Podcasts about Nicodemus

Nicodemus stepped through the narrow streets, his sandals brushing against the cool stones. The scent of burning wood drifted from nearby homes. His heart pounded faster with each step. Finally, he reached the place where Jesus was staying. A soft light flickered inside — maybe from a small oil lamp. Nicodemus hesitated, then knocked lightly. Jesus looked up as the door opened. His eyes, calm and kind, met Nicodemus's. It was as if He already knew why he had come. "Rabbi," Nicodemus began, his voice trembling slightly, "we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. No one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." Jesus smiled gently. "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Nicodemus blinked. The words hit him like a rush of wind. Born again? His mind raced.   This week we dive into the story of Nicodemus' secret visit to see Jesus - you can find the story in your Bibles in John 3:1–21.   Nicodemus is mentioned in the Bible a few times - check the Bible references below. John 3:1-21:  Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, secretly meets with Jesus at night, leading to their famous conversation about the need to be born again to see the kingdom of God.    John 7:50-51:  Nicodemus interjects during a council meeting, reminding the other Pharisees that the law requires a person to be heard before being condemned, defending Jesus from their hasty judgment.    John 19:39-42:  After Jesus' crucifixion, Nicodemus joins Joseph of Arimathea to care for Jesus' body. He brings a large amount of myrrh and aloes for the anointing and burial, which is a public act of reverence.                                     ___________________________________ Read story on the blog Contact us to sign up Visit our website Artist of the month: We the Kingdom - God so loved Keep in the loop by signing to our GIGI Notes HERE DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE  Hosts: Esther & Steph Mix & effects: Stephanie Giselle Purple Planet Music  email us: writegigi5@gmail.com Write by post GIGI Teen Radio PO BOX 6505 Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 music credit: Purple planet music All music played on the podcast radio is covered under the APRA AMCOS Online Mini Licence.

The phrase “Be Prepared “ is the familiar motto of the Boy Scouts of America, but takes on new meaning when eternity is considered. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” If Jesus prepared, how much more do we need to prepare? He not only prepared, He prepared a place for you, a mansion, and only the prepared will receive their mansion. Join us in this broadcast of Woman at the Well Ministries as Kim discusses the truth of the necessity to be prepared. Do you want to connect with Kim and Erika? Visit us on our website, on Facebook, or on Instagram.  Mentioned in this Episode John 14:1–3 "Let not your heart be troubled..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A1-3&version=KJV John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=KJV Revelation 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A15&version=KJV Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=KJV Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A10&version=KJV Romans 8 Mentioned regarding God's inseparable love. www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8&version=KJV Revelation 20:10–13 "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A10-13&version=KJV Philippians 2:10–11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A10-11&version=KJV Joshua 24:15 "Choose you this day whom ye will serve..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+24%3A15&version=KJV Acts 16:30–31 "What must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A30-31&version=KJV John 3 (Nicodemus account) www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3&version=KJV John 3:16–18 "For God so loved the world..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16-18&version=KJV Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A8&version=KJV Romans 10:9–10,13 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A9-10%2C13&version=KJV Did you enjoy this podcast? Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can listen to us on all major podcasting platforms like Apple Podcasts,  Spotify,  Google Podcasts,  YouTube, and Podbean. Check out Kim's latest Bible Bit book on Amazon! Do you want to bring Kim Miller to your church, upcoming retreat, or conference? Contact us! This podcast is brought to you by Woman at the Well Ministries and is supported by our faithful listeners. To support this podcast, please visit our support page. 

John 3:1-2 Nicodemus “you are a great teacher sent from God”Verses 3-8 Jesus reply seems enigmatic… why wasn't He more straightforward?Why not something like:“Nicodemus… actually I am God. Technically the Father and I together are God, we are one, we are a family. You are correct in that I was sent here, you see the Father sent me. You haven't met the Father yet… I'm here to reveal Him to you, to show you what He's like and what He's all about. As I mentioned before… the Father and I are one. So, if you've seen me you've seen the Father and I'm only going to say what He would have me say, so if you hear my words you've heard the Father's words.” Keep Reading »

When Nicodemus came to Jesus, Jesus told him that he needed to be born again. What does that mean?

On today's Healing Word broadcast, Pastor Jack Morris takes us to John 3:3, where Jesus tells Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and leader among the Jews, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”Nicodemus had questions, as many of us do. What does it mean to be born again? How can someone start fresh spiritually? Pastor Jack will walk us through this remarkable encounter, showing how Jesus patiently guided this wealthy and learned man to the truth—that new birth comes through faith in Him alone. This message will inspire you to experience the transforming power of being born again. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1528/29

2:26 Is there anything recorded in history about Nicodemus after the biblical account?6:40 Should we celebrate the death and magic side of Halloween?12:36 I have low motivation to read the Bible and pray, does that mean I'm not saved?16:28 What are your thoughts on Charlie Kirk's racists comments?19:40 Do you think Charlie Kirk was a good example of a Christian?26:09 How do I choose a job and balance salary, time and who I work for with my Christianity and family?33:41 What are your thoughts on a worship team that wears hats and nose rings on stage?40:01 My dad passed away and my mom is living with a man who is harmful and dishonoring to God?43:31 Is the CSV a good Bible translation?46:39 If Jesus plus nothing equals salvation, what does Matthew 6:15 mean about forgiving others?51:04 How does a pastor go about telling parents of a seven-year old that he is too young to be baptized?Topics: Nicodemus, Halloween, Motivation, Charlie Kirk, Racism, Work, Job, Family, Preferences, Translations, Salvation, Forgiveness, Baptism To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/865/29

In this episode, I speak with Nicodemus Ajak Bior, a former child soldier from South Sudan who defied unimaginable odds to become a scholar, public servant, and advocate for transparency.At just eight years old, Nicodemus was taken by rebels and thrust into a world of survival, separation, and loss. His escape, walking over hundreds of kilometres barefoot through war zones and jungles, marks the beginning of a story that is both harrowing and inspiring.From makeshift schools under trees in refugee camps to earning a degree at the Fletcher School, Nicodemus's journey is one of profound resilience, human connection, and the power of education to transform lives.We talk about what it means to survive and rebuild, how hope persists even in the darkest places, and how leadership is forged by perseverance.Recorded on 26 August 2025.Connect with Nicodemus on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/nicodemus-a-bior-0948b291/.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceAnd don't forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show

Even you, Nicky, Must Be Born Again John 3 gives us our first interaction with Nicodemus--aka Nicky. Jesus interrupts the Jewish leader to tell him that even he needs to be baptized. - Bill Allen - Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Jonny S : John 3 1-21 - Jesus and Nicodemus

