Podcasts about without christ

What's the fundamental problem with humanity? Is it a lack of education? Poor policies in the public sphere? Why are humans the way they are? In this sermon on Ephesians 2:1–3 titled “Man in Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the problem is much deeper. The problem is this: humanity is dead. Not physically dead––physically, people are very much alive––but in regards to spiritual things, humanity is born dead. Humanity sees no need for God and disregards His word. Spiritual realities are boring to them and they do not find the Bible relevant. As a result, humanity is shaped by the present age under the spiritual realm of darkness and organize their life apart from God. They do not know it because they are dead. The result is eternal death. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one must know the depths of this problem. As the problem is much deeper than one thought, the solution must be greater than imagined. The delight in the gospel of Jesus Christ comes from understanding this. They were hopeless and dead. Without Christ, there was nothing one could do. Yet God loved them and He has made them alive.

What's the fundamental problem with humanity? Is it a lack of education? Poor policies in the public sphere? Why are humans the way they are? In this sermon on Ephesians 2:1–3 titled “Man in Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the problem is much deeper. The problem is this: humanity is dead. Not physically dead––physically, people are very much alive––but in regards to spiritual things, humanity is born dead. Humanity sees no need for God and disregards His word. Spiritual realities are boring to them and they do not find the Bible relevant. As a result, humanity is shaped by the present age under the spiritual realm of darkness and organize their life apart from God. They do not know it because they are dead. The result is eternal death. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one must know the depths of this problem. As the problem is much deeper than one thought, the solution must be greater than imagined. The delight in the gospel of Jesus Christ comes from understanding this. They were hopeless and dead. Without Christ, there was nothing one could do. Yet God loved them and He has made them alive. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

I was learning to ride a bicycle, and my dad was my teacher. Across the street from our apartment was a schoolyard as big as a city block. Like most city schoolyards, it was all concrete, no grass. In the middle of that big expanse was the only obstacle for a bike-riding rookie - a big old metal flagpole. But how could anyone run into that when he had the whole schoolyard to learn in, right? It can be done. Yeah, there I was, wobbling along, trying to learn to keep my balance on two wheels with my dad just behind me. Suddenly I heard him saying, "Turn, boy." My hands were frozen to the handlebars. I was sure turning either way meant crashing on that hard concrete. Again, "Turn, son!" I was closing in on the flagpole. Now it was a desperate cry from the lips of a disbelieving father, "Turn or you're going to hit the pole!" Bonngggg! I hit the pole. I still have the chipped tooth to prove it. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Missing the Turn that Saves Your Life." I made a painful mistake. I didn't make the turn that could have saved me. You know, there are lots of people like that. There's a turn that God is telling them to make; a turn that could save them from a life without meaning and an eternity without hope. But they just won't turn. You may know a lot about a lot of things, but there's nothing more important in all the world than to understand the turn that will keep you from God's punishment and take you to God's heaven. It's described in many places in the Bible, including Acts 3:19, our word for today from the Word of God. It says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Here's why this is so life-or-death important. The sin that verse talks about will keep us from ever experiencing God's peace and God's love in this life and from ever entering His heaven when we die. A perfect God cannot have a relationship with an unforgiven sinner. But what we just read from God's Word talks about every sin you've ever committed being erased from God's book forever! Which means the only thing standing between you and God - between you and heaven - could be gone if you make the turn. Obviously, the turn is a turn to God. And the way to Him is through His Son, who died to make that way. In God's own words, Jesus "bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we might die to sins" (1 Peter 2:24). The gift of eternal life is in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, the One who purchased that life by giving up His own life for you. But here's the part that some people miss. When you turn to Jesus, you're turning your back on something else. You're turning your back on the junk that killed Him. You're making a decision that you're going to abandon the sins of the past that were the very sins He died to get rid of. That's what the "repent" part of turning to God is all about - turning your back on your sins to turn to Jesus as your Savior. You won't be instantly perfect, but you're deciding to let Jesus change you. It's His power that will change you, but your decision that you will change. Look, you can't face east and west at the same time. You've got to turn away from one to face the other. So it is with Jesus and the sin He died for. But then, why would you want to continue to defy God and poison your life with the sin that ultimately always kills? We're talking a new you here, from the inside out! A new you that begins the moment you say, "Jesus, I'm Yours!" God's come to you today to offer you complete forgiveness and life forever. Don't miss this opportunity. In fact, that new you is what our website's all about. It's called ANewStory.com. Will you go check that out today? Without Christ in your heart, you're heading for a collision with God and an eternity you don't want. But hey, listen, today there's still time to turn.

Romans 1:3: Concerning His Son What is the gospel ultimately about? Romans 1:3 gives us Paul's answer with remarkable clarity: the gospel is “concerning his Son.” The gospel is not first about us. It is not centered on our experiences, our improvement, our religious performance, or our felt needs. The gospel is the good news of what God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ. “Concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.” Romans 1:3 The Gospel Concerns God's Son Paul has already told us that he was set apart for the gospel of God and that this gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. Now he tells us who this gospel concerns: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The gospel is not advice about how to improve ourselves. Advice tells us what we should do. The gospel announces what God has already done in and through Jesus Christ. We do not need another self-help plan, moral improvement program, or religious system. We need a Savior. The gospel points us away from ourselves and directs us to Christ. Jesus Is the Eternal Son of God Jesus is not merely a prophet, moral teacher, religious example, or spiritual guide. He is the eternal Son of God. The Son did not begin to exist in Bethlehem. He did not become divine at His baptism or after His resurrection. Jesus Christ is eternally the Son of God, sharing the same divine nature as the Father. This matters because only God can save. A created Savior cannot bear the full weight of divine judgment or provide the salvation sinners desperately need. Our confidence rests in the eternal Son of God who came into the world to save sinners. Jesus Is the Promised Son of David Paul also tells us that Jesus was descended from David according to the flesh. This connects the gospel directly to the promises God made throughout the Old Testament. God promised that a descendant of David would reign forever. Jesus is that promised King. He is the Messiah, the Son of David, and the rightful ruler whose kingdom will never end. The gospel therefore announces not only that a Savior has come, but that the King has come. Jesus is not merely useful or comforting. He is Lord. The Savior who gives mercy is also the King who reigns. Jesus Truly Became Man The eternal Son of God truly took on human flesh. He did not merely appear to be human or wear humanity like a costume. He took on a true human nature without ceasing to be truly God. Jesus experienced hunger, weakness, sorrow, rejection, temptation, suffering, and death, yet He remained completely without sin. This truth has been carefully defended throughout church history because it stands at the heart of the gospel. Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, truly God and truly man. If Jesus is not truly God, He cannot save. If Jesus is not truly man, He cannot stand in our place. As man, He obeyed where we have disobeyed and suffered in the place of sinners. As God, His saving work is fully sufficient and eternally powerful. The Gospel Is Centered on Jesus Christ Romans will teach us about sin, wrath, righteousness, justification, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, election, Israel, Christian living, church unity, and mission. But every one of these truths ultimately finds its center in Jesus Christ. Christ is not one doctrine among many. He is the center and substance of the gospel. Without Christ there is no justification, no peace with God, no adoption, no hope in suffering, no mercy, and no eternal life. Christianity cannot be reduced to a worldview, moral system, ministry platform, theological identity, or religious tradition. Christianity is centered on Christ because the gospel itself is concerning His Son. Look to Christ Romans 1:3 calls us to look again at the glory of Jesus Christ. Look to Christ. Trust Christ. Treasure Christ. Follow Christ. Obey Christ. Proclaim Christ. Rest in Christ. Do not move beyond Christ. Do not minimize Christ. Do not replace Christ with self-help, moralism, religious performance, or vague spirituality. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the promised Son of David, the incarnate Savior, the crucified and risen Lord, and the reigning King who saves all who repent of their sins and trust in Him. The world offers many messages. Religion offers many systems. Sin offers many promises. But God has given sinners one Savior. The gospel is concerning His Son. Continue Through Romans Continue studying Paul's letter verse by verse in our series, Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything. Explore the Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything Series You can also subscribe to the Servants of Grace YouTube channel for biblical teaching, sermons, podcasts, theology, and resources designed to help Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Subscribe to Servants of Grace on YouTube

