Podcasts about reading acts

June 27, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 8:26-40Daily Lectionary: Joshua 2:1-24; Acts 8:26-40“And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Ethiopian Eunuch was missing something. He had worship; He had the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (Is. 53), and yet it did not make sense to him.Now, to be clear, Philip is not the pastor who can unlock the secrets of Scripture with his wicked interpretation skills. Philip is the pastor who gets to proclaim the key to all the scriptures—the key that opened up the scriptures to Philip and all the disciples. This key, of course, is that perfect Sunday School answer type of key. I'm talking about Jesus!Philip, brought by the Spirit, had to be ecstatic when he saw he could talk to this guy about Jesus. The eunuch hears the Gospel. He hears of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was led to the slaughter and did not say a word. That Jesus who died for sinners by taking their sin and making them His own. The Lamb Jesus who silently takes our punishment that brought us peace, and by His wounds, we are healed.This Gospel, the Good News that God justifies sinners by the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, is that Word of the Lord that does not return empty. The Holy Spirit, through Philip, the pastor, preaches the Gospel that creates faith in the Ethiopian Eunuch.Then, water comes into the scene. Faith and Baptism go hand in hand. The Holy Spirit works faith by the hearing of the Word, and the Word that works faith is joined to the waters of Baptism. The eunuch understood and was brought to faith by the work of the Holy Sp,irit who called him by the Gospel. That faith in Christ saves, and he wanted to be united to the Word made flesh that went like a lamb to the slaughter to save Him. Philip, the pastor, baptizes him, and the rest is history.Rejoice in the daily reality of your Baptism, where the Holy Spirit created faith in you, and in those words and promises of God in and with the water, you were united to Christ, your Savior. Surely as He died, you died. Surely as He has risen from the dead, so you also will rise again. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.It sets the Lamb before our eyes, Who made the atoning sacrifice, And calls the souls with guilt oppressed To come and find eternal rest. (LSB 580:2)- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Daily Anglican Prayer - Wednesday Morning – 25th June 2025 Readings NRSV: Psalm 135; 1 Samuel 19. 1-17; Acts 13.1-12. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican prayer minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Wednesday Morning prayer. We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ as our saviour and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray. 1 Rejoice always pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.       Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:  as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.    2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Grace Blessed are you,  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: For you have blessed us in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  You chose us to be yours in Christ, before the foundation of the world: That we should be holy and blameless before you.  In love you destined us to be your children, through Jesus Christ: according to the purpose of your will,  to the praise of your glorious grace: which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1.3-6     3 The Opening Prayer The night has passed and the day lies open before us;  let us pray with one heart and mind.    Silence may be kept. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,  so may the light of your presence, O God,  set our hearts on fire with love for you;  now and for ever.  Amen.    4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each.   Psalm reading… Psalm 135 1 Praise the Lord, praise the name of the Lord: praise him, you servants of the Lord, 2 Who stand in the house of the Lord: in the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is gracious: sing praises to his name, for it is good. 4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself: and Israel as his own possession. 5 I know that the Lord is great: and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 He does whatever he wills, in heaven and upon the earth: in the seas and in the great depths. 7 He brings up clouds from the ends of the earth: he makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind out of his storehouses. 8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt: both man and beast alike. 9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt: against Pharaoh and against all his servants. 10 He struck down great nations: and slew mighty kings, 11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan: and all the princes of Canaan. 12 He made over their land as a heritage: a heritage for Israel his people. 13 O Lord, your name shall endure for ever: so shall your renown, throughout all generations. 14 For the Lord will vindicate his people: he will take pity on his servants. 15 As for the idols of the nations, they are but silver and gold: the work of human hands. 16 They have mouths, but speak not: they have eyes, but they cannot see. 17 They have ears, yet hear nothing: there is no breath in their nostrils. 18 Those who make them shall be like them: so shall everyone that trusts in them. 19 Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: bless the Lord, O house of Aaron. 20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: you that fear the Lord, bless the Lord. 21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion: he that dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.   5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow We consecrate this day to your service, O Lord; may all our thoughts, words, and actions be well-pleasing to you and serve the good of our brothers and sisters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.   6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.   Old testament Reading… 1 Samuel 19. 1-17; Jonathan Intercedes for David   1 Saul spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David. But Saul's son Jonathan took great delight in David. 2 Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself. 3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you.” 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you; 5 for he took his life in his hand when he attacked the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against an innocent person by killing David without cause?” 6 Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” 7 So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. Michal Helps David Escape from Saul 8 Again there was war, and David went out to fight the Philistines. He launched a heavy attack on them, so that they fled before him. 9 Then an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, while David was playing music. 10 Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear; but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night. 11 Saul sent messengers to David's house to keep watch over him, planning to kill him in the morning. David's wife Michal told him, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through the window; he fled away and escaped. 13 Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed; she put a net of goats' hair on its head, and covered it with the clothes. 14 When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.” 15 Then Saul sent the messengers to see David for themselves. He said, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.” 16 When the messengers came in, the idol was in the bed, with the covering of goats' hair on its head. 17 Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this, and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go; why should I kill you?' ”   Hear the word of the LORD. Thanks be to God New testament Reading… Acts 13.1-12 Barnabas and Saul Commissioned 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. The Apostles Preach in Cyprus 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.   Hear the message of Christ. Thanks be to God.     7 The Canticle, We praise you O God: we claim you as Lord. All creation thanks you: The Father everlasting. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven: The cherubim and serafim sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Father of majesty unbounded: Your true and only son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal son of the father. When you took our flesh to set us free: You humbly chose the virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death: And opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory: We believe that you will come to be our judge. Come then, God, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood: And bring us with your Saints to glory everlasting.   8 The belief and principle is said I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth, whose love and merciful forgiveness endures everlasting. I believe in Christ the saviour, whose example of love and compassion, taught us a restored way to live, in collaborative unity with all people. I believe in the Holy Spirit, whose divine guidance brings us together to be one with the Holy Trinity. Amen.      9 The Prayers Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  God have mercy.       10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins  as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial  and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours  now and for ever. Amen.      The Prayers of the Week following the second Sunday after Pentecost Almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear then we to pray and give more than either we desire or deserve pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, saved through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, your son our Lord. Amen   11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need. Let us pray Lord, we give you thanks, that through your son Jesus Christ, you have shown us the way to live in your righteousness. You made us in your likeness, you gave your only son Jesus Christ who gave us forgiveness of sin, bring us together as one, different in culture but given new life in Jesus Christ. Reconciled, forgiven, sharing you with others as you have called us to do. We pray for reconciliation with you God and reconciliation with each other and ask for strength to remain in your presence in all we do. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Saviour God, we remember with love all those that have passed this week. We thank you for the faithfully departed and your servants in every age. We ask that our ancestors and all your saints may be brought to the joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of your glorious kingdom. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   God of justice, we ask for your help with ending domestic violence. We ask that you shine your heavenly light to guide people to live in peace with each other and make amends, by freeing their victims of abuse. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Blessed God, we ask your blessing for those listed on the Anglican cycle of prayer: Wednesday 25 June The Diocese of Namibia – The Anglican Church of Southern Africa The Diocese of The Northern Territory: The Parish of Toowoomba West: Anglicare SQ Symes Grove Residential Aged Care – Taigum All Anglican Schools Business Managers/Bursars and Senior Leaders All Prison ministry chaplaincy teams All people joining in this prayer offering. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer     12 The Morning Collect Eternal God and Father,  by whose power we were created  and through whose love we are redeemed:  guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,  that we may give ourselves to your service,  and live this day in love to one another and to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   13 The Lord be with you. And also with you.  Let us praise the Lord.  Thanks be to God.    May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that we may with one voice gratify our God and Father.  Amen. Romans 15.5-6   Music by John Keys – Anglican Chant Canticle organ accompaniments. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.  