Daily Dose of Hope November 3, 2025   Scripture - John 14:1-14   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Thank you for a new day and thank you that your mercies are new every single morning.  How grateful we are that we can start afresh and anew each day.  Forgive us for the many times we fell short, for when we weren't loving, for when we were easily angered, for when our patience wore thin. Today, help us represent you well.  In all things, may we be reminded who and whose we are.  We are yours.  In Your Name, Amen.   This is the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin John 14.    This is a phenomenal passage.  I know I say that a lot but it truly is.  It's a text we often hear read at funerals because it provides a tremendous amount of comfort that God has truly prepared a place for us in heaven.    In this text, there is a great interaction between Jesus and Thomas.  The disciples are experiencing a lot of anxiety.  Jesus has just told them he's going away but he is trying to reassure them.  Jesus is like, I'm on my way to get your room ready.  I'll be coming back to get you, trust me.  But anyway, you already know the way.  And Thomas is like, "Umm…actually, I don't know the way, is there a map or something?"  And that's when Jesus says, "You do know the way because I am the way.  The only way to get to my Father is through me."  And he reiterated what he has been teaching them, "to know me is to know the Father.  If you have seen me, then you have seen the Father."  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  As the passage progresses, Philip is included in the conversation.  Again, there is this focus on, "If you know me, then you know the Father."  When Jesus says, "I am the way," he doesn't say "I am a way." How the Greek sentence is constructed makes it absolutely clear and irrefutable that Jesus is making an exclusive claim here.   He is basically saying, don't go looking to anyone else to point you in those directions, because I am the only one who can!"  Well, that feels pretty exclusive, doesn't it?  Yes, it is.  And exclusivity makes a lot of us feel uncomfortable.  So much so, that many people, including Christians, pastors, and scholars, try to find a loophole here.   People want to discount the validity of the Gospel of John, they want to find a problem in the Greek, you name it.  Yes, John was written later than the other Gospels but scholars believe that it is still accurate and authoritative.  John was written for the purpose of demonstrating that Jesus is the son of God and that is what he does.  Thus, he makes this very exclusive claim that Jesus is the only way to the Father.  But the Scripture I just read isn't the only one.   What other Scriptures point to the exclusivity of Jesus?   1.     John 3:16-18 (Jesus speaking to Nicodemus),  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.  2.     John 3:36 (later in the conversation)- Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. 3.     Acts 4:12 (Peter, speaking before the Jewish ruling council) –  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." 4.     Rom. 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 5.     I John 5:12 - Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.   And there are many others but I'm going to stop there for now.  I do believe in looking at the full narrative of Scripture – if we look at all of the Bible – it points to Jesus as the way to heaven.  I've searched to see if the Bible allows for other options, possible openings, that might allow for another way and I haven't found any.  There are some things in the Bible in which there is tension – it says this but it also says this – and we have to really dig and pray and interpret.  But there isn't tension here at all --- Scripture clearly points to Jesus as the Son of God, the fulfillment of God's promise from Genesis to Revelation, and the only way to the Father, the only way to receive salvation, the only way to heaven.    And that makes logical sense to me.  Why would Jesus have voluntarily died on a Roman cross for us if he was just one option among many to provide a way to be saved?  If there were other ways to receive salvation and get to God, then why would Jesus even need to do all that?  Why would Christians throughout the ages have needed to stand their ground and lose their lives?  Why would Christians around the world today be risking their lives to follow Christ?  Some may say they are disillusioned but I personally don't believe so.  If we believe that Jesus rose from the dead, proving his divinity, proving he is Lord of all – then that means we have to also believe everything he said.  We can't pick and choose.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

This message is by Bill Parker and taken from John 3:1-7. 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0953A recorded on December 2, 1984 teaching from John 3:8 – Born of the Spirit. Pastor Cyril A. Stevens analyzes John 3:8, where Jesus compares being born of the Spirit to the wind, to explain the Holy Spirit's nature and work to Nicodemus. The wind, like the Spirit, is sovereign, irresistible, irregular,…

William Taylor - By recording Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, John the Apostle enables us to make sense both of our own and of other people's response to Jesus. We are shown both why we need to believe in him – and why we don't.

William Taylor - By recording Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, John the Apostle enables us to make sense both of our own and of other people's response to Jesus. We are shown both why we need to believe in him – and why we don't.

Redeeming Nicodemus - Nov 02, 2025 - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Leslie X Sanders - Sermon Series: - Watch Online: https://thenewcom.com/sermons/2025-11-02/redeeming-nicodemus/

We often seek explanations before we are willing to experience God yet this is a reversal of the scriptural pattern where experience often precedes understanding. David Armstrong explores the story of Nicodemus, a high-ranking Pharisee, and his encounters with Jesus across three key scenes: a secret night visit, a public festival, and the solemn act of a burial. Nicodemus's story invites us to let go of our need for certainty and step into the mystery of faith—to move beyond belief into the wonder of being born again by the Spirit?***

John 3:16 isn't just a memorised verse—it's the gospel in action. We're lost, loved, and invited into light. Nicodemus' story reminds us that success, status, or religion can't fill emptiness. Jesus offers something deeper: the ongoing, transformative life of being born again.

An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke. There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For Nicodemus, that significant event was when he met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and his life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.

A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke. There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For Nicodemus, that significant event was when he met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and his life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.

Have you ever had a discussion that baffled both of you? In John 3, Nicodemus wasn't tracking at all with what Christ was saying about going through the birth process a second time - or something. And Jesus was floored by Nick's ignorance: "How can the teacher of Israel not have a grasp of the basics?" That's a difficult conversation. So the Lord simplified His lesson with a picture - a picture that even a professor of religion could understand. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS10302025_0.mp3Scripture References: John 3:16

Nicodemus, Katja www.deutschlandfunk.de, Kultur heute

Pregação Expositiva - Teologia da Reforma - Estudo Bíblico.

Teologia da Reforma - Pregação Expositiva - Estudo Bíblico.

In the third episode of her six-part Tending series, host Shirlette Ammons visits Nicodemus, Kansas, a historic Black settlement, to learn how one family's decades-long battle against the USDA's discrimination began and how their case became a foundation for the Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the heart of John chapter 3 lies one of the most transformative truths in all of Scripture: we must be born again. This message confronts us with a stunning reality—that religious achievement, heritage, education, and moral effort cannot earn our way into God's kingdom. When Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, a highly respected religious leader and member of the Sanhedrin, He was addressing someone who had climbed to the pinnacle of spiritual accomplishment in his culture. Yet Jesus looked past all of Nicodemus's credentials and went straight to the heart: 'Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' As we examine this passage, we're reminded that billions of people across the world still operate under a works-based understanding of salvation, believing they must earn their way to heaven through good deeds, religious observance, or moral living. Even many who identify as Christians have somehow attached works to their salvation. But the gospel message is radically different: salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. We can know—right now, in this moment—that we have eternal life, not because of what we've done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

This Sunday, guest speaker Pastor Bruce Goodwin from Light City Church continues our series, This Much I Know, exploring a foundational question of our faith: What is the Gospel? Through the story of Nicodemus in John 3, Pastor Bruce reminds us that Jesus's saving message not only attracts crowds but also reaches individuals. The Gospel, plain and simple, is this: Christ lived, died, and rose again to bring God's children back to Himself.

This episode argues for a eucharistic reading of "the word became flesh" challenging the common belief that John 1:14 is about Jesus's birth, arguing instead that it establishes the New Covenant's two central rituals: Baptism (New Birth) and the Eucharist (Sustenance). By adopting the Greek translation that the Word "tabernacled in us," we find a shared sacred practice that can be a new center of unity for Christians struggling with theological fracturing.Bill Schegel's video (  @billschlegel1  ) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A87VcXKCWBM&t=1053sMy prologue presentation at the UCA (  @UnitarianChristianAlliance  ) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7vQIPGQ14&t=2110sMy extended prologue presentation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqTlnT-J6rk&t=5337sSean Finnegan on Corinthians - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiNXMo2KMxk&t=103sSean Finnegan Corinthians (  @restitutio8765  ,  @livinghopelatham  ) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lht8tLge3iUDustin Smith Theme of Misunderstanding (  @BiblicalUnitarianPodcast  ) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUNLO9Zm83o&t=230sFr. John Behr on Origen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4S4BZJcqF0&t=341sFrancis Chan on Gavin Ortlund (  @TruthUnites  ) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNhqyRiIi9U&t=1669sI mention John MacArthur, Francis Chan, Fr. John Behr, Emperor Justinian I, Bill Schlegel, Sam Tideman, Huldrych Zwingli, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Michael Servetus, Sean Finnegan, Brett Salkeld, Origen of Alexandria, Nicodemus, John the Baptist, Paul, Moses, Mary, Pliny the Younger, Emperor Trajan, Thomas (Apostle), Philip, Nathanael, Jacob (Ancestor), Abraham (Ancestor), Irenaeus of Lyon, Justin Martyr, Raymond Brown and more.

Religion Won't Profit You. Jesus told Nicodemus, who was as religious as they come, that he must be born again. Learn more on this episode of Fight To Win with Pastor Kurt Owen.Tactical Tip: Many of our videos contain a short section we call Tactical Tips. Most offer ways to improve personal safety and security.Request the Free Offer: https://www.fighttowin.tvLearn More, Register for Events & Donate:https://www.kurtowen.com/***2025 UPDATED TEXT TO GIVE INFORMATION***Text GIVEKOM to 44321Prefer to Watch the Video?https://youtu.be/vlJN-ukXIr8Become a supporter of this podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fight-to-win-tv-with-kurt-owen--5638799/support.

Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, God is by your side as you walk toward His calling. We see that through the life of Gideon, a man from the smallest clan and the least in his family, yet led by God to do great things on His behalf. Notes: Focus verse - Judges 6 It seems like our culture has been turned upside down. Isaiah 5:20–21Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. When culture is upside down, hearts are anxious. 84% of Gen Z say they feel anxious or stressed regularly. 1 in 3 adults say they lose sleep over finances. Nearly 70% of Americans say the future makes them afraid. Top fears include failure, rejection, loneliness, global conflict, and health. We will look at a man named Gideon who was really afraid when Jesus came to him.He was hiding from his enemies, the Midianites. Jesus turns fearful into faithful,hiding into fighting, andpanic into purpose. Things were really turned upside down in the days of the book of Judges. Judges 17:6 (NLT)In those days Israel had no king; so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. God raised up 13 judges to guide His people through this difficult time. The book of Joshua is the story of conquest.While Judges is a book of unbelief and disobedience. Joshua is a book about people uniting around one man to lead them, JoshuaJudges is about “everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.” But whatever and wherever the time, Jesus will show up. Don’t just pray when you are in crisis.Remember also to thank God when things are going well. James 5:13 (NIV)Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. This was a time of crisis for Israel. It was the year 1256 b.c.Approximately 200 years had passed since Joshua had led the Israelites. They did not drive all the Canaanites out and they lived to regret it.The same can be true in our lives as Christians. 200 years later the Canaanites regained strength and began to dominate the Israelites. As Judges, chapter 6 opens, we see the Israelites living under the power of the Midianites. Israel was living in despair, and finally they called out to God to deliver them,and Jesus shows up. Jesus meets fearful people where they hide. As our story begins, we find Gideon hiding from his enemies.Hardly a picture of heroism and courage. Read Judges 6:11–14 Gideon wanted to know why this difficulty was happening.He had heard about the “good old days” but where was God now? Judges 6:13“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? “ The Christian life is full of difficult questions. 1 Corinthians 13:12“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely.” So often we are looking for an answer to the why question when it is about a Who.As in, “Who do I turn to?” The answer to that question is Jesus. This was not a mere angel (as powerful as they are) this was Jesus. Why is this a Christophany instead an angelic appearance? The speaker at first is called, “The angel of the Lord.”But then the narrative shifts and simply calls Him, “The LORD (YHWH).” The messenger says, “I am sending you.”Judges 6:14 He uses the first-person pronoun and assumes divine authority. Gideon realizes he has seen God. Judges 6:22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he cried out, “Oh Sovereign Lord, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” Judges 6:15 (NLT)"But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" Another translation says, “I am the runt of the litter!” God uses people who are humble. They are not proud and arrogant but see themselves for what they are. Giving hope to all the people out there who were not extraordinary but ordinary. God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people. God saw Gideon for what he would become. Gideon asks, “Who am I?”The Lord says, “That’s not the issue, ‘Who am I?’ for I will be with you!”Judges 6:15–16 The Lord calls Gideon a mighty hero. Judges 6:12The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” We see failure, God sees potential.We see a vacillating, unsure Simon, God sees a rock like Peter. Before public victory, obey God at home. God’s first test for Gideon was in his home. Some people set the world on fire, while others are still looking for a match. I would rather try and fail than never try at all. Nicodemus had a weak beginning, but he had a strong ending.Better that than a strong beginning and a weak finish. Under cover of night, Gideon tore down the alter his father had erected. Instead of turning on his son, the father defends himand seems to have his own faith rekindled. Don’t give up on your family. You don’t need to preach sermons to them all day long.You need to show it by the way you live and decisions you make. You need to take a stand in your home. Are you reading scripture to your children? Are you praying with them?Are you taking them to church every Sunday? A survey was done that found if the mother and father attend church regularly,72 % of their children will also attend regularly when they’re young adults. When only the father attends, 55 % will remain faithful. But if only the mother attends regularly, only 15 % of the children will remain faithful. If neither mother nor father attend regularly, only 6 % will remain faithful. Gideon was able to rally 32,000 men. Read Judges 7:2–3 Fear is contagious. The Christian life is not a playground, it’s a battleground. Is there something frightening you right now? Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” David said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid?Psalm 27:1 Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Proverbs 3:24–25You can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you. He protects you. Gideon lost two-thirds of his army. There is always God’s part and our part. The Red Sea parted but Israel still had to march through. The walls of Jericho fell but Israel still had to march around them. The giant Goliath fell but David still had to attack. 2 Chronicles 20:12O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." The Lord told Gideon, “You still have too many warriors.” “Divide the men into two groups. The ones who just plant their face in the water without caution, leave them.” The lappers could have easily been ambushed and killed. The cuppers were alert, watching, and cautious. God gave Gideon the battle plan. No swords, knives, spears, or any kind of weapon, just clay jars and torches. The Midianites think it is some kind of ambush and they freak out.They begin to kill each other and the Israelites watch in amazement. The enemy was defeated because God’s people called on Him. Gideon’s army won a crushing victory over the Midianites. Ephesians 6:12For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood,but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. There is no way we can impact our culture with the gospel without His help. So, we call on God and say, “If You don’t come through, there is no hope.” 2 Corinthians 12:9–10“My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good. Paul concludes, “I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong!” It is not easy being a Christian in today’s culture.You will be criticized, mocked, slandered, possibly even killed. God imposed this test to get rid of the half-hearted people. God can do more with 300 committed people than 10,000 half-hearted. God is looking for faithful, obedient, watchful servants to change this world. “Give me 100 men who love God with all of their hearts and fear nothing but sin, and I will move the world!”—John Wesley Acts 17:6“Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down,and now they are here disturbing our city," they shouted. The Lord is looking for some men and women who will “blow the trumpet,”and take some chances and obey God, taking a stand first in their own homes. God can turn zeros into heros, fear into faith, hiding into fighting, and panic into purpose. Mark 5:36Don’t be afraid; only believe. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, God is by your side as you walk toward His calling. We see that through the life of Gideon, a man from the smallest clan and the least in his family, yet led by God to do great things on His behalf. Notes: Focus verse - Judges 6 It seems like our culture has been turned upside down. Isaiah 5:20–21Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. When culture is upside down, hearts are anxious. 84% of Gen Z say they feel anxious or stressed regularly. 1 in 3 adults say they lose sleep over finances. Nearly 70% of Americans say the future makes them afraid. Top fears include failure, rejection, loneliness, global conflict, and health. We will look at a man named Gideon who was really afraid when Jesus came to him.He was hiding from his enemies, the Midianites. Jesus turns fearful into faithful,hiding into fighting, andpanic into purpose. Things were really turned upside down in the days of the book of Judges. Judges 17:6 (NLT)In those days Israel had no king; so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. God raised up 13 judges to guide His people through this difficult time. The book of Joshua is the story of conquest.While Judges is a book of unbelief and disobedience. Joshua is a book about people uniting around one man to lead them, JoshuaJudges is about “everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.” But whatever and wherever the time, Jesus will show up. Don’t just pray when you are in crisis.Remember also to thank God when things are going well. James 5:13 (NIV)Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. This was a time of crisis for Israel. It was the year 1256 b.c.Approximately 200 years had passed since Joshua had led the Israelites. They did not drive all the Canaanites out and they lived to regret it.The same can be true in our lives as Christians. 200 years later the Canaanites regained strength and began to dominate the Israelites. As Judges, chapter 6 opens, we see the Israelites living under the power of the Midianites. Israel was living in despair, and finally they called out to God to deliver them,and Jesus shows up. Jesus meets fearful people where they hide. As our story begins, we find Gideon hiding from his enemies.Hardly a picture of heroism and courage. Read Judges 6:11–14 Gideon wanted to know why this difficulty was happening.He had heard about the “good old days” but where was God now? Judges 6:13“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? “ The Christian life is full of difficult questions. 1 Corinthians 13:12“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely.” So often we are looking for an answer to the why question when it is about a Who.As in, “Who do I turn to?” The answer to that question is Jesus. This was not a mere angel (as powerful as they are) this was Jesus. Why is this a Christophany instead an angelic appearance? The speaker at first is called, “The angel of the Lord.”But then the narrative shifts and simply calls Him, “The LORD (YHWH).” The messenger says, “I am sending you.”Judges 6:14 He uses the first-person pronoun and assumes divine authority. Gideon realizes he has seen God. Judges 6:22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he cried out, “Oh Sovereign Lord, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” Judges 6:15 (NLT)"But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" Another translation says, “I am the runt of the litter!” God uses people who are humble. They are not proud and arrogant but see themselves for what they are. Giving hope to all the people out there who were not extraordinary but ordinary. God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people. God saw Gideon for what he would become. Gideon asks, “Who am I?”The Lord says, “That’s not the issue, ‘Who am I?’ for I will be with you!”Judges 6:15–16 The Lord calls Gideon a mighty hero. Judges 6:12The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” We see failure, God sees potential.We see a vacillating, unsure Simon, God sees a rock like Peter. Before public victory, obey God at home. God’s first test for Gideon was in his home. Some people set the world on fire, while others are still looking for a match. I would rather try and fail than never try at all. Nicodemus had a weak beginning, but he had a strong ending.Better that than a strong beginning and a weak finish. Under cover of night, Gideon tore down the alter his father had erected. Instead of turning on his son, the father defends himand seems to have his own faith rekindled. Don’t give up on your family. You don’t need to preach sermons to them all day long.You need to show it by the way you live and decisions you make. You need to take a stand in your home. Are you reading scripture to your children? Are you praying with them?Are you taking them to church every Sunday? A survey was done that found if the mother and father attend church regularly,72 % of their children will also attend regularly when they’re young adults. When only the father attends, 55 % will remain faithful. But if only the mother attends regularly, only 15 % of the children will remain faithful. If neither mother nor father attend regularly, only 6 % will remain faithful. Gideon was able to rally 32,000 men. Read Judges 7:2–3 Fear is contagious. The Christian life is not a playground, it’s a battleground. Is there something frightening you right now? Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” David said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid?Psalm 27:1 Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Proverbs 3:24–25You can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you. He protects you. Gideon lost two-thirds of his army. There is always God’s part and our part. The Red Sea parted but Israel still had to march through. The walls of Jericho fell but Israel still had to march around them. The giant Goliath fell but David still had to attack. 2 Chronicles 20:12O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." The Lord told Gideon, “You still have too many warriors.” “Divide the men into two groups. The ones who just plant their face in the water without caution, leave them.” The lappers could have easily been ambushed and killed. The cuppers were alert, watching, and cautious. God gave Gideon the battle plan. No swords, knives, spears, or any kind of weapon, just clay jars and torches. The Midianites think it is some kind of ambush and they freak out.They begin to kill each other and the Israelites watch in amazement. The enemy was defeated because God’s people called on Him. Gideon’s army won a crushing victory over the Midianites. Ephesians 6:12For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood,but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. There is no way we can impact our culture with the gospel without His help. So, we call on God and say, “If You don’t come through, there is no hope.” 2 Corinthians 12:9–10“My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good. Paul concludes, “I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong!” It is not easy being a Christian in today’s culture.You will be criticized, mocked, slandered, possibly even killed. God imposed this test to get rid of the half-hearted people. God can do more with 300 committed people than 10,000 half-hearted. God is looking for faithful, obedient, watchful servants to change this world. “Give me 100 men who love God with all of their hearts and fear nothing but sin, and I will move the world!”—John Wesley Acts 17:6“Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down,and now they are here disturbing our city," they shouted. The Lord is looking for some men and women who will “blow the trumpet,”and take some chances and obey God, taking a stand first in their own homes. God can turn zeros into heros, fear into faith, hiding into fighting, and panic into purpose. Mark 5:36Don’t be afraid; only believe. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Miller - A religious leader whose world has just been threatened by Jesus' cleansing in the temple comes to Jesus in the night in curiosity and confusion. Jesus has a lot to say to Nicodemus, including that he must be "born again". What might Jesus have meant, and what does it mean for us today?  What's Happening RSVP to the next New to SBCC Table, happening on November 9th at 12:15p. Get tickets for INKSTORIES at Stockroom East on November 8th at 7p or submit your storyteller application RSVP to Student Friendsgiving on November 2nd at 5:30p (for students in grades 6-12 and their families) Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Sermons Archive RSS John 3:1-21 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”Luke 9:55-56 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me, and know my anxieties;24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,And lead me in the way everlasting. Sermon Discussion Questions:Why did God send His Son into the world?Who/what is the light of God ?Why do Christians love the light?Why do unbelievers hate the light?

In John 3:11–21, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that true life and understanding come only through being born again by the Spirit. He reveals that God's love for the world is so great that He sent His only Son Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it through faith in Him. Those who believe step into the light and find new life—Believe and Be Reborn!

Your story isn't just a memory — it's a mandate. In this powerful message, pastor Fawn Peterson teaches how stewarding your testimony releases faith, glorifies Jesus, and overcomes darkness (Rev 19:10, 12:11). From a childhood gripped by shame and addiction to a crack house moment of divine intervention, Fawn shares her radical encounter with Jesus — and how one surrendered life became a living miracle.   Then, hear 3 fresh testimonies from Authentic Church: Hannah – Set free from 4 years of paralyzing fear & anxiety in a single prayer Hugo – A lifelong church kid who finally knew he was seen and received tongues Cara – Instant healing from vaccine-induced allergies — gluten, dairy, cashews, coconut… all gone   Timestamps: 0:00 – Do It Again, Lord (Interactive Start) 5:44 – Fawn's Full Testimony 15:43 – 3 Things That Happen When You Share 21:20 – Samaritan Woman, Nicodemus, Zacchaeus 34:11 – Hannah's Freedom from Fear 44:14 – Hugo's Journey to Sonship 52:23 – Cara's Allergy Healing 1:00:27 – Altar Call + Spontaneous Baptisms Subscribe for weekly messages that stir faith and release heaven.   Need prayer? Visit https://authenticoc.com/ #Testimony #Healing #Faith #DoItAgainLord #AuthenticChurch

In this week's message, Pastor Putnam challenges one of the most popular messages of our culture—the call to “find your why.” With clarity and compassion, he reminds us that before we can ever discover our why, we must first discover the Truth. From John 14:6 to John 8:32, Pastor Putnam declares that truth is not a concept or a philosophy—it is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ. Through vivid stories of Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and the Apostle Paul, we're reminded that when we encounter the Truth, our confusion gives way to clarity, our searching gives way to purpose, and our bondage gives way to freedom. In a world obsessed with self-discovery, Pastor Putnam calls the church to rediscover Christ-discovery—to surrender rather than self-seek, to follow rather than “find ourselves.” For when we know Jesus, we not only know the Truth, but we finally know who we are and why we are here. If you've been searching for meaning, struggling with identity, or longing for direction, this message will lead you to the only One who can truly satisfy the soul. When you know the Truth—you'll know your why. To hear more about what God is doing in Sheboygan County and beyond, visit us at posc.church!

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Sunday morning, the 26th of October, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Gospel of John 3:7. This is Jesus talking: ”Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”Then we go to 2 Corinthians 5:17:”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We must make a new start. We must be born again. That is not a charismatic or a Pentecostal statement, that is a Jesus statement. Every single man, woman and child must be reborn. You see, you telling me that, ”Ah, I come from a Christian family and I was born into a Christian family, and my mother and my father were Christians, and my grandfather and grandmother were Christians. I want to tell you something very carefully, the Lord has no grandchildren in heaven. Do you know what that means? It means that every one of us, me included, especially me, we need to make a clean start. We need to start all over again. Each one of us has to make a personal commitment to Jesus. That's what Jesus told Nicodemus. Nicodemus said, ”How can a grown man go back into his mother's womb for a second time?” Jesus said, ”You don't know where the wind comes from and you don't know where it goes but you can feel it. You can feel it on your face.”I want to say to you today, please consider what the Lord is saying. It is so very important. We are living in the last days. Look around you, see what is happening. We need to make a complete change in our lives. Let's do it today. I want to pray a prayer with you. There's somebody that's listening to this message who has been struggling with this issue for many years. Please let that pride fall away and say, ”Lord today, I want to tell you, I cannot carry on on my own, I can't make it. This depression is killing me. The stress. The responsibility with the family.” I know, I was there. Now let us pray this prayer together. I'm going to pray it real slow so that you can grasp it and it's going to be very simple. Pray after me:Dear Lord Jesus,I know that I am a sinner, and I need you to save me. You have told me this morning, very clearly, through Your word that I need to be born again. I repent of all my sins and I ask You alone to be my Lord and my Saviour. I will serve no other gods but You. Thank You for dying for me, a sinner, on the cross of Calvary.In Jesus' name, amen.Now go out and tell the first three people you meet what you've done, ”I have become a born-again Christian.” Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

Review: Jacob's family; Israel?; Caring for "many souls"; People vs stuff; Loving Caesar; Rachel's treachery; Reading bible with guidance; Melchizedek? Abimelech?; Esau's descendants; Father's blessing; True sons; Doing the will of the father; "Judeo-Christian values"; Listening to Holy Spirit; Knowing Jesus; Pure Religion; No kings in Israel - until Saul; Society of righteousness; Cities (of blood); "leaven"; Men exercising authority; Loving your neighbor; Difference between Esau and Jacob; Honoring what you say and do; Tribal/national values; Jacob giving choice; "logos"; Following Christ's ways; Condemning Jews?; "Religious" quarrels; "Scripture"; Reading without understanding; Two trees; Gen 36:1 Esau is Edom - aleph-dalet+vav-mem; disconnected mem?; Hittites and Hivites; Daughters of Canaan; Human resources; aleph-chet = brother; Weakening the people; Idolators; "Seir"; Changing the way you think; Shin-ayin-yod-resh (70); forgiveness; Simon the leper, Nicodemus; Sanhedrin; Baptism; Real Israel; Listing Esau's offspring; Dukes and kings?; Teaching the ways of Edom; hey+chet-resh-yod Horite; Importance of Hebrew letters; Knowing Holy Spirit; v31 kings; Generation to generation; Cities of unrighteousness; Ways of Edom vs Israel; Mystery Babylon; Power; God is spirit; Pursuing our divine connection; Logos of Christ; Habitations; mem-vav-shin-biet; What deeds are you doing?; Possession?; Owning land; Legal title; Forced sacrifice; Rulers; "No kings"?; But one purse; Passports; Property tax; Golems; Are you a possession?; Jesus - king and high priest, order of Melchizedek; No oppression; Sharing in love; Gift of salvation; Free assemblies; God is the same.

This talk was given at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (UOC-USA) in Charlottesville, VA. In it, Fr. Anthony presents Orthodoxy's sacramental view of creation and uses music as an example of how the royal priesthood, in Christ, fulfills its commission to pattern the cosmos according to that of Eden. My notes from the talk: I'm grateful to be back in Charlottesville, a place stitched into my story by Providence. Years ago, the Army Reserves sent me here after 9/11. I arrived with a job in Ohio on pause, a tidy life temporarily dismantled, and a heart that didn't care for the way soldiers are sometimes told to behave. So I went looking for an Orthodox church. I found a small mission and—more importantly—people who took me in as family. A patient priest and his matushka mentored me for six years. If anything in my priesthood bears fruit, it is because love first took root here. Bishops have a sense of humor; mine sent a Georgian convert with no Slavic roots to a Ukrainian parish in Rhode Island. It fit better than anyone could have planned. The Lord braided my history, discovering even ancestral ties in New England soil. Later, when a young man named Michael arrived—a reader who became a subdeacon, a deacon, and in time a priest—our trajectories crossed again. Father Robert trained me; by grace I was allowed to help train Father Michael; and now he serves here. This is how God sings His providence—melodies introduced, developed, and returned, until love's theme is recognizable to everyone listening. Why focus on music and beauty? Because they are not ornamental to the Gospel; they are its native tongue. Beauty tutors us in a sacramental world, not a "God of the gaps" world—where faith retreats to whatever science has not yet explained—but a world in which God is everywhere present and filling all things. Beauty is one of the surest ways to share the Gospel, not as salesmanship or propaganda, but as participation in what the world was made to be. The Church bears a particular charism for beauty; secular beauty can reflect it, but often only dimly—and sometimes in ways that distort the pattern it imitates. Beauty meets the whole human person: the senses and gut, the reasoning mind, and the deep heart—the nous—where awe, reverence, and peace bloom. Music is a wonderfully concrete instance of all of this: an example, a symbol, and—when offered rightly—a sacrament of sanctifying grace. Saint John begins his Gospel with the Logos—not a mere "word" but the Word whose meaning includes order, reason, and intelligibility: "All things were made through Him." Creation, then, bears the Logos' stamp in every fiber; Genesis repeats the refrain, "and God saw that it was good"—agathos, not just kalos. Agathos is goodness that is beautiful and beneficial, fitted to bless what it touches. Creation is not simply well-shaped; it is ordered toward communion, toward glory, toward gift. The Creed confesses the Father as Creator, the Son as the One through whom all things were made, and the Spirit as the Giver of Life. Creation is, at root, Trinitarian music—harmonies of love that invite participation. If you like, imagine the first chapter of Genesis sung. We might say: in the beginning, there was undifferentiated sound; the Spirit hovered; the Logos spoke tone, time, harmony, and melody into being. He set boundaries and appointed seasons so that music could unfold in an ordered way. Then He shaped us to be liturgists—stewards who can turn noise into praise, dissonance into resolution. The point of the story is not that God needed a soundtrack; it is that the world bears a pattern and purpose that we can either receive with thanksgiving or twist into something self-serving and cacophonous. We know what happened. In Adam and Eve's fall, thorns and thistles accompanied our work. Pain entered motherhood, and tyranny stalked marriage. We still command tools of culture—city-building, metallurgy, and yes, even music—but in Cain's line we see creativity conscripted to self-exaltation and violence. The Tower of Babel is the choir of human pride singing perfectly in tune against God. That is how sin turns technique into idolatry. Saint Paul describes the creation groaning in agony, longing for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. This is not mere poetic flourish; it is metaphysical realism. The world aches for sanctified stewardship, for human beings restored to their priestly vocation. It longs for its music to be tuned again to the Logos. Christ enters precisely there—as the New Adam. Consider His Theophany. The Jordan "turns back," the waters are sanctified, because nothing impure remains in the presence of God. He does not merely touch creation; He heals it—beginning sacramentally with water, the primal element of both life and chaos. In our services for the Blessing of Water we sing, "Today the nature of the waters is sanctified… The Jordan is parted in two… How shall a servant lay his hand on the Master?" In prayer we cry, "Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your works… Wherefore, O King and Lover of mankind, be present now by the descent of Your Holy Spirit and sanctify this water." This is not magic; it is synergy. We offer bread, wine, water, oil; we make the sign of the cross; we chant what the Church gives—and God perfects our offering with His grace. The more we give Him to work with, the more He transfigures. And then Holy Friday: the terrible beauty of the Passion. Sin's dissonance swells to cacophony as the Source of Beauty is slandered, pierced, and laid in the tomb. Icons and hymns do not hide the scandal—they name it. Joseph and Nicodemus take down a body that clothes itself with light as with a garment. Creation shudders; the sun withdraws; the veil is rent. Liturgically, we let the discomfort stand; sometimes the chant itself presses the dissonance upon us so that we feel the fracture. But the dissonance does not have the last word; it resolves—not trivially, not cheaply—into the transcendent harmony of Pascha. On the night of the Resurrection, the church is dark, then a single candle is lit, and the light spills outward. We sing, "Come receive the Light from the unwaning Light," and then the troparion bursts forth: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death…" The structure of salvation is musical: tension, longing, silence, and a resolution that is fuller than our peace had been before the conflict. Here is the pastoral heart of it: Christ restores our seal. Saint Paul says we are "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." Think of a prosphora seal pressed into unbaked dough; the impression remains when the loaf is finished. Sin cracked our seal; everything we touched bore our corruptions. In Christ, the seal is made whole. In Baptism and Chrismation, that seal is pressed upon us—not only on the brow but on the whole person—so that our very engaging with the world can take on the pattern of the Logos again. We do not stop struggling—Paul's "what I would, I do not"—but we now struggle inside a music that resolves. Even our failures can become passing tones on the way to love, if we repent and return to the key. This is why the Church's common life matters so much. When we gather for Vespers and Liturgy, we enact the world's purpose. The Psalms give us perfect words; the Church's hymnody gives us perfected poetry. Music, rightly offered, is Logos-bearing—it is rational in the deepest sense—and love is the same. Music requires skill and repetition; so does love. Music benefits from different voices and timbres; love, too, is perfected when distinct persons yield to a single charity. Music engages and transfigures dissonance; love confronts conflict and heals it. Music honors silence; love rests and listens. These are not analogies we force upon the faith—they are the way creation is built. The world says, "sing louder," but the will to power always collapses into noise. The Church says, "sing together." In the Eucharistic assembly, the royal priesthood becomes itself—men, women, and children listening to one another, matching pitch and phrase, trusting the hand that gives the downbeat, and pouring our assent into refrains of "Lord have mercy" and "Amen." The harmony is not uniformity; it is concord. It is not sentimentality; it is charity given and received. And when the Lord gives Himself to us for the healing of soul and body, the music goes beyond even harmony; it becomes communion. That is why Orthodox Christians are most themselves around the chalice: beauty, word, community, and sacrament converge in one act of thanksgiving. From there, the pastoral task is simply to help people live in tune. For families: cultivate attentiveness, guard against codependence and manipulation, and practice small, steady habits—prayer, fasting, reconciliation—that form the instincts of love the way scales form a musician's ear. For parishes: refuse the twin temptations of relativism and control; resist both the shrug and the iron fist. We are not curators of a museum nor managers of a brand; we are a choir rehearsing resurrection. Attend to the three "parts" of the mind you teach: let the senses be purified rather than inflamed; let the intellect be instructed rather than flattered; and let the nous—the heart—learn awe. Where awe grows, so does mercy. And for evangelization in our late modern world—filled with distraction, suspicion, and exhaustion—beauty may prove to be our most persuasive speech. Not the beauty of mere "aesthetics," but agathos beauty—the kind that is beautiful and beneficial, that heals what it touches. People come to church for a thousand different reasons: loneliness, curiosity, habit, crisis. What they really long for is God. If the nave is well-ordered, if the chant is gentle and strong, if the icons are windows rather than billboards, if the faces of the faithful are kind—then even before a word is preached, the Gospel will have begun its work. "We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth," the emissaries of Rus' once said of their time at worship in Hagia Sophia. Beauty did not close their minds; it opened them to truth. None of this bypasses suffering. In fact, beauty makes us more available to it, because we stop numbing ourselves and begin to love. The Scriptures do not hide this: the Jordan is sanctified, but the Cross remains; the tomb is real; the fast is pangful. Yet in Christ, dissonance resolves. The Church's hymnody—from Psalm 103 at the week's beginning to the Nine Odes of Pascha—trains us to trust the cadence that only God can write. We learn to wait in Friday night's hush, to receive the flame from the unwaning Light, and to sing "Christ is risen" not as a slogan but as the soundtrack of our lives. So: let us steward what we've been given. Let us make the sign of the cross over our children at bedtime; let our conversations overflow with psalmody; let contended silence have a room in every home; let reconciliation be practiced before the sun goes down. Let every parish be a school for choir and charity, where no one tries to sing over his brother, and no one is left straining alone in the back row. If we will live this way, not perfectly but repentantly, then in us the world will begin to hear the old pattern again—the Logos' pattern—where goodness is beautiful and beauty does good. And perhaps, by God's mercy, the Lord will make of our small obedience something larger than we can imagine: a melody that threads through Charlottesville and Anderson, through Rhode Island and Kyiv, through every parish and prison and campus, until the whole creation—long groaning—finds its voice. Let God arise. Let His enemies be scattered. Christ is risen, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.

In Episode 2 of The Choice, Ghost and Ashe in America explore The Chosen's “Shabbat,” unpacking its rich symbolism, moral conflicts, and spiritual lessons. The hosts discuss how this episode reveals each character's inner struggle before meeting Jesus, from Simon's betrayal and Matthew's isolation to Nicodemus's doubt and Mary's redemption. Ashe breaks down the deeper meaning of the Sabbath, the biblical roots of the “woman of valor,” and the significance of the empty seat left for Elijah, fulfilled when Jesus arrives to dine at Mary's humble Shabbat table. Ghost and Ashe tie these themes to modern faith, hypocrisy, and redemption, reflecting on how God meets us where we are. A powerful conversation about faith, conflict, and the moment when grace enters the room.

Nicodemus, Katja www.deutschlandfunk.de, Kultur heute

John 19 tells of Jesus' crucifixion. The crucifixion followed the Lord's brutal treatment at the hands of Pilate's soldiers including the thrusting of a crown of thorns upon his head and the putting of a purple robe on him to mock our Master. How apt is it that in his dying he would remove the curse brought by Adam upon the earth; and his crucifying would be like the ram caught by his horns in Genesis 22. When Pilate hears the Jewish leaders' claim that Jesus is the Son of God Pilate's fear intensifies and he seeks for Jesus' release. Jesus makes it crystal clear to Pilate that Pilate is without power against Jesus and the greater sin lay with the Jewish rulers. These envious men clamour even more that Pilate must cooperate with their designs. If not Caesar would hear of it. Pilate caves in under pressure and allows Jesus to be led away for crucifixion. "We have no king but Caesar", they cry and forty years later their 'king' - Caesar - came and destroyed Jerusalem because of their blood guiltiness. The crucifixion occurs in the place of the skull - Golgotha (the location where David buried Goliath's skull, as we are told in 1 Samuel 17). Our Lord is crucified between two thieves - most likely these were Barabbas' men. In the three languages operating in Judea at the time - Aramaic, Greek and Latin - is inscribed over his cross i.e. stake "Jesus ofNazareth, king of the Jews". The Jews protest Pilate's writing: but Pilate, no doubt, glories in this small victory over the Jews and his inscription remains. The soldiers divide his clothes between them and they cast lots for his vesture in fulfilment of Psalm 22:18. The beloved women in his life eventually come near to the stake to see his death. And at this time Jesus commits his mother into the care of his beloved Apostle, John. Our Master dies with his final words being a citation from Psalm 31:5 - the quotation possibly being completed when Jesus emerges from his tomb three days later. Jesus' side is pierced by a Roman spear and out comes blood and water indicating that he has died from a broken heart. Unlike the thieves crucified with Christ not a bone of him is broken - he is the Passover Lamb of Exodus 12 and the subject of the prophecy in Psalm 34:20-22. And the Scripture in Revelation 1:7 will seem to be true when Jesus comes into his kingdom. Jesus' body is secured from Pilate by Joseph of Arimathea. Our Lord's body is placed by Joseph and Nicodemus in a new and unused garden tomb owned by the rich man, Joseph in fulfilment of Isiah 53:9.

The federal government is shut down, but the national parks – most of them, anyway – are open. Back during his first term in office President Donald Trump also kept the parks open during the government shutdown that stretched from the end of 2018 into early 2019. That led to some vandalism to the parks and damage to some park resources. How are things going this shutdown? To explore that question, our guest today is Kristen Brengel, the senior vice president of government affairs with the National Parks Conservation Association. 

Tim Sheppard - Jesus famously calls everyone to believe in him—so it's striking when John's Gospel introduces a kind of belief that Jesus doesn't trust. In his one-on-one conversation with Nicodemus, we discover what kind of belief falls short—and what kind Jesus is really looking for. This passage invites us to examine our own faith: is it the kind that truly trusts him?

Gwilym Davies - What would Jesus say to his would-be allies? Nicodemus comes to Jesus as someone who is Christ-curious, but wary of the radical action Jesus has taken in the temple: would it not be possible to have the kingdom without the chaos? And in John 3, Jesus gently shows him that he has come to do something much more radical than Nicodemus has yet realised: we must be born again, and Jesus must go to the cross.

Have you ever made a decision that changed everything? Marriage, a move, a new job — each choice reshapes your life in ways you couldn't see at first. But no decision carries more ripple effects than the decision about who Jesus is to you. In this message, Pastor David unpacks what it means to “believe in Jesus” — not as a one-time choice, but as an ongoing reorientation of your entire life around Him. Through the stories of Peter, Nicodemus, and the Samaritan woman, discover how Jesus meets real people in real moments of disorientation — and how He can bring stability, renewal, and purpose to your life today.

Jesus, journeying toward Jerusalem, confronts the urgent reality of salvation in Luke 13, where He answers a question about the number of the saved not with abstract theology, but with a commanding call to personal faith. He warns that while many will seek to enter heaven, only those who strive through the narrow gate—agonizomai, meaning a desperate,全力以赴 effort—will succeed, emphasizing that salvation is not earned by works but is available only through faith in Christ, the one true key. The sermon underscores the danger of delaying faith, the futility of seeking salvation through other means or at the wrong time, and the tragic reality that even those who heard Christ's teachings or participated in religious rituals will be excluded if they do not personally know Him. Drawing from biblical examples like the Samaritan woman and Nicodemus, it illustrates how Jesus redirects every conversation to the individual's soul, urging believers to examine their hearts, reject the 'manana' mentality, and embrace the narrow, yet infinitely generous, way of Christ, which welcomes even the chief of sinners.

In the premiere of The Choice, Ghost and Ashe in America open their new faith-based series with an in-depth discussion of The Chosen Season 1, Episode 1,  “I Have Called You by Name.” What begins as a conversation about storytelling quickly evolves into a moving reflection on fear, redemption, and the accessibility of Christ's message. The hosts explore Mary Magdalene's transformation, Nicodemus's confrontation with demonic power, and how legalism and fear still shape faith today. Along the way, Ghost and Ashe connect biblical lessons to modern life, from spiritual warfare to reclaiming authentic worship in a distracted world. With warmth, humor, and heartfelt conviction, they set the stage for a show that invites believers and seekers alike to rediscover the living Word of God through conversation, culture, and cinematic storytelling.

Daily Dose of Hope October 16, 2025   Scripture – John 7:25-53   Prayer:   Holy God, Help us sit and reflect on your presence. Jesus, we need you.  We go through our days distracted, sometimes even forgetting to pray or acknowledge you.  Help us to be aware of your presence, knowing that you walk with us every step of the way, guiding us and leading us in all our words, actions, and decisions.  We belong to you, Lord. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are finishing up John 7.   Today's reading is challenging.  We are still in Jerusalem at the Festival of the Tabernacles.  If you remember from yesterday's reading, Jesus has come to the festival later, trying to be discreet, but after a few days, he does begin to preach and teach.  The comments are flying.   I want to draw our attention to several verses that might be easy to skip over.  Verses 37-39 read, On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[c] 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.   Let's talk context.  According to the Mishnah, part of the oral tradition of Jewish law, water ceremonies are an important part of the festival celebrations on the last day.  A priest would draw water from the pool of Siloam, with a special golden pitcher and then take it back to the temple to pour into a silver bowl next the altar.  As the water was poured out, the priest would pray to God to send rain.  In some traditions, the water-drawing at the Festival of Tabernacles was interpreted as the drawing of the Holy Spirit.  So please know this was a really powerful moment.   It is hugely significant that Jesus, on this same day, says that whoever is thirsty should come to him and drink.  He continues that anyone who believes in him will have rivers of living water flowing within them.  Basically, and make sure you get this, Jesus is saying that those who drink of the water he gives will become sources of this living water.  It is similar to what he told the Samaritan woman in chapter 4 when Jesus tells her that those who drink of the water he gives will never be thirsty because he offers water that leads to eternal life.   In chapter 6, if you recall, Jesus called himself the bread of life.  Now, he offers living water that leads to quenches the deepest spiritual thirst.    What's kind of fascinating to me here is John's comment about the Spirit. He makes this connection between water and the Spirit.  John makes other connections between water and the Spirit (remember his discussion with Nicodemus in which he spoke of being born of water and the Spirit.). John says in this passage that up until this time the Spirit had not come because Jesus hadn't been glorified.  But John makes this strong suggestion that the living water Jesus is referring to is the Holy Spirit which is to come.  Believers will soon have the Holy Spirit in their physical body and that will fulfill all spiritual thirst.    Think about that.  If you have said yes to Jesus, then that means that the Spirit of the Living God is in you.  The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in you.  That means the Spirit that fulfills all spiritual thirst is in you.  How does that sit with you?  Do you see how huge that is?   One small but important note.  Just because the Spirit had not yet come did not mean the Spirit did not yet exist.  We know that the Holy Spirit was with God in the beginning.  As the third person of the Trinity, the Spirit was present at creation, we see his presence throughout the Old Testament, and we see him descend like a dove on Jesus during his baptism.  But he would not be offered to the church until after Jesus was glorified and ascended into heaven.  Of course, it was on Pentecost, Acts 2, in which the Spirit comes, making an incredible scene, and indwells the believers.    As the chapter progresses, we see the Jews are debating amongst themselves.  We can sense the conflict rising between those who reject Jesus and those who believe he is Messiah.  The true conflict boils down to who is the most accurate in their scriptural interpretation.  We see this back and forth debate.  John, as author of this Gospel, is basically joining the debate, defending Jesus and making it clear that he is Messiah.    But the Jewish leaders are frustrated.  They want him arrested.  They want him out of their way.  They feel incredibly threatened by Jesus' claims and they want to shut him down.   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Do you have questions for God? Have ever been confused about some aspect of his nature? Have you ever struggled to understand something you've read in the Bible? Under the shroud of night, Jesus meets with an unlikely figure; a religious leader named Nicodemus. This man has questions about Jesus' power, authority, and purpose. Slowly but surely, Jesus reveals who he is and why he has come.  Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do Genesis, manna in the wilderness, and Jesus' miracles all have in common?In this episode on the Jesus Everyday Podcast , Ethan Callison, Ken Nienke, and Andrew McPheron look back over John chapters 1–6 — connecting the dots between creation, covenant, and Christ's call to believe.