Podcasts about not jesus

There are regular statements that “Jesus is coming soon”. In fact “Jesus” has been coming soon for several hundred years and he has NOT come. Not to mention that his name is Yahooshua and NOT Jesus and Jesus is a pagan, that is Satanic, name! Yahooshua is waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool Fact is that there are some things that need to happen BEFORE Yahooshua will come. Foremost of these is that he is waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool.Relationship With Creator is broadcast live Fridays 12Noon – 1PM ET and Music on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Relationship With Creator is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).Relationship With Creator Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/relationship-with-creator--3198941/support.

You may recall that the Hebrews were said to be building the storage cities of Pithom and Rameses.  You can read this in … Exo 1:11  So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. Problem.  We have studied that the Hebrews left Egypt in 1446 B.C. and Rameses the Great (a.k.a. as Rameses II), the supposed pharaoh of the Exodus as per the late date (the wrong date) did not come to power until 1279 B.C. reigned until 1213 B.C.  So there are no cities named Rameses in the Nile Delta in 1446 B.C.  The city, later called Rameses, is called Avaris in the 15th century B.C., the time of the Exodus.  You can visit this site today.  It is called Tel el-daba.  So, what's going on?  Also, in this lesson, we deal with the city of Dan in the days of Abraham.  The events in chapter 15 are close to 2091 B.C. when Abraham and Sarah entered Canaan.  The city of Dan was named by the tribe of Dan – Dan is the son of Jacob the grandson of Abraham – when they moved north and captured the city of Laish (pronounced Lay Esh).  This is clear when we read … Jdg 18:29  They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born in Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish. So, Abraham comes to a city called Dan, as we read in the Bible, and the city of Dan is not even there yet!  This is nuts!  What is going on?  Is the Bible wrong? Was it written later in 3rd or 2nd century B.C.?  We need to find out and again show the truthfulness of the Bible.  In lesson 30 in Genesis 15 we then come across this verse … Gen 14:17  Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.   Who is this guy?  There are some who say it's Jesus!  That's crazy.  Some rabbis say it is Shem or the son of Shem the son of Noah.  Consider a few references from ancient Jewish (non-biblical) literature … Melchizedek was Shem the son of Noah, a priest most high." (Pirke De Rabbi Eliezari) "And Melchizedek is Shem, the son of Noah." (Rashi, Commentaries, Genesis 14:18) "And Melchizedek is Shem, the son of Noah." (Talmud, Tr. Nedarim32) That Melchizedek is Shem or his son is a major error since Melchizedek is the king of Salem.  Salem is probably Jerusalem.  At this time when Abraham and Melchizedek meet, Salem is a Jebusite city.  The Jebusites are a clan of the pagan Canaanites.  The rabbis show they dismiss real history and make up their own opinions which are in total conflict with historical truth. So, who is this guy?  Not Jesus.  Not Shem.  Not the son of Shem.  How do we understand this enigmatic Bible character?  Come and join us in lesson 30.  Come and do what your Lord commanded you to do if you are a TRUE Christian, a real disciple of Rabbi Yeshua. Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

The last time you were with us, Pastor Ricky began unpacking the horrendous life of a leper, what it look like, what it felt like. It was awful and anyone who came into contact with someone who had leprosy steered completely clear. Not Jesus though. Jesus walked right up to those affected with leprosy and provided the healing that they needed. So what about you? How do you respond to those that are in need? Maybe even full of sin? Pastor Ricky will challenge you to be willing, just like Jesus was, and help those in need.

What background in training did the disciples have? They were fishermen. Some Christians today say, “Before we hire this guy, he needs to take this personality test.” Not Jesus. He told Peter and Andrew, “I will make you fishers of men.” It's not what we have. It's what God can make of us. All we have to do is follow Jesus. He will use us in ways we can't imagine.

WOKE Olympics just made things WAY WORSE! Director claims that was NOT Jesus being MOCKED!

Our friend Betty had an unusual little personal business: she put on birthday parties for kids. She brought a pony for the children to ride, and a petting zoo of baby animals, including some little yellow chicks...which you don't ride. Actually she would rescue those chicks from a company whose business is chicken. They've told her that they have to remove any chicks that are speckled or spotted, and she was willing to take some of those and raise them on her farm. The reason that company has to remove those chicks is because of what the other chickens will do to any chick who has an imperfection. They literally will peck them to death. Pity the one who is not like all the others! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "No Outsiders." I wish this business of rejecting the ones who are different was just a chicken thing. Unfortunately, it's very much a people thing, too. In fact, in your personal world - where you work, where you go to school, or in your community - I'm sure there's someone who is feeling rejected because they're perceived to be "different." Most of the time, they feel like "the outsider." We all know what that feeling is. If you belong to Jesus Christ, your mission is to do what our friend does with those spotted chicks - to give life to someone who's being rejected because they're different. Why? Because that's how your Master lived His life, and you're supposed to be following Him. Listen, for example, to our word for today from the Word of God beginning in Luke 18:39. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is passing his way, and he begins to yell loudly for Jesus to show him mercy, which is more than anyone else did for this man, because he lived on the margins. They saw the nuisance. Not Jesus; he saw the need. It says, "Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stopped and ordered the man brought to Him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' 'Lord, I want to see,' he replied." And with a touch from Jesus, He did. This is so typical of the way Jesus operated wherever He went. He walked past the cheering crowd to find the one person who needed Him most - usually someone that everyone else was treating like an outsider. Whether it was blind Bartimaeus, the hated tax collector Zacchaeus, or the sinful woman nobody else wanted to be seen with, Jesus was always there for the outsider. Are you? To Jesus, and hopefully to those of us who follow Him, the outsiders are actually the VIPs! There's someone in your world who's feeling like the outsider right now. You might work with them. You might go to school with them. They might be in your town. They might be in your church. They might be in your own family. I'm just praying that the Lord will literally bring that person, or those persons, to your mind right now because He wants you to be His arms to go and bring that person in from the lonely margins that people have sentenced them to. Remember, the One you serve looks on the heart, not on the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). And if you've been the outsider, you of all people should want to dedicate yourself to making sure no one else has that awful feeling. You can begin to heal some of your own pain by finding some people who need your attention because they are all around you. Slowly but surely, a cruel, selfish world is emotionally pecking to death some people who are within your reach, and it's breaking your Savior's heart. Will you open your arms to them so they can taste the love of the Savior who doesn't consider anyone an outsider? After all, when Jesus was here, He was the outsider.

Not Jesus' time yet.

Interview by Kris PetersMy first introduction to Apocalyptica was in 2007 through the song I'm Not Jesus, which featured Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor in an even more powerfully destructive performance than usual.And that's saying something.And that, in a nutshell, is the best thing about artists collaborating with different bands, often outside of their comfort zone. It allows music listeners a free pass, if you will, to be open to and listen to music they would normally discount all because another musician they love and respect is singing or playing on a song with them.And so it was with Apocalyptica, who over the years have collaborated with Lacey Mosley (Flyleaf), Brent Smith (Shinedown), Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Ville Valo (HIM) to name a few.A three-piece instrumental cello band, Apocalyptica started life as a Metallica covers band, so it was only fitting that their 1996 debut album, Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, featured their own versions of Metallica songs.Cello metal, if you will.Since then Apocalyptica have released another nine studio albums, some cello versions of other band's music and others a mixture of covers and originals and some also solely original music, but it was their connection with - or more so their commanding performance of - Metallica songs that has connected Apocalyptica with much of their global fanbase.Some are drawn to the reworkings of heavy metal classics because of the novelty value, some out of curiosity, and most by the fact that their versions and takes on a genre far removed from their own are breathtaking in their sonic beauty and suffocating in their musical density.And so it is that Apocalyptica have returned to where they started for their tenth album, Apocalypotica Plays Metallica Vol 2, which came out on June 7. Featuring cello-driven versions of previously untouchable tracks like The Four Horsemen, Ride The Lightning and Blackened, the biggest - and possibly best - surprise on the album is the use of the actual bassline laid down by Cliff Burton on the original recording of The Call Of Ktulu.HEAVY settled in for a chat with Apocalyptica's bandleader Eicca Toppinen to find out the story behind how that came to be and more."With all of Metallica's involvement in this album, we didn't think about it when we started working on it," he began. "All those ideas started to come up when we were working on the music, for example, The Call Of Ktulu is one of my favourite songs of all time from Metallica because the colours and the vibe of the song has something super powerful. Some years ago I realised that a lot of those sound elements in the song that I always loved and was always fascinated about, I realised they were actually made by bass. Then came the idea wouldn't it be so cool to get that bassline? Last spring I sent a message to Lars Ulrich and I said we're working on this album and I would like to have a call with you because there are a couple of ideas that are rising from the process. I talked to Lars and said, this is probably pretty crazy, but I was thinking we are working on The Call Of Ktulu, and it would be amazing if we could get that, and Lars said 'this is such a great idea. I love that you always have these out-of-the-box ideas, but I have no idea how to make it work' (laughs). Even he was like, that might be difficult. James needs to approve, then Cliff Burton's family needs to approve then we need to figure out what kind of contractual things there are, because the album was released in 1984 and the record company from that time might have some rights on the actual recording and stuff. Then things happened smoothly. I went to Sweden to see Metallica last Summer and was hanging out there all weekend and what happened was really cool. I was invited after the first show into this very casual dinner, and I'm sitting there with my girlfriend and Rob Trujillo is coming in, and he said hey and sat one of the women at our table, and I was sitting with her talking, and it came along super well. Maybe after an hour, hour and a half we were talking about the album and I said about this idea, and it turned out that she was the step-sister of Cliff Burton! And the person who was actually taking care of Cliff Burton's legacy. She loved the idea but said you'll have to ask Lars, and I said I already spoke with Lars, and she said then you have to ask Tony the manager of Metallica and everybody was so excited. Then I talked with everybody and the manager said I need to call a couple of lawyers and figure out the legal side of it and everything just worked out. It was just crazy with all these things. I think the reason why things worked out is we were never going to Metallica and saying we want something off you. We were not asking can we do this, or can you do this? It was more like I was presenting the ideas and saying this would be great if we could do things like James talking and all that stuff, and they just said wow, yeah, this is cool. So I think that was the reason that Metallica got equally excited about what we were doing as we were."In the full interview, Eicca talks about how they chose which singles to release and why, the term cello metal and how it suits what Apocalyptica do, having James Hetfield and Rob Trujillo guest on the album, the 28-year gap between their two Metallica tribute albums and why, making the songs their own, if the new era of Metallica songs are easier to translate than the music from the band's early days, deconstructing a metal track and restructuring it in their own image, the correlation between heavy metal and the cello, why he thinks people gravitate to Apocalyptica's versions of known songs, the fact they are not harshly judged for presenting the songs in a different light, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

The Anointing of Jesus Scott Wright In the Old Testament, the High Priest was “anointed with oil” as he took his office. This anointing oil was a mixture of several, very expensive oils and fragrant spices. Before we get into this, I want you to imagine something here… Now, just imagine, if someone poured just one the little squirt bottles of perfume on you in a store (by accident, I hope)… but the entire bottle. Imagine how strong that fragrance would be… Now, imagine you had a BIG important meeting you had to attend, no backing out, no excuses, in 10 minutes. And the meeting would last a few hours. What would people say as you were entering the conference room?  Imagine if you were one of the attendees in the conference room – and someone else had the perfume poured on them? Back to the High Priest… this oil was literally, poured over his head – not just a little dab… but the equivalent of about 3 gallons. His hair and beard was totally soaked. His raiment and clothing was totally saturated. It was so soaked, the oils would stick his clothing to his skin – making the skin soaked!  (You know how you get caught in a heavy rain downpour and you are 100% soaked and you have to change clothes? It's more than that)! But, that was just the anointing ceremony. He did not change out his clothing until the end of the entire process – taking several hours. Even after he changed clothes, the fragrance would remain on him… for a long time… despite showers and washing – it would remain for close to a week. How do I know? When I was a Bible School back in 1998, we were studying this. Our professors were able to obtain samples of the formula used to make the “anointing oil.” They could only make about 2 or 3 ounces – which cost the school a few hundred dollars for that. The most expensive ingredient was the “frankincense and myrrh.”  They would cost about $1000 each for the concoction. And that was just two of the six or so elements… Our class drew lots and one person was selected to be “anointed.” He was told to wear clothes he was willing to throw away the next day – because the smell would never go out of it. We held a ceremony that would have reflected what the High Priest went through… and then they poured the oils over this student. It took about 5 minutes to pour the oil. You don't rush it. You don't want to splatter all over the ground. You start at the head and just pour it slowly… allowing it to soak in the clothing, etc. Almost none should fall on the ground… Every time he walked into the classroom for the next week, the entire room would have that fragrance smell. If you got close to him for the next few weeks, you could still smell it… like a light aftershave or perfume smell… two or three weeks later. That is what the word “anointing means.”  Christ is NOT Jesus' last name. Christ means “The Anointed One and HIS Anointing.”  Every time you read the words, “Christ Jesus or Jesus Christ” you should “translate and meditate” on the meaning in the scripture you are reading.  It is saying, “Jesus, the Anointed One and His Anointing” or it is saying “The Anointed One and His Anointing, Jesus.” Now, was does it mean to be “anointed?” To anoint someone means to “pour over, rub into and smear all over.” That is

Join us for a captivating episode featuring esteemed guest Dr. Darren Iammarino as we delve into the riveting realm of near-death experiences. Explore the profound insights and core elements often encountered in these transformative journeys. Gain a deeper understanding of consciousness and the mysteries of existence as we navigate through the realms between life and death. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that will challenge your beliefs and expand your perspective on the nature of reality. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking exploration of near-death experiences with Dr. Darren Iammarino. Dr. Darren Iammarino joined the faculty at the University of San Diego in 2022. He specializes in comparative religious studies, interreligious dialogue, and process theology. He earned his doctorate in philosophy of religion from Claremont Graduate University in 2010. In 2024, Dr. Iammarino launched a YouTube channel called Two Truths, which explores controversial topics in religion, philosophy, and history. Darren's current book project, Not Moses, Not Jesus, Not Muhammad, but Jethro, John the Baptist and Waraqa Nawfal, highlights the lives and ideas of those who truly helped shape Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His previous book—Religion and Reality—explores an alternative methodology for facilitating enriching interreligious dialogue. While teaching at SDSU, Dr. Iammarino earned the Favorite Faculty Award from 2011 to 2013, along with the Mortar Board Recognition Award. Darren's Amazon Book Store Dr. Darren Iammarino YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a captivating episode featuring esteemed guest Dr. Darren Iammarino as we delve into the riveting realm of near-death experiences. Explore the profound insights and core elements often encountered in these transformative journeys. Gain a deeper understanding of consciousness and the mysteries of existence as we navigate through the realms between life and death. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that will challenge your beliefs and expand your perspective on the nature of reality. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking exploration of near-death experiences with Dr. Darren Iammarino. Dr. Darren Iammarino joined the faculty at the University of San Diego in 2022. He specializes in comparative religious studies, interreligious dialogue, and process theology. He earned his doctorate in philosophy of religion from Claremont Graduate University in 2010. In 2024, Dr. Iammarino launched a YouTube channel called Two Truths, which explores controversial topics in religion, philosophy, and history. Darren's current book project, Not Moses, Not Jesus, Not Muhammad, but Jethro, John the Baptist and Waraqa Nawfal, highlights the lives and ideas of those who truly helped shape Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His previous book—Religion and Reality—explores an alternative methodology for facilitating enriching interreligious dialogue. While teaching at SDSU, Dr. Iammarino earned the Favorite Faculty Award from 2011 to 2013, along with the Mortar Board Recognition Award. Darren's Amazon Book Store Dr. Darren Iammarino YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pietà Lenten Series–Fr Joshua Whitehead–The Joy of This Night (Fr Joshua Whitehead says that the readings for the Easter Vigil proclaim that Jesus IS risen, NOT Jesus has risen. The joy of this night overflows into the next 50 days.)

“You gave me something to eat . . . [and] to drink, . . . you invited me in, . . . you clothed me, . . . you looked after me, . . . you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:35-36 When people have a stake in something, they tend to puff it up. It's the newest, the fastest, the brightest, the strongest. Not Jesus. He says the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. A mustard seed is tiny. Looking at it, you wouldn't expect it to amount to much. And like any seed, it's dependent on outside conditions—soil, moisture, sunshine—to germinate and grow. Farmers today plant millions of soybean seeds in a single field. They make sure to plant plenty because they know they'll have a 20 to 30 percent loss. Home gardeners plant several squash seeds in every hill because some of those seeds may fail to germinate and some of the young plants may not mature. But Jesus says the kingdom of God is like a single, small seed. Everything is staked on that one, tiny seed. If it fails to germinate, if it fails to grow, then all is lost. But when that one seed does sprout and grow, it becomes something far beyond its humble beginning: a safe and shady perch for a choir of songbirds. In the same way, the kingdom of God may not look like much. But here and there, almost invisibly, it welcomes, shelters, and supports life. Maybe you're a part of that through a local congregation. I hope so. Lord Jesus, give us faith to see your kingdom all around us. And give us courage to make your kingdom visible, even in the smallest ways. Amen.

On this third Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves journeying with someone other than Jesus.  Instead, we're hanging out with the camel hair-wearing, locust-eating John the Baptist. It seems that Jesus wasn't the only one the religious leaders were willing to interrogate. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they wander with John … clearly NOT Jesus, but rather the one that points to him. Perhaps we can pick up a few pointers from John as we wait for the true “light” to come. Download TranscriptThanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up the Project Zion Podcast explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Project Zion Podcast is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

We celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8, and joining producer Kayla Mayer with a reminder that it is NOT Jesus' conception by the Virgin Mary, is Bishop Williams. They chat about what the Immaculate Conception is, what it means for us, and what we can learn from Mary and her parents. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Social media direct links: Instagram Facebook YouTube

We finally made it!!!  The six hundred and sixty sixth episode.  This was the goal.  I can die relatively happy now.  On this episode, we dive into the world of questionable motives and inherent evil.  Where do sacrifices and curses fit in with the modern world of TikTok and DoorDash?  Why is there so much darn evil in the world??  Listen now to have none of these questions answered!!  And as always remember to like and subscribe!!Support the showhunchbunny.com

ONE. 'PEACE' was NOT Jesus' earthly goal. TWO. The HOME is where the PAIN is. THREE. THE VIOLENCE of REAL PEACE.

Not Jesus or The Buddha of the Tao or any god will save us… but there is hope. There are two integral aspects within human beings that can save us… Empathy and Curiosity. How? Join us in our conversation and think on how empathic curiosity can connect us in healthy ways.

This Broadcast will discuss various facets of Yahooshua {incorrectly called Jesus} including his TRUE birthday, his relationship to the Feast of Tabernacles and the fact that it is the Spirit of Yah and NOT Jesus that indwells true Believers.We will note that the True Birthday of Yahooshua was the first day of the Feast of TabernaclesWe will then look at how Yahooshua the Anointed of Yah aligns with the Feast of TabernaclesRelationship With Creator is broadcast live Fridays 12Noon – 1PM ET.Relationship With Creator TV Show is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).Relationship With Creator Radio Show is broadcast on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Relationship With Creator Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.

The real Name of the Savior is YAHUSHA and NOT "Jesus." This comes a shock to many people around the world when they learn the truth. There has been a massive effort by the "translators" to hide the Father YAHUAH's Name and the Name of His Son, YAHUSHA. In fact, YAHUSHA simply means YAHUAH Saves. The Saviors Name was a description of who the Father is. We share this video with humility and empathy, understanding that this is a sensitive subject. The TRUTH must be revealed, and our command is to worship the Father in spirit and in truth. PS: Here is the video link of "What is the real name of the Creator?... YAHUAH": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O9VLa5WRXY&t=117s Please spread the word, and PROMOTE THE TRUTH. Be sure to go to our website and Social Media for more valuable information on the TRUTH: Check out our website at: www.PromoteTheTruth.com Follow us on YouTube for great video content:https://www.youtube.com/@PromoteTheTruth Follow us on FaceBook for great content: https://www.facebook.com/promotethetruth Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/promotethetruth Follow us on TikTok at:https://www.tiktok.com/@promotethetruth Follow us on Clapper at:https://clapperapp.com/promotethetruth Follow us on Twitter at:https://twitter.com/promotethetruth   Blessings and Love,Promote The TruthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 15,  2023Today's Reading:  Luther's Small Catechism – Ten Commandments: First CommandmentDaily Lectionary: Gen 37:1-36, Mark 10:1-12We should fear, love, and trust in God above all thingsIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Idols are good things. The money you love more than God isn't evil. The love of it is. The people we value more than God are the neighbors He gave you. The power you trust more than God isn't sinful to have. It's sinful to use it selfishly. It's foolish to think it will save you eternally.  That's the point. An idol is a part of creation we worship instead of the creator. That stuff isn't God. It can't save you.  Not even when you put the name Jesus on it. That's my favorite trick. I name all my idols Jesus. Jesus wants me to be successful. Happy. Rich.  At least that's what I tell myself. You can see it go wrong in two ways. First, the Scriptures never promise Jesus wants you to have those things. Second, if Jesus is only a means to an end, the end is your real god. Not Jesus. Idolatry is like getting a Christmas present and saying thank you to the present instead of the person who gave it to you. It's not just rude. It misses the greatest thing about presents. Someone loves you enough to give you something. That's the real gift. Idolatry takes for granted the love of the Savior and trades it in for things that moth and rust destroy. None of the things we fear, love, and trust in will be around for eternity. None of them can get you to eternity either. But Jesus already has.  It's the other side of the First Commandment coin. If God says, “You shall have no other gods”, what He also means is that He insists on being God to you. For you. He insists on being the one you trust in above all because He is trustworthy. He insists on being the thing you fear above all because His wrath consumes in a way nothing in this world can express. He insists on being what you love above all things because to see God is to see the source of all good things, and know He insists on giving them to you.  Idols aren't bad things. They're good gifts from God that blind us to the giver. He insists you have good things so fiercely that He gives them even to idolaters like you, then forgives you, saves you from your idols, and even from yourself by the cross that becomes our treasure.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“I am alone your God, the Lord; No other gods shall be adored. But you shall fully trust in Me And love Me wholeheartedly.” Have mercy, Lord!  (These are the Holy Ten Commands, LSB 581:2)- Pastor Harrison Goodman is Content Executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

https://www.bible.com/events/49044074 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Tough Sayings of Jesus Part 2 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away...Tough Sayings of Jesus Throughout this series we are committed to navigating our way through some of Jesus' most challenging declarations. We believe that Jesus wasn't just saying these things to draw a crowd, we believe that he was communicating truth, painting pictures of life in his kingdom. He was giving guidance for his followers. Often these sayings are tough for us because they shine light into the dark corners of who we are, they take us places within our hearts that we would honestly rather not go… they show us our great need for healing. So, our goal is not to do some fancy footwork and somehow make these texts easy- we believe that the bible is God's whole truth, and we are committed to working through the tough parts too. Today we wrestle with Jesus' words "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away" ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭30 ‬‬“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. That is a tough and even gruesome saying- it's shocking and quite honestly, hard to even hear. But we need to hear- that's how seriously Jesus took sin. Here is the hard truth: WE sometimes struggle to take sin seriously We tend to want to wait to deal with it…Or to only address it in small and comfortable intervals Or maybe, we don't want to deal with it at all because we like it, or it feels good in the moment. But, for followers of Christ- that's not how Jesus said we should treat sin in our lives. Our teaching text today is found in Chapter 5 of Matthew's gospel in what's known as the sermon on the mount. Jesus has been teaching in the local synagogues, healing all kinds of sickness and infirmities and now, large crowds are following him. Matthew 5, 6, and 7 record Jesus' teaching about his kingdom. It's important to consider, this was Jesus' teaching to his disciples, people who had were following him. This was NOT Jesus teaching on how to ENTER the kingdom of God. The call of Jesus to deal so explicitly with sin in our lives, will cause some discomfort- It may be hard, uncomfortable, or costly.- It may mean the loss of some relationships- It could mean the withdraw from a substance- The long struggle of breaking free of bad habits.- It may mean saying a hard NO to our body desires and sexual desires Jesus understood that cuts across the grain of our natural self. But Jesus urges us to deal with sin NOW, to suffer any loss any inconvenience NOW rather than allowing that to separate us from God for eternity. Our perspective about sin is almost always about the NOW, But Jesus has a bigger perspective- and eternal perspective of sin. The one who bore the whole world's sin on the cross sees and knows the immediate gruesomeness of sin, the pain and suffering that it can cause now, but he also has all of eternity in mind. To be clear, this is not Jesus saying every mistake you make you are in danger of hell- that's not it at all. But there is danger every time we knowingly choose sin over what we know God desires for our lives. So, anything and everything you do in your life to combat sin by his grace is worth what you do. Every step, every sacrifice.‭‭ Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬‬ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. I hope that it has become clear enough that Jesus was not talking about literal body parts. Our teaching text in Matthew 5 was framed around dealing with adultery specifically, but to be sure, Jesus well intended the principal to extend beyond just that. So not in the literal, but in the fullest sense that Jesus meant- to cut off sinning- What would that look like for you today? We need Jesus to do that deep heart cleansing, to forgive and restore our hearts. We need his spirit to enable and empower us to live holy lives. Along with that prayer and his Holy Spirit's leading, we need to take action.In whatever it is God is calling you to, will you trust that his perspective is best? That he has your eternal good in view as he is guiding your heart? In prayer and reflection, I would invite you to confess and repent- that can be a simple prayer.“ Lord, I am confessing to you today that I agree with you, this area of my life is wrong. I am sorry Lord. I want to repent, I want to stop doing that and live in right relationship with you” Giving at COTN If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@abeaconofhope_pbz6m2Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ !https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/

We've learned about the cost of being a disciple; it's high. But what about the benefits? Some of us have been guilty of "selling" Christianity: telling people about the wonderful perks, and downplaying the challenges. Not Jesus! He has put the price in big, bold print right at the top. But let's not stop there. The benefits of following Christ are even more astonishing than the cost - or so it seems to many of us. Here's Jim to talk about Being a Disciple. 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. RS02272023_1.mp3Scripture References: Luke 14:25-35

I have written many articles relating to Yahooshua {incorrectly called Jesus}. This broadcast seeks to distil the essence of my message. We start by looking at the essence of my message concerning YahooshuaWe note that his name is Yahooshua and NOT Jesus and that he is the most powerful Created being because of his sinless life and death and that he was the first Spirit Created and that he was born of a virgin and filled with the Spirit of YahRelationship With Creator is broadcast live Fridays 12Noon – 1PM ET.Relationship With Creator TV Show is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).Relationship With Creator Radio Show is broadcast on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Relationship With Creator Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.

