Podcasts about proclaim

"Let the Muted Now Proclaim! Mercy and Salvation Has Come"Luke 1:57-80Rev. Craig Luekensoriginally recorded on 5.25.25visit cpcnewhaven.org

Throughout history, many churches and congregants do not proclaim the gospel manifested in God's better covenant, the New Covenant. Instead, they often tend to publicly take condemning political positions and emphasize the importance of the Mosaic Law in their daily lives. But Jesus died on the Cross in the fulfillment of the New Covenant. Is this a problem? If not, why not? Join Kevin as we dive into what some churches throughout history have often proclaimed, indeed proclaimed in effective substitution of God's grace and the New Covenant! // Download this episode's Application & Action questions and PDF transcript at whitestone.org.

1 Corinthians 9:14

God's intention is to use the proclamation of the gospel message through his people to save people from sin, death, and hell from every people group on earth. In this passage we see that he has given us his Holy Spirit to empower us to proclaim that message. Sermon Outline:I. The Source of the Proclamation.II. The Crux of the Proclamation.III. The Effect of the Proclamation.Sermon Discussion Questions:1. How do you personally relate to the common fears about sharing your faith that were described in the sermon? What do those fears reveal about your view of God, others, or yourself?2. Peter once denied Jesus out of fear, yet in Acts 2 he boldly proclaims the gospel. What do you think made the difference, and how does that encourage or challenge you today?3. Peter says the events of Pentecost fulfill Joel's prophecy that God would pour out His Spirit “on all flesh.” How does that reshape your understanding of who is called and empowered to share the gospel? How do your gifts and context shape the way you proclaim the mighty works of God?4. The sermon describes how Peter's audience was “cut to the heart” when they heard the message. Have you ever experienced this kind of conviction when hearing God's Word? How did you respond? How can we sensitively help others work through conviction without minimizing it or making people feel condemned?5. What step of response might the Spirit be calling you to take after hearing this sermon?

"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it." 1 Kings 21:1-16

1 Corinthians 9:14

A new MP3 sermon from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Him We Proclaim: The Glorious Toil of Christian Ministry Speaker: Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. Broadcaster: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Event: Chapel Service Date: 5/9/2025 Length: 31 min.

At the time of this recording, the world has just been introduced to Pope Leo XIV and the Archdiocese of Vancouver is preparing to welcome Archbishop Smith. 2025 also saw record numbers of people entering the Church, locally and globally! Brett and Eric take a few moments to reflect on what this means for Proclaim and how we might respond. They discuss the wisdom of the Church in her ability to keep continuity and allow for fresh expressions of missionary activity. Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

