Podcasts about true christianity

What if one of the most important leadership lessons is learning not to "spit into the wind" by repeating foolish decisions? In Episode 15 of "Essentials in Leadership," Duane Sheriff exposes the danger of Pharisaical thinking that can creep into our hearts and explains why leaders must "hate the Pharisee," especially the one within themselves. Jesus warned that the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy—a corrupting spirit that values appearance over authenticity, tradition over truth, and legalism over mercy.Hypocrisy is not simply falling short of our standards; it is pretending to have standards with no genuine intention of living them out. This message clarifies a crucial distinction that keeps many people away from faith communities, leading them to fear they would be hypocrites if they failed. True Christianity is not about perfection, but authentic pursuit. As Proverbs reminds us, a righteous person falls seven times and rises again. The Pharisees strained at gnats while swallowing camels—majoring on minor issues while neglecting justice, mercy, compassion, and faith. Wise leaders learn from failure, avoid repeating foolish mistakes, and guard their lives from unnecessary compromise.

Title: Declaration of Dependence Text: 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 FCF: We often struggle fulfilling what God has set out for us to be and do. Prop: Because our loving God graciously gives all we need to be and do as He has commanded, we must depend on Him alone. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the New English Translation starting in verse 16. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Paul has officially ended another major section in this second letter to the Thessalonians. He has had nothing but good things to say about them. He knows they are genuine believers who have devoted themselves to growing in their faith and love for one another. But they are experiencing even greater persecution since the last time Paul wrote, only a few short months ago. Paul seeks to give them comfort through the better part of the first two chapters. He assures them that they are called of God and worthy of that calling. He assures them that the ungodly, who are persecuting them, will be judged by God and cast from His benevolent presence. He then addresses a great concern of theirs. They have been convinced somehow that the Day of the Lord had already come and that they had missed it. Paul reminds them what he taught them and tells them that the great apostasy and the man of lawlessness must come first. He will deceive many and will be the agent causing much of the falling away of professed believers. But they need not worry. Why? Because God has chosen them from the beginning to obtain Christ's glory by receiving the gospel and with it the truth and growing in holiness by the power of the Spirit. But they cannot be idle just because God has chosen them. No, they must stand firm and hold to the Christian beliefs and practices that they have been taught. Today, Paul finishes up this section and prepares for the next with another benediction. A hopeful prayer for them. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Loving and gracious God, we confess that it is by Your grace that we exist. We recognize that we are wholly dependent on You and that without You nothing would be. You are not the clock maker who set all in motion and left it to run. Instead, all things consist in You. Without Your personal, intimate involvement in Your creation, all would crumble. If this is true for all of creation, how much more so is it true for us as Your people. Lord show us through this prayer of Your apostle, the truth of our dependence on You and help us to know and live by that dependence. We pray this in Jesus' name, and by His authority and power alone… Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “No folly is greater than to suppose that God is optional for daily living.” Edmund P. Clowney “A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough for the next six months or take sufficient air into his lungs at one time to sustain life for a week. We must draw upon God's boundless store of grace from day to day, as we need it.” D.L. Moody [Slide 3] “They travel lightly whom God's grace carries.” Thomas A Kempis “Grace is something more than ‘unmerited favor'… grace is favor shown where there is positive demerit in the one receiving it.” Anonymous “Grace grows by exercise and decays by disuse.” Thomas Brooks These thoughts will help set our mind aright as we approach the text this morning. I.) Our loving God is the gracious source of eternal comfort and good hope for His people, so we must depend on Him alone. (16) a. [Slide 4] 16 - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, i. Paul's habit in both 1 and 2 Thessalonians has been to conclude a section of the letter with a benediction. ii. This is his fourth benediction and his second in this letter. He concluded chapter 1 with a benediction and will now conclude his thoughts on the Day of the Lord, the man of lawlessness, and the great apostasy with a benediction as well. iii. Once again, a benediction is a good word, or hopeful prayer, usually lifted up to God and is for fellow believers. iv. Paul begins this benediction addressing once again the two persons of the God head that He has featured in these letters. v. We do find it a bit conspicuous that he does not include the Holy Spirit in this benediction, but by excluding The Spirit we should not infer that Paul does not see the Holy Spirit as a person of the Triune God. vi. Paul has mentioned the Holy Spirit a handful of times in both letters. And as we've mentioned before, there may be some cultural or local reason that Paul does not talk much about the Spirit, whether that be the Thessalonians level of theological understanding, perhaps the local superstition of the pagans, or perhaps even the Jews may come into play regarding the third person of the Godhead. vii. Since the Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, we see that He would ultimately be the divine agent carrying out these hopeful words toward the Thessalonian church anyway. viii. In any case, the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father are addressed in this hopeful prayer for the Thessalonians. ix. The descriptions added to Jesus' name of Lord and Christ reflect the Jewish understanding of Jesus being the Messiah or Anointed or Chosen One of God and also the King or Sovereign One in the line of David. x. Furthermore, when Paul quotes Old Testament Scriptures which use the proper name of God, he usually replaces the name of God with the Greek word, Kurios – Lord. xi. Since Jesus is referred to as Lord and Messiah this sets Him apart as co-equal in essence and attributes to God the Father and thus equally and rightly called Yahweh. xii. Paul addresses his benediction also to God our Father, which is significant to the Gentile population of the church since Yahweh is the God of the Jews and often relates Himself as their Father and they His children in the Old Testament. xiii. So, the Thessalonian church, predominantly gentile, and these Jewish evangelists sharing the same Father, is significant theologically to understand that although the Israelite people have a particular place and status in the redemptive plan of God, it is not significantly different than that of the church which combines all Jesus followers regardless of nationality. xiv. Paul addresses the Father and Son in His benediction. But He is not done describing the triune God, on whom He is calling. b. [Slide 5] who loved us i. Interestingly, the participles loved and gave are both singular, even though there is a compound subject of two persons of the Godhead. Some commentators are hesitant to make conclusions on this – but I am not. Paul understands that although the Lord Jesus Christ is a separate person from God our Father, He is one co-eternal being. Therefore, when one person of the Godhead acts, they all act. ii. But what of this God? iii. There is no attribute of God's that needs greater clarity and exposition today than the love of God, particularly the love of God for His own people. iv. Just as the “our” in Paul's description of the Father sharpens our understanding of a Father that adopts children from all nations through Christ, so also the “us” here sharpens the Divine love which Paul references as being poured out specifically and especially to those children whom He has chosen from the beginning to obtain the glory of His Son. v. God's love for His elect is boundless. It is super-abundant. vi. Make no mistake, God's love for all His creation is abounding. 1. God loves all He has created, even the pots that are made for wrath. 2. Even the animals that act on instinct. 3. Even the plants that provide sustenance. 4. Down to the smallest single celled organisms to the pinnacle of His creation, mankind, whom He made in His own image, and everything in-between, material and immaterial, physical and spiritual – all He has made He loves. vii. How do we know that? 1. God's mercy is lavished on all of creation. 2. The fall of man occurred in excess of 6,000 years ago. 3. For 6,000 years God has allowed men to hate and love Him. 4. He has allowed wicked men to have happiness in the world He created. 5. He has allowed men to confess Him and to deny Him. 6. He holds together all things. By Him all things consist. 7. My friends… that is love. He is literally keeping all His creation running. He is the power, the energy, the fuel that keeps things going. viii. If that is true… of the smallest organism. If that is true… of the greatest sinner. ix. How much more, do you suppose His love is… for those who are betrothed to His Son? x. How much more, do you suppose His love is… for those His Son left heaven to save? xi. How much more, do you suppose His love is… for those He chose in Christ before Adam fell? xii. When we would measure God's love for His elect… all other loves of God, men, and angels, would appear to be hate by comparison. xiii. Husbands you say you love your wife… But your love might as well be hate when compared to how Christ loves His bride. xiv. Mothers, you say you love your children… But your love for them might as well be hate when compared to how God loves His children whom He adopted from their murderous father the devil. xv. Oh, how vast and how deep and how overwhelming is the love of God toward believers. xvi. His love for the nations is so great that He gave His unique Son, sent By His Hand to see to it that believers from every tribe, tongue, nation, and ethnicity would not perish but have everlasting life. xvii. Far from a trivial human love based on warm fuzzies… xviii. Far from a love proven by tolerance that never corrects or rebukes… xix. Far from a passionate physical lust… xx. Far from admiration or appreciation… xxi. The Love of God toward His people… is a force that cannot be stopped, it cannot be conquered, it cannot be questioned, and it cannot be earned. xxii. What business does the God of the Universe have… in loving us this way? We who were wretches and sinners from birth? We who were born spiritually dead? We who didn't love Him, didn't seek Him, didn't want Him? xxiii. And yet… He loved us. xxiv. The aspect of the word “loved” in the Greek stresses the fact of it and implies a specific act of it. Now we could point to the cross, and we might be right to do so. But within this text Paul has already told the Thessalonians of a particular act that God has done that is loving. Which is, of course, His election of them from the beginning. xxv. The two participles share one article in the Greek. This means that we should see the next participle as connected to and flowing from the fact of God's love for us. xxvi. What did His love do? c. [Slide 6] and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, i. We should begin by recognizing that although His love by grace gave us what appears to be two things they are most likely referring to ONE thing. Or at least two things that are interconnected. ii. First eternal comfort. iii. If the adjective eternal were not present, we could make the case that God is providing some comfort for them in their persecution. However, by adding eternal, we are clued in to the fact that God is not simply the comforter of earthly problems. Instead, He is ultimately in His love, by His grace, giving us a comfort that goes beyond death. iv. The comfort that God offers in His love by His grace is one that endures forever. It will never fade. v. But Paul elaborates on that eternal comfort by the second description. vi. Good hope. vii. Paganism of this time believed in hope in a purely ambivalent way. And all hope was lost upon death. Though some pagans believed in a spiritual existence beyond death – no pagan taught life after death. viii. And so, God's love for us gave us by grace both eternal comfort and good hope. To what could Paul be referring? ix. What else but the choosing of God from the beginning a people who will obtain the glory of Christ. This is both an eternal comfort and a good hope. x. But how has God's love given this by grace? xi. What is God's grace? We should know this by now CBC. xii. [Slide 7] Grace is God's power which he grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something which they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. xiii. We've been looking at that definition for grace for some time, and there might be a test on that answer soon. xiv. Because if you understand God's grace this way, it allows you to crack open the mystery of God's love for His people. xv. Like here: xvi. The other common definitions of grace, “Unmerited favor” or “God's riches at Christ's expense” are certainly appropriate. But how much more do we understand when we realize that God is actively giving us strength to recieve eternal comfort and good hope. xvii. Why? xviii. Because of ourselves, we could never earn or acquire for ourselves eternal comfort and good hope. xix. It is something that must be given by the free will of God. And He has given it freely to us… His children. d. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: Paul starts his hopeful prayer for the Thessalonian church addressing the request to the only One who can answer. He seeks these requests from the Triune God who loves His children in giving them eternal comfort and good hope by his grace. He gives these things to us, which we could never earn or acquire for ourselves, and He does so out of His love for us. Although Paul does not specify any response the Thessalonians must have toward this truth, the implication is that they must depend on this God alone for eternal comfort and good hope. Therefore, we too must depend on God alone. Transition: [Slide 9 (blank)] All of what has been said in this benediction is exclusively about God. He is loving and gracious to give us eternal comfort and good hope. So, what does Paul ask for from this loving and gracious God? What does having eternal comfort and good hope mean in this life? II.) Our loving God is the gracious source of courageous faith and strong character, so we must depend on Him alone. (17) a. [Slide 10] 17 - encourage your hearts i. Paul prays that the Lord would use His love and grace to bring courage to the Thessalonians. ii. They are experiencing increased persecution. iii. They are suffering for the name of Christ. iv. Paul's first thought is that this loving and gracious God would give them courage and boldness. v. This, of course, flows out of the reminder that God has chosen them from the beginning to obtain the glory of Christ. vi. That God has graciously given them out of His abundant love for them, eternal comfort and a good hope. vii. Boots on the ground… what that looks like now… viii. That they would be able to stand firm and hold fast to what they have been taught and endure for the Lord's sake their trials. ix. The body may fail them, but Paul prays for their souls, their inner person, to be courageous. x. But not courage alone… b. [Slide 11] and strengthen you i. The word strengthen here has the idea of a buttress or a crutch. ii. That God's love and grace would come alongside them and hold them up and firmly establish them. iii. That they would not only be bold but powerful. iv. This too flows from eternal comfort and a good hope. v. Knowing that we will endure to the end because we've been chosen from the beginning. Knowing that we have been chosen from the beginning to obtain the glory of Christ in the end. This pushes us, motivates us, and propels us to be strong. vi. To endure. vii. But this strength is not simply to keep believing or to keep going or living… it I strength for something specific. c. [Slide 12] in every good thing you do or say. i. This is an idiom to include every outward expression of human agency and responsibility. ii. An outward witness. iii. Paul prays that they would be courageous in faith and strong in character. iv. That they would hold fast to what they were taught not just in what to believe to be true, but in the Christian tradition of how to live. v. That is such a delicate balance to strike. vi. Many have remained steadfast in their beliefs but have become just as hateful and vile in their treatment of those who disagree. vii. Many have tried to love outsiders but have compromised on what they believe in order to appear more palatable to those who seek them harm. viii. Paul prays for both. ix. That they would be uncompromising in what they believe, while remaining steadfastly good in what they say and what they do. x. True Christianity, built on the love of God to graciously give eternal comfort and good hope to us, must produce both a people who cling to what they have been taught to be true and also a people who by word and action demonstrate, not merely admiration of Christ, but as true devotion to Him. We believe what we were taught and we live what we believe. d. [Slide 13] Summary of the Point: And so, Paul's hopeful prayer not only looks to God's gracious love for eternal comfort and good hope but also for encouragement and strength to remain steadfast in doctrine and practice. The implication again, is that the Thessalonians would rely on God alone. Not that they are passive – but they must remember that God is the source of all these good gifts. They must depend on Him for them. And so must we. Conclusion: So, CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 14] In Paul's fourth of five benedictions in these two letters, Paul looks to the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father as the sole provider of the things he desires for the Thessalonians to have. Paul desires that the Thessalonians would stand firm and hold fast to the Christian tradition both in doctrine and practice. In order to do that, they must be encouraged in their hearts and strengthened in their character. That flows from an eternal comfort and good hope that God alone can provide by grace in His love. As Paul looks to God to give these things to the Thessalonians he demonstrates to them that they too should be seeking the Lord and depending on Him alone to embolden their faith and to bolster their righteous living. So, we too must look to God alone for the same. But what does this mean for us? How does this impact our daily lives? 1.) [Slide 15] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God's love for His people is abounding. a. Without denying that God loves all His creation and all men, we can affirm that God has a special love for those who belong to Him. b. That love is demonstrated in the lengths by which He went to redeem us from sin and death. c. That love is demonstrated in His choice from the beginning to appoint us for salvation. d. That love is demonstrated most abundantly on the cross where the perfect Son of God bore the wrath of God for all who believe. e. That love is demonstrated by His grace to continue to be with us and to seal us until the day of redemption by giving us His Spirit to dwell in us. f. That love is demonstrated in His doing all to make sure that we obtain the glory of Christ. g. God's love for His people is beyond anything that we can point to in comparison. h. God does use examples for us to help us to understand. He is known as our Father. He compares His Son to our groom and we His bride. i. But these pictures ultimately fail to adequately communicate the heights, depths, and riches of God's love for His people. j. That is not because God has failed to communicate it to us – but because we are unable to truly comprehend it. k. Added to this, is the extra point that we are undeserving of ANY love from Him much less this abounding love. l. All of mankind deserves His wrath and as Jesus says, are condemned already. Yet He reserves His judgment until the final day. He holds out and gives mercy, even to those who deny He exists or mock Him. m. If God gives love like this even to the wicked – how much more abundant must His love be for us whom He has chosen to save and conform to the image of His Son. n. No other god in any other religion has love like this for His worshippers. o. The gods of Eastern religions have no love for their worshippers. The gods of pagan religions are as flawed and selfish as their worshippers. The god of Islam while claiming to be loving, never promises to allow his worshippers into paradise, even if they adhere to the 5 pillars. p. And all the gods of every religion force their worshippers to earn whatever it is they are offering. q. Only Yahweh… Only Yahweh tells His worshippers that they are UNABLE to earn His love… yet He gives it to them freely and abundantly. r. Only Yahweh says that we love, only because He first loved us. s. Though this God is fierce in His wrath and Just in His judgment. Though He hates sin and those who love it. He is abounding in love to all… and especially to His people. 2.) [Slide 16] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that we are able to produce on our own the courage and strength necessary to be what God desires us to be. a. Here we have a riddle in the bible that has been debated for hundreds of years. b. Does God command us to do things we are unable to do? c. Some say that since God commands us to do things it implies that we are able to do it. d. Some say that God's commands of us to do things merely implies responsibility… not ability. e. How can we be responsible to do things when we are not able to do them? f. But here we see the same riddle on display. g. Paul has commanded the Thessalonians to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that the evangelists taught them. h. But in the previous breath he thanked God for choosing the Thessalonians from the beginning to obtain the glory of Christ. i. And in the next breath he prays to God to provide what the Thessalonians need to stand firm and hold fast. j. The riddle isn't actually that hard to figure out. k. I believe Paul gives us the secret to deciphering it in his letter to the Philippians. l. He tells them to work out their salvation in fear and trembling knowing that the One who works in them to will and do His good pleasure is God. m. Meaning what? n. They are responsible to live out their faith and obedience to God. But they must do so in awe and humility. Why? Because without God they would be unable and unwilling to do it. God provides the desire… and the power… to make them what He wants them to be. o. A command does not mean we are able. Just that we are responsible. But God graciously provides what we need to enable us… as we endeavor to do as He has commanded. p. Our flesh is weak. We are prone to fear. But God makes us strong and courageous. q. His power is made perfect in our weakness. r. Because all this is true… 3.) [Slide 17] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must depend on Him alone to embolden our faith and empower our character. a. God gave us the faith that unites us to Christ. b. God gave us grace. c. God gave us love d. God gave us eternal comfort and good hope. e. Does it not naturally follow that He will encourage our hearts and strengthen us to be what He has called us to be? f. When we depend in our own strength and try harder to live for Him, we usually fail. Or, perhaps worse, we succeed for a time, convincing ourselves that we did it. g. In truth, we must set out to obey the Lord's commands… by faith. h. Faith is not simply the way the Lord connects us to the atonement of Christ. i. We live by faith. We walk by faith. We grow in faith. j. We actually keep trusting and depending on God to mold us and shape us. k. This seems like an obvious step but I know that this is one that I miss all the time. l. I set out to obey the Lord and correct my behavior… BY MYSELF all the time. m. I don't pray and ask God and if I do, I pray once and then set out to do it on my own. n. Grandma Dorothy was such a shining example of this. Even in her old age, and even in her dementia, she would walk through the kitchen asking God audibly to give her the strength to make it to her chair. o. We might snicker at such a thing… p. But perhaps she was closer to what this means than we realize. q. Do we depend on God for every single step we take? r. We live in a culture that values independence. And not just independence from God but independence from anything. I don't need anyone. I just need to seek self-fulfillment. s. And what a terrible lie it is. t. We not only need each other… we desperately need God to breathe… let alone to stand firm in our faith and hold fast in Christlike character. u. So how are you doing Christian? Do you feign dependence while trusting on the strength of your own arm or cunning? v. Do you not realize that even these are gifts from God which He can take away in a moment? w. We must relearn dependence. For we are truly dependent on God… for everything. 4.) [Slide 18] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” God alone has given, by grace, in His love, eternal comfort and a good hope. a. If you are not a mere admirer of Jesus but are a devoted follower, then you know the eternal comfort and good hope that God has given you in His love by His grace. b. You know it. c. You know the comfort that it is to know that no matter what happens, no matter how bad life gets, no matter how many things go wrong, and no matter how much the world hates you – you are not of the world. You belong to a different Kingdom. d. You belong to a King who is not of this world. e. This world is just a shadow. It's a shade. A dream and at worst a nightmare. One that all God's people will one day wake up from. And just like the memories of nightmares fade… God will wipe away the tears from our eyes over the pains of this life and we will never know them again. f. We know hope. Real hope. Not hope that some president promises. No… Good Hope. g. Hope of abundant life. Hope of obtaining glory for Christ and in Christ. h. Hope of reigning with Him in that new Kingdom. i. Hope of never failing Him again. j. God's love, by His grace… has given this to us. 5.) [Slide 19] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” This love, this grace, this comfort, this hope, this courage, this strength is available to all who believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. a. Though God has chosen His own from the beginning… the only way we can know that we are His… is when we believe. When we see our faith rest on Christ and grow. When we see our lives change and conform to His example. That is when we are assured that we are His. b. And so, if you are here this morning and you have never professed Christ as your Lord and Savior… if you are here today and you have convinced yourself that you are His but you don't see your faith growing or your life conforming to His example… c. My friends… I offer Christ to you. d. In Him, God gives love, grace, comfort, hope, courage, and strength. e. Stop trusting in you. Stop trying to please God. Stop trying to make it through this life. f. Get off His throne and make a declaration of dependance on Him. Cry out to Him to save you from your sin and unto an obedient and Christ like life. [Slide 20(end)] Let me close with a prayer by the Puritan Robert Hawker Blessed promise! Holy Spirit, make it happen in and upon my soul, day by day. Bring me under the continued baptisms of your sovereign influence, and cause me to feel all the sweet anointings of the Spirit sent down upon the hearts and minds of your redeemed. These are the fruits and effects of Jesus, the promise of God the Father. Yes, blessed Spirit, cause me to know you in your person, work, and power. I need you day by day as my Comforter. I need you as the Spirit of truth, to guide me into all truth. I need you as the one who reminds me of the Lord Jesus, to bring to my forgetful heart all the blessed things he has revealed to me. I need you, as the witness of my Jesus, to testify of my wants, and of his fullness to supply. I need you as my advocate and helper, in all my infirmities in prayer. I need you as the deposit of the promised inheritance, that I may not faint or lack faith to hold on and hold out in every dark season. I need you, Lord. I cannot do a moment without you, nor act in faith, nor believe a promise, nor exercise a grace, without your constant hand on my poor soul. Come then, Lord, I beg you, and let me be brought under your unceasing baptisms. Shed abroad the love of God my Father in my heart, and direct me into the patient waiting for Jesus Christ. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Benediction: Hear the word of the Lord, In favor I will show you compassion, So that men may bring you the wealth of nations, In favor I will enlighten the eyes of your heart, That you might fully understand the hope to which He called you, even the glorious inheritance of the saints. Until we meet again, Grace and peace to you.

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/stick-with-sound-doctrine/Watch this sermon directly on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMjikAmZAAwTwo Saturdays ago, was our last men's Bible study on Nehemiah. Ten minutes into the lesson, a stranger walked into the church with his Bible. I thought, "Fantastic!" I introduced myself as Pastor Zarling. He introduced himself as Karan. For a while during the class, he called me "Pastor Darling", which I was fine with. During the discussion, Karan mentioned that he's a street preacher passing through Casper on his way to the state of Washington.Everything was polite and respectful during the lesson ... until the lesson was over. Then the mood and the conversation changed. It became less than fantastic. Matt, Steve, and Chuck left. Jon stayed with me in Karan. Jon later said that he stayed because he felt something was off.You can usually find differences between denominations on two specific topics -- the nature of Jesus and the Sacraments. The Sacraments are what set Karan off. He started talking about Transubstantiation. Transubstantiation is where the Catholics believe that the bread and wine change substance into Christ's body and blood. The elements look and taste like bread and wine, but now they're only body and blood. I told Karan that Lutherans believe the Bible teaches Real Presence in the sacrament. We believe that Christ's body and blood are really present in, with, and under the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper.I quoted Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper. He said, "'Take, eat, this is my body.' Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it all of you, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'" (Matthew 26:26-28). I said that "is" an only and ever mean "is." It can never ever mean "symbolize" or "represent." Then I quoted where St. Paul discusses that we receive four things in the Lord's Supper -- bread and wine, body and blood. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:16)?Karan disagreed ... vehemently. He started to raise his voice.But I really set him off when we discussed Baptism. He's like most Reformed and non-denominational Christians that don't believe in God's gifts in the Sacraments. He insisted that we are saved by faith alone and not Baptism. I agreed that we are saved by grace alone and faith alone. I added that Baptism saves. I then quoted St. Peter, "Baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21).Karan disagreed ... vehemently. He raised his voice again. He started calling me to repent for what I was teaching. The conversation was no longer beneficial to either of us. I know what Scripture teaches on the Sacraments. He refused to listen. Instead, Jon and I ushered toward the door. Karan kept shouting loudly, "Repent! Repent! You need to repent!"While everything was cordial during the Bible study, Karan had mentioned that we should be more like Nehemiah with no divisions or denominations. Except, he later proved why there are divisions and denominations. There are currently over 45,000 different Christian denominations around the world. There are about 70 different churches in Casper, each with its own unique teachings. So, if there is only one Lord and only one Bible, where is why is there so much variety?Pastor Paul answers that question in his letter to young Pastor Timothy. These are some of his last words before he died a martyr's death. These words are meant specifically for pastors, but they can also be applied to lay Christians. He encourages all of us to stick with sound doctrine.During the lesson on Nehemiah, I had mentioned catechesis and confirmation. Karan asked what those were. I explained the Catechism, youth confirmation classes, and adult instruction classes. When I later reflected and re-told the story to the guys who had left before the fireworks began, I mentioned that I should have paused the conversation to get my Catechism. The Catechism wonderfully lays out the Scriptures on the saving power of Baptism and the Real Presence of the Lord's Supper. The Catechism helps us stick with sound doctrine.Paul begins, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Paul solemnly charges Christians to preach the Word -- both in formal settings when we're surrounded by like-minded confessional Lutherans and when we're in informal and uncomfortable settings. He says this is a "solemn charge" -- one that we don't take lightly. For Lutheran pastors, preaching is a divine mandate, not a mere career choice.At one time or another, all of us have probably felt like the prophet Jeremiah. Those who opposed God's truths tried to stop him from preaching. Passhur, the chief officer of the temple, heard Jeremiah preaching and had him beaten and put in a stocks. Jeremiah says that he wished he would have been able to stop preaching, but he couldn't. He could not hold in the Word. It was like a fire in his heart that had to pour forth from his mouth. "Whenever I speak, I cry out. I cry out, 'Violence and destruction!' But the word of the Lord has brought scorn on me. I am mocked all day long. If I say, 'I will not mention him or speak in his name anymore,' then there is a burning fire in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I am weary of holding it in. I cannot" (Jeremiah 20:8-9)!We are to preach this Word, "whether it is convenient or not." Always be ready to preach the truths of God's Word, even when these truths are not popular or acceptable in society. Perhaps you've heard about Major League Baseball disciplining three San Francisco Giants' pitchers. It was Pride night at the Giants' stadium. All the players were to be wearing rainbow baseball caps. These three players wore the caps, but they wrote Genesis 9:12-16 next to the rainbow. Genesis 9 is where God gives the reason for the rainbow. The rainbow was given as a sign of God's promise to never again destroy the earth with a worldwide flood in his righteous judgment. But the rainbow has been co-opted by those who want to celebrate their degenerate and deviant sexuality, thereby calling God's righteous judgment down on them.It wasn't convenient for those players to stand up for the truth, but they did it. Now they are facing backlash for it from pagans, idolators, and even weak, misguided Christians. You probably have similar issues in your workplace, in the Casper community, or in your own family. It's easy to shut our mouths, keep our heads down, compromise and equivocate to the bullies. Christians have been doing this for far too long in America. We are much more willing to offend God than offend our idolatrous culture or adulterous family member.Follower of Christ, it's time for you to stand up and stand out. Be bold. Proclaim God's truths, whether it is popular and convenient or countercultural, inconvenient, and dangerous. True Christianity remains faithful regardless of trends.Perhaps we are dealing with so much filth and foolishness today because pastors and people have stopped preaching God's Word into the pagan culture. We're afraid. We've become risk adverse. We count the cost ... and it's too much. But every time we remain silent, the Devil keeps talking, he keeps gaining ground, while the Christian Church keeps losing ground.Paul gives the reason why paganism abounds, Pride Month is celebrated, and so many denominations exist. "For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). People won't put up with sound doctrine. Many people only want to hear things that make them feel good. They'll avoid topics of God's Law that will make them feel guilty. They want to hear false teaching out of the mouth of Satan that confirms their sexual sins. Unbelief avoids the truth.There's a difference between what people want to hear and what they need to hear. They need to hear sound doctrine. The pure teaching of the divinely inspired and inerrant word of God. Unfortunately, many people are looking for preachers and teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear, even if it contradicts the truth of the Bible.Thankfully, Paul doesn't just describe the problem; he also gives the solution. "Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not." Stick with the Bible's sound doctrine, not only when it's popular but especially when it isn't.Paul commands pastors and people to "Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching." Rebuking and correcting are using God's Law to expose sin and pride. True love for the sinner means you show them they are lost and condemned creatures who deserve God's punishment now and forever. This is never fun or easy or convenient, but it is always necessary. If you ignore their sin, then they will too. If they have no sin, they have no need for a Savior. When you point out their sin, that's correcting and rebuking.Then you can share the good news of the gospel to encourage them. You tell them how Jesus has taken on God's punishment, so they can now be reconciled with God now and forever. You tell them how Jesus humbled himself for their sinful pride. How he as God in human flesh died for the way they make their flesh their gods. How he is the truth to remove all their false beliefs. He is the one who cares when they change their bodies, minds, and sexualities because they don't feel loved by anyone else.Jesus promises "Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without the knowledge and consent of your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31). This is pure Gospel! A copper coin was worth almost nothing, yet God closely monitors every single sparrow. If God cares for inexpensive birds, how much more does he care for you---his blood-bought child? Jesus knows you so well that he even knows how many hairs you have in your head. Admittedly, some of you make it easier on him than others.Jesus knows what it's like to be unpopular for speaking the truth -- he was crucified for it! He gave his life as a sacrifice for sins, and you are forgiven when you avoid the truth, ignore the truth, and forget the truth.That's the key: When God has spoken it, it is the truth. He promises to bless all his words that come from your mouth. When you speak the Word with great patience, you won't always tell people what they want to hear, but you will always tell them what they need to hear. Stick with the sound doctrine that prepares you for your eternal home.Going back to the conversation with Karan, I was smiling, confident, and confessional. With the words given to me by the Holy Spirit, I stuck to sound doctrine. I have the Bible, and the Catechism and Confessions to explain the doctrines of the Bible. You have the same tools. You will be confronted. Jesus promises his disciples of all ages that these confrontations will come. But you have the Bible, Catechism, and Confessions. Be bold and confident when you make your confession. Jesus promises that when you confess him to others, he will confess you before his heavenly Father. "Everyone who confesses me before others, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). You can confidently confess because you continue to stick with sound doctrine. Amen.

True Christianity extends beyond mere church attendance; it is a fundamental transformation defined by a life of sacrificial devotion to Christ and the profound reality of Jesus's suffering and sacrifice serves as the ultimate motivation to stop conforming to the world and instead live entirely for him. When confronted with the magnitude of what the Savior endured, the decision to give Him one's whole life becomes an absolute 'no-brainer' - a response that is, quite simply, 'Duh.' It's time to be "all-in" and move past half-measures and into a life of purpose that mirrors the love of the Savior.

The modern gospel is often presented as simple, comfortable, and requiring little sacrifice, yet Scripture paints a far more costly picture of following Christ. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar examine the dangers of easy believism and why true saving faith cannot be separated from repentance and surrender. They explain that easy believism reduces salvation to intellectual agreement or a repeated prayer, ignoring the gospel's transforming power. At the same time, they warn against moralism, in which people try to earn righteousness externally without genuine heart change. True Christianity is not merely behavior modification or empty confession but wholehearted surrender to Christ as Savior and Lord.The guys explore the relationship between justification, sanctification, and obedience. While believers are justified instantly by faith, genuine faith produces a transformed life marked by repentance and growing holiness. Scripture consistently presents the narrow path of discipleship rather than a broad and effortless road. The guys emphasize that repentance is not optional or secondary but central to the gospel message Jesus Himself preached. Grace is free, but it is never cheap, because following Christ costs believers their lives, desires, and self-rule. Salvation changes the heart, and a changed heart begins to desire obedience to God.The conversation turns to practical questions about spiritual fruit and assurance. The guys encourage believers to examine themselves and consider whether they truly hunger for righteousness or remain comfortable in ongoing sin. They explain that spiritual fruit is not about perfection but about direction, asking whether a person's heart increasingly desires Christ rather than sin. Biblical community also plays a vital role, as faithful churches help believers grow, lovingly confront sin, and encourage repentance. The guys stress that true love involves speaking the truth, even when correction is uncomfortable.Finally, the guys discuss worship and transformation, explaining that people inevitably become like whatever they behold. Everyone is worshiping something, and true worship shapes the heart toward Christlikeness. Mark reflects on moving from intellectual belief to genuine saving faith after being confronted with conviction and the reality of his sin. The guys remind listeners that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, not by human effort, yet true faith always produces change. Following Christ means denying self, taking up the cross daily, and living in continual dependence on God's mercy and grace.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

North Campus

Pentecost was never meant to produce comfortable, nominal Christianity. In this Pentecost homily, I explore how Acts 2 connects back to Mount Sinai, John the Baptist's warning to Israel, and the danger of presuming we belong to God while remaining unchanged. The fire of Pentecost was not about emotional hype—it was about repentance, surrender, holiness, and the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If you've ever wondered whether modern Christianity has lost the weight and urgency of the early Church, this message is for you. That You May Know Him, Episode 299.

"Christ" is not Jesus' last name; it is His title—The Anointed One, the Messiah, the true King. The sermon concludes with a sobering promise from Philippians 2: Every single knee will bow to this name. It is not a matter of if you will bow; it is only a matter of when. Bowing today brings eternal salvation; waiting until judgment day brings eternal regret. True Christianity requires moving past a mediocre, title-only faith and fully surrendering every single lane of your life to the lordship of Christ.Notes for this sermon: https://lifechurchww.cls.co/WMmCWebsite | https://lifechurchww.comFacebook | https://facebook.com/lifechurchwwInstagram | https://instagram.com/lifechurchwwVida Music | https://vidamsc.com

"As Paul closes Galatians, he returns one final time to the central issue of the epistle: justification by faith alone. In this concluding section, Paul contrasts two fundamentally different approaches to Christianity—the theology of glory and the theology of the cross.Those troubling the Galatians desired outward success, human approval, and freedom from persecution. But Paul boasts in nothing except the cross of Christ. The cross destroys all confidence in human righteousness and reveals that salvation comes only through the crucified Savior.This sermon examines Paul's passionate defense of the gospel and applies it to modern attempts to ground truth in institutions, communities, or cultural movements rather than in the Word of God itself. True Christianity is anchored in the gospel revealed in Scripture: sinners are justified by faith apart from works of the law.The church must therefore resist every form of compromise and continue boasting only in Christ crucified.In this sermon:Paul's final summary of GalatiansJustification by faith aloneThe theology of glory vs. the theology of the crossWhy false religion seeks outward power and approvalPaul's willingness to suffer for the gospelThe true Israel of GodTesting all claims by ScriptureBoasting only in the cross of Christ“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14"

Sometimes people can unknowingly be serving other gods and idols. How? By not taking the time to really know who Jesus is, and by continuing to serve a fake Jesus created in their own minds — shaped by popular opinions and false ideas about Him.What do I mean by this? When our own desires become louder than Jesus — louder than truly knowing Him and obeying what the Lord says — that desire has become an idol.Some people's idea of Jesus is that He exists to do magic for them. That is what they are looking for. They live in a world where they go to people for magic in their lives, so when they come to Jesus, they expect the same thing. They don't realize that magic is an evil thing. They hold on to the idea that everyone — including God — works like the idol they have created in their mind.Some people want Jesus to strike down the people they don't like. Yes, I know that sounds eye-opening, but it's true. They are used to removing people they don't like in their own lives, and they expect Jesus to operate the same way.Some people only want the power of Jesus and not Him.2 Timothy 3:5 — “For although they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].”Some want Jesus to be nothing more than a bank machine who stays silent. They are used to getting only what they want and nothing more. Some people don't want to hear correction, truth, holiness, or righteousness — they just want the blessings of Jesus.God wants you to realize that some requests you make of Him are contrary to His will. He cannot do evil. In Him there is no darkness at all, so to ask Him to do evil is not who He is or what He does.1 John 1:5 — “And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].”Commentary: It is important to begin to know who God truly is so we can pray, live, and understand effectively as we grow.Matthew 7:22-23 — “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?' And then I will say to them openly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].'”You can see that it's not about getting what we want — knowing Jesus is what truly matters.Key Points:Creating a version of Jesus vs. who He really is Vain imagination Renew your mind in order to know the Lord Finding JesusThis program covers the following Scriptures from the Amplified Classic version (AMPC): 2 Timothy 3:5, 1 John 1:5, Matthew 7:22, Acts 10:38, Matthew:16:13–16, John 6:68-69, John 1:1-3, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Isaiah 55:3, Isaiah 55:6-9, Romans 12:2, James 1:21, James 4:7-10, James 1:22-24, John 14:6-9, John 1:1-3, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Philippians 4:6.        Support the showClick Here to Send Us Your Prayer Request.

Identifying True Christianity - Update from John Carter - 5-14-26

What happens when faith starts looking more like culture than Christ? In this compelling Sunday message, Pastor Donnie McClurkin calls believers back to the true foundation of Christianity—a life of holiness, obedience, and unwavering commitment to God's Word. He challenges the church to examine areas where compromise has replaced conviction and reminds us that faith cannot be shaped by personal opinion, but by God's standards. Pastor McClurkin speaks candidly about behaviors that weaken spiritual integrity, including cursing, fornication, drinking, gossiping, and living outside the principles of righteousness. With urgency and clarity, he emphasizes that holiness is not optional for the believer—it is the evidence of a life surrendered to God. This message is a powerful wake-up call for every Christian seeking to walk authentically and consecrated before God in a world full of distractions and compromise. True Christianity is not about appearance or routine—it is about living a life fully aligned with God's Word, marked by holiness, integrity, and obedience. Sermon Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16; Leviticus 11:44   We stream live every Sunday at 11 am and every Wednesday at 8 pm. Visit our website: https://perfectingfaithchurch.com  Connect with us on social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerfectingFaithChurch/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectingfaithchurch/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@perfectingfaithchurch  X: https://x.com/PFCNY   Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@perfectingfaithchurch    

Many people search desperately for spiritual fulfillment through religious performance, missing what God has already freely given through grace. Paul warns against legalism in Colossians 2, explaining how religious rules become shadows that distract from the substance found in Christ. True Christianity is about relationship, not performance. When we love God first, obedience flows naturally from that love. Jesus transforms us from the inside out, offering genuine freedom from both sin and religious bondage. The key is drawing near to Jesus just as we are, resting in His grace rather than trying to earn His favor through our efforts. -------------- ' He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. ' Colossians 1:15-23

TIMELINE: 00:00 – Intro: The Mission of Real Recovery   00:56 – Robert Augustus Masters: To Be a Man   02:30 – Jesus as the Ultimate Soul Psychologist   03:59 – The Shame-Aggression Quote: A Deep Dive   06:37 – Churchianity vs. True Christianity   08:36 – Anger as a Defensive Strategy   10:40 – The Narcissism of Childhood vs. Adult Shame   13:09 – Core Shame Messages: "I am insignificant"   15:24 – Emasculation and the Addiction Cycle   18:13 – Righteous Anger vs. Petulant Aggression   22:52 – Emotional Paradigms: Men in the Locker Room   26:30 – Samson Society Ad   27:30 – Corrective Relational Experiences   31:34 – The Ministry of Reconciliation in Brotherhood   46:17 – Performance-Based Acceptance: A Litmus Test   51:30 – Betrayal Trauma & the Shame of "One-Down" To learn more about the Sex, God, & Chaos team, click the link below:www.sexgodchaos.comLooking for help? Book an appointment with LifeWorks Counseling today:www.lifeworks.msYou can purchase your copy of Sex, God, & Chaos here:www.amazon.comLink for our sponsor, Hope Quest:https://hopequestgroup.orgLink for our sponsor, The Samson Society:https://www.samsonsociety.com/

Hebrews 13:17 I Andrew Murch I Church MembershipI. Christians identify locally and obey Godly authority. (13a, d) A. True Christianity plays out in local church community. B. Submission to authority is a Christian's responsibility.II. Church leaders will account for the souls in their care. (13b, c) A. Leaders face accountability, so they need clarity. B. Ideally, leaders can shoulder their responsibility joyfully.Christians are to submit to leaders who answer to God.

As You Wish Talk Radio with James Gilliland UFO/UAP Bombshell From The Ascended Masters and Galactic Federation. Calling out the Delusion and Debauchery This broadcast explores the metaphysical struggle between "Universal Law" and the "Demiurge" construct, addressing global political conflicts and alleged occult influences. Speaker James Gilliland provides a detailed rebuttal to recent controversies surrounding the ECETI Hawaii project while calling for a spiritual awakening centered on "Christ Consciousness." The Metaphysical Conflict and Global Control The planet is described as being governed by the "Demiurge," a negative AI or consciousness construct also identified as the "Beast" or "Archons." This influence is said to manifest through political movements and radical religious sects that allegedly engage in occult worship, institutionalized trafficking, and genetic experimentation. Conversely, "True Christianity" and the original teachings of Yeshua (Jesus), recently recovered from the Ethiopian Bible, emphasize the "God spark" within every individual and the equality of all people, rejecting the patriarchal and hierarchical systems of the past. Geopolitics, False Flags, and Ancient History Modern conflicts in the Middle East are characterized as power struggles rather than holy wars, with the speaker citing events like 9/11 and the USS Liberty as "false flags" used to justify expansionism. The narrative links these events to ancient history, involving Anunnaki genetic engineering and suppressed technologies such as "Stargates" and "MedBeds," the latter of which are reportedly being used to heal children rescued from underground facilities segment11-12]. The current escalation between Israel and Iran is viewed as the "beginning of the end" for corrupt global leadership, as "Universal Law" begins to anchor back into the physical plane. The ECETI Hawaii Controversy and Spiritual Integrity A significant portion of the broadcast addresses a five-year dispute regarding the attempted creation of "ECETI Hawaii." Gilliland alleges that two former partners, referred to as "Leidi" and "Hesa," failed to honor agreements despite $1.5 million in funding provided through ECETI. He characterizes their subsequent accusations of abuse and "harem" dynamics as "meritless gossip" and "projections" intended to deflect from their own lack of integrity and financial impropriety. He emphasizes that ECETI operates without gurus or external worship, focusing instead on individual empowerment and "self-mastery". Spiritual Discernment and the "BS Meter" The speaker warns that the spiritual and UFO communities are currently riddled with "posers, shills, and planned opposition" who lack the inner sensitivity to see behind the "masks" of false leaders. He advocates for the development of a "BS meter"—a personal connection to the Divine that allows one to remain an unbiased observer. Enlightenment is defined as being in knowledge of both the dark and the light, requiring the courage to hold oneself and others accountable to Universal Law. The broadcast concludes with a firm call for truth and accountability. By dropping the "arrogance of elitism" and adhering to Universal Law, humanity can move past manufactured lack and conflict. Gilliland invites seekers to bypass the "soap opera" of rumors and engage directly with the authentic energies of the Ascended Masters and benevolent off-worlders.

For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley,  Idaho, USA.If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them.  Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

True Christianity is marked by love for others and obedience to God as a response to His grace. True love comes through knowing Jesus, and so John testifies to the reality of Jesus so that in the end, we might find eternal life in Jesus.

For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

When we truly grasp the depth of God's love, it changes us. As we abide in that love, fear begins to fade and a new kind of life emerges—one marked by confidence before God and genuine love for others. Real Christianity isn't about earning love, but living securely in the love already given through Christ. If God's perfect love has reached you, how is it transforming the way you live and love today?

True Christianity is marked by discernment and testing the spirits. In a world filled with persuasive religious, cultural, and political voices, believers are called to test every message by the lordship of Jesus, the character of His love, and the truth of Scripture. Are you carefully examining the spirits around you—or simply trusting what sounds right?

 Just as kids bear family resemblance to their parents, true Christians should look like our Father—by hating sin, practicing righteousness, and reflecting His mission for the world. Does your life bear fruit that resembles your heavenly Father?

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on January 27, 2025. The readings are from 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19, Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 & Mark 3:31-35. — Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCytcnEsuKXBI-xN8mv9mkfw

One enduring test of true Christianity is a deep love for the Father. This affection is evidenced by not loving the world, by doing the will of the Father, and by abiding in Him.

What does a truly Christian life look like? In this message from 1 John 2:1–14, we explore the second mark of true Christianity: a life marked by holiness. John shows us that while Christians are not sinless, they are no longer characterized by sin. True faith produces obedience, love for others, and a growing likeness to Christ.At the same time, this passage offers deep hope. When we do sin, we are not left in despair—Jesus is our righteous Advocate and the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Through Him, both the penalty and power of sin are overcome.

This episode addresses a tension many believers feel but rarely understand: why truth, rules, and even Scripture can feel lifeless or oppressive. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 3, Dr. Jim explains that the issue is not the Word of God, but the absence of dependence on the Spirit of God. True Christianity is not self-powered obedience but Spirit-empowered life.Topics DiscussedThe meaning of “the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life”Why truth without the Spirit produces frustration rather than transformationHow rules and standards provoke rebellion when divorced from graceThe difference between self-effort Christianity and Spirit-enabled obedienceWhy the solution is not rejecting the Word, but relying on the SpiritKey TakeawaysThe Bible is never the problem; dependence on self is.Obedience without the Spirit leads to defeat, not freedom.The Spirit gives life to truth, enabling joyful, willing obedience.Christianity only works when Christ Himself is the source of power.Real freedom comes through surrender and faith, not self-discipline alone. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Lincoln’s father was a pastor and he grew up in church.  He was a faithful church goer all his life, and then he realized that he has missed the main think all along.  Now Lincoln is involved in helping others gain traction in the Christian life. Lincoln

In this profound and foundational teaching, Amb. Elisha challenges modern Christianity to return to the original message Jesus preached — the Kingdom of God

Missionary Evangelist Robert Breaker talks about TRUE CHRISTIANITY vs FALSE CHRISTIANITY and shows what parades around as "Mainstream Christianity" has always been wrong.

Why are some Protestants drawn toward Roman Catholicism—and how should we think about the “one true church”? In this episode, Mark Vance launches a five-part series on the nature of the church, explaining why he remains a Protestant while seeking to speak with both clarity and charity about Catholicism.Mark walks through why historical rootedness feels especially compelling in shaky cultural moments, how true Christianity exists within the Roman Catholic Church, and yet why he believes certain teachings and practices obscure the gospel. He also introduces the four major reasons he's a Protestant: the nature of the true church, the history of the church, the question of authority, and the clarity of the gospel—setting the stage for the rest of the series.Episode Highlights:00:00 — Launching a five-part series: “Why Protestantism?” and why people are asking about Catholicism03:19 — True Christianity within Catholicism—and how some teachings can obscure the gospel08:55 — Overview of the four major reasons Mark remains a Protestant11:25 — The Protestant view of the “one true church” and the visible/invisible church distinction17:43 — How the Roman Catholic Church understands itself as the one true church (one, holy, catholic, apostolic)22:51 — Protestantism as a renewal movement within the one true church, not a competing “true church”24:19 — Are all Catholics saved? Visible membership vs. being born again by faith in Christ26:03 — Why Mark says Rome is “not Catholic enough” and how Protestantism offers a broader catholicityResources:Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineGavin Ortlund, What It Means to Be Protestant (Truth Unites)Matthew Barrett, The Reformation as RenewalMichael Svigel, RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten FaithChad Van Dixhoorn (ed.), Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms: A Reader's EditionCatechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican)

For the audio of the full service, printed sermons, and service bulletins, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bismarcklutheran.org/sermons-and-bulletins/

Today we're trashing feminism some more, because it obviously deserves it. Feminism is not only unbiblical, it's extremely destructive for all of society. We'll talk about why Christian podcasters like Allie Beth Stuckey shouldn't defend their feminism while claiming to follow Christ, and why Christianity itself is a patriarchy, by God's design. It's time for biblical men to stop waiting for permission from feminists and take back the authority God gave them. We'll also discuss more of the Trump administration's mistakes, including this ridiculous new 50-year mortgage idea that proves how far from wisdom our leaders have fallen.

Join us this week as Pastor Mo shares on what it means to have a genuine relationship with God. Many Christians sincerely love God but still feel drained, stuck, or discouraged because they’ve been living out a performance-based faith instead of a relational one. We pray polished prayers, check spiritual boxes, and try to “be good Christians,” yet we hide our doubts and frustrations from the very God who invites honesty. The gospel reminds us that Jesus saved us while we were still sinners, proving that faith isn’t about perfection or earning His love. True Christianity is not performance — it’s intimacy, grace, and trusting that we are already the delight of God’s heart.(00:00) Real Christianity and the Freedom Within(14:42) Walking in Faith(23:42) The Covenant in Abraham's Sleep(30:38) Resting in God's Grace and Mercy(44:38) Connecting With City Light Church Podcasthttps://citylightnyc.com/ 

Jesus came to the earth to make a way ____________. [John 14:1-6] “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. [2] There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? [3] When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. [4] And you know the way to where I am going.” [5] “No, we don't know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” [6] Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. Jesus doesn't just point the way, he is the ______. Jesus is the only Savior from slavery to _________ and ____________. Doing _____________ can't get you home. ____________ is man's attempt to get to God. ____________ is God's attempt to get to man. [John 3:16 NIV] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. True Christianity is not exclusive, it's _______________. [Romans 10:13] For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." JC doesn't just tell the __________, he is the truth. John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Jesus doesn't just give __________, he is the life. [John 10:10b CSB] I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. Jesus didn't come for behavior modification, he came for heart ____________________. [Acts 4:12] There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Episode Description:In this episode of Walk the Talk, James shares how real faith isn't about words — it's about action. Drawing from Jeremiah 7 and Galatians 5, he reminds us that “talk is cheap” without obedience to God's Word. True Christianity is revealed not by what we say, but by how we live, love, and walk each day.

Did you know that often times, the very things Jesus did, said, or taught, were the very things the religious establishment placed under the highest form of scrutiny?  It wasn't all because Jesus defied the law or the prophets, as some may assume; contrarily, Jesus came as the embodiment of and fulfillment of the law and the prophets. This begins a new series called, “The House of Simon: A Picture of the Modern Church” with part 1 titled, “The Untouchables.” From Luke 7:36–50, we see a moment when a broken, sinful woman poured out her tears and her costly ointment at the feet of Jesus. While Simon the Pharisee looked on in judgment, Jesus looked on with love. The challenge for today's church is clear: If it were us as Simon, will we respond with pride and distance, or with humility and compassion? True Christianity isn't about keeping our hands clean—it's about reaching out to the ones who not many care to engage with. Evangelism isn't always pretty, but when devoted fully to the leading of the Holy Spirit, it is always powerful. Watch as we discover what it means to walk in humility, restore the broken, and reflect the love of Christ in a hurting world. Email Us: info@heartofworshipchurch.com Visit Our Website: www.heartofworshipchurch.com For Prayer Requests: pray@heartofworshipcurch.com

Many young people measure their Christianity by boxes checked and rules kept. In this episode, Bobby Bosler challenges that mindset with the words of Jesus: “But I say unto you.” Victory in the Christian life is not about religion or outward conformity, but about walking with the living Christ in daily dependence and surrender.Topics DiscussedWhat it really means to be “more than a conqueror” in ChristThe danger of checklist Christianity and outward conformityHow Jesus corrected shallow interpretations of God's lawThe difference between religion and relationshipListening to the Spirit's voice in daily lifeYielding to Christ in practical moments (family, ministry, soul winning)Key TakeawaysJesus didn't save you to lose—He saved you to live as a conqueror through His power.A checklist mentality leads to dead religion; true Christianity flows from relationship with Christ.Obedience is not about outward compliance but inward surrender to Jesus.The Spirit of God actively corrects, leads, and guides believers—if we are listening.Dependence on Jesus enables victory in habits, prayer, soul winning, and God's will.Additional ResourcesThee Generation Youth Summit — Learn more and register early for this year's conference.Upside Down Kingdom Series — Read Bobby's articles on the Sermon on the Mount (with audio read-along available).Fellowship Baptist Church Podcast — Weekly sermons from the pulpit of Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairmont, WV. Available on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Segment 1: • Jon Mark Comer is popular with Gen Z, pushing a me-focused worldview. • True Christianity demands battling all sin, not selectively tolerating some. • Sin's deceitfulness exposes the emptiness of self-made systems. Segment 2: • Comer's message mirrors Rob Bell-style mysticism and expressive individualism. • Gen Z craves depth but is being fed me-centric spirituality. • Comer's eclectic mix of truth and error makes him appealing yet dangerous. Segment 3: • Christianity isn't about making you “happy.” • The Spirit-driven life is about who you are, not self-improvement tricks. • Are you depending on inventions—or on the Holy Spirit—for daily living? Segment 4: • You are a Christian in the day-to-day as much as in the “spiritual.” • Living the Christian life isn't about feelings-driven systems—it's obedience. • Neglecting your daily walk isn't harmless—it's sin. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Galatians 5:22-23 Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music by Jeff Foote