Podcasts about to christ

March 6, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Close of the CommandmentsDaily Lectionary: Genesis 1:20-2:3; Mark 1:14-28What does God say about all these commandments?He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Ex. 20: 5–6)What does this mean? God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why does God give His Commandments? It's not because He has some spare commandments lying around and wants to keep us busy. It's not that He needs something for us to do to show how much we like Him. God commands us to do (or not do) because He doesn't want those He loves to be hurt. Coveting our neighbor's stuff and relationships causes hurt. Taking away our neighbor's life, family, things, and reputation causes hurt. Rejecting authority causes hurt. Rebelling against God causes hurt. And our Lord isn't happy when we hurt those whom He loves, even when we hurt ourselves. Jesus loves you. That's not just some Sunday School song. The creator of all things cares so much for you, His creation, that He will give His life for your sake. He sacrifices Himself to pay for your sins. And He does all this before you've even done anything yet. His love is not earned. It is given freely to you. Breaking those Commandments is to throw away God's Gifts of love, of life, of forgiveness and to cling instead to sin and death. There are consequences for that. And those consequences do last for generations. I think of the things screwed up in my own family, and I see them passed down to my kids. And I don't want that for them. But I also see the faith that has been passed down from generation to generation. And maybe you're the very first generation in your family to trust Christ. There is His promise; hold tight to it. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Our works cannot salvation gain; They merit only endless pain. Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee, Who pleads for us endlessly. Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:12)-Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? (Jeremiah 23:23)1/ God's omnipresence .2/ God's manifest presence .To Christ for help I fly,The Friend of sinners lost,A refuge sweet, and sure, and nigh,And there is all my trust.

October 24, 2024 Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of duties: To ChildrenDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 25:17-26:19; Matthew 17:1-13Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. And you thought the Bible was just for old people. No, it's for young people, too, even children. That's because what God has done for the oldest, He has also done for the youngest. Earlier in Ephesians, St. Paul writes to the baptized, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:3-4). “In Him,” or “in the Lord” is what changes everything for you and me. And that is where God placed us when we were baptized. At the Font, God washed you “in the Lord,” declaring you “holy and blameless before Him.” In fact, at the Font, God “made us alive together with Christ” and “seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:5-6). Baptized children are in the heavens now, seated with God, in Christ, “holy and blameless before Him!” Baptized children, then, are not lacking in any spiritual blessing. That is why St. Paul calls even children now to acts of kindness and love, beginning at home with their nearest neighbors, Mom and Dad. This is what it means to live out your baptismal identity as God's child. There is no work for you to do to become “holy and blameless” before your Father in heaven. You are already that every day– so promises your Baptism into Christ. You can turn to your neighbor in love, beginning at home, not to become something you are not, but because of the something or someone God has already declared you to be “in the Lord.” His child.As your proud Father in heaven, God rejoices over you as you do your chores at home, study your homework, clean your rooms, play nice with each other, and obey your parents. “In the Lord” is the key. For God does not rejoice simply because of the work that is being done. He rejoices because of the ones who are doing the work: you. That is God's mercy, God's love for you, “in the Lord.”  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our works cannot salvation gain; They merit only endless pain. Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee, Who pleads for us endlessly. Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:12)-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

For the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on our being drawn into an ongoing encounter with Christ. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources. Listen to Fr. Frank's more of weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

For the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on our being drawn into an ongoing encounter with Christ. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources. Listen to Fr. Frank's more of weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

July 13, 2024 Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 8 - Psalm 143:1-2, 8a; antiphon: Psalm 143:11Daily Lectionary: Judges 13:1-25; Ruth 1:1-4:22; Galatians 2:1-21Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! (Psalm 143:1)In the Name + of Jesus, Amen. Someone once said, “We don't pray so that God can hear us; we pray so that we may hear God more.”  Have you ever felt like your prayers are going unanswered? Are you just talking into thin air? King David knew that feeling, too, so he began his prayer with a simple yet powerful statement: “Lord, hear my prayer.” There is no other request, there is no begging or negotiating with God.But David didn't just stop there. He knew that God was faithful and righteous. That's why he rooted his prayer in God's character, knowing that God had made a covenant with His people and would be faithful to it. And because of God's grace and mercy, God's ears were opened to David and Israel's prayers.This Psalm reminds us that we have no right to be in the presence of God apart from His faithfulness and righteousness. But because of Jesus, who fulfilled God's covenant and granted us His righteousness, we can come to God with our desperate pleas. In the Divine Service, you hear your Lord speak to you! Forgiveness, mercy, and strength are yours. Now, in your life of prayer, you are given the words to pray back to God. We, too, do not beg or negotiate with God. We simply pray, “Thy will be done.”  You may notice in the Divine Service that we pray, “Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer” or “Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.”Our prayers are rooted in God's grace and mercy given to us by the new and eternal covenant found in Jesus' blood. Jesus has answered your greatest prayer for forgiveness, life, and salvation on the cross, and He speaks to you, “It is finished.” Your prayers rise to the throne room of God like incense, thick billowing, sweet-smelling smoke that God takes delight in. He has shown you mercy; He has shown you righteousness in His Son. Even when our prayers fail, Jesus' blood now speaks on your behalf before the throne of God day and night, for He is faithful to you. In the Name + of Jesus, AmenRise! To arms! With prayer employ you. O Christians, lest the foe destroy you; For Satan has designed your fall. Wield God's Word, the weapon glorious; Against all foes be thus victorious, For God protects you from them all. Fear not the hordes of hell, Here is Emmanuel. Hail the Savior! The strong foes yield To Christ, our shield, And we, the victors, hold the field. (LSB 668:1)-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock, AR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Your favorite study Bible is now available in a simple, intuitive app on your device! Distinctively Lutheran notes on the full ESV text, helpful articles, and custom user settings offer an engaging experience in God's Word anywhere you go. Download The Lutheran Study Bible App.

www.longviewbaptistchurch.org 2 Kings 18:1-8 May 12, 2024 1) A godly mother is a compass TO Christ! 2) God honors a mother's love for righteousness and can magnify it in her children! 3) Let the blessing of Hezekiah's life remind us all that MOM MATTERS!

Paul Gerhardt's Easter hymn fits perfectly as the first words sung by Christians gathered for an Easter sunrise service. The reality of the empty tomb on Easter banishes sadness and fills us with gladness. Though the foe thought he had won the victory when Jesus lay dead and buried, in fact, the Savior has routed his enemy. Jesus' complete victory over all enemies—sin, death, and devil—is comfort and joy for all those who trust in Him. Jesus is the Mighty Warrior who has given His victory to us. Even in death, we know that we have eternal life in the Crucified and Risen One who will raise us on the Last Day. Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/467. Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #467, “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness.” Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org. Lutheran Service Book 467 1 Awake, my heart, with gladness, See what today is done; Now, after gloom and sadness, Comes forth the glorious sun. My Savior there was laid Where our bed must be made When to the realms of light Our spirit wings its flight. 2 The foe in triumph shouted When Christ lay in the tomb; But lo, he now is routed, His boast is turned to gloom. For Christ again is free; In glorious victory He who is strong to save Has triumphed o'er the grave. 3 This is a sight that gladdens-- What peace it doth impart! Now nothing ever saddens The joy within my heart. No gloom shall ever shake, No foe shall ever take The hope which God's own Son In love for me hath won. 4 Now hell, its prince, the devil, Of all their pow'r are shorn; Now I am safe from evil, And sin I laugh to scorn. Grim death with all his might Cannot my soul affright; It is a pow'rless form, Howe'er it rave and storm. 5 The world against me rages, Its fury I disdain; Though bitter war it wages, Its work is all in vain. My heart from care is free, No trouble troubles me. Misfortune now is play, And night is bright as day. 6 Now I will cling forever To Christ, my Savior true; My Lord will leave me never, Whate'er He passes through. He rends death's iron chain; He breaks through sin and pain; He shatters hell's dark thrall; I follow Him through all. 7 He brings me to the portal That leads to bliss untold, Whereon this rhyme immortal Is found in script of gold: "Who there My cross has shared Finds here a crown prepared; Who there with Me has died Shall here be glorified." Text Information First Line: Awake, my heart, with gladness Title: Awake, My Heart, with Gladness Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-76 Translator: John Kelly, 1833-90 (alt. ) Meter: 76 76 66 66 Language: English Publication Date: 2006 Scripture: Colossians 2:15; Romans 8:35-39; Genesis 3:15; Romans 6:4 Tune Information Name: AUF, AUF, MEIN HERZ Composer: Johann Crüger, 1598-1662 Meter: 76 76 66 66 Key: D Major Source: Lutheran Service Book, 2006 (Setting) Copyright: Setting © 2006, Concordia Publishing House Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/467.

Sunday, 7 April 2024   “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— Acts 26:22   More literally, the words read, “Having obtained, therefore, help from God unto this day, I have stood, witnessing to small and great, saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses spoke is coming to be” (CG).   Paul just noted that talking about what the Lord expects is the reason why the Jews seized him and tried to kill him. Now, he explains why he has been rescued from this, saying, “Having obtained, therefore, help from God unto this day.”   Despite the Jews trying to kill him, he has been rescued from them because God has been on his side. If this is so, then it means – by default – that God has not been on the side of the Jews. They had wronged him, but more, they were conducting their lives wrongly before God.   As for the word translated as “help,” it is epikouria. It is found only here in Scripture. It gives the idea of external help, but of one of greater ability or power to one of lesser ability or power. In this case, it is divine assistance being from God. Paul says that because of this external help, “I have stood.”   This isn't speaking of his standing in the court but of his ability to continue with the task to which he was called. It is the same metaphor he uses numerous times elsewhere, such as –   “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:11-13   Paul was firm and unwavering in his proclamation, standing because God was with him and, as he says, “witnessing to both small and great.”   These words show that Paul saw no distinction in any man after receiving his commission. To Christ, and therefore to him now, there was no Jew, Gentile, king, servant, male, female, wealthy, or poor, or any other distinction that would preclude him from sharing the gospel. Barnes states it this way –   “He passed by none because they were poor; and he was not deterred by the fear of the rich and the great from making known their sins and calling them to repentance. What an admirable illustration of the proper duties of a minister of the gospel!”   As for his witnessing, he next notes that he was “saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses spoke is coming to be.”   This final clause shows Paul's understanding that the doctrine of the Messiah was fully testified to in the Old Testament. Christ's life, work, atoning death, etc. were all carefully detailed, starting from Moses and continuing through the prophets.   All of what Christ would come and do was carefully laid out in their writings. As such, Paul was simply testifying to what those written witnesses testified to. He used their own words for the message he proclaimed. All that Christ was set to do, and all that He did, was spoken of in advance. Because of this, Paul's testimony was not his at all but God's. He was speaking as God's ambassador, something he explicitly states in his own writings, such as –   “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20, 21   Life application: If you are speaking accurately concerning the faith as it is recorded in Scripture, how can you not be bold in your proclamation? If you really believe that the Bible is the word of God, and if you are conveying the message of the Bible properly, you are simply explaining what God has already proclaimed. So why should you be distressed, peevish, concerned, etc., about what you are saying?   If someone takes offense at your words, they are taking offense at God's word. There is no need to be belligerent in your approach, but there is also no shame in being imprisoned for your stand. God is right here with us. Therefore, He is right there with you in such an instance.   Just be sure that what you are saying is properly stated and in accord with His intent. And the only way to know that is not to listen to your preacher or teacher, accepting his words at face value. Rather, you must know the word well enough to accept or dismiss what you are being taught. Otherwise, you are not really proclaiming the truth of God's word. In other words, “READ AND KNOW YOUR BIBLE.”   Glorious Lord God, people in many churches are taught erroneous doctrine, but they accept what they hear without checking. That is a sad testimony to their time in church. It is also a sad testimony to their willingness to know You properly. May we not be led astray in such ways. Rather, may we be willing to check what we are taught and hold fast only to that which matches what Your word states. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Searching For Significance--INTRO.Going a NEW DirectionComing this APRIL “Ephesians COACHING!”:-)A Devotional Reading of my book “ Searching For Significance, a Devotional Journey Through Ecclesiastes”PART ONE…..Ephesians & Ecclesiastes ParallelsIntro. & ReviewECC. 3:1-11All People have a designed PURPOSE….ECC.1:11TIME is an essential element in our lives…Ecc.1:11/Eph.1:7-11Times/seasons…Times mentioned 16 times in ECC…..Ecc. 3:17,8:5,3:17, Ecc. 9:12..Ephesians 1:9,10, 5:6CONTRASTING Ecc. with Eph. ……Ecc. 1:3 “Under The Sun” opposed to being in “Heavenly Places” Eph. 1:3,2:6, 3:7-10PART TWO……About Me…The Author: Matt GeibI am a Bible Teacher-Coach guiding people from religion to a meaningful connection with GodI have over 50 years experience & 50,000 hours of Bible study from which I have provided many Saints with wisdom & insight. I have taught in & Pastored churches over 30 years , counseled individuals giving insight & direction for their lives through use of practical application of scripture to their livesWith scriptural concepts & truth I provide timely & personal transformation in each unique situationI teach profound Biblical Truth in an easily understood & applicable MannerCurrently, I am A Teacher/Elder/Coach at the KINGS COMPANY, founded by Apostle Tyler Frick in 2018I have a PODCAST , “The Kingdom Corner Podcast” that I started in 2019 with over 120 episodesPREFACE: My ‘Writer's Journey” began 60+ years ago…as I was adopted in 1958 by a ‘PK' & brought up in a very good , what I would call “Christian Greenhouse” Environment in the MidwestI committed my life publicly To Christ at 9 years of Age , after a Billy Graham MovieBeing a Student of God's Word about 25 years ago I began an Intensive study of the Book of ECCLESIASTES & began to teach a Wednesday night Bible Class on ‘Solomon, Proverbs, & Ecclesiastes'.This Book “Searching For Significance, a Devotional Journey Through Ecclesiastes” came to fruition in the summer of 2019 based on the Bible class I taught years ago along with fresh, new insights I had been journaling about as I read through the book that summer.One of the Main points here is that this book was born out of a devotional, contemplative time with God each morning, NEVER did I consider that this would turn into my first BOOK!?..However, as ABBA was so gracious to give me fresh Manna & insight each day, I began to see that perhaps others could benefit from my gleanings of Solomon's prose along with the Fathers encouragement to me! To me the most prevalent theme of ECCLESIASTES is that all men & women are on a search for Significance, a search for meaning & purpose to their life. Hence , the title of this book.Perhaps today in March 2024, you have come across this Podcast at the Kingdom Corner. I am believing it is not by accident , today & moving forward as we begin a journey through my devotional book it is my heart-felt desire & prayer God will begin to reveal to you Your Purpose, Your Significance as it were. Having said that sometimes finding out just what is important & significant is not always easily recognized or self-evident so allow yourself to begin to have a new awareness of what happens in your life day to day, even the simple things may hold new meaning for you…Just trust ABBA and he will show you the way!Lastly, when I penned this...