Episode 4: The Danger of Pride - Daniel 4Pride has a way of convincing us that we are stronger, wiser, and more important than we really are.In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar stood at the height of his power and looked over Babylon as though everything he had accomplished was because of him. But God was about to teach the king a lesson he would never forget.In this episode of Lessons from the Life of Daniel, we look at The Danger of Pride and the devastating effects pride can have on our lives.We'll see that pride affects more than just ourselves. It causes us to take credit for what God has done, pushes us toward isolation, and ultimately brings us low. Scripture warns us that pride goes before destruction.But there is an answer.Humility begins when we humble ourselves before God, recognize our complete dependence upon Him, put others before ourselves, stop living for our own glory, and remember that everything we have ultimately comes from God.And above all, we look to Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of humility.Pride says, “I've got this.”Humility says, “Without Christ, I can do nothing.”Join us for Episode 4 as we study Daniel 4 and learn why the answer to pride is not thinking less of God's blessings, but remembering where every blessing came from.Episode 4: The Danger of PrideText: Daniel 4Series: Lessons from the Life of DanielHave a question or want to connect with the podcast? Reach out at HigherCausePodcast@gmail.com or connect with Higher Cause Podcast on Instagram.

Mike Groenewold of Freedom Defense Canada credits R.J. Rushdoony's exposition of biblical law with energizing his faith, vocation, and cultural involvement.

The Desperate Plight of Life Without Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 2:1-3 Ephesians 2:1-3 provides a diagnosis of our human condition outside of Christ, and the situation is dire. Sin is not just a few bad deeds in an otherwise decent life. It is a disease that infects us to the core. It also infects cultures so that the entire human way of life is corrupt. Looking at ourselves honestly like this leads to greater gratitude and humility in our relationship with God.   Ephesians 2:1-3 2:1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.   Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/ The Listener's Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com Connect with John: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, X, via email.  

The healing power of Jesus is surely no secret. Unambiguously, Jesus is God and, thus, possesses the same healing power as the Father and the Spirit. One of the most unique accounts of Jesus' healing is told in the fifth chapter of Mark's Gospel, and it might double as the first report of deviled ham in history. A man who is possessed by a demon understands the power and authority of Jesus in this telling and, therefore, offers a grateful response of worship because of his healing, which could not be accomplished apart from Jesus Christ. In the same way, Jesus is the answer to all the world's problems. Without Christ, everyone would live to their own perpetual destruction. It is, nevertheless, the power of Jesus that heals, for only Jesus may take a person's devil and turn it into deviled ham. Here (Mark 5:1-20) is an account of Jesus' authority and recognition, several responses to Jesus, and the first recipe for deviled ham in history. To the first two elements (Jesus' authority and recognition), a call is offered to everyone: what will you do with Jesus? Ultimately, everyone will give an answer to what they did with the Son of God, and when that answer is short, Jesus will respond to them with, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matt 7:21).

Today I want us to look at the last phrase of this verse, "accordingto His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." These few words reveal notonly that God provides for His children, but they tell us how He provides andwhere our provision comes from. Noticefirst that Paul says God supplies "according to His riches,"not merely "out of His riches." There is a tremendous difference. Supposea billionaire handed someone ten dollars. He gave out of his riches, butcertainly not according to his riches. The gift was only a tiny fraction ofwhat he possessed. But if he gave according to his riches, the gift wouldreflect the greatness of his wealth. That is exactly what Paul is saying aboutGod. Our Heavenly Father does not ration His grace. He does not measure Hismercy with a tiny spoon. He supplies according to the infinite abundance of Hisown riches. Howrich is God? He owns everything! Psalm 24:1 reminds us, "The earth isthe LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwelltherein." Haggai 2:8 says, "The silver is mine, and the goldis mine, saith the LORD of hosts." David declared in 1 Chronicles29:11, "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory,and the victory, and the majesty... all that is in the heaven and in the earthis thine." God never faces a shortage. Heaven never experiencesinflation. The storehouses of His grace are never depleted. YetPaul is speaking about something even greater than material wealth. He says, "accordingto His riches in glory." Throughout Paul's letters, the word"riches" most often refers to the immeasurable wealth of God's grace,mercy, love, wisdom, and power. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul speaks of "theriches of His grace." In Ephesians 2:4, he writes of God being "richin mercy." Just a few verses later, in Ephesians 2:7, he tells usabout "the exceeding riches of His grace." In Romans 11:33, heexclaims, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledgeof God!" God's greatest riches are not found in streets of gold orgates of pearl. They are found in His glorious character—His grace, His mercy,His love, His faithfulness, His wisdom, and His power. That is the treasurefrom which He supplies His children. ThenPaul tells us that all of this comes "by Christ Jesus." JesusChrist is the channel through whom every blessing flows. Every spiritualblessing we possess comes because of Him. Every answered prayer comes throughHim. Every provision of grace comes through Him. Every promise of God finds itsfulfillment in Him. Without Christ, we would have no access to the Father. Butbecause of Christ, we have been welcomed into God's family and become heirs ofall that belongs to Him. No wonder Paul wrote in Romans 8:32, "He thatspared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not withhim also freely give us all things?" If God has already given us Hisgreatest gift—His own Son—we can trust Him to give us everything else we trulyneed. AsI think back over our recent mission trip to Guatemala, I am reminded againthat this is exactly how God works. He supplied every need according to Hisriches. He provided strength when we were tired, wisdom when decisions had tobe made, protection as we traveled, unity among our team, open doors forministry, and joyful fellowship with believers we had never met before.  Friend,perhaps today you are facing a need that seems overwhelming. It may befinancial. It may be physical. It may be emotional. It may be spiritual. Rememberthis promise. Your need may be great, but God's riches are infinitely greater. TheGod who created the universe, who redeemed you through His Son, and who hasnever broken a promise will supply every need according to His riches in gloryby Christ Jesus. So trust Him today. Rest in His faithfulness. Obey Himwholeheartedly. Serve Him joyfully. Give generously. And leave your needs inthe hands of the One whose resources are limitless. 