People choose personal relationships and personal fulfillment over duty. Most often, they place the latter ahead of the former, which is why you see all these ridiculous posts on social media about “toxic relationships.”It's a big joke.I live among people who do not inhabit the same reality as I do.It used to frustrate me, but now I smile and move on, knowing that most people are not willing to make hard choices. They—and those who enable them—form Caesar's political base.The blind leading the blind.Scripture has taught me, the hard way, that I have no right to judge.Neither do others, yet we all persist in doing so.All of you should watch the Star Wars series Andor in full—it's just two seasons—and then watch Rogue One, and you'll understand what the writers of the New Testament were doing in the shadows of “empire.”Unlike the arrogant cowards sitting on the Rebel Council at Yavin IV, the biblical writers weren't building anything new to replace Rome or Jerusalem. They had no secret plans for a “new” Republic. The gospel was not a hero's journey or a strategy for institution-building under the protection of a solipsistic Jedi order, nor was it fighting for “freedom.” It was, however, about hope, against all hope.Rehear Galatians.The New Testament ends where it begins—with the sword of instruction wandering the earth in God's broad encampment, moving from place to place with an urgent message of permanent, perpetual rebellion:“Caesar is not the king!”Long before Paul, Jeremiah, too, had joined the Rebellion. He understood the price. Jeremiah was not James Dean. You cannot be a rebel unless you have a cause. Unless, of course, you, like most Americans I know, want to remain a teenager for the rest of your life.Adults, however, have to make a choice:“Cursed be the day when I was born; Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, saying, ‘A baby boy has been born to you,' and made him very happy.”(Jeremiah 20:14-15)This much I know:“Everything I do, I do for the Rebellion.”This week, I discuss Luke 8:28.Show Notesἀνακράζω (anakrazō) / ק-ר-א (qof–resh–aleph) / ق-ر-أ (qāf–rāʾ–hamza)Cry out. Read aloud.“When the three units blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing, and shouted, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!'” (Judges 7:20)Gideon's story is part of the cyclical narrative structure that characterizes the Book of Judges. In this recurring pattern, Israel turns away from God and does evil, prompting God to give them into the hands of their enemies. In their suffering, the people cry out to God, who then raises up a deliverer—a judge—to rescue them. This deliverance brings a period of temporary peace until the cycle begins again. In the case of Gideon, Israel is oppressed by the Midianites. God chooses Gideon to lead a small and unlikely force, emphasizing that the victory is not the result of human strength but a demonstration of the Lord's power and faithfulness.“Then he cried out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, ‘Come forward, you executioners of the city, each with his weapon of destruction in his hand!'” (Ezekiel 9:1 )In Ezekiel 8–11, the prophet is shown a vision of the abominations taking place in the Jerusalem temple, including idolatry, injustice, and ritual defilement. As a result of this widespread corruption, the glory of God departs from the temple. In chapter 9, the vision shifts from exposing sin to executing judgment. God summons six angelic executioners, each carrying a weapon and a seventh figure dressed in linen holding a writing kit. This scribe is instructed to mark the foreheads of those who mourn over the city's sins, while the others are commanded to kill the rest without mercy, beginning at the defiled sanctuary.“So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.'” (Zechariah 1:14 )προσπίπτω (prospiptō) / נ-פ-ל (nun-fe-lamed) / ن-ف-ل (nun-fa-lam)Fall upon, at, against; become known.“Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell (יִּפֹּ֥ל yiffōlʹ) on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” (Genesis 33:4)“And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell (תִּפֹּ֖ל tiffōl) down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.” (Esther 8:3)Esau suffered the consequences of tribal betrayal and familial treachery; Esther and her people faced annihilation under a lawfully decreed genocide. These parallels—illuminated by Luke's deliberate lexical choices—frame the demon-possessed man as a victim of Greco-Roman imperial oppression.In each case, the act of falling appears directed toward a human being when, in fact, it is the acceptance of Providence.This is the core teaching of the Abrahamic scrolls.Esther does not confront the king as a preacher or moral authority; she pleads with him, fully aware that she holds no power. You might say Esther was, in this instance, a functional Muslim.To fall is ultimately submission to divine authority—Esther, by entrusting herself to God's hidden providence, accepts that there is no King but God.Her only weapon against oppression, along with Esau and the demonic, was to fall prostrate, hoping against all hope in God's promise (in his absence), that:“Caesar is not the king!”نَفَّلَ (naffala) “he fell to his share” or “assigned as a share.”الْأَنْفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ(al-anfālu lillāhi wa-l-rasūli)“The spoils are for God and the Apostle.”Surat al-Anfal 8:1(see also: κατεκλίθη)δέομαι (deomai) / ח-נ-ן (ḥet–nun–nun) / ح-ن-ن (ḥāʼ–nūn–nūn)Ask; pray; beg. Grace. Compassion, mercy, tenderness.“I also pleaded (אֶתְחַנַּ֖ן ʾěṯḥǎnnǎnʹ) with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? (Deuteronomy 3:23–24)“If you would seek God and implore (תִּתְחַנָּֽן tiṯḥǎnnānʹ) the compassion of the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, surely now he would rouse himself for you and restore your righteous estate.” (Job 8:5–6)The triliteral root ح-ن-ن (

Focus: Our lives are full of opportunities to glorify God, and to proclaim salvation in Jesus. Just living as followers of Jesus and loving as He has loved us is a great proclamation and draws people close to us to ask. Active faith prays for and seeks out every opportunity to share Jesus. Colossians 4:2-6

Focus: Sharing our faith can be daunting, from fear of harm and danger, to concerns about how it will be received and what others may think of us. God doesn't call us to have it all figured out and to be able to argue others into submission. Active faith believes Him and willingly tells others what He has done. The once blind man responded to a claim that Jesus was a sinner saying, “I don't know whether he is a sinner,”… “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” John 9:8-17, 24-25

