Podcasts about on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 35:14

For Christians, what is the proper way to think about bioethics and bioengineering? What moral limits should be placed upon bioengineering research and development? Will science give us the ability to live forever, apart from God Himself? On part two of our conversation with philosopher, apologist and author, Dr. Douglas Groothius (GROW-tice), we unpack some ways through these questions and help equip you to give a defense in such important discussions. Douglas Groothuis earned his PhD from the University of Oregon and has been a faculty member at Denver Seminary since 1993. He has also taught at The University of Oregon and Metro State University, in Denver. He has authored thirty academic articles in journals such as Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, Sophia, Bibliotheca Sacra, and Academic Questions. He has also written for Christianity Today, The Christian Research Journal, The Journal for Christian Legal Thought, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and many other publications. He has authored thirteen books, including Unmasking the New Age, The Soul in Cyberspace, Truth Decay, On Jesus, Christian Apologetics, Philosophy in Seven Sentences, Walking through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher's Lament, I Love You to the Stars (a children's book written with Crystal Bowman), Christian Apologetics, Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics. and The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word an Introduction to Classical Apologetics (2022) with Andrew I. Shepardson. He has contributed numerous entries to reference volumes such as The Dictionary of Christianity and Science, The Apologetics Study Bible, The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions, and the textbook, Problems in Value Theory.Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Transhumanism by Dr. Douglas Groothuis: watchman.org/TranshumanismProfile.pdf Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

god university world science soul phd christians christianity fire walking stars oregon philosophy journal promises astrology profile new age higher education lament unmasking atheism perils apologetics god himself chronicle dictionary cyborg i love you profiles religious studies christianity today transhumanism bionic cyberspace world religions zen buddhism christian apologetics scientism denver seminary truth decay metro state university luke barnes on jesus daniel ray academic questions crystal bowman watchman fellowship bibliotheca sacra streets how you can confidently respond robert m bowman

Episode 159: The Promises and Perils of Transhumanism [Part 1] with Dr. Douglas Groothuis

Born in the Second Century

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 43:06

Our guest this week and next, philosopher Dr. Douglas Groothuis (pronounced GROW-tice), unpacks and helps us better understand the foundation behind these ideas and shows us that we as Christians have no reason to fear contributing sound biblical and theological answers to these important topics.Douglas Groothuis earned his PhD from the University of Oregon and has been a faculty member at Denver Seminary since 1993. He has also taught at The University of Oregon and Metro State University, in Denver. He has authored thirty academic articles in journals such as Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, Sophia, Bibliotheca Sacra, and Academic Questions. He has also written for Christianity Today, The Christian Research Journal, The Journal for Christian Legal Thought, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and many other publications. He has authored thirteen books, including Unmasking the New Age, The Soul in Cyberspace, Truth Decay, On Jesus, Christian Apologetics, Philosophy in Seven Sentences, Walking through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher's Lament, I Love You to the Stars (a children's book written with Crystal Bowman), Christian Apologetics, Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics. and The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word an Introduction to Classical Apologetics (2022) with Andrew I. Shepardson. He has contributed numerous entries to reference volumes such as The Dictionary of Christianity and Science, The Apologetics Study Bible, The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions, and the textbook, Problems in Value Theory.Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Transhumanism by Dr. Douglas Groothuis: watchman.org/TranshumanismProfile.pdf Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

god university world science soul phd christians christianity fire walking stars oregon philosophy journal promises astrology profile new age higher education lament unmasking atheism perils apologetics chronicle dictionary cyborg i love you profiles religious studies christianity today transhumanism bionic cyberspace world religions zen buddhism christian apologetics scientism denver seminary truth decay metro state university luke barnes on jesus daniel ray academic questions crystal bowman watchman fellowship bibliotheca sacra streets how you can confidently respond robert m bowman

27. In You and Others Like You. Part 2 of Montanism Trilogy.

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2022 112:32

The second installment of BORN IN THE SECOND CENTURY'S Montanism Trilogy examines the Christian reactions to this mysterious movement. Host Chris Palmero presents testimonies from Irenaeus, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Didache, Epiphanius, and of course, Eusebius. He also tackles a burning question: did Tertullian really convert to the New Prophecy, or was that illustrious fool merely participating in an elaborate LARP?Anyone who listens to this episode can learn about why Christians blow on the faces of their converts; whether Eusebius can really be trusted; the "Heretic's Journey;" whether the Catholics were trying to assassinate Montanus, Maximilla, and Priscilla; whether Irenaeus was a secret Montanist sympathizer; whether the Didache was originally a Montanist book; what the controversy between Christianity and the New Prophecy was really about; why Tertullian got involved in this movement; and how the pagan Celsus has taught us more about this "heresy" than any Christian commentator ever could. The host also shares a special time-saving technique that anyone can use when writing about Philip's Daughters.Opening reading: The Canons of the Council of Constantinople, from the late fourth century, look forward to the age in which Montanism eventually fades from the earth.Patreon: www.patreon.com/borninthesecondcenturyWebsite: facebook.com/BornInTheSecondCenturyE-mail: secondcenturypodcast@gmail.comMusic: Pompeii Gray on Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud00:48 - Reading: COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE, Canon 7.05:24 - OPENING Remarks.09:33 - Reading: FIRMILIAN, Epistle 74, to Cyprian.15:10 - A SAFETY Briefing before Reading Eusebius.18:41 - Testimony of THE ANONYMOUS. His Confused Origin Story for Montanus.22:14 - The Anonymous: The HERETIC'S JOURNEY.26:43 - The Anonymous: PROPHET-KILLERS.30:49 - The Anonymous: A Possible MATTHEW Reference.34:13 - The Anonymous: AMMIA and QUADRATUS.42:25 - Reading: EPIPHANIUS, Panarion, On the Quintillianists.45:38 - Testimony of IRENAEUS.54:29 - Testimony of CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA.54:58 - Testimony of COMMANDER SHEPHERD OF HERMAS.59:50 - Testimony of THE DIDACHE.1:02:30 - Testimony of EPIPHANIUS.1:09:11 - On the PARACLETE.1:15:21 - On JESUS.1:16:25 - On PHILIP'S DAUGHTERS.1:27:47 - Reading: WILLIAM TABERNEE, Prophets and Gravestones.1:28:45 - Tertullian as Montanist LARPER.1:45:47 - Testimony of CELSUS.1:49:52 - CLOSING Remarks.Support the show

Beware of Hardened Heart Part 1

Walking in Truth

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 26:00

Our culture can be so harsh, it's no wonder that the writer of Hebrews encourages one and all who believe in Jesus to set their mind ON Jesus. I see so many things that snuff the enjoyment out of life that it's easy for me to build strong, protective walls around my heart. How about you? In today's message with Pastor Johnny, this is exactly what we're not to do.If we think...and I mean, SIT and SOAK in all the truths about who Jesus is then that's the first step in not allowing our hearts to harden.

jesus christ hebrews heart part soak hardened heart on jesus

Beware of Hardened Heart Part 1

Walking in Truth

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 26:00

Our culture can be so harsh, it's no wonder that the writer of Hebrews encourages one and all who believe in Jesus to set their mind ON Jesus. I see so many things that snuff the enjoyment out of life that it's easy for me to build strong, protective walls around my heart. How about you? In today's message with Pastor Johnny, this is exactly what we're not to do.If we think...and I mean, SIT and SOAK in all the truths about who Jesus is then that's the first step in not allowing our hearts to harden.

jesus christ hebrews heart part soak hardened heart on jesus

Introducing Truth Tribe (My Testimony and Mission)

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 21:01

This episode acquaints you with me briefly. I speak of my conversion and ministry since then. Early on, God showed me that he wanted me to teach, preach, and write. I endeavor to bring the truth of Christianity to the world and to build up the church in the faith given once for all to the saints (Jude 3). Because of my work in philosophy and apologetics, my story can be an apologetic for Christianity. I make this case in “Autobiography as Apologetic,” published in The Christian Research Journal: https://www.equip.org/articles/autobiography-as-apologeticIn the podcast, did not mention all the books I have published in the show, so here they are.1. Unmasking the New Age. InterVarsity Press, 19862. Confronting the New Age. InterVarsity Press, 1988.3. Revealing the New Age Jesus. InterVarsity Press, 1990.4. Christianity that Counts. Baker Books, 1994.5. Deceived by the Light. Harvest House, 19956. Jesus in an Age of Controversy. Harvest House, 1996.7. The Soul in Cyberspace. Baker Books, 1997.8. Truth Decay. InterVarsity Press, 2000.9. On Jesus. Wadsworth, 2003.10. On Pascal. Wadsworth, 2003.11. Christian Apologetics, first edition. InterVarsity Press, 2011.12. Philosophy in Seven Sentences. InterVarsity Press, 2017.13. Walking through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher's Lament. InterVarsity Press, 2017.14. I Love You to the Stars (with Crystal Bowman). Kregel, 2021. A children's book.15. Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. InterVarsity Press, 2022. Contains eight new chapters.16. Fire in the Streets. Salem Book, 2022. 17. The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word: An Introduction to Classical Apologetics (with Andrew Shepardson). Zondervan Academic. Due: December, 2022.In addition, I coedited, with James Sennett, In Defense of Natural Theology. InterVarsity Press, 2005. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Identity Series: Impacting Our Community and Our World With the Life-changing Message of Jesus Christ - Steve Henry

Sermons - Harvest Church | Arroyo Grande

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 83:40

0 (1s): Good morning, 1 (2s): Church. Good morning. Good morning. Will you stand as we worship the Lord this morning? 0 (13s): It's to be the happier morning 2 (18s): You Jesus. Thank you for your presence. When all I see is about you see my victory tree when all I see is you see about and the, 0 (44s): And 2 (45s): As I walk through the shout, your love surrounds me. There's nothing to feel for. I am we with you. Come on. You notice. So I find on my knees with my hands lifted high, God, the battle belongs to you. I at your how seat through the night, oh God, the be belong to 0 (1m 30s): You. 2 (1m 37s): And if you against me for Jesus's nothing impossible for sees 0 (2m 2s): My 2 (2m 5s): You 0 (2m 10s): Is 2 (2m 13s): Here. 0 (2m 19s): So 2 (2m 20s): I find I with my hands. It did high. But that'll bes 0 (2m 30s): You. 2 (2m 31s): Everyth, right? I'll see through the, oh God. But that'll to 0 (2m 42s): You 2 (2m 47s): Homebody fortress, you go before us. Nothing can stand against the power of our God. You shining the shadows, you win everybody. Nothing can stand against the power of our God in almight. You go before us. Nothing can stand against the power of our God. You shine in the shadows, you win everybody. 2 (3m 29s): Nothing can stand the of our God in almighty forts for 0 (3m 39s): Us, 2 (3m 40s): Nothing can stand against power. Our God shine in the shadows. You every nothing can stand against the power of our 0 (3m 57s): God. Oh, 2 (4m 2s): So when or on my 0 (4m 5s): Knees 2 (4m 6s): With my hands knit high, God, that'll be lost to in Everyth. I see. 0 (4m 21s): Oh 2 (4m 22s): God, that'll be 0 (4m 24s): To you. 2 (4m 27s): Oh God. That'll be 0 (4m 57s): Christ 2 (4m 59s): Foundation. Areno shaken. I my that, that I'll 0 (5m 17s): My 2 (5m 22s): He's let me down. He's he now. He won't Hass. You got 0 (5m 49s): Highs 2 (5m 50s): I've got makes no 0 (5m 53s): Sense. 2 (5m 54s): So I won't be 0 (5m 56s): Going 2 (6m 0s): Done by my, 0 (6m 5s): My life 2 (6m 6s): On Jesus. He's never so out. He 0 (6m 24s): Won't. He wont. He won't. 2 (6m 38s): He wants, he he wants, 0 (6m 53s): He wants 2 (6m 58s): He will 0 (6m 59s): Be. 2 (7m 2s): Christ is my 0 (7m 3s): Firm found 2 (7m 38s): He 0 (7m 41s): He 2 (7m 51s): He'll het and 0 (8m 4s): Holy 2 (8m 5s): Worship of whos who, Love. Come on. You've seen Rain came, Rain came, rain flew. But my house was built on. I'm came and wind blew. 2 (8m 46s): Not houseless built on you. I'm with you. I've gotta make it 0 (8m 58s): Through 2 (9m 1s): Rain and wind. Blue. Not houseless belts on you. I'm with you. I'm make it it through. Yeah, I'm it through. Cause I'm strong on you. I'm gonna, This is my house. He's builts on you. Christ's my burn foundation. 2 (9m 47s): When now everything around me, never. The more I 0 (9m 58s): Put my 2 (9m 59s): Jesus, He's faithful. So I would, He 0 (10m 17s): Won't. He won 2 (10m 27s): Het, He give him a 1 (10m 48s): Revelation 21, 5 and six says, He who is seated on the throne said, 2 (10m 54s): I 1 (10m 54s): Am making everything new. Then he said, Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true. He said to me, It is done. I am the alpha and the omega. The beginning and the end to the thirsty. I will give water through water without cost. From the spring of the water of life. He who is seated on the throne said, I am making everything new church this morning we're gonna sing a newer song for us called New Thing. And may that be true for us. He has new things for you. No matter what season of life you're in, he has new things. Would you sing this with me? 2 (11m 55s): These's are the days that we prayed for a story. Being of faith has begun and I'm seeing so much still, I'm that the best is not yet come. 0 (12m 21s): Jesus 2 (12m 23s): Not done with me. You're tub a new, you're tubing anything away proceeded 0 (12m 46s): Praise 2 (12m 53s): To Jesus and all thes. Jesus not 0 (13m 5s): Done with me. You're doing anything you're doing. I get up. You 2 (13m 45s): Never up you get up. You up on 0 (13m 50s): Me. 2 (13m 51s): Your is get up. You get up. You never give up on 0 (13m 58s): Mes gonna give up. Never give 2 (14m 3s): Up. I 0 (14m 11s): Your 2 (14m 12s): Is up. You never gave up. You never give up on me. You is never gonna up. You never give up. You never 0 (14m 23s): Give up on me. Never gonna give up. You never, you never give. No. Jesus' 2 (14m 40s): Not 0 (14m 41s): Done 2 (14m 42s): With me. You're 0 (14m 45s): A new thing. You're 2 (14m 48s): Doing 0 (14m 49s): A new thing. I Im baby. You're doing a new, you're doing. Love is never, you never gave up. You never give up on me. You never gonna give up. You never gave up. You never give up on me. Give up, never up. Never up. 0 (15m 31s): I know. Done with me. You're a new thing. You're doing a new for all. You're doing a new, you're doing a new. 3 (16m 2s): Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this morning. We thank you that two who began a go to work in us. Thank you Lord. Still working, Lord still working on us. And you're, you're sanctify us. You're bringing us in that process of being made holy and holy day by day. Lord, you set us aside, Lord, you're calling us into a new thing, Lord, the new heavens and the new earth that will someday be Lord. But yet we're looking forward to that day. And while we're still here, Lord, we're calling and inviting others into your family, the family of God, and into a great and grand inheritance Lord. So remind us of that new thing that you're doing, that thing that you have for us yet keep our heart set and our mindset on your kingdom. 3 (16m 45s): Lord Jesus name we pray. Amen. You may be seated. 4 (16m 51s): A good Mor 3 (16m 54s): Almost there. 4 (16m 55s): Hello. Good morning. And welcome. It's not working. Is he going? There you go. There we go. Is it okay? There we go. There 3 (17m 5s): We go. Thank you. 4 (17m 6s): Technical difficulties. Good morning and welcome. It's Family Sunday again. We are just so glad you guys are back. As you can tell from the name, it's Family Sunday. We are all together here today. We got all the kids in, so we are just so glad we have donuts and it's just gonna be a great time to listen to the message today. Yeah. Yeah. And 3 (17m 29s): You're 4 (17m 29s): Brier. Oh yes I am. Brier. This is Jeremy. 3 (17m 32s): Jeremy. My name's Jeremy. I'm the youth and family pastor here. And this is not my son and he's not related, but my wife got us confused this 4 (17m 39s): Morning. I don't have any 0 (17m 41s): Positions here 4 (17m 42s): Yet. 3 (17m 44s): So yeah, we're so glad you're joining us here on Family Sunday. It's exciting day as well. We're having, having child dedication right after this. And so it's just a great day to, to be together as a family. We've got a few things coming up. So we also, last week we, we were challenged to help give towards Hurricane Ian relief. And so that was the challenge put out. I don't remember, I don't know how much was raised last week, but we're gonna keep raising that $10,000. We raised $10,000. That's amazing. So that is just a, a generous gift that we're gonna be sending out to Hope City Church out in Florida to, to support them and their, and their kind of regrowth effort building up efforts. 3 (18m 27s): So that's some there, if you still wanna help give towards that, you can write a checkout to Harvest Church or age, you know, on the website and just put in the memo hurricane relief. And, and that's on top of your regular giving church. You've been just an amazing church to, to continue giving. It's been just a great growth in our, the season of our church. So thank you so much. 4 (18m 50s): Also, we are going to be on October 31st or Halloween. We typically don't like Halloween. It's a little 3 (18m 59s): Bit dark. 4 (19m 0s): Yeah, it's a dark, it's it's a dark holiday. Yeah. So we wanna make it much more family friendly. Friendly. So we are going to be having an outreach during Halloween where we're gonna have like a mini carnival in here. So there's gonna be candy, it's going to be great. You can donate candy back at the info center. Yeah. And it's gonna be three to 5:00 PM three to 5:00 PM on October 31st. So 3 (19m 28s): Yeah, open the doors to the community. It's gonna be a great time just to share the gospel message with them in just a tangible way. So it's gonna be awesome. And gals wanna want you to mark your calendar for November 18th at 6:00 PM We're gonna be having a gals event. And this is just like put it on your calendar. We don't have all the details yet, so details are to come, but that'll be November 18th on a Friday night, 6:00 PM 4 (19m 50s): Also for the winter season, we are going to get ready for operation Christmas Child, if you don't know what this is, you take a little like shoebox and you fill it with a bunch of toys and stuff and then it gets sent across the world to a child that's not gonna be able to celebrate a normal Christmas. Yeah. And so we just want to bless these kids. So you can pick up your operation Christmas child box on the back and make sure you drop it off by November 13th so that it can be shipped out on time. 3 (20m 20s): Awesome. And you said your family's probably done 30 to 40 boxes over your 4 (20m 24s): Lifetime? Yeah, quite a few. Okay. They've done, yeah, we've done quite a 3 (20m 26s): Few. Awesome. Well we got a video for Operation Christmas Child. Let's check that out. 5 (20m 38s): At the count of three when children opened the shoe boxes, they're so excited. 6 (20m 43s): I mean, it's just been incredible. 7 (20m 46s): Kids are so excited giving them a gift. Do it in Jesus name. And that's what this is all about. 8 (20m 52s): Jesus loves you. 9 (20m 56s): It's a gospel opportunity is the chance for the children to change the entire life. 10 (21m 2s): The word of God is spreading. The gospel is 9 (21m 4s): Advancing, 11 (21m 6s): It is impacting children, it is impacting families. It is impacting the world greatly. 7 (21m 13s): Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. God will bless and God will use your gift to touch the life of a child and to be able to do it. Jesus name. So thank you, thank you for being a part of it. God bless each and every one of you. 3 (21m 32s): All right. So just what a great way to impact our world for the life-changing mess of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So get your boxes in the back of the Info center right now. We're gonna have a, a time of meet and greet. So say hello to someone around you as well as I'll invite up to the stage those, those families that are dedicating their children today. So say hi to someone around you. We'll be back in a minute. 0 (22m 8s): We all 8 (22m 13s): Loves 0 (22m 14s): Us 8 (22m 18s): When we're so 0 (22m 21s): No 8 (22m 22s): Matter what we 0 (22m 23s): Do to, 8 (22m 26s): This is great. There's nothing better. Didn't 0 (22m 32s): You? We And in this fucking Mr. 0 (23m 20s): Prevails, 8 (23m 22s): I hope his Jesus God never fails matter. What we do. He loves is the 0 (23m 34s): Kids 8 (23m 36s): Is 12 (23m 46s): I'm 0 (23m 48s): Ladies. 3 (24m 6s): All right. You guys will. All right. Welcome everyone. Child dedication Sunday on the side. Yeah, can go on the side. Yeah. All right. Come on up. Come on up. Schwartz is what exciting day shows our, our church is growing, not, you know, from, from the youngest up. 3 (24m 51s): So it's, it's, it's great to see your families up here. It's all right. So I get to introduce everyone first. So over here we have Logan and Caitlin Weiss, and we have their whole family, but today they're gonna be dedicating Theodore, Theo, and Willow. Let's see. And and Theo was born July 13th, 2022. And Willow was born August 17th, 2019. And Emmett back here was born December 21st, 2016. All right. And over here we have the Schwartz family. 3 (25m 33s): We got Joel and Caitlin and Gwen. And today they're gonna be dedicating Laurel. And she was born on January 19th, 2019. I got the date right. Okay. And then also Juniper, who was born on October 21st, 2020. So you just had a birthday. That's exciting. So today it's, it's, it's, it's a great day cuz first and foremost, it's the parents that we're dedicat are dedicating their lives to the Lord and the raising of their children in to nurture and discipline in the admonition of the Lord. 3 (26m 13s): New living translation says the discipline and instruction of the Lord. And so I wanna read a passage from Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy six, verses four through seven says, Hero Israel, the Lord our God is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. And these words, which I've commanded today shall be in your heart. So first and foremost, it's, it's the parent's relationship to God. That's the most important. And it it starts with the parents in their walka Lord as they're loving and obeying him and drawing closer to, to the Lord in humble obedience. So I brought up a triangle because I think in a way this is the, our relationship with God is the best pyramid scheme. There it is out there, okay? 3 (26m 54s): It's the good pyramid scheme. And so at a on a triangle, you have three different points. And you have God of top, cuz God is the rock, he's unmovable. But as the husband and wife begin to draw closer to God, and they began to come closer and closer to God, you can see they also, Dr. Come closer to each other. And so as your relationship individually grow and, and, and become closer to God, so too will your relationship with you as spouses grow closer to each other. And then what that does is Paul says that, follow me or imitate me as I follow and imitate Christ. So as you are going closer and your walk, the kids are gonna see that and they're gonna replicate that. 3 (27m 36s): So that is the triangle. But it also says, and Deutero, it says, You shall teach them diligently to your children. You shall talk to them when you sit down at your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, when you rise up. It's, it's a lifestyle of raising these kids up and teaching and nourishing. And it takes full efforts. A hundred percent right? A hundred percent. Psalm 1 27 says, Behold children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward like the arrows in the hand of a warrior. So are the children in one's youth. And it says, Happy is the man who has e quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with their enemies at the gate. So the Bible says that children are not only a heritage and reward, but they're also arrows in the hand of a war. 3 (28m 22s): Parents, you're warriors, we're raising dragon slayers in the time of dragons. I like that Facebook post that came out during 2020. You see, arrows are not just meant to be to stay in the quiver, They're meant to be shot out, they're meant to be released. They're, they're, they're meant to be sent out. And it takes time, it takes focus, it takes effort, it takes concentration. So that's what parenting is. It is preparing your children to be released out into the world and accomplish what God has for them. So I'd love right now to just to to, for the church body, you're a part of this community, to, to help raise these kids, to love on them. So why don't you raise your hand for to just be as we just pray over these two families. 3 (29m 6s): Jesus, we thank you for these two families, Lord, who are here saying that they're here to dedicate their children into the Lord. We thank you for each of the individual personalities of these children and all that you want to accomplish in and through them Lord. And so Lord, draw the parents closer to you, God, and closer to each other, Lord, so that their relationship might be strong and that that love might trickle down into the lives of their kids. And that kids witness Lord, your, their obedience to you Lord. So Lord, we dedicate these children unto the Lord. We dedicate them to you. God. We say, Lord, that good work that you started in them, we complete it, Lord, yes, we thank you Lord. 3 (29m 47s): In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Love you guys. Love you. All right, Steve. 13 (29m 60s): Yeah, I'm up. 14 (30m 3s): Thanks Jeremy. Thanks guys. I remember 31 years ago, roughly we dedicated sweet KK to the Lord. And, and really it is a dedication of the parents, as Jeremy said, We're actually asking parents to make a commitment of their lives, to raise up godly offspring. And we're talking today about impacting our community and our world with the life changing message of Jesus Christ. I tell you, as parents and grandparents, we've got the greatest opportunity to impact our nation, our world, our community, and our world with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. 14 (30m 46s): So sometimes when we're busy, you look at my, look at these young families, there's so much going on, there's so much activity and so much drawing and pulling on these young families, and I just want to encourage parents and grandparents and grandparents. But that the greatest thing that you can do is, is impact your little kids with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. And watch how that will change the culture and will change your family and will change the dynamic of the, the nation and the world. Good and wonderful things happen as a result of that investment. And it's an investment, right? It's like a lifetime of investment, but it's got the best return possible. 14 (31m 31s): It's just the most amazing thing. And so with that, let's pray as we get into the message today, We're gonna be in First Corinthians chapter four. And Lord, we just want to invite you, Lord, we're so thankful for the opportunity to set time aside in the service, to challenge people, to challenge families, to raise their kids the way that the scriptures inform us to raise our kids. And so, Lord, I pray that there would be strength around that focus and commitment around that focus, Lord, that there would be a lifetime of dedication around that focus, Lord, that we as your church would make it our priority to pray for the next generation, to disciple the next generation Lord God, to instruct and to model to the next generation what it means to be a servant of yours, a follower of yours, Lord God. 14 (32m 22s): So in our conduct and our words and our thoughts and our deeds, God, that they would see and want to emulate and model that in their own, in their own lives, Lord God. So we pray Jesus, that each week as we gather that we'd be built up on our most holy faith, that we would, would receive instruction and encouragement to do what you've called us to do in your Word. And so part of that, and a major part of that Lord, is that we might impact those around us, impacting our community and our world with the life changing message of Jesus Christ will help us to do that. We pray, Lord, thank you for your grace in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. How many can remember, you guys seem a little quiet today? 14 (33m 5s): How many can remember our core values? Four core values on which we move forward together on, I'll give you the first word of each core value and then you fill it in. We are committed the Lord to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are confident in the word of God. We are created to serve God and others. And we are called to love all people, right? Do me a favor, write it down as my, some of us just need, we need core values for our own lives, right? Like we need to adopt core values for our lives that help to shape us and mold us as we move forward. 14 (33m 48s): And so use these core values because they are applicable, they are transferable, they work for a corporation, the, a corporate gathering of people like a church, but they also work for individuals and for families. And so, and then part of that is a purpose statement. What is your life gonna be like? Well, as a church, I hope and I pray, and our goal and our focus is that we would be impacting our community and our world with the life changing message of Jesus Christ. And so that's kind of what we're talking about today. But before we get to that, I got something for pastor appreciation that I'd like to share with you a couple weeks ago was pastor appreciation week. And so we received, you know, encouragement and gifts and that sort of thing. 