's word the way they trust rain to do its work?* The closing image of mountains singing and trees clapping is one of the most joyful pictures of God's restoration in the prophets. The whole creation joins the celebration. How might your sermon let your congregation feel the size of the joy the prophets imagined — not just our private gladness, but a joy that mountains and trees join?* Where the thornbush stood, the cypress will grow. The text imagines not just restoration but improvement — what was harsh giving way to what is beautiful. Where in your congregation's life or your community's life has thornbush been growing for too long, and what would it look like to keep hoping for cypress?Significant Cautions* “God's word will not return empty” has been used as a triumphalist confidence — as if any sermon, or any evangelistic effort, is guaranteed success. The text is about God's faithfulness, not our methods. Be careful with this verse.* The closing imagery is poetic and visionary. Do not turn it into a literal prediction of what is about to happen. Isaiah is helping his people imagine; let your people imagine, too.Psalm 65:(1–8), 9–13The Psalm (Track Two) — You Visit the EarthSummaryA psalm of thanksgiving for God's provision through the natural world. The opening verses (which the lectionary makes optional) celebrate God's awesome works — silencing the roaring of the seas and the tumult of the peoples. The main section then turns to the soil itself. God visits the earth and waters it. God provides grain. God softens the ridges and blesses the growth. The wagons of God overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness drip with goodness; the hills gird themselves with joy; the meadows are covered with flocks; the valleys are decked with grain. They shout and sing together for joy.Key Ideas for Preaching* The psalm imagines God as a farmer working the land — visiting, watering, softening, blessing. This is a wonderfully embodied picture of God's care for the world. Where in your congregation has the picture of God become too abstract, and how might this earthy image steady it?* The earth itself is described as joyful. The hills gird themselves with joy. The meadows shout. The valleys sing. The praise of God in this psalm is not just human; it is cosmic. How might your sermon include the praise of the creation as part of the worship of your people?* The psalm pairs naturally with Isaiah and with the Parable of the Sower. The whole day is, in a sense, about good soil — about what makes things grow, about the patience of fields and the joy of harvest. What does it mean for your people to take their place inside that picture?Significant Cautions* The agricultural imagery can fall flat in urban congregations or for those without much connection to growing things. Take a moment to translate where needed — to help people who have not held soil feel what the psalm is celebrating.* If you use the optional opening verses, do not let their language about God forgiving transgressions become a transactional reading. These are people overflowing with thanks, not making a payment.Romans 8:1–11The Epistle — No CondemnationSummaryAfter the long, painful description of the inner war in Romans 7, Paul opens chapter 8 with one of the great thunderclaps of the New Testament: there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do, God did by sending the Son. The selected verses describe two different orientations of life: * the mind set on the flesh, which is hostile to God, and * the mind set on the Spirit, which is life and peace.The passage closes with the promise that if the Spirit of God dwells in you — and Paul insists it does — then God who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies as well.Key Ideas for Preaching* “There is therefore now no condemnation.” That is the gospel in seven words. After the heaviness of Romans 7, Paul does not say there is now some condemnation, or only a little, or condemnation managed by your performance. He says no condemnation. Where in your congregation are people still walking around as if some part of them were under condemnation, and what would change if they took Paul at his word?* Paul describes two different mindsets — flesh and Spirit. He is not talking about the body. He is talking about whether we live oriented around our own self-defended life or around the life of God breathed into us. How might your sermon help your people tell the difference in their own daily lives?* The closing verse is one of the most physically hopeful in the New Testament: God will give life even to our mortal bodies. The Christian hope is not escape from the body but its raising. What might it shift in your congregation to hear that the resurrection includes the body, not just the spirit?Significant Cautions* “Flesh” language in Paul has often been used to denigrate the physical body and bodily life. That is not what Paul means. Flesh in Paul is closer to the self-organized-against-God, not the body. Say so clearly.* “No condemnation” should not be flattened into “anything goes.” Paul is naming what is true about your standing before God, not endorsing every choice you might make.* The “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ” line has been used to test other people's salvation. Paul's whole flow of thought is reassurance, not threat. Keep the assurance in the foreground.* The Spirit language has sometimes been used in ways that exclude people who do not have particular emotional or charismatic experiences. The Spirit's work is wider than what feels like the Spirit at any given moment.Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23The Gospel — The Parable of the SowerSummaryThe crowds press in on Jesus, and he gets into a boat to teach them from offshore. He tells the story of a sower who goes out to sow. Some seed falls on the path and is eaten by birds. Some falls on rocky ground, springs up quickly, and withers without root. Some falls among thorns and is choked. Some falls on good soil and yields a remarkable harvest — thirty, sixty, even a hundred times what was planted. Let anyone with ears listen. The lectionary skips the section in which the disciples ask Jesus why he speaks in parables, and goes directly to his interpretation. Each soil represents a kind of reception. The path is the one who hears without understanding; the seed is snatched away. The rocky ground is the one who receives joyfully but, having no root, falls away under pressure. The thorns are the one whose hearing is choked by the cares of the world and the lure of wealth. The good soil is the one who hears, understands, and bears extravagant fruit.Key Ideas for Preaching* The sower in the parable scatters seed everywhere — on path and rocks and thorns and good soil alike. He does not check the ground first. This is one of the most striking pictures of God's lavishness in any parable. Where in your congregation has there been a quiet calculation about who is worth speaking the word to, and how might this image interrupt it?* The four soils are types of hearing, not types of people. Anyone might find themselves in any of the four conditions, depending on the season of their life. Where in your congregation are people in danger of being preached at as “the rocky ground” or “the thorns,” when in fact they are people whose conditions have changed and could change again?* The yield from good soil is extravagant. Thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was planted is wildly more than ancient agriculture typically produced. The parable is not just about which soil is best; it is about the surprising abundance of what even one good response can produce. What does it look like to preach hope about what one faithful hearing can yield over time?* Jesus' interpretation calls out “the cares of the world and the lure of wealth” as a particular kind of choking thorn. He is not condemning attention to daily life; he is naming what happens when those concerns become the whole horizon. Where in your congregation's life has the daily slowly become the whole, and how might today's parable invite a recalibration?* The parable is the first in a long string of parables in Matthew 13. It is, in a sense, a parable about parables — about how images and stories actually land in people. What does it mean to preach a sermon that takes seriously how it itself will be heard?Significant Cautions* The four soils are easy to use diagnostically — “which soil are you?” — in a way that produces anxiety. Be careful with this. The parable is not a personality test, and the soils are conditions that change with the seasons of a life.* The parable has been used to blame failure to flourish on the hearer rather than on the conditions. Some hearts are stony because life has been stony to them. Be gentle.* “The cares of the world and the lure of wealth” can quickly become a preacher's broadside, especially against people in financial stress. Jesus' point is about what choosing to be absorbed by these does to a soul, not a condemnation of anyone living with real economic pressure.* The “evil one snatches” language has been sensationalized in some preaching traditions. Keep it where Jesus keeps it — as part of an explanation, not as a dramatic centerpiece.Thematic ConnectionsThe Gospel is the natural center for the day, and it is the first of a series of parables that will fill the next few weeks. Matthew is asking us to slow down, to listen to stories, to receive the kingdom of heaven through images rather than instructions.On Track One, Genesis gives us a family in which inheritance is despised and grasped — Esau trading his birthright for a meal, Jacob calculating his way into a position God had already promised him. The Psalm names God's word as a lamp to the feet — a small, faithful light. Read alongside the Gospel, the Genesis story poses the question of what we do with what is given us. Esau let his birthright go for a stew. The path, the rocks, and the thorns let the word go for similar reasons. The good soil holds what has been received and lets it become a harvest.On Track Two, Isaiah and Psalm 65 both celebrate the natural processes through which God's purpose works. Rain comes down. The earth softens. Seeds grow. The whole creation eventually joins the praise. The pairing with the Parable of the Sower is beautiful: the patient, ordinary, often invisible work by which the word of God accomplishes what it sets out to do. The harvest is real, even when we cannot see the seed underground.Romans 8 sits inside the day as a steady ground. There is no condemnation. The Spirit of God is at work in those who belong to Christ. The various soils of the Gospel, the family dysfunction of Genesis, the slow growing of Isaiah — none of these has the final word. The final word belongs to the Spirit who gives life even to our mortal bodies.The parables of the kingdom (chapter 13) begin here. The shape of Jesus' teaching shifts from imperative to image, and the shape of our preaching may shift with it. The Parable of the Sower is a particularly fitting place to start, because it is a story about how stories like these actually land. If your congregation has been on the long Matthew arc with you, this is a natural place to invite them into a new way of listening.And ain't that grand?Thanks for reading Lectionary Lab 2.0! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