Series: A living Hope in a dying worldTitle: How to lead your family & your church wellScripture: 1 Peter 5:1-14 NIVBottom Line: We lead our family and church family like Jesus told us to: teaching them to obey all he's commanded us.1. SERMON OUTLINE2. NOTES3. OUTLINES4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS5. MAIN REFERENCES USEDSERMON OUTLINEIntroductionMy dream last night was like no dream I've ever had. It was clear, not overly weird, and it repeated. And it had a clear point.And I actually remember it.I was at my old church after being gone awhile. We were coming out of the Sunday worship service and old friends were greeting me after being gone a long time. Some invited me to share a word with their Sunday school class. I was thrilled to do that. But I had to come up with something to say. But then I found myself wandering around the campus trying to find that Sunday school class. I spent 55 of the 60 minutes looking for this class. When I finally found it I realized it was right where I started when they asked me to come in and share. I'd been right where I was supposed to be in the first place.I also knew what I was to share in the brief time I had with them. It would be Matthew 28:19-20, especially this part… “Teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you”And then as I was driving in this morning praying about what to do with this dream, I felt led to share this and then I felt like God shared another thought. That just like I wandered all over that church campus looking for the class room, Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Why? Because they didn't believe God's words about taking the promise land and so they disobeyed the commands of God. This led me to wonder if we aren't doing the same thing today. Are we leading (shepherding) our families and church family to obey the commands of Christ?This goes with the questions we're wrestling with in 1 Peter 5 today.What is an elder in the Bible?ShepherdPastorBishopOverseerElderThe New Testament uses this interchangeably. Duties include: lead, feed and protect the flock. I (Darien) am speaking as a current elder in our church.I am speaking to our current elders.I am speaking to our future elders.I am speaking to our church members who are responsible for choosing our elders and holding them accountable to lead according to God's word.I am speaking to every person who is or wishes to be a leader in the church—we're all called to lead like our chief shepherd Jesus Christ.I am also speaking as a husband to Anita and father to our four daughters (who are grown and out of the house now)I am speaking to parents and future parents.I am speaking to kids.I am speaking to every church member.This is important because so much rises and falls on leadership. And God has defined leadership for the church is it's broadest terms as shepherds. OUTLINE (Based on E Clowney's outline)1. How do lead your family and church family well? 5:1-11 1. How do pastors/elders do this? 1. Remember who Peter is (1) 1. Apostle 2. Elder/pastor 3. Witness 1. To Christ's sufferings 2. To Christ's glory 2. Remember who I am (1) 1. Fellow apostle (little ‘a') in that I am also sent by Christ 2. Fellow elder/pastor/undershepherd to Christ 3. Fellow witness to all Christ has done in and through me including how we suffering together 3. Shepherd/pastor/oversee Christ's flock under your care (2-4). How? By leading, feeding and protecting them like this: 1. “Watching over them” (overseer) like a general inspecting his troops or better a shepherd caring for his flock; not just looking for flaws but knowing the history, personality, & unique challenges of each individual sheep (2) 1. Not because you must—duty (2) 2. But because you are willing, as God wants you to be—delight (2) 3. Not pursuing dishonest gain (money, position, reputation) (2) 4. eager to serve (not lording it over those “entrusted” to you; remember how we defined that word last week (like the person you entrust your life savings to while gone on vacation when there are no banks like in the first century) (3) 2. By being examples (of Christ) to the flock (3) 3. In a manner worthy of the reward that awaits (4) 2. How does everyone else do this? (5-11) 1. In mutual service to one another (5) 1. Why? 2. Because God opposes the proud but gives favor to the humble. (Cf. Prov 3:34; James 4:6) 2. In humble service to God and each other (5c-7) 1. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand.” God is able! 2. “Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.” God cares! 3. In triumphant suffering (8-11) 1. The Christian resistance movement (8-9) 1. “Be alert and of sober mind.” Pay attention to the world around you. 2. The Devil is roaring looking to devour. 1. Christians in that day would know about lions in the colosseum in Rome. Lions devouring enemies of Rome for entertainment. 2. Words from elder/pastor Ignatius (AD 108-140) anticipating his death in the Roman Colosseum: “Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto God. I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread...Come fire and cross and grapplings with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, hacking of limbs, crushings of my whole body, come cruel tortures of the devil to assail me. Only be it mine to attain unto Jesus Christ.” Clowney, p. 172-3 2. The assurance of God's saving purpose (10-11) 1. There is God's glory and life awaiting us at the end of the narrow way 2. There is suffering for us between here and there along the narrow way that leads to life2. Final Greeting (12-14) 1. Silas: Messenger or editor? (12) Messenger and amanuensis (took dictation) 2. Peter's purpose in writing (12) 1. To encourage them 2. To remind them of the true grace of God 3. Greetings from whom? (13) 1. The local church (network of house churches) 2. In Rome (Babylon is symbolic) 4. Peace to whom? (14) Those “in Christ”ConclusionBottom Line: We lead our family and church family like Jesus told us to: teaching them to obey all he's commanded us.Are we shepherding our families to obey the commands of Christ?Are we shepherding our church family to obey the commands of Christ?Other stories/examplesDaniel is a great example of a disciple of Jesus Christ as described by Peter in 1 Peter. He is a literal exile living in a kingdom hostile to his beliefs. He stays faithful over and over even when it costs him.He is thrown into the lion's den when he defies the King's edict and prays to God instead of to the king per the new law. He is maliciously setup to bring his downfall. This seemingly happens when he is thrown into the lion's den until the next morning when we learn that God shut the lion's mouths and he was fine. We will be persecuted for following Jesus Christ.We will be slandered and misunderstood too.We will become targets of hate for our beliefs.God is faithful. He will not abandon us.He calls us to bless them.He will bless us.In successive weeks at [HTB](https://www.htb.org/), I (Nicky Gumbel) interviewed two people of courage and faith. One, Ben Freeth, inspired by his faith in Jesus Christ, had taken a courageous stance against the unjust regime in Zimbabwe. As a result, he was beaten, tortured and forced to watch his elderly mother-in-law and father-in-law undergo torture, from which the latter eventually died. Yet in the midst of his suffering, he chose to love and bless the torturers. The second was a pastor from one of the sixty countries around the world where physical persecution of Christians still takes place. He had been imprisoned and, at one stage, sentenced to death for no other reason than his faith in Jesus Christ. Yet in the face of extreme suffering he refused to deny his faith. PrayQ. What do I want them to know?A. How to lead their family and church well.Q. Why do I want them to know it?A. Because this is God's plan for parenting the family and the family of God.Q. What do I want them to do about it?A. 1. Elders, lead the church like Jesus Christ led his disciples. 2. People, lead one another like Jesus Christ led his disciples.Q. Why do I want them to do it?A. This leads to healthy, reproducing families of faith that impact our broken world for good.Q. How can they begin to do this?A. 1. At home, for those under our roof, we lead, feed and protect the flock through the teaching and applying God's word to our lives and each other. 2. At church, for those in our local fellowship, we lead, feed and protect the flock by choosing qualified men to lead like Jesus Christ.NOTES“Suffering Christians who look to the Lord also gain comfort by remembering the family of believers (2:17). Samuel Bénétreau points out four advantages to be gained from knowing that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (9). First, there is encouragement in knowing that you are not alone and isolated, suffering in a unique way. Second, you are reminded that the bond that unites you to Jesus Christ also joins you to the family of God throughout the world. Suffering Christians have a caring fellowship with those similarly afflicted. Third, Christians are reminded that suffering is inherent in the Christian faith. Through suffering they have fellowship with Christ and their faith is purified. Peter speaks of the suffering that must be 'accomplished' or 'brought to its end' by the 'family of believers'. Suffering has its place in God's plan for a world destined for justice, peace and glory.Christians know that the 'family of believers' does not suffer in vain; their experience of suffering is being brought to the victorious conclusion that God has designed. Fourth, knowing of these sufferings stimulates hope.The spread of persecution and trials points to the nearness of the consummation: the promised land is in view.50” -Clowney, p. 176“In southern France, overlooking the Mediterranean, stands the Tower of Constance. There, in the eighteenth century, Huguenot women were imprisoned for decades because they refused to surrender their Reformed faith. In the tower room where they were held captive, a stone coping surrounds a round opening in the floor. Inscribed in the stone is the word'Résistez! Marie Durand entered that room in 1729, when she was fifteen years old. Three years later her brother Pierre was hanged at Montpellier.In 1745 she was offered her freedom if she would agree to renounce Protestant worship. She refused all such offers and remained captive for thirty-eight years, resisting the temptations to despair, to suicide, to betrayal. From her imprisonment she began a ministry of encouragement by correspondence. Some of her letters are kept today in the Museum of the Wilderness in the mountains of the Cévennes.” Clowney, p. 1751 Peter 5:10 (ESV): 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.1. Complete/restore2. Establish - strengthen and protect3. Strengthen 4. Place on firm foundation -Clowney, p. 178Elders in the New Testament are tasked with several key duties, including:1. **Spiritual Oversight:** Providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the church community.2. **Teaching and Doctrine:** Instructing and ensuring adherence to sound biblical doctrine.3. **Shepherding the Flock:** Caring for the well-being of the congregation, like a shepherd caring for a flock.4. **Modeling Character:** Demonstrating a godly and mature character for others to follow.5. **Prayer:** Engaging in prayer for the church and its members.6. **Protecting from False Teaching:** Guarding the congregation against false doctrines or teachings.These duties are often outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 in the New Testament.I. Living in the Suffering Church of God 5:1-11 1. The humble role/rule (leadership) of Christs' elders (1-4) 1. Their fellowship with Christs' sufferings and glory (1) 2. Their charge as shepherds of God's flock (2-4) 1. The calling of the shepherd/elder/pastor 2. The manner of the shepherd/elder/pastor 3. The reward of shepherd/elder/pastor2. The humble service of Christs' people (5-11) 1. In mutual service (5) 2. In confident devotion: humble service to God (5c-7) 3. In triumphant suffering (5:8-11) 1. The Christian resistance movement (8-9) 2. The assurance of God's saving purpose (10-11)II: Final Greetings 5:12-14 (Clowney)1. Silas: Messenger or editor? (12)2. Peter's purpose in writing (12)OUTLINESShreiners outlineElders—3 exhortations:1. Shepherd and oversee God's flock2. Be eager in fulfilling their task and should not serve for financial gain3. Live as examples of the flock instead of using their authority to domineer the churchHelms OutlineI. An exhortation to elders (1-5) A. The elders role (1-2a) 1. To shepherd the flock of God 2. Elders must not lack character 3. Elders must not misunderstand their calling 4. Elders must emulate their Chief Shepherd B. The elders readiness (2b-3) 1. Not under compulsion, but willingly 2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly 3. Not domineering, but as examples C. The elders reward (4) D. Everyone else's responsibility (5) II. True Grace and eternal Glory (6-14) Divine Logic of True Grace A. Divine commands & encouragement (6-9) 1. Humble yourselves/God cares for you (6-7) 2. Be sober-minded and watchful and resist (8-9) B. Divine Principle Repeated (10a) - True grace looks like this: present sufferings are intimately connected to eternal glory C. Divine Actions Followed by Our Adoration (10b-11) 1. Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, Establish 2. Our adoration D. Finishing in True Grace (12-14)NIV Study Bible brief outlineAfter the opening (1:1-2), the letter has three main sections:1: Peter first tells his readers to be holy in all you do. As Gentiles they once lived in ignorance (they did not know the ways of God). But they are now a holy nation, part of God's own people, and are called to a new way of life.2: Peter then explains how this way of life will impress those who might accuse and persecute them without just cause.3: Peter acknowledges that his readers are suffering for their faith, but he explains that this is only to be expected. The Messiah himself suffered, and believers all over the world are facing the same challenge. The followers of Jesus are waiting for the day God will visit them, and even in their suffering they can show they belong to God.The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.P Schreiner Commentary“Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side.” - P Schreiner 0. Elect exiles (1:1-2)1. Hope as Exiles - The church has hope amidst trials because of their new future and new family. (1-2) 1. New future - Their new birth grants them an inheritance that can never be taken away. (1:3-12) 2. New family (and new calling) - Their new birth grants them the rights and responsibilities of God's people. (1:13-2:10)2. Exile Identity - In the midst of the world, they are to live as chosen exiles. (2-4) 1. Submit - They are to submit to authority figures because this is how Christ acted. (2:11-3:7) 2. Suffer well - Like Christ, they are to suffer for good because suffering leads to life. (3:8-4:11)3. Stand Firm - To keep their exile identity, they must stand firm to the end. (4-5) 1. Suffer joyfully - They are to entrust themselves to God while doing good. (4:12-4:19) 2. Resist the devil - The elders should shepherd the people, recognizing the danger they are in. (5:1-11)4. In Babylon (5:12-24)Relying on Willmington's Outline Bible1 Peter 5 -Chronological life application, study Bible notesDISCUSSION QUESTIONSDiscovery Bible Study process:1. Retell the story in your own words.2. Discovery the story 1. What does this story tell me about God? 2. What does this story tell me about people? 3. If this is really God's word, what changes would I have to make in my life?3. Who am I going to tell about this?Final Questions (optional or in place of above)- What is God saying to you right now? - What are you going to do about it?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastAlternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:1. Who is God?2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)Final Questions (index cards optional)- What is God saying to you right now? - What are you going to do about it?MAIN REFERENCES USED---“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)Willmington's Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgptAnswerThePublic.comWikipedia.com

Republican frontrunners make their last big televised pitch to voters before Monday's Iowa caucuses; The United States responds to months of attacks on American forces by taking out a militant leader in Iraq; and a dog rescue group helps balance supply and demand for adopting pets in different parts of the country. Plus, a reminder not to let moose lick your car, Cal Thomas on President Biden's plunging support among black voters, and the Thursday morning news.Learn how to record a pre-roll for The World and Everything in It at https://wng.org/podcasts/the-world-and-everything-in-it/record-a-prerollSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Commuter Bible. In five days a week over the course of a year, you can listen to the entire Bible. Delivered as a podcast, our reading plans keep you on track from week to week with a dynamic reading of the Scriptures. Learn more at commuterbible.org. Available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and all other podcast platforms.From Mission Focused Men for Christ, a 25-minute weekly podcast that seeks to equip men to better understand from Scripture what their mission is, encourage men when they fail, energize men because their spiritual tank is often on “E,” and empower men to stay focused on honoring Christ with their lives. It is based on a discipleship approach that views our mission as called TO Christ to enjoy a love relationship with Him, called to BE LIKE Christ, growing in godly character, and called to EXERCISE DOMINION for Christ, implementing his righteous agenda in each sphere of our lives. More at forgingbonds.org.And from Tyndale Bibles. Whether you are in a dark valley yourself or walking with someone through their darkest days, the Bible can be your companion to guide you toward healing and restoration. Millions of people have chosen The Life Recovery Bible to free themselves from the grip of addiction through the true source of healing—God himself. More at LifeRecoveryBible.com.

On Legal Docket, a case that could open the door to a wealth tax in America; on the Monday Moneybeat, good and bad news in the 2023 jobs report; and on the World History Book, 60 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson declares a “war on poverty.” Plus, the Monday morning news.Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Commuter Bible. Audio Bible plans to match any weekly schedule. Available on popular podcast apps and at commuterbible.orgFrom Mission Focused Men for Christ, a 25-minute weekly podcast that seeks to equip men to better understand from Scripture what their mission is, encourage men when they fail, energize men because their spiritual tank is often on “E,” and empower men to stay focused on honoring Christ with their lives. It is based on a discipleship approach that views our mission as called TO Christ to enjoy a love relationship with Him, called to BE LIKE Christ, growing in godly character, and called to EXERCISE DOMINION for Christ, implementing his righteous agenda in each sphere of our lives. More at forgingbonds.org.And from Tyndale Bibles. Whether you are in a dark valley yourself or walking with someone through their darkest days, the Bible can be your companion to guide you toward healing and restoration. Millions of people have chosen The Life Recovery Bible to free themselves from the grip of addiction through the true source of healing—God himself. More at LifeRecoveryBible.com

My guest Leslie Davis, is a founder (along with her husband) of HeartCall Ministries and it's because of the way God has blessed their marriage that makes Leslie passionate about seeing marriages healed and strengthened through the truth of God's Word. Their marriage is proof that you can have a solid, godly, blessed, rewarding marriage.  Leslie and I talked about how marriage is simply two broken people bringing out the brokenness in each other but Leslie said something that I cannot ever remember considering it quite like she shared. Granted, I've been a widow now for a little over 5.5 years so maybe I'm just not remembering. She said, “A lot of times God will use the marriage relationship to provide healing for those broken places.” I don't recall considering conflict in my marriage, as an opportunity to heal. Although, in hindsight it was times of frustration and feeling at my wits end in my marriage that caused me to seek my own personal healing. When I think about it, that's so like God. He knows marriage is gong to bring our brokenness to the surface. He knows we're going to challenge each other and it's going to trigger all the areas where we need healing and He's fine with that. He's fine with it because in the process He's asking us to give that painful place, that brokenness to Him so He can heal it. The sooner we give it to Him the sooner we get to walk in freedom. God's heart is to heal us in the here and now. To build our trust, to show us His faithfulness and ability to Shepherd us well.  A significant distinction that Leslie made is looking at the difference of what it means to have a strong identity based on who we are IN Christ AND who we are TO Christ. So good. I can't wait for you to hear that part. We took a look at abuse, submission, obedience and humbling but it's not the typical conversation that you may be used to hearing. Leslie believes that submission preached without including the importance of biblical leadership is not viable. Additionally, Leslie points to varying levels of trust between spouses and the fact that when the marriage vows (that were spoken between you and your spouse in front of witnesses) are broken then there's some work that needs to be done. Whether is was submission, obedience, humbleness, or abuse, no matter our topic, Leslie balances it with clarity, hope and God's heart for us and for marriage. I am confident that her message is going to encourage you to continue pursuing the heart of God and discovering His intention for marriage and the freedom He has for us as the individual He created you to be. We can't forget, that if we've professed the Son of God as our Lord and Savior, then He's made a vow to us. He'll never leave us nor forsake us especially in the painful places of life.  I don't want to delay any longer, let's listen in so that we might get a glimpse of how to find God in our pain, specifically the broken places in marriage. Live Loved and Thrive! @Alifeofthrive.com Connect with Leslie: Website Counseling Podcast Resources Facebook Instagram   Bio: Leslie is the co-host with her husband, Doug, of The Vision-Driven Marriage podcast. They currently work with couples who are experiencing the overwhelm of the whirlwind of life. She earned a Master of Science degree in counseling from Illinois State University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University in 1991. She has been trained as a certified Suicide Intervention Specialist and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Leslie has been married to Doug for 34 years. Together they have four beautiful daughters and three sons-in-law. Four sweet little granddaughters call her Nana.  She likes to write, scrapbook, and has recently taken up watercolor painting.  Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/463bf4a1bbd74ee6b8e335669e679edb/view  

Time to Wake Up! Romans 13:11-14 NKJV I. An Observation From The Lord. Jeremiah 5:30-31 1. What's happening in the land. 2. False prophecies going forth. Matthew 7:15 2 Timothy 4:3-4 3. The people love the false and powerless prophets. 4. But what will they do in the end? II. Getting Re-attached To Christ. Jeremiah 6:9 1. Attach yourself back to the vine. John 15:5 Dead branches produce nothing but death. 2. What's going on in your life? Good or bad? Peace, constant worry or struggle? The trouble is you know what happened to your Spirit man. 2 Corinthians 13:5-10 III. The Lord's Instruction. Jeremiah 6:16-17 1. Stand in the ways and see. 2. Ask for the old paths. 3. You will find rest for your souls. (We will not walk in it) 4. I have set watchmen over you, listen to the sound of the trumpet. (We will not listen). Proverbs 14:12-16 Matthew 7:13-14 Thank you for listening!

Time to Wake Up! Romans 13:11-14 NKJV I. An Observation From The Lord. Jeremiah 5:30-31 1. What's happening in the land. 2. False prophecies going forth. Matthew 7:15 2 Timothy 4:3-4 3. The people love the false and powerless prophets. 4. But what will they do in the end? II. Getting Re-attached To Christ. Jeremiah 6:9 1. Attach yourself back to the vine. John 15:5 Dead branches produce nothing but death. 2. What's going on in your life? Good or bad? Peace, constant worry or struggle? The trouble is you know what happened to your Spirit man. 2 Corinthians 13:5-10 III. The Lord's Instruction. Jeremiah 6:16-17 1. Stand in the ways and see. 2. Ask for the old paths. 3. You will find rest for your souls. (We will not walk in it) 4. I have set watchmen over you, listen to the sound of the trumpet. (We will not listen). Proverbs 14:12-16 Matthew 7:13-14 Thank you for listening!

The Book of The Revelation draws the entire narrative of scripture to a close and explains where things are headed. The message of the book is to inform us that Jesus is coming back! It is an invitation to the reader to come TO Christ. Irenaeus, 2nd C. bishop in Lyon (France), confirmed it was written by the apostle John. Eusebius (260-339AD), in "The History of The Church" written in the second-third century, was commissioned by Emperor Constantine to document facts about the church as it was being legalized.The Book also tells what must shortly take place (prophesy), of Jesus coming soon and setting up His Kingdom. The term "coming soon" is imagery and designed to make a dramatic impact on the reader.

The suffering Servant of the Lord has accomplished everything that God gave Him to do. In this way, He has been successful in bringing about the salvation of His people. To Christ be all the glory! His people joyfully share in His just reward.

The suffering Servant of the Lord has accomplished everything that God gave Him to do. In this way, He has been successful in bringing about the salvation of His people. To Christ be all the glory- His people joyfully share in His just reward.

The suffering Servant of the Lord has accomplished everything that God gave Him to do. In this way, He has been successful in bringing about the salvation of His people. To Christ be all the glory- His people joyfully share in His just reward.

Web Description: End-time events are happening even now in the world, and now more than ever those who are doing the will of God need to be able to work the works of God. Christ said that those who believed in Him would do greater works than He did, but the works I see Christians doing today are not even on the level that Christ did. I think we should stop excusing ourselves and apply the faith and anointing He gave us to manifest His power and His works to the world.   Show Notes: I am wanting to get across to us the sense of how Christ moved when He was in the earth because I believe it is the way that we are to move. The word miracles is very commonly used within Christianity to describe the amazing things Yeshua did. Yet when He spoke about what He did, He did not use the term miracles. He called them “works.” He said He was doing the works of God. Furthermore, He said that those who believed in Him would do those same works and even greater ones.   When we think of a miracle, we think of a divine act by a divine being and something beyond our human ability to understand or perform. Our own work, however, is something we know (or should know) how to do. We do not think that we are doing miracles. Yet by thinking that Yeshua did miracles, we fail to acknowledge that He came to earth in the flesh. He was a human being just like each of us, and as a human being He did the works of the Father. He understood what He was doing and knew the works were within His capacity as a human to accomplish.   Let us wake up to the reality that the works of God by us in our existing human form are within our ability. Not only are they within our ability, but they are also within the context of what Yeshua said we would do. We must stop relating to Christ as having a different form or a greater ability than we do while He was on the earth. He was as human as we are, but in His relationship to the Father, He had the enabling within His flesh to accomplish the works of God. In our relationship with Christ and the Father, we have this same enabling in our flesh right now, and we should begin to believe it and exercise it.   Key Verses:   •       John 14:11–12. “Greater works than these he will do.” •       John 10:25. “The works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me.” •       Luke 19:37. “The disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles.” •       Psalm 103:6–7. “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.” •       John 6:4–11. “He Himself knew what He was intending to do.” •       Romans 4:17. “God … calls into being that which does not exist.” •       Luke 5:15–17. “The power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.” •       John 4:24. “God is spirit.” •       Acts 1:6–8. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”   Quotes:   •       “The door was opened, as Christ went to the Father, for us to enter into the presence of the Father. And therefore, that door opened the enabling for us to do, as Christ did, the works of the Father.” •       “It creeps into the mind of believers that Christ, while He was here on the earth, was something different than what you are while you're here in your time on this earth.” •       “We must know how to immerse ourselves into the Holy Spirit. We cannot keep sitting here in a physical world, relating to ourselves as physical bodies and as matter only, and expect for anything to happen and pray that somehow God will drop a miracle out of the sky.”   Takeaways:   1.    Christ was human as we are human. And yet He was able to do the works that everyone else called miracles and are still calling miracles to this day. 2.    To Christ they were not miracles. They were the works of God. And He knew exactly how to perform them. And He knew that they were the result of the power of God that rested upon Him. 3.    You are going to do the works of God because the power of God rests on you as it rested on Him when He was in human flesh, as it rested on the disciples when they were in human flesh, as it rested on Moses when he was in human flesh. This ability exists, and we must have it in our minds that this is not only a possibility, but the way we as believers should live our daily lives.