14 (34m 29s): And one of the things that I did receive was a, a free joke. I got a free, I didn't have to pay five bucks for this joke. It was a free joke. And so this is the joke. What did the buffalo say to his son when he dropped him off at school? Bye son. I think I'm actually used that before, but it worked again. I got it. I had to use it. So anyway, hey, we're in First Corinthians chapter four. We're going to do our best to walk through all of First Corinthians chapter four. Do I have a calendar counter up there? Boy, I can't hardly see that. 30 Oh my glasses, I got like 45 minutes. Is that what they are? Is that what I have? 45 minutes. Thanks Amanda. Thanks. 14 (35m 10s): I might take 45 today impacting our community and our world life changing message of Jesus Christ. How do we do that? How do we do that? I mean, we gotta have steps to accomplish the goal. We gotta have things that we can do that help us march down that path, that intentional path that we've set out for ourselves. And so as we look at first Corinthians chapter four, the apostle Paul Apollos and Paul, our, our speak, Paul, especially through the, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is speaking to us about what our lives should look like. And he's speaking to a church, he's speaking to the church at Corinth, he's speaking to believers, people who are like you and I, who are just trying to figure out what it means to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. 14 (35m 56s): And so, number one in your notes, how do we, how do we impact our community and our world with life changing message? We gotta live our lives for God and not man. So number one, live your life for God and not man. You think we see that in the scripture? We see it all throughout the scripture, right? We can probably unpack any book of the Bible, any chapter of the Bible, and we'll see kind of this underlying theme in there that we are called to live our lives for God and not for man. First Corinthians four, one says, So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God's mysteries. 14 (36m 39s): So this first kind of levels the playing field. Paul reminds us of his role as simply a servant of God. What does that word servant mean? Is if we get a word picture, it's actually the under rowers in the bottom of a ship. The under rowers are the, the least envied servants on the boat. They're underneath at the bottom of the boat and they're rowing and they're pushing the boat, they're moving the boat through the waters. It's, it's a thankless job. And they're underappreciated, but they're doing a job moving the ship. I'll re under rowers indicating the lowest galley slaves, the ones rowing on the bottom tier of the ship. 14 (37m 21s): They were the most menial un envied and despised of slaves. So when Paul talks about his role as a servant, he really has got a clear perspective of his role. This is the Apostle Paul who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament. He could be boasting about his role within the kingdom, but instead, instead he doesn't, He realizes that he is a servant of the living God. And he communicates that throughout his epistles, as he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He says, Hey, every person in the kingdom of God is merely a servants of God. And that word could be understood as, as an employee, maybe that's an easier word for us to understand where employees of God were actually working for God. 14 (38m 8s): Were employed by God here in the earth to do the work that he's called us to do. We're employed to do God's work in the earth. So every the servant of God is directly answers to God. Every one of us will give an account and stand before the king and give an account for our lives. Why? Because we're employed by him for a purpose to do, do the work that he's called us to do. So Apollo and Paul, they understood, hey, we're simply employees of God. They were put in charge of explaining God's mysteries. And so they were servants of God. 14 (38m 49s): Paul Apollo and Paul were servants who knew their job in the kingdom. So we're kind of getting some pieces and we're starting to put it together. Apollo and Paul, they were servants and they understood their role within the kingdom. And so there's some things that we can grab a hold of as believers here in the 21st century. We can get a better understanding, a clearer understanding of who we are. We are servants, employees of God with responsibilities. And it's our job to figure out what that responsibility is. Paul continues to challenge us in the next verse, verse two. Now a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 14 (39m 33s): So Paul's brings something else to the table that helps us to understand who we are and who we have been created to be. So we are simply servants of God. We're employed by God with responsibilities and we must be faithful in those responsibilities. So there's a little three many, three point service sermon within a sermon. These are things that God has called us to do. We can unpack the scripture and get point by point. We can get step by step the plan that God has for us. And Paul's outlining it for us. We are called to be servants. And so nobody in the kingdom is, is more important than another. 14 (40m 15s): We're all just servants of the living God, employees of God. And we've got responsibilities. And it is our responsibility to figure out what our responsibility is. And then once we've figured out what our responsibility is, then we must be faithful with our responsibility. This is indeed how we impact our world, our, our community, and our world. The life changing message of Jesus Christ. We get very serious about who we are. Not in a unhappy way, but in a, I don't know about you, but when, when a person figures out what they're on the earth to do, they, it, it, it just fills that person with a sense of purpose, a sense of duty, a sense of responsibility. 14 (41m 4s): Like I know what I'm here to do. A lot of people go out through throughout life and they've never quite settled in, in their identity and figured out who they are. And so they're running from thing to thing, accomplishment to accomplishment, trying to fill that void. And that void can only be filled in Christ Jesus when we realize that in Christ we are servants of God. Jesus modeled that for us. He said, I didn't come to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many. And so Paul, in the early church followers of Jesus Christ understood this. And they lived their lives in that way. Nothing's changed in 2000 years. This is what God has called us to do, to understand that we are simply servants, employees of God with a purpose and we must be faithful. 14 (41m 55s): It's a life and death situation. Spiritual life and spiritual death. And so this is why we charge families to disciple their young people. That's why in our church we're focused on discipling every generation that comes through. Because we want people to understand who they are in Christ. They are servants of the living God given responsibility, purpose in the earth. And they must be faithful. Three very important ingredients. Things that we must get our hands on and our hearts around and must fill our minds. This reality that we, we have purpose, we work who directly for who, Right? 14 (42m 39s): What was the second one that I said? Faithful. Faithful Faithful's. Three. What was the second one? You've got responsibility. All right, so first one, we are servants, employees of God. Number two, we have responsibilities. And number three, we must be faithful. Right? It's life and death, right? So make that, you know, stick in your heart and in your mind. Let that really settle into your soul and, and shape the way that you live your lives and the way that you make decisions. I am a servants of God, an employee of God. I have responsibilities and it's my job to figure out what that responsibility is. 14 (43m 24s): And then I, I must be faithful. If you're a, if you've got kids, your primary responsibility are those kids is your job. We will partner with you in Sunday school and in youth programs and all kinds of stuff. But it is, it is your job. You will stand before the Lord and actually give an account for the way that you've parented your kids. And so it's your responsibility to make sure that you are discipling your kids. And then as your kids grow and then as you have grandkids, it's your responsibility to invest in those grandkids because you are in their life for a purpose. My kids are amazing in so many ways because of their grandparents, because of the way their grandparents have spoken into their lives and for the countless hours that their grandparents have prayed for them and spoken life into them. 14 (44m 18s): So we have this amazing responsibility. Colossians 3 23 says, Work willingly at whatever you do at whatever you do ministry, vocation, parenting, all responsibilities, work willingly at whatever you do as though you are working for the Lord rather than for people, right? We're working for the Lord and it's to the Lord that we will ultimately give an account for our lives. We are working for God as number one servants. Number two, people with responsibility. And number three, as people who must be faithful. This is, this is probably all I need to say today, but I got a few more pages of notes here. 14 (45m 3s): So let's continue to go through Colossians 3 24. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and that the master you are serving is Christ. Over and over again in scripture, we see that the one that we serve is not man, but God. As we work for the Lord, it makes very little difference what others think about our work. As long as we are satisfying the Lord. As an aside, if you're not satisfying your boss, you're probably not satisfying your Lord in general terms. So everything that we do must be un is unto the Lord. 14 (45m 44s): And I, I can make this promise to you, If you are serving your earthly boss, as you are your heavenly boss, your earthly boss will be more than satisfied. Why? Because people who serve God faithfully are people of integrity. They don't lie, steal, cheat. They are people who are responsible and reliable and honorable. And so if you're living your life that way at work and in your home, you are pleasing your heavenly boss. And I promise you, everybody else in your life kinda like that triangle that Jeremy had, God at the top man and woman, as they get closer to God, they're getting closer to one another. 14 (46m 25s): As, as you in your life get closer to God, you're pleasing those in your life because you're, you're a better husband, you're a better father, you're a better wife, you're a better mother, you're a better employee. You're, you're a better everything. You, you fill in the blank. Everything is better. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added onto you. So make God your priority and everything else will fall into place. But you gotta, you gotta get that done first. You gotta make God your priority in every area of your life. Paul continues in verse three s for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. 14 (47m 6s): I don't even trust my own judgment at this point. Why is Paul making this statement? Paul makes this statement about people's evaluation of his ministry because people are always changing their minds and their basis for evaluation and their basis for evaluation isn't always God's basis for evaluation. So Paul saying, Hey, I just gotta make sure that I'm honoring the Lord and as I honor the Lord, I'm trusting that he's going to do what he wants to do through me. So Paul's not worried about externals, he's not worried about what people are thinking. He's not a people pleaser, He's a God pleaser. Why? Because he's an employee of God with responsibilities and he must be found faithful. 14 (47m 50s): Paul understood his life. We need to understand our lives, what we're here for. We need to get a hold of our purpose in the earth where we're here for a kingdom purpose and we got jobs and we've got, you know, hobbies and things like that. But those all take, those are all secondary and tertiary. They're all like way down the list compared to, compared to the reality that we are slaves of God, servants of God, employees of God, and we have responsibility and we must be found faithful. So Paul's not worried too much about what people think about his ministry. And that's really the best way to go about ministry. My ministry may be great for some, but it may put others to sleep. 14 (48m 34s): It really doesn't matter. I need to be about my father's business. And I, I tell you, it might put others to sleep because I watch people sleep during my sermons sometimes. And the craziest thing is sometimes they're right on the front row. I'm like, Holy cow, are you kidding me? You're asleep right now. Maybe preaching one of my best messages and you're asleep. Or I'm speaking to a chair cause there's nobody there. But I'm like, wake up. We had a guy years ago when I was an associate pastor and I was preaching and this guy was snoring right in the middle of my sermon. He was like 34 rows back and he's just sacked out completely. All right, listen, you can't sleep through sermons and expect to get anything from the Lord, right? 14 (49m 18s): So get some sleep at night and then come ready to go. Most of you know what I'm talking about. What does God think about your ministry? What does God think about my ministry? That's the most important thing. Now we can learn from other people's, from people's critiques, people's encouragement. Some of in my life, some of the hardest lessons that I've had to learn have been through super uber critical people. And the temptation is to say, Oh, they're just jerk star mean. And even if 95 or 99% of what they're saying is mean spirited and inaccurate, there just might be a nugget of something in there that I need to hear. 14 (50m 2s): There just might be something in there. Get a get through all the flesh and all the ugliness of how it was communicated. There might be something there. And so the Holy Spirit will use all kinds of things. Mostly his word and his spirit will speak to us. But also through people. We will get a chance to kind of evaluate our lives. But we can't live our lives for people. We can't, we we can't minister to please people. Proverbs 29 25 says, Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. So what are you called to do? And don't do it to please people. Don't fall into a, a, a role of responsibility because you think others think you should be in that role or responsibility. 14 (50m 47s): When I wanted to be a senior pastor years ago, somebody said, Well, you're just a kid. You probably should just be a youth pastor. I said, Well, maybe you're right. But I'm called to be a senior pastor and that's what I feel like I'm supposed to do. Right? The world wants to shape who we are, right? When we planted a church, well, you've never planted a church before. You shouldn't plant a church, right? What is it that the world is telling you you shouldn't do? Because you shouldn't do it in their perspective. Amen. Right? Like you, you shouldn't do what? Because you've never had what? The experience, the training, the education. What is it that you feel cold in your soul to do? 14 (51m 27s): But others are telling you you can't do? Maybe what? God, I'm back. Not maybe at all. For sure. What God has called you to do is fulfilling his kingdom purpose in your life. And so you as a servant of God, a lowly servant of God, get to settle in. Amen. And do finding out your purpose and maybe you're not finding out your purpose because you're trying to please everybody around you. Listen, you'll never be able to figure that out. You'll never please everybody cuz soon as you please one somebody else is mad at you because you're not doing it the way they thought you should do it or thinking the way they think you should be thinking. So figure out what you're in the world to do. You're first and foremost a servant, an employee of God. 14 (52m 10s): So let's get that settled. I'm just a, a lowly under rower, right? No prestige, no honor, really. It's just an under rower, right? And then I've got responsibility and that I must be found faithful. Paul tells us in verse four, My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I'm right. It's the Lord himself who examine me and decide Paul's conscience is clear, but he understands that he might be missing something. Paul's saying, Hey, we can't even really trust our conscience now we need to work toward clearing our conscience of known discrepancies in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. 14 (52m 50s): But even then, only God can judge us and come to an accurate conclusion. And so we need to be constantly checking in with the Lord. Lord, what am I doing? Is, is what I'm doing in line with you and you, you can't accurately hear from the Lord on the fly. You gotta like settle in and just take some time. You, you gotta spend time with the Lord and it can't be, Hey Lord, you know, speak to me throughout the day. I mean God will do that for sure, but you, you just probably just need to get with the Lord and spend some uninterrupted time. Turn off your phone, do whatever you gotta do. Get alone. Do whatever you gotta do to hear from the Lord and then do that on a regular basis. 14 (53m 31s): Otherwise you'll get way off track. It's easy to get off track. You gotta do what you gotta do to hear from the Lord. And you gotta do it on a regular basis. Lord, how's the ministry going? This ministry that you've called me to, Am I doing okay as I read the war, Lord? Is what I'm doing properly reflected in your word? Lord? Does it look like what you've called me to do? Does it look like what you've called the church to do? And Lord, am I being faithful? Am I being faithful? Last night, about six o'clock, I told my wife, I said, I gotta go for a walk. And I, cuz I, I go walk in and I pray. And that's just how I spend time. 14 (54m 12s): I, I'm just out there by myself and I can, I'm a probably a little bit so I can't sit cuz I'll get distracted by a thousand other things. So I just walk and I pray and, and I came back and I told only, I said, you know, I, I feel like I've been praying to an iron dome lately. I, I can't break through. Like, I, I, like, I I don't, I feel like when I'm praying I can't get through. And, and I realize, you know, we're, we're called to walk by faith and not by sight and emotions sometimes rob us of the joy of just doing what we know that we're called to do. And so don't, don't rely on emotions, cuz some days you're gonna have a great day, other days you're gonna have a bad day. Some days you feel like, Oh, I, I got a direct line to the Lord. And other days you're feeling like I can't even, I can't even touch heaven, right? 14 (54m 54s): So just keep doing what God has called you to do. Get up, figure out that you're a servant of God, that you've got responsibility and that you must be found faithful. Just trust the Lord. One Corinthians chapter four, so many judgements about anyone ahead of time before the Lord returns for he will bring our darkest secret secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. The new Bible commentary states, it is Christ, it will expose attempts to cover up misdeeds and will judge not merely actions but motivations. So Paul's saying, Hey, don't look on the outside and elevate one person over another. 14 (55m 37s): I'm of Paul, I'm of Apollo, I'm of Peter, I'm of Christ. You know, we, we look on the outside and we, we misjudge just do worry about yourself, right? Amen. Where are you? Right? Don't worry about what I'm doing or what your friends doing. What, what are you doing? Verse six, Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollo of myself to illustrate what I've been saying. If you pay attention to what I've quoted from the scriptures, you won't be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. So here, Paul reiterates what he's already said, and he challenges the factions in divisions within the church. 14 (56m 20s): One Corinthians one 12 says, Some of you are saying, I am a follower of Paul. Others are saying, I follow Apollos, or I follow Peter, or I follow only Christ. Paul's talking about the distractions that are happening within the church. Well, I'm a part of this faction, or I'm part of that faction, I'm part of that group or that that person or that whatever. What has God called you to do? Or called the team up together as a church and be part of the kingdom work that God's called us to in the earth. But what, what is God calling you to do? Right? So often we're focused on what others are doing or are not doing in their lives and in their ministry and how we are disappointed by that. But what is called you, what is God called you to do? 14 (57m 4s): So Paul, in a sense, is challenging at superstar mentality, right? Where we're elevating people and it's just so unhealthy, right? So if, if we're elevating somebody on the platform to at the expense of our own ministry that God has called us to, if, if we're missing the point of what God has placed us on the earth to do, then we're missing it all together. We are of Christ, period. We are of the Lord. I was at a church years ago and the one of the leaders in the church was introducing their pastor as the star. 14 (57m 46s): He said, Hey, there's our star. And there's no stars in the kingdom except Jesus. I mean, only God is He's he, He reigns in rules. Supreme. We need to live our lives for God and not men. Not trying to please men, not trying to become men who people are impressed with, or women that people are impressed with. It's none of that stuff matters. Our goal shouldn't be, I want to be impressive. My goal should be, our goal should be, I want to be invisible, man. I just wanna be a servant of God, an under rower. 14 (58m 27s): Like I don't care. I I I need to do what I'm called to do and be faithful. And that's what all is gonna matter in the, at the end of, at the end of the day. So impacting our community and our world with life changing message of Jesus Christ. Number one requires that you live your life for God and and not for man. And then number two, remember that your life and all that you have is a gift from God. In our culture where we've got plenty, we forget that all we have is a gift from God. Verse seven, For what gives you the right, Paul goes on First Corinthians chapter four, for what gives you the right to make such a judgment. What do you, what do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is a, is from God, why boast as though they were not a gift? 14 (59m 9s): You think you already have everything you need. He's challenging the carnality within the church. People who have resources or political power, he's challenging them because they feel like they've already arrived. We, we have to be careful when we've attained a, a level of success to remember that it doesn't matter how much we have or how much we've succeeded in this life. We are only and always still a bond servant and a servant, an employee of God in Jesus' name. That is our call. And that will keep us humble and that will keep us grateful. Every everything that we have is a gift from God. And so God has gifted some and it allows those people to become prominent and, and were to use those prominent gifts and talents to impact the kingdom that we might make a difference in the world. 14 (59m 57s): You think you already have everything you need. Paul said, You think you're already rich. You have begun to reign in God's kingdom without us. I wish you really were reigning, but then we'd be reigning with you. It's like, hey, you've, you're not even realizing that we're in a battle. You're celebrating well prematurely, but you're also celebrating the wrong stuff. We're not here in the earth to build a kingdom ourselves, a place of sanctuary for ourselves. We're in a battle for the kingdom. We are under rowers servants, period with responsibility, Period. 14 (1h 0m 39s): And we must be faithful. Period. Verse nine, He says, instead, I, I sometimes thank God has put us as apostles on display like prisoners of war at the end of a victor's parade condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world, to people and angels alike. Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools. But you claim to be so wise in Christ, we are weak. But you are so powerful. You are honored. But we are ridiculed even now. We go hungry and thirsty and we don't even have enough clothes to keep us warm. We are often beaten and have no home. 14 (1h 1m 20s): We work weirdly with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world's garbage. Like everybody's trash right up to the present moment. And we can turn on TV and watch health and wealth messages all day long until cows come home and everybody's telling you, you should be healthy, wealthy, and wise. That's not what Paul's experience was. 14 (1h 2m 1s): The church is delusional if that's what we think we're here to experience into a accomplish. Now. God is good and he blesses and he takes care of his church. But most of the church around the world is not healthy, wealthy. And why They're in the early church experiences. Paul experienced this. We go hungry and thirsty. You turn on some television preachers, teachers, and they're telling you that this should never happen. Well, it happened to Paul, it happened to the early church. 14 (1h 2m 43s): We gotta change our mind about the kingdom. It's not about us. It's about the king. We will never impact our community in our world with a life changing message of Jesus Christ. If it's always about us. Just amen. I'm not writing these things to shame you, Paul said, But to warn you as my beloved children, verse 14, verse 15, For even if you had 10,000 others to teach you about Christ, you only have one spiritual father before I became your father in Christ. When I preach the good news to you. So I urge you to imitate me. Paul said, so I urge you to imitate me, right? 14 (1h 3m 23s): So Paul say, Hey, follow me as I follow Christ. Right? That's a bold statement. It's a statement that we should be able to make to our friends, families, and neighbors. Hey, follow me. I'll show you what it means to be a follower of Christ. Right? Paul's not arrogant, but he is certainly confident in who he is as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we need to have that same confidence. Why? Because we understand that we are servants of God, slaves of God. We are here with purpose and we are laser-like focused on that purpose because we will be held accountable and we must be faithful. And so with that clarity and with that confidence and with that conviction, we move forward as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 14 (1h 4m 13s): And we do what God has called us to do. We live in the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ, and we impact our community and our world with life changing message of Jesus Christ. It happens really one person at a time. You impacting another person, you impacting someone else, One person impacting another one at a time, at a time, at a time. Paul wasn't confused about his life. We will be confused about our lives. If we deviate from the scripture, we will be confused about who we are, about how we should spend our time, our talent, and our treasure about everything alike. 14 (1h 4m 58s): We will be confused walking around in a cloud, confused about what success looks like, confused about what our purpose in life is, confused and never knowing whether we've actually made a difference in the earth. But if we figure out that we are servants with a purpose and we must be faithful, then we will no longer be confused. Paul wasn't confused about his life. He knew that his life and all that he had was a gift from God to be used for God. And that God could give him a gift to him or take from him whatever. And whenever, and Paul was ready for it. Philippians four 12 and 13 I, I know Paul's rights. 14 (1h 5m 38s): I know what it is to be in need. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I I can do everything through him who gives me the strength, right? I can do everything right. So don't get discouraged if you're in a hard spot in life. Welcome to humanity, right? Financial stressors, physical stressors, relational stressors. Don't get down on God because you think he's not living up to his end of the bargain. His end of the bargain is I say to you, you serve me. 14 (1h 6m 18s): That's it. Right? I redeem you by my grace and through my blood, and you serve me all the days of your life because I've give you, I've given you purpose. I've adopted you into my family, given you purpose. You get to serve within the kingdom to impact your community and your world with life changing message of Jesus Christ. That's what it's about. If we think it's something different, we've missed the gospel completely. If we somehow think that we're important within the kingdom, you're important as much, as much as you've been given responsibility. And if you don't do it, if you don't find yourself faithful, God doesn't find you faithful, then you've blown it. It's a bit, Did you hear me? You have blown it because you got your whole life to figure this out. 14 (1h 7m 3s): And God is so faithful and gentle and good. He continues to remind us and teach us. And maybe that's what he's doing today. He's reminding us, He's teaching us, He's instructing us. He's trying to get our attention in a world that's filled with distraction, filled with priorities that have nothing to do with kingdom filled with hindrances to what God has called us to. Paul said, Hey, imitate me. Do what I'm doing. Follow me as I follow Christ. Paul is discipling these believers in genuine Christianity. 14 (1h 7m 44s): Genuine Christianity. Genuine Christianity is what we see in the pages of scripture. Genuine Christianity. The definition of discipleship goes beyond just being a good student of a teacher. Discipleship requires that we imitate our teacher. Follow me as I follow Christ. Paul is urging these followers of Jesus Christ to follow him as he follows Christ. Verse 17. That's why I sent Timothy my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus. 14 (1h 8m 24s): Just as I teach in all the churches, wherever I go. Some of you have become arrogant thinking, I'm I, I will not visit you again, but I will come and soon if the Lord lets me. And then I'll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God's power. Because there's people within the church who are rising up and they're influential and they're speaking a godless, biblically void message. And there it's all about people exalting themselves. And Paul is there to challenge it. 14 (1h 9m 4s): He said, I'll come. I'll come. Listen. I'd rather have a dude come and shake me by the, by the neck and get my attention than standing before God. So I'm the dude today, and I don't make light of that. I, I am calling us. I am pleading that we would understand who we are, that we would get it at the core, that we would live it in Jesus Christ impacting our community and our world with life-changing message of Jesus Christ requires that all believers remember that your life and all that you have is they get from God. 14 (1h 9m 60s): And that we need to live our lives for God. There's a British rock band called Queen, great song that still played today great in the eyes of the world. What's her song? I want it all. I want it all, and I want it now. Freddie Mercury just belts it out, right? He wanted it all. They wanted it. That's the theme of the world. And if we're not careful, it's the theme of Carl Christians like we want it here and now. 14 (1h 10m 42s): We want our rewards. We want to live life. We want it all. Now, the fact that Freddy Mercury died of complications with AIDS at AIDS 45 isn't lost on me. This world doesn't offer what we're longing to experience as created beings in Christ, where we're called to serve the Lord, to give our lives to God. He said, Freddie, Mercury people, do you hear me? 14 (1h 11m 24s): Just give me the sign. It ain't much. I'm asking if you want the truth. Here's to the future for the dreams of youth. I want it all. Give it all. I want it all. I want it now. I want it all. Yes, I want it all. I want it all. Hey, I want it all and I want it now. I mean, it's just over and over and over again. This could be the theme of your life, like I'm working to get it all. Cuz we, we think somehow that that's what it's gonna scratch the itch or fill the void. He said, I'm a man with a one track mind so much to do in one lifetime. 14 (1h 12m 9s): Do you hear me? People not a man for compromise and wears and wise and living lies. So I'm living it all. Yes, I'm living it all and I'm giving it all. And I'm giving it all. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. This is the theme of the world. Freddie Mercury died in 1987, but his songs are still going, impacting our community and our world with life changing message. Jesus Christ. Number three, remember that the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk. 14 (1h 12m 53s): It is living by the power of God. By God's power. Where did I get that? Where did I get that? There's 20. The Bible. Okay, If I'm up here preaching something that's not in the Bible, don't listen to me. But if I'm up here preaching what is in the Bible, listen, the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, but it's living in God's power. Verse 20, first Corinthians chapter four, For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it's living by God's power. God spoke it. 14 (1h 13m 33s): This is what we believe as believers. This is what we live for as people who are living for Jesus. It's not just talking about it, but it's living in the power of God. I say it all the time. Everything that God calls us to requires that we live in that power, that we're empowered to do what God has called us to do. We cannot see what God is asking us to do. We cannot hear, we cannot do unless we're living in the power of God filled with the spirit of God. Which do you choose? Paul Road, Verse 21. Which do you choose? Everything comes down to choice, right? 14 (1h 14m 15s): Which, which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you? Paul says he understood his authority within the church and his job to bring correction. But it wasn't his hard to be people up. It was his hard to disciple people to raise them up, but to encourage them to do what God had called them to do. But he's willing to bring a rod of correction if that's what will awaken the church, which you choose. Should I come with a rod to punish you or should I come with love and a gentle spirit? What do we need? What are we choosing? I mean, do we, do we want to stand before the Lord after reading passages like this and hearing sermons like this and say, Ah, I didn't take it serious. 14 (1h 15m 7s): You say, Well, I'm old and I haven't been living my life like this. We'll start now. Say I'm young and my life is just getting started. Get going. Now. Think about it now. Say, Well, I haven't raised my kids the way this, that you're been talking about. We'll start now. Repent and apologize and start now. Say, Hey, I've tell your kids, Hey, I didn't raise you the way I should've raised you. Forgive me. I'm going to, by God's grace, begin again in your marriage. Maybe you've not been honoring your spouse the way you should begin again. Say, Hey, I haven't been the best spouse. 14 (1h 15m 49s): Forgive me. I, I'd like to begin again and begin again. Don't be discouraged by a message like this, but let it light a fire in your soul. We were had a campfire. We had our grandkids over Friday night and couldn't wait for grandpa to get home because I was gonna build a bill campfire, you know, they wanted to help me build a fire. You know, we got this little fire area in the back of our property and like, Grandpa, we wanna, we wanna gather sticks so we can help you build the fire. Like, okay, go grab up the sticks. And we start building this fire. 14 (1h 16m 29s): And it's just really small. At first, I said, just wait. It's going to, it's gonna get bigger. So I, I had built this TP of a structure around this, and it was just a matter of time before that fire just grew and grew and grew and then caught. And before you knew it was just tall and we're just, we're roast of marshmallows and having to be careful cuz we're getting too close to the fire. But it was exciting when there's a, a fire burning, it's an exciting thing. Some of us are just barely embers ember. We're just barely, barely alive. There. Stoke it. I got real close to the fire and started blowing on it. 14 (1h 17m 9s): I said, Watch this, guys. Watch, watch. When I blow life into the air, into this fire just begins to get hot and big. Let God blow some life into you. Amen. Because what God can do in a moment is, is wonderful and supernatural to bring life and light to your, your walk as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, your purpose. And you'll, you'll never find greater joy, greater peace, greater fulfillment, and greater satisfaction than when you're doing what God has created you to do. 14 (1h 17m 52s): Everything else pales in comparison to that. Everything else pales in comparison to that. So forget about the big points. What are the three small points? Number one, 0 (1h 18m 7s): Servants, 14 (1h 18m 8s): What is it? 15 (1h 18m 9s): Servants, Employee of 14 (1h 18m 10s): God. Oh, servants, employees of God. What does that mean to you? 15 (1h 18m 19s): My life? I'm here to do what 14 (1h 18m 23s): He wants me to do. You're here to do what he wants you to do. Yeah. Employed by God, we've all been employed by somebody in life, right? Right. What do you, how do you know that you're doing a good job when your boss is saying, Hey, great, great job. When you know you've got a good clear job description and you're doing the job, be a servant. Figure out what you're called to do and then do it faithfully. Go ahead and stand up, Lord, as we wrap this sermon up, Lord, we thank you for who you are and for your grace. And we love you Lord. And we know that you love us and that you've given us purpose and we will be held accountable for that purpose. 14 (1h 19m 8s): So, Lord, I pray, I pray that that's what happens here at Harvest Church and everywhere where we have influence God, that we would, we would model this and live it and we stumble. We'd be quick to repent and get back to it. In Jesus' name for all the days of our lives. In Jesus' name. Lord, thank you Lord. Thank you Lord God. As we get ready to worship again, I pray that we'd be worshiping with a clear conscience, knowing that we are settled from this moment. 14 (1h 19m 58s): We are settled and we are committed from this moment to march forward in Jesus' name, to build your kingdom, to impact our community and our world with life changing message of Jesus Christ. One person at a time. We are your servants. We have responsibility and we will be faithful. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name. It's worship 0 (1h 20m 29s): Jesus. You're doing on, you're doing ah, A you're doing a Never gave up. You never gave up, you never up on you never give up. 0 (1h 21m 11s): You never gave up. You never gave up on me. You gonna give up. Never gave up. Never gave up. I know Jesus. Not done. You're doing, you're doing a new, you're a new thing on your life. 0 (1h 22m 1s): You never gonna give up. You gave up. You never gave up. You never gonna give up. Never give up. You never give. Gonna give up, never give, never up, done with me. You're new. You're doing a new Hoo. 0 (1h 22m 51s): You're doing a new, You're doing a new. So come do a 1 (1h 23m 11s): God. That is our prayer this morning, that you would do something new within us, that we wanna be complacent, but that we would live to our eyes toward heaven. We would ask what our assignment is for the day. And God, we would just walk moment by moment, day by day with you. We thank you for your presence. We thank you for your truth. We love you. It's in your precious name we pray. Amen.

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3. Greatness in the Kingdom

Yountville Community Church

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2022

Kingdom People3. Greatness in the Kingdom Dan Bidwell, Senior Pastor Matthew 18:1-14 11 September 2022 There is an expression that has become very popular recently G.O.A.T or the GOAT. An acronym for the Greatest Of All Time. Usually used to talk about sporting heroes. My research tells me that the first person to be described as the GOAT was Muhammad Ali (back in the 90s). But since then there have been many names thrown about as the Greatest Of All Time. (30 seconds to turn to the person beside you and share who you think is the greatest sports person of all time...) - Babe Ruth - Michael Jordan (6 championships, 6 NBA Finals MVPs, 6 League MVPs) - Tiger Woods - Wayne Gretzky - Michael Phelps - Lewis Hamilton (7 driver championships, most wins, most pole positions, pro since 2007, youngest F1 World Champion in history) - Simone Biles (25 World Championship medals, most decorated gymnast in history) - Serena Williams (23 Grand slam titles, ranked No. 1 for 319 weeks, including 186 consecutive weeks, year end No. 1 five times) - Tom Brady (7 Super Bowl wins, including 5 Super Bowl MVPs, see what happens when he kicks off his 24th season in Dallas later today..) Its a fun game trying to decide what factors contribute to somebodys status as the Greatest Of All Time. Is it high scoring like Michael Jordan? Is it longevity, like Babe Ruth or Serena Williams? Is it championships won? Or is it something else? So what makes someone the greatest? That is the question at the heart of our Bible passage today. A question that helps us understand what matters to Jesus, and what matters in his kingdom. So why dont we pray and ask God to teach us as we open his word right now. Heavenly Father, as we open the Bible now, will you teach us about your kingdom and the values that matter to you. Teach us about greatness and humility, as your Spirit does his work in our hearts. Make us more like Jesus as you make us into people for your kingdom. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen 1 We are in the middle of our Fall teaching series from Matthew 17-21, which Im calling Kingdom People. In these chapters, Jesus teaches us all about the culture and values of the Kingdom of Heaven. But they are not just cultures and values for when we die Jesus wants us start living the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. And the disciples learn a lesson about Jesus kingdom values when they come to him with a question. (v1) 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1) I grew up in a competitive household. I have an older brother and two younger sisters. When we were kids, my brother and I competed for the fastest, and who was the strongest, and who could eat the most pancakes. Then my littlest sister got a bit older and then we all had to compete to be the loudest. And then we all got a bit older again and had to compete with my other sister for who was the smartest... Now were all in our 40s and we compete about whos aging the best. Id like to say comfortably Im winning. (May not be true but thats just the competitive person I am. Win at all costs.) The disciples want to know who is winning at being the best Christian. Or best Israelite, probably. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? they ask. Remember not too much earlier Peter and James and John had been invited to go up to the mountaintop with Jesus. They were his closest companions and his inner circle. Perhaps the disciples wanted to know if one of those three was the greatest. Of course up on the mountainside two dead guys showed up perhaps the two greatest dead guys in the history of Israel. Moses and Elijah. Moses who represents the law and the ten commandments, kind of the grandfather of Gods OT people. And Elijah, the greatest of the prophets. So great that he didnt actually die God took him up to heaven in a chariot of fire. So maybe Elijah is the greatest figure of the OT, and maybe he would be the greatest in heaven, apart from Jesus I guess. Maybe they were thinking of someone else. (And this is where it starts to look like the debate we had earlier about the GOAT.) - King David killed Goliath when he was just a boy, became King, established Jerusalem as the ruling seat of Gods people. God promised David would always have a descendant on the throne. But then there was Bathsheba... - Solomon? Unparalleled wealth and diplomatic influence, incredible wisdom but not so wise when it came to the ladies. 2 - Jump to NT times. What about Mary? She gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Surely Mary might be one of the greatest in the kingdom? - Peter who becomes the rock on which the church is built. - Paul who becomes the greatest missionary church planter in history, not to mention writer of half of the NT. What makes a person great in the kingdom of God? Is it achievements like this that make us great? Little Children Jesus does what he often does. He takes an everyday object and turns it into a teaching tool for us. (v2) 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-3) I kind of laughed when I first read this, because my siblings and I were just like the disciples we always wanted to know who was greatest. I assume Jesus did not pick a child like me and my brothers and sisters as his example ;-) No, he calls a little child to come over. And he says to the disciples, dont worry about who is greatest. He says, if you even want to enter the kingdom of heaven, then you need to change and become like this like little children. So what is it about little children that makes them an example of what you should be like, if you want to belong to the kingdom of heaven? I would love to say its innocence. But watch a two year old for a couple of hours and youll find out that they are anything but innocent. Cheeky and adorable, yes, but naughty as well... So its not that Jesus wants us to be innocent to be worthy of the kingdom. Maybe its child-like wonder. There is something about little kids that helps them see the world with fresh eyes. They havent been conditioned by disappointment, or constrained by cultural expectations. They sing and dance without worrying about what other people think. They have this beautiful optimism, and as adults we wish we could shield them from the realities of the world so that they dont lose that hopefulness. But life rarely works out that way. So I dont think Jesus is talking about child-like wonder. 3 Maybe he is talking about the receptiveness of children the way that they trust what we teach them. But then again, little kids will also believe the wrong message if somebody they trust teaches it to them. Surely Jesus isnt saying we need to be gullible to be part of his kingdom. So what was Jesus getting at? Theres a little word in v4 that tells us what he was thinking: lowly. Time for a little history lesson. In ancient times, many cultures thought less of children than we do today. Children were treated as property rather than people. Children were bought and sold as slaves, at other times beaten and neglected, and even sacrificed to pagan gods. In the first century when our story today takes place, Roman law gave a father absolute power over his family which extended to life and death.1 A father could have his child killed, and not be punishable by law. Children had very different rights than they do today. They were some of the lowliest (most unimportant) people in society. And that lowliness was what Jesus commended about children. (v4) 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:4-5) You see, the disciples had come asking who was the greatest in the kingdom. Who was most important. And Jesus says the kingdom is not about achievement. Its not about individual accolades. Its not about winning, or earning, deserving. Its the very opposite. Its all about dependence. Think about children. Children play no part in the decision to be born. They enter the world completely helpless. They rely on a parent or a carer to feed them and clothe them and change their diapers. Even as they grow more independent, our kids trust us to provide a home, and safety. They have no way of paying for those things, and it wouldnt even cross their mind. They dont get to be our children by earning it. They dont receive our love only when they deserve it, at least thats the way its meant to work... Children are completely dependent. And entry into the kingdom of God, its about being dependent. On Jesus. Thats a humble position to be in, isnt it? Completely dependent on someone else. And its the very opposite of what this world says makes us great. Our world says you need to be independent, able to hold your own, pay your own way, climb the ladder, beat a pathway to success. 1 https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-jesus-thinks-about-children/ 4 And the same can happen in the world of church. Some of the disciples had grown up in very legalistic religion. They thought the kingdom was a matter of keeping the commandments, and performing religious ceremonies. And some of us might have grown up that way too, trying to earn Gods love. But Jesus says, none of that matters. Not in my kingdom. The greatest will be the one who accepts my gift of forgiveness. The one who receives my pardon. The one who trusts me like a child. Its a change of mindset, isnt it?And thats what the disciples needed. Jesus told them that back in v3: unless you change and become like little children... That word for change in the original language, it really means coming to have a new perspective. Jesus needs them to see that they have been thinking about it all wrong. The kingdom is not about greatness, its about humility. I just want to pause before we move on to ask, is this a mindset you need to change as well? My whole upbringing was about seeking greatness, so I know how hard it is to switch the mindset from seeking greatness to seeking humility. But Jesus leads the way in humility, and he shows us that the humble can still achieve great success its just about the way you carry yourself on the journey. I grew up watching Rugby Union, a kind of tackle football played without pads. In the 1990s, Australia dominated the world stage, and brought home two Rugby World Cups (like Olympics, only played every 4 years). At the center of the Wallabies success was the captain, John Eales. 67, 262lb, a work horse on the field. A fierce competitor but always fair; well-spoken and gracious in victory or defeat. He led from the front, but never brought attention to his own achievements. He just quietly went to work, leading Australian rugby into a period of unparalleled success. Legend has it his team gave him the nickname Nobody because Nobodys perfect. John Eales is considered one of the greatest rugby players of all time, and I think his humility is a huge part of his legacy. Not surprisingly, John Eales is a follower of Jesus. How is Jesus forming humility in your life?Thats our first big idea for today. The kingdom is a matter of humble dependence. Little Ones 5 The second big idea from today is welcoming little ones. No doubt you saw on the news this week that the Queen of England died at the age of 96. A sad day for the world. As an Australian, Im actually a subject of the Queen Australia is a member of the British Commonwealth, and Queen Elizabeth has been part of my life for all of my 46 years. And thats true for my parents as well the Queen was crowned in 1952, when my parents were just 4 years old. Now I know Ive told you this before, but my mother got to meet the Queen in 1954 when she was on her coronation tour to Australia. Mom was 5 or 6 years old, and she lined up with a row of other kids who had lost their fathers in the war. And the Queen came past and spoke to them, and took their gifts of flowers. And that pattern continued all through the Queens 70 year reign. She loved to meet her subjects, especially little children. Jesus loved little children too. In a society where children were often overlooked and undervalued, Jesus was never too busy for the littlest ones in his kingdom. And he says to the disciples in v5:5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:5) When we reopened Yountville Community Church a year ago, it was really important to us to welcome the little children into Jesus kingdom. And so we launched Yountville Kids, a program for 0-10 year olds. We had two trained leaders my two children Charlotte and Jamie. And we had a mission to share the hope of Jesus with every member of our church, from the biggest to the littlest ones. It has been such a joy to see the way Yountville Kids has grown over the last 12 months. The number of kids has grown, the number of leaders has grown. Every week the classroom is buzzing with kids playing games, doing craft, singing songs, and most importantly hearing about Jesus from the Bible, and learning to put their trust in him. And so I would ask you to pray for Yountville Kids. Pray that we can welcome more and more children into our programs, which means welcoming more and more families into our church. It means praying for more leaders, so that we can open more classrooms. Soon it will mean asking for the finances to pay for a staff member who will lead Yountville Kids as it expands, and so that we can start planning for Youth Ministry. But we do all this because its part of sharing the hope of Jesus in the Napa Valley and beyond. The gospel is for everyone, from the biggest to the littlest amongst us. And Jesus says, whenever we welcome just one child in his name, its the same as welcoming him. But kids arent the only little ones in our society. 6 Jesus wants us as a church to make sure that we extend the welcome to all those who find themselves in lowly positions in our society. Just like Jesus had time for children, he also had time for the blind, the lame, the sick, and the outcasts. In a world that measures people by their achievements, those little ones are often overlooked, arent they? Or more strictly speaking, we are the ones who overlook them, ignore them, and push them out of sight because they arent successful like us... Its that greatness/humility theme again, isnt it? Jesus talks quite a bit about little ones in Matthews gospel. Its here in ch18, back in Mt 10:42, and also in Mt 25:40. Jesus wants us to have concern for those who are hungry, those who need clothing, those in prison... In our context, I think Jesus would be talking about the homeless and the most vulnerable in our cities. But look at what Jesus does for those little ones in v12: 12 What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:12-14) You see, Jesus will go to extraordinary lengths for the little ones. He reaches into their lives, into their messes, he finds them where they are, and he brings them home into his kingdom. Ive seen amazing testimonies from the Alpha prison program, where inmates have the chance to learn about Jesus through Alpha just like we do here. And Jesus is changing lives through it, and creating new futures. Ive seen the same thing with the crew who do our landscaping here at church every week. They are all part of an addiction recovery program called The Bridge in Napa. Its a 12 month residential recovery program where the guys replace their addiction with a year of learning about Jesus. I love talking to the guys a couple of them are really on fire for the Lord. All because Jesus walked into the messiness of their addiction and carried them home. We get to be a little part of that here at Yountville Community Church, but dont you want to do more? Wouldnt you love for this church to be a place where everyone is welcome, from the greatest to the least? Thats my prayer for us. Maybe youll join me in that now... 7

3 Questions To Live A Life Of No Regrets | Abel Cheah

HTBB Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022

On Jesus' last day before His death, He demonstrated a powerful lesson, through a shocking act of love. Then He said "I have set you an example ... do as I have done for you." What did he do, that was so important that He timed in the last few hours of His life? In this talk, Abel talks about 3 questions we can ask, to live a life of no regrets. John 13:1-17

no regrets live a life cheah on jesus

54 - Doug Groothuis on Fire in the Streets and Confidently Responding to Incendiary Cultural Topics

Full Proof Theology

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 38:48

In this interview with Dr. Doug Groothuis, we discuss his new book, “Fire in the Streets.” The book covers a variety of topics related to Critical Race Theory in America. We dive into reparations, evangelical sympathizers to CRT, and socialism. How should Christians respond to CRT? How did CRT and neo-Marxism take over the academy? Is CRT a conservative bogeyman? Bio from Denver Seminary:“Dr. Douglas Groothuis earned his PhD from the University of Oregon and has been a full-time faculty member at Denver Seminary since 1993.He has also taught at The University of Oregon and Metro State University, in Denver. He has authored thirty academic articles in journals such as Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, Sophia, Bibliotheca Sacra, and Academic Questions. He has also written for Christianity Today, The Christian Research Journal, The Journal for Christian Legal Thought, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and many other publications. He has authored thirteen books, including Unmasking the New Age, The Soul in Cyberspace, Truth Decay, On Jesus, Christian Apologetics, Philosophy in Seven Sentences, Walking through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher's Lament, and I Love You to the Stars (a children's book written with Crystal Bowman). He has contributed numerous entries to reference volumes such as The Dictionary of Christianity and Science, The Apologetics Study Bible, The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions, and the textbook, Problems in Value Theory.”Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/chasedavisEpisode 7 - Blaise Pascal, Metallica, Donald Trump, and Critical Race Theory with Dr. Douglas Groothuis - https://fullprooftheology.buzzsprout.com/1249781/5944654Fire in the Streets - https://amzn.to/3RWZ6mXSocial Justice and the Christian Church - https://amzn.to/3PUAJ7XTwitter - https://twitter.com/DougGroothuis

Easter Weekend | Jesus' Agenda His First Day Back to Life

The Vineyard Church Weekend Messages

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022

What would you do with a second chance on life? During this message, we look at what Jesus did with His second chance on life. On Jesus' first day back, He prioritized a walk with His friends and an invitation with some urgency. This past weekend, Pastor Mark Pope guided us through these two important examples of Jesus' priorities as we celebrate Easter. Be challenged this week to consider the following question: When was the last time I pushed for God's presence? FULL SERVICE

god jesus christ back to life easter weekend full service first day back on jesus

April 10, 2022 | Disciples and a Crowd | Palm Sunday

Shepherd's Gate Church

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 24:02

It's Palm Sunday. On Jesus' final trip into the city of Jerusalem, He carefully plans out every detail with two of His disciples. This moment is known in history as the Triumphal Entry. In today's message, we will take a look at the questions that arise when you look at the story more closely, how the answers reveal Jesus' motives and why Palm Sunday is worth celebrating.

jesus christ jerusalem disciples palm sunday crowd triumphal entry on jesus

"FIXING OUR EYES" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 11: Maintaining our course in ministry is a skill we must develop. Keeping our eyes on where we are headed is, in fact, how we get there.

Kid's Ministry Coffee Break | 5-Minutes of Spiritual Refreshment for Children's Ministry Leaders

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 5:28

Coffee break 11: How many times are you caught up in the details of what is right in front of you that you suddenly look back and realize you've not been headed in the direction upon which you set out? Maybe you accepted your calling into student ministry with some very specific ideas of the direction God intended you to go…but then…over time…you got caught up in some of the details and side issues that arose along the way…until suddenly you realize you aren't headed in the direction of your calling anymore. https://ministry-to-children.com/childrens-ministry-is-the-highest-calling/ We can even forget what our calling is because of getting distracted and focused on the wrong details and situations that inevitably come in a life of ministry. Traditions, rituals, routines, and distractions have a tendency to demand our eyes look down from the course which we are on… they want our attention to be on them instead of them being the tools we use to accomplish our goals. Traditions and rituals can, over time, without us aware of it, become the very goals themselves! Suddenly we look around and realize…our path has taken a wrong turn. Throughout the Gospel stories Jesus was headed toward Jerusalem—to the center of religious and political power—to stand face to face with corruption. If he'd gotten side-tracked along the way… If he'd allowed the many things that popped up on his journey to divert his attention… He wouldn't have stayed on his obedient path to the cross. He had his eyes fixed on Jerusalem. Even when he was headed in the other direction, he knew he was ultimately headed to Jerusalem. Where are our eyes fixed? On Jesus, yes, but how or why? What is your calling? What direction did you set out on when you said, “Yes” to ministry? Is your path still headed there? Have you gotten distracted? Have you gotten lost? Fix your eyes on the calling given to you by Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Look up…let your eyes find what you need to be headed towards…and focus on that. Pretty soon you'll be able to look back and see that you have been headed exactly to what and where you've been called to go. It's okay to spend time looking at other people's rows, but only for the purpose of building others up and offering encouragement as we all work together for the purpose of the Reign of God advancing on earth in the name of Jesus Christ. (Special thanks to Charlie Ketchen—who was the one who asked my dad about his rows and originally offered it as a devotion for his peers in his ministry work as a chaplain) https://10bibleverses.com/scripture-quotes/reward-bible-verse-gods-reward-scriptures/ Today's message is brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford from Sanford Curriculum -- where he works with Lauren Sanford to develop resources for children and youth ministry and is available on The Sunday School Store. https://sundayschool.store/ Music provided by The Muse Maker

god jesus christ music gospel holy spirit coffee jerusalem rev develop maintaining fixing skill traditions headed fix coffee break kids ministry keeping our eyes on jesus

Lord, Lord

Wilderness Wanderings

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 4:06

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?7 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49) Jesus is Lord was one of the earliest creeds of the Christian faith. If Jesus is Lord, Caesar is not. Money is not. The approval of our parents, spouse, friends, or society is not. If Jesus is Lord: he is Lord. He commands our respect, our obedience, and our submission to his will because if Jesus is Lord, he is King. The parable of the two house builders invites the question: on what foundation have you built your hopes, home, and security in this world? On Jesus and his Lordship? Or somewhere else? As for Jesus' Lordship: you've heard his commands over this past week of devotions from his sermon on the plain: “spend yourselves on behalf of the poor, love your enemies, do not judge or condemn, forgive and give, take the plank out of your own eye first, love the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.” So: today's devotion is pretty simple. You likely call Jesus Lord when you pray to him or talk about him: “Lord, Lord.” Do you also treat him as your Lord: bending the knee, building your life in him alone, loving him alone, and doing what he says?

god jesus christ money lord caesar if jesus lordship jesus lord lord lord on jesus

The Wander Years | Release Doubt

Midrash NYC

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 28:58

On Jesus' twelfth birthday, he is finally allowed in the temple, but the problem was he didn't exactly want to leave once he got there. When his parents realized he pulled a Home Alone stunt and found him amongst the religious leaders they doubted if he belonged there. How many of us have been told our culture is too different, we are too young, too old, too fat, too differently abled, too divorced, too single, too queer, too feminine to participate in the full life of the church. Well, Jesus knows the feeling and he made a place for himself and others in many of spaces where people said he and we had no place.

jesus christ doubt home alone wander on jesus

The Wander Years | Release Doubt

Forefront Brooklyn

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 28:58

On Jesus' twelfth birthday, he is finally allowed in the temple, but the problem was he didn't exactly want to leave once he got there. When his parents realized he pulled a Home Alone stunt and found him amongst the religious leaders they doubted if he belonged there. How many of us have been told our culture is too different, we are too young, too old, too fat, too differently abled, too divorced, too single, too queer, too feminine to participate in the full life of the church. Well, Jesus knows the feeling and he made a place for himself and others in many of spaces where people said he and we had no place.

jesus christ doubt home alone wander on jesus

Jesus' Parables 11, Luke 19:11-27

jesus christ jerusalem parables luke 19 on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 9:12

Jesus taught in parables, in many settings and for diverse audiences. On Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem recorded in Luke 9-19, his teaching and training focus turns specifically to his disciples. He employs severals parables to challenge and to form their thinking, so that they will be prepared to live as his disciples long after he has ascended. Stuart Holman continues our series on the Parables of Jesus, considering some of the parables in Luke 9-19.

Jesus' Parables 10, Luke 18:18-30

jesus christ jerusalem parables luke 18 on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 11:00

Jesus taught in parables, in many settings and for diverse audiences. On Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem recorded in Luke 9-19, his teaching and training focus turns specifically to his disciples. He employs severals parables to challenge and to form their thinking, so that they will be prepared to live as his disciples long after he has ascended. Stuart Holman continues our series on the Parables of Jesus, considering some of the parables in Luke 9-19.

Jesus' Parables 9, Luke 18:9-17

jesus christ jerusalem parables luke 18 on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2021 9:01

Jesus taught in parables, in many settings and for diverse audiences. On Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem recorded in Luke 9-19, his teaching and training focus turns specifically to his disciples. He employs severals parables to challenge and to form their thinking, so that they will be prepared to live as his disciples long after he has ascended. Stuart Holman continues our series on the Parables of Jesus, considering some of the parables in Luke 9-19 ( growingdisciples.net.au ).

Jesus' Parables 8, Luke 16:1-13

jesus christ jerusalem parables luke 16 on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 9:51

Jesus taught in parables, in many settings and for diverse audiences. On Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem recorded in Luke 9-19, his teaching and training focus turns specifically to his disciples. He employs severals parables to challenge and to form their thinking, so that they will be prepared to live as his disciples long after he has ascended. Stuart Holman continues our series on the Parables of Jesus, considering some of the parables in Luke 9-19.

Jesus' Parables 7, Luke 12:13-31

jesus christ jerusalem parables luke 12 on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 11:25

On Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem recorded in Luke 9-19, his teaching and training focus turns specifically to his disciples. He employs severals parables to challenge and to form their thinking, so that they will be prepared to live as his disciples long after he has ascended. Stuart Holman continues our series on the Parables of Jesus, considering some of the parables in Luke 9-19.

Jesus' Parables 6, Luke 10:25-37

jesus christ jerusalem parables luke 10 on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2021 9:32

Jesus taught in parables, in many settings and for diverse audiences. On Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem recorded in Luke 9-19, his teaching and training focus turns specifically to his disciples. He employs severals parables to challenge and to form their thinking, so that they will be prepared to live as his disciples long after he has ascended. Stuart Holman continues our series on the Parables of Jesus, considering some of the parables in Luke 9-19.

To the Church in Ephesus | Revelation 2:1-7

All Saints Reformed Presbyterian Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 54:00

Ask any confessional Presbyterian what the church is supposed to look like and they will have an answer ready- sound doctrine, presbyterian government, and regulated worship. If those criteria were applied to the Ephesian church at the end of the apostolic era, it would appear that the Ephesian church would have been heartily welcomed into the club of Old School Presbyterianism. On Jesus' own assessment, it had all of this and more. Yet, Jesus was not impressed. After commending the Ephesian church for soundness in faith and doctrine, He challenged their heart and threated to remove their lampstand because they had fallen from their first love. The point of this letter to the Ephesian church is that doctrinal orthodoxy without fervent love for Christ is offensive to God and will bring judgment upon the church.

god jesus christ church revelation ephesus presbyterian ephesian on jesus

The Blessing of Real Christianity

blessing pharisees crowds real christianity on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2021 41:21

On Jesus & the Crowds, and Jesus Vs. The Pharisees

400 silent years in scripture, dawn of education and Christian church (pt.3 of 3)

Over The Air Christian Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 8:31

Citations (in order)On new priesthood between Old and New Testament,Hebrews 8.8, 13; 9.11'...the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant......by calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.But when Christ came as high priest...he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands...On calling on God without being preached to; note again the backdrop of roman audience where philosophy thrived,Romans 10.14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?Colossians 2.8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.On mission of God, Abrahamic promise,see publications by Christopher J. H. WrightFor Socrates' reference of 'daimon',Apology 31d, 37e, 40a to 40cPhaedrus 242b-c.On division of kingdom, satanic or foreign spirits,Matthew 12:26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? On knowing Jesus prior to meeting him,John 4.25The woman said, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”On Spirit, compared to the wind,John 3.8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.On Biblical interaction with philosophy, or philo-sophia, Jewish prophetic God and pagan reception, undertaken by Pauline writing,1Corinthians 1.22-3For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, On Filioque controversy,See publications by A. Edward Siecienski. On work of the Holy Spirit prior to the name of Jesus being preached,See Acts 10, Peter's confession at v.44-48"...They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.On Jesus asking, sending, of the Holy Spirit,John 14.16, 15.26And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever...When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father...Isaiah 65:1 I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.On Paul preaching for God that is unknown specifically to roman culture at that time period,Acts 17.22-34...For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you...On nature and grace,See Thomas Aquinas, or Summa theologiae. On Immnauel Kant and religion,See Critique of Pure Reason, Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason Matthew 11.18-9For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right (vindicated in some translations) by her deeds.Hebrews 11.3 (ESV)By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

400 silent years in scripture, dawn of education and Christian church (pt.2 of 3)

Over The Air Christian Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 27:10

Citations (in order)On new priesthood between Old and New Testament,Hebrews 8.8, 13; 9.11'...the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant......by calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.But when Christ came as high priest...he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands...On calling on God without being preached to; note again the backdrop of roman audience where philosophy thrived,Romans 10.14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?Colossians 2.8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.On mission of God, Abrahamic promise,see publications by Christopher J. H. WrightFor Socrates' reference of 'daimon',Apology 31d, 37e, 40a to 40cPhaedrus 242b-c.On division of kingdom, satanic or foreign spirits,Matthew 12:26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? On knowing Jesus prior to meeting him,John 4.25The woman said, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”On Spirit, compared to the wind,John 3.8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.On Biblical interaction with philosophy, or philo-sophia, Jewish prophetic God and pagan reception, undertaken by Pauline writing,1Corinthians 1.22-3For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, On Filioque controversy,See publications by A. Edward Siecienski. On work of the Holy Spirit prior to the name of Jesus being preached,See Acts 10, Peter's confession at v.44-48"...They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.On Jesus asking, sending, of the Holy Spirit,John 14.16, 15.26And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever...When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father...Isaiah 65:1 I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.On Paul preaching for God that is unknown specifically to roman culture at that time period,Acts 17.22-34...For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you...On nature and grace,See Thomas Aquinas, or Summa theologiae. On Immnauel Kant and religion,See Critique of Pure Reason, Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason Matthew 11.18-9For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right (vindicated in some translations) by her deeds.Hebrews 11.3 (ESV)By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

400 silent years in scripture, dawn of education and Christian church (pt.1 of 3)

Over The Air Christian Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 25:02

Citations (in order)On new priesthood between Old and New Testament,Hebrews 8.8, 13; 9.11'...the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant......by calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.But when Christ came as high priest...he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands...On calling on God without being preached to; note again the backdrop of roman audience where philosophy thrived,Romans 10.14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?Colossians 2.8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.On mission of God, Abrahamic promise,see publications by Christopher J. H. WrightFor Socrates' reference of 'daimon',Apology 31d, 37e, 40a to 40cPhaedrus 242b-c.On division of kingdom, satanic or foreign spirits,Matthew 12:26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? On knowing Jesus prior to meeting him,John 4.25The woman said, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”On Spirit, compared to the wind,John 3.8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.On Biblical interaction with philosophy, or philo-sophia, Jewish prophetic God and pagan reception, undertaken by Pauline writing,1Corinthians 1.22-3For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, On Filioque controversy,See publications by A. Edward Siecienski. On work of the Holy Spirit prior to the name of Jesus being preached,See Acts 10, Peter's confession at v.44-48"...They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.On Jesus asking, sending, of the Holy Spirit,John 14.16, 15.26And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever...When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father...Isaiah 65:1 I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.On Paul preaching for God that is unknown specifically to roman culture at that time period,Acts 17.22-34...For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you...On nature and grace,See Thomas Aquinas, or Summa theologiae. On Immnauel Kant and religion,See Critique of Pure Reason, Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason Matthew 11.18-9For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right (vindicated in some translations) by her deeds.Hebrews 11.3 (ESV)By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

April 2, 2021 - Jn 18:1—19:42 / Good Friday

Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 2:56

On Jesus' kingship, fulfillment of the Father's plan, and fruits of life that flow from his sacrifice - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lucas-laborde/message

father good friday on jesus lucas laborde

March 10th 2021 - Mt. 5:17-19 / 3rd Wednesday of Lent

Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 3:31

On Jesus as the fulfilment of the law - Fr. Maximo Stock Click here for today's readings. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lucas-laborde/message

lent on jesus

Paul Kingsnorth: science can never replace the mythic

UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 50:41

Paul Kingsnorth doesn't fit neatly into Left or Right — which is only one of the reasons we consider him one of the more interesting thinkers of our time. He has been talking and writing about nature for over 25 years, and during that period he has developed a his own self-reliant, localised form of environmentalism.Formerly a climate activist, Paul grew disaffected with the movement when he came to the realisation that “economic monster” that enveloped the world was too great to fight against. Instead, he channelled his energies into writing books, essays, novels and poetry, all of which have been hugely influential in the way we view our relationship with the modern world and its maladies.In his own life, he has tried to “secede from the system” as much as possible by living on his own farmstead out in western Ireland in county Galway. While he admits that it is impossible to fully withdraw from the world, small acts of resistance — whether they are using an unconnected compost loo or refusing to use a smartphone — allows him to “jump off the treadmill”. His recent conversion to Christianity came as a surprise, not least to Paul, and it gave him a deeper appreciation of the importance of limits and humility. Below are some excerpts from this enthralling interview:On the culture wars:The more modern and the more westernised the world is, the more lost people seem… It seems to me that both sides in this horrible toxic culture battle that's going on are talking about identity as if it's something that's under threat for them and something that they've lost and something they feel attached to and something that the other side wants to take away from them. On rationalist versus mystic modes of thought:So you've got sort of mythos versus logos…. So we have a very rationalistic, very secularistic, scientific, mathematical way of looking at the world, which is useful, obviously… But we also have something which is deeper and to some degree truer than that, which is the mythic way of looking, which is where true poetry comes from, it's where art comes from. But it's also where I think our deep love of nature comes from, and it's where religion comes from. That stuff flows through absolutely every human being and every human culture always at all times.I think liberal modernity and neoliberal capitalism as well have operated on the false assumption that the mythic way of seeing will be ultimately superseded by the rational way, by the logoic way of seeing if you like, because obviously, myth was just a silly thing we believed in before we had science, that we don't need anymore. That's not what's happening.On giving up climate activism:What you end up seeing if you are an activist for long enough is that we have built this enormous, unsustainable economic monster that now envelops the world, which requires endless growth to keep it going. It isn't possible to feed it with enough natural resources to power that endless growth, the fossil fuels that it uses to power that endless growth is changing the climate. So we all know these terrible stories: we've kicked off a mass extinction event, the climate is changing, all of these kinds of horrors. So you end up having to try and turn this around, and you end up campaigning to stop climate change. And after many, many years of doing that, I was unable to avoid the reality, as it seemed to me and it still does — it actually isn't possible to do it in the way that we wanted to do it. On the capitalist system:We're not citizens, we're not people rooted in a culture, we're not individuals who have a sort of wider sense of worth. We're primarily consumers and producers for that machine. We measure everything in terms of economic growth, we measure that in a material sense, rather than in any other sense. We've become a kind of a society of merchants and those consumer values have infiltrated everything, absolutely every aspect of our lives…I think that's a tragedy. It's a cultural tragedy, and it's an ecological tragedy too. On Covid:Covid is interesting in the sense that we've all been acting like science is going to solve this using the algorithms and the mathematical formula and the rest of it. But there's also something very mythic about this virus isn't there? It's very apocalyptic, I think, in the original sense of the word. The word apocalypsis is Greek for unveiling, it means revelation. On Bill Gates:It's an interesting one this, because you've got all the crazy conspiracies about how Bill Gates is going to inject you with microchips and all this stuff. But there's a basis for this. Bill Gates is a very powerful man and he's using his money to change the world in particular ways. He's using his money to fund newspapers. He's using his money to promote development in places like Africa in a very particular pattern. He's doing certainly all sorts of things. And the same is true of Soros, who's always the centre of conspiracy theories as well. So although the conspiracies themselves are crazy and often dangerous and unpleasant, the sense of powerlessness that fuels them is real. I think that these conspiracies come about when people try to join dots that they don't understand, because we don't really know how it's working anymore. On China ‘lifting a hundred million' people out of poverty:China has made, for example, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people landless through the construction of dams; through the construction of giant cities. Obviously, the state in China is all-powerful, and so people are just moved. And then they're put into cities. And often if you take people who've been living on their own land, in a subsistence economy where they have enough and you put them into a city, where they then are earning wages, but very low wages; they've lost any sense of control through that process of enclosure that we talked about earlier. Then you can stick that on your balance sheet and you can say look at these people we've lifted out of poverty. Maybe some of them wanted to be but were they? On his conversion to Christianity:I've been on a sort of spiritual search for 10 years or so. Because actually, so much of what we've been talking about seems to me to be at root, a spiritual question in the broadest sense of that slightly horrible word. That it's actually about what we value. And so much of our destructive nature, it seems to me, comes from our sense of self-worship. So once you believe that there's nothing above you, once you believe that there's nothing sacred about the world, that the world is simply a material object, a giant resource that you can harvest, then you can become quite tyrannical. On Jesus' teaching:It's very interesting to go back to the teachings of Jesus 2000 years ago, and see him basically addressing the same flaws in human nature that we have now. And of course, that's not just true of Christianity. So there's a there's a lesson in radical humility that you can get from it, which I hadn't realised until I started to look at it properly. And that's still working its way through me. It's quite a radical and exciting thing to be happening in a way. Read the Post here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