Title: All We Need Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 FCF: We often struggle lacking what is necessary to continue following Jesus. Prop: Because the Lord Jesus supplies all, we must seek the Lord for all we need. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. In a moment we will read the concluding benediction of the letter starting in verse 16. I will read from the Legacy Standard Bible but you can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week, Paul officially buttoned up his main application to the church there in Thessalonica. He wants the issue of the disorderly among them dealt with and has laid out exactly how it should be handled. In the last three verses, Paul introduces three new thoughts which all have one basic application. Seek the Lord. It is perfect way to end this letter and for us to finish our study of 2 Thessalonians. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Loving and Merciful Father, You have given Your people Your Son and with Your Son's ascension You have sent Your Spirit. You have given us, You. And You are all we need. The things of this world are often a distraction to us. We pursue all manner of earthly concerns and use earthly means to make our way through life. We know that this ought not to be. Help us Father to see that You alone are what we need. Convince us through this text that we must seek You. We pray this in Jesus' name… amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Christ is wisdom for your ignorance, strength for your weakness, righteousness for your guilt, sanctification for your corruption, redemption from all the thralldom of apostasy.” Richard Fuller “Christ is not only the Savior but the salvation itself.” Matthew Henry [Slide 3] “In His life Christ is an example showing us how to live; in His death, He is a sacrifice satisfying for our sins; in His resurrection, a conqueror; in His ascension, a king; in His intercession, a high priest.” Martin Luther “He who thinks he has no need of Christ has too high thoughts of himself. He who thinks Christ cannot help him has too low thoughts of Christ.” J.M. Mason [Slide 4] “Everything that is really worthwhile in the morality of today has come to the world through Christ. Dismiss His standards of right and wrong and try to draw up your own ethical code and see where you will be!” G. Campbell Morgan Let these thoughts prepare our hearts for the exposition of the text this morning. I.) The Lord of peace brings peace, so we must seek the Lord for all we need. (16) a. [Slide 5] 16 - Now may the Lord of peace Himself i. In the closing verses of 1 Thessalonians, Paul asked that the God of Peace sanctify them and preserve them complete and holy for the coming return of Christ. ii. When we dissected that title that Paul gave to God, as the God of Peace, we recognize that only Paul and the writer of Hebrews use this title in the New Testament. And they use it exclusively to people who are being persecuted. iii. Because the writer of Hebrews and Paul are what we might call experts in the law of Moses – or Old Testament Scholars, we understood that Paul was probably referencing the name of God Yahweh Shalom. iv. We then recognized the theological significance of the word Shalom. It not only means a cessation of hostilities between two warring parties, but it also means completeness, wholeness, or bringing what was disordered back into order. v. With the ending of 1 Thessalonians it made sense to see Paul's use of this title to refer to the ongoing work of sanctification in the church, that they would be made whole and complete for the Lord Jesus' return. vi. But in 2 Thessalonians, we might see the word peace used in another way. vii. Certainly, Paul is hoping and praying for the Thessalonians to gain peace from those who are persecuting them. viii. But, two other ides from this letter seem to be at the forefront in their need for peace. ix. First, the anxiety caused by the false teaching that the Day of the Lord had come. Paul hopes that Christ will use this letter to assuage that anxiety and lead them to peace and comfort in the truth. x. And after his most recent discussion Paul may want peace to bring them back into order. xi. We have already noted that the disorderly among them are still causing problems because they are not working and mooching off the church while using their free time to be busy bodies. xii. To the disorderly Paul has commanded them to get a job and mind their business and stop mooching off the church. xiii. Paul has called the church as a whole to avoid them and if they persist in this disorderly conduct to mark them out for disassociation with the hope that they would repent and return to fellowship soon. xiv. Now Paul is seeking the Lord of Peace… the Lord of bringing order from chaos… to b. [Slide 6] continually give you peace in every circumstance. i. Ultimately it is the Lord Jesus Christ that has the power to bind us together and bring order to His church. ii. When disorderly or unruly brothers and sisters arise in the church, we have been told to do certain things, we have been given instructions on what to do and how…. But ultimately, it is the Lord Jesus who brings order from chaos. iii. When false teaching arises and tempts us to waffle on core doctrines of our faith and practice, Jesus' presence and teaching brings us back into order. iv. It is always Jesus who brings us back into order. He makes us whole. c. [Slide 7] The Lord be with you all! i. Paul's last comment here is directed at what could be a fractured community. ii. He is not requesting that Jesus be with the orderly, as if all of them are against the disorderly. iii. Nor is he requesting that Jesus be with the disorderly as if in a punitive or corrective way. iv. He is requesting that Jesus be with… all of them. v. The ordered and the disordered alike. vi. Christ will bring them peace. From without and from within. He is our hope. d. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: Paul has three final thoughts in this benediction to close out what is the last canonical letter to the Thessalonian church. The first of these is a prayer that the Lord of peace would continually give them peace. The truth behind this, of course, is that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of peace. A title given to him by the prophet Isaiah, is that He will be the Prince of Peace. He will bring all chaos into order. He will bring all brokenness into wholeness. He will make all things new. He is doing that right now for His church. And one day, He will do that for the whole world. By application then, the apostle Paul is pointing the Thessalonians to this Lord of peace. We too must trust Him completely to bind us up and make us whole. He will bring us into order. He will set us right. We must seek Him to do that and all else we need. Transition: [Slide 9 (blank)] Paul's first thought was a hope that the Thessalonians would be given order and peace from their persecution, their anxiety, and their disorder. What is Paul's second thought he wishes to leave with the Thessalonians. II.) The Lord has given His instruction to us through His apostles, so we must seek the Lord for all we need. (17) a. [Slide 10] 17 - The greeting is in my own hand— i. The second point Paul raises in his final thoughts to the Thessalonians is one that is somewhat difficult to ascertain at first. ii. We know that Paul used amanuensis (uh-man-yoo-EN-suhs), which was the use of a writer to take down and relay his thoughts in a letter. Probably Silas wrote for Paul in this case, and perhaps he and Timothy also contributed or helped to edit the letter. All of this is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to convey the exact words of God to the Thessalonians and later to us. iii. Scholars also speculate that this was done primarily because Paul's eyesight has been problematic. Both from his interaction with Christ and the scales forming over them, and then later with a possible bout of Malaria he contracted on his first missionary trip in Cyprus. iv. In any case, Paul takes the pen from whoever is writing on his behalf and chooses to write the words that follow. v. What we have to speculate on, is exactly why Paul calls this out in this letter. He did not do this in his previous letter to them, and he only does this in 5 of his 13 letters in the New Testament. vi. So, what is the significance of his calling out his greeting written in his own hand? vii. Let's keep reading and see if there are more clues. b. [Slide 11] Paul, which is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. i. Here we find out that Paul puts his handwriting in every single letter he has written, whether he calls attention to it or not. Meaning it also appeared in 1 Thessalonians. ii. What is the purpose of him writing a greeting in each letter? iii. He says it is a “distinguishing mark” which is the word sign. As in “signs and wonders.” iv. Now, having studied the book of Acts, we know that sign gifts like tongues, miracles, healings, and prophesy, were used at the foundation of the church to authenticate that those who spoke the gospel were sent by God or to authenticate that people had actually received the gospel. v. In that same vein, we see that Paul's mark, or his handwritten message serves as an authentication that he himself is sending this letter. vi. He identifies himself by his handwriting. vii. Because it is truly from Paul, it bears the authority of an apostle of Jesus Christ, which carries the weight of Christ Himself. viii. So, why is Paul pointing to this letter being authentic and authoritative? ix. Well, way back in chapter 2, remember that Paul was dealing with the Thessalonians receiving teaching, preaching, prophesy, or even letters that were confusing the Thessalonians and convincing them that the Day of the Lord had already come. x. He even mentions that the letter supposedly came from him and his companions. xi. In this letter, Paul has directly contradicted that false teaching about the Day of the Lord. xii. Therefore, he calls out his personal greeting to remind the Thessalonians that unless a letter bears HIS handwriting in some location in the letter – it is NOT FROM HIM. xiii. They are to compare any letter supposedly from him, with this one to verify its authenticity and authority. c. [Slide 12] Summary of the Point: Paul's second thought he wishes to convey to the Thessalonians is the rubric for determining whether something is authentic and authoritative. Of course, we know that the teachings of Paul are not Paul's own invention but are rather handed down from Christ, verified by the rest of the apostles, and then passed on to the churches Paul founded in his missionary journeys. Therefore, this teaching that is being authenticated is teaching that is from Christ Himself. And it is important for the Thessalonians to be clear on that point. In this, they are to trust and obey anything that does come from Christ through His apostles and dismiss or at least treat less authoritatively anything that does not bear those signs or marks. For us then, we must trust what the Lord has said and obey it without question. Again, we are to seek the Lord for all we need including what is true. [Slide 13 (blank)] Transition: Paul now has only one thought left he wants to leave with the Thessalonian's. What could be the last thought Paul wants to leave with them? What else could it be… but the grace of God. III.) The Lord gives grace to His church, so we must seek the Lord for all we need. (18) a. [Slide 14] 18 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ i. Paul's final hope or wish for them is that they receive and live in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. ii. What is grace… C'mon CBC... You should know this by now. iii. [Slide 15] God's Grace is God's power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something that they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. iv. Grace from God, is what is truly needed by all believers as they endeavor to obey God's commands. v. And Paul has called the Thessalonian church to do some difficult things in obedience to Christ's commands and the Christian tradition. vi. If they are going to obey, they must have the grace of God. There will be no hope without it. vii. Paul has also called them to trust in God's future provision and protection of them from those who are persecuting them, knowing that one day Jesus will judge the living and the dead. viii. If they are going to keep believing that, they will need God's grace. ix. But again – who is the grace for? Is it for just the orderly to do what he has commanded them to do? b. [Slide 16] be with you all. i. Paul asks for Christ's grace to be given to all of them. ii. Even though he has had some harsh words for the disorderly, he believes that with Christ's grace, they can turn from their sin and get back in line and conform to the Christian tradition again. iii. No matter what God calls us to be or do, we too need His grace to see us to and through it. c. [Slide 17] Summary of the Point: Paul's final thought again revolves around the Christian's absolute need of Christ. He hopes that the Lord Jesus will give grace to them all to enable them to be and do all that Christ commands them to be and do. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I can think of no greater hope, wish, prayer that could be offered for a Christian brother or sister than to wish them the grace of God. Don't wish them a great day. Don't wish them to have fun. Don't wish for them to be blessed. Grace to you. It is the best hope and wish you could give to a believer. Because Christ is always what they need. And grace is Christ's power to effectively help them. The Thessalonians are once again told to look to Christ. Christ for Peace. Christ for truth. Christ for grace. Christ for everything. Because Christ said, without me you are nothing. So, we must seek the Lord Jesus for grace to help us be His followers. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 18] Paul's primary point of this closing benediction is to turn the attention of the Thessalonians onto Christ Jesus their Lord. He is their source for peace. Peace with unbelievers, peace from doctrinal dismay, and peace among each other. He is their source for truth, to hold fast to and believe. He is their source for grace to provide God's Power to do all that He has commanded of them. The Lord Jesus Christ is their source for everything. And so, the implied application to them is… look to and seek Jesus for all they need. Do they need peace? He is peace. Do they need truth? He is truth. Do they need grace? He gives grace! We too must understand that this is what it means to be a believer. This is what it means to be a Christian. This is what it means to follow Jesus. It is to see Jesus Christ as our source for all we need. Not money. Not fame. Not family. Not power. Christ. And Christ alone. So how does this impact us today? What applications endure into the 21st century here? 1.) [Slide 19] 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 Jesus is the Lord of peace. a. Every single human being on the planet is looking for peace. b. By peace I do not mean world peace necessarily. I don't mean the cessation of war, necessarily. c. I mean order. I mean unity. I mean wholeness. I mean completeness. d. All human beings want this kind of peace. e. This is the reason that those who preach tolerance cannot tolerate someone who is intolerant. f. This is the reason that mob mentality and echo chambers exist. g. This is the reason that political parties have been polarized into two broad factions, but both parties can't seem to keep infighting from happening. h. Everyone wants wholeness on their terms. Everyone wants their own definition of order. i. And conservative or liberal, homosexual or heterosexual, pro-life or pro-choice, everyone wants the other people to change and be conformed into their image. j. Jesus, as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace… will make everything new. What does that mean? k. He will fundamentally conform all things to His will. Some by loving guidance, some by forceful rescue, but most by insurmountable power and glory. l. Jesus came as a meek human to die to save His people from their sin. The next time He comes, He will save the world from sinners. m. He will not come in meekness. He will come in power. And He will have peace. n. Blessed are those who seek the peace He offers now. For they will inherit the Kingdom He brings. o. Cursed are those who fight for their own version of order, for they will be part of the chaos He puts down to consummate His Kingdom. p. Jesus is the only path to peace. Continually growing peace in our lives today and perfect and complete peace in the Kingdom that is to come. q. Peace today won't mean the lack of violence, hatred, and hostility. But it does mean completeness, wholeness, and order. The peace of Jesus conforms us to His life, His commands, His ways. In this we are brought into HIS order. We are expected to conform to Him. And as each of us are brought into conformity to HIM – We have peace with one another. r. But peace in His Kingdom will be perfect and it will be complete. We will never have a reason to shed tears again. We will know no sorrow. We will know no war. We will know no failure. s. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. And in Him alone we will find growing peace for today and perfect peace forever. 2.) [Slide 20] 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 Jesus is the source of truth. a. Have you noticed that those who desire conformity and peace to their own standard MUST, by necessity, alter or deny the clear teaching of the word of God? b. Why do you suppose that is? c. Why is there a bible called The Queen James Bible where all “confusing” passages that seem to indicate that God does not approve of the LGBTQIA+ lifestyles have been removed? d. Why did Thomas Jefferson remove portions of the bible he didn't agree with? e. Why do churches bend over backward to explain how when Paul says that no woman should preach and exercise authority over men in the church… that that means women should preach and exercise authority over men in the church? f. Because they have no desire to conform themselves to Christ. So, they must conform Christ to them. g. The Reformation sought to reform the Roman Catholic church in five separate ways. The Reformers argued that if these five things changed in the Roman Catholic Church, they would make progress to go BACK to what the apostles taught, which is what Christ taught. h. And, arguably, the pinnacle of these 5 reforms was the Latin words “Sola Scriptura” i. Officially the Roman Catholic church teaches that the wisdom of church theologians down through the ages, and the traditions and conclusions of church councils, should be held in equal authority to what the Scriptures Teach. j. The Reformers argued, correctly, that the Scriptures alone should have the FINAL authority on faith and practice of every single person in the church. k. In essence, this is EXACTLY what Paul is teaching in this text. The Thessalonians had heard from prophets, letters, and preachers that the Day of the Lord had come. Paul, an actual apostle of Jesus Christ, bearing the teaching directly from Christ, says NO! That is not the truth. It is contradictory to what is the truth. l. Paul does not tell them to hold in equal balance what the others taught and what he taught. Paul does not tell them to find the truth in the middle somewhere. Paul doesn't say that both must be true some how. Instead, Paul says, they are wrong and Jesus is right. m. This doesn't mean that church tradition and church scholars, theologians, creeds, and councils should be eliminated. Far from it. Church tradition, scholars, creeds, councils should be consulted as a secondary source to help put up guardrails on our own personal interpretations of the scriptures. n. BUT… where the Scriptures, which is the Word of God, which is another name for Jesus Himself, where the Scriptures disagree with any human… Pope, priest, scholar, church doctor, saint, or otherwise… We are to trust the scriptures and deny the human's wisdom. For if it disagrees with or contradicts the clear teaching of the scriptures… it is not wisdom at all. It is foolishness. o. This is what the Reformers taught. And it is what Paul is teaching here. p. Jesus is our source for truth. The inspired Word of God in 66 books, is our guide for what we must believe and how we must live. q. We are told to approach the scriptures like they are a mirror. How foolish to approach a mirror and see something off or out of place in the reflection and conclude that the mirror must be broken? How foolish to think that perhaps if we viewed the mirror from a different angle, it would make our reflection better? r. But people who disagree with the clear teachings of the scriptures in order to support their own beliefs or lifestyles are approaching the mirror and concluding that the mirror is faulty. s. Or they stand in front of a mirror in such a way that all the things wrong with them don't appear, and they conclude that they are fine. And they leave the mirror the exact same as they always had been. t. My friends, if you cannot remember the last time the Word of God challenged you to change what you believe or how you live… something is wrong! 3.) [Slide 21] 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 Jesus gives us grace. a. The definition of grace today in the church has become so watered down and so empty that it means little more than kindness. b. Preachers, even in evangelical protestant circles, preach a grace that is spread so thin that it has no power to do anything unless men add something to it. Without men helping it… it lies dormant, powerless, and ineffective. c. But Paul doesn't tell the Thessalonians to make sure to receive and act on Jesus' grace. He simply asks for Jesus' grace to be given to them all. d. Grace… God's grace… is POWERFUL. It is ALWAYS effective. e. It is not grace to give potential to help us. It is grace TO HELP US. f. When God gives us grace… IT WILL DO what it is given to do. g. [Slide 22] That is why I have tried, so very hard, to get you all to memorize this definition of God's grace. Because I think it accurately and effectively teaches a biblical definition of God's grace. A grace with teeth. A grace with power. A grace that is what the biblical authors claim it is. h. God's Grace is God's power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something that they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. i. And when we have this definition of grace, we recognize that the greatest thing we could pray for a fellow believer and even for unbelievers, is that God would shed His grace on them. j. Unbelievers need His power to see their own sin and to enable them to believe on Christ. k. Believers need His power to be and do all that He has commanded them. l. Humans in general exist by the grace of God. m. I challenge you all to BEEF UP your view of the grace of God. Make it as powerful as Paul makes it here. That the hope and strength for the Thessalonians doing and being all that he has told them to be and do… is the grace of Jesus Christ. n. When we combine the last three truths we must affirm together… 4.) [Slide 23] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” This is the gospel. The gospel is seeing Jesus as our source for everything. If Jesus is anything less to you – you are missing the gospel. a. His words and lifestyle teach us truth. b. His sacrifice and power bring us peace. c. His advocacy and Authority give us grace. d. With the summation of all three of these truths, we conclude that Jesus is everything. e. And my friends… this is the gospel. The gospel is that Jesus is everything. Not just our hope for forgiveness. Not just our substitute. Not just our atoning sacrifice. f. But Jesus is… EVERYTHING. g. To the extent that our whole lives are reoriented around who He is and what He has commanded of us. h. If you are here today, and you either claim to be a Christian, or you desire to be a Christian… this is what it means to be a Christian. It is to have all your life ruled by Jesus Christ. i. He is your hope for peace. j. He is your source for truth. k. He is your supplier of grace. l. He is… your… everything. m. That is what it means to follow Christ. n. If you claim to be a Christian… but Christ isn't your everything and never has been. I don't know what gospel you believed… but I do know that it was false. o. If you have never claimed to be a Christian but want to follow Jesus… You need to speak with someone… right now… that you know is a Christian. They will show you what followers of Christ look like. p. Don't wait for me to get done preaching. Go now… our Elders are prepared to talk to you. q. If you remain, I'll assume that you claim to be someone who is following Christ as best you can. So, what does that mean as we look at this text? 5.) [Slide 24] 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 continue to seek the Lord for all we need. a. There are a lot of sources that we can be tempted to look to provide peace, truth, and even power. b. What do we need to feel whole? Complete? Ordered? i. For many people we look for earthly things to make us feel complete. 1. We look for possessions or things. Things and possessions are not bad in and of themselves. But when we seek them to feel whole… they will not satisfy. 2. We look for family. Family can certainly fill up our lives and make us feel part of something bigger. But family fails. Life is fleeting. And sometimes people don't do what you want them to. 3. We look for a tribe or group of likeminded people. This creates a sense of belonging. All of us are the same. We see the world in the same way. But ultimately you will find something to disagree on… or that unity will not produce the wholeness that you desire. ii. In the end, the only thing that can bring us wholeness, completeness, or order… is the God who created us. He knows exactly what we need and how to put us back together. He watched us break apart and He knows the pieces we are missing. Pieces… we assumed were there… He supplies. iii. Without Christ, you will know no peace. c. What do we need to rest in truth? i. For many people they look to earthly things for truth. 1. Rationalism and reason, materialism, and postmodernism point to contradictory paths to truth. Who is right? Everyone, or no one? We just don't know. 2. Human wisdom, settled science, has long been shown to be anything but wisdom and anything but science. 3. History books are always written by the people who win. Are we sure their telling the whole story? 4. Hospitals and medical schools tell us what is best for us… but they also get paid well to tell us one answer and paid nothing to tell us other answers. 5. What is truth? Does truth even matter? ii. Christ is the truth. He alone provides a foundation, a bulwark of something solid and unshakable. iii. For a true Christ follower, we shouldn't start our sentences with “I think” or “I feel like” we must start our sentences with… “turn with me to…” d. What do we need to get more power? i. Again… people often turn to earthly things. 1. Money is power. 2. Fame is power. 3. Influence is power. 4. Secret knowledge is power. 5. And we can't deny that to a certain degree, all of these gain power for people in this life. ii. But true power, comes from God who gives grace to His people freely. The power to live the way our creator desires us to live, comes from the creator Himself. All other powers are failing and fleeting and will be destroyed when He comes again. e. So, Christians… all we need is found in Jesus Christ. Don't be distracted by lesser sources. He is all we have and He is all we need. 6.) [Slide 25] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” Jesus will never fail. a. The story has been written. b. The end has already been told. c. Jesus is… right now… reigning over the world. d. He has conquered sin and death. And one day soon He will conquer all sinners, angelic and human alike. e. My friends, Jesus wins. Always. f. Take comfort in this as believers… g. But if you are still in the room and not a believer… this shouldn't comfort you at all – but it is a warning. h. Jesus wins. i. Blessed are those who repent and serve Him now. [Slide 26 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the early church father Methodious of Olympia I long for you, Lord of mercy and Lord of my fathers. You have stooped down in grace as a mediator, bringing peace and harmony between heaven and earth. I seek you, great author of all. With longing I expect you who embrace all with your Word. I wait for you, Lord of life and death. I look for you, giver and successor of the law. I hunger for you, the one who makes the dead come back to life. I thirst for you, who refreshes the weary. I desire you, creator and redeemer of the world. You are our God, and we adore you. You are our holy temple, and we pray in you. You are our lawgiver, and we obey you. You are God of all things, the first. God the Father has begotten no other god, and there is no other son who is of one substance and one glory with the Father. To know you is perfect righteousness, and to know your power is the root of immortality. For our salvation, you were made the headstone of the corner, precious and honorable. All things are placed under you as their cause and author, as he who brought all things into being out of nothing. You steer the universe with your wise and steady hand. You are the principle of order and the bond of unity and peace. In you we live, and move, and have our being. So, I will glorify you, my Lord and God. I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things. From ancient days your wise counsel is faithfulness and truth. You are clothed with majesty and honor. What is more magnificent than for you, the King, to assume our humanity, illuminating those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death? Your servant, King David, rightly once sang of you as the King Eternal, saying "you are the most excellent of men" (Psalm 45:2). Coming to the earth, you took on righteousness and faithfulness. Yes, you are righteousness and truth, the joy and praise of all. So, we rejoice this day, along with the heavens, for you have shown mercy to your people. Let the clouds drop the dew of righteousness upon the world, and let the earth sound a trumpet blast, for the resurrection is come. I am filled with comfort, and I am overflowing with joy, O Savior of the world! We pray this in Your name. Amen. Benediction: May the Lord prosper your work and defend you, May his goodness and mercy attend you, May you ponder anew what the Almighty will do, That you may rejoice with all your heart and never again fear any harm. Until we meet again, as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, Grace and Peace to you.

