Podcasts about Supper

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 25) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 25) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1789 | 15 Dec 2025

In this multipart series, Lee Eric Fesko answers the What? and Why? of what we believe as Christians. This lecture is from December 14, 2025, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville.

Lord's Supper

We ask for God's kingdom to come among us. Where you find the kingdom, there you find the King (Jesus). Where you find the King (Jesus), there you find the kingdom. We ask that He would give us His Holy Spirit to believe His Word. An earthly kingdom is found by the work of its people and by force. God's kingdom is found by the work of God in Christ and by His grace. His kingdom is seen now by the Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. We anticipate beholding the kingdom that is yet to come, that we may keep our focus on what truly matters in this life! Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot, ND, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the 2nd Petition of the Lord's Prayer. To learn more about St. Paul's in Minot, visit anchoredminot.com. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org. 

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 24) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 24) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1788 | 13 Dec 2025

In this Third Sunday of Advent sermon, “Blessed Is the One Who Is Not Offended by Christ,” Pastor David Balla explores Matthew 11:6 and the powerful comfort Jesus gives to John the Baptist and to every believer who wrestles with doubt, suffering, and unmet expectations. This sermon proclaims the heart of Advent: Christ comes in humility, hidden glory, and saving mercy through His Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. Discover how the Gospel reveals the true blessedness of faith—not in the Christ we imagine, but in the Christ who truly comes to forgive, restore, and strengthen His people.This message is especially helpful for those searching for solid Lutheran preaching, LCMS sermons, Advent Bible teaching, real presence theology, and Christ-centered proclamation rooted in Scripture and the historic Christian faith. Whether you seek encouragement, biblical clarity, or deeper understanding of Jesus' words to John, this sermon will lead you to the hope found only in Christ crucified and risen.Support this ministry at: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphWebsite written out: buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags#LutheranSermon #AdventSermon #LCMSPreaching #Matthew116 #ChristCentered

Friday, 12 December 2025   He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? Matthew 15:3   “And answering, He said, to them, ‘Through what – also you, you sidestep the ‘God's commandment' through your tradition?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus and asked why His disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders because they didn't wash their hands when they ate bread. Matthew next records, “And answering, He said, to them, ‘Through what – also you, you sidestep.   Jesus returns the same word they just used, parabainó, to sidestep, to them. In doing this, He doesn't defend His apostles, nor does He condemn the traditions they practice, as if they are contrary to God's laws. Rather, in doing so, He elevates the gravity of the matter, noting that in their own lives, they are sidestepping “the ‘God's commandment.'” The word entolé signifies an injunction that is authoritative in nature and that focuses on the end result of a command. As it is God's injunction, the end result is that His people are to obey it. And yet, these hypocrites stood there arguing over a manmade precept, which, as Jesus says, is “through your tradition?”   Jesus stood on the word of God. There was no suitable evidence for a second oral code. And even if it existed, it would have become so corrupted that whatever was originally spoken would have been lost eons earlier. This is why the law was written down. It was a safeguard to protect what God intended for His people.   Despite this, these scribes and Pharisees sidestepped what God had authored through Moses. Instead, they placed their own corrupt, self-serving, and self-aggrandizing traditions above God's word.   Life application: The Bible does not forbid traditions. Nor does it find fault in having traditions. An example of Jewish traditions being followed by Jesus is found in the gospels. In Matthew 26:30, it says, “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”   This is generally accepted as a note concerning the singing of the Hallel, which is found in Psalms 113-118, and which is followed by the Great Hallel, where Psalm 136 is sung. If this is so, it is a tradition. There is nothing in Scripture instructing the people to do this. As such, it cannot be considered mandatory. Rather, it is a cultural tradition that became accepted and standard.   Rather than getting bogged down in a verbal tiff with the scribes and Pharisees over such things, He directly accused them of violating God's laws. No matter what right they had to impose their human precepts on others in such matters, they had no right to ever violate one of God's laws.   As an example, a woman in a congregation may stand up and complain about how the Lord's Supper is no longer served at that church on a rectangular silver platter. However, the denomination may have prescribed that all Lord's Supper presentations would be the same at each church so that visitors would always feel at home.   In this tradition, a rectangular silver platter was mandated, and each church was given one. Regardless of the reason why it was no longer being used (for all we know, it got stolen by the lady's son, who was a noted thief!), she has stood up and accused the church of violating the denomination's tradition, instructing the pastor that he was not shepherding the church as a sound leader. Instead of addressing the issue of the platter itself or the tradition that prescribed it, the pastor says, “And why are you violating God's laws over a tradition? Go read the pastoral epistles and you will find that your instruction to me violates Scripture!”   This is what Jesus has done. He has maintained the integrity of God's word without getting bogged down in a verbal spat over a far less important issue. When the crime of violating God's law is presented, no further argumentation by the accuser will hold any weight at all.   When debating things with people, there is no need for a tit-for-tat verbal exchange. If someone makes a claim that is inappropriate, address the issue of greater weight and ignore what will lead to pointless argumentation.   Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to carefully consider our interactions with others so that when we have a dispute between ourselves, we can quickly end it without it getting out of hand. This does take wisdom, and we come to You asking for it so that we will be free of shameful words that could otherwise arise. Amen.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 23) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 23) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1787 | 12 Dec 2025

Philipp Nicolai is the author and composer of what has been called the “King of Chorales” (“Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”) and the “Queen of Chorales.” The Queen of Chorales, “How Lovely Shines the Morning Star” (TLH 343) is the hymn we are studying this week. It is an excellent hymn which teaches the love of Christ, and especially of our salvation in Him.  Nilolai's seven original German stanzas of “How Lovely Shines the Morning Star” are an acrostic tribute to his friend and former student in Waldeck. The first letters of those seven verses are W,E,G,V,H,Z,W, which stands for “Willhelm Ernst, Graf vnd Herr zu Waldeck” (William Ernest, count and lord in Waldeck). Nicolai has wonderfully captured the Christian faith in this hymn as he shows Christ's love for His Bride, the Church. He constantly makes both obvious and hidden allusions to the Lord's Supper, which is Christ's way of feeding and preserving all of us. Ultimately our greatest joy is in Christ, the First and Last, who will transport us to His happy home where we will be with Him forever in the greatest joy. Until that day, we look for His returning with deep and eager yearning.  Oh Christian, rejoice in the salvation that is yours through Christ, your Morning Star. Sing praise to your Bridegroom, who feeds and nourishes your faith through Word and Sacrament. Proclaim the His praises, this weekend and throughout your life!

Explore the elements of historic Christian worship surrounding the Eucharist - also known as the Lord's Supper.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 22) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 22) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1786 | 11 Dec 2025

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 21) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 21) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1785 | 10 Dec 2025

This podcast examines the story of the Lord's Supper in Luke 22.

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper help the church to see spiritual realities that would otherwise be hidden from us. Today, Barry Cooper addresses how these visible depictions of the gospel stir up our faith in Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/sacrament/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!Bad things happen in life. That's just the way it is. The question is whether we will be able to recover and build better afterward. This week we'll discuss how flirting with disaster can come back to haunt you and your family; how a man froze to death trying to get you a better deal on silk and gunpowder; how my own carpentry work led to holes in my wall and nearly a hole in my foot; and how planning your disaster properly could result in the end of the world.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 20) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 20) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1784 | 09 Dec 2025

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 19) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 19) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1783 | 08 Dec 2025

In this multipart series, Lee Eric Fesko answers the What? and Why? of what we believe as Christians. This lecture is from December 7, 2025, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville.

December 7, 2025 - Sunday AM Bible Class   In this episode Neal announces a new quarter-long study of 2 Corinthians and explains why the class begins with Paul's second letter to the Corinthians rather than First Corinthians. He places the letter in historical context (Acts 18–20), ties it to the later prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon), and recommends earlier teaching on First Corinthians by Hiram and Brittany as helpful background. The episode gives an extended cultural and historical overview of Corinth — its Greek origins, destruction and re-founding under Rome, strategic isthmus location with two ports, the prominence of the slave trade, widespread pagan immorality (including how “to Corinthianize” became synonymous with sexual vice), and the city's importance as the provincial capital of Achaia. These details set the stage for why the Corinthian church faced the problems Paul addresses. Key topics covered include a review of the problems raised in 1 Corinthians (division, idolatry, sexual immorality, marriage questions, worship abuses such as corruption of the Lord's Supper, confusion over spiritual gifts, questions about the resurrection, and factional allegiance to leaders), and how the church largely responded to Paul's first letter. The speaker explains that 2 Corinthians arises from a new crisis: a group of Jewish opponents who undermine Paul's apostleship and claim apostolic authority themselves. The episode highlights the central themes and purposes of 2 Corinthians: Paul's defense of his apostleship and leadership, the danger of false or unordained leaders, and the pastoral necessity of protecting church order. It emphasizes Paul's personal investment in the Corinthian congregation — the suffering he endured, his pastoral care, and his insistence that God-ordained leadership matters because “sheep need a shepherd.” A major motif introduced is comfort: the speaker surveys 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 and summarizes the letter's repeated emphasis on comfort in the midst of affliction. He identifies the sources of that comfort as God (the “Father of mercies”), Christ, other believers who have suffered, and the prayers of the community, and underscores Paul's theme of abundant, effective consolation despite severe trials. Guests and contributors mentioned include teachers Hiram and Brittany (previous lectures on First Corinthians) and Chris (his Wednesday class on the prison epistles); the speaker also references Luke's account in Acts and several Pauline passages as he reads and opens 2 Corinthians 1:1–11. Listeners can expect a mix of historical background, theological orientation to the letter, pastoral application about church leadership and suffering, and a reading of the opening verses to begin the study.   Duration 44:47

Several times each year, those who come to worship here in a campground setting are united in the observance of the meal of remembrance which was instituted by our Lord Jesus. It goes by several titles: The Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, the Eucharist, Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and others. Today the entire service is planned around this sacred experience. While those listening to our service on podcast are not able to join us in this actual observance, we pray that this may be a meaningful time for you also. For more information on the Campground, insider tips and FAQ's, listen to our General Ocean Lakes Podcast, Campground Conversations. 

"Rejoice, Your Name is Written in Heaven." A sermon on Luke 10:17-20 by Rev. Joel Fitzpatrick at Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church in San Diego. While PRPC's Pastor Grant is on chaplain duty call today for the SD VA Medical Center, we thank the Rev. Joel Fitzpatrick for leading our morning worship, preaching, and administering the Lord's Supper. Rev. Joel Fitzpatrick is a husband of 25 years, father of two (22 & 19), and a Grandfather (2 months). He is an ordained minister of the PCA's South Coast Presbytery. Rev. Fitzpatrick also is an author and speaker. He enjoys golfing, hiking, and cooking.

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptGood morning. Sounds like a couple of you might have what I got the other week. So I apologize if at some point I have to cough or drink out of the water here this morning. But as has already been mentioned this morning, we are in the middle of our Give series. And so every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we as a church take the opportunity, while our culture is pressing in on us with a message of consumerism, to look to the scriptures. What does Jesus have to say about what is an appropriate way for us to approach our money and our stuff? And at the center of it, at the heart of it, is giving that he gave himself. And so we want to look at what it looks like to be generous people. And as a part of our Give series, we have what we call a Give project. And so every year we have an opportunity to partner with some organization, mission opportunity, ministry, something, somewhere, someone in need that we can help fill the gap in as a church by giving of our money, giving of our time, resources, whatever it might be that year.This year we've been focusing on international mission work. And last week Chet got to introduce phase one of our project. So if you weren't here, I'm going to briefly explain what we're doing in this phase one. We are partnering with mission organization based in Mexico called elam. And they specifically help partner with local churches in Mexico to share the gospel to people who don't know. And one of the ways that we specifically get to partner with them is that several times a year they do short term mission trips, medical mission trips into indigenous communities in Mexico where they go in trying to help meet physical needs of people, whether it be that they have a hard time seeing, hard time hearing, so some ailment in their body, and that is a doorway by which they use to partner with local churches to share the deeper spiritual need of the gospel of Jesus. And so we're specifically helping raise funds for that avenue of ministry that they do.We're looking to provide for them an enclosed trailer so that they can transport materials. And then we're also looking to fill that trailer with all sorts of medical equipment for them as they do this work. So I'm excited that thus far we have been able to raise in the last week a little over $7,000 toward this project, which is exciting. Yes, very exciting. And so right now, if for some reason this all had to stop, we'd at least be able to at this point be able to purchase them a closed in trailer where they could transport their supplies. But we're hoping we get to continue and we get to continue to raise funds. We're looking for another $15,000 for this part of our project where we get to fill this trailer full of medical equipment to help them, equip them for the work that they are doing. And then Chet's going to come back at the end of this morning and introduce what phase two of this project is. And this is really a great opportunity for us as a church to give toward the mission that God is doing in these other mission organizations. And not only is it a good opportunity for us to give to them and in this participation of giving, this is a good opportunity for us to have our own hearts drawn in toward the mission that God is working across the world.Today that's what we're going to be looking at in this passage. Jesus is going to be specifically addressing the orientation of our own hearts toward our stuff and our money. So let me pray and then we'll dive into the text. Father, we thank you that you first gave to us. And so we pray that this season, as we are pressed in to think that we should take and that it's about us, that we would consider others as more important than ourselves, like you did, and that we would be people of generosity. This morning, would your word speak to us? Would it inform what it looks like for us to be followers of Jesus? In his name we pray. Amen.If you will, you can turn in your Bible to Matthew chapter six. We're going to be in verses 19 to 24. If you don't have a Bible with you, you can use one of the blue ones in the chair, chair in front of you. That's going to be on page 473 as you're turning there to give a brief context to the passage that we're going to be in. Because we're just jumping right into the middle of the book. We are in the Gospel of Matthew. So this is an account of the life of Jesus, his ministry on earth. And specifically in chapter six, we're in the section that is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. So this is the longest chunk of Jesus's teaching that we have in a row back to back, where he's sitting down and teaching his disciples. Specifically in the Gospel of Matthew, the main theme is the kingdom of God coming. And so he has a whole scope, a broad scope of topics that he's teaching on. What does it look like for the kingdom to be coming here and now? And if you actually look inside of those three chapters, 5, 6, and 7. And look at all the individual things he talks about. There's one that stands out that he talks about more than any other, and that is specifically our relationship to money, our relationship to our material possessions. And so that's what we're going to be looking at.In this passage today, Jesus is going to be taking us on a journey from our outward experience with the material things with money, down into the inner experience with money and stuff. And he's going to do so in sets of two. So I'm going to cheat. I'm going to tell you exactly what we're going to talk about all morning, and then we'll get to go in more detail. So first, Jesus is going to teach on two different treasures. Two different treasures. Then he's going to teach us about two different eyes. Eyes. And then he's going to teach us about two different masters. And that's where we will finish out this morning. But first we'll start with two treasures. So let's read starting in verse 19, Jesus says,> "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19–21, ESV)So Jesus starts out by comparing laying up treasures on earth with laying up treasures in heaven. Don't do the one, do the other. So let's take this one at a time to start off. First, Jesus says, do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. Now, what exactly does he mean by this? On the surface level, I think we can understand the basic principle of don't store up too much stuff on earth here. But how much is too much? Can I store a little bit? Dave Ramsey told me that I should save $1,000, then I should pay off all my debt, and then have three to six months worth of an emergency fund. Can I have an emergency fund? Is that something I should have? We don't even have to go outside the text for this question to come up. In Proverbs 21:20> "Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." (Proverbs 21:20, ESV)So it's wise to have money, to have treasure stored up. But I thought that's what we're not supposed to do. Well, before we get too confused here, let's take a step back, look at the full context of what Jesus is teaching here. Because I definitely don't think the Bible is contradicting itself. I just think that Jesus is after something different than what this proverb is. So let's go back to the text, read it a little bit more in its full context. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal.The other month, my wife and I got to go to the State Museum, the South Carolina State Museum we were actually invited to. It was. Apparently you can rent like the lobby space. So it was a private event after hours. It was a wedding ceremony, reception that was being held afterwards. So we're there, we're having a great time, and then we find out like halfway through this event that apparently when you rent the space, you also get access, or at least when they rented the space, we had access to all the different floors of all the different exhibits. So we thought, perfect, we're here, let's take advantage of it. So there was like nobody in the museum. We're just walking around, having a great time. And on that first floor, when you walk in, you know, you got that big shark that's hanging down from the ceiling and you get to walk through. It's like the prehistoric exhibits and stuff. And we come across this one that I'm looking at, and it's called a fossil, a petrified fossil. I'm like, wow, that's pretty cool. It's impressive. It's been a while since I've been in the State Museum. And then I'm looking at it, it's not like in any enclosing, it's just out in the open. So I start reading in more detail. This is a replica of a. Immediately as soon as I read that, my care for this went from really to almost not. I could have seen a picture on the Internet of a replica of a petrified fossil. And so we move on from that. We're going through the different floors. Eventually we're on that top floor, which is like the Revolutionary War and Civil War memorabilia, and they got the Industrial Revolution stuff. And right in the middle of all that, there's this like 15 foot by 15 foot structure, which is apparently an old house that used to be used as like a schoolhouse where they would have gathered. And walking in, I'm walking on the floorboards, I start to read the description. This is the real deal. Apparently the boards that I'm standing on, the ceiling that I can touch, not just because I'm tall, because it's also short ceiling. Everything about this structure, it was the real deal. It was actual history from back in that time. Now, I'm assuming they probably deconstructed it and put up pieces in and put it back together. But this is really it. It's like from the 1800s, this old building. And I'm amazed being able to stand in here. I'm just taking it all in, soaking it all in. And the reason that it was so exciting is because it's not supposed to be there. That's not our experience with stuff. When was the last time you came across something from the 1800s? I don't know. You can go to the State Museum, you can see that. But this is the reason why we would even have something like a museum, that we would get excited about walking around and looking at old things. But because old things aren't supposed to last, that's not our experience. Things fade, they break. It's why we have to have replicas of fossils, because they're not around. That's our experience. So Jesus is saying, don't lay up treasures on earth because moth and rust destroy. Because stuff, it crumbles and falls apart.He continues on. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Now notice here that Jesus isn't condemning laying up treasure. He's just telling us where there's a better place to put it. Now, what would you say if I told you that there is a house that has zero maintenance issues and zero maintenance fees? Can you imagine that maybe. No. I get one head nod back and think, no, it doesn't exist. If you could maybe envision it, it's possible that you have in your head that you don't have the maintenance issues or fees, but somebody else does and you just get to live there. Because that's not what we're used to. Stuff breaks, it falls apart. But if we take Jesus at his word for what he says, do you know that there's a place in which the things that you and I possess, they never fade? It never breaks. Did you know that there's a place where your check engine light never comes on again? There is a place where your H Vac unit doesn't make that weird clunking noise every time it turns on? There's a place where your phone screen no longer has a crack running right through the middle of it? Or that you know that Tupperware that you've got positioned just right under that leaky faucet underneath the little shutoff valve? Yeah. You know that Tupperware. You know it's there. That valve Never leaks again. That's a real place. And if you start to really think about it and consider it, I want to be there. Don't you want to be there? What would it look like for us to invest in that kind of place? Because Jesus says that kind of treasure, it never fades. And it's found in heaven is what he says.It's found in the place where the glory and the presence of God is perfectly and fully manifested. And the story of the Scriptures is that that place, that heaven at the end of this time will come to be with us here on this earth, that that perfect place where the glory of God is perfectly displayed, where things don't ever break, things don't ever end, it comes to be with us. And Jesus says that he's going there to prepare a place for us. There's a seat at the table of the feast of the wedding lamb. The imagery at the end of the Book of Revelation, it's filled with beauty and wonder. The streets lined with gold walls and buildings held up by foundations of precious stone. A perfectly clear river running through the city, with a tree of life ever producing perfect fruit. Treasure abounds. Everlasting treasure abounds there in that place.Now, laying up treasure in that place, I think it looks a little bit different than what you and I are used to because we're very physical, tangible, immediate response type people, right? And so it's easy for us to look at, you know, like numbers on a bank account screen. And that feels tangible as like a storing up of treasure. It's easy to think about the house or the car, the toys and the trinkets, because it's immediate feedback stuff. We invested our time, our energy, our money, whatever it is, and immediately there's something there. But when it comes up, when it comes to laying up treasures and heaven, Jesus says things like this in the Gospel of Luke, chapter six. He says,> "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." (Luke 6:22–23, ESV)A little later he says,> "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." (Luke 6:35, ESV)A little later in the Gospel are in, Jesus says this, and whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water, because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.> "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42, ESV)Or in the Sermon on the Mount itself, chapter six, a little bit earlier than where we're reading. Jesus says,> "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:3–4, ESV)So this isn't quite as simple as hitting the Buy now button on the Amazon app and two days later a package arriving at your door. Maybe it looks a little bit something like this. Maybe you don't get invited to go hang out with the co workers at dinner after work because you've been labeled as one of those weird Christians. You've talked about Jesus one too many times for their comfort. Maybe it looks like you know that next door neighbor of yours that seems to hide out in the bushes with binoculars and wait until there's one too many leaves in your yard to report you to the hoa. Well, one week, you know, you notice his car has been in the same spot in the driveway for longer than usual and the leaves are piling up. So this is finally your opportunity to go and blow his leaves into your yard so that you can pick them up. Or maybe it looks like something as simple as carrying some cold water bottles in your car on a hot summer South Carolina day so you can hand out to the beggar at the side of the intersection. Maybe it looks something like someone in your group is talking about how money's tight and the grocery budget is really slimming up and they don't know exactly how it's going to work this month. And so the rest of you talk and deliberate. You get some money together, a couple, you go down to Walmart and you fill up bags with food and you go take it to their house and drop it off. This is the kind of stuff that it looks like to participate in storing up treasures in heaven. I'm sure we can continue on with different types of examples, but what Jesus tells us as well in this, if you were paying attention to these different references, Jesus says that the Father sees it all, the Father sees it, and in his justice will reward every effort that is made.Now at the end of this comparison between the storing of treasures on earth, storing treasures on heaven, Jesus gives us the reason why. In verse 21 he says this. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Very basic principle. You care about the things that you put money into. I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't know if you knew this, but before six years ago I never cared about the property at 327 Piney Grove Road, which, if you don't know me, that's my home address. You can send mail there or something. I'll accept a Christmas card. Never cared. So pre2019, didn't ever think about it. Now, here's the rest of the secret. For the last six years, I have cared more about the property at 327 Piney Grove Road than any other property in my life. Because for the past six years, my wife and I have lived there. We've invested our time, our resources into making a home for us and our family and people to come over. But it's just how it works. Wherever we put our money, wherever we put our resources, our time, that's what we care about. We start to be drawn into that thing. Maybe we never cared about it before, it's just a thing, but we started investing our money, our time. All of a sudden, our heart is drawn there. In other words, Jesus is telling us, don't store up treasures on earth, not just because it doesn't last. That's an important thing to understand. It's because when we start storing up treasure here in this place, where does our heart go? Our heart starts to be drawn to this temporary space. But if we start to invest, if we start to store up treasures in heaven, where does our heart go? Our heart goes to that eternal kingdom. Our heart begins to care about, be drawn toward the Father, toward his work, toward his glory. That's what we care about when we start to do that.So this brings us all back to that confusion where we started off. Here, Jesus says, don't store up treasures on earth. The proverb we read said, the wise man has it there. But remember that Jesus is after something else. That proverb, it's. It's teaching us about practical wisdom, of, you know, having a budget and being good stewards of the things we have. But Jesus, he's turning us in a different direction. He's focusing on the heart. So I think that when we ask the question, how much is too much? We've just asked the wrong question. And not just that, but actually if we ask that question, which I think we all have, if we've come across this, it exposes our heart that we don't know what Jesus is talking about. If that's our question, how much is too much? So I think rather the better question is, how can I store as much treasure as possible in the eternal kingdom? I think that's the better question. How can I store as much treasure as possible in the eternal kingdom? Because it's what Matters, it's what lasts. So when we're asking that first question, we've got our eyes in the wrong place. And that's why Jesus doesn't stop there, he continues on. So he's going to move on from talking about two treasures to now talking about two different eyes.Verse 22.> "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" (Matthew 6:22–23, ESV)So we've got a healthy eye and we've got a bad eye. Now I'll be honest with you, this illustration throws me for a loop just about every time that I come across and read it because I get stuck like envisioning a lamp in place of somebody's eyes on a face. And it's just a weird image and it throws me off and I get all tangled up. But I think it's actually much simpler than that when we slow down when we read it. And very basic principle here that we all understand. A lamp gives light. And so a lamp that's working well provides light. A lamp that doesn't work, no light, it's just darkness, you know. I help with our student ministry to middle and high school students. And so we have student nights during the fall and spring semester. We meet here in the building and we always play some kind of game. I like to have something fun and exciting put together and I'm always trying to figure out what's the game that they like most to play. Over the years I found they really love to play hide and seek. It's one of their favorite games. However, they do not want to play that in August because in August at 5:36 o', clock, the sun is still about 3/4 in the sky and this whole place is lit up. And it's not very challenging to hide or to seek. But November comes, the time changes. The sun at 5:36 o' clock is already down. It's dark everywhere in here. We turn the lights off, we have appropriate safety measures, boundaries, and the leaders spread out and the kids get to go and they get to hide. And now it's challenging because now you can't see there's no lamp that's giving off light to participate. So this is a basic principle that we understand about light and darkness being able to navigate this space.So if we hold on to that idea and then we also. There's one other thing that I think is helpful at Least it's helpful for me when reading this verse. Reading this message that Jesus is saying is substituting in the definition for the word I. And so the definition that I think Jesus has in mind when he says the word I is how you view your stuff and money. So in other words, it would read like this. Now, what's about to be up on the screen in parentheses, that's my own words, not the words of Scripture, but you can track with me here. So if Jesus were to say it this way with the definition instead of the word, it would read something like this. How you view your stuff in money is the lamp of the body. So if the way you view your stuff and money is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if the way you view your stuff and money is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness? So our view of our stuff and our money, it shines a light into our inner being. At least it has the opportunity to shine a light into our inner being. Because if we have a healthy approach to our stuff and our money, it exposes that we have light. Or in other words, remember what we just talked about earlier, that we can see, we can navigate, we understand the world as it is, and we can appropriately engage with things. And more importantly, we can appropriately engage with people because we have a healthy approach and understanding of what this stuff is. But if we have an unhealthy view of our money and of our possessions, then it's darkness. All of a sudden, it becomes challenging to navigate this space that we live in. All of a sudden, it becomes challenging to relate to people because we don't have an appropriate understanding of what this stuff is, what money is.Now, I think a fair question to ask would be, what is a healthy or an unhealthy view of our stuff and our money? That's an appropriate question that flows out of this. Now, unfortunately, we don't have the time to dive the full depths of that question, and Scripture has much to say on it. So I think we would be wise to consider that question in our own hearts and then see what the Scripture teaches. But we can at the very least right now refer back to what we have already just labored to understand because Jesus has been teaching on this idea. A good starting point of having a healthy view of our money and our stuff is knowing that it's temporary. It's temporary. It's not all that it's cracked up to be, especially compared to the worth that awaits us in the eternal kingdom. I think that when we start to see our stuff and our money as just dust that's packaged in a neat little form for a little while, then our perspective on it starts to change. Those grandiose promises that wealth and riches make, they start to be exposed as lies.And that leads us to our final set. We're going to see what truly is at stake here. This is where the true issue lies in two masters. Jesus finishes out with this in verse 24.> "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24, ESV)If you work for Apple, then you sign a non compete, which means that you can at the same time also work for Microsoft, or if you work for Coca Cola, at least maybe high enough up in the ranks, you also would sign a non compete, which means at the same time you can't work at Pepsi. Basic understanding, they're in competition with each other as businesses. Jesus saying here that you can't live for God and also live for money. They're in competition, they're exclusive. You sign a non compete. This is what we mean when we talk about here being gospel centered. We don't talk about having our little Jesus stuff on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. And for the super spiritual 15 minutes in the morning, no, Jesus takes over it all.Now here's the bigger issue with what Jesus just said. Because Jesus just said that you and I, we are servants and we have one of two masters. Either the Lord is our master and we serve him, or money is our master and we serve it. I think our American skin crawls when we hear that we don't have a master. No one tells me what to do. Well, Jesus has a different take. It's not a question of whether or not you will serve. It's simply a question of whom will you serve. And outside of Jesus, you and I don't have have a choice. Outside of Jesus, you and I are enslaved to money. It owns us. Just ask yourself these types of questions here. Do a little thought exercise. Outside of Jesus. So think before your life was surrendered to him, or maybe even some. When your life was, what was your drive? What woke you up in the morning? Why'd you set the alarm? What orients your schedule? Why do you live in that location? Why did you study at that college? Why did you take that job position? You think on these types of questions, you might start to see a pattern. Well, I Set my alarm for that time because I have to wake up to be a work and I have to be to work because I have to make money. And I moved here to this area because, well, there was a job, it was pretty good job, pretty good money. Well, I moved, I moved here because, I work remote and I was living in a big city where cost of living was extreme. And I came here, Columbia, you know, it's kind of still up and coming, so it's kind of cheaper to live here, but still got good amenities, you know, that's why I live here. Well, I studied at that college, I took out some loans to go to that college because I was convinced that it would pay off and I'd be able to make some money. We're enslaved to owns us. It works us and it grinds us until we're just shells of people. And the worst part is that it tricks us. It makes promises. And what we thought was going to be our deliverance from the guilt within and from the suffering imposed on us, it turns out to be the very force that holds us in captivity.And if this morning that is what you feel like, you feel stuck under the compulsory rat race that we call the American dream, let me tell you that more isn't enough. It never satisfies. You can't have enough money in your bank account. You can't have a nice enough house, you can't drive a nice enough car, you can't have enough toys and trinkets to satisfy what is within you. It's a bottomless pit that just keeps on going. And if this morning you're prone to self righteousness, let me also tell you that you can't give enough to deal with that guilt within you. Because only Jesus is enough. Only at the cross of Christ is the guilt for sin actually paid for. Atonement is only found there. And when we close this morning, the news doesn't stop there. At the cross, Jesus rose from the grave. He rose in power and paved a way for you and I to live inside of new resurrection life. And this life, it's not theoretical. It's not just ideas that you and I talk about on a Sunday morning or on a Wednesday night when we get together. It's real power to live.Do you know that you've been set free by Jesus for money? It no longer owns you. It is no longer your master. Jesus is. So as a church, we're going to participate in storing up treasure in the eternal kingdom because we see this stuff for what it is, just temporary Dust and a neat little form that fades away. But there's a place where the treasure abounds eternal. And that as we give to that, our hearts are drawn into him and his work. And so as a church, we're going to be people that give our money away. We're going to give and we're going to give and we're going to give. We're going to give to things like this give project to international mission work. And our hearts going to be spurred and drawn on towards that king kingdom work. We're going to be people that use our homes as places of rest for the weary and the broken, not as places where we can put up walls to block out those types of people. We're going to be a church that lend out our cars to people who need transportation because we can be inconvenienced. It's just temporary. We're going to be people that give food to the hungry. We're going to give shelter and care to the orphan and the widow. And we're going to give more and we're going to give more and we're going to give more. And we're going to ask the question, how much treasure can I store up in that eternal kingdom? Because that's what matters. That's what's eternal. It's not temporary. It doesn't just come and fade. It's forever. And most importantly, because when we belong to Jesus, we belong to him. And money no longer is our master. It does not own us. We are set free from it. What a beautiful, wonderful truth that we could belong to him.Father, we thank you that in your generosity and your love for us you would set us free from what held us in captivity because we were being promised life in the path that leads to death. But we want the life that you offer. So would you remind us in your spirit of the resurrection power of Jesus? And would we be a church that participates in radical generosity? Because we are utterly and truly convinced that life is not found here. It's found in you. And we want to live and we want our hearts to be drawn towards you. Father, we love you and we pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.One of the ways that we regularly remind ourselves of where true treasure lies and who the true master is is by participating in the Lord's Supper. This is a very practical and tangible reminder for us. We have real tables with real drink and bread up here and in the back and up in the balcony there's gluten free in the back right over here. And up in the balcony as well. But it's a real practice that you and I are about to stand up and walk and really grab some bread and eat it. And it's a reminder of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, that he went to the cross so that you and I could be set free from the bondage to something like money. And this is what Paul says about it in First Corinthians. He says,> "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:23–26, ESV)So this morning, if you don't know Jesus, this practice isn't for you. Because we don't want you to be confused about who he is. We just want you to respond to Jesus, to respond in faith. This morning, though, if you belong to Jesus, this is a practice that we participate in, to remind ourselves of the cost of the generosity of our Father, that the Son would come and he would die on our behalf. And so take a moment wherever you are, and consider where is your heart? Where is the focus? And then confess. Confess that before the Father, but don't stop there. Come to the table and in coming, confess the work of Jesus that you and I have been set free from bondage and slavery to money. So when you're ready, come to the table and receive the most wonderful gift of his broken body and his poured out blood for you and I.

Pastor John Aldridge teaches on the Lord's Supper

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 18) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 18) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1782 | 06 Dec 2025

The First Communion Class is a teaching series for children ages 7 and up, walking through the basics of the Christian faith using Luther's Small Catechism. Each episode focuses on clear explanation, repetition, and memorization of God's Word to help children understand and prepare to receive the Lord's Supper with faith and reverence.Subscribe & Share:• Apple Podcasts: Christ For You• Spotify: Listen on Spotify• Website: ZionWG.org/podcastStay Connected:• Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org• Website: ZionWG.orgIf this strengthened your faith, share it with others and leave a review. Your support helps more people hear the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 17) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 17) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1781 | 05 Dec 2025

In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Dr. Josh Ketchum and his son Austin Ketchum, co-authors of the book At His Table: Weekly Reflections for the Lord's Supper. Together, they explore the heart behind communion and why this weekly practice continues to be central to Christian worship. Their book offers 53 short reflections designed to help worshippers engage in the Lord's Supper with greater depth, gratitude, and spiritual renewal. As they explain, communion is a sacred tradition handed down from the early church (Acts 20:7), yet it can easily become routine. Their goal is to help Christians approach the table with fresh eyes and a renewed spirit. Whether you're a church leader looking for communion insights or a believer seeking richer moments at the table, this conversation will encourage you to remember, reflect, and be transformed each week.   Check it out: https://a.co/d/5hrnjkx     Connect with Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearchurch_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564673680147 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DearChurch   Have a question? Email Chris at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com.

Jon Buck's Sermon on 1 Corinthians 11:24-27, from November 23, 2025.

Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com Fellowship With the Spirit The very first letter of the Hebrew alphabet carries a profound message: it reveals God's first and highest intention for mankind. From the beginning, God's deepest desire has been to harmonize Himself with mankind and establish heaven on earth. And within that first letter, we discover not only God's highest priority but also the path by which His intention is fulfilled. In the block letters of the Hebrew alef-bet, this letter conveys that the life of God flows into us when we become one with the Father through the Lord Jesus. In the New Testament, we find 15 references to our fellowship with God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, and with one another. Through the centuries, this powerful concept has been reduced to little more than social gatherings. Nearly every denominational church in America has a “fellowship hall,” typically furnished with tables and chairs, designed to share meals. While these connections matter, they fall far short of the true meaning of biblical fellowship. Five times in the New Testament, we find the word 'communion.' It is used to contrast our interaction with righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, and it is even used to describe the Lord's Supper. Then, in 2 Corinthians, we see the word distribution. What do all these words share in common? Astonishingly, fellowship, communion, and distribution all come from one Greek word: koinonia. Koinonia refers to an intimate sharing—where possessions, resources, and even life itself are shared equally among those in a relationship. This gives us a powerful glimpse into God's intention. Communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit means that in Christ we share equally in all that He is and all that He has. Jesus said the Father has given Him all things, and He promised that the Holy Spirit would take everything He received from the Father and bring it to us. This reveals God's first and highest intention: that we would share in everything He has and everything He is. This is far more than receiving blessings—it is the supernatural process of faith and grace by which we become one with Him through Jesus, participating in the very life of God and experiencing heaven on earth. Join me this week in CyberChurch as we uncover the mystery of sharing in the inheritance Jesus received from the Father—and discover what true fellowship with the Spirit really means.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 16) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 16) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1780 | 04 Dec 2025

Todaywe continue to look at Ephesians 4:7-11. Weneed to understand the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the unity of the church isvitally important to sharing this great message of the Gospel of Christ to theworld around us. God has chosen the church today to do this. The New Testament churchcan best be describes as a local body of baptized believers, under thediscipline of the Word of God, being led by the Holy Spirit, exercising thegifts of the Spirit, organized under spiritual leadership for the purpose ofworship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, and ministry, and fulfilling theordinances of the church—the Lord's Supper and baptism. That is the localchurch. Inthat church God has placed people with various spiritual gifts to make surethat body functions properly in such a way that they are able to fulfill,complete, and carry out God's great commission. That is the purpose of thespiritual gifts. We see that specifically as we look at the passage here inEphesians chapter 4, verses 7-11.It says in verse 11, “And He Himself gavesome to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors andteachers.” Interesting,as you look at all three passages in the New Testament speaking specificallyabout spiritual gifts, you will find that in Romans 12, and also 1 Corinthians12-14, that Paul lists many gifts. Some people estimate up to 18 differentspiritual gifts were given to the church initially. But here in Ephesians 4:7,it appears that Paul is talking not so much about the gifts of the Spirit as heis talking about some of the offices that are being fulfilled because of thegift of the Spirit that were given to particular people in his day. Thefirst one Paul mentions was the Apostles. “He gave some to be apostles”.The word apostle means one who is sent with a commission. Jesus had manydisciples—even one time 70 disciples are mentioned—but we know that He onlyselected 12 apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). The disciple is a learner, a follower.But an apostle is a divinely appointed representative. For someone to be anapostle, he had to have witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts1:21-22). In Acts 1, when they were replacing Judas as one of the twelveapostles, they prayed about it, sought God's will about it, and particularlychose one person, Matthias, to become that twelfth Apostle (Acts 1:26). Today,there are no apostles in the strictest New Testament sense. These apostles laidthe foundation of the church along with the prophets as we are told in Ephesians2:19-20, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, butfellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, havingbeen built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himselfbeing the chief corner stone.”  Oncethe foundation of the church, the New Testament church, was laid, there was nolonger a need for apostles. Today when I hear someone saying, “I'm an apostle,”I hope they mean that they are one who is sent with a commission. Because allof us as believers are sent. As Jesus said to the disciples and to theapostles, “As the Father has sent Me, even so send I you.” Every believer inthat sense is sent. We are sent with a commission to share the good news ofJesus Christ. Butthere were only twelve who laid the foundation of the church in the NewTestament. That is very important to know. Today we should not claim to be anapostle. We should claim to be a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ. We havebeen sent even as an Apostle was sent, but we are not apostles because we didnot physically witness the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was thequalification given in Acts 1. Aswe study these four offices of the church that are mentioned by Paul here, theyshould encourage us to be what God wants us to be with our spiritual gift inthe church so the body of Christ can function as it should. Godbless!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Bill Jacobs and Kat Hoenke, both ecologists and conservationists. During their conversation, they discuss the St. Kateri Conservation Center, the connections of the Seven Deadly Sins to environmental issues, ecology and relationships, how Bill and Kat got acquainted, the importance of planting native plants, rewilding, creation becoming the creator, saints who loved the outdoors, and so much more.-link: Bill Patenaude's episode, Between Earth and SkyDuring the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn, the St. Kateri Conservation Center, Morning Star Seed Company, the iNaturalist app, the St. Kateri National Shrine, Laudato 'Si, the Message for World Day of Peace 1990, the Message for the World Day of Peace 2010, and episodes 41 and 77 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 15) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 15) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1779 | 03 Dec 2025

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!Trust is a rare commodity these days -- earned slowly, lost quickly. Christians should thank God we have One worthy of trust, and a host of others trying their best. This week we'll discuss the trustworthy One and the untrustworthy alternatives; the danger in picking the wrong partner when committing a felony; a staple of trust-building in the corporate world that people don't actually trust; and the difference between a team with a great player and a team. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 14) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 14) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1778 | 02 Dec 2025

Francis Chan sits down with theologian and apologist Gavin Ortlund (truthunites.org) for a vulnerable, wide-ranging conversation about communion, church unity, and what it means to love other Christians in a fractured age. Francis shares his own journey wrestling with the Eucharist, reading the church fathers, engaging Roman Catholic and Orthodox perspectives, and discovering the “real presence” within a Protestant framework. Gavin explains why he remains gratefully Protestant and how he understands the richness of the Lord's Supper and church history. Together, they talk honestly about the harsh tone of much online “discernment” content, the temptation to chase clicks by attacking other believers, and the deep grief they both feel over division in the body of Christ. Francis opens up about this new season of life and ministry, sensing a renewed childlike faith, a burden to guard and walk with younger leaders, and a longing to see gospel-centered unity rooted in truth and shaped by the love of God. If you've ever wrestled with questions about the Lord's Supper, Protestant vs. Catholic/Orthodox claims, or how to contend for truth without losing love, this conversation will both challenge and encourage you to fix your eyes on Jesus and pursue a unity that flows from the gospel itself.

Episode #299 of 15 Minutes and a Big Idea. A Podcast by The Mended Collective. In this episode, we take a step back and summarize the material from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Big Idea: The Lord's Supper is from the Lord 1) Christ Ate With Judas 2) We Must Remember 3) We Proclaim Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/15bigidea/?view_public_for=110691360592088 The Mended Collective: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlUSkU2N0UEy4Bq1HgpFEQ Email: 15bigideapodcast@gmail.com Theme Music: "Advertime" by Rafael Krux

This sermon explores the origins and significance of baptism and communion, tracing them back to their roots in the Exodus story. It explains that these sacraments are not random rituals but divine institutions commanded by Jesus, prefigured in the Old Testament, and practiced by the church for thousands of years.Scripture ReferencesMatthew 28:18-20: The Great Commission to baptize.Luke 22:7-20: The Last Supper, instituting communion.1 Corinthians 11:23-26: Paul's instructions on the Lord's Supper.Exodus 12:1-28: The Passover, the origin of communion.Exodus 12:29-51 & 14:1-31: The Exodus and crossing of the Red Sea, the origin of baptism.John 1:29: John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the "Lamb of God."1 Peter 1:18-19: Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish.Key PointsCommunion: The Passover Fulfilled To understand the Last Supper, we must understand the First Supper (Passover). In Exodus 12, God provided a substitute (a lamb) to save the Israelites from judgment. This lamb had to be:Pure: Without defect.Personal: Kept in the home for four days.Killed: A true sacrifice.Applied: Blood on the doorposts (faith in action).Consumed: Totally devoured (we take all of Jesus).Taken in Faith: Eaten in haste, ready to move. Jesus is the fulfillment of this Passover lamb. He is the pure, personal sacrifice whose blood is applied to our lives, saving us from judgment.Baptism: The Red Sea Crossing Baptism is framed by the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14). It involves three movements of salvation:Leaving the Old Behind: Just as Israel left 430 years of slavery in Egypt, baptism symbolizes leaving our old life of bondage.Surrendering to God: At the Red Sea, Israel was trapped and terrified. Moses told them, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Baptism declares our trust in God to fight battles we cannot win.New Identity: Passing through the waters, Israel was born again as a free nation. They emerged on the other side with a new identity as worshipers, erupting in song. Baptism marks our entry into a new life and identity in Christ.Why We Do It We practice baptism and communion because Jesus commanded them, the early church practiced them, and they powerfully reenact the story of our salvation. They are not just rituals; they are "sacraments" that mark the church and remind us of who we are and whose we are.ConclusionThe sacraments of baptism and communion are God's way of "resetting our clocks" and marking us as His own. Just as the Passover changed the calendar for Israel, meeting Jesus changes everything for us. We leave behind the old, trust God to fight for us, and step into a new identity as His people.Calls to ActionRemember Your Baptism: If you are a believer, recall the moment you "crossed the Red Sea" and left your old life behind.Take Communion in Faith: When you participate in the Lord's Supper, remember the cost of the Lamb and apply His blood to your life by faith.Stand Firm: If you are facing an "impossible" Red Sea situation, hear the word of the Lord: "Do not be afraid. Stand firm... The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

This week we start our 2025 Advent series by talking about hope. This week was also Lord's Supper, so the sermon is a bit shorter than normal. As we start the Christmas season, let the idea of hope really sink in and all that it means to drive our relationship with God. We're glad that you made it to this sermon! We're also available on Youtube. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com

Pastor James preaches on the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

This Can Be Your Story (Part - 13) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം - 13) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1777 | 01 Dec 2025

Listen in as Bart Stamper delivers a powerful and encouraging word on The Lord's Supper and Gratitude.www.realchurch.us

Jesus responds to a guest's exclamation about the blessedness of eating in God's kingdom by telling the parable of the great supper, illustrating the urgent invitation to salvation that has been extended through the prophets and now fulfilled in His person, yet repeatedly rejected by those who prioritize worldly concerns—land, work, or family—over divine fellowship. The parable reveals the tragic irony that the self-righteous, confident in their spiritual standing, are the very ones who excuse themselves from the feast, while the marginalized and needy are invited in, demonstrating God's sovereign grace to the lost. The call to repentance is both universal and urgent, yet effective only through the Holy Spirit's supernatural work, which compels the heart to forsake idols and embrace Christ. The sermon warns against mistaking ordinary life for spiritual neutrality, exposes the danger of self-deception and pride, and calls all to respond without delay, recognizing that every excuse is a refusal, and that only a heart transformed by grace can truly say, 'I come.'

Today's poem is just the thing if you need to make any last-minute invitations to Thanksgiving dinner. Happy reading! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Former Hollywood superstar and two time academy award winning actor, Kevin Spacey is apparently now a nightclub singer in Cyprus. In a fascinating interview, Spacey talks about his dramatic fall from fame amid the #metoo movement, why he thinks it happened and why he believes his redemption will happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Hollywood superstar and two time academy award winning actor, Kevin Spacey is apparently now a nightclub singer in Cyprus. In a fascinating interview, Spacey talks about his dramatic fall from fame amid the #metoo movement, why he thinks it happened and why he believes his redemption will happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Hollywood superstar and two time academy award winning actor, Kevin Spacey is apparently now a nightclub singer in Cyprus. In a fascinating interview, Spacey talks about his dramatic fall from fame amid the #metoo movement, why he thinks it happened and why he believes his redemption will happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.