Podcasts about Sustainer

In this powerful message from Pastor Karl, we journey beyond the manger to discover the timeless roots of Christmas in the Garden of Eden. Christmas is far more than a seasonal vibe—it's the profound story of God's unchanging love, revealed through proximity, provision, and loving parameters.Drawing parallels between Eden and Bethlehem, Pastor Karl shows how God has always pursued us: walking closely with humanity, generously providing what we cannot obtain ourselves, and setting protective boundaries for our good. Yet, from the beginning, humanity has often rejected this love, doubting God's goodness and choosing our own way.The heart of the gospel shines through as Pastor Karl reminds us that even in our rejection, God's love pursues and covers us—first promised in Genesis with the crushing of the serpent's head through the seed of the woman, and perfectly fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus, Emmanuel, "God with us."This message challenges us: Will we embrace not just the warmth of Christmas, but the weighty claims of Christmas—God's call to love Him fully with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength through belonging to His family, becoming like Christ, giving generously, and going on mission?A stirring reminder that God's everlasting love didn't begin in Bethlehem—it was set in motion from the very beginning, for you and me.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 8:00am 9:30am & 11:00am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

In the noise and rush of the Christmas season, it’s easy to let the message of Christ fade into the background like familiar music we barely notice. Yet Jesus did not come merely as a gift to be received and set aside—He came as a King to be welcomed, worshiped, and responded to. Scripture proclaims that the Christ child is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3). Born in humble flesh, Jesus is both Savior and Sustainer, worthy of our full devotion. This season invites us to prepare room in our hearts, step away from distractions, and bow in awe before the Newborn King. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why Jesus is more than a gift—He is a living presence who calls for a response. Discover how the incarnation reveals the radiance and glory of God in human form. Reflect on how busyness and consumerism can dull our worship during Christmas. Understand why Christ’s birth calls us to humility, surrender, and praise. Be encouraged to prepare space in your life for Jesus as King, not merely as a seasonal tradition. Bible Verse References Hebrews 1:3 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/hebrews/1-3.html Your Daily Prayer Jesus, I step away from the noise and distractions of this world to worship You. You are the radiance of God’s glory, the humble King who came to dwell among us and sustain us by Your powerful word. I open my heart to You anew and make room for Your presence in my life. You are worthy of all praise, honor, and devotion. Thank You for Your grace, Your nearness, and Your unending love. May my life be lived each day in response to who You are.Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily moments of Scripture, reflection, and prayer. Leave a rating or review to help others discover this podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com to explore more Christ-centered podcasts. Read more Christmas devotionals and worship-focused articles at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Bible study tools and Scripture exploration:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Christmas devotionals and worship resources:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

Pastor Dan's devotional points us beyond the manger to the glory of who Jesus truly is—fully God and fully man—using Colossians 1:15–20 to answer the question, “What Child Is This?” He explains that the baby Mary held was the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior, the One who reconciles sinners to God through His death and resurrection. He closes by clearly presenting the gospel and inviting listeners to put their trust in Christ, the greatest gift of Christmas.#Christmasology #WhatChildIsThis #Colossians1 #JesusIsGod #TrueMeaningOfChristmas #GospelTruth #ChristIsPreeminent #CalvaryBaptist #MaryDidYouKnow

In seasons of disruption, loss or uncertainty, how do Christians hold onto beauty, hope and faith? Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter and worship leader Laura Story joins NAE President Walter Kim for a heartfelt conversation on learning to trust God when life doesn't go according to plan. Drawing from her family's journey with disability, her ministry at Perimeter Church in Atlanta and her years of writing songs that have walked millions through sorrow and joy, Laura reflects on what it means to follow Jesus when the path feels unpredictable. She shares how worship can serve as a soundtrack for real life — not only celebrating God in seasons of victory, but sustaining believers through grief, confusion and change. In this episode, you'll discover: Why stepping out in faith can feel like a “free fall” — and why it isn't; Practical ways worship leaders and churches can walk alongside people in seasons of grief;How God is both our Savior and our Sustainer; and The surprising ways God's goodness can shine even in the most painful and confusing chapters of life.Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don't forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.ResourcesFull conversation with Laura Story on YouTubeFor further study, please see 2 Corinthians 4, Psalm 13, Ruth 1–4, John 9 Laura Story Music “So Long, Normal: Living and Loving the Free Fall of Faith” by Laura Story “When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without” by Laura StoryAt the Heart of Justice, NAE podcast with Gary Haugen A Global Vision for Human Flourishing, NAE podcast with Byron Johnson Behind Christian Music, NAE podcast with David Crowder and Eddie CarswellToday's Conversation is brought to you by NAE Chaplaincy.

Today, we say hello to my friend Genci, pastor of Eagles Church in Tirana, Albania, along with all our brothers and sisters who live in Albania. Genci is a man of character who loves his flock and has a beautiful family. The point of mentioning we are sinners, bigger on the inside and lonely, is to demonstrate our great need not only for salvation but to know and be known by others, most critically, God. In the lives of Jeremiah and Job, we see lives that are fully satisfied and trusting in the deepest of sorrows. But how did they get there?By consistent communion, conversation (prayer) with our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer.In a challenging, nearly 50-year ministry with Almighty God, Jeremiah learned through every circumstance:"There is none like Thee, O LORD; Thou art great, and great is Thy name in might.” Jeremiah 10:6"I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23"Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain? Or can the heavens grant showers? Is it not Thou, O LORD our God? Therefore we hope in Thee, For Thou art the one who hast done all these things.” Jeremiah 14:22"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27"Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing.” Jeremiah 6:24And above all,"Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24Brethren, let's pray for one another."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008Episode006

The 17.03 mark transitions to closing information.We continue looking at how Jeremiah's long life of consistent prayer leads him to be able to say in Lamentations:"He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drunk with wormwood. 16 And He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust." Jeremiah 3:15-16AND"Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me. 21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness." Lamentations 4:21-23Our So What?The bitterness of this earthly pilgrimage is made sweet through our consistent, sincere conversation and community with our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer."I called on Thy name, O LORD, Out of the lowest pit. 56 Thou hast heard my voice, "Do not hide Thine ear from my prayer for relief, From my cry for help." 57 Thou didst draw near when I called on Thee; Thou didst say, "Do not fear!" 58 O Lord, Thou didst plead my soul's cause; Thou hast redeemed my life. 59 O LORD, Thou hast seen my oppression; Judge my case." Jeremiah 3:55-59Brethren, let's pray for one another."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008Episode 007

Peace stands at the heart of Christmas because Jesus stands at the center of everything. In this Advent message, Jeremy Bailey leads us to Christ—the Creator, Sustainer, and Reconciler—and shows how His coming brings real peace to our past, strength for our present, and hope for our future. We're invited to trust Him fully, follow Him wholeheartedly, and share His peace with others throughout this season.

One of the hardest things about life is the feeling that God has forgotten us when we are in the midst of suffering. Is the Lord too busy to regard our situation? Or is it that He just doesn't care? Isaiah continues to press his point that the Lord is not only all powerful, but He is all wise and all caring

Today, we welcome Israel to our listening audience. Thank you for giving the Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast!We are looking this October at just who is our King of Glory?Today we see Him again high and lifted up, and in His presence we are humbled. Job began his season of trial with unfeigned worship of the God of the universe. “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job 1:20-22“But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”Job 2:10At the end of his long, weary defense of himself, Job moves to his desire to demand an explanation. Job 31:35-36“Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written, 36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it to myself like a crown. 37 “I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.”From humility to a wronged prince. Then God answers. God never tells Job why, but, as we will see, He confronts Job with God as Creator and Sustainer, and He displays Job's weakness before His other creations.Job will be humbled and reminded:“Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2Our So What?We come into God's presence in lowliness. “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. 23 “I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” Isaiah 45:22-23“that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 164

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 Links: Website: https://thegrovechurch.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegrovechurchofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/thegrovechurchofficial Sermon Audio: https://soundcloud.com/thegrovechurchofficial Podcast: https://tr.ee/c0BcdkUV3C Support Our Ministry: https://grovechurch.churchcenter.com/giving If this video was helpful to you, please like, comment, and subscribe — and share it with someone who needs hope today.

Sermon Summary Speaker: Andy Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 4:12, Judges 6-8 The Context of Advent: The sermon opens by acknowledging the difficulty of looking past the commercial "tinsel and glitter" of Christmas to find the uncomfortable reality of a baby born in a manger. The Prophecy (Isaiah 9): Andy explores the prophecy written 700 years before Jesus, promising that "there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress". He connects this Old Testament prophecy directly to Jesus' ministry in Galilee (Zebulun and Naphtali) as recorded in Matthew 4. Historical Parallel (The Midianites): The sermon draws a parallel between the "gloom" of Isaiah's time and the story of Gideon (Judges 6). Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, hiding in caves and starving. Andy notes that just as Gideon—a "nobody" with a tiny army of 300—defeated a massive army of 135,000, God uses the small to defeat the massive. Modern Application: Andy connects the historical "gloom" to the modern struggles of the council estate and inner-city life: mental health issues, abusive relationships, crippling debt, addiction, and fear. He acknowledges that life often feels like being "hemmed in" with no respite. The Paradox and Hope: The central message is that God breaks this massive oppression not with a giant army, but through a child. The "light dawning" is Jesus. Andy emphasizes that our confidence should not be in our own strength or government strategies, but in the "zeal of the Lord Almighty" and the child who is "Mighty God" and "Prince of Peace". Transcript Speaker: Andy (00:00) Thanks, Steve. Good morning, everybody. So we are at the second in our little Advent series. I don't know about you, but sometimes it feels to me that, you know, with all the… what we're trying to do here is get past all the tinsel and glitter and commercialization and busyness and all that stuff, and actually discover actually there's a baby being born. There's a baby that's got a message behind all of that. And sometimes it just feels so uncomfortable and awkward. Just sat there looking at this angel, you know, and it feels like we're just sat on a load of prickly things through the Christmas period, right? And it's really uncomfortable. And it shouldn't be like that, right? And it's kind of strange. (00:54) So this morning we're going to be looking at a few verses in Isaiah chapter 9. If you've got a Bible, you might want to turn to that. If this is kind of new to you, then Isaiah is a book that's kind of roughly in the middle. If this isn't new to you, you're going to tell me off now for what I'm about to say. But so if you open your Bible up, you probably land somewhere in the book of Psalms. If you go forwards a bit, you find the book of Isaiah. (01:17) And Isaiah is one of those books in the Old Testament that we call one of the prophetic books. Because him and a number of other writers—in the same section of the Old Testament—are writing things that God has spoken to them about that are going to happen in the future. So Isaiah is one of these. And these verses that we're going to read, he's actually talking about something that's going to happen 700 years in the future. So we're going to read this… We're dipping around a few other verses because I want to try and help us get the context of what he's saying first of all. (01:54) So Isaiah chapter 9, I'm going to start in verse 1. "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress." If you take home nothing else from this morning, take home that sentence. Pray about it. Meditate on it. Ask God what does it mean in your life? What does it mean in the lives of those that you rub shoulders with? Just think about that. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. Anybody want that? Yes. Absolutely. So take that home and pray about it. That doesn't mean switch off for everything else I say! But if you take nothing else, take that home. (02:45) And Isaiah goes on: "In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali..." Now, Israel as a geographic area was carved up into the twelve tribes, and Zebulun and Naphtali are two of those tribes. And their land was actually on the border with the next country. And every time Israel got invaded, these two tribes were the first to cop it, right? And they took all of the onslaught of enemies invading them. (03:13) So he says: "In the past he humbled those lands, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (03:34) Now just bear with me for a minute, we're going to flip forward into the New Testament. And I'm going to turn to Matthew chapter 4, and I'm going to read a few verses here. Matthew is one of those Gospel writers who's telling us about the story of Jesus as he was on this earth. And as Jesus begins his ministry, begins to teach and preach about what the Kingdom of God is, Matthew says this in chapter 4, verse 12: (04:02) "When Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—aha—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (04:47) So Matthew for us is straight away saying this passage in Isaiah is about Jesus. What Isaiah is talking about here 700 years earlier is a statement about Jesus coming into this world, and what that means for mankind, and what that means for you and for I. (05:07) We carry on in verse 3 of Isaiah 9. "You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy." So he's talking about the change Jesus is going to bring to the nation and to people's lives, "…but once were in distress. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat"—and we'll come back to that—"you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." (06:33) Amen, indeed. So let's just go back to verse 4. Because Isaiah pulls right into the middle of this word about Jesus, he references something, he calls it "for as in the day of Midian's defeat." And he's talking about an event that happened 400 years earlier. So he's prophesying something that's going to happen 700 years in the future, but in doing that, he calls on something that happened 400 years in his past. We get the idea... "with the Lord a day is a thousand years and a thousand years is one day," right? (07:09) So it's a... and you can read about this event in Judges chapter 6 to chapter 8. That's about the sixth book of the Bible... sixth, yeah I think that's about right. So you can read about this event in Judges 6 to 8. We might better know it as the story of Gideon. Okay? But the... and actually what we're going to do, I'm just going to read the opening verses because it sets the scene. And I just think this is really important because it ties into why Isaiah is... something powerful about the message of Isaiah about Jesus coming and what it means. And also for the first time ever, I thought Gideon has something to do with Christmas. So, here we go. (07:54) So in Judges chapter 6, we read this. I'm just going to read six verses. "Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, in caves and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels. They invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help."1 (08:52) It was a desperate time for the nation of Israel. This powerful army overran them completely. They oppressed them as2 a nation. You know, every... the men of Israel and the families of Israel had to go, leave their homes and hide in caves and in cleft3s in the rocks in order to escape the oppression of this enemy that was all over them. And, you know, when they went out and planted crops, then the Midianites would turn up and take those crops and kill the livestock. And at the end of that section I read, it says Israel was impoverished. It's a strong word. (09:37) And you get this sense of huge oppression on the nation at that time. It was desperate for them. They were reduced, as I say, to living in caves and fending for their lives. Their world had shrunk. They were hemmed in. They were struggling for food, not knowing where the next meal was coming from. Always watching their back because of this invader. No respite and no end in sight. (10:07) And I just wonder this morning, for some of us, does it ever feel a little bit like that at all? The challenges of this life? I think for some of the people we rub shoulders with, does it feel like that in this life? You know, when we're here on a Thursday morning with Edge and we're chatting to people and just discovering some of the circumstances they're going through. There's elements of this. Sure, we're not overrun by a foreign army in that sense, but there are other things that are hemming us in, making us feel oppressed. And no matter what we do, we always seem to be knocked back down. That life is a struggle. That you do feel hemmed in by life's circumstances. And, you know, um, that we're facing something beyond us, something too powerful. (11:03) But the story is the story of God acting to change that. Because it is the story of Gideon and how he chose Gideon. And the interesting thing about Gideon is, because we haven't got time to go into it, but Gideon was the least of the least, right? He was a nobody. In fact when God comes to him and says "I've called you to lead my nation and to conquer the Midianites," he s4ays "Why me? I'm the least of my family. My family is the least of the clan that we're in. I'm the last person you should be choosing. I'm just a nobody." In fact what he actually says to God is: "If God is with us, why has all this happened?" Ever said th5at? Good bit of honesty, isn't it? Absolutely. What a great prayer. "God, if you're with us, why has all this ha6ppened?"78 (11:51) But he is the least of the least. Not only is he a nobody who sees himself as the least of 9the least, when God tells him to get an army, God whittl10es his army down to just 300 people. And that's it. So here you've got a man who regards himself as the least of the least with a tiny, tiny army. And yet when we get to Judges chapter 8 and the end of the story, what we see is this man with his 300 men defeats an army of 135,000 soldiers. And you think, what's going on? He captures their kings. And he routs them. And he brings freedom to Israel. And he ends the oppression of the Midianites. (12:35) And you think, how can something so small—this guy who was the least of the least with his tiny little force—how can something so small defeat something so huge? That is so daunting, that is so scary. To human eyes, you would need something bigger and stronger to throw off the oppressor. If you've got an army of 135,000, give me an army of 200,000 to at least have a chance, you would think, right? (13:06) So the question is, why does Isaiah reference this story in the middle of this prophetic word about Jesus coming and being born into our world? Why does he pull in this event 400 years earlier? And it seems to me there's probably several reasons, but two that I just pull out of this that I think help us understand and kind of earth what Isaiah is talking about. (13:30) First of all, Isaiah says "You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor." You can see just from the glimpse of that story and my summary of it, it is well understood how the Midianites had oppressed the Israelites and how God had broken that oppression. But when we read that, we need to think carefully about, okay, how does that apply to us today in 2025? How does that apply to me and my life? How does that apply to this community where we live, this culture that we're in, this society that we're in when we read this? (14:09) Because like I say, there's not an army invading this land. Although actually probably for some of us here that might have been an experience at one point in our lives. But there are other things that squeeze in. There are other forms of oppression that stop people flourishing and blooming into all that God has called them to be and wants them to be. You know, we are overrun with mental health challenges in society today. The number of abusive relationships and control and manipulation that takes place is awful. And the effect of that on people's lives is like an oppression. (14:48) The grip of addiction and addictive behaviors is something that is so controlling that people struggle to break free of it. People spiraling into debt—which again we see on a Thursday morning so often—and not knowing how to get out and struggling how to get out and feeling like they're drowning in what is happening around them. A poverty not just of finance, but a poverty of hope and choice in people's lives becomes something that is so destructive in them. And stuck thinking that just this is their lot. (15:23) People full of fears and anxieties. You know, sure we're not running off to hide in caves, but so many people not able to get out of their own homes simply because of fear or because of anxiety. And so there are many things around us that we can equate and connect with what Isaiah is talking about here and make that connection. And all of these lead to a sense of oppression, of there's nowhere to go, of having to accept that this is our lot. (15:58) But not only is this a story about how the oppression of the Midianites was broken, it's a story of how that occurred. For as in Midian's day, this Gideon who was the least of the least, who was a nobody with his tiny little force... it just makes no human sense. How can that defeat this huge thing? How can that make any difference to this that seems so massive and so unable to overcome? How can Gideon with his tiny group bring freedom for the whole of Israel? As we look at it with human eyes, we think, huh? How's that gonna change? How is that ever gonna change? (16:47) So Isaiah tells us this breaking of oppression, this light shining in the darkness, this dawning of a light, is this child being born in 700 years time. That is what is going to make the difference. That is what is going to bring about a change. But again, it makes no sense! If you look at it with human eyes, how can that event—how can a tiny baby that is just totally dependent on Mum and Dad for its food, for its clothes, for its protection, for a roof over its head—how can a tiny baby be the thing that is going to make such a difference that it will break oppression in people's lives? That it will break the yoke on their shoulders and the rod of oppression on their backs? (17:34) What are... what are the baby's qualifications? You know, when we were doing... talking to builders about [Project] 146, that was a key question for us. What are the qualifications of this builder? So we interviewed five of them. You know, and we asked them questions like, "Have you done churches before? Do you work with charities?" Because that's different from working with commercial organizations. We wanted to see pictures of their work. We wanted to talk to other clients they'd had and get a conversation about how they found them and understand and make sure we were clear about the qualifications of the builder before we said "Yeah, we'll take you on and engage you." We need to know what their qualifications were. (18:16) When we look at Gideon, we see this man who is the least of the least with his tiny force. But what we also see is God said: "I will be with you." And so it's Gideon the nobody, tiny little force, but God with him. And that is what brought... broke the oppression for Israel. That's what brought freedom to those men and women and enabled them to step out of those caves, enabled them to plant crops, enabled them to go and, as Isaiah says here, "enlarge their nation and increase their joy." (18:55) So with Gideon, it's God is with him. But when we look at this child being born, this is God himself coming to this earth. This isn't somebody with God, this is God himself being born. All authority and power is his. He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of his government and peace. He will be establishing and upholding his Kingdom of justice and righteousness. (19:30) Paul, when he was writing to the church in Philippi, he put it this way. He says: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but he made himself nothing" ...became a baby, totally dependent on Mum and Dad. "Made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore... Therefore God has exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (20:25) See, that's his qualifications. That's why he is well able to bring about freedom from oppression. That's why he is well able to tackle the things that we've just talked about that so grip society today and grip our culture and grip our own lives. That is his qualifications. That's why he is the one able to shatter whatever yoke is on our lives, whatever bar is across our shoulders, and whatever type of oppression we are under. Our confidence is not in our abilities. It's not in our self-control. It's not in our self-discipline. Our confidence is not in government strategies. It's not even in church programs. But our confidence is in Jesus Christ and him alone. And that's why we can challenge the principalities and powers of this world—because of Him. (21:20) And there's two other things I just want to pull out quickly before we finish. In verse 6, Isaiah says to us: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given." You see, what has been done to bring this light that Isaiah starts his message with... this great light, or to see that this light slowly dawning—what's been done to bring that has been given to us. (21:49) You see, when we read about Jesus in the Gospels, like in Matthew earlier, and we read about his three-year ministry, we don't see a man who was going around just doing his own thing. We don't see Jesus just doing what he wanted to do and that was it. No, we see him doing what the Father told him to do, but we see them doing that for us. He came to tell... teach us about the Kingdom of God. He came to teach us about what it is to repent and have our sins forgiven. He came to teach us what it is to live in a way that he calls us to. He came to... he demonstrated that with signs and wonders raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons, and bringing freedom to men and women's lives. (22:31) You see, when you were born, you were born into your family. You came to your family, in that sense. But this child has been given to us. That's good news! This Jesus has been born to us, for us. He's given to all of us. You see, God has reached down and come to us. That means he's come to you. And he's come to me. He has not remained distant. Nor has he sent somebody else in his place. You know, like if King Charles were going to write you a letter, it would be a postman that delivers it. He wouldn't come personally and give it to you. Yeah? That's not the way God works. He's come to us personally through his son Jesus. He's sent his one and only son Jesus to us that we may walk in light and that the hold of oppression on our lives may be broken. (23:25) But in coming to us... it demands a response, right? If you come to us—literally to me and Ange to our house—and ring the doorbell, it demands a response from us. We might think, "Uhh..." Shut the curtains? No, no, no, we wouldn't do that. We would open the door and welcome you in. But it demands a response; we have to respond. And in the same way, Jesus... [knocks on pulpit] ...comes to us, right? And it demands a response. Every time. (24:00) And we can reject him. And then we'll remain under the yoke that Isaiah is talking about. We'll remain seduced by the world around us and we'll succumb to the oppression that that world puts in our lives. Or... we can embrace this child. We can embrace this son. And surrender all to him and bow the knee. (24:26) And you might think, "Well does that matter?" Does that matter? Well Isaiah goes on in verse 7 and he says "Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." In other words, it will grow, and grow, and grow. The government and peace of Jesus will grow and grow and grow. You see, Jesus did not remain a baby born in a stable. He did not remain even the man that walked this earth for three years preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God. He did not remain the man who laid down his life for you and for me on a cross. He did not even remain the man that God raised from the dead three days later and appeared to his disciples. But he is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. And all authority and all power has been given to him. And all things are under his feet. And countless millions have found that to be true ever since that day. (25:27) This Jesus has come to you, and to me. What is our response? And finally, Isaiah finishes this passage by saying "The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." And you know what it is when you want to change something in your own life? And in your own circumstances? And how we can try harder? And we want to do things better? And we want to be more careful? And we want to work smarter? And in just two or three weeks some of us will be duped into making resolutions... and all that kind of stuff, right? But we tire. And we get lazy. And we lose our way. Or something unexpected happens and comes from stage left and thwarts us with what we're doing and we're all of a tailspin again. And we thought we were making progress, but so often it can feel like one step forward, ten steps back. (26:15) You see, this breaking of the oppression... this son coming... this increase of his government and peace and the growth of his justice and kingdom isn't like that. This light of dawn breaking upon our lives isn't like that. God isn't going to start this and then decide it's too hard. It's not that he looks at you or he looks at me and thinks, "Can't really help with that bit." It's not that he looks at you or I and thinks... and starts working in us but then gives up because he gets bored, like we might. Or because actually he's busier with some more important people. Doesn't do that. (26:50) Why? Because the zeal, the passion of the Lord for you and for I will accomplish this. It's not dependent on our efforts. It's dependent on him. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The one who lives in unapproachable light. Who knew your name before you were born. And who ordained all the days of your life before one of them came to pass. His zeal, his passion for you will accomplish this in your life and in my life. His zeal will see it through. (27:30) I'd like us just to spend a little bit more time in worship and just come before this Jesus. There's a couple of things that strike me about this passage that are interesting in terms of, you know... we're very keen to try and encourage engagement in terms of prayer and asking Jesus to bring about change in our lives, right? And apply that. But there's a theme here that God seems to use what on the surface appears insignificant, possibly even weak. When we talk about Gideon and his little force. We talk about a child being born in a stable. And in fact if you take that further and you talk about a man willingly letting himself be crucified on a cross. (28:20) There's a theme that in God bringing freedom for you and me, he uses what seems weak and insignificant. And lays down their lives. And it seems to me that in responding to him, to know that freedom, there's something about that that you and I need to do as well. We need to, in a sense, admit before Jesus that we are weak, actually. And that we want to lay down our lives. And that actually, before Jesus, we are insignificant. (28:55) And let's be honest, that's quite hard because we like to think, you know... we're not... we like to think we've got some strength and some oomph. But in responding to Jesus, it's about laying down our own lives. And coming to him in full surrender. But the second thing about this passage Isaiah says is that this is about a light that is dawning. You see we can read a passage like this and there's a danger of triumphalism. Of thinking "Yeah! Jesus is going to change everything! Right now! Boom, boom, boom!" And I know it's not like that. Life is hard for a lot of people. Even in this room this morning, life is hard. But the promise that is here... the hope... is that there is light dawning. There's not a promise of when the full day comes, right? But there is a promise of hope, of light dawning. And that is Jesus. (30:04) And so we come to him. I wonder if we could have the worship band back please? And if we're going to worship again... but I just want to encourage you to respond to Jesus. You know, he's knocking. You might have been a Christian for donkeys' years. Guess what? He's still knocking. He's still looking and wanting to break things in our lives that we would know his freedom and walk in the goodness of all that he has for us. Thanks, Steve.

Gratitude shifts when attention moves from missing things to present gifts from God. Kelly Balarie frames this reset through Psalm 87:7, highlighting a real-life moment of releasing comparison and anchoring joy in Christ. Strong search phrases like biblical gratitude, contentment over comparison, and Psalm 87 fountains help more hearts find the message quickly—because noticing God’s provision isn’t denial, it’s deliberate focus. Highlights Comparison is loud; gratitude is louder when practiced. Obedience often includes releasing what once mattered. Letting go creates capacity for deeper joy. Christ is the source, not the supplement. Serving others redirects the heart from scarcity to abundance. Worship begins at the fountain—God Himself. Thankfulness starts small, but builds momentum fast. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Holding on to Joy When the Season Feels Heavy By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading:“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”- Zephaniah 3:17 NIVThe holiday season brings a sense of joy and positivity to many. The constant celebrations are a welcome distraction from their ordinary lives. Yet, for others, the holidays usher in more profound feelings of grief, remorse, or desperation. To the one who recently lost a loved one, putting on a happy face during celebrations is distressing.To the one who received the news that they no longer have a job, having to tell their family that Christmas will look a bit different this year is dispiriting.For those estranged from family members, watching others gather peacefully can be a depressing experience.If you are struggling to hold onto joy this season because you are in an emotionally, mentally, or spiritually heavy season, let me encourage you with these verses. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”- Zephaniah 3:17 NIVWhen you are in the middle of an extremely difficult season, especially when it seems like the world around you is rejoicing while yours is falling apart, remember that God is with you. It may feel that He is distant, you might even be tempted to think He’s forgotten You, or His lack of removing your pain is evidence He doesn’t care. But, that is not true. God is always with you. He is your Savior and your Sustainer. He rejoices over you with gladness. He is love ( 1 John 4:16), and He created you out of love. He hasn’t forgotten you. She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” - Genesis 16:12 NIV There are seasons in our lives where, though we know in our minds God hasn’t forsaken us, our hearts feel differently. Just like Hagar, our dire circumstances may cause us to question God’s goodness. We may feel that God doesn’t care about our situation, we are in a spiritual desert, and are desperate for something to quench our dry souls. God does care for you. He is grieved when His children are hurting. Jesus, who took on humanity, experienced all the things we experience. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed, to grieve the loss of a friend, to be rejected by the people He loved. God is a good God Who sees, and He sees you. Allow God’s goodness to draw you out of the desert, and find joy in Him.“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” - Isaiah 26:3 It can be difficult to hold on to joy when our thoughts aren’t focused on the Lord. Peace, isn’t that something we all desire? We can experience peace in the hardest of seasons when our thoughts are steadfast, or firmly fixed on the Lord. How can we securely anchor ourselves in God? We firmly believe that even in our darkest moments, God is still at work. God is still faithful, He has a purpose, and nothing can separate us from His love. Friend, if you are in a heavy season, know I am praying for you as you navigate the holidays. May you feel the Lord’s presence and know that He sees you and He loves you. Intersecting Faith & Life:Are you in heavy season? If so, what verse above gives you encouragement? Commit the verse to memory and recite it when you are struggling to hold on to your joy.Further Reading:Isaiah 26 11 Ways to Draw Near to God this New Year Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is Christmas: Creator & Sustainer with Pastor Jason Eddy www.betheljanesville.org

Unyime Akpan - November 30, 2025 - Crown Jesus Christ Lord of All In the Age of “Influencers, AI, TikTok, Experts and SuperHeros” Colossians Colossians Written So Believers Can Understand God's Mystery Jesus Christ One of the Most Christ Focused Books in the NT 95 verses, Mentioned Christ About 80 times Written for Believers to Understand: Person of Christ Richness and Significant of Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection Futility of Human Thinking and Ways Supremacy of Christ Sufficiency of Christ How to Live as Believers Colossians 1 - Supremacy and Sufficiency of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the Savior Jesus Christ is Supreme Over All Jesus Christ is God Jesus Christ is the Creator of All Jesus Christ is the Owner of All Jesus Christ is the Sustainer of All Jesus Christ is Supreme Over all who rise from death Colossians 1(NLT) 12  What is the relationship between Jesus Christ and God? - Colossians 1(NLT) 15  What is the relation between Jesus Christ and Creation? - Colossians 1(NLT) 15  Jesus Christ existed before creation Jesus Christ created everything Who Holds Creation Together? - Colossians 1(NLT) 17  What is the relationship between Jesus Christ, the Church and the Resurrection? - Colossians 1(NLT) 18  What is the relationship between Jesus Christ and God? - Colossians 1(NLT) 19  How is Peace Established between God, Man and Creation? Colossians 1(NLT) 20  What About Believers? - Colossians 1(NLT) 21 and 22 Doesn't that Mean Believers Can Live Anyway they Like? - Colossians 1(NLT) 23  What Secret is Being Revealed to Believers in the Letter? Colossians 1(NLT) 26  Colossians 2 Jesus Christ Has All Wisdom and Knowledge Jesus Christ is Truly Man and Truly God The Cross of Jesus Christ is the Only Means of Victory Over Sin, Death and Satan Believers are Complete in Jesus Christ Let No One Condemn, Deceive or Take You Captive Live the Way you Received Christ –By Faith Why should this Letter be read? - Colossians 2(NLT) 2  What do believers need to understand about Jesus Christ? - Colossians 2(NLT) 3  Why should believers know Jesus Christ has ALL the Treasures of Wisdom and of Knowledge - Colossians 2(NLT) 4  How should a Believer Live? - Colossians 2(NLT) 6  What are Believers Warned About? - Colossians 2(NLT) 8  What does this mean to the Believer? Colossians 2(NLT) 10  How are Believers Complete in Christ? - Colossians 2(NLT) 11  Things that happened when you believed in Jesus Christ How are Believers Complete in Christ? - Colossians 2(NLT) 12  Things that happened when you believed in Jesus Christ How are Believers Complete in Christ? - Colossians 2(NLT) 13  Things that happened when you believed in Jesus Christ How are Believers Complete in Christ? - Colossians 2(NLT) 14  Things that happened when you believed in Jesus Christ How are Believers Complete in Christ? - Colossians 2(NLT)  15  Things that happened when you believed in Jesus Christ Why should believers know this? - Colossians 2(NLT) 16  Why should believers know this? - Colossians 2(NLT) 18 & 19 What can believers do with this knowledge? Colossians 2(NLT) 6 &  Colossians 3(NLT) 16 

Everything that exists is dependent upon God—not only for its origin but also for its ongoing existence. Today, R.C. Sproul considers how God is both the Creator and Sustainer of His creation. Request R.C. Sproul's providence resource bundle with your gift of any amount: two booklets (Does God Control Everything?, What Does It Mean That God Is Sovereign?), two digital teaching series (Providence: God in Control, The Providence of God), and a digital study guide (The Providence of God): https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4412/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? With your donation, request the providence resource bundle with two ebooks, two digital teaching series, and a digital study guide: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Redeemer, Sustainer, Peacemaker, Lord | Colossians 1:11-20 | 112325 by Corey

In Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon makes a series of surprising statements: funerals are better than parties, sorrow is better than laughter, and criticism is better than praise. At first glance, none of it seems to make sense—until we press in and discover the deep truth behind his words.In this message, we explore why God often uses sorrow, adversity, and seasons of suffering to refine us in ways comfort never can. We look at how grief slows us down, clarifies our priorities, and opens space for God to shape our hearts. We also confront the mystery of suffering—why life doesn't always add up and why faith must make room for both joy and hardship.If you're walking through a difficult season, this message will encourage you to trust God not only as Deliverer, but as Sustainer. If you're in a season of strength, it will challenge you to look with compassion on those who are hurting.“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed…” — Romans 8:18

Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 23:35-43; Christ the King, Creator, Sustainer, Sovereign; head

God's story with Israel begins with a promise, a covenant God Himself initiated. In Genesis 17, we see a God who chooses, who calls, who gives a future long before that future seems possible. Abraham didn't earn it, fight for it, or negotiate it. God simply declared, “I will be your God,” and from that moment on, the identity and destiny of Israel were forever shaped by His faithfulness.As the story unfolds through Scripture, we're reminded that God's gifts are enduring. He is Creator, Owner, and Sustainer of all things, and what He gives, He gives with purpose. Israel stands as a living testimony of God's covenant love, a nation preserved, protected, and restored time and time again. And through Christ, we have been lovingly grafted into that same family, invited into that same story of grace.This truth calls us to humility, gratitude, and responsibility. Just as Israel was chosen to bless the world, we too, followers of Jesus, are called to serve, to lead with goodness, and to shine God's light wherever we go.Subscribe to Our Channel! New to LifeRock? Click here: liferockchurch.org/get-connectedTo support this ministry and help us reach people in our community. Click here: liferockchurch.org/giveDo you need someone to pray for you? We will pray for you. Click here: liferockchurch.org/online-prayerFollow: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeRockColumbiaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/LifeRockChurchX: https://www.x.com/LifeRockChurch

The King of glory, might in strength, also is our Good Shepherd, and He leads us like a flock. Today we meditate on one of the most beloved Psalms, reminding ourselves that our ultimate destination is glorious eternity in the presence of our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer.Psalm 23"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."Our So What?This life is not our most extraordinary destiny; our relationship with our Shepherd begins here, and as we grow in prayer, our lives will have more meaning on earth as they will in heaven. Glory to God. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 161

The Sustainer, What Happens When You Don't Trust GodSupport this ministry through this link: https://linktr.ee/dontletthemburn

Pastor: Kevin BuynakSermon Notes:· Jesus is over everything!· 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.· How does Jesus describe himself? (put the next 3 verses on one slide)John 10:30 – “I and my father are one”John 14:9 – “He who has seen me has seen the Father”John 8:58 – “Most assuredly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am!”· 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.· Jesus is not created, but He is the Creator!· Worship only the true Creator.· Don't try to make God who you want Him to be!· 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.· The greatest threat to us is not the circumstances we face, but our constant bend toward self-sufficiency.· What did you bring with you today that you are carrying alone?· Jesus holds everything together.· 18 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.· Jesus brings peace to his people.· 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds.· 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,· Jesus gives us new identity· The identity Jesus offers reconciles your past, redeems the present, and gives you a residence for eternity.· Vs. 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.· Jesus commissions us to proclaim the Gospel.· Is Jesus truly over your life today?LIFE Group Discussion QuestionsStarter Question· When have you seen something “hold together” that you thought was going to fall apart? What helped it stay strong?Read Colossians 1:15-16· Paul calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God.” What does that mean to you personally?· How does understanding Jesus as both Creator and Sustainer change how you see Him day to day?Read Colossians 1:17· Verse 17 says, “In Him all things hold together.” What are you trying to hold together?Read Colossians 1:18-20· What does it practically look like for Jesus—not a person—to be the true head of the church?· In what ways do people today struggle with a “Jesus and” mindset—adding something else to their faith instead of trusting Jesus fully?Read 1:21-23· Paul says the gospel “has been proclaimed in all creation” and that he became a minister of it. What does it look like for you to live as someone sent to share Jesus over everything?· If “Jesus is over everything,” what's one area of your life that needs to come under His authority this week?· If you've never written down your story, do so this week! Simply share what your life was like before Jesus, how you met Jesus, and what life is like with Jesus now.

Send us a textThis is a rebroadcast of our 08/24/24 program.GUEST: SCOTT ANIOL, Executive VP and Editor-in-Chief G3 MinistriesThere is no more important issue and pursuit than worshipping God. It's more important than who will be our next president, more important than world peace, more important than your health, financial security, and whatever else we treasure.Scripture makes the primacy of worship clear:  King David prayed, “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).Paul wrote, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).King Solomon exhorted, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear [reverence, awe] God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)Psalms, the songbook of the Bible, closes this way: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6)God created man as a worshipful being. We can see this because everyone worships someone or something. If God isn't worshipped, a false god will be substituted—person, pleasure, possession, position, popularity, power, to name just a few.God, as Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Sovereign over all, deserves our worship. Our peace, purpose, and pleasure in life is directly proportional to how rightly and authentically we worship the Creator.Our guest this weekend is Scott Aniol, Executive VP and Editor-in-Chief G3 Ministries. G3, which stands for “Gospel—Grace—Glory”, is a Christian organization that aims to strengthen the local church through conferences, resources, online articles, podcasts, expository preaching workshops, biblical worship workshops, and local church-based curriculum for Sunday school and small groups.”Scott Aniol will join us to discuss “The Primacy of Worship”. He explains in a five-part column series corresponding to each of the “five solas” of the Reformation that worship is even more important than salvation, for salvation is the entry point to proper worship of God.This program aims to be a helpful for individual Christians and also the church, for worship includes but is far more encompassing than music alone.-------------------Manger in Danger for a donation of $30 or moreRELATED ARTICLES:The Primacy of Worship Scott Aniol's series on the 5 Solas of WorshipScripture AloneGrace Alone in Christ AloneFaith AloneTo the Glory of God Alone

The first lines of Hebrews don't stroll—they soar. We open chapter one and climb fast: God has spoken in many portions and many ways, and now finally in the Son. That single claim reframes all of Scripture and resets our assumptions about authority, revelation, and hope. Together we explore how the author of Hebrews weaves Old Testament quotations, poetic Greek, and high Christology into a focused portrait: Jesus is heir of all things, maker of the ages, the radiance of God's glory, and the exact imprint of His nature.As we read Hebrews 1:1–4, we connect the dots across the canon. John chapter 5 clarifies that calling God His Father was a claim to equality with God. Colossians chapter 1 echoes that all things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him—and that in Him all things hold together. That means the stability of the universe isn't an abstract force; it's personal providence. We also unpack what “last days” means biblically, why Christ is God's final Word, and how the Spirit still guides believers without adding new revelation to Scripture.Then we linger over those luminous phrases: the Son as radiance, the Shekinah glory revealed in Jesus, purification for sins accomplished, and the royal seat at the right hand of Majesty. Angels are honored in Hebrews, yet Jesus stands infinitely higher—Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. The takeaway is both doctrinal and pastoral: relocate your trust. If Christ inherits everything, no rival can claim your heart. If He upholds all things by His powerful word, anxiety meets its match in His steady care. Come think deeply, worship clearly, and leave with your attention fixed where God has finally spoken—on the Son.If this journey through Hebrews 1 enriched you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer assures us, not only that He is our compassionate Father, but that our salvation is entirely His doing."Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."Hebrews 12:1-3Interestingly enough, this time through Leviticus —the most law-concentrated book, at least in my mind —God assures us five times: "I am the Lord who sanctifies."Eleven times in the Bible, He explicitly tells us He is the one who sanctifies. And five of those are from the most challenging book in the Bible to read.Our So What?From our souls we: Worship Him for His WorkWe thank Him for authoringWe confess our sins, being honest with Him. We intercede for ourselves and others for the sanctification our new inner man hungers for. And when we hurt over our sin, our comfort is that He is working! He will do it.Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 158

The Word of God Sustains us!

In this passage Jesus is spoken of in the highest terms. He is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Redeemer of all things. If Jesus literally has the blueprints for all of creation, certainly we can trust Him to have the blueprints for our lives!

Daily Dose of Hope October 20, 2025 Scripture - John 8:12-59 Prayer: Holy God, We pause before you. We become still, recognizing that you are God. You are Creator, you are Provider, you are Sustainer. Thank you, Lord. We repent for how we have failed you. We repent for our pride, our anger, our bitterness, our flawed view of others. We repent for not putting you first. Forgive us, Lord. We are broken and sinful people. Lord, use us anyway. We pray that you can lead us to a place of healing and peace so that we can then be useful to your Kingdom. Help us be your servants, open to your leading and direction. We are yours. We belong to you. In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. As most of you know, we are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we finish up John 8. This chapter is an interesting and complex set of narratives about Jesus' identity. In verses 12-30, Jesus attempts, unsuccessfully, to explain that he does not need the two witnesses required by the Law in any testimony because he already has them: his own and the Father's. To the Jews, this would have been impossible. No one could testify on their own behalf. Afterall, the Law, to ensure fairness and objectivity, required at least two witnesses. But let us not forget that the gospel is not necessarily historical but theological. We are reading the account of an early Jewish-Christian community engaged in heavy theological debate with the synagogue, a sort of family feud if you consider that everyone here is Jewish. Beginning in verse 31, John states Jesus is speaking to Jews who had believed in him. I think the tense is important here. These were once followers of Jesus but now they are not. Jesus tells them that if they hold to his teachings, they are his disciples. And Jesus continues to say that it is then that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free. But this gets them all confused. But why in the world would they need to be set free? They are Abraham's descendants and they have never been enslaved. Jesus explains that they are, in fact, slaves to sin. Keep in mind, that this is a group who thinks they will go to heaven simply because of their blood line. They are Jews, they are God's chosen people. How they think and behave is far less important than to whom they are related. And yet, Jesus pushes up against this. As the text continues, in verses 37-59, Jesus and the Pharisees and other Jewish authorities throw accusations at each other. Jesus says they are being children of the devil; they accuse him of being demon-possessed and a Samaritan. One can hardly think of a worse situation. No one was listening to one another. But John is making a point. He is leading up to Jesus saying in v. 58, Before Abraham was, I am. Of course, he is speaking of himself using the Biblical way of referring to God. He is saying that he is God. This escalates things. The Jews begin to pick up stones to begin to throw at him but he slips away. Jesus is God. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

At Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, our senior pastor Rev. Craig Bailey returned to Hebrews 11 encouraging us to draw near to God who is both transcendent and immanent.

Engage with the Triune God, the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, each day; He who created you, redeemed you, and sustains you. And engage with the world through the Tirune God each day; He who created the world, sustains the world, and offers redemption to the world...Live streams are available each Sunday at 11:00 am on our website, app, and Vimeo at: ⁠https://vimeo.com/chippewaumc⁠⁠ChippewaUMC.org⁠

This week, we’ll hear from three seasoned leaders from Cedarville University—Dr. Michael Sherr, Dr. Jason Lee, and Dr. Angelia Mickle—who bring together decades of experience in social work, theology, and nursing. United by a shared passion for equipping healthcare professionals, they explore how we can find renewed strength under tremendous pressures by bridging the gap between faith and health. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Dr. Drew Dickens, a technologist and storyteller exploring where faith, identity, and innovation meet. As host of the Encountering Peace and AI and Spirituality podcasts, he brings deep insight into how emerging technology is reshaping the way we think, connect, and seek meaning. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Brett Swayn Upcoming interview: Jenny Marrs Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV Dr. Michael Sherr Dr. Jason Lee Dr. Angelia Mickle Cedarville University Center for Biblical Integration at Cedarville University Colossians 3 NIV Isaiah 40:31 NIV Scripture and Scrubs: A Christian Calling to Healthcare Dr. Drew Dickens Encountering Peace AI and Spirituality Whispers of the Spirit: A 40-Day Guide to Intimate Prayer Interview Quotes: “One of the things that we want to do is make sure that we’re setting our trajectory around what God wants from us, to listen to God regularly through His Word, and to connect with Him daily.” - Dr. Jason Lee “We all have to live out our call to live the gospel, to be on mission, to live our relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in whatever endeavor we find ourselves in our lives.” - Dr. Michael Sherr “Part of the challenge is to see how we can pull the professional and spiritual journeys together and create a greater impact and a sense of purpose. But also a sense of longevity, because all these things are done not just in the moment and for immediate success or healing or any treatment, but ultimately for the glory of God.” - Dr. Jason Lee “The purpose of us being here is to comfort people and to help them in their time of vulnerability, or if they’re hurt and suffering, and just love them unconditionally—the way that Jesus would.” - Angelia Mickle “If we have Jesus in our heart, the joy is going to show. Jesus is love, and we’re going to reflect Christ, so we’re going to reflect love.” - Dr. Angelia Mickle “[AI] is still casually dismissed right now, and that’s concerning to me because we’re dealing with issues of identity, we’re dealing with issues of inspiration.” - Dr. Drew Dickens “Prayer requires effort, and we need to remember that communicating with the Creator and Sustainer of this vast universe is an amazing privilege.” - Dr. Drew Dickens “We need to have these conversations on the effects of [AI] in the pews, on families and relationships—the effects it’s going to have on community, on communion, on what it means to gather together, or just to re-engage with a physical moment of intimacy with God.” - Dr. Drew Dickens “We’re not to be a people of fear, but of hope. So we can be intentional, we can find ways to engage with AI in a redemptive way, and we can be mindful of these opportunities because there is hope.” - Dr. Drew Dickens ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY ________________________ Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A Word of Encouragement with Vicky Mutchler is heard at 11:30 AM Central Time on Faith Music Radio.  Join the Facebook group On a Positive Note to get more words of encouragement from Mrs. Vicky - https://www.facebook.com/groups/171863542874382/

All of us have a tendency to fall into a pattern of living from a false sense of control.  But when the unexpected circumstances of life hit, we are reminded very quickly of our dependency on the Lord.   Today's storyteller, Mary Bradley Anderson, from our Mountain Brook, Alabama community, talks candidly about her journey of surrendering her plans to the Lord. This is a story about God‘s sovereignty, His all-sufficient grace and ever-present Spirit, and His omnipotent power as the Creator and Sustainer of life. Get ready to be inspired to live with your eyes focused on Jesus. ____________________________________________   VERSE OF THE WEEK: Psalm 139:5, 16 “You hem me in, behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”   CHALLENGE: “Anytime resentment creeps in, it's a reminder to turn to Jesus.” Where are you harboring resentment or jealousy? This week, allow any of those moments to turn your eyes back to Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith.   Learn more about our Sustain the Stories Campaign and how to become a Story Champion by a recurring donation or simply give once in honor of Mary Bradley and our past storytellers!!   Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Danna Homan of our Mountain Brook community.   Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST   Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE!  (Click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone.)   Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series   Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.   Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings AND Sustain the Stories Campaign!

Auto-generated transcript: Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. I begin in the name of Allah, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Maintainer, and the Protector of the entire universe and all that it contains, the most beneficent, the most merciful. We send salutations on his messenger, the last and final of them. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, his family,… Continue reading Stand if you are alive

Join us for this week's sermon!Whether you're seeking hope, direction, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you. Each week, we open God's Word together to find truth, encouragement, and strength for the journey.

Daily Dose of Hope September 17, 2025   Scripture - Luke 20:1-19   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Provider, Sustainer, Thank you for being the God who creates, cares, loves, and saves.  All we have is from you.  As we talk about today's text, give us a fresh revelation; help us see your Word in a new way. Lord, thank you most of all for Jesus.  Thank you for his sacrifice.  Thank you for showing us a different way of doing life.  Help us actually live the way you taught us.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin a deep dive into Luke 20.   We start today's text with the Pharisees asking Jesus by what authority he speaks and teaches.  Keep in mind, this was right after Jesus cleanses the Temple and the Pharisees are a bit annoyed.  In Jewish culture, authority was based on lineage and education.  Jesus' authority was divine and so these earthly leaders are feeling incredibly threatened.  They are more concerned with losing their own power and authority than anything else at this point, or so it seems.    I do love how Jesus so often answers a question with a question, as he does in this text.  He asks the men where the authority of John of Baptist came from.  They were in a bind and knew that whatever they answered, it would get them into trouble.  So, because they said they didn't know, Jesus told them he had no need to say from where his authority came from either.   We move from there to the parable of the tenants.  This is a hard parable with violence involved in every aspect of it.  A landowner, presumably a man of means, builds a vineyard and gets it set up with all the right equipment.  He has tenants plant the vines and run the farm for him, while he lives in another place.  When the harvest comes, the absent landowner sends a slave to collect his portion of the harvest or profits.  The slave is beaten up pretty badly by the tenant farmers and limps away.   You would think the landowner might do something different next time but he doesn't.  He sends another slave.  Actually, he sends a lot of different slaves to collect on his behalf.  Some are badly beaten while others are actually killed.  We get the impression this happens over many growing seasons.    The landowner decides he has one option left, his beloved son.  He feels assured that the tenants won't hurt him.  Did the son feel the same way?  Not sure.  But things don't go so well.  The tenants know this is the heir and they kill him too, throwing his body out to the wild animals.   The question that Jesus asks is what will the landowner do?  The answer is that he will come there himself, kill the tenants, and give the land to others (or possibly get new tenants.)  What in the world is meant by all of this?  There are several possible things to think about here and none of them are pleasant.   First, throughout the Bible, the concept of the vineyard is associated with the people of Israel.  With that as a backdrop, could it be that God is the stubborn landowner, the slaves are prophets, and the son is Jesus?  That would make the tenant farmers the corrupt religious leaders.    Second, there are aspects to the parable that the first-century hearers would get that aren't necessarily evident to us.  It wasn't that unusual for the wealthy to obtain the land of those who were poor, possibly because of outstanding debts or because the impoverished are forced to sell land to feed their families.  Life was hard.    It also wasn't that unusual for landlords to live elsewhere and demand a large percentage of the harvest from those who are performing the labor.  The reaction of the parable will be different for different people, depending on where they fall on the social ladder in Israel.  There are those who will identify with the slaves.  There are those who will see the landowner as uncaring and reckless and possibly identify with the plight of the tenants.  There are those who will identify with the landowner and his son.  Every single reaction is unsettling.   One thing I do want to mention is that people have used this parable over the years in an antisemitic way, stating that it was the Jews who killed the son and it is the Jews who should then be killed by the landowner.  Jesus is not speaking of ethnicity or religion here, he is speaking about faithfulness.  The big issue in the parable is not the identity of the players but rather the failure of the tenants to respond faithfully to their obligations.  It's no secret that Christians over the centuries have also treated the cornerstone with disrespect, irreverence, and indignation, while Jews can (and many have) responded faithfully to God's revelation.   What do you make of this parable?  Why do you think Jesus told it?  What are your takeaways?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

The book of Job is a messy book because it deals with messy realities and messy relationships. In one sense, Job's friends are right in that God is just and that sinful people do not flourish in the long run. They are wrong, however, to say that the reverse is necessarily true, because disheartening circumstances aren't always caused by sin; sometimes they are simply the designs of God. He is our sovereign Maker and Sustainer, and He may do as He pleases. Job is an emotional wreck, and says some things he probably wouldn't say if were at peace, but he still holds onto what he knows about the Lord and clings to that truth as he navigates hardship. In today's reading, listen for some of the Messianic foreshadows that Job mentions in his longing and despair.Job 12 - 1:14 . Job 13 - 4:31 . Job 14 - 8:07 . Job 15 - 12:29 . Job 16 - 17:23 . Job 17 - 20:54 . Isaiah 28 - 23:24 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Series: RootedWeek 2 Title: Who is God?Scripture: Exodus 34:6–7, Acts 17:22–28Big Idea: God reveals Himself as a relational God—not distant or abstract, but One who invites us to know Him personally through His Word, His creation, His image in us, and ultimately through Jesus Christ.I. The Most Important QuestionA.W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”We don't invent God; He reveals Himself.The starting point for being rooted is answering: Who is God?II. God Reveals Himself (Exodus 34)Moses asks: “Show me your glory.” God responds with His name and character.The most repeated description of God in Scripture: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, just.These attributes live in tension, not contradiction.Takeaway: God is not who we imagine Him to be—He is who He declares Himself to be.III. God is Near (Acts 17)Paul in Athens: an altar “to an unknown god.”Our culture is just as religious, creating images of God in our own likeness—ideology, politics, sexuality.Paul declares: the true God is Creator, Sustainer, Lord of history.“In Him we live and move and have our being.”God is not distant—He is near and relational.IV. Response / ApplicationEncounter Him: God is a presence to know, not just a subject to study.Seek Him: Don't settle for secondhand opinions of God—pursue Him in His Word.Worship Him: God is transcendent and immanent.Trust Him: His compassion and justice meet at the cross—Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1–3).Final Challenge: Rooted is not about abstract knowledge but about a relational God who longs to be known—by Israel, the church, every tribe and nation, and you today.

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Have you ever wondered if you or your child was dyslexic? On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss dyslexia and its impact on children and families. They are joined by Dr. Rebecca Sanford, an expert in educational leadership, who shares her personal and professional experiences. The conversation covers identifying signs of dyslexia and effective educational strategies. We want to emphasize the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths and creativity often found in individuals with dyslexia, too! Resources For Parents: Books, Broadcasts, and More How To Work With Your Child's School Become a Sustainer and receive the limited Age & Stage book International Dyslexia Association We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Israel forgot who God is. The Church, our church can do the same. All we give God came from Him. Do we give God money? It is all His. Do we give God our life? He is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Redeemer and the Judge of our life. Do we give Him our time? You woke up today because He deemed it so. We give God nothing that does not come first from Him. If we don’t grasp this, or we forget it, we don’t appreciate how greatly we are loved, and how He has shown that. We possibly act like God owes us.

In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul gives us a cosmic vision of Christ—Creator, Sustainer, and Reconciler of everything. Colossians is filled with big ideas and wondrous descriptions. But Paul's theology isn't just big ideas or idle theories, it's also deeply practical, both cosmic and grounded––expanding our imaginations and at the same time offering practical direction for our daily life. How can it be both? Because for Paul, Christ is at the center of it all holding the universe and everything within it, even our daily lives, together.

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Imagining the ChurchMatthew 5:1-16 (ESV)1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Sermon OutlineThe church is called to be light for the world (v14).1. Which Light?v16 “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”2. What Do We Uphold And What Do We Hide?v15 “Nor do people… put it under a basket, but on a stand…”3. Why Are We Left In The World?v14 “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”Prayer of ConfessionOur glorious God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of life. We are a people who walk in darkness. Forgive us for wanting to take your place. Forgive us for presuming darkness could be used for our own advantage. Forgive us for all the things we have thought and done that we fear could be found out. Forgive us for ways we have made the world a darker place through our sinful actions. We look to Jesus, the true light, and through faith ask that you dispel the darkness in our lives. Thank you for how you have blessed us; grant us the grace to live in the world as those who generously bring your blessing and light to the world around us. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhy does the church exist?How should we understand that Jesus tells us not to do good works in order to be seen (Matthew 6), yet tells us to do good works so that people may see them (Matthew 5)? What distinction is Jesus making? Where do you look for “light”? What do you see in the world that promises life?Why does the Bible insist that we look to God? What happens if we try to become like God (take God's place)? What happens if we devote ourselves to people, things, ideals, with the devotion and hope that should be in God alone?When Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, what did he reveal in his character, teachings and actions that demonstrate this? Where can we see the glory of God? When the Holy Spirit open eyes to discern God's reality, what kinds of things does the Spirit show you?How does the pattern of the church – gathering every week, on the first day of the week since Jesus was raised to worship God – sustain us with spiritual health? What are some ways that church becomes lifeless and draining instead of life giving?How do churches become a “city on a hill”? What characterizes faithful disciples who go into the world to bring God's light into it?What habits will help you remain in the paradigm of receiving blessing and light from God, and stewarding it by seeking to bless and bring light to your family, friends, coworkers, NYC?

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Imagining the ChurchMatthew 5:1-16 (ESV)1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Sermon OutlineThe church is called to be light for the world (v14).1. Which Light?v16 “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”2. What Do We Uphold And What Do We Hide?v15 “Nor do people… put it under a basket, but on a stand…”3. Why Are We Left In The World?v14 “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”Prayer of ConfessionOur glorious God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of life. We are a people who walk in darkness. Forgive us for wanting to take your place. Forgive us for presuming darkness could be used for our own advantage. Forgive us for all the things we have thought and done that we fear could be found out. Forgive us for ways we have made the world a darker place through our sinful actions. We look to Jesus, the true light, and through faith ask that you dispel the darkness in our lives. Thank you for how you have blessed us; grant us the grace to live in the world as those who generously bring your blessing and light to the world around us. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhy does the church exist?How should we understand that Jesus tells us not to do good works in order to be seen (Matthew 6), yet tells us to do good works so that people may see them (Matthew 5)? What distinction is Jesus making? Where do you look for “light”? What do you see in the world that promises life?Why does the Bible insist that we look to God? What happens if we try to become like God (take God's place)? What happens if we devote ourselves to people, things, ideals, with the devotion and hope that should be in God alone?When Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, what did he reveal in his character, teachings and actions that demonstrate this? Where can we see the glory of God? When the Holy Spirit open eyes to discern God's reality, what kinds of things does the Spirit show you?How does the pattern of the church – gathering every week, on the first day of the week since Jesus was raised to worship God – sustain us with spiritual health? What are some ways that church becomes lifeless and draining instead of life giving?How do churches become a “city on a hill”? What characterizes faithful disciples who go into the world to bring God's light into it?What habits will help you remain in the paradigm of receiving blessing and light from God, and stewarding it by seeking to bless and bring light to your family, friends, coworkers, NYC?

In our readings today, the message of Jeremiah could not be more timely. Too often we ignore His refreshing, flowing water and build our own leaky cisterns. So in repentance we are called to reject these forms of idolatry (anything we treasure and depend upon more than Him) and return to a joyful relationship with our Father, our Sustainer. Let us pray that He will bring to light those things, even the most subtle, that keep us from drawing near to be forgiven, cleansed and transformed by His Holy Spirit.

Dive into Psalm 136—the “Great Hallel”—a powerful psalm of thanksgiving that celebrates God’s faithful love through creation, the Exodus, and every generation. In this sermon, we explore its timeless refrain, “His faithful love endures forever,” and draw fresh connections between biblical worship and storytelling styles—even referencing Tim McGraw’s Don’t Take the Girl to highlight the power of repeated refrains. Discover God’s steadfast covenant love (hesed) as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, and be encouraged to reflect on your own story of His faithfulness. ✨ Highlights: - Walk-through of Psalm 136’s themes & history - Insights on God’s enduring love and covenant - Parallels with classic country music storytelling - A call to write your own “song” of God’s faithfulness

Dive into Psalm 136—the “Great Hallel”—a powerful psalm of thanksgiving that celebrates God’s faithful love through creation, the Exodus, and every generation. In this sermon, we explore its timeless refrain, “His faithful love endures forever,” and draw fresh connections between biblical worship and storytelling styles—even referencing Tim McGraw’s Don’t Take the Girl to highlight the power of repeated refrains. Discover God’s steadfast covenant love (hesed) as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, and be encouraged to reflect on your own story of His faithfulness. ✨ Highlights: - Walk-through of Psalm 136’s themes & history - Insights on God’s enduring love and covenant - Parallels with classic country music storytelling - A call to write your own “song” of God’s faithfulness

Title: Sustainer Preacher: Mark Feather Series: From Crisis to Hope Passage: Isaiah 46:1-13

(Ecclesiastes 9:4) The Devil constantly tries to convince us that nothing in life is worth living for. God, the Sustainer of life, created you to live a life that satisfies Him and you. Give your life in hope to the One who gave it to you! (09188250805)  Keep Studying  Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God.