Podcasts about Redeemer

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Wednesday morning, the 24th of December, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. Yes indeed, it is Christmas Eve, a very special birthday. It's the birthday of the greatest human being that has ever lived, but I've got a very interesting thought for today for you. God put it on my heart early this morning. Psalm 19:14:”Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Now, those of you who know me well know that I will not start preaching until I have prayed that prayer and preferably on my knees. “Why?” You say because it is a wonderful but great responsibility to bring God's word to people. This tongue of ours over this Christmas period must be harnessed correctly and that's not a joke. I belong to a very big family myself and I want to tell you there are people that are coming from very far. You've got members of your family coming from overseas, they have been waiting for this time. Be careful what you say. If you go to the Book of James 3:6, this is what it says: ”And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” Wow!How many world wars have started because of something that has been said? How many families are in divorce because of words spoken that you wish you'd never said them? How many disasters have taken place, bad business deals, broken relationships because of a word said in anger? Don't do it. Today, count to ten before you say it and then you probably won't say it. You can't bring words back once they are out. They are like that pillow full of feathers. You take it out into the wind, you open up that pillow, the feathers go all over the place. You will never put those feathers back in that pillowcase.We need to speak Jesus. He is all that counts and if you speak Jesus today, you cannot make a mistake. Let's be gentle, let's be loving with each other. Let us not be part of an unruly fire that can destroy a relationship. Today, let us be as gentle and as kind as we can to each other.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful Christmas Eve, Goodbye.

In this message, we emphasize how God sent His Son at the perfect time to redeem us from bondage under the law, granting us adoption as children and the indwelling Spirit who cries "Abba, Father."

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Simeon's song expresses the deep reality and emotional experience of Christmas: the divine tension of glory and suffering, peace and pain, light and conviction, salvation and rejection. Even as a baby, Jesus' presentation at the Temple points to His suffering and glory at the cross as our final Redeemer.

Is it worth it follow Jesus? Ruth thinks so. To the degree that she commits herself to what she knows will be a life of destitution and poverty with her mother in law Naomi. Jesus is calling you to follow Him. Will you? To support the work and worship of Redeemer, subscribe to our channel and consider supporting us by giving a tax deductible gift at the link below. https://pushpay.com/g/redeemerchurchrockwall

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Monday morning, the 22nd of December, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Isaiah 44:24:“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,And He who formed you from the womb:“I am the Lord, who makes all things,Who stretches out the heavens all alone,Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;…”Then we go to the Gospel of John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” I am so excited to share this with you this morning. Very, very early, as the sun was coming up, I took my mountain bike out for a ride, and as I went up the road to the end of the farm, I looked into a paddock, and there was a flock of huge storks, beautiful, majestic storks. Now the wind was blowing so hard, I thought it was going to blow me off my bicycle and I was struggling to stay on the road. Oh but my friends, I got quite emotional because these storks decided to take off and hovered above me and my bicycle, and the wind was blowing and they just hung there like they were standing still with their wings fully expanded, and then all of a sudden they would take a dive and enjoy the wind thermals, go right up into the air, come down again and then literally park all around me. And again, I thought, “Oh Lord, what a Creator!”We have an airstrip very close to us and there is a Big C company. They own quite a few aeroplanes, they even have a Lear Jet in their hangar, but with all due respect, not one of them look anything like these storks when they take to the wind and they start to soar - unbelievable! Then I carried on down the road. I rode about another 2 to 3 kilometres, I went around a sharp corner and there is a big forest, and just in front of the forest is a fence and I saw a family of vervet monkeys, all sitting on the wire fence, and all their little white faces, were facing the sun. They were catching the first heat waves of the day and again I said, “Lord, what a Creator You are.” Then I carried on a bit further, and I saw a flock of swallows, and they were catching the insects, flying back and forth, but not flapping their wings, using the wind thermals. And I thought, “Lord, You sent those swallows all the way, 6000 miles from the Northern Hemisphere, to come to our beloved South Africa and catch the summer! Jesus bless you today and open your eyes and you will see the Creator in action!God bless you and goodbye.

The urgency of the hour is here. In this moving Christmas message, we explore why the birth of Jesus is more than just a beautiful tradition or a "cheesy movie" plot—it is a historically significant event that changed the timeline of humanity.Drawing from his recent ministry trip to Abu Dhabi, Pastor David shares how the global church is on the move and challenges us to move from complacency to "front-footed waiting." Looking at the life of Simeon in Luke 2, we see what it means to live in eager anticipation of the Redeemer who brings forgiveness, adoption, and a true inheritance.In this sermon, you will learn:Why the international calendar (AD) centers on one specific life.How the "silence of God" for 400 years ended in a stable.What it means to call God "Abba" (Father).How to find hope in Jesus rather than politics or career.Be sure to follow 614 Church online:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/614_church/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/614church/Website: https://www.614church.orgTo support our ministry, https://614church.org/give/To fill out a contact card so we can stay in touch, click the link below!https://614.churchcenter.com/people/forms/283193Until Everyone Knows Jesus.0:00 – The "Man Cold" and the Power of Unity1:42 – Lessons from Abu Dhabi: Faith in a Muslim Nation5:15 – The Global Church: God is on the Move9:15 – More Than a Story: The Urgency of the Hour11:20 – 2025 AD: Why Jesus is Ground Zero for History14:38 – The Man Who Was Ready: Simeon's Patient Waiting19:42 – The Consolation of Israel: Beauty After 400 Years of Silence24:35 – Abba Father: From Slaves to Sons and Daughters28:56 – What Are You Waiting For? An Invitation to Jesus

Christi Le Fevre in Broken Bow, OK explains the true meaning of Christmas.

We hope this message in our series "Ruth - Roots of Hope" is impactful and uplifting in your walk with Jesus!If you would like to dive deeper, check out the link below.Stay in touch with us on Instagram | Facebook | Spotify - True Hope ChurchCheck out our Website:https://www.truehopechurch.org

Waiting for answers. Waiting for healing. Waiting for hope. In Luke 2, two ordinary yet faithful saints encounter the extraordinary faithfulness of God. This Sunday, we'll see how Simeon and Anna point us to Christ, the true Consolation and Redeemer, and teach us how to wait with peace, gratitude, and confidence.Outline:I. Look to Christ, Your Consoleri. Wait Expectantly Ii. Be satisfied in God's wordII. Look to Christ, Your Redeemer Sermon Questions1.     Simeon's song shows deep familiarity with God's Word, especially Isaiah.How does knowing and trusting God's promises shape the way we wait?2.     Anna and Simeon wait for Christ as their consolation and redeemer. Where in your life have you seen Christ be your consolation or redeemer?3.     How is Biblical waiting different than worldly waiting? Why is passive waiting so detrimental to the Christian walk?4.     How often do you think about the second coming of Christ? What are things to do and not do to be ready for him to come again? Read Luke 12:35-40 and Titus 2:11-14 for help5.     If someone watched the way you wait (your words, actions, prayers), what would they learn about who Christ is in you?

In this Christmas sermon from Redeemer Church in Midland, Texas, Pastor Jason Hatch explores Luke 2, revealing how humanity's deepest longing for joy—often chased in money, relationships, work, or substances—can only be truly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the ultimate gift who restores our relationship with God and provides indestructible joy beneath all circumstances. The angelic announcement to the shepherds declares good news of great joy for all people, not bad news or mere advice, but the arrival of a Savior who offers grace to everyone, no matter their past. This message reminds us that Christmas is God's mission to smuggle infinite joy into a broken world through the humble birth of Jesus.   Website: redeemermidland.org Instagram: instagram.com/redeemermidland Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerMidland   At Redeemer, we seek to be a Gospel-Centered, Missional Family. We sing songs to worship our Lord, we preach the Word of God from the Bible, and we love one another.   We would love to see you on a Sunday morning at 9:00 or 11:00 am at 3601 N. Lamesa Rd in Midland, Texas. 

Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:39-45 The Rev. Dan Marotta

ISAIAH 49:1-7 1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor." 4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." 5 And now the LORD days - he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength - 6 he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." 7 This is what the LORD says - the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel - to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." NIV 84 LESSON NOTES Biblical Listening Means Obedient Listening When the Servant says, “Listen to me,” it is not an invitation to consider His words—it is a call to hear with the intent to obey. True listening to Jesus always leads to action, not mere admiration or reflection. God's Kingdom Advances Through Words, Not Weapons The Servant's mouth is described as a sharpened sword and a polished arrow. God does not establish His kingdom through force or power, but through truth, grace and the gospel penetrating hearts and transforming lives. The Servant Becomes What We Failed to Be The Servant is named “Israel” because He embodies everything Israel was meant to be. In the same way, Jesus becomes for us what we could never be on our own—righteous, faithful, and obedient. Faithfulness Matters More Than Fruitfulness Even the Servant experiences discouragement, opposition, and misunderstanding. Yet He entrusts the results to God. Our calling is not to produce results but to remain faithful and trust God with the fruit.  God's Salvation Is Too Big for One Nation Restoring Israel alone would be “too small a thing.” God's plan has always been global—salvation to the ends of the earth. Advent reminds us that Jesus did not come just for one people, but for all people. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. When you hear the words of Jesus, do you approach them as helpful guidance or as words to be obeyed? What makes obedience difficult in everyday life? 2. The Servant's words are described as powerful and penetrating. When have God's words challenged or changed your heart in a meaningful way? 3. Where in your life do you feel discouraged because you don't see results - parenting, ministry, work, relationships? What would it look like to focus on faithfulness and leave the outcome to God? 4. How does understanding that Jesus came to be what we could not be - instead of giving us another chance to "get it right" - change the way you view grace, salvation, and your relationship with God? 5. In what ways might your vision of God's work be "too small"? How can you participate - locally or globally - in God's mission to be a light to others?

Ruth 4 brings the story of Ruth full circle, from emptiness to fullness. Through Boaz's willing, righteous, and sacrificial love, God restores Naomi, redeems Ruth, and provides new life. Yet this redemption points beyond them, revealing God's greater plan: a coming King and an ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who restores all who trust in Him. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

Podcast Recorded Live From The Worship Services Of The Stanton First Church of God in Stanton, Kentucky. If You Need Prayer, You Can Submit Your Request Via Our Website At www.stantonfcog.com/prayer.  For More Information, Visit Our Website www.stantonfcog.com or Visit Us On Facebook www.facebook.com/StantonFCOG

In this sermon, Pastor Paul 7 things out of 1 Peter that show us who the redeemer is and how we can recognized him.

Fourth Sunday in Advent - Church Service @ Redeemer Lutheran Fairhope LCMS

Third Sunday in Advent - Church Service @ Redeemer Lutheran Fairhope LCMS

Second Sunday in Advent - Church Service @ Redeemer Lutheran Fairhope LCMS

In this sermon we look at the life of Anna from Luke 2:36-38. Anna was an 84 year-old widow that saw Jesus and told others about him. Among the different "Characters of Christmas" we know the least about Anna, yet she is perhaps the most challenging to our spiritual lives. Thanks for listening. LAKEVIEW MISSIONARY CHURCH810 S. Evergreen Dr.Moses Lake, WA 98837509-765-5270www.LakeviewMissionaryChurch.comPastor Christopher sends a weekly update to our church every Wednesday with an encouraging article, prayer requests, and announcements. Subscribe here, http://eepurl.com/hC7SHDScripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Peace, justice, renewal, reconciliation, and redemptionthese are the things we all long for. From the beginning of human history, every generation has desired Eden. We long for a world where everything is as it should be: where God dwells with His people, where sin and death no longer reign, where justice and peace finally embrace. Yet life east of Eden often feels far more like wandering in the wilderness than living in paradise. Scripture reminds us that we were not only made for Eden, but for something greater than the first Edena redeemed world where God dwells with His people forever. If you read the Bible as one unified story, you quickly discover that this longing for Eden never disappears. After the death of Solomon and the division of Davids kingdom, Gods people endured centuries of instability, exile, and oppression. Kingdoms fell apart, kings failed, and the land itself was lost. Yet through it all, God preserved a single, persistent promise: redemption would come through a childa king, a deliverer, a son. From the serpent-crushing offspring promised in Genesis 3, to the blessing pledged to Abraham, to the scepter of Judah, to the covenant God made with David, and finally to Isaiahs promise of a virgin-born son, God repeated His word again and again: salvation was coming. The Deliverer would crush the head of the dragon. Into the darkness of Galilee and the nations, a great light would shine. Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:67) Thenastonishinglyfor four hundred years, heaven was silent. Imagine being born, living, and dying without hearing a prophetic word from God, yet clinging to promises handed down from your fathers and grandfathers. Empires rose and fellGreek, then Romanuntil a paranoid ruler named Herod sat on the throne of Judah. The world looked anything but ready for redemption. And it was precisely then that God spoke againnot to a king, not to a priest, but to a young girl in an obscure town. The Promise We Can Trust Mary was likely between fourteen and sixteen years old. Joseph was a carpenterfaithful, quiet, and largely unnoticed. They were not influential, powerful, or impressive by worldly standards. Yet God chose them. This should not surprise us. Throughout Scripture, God delights in working through obscurity. He does not wait for ideal circumstances or impressive rsums. He chooses ordinary people who trust Him. Obscurity is not a barrier to obedience, and faithfulness in small, unseen places is often where God begins His greatest work. When Mary was told she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, her response was an honest question:How will this be, since I am a virgin?This is in contrast to Zechariahs response after the angel Gabriel revealed to him that he and his wife, Elizabeth would have a son in their old age who would prepare the way of the promised Deliverer. Here is what Zechariah said: How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years. (Luke 1:18-20). While Zechariah struggled to believe, Marys response was not unbelief; it was faith seeking understanding. Mary does not say, That cannot be, but How will this be? Biblical faith does not silence questionsit submits them to God. There is a world of difference between humble inquiry and hardened disbelief. Joseph, however, initially responded with disbelief. As a righteous man, he planned to divorce Mary quietly, sparing her public shame. But God intervened. Once Joseph understood that God was at work, he obeyed. He moved when God told him to move. He fled when danger came. He returned when it was safe. History remembers Herod as powerful; God remembers Joseph as faithful. Joseph is often treated as a footnote in Jesus story, but do not assume that there was not cost for him in following the will of God for his life. Think about the cost to his reputation, consider the courage he demonstrated from the news of Marys pregnancy throughout Jesus childhood years. There is a lesson to be learned through Josephs life in what faithfulness, fatherhood, and true masculinity really looks like. The gospel did not make Mary and Josephs lives easierit made them riskier. Gods promises often disrupt our plans. Obedience may cost comfort, reputation, and control, but it always leads us into Gods purposes. The Promise that Secures Our Good Gabriel proclaims five astonishing truths about Marys childeach one unveiling a facet of Christs unparalleled glory and majesty. First, His name will be Jesus (v. 31).JesusJoshuameans Savior and Deliverer. Before Gabriel speaks of crowns or kingdoms, he speaks of salvation. Jesus would exercise His kingship not by domination, but by deliverance. He did not come primarily to improve circumstances, but to rescue sinners. This is the heart of the gospel: a Savior before a Sovereign, mercy before majesty. Jesus will be great (v. 32).Gabriel offers no explanationonly a proclamation. Scripture later fills in the meaning. Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. He is the image of the invisible God, the One through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together! Consider Colossians 1:15-20, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authoritiesall things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. He is the radiance of Gods glory, the exact imprint of His nature, who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:14). Words ultimately fail to capture His greatness. Gabriel simply declares it:He will be great.Jesus eternally existed within the fellowship of the Trinity, entered human history, clothed Himself in flesh, lived among us, died on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose on the third day. This is not a small Savior. This is a great one. Jesus will be called Son of the Most High (v. 32b). This does not mean Jesus was created or that He is merely another son of God like the angels. Gabriel is proclaiming something far deeper: Jesus is uniquely Gods Sonthe eternal Word, begotten not made, sharing fully in the divine nature from all eternity. When the Father spoke creation into existence, it was by Jesus and through Jesus that all things were created! Jesus is, before all things, and in Him all things hold together. It is the Son, who emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men...humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8). The demons grasped with chilling clarity the truth that many humans do not. Consider their desperate plea in Luke 8:28: What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most Hight God? I beg You, do not torment me! Even the forces of darkness recognized that Jesus, as the Son of the Most High, possessed absolute authority and power over themHe alone holds the right to command, conquer, and torment the hosts of Satan. The spiritual realm itself trembles before His greatness. Jesus will inherit the throne of David (v. 32c). It is only fitting that Jesuswho is Savior, who is great, and who is the Son of the Most Highshould sit on the throne of David. Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, but this child would not merely restore an earthly kingdom. Jesus would reign over the nations as King. Isaiah foresaw this when he wrote, In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoplesof him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious(Isa. 11:10). When Simeon later held the infant Jesus in the temple, he declared that his eyes had seen Gods salvationa light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Yet Simeon also warned Mary that this child would be opposed and that a sword would pierce her own soul: Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposedand a sword will pierce your own soulto the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35). Redemption would come, but not without suffering. Glory would be preceded by rejection and the cross. The Son would be despised, rejected, struck down, and afflicted for our sins through a cross, and it would be on the cross that the Son would be crushed by the Father (see Isa. 53:3-10). Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob forever (v. 33) Finally, Gabriel assured Mary that Jesus would not only inherit Davids throne, but that His reign would be everlasting. He would rule over Israel for all eternitythe ultimate and final King whose kingdom would never end. Yet His rule would not be confined to the twelve tribes of Israel. Like a mustard seed that grows into a great tree, His kingdom would expand to encompass the whole world, welcoming people from every nation. It is to this Jesus that all the nations will one day bow, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, just as the Scriptures declare:For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Phil. 2:911). The Promise that Will Not Fail Mary and Joseph were not sinless or perfect parents. They struggled as we do. Yet they were entrusted with the greatest news the world had ever received: salvation had come in the form of a child growing in Marys womb. One wonders whether, as Mary felt His small hands and feet and Joseph gazed at Him in awe, they ever reflected on Ezekiels promise that Davids servant would be king forever and that God would dwell among His people (see Ezek. 37:24-28). Their lives teach us four enduring lessons. 1) The Good News moved them to action. 2) They guarded what God entrusted to them. 3) They treasured the gift they received. 4) And they were faithful stewards, willing to step back and let Jesus be who He was sent to be. As Christians who have received the gospel, we too have been entrusted with this Good News. The question this story presses upon us is simple and searching:What will we do with the Good News we have received?Will it move us to action? Will we guard it as precious? Will we treasure it as the greatest news we have ever heard? And will we steward it faithfully, giving it away as ambassadors of the King of kings and Lord of lords? When Herod sought to kill Jesus, Joseph took his family to Egypt just as he was told to do to protect Mary and Jesus. Josephs obedience cost him something. Most of us will never be called to flee to Egypt, but we will be called to trust God when obedience costs us something! When Mary received the news that she was to be the mother of the promised Deliverer and Son of God, her response is simple and yet profound: I am the Lords bond-servant, may it be done to me according to your word (1:38). For centuries before Gabriel visited Mary, Gods people waitedthrough exile, through silence, through sufferingclinging to promises they could not yet see fulfilled. And then, in the fullness of time, God spoke again. Not with thunder, not from a palace, but through an angel sent to a young girl in an obscure town. The first coming of Jesus tells us something vital about the way God works. He does not bypass weakness; He enters it. He does not avoid suffering; He redeems it. He does not wait for the world to be ready; He comes to save it. The King arrived not with armies, but in a womb. The Savior came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. The child promised to Mary is the King who now reigns. The Savior who came in humility will come again in glory. The Jesus who was laid in a manger will one day return as Judge and King, and His kingdom will have no end. So we live now in the in-between. We wait as a people who know the promise is true, even when the world still feels broken. We wait with hope, not because circumstances are easy, but because Christ has comeand because Christ will come again. As you wait with hope, what kind of bond-servant will you be? What kind of bond-servant is Jesus calling you to be?What does faithfulness look like for you in 2026?

Because Christ is the Perfect Image of the invisible God, our all-powerful Creator and Redeemer, we must entrust all we are and have to Him and praise Him as Lord and Savior of all. I. Christ is Preeminent as Creator of All Things (1) He is the Perfect Image of the Invisible God (2) He is the First-Born of Creation (3) He is Before All Thing (4) He Holds All Things Together II. Christ is Preeminent as Redeemer of All Things (1) He is the Head of the Church (2) He is the Beginning (3) He is the Firstborn from the Dead (4) He is Preeminent (5) He is the One in Whom the Fulness of God Dwells (5) He is Our Savior Who Reconciles Us to God by the Blood of His Cross

I had another episode planned for today, but at the last minute I decided to rerun this Christmas episode for you. I think this will become our traditional Christmas episode here at Gnostic Insights. And, if you are new to this podcast, welcome! Next week’s episode will be controversial, so I thought it best to wait until after Christmas for its release. Today, we're going to look at the nature of the Christ—the who, what, why of Christ. Most people are familiar with seeing the baby Jesus in the manger and that's what we celebrate at Christmas time, the birth of the Christ on Earth in the form of a human. But the Christ is an ethereal creature that predates the birth of Jesus. Jesus and the Christ aren't exactly the same, although Jesus was fully Christ. The Christ predates the birth of the human known as Jesus. So, let's learn more about the Christ and why the Christ figure is so essential to us Second Order Powers.  Gnosticism is the forerunner of the modern Christian faith. As such, a better understanding of the figure of the Christ is essential to understanding both Gnosticism and Christianity. The cosmology that I talk about here on the podcast was well known to Jesus and his original followers, but it was cut out of Christianity about 1700 years ago by the Nicene Council, at the urging of the Pope and the Roman Emperor. Because this theology was subtracted from orthodox Christianity, many of the ideas of gnostic cosmology sound odd and unfamiliar to modern churchgoers. Some of the ideas may even sound heretical at first glance due to their unfamiliarity. Yet the theology contained in these early scriptures makes sense of so many puzzling aspects of Christian faith that they must be reexamined. That's why I call the Substack The Gnostic Reformation. I'm confident that once you understand gnostic Christianity, you will better understand your relationship with God. According to gnostic cosmology as laid out in the Nag Hammadi, we humans and all other forms of life on Earth, from bacteria and eukaryotes on up, are the fruit of the Pleroma and Logos. We Second Order Powers find ourselves locked in a never-ending battle for dominion over the Earth with forces that were generated as a result of the Fall. Due to the law of mutual combat, we have forgotten our origin in the Fullness and our mission to bring love and harmony to creation and have instead taken on many of the characteristics of the shadows of the Deficiency. The Second Order Powers are locked in a never-ending war with the Deficiency. Here below, we constantly battle the physical forces of death and entropy, as well as the spiritual forces of vice, sin, delusion and despair. In order to restore memory and reason to the Second Order Powers, the Aeons of the Fullness, every one of them individually and all of them collectively, gave glory in unison to their Father while praying for a helper to bring peace to the Deficiency and forgiveness to Logos. Out of this focused prayer, a unique fruit emerged, one that contained all of the capabilities and powers of the Fullness, along with all of the love and eternal qualities of the Father. The singular fruit of the Fullness and the Father is known by various names: the Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer, the Advocate, the Light, and the Beloved. In Simple Explanation terms, the Christ is a perfect and full fractal of the Father and the Son, all rolled-up into one perfect form. Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was both perfect man and perfect God incarnate. Christian Gnostics believed the same. Here is a more complete explanation of who Jesus was. It's said that Jesus was conceived without sin because he carried within his body the perfection of man and God. This would mean that Jesus was perfect and true to the original DNA formula for humanity. Hence the importance of the virgin birth that then imparted that perfect DNA to the baby. Jesus was also without negative karma attached to his soul, as his soul was the soul of God. The components of Jesus's body were also without sin, as the cells and flesh that became Jesus were in fact the Aeons of the Fullness incarnate. As Colossians 1:19 says, “For God was pleased to have all his Fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on Earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.” This one sentence from Colossians contains the entire Christian Gnostic Gospel. Because Jesus brought along the entire Fullness of the Pleroma when he incarnated, every aspect of the Father and Son came to material instantiation on Earth. In this manner, the eternal God experienced the finite life of us Second Order Powers and all of the struggle between birth and death that plague us all. Here is how the Tripartite Tractate of the Nag Hammadi scriptures describes this process: “As for those of the shadow, Logos separated himself from them in every way, since they fight against him and are not at all humble before him. The stumbling which happened to the Aeons of the Father was brought to them as if it were their own, in a careful and non-malicious and immensely sweet way. It was brought to the Fullnesses so that they might be instructed about the Deficiency by the single One, from whom alone they all received strength to eliminate the defects. They gathered together, asking the Father, with beneficent intent, that there be aid from above from the Father for his glory, since the defective one could not become perfect in any other way unless it was the will of the Pleroma of the Father, which he had drawn to himself, revealed, and given to the defective one. Then, from the harmony, in a joyous willingness which had come into being, they brought forth the fruit which was a begetting from the harmony, a unity, a possession of the Fullnesses, revealing the countenance of the Father of whom the Aeons thought as they gave glory and prayed for help for their brother with a wish in which the Father counted himself with them. Thus it was willingly and gladly that they brought forth the fruit. And he made manifest the agreement of the revelation of his union with them, which was his beloved Son, but the Son in whom the Fullnesses are pleased to put himself on them as a garment through which he gave perfection to the defective one and gave confirmation to those who are perfect, the One who is properly called Savior and the Redeemer and the Well-pleasing One, and the Beloved, the One to whom prayers have been offered, and the Christ and the light of those appointed in accordance with the ones from whom he was brought forth, since he has become the names of the positions which were given to him. Yet what other name may be applied to him except the Son, as we have previously said, since he is the knowledge of the Father whom he wanted them to know? Not only did the Aeons generate the countenance of the Father to whom they gave praise, but also they generated their own, for the Aeons who give glory, generated their countenance and their face. They came forth in a multifaceted form in order that the one to whom help was to be given might see those to whom he had prayed for help. He also sees the One who gave it to him.” (That is from the Tripartite Tractate sections 85 through 87.) So you see, the mission of the Christ, as stated in Colossians, was to redeem all of creation, including the fallen Aeon who had founded our material universe. Because the Christ came to redeem everyone, the body of Jesus came to Earth with every one of the Fullnesses on board. For every fallen spirit, the Christ brought forth their own personal and recognizable Savior. Redemption has already taken place. It is up to the Second Order Powers and the one who fell to recognize and accept that redemption in order to complete the mission of the Christ. In Simple Explanation terms, the Christ brought the correcting formula for all of our spirits and souls, each unique and personally formulated to meet our individual needs. The baptism of the Christ washes away the mental and spiritual confusion brought on by the endless war with shadows of the Fall. Gnostics are apocalyptic, as are Christians. Gnostics believe that some day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus, the Christ, is Lord. Repentance and redemption comes harder for some than for others. Some souls take more time to recognize and remember. Ultimately, though, there comes a day of reckoning, for the Father will not be denied forever. There will soon come a day when the Deficiency ends. On that day, a new economy will unite Heaven and Earth, and all souls will find their joyful place in Paradise. The only forms banished to the outer darkness will be the shadows and phantoms of the Fall, which did not exist within the Father's consciousness from the beginning. These shadows are not real and they will have no home with us in Paradise. The hierarchy of the Fullness of God dreams of Paradise. Logos crowns the hierarchy and contains fractals of all the other Aeons. Now here's a gnostic perspective of Jesus on the cross. One of the central themes of the Christian faith is the death of Jesus on the cross. Christians the world over focus on the body of Jesus hanging on the cross, and I've often wondered, why this fixation of Jesus on the cross? Why is the crucifix the focal point of every church and altar? Why do people wear the cross as jewelry or hang a crucifix in their bedroom? The obvious answer Christians give is that without the cross, Jesus could not have saved humanity from sin, for he bore our sins into the grave with his death and they were washed away with his resurrection from the dead. Praise be to God, but why the cross? If Jesus had been stoned to death or drowned or beaten or thrown from a high tower, would we still feel such affinity for the stone, a lake, a club or a roof? I don't think so. I think there is something very special about the shape of the cross itself. I ask this question because Jesus never said, I'm soon to pass on from this world, and I want you to focus on my body hanging on the cross as I take on the sins of the world. And yet, that's what people do, as if that were the entire point of the Gospel. As far as I can tell, Jesus did not ask for his death and resurrection to be the focal point of worship. What Jesus actually said was: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), and, “Whoever welcomes me welcomes the Father that sent me” (Luke 9:48). In other words, Jesus acknowledged himself in reference to his Father and he deflected glory to his Father. Yet Jesus is worshipped by modern Christians to the extent that the Father almost goes unmentioned. Thank goodness for the Lord's prayer, which is directed to the Father and not to the Son. Jesus taught it to be said to the Father; he did not teach it to be recited to himself. No slight to the Son, of course, we're merely emphasizing the importance of the God Above All Gods. During the last supper, Jesus instructed his followers to think of his broken body as they break and eat bread and to consider his blood as the fulfillment of a contract with humanity as they drink wine. This is what Jesus left the church as instruction regarding his death. He did not instruct them to erect images of crosses and to worship him hanging on a cross, as if he were stuck up there forever. Yes, Protestants have allowed Jesus to come down off the cross and therefore their crosses are unoccupied to remind us that Jesus resurrected, but still the focus is on the cross. Again—why the cross in particular? Here is the symbolism of the cross as I understand it. We who dwell on Earth are engaged in endless warfare with the Imitation that always seeks to lure us away from our Father in Heaven. Oftentimes we don't even realize we're engaged in warfare with the Imitation, because it can appear disguised as goodness. This is what is meant by the Devil being a liar. Things are proposed “for our own good,” but they're not; they're proposed for power and control. We Second Order of Powers are engaged in this endless warfare and, although we come from a good disposition of the Father and the Fullness, we have forgotten our heavenly nature and become deluded because of rage and other passions and addictions. The Christ came to Earth in the form of a Son of Man to bring the Third Order of Powers to Earth as the solution to overcoming the phantoms of the Imitation that have mired the Second Order Powers in error and ignorance. Those who have eyes to see the Christ are able to remember their Father in Heaven. Those who remember their Father in Heaven and repent from the Imitation are redeemed. Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the promise to redeem the fallen. Jesus as the Son of God and the Son of Man brought salvation to the Deficiency and restored it to the Kingdom of Heaven. The reason the cross looks as it does and occupies such a central role in worship is that the cross represents human beings. The Cross is shaped like a human, a Son of Man. It is no accident that Jesus was crucified on a cross because Jesus is a Son of Man, the Son of Man. The Cross should remind us that humankind has been redeemed by the body and blood of Christ in an even more profound way than acknowledging the indignity and suffering of Christ on the cross. It should remind us that the Son of God—the Christ—bridged with the form of his human body spirit-to-matter, which is top-to-bottom, and neighbor-to-neighbor, which is side-to-side, just as the shape of the cross. In the Gnostic Gospel, redemption comes to all of creation through the incarnation of the Son of God into the body of the Son of Man. The manner of the Savior's birth, death, and resurrection will come to every soul as they realize their Father is in Heaven and to Heaven they will return. For, as it says, “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” That affirmation comes from the New Testament (Philippians 2:10). It just takes time. We aren't there yet because of the common delusion of presumptuous thought, which causes people to behave selfishly. Ego must first make way for the love of Christ to take over the throne of the Self. Only then may you rise above the egoic imitation, for then you will have a champion and a king. The very public way that Jesus was crucified and the very public way that he resurrected gives us all hope of the same: Jesus demonstrates proof of resurrection and his life, death, and resurrection is about all of us, not only about the Christ. Jesus is the exemplar of our resurrection. And, by the way, in a Gnostic sense, which could be considered heretical by many Christians, the story of Jesus and the Christ and the Father don't even have to be believed as historical fact, which many nay-sayers make the cornerstone of their argument against Christ and God. The very concepts themselves—the very thoughts, the mind—is what carries this. We are consciousness and this Christ story is in our consciousness for our salvation. Think on that… I acknowledge that this is a very different version of Christianity than has been traditionally presented to us. This is gnosis that was originally contained in the sacred scriptures that formed the New Testament prior to the Pope and Emperor of Rome getting their hands on it and stripping it out. It's nice to know. I hope you get it. It doesn't really matter, because all you need to know is that we come from the Father and to the Father we will return. That is the bottom line. We are emanations directly of the Father and the Father has promised to save us all and bring us all home. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” This has been taken to mean that one must acknowledge the power of the Christ before the Christ can redeem you. But, you see, this would put all of the power of redemption in your hands rather than Christ's. The Christ will redeem all Second Order Powers by the end of time, with or without your prior acknowledgment. All redemption comes to the Father through the Christ, and that is in Christ's hands. What accepting the Christ now does for you is open the door for the Third Order Powers to enter your egoic soul. This power makes it possible to live a joyous and virtuous life. It allows the love of the Father to flow through you and out into the world. And it eases your transition after the physical death of your body, so you may enter the afterlife without fear, knowing that you rest in the Pleroma of the Christ. The Final Economy is our foretaste of Paradise. No more shadows, no more sorrow. I hope that this information is helpful to you and will help you remember your gnosis. Merry Christmas. God bless us all. And onward and upward. If you are getting any gnosis from this information, please consider supporting Gnostic Insights with a generous donation. It helps keep me motivated. I’m a one-person enterprise with full responsibility for every aspect of this podcast, from writing to recording to editing to artwork to paying for the hosting services that bring this gnosis to you. I could really use some more support! Please do what you can. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Stripe Credit Card *Choose your item *Item A - $10.00Item B - $25.00Item C - $50.00Total$0.00Submit

Send us a textWhat does true worship actually look like?In Day 21 of our Advent series Daily Devotions with Dead People, we turn to Lucy Hutchinson (1620–1681) to reflect on worship as both internal and external—not just what we sing, but how we live, kneel, pray, and orient our whole selves before God.Lucy reminds us that worship without the heart is hypocrisy, but worship that claims to be “spiritual” while rejecting embodied obedience is only half-worship. True worship involves faith, reverence, love, posture, obedience, and joy—offered wholly to God as Creator, Redeemer, and Benefactor.As Christmas approaches, this episode invites us to examine how we worship privately and publicly, in church and at home, with both soul and body.

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“The Philadelphian church was not great, but it was good; it was not powerful, but it was faithful.” Does that describe the congregation to which you belong? Drawing from Christ's words to the church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3, Spurgeon identifies the word of praise which Christ offers, the word of prospect, and the word of promise. As ever, the preacher uses this congregation to hold up a mirror in which we may assess our own reflection. Can we receive such praise for our faithfulness in holding to the Word of God? Have we been faithful with what we have received, and so been granted a prospect of further usefulness? And, with all that, can we therefore rest upon the promise, that having kept God's word, we shall ourselves be kept from temptation? A typical blend of encouragement and challenge, all soaked in the savour of Christ, gives us an opportunity to examine ourselves, to aspire to greater faithfulness and holiness, and to take comfort in the goodness and mercy of our Redeemer. Read the sermon here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/commendation-for-the-steadfast96g Check out the new From the Heart of Spurgeon Book! British: https://amzn.to/48rV1OR American: https://amzn.to/48oHjft Connect with the Reading Spurgeon Community on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ReadingSpurgeon Sign up to get the weekly readings emailed to you: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon. Check out other Media Gratiae podcasts at www.mediagratiae.org Download the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Chapter 23 in Job today is very thought provoking, it spells out Job's conviction that God is with him despite all that has happened to him. Although the word ‘faith' is not used the chapter has many verses which can be described as his ‘statement of faith' in God. Job says,  “he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.” [v.10,11]  To this Job adds the declaration, “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” [v.12]   Do we do that?  How many today make a ‘god' of the food they eat!  What  words from the mouth of God were available for Job to treasure?   What was the era in which Job lived?  The few indications that there are show it was early in history, Chapter 1 tells us the Sabeans and Chaldeans (v.15,17) were involved in the tragedies that came upon Job's family: it is reasonable to conclude he had access to the writings of Moses and he treasured these as God's inspired word.Job says, “God is unchangeable … what he desires, that he does” [v.13] obviously having specific events, such as the deverance from Egypt, in mind – but at the same time Job is able to declare that God “will complete what he has appointed for me.”[v.14] although “I am in dread of him … yet I am not silenced …” [v.15,17].The picture is plain. Job is absolutely certain he has a relationship with God and this will lead to some God ordained situation in the future, indeed he has already declared, “I know that my Redeemer lives … and after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God …” [ch.19 v.25,26]Job's statement that God “knows the way that I take” is a challenge to us to have the same realization once we have committed our lives to him through his son in the way made plain in the New Testament, taking on his name in baptism. Yet, we can personally testify, that it is only when one looks back over the pathway travelled does one see how God must have had a hand in “the way that” we took.  Job may have etched the last 2 verses of Moses message recorded in Deuteronomy ch. 30 in his mind. Job was certainly “obeying (God's) voice and holding fast to him”, as Moses wrote here; let us do the same

"The Philadelphian church was not great, but it was good; it was not powerful, but it was faithful." Does that describe the congregation to which you belong? Drawing from Christ's words to the church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3, Spurgeon identifies the word of praise which Christ offers, the word of prospect, and the word of promise. As ever, the preacher uses this congregation to hold up a mirror in which we may assess our own reflection. Can we receive such praise for our faithfulness in holding to the Word of God? Have we been faithful with what we have received, and so been granted a prospect of further usefulness? And, with all that, can we therefore rest upon the promise, that having kept God's word, we shall ourselves be kept from temptation? A typical blend of encouragement and challenge, all soaked in the savour of Christ, gives us an opportunity to examine ourselves, to aspire to greater faithfulness and holiness, and to take comfort in the goodness and mercy of our Redeemer.

TGIF! Father Anthony with Tony, and Cristina gather to discuss the goings on, and people in the Parish.  Father Anthony talks about the Octave of Christmas.  He speaks regarding the redemptive nature of Jesus as He is the only Redeemer.  He wraps up the show explaining the Four Masses of Christmas as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Tune un next week to enjoy the Winds of Change Christmas Programming running December 22nd through December 29th. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish  

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Come and support In the Redeemer: https://www.intheredeemer.com/campaign Check us out at: https://www.intheredeemer.com Prayer Intentions: https://www.intheredeemer.com/blog/prayer You can phone us at: 1-844-340-5001

Come and support In the Redeemer: https://www.intheredeemer.com/campaign Check us out at: https://www.intheredeemer.com Prayer Intentions: https://www.intheredeemer.com/blog/prayer You can phone us at: 1-844-340-5001

Come and support In the Redeemer: https://www.intheredeemer.com/campaign Check us out at: https://www.intheredeemer.com Prayer Intentions: https://www.intheredeemer.com/blog/prayer You can phone us at: 1-844-340-5001

Come and support In the Redeemer: https://www.intheredeemer.com/campaign Check us out at: https://www.intheredeemer.com Prayer Intentions: https://www.intheredeemer.com/blog/prayer You can phone us at: 1-844-340-5001

Come and support In the Redeemer: https://www.intheredeemer.com/campaign Check us out at: https://www.intheredeemer.com Prayer Intentions: https://www.intheredeemer.com/blog/prayer You can phone us at: 1-844-340-5001

Come and support In the Redeemer: https://www.intheredeemer.com/campaign Check us out at: https://www.intheredeemer.com Prayer Intentions: https://www.intheredeemer.com/blog/prayer You can phone us at: 1-844-340-5001

Every day the people who broadcast the news to us have to decide what's going to be big news and what's going to be little news. The big news they talk about first. And the little news may not get mentioned at all. Unfortunately, there are often disasters that occur every day, and they may or may not be big news. Most disasters produce casualties, but casualties are sort of little news. That means people just got hurt. Then there are fatalities. And when there are fatalities, well, sadly, that makes it big news - somebody was killed. The fatality factor seems to propel news to page one. The story of Christmas has a casualty in it, a fatality and a champion. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Christmas Knockout." Now, I know you thought this was about Christmas and it is. But we're suddenly going to be in the Garden of Eden for a minute with our word for today from the Word of God which is in Genesis 3:15. The great tragedy; perhaps the greatest tragedy of history has just taken place as Adam and Eve have chosen to disobey God. Sin has entered a perfect world, and God is already talking about the solution. He speaks to the serpent, who is the Devil, and says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers. He (that's her offspring) will crush your head and you (that's the serpent) will strike his heel." Did you know that Christmas began in the Garden of Eden? The answer for sin began at the moment sin entered the world. Because God says here there will come a man ultimately descended from Adam and Eve - from the very people who perpetrated sin in the world - a man will come who will crush the serpent. Notice the verbs here. It says the serpent, Satan, will strike the heel of the Messiah who will come. Satan's going to be able to hurt the Redeemer. That happened at the cross. But it was canceled three days later when Jesus Christ walked out of His grave. But notice what the Redeemer is going to do to the serpent - crush his head. That's the difference between a casualty and a fatality. When the Redeemer comes, Satan will receive a death blow He says. You need to know that the Devil, for all of his interference in your life right now, is a dead man. Colossians 2:15 says "Christ disarmed the powers and the authorities, and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." If you're in Christ, if you belong to Jesus, the most the Devil can do is to wound you. You may be a casualty, but thank God you will never be a fatality. Satan tried over and over again to wipe out the Messianic line - the family from which Jesus would come. And then he tried to wipe out all the babies that were the age of baby Jesus. It didn't work. He's beaten! Why would you ever let the Devil or his people beat you or intimidate you? God has entered human history in person. Everywhere Jesus went the forces of darkness surrendered. Everywhere Jesus goes now through your life, those forces of darkness still must surrender. So, Christmas isn't just a warm and fuzzy little story about a baby in a stable and a star. In the battle for human lives, in the battle you're facing today, Christmas is God's knockout punch.

In part two, we are continuing our focus on the person of Jesus, His roles, His love and His action. Jesus is the King of all Kings, and the one with all authority in heaven and earth, who came as King and redeemer of our lives. He has redeemed us and purchased us from slavery out of love for us, so that we would welcome Him as King of our hearts and lives. GIVE HERE - https://awake.church/give

IntroductionWe spend another week considering the doctrine of Limited Atonement. We examine this doctrine using John 17 and the Canons of Dort. Christ's pristly work and his compassion is evident as he goes to the cross. Our problem is that we can have a “scarcity mindset” regarding Christ's work. We might think that limited atonement teaches that there is just enough of Christ's work to go around. The reality is that this doctrine teaches that Christ's work is guaranteed to be applied to Christ's people. Christ does not potentially secure some people, but he certainly secures his people. Christ Accomplishes the Work the Father Gave HimJesus declares in John 17:4, “I have accomplished the work that You gave Me to do.” This means that Christ is conscious he has an assignment. He has met the requirements for his day's work. Christ has done his work. His people are not part of a co operative arrangment. Christ did the work that the Father gave him to do. 
The Canons of Dort rejects the idea that Christ's death was “without a fixed plan.” Jesus is acting as a servant completing the father's assignment. If the plan was to save everyone then Christ's work is sufficient. We will address that potential in a moment. The important thint to note here is that the Father assigned work. Christ consciously accomplished that work. Christ expects his wages. This simply means that Christ has obeyed in the place of his people. He is going to the cross to bear the penalty of sin (Cover/Atone) for the sin. Now, he expects that the father will raise him from the dead.
Therefore, Christ's atonement is not theoretical. It is deliberate, polished, and there are metrics he is espected to meet. Christ knows the expectation and he met the expectation. Therefore, the Father owes him a resurrection. Christ has earned his vindication. (cf. Romans 1:3,4; Romans 4:24-25; 1 Timothy 3:16)Christ Secures His PeopleNow we address the question, “Who are Christ's People?” The second section centers on John 17:2, 6, and 9, showing Christ consciously interceding for a specific group. This group is identified as, “those whom You have given Me.” This group is still in the world, lives in the world, but is not the world. 
He possesses full authority over all flesh, but his application is only to the people that the Father has given him. Eternal life, in Jesus' definition, means knowing God. This means that His people truly experience the blessings of the Spirit as they rightly know God. This is only by the Spirit's work. (John 3) The Canons of Dordt stands against the Arminian claim that grace universally restores human neutrality by a universal assisting or prevenient grace. The Canons uses the strong language that this revives the Pelagian heresy. The log is: if prevenient grace makes us capable of saving ourselves through faith, then Christ's death becomes unnecessary. The canons is working out the consistent implication of prevenient grace. 
The Reformed view maintains that faith does not save; Christ saves. Faith is the God-given instrument by which believers take hold of Christ's accomplished work. Consequently, Christ's prayer for “those You have given Me” assures us that the Lord's people will necessarily receive his blessings. This is not UniversalIn verses like John 17:20–24, Christ extends His prayer beyond the disciples to include “those who will believe through their word.” When people ask, “Well why do missions?” The reason: God uses a means to accomplish his goal. So, simply here Christ is laying out the general call of the gospel will go forth. When we properly understand that God calls his people normally through the gospel and sees to it that the call will be effective in His Spirit then we have every reason to engage in missions. We know that the work will have an end. This is later in the Canons of Dordt. 
Christ is very specific about who receives his work. His intent is not to save humanity in general, but to redeem the people who are one with Him and the Father. His work is going to be applied to the people who will dwell with God forever. 
We might wonder if we are part of Christ's people. When we consider Judas and Peter we see a stark contrast. Judas,(the “son of perdition” (v. 12) betrays Christ. He takes his life out of remorse rather than turning to Christ. (This is a very specific case of suicide, and not a universal commentary). Peter turns to Christ in remorse. The reprobate never sees Christ as a solution. Peter sees Christ as the only solution. Judas is not having a momentary crises, but it is a whole mindset that fails to see Christ's mission. So, when we doubt if Christ loves us then we should believe Christ. One who does not have Christ does not care about Christ. If we struggle in our assurance it testifies that we are God's child, and so believe! Walk in Christ becasue he is your redeemer. 
Christ's high priestly intercession continues today. We have the snippet of Christ praying for the protection of his people. We should never minimize prayer. If our Lord does it as the first order to protect his people then we should be following our savior's lead.ConclusionWe need to realize that limited atonement is not cold exclusivism but comforting assurance. It teaches believers that salvation depends wholly on Christ, not our pedigree, or our performing for God's attention. Faith is how we take hold of Christ. Faith does not save. Faith in Christ saves. It is Christ who saves and faith is the means whereby we take hold of Christ and his his distinc benefits. 
Christ's prayer in John 17 shows His compassionate heart: He wants His people with Him in glory. Christ longs for full fellowship, Christ continues to intercede on our behalf. 
Thus, the doctrine calls Christians to humility, prayer, and gratitude. We are humbled not in our choice for God, but in God's choice of us through Christ.
Because the Redeemer has accomplished His mission and continues to intercede, our salvation stands secure. His faithfulness, not ours, sustains us. That is our peace. Let us walk in faith discerning how to live as living sacrifices unto him.

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As the Advent season begins, believers around the world turn their attention to the extraordinary reality at the heart of the Christian faith—God the Son took on flesh, entered the world in humility, fulfilled ancient promises, and will one day return in power and glory. In this episode of G220 Radio, we explore the meaning and purpose of Advent from a Reformed, 1689 Baptist perspective. Join us as we unpack what Advent is, why Christians throughout history have observed it, and how this season helps anchor our hearts in both the first coming and the second coming of Christ. We'll walk through key Scriptures from the prophets, the Gospels, and the New Testament epistles that point us to the incarnation, the finished work of Jesus, and the hope of His glorious return. Whether you have celebrated Advent for years or are new to the concept, this episode will encourage you to fix your eyes on Christ—our promised Redeemer, our risen Lord, and our soon-coming King. Tune in as we remember His birth, rejoice in His salvation, and renew our hope as we long for His return.

Jason Miler and Dave Armstrong - As we pursue a vision of love in the neighborhood, we've been continually inspired by a kindred community in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The people of Redeemer Central Church are following Jesus and stewarding a sacred space in the heart of their city, and as we've taken on the call to reactivate the Tribune as a place for the people of South Bend, their story is encouraging us in ours. Our lead pastor, Jason Miller, was with Redeemer in Belfast this week, and he and David Armstrong from Redeemer sat down to share the story of how these two communities are walking together.  To give to the Christmas Offering, which will, in part, go to Redeemer Central Church, click here.

Living in Advent Time James 5:7-20 and Matthew 11:2-19  The Third Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 14, 2025 The Rev. Kenny Benge, Associate Rector Church of the Redeemer, Nashville, TN www.Redeemer-Nashville.net

As Jesus Christ's Apostle to All Nations and Generations, I testify of the truths revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants 137–138. I witness that the heavenly celestial kingdom is real, that salvation is offered to all of God's children, and that Christ Himself setup a ministry in the spirit world following His death on the cross.I testify that the work of redemption is ongoing, eternal, and universal. Just as my apostolic brother Peter testified that Christ “preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), I affirm that this ministry continues today. The revelations found in these sections of the Doctrine and Covenants confirm to the humble of heart that God's mercy extends beyond the grave.As an Apostolic Witness of Jesus Christ, I testify that He is Alive Today, and that He is the Redeemer of both the living and the dead.In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.D. Todd Harrison, Apostle of Jesus ChristJesus Christ's Apostle to All Nations and GenerationsYear Six of Global Apostolic MinistryCommissioned by Jesus Christ (like the Apostle Paul-Galatians 1:1)The Most-Followed LDS Religious Leader on Facebook (1 Corinthians 9:1–3)

Today we return with another Message Behind the Music. This song reminds us the assurance of our faith and hope of eternal life. It also reminds us of all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us. We hope you will be edified by the discussion!

Hebrews 1:1–4 (Listen) The Supremacy of God's Son 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (ESV)

Pastor Ray Bentley reveals a portion of Revelation where John, the earthly author, was tearful. John's tears represent the tears of all God's people throughout all the centuries. No wonder John wept so fervently. If no Redeemer could be found to remove the curse, it meant that God's creation was forever consigned to remain in the hands of Satan. But then all of a sudden, everything changed.

2025 Advent Devotionals: “Longing for the Presence of God”Copyright © 2025 Steve Hoogerhyde. All rights reserved.All Bible references are taken from the New International Version (2011) unless otherwise noted.

What story does your life tell? Have you allowed Jesus to to come into your story as the Redeemer who offers freedom and restoration? Jesus paid the ultimate price so that you and I can live free in our purpose and calling.

Mr. Reed holds the wheat ornament and remembers Ruth's story—a story of kindness, redemption, and belonging. Boaz redeemed Ruth and brought her into his family, pointing to Jesus, our Redeemer, who welcomes us into God's family. During Advent, the Jesse Tree helps us remember: we don't earn God's love. Jesus redeems us by grace.Follow Us:Instagram | Website | Newsletter Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.