jesus christ china science africa christianity left ireland greek bill gates george soros galway mythic paul kingsnorth on china on jesus

First Encounter

healing sabbath pharisees encounter on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 37:58

On Jesus and the Pharisees, Healing, And the Sabbath

The Temptations

love your enemies on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2021 40:34

On Jesus' Temptations in the desert by the devil

temptations on jesus

Love Your Enemies - November 2020

Root and Branch Church

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 18:58

On Jesus saying love your enemies, do not retaliate against violence, do not judge others, and do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. Crazy things like that. Speaker: Tim Kim

The Great Battle?

victory great battle on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2020 35:44

On Jesus' Victory, and the unexpected

30 Interview with Doug Groothuis, author of "Christian Apologetics" (Part 2)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2020 67:45

This week Daniel Ray continues his discussion with Christian apologist, philosopher and author, Dr. Douglas Groothuis about his book Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. This book is a popular textbook at Christian colleges and seminaries, was winner of the 2012 Christianity Today Book Award of Merit. In part 2 of their discussion, Daniel and Doug explore some additional arguments for the Christian worldview put forward in the book and address some key questions: Are some atheists arguing that the best explanation for much of the universe is that there is no explanation for it? Should skepticism be the default position? How can we creatively and wisely relate to people who seem to be far away from the gospel? Why do Christians need to go beyond focusing on merely winning arguments? Douglas Groothuis is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Evangelical Philosophical Society, and Society of Christian Philosophers. Dr. Groothuis received a Ph.D. and a B.S. from the University of Oregon, and an MA in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has served as adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University, visiting instructor in apologetics for Westminster Theological Seminary, and instructor at the University of Oregon. He is the author of ten books, including Truth Decay, Unmasking the New Age, On Jesus, On Pascal and In Defense of Natural Theology (coeditor and contributor). He has published two dozen academic articles in journals such as Religious Studies, Think, Inquiry, Sophia and Philosophia Christi. BONUS LINKS: Here are some additional resources: Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, by Douglas Groothuis, IVP Books (2011), 752-pages: https://amzn.to/39olHDb Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism, by Douglas Groothuis, IVP Books (2000), 303-pages: https://amzn.to/30Gk3cb Douglas Groothuis Website: https://douglasgroothuis.com/ FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Join the Apologetics Profile podcast team for as little as $1 here: www.patreon.com/WatchmanFellowship. Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

29 Interview with Doug Groothuis, author of "Christian Apologetics" (Part 1)

Union Church Message Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 63:43

In this week’s discussion, Daniel Ray talks with Christian apologist, philosopher and author, Dr. Douglas Groothuis about his book Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. This book is a popular textbook at Christian colleges and seminaries, was winner of the 2012 Christianity Today Book Award of Merit. In their discussion Daniel and Doug discuss some of the arguments for the Christian worldview put forward in the book and address some key questions: Can the Christian worldview stand up to the experiences of human suffering? How do we get from a defense of objective truth and the key arguments for God to a case for the credibility of Jesus, the incarnation and the resurrection? Do alternative worldviews adequately explain morality? Douglas Groothuis is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Evangelical Philosophical Society, and Society of Christian Philosophers. Dr. Groothuis received a Ph.D. and a B.S. from the University of Oregon, and an MA in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has served as adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University, visiting instructor in apologetics for Westminster Theological Seminary, and instructor at the University of Oregon. He is the author of ten books, including Truth Decay, Unmasking the New Age, On Jesus, On Pascal and In Defense of Natural Theology (coeditor and contributor). He has published two dozen academic articles in journals such as Religious Studies, Think, Inquiry, Sophia and Philosophia Christi. BONUS LINKS: Here are some additional resources: Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, by Douglas Groothuis, IVP Books (2011), 752-pages: https://amzn.to/39olHDb Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism, by Douglas Groothuis, IVP Books (2000), 303-pages: https://amzn.to/30Gk3cb Douglas Groothuis Website: https://douglasgroothuis.com/ FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Join the Apologetics Profile podcast team for as little as $1 here: www.patreon.com/WatchmanFellowship. Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Living the Big Picture

CCR Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2020 38:31

DiscipleShift #2, Living the Big Picture By Louie Marsh, 9-29-2013 Intro. 4 pictures 1) As a Disciple of Jesus I am… A Follower of Jesus – My faith is 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 (ESV) A devotee of Jesus - I am focused ON JESUS. 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:25-27 (ESV) 2) My life & church are focused on FOLLOWING & BECOMING like Jesus. 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.. Philippians 3:10-12 (ESV) The purpose of the church & my life are THE SAME! 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) 3) The purpose of the church is to MAKE DISCIPLES. The foundation is JESUS & THE GOSPEL 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NASB) The 5 pillars are the 5 “purposes” or 5 EXPRESSIONS of my faith. Worship (John 4:23-24) Evangelism (Romans 10:13-14) Ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4-5) Fellowship (Acts 2:42) Discipleship (Hebrews 6:1) These 5 Expressions exist to support the real purpose of the church – MAKING DISCIPLES. 4) God uses everything to make me a MATURE DISCIPLE. Making disciples vs. discipleship. Making Disciples - - - - - -Discipleship - - - - - Making Disciples - - - - - Discipleship 5) If I want to become like Jesus I must CHOOSE obedience over everything. 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV) 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Philippians 3:13-15 (ESV)

On Jesus, the Spirit, and the God Who Won’t Be Caged

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2020 16:03

Pastor Nikki Young delivers a powerful Trinity Sunday sermon: "On Jesus, the Spirit, and the God Won’t Be Caged."

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Episode 20: Easter Week Monday

One Minute Scripture Study

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 2:11

On Jesus' first full day in Jerusalem He visited the temple... and was not pleased with what he found. Listen to find out what the Savior's reaction to moneychangers and animal sellers tells us about our own temple worship. And for more scripture study help, check out my FREE Come Follow Me Study Kits at https://www.kristenwalkersmith.com/freebies/ Bible Video: Jesus Cleanses the Temple

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Feb 24 - Mk 9:14-29 / 7th Monday in Ordinary Time

Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2020 6:33

On Jesus's exorcism and what faith in him means. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lucas-laborde/message

ordinary time on jesus

13: Where Modern Worship Comes From (And Why It Matters)

The Worship Workshop Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2020 50:09

Welcome to the Worship Workshop Podcast where we help you grow a stronger team that leads engaging worship. Today we dive into where modern worship comes from—and why it matters—with Dr. Lester Ruth. During the discussion, we also discuss the fourfold order of worship—the history of it and why it's still critical for today. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Dr. Lester Ruth's Books: Flow https://amzn.to/37hQpev Lovin' On Jesus https://amzn.to/2tObtvv Lester's Recommendations: Constance Cherry: Worship Architect https://amzn.to/38lULTs James White: A Brief History of Christian Worship https://amzn.to/31Sb4F6 Bibliography of Worship Studies http://iws.edu/resources/bibliography Calvin Institute of Christian Worship www.Worship.calvin.edu Dr. Lester Ruth is the Research Professor of Christian Worship at Duke Divinity School. Lester holds degrees from Notre Dame, Candler School of Theology of Emory University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He was a student of James F. White - the former University of Notre Dame Professor of Theology (Liturgical Studies). He co-authored Lovin' On Jesus: A Concise History of Contemporary Worship with Dr. Swee Hong Lim. Follow Lester Ruth on Twitter: @jl_ruth Learning Community If you want more training for your team, for you as the leader, and a community of worship leaders and team members you can interact with, we have it. It's the Worship Workshop Learning Community. The Learning Community is free training, encouragement and community for you AND your team members. Go to WorshipWorkshop.com/lc to learn more and get access to that right now. Support Us On Patreon If you love what we're doing here on the Podcast and over at the Learning Community, and would love to be a part of it, I want to challenge you to become a Patreon supporter. And you can do that for as little as $2 a month. You get far more value in content and perks than what you contribute monthly. But more importantly than that, you're able to help us provide training content for leaders and worship teams literally all over this world, and some who don't have the means to buy products or enroll in membership program like Worship Workshop. So go WorshipWorkshop.com/patreon to become a supporter. Write a Review If you're not able to partner with us financially right now, but you'd love to help us out, give us a positive review at Apple Podcasts. You can find that by going to www.worshipworkshop.com/apple Thanks for being a part of the Worship Workshop Podcast and Learning Community. My team and I are so honored to be even a small part of your journey as you build a stronger team that leads engaging worship.

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Bread from Heaven - Video

Calvary Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2020 50:37

In John 6 Jesus explains that He is the bread which came down from Heaven. Why did He say this about himself? Does the bread and drink offered in communion turn into His flesh and blood? There is a distinct difference between believing IN and believing ON Jesus. Even the devil and his demons believe IN Jesus but salvation comes from a belief ON Jesus.

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Bread from Heaven - Audio

Calvary Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2020 50:37

In John 6 Jesus explains that He is the bread which came down from Heaven. Why did He say this about himself? Does the bread and drink offered in communion turn into His flesh and blood? There is a distinct difference between believing IN and believing ON Jesus. Even the devil and his demons believe IN Jesus but salvation comes from a belief ON Jesus.

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Proper 29C

reflections proper on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020

Reflections into the mirror (and just like that, I am done with that phrase) about Luke 23:33-43. On Jesus as king.

Bishop Charles Mellette || The Value of People

Podcast – Christian Provision Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020

The very heartbeat of God is people. John 3:16 states that God sent His Son, Jesus, to Earth because people were on His mind. On Jesus’ most difficult day, people (His mother and the thieves at Calvary) were on His Mind. The capacity to have people on your mind is possible when we make God […]

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Father Gonnella- "On Jesus’s Terms"

Saint Patrick Catholic Church Homilies

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 10:03

Father Gonnella- "On Jesus’s Terms" by Saint Patrick Parish Homilies

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Proper 15B

reflections proper on jesus

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2018

Reflections into the mirror (which sometimes makes objects look bigger than they really are) about John 6:51-58. On Jesus and ... cannibalism??

Easter 7B

Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2018

Reflections into the mirror (which, it now occurs to me, makes little sense, because don't reflections technically come out of the mirror??) about John 17:6-19. On Jesus and mothering.

reflections on jesus

Soul Talk: Positive Being

Heal, Empower & Awaken

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2018 46:00

Sri Kaleshwar said “Think positive, start the day with positive, lead the day with positive, end the day with positive, then your life will become positive. Be in the positive.” But how do we do that? Though positive thinking is a prerequisite, “Be in the positive” is a state of being. We can attain a state of consciousness, through which we experience our world. Listen in to hear, not only how to think positive, but how to live in a state of Positive Being. For more information: On Jesus: See the book: The Real Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ, available at Amazon.com On Silence Meditation: https://learn.divinelineage.org/p/who-am-i On Being Love and Simple Acts of Kindness, go to: https://divinelineage.org/love/being-love

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Lent 3B