Podcasts about Pharisees

Gratitude is good, but even gratitude can be corrupted. In this episode, John explores how self-centered spirituality, narcissism, and performative “thankfulness” distort the gift God intends for us. Drawing from Cornelius Plantinga, Robert Emmons, Barbara Ehrenreich, and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, this teaching offers a deeper, more honest vision of what gratitude truly is.If you want to grow in humility, authenticity, and God-centered thanksgiving, this episode is for you.

Jesus unleashes a powerful and damning critique against the scribes and Pharisees. He warns the crowds not to follow their hypocrisy, their love of human glory and honor, and the heavy burdens they lay on others. He pronounces "Seven Woes," condemning them as "whitewashed tombs" and "blind guides" who "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel." The chapter ends with His heartbreaking lament over Jerusalem, the holy city that rejects His mercy.  The Rev. John Shank, senior pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 23:1-39.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranministries.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In today's Grateful Rebels message, Pastor Ken Senchal takes us deep into one of the most misunderstood — and most life-changing — principles in Scripture: the biblical tithe. Long before there was a law… long before Israel… long before the church… God was teaching His people to honor Him with their first and best. Abel brought God the firstborn from his flock. Abram brought a tenth to Melchizedek out of honor and gratitude. Jacob declared that everything God gave him, he would return a tenth to the Lord. Tithing wasn't born from rules — it was born from relationship. In this message you'll learn: • Why God uses the tithe to reshape our heart, not deplete our wallet • Why the early church continued the principle of "firstfruits" even after the law • Why Jesus corrected the Pharisees on tithing — not to stop it, but to reset it • How tithing breaks the power of greed, fear, comparison, and self-entitlement • How generosity positions your life under God's blessing • And why the tithe is still divinely blessed today This message isn't about what God wants from you — it's about what God wants for you. Experience the freedom that comes from trusting God first.

Today, we look at Jesus' teaching on the habit we all fall into of the comparing mind, the subtle habit of lifting ourselves when we look at others who offend or frustrate us.   Luke 18: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Pod 280   

Micah Roddy (Pastor to Students), "Doubt".       18.  The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19.  and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”       20.  John's two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?'”       21.  At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind.  22.  Then he told John's disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”  23.  And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”       24.  After John's disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind?  25.  Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces.  26.  Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.  27.  John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,       ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.'       28.  I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”       29.  When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God's way was right,[d] for they had been baptized by John.  30.  But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism.       31.  “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them?  32.  They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,       ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't weep.'       33.  For John the Baptist didn't spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He's possessed by a demon.' 34.  The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!'  35.  But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.”       (Luke 7:18-35 NLT)To view a video version of the Sermon please click on the following link:   https://youtu.be/BJLriavCAqM(The audio version of the Sermon will most likely have to be stopped from playing or else it will be heard as well as the audio track of the video version.)

This Podcast is the final part in the series from Sunday Nov 16th 2025 titled The Bashful, The Bold & The Ugly Pt.3These are some of the Scriptures that were referenced throughout this series:Mark 1:40-42 (NKJV)40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.Mark 2:1-6 (NKJV)2 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 [a]Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,Mark 2:5-7 (NKJV)5  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6  And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,  7  “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Mark 2:8-12 (The Message Bible)8-12  Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you soskeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,' or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'?Mark 2:13-15 (NKJV)13  Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and Hetaught them.  14  As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 15  Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.Mark 2:16-17 (NLT)16  But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” 17  When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”Hebrews 1:1-3 (NKJV)1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,more Scriptures: Romans 8:17 (NLT), John 14:8-10 (NLT), 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT), Hebrews 12:1 (NLT), ACTION Choose ONE this week:1) Identity Declaration: “I am a son/daughter of God, and I live from who I am, not from what I do.” 2) Strip a Weight: Lay aside one habit, thought, or behaviour that slows down your spiritual race. 3) Radiate His Character: Choose one relationship or environment to intentionally reflect Christ.Thank you for listening and join us next time for more great teachings from The Word.If you feel led to give towards this podcast ministry you can do so through the same ways that you give your tithes & offerings by writing Podcast ministry.

Our words serve as spiritual health monitors, revealing the true condition of our hearts. Jesus teaches that just as a tree is known by its fruit, our inner spiritual condition is revealed through our outward words and actions. The Pharisees focused on external appearances while neglecting internal transformation, living an outside-in faith rather than inside-out. Genuine character isn't about trying harder but training wisely and becoming a Yes, Lord person who surrenders completely to God. Our words don't just slip out - they overflow from what's stored in our hearts, and we'll be held accountable for every careless word we speak.

The confrontations continue as the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, pose a ridiculous question about a woman with seven husbands. Jesus silences them, proving the resurrection from the books of Moses (the only Scripture they obey). A lawyer then tests Jesus, asking for the "greatest commandment." Jesus responds with the Shema and the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." Finally, Jesus turns the tables, asking the Pharisees how David's Son can also be David's Lord, which pressures them into considering His own divine identity. The Rev. William Cwirla, pastor emeritus and president emeritus of Higher Things, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 22:23-46.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Watch our services live at http://wcfav.org/ Free Downloads of Pastor Shane's E-books at https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/free-ebooks/ Donate to Westside Christian Fellowship here: https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/give/ Westside Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian church that meets every every Sunday at 8:30 am & 11:00 am in Leona Valley, California (9306 Leona Avenue). For more info, or to read our statement of faith, visit westsidechristianfellowship.org/about-wcf/statement-of-faith/

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,” Jesus repeated His claim to be the good shepherd. He certainly didn't want them to miss what He is. How comforting it is to know that He knows His own. He knows everything about us individually as well as collectively. And we each know Him. We know His voice. We know when He is near. We know that He loves us and will not let the wolf (sin) get us. This highlights two characteristics of both Jesus and His own. Of Jesus: He longs to know us and to be known by us. Of us: We know we are His and we know who He is (God's Son), what He is to us (our Door and Shepherd), and what He does for us (saves us from sin). The man who had received sight was the subject in view. He no longer was blindly following the Pharisees who were also blind, hired hands, and thieves and robbers, but he knew He belonged to Jesus, knew His voice, and was following Him. We praise and thank You, Jesus, for knowing us and enabling us to know You.

In Matthew 23, Jesus delivered a powerful rebuke to the religious leaders of His day—those who wore masks of holiness but whose hearts were far from God. These "woes" weren't just criticisms of ancient Pharisees. They were—and still are—timeless warnings for every leader who is tempted to prioritize image over integrity. In this episode, we explore five specific traits of hypocritical leaders that Jesus condemned: Pride and Self-Exaltation – The desire to be admired often takes precedence over serving others. Legalism Without Love – Leaders focus on rules while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith. External Appearance, Internal Corruption – Public personas mask private compromises. Spiritual Blindness – Obsessing over trivialities while missing the heart of God's mission. Exploitation Disguised as Faith – Using leadership for personal gain under the banner of righteousness. Through biblical insights and practical applications, you'll learn how to recognize these pitfalls and replace hypocrisy with humility, showmanship with sincerity, and legalism with love. This episode challenges every Christian leader—whether in business, ministry, or personal influence—to remove the mask and lead authentically, reflecting the heart of Christ in every action. If you've ever struggled with the temptation to perform rather than lead with integrity, this episode is for you. Discover how Jesus' words can shift you from being a "masked performer" to an authentic servant-leader whose character aligns with God's values.

Fr. Eric reflects on the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18:9-14) in speaking about spiritual pride. This is a live recording of a homily that Fr. Eric gave on Oct. 26, 2025. As a key example, Fr. Eric refers to a documentary about the comedian John Candy called "I Like Me" (2025). Minor spoilers. Watch Catholic Latte on YouTube and Facebook. An audio version of the podcast is available also on Spotify, iTunes and Podbean.

Read OnlineAs Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Luke 18:35–39This beautiful story of the healing of this blind man, named Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Luke, sets for us a model of how we must come to Jesus in prayer. Bartimaeus and his encounter with Christ is an icon upon which we must meditate so as to imitate him in his weakness, openness, confidence and perseverance.To begin, this “blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.” We must see this as an ideal image of how to begin our prayer. When we start to pray, we must see our littleness, weakness and extreme poverty in our spiritual life. We come to God with nothing. Unable to see. A beggar. And one who is incapable of meeting our own spiritual needs. This is Bartimaeus, and this must be the way we come to our Lord in prayer. Sometimes we can fall into the illusion that our prayers are so elevated and pious that God must be very impressed. If that's your struggle, then you are more like the Pharisees. This blind man, however, is the ideal to aim for. So when you begin your prayer, come to our Lord as a spiritually poor and needy beggar.In this state of humility, just as it happened in this Gospel story, you can be certain that “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” So as you sit in your humble and needy state, wait and be attentive to Jesus passing by. Wait upon His gentle voice, His quiet inspiration, His calming and unmistakable presence. If you can humble yourself this way and then sense our Lord's divine presence touching you in some way, then further imitate Bartimaeus by calling out interiorly, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The cry from the depths of your heart in prayer must come as a result of Jesus “passing by.” It must be a response to Him coming to you on His own. As Jesus passes by, spiritually speaking, He waits for you to call to Him. He desires that you call to Him. And He desires that you do it with firm confidence and perseverance.Notice that as this blind beggar cried out, there were obstacles put in his way. The people “rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” But even this was a gift, because it enabled Bartimaeus to cry out all the more. So also with us, when obstacles arise in our prayer, such as distractions, temptations, a lack of consolation, or any other challenge to our prayer, we must see these obstacles as hurdles that must be overcome. Doing so will deepen our union with Jesus, turning that apparent obstacle into a source of blessing. Reflect, today, upon these four aspects of a deep prayer life that are presented to us through the witness of this blind beggar. First, ponder your weakness and poverty as you turn to God in prayer. Second, be attentive to the presence of God as He passes by, waiting for you to call to Him. Third, cry out to Him and beg Him to come closer. And fourth, work to overcome every obstacle to prayer and see those obstacles as opportunities to call out to God all the more. My compassionate Lord, I come to You in my weakness and poverty, I come in need of Your divine touch and healing. As You do pass by, I acknowledge Your presence and call to You. Jesus, please do come to me, have pity on me. Help me to overcome every obstacle to Your love and to trust in You always, never wavering from my commitment to You. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Workshop of Fernando Gallego, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

I heard a story about a daughter who wrote her dad about marrying someone she met online: “We met on eHarmony, became friends on Facebook, had long chats on WhatsApp. He proposed on Zoom.” Her dad replied, “I suggest you two get married on X, have fun on Tango, buy your kids on Amazon, and, when you get fed up with this new husband, just sell him on eBay.” There are lots of views today on what marriage is, but the one opinion that should really matter is that of the One who invented marriage—Jesus. Even though Jesus was single and never married, He knew more about marriage than any marriage counselor because marriage was His idea. When the Pharisees asked Him about divorce, Jesus didn't answer their question about how to get out of marriage. Instead, He explained why you should stay in marriage. In one simple but unbelievably strong sentence, Jesus taught that in marriage math, 1 + 1 = 1. In this passage, Jesus outlined the three principles you need to guard what God has established and, in doing so, fulfill His purpose in your life.

Experience the power of Jesus' teachings and miracles at a Pharisaic feast, where divine compassion confronts legalistic traditions.In this episode, we explore the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees during a feast, where Jesus challenges their understanding of the Sabbath and performs a miraculous healing. Witness the unfolding drama as Jesus' acts of compassion and justice clash with the rigid legalism of the religious leaders.Today's Bible verse is Micah 6:8, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew 16:1-4 Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees see Jesus as a THREAT so they devise a plan to TEST Jesus. Matthew 16:5-12 Sometimes we just don't GET it. “The yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees…” There are those who claim to know the SCRIPTURES, yet might lead you astray. There are those who have […]

Lesson 7 - The One Who Is the Good TeacherMark 10:1-45. Baited by Pharisees who wanted to arrest Him, questioned by an eager young man who wanted easy answers, and faced with disciples who wanted to realize their own ambitions — Jesus showed Himself to be an incredible teacher. He fearlessly challenged false assumptions. He revealed the true nature of God's kingdom and set a perfect example for His disciples to follow. But most of all, He told His students the truth. It may have made them uncomfortable — but it also made them what they needed to be.To learn more about Michele or to support this international ministry please visit https://intheword.com

In this episode, Fr. Anthony reflects on Christ's call of St. Matthew as a revelation of the Lord's pastoral wisdom, patience, and mercy. Drawing on St. John Chrysostom, he shows how Christ approaches each person at the moment they are most able to receive Him, gently leading sinners to repentance while shielding the weak from the self-righteous. The homily invites us to imitate this divine pedagogy—offering mercy before rebuke, healing before judgment, and a way of life that draws others to the knowledge of God. +++ Mercy, Not Sacrifice: Christ's Pastoral Method in the Calling of Matthew St. Matthew 9:9-13 At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he rose and followed Him. And as He sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when Jesus heard it, He said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  When looking at this encounter, it is important to know the context.  Jesus had been at this for a while.  He had already called at least four of the twelve; Andrew, Peter, James and John, to be his disciples.  Moreover, in addition to them, many others were following him.  He had already been baptized, been tempted, given the Sermon on the Mount and performed several public miracles. Knowing this allows us to better appreciate Christ, how He operates, and therefore how we might better imitate Him as we claim to operate in + His name. Example One: Calling the disciples Let's go back to His calling the disciples.  Why didn't He call Matthew at the same time He called Andrew, Peter, James, and John?  St. John Chrysostom indicates that it was Christ's pastoral heart that determined when we called each of His disciples.  Remember, as the Logos, He shares the Father's will that "all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4).  This means that He addressed people in the time and manner they were most likely to hear.  St. John Chrysostom points out that Matthew's heart was not open to Christ's call at the same time as Andrew, Peter, James, and John.  It took miracles and profound teaching to soften His heart for the encounter.  And He didn't just do this for Matthew, look how long it took for the Apostle Paul!  And perhaps, we can look at long he waited for us! We should learn from this lesson from Christ's earthly ministry and imitate Him.  We may need to live among some people for a while, showing the miracle of God's love working in and through us in the way we act and the things we say, before they are ready to accept an invitation to join us in The Way that heals and perfects.  Many of us jump the gun; skipping the vital step of living a public life of miraculous love – and then are surprised when the call to "follow Christ" goes unheeded.  Yes, there are times when the modern equivalents of scribes and pharisees need to be confronted, but once again, let's imitate Christ and let them out themselves when they question our motives and sanity for performing acts of sacrificial compassion.  If we skip the step of imitating Christ in His love for mankind, not only won't we win converts, we may also be indicating that we aren't really working in His Name at all.   Example Two: Leaving, not owning the opposition Speaking of which, Christ also demonstrates his pastoral care at the very beginning of today's lesson.  You may remember that today's lesson begins with something that seems to be a throwaway line; a transitional clause that lets the reader know that the narrative is moving on to another scene.  St. Matthew writes; "At that time, as Jesus passed on from there,…" and then segues into this lesson about how Christ called him, the author, to be His disciple.  But what did He leave and why?  What did He "pass on" from in the previous scene? Let me share that with you; just prior to this, Jesus had publicly corrected some scribes - leaders in the Jewish community - by healing a man of his paralysis after they doubted His ability to forgive sins.  Do you see how they out themselves as fools?  But Christ doesn't want them to remain in ignorance.  He desires that they, too, be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth …  but He also knew that they were not ready to accept the truth, so He left before they could double down on their sin and thus become even less likely to change their way of thinking and eventually answer His call to discipleship. As St. John Christostom puts it; For when He had performed the miracle, He did not remain, lest, being in sight, He should kindle their jealousy the more; but He indulges them by retiring, and soothing their passion. This then let us also do, not encountering them that are plotting against us; let us rather soothe their wound, giving way and relaxing their vehemence. Jesus could have owned those scribes!   This is what our polarized and self-indulgent culture seems to require of us: to immediately jump on any perceived weakness to show the superiority of our way.  We even manufacture offenses so that we have an opportunity to score points and play to the crowd.  But that's not what Jesus did; there was a real offense and a real weakness – but He didn't want or need to impress anyone.  Again, his desire is that of His Father; that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.  And so He forbeared and gave them an opportunity to cool off and repent while He moved off to spend time with someone who was ready to hear Him. These are the kinds of lessons that are obvious to those who have "eyes to see and ears to hear," but for the rest of us, it takes time.  As we have discussed previously, we still see the Gospel "through a glass darkly" and only see reality as "trees walking."  But we want to learn, and so we ask those who have made this journey successfully before us, men like the Holy Apostle and Evanglist Matthew, whose memory we celebrate today and St. John Chrysostom who shares the deeper Truths that St. Matthew shared – we ask them to guide and pray for us as go deeper into The Way. Let's see what more we can learn about Christ's approach to evangelism and pastoral care in today's lesson.  It is worth remembering that Matthew was a tax collector.  When Jesus gave him the invitation to "follow me", he responded with hospitality.  He opened his house to the Lord, his disciples, fellow tax collectors, and unspecified sinners.  Just to make sure everyone had a good time, this was all done within view of some local Pharisees.  The Pharisees spent their whole lives dedicated to righteousness (as should all of us).  I am perfectly willing to believe that they were sincere in their devotion to the Law.  In fact, it was probably their devotion to the Law that led to their revulsion at seeing an alleged rabbi (Jesus) eating with sinners.  They shared their righteous indignation with the Lord's disciples and He overheard them.  We can learn a lot about how to pastoral ministry by looking at Christ's response. First, He said (e.g. St. Mark 2:17); Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.  This is the most obvious point: God was explaining what His mission to these sinners (and the world) was:  He had come to bring them to repentance.  This would hardly satisfy any ultra-Orthodox takfirists – they always want their pound of flesh!  After all, they say, repentance requires tears, and the best way to bring someone to tears is not to eat with them and provide them a living example of the better way; no, surely it is more effective to beat them over the head with the Sin-Stick, right?!  Evidently not, at least according to the all-knowing and all-loving God-man Jesus Christ. After acknowledging the sinfulness of His dinner companions and their need for repentance, He corrected the Pharisees' dubious pedagogical and evangelical instincts with this (e.g. St. Matthew himself in 9:13); Go and learn what it means, 'I will have mercy, and not sacrifice': for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Christ is quoting Hosea when He says; "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice".  The full passage (which was implied) continues with (Hosea 6:6); "… and [I desire] the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."  This is huge.  The Pharisees knew the full quote and its context; they would have seen that Christ was telling them that they were guilty of the very same sorts of things that went against God throughout the Old Testament.  He was telling them that they were more concerned with fulfilling the letter of the law (i.e. doing the "burnt offerings" well) than they were with knowing God or bringing others to Him.  At that meal, He was doing something that they should have been doing themselves. How Christ Discipled His Sinners cum Apostles More importantly, along with His entire response, Christ used this quote to describe His method for bringing the "knowledge of God" to sinners; He would use mercy to lead them to repentance, which would in turn allow them to grow in the knowledge of God.   St. John Chrysostom brings this point out at the end of his homily on this passage; What Christ is saying through his words and deads is this, "The disciples have not yet become strong; they still need a lot of condescension. They have not been renewed by the Spirit yet.  You really shouldn't put a lot of injunctions on people who are still weak."  And He said all these things in order to set laws and rules for His own disciples, so that when it was their turn to train disciples, they would deal with them very gently.  To reiterate St. John Chrysostom's point, God is showing His disciples how the Gospel is to be taught: gently and with mercy … while protecting the weak from the attacks of the self-righteous.  This is important for us as Christian leaders: we are called to follow Christ!  We are called to take His Gospel to sinners so that they might repent,  come to the knowledge of God, and be saved.  Keep the Sin-Stick ready, but use it the way Christ Himself did; to defend the weak from the attacks of the self-righteous. There is a temptation to bring sinners to a full awareness of their sin in order to drive them towards repentance, but be careful with this.   Psalm 129: 3-4 (which we often repeat as a prokimen so that we will master it – or rather so that it might master us);  If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee. And later in that same Psalm, we learn from the Psalmist, in the Spirt, what the purpose of this merciful forgivness is; so that He might bring salvation to Israel (129:8). Repentance, kenosis, and discernment are fostered over time.  It is an iterated and communal process.  The wounds this world inflicts on God's children are serious and it takes time for Him to heal them.  This means that you may not be able to see the process through to its conclusion, but it is okay to simply begin the treatment; the Church has trained other physicians that can continue the process, just as you will be called to continue the work others have begun.  As Christ said "One soweth, and another reapeth." (St. John 4:37:4) Conclusion Saint Matthew's life is a testimony to the efficacy of this gentle discipleship process.  He was a sinner.  The Lord protected Him and showed Him mercy.  Over time, through His example, His holiness, and His teachings, He brought Matthew through repentance to the true knowledge of God.  As a recipient of this grace, St. Matthew could do nothing else but offer it to others.   It is true that the Church is a hospital, and that Christ is the Great Physician; and it is also true that St. Matthew found healing in the Church under the Doctor's care.  But it is also true that He did not stay in the hospital bed. After a lifetime spent spreading the Gospel, this "good and faithful servant" earned the martyr's crown in Ethiopia. May the Lord transform us into the kind of patient, merciful, and holy pastors who can do the same.

Merlin Miller continues the Gospel of Mark series with this 26th message titled Matters of the Heart and taken from Mark 7:1-13. Jesus is once again opposed by the Pharisees and scribes, this time over the issue of purification. But before Jesus addresses this issue he reveals a far deeper problem: our hearts have problems with authority.

Craig teaches from Matthew 12:22-32 and the question of the unpardonable sin and how we can respond to Jesus in light of how Jesus Himself handled the Pharisees rejection of His deity.

The Scribes and Pharisees use the tradition of the elders to justify breaking Yahweh's command to honor fathers and mothers. In addition, they horribly dishonor Yahweh by using Him as the reason for their transgression when, in fact, they are serving themselves.

John 10:13 “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.” The hired hand is only concerned about his or her pay and personal safety, not the sheep. He or she cares only about the sheep to the degree that it results in reward, whether money or significance. Just like Jesus is the door and the shepherd, the Pharisees were the thieves and robbers and the hired hands. As we live to love with Jesus, let's continually search our hearts and sanctify ourselves by dying to a desire to get a reward for loving others. As good shepherds, let's lay our lives down willingly and lovingly for the sake of His sheep.

(Mark 12:35–37) We often look for a saviour who can fix our immediate problems—a "Messiah from man". The Pharisees in Jesus' day were no different, expecting a political hero descended from David. In this message, Gavin explores the question Jesus asks the teachers of the law in the temple courts : If the Messiah is David's son, why does David, speaking by the Holy Spirit, call him "Lord"? Join us as we discover the difference between the saviour we want and the divine Saviour we truly need.

The sermon presents the gospel of peace as the transformative message of deliverance from Satan's power, emphasizing that all humanity is born in sin and held captive by the enemy, who deceives through lust and pride. Drawing from Romans, Ephesians, and 2 Timothy, it underscores that salvation is not achieved by human effort but by divine intervention through Christ's atoning sacrifice and the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration. The message highlights the necessity of repentance, the blindness of self-righteousness—exemplified by the Pharisee—and the transformative encounter of the repentant sinner, like the woman at the feast, who finds forgiveness and peace through faith in Christ. It warns of Satan's deceptive power, especially in the end times, yet affirms Christ's ultimate victory and the eternal security of those who come to Him, for He is the only one who can open blind eyes, quench spiritual thirst, and grant everlasting life to all who believe.

The difference between true spiritual leaders (shepherds) and the Pharisees who preyed upon the lost people (thieves) is the Door: Jesus. Pay attention to your shepherds and flee from those who climb over the wall!

In this episode I am exploring sayings 38 and 39 in the Gospel of Thomas. Both have parallels in the canonical gospels, but not exactly. Once again context – or more exactly lack of context – is an important factor in the interpretation of these sayings of Jesus. I will read the sayings in Thomas for you.Jesus said, "Often you have desired to hear these sayings that I am speaking to you, and you have no one else from whom to hear them. There will be days when you will seek me and you will not find me."Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and have hidden them. They have not entered nor have they allowed those who want to enter to do so. As for you, be as sly as snakes and as simple as doves."View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU

Join us as we uncover the deeper rest and ultimate freedom offered by Jesus through the Sabbath, in a story that defies legalism and showcases divine healing.In this episode of our series, we delve into the significance of the Sabbath, exploring its meaning through a powerful story of Jesus healing a woman bound by a demon for eighteen years. Discover how Jesus' teachings and actions on the Sabbath challenge the legalistic views of the Pharisees and emphasize the true rest and freedom found in Him.Today's Bible verse is Deuteronomy 5:12, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus tells another parable of judgment: the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Those first invited refuse to come and eventually even attack and murder the king's servants. The king destroys them and opens the feast to "both bad and good" from the streets. But, curiously, a man without a wedding garment is cast out. Why? Then, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about taxes, leading to His brilliant reply: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."  The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 22:1-22.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In this episode numbering 25 in the Those We Don't Speak Of series- Pharisees, Oral Law and Talmud Pt. 3 we get deep into the Pharisees and how they and their Rabbinical offspring made up the Oral Torah and wrote the Talmud which is the foundation of modern Judaism. Also in this dive we cver how the mystical occult books like the Zohar, Sefer Yetsira and Bahir are also considered Holy Writ by many rabbis. They created a new faith. One whose holy books can be manipulated into fitting whatever they wish them to be. Come along as we delve deep down the rabbit hole, far beyond the mainstream.  Cheers and Blessings.Support My Workhttps://www.patreon.com/theoddmanoutBuy Me A Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/theoddmanoutVenmo Tips - @theoddmanoutCash App Tips - https://cash.app/$theoddmanout   T-shirts, Mugs and Stickers  The Odd Man Out Merch Store At Bonfire https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-odd-man-out/TeeSpring https://theoddmanout.creator-spring.com/All Links https://linktr.ee/_theoddmanoutOddman Rumble https://rumble.com/user/TheOddManOutSocial Media: _theoddmanout on Twitter, and Instagram      Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theoddcastfttheoddmanout

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The guys open with the First Lady and Second Lady's support for new legislation, Fostering the Future, helping foster youth gain opportunity and stability — a rare bipartisan bright spot signed by the President today. Then the conversation lifts off with NASA's successful ESCAPADE Mission launch — an inspiring reminder of American ingenuity when it's firing on all cylinders. From there, Dave turns up the heat with a blistering, biblically grounded comparison between the President's rebuke of Democrats before ending the government shutdown and Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees — the infamous "brood of vipers" moment that called out hypocrisy at its core. G.K. shifts gears, asking Dave about the elite skill set of air traffic controllers, comparing it to the precision of brain surgery. Dave explains how the Obama and Biden Administrations dismantled FAA meritocracy — rejecting over 3,000 qualified candidates in favor of DEI quotas — calling it the number one safety issue in aviation today: not equipment, but manpower. The show closes on a high-octane note as G.K. congratulates Cadillac Motors for entering the world of Formula One racing — a symbol of American innovation roaring back onto the global stage. Please be sure to visit www.miningthemedia.com and share with your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. 

Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee discusses some of the controversies raised by Matthew 23:2-3. What did Yeshua mean by saying that the Pharisees sat in the seat of Moses? Were they to be followed in all theological and religious matters? Or were they to be respected and consulted, but also disregarded when they were in substantial error? This is then followed by a review of important stories and issues from the past day or so, largely witnessed on social media.

In this episode, guest Paul Spangler joins to discuss Matthew 12:38–45 and Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees' hardened hearts. Together they explore how true transformation begins with repentance, humility, and recognizing that Jesus—greater than Jonah or Solomon—is enough. 

Our reading begins with a miraculous and undeniable sign: Jesus heals a man who was born blind, and the Pharisees can't believe it. Later, Jesus raises his friend, Lazarus, from the dead in front of large crowd. This is Jesus's seventh messianic sign given before the crucifixion, and this one points forward to his own resurrection and his power over death. As many in people in Bethany had witnessed the corpse of Lazarus first-hand, the miracle caused quite a stir amongst the people, which caused the Jews to hate Jesus even more. It is after this miraculous sign that they resolve to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, in order to snuff out the growing witness of Jesus' power.John 9 - 1:11 . John 10 - 8:34 . John 11 - 14:26 . Psalm  146 - 23:56 . Psalm 147 - 25:25 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Luke 17:20-25 - Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, "The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you." Then He said to His disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there He is,' or 'Look, here He is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day.But first He must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation." Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin Saint Frances, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry reads and discusses Bishop Strickland's "In Response to the Remarks of His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre At the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Gospel Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, "The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.” Reflection If you would summarize the work of Jesus you would say, in one sense, he came to establish the kingdom of God. What is it? How do we understand it? Well, it's not something that we can look at as if it's a thing, a place or a particular moment. It is something that's among us, among us. Interesting. It's God's presence with us, that's the kingdom of God. And slowly, methodically, patiently, he reveals more and more of who he is and who we are with him, in him. And it comes in a unique way. It comes in flashes of understanding. We call it moments of a growth in consciousness, an awareness of something that we never saw before. One after another, those flashes of insight continue to move us into the truth of who we are and how God is longing for us to be with him in the kingdom that we will all participate in creating insight after insight. Closing Prayer Father, we ask that you would bless us with the ability not only to know how the Kingdom is working, but to feel our important role in participating in it. It is something we share with all of creation. Bless us with that constant awareness of the movement, the growth, the evolution that we are destined to have as we live on this earth. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,Jesus said in reply,"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."Then he said to his disciples,"The days will come when you will long to seeone of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.There will be those who will say to you,'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.For just as lightning flashesand lights up the sky from one side to the other,so will the Son of Man be in his day.But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."

Who Sits In the Seat of Moses? - Part 1 - Messianic Insider 13 November, 2025 Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee discusses some of the controversies raised by Matthew 23:2-3. What did Yeshua mean by saying that the Pharisees sat in the seat of Moses? Were they to be followed in all theological and religious matters? Or were they to be respected and consulted, but also disregarded when they were in substantial error? This is then followed by a review of important stories and issues from the past day or so, largely witnessed on social media.

Come As You Are Series - The Woman Who Anointed Jesus' FeetLuke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”I usually don't have a scripture verse for these episodes in advance.  I usually ask God to give me one right before I write it, or I look in my Encounter Ministry notes, or my prayer group notes.  However, yesterday, when I was listening to another podcast, this story from the Bible came to me clear as day.  This is not necessarily strange because, as you know, I sometimes get my episode ideas from other podcasts like The Big Life Devotional, Elevation, or Father Mike's podcasts.  However, this time the podcast I was listening to was not talking about this story at all.  The story just popped into my head, and I felt as if that was definitely the verse I was supposed to use today.  I chose Luke 7:47 as the main verse because that was the main point I felt the Holy Spirit emphasized when I got the verse; however, it probably won't make any sense without the context of the whole story.  The story is called “Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman,” and it is found in Luke 7:36-50.  “When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.  As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”  Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?”  Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.  Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”  Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”Actually, now that I am writing, I see why this came to me while I was listening to the other podcast.  The Big Life Devotional Podcast with Pamela Crim was talking about loving other people yesterday.  As soon as she said Do we love others, this story came to mind.  I think the point the Holy Spirit wanted me to make is about forgiveness.  In this verse, Jesus is forgiving this woman of her sins.  The reason she was crying and was washing Jesus' feet with her tears and anointing them with perfume is that she knew all of her sins.  She didn't come into that house pretending to be anything different.  She knew she was full of sin and that she was in the presence of the Lord.  She knew she had a lot to repent for, and she knew Jesus could forgive her sins.  She wasn't afraid to approach Jesus.  She didn't let her sins keep her from coming into the presence of God.  She approached him, bowed at his feet, and washed his feet.  She humbled herself with the faith that she would be forgiven.  Today's verse says, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” The person who owned the house was thinking in his head that Jesus didn't know all of her sins.  He was thinking if Jesus were a prophet, he would know her sins, and he would not let her touch Him.  What Jesus is saying here is that if she weren't a great sinner, if she didn't really have many sins, she wouldn't have humbled herself, she wouldn't have sat at his feet and washed them with her tears.  She loved Jesus so much because she knew how much sin she had and how great a thing it was for Him to forgive it all.  She loved Him so much because she had so much sin.  What the Holy Spirit was saying to me yesterday was that we should be more loving to others because we have been forgiven so much also.  I feel like I am struggling to get you to see what the Holy Spirit was showing me, and yet I am trusting what He wants you to hear; you will hear.  What he showed me was that we struggle to forgive others, even when they had done little offenses to us.  Sometimes, they haven't done anything to us, and yet we don't love the person because we don't like how they look, how they think, how they believe, or how they talk.  We judge others so much, and God is saying, “Why are you judging them when I am not judging you? Why are you acting as if you have done nothing wrong?  Why are you judging my creations?  I created each person, who are you to judge them?  You have been forgiven of so much, I have overlooked so much for you, why can't you do the same?  I love you, my children, with an everlasting love and unconditional love, and I am asking you to do the same.  I know you don't all look alike, sound alike, dress alike, or believe the same things, and that is ok.  I still call you to love one another unconditionally.  I know you can't do this on your own, and yet if you only say the word, I can help you.  If you strive to love everyone, I will make your efforts fruitful.  First, you must make that choice.  You must choose to love others, even those you don't agree with.  When you wish to judge someone, imagine me up in heaven using those same standards to judge you.  Is it worth it?  Do you want me to use your standards to judge you?  Remember all you have done, remember all your imperfections, and remember that I have forgiven them all, and I ask you to do the same towards others.  Spread my love like wildfire.  I promise that if you start to lead with love, your whole life will change.  You will be friends with people you never expected.  You will learn things you never expected.  Trust me, my children, and start loving more and judging less.”Well, I did not expect the Holy Spirit to speak directly to us, although I did pray for this episode to be His words, not mine, and I did let Him know I was struggling to get His point across, so thank you, Lord, for your amazing words this morning.  I will end with that because He has said it all.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, we can't thank you enough for showing up and speaking to each one of us directly.  Help us to ponder your words, Lord.  Please help us to see how we can live into those words.  Give us the grace to lead with love, let that be our default, Lord!! Help us to stop judging, help us to love first.  Lord, we need a lot of help in this area.  We ask you to rain down your love, your grace, and your strength on us so we can follow your command to love all.  We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus.  I look forward to seeing you again soon!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and He wants you to share that love with others.  I love you all too!  Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in July 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “As my love is poured out upon each and every one of you, breathe it in, receive it, rest in this moment of love. I am pouring through you so that you can pour it out of you into others.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Read OnlineAsked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,' or, ‘There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”  Luke 17:20–21Why did the Pharisees ask Jesus this question? Why did they want to know when the Kingdom of God would come? To answer this question, we must first look at the full context of the various communications between Jesus and the Pharisees. When we do this and see the many ways that the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus in speech and the times in which our Lord firmly rebuked the Pharisees, it seems clear that the Pharisees did not ask Jesus this question in innocence and openness. Instead, they once again were trying to trap Him. They posed a question by which they gave the appearance of believing Jesus' teachings that the Kingdom of God was coming, but they asked not in faith but in mockery and in an attempt to trip Jesus up in His answer.Jesus' answer is mysterious. It leaves little room for the Pharisees to use Jesus' speech against Him. Perhaps the Pharisees were hoping that Jesus would say that the Kingdom was coming soon, or next month, or within the year. But Jesus' answer leaves them with confusion in the face of this mystery that “the Kingdom of God is among you.”Much of what Jesus says can only be fully understood through faith. He often speaks in veiled language intentionally, because the only way to lift the veil to perceive the meaning of His teachings is to rely upon the inspired gift of faith. Faith is like a key to unlock the secrets of the mysteries of God. Faith becomes a lens through which every parable, every figure of speech, and every mystery taught by our Lord is understood. But without this inspired gift of faith, Jesus' teachings remain mysterious and incomprehensible.When you ponder these words that “the Kingdom of God is among you,” what do you understand? Are you able to use the gift of faith to unlock the meaning of this sacred teaching? Interestingly, reading Jesus' words, spoken in a veiled way, offer us the opportunity to test our own faith. If we read these words and are left in confusion, then this is a clear sign that we need to pray for and be open to the gift of faith. But if we do read Jesus' mysterious teachings and the light of understanding is given to us, then this is a clear reason to rejoice, since this comprehension is only possible through the gift of faith.Reflect, today, upon this sacred teaching of our Lord: “The Kingdom of God is among you.” Meditate on those words and pray for insight and understanding. Jesus' words are true. His Kingdom truly is everywhere, all around us and within us. It is alive and well. Do you see it? Do you perceive it? Do you see your role in building it? Use these questions as a test of your own level of faith and know that God wants to reveal to you these mysteries that are only able to be comprehended by His grace. My mysterious Lord, Your Kingdom is everywhere, all around us and within us. I do believe. Give me the eyes of faith so that I may continually perceive Your hand at work. May I always be attentive to all that You wish to reveal to me and open to the deep meaning of the mysteries You do reveal. Increase my faith, dear Lord, so that I may know You and join in the upbuilding of Your glorious Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Daily Study Are you living from paycheck to paycheck? No matter how much money you make, is it still not enough? If so, you may be living under the curse: working merely to survive but never having enough. This should not be because Jesus has paid the price to free us from the curse, so that we may live under God's blessing.                                                     Genesis 3:17-19 KJV [17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; [18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art , and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 1:28-30 NLT [28] Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground." [29] Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. [30] And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground-everything that has life." And that is what happened. Romans 5:12,17-19 NLT [12] When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. [17] For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. [18] Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. [19] Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Matthew 16:6-11 KJV [6] Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. [7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. [8] Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? [9] Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [10] Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [11] How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Mark 6:7-10 KJV [7] And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; [8] And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: [9] But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. [10] And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. Matthew 6:31-33 NLT [31] "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Ecclesiastes 10:7 KJV [7] I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Luke 15:29-31 KJV [29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: [30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. [31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.   Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com                    

The Pharisees have an agenda which moves them to interrogate Jesus and act with hostility towards Him…am I listening to Jesus or to my own agenda?

Pharisees of the Feed: Tucker Sat at a Table with a Sinner, Oh My! The Professor's Record with David K. Clements 33.6K followers Website- https://rumble.com/v71flck-ep.-13-pharisees-of-the-feed-tucker-sat-at-a-table-with-a-sinner-oh-my.html 1 day ago 6.4K Podcasts In the midst of chaotic news cycle, Professor David Clements cuts through the noise with a weekly video and article sharing his insights. --------------------------------------------------------------------  Check out our ACU Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/ACUPodcast   HELP ACU SPREAD THE WORD!  Please go to Apple Podcasts and give ACU a 5 star rating. Apple canceled us and now we are clawing our way back to the top. Don't let the Leftist win. Do it now! Thanks. Also Rate us on any platform you follow us on. It helps a lot. Forward this show to friends. Ways to subscribe to the American Conservative University Podcast Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via RSS You can also subscribe via Stitcher FM Player Podcast Addict Tune-in Podcasts Pandora Look us up on Amazon Prime …And Many Other Podcast Aggregators and sites ACU on Twitter- https://twitter.com/AmerConU . Warning- Explicit and Violent video content.   Please help ACU by submitting your Show ideas. Email us at americanconservativeuniversity@americanconservativeuniversity.com   Endorsed Charities -------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Born! Saving babies and Souls. https://preborn.org/ OUR MISSION To glorify Jesus Christ by leading and equipping pregnancy clinics to save more babies and souls. WHAT WE DO Pre-Born! partners with life-affirming pregnancy clinics all across the nation. We are designed to strategically impact the abortion industry through the following initiatives:… -------------------------------------------------------- Help CSI Stamp Out Slavery In Sudan Join us in our effort to free over 350 slaves. Listeners to the Eric Metaxas Show will remember our annual effort to free Christians who have been enslaved for simply acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Savior. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, join us in giving new life to brothers and sisters in Sudan who have enslaved as a result of their faith. https://csi-usa.org/metaxas   https://csi-usa.org/slavery/   Typical Aid for the Enslaved A ration of sorghum, a local nutrient-rich staple food A dairy goat A “Sack of Hope,” a survival kit containing essential items such as tarp for shelter, a cooking pan, a water canister, a mosquito net, a blanket, a handheld sickle, and fishing hooks. Release celebrations include prayer and gathering for a meal, and medical care for those in need. The CSI team provides comfort, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on while they tell their stories and begin their new lives. Thank you for your compassion  Giving the Gift of Freedom and Hope to the Enslaved South Sudanese -------------------------------------------------------- Food For the Poor https://foodforthepoor.org/ Help us serve the poorest of the poor Food For The Poor began in 1982 in Jamaica. Today, our interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Thanks to our faithful donors, we are able to provide food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, micro-enterprise solutions and much more. We are proud to have fed millions of people and provided more than 15.7 billion dollars in aid. Our faith inspires us to be an organization built on compassion, and motivated by love. Our mission is to bring relief to the poorest of the poor in the countries where we serve. We strive to reflect God's unconditional love. It's a sacrificial love that embraces all people regardless of race or religion. We believe that we can show His love by serving the “least of these” on this earth as Christ challenged us to do in Matthew 25. We pray that by God's grace, and with your support, we can continue to bring relief to the suffering and hope to the hopeless.   Report on Food For the Poor by Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/592174510   -------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer from ACU. We try to bring to our students and alumni the World's best Conservative thinkers. All views expressed belong solely to the author and not necessarily to ACU. In all issues and relations, we hope to follow the admonitions of Jesus Christ. While striving to expose, warn and contend with evil, we extend the love of God to all of his children. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

In today's episode, Jesus passes through Samaria, a town that most Jews considered to be so loathsome that even setting foot inside the city limits would have been frowned upon. Jesus not only does this, but he breaks custom by asking a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, telling her about the living water that leads to eternal life. Along with his disciples, he stays for two days before continuing onward to Galilee. Later, in Jerusalem, Jesus heals a mand on the Sabbath and refers to God as his Father, and this is where he begins to earn the ire of the Pharisees.John 4 - 1:09 . John 5 - 10:16 . Psalm 145 - 17:56 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Joel 2:23-32 and Psalm 652 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Luke 18:9-14Phil Aud+Proper 25, Ordinary Timewww.allsoulsknoxville.comAll Souls Substack865-214-6682100 W 5th Ave., KnoxvilleSundays @ 10:30amSupport the show

Your outward appearance doesn’t always reveal your heart’s condition. Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe unpacks a fascinating encounter between Jesus, a Pharisee, and a prostitute. Grasp the critical difference between religion and relationship, and why Jesus’ presence exposes our real spiritual condition. Find authentic faith on Bold Steps! Bold Step Gift: A JOURNEY TO VICTORIOUS PRAYING: FINDING DISCIPLINE AND DELIGHT IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE by Dr. Bill ThrasherBecome a Bold Partner: https://www.moodyradio.org/donateto/boldstepsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this weekend's broadcast of Words of Grace, Pastor Benjamin Winslett turns to Luke 6 to consider Jesus' encounter with the heavy hand of legalism. In these familiar passages, the Pharisees condemn Christ and His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath and later challenge Him for restoring a man's withered hand on another Sabbath. … Continue reading "Jesus’ Encounter with Legalism"

The story of Zacchaeus is an acted out parable, speaking to the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican told one chapter before. Paul White looks at how this parable traps us into "principles" instead of seeing it for what it is. From The Garden Church of the Midlands in Irmo, SC.