Podcasts about Polycarp

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (08/05/25), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio, author of When the Church Was Young: Voices of the Early Fathers. Hank and Dr. D'Ambrosio discuss the importance of holy tradition, understanding that the early church did not have the Bible as we do today, the centrality of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist as argued by Ignatius of Antioch, the martyrdom of Polycarp of Smyrna, the significance of relics, The Didache, and apologetics and the First Apology of Justin Martyr.

Did the earliest Christians believe that salvation was permanent and irreversible? In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce, with special guest Jack Bull, examines what the Apostolic Fathers actually taught about eternal security, falling away, and the necessity of perseverance in the faith.We explore key texts from the Didache, 1 Clement, 2 Clement, the Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, and the Shepherd of Hermas—highlighting how the early Church warned believers about the real danger of apostasy and the importance of obedience, repentance, and endurance.If you've been told that the doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved” has historical roots, this episode may surprise you. The message from the early Church is consistent and clear: Salvation is not a free pass. It's a call to a lifelong, faithful walk with Christ.#OnceSavedAlwaysSaved #EternalSecurity #ApostolicFathers #Didache #IgnatiusOfAntioch #ShepherdOfHermas #Polycarp #ChurchFathers #EarlyChurch #ChristianTheology #ConditionalSecurity #SalvationDoctrine #FallFromGrace #StephenBoyce #FACTSPodcast #ChristianHistory #BiblicalTruth #PerseveranceOfTheSaints #FaithAndWorks #Patristics #JackBullStephen's writings: https://independent.academia.edu/StephenBoyce4Here is a link to Dr Bull's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Patristica

Psalm 131Psalm 132Reading 1: 2 Corinthians 12, 13Reading 2: From a letter to Polycarp by St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyrSt. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975

Listen as Pastor Nate and Pastor Daniel unpack the Post-Apostolic Era (100-313 AD), revealing how the disciples of the apostles faced the same leadership challenges you encounter today. Perfect for your commute or workout, this episode delivers practical wisdom from church history.✅ You'll Learn:✅ How biblical church membership strengthens your spiritual foundation✅ Why early church governance principles still apply in modern churches✅ How Ignatius, Polycarp, and other church fathers combated ancient heresies✅ The pastoral heart that drove early leaders to sacrifice everything for their people✅ How the Didache provided practical church guidelines that work todayThese weren't weak, soft men hiding in studies—they were bold leaders who gladly died for biblical truth. Their courage and wisdom shaped Christianity for 2,000 years.Ready to be challenged by the disciples of those who walked with Jesus? Hit subscribe and discover the biblical foundation that can transform your leadership and faith today.

This message explores how an ancient church's faithfulness under persecution offers powerful guidance for believers today. Discover the significance of Smyrna, one of the seven churches in Revelation, whose name means 'myrrh' - a substance that releases its fragrance when crushed. Learn why Jesus gave this church no correction, only encouragement, as they faced poverty and persecution for refusing to worship the emperor. This message examines the powerful testimony of believers like Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who after 85 years of serving Christ refused to deny his Lord even at the stake. Understand the sobering reality that approximately 380 million Christians worldwide currently face persecution - one in seven believers globally. Discover five crucial responses to trials from Smyrna's example: remembering Jesus sees our suffering, maintaining an eternal perspective, guarding against offense, recognizing purpose in suffering, and remaining faithful regardless of circumstances. This teaching will challenge you to examine your spiritual resilience and commitment to Christ.

What happened after the apostles died?In this explosive episode of the Word of Mouth Podcast, I dive deep into early church history, and expose the slow drift away from apostolic truth.You've heard of the “Church Fathers” but did they stay faithful to the gospel of Acts 2:38?I take a bold, Bible-based look at:

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Polycarp Otieno, aka Fancy Fingers, guitarist, composer, and ¼ of the award-winning Kenyan supergroup Sauti Sol.We explore what's next for Polycarp now that Sauti Sol has ended, how he is navigating life after global tours and fame, and whether East Africa truly has a culture and sound that unites it. We also unpack what makes Kenyan music special, the rise of Rwandan music, and whether African artists should chase “going global” or stay rooted in authentic artistry.If you care about African music, identity, and what the future holds for East Africa's creative scene, this conversation is for you.Paid partnership with: Waka Fitness: Go to https://waka.fitbase.rw/thelongform and get 20% off your gym membership. Offer lasts until August 2025!#FancyFingers #SautiSol #TheLongFormPodcast #AfricanMusic #KenyanMusic #RwandanMusic #EastAfricanCulture #PanAfricanism #PolycarpOtieno #AfricanArtists #MusicIndustryAfrica #SautiSolBreakupListen to the Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya podcast on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/rw/podcast/the-long-form-with-sanny-ntayombya/id1669879621Listen to the Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7HkkUi4bUyIeYktQhWOljcFollow Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya on Twitter: https://x.com/TheLongFormRwFollow Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelongformrw/Follow Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longformrwFollow Sanny Ntayombya on Twitter: https://x.com/SannyNtayombya About Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya:The Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya is a weekly podcast intent on keeping you up to date with current affairs in Rwanda. The topics discussed range from politics, business, sports to entertainment. If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the hashtag #LongFormRw on Twitter and follow us on Twitter and Instagram on our handle @TheLongFormRwBe a part of the conversation.

In this message, we unpack John's letter to the church in Smyrna in Revelation, showing how Christ knows our suffering and, because of His profound love, offers the crown of life to those who remain faithful (Rev. 2:10). We trace the example of Polycarp, who embraced martyrdom rather than renounce Christ under brutal imperial pressure. We also mourn the recent Texas flood tragedy, where two young sisters' final “I love you” text reminds us of human vulnerability and God's compassion. Drawing on C.S. Lewis, we see that pain shouts to awaken our souls, and we are called to live as a faithful, supportive community. Ultimately, we are encouraged to bear one another's burdens in love, knowing that Christ's consuming fire is ever with us.

When life gets hard and faith feels costly, how do we stay true to God? In this powerful message, we explore Jesus' letter to the persecuted church in Smyrna—a community praised for its unwavering faith in the face of suffering. Through historical context, personal reflection, and the inspiring story of the martyr Polycarp, this sermon reminds us that hardship doesn't mean abandonment.Instead, Jesus sees, knows, and honors our struggles. He calls us not to fear trials, but to remain faithful, promising the crown of life to those who endure. Whether you're facing rejection, loss, or discouragement, this message offers a timely encouragement: faithfulness matters more than ease, and eternal hope outweighs temporary pain.

When life gets hard and faith feels costly, how do we stay true to God? In this powerful message, we explore Jesus' letter to the persecuted church in Smyrna—a community praised for its unwavering faith in the face of suffering. Through historical context, personal reflection, and the inspiring story of the martyr Polycarp, this sermon reminds us that hardship doesn't mean abandonment.Instead, Jesus sees, knows, and honors our struggles. He calls us not to fear trials, but to remain faithful, promising the crown of life to those who endure. Whether you're facing rejection, loss, or discouragement, this message offers a timely encouragement: faithfulness matters more than ease, and eternal hope outweighs temporary pain.

Developing Gritty Faith in a Broken World: Lessons from Smyrna explores how believers can cultivate resilient faith amid life's challenges. This message examines how the persecuted church in Smyrna demonstrated unwavering faith despite severe opposition. Learn how Jesus acknowledged their suffering while declaring them spiritually rich, teaching us that God sees our struggles even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Discover why God often doesn't remove our difficulties but promises His presence through them, using these challenges to develop our spiritual resilience. The message provides practical strategies for developing gritty faith: keeping your eyes on Jesus rather than circumstances, remembering God's faithfulness, reframing struggles as growth opportunities, standing on Scripture, and embracing church support. Featuring the inspiring story of Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna who demonstrated extraordinary faith in the face of martyrdom, this teaching offers biblical wisdom for anyone facing trials, persecution, spiritual warfare, doubt, or hardship. Perfect for Christians seeking to strengthen their faith, overcome obstacles, and understand God's purpose in suffering.

Send us a textPsalm 34:5-8 Ek het die Here aangeroep en Hy het my geantwoord, Hy het my gered uit alle doodsgevare. Dié wat swaar kry, sien op na Hom en straal van blydskap, hulle word nie teleurgestel in hulle verwagting nie. Ek is een van die ellendiges wat geroep het. Die Here het gehoor, uit al my benoudhede het Hy my gered. Die Engel van die Here slaan sy laer op rondom dié wat die Here dien, en red hulle. Sommige mense is emosioneel meer veerkragtig as ander. Ja, ek stem saam, jou agtergrond en jou "persoonlikheidstipe" gaan in 'n groot mate ‘n invloed daarop hê. Maar tog moet ons elkeen speel met die kaarte speel wat ons kry. So, hoe kan jy meer veerkragtig word?  Hoe kan jy aanpas en herstel van moeilike of uitdagende situasies?In die jaar 155 na Christus is Polycarp, die Biskop van Smirna, (wat geleë is in wat vandag as Izmir in Turkye bekendstaan) gearresteer, omdat hy geweier het om die Romeinse Keiser te aanbid.Toe hy beveel is om sy geloof te verloën, het hy hierdie beroemde woorde met ‘n stralende gesig, dapper en blymoedig uitgeroep: Ses-en-tagtig jaar het ek Hom gedien, en Hy het my geen kwaad aangedoen nie. Hoe kan ek my Koning en Verlosser belaster?Ten spyte van baie dreigemente het Polycarp onwankelbaar gebly. Hy is gevonnis om op die brandstapel te sterf. In ‘n wonderwerk het die vlamme ‘n groot boog rondom hom gevorm, maar hom nie verteer nie. Hy is toe uiteindelik met ‘n dolk doodgemaak. Sy dood was traumaties en hopelik is dit nie iets wat ek of jy ooit in die gesig sal moet staar nie. Meer as 'n duisend jaar voor dit, het koning Dawid getuig van God se getrouheid:Psalm 34:8 Ek het die Here aangeroep en Hy het my geantwoord, Hy het my gered uit alle doodsgevare. Dié wat swaar kry, sien op na Hom en straal van blydskap, hulle word nie teleurgestel in hulle verwagting nie. Ek is een van die ellendiges wat geroep het. Die Here het gehoor, uit al my benoudhede het Hy my gered. Die Engel van die Here slaan sy laer op rondom dié wat die Here dien, en red hulle.Te midde van sy verskriklike probleme het Dawid na God geroep, en God vertrou. En die resultaat? Te midde van al die gevare was hy nie skaam of bang nie ... hy was stralend. Dit is hoe jy veerkragtigheid omhels en jou eie maak.En dit is God se Woord. Vars … vir jou … vandag. Support the showEnjoying The Content?For the price of a cup of coffee each month, you can enable Christianityworks to reach 10,000+ people with a message about the love of Jesus!DONATE R50 MONTHLY

Opposition is an opportunity to clarify the message and strengthen the movement -- but it requires Spirit-filled boldness. Pastor Jeremy Treat continues our series through Acts with a sermon from Acts 4:1-22.

