Podcasts about sonship

Prisoner of Jesus the Messiah Ephesians 3:1-13 by  William Klock Ask yourself what happens when the church is being faithful in its gospel calling and life. As we've worked through the first two chapter of Ephesians, Paul has explained that the church is God's new temple. It's a people purified by the blood of Jesus so that God can draw near in the person of his Spirit to dwell with us. That's always been God's plan for humanity and for creation. The garden was his temple and he placed us there to steward it well, on the one hand, and on the other, to dwell with him and to enjoy his presence—life with him.  And ever since we rejected that calling, God has been working to restore us to it.  And so the church, this people washed clean of sin and death by Jesus, and then filled with his Spirit, this new temple, we're the working model of God's coming new creation in the here and now. And if we're faithful in being that working model, what happens? The ideal, the hope is that people hear our proclamation of the kingdom and they see the first beginning of God's new creation when they look at the church. In the midst of the darkness, the church should be light.  In the midst of death, the church should be life.  The church should be here to show a better way through the cross.  To prophetically wipe away the tears of the hurt and mourning and to confront the principalities and powers, the false lords and the corrupt systems of the world with the truth of the gospel and the lordship of Jesus.  And people do hear and see and experience the faithfulness of the church.  In us they meet the living God and the Lord who died for them and they encounter his glory and they kneel in faith and are, themselves washed by Jesus and filled with the Spirit. But our idea of the faithful church often stops there. Maybe that's because we think of the church, not in terms of faithfulness, but in terms of success.  Butts in the pews. Money in the plate. Acclaim by the world.  And yet for the first Christians the opposite was true.  They were small.  They were poor.  They were persecuted and imprisoned and martyred by the world around them. And that's because, when the church is faithful in living and proclaiming and witnessing the presence of God's new creation and the Lordship of Jesus, the principalities and powers—that was how Jews like Paul thought of the unseen powers, once placed by God to oversee peoples and nations, but now in rebellion against him—those principalities and powers, earthly kings, and the powerful people invested in those kingdoms and the corrupt systems that run them—Brothers and Sisters, if we're doing our job showing that God's new world is breaking in and that Jesus is setting things to rights, those powers will fight back.  They will try to shut us up or shut us down. They will throw us in prison.  They will kill us.  Or they will try to corrupt us. They'll divide our loyalties: Sure you can worship Jesus, but you'll also need to kneel to Caesar.  They'll get us to adulterate the gospel with materialism and commercialism or politics.  They'll convince us we can have one set of values in the church and another in business or in government. With that in mind, look at Ephesians 3. Paul rites, “It is because of all this that I, Paul, the prisoner of Messiah Jesus on behalf of you gnetiles…”  Paul sort of interrupts himself there for rhetorical purposes, but we should pause here too.  Paul was in prison. Probably this is when he was in prison in Rome, but it could have been in Ephesus.  And for a lot of people in his word, that meant that Paul was out of favour with God.  How often do we hear that sort of thing today? There are parts of the church that have been corrupted and compromised by the idea that faith means health and wealth, happiness and prosperity.  That you can name it and, by faith, claim it.  And if you don't get it, well, then you don't have enough faith or you're out of favour with God.  If we were to turn over to Second Corinthians we'd see that that's how the Corinthians interpreted Paul's imprisonment.  But this is pagan thinking. But Paul knew better. In verse 13 he tells them, “Don't lose heart because of my sufferings on your behalf. That's your glory!”  In other words, he's imprisoned because he's been faithful to the calling God gave him.  He's imprisoned because of his great faith.  He wants the Ephesians to understand the paradox of the cross: God's power is made perfect in weakness.  We're prone to forgetting this.  When we bail on a church because we think it's too small, when we start adopting sales tactics as if the gospel is something to sell, when we cozy up to corrupt leaders and rulers looking for favour, when we think we have to project or pursue strength in order to win, we've lost the plot that is centred on the cross of Jesus.  You can't adulterate God's new creation with the old.  If we do, we lose our witness and we stop challenging the principalities and power of the old with the lordship of Jesus and the glory of the kingdom. So Paul was in prison because he was being faithful, because he was establishing, just as God had called him to do, these little communities that were breaking the rules of the old order: bringing Jews and gentiles, men and women, slave and free together into a single family.  This was the family through which God will make his glory known throughout the earth.  Remember the priests mocking Jesus on the cross, to come down if he was really the son of God, then they would believe. But Paul knew—and the people in those little churches in Ephesus knew—it was because Jesus is the son of God that he had to stay on the cross.  It was through his weakness, through his death that the great enemy, death itself, would be defeated and the battle won.  Weakness is the powerful way of the cross. Paul had got the attention of the powers of the present evil age and it landed him in prison, but instead of thinking that God had failed, Paul knew that this was actually the sign, the proof that the gospel and the Spirit were doing their work, that they were truly rising to challenge the old gods and kings.  So he goes on in verse 3, “I'm assuming, by the way, that you've heard about the plan of Gods' grace that was given to me to pass on to you?  You know, the mystery that God revealed to me, as I wrote briefly just now.  Anyway…  When you read this you'll be able to understand the special insight I have into the Messiah's mystery.  This wasn't made known to human beings in previous generations, but now it's been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.  The mystery is this, that, through the gospel, the gentiles are to share Israel's inheritance.  They are to become fellow members of the body, along with them, and fellow sharers of the promise of Jesus the Messiah.”   God's great mystery, his secret purpose that was there all along, promised to Abraham and to Moses, to David and to the Prophets, but missed by so many people in Israel—and of course totally unknown to the gentiles who did know about those promises—that mystery hit Paul like a ton of bricks the day he met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus—or maybe it was three days later when Ananias prayed for him and his eyes were opened.  Paul started to rethink everything his Jewish Pharisee brain knew—and it knew the whole story—but suddenly he was looking it at through a new lens, through the reality that this Jesus who was crucified as a false Messiah had been raised and was, in fact, the Messiah after all.  And if that were true—well, that wall outside the temple, the one carved with the warning that gentile must not pass on pain of death—that wall was now irrelevant.  In fact, that whole temple had become irrelevant because of Jesus.  He's said this back in 2:19 and now he says pretty much the same thing again, “The mystery is this, that through the gospel, the gentiles are to share in Israel's inheritance.  They are to become fellow members of the body…fellow sharers of the promise in Messiah Jesus.”  In Greek he drives this point home with real force using three words that all begin with the prefix syn that means “with”.  The gentiles are with-inheritors, with-body, and with-partakers—to put it very literally in English.  For those in the Messiah, the distinction between the Jews and the rest of the world is gone.  And we often read right past it, but this was absolutely key, heart of the gospel stuff for Paul. Israel's story reached its climax and the promises were fulfilled in the Messiah and in his death for the sins of the whole world.  In that moment the whole sacrificial system, the whole system of purity and impurity, the temple itself became irrelevant for everyone—whether or Jew or gentile—for anyone who throws himself or herself at the feet of Jesus in faith and love to be purified once and for all and forever by his blood, to be filled by God's Spirit, and thereby to become a part of God's new temple. When the scales fell from Paul's eyes, he was the first to really grasp all this.  The other apostles back in Jerusalem were still debating whether gentile believers had to be circumcised or not.  So Jesus sent Paul to go announce to the gentiles that it's not necessary.  There's now a single people defined by faith in the risen Messiah.  Of course, Paul first went back to Jerusalem to make sure his fellow apostles understood this, too.  But his mission was to proclaim the good news to the nations.  I expect most of the his first converts were those gentiles who were already on the fringe.  The “god fearers” as the Jews called them.  Greeks and Romans who encountered Jewish society and saw something they'd never seen before.  In a world of moral filth, they saw in Israel a passion for holiness, a desire for justice, a hope of God setting the world to rights—a hope few in the gentile world had.  And they couldn't go to the temple, but they could sit in the synagogues and hear the scriptures read and there they heard about the faithfulness of Israel's God.  And so they hung around, on the fringe, longing for what this family had, but knowing it was not theirs and thinking it never could belong to them.  Hoping that maybe there could be a place for them, even if on the fringe, in this story of hope.  And Paul came to them excited, to announce that in Jesus, they were co-inheritors, fellow body-members, and fellow partakers of all those promises God had made to his people.  That in Jesus and the Spirit, the could actually become the temple of the living God…not on the fringe, but actually the temple in which he dwells. Imagine the excitement those first gentile believers felt. Like children in an orphanage, waiting and longing for years to have a place in and the love of a family, now they were part of the family.  They'd escaped from the fickle gods and moral filth and hopelessness of paganism and were now sons and daughters of God. So having made clear this point that is so central to everything, Paul goes on in verse 7: “This is the gospel that I was appointed to serve, in line with the free gift of God's grace that was given to me.  It was backed up with the power through which God accomplishes his work.”  I have to think that Paul never ceased to marvel at this.  The guy who made it his career to round up Christians so they could be brought before the Jewish council—and stoned like Stephen—that evil guy was called and chosen by God to proclaim this good news.  Washed clean by the blood of Jesus and made an apostle.  If anyone understood grace, it was Paul.  If anyone knew the power of God made perfect in weakness, it was Paul.  And so he goes on in verse 8: “I am the very least of all God's people.  However, he gave me this task as a gift: that I should be the one to tell the gentiles the good news of the Messiah's riches, riches no one could begin to count. My job is to make clear to everyone just what the mystery is, the purpose that's been hidden from the very beginning of the world in God who created all things.” Paul, the least deserving of anyone having been such a great persecutor of Jesus and his church, has been given the grace to proclaim the riches of God, his immense wealth.  The riches of the Messiah.  Sonship in God's family.  The inheritance of the word.  And one day that world set to rights and fellowship with the living God forever.  This is good news.  Not good advice, like, “Hey, let me tell you about Jesus. Try him out and see if he works for you and if not, oh well.”  No this is good news.  Sin and death are defeated, the corrupt principalities and powers are on borrowed time, God's kingdom has come.  And those powers have heard the proclamation of Paul and his churches and they're angry.  Maybe if it had just been all talk, maybe if they'd just proclaimed it as good advice, maybe if they'd let themselves be corrupted by the desire for strength and power, but no…the principalities and powers, the king and gods of the present age are angry, because they've seen this good news at work.  Caesar was the great peacemaker who had forged all the peoples of his vast empire into one with his sword and his armies.  But this crucified Messiah who came out of a weak and conquered people, whose missionaries had gathered a bunch of largely poor people, women, and slaves—their unity across all their difference brought about by a message of grace—that was a real threat to the order of the old world.  The Lord Jesus was the real deal.  Caesar was a cheap copy.  And while the Caesars of the world will one day be brought down, they won't go down easily.  And yet, it's in just this that the church has its greatest witness the power of God, the power of the cross, the power of the good news.  God's power is made most manifest when we are at our weakest—laughed at, imprisoned, martyred.  Those things are proof of the power of the gospel. And now Paul brings the first part of the chapter to its climax in verse 10: “This is it: that God's wisdom, in all its rich variety, was to be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places—through the church! This is God's eternal purpose, and he's accomplished it in Messiah Jesus our Lord.  We have confidence and access to God in him, in full assurance, through his faithfulness.” I've heard and read Tom Wright say that if you want to understand what Paul is really getting at in this first half of Ephesians, look at the 10s: 1:10, 2:10, and 3:10.  In 1:10 we see God's purpose to bring all things together in heaven and on earth in the Messiah. In 2:10 we see the church today, justified by grace through faith, called to have the vital role to play in God's plan to bring everything together in the Messiah.  And here in 3:10 Paul reminds us that when the church is faithfully the church—that fellowship of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue who have given their allegiance to the Messiah, then the principalities and powers are put on notice and called to account.  As Paul says here: “God's wisdom, in all its rich variety, was to be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places—through the church!”  For two thousand years God's promises to set creation and humanity rights was out there, but how was it going to happen?  Brothers and Sisters, it's through the church being the church, with uncompromising allegiance to Jesus, living in the power of the Spirit, refusing to compromise, refusing to give an inch to evil men, to wicked systems, to the gods of the present age.  Not one inch.  Because, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus tell us, in those famous words of Abrham Kuyper, “there is not one inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” And knowing that with full assurance, uncompromisingly living that out, we the church are, as Paul put it in Chapter 2, we're God's poiema, his beautiful, finely crafted handywork.  We put on display God's wisdom in all its polypoikilos, the ESV translates it “manifold”.  I'm tempted to translate it a little more freely as something like “all the colours of the rainbow”.  Think of the vision of the church in Revelation 7—an uncountable multitude from every nation, tribe and tongue.  The church is meant to display the polychromed, Technicolor glory of God's new creation and, in doing so, to reveal the shabby drabness of this wicked old age and its gods and kings.  But what the church has done instead is to fracture.  This colour here and that colour over there.  It's to our shame.  And perhaps it's because we ourselves have lost the glory of that Technicolor world the church is meant to represent, we seem to be perpetually drawn back to the shabby drabness of the present age and it's cheap attempts to do what only Jesus and the Spirit can do.  Again, we treat the church and the gospel like commodities to marketed and to be bought and sold.  We try to divide our loyalty between Jesus and mammon or sex or power.  We become captivated by the ugliness of violence and war.  Or we sell our souls for a mess of political pottage, losing our vision of new creation and our passion for goodness, truth, and beauty and instead of trusting in the God who will bring it about, we trust in horses and chariots and chase after lesser evils instead of the good.  Brothers and Sisters, that what the principalities and powers, that's what the devils want.  They want us to think that we can bring God's kingdom by using the world's ways.  But it won't, it can't work.  Because doing so simply paints the church with the same shabby drabnesss of their world and casts a veil over the glory of God and the goodness of the gospel.  It removes us as a threat to those powers. But when we are faithful to being the church.  When we are uncompromising in our loyalty to Jesus.  When love one another and are truly one, instead of fracturing our witness to the unity of the people of God, that's when the world and its rulers take notice.  They recognise that, as Paul wrote back in 2:6, we are already seated with God in the heavenly places in the Messiah.  That doesn't mean we're somehow above the mess.  Instead it means we're right here in the midst of the mess, taking on the corrupt and evil powers of this age with power of the cross of Jesus for the sake of the people around us.  We're here, with the authority of heaven, to shine the light of the gospel and to put on full display the Technicolor glory of God.  Even as the powers fight back. We've all seen it.  It's not always as obvious as Paul being in prison.  More often than not, it seems that when a church being faithful to preach God's word and to live out the gospel and the life of the Spirit, all hell comes at us out of nowhere.  People start grumbling and creating divisions.  People leave over stupid things.  World or national events distract us from the gospel. or divisions become obstacles to faithfulness.  Those are times for prayer and to double-down on faithfulness to Jesus and the gospel when we're tempted to give up or tempted to compromise.  But Paul would tell us to be prepared.  When you're being faithful, when a church is putting on display the manifold wisdom of God—new creation—the enemies of the gospel will see, they'll feel the threat, they will strike back.  That's why Paul was in prison.  And he tells them, “That's your glory.” Think again back to the Solomon's dedication of the temple.  That stunningly grand and beautiful building, skilfully and purposefully crafted so that the glorious presence of God could dwell with in it.  So that God could shine forth from it.  That was the glory of his people on display for the sake of the whole world.  And Solomon and all Israel watched as the cloud of glory descended and filled the temple.  I always struggle to visualize just how amazing that must have been.  But the key takeaway here is this, Brothers and Sisters: that glory now indwells us.  We are now God's temple, his skilfully and purposefully crafted handiwork, purified by the blood of Jesus, so that he can dwell in us.  And if we, by his grace and sure of promises, are faithful to be what he has made, we will shine forth that glory: life in the midst of death, light in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of despair, glorious Technicolour in the midst of dreary mud puddles, new creation in the midst of the hold. Let's pray: Almighty God, consider the heartfelt desires of your servants, we pray,  and stretch out the right hand of your majesty to defend us against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

In today's message, Prof. Rob speaks from Galatians on the topic of identity. Todays Chapel Frame is Renewed Mind.

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Send a textPastor Johnny shares a word on responding in your sonship and not your flesh to things around you. Enjoy!Support the show

Message from Anand Mahadevan on March 1, 2026

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Join us every Sunday at 10:00 AM (CST), Wednesday at 7:00 PM (CST), and weekly for Noon Day Prayer at 12:00 PM (CST) Mon-Thurs. If you want to see more of World Outreach Church, check out our Social Media pages! Facebook: woctulsa Instagram: woctulsa World Outreach Church Tulsa, Oklahoma woctulsa.org

The highest expression of life in Christ is INHERITANCE. Through His death and resurrection we have become beneficiaries of the promises of God. Join us this morning as we step into our inheritance!

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The hosts welcome back Mike Nolan for a conversation on Christian identity—why it matters today, how it appears in Scripture, and why it often doesn't move from head knowledge to lived experience. They discuss identity as something primarily imparted through prayer, encounter, and relationships with people living as beloved sons and daughters, rather than merely taught. They explore common obstacles like the orphan mindset, performance and success-based self-worth, shame, and problem-centered spirituality. Then they explain how God dismantles false identities through pruning, suffering, and seasons of desolation.  Finally, they reflect on the role of emotions in forming identity, clarify the difference between humility and low self-esteem, and emphasize that mission flows from relationship with God.

Caleb Gibbs talks to us about living in surrender.

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Message from Jeremy Mueller on February 8, 2026

Sunday February 1, 2026: Jesus didn't use parables to make truth harder to understand. He used them to reveal who was ready to perceive. Before He explained the Kingdom, He addressed sight. Before information, posture. Before clarity, intimacy.When Jesus said, “The Kingdom is like…,” He wasn't offering illustrations. He was handing sons blueprints.In this teaching, we explore why the Kingdom is unveiled through relationship, not decoded through effort. Why revelation flows from union, not intellect. And why Scripture was never meant to be approached as ammunition, but as an encounter with the Father.This message reframes how we engage the Bible, how we understand “mysteries,” and how we learn to live integrated lives — fully present in the natural, fully sourced from the unseen Kingdom.“Abba, show me what Your Kingdom is like, and teach me how to live from it.”

This week on Sermon Spotlight, the conversation centers on Mark 12:35–40, as host Rose is joined by Cole McQuaid and Caleb Pearson. Set just days before the cross, this moment in Mark's Gospel marks Jesus' final public teaching in the temple—a powerful confrontation that exposes false religion and reveals the true authority of the Messiah.This thoughtful, honest conversation challenges listeners to move beyond surface-level belief and ask hard questions about where assurance, worship, and obedience truly come from.Listen to the sermon we're talking about: fbcva.org/current-sermon-series or fbcva.org/podcastsBe a part of the conversation by submitting your thoughts and questions: fbcva.org/sermon-spotlight-podcastWatch this episode and subscribe on YouTube:  @fellowshipbiblechurchvaFind out more about Fellowship Bible Church: fbcva.orgSubscribe to emails from Fellowship: fbcva.org/subscribeEngage with us:Facebook: facebook.com/groups/fellowshipfamInstagram: instagram.com/fellowshipbiblechurch/ #SermonSpotlight #FellowshipBibleChurch #FBCVA #Mark12 #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast #FaithInEverydayLife #Discipleship #FollowingJesus

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.1.     If you are a Christian, do you ever think of yourself as “just” forgiven, but not really a son and heir of God?2.     Do you ever feel like an orphan? What triggers that and how does that impact you? What can you do to remember the gospel truth of adoption in those moments?3.     Is it difficult for you to think of God as a father, and address him with the affection and familiarity of “Abba”? Why or why not?4.     Does being assured that you are a son and heir encourage you to fight, fight to grow and fight your sin? Why or why not?5.     How does current suffering and future glorification come out in your cost/benefit analysis? Do God's promises in Jesus make the suffering worth it, or bearable, in your mind?6.     Do you see the slight difference between faith and hope? Do you ever find yourself faithful but not hopeful? How does that impact your thoughts and actions?

2-1-26 PM "The Sonship of Our Savior"Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:26-4:7Sermon Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 13I. The Nature of the Sonship A. An Eternal Sonship B. A Natural SonshipII. The Relation to the Sonship A. The State of the Relation B. The Basis for the RelationIII. The Freedom in the Sonship A. The Description of the Freedom B. The Reason for the FreedomRev. Greg Lubbers

“Sonship and Social Cues”Mark 12:35-40Having recently completed our series “None Like Jesus” let's continue to “Behold Him” by embarking on a new study through the Gospel of Mark. Mark's Gospel is the shortest of the four Gospels and it is action-packed from start to finish – as evidenced by the word “immediately” used over 40 times. Mark wrote to believers, probably Roman believers, who were no strangers to persecution. And he wanted to disciple his readers to be strong in their faith by encouraging them to look to their Mighty Messiah, the Son of God, who remained steadfastly faithful even while becoming their Suffering Servant who died for them. Mark's Gospel is a call to all believers to fearlessly “Follow Jesus” because they can trust Him completely.

John Collins and John McKinnon examine how William Branham's teaching on adoption, authority, and "reading between the lines" laid conceptual groundwork later echoed in the New Apostolic Reformation. By tracing Branham's reinterpretation of Scripture, Roman adoption customs, and claims of hidden revelation, they show how extra-biblical theology quietly reappears today under new language such as fresh revelation, spiritual downloads, and apostolic authority. The discussion contrasts Paul's clear teaching on adoption as a finished act in Christ with Branham's two-stage model that promotes elite believers, future authority, and spiritual hierarchy. The episode also addresses the psychological and spiritual harm this framework causes, especially for survivors of high-control movements, and explains why these ideas continue to resurface in modern charismatic and apostolic streams. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham- Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ- Visit the website: https://william-branham.org- Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg - Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham- Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr- Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Share a commentA messenger bypasses palaces and arrives in a forgotten town. That's where the story turns. We walk through Luke 1 with fresh eyes, meeting Mary not as a stained-glass icon but as a poor teenager who receives a staggering promise and answers with a brave, uncluttered yes. Gabriel's greeting reframes the moment: grace received, not merit earned. From there, eight prophecies cascade—conception, birth, the name above names, divine Sonship, David's throne, Israel's restoration, and a kingdom that doesn't end—and we trace what has been fulfilled and what still stretches ahead in God's timeline.Along the way, we open the meaning of “overshadowing” and why Luke connects Mary's miracle to the Shekinah presence over the tabernacle and the blaze of the transfiguration. We sit with Mary's honest question, then linger on her surrender: “I am the Lord's servant.” That surrender doesn't smooth the road; it introduces complications—whispers in Nazareth, a shaken betrothal, flight from Herod, and years of scarcity—yet it also unveils the faithfulness that meets us in the hard path. God even provides a companion in Elizabeth, whose Spirit-stirred child leaps for joy, confirming that Mary now carries the Son of God.We close by drawing out what this means for us: grace chooses the unlikely, obedience often increases the stakes, and God is not looking for polished resumes so much as ready hearts. If you've ever wondered how to trust when the details are thin and the cost is high, Mary's story offers a clear, courageous pattern—sign the blank page and let God write. Listen now, share it with a friend who needs hope, and if this conversation speaks to you, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: where is grace inviting you to say yes today?Get our magazine and daily devotional: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazineSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentA messenger bypasses palaces and arrives in a forgotten town. That's where the story turns. We walk through Luke 1 with fresh eyes, meeting Mary not as a stained-glass icon but as a poor teenager who receives a staggering promise and answers with a brave, uncluttered yes. Gabriel's greeting reframes the moment: grace received, not merit earned. From there, eight prophecies cascade—conception, birth, the name above names, divine Sonship, David's throne, Israel's restoration, and a kingdom that doesn't end—and we trace what has been fulfilled and what still stretches ahead in God's timeline.Along the way, we open the meaning of “overshadowing” and why Luke connects Mary's miracle to the Shekinah presence over the tabernacle and the blaze of the transfiguration. We sit with Mary's honest question, then linger on her surrender: “I am the Lord's servant.” That surrender doesn't smooth the road; it introduces complications—whispers in Nazareth, a shaken betrothal, flight from Herod, and years of scarcity—yet it also unveils the faithfulness that meets us in the hard path. God even provides a companion in Elizabeth, whose Spirit-stirred child leaps for joy, confirming that Mary now carries the Son of God.We close by drawing out what this means for us: grace chooses the unlikely, obedience often increases the stakes, and God is not looking for polished resumes so much as ready hearts. If you've ever wondered how to trust when the details are thin and the cost is high, Mary's story offers a clear, courageous pattern—sign the blank page and let God write. Listen now, share it with a friend who needs hope, and if this conversation speaks to you, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: where is grace inviting you to say yes today?Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

What is in your spiritual crock pot? In this episode, Mike talks about Love, Sonship, and voting for dictators.  This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him." -- Jeremiah 27

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15). Glory to God!

I. Introduction - Psalm 125:2; Hebrews 11:13-16; 13:8II. What is the Gospel?a. The Gospel Addresses and Answers My Greatest Need: Sin -Romans 3:10-12, 23b. The Gospel Is about a Father's Love for His Chosen Child -Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16c. The Gospel Centers on the Sinless Life, the Punishing Death, andthe Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ -2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15d. The Gospel Affords Me the Status of Sonship - 2 Corinthians 5:17III. Who Is Jesus?a. Jesus Is the Image of the Invisible God - Colossians 1:15; John 3:16; 14:9b. Jesus Is Preeminent - Colossians 1:13-20c. Jesus Is Worthy - Revelation 5:9, 10, 12, 13bd. Jesus Is YOUR Savior - Matthew 1:21IV. CONCLUSIONa. Rehearse Gospel Texts - John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21; I John 4:10;Isaiah 61:1-3b. Sing Gospel Hymnsc. This is Who God is; this is what I am; this is what Jesus did for me;this is how I received itd. My Father loves me and always has loved me…because HEransomed me with the blood of His Sone. It's all about Jesus

In this Advent message from Galatians 4:1–7, we're reminded of the heart of the gospel: in Christ, we are no longer slaves but adopted sons and daughters of God. Through Jesus, God doesn't merely forgive us - He brings us into His family. This sermon invites us to remember, embrace, and never minimize the immeasurable love of our Heavenly Father and the hope we have as heirs through Christ.

Join Mike and Tim as they dive into a lively discussion about the essence of family, identity, and faith. In this episode, they explore the concept of "adoption to sonship" and how it redefines our understanding of belonging and community. With humor and depth, they challenge traditional views and invite listeners to consider a broader perspective on what it means to be part of a spiritual family. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends theology with everyday life, all wrapped in the warmth of the holiday spirit. In this conversation, the hosts explore the themes of faith, family, and community within Christianity, emphasizing the importance of understanding God as a father and the implications of adoption and sonship. They discuss the cultural context of Jesus' teachings, the role of individualism versus community, and the concept of loyalty to God's family. The conversation also touches on the distinction between bounded and centered sets in faith, ultimately inviting listeners to engage in a communal journey of faith. Takeaways: Christian nationalism is alive and well. Father is a status word, not a gender word. To be a part of Jesus is to be a part of his people. Jesus is not your personal savior. We're playing soccer, not rugby. The early Christians did not sharply distinguish between commitment to God and commitment to God's family. Salvation is a social reunification. You cannot be a part of two groups. Loyalty to God is loyalty to God's people. We are playing soccer, not rugby. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Christmas Spirit 03:06 Exploring the Concept of Fatherhood 06:01 Adoption and Sonship in Christian Theology 09:01 The Role of Family in Identity 12:00 Cultural Perspectives on Individualism vs. Community 15:03 The Significance of Group Dynamics in the Ancient World 17:50 Jesus' Redefinition of Family Relationships 29:47 Redefining Family and Kinship 32:21 The New Family of God 35:05 The Cost of Discipleship 37:28 Understanding Jesus' Hard Teachings 40:32 The Nature of God's Will 43:31 Loyalty and Allegiance in the Kingdom 46:22 Social Reality of Salvation 49:13 Choosing Between Two Families 51:02 Bounded vs. Centered Sets in Faith 58:01 Redefining Loyalties: From Ethnic Identity to Jesus 01:00:59 The Early Church: Community Over Individualism 01:03:55 The Role of Gifts: Individuality for the Collective 01:06:59 Loyalty and Discipleship: The Cost of Following Jesus 01:09:57 Invitation to Play: The Soccer Game of Faith 01:13:00 Boundaries and Inclusion: Redefining Church Membership As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Christmas is not merely a seasonal celebration but the climactic revelation of the Gospel—the good news that God, in eternal Sonship, became incarnate as a descendant of David to redeem humanity from sin and death. This divine act, foretold through the prophets, was not a departure from God's nature but the fulfillment of His eternal plan: the eternal Son, who is fully God, voluntarily emptied Himself, lived as a man, and died as a substitute for sinners, bearing the infinite penalty that finite humanity could not pay. His resurrection from the dead was not a mere miracle but the divine appointment that exalted Him as the powerful Son of God, confirming His victory over sin and death and establishing Him as the rightful Lord of all creation. As both God and man, Jesus now reigns at the Father's right hand, uniting humanity with divinity and securing eternal life for all who believe, making Christmas the foundation of hope, reconciliation, and ultimate restoration. The Gospel, therefore, is not a sentimental story but a cosmic event in which God Himself became flesh to save His people, and every knee will one day bow to the name of Jesus, the man who is Lord.

In 1 John 5verses1-5 we are told the source of overcoming the world - by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. And by that faith I live. An early Christadelphian writer, John Thomas said, that this was by a faith, which works by love and purifiers the soul (life). John Thomas was alluding to the early verses of Galatians 5. The Apostle John tells us that such a belief is evidence of our divine begetting. And, for us, it is the assurance ("by this we know") that God is with us. We can be more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8). The work, spoken of in chapter 2, is not about our love, but we do love the Father with all of our heart. And this love of the Father which impels us was the motive force of the life of the Son of God. Read Romans 8verses31-39 slowly and pause and ponder. Verses 6-12 provide testimony concerning the Son of God. Our Lord Jesus who came by water and blood - the water in which he was immersed at his baptism and the water of the Word of God with which his mind was saturated; and the blood of his sacrificial offering of himself. This offering was sanctified by the Word of God and prayer and pleased his Father. John is alluding to his witnessing of the crucifixion (John 19verses34-37). Verse 7 from the ESV reads, and I quote in full, "For there are three that testifyverses". Most of the better translations recognise the insertion into the text of additional words which aren't found in most of the older manuscripts. The additional words used in the KJV (and some other versions are admitted by most modern translations to be spurious and added by a Jesuit monk, Immanuel Tapsensis). Verse 8 identifies the three witnesses to our Lord's divine Sonship as - the Spirit, the water and the blood. Under the law at least two corroborating witnesses were needed to determine truth. John affirms total agreement among these witnesses. Additionally, God bore testimony, Matthew 3verses15-17, to His Son. And only in His Son, and through His Son's work, we have life. From verses 13-21 the beloved disciple John has written these things for our assurance ("that we may know"). We have known and believed upon the name above every name (Philippians 2verses9-11), and the only name in which there is salvation (Acts 4verses12). And through continuance in this Name salvation is assured. John repeats that the Father's ear is ever open to His children's pleas. Verses 16-17 reiterates that when we love the brethren we will help them (as they will likewise help us) when we stumble (Galatians 6verses1-5). Such advice and correction will prevent rejection at the coming judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, for the habitual and lawless sinner, who has abandoned any attempt to continue walking in the light there remains "no offering for sin" (Hebrews 10verses26-39). Being begotten by God, through His Word (1 Peter 1verses22-25), we overcome in faith and walk in the way of His commandments. The world and its ways allure, but cannot conquer us. Finally, says John, "Keep yourself from idols" - a specific allusion to the Ten Commandments (especially numbers 1 and 10 which bookend all the others). Keeping ourselves from idols is about the tendency within our human nature to always look after ourselves before applying ourselves to living according to the ways of our Almighty Father.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

This is The Energy to Heal, your resource for all things Splankna, the faith-based inner healing modality that will help you achieve emotional freedom. In this episode, Laura Milliken unpacks one of the most subtle but destructive belief systems in modern Christianity: the performance-based gospel. Laura explains how many believers unknowingly relate to God as employees instead of sons and daughters—striving, proving, and exhausting themselves in an attempt to earn intimacy that was already given. Through the lens of Splankna, identity work, and Scripture, she reveals how this mindset leads to emotional burnout, anxiety, shame, and spiritual disconnection. This episode invites listeners to confront false beliefs about grace, surrender self-sufficiency, and rediscover what it means to live from Christ instead of for Christ. Laura walks through how understanding your identity in Christ is foundational for emotional freedom, inner healing, and lasting transformation. If you've ever felt spiritually tired, pressured to "do more," or afraid you're not measuring up—this conversation is for you. ✨ Key Takeaways A performance-based gospel leads to spiritual burnout and emotional exhaustion Many Christians confuse spiritual disciplines with spiritual worth Grace is not permission—it is empowerment Emotional freedom begins with understanding your identity in Christ Your spiritual life was never meant to be fueled by effort, but by intimacy Surrendering to grace requires letting go of control and outcomes Sonship produces rest, confidence, and security—not anxiety Your identity in Christ is unchanging, even when your behavior fluctuates Living in grace exposes perfectionism and self-sufficiency The journey of learning grace is ongoing and deeply liberating

The author of Hebrews demonstrates that Jesus is King over everything—even the angels. But how do we know this for sure? In this message, we explore the Sonship, status, and sovereignty of Jesus. Tune in and discover why He alone is worthy of our trust.

This week's Kingdom message continues with Dr. Nicolle Blackwood giving a more in depth scriptural lay out of this unique revelation of what Heaven recognizes as, "OBEDIENCE."

You've been made righteous by the blood, and you are not kept at a distance. All that he is and all that he has, has been given to you. 

Why do we prefer angelic beings, mystical experiences, and dramatic encounters over Christ? Could it be that the eye of our spiritual activity is focused in the wrong place? In this message from Hebrews 1:5–14, pastor Jeremy Writebol seeks to show us the superiority of Christ above all the "bright shiny objects" so that we will fix our eyes on him.   

In this powerful message, Mark unpacks the supernatural reality of sonship — the miracle described in Romans 8:14–17 where God adopts us into His family and places His Spirit within us to lead, empower, and transform our lives. He explores four attributes of spiritual sonship and the four phases every believer journeys through: Revelation, Consecration, Activation, and Manifestations. Together, these truths reveal what it means to walk not as slaves, but as fully empowered sons and daughters who carry the authority, identity, and love of the Father.   If you're hungry to understand your kingdom identity and step boldly into your God-given purpose, this teaching will ignite your faith and awaken the Spirit-led life within you.

The greatest weapon against your identity isn't a blatant lie—it's a subtle suggestion. The enemy doesn't come up to you and say, "You aren't God's child." Instead, he whispers, "If you are God's child... then why is this happening?"In this episode of Shifts and Ladders, we look at the pattern in Matthew Chapters 3 and 4 to uncover how the enemy attempts to shift you from Sonship to Survival. We analyze the Baptism of Jesus vs. the Temptation in the Wilderness to see exactly how the enemy removed the word "Beloved" and added the condition "If".If you are working 80 hours a week turning "stones into bread" just to prove you are successful, you are falling into a trap. It is time to stop entertaining the "question mark" and stand on God's "period."In this video, we cover:(0:00) The "Subtle Suggestion": How the enemy attacks your identity(1:20) Matthew 3: Why God established "Beloved" (Identity) before "Ministry" (Productivity)(3:30) Matthew 4: The Test immediately follows the Revelation(5:00) The Trap: How the enemy strips "Beloved" to make your identity "Conditionary"(6:50) Stones to Bread: The danger of using your gift to prove your worth(8:40) The Solution: Integration and the power of "It Is Written"(9:15) Question Marks vs. Periods: Living off the Word(10:00) The Challenge: Be a Thermostat and set the temperature this weekQuotes from the episode:"God's pleasure is anchored in Jesus' identity, not his productivity.""The enemy wants you to move from sonship to survival... survival is always conditionary.""When you try to prove your identity, you actually lose your authority.""A suggestion always has a question mark, but a declaration always ends in a period."#Identity #SpiritualWarfare #Matthew4 #ChristianLeadership #RionRobinson #ShiftsAndLadders #BeDoHave

Summary In this message from Romans 8, Dr. Michael Easley walks through Paul's rich transition from talking about “putting to death the deeds of the flesh” to embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God. Building on the assurance that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ, Dr. Easley emphasizes that the Christian life is not self-powered moral improvement—it is life led, empowered, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. When we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit becomes our permanent resident, the One who enables us to resist sin and live in cooperation with God's will. Paul's shift to familial language—sons, daughters, children, heirs—reveals that believers are not merely forgiven; we are adopted. Dr. Easley unpacks Paul's contrast between the “spirit of slavery” and the “spirit of adoption,” reminding us that adoption is rooted in God's kindness, redemption through Christ's blood, and His intentional choice of us. This adoption enables us to cry out, with profound emotion, “Abba, Father,” just as Christ did. Finally, Dr. Easley highlights the Spirit's testimony within us: He confirms we are God's children, assures us of our inheritance, strengthens us in present suffering, and anchors us in the future glory that outweighs every earthly hardship. Takeaways The Christian life is not powered by our will but by the indwelling Holy Spirit who leads and enables us. Believers are adopted into God's family, moving from slavery and fear to sonship and intimacy. The Spirit Himself testifies within us that we are God's beloved children. Adoption is rooted in God's sovereign kindness and Christ's redemptive work—not our merit. Our ability to call God Father reflects the deep emotional reality of belonging fully to God. As children and heirs, we share both in Christ's sufferings now and His glory to come. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

At Christmas we celebrate the wondrous birth of Christ, but less noted is the divine timing of His arrival on Earth. Jesus was born at the perfect moment, fulfilling God's plan to adopt us into His family. In Galatians, the Apostle Paul encouraged his readers to cast off the law and live fully as God's heirs, reflecting the generous fruit of their freedom and inheritance. It's an apt reminder for us today, particularly at Christmas, to know that God has given us the gift of everlasting salvation through Christ. Join Horizon at the Equipping Services for CHRISTMAS HEIRS, a verse-by-verse study of Galatians.

Fr. Mike draws our attention to the cultural division present in the early Church and the origin of the ordination to the diaconate. He also discusses Paul's frustration with those who didn't recognize Jesus as the Christ and offers consolation to those who experience this in the hearts and minds of those close to them, as Paul did. Today's readings are Acts 6, Romans 9-10, and Proverbs 27:10-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Scripture assures us that God's Spirit indwells believers. With His provision, we're to “become what we are”—children of God. On Truth For Life, Alistair Begg examines this teaching and explains how Christianity is radically different from formalized religion. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘Life in the Spirit' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. •If you or someone you know is in a season of suffering, be encouraged! Download My Times Are in Your Hands—12 FREE messages on enduring affliction with hope. Comes with a study guide. Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

Christians often refer to being “born again” or “in Christ.” What does that mean, and how does it happen? On Truth For Life, Alistair Begg considers these questions and points out what God does for believers—and what we're expected to do in response. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘Life in the Spirit' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. •If you or someone you know is in a season of suffering, be encouraged! Download My Times Are in Your Hands—12 FREE messages on enduring affliction with hope. Comes with a study guide. Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!