Is Christianity merely true, or is it also the foundation of a free and flourishing society? On this episode of the Give Me Liberty Podcast, apologist Frank Turek joins Ryan Helfenbein to discuss America's spiritual crisis, why Christians cannot retreat from politics, the evidence for Christianity, and the lasting legacy of Charlie Kirk. They explore:Why truth alone isn't enough if Christians won't engage the culture.The connection between biblical values and American liberty.Whether America can survive another generation without revival.Charlie Kirk's final influence on the conservative movement.Why the church must lead in this cultural moment.If you care about faith, freedom, and the future of America, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Did Jesus really die in your place? In this Words From The Word daily devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster opens the Scriptures to show us something that should stop us in our tracks — the Good Shepherd became our substitute. Drawing from 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:7, John 3:18, John 10:11, and Psalms 103:10 in the KJV, Pastor Webster walks us through one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture.You might be asking: Why didn't Jesus defend Himself when they mocked and abused Him? What does it mean that He bore our sins in His own body? How can a just God let guilty sinners go free? What does it mean to be condemned already?Key points from this devotion:- Jesus is our submissive shepherd — He had the power to stop it all but chose not to- He is our silent lamb — Isaiah 53:7 foretold He would not open His mouth- He is our substitutionary shepherd — He took the punishment we deserved- Without Christ, every person stands condemned — John 3:18- He did not deal with us according to our sins — Psalms 103:10If this devotion blessed you, please like, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear this today. Subscribe so you never miss a daily devotion from Good News Baptist Church.#WordsFromTheWord #KJV #BibleDevotion #ChristianLiving #GoodNewsBaptistChurchStay connected with GNBC:

The 8th Sunday After Trinity. "Beware of Pseudo-shepherds!" The unholy three tempt us to lead us into despair, shame, and other great shame and vice! In Christ Jesus alone are we given the victory! Sermon Text: Matthew 7:15-23. Sermon Theme: "Beware of Pseudo- Shepherd?" I. Their Preaching Yields Death Not Life! (Vs.15-20) II. Their Popular Ministries Are Lawless and Without Christ! (Vs.21-23) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert.

Is "Cultural Christianity" a bridge to the gospel — or a counterfeit that replaces it? In this episode, Dr. James Spencer (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) and Dr. Ashish Varma respond to James Wood's widely-discussed First Things article, In Defense of Cultural Christianity. Together they unpack why calling a civilisation "Christian" when Christ is not its governing authority is not just imprecise — it's theologically catastrophic. From the Christendom narrative and American civil religion to the habituation of virtue, abortion statistics, and a profound meditation on Pentecost in Acts 2, this episode models what serious Christian thinking looks like when it refuses to foreclose on the full authority of Jesus Christ too soon. If you've wrestled with Christian nationalism, the "good, true, and beautiful" in culture, or what it means to vote as a follower of Jesus, this conversation is essential listening. Key Takeaways: Why "a culture influenced by Christianity" is an insufficient — and potentially dangerous — definition of "Christian culture" The concept of "inappropriate foreclosure": closing off our understanding of the good too soon and using that partial view as if it were complete How Robert Bellah's concept of American civil religion explains why Christian language gets co-opted by government without actually conforming people to Christ Why the Book of Acts — specifically Pentecost and the Gentile inclusion — fundamentally disrupts any vision of Christianity as a singular cultural program The Light Bright metaphor: God is the light source; culture is the peg pattern. Christians must point people behind the pegs to the light itself Why policy-driven virtue formation (habituation) has measurable real-world limits — and what the abortion statistics during different administrations actually reveal How Dr. Varma's personal experiences — from campus life on 9/11 to being randomly selected in airports — illustrate why Wood's "civilisational benefit" narrative forecloses on the experiences of many believers Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

In this message, Pastor Nathan continues our Ephesians series by moving into Ephesians chapter 2.Paul begins with a clear description of humanity's spiritual condition. Without Christ, we were spiritually dead because of sin, shaped by the world, influenced by the enemy, and driven by our sinful desires.This is not written to condemn us. It reminds us where we have come from and helps us understand the depth of what God has done.Then Paul introduces two of the most important words in Scripture:“But God.”God intervened.He did not act because we earned it or achieved something that forced Him to respond. He acted because He is rich in mercy and because He loved us so deeply.Pastor Nathan highlights several things God has done for us:1. He gave us lifeThough we were spiritually dead, God made us alive with Christ.A dead person cannot bring themselves back to life. Our rescue is entirely God's work.2. He raised us with ChristThrough our union with Jesus, we have been brought into a new spiritual reality.We are no longer defined by death, sin, or our past. We are alive in Christ.3. He made us examples of His graceFollowers of Jesus are living examples of God's mercy, kindness, and grace.Our transformed lives show others what God can do.4. He created us as His masterpieceEphesians 2:10 describes us as God's workmanship or masterpiece.We are not finished products. God is still shaping, refining, restoring, and transforming us into something beautiful.5. He gave us a purposeSalvation is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning.God has prepared good works for us to do. There is a person He is forming us to become and a purpose He has prepared for us to fulfil.Pastor Nathan uses the illustration of hiking the Larapinta Trail to describe life with Jesus.The trail can be steep, difficult, tiring, and uncertain. There are mountains, valleys, dry stretches, and moments when giving up feels tempting.But the trail has been prepared.There are markers that keep us moving in the right direction. There are moments of rest, refreshment, growth, and breathtaking beauty. Over time, we build wisdom, endurance, trust, and resilience.Walking with Jesus is similar.There are mountains to climb, including addiction, anger, controlling behaviour, unhealthy patterns, or the difficult work of forgiveness.There are also valleys of grief, trauma, mental health struggles, broken relationships, and health concerns.Even through those valleys, Jesus has prepared a path. He walks with us, strengthens us, guides us, carries us, and reminds us not to give up.The Christian life is not always easy or comfortable. Being alive in Christ does not mean everything suddenly becomes simple.It means we no longer walk alone.Pastor Nathan closes with this challenge:Are you fully embracing the new life Christ has given you?It is time to stop creating our own path and trust the trail Jesus has prepared.Key Scriptures:Ephesians 2:1-10Romans 6:12-13Galatians 5:16John 10:10Key Thought:You were spiritually dead, but God made you alive in Christ. You are His masterpiece, created with purpose and called to follow the path He has prepared for you.