Deacon Alex Bonitto preaches from Colossians 3:12-17 about living the good life in Christ.

Seek the Spirit of Life | John 3:1–8; Romans 8:10, 11 Summer Series— Seek the Spirit Summary: Seek the Spirit of Life, because only he gives life where death reigns: new birth, life in Christ, and resurrection life on the last day. Introduction: The Spirit Gives New Birth (John 3) The Spirit Gives Ongoing New Life (Rom. 8:10) The Spirit Gives Ultimate Resurrection Life (Rom. 8:11)

As we continue our series in Romans, Pete compares and contrasts death in Adam to being alive in Christ and what that means for our lives.Join us again next week as we continue the series at 9:30am and 11:30am at UWL, and at 6:30pm at The Hub.Find out more at redeemerlondon.org.

Homily for July 1st. 2026 | What if the devil's greatest victory is convincing the world that he doesn't exist? In this eye-opening homily, Fr. Chris Alar uncovers the reality of spiritual warfare, revealing how Satan's tactics have remained the same from biblical times to today: distracting souls with wealth, status, pleasure, fear, and self-interest while leading them away from God.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the possessed man and the herd of pigs, Fr. Chris explains how Christ reveals His absolute authority over evil. Even the demons recognize His power. Their fear of being cast into the water points us to something deeper: water is a sign of life, cleansing, and rebirth. In Baptism, water becomes the instrument through which God destroys sin, frees the soul from the power of darkness, and brings us into new life in Christ. This is why Baptism terrifies the evil one; because through it, a soul is claimed for God.his message will challenge, inspire, and strengthen your faith in the battle for souls. ★ Support this podcast ★

It's (RE)quipping Wednesday! This is a reboot of a past Equipping Men in Ten episode, EP #735 Are you a know-it-all? Do you have trouble taking criticism? Pretty sure you don't need direction from others? Find yourself judging the way others do things? Having a TEACHABLE spirit is vital when you're living out your best version of life in Christ. Even so, many of us walk around with a "know-it-all" attitude. In this week's 10-minute equipping episode, Pastor Jim Ramos teaches you 6 secrets a "know-it-all" attitude reveals about your heart and how it plays into your "Season of Manhood" (see "Seasons of Manhood" Part 1 and Part 2 ) Want to protect your marriage? Get our free ebook: 7 Guardrails to Protect Your Marriage Before It's Too Late. Has Men in the Arena helped you make a change in your life, small or large? We want to hear your impact story! You can start a ministry to father the fatherless in your church! Learn how with our sponsor, Kids Outdoor Zone at https://kidsoutdoorzone.com/arena.

Send us Fan MailThe Unsexy Church PodcastNew episodes drop every Wednesday MorningABOUT THE PODCASTThe Unsexy Church is a weekly podcast exploring the real, everyday life within our church family. Each week, join Pastor Bob (Senior Pastor) and Darren (Worship & Discipleship Pastor) as they sit down to discuss a wide variety of subjects—from deep theological questions to the practical, often "unsexy" work of following Jesus and building a healthy local church.WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THRIVE?We want to help every person make a genuine commitment to follow Jesus and then follow through with that commitment in Connecting People to a Thriving Life in Christ. These Thriving disciples should Dig In to the Bible, Grow Up in Christ, and Branch Out into the community.Our Mission: To Connect People to a Thriving Life in Christ. What is a thriving life in Christ? Scripture says that Jesus Christ came “that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Our mission in the city of Tampa is to make disciples who follow the pattern of the believer in Psalm 1 and desire God's glory above all things.NEXT STEPSAre you looking to get connected or learn more about First Baptist Tampa? We would love to help you find your place in our community.Start Here: Visit fbctampa.org/new-here/first-steps/ to take your first step in finding out more about the Church and how you can get involved.STAY CONNECTEDWherever you are in life, you have a purpose. First Baptist Tampa wants to help you find your next step.Official Website: fbctampa.orgFacebook: First Baptist TampaInstagram: @fbctampaOur Student & Young Adult Ministries:AWANA (Kids): https://fbctampa.org/ministries/children/N1NE (Middle & High School): @onenine.fbctampaThe Collective (College): @thecollective.fbctampa

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you expected?You thought you'd be further along by now.You thought the relationship would last.You thought the diagnosis wouldn't come.You thought the job was secure.And then the storm hit.In Acts 27–28, the apostle Paul is on his way to Rome—confident in a promise God had already spoken over his life. But before he reaches his destination, he faces a violent storm that tears apart the ship, disrupts the journey, and threatens every life on board.Yet what looked like disaster became a platform for God's purpose.In Shipwrecked, we'll discover that storms are often unexpected—but never outside of God's control. What feels like a delay may actually be divine positioning. What looks like a detour may be preparation for something greater.Because the storm may change your plans—but it does not change God's purpose.At Discover Church, we exist to see our city changed by Jesus, one life at a time, by helping people discover LIFE in Christ, BELONGING in Community & PURPOSE in God's Calling on their life so that they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.-You can join us live on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 am, either in person or online! Visit www.discoverchurchkc.com for more information!

Pastor Mitch Helmkamp preaches from 1 John 5:1–12, reminding us that those who have been born of God possess something far more valuable than any earthly wealth: eternal life in Christ. This message explores the evidence of genuine faith, belief in Jesus, love for God and His people, and joyful obedience. We see how the passage also points to God's own testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. Ultimately, this passage reminds us that the greatest treasure we can possess isn't found in earthly riches, but in the eternal life that belongs to everyone who has the Son.

The power of answered prayer is found not in getting what we want, but in staying close enough to Christ that our desires begin to align with His.

Friends of the Rosary,In today's Sunday Gospel (Matthew 10:37-42), Jesus lays down the requirement for discipleship, for being a true Christian:“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;and whoever does not take up his crossand follow after me is not worthy of me.Whoever finds his life will lose it,and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." "Whoever receives you receives me,and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."If we truly want to enjoy a life in Christ with God, these are the conditions.It's a fact that many people embrace darkness and reject the path of faith and charity. Sadly, they opt for their own damnation.But we who freely and voluntarily have accepted the gift of faith, we must understand that we ourselves are temples of the Holy Spirit, and our Lord wants us to rejoice and have no fear. By embracing his teachings and commandments!Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠June 27, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In this sermon from James 2:14-26, James reminds us that genuine faith is more than words, knowledge, or a profession of belief—it is a living faith that produces action. While salvation comes by grace through faith alone, true saving faith never remains alone; it reveals itself through obedience, compassion, and good works. Abraham demonstrated his faith through obedience to God, and Rahab demonstrated her faith through courageous compassion toward God's people. Their actions did not earn their salvation but proved the reality of their trust in God. In the same way, our faith should be visible in how we love, serve, and care for others. As James concludes, "faith apart from works is dead." A living faith trusts God, obeys His Word, and bears fruit that reflects a transformed life in Christ.

When Culture, Protest, and the Gospel CollideIn recent news from Ukraine, a Pride march in Kyiv has once again drawn attention —not only from the public, but also from Christians wrestling with a deeper question: How should believers respond?Pride parade held in Kyiv this past weekThis isn't entirely new. Pride events in Ukraine have existed for years, growing steadily after 2016. But the full-scale invasion in 2022 disrupted much of public life, including social movements. In recent years, as parts of Ukraine have regained a measure of stability, public demonstrations, including Pride events and counter-protests, have reemerged. For Christians watching this unfold, especially in places where cultural shifts are happening rapidly, the question becomes urgent: should the Church respond with protest, with political action, or with something else entirely?The temptation to fight on the wrong battlefieldIt's easy for believers to assume that the most faithful response to cultural change is confrontation. If a public movement promotes values that conflict with Scripture, the instinct can be to organize counter-marches, raise banners, and enter the public square as political opponents. But Scripture repeatedly calls Christians to something more careful and more radical. When Jesus stood before Pilate, He made a striking declaration:My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place. - John 18:36That single statement reframes everything. The mission of Christ was never centered on political dominance or cultural enforcement. His kingdom does not advance through pressure, protest, or coercion but through transformed hearts. This does not mean Christians stay silent about truth. It means they must be clear about what kind of battle they are actually in.1. What kingdom are we building?The first question every believer must ask is simple: Am I investing more energy into an earthly cultural victory or into the eternal kingdom of Christ? Political and cultural movements may shift laws, influence societies, and reshape norms. But they cannot regenerate the human heart like the Gospel.Even if a society aligns externally with biblical ethics, it does not guarantee spiritual transformation. The kingdom of God is not built through legislation but rather through redemption.2. What gospel are we preaching?Paul writes:But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. - 1 Corinthians 1:23The message of the cross has always been offensive to human systems of power and ideology. It disrupts every political alignment, because it calls every person, not one side or the other, to repentance.If the gospel we preach comfortably fits into one political framework while alienating none, we may have quietly replaced Christ with ideology. The gospel is not primarily a call to cultural reform. It is a call to surrender, repentance, and new life in Christ.3. What example are we showing?Jesus was famously criticized for His relationships:Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. - Matthew 11:19He did not avoid people considered morally distant from God by society's standards. But neither did He affirm sin. Instead, He brought truth wrapped in presence, compassion, and invitation. This creates a tension modern believers must learn to hold: truth without hostility, and love without compromise.The most effective witness is rarely a shouted message across a protest line. More often, it is a conversation across a table, a relationship built over time, and a life that reflects hope.A better way forwardThe real question isn't whether Christians should care about moral issues—Scripture is clear that truth matters. The question is what that concern is aimed at: winning cultural battles or seeing lives transformed by Christ. Only one produces lasting change.In times of tension, the Church is pulled toward silence or confrontation, but the way of Christ is neither. It is faithful witness—speak truth clearly, live with conviction, and keep the goal in view: not winning arguments, but seeing lives changed by Jesus Christ.

Learn how to be sure of your possession of eternal life in Christ.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the reason you're exhausted has nothing to do with how hard you're working?In this episode, Tom sits down with Tim Twigg, a follower of Jesus, husband, father, pastor, and entrepreneur, for a conversation about drift, rest, identity, and building something that truly matters.Together they talk about:Why drifting is our natural default and how to battle itThe power of choosing to praise God in a hospital bathroom even while his wife and daughter both fought for their livesExhaustion is often a sign of misalignment, and the one question to expose itHow two rabbits can inspire us to fight the temptation to chase after things that don't matterThe importance of finding identity outside of what we produceThis conversation will challenge you to stop drifting and start making the intentional decisions that lead to living a meaningful life.The Giving Life Podcast: Conversations about being a man whose life in Christ gives life to others.Watch the video version on YouTube - https://youtu.be/WsCWihtzcDQMore info about Restoration Generation - www.resgen.org

Thursday, 25 June 2026   saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. Matthew 21:2   “Saying to them, ‘You go into the village, the ‘opposite you,' and immediately you will find ‘donkey, having been bound', and ‘colt, with her'. Having loosened, you bring to Me.'” (CG)   The previous verse noted that Jesus and those with Him drew near to Jerusalem, coming to Bethphage by the Mount of Olives. At this point, it needs to be understood that Matthew is giving details categorically, not necessarily chronologically.   John's gospel includes the death and the raising of Lazarus, coming before the triumphal entry. Therefore, there is time and there are events between leaving Jericho and the events that will take place that occurred while Jesus was in this area. Understanding that, when there, He sent two disciples. Matthew next records, “Saying to them, ‘You go into the village, the ‘opposite you,'.'”   The village is not identified. Some argue it is Bethphage, the city just mentioned in verse 1. Others, because of the term “opposite you,” think it refers to Bethany. John Gill, with lively defense, suggests it is Nob, a city of the priests mentioned first in 1 Samuel 21.   Regardless, because the name is not given, it has purposefully been left out to keep the narrative typology untarnished. Once in this city, Jesus continues, saying, “and immediately you will find ‘donkey, having been bound'.”   The onus, donkey, is introduced here. It is a primary word. Donkeys are found in both testaments. The Topical Lexicon says it is “a symbol of humble service, patient endurance, and covenant blessing.” This word is found five times in the New Testament in Matthew, Luke, and John. Although onomastic scholars don't generally tie this word onus to our modern word onus, signifying a burden, it is a likely candidate for its etymological root.   This is a female donkey, a jenny. That makes her comparable to the Hebrew word athon, coming from ethan, permanence or enduring. As such, the idea of “patient endurance” noted above is written right into the Hebrew naming of this animal. Jesus continues with, “and ‘colt, with her'.”   Another new word, pólos, a foal or filly, especially a young donkey, is seen. This word is found twelve times, only in all four gospels. In Zechariah 9:9, it says of the coming Messiah that He would be “riding upon jack (khamor, a male donkey), and upon colt (ayir), ‘son, jenny'.”   The words are telling a story. The khamor, jack, is derived from khamar, to boil (but with the sense of redness as in a reddened boiling pot). The word ayir, colt, is from ur, to awaken. Thus, it is a colt that is just being broken. The athon, jenny signifies permanence.   This will be further explored when we come to verses 4 and 5, where the prophecy is explicitly cited. Of these two donkeys, it next says, “Having loosened, you bring to Me.”   Jesus is specifically directing what will be the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy. Matthew is the only one who notes two donkeys. The other gospels focus only on the one Jesus will ride on. This makes sense because Matthew's writing is directed most specifically to the Jewish people, presenting Jesus as the King of the Jews and the fulfillment of their Scriptures.   The colt would follow its mother as she led it along in this procession.   Life application: An ancient analysis of these verses from Jerome looks to the mother donkey as representing the Jewish people who had, for many hundreds of years, borne the yoke of the Law of Moses. He points to the colt as representing the Gentiles, being as yet unbroken until the time Christ sat on it.   Considering the roots of the words presented above, does that fit with what is being said and what fits into the dispensational model? Think about this as the verses continue to be evaluated. God is not just telling us surface stories of what actually took place. Rather, He is giving us deeper information in His word.   What is said and anticipated in the Old Testament through typology is confirmed in the New. The physical reality of the past is teaching us spiritual truths concerning God, the coming of Christ, the effects of His work, etc.   Many scholars call this “mystical,” as if it were a fanciful notion of made-up stuff. Some dismiss typology altogether, as if it has no use in biblical interpretation. What is wrong with such evaluations? The answer is found explicitly right in the New Testament, in passages such as 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 and Galatians 4:21-31.   In those passages, Paul says that the stories of the Old Testament were examples of Christ being presented through typology. He even says it indirectly in verses such as in 1 Corinthians 5 –   “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:6-8   Paul makes a one-to-one comparison between the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Christ and our life in Christ. God is working through types and pictures in the Old Testament, conveying information about what lies ahead. Every word and every detail of these ancient passages is given to point us to spiritual truths.   Be sure to think about what you are reading in the Old Testament. It is all pointing to Jesus, what He has done, and how it applies to us. Typology is how God is doing this.   Lord God, thank You for how Your wisdom is on display in ancient passages of Your word that seem to make no sense... until we look for Jesus. Then they fall into place, making all the sense in the world. What a treat it is for us to search out our Lord in them! Amen.  

We have all experienced that distinct, crushing sense of overwhelm. Your calendar is packed, the pressures of parenting and work are mounting, and the constant noise of the world never seems to dim. But it's not just that your life is full - it's that your soul feels heavy. Most of us have simply adopted a cultural norm that is quietly exhausting us, assuming this chronic fatigue is just the price of admission for modern life.   In this powerful message, we dive into Matthew 11:28–30 to uncover a freeing truth: The weight you're carrying might not be the one you were meant to carry. Jesus famously promised that His burden is light, yet that rarely matches our day-to-day reality. By breaking down the specific weights we subconsciously pick up, this sermon exposes how we are mismanaging our souls and offers the ultimate trade-off: swapping our exhausting performance for His peaceful presence.  

Send us Fan MailThe Unsexy Church PodcastNew episodes drop every Wednesday MorningABOUT THE PODCASTThe Unsexy Church is a weekly podcast exploring the real, everyday life within our church family. Each week, join Pastor Bob (Senior Pastor) and Darren (Worship & Discipleship Pastor) as they sit down to discuss a wide variety of subjects—from deep theological questions to the practical, often "unsexy" work of following Jesus and building a healthy local church.WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THRIVE?We want to help every person make a genuine commitment to follow Jesus and then follow through with that commitment in Connecting People to a Thriving Life in Christ. These Thriving disciples should Dig In to the Bible, Grow Up in Christ, and Branch Outinto the community.Our Mission: To Connect People to a Thriving Life in Christ. What is a thriving life in Christ? Scripture says that Jesus Christ came “that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Our mission in the city of Tampa is to make disciples who follow the pattern of the believer in Psalm 1 and desire God's glory above all things.NEXT STEPSAre you looking to get connected or learn more about First Baptist Tampa? We would love to help you find your place in our community.Start Here: Visit fbctampa.org/new-here/first-steps/ to take your first step in finding out more about the Church and how you can get involved.STAY CONNECTEDWherever you are in life, you have a purpose. First Baptist Tampa wants to help you find your next step.Official Website: fbctampa.orgFacebook: First Baptist TampaInstagram: @fbctampaOur Student & Young Adult Ministries:AWANA (Kids): https://fbctampa.org/ministries/children/N1NE (Middle & High School): @onenine.fbctampaThe Collective (College): @thecollective.fbctampa

This episode honors fathers and challenges men to reject worldly patterns—like deceit, laziness, lust, and uncontrolled anger—and instead “put on” the new life in Christ marked by integrity, service, holiness, and responsible work. Pastor Rodney concludes his message by inviting people to surrender their old lives to Jesus, be transformed by the Spirit, and live as godly examples for their families and the world.

Pastor Maritza unpacks Ephesians 4:17–28, stressing that Paul's letter calls believers to leave behind the futile, sinful patterns of the world and live out a truly “new life” in Christ, not just a patched‑up version of their old one. The preacher urges listeners to let God soften hardened hearts, take every thought captive, walk in integrity and honest work, and embrace visible transformation so their lives reflect Jesus to the world.

In his 1937 book Think and Grow Rich, author Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Hill’s quote epitomizes the American Dream: If you work hard, you can achieve your wildest dreams. Hard work may lead to earthly benefits; many passages of Scripture—especially in Proverbs—link those things. But as I grow older, I also see a real danger in following Hill’s ideas: my grasping attempts to achieve my dreams can be a self-focused attempt to live independently from God. In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts two ways of life: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v. 16). Eugene Petersen paraphrases it this way: “Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness” (The Message). A few verses later, Paul describes what a flourishing life in Christ looks like: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (vv. 22-23). Many voices in this world compel us to grasp our desires with both hands. The life we long for, though, is not one we earn but one we receive as we yield to the Holy Spirit—freely walking with Him—rather than striving desperately to grasp blessing on our own terms.

https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyGoalsPod?sub_confirmation=1The Abundant Life in ChristYou are listening to David Pollack (College Football Hall-of-Famer & CFB Analyst) and Jonathan Howes (Lead Pastor of Graystone Church) have a weekly conversation about God, Family, and Sports.#familygoalspodcast #familygoals #ChristianityRespond in the comments, SUBSCRIBE and CLICK THE BELL for notificationsFOLLOW The Family Goals Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-goals-with-david-pollack-and-pastor-j/id1585214791X: https://x.com/familygoalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/familygoalspod/Toney Financial Services: https://www.toneyfinancialinc.com/Graystone Church: https://www.graystonechurch.com/FOLLOW See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPollackCFBhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see-ball-get-ball-with-david-pollack/id1769665459Produced by: https://www.bigstoryco.com

In this episode, we dive into the connection between faith, identity, and sexuality, exploring why separating sex from our life in Christ can lead to confusion, brokenness, and misplaced identity. With guest, Joshua Broome, we discuss how today's western culture often defines worth through sexual appeal, activity, and acceptance, while God offers a radically different vision rooted in dignity, covenant, and purpose. You'll hear why sexual objectification distorts how we see both ourselves and others, and how healing begins when our identity is firmly anchored in Christ instead of cultural approval. We also talk about the fear of “missing out” by following God's design for sex, and why His boundaries actually lead to freedom, joy, and wholeness. We unpack practical ways young men and women can build a porn-proof life, develop resilience against temptation, and pursue lasting sexual integrity in a world full of competing messages. Resources: Register For The 2026 Summit Now! Get Joshua's Books Joshua's Instagram Joshua's Podcast GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.