Podcasts about old covenant

Have you ever wondered why ancient religious systems faded away and what that means for faith today? This episode of Seek Go Create dives deep into the book of Hebrews, exploring the powerful transition from the Old Covenant to the New, and why Jesus' arrival changed everything. The discussion explores the metaphors of "new wine in old wineskins," the meaning of shadow and substance, and how these ideas challenge both first-century believers and the modern church. If you're curious about the roots of Christianity and the relevance of ancient practices, this episode will open your eyes to the surprising connections and warnings found in scripture."You cannot patch the gospel onto the old covenant; you cannot pour the new covenant into the old wineskins." - Tim WindersAccess all show and episode resources HEREEpisode Resources:NT90 Hub – This is the central website for the 90-day New Testament reading plan, with downloadable, printable plans, background information, and links to all episodes and resources.Episode Highlights:00:00 System Ready to Vanish 00:58 NT90 Reading Plan 03:23 New Wine Theme 05:06 Jesus New Wineskins 09:06 Furniture Moving Analogy 12:29 Old Covenant Overview 15:46 Shadow and Substance 19:29 Jesus Sat Down 21:36 Better Than Everything 24:49 Hebrews Warning Passages 28:03 AD 70 Temple Fall 32:57 Modern Misreads 34:38 What It Means Today 37:26 Next Week Old Wineskins 39:04 Final Challenge and Wrap

The general equity of the Judicial Law of the Old Covenant is its non-specific value as it demonstrates principles of right behavior for the application of the Moral Law in the community life of God's covenant people, the church.

What was Jesus doing between His death and resurrection? It is one of the most overlooked questions in Christianity, yet Scripture gives us a clear and powerful answer. First Peter 3:18-22 walks through three things Christ accomplished during those days: His work on the cross, His activity in the grave, and His triumph in the resurrection. On the cross, Christ died once as our substitute. His sacrifice was not repeated or incomplete. He took our guilt upon Himself so that His righteousness could be credited to us, and He did it to bring us back to God. This is the heart of penal substitutionary atonement, and it is the foundation of the Christian faith. Between His death and resurrection, Christ descended and proclaimed victory to the fallen spiritual beings imprisoned since the days of Noah. This was not a second chance at salvation for anyone. It was a declaration of conquest. He also led the Old Covenant saints out of their place of waiting and into the presence of God, fulfilling what Ephesians 4:8 describes as leading a host of captives. In the resurrection, every angel, authority, and power was placed under His feet. The cross was meant by Satan to destroy Christ. Instead, it destroyed the power of the enemy. Hebrews 2:14-15 makes clear that through His death, Christ defeated the one who holds the power of death and freed all who were enslaved by the fear of it. Peter also connects all of this to baptism, the public oath of loyalty to the risen King. The early church understood baptism as an act of spiritual warfare, a bold declaration that Christ has won and that you are on His side. Topics covered include the meaning of Christ's death and resurrection, penal substitutionary atonement, what the Bible says about Sheol and the realm of the dead, the spirits in prison in 1 Peter 3, the days of Noah and fallen angels in Genesis 6, the significance of Christian baptism, spiritual warfare and the defeat of Satan, and how to live with confidence as a follower of Christ. Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time or have been a believer for years, this passage offers a deeper understanding of what Christ truly accomplished and what it means for your life today.

The priesthood of the Old Covenant among the people of Israel is fulfilled in the one priesthood of Christ. The Catechism compares the Old Testament priesthood, “powerless to bring about salvation,” with the ordained ministry in the New Covenant. Fr. Mike unpacks the reality that there is only one true priest—Jesus Christ. His “priests” on earth are humble ministers. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1539-1545. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In this verse-by-verse study of the second half of Hebrews 10, we walk through three distinct segments:A Gracious Invitation (Hebrews 10.19-25): Drawing near to God through the finished work of Jesus—whose ultimate sacrifice tore the temple curtain and cleansed our hearts.A Solemn Exhortation (Hebrews 10.26-31): Understanding the severe warning against willful, unrepentant rejection of Christ's sacrifice.An Encouraging Confirmation (Hebrews 10.32-39): Standing firm in hope and community as we await the Lord's return.By contrasting the Old Covenant levitical sacrifices with Christ's once-for-all atonement, this study challenges believers to engage in practical fellowship, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, and remain steadfast in the face of trial. Whether you are looking to deepen your personal Bible study or preparing to lead a group, this message offers clear historical context and practical application for daily Christian living.TEACHING NOTES:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-wLYKgcGnC7Vv0sPhpmoZakR2IO-8uI3biHPuOVq60/edit?usp=sharingABOUT IRON SHEEP MINISTRIESIron Sheep Ministries is dedicated to helping you dig deeper into God's Word. To learn more about our mission and what God has put on our hearts, visit our website: https://ironsheep.org. JOING THE EMAIL LISThttp://eepurl.com/g-2zADQUESTIONSHave questions about today's study? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@ironsheep.org. PARTNER WITH USIf this teaching blessed you, please consider partnering with us through prayer or financial support to help us continue sharing the Gospel.

Have you ever felt completely exhausted trying to perform your way into God's presence, hoping you are finally doing enough to hear His voice?In this episode of the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, host Kristen Wambach sits down with bestselling author Rick Osborne to completely dismantle the religious striving that keeps us stuck. For ten years, Rick was sequestered in the secret place, being personally taught by Jesus. What he discovered will completely rewrite your Monday-morning reality: you do not have to beg a distant God for access.We are diving deep into the profound reality of the New Covenant, exploring how God didn't just save your spirit, but completely redeemed your spirit, soul, and body. Learn how to step out of the exhaustion of performance and into a comfortable, continual, face-to-face conversation with the Father. Plus, get the exclusive details on Rick's upcoming free Ultimate Hear God's Voice Workshop.It is time to drop the heavy religious scorecard and realize that the Creator of the universe is actively living inside you, causing you to desire and to do His will. Let's bridge the gap between heaven and earth together.EPISODE TAKEAWAYS The Fullness of Redemption: God did not just save your spirit; your soul and your body are also filled with the fullness of the Godhead. Inside-Out Discipleship: True transformation happens without striving when we realize Jesus (Philippians 2:13) is actively "at work within" us, causing us to desire and to actually do His will. Effortless Access: You do not have to ask permission to enter the Father's presence. Just like a child opening the refrigerator in their own home, He expects you to come freely and boldly! The Great Exchange: Stop operating under the Old Covenant of exhausting works and step into the New Covenant of grace, resting entirely in His completed work. His Faith, Not Ours: We do not have to struggle to drum up faith on our own; we are operating in the faith of the Son of God.

In this message, Samuel Goulet unpacks the meaning and weight of covenant—first between God and His people, then within marriage and the church community. Drawing from both Old and New Testament language, he explains that covenant is not casual agreement but a sacred commitment initiated by God and fulfilled through Jesus. Samuel challenges listeners to let that covenant shape how they follow Christ, forgive others, love sacrificially, and build marriages marked by holiness, humility, prayer, and enduring commitment.

Have you ever wondered why God has separated you, or why you cannot seem to live like everyone else around you? Many believers struggle to recognize their divine season of revelation and the fullness of God's plan for their lives. In this teaching, Servant Marcia Carty walks us through the scriptures, moving from the strict conditions of the Old Covenant in Deuteronomy to the breathtaking grace and authority offered to us under the New Covenant in Christ. Through this message, you will discover that you are not bound by the sins, mistakes, or curses of the past. By faith, the blood of Jesus purges our conscience, transforms our hearts, and equips us with divine authority over the enemy. Key takeaways from this teaching include: -- Understanding the difference between the conditional promises of the Old Covenant and the permanent grace of the New Covenant. -- How God provides a window of mercy through heart repentance and simple confession of faith. -- The secret to overcoming fear by meditating on the Word to build unshakeable faith. -- Why Jesus had to die to activate the testament that guarantees our eternal inheritance. -- The authority and power given to every believer to preach the kingdom, heal the sick, and walk in total victory over the enemy. Scriptures for Further Study -- Deuteronomy 29:2-25 -- Deuteronomy 30:2-14 -- 1 John 1:9 -- John 1:1 -- Hebrews 8:9-13 -- Romans 10:9-10 -- Hebrews 9:11-16 -- Luke 9:1-2 -- Luke 10:1-20 +++++++ We have begun building a new website which you can see here: https://www.noahdays.org/

Episode 4189 │ July 26, 2026 Is trust a choice or a fruit? You cannot trust someone unless you're convinced they love you. Most Christians have never settled that about God. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS  Scott Kesterson and Brad Cummings open with the single question that reframes everything: is trust a choice or a fruit — and Brad's answer, that trust is a fruit grown only in a relationship where you are convinced the other person loves you and seeks your highest good at all times, dismantles the entire Old Covenant performance framework that most American Christianity is still running on and replaces it with the New Covenant reality that God has no illusions about you, was never disappointed in you, and is not running a self-improvement program but a conforming-to-the-image-of-His-Son program that He promised to finish. The episode moves through Peter, James, and John as three distinct relational postures toward Christ — the director, the beloved, the warrior — and their presence at the Mount of Transfiguration as preparation not for doctrine but for vision; the two storms on the Sea of Galilee as a live diagnostic of what you actually believe about the heart of God; the definition of humility as simple agreement with God rather than self-deprecation; and Brad's definition of repentance as returning to the highest place from which you have fallen, not groveling at the bottom of it. The episode closes on Hebrews 12 — fixing your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross — and Brad's closing prayer that God would give every listener a vision of how He actually sees them, because as a man thinks in his heart, so is he, and the greatest transformation available is not discipline but the tractor beam of God's presence pulling you toward who He already knows you to be. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED  Is trust a choice or a fruit — and why does Brad argue that you cannot manufacture trust toward God through willpower or decision-making, only receive it as a fruit grown in a relationship where you are genuinely convinced He loves you and seeks your highest good at all times, even on your worst day? What does the tone of voice you insert into Jesus saying "O you of little faith" reveal about what you actually believe about the heart of God — and why does Hebrews 1 make the good cop/bad cop reading of the Old versus New Testament theologically impossible? What is the difference between an Old Covenant response to sin and a New Covenant response — and why does Brad argue that going to God with your failure, asking Him what happened and inviting Him to fix it, produces transformation that decades of self-improvement, discipline, and performance never could? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm This episode was researched and produced under the Spatial Terra Intelligence Methodology (STIM v5) — the analytical framework built by Scott Kesterson — with AI-assisted research synthesis at a 70/30 human/AI authorship ratio, fully disclosed. All analysis, conclusions, and editorial judgments are those of Scott Kesterson. BardsFM's archive includes hundreds of episodes on prayer, scripture, and walking the Way of Christ — available free in the full episode catalog. AFFILIATE LINKS Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here DONATIONS: If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here MAILING ADDRESS: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

* This originally aired as a video episode on YouTube HERE. Despite majority Christianity's stance that says "the Law was a burdensome and heavy yoke around the neck," is that what the Word says? In this series we'll simply ask a list questions that speak to everyday circumstances for every man. Then, we'll simply read every single verse in Psalm chapter 119. Answers to life are found within the ancient Scriptures, friend. Are the commandments, that we've been told are "outdated Old Covenant," "hollow foreshadows" and "only for the Jews" *still* good today? Let's find out!

This is the last major appeal in the this letter of Hebrews. The contrast is between the Old Covenant pictured by Sinai and the New Covenant pictured by the heavenly Jerusalem. God has spoken through Christ to the world. To reject Christ is to be under God's eternal judgment. The God who can shake heaven and earth will judge those that reject Christ.

According to the Bible, the Old Covenant is "only a shadow" of the New Covenant (Hebrews 10:1). This episode explains how the physical redemption, material blessings, animal sacrifices, and the land of Canaan that God gave Israel in the Old Covenant ultimately serve to illustrate the infinitely superior eternal redemption, spiritual blessings, one true sacrifice, and the Kingdom of Heaven that God gives His people in the New Covenant. Scripture Referenced: Genesis 17:1-14, Exodus 7:1-14:31, Exodus 24:12, Exodus 31:18, Leviticus 16:1-22, Leviticus 26:1-39, Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Deuteronomy 30:6, Isaiah 53:1-12, Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Matthew 5:12, Matthew 25:34, Matthew 27:51, Luke 12:32, Luke 23:44-46, John 3:1-10, John 6:47-58, John 8:31-36, John 10:14-16, 26-30, John 14:1-6, John 14:12, John 15:5-16, Romans 2:28-29, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 6:17-18, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 3:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Galatians 3:26-27, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:22-24, Galatians 6:15, Ephesians 1:1-3, Ephesians 1:4-6, Ephesians 1:15-18, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 3:20 (incorrectly cited as Ephesians 3:20 in audio), Colossians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 1:9 (incorrectly cited as 1 Timothy 1:9 in audio), Titus 1:1-2, Titus 3:3-7, Hebrews 7:18-25, Hebrews 8:1-13, Hebrews 9:1-27, Hebrews 10:1-18, 1 Peter 2:11-12

Love, Community, and Truth: A Conversation with Natalie Runion In Episode 144 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane welcome Natalie Runion—USA Today bestselling author, speaker, worship leader, and founder of the Raised to Stay community—for an honest conversation about love, biblical community, and living in truth. Drawing from her experiences in ministry and the messages of her bestselling books Raised to Stay and The House That Jesus Built, Natalie shares how believers can pursue healing without abandoning the Church, embrace authentic Christian community, and hold tightly to truth while extending grace. Together, they discuss the beauty of imperfect people pursuing a perfect Savior and why healthy relationships are essential to spiritual growth. Whether you've experienced church hurt, are longing for deeper community, or simply want to love people more like Jesus, this conversation will encourage you to remain rooted in Christ and committed to building His Church. Learn more about Natalie, her ministry, speaking events, books, and the Raised to Stay community at: NatalieRunion.com ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams ____________________________________   Get Jamie's Newest Book: Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

Audio reading: Num 29:21-29:40, 2 Chron 14:1-16:14, Rom 9:1-21, Psalm 19:1-14, Prov 20:1 In this episode we unpack Romans 9–11 as Paul expresses deep sorrow for his fellow Israelites, explains who truly belongs to Israel, and contrasts the Old Covenant (ethnic membership under Moses) with the New Covenant — where membership in God's household is now received by faith in Jesus Christ and is open to both Jews and Gentiles. The episode also includes readings from Numbers, 2 Chronicles, Psalm 19, and Proverbs, and places the teaching within the One Year Audio Bible Podcast journey through Scripture. Connect With Us - Website: https://1yearAudioBiblePodcast.com   Spotify: Https://Open.Spotify.Com/Show/7zuyulxhnkthbgmnxu6q5t Apple Podcasts: Https://Podcasts.Apple.Com/Us/Podcast/1-Year-Audio-Bible-Podcast/Id1562405086 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1YearAudioBiblePodcast Podbean: https://bridgeconnector.podbean.com/  

IF is a BIG word. Imagine a door with hinges that swing in both directions. You can push that door in either direction, and it will open to you. Today, Pastor Dan will share with us that the Old Covenant that God gave His people was just like that double-swinging door…IF they did this, THEN this or that would happen. IF the nation of Israel would DO the various things that God commanded them, THEN they would receive His blessings. IF they DID NOT obey Him, they WOULD NOT experience His blessings.

The early church didn't change the world because they had better technology.They changed the world because they lived differently.In this message, we conclude our journey Through the Bible by exploring the birth of the Church and the letters of the New Testament. From Acts to Jude, we discover what made the first Christians so impactful—and why those same truths still matter today.Using passages from Acts, Matthew 28, John 16, Ephesians 2, Colossians 2, and 2 Corinthians 4, we explore:• The difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant• How 120 ordinary believers became a global movement• Why every Christian needs the power of the Holy Spirit• The importance of biblical community and spiritual leadership• Why sound doctrine matters in a culture driven by feelings• How living on mission transforms ordinary lives• Why the hope of heaven gave the early church unshakable courage• What it looks like to be the Church todayThis message isn't just about the first Christians.It's about the next ones.The same Holy Spirit still fills believers.The same mission still stands.The same Gospel still changes lives.If we want to experience what the early church experienced, we need to do what the early church did.“Go and make disciples of all the nations…” — Matthew 28:19

In week three of our series through Leviticus, we explore chapters 6-10, focusing on the role and holiness of Old Covenant priests. The message highlights their responsibility as intermediaries and the absolute demand for holiness, strikingly illustrated by Nadab and Abiu's unauthorized offering. We then turn to Jesus' profound words in John 6:53-56 and the insights from Hebrews 8, revealing how Christ serves as our more excellent High Priest, establishing a new and better covenant. This new agreement empowers all believers to live as priests—gifted with holiness and called to a powerful ministry of reconciliation, extending grace, prayer, and presence to a lost world.

A bloody ear, thumb, and toe—Why?In the Old Covenant, only the natural offspring of Aaron, the high priest, could be included in the priesthood. In the New Covenant, only the supernatural offspring of the Lord Jesus, the Great High Priest, are granted this status and calling, both now and forevermore. Learn how the initiation rites for priests under the former era reveal profound truths, on a much higher level, about our priestly calling during this age of grace! Going deep in God's Word!Ministry website: www.shreveministries.org Comparative religion website: www.thetruelight.net The “Catholic Project” website: www.toCatholicswithlove.org Video channel: www.YouTube.com/mikeshreveministries All audio-podcasts are shared in a video format on our YouTube channel. Mail: P.O. Box 4260, Cleveland, TN 37320 / Phone: 423-478-4843Audio Version—You may access the audio version of all Mike Shreve podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audibly, Charisma Podcast Network, Listen Notes, and RSS.com.Get Mike Shreve's book revealing the spiritual identity of God's people: WHO AM I? Dynamic Declarations of Who You Are in ChristMike Shreve's other podcast Revealing the True Light—a study on comparative religion themes, as well as mysterious or controversial biblical subjects: https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/show/revealingthetruelight

Read OnlineLoving Beyond LegalismJesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry…?” Matthew 12:1–3At the heart of the Old Testament Law were the Ten Commandments. But the Law also included numerous statutes, ordinances, and ritual prescriptions. This Old Covenant was good because it reflected God's Eternal Law yet it lacked the full clarity and interior transformation that would come only in Christ. It is similar to looking through a pair of binoculars that are out of focus—you may perceive the general form, but the finer details are obscured.Jesus did not abolish the Old Covenant. He fulfilled it by revealing its true meaning and restoring its original purpose. In Him, the Law is clarified, elevated, and perfected. Today's Gospel offers us a glimpse of that divine clarity, as our Lord unveils the deeper meaning of the Sabbath and the spirit that animates the Law—a spirit not rooted in rigid formalism, but in mercy, love, and communion with God.The Pharisees who accused Jesus' disciples of violating the Sabbath by picking heads of grain misunderstood the very Law they claimed to uphold. Throughout the Gospels, we see how many religious leaders corrupted God's commandments by reducing them to external legalism—cut off from the life of charity that the Law was meant to foster.Perhaps you have struggled with this same tendency in your own spiritual journey, mentally checking off boxes—Mass on Sunday, Confession once a month, morning and evening prayers. Though these are good, our hearts can still remain distant from God. Like the Pharisees, we too can fall into treating God's beautiful invitation to relationship as a mere transaction.To emphasize the true spirit of the Law, Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7; cf. Hosea 6:6). Though sacrifice was good, when external observances become divorced from love, justice, and the desire for union with God, they become lifeless—and even offensive—in God's eyes.In Christ, we've received the complete revelation of truth—the New Law of grace, mercy, and redemption. Through Him, we're invited to go beyond external observance and enter into the interior transformation the Law was always meant to inspire. This transformation touches every aspect of our daily lives: When we refrain from gossip, it's not merely to follow a rule, but a recognition of Christ's presence in others. When we make time for prayer, it's not to satisfy an obligation, but to nurture the relationship at the center of our existence. When we choose to forgive, it's not because forgiveness is commanded, but because we've experienced God's mercy and long to extend it to others.This principle extends to every one of Christ's teachings and precepts faithfully handed down by the Church. We are called to obey not for the sake of obedience alone, but to receive the Divine Mercy that flows from Christ's Word and to become instruments of that mercy for others.Reflect today on all that God has revealed through the Scriptures and the Church. His teachings are not burdensome rules, but luminous pathways to communion with God. The ultimate purpose of every command God gives is our sanctification and fruitfulness, which culminate in God's glory. Keep that end in mind, so that all you do may be in harmony with the true purpose of God's Eternal Law—and never reduced to empty obedience.Father, God and Eternal Truth, all that You revealed through Moses and the prophets was but a reflection of Your Eternal Law. In Jesus, our Lord, You have unveiled the fullness of truth—everything we need to know in order to share in Your Kingdom. Grant me the grace to see every teaching and every law You place before me not as a burden, but as a radiant and glorious pathway to communion with You. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Christ defends the plucking of the ears of grain on the Sabbath, by Marten van ValckenborchSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

The Holy Spirit worked in the Old Covenant primarily by coming upon Prophets, Priests, and Kings. When Jesus came he brought the New Covenant and promised the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Verses: Hebrews 11: 13, Hebrews 11: 39-40, Genesis 1: 2, Job 33: 4, Psalm 104: 30, Numbers 11: 1-30, Exodus 31: 1-5, 1 Samuel 10: 6, 1 Samuel 16: 13, Psalm 51: 11, Isaiah 61: 1, 1 Peter 2: 9, Jeremiah 31: 31–34, Ezekiel 36: 25-28, Joel 2: 28-29, Acts 2: 38–39 Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson

Based on Luke 23:39-43, this lesson explores key truths we can learn from the thief on the cross.  The main concepts are: (1) the thief died under the Old Covenant, (2) Jesus had authority to forgive sins while on earth, and (3) the full Gospel plan of salvation was not revealed until after Jesus' resurrection. The lesson concludes with the question “what will you do with Jesus?” Linder Road church of Christ - Meridian, Idaho ********************************** For more information about our full schedule of classes and the Linder Road church of Christ in Meridian, ID, please visit http://www.linderroad.com .

What happens when we add to the gospel? In Galatians 1, Pastor Korey examines Paul's urgent warning against altering the message of Jesus Christ. The believers in Galatia were not abandoning Jesus—they were adding Old Covenant requirements alongside Him. Paul makes it clear that the gospel is not Christ plus our works, traditions, or religious performance. Salvation is found in Christ alone, whose finished work is completely sufficient to rescue sinners and bring them into the New Covenant.

Greatest Hits Replay: In episode 38 of Theology In Particular, Pastor Tom Hicks helps us to understand and evaluate a view of the Old Covenant law known as Theonomy. This view has grown in popularity in some circles and, in our opinion, has led to some confusion. We hope this episode helps to bring some clarity to this important topic. 

Episode Description Welcome to this week's broadcast of For Zion’s Sake with your hosts, Shelley and June. Looking at a world facing one crisis after another, it becomes clearer every day that our true strength doesn't come from our own human abilities. Instead, it comes when we align ourselves intimately with the Holy One of Israel. In this episode, Shelley and June—both Jewish believers—explore a powerful theme throughout Scripture: the shift from being at a distance from God to being truly in Him. In the Old Covenant, most people stood trembling at a distance while only chosen prophets and leaders approached the heavy cloud of His presence. But everything changed with the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus). Discover how the ultimate promise of Immanuel—God with us—is an invitation into deep, unshakeable intimacy that transforms our daily lives, shifts our countenances, and replaces fear with His perfect shalom. Scripture Referenced in This Episode The People Stand at a Distance: Exodus 20:18–21 – Seeing how the nation of Israel trembled at the thunder, lightning, and trumpet sound on Mount Sinai, choosing to stay far back while Moses approached the thick cloud. A Promise of Presence: Exodus 3:12 – God reassures Moses during his calling with the ultimate foundational promise: "Certainly I will be with you." Be Strong and Courageous: Joshua 1:9 – The charge to Joshua reminding him not to be afraid or dismayed, because the Lord is with him wherever he goes. The Prophecy of Immanuel: Isaiah 7:14 – The vital Messianic sign declaring that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, calling His name Immanuel, which translates to "God with us." The Word Made Flesh: John 1:1 – Confirming the divine reality that in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Appointed to Be With Him: Mark 3:14 – Looking at how Jesus specifically established the twelve disciples for one primary baseline purpose: simply to be with Him. Evident Habits of Grace: Acts 4:13 – How the Jewish rulers and scribes marveled at the boldness of Peter and John, recognizing that even though they were uneducated, ordinary men, they had clearly "been with Jesus." The Great Invitation: James 4:8 – Standing on the New Covenant guarantee that if we draw near to God, He will dynamically draw near to us. A Prayer from the Broadcast: Father, we pray for those who feel at a distance from You today. Draw them near. Let your presence be so real in the lives of believers that it reflects clearly in their very countenance. And for those who don't know You yet, reveal Yeshua as the Messiah, fill their souls with Your shalom, and answer their cry. In Jesus' holy name, Amen. Support the show: https://shellyandjunevolk.com/product/partner-with-us-psalm-127-fund/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can a Christian Sin Away Their Salvation? Does Hebrews 10 prove you can lose your salvation? Many people think so, but only because they skip the context. Before the warning comes one of Scripture's greatest declarations of confidence: you're perfectly forgiven, forever cleansed, and welcomed into God's presence through Jesus' finished work. Discover why Hebrews isn't threatening believers with judgment but urging undecided people to embrace Christ. You'll leave with ten unshakable reasons to rest confidently in your relationship with Jesus. Discussion Questions for Hebrews 10: Read verses 19-20. What's the "new and living way"? How does it inspire "confidence"? What does verse 20 reveal about when it began? Read verse 21. In what ways is Jesus a greater priest than the priests of the Old Covenant? Read verse 22. What do "sprinkled clean" and "washed with pure water" communicate about what Christ has already done for us? Read verse 23. What does it mean to "hold fast" our confession, and why is God's faithfulness (not ours) the basis of our hope? Read verses 24–25. What is the purpose of gathering together? How is this different from a church-attendance "checklist" mentality? Read verses 26-28. What does "sinning willfully" mean here? How does "set aside" in verse 28 reveal the meaning? Read verse 29. What do the descriptions "trampled under foot," "regarded as unclean," and "insulted the Spirit of grace" reveal about the kind of rejection described here? Read verse 30. In the Old Testament quotation, who are "His people," and how does that context help us understand the warning? Skip to verse 39. Why is this final verse of the chapter such an important conclusion? What assurance does it give believers after the warnings?

7/12/2026 Hebrews 8:7-13 What Is the New Covenant? Intro: Covenant means Promise. God makes promises and He of course keeps all of His promises. God made a Covenant with the people of the earth. The Noahic Covenant…that God would never flood the earth again. God made four covenants with His people Israel. These are all everlasting covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant---The land. The Mosaic Covenant—the law. The Davidic Covenant—A king and a kingdom. The Mosaic or the old Covenant is a system of works in order to please God. It points to the lamb of God Jesus Christ who fulfilled the works required by the Old Covenant. Hebrews focuses on the Mosaic Covenant—or as they call it the first Covenant…..the law of works. It's basically the Old Testament and the New Testament. Testament is a promise. Last will and Testament. Hebrews compares the Old and the New Covenants. What is the New Covenant?

Episode Description: How do we move from knowing about God to actively experiencing Him on a daily basis? In this concluding episode of the week for For Zion's Sake, hosts Shelly and June Volk unpack the deep practical realities of Ephesians chapter 3. Reading from the Amplified version, June highlights how verse 19 is a direct beckoning for believers to step into a daily, tangible encounter with the love of the Messiah—an experience that ignites a spark, creates an unstoppable internal fire, and empowers us to love and forgive where humanly impossible. June shares a moving personal account of a Jewish cardiologist who noticed a striking, undeniable peace in the way believers face death—a powerful testament to the resurrected life of Jesus working inside His children. Shelly closes the week by constructing a massive scriptural bridge between the Old and New Covenants, proving that the foundation of our faith rests on a God who consistently operates "exceedingly and abundantly." The episode culminates in a beautiful moment of unity as the hosts recite the Shema to honor their Jewish kinsmen. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The Ignited Spark: June discusses how experiencing the love of Christ isn't an intellectual exercise; it practically alters your nature, allowing you to become a witness who loves and forgives in the hardest environments. Dying Differently: A profound anecdote from a cardiologist reveals that the inner presence of the Messiah leaves a visible, unmistakable imprint of peace on a person's life, noticed even by those who don't yet believe. The Scriptural Bridge: Shelly and June trace the language of abundance (hooper) all the way back to the Old Covenant—highlighting an abundant pardon in Isaiah, an abundance of peace in the Psalms, and an exceeding multiplication in Exodus. A Call to Unity: To mark the conclusion of the broadcast week on Friday, the Volks explicitly identify with their Jewish kinsmen by reciting the Shema, celebrating that the foundations of the New Covenant are deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Scripture References Mentioned in This Episode: The Weekly Anchor: Ephesians 3:14-21 The Abundant Pardon: Isaiah 55:7 Delighting in Peace: Psalm 37:11 Abundant in Mercy and Truth: Exodus 34:6 Exceedingly Abundant Grace: 1 Timothy 1:14 Begotten to a Living Hope: 1 Peter 1:3 The Covenant of Multiplication: Exodus 17:2 / Genesis 17:2 Exalted Exceedingly: 2 Chronicles 1:1 Rejoicing Exceedingly: Psalm 68:3 Loving the Testimonies: Psalm 119:167 Faith Growing Exceedingly: 2 Thessalonians 1:3 Life More Abundantly: John 10:10 All Sufficiency Clauses: 2 Corinthians 9:8 The Scriptural Creed: Deuteronomy 6:4 (The Shema) Support & Connect with For Zion's Sake: For Zion's Sake is a broadcast dedicated to strengthening believers in their faith and praying for Jewish kinsmen to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah. Visit Us Online: Find full archives, updates, and resources at shellyandjunevolk.com. Write to Us Directly: For Zion's Sake P.O. Box 244 Kannapolis, NC 28082 Support the show: https://shellyandjunevolk.com/product/partner-with-us-psalm-127-fund/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's session of our Hebrews Bible study series, we dive deep into Hebrews 8 to explore the profound truth of "A Better Covenant." By examining the historical backdrop of the Mosaic Covenant (also known as The Law or the Old Covenant)—including its conditional "if/then" nature and the tragic historical realities of the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles—we discover exactly why a New Covenant was necessary (and planned). We unpack God's direct promise from Jeremiah 31 to write His law not on cold stone tablets, but directly onto our hearts and minds through a ministry built entirely on grace.We also tackle a vital theological question relevant to every believer today: Is God done with the Jewish people? Through anchor scriptures like Romans 11 and Zechariah 12, we confront "replacement theology" head-on, proving that our security in salvation is fundamentally locked to the character of an unchanging Promise-Keeper whose covenants are forever. Finally, we close with a powerful shift in application: moving away from exhausting, performance-based religion and into a heart-driven relationship where we obey God not to earn His favor, but as a grateful response to the love He first showed us at the cross. Grab your Bible, dig deep into the Word with us, and see how the finished work of Christ changes everything!Teaching Notes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1goT0rN6WVNIBXJrDJ6UR_0xFj187yEt0SsF6bYSQqvU/edit?usp=sharingFind out more at: ironsheep.org

Get the notes for this teaching!Jesus: The True High Priest Who Understands Our StrugglesThe Book of Hebrews is a masterful demonstration of how the New Covenant in Christ completely surpasses the Old Covenant shadows. As I dive into Hebrews Chapter 5, the theological focus shifts explicitly to the high priestly ministry of Jesus. If you have ever felt like God is distant or disconnected from your daily struggles, this chapter offers immense comfort and profound challenge.To mediate between a holy God and a broken humanity, a true high priest must be taken from among men. He must understand our condition. Under the Old Covenant, the Levitical priests, starting with Aaron, fulfilled this role. Because they were beset with their own sinful weaknesses, they could deal gently with the people. However, they first had to offer sacrifices for their own sins.Jesus radically changes this dynamic. In the incarnation, God the Son took on human flesh to become our ultimate High Priest. He experienced human fatigue, sorrow, and temptation—yet He remained entirely without sin. He didn't just offer the blood of bulls and goats; He offered Himself. Because He is flawless, His sacrifice is perfect.Furthermore, Hebrews 5 reveals the incredible truth that, although He was a Son, Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered. God used the crucible of suffering to bring Christ's earthly obedience to its absolute climax on the cross. If the Father utilized trials to perfect the obedience of His sinless Son, we should not be surprised when He uses hardships to refine our faith. We are called to grow, moving beyond the elementary “milk” of the faith into the deep, spiritually mature “solid food” of God's Word.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Check us out: https://www.determinetruth.com   **Hebrews is one of the most theologically rich—and often overlooked—books in the New Testament. In this episode of the Determined Truth Podcast, we continue our introduction to Hebrews by exploring why it has been so influential in Christian theology, why it's often neglected in churches, and how its message is deeply rooted in the Old Testament.**   Rob and Vinnie discuss the book's unknown author, why many scholars believe Hebrews is a sermon rather than a traditional letter, and the challenges of interpreting a book so thoroughly grounded in Jewish Scripture and the sacrificial system. They also examine Hebrews' remarkably high Christology, showing how the author presents Jesus as greater than the prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, and ultimately the entire Old Covenant.   The conversation also tackles common misunderstandings about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing fulfillment rather than replacement. Along the way, Rob and Vinnie discuss perseverance, assurance of salvation, and why Hebrews repeatedly calls believers to remain faithful to Christ. If you enjoy thoughtful, biblical conversations that dig beneath the surface, be sure to subscribe and join us each week as we equip the church to be the church.   #Hebrews #BibleStudy #ChristianTheology #NewTestament #JesusChrist #BiblicalStudies #OldTestament #ChristianPodcast #Theology #BibleTeaching #DeterminedTruth #Faith #Scripture #BiblePodcast #Church Vinnie Angelo & Rob Dalrymple FOLLOW THE PODCAST Subscribe to be notified of our new episodes (each Monday).  Want to help us expand the Gospel of the Kingdom? Leave a review, “like” the podcast, or share it with others.   CONNECT WITH DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES The Determinetruth Podcast is a ministry of Determinetruth Ministries. We offer free resources to equip pastors, leaders, and the body of Christ in the US and worldwide for service in the kingdom of God. You can visit us online at https://www.determinetruth.com   SUPPORT DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES Determinetruth is a non-profit 501(c)(3), and relies completely on the financial support of our partners around the world.  Please consider partnering with us and making a tax-deductible donation https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/3648601   Want a FREE CHAPTER from Rob's latest book? Sign up for email updates from Determinetruth.   https://mailchi.mp/5672d33f2b95/dt-podcast Music: “Love is Against the Grain” (Dime Store Prophets)  

In this sermon from Deuteronomy 14, we examine the Old Covenant food laws—along with related commands about mourning rituals, tattoos, and haircuts—that marked Israel as a people holy and set apart to the Lord. We explore the theological rationale behind these distinctions, centered on the contrast between life and death, and how they called God's people to reflect his character as the God of life rather than the practices associated with paganism and decay. Turning to the New Testament, we […]

Most church customers who believe in Jesus have been taught they are just sinners (saved by grace) with unclean hearts ... and need to keep seeking a renewed forgiveness from God whenever they fail or fall short. This often becomes a heavily embedded routine that isn't exactly going to strengthen one's true identity as a person who is declared to be righteous and holy, apart from works. It keeps Christians in a state of a sin consciousness—similar to Jewish people under the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant—bringing a continuous reminder of sins day to day and year to year. The gospel of grace has revealed forgiveness by God has been completed through the blood of Jesus, once for all, and many centuries ago. God remembers sins no more in a new and better covenant. They were taken away! Now we begin to see the inconsistencies of the 'Christian religion' insisting we remind God for personal sins that He said would no longer be remembered. Christ fulfilled forgiveness forever, having thrown sins as far as the east is from the west. With that in mind, how does one 'kick the habit' of confessing every single wrongful thought or action that they can't possibly keep up with? How does a believer in Christ respond when tempted ... and is it possible to overcome unhelpful habits that are not really a part of who you are in Him? The answer is yes, we are well equipped to receive supernatural assistance. --Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

https://www.maynardvillefellowship.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Cooke-7-5-26.mp3 Jesus has declared that the Temple will be utterly destroyed. The disciples know what is coming. Their unsettled dilemma is when. “Tell us, when will these things happen, & what will be the sign of Your coming, & of the end of the age?” — Matthew 24:3 These are not the speculative questions of prophecy-chart enthusiasts. They are the trembling questions of men whose entire covenantal world has just been shaken. The Temple will fall. The Old Covenant age will end. The Son of Man will be vindicated. The Kingdom will no longer be centered in Jerusalem, but in the risen Christ ruling from heaven. Listen as Pastor Matt explains what the disciples were asking when they asked, ‘When Will These Things Happen?’

If this blessed you, don't just watch and leave. Get plugged in today so you can begin to experience God's Promise for Increase on new and exciting levels:

Fr. Mike breaks down the various ways the Eucharist fulfills the sacrifices of bread and wine of the Old Covenant and explains why the Eucharist is central to God's plan of salvation. We learn that the Eucharist is a pledge of God's love for each one of us and a tangible reminder that Jesus is always with us. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1333-1340. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Matt Slick Live (Live Broadcast of 06/30/2026) is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). Matt answers questions on topics such as: The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues! You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! Answers will be discussed in future show. Topics Include: Baptism and Immersion/ EO and RC argue against Sola Scriptura/ What is Polysyllogism?/ When does a believer die in Christ?/ Old Covenant made obsolete/ Punishment versus Annihilation/ SDA and Soul Sleep/ June 30, 2026

So how does it end? How do the pieces of Isaiah fit together? Well, today we dive into Isaiah 66 and see the Lord's glorious plan for His Servant, His people and His kingdom. Join us in this exciting conclusion to this wonderful book! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    As we wrap up our study in the book of Isaiah, what key truths were taught about sin in the following verses:  a.    Isaiah 1:3 b.    Isaiah 59:2 c.    Isaiah 64:6  2.    What key truths are taught about the New Kingdom and her King in the following verses:  a.    Isaiah 2:2 b.    Isaiah 7:14 c.    Isaiah 9:1 d.    Isaiah 9:7 e.    Isaiah 11:2 3.    In Isaiah 66, verse 1, what can mankind make for God to dwell in? Why? According to verse 2, where does the Lord abide? Who might abide with Him? What does it mean to tremble at the Word of God? Would you say that this phrase describes your disposition to the Lord and His Word?  4.    Verse 3 describes the religious hypocrisy of Isaiah's day. What does it sound like the people were doing? Why was this the equivalent of sacrificing dogs and pigs? Does God embrace this kind of worship? How do people make up their own worship today? Why might the Lord reject that worship too?  5.    How does verse 4 show that the people's worship was truly hypocritical? How might a person today act like they are listening to God when they're really not? 6.    In verse 5, the people who tremble at God's Word even face persecution from their own family. What does it look like in this verse? Have you ever seen this kind of persecution in our world today? How does a person's resilience in the face of persecution demonstrate the genuineness of their trust in the Lord?  7.    In verse 6, what is the Lord's response to those who revile His people? What kind of confidence should this give to God's people when they're facing persecution for the Lord? 8.    Verses 7 to 9 is speaking of how the Lord will form a new people and give birth to a new nation. In light of everything we've studied so far in the book of Isaiah, what is this new nation being spoken of here? What kind of hope do you think the Lord intends to convey to His people in these verses? Why would they need this kind of encouragement?  9.    In verses 10 to 14, what is the appropriate response to this work of God? How was the Lord guiding Jerusalem to fulfill her purpose to be a spiritual mother to the nations of the world? 10.    How does the arrival of this new nation also bring judgment in verses 15 to 18? Why?  11.    Verse 19 speaks of how the Lord will send messengers throughout the world. What will be the result of their ministry in verse 20? What is a grain offering? What is the significance of these people being grain offerings to the Lord? 12.    Think about the statement in verse 21 that these people from the nations will be legitimate priests and Levites. Under the Old Covenant, how did a person become a priest? What kind of selection process did they undergo? Why are these Gentiles given such a privileged role and place in this new nation? 13.    In verse 23, how long will this new nation and these new people last? What will all mankind do before the Lord? What does this also say about the endurance of the people's worship? 14.    Read over verse 24, what is the final point of the Book of Isaiah? How is this still a warning to the world today? 15.    Think back to what we have learned from Isaiah about this coming kingdom. Has this kingdom come yet? In this study of Isaiah, how have you seen what it means to be living in light of this future kingdom? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Jim Reske examines the latter chapters of the book of Hebrews, contrasting the heavy burden of "works-based" religion with the freedom of gospel-driven sanctification. The teacher explains that while the Old Covenant was defined by a terrifying, unapproachable holiness at Mount Sinai, the New Covenant invites believers into a joyful, grace-filled relationship with Jesus. By looking at the "Great Hall of Faith," the text emphasizes that faith is not a tool for secular success but a persistent confidence in God's promises while living as earthly exiles. The study clarifies that true holiness is a result of gratitude for what Christ has already achieved, rather than a ladder humans must climb to earn divine favor. Ultimately, the speaker encourages a shift in focus from personal performance to fixing one's eyes on Jesus as the only source of endurance.

One of the biggest struggles for those who have been chained to various types of legalism is the worry that God hasn't forgiven them. Perhaps such a concern is because of something they did or they may have frequently done. It usually results in people feeling as though they need to repeatedly seek more forgiveness from God, over and over again. This leaves people wondering from day to day if they are truly forgiven. This has similarities to the Jewish people under the obsolete Old Covenant, before the cross and resurrection. They kept offering one bloody animal sacrifice after the other—which only provided a temporary covering or atonement. If a renewed forgiveness by God is still needed whenever one falls short of perfect performance, how is it any different from what the writer of Hebrews calls a new and better covenant? The good news is ... Jesus offered one sacrifice (as opposed to many sacrifices under the law). That is all that was needed. He took sin away, once for all, and ended the sacrificial system forever—which God never desired in the first place. In this episode we mentioned that we have talked about 1 John 1:9 several times over the years. Here is one episode on that subject in case anyone wants to go back and listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXcCVD5VQws https://www.growingingrace.org/2024/03/952-fleeing-from-falling-into-forlorn.html --Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

Introduction: Tongues and Prophecy: Remember Their Purposes. (1 Corinthians 14:20-25) The Purpose of Tongues: Sign of JUDGMENT for ISRAEL. (1 Cor 14:20-23) Deuteronomy 28:49 - The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand... Jeremiah 5:15 - Behold, I am bringing against you a nation from afar, O house of Israel, declares the LORD. It is an enduring nation; it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, nor can you understand what they say. The Purpose of Prophecy: MANIFEST God's PRESENCE. (1 Cor 14:24-25) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Questions and Answers: What About Speaking In Tongues? - Part 2 Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:36Open up those Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 14. Do you remember when we got all that snow a few months ago? You remember that? How cold it was? You remember that? Think about that when we feel a little stuffy this morning. Stuffy, that's the counterpart of chili, right?01:0614. Please take a moment and pray for me to clearly communicate God's Word accurately and clearly. And I will pray for you to receive what it is the Lord wants to teach us in His Word today. Let's pray. Father, I pray that Your Word, as our Lord taught, it's like that seed, Father. I just pray that it takes root in our hearts and reproduces in a way that glorifies your name and a way that advances your kingdom. Father, keep us from any distractions, especially over these next few minutes. Father, let our hearts and minds be laser-focused on you and your word. We pray in Jesus' name.02:06And all of God's people said, Amen. 1 Corinthians 14. Recently, at youth group, we had our breakout time with the kids and we were praying. And one young man in our group, in his prayer, was praying for Pastor Taylor and Pastor Chris. Let's stop there for a second.02:360% bothered by that at all. Right? Because there is nobody that mixes up names more than I do. And I thought, I don't know who Pastor Chris is, but maybe he needs prayer more than I do right now. I don't know. But great kid, just wrong name, right? So he's praying. I want to pray for Pastor Taylor and Pastor Chris. And right then in that moment, another young man in the youth group, hollers, it's not his name!03:11I laughed about that for three days.03:13It was like the ultimate shot block, right?03:17It was like, Pastor Chris, it's not his name!03:20Knocked into my house, right?03:26Like, I could have just let it slide.03:32But there was somebody in our group that absolutely was not going to let that slide. Why am I telling you that story? Because when we approach the subject of speaking in tongues, it is easy for us and it is easy for me to sort of adopt the attitude that I had during that youth group prayer. To be like, well, you know what? People believe different things about speaking in tongues and some people may Maybe have this private gibberish prayer language. Whatever. I can just let it slide. And I've got to tell you, through the study of God's Word, especially the last month, God's Word has sort of been like that other kid that was shot blocking to say, that's not what it's for. Speaking in tongues, right? Gibberish before God, right? That's not what it's for. So truth does matter.04:33And let's let the word of God block the shot on any lies. Right? People are all over the board. We talk about speaking in tongues. People are all over the board on the topic. One of the biggest churches in the area. It is a regular practice. Speaking in tongues.05:03What does the Bible say about it? Well, we've been talking about it a lot as we've been going through these chapters in 1 Corinthians. Speaking in tongues, there's a biblical gift. There's a spiritual gift. And speaking in tongues is speaking in a real language that you never learned. Right? We learned that from Acts chapter 2, Pentecost. People were speaking in languages they never learned. People were hearing in their own language.05:35It would be as if I got up this morning, I never studied Mandarin, but I got up and I just started supernaturally. I had the ability to speak Mandarin. That's what speaking in tongues was for, speaking a known language. We're going to cover that today. But the question, before we get to the purpose of the spiritual gift, I think we have to ask, well, you know, this, gibberish thing where people, you know, either in church or in their private prayer language and they just sort of let loose with a, it's not a known language, it's just like gibberish and a bunch of ecstatic speech. Like, what's the purpose of that? And if you ask somebody that believes in the gibberish prayer language, speaking in tongues, if you ask them, like, what's the purpose?06:34you'll hear things like, well, it's for prayer. It's for prayer. That's just not taught in the Bible. Not by direct instruction and not by example. You just don't see that. Some people say, well, no, it's like this highly exalted form of praise. Well, if that's true, then why does he tell us that tongues will cease? If it's such a great way to praise God, why would he put an end to it?07:03But some people say, no, no, no. Speaking in tongues is about evangelism, right? It's not. Like, later, check this out, Acts chapter 2. Was tongues for evangelism? No. Acts chapter 2 tells you what the people said and what was heard in tongues. What were they talking about? What was the message being communicated? Acts 2.11 tells us they were declaring the mighty works of God.07:33about the things that God did in the Old Testament. That's what they spoke. That was what the languages were communicating. What God had done during Old Testament times. And you see, that caught the attention of the Jews. But when it comes to evangelism, Peter got up, Acts chapter 2, he didn't preach in tongues. He didn't preach in gibberish. Like, how do you know? Well, because the sermon is recorded for us in Acts chapter 2.08:04And there are some people, and I've had some lively discussions with people about this, but there are people that believe that speaking in tongues is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That's how you know you're baptized in the Holy Spirit, right? That is so easily disproven. Because in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says, we've all been baptized in one Spirit, right? What was that? Verse 13.08:32We've all been baptized in one spirit. Then he says in verse 30, we don't all speak in tongues. So speaking in tongues is the evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. That doesn't wash with what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12. So, in the first 19 verses, we covered them last week, speaking in tongues, Paul says gibberish is nothing. Even the real gift, Paul said, it's not that important. Look at verse 19.09:02This kind of sums it all up. Paul says, nevertheless, in church, I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others than 10,000 words in a tongue. And that was the message last week. He says, look, church, something else, when you get together, something else needs to be the focus of your worship services. And he said it, remember, over and over and over.09:32What we need to focus on is building each other up. And that happens through prophecy. That's speaking before. That just means preaching. It's speaking the Word of God. Teaching and preaching. That's what we need to be doing when we get together as a church. Well, as we approach the text we're looking at today, he's continuing the thought. Why? Why is prophecy greater than tongues?10:02Just very simply in this passage, he says the reason prophecy is greater than tongues is that you have to consider the purpose of prophecy and you have to consider the purpose of tongues. Like, why did God give us these things? So, on your outline, tongues and prophecy. Remember the purposes. Right? Number one, the purpose of tongues. Why did God give that spiritual gift? The Bible.10:32is clear on this. It's a sign of judgment for Israel. That is the purpose of speaking in tongues. It is a sign of judgment for Israel. Look at verse 20. He says, brothers, you don't be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil. But in your thinking, be mature.11:02He's rebuking them. He goes, you don't understand. You don't understand. And Paul's like, you're thinking like a bunch of children. Do you know how children think? Do you know how children think? Let me give you an example from when I was a child. Alright? Like, this is like second grade. There was a kid in my class. I'm not going to say his name. He might be watching the stream. He's going to be really upset. But there was this kid in my class like in the second grade and he was going around telling everybody the one day.11:32He's like, I'm 67% Indian.11:38That means I can run faster than anybody in this class.11:42And I'm like, there's no way.11:45There's no way.11:47There's no way you're faster than me.11:50He's like, I am.11:51I'm 67.11:52It was like some decimal.11:53I don't remember, like 67.3 or whatever.11:55He goes, I'm 67.3% Indian.11:58I can run faster than you.12:00I'm like, there's no way you can run faster than me.12:04But he was maintaining that. I'm like, all right, recess. Recess, it's on. You, the me, we're going to race. So we did. We got out to the kickball field, standing on first base. I said, all right, we're going to run to second base and back to first base. All right? Settle this once and for all. On your mark at second, I don't think I'm any percent Indian, but I was fast. And I was to second base and back to first before he was to second base. Smoked him. So I go to him afterwards. I'm like, now what? Like, I beat you by a mile. Do you know what he said? He said, well, I couldn't run fast because I'm wearing cowboy boots.13:02And I said, why is an Indian wearing cowboy boots? What do we learn from that exchange? That's how children act. That's how children act. Immature. Showing off. Like, look at me. Look at what I can do. Look at what I can do. And that's what the Corinthians were doing. They were wanting to show off. Look at how spiritual I am. I'm going to speak in this language. Me and God have our own private language.13:31And they were just constantly showing off. And Paul's like, you're acting like a bunch of kids racing on the kickball field. Knock it off. And continuing with the maturity metaphor, he says, be infants in evil. I love that. Be infants in evil. You ever been around a baby? I know you have.14:01Babies are not mean spirited. In the same playpen, you can put a white baby, a black baby, an Asian baby, a Latino baby. They're not going to fight. There's no racial hatred. There's no mean spirited attitudes about them at all. Babies are just like, you know, I eat, I poop, I'm happy. And Paul's like, you need to be Infants.14:34In evil.14:35He says, but you've got to grow up in the way you think.14:40Paul's pointing out to him, you're backwards.14:42You're infants in your understanding of God's Word, of God's purposes, and you're mature in evil.14:52So, the biblical gift of speaking in tongues.14:57Speaking in an existing language that you never learned.15:04Here's the million dollar question. What is it for? What is the purpose? Why did God even make that a thing? Well, to get the answer, you've got to go back to the Old Testament. Right? And that's exactly what he did. Look at verse 21. Paul's clearing it up. In the law, it is written.15:30By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people. And even then, they will not listen to me, says the Lord. Stop there. There's the purpose of tongue. What are you talking about? Alright, we're not going to turn there. But I encourage you to do this later. Alright? Paul is quoting Isaiah chapter 28.16:0011th verses, what you want to focus on. I'm going to give you a quick history lesson so we understand why Paul is quoting this verse. Isaiah 28, we're talking about the prophet Isaiah, we're talking about the southern kingdom, Judah, we're talking about the days of King Hezekiah, we're talking about 705 B.C. Now in 722 B.C., just a few years prior, Assyria conquered the northern kingdom. It was called Israel. The southern kingdom was called Judah. Assyria conquered the northern kingdom as an act of God's judgment because of their idolatry and unbelief. So when you get to this passage in Isaiah 28, 705 B.C., years later, Isaiah goes to the southern kingdom, Judah, and says, you're committing the same sins that God just punished Israel for. You're doing the same stuff. And Isaiah warned them, you're doing the same thing.17:00the same sins, and God's going to bring the same judgment on you. Well, Isaiah 28. Isaiah goes to the leaders, specifically the priests and the prophets, and he finds them at a party, and they're all drunk. And not only is their drunkenness impairing their decision making ability, but they are vomiting all over the table. That's what it says. It's a disgusting scene. So Isaiah comes to give the message and the Bible says they mock Isaiah. They make fun of him. They're like, Isaiah thinks we're babies. Do you hear what he's saying? Isaiah just keeps preaching the same message to us over and over and over.18:00Isaiah thinks we're babies. Isaiah thinks he's our kindergarten teacher. Well, Isaiah 28.11, the verse that Paul quotes here in 1 Corinthians 14.21, God is speaking through Isaiah and he's saying, okay, Israel, you're not going to listen in a language that you know. I'm going to speak to you in a language that you don't understand.18:31And the Babylonians came and they conquered Judah, the southern kingdom. They conquered them 586 B.C. When you hear God is saying, when you hear the Babylonians speaking in their language that you do not understand, you're going to know that God is bringing His judgment. That's what He's saying. And by the way, this wasn't the first time Israel was warned about this. Deuteronomy 28, 49, God warned in the law, the Lord will bring a nation against you from far away from the end of the earth, swooping down like an eagle. Look at this. A nation whose language you do not understand. God promised him this is what's going to happen. Again, Jeremiah 5.15. I think we talked about this a couple weeks ago. Behold, I'm bringing against you a nation from afar, O house of Israel, declares the Lord. It is an enduring nation. It is an ancient nation. Look, a nation whose language you do not know, to understand what they say. So here's the point. Hearing a foreign tongue, Israel, is a sign to the unbelieving Jews among you that God is moving in judgment against you. And you see, if God judged Israel in 725, 2. And God judged Judah in 586 BC. What do you think God is going to do to the unbelieving Jews in the first century that completely rejected the Messiah of Israel? God says you won't listen in your language. You're going to hear languages you don't understand. That's Pentecost. Tongues was a sign that Israel was judged. Romans 11.20:29temporarily set aside. And Revelation is so clear about that. Temporary. But now God is at work through Gentile nations as well as Israel. The focus shifted. That's why Paul tells us in 13.8 the tongues will cease. They're not needed today. Because they were a sign of judgment against Israel during the transition from the Old Covenant.20:59to the new covenant. There's a sign. He goes on. Look at verse 22 here in 1 Corinthians 14. He says, thus, tongues are a sign not for believers, but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers, but for believers. He couldn't be more clear. Tongues are not for other believers.21:29From the Old Testament, we learn it was, as he says in verse 22, it's a sign for unbelievers. You're like, what unbelievers? Unbelieving Israel. It's the sign. He says prophecy, though, preaching the Word of God, that is for building up believers. That was last week's message. We're going to see that more again in a minute. Look at verse 23. He says, If therefore the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? You see? There's something very interesting about the wording here. This phrase, to say that you're out of your minds. Maybe your Bible says something like, they'll say that you're mad. Does your Bible say something like that if you have a different translation? It's interesting. The word, this word mad, this word out of your mind, that same word is used in other places in ancient literature to describe Pagan worship services. The gibberish. That's the same word used to describe that. When everybody got together and was just shouting stuff that nobody understood, they're like, that's mad. That's this word. They're going to think you're crazy. Everybody's shouting words people don't understand. What Paul's saying here is, you know what's going to happen? Is an unbeliever is going to come to church and he's going to say, Huh! They act just like the pagans. They are no different than the way the pagans worship. That's exactly, literally what Paul's saying here. So that's the purpose of tongues. It's not gibberish shouting at church. It's not some secret ecstatic prayer language. Paul reminds us it was always a sign of judgment against Israel.24:00Tongues and prophecy remember their purpose. Tongues is a sign of judgment for Israel. Number two, let's talk about the purpose of prophecy. What is the purpose of prophecy? Why do we preach? Why do we preach? I mean, it seems a little archaic, doesn't it? In our day of 15-second video, clips that we doom scroll through and our 30 second antacid commercials. It doesn't seem a little archaic that somebody would stand up for however many minutes we stand up and talk. Why do we do that? What is the purpose of prophecy? You're going to see here in the text exactly why we do this.25:01It manifests God's presence. Look at verses 24 and 25. You're going to see it. He says, but if all prophesy, teach, preach the word. But if all prophesy and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all. He is called to account.25:28By all the secrets of his heart are disclosed. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. It's the same point he made in the first 19 verses. He's like, church, look. Church, you know what you need to focus on?25:58You need to focus on preaching and teaching. That's what you need to focus on. So what's the purpose of prophecy? Well, he made a very clear point in the previous section. The purpose of prophecy is to build up believers. And also, speaking of unbelievers coming to church, which he brings up in this section, Paul says, when an unbeliever hears the word of God rightly proclaimed, something happens. What happens is God moves. I want you to look at this sequence. This is why we preach. Look at the sequence. He says, an unbeliever, outsider enters the church, and you are preaching the Word of God rightly. That's why we always ask for prayer. Please pray for us to preach the Word of God accurately. But look at the first thing that happens. He says he is convicted by all. He's convicted by all. The first thing that happens, and I know, I know, this isn't popular in our day, but this is what the Bible says. The first thing that happens, is that person feels guilty.27:28And listen, that has to happen.27:35Some people just want feel-good messages.27:38We've had people leave our church because they just want a feel-good message.27:47And we live in a day more than ever, and you see this in front of you every day, Make me comfortable in my sin. Affirm me. Don't tell me I'm wrong. Look at my sin and tell me I'm special. They just want the feel-good messages. Give me the pep talk. Give me the five ways to be happier at work, four ways to be happier at home.28:23feel bad.28:29By the way, do you know why the world hated Jesus?28:33Do you know?28:35Do you know why the world hated Jesus?28:37Just write this down.28:38Look this up later.28:39John 7, 7.28:41Just write that down.28:41Look it up.28:43Why the world hated Jesus?28:47Well, you should feel convicted.28:50You should.28:51You should feel a sense of I'm wrong. I'm guilty. That's the first part of the sequence. Look at the second thing. He says, he is convicted by all. Secondly, he is called to account by all. Called into account by all. Now listen, that doesn't mean that when like a person, stuck in a sinful lifestyle comes to church. We all get to take a shot at them. That's not what that means. Like somebody comes in and they're like, I'm struggling with an addiction. And I'm like, okay, stand here. Everybody line up. Take a shot. We're going to call them to account. Everybody just comes through the line. You're a loser. You need to repent. You stink. That's not what that means at all. What does it mean to be called into account by all? It's positive peer pressure. It's somebody looking.29:51and Christ alive through you and recognizing the need to change. To say, these people are different. These people live differently. This is who I need to be. They need to be looking around and saying, man, I need to know the Bible like him. You know, I need to get away from this addiction that's been destroyed.30:24I need to get away from the bad influences. I need to make choices. The choices to follow Jesus that I see her making, I need to make those same choices. That's what he's talking about. Everybody sort of calls them into account, like positive peer pressure. Right? What else happens when the Word is proclaimed? Look at verse 25. The third thing. The secrets of his heart are only God's word can do that. I can't do that. Pastor Taylor can't do that. Nobody can do that. The word of God is the only thing that can disclose the secrets of your heart. It's through the preaching of the word. Those secrets are disclosed and that's what brings the feeling of guilt. I've been a hypocrite. I've been faking. You know what? I've been lying.31:22I've been lying to other people. I want everybody to think I'm so noble. I want everybody to think I got my act together and I don't. I see now that my problem is me. I have a sin problem in my heart. I am the problem. The secrets of the heart are disclosed.31:51The next step. He says, and so, falling on his face. What's that? That's humbling yourself. Right? It's when you realize I'm such a hypocrite. I'm guilty. I'm a faker. And I'm a sinner. And I'm not the man that I need to be. Oh God, help me.32:21I have tried so hard to be the person that I think I need to be and I fail every time. I can't do it. And I just, all I can do is get on my face and say, say, God, help me. I can't do it on my own. That's what he's talking about here. Falls on his face. Look at the next one. He says, he will worship God. He will worship God.32:51You see, God saves those and changes those who confess their sin and believe in Jesus Christ. See, Jesus died in your place on that cross. That should have been you nailed to the cross. That should have been me nailed to the cross. Jesus took your place on that cross to bear the wrath of God, not for anything He did, because He lived.33:21a sinless life. He bore the wrath of God for the sins that I committed and the sins that you committed. He bore God's wrath for those. And if you turn and believe in Him, you become a child of God and He changes you and you never, ever, in all of eternity have to experience the wrath of God for your sin that you deserve. You don't have to experience it because Jesus has taken your sin away from you and that when you really get that that leads you to worship thank you god thank you god for doing what i could never do thank you god for pronouncing me not just not guilty but pronouncing me righteous in jesus christ thank you god for the promise of heaven thank you god thank you god you are so awesome and you are so worthy and you are so holy Thank you. It leads you to worship. And then finally, he says, then declare that God is really among you. That's what happens when the Word of God is rightly preached. And somebody is broken over their sin. They realize their guilt. They humble themselves. They worship. They walk out.34:47the doors and say, I met God at church today.34:54God was there.34:56I met God in the worship, in the preaching.35:00I encountered God through His Word.35:02I saw God through the people.35:09They walk out.35:10I met God today.35:14That's why people stop going to church, by the way.35:17That's why people love going to churches where the gospel isn't proclaimed. Because they don't want to change. That's the reason. They don't want to change. But every single time that I encounter God, I am moved to change.35:47single time. Read your Bibles. Read your Bibles and look at every single person who encountered God. Every single person who encountered Jesus Christ. They changed or they fled. But an encounter with God will change you. That's why we just preach the Word. That's why anybody who stands up here, the job is always the same.36:17Represent the text. Represent the text. That's what we go for. And we strive to live it because this right here is what we want for this church more than anything. For people to declare that God is really among us. For people to see God do what only God can do. If our worship team would make their way back up front, Speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues. It's kind of my own private gibberish prayer language, right? It's not what it's for. It's not what it's for. But does it really matter? Yeah. It matters. The purpose of tongues mattered.37:17For God's plan for Israel. The purpose of preaching matters for God's plan for the church today. And the purpose of a sermon like this isn't to equip you to win an argument, but rather to keep us all on track of what we should be going after every single Sunday and why.37:46Let's pray. Our Father in Heaven, this church was planted on the belief that the Word of God does the work of God. And Father, I thank You for this passage we looked at today because You have explained it here so clearly, what needs to happen when Your Word is proclaimed. Father, we aren't trying to put on a show. We're not trying to make a name for ourselves.38:17more in this church than for people to walk out the doors and say, God is really there. God is really among them. God was made manifest through His people, through worship, through the proclamation of the Word. Father, I pray where we would be tempted to act like children and fight about this, make us mature in our thinking.38:47to go after the things that matter to you. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 14:20-25What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain, in your own words, the purpose of the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. (1 Cor 14:21-22).How exactly does prophecy (preaching) manifest God's presence (end of 1 Cor 14:25)? How does the sequence flow (1 Cor 14:24-25)?Does this passage change your view on speaking in tongues? Why or why not?BreakoutPray for one another.

For the past several days, we've been looking at the kingdom that our Lord will establish one day. Today, in our study of Isaiah 55, we'll see that as amazing at it is, our Lord offers the nations a place in this kingdom. So, Isaiah 55 is a key chapter because is shows us that God's plan, all along, was for both Jews and Gentiles to be one people under God.  DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:  1.    Verse 1 opens with an invitation. What is the invitation and who is it given to? Why is this important for the overall theme and perspective of the Book of Isaiah?  2.    Verses 1 & 2 also talk about the payment required to embrace this offer. What is the payment required? What New Testament term speaks of this kind of payment?  3.    What is the "everlasting covenant" spoken of in verse 3? Considering your answer to question 1, from verse 1, who is this covenant being made with? 4.    The term "Everlasting Covenant" was also used in Isaiah 61, Jeremiah 32, Ezekiel 16 & 37 and then in Hebrews 13:20. What covenant is this referring to?   5.    The podcast pointed out that the Everlasting Covenant was specifically made with individuals. Although the Old Covenant (the Mosaic Covenant) was also individual in nature, it was ultimately made with the nation of Israel. How is the New Covenant different? Why is this difference important to understanding what it means for us to personally and individually enter into covenant with the Lord?  6.    Take a moment to read over verse 6 and rewrite this in your own words, making a special point to apply this principle to your own life.  7.    Verse 7 gives a clear picture of repentance. Does this describe your walk with the Lord? What wicked ways have you forsaken? What unrighteous thoughts have you turned from? What is the promise of verse 7 to those to repent like this?  8.    What is the point behind verses 8 & 9? Why is it important for us to know these truths if we're going to walk faithfully according to our covenant with the Lord?  9.    What impact does God's Word have, in verse 11? Why is this important for us to know when we're teaching God's Word to others?  10.    Verse 12 pictures the kind of joy that will accompany those who enter into covenant with the Lord and follow Him. Why does following God have this result in our lives? Have there been times when you have not felt like this? In light of Christ's exhortations for us to pick up our cross and follow Him, how would you counsel someone who is following God but suffering pain as a result?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

“The Circumcision” is a name given to God's New Covenant offspring in Philippians 3:3. Are we the spiritual fulfillment of the natural, Old Covenant rite of circumcision given to Abraham. It was a sign of his covenant with God in ancient days. Is it still a sign now—yet on a much higher level? Learn the mystery of both the shadow and the substance, both the symbol and the supernatural reality—and most importantly, rejoice in the miracle of a circumcised heart.Ministry website: www.shreveministries.orgComparative religion website: www.thetruelight.netThe “Catholic Project” website: www.toCatholicswithlove.orgVideo channel: www.YouTube.com/mikeshreveministriesAll audio-podcasts are shared in a video format on our YouTube channel.Get Mike Shreve's book revealing the spiritual identity of the sons and daughters of God:WHO AM I? Dynamic Declarations of Who You Are in ChristMike Shreve's other podcastRevealing the True Light—a study on comparative religion subjects, as well as mysterious or controversial biblical subjects: https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/show/revealingthetruelight

Friends of the Rosary,Today, June 24, the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, called the Precursor or Forerunner of the Lord in the three synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as in the Book of John.Like Mary, who already in the first moment of her existence, was free from original sin, John was cleansed of original sin in the womb of his mother.Therefore, for John, the day of his birth is likewise sacred. He preceded the Redeemer, representing the Old Covenant and the Law and heralding a new dispensation of grace.The nativity of John is observed six months earlier than the birth of Christ, at the time of the summer solstice. The popular custom, centered on "St. John's Fire," symbolizes Christ the Light. John was a lamp that burned and shone.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠June 24, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that each and every one of the Old Covenant prefigurations are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He also unpacks Christ's own Baptism in the Jordan, explaining that when Christ is baptized by John the Baptist, he brings the “mess of humanity” into the Jordan with him and makes the waters of Baptism holy. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1223-1228. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Together, we begin the chapter on the sacraments of initiation, specifically the section on the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike unpacks the different names that the Church employs when discussing Baptism, such as the “washing of regeneration and renewal” and “enlightenment.” He concludes with a reflection on the prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1210-1222. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Are You Living Under the Right Covenant? Discussion Questions for Hebrews 8: Hebrews 8 says Jesus mediates a "better covenant" based on "better promises." What are some of those promises of the new covenant? How would your enjoyment of God increase if you relaxed more in His promises? God says the New Covenant is "not like" the covenant made at Sinai. What are some ways Christians accidentally make the New Covenant sound exactly like the Old Covenant? What phrases have you heard that make grace sound conditional, fragile, or performance-based? God says, "I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts." What does this reveal about your new desires in Christ? Why is it so encouraging to know that God is not merely commanding from the outside but working from the inside? Many believers say, "I know what I should do, but I don't want to do it." How does Hebrews 8 challenge the idea that Christians are still fundamentally rebellious at heart? How can we be honest about temptation and struggle without denying our new heart and new identity? God says, "I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Why does belonging need to come before behavior? How does knowing you already belong change the way you respond to failure, growth, correction, or temptation? React to this statement: Every believer has direct relationship with God, not secondhand spirituality. How does this truth free us from comparing ourselves with "super Christians" or depending on religious elites to feel close to God? God says, "I will remember their sins no more." What is the difference between God forgetting information and God choosing never to deal with you according to your sins again? What sins, failures, or regrets do you still assume God is holding over you? Where do you most need to "come home" to New Covenant life today: once-for-all forgiveness, new desires, direct access to God, a secure identity, or freedom from Law-based living?

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” Matthew 5:17–18Sometimes it can be challenging to reconcile the Old Testament with the New Testament. In addition to the Ten Commandments, the Old Testament is filled with countless other commandments. The Pharisees, in their attempt to preserve and interpret the Law of Moses, identified 613 specific commandments. While the Pharisees sought to preserve the Law through detailed commandments, the prophets continually called Israel back to a deeper fidelity to the covenant. Many of the prophets also spoke of the coming of the Messiah and foretold a new spiritual law that would be written on the heart.In today's Gospel, Jesus proclaims that He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. To “fulfill” means that Jesus brings the Law and the Prophets to completion, perfecting them and elevating them into the New Covenant of grace. This fulfillment achieves the true meaning of the Law, moving beyond external observance to the interior transformation of the heart. Jesus fulfills the moral demands of the Law by addressing not only external actions but also the interior dispositions of the heart. For example, in this same Sermon on the Mount, Jesus transforms the commandment “You shall not kill” into a call to avoid even anger or hatred (cf. Matthew 5:21–22). In doing so, He reveals the fullness of God's justice, which calls for not only outward obedience but also inward holiness rooted in love.The sacrificial system of the Old Covenant centered on Temple worship, where animal sacrifices were ritually offered as atonement for sins. Those Old Testament sacrifices find completion in Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the Cross. He became the new High Priest and offered Himself as the Lamb of God on the Altar of the Cross, a sacrifice that is perpetuated in the Eucharist. Once Christ offered Himself on the Cross, the animal sacrifices and other ceremonial aspects were fulfilled and are no longer required, having given way to the new and perfect worship in the perpetual Eucharistic Sacrifice.The Law and the Prophets also pointed toward the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the New Covenant. Jesus, as the Messiah, fulfills these prophecies. In Him, God's plan to gather all nations into His family is accomplished, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and proclaimed by the prophets. The symbols and foreshadowings of the Old Testament, such as the Passover lamb, find their ultimate meaning in Christ.Through Him, the promises of salvation are no longer future hopes but present realities. Through this threefold fulfillment—moral, in transforming our hearts; liturgical, in perfecting worship; and prophetic, in realizing God's promises—Jesus not only completes the Old Covenant but elevates it into something far greater. He reveals its true purpose: to lead humanity into a deeper relationship with God through love, grace, and truth.Reflect today on Jesus as the fulfillment of all that God has revealed from the foundation of the world. Because the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ, we turn our gaze upon Him as the full revelation of the Father and the only way to salvation. The study of the Old Testament reveals the unfolding of Salvation History, but in the Eucharist, we encounter its fulfillment and completion. Turn to Him in the Sacrifice of the Mass, where every promise made throughout salvation history is fulfilled and made present to you in the most precious gift of Christ Himself. In this perpetual Eucharistic Sacrifice, we are drawn into the mystery of divine love and receive a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, where God's promises will one day be fully realized.My Eucharistic Lord, You are the fulfillment of every promise made throughout salvation history. In the Sacrifice of the Mass, the final and perfect atonement for sins, those promises are made present to us today. Draw me deeper into worship, filling my heart with a profound love for You in the Eucharist. Transform me by this New Covenant of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Listen to Him by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In this episode of Shadows to Substance, Pastor George Sayour explores one of the most remarkable themes in the Gospel of John: Jesus Christ as the true temple of God. Far more than a collection of miracles and teachings, John's Gospel presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the tabernacle, the temple, the sacrifices, and the entire system of Old Covenant worship. From "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" to the empty tomb, John reveals that everything pointed to Christ. Scholars have long noted John's extensive use of temple imagery to portray Jesus as God's ultimate dwelling place among His people. Join us as we trace these connections throughout John's Gospel and discover how the shadows of the Old Testament find their substance in Jesus Christ.

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacramental economy, specifically the Holy Spirit's work in the liturgy. Fr. Mike emphasizes that what Jesus makes possible, the Holy Spirit makes actual. We are made to live in the life of the risen Christ and that is what the Spirit brings about in us. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on the importance of understanding that the Christian Liturgy springs from and fulfills the Jewish Liturgy. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1091-1098. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.