June 17, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 17:1-28; Proverbs 18:1-20:4; John 16:17-33“this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:23–24)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Peter preaches the best sermon I've ever heard. Jesus saves sinners. You're sinners. It's beautiful in its simplicity, but it completely shapes how to read the Old Testament. The plan and foreknowledge of God was to crucify the Son. For all the prophesy we look through in the Old Testament to find fulfilled in Jesus, there should be no surprise that Jesus dies and rises. David says concerning Him, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life…” (Psalm 16:10-11) Through the cross. Out of the tomb. No other conclusion was possible. David spoke about the resurrection of Christ as if it was a given, even though it hadn't played itself out in time yet. The resurrection was a given. All the sins are atoned for. The wages of sin is death. So there can be no more death. Of course, there's a resurrection. This Jesus, you crucified, too. Foretold in the Old Testament, He bore your sins. Had there been no David, no Moses, no Patriarchs or faithful kings, Christ would have chosen to save you by bearing the same cross. It's a truth we know. But it also means the Old Testament is for you. Read it to find Jesus there. It's more than just a history of what happened before Christianity. It is the religion of all who have faith in the triune living God. The same religion. The same hope. The forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. That's yours now, too, because this Jesus, whom you crucified, is risen. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus lives! The vict'ry's won! Death no longer can appall me; Jesus lives! Death's reign is done! From the grave will Christ recall me. Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence. (LSB 490:1)- Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

June 13, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 2:1-21Daily Lectionary: Numbers 27:12-23; Luke 23:26-56“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.” (Acts 2:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus conquered death, and we figure everything's got to be different now. The Pharisees were still running the temple. Caiaphas still offered sacrifices there as High Priest, refusing to believe he had already sacrificed the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. The city was still under Roman occupation. The crowd still didn't do anyone any favors by paying attention to them. Remember who this crowd is. They cried for a revolution when Jesus rode into town on a donkey. They cried for a cross when He didn't deliver. On Pentecost, the Twelve didn't seek a crowd eager to hear them; the crowd heard a great noise and went to add to it. Pentecost wasn't the sanctioned and safe beginning of an enthusiastic church that took over the culture that we imagine.   We know the miracle of Pentecost—that tongues of fire danced over the apostles' heads while they preached in languages they never knew. The disciples were brought by God, not to preach to those who gathered together cheerfully after making all the right choices in the middle of it. They preached to the sinners who cried out for the death of God. They preached to the terrified. They preached to the confused who did their best and second-guessed it every step of the way. They preached to those who heard what God would call good and mocked it, then called the messengers drunk for it. They preached to us.  This is the crowd God sends preachers to. Peter preaches hope, not in an action plan for the future. Not in being on the side that made the right choices. Not even in being the ones who boycotted Target the first time things got weird. He preaches to the ones who put Jesus to death. He tells them Jesus died because of them and for them. Of the sins of all the sinners gathered that day, the selfishness, the arrogance, the anger, the idolatry are covered in the blood of God, which pays the price for the evil they work. The sinners are forgiven. The path forward is, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It gives a new identity. Every nation gathered in Jerusalem was given a new identity that joined them together. Baptized. Christian. Those who called upon the name of the Lord and were saved.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, With all Your graces now outpoured On each believer's mind and heart; Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Your light In holy faith Your Church unite; From ev'ry land and ev'ry tongue This to Your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung: Alleluia, alleluia! (LSB 497:1)- Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Worship by Pastor Leah Holloway-Nilsen.  Reading: Acts 2:1-11.  Gospel: John 7:37-39