"I love the line from The Chosen that we started with. “Get used to different.” Jesus' disciples had the same expectations that everyone else had. They thought the Messiah would be this great leader, a spiritually intelligent man who would be a conquering king and lead the Jews out of their oppression. But he was different. He broke expectations all the time and rarely fit in anyone's mold. And even better, he embraced it. Most leaders of rebellions and wanna-be messiahs would hide in the mountains until they felt like they had enough momentum and power to stand a chance. Not Jesus. Jesus lived right next to regular people. He interacted with anyone interested in giving their time to him. He frequented the places of worship and the places of commerce. He existed out in the open. So when we think about being followers of Jesus, it requires us to get used to different. We have to embrace it." Reference: "Invitations." The Chosen, created by Dallas Jenkins, Season 1, Episode 7, Loaves and Fishes Productions, 2017. Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn't. McAlpine, Stephen. The Good Book Company, February 1, 2021.

"I love the line from The Chosen that we started with. “Get used to different.” Jesus' disciples had the same expectations that everyone else had. They thought the Messiah would be this great leader, a spiritually intelligent man who would be a conquering king and lead the Jews out of their oppression. But he was different. He broke expectations all the time and rarely fit in anyone's mold. And even better, he embraced it. Most leaders of rebellions and wanna-be messiahs would hide in the mountains until they felt like they had enough momentum and power to stand a chance. Not Jesus. Jesus lived right next to regular people. He interacted with anyone interested in giving their time to him. He frequented the places of worship and the places of commerce. He existed out in the open. So when we think about being followers of Jesus, it requires us to get used to different. We have to embrace it." Reference: "Invitations." The Chosen, created by Dallas Jenkins, Season 1, Episode 7, Loaves and Fishes Productions, 2017. Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn't. McAlpine, Stephen. The Good Book Company, February 1, 2021.

What is your image of Jesus? Not Jesus the divine. Rather Jesus the man. Where did that image come from? Does it inspire you or does it leave you wanting more? What if your view of Jesus the man isn't at all like he really was? Today's guest, author, leader and student of Jesus, Josh Khachadourian, is here to set the record straight about who Jesus really was. And, to help us see that he is the standard for manhood that we need, that we've been looking for.   Contact Info: Website: standard59.com Book: The Standard Podcast: Raising the Standard   Expanded Notes: Avoiding the prodigal path has much to do with the influence of parents and how you are raised There is no shame in a story that is focused on running a steadfast race which doesn't require a radical conversion Jesus invites us into an experience with him Jesus, as a human man, was the inspiration for Josh's book and a model for great masculinity Economic and social changes created a church culture that became more feminine and in turn lessoned Jesus' masculinity In contrast, Jesus came as a blue collar man, physically strong and deeply confrontational with truth and with grace; Jesus was strongly subversive Jesus shows us that real strength comes from within, a more courageous expression of strength 6 Major themes of Jesus' life captured in the book, The Standard, about how Jesus modeled manhood for us: Self Mastery Leadership Communication Empathy Strength Mission of Love Jesus provides an example for every man about preparation The key message is that grit and grind and intensity is not enough; you cannot live Jesus' example on your own

In This Episode, Chris McCurley is joined by Joe Wells to discuss why “You're Not Jesus.”  Have questions? Email chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com.

Kingdom People1. A Taste of the Kingdom Dan Bidwell, Senior PastorMatthew 17:1-13 28 August 2022 When people find out Im from Australia, they often ask: What are some of the differences between Australia and here? There is a lot that is similar and most of the time I feel right at home. Until something happens that makes me remember this is a second culture for me. That happened at our sons High School graduation a couple of months ago. Our youngest, Jamie, went to Vintage High School in Napa, and we were excited to go to the graduation. My wife and I both worked as teachers back in Australia, so we have been to graduations before. And every American high school movie has as scene where the students walk onto the stage and receive their diploma. How different could it be? Back in Australia, every school child wears a uniform. And the graduation ceremony or Speech Day as we call it is a very formal affair. The school where I taught held Speech Day right in the center of Sydney, in the Town Hall an ornate marble building from the 1800s. All the parents and students would come in and take their seats, and then when it was time to start, the teachers would walk in procession, wearing our academic robes and the hoods signifying which university and which degrees we held. If you cant picture it, think of Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Thats basically what education is like in Australia. The graduation here was a bit different. Walking into stadium, it felt more like we were going to a football game than a graduation. There were people in baseball caps and cowboy hats and woollen hats. There were air horns, and air balloons and life-sized cutouts of graduates. As the ceremony started, two soldiers in uniform marched onto the football field with the flag. The crowd rose and with hands on hearts and hats removed, they joined in singing The Star Spangled Banner. As the sun began to set, the words of the Pledge of Allegiance echoed through the bleachers. I loved it. I didnt know all the words, and I didnt expect it. But I could see what was happening, as this magical moment unfolded and I felt part of something bigger. America. Now what does that have to do with our Bible passage today? Our passage today comes out of a different culture. And we might not recognize all the cultural references at first. But when we immerse ourselves in the moment, well see that this passage is about something much bigger. A magic moment that is part of our story Thats what Im hoping to show you today. So why dont we pray and ask God to help us experience that magic moment. Our heavenly Father, as we open the Bible today, will you open our eyes and our ears and our hearts to understand the magic moment that happened on the hillside that day. Will you remind us of your plans and promises and leave us with the feeling that we are part of something bigger. Will you speak to us today through your word. In Jesus name we pray. Amen Well, we are back in the gospel of Matthew. We have been working our way through Matthew section by section for the last 3 years. Over the next 10 weeks or so we will work our way through chapters 17-21 in a series Im calling Kingdom People. These chapters are all about the culture and values of the Kingdom of Heaven. But they are not just cultures and values for when we die Jesus wants us start living the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. As the church, as Jesuss followers, we are to be Kingdom People. And when we live as Kingdom People, God willing, the world around us will see the difference. Theyll experience the goodness of God through us. And our prayer is that many of our friends and neighbors and colleagues will want to know more about Jesus kingdom because of what they see in us, and ultimately find life and hope in Jesus for themselves. So thats where were going. But it all begins with a life-changing experience, the kind of experience that alters your perception forever. And thats what we have in Matthew 17:1-13, with a story we call the transfiguration. What does that word mean? Transfiguration Let me start with a little story. A couple of years ago a young photographer in Chicago decided she wanted to capture beauty on film. The photographers name is Shea Glover. She would approach people on the street and ask if she could take their photograph. She would take the first photo, and then tell the subject, The reason I wanted to take your photo is that you are beautiful. [SLIDE] You can see the faces of the people light up, and completely change, cant you? And this portrait gallery contains the two pictures of each person, the before and the after. Isnt that great! The power of a simple compliment Well in our Bible passage, we see Jesus face completely change. Thats the meaning of transfiguration. His appearance is completely transformed as something very special happens. Lets read from v1: 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-3) Just to remind you of some of the backstory, Jesus has been on the road now for almost 3 years. He has spoken to crowds of thousands, astounding them with his teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Hes performed miracles, he has healed the sick and raised the dead. He is this massive celebrity, very much in the public eye. But on this day, Jesus takes only his three closest friends his inner circle up onto the mountaintop with him. Peter, James, and James brother John. And when they reach the top, Jesus is changed before their very eyes transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. I want you to picture this in your mind. If you were Peter, James or John, what would you think was going on? Its kind of like the pictures of angels we see in the Bible, isnt it? Angels always appear like a figure shining with bright white light. That would be a good guess, that Jesus is like an angel. But every other angelic messenger comes and goes. They never stick around like Jesus did for 33 years. Nobody ever saw an angel born of a human mother, and grow up like a regular kid. Jesus was not an angel. We have to dig deeper into our Old Testament cultural references. There are a bunch of clues that tell us what is happening here. First, Jesus and his companions are on a mountaintop. The mountaintop was often a place where God met with key OT figures, like Moses on Mount Sinai. That was where God gave Moses the stone tablets with the 10 Commandments, and the rest of the law for Gods people. And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, do you remember what was different about him? His face was radiant, presumably shining like Jesus face was at this very moment. Exodus 34 says that Moses face became like that whenever he entered the Lords presence to speak with him (Exodus 34:34). The prophet Elijah also met God on a mountaintop on Mount Horeb. That story is in 1 Kings 19. It was there that God spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice almost a whisper. Coming back to our story in the NT, who is there on the mountaintop with Jesus and his 3 disciples? Moses and Elijah, men who had been dead more than 1000 years. So we have the shining face of Jesus, the mountaintop location, the OT prophets Moses and Elijah. The scene is set for a theophany, an appearance of God. Thats exactly what happens. Skip down with me to v5: 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5) We have another OT reference here. The cloud. This is the same as the cloud that went before the Israelites as they escaped from Egypt. The same cloud descended on Mount Sinai when God was speaking to Moses. This cloud represents the presence of God with his people, his glory descending to earth, and his voice speaking to his people (Exodus 24:16). With Moses and Elijah there, its almost like God was rebooting the OT prophets, getting ready to recommission them, and relaunch the vision of the Promised Land that was the center of the OT promises of God. That was what the Jews expected to happen in the last days. They expected Moses and Elijah to return. The very last words of the OT from the book of Malachi say: 5 See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. (Malachi 4:5) God had given Moses a similar prophecy for the people in his day: 15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (Deuteronomy 18:15) Do you see what is happening here? All the weight of prophetic expectation from the OT is piling up on this moment on the mount of transfiguration. Something big is about to happen. God speaks from the cloud. This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5) These are the same words that God spoke to Jesus at his baptism. But probably only Jesus heard them back then. Now Gods voice is plain to everybody listening. Jesus is the prophet Moses was pointing ahead towards. The prophet who would bring his people into the promises of God, and into the promised land. And all of them were to listen to him. Moses and Elijah, as great as they were, were just precursors. Humans with a very important job, but just people nonetheless. Not Jesus. Jesus, we learn, is Gods own Son. God himself declares it from the cloud. To the great prophets of the OT, and to the messengers of the NT the apostles who would take this truth to the ends of the earth. And Gods glory is no longer just a reflection in the face of the prophets. Jesus radiant appearance tells us that he himself is the glory of God , he himself is the presence of God among his people. Jesus himself will speak the words of God to his people, calling them back into repentance and back into fellowship with God. Jesus is God in human flesh. Recognition Have you ever had one of those moments when the penny drops? (Do you all know that expression when the penny drops? It means when you finally understand or realize something in a new way.) [SLIDE] In literature, Aristotle gave this device the name anagnorisis (a Greek word which means the moment of recognition). The classic example is in Oedipus Rex, when Oedipus finally learns his true identity and realizes that he has murdered his father and married his mother. Thats a fairly high brow example. Perhaps a more accessible example is in The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy spends the whole film trying to find the Wizard, so that he can help her get back to Kansas. But in the end she learns that she had the ability the whole time because of the ruby slippers she just needed to tap them together three times and say Theres no place like home In our passage, the disciples have their moment of anagnorisis, their own moment of recognizing something that was there all along. They had been traveling with Jesus for three years, but somehow they hadnt truly recognized him for who he was. But in this moment, with Jesus shining with the glory of the Lord, with Gods voice booming from heaven, this is the moment that they finally see Jesus. Their eyes are opened to see not Jesus the man, but Jesus as God incarnate, standing in front of them. And like everyone who comes face to face with the living God, they fall to the floor terrified6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.7 But Jesus came and touched them. Get up, he said. Dont be afraid. 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:6-8) I think there are many of us who spend our lives like Peter and James and John. Weve known Jesus for a long time. But have you had that moment of anagnorisis, that moment of recognition, when you understood that Jesus is more than just a moral teacher. He is not just one voice amongst all the philosophers and psychologists and leadership podcasts of our generation. He is the definitive voice, the voice of God. God himself says (in v5): Listen to him! You see, Peter and James and John had a life changing moment with Jesus. A moment when their physical eyes were opened to see what only the eyes of faith can see. They were given a moment of spiritual clarity. At that moment, Jesus was revealed as God to them. Not just their friend, not just their teacher, but God himself. Have you had that moment of spiritual clarity? Have you recognized Jesus as this passage reveals him? Because one day you will. Whether youre prepared for it or not. The Bible says that on the day that Jesus returns, every knee will bow before him, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. (Philippians 2:10-11) And for those who have lived as enemies of Jesus, and those who have not paid him any heed, that day will be terrifying. But not for those who have recognized Jesus, and aligned their lives with him. I love the way that Jesus responds to the terrified disciples in v7. Get up, he says. Dont be afraid. Jesus does not want to terrify us. He wants to bring us into the presence of God, where all the goodness of creation is restored for all of eternity. We see that idea in the last few verses of our passage. Jesus wants what is best for us, what is best for our families, what is best for our community. Jesus wants to give us life to the full (as he says in John 10:10). That all begins when you recognize Jesus. I know that many of us here know Jesus as Lord. But if you are someone who hasnt had that moment of recognition for yourself, can I encourage you to join us at Alpha this Fall.[SLIDE] Alpha is a 6 week course designed to help you find out about life and faith and meaning, and how Jesus fits into it all. Its a free course, theres good food and discussion, and the chance to really interrogate the Christian faith and whether it is for you. If youre interested, grab one of these brochures at the front of church or click on the link on the homepage at yountvillechurch.org. Wed love to have you along for the ride. In the moment Now there is a little part of this passage that I skipped over. Back in v4. The three disciples are up on the mountainside and the transfiguration happens. Jesus is shining, and the two greatest prophetic figures in the OT show up, and theyre talking to Jesus. Did you notice what Peter was doing? He was loving it. 4 Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three sheltersone for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (Matthew 17:4) Peter was a fisherman, a salt of the earth guy, practical and hands-on. And I love the way he offers to build shelters for Jesus and Moses and Elijah. Maybe its because Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai Peter wanted to make sure they were comfortable if they were camping out. Or maybe it was going to rain. Or maybe Peter had his mind on the things of this world, like Jesus had said to him in the previous chapter. It's a kind of odd interaction, but there is something profound in what Peter says, and I dont want to miss it in the awkwardness. Look again at the first thing Peter says there: 4 Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. Peter realized the goodness of being in the presence of Jesus, and in the presence of God. He didnt want it to end. He wanted to camp out with Jesus, and stay with Jesus. He wanted to hang out with Moses and Elijah. It is good for us to be here, Peter said. Do you think about church the same way? It is good for us to be here. As we spend time together, asking God to speak to us, trusting that he is present here by his Holy Spirit. It is good to be here. What about your small group? Do you get together and think, it is good to be here! What about when youre getting coffee with someone from church, or praying with them over the phone, or serving on a roster together here at church, or handing out food at our monthly food pantry. Do you stop and think, it is good to be here! There is something very special about being the church. God has put his Holy Spirit in each of our hearts, so we dont need to be church for God to show up in our lives. But were not made to do this alone. We are made for church. And when were together, we get a foretaste of what heaven will be like. We get a foretaste of the kingdom of God, and a foretaste of the heavenly family and the heavenly banquet table and the heavenly worship. It is good to be here! And I hope you want to be here, because this is the most important couple of hours of your week. In a moment were going to stand and sing our final song, and when we do, I want you to say to yourself, it is good to be here! This is what I was made for. And this is a taste of eternity Lets pray

Many of us hear the good news that we're saved by grace and not the works of the Law and immediately draw the conclusion that the Law is bad or no longer relevant to our lives. Not Jesus. In Sunday's sermon, we will look at what Jesus meant when he said he came "not to abolish, but to fulfill the Law" and how at least one of the things he came to do was not to do away with our obedience, but enable it through his own. Pastor Derek

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.IntroductionDemons are never explicitly identified in the OT. In the NT, possession appears only in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. (The word "demon" is used in John, but only by the opponents of Christ, who call him a demon.)For greater depth, visit Thoughts on Demon Possession & Exorcism (requires login).For constructive thoughts about escaping addictive behaviors, see IPI's 4-lesson audio CD, ESCAPE (by Steve Brand and Douglas Jacoby).Until today, Mary Magdalene was not a NT character podcast, since there isn't a whole lot to work with! It really comes down to a single verse in Luke.(She is also mentioned in Mark 16:9, a verse in the longer ending Mark's gospel, probably dating to the 2nd century, and merely repeating what Luke said about her.)However, she is frequently mentioned in the pretend-gospels of the Gnostics and others (in the centuries after the NT was written).Scriptural study: Luke 8:1-3There are many Marys in the NT, but only one Magdalene.It seems there are far more questions than answers.Literally 7 (number of perfection)—or perfectly diabolical?How were they exorcized? Through the ministry of Christ? The Jews (see Acts 19; Luke 9)? Or did they leave of their own volition (“gone out”)? But “healed of evil spirits…” (v.2) implies exorcism.How did the demons get into her in the first place? Lack of explanation as to causality of possession in NT, while OT doesn't even record any possessions, let alone attempt to explain the demonic world.But we can at least rule out some possibilities:Not Jesus' wifeNo indication that demons correspond to sins (as in 7 different sins).Probably not the sinful woman of Luke 7 – seems odd if true that this woman wasn't named.Probably:Unmarried or a widowImportant personage in the early church. ( || Simon/Simeon, Alexander, and Rufus. Note: in the podcast I mentioned only Rufus, but Simon had two Christian sons.)For sure:From or had relatives in Magdala. At her synagogue a few weeks agoWitness to the empty tomb and the risen ChristUndergone a radical transition to freedom from the demonic.ConclusionsNo matter how messed up your life is, God can make something beautiful out of it. And no matter how long we may have been stagnating spiritually, the Lord can wipe the slate clean. And once we've been made clean, we're on the path of holiness and mission.If you're a woman, take heart that in Christ there is no male or female. No discrimination!God values women. Eyewitness testimony to the resurrection – not so in Judaism or Islam.No problem is too big for God to handle. Even if you feel last year is best forgotten, God specializes in fresh starts – in new beginnings.

The last time you were with us, Pastor Ricky began unpacking the horrendous life of a leper, what it look like, what it felt like. It was awful and anyone who came into contact with someone who had leprosy steered completely clear. Not Jesus though. Jesus walked right up to those affected with leprosy and provided the healing that they needed. So what about you? How do you respond to those that are in need? Maybe even full of sin? Pastor Ricky will challenge you to be willing, just like Jesus was, and help those in need.

Day 81 Today's Reading: John 13 I know in mathematics 4 always follows 3. But I have to tell you that there is one place in the Bible that 4 should not follow 3. And it's only because it does not make sense. Or let me say it another way, my 4 and Jesus' 4 are totally different. In today's reading, we come upon two verses that seem disconnected to the human mind, but not to Jesus. Listen to how powerful John 13:3 is: “Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God” (MSG). Listen to the sure facts in this verse that Jesus knew: • “The father had put him in complete charge of everything” • “He came from God” • “He was on his way back to God.” These are three big statements. So what should follow these incredible words? If I were in complete charge of everything, my 4 would look something like this . . . “lightning bolts came out of Him.” Or maybe Jesus levitating off the ground and saying, “I told you I was God. I am in charge now!” That's what 4 should look like. That's what I would have done. Not Jesus. Here is what happens next. Here is Jesus' 4: He got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. (John 13:4-5, MSG) The transition does not even make sense in my mind. In my selfish, prideful heart, I don't understand how this 4 follows the previous three. But when you know what Jesus knows, you do something spectacular, something that blows our minds. Guess what? That's exactly what He did. Jesus washed the disciples' feet. His knowledge, His position, and His relationship with the Father in heaven made Him the ultimate servant and greatest example of humility. This has to be the greatest model for us: that the more we know, the more secure we become. And the more secure we become, the more we serve. The insecure won't serve. They are busy proving to others what they should know about them. They are in charge, they are the boss, they are the parent, they are the supervisor, they are the pastor. Those who keep telling you what to know don't really know themselves. I probably would have taken those three “knowing” statements from verse 3 and not served but gotten servants. But Jesus served. That is how messed up my thinking is. Let me throw one more crazy transition in this whole mix. He took that whole teaching moment and said to them in verse 14, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash . . .” Fill in the blank. Think of what is normal, or since we are dealing with Jesus, what is abnormal to our way of thinking? Here is what makes sense to me: “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet . . . you ought to wash My feet.” That is not what Jesus said. He said, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” This is another crazy 4 after 3 conundrum. He wasn't washing feet to get His feet washed. I know there are times that I have done stuff for others hoping to get the same back from them. Not Jesus. I invited you over for dinner, therefore you should invite me over. I let you borrow my car; therefore you should let me borrow your car. I complimented your hair, you should compliment mine. I invited you to speak at my church, you should invite me to speak at your church. Do you see how unlike Jesus this is? He washed feet to get them to wash others' feet not His. Jesus is amazing. I have such a long way to go. My 4 after 3 and Jesus' 4 after 3 are so far apart. I need to learn more about Jesus' 4. You too?