Dave looks at Ephesians 2 and Acts 2 to explore the fundamental foundations of the Christian faith. Using a practical illustration involving loose gravel and a shed base, he explains how Christians are designed to be built together to withstand the pressures of life. The Personal Foundation (Acts 2): Dave breaks down the four essential elements of a Christian's personal foundation: Repentance (turning away from sin), Faith (trusting in Jesus), Water Baptism (the outward symbol of a changed life), and Holy Spirit Baptism (the power needed to live out our faith). What We Once Were (Ephesians 2:11-12): It is vital to remember where we came from so we remain humble. Without Christ, humanity was spiritually dead, hopeless, and completely alienated from God. What Christ Has Done (Ephesians 2:13-16): Through His blood on the cross, Jesus paid our debt and brought us near to God. He fulfilled the law and tore down the “walls of hostility” that divide people, establishing true peace. What We Are Now (Ephesians 2:19): When we trust in Jesus, our old life is history. We are no longer strangers or outsiders; we are citizens of God’s kingdom, built together as a diverse, unified church. Like individual pebbles locked into a foundation grid, we are made stronger together. The post Dave Frodsham: Strong Foundations first appeared on Jubilee Church Wirral.

This episode of Sanity Check examines a question that sits at the heart of modern scientific culture: Can science remain ethical when divorced from a moral framework? Drawing from a standout presentation delivered at the recent Cornwall Alliance Spring Conference in Memphis, Daniel O'Malley argues that science can tell us what can be done, but not what should be done—and that without Christianity, science risks becoming untethered from truth, ethics, and human responsibility. In this episode, David R. Legates reflects on his own experiences facing skepticism as a Christian scientist, from university audiences to media interviews, and explores the deeper assumption behind those encounters: that secularism is objective while Christianity is inherently biased. The discussion challenges that premise directly, arguing that every scientific enterprise is ultimately guided by some moral vision, whether acknowledged or not.Visit our podcast resource page: https://cornwallalliance.org/listen%20to%20our%20podcast%20created%20to%20reign/Our work is entirely supported by donations from people like you. If you benefit from our work and would like to partner with us, please visit www.cornwallalliance.org/donate. 

Breaking the Chain of Weakness Romans 8:26-30 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Without Christ we are absolutely powerless to do anything. I. Power comes from the Holy Spirit. II. The Holy Spirit intercededes for us with the Father. III. The Holy Spirit makes us more and more like Jesus. (Sanctification)

Read Online“When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” John 16:21–22When we live fully united to Christ, we can endure anguish with confidence and determination. Without Christ, even small, temporary trials become so burdensome that we tend to avoid them. Though trials are not desirable in themselves, God permits them to strengthen us in virtue and prepare us for eternity. The anguish that accompanies them is temporary, but the victory over them is eternal. If we refuse to endure the temporary, we risk losing the eternal.Our Gospel illustrates this point well. The purpose of pregnancy is to cooperate with God's creative power and to bring forth into the world a precious new soul who will exist for all eternity. What a joy it is for parents to learn of their pregnancy, endure the nine months and the labor, hold their newborn child, and accompany that child throughout life and into Heaven.In order to give birth to that child, the woman must endure labor pains. These pains are not desirable or sought for their own sake, but a woman willingly endures them as a necessary condition for the great joy of new life. Afterward, a loving mother does not regret having a baby because the labor was painful. The joy of holding her newborn is so rewarding that it puts the pain in perspective.Just as a woman willingly endures labor pains for the joy of new life, we too must embrace temporary trials to receive eternal blessings. Trials are a consequence of Original Sin. In the beginning, God did not will that trials would be part of our lives. After the Fall, many forms of trials entered human existence. To enable us to overcome these trials, the Son of God took on flesh and overcame everything we endure. Therefore, when we face trials, God looks at us and invites us to follow His example: to carry our crosses with His strength, to do what He already did.When Jesus told His Apostles, “So you also are now in anguish,” He was speaking not only to them but also to us. Jesus was fully aware of the anguish the Apostles would endure through His coming Passion, and He is fully aware of every anguish we will endure. His awareness is active, offering hope: “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” This is His promise to each of us as we confidently endure the trials of life. Our endurance will lead to eternal joy, for we will share in the victory of Christ's Resurrection. Reflect today on whether you are willing to endure the anguish of temporary trials so as to share in the eternal blessing that will come after. Are you living for what is temporary or eternal? Do you avoid trials out of fear, or do you embrace them with trust in Christ's promise? Reflect on how you might unite your daily struggles with His Passion and seek His grace to persevere. Turn to Jesus, Who has already endured every trial and triumphed, and imitate Him so that you share in His victory and rejoice with Him for all eternity. My determined Lord, You fully aligned Your will with the Father's by embracing the great anguish caused by Your Passion and exhorted Your disciples to imitate You. You call me to do the same. Please give me the grace and wisdom I need to keep my eyes on the eternal and glorious end to which I am called, so that I can endure every temporary anguish with joy and hope. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Ps. Julius RwotlonyoWe see a church today that, in many ways, struggles to influence the world around it. Without Christ at the centre, we become just another community group trying to make the world a little better.

Sometimes we feel unworthy of God's love—and instead of running to Him, we hide, convinced our sin is too great to forgive. We try to earn His favor, but like Adam and Eve, our striving ends in failure and shame. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds us of a life-giving Truth: God's love is greater than our sin, and He has already made a way to set us free. Dr. Youssef takes us to John 4, where Jesus deliberately traveled through Samaria—crossing cultural and religious hostility—to meet a Samaritan woman whose life was marked by broken relationships and moral failure. She didn't realize her greatest problem wasn't men, marriage, or even adultery—it was a deep, unsatisfied thirst only Jesus could quench. This devotional helps you see yourself in her story. Without Christ, we become more entangled the harder we fight sin in our own strength. But Jesus comes straight to the point of need—bringing truth to light, uncovering hidden struggles, and offering real freedom. The same Savior who met that woman at the well is ready to meet you today with living water—cleansing, restoring, and renewing all who come to Him. If you need forgiveness, healing, or restoration, this episode is an invitation: come to Christ—and trust Him to make you new. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the ways I have tried to satisfy my heart-longings apart from You. May I be filled with Your living water today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Encountering Christ, Freedom from Bondage: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Are you a child of wrath — or a child of grace? In this devotion from Words From The Word, Pastor Roderick Webster opens Ephesians chapter 2, verse 3 (KJV) to explain the third force that drives human disobedience — the flesh. Not the physical body, but the fallen nature every person is born with.You might be asking — Does that mean unsaved people never do anything good? Can good deeds earn salvation? What does it really mean to be a "child of wrath"? And what does it take for that verdict to change?Key points from this devotion:- The flesh is the fallen nature we are born with, and it shapes all of our behavior before Christ- Unsaved people can and do perform good deeds, but no good deed can meet God's standard or earn salvation- Without Christ, every person is spiritually dead, disobedient, depraved, and under the wrