Podcasts about judas

Radio AM 750 Alejandro Dolina, Patricio Barton, Gillespi Introducción • 0:00:00 Apertura y presentación del programa • 0:02:17 Presentación de Amelia y la Eternidad en librería Sudestada • 0:03:24 Anuncio de funciones en La Plata, Canning, Avellaneda, Rosario, Córdoba, Junín y La Trastienda Segmento Inicial • 0:04:58 Crítica a videos, títulos y locuciones con inteligencia artificial • 0:08:56 Informe humorístico: qué hacer ante un huracán • 0:52:03 Mensajes de oyentes y comentarios sobre el programa • 0:57:45 Reflexión sobre la visibilidad actual del programa en medios y circuitos culturales • 1:00:49 Conversación sobre subtítulos, doblaje y cambios generacionales en el cine Segmento Dispositivo • 1:07:00 La muerte de los apóstoles, capítulo cuarto • 1:07:50 Felipe y la incertidumbre histórica sobre su martirio • 1:09:22 Santiago el Menor y las versiones sobre su muerte • 1:10:28 Matías como reemplazante de Judas y las leyendas sobre su final • 1:16:09 Juan, la leyenda del caldero de aceite y su exilio a Patmos • 1:19:33 Judas Iscariote y las versiones contradictorias sobre su muerte • 1:23:55 Cierre musical con “Al pie de la Santa Cruz” ♫ Segmento Humorístico • 1:29:07 Animales más capaces del mundo • 1:29:47 Resistencia animal: inmersión, sequía, vuelo y caminatas extremas • 1:38:07 Resistencia al frío, calor, ayuno, falta de sueño, presión y venenos Sordo Gancé / Manuel Moreira • 1:47:52 Presentación del segmento musical • 1:48:47 “Monte criollo” ♫ • 1:52:14 Música brasileña por bolillero • 1:52:17 “O Pato” ♫ (Resumen generado automáticamente con IA, puede contener errores)

This Sunday, we looked at two hard questions from the kids: Was the betrayal of Jesus Judas' fault if Satan entered his heart? Can Satan enter our hearts to make us do bad things? Rev. Jon Hall | May 31st, 2026 ___________________________________ We're Incarnation Tallahassee! Visit our website! www.incarnationtlh.org/
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“Have faith. Let it begin.” Angel Santana opens the episode with a simple plea that becomes a lifeline as he walks listeners through one of his most painful moments: the sharp sting of betrayal by the people who sat at his table. Through raw memory and trembling honesty he reconstructs the moment trust was broken, the secret conversations and the quiet undermining that turned allies into strangers. Drawing a line from Judas at the table to the betrayals we face today, Santana reframes loss as protection and pain as a lesson that shapes who we will become. This episode weaves scripture, personal testimony, and practical wisdom—inviting you to grieve without hardening your heart, set healthy boundaries, and keep faith alive. Listen and be guided from hurt toward healing, with hope waiting on the next turn of the story.

In John 12, Jesus returns to Bethany and is welcomed by friends whose responses reveal very different hearts. Martha serves, Mary worships, and Judas criticizes. Mary pours out costly perfume at the feet of Jesus in an act of sacrificial devotion while Judas reveals a heart driven by self-interest. This episode reminds us that worship always costs something, and our response to Jesus reveals what we treasure most.

Get your tickets for the RTK Dream Conference in Atlanta this July! ➡️ https://brushfire.com/conqueringhellinhighheels/conference/625641/details   Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Real Talk Kim Podcast. I'm so grateful that you're here. Every time you listen, share, and support, you're helping spread hope, healing, and the message of Jesus around the world.   If this episode encouraged you, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an update, and don't forget to subscribe to the Real Talk Kim YouTube channel for powerful messages, morning prayer sessions, and more uplifting content every week.   If you're interested in advertising on this podcast or having Real Talk Kim as a guest on your podcast, radio show, or TV show, reach out to collab@realtalkkim.com   Let's stay connected!   All things Real Talk Kim – realtalkkim.com   All things Limitless Church – limitlesschurch.live   Shop my Brand! – rtkstyle.com   Shop My Amazon Storefront – amazon.com/shop/realtalkkim?ccs_id=25cade6f-734b-4373-a191-c941ba595fc7   Join the RTK Inner Circle – innercircle.realtalkkim.com   Become an RTK Mastermind – coach.realtalkkim.com/rtk-mastermind-landing-page   Listen on Spotify – open.spotify.com/show/4CJ4UgWGuNaqybc4dVeYRP   Listen on Apple Podcasts – podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-kim/id1348134531   Visit Limitless Church – 1653 Highway 85 S, Fayetteville, GA 30215

In "Betrayal, Denial, and Love,” Pastor Dave Gustavsen explores Jesus' final hours with His disciples and His command to love one another. Through the examples of Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial, we see that love is more than proximity, words, or feelings. Jesus calls His followers to a deeper kind of love—a loyal, sacrificial pursuit of another person's well-being. When we love this way, others will know that we are His disciples. Dave Gustavsen | May 31, 2026Visit our website or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

This sermon examines the contrasting failures of Judas and Peter in the final hours before Jesus' crucifixion, emphasizing that failure is a universal human reality but does not have to be the end of anyone's story. Drawing from Isaiah 53, the message reminds believers that all people have gone astray and that Jesus bore the sins of all humanity, including both Peter and Judas. While both men were called by Jesus, witnessed His miracles, preached the kingdom, and experienced significant spiritual opportunities, their responses to failure were radically different. Peter pursued Jesus, trusted Him despite his weaknesses, and responded to his denial with humility, godly sorrow, and repentance. Judas, however, followed his own plans, betrayed Christ for personal gain, and responded to his failure with remorse rather than true repentance. The sermon distinguishes remorse—feeling bad about the consequences of sin—from repentance, which involves turning to God for forgiveness and restoration. Judas attempted to fix his problem through human means and ultimately fell into despair, while Peter allowed his failure to drive him back to Jesus. Through Christ's restoration of Peter in John 21, the message highlights that God's goal is not merely forgiveness but restoration and renewed purpose. Peter's failure did not disqualify him from ministry; instead, God used him powerfully as a leader of the early church. The central lesson is that while failure is inevitable, what matters most is how a person responds to it. Pride and self-reliance lead to destruction, but humility, repentance, and surrender to Christ lead to forgiveness, restoration, and a future shaped by God's grace.

Ghost and Ashe in America kick off season four of The Chosen with the gut-wrenching first episode, which bookends John the Baptist's entire life in a single hour. The hosts open with a hard look at why elections are fake, why the Republican Party is the actual enemy, and why John in Herod's court is a warning about what happens when you let government distract you from the man you were supposed to be walking with. Then they walk through the whole arc: Mary's visit to Elizabeth, the baby leaping in the womb, the dance training of Salome, Herodias using her own daughter to stay comfortable in her sin, and John laughing on the way to his beheading because he is on his way to a wedding banquet. Along the way: Wesley Huff debating Billy Carson, Eric Larson's slivers and glances method applied to how the showrunners present Herod, the laundry scene as a metaphor for sin, Judas wanting to take up a collection and how that becomes the modern 501(c)(3) church, and a renewed appreciation for the Catholic church holding its ground while the Protestants crumble.

Send us a message!We read Luke 22 as the story narrows to the Last Supper, Gethsemane, betrayal, and Peter's denial, and we let the weight of Jesus' love land outside the Easter season. We sit with the reality of spiritual warfare and find comfort in Jesus praying for our faith when we are shaken. • the Passover setting and Judas' decision to betray Jesus • Jesus establishing the bread and cup as remembrance and new covenant • the disciples' argument about greatness and Jesus' model of serving • Jesus warning Peter about being sifted and promising intercession • Gethsemane prayer, arrest, and Jesus choosing the Father's will • Peter's three denials, the rooster crow, and bitter weeping • Jesus mocked, questioned, and affirmed as the Son of God • why darkness is allowed for a time and how healing can follow • turning failure into a mission to strengthen other believers  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

DAY 183: Announcement of Judas's Betrayal Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast.   In this episode we are reading John 13:21-38   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here -->  http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!  

Send us Fan MailIf Christian community is supposed to feel like family, why do so many conversations turn into crossfire? We slow down and get honest about what “mutual faith” really means: encouragement that flows both directions, leaders who are strengthened by the people, and believers who can ask hard questions without being brushed off. We also challenge the reflex to treat truth like a weapon, especially in online spaces where responding to every attack can swallow your entire day.From there we bring it down to street level with a surprisingly personal angle: the road rage test. When tempers flare, we remind ourselves that we have no idea what someone has lived through today. That thread leads to Job and the danger of using Bible words to accuse instead of comfort. We also look at Jesus' long suffering with Judas as a gut check for our patience, compassion, and spiritual maturity.The second half turns into a focused Bible study on Romans 1:13-15. We walk through Paul's desire to visit Rome, the providence of God in his hindrances, and why delays do not cancel calling. Paul's “debtor to all” mindset highlights the universal scope of the gospel: one message of Jesus Christ for every people group, without favoritism or special tiers. If you care about Christian encouragement, unity in the body of Christ, and practical gospel ministry, this conversation will sharpen you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs steadiness, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you heard.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Welcome to weird things I love to bring up with Christians.I'm not here to attack anyone's faith. I'm not here to be edgy. I had a sprained neck while recording this, so starting a theological street fight would be a strange use of my remaining neck mobility.This episode starts with one simple question:What did Jesus call God?From there, we get into Aramaic, Elah, Elahi, Eloi, the historical Jesus, what Jesus may have actually looked like, and the strange linguistic overlap between the words used for God across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.Then the rabbit hole gets worse, obviously.We talk about how the Bible became the Bible, why some early Christian texts were left out, what Constantine and Rome had to do with the formation of Christian orthodoxy, the Council of Nicaea, Nag Hammadi, the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Judas, Mary Magdalene, and the uncomfortable question of whether Jesus would recognize what later got built in his name.This is not an anti-Christian episode.It is a history episode. A language episode. A lost-gospels episode. A “wait, why did nobody tell me this?” episode.Follow the breadcrumbs. See where they lead.I hope you're doing well btw, in all ways possible homie. CONNECT WITH IDIOT MYSTICWebsite:https://idiotmystic.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@idiotmysticInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/idiotmysticTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@idiotmysticDiscord:https://discord.gg/dXKjhZrZmM

Satanic NASA conspiracy theories launch headfirst into the absolute brain-rot of the internet to expose the "Satanic origins" of rocket science. If you want to understand how devil-worshipping explosives nerd Jack Parsons became the bizarre link between Aleister Crowley, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and the Apollo program... then this episode is your ultimate deep dive!So is NASA anti-Christian, or are conspiracy theorists just bad at spelling? This week, Judas and Lexi tackle the wild history behind the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the literal sex cults that fueled early American rocketry. We track Jack Parsons' "Suicide Squad" testing rockets at Devil's Gate on Halloween, uncover the truth behind L. Ron Hubbard running off with Parsons' money to buy yachts, and find out what really happens when two lonely occult nerds get together with some sacred tablets.But we don't stop at the 1940s sex magic. We go deep into modern internet lunacy, exploring why Flat Earth weirdos think the NASA logo vector is actually a serpent's tongue, the "Apollo vs. Apollyon" demon panic from the Book of Revelation, and the truth behind Project Blue Beam's fake second coming. From a 1960s tracking network acronym literally spelling out "SATAN," to the hilarious math behind why trolls claim "NASA" is just "Satan minus the T," we prove that demonizing science has always been the ultimate coping mechanism for dummies.Support the ShowWe're missing more than just the 'T' here! Want to help us afford more letters so we can continue gloating about our secret devil-worshipping space agenda? Plus, unlock our epic, exclusive mini-bio on Jack Parsons' entire unhinged life! Sign up as a Patron today to keep the rocket fuel burning.  Join the Cult on Patreon HereWhat's Next?Missed our foundational episodes on occult history? Go back and map out the rest of the madness by diving straight into our deep dive on the wickedest man in the world.  Listen to Episode 126  on Aleister Crowley:  HereSend us Fan MailSupport the showWelcome, Sinners!  We're building a cult — the good kind. No robes, just laughs. Catch every blasphemous episode: Listen Here Wear your heresy: Merch Store Support the pod & unlock Hoots songs: Patreon Your reviews, shares, and smart-ass comments keep the cult alive. 

In this episode of the Divine Council Worldview podcast, Ronn & Mike delve into John 18, exploring the final hours of Jesus' life. They discuss the transition from the high priestly prayer in John 17 to the events leading to Jesus' arrest, the significance of Judas' betrayal, and the metaphorical meaning of the 'cup' that Jesus refers to. The conversation emphasizes Jesus' humanity and the emotional weight of his impending suffering, while also touching on theological interpretations of these events. They also delve into the themes of suffering, endurance, and the trials faced by Jesus and his disciples. It explores the significance of Jesus' suffering and how it relates to the suffering of believers. The discussion also covers the trials of Jesus, the role of Peter in denying Jesus, and the interactions between Jesus and Pontius Pilate, culminating in the choice of Barabbas over Jesus. Finally, they emphasize the deeper meanings behind these events and their implications for faith and loyalty.

Jesús no dijo que el mundo reconocería a sus discípulos por cuánto saben, cuánto sirven o cuánto predican. Dijo que los reconocerían por cómo aman. Y eso confronta. Porque es fácil hablar de amor. Lo difícil es amar cuando cuesta. Cuando estás cansado. Cuando alguien te falló. Cuándo podrías juzgar… pero decides extender la gracia. Jesús habló de amor mientras Judas todavía estaba sentado en la mesa. Eso significa que el amor de Dios no depende de personas perfectas, sino de un corazón rendido. Hay gente que jamás leerá una Biblia, pero sí leerá la manera en que tú tratas a otros. El mundo puede copiar discursos, apariencia y lenguaje espiritual. Pero hay una marca que no puede falsificar: el amor genuino de Dios reflejado en una vida transformada.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260523dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Peter said,] “It is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” . . . Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:21-22,26 Witnesses of the Resurrection The number twelve is significant in the Bible. That number is closely associated with God’s people. In the Old Testament there were twelve tribes of Israel. In the New Testament there were twelve apostles. Well, there were twelve apostles. After he betrayed Jesus, Judas was seized with remorse and took his own life. Then there were only eleven apostles, and God does not leave things incomplete. So, after Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter addressed the believers and told them that it was time to replace Judas. The believers prayed, cast lots, and Matthias was chosen. We do not know what happened to Matthias after this. He is not mentioned again. So why does the Bible make such a big deal of his selection? Because the big deal is not Matthias, it is what Matthias was called to do. Peter said that Matthias “must become a witness with us of Jesus’ resurrection.” The big deal about Matthias is that he was an eyewitness. He could tell people, “This is not made up! I was there. I walked and talked with Jesus before he was crucified, and I saw him alive again three days after he died.” We did not see Jesus’ death and resurrection or hear his teaching. But Matthias and the other apostles did, and their eyewitness testimony is recorded in the Bible. Jesus saved us by giving his perfect life and dying the death that we deserve. But Christ is risen. It’s true; we can count on it for eternal life! Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for providing me with witnesses of your resurrection and for preserving their testimony in the Bible. Most of all, thank you for giving me eternal life in the risen Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

By Matt Earles - In part 2 we want to start the journey of how to process heartbreak. It is a central theme of the work of Christ.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260523dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Peter said,] “It is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” . . . Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:21-22,26 Witnesses of the Resurrection The number twelve is significant in the Bible. That number is closely associated with God’s people. In the Old Testament there were twelve tribes of Israel. In the New Testament there were twelve apostles. Well, there were twelve apostles. After he betrayed Jesus, Judas was seized with remorse and took his own life. Then there were only eleven apostles, and God does not leave things incomplete. So, after Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter addressed the believers and told them that it was time to replace Judas. The believers prayed, cast lots, and Matthias was chosen. We do not know what happened to Matthias after this. He is not mentioned again. So why does the Bible make such a big deal of his selection? Because the big deal is not Matthias, it is what Matthias was called to do. Peter said that Matthias “must become a witness with us of Jesus’ resurrection.” The big deal about Matthias is that he was an eyewitness. He could tell people, “This is not made up! I was there. I walked and talked with Jesus before he was crucified, and I saw him alive again three days after he died.” We did not see Jesus’ death and resurrection or hear his teaching. But Matthias and the other apostles did, and their eyewitness testimony is recorded in the Bible. Jesus saved us by giving his perfect life and dying the death that we deserve. But Christ is risen. It’s true; we can count on it for eternal life! Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for providing me with witnesses of your resurrection and for preserving their testimony in the Bible. Most of all, thank you for giving me eternal life in the risen Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Josiah Queen's song “Judas” has sparked a lot of discussion among Christians — and for good reason.In this crossover episode between the Westminster Effects Doxology Podcast and Resurrection Church Podcast, Cody Fields, Bradley Cox, and Stephen Turner sit down to carefully discuss the theology, artistic intent, and gospel implications behind the viral song.Is comparing ourselves to Judas biblical? How should Christians think about assurance, repentance, and perseverance? What's the difference between Peter and Judas? And how should believers approach worship music with discernment?This isn't a hit piece on Josiah Queen. In fact, we appreciate a lot about his music and the conversations it's creating. But precision matters — especially when we sing about the gospel.

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May 22, 2026

A Few Minutes In The Gospel Of Mark  Part 34:  And Judas Came  -  English only.  The Book of Mark records that Judas betrayed Messiah not only with a kiss, but in another painful way as well.  Based on Mark Chapter 14 verses 42 through 46.  Recorded on January 17, 2023. 

Full Title Name: Seminary Super Chats: monetizing questions? Should Catholics celebrate Old Testament Passover with Seder: "You can be Jewish and Catholic if you want to"! Was Emperor Constantine the true founder of the Catholic Church? Was Judas Iscariot predestined to be a demon? if New Mass might be valid, then shouldn't I go to receive Communion? When Christ raised the dead to life, where were their souls? This episode was recorded on 5/19/2026. Our Links: http://linkwcb.com/ Please consider making a monetary donation to What Catholics Believe. Father Jenkins remembers all of our benefactors in general during his daily Mass, and he also offers one Mass on the first Sunday of every month specially for all supporters of What Catholics Believe. May God bless you for your generosity! https://www.wcbohio.com/donate Subscribe to our other YouTube channels: ‪@WCBHighlights‬ ‪@WCBHolyMassLivestream‬ May God bless you all!

Josiah Queen's song “Judas” has sparked a lot of discussion among Christians — and for good reason.In this crossover episode between the Westminster Effects Doxology Podcast and Resurrection Church Podcast, Cody Fields, Bradley Cox, and Stephen Turner sit down to carefully discuss the theology, artistic intent, and gospel implications behind the viral song.Is comparing ourselves to Judas biblical?How should Christians think about assurance, repentance, and perseverance?What's the difference between Peter and Judas?And how should believers approach worship music with discernment?This isn't a hit piece on Josiah Queen. In fact, we appreciate a lot about his music and the conversations it's creating. But precision matters — especially when we sing about the gospel.Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠X⁠.Join the discussion at the Westminster Effects Green Room.Buy your guitar effects at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠westminstereffects.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. This week, Jennie sits down with author Daniel Grace to discuss his new novel In the Wake of Golgotha. The conversation weaves together ancient betrayal and modern violence through the intertwined lives of Judas and Pontius Pilate, reborn across two thousand years.Daniel explores how the weight of history follows us. The book opens with a chilling echo of Golgotha, also known as Calvary Hill, the site of history's most well-known execution and death, where one crucifixion sparked a new religion and forever altered the course of humanity, death, and even burial itself. That same shadow appears in present-day New York, where three men are found murdered in a basement, with Pilate's words scrawled in blood on the wall.Jennie and Daniel discuss themes of guilt, redemption, and the graves we inherit, both literal and spiritual, as Jude Issachar and Peter Pheiffer are forced to confront a cycle of violence and addiction that began on that sacred hill in Jerusalem more than two thousand years ago.In the Wake of Golgotha can be purchased anywhere books are sold or through this link: https://www.koehlerbooks.com/book/in-the-wake-of-golgotha/Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.comFamily Tales: A free printable, is now available! Gather 'round the table and dig into your roots! This interactive family history game is perfect for holidays, reunions, or just because. Ask, listen, and laugh your way through generations of stories and secrets. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UT_R56qEwNTIxIBrTy8KFyVmGnFOe7g8/view?usp=sharingSupport the show

Join Solomon and Zoe for an incredibly powerful and deeply moving second conversation with Micah Studer as he unpacks how living in the Middle East radically transformed his understanding of Jesus, what it means to follow a God who doesn't promise comfort but promises His presence in suffering, and why the Western gospel of following your heart and living your dreams is fundamentally at odds with the call to take up your cross daily and lose your life to find it. This episode dives deep into the cultural realities of the world where Jesus actually lived, revealing how reading the Gospels in context changes everything, from the moment Jesus feeds Judas the dipped bread as an act of honor even while knowing he would betray Him, to the reality that following Jesus often leads not to safety and success but to persecution, prison, and profound transformation through suffering. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 01:22 How the Middle East Changed My Understanding of Jesus 02:46 The Bread and the Betrayer: John 13 in Context 05:20 Walking Through Persecution: When Faith Costs Everything 07:50 The Question of Suffering: Where Is God in the Pain? 12:42 The Incarnation: God Suffers With Us 14:46 Counter-Cultural Christianity: Pick Up Your Cross Daily 16:51 The Rich Young Ruler and the Cost of Discipleship 20:25 Bearing the Yoke in Your Youth: Why Go Now? 27:18 The Microwave Testimony: God's Miraculous Protection in Prison 30:55 Life in Cyprus: Ministry, Family, and Following the Good Shepherd FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewayuk/ FOLLOW US ON TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewayuk/ Want to know more? Find a church that has things happening for young people. Visit https://achurchnearyou.com/youth/ [In partnership with CofE Digital Projects]

Why is loyalty so important in the Kingdom of God? Drawing from 1 Corinthians 4:2, this message explores how faithfulness is required of every steward of God. Loyalty protects the unity, peace, and strength of the church, while disloyalty from within can slowly weaken it. Let us be aware of the subtle attitudes that may lead a person down the path of Judas—offence, passivity, criticism, rebellion; and may we cultivate a faithful heart that strengthens God's house and advances His mission.

There is something almost incomprehensible in this passage from St. Anastasios and St. Maximos because it reveals just how surrounded we are by mercy while continuing to behave as though condemnation were wisdom. The Fathers do not merely tell us not to judge. They overwhelm us with reasons not to judge. They show us a universe saturated with the patience of God, the intercession of angels, the prayers of saints, the tears of repentance, the mystery of hidden transformation, the power of baptism, the healing of affliction, the medicine of chastisement, the compassion of Christ, and the joy of Heaven itself over the salvation of even one sinner. And still we condemn. That is the horror. We condemn while standing inside the greatest revelation of mercy the world has ever known. St. Anastasios says plainly: you do not know what has happened between God and that soul after the moment you witnessed his sin. Not five years later. Not tomorrow. Ten steps later. That is how quickly grace can act. A man may fall publicly and repent secretly. A woman may appear outwardly shattered while inwardly clinging to God with tears unknown to the world. A soul everyone has dismissed may already be visited by the Holy Spirit. And the Fathers insist that we understand this: we know almost nothing. We see fragments and imagine ourselves judges of the whole human being. We see behavior but not wounds. Actions but not warfare. Falls but not repentance. Scandal but not tears. Weakness but not humility. Temptation but not hidden prayer. Worst of all, we do not see what God Himself is doing inside another person. The Fathers say there are souls purified through illness. Souls purified through humiliation. Souls purified through temptation. Souls purified through demonic assault endured with thanksgiving. Souls saved through the prayers of others. Souls restored in their final moments. Souls secretly reconciled to God before death. How then dare we speak so confidently about anyone? The terrifying thing is that we do this while calling ourselves Christians. Christians. Those who claim to worship the God who became man for sinners. The Incarnation alone should silence every condemning tongue forever. The angels themselves longed to behold this mystery: that God would unite Himself to fallen humanity. Not to idealized humanity. Not to polished humanity. Fallen humanity. Christ assumed the very flesh we despise in one another. He entered the human condition completely apart from sin so that no sinner could ever again say: “God does not know what I am.” He knows. He entered it willingly. And Heaven never ceased rejoicing over this mystery. St. Anastasios says the angels love mankind precisely because they beheld God become man. Imagine that. The bodiless powers who never fell into flesh are astonished by what humanity has become through Christ. Meanwhile we, who were baptized into Him, often despise one another mercilessly. The Fathers remind us that every baptized person has been entrusted to an angel. Every baptized person has been sealed by the Spirit. Every baptized person has become the object of heavenly concern. The angels themselves plead for us. Think of that. While we gossip about one another, the angels intercede for one another. While we expose each other's failures, Heaven labors for each other's salvation. While we speak words that crush souls, the saints and angels beg God to heal them. And still we continue as though condemnation were normal. St. Maximos says Heaven is astonished at this. Astounded. The earth quakes. But we are “insensible and unabashed.” Insensible because we no longer perceive the mystery of redemption correctly. Unabashed because we condemn others without trembling. The saints trembled before judging another human being because they knew that judgment belongs to Christ alone. To judge another is not merely to commit a moral fault. St. Anastasios says it is to usurp the office of the Lord Himself. This is why the Fathers speak so fiercely. The judging heart has forgotten the Gospel. It has forgotten the thief entering Paradise in a single moment. It has forgotten Rahab the harlot. It has forgotten the Publican justified by a sigh. It has forgotten Manasses forgiven after decades of horror. It has forgotten Peter restored after denial. It has forgotten that Judas stood among the Apostles while the thief hung among murderers, and yet by evening their places were reversed. The saints understood something we resist with all our strength: human beings are not static creatures. A single moment of real repentance can alter eternity. And because of this, the saints became exceedingly merciful. Not naïve about evil. Not indifferent to sin. But deeply aware that every person stands inside a battle for salvation surrounded by mysteries unseen to human eyes. The demons accuse. Christ heals. The demons reduce persons to failures. Christ beholds the image buried beneath the ruin. The demons delight in exposure. Christ covers nakedness. And the terrible thing is how often religious people unknowingly participate in the work of accusation while imagining themselves defenders of righteousness. The Fathers knew better. This is why the holiest among them became gentlest toward sinners and harshest toward themselves. Because the closer one comes to God, the more clearly one sees that he himself survives only by mercy. And once a man truly knows this, condemnation becomes impossible. He no longer stands above humanity. He stands beside it, beating his breast, praying: “To You, O Lord, belongs mercy.” --- Text of chat during the group: 00:02:05 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/post/nazareth-and-the-hidden-life 00:34:49 Julie: It feels like there is no rest 00:35:43 Julie: With the senses I mean, to cut the thought straight away 00:36:19 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 18 paragraph 1 00:36:31 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "P. 18 paragraph 1" with

El poder de la fe y la oración unánime transforman la iglesia. En este episodio, el pastor Danny Rojas explora la acción obediente de los discípulos, quienes esperaron la promesa del Padre, y cómo la fidelidad a la Palabra de Dios guió la elección de Matías. Descubre por qué el Espíritu Santo no es un premio ganado, sino la herencia segura de todo hijo de Dios.  

The teaching talks about the downfall of Judas and the 8 Roots of his decay. Judas' betrayal was the final death blow before his destruction.

Preached at Harvest City Church, Singapore. 16th May 2026

What would it look like to give your very best to Jesus — not what's left over, not what's convenient, but your actual best? That's the question sitting at the center of Mark chapter 14, and it comes to life through one of the most striking contrasts in all of the Gospels. In the same passage, on what feels like the same night, we have a woman who breaks open an entire year's worth of perfume and pours it over Jesus's head — and a disciple who slips away from the table to sell Him out for money. Devotion and betrayal, side by side. Mark puts them there on purpose, and I think we're meant to feel the discomfort of that. Here's what gets me about the woman: nobody defends her. The people at the table — including the disciples — moralize about what a waste it is, what the money could have done for the poor. And Jesus steps in and says, leave her alone. She did what she could. I want us to just sit with that for a second. She did what she could. Not what was expected. Not what made sense to everyone else. What she could. And Jesus says that every time the gospel is preached, people will remember what she did — which is remarkable when you consider that women in that culture had no vote, no voice, and no property rights. And then there's Judas — the one holding the money bag, the one moralizing about how the perfume should have been given to the poor — who is at that very moment plotting to hand Jesus over for cash. The irony is impossible to miss. You can be religious and still be completely missing it. You can be physically close to Jesus and have a heart that's miles away. We also spend time in the upper room, where Jesus takes the Passover meal — one of the most sacred remembrances in all of Judaism — and completely redefines it. The bread is His body. The wine is His blood. He is the Passover lamb. The freedom from bondage that God's people had been celebrating for centuries? Jesus is saying that's me. That's what I'm about to do. And this table, He says, is for everyone — the devoted and the broken and even the betrayer. So here's the question I'm leaving with all of us today: what would costly devotion actually look like in your life right now? Not in theory — in practice. Is it your time? Your forgiveness? A relationship you've been holding at arm's length from God? What would it look like to bring your whole heart? Want More?

Preached at Harvest City Church, Singapore. 16th May 2026

Send us Fan MailWhat if every detail of your life was already part of an eternal plan, and the only question is whose plan you're following?  In this powerful episode the VC walks through Mark 14:12-25 as Jesus meticulously arranges the final Passover meal with supernatural precision while announcing His betrayal. With the shadow of the cross looming, the teaching masterfully contrasts Jesus' beautiful, ancient, and unstoppable plan of redemption  against Judas and Satan's dark scheme of betrayal. You'll be challenged to examine whether you're living in anxious self-reliance or in trusting obedience to the Master's plan, and confronted with the sobering reality that there are only two plans in the universe. Whose side are you really on? A timely, hope-filled message you won't want to miss.

A sermon for Easter 7 (May 17, 2026) Acts 1:6-14 When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.  

What's this?! The esteemed 'Belgium Beauty' as part of the Dukes in 2026?! Indeed, it's Lock and Matty here to sprinkle some extra fun in the world of Xbox where the news never stops moving! This week, we have two types of leaks: A fun release window... and an actual game ahead of its launch. Starting with the fun stuff, Gears Of War: E-Day is looking to take a slot in what will, no doubt, be an extremely busy September. How it leaked is the fun part! In the not so fun stuff, Xbox themselves leaked Forza Horizon 6 via Steam. Fortunately, it is very close to the game's launch, but there is more to this story. How did this go down and should there be any panic? Let's dive in!Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:03:42 - Health Is Wealth0:08:37 - The Xbox-Discord partnership is official0:21:22 - Forza Horizon 6 leaks online ahead of launch0:28:22 - Ken Levine on why Judas took a decade to make0:47:07 - eBay rejects Gamestop's offer0:55:40 - Lies Of P sequel in full production1:10:19 - PlayStation first party is diving into the world of AI tools1:31:10 - SEGA cancels Super Game1:38:02 - The Bungie acquisition gets uglier1:48:57 - 007 First Light claps back at FPS jokes2:00:38 - Switch 2 price hike is here2:06:12 - Game sales update2:09:47 - What We're Playing2:57:03 - Gears Of War E-Day appears set for September3:06:45 - Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Costly Love | John 13:18–30 | Jon Benzinger

The Fall of Peter — and Every Disciple David Mathis Download John 18:12-27,So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.Our world loves a rise-and-fall story. History has its Julius Caesars, its Napoleon Bonapartes, its Richard Nixons. In recent years, we've watched the great rises and falls of athletes like Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods, of film producers Harvey Weinstein, of comedians Bill Cosby.In fact, our world loves these fall stories so much that we like to have a hand in making them. In our sin, we have a twisted appetite for accelerating the rise, and then piling on to exacerbate the fall.The Bible also has its great fall stories. The big one is the Fall of humanity in Genesis 3. But Abraham has his fall. And the people of Israel, fresh off deliverance from Egypt and receiving the law, make a golden calf, led by their first high priest. And we find the rise and various falls of Saul, David, Solomon, and with them the fall of the kingship in Israel and the nation itself.This morning we come to the fall of Peter.Four Lessons from Peter's FallTwo parallel tracks unfold in this passage as Jesus is arrested and separated from his disciples: Jesus moves toward the cross, to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate.In the meantime, the disciples scatter, as Peter, chief among them, denies three times that he knows Jesus.For the first time, we have the breaking of fellowship between Jesus and his disciples. The shepherd is struck; the sheep scatter. Jesus must go to the cross alone. No sinner can assist him in this work, to rescue sinners.The heart of this passage is the back-and-forth contrast between Jesus and Peter. John's point isn't that we point fingers at Peter but that every disciple is like Peter. The contrasts are stark: Jesus says, I am; Peter says, twice, I am not. Peter stands with bad company warming himself, while Jesus shivers in the cold alone. Peter tries to protect himself; Jesus exposes himself to harm. Peter's nerve fails, while Jesus is steady and composed under great pressure. Jesus stands; Peter falls.The point is the contrast. The shame of Peter is a foil to the stunning glory of Jesus. But here's the angle of approach I'd like for us to take this morning. I want to learn from Peter's fall.Humility learns from the failures of others. I think what God has for us this morning, at least in part, is to learn from the fall of Peter as it sits side by side with the shining faithfulness of Jesus.So, let's follow the arc of Peter's fall with four lessons.1. Stay Awake.By that, I mean stay awake spiritually. Just this week, with Peter's fall on my mind, I came across Mark 13:33–37 and was surprised how much this was exactly what Peter needed:Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or [get this:] when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.Jesus gave Peter many warnings. We saw in John 13:36, Peter says: “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus says, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”Here's how Jesus warns Peter in the Gospel of Luke, 22:31–34:“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”This is vintage Peter with these strange ups and downs.One moment: You are the Christ! Then: Never, Lord!One moment: Don't wash my feet! Then: Wash my whole body!One moment: I will lay down my life for you! Then Jesus says: No, Peter, I'm laying down my life for you — and all the while you'll be denying me three times.After so many warnings, what happens in the garden? Peter falls asleep. He's not alone: James and John do too. Jesus warns them: “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Then, sleeping again, Peter is startled awake as soldiers approach. He's caught off guard. He draws his sword and cuts off the ear; Jesus rebukes him; the disciples scatter.So, the first lesson from Peter is to heed Jesus's warnings to stay awake. That is, no spiritual sleeping. No spiritual vacations. No coasting or autopilot. Satan targets his attacks on us at the times he thinks we'll be least ready.So, are you awake this morning? Have you been awake this week? Spiritually awake. Are your eyes open to spiritual reality? Are your ears attuned daily to Jesus's word? Are your lips whispering prayers? Are you walking arm in arm with Christ's people? Or are you falling asleep?2. Beware your perceptions of social pressure.To be clear, Peter's denials are sin. Great sin. And his sin comes out in a particular circumstance: the questions of strangers. Peter's fall is not one of isolation; it's a failure of nerve in the face of what he's assuming other people are thinking. (And not just others but strangers.)Peter wants to protect himself. His master is in grave danger, and Peter assumes the disciples must be in danger too. But the reason I emphasize Peter's skewed perception is the presence of John.The best explanation of this enigmatic “other disciple” is that this is the author's humble way of telling a story he's in but it's not about him. Verse 15 mentions “another disciple.” Verse 16: “Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.”The key word is “also”: Verse 17: “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?”Verse 25: “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?”What's the “also”? It assumes this other disciple. The high priest and his people know John, and they know he's a disciple. Which is why they ask Peter, “Hey, you're not also a disciple, are you?” And the form of their question helps Peter deny it: “Surely, you're not with this Jesus too, are you?” The way they ask the question cues Peter up to deny it. But the denials are Peter's. People will do that, you know: “You're not one of those Christians, are you?” They're setting you up to say, Of course not.The reason we know Peter's perception was mistaken is it turns out nobody crucified John. The high priest and the people know that John is a disciple. But it's Jesus they want. So, John's presence, as a known disciple, shows how Peter's perception of what the strangers think was off. His fear was misplaced; Peter was off balance and misreading the situation. And even if he had read it right, that's no excuse for disowning his Master — not once or twice, but three times, and that after being warned so clearly. Then comes verse 27: the rooster crows. And Peter comes awake to his sin.What happened next to Peter? John doesn't tell us; he knows we have the other three Gospels. But before we go there, let's glean this: beware what thoughts you let dance in your head about what people think, especially strangers you do not know. Sometimes people, even strangers, catch us off guard at the strangest times with significant questions about our faith, the Bible, Christianity, our church, and they cue you up for the groupthink answer, whatever the context. Be ready for that. Don't give in. Pushback. Ask a question back. Or just give them the honest, straightforward, wisely worded truth that they need to hear to fry their categories.One more thing to add here, from one of your pastors: Be so careful with online and social-media impressions of what the masses are thinking. The two-dimensional, algorithmic online environment is highly distortive. It is a hall of mirrors and radicalizing extremes. People who grow more and more highly online do not grow more balanced in their assessment of other people's perceptions; they begin to lose touch with reality.So, stay awake, and beware your perceptions of social pressure.3. When you've failed, look Jesus in the eye.Now we pick up, from the Gospel of Luke, what happens once the rooster crows. This is an awesome moment. Luke 22:60–62:“Immediately, while [Peter] was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.”So, the rooster crows. Both Jesus and Peter hear it. Peter reflexively looks at Jesus. And Jesus turns and looks at Peter. They lock eyes. What must this have been like for Peter?Was it utterly devastating? I don't think it was. I expect there was a lot in that look. I'm sure it was not an easy moment for Peter. He is startled wide awake. He is humbled. He goes out and weeps bitterly. But Peter doesn't hang himself. Somehow this is a healing devastation. It's an empowering humiliation. Yes, his soul is flooded with shame and conviction, but it leads to repentance and life.Peter's fall is so different than Judas's. It was so good for Peter that he looked Jesus in the eye. Imagine how much Jesus communicated in that look, without any words — Jesus's foreknowledge of Peter's fall, his clear warnings, his righteous anger, his genuine grief, his profound compassion, and his transforming power.Jesus not only had said Peter would deny him. He also said,“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”Not “if you turn,” but “when you have turned.” Peter, you will turn. I have prayed for you. I will see to it, that you will turn; you will rise from this fall, so much so that you will strengthen your brothers.Yes, Peter had failed Jesus, and that was worth mourning. But now, freshly humbled, he also has a commission from the sovereign Christ. Peter locks eyes with Jesus and finds renewed strength to persevere and even strengthen the brothers.And oh what courage we'll come to see in Peter. His story will not be a rise and fall; it is a fall and rise. Which comes not because of his faithfulness but Jesus's.Jesus's Rise to the CrossSo, now we need to put our lessons on hold for a few minutes, and pick up Jesus's part of the story in verses 19–24. Remember: as Peter falls, Jesus stands.For me, the big question in verses 19–24 is, Wait, hold on, who is the high priest?It's confusing on the surface. Verse 13 says Jesus comes first to Annas, “the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.” Then we have John's reminder in verse 14 about Caiaphas's prophecy (which we saw last fall back in 11:50: “it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish”).Then the focus shifts to Peter in verses 15–18, then back to Jesus in verse 19: “The high priest (is that Caiaphas?) then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.” Jesus answers,“I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.”This high priest is trying to get Jesus to incriminate himself, without any witnesses. So, Jesus asks in verse 21:“Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”In other words, ask my disciples; there are plenty of witnesses. And the irony is that just as Jesus is saying his disciples can witness for him, Peter is failing so miserably by denying him.At this, Jesus is struck, unjustly, by “one of the officers standing by,” who says, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus responds with a question, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”Then comes the surprise in verse 24: “Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” Wait a minute: Jesus hasn't gone to Caiaphas yet. He's been standing before Annas till now? If that's the case, verses 19 and 22 have called Annas the high priest. But John said in verse 13 that Caiaphas “was high priest that year.” So, who is the high priest? Is it Annas, the father-in-law, who's been high priest before? Five of his sons have served yearlong terms, including now his son-in-law Caiaphas. Annas is the patriarch. He's the boss high priest; his sons and son-in-law take turns filling the role, but Annas is the one who holds the power. So, is he really the high priest?Or is it Caiaphas who formally holds the office? The Old Testament had said the high priesthood was to be for life. But the Romans have limited that seat of Jewish power by enforcing these one-year terms. So, technically, Caiaphas is high priest that year. Is he really the high priest?I don't think this confusion is by accident. I suspect John wants us to see that yes, Annas is in some sense high priest, and yes, Caiaphas also is in some sense high priest. But when you ask who's really high priest in John 18, what's the answer? It's not Annas. It's not Caiaphas. It's the man who stands before them, bound like a sacrifice. This man has chosen to be here, and he goes willingly to the cross as the true high priest who offers the true and final sacrifice.And the reason Jesus goes to the cross is not for sins of his own, but for disciples like Peter. Jesus's work as high priest and his sacrifice makes it so that disciples who have failed can lock eyes with him, and not only feel conviction, and not only grieve their failures, but so that they can see in his eyes, “I'm for you. Yes, you have failed me, but I love you, and I have made provision for your sin by the sacrifice of myself. You need not stay devasted. You too can turn.”When Jesus locks eyes with you in your sin, it's appropriate to weep. But not tears of despairs. Tears of repentance. When Jesus looks at you, be like Peter, repent; turn; don't reject Jesus and make your sin worse with self-sabotage; honor the achievement of his cross; acknowledge that he came to rescue sinners; get over yourself and receive his rescue. Which leads to our final lesson.So, stay awake; beware your perceptions of social pressure; lock eyes with Jesus when you've failed. And finally…4. Receive his sacrifice and his Spirit.Peter's faith didn't fail. He wept, and he turned. Which meant he received Jesus's sacrifice — for him, for John, for you, for every disciple.The work of Jesus as both high priest and sacrifice means he covers and deals with the just payment of our sin. And it is the finishing of his life-work of perfect righteousness which becomes ours in union with him by faith. And Jesus's sacrifice doesn't only forgive sins, and give us righteous standing before God, but the risen Christ also pours out his Holy Spirit (as we'll celebrate next week on Pentecost) to dwell in Peter, and dwell in us.Which gives us another piece of the complex picture of how Peter fell: he didn't yet have the Holy Spirit. Not like he would after Pentecost.When the Spirit comes, Peter will be awesome. He will rise indeed as the chief spokesman to proclaim what God has done in Jesus. And this Peter, and this John with him, will stand before this same Annas and Caiaphas and the whole Jewish council, and full of the Holy Spirit, say,“there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. . . . Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:12, 20)Brothers and sisters, when you fall, know that in Jesus you can rise. Remember Peter. Do not presume on grace when tempted to sin. But when you have sinned, keep company with Peter in the aftermath. Lock eyes with Jesus. Go to him in his word, and in prayer, and through a Christian brother or sister. Own your sin; grieve it; and receive the purifying, empowering grace of his gaze, in his sacrifice and in his Spirit.Grace for You AlsoI don't know how this sermon is landing on you this morning, whether God is bringing to mind some failure, some fall, in private. Maybe in the past. Maybe it's a live, unresolved fall right now, and this message is for you, to lock eyes with Jesus, own your sin, and see the purifying grace in his eyes.Or perhaps you're thinking of this time in our city, and in our church, and how you've responded when someone caught you off guard with, “You're not also at Cities Church, are you?”Jonathan has more to say about our moment next Sunday. But Peter's full story says to those who have been like him, and failed Jesus in some way: there is grace for you in the same place Peter found grace.Which brings us to the Table.Did you catch that quick detail in verse 18, that “the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire”? That's an odd detail: charcoal fire.The only other charcoal fire in all the Bible is just three chapters later in John 21. Jesus has risen. He appears to his disciples while fishing, gives them a miraculous catch of fish, and when they come ashore, verse 9, “they saw a charcoal fire in place.”This is the public restoration of Peter. Jesus means to use this flawed man, oh does he. He failed three times by a charcoal fire, and now Jesus gives him three matching opportunities to declare his love, and receive the commission to feed Jesus's sheep.However you've fallen short of what Jesus is worth, let this Table be your charcoal fire this morning. This is a table of restoration, of fresh grace and fresh resolve and fresh dedication.

Acts is a book filled with dramatic events, amazing characters and has great application for the Christian life. It is a powerful book showing the acts of God through the Holy Spirit and how He acts in the lives of those He calls!   This study will take us through the book of Acts one chapter at a time with a specific look at Then - things that really happened.  It's not a storybook but a history book of what really happened. And Now - it is dramatic application for today.  It's a record of what really happened long ago but these things are still happening today and it shows us what God wants in the lives of His followers today.   Chapter 1  In verses 1-2, Luke is identified as the author of the Book of Acts. In volume, Luke wrote 27.5% of the New Testament. He was a physician and accompanied Paul on some of his mission trips.   Then   and   Now Proofs then - verse 3 - the disciples and others saw Jesus after His resurrection.  Proofs now - historical, archeological, scientific and documentary evidences. What has happened in the last 100 years shows evidence for the biblical message.  There have been many pieces showing that early believers really did believe Jesus was alive. They were bold and courageous in sharing that news. More and more confirmation comes through archeology as we are finding the very places where these events took place. And unearthing little things that show that what Luke wrote really is accurate. Power then -  verse 8 the disciples were to stay in Jerusalem until they received the gift that God the Father had promised to give them - the Holy Spirit - who would give them power. Power now - we today receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live the Christian life and to be effective witnesses for God. Purpose then - verse 8 - Jesus told them to be His witnesses Purpose now - we are to testify by our life example, words and actions that Jesus is alive, risen and the Messiah and Savior. We are to bring Jesus to family, friends, neighbors, and to the ends of the earth - We have the same mission - it is still our purpose today. Promise then - verse 11 - Jesus ascended to heaven and then the angels promised His return. Promise now - the second coming of Christ is the heart of the New Testament teaching and the heart of a believer's witness.  Jesus is returning! Prayer then - the theme of prayer is found throughout the book of Acts. Verse 14 - tells us they were constant in prayer. Prayer now - we are to pray for God's will to be done. We are to put into practice praying as this is what Jesus taught and gave example to.  Provision then - verses 23 and 26. A disciple was needed for replacing Judas and Matthias was added to eleven apostles. Provision now - God never runs out of resources. God provides for His children!   This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:   Acts chapter 1     Join the conversation around this teaching. Download our Awake Us Now APP, then join the conversation. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.   Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams   Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Seventh Sunday of Easter The First Lesson Acts 1:6-14 When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. The Psalm Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 Exsurgat Deus 1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; * let those who hate him flee before him. 2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; * as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; * let them also be merry and joyful. 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name; exalt him who rides upon the heavens; * YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him! 5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, * God in his holy habitation! 6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; * but the rebels shall live in dry places. 7 O God, when you went forth before your people, * when you marched through the wilderness, 8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, * at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; * you refreshed the land when it was weary. 10 Your people found their home in it; * in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor. 33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; * sing praises to the Lord. 34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; * he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice. 35 Ascribe power to God; * his majesty is over Israel; his strength is in the skies. 36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! * the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people! Blessed be God! The Epistle 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. The Gospel John 17:1-11 Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one."

Is the internet too far gone or can we still fix it? Neil deGrasse Tyson, and co-hosts Negin Farsad and Gary O'Reilly, sit down with Jaron Lanier, Microsoft scientist, and father of virtual reality, to diagnose what went wrong with the web, how it's changed with AI, and ideas for a new path back. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here:  https://startalkmedia.com/show/fixing-the-internet-with-jaron-lanier/ Thanks to our Patrons Pam Komm, Domin Vernetti, Hank Thundercloud, Home, Rsnd341, Michelle Box, PSR, Pierre Henry, Diana Vastardis, Ronald Vink, Tylor, Martin Lutonský, Timothy McIntosh, Omar Austin, Terry Tarpley, Albert Lyons, Jefferson Buttram, James Boddie, Camerun Pippin, Pitcher Rendon, Jonathan Farmer, Jeremy, Geir Sanne, Bee Dot, Christian Garcia, Bartizan, Sooraj Meyanamannil, Gert Coppens, Justin Brock, Daniel Stowens, Austin, Maurice Brown, Nathaniel A. Lordes Jr., MonzyL, Professor Deadly Robot, Lola ₍^. .^₎Ⳋ, Tim Moorehead, Nancy Cliff, Peter McAuley, Nathan Sprow, Ryan Hadley, TechCadet, Mike Ernst, James, Elliott Stevenson II, Caleb Williams, Rat Poison Vendor, Sebastian Weber, Smoke Dogg 414, The Anomaly of Two Systems, Patrick Kilduff, Stuffy979, Dan Yaroch, Agasthya Suresh, Brian Entman, Steve Vance, Simon Osadchii, Judas, Michelle Don Carlos, John Janney APR, ALottOfIdeas, BJ Verheyen, Tuomas Liimatta, Kuchi Kopi, Robin Maher, Evan Esau, Elhoufi Mbarek, Ezra Amador, Fallen Angel, Lyd, John D., Dread Maps, David Roth, Bogdan Rus, The_pink_boots, Randy Wallace, J K, Jim Lee, Melvin Chapple, Ryan Vaughn, Kelley Bie, Jai, Robert Ayan, Mikael Emsing, C George, Mark Nichols, Shantanusinh Parmar, Kyla, Carlos Sosa Denis, Honk, Terrance Jones, Brandt S, Steve Litz, Nathaniel Fodor, David Bunting, Christopher Velasquez, Flubbels, Nicholas Scott, Elhoufi Mbarek, and Patrick Snyder for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight we're talking about Segas GaaS strategy, Capcom's digital sales, Judas development timelines, Skull and Bones Year 3, and plenty more! ***** Watch the show LIVE Wednesday nights at 7PM Eastern - @benishandsomeyt ***** Reviews and subscriptions help us out so much. If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. ***** Follow us on Twitter! Twitter.com/BenSmith2588 Twitter.com/csfdave Twitter.com/_gloriousginger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Aaron Graham, lead pastor of The District Church, a diverse and growing congregation in the heart of Washington, D.C. Founded in 2010 just a few miles from the White House, the church has become known for its global diversity—with people from more than 80 nations represented—and its commitment to living out the gospel for the good of the city. Are you noticing both spiritual curiosity and spiritual drift among people in your community? Wondering how to disciple people faithfully in a culture that increasingly pushes back against historic Christian orthodoxy? In this conversation, Aaron shares insights from his ministry context in D.C. and his new book Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies, offering practical ways churches can respond to cultural pressure while forming resilient disciples from the next generation. A generation leaning in—and drifting away. // Aaron observes a striking tension among young adults today: some are pursuing faith with new seriousness, while others are quietly drifting away. Cities like Washington, D.C., attract highly educated young professionals who want to make a difference in the world through public service. Many are motivated by compassion and a desire to serve others, but they also face cultural pressures that can slowly reshape their beliefs. In Aaron's experience, this environment creates both incredible opportunities for ministry and real challenges in maintaining historic Christian faith. Some people are exploring spiritual questions deeply, while others disengage from church entirely through gradual spiritual drift. Understanding doubt, deconstruction, and denial. // Aaron encourages church leaders to distinguish between three different spiritual responses: doubt, deconstruction, and denial. Doubt is a natural part of faith—it involves uncertainty and questions that can ultimately strengthen belief when handled within a supportive community. Deconstruction, however, goes further by dismantling previously held beliefs. While some deconstruction may be necessary—especially when people have experienced unhealthy theology or spiritual abuse—it becomes dangerous when it happens in isolation without reconstructing a healthier biblical foundation. Denial is the final stage, where a person actively rejects core Christian beliefs. Recognizing these distinctions helps pastors respond with wisdom and compassion rather than assuming everyone wrestling with faith is in the same place. Creating space for honest questions. // One practical way The District Church engages doubt is through a summer series called “This Is My Story.” During this series, church members share short testimonies about their biggest spiritual questions and how God met them through those struggles and doubts. These stories normalize honest questions while showing that faith can deepen through wrestling with difficult issues. Instead of centering doubt itself, the church highlights the journey from questioning to deeper trust in God. This approach has been especially meaningful for newcomers, helping them see that the church is a place where people can wrestle honestly with faith while still moving toward spiritual maturity. Resisting the pull of cultural lies. // Aaron's book identifies several cultural narratives that quietly reshape Christian belief. One example is what he calls the “selective Christian”—someone who edits Scripture to match personal preferences or cultural expectations. When believers accept only the parts of the Bible that feel comfortable, the authority of Scripture slowly erodes. Over time, this selective approach strips the gospel of its transformative power. Aaron emphasizes that discipleship must include serious engagement with the whole Bible, even the passages that challenge modern assumptions. Returning to deep Bible engagement. // One of the most effective ways Aaron addresses cultural pressure is by encouraging consistent Bible engagement within the church. Through reading plans, group discussions, and teaching that emphasizes submission to Scripture rather than simply learning about it, believers begin to develop a more holistic faith. Interestingly, Aaron notes that people who deeply engage Scripture often become both more morally conservative and more socially liberal with deeper compassion toward others. Instead of fitting into political categories, they develop a kingdom perspective shaped by the teachings of Jesus. Holding together justice and biblical conviction. // Throughout his ministry, Aaron has worked extensively in justice initiatives, advocating for the poor and vulnerable. However, he has also seen many leaders abandon historic Christian beliefs while pursuing social justice causes. This experience convinced him that justice and biblical orthodoxy must remain connected. True justice flows naturally from a high view of Scripture and the lordship of Christ. When churches separate the two, they risk losing both their theological foundation and their long-term spiritual influence. To learn more about Aaron Graham's book Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies, visit aarongrahamdc.com, where you can find resources, curriculum, and links to purchase the book. Plus, check out District Church at districtchurch.org. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Risepointe Do you feel like your church’s or school's facility could be preventing growth? Are you frustrated or possibly overwhelmed at the thought of a complicated or costly building project? Are the limitations of your building becoming obstacles in the path of expanding your ministry? Have you ever felt that you could reach more people if only the facility was better suited to the community’s needs? Well, the team over at Risepointe can help! As former ministry staff and church leaders, they understand how to prioritize and help lead you to a place where the building is a ministry multiplier. Your mission should not be held back by your building. Their team of architects, interior designers and project managers have the professional experience to incorporate creative design solutions to help move YOUR mission forward. Check them out at risepointe.com and while you’re there, schedule a FREE call to explore possibilities for your needs, vision and future…Risepointe believes that God still uses spaces…and they're here to help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Super excited that you have decided to tune in today. I know you got a lot going on this week and the fact that you would turn us on is just incredible. So we want to honor you for that. Thanks for doing that. Rich Birch — Today, we’re going to talk about some stuff that I know is applicable to all of us. It It’s the kind of conversation that we’re we’re wrestling with in all of our churches. And we also have a repeat guest, which you know does not happen that often at unSeminary. And you know when we have repeat guests, it means I really want you to hear them and hear what they have to say out. Rich Birch — Today we’re honored to have Aaron Graham with us. He is the lead pastor of of District Church. It was founded in 2010 in Washington, D.C. It’s a Christ-centered, culture-defining church. for transplants and natives. The church was born from a dream about what it would look like for a church to be, or to seek the peace of the city and to exist for the sake of Christ and for the good of the city.Rich Birch — So we’re really excited to have Aaron with us today. Aaron, welcome back to the podcast after a couple of years, but glad to you glad you decided to come back on. Appreciate that.Aaron Graham — Thanks, Rich, for having me and love what you guys are doing and how you’re practically helping church leaders like myself address problems we’re facing in our organizations and culture cultural contexts. Rich Birch — Kind of you to say that. Give us a bit of the District story for folks that, you know, my mom listens to every episode, but not everyone listens to every episode. But kind of to give us a bit of the District story and and talk a little bit about how you intersect with all of that.Aaron Graham — Yeah, we launched 15 years ago right in the heart of DC. We meet two miles north of the White House, and made up of mostly young adults becoming more intergenerational. But one of the things we’ve become known for is just our diversity. So there’s over 80 nations represented in the church. Last night at the newcomers dinner, there were 14 nations represented… Rich Birch — Wow.Aaron Graham — …and so just in that small little dinner. So that’s a real privilege we have of of doing that. We’re a church of life groups and just love what we’re doing right here in the heart of DC.Rich Birch — So good. I once heard a leader say that, you know, DC is full of young leaders, young people like, and, you know, the the whole thing that, you know, the main business will call it in DC is all run on the back of, you know, 20s and 30s who are making a huge difference. What have you noticed with reaching that? And I know, i know you’re, you’re, you’re, like you said there, you’re becoming a more diverse church and, you know, age-wise in all different ways. But let’s let’s kind of focus in on that kind of 20-somethings, 30-somethings. What have you been noticing with folks in that generation as it comes to faith and their relationship with Jesus and, you know, all of their kind of spiritual side? What’s what are some of the observations you’re seeing?Aaron Graham — Yeah, well, I think a lot of young adults are leaning into their faith more than ever. There’s a revival in so many ways happening among young people, but there’s also a lot of retreating and people drifting in their faith. And so we kind of find ourselves with people either leaning in like never before or leaning out like never before. And in a context like D.C., people move to D.C. to change the world. I mean, this is where you come.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — This is a city of public service. And so these are the Ivy League, educated top of their class. They move here. They land that that job at the U.S. Capitol working for a member of Congress or the White House or an agency whatever, an advocacy advocacy firm. Aaron Graham — And so what happens is it’s very highly educated people here. And highly educated people I’ve noticed have a deep care for those who are suffering. And they want to make a difference. That’s like what public service is all about. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — Like I want to help serve people. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And like the government is supposed to exist to serve people. And so just that kind of love for neighbor. I want to help people out. And so D.C. is like a very politically progressive, highly educated city. And there’s a lot to draw upon with that because people are making a lot of sacrifices. But it does come with some problems, mainly people drifting from biblical orthodoxy, the historic Christian faith that has been handed down to us.Rich Birch — Yeah, I, so I’m Canadian for folks that are listening in and don’t know that I lived in the States for a bunch of years. We lived in New Jersey. And I remember the first time I visited D.C. as a Canadian, I felt patriotic for America. I was like, man, this place is unbelievable. Aaron Graham — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — I’m like, you know, and obviously I was just there as a tourist and actually we’re visiting some friends and we got the tour of the Capitol, one of these like behind the scenes, let me put you behind the velvet rope. And I was like, this place is unreal. Like what a, what a place to serve and… Aaron Graham — Yeah. Rich Birch — …it has that kind of feeling of, you know, while people are are coming to change the world really in a positive way. I’d love to kind of focus in on this as you talk about people that are leaning, you know, leaning back, leaning away, drifting from their faith, drifting from orthodoxy. You know, we’ve we’ve heard a lot about even the kind of deconstructing movement and that, you know, there’s, it is an interesting time we live in, spiritually, because these are like two realities that are kind of happening at the same time, people leaning in and leaning back.Rich Birch — What are some of those common assumptions that you’ve noticed for people who are leaning back from, from, like you say, an Orthodox Christian faith?Aaron Graham — Yeah, absolutely. I think one is just, we’ve we’ve heard this, but just church hurt. I think scandals and hypocrisy in the church among leaders is kind of at least at an all time high of what we’re hearing about right now. And so because we’re so tapped into the news and online, I think most people are very aware, if they haven’t had a bad experience, they know somebody who has been been hurt by a religious leader or by you know a church leader. And it’s sort of like, you know we always hear the bad examples, right? Aaron Graham — Like all the planes that arrive safely every day, you never hear about. But when when the one plane has some mechanical issues or has has a rough landing, you hear about it. And I think there’s so many just faithful pastors and church leaders out there that are doing awesome work. But unfortunately, we’re hearing about the, the, the bad apples. And there’s been a lot of them that have been reported on. So I think that influences people saying, do I really want to be a part of this? If it’s an option, do I? You know, so church hurt’s one of them. Aaron Graham — I think theological differences. I mean, this is the age of the church split and human sexuality is like front and center of that. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — But politics increasing these, these last few years or what side are you on and how do you interpret? So, so I think, political, theological differences. And then I think just like complacency, like just straight up spiritual drift. It’s not doctrine doctrinal. It’s not scandal. It’s just like, you know what? Like, it’s just easier not to go to church. Aaron Graham — It’s sort of the folks that left during COVID. It’s like, oh I’m going to watch online and then I’m not going to return to church. It’s just like that spiritual drift. So those are some themes I’m seeing, you know, right here in DC. And I’ve seen as a pattern and talking to other church leaders.Rich Birch — Yeah, that I’d love to kind of narrow in a little bit there on this tension between spiritual drift, like it’s the, you know, I’d rather watch football or whatever, you know, complacency. And then actually folks that are wrestling, honestly, that are asking questions and are are struggling. What have you seen? How how do you discern that how how does that? How does that work itself out? What have you learned about the difference between people who are in these kind of two categories?Aaron Graham — Yeah, I talk a lot about the difference between doubt, deconstruction, and denial. And I think it’s helpful to have these kind of three categories because it’s easy to just put everybody in the same category when they’re not dealing with the same thing.Aaron Graham — And so to doubt is to lack confidence, to be unsure about something. And that’s like part of what it means to be human, to have questions.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — Like we want to have churches where like youth and young adults can ask honest questions about human suffering and about questions they have theologically like that. You want people to be curious and it says in the book of Jude that we need to be merciful to those who doubt.Aaron Graham — And so we see that modeled in Jesus. But he ultimately calls us beyond our doubt. Like he doesn He doesn’t call us to like center our doubt. He calls us to walk by faith, not by doubt. And so we have to create space for that. But you know if a church is like, you know its mission statement is to just welcome doubters and then you center that, that’s actually not a very forward…Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — …facing thing. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so, so, so we need to create space for doubt. And sometimes people, that’s just what they’re having. They’re are just having questions. Aaron Graham — I think deconstruction is a step beyond doubt and deconstruction is like when you are in the process of dismantling your beliefs. And sometimes there’s some beliefs that need to be dismantled because there’s like, you grew up in a church that had like really messed up theology. Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Aaron Graham — Like you grew up in a cult or something. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Graham — And you’re like, I’ve got to deconstruct this. Or like I experienced spiritual manipulation and I thought this is what it meant to honor a leader. Or I experienced abuse in some way. And so you have to kind of deconstruct that. The problem is a lot of people are deconstructing outside of the context of community or biblical community. And so they’re doing so in isolation and the enemy loves that. Like the enemy loves to isolate us. Aaron Graham — And so if you’re going to deconstruct something unhealthy, you have to reconstruct. And the problem is there’s been a lot of deconstruction without reconstructing. So so there’s doubt, there’s deconstruction, and then unhealthy deconstruction can lead to denial, right? This is Judas, right? This is like, I will not go with you. Rich Birch — rightAaron Graham — Like and so denial is like, is more active, where doubt is more passive, denial can be ah more more active. And I think it’s very dangerous. This is Jude saying, snatch them from the fire. You know, this is life or death type of thing. So.Rich Birch — Can we focus in a bit on the doubt piece for a second? What does that look like for you as a leader? Like, what are some practical ways that we can offer space for people who are, who do have legit doubts? And, you know, I get that there’s this tension of like, we don’t want to create just like, let’s all get around and talk about what we don’t know. But like, how how can we do that? Or how are you doing that at District? What’s that look like for you guys?Aaron Graham — We do a series every summer called This Is My Story, where I don’t preach for two weeks and we hear 10-minute testimonies from people in our church. So three 10-minute testimonies each week, and we select people in our church and then we coach them around how to prepare for it. And they share a question, their biggest question, their biggest doubt, their biggest struggle and how they’ve moved through that and how it’s actually enabled them to deepen their faith and not to deconstruct their faith.Aaron Graham — So it’s testimony time, but it’s structured around how they’ve moved through doubt. Because I think our biggest questions, for me as a child, it was why do kids die of preventable causes? Like it shapes so much of your calling if you process it in a healthy way. And so, yeah, so this is my story. And that’s just been really helpful. It gives the pastor a break. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — Sometimes I’m doing it when I’m on vacation. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Graham — So allows me to step out, but it also allows leaders. And so what it does in terms of formation in the congregation is we’re actually moving the date this year to be when most newcomers come at the end of August. Rich Birch — That’s cool.Aaron Graham — Because it’s been so popular with newcomers. Cause they’re like, Oh, I see myself in this church. Like, Oh, you have questions too. I have questions. But once again, it’s not like I’m centering that doubt or that question at the end of the day. So, so that’s, that’s one thing practically, you know, we’ve done.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I love that. And, you know, there there was a time in the generation before me where, yeah, it was like, you don’t acknowledge any of that, right? It’s like, you don’t, you can’t ask any of those questions. Cause that, that is it’s like, just asking the question is going to, it’s like something bad is going to happen. I worked for a long time for a lead pastor that did open forum Q and A after every single message. So every single message you would say, Hey, like, is there anything, have any questions about anything I said or left unsaid? And similarly, it, it created a culture where, people kept you honest as a preacher. I hated it when I spoke. I was like, gosh, because you know, like any question? Aaron Graham — Totally.Rich Birch — But it did create a culture where like, hey, it’s okay to ask, right? It’s okay to to explore for sure.Aaron Graham — Yeah, that’s great.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s interesting.Aaron Graham — I love it.Rich Birch — So getting back to this whole idea, you know, doubt, discernment, denial, at some point, you know, you’ve started to see some patterns in the culture around us, some recurring themes that you’ve seen. And actually you package these into a book that I want to make sure people, I actually think it’d be a really helpful tool for folks. But and so no, I’m not just trying to sell books, but I do think it’s a helpful thing. Help us talk through, so tell us about the book and how is it set up? What is the framework for it?Aaron Graham — Yeah, so the new book’s called Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies. And for me, it really came about from trying to see this pattern of so many people slowly drifting from their faith and saying, how do we prevent this as pastors?Aaron Graham — Like, the if we don’t disciple our people, the world gladly will. And in some ways, they’re doing the world’s doing a better job…Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — …of discipling our people. And so what are these like subtle lies that people are believing that is causing people to, you know, not lean into their faith. And I’ve just seen it like in the urban center here, I’ve just seen so many well-intentioned, highly educated, sometimes often sincere people just drift.Aaron Graham — And so they’re no longer going to church. They’re not raising their kids in the faith. And so, yeah, I’ve just seen it over and over. And so I wrote this book in response to that. And honestly, in so many ways, it’s a critique of what I what I call progressive Christianity. And I mean that theologically, not politically. But it’s it’s when someone reinterprets Scripture, the historic teachings of Scripture, to make it more comfortable or palatable to the current culture.Aaron Graham — It’s it’s like emphasizing relevance over faithfulness. And so what I’ve seen so often over and over is that oh, this isn’t just a conversation around human sexuality or progressive Christianity. Progressive Christianity is becoming a layover to post-Christianity for so many people. And so I just began to say, okay, is this new thing? Oh, it’s actually not new. It’s not in the last like 20 years.Aaron Graham — This has been happening for like 500 years since the enlightenment where you know progressive Christians, or however they’re labeled, end up denying the miraculous. And then denying at the core the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is like the very core of our faith. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — I was like, this isn’t just a conversation around human sexuality, which is where it started with the newcomer. This is, you know, or with the leader, even in the church, this is about something much more deep.Aaron Graham — And so that’s when I just began to pray in this and and just say, what are the patterns that I’m seeing? What are these lies that people are often like well-meaning, but believing? And how is that compromising our ability to call people to faith, but also help make disciples. So.Rich Birch — Is there, I think, friends, I had a chance to sneak peek at this book and I think it could be a great resource for many of our churches. It could be a great kind of small group discussion, a great leadership book. I think it could be a fantastic thing for us to do with our leadership team together wrestling through these these issues. so We’re not going to be able to cover all of it, but what would you say maybe one of these pernicious subtle lies that you see is prevailing? It it’s it it pops up all the time. Help us unpack one of those.Aaron Graham — Yeah, sure. So one of them I talk about is the selective Christian, the person who edits scripture to fit preferences rather than engaging in the whole word of God. And you know, Jim Wallace, who is a well-known social justice advocate in the 70s, when he was at Trinity Evangelical Seminary, got together with some friends, and they went through the Bible and they cut up every reference in the Bible to the poor, or to the widow, the orphan. And there’s like 2000 verses in the Bible about about that. And he would go around and he’d hold up a Bible and he’d say, this is the Bible we have in in America. It’s a Bible full of holes because we’ve neglected the call to justice and the call to care for the poor.Aaron Graham — Well, I’m seeing that same thing happen in this next generation around some other core doctrine, around human depravity, around human sexuality, around gender and marriage and these other things that we don’t want to talk about. But what’s really at stake in so many ways is the authority of Scripture. And so we pick and choose what parts we want to believe. And then we strip the gospel of its saving power because we’ve only chosen to believe the parts that are the most acceptable to us and our friends in this cultural moment. That’s just a really dangerous way to not be formed in our faith.Rich Birch — Yeah. And, you know, I think we’ve, you can see that in how, you know, we handle scripture. I think one of the dangers that we face as preachers, we did a study where we looked at common passages that people were using over a couple years in churches. And we found that, you know, it’s not surprising, right? People come back to like the same passages time and time again, because I think we are trying to, even if it’s not if it’s not a like a willful decision, we just kind of drift in that direction of like, hey, well, I’m just not going to talk about that because I just am not sure what to say. Rich Birch — How how do you fight this in yourself, in the church around you? Because you know you are a winsome leader. You’re a church full of grace. You’re trying to actually interact with the culture. You’re not running for the hills. You’re not like, you know, putting your head in the sand kind of thing. How, how do you, how does not being a selective Christian work itself out in, in your world?Aaron Graham — Yeah, so one of the things I’m trying to really emphasize in our church is like Bible engagement. It seems like so 101, but it’s like, guys, we got to read our Bibles. Rich Birch — Yeah, no, absolutely. Aaron Graham — And so it’s like you know Bible in a year kind of plans, getting as many groups together. I lead a group on on Bible in a year, and it’s like, let’s read the whole Bible and let’s like struggle with these passages and talking about it and like, let’s see the power of the word of God.Aaron Graham — And so, you know, there’s a lot of research that shows that people who engage with the Bible have like measurable differences in their life. And one of the things is that when you actually engage in not in reading the Bible, but actually submitting yourself to it, you become both more liberal and conservative. Because you you you become more morally conservative and you become more socially liberal, like in caring for the needs of others. And so you just break out of these categories.Aaron Graham — And for somebody like you in Canada, that’s not in the US, like, it’s kind of crazy how we get polarized in the U.S. over certain things that that global Christians don’t get as as polarized on in some ways.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so I think that’s one of the things that I’ve seen a lot of fruit in is like, hey, we’re going to be at a church that’s about the word of God. We’re going to teach the word of God. We’re going to sit under its authority even when it’s uncomfortable.Aaron Graham — And I find even in very progressive cities like D.C., people hunger for biblical teaching.Even if they they don’t agree with it all, they’ll come listen to it because they’re looking for something that’s different than what they’re hearing everywhere else where it’s like affirm, affirm, affirm everything. It’s like, I wanna be called to something higher, something that’s bigger than me, that’s more historic than me. So as it relates to being a selective Christian, I think just simple Bible engagement and really putting effort in that has is has borne a lot of fruit.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I know my lead pastor has been saying the same thing for the last few years. And I would I would echo this. I think this has been, this is a very unique season where I think in general, the culture is leaning in and asking the question, what is it about this? And, you know, Jeff, my lead pastor makes the joke. He’s like this, you see this rippling it all in all parts of culture. There’s you know one of the outcomes of the fact that things are so kind of changing all the time, we’re we’re obsessed with the you know the latest trend or whatever, is people want things that have been true for a long time. They’re and it’s why are people putting chickens in their backyards? And what is it with all the sourdough? Like, why does that stuff, why is that resonating? Rich Birch — There’s a connection to this so, you know, similar kind of cultural issue that we’re saying here with scripture, where it’s like, I’m intrigued by the Bible. I want to learn about that because that’s it something we’ve been telling each other these stories for thousands of years. And how does that apply to our lives? Let’s not miss that moment, church leaders, and not actually give them what they’re what they’re looking for. So yeah, that’s that’s interesting.Aaron Graham — Absolutely. I think the devil really overplayed his hand as it relates to secular culture. Meaning, secular culture meaning it’s defined itself in opposition to the church with a message of the more personal freedom you have, the more autonomy you have, the more the happier you’ll be. And Gen Z is waking up and being like…Rich Birch — That’s not true. Yeah.Aaron Graham — …no, this is not fulfilling. I want something more historic and rooted. And that’s, I think, one of the things that’s leading a lot of people to come into the church right now in this generation. They’re just saying, I’m hungry for God. And I don’t think that just having more freedom and flexibility is the answer.Aaron Graham — It’s like so somebody just gave their life to Jesus on Sunday, came to the newcomer’s dinner last night, and he’s like, what do I need to do next? And and you know and I gave it to him hard. I was like, it’s not just about praying a prayer. You prayed that, praise the Lord, and you’re going to baptized and you’re doing a Rooted group and all this. But it’s like, what in your life, in your relationships in your work, like you need to cut some things off, like repentance, like change directions. And he’s like, yeah, like, tell me more. You know, he’s like leaning in.Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah.Aaron Graham — Like, I think people want to be led, like in love, but they want to be led. Rich Birch — Yeah.Aaron Graham — It’s not just like choose your own adventure.Rich Birch — Yeah.Aaron Graham — That’s not helping this generation.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so true. I would echo that. You know, it does feel like we’ve come to the end of secular humanism. And and I remember a time when I first started ministry, I was like, well, it sure seems that that’s working. Aaron Graham — Yeah. Rich Birch — Like, it’s just so dominant, but it feels like there’s this collective like, well, that didn’t work. So. Rich Birch — What was that what’s another lie that we, again, we’re not gonna able to get to all of them. So don’t worry, friends. And we, you know, you’re gonna have to read the book. But what’s another one that that has bubbled up that’s been, you know particularly intriguing as you’ve interacted with people around it?Aaron Graham — Yeah, um there’s there’s so many different ones, but I think um one of them is the divisive influencer. This is the seventh lie, so I’ll kind of take it to the the end of the book here. But the divisive influencer is really growing right now. It’s somebody who kind of mirrors cancel culture instead of practicing radical forgiveness and grace. Aaron Graham — And so we see a lot of political polarization right now. We feel it in our families. We feel it in our churches where it’s like you’re coming for a holiday meal and it’s like, it’s this tension underneath. We feel it in life groups and it’s like, how do we navigate this? And so that’s that’s one of the ones that, you know, being in DC the political…Rich Birch — Yeah, it was gonna that was going to be my follow-up. I’m like, wait a second. Isn’t that the bread and butter of the people you work with?Aaron Graham — Yes. And honestly, people, when they come to church, even in DC, they don’t want to like enter into an echo chamber. They want to be formed. They want to go upstream. They want to hear the word of the Lord.Aaron Graham — And so I think that one of the things as it relates to this, like cancel culture and like the solution to that obviously is like Jesus, it’s like, love your enemies, forgive those who persecute you. Like actually when you lean into relationships with people who are different, like that’s that’s how you you grow.Aaron Graham — And so whenever we’re dealing with an issue, like whatever, some issues in the news, and it’s like, oh, what should should we what should we include in our prayer? Do we need to talk about that in the sermon? And you know you’re getting pressure from certain people to do that. One of the things I’ve realized is that if we haven’t gone upstream as church leaders, and taught our congregation the biblical call around poverty or abortion or immigration or whatever, then when it pops up in the news, we get very reactive and people interpret that through their political lens. They’ve already made their mind up.Aaron Graham — And so some pastors are playing on this and you can kind of grow your church, like you’ll lose 10%, but grow 40% because you kind of lean into that predictable division.Rich Birch — Yep.Aaron Graham — But I think that one of the the calls of of Jesus is like, how do we we go upstream so you can form people to say, hey, we have to engage in poverty. We have to… But like two Christians can agree on addressing something like abortion, poverty, you know justice, and disagree which policy solution will be the best. And so we should have that kind of diversity our church.Aaron Graham — That’s what’s made our nation great is having that level of diversity. And I think we need to model that out in the church, not just our racial and ethnic diversity but I think our political diversity is increasingly important and it’s not to say that each side is like morally equivalent on each issue. I think some parties are way better on certain issues than others. But I think we have to really lean into this forgiveness and not lean into this radical divisive influencer even though that kind of posture may be rewarded online. And this next generation is, I think a high percentage of them want to be influencers online. So there’s ah a great temptation to kind of lean into that. But it’s like, what does Jesus teach us around that?Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, I think you’re calling out of something that we you know definitely see. And there’s ah even ah ah this kind of return of particularly young men back to church. There’s some of that that I’m not sure is is actually positive where it’s it’s leaning towards. It’s a it is a very politically charged kind of faith that to me doesn’t read Jesus. It or it’s a it’s just one aspect maybe of of of Jesus. So that’s interesting you’re calling that out for sure.Rich Birch — Off-roading a little bit on a similar topic, one of the things I find fascinating about you, about the church, about District, is that there was like this false dichotomy that’s set up in a lot of churches. It’s like, hey, you can either be a church that is has a high value on scripture, which you clearly do. Or you can be a church that is engaged in issues of development and justice in the world around you. You can’t do both of those. You can’t actually make a difference in the community around you, be cared, be care about the poor care about those things and also have a high view of scripture. I’m not saying that’s true. I’m saying there seems to be this popular notion out there. Your church seems to be doing both, trying to do both. Am I reading that correctly? Help me understand how, how you see those interacting with each other.Aaron Graham — Yeah, I’ve always been known the last 20 years in ministry as the justice guy, the one calling the church to engage in justice. And then I looked up around and saw so many of my justice friends had deconstructed their faith, were no longer pastoring churches, and their kids weren’t following Jesus. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And I was like, something’s wrong. Because it’s like, oh, we’re trying to like care for the poor, but now we’ve lost our faith in the process. And the kids that we’re raising, we have no message for them other than just be tolerant and inclusive Christians. Like tolerant being tolerant and inclusive and loving is a great value. Jesus is the most loving person, but he called people to repentance and he called people to the to to the Father.Aaron Graham — And so I think that that’s always just been a a big value of ours is like the authority of scripture and the Lordship of Christ. And I think that leads to justice. Like, um and so I think it’s just being willing to stand alone. I’ve lost a lot of friendships over this. Not not just friendships. Not like I don’t talk to somebody, but just like colleagues in ministry, because there’s like theologically, like you just believe something that’s different. Like you’ve stepped outside of biblical orthodoxy.Aaron Graham — So I think we have to be, be willing to to stand alone. And i think we’re on the winning side. I think Jesus and justice, I think both those things go together. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — So I don’t think we’re crazy, but it is hard to hold them together when the political narratives are so forming and deceptive. And so it’s hard. It’s hard for me. I got a lot of flack for my theological positions in this city. but I think, you know, we got to be willing to stand alone.Rich Birch — Yeah. Very cool. Well, I want to, I think this could be a great book, as you were writing it. What were kind of what were you picturing your kind of ideal situation where it would land? Obviously you want lots of people to read it, but to me, I saw it. I was like the, when I, the sneak peek I looked into, I was like, man, this could be a great, I think a really good discussion starter in a leadership team. Are there other environments you think, Hey man, this could be really a great place to, you know, to use this resource.Aaron Graham — Yeah, the the the main person I’m writing to, and I hope a lot of people read it, but the main person is like a 23-year-old that graduates from college that has at least a nominal Christian faith. They have the intention to join a church when they move to the city and land their first job, but they are totally at risk of abandoning their faith unless they make some very clear decisions and are a part of a church that has made some really clear decisions around, we’re not going to believe these lies. We’re going to call them out, and we’re going intentionally disciple you away from being discipled by secular culture and disciple you around the Word of God. Aaron Graham — That’s my hope. You know If anybody that’s deconstructed comes back to faith, praise the Lord. Hallelujah.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s amazing.Aaron Graham — But I’m actually trying to do a prevention so that all the people who are coming to faith right now in this revival, that it falls on good ground. Because we have such a discipleship culture in our churches that is able to name and discern, first, and then name these lies and to help this next generation stand firm in the gospel. And so that’s that’s the subtitle of the the book is how to stand firm in a culture of lies.Aaron Graham — And for so long, we were trained in the church as church leaders to evangelize people who were like spiritually kind of curious and open, like kind of the seeker sensitive movement. That’s how like international, but I grew up as a missionary kid. So it’s like, we were trained to like share the gospel with people who like just needed to hear that there’s one God and that he loves you and that you can have a relationship with him.Aaron Graham — But now we’re trying to evangelize a post-Christian culture, which you know a lot about in Canada. And we’re learning more about here in in North America. And that culture actually is not just like ambivalent towards Christianity. It’s actually anti-Christian faith. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — They’re trying to evangelize us. And so if we just try to take the same approach where we’re just loving and let me give them a hug, see if they hug back, they’re actually winning. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so so so it’s like, how do we… how do we have a plan to say, you know what, we’re going to love the world. We’re going in the world, but not of the world. But it’s it’s like it’s a whole different, I can use that word on on this, ah the word here on this church leaders podcast. It’s a whole different missiology around how to engage in mission.Aaron Graham — And so, yeah, so I’m hoping that we reach the 20-something and I’m hoping that people talk about this. We wrote this and we have a small group video curriculum coming out as well, because we really want pastors who say, I want this culture in my church to be able to have people do it in groups, discuss it… Rich Birch — That’s great. Aaron Graham — …and be able to make these commitments before it becomes an even greater problem in our churches.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. That’s a really vivid picture of, like you say, the 23 year old who’s moving to the city, um you know, who has some faith, but is is maybe at risk, I think is ah is ah is a vivid picture for all of us. And I would share, you didn’t actually say it this way, but I would share some concern with the swell towards faith. I don’t, who am I? Like the, obviously it’s an amazing thing that’s going on. Lots of people are taking steps toward Jesus. I’m not going to be the guy that’s like, that’s bad.Rich Birch — But I would say I’m concerned that we are a good steward of this moment, that it’s like, man, I have been waiting my entire ministry career for this to happen.Aaron Graham — Yeah.Rich Birch — And now, gosh, let’s not drop the ball. And I think your book could be a part of helping us think through and helping leaders and individuals think through this. So the name of the book is Unshakable Faith. And again, you said that: How to stand firm in a culture of lies. Where can people, look at that? There’s a shot of it. There’s got a beautiful front on. It’s very hip. I’m assuming we can get it at Amazon. Are there other places we should go to get copies of this?Aaron Graham — Everywhere books are sold so um if you go to aarongrahamDC.com—just my name aarongrahamDC (double meaning for District Church and DC of the the city of DC) aarongrahamDC.com —and then you’ll see the links to all the retailers on there, including Amazon, but all the different retailers Christianbook, Books-a-million, Barnes and Noble, all that. And so, yeah, you can you can grab a copy there, and we’d love to hear from you as well. You you can have a place where you can contact me on there.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s great. Perfect. We’ll put links to all of that in the show notes. And friends, like I say, if you’re a long-term listener, you know, we don’t actually typically have a lot of authors on, but I wanted to have Aaron on because I do think this is particularly poignant for us, I think, in in today’s culture. And I think it could be a thing that could really help your team, help, you know, people at your church, I think could be ah a really great resource for that. Rich Birch — As we wrap up today’s episode, any kind of final words you’d have for a church leader that’s wrestling in, that’s wrestling with these issues today is, is maybe feeling some of this tension around, you know, feeling compromised at the door kind of thing. Help us, help us as we wrap up today.Aaron Graham — Yeah, well, first off, just thanks for having me on and having me back, you know, as a repeat guest. That’s awesome. I love what you’re doing. Like I said, I learned so much from you. Some practical stuff is so great to hear all the different speakers that come on and and leaders. Aaron Graham — But yeah, no, I think the the the message that I want leaders church leaders to hear is that if you don’t run to this problem around what’s happening in our culture and how it’s affecting discipleship, this problem will get worse. And, and I think that one of the the challenges for me being in the belly of the beast in the heart of DC, I’m not just like DC, like, so I’m like in the heart with all these national leaders, very educated people, is that it’s sort of like a signal, kind of like downtown New York city is as well. It’s like a signal of where culture is going.Aaron Graham — And so if, if you don’t lean towards this conversation and learn, this problem will only grow in your church. And so while it might be uncomfortable for some of you based on, like if you’re like me and you’re wired as like a harmony person, like I don’t want to have disagreements on my staff or with my board or in my family conversation, like it will only get bigger and worse. So lean in and and take advantage of of resources from people who are writing about this, who have thought about it. And don’t be alone in this. Don’t try to be isolated in this conversation because there’s a lot of people who, even though you might feel alone where you’re pastoring or where you’re leading, there’s a lot of people who feel the same way you are. And so, so get connected in, in with them. So, so that’s, that’s what I’d say.Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Aaron. Give us that website again where we want to send people to if they want to connect more directly with you or with the church.Aaron Graham — Yeah, just aarongrahamDC.com. And that’ll also link to our church website, districtchurch.org. And we’d love to have people visit us when you’re in DC, because like you said, DC is a fun city.Rich Birch — Love it. It is a fun city.Aaron Graham — It’s one of the best cities to 250th anniversary of DC. Lots of celebrations happening this year. Rich Birch — Yes, that’s true. Aaron Graham — So come in and see us. Rich Birch — It’ll be a big year. That’s great. Thanks so much. Appreciate being here today, sir. And we’ll have you back on sometime soon. Thanks for coming.Aaron Graham — Awesome. Thanks, Rich.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, May 14, is the Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle and Martyr.Also, today, in the United States, the ecclesiastical provinces of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, Newark, and Omaha, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension.With the victory Christ the Lord gained by His resurrection from the dead, it is today made perfect. On this day, Christ's triumph is complete.With the Ascension to the Father, the Glorified Christ now shares in the dominion of heaven and earth; He now rules all hearts and all souls.As we read in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:15-17, 20-26), after the Ascension of Jesus, St. Peter proposed to the assembled faithful that they choose a disciple of Christ to fill the place of the traitor Judas.“Then they prayed,“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,show which one of these two you have chosento take the place in this apostolic ministryfrom which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.”The Church venerates St. Matthias on an equal footing with the other Apostles, who gave testimony to what they saw and heard in their lives with our Lord.St. Matthias would be martyred, receiving "the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him."The name of St. Matthias is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass.Today marks the beginning of the Pentecost Novena (9 days of prayer) to the Holy Spirit,Alleluia! Christ is Risen!Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play

Ghost and Ashe in America close out season three by walking through the Decapolis arc all the way to Simon stepping out of the boat. The hosts unpack why Andrew and Philip's parable of the great banquet sparked a literal street brawl, why Judas is the only apostle in the room who instantly grasps everyone's offense (because his ego is still fully intact), and what it means that Jesus heals a deaf-mute Greek before he's even had a chance to introduce himself. The conversation widens into Socrates dying for "corrupting the youth" the same way Jesus would, the Nabateans of Petra, the Haskalah and why Orthodox versus secular Jews are headed for a civil war in present-day Israel, and what the chosen people actually got chosen for (hint: Deuteronomy 28, and it isn't a status upgrade). Then it lands on the feeding of the five thousand and Simon's brutally honest, cynical kind of faith. He believes Jesus can do it. He's just afraid Jesus will choose them. It ends where every storyline this season has been pointing. Keep your eyes on me. The mercies are new because we need them new.

Read OnlineOne of the Twelve“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. Acts 1:24–26Matthias, the saint we honor today, was named an Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. Matthias was likely from Galilee and had followed Jesus from the beginning of His public ministry. After Judas' death, Peter led the approximately 120 disciples in selecting Matthias through prayer and casting lots, ensuring the Apostles once again numbered twelve. This election occurred before Pentecost, so Matthias received the Holy Spirit alongside the other Apostles, affirming the Twelve as the foundational body of the Church.Matthias' selection is profoundly important for two primary reasons. First, by being counted along with the other eleven Apostles, the group once again numbered twelve. Though there are thousands of bishops today, the foundation began with twelve. Once they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and began their apostolic ministries, their number grew as the Church expanded. Nonetheless, the foundation remained, symbolizing the Twelve Tribes of Israel and uniting the New Testament Church with the Old Covenant.Second, Matthias' election establishes a biblical foundation for apostolic succession, one of the four marks of the Church: “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” (Nicene Creed). By proclaiming the Church as “one,” we affirm that there is only one Church—“the one Church of Christ” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 8). While not all are visible members of this one Church, all who are united to Christ in a state of grace are part of His one Body. Nonetheless, “This Church, constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him” (LG 8).The Church is “holy” because she is united to Christ, her divine Head, who is all-holy. As members of this Church, we are sanctified by Christ's grace, the sacraments, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that enable us to grow in holiness and reflect the sanctity of God Himself.The word “catholic” in the Creed is written in lowercase because it does not refer specifically to the Roman Catholic Church as an institution but to the broader meaning of the word “catholic,” which means “universal.” The one Church is universal in scope and mission, welcoming all people. It is the responsibility of the Church's members to share the Gospel with every person, seeking to draw all into full communion with the one visible Body of Christ.Finally, the Church is “apostolic,” which is especially celebrated in today's Feast of Saint Matthias. Every bishop alive today, every bishop in the past, and every bishop yet to be ordained until the end of time takes his episcopal roots from the Twelve Apostles, including Matthias, who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.According to various traditions, the Apostle Matthias engaged in missionary activity in regions such as Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), the Caspian Sea area (modern-day Georgia), and possibly as far south as Sudan and Ethiopia. He is believed to have died a martyr, either by crucifixion, stoning, or beheading. Though we do not know who succeeded him, we can be certain that he not only spread the Gospel and celebrated the Sacraments, but also ordained others to serve as apostles within the communities he helped to establish.As we honor Saint Matthias today, reflect on God's eternal wisdom in establishing the Church. God did not merely give us a set of rules to follow; He gave us a Church—His one Church—and entrusted His authority to sinful men who act in His name and convey His grace. Rejoice that you are a member of the Catholic Church, in which Christ's Church subsists. Pray not only for the mission of the Church, but also for those entrusted with apostolic responsibilities, passed on to them from the Twelve Apostles.Saint Matthias, you were counted among the Twelve and became an essential participant in the foundation of the Church. Through your apostolic ministry, you spread the Gospel far and wide, bringing grace and truth to those you were sent to serve. Please pray for me and for the entire Church, that we may always remain one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, so that the Gospel will continue to be spread to the ends of the earth. Saint Matthias, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: School Giusepe Ribera de lo Spagnoletta: St. MatthiasSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Full Text of Readings The Ascension of the Lord - Feast of Saint Matthias Lectionary: 58, 564 The Saint of the day is Saint Matthias Saint Matthias' Story According to Acts 1:15-26, during the days after the Ascension Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers—about 120 of Jesus' followers. Now that Judas had betrayed his ministry, it was necessary, Peter said, to fulfill the scriptural recommendation that another should take his office. “Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). They nominated two men: Joseph Barsabbas and Saint Matthias. They prayed and drew lots. The choice fell upon Matthias, who was added to the Eleven. Saint Matthias is not mentioned by name anywhere else in the New Testament. Reflection What was the holiness of Saint Matthias? Obviously, he was suited for apostleship by the experience of being with Jesus from his baptism to his ascension. He must also have been suited personally, or he would not have been nominated for so great a responsibility. Must we not remind ourselves that the fundamental holiness of Matthias was his receiving gladly the relationship with the Father offered him by Jesus and completed by the Holy Spirit? If the apostles are the foundations of our faith by their witness, they must also be reminders, if only implicitly, that holiness is entirely a matter of God's giving, and it is offered to all, in the everyday circumstances of life. We receive, and even for this God supplies the power of freedom.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas ….” “For it is written in the book of Psalms … ‘Let another take his office.' “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us … one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection.” And they put forward two … And they prayed … And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-16a, 20-21, 22b-23a, 24a, 26)

What if early Christianity was far more mystical, diverse, and spiritually empowering than we've been taught?In this profound conversation, Megan Farner sits down with historian, theologian, and mystic Maxine Hanks to explore the hidden streams of early Christianity, Gnosticism, Sophia wisdom traditions, Mary Magdalene, the divine feminine, and the teachings of the resurrected Christ. Together they discuss the Nag Hammadi texts, the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, Valentinian Christianity, and the idea of gnosis as direct experiential knowledge of God.00:00 – Community updates & retreat 02:20 – Introducing Maxine Hanks 05:52 – Maxine's spiritual journey 10:09 – Mysticism vs. institutional religion 12:04 – What is Gnosticism? 14:09 – Early Christianity after Jesus 16:10 – The teachings of the resurrected Christ 19:27 – The Gospel of Thomas 23:02 – Jesus, women & the disciples 26:13 – Different early Christian movements 27:40 – The Council of Nicaea 29:44 – The Nag Hammadi discovery 33:00 – Mary Magdalene's role 36:25 – Core Gnostic beliefs 40:29 – Megan's rediscovery of Gnosticism 44:00 – Reading scripture mystically 48:51 – The Pleroma & divine fullness 50:15 – The inner church vs. outer church 53:00 – Recommended books & texts 55:21 – The Hymn of the Pearl 58:43 – Reconciling Christian traditions 01:00:18 – Why Gnostic teachings were suppressed 01:02:43 – Direct connection to God 01:05:37 – Ritual, sacraments & transformation 01:09:11 – Archons, archetypes & discernment 01:13:26 – Sophia & divine wisdom 01:18:24 – The Gnostic resurrection 01:20:39 – Symbols, rituals & spiritual maturityMaxine Hanks is a historian and theologian specializing in gender in religion, Mormon studies, Christian liturgy, mysticism, and feminist theology. She is the editor of Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism and has spent decades studying early Christianity, Gnostic traditions, sacramental theology, and the divine feminine.Books, texts, and Scholars Referenced:Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism — Maxine Hanks The Wisdom Jesus — Cynthia Bourgeault The Meaning of Mary Magdalene — Cynthia Bourgeault The Jesus Dynasty — James Tabor  Gospels of Thomas, Philip, Mary, Judas, the Savior Pistis Sophia  Apocryphons of James and John Acts of Thomas  The Hymn of the Pearl  Thunder Perfect Mind  Karen King  Elaine Pagels  Carl Jung  Philo of Alexandria  Valentinus  If you're ready to move from understanding into lived experience, join me for Parting the Veil Women's Retreat this June near Paragonah. Hidden Wisdom initiates truth-seekers into the Mysteries, guiding listeners toward a lived experience of the Divine that awakens and transforms faith—without dismantling family or community. Pursue your Journey: ✨ Hidden Wisdom App – Join for FREE and enjoy pathway programs, community, expansive library, and more!

This is the third lesson in Dr. James J. Cassidy's Reformed Academy course, The Gospel of John: A Study in the Truth. This lesson covers the following topics: 00:00 Introduction and Placement of John 13 01:22 Jesus's Foot Washing and the Redemptive Cleansing of the Cross 13:20 Judas's Betrayal in Fulfillment of Psalm 41 20:23 The New Commandment to Love One Another Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to dozens of additional video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedacademy.org/course/go... Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #truth #gospel #reformedtheology #biblestudy