April 21, 2023Today's Reading: John 14:18-24Daily Lectionary: Exodus 31:1-18, Luke 6:1-19 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”Christ is Risen“John 14:18  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Amid a world of death and decay, it is straightforward to feel alone, lost and abandoned. The world doesn't have an answer for death, so many want to celebrate the life lived in the valley of the shadow of death. The world's inability to have an answer to the end, the devil prowling around you like a roaring lion, and our over-confidence in ourselves leads us to despair and feel alone.  Yet Jesus reminds us today, “I will not leave you as orphans.”  Jesus did not say that He will never leave us, but that He will not leave us... as orphans. To leave behind an orphan is to abandon a child, to give it up, and give up caring and loving for it. It used to be that the church took in orphans in communities. The church was not only told to pray for orphans but also to foster these children and care for them. A lower birth rate and an increase in the killing of unwanted children have led to fewer and fewer orphans around us. Yet there are still unwanted children, for whatever reason, and it's unsuitable for the children or the parents.It is easy to feel that we have been left behind and forgotten, orphaned by the Lord. Has He forgotten us? Are we orphaned? He has left us for a time, but not as orphans. That is where the Resurrection of Jesus comes into full force—the world. It cannot give you an answer for death; it leaves you to your own devices and the temptations of the devil. We spend seven weeks during Easter to be reminded that because Christ is risen, we too shall rise. We will enter into that place our heavenly Father has prepared for us.  This is why he tells his followers after Jesus' Resurrection, "​Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father!​“ Now that He has ascended, and sent the Spirit, the Helper, we see Him in His fullness, not with mere eyes, but with great faith and love, enthroned as God and Man.He has left us, not as orphans, but baptized, adopted children, given up, and abandoned by death! We live and shall live because He lives. Your heavenly Father has sent Christ as your Savior, Redeemer, and brother, and the Spirit reminds us that wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, there He is, all so that where He is, we may be found.  Not found as orphans but beloved children.  Christ is risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Now I will cling forever To Christ, my Savior true; My Lord will leave me never, Whate'er He passes through. He rends death's iron chain; He breaks through sin and pain; He shatters hell's dark thrall;  I follow Him through all.   LSB 467 vs. 6- Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

April 19, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism Table of Duties: The Fourth CommandmentDaily Lectionary: Exodus 24:1-18, Luke 5:1-16“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first com­mandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3.”  Luther's Table of Duties - the Fourth CommandmentIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! I was blessed to have Christian parents who raised me in the church.  However, I still rebelled against them as most kids do.  The older I got, the dumber they seemed to me.  It was always hard to hear my parents or pastor say, “do you remember the fourth commandment?”  My response was usually an eye roll. You have heard it before, and you may have the same reactions.  However, the Lord takes this commandment very seriously.  It is no small thing that this commandment sits atop the second table of the ten commandments, which speak about loving our neighbor.  Honoring and obeying God is always first, but the parents and all authorities always come second.We are not only to love our parents but also we are to honor them.  Honor is greater than love; this command still stands despite what we think of our parents or even their faults and sins.  We are to honor and love our parents despite their failings and inadequacies. God commands that we obey our fathers as He is our Father. Fathers, likewise, are expected to be like our heavenly Father. After all, He is the origin of what it truly means to be a father.  Fathers have a high calling from God to be in His stead in the family.  St. Paul writes directly to fathers when he says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4Your parents are God's instruments, not to raise you as children but as adults. They are the masks of God in your life, and the only way they can fulfill this duty is by the grace of God given to them as well. Jesus forgives you for failing to love and honor them, and He also forgives your parents for failing to love and raise you according to His commands; in the end, that is what it means to live out your life with your parents and family. Living in the love Christ has first shown to us and living in His gifts he continually gives us in our parents. But always remember you as well are a tremendous gift to your parents. Christ is risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Our works cannot salvation gain;  They merit only endless pain. Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee, Who pleads for us endlessly, Have mercy Lord!”    LSB 581 vs 12- Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

What happens after we die? In this week's message, Joel examines the beliefs of Naturalism, Spiritualism, and Christianity regarding the afterlife and how they influence our choices in life. To Christ-followers, Jesus brings healing from brokenness, restoration to God, and the promise of eternity spent in His presence.

The church is beloved as a bride. To Christ, she is beloved beyond anything she presently sees or senses. Nevertheless, she has taken into her heart as true and certain the testimonies and promises of this love. As a result, she has been graciously transformed—with newly made affections and expressions. While Christ has given her many gifts, one stands above all others for the united expression of her new heart. One gift uniquely exemplifies her marriage and celebrates her love. It powerfully extols her Husband and expresses her delight in Him. No other gift is so wonderfully emblematic of her chief end. With a new heart, she has been given a new song. The bride's melodious boast is a blessed testimony to her love and devotion to her Beloved. This message focuses on the purpose and priority of singing.

The church is beloved as a bride. To Christ, she is beloved beyond anything she presently sees or senses. Nevertheless, she has taken into her heart as true and certain the testimonies and promises of this love. As a result, she has been graciously transformed—with newly made affections and expressions. While Christ has given her many gifts, one stands above all others for the united expression of her new heart. One gift uniquely exemplifies her marriage and celebrates her love. It powerfully extols her Husband and expresses her delight in Him. No other gift is so wonderfully emblematic of her chief end. With a new heart, she has been given a new song. The bride's melodious boast is a blessed testimony to her love and devotion to her Beloved.

The prelude, which we have just examined last week, to the seven bowls or chalices of Christ's wrath against the nation of Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple, conveys a horrific turn and nightmare situation in which the glory of God, issuing forth from the Holy of Holies -15-5- was not for the purpose of grace and salvation, but judgment and condemnation. The temple was closed off, as an act of judgment, and to indicate that the temple in Jerusalem was no longer the place where men and God would meet together. To Christ the nations come, and this gospel was proclaimed by Moses and the prophets, those whom the Jews killed, this being the great offense of the nation, and in this no other nation was like Israel - the putting to death the very ones who brought glad tidings of good news, chiefly the Son of God.

The prelude, which we have just examined last week, to the seven bowls or chalices of Christ's wrath against the nation of Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple, conveys a horrific turn and nightmare situation in which the glory of God, issuing forth from the Holy of Holies -15-5- was not for the purpose of grace and salvation, but judgment and condemnation. The temple was closed off, as an act of judgment, and to indicate that the temple in Jerusalem was no longer the place where men and God would meet together. To Christ the nations come, and this gospel was proclaimed by Moses and the prophets, those whom the Jews killed, this being the great offense of the nation, and in this no other nation was like Israel - the putting to death the very ones who brought glad tidings of good news, chiefly the Son of God.

This week, as you sit down to a Thanksgiving feast, give thanks above all that you have received the faith once for all delivered, the truth upon which eternal lives can be built. Give thanks for all God has brought you through. Give thanks that the season of your suffering will not endure forever, maybe not even for much longer. The Father, Son and Spirit himself has undertaken to restore you, confirm you, strengthen and establish you. I will give thanks for you, dear ones. Your faith and love are a shining witness and constant encouragement. And may we all say with Peter, even as the turkey gets carved, “To Christ be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 

This week, as you sit down to a Thanksgiving feast, give thanks above all that you have received the faith once for all delivered, the truth upon which eternal lives can be built. Give thanks for all God has brought you through. Give thanks that the season of your suffering will not endure forever, maybe not even for much longer. The Father, Son and Spirit himself has undertaken to restore you, confirm you, strengthen and establish you. I will give thanks for you, dear ones. Your faith and love are a shining witness and constant encouragement. And may we all say with Peter, even as the turkey gets carved, “To Christ be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 

Today's Reading: Genesis 2:7-17Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:1-19; Acts 26:1-23The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Artwork often portrays the Tree of Life as bright and beautiful, green and full of delectable fruit, while the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is dark and ugly, scraggly, with a single poison apple attached. This is inaccurate. God called all that He made very good. Both trees were beautiful, reflecting the beauty of their Creator. Both trees were good.If anything, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was the most beautiful and most precious of all the trees, since this tree had God's Word attached to it. Before the Fall, God's Word of command was received by Adam as a gift from God. "For man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Luther, in his great Genesis commentary, pictures this tree as the place of worship. Adam and his wife would have gathered at the tree. Adam would preach God's Word about the tree, and they would worship their good God by keeping His Word—admiring the tree but leaving the fruit alone.God's words are good. His commands are good and beautiful and precious. Only sin makes disobedience attractive. Because of sin, the minute God tells us, "No," we want to do it more than ever. How sad it is that the serpent tempted them, and that they were deceived and transgressed the command, plunging the world into sin and death. Now God's commands seem burdensome rather than good. Now every forbidden fruit seems irresistible."To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, And humbly worship at His throne, Saved by His grace through faith alone" ("The Law of God Is Good and Wise" LSB 579, st.6).We flee to Jesus, the new and greater Adam, whose obedience is credited to us, and whose payment for guilt has set us free. And basking in His forgiveness and life, we learn, more and more, to love God's Word, and even His good commands. And soon, in the resurrection of all flesh, our lives will wholly conform to God's good and beautiful Word. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Our works cannot salvation gain; They merit only endless pain. Forgive us Lord! To Christ we flee, Who pleads for us endlessly. Have mercy, Lord! ("These Are the Holy Ten Commands" LSB 581, st.12)-Rev. Jeffrey Ware is pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane BamschChristians need to aspire to being people of THE faith. Not just any will do. In Faith Misused, Dr. Alvin Schmidt shares his case for a Christian reclaiming of the word “faith” from its ambiguous modern uses. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

The seventh and final seal, opened by Christ, loosed upon the earth by right of His office bearer, as Prophet, Priest, and King. To Christ alone the rule of the seals, the shaking of the four winds of the earth, the judgment of the ungodly, the avenging of those slain for His Namesake, and the hearing of the saints' prayers in glory. This seal, unlike the others that were coupled with light and heat and noise, is one that brought a still hush over the throne room as Christ welcomed the prayers, heard them, and then used them by His sovereign power to bring great glory upon the earth - the glory of the salvation of the nations, that is what our prayers accomplish.

Justification is nothing to prove, nothing to lose. Because God says I'm not guilty, I don't have to prove anything. I don't have anything to lose. I'm free. We begin to see the glory and grace of God grow so much as we really understand who God is, what He's done for us, how much He loves us. For free visuals and discussion questions for this podcast, sign up at knownministries.org. Helpful resources on this topic are We Must Clarify The Three Phases of Salvation by Paul Tautges, Who am IN Christ by Bob Kellemen, and Who I am TO Christ by Bob Kellemen. Our theme music is by As Isaac. The featured song of this episode is "That's Why" by Addie Green. This podcast is made possible by engineer and producer Zachary Tate Smith, executive producer Meleah Smith, and generous donors. Known Ministries is Alex Kocher and Brenda Payne. This season of Conversational Counseling is called "These Three Things."

Series: N/AService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: David WestLoyalty is a wonderful attribute. Sometimes, however, it is misdirected. What should be secondary, can be inappropriately given primary loyalty. Christ should have first place in everything. To Christ be loyal and be true.

Job 42 ends happily with the complete vindication of Job. But his real happy ending is written in eternity where he will get all that he lacked on earth. - Sermon Transcript - Amen. Turn in your Bible to Job 42. We'll walk through the last verses that we'll be looking at. As I said, next week, we'll go one more time over the entire book. But today, we get to look at these final words. As I do, I remember reading this and thinking about this in terms of a happy ending. Everyone loves a happy ending, especially if the story has been filled with peril, with suffering and extreme valor, and many obstacles overcome. Obviously, there are some super, mature literary folks, perhaps even in our midst, from time to time that require a more convoluted and murky end to the stories that they love. They look on the standard happy ending as trite and overworked maybe. So the hero of the tale dying unfulfilled with the quest not having been achieved and without him making it safely home, they get excited about such stories. They seem to them more realistic. I think those folks are weird. They say, "After all, we're not children. We don't always have to have the happy ending." I don't know about you, but I do. I want the happy ending. I think amazingly, God agrees with all of us children. Jesus himself said, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." So this little child wants a happy ending. Amen? And children's bedtime stories always have happy endings. The usual fairytale ending is, and they lived happily ever after. R. R. Tolkien understood the need for happy ending for within his famous Hobbit stories. Bilbo Baggins is the historian of the whole proceedings and he is speaking to Gandalf the wizard describing how he wanted to finish his life. “I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains, and then find somewhere where I can rest in peace and quiet without a lot of relatives prying around and a string of confounded visitors hanging on the bell. I might find somewhere where I can finish my book and I've thought of a nice ending for it: And he lived happily ever after to the end of his days.” Well, that sounds pretty good. A happy ending to our story, but it's only according to Bilbo to the end of our days, the standard fairytale, I think has it a little better. They lived happily ever after. That sounds to me infinitely better, happy ever after, that means for all eternity. Now the book of Job ends on a triumphant note. Job was completely vindicated by Almighty God, vindicated in every way. Job's friends, “friends”, were rebuked soundly. Job's earthly wealth was restored double, Job and his wife had the joy of 10 more children. Job lived to a very old age. But then what? Then what? Job got none of his questions answered in this life, it seems at least not in the text. Job and his wife did have 10 more children, but any parent knows that new children cannot in any way replace dead children. We also know that Job understood the vulnerability of all earthly situations better than he ever did before. If the first pile of wealth can be taken away in a single day, then so can the next one. True security cannot be found in this world, in this present age of pain, sorrow, and death. The book of Job, as we've seen, does not give all the answers. The problem of death. The problem of eternity are not clearly addressed in this book, but the Holy Spirit has assigned to different books of the Bible, different dimensions of the story. And we know that the final chapter of Job's life actually is unending: eternity in the presence of God, glorious, wealthy with a wealth that can never be taken, with perfect relationships with his wife and children that can never end. Christ Jesus the savior, the Lord of heaven and earth must come along in the fullness of time and write Job's final chapter with his own blood on the cross and in his own mighty triumph over death at the resurrection. To Christ alone must belong the right to open wide the gates of eternity and give the true final chapter to the lives of all of his elect children. Eternity in resurrection bodies, in a resurrected world called the new heavens and the new earth, dwelling in a glorious eternal city called the New Jerusalem with an eternal education and the glory of God, which will include, I believe a backward history lesson in which all of God's purposes are eternally revealed and explained to the everlasting joy and satisfaction of his people. Now that sounds like a happy ending. Amen? Amen. "True security cannot be found in this world, in this present age of pain, sorrow, and death." Job's final chapter was not written therefore in the book of Job, but will be an eternity. All questions answered, all love relationships restored, all wealth perfectly secure, all health perfectly and eternally guaranteed. This is the happy ending the Bible promises all believers in Jesus Christ. And that's where we're heading in this morning sermon: Job living happily ever after to all eternity, not merely to the end of his days. I. God Vindicates Job So we begin with God vindicating Job, and it starts with God severely rebuking Eliphaz, and his two friends look at verse 7, "After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz The Temanite, ‘I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has.’" Imagine having the great God, the almighty God, the God who had just spoken to Job out of a mighty whirlwind. Now speak to you directly and say to you, "I am angry with you." But what terror could be greater than that? Jeremiah 10:10 says, "But the Lord is the true God. He is the living God, the eternal King, when He is angry, the earth trembles, the nations cannot endure his wrath." Again, Psalm 104:32, "He who looks at the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke." Well, we don't know if Job heard these words that were spoken to Eliphaz, or if God spoke them later to Eliphaz, maybe directly or maybe in a dream we don't know. In any case, Eliphaz must have been stripped of all pride and leveled by these words, how humbling this must have been. And God refutes Eliphaz's doctrine and establishes Job's doctrine in its place. Eliphaz has his faulty doctrine, which is as we saw the simple application of the law of retribution, "You reap what you sow." God sees to that. God blesses the righteous with earthly blessings. And he curses the wicked with earthly curses. That's the simple law of retribution. That was their theology. Well, according to God, it's faulty about God, "You have not spoken about me what is right." It is of course, partly true. We noted that at the time, God does sometimes reward the righteous with earthly blessings. And he does sometimes bring immediate earthly judgments on the wicked. But as theologian, J. I. Packer said, "A half truth, masquerading as the whole truth becomes a complete untruth." The sheer authority of almighty God is on display here, to shut down these three men and all their river of words, just like that. You are wrong. End of debate. Notice that God does not directly vindicate Job concerning the wicked things that Eliphaz had said about Job, like, "Is not your wickedness endless." Remember that one? Job 22:5. God doesn't focus on that. He didn't say, "You have not spoken what is right about my servant Job." No, the issue is their view of God. "You have not spoken what is right about me." he says. Yet God does vindicate Job, doesn't he? By calling him, "My servant." And not just once, but several times, "My servant, my servant." Just like at the beginning of the book, when he said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job?" Now in effect, He's saying the same thing to Eliphaz and through Eliphaz to Bildad, and Zophar. And through the three of them to the entire community, who knew Job. They will all hear of God's words, concerning Job. God's vindication of Job. Now, furthermore, God vindicates Job's doctrine. Again, multiple times, verse 7, "I'm angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has." And then again, in verse 8, "You have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has." It’s emphasizing that. Now we know that God is not here validating everything Job said, that's just not true. Oh, if that were true, then why would God have begun talking to Job with these words in Job 38:2? "Who is this that darkens my counsel by speaking words without knowledge?" That's not God vindicating everything job said, not at all. And why then also Job have repented of his own words saying in Job 42:3, "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things that were too wonderful for me." So then the question remains, how then did Job speak what was right about God? Well, I think we should go back to the beginning of the book to see that. Remember where it said that in all these things Job did not sin in what he said against God. So back in Job 1:21, it says, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised." So I would start there. That's true. According to God, that's true. And again, in Job 2:10, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" I think we would say the same thing. That perspective is accurate. It's right. All things come from God. So that was Job at his best. And it did line up with reality. It seems, according to God. God also then honors Job as his servant. He honors him. It is powerful vindication for God to say, "My servant Job, my servant Job, my servant Job." That's powerful vindication. What could be higher commendation than that? And I believe in heaven, the essence of our rewards, the best part of our rewards will be commendation from almighty God. Amen? Praise from God. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You've been faithful, to have God say that to us. Or as Jesus himself said in John 12:26, "Whoever serves me must follow me. And where I am, my servant also will be, my Father will honor the one who serves me." We will not get higher commendation than that, higher reward than that to have almighty God honor us for how we serve Christ. And so won't that be something to have almighty God, speak your name from his throne and call you by name his servant. What higher commendation could there be? What higher vindication in all eternity? Then God restores Job's ministry as intercessor. Just as powerfully, Eliphaz is humbled by God requiring him to go back to Job to intercede for him. Verse 8, "Now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly." So remember at the beginning of the book, Job's piety was established by his intercessory life for his children. Remember how he would send and have them purified thinking perhaps they had sinned in their hearts, cursed God in their hearts. Job was a prayer warrior for his children. Now that role has been reestablished, actually enhanced because God specifically spoke of it. And how humbling for Eliphaz and for Bildad and Zophar, to have their lives and their prosperity, now in Job's hands as intercessor, there is a clear threat from God. "If you don't go to him, I will deal with you according to your folly, I will deal with you according to your foolish words. But if Job intercedes for you, I will restore you and you will not be dealt with as you truly deserve." Also notice, whenever you have animal sacrifice, whenever you have this kind of intercession by a godly man for others, you have a foretaste or a shadow of Christ’s priestly ministry for all of us. A picture of what Christ does for all of us. In Hebrews 9:13-14, it says, "The blood of goats bulls and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean, sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God." Jesus is the great mediator, the great intercessor, his sacrifice, the perfect, final end to animal sacrifice- his intercession. He constantly lives at the right hand of God intercede for us. And on that basis, we are made right with God and God doesn't deal with us according to our folly. II. God Restores Job’s Earthly Blessings Secondly, God restores Job's earthly blessings. So this is the sequence: first Job prayed then God blessed him. So Job was under obligation too; he had to act as an intercessor for his friends. Look at verse 9, “So Eliphaz The Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord had told them; and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.” To some degree, it seems like Job's own restoration awaited his intercession for his friends, they would be restored together. And so this is a picture of how vital it is for us when we pray, to set aside any bitterness or any un-forgiveness that we may have toward anyone else, or God will not hear our prayer. As he says, very plainly in Mark 11:25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25. So Job has to put aside any bitterness he may have toward his friends and pray for them and all of them, the four of them together to some degree restored at the same time. God made then Job prosperous, again, a twofold or a double restitution. Look at verse 10, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as before.” All of his earthly prosperity was restored and actually doubled. Verse 12, "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yolk of oxen and 1,000 donkeys." So if you go back to Job 1, you realize that the chapter did the math for us. Isn't it wonderful that math always works. Math is math. It will always be the same. So in case you had trouble with that or needed your calculator on the whole doubling thing, it just does it for you. From 7,000 sheep to 14,000, that's pure doubling. From 3,000 camels to 6,000, again, doubled, from 500 oxen to 1,000 and from 500 donkeys to a 1,000. Now, we need to realize this didn't happen all at once. Like the next morning he awoke and poof, there they were. Now that would be something. Some instant donkeys, some instant camels and all that. I think not. I think this was an unfolding, developing prosperity that God did over many years. This is just how it ended up. Year by year Job got to see this happening before his very eyes, the prosperity of the Lord. And God also, more significantly, healed Job's reputation in the community. One of the bitterest aspects of Job's trial was his loss of reputation. The public shames, one of the things we fear the most and with good reason. Before all of this came upon him, before any of these trials came upon him, remember Job was like a prince in that city. He was the primary citizen of that city. He was honored at the city gate. Men used to come to get his wisdom and help them make key decisions. Back in Job 29:24-25 it says, "When I smiled at them, they could scarcely believe it. The light of my face was precious to them. I chose the way for them and sat as their chief, I dwelt as a king among his troops, I was like one who comforts mourners.” That's what it used to be like, he said. Well, all of that went away when his sufferings came upon him. It seems that the friends in their attitude toward Job were representing the normative view of the community about Job. "He must truly be a wicked man. His wickedness must be great to have this level of trial come upon him." They all bought into that, it seems. Remember he said his wife couldn't stand him. Job said his breath was offensive to her. It seems like his family, his extended family all stayed away from him, had nothing to do with him. Remember how he lamented, how his name had become like a laughing stock, in Job 30:9-10 he said, "But now their sons mock me in song. I have become a byword among them. They detest me and keep their distance. They do not hesitate to spit in my face." So that must have been incredibly difficult for him to lose all of that esteem from other people. But when God spoke and vindicated Job, all of that was reversed. Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Who cares who's against you if God is for you. But his family understood the significance of his vindication and his family, both close and extended family and many others from the community. Now they wanted to get near him again, they wanted to come and be with him again. Look at verse 11, "All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before, came and ate with him in his house. They comforted him and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him." Now Job could have been bitter. He could have said, "Where were all of you when I needed you? Why didn't you believe in me then? When I needed you the most, you kept your distance from me." But he didn't. He accepted their changed demeanor toward him with grace and dignity. And I think it's appropriate for a man who's been humbled by God; he's not going to be arrogant toward others. When you get vertically humbled by God you realize who you are in the sight of God, and yet God loves you through Christ, horizontally, you're going to be gracious toward the sins and failings of others. How could you not? And so that's how Job is. He's very gracious with them. And then God used them to begin restoring Job's wealth. Again, a long time frame, look at verse 11. It says, "They comforted and consoled him over all the troubles the Lord had brought up on him and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring." So these are significant gifts. One preacher I listened to, as I was working on this sermon said, this was something like the ancient version of a GoFundMe account set up for Job. All the families showed up with a little starter money for him, because he's just stripped, doesn't have anything left. And so they all want to contribute to the pot. The hat was passed and they dropped in some money. They wanted to help. But these gifts were significant under the blessing of God, I would think. And there'd be a connection between these initial gifts. And then they have ultimate prosperity that God brought in his life. And so it came back to him gradually over a long timeframe. Then God blessed him and his wife, it seems, with children. "When you get vertically humbled by God you realize who you are in the sight of God, and yet God loves you through Christ, horizontally, you're going to be gracious toward the sins and failings of others." Verse 13-15, "He had also seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemima the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. And nowhere in all the land were found women as beautiful as job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers." Job's wife is not mentioned here, but I think it's best to assume that it's the same woman, the same wife, maybe she died, we have no reason to think- so let's assume it's the same one. And so she was elevated back to joy and back to honor along with her husband. And again, the number of children is significant 10, 10 children. And the same thing with the son, seven sons and three daughters, all of that's significant. I'll speak more about them at the end of the sermon. But this shows how gradually God restored Job's earthly blessings. You don't get 10 children in a month, that doesn't happen. So this restoration to earthly prosperity unfolded over years, even over decades. It's also note- noteworthy how prominently Job's daughters are mentioned. The Bible is generally, especially Old Testament, written from a masculine point of view, a male centered perspective, especially in genealogies. The genealogies tend to focus on fathers and sons. Occasionally daughters are mentioned, but often not. They're barely mentioned at all, but Job's daughters are singled out above their brothers. You don't know the brothers’ names, but you know these daughters’ names. And we also know that they're stunningly beautiful and that Job dearly loved them and gave them an inheritance along with his sons. Again, this is very unusual for the time. I don't know why this is, and this is just maybe me speaking as a dad, but there's nothing like a daughter, especially in your old age, which I haven't reached yet, but I anticipate there'll be nothing like a daughter in my old age, but there's something tender about that. And maybe that's why the daughters are singled out. Job was a happy man to have such lovely, comforters and such lovely blessings in his life to lavish attention on him. And he did love them. And then it says, God blessed Job with a long life. And with descendants, even to the fourth generation, verse 16, “After this job lived 140 years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.” So that's just the language, that Old Testament language of blessing. Wealthy, prosperous, family, esteem in the community, long life, but look at the final verse, “And so he died old and full of years.” Is that a happy ending? I think not. We need to understand what death is. Death is an enemy. Death is an enemy. And God must have the final victory over that. And we're going to get to that in a minute, but I'm just telling you that's how this account ends. So we're waiting. We're waiting for the happy ending, the true happy ending. III. God Uses Job’s Story for the Rest of Time Now next in providence in redemptive history, God in his wisdom and his goodness uses Job's story in every generation from now until this day. Job could never have known how much his suffering would strengthen the family of God over those generations. The larger purpose of God was hidden from Job. How could he have understood it? God could never have told Job how many of his despairing children, God's despairing children in every generation for centuries and centuries would go back to this book of Job and read it and derive strength and nourishment from it. How could Job possibly know how many of Job's spiritual children? So we look on him somewhat like a father Abraham figure, Job is one of the good fathers of the Bible, maybe one of the best fathers of the Bible. And we are to some degree his spiritual children. How many of us would be strengthened in suffering by his example, taught to persevere, taught to trust in the Lord and never give up just by reading this story? Job's mind would've been overwhelmed by the testimonies. They would be in the hundreds, in the thousands, in the tens of thousands, even in the millions lined up as far as the eye could see to the horizon coming one after the other and saying, "I want you to know what your story meant to me in my life. I want you to know how your story enabled me and my wife to walk through burying one of our children. I want you to know that. I want you to know what it was like for us to be destroyed by a tornado and have all of our crops destroyed, but then to realize from the book of Job of God's good purposes and all of that. I want you to know my story, how God used the book of Job to walk me through the cancer treatments for my wife over two years and then she finally succumbed and died. But you gave me a comfort in God's ultimate purpose in all of that." So God positioned Job for that role in our lives. And the Holy Spirit recorded this book for every generation of his elect to read. James, James makes this plain. James 5:11, it says, "As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered, you have heard of Job's perseverance or patience and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." So James in the New Testament just assumes you've read the story. You've heard of it. You know that story right? Centuries later, and God has used Job's experience of extreme suffering to strengthen every generation of God's people since then. It's almost incalculable how many people have been blessed and sustained in their sufferings by the wisdom of this book. Now, James in the NIV it says, "You have seen what the Lord finally brought about.” but the Greek is the telos of the Lord, the perfected or purpose of God in all this, there is a final purpose in Job's story. And God's final purpose in Job's suffering is the salvation of His people. God's purposes go beyond earthly blessings. It says in Romans 8:28, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good, for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose." God actively causes all things, including all of our sufferings to work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose, his telos, his final end. And what is that final purpose? The next few verses Romans tell us, Romans 8:29-30, "For those God foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers and those he predestined, he also called and those he called, he also justified and those he justified, he also glorified." That's God's purpose. And God then, going back to Romans 8:28, God causes all things to work together for good to the end that his elect will be glorified in heaven. And he uses sufferings to do that. That's the point of Job's story. 