Podcasts about tabernacles

Gerald E. Weston | Recorded May 31, 2025

Gerald E. Weston | Recorded May 31, 2025

Paul Rhodes shows how Jesus is made manifest in in each of the sacrifices (Burnt, Peace, Sin & Trespass) and Feasts (Sabbath, Passover, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles) as described in Leviticus. Jesus has fulfilled the sacrifices and will complete the fulfilment of the feasts As part of the fulfilment of the feast of Tabernacles, we‘re encouraged to pray for the revival and appropriate the work of Christ in his sacrifice for personal and collective benefit

What does Jesus mean when he says, "I am the Light of the World"?In this episode of Behind the Scenes, Rev. Laura Johnson joins Kevin Van Hall to explore John 8:12-20 and the next message in our "I Am" sermon series. Together they unpack the rich symbolism behind Jesus' words, the Festival of Tabernacles, and the dramatic exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees.Why does John present Jesus differently than the other Gospels? What does it mean to walk in the light rather than the darkness? And how are Christians called to reflect Christ's light into the world today?Along the way, Laura shares the historical setting of Jesus' teaching in the Temple, the significance of the great festival lamps that illuminated Jerusalem, and how Jesus' claim to be the Light of the World points to God's guidance, truth, hope, and presence.Join us as we dig deeper into this week's scripture and prepare for Sunday worship.Scripture: John 8:12-20Series: I AmSpeaker: Rev. Laura Johnson#NorthRaleighUMC #BehindTheScenesPodcast #GospelOfJohn #LightOfTheWorld #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #UnitedMethodist #FaithJourney #John8 #SermonPrep #ChurchPodcast

The episode centers on John's Gospel, focusing on Jesus' teachings during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus, masterful in Scriptures, faced opposition from religious leaders who were spiritually corrupted. The conversation highlights the spiritual significance of the tabernacle and the human spirit, drawing parallels between the temple's layout and human faculties. Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery is analyzed, emphasizing His use of the Word to reveal their sin and His mercy. The speaker also references Jonathan Cahn's book "The Avatar," warning of the return of pagan influences in Western culture, stressing the importance of maintaining a supreme love for God to discern truth.

Jonathan McNair | Recorded October 18, 2025

Jonathan McNair | Recorded October 18, 2025

(Key Question: Who decides that something is good or less than good in our lives? God!)Psalm 84 especially verse 11, Romans 8:28.My short imperfect answer before expounding Psalm 84 is a complex combination of primarily God, His Word and us in conversation, but God ultimately decides.(e.g. Jesus' dialogue with the Father on the Mount of OlivesLuke 22:39–44 “…yet not my will, but yours be done.”) At other situations Scripture seems to imply that we participate in how He answers, to what would be “good” (or beneficial for us); for example, Matthew 7:7–12, especially verse 11, but always in the context of the larger request to remain within God's will (Matthew 6:11); but God honors our part in the prayer dialogue.Also, what is deemed “good” (beneficial) to the Psalmist and us sometimes does not feel “so good,” there exists a journey factor in Psalm 84:5–7 “a Valley of Baka” (a waterless area) to be a traversed. But God by His presence with them all through their journey to the Holy Place (probably the autumn feast of Tabernacles) promising to give them extraordinary strengths (three times, in verses 5–7). And even though the travel is rough, doesn't feel very good, His water continuously refreshes the traveler's person. (84:6 pools, springs, autumn rains). Mysteriously and miraculously restores their strength. In the New Testament, according to Romans 8:28, Paul states a similar truth about the “good” that God wants to administer to Christ's disciple on his/her journey: “And we know (experientially) that in everything (or situation) God works only for the good of those who loves Him, who are called and (stay) within His purpose.”Like Psalm 84:11, God is both “Our Sun and shield” and is able to transform even what seems not so good into good (in all situations He works for our good); but we must stay in our calling to do His purpose. And He invites us to ask, seek, knock and communicate our need and discuss them with Him (Matthew 7:7-12, along with Matthew 6:32, 33)Back to Psalm 84, what are some truths we can learn from it?God's ultimate purpose in our journey with and to Him is that we succeed in reaching Him. In New Testament, His dwelling place is within us (1 Corinthians 6:19) or our persons (both now and forever in our glorified bodies. (1 Corinthians 15). And He is concerned and committed to help us to fulfill His purpose and provide all He knows we need (Matthew 6:32-33). Only keep our desire for Him our utmost goal (Psalm 84:2-4).We cannot avoid this sometimes-painful journey: it's part of our course. “The valley of Baka” (Psalm 84:6) was a waterless area where all God's pilgrims will traverse (this fallen world) but God promises strength, strength, strength (84:5-7) and in New Testament language the refreshing waters of the Spirit will refresh and restore us in our journey out of our belly will flow rivers of living water = the activity of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38). We need a continual refilling (Ephesians 5:18). And again, according to Romans 8:28, He is able to transform all things for “our good,” because we love and belong to Him.God wants our values to change to match His kingdom values: note 84:10 “So much better to be aligned with God and His purposes for our lives than earthly, worldly, prestige. Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.” (needy for God and receiving from God); Luke 6:20-26 states, blessed are the poor for they have to depend on the God of Romans 8:28 and Psalm 84:5-7; see also again Matthew 6:32-33.Our ultimate dependence must continue to be in the Lord as we develop the values of the Kingdom or the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11). Thereby we grow and fit in to God's kingdom as to our values and receive from God His transforming power, until we fully dwell with Him (Revelation 22:1-5).Finally, God wants to be our “sun and shield” throughout our lives (84:11) as He provides all good things both now and forever.

Two words for time in the Greek New Testament: chronos, the steady march of days, unglamorous, absolutely necessary; and kairos, the appointed moment when heaven invades earth. Galatians 4:4: when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son. Passover fulfilled on the exact day. Pentecost fulfilled on the exact day. Tabernacles still coming. And for every believer, a personal fulness of time determined not by the calendar but by whether patience has completed her perfect work in the soul.

Two words for time in the Greek New Testament: chronos, the steady march of days, unglamorous, absolutely necessary; and kairos, the appointed moment when heaven invades earth. Galatians 4:4: when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son. Passover fulfilled on the exact day. Pentecost fulfilled on the exact day. Tabernacles still coming. And for every believer, a personal fulness of time determined not by the calendar but by whether patience has completed her perfect work in the soul.

Jesus teaches during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.  So much of Jesus' ministry revolved around Israel's weekly sabbath and annual festival celebrations.  It's a reminder that regular rhythms of remembering God's provision are important to experiencing Jesus in everyday life.   Taught by Jose Zayas.

Gerald E. Weston | Recorded April 18, 2026

Gerald E. Weston | Recorded April 18, 2026

Stan Johnson – Atonement & Tabernacles

Stan Johnson – Atonement & Tabernacles

At the Feast of Tabernacles, surrounded by reminders of God's guiding presence, Jesus made a bold declaration: "I am the light of the world." In this message, Pastor Sean shows how Jesus doesn't just point us toward the light—He is the light, leading us out of darkness and into life.

Dexter B. Wakefield | Recorded April 11, 2026

Dexter B. Wakefield | Recorded April 11, 2026

Join Derek Walker as he delves deep into the spiritual significance of the Water Ceremony at the climax of the Feast of Tabernacles, and how it is fulfilled in us as Temples of the Holy Spirit, as we allow the Holy Spirit (the River of Life) flow through us.

Join Derek Walker as he delves deep into the spiritual significance of the Water Ceremony at the climax of the Feast of Tabernacles, and how it is fulfilled in us as Temples of the Holy Spirit, as we allow the Holy Spirit (the River of Life) flow through us.

Acts 2 – Ruah, Rebellion, Towers and Tabernacles | Acts | John Emmert by First Christian Church

Jesus stood at the Feast of Tabernacles and made a bold invitation: “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me and drink.” In this message from John 7:37–39, Pastor James explores what Jesus meant when He promised a drink that becomes a river of living water.What if many of us have learned how to appear full while living spiritually dry? What if the answer isn't striving harder, but coming back to the source? Discover how Jesus alone satisfies our deepest thirst, why the Holy Spirit was given, and how God desires not just a momentary experience but a river of life flowing through us to impact others. You were not created to live as a stagnant puddle. You were created to become a river.Support the show

The Spirit of Truth Who Leads Us in Righteousness - John 14:15-17, 25-27; John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 Please turn in your Bibles to John 14. You can find that on page 1071. Before we read, let me remind you of a couple things and explain why we're jumping ahead to chapter 14. Last week, we finished up John 5. If you remember, chapter 5 was about the Jewish leaders accusing Jesus of equating himself with God. Jesus responded by affirming that, yes, he was indeed equal with the Father. In the middle of chapter 5, Jesus made a very clear declaration that he shares the glory and power of the Father because he and the Father are one. Well, today, I thought we would do something a little different. Since we just considered God the Father and the Son, I thought we would round that out by considering the Holy Spirit. We're going to stay in the Gospel of John, but look at selected passages from chapters 14-16. Next week, we'll return to chapter 6 So, if you would, turn to John 14 and we'll begin with verses 15-17. Reading John 14:15-17, 25-27; John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 Prayer “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is his role in your life?” That question stumped me. I was a High school senior at the time. And I was applying to a Christian college. That question about the Holy Spirit was on the admissions application, but I didn't know how to answer it. Yes, I had grown up in the church, and yes, I was a believer in Jesus. Our church, although a faithful church, was light on teaching and discipleship or maybe I just wasn't paying attention. “Who is the Holy Spirit?” I didn't know. Maybe that's you… if I asked you to tell me about the Holy Spirit, would you know where to begin? If not, you're not alone. Of all the doctrines about God, the area of weakest understanding is the Holy Spirit. In a recent study from Lifeway Research, 28% of Christians in the United States believe the Spirit is divine but not equal to God the Father and the Son. Another 21% were unsure. In a second question, 56% believed the Spirit of God to be a force but not a divine person. You know, when it comes to God, we can conceptualize God as a Father… we can comprehend Jesus in his human nature, and through Jesus' testimony and ministry, we can understand that he is fully God. But it's harder to understand the Holy Spirit. My hope is that by the end of this sermon... We would each more fully grasp… Who the Holy Spirit is, what role he performs, and how we benefit from and receive him. Who, what, and how. But even beyond these important questions about the Holy Spirit and the benefits we have in him… I also hope that we would each feel and sense his convincing and convicting work in our hearts and minds. That's my prayer. As we begin, let me summarize Jesus' teaching about His Spirit… this way: (1) The eternal Spirit of God, (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God, (3) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. There are three points there. Let me say that again if you are taking notes... (1) The eternal Spirit of God, (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God, and (3) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. 1. The eternal Spirit of God… answering the WHO 2. who speaks truth and conviction as God… answering the WHAT 3. dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. the HOW. And just to be sure… These verses on the Holy Spirit are not exhaustive… they are just a few of the many Biblical texts. All throughout the Scriptures we learn about the Spirit of God. ·      In the book of Acts… The Holy Spirit is given and he leads the early church. ·      We learn of his work in and through believers through the apostles Paul and Peter and others. ·      In Genesis 1, we learn that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters… ·      Furthermore, the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles… was given as a festival by God to teach about salvation and God's grace in the giving of His Spirit. ·      The prophets also spoke of God's Spirit… ·      And all throughout the Scriptures… we're promised to have “rivers of living waters” flowing forth from us… through the work of God's Holy Spirit. We can't cover all of that, but Jesus' teaching on the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel is very helpful. It's very clear and very foundational. So let's dive in. (1) The eternal Spirit of God So again, #1, The eternal Spirit of God. In the verses we read, Jesus calls God's Spirit by many names. He's called “the Helper” which means advocate. Jesus also names him the “Spirit of Truth” several times … Jesus calls him the “Holy Spirit.” That title is used throughout the New Testament. But the most common New Testament name is just “the Spirit.” Referring to God's Spirit. And from these verses… one thing we see over and over… is that the Holy Spirit is sent from both God the Father and from God the Son. Let me highlight some verses: ·      Chapter 14:16 – “The Father will give you the Helper” ·      and 14:26 “The Father will send [him] in my name” ·      Chapter 15:26, Jesus said, “I will send you from the Father… the Spirit of truth. Who proceeds from the Father.” ·      And again, in chapter 16, Jesus said again, “I will send him to you” We'll be reciting the Nicene creed in a little bit. It summarizes what we believe the Bible teaches about God… And regarding the Holy Spirit, it says He “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” That's helpful… it's a good summary of what these and other verses teach. The Holy Spirit “proceeds from” both the Father and the Son. The Spirit, therefore, has the full authority of God because he is God. He proceeds from God. He's unified with God the Father and God the Son. Furthermore, we learn here that the Holy Spirit is eternal. We get a glimpse of his eternal nature in chapter 14 verse 16… he's given to us forever. He will be with us for all time into heaven. And as we look to eternity past, as I briefly mentioned from Genesis 1, the Holy Spirit has always existed. Jesus teaches that not only is he, himself, fully God… but he teaches that the Holy Spirit is also God. Remember what we considered two weeks ago from John 5? Our God is one God, three persons, same in substance, equal in power and glory. Well, these verses affirm that for the Holy Spirit. We call God a triune God - a Trinity - 3 in 1. All three persons of God work in union one with one another; the Father, the Son, and the Spirit… and they share the same substance and power and glory. That's why in John 16 verse 14… Jesus says of the Holy Spirit that “he will glorify me.” That's because each divine person of the Trinity exalts one another as God. So, to summarize point #1 - the Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of God… fully God, forever existing, with all the knowledge, wisdom, glory, power, and authority of God. (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God # 2… He speaks truth and conviction as God. We're on to the what question. What role does the Spirit fulfill? What do the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit accomplishes? Well, first, the very titles that Jesus uses for the Spirit reveal his role. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Helper.” In our reading, we heard that four times…. the English doesn't really capture the breadth of the concept here. Really “helper” in Greek comes with the sense of being a counsellor or an advocate. You know, someone who represents you, who is for you, like in a legal setting. He guides you and he speaks to you and is for you. Jesus also calls the Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth.” That is in our verses three times. What is this Counsellor counselling us about? Well, he counsels us on the truth. He counsels us on God's truth. His Word. Throughout these verses, over and over, we're given a very clear understanding of what truth the Holy Spirit speaks. Look down at chapter 14 verse 26. Jesus says, “he will teach you all things AND bring remembrance all that I have said” Now keep that in mind and go one chapter ahead to chapter 15, verse 26. The very end of the sentence, there… Jesus says of the Spirit “he will bear witness about me.” So, the Holy Spirit is revealing Christ and his testimony. Chapter 16 is similar. Verse 13 it says, “he will guide you in all the truth” and then “He will declare to you the things that are to come” This is the role of the Holy Spirit… to speak God's truth, to enlighten our minds, to bear witness about Jesus' work… All the things about Jesus… You know, his life, his teaching, his redemption, and our future hope in him to come. The Spirit declares all this to us. He testifies to us the truth of God's Word. You see, all those things are found in God's Word. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals God Word to us. Really, God's Word and Spirit go hand and hand. They are inseparable. We're given a beautiful image of this in Ezekiel chapter 37. God gave Ezekiel a vision. In a dream, God showed Ezekiel a valley full of dead dry bones. But as God's Word went forth… God breathed his breath onto those dry bones. His breath is his Spirit - same word. And through the ministry of the Word being spoken by the prophet and God's Spirit being given… the valley of dry bones began to rattle... And then the bones came together. God gave new life to the bones. A vast army of God's people was resurrected through the work of God's Word and His Spirit… together. Friends, none of us can know and believe this Word without the work of the Holy Spirit. We're ignorant and sinful, we're dead dry bones…. We're unable to know God and nor believe in him by ourselves. But God has given us a great gift… the Spirit of Truth. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit does more than just speak God's word to us. He also convicts our hearts and minds. Look now at chapter 16 verse 8… it says, “He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment” Verses 9-11 then elaborate on that. We're not capable of seeing our sin and our blindness. And what the Spirit does in our lives is that he persuade us in three ways. He brings conviction of sin. He brings conviction of righteousness. And he brings conviction of judgment. “Conviction” here means to convince. To bring to light. To see yourself and your need for God and his salvation.  Let me say it this way… conviction is the Holy Spirit applying his truth to your heart in your situation. He shows you your condition and he enables you to respond. And it's more than just knowing what is right and wrong. It's also seeing your own depravity and your failure to live up to God's standard. God's Spirit brings that conviction… When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, he enlightens your mind to see your sin and to repent of it. And that's related to the second conviction… the conviction of righteousness. You see, the Holy Spirit also reveals to you God's standard of holiness and goodness. He prompts you to not only repent of your sin, but to pursue the goodness and righteousness that God calls you to in his Word. Do you see the two sides of it? Not only conviction of your sin, but a conviction to pursue holiness. And the third conviction is conviction of judgment. You see, it is more than just knowing your sin and seeing the path to holiness. It is realizing the judgment of God upon sin and the devil. It's a recognition that God has been at work throughout history to bring redemption from that judgment through Christ. Truly, without this conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment… our hearts and minds would remain blind. We would not be able to see our sin or our situation, nor how to respond. But God has revealed his truth and is applying it in our hearts and minds. So, to summarize point #2… The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, speaks the truth of God, through His Word. He reveals God's redemption in Christ and he brings conviction. He convicts us of sin. He points us to the righteousness of God. And he shows us the judgment and hope of God in Christ. 3.) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ So, here's where we are … #1 The eternal Spirit of God - the who. #2 He speaks truth and conviction as God - the what. And that brings us to #3… he dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. This is the how question. How does God do this? How does he dwell in us?  Well, it's a mystery… ok, let me close in prayer. I'm just kidding. It is a mystery, but we can't leave it at that. Look with me at John chapter 14, the end of verse 17. Look at it. John 14:17 “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Do you see that? Notice the two prepositions … “with” and “in.” “He dwells with you and will be in you” Have you ever seen one of the Pixar movies called “Inside out?” There are two movies. Maybe some of the kids have seen them. Well, in the first movie, a young girl named Riley was dealing with all of her emotions after her family moved across the country. And we're brought to the headquarters of her mind… In her head, there's a command center with knobs and levers and buttons. It's where Riley's emotions lived. They're represented by different characters. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, and despair. And of course, they all want control… Well, at one point, Sadness and Joy were arguing… and they accidentally knocked over some of Riley's memory blocks. But as they scramble to retrieve them, Sadness and Joy got sucked like a vacuum out of the headquarters of Riley's mind. Well, that causes Anger and Despair to take over. Because of it, Riley was left in a state of apathy. I won't tell you what happens. You'll have to see it. It's a good movie, helpful in many ways… It's a picture of how we struggle with sin and emotions on the inside. But one thing is apparent. Riley is missing something. Riley is not in control. Her emotions are battling it out. If I can relate this to the Holy Spirit… What the Spirit does is enter into the headquarters of our hearts and minds. He speaks to our thoughts, and our emotions, and our desires, and our passions. Our sinful tendencies don't go away, but as we fill our mind with God's Word, the Holy Spirit takes that and guides us and speaks to us. He guides us in all the ways that we discussed… in truth and conviction. So, when you are on the precipice of sin or when you are struggling with unbelief about one of God's promises, God's Spirit prompts you. For example, maybe a family member or co-worker has said something unkind… and you're tempted to become angry. But then, you're prompted by the Holy Spirit… “Man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God requires.” James 1. Or it's late at night, you have your phone with you and lustful thoughts come to mind. You're struggling with temptation… but you also have the Spirit's leading. He brings to mind Jesus' word. “if anyone looks at a woman with lustful thoughts he has already committed adultery in his heart” or the corollary “if anyone looks at a man in that way” Will you listen to the Spirit within you in those moments when he prompts you? Or maybe you feel the weight of physical pain, or grief, or discouragement. If so, let the Holy Spirit bring to mind the truth and hope of Christ. That is, what he's accomplished for you on the cross and in the resurrection… and the hope he gives. We would be here for days to unpack all the ways the Spirit prompts, guides, encourages, and convicts us. And to be clear, the Holy Spirit is not like a professional counsellor that you meet with every so often. He does not have office hours nor only occasionally speaks into your life. No, if you believe by faith in Christ, God's Spirit is with you and is in you. He's given you a new heart. He's enlightened your mind. He has applied the work of Christ to you, that you may receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation. And in that salvation, the Holy Spirit has united you to Christ. You are ingrafted into Christ. The Spirit of God dwells within you. Sinclair Ferguson, you know, pastor and theologian, says it this way, “…to have the Spirit is to have Christ; to have Christ is to have the Spirit. Not to have the Spirit of Christ is to lack Christ. To have the Spirit of Christ is to be indwelt by Christ.” If you are in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you. Now, there's a lot more that could be said. When we get to John 15, in particular, we'll consider our union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us. As Jesus said, he is the vine and we are the branches. That will be a few months out. Here's the summary: The eternal Spirit of God, who speaks truth and conviction as God, will dwell with you and in you, ifyou have received the grace of Christ by faith in him. Conclusion Back to the opening question: “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is his role in your life?” Honestly, I don't even remember what I wrote on my college application. This was before the internet, by the way, so I couldn't research online. But I did call a friend in another state who was also applying and all I remember is that he was a great help. And the school did accept me. But how would you answer that? Well, if I had to answer that question today, here's what I'd say: The Holy Spirit is one of three Persons of the Trinity. He is the same in substance and equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. He is eternal and unchangeable having proceeded from the Father and the Son. And he is the one who applies the salvation of Christ in the hearts and minds of God's children. He unites us to Christ by faith. The Holy Spirit furthermore speaks the truth of God Word to us. He brings conviction of sin and causes us to repent and renew our trust in God and in the Gospel. In moments of temptation, he reminds us of God's promises and reminds us of Jesus ministry of reconciliation and his righteousness. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us in truth. He reveals that we are God's and assures us of salvation in Christ. He is not some mystical force, but as God and as a person of the Godhead, he possesses God's nature as a loving, just God, who knows us, his creatures… and speaks to us through his Word… We need God's assurances and his conviction, and we need to know and believe in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I would furthermore add by saying that when I find myself overwhelmed by situations or being tempted, I seek to listen to his convicting voice within… who brings to mind his Word, which he inspired… and who reminds me of the cross and my forgiveness in Jesus. The Spirit of Truth is my Helper and he will be with me forever. May God, through the Holy Spirit, assure and bless us in Christ. May he mature us in our understanding of him and may he lead us in righteousness and truth. Amen

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is about religious discrimination and what happened when Dusti Howell—a tenured college professor—was challenged after taking time off for God's Holy Days.For decades, Dusti was able to observe the Holy Days without issue.But in 2020, after returning home from the Feast of Tabernacles, he was told he could no longer take that time off without going through a new and difficult accommodation process.What began as a workplace conflict turned into a 5 year-long legal battle - one that may help shape religious freedom protections in Kansas.In this episode, Dusti shares what happened, what he's learned, and why this matters for others in the Church of God community.

Rod McNair | Recorded April 15, 2026

Mike DeSimone | Recorded June 1, 2025

Rod McNair | Recorded April 15, 2026

Mike DeSimone | Recorded June 1, 2025

Jeffrey Fall | Recorded November 14, 2025

Jeffrey Fall | Recorded November 14, 2025

Drop us a text message to say hi and let us know what you think of the show. (Include your email if you'd like us to reply)In which John and David continue tracing the “I am the light of the world,” saying through the healing of the man born blind, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the movement from temple to wilderness. They consider witness, hiddenness, and what it means for Christ to be the light that leads.  Episode 243 of the Two Texts Podcast | Jesus and God's "Name" 8If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love it if you left a review or comment where you're listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021________Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others. However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love. Thank you so much.Support the show

Questions about why people are using the Old Testament laws to condemn people if we're not under those laws, thoughts on Christians celebrating the feasts of the Law out of obedience to the Lord, and whether we should keep the feasts so we'll recognize Christ at his second coming.    If the Old Testament laws were not even meant for us, then why are so many using the old laws to condemn people now? What do you think about my friends insisting that Christians celebrate and honor the various feasts of the Mosaic Law—not out of a spirit of legalism, but merely out of obedience to the Lord who saved them? Just as part of the purpose of the Mosaic Law and sacrificial system was to teach God's people how to recognize Jesus when he came, should Christians be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles and other commands so we can recognize Christ at his second coming?

This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Day of Pentecost, Year A, falling on May 24, 2026. Pentecost is the fiftieth day of the Easter season — the Sunday on which the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit. The lectionary offers several choices at three of the four reading positions this day, which can be confusing. The note below explains the options, and this guide covers all of them.A note on the options (just so you'll know): The lectionary for Pentecost offers these choices. (1) First Reading: Acts 2:1–21 or Numbers 11:24–30. (2) Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:3b–13 or Acts 2:1–21 (Acts moves to the epistle slot when Numbers is used as the first reading, so Acts is read either way). (3) Gospel: John 20:19–23 or John 7:37–39. The Psalm (104:24–34, 35b) has no alternative. Most congregations will use Acts 2 as the first reading; this guide treats Acts 2 as primary and gives full coverage to all the alternatives.The ReadingsActs 2:1–21First Reading (Primary Option) — The Day of PentecostSummaryOn the day of Pentecost, the followers of Jesus are gathered together when the Spirit arrives with the sound of rushing wind and what looks like fire resting on each of them. They begin speaking in languages other than their own. A crowd gathers — devout Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem for the festival from many different countries — and to their astonishment each person hears the disciples speaking in their own native language. Some are amazed; others mock the disciples as drunk. Peter stands up and addresses them, explaining that what they are seeing is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's promise: in the last days God will pour out the Spirit on every kind of person, crossing the usual lines of age, gender, and social status, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Pentecost by Kseniya LaptevaKey Ideas for Preaching1. The miracle at Pentecost is, very specifically, a miracle of communication across difference. The disciples do not all speak one universal language that everyone somehow understands. They speak many languages — the actual languages of the people standing in the crowd. The Spirit does not erase cultural and linguistic differences; it crosses them. What might it look like for your congregation to take this seriously? Real welcome is not everyone becoming the same. It is everyone being met in their own voice.2. Peter's quotation from the prophet Joel insists that the Spirit is poured out on everyone: sons and daughters, young and old, those at the top of the social order and those at the bottom. Every line that might limit who has access to God is named and crossed. Which of those lines does your congregation still tend to observe, even without meaning to? Where might the Spirit be inviting you to cross one?3. The crowd's first reaction is mockery. When the Spirit moves, it sometimes produces confusion and ridicule before it produces understanding. That is worth naming honestly for a congregation that might expect a movement of God to look tidy. What if your people's discomfort with something new is not a sign that God is absent, but a sign that something is actually happening?4. The text begins by saying the disciples were all together in one place. That gathering is named as the setting in which the Spirit arrives. The Spirit is not poured out on scattered individuals here — it comes upon a gathered community. What does this say about why it still matters to show up, to be present together, in a culture that often treats faith as a private matter?Significant Cautions• Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the church. That phrase can give the impression that God was not at work among people before this moment, or that the Jewish community from which the church grew has somehow been left behind. Neither is true. Peter grounds the whole event in Jewish prophecy. The church does not replace something old; it grows out of it.• The mockers in the crowd are easy to dismiss as villains or to use as a foil for the faithful. But they are not really villains — they are genuinely confused by something they have never seen before. Be careful about setting up a sharp us-versus-them dynamic between the believers and the skeptics.• The promise that everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved is a quotation Peter draws from Joel and applies to this specific moment. Be careful about lifting it out of the story and turning it into a simple formula that ignores the communal witness and the changed lives that surround it in the rest of Acts.Numbers 11:24–30First Reading (Alternative Option) — The Spirit Shared with the EldersSummaryMoses, worn down by the burden of leading Israel through the wilderness, has cried out to God for help. God tells him to gather seventy elders at the tent of meeting and shares some of the spirit resting on Moses with them, and they begin to prophesy — though only this one time. Two of the elders, Eldad and Medad, had stayed back in the camp rather than coming to the tent, and the spirit comes upon them there too. Joshua, Moses's assistant, is disturbed and asks Moses to stop them. Moses refuses, saying he wishes all of God's people were prophets and that God would put the Spirit on every one of them.Key Ideas for Preaching1. Moses's wish — that all the Lord's people would be prophets — is exactly what Pentecost finally delivers. If you are preaching both this text and Acts 2, you can draw that line clearly. What Moses longed for, the Spirit at Pentecost gives. The Spirit is no longer reserved for a few special leaders. What might change in your congregation if people actually believed that the Spirit had been given to all of them, not just to the clergy?2. Eldad and Medad receive the Spirit out in the camp, away from the official gathering, without having done the expected thing of showing up at the tent. The Spirit moves where it wants. Joshua wants to stop them; Moses refuses. Where in your congregation, or your community, is the Spirit clearly at work in places or people you would not have predicted? Are you paying attention, or are you trying to call them back to the tent?3. Moses's response to Joshua shows a kind of leadership that is not threatened by other people receiving what he has. He does not protect his role; he gladly shares it. Many leaders in church and elsewhere quietly fear that empowering other people will diminish them. What would it look like to lead the way Moses leads here?Significant Cautions• The seventy elders prophesy this one time and never again. It is a moment, not an ongoing gift. Be careful about treating Moses's story as a straight preview of Pentecost in a way that flattens out the genuine newness of what happens in Acts. The connection is real and worth drawing; the two events are not identical.• Joshua is not condemned for wanting to stop Eldad and Medad — he is acting out of loyalty to Moses. Be gentle in using him as a negative example. The instinct to protect structures and proper channels is not always wrong. It is just sometimes misapplied.Psalm 104:24–34, 35bThe Psalm — The Spirit That Renews the Face of the EarthSummaryThis part of the great creation psalm marvels at how varied and abundant God's creation is. Every living thing — from the countless creatures of the vast sea to all the rest — looks to God for food and receives what it needs in its time. When God withdraws, creatures are troubled; when God takes back their breath, they die and return to dust. But when God sends out the divine Spirit — the same word that means breath or wind — they are created again, and the face of the earth is made new. The psalm closes with a vow to sing to God for as long as the singer has life, and a prayer that God will be pleased with the song.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The word for Spirit in this psalm is the same word for breath and wind (ruach )— the same creative power that hovered over the waters at the beginning of Genesis. On Pentecost, this image reaches back across the whole Bible and grounds the coming of the Spirit in something much older than the upper room in Jerusalem. The breath of God has been animating creation from the beginning. (Genesis 1:2) What does it do for your congregation to hear that the Spirit who came at Pentecost is the same Spirit who breathed life into the first creatures?2. The line about God sending out the Spirit so that creatures are created and the face of the earth is renewed is one of the most hopeful sentences in the whole Bible. Renewal is what the Spirit does. How might this widen the frame of your Pentecost sermon beyond the church alone? The Spirit who renewed the earth is the same Spirit poured out on the disciples.3. The mood of the psalm is wonder — delight at what God has made. Could Pentecost be an occasion not just to explain the Spirit but to invite your congregation into that same posture: paying attention, giving thanks, being astonished at what God is doing?Significant Cautions• The psalm describes creatures dying when God withdraws breath. It is part of the rhythm of creation in the psalm, but it can land hard in a congregation where someone is grieving. Be careful not to use this image casually in a way that suggests God has withdrawn from a person's loved one.• The poetry of the psalm is expansive and imaginative. Resist the urge to flatten it into a proof text for a particular view of how creation happened or how it works scientifically. The purpose of the psalm is praise, not explanation.1 Corinthians 12:3b–13The Epistle (Primary Option) — Many Gifts, One SpiritSummaryPaul is writing to a church in Corinth that has been arguing about spiritual gifts — specifically, about who has the more impressive ones. He begins with a basic test of authenticity: only the Holy Spirit enables someone to say Jesus is Lord. Then he describes the wide variety of gifts in the church — wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous works, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation — insisting that all of them come from one and the same Spirit, who distributes them as the Spirit chooses, and all are given for the good of the whole community. Paul closes with the image of the body: just as a body is one but has many parts, so it is with Christ. We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — Jews and Greeks, enslaved and free — and we all share in the one Spirit.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The gifts Paul lists are not awards for spiritual achievement. They are given by the Spirit, however the Spirit chooses, and they are given for the benefit of the whole community rather than the prestige of the recipient. This cuts both ways. It speaks to the person who quietly believes their gift makes them important. It also speaks to the person who quietly believes they have no gift at all. Neither of those positions matches the text. What might happen if your congregation actually believed that every person in the room had been given something for the good of everyone else?2. The body image at the end of the passage looks simple but carries real weight. Every part of the body is needed. No part can opt out, and no part can claim to be more important than another. What does the body of your congregation actually look like? Which members get treated as more important? Which members feel like they barely belong? What would change if everyone took Paul at his word here?3. Paul is not writing a peaceful, theoretical description of an ideal community. He is writing pastoral correction to a real church that is fighting about exactly this issue. That makes the passage more useful, not less. Where is your congregation tempted to rank one another — by gift, by giving, by visibility, by status — and what would Paul have to say about it?4. The last line of the passage says that the unity Paul is describing is already a reality. It happened in baptism. The congregation is not being asked to build unity from scratch; it is being asked to live into something that has already been given. How does it change the way you preach about unity when you stop treating it as a goal and start treating it as a gift to be received?Significant Cautions• Lists of spiritual gifts have sometimes been used to rank Christians, or to claim that one particular gift — often speaking in tongues — is the real sign that the Spirit is present. Paul's whole argument here runs against that use. The Spirit gives whatever the Spirit chooses to give. No person and no group gets to decide which gifts count the most.• Paul mentions the categories of “enslaved or free” alongside Jews and Greeks. He does not, in this letter, challenge slavery as an institution. Be honest about that. The image of being one body in Christ did not, on its own, end the social and economic injustices of the ancient world. Speaking of unity in Christ should not be used to suggest that hard questions of justice take care of themselves.• The unity Paul describes is not uniformity. The whole point of the body image is that the body has many different parts that do different things. Be careful not to use the language of one body to pressure a diverse congregation into one cultural or stylistic expression of worship.John 20:19–23The Gospel (Primary Option) — Peace and the Breath of the SpiritSummaryOn the evening of the first Easter Sunday, the disciples are huddled together behind locked doors because they are afraid. Jesus comes and stands among them and says, peace be with you. He shows them the wounds in his hands and his side, and they are overjoyed. He says it a second time: peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. Then he breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit. If they forgive anyone's sins, those sins are forgiven; if they hold them against someone, the sins remain.Key Ideas for Preaching1. Jesus breathes on the disciples and gives them the Spirit. The image deliberately echoes the moment in Genesis when God breathed life into the first human being. This is presented as a kind of new creation. How might it shift the meaning of Pentecost for your congregation to see it as part of God's long pattern of creating and renewing life, rather than as an isolated, one-time event?2. In John's telling, the Spirit is given on Easter evening — not fifty days later. That is a different account than the one in Acts 2. Rather than smoothing over the difference, what would it look like to be honest with your congregation that the two accounts are doing different theological work? John ties the Spirit directly to the resurrection. Acts ties it to the Jewish festival of Pentecost. Both are saying something true about who the Spirit is.3. The commission and the gift come together. As the Father has sent me, Jesus says, so I am sending you — and then he gives them the Spirit. The Spirit is not given for a private spiritual experience. It is given for a sending. What does it mean for your congregation to receive a gift that, from its very first moment, is pointed outward?4. Jesus places in the hands of this community the responsibility of forgiving sins, of releasing one another from what binds. This has caused real argument in the church about authority. But at the very least, what would it look like for your congregation to take seriously the practice of concrete, embodied forgiveness — not as an abstract idea but as something this community is actually called to do?Significant Cautions• The difference between John's account and Acts is real. John puts the Spirit on Easter evening, and Acts puts it fifty days later at Pentecost. Resist the temptation to harmonize them or explain the difference away. Sermons that name the difference honestly tend to land better than sermons that pretend it is not there.• Jesus says that if the disciples retain sins, those sins are retained. Throughout history, this line has been used to justify exclusion, punishment, and harsh church discipline. Be clear that the main direction of what Jesus says here is toward forgiveness — the releasing of what binds people — not toward the exercise of power over those who are kept out.• The locked doors and the fear of the disciples can be used to make the post-Easter community look like a failure. But these are still the people Jesus comes to and the people he sends. Their fear is the starting point of the story, not the verdict on them. Take care not to shame your congregation's own fear when you preach this scene.John 7:37–39The Gospel (Alternative Option) — Rivers of Living WaterSummaryOn the last and most important day of the Festival of Tabernacles, Jesus stands up in the temple courts and cries out, inviting anyone who is thirsty to come to him and drink. Whoever believes in him, he says, will have rivers of living water flowing from within. John then adds a note explaining that Jesus was speaking about the Spirit, who would be given to believers later — after Jesus had been glorified.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The image of rivers of living water flowing from inside a person is one of the most vivid pictures of the Spirit in any of the Gospels. It is not a trickle. It is not a reservoir you fill up once. It is an ongoing, outward flow. The Spirit is not given to be stored. What would it look like for your congregation to think of the Spirit not as something they have, but as something that flows through them on its way to someone else?2. Jesus makes this announcement on the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles, when water was being poured out as a ritual prayer for rain. The crowd would have felt the weight of the image right away. Could your congregation feel what it means to be genuinely thirsty — not mildly curious about God, but actually in need?3. John explains in a brief note that the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified. The coming of the Spirit is tied directly to the cross and the resurrection. How does it deepen a Pentecost sermon to remind the congregation that the Spirit they celebrate today comes as the fruit of what happened at Easter?Significant Cautions• The phrase about living water flowing from within can sound as though the Spirit is essentially a private inner experience of abundance. But the setting here is a public festival, and Jesus is shouting in the middle of a crowd. The water flows outward, not just inward. Be careful with a reading that turns this into a purely personal experience.• Jesus says the scripture has said something about rivers of living water, but no single passage in the Hebrew Bible is a clear match. Different scholars suggest different texts. Avoid confidently pointing to one specific passage as the source without acknowledging that no one is sure.Thematic ConnectionsEvery text appointed for Pentecost points toward the same central claim: the Spirit of God is now given freely, widely, and without the restrictions that once limited who could receive it. * In Acts, the Spirit crosses every linguistic and cultural line in Jerusalem. * In Numbers, it escapes the official gathering and finds two men out in the camp. * In Psalm 104, it is the breath that renews the whole face of the earth. * In 1 Corinthians, it distributes gifts to every member of the body for the good of the whole community. * In John, it is given on Easter evening to a group of frightened disciples and turns them into a sent people — or it is the living water that flows outward from whoever believes.Acts 2 is the natural center for Pentecost preaching. It is the story the day is built around, and its images of wind and fire and languages are difficult to displace. But 1 Corinthians 12 offers a strong complementary angle for congregations that need to hear about the practical, community-shaping work of the Spirit rather than just its dramatic arrival. And for congregations that preached Acts 2 last year and want something different, either John 7:37–39 or John 20:19–23 opens a distinctive door. The psalm works best in worship as a spoken or sung response rather than as the main preaching text, though its image of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth is worth a sentence or two in almost any Pentecost sermon. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

Jesus travels quietly to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles because the religious leaders are seeking to kill Him, while His own brothers mock Him and urge Him to go publicly. Midway through the feast, He begins teaching in the temple with such authority that the crowds are astonished, wondering how someone with no formal rabbinic training could possess such wisdom. Jesus explains that His teaching comes from the Father and that anyone who genuinely desires to do God's will can recognize the truth—showing that spiritual understanding depends not on education, but on an honest and willing heart.

In this episode of the HRVST Podcast, we continue our “I AM” series through the Gospel of John by exploring Jesus' statement: “I am the light of the world.” We'll break down the powerful context behind this moment during the Feast of Tabernacles, the symbolism of light overcoming darkness, and what Jesus was truly claiming about His identity. This episode dives into truth, salvation, and what it means to follow the One who brings light into a dark world.

Dexter B. Wakefield | Recorded March 28, 2026

Dexter B. Wakefield | Recorded March 28, 2026

Jesus travels quietly to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles because the religious leaders are seeking to kill Him, while His own brothers mock Him and urge Him to go publicly. Midway through the feast, He begins teaching in the temple with such authority that the crowds are astonished, wondering how someone with no formal rabbinic training could possess such wisdom. Jesus explains that His teaching comes from the Father and that anyone who genuinely desires to do God's will can recognize the truth—showing that spiritual understanding depends not on education, but on an honest and willing heart.

Mario Hernández | Recorded February 7, 2026

Mario Hernández | Recorded February 7, 2026

with Pastor Cory Henderson from Christian Life ChurchSunday 5-3-26https://www.bible.com/events/49602139

Brad Cummings and I continue our discussion of the Day of Atonement. This then sets the conditions for the discussion to move onto Tabernacles. God has a strategic plan. We too often spend our time mucking out the trenches and lose focus on the bigger picture God has offered. Understanding the strategic framework helps clarify the daily walk that we make. #BardsFM_DiggingIntoTheWord #Tabernacles #StrategicFramework Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

John 7 takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles, a moment filled with celebration, symbolism, and expectation. For generations, God's people remembered His provision in the wilderness while longing for the coming Messiah.Then, in the middle of it all, Jesus stands up and makes a bold declaration:“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”In this message, we walk through John chapter 7 and uncover how Jesus fulfills everything the feast was pointing to. From the water ceremony to the temple imagery to the promise of the Spirit, this chapter reveals that what they were waiting for had already arrived.They were celebrating water.Jesus said, “I am the source.”If you've ever felt spiritually dry, this message is for you.—Overflow ChurchGrand Prairie, TX“Encounter the reality of Jesus”Support the show

Rod McNair | Recorded February 28, 2026

Rod McNair | Recorded February 28, 2026

Do we really believe that all that we need comes from God? The Israelites did, and they set aside a special feast to thank Him for His provision. This week on The Bible Study Hour with Dr. James Boice we're looking at Psalm 65, a harvest hymn celebrating the Jewish harvest festival, the Feast of Tabernacles. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Wallace G. Smith | Recorded April 12, 2025

Wallace G. Smith | Recorded April 12, 2025

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) A brief overview of these chapters.(04:02) The Nephites saw the Savior Jesus Christ in the Law of Moses.(12:08) The children of Israel willingly donated material to construct The Tabernacle, giving even more than was needed.(15:52) The articles of The Tabernacle.(20:01) Aaron and his sons are washed, anointed, and clothed in priesthood robes.(22:20) The Tabernacle is a miniature cosmos, which parallels the creation of the earth in its literary construction. The glory of the Lord fills it.(26:13) Scholars have mapped a chiastic structure in the first five books of the Bible. The apex can be seen as Leviticus 16, which focuses on the Day of Atonement. In this way, we see that the center of the Pentateuch is Jesus Christ.(27:48) Walking through the steps of offering a sacrifice at The Tabernacle.(37:29) The five offerings are meant to separate the clean from the unclean. Leviticus contains only a fragmentary record of the institution of the priesthood.(40:40) Kosher and purity laws in Leviticus 11-15.(45:41) Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.(50:11) The scapegoat, as portrayed in the Day of Atonement, can be interpreted in many ways.(58:35) Israel is commanded to not reap the corners of their fields and to leave their gleanings for the poor. This symbol of the circle in the square can also represent the temple, the unification of heaven and earth, and is found in the book of Ruth.(1:01:47) Prohibition of mingling seed and garments of linen and wool. The holy and the profane are not to be mixed.(1:04:58) Israel is commanded to be different from their neighbors in grooming standards.(1:06:29) Israel is to keep the Feasts of the Passover, of Unleavened Bread, of Pentecost or Firstfruits, of Trumpets, of the Day of Atonement, and of Tabernacles. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 369 | Exodus 35-40; Leviticus, Come Follow Me 2026 (April 27-May 3) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.