June 2, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 1:12-26Daily Lectionary: Numbers 14:26-45; Numbers 15:1-41; Luke 18:35-19:10“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.After Judas' betrayal and gruesome death, his spot among the apostles was empty. It didn't take long for the remaining eleven to recognize that this spot needed to be filled. After all, Jesus chose twelve for a reason.I'm sure there were many different qualifications that the remaining eleven considered when the time came to select someone to fill that vacant spot, qualifications like those that St. Paul would later mention in his letters to Timothy and Titus (able to teach, above reproach, respectable, and so on; see 1 Timothy 3 or Titus 1). And yet, Peter points out one qualification that stood out among all the others. The man who would fill Judas' place among the Apostles needed to be an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry. It had to be someone who, like them, saw Jesus be baptized, heard Him preach, watched Him cast out demons and heal diseases, and most importantly, saw Jesus alive after His crucifixion.Why was this so important to Peter? Why couldn't a more recent convert to the faith take Judas' place? To put it briefly, Peter wanted you to know the things you've learned about Jesus, especially His resurrection, actually happened! As Peter would later write, these things are not “cleverly devised myths” (2 Peter 1:16). Those who first shared the Good News and then wrote it down for later generations, like us, saw Jesus do everything that was necessary for our salvation with their own eyes.   And that means that you can be absolutely sure that Jesus has accomplished everything that was needed for your redemption. Whenever the devil, the world, or your own sinful nature tempt you to doubt the things you've learned about Jesus, remember that multitudes of people saw it all happen. Your faith in Christ is not founded on made-up stories or on events that may or may not have happened. Your faith is founded on the historical events of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection for sinners.So, you can be certain that Jesus was baptized into your sins, that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for those sins, and that He rose again from the dead, defeating death and assuring you that the Father has accepted His sacrifice on your behalf. And if you can be sure of all that, you can also be sure that you will be raised with Christ to life everlasting.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We know that Christ is raised and dies no more. Embraced by death, He broke its fearful hold; And our despair He turned to blazing joy. Alleluia! (LSB 603:1)- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ascension Sunday Sermon. Reading Acts 1:1-12

Worship by Pastor Leah Holloway-Nilsen.  Reading: Acts 16:16-34.  Gospel: John 17:20-26.

May 26, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 16:9-15Daily Lectionary: Numbers 8:5-26; Luke 15:11-32“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (Acts 16:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever been locked out? Maybe you left the keys in your car, pressed the button on the door, and then shut it, immediately having panic spread from your head to your heart. Perhaps you came home earlier than expected, and no one was home to let you in. Perhaps you arrived at work and realized you had left your keys back at home. What do you do?You look for a way to break in! Maybe someone left a window down or the back door unlocked. Or, you keep pulling the same locked door handle, foolishly thinking that it will open up this time. It doesn't work. What you need is the thing you do not have: the key.Lydia's heart was closed. The Lord had the key. “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” What did she hear? She heard about Jesus and His death and resurrection. She heard about the Gift of Baptism. She heard about how her sins were forgiven and how Jesus had broken down the gates of Hell to rescue those like her who were held captive.   We are at the end of the Easter Season and the Festival Half of the Church Year. Way back in Advent, at the start of the year, we prayed: “O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death” (O Antiphon for December 20th). Jesus heard your prayer.He has opened your ears, heart, and mind to hear and pay attention to His Word. When you were baptized, Jesus broke open your sin-locked heart and caused you to have faith in His promise. When He comes again, He will open up your grave on the Day of Resurrection.Locks can't keep Jesus out. He appeared to the Disciples in the Upper Room on Easter Evening, even though the doors were locked. He is in, with, and under the bread and the wine, with His very Body and Blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through Your Word to me draw near; Let me Your Word e'er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain. (LSB 908:1)- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Worship by Pastor Leah Holloway-Nilsen.  Reading: Acts 16:9-15.  Gospel: John 14:23-29.

May 19, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 11:1-18Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 21:1-24; Luke 12:1-12“And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.'” (Acts 11:7-8) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  That we would restrict our diets is not a weird thing in our day. We have gluten-free diets, we have keto diets, we have vegetarian and vegan diets, we have carnivore diets, and…. and… and… For the Jewish disciples of Jesus, their diet was restricted as well. They were constrained to keep Kosher as Moses instructed in the Old Testament Law. This included things like not eating pork (like bacon or sausage) or shellfish (like two of my favorites, shrimp and scallops). Why? Because God wanted to keep His people distinct. He wanted it clear that they were His and they were holy, and with that, they were unique.  But then Peter received this vision from the Lord in Acts chapter 11. The Lord was saying that Peter was to eat some of this “unclean” food. Peter, as you read, was upset at that thought. He had never let anything “common or unclean” enter his mouth. And then God said that this wasn't the way it was anymore. This was not common food; it was not unclean but clean. How could that be?! Jesus gives us insight into this, for example, in Matthew 15. He tells the disciples there that it is not what “goes into the mouth,” that is, it's not what they would eat that would make them unclean. So what was it? Was there no more uncleanness? Well, not in the sense the Jews thought of, which required them to keep Kosher in order to worship God at the Temple (their church). Also, there is not in the sense we might think about things like washing hands or vegetables before we eat them (although that's still a good and healthy thing to do), but there is still uncleanness, and that is the uncleanness of sin. As Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.”  Hopefully, you can see what is happening here. Jesus is making the point that our diet isn't what makes us sinful or not. It's not what makes us unable to stand before God. But what does make us unable to stand in God's presence? Sin. The sin that comes out of our hearts and shows how sinful those hearts are by our thoughts and actions. But all of this is to show that on the cross, sin had been atoned for, taken care of, and defeated by Jesus. Now, by the cleansing of the cross, by the cross given to sinners in Baptism, in Absolution, in the Supper, now that cleanness comes to you and makes you clean. Thanks be to God.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lord Jesus, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. You have cleansed us by the washing of your Holy and precious blood and innocent suffering and death. Guard and keep us to walk in the life of righteousness, innocence, and blessedness in You in all things. Amen. - Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bob Moynihan, D. Min.Reading: Acts 15:1-18Support the show

Worship by Pastor Leah Holloway-Nilsen.  Reading: Acts 11:1-18.  Gospel: John 13:31-35.

May 12, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 20:17-35Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 9:1-24; Luke 9:18-36“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus speaks to His lamb through the Apostle Paul: My dear lamb, I am your Good Shepherd. I will keep you safe. I do this through the under-shepherds I send to help you and all the other lambs in the church.Today, you hear the words of one of the shepherds I called and sent, the Apostle Paul. I sent him to Ephesus, where he taught the people for three years, giving them my grace through the Word and Sacraments. Listen carefully to the warning Paul gave my flock in Ephesus: Fierce wolves will come, attacking the flock, even from within the church. They will say twisted things that I did not teach them.You need to understand that Satan will always spread lies. So listen to My Word. Hear the good pastors who teach what I said, what Paul and the other Apostles said, what Moses and the Prophets said. Listen to what's in the Catechism, which is faithful to My Word.Stay close to me and to the people I send to you who speak what the Holy Spirit inspired in the Bible. Regularly come to receive the Gifts I give you in the Word and the Sacraments. This is how I protect you and keep you safe.Jesus' lamb responds to Him: Thank You, Good Shepherd, for staying with me. St. Paul said that you obtained me and all the rest of Your flock by shedding your blood on the cross. You wash me clean from my sins by that blood, and now I am safe in You.Dear Jesus, thank you for the people you send to care for me— my parents and family, my pastor and teachers, and all the other lambs in Your flock. Please forgive me for the times I forget Your Word or wander from You. Thank you for being patient and merciful to me. Train me in Your ways and give me work to do so that I can help keep your lambs safe from the next group of wolves that will come.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword would wrest the kingdom from your Son and bring to naught all He has done. (LSB 655:2)- Rev. Jeffrey Horn, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Worship by Pastor Leah Holloway-Nilsen.  Reading: Acts 9:36-43.  Gospel: John 10:22-30.

May 5, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 9:1-22Daily Lectionary: Exodus 33:1-23; Luke 7:1-17“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?' And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:3-5)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Karma is a Hindu belief that has passed into the common cultural vernacular. In the cultural vernacular, it means that when you do something bad, it will come back to bite you, and when you do something good, it will be repaid somehow. You can see how appealing it is, I'm sure; I mean, I love the idea that evil doers will receive some clear measurable payout and that you'll somehow be rewarded for doing something good. It scratches our self-righteous itch, doesn't it? Now let me be clear: karma isn't real, and it's a good thing for us it is not. Instead of our actions being carved in stone and us awaiting abstract punishment from “the universe,” we have a judge who loves us and is merciful, forgiving, and just. Humans, because of our various biases and blind spots, are rarely ever just, but God is just; this is why He tells us to leave vengeance up to Him (Romans 12:19). When Paul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus after persecuting the Church, it is not due to karma or some sort of abstract cosmic justice; it is due to the Lord's very particular justice. The Lord's justice does not simply seek retribution for the suffering of the persecuted church but is also merciful enough to call the chief persecutor to repentance. Karmic justice would have necessitated Paul's death. Instead, Paul receives mercy and becomes a preacher of Jesus's mercy and grace. Jesus's forgiveness makes all things new for Paul, reconciling Him to God and his neighbors. This same forgiveness and reconciliation is all of ours, freely given in the waters of Baptism, at the Lord's table, or in the proclamation of the Lord's gospel. Did you notice as well what Jesus says to Paul? “Why are you persecuting ME?” He doesn't ask why Paul's persecuting the church, but why are you persecuting me. The Church is the bride of Christ, but she is also the body of Christ, as this is how closely connected our Lord is to those who are His. As we make our way in this world, a world that has always been hostile to the gospel of Jesus, we can be comforted in the knowledge that we are defended by Him, not on any merit or worthiness on our part, but because of His love for us, his sheep He will forever remain our Good Shepherd. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest. (LSB 644:4)- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

April 28, 2025Today's Reading: Acts 5:12-20 (21-32)Daily Lectionary: Exodus 22:20-23:13; Luke 4:16-30“...they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.' And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.” (Acts 5:18-21)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Acts of the Apostles opens with Jesus's ascension and the day of Pentecost and then details the wild expansion of the Church. Unless your life is far more exciting than mine, many of the events in Acts aren't terribly common in your daily lives—like extraordinary healings that draw sizeable crowds. At the beginning of this reading, people are hoping they can receive healing just from being under the shade of Peter's shadow, though the text doesn't say whether this tactic worked, and these large crowds result in jealousy on the part of the religious leaders who respond by putting the apostles in prison. This isn't the only case of these types of miracles (and responses from authorities), and just as was the case in Jesus' ministry, it would be easy to think these extraordinary miracles are the main point of the apostolic ministry. While these miracles are important, as they confirm Jesus' place as Lord of all creation and a correction of the poisonous fruits of the Fall, they are not quite the main thing. When the Lord sends an angel to deliver the apostles out of prison, what does he tell them? He tells them to go to the temple and speak the words of this Life. By “this Life,” the angel means the life-giving and sustaining Word of God that brings us repentance, forgiveness, and salvation. The miracle that really is at the center of the apostolic ministry and continues today is not the healing, though this is certainly a residue of our Lord's renewal of all things, but the forgiveness of sins. This forgiveness of sins is not just floating on the air but is in the words still spoken to us today as our pastors and fellow Christians forgive us, teach us, and help us walk in newness of life. So, while we may not see healings and deliverances as a regular part of the church's work today, we do see greater healing and greater deliverance as Jesus gives us His words of this Life in the consolation of fellow Christians, the Absolution, and the breaking of the bread. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads. Lord, Your words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds. Lord, Your words will be my light Through death's cold and dreary night; Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing! (LSB 589:3)- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday Worship by Pastor Leah Holloway-Nilsen.  Reading: Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26.  Gospel: Luke 24:1-12.

Thank you to Rhonda, Geoff, Don, and everybody else involved in the service. Happy birthday this week to Mike, Tess, Helen, and Don. Songs from this service: Glorify Thy Name - https://youtu.be/2nNlmywqqPo -- King Of Kings - https://youtu.be/IVumVrkbq4s -- In Memory Of The Saviour's Love - https://youtu.be/W1s7bP6sXXA&t=1921s -- Goodness Of God - https://youtu.be/ZUPwC3AEQOs -- Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me - https://youtu.be/XFd0Z06EoEI -- Blest Be The Tie That Binds - https://youtu.be/_RUu93KoX-0 Scriptures from this service: Communion - Acts 2:5-8; 2:11-12; 2:22-24; 2:21. Reading - Acts 2:17-21. Sermon - Acts 2:22-24; 2:36-38; 2:36; 2:38; 2:42; 4:12-13; 4:29-31; 4:31; 5:42; 5:42; 6:7; 8:1; 8:26-34; 9:15-16; 10:34-36; 10:46-47; 11:1; 14:15-17; 15:6-9; 16:31-34; 26:9; 26:11; 26:13-15; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20; 28:20; Acts 28:17-20. [accordion] [accordion-item title="NIV Copyright" state=closed]Scripture quotations marked (NIV) taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version© NIV© Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.[/accordion-item][/accordion]

Jim Clark Jr tells how he was saved through “Christ alone” after trying for some time to be saved every time he heard the gospel preached. Reading: Acts 4:12. (Recorded in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, MI, USA, 5th Jan 2025) The post Salvation is Through Christ – and Him Alone (4 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.

January 25, 2025 Today's Reading: Acts 9:1-22Daily Lectionary: Zechariah 1:1-21; Matthew 19:27-30But the Lord said to [Ananias], “Go, for [Paul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.It must have been a troubling thing for Ananias to hear that Paul was to be set aside to proclaim the Gospel to Gentiles. Before this time, Paul was an enemy of Christ. He sought to arrest and convict Jewish converts of blasphemy, a charge that would most certainly put their life in jeopardy. And before his conversion, Paul couldn't have dreamed that salvation was ever meant for the Gentile.But the Lord's way is not our way. He sees things a little bit differently than we would. Where we would most certainly have chosen somebody, anybody, other than Paul, God deemed it good and right and salutary to use this mortal enemy of Christ to then proclaim the very same Christ into the world.Paul will later admit that he is unworthy of such a task: “The least of all the apostles,” he will title himself. But what better way to proclaim the weakness of the cross to the sinner than to use the weakest and most unworthy of all vessels? But this is the way of our Lord: When we are weak, then He is strong.For the Gospel isn't about the sinner who is being used to proclaim it, but it is about the sinless Son of God who has come to make that sinner, and all other sinners, righteous…  We don't look to our pastors to be perfect, but we look to our pastors to proclaim the perfection of Christ. It is in that way, then, that Christ is made known: through the lips of unclean pastors into the ears of unclean sinners.So we give thanks to our Lord above for the conversion that He wrought in St. Paul. If the Holy Spirit can bring about faith in a murderous blasphemer, then He can certainly bring faith and sustain that faith in me, in you, in all.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, You turned the heart of him who persecuted the Church and, by his preaching, caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world. Grant us ever to rejoice in the saving light of Your Gospel and, following the example of the apostle Paul, to spread it to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.-Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

The Baptism of the Lord 1st Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4. 6-7 Responsorial: Psalm 29          2nd Reading: Acts 10:34-38 Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

In this episode, we dive into the profound biblical theme of restoration. Exploring Psalm 23, Luke 19, and Acts 1, we uncover the recurring theme and power of restoration, or 'Shuv' in Hebrew, as it appears in both Old and New Testaments. We discuss how restoration is not just about returning to a previous state but restoring with added blessings. Key messages include the importance of community, rebuilding broken relationships, and reclaiming lost hope. The session concludes with a powerful call to embrace restoration in every aspect of life, promising a year filled with renewed dreams, hopes, and opportunities.00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:27 Reading Psalm 2301:21 Reading Luke 1902:35 Reading Acts 104:01 Identifying the Common Theme04:54 The Concept of Restoration06:10 Biblical Examples of Restoration08:40 Personal Stories of Restoration15:48 Call to Action: Seek Restoration20:01 Conclusion and Prayer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandy Higgins preaches on the 4 corners of assembly testimony. The early believers “continued steadfastly” in the apostles' doctrine, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. Reading: Acts 2:41-47. (Recorded in Unionville Gospel Hall, Toronto, Canada) The post The Four Corners of Assembly Testimony (45 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2024 quarter 3, lesson 1 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “The Great Controversy” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “The Beginning of the Gospel”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: Acts 13:1–5, 13; Acts 15:36–39; Mark 1:1–15; Isa. 40:3; Dan. 9:24–27. Memory Text: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel' ” (Mark 1:14, 15, NKJV). (June 22–June 28) Sunday (Jill Morikone) - “The Failed Missionary”Monday (Ryan Day) - “A Second Chance” Tuesday (Shelley Quinn) - “The Messenger”Wednesday (Daniel Perrin) - “Jesus' Baptism”Thursday (James Rafferty) - “The Gospel According to Jesus” Want the Panelists' notes? Email us at SSP@3abn.org Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

In his sermon, "Do You Understand What You Are Reading?" Pastor Micah Stephens delves into Acts 8, focusing on Philip's ministry. He highlights the importance of gaining wisdom and understanding in a world that often values deceit. Pastor Micah emphasizes that God's desire for us is not comfort but fruitfulness. He challenges us to reflect on whether we are following God's calling or pursuing our own paths. Are we saying "Yes, Lord," or ignoring His direction? By surrendering to God's will, our lives can become highly fruitful, bringing radical change to ourselves and those around us. Join us for this powerful and thought-provoking message.Verse References: Acts 8 verses 26-40, 2 Timothy 2 verse 15, Proverbs 18 verse 2, Proverbs 2 verses 1-6, Acts 4 verses 1-22, Acts 5 verses 17-28, Acts 5 verses 33-42, Acts 6 verses 1-8, Acts 7 verses 1-60, Acts 8 verses 1-25, James 3 verse 1, 2 Timothy 4 verses 1-5, John 14 verse 26, Romans 10 verse 15, Make sure you subscribe to this channel and follow us on all our platforms to always stay up to date with our latest content!And you can always head over to our website for any general information!https://godspeak.comPrayer/NeedsIf you have any needs, or have a willingness to be used to meet various need in the body, please email info@godspeak.com. Also, let us know if you need prayer for anything.Giving is part of our worship time, and in this season, the easiest way to do that is online. If you go to our website, godspeak.com, you will see the "Give" tab in the top right corner. Or you can simply click this link https://pushpay.com/g/godspeakAny questions?Please feel free to email us, comment here, or DM us on Instagram any questions that you may have.Please Subscribe to this channel and turn on your notifications to be notified when our Livestreams start so you don't miss out! We hope you are blessed by the service!-The Godspeak Team

May 28, 2024Today's Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 5:1-20; John 8:1-20This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:32–33)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This sermon must have been absolutely terrifying to hear. Imagine sitting there, slowly having it dawn on you that the one that you delivered up to be killed was innocent. Not only was He innocent, but He was the very Son of God. And not only was He the very son of God who was innocent, but He is now risen from the dead. Uh oh. They are hearing Peter's sermon and they are absolutely crushed by the weight of the Law. They are at fault. They have sinned, gravely, in thought, since they hated Jesus. They have sinned in word, for they accused Him of many evil things of which He was innocent. They have sinned in deed, for they delivered Him up to be crucified. What is in store for them now? When I was a kid, at my church growing up, we would do something a little different on good Friday. The pastor would have us read the account of the trial of Jesus. He would read the parts of Pilate, and the people would read the parts of the crowd. This was one of the hardest things to do. Because it really makes you think. You put yourself in the place of the crowd, and you connect something. Jesus was not crucified purely because a group of men two thousand years ago conspired against Him. Jesus was crucified because of my sins. Jesus had to die because I am a sinner. It sure hits different when you hear yourself call out, “We have no king but Caesar!” It crushes you to say, “Release for us Barabbas.” You want to hang your head and mutter the words, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!” I sure knew what it was like to hear Peter's sermon. But there is good news, beloved in the LORD. Jesus, risen from the dead, is not out for blood. He is not out with a vengeance to get even with those who caused His death. Jesus is eager to receive the broken in heart and the contrite in spirit. Jesus, out of love for God's creation, took on the sin of the entire world (yes, even your sin) and died. He did so willingly. He did so lovingly. Jesus invites those repentant sinners to His table to receive His Body and His Blood for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus invites you to receive the forgiveness of sins, physically, with your lips, and with your ears! In the name of Jesus. Amen. God came to us then at Pentecost,  His Spirit new life revealing, That we might no more from Him be lost, All darkness for us dispelling. His flame will the mark of sin efface  And bring to us all His healing. (LSB 503:4)-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 24, 2024Today's Reading: Acts 2:1-21Daily Lectionary: Numbers 27:12-23; Luke 23:26-56When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:1–6)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Can you understand what's going on in church? Maybe something is a little confusing to you, like how come we make the sign of the cross here or why do we say this prayer here (in this case, ask your pastor! He's always happy to answer questions.) But when I ask whether you can understand what's going on in church, I mean do the words going into your ears sound like words you can understand? Is the language the language you speak? Does your pastor preach so you can understand it? If so, thank the Holy Spirit. You see, God is a fan of words. That's how He acts. He doesn't need anything else to accomplish His purposes. In Genesis, when God created the heavens and the earth, how does He do it? He doesn't do it like so many pagan gods do it: by defeating some enemy and making the world out of their corpse (yuck.) No, our God just speaks and it happens. Let there be light and…. There was light. Let the waters be separated…. And they were separated. This is not a power reserved for God the Father either. When Jesus rebukes demons, they must go. When Jesus commands Satan himself to depart from Him, Satan, as a creature, must bend to the will of his Creator. God's Word is living and active, and it is all God needs to work His will.But that Word did not stop with the early church either. That Word is still living and active today. God's will is still done by means of the Word. By the preaching of His Word by pastors, God's people get to know Him better. By the proclaiming of the Words of Institution, Christ's Body and Blood are on the altar. By the words of Absolution, you are forgiven. God's Word is living and active, in a way you can understand. Thanks be to God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,  And make our hearts Your place of rest;Come with Your grace and heav'nly aid,  And fill the hearts which You have made. (LSB 498:1)-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

As a teenager, Ken Biddington got into heavy darkness. He was a drummer in a heavy metal band, lived a drugs-and-party lifestyle and even had an altar in his bedroom. But in 1993 God intervened in his life. The transformation shook his entire neighbourhood. Listen to find out how it happened. Reading: Acts 26:17-18, John 3:16. (Recorded in Victoria Drive Gospel Hall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, on 5th May 2024) The post I Had a Pagan Altar in My Bedroom (26 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.

May 13, 2024 Today's Reading: Acts 1:12-26Daily Lectionary: Numbers 14:26-45; Numbers 15:1-41; Luke 18:35-19:10So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. (Acts 1:21-22)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Some skeptics like to throw shade at the Christian faith by comparing the life and work of the disciples to a game of telephone. The original message has been changed, corrupted, or misheard over time, so they say, or something like those lines. Readings like Acts 1 are a great reminder that this couldn't be further from the truth. The Christian Gospel, your faith, and the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection weren't passed down willy-nilly but with great care, attention to detail, and historical evidence. One of the important pieces of evidence in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the fact that there were eyewitnesses. And not just one, not even just the Twelve. Acts 1 reminds us that there were many other disciples who were present with Jesus for those three years. From the time of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River to His ascension forty days after His resurrection. Not only that, Paul says, there were over five hundred more eyewitnesses after Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15). These disciples weren't playing a game; this was deadly serious. They saw Jesus dead on a Friday afternoon outside of Jerusalem, and they saw him again numerous times alive again before His ascension. The disciples, like Matthias, are reminders that the Christian faith is founded on fact, not fantasy. Jesus' death and resurrection are historical events, not hearsay. What Jesus did to save you was witnessed by men like Matthias and the women at the empty tomb. His promises are trustworthy and true. Jesus promised He would die and rise, and He did, just as He said. Jesus gave us disciples to faithfully, and at times under great peril to themselves, deliver accurately and reliably the Good News they witnessed. Thanks be to God that we have so many eyewitnesses who testified to His resurrection and still are witnesses to us today. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter)- Pastor Samuel Schuldheisz is pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Lectionary for Series B of the Three Year Lectionary. Festival: Seventh Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 1:12-26 Psalm: Psalm 1 Epistle: 1 John 5:9-15 Gospel: John 17:11b-19 Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net. Learn more about Pastor Tom Baker's Law & Gospel at lawandgospel101.com.

May 6, 2024 Today's Reading: Acts 10:34-48 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 8:5-26; Luke 15:11-32While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. (Acts 10:44-45)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The first believers in Christ's salvation were Jews. They grew up in the Jewish religion. The men were circumcised as infants. The people ate the clean foods Leviticus taught. They sacrificed at the temple when they came to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. Then, the savior promised in Scripture finally came. Jesus, the crucified and risen, was actually the Christ! Some Jews believed it and were brought into Christ's salvation.With this in mind, you can understand why the “Jewish” Christians were astonished in Acts 10. It shocked them when they heard Peter speak of a vision from God that led to a Gentile converting. It continued to shock their world when the Gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on Gentiles, too. We might think the Jewish believers were snobs. We might be tempted to think the Jewish believers were acting like popular kids who didn't want the chess club joining their lunch table. But that's not the case at all.It's more that the Jewish believers could not understand how the Gentiles did not follow God's Word before they became believers! God's Word commanded certain sacrifices, circumcision, kosher foods, rituals, Jewish feasts, etc. But the Gentiles came to faith apart from these parts commanded by God's Word! A Gentile was primarily a pagan idolater. A Gentile didn't mean a different ethnicity, but one who followed any of the non-Christian religions out there. And the Holy Spirit came upon them! It would be as if God had decided to zap an unbeliever at your school who heard the Gospel only once, and that day, he started going to your church and catechism class.The reason the Gentiles came to faith was that they heard the Gospel. What about the ceremonial laws? Jesus fulfilled them, including the sign of circumcision, the clean foods, the rituals, the sacrifices, and the feasts. All of it is fulfilled in Jesus, especially by His innocent suffering and death and His resurrection from the dead. Since Jesus has fulfilled all of the Law, the Old Testament ceremonial laws are now put aside. They were the shadow; Christ is the substance. The moral Law remains in place, but Jesus has kept this Law for you perfectly and done everything needed for your salvation. Hear God's Word and trust in Jesus, and you likewise have this salvation, too. Through faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you make a beginning at keeping the moral law too. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Gospel shows the Father's grace, Who sent His Son to save our race, Proclaims how Jesus lived and died That we might thus be justified. (LSB 580:1)- Pastor. Robert Mayes is the pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Lectionary for Series B of the Three Year Lectionary. Festival: Sixth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 10:34-48 Psalm: Psalm 98 Epistle: 1 John 5:1-8 Gospel: John 15:9-17 Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net. Learn more about Pastor Tom Baker's Law & Gospel at lawandgospel101.com.

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Lectionary for Series B of the Three Year Lectionary. Festival: Fifth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 8:26-40 Psalm: Psalm 150 Epistle: 1 John 4:1-11 (12-21) Gospel: John 15:1-8 Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net.

From the 3rd Sunday in Easter, Fr. Dom discusses the importance of the Holy Trinity in our lives and how it can transform us to becoming kind, loving, courageous, and brave. It emphasizes the power and dynamite we receive from the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission of kindness and love. This homily also highlights the examples of the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles, who were bold and courageous in proclaiming Jesus despite persecution. The readings from Acts of the Apostles serve as a guide for modern Catholics on how to live and act in the world. Fr. Dom's homily concludes with a reminder of the peace and joy we can experience through recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread.TakeawaysThe Holy Trinity is essential in our lives and can transform usWe receive power and dynamite from the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission of kindness and love.The early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles serve as examples of boldness and courage in proclaiming Jesus.Reading Acts of the Apostles can guide modern Catholics on how to live and act in the world.Recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread brings us peace and joy.Thoughts to Chew On"Let kindness be your life mission and love your legacy.""We have dynamite from the Holy Spirit.""If you want to know what it's like to be a Catholic, read the Acts of the Apostles."Please prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Patreon page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. As always, please pray for us! We are men who are striving every day to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces TAN Books - Become a Saint!TAN is offering 15% off to you! Use code "manlycatholic" at checkout to help support the podcast.Mystic Monk CoffeeFor the best cup of coffee for a great cause, Mystic Monk Coffee is the choice for you!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showMystic Monk Coffee → For the best coffee for a great cause, we recommend Mystic Monk Coffee. Roasted with prayer by the Carmelite Monks in Wyoming, Mystic Monk Coffee has the ultimate cup waiting for you. See more at mysticmonkcoffee.comTAN Books → TAN has been one of the most well-known and respected Catholic publishers for a long time. Their objective? To make men and women saints. Take 15% off your order and help support the podcast by using the code “manlycatholic” at checkout. Visit TAN Books for more! Contact us directly at themanlycatholic@gmail.com. Support the show on Patreon

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Lectionary for Series B of the Three Year Lectionary. Festival: Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) 1st Reading: Acts 4:1-12 Psalm: Psalm 23 Epistle: 1 John 3:16-24 Gospel: John 10:11-18 Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net.

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Lectionary for Series B of the Three Year Lectionary. Festival: Third Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 3:11-21 Psalm: Psalm 4 Epistle: 1 John 3:1-7 Gospel: Luke 24:36-49 Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net.

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Lectionary for Series B of the Three Year Lectionary. Festival: Second Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 4:32–35 Psalm: Psalm 148 Epistle: 1 John 1:1—2:2 Gospel: John 20:19–31 Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net.

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2023 quarter 4, lesson 10 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “God's Mission, My Mission” and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Mission to the Unreached, Part 1”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: Acts 17 | 1 Cor. 2:2 | Rom. 1:18–25. Memory Text: “ ‘The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands' ” (Acts 17:24, NIV). (December 3 – December 7) Sunday (James Rafferty) - “A Hebrew in Athens”Monday (Daniel Perrin) - “Paul in the Areopagus”Tuesday (Jill Morikone) - “Paul and the Unknown God”Wednesday (Shelley Quinn) - “Introducing a New God”Thursday (John Lomacang) - “Crossing a Line” Sabbath School Website: www.3ABNSabbathSchoolPanel.com Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Book a Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/shaylahiltonenterprisesllc/pathtopurpose?month=2023-10   - Discussing the concept of living life with purpose and its significance. - Emphasizing the importance of a life filled with enjoyment, love, intention, and the glorification of God. **Living Life on Purpose:** - Highlighting the belief that God has a unique purpose for each individual. - The idea that living life on purpose involves walking in one's calling or moving toward it. - The importance of seeking God's guidance to understand one's life's purpose. **God's Desire for Abundant Life:** - Emphasizing that God wants people to enjoy life to the fullest. - The reference to Jesus coming to provide abundant life. - Rejecting the notion of living a miserable, unfulfilling life and struggling daily. **The Value of Each Individual:** - Stressing that every person has gifts, skills, and talents useful to the kingdom of God. - Encouraging individuals to recognize the treasure within and fulfill their unique assignments. - The notion that people are important and their actions can impact others positively. **The Ripple Effect of Purpose:** - Describing how when everyone is in their designated roles, the will of God can be fulfilled and the kingdom of God advanced. - Encouraging individuals to take their places and contribute to the greater purpose. - The belief that living life with purpose is essential to achieve this. **Practical Steps to Live with Purpose:** 1. **Be Bold:**    - Encouraging individuals to be fearless in following their calling and spreading the message of Jesus Christ.    - Citing the example of the apostles who were unafraid to share the gospel. 2. **Be Committed:**    - Stating that commitment to one's assignment is crucial.    - Acknowledging that clarity may come gradually, but commitment is necessary. 3. **Be an Example:**    - Urging individuals to be a positive representation of Jesus Christ.    - Reminding that others are watching and that one's actions should match their words. **Book of Acts and Living with Purpose:** - Drawing inspiration from the Book of Acts, where the early church was dedicated to their assignments, resulting in the growth of the church. - Reading Acts chapter 2, verses 36-41, highlighting the impact of their actions and dedication to spreading the message of Jesus Christ. **Conclusion:** - Encouraging listeners to seek God and surrender to His will. - Expressing the belief that there is much more in store for each individual, and their purpose is a part of God's grand plan. - Encouraging trust in God, even in difficult times.   XOXO, Shayla   Next Steps: Watch the FREE Workshop: https://www.shaylahilton.com/freeworkshop Join the Called + Confident Accelerator: https://shayla-hilton-school.teachable.com/p/calledandconfidentaccelerator Visit the Website: https://www.shaylahilton.com/ Email Us: hello@shaylahilton.com