This is part 2 of a 9 part series. For the full series you can go here.Long ago it is written that God said, “Remember” - yet today mankind has forgotten. Through the many clever schemes of the devil in history, most of the world has been deceived into believing tradition over truth. And what's more, a time is soon coming when the choice will have to be made between obeying the word of God or obeying the word of the devil.TIMESTAMPS:* 00:00 - The Early Church* 40:11 - Christian Persecution* 1:00:39 - Polycarp* 1:10:00 - Didache* 1:15:30 - Epiphanius* 1:19:16 - William Twisse* 1:21:26 - Johann Gieseler * 1:23:57 - Lyman Coleman* 1:28:21 - Jeremy Taylor* 1:30:01 - John Ley* 1:31:14 - Discussion This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danceoflife.com/subscribe

In what ways did later scribes modify and alter the authentic letter from Bishop Ignatius to Polycarp? This week's episode explores some of the additions, focusing on the development of the hierarchy of bishops, the elevated role of the bishop, and the description of Jesus as "our God Jesus Christ." We also examine what it might mean to refer to Christ as "God" in light of the principle of agency that is present in Scripture. Visit Amazon to buy your copy of my book Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John: https://a.co/d/6nFEbZg        Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks  To view the notes from this episode please click the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MsmYGFazS4JNGeOx0GHBgzvKcKqfR2SA_LJBHixTkHg/edit?usp=sharing          Check out some of my videos on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@BiblicalUnitarianPodcast      Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/OneGodPodcast  

We're in Revelation Chapter 2, as the Lord addresses the Messenger of the Church at Smyrna

Polycarp the MartyrIn this episode were going to be thinking about the persecution of the early church, and focusing in on the martyrdom of Polycarp, the pastor of the church at Smyrna, in what is now called Turkey. Polycarp's testimony for Jesus Christ led to his arrest and to his death in the city of Rome in the 2nd century AD. May his perseverance and steadfast determination to follow Jesus whatever the cost be an inspiration to us also, in these days, when many Christian throughout the world still face persecution for the faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding true spiritual courage isn't about inner strength but trusting in God's presence and promises, as demonstrated by Polycarp and Joshua. God assures us we're not alone because He is with us, not powerless because He commands courage, and not directionless because He has spoken through Scripture. This courage enables us to face challenges not through willpower but through Scripture-saturated obedience. When feeling anxious or uncertain, we can remember God's presence as the antidote to fear, recognizing courage as a spiritual discipline rooted in knowing God rather than a personality trait.

Discover what it means to live a faith worth dying for in this powerful Memorial Day sermon! Reflecting on the courage of American soldiers in the Battle of St. Mihiel and the unwavering faith of Christian martyrs like Stephen, Polycarp, Perpetua, and Felicity, this message challenges you to examine your priorities. Are you a soldier of Christ, ready to stand firm like those who paid the ultimate sacrifice? Inspired by John 15:13 and stories from Fox's Book of Martyrs, this sermon will inspire you to live boldly for Jesus. Don't miss this moving exploration of faith, sacrifice, and love that eclipses fear! Subscribe, like, and share to join the journey! #Faith #ChristianMartyrs #MemorialDay #Jesus #Sacrifice

Shortly before His ascension, our Savior commanded his followers to "Go and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and to teach them "all that [He] had commanded them." In pursuit of this command the Apostles and their successors commenced a multi-century struggle to preserve the faith once delivered and declare it to the nations. These men, our spiritual fathers, laid the foundations of the Church and preached the Gospel to every city they could, frequently inviting the wrath of the pagan authorities for upsetting the pax deorum, the peace of the gods. Most of the Apostles would be martyred, along with many later men like Polycarp of Smyrna—a bishop and disciple of John—and Cyprian of Carthage.But divine providence would change this state of affairs over a mere few decades. Not long after the Diocletian persecution of the early 4th century, Flavius Valerius Constantinus, or Constantine the Great, would ascend to dominance over the Western half of the Roman Empire. Constantine would adopt the Christian faith, and by consequence he would set off a chain of events that saw the increasing fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, that the Law would go out from Zion, and the Lord would judge between the nations.His successors would solidify his Christian measures, culminating in the declaration of Nicene Christianity as the official faith of the empire through the Edict of Thessalonica, delivered by Emperor Theodosius I in A.D. 380. Though paganism did not disappear overnight, these decrees oriented the Roman state and eventually other European kingdoms towards the full dominance of Christianity in all parts of their kingdoms, to the point that even our mere knowledge of various pre-Christian folk religions is patchy—sometimes pure conjecture.It was by these means that the faith would dominate Europe, and through the European empires be exported across the globe. Further, the intellectual development of the faith that we enjoy today was done under the patronage of princes, guaranteeing the time, resources, and security necessary for theologians of old to exercise their gifts. Though the preaching of the Word was the absolutely essential spark that lit the flame of the faith, it was the Christian magistrate who carried the torch and spread the light into all spheres, and thus fulfilled the prophecy of David: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.This episode is brought to you by our premier sponsors, Armored Republic and Reece Fund, as well as our Patreon members and donors. You can join our Patreon at patreon.com/rightresponseministries or donate at rightresponseministries.com/donate.Tune in to today's episode as we are joined by special guest The Other Paul to talk about sacralism, the state, and how God established Christianity in the West.MINISTRY SPONSORS:Reece Fund. Christian Capital. Boldly Deployedhttps://www.reecefund.com/Private Family Banking How to Connect with Private Family Banking: FREE 20-MINUTE COURSE HERE: View CourseEmail inquiry: chuck@privatefamilybanking.comFREE e-book: protectyourmoneynow.netDiscovery call: Schedule NowWealth Guide Book: Seven Generations LegacyWestern Front Books. Publishing for men on the right. Not churchy. Christian.https://www.WesternFrontBooks.com/Mid State Accounting Need help with bookkeeping, tax returns, or CFO services? Call Kailee Smith at 573‑889‑7278 for a free consultation. Mention Right Response podcast for 10% off your first 3 months. Kingsmen Caps Carry the Crown with Kingsmen Caps. Shop premium headwear or create your own at https://kingsmencaps.com. Squirrelly Joes Coffee – Caffeinating The Modern Reformation Get a free bag of coffee (just pay shipping): https://squirrellyjoes.com/rightresponse

Various May 11, 2025 SS.Regarding sober-mindedness, we are thinking of a Christian who is level-headed, focused on the important things in life, single-minded instead of double-minded, using the mind well, and maintaining an undistracted narrower focus. Can you think of some real life examples where a sober mind is needed or perhaps was lacking? I found an example in the ancient church fathers, where Ignatius wrote to Polycarp these words: "Be sober as God's athlete. The prize is immortality and eternal life, of which you have been persuaded."

This one's for the creators, the dreamers and the ones building in silence.Polycarp and Winyo get candid on staying true to your craft and creating a lasting impact. #mantalkmoments #paidpartnershipwithjohnniewalker #keepwalking #drinkbetternotmore

In the second century, the post-apostolic church learned to read its emerging Scriptures, shape its practice, and endure episodic Roman persecutions that claimed witnesses such as Ignatius and Polycarp. Confronted by gnostic, Marcionite, and Montanist movements, they clarified orthodoxy and fostered the monarchical episcopate, laying the structural and theological foundations for the centuries to come. Title: Overview of the 2nd Century Date: 100 - 200 AD Place: Roman Empire Key Figures and Events: Heretics, Gnosticism, Martyrs, Emperors, and Theologians Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

In today's teaching, we return to the empty tomb in Luke 24 to rediscover the power of Jesus' words when everything else feels lost. Through the stories of Bonhoeffer, Polycarp, and the women at the tomb, we're reminded that resurrection hope doesn't begin when everything is fixed—it begins when we remember what Jesus has already said. If you're feeling weary, uncertain, or walking through a valley, we invite you to cling to the unshakable promises of the Risen Christ.

Jordan Hall and I discuss he exploration and reflections about the doctrine of the Trinity. We mention John Vervaeke (  @johnvervaeke  ), Jonathan Pageau (  @JonathanPageau  ), Paul Vanderklay (  @PaulVanderKlay  ), Kale Zelden (  @thekalezelden  ), Jim Rutt (  @jimruttshow8596  ), Elizabeth Oldfield (  @thesacredpodcast  ), Rod Dreher, Polycarp, Ignatius of Antioch, The Cappadocian Fathers, Jordan Peterson (  @JordanBPeterson  ), Forrest Landry, Iain McGilchrist, Immanuel Kant, David Bentley Hart, James Filler, and more. Midwestuary - https://www.midwestuary.com/First convo with Jordan Hall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkHeudFqPnk

The Church teaches that baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime sacrament—but what are the consequences of being re-baptized? We break down the theological and spiritual implications, and also explore topics like Peter's crucifixion, the authority of the Church Fathers, and what makes a sin truly mortal. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:25 – How is Onan responsible for a sin that wasn’t given until Deuteronomy? 11:53 – How could have Mary said no if God had the plan since the beginning of time? 16:23 – Which Gospel passages on John are indicative of him filling in the gaps on Luke? 20:50 – Where does the Church get the belief that Peter was crucified upside down? 23:16 – How do you get Protestants to stop dismissing the Church Fathers? 28:45 – How do we know that Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp were disciples of John the Apostle? 32:50 – Why are Ed and Lorraine Warren problematic since they were Catholic? 39:44 – What are the consequences of being re-baptized? 43:40 – If Jews get a new temple they would begin animal sacrifices, but Christ was the final sacrifice. Is this why God has allowed enemies to control the temple mount? 48:05 – What exactly constitutes full consent of the will in regard to mortal sin?

This is my message to the Jews. It follows up on my video about Christian/Muslim relations. I mention Elon Musk, Philo of Alexandria, Caligula, Suetonius, Claudius, Prescilla, Aquila, Gallio, Sosthenes, Jusitn Martyr, Trypho, Simon Bar Kokhba, Polycarp, Constantine, Athanasius of Alexandria, Caiaphas, Paul of Samosata, Photinus of Galatia, Arius, Constantius II, Gregory of Nyssa, Hank Kruse, Theodosius the Great, Ambrose of Milan, Julian the Apostate, Aphrahat the Persian Sage, Nestorius of Constantinople, Justinian the Great, John Calvin, Michael Servetus, Marian Hillar, Lelio and Fausto Sozzini, Malcolm Collins, John Locke, Andrzej Wiszowaty, Samuel Przypkowski, Isaac Newton, John Milton, Benedict Spinoza, Pierre Bayle, Voltaire, David Hume, Joseph Priestly, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Hannah Adams, Mordecai Noah, The Apostle Paul, and more.

Jordan Hall and I discuss he exploration and reflections about the doctrine of the Trinity. We mention John Vervaeke (  @johnvervaeke  ), Jonathan Pageau (  @JonathanPageau  ), Paul Vanderklay (  @PaulVanderKlay  ), Kale Zelden (  @thekalezelden  ), Jim Rutt (  @jimruttshow8596  ), Elizabeth Oldfield (  @thesacredpodcast  ), Rod Dreher, Polycarp, Ignatius of Antioch, The Cappadocian Fathers, Jordan Peterson (  @JordanBPeterson  ), Forrest Landry, Iain McGilchrist, Immanuel Kant, David Bentley Hart, James Filler, and more. Midwestuary - https://www.midwestuary.com/First convo with Jordan Hall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkHeudFqPnk

The sermon teaches that the depth of our love determines the sacrifices we're willing to make—from everyday choices to enduring persecution for our faith. Drawing on Revelation's letter to the church in Smyrna and the example of martyr Polycarp, the message challenges believers to embrace courage, perseverance, and an eternal perspective, proving that true spiritual richness comes from steadfast commitment in the face of trials.

Theme:  Life on Earth Pastor Randy's Sermon: St. Polycarp

Evening Prayer for Sunday, February 23, 2025 (The Second to Last Sunday of Epiphany: World Mission Sunday, or Sexagesima; Eve of Matthias the Apostle; Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, 156).Psalm and Scripture readings (60-day Psalter):Psalms 129-131Baruch 4:5-13, 21-37Romans 8:1-17⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to access the text for the Daily Office at DailyOffice2019.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to support The Daily Office Podcast with a one-time gift or a recurring donation.

Morning Prayer for Sunday, February 23, 2025 (The Second to Last Sunday of Epiphany: World Mission Sunday, or Sexagesima; Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, 156).Psalm and Scripture readings (60-day Psalter):Psalms 127-128Exodus 3Matthew 9:18-34⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to access the text for the Daily Office at DailyOffice2019.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to support The Daily Office Podcast with a one-time gift or a recurring donation.

Full Text of ReadingsSeventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 81The Saint of the day is Saint PolycarpSaint Polycarp's Story Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia Minor Churches recognized Polycarp's leadership by choosing him as a representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church. Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been preserved, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia. At 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger. The centurion ordered the saint's body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp's martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr's death. He died in 155. Reflection Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion, he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14). Saint Polycarp is the Patron Saint of: Relief from Earaches Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Irenaeus of Lyons was a pivotal figure in the early Church, bridging the apostolic era and the development of Christian orthodoxy. A student of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John, Irenaeus defended against Gnostic heresies, articulated the scriptural canon, and innovated theological concepts. His work, Against Heresies, refuted Gnostic dualism and solidified core Christian beliefs like the unity of God and the incarnation. Irenaeus also championed the "Rule of Faith" and episcopal authority as safeguards of authentic apostolic tradition. His doctrine of recapitulation framed Christ as the "New Adam," restoring humanity's relationship with God. www.twinsbiblicalacademy.com

Father Paul tells the story of one of the most famous early Christian martyrs.

Polycarp of Smyrna, a pivotal figure in early Christianity, served as a bridge between the apostolic age and the institutional church. As a disciple of John the Apostle, he championed orthodox theology and met a martyr's death reminiscent of Christ's. His leadership was evident in navigating controversies like the Quartodeciman dispute and combating heresies such as Gnosticism. Polycarp's surviving Epistle to the Philippians offers insights into his pastoral approach, emphasizing humility and resistance to false teachings. The account of his martyrdom highlights early practices like relic veneration and influenced subsequent theological developments, particularly in solidifying orthodox views against heresy. His enduring legacy is celebrated through liturgical commemorations and his ongoing influence on Christian thought. For more in depth teachings check our website: www.twinsbiblicalacademy.com

What does it mean to stand firm in faith—even when it costs everything? In Episode 53 of Warrior's Walk, we explore the powerful stories of Christian martyrs who chose faith over fear, courage over compromise, and Christ over their own lives.

Fr. Sean McDermott's sermon for Epiphany III preached at All Saints Anglican Church in Charlottesville, VA on January 26, 2025 being the Feast of St. Polycarp.

There is a tradition that it was the young boy Ignatius whom Christ took upon his knee to explain to His followers that they must become as children to enter the Kingdom. He knew the holy Apostles personally and, with St Polycarp (February 25) was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He succeeded Evodus as second Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria and at that time one of the largest cities in the world. Here, during the persecutions of Domitian, he strengthened the faithful, brought many pagans to Christ, and prayed that he himself would be granted the crown of martyrdom. His flock called him the Godbearer, a title that he did not refuse, for he said that all Christians after their Baptism are truly Bearers of Christ, clothed in the Holy Spirit.   When peace was restored to the Church for awhile, the holy Bishop devoted himself to organizing the young Church on strong foundations at a time when the last of the Apostles had only recently passed away. He established the principle that the Grace imparted to the Apostles at Pentecost was handed down to the bishops appointed by them, and so on through the generations: the Apostolic Succession.   The Emperor Trajan, passing through Syria to make war in Armenia, spent some time in Antioch and initiated a persecution of Christians. Rejoicing that the time of martyrdom had at last arrived, Ignatius presented himself before the Emperor and eloquently declared his faith in Christ.   "So you are a disciple of the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?" asked the Emperor.   "I am the disciple of Him who has nailed my sin to the Cross, and has trodden the Devil and his devices underfoot."   "Why do you call yourself the Godbearer?"   "Because I carry the living Christ within me!"   "Therefore, let the bearer of the Crucified One be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to the lions for the amusement of the people."   And so it was. During the long and difficult journey to Rome, cruelly mistreated by his guards, the Saint wrote a series of letters to the young churches which remain one of the treasures of the Church. In Smyrna, he was able to meet with his fellow-disciple Polycarp and entrust to him the care of the churches whose shepherd he had been. As Trajan had ordered, in Rome he was taken to the amphitheater and, as the Synaxarion says, "entered the arena as though approaching the holy altar to serve his last Liturgy in the presence of the faithful, who were crowded among pagans on the steps of the amphitheatre." In a few moments he was completely devoured by the lions, save for a few bones. These were gathered by the faithful and returned to Antioch.   In his Letter to the Romans, the holy Bishop wrote to some who wished to rescue him from his martyrdom: "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

While the Bible remains the unshakable center of our faith, understanding the broader context of church history will enrich our spiritual life in Christ. And so, Stephanie invites you into her conversation with authors Ben Lansing and Dan Marotta. Their collaborative effort is “Our Church Speaks”, a book featuring 52 Christian saints connecting modern audiences with 2000 years of Christian tradition. In today's culture, dominated by a staggering number of celebrities, Ben and Dan propose a focus on Christ-centered heroes of the faith, past and present, as a healthier alternative. Recounting stories of saints can help reconstruct what it means to follow Christ, providing a curative narrative amid societal disillusionment. This perspective isn't anti-celebrity, but rather an appeal to prioritize emotional and spiritual well-being by valuing Christ-centered faith over celebrity culture. Ben and Dan underscore the value of saints as role models in stark contrast to today's idolized celebrity culture. Instead of pursuing a transient notion of the "good life" defined by cultural standards of beauty, success, and fame, the authors advocate emulating the virtues demonstrated by saints. These figures, pointing to Christ, offer a remedy for the anxiety and vanity pervasive in modern society. Ben and Dan draw parallels between the decline of the Roman Empire and current Western attitudes. The past's cultural uncertainties mirror today's sentiments. For example, the conversion of Augustine and the transformative power of faith, urge today's youth to find fulfillment in Christ rather than material success. Through the lens of history, Ben and Dan highlight the monastic movement's rise during turbulent times, structured around prayer and work. The lessons from these Christian communities remain pertinent today, providing a model for spiritual stability amidst chaos. The consistent theme of God's faithfulness through uncertain times emphasizes the reliability of prayer as a structural life foundation, rather than a mere emotional expression. Josephine Bakhita and Polycarp, for example, left indelible marks on Christian history. Josephine Bakhita's story of transcending slavery through faith—embracing her given name "Lucky" while finding true fortune in Christ—offers a lesson in finding freedom through spiritual dedication rather than the absence of constraints. Polycarp's unwavering faith despite persecution illustrates the early church's resilience and engagement with Scripture. His steadfastness serves as a source of encouragement for modern believers facing challenges to their faith, reinforcing confidence and trust in divine grace. Ben Lansing's role as an artist intertwines with his spiritual journey, as he finds inspiration in portraying saints from diverse eras and professions. His insights reveal how art and history can illuminate God's work across various cultures and time periods. Stephanie Rousselle reflects on how the book sparked her curiosity to learn about historical Christian figures, like the first Korean martyr, thus enhancing her appreciation for global Christian heritage. Dan Marotta shares his transformative encounter with church history through Ben, emphasizing themes of self-sacrifice present in the lives of saints. These true stories provide a humbling counterbalance to modern comfort-driven lifestyles, inspiring humility and faithful witness over martyrdom or suffering. The conversation touches on the negative implications of social media, this "giant mirror" reflecting and magnifying vanity issues. Emulating saints can redirect this focus, reducing self-promotion and increasing service to others, leading to genuine happiness and fulfillment. Ben and Dan conclude by inviting us to look beyond digital media, encouraging engagement with visual and historical narratives that convey beauty and truth. Their collaborative project aims to connect past and present, offering illustrations and biographies of Christian heroes of the faith to motivate deeper spiritual reflection. MORE ABOUT “OUR CHURCH SPEAKS” Do you ever feel like you're alone in your struggles to live out the Christian faith? Do you ever read the Bible yet still wonder what it looks like to follow Jesus in the complexity and difficulty of our time? The stories of great men and women throughout the history of the church can help us form a bridge between the teaching of Scripture and our embodied lives. This illustrated devotional vividly depicts the lives and words of great women and men of faith. Artist Ben Lansing and Anglican priest D. J. Marotta offer fifty-two profound images and reflections on Christians, from Polycarp in the first century to the martyrs of Sudan in the twenty-first century. These saints, from every continent and century of church history, demonstrate the historic church's relevance for Christians today and reveal God's faithfulness in all times and circumstances. The artwork, biographies, devotionals, and prayers in this book are meant to spark our imaginations, helping us to be faithful here and now, in our own age. More at https://www.ourchurchspeaks.com/  Order via ivpress.com here: https://www.ivpress.com/our-church-speaks  Order via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Church-Speaks-Illustrated-Devotional/dp/151400903X  Order via Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-church-speaks-ben-lansing/1145030215  Our Church Speaks is an illustration series featuring the words of Christians from around the globe, across traditions, and throughout the centuries. Each saint in this series is commemorated in the Book of Common Prayer tradition, in the global Anglican communion's calendar of saints. C.S. Lewis called for Christians to "keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds." Our Church Speaks aspires to open the perspective of modern Christians to this clean breeze of the witness of the historic church. Our Church Speaks is an ongoing project, currently at over 250 portraits, with new work every week. You can follow the latest entries on Instagram. Prayers and liturgies in this project are from the Book of Common Prayer. This project is aligned with the historic interpretation of the Christian Bible, as summarized by the Nicene Creed and expressed in the Documentary Foundations of the 2019 edition of the Book of Common Prayer (pgs. 766-802). Discover the stunning art gallery that inspired the book at https://www.ourchurchspeaks.com/gallery  MORE ABOUT THE AUTHORS Ben Lansing is an artist and author from Richmond, Virginia. His award-winning art has appeared in hundreds of American publications over the past two decades. His work has been featured in the Newseum in Washington D.C. and received multiple Best in Show awards from the Virginia Press Association. In 2007, in response to the mass shooting at Virginia Tech, Ben created Today, We Are All Hokies, an editorial illustration that received global attention. John Seigenthaler, Sr., founding editorial director of USA Today, nominated this image for a Pulitzer Prize in 2007. Ben is currently the cartoonist for Jeff MacNelly's classic comic strip, Shoe. Ben is an ordained Anglican deacon and a lifelong student of the history of art and religion. He loves sharing the history of the global church through art and storytelling and regularly teaches church history at Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia. He lives in Richmond with his wife, Bethany, in a house full of books. Dan (D.J.) Marotta is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America and the founding Rector of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, VA. He was raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and graduated from The College of William & Mary with a B.A. in Family Therapy Psychology and Denver Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2016 and planted Redeemer in the urban heart of Richmond that same year. His wife is gracious and his children are clever. More at https://www.djmarotta.com/  THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY! First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact. Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc…). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast.  And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us! NEW! Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example, - a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours. - a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours. MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY: Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support. We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum. Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog What matters to us here at Gospel Spice is to create a place where people who seek deeper intimacy with Jesus, will find Him. We want a warm, welcoming atmosphere to journey ever deeper into the heart of God. We believe it is the ultimate calling of the Christian life, and I like to summarize it with my motto, God's glory, our delight. That is why we invite you to “taste and see” that the Lord is good. And we have been doing this every day since 2019. We need YOU to keep Gospel Spice alive and growing.   Financially speaking, we rely on people who understand this vision and who understand that we cannot function without a minimum budget. We run an extremely tight budget. For example, I work full time but don't draw a salary. And yet, we have expenses – for example, the equipment and technology we use, and also the wonderfully gifted staff who make it possible to deliver high quality content all around the globe, and then the necessary occasional promotional budget to make it possible to be discovered by those who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need your help.   So we would love for you to consider if this ministry is blessing you to pay gospel spice forward. You can partner with us monthly with 10, 25, 50, 100, a month, or you can make one donation, once. And because we are a register nonprofit organization in the United States under the status of a 501c3 charity, it means that the amount that you pay to gospel spice is fully tax deductible. Completely tax deductible. So you're even saving money as you invest in gospel spice ministries. It is an eternal investment, and we are very grateful to you for it. Now it's very important to us that we give back as much as possible from what you give us. And so we commit to giving the majority of what we receive, once all of our administrative costs are paid, to organizations that fight human trafficking on the front line. There are many worthwhile causes in the world, so why this one? Because I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – maybe because I have never been its victim myself, so I feel a responsibility to help those less fortunate than me. Also, because Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and that is something that revolts the heart of God. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.   So, we do some due diligence. We pick organizations who have proven themselves trustworthy of our support. And then we give money to these Christians organizations that fight human trafficking. So would you consider paying us forward at gospelspice.com/payitforward? Your hard-earned money is always well used at Gospel Spice. Ultimately, you are giving back to the Kingdom, a portion of what Jesus has given you. We are well aware of the privilege to steward your partnership. And my prayer is always that you will find your own life spiced with the gospel as you partner with us to flavor the lives of those around us, near and far, with the spice of the gospel.   Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Psalm 144:1–8, Malachi 2:17–4:6, Revelation 7:1–17. ' Steadfast in his stand for Christ, Polycarp refused to compromise his beliefs and was burnt alive at the stake on 22 February AD156 God is described in the Old Testament as ‘the Lord'

Psalm 144:5-7, Malachi 3:1-10, Revelation 7:1-17. ' Steadfast in his stand for Christ, Polycarp refused to compromise his beliefs and was burnt alive at the stake on 22 February AD156 God is described in the Old Testament as ‘the Lord'

Mike Aquilina discusses St. Polycarp of Smyrna, and Tom Hoopes covers his article "In Praise of Catholic Church Ladies."

How is it that the Holy Spirit guided His people to recognize His writings? Did they vote? Hold a council? What was it? Join today as we discuss the concept of inspiration, preservation, and recognition of the Word of God. Title: NT Canon and the Church Date: AD 45 - 200 Place: Everywhere! Key Figures and Events: Apostles, NT Prophets, Didache, Clement, Mathetes, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Epistle of Barnabas, and the Muratorian Fragment. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

How is it that the Holy Spirit guided His people to recognize His writings? Did they vote? Hold a council? What was it? Join today as we discuss the concept of inspiration, preservation, and recognition of the Word of God. Title: NT Canon and the Church Date: AD 45 - 200 Place: Everywhere! Key Figures and Events: Apostles, NT Prophets, Didache, Clement, Mathetes, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Epistle of Barnabas, and the Muratorian Fragment. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr Lectionary: 470The Saint of the day is Saint Ignatius of AntiochSaint Ignatius of Antioch's Story Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome. Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith. The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. “The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ.” Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus. Reflection Ignatius' great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny Christ. He did not draw attention to his own suffering, but to the love of God which strengthened him. He knew the price of commitment and would not deny Christ, even to save his own life. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Philippians 1:1-11; (2:00) from the letter to the Philippians by St. Polycarp; (4:30) Mark 16:1-20; (8:05) Homily by Dcn Jacob Chavez

There are plenty of Christian retirement plans out there…but is retirement itself actually biblical?The answer depends on your definition of retirement. For Christians, that should be quite different from the world's view of retirement.Work: A Biblical CallingThe world often sees work as something to escape—a negative experience endured under the pressure of a demanding boss. However, the Bible presents a very different view. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul tells us: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."God is our true boss, and we are called to serve Him through our work.Work existed before the Fall. Genesis 2:15 shows us that God put Adam to work in the Garden of Eden. Nowhere does the Bible suggest that we should stop serving God once we have saved enough money to retire into a life of leisure.Moreover, God Himself is a worker. In John 5:17, Jesus says:“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”This means that our service to the Lord should never truly end. Interestingly, the Bible only mentions retirement in one instance, and that's in a specific context. Numbers 8:24-25 describes how Levitical priests were to retire at age 50. However, this instruction was specific to their duties and doesn't apply to all believers. The Bible doesn't give a general mandate for retirement as we think of it today.In fact, before the 20th century, people worked for as long as they were able. The concept of retirement as we know it—a time to completely cease working—came about with the introduction of Social Security and pensions. But as Christians, we are called to serve God for our entire lives.Why Should We Save for Retirement?You might be wondering, “If we're not supposed to retire, why are we saving all this money?” The answer is simple: It's wise to prepare for a time when we might not be physically able to work. People today are living longer than in previous generations, and many will face a stage of life where work is no longer possible.Proverbs 21:20 reminds us: “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”Saving is a biblical principle that allows us to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.But for Christians, saving for retirement isn't about stepping away from work altogether. Instead, we should view it as an opportunity to retire to something, not just from something. Perhaps this means using the resources you've saved to enter the mission field or serve in a new capacity. Or, it might mean having the freedom to give more generously to advance God's Kingdom.As Christians, our goal in retirement should be to serve God in even greater ways. The Apostle John continued writing and preaching into his 90s, and second-century pastor Polycarp testified to his faith even in his final days. These examples remind us that our service to the Lord never ends, no matter our age.So, while it's prudent to save for the day when you can no longer work as diligently as you do now, the ultimate goal is to use that season of life to serve God more fully.Practical Steps for Saving for RetirementHere at Faith and Finance, when we talk about retirement, we're not advocating for ceasing all work. Instead, we aim to help you be faithful stewards of God's money so that, one day, you can serve Him in new and meaningful ways.To prepare financially for retirement, start saving as early as possible to benefit from compound interest. We recommend setting aside 10 to 15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged retirement plan, like a 401(k), especially if your employer offers matching contributions.If your employer doesn't provide a 401(k), consider opening a traditional or Roth IRA. For younger individuals with more time until retirement, a Roth IRA may be especially beneficial because of its long-term tax advantages.As believers, our view of retirement should be shaped by our desire to serve God faithfully throughout every season of life. Saving for retirement is wise and biblical, but our goal is not to stop working altogether. Instead, we prepare for a time when we can use the resources God has given us to serve Him more fully, whether through giving, missions, or new opportunities for ministry.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I bought a house years ago and am the only one on the mortgage. I moved out and purchased another property but didn't sell the first one. My CPA said I'd have to pay up to 24% capital gains tax. Can I sell the first house, take the money, and buy the new property from my wife to avoid the capital gains tax?I started drawing Social Security early while working part-time and made over the income limit. They withheld half of the amount over the limit. I understood from a previous program that I could get that money back after I reached full retirement age. I wonder if that means the check will be more because of the input or if it will build up some payment for me.At this point in my life, is a reverse mortgage a good thing for me to do? I'm 63 and still working, and I plan to work until age 70. I have a pension through a union, but I'm unsure of the exact amount since I'm not fully vested. I'm trying to build up my nest egg again after some setbacks 15 years ago. Would a reverse mortgage be a good option for me?Resources Mentioned:List Of Faith-Based Investing FundsLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

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