Podcasts about Sustainer

Send us Fan MailPraying to our Soverign God in the morning - asking for His help, presence, peace, wisdom, healing blessings upon all today who stand in need of Him - I need Him as much or more than anyone I know - truthfully we all do for He is the Giver and Sustainer of life.  Amen #Jesus #God #HolySpirit #pray #prayer #healing #kidneysThank you for listening, our heart's prayer is for you and I to walk daily with Jesus, our joy and peaceaimingforjesus.comYouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@aimingforjesus5346Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aiming_for_jesus/Threads https://www.threads.com/@aiming_for_jesusX https://x.com/AimingForJesusTik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiming.for.jesus

A simple summary from Hebrews 1 could be:Jesus is God's Son, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Savior, and the eternal King. That's a powerful place to begin any conversation.Your Life airs Tuesdays at 2pm Eastern on Christian 105.7 - WCLN-FMConnect and learn more at Christian1057.com

Get your copy of our 2026 Annual Read: Tozer on the Son of God by A.W. Tozer.First Time?Start Here: https://bit.ly/MarinersconnectcardCan we pray for you? https://bit.ly/MarinersPrayerOnlineYou can find information for all our Mariners congregations, watch more videos, and learn more about us and our ministries on our website https://bit.ly/MarinersChurchSite.FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinerschurch• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerschurch• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marinerschurch• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerschurchSupport the ministry and help us reach people worldwide: https://bit.ly/MarinersGive

What happens when someone spends more than a decade behind bars, survives nearly 1,000 days in solitary confinement, and comes home determined to change the system that failed him?This week on The Hometown Holler, Quinn and Daniel sit down with Kerwin Pittman, formerly incarcerated advocate, nonprofit leader, and the man turning a former North Carolina prison into a first-of-its-kind reentry campus designed to help people stay free, find work, and rebuild their lives. From public safety to second chances, this is a must hear story!Become a Sustainer: patreon.com/c/TheHometownHollerSubstack: https://substack.com/@thehometownhollerWebsite: https://www.thehometownholler.com/

Pastor Troy Dobbs examines Paul's ministry in Athens, highlighting how his heart was deeply stirred by the city's idolatry and motivated him to share the gospel with courage and wisdom. Paul engaged both religious and secular audiences, using the Athenians' altar to the "unknown god" as a bridge to proclaim the one true God — Creator, Sustainer, Judge, and Savior. This message emphasizes the importance of understanding culture without compromising biblical truth, calling believers to avoid apathy, isolation, and a shallow worldview while faithfully proclaiming repentance and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, Paul demonstrates how Christians can make the unknown God known in a world still searching for meaning through modern idols.

Who is God, really?In this opening message of the "Basics of the Faith" series, Pastor Drew Webb examines what Scripture teaches about God the Father. Discover God's nature as the eternal and triune God, His character as holy, just, and loving, and His works as Creator, Sustainer, Sovereign, and Savior.

Send us Fan MailPrayer to the one true God who is our Creator, Sustainer, and LORD - may we pray to Him now and always. Eternal, Inifinite, Holy, Just, All Knowing, Unchanging God - we call upon your name in prayer through Jesus our Savior. #pray #prayer #jesus Thank you for listening, our heart's prayer is for you and I to walk daily with Jesus, our joy and peaceaimingforjesus.comYouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@aimingforjesus5346Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aiming_for_jesus/Threads https://www.threads.com/@aiming_for_jesusX https://x.com/AimingForJesusTik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiming.for.jesus

Submit a Question or CommentIn this verse-by-verse study of Job 34:10–35:16, Reasoning Through the Bible follows Elihu as he gives one of the clearest defenses of God's justice in the entire book. While Job and his friends spent much of their time talking about themselves, Elihu turns the focus back to the Lord and insists on a foundational truth: God never does wrong. This session explores how God is both Creator and Sustainer, why He shows no partiality between rich and poor, why no human being can hide from His sight, and why He does not owe man an explanation on man's terms. The passage also shows that if God were to withdraw His hand, all life would return to dust, which highlights His absolute sovereignty over creation and every human life. The study then moves into practical theology: why believers should ask God to reveal their own sin, why God's grace means He owes us nothing, why suffering teaches us to wait, and why following God is not about health or wealth but about loving Him for who He is. It also addresses whether God hears empty, prideful prayers and why sincere repentance is different. Topics in this episode include: Job 34 explained  Job 35 explained  God never does wrong  Creator and Sustainer  no favoritism with God  why God owes us nothing  suffering and waiting on God  does God hear every prayer  pride, repentance, and grace Reasoning Through the Bible is a verse-by-verse Bible teaching ministry committed to careful exposition, biblical context, and faithful application.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 BiblePlease 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

Trinity Sunday invites us into one of Christianity's most profound and challenging ideas: God as divine community. In this episode, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore how our language for God shapes our understanding of the sacred, the importance of inclusive imagery for the divine, and why expanding our vocabulary can create space for more people to encounter God. Through thoughtful conversation and practical spiritual practices, they encourage listeners to experience the Trinity in fresh ways—as Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer; Life, Heart, Breath; and beyond. Join us as we reflect on how language, community, and grace help us deepen our relationship with the Divine. Listen to more Coffee to Go episodes. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.   NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ. 

Year A – Holy Trinity – May 31, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd Matthew 28:16-20 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, from Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and from the Holy Spirit our Sustainer; one God in three persons, the blessed Trinity. Amen. *** I'm sure you're well aware… but this coming Independence Day… 4th of July… well… it's a big one… 250 years… that's big! But… I have to say… the preparations underway for these unprecedented celebrations in our nation's capital… and all the conversations and news coverage surrounding them… have given me pause. I find it all… unsettling… and not just because I'm not a fan of fighting for sport. To each their own. But I think that… it is because the new backdrop for our lives is this intense nationalism …and it's because of this intensity… that I think I could not tear my heart away from the words of the Great Commission from our gospel reading today. These are words that I've heard and read countless times… I've taken them to heart as inspiration and instruction in my life of following Christ… and yet… they sit differently with me now. Jesus tells his disciples… "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And we hear this text on this day in particular because it is Holy Trinity Sunday, and it is here where Jesus names the three persons of the Trinity. So today, we are supposed to celebrate and wrestle with how our God shows up for us in these three expressions… but I'd rather save that kind of wrestling for another day. Now… if you're disappointed about that, I'd love to meet for a beverage and geek out over trinitarian theology. That is fun… but… for today… I want to address… I need to address… this Great Commission, because it's so very relevant for the age we are living in. "…make disciples of all nations…" is a command from Jesus that has been taken in dramatically harmful ways across the years, from the Crusades 1,000 years ago, to the current rise of Christian Nationalism. Jesus tells us to go make disciples… and that he is with us to the end of the age… and then, pumped up on this mission with Jesus in our corner… [big breath] …we forget what discipleship is all about… we forget… and go straight for coercion and violence.  …in the name of Jesus, of course. But no one can force love… and coercion has no place in a life shaped by mercy and grace. And yet, these are the basic tenets of the Way of Christ… these attributes of love, mercy, and grace… are what shape a life of discipleship. To be a disciple is to be in relationship with God… and with Jesus… and with the Holy Spirit, and to celebrate the enduring and borderless love that our God-in-three has for all people in every nation. And yes, Jesus calls upon us to go… and share this life of discipleship with everyone in every nation, multiplying ourselves and creating more followers of Christ… but our translation does us a disservice by choosing to say, "…make disciples OF all nations…" because a "nation" cannot be a disciple. A nation isn't a person… we cannot be a Christian nation… and even to proclaim that this is, or hope for this to be a "Christian nation," is wrong… it would dissolve… because it puts patriotic nationalism into the ring with devotion to God… and the patriotic nationalism would have to stand down… …because a disciple's primary allegiance will always be to God… and so a disciple should therefore obey God's primary commandment, which is above all commandments… and that primary command is to love God, and love others as we love ourselves. This kind of love has no borders… and no national identity. … and we cannot force another into a relationship shaped by love. …Love can only invite. Furthermore, proponents of Christian Nationalism, and those who desire to rebrand and reform the United States into a Christian nation, seem overwhelmingly drawn to models that would eliminate people they find unworthy… eliminate those who don't look like them and whose lives don't conform to their own. Except none of us are truly worthy of God's forgiveness… we are all of us in need of a savior… all in need of grace and mercy, and therefore… redeemed by Christ's love, we are sent forth to be gracious and merciful in the name of the one who loves us beyond measure. And despite all this, these Christian Nationalists believe that Christ is on their side in this endeavor to force conversion to discipleship, or at least compliance… because Christ promised to be with them to the end of the age… And while, yes, I do not dispute that Christ is with us always, as Christ promised to be… this does not mean that Jesus fully supports all our actions taken in his name… Jesus states that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him… but too many skew this into a conquering Christ… a version of the Messiah which doesn't appear in scripture, except as the previously hoped-for Messiah that would overthrow Rome. That is not the person of Jesus who was born to a humble family surrounded by livestock, who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. And yet… Jesus DOES have all authority in heaven and on earth… and what did he do with it? He did not force or coerce… but instead, he embraced non-violent love and vulnerability… even unto death on a cross… then he defeated that death, because he is God… and instead of retribution, he offered forgiveness and a continual invitation to come and see… come and experience a different way… a way of love… of mercy… grace and compassion. This is how the God of love chose to exercise his total authority in heaven and on earth. …not to annihilate those who don't follow the way… or force them into compliance…  but to offer grace and mercy… and to never shut the door on the invitation to come and experience God's love. Jesus invited us into his mission of sharing the love and light of God in all places and for all people… and this is an important mission… making disciples in all nations. We are co-collaborators with Christ on this mission of sharing the good news… of sharing this life-changing Way of Christ. But making disciples is not actually about converting others… or saving their souls… only God saves souls… Making disciples is about converting our own lives… every single day… it's about choosing every single day to live according to the love and grace that we have first received… it's about letting our lives be a testimony for others… witnessing to God's love and grace. And when that love and light shine out from our lives, which it most certainly does, it will reshape communities and the people in them around the Way of Christ. As disciples… as part of the body of Christ… our part of this mission is to shine and invite others to come and experience this light… to witness what God's love does for us and for the whole world. That is how we make disciples… by being one ourselves. We can only demonstrate how we ourselves are changed by this love and communion with the full body of Christ, and trust in the Holy Spirit… to do the Holy Spirit's thing of encountering us and moving us always toward love for others. So yes, we will go and make disciples in all nations… we will participate in this Great Commission… and we will do so, by starting first with ourselves… trusting that Christ is with us in this mission, always, to the end of the age. Amen.

The Word That Creates All Things | Holy Trinity Sunday Sermon | Genesis 1:1–2In this Holy Trinity Sunday sermon, Pastor David Balla explores Genesis 1:1–2 and the biblical truth that the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Discover how the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, was present at creation and how the same Lord entered His creation to redeem sinners through His death and resurrection.This Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) sermon examines the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, Christian creation, the Gospel of John, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the comfort believers receive from Christ in times of suffering, uncertainty, and death. Learn how Scripture reveals that we are not accidents of chance but beloved creatures created, redeemed, and sustained by God's grace.Whether you are studying Genesis, exploring Lutheran theology, seeking a Bible-based sermon, or looking for encouragement rooted in Christ alone, this message points to Jesus as Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.Support this ministry:Buy Me a CoffeeWebsite:https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphSubscribe for more LCMS sermons, Bible studies, daily devotions, Christian teaching, and confessional Lutheran content centered on Jesus Christ and His Means of Grace.Hashtags#HolyTrinitySunday#Genesis1#LCMSSermon#LutheranTheology#JesusChrist

The Covenant Necessity of Judgment in Scripture | KIB 532 Kingdom Intelligence Briefing   Description What does the Bible REALLY teach about judgment? In Episode 531 of the Kingdom Intelligence Briefing, Dr. Michael and Mary Lou Lake explore a critical truth that much of the modern Church avoids: judgment is not separate from covenant — it is part of covenant. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals that God's judgments are not contradictions of His love, but manifestations of His covenant faithfulness, holiness, and justice. Dr. Lake takes a deep theological dive into the covenantal necessity of judgment, exposing how modern Christianity has embraced blessing without accountability, grace without holiness, and power without purification. Mary Lou shares a powerful word on God as our Sustainer — the One who preserves, nourishes, strengthens, and carries His remnant through every trial. Together, they discuss spiritual warfare, covenant fidelity, holiness, discernment, the coming purification of the Church, and the urgent need for the remnant to prepare for the days ahead. This is a sobering but hope-filled message for believers seeking truth, discernment, and covenant alignment with the Kingdom of God. In this episode: • The covenantal nature of divine judgment • Why grace does NOT remove accountability • How covenant and judgment work together in Scripture • The role of holiness in the last days • Why judgment begins in the house of God • The purification of the remnant • Spiritual warfare and covenant fidelity • The danger of counterfeit Christianity • God's sustaining power in difficult seasons • Revelation, Babylon, and covenant lawsuit theology • Why purification must precede power The remnant is being prepared. Now is the time to walk in truth, holiness, discernment, and covenant obedience.

Retired 82nd Airborne Captain and member of Veterans for Responsible Leadership, Scott Peoples, joins the Holler for a Memorial Day conversation about service, democracy, political division, and what it means to defend the Constitution after taking off the uniform.They chat about what Memorial Day actually means beyond beach trips and cookouts, to jumping out of planes at Fort Bragg, the growing politicization of the military, and why veterans across the country are speaking out about protecting democratic norms.Scott shares the story that inspired him to join the Army after 9/11, what life inside the 82nd Airborne was really like, and why he believes veterans still have a responsibility to serve long after active duty ends.Become a Sustainer: patreon.com/c/TheHometownHollerSubstack: https://substack.com/@thehometownhollerWebsite: https://www.thehometownholler.com/

Pastor Colins Nwosu continued our teaching series The Trinity of the Godhead, with today's focus centred on God The Father. Reading from 1 Corinthians 8:6 (AMPC) and Genesis 1:1, we established that all things originate from God and exist through His sovereign power and purpose. The teaching explored the nature and character of God the Father as Creator, Sustainer, and eternal ruler over all creation. From the very beginning in Genesis 1:1, we see God as the source of life, order, and existence, while Genesis 1:26 further revealed the divine counsel and unity within the Godhead during creation. Drawing from Exodus 3:14 and Exodus 20:5, we reflected on His self existent name, “I AM WHO I AM,” revealing a Father who is entirely self sufficient, yet deeply personal and protective of His relationship with us. Through Psalm 139:7–12, we marvelled at His omnipresence, realising that there is nowhere we can flee from His Spirit, as His dark nights shine as bright as the day to Him. The message concluded with a beautiful meditation on Exodus 34:6–7, reminding us that while He is a just Judge, our Father is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Pastor Colins encouraged us to deepen our reverence for God the Father, trust His nature completely, and grow in our understanding of His love, authority, and faithfulness. Confession: Lord, thank You for being my Father, Creator, and Sustainer. Help me to know You more deeply, trust You more completely, and walk daily in the confidence of Your love, mercy, and unfailing presence.

Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla for May 20, 2026, based on Psalm 65:1–2 (ESV): “Praise Is Due to You O God in Zion.” In this Christ-centered Christian devotional, Pastor Balla reflects on worship, prayer, God's faithfulness, and the salvation given through Jesus Christ. Psalm 65 reminds believers that praise belongs to the Lord alone because He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer who hears the prayers of His people. This daily Bible devotion offers biblical encouragement, Lutheran teaching, Gospel hope, and spiritual comfort rooted in Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. Through God's Word and Sacraments, the Lord continues to gather His people and strengthen faith through His grace and mercy. Perfect for morning devotions, Bible study, prayer time, quiet reflection, and daily Scripture meditation for Christians seeking peace, hope, and confidence in God's promises through Jesus Christ.Support the channel here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphWebsite: buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags#DailyDevotion #Psalm65 #ChristianDevotional #Prayer #Lutheran

Title: God the Father: Creator and Sustainer Series: The Big Picture: Our Core Beliefs Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jeremy Bower Date: May 17th, 2026 To connect further with Countryside Covenant Church, please visit csidecov.com.

This book is a faith-building sixty-day devotional designed to deepen your understanding of God's character and draw you closer to Him. Through Scripture, prayer, and reflection, Erika Owens explores the powerful names of God, such as Jehovah Jireh, Elohim, and El Shaddai, revealing His nature as Provider, Healer, Redeemer, and Sustainer.Each daily devotion is rooted in biblical truth, encouraging believers to trust in God's sufficiency, draw strength from His promises, and worship Him in every season of life. With declarations of faith, guided prayers, and Scripture references for further study, this devotional helps Christians apply God's attributes to their daily walk.Whether you are longing for renewal, searching for peace, or seeking a deeper relationship with God, this book invites you to meditate on the majesty and faithfulness of the Lord. His name is holy, His presence is near, and His love never fails. This devotional is a great resource for personal reflection, group study, or as a tool to enrich your quiet time with the Lord.Prepare to encounter God in a new way as you immerse yourself in the truth of His divine names—and the life-transforming power they hold. Erika Owens Done Erika Owens Erika Owens is a Bible-loving writer and devotional author who has spent over twenty years digging into Scripture and creating biblical content to encourage others in their faith. She is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with God and deepen their desire for His Word. She shares her daily journey through Scripture on her website and through social media. She and her husband, James, live in Minnesota. They love spending time with their three grown sons and daughter-in-loves and are delighting in their new role as grandparents. Erika is an active member of her church, where she serves as a Coach in the women's ministry. Whether through her writing, her ministry, or everyday moments, Erika's greatest joy is encouraging others to walk closely with Jesus and discover the life-changing power of His Word.WebsiteWhitaker House

About the same time the book of Revelation was written, a Jewish historian named Josephus, who was not a Christian, wrote about Jesus. Though the wording of the full passage has been debated, the basic testimony is striking: Jesus was known as a wise man, a worker of remarkable deeds, a teacher, one who gained followers, was crucified under Pilate, and whose followers did not disappear: Around this time there lived Jesus, a wise manif it is right to call him merely a man. He performed remarkable works and was a teacher of people who gladly received the truth. He attracted many Jews and many Gentiles. He was the Christ. When Pilate, at the urging of our leading men, condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him from the beginning did not abandon him. For he appeared to them alive again on the third day, just as the divine prophets had foretold this and many other wonderful things about him. And the tribe of Christians, named after him, has not disappeared to this day. It is possible to know many true things about Jesus and still miss the weight of His worth. Josephus could describe Him as a wise man, a worker of remarkable deeds, a teacher, and one condemned to the cross. But Revelation 5 pulls back the curtain of heaven and shows us what all creation will one day confess: Jesus is not merely remarkable. He is worthy. The following is a list of twelve windows into the glory of the Lamb and why it is that He is worthy. Jesus is worthy because He is Judahs Lion (v. 5) Judah was a deeply flawed man who sold his younger brother Joseph into slavery, deceived his father, abandoned his daughter-in-law, and hid behind hypocrisy. But God changed Judahs heart, and by Genesis 44, Judah was willing to sacrifice himself to save Benjamin, the youngest son who was dearly loved by their father. Later, Jacob blessed Judah with a promise that the promised serpent-stomping King would come through him: Judah is a lions cub... The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to Him; and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples (Gen. 49:910). That promise finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is more than Judahs descendant; He is Judahs promised Lionthe true and better Judah who offered Himself as the sinless Substitute for His people. He is the One to whom the scepter belongs, the One before whom the obedience of the peoples will one day be gathered. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and He has conquered sin, death, and the dragon. Jesus is worthy because He is Gods Lamb (v. 6) We cannot have the Lion as our friend unless we first have Him as our Lamb, for Scripture declares, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22; see Lev. 17:11). This theme runs throughout the Bible. In Genesis 22, Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice and asked, Where is the lamb for a burnt offering? Abraham answered, God will provide for Himself a lamb (Gen. 22:78). In Exodus 12, Israel was sheltered from wrath by the blood of the spotless lamb, and in Isaiah 53, the suffering Servant is portrayed as the Lamb pierced, crushed, and slaughtered for the iniquities of guilty sinners. So when John the Baptist cried out, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), he summed up the promises and the point of the Old Testament. Jesus is the Lamb God provided, the Passover Lamb whose blood shelters His people from judgment, the sacrificial Lamb whose blood makes atonement, and the suffering Lamb who bears our sins. Apart from the blood of the Lamb, the Lion is not our comfort but our Judge. But for those covered by His blood, there is no condemnation. Those of us who have the Lamb know that the Lion is not against us but for us. Jesus is worthy because He can take the scroll (v. 7) He alone has the right to receive and enact Gods plan to judge evil, redeem His people, and restore creation. The scroll contains the sovereign plan of the Lord God Almightythe One who says in Isaiah 46: I am God, and there is no other declaring the end from the beginning saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose (Isa. 46:910). The scroll is in the right hand of this God, and when no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth was found worthy to open it or even look into it, John wept bitterly. If the scroll remains sealed, Gods promises remain unfulfilled, sin and death are not finally defeated, the saints are not vindicated, and creation is not restored. But the Lion who is the Lamb came forth because He alone is worthy to open the scroll. He took it from the right hand of the Father. This was not theft but triumph. This was not presumption but due to the worthiness of the Preeminent Lamb. Jesus alone has the right to open the scroll because He alone has conquered by His blood. The destiny of creation is in the nail-scarred hand of the Lamb who is the Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus is worthy because He is the unconquerable King (v. 6) When John turns to see the Lion worthy to open the scroll, he sees a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. The One who knew no sin and became sin for us bears every scar from the cross as a reminder that His sacrifice was once for all: the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Pet. 3:18)! The Lamb stands because death could not keep Him. The Lamb stands because the grave could not hold Him! The Lamb stands even though He was rejected by men, condemned by rulers, mocked by the religious leaders, and nailed to the cross... He stands at the center of heavens throne room, victorious. His wounds testify to His triumph.The Lamb who was slain is worthy because He is the King who cannot be conquered. Jesus is worthy because He is the Omniscient King (v. 6) The unconquerable King is seen with seven horns and seven eyes. As you may recall, in Scripture, horns symbolize strength, power, and sovereign authority, while eyes symbolize sight, wisdom, and knowledge. The number seven points to fullness and perfection, which means the Lamb who was slain is not weak but all-powerful, not limited but limitless, not unaware but all-seeing.He shares the wisdom and sovereignty of the Ancient of Days.Nothing escapes His sight. No enemy can hide from Him. No suffering saint is forgotten by Him. No act of faithfulness goes unnoticed by Him. The Lion, who is the Lamb, sees all and reigns over all by the fullness of the Spirit sent into all the earth. Jesus is worthy because He is the King whose reign is as extensive as His holiness, goodness, justice, love, grace, and mercy. Jesus is worthy because He is creations Lord (vv. 7-8) The living creatures and elders fall before Him because the Lamb is creations Lord through Whom all of creation exists. The four living creatures represent the created order, and the twenty-four elders represent the redeemed people of God. The worship that belongs to the Lord God Almighty is directed to Jesus not only because of what He has done, but also because of who He is. All things were created through Him and for Him (Col. 1:16), and now all creation bows before Him as One who is equal with the Father. The Lamb who was slain is worthy because He is the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and rightful Lord over all things. Jesus is worthy because He was slain as the sinners ransom (v. 9) The blood of the Lamb is the price of our redemption. The new song of heaven celebrates this: Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation... The Lion of Judah is the willing Lamb who stands before those He came to save; He is the Kinsman-Redeemer that creation needs. The price was not the religious deeds of fallible man, but the life of the second Adam, who lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved. We were once enslaved by sin and stood condemned before God as guilty sinners, but Jesus gave His life to ransom us and set us free for God. Jesus is worthy because He was slain in our place, bore the judgment we deserved, paid the debt we could not pay, and purchased us by His precious blood. Jesus is worthy because He redeemed a people for mission (vv. 9-10) Jesus did not ransom, redeem, and save sinners from condemnation merely so they could occupy space in His kingdom; He redeemed them for His kingdom purposes. We are not only forgiven of our sins; we are restored to the purpose for which humanity exists. Jesus saved us to send us into the world as His ambassadors and the Fathers priests. We are priests before God, and we live under the reign of Christ as citizens of His kingdom. This is why Peter says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). Jesus is worthy not only because He rescued us from the wrath of God we deserved, but also because He restored us to what we were created to be. Jesus is worthy because He is the song of the angels (vv. 11-12) After the song of the four living creatures and the new song of the twenty-four elders, John turns his attention to what he hears around the throne. What he hears is an innumerable host of angels resounding with praise: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! The angels erupt in praise after those who represent redeemed humanity conclude theirs. Why? Because the second person of the Trinity took upon Himself human flesh, was born of a virgin, and came to redeem a lost, rebellious, and cursed race (Phil. 2:1-11). This is something angels find baffling, for Peter tells us that our salvation is something angels long to look into (1 Pet. 1:12). What the angels offer in worship is a sevenfold declaration of what belongs only to Yahweh. To give this kind of worship to anyone else would not merely be inappropriate; it would be idolatrous. You cannot see it clearly in English, but in the Greek there is one definite article governing the entire sevenfold list attributed to the Lamb. The point is simple: Jesus is worthy to receivethepower,thewealth,thewisdom,themight,thehonor,theglory, andtheblessing that belong to the One true God. In his commentary on Revelation, Richard Phillips captures the wonder of this angelic worship well: Like that of the glorified church, the angels worship responds to Christs atoning death on the cross. Their testimony therefore shows that what once seemed like defeat for Jesus has been revealed as total victory. The cross was seen as weakness but was actually power; the cross displayed poverty but gained true riches; the cross was foolishness to the world but wisdom from God; the cross represented shame but earned the highest honor for Christ; the cross was a place of deep disgrace, yet revealed the very glory of Gods grace; and the cross stood for the curse of sin but achieved eternal blessing for those on whose behalf Jesus died. The One who was slain is now declared worthy by countless heavenly beings. Jesus is worthy because all of heaven knows what earth so often forgets: the Lamb who was slain is worthy of the glory that belongs to God alonebecause He is God. Jesus is worthy because He is creations celebration (v. 13) The worship does not end with the millions of angels, the twenty-four elders, or the four living creatures. John hears more. He hears every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, declaring in worship: To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! What John witnesses is not universal admiration, but the worship of every creature directed to God and to the Lamb. The One who was rejected and despised by men is celebrated by creation. The One who was crucified and crushed outside the city is praised throughout the universe. Jesus is worthy because He is the Lamb before whom every creature will one day bow in worship. Jesus is worthy because He deserves everything (vv. 12-13) Jesus is worthy to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing that belong to the Lord God Almighty. Every creature appropriately joins the heavenly worship by declaring, To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! Heaven holds nothing back, and creation attributes to the Lamb what rightfully belongs to Yahweh alone. All power belongs to Him because He reigns. All wealth belongs to Him because all things are His. All wisdom belongs to Him because His ways are perfect. All might belongs to Him because He has conquered. All honor belongs to Him because He is exalted. All glory belongs to Him because He is God. All blessing belongs to Him because all praise is His due. Jesus is worthy because He embodies, in infinite measure, all that is good, glorious, powerful, beautiful, and praiseworthy. Jesus is worthy because He is the Amen of the Father (vv. 13-14) Jesus did not need to earn the praise He receives from the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, the angels, and all creation; He is worthy because of who He is. In the same way the Father is unchanging, Jesus is unchanging, for Scripture testifies, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8). In response to the worship and praise Jesus receives as the One worthy to take and open the scroll, the four living creatures respond, Amen!a word that means, Truly, Let it be so, This is true. But do not misunderstand what they are doing. They are not only saying Amen to Jesus as the One who is worthy; they are saying Amen because He Himself is the Amen of God the Father. Jesus is the faithful and true witness, the One in whom every promise of God finds its fulfillment. As Paul writes, For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory (2 Cor. 1:20). Revelation 5 begins with the question, Who is worthy? But after the Lion who is the Lamb takes the scroll, it ends with heaven, earth, and every creature confessing through worship that He alone is worthy. There is nothing left to say but Amen, and nothing left to do but fall down and worship. Conclusion Jesus is worthy before the angels sing that He is.Jesus is worthy before creation celebrates that He is.Jesus is worthy before the elders fall down because of who He is.Jesus is worthy before you and I respond to all that He is! Jesus is worthy. Our worship does not make Him worthy.Our worship simply agrees with what is already true. The question is not whether Jesus is worthyheaven has already declared it, and creation will one day echo that truth. There will come a time when every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and all creation will acknowledge what has always been true (Isa. 45:23; Phil. 2:9-10): the Lamb who was slain is worthy. The question I leave with you today is whether your heart, your obedience, your faith, your suffering, your worship, and every other part of your life will respond with Amen to the Lamb who is worthy. So, do not wait until every creature sings to join the song of heaven. Sing now. Trust Him now. Follow Him now and may Psalm 119:37 be your hearts cry: Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word (Ps. 119:37; BSB).

"Held Together by Jesus"Colossians 1:15-23Main point: In everything, Jesus deserves first place! 1. Jesus is Savior - so you can let go of your shame2. Jesus is Sustainer - so you can surrender control3. Jesus is Strong - so you can rest in him4. Jesus is Supreme - so you can live for him

Be Subject to One Another Ephesians 5:21-6:9 by William Klock Yesterday our parish breakfast group discussed C. S. Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  In the story, Edmund and Lucy make their third visit to the magical land of Narnia, but they also take their cousin, Eustace, with them.  And Eustace, he has no framework, no point of reference, no way to understand Narnia.  Because Eustace came from a “progressive” family.  He addressed his parents by their first names.  He read books about factories and granaries, about modern industry and agriculture.  The one bit of beauty in his home was a painting of a Narnian ship.  His parents couldn't bear it, but it had been a gift and they couldn't get rid of it, so they hung it in a disused bedroom.  Eustace couldn't wrap his head around the idea of being in a land of kings and princesses, magic and dragons, and talking animals.  All he can do in the first few chapters is scream for the British Consul, compare King Caspian's beautiful dragon ship to modern steamships, and retreat from everyone. And, I think, if we had to understand God on our own, we'd be a lot like Eustace.  We wouldn't have the vocabulary, let alone the vision, to even think about God.  When we saw the beauties of his creation, we could do nothing more than reduce it all to physics equations and chemical formulas.  And so, Brothers and Sisters, God has spoken.  He's given us his word.  (Imagine how much better off Eustace would have been had he read the Bible, the greatest of the “right books” he'd neglected.)  God speaks, not only so that we can know him, but so that we can have the vocabulary and the mental—even the emotional—framework to begin to understand him.  But, most importantly, his word has become incarnate: one of us.  And in Jesus we meet and come to know God at our level: A God who knows our life, who is full of patience and love, mercy and grace, a God who is angry at the sin that has disrupted and broken his creation, a God who will justly judge wrong, but who is also humble and loving enough to die to redeem and to set right.  In Jesus we meet concretely the God whom the Old Testament describes as King, as Father, as Husband. And then we realise that these relationships—things like king and father and husband—are relationships we understand, because God has established them as the foundational units of human life and society and particularly so the family: husband and wife, children and parents.  And it's in these relationships, even imperfect and damaged by our sins, it's in them that we learn our first vocabulary for understanding and knowing—and trusting—God. It's no wonder that the devil lies to us about sex, marriage, and family.  The devil lies and tells us that sex is about personal gratification, not about mutual self-giving.  And we believe the lie and sex becomes selfish.  He lies and tells us that men and women are interchangeable, and so we create birth control and try to make women like men by robbing them of the defining feature of feminine biology: the ability to give birth to children.  We start seeing God's blessing of children as a negative “consequence” of sex.  And we create HR departments staffed by women who try to quash all the things that make men men out of their male employees.  And when we believe the lie of interchangeability, men have unnatural relations with men and women with women, undermining and rejecting the very purpose for which God created sex and rejecting his blessing upon us to be fruitful and to multiply.  And if we keep believing the lie, as our culture has, we get ever more absurd, thinking that with surgery and with chemicals and by changing our pronouns, we can turn men into women and women into men.  We reject the good story God has written for us, the one in which he's given us the vocabulary of husband and wife, of children and parents, and we write our own lie-based story in which, when confronted with God, we can only think of him as a celestial killjoy out to rob us of our fun, our autonomy, and the carefully crafted identities we've created for ourselves.  We start to see God's blessing of fruitfulness as a curse.  We start to see the traditional family as an enemy.  We're like Eustace, surrounded by goodness and beauty, but only able to see it as threatening and other.  And, like the pagans of old, we reinvent God and remake him in our image and using our new vocabulary.  Instead of Father, Son, and Spirit we start speaking of him as her and addressing Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer or even Parent (or Mother), Child, and Spirit.  Not too far off the mark it seems, but no longer able to be properly known through the relationships, now rejected, that God established precisely so that we can know him and make him known. And so, Paul writes to the Ephesians in Chapter 4: Put away lies.  Instead, speak the truth to each other.  Don't be fooled by the dark and foolish ways of the world.  God has washed you clean in the blood of Jesus and he has given his Spirit to live in you.  He's made you his temple: stewards and priests of his presence, his glory, and his wisdom.  A temple that one day, through the power of the gospel and the Spirit, will fill the earth with God's presence and glory.  Don't swallow the lies.  It's your job, our job, the church's job to confront the world's lies with the truth of God's creation.  So put off the old, corrupt, lie-based way of being human and put on the new humanity exemplified by Jesus, risen from the dead and firstborn of God's new creation.  And Paul started by urging us to put away anger and instead to put on patience, kindness, and love.  It would be hard for even the most pagan of pagans to argue with that.  And then, based on exactly the same principle of living out the truth of God's creation, Paul urged us to put away sexual immorality and greed.  And now, without a breath—because in the Greek there's no sentence break, let alone a paragraph break, between Ephesians 5:20 and 5:21, where we ended last week, Paul writes, “Be subject to one another out of reverence for the Messiah.”  That's 5:21.  [Page 1162 in the pew Bibles.] What does new creation look like?  Brothers and Sisters, it looks like Christians being subject to one another.  What does God's wisdom—his wise way of ruling creation look like?  It looks like his people being subject to one another.  He's already told us back in 4:2 to “bear with one another in love, being humble, meek, and patient and making every effort to guard the unity the Spirit has given us.  Put away all anger and yelling, sexual immorality and all impurity and greed.  In other words, stop using others as your punching bags, as your means of sexual gratification, and as your means of getting rich.  Instead, be imitators of God and love each other the way the Messiah loved you and gave himself for you.  Jesus' self-giving for our sake on the cross was a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God and if we're going to be his priests and his temple, giving of ourselves to each other will be our sweet-smelling offering to God.  And this follows right along with what Paul has said already about our differentiated unity: Jew and gentile, man and woman, slave and free…Canadian and American, white and black, Liberal and Conservative, Coke and Pepsi, Ford and Chevy, and on and on.  Different people with different backgrounds, different identities, Paul even stressed different giftings given by God, but all made one through our union with Jesus. Our unity, maintained by this self-giving of ourselves is the means by which we confront the lies and foolishness and darkness of the world with the truth and wisdom and light of God's new creation.  And at this point Paul could write a whole book covering all the situations and relationships in our lives and how this rule of being subject one to another might apply, but he's writing a letter from prison and so he focuses on three areas that were key to the Ephesians.  I want to spend most of our time on the first, because it's the most important for us.  But before we look at what he says specifically to wives and to husbands, I want to jump to his summary of the whole thing in the end, midway through verse 28.  As is so often the case with Paul, it's at the end that he sums everything up and gives us the theology behind it.  So look at verse 28 and following: “Someone who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, nobody ever hates his own flesh.  He feeds it and takes care of it, just as the Messiah does with the church, because we are parts of his body.  [Now Paul quotes from Genesis 2:24.] ‘That's why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh.'  The mystery [the hidden meaning] in this is very deep; but I am reading it as referring to the Messiah and the church.  Anyway, each one of you must love your wife as you love yourself; and the wife must see that she respects her husband.” So Paul understands marriage in light of the Messiah's relationship with his body, the church.  He takes us back to Genesis 2 and God's command that the man will leave his father and mother and become one flesh with his wife.  Yes, Paul admits, there are some hard things here, some hidden meanings, but the important and obvious thing is that this is ultimately about the Messiah and the church.  There are two important take-aways from this. First, Paul saw Genesis 2 as a prophecy of God's son, leaving his home to find his appointed bride.  And once Paul makes this connection, we can see this story weaving its way through the whole Old Testament as the Lord pursues and woos his intended bride in the wilderness, showing his covenant love; as the marriage is ruined through Israel's prostituting herself to other gods as Hosea and Ezekiel describe; as God promises to renew that covenant, betrothing Israel to himself all over again.  And so Paul saw Jesus, the bridegroom taking up this role, one laid out for him over the course of the Old Testament.  And Paul could look forward to the culmination of the story as we see it in Revelation, in the restoration of all things, heaven and earth, God and man rejoined, all symbolised in the marriage supper of the lamb and his bride. And the second point Paul sees here: Think of how this fits into the big sweep of Ephesians.  In Chapter 1 Paul wrote about God's eternal purpose to bring together everything in heaven and earth in the Messiah.  In Chapter 2 Paul explained how this great plan is symbolised in the coming together in the church of Jews and gentiles into a single new humanity and growing into a temple filled with God's Spirit.  And in Chapter 3 Paul described this coming together of the two people into one as one of the mysteries of the gospel that confronts the principalities and powers of the present age with the reality of God's victory at the cross and his new creation.  Then in Chapter 4 Paul wrote about how this new humanity, the church, is sustained by a diversity of gifts and ministries given by God to help the church grow up in every way into the head, the Messiah himself.  And now Paul brings it all to a crescendo with this mystery—the Messiah's own self-giving love as the radical model for the husband's vocation to serve his bride.  So this isn't just some one-off, detached, stand-alone advice on marriage.  What Paul says here about marriage is an integral part of the whole thing, the whole story that began with Adam and Eve and runs through God's wooing Israel in the wilderness, and the coming of his son to prepare and to wed his bride. Brothers and Sisters, if you want to understand marriage, look to the relationship between the Messiah and the church.  And if you want to understand the Messiah and the church, look to the institution of marriage.  Think about it: heaven and earth, Jew and gentile, the body building itself up in love—now man and woman brought together in marriage.  The mystery is revealed.  This is the whole biblical story of God and his people in miniature, revealed in the institution of marriage itself.  And that comes with a warning: mess with marriage, tinker with it and you might just lose the whole thing.  Like Eustace having no way to relate to Narnia, because he hadn't read the right sort of books.  But that's what we seem to do.  We listen to the world's foolish lies instead of God's wisdom, we get bogged down in arguments about gender roles, and we end up missing the great vision of God's purposes to set creation and us to rights. So, now let's back up to the details.  Look at 5:22-24: “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  The man, you see, is head of the woman, just as the Messiah, too, is head of the church.  He is himself the saviour of the body.  But, just as the church is subject to the Messiah, in the same way women should be subject in everything to their husbands.” And let's keep going.  Paul is nothing if not an equal opportunity offender.  Verses 25 and following: “Husbands, love your wives, as the Messiah loved the church and gave himself for it, so that he could make it holy, cleaning it by washing it with water through the word.  He did this in order to present the church to himself in brilliant splendour, without a single spot or blemish or anything of the kind, so that it might be holy and without blame.  That's how husbands ought to love their own wives, just as they love their own bodies.” Now, my observation has been that people usually rankle at this because they're well aware that abuse happens.  It does.  And Paul knew that as well as anyone.  In his world there were some powerful and independent women, but the reality for most women was that they often were little more than chattel.  They could be exploited, abused, and divorced on a whim.  In Greece and Rome, marriages were typically made for social or political reasons and with little if any expectation of love.  And this is why verse 21 matters so much.  “Be subject to one another,” Paul writes.  As in his day, so in ours.  The answer to abuse of power is not to abandon marriage.  The answer is to recover God's original design, to live his new creation, to embrace the transforming power of self-giving love.  Paul knew it's not easy.  If he felt the need to write this, it's most likely because he knew some of the Ephesian Christians were struggling with this very thing. And it's not to say that all men are a certain way and that all women are a certain way with no variation, but Paul really leans into our natural wiring as men and women—how God made us in his wisdom.  When men look after, care for, and show love to their wives, their wives are more inclined to be subject to their husbands.  And, when wives are subject to their husbands, husbands are naturally inclined to respond with that love and care.  It's a cycle that feeds itself, but more importantly, it reflects and teaches us something about Jesus and the church.  Because Jesus the Messiah has given himself for our sake, showing that he loves us, and showing that he is worthy of our trust, it's both natural and easier for the church to submit to him in a reciprocal love.  Notice how Paul holds up marriage as a signpost to God's new creation in the Messiah as the woman subjects herself, not to the heavy-handed, lording-over of her husband, but to a husband who models the self-giving love of the Messiah who died for his church.  And the husband loves his wife in the way the Messiah loved his church.  Just as the Messiah has redeemed and purified and is preparing us for God's new world, so the husband should do everything he can to encourage the flourishing of his wife, for her to be glorious creation God intends for her to be.  That creates the relationship in which the wife, herself, responds with her own self-giving love.  And Paul wraps it all up in the language of redemption—of being presented spotless and pure and holy.  And the two becoming one flesh, mirroring the gathering together of Jew and gentile, Ford and Chevy, Coke and Pepsi in the church.  Our marriages are swept up and become part of God's renewal of all things.  It shouldn't be any wonder that marriage is so often a point of attack by the devil. But that's not the end of the passage.  Paul goes on in 6:1-4, addressing children and fathers.  And let me say before we read, that saying something like this to children, in Paul's world, was almost unheard of.  Children were not addressed as responsible agents.  Consider that in Greek, the words for “child” are neuter, not male or female.  It's almost like kids weren't actually people yet.  But Paul says to them anyway, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.  This is right and proper.  [And now he quotes Exodus 20:12.] ‘Honour your father and your mother'—this is the first commandment that comes with a promise attached!—so that things may go well with you and that you may live long life on earth.”  And then in verse 4 he says, “Fathers, don't make your children angry. Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Paul knew what family life can be like.  And if children and parents can get at each other in our world, imagine how bad things might have been in a world where children were hardly even seen as being real people.  Paul knew the danger of parents being harsh with their children and he knew how angry children can get when they're treated unfairly or when parents demean them.  So he addresses them.  He reminds children of the command and promise God gave to the Israelite children: Honour your parents so it will go well for you in the land”—meaning the promised land.  In Greek that world “land” can also mean “earth” and since the gospel opens up that promise beyond Israel itself to the whole earth, I think Paul is now envisioning those children as the next generation of Christians, living out new creation in their own relationships and being the temple that God's Spirit has made them and being the fulfilment of the blessing to be fruitful and fill the earth—not just with themselves, but with the gospel—as stewards of God's presence and wisdom. But Paul's exhortation to mutual submission also extends to masters and slaves.  Look at verses 5-9: “Slaves obey your human masters, with respect and devotion, with the same single-mindedness that you have toward the Messiah.  You must get on with your work, not only when someone is watching you, as if you were just trying to please another human being, but as slaves of the Messiah.  Do God's will from your heart.  Get on with your tasks with a kind and ready spirit as if you were serving the master himself and not human beings.  After all, you know that if anyone, slave or free, does something good, they will receive it back from the master. “Masters, do the same to them.  Give up using threats.  You know, after all, that the master in heaven is their master and yours, and he is no respecter of persons.” This is another spot where modern people get angry with Paul, because he sounds like he's defending slavery.  He's not.  In fact, in Philemon Paul offers a protest against the institution at least within the Christian community.  But here's the important thing: Paul was thinking big when he wrote this.  Paul was thinking about new creation and in God's new world there will be no slavery.  Paul could never put an end to it himself.  Slavery was what made the ancient world work.  We have machines and engines and robots.  The ancient world had slaves.  Close to a third of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves.  And Paul knew the way out wasn't through rebellion, but through the gospel; the way out was through the church being the church, by putting off the old humanity and living the new humanity in the midst of whatever our current circumstances are, because that's how Jesus the Messiah, his humility, his gracious sacrifice for sinners, his resurrection and life, and God's new creation wisdom make their way into the world.  In that sense, slavery was no different an evil than anger, wrath, sexual immorality, or greed.  The only way out is for Jesus' people to take up our vocation and to live as God's priests, to be his temple in the midst of a broken world living in foolish darkness and in doing so to confront it all with the life-restoring wisdom of God.  To confront the selfishness of the world, with the mutual self-giving love of the cross, lived out in our lives, lived out in whatever situations we find ourselves: in marriage, in divorce, in singleness; as parents and as children; as slaves and as masters.  In our world today as employees—often used and abused because of the greed of our employers—and as employers. Think on that.  We've often read this part of Ephesians as if Paul is giving us a doctrine of marriage—or a doctrine of parenting or of slavery.  We tend to look at these things as detached from each other.  We get bogged down debating gender roles or parenting techniques or even slavery.  And we end up missing Paul's point, which is that these aren't stand-alone doctrines or bits of advice.  Brothers and Sisters, this is about the church—about you and I—living out the gospel, about us putting off the old and foolish way of being human and putting on Jesus the Messiah, putting on the new humanity and living out in our relationships the humble, self-giving, and mutual submission of the cross.  It's about living gospel lives that put into practise the gospel that we proclaim.  It's about living out our future hope of renewal and restoration here and now and in a way that brings Jesus to world around us. Let's pray our Collect again: O Lord, from whom all good things come: Grant to us, your humble servants, that by your holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by your merciful guidance put them into practice; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

In this message, we'll learn about the sufficiency of Christ as Savior and Sustainer. Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

“I just don't have enough faith.” If you've ever thought that to yourself, you've likely wrestled with the thought that you're not really saved, and that somehow, God might lose His grip on you. In the race of life, we often never see the end of a difficult sprint. We lose sight of the finish line, thinking we should just have more strength to run across it. Listen in as we learn how to really run this race, and why faith ultimately doesn't depend on us at all.

Sunday Morning Expositional Message

Mary would one day need to be strengthened to the limits of our comprehension as she watched her son die a most Ignominious death. In the eyes of man, Jesus died in pain and shame. For our souls. At some point, it became her practice to strengthen herself for this sorrow.“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19“And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51It is a long-held practice of mine to follow her example; my daughter is my “Daughter of Strength,” I witness God's wonder and faithfulness every time I look at her and remember her growing up.My son is my “Son of Promise.” Every time discouragement threatened to overtake me, I would look at him and take courage. There is a list in my prayer book, a memorial list of people with similar titles, including some who I haven't had contact with in 40 years. Our So What?Treasure those people in your life who've influenced, stretched, made you better, or exhorted you to a closer walk with the Lord, your Savior, Creator, and Sustainer.Brethren, let's pray for one another. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” Amen1 Timothy 1:17”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 030

Pastor teaches his family a selection from "the Proverb of the day." In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom and folly are rooted in how we relate to the Lord. The devotional establishes that the fear of the Lord is the foundational principle of all true knowledge, not merely as a starting point but as the essential lens through which all understanding—of creation, wisdom, and other people—must be pursued. It emphasizes that genuine knowledge begins with reverential awe of God, who is the Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate source of all truth, and that without this orientation, all learning becomes detached from its divine purpose. Pastor underscores that knowing others rightly requires recognizing their image-bearing dignity, their need for redemption, and their placement in God's providential design, especially within family and community. In contrast, fools—though perhaps outwardly religious—disregard this divine framework, treating wisdom and instruction as irrelevant, because their heart operates as if God does not exist. The message calls for a transformative encounter with God Himself, where true knowledge is cultivated through worship, dependence, and obedience, made possible only by the Holy Spirit through Christ.

Spring has sprung—and with it comes a fresh invitation to step outside, slow down, and rediscover the beauty of God's creation.  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden kick off a week of conversations centered on the wonder of the outdoors and the role it plays in shaping a girl's faith. Whether your family thrives on planned adventures or leans into spontaneous Saturday outings, this conversation will encourage you to see the natural world not just as a backdrop—but as a living testimony to God's power, presence, and purpose.  Together, Rachael and Melissa explore how a Biblical Worldview anchors our understanding of creation in truth rather than fear. In a culture often filled with anxiety about the future of our planet, this episode gently reminds parents and girls alike that God is both Creator and Sustainer. He holds all things together—and invites us to live not in fear, but in faithful stewardship.  In this week's Raising Godly Girls Minute, Patti Garibay offers wisdom on navigating climate conversations through a lens of trust in God's sovereignty. Rather than carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, girls can rest in God's design while embracing their role as wise and faithful caretakers of His creation.  From mountaintops to backyards, from stargazing to simple nature walks, this episode is filled with encouragement to help your girl connect what she sees in the world around her to who God is. Because when she begins to recognize His fingerprints in creation, her curiosity can grow into awe—and her awe into praise.    Three Things to Remember:  God's creation reveals His nature. From the smallest detail to the grandest landscape, the world around us points to who He is.   God's creation reflects His glory. Time spent in nature invites your girl to respond in worship and wonder.   God's creation is a gift. Teach your girl to enjoy it, care for it, and steward it well as an act of faith.    Scriptures Referenced in This Episode  Colossians 1:16–17   1 Peter 4:10   Proverbs 12:10   Genesis 3:23   Psalm 24:1    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.  Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.       

We start a new series today! We are going to take nine weeks to look at who the Holy Spirit is, and what the Holy Spirit does. In this first sermon, we look at how the Old Testament introduces us to the Holy Spirit. The first sort of things we see about the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is that the Holy Spirit is the creator, sustainer, and giver of life. We talk about that, and think about what that means for us encountering the Holy Spirit today. *Note: the first 14 minutes of this sermon is a bit echoey because mistakenly the reverb was activated on the sound board. Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you were wondering what you were hearing. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body and refocus your mind to experience the reality of God's presence. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  Psalm 9:10 ESV “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” “LORD” in all uppercase letters in our English Bibles indicates that in Hebrew God's name, Yahweh, is used (Exodus 3:14-15; Isaiah 42:8). Yahweh is the ancient Hebrew verb form for “HE IS.” God's name, Yahweh, is used more than any other term for God by far in the Hebrew scriptures. Well over 5,000 times — far more than “God” is used.  When we look at all the various truths associated with God's name, HE IS, in the Hebrew scriptures (what we call the Old Testament), five powerful truths of Yahweh are emphasized.  HE IS the Creator and Sustainer of ALL that exists, including this entire universe (Ps 33:6; Isa 40:25-28; Isa 42:5; Isa 44:24). HE IS the Giver and Sustainer of ALL life everywhere always (Num 27:16; Job 12:10; Neh 9:6). HE IS eternal and forever God – he inhabits eternity (Isa 57:15; Isa 40:28). HE IS ALWAYS infinitely 100% present with you and in control of everything in your life at every moment (Ps 31:14-15; Psalm 139:1-8; without being any less present or any less focused anywhere else in the universe, because HE IS infinite). See Jesus's words in Matthew 10:29-31.“ HE IS good and his steadfast love endures forever.” (Most repeated phrase in the OT.) So imagine – envision – this reality. He is the Creator of this entire universe; he is the Source of all being; he is the Giver of your life and sustains your life at every moment; he is the one who “inhabits eternity” (Isaiah 57:15), and so has the eternal perspective in all your life's circumstances; and he is infinitely, intimately, 100% present with you at every moment and in control of every circumstance in your life. And he is good and his steadfast love for you endures forever. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity podcast, J. Warner Wallace tackles one of the most controversial and misunderstood doctrines in the Christian worldview: the Trinity. Drawing on his experience as a cold-case homicide detective, J. Warner treats the identity of God like a crime scene, building a suspect profile from Scripture and then asking: Who actually fits the evidence?   J. Warner explains why the word "Trinity" doesn't need to appear in the Bible for the doctrine to be thoroughly biblical, how the classic attributes of God (omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, eternality, immutability, Creator and Sustainer, and the sole object of worship) apply not only to the Father, but also to the Son and the Holy Spirit, and why this forces us to a triune understanding of God if we're going to be honest with the text. He also explores why groups like members of the LDS Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Oneness Pentecostals—who may claim to believe in Jesus—still fall outside historic, orthodox Christianity when they deny the triune nature of God.   Along the way, J. Warner offers a clear, working definition of the Trinity ("one what and three whos"), warns about common heresies like modalism and Arianism, and shows how the earliest creeds and confessions weren't inventing new ideas but summarizing the best inference from biblical data. This episode will help you clarify your own thinking, disciple your kids and students, and confidently engage missionaries and friends who say, "We're Christians too," while rejecting the Trinity.   If this episode is helpful to you, please subscribe to the podcast and take a moment to rate and review it. Your subscription and review really do help more people discover the case for the Christian worldview.

In this episode, we unpack seven powerful reasons for the incarnation, showing how Jesus didn't just make salvation possible—He came down to accomplish it.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now--Why Did Jesus Have to Become Human? (Hebrews 2)Last week we explored the “cosmic Jesus”—the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the exact imprint of God's nature. But Hebrews 2 brings the focus down from the throne of the universe to the dust of humanity, asking a deeply personal and essential question: Why did Jesus have to become human?In this episode, we unpack seven powerful reasons for the incarnation straight from Hebrews 2. Jesus became human to represent us, to take on a body capable of dying so He could pay for our sin, and to decisively break the power of the devil through His death. He didn't just make a way for us to save ourselves—He accomplished the work fully and finally.We also explore how Jesus frees us from the fear of death, becoming not just a distant Savior but our compassionate High Priest who understands our struggles firsthand. As both fully God and fully man, He is the perfect bridge between us and God—the priest who is also the sacrifice. And because He experienced real temptation and suffering, He is able to help us in our daily battles with sin and doubt.This conversation also highlights a key contrast between biblical Christianity and Mormon theology. Rather than a system where we climb a ladder of effort and obedience to reach God, Hebrews presents a radically different picture: God came down to us. The incarnation isn't about Jesus progressing to something greater—it's about God rescuing humanity.If you've ever felt like God is distant, or wondered if you've done enough to be accepted, this episode offers hope. Jesus didn't come to help you earn salvation—He came to be your salvation. The ladder didn't go up. It came down.

College Football HOF'er and former ESPN CFB analyst David Pollack joins Matt on the show to provide an update on his wife's brain cancer battle, trusting God in the storms of life, his new book and the 2026 NFL Draft. David's new book ⁠Every Day Counts released April 7, 2026. Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.comWATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazineSign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15https://shop.sportsspectrum.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazineDo you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/

This week, we kicked off our Colossians series by answering the most important question: who is Jesus, really? Walking through Colossians 1, we were reminded that Jesus is not just part of our lives, He is over everything. He is the image of the invisible God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and the One who holds it all together. In a world full of subtle distortions and competing beliefs, it's easy to settle for a version of Jesus that feels right but isn't true. But if we don't see Him clearly, we'll miss what it means to truly follow Him. Understanding who Jesus is shapes everything about who we are. We've been rescued from darkness, brought into His kingdom, and created for Him. When Jesus takes His rightful place, everything else begins to align. Join us in the LSM Building every Tuesday at 7 p.m., and follow us on Instagram @lyahampton for more updates.

Introduction: Hebrews 1:1-3 - Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high... The Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:14-22): Will Speak God's Words – But they did not all listen See: John 12:49-50 and John 14:10, 24 Will be Like Moses – But they did not all believe See: John 6:32-35 and John 6:51, 57b-58 Will Die if He Lies – But they killed Jesus for telling the truth See: John 8:26b-28 | Psalm 22:7-8, 16-18 | Psalm 22:22-25 Jesus is the Prophet – Will You: Listen to Him? Believe Him? Speak His words? Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Audio Transcript 00:00-00:01Good morning, Harvest.00:03-00:05It's a joy to be with you this morning.00:06-00:11Open your Bibles, please, if you haven't already, to Deuteronomy chapter 18.00:12-00:16It's where we will be studying God's Word this morning.00:18-00:37And as is our usual, sometimes usual custom, I would ask, please, that you pray for me, that I would clearly, accurately preach God's Word, and I will pray for you that your hearts will be open to receive it.00:37-00:37Let's pray.00:43-01:18Gracious and holy Father, I pray, Father, you would open our hearts and minds to receive your word, that we would be absolutely convinced beyond all doubt that your word is true and that Jesus is your prophet who speaks your truth to us through your word, through your spirit at all times.01:19-01:30And I pray as we believe and trust in Him, you would transform our lives and make us more like Him every day.01:30-01:33We pray in Jesus' great name, Amen.01:35-01:44So in preparation for Resurrection Sunday, we are beginning a three-part series examining the three offices of Christ.01:45-01:47the office of prophet, priest, and king.01:49-01:53And we begin this morning with the first of these, which is prophet.01:55-01:59Now, we may listen to a lot of modern day prophets for advice on how to live.02:00-02:12The experts, the doctors, the internet influencers, the media talking heads, podcasters, entertainment celebrities, even astrologists and politicians.02:14-02:16The sources of information are endless.02:17-02:24And now we have AI at our fingertips to synthesize and summarize the sum and substance of human experience.02:27-02:40Now to be clear, I'm not talking about doctors who say eating this one food three times a day cures sleep apnea or the weird trick that cures tinnitus caused by eating this one food three times a day.02:40-02:47Now I'm talking about the major life information, answers to questions like, "Who am I?02:48-02:49What's my purpose?02:50-03:03What's the best way to live?" And when it comes to that kind of information, few to none of the infotainment talking heads can really help us, because they can only tell us what they know.03:04-03:11I'm not suggesting they aren't intelligent, but what they say may or may not be true.03:12-03:15But you say like, well, no, hold on, hold on Sprung.03:15-03:20I've heard it said that all truth is God's truth, wherever it's found.03:22-03:24Well, let's think about that for a minute.03:25-03:29God's word is perfect, pure and true according to Psalm 19.03:30-03:44So I have a metaphor this morning for us, For God's word, I think that everyone can relate to the delight over opening a brand new container of Play-Doh.03:45-03:46It's all one color.03:47-03:49Nobody's played with it yet.03:49-03:51It's not mixed up with other colors.03:52-03:57It's just fresh and clean, and it's ready for my artistic expression.04:00-04:04But you know, the inevitable happens, doesn't it?04:04-04:19Soon, what was once pure and clean, it's all mashed together with a lot of other colors and that original color becomes unidentifiable.04:22-04:23I think you get the point.04:25-04:29How do you discern God's truth in a mishmash of worldly ideas?04:30-04:37How do you extract the truth once it's all blended into futile human thoughts?04:40-04:45Well, this is the problem with the infotainment experts.04:46-04:53Their learning and experience and perspective is just a conglomeration of worldly thinking.04:54-05:09They can make educated guesses as to how to live and what's going to happen, but ultimately every single one of them is going to reach a point where they have to say, "I don't know." And some of them are speaking directly out of the pit of hell.05:10-05:13And those folks will drag you down to hell with them.05:14-05:20So you see, that's why when it comes to the astrologists and the mediums and perhaps the to celebrities and influencers.05:22-05:33Verse 14 of this morning's passage says that, "As for you, the Lord, your God, has not allowed you to do this." So to whom or what can we turn?05:33-05:37Where can we get truth for an accurate world view?05:38-05:41Because we need a perspective that is outside of ourselves.05:42-05:46Outside of this world, really, and that's what God's Word is.05:47-05:53It is the specific and special revelation of God about himself.05:58-06:01It comes from the throne of God.06:02-06:18The problem with the world is, people in the world, they look at the Bible and like, "Well, yeah, that's just one more system of thought like any other." In fact, it's probably even not as good as what AI can tell us now.06:19-06:21They have a low view of scripture.06:22-06:24We need to have a high view of scripture.06:26-06:33And as we learn from the word that was just read, we can get the truth from the prophet.06:34-06:36It is to him we must listen.06:38-06:40But what is a prophet anyway?06:41-06:42What does a prophet do?06:42-06:52We typically think of prophets as forecasting future events, often in a cryptic or mystical way, like that Nostradamus guy.06:52-06:58But biblically, that is only a partial description of what a prophet does.06:59-07:03Basically a biblical prophet speaks God's words to people.07:05-07:09The Old Testament prophets revealed three basic messages.07:11-07:18The first was that God sent many prophets to his people to rebuke them for breaking the covenant and worshiping idols.07:19-07:31This was perhaps the prophet's most important function, to remind the people of Israel that they, and only they, were in a covenantal relationship with the Lord God Most High.07:33-07:36and they were violating His covenant in a high-handed way.07:37-07:47Time and again He warned them to return to Him, or they would face the ultimate covenant punishment of being expelled from the Promised Land.07:48-08:03Not only did the prophets warn Israel and Judah that they would be punished by pagan nations for their idolatry, God also spoke to them about a future restoration, both near and at the end of the age.08:05-08:09And indeed, after the exile, they would return to the promised land.08:10-08:18And the nations that assaulted and tormented Israel in their exile, they would in turn be punished and overthrown by God.08:19-08:29And then finally, the Old Testament prophets spoke of the coming Messiah, a sometimes suffering, but ultimately victorious anointed servant.08:30-08:33The anointed one would bring salvation to his people.08:33-08:37He would inaugurate a new covenant between God and his people.08:38-08:45And the prophets gave many clues that would help the people identify the anointed one when he arrived.08:46-08:51Now, what did God expect his people to do in response to the prophets' messages?08:52-09:29expected, well no, he commanded them to repent and believe the messages to return to him and live in accordance with the covenant he made with them at Mount Sinai. And yet the Old Testament records a nearly continuous account of Israel's idolatry. They worship the idols of the nations around them. They And they sought out and listened to the words of false prophets, mediums, fortune tellers, and diviners.09:30-09:31They did not listen.09:32-09:34They did not believe.09:34-09:37They became futile in their thinking and their worship.09:37-09:47They mixed God's truth with the religions and lifestyles of the surrounding nations, and they ended up with the equivalent of this, gudo.09:49-09:52It's just a mash, a mishmash of ideas.09:53-10:02And when the prophets exposed their sin and their hypocrisy, they took offense and they put them to death.10:04-10:13So God, after bearing with his people for hundreds of years, he brought the covenantal curses down upon their heads and inflicted the ultimate punishment.10:14-10:16He exiled them from the promised land.10:18-10:22Now God of course kept his promises and he returned them to the land.10:23-10:37And roughly 400 years after that, the anointed one who was known before the foundation of the world, he was made manifest in the last times for the sake of all who would believe in and through him.10:39-10:45We of course know from the New Testament that Jesus is the promised Messiah.10:46-10:52He's the Son of God who fulfilled all that was spoken of Him by the Old Testament prophets.10:55-11:03As the writer of Hebrews says, "Long ago and at many times and in many ways, "God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.11:04-11:12"But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, "whom He appointed the heir of all things, "through whom also He created the world.11:13-11:21"He's the radiance of the glory of God God in the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.11:21-11:36After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." And this verse summarizes the three offices of Christ that we're going to be studying this week.11:36-11:37First is prophet.11:38-11:48"In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son." And then priest, he has made purification for sins.11:48-11:53And then finally king, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.11:56-12:01So how do we know Jesus is the prophet foretold by Moses?12:02-12:08What evidence is there to conclusively connect Jesus to the promise of a prophet just like Moses?12:11-12:15Well, first the prophet will speak God's words.12:16-12:19Look at verse 15 of chapter 18 in Deuteronomy.12:21-12:27Verse 15 says, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers.12:28-12:35It is to him you shall listen." Thus the prophet would be raised up by God from among the Israelites.12:36-12:46And the gospels of Matthew and Luke establish that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary, and he was adopted by Joseph.12:47-12:50And both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David.12:51-12:53Jesus was born in Bethlehem.12:54-12:57His birth was attended by an angelic announcement.12:59-13:08And then when John baptized Jesus, God the Father announced that Jesus was his beloved son with whom he was well-pleased.13:09-13:17All of these events attest that Jesus was indeed raised up by God the Father from among the Israelites.13:18-13:29And these events disprove the idea that Jesus was merely a self-appointed and possibly deluded religious figure, as some people think he was.13:31-13:35And then verse 18 tells us that God's words would be in his mouth.13:36-13:47"I will put my words in his mouth and He shall speak to them all that I command Him." Now, we've already established that the prophets spoke God's words to the people.13:48-13:59But whereas they prefaced their statements with, "Thus saith the Lord," Jesus spoke as the Lord, out of the oneness that existed between Him and the Father.14:00-14:17For example, in John 12, verses 49 and 50, Jesus said, "For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment, what to say and what to speak.14:17-14:20And I know that his commandment is eternal life.14:21-14:38What I say therefore, I say as the Father has told me." And then in John 14, verses 10 and 24, he said, "The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.14:38-14:59And the word that you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me." As further proof of his prophetic office, Jesus spoke God's words in the way that the Israelites requested.15:00-15:13What I mean is this, In Exodus chapters 19 and 20, God descended in a dark cloud on Mount Sinai with thunders and lightnings and the mountains shook.15:14-15:18And out of that cloud, God spoke the 10 commandments to the people.15:19-15:54And when all the people saw the thunder and the lightning and the sound of the trumpet that they heard and they were seeing the mountain shake and the ground shaking beneath their feet, They were terrified and they stood far off and they told Moses, they said, "You speak to us and we will listen, "but do not let God speak to us lest we die." Certainly Moses continued to speak to the people and gave them God's commands during their journey to the promised land and during their wandering for 40 years in the desert.15:55-15:57And then in his final address to them in the book of Deuteronomy.16:00-16:21But in chapter 18, verses 16 and 17, Moses told the people that God would send a prophet in direct response to their request at Mount Sinai, to let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, or see this great fire anymore, lest I die.16:24-16:31So how did Jesus, in his speaking, demonstrate that he was the prophet sent by the Lord?16:32-16:37Well, there's three events that directly identify Jesus as the prophet.16:38-16:42And all of them occurred, not coincidentally, on a mountainside.16:44-16:48First, he was on the mountain when he was transfigured before Peter, James, and John.16:48-16:59and while talking with Moses and Elijah, and a bright cloud appeared and God said, "This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.17:00-17:08Listen to him." And the three disciples were like the Israelites of old, terrified by the voice of God.17:09-17:11But when they looked up, they saw only Jesus.17:14-17:26Second, the most direct connection A connection between the prophet and God speaking in the 10 commandments out of a stormy cloud is found in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.17:29-17:33Jesus, seeing the crowds, went up on the mountain.17:34-17:36And when he sat down, his disciples came to him.17:37-17:39And he opened his mouth and taught them.17:41-17:42And what did he teach them?17:44-17:50Well, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exegeted the law, including most of the 10 commandments.17:51-17:59The greatest commandment, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and then to love your neighbor as yourself.18:01-18:12In that sermon, he showed the people that righteousness was not about outwardly keeping rules, but inward devotion to God that flowed from a broken and contrite heart.18:14-18:18a heart that revealed itself in confident dependence on God.18:20-18:31Instead of fire and terror, Jesus spoke to the people face to face on the mountain, just as they requested of Moses so long ago.18:32-18:41He revealed God to be merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.18:42-18:50And when Jesus finished, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority.18:52-18:57And yet, as so often happened in Israel's history, they did not all listen.18:59-19:06Yeah, there were those who did, but it seems for the most part, people were going out to Jesus for signs and wonders.19:07-19:08The crowds were fickle.19:08-19:10They were ambivalent about him.19:11-19:15and the religious leaders were so hostile, they wanted to kill him.19:18-19:26In Jesus, Israel got what she asked for hundreds of years earlier, a prophet speaking God's words to them face to face.19:27-19:35And even though his teaching astonished them, they eventually decided that Jesus really wasn't the prophet or Messiah they wanted after all.19:36-19:38They wanted a vending machine God.19:38-19:42They wanted a Messiah-o-matic and give them what they wanted.19:46-19:57You see, the divide between what the people craved and who Jesus is, is revealed in a third event that demonstrated the prophet would be like Moses.20:00-20:06The third thing Jesus did on a mountainside that proved He was the prophet like Moses is this.20:07-20:12He fed well over 5,000 people with bread and fish.20:14-20:36According to John 6, after everyone had eaten their fill and 12 baskets of leftovers were collected, the people said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world." And a day or two later, the people went looking for Jesus in Capernaum because they wanted more bread to eat.20:37-20:49Jesus knew what they wanted and he told them, "Do not work for the food that perishes, "but for the food that endures to eternal life, "which the Son of Man will give you.20:52-21:16"For on Him, God the Father has set His seal." And then the people said to him, "What must we do to be doing the works of God?" And Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." So the people said, "Jesus, what sign do you do that we might believe you?21:18-21:26What are you going to do for us, Jesus, that will persuade us to believe in you?" And then they said, "Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness.21:27-21:40Have you got more bread?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly I say to you, "it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, "but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.21:41-22:02"For the bread of God is he who comes down "from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life." The people responded to Jesus' assertion with grumbling.22:03-22:11First, because he said, "He's the bread that comes down from heaven." They're like, "We want food.22:11-22:12We want bread.22:12-22:21We don't want you." But their grumbling increased because of Jesus' next extraordinary statement.22:24-22:28He said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.22:28-22:31"If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.22:32-22:36"And the bread that I will give "for the life of the world is my flesh.22:36-22:41"Whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.22:42-22:47"This is the bread that came down from heaven, "not like the bread the fathers ate and died.22:48-22:57"Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." Well, this was just all too much for the Jews.22:57-22:59This was just too bizarre.23:01-23:09Jesus was speaking of himself as eternal nourishment, and all they could think about was their temporary physical hunger.23:10-23:24Like the Jews in the wilderness who grumbled about God providing manna for 40 years, the crowds and even many of Jesus' disciples grumbled about Jesus being the true bread of God.23:25-23:32Like Moses, Jesus led and fed the people in ways that revealed His prophetic office.23:33-23:35But they did not all believe.23:36-23:37They took offense at Him.23:39-23:42Many turned back and no longer walked with Him.23:45-23:50So Jesus asked the 12 if they too wanted to leave Him.23:50-23:52But Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go?23:53-23:55You have the words of eternal life.23:56-24:00And we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.24:03-24:07You see, Peter recognized Jesus is more than the prophet.24:07-24:14He declares Jesus is the anointed one, the Son of God, because Jesus spoke God's words of eternal life.24:17-24:22And what was the most important thing that Jesus said during his earthly ministry?24:23-24:27What did he explicitly prophesy at least three times?24:29-24:33And what did he emphasize in other ways multiple times to his disciples?24:35-24:41That he would be mocked and flogged and crucified and that he would be raised to life the third day.24:42-24:44It's a pretty extraordinary prophecy.24:47-25:05But you see, this was extremely perplexing to the disciples because they said, "Jesus, you're telling the truth." And along with the words that he spoke and the signs and wonders that he performed, all of this amply demonstrated that Jesus was in fact the Messiah.25:06-25:14There's no way he could be a false prophet because they knew that a false prophet will die if he lies.25:16-25:18Look at Deuteronomy 18.20.25:19-25:38"The prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name, that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die." The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and their lawyers, they insisted that Jesus was a liar.25:39-25:43They claimed he was merely witnessing about himself and that his testimony wasn't true.25:45-25:57Well, Jesus countered that by saying that God the Father is also born witness about me and that he who sent me is true and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.25:58-26:02They did not understand that he'd been speaking to them about the Father.26:04-26:25So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak just as the Father taught me." In this passage from John chapter 8, Jesus hints at what the religious leaders are planning to do to him.26:26-26:34They want to kill him, and he knows that their murderous maneuverings will result in his crucifixion.26:36-26:38You see, this is the supreme irony.26:39-26:42A prophet will die if he lies.26:43-26:49But they killed Jesus for telling the truth, just like they did the prophets of old.26:50-26:56And when Jesus was lifted up on the cross, his opponents thought he got what he deserved.26:57-27:06They were certain he was a false prophet, because if he wasn't, he wouldn't be suffering a vicious and humiliating death at the hand of Gentiles.27:09-27:17He was on the cross, the chief priests and other religious leaders mocked Him, saying, "He saved others. He can't save Himself.27:18-27:40Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." And yet in the midst of His agony, Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" His enemies might have said, You're forsaken because you're a liar.27:41-27:44Everyone who gets hung on a tree is accursed.27:45-27:51The fact that we were able to get you crucified is proof that you, Jesus, are accursed by God.27:52-27:53You're no prophet.27:57-28:02But by crying out the first line of Psalm 22, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?28:03-28:13Jesus continues to speak the word of God in a way that reveals that the cross is the culmination of his earthly mission.28:15-28:17Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm.28:18-28:22It summarizes the Messiah's humiliation and exaltation.28:23-28:24Let's look at a few passages.28:26-28:27Verses seven and eight.28:28-28:30All who see me mock me.28:30-28:32They make mouths at me.28:32-28:33"For they wag their heads.28:34-28:35"He trusts in the Lord.28:36-28:37"Let Him deliver him.28:37-28:44"Let Him rescue him, for He delights in him." Then verses 16 and 18, through 18.28:45-28:46"For dogs encompass me.28:47-28:49"A company of evil doers encircles me.28:50-28:53"They have pierced my hands and feet.28:53-28:55"I can count all my bones.28:55-28:57"They stare and gloat over me.28:57-29:00"They divide my garments among them.29:00-29:27"For My clothing they cast lots." And finally, verses 22-25, "Reflect the Father's care in the midst of Jesus' great suffering and His resurrection." He says, "I will tell of Your name to My brothers, and in the midst of the congregation, I will praise You." Stop there for a minute and think about that.29:28-29:34Christ is on the cross, and he's telling the name of God to his brothers.29:34-29:39In the midst of the congregation, he is praising God.29:40-29:42All you who fear the Lord, praise him.29:42-29:48All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him.29:49-30:03All you offspring of Israel, for he is not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, "And He has not hidden His face from him, but He has heard when he cried to Him.30:04-30:19And from you comes my praise in the great congregation, my vows I will perform before those who fear Him." You see, even in the throes of death, Jesus preached to all who would listen and believe.30:20-30:38If those who heard Jesus cry began themselves to recite this Messianic Psalm, perhaps the realization began to take hold that what they were reciting was happening right before their eyes.30:41-31:00The psalmist's words are being fulfilled here and now, just as Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, "then you will know that I am He." And perhaps the horrible realization set in, we've killed the Messiah.31:01-31:12And perhaps that is why, as Luke records, all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, they returned home beating their breasts.31:13-31:15We have killed the Messiah.31:18-31:24But what looked like an accursed death to the crowd instead a triumph over death.31:25-31:34On the cross, Jesus put death to death, and in his resurrection, he offers eternal life to all who would believe in him.31:36-31:38All that Jesus said came to pass.31:39-31:41He said he would die, and he did.31:42-31:44He said he would return to life, and he did.31:45-31:48He is the reliable and trustworthy prophet.31:48-31:51Every word He spoke was true.31:53-31:55And He is still our prophet today.31:56-31:58We have His word.31:58-32:03We have God's word and His Spirit to lead us into all truth.32:05-32:17You know, everyone who preaches is obligated to faithfully and accurately speak in the name of the Lord Jesus and to preach His words, not our own.32:17-32:20In this way, Jesus is still our prophet.32:21-32:25He indwells his people to speak to his people from his word.32:28-32:35Therefore, now that you know that Jesus is the prophet, will you listen to him?32:38-32:45Will you daily cast off worldly thinking and unbiblical ideas and commit to reading and meditating on God's word?32:47-32:58Are you willing to jettison old patterns of negative thinking and replace them with what the Bible says about your worth and your purpose in Jesus Christ?32:58-33:05Will you conform your thinking to God's truth and Jesus' example and teaching?33:08-33:14Or will you continue to seek advice from the influencers and false prophets clamoring for your attention?33:16-33:17Will you look for guidance?33:18-33:26Will you look for guidance in the gudo that shapes and drives the lives of so many people?33:30-33:35The skeptic will say, "Ah, I don't believe anything in the Bible is true.33:36-33:37It offends my reason.33:38-33:39I'm an independent thinker.33:40-33:52I don't need a God or a religion to tell me what to do." But that same person has no problem with the collective hive mind telling them what to think.33:53-33:57And they'll employ artificial intelligence to do their thinking for them.34:00-34:03So much intelligence, so little wisdom.34:05-34:20The short of it is, if you refuse to listen to what Jesus says, If you take offense at him and his words, you're just like the Israelites and the religious leaders in past time.34:21-34:26You're essentially putting him to death in your heart and in your mind.34:28-34:31Now, there are probably very few people in this room that hate Jesus.34:34-34:44And if we took a survey of the people in this room, probably most of you would agree that, Yeah, we shouldn't be committing the kinds of sins which the world heartily approves.34:46-34:49We shouldn't be following all that chatter out there.34:51-35:05And yet how many of us choose to remain on friendly terms with the world and feel free to indulge in all its whims and entertainments and pleasures so long as we avoid open sin.35:08-35:22The most dangerous sin is the idea that we can listen to worldly prophets advocating for the lusts and pleasures of the world and follow along and yet still be devoted to Christ.35:23-35:30Beloved, you cannot listen to and serve multiple masters and still walk uprightly before Jesus Christ.35:31-35:35You must listen to Christ and serve Him only.35:38-36:14Jesus is the prophet. Will you believe in him? In some ways I have laid this sermon out like a closing argument in a court case. You've heard from the witnesses Moses, God the Father, Peter, and of course Jesus himself. And you have evidence to consider more than 5,000 people fed on a mountainside. Jesus transfigured on a mountain. And of course Jesus crucified on a cross just as he said he would be.36:17-36:36And then this singular fact. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures and according to his own prophetic words. He to pay the penalty for their sins and remove the penalty of death.36:37-36:43And rising again, he offers forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who would believe in him.36:46-36:48So you've heard the evidence.36:49-36:51You must now render a verdict.36:52-36:59Will you believe that Jesus is everything he says he is, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?37:00-37:03He's the one mediator between God the Father and humanity.37:04-37:07He is the only priest, prophet, and king.37:08-37:13And Jesus is the only name given among people under heaven by which we can be saved.37:15-37:22If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.37:23-37:26With the heart one believes and is justified.37:27-37:30and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.37:32-37:33Jesus is the prophet.37:35-37:37Will you speak His words?37:40-37:44As disciples of Christ, we are all prophets of His gospel.37:45-37:49We are to proclaim His life, death, and resurrection until He returns.37:50-37:52This is no mystery religion.37:53-37:56There is no hidden knowledge in the Scriptures.37:56-37:58There are no secret rites to perform.37:59-38:02The words of Christ are all out in the open.38:03-38:10And we have the awesome privilege of possessing the oracles of God, the word of God.38:10-38:13We have God's words in our hands.38:16-38:20It's not always been true, but it's true for us.38:22-38:28Do we have the ability to read it, to reason through it, to engage with it by the help of the Holy Spirit?38:31-38:38We can personally and intimately know God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.38:40-38:50Jesus reveals the truth so that we can repent of our sins, trust in His finished work on the cross and receive the gift of eternal life now and forever.38:55-39:16And we have the responsibility of repeating his words clearly to others so that they may hear and believe in him by faith too. God forgive us for shirking our responsibility to share the gospel and for being insensible to the the spiritual condition of the lost and the dying.39:18-39:19We must speak His words.39:19-39:22We must share the good news of what He has done.39:24-39:33We are like beggars dressed in fine linen telling other beggars where to find bread and new garments.39:34-39:37It is the most loving and kindest thing we can do.39:39-39:42as our worship team returns to the stage.39:45-39:46I will conclude with this.39:49-39:52Not everyone will listen to us.39:53-39:55But then they didn't all listen to Jesus either.39:57-39:58Not everyone will believe.40:00-40:02But then they did not all believe in Jesus either.40:04-40:08We are not responsible for the results of sharing the gospel.40:09-40:11The results are for God to work out.40:13-40:18Our responsibility is to faithfully speak the words of God from Scripture.40:19-40:24For faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.40:25-40:25Let's pray.40:28-40:31The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.40:32-40:36The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.40:37-40:40The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.40:42-40:45The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.40:47-40:49The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.40:51-40:54The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.40:56-41:04Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight.41:04-41:08O Lord, our rock and our Redeemer.41:09-41:09Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead Deuteronomy 18:14-22What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Can you assess how deeply worldly ideas influence your thinking? What about how deeply they influence your view of Scripture? How about your walk with Christ?What expectations do you have of God? That is, what do you want from Him, and what do you want to hear from Him? How do these questions and your answers relate to Israel's history with the LORD?It was said the sermon was constructed like a closing argument, requiring a verdict. Imagine you are a jury member – was enough evidence and testimony presented to render a judgment that Jesus is the Messiah? If not, what further evidence would you seek? Where would you look for that evidence?What are some reasons we don't take seriously our responsibility share the Gospel of Christ with others? How valid are those reasons?BreakoutPray for one another.

By Mark Skapura - God is revealed as the Creator and Sustainer of all life, with creation reflecting His purpose to build a unified family. Though humanity has separated themselves from God through human nature and the influence of our spiritual enemy, God always extended mercy through sacrifice. During Passover, we

This sermon, centered on Psalm 63, presents a profound vision of the Christian life as a dynamic, relational hunger and thirst for God, not merely a legal assurance of salvation. It emphasizes that true spiritual fulfillment arises not from abstract doctrine or moral effort, but from an intimate encounter with God's glory and power—revealed in His attributes and redemptive work, especially through the cross. The preacher calls believers to seek God earnestly in Scripture and worship, not for vague feelings, but for a personal, experiential knowledge of God as Savior and Sustainer, leading to deep inner peace, joyful praise, and unwavering assurance. This relational journey—from seeking to seeing, to experiencing, and finally to rejoicing—transforms both private devotion and public worship, grounding all in the living reality of God's presence. The sermon challenges modern Christianity's tendency toward emotional manipulation by rooting joy in divine revelation, not human performance, and affirms that the soul is satisfied only when God is known personally and powerfully.

Dr. Jason Thacker, Director of the Research Institute at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a leading voice on human dignity, ethics, and culture, joins us to open Psalm 8 and help us recover a distinctly biblical vision of what it means to be human. In a cultural moment where personhood, value, and moral worth are often treated as fluid, developmental, or dependent on ability, autonomy, or usefulness, Dr. Thacker reminds us that Scripture grounds our dignity not in what we do, what others think of us, or what we contribute, but in the God who created us, knows us, and crowns humanity with glory and honor. Walking carefully through Psalm 8, he shows how our understanding of ourselves can never be separated from our understanding of God as Creator, Sustainer, and Lord, and how our calling as image bearers flows from His majesty rather than our own self-definition.Our dignity is secure because it is rooted not in ourselves, but in the majesty of the God who made us.

What if the same God who saved you is also the one who sustains you every single day? In this message, Eric looks at Israel's journey in the wilderness in Exodus and the question they kept asking: “Is the Lord among us or not?” Their struggle with hunger and thirst reveals a struggle we all know—wondering if God will keep providing after the big moments of faith. The New Testament reveals the answer: Jesus is not only our Savior but the one who sustains all things, as described in Hebrews 1:3. Watch or listen and be reminded that the one who made a way for you is also the one who faithfully holds you up every day.

Romans 11:33-36 — God's judgements and actions are something entirely incomprehensible to people. In this sermon on Romans 11:33–36 titled “All of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dissects the tendency for humans to proclaim their independence. Salvation comes in and through God and there is nothing else people can do. Learn how humanity's essential problem is their ignorance. People are always ready to give advice, but who can advise God? If one considers their state, they will realize that they are in sin and a hopeless debtor. “The whole of the cosmos is going to display... the glory of God.” From justification to glorification, it is all absolutely a work of God, void of any work of humanity. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all; salvation and the whole of life is for the glory of God. Look at creation and see how the world overflows with the glory of God. The listener is encouraged to contemplate their condition, confess that they are nothing, gladly acknowledge that they are what they are “solely by the grace of God,” and rejoice. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

In this message from Psalm 136, we explore the unchanging faithfulness of God. Throughout Israel's story—creation, deliverance from Egypt, and provision in the wilderness—the repeated refrain reminds us that “His faithful love endures forever.” This episode reflects on how God remains Creator, Deliverer, and Sustainer, even when life feels uncertain or difficult. Wherever you find yourself today—seeking God's goodness, needing freedom, or learning to trust Him in the wilderness—this conversation invites you to remember and respond to God's enduring love.

Daily Dose of Hope March 3, 2026   Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12   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 daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through the pastoral letters of Paul.  We are nearing the end of 2 Corinthians. Our reading today is 2 Corinthians 12. In this chapter, Paul continues his discussion on boasting but it takes a definite turn.   He tells the Corinthians to be careful not to lift up visions and revelations but instead to have the humility to share how God has showed up in difficult seasons, times of weakness.  Paul had quite a divine encounter on the road to Damascus during which he met Christ and he could boast about it.  It was an impressive story!  Sometimes, he choose to share his experience because it was such a powerful testimony  But he is telling the Corinthians to be careful here.  There are times when that is appropriate and there are times when it isn't.  Use discernment and be careful of motives in sharing divine experiences.  When he finishes with the "foolishness" boasting about his attributes (which you recall he did to make a point to his rivals), he quickly states that he will only boast in his weaknesses. Because in our weaknesses, God demonstrates his power. In our weaknesses and shortcomings, Jesus has room to do his work. We only think our earthly attributes make us strong. It is truly our weaknesses that make us strong because that's where God comes in and demonstrates his miraculous work.  Paul speaks of a thorn in his side.  He calls it a "messenger of Satan" sent to both harass him and keep him humble.  I've read all kinds of things that this thorn could have been.  It might have possibly been a physical illness, such as a chronic illness.  One scholar mentioned an eye issue, although I have no idea how he came up with that.  Other academics have suggested that Paul could have been dealing with a mental health issue, such as depression.  Considering all he had been through, this would certainly make sense.  Still others say that Paul was battling a spiritual attack.  Really, it could be any or all of these.  And we will never know.  Maybe that is better.  Because all of us deal with a thorn in our flesh too. We all have something we struggle with, something that reminds us of our weakness and humbles us.  Paul says in today's chapter that he pleaded to God for help.  You may have also pleaded to God to help you with your thorn.  Paul wants the Corinthians to know, and this is very helpful for us too, that God didn't ignore his pleas.  Rather, God told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Basically, God had given Paul all he needed to come out victorious in this situation.  When Paul was weak, God was strong.  So, stop whining, stand up and use the weapons and power I have provided to you! What are your weaknesses? Rather than lamenting about them, have you ever thought that Christ might use them for his glory? Take a moment and spend some time in prayer, submitting your weaknesses, really your whole life, to Jesus today. Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Name covered in this lesson al-Qayyoom (The Sustainer) In the Qur'an, Allah says, "To Allah belongs the Most Beautiful Names, so call on Him by them" (7:180). This verse encourages people to worship Allah by praising Him with His beautiful names and making du'ā'. In this series Dr. Mufti Abdur-Rahman goes through the famous 99 names of Allah and provides practical examples on which name to call on Him in different situations. Learning the names of Allah, or Asma ul-Husna, can help people get closer to Allah. Link to donate: https://www.whitethread.org/donate/

While many of our Founding Fathers believed that God created the world and then left it to run on its own, the Psalms depict a radically different picture: a God who is intimately involved in sustaining creation and directing history. Psalm 104 portrays God not only as Creator but as active Sustainer, bringing order from chaos, watering the earth, feeding creatures, and wisely governing all life. Psalms 105 and 106 function together as a historical reflection on God's covenant faithfulness—especially His promises to Abraham—and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. God remains faithful even when His people are not.The covenant with Abraham demonstrates that God initiates relationship and bears the risk, a theme Christians believe culminates in Jesus' declaration of a “new covenant” at the Last Supper. Salvation is presented as a gift of grace, not earned by works, yet genuine friendship with God is evidenced through obedience. Psalm 106 underscores the serious cost of sin, showing how forgetfulness of God disrupts covenant relationship. This episode challenges us to live from a place of gratitude and repentance for God's grace. We need to ask -- how is my sin hindering the friendship He's initiated with me?Scriptures:Psalm 104Psalm 105Psalm 106Matthew 26:26-28John 15:14Matthew 7:21

What does the supremacy of Christ have to do with your hope? In this session of Colossians: Rooted & Renewed, we walk verse by verse through Colossians chapter 1 and discover how Paul connects the supremacy of Jesus to the unshakable hope believers have — and the hope we can confidently offer a lost world. If you've ever wondered: • What does “firstborn of all creation” really mean? • Does Colossians 1 teach that Jesus is God? • What does it mean to be “delivered from the domain of darkness”? • Can we lose our salvation in Colossians 1:23? • How does “Christ in you, the hope of glory” change how we live today? This message explores the powerful theology of prototokos (firstborn), redemption (apolutrosis), reconciliation, and the cosmic language Paul uses to describe Jesus as Creator, Sustainer, and Head of the Church. We'll also connect:

Are you struggling to keep God first in your busy life? Discover the biblical foundation for why God deserves first place and learn practical ways to honor Him every day. In this powerful message, Pastor Jerry Dirmann teaches from the first commandment and shows how Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made God first wherever they lived.You'll learn 7 compelling reasons God deserves first place: He's your Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Owner of all things, He provided a Savior, proved His love, and loved you first. This isn't about religion—it's about relationship with the God who has given you everything.Pastor Jerry shares a personal story about learning not to delay honoring God with firstfruits, even while traveling as a national youth minister. He challenges believers to make their homes "houses of prayer" and altars to the Lord, following the example of the patriarchs who built altars wherever they lived.KEY TEACHINGS IN THIS MESSAGE:• The first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38) both point to putting God first• Why God isn't selfish for asking to be first—understanding His role as Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Owner• Abraham's pattern: building altars and calling on God's name wherever he lived (Genesis 12-13)• How Isaac and Jacob continued this practice of honoring God first• Making your home a house of prayer, not just attending church• The principle of firstfruits: honoring God with the first of your increase (Proverbs 3:9-10)• Why you shouldn't delay giving to God (Exodus 22:29, 34:19)• The promise: "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved/rescued" (Romans 10:13)SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Exodus 20:3 | Matthew 22:35-38 | Genesis 12-13 (Abraham's altars) | Genesis 26 (Isaac's altar) | Genesis 33 (Jacob's altar) | Matthew 6:33 | Proverbs 3:9-10 | Romans 5:8 | Romans 6:23 | John 3:16 | 1 John 4:19 | Joshua 24:15 | Romans 10:13 | Hebrews 1:3 | Revelation 4:11 | Psalm 24:1 | Psalm 145:14-16 | Psalm 147:7-9 | Luke 6:46 | John 14:15 | Matthew 21:13 | Exodus 34:19 | Exodus 22:29#PutGodFirst #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTeaching #PastorJerryDirmann #TheRockChurch #FirstCommandment #Discipleship #FaithFirst #HouseOfPrayer #ChristianSermonSupport the show

You have to abide in me. That means "depend on me for life, for nourishment, for substance, for protection" – for the sustaining strength that the Vine gives to the branches. Broadcast #6997To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

In Episode 1: “The Supremacy of Christ” (Colossians 1), Greg and Nathan explore how the supremacy of Jesus shapes our theology, our worship, and our daily lives—grounded in the sovereignty of God, the sufficiency of Scripture, and our union with Christ. The conversation centers on Paul's exalted vision of Jesus as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. From Christ as the image of the invisible God to the hope-filled mystery of “Christ in you,” this episode lays the foundation for the entire letter, showing how the gospel not only saves but sustains and transforms the church. This series invites listeners to behold Christ as preeminent in all things—and to live like He truly is.

God alone is enough—and He knows exactly what we need. This Crosswalk Devotional centers on Lamentations 3:24, reminding us that when we say “The Lord is my portion,” we’re declaring our trust in God as our ultimate source of security, provision, and contentment. Just as a portion is intentionally measured and given, God assigns what is perfectly suited for each of His children. In a culture that constantly tempts us to compare, compete, or crave more, this devotional gently redirects our hearts back to gratitude and trust. Whether our portion feels abundant or modest, we can rest in the truth that God never withholds what is necessary for our good. He supplies peace, strength, rest, and provision—always on time and always with purpose. Highlights God is our allotted portion—intentionally given and perfectly measured True contentment flows from trusting God as our Provider Comparison steals joy; gratitude restores it God fills every void that possessions never can Even seasons of lack are opportunities to grow deeper in trust God’s provision is personal, purposeful, and sufficient Declaring “The Lord is my portion” is an act of faith and surrender Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: The Lord Is My PortionBy Angela Anderson Bible Reading:“‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” - Lamentations 3:24 (NKJV) One of the many things I enjoy doing with my family is going out to eat. Recently, we went to a local, favorite restaurant of ours where the servers knew our family by name. It was a small but vibrant eatery, where the food was always excellent. We were not only known for our frequent visits as a family, but also for our meal selections, especially the dessert. Once we finished our meal, it was a known fact that we would be ordering this warm, giant-sized, decadent chocolate fudge brownie surrounded by scoops of vanilla bean ice cream. The servers always positioned this delectable dessert in the middle of our table and then brought us four long spoons: one for me, one for my husband, one for my oldest son, and one for my youngest son. As soon as that dish of dessert hit the table, no one had to tell us to start digging in. It was a race to the finish! My oldest son seemed to have the advantage each time, as I observed the large amount of dessert that he was able to balance on his long spoon. My youngest son was struggling with maneuvering his spoon to fit both a piece of brownie and some ice cream on it. Sometimes he would get just enough dessert on his spoon, and then the dessert would fall off the side of his spoon before even leaving the bowl. For every one spoon of dessert that successfully made it to his mouth, his older brother had already eaten about three spoons full of dessert. I had to put an end to this. On our next visit, when it was time for dessert, I requested four small plates. And before anyone could put a spoon in the bowl of brownie and ice cream, I divided the dessert, placed it on a separate plate, and put it in front of each person. Every member of my family now had an appropriate portion of dessert that was allocated to each of us. When the biblical writer says, “The Lord is my portion,” the word “portion” in Hebrew carries the notion that something is measured out, allotted, or assigned. It’s almost as if there is a gift with your name on it because it is specifically set apart and given to you. In the life of a believer, there is a dependence on God as the ultimate source of security and blessing. As our Creator and Heavenly Father, He knows and understands our every need, and He gives each of us exactly what we need when we need it. He alone determines our portion. Whether large or small, it is perfectly proportioned and just enough for the one who receives it. It is our duty to celebrate and delight in the portion God has given. In doing so, we are honoring the God who gave it. Another connotation of the word “portion” in the context of God is divine provision. There are many people in this world who feel a void, and they try to fill that void with things that still leave them wanting more. When you believe that God is your portion, you believe that God is the source of your strength in every situation. There is contentment in knowing that He will supply all your needs. Even when there seems to be an area of lack, there is a calm assurance that God will step in to make up that difference. In response, there is no desire to seek any possession or comfort outside of God. There is an unwavering trust that God is in control of all your circumstances. There is a realization that nothing is as valuable as the promises of God. This signifies a close relationship with the Provider, and His goal is to use life’s circumstances to draw you closer. As you learn that God is your portion, you learn that your need for Him outweighs your desire for other things. When you need peace, God is the One who gives you peace. When you need rest, God alone will extend rest. When you need provision, God offers provision. He provides for you what no one else can, and everything He gives to you is a blessing directly from the throne of heaven designed just for you. “The Lord is my portion” is more than a declaration. It is an affirmation that God, our Creator, our Provider, and our Sustainer, is more than enough. Intersecting Faith & Life: It is often easy to look around at what others possess instead of appreciating what we have in front of us. Take a moment to thank God for His provision and recognize God as your portion. Further Reading:Psalm 73:26Philippians 4:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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.