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul said it in a different way there, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." It’s a typical Pauline sentence, thick with logic and theology. He calls our sufferings light and momentary, but he also says they are achieving the final glory that God's working. They're intrinsic to getting us there. And so that's the lesson of the book of Job. As James made it plain earlier in James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you'll be mature and complete, not lacking anything." So job's example of patience in the face of suffering is powerful for us. All Christians must display perseverance in many afflictions. If we do not persevere, we are not genuine Christians. We are like the stony ground hearers that Jesus mentioned in Mark 4:16-17, "Others like seed stone on rocky places hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word they quickly fall away." As Jesus said, "He who stands firm to the end will be saved." And so God's purpose is the salvation of all the elect. God had the long view in mind, dear Christian brothers and sisters. He had you and me in mind. He had you and me in mind. He used Job. I mean, say that with great emphasis. He used him to help us. You can imagine Job saying, "You used me." Yes, I did. "You used me to help all of my brothers and sisters." Yes, I did. Do you think now he thinks it was worth it? Yes, I do. And so God used Job. God wanted to feed your soul with strength, with wisdom and with the example of Job. His sufferings, you know it, are greater than yours, his wrestling and his anguish and his words took you on a much needed journey. God's powerful speech in the whirlwind spoke to you a necessary humbling wisdom, but God's final word always is Christ, Christ whose righteousness is infinitely greater than Job's, whose sufferings were also infinitely greater than Job's, who actually did die when God had forbidden Satan from taking Job's life. But Christ did die. The big picture was always God's plan. And so the scripture is given here, these 42 chapters, to feed your faith to the end of your final salvation. "You can imagine Job saying, "You used me." Yes, I did. "You used me to help all of my brothers and sisters." Yes, I did. Do you think now he thinks it was worth it? Yes, I do. " IV. God Blesses Job Eternally Fourth, God blesses Job eternally. So the vindication and restoration of Job was dramatic. It must have been so moving to Job to have God's speak such words of vindication to Job's friend Eliphaz, and through him to the other two friends and then ultimately to the entire community and his family, all of that. And it must have been so powerful to see his earthly blessings accumulate, not all at once, but in the end, that twofold blessing. So this is an earthly, earthly, earthly happy ending. However, the vindication and restoration of Job was incomplete. And in no way, finally satisfying. There is the matter, the simple matter of his 10 children, the 10 children. Well, which 10 children? Well, that's the point. Any parent knows, any parent that has lost a child to death knows that the later birth of another child can never take the place of the dead one. Children are unique and the 10 new children Job and his wife had must have filled their hearts with joy, but they could never drive away the memories of their 10 lost children. Those lost children were fully grown. They were into their adult lives. They had developed personalities. They each had stories of their own and Job had a loving relationship with each one of them. And all of that was taken in a moment. Now he would have new relationships developing with his new children, but the pain of loss of death, the final enemy, could not be fully assuaged by having 10 new children. Furthermore, as we said, Job gets no explanation at all from God about his sorrows, no description of the original challenge from Satan in the heavenly realms, no explanation of the saving purpose he had towards subsequent generations of believers, and no word at all. He just had the overpowering might of God appearing to him in a whirlwind saying, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" That's what he got. And Job knew, as never before, how vulnerable all earthly blessings are. There was no guarantee that these replacements would not themselves be subsequently taken from him in an instant. Everything earthly is temporary. 2 Corinthians 4:18, "What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." James 4:14, "You don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Or again, Proverbs 23:5, "Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." So Job's true vindication and restoration must be eternal, not earthly in the new heavens and the new earth. And here is where we must finally end up. Everything in this world is temporary. For us Christians, earthly blessings are truly gifts from our loving Father. And in some sense, they are foretastes of heavenly joy, some sense. But we cannot build our lives on earthly blessings for everything that you own, everything you interact with, with your five senses is temporary. All of it. However, we know that there is a new world coming. Amen? A new world is coming where all of the sorrows will be swallowed up in victory. As 1 Corinthians 15 says, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?" Or again, Revelation 21:1-5, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. And I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things as passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' And then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and they are true.’" So the future resurrection of Job into that resurrected glorious world is Job's final vindication and ours as well, ours as well. Now, one last detail about Job's children, we noticed that all of Job's earthly blessings were doubled, right? All of them. You got double this double, that double the other, but he just got 10 children. Children were not doubled. He lost 10 children. God gave him 10 children after his restoration. But what if all 10 of the children that died in the first attack by Satan were themselves pious, godly people? It's quite possible. Remember that Job prayed when a period of feasting had run its course, prayed for them if perhaps they might have sinned and cursed God in their hearts, what does that tell you about their lifestyle? Godly, pious, righteous, at least apparently, but he's worried about the heart. Wouldn't it be marvelous if Job spent eternity with all 20 of his children? And would spend eternity with that doubled blessing of a perfect and final relationship with each one of the 20. Now, I don't know that actually happened, but I- wouldn't it be an awesome final addendum to the story of Job? V. A Final Invitation Now, as I conclude now, I just want to give you a final invitation. Next week we're going to fly over this book one more time. I'm going to preach on every single chapter in detail, all 42 of them. So bring your lunch, bring a sleeping bag. No, I'm not doing any of that. Best thing I can do in closing today is to invite all of you to come to Christ, to come and trust in Christ. Only for Christians is there this final vindication, only for Christians is there this final eternal happy ending. We're not universalists. We don't say, “It doesn't matter what you believe. It doesn't matter how you live.” we don't say that. Judgment day is coming and the justice of God will rise up. And the wrath of God will rise up against all sins that have not been atoned for by faith in the blood of Christ. And so all that is happening here and around the world, week after week, as the gospel is being proclaimed is sinners are being told how they can, amazingly, be vindicated by a holy God saying, "You are one of my children. Your sins are forgiven. Enter now into the joy of your Master." All you have to do is acknowledge that you're a sinner, repent of your sins, turn away from wickedness and turn to the mercies and the kindness of God. And let him give you that final vindication and eternal rewards through faith in Christ. Close with me in prayer. Father thank you for the time that we've had to study, not just today, but 42 chapters of truth, it's overwhelming. And Lord, I thank you for the lessons that we're going to look at, God willing, next week. Father strengthen each one of us, help us to realize that our time of suffering will most certainly come. Maybe it won't be as bad as Job's, it probably won't be, but it's still going to be painful. Help us to be ready to put into practice the things we've learned from this incredible book. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hello brothers and sisters, welcome to Future Faith, a podcast, newsletter, and publication about living faithfully in an age of democratic destruction, ecological collapse, and economic irrelevance, available for free on Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. I'm your host, Jared Brock, and today we're going to discuss ten signs that America is headed for certain collapse.Superpowers aren't impressive.Italy, Greece, Ethiopia, Egypt, Britain, Spain, Portugal; they've all ruled the world for a time before sliding back to just regular-ol'-nation status.Now it's America's turn.The United States is going to collapse.This isn't a fear-mongering statement.Just a fact.Everyone knows it.Whether in five years or fifty, the days of America-as-global-superpower are numbered.In the same way that Rome pulled back its troops from Alexandria in Egypt and the Scottish borders in Britain, the American military-industrial complex will continue the work started in Afghanistan and eventually withdraw its 800 global military bases in order to make a last-ditch effort to enslave its own people in a soft-totalitarian panopticon surveillance state.And then it will collapse.Diehard nationalists insist it could never happen, but the signs of American collapse are obvious:1. Wealth inequalityAmerican income inequality is growing, too.Higher than the Roman Empire's, in fact.The stats on wealth inequality are crazy. Please read them all.Nevermind the Gilded Age of corporate tyrants like Vanderbilt and Carnegie and Rockefeller — today's billionaires control more wealth and political power than the monopolists of the past could ever have dreamed.Christians, of course, live by a different economic policy: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.And while extreme right-wingers are quick to shout “Communism! Socialism!” they fail to realize we're not advocating central ownership or central control of the economy. That's what billionaires are working on.2. DebtThe numbers are staggering:* America has nearly $29 trillion in federal debt.* Total consumer debt sits at $14.9 trillion.* Half a million American families are systemically forced into bankruptcy every year.Don't listen to those nutty Modern Monetary Theory boosters who think we can pile up debt forever and it will never destroy our society.The bell will toll, and it will toll for us.Don't get me wrong, the MMTers are technically right — we can print money forever. But every unbacked printed dollar erodes trust and purchasing power.When society is built on a literal lie, it's only a matter of time before it falls.Because only the truth can set us free.3. Economic InstabilityBecause of how hyper-elites have structured the economy, we're stuck with permanent economic instability — insane asset bubbles, followed by massive crashes that hurt those who a.) didn't benefit in the good times, and b.) suffer most in the bad times.While it's never occurred to the corporations who control our countries, people want to live in economically stable places.Because America refuses to deliver on true, long-term economic stability for the majority, it's no wonder we're currently seeing a national strike, and why many of us with the power to do so have already moved overseas.4. Homeownership in CrisisRentership, too.I've been sounding the alarm on this one for a while — people have no idea the tidal wave that's about to shatter the American middle class once and for all.House prices are going to $10 million in our lifetime, and if we don't ban for-profit residential real estate investment and overthrow the corrupt zoning boards that keep young families from building homes they can afford, we will see a houselessness crisis never witnessed before in human history. There is a massive opportunity for the real-estate-rich Western church to become a global leader on affordable homeownership, but sadly, the church is asleep at the wheel.5. Crony Corporate PoliticsDemocracy, of course, has never existed in America, but the corporate oligarchy now owns Congress lock, stock, and barrel, including the Federal Reserve which is in charge of the economy.There's honestly no point in voting unless it's with your money.6. Environmental InstabilityWhen I was younger, my wife and I visited Tikal in Guatemala, the New York City of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.They destroyed their environment, and then it destroyed them.It's really simple: Nations that don't protect people, wildlife, soil, water, and air eventually go extinct.It's not personal, it's science.As commenter Nikos Papakonstantinou put it:You can't eat, drink, or breathe money.It takes 1,000 years for nature to grow 3cm of topsoil, and America has managed to burn through several feet in the past century.Now, America only has sixty harvests left.(An excellent book on the topic is Empires of Food: Feast, Famine, and the Rise and Fall of Civilization.)Some Christians are starting to realize the importance of creation care and the huge opportunities it could afford us to connect with people on their way to God, but sadly, strong leadership has yet to emerge on this front.7. The Vampire EconomyLet's face it, the American productive economy is dead.Most of the major brands are zombie companies that burn cash and have never been profitable a day in their short-lived corporate lives.Rather than producing products and services of real value, corporate America is just a giant game of extractivism, a dung pile of rent-seeking skimmers who blood-suck time and wealth from the productive poor while contributing nothing of real value:* Landlords* Bankers* Stock investors* Crypto speculators who would rather treat Bitcoin as a Ponzi scheme instead of freedom money to stave off abhorrent central bank surveillance currencies.When a nation stops creating real value and starts eating itself like a snake, its days are mathematically numbered.There have been several seasons in history where Christian businesspeople have practiced nobless oblige — the obligation to help those in need, and we certainly need a renaissance of that holy task.8. Mass HysteriaLooking at you, anti-vaxxers.And Q-Anoners.And cancel culturists.And people who vote for Republicans and Democrats.America is now filled with conspiracy theorists and people who draw the line and refuse to dialogue with people outside of their own box. This signals a total breakdown in personal understanding, civic goodwill, institutional trust, and national unity.9. Screen AddictionThe invention of the smartphone will surely go down in history as one of the most destructive pieces of technology ever invented.Homo sapiens are in no way adapted for the super-stimulus of digital outputs.Between social media, streaming, porn, gaming, and shopping addictions, we're breaking our necks, frying our eyes, and shattering any sense of offline meaning or belonging.Just wait until Gen Z and Gen Alpha are in charge.10. IndividualismAmerica is a culture (from the Latin cultus, where we derive the word “cult”) built on the myth of rugged individualism, of “one for me, and all for me.”It's a dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest, winner-take-all, loser-dies-in-poverty cult where the rich prey on the poor and the masses suffer so the elites can live a little better a little longer.America is a piece of glass that has been shattered into 331 million shards, each stabbing the next in a frantic fight for survival.Only a hard fire can forge the pieces back together.It's quite telling that the period of largest church attendance in history — and the greatest period of peace and wealth and democracy — came out of the ashes of World War II.Naturally, there are those who believe a Canadian living in Europe shouldn't have the right to comment on America at all, but of course, those people are usually nationalists who fail to see we live in a hyper-connected world where everyone's choices affect everyone else. The failure to understand this is yet another symptom of hyper-individualism.America is a fractured, atomized nation, with each member so hell-bent on self-actualization, obsessed with concocting a singularly unique identity, and blinded by the idea that autonomy and freedom are the same thing.Because the nation cannot fathom it shares one common freedom, it simply cannot surrender any amount of selfhood to the collective, despite the fact that human togetherness is the #1 thing correlated to human happiness.God made us for each other.The end isn't the endAll empires fall. It's a non-negotiable. It's just a matter of when, how, and how hard.Collapse doesn't mean disappearance.And it doesn't necessarily mean a total dystopian hellscape like the movie The Book of Eli.But it does mean a loss of global superpower status and all the unfair advantages that came along with it, like currency supremacy and cheap goods. It means a country seriously diminished, greatly impoverished, wracked with crime and disease and exploitation, and subject to the whims of foreign corporatists hell-bent on extraction.You know, like much of the rest of the world.Normally, my articles outline a challenge facing society and offer some proposals for how to fix it. This is one of those rare posts that just points out the macro factors that will lead to the inevitable fall of America, and how Christians simply aren't rising to the task at hand.Collapse shouldn't sit well with Christians, because human beings who are made in the image of God will suffer.Everyone needs to be working on solutions for challenges big and small. (And yes, peacefully turning the American landmass into a dozen or so new nations is highly preferable to a bloody second civil war.)The goal, of course, isn't to maintain a hyper-violent military empire and coercive global economic grasp on others. It's time for new ideas, and extremely ancient ideas, and real servant-hearted leadership, and working together.We shouldn't mourn the loss of corporate-controlled America as the global superpower. It's a monstrous menace to global freedom and widest-spread wellbeing.I remember attending the Catalyst Conference many years ago. Dave Ramsey was speaking, and in a moment of passion he declared, “our allegiance is to the cross, not the flag!” Our small group of Canadians cheered — and we were the only ones in an audience of ten thousand Christian leaders.To Christ-centered people, nation-states are irrelevant. Jesus couldn't have cared less about a legal fiction called Rome. All he cared about was people, and we should do the same.Now, does that mean this is China's century?Maybe.They already own America's largest pork producer, and Canada's largest dairy farm, but a third of their domestic economy is a giant real estate bubble that could seriously slow their growth.China's rise to global super-power will all depend on their continued colonization of Africa and their ability to debt-trap the world via their Belt and Road Initiative — practicing capitalism abroad to enforce fake communism at home.Clearly, the world doesn't need or want a conformist culture to dictate global policy. People often say that America is still the world's “best hope for freedom.” But as billions of people who've endured the heavy hammer of the American military-industrial complex can attest, it's simply not true.Modern corporate America doesn't equal hope. No self-centered human institution can ever deliver the freedom that people truly need. That's why the church of Jesus Christ still is and always will be the hope of the world. 1 Peter 1:25 says that “The word of the Lord will endure forever.” Do you believe it? I certainly do. As Peter said to Jesus, “To whom else shall we go? Only you have the keys to eternal life.”This world belongs to God. America is just a temporary guest in His house.But don't worry, America itself isn't going anywhereAfter all, Rome's as gorgeous as ever.And Athens is amazing, albeit under-maintained.America the superpower is waning, but that doesn't mean Concord Massachusetts won't always be a gorgeous place to visit.And Texas will probably always be the BBQ capital of the world (or at least until the radical left bans meat or the radical right makes beef-raising an environmental impossibility.)And maybe Canada or Mexico will annex America and finally provide free healthcare to the poor?And if the fifty states decide to split up, which they almost certainly will in time, you never know if a united Maine and New Hampshire might rule a world in desperate need of lumber and freshwater.Or maybe we just don't need superpowers anymore.Maybe it's time for Tinyism and a million little democracies. It's certainly time for Christians to start building alternative societies by the thousands, like we did for 1,700 years, places that can give the world a glimpse of the life that is truly life, and the kingdom that is and is to come.Either way, the United States of America won't be around to see it happen.Thanks for listening to Future Faith. If you think this episode is important, please email the link to your friends or share it on social media.We are 100% follower-supported, so if you'd like to help us grow this community, please visit jaredbrock.com. Get full access to Future Faith at jaredbrock.substack.com/subscribe

#046 Are You Married To The Law or To Christ? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/trueuniversity/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/trueuniversity/support

Today's Reading: Galatians 5:16-24 Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:48-5:8; Ephesians 6:1-24 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Well at least you don't have to say, "The devil made me do it." No, Paul explains why you think what you think, say what you say and do what you. Your sinful nature is at war with the new creation in Christ. Your sinful flesh fights against the Spirit and so you know the right thing to do but don't do it. It's why you don't love God and your neighbor like you should. Now understand something: If you were on your own, your flesh would win. You don't have the free will to choose to love God and others. You are born into the slavery of sin and were it not for Christ, that's all you would do. But you have been given the Holy Spirit. Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead and sent the Spirit into the world wherever His Gospel is preached. You have that Spirit by your Baptism into Christ and because you hear God's Word preached and taught. And the Spirit isn't just there to be a cheerleader so you can overcome your sinful nature with a little nudge or push. No, the Spirit is there to remind you that this victory over your sinful nature has already been won. The Spirit is there to stand you before God as holy and perfect in His sight, not a sinner at all, because of Jesus. Your flesh hates that. It hates that it can't do whatever it wants and so it tries to anyway. It hates the news that it will be once and for all gone some day and so it rebels. But know this: Your sinful flesh is done for. Even when it gets the best of you in this life, its works have been wiped out by the blood of Jesus. And the fruit of the Spirit is. . . well. . . fruit, meaning you don't have to come up with it yourself. The Spirit grows and cultivates it in you by His Word and working. That means that your whole life is under the care and direction of the Holy Spirit, whose job it is to keep you in Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you, O Christians lest the foe destroy you; For Satan has designed your fall. Wield God's Word, the weapon glorious; Against all foes be thus victorious, For God protects you from them all. Fear not the hordes of hell, Here is Emmanuel. Hail the Savior! The strong foes yield To Christ, our shield, And we, the victors hold the field. ("Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You" LSB 668, st.1)

...the wicked one became very active in his attacks against the church of Christ to draw believers away from Christ, which WAS and IS the Holy Spirit's PRIMARY ministry to point them TO CHRIST and to testify of Him- - What was Satan's method- To get their focus OFF Christ and to focus on and idolize -spiritual gifts-. - We want the gifts of the Spirit-

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God doesn't play well with others. Put away foreign gods. He is a jealous God. It's not that He can't handle competition. He very clearly can. Look back at how He led Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Look at how He brought Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt. Look at what He did to their armies and the false hopes they had in themselves. He exposes the false gods for what they are. This isn't just an "our God can beat up your god in a fight" boast. This is why: Those false gods can't save the people who trusted in them. They couldn't save Pharaoh or Balak. They couldn't save Jericho or any of the various "ites," either. They don't have the power to save. As they stand against His people, it becomes clear. Those who would destroy the ones God calls blessed dash themselves to pieces. But that isn't what God is concerned about. Even this is about the forgiveness of sins. False gods only work in power, not mercy. The Lord works not only power that they can't, but mercy that they won't. The reason that He won't share you, that He absolutely insists that you serve Him and Him alone, is that no other gods forgive sins. They are law gods. Ours is the God who promises not just to save us from the world, but from ourselves, from our sins. He is the God who works in mercy to those He loves, and to you. We hear this, say Amen, and then try to mix the two. I want mercy from Jesus, but a little power from money, from fame, from popularity, from strength. "I love Jesus and." But the "and" at the end can't forgive your sins. When you mix the two together, you stop looking to God for mercy, because the "and" makes it all about power. The Lord becomes a means to an end. He did more than lead slaves out of Egypt through the Red Sea. He led them out of death through the forgiveness of sins. He died for us that we would live. As for us, we will serve the Lord. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A righteous Helper comes to thee; His chariot is humility, His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress. The end of all our woe He brings; Therefore the earth is glad and sings. To Christ the Savior raise Your grateful hymns of praise. ("Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates" LSB 341, st.2) Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Proverbs. It is a book that is both eminently familiar and overwhelmingly foreign. While individual verses come to mind, verses like, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding . . .” (Proverbs 3:5), I suspect most of us have not considered the book as a whole. What is the message of Proverbs? How should we read it? Is it just list of helpful tips for living? Or does it reveal to us the very wisdom of God? How should we study a book that holds so many disparate words of wisdom? And is it possible to preach the book verse-by-verse? On Sunday we will begin to answer some of these questions, as we enter a new sermon series. From now until Fall, we will spend the summer focusing on Proverbs 1–9. What is sometimes called the Prologue to the Proverbs, we will consider the wisdom that God has for us in these chapters. Tackling topics like sex, money, righteousness, relationships, parenting, and work, we will discover what God's wisdom looks like and how we all can grow in wisdom. To prepare for Sunday, please read Proverbs 1 as well as our introductory blog post. Let us pray that God gives us wisdom and conforms us into the image of Christ through our study of Proverbs 1–9. Sunday, we will begin by looking at Proverbs 1:1–7. May the Lord teach us to fear him and to walk in his ways. For His Glory and your joy, Pastor David ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions for Proverbs 1:1-7 1. As you come to the book of Proverbs, what are your general impressions of the book? How have you read it? How has it informed your Christian life? 2. Who wrote the book of Proverbs? And why does that matter? 3. Who is Proverbs is for? How should we read it? 4. Who are the two audiences that we find in verses 1:3–6? And how does knowing those two audiences inform our reading? 5. What is the fear of the Lord? And how do we grow in the fear of the Lord? 6. How does this book apply to the original audience? To Christ? And to us? 7. How does knowing the various stages of interpretation help us resolve problems in the text? 8. After studying the first seven verses of the book, how might your approach change to the book of Proverbs? 9. What are you most excited about / interested in as we begin this new sermon series?

Episode Summary: Jesus summarized our mission, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Pursuing Christ's kingship in my life begins in my own heart with my personal love and loyalty to Christ. We are first called TO Christ to enjoy a love relationship with him. This part of our mission is consistent with the great commandment to love God with all my heart and the first commandment to have no other God's before him. Today's episode zooms in to examine one specific aspect of Christ's character—the way he gave up the right to be treated with the dignity, the honor, the nobility, he deserved—as the God of the universe. Instead, he emptied himself of his prerogatives as God's equal to take the form of a slave to serve us. The more we see this shocking willingness to give up his divine rights, entrusting himself to the Father, the more we will be empowered to exhibit this same kingdom virtue, showing Jesus to those around us.For Further Prayerful Thought What is most moving to you about God the Song stripping himself of his dignity to love us?Where does selfish anger crop up in your life, reflecting that the rights you once put on the alter have crawled off?Is there anywhere that worry, indicate that you still haven't transferred the ownership of some aspect of your life to God, or need to put it back on the altar? Psalm 37 is written to strengthen our confidence in the character of God.Past Podcast Highlight Responding to the Argument that the Bible Teaches Patriarchy S1 E #33 6/21/20For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men's issues click here.

Saul had a miraculous conversion… now, instead of imprisoning those who believe in Christ, he's on a mission bring people TO Christ.

Saul had a miraculous conversion… now, instead of imprisoning those who believe in Christ, he's on a mission bring people TO Christ.

In the Unity of the Trinity, Jn 17 Lourdes Pinto, 5/20/21 John 17 is a unique opportunity to see the nature and heart of Jesus.  “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you” (17:1) It is the cross (see John 12:27-33, 13:30-33, 21:18-19) that will glorify the Son. The cross was utter humiliation to the world, but it was an instrument of glorification in God's eyes. This is an aspect of the foolishness and weakness of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:23-25). “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (17:19) Jesus sanctifies (consecrates) Himself for us, meaning He sacrifices Himself to the Father for us. This perfect consecration of Jesus opened the curtain so that we can participate in the oneness of the Trinity. Yet, this entering into the unity of God is only possible if we, as the Body of Christ, voluntarily choose, for love of God, to participate in His consecration which is His sacrifice. Only through, with, and in Jesus crucified can we enter the inner chamber, which is the Heart of Christ, to live in the embrace of the Father with the Holy Spirit.  “To men, the cross appeared an instrument of shame. To Christ it was the means of true glory.” (Morris) “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.” (1 Peter 4:13) “I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” (Col.1:24) “I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (17:26) The prayer of Jesus in John 17 reveals Divine Love, the Trinity. It is the Holy Spirit, received from the pierced Heart of Jesus crucified, that brings us to KNOW the love of the Son and the Father. It is the Holy Spirit that brings me to PARTICIPATE in the deepest prayer and longing of the Son as I also pray:  “Father, glorify your daughter as one with your Son so that your daughter may glorify you.” “And for their sakes I sanctify myself through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”  I listen in SA at times to brothers and sisters complaining of their suffering, a tendency that I also see in myself. Yet the Spirit always moves me in spiritual accompaniment to see the glory of that suffering in Christ. If I am suffering great mental and physical exhaustion and this suffering in Christ is bringing graces to my LC family, is it not worth it to me? Is it not an opportunity to glorify the Father and Son? If someone is suffering physical ailments and that suffering saved their soul, is it not worth suffering in gratuitous love? If that physical suffering suffered through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ is saving the souls of their family, is it not an occasion to rejoice? Then why is it so difficult for us?  We are complicated because of sin, and God is SIMPLE. The way to unity is simple, but for us, it's difficult because of our brokenness, woundedness, self-centeredness, etc.   Let's journey the Simple Path from its beginning to the summit of unity in the Trinity to understand how God has been guiding us through His Spirit to union in Him—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My Gaze Penetrates All Darkness,   –Simple Path 16, p.59 (ch.2) My desire for you, My thirst for each of you, is to make you My living icons. My little ones, suffer all with Me, gazing upon My crucified love so that your suffering can perfect your faith and you can become My living chalices poured upon the world, redeeming, restoring, and purifying with Me. Love on Earth Must Be United to Suffering —#29, p.87 My daughter, the purest love on earth must be united to suffering. I came from...

1 This is the Lord's triumphal day, Who through His death our death did slay: Hallelujah, hallelujah! He now comes forth in majesty; Wherefore we sing eternally: Hallelujah, hallelujah! 2 Stripped of his power the devil lies, His might destroyed, and lost his prize: Hallelujah, hallelujah! A hero strong this deed has done; He felled His foe, and victory won: Hallelujah, hallelujah! 3 Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour blest, Who givest sinners peace and rest: Hallelujah, hallelujah! O lead us by Thy grace so free To endless joy and bliss with Thee. Hallelujah, hallelujah! 4 Jubilant thanks to Thee we give, And in Thy kingdom yearn to live: Hallelujah, hallelujah! Through all our days be Thou our stay, And we shall joyous tribute pay: Hallelujah, hallelujah! 5 Now to the Father on His throne, To Christ our Lord, His only Son, Hallelujah, hallelujah! And to the Holy Ghost, we raise Our hymn of honour, blessing, praise: Hallelujah, hallelujah!

To Christ, God has appointed that He bear the sins of many, and come again with salvation. An exposition of Hebrews 9:27-28. ★ Support this podcast ★

To Christ, God has appointed that He bear the sins of many, and come again with salvation. An exposition of Hebrews 9:27-28.

To Christ, God has appointed that He bear the sins of many, and come again with salvation. An exposition of Hebrews 9:27-28.

Pastor Poppe and Pastor Moline continue a series looking at the Hymns Every Lutheran Should Know. This episode continues their look at Reformation Hymns. LSB 668. 1 Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you, O Christians, lest the foe destroy you; For Satan has designed your fall. Wield God’s word, the weapon glorious; Against all foes be thus victorious, For God protects you from them all. Fear not the hordes of hell, Here is Emmanuel. Hail the Savior! The strong foes yield To Christ, our shield, And we, the victors, hold the field. 2 Cast afar this world’s vain pleasure And boldly strive for heav'nly treasure. Be steadfast in the Savior’s might. Trust the Lord, who stands beside you, For Jesus from all harm will hide you. By faith you conquer in the fight. Take courage, weary soul! Look forward to the goal! Joy awaits you. The race well run, Your long war won, Your crown shines splendid as the sun. 3 Wisely fight, for time is fleeting; The hours of grace are fast retreating; Short, short is this our earthly way. When the Lord the dead will waken And sinners all by fear are shaken, The saints with joy will greet that day. Praise God, our triumph’s sure. We need not long endure Scorn and trial. Our Savior King His own will bring To that great glory which we sing. Author: Wilhelm Erasmus Arends Arends, Wilhelm Erasmus, son of E. F. Arnds, pastor at Langenstein, near Halberstadt, was born at Langenstein, Feb. 5,1677. He became, in 1707, pastor at Crottorf, near Halberstadt, and in 1718, pastor of the church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Halberstadt. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/knna-broadcasting/message

#52 - 2020-07-04 - Dependence Upon God As we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th in the USA, we should also remember our need for complete dependence upon God. Why? Because as followers of Christ, we cannot forget that we need God - every day, every hour, every minute. Proverbs 3:5-8 states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." Fearing the Lord includes dependence upon Him. An addict's decisions at times are independent from God, pursuing idols of the heart. We need to help addicts understand the fear of the Lord - turning AWAY from sin TO Christ. In doing so, the addict can find hope and healing. Additionally, too often we, as independent-minded Americans (and humans!), tend to pursue our own ways while neglecting to spend time with God and being plugged in to the Body of Christ. Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

ShowDown - Tune in To Christ by G. Lan Ijiwola

Are we loyal- To Christ, His Word and His cause.

Paul begins to instruct slaves and masters. Slaves obey your masters with fear, trembling and sincerity of heart. Do it as you would Christ. He is your Lord.

Paul begins to instruct slaves and masters. Slaves obey your masters with fear, trembling and sincerity of heart. Do it as you would Christ. He is your Lord.

Trusting is a very hard thing to do. They had a relationship TO Christ, but not WITH Him. Sometimes the storm has to be really bad - you have to travel into the epicenter of the fear to realize you have a relationship TO him, but not WITH HIM….because relationships take TRUST. Their fear was the result of the acknowledging the end of their ability. They were skilled at navigating the seas - they had no doubt been in rough waters many times. But as the wind and waves crashed round about them, there was a collective realization: This is beyond us. Have you been in a situation “beyond you”? They came to the realization - He’s in the boat. We have a relationship TO him, but not with him. Every chance to build trust is an opportunity Trust: choosing to make something important to you vulnerable to the actions of someone else. Distrust: what I have shared with you that is important to me is not safe with you. The disciples in the boat chose to come to Jesus - we know we are experts at sea…we are men who drunk, cuss, fart, and smoke… but we are so vulnerable, we feel like we’re going to die. Jesus rebuked and rescued. He’s not ok with you not trusting Him. He’s always made a way. Might not have looked like you wanted it to look, but I’ve always rescued you. As you make yourself vulnerative - He will make it a safe place to speak with him. Safe doesn’t make your feelings valid excuses. 2 Cor. 1:8-11 We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. We started to trust God. Discovered in the moment of trust Julie was going to lose the very thing she was going to hold on to if she tried to. To trust means to LET GO. You may lose the thing you’re desperately trying to hold on to. Maya Angelo “I don’t trust people who don’t love themselves, but say I love you.” She quotes an African proverb when she says that “Beware the naked man offering you a shirt.” If you find yourself lacking in trust is to examine yourself. We cannot ask people to give to us something we do not believe we are worthy of receiving. There are people who will try to tell you how to get to your destiny. If those disciples would have not just acknowledge that not only was Jesus present in the boat, but He already said they were going to do ALL He did and greater. We are waiting for Jesus to step in to do it. But I don’t trust people who don’t love themselves, but say I love you. The naked man offering you a shirt. If you want trust, trust God. Every opportunity to build trust is an opportunity to betray. 2 Cor. 1:8 As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! I don’t know your situation, but it’s an opportunity not for betrayal because God cannot betray you...it’s an opportunity for healing.

Death is scary for most people, but not for me.  Lest you think I will passively roll over in a fight for my life situation, I will fight with all I have and am.  I have been and will be fierce in fighting for Life and Peace.   However; when my time comes, I have no fear.  Why? Dr. George H. Hepworth recently said that we must recover from some of our blind prejudices concerning death, and must come to understand that it is not an enemy, but a messenger of God, and such a messenger can never be other than kindly. To Christ it must have been an infinite relief, and to us who follow in his footsteps it is the inn in which we sleep on the last night before we reach home. In the morning when we wake from slumber we find ourselves on the brighter shore in the presence of the loved who have gone before. Such faith makes us peaceful, contented, and happy, glad to live as long as we may, and glad to go when the Father summons us. The Truth about death and dying from Scripture tonight! Please SHARE THIS LINK and LISTEN IN!

Hopkins read by Classic Poetry Aloud: http://classicpoetryaloud.podomatic.com/ Giving voice to the poetry of the past. --------------------------------------------------- The Windhover To Christ our Lord by Gerard Manley Hopkins I caught this morning morning’s minion, king- dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing, As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding Stirred for a bird,—the achieve of; the mastery of the thing! Brute beauty and valour and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier! No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear, Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermillion. First aired 28 July 2007

Hopkins read by Classic Poetry Aloud: http://classicpoetryaloud.podomatic.com/ Giving voice to classic poetry. --------------------------------------------------- The Windhover To Christ our Lord by Gerard Manley Hopkins I caught this morning morning’s minion, king- dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing, As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding Stirred for a bird,—the achieve of; the mastery of the thing! Brute beauty and valour and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier! No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear, Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermillion.