Podcasts about new testament church

A lot of times as believers we think the Pastor of the church is 'On The Hook' for doing all the work in the church. The New Testament Church should actually be built with a mindset that ALL believers and people of the church are 'On The Hook' to be ministers, use their spiritual gifts, and to build the Kingdom of God.

A lot of times as believers we think the Pastor of the church is 'On The Hook' for doing all the work in the church. The New Testament Church should actually be built with a mindset that ALL believers and people of the church are 'On The Hook' to be ministers, use their spiritual gifts, and to build the Kingdom of God.

“Scripture does not give dignity to undefined romantic attachments.” In this teaching series, PAV breaks down the Bible's position on heterosexual relationships within the context of the New Testament Church, and establishes the sufficiency of Scripture, through all generations. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

June 29, 2026Today's Reading: Matthew 16:13-19Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24; Acts 9:23-43“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Peter and Paul. The “Prince of the Apostles” and the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” They both are great movers and shakers in the first generation of the New Testament Church—heroes of the faith. And we remember them with appreciation and thanksgiving, sometimes in our stained glass windows, or even with statues flanking the Risen Christ on some altars. It is good to remember them and give thanks.But is it the wisdom and skill of Simon and Saul? Did Simon Peter pass some exam with flying colors, giving Jesus the right answer? Did Saul of Tarsus suddenly realize he was wrong on the Road to Damascus, and shout, “My bad!” as he made up his own mind to start a new life? Here is a hint: even with the greatest saints, they could “not by [their] own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ [their] Lord, or come to Him.”The Father in heaven gave His Spirit to these men, that they might come to faith in Christ, and be great apostles to build the foundation of the Church. These two had a great many things in common. Peter raised Dorcas from the dead; Paul raised Eutychus. Peter was released from jail in Jerusalem by an angel; Paul by an angel in Philippi. Both preach to thousands, both Jew and Gentile, around the Roman Empire. And then, the last thing they shared in common: they both were martyred in Rome during Nero's persecution of Christians. Paul, as a Roman citizen, was given a swift, less torturous death by beheading. Peter, as merely a subject of the Empire, was crucified.Ah! But there is yet another thing in common. These two saints now rest from their labors, asleep in Jesus. And they are awaiting the Resurrection at the Last Day. The Resurrection foreshadowed in the empty tomb, and revealed to Peter in the Upper Room and at breakfast on the beach. The Resurrection was revealed to Paul when he was “knocked off his high horse” and saw and heard the Risen Christ on the Road to Damascus.The Gospel of this Resurrection is revealed to you, too. Through the Word of God delivered by these two saints (and so many others!), you have been blessed and are being prepared for the Resurrection.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We praise You for Saint Peter; We praise You for Saint Paul; They taught both Jew and Gentile That Christ is all in all. To cross and sword they yielded And saw Your kingdom come; O God, these two apostles Reached life through martyrdom. (LSB 518:19)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

“Scripture does not give dignity to undefined romantic attachments.” In this teaching series, PAV breaks down the Bible's position on heterosexual relationships within the context of the New Testament Church, and establishes the sufficiency of Scripture, through all generations. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

What is the biblical role of an evangelist?Many Christians associate evangelists with traveling revival preachers who move from church to church preaching special services. While that model has been common in Pentecostal circles, is it the same role the apostle Paul described in Ephesians 4:11?In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard explores the New Testament ministry of the evangelist and explains why this calling remains essential to the church today. Drawing from Scripture, he discusses how evangelists fit within the ministry gifts Christ gave to the church, how their work differs from that of pastors and teachers, and how they help fulfill the church's mission of reaching the lost.Whether you serve in ministry, feel called to evangelistic work, or simply want a deeper understanding of biblical church leadership, this episode offers practical insight into one of the most important ministry roles in the New Testament.Apostolic Life in the 21st Century is a weekly podcast in which Dr. David K. Bernard answers questions about Scripture, theology, Christian living, and contemporary issues from an Apostolic Pentecostal perspective.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

“Scripture does not give dignity to undefined romantic attachments.” In this teaching series, PAV breaks down the Bible's position on heterosexual relationships within the context of the New Testament Church, and establishes the sufficiency of Scripture, through all generations. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

In our 11 lesson in Baptist History we are looking at the Baptist Distinctive Doctrine of the Perpetuity of the New Testament Church and how this belief comes from the Word of God.

OnPoint Communications Author website www.jscottyates.com Substack www.substack.com/@truthonpoint https://jscottyates.substack.com Compelled to share the faith journey of caring for my wife with Alzheimer's in my first book. We were both led closer to Jesus and blessed with peace in our hearts. Even during the last two years on hospice in a nursing home. God was glorified by my wife's smile that often broke into laughter. Even in the midst of the storm of Alzheimer's, peace and wisdom was revealed as our spiritual eyes were opened and hearts awakened to know God's Word is truth that sets us free. Both lifelong Methodists and Nell the granddaughter of a renowned pastor and president of Southern Methodist University, Umphrey Lee, we were led on a faith journey closer to Jesus after the Methodist Church left us, shunning God's Word to embrace the sinful culture of the world. More than 7,500 churches in the United States alone left the denomination. A life-changing trip to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter opened our eyes to the authority of Scripture – all of God's Word is truth. We were drawn to the Church of Christ, a New Testament Church founded on Biblical authority. If you would like a photo of the book cover or more information, please let me know. I would be glad to share a code for a free digital download, and the publisher has offered to provide copies if contacted by media directly. Thank you for your consideration sharing this with your audience. Author website: www.jscottyates.com Substack: https://jscottyates.substack.com/ New Memoir ‘Everything Is Going to Be All Right' Offers Hope and Faith Amid the Trials of Alzheimer's A Story of Love, Caregiving and Faith as Husband Chronicles His Wife's Battle with Alzheimer's RALEIGH, N.C. – In his debut memoir “Everything Is Going to Be All Right: A Faith Journey Through Alzheimer's”(published by WestBow Press), Scott Yates invites readers into an intimate story of love, loss, and spiritual endurance as he walks alongside his wife through the devastating progression of Alzheimer's disease. The book recounts the journey of Scott and Eleanor “Nell” Yates, two newspaper reporters who met early in their careers and built a life together centered on family, journalism and shared faith. Their lives changed dramatically when Nell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016. As the disease gradually took away her ability to communicate and live independently, Scott stepped into the demanding role of caregiver, navigating the challenges that accompany what many call “the long goodbye.” He faced the daily burdens many caregivers know well — exhaustion, grief and the painful realization that some challenges cannot be overcome through personal strength alone — yet, through it all, Scott discovered profound spiritual lessons. He came to see how suffering and uncertainty can draw people closer to God and deepen their trust in his guidance. During one especially meaningful moment in the nursing home, after Nell's speech had become largely incoherent due to aphasia, Scott rhetorically said, “Isn't it going to be amazing when we see Jesus face-to-face.” Nell suddenly spoke clearly and confidently to reassure her husband, telling him, “Everything is going to be all right.” That moment of clarity became the title, message and inspiration for this book. For the next year, Scott led a Bible study in the nursing home with other patients as Nell held his hand and shared her smiles. Scott was holding Nell's hand as she took her last breath, called home to see Jesus on the same day the book was published.

Pastor Jeremiah Gabbard | Acts 2:46-47

The sermon presents Pentecost not as a mere historical event or a model for repeated spiritual experiences, but as the foundational moment when the New Testament Church was inaugurated through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling Old Testament promises and marking a decisive turning point in redemptive history. It emphasizes that the Spirit's coming was not for self-exaltation but to glorify Christ, empowering believers to bear witness to His death, resurrection, and ascension, thereby reversing the curse of Babel and uniting people across nations through the proclamation of the gospel. Far from being a sectarian or experiential phenomenon, Pentecost is presented as the essential origin of all true Christian churches, making every church inherently Pentecostal in its mission and identity. The sermon calls for a return to the biblical understanding of Pentecost—not as a recurring event or a personal spiritual milestone, but as a once-for-all fulfillment of divine promise that continues to empower the church's witness to the ends of the earth.

Pastor Jeremiah Gabbard | Acts 2:46-47

Under the Old Testament, tithing was a commandment to provide for the Levites and poor people, but no such instruction is found for the New Testament Church. Here's what we are commanded to do instead...

“Scripture does not give dignity to undefined romantic attachments.” In this teaching series, PAV breaks down the Bible's position on heterosexual relationships within the context of the New Testament Church, and establishes the sufficiency of Scripture, through all generations. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

“Scripture does not give dignity to undefined romantic attachments.” In this teaching series, PAV breaks down the Bible's position on heterosexual relationships within the context of the New Testament Church, and establishes the sufficiency of Scripture, through all generations. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

This Memorial Day weekend, Sue Becker reflects on the powerful connection between Memorial Day and Pentecost — a biblical "forgotten memorial day" that marks the birth of the New Testament Church. Discover the deeper meaning behind Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, and how this moment changed history forever. As we honor those who sacrificed for our nation's freedom, we also remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the freedom offered to all through Him. LISTEN NOW and SUBSCRIBE to this podcast here or from any podcasting platform such as, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Alexa, Siri, or anywhere podcasts are played. For more information on the Scientific and Biblical benefits of REAL bread - made from freshly-milled grain, visit our website, breadbeckers.com. Also, watch our video, Only Real Bread - Staff of Life, https://youtu.be/43s0MWGrlT8. Learn more about the why and how to bake with freshly-milled flour, with the very informative Essential Home-Ground Flour Book, by Sue Becker, https://bit.ly/essentialhomegroundflourbook. If you have an It's the Bread Story that you'd like to share, email us at podcast@breadbeckers.com. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our website at https://www.breadbeckers.com/ Follow us on Facebook @thebreadbeckers and Instagram @breadbeckers. *DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast or on our website should be construed as medical advice. Consult your health care provider for your individual nutritional and medical needs. The information presented is based on our research and is strictly that of the author and not necessarily those of any professional group or other individuals.

How To Hear The Voice Of God May 24, 2026 Session 2 The Voice Of God: Our God is a speaking God (Genesis 1) God created with His Word God Blessed (supernaturally empowered and released His affirmation and ability) via His Words! (Genesis 1:26-28) Jesus Personified The Word Of God! John 1:1,14; John 14:9; John 12:49,50 John 6:63: Spirit and Life! The Holy Spirit Speaks The Spirit of Truth speaks through the Word of God! (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21) Jesus Words are spoken by the Holy Spirit! (John 15:26; John 16:13, 14) ✸ The Spirit never contradicts Himself! ✸ The Spirit's internal witness in His children (Romans 8:16,17) ✸ The “internal receiver” of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-16) The ability to “hear ✸ God.” Various Ways the Holy Spirit Speaks to Believers: Internal spiritual impressions (Acts 15:25-28) Spiritual “traffic lights”: Acts 16:6-10 (Internal witness of affirmation, restraint; “Externally open and closed doors”) Major decisions: Covenant unity (peace and agreement); Delays vs. Protection Dreams, Visions: (Acts 2:17,18; Acts 16:9) Not for ongoing direction; must be tested by the written Word, ongoing prayer, spiritual leadership. The “inner atmosphere” of Peace: Colossians 3:15 “acting as an umpire” (see also John 14:27) Other people: listen carefully for the Spirit's confirmation. Beware of “personal prophecy” becoming your pursuit! (Beware of dependency, hero worship) This is not “Spiritual Fortune Telling”! Right Spiritual leadership and oversight (Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12) Ongoing, submitted desires of the heart (Psalm 37:4) God has the right to modify and direct the desires of a submitted heart! Filtering the “voices”: The Spirit's Voice or my own mind? True prophecy in the New Testament Church is described by exhortation, edification, and comfort. (1 Corinthians 14:3) Responses generated: Fear or peace, calm or confidence, confusion or clarity? (1 Corinthians 14:13) Holy Spirit's warnings bring confident actions. Duration: “off and on” or steady? Revenge or release: “Vengeance is Mine” (Romans 12:19) ✸ Do Not Fear “Mishearing”! Earnestly Seek! (Luke 11:13)

By Troy Phelps - Speaker: Troy Phelps Date: 5/24/26 This sermon explores Pentecost through the beautiful lens of first-century Jewish betrothal, revealing that Pentecost was not only the beginning of the New Testament Church, but also the formal beginning of Christ's covenant relationship with His future Bride. By

Pastor Jeremiah Gabbard | Acts 2:46-47

Read OnlineOne of the Twelve“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. Acts 1:24–26Matthias, the saint we honor today, was named an Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. Matthias was likely from Galilee and had followed Jesus from the beginning of His public ministry. After Judas' death, Peter led the approximately 120 disciples in selecting Matthias through prayer and casting lots, ensuring the Apostles once again numbered twelve. This election occurred before Pentecost, so Matthias received the Holy Spirit alongside the other Apostles, affirming the Twelve as the foundational body of the Church.Matthias' selection is profoundly important for two primary reasons. First, by being counted along with the other eleven Apostles, the group once again numbered twelve. Though there are thousands of bishops today, the foundation began with twelve. Once they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and began their apostolic ministries, their number grew as the Church expanded. Nonetheless, the foundation remained, symbolizing the Twelve Tribes of Israel and uniting the New Testament Church with the Old Covenant.Second, Matthias' election establishes a biblical foundation for apostolic succession, one of the four marks of the Church: “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” (Nicene Creed). By proclaiming the Church as “one,” we affirm that there is only one Church—“the one Church of Christ” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 8). While not all are visible members of this one Church, all who are united to Christ in a state of grace are part of His one Body. Nonetheless, “This Church, constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him” (LG 8).The Church is “holy” because she is united to Christ, her divine Head, who is all-holy. As members of this Church, we are sanctified by Christ's grace, the sacraments, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that enable us to grow in holiness and reflect the sanctity of God Himself.The word “catholic” in the Creed is written in lowercase because it does not refer specifically to the Roman Catholic Church as an institution but to the broader meaning of the word “catholic,” which means “universal.” The one Church is universal in scope and mission, welcoming all people. It is the responsibility of the Church's members to share the Gospel with every person, seeking to draw all into full communion with the one visible Body of Christ.Finally, the Church is “apostolic,” which is especially celebrated in today's Feast of Saint Matthias. Every bishop alive today, every bishop in the past, and every bishop yet to be ordained until the end of time takes his episcopal roots from the Twelve Apostles, including Matthias, who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.According to various traditions, the Apostle Matthias engaged in missionary activity in regions such as Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), the Caspian Sea area (modern-day Georgia), and possibly as far south as Sudan and Ethiopia. He is believed to have died a martyr, either by crucifixion, stoning, or beheading. Though we do not know who succeeded him, we can be certain that he not only spread the Gospel and celebrated the Sacraments, but also ordained others to serve as apostles within the communities he helped to establish.As we honor Saint Matthias today, reflect on God's eternal wisdom in establishing the Church. God did not merely give us a set of rules to follow; He gave us a Church—His one Church—and entrusted His authority to sinful men who act in His name and convey His grace. Rejoice that you are a member of the Catholic Church, in which Christ's Church subsists. Pray not only for the mission of the Church, but also for those entrusted with apostolic responsibilities, passed on to them from the Twelve Apostles.Saint Matthias, you were counted among the Twelve and became an essential participant in the foundation of the Church. Through your apostolic ministry, you spread the Gospel far and wide, bringing grace and truth to those you were sent to serve. Please pray for me and for the entire Church, that we may always remain one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, so that the Gospel will continue to be spread to the ends of the earth. Saint Matthias, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: School Giusepe Ribera de lo Spagnoletta: St. MatthiasSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

As part of the Baptist History series we are looking at the major Baptist Distinctives. This lesson is about the New Testament Church and what God says in Scripture about the Church today.

As part of the Baptist History series we are looking at the major Baptist Distinctives. This lesson is about the New Testament Church and what God says in Scripture about the Church today.

New Life Haverhill

New Life Haverhill

New Life Haverhill

New Life Haverhill

“Scripture does not give dignity to undefined romantic attachments.” In this teaching series, PAV breaks down the Bible's position on heterosexual relationships within the context of the New Testament Church, and establishes the sufficiency of Scripture, through all generations. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

Last week we introduced our new series in Amos. This week we come to the meat of his first rebuke to Israel. Yet this is not just a history lesson. In many ways, we see precursors for the New Testament Church in how God deals with his people in the Old Testament. Amos is showing us what his people were meant to be and how we've gotten off track. Ever felt like churches have lost their way? Not only are we seeing God's commitment to transform his wayward people, but this is how churches heal and mature as well. Let's talk about how "The Lion Confronts His Church" (Amos 2:6-16).

By Lud Kiramidjian Jr - Speaker: Lud Kiramidjian Date: 4/25/26 This message describes eight essential qualities of the true New Testament “Church of God” that Jesus Christ said He would build per Matthew 16:18. These essential qualities are as follows: (1) It is the body of believers who have received and are being led by

Mike M gives a message on Biblical leadership for the New Testament Church. This sermon was delivered on April 12, 2026.

Weekly radio and TV program. Visit https://anchorofthesoultv.com

Peter denied Jesus three times, rebuked the Son of God, and walked away weeping bitterly. Yet God used him to start the New Testament Church and lead 3,000 people to salvation. If you've ever felt disqualified by your failures, shame, or mistakes, this powerful message will transform how you see yourself and your calling as a leader.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ Why Peter's biggest failures uniquely qualified him to lead the early church with compassion and understanding✅ The common lies Christian moms believe (I'm not doing enough, my kids won't turn out okay, I'm all alone) and the biblical truths that replace them✅ How to identify the enemy's attacks in your own thought life and respond with God's truth instead✅ Why accepting God's forgiveness—and forgiving yourself—is essential to stepping into your leadership calling✅ The surprising truth about rest, busyness, and why filling every moment doesn't make you enough for GodReady to replace lies with truth? Leaders aren't born perfect—they're made through failure, forgiveness, and faith. Discover your calling today.Resources Mentioned:Get your FREE Basic Pass to Life Skills Leadership Summit 2026 to give you confidence that your kids will be ready for adult life Living Fearless by Jamie Winship - Finding your identity and calling in God, identifying lies you believe, and replacing them with truthUnbound - Fighting Human Trafficking - Learn more about this important ministry and how to keep your students safeShow Notes:Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Life Skills Leadership Summit. Oh my goodness, it is finally here. It is Sunday night, five o'clock. We are going to have an awesome week.We get such great response from the Life Skills Leadership Summit. And I think one reason we have many homeschoolers here, but this is not just homeschooling, how to homeschool or homeschool curriculum. This has something that has some purpose and intention and that is to raise our kids to be ready for adult life, to raise our kids to walk in Jesus and lead and influence for Jesus.We have some people that homeschool, some people that don't. I would say most people do. But tonight, what I want to do is do a few things.Before I tell you this, I want to introduce my friend Meredith Curtis. She is our prayer coordinator. Let me tell you, we need a lot of prayer for this. I just got home from Dallas. My granddaughter, who's not even two months old, was dedicated. So I drove in and I just bounced right into this.I was praying on the way over here from Dallas. It's a three-hour drive just that y'all would be blessed. I really hope that God speaks through you. It may not be tonight, but I pray that he speaks to you sometime during the week, gives you encouragement, gives you motivation, helps you to finish strong, gives you wisdom in what you're doing, whether you're homeschooling or whether you're just raising your kids to follow God.What Is Leadership?Tonight is our Sunday kickoff. I am going to begin a series on Peter—Peter's leadership journey from failure to faith. And we're going to talk about the failures tonight. And we will expand it through the week.Let me tell you, sometimes I think Peter a leader. And we'll talk about that because you're like he denied Jesus. How could you be a leader? And yet God works so many things through him. So I'm super excited about that series.Before we get started, I would love for you to put something in the chat and tell me what is a leader. Let me just talk to you a little bit about a man named John Maxwell. He is a guru in leadership. And here's what he says: Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.Think about that. Leadership is influence. If you are being salt and light as Jesus commanded, then you have begun to obey God's call to leadership. It is influence.Too often we think my kid's not going to be president of the United States or CEO. But almost all of our kids will lead their families. They will be husbands and wives. They will have sons and daughters that they will need to lead. And so that is what leadership is.Another quote from John Maxwell is this: Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less. How do you gain influence from people? You invest in them. How do you invest in them? It starts with giving them time.Peter: From Bold Declaration to Immediate FailureWe are going to look at Peter today. Yes, we're going to look more at his failures, but then we're going to move forward and look at the way that he influenced people. Again, I said 3,000 people trusted Jesus as their savior when he gave his first sermon.When we look at Peter and we look at Mark 8, Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked, "Who do people say that I am?" Well, they replied, "Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets."Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah. You are the son of God." He gives this great answer. He tells them truth. Peter grasps and he boldly declares exactly who Jesus is. Jesus commends them for that.But then immediately after that, Jesus starts talking. Jesus began to tell them that the son of man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law, that he would be killed. But three days later he would rise from the dead.As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. He just said he's the son of God. And then he's like, "Oh, let me reprimand you. Let me tell God what's going on."Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples and he reprimanded Peter, "Get behind me, Satan. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."The Lies We BelieveIn the same conversation, Peter is praising him. And then the enemy is saying, "Oh, go tell Jesus this, that you need to rebuke him." Those are lies from the enemy. Peter makes a serious error in judgment. And Jesus corrects him.Can you relate? I can. I will tell you my personal story. For years, I've been doing this. I will be praying in the morning. I love to prayer walk. And I am praying for our family. And I'm praying to cling to Jesus, to walk in righteousness.And by the afternoon, I'm sinning and doing something that I shouldn't. I pray every morning that we will abide in Christ and cling to the vine and Jesus' fruit will pour out of us. That we will put on the armor of God, that we will love. And I go through all 1 Corinthians 13, and the other one is that we will forgive because God forgave us.And then something happens in the middle of my day and then all of a sudden I'm sinning again and I am not trusting God. And that's sort of what Peter did. God exposes that I have wrong thoughts that need to be replaced with truth.What are some of the lies that you believe? Peter believed a lie. He believed that he needed to tell Jesus that is wrong. Don't say you're going to die and raise up in three days.One of the things I heard several years ago is that I need to yield my right to be right. I need to be humble. I need to yield my right to be right. I have begun praying that for my family mostly and then all of a sudden I was like Kerry, you're not praying this for yourself very much. You are not always the right person.I lead the leaders at our Bible study at church. I had one leader say, "Hey, before you divide into groups, could you just give me a call?" So I did. And she gave me some concerns, but she goes, "But Kerry, if you need to do this the way y'all have it planned, that's fine. Maybe God's teaching me."That was humility. She was admitting that maybe I don't have the right idea about this. I'm just going to share it with you.Some of you might be thinking, I'm not doing enough. And yet, God says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And he has made you exactly like you are because you are who you need to be for your kids.I'm not a good mom. Oh, but our identity is in Jesus, not in being a good mom. And again, he has given you everything for life and righteousness.All other moms are homeschooling better than me. That's not true.I don't have time to spend with God. Oh, but if you have time for an hour of social media, maybe you do have time to be with God.I need to fill every moment of my day so I can be enough for God. I want to make sure when I get to heaven, I've done enough. No, that's a works mentality. We need to rely on our faith and grace from Jesus.I don't have what it takes for my kids to grow up and follow God well or to homeschool. Actually, that's not true. God has given you everything you need for your children. He may not have given you everything you need to homeschool the people down the street. But he made you like you are and your kids like you are. And he supplies all your needs in Christ Jesus.God calls us to a time of quiet. He calls us to rest in him. And we don't need to fill every second of the day with activity. I personally believe we need rest. We need sleep, but we need to rest in God to trust, but we also need to rest. We need to be quiet.I'm all alone. That may be the lie that you're listening. You know what? First of all, you're not alone. You can get support. You can get support in our community group.Speaking Truth Over OurselvesSeveral years ago, I was driving home from Dallas and that week I actually sat down and wrote out some truths for me to recite to myself to pour into my soul. So I'm going to read these to you.Like Jesus, I am chosen by God to be holy. I am chosen by God for great honor. I trust in Jesus. Therefore, I am not put to shame. God loves me and always takes care of me.I am precious to God because he bought me with his son's blood. I am a daughter of the king, a princess. I live in the light, shining for Jesus all day long.I control my thoughts, my words, my food, my drink. I receive God's mercy and grace. So I give grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others.I leave my case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. I speak with pure and reverent behavior and a quiet and gentle spirit.I wait quietly on God. I am patient. I am kind. I always forgive. I forget offenses against me.The Holy Spirit renews my mind, my attitudes every day. God never leaves me, abandons me, or fails me. I listen well. I trust in God to fight my battles. He wins my battles.The one about I listen well, I realized I was interrupting my son on a regular basis. I was like, I changed that. That's a lie to interrupt people. And so I added that.Those are just some truths and most of them are very biblically based that I have to say to myself. Peter needed truth to replace the lies that he was believing.Peter's Greatest Failure: Denying JesusLet's talk about the biggest thing, the most obvious thing Peter did. He denied Jesus three times.They arrested him and led him to the high priest's home. And Peter followed from a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it. And Peter joined them there.A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. "This man was one of Jesus's followers." But Peter denied it. "Woman, I don't even know him."After a while, someone else looked at him and said, "He must be one of them." Peter says, "No, man. I'm not."About an hour later, someone else insisted, "This must be one of them because he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about."And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind. "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times."And Peter left the courtyard weeping bitterly.There was a time he was like, "Deny you? I would never deny you." And yet he didn't think he would, just like we don't think we're going to deny him, but he did. Can you imagine the shame and the guilt that he was walking with? He walks away weeping bitterly.I did not do this in my younger years or when my kids were home, but I actually truly feel badly about my sins. And I have wept over them. Some of the things that I will say, some of the things that I will do, and even some of the things that I think.If I were Peter and I denied Jesus three times, I would feel shame and guilt. Shame is a powerful thing. It can just bury us. And we don't want that to happen. And we need to get over that.God's Bigger Plans for PeterWe do that by accepting God's forgiveness. Most people that live in shame cannot truly believe that God will forgive them. There are times I have walked in shame. And yet if I pray in the morning and I'm sinning in the afternoon, I have to realize God forgives me and I just need to move on and say, "Okay, God, you are faithful. You are forgiving. I'm going to accept that and I'm going to move on because you have greater things for me. You want me to live a life of influence and a life of leadership."God had bigger plans for Peter. He used his sin to actually grow him, eventually to lead the New Testament church.Don't you think that as Peter was leading all these people, he could relate to man's shortcomings? He was dealing with people that were maybe walking in shame themselves. And he could understand that.Just like Paul, Paul persecuted the church. I mean like kill people because they trusted Jesus. And God uses those experiences for us to relate. In second Corinthians 1, God talks about our sufferings and our trials and he takes us through those things so one, we can grow closer to him, but also so we can encourage others that are walking through something similar as well.Leaders will make mistakes. Peter did. I do. You will, and your kids will. And we need to all accept God's forgiveness. We need to forgive ourselves or teach our kids to accept God's forgiveness and forgive ourselves and forgive those around us, but also learn from our mistakes.Finding Your CallingThe biggest thing I really want you to think about is we make mistakes. God forgives. Are we going to learn from that? But God has a calling for Peter. He has a calling for Peter to lead the New Testament church. He has a calling for you and he has a calling for your children.More than likely if you're here, God's calling is to homeschool your kids, to raise them to influence and to follow Jesus. But your children may have a different calling than you.Maybe your child is called to go be a missionary in Africa. We had some friends. I could not imagine now as a parent letting your kids go off to Africa or South America or wherever to be a missionary. And yet God calls us to do things like that.We need to look at our kids as they are growing up and pray for them and help them discern what God's calling for their life is. And we want to raise them to be a leader.What's a leader? It's an influencer. Peter did influence others. He started as a fisherman, but he turned into a fisher of men. 3,000 people were saved on the day of Pentecost.That is a great calling. God took his failures, put them into faith, and then continues to use them.Ready to dive deeper into raising leaders who influence for Jesus? Join us at the Life Skills Leadership Summit where we equip parents to raise kids with purpose, intention, and eternal impact. Visit lifeskillsleadershipsummit.com to learn more!

There's a springtime biblical feast that is often overlooked by many today, even in the professing Christian world. What am I talking about? It's called, The Feast of Unleavened Bread. Believe it or not, the early New Testament Church kept this observance. It's plainly laid out in the pages of your Bible. What is this Feast of Unleavened Bread all about? It may surprise you to find out how relevant this feast is to the life of a Christian. In particular, to what we do after we've been forgiven by God. What is expected of us after we've come under the shed blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and been baptized? Does living under grace mean we are “once saved always saved,” or is there something else we must do? The Feast of Unleavened Bread provides the answers.

What is the New Testament Church? Can we find it in the in-fighting of the Corinthian church or the legalism of the Galatian church? Or is it something else altogether?

In this week, as we approach the end of the audio Bible in a year we finish some of the final letters to the New Testament Church and then begin the final book of the Bible - Revelation. This book will take us to the end of our year long journey, and will be a difficult book, but we will be blessed in it. Keep up the good work, and carry it through to completion, the finish line is in sight.

What if the only letter in the New Testament addressed to a woman has been hiding in plain sight? As one of the shortest texts in the New Testament, Second John is often overlooked and dismissed as a condensed version of First John. Traditionally, its opening line has been read as addressed "to an elect lady"–a phrase understood metaphorically as the Church personified as a woman. This interpretation has dominated Greek editions of the New Testament for over 150 years, reinforcing the view that the letter was not directed to an individual but to a community.  In this episode, associate dean of research in Religious Education, Lincoln Blumell, discusses his recently published scholarship that challenges this long-standing assumption. Drawing on evidence from papyri, manuscripts, and other sources, Dr. Blumell argues that the text should instead be rendered "to the lady Eclecte," identifying a named woman as the recipient. This reinterpretation not only clarifies the meaning of the letter but also makes Second John the only text in the New Testament canon addressed directly to a woman, reshaping its significance and offering new insight into the role of women in the New Testament Church. Publications: Lady Eclecte: The Lost Woman of the New Testament (Fortress Press, 2025) Didymus the Blind's Commentary of Psalms 26:10–29 and 36:1–13 (Brepols Publishers, 2019) New Testament History, Culture, and Society: A Background to the Texts of the New Testament (Religious Studies Center, 2019) "'Is Jesus's Yoke Easy"? Reconsidering the Translation in Matthew 11:30" (BYU Studies, forthcoming) "A Ptolemaic Petition from a 'Judeo-Egyptian' (Ἰουδαιοαιγύπτιος)," with Kerry Hull, in Journal of Jewish Studies, 75.2 (2024) "The Text of the New Testament," in The King James Bible and the Restoration (Religious Studies Center, 2011) "The Greek Texts of the New Testament," Y Religion Podcast, Episode 20 (2020) Website: https://lincolnhblumell.com/ Click here to learn more about Lincoln Blumell