But He's Not Your Genie in a BottleSeries: Gospel of John Preacher: Jim MastersSunday Church ServiceDate: 24th April 2022Passage: John 4:43-54-------------------Jesus the Genie, Not Jesus the Savior. 43-45 For Example, 46-48 More than a Genie, 49-54

Day 79 Today's Reading: John 11 Has God ever been confusing to you? Have you ever asked Him, “What are You doing? I don't understand?” Our 260 Journey brings us to John 11 and to one of those moments. It's the story of Lazarus—a man who went from health to sickness and from sickness to death. And here is where the confusion starts. This all happened with Jesus close enough to prevent his death but doesn't. What makes it confusing are two things Jesus does from the outset. Let's read the story: A certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. (John 11:1-6) Here is where Jesus becomes confusing: we are told very clearly that Lazarus is sick, and Jesus loves him. There is something in us that thinks if Jesus loves us then we have a “get out of jail” free card from pain. Nothing could be further from the truth. C. S. Lewis was once asked, “Why do the righteous suffer?” To which he replied, “They're the only ones who can handle it.” The second confusing moment with Jesus happens when He hears about the sickness. If you love someone, and they are in desperate need, you rush to them. Not Jesus. The Bible says when He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two days longer. What? Seriously? No movement, Jesus? It frustrates us when Jesus moves too slow. We want Jesus' hand, but we don't want His calendar. I always remember in one of my frustration moments how an old church mother in Detroit reminded me of the old adage, “He may not come when you want Him, but He's always right on time.” And in John 11, Jesus is going to be right on time. What is on time? Four days later and not till Lazarus stinks. Why? Jesus says that it's so His glory can be seen. Glory is what makes God famous and stand out. Let me take you to the tomb and why Jesus waited: Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” (John 11:38-39) It would have been easier for Jesus to come to sick Lazarus not to stinky-and-dead Lazarus. And here is where I want you to see as the confusion starts to get clarity: When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. (John 11:43-45) When Jesus doesn't come when you call Him, something bigger is about to happen. What was Jesus showing them? A resurrection is better than a healing. His message to Mary and Martha was this: If I heal your brother, three people will feel good. If I resurrect your brother, many will believe. We learn from this story too that there is a divine strategy in unanswered prayer. The account of Jesus not healing Lazarus is proof that unanswered prayer may well mean that God has something better in mind for us than we ourselves had. There are times that God waits till something stinks before He shows up. Becaus

Topics: Deny Yourself, Carry Your Cross, Disciples, Matthew 16, Fight the Flesh, False Humility, The Will of God, Peter Isn't the Rock, You're Not Jesus, Old Self New Self, Be YourselfIf you want a deeper look at this topic here's a free chapter from one of my books!https://mattmcmillenministries.com/deny-myself-take-up-my-cross-and-follow-jesus/

Not Jesus "Plus", 9-12-21, Jon Woolner, Preaching by Evergreen Church

For most of us, Thursday is just a day to muddle through to get to Friday. But to Jesus, the Thursday of his final week was significant with a flurry of activity and busy-ness. Everything recorded in scripture indicates it was perhaps the busiest day of the week for Jesus.  Our Lenten worship series "One Week that Changed the World” continues today as Pastor Tony takes a look at Jesus' Thursday activities according to the narrative found in the Gospel of Mark with specific attention to the evening's activities culminating with his interrogation and condemnation by the religious leaders of the Sanhedrin.  And while some parts of the narrative may not be historically accurate, it's those very parts that may tell us the most about Jesus' actions or inaction. For instance, why does Jesus remain silent when the chief priests ask him to defend his actions in Jerusalem? Most of us when backed into a corner or attacked will defend ourselves in order to survive or to be accepted. Not Jesus. He understood how to be okay with being misunderstood. Listen and discover how you too can find solace when words or even silence matters.   Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 03/27/22  Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. Scripture: Mark 14: 53-65 Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn  If you like what you hear, consider donating at: https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/ 

Not Jesus and Circumcision Not Jesus and the law Just Jesus

Day 28 Today's Reading: Matthew 28 What does famed NFL player Barry Sanders and resurrected Jesus have in common? I am not trying to be disrespectful, but I do have a point. Barry Sanders is considered one of the greatest NFL running backs of all time. He holds many of the coveted NFL records. Two things make Barry iconic in the sport's world. First, his elusiveness. Barry's runs were choreographed like a ballet. Though it was impressive to watch, what stood out more than anything about Barry's plays was what happened after he scored a touchdown. In a time in sports where every tackle, sack, hit, and first down was celebrated like winning a Nobel Peace prize, Barry was a non-conformist and contrarian. He wouldn't dance, jump into the stands, point to heaven, or find a hidden marker in the goal post. Every time without fail, he simply handed the ball to the ref. In his biography, people took the words of famed football coach Vince Lombardi to describe this action and said, “When you get to the end zone, act like you have been there before.” Barry had been there, a lot. No need to act like a kid seeing Walt Disney World for the first time. So what does Barry Sanders and resurrected Jesus have in common? We have come to the end of our first New Testament book (Matthew) and in today's reading, we're studying about the greatest event in world history, the resurrection of Jesus. He has accomplished His mission. Jesus has died for the sins of the world and resurrected from the dead after three days. He crushed death, hell, and Satan and crossed the goal line. He scored, to stay with our NFL comparison. Did Jesus shout over His accomplishment? Did He thump His chest? Did He jump into the crowd of disciples like a Lambeau leap? This has to be one of my favorite moments of the resurrected Jesus. It took me by surprise and stunned me. Jesus flipped the ball to the ref. He acted like, This is what I do. No need to get all crazy. Ready for this? These were the first words of the resurrected, I-just-beat-up-hell-and-the-devil Jesus: The women ran from the tomb, badly frightened, but also filled with joy, and rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel's message. And as they were running, suddenly Jesus was there in front of them! “Good morning!” he said. And they fell to the ground before him, holding his feet and worshiping him. (Matthew 28:8-9, TLB) Good morning? That's what you say after you did all that? Thank God I'm not Jesus. My first resurrection appearance line would be something like: “Ha! Told you! Look at me now. You didn't think I could do it. Bam, done!” Not Jesus. He offered a ball flip, and a simple, “Good morning.” He said it like it was just another day at the job and time to go back to work. Unbelievable! Only people who are secure and know who they are do something like this. Some of the older translations say that Jesus said, “All hail,” which literally means “Good morning.” I don't like all hail; it sounds like “Caesar” should come next. Sounds formal. I like, “Good morning.” Sounds like He's saying, Yeah, it's just another thing I do: kill devils and death and get people to heaven. That is Jesus. “Good morning,” the ball flip, tells us a lot about Jesus. It tells us that when you are the real thing, you don't have to tell people. It shows every time you cross the goal line. If you are a praying man, a prophetic woman, a pastor, an evangelist, a godly person, or someone who hears from God, all you have to tell people is, “Good morning.” They will know. Jesus did not come out saying, “I am resurrec

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So, he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah (Luke 4:38-41). Today's text continues with Luke's chief concerns: who is Jesus and where does his authority and power come from? In yesterday's devotion, Pastor Anthony talked about how a demon tried to use Jesus' name to claim authority over him, but Jesus would have nothing to do with such power plays. With a simple, forceful command, ‘Be quiet; be gone', Jesus showed just how great his authority is. Our story for today is linked to that one. Luke tells us that Jesus rebuked the demon, now he rebukes the fever. Why does Jesus treat demon and sickness the same? Because he came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and both demon and fever are Satan's work. We are to notice that Jesus words are effective against both forms of evil. The demon and the fever flee. Both people are set free. Have you ever woken up from a high fever? Do you recall how tired and weak you were? Not this woman. She gets up and serves dinner. This is not a story about a woman's place being in the kitchen. No indeed. This is a story about the authority and power of Jesus to send the devil packing. He heals so completely that this woman needs no recovery time. Jesus says the word and she is ready to go. Luke is hiding other treasures in this story that are worth shining some light on. Its still Sabbath. Note that when the sun set, people felt free to bring their sick to Jesus. They would not do it earlier, lest they be guilty of working on the Sabbath. Not Jesus, he goes to work healing the sick on the Sabbath. This will get him into hot water with the religious authorities, but he doesn't seem to care. Our Lord came to bring Sabbath, that is, freedom from the effects of the fall. The biblical arc of the Sabbath lands here, freedom from evil (see the book of Hebrews). The Heidelberg Catechism summaries the purpose of Sabbath keeping with these words, “every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath” (A 103). Luke also paints a picture of how Jesus did ministry. ‘He bent over her' and ‘laying his hands on them' are phrases that show us Jesus' deep compassion. He came close to people, both male and female. Disease isolates. COVID has shown us again how true that is. Jesus was not afraid of diseases nor of diseased people. He could, of course, have healed people from a distance. But he wasn't interested in just having a disease-free society. People are important to him. He wanted to heal people, for that, he needed to touch them. As the son of God, he was welcoming them into the very presence of God. Talk about healing. Jesus shows a commitment to service and compassion. When Jesus rebukes demons and diseases, he shows that he is the King, everything is subject to him. These miracles gave the folks of Capernaum, and they give us, a glimpse of the eternal Sabbath. The ease with which Jesus sends away all forms of evil reveals that he does have the power to save. Since he is Immanuel, God with us, we can be sure that such forces can never totally overtake us. Hostile forces may try to destroy us, but he has the capability of helping us resist. The obstacles of life that threaten us humans are not so great or powerful that Jesus cannot overcome them. These forces are sometimes very strong. They many even appear to block out the light of Christ. As those times, Luke would have us picture Jesus bending over Peter's mother-in-law and touching the sick as he heals them. His compassion for us is just as great. Let these stories give you courage in whatever darkness you are walking.

On this week's episode, we'll look at Jesus' apocalyptic-sounding words from Luke 21 and discuss why these "end-time" passages kick off the Advent season in many liturgical churches. We'll properly define "apocalypse" and discuss why it calls us to look for Jesus-revealing-God and NOT Jesus-destroying-the-world.  You can email me at: UnbindingTheBible@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/unbinding-the-bible/support

This broadcast examines the essence of my message regarding YahooshuaI stress that his name is Yahooshua and NOT Jesus and that Jesus is a pagan nameIt is noted that Yahooshua is the most powerful created being in existence and is seated at the right hand of the Father and is also our Advocate, our High Priest, the Atoning Sacrifice for forgiveness of sinYahooshua has a spectacular resurrected body and is massively powerfulYahooshua's death was carefully planned and orchestratedRelationship with Creator Radio Show is broadcast live at 2pm ET Fridays on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). This podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com).

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:20-21) 3 Now, these Greeks that came to Philip, their heart's desire was to see Jesus. How many has that same desire tonight? Everyone. We all want to see Him. That's the call of the human heart: Sir, We Would See Jesus. Now, that's what we want to do tonight. Let's just think a minute. Now, let's just get away from all of our fantastic ideas. And if He's so real as Christians claim He is, why can't we see Him? We say He—He's not dead, that He's living. He said He'd be with us and every generation would see Him until the end of the world. Now, Jesus promised that. He said, “A little while the unbelievers won't see Me no more. But you'll see Me for I'll be with you to the end of the world.” Then every generation has been promised to see Him. So let's take a look for Him tonight. I want to see Him. 4 I remember one time I was getting up my little old cabin, cold, I was trying to make a fire, and oh, if it wouldn't burn. And I turned on the radio, and a sister was singing, I want to see Jesus. I just set down in the floor and just started weeping. I raised up both hands and I said, “Yes, Lord, I want to see You.” And you want to see Him. And if He is so real, why can't we see Him? If you were looking for Him tonight, what type of person would you look for? Would you look for a man in long robes, dressed different from other men? Not Jesus, He dressed just like other men. He was… if He was here in a body of flesh tonight, He'd wear a suit of clothes like we have. And we couldn't look for a well-dressed man, and I don't imagine He would look like He was from a bandbox. 5 We wouldn't go out to the great, great cathedrals to find Him, for when He was here they wouldn't receive Him. And they wouldn't again tonight. Would you go to a man that had a great forceful voice? No. Would you look for a man that had a great swelling education, that had so much education till He continually spoke in tongues? Just so common people couldn't understand Him? Not Jesus. He talked like common people. So where would you find Him? You'd have to find Him among the common people. He'd be a common Man. Then what would He be doing? Bragging on His education? Bragging on His affiliation in churches? No. Would He be bragging He was a healer? No. He'd be saying, “Not Me, it's the Father that dwelleth in Me; He doeth the works. If thou canst believe, all things are possible.” He would look out over the audience, the people suffering, He'd say, when they had faith, “Daughter,” or “child, thy faith has saved thee from such and such diseases.” Then if the Father would tell Him something, He'd speak it out to the audience. That's the kind of Jesus we'd look for. 55-0828e - "Sir, We Would See Jesus" Rev. William Marrion Branham ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Order your own copy of the Family Altar at http://store.bibleway.org Appreciate what we do? Consider supporting us: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support

It's revealing, the way that Jesus reacts to those he meets. Certainly he wished to bring wholeness to all, but he isn't impressed by titles and status… or urgency, for that matter. When going to heal the daughter of a synagogue leader, he finds himself coming into contact with a woman who took control of her own healing, taking the initiative to touch him. Most of us, if we can even imagine knowing that we had just accidentally healed someone, would probably have kept going without stopping. Somewhere to be, after all. Not Jesus. He stopped, dead in his tracks, delaying the urgent situation, and looked for her. It must have taken a few minutes, because she realized she, “could not stay hidden.” Once she was found, he did more than heal her: he wanted to give her peace. That's exactly what he did, and it could never have been the case if he hadn't taken time for her.

You may recall that the Hebrews were said to be building the storage cities of Pithom and Rameses.  You can read this in …Exo 1:11  So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses.Problem.  We have studied that the Hebrews left Egypt in 1446 B.C. and Rameses the Great (a.k.a. as Rameses II), the supposed pharaoh of the Exodus as per the late date (the wrong date) did not come to power until 1279 B.C. reigned until 1213 B.C.  So there are no cities named Rameses in the Nile Delta in 1446 B.C.  The city, later called Rameses, is called Avaris in the 15th century B.C., the time of the Exodus.  You can visit this site today.  It is called Tel el-daba.  So, what’s going on? Also, in this lesson, we deal with the city of Dan in the days of Abraham.  The events in chapter 15 are close to 2091 B.C. when Abraham and Sarah entered Canaan.  The city of Dan was named by the tribe of Dan – Dan is the son of Jacob the grandson of Abraham – when they moved north and captured the city of Laish (pronounced Lay Esh).  This is clear when we read …Jdg 18:29  They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born in Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish.So, Abraham comes to a city called Dan, as we read in the Bible, and the city of Dan is not even there yet!  This is nuts!  What is going on?  Is the Bible wrong? Was it written later in 3rd or 2nd century B.C.?  We need to find out and again show the truthfulness of the Bible. In lesson 30 in Genesis 15 we then come across this verse …Gen 14:17  Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Who is this guy?  There are some who say it’s Jesus!  That’s crazy.  Some rabbis say it is Shem or the son of Shem the son of Noah.  Consider a few references from ancient Jewish (non-biblical) literature …Melchizedek was Shem the son of Noah, a priest most high." (Pirke De Rabbi Eliezari)"And Melchizedek is Shem, the son of Noah." (Rashi, Commentaries, Genesis 14:18)"And Melchizedek is Shem, the son of Noah." (Talmud, Tr. Nedarim32)That Melchizedek is Shem or his son is a major error since Melchizedek is the king of Salem.  Salem is probably Jerusalem.  At this time when Abraham and Melchizedek meet, Salem is a Jebusite city.  The Jebusites are a clan of the pagan Canaanites.  The rabbis show they dismiss real history and make up their own opinions which are in total conflict with historical truth.So, who is this guy?  Not Jesus.  Not Shem.  Not the son of Shem.  How do we understand this enigmatic Bible character? Come and join us in lesson 30.  Come and do what your Lord commanded you to do if you are a TRUE Christian, a real disciple of Rabbi Yeshua.Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

“Christ” is NOT Jesus’ last name! If you wanna bear the name, you gotta play the game! Do you have any idea how powerful you are? And you’re not empowered to ENDURE this world, you’re empowered to CHANGE IT! What if Jesus did all his miracles NOT for the people who experienced them, but He did them for US—to demonstrate what we are supposed to be doing? Kinda messes with your brain doesn’t it? Cmon! Let’s play ball!!

What comes to mind when you think of a holy person? This week Kent helps us see that holiness isn't supposed to be a drag, it's really supposed to be a relief! Join us to learn how to put on the new life God has for you. Help us advance the Kingdom, support our online ministry (harmonychurch.cc/give). Got kids? Check out Harmony Kids online (updated weekly) https://www.harmonychurch.cc/harmony-kids-online/! ------------------- Sermon Notes Slide Key: Sermons always start with “OPENING ILLUSTRATION:” and end with “CLOSING ILLUSTRATION:"Red = Scripture slides (reflect formatting of scripture on slides, i.e. - underlines, bold, etc.)All scriptures are NIV unless otherwise notedBold = Slide text“b" or “B” on a line by itself = Slide break/New slideBold ALL CAPS WORDS = heading to be ignored[some text] = programming notes to be paid attention to ----------------------------- OPENING ILLUSTRATION: When I was growing up, the word holy meant two things to me. The first, was you never wanted to wear holy underwear - my dad said if you got in a wreck you didn't want them to see your un mentionable's had holes in them. The second, when I thought about a holy person, the picture in my mind was an old lady with a boney finger telling me “no”. Today, we are going to talk about holiness and what it means, but I need you to take a moment and evaluate what you think of when I say holiness, because I have a feeling it might not be what the scripture thinks of when it's said… SCRIPTURE:Ephesians 4:2424 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Remember Paul's 3 steps to a new you Take off your old selfBe made new in the attitude of your mindsPut on the new self - created to be like God We've been focusing on the first two - we've talked about how to take off your old self, to truly die to self We've talked about putting on the new attitude - to change your thinking and not be led by feelings. Today, we are focusing on Putting on the new self and what that looks like…   Paul gives us a glimpse into what the new self looks like when He says “Created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” What do you think it mean to be righteous and holy What's the picture you think of when you think of holy? monks and priests, old boney fingered lady? people who are separated from normal life and live these lives that are removed from the life we live…-they don't dance, chew, or go with girls who do? Holiness has always seemed stuffy, unattainable, and frankly undesirable to me b Holiness seemed like a drag b but is that the way it's supposed to be? Look, for most of us, holiness seems like a drag. It doesn't seem like real life…-it feels like a bunch of rules and regulations so, I wanted to answer this question by looking at Jesus-because if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus I sat down and asked myself, How did Jesus live out Holiness and righteousness Three stories stuck out to me about Jesus' holiness - I want you to notice how different they are from what most of us think of as holiness WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY: [have a rock on stage - to play with while telling story]Jesus is teaching in the temple - a crowd of religious zealots come dragging a woman with them.  She looks ragged, clothes half thrown on.  They toss her like a rag doll in front of Jesus.  “This woman was caught in the act of adultery.” I know, where's the man?  I don't know, but I know these men are more than willing to use her as an example and trap for Jesus.  People will finally see He's no different than them.   Jesus stoops down and writes in the dirt.  No one knows what He is writing, but I love that Jesus doesn't respond right away. You know they are all expecting an immediate response.  I picture the woman even looking around like, well, that's unexpected. The religious people push Jesus some more and Jesus stands and finally speaks “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone ”The old men are the first to leave…  slowly the crowd disappears Jesus asks the woman where everyone went, did no one condemn her? the woman tells him “no one” and so Jesus does not condemn her either and tells her to go and leave her life of sin… Jesus had every right to cast the stone, but He held back and offered grace. How many of us are moved by the pressure and force of the world around us? Not Jesus.   Jesus wasn't driven by fear, but by honoring the Father THE LEPER: Or what about Matthew 8, Jesus is coming off a mountain - he's been teaching people and He's confronted with a man who has leprosy. The Man says, “lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” This is a HUGE breach of conduct.  This would be like someone with Covid walking in here and coughing all over everything.   Lepers and people with skin diseases were supposed to tell people they are unclean.  Keep their distance.   This guy has been living on the periphery of society.  If he has family, he's only been able to watch them from afar.  He's isolated, living away from touch, living away from people.  Some of you understand it, right? He asks Jesus this question, but I love what Jesus does.  This man kneeling in front of Him.  And Jesus reaches out and touches him.  This man hasn't been touched in years.  Jesus isn't afraid.  Jesus doesn't run the other direction.  Jesus reaches into this man's life and touches him.  and says.  “I'm willing” The man is healed immediately.   Jesus cared about not just healing this mans disease, but healing this mans heart. THE WOMAN'S DAUGHTER: This woman comes to Jesus, her daughter, her little girl is possessed by a demon.  I don't know if I can even grasp what that would be like.  To watch your daughter suffer and have absolutely no way to bring her peace and healing.  This woman reaches out to Jesus.  But He's quiet.  No answer.  I think He's waiting to see what His disciples do with her.  This woman isn't a Jewish woman, she's a gentile.  and so the disciples do what any other Jewish person would do in this time.  They tell Him to dismiss her.  I mean, she's right there listening to all this.   Jesus says, “I was sent to the lost children of Israel.” She kneels in front of him.  “Lord, help me!” Jesus tells her, that it's not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs.  I can picture the disciples going, “boom, you know that's right” But this woman won't give up.  This is her daughter, and Jesus could change everything.  She says, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall to the ground” I wish we could see the glimmer in Jesus' eyes as he says, “woman, you have great faith!  Your request is granted” and the woman's daughter is healed… Jesus broke social barriers to bring healing. For Jesus, holiness was about living out the love God in every interaction, nothing more, nothing less This is Advancing the Kingdom at it's best Most people think Holiness is about what you don't do-don't act like this, don't say this, don't drink that But true holiness is found when your whole life is caught up in trying to please God by living for Him and loving people CLOSING ILLUSTRATION: When I first came to Christ, I'll never forget I was sitting next to this teenage girl who had gotten pregnant.  Normally, before, I would have judged her.  I would of thought, “she got what she deserved”  But all of the sudden, something different went through my mind.  I starting thinking about I wondered how she was going to raise this baby, how she would afford diapers… I think it was the first time I realized just how much God had changed me - because I was more worried about her than I was about what she had done… I learned that Holiness isn't a drag, holiness is a relief. It's a relief because it frees me to love people like God loves them…

0 (0s): Well, Merry Christmas, everyone. Hello from Harvest Church we sure wish we could all be together in person tonight. We know it's just much safer for us all to be apart, but we're still unified in hearts. And we have all come together to gather together all around this County from every corner to lift the love and light of Jesus. And so Lord, we just welcome your presence in every home. Every household watching just are inviting your love just to fill the space. So find a comfortable spot to join into worship with us. Maybe you want to grab a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite blankets, but just gather your family and friends around whoever you're able to be with today. 0 (41s): And let's get to that place where we're going to worship together. Would you pray with me as we begin our time? Thank you, Lord. Thank you. That you came, that you chose to enter this world citizen, a helpless baby, that you would understand what it's like to stub your toe and skin your knee. That's you're not just a far away God, but you came to walk among us to know sorrow and grief and pain and suffering. You understand us so intimately and intricately. We just pray that your presence would be felt by everyone who's tuned in either live in this moment or later watching the replay. 0 (1m 27s): That's your beyond space and time that you are everywhere Lord. And so we just welcome your presence just to come right now. Emmanuelle wonderful counselor, almighty God and Prince of peace. Would you reveal more of yourself to us this night, just as you came in that stable in that plan and you change the world forever. Thank you. So let joy bubble up in our hearts tonight. As we celebrate the birth of our King and we declare joy to the world tonight for the Lord is come . 0 (5m 47s): Amen. Thank you. Thank you that you came, what a gift we come to adore you tonight. Jesus, just to lay all of our burdens at your feet, Jesus, to say that we have need of you. So we bring our hearts. Every anxious thought, every care and concern. There's nothing that's ever out of your sight. Ooh, 1 (12m 42s): Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. Hey, thank you so much for inviting us into your home. This Christmas Eve 2020, this is not how we intended to have Church today, but this is how we are having Church today in your homes live fed live-streamed and we're so grateful for this opportunity. And we're praying that as we have made this choice, that everybody around us stays healthier for the balance of this year. And S and beyond that, it has been our tradition. It has become our tradition to read a Christmas story, a children's Christmas story every every year. 1 (13m 25s): And so we have a great Christmas story this year, and then I will be sharing a 20 minute message or so also following that, and, and then we'll sing some more songs and then we will just to continue to enjoy the holiday season. So I want to take a moment and pray before we get into the reading. And then we'll read the story and hear a brief message. So shall we bow our heads in prayer? Lord, thank you so much for your amazing grace. Jesus. We are so thankful that you were born into this earth into this world so that we might know you so that we might be known by you. 1 (14m 7s): So God, I pray that every person would have an encounter with you and a personal encounter with you. That would be life altering God, that you would reveal yourself to people that you would work in people's lives and that you would change lives. That's our prayer. That's our desire for, from you today, Lord God. And so as we celebrate your birth, be glorified, thank you for this time in Jesus name a men to the story towards the evening of Christmas towards the evening of Christmas. When all through the town, every end was so crowded, no room could be found tired. 1 (14m 50s): Mary and who went door to door at last found a place on a small stable floor. Thank goodness said Mary who tiptoed inside the mice, saw the donkey and scurried to hide the rest of the creatures. All cuddled up tight in hopes that they might have a calm, peaceful night. The pigeons were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of breadcrumbs danced around in their heads. The cows closed their eyes and the oxen laid down the doves cued. So gently, the lambs made no sound. 1 (15m 33s): The moon through the trees was just starting to glow with a glimmer of light on the stable below. When quite by surprise came in newborn baby cry that woke all the animals sleeping nearby up, jumped the cows and the oxen and sheep up popped. The pigeons are roused from their sleep. They all came to gaze at the small baby boy as his mama and Papa hugged him with joy. Now, donkeys. Now cows now pigeons and sheep. Now oxen and mice in the manger did peep his eyes. How they twinkled his dimples so sweet as they nuzzled his fingers in cute little feet and out in the fields, taking care of their sheep. 1 (16m 25s): Some shepherds were just getting ready to sleep. When all of a sudden they had such a fright as a whole choir of angels lit up the nights. But the song of the angels, the words that they said soon, let them men know they had nothing to dread. Dear shepherds. It's wonderful news that we bring as savior is born. He is Jesus. The King. They ran to the stable and peek through the door and saw something never imagined before they're in a manger. A baby boy, lay no blankets, no pillow. 1 (17m 7s): His bed made of hay. And to that small stable came three splendid Kings with gifts for the baby, all beautiful things. They jumped from their camels and knelt at his feet with their frankincense golden murder that smelled sweets, the stable was filled with a wonderful light as stars above Bethlehem. Twinkled so bright and high in the heavens. God whispered my son. You'll bring hope to the world and love everyone. Then back to their slumbers. 1 (17m 48s): The animals curled amazed at this babe, who had entered their world as Mary and Joseph got ready for bed. They snuggled their baby and kissed his 2 (17m 58s): Sweet head is married late. 1 (18m 2s): He's asleep in the Hey. She, she thought about all that had happened that day. The mice heard her whisper as she tucked him in time. 2 (18m 11s): Night's Merry Christmas, my son, and to all a good nights. What a great story. It was the evening of Christmas. 1 (18m 26s): That's what we're celebrating. We're celebrating Christmas Eve, the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus, 2 (18m 30s): Jesus Christ. But before 1 (18m 33s): Or in keeping with tradition, a joke, a joke. It's Christmas Eve, it's Christmas Eve and Amanda's out shopping and he realizes he's going to be late. So he calls his wife and says, babe, I'm out shopping, doing some last minute shopping. So I'm going to be home a little late. And she out of curiosity asked the question, well, where are you shopping? And he said, well, you know, you remember that, that, that jewelry store where we saw those beautiful diamond stud earrings that you appreciated so much, she said, yes. I remember. I remember he said, well, I'll be at the hardware store. Next door, Silly Christmas jokes. But they are a part of the tradition around here. 1 (19m 14s): We've titled the message today. Fear not Jesus brings hope to the world that will be in Luke chapter two verses eight through 14 today. And this is what it says in Luke chapter two, verses eight and nine. It says, and in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were filled with great 2 (19m 42s): Fear. Imagine, I mean, this is a common reaction 1 (19m 48s): When an angel of the Lord appears to people. There's great fear. There's great. Awe there's great honor. For example, when them in the old Testament, when bail him saw the angel of the Lord, he bowed down and fell 2 (20m 2s): Fall on his face. Great fear. Great honor. Great. All 1 (20m 10s): Samson's mother was visited by the angel of the Lord and she described the angel as awesome. Now we use that word a lot and we don't always use it appropriately. We use it for all kinds of different stuff, but the word awesome means extremely impressive. Daunting. It means overwhelming, inspiring, great admiration, apprehension, 2 (20m 34s): Or fear. 1 (20m 36s): This is the proper and expected response. When someone encounters a heavenly being, I mean the glory of the Lord shone around them. You can imagine, you can imagine. I imagine a great lights, a sense that someone powerful is present this night was like no other night they had 2 (20m 56s): Since. So a great fear 1 (21m 0s): When Samson's mother had a second encounter with the angel of the Lord, she and her husband fell on their faces to the ground. There was even fear that they might die from their encounter. There was fear that they might die because they encountered the angel of the 2 (21m 15s): Lord. When Mary, 1 (21m 17s): The mother of Jesus encountered the angel Gabriel, she was greatly troubled. She was troubled by his message 2 (21m 25s): And fearful. The angel told her do not be afraid. Mary, for you have found favor with God, do not be afraid. Mary, for you have found favor with 1 (21m 39s): God. It's a lot to take in for a teenage girl. Who's just found out. We're about to find out 2 (21m 45s): She's going to give birth to a baby. 1 (21m 49s): Good news. No matter who you are today, you have found favor with God, no matter who you are 2 (21m 54s): Today, you, you have found favor with God. I mean, think about it. In what ways did Mary find favor with God? Well, God revealed himself to Mary 1 (22m 8s): And then God worked in Mary's life. And then God changed Mary's life for the wonderful, 2 (22m 14s): Good. Okay. 1 (22m 17s): For every one of us, all of us, God wants to reveal himself. He wants to reveal himself to us. He wants to reveal 2 (22m 27s): To you specifically, God wants to reveal himself to you. He wants to work in your life and he watched it change your life for the wonderful, good. This 1 (22m 40s): Was certainly the experience of the shepherds. 2 (22m 43s): Back to Luke chapter two, 1 (22m 45s): Verse 10, it says in the angel said to them, to the shepherds 2 (22m 50s): Fear, not for behold, I bring you good news of great joy. That will be for all the people. 1 (23m 0s): God revealed himself to the shepherds. Through the angel. God worked in their life and God changed their life for the wonderful, good. They got a front row seats, 2 (23m 12s): The birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ, who is new life here in the earth. This year, 1 (23m 17s): Birds experience something other worldly it 2 (23m 21s): Edge in there. They're all their fear. They didn't know what to expect when the angel appeared and the message of the angel was this fear, not fear, nots, whatever the Lord wants to do in your life. His message to you is the same fear. Not fear. Not God wants to do something in your life. He wants to reveal himself to you. 1 (23m 51s): He wants to work in your life and he wants to change your life for the wonderful, good. 2 (23m 57s): And he wants to 1 (23m 57s): Comfort you with the truth that you've got nothing. Absolutely 2 (24m 1s): Nothing to fear. These aims 1 (24m 5s): That we've been talking about, their messengers of God's speaking for him, 2 (24m 10s): Their message is God's message. Fear. Not maybe you've 1 (24m 17s): Got some fear in you when you think 2 (24m 20s): About God, maybe it just makes you uncomfortable to think about God. God's message 1 (24m 26s): Is the same to you as it was to 2 (24m 28s): Mary. And as it was to the shepherds fear, not fear, not God 1 (24m 36s): Send an angel to tell of his plan, to send Jesus into the world, to be the savior of the world. This is the good news. Verse 10. The second part says, I bring you good news of great joy. 2 (24m 47s): That will be for all the people. So 1 (24m 50s): What is this good news that the angel 2 (24m 53s): Was talking about? What might possibly 1 (24m 55s): Bring great joy to all 2 (24m 57s): People? Well, it's the news of a savior. 1 (25m 0s): The news of a savior is the good news for all people. Verse 11 says for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ 2 (25m 9s): Waste. The Lord fear, not Jesus brings hope to the world because he loves you because he loves everyone. It is 1 (25m 23s): Because of his great love for us, that he willingly became our savior. We read about his great love in John three 2 (25m 30s): Verses 16 through 18, where it says for God, so loved the world that he gave. His only son that whoever 1 (25m 39s): Believes in him should not perish, but have 2 (25m 41s): Eternal life. 1 (25m 44s): 17 for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world. But in order that the world might be saved 2 (25m 52s): Through him. First 18, whoever believes 1 (25m 55s): He was in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only son 2 (26m 2s): Of God. The angel 1 (26m 6s): Gabriel is telling the shepherds 2 (26m 9s): What has happened. The savior has been born. That's what Christmas is all about every year. It says 1 (26m 17s): Declaration that the savior has been 2 (26m 20s): Born. We declared that to you tonight, 1 (26m 23s): Today, as we have this Service and stream it into your home or into your office or wherever it is that you may be watching, the savior has been born. Luke chapter two, verse 12 says this, and this will be assigned for you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling claws and lying in a manger and suddenly there with the angel. And, and suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on earth. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. I wonder how big a multitude is. Was it a hundred? Probably not. It wasn't a a thousand, probably not. 1 (27m 6s): It could have been tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands or millions. We don't know, but there was a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on earth. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. This is a profound moment in history, a profound moment in time when God out of his great love since his son, Jesus Christ into the earth so that we might know him and experience his love. Fear, nots, 3 (27m 39s): Jesus 1 (27m 40s): Brings hope to the world because he loves everyone. And because he has the ability, he has the ability to give peace to everyone. Jesus has the ability to give peace to everyone in the Greek. That word means peace between individuals 3 (27m 57s): Walls. 1 (28m 1s): God wants to bring peace between you and him. He desires to bring peace in your relationship to him, to the father, to God in James three 18, it says in those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. And Jesus is the ultimate peace maker. He came into the world as the savior to make peace between God and man, the reason for his birth, the reason for Christmas Jesus came to bring peace. And one of his names is the Prince of peace. 1 (28m 41s): Jesus is the Prince 3 (28m 43s): Of peace. 1 (28m 45s): Jesus Christ is the only reason. And the only way we can surely live peacefully with God, Jesus Christ is called the Prince of peace because he restores our broken relationship with God and provides the assurance of eternal life. Every one of us needs the Prince of peace. We need peace in our relationship with God. We need God to establish that miraculous work in our lives, 3 (29m 16s): The bird, 1 (29m 17s): Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes that piece possible. I found that real peace can only be experienced in Christ. It's not in stuff I've tried. I've tried finding peace by adding stuff to my life. All that stuff does is make me busy and feel responsible for all kinds of stuff. It's not in stuff. It's 2 (29m 42s): Not in romantic relationships. It's not in money, not in achievements, not in position or status. It's nothing external. It is found peace. Peace is found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Real peace is found in Christ alone. Luke two 14 says glory to God in the highest and on earth. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. That's a question who is God pleased with? What does that even mean? Well, apart from Christ, it's not possible for us to be pleasing to God, but in Christ are we are pleasing fear. 2 (30m 27s): Not Jesus brings hope to the world because he loves everyone. And because he has the ability to give peace to everyone and number three, because he makes it possible for us to please, God, Jesus makes it possible for us to please God, have you ever wondered in your life? How do I please, God, well, Jesus has done that on your behalf. And as we find our lives hidden in Christ, as we accept the grace and mercy and the love of his, of, of Jesus Christ, we find ourselves hidden in Christ and acceptable and pleasing to God. There is peace among those with whom he is pleased. 2 (31m 10s): So how does Jesus make it possible for us to please God? And why don't we please God, in the first place? Well, there's a great quote. I mean, there's a great questions. Well, there's a little word with big implications that the Bible talks about from the old Testament to the new Testament. And this word is sin, sin, sin. What is sin? Sin is anything that is displeasing to God. So there, this thing called sin that is interrupted our communion, our relationship with God, as soon as anything that is displeasing to God. And the Bible says that all of us have sinned, Romans three 23 in the Bible. 2 (31m 51s): It says for all, have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, all the sin and fall short of the glory of God. The penalty for that sin is death. Romans six 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Our Lord, this penalty is the whole reason Jesus came and died on the cross. It's the reason he was born. He lived, he was crucified and then ultimately resurrected from the dead Jesus was born so that he might die for me. Jesus was born so that he might die for you so that we might know a relationship with God and be pleasing to him. 2 (32m 37s): So how does Jesus make possible for us to please God? Well, Jesus died in my place and yours to pay the penalty for our sin. Have you ever had someone paid a debt for you? You own maybe a big debt and you had somebody to come along as a gift to you and just pay that off. I have. It's a, it's a liberating feeling to have that debt finally lifted. Have you ever had someone forgive a debt? Just say, you know what? That thing that you owed me, that money that you owed me, don't worry about it. And what a, what a great relief that is because debt can be a heavy burden to us as human beings. 2 (33m 18s): But when somebody pays that debt for us or when somebody forgives that debt, it's, it's a, it's an incredibly liberating experience. It's this is precisely what Jesus has done for us. And he's the only one who could do it. Jesus, the God man, fully God and fully man came to cancel that debt to forgive that debt, to pay that debt for us, what a relief it is to have that debt forgiven paid and eliminated. This is what he did. He died so that our sin debt might be forgiven and he has made it possible for us to have peace with God through those actions. 2 (34m 5s): This is the gospel and this is why we have nothing to fear. Fear, not Jesus brings hope to the world. And I, I don't. I want to say it this way. Jesus can bring hope to your world. Maybe your world is feeling very small right now. Maybe you've been hunkered down, quarantined, staying close to home, fearful, anxious, nervous, worried. Jesus can bring hope to your world wherever you are, wherever you are. 2 (34m 46s): Jesus wants to reveal himself to you. He loves you. He has the ability to give peace to your life in your circumstance, whatever it is that you're going through. And he makes it possible for you to please God, it's an amazing gift. Jesus, the person and work of Jesus. It's an amazing and profound gift. And I just want to say, I hope you and I hope in a fresh way that I, that together we experience God and that he works in our life and that he changes our life for the wonderful, good, let's take a moment and pray. 2 (35m 33s): And then we're going to sing some more songs and wrap up the Service here in just a few moments. Let's bow our heads. Lord, we thank you for this time for the opportunity to be encouraged through a wonderful children's story, a book that communicates your birth in such a creative way. Lord God. And we're thankful for the word of God that is eternal and has the power to change lives. Lord God, we're thankful that we have the opportunity to gather and to stream this message so that people's lives might be touched and minister to God. I pray that this Christmas season wonderful, wonderful, and profound things would take place in the lives of every person on the central coast and throughout the world. 2 (36m 20s): As people tune in and hear, hear the message. Fear, not fear, not Jesus brings hope to the world. Bring that hope. We pray. Thank you for this time. Lord in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Let's sing some songs. 0 (36m 40s): This would normally be the time where we would light a few candles. So maybe at home, if you have some candles, maybe find some candles and light them, maybe turn on your Christmas lights on the tree. But we do this as a symbol to remember that Jesus is the light of the world that he came into the darkness to be the light. And I love it. The whole world lights up at Christmas time. And so let's just celebrate him as we sing these songs together, the light of the world. 0 (37m 9s): one more time. 0 (46m 3s): Just start voices to celebrate the lanes. just rest in your peace. 0 (47m 19s): Thank you for being with us. I just pray that each family as they celebrate this year, that you would just be in our midst, that you would make a special year, even though it's a little different what'd you do surprise us with your presence, with your joy, your peace, your love, your hope in our hearts. We pray that your perfect love would just cast out all fear that we wouldn't have anything to be afraid of. So thank you for this time to worship together. May your love and light fill our hearts and homes this Christmas and always in Jesus name. Amen. 0 (47m 58s): Amen. Well, Merry Christmas, everyone. We hope you have a wonderful night and day tomorrow celebrating the birth of our King. We look forward to worshiping with you again soon on Sunday, have a wonderful night Merry Christmas.

A new MP3 sermon from The Bible Forum is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Christmas Is About Mary.....Not Jesus? Speaker: Warren Sprouse Broadcaster: The Bible Forum Event: TV Broadcast Date: 12/13/2020 Length: 9 min.

Pastor Arp “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth … and darkness was over the face of the deep … And God said ‘Let there be light ...” (Gen 1:1-3) But the creation was plunged back into darkness when humanity decided they could handle life by themselves without God. God did not abandon his creation, rather he entered into time and space to shine the light into the darkness. John came to bear witness: Ready or Not - Jesus comes as the Light of the world.

Pastor Tige “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth … and darkness was over the face of the deep … And God said ‘Let there be light ...” (Gen 1:1-3) But the creation was plunged back into darkness when humanity decided they could handle life by themselves without God. God did not abandon his creation, rather he entered into time and space to shine the light into the darkness. John came to bear witness: Ready or Not - Jesus comes as the Light of the world.

Sermon ManuscriptLast Sunday was IDOP… the international day of prayer for the persecuted church. According to Open Doors, an organization focused on the persecuted church, an estimated 260 million Christians live in areas of high persecution, today. That's about 1 in every 8 Christians in the world. In fact, persecution has been on the rise around the world in the last few years. It's up 6% from last year alone. 9500 church buildings or other Christian buildings were attacked or destroyed this year. 3700 Christians were arrested, sentenced, and imprisoned. 3000 Christians killed for their faith.That's not to mention the pressures and persecution from family members and friends when someone converts to Christianity. Our dear brother in Christ, here, from the Middle East. I won't mention his name because this is being recorded. You may not know this, but he was completely disowned by his family… because he professed faith in Christ. It's been almost 7 years ago now. The sadness of that loss weighs on his heart every day.We don't often experience persecution here, but it's something we shouldn't be surprised at if we boldly proclaim Jesus. Jesus promised that persecution would come. In Luke 21, which we read earlier, Jesus tells his disciples, “they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons,” And then Jesus said, “this will be your opportunity to bear witness.” In other words, “when this happens to you… don't wimp out, but instead boldly testify to your faith in me.”Jesus words in Luke 21… are being fulfilled right here in Acts chapter 4. This is the very first instance of persecution in the church. The first of many. They knew to expect it. They knew how Jesus called them to respond. And they, for sure, knew the potential consequences. Punishment and death. They had witnessed Jesus's torture and execution just 2 months earlier.As a quick reminder from last week. Peter and John, in Jesus power and name, had healed the disabled man by the temple gate. Many people rushed to see and hear about what had happened. Then Peter boldly proclaimed Christ… in his fulness. But as he spoke about Jesus… he called his hearers out. You killed him, the author of life. Repent and turn to him, and he will blot out your sin. Well, we learn here that while Peter and John were still speaking… they were arrested, taken into custody for the night… and given an opportunity to defend themselves the next day.This morning, I want to first focus on the message. That is, Peter's defense. Then consider the 2 responses. The response of the Jewish leaders and the response of the apostle Peter and John.On the back of the hymn sheet, you'll see a brief outline.1.) How to believe in Christ Alone – that's the central claim in Peter's defense.2.) How to reject Christ Alone – that's what these religious leaders are really doing.3.) How to stand firm in Christ Alone – the model we're given of the disciplesHow to believe in Christ alone (Acts 4:12)The reason I want to begin with Peter's message is because it's what gives them passion and boldness. verse 12, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Christ alone is the only way to God, Is the only way to be saved.And, as you know, that is offensive to people today. It's out of style and misaligned with our pluralistic, our relativistic and individualistic society. Lots of people today believe there are many paths to God. That truth is in the eye of the beholder… it's relative.So to say that Christ is the only way to be saved. Not Islam nor Buddhism, not Hinduism nor Judaism. Nor even universalism… is to be labeled today as intolerant. Earlier this year, lifeway research did a study of what people believe about God and religion. They found that about 60% of Americans agree this statement: “religious belief is a matter of personal opinion and not about objective truth.” That's across everyone they surveyed. But for evangelical Christians, 32% agree with the same statement, that religious belief is a matter of personal opinion. That's about 1 in every 3 Christians.Well, I want to respond in a couple brief but hopefully helpful ways. You may be struggling with the question, “is Jesus the only savior?” or you may be confronted by someone who doesn't believe He is.As a first response, I would say that the Bible clearly teaches Christ alone. Acts 4:12 here is a clear statement that the apostle Peter believed in Christ alone. Jesus himself taught that he was the only way to God. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father, except through me.” The apostle Paul taught that there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ. Consider this: that if God had intended there to be multiple paths to him, why would he send His son to die. Before his death on the cross, Jesus prayed to God the father, “if there be any other way, yet not my will but yours be done.” In that prayer, Jesus acknowledged that salvation could only be accomplished through the cross. Consider that the disciples and followers of Jesus believed so strongly that Jesus was the only way to salvation… that they would do anything to proclaim this hope, even suffering persecution and death. Or consider the future that Jesus taught… that he would come again on the clouds of glory. And when he came, he would call those who believed to eternal life and those who didn't believe by faith in him to eternal punishment.Our last couple of Sunday school classes have focused on the protestant reformation. Just over a week ago was the anniversary to the reformation. Back in the 16th century, the reformers desired to return to the Scriptures… And one of the basic Biblical truths they taught is that salvation is by faith in Christ alone. Martin Luther said that Christ is the “center and circumference of the Bible.” Luther was the one whom God used to start the reformation. He believed, in other words, that who Jesus was and what he did on the cross is the focus of Scripture. In fact, Luther's very first catechism question asks “what is the Christian Faith?” Listen to his answer: “The Christian faith is the confession that Jesus Christ is the world's only Savior and Redeemer.” One of his Scripture references for that question is Acts 4:12 from our text.You see, the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, does in fact teach that Jesus is the only way to God, the only way to be reconciled to Him.A second response, though, is more of a philosophical response. The belief that “all religions lead to God” …although it may be popular, it has self-defeating inconsistencies. First, several religions claim to be the exclusive way to God. Besides Christianity, you would need to include Islam in that list. How can an all-inclusive claim, include exclusive claims? That's contradictory. Furthermore, the major world religions have competing irreconcilable differences. Hinduism rejects exclusivity, Budhism rejects sin and a personal God. Each has a different view of end times, incompatible ways of salvation… and Vastly different views of who God. Each of these reject each other's views.But even at a more fundamental level, to claim that truth is relative is a self-defeating truth claim. You can't logically say that there's no truth. That would invalidate your own statement. It's trying to make an absolute statement that there are no absolutes.I know there are several high school junior or seniors here. Some of you may decide to go to college. Depending on the school, it's possible you may have a professor that challenges your belief in Christ alone. In fact, maybe you have a teacher in Highschool that already does that. What do you say back to a teacher that says to you Christianity is intolerant? Well, you could turn the question around. How is your belief that Christianity is intolerant, not also intolerant? Or ask other questions. Whether he or she thinks that other religions are tolerant? And why? Or ask whether they think Jesus taught that other religions were a way to God? And then quote Jesus himself. You see, it's a very legitimate claim that Jesus is the only way to God. People may not like it, just like the religious leaders in our passage… but the Scriptures teach the uniqueness of Christ. And the belief in Christ alone comes with a consistent worldview dealing with meaning and morality, life and death, God and the universe, and a relationship with the personal and eternal God.We can confidently say with the Apostle Peter that there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. We've spent a significant amount of time on the heart of Peter's message and proposition in Christ alone… but let's turn our attention to the rest of the text. How to reject Christ alone (Acts 4:11)Stepping back, we see in these verses a great contrast of responses. On the one side, faithfulness and confidence, but on the other side, anger and I would say egotism, self-centeredness.First, look at this list of religious leaders. They were the who's who of Israel. The high priest, the Sadducees, the elders and rulers. You may recognize the name Caiaphas. He and these others were directly involved in Jesus persecution and handing him over to the Romans to be crucified. These religious leaders only cared about preserving their control and maintaining their prestige. They demonstrate that in their obstinate refusal to even consider anything about Jesus or his followers.Recently, one of the corrupt politicians in our country, who's now in prison, described his approach to politics: “admit nothing, deny everything, launch a counter attack.” That pretty much depicts these men in chapter 4. For them, it's not about searching for truth, it's not about listening. No, it's all about them, their arrogance, their position.The first thing they demonstrated was how to be arrogantly annoyed. These so-called religious leaders were greatly annoyed. Verse 2. Why? Because this large crowd had gathered. And the crowd wasn't focused on them. No, the crowd was focused on this good deed. This miracle. Focused on the man that was healed. Because of that, these religious leaders were threatened. They had absolutely no concern for the healed man. God had done this amazing miracle through the disciples. This man leaping for joy, praising God. But they didn't care. They held the power… and their reputation was more important than seeing what God had done. Peter even called them out on it... verse 9 “we are being examined today about a good deed.”They were employing the “admit nothing” approach. Their most obvious disregard was their disregard of the obvious. Here was the healed man, in their midst. Standing and whole. They had nothing to say, verse 14. They even acknowledge among themselves that the evidence was irrefutable. But they couldn't admit it. Because if they publicly admitted it, they would be acknowledging some truth to what happened… and truth to what Peter was preaching.Part of what they didn't want to believe or admit was the resurrection. Jesus resurrection. It was the main focus of Peter preaching. The Sadducees, who were there… they didn't even believe in any resurrections. Not Jesus… no future resurrection at the end times for anyone. And for the rest of them, acknowledging the resurrection would be acknowledging Jesus. So the claim that Jesus was resurrected… and that this man was healed was an outrage to them.They launched a counter-attack. That was another tactic. They arrested and put their opponents in jail… and that even included the healed man! He's there with Peter and John… in verse 14. Their hard hearts were impenetrable. In their pride, their anger, and their unbelief, they rejected Jesus. rejected his people, Rejected His resurrection, and rejected His work.We sometimes think that if we are just winsome enough, clear enough, that surely someone will listen and believe. No, it takes a miracle in someone's life for them to trust in Christ. It took a Gospel miracle in your life and my life.Well, the final thing they do is attempt to suppress the truth. These religious leaders couldn't keep Peter and John in jail because the people would revolt. So what did they do instead? They charged the disciples not to speak or teach about Jesus. They wanted to suppress the truth. This reminds me of Romans 1. Suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, even though the truth was plain to them.Now, before we get all prideful. I think you know, it's easy to point the finger and say, “look how bad they are”, especially in a chapter like this. They were bad, to be sure. But as we look at them, we should also in humility recognize our own sin …even the small ways that we deny things, care about our reputation more than God's… and how we tell little lies to get our way. But at the same time recognize God's grace… that despite our sin, God loves us, Jesus died for our sin… He was resurrected in power to give us hope and new life. May we not reject Christ alone but believe in Him alone for our salvation.How to stand firm in Christ alone (Acts 4:12)And that brings us next to this amazing testimony… standing firm on Christ alone. The disciples and the healed man. They're a model for us… a testimony of not just believing, but standing firm through opposition and persecution.Earlier we read Luke 21. And part of Jesus' message was this: persecution will give you and opportunity to testify about your faith. Not to shrink down, or get discouraged, but to instead stand up for Christ, to declare his promises and truth. Jesus had even said to them, I will give you the words to say. We see that here. Peter, it says, was filled with the Holy Spirit. And let me remind you of our study of Acts chapter 2. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the ongoing ministry of Christ. Jesus has poured out his Spirit. He is working. And part of our being filled with the Holy Spirit is being filled with His Word. The Scriptures. Knowing them, believing them. And God will use that knowledge in times of opposition… in order to respond with confidence in His truth.Peter displayed that confidence. He didn't back down. He called out their hypocrisy. He basically started out by saying… You arrested us because this man was healed. And as a matter of fact. The stone that you rejected, Jesus, has become the cornerstone. Jesus is the foundation. He's the rock upon which we stand. And you crucified him. And with that confidence, Peter boldly proclaimed the resurrected Christ. He declared what we've already considered, Christ Alone… there is no other name in heaven whereby we must be saved.It's easy to say what we would do if persecuted. But it would be much harder in the moment. What if you were jailed because of your faith in Jesus. What if you were threatened to be tortured or killed unless you denied your faith. Would you stand up for Christ alone?Let me go back to Martin Luther… at one point he was directly confronted by the church in Rome. The church leaders at that time had been corrupted by pride and power… just like the religious leader here in Acts 4.Well, Luther was called to the city of Worms, Germany, to defend himself. He got there and all of his writings were laid out on a table in front of him. In Luther's presence was the Holy Roman Emperor, countless princes and priests in their pompous regalia, and soldiers with their swords in hand. Luther was commanded to recant all his writings. He was to deny everything he believed… and to no longer speak against the church. Luther knew the consequences were grave if he stood firm. Likely death as many who had gone before him had endured. Several soldiers began to shout “into the fire with Luther”Yet, while surrounded by this religious and magisterial tribunal… Luther stood up and declared this: “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me! Amen.”In the moments following… he was whisked away by guards… and a couple days later, he was actually kidnapped… but not by the corrupt roman church, but by some friends in order to protected him. You see, Luther knew the Scriptures. He believed the promises of Christ alone. And he would likely have had Acts 4 in mind… because Luther was in a similar setting. Peter and John were commanded in verse 18 not to speak the name of Jesus. But their response was a model for Luther and is a model for us. They said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge…” verse 20, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” They could not… not speak the truth. And in this case God spared Peter and John's life, just as he did Luther's.There will be times when you are called to stand up for what you believe and know. You may be charged with exclusivism, with hate crimes, made fun of by your professors, rejected by your friends, disowned by your family. But God will be faithful to you, even unto death.ConclusionIn closing, we sometimes forget the bystanders who are watching and listening. As Peter proclaimed the risen Christ, and as Peter and John were carted off to jail, many heard and witnessed their boldness. Many came to faith. It says up in verse 4 that the number who believed was up to 5000 now. That's in a matter of days or weeks. Even though these religious leaders rejected Christ, so also many people heard the Gospel of Christ alone, they believed and were encouraged as the disciples testified to Jesus resurrection and lived out a life committed to him. Similarly, as Martin Luther stood firm in the face of persecution, teaching the Scriptures, not giving in to the religious hypocrites… so also would many come to see and believe the Scriptures that he so faithfully taught… turning to faith in Christ alone.May we believe that there is salvation in no one else… and even in persecution, may our boldness testify to the risen Christ. May many see and hear and believe in Christ alone.

Mark 1:16-17 NLT Jesus called out to Simon and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. I love the way Jesus worked because it’s so different from the way I would have gone about things. Jesus came up to the fishermen and immediately told them the work he wanted them to do. My approach, by way of contrast, would have been to spend some days chilling with Simon and Andrew getting to know them and building up a good relationship. And then after a few days in a calm moment I would have subtly suggested that if they didn’t mind it would be great if they could do some recruiting for me. Not Jesus. He calls them and immediately gives them a job! We learn something very important from this. It’s that following Jesus and recruiting others belong together. We all have different gifts, but all of us can contribute to inviting others to follow him. Inviting friends to a meeting, encouraging them to listen to Premier, giving them a booklet about Jesus, and telling them our own story. In 101 ways we can all play our part in helping others to meet Jesus for themselves. The most important way of encouraging people to follow Jesus is through the lives that we lead, and the example we set. I used to live in India and amongst the many people selling things in our local bus station was a man who sold toothpaste and who promised that if you bought his brand your teeth would be perfect and never let you down. The only problem was that this dear man didn’t have a single tooth in his head! He had the message but nothing to back it up. Let’s encourage people to follow Jesus and especially make sure that we’ve got a life which lives it out. QUESTION: In what way are you going to help people to follow Jesus today? PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for inviting us to follow you. Help us today to pass on that invitation to others. Amen.

Mark 1:16-17 NLT One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me” Jesus kept doing surprising things! Here we find him at the beginning of his ministry as he is doing the crucial job of recruiting followers. If it had been me I would have waited for Simon and Andrew to have a lunch break, or get to the end of the day, and suggest they might like to follow me. Not Jesus. Jesus comes to them when they are right in the middle of their busy working day. They are doing the demanding job of throwing their net into the water. They are eagerly preparing for their next catch. Presumably the worst possible time to be interrupted? But Jesus has more important work for them to do. “Come, follow me” he says, and that’s just what they did.Jesus comes to us right in the middle of our busy lives. Our immediate response might well be that it would be much better if he were to wait for the weekend or until we’ve got a week of holiday or until we’ve sorted out some of the problems we’ve got at the moment. But Jesus says to us, “No, now is the time to follow me.” I wonder what’s happening for you today? Let me tell you this. Nothing could possibly happen in this day that is more important than hearing the loving voice of Jesus as he invites you to follow him. Whether the day ahead looks really exciting or deeply boring, Jesus is calling you. Whether you are feeling fit and well, or tired and in pain, Jesus is calling you. Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years or you are hearing this for the first time, Jesus is calling you. QUESTION: What are you going to say when Jesus calls you to follow him today? PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you love us so much that you call us to follow you right in the middle of our busy lives. Help us today as we listen out for your voice and follow you, Amen.

With hats off today to C.S. Lewis, we conclude that Jesus is NOT a GOOD MAN. Even some of the participants in today's account get that message. A good man does not say He is LORD.If you say you are Lord, there are three logical conclusions. One of them is NOT "Jesus is a Good Man". We are past that already.You are a LUNATIC (you are NOT the Lord, and you THINK you are). this person deserves our pityYou are a LIAR (you are NOT the Lord and you KNOW you are NOT)this person deserves our scornYou are the Lord (You ARE the Lord and You Know you are)this Person deserves our allegiance, our belief, and our worshipI welcome you who are disturbed by Jesus' message. If you feel challenged, unseated, undone, crushed, elbowed in then you are a friend of mine. If you want to scream, "I don't LIKE the Bible!", then perhaps that is the drawing of God. I have prayed for you this morning. If you want to read more, pick up MERE CHRISTIANITY by C.S. Lewis, as I stole all of this from him. Listen to the One who CANNOT be (just) a Good Man.

The Mighty Decibel completes its eighth discography review podcast, focusing on the Godfathers of punk rock ... RAMONES.  From Ramones to Adios Amigos, all 13 (!) original studio albums are ravaged or lustily approved in this critical review ... with highlighted tracks to help set the record straight! D.U.M.B. everyone's accusing me! (3:55) "I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" - Ramones (6:59) "Pinhead" - Leave Home (10:29) "We're A Happy Family" - Rocket To Russia (14:22) "I'm Against It" - Road To Ruin (18:05) "I'm Affected" - End of the Century (21:58) "KKK Took My Baby Away" - Pleasant Dreams (25:56) "Psycho Therapy" - Subterranean Jungle (30:04) "Durango 95/Endless Vacation" - Too Tough To Die (33:44) "Love Kills" - Animal Boy (37:21) "I'm Not Jesus" - Halfway To Sanity (41:08) "Zero Zero UFO" - Brain Drain (45:01) "Strength To Endure" - Mondo Bizarro (49:02) "Life's A Gas" - Adios Amigos

We have been following Jesus’ journey to the cross. As we enter the climactic point in Mark’s Gospel, we have the story interrupted by a second Jesus. Not Jesus the Messiah, but Jesus Barabbas. In this interruption we see that Barabbas is also a story about us. A story about a costly exchange. A story about the release of of a guilty captive with a broken identity. The injustice endured by Jesus gives the opportunity for the forgiveness, freedom, and the chance to live up to his true name.

August 11, 2020 There’s a lot moving through us. This isn’t a movement for the world of art and creativity. We’re all experiencing mindsets and thoughts that instantly hit us then won’t checkout. They nag you like wild kids demanding chocolate. Your thoughts are unprepared for reality. Your way of thinking doesn’t always fit in but the goal is to still be heard. On this podcast episode the goal isn’t to push a thought out there and command a reader or listener to live by it. None of my stuff is designed for that. We’re just having a conversation. Swapping unpredictable experiences during a time when the pandemic is nothing compared to the uncertainty. I’m not afraid to ask questions and some of them hit me so hard that it weighs down the process of progress. Are we presently living in an age where it’s time to walk into a forest or garden and kneel? And in that moment of “Now” we take every gift shared with us through life and give it back. Most of us aren’t even using half the talent shared. We keep it! Give it back. I call it teaching forward. Your gifts in life. Teach them forward! So often the lessons we are pushing into the future are based on situations that are decades old or have been part of the family for three generations. The world doesn’t have room for that. Teach forward. Take what is in your “Now” and teach it forward. We’re all learning newer ways to survive. As unnatural as it feels is as beautiful as it looks in our hearts. No generation before us has been where we presently live. Don’t wait to teach it. Teach it forward. In giving your talent back it clears your heart and head. We’re going to need more room for what’s about to truly hit us. We’ve been stuck in a mode of watching movie trailers. The feature film is set to begin. The more weight you’re carrying the more likely you’re going to trip over ambition. The goal is to remain. Remain strong. Remain heard. Remain present. Remain. While walking at sunrise this morning a thought was handed to me. What would Jesus do? Not Jesus in the book! Jesus! In the present. No history lessons connected. Standing right here facing a wall of growing uncertainty. I know what we’ve been taught. It’s really easy to hit the verses. But stop. You know what you’ve gone through in the everyday you’ve been gifted. Out of all of those lessons do any of them serve as a tool during your place inside uncertainty? What would Jesus do? In every story you’ve read and or were preached about you know the outcome. But in that moment of Now before Peter took that step onto water. Before the physical activation of gaining the confidence. That’s where we stand in this pandemic, unrest, earthquakes, hurricanes and more. We knew what Jesus did after Peter lost his focus. In the moment of Now what would Jesus do? That’s where the real lesson begins. Not in the moments after they happen. Teach forward.

August 11, 2020 There’s a lot moving through us. This isn’t a movement for the world of art and creativity. We’re all experiencing mindsets and thoughts that instantly hit us then won’t checkout. They nag you like wild kids demanding chocolate. Your thoughts are unprepared for reality. Your way of thinking doesn’t always fit in but the goal is to still be heard. On this podcast episode the goal isn’t to push a thought out there and command a reader or listener to live by it. None of my stuff is designed for that. We’re just having a conversation. Swapping unpredictable experiences during a time when the pandemic is nothing compared to the uncertainty. I’m not afraid to ask questions and some of them hit me so hard that it weighs down the process of progress. Are we presently living in an age where it’s time to walk into a forest or garden and kneel? And in that moment of “Now” we take every gift shared with us through life and give it back. Most of us aren’t even using half the talent shared. We keep it! Give it back. I call it teaching forward. Your gifts in life. Teach them forward! So often the lessons we are pushing into the future are based on situations that are decades old or have been part of the family for three generations. The world doesn’t have room for that. Teach forward. Take what is in your “Now” and teach it forward. We’re all learning newer ways to survive. As unnatural as it feels is as beautiful as it looks in our hearts. No generation before us has been where we presently live. Don’t wait to teach it. Teach it forward. In giving your talent back it clears your heart and head. We’re going to need more room for what’s about to truly hit us. We’ve been stuck in a mode of watching movie trailers. The feature film is set to begin. The more weight you’re carrying the more likely you’re going to trip over ambition. The goal is to remain. Remain strong. Remain heard. Remain present. Remain. While walking at sunrise this morning a thought was handed to me. What would Jesus do? Not Jesus in the book! Jesus! In the present. No history lessons connected. Standing right here facing a wall of growing uncertainty. I know what we’ve been taught. It’s really easy to hit the verses. But stop. You know what you’ve gone through in the everyday you’ve been gifted. Out of all of those lessons do any of them serve as a tool during your place inside uncertainty? What would Jesus do? In every story you’ve read and or were preached about you know the outcome. But in that moment of Now before Peter took that step onto water. Before the physical activation of gaining the confidence. That’s where we stand in this pandemic, unrest, earthquakes, hurricanes and more. We knew what Jesus did after Peter lost his focus. In the moment of Now what would Jesus do? That’s where the real lesson begins. Not in the moments after they happen. Teach forward.

On Authority and Compassion, Worship and GratitudeOh, how I love listening to the Gospel of Luke.In this chapter, we begin with a healing and a resurrection with no reference to sin but rather a specific reference to 'unworthiness'.  If you are feeling 'unworthy' of God's blessing, learn a lesson from the Centurion.  God's Authority triumphs over a sense of unworthiness.THE CENTURION“Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!' and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!' and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it.”When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well. [End quote]This shows an understanding of the Authority of Christ and also of true worthiness for the religious elders regarded this Centurion as 'worthy' because he'd built the synagogue.THE WIDOW OF NAINI really love this.  No prayer.  No faith.  Just the unilateral compassion of God for a suffering woman who'd lost her son.  Read it and let your heart sing.Notice how Jesus sends a message to comfort John the Baptist, reflecting back what He'd preached from Isaiah 61:1-2.WORSHIP FROM A SINNER, AND GRATITUDEWhilst there is SO much to share from this chapter, space here is limited.  Let's highlight the worship of the woman who was a 'sinner'.  She washed Jesus feet with her tears, wiped His feet with her hair, and anointed his feet.  Notice it was the religious leader who brought up the issue of 'sin' NOT Jesus."Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”  Gratitude should flow from the hearts of those who, like us, know that we are forgiven much.GRATITUDEIf you find these podcasts helpful, you can help me reach more people.  The cost of the hosting has jumped up and there is a cost for production.  If you'd like to help offset those costs, you can send me some support via paypal.  paypal.me/lexmckee  Thank you!

Tara Reade called out Joe Biden in an exclusive interview with Megyn Kelly, of all people. Reade gladly volunteered to go under oath with her claims, but insists that Biden be the first to take a polygraph test. This just in: Obama is NOT Jesus, but he may have known the details of Michael Flynn’s wiretapped phone call. AG Barr suggests that the FBI tried to “trap” Flynn, and James Comey is to blame. At least San Antonio’s city council has its priorities "straight": It officially labeled the term “Chinese virus” as hate speech! And Joe Biden still can’t get the hang of technology. Right now when you join Patriot Mobile, they will waive your activation plus send you a free gift with the offer code NEWS. Get your customized family plan today, starting at just $25! Call 972-PATRIOT or go to https://patriotmobile.com/pages/news Take the Ruff Greens 14-Day JumpStart Challenge today for just $14.95 and see the difference in your dog in 14 days or less. If you want to see your dog thrive again, just go to https://www.ruffgreens.com/blaze Maybe you can’t give mom a hug, but you can send flowers from The Bouqs Co. Enter code NEWS for 25% off your entire order at https://bouqs.com/flowers/mothers-day?bcid=107588&utm_medium=radio%20&utm_source=adcology&utm_campaign=202004_radio_mothersday&utm_content=NEWS&spop=0&mcode=NEWS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Andrew asks what our childhood smelled like? We discuss brazing cast iron. Erick believes he is Not Jesus. Jimmy fixes a hole in a gas tank at 16 years old with washroom products. Thank you CC our trusted researcher! thank your watching please go to Apple Podcast and comment ! Watch this podcast here: https://youtu.be/487jTxi91Mc

Luke 12:13-21 "He's not being fair!" "Tell him to give me what he owes me!" For most of us, we'd be flattered that somebody trusted our judgement to settle a dispute. Not Jesus though. He took the conversation in an entirely different direction...  

Happy February! Today we are reading Genesis 33 - Jacob finally meets Esau face to face. Will there be blood? We are also reading Esther 9-10, though chapter 10 is one of the shorter chapters in the Bible. Romans 4 discusses the beautiful truth of justification by faith (and not works!), and normally that would almost certainly be our focus passage, but Mark 4 contains what I believe is the most important parable Jesus taught - the Parable of the Sower. Shoutouts: Dr. Og Keep: It was odd that Episode 28 was so controversial. The only part of it that left me confused was the part about Jesus bringing us concrete. Keith Heltsey: At the Life-truth.com Podcasting network. Joy in the Word: Consider whether you find yourself in this story: “She took her children to the park to break the monotony of summer days, and instead she broke her own heart. She watched her children run to the playground as another car drove into the parking lot. The car ground to a quick stop, and a young, vibrant woman with a beaming smile leaped out of the driver's seat and virtually skipped to a secluded table near an adjoining lake. The imagination of the mother watching began to race. Who could this young woman be meeting in such a secluded spot with so much enthusiasm. Was this a long awaited and carefully planned rendez-vous with an over-busy husband? A lunch date with a best friend, or a tryst between secret lovers? The mother determined to stay on the lookout for whoever got out of the next car. No one else came immediately, and the mother soon grew busy watching her children, breaking up fights, cleaning up skinned knees and such. When she finally did glance up again at the secluded woman, what the woman saw made her heart skip a beat. The woman was reading a Bible and praying. The person she had leapt from the car to meet with such enthusiasm was her Lord. The mother recognized with pain that penetrated her spirit that she no longer had that same enthusiasm. Once the excitement of her own relationship with God had overwhelmed her. Once the joy of her salvation had burned warm and bright, but now the fervor was gone. Faith had become a dreary duty; God had become a detached, frowning bystander. Something had happened over the years of her walk with the Lord. She didn't know exactly what it was, but she did know that she would not now skip to meet Him. She had lost something wonderful and she wept there in the park for her loss.  Bryan Chapell: Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That Is Our Strength I think most Christians under-appreciate, undervalue, and underestimate the power of the Word of God, myself included. One of the reasons why I'm doing a daily Word-focused podcast, and post about it most days on social media, is because I think that there is great power in God's Word. It's not like dynamite in that you can just casually toss it around, people hear it, and BOOM - they are transformed into mature followers of Jesus over night the Word of God is much more organic than that. One of the main ways that Jesus taught about the power and impact of the Word is by comparing it to a seed. A seed is small and not terribly dynamic at first impression, but it can grow into a tremendous organic living thing. When Jesus taught the disciples about the power and impact of the Word in His Parable of the Sower, they didn't get it at first, which prompted Him to say, " 13 Then he said to them: “Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables? " That one line says to me that the Parable of the Sower has within it a key to unlock all of the other parables. Let's read it! I heard the testimony of a preacher I admired at one time, and he said that he came to Jesus while smoking pot and  listening to a person saved for a mere 2 weeks preach to him. He said he read in the King James Version for a little while after that, and notes that he didn't hardly understand any of it, but he underlined a bunch of passages because he knew they were the words of eternal life. He followed Jesus by faith, even though his mind was hazy from the pot and his understanding was low; nevertheless, he was radically saved. The writer Donald Whitney tells the story of a man in KC that had just got saved and was hungry to know God in a deeper way. Shortly after salvation, he was severely injured in an explosion, whereby his face was disfigured, and he lost both hands. He was so discouraged that he couldn't read the Bible anymore. Then he heard of a woman in England who read braille with her lips. He tried it, but his lips were too dead. On an off chance, his tongue happened to brush the braille, and he found he could read with his tongue. As of the writing of the book, the man had read the entire Bible through 4 times! That's passion. That's understanding the power of the Word.  Since this podcast is an ongoing concern, and since we will encounter the Parable of the Sower SIX times over the next year, and since this parable in particular is incredibly deep and meaningful - we won't be able to plunge its depths today. However, we can gain at least a few powerful nuggets of truth that will be worth our time: “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more  25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” Mark 4:24-25 Listening to and absorbing the Word is critical here. The deeper it goes – the more you listen, meditate, absorb – the greater the work of the Kingdom in your life. The shallower it goes, the less. With the measure you use to receive the Word, that will be the measure of the power, transformation, encouragement and fruitfulness of the Word in your life! Think of it this way. When you come to the Word, you can bring a small cup, and hear only a bit, or you can bring a giant barrel and get TONS of it. There is a direct correlation to the amount of fruitfulness in your life and your getting – hearing of the Word of God. So then - the person that might look at a Verse of the Day app four times a week will be receiving an intake of the Word, but only a tiny, tiny amount - almost certainly not enough to live on. The person who changes her schedule and priorities to make time for the Word of God - for real depth in the Word - that person will receive from that an abundance! One caution: Be sure you are listening to the Word of God. A preacher's opinion, a pastor's sermon mostly devoid of Scripture, a best-selling book that tells you to wash your face and mentions God a little bit but is mostly devoid of God's Word, a Sprinkle of Jesus and Jesus Calling - these are NOT the Word of God. Just because somebody talks about God does not mean that they are bringing the Word of God. The message of pastors and preachers must be soaked in God's Word, based on God's Word, completely agree with God's Word and be filled with God's Word to be of any use and power to you - otherwise you are just getting opinion. Jesus Calling, the bestselling 'devotional' book, is not God's Word, but rather the words of a modern writer who somehow claims to be speaking for God. A Sprinkle of Jesus is not the words of Jesus, but a counterfeit meant to give you a shiver and a comforting feeling, but contains 0% The Word of God! It would be like having a deficiency of Vitamin C and taking an orange candy to correct that deficiency, but the candy is completely devoid of any vitamins whatsoever, even though it is the right color and shape. Beware imitations. Imagine writing to your favorite sports star or celebrity and asking for an autograph. In most cases that celebrity never reads your request, and what you get back in return is a glossy picture with a facsimile autograph on it done by machine, or by an assistant. There is no value in it, because the person you are interested in hasn't interacted with you in the least - their assistant has (or their assistant's assistant!). Can we receive good things from modern preachers, pastors and writers? I believe so, and I am myself a modern preacher, pastor and writer! The danger comes when I (or anybody else) try to pass off my words as the Word of God, or my opinion as God's opinion. I don't speak for God, and my words of teaching (and my books, and this podcast...) are only valuable when they adhere to God's Word and are founded on God's Word and point you to God's Word. My opinion is worth about what it costs you, which is nothing. It is worth much less than that - and becomes a danger to your soul - when I try to frame my opinion as the actual Words of God. It is a dangerous and brazen thing for a writer or teacher to take their words and speak/write them as if they are the Words of God. “Because I am your constant Companion, there should be a lightness to your step that is observable to others." Sarah Young, Jesus Calling You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” Jesus, John 16:33 Notice the difference between these two quotes! Jesus never calls His followers to something quite so superficial as a 'lightness in their step,' because the Bible is much more realistic and grounded than that. Consider these two quotes below from 'Sprinkle of Jesus' Does this sound like the Jesus of the Bible? Not Jesus! CERTAINLY not Jesus! This kind of thing is much more akin to Buddhism than the teachings of Jesus. Imagine texting the one you love, or a special friend. Imagine that their assistant, or secretary, or even a virtual assistant that is a thousand miles away from them answers you, and tells you something sweet and lovely that they (the secretary/assistant) made up themselves. That's nice and everything, but you haven't actually heard from the person you love, but from a substitute. There are no substitutes for God's Word, so let us be about the business of reading, studying and following it!

Happy February! Today we are reading Genesis 33 - Jacob finally meets Esau face to face. Will there be blood? We are also reading Esther 9-10, though chapter 10 is one of the shorter chapters in the Bible. Romans 4 discusses the beautiful truth of justification by faith (and not works!), and normally that would almost certainly be our focus passage, but Mark 4 contains what I believe is the most important parable Jesus taught - the Parable of the Sower. Shoutouts: Dr. Og Keep: It was odd that Episode 28 was so controversial. The only part of it that left me confused was the part about Jesus bringing us concrete. Keith Heltsey: At the Life-truth.com Podcasting network. Joy in the Word: Consider whether you find yourself in this story: “She took her children to the park to break the monotony of summer days, and instead she broke her own heart. She watched her children run to the playground as another car drove into the parking lot. The car ground to a quick stop, and a young, vibrant woman with a beaming smile leaped out of the driver's seat and virtually skipped to a secluded table near an adjoining lake. The imagination of the mother watching began to race. Who could this young woman be meeting in such a secluded spot with so much enthusiasm. Was this a long awaited and carefully planned rendez-vous with an over-busy husband? A lunch date with a best friend, or a tryst between secret lovers? The mother determined to stay on the lookout for whoever got out of the next car. No one else came immediately, and the mother soon grew busy watching her children, breaking up fights, cleaning up skinned knees and such. When she finally did glance up again at the secluded woman, what the woman saw made her heart skip a beat. The woman was reading a Bible and praying. The person she had leapt from the car to meet with such enthusiasm was her Lord. The mother recognized with pain that penetrated her spirit that she no longer had that same enthusiasm. Once the excitement of her own relationship with God had overwhelmed her. Once the joy of her salvation had burned warm and bright, but now the fervor was gone. Faith had become a dreary duty; God had become a detached, frowning bystander. Something had happened over the years of her walk with the Lord. She didn't know exactly what it was, but she did know that she would not now skip to meet Him. She had lost something wonderful and she wept there in the park for her loss.  Bryan Chapell: Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That Is Our Strength I think most Christians under-appreciate, undervalue, and underestimate the power of the Word of God, myself included. One of the reasons why I'm doing a daily Word-focused podcast, and post about it most days on social media, is because I think that there is great power in God's Word. It's not like dynamite in that you can just casually toss it around, people hear it, and BOOM - they are transformed into mature followers of Jesus over night the Word of God is much more organic than that. One of the main ways that Jesus taught about the power and impact of the Word is by comparing it to a seed. A seed is small and not terribly dynamic at first impression, but it can grow into a tremendous organic living thing. When Jesus taught the disciples about the power and impact of the Word in His Parable of the Sower, they didn't get it at first, which prompted Him to say, " 13 Then he said to them: “Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables? " That one line says to me that the Parable of the Sower has within it a key to unlock all of the other parables. Let's read it! I heard the testimony of a preacher I admired at one time, and he said that he came to Jesus while smoking pot and  listening to a person saved for a mere 2 weeks preach to him. He said he read in the King James Version for a little while after that, and notes that he didn't hardly understand any of it, but he underlined a bunch of passages because he knew they were the words of eternal life. He followed Jesus by faith, even though his mind was hazy from the pot and his understanding was low; nevertheless, he was radically saved. The writer Donald Whitney tells the story of a man in KC that had just got saved and was hungry to know God in a deeper way. Shortly after salvation, he was severely injured in an explosion, whereby his face was disfigured, and he lost both hands. He was so discouraged that he couldn't read the Bible anymore. Then he heard of a woman in England who read braille with her lips. He tried it, but his lips were too dead. On an off chance, his tongue happened to brush the braille, and he found he could read with his tongue. As of the writing of the book, the man had read the entire Bible through 4 times! That's passion. That's understanding the power of the Word.  Since this podcast is an ongoing concern, and since we will encounter the Parable of the Sower SIX times over the next year, and since this parable in particular is incredibly deep and meaningful - we won't be able to plunge its depths today. However, we can gain at least a few powerful nuggets of truth that will be worth our time: “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more  25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” Mark 4:24-25 Listening to and absorbing the Word is critical here. The deeper it goes – the more you listen, meditate, absorb – the greater the work of the Kingdom in your life. The shallower it goes, the less. With the measure you use to receive the Word, that will be the measure of the power, transformation, encouragement and fruitfulness of the Word in your life! Think of it this way. When you come to the Word, you can bring a small cup, and hear only a bit, or you can bring a giant barrel and get TONS of it. There is a direct correlation to the amount of fruitfulness in your life and your getting – hearing of the Word of God. So then - the person that might look at a Verse of the Day app four times a week will be receiving an intake of the Word, but only a tiny, tiny amount - almost certainly not enough to live on. The person who changes her schedule and priorities to make time for the Word of God - for real depth in the Word - that person will receive from that an abundance! One caution: Be sure you are listening to the Word of God. A preacher's opinion, a pastor's sermon mostly devoid of Scripture, a best-selling book that tells you to wash your face and mentions God a little bit but is mostly devoid of God's Word, a Sprinkle of Jesus and Jesus Calling - these are NOT the Word of God. Just because somebody talks about God does not mean that they are bringing the Word of God. The message of pastors and preachers must be soaked in God's Word, based on God's Word, completely agree with God's Word and be filled with God's Word to be of any use and power to you - otherwise you are just getting opinion. Jesus Calling, the bestselling 'devotional' book, is not God's Word, but rather the words of a modern writer who somehow claims to be speaking for God. A Sprinkle of Jesus is not the words of Jesus, but a counterfeit meant to give you a shiver and a comforting feeling, but contains 0% The Word of God! It would be like having a deficiency of Vitamin C and taking an orange candy to correct that deficiency, but the candy is completely devoid of any vitamins whatsoever, even though it is the right color and shape. Beware imitations. Imagine writing to your favorite sports star or celebrity and asking for an autograph. In most cases that celebrity never reads your request, and what you get back in return is a glossy picture with a facsimile autograph on it done by machine, or by an assistant. There is no value in it, because the person you are interested in hasn't interacted with you in the least - their assistant has (or their assistant's assistant!). Can we receive good things from modern preachers, pastors and writers? I believe so, and I am myself a modern preacher, pastor and writer! The danger comes when I (or anybody else) try to pass off my words as the Word of God, or my opinion as God's opinion. I don't speak for God, and my words of teaching (and my books, and this podcast...) are only valuable when they adhere to God's Word and are founded on God's Word and point you to God's Word. My opinion is worth about what it costs you, which is nothing. It is worth much less than that - and becomes a danger to your soul - when I try to frame my opinion as the actual Words of God. It is a dangerous and brazen thing for a writer or teacher to take their words and speak/write them as if they are the Words of God. “Because I am your constant Companion, there should be a lightness to your step that is observable to others." Sarah Young, Jesus Calling You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” Jesus, John 16:33 Notice the difference between these two quotes! Jesus never calls His followers to something quite so superficial as a 'lightness in their step,' because the Bible is much more realistic and grounded than that. Consider these two quotes below from 'Sprinkle of Jesus' Does this sound like the Jesus of the Bible? Not Jesus! CERTAINLY not Jesus! This kind of thing is much more akin to Buddhism than the teachings of Jesus. Imagine texting the one you love, or a special friend. Imagine that their assistant, or secretary, or even a virtual assistant that is a thousand miles away from them answers you, and tells you something sweet and lovely that they (the secretary/assistant) made up themselves. That's nice and everything, but you haven't actually heard from the person you love, but from a substitute. There are no substitutes for God's Word, so let us be about the business of reading, studying and following it!

This Episode discusses in some detail the fact that the true name of the Creator is Yah the Eternally Self Existing or Yah most accurately and NOT God or The LORD.And that the name of the prophet from Nazareth is Yahooshua and NOT Jesus.Relationship with Creator Radio Show is broadcast live at Friday at 2PM ET on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). This podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com).

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:1-18, ESV This is the word of the Lord that is given to us in love this morning for our consideration and hearing through faith. I hope as you've had Thanksgiving week, that in the midst of feasting and football and I'm informed that some people like to shop on this weekend. I hope that in the midst of everything that was happening you had a chance to reflect on what you are thankful for in life. When we think of things that we are thankful for, maybe you were caught on the spot at Thanksgiving dinner. You hadn't given it a whole lot of thought and the immediate things that pop to mind sometimes aren't the biggest things we are thankful for. I have a son who if you ask him what he is thankful for, or at every chance to pray, he prays to thank God for the noodles he has eaten either on that day or on another day. Invariably he thinks about the most recent noodles he's eaten and those are the things that he is most thankful for off the top of his head. Sometimes we too think about the most fleeting pleasures in life; I'm glad I'm happy, I'm glad that things are going well for me right now. Perhaps if you had time to reflect, maybe if you gave some thought about how truly blessed we are in this life. I hope that you came to the realization that what we should be thankful for are not these temporary, fleeting, noodle like things, these gifts in life. As good as noodles are, and I'm a big noodle person myself, I hope that we remember that our true joy is only found in what is lasting. What lasts beyond one meal, one day, or one week or even one lifetime into eternity. The more that we look at short term joys in the face, sometimes we can realize that short term joys can diminish and hinder what stands out and is offered in the gospel as our long-term joys. Some of the things that we are most immediately thankful for, if we give our lives to those things will cause us to hinder ourselves from receiving the fullness of joy that God wants to give us, not only in this life but in the life to come. This is, in fact, the principle that Paul wants us to see in 1 Corinthians 9:15-18. I'm not going to say too much, I want this passage to unfold and explain itself as we go. Paul is writing very tightly. This is one of those passages whereas we are following his twists and turns, we have to pay very close attention and slow down. I want to just start with the big idea and then we will work our way through this text in verses fifteen through eighteen. Our big idea today is this, It is better to be deprived of our rights than of Christ's rewards. The rights that we have, the things that we insist upon, this is my right, I know my rights. Those things, while they seem in the moment to be important, perhaps we are thankful that we have our rights. Paul sees those as short term, short lived, thin blessings for which perhaps we should be thankful for to some degree. If we insist upon those short-term rights, we are in danger of losing out on the long-term eternal reward that Jesus Christ offers to us. Let's get into what Paul is talking about as he lays this out. We are going to see three points this morning. 1. The Relinquishing of Our Rights 2. The Requirement to Preach the Gospel 3. The Rewards from Preaching Freely The Relinquishing of Our Rights This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to us about why we would want to relinquish our rights. However, Paul has something to say to us in verse fifteen. Now before we get into verse fifteen, I know that I read through the first fourteen verses of this chapter, but just a quick recap. Paul, in the first fourteen verses of this chapter, made an extensive and complicated argument where he was on the one hand trying to defend his rights as an apostle, but on the other hand he wasn't trying to make use of those rights. Which rights was he defending? In verses four and eleven through twelve he defended his right to be supported financially because of his work as an apostle. In verse five he defended his right to take along a believing wife as an apostle. Then in verse six he declared his right to refrain from working bi-vocationally, or at another trade to support his own needs rather than being supported financially from his work as an apostle. Those are the rights that he is talking about and he defends those rights on two levels. The first grounds he defends them on is that he is arguing from similar situations. He says look around at the world, you know this to be true. No solider, verse seven, serves at his own expense. No vineyard worker is denied some of the fruit. No one who tends the flock is denied from partaking of the milk. Then in verse thirteen, no temple worker is denied taking part in some of the sacrifices. Additionally, and more persuasively, Paul argued from scripture. In verses eight through ten he cited the law of Moses. That law about not muzzling an ox. He says that the law is not for oxen to read, but for us to read. This is for us to read so that we recognize that God cares about taking care of people. Also, in verse fourteen, Paul alluded to the words of the Lord Jesus, who insisted that the laborer is worth his wages. Now in verse fifteen Paul wants to make sure we don't in the least misunderstand his motives for saying all of this. So, he refers to the past, the present and to the future. To absolutely deny any desire for him to make use of these rights that he has just been defending in this passage. First Paul talks about the past, what he has done up to this point. In verse fifteen he says, 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 1 Corinthians 1:15, ESV Paul, as we remember worked with his hands while he was in Corinth. In Acts 18:3 he made tents and sold those tents to support his own basic needs. As Paul mentioned earlier at the end of verse twelve, he said that he didn't make use of his right but rather he endured anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of Jesus Christ. Paul perceived that preaching in exchange for payment while he was in Corinth would put up a barrier that would hinder the advance of the gospel. Perhaps we get a sense of what Paul was concerned about in the next letter to the Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 2:17 where Paul wrote, 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17, ESV He says I'm not doing this because I just want to sell you something. I'm doing this because I have a commission from God himself to speak in Christ before you. Because of this, while he was in Corinth, he willing relinquished his rights. Paul then goes on in verse fifteen that even now, in the present he's still not trying to make use of these rights, “nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision.” I mentioned this last week, but maybe you've seen this happen, but the person who feels that he needs a raise at his job, he takes some time and realizes he may only have one shot to plead his case before his boss. So, he writes down all the arguments, thinks about all the things he's contributed to the company. He rehearses it in front of his wife and preparing all of this so that when he goes in before his boss, he hopefully gets the raise. Paul is saying, that's not why I made this argument. It's not because I want something now. I still don't want a raise in the work that I'm doing. Then Paul goes on, and this is the most intriguing, at the end of verse fifteen Paul says, not only in the past, not only right now, but not ever in the future will I ever want to make use of these rights. Paul says that I would rather die, that is so strong, than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. This is strong, but it's actually stronger in the original Greek. What our English translations smooths over is that Paul starts one sentence, breaks it off and then actually starts another sentence. He's saying I would rather die than! No one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! They are two different sentences; they don't fit together grammatically. You can see Paul just sort of dictating this, then he stops himself in saying I can't say that. So, he goes on and says no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting. Why is he so adamant about this? Why is this so important to him? Paul isn't only evaluating what he might gain. Of course, there's something to gain. He could ask and the Corinthians would probably support him financially. He's not only looking at what he might gain from these rights. He's also evaluating what he might lose. Specifically, he's evaluating that he might lose his ground for boasting. We might look at that and say, Paul Christians don't boast. Paul has actually said the same think earlier in the same letter. Look at 1 Corinthians 1:28-31 where Paul already talked about boasting, or your translation may say glorying. 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:28-31, ESV If you are boasting in your strengths, in your wisdom, in yourself, that's the boasting that God entirely excludes in his presence. Then Paul goes on to talk about a good boasting. What Paul is saying here is that there is certainly a bad boasting, but there is a good kind of boasting. There's a kind of boasting that God delights in. Paul isn't directly quoting this passage, but he is alluding to it, it's from Jeremiah 9:23-24. 23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV The Lord delights not when we stand up in front of him and puff our chests up and say aren't, I amazing Lord? Rather the Lord delights in what we have been doing this morning; with worshiping him and boasting in his wisdom, power strength and might. Our boast is not in us, it's not in the ministries that we perform. Our boasting is that while we were weak and sinful, while we were dead in our sins and trespasses that God loved us so much that the creator of heaven and earth, who could send us righteously to hell for all eternity, because we deserve it. Instead he sent his only son into this world to suffer hell on the cross for us. That's something to boast in. Not in us, but in the wisdom and the power and the strength of God revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ and him crucified. Paul, in some way and he doesn't clarify it yet, we need to keep studying this passage, Paul insists that somehow, he would lose his ground for boasting in this if he took financial support. He's adamant that he doesn't want to relinquish this right because he would lose this ground for boasting. But what would he lose? It doesn't totally make sense. What does he mean by losing his ground for boasting? The Requirement to Preach the Gospel 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 1 Corinthians 1:16-17, ESV Paul is saying just because he preaches, there's nothing in that that gives him ground for boasting. Why is that? He goes on to explain a little bit more. What Paul means by “For necessity is laid upon me.” is something a little bit more than we mean when we say we feel this internal compulsion. He means that, but he means more than that. Think about the story of Paul. He wasn't just an ordinary guy who went to seminary and trained and then was called by a church to pastor a church. When Paul was called into the ministry do you remember what he was on his way to do? He was on the road to Damascus to persecute and murder more Christians. He wanted to arrest them to cast them into prison, and hopefully eventually according to his plans, they would be stoned to death. Instead what happened? He wasn't the arrestor, he was the one who was arrested by the one who was murdered by his people, by the Lord Jesus Christ who appeared to him and said, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” The Lord Jesus appeared to him, called him, stopped him from what he was doing and sent him as a directly commissioned apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Other normal ministers and pastors don't have that story. Paul is unique in this. Because he was commissioned directly by the crucified, resurrected, glorified Jesus Christ, he's saying I don't have a choice about this. This isn't me choosing a career path. I didn't take a personality test and get on a certain direction in life. Jesus called me to this, and I don't have a choice. I am the bondservant of Christ; necessity is laid upon me. At the beginning of this chapter Paul said, “Am I not free?” Now Paul is saying, as David Garland points out in his commentary, there is a sense in which Paul is not free. He is not free to not preach the gospel. Certainly, he might be free to eat meat, take a believing wife, these sorts of things. He is free in that sense, but he is not free not to preach the gospel. He is the slave of Christ who must do his master's bidding. He says more than this, he says, “For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Okay, necessity is laid upon me, but what if I don't, you might hear him ask. It's not even worth considering. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. Slaves were not permitted to refuse the command of their master. As one commentator points out, you might think about the parable of the talents from Matthew 25 when each of these slaves are given a talent, a weight of a precious metal or jewel. They were supposed to use and invest until the master returned. Two of them did that. One had five talents and invested it and gained five talents more. One had three talents and invested that and gained three talents more. The other one was given one talent and that person did nothing with it. It wasn't just that the master was not pleased, the master cursed him. At the end of it he said, “Cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This is how Paul understands his own position. If he disobeys the direct call, he has received from Christ he will be putting his soul in eternal danger. Woe to him if he does not preach the gospel. It's not like he could earn something by it. But if her refuses directly what the master commands him to do, what hope does he stand? Well if this is true, if necessity is laid upon him, woe to him if he doesn't preach the gospel, how could he boast about preaching? What is there to boast about? Paul goes on in verse seventeen to tell us a little bit more about what he means. Paul draws a distinction between willingly of his own will and preaching unwillingly. 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 1 Corinthians 1:17, ESV Now, we are going to need to figure out what that reward is. That's the critical issue in this passage. We need to look first at what Paul says in the second half of verse seventeen. Again, verse sixteen he is under necessity and would put his soul in jeopardy, but now in verse seventeen he tells us something else. Even if he doesn't want to do this, it doesn't matter at all. He has a stewardship. Paul as talked about himself as a steward in 1 Corinthians 4:1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians 4:1, ESV That word for servant, that is an idea of an under-rower. Someone who is in the lower gallies of a slave ship and you have one job, just keep rowing. That's all you can do; you have one call and you cannot do anything else. Woe to you if you don't row. The next thing that Paul says is that ministers are stewards of the mysteries of God. In those days they had slave who weren't just under-rowers, Paul says in terms of his ability to add input into what he was doing, he has the lowest level as a servant of Christ, but, he's also a steward. That is as an apostle he has some kind of managerial authority in the household. A steward was someone who had the keys to unlock the storehouses of provisions for the household. The steward was the one who could open the food and supplies and feed and provide for the household. If you were the steward you have a great responsibility not to just do your job, but also to make sure everyone else in the household could do their jobs. He's saying as a minister, as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I've been given the keys to the kingdom to open up the treasuries of the household of the kingdom of heaven, which are contained for us in the gospel of Jesus Christ and written down for us in God's very word. When I stand and preach in front of you, I have the stewardship. I must dispense to you the mysteries of God, written down in the word of God, which bears witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Even if I don't want this, I have this stewardship Paul says. This is why Paul can't boast about this. He was directly arrested and sent to a new commission by the Lord Jesus Christ. Woe to him if he doesn't do it. Even if he still doesn't want to do it, too bad. He has a stewardship that he is commanded to do. Paul said in verse seventeen, if he does this willingly there's a reward. What then is that reward? Paul seems to know that we are dying to learn what this reward is. The Rewards from Preaching Freely 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:1-18, ESV Cut to the chase Paul, you've been leading us around in circles, let us know what you mean by this reward. Then he tells us something cryptic. This is the reward that in my preaching I may present the gospel free of reward so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. What does this mean? How is this a reward not to be rewarded. How does this make sense? Notice here that when Paul is talking about his reward, he states that the reward from preaching is not something different from the preaching of the gospel. Rather it's something he gains directly by preaching. It's not that he's preaching to get something else, it's very different. The reward of preaching is the reward of preaching. The reward is what is called an intrinsic reward instead of an extrinsic reward. Have you heard of this distinction? If you help your sick grandmother while she is sick in bed, you probably feel good about it and that's an intrinsic reward. On the other hand, if your grandmother offered to pay you to visit and talk to her regularly, you wouldn't feel good about that. The word is icky, you would feel icky if your grandmother had to bribe you to visit and talk to her. That's an extrinsic reward. It's some reward that is added to the thing itself. Paul is saying I wouldn't feel good about this. There's an intrinsic reward, the reward I have is the preaching, not that by the preaching I get something else. The second observation that Paul is saying is if we see that preaching is the reward in itself, we have to ask why. We see that Paul's driving motivation is to do whatever it takes to see people come to believe the gospel. We will look at this more next week, but look at where Paul is going in verse nineteen, 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 1 Corinthians 9:19, ESV Then he goes on about how he tried to reach the Jews, and those under the law, and those outside of the law, and to reach the weak; how he tried to reach all these people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul's reward is the joy of seeing sinners saved and transformed by the gospel. His reward is the joy of seeing Jesus Christ glorified by more worshippers coming into the kingdom. Beyond that, and this is really what Paul probably means by the reward of serving willingly and of laying down his rights willingly, is that Paul recognizes that preaching at a financial sacrifice both models and reinforces the nature of the gospel itself. Think about this, who else sacrificed financially for the good of other people? It's the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul makes this very clear in 2 Corinthians 8:9, 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV When Paul takes a financial hit by relinquishing his rights to be supported by the gospel, he is showing those around him a picture of what Jesus Christ did. Now it isn't that Paul thinks that if I follow Jesus' example well enough, I can save myself, that's not what he means. He can't earn a thing. It's not possible to obey well enough. Nothing you could do could get you out of the hole of your sin. Your sin is so infinite and great before an infinitely holy God there is nothing you could do to get your way out of it. Instead Paul, who preaches the free forgiveness of what Jesus Christ uniquely did for us on our behalf that we couldn't do for ourselves and the gospel. Paul recognizes that to follow in the example of Jesus is not an attempt to earn something. It is not that we are saved by this, but that we are saved for this. These are the good works that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. We are saved by grave through faith alone, it's not by what we do but it's the gift of God through faith which God gives us as a gift. Then God has prepared these good works, the purpose for which we have been saved is to begin to resemble and look like Jesus by living self-sacrificially in love to see the gospel advance to others. This is why Paul's reward is in preaching freely. His reward is in the fact that he is boasting, glorying and experiencing joy by sacrificing himself for Christ in the way that Christ sacrificed himself for Paul. He's gaining here an opportunity to boast that this isn't about how important he is and how much salary he can command. This is about the good gospel of Jesus Christ. He has a chance to live that out in front of other people. Application What might we do with this? 1. Boast in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says he would rather die than to give up his ground for boasting. His ability to celebrate and rejoice in this great gift that God has given to him in calling him to be a preacher of the gospel. Remember that there is a good kind of boasting in which God delights. It's not about us, or our ministry, or our influence, but it's to boast exclusively in the wisdom and the power of God. Which was demonstrated in a way that doesn't make sense to our human minds, but demonstrated most fully in the bleeding and dying of the Lord Jesus Christ crucified. That's where you see the wisdom of God, that's the power of God. Not Jesus making a big deal of himself while in his earthly life and ministry, but Jesus' humbling himself in obedience to his father all the way to the cross. Why do you boast? What do you get excited about? What do you glory in? Is it because of your wisdom, might, riches, power, intelligence? Or do you boast because you know and understand the Lord. Understand what that means, it's easy to say that. Do you recognize how fall short you fall in practicing justice and righteousness? Do you boast in the goodness of those things in God alone, as revealed in Christ? Do you unreservedly boast about how you need to repent of your injustice, unrighteousness and you need to look to God alone for your salvation? Do you boast in your prayer praising the Lord for the fact that he has had mercy on you to make you conformed to the image of Christ? Do you boast not because you are good, but God through his mercy in Christ has rescued you from the pit and danger of hell because of your sin, but has instead counted you as a son or daughter of the most high God? Is that what you hope in? Boast in the Lord Jesus Christ. Boast in the staggering reality that the Son of God did not cling to his status as God but emptied himself so that you, by his poverty, might become rich. Boast in the fact that you could never have saved yourself, but that he has given you salvation freely by faith. Boast in the faith that God has saved you in his mercy and love even when you didn't want to follow Jesus. Boast in the sovereign free grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in you. Repent from you, repent from your rights, repent from these immediate short term things that on the surface seem good, but keep you from recognizing that you are a sinner in the sight of God and justly deserving his displeasure, but that God has provided Jesus Christ, the son of God and saver of sinners for you to be received by faith. 2. Live as willing bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now Paul here had a unique, unrepeatable commission. There is no other person who was called as an apostle like Paul was. Even the other apostles were called by Jesus, but not in the glorified, post-crucifixion, post- resurrection, post-ascension Jesus. That was something unique for Paul. Yet all of us share the status that Paul has as bondservants of Christ. Look back at 1 Corinthians 7:22, 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:22, ESV Where you called to Christ? Then you are his bondservant, his slave. All of us, while not being commanded to be an apostle like Paul was, all of us are commanded to be ready to make a defense of the hope that is in us according to 1 Peter 3:15. The question isn't whether we should be a witness to the Lord Jesus Christ, but how we do it. Do we do this willingly or unwillingly. If you do it unwillingly, that doesn't change in the least bit the obligation before God. It doesn't matter if you don't want to do it. As a parent, you see this all the time. Your children don't necessarily want to do what you asked them to do. That doesn't necessarily change the fact that they are going to do it. In my own heart, when I'm like a child and say, I don't want to do that, it doesn't change the requirement that God has laid upon me in his word by his Spirit to live according to the call that he has placed upon me. If you do it unwillingly it doesn't change a thing, but if you do it willingly there is hope for joy and the reward that God promises to give you. If you serve in order to merely discharge a duty, I've got to do this, it is a necessity laid upon me. Understand that you have forfeited your reward in the sense that you have forfeited your joy. The joy that you have is in serving Christ willingly in joy. But the thing that keeps us from serving Christ with joy is that we all have idolatries. We love, we desire, we worship, specifically our rights over Christ. We want what we think we deserve over what Christ promises to give by grace. Let me make a very specific application, brass tacks type of thing. Harvest has many areas in which we need more people to serve. We need more people volunteering for the nursery, more people who are able to step up for children's Sunday school, our college ministry, our international ministry, mercy ministries. We need people to serve in these areas. Some of you already serve in these areas, I'm not talking about you. Some of you are in all of these areas. Instead, I want to ask those of you who might not have found a place to serve yet, to think about what Paul has laid out here. I'm not going to stand here and guilt trip you, don't you know that you need to do this? That's not what Paul does here. Paul presents not law obligation; he puts gospel in front of us. Ask yourself, could you say with the same conviction of Paul that if you had ripped away from you your freedom, willingness and ability to serve the Lord Jesus Christ that you would rather die? You would rather just pack it up and move onto eternity if you couldn't serve Christ now? Is that everything to you? If not, the issue isn't about guilt. The question is how much joy are forfeiting? How much joy are you walking away from because you don't serve Jesus in the way that you are called to. Think about what Paul has laid out about the reward he hopes for and lives for. 3. Pursue Christ's rewards with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. We shouldn't shy away from this teaching about reward. This teaching is here in the Bible and we should give ourselves to the pursuit of rewards. We should long for these rewards. We should chase after them, do everything we can, stop at nothing to gain these rewards. Understand that we are not talking about earning something. A lot of time in this world when we think rewards, we think about something we earn. If I did a good job at my job this year, then I may have earned a reward in the form of a bonus check. That maybe the way that you are thinking as you go back to finish out the year strong as your boss is figuring out how much bonus to give to employees. We are not talking about that, this isn't merit. You aren't trying to prop yourself up in the sight of God, that's boasting in you and not in the Lord. Everything we have we gain by the grace and kindness of God. Yet the scriptures command us to seek Christ's rewards. These rewards are intrinsic. The reward is in the service itself. These rewards are also spiritual. They are intrinsic. It's not that we are seeking to gain something else by serving Christ. Rather the reward is Christ. When we say that you should pursue rewards, what we are saying is that you should pursue Christ. Here's the best illustration I can give to you. Think of the reward of a good marriage. If you do a good job at your marriage, is your greatest hope that your spouse will whip out the checkbook and write you a bonus check for what a great job you have done? That's what you call icky, that's not the kind of reward you want from a good marriage? What's the best reward of a good marriage? The greatest reward you can have in a good marriage is to become the eighty-year-old couple who wants nothing more than to stare into each other's eyes. That's the reward. The reward we are promised is Christ. This is like the rewards that we have in him. The goal isn't to seek how much stuff you can gain from Christ. There was a Babylon Bee article, that's a satire Christian website, this week about the woman who taught three-year-old class for fifty years is now a total baller in heaven. She now has all of this money, riches and wealth. If that's the reason you are teaching the three-year-old class for fifty years, to gain stuff in heaven, you are missing the point. The point is not to gain something other than Christ; the point is that as you serve Christ you gain Christ. Now when we get to heaven it's not that any of us are going to be unhappy. There was an 18th century American theologian, Jonathan Edwards, and he described it in the best explanation that I have heard, he said when we talk about varying degrees of rewards, rewards that we gain, rewards that we don't gain that we forfeit in this life. It's sort of different sizes of vessels or containers. In heaven, all of us who have trusted in Christ will be cast into an ocean of love. You will be filled with the love of God. But what you are doing here in this life is to seek by the grace of God to be fit. To be stretched out, expanded in your capacity to be filled eternally with the love of God in Christ. You will have more or less capacity in heaven. Do you want this reward? I should say, do you want intimacy with Christ? Do you want the love of God for you in Christ? Do you want more of it? Do you want more than anything else to gaze into the eyes of Jesus, bodily form? The glory of God in the face of Christ forever and ever? It's in comparison to this that Paul says, what are my rights in comparison with that? Why would I ever insist upon some small, dime a dozen, noodle level rights when Christ is offered? Why would you make that choice? It's better to be deprived of our rights than of Christ's reward. Pray that God would increase your love and desire for his rewards so that from the depths of your soul you willingly relinquish your craving to cling to your rights here on earth. Pray with me. Father, we ask that you would help us to love and serve Christ. That there would be nothing in this life or the next as intimacy with Christ. Father, that is the reward that we want, long for and seek more of. Father we pray that you would by the power of your Spirit, who applies to us the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, make us increasingly fit for the glory and goodness and love that we will be bathed in forever in eternity. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

Is Jesus Enough?Galatians: Set Free to Live FreeNovember 10, 2019   Arthur Schiff was an ingenious salesman and a businessman who ran his own marketing company for 23 years. He sold everything, and he sold it by the trainload: pots and pans, pantyhose, wrinkle cream, teeth whiteners, windshield wipers, scratch removers and weed whackers. There wasn’t anything that man couldn’t sell. Anyone who ever watched late-night television in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s knows Schiff's work, even if they don’t know his name. For more than 30 years, Schiff created more than 1,800 television infomercials with some very memorable catchphrases. His most famous originated in a commercial for the popular Ginsu knives:  “But wait, there’s more!”   TV pitchmen like Ron Popeil and Billy Mays have used Schiff’s famous exclamation since then to convince countless more consumers to buy products that they don’t really need. As our continuation of our study of Galatians, we see that the same thing was happening in the churches of Galatia. The legalistic Judaizers had been selling a sketchy bill of goods to these young-in-faith believers…insisting that their Jesus-only belief system could be enhanced by, or was in need of, "more." But Paul would not stand for their attempts to convince or confuse these young churches into compromising their by-grace-alone, through-Christ-alone, faith. His bottom line question for both the Gentile believers, and for us: Is Jesus enough? Not Jesus plus rules, not Jesus plus religious traditions, not Jesus plus cultural ceremonies…Just Jesus. In order to really live in the freedom that God has given us, we must be confident of our answer to that question.   - Pastor Chris Voigt

(Occult Bible Study) Judas was Crucified, Not Jesus. #God #Christianity #Apocrypha - Crumb TV Audio from #CrumbTV ( @CrumbTV1 )Judas Crucified Not Jesus #God #Christianity #Apocrypha-Crumb TV Audio from #CrumbTV ( @CrumbTV1 ) ( #GetSNATCHED ) Crumb does an "Occult Bible Study" on the story of how Judas was crucified & not Jesus per the Books of Barnabas & Judas.✍ The SNATCHED Podcast is an Afro-centric or “Black” Consciousness podcast highlighting the content from the media re-evaluator Crumb Snatcher. The use of the word ‘Black' in reference to people is used a commonly accepted term to describe Melaninated people of some level of African and/or Afro-Indigenous / Indigenous / Aborigine / American-Aborigine / etc. descent. Warning - Trigger Warning. You WILL disagree with the Crumb Snatcher!! The Crumb Snatcher is a parody conscious-thought personality that mixes actual facts with humor and shock-antics to demonstrate the absurdity in American and world culture. The Crumb Snatcher is a loveable politically incorrect, thought-provoking, anti-organized religion, profane, demeaning, angry yet introspective collective of poor righteous teachers. Join their antics in conscious thought and new reality. Get SNATCHED!!!

We don't want to hear about sin. We want to ignore the dirty dishes in the sink. Some will help us and tell us only happy things. Not Jesus. He comes to bring fire to deal with our sin. 

In all the rush of the Christmas season, have we overlooked an important character of the Christmas story? Not Jesus, of course--He is the central character of the story for sure! Listen as Glen contemplates the life of another man, central to the Christmas story, whose life is often overlooked!

Sanctimonious fuddy-duddies beware: this episode contains blasphemous content. In it Stephanie and Kaley rhapsodize about Monty Python's incisive, controversial, and eternally relevant story of a boy who had arms and legs and hands and feet and was not--we repeat, NOT--Jesus.

His Name is Not Jesus! Jesus was Not a white boy! WATCH MY PREVIOUS VIDEO ▶ https://youtu.be/pGfJL8wD27Q SUBSCRIBE HERE ▶ http://bit.ly/1CtXGai THANKS FOR WATCHING! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS! Help Support our Efforts make a small pledge https://www.patreon.com/thedeenshow --------------------------------------------------------- FIND ME ON: https://www.instagram.com/thedeenshowtv http://twitter.com/thedeenshow https://www.facebook.com/TheDeenShowTV https://www.snapchat.com/add/thedeenshow www.TheDeenshow.com

His Name is Not Jesus! Jesus was Not a white boy! WATCH MY PREVIOUS VIDEO ▶ https://youtu.be/pGfJL8wD27Q SUBSCRIBE HERE ▶ http://bit.ly/1CtXGai THANKS FOR WATCHING! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS! Help Support our Efforts make a small pledge https://www.patreon.com/thedeenshow --------------------------------------------------------- FIND ME ON: https://www.instagram.com/thedeenshowtv http://twitter.com/thedeenshow https://www.facebook.com/TheDeenShowTV https://www.snapchat.com/add/thedeenshow www.TheDeenshow.com

Summary: In this episode you will learn: The Definition of Truth What is Truth? What Truth is Not Jesus is the Truth John the Baptist Bearing Witness/Martyr to the Truth And much more.. The post 011 The True Meaning of Truth appeared first on Passionate for His Purpose.

"My friend Jesus was not merely a great man and a brilliant teacher. Don't talk about His birth as you would any other famous personality. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He was a real person, but He was God. I touched Him, ate with Him, talked with Him. In his account of the birth of Jesus, it's clear that John never got over the wonder of God coming to earth as a man or the purpose of it all: Think of it, the Son of God came to earth asking men and women to trust Him! You would expect God to come to earth making demands. Not Jesus. He came to earth offering life to all who would trust Him." To John the Christmas story was the beginning of the greatest life ever lived, the greatest Person ever born, and the most trustworthy Friend a man or woman could have. To John, Jesus is a Person to trust.

Sumario Informe Enigma Dirige y Presenta: Jorge Rios Música: Apocalyptica - I'm Not Jesus ft. Corey Taylor 1/ Iván Castro Palacios nos llevara a bordo de esos misterios aéreos, a recorrer los rincones del planeta catalogados como malditos, lugares donde hay desapariciones de aviones, navíos, avistamientos OVNI e incluso criaturas extrañas, por que no solo el Triángulo de las Bermudas atrae a los grandes misterios, también tenemos zonas en España, ¿te atreves a embarcar? 2 / Luis Pisu nos habla sobre la Primera Muestra de Misterio y Divulgación, un certamen que se celebrara en Valencia el día 8 de Diciembre. 3/ Pilar Espinosa nos adentra en la vida de la asesina en serie Ailen Wuornos. Sorteo Entradas Magic internacional 2017..

Sumario Informe Enigma Dirige y Presenta: Jorge Rios Música: Apocalyptica - I'm Not Jesus ft. Corey Taylor 1/ Iván Castro Palacios nos llevara a bordo de esos misterios aéreos, a recorrer los rincones del planeta catalogados como malditos, lugares donde hay desapariciones de aviones, navíos, avistamientos OVNI e incluso criaturas extrañas, por que no solo el Triángulo de las Bermudas atrae a los grandes misterios, también tenemos zonas en España, ¿te atreves a embarcar? 2 / Luis Pisu nos habla sobre la Primera Muestra de Misterio y Divulgación, un certamen que se celebrara en Valencia el día 8 de Diciembre. 3/ Pilar Espinosa nos adentra en la vida de la asesina en serie Ailen Wuornos. Sorteo Entradas Magic internacional 2017..

Novembers daily releases continue with the 1404th episode of The Goin' Deep Show. In this one we get GDub on the horn to discuss the recent news of Al Franken grabbing some titties and slipping some tongue to some chick. We solve the problem of unwanted advances on women and men and we plan the demise of a studio stable.  The cum covered futon. The kid guarantees that he will never make a promise and that he is prone to changing his mind based on real life, Wally takes a ton of beer, sizing up the cock of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and busting your zipper on your pants. We take a few moments to throw shouts to Larry David, question words used to describe people and how Hobby Lobby is attempting to thrust the bible into everyones face in Washington. Tune in and listen to the show.  Go Deep. Minute by Minute breakdown 1:00 - The Intro Flask - Trumpian shit / Al Franken 2:00 - We've all done some shit - cuff me and stuff me 3:00 - Hire someone to do your bidding 4:00 - We have to eliminate all the JMac loads on the futon 5:00 - Light the futon on fire but I'm afraid of the fumes 6:00 - I guarantee I will change my mind from time to time 7:00 - Why lie about how rich you are? 8:00 - Sizing up your dick vs the North Koreans 9:00 - Turn the other way everything is fine - On Tap 10:00 - Wally and the free beer 11:00 - Trying to have a personality and not giving a shit 12:00 - I busted my zipper and don't give a fuck 13:00 - The ticking clock 14:00 - Accused me of lying when I just changed my mind 15:00 - I'm on the spectrum 16:00 -  Living on the straight and narrow 17:00 - Mr. Crowley's new friend 18:00 - Suckin' the cum is not so bad 19:00 - Dinner and the name oops 20:00 - This is fuckin' therapy 21:00 - Turning over new leaves 22:00 - Red Eye trying to steer his woman 23:00 - Do you really think you're that important 24:00 - Nobody knows who the fuck you are - The bloated ego 25:00 - The Bible Museum in Washington D.C. 26:00 - Hobby Lobby motherfuckers 27:00 - A complete crowbar of church and state 28:00 - Noah and his stupid arc 29:00 - Not Jesus enough  or too Jesus? 30:00 - Why not all religions 31:00 - Live TV news in the morning 32:00 - Why do chicks like gay dudes 33:00 - Have we done a half hour yet? 34:00 - Old gay ladies ass grabbing mexicans Go Deep 8hol.com Subscribe to the show in iTunes here Look for Goin' Deep Show on all social media sites.  

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:36-37 ESV) Most of us want to be the superstar. We want to be famous. We want the adulation and notoriety. If we are trying to be pious we might fain humility but we would really like it if people whispered our name as we came in the room. The danger of this mindset is that, either overtly or secretly, we foster a wrong perception of ourselves and others. And even worse, we minimize who God has made us to be. This week I want to tell you about a man named Joseph. (Not Jesus’ earthly dad). He’s better known by his nickname, Barnabas. He was pivotal in the development of the early church. But in contrast to Peter or Paul, he often seems to have worked in the background. To prep your heart and mind to worship together, would you take some time to prayerfully read through Acts 11. It begins with Peter’s mission report about the Gentiles, but our focus will be on the latter half of that chapter.

We get labeled, and we give people labels, for a variety of reasons and most of them are not good. Who likes to be labeled? Not Jesus

Human leaders tend to lead out of a self-concerned motivation. Not Jesus. In this chapter we see how Christianity is not about our commitment or what we are prepared to do for Jesus. Christianity is about Christ. He was the one who followed through on his calm commitment to die for those who didn't deserve it. The day before the crucifixion traced to point us to Jesus, a different kind of King.

A new MP3 sermon from Still Waters Revival Books is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Believing on Jesus, and Its Counterfeits: Faith that Believes in Itself, Not Jesus Subtitle: 1 Spurgeon Sermons from SWRB Speaker: C. H. Spurgeon Broadcaster: Still Waters Revival Books Event: Audio Book Date: 2/2/2015 Bible: John 8:30-32; James 2:19 Length: 42 min.

There are some out there who cherry pick the parts of the Gospel that they think others would like and avoid parts that some may find tough. Not Jesus. Jesus is not interesting in misleading people to build up large crowds. He is interested in sharing the full Gospel with people and seeing lives changed. In our passage tonight Jesus shares the high cost involved in being His disciple. So what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? What does He expect from His followers? Jesus shares this in our passage tonight (Luke 14:25-35)

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I. Paul’s Genius: Total Concentration Please take your Bibles if you would and open to Romans chapter 4. This morning we're going to be looking at verses 9-12 on the issue of Abraham's circumcision. Now as we've been moving through Romans, we start to see the train of thought and we start to see exactly why it is that Paul gave us these words. The Book of Romans is written that sinners like you and me might stand before God on judgment day free of our sins. I can't say it any more plainly because all of us have sins, every last one of us. We know it and we experience it every day. And we may or may not have a sense of God's attitude towards those sins, of His holiness, His righteousness, His blamelessness. But as we read the Scripture, we can't miss it that our God is a God who has a great wrath against sin. A great wrath. And that wrath is removed only in one place, and that is the cross of Jesus Christ. And we've seen that, we've seen the nature of our sin and how deeply it's woven into our very being, so that we cannot escape, we can't help ourselves. But we struggle against sin day after day and there's no way to escape it apart from the salvation that God has given us. And as we have seen, that salvation is so beautifully manifested in the cross of Jesus Christ. It's the only place of salvation and that we are connected to it only by faith. And so we're talking about justification by faith alone, apart from works. And you have to ask yourself as you go through this, and as we move from chapter 3, on into chapter 4 and then into chapter 5, Paul, why? Why so much on this one theme of justification by faith alone, apart from works. William James, author, said this, "Men of genius differ from ordinary men, not in brain power, but in the aims and purposes on which they concentrate and the degree of concentration which they achieve." In other words, what separates a genius from the rest of regular people is the thing that they're concentrating on and how powerfully and totally they can concentrate on that. Napoleon said the same thing. He spoke of his own ability or mental power to concentrate on his objectives for a long periods of time without tiring. And so also it was with Churchill, that same kind of genius. In the midst of all the swirling activities in the '30s, when all kinds of events were coming and going, he had his mind and his concentration fixed on what was happening in Hitlerite Germany. That was what mattered. All the other things were trifles, and he was right. Total concentration on one thing despite all the other swirling things. And so it was with Paul. That is the genius that he brings to us here, he is concentrating on what really matters; how sinners like us can be made right before God like him. Justification by faith alone. And so with Paul we get a total concentration on Christ. How many times in the writings of Paul do we have a phrase like 'In Him.', 'In Christ.', 'Through Him.', 'Through our Lord Jesus Christ.' A total concentration on Christ. And so also a total concentration on Heaven, the glory that waits for us. Which I have already referred to, the fact that every day brings us Christians closer to seeing it. And that we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Every day brings us closer to that glory. And so Paul also just saturated with Heaven. You couldn't get near him without him talking about the glory that is to come and the way that we sinners can see it through justification. And a total concentration from Paul on pure doctrine, the gospel of our salvation, the message which can transform us and bring us into Heaven. Total concentration. And here again, as we come to this section, we see justification by faith alone. And we're tempted to say, "Paul we got it. We got it, we understand. We understand Romans 3:22, that there's a righteousness from God apart from law. And this righteousness comes to us by faith alone. We got it." We got it in Romans 3:28, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law." We got it. And then we got it with the illustration of Abraham, "What then shall we say that Abraham our forefather discovered in this matter. If in fact Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about. But not before God." We got it. Romans 4:1-5. And then Romans 4:6-8 the same thing. David's experience with all the sin in his life with Bathsheba, the whole thing. How is that sin cleansed? By faith alone. We got it, a blessedness. But Paul isn't finished, now he's going to deal with the issue of circumcision and through that, I think connected with that, the whole thing of observing the law. How does that relate to our justification? And he's going to move on through the rest of chapter 4, on into chapter 5. And he's going to keep teaching this doctrine until we get it. And why is it? I think perhaps because of our nature. There's something inside us that wants to save ourselves, thank you very much. We want to do it ourselves. Have you ever seen a little child? "Me do it. Me do it." From very early age, they're grabbing the crayon from your hand. They want to show that they can do it. We want to do the same thing with our own salvation, that we may save ourselves. Paul says not possible. Now I want to give you the blessedness that comes from a salvation apart from yourself. I want to give you the blessedness of getting your eyes off your own puny powers, onto an immeasurable power which is at work in you, to confirm your salvation. That's what he's doing. And so he's going to take us through this whole discussion of justification by faith alone and we're going to understand it. II. Overview of Romans 4:9-12: Justification & Circumcision And so we come to Romans 4:9-12. Look down at the text with me if you would. Beginning at verse 9, "Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised? Or before? Is was not after but before. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then he is the father of all who believe, but have not been circumcised in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised, who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised." And what is Paul saying in these verses? He begins by speaking of a blessedness. Verse 9, "Is this blessedness only for the circumcised?" What is the blessedness he's referring to? Well, he just got done talking about it. Romans 4:6,7 & 8, the word blessing or blessedness in there three times. It is the blessing or the blessedness of the state of justification, that you as a sinner can stand before God free of your sins. Remember, we've been saying that justification has a positive and a negative side. Positively, that Jesus Christ will take His righteousness, and cover you with it. Remember, we've called that an Asbestos robe that enables you to survive the fire of judgment day. It's a righteousness that doesn't belong to you. It's Jesus' and He'll cloak it on you by faith positively. Then we saw the negative side of justification, whereas Jesus' righteousness is imputed to you or considered to you by God. Your sins, however many they may be, are not thought of by God. They're not imputed to you for He has covered them in the blood of Christ. Now, that is a blessedness, isn't it? And the question Paul asked here is, "Is this blessedness only available for Jews? Is it only available for the circumcised? And do we Gentiles, do we need to become Jews in order to get into this thing? Do we have to become circumcised? Do we have to follow the law of Moses?" That's what he's dealing with here. The Jewish Perspective: Circumcision is Part of the Covenant Now, what would the Jews of Paul's day have said? "Oh yes, oh yes, we are the children of Abraham, and blessedness comes to us alone through the covenant." And circumcision is part of that covenant. If you don't keep that covenant, you have no blessedness. There is no forgiveness of sins apart from that covenant. And so they divided all the world into two categories, circumcised and uncircumcised. Now, where would we fit into that categorization? Every last one of us were Gentiles as far as I know. We're Gentiles. And is it possible for Gentiles like us to receive the blessedness of justification? Now, they called Gentiles by such cute names as dogs, Gentile dogs, and all that. I think they were worn out by five empires one after the other, tramping on the promised land, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, Persians, Romans, one after the other trampling on it. They're worn out, so they hated the Gentiles. Furthermore, within God's own law, there were some barriers, weren't there? There were some walls, which prevented us as Gentiles from coming into the presence of God, couldn't come close. And if you as a Gentile, you wanted to be saved, you could become a Jewish convert. You would have to be baptized, a cleansing ceremony, washing away all that Gentileishness from you, and of course you would have to be circumcised if you're a male. And in this way, you could become somewhat of a Jew, but you're still a second class citizen because you couldn't call Abraham, father. That was reserved only to the genetic descendants of Abraham. And Paul cuts through all of this, and he does with it Scripture. He asked about this blessedness, and he says, "Okay, what are we going to do? Do you Gentiles have to become like us Jews in order to be saved?" And everywhere that Paul went, he preached the gospel to Gentiles. They're coming to faith in Christ. They're believing. And in his trail is this group of Jewish Christians maybe who were coming along and saying, "The gentiles must be required to obey the law of Moses." They were called Judaizers. And everywhere they went, they said, "You've got to follow the laws of Moses or you can't go to heaven." Well, this brought them into great dispute. And there was a controversy, and they worked it out in Acts 15. Praise God that they got it right under the authority and the inspiration the leading of the Holy Spirit, so that we Gentiles are not troubled with the burden, the crushing burden of the law of Moses in order that we may be saved. What Dos the Scripture Say? – The Chronology is Crucial But Paul just cuts through it very simply here in Chapter 4, doesn't he? And he does it by asking a simple question. We've asked it before. "What does the Scripture say?" Sit up when you hear that. "What does the Scripture say?" It answers everything. The Scripture answers these questions. And Paul just simply goes back into Genesis, and asks a simple question. "What does the scripture say? How was Abraham justified? And how did his circumcision relate?" And he answers it very plainly. "Was Abraham circumcised when he was justified? No, he was not." And in effect, therefore, Abraham was a Gentile when he was justified. He's a Gentile, just like you and me, uncircumcised. And look what he says. He goes back in time. He says, "Under what circumstances was Abraham's faith credited as righteousness?" Verse 10. "Was it after he was circumcised or before?" Verse 10, "It was not after but before." Remember the context, Genesis 15. God invites Abraham out of his tent and says, "Come on out and look up at the stars. Look up at all the stars, and see them. Count them if you can, so shall your offspring be. You're going to have that many descendants, even though you're childless." And Abraham believed God. He thought "it's true." And at that moment, God saw his faith, invisible. But He saw his faith and justified him. He declared that all of his sins are forgiven. Past, present, future, all of it wiped away. Now at that moment, Abraham had not yet been circumcised, for that came later in Genesis 17:9 and following. "Then God said to Abraham, 'As for you, you must keep my covenant. You and your descendants after you for the generations to come. And this is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep. Every male among you shall be circumcised.'" And He goes on to say, "If you're not circumcised, you're not part of the covenant." So what is Paul doing? It's a simple chronological argument. Genesis 15 happens before Genesis 17. In Genesis 15, Abraham is not circumcised. He's justified in that chapter. Genesis 17 comes anywhere, we don't really know, but from 12 to 30 years later, and all that time Abraham was justified by faith alone without being circumcised. It's just simple, a simple argument. Chronology. And so therefore, Paul draws out some conclusions. Circumcision is not the source of Abraham's justification. Couldn't be, because he was justified before he had it. It is instead a sign and a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith. Sign and seal, not source. That's what he's speaking. Well, then you may ask then why did He give circumcision? And that brings us into the whole reason for all those regulations and the dietary laws and all that stuff in the Law of Moses. I think He wanted the Jewish people to be a separate people until the Christ came. And when the Christ came, the need for all that separation from the Gentiles was over. It was over. It was fulfilled, in the fullness of time Jesus came. Born under the law, but to free us from all that law that we might be justified by faith. III. Why is Justification by Faith ALONE So Important? Justification by Faith Alone Excludes Boasting Now to take a step back and look at this, we have to ask again why is this so important to Paul? Why justification by faith? And I think there's five answers. We're going to look at each one of them. The first is that justification by faith alone excludes boasting. Now we've already seen this at the end of chapter three, you remember? In verse 27. It says, "Where then is boasting? In the face of the cross of Jesus Christ, how can we boast?" Answer, it is excluded. It's left out. There's no boasting available. He deals with the same thing at the beginning of this chapter. If Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about. Now, why is this boasting thing such an important thing? Well, it has to do with our nature. It's in our nature to boast about ourselves. We live in the most self-focused, self-esteeming, boastful age, perhaps in the history of the world. And it's funny as you look at the curriculum and all the other thing, what we need is more and more self-esteem. Self, self, self. I'm thinking, "Oh my goodness. You are trying to put out a fire with kerosene." We need to have our pride slain, not encouraged. And the gospel does that. It humbles us. And you say, "Well, why do have to be humbled? Why do have to have the boasting removed? Do I have to have my boasting removed?" It's like asking a doctor, "Do I have to have the infection removed in order to get well?" Oh, yes. You must have the infection removed in order to get well. You must. And justification by faith alone is good at that. There's nothing in us to boast. How does boasting fit into justification? Jesus answered that with a parable. To some who are confident of their own righteousness and look down on everybody else Jesus told this parable, "Two men went up to the temple to pray. One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself." He prayed about himself. What a topic. How limited is that? I'd rather pray about God. But this man, who stood up and prayed about himself, "God, I thank you that I'm not like other men. Robbers, evildoers, adulterers, even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." Oh, by the way, that last little part, that's the resume, that's intrinsic to justification by works. You've got to have a resume. You've got to be able to say what good things you did. "I went to church for 20, 30 years. I was on this committee. I did that." That's your resume. And if you're standing on the basis of that, then you're no different that this Pharisee who's standing on the basis of his fasting and his tithing and the other good things he did. "And I'm not like this other person. But the tax collector stood off at a distance and he wouldn't even look up to heaven but instead beat his chest and said, 'Be merciful to me, oh God, a sinner.' And then the one who has been appointed as judge of all humanity," that's Jesus Christ, "He said, 'I'll tell you the truth. That one went home justified.'" He went home justified because of his broken-hearted faith. "Be merciful to me, oh God, the sinner." And so we must have our boasting slain. We must have it destroyed, and justification by faith alone does this. Justification by Faith Alone Ensures Imputed Righteousness Secondly, justification by faith alone ensures a righteousness for us. It ensures that on Judgment Day, we're going to be covered with something that'll stand up to the test. It ensures that we will be as righteous as Jesus Christ because of an imputed righteous, a gift of righteousness that is not ours. Now, we've talked about that so much, there's no need to belabor it, but it comes by faith alone. It ensures imputed righteousness. And thirdly, it explains the relationship between faith and works. We talked about this last time, remember? We're always confused about this. We always get the order wrong. Which comes first, faith or works? Well if they're genuine works, faith always comes first. Justification by faith alone enables us to stand holy and blameless before God, and from that standing comes a river, a lifetime of good works not the other way around. And if you try to present to God a river of lifetime of good works and say, "On the basis of this justify me", then you're like the Pharisee. Justification by Faith Alone Explains Relationship Between Faith and Works Now we've talked about the strife or the conflict between Paul and James on this point, there is none. The faith that justifies always produces good works, that's all. And justification by faith alone explains the relationship between faith and works. We see it here in verse 11, look down with me. It says that Abraham received the sign of circumcision. A seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So therefore Paul calls circumcision two things here. He calls circumcision a sign of inner righteousness and also a seal of inner righteousness. In other words the righteousness is there first and then the act of circumcision comes along as a sign and a seal. Just like this wedding ring is a sign or a symbol of my marriage but it is not my marriage. It's just a symbol of it. External, visible to all who can see my hand but it represents my relationship does not consist in it, it's not the source of it. And so also circumcision, a seal of the righteousness. And so what does this mean, the seal? Well back in those days if you're writing a document or writing a letter they would take a candle and they'd melt some wax on it and then they'd take their signet ring, or a seal and they'd push it into the molten wax and it would leave an imprint. And it meant this letter comes from me, this is mine. It's almost like a seal of ownership. An authoritative seal of ownership. And so also circumcision sealed these people as God's people and also when one did this, when one was circumcised, they were putting their own seal to the fact they were children of the covenant. That's how the sealing worked. Paul talks about his sealing as an apostle. In 1 Corinthians 9, there were some people questioning him, they're saying, "Is he really an apostle?", and then there's others that were boasting and very strong in themselves and Paul says, "I've got a seal of my apostleship." You know what the seal of Paul's apostleship was? The Corinthians. "I led you to Christ. I came to your town, you were pagans. Utter pagans before I got there, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, now you're believers in Jesus Christ, you are the seal of my apostleship." Let me ask you a question. Was Paul an apostle before they came to Christ? Absolutely. But they were the outward, visible sign or seal of the fact that Paul was truly an apostle. "You are the seal of my apostleship." Now you can come along and say, "Now if there was nothing like that, if there was no seal like that, would Paul still have been an apostle?" Foolish question, because apostles bear fruits don't they? They're indwelled by the Holy Spirit, everywhere they go they speak with passion, with power, there's going to be fruit. That's an absurd question, you can't separate the faith and works. You can't separate the righteousness and the seal. And so we understand it properly. Justification by Faith Alone Empowers Worldwide Evangelism The fourth point is this, that justification by faith alone empowers worldwide evangelism. Look what it says in verse 11, "So then he is the Father of all who believe, that have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness may be credited to them." The law of Moses was symbolized by circumcision, in other words circumcision represented the whole law. If you're going to be circumcised, you got to keep the whole law, and that involved all kinds of regulations other than just circumcision. For example, dietary regulations. Have you ever read the list of foods that you are and are not allowed to eat in Deuteronomy? I actually was only able to identify less than half of what these beings, these animals, were, but there was a very careful list of what you were and were not able to eat. And they gave regulations about whether they chewed the cud, or their hoof was divided and all this kind of thing. You know one food they definitely couldn't eat was pig. All of these dietary regulations. Now what was the purpose of all this? Now you would say the purpose was, and I've heard this before, the purpose was they didn't have refrigeration back then. Have you ever heard this argument? They didn't have refrigeration and so God was trying to protect them from all those diseases that came from eating pig. Don't you believe it, because God forbid the Jews from eating it, but said that the gentile guests can eat it, go ahead. So God doesn't care about them? And even more Jesus, in Mark 7, declared all foods clean. Did you know they didn't have refrigeration in Jesus' age either? I don't think they had Amana or anything else back then. They still didn't have refrigeration and yet Jesus coldly, cruelly declares all foods clean? What is that? It's not for protection, it was that the Jews might be a separate people. That they might be a different people. And when He declared all foods clean, Jews and gentiles alike, go ahead and eat pig. There may be other reasons not to eat the pig, find out about those in the 20th century. There are other reasons, but it's not for this. The time had come because the Messiah had come and the need for the separation of the Jewish people was no longer, the Messiah had been identified. He was a child of Abraham, born under the law, but the time for those ceremonial regulations was over. Wasn't just food, it extended to your clothing, you couldn't wear clothes with a certain fibers woven together. It extended to your hair style, you had to let the hair in the corners of your head grow long, you couldn't trim the edges of your beard. Have you ever seen Hasidic Jews? And they have those long locks going down from here? That's because of the literalistic reading of that text. Let me ask you a question. Can you take a gospel like that to the ends of the earth? I've been reading recently this wonderful missionary biography, Peace Child, by Don Richardson. I don't know if any of you have heard of it, it's an incredible story. In 1962, Don Richardson and his wife Carol and their seven month old baby went to Irian Jaya, Netherlands New Guinea. It's a wild island north of Australia. Went there to preach the Gospel, and they worked with the Sawi people. Now, the Sawi tribe were a bunch of head hunting cannibals. Great place to bring a seven month old, but they had faith and God had called them. Head hunting cannibals. And in their culture, they came to found out that these people revered and respected treachery above all things. That makes sense for head hunting cannibals. And they had a saying that they were fattening so and so for the day of slaughter with friendship. You see how that works? You befriend them, you're kind, you welcome them in and then the day of slaughter comes, and they never suspect it. Let me ask you a question. As you think about the Gospel and all the events that led up to Jesus' arrest, the whole thing, who would be the real hero of the story in that mindset? Not Jesus, but Judas. You see? Judas is the real hero. Jesus is the weak one, and Judas' kiss is the moment of triumph. How perverted is that? But they came to understand through what Richardson calls a redemptive analogy. Two Sawi tribes when they're at war with each other and they want to make peace, they give each other a peace child, a son of one of the chieftains. And as long as that child lives, there's peace between the two tribes, but if the child dies, there's no peace, and as soon as the child died they'd be back at war again. And Jesus was in effect God's peace child to the world, but He lives forever and as long as He stands firm and lives forever there's peace between God and man. Well, he explained the Gospel and they came to Christ. What's fascinating about the Sawi tribe is that they revered and respected treachery but also strength with a bow, and their chief became chief, because he was able to take a bow and an arrow and drive it through a wild boar all the way through without hitting bone. Amazing. Now, let's say we go and preach this Gospel, the Gospel of Justification by law, by Moses, by works and all that, and they have to submit to all those rules and regulations. And you're saying to the Sawi tribe, "You aren't allowed to eat pig. You must be circumcised. You're not allowed to eat pig. You have to go to Jerusalem three times a year. I don't know how you're going to get the plane fare, but we'll figure that out later. You're gonna have to do all of these rules and regulations in order that you may be saved." Is that gospel transportable to the ends of the earth? Absolutely not. No, the time for that had passed. The Gospel is simple as this: If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved, and the Sawi tribe they were saved. It's a simple Gospel message. Justification by Faith Alone Enables final unity between Jew and Gentile And fifthly, justification by faith alone enables final unity between Jew and Gentile. Let me ask you a question. How in world can a believing Jew and a former head hunting cannibal Sawi tribesman truly be one? The way is through justification by faith alone, because God does the exact same thing in both of them, the exact same thing. Look what he says in verse 12. "He [Abraham], is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our Father Abraham had before he was circumcised." In other words, he is the father of the Sawi tribesman who comes to simple faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit enters the Sawi tribesman and He begins to put sin to death. He begins to walk by faith. He begins to serve God. And how does it work out? By the law, by the law but not that old law… The law of loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. The Holy Spirit fulfills that in the Sawi tribesman; does the same thing in the believing Jew. It's not the Law of Moses anymore but the same law, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself." And when you're justified by faith, the Holy Spirit enters you and you are able, empowered to obey those two laws. What does he say here? "Those that walk in the footsteps of the faith that our Father Abraham had." Have you ever seen a child walking behind a father maybe on the beach or in the snow trying to keep in step with the father, jumping from footprint to footprint? That's the image I get here; Abraham a giant of faith. And what it meant was that Abraham's faith had footprints. Do you see that? Abraham's faith had footprints. You could trace out his life. His life was different, because he believed and so also will yours be if you are justified by faith, and you're going to follow in those footsteps of Abraham, the same faith. And God by His Spirit is going to work it in you, and you're not going to talk about the footprints. You're not going to talk about all the work you did and present it to God on Judgment Day. You're going to talk about Jesus Christ and Him alone, and Paul clears this whole thing up. It is not circumcision that saves the Jew. If you're Jewish living in the first century, cast it aside. Cast it aside. Galatians 5:6 "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. The only thing that counts is faith working itself out through love." Faith which works itself out through loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; loving your neighbor as yourself. Well, today we've looked again at the issue of justification by faith alone. We've seen Paul continuing to concentrate on this one thing, that we may turn away from our confidence in our own obedience, our own law keeping, our good deeds, that we may turn away from these things. The Jews had an obstacle to all this. It was circumcision. "Now, God told us to be circumcised. You're telling us now that we shouldn't have been or that we should disobey that? God gave us a warning that if we're not circumcised, we're going to be cut off." Paul explains all of that. We're in a New Covenant now. There's no need any longer for circumcision. Abraham himself was a Gentile when he was justified. He's our example. Righteousness comes by faith. And we've seen how this excludes boasting, that we may not boast in anything but Jesus Christ. It ensures a righteousness that is not ours, but will cover us on judgment day. It explains the relationship between faith and works. It empowers worldwide evangelism, a gospel that's transportable to the ends of the earth. And it enables the final unity between Jew and Gentile in heaven. But what are the applications for us? I've written them out for you on your outline. IV. Applications The first is a lesson on right boasting. "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." Your salvation is all of Him. If in your quiet moments you think, "On what basis am I going to heaven?" And you begin to think to yourself of good things you've done, you're in trouble. You have not understood justification by faith alone apart from works. Let him who boasts, boast in what Jesus Christ has accomplished and Him alone. Second is a lesson on ritual baptism. Now where does baptism come in here? Well, what is the sign and seal, the outward visible sign and seal of our inward justification? What ceremony has God given to us? Baptism. Baptism. And may I say to you that your baptism doesn't save you anymore than Abraham's circumcision saved him. Your baptism does not save you any more than Abraham's circumcision saved him. Both of them commanded by God, both of them in and of themselves good righteous obedience. But they are not the source of anyone's righteousness, only a sign and seal of it. Don't rely on religious ritual even if God commanded it. And it's sad to me if I go and meet with people who may be on the edge of death, and I talk to them, and all they can talk about is certain things in the past. "I was baptized, I walked the aisle, I signed the card, I did, I did, I did, I did." Your righteousness is Christ. Talk to Him, praise Him, give honor to Him, and don't rely on ritual baptism for your salvation. The third is a lesson on radical obedience. What are the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had? Where did his faith carry him? To another land, a distant place. It was an incredible life of radical obedience. Are you living that kind of a life? Is your faith in Jesus Christ radically changing your life? Has it made any difference in your life at all? Are you following Abraham's footsteps? And furthermore, what kind of footsteps are you leaving so that others will follow in your tracks? What legacy are you leaving to your children? What kind of footsteps are you leaving behind you? Are they footsteps of faith, faith in God alone? And then the final is a lesson on worldwide evangelism. Are you living to take the gospel to the ends of the earth? This gospel travels light and moves. Are you involved in the worldwide evangelistic endeavor? Are you praying for our missionaries in Uganda? It's a simple way. They saw someone come to Christ this week. Somebody say Amen. Amen. And all of you who prayed, you have a part in this, 2 Corinthians 1. We take part in our prayers, by our prayers. We take shares. We're not to be credited for that anymore than they are. It is God who gives new birth in Christ. But are you taking part in the worldwide outreach? God has brought some of the world right to our door. We've got international students. Are you taking part in the harvest? You may say, "God hasn't called me to go to the ends of the earth." Well, all right, God made it easy for you, brought the ends of the earth right to you. Are you involved through your prayer and through your footsteps? Is there any action, any activity in your life toward worldwide evangelism? If not, just let God work it in you. Let Him work it in you. There's nothing like the life that follows in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised. Will you close with me in prayer please?