Focus: People are constantly placing hope in all sorts of places for their current and their future. God's Missional Heart is for all people to place their hope in Jesus, the only one who delivers. As followers of Jesus, we're sent to proclaim Him. Active faith prepares to explain our hope as believers, in order to be ready when someone asks. 1 Peter 3:8-18

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/ZS0uKh-ILHw Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/v6tb1xx-the-virtues-of-hajj-and-umrah-sh.-khalid-mohamad.html Watch the whole Albayan LIVE 2025 series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI2g1laHLLs7FqpjgiUPBhBq0r1jjfRLm Listen to the whole series: https://on.soundcloud.com/aSWHj1rqEzdua35p8 To share in the reward and support Albayan Radio, please donate here: https://albayan.com.au/donate/ Listen to our 24/7 Islamic Radio Station by downloading the Albayan Radio App: http://albayan.com.au/

Speaker: Jason Malone

Speaker: Jason Malone

Tony Coulombe (Warrenton Location)Series: To Build a ChurchTopic: The Holy Spirit empowers the church to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.Core Text: Acts 2:1-41Recorded: 5/4/2025For more resources check out cconline.cc or our YouTube page

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory (Psalm 97:6). Glory belongs to Jesus!

The post Him We Proclaim: The Glorious Toil of Christian Ministry appeared first on Southern Equip.

Speaker: Jason Malone

Speaker: Jason Malone

In this episode, Proclaim Director Eric Chow a foundational inspiration behind the Proclaim movement in Vancouver: Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Discover how the Holy Father's powerful call to evangelization sparked a local movement dedicated to awakening disciples to proclaim Jesus. A Lasting Legacy: Following the passing of Pope Francis, Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver reflected on his profound impact, stating: ""The most significant legacy left to the Archdiocese of Vancouver by Pope Francis is undoubtedly his heart for evangelization. Inspired by his declaration of an Extraordinary Missionary Month in October 2019, we launched Proclaim, a movement that awakens disciples to proclaim Jesus. The Pope's challenge to embrace missionary discipleship continues to guide our evangelization efforts today."" Eric reads and highlights several key paragraphs from Evangelii Gaudium that have deeply influenced the Proclaim movement: Paragraph 3: On the urgent need for a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, emphasizing that this relationship is the foundation of evangelization. Paragraph 14: Discussing the three principal settings for the new evangelization: the ordinary pastoral ministry, the evangelization of the unchurched, and the evangelization of those who have abandoned the practice of the faith. Paragraph 28: Underscoring the transformative power of a genuine missionary impulse, capable of shaping all of the Church's activities. Paragraph 169: Calling the Church to initiate everyone into the ""art of accompaniment,"" emphasizing the importance of walking alongside others on their faith journey with compassion and understanding. To delve deeper into Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, you can read the full text of Evangelii Gaudium on the Vatican website: Link to The Joy of the Gospel on the Vatican Website (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apostexhortations/documents/papa-francescoesortazione-ap20131124evangelii-gaudium.html)

A new MP3 sermon from First Christian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Proclaim Victory Subtitle: Together We Grow Speaker: Dr. T. J. Gentry Broadcaster: First Christian Church Event: Devotional Date: 5/1/2025 Bible: Ephesians 4:10 Length: 1 min.

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

Proclaim : Session 1 | Mountain-Like Churches | Apostle Moses Mukisa

Proclaim : Session 4 | Burnout | Pr. Jimmy Macharia

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

Proclaim : Session 3 | Relational Rhythms | Apostle Moses Mukisa

Proclaim : Session 5 | Prayer Intelligence | Apostle Mangaliso Matshobane

Proclaim : Session 6 | Spiritual Parenting And Growth | Apostle Moses Mukisa

Proclaim : Session 7 | Multiplying At All Levels | Apostle Moses Mukisa

Proclaim : Session 8 | Building Family To Grow Your Church | Pr. Muriithi Wanjau

Proclaim : Session 9 | Apostle Moses Mukisa

Proclaim : Session 10 | The Church Must Grow | Apostle Grace Lubega

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

Join us for our new series, Proclaim! Over the next several weeks, we'll explore the powerful proclamations in the book of Acts that shaped the early Church—and how they still shape us today. In today's message, we look at Peter's first bold proclamation at Pentecost from Acts 2:22-36. Just weeks after denying Jesus, Peter—empowered by the Holy Spirit—stands before thousands to declare that Jesus is the crucified and risen Messiah. This moment launched a movement that changed the world, and the same Spirit that filled Peter is still at work in us today. Get ready to be inspired to proclaim Christ with boldness and love!

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

April 27, 2025The Responsibility to Hear, Take to Heart, and Proclaim God’s WordJeremiah 21-25Coty Pinckney preaching,Jeremiah Series: The Word of Life, the Word of JudgmentClick here to listen

A Sermon for the First Sunday after Easter 1 St. John 5:4-12 & St. John 20:19-23 by William Klock In the ancient church this was the Sunday when the men and women baptised on Easter would take off their white baptismal robes after a long week of celebrating their baptism.  Now it was time for the church to go out into the world to be the new people Jesus and the Spirit had made them.  At Rome, in those ancient days, the newly baptised would do this at the church of St. Pancras—a church named after a young Roman martyr.  Because of his faithfulness he would become a patron of oaths and vows.  Now it was time to live out their baptismal vows, like that young martyr.  They'd given their allegiance in faith to Jesus.  Now it was time to march out into the world, to proclaim him as the crucified and risen king, and to fight the world, the flesh, and the devil—not matter the cost. Brothers and Sisters, as the Easter story continues, we're reminded that Jesus didn't die and rise from death just to zap us to heaven the moment we believe.  He didn't die and rise again to create an escape hatch out of the world or even out of persecution and martyrdom.  He died and rose again so that we might live for him and carry the good news—like royal heralds of the king—out to the far reaches of God's creation.  This has been the mission of the people of God all along, going all the way back to Abraham.  He and then his family were called and set apart by the Lord to be a light in the darkness.  They were the people who lived with the living God in their midst.  Through them, God revealed himself to the nations. Or, at any rate, that's how the plan had started.  Abraham's family, Israel, largely failed in her mission.  That was part of the plan too.  It showed that it would take more than calling and creating and sending a special people to be light in the darkness.  The human race has a heart problem.  Instead of desiring God, we desire everything else.  Instead of worshipping him, we make idols.  And Israel had that same heart problem.  And so that story of calling and sending and failure leads us to Jesus.  It was meant to from the very beginning.  He came to set his people to rights—at least those who would follow him, who would trust him, who would give their allegiance to him as messiah—as God's king.  And in his death and resurrection Jesus defeated the powers of the old age and inaugurated God's new creation.  But John stresses, this time something was different.  This new people isn't just called and sent.  This time they're also transformed and equipped.  And that's really the theme of this Sunday after Easter.  Every week we're sent out with those words: “Go forth in pace to love and serve the Lord.”  Friends, that dismissal is a call to go out and swim in our baptism, to go our and to proclaim the risen Lord, to go out and do battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil.  I suspect that a lot of the time we respond, “Thanks be to God” without even thinking about any of that.  But those times when we do think about what those words mean, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when the scriptures or the liturgy or the sermon has really spoken to us that day and we have a clear sense of why God has called us and saved us—it's easy to feel overwhelmed. So Brothers and Sisters, as we stand overwhelmed by the task before us, John assures us that if we are in Jesus by faith, there are two vitally important new realities for us.  The first is that we have been made part of his new creation.  We have a share in Jesus' resurrection from death.  Yes, there's more to come.  We haven't been resurrected yet.  That will come some day at the end of the age when the gospel, through the Church, has accomplished its purpose and brought the world to Jesus. But in the meantime, Jesus' resurrection has freed us from our bondage to sin and death and given us new life.  And, second, that if we are in Jesus, he has given us God's own Spirit.  He's made us his temple, the place where he dwells.  The Spirit's not something to be earned when we've become holy enough.  He's not some later experience or second blessing, as if we can be in Jesus, but not have a share in the Spirit.  Jesus' gift of the Spirit is the very thing that fulfils God's promise through the prophets and that defines us as his new covenant people.  And as Jesus forgives and frees us by his death and resurrection, the indwelling Spirit empowers and equips us to live the new life Jesus has given.  The Spirit's life in us is a foretaste and a down payment on the resurrection and the life of the age to come—and most importantly in light of today's theme, the indwelling Spirit is the one who makes the task set before us by Jesus possible.  He's the one who equips us to fulfil those impossible vows we made in our baptism. In our Gospel, again John 20 beginning at verse 19, John tells us: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Judeans.  Jesus came and stood in the middle of them.  “Peace be with you,” he said.   We shouldn't pass over these words too quickly.  It's the first day of the week.  It's still the same day that Mary went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body and found it empty.  It's the same day she went running to tell Peter and John.  The same day they went running to the tomb to see for themselves.  The same day when John says none of them—except, it seems, for him—understood what had happed.  John says he “believed” and I think that means he believed Jesus had risen, but that was crazy and he was still working it through so he hadn't said anything to the others yet.  This is that same day.  Now it's evening.  And the disciples have locked themselves into someone's house.  The doors are locked.  I expect the windows tightly shuttered.  There was no cooking fire.  Nothing that might make the house look occupied—nothing to give them away.  Maybe one little lamp, just so they could barely see each other in the darkness.  They were afraid.  Four days before, the Jewish authorities had arrested Jesus.  Three days before he's been crucified as a dangerous revolutionary.  Soon, they figured, the authorities would come for the rest of them.  Best to lay low until things blew over.  Maybe in a few days they could sneak out of the city.  And so they sat there in the darkness, some silently pondering what all this meant, some still weeping for their dead friend, maybe a couple of them arguing in low tones about what had happened to Jesus' body and what they'd do next.  But whatever they were doing, a palpable sense of fear filled that dark room.  John's telling of the story of new creation reverberates with echoes of the story of the first creation: Darkness was over the face of the deep. And then Jesus is suddenly there.  John wrote about the Incarnation back in his prologue saying that in Jesus the light had come into the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it.  That was an echo of Genesis.  The first day of the week God called light into being, driving away the darkness.  And now the Light Incarnate appears in that dark, fear-filled house and I have to think that somehow and in some way it was filled with light—a light that drove away every last vestige of darkness.  And to these frightened men, Jesus announces, “Peace be with you!” Imagine their surprise.  And there must have been some disbelief or some doubts.  Or maybe, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, they simply didn't recognise him.  Something about his resurrection had brought a transformation.  Same Jesus, same body, but in some way just different enough in appearance that they didn't recognise him.  Of course, it wouldn't have helped that they simply didn't expect to see him again either.  So Jesus holds out his hands for them to see.  One at a time he lifts a foot out so that they can see.  There were the marks left by the nails.  And he lifted his tunic to show them the wound left by the spear that had been plunged into his side, the wound that had gushed forth blood and water, evidence to the soldiers that he was genuinely dead.  And here he stood alive.  They were shocked.  How could it be?  I've said before, the reason resurrection wasn't on anyone's mind was because this wasn't how it was supposed to happen.  This wasn't a story Jews would have made up, because all the Jews who believed in the resurrection of the dead knew how it would work—and it wasn't supposed to work this way.  At the end of the age the Lord would raise all the faithful at once.  There was plenty of disagreement about some of the specifics, but they all knew one thing for sure: It would be everybody all at once, not just one person, even if that one person was the Messiah.  This just wasn't on their radar.  Not at all.  But now it is and they're confused and, it seems, even though John says they were glad, they were still more than a little afraid.  And so Jesus says to them again, “Peace be with you!” And Jesus doesn't waste any time as John tells it.  “Peace be with you,” he says, calming their fears.  Jesus is alive.  And immediately he gets down to the very practical aspects, the real-world implications of his resurrection.  Jesus doesn't waste any time.  He says in verse 21: “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”   Think about that.  Here they are, hunkered down for fear of being rounded up and executed.  Here they are, afraid to even show their faces in Jerusalem.  Here they are, giving it a few days before they try to sneak out of town without being noticed.  And Jesus says to them, “I'm sending you.  As the Father sent me to you, I'm now sending you: to Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria…to the ends of the earth.”  In other words, “You're not going to go slinking out of the city under cover of darkness.  No, you're going out into Jerusalem with boldness—the same way I went out into Galilee, through Judea, and eventually to Jerusalem at the head of a parade, hailed by the people.  You're going to go with the same boldness out into this city and you are going to declare what God has done.  Everyone is going to know who you are.  You're going to declare to Jerusalem that this Jesus whom they crucified died and has been raised from the dead, that he really is the Messiah, God's King, and that his kingdom, God's new creation has come.” Think again of John, just beginning to wrap his head around the idea that Jesus had been raised from death—but still hunkered down with the others, afraid.  John couldn't even tell his friends what he thought had happened.  The last thing on his mind was telling it to Jerusalem—and Jesus isn't talking about mere “telling”—you know, whispering it to a few people who might be safe to tell.  No, he's talking about proclaiming this news—to everybody.  Brothers and Sisters, think about that for a minute.  Most of us are hesitant to proclaim the good news about Jesus.  We have no reason to fear for our lives like Jesus' disciples did.  The worst thing that happens to us is we offend someone, make them think we're weird.  They faced martyrdom—and all but John were, indeed, martyred for their proclamation.  We have so little to fear, but we're afraid anyway.  We've even stopped speaking in terms of proclamation—the Bible's way of speaking about evangelism.  Instead we talk about “sharing” our faith—watering it down, as if it's just another option on the religious smorgasbord that someone might want to try out for themselves.  We've lost our confidence in the good news and in the God who raised Jesus from the dead who stands behind it.  No, Jesus calls us to declare the good news like royal heralds, sent out into the world to declare the mighty deeds of God, that he has raised Jesus from the dead, and made him Lord of all. But, again, consider John.  Confused, afraid, just beginning to understand.  And then consider the confidence of his words, written decades later in our Epistle: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been fathered by God…because everything that has been fathered by God conquers the world.  This is the victory that conquers the world: our faith.  Who is the one who conquers the world?  Surely the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God!  (1 John 5:1, 4-5) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah—God's king—has been reborn as part of the people of God.  And that belief changes everything.  That belief transforms the fearful John hesitant to even tell his friends about the dawning realization that Jesus had been raised from death, it turns him into the courageous apostle, exiled for his proclamation of that truth, and writing boldly to the churches to stand firm in that same faith even though great tribulation was about to hit them like a storm.  There is everything to be feared out in the world: rejection, mockery, persecution, even martyrdom, but by faith the people of God overcome and stand firm in our witness.  It's not because faith changes reality.  It's because this faith recognizes the new reality born that first Easter when Jesus rose from the grave, the new reality that he is victor over sin and death, the new reality that new creation has begun in him, and the new reality that he is Lord of that creation.  By faith we are united with him.  By faith we share in his inheritance.  And by faith we share in his calling and ministry—his Church, taking up the mantle of prophet, priest, and king. Like John, we are called to boldly testify about Jesus. It was he who came by means of water and blood, Jesus the Messiah, not by water only but by the water and the blood.  The Spirit is the one who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.  There are three that bear witness—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three agree together.  If we have received the witness of men, God's witness is greater.  This is the witness of God, the testimony he has borne concerning his son.  (1 John 5:6-9)   John points back to Jesus' ministry.  He came by water.  That was the start of it.  He went to John and was baptised in the Jordan and as he walked up out of the river, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and his Father spoke, “This is my Son in whom I am well-pleased.”  That was Jesus' initiation into his messianic ministry.  And that ministry—at least in its earthly phase—ended in blood, at the cross, where he died to conquer death and to provide forgiveness of sins.  Jesus' baptism testifies to his being the Messiah.  Jesus' blood, shed on the cross, testifies to his being the Messiah.  And, too, John writes, so does the Spirit.  And, he says, consider all the things we believe, in which we trust, based on the testimony of mere men.  How much more, Brothers and Sisters, ought we to trust this testimony about Jesus backed up by God himself?  And not so much just receiving and believing ourselves, but in light of the fact that this is the truth, this is the good news that literally changes the world, that is changing the world, oughtn't we to be proclaiming it to that world?  Through Jesus and the Spirit God has given us the light.  The light that will transform the darkness that sin and death have cast on the world.  The light that the darkness cannot and will not ever overcome.  Dear Friends, don't hide it under a basket.  Hold it high.  Proclaim it.  Show it to everyone.  Don't be afraid.  God has spoken: “Let there be light!”  And as John wrote in his Gospel: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has no overcome it.”  He goes on in verse 10: All those who believe in the son of God have the witness in themselves.   But that's not where John leaves us in the Gospel.  Jesus doesn't just send his disciples out into the world.  That would be an impossible task.  Jesus also equips them.  Look at verses 22-23 of John 20: With that, he breathed on them.  “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said.  “If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven.  If you retain anyone's sins, they are retained.”   As the Lord breathed life into Adam in the original creation, Jesus now breathes on his disciples.  “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he says.  Was the Spirit literally imparted by Jesus' breath?  Luke tells this part differently in his Gospel and in Acts—that whole event with the dramatic coming of the Spirit at Pentecost as they gathered at the temple to hear Peter preach and to be baptised.  But notice there, too, that the Spirit comes with a wind—in both Hebrew and Greek, wind, breath, and spirit are all the same word.  Jesus was good at acted-out prophecy and I think that's what he's doing in this case in John's Gospel.  He is—or he soon will be—imparting God's Spirit to this new people of God, to those who believe, and he illustrates just what this gift is by an act that they couldn't help but connect to God's giving life to Adam.  But this is new life.  And this is what will equip them to go out, despite the threat of death, to proclaim with boldness the good news.  Brothers and Sisters, the Spirit does a lot for us, but here Jesus makes sure we know what his primary purpose is.  It's not to give us radical experiences, although that certainly might happen.  It's not to make us holy, although he certainly does that as he turns our hearts and our affections away from self and sin and points them towards God.  But, the primary purpose of the Spirit is to equip us to do the impossible: to do for the world, what Jesus did for Israel.  To go out in the world in his name and to proclaim what God has done through him.  “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” And then those words that have so often been misunderstood and abused: “If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven.  If you retain anyone's sins, they are retained.”  Remember I said that by faith we have a share in Jesus' inheritance and ministry.  By faith the Father adopts us and makes us his sons and daughters, so we share in what belongs to Jesus.  And that means that as he is King and Prophet and Priest, so are we as his Church, his people.  And Jesus gets here at two of those things.  Here he reminds his friends and he reminds us that when we go out into the world to proclaim his Lordship, to proclaim the good news of his death and resurrection, to proclaim that new creation has come, we do so as both prophets and as priests. Our message is two-fold.  I think the priestly role comes most naturally to us.  This is the part of our proclamation where we announce the forgiveness of sins.  Think of the priests of the Old Testament, offering sacrifices.  That was one of their main duties: to facilitate and to mediate God's forgiveness to the people.  Think of Jesus.  He is both priest and sacrificial lamb.  He offers and presents himself to the Father as a sacrifice for our sins.  And, as priests, we proclaim to the world the forgiveness he offers through that sacrifice.  But that is not our only role.  We also share in Jesus' prophetic office—and that's the part that doesn't come as naturally to us, at least not as things currently are.  But consider what the prophets did.  Consider what Jesus did in his role as a prophet.  He called out the sins of his people, he summoned them to repentance, and he announced the judgement to come on those who remained unrepentant in their sin, unbelief, and faithlessness.  In contrast, much of the Church today is afraid to take on this prophetic role, to name sin, to even use the word.  Some parts of the Church have given up altogether and have embraced sin and called it virtue—leaving folks nothing to repent of and with nothing for which they need forgiveness.  They've gutted the gospel.  But these two things, the priestly and the prophetic go hand in hand.  Our prophetic office, announcing judgement, is without hope if we do not also fulfil our priestly role of announcing forgiveness.  But our priestly office, our message of forgiveness lacks any real meaning if it is not also accompanied by the prophetic announcement that sin is sin and that God will judge it.  Brothers and Sisters, this is the good news: that we are sinners, that our holy God judges sin and that the penalty is death, but also that Jesus has died as a perfect sacrifice for sins, and has risen, victor over death, inaugurating God's new creation and giving a sure and certain hope that what he has begun he will finish.  One day all things will be made new, every bit of sin and evil will be swept from creation, and all will be set to rights.  And by faith in Jesus we have a share in that new world. Brothers and Sisters, do we believe that?  I trust that we do.  We affirm this belief every week as we come to the Lord's Table.  We recall the story.  We confess our sins in repentance.  And we come to the Table in renewed faith to participate again in those events that set us free from sin and death, in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  But maybe we've forgotten the real power behind what we confess here at the Table.  Friends, think this morning on what the cross and the empty tomb mean.  Think on what the blood of Jesus means.  Think on what his gift of the Spirit to you means.  And then take seriously those words of dismissal: “Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord.”  Consider that in those words Jesus is saying to us, to you and to me, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” Let's pray: Almighty Father, you gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: Grant that we may put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, and always serve you in purity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Send us a textHe is risen—and now the mission begins. Today, Courtney and Meghan are sitting with Mark 16:9–15 and reflecting on how Jesus personally calls each of us, in our own unique way, to share the Gospel. Whether it's through bold proclamation or quiet witness, your story matters. Let's talk about the beauty and responsibility of being sent.Darling & Devine: Darling & Divine sells hypoallergenic, non-tarnish, waterproof jewelry that is built to last AND point you back to Christ. Use Code DAILYNOTHINGS at darlinganddivine.co to get 10% OFF your order and follow them on Instagram @darlingdevine.coLaura- Anne: Laura-Anne is a Catholic wedding photographer and marriage mentor who will help youthrive during your engagement, capture heirloom-quality photos of your wedding, and prepare for a joy-filled life with your beloved. Check out Laura-Anne's digital resources for engaged couples and photography services at laura-anne.ca or on Instagram  @lauraannesmid Link to Wedding Mass Program Kit: https://laura-anne.ca/wedding-mass-program-kit and use discount code DAILYNOTHINGS10 for 10% offBōs Sanctus Tallow Company: Bōs Sanctus is Latin for “Holy Cow”, and they are a Catholic-owned skin-care company with Saint inspired handmade tallow balms. Shop at bossanctus.com, or check them out on instagram @bos.sanctus.tallowSupport our podcast AND receive extra content by joining our Patreon for only $5 a month at https://www.patreon.com/TheDailyNothingsPodcast Thanks for listening to The Daily Nothings Podcast! Be sure to subscribe and leave a rate and review.

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

Welcome to Day 2614 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2614 – The Road To Jerusalem: Why Are You Looking Among The Dead For Someone Who Is Alive? Putnam Church Message – 04/20/2025 Sermon Series: The Road to Jerusalem Message 3: Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?    Last week, we explored The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. We answered the question, How do we respond to Jesus' Triumphal Entry today? 1) Believe that Jesus is the Messiah. 2) Serve him as King. 3) Proclaim his praises. This week is the third and final Easter message about The Road to Jerusalem. Today, ask the question, Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? The passage we will cover today is Luke 24:1-12, pages 1642-1643 of your Pew Bibles. INTRODUCTION: Today is Easter, Resurrection Sunday. We have followed Jesus and his disciples on the road to Jerusalem in the last two weeks. Last week, we witnessed Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But a lot happened in that one week between Palm Sunday and Easter, this week that we often call Holy Week. Let me recap the events of Holy Week for you. On Monday and Tuesday, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders escalated as he drove out the merchants in the Temple Court of Gentiles. On Wednesday, Judas met with the religious leaders and arranged for Jesus' betrayal. On Thursday, Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room and shared the Last Supper with them. Later that night, Jesus was arrested while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Early Friday morning, Jesus was tried before Pilate and sentenced to death. By Friday evening, Jesus was crucified, dead and buried. Saturday was a Sabbath day of rest. And so, at last, we come to Sunday morning. Only seven days had passed since the triumphal entry, but so much had happened in between. Imagine how the disciples felt at this moment. They were in shock from the events of Thursday and Friday. They were in mourning over the death of their Lord and friend. And they were hiding in fear for their own lives. Jesus had warned them that the road to Jerusalem was the road to suffering and the cross, but somehow, they did not understand. But now Sunday morning had arrived, and everything was about to change. (Read Luke 24:5-8 and pray.) 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man[a] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered that he had said this. OPENING PRAYER “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?  (

Are you searching for hope but not sure where to find it? Have you heard the Resurrection story but never truly experienced the risen Jesus for yourself? Mary came to the tomb expecting death—but instead, she encountered the risen Christ. In this Easter message centered on John 20:1–18, Pastor Josiah shared how Jesus meets us in our brokenness, calls us by name, and sends us out with joy. This isn't just Mary's story—it's the story of every believer! Christ's resurrection may seem like the end of the story, but it's actually the beginning of a new one. For those who profess faith in Christ, the best part of Christ's resurrection – is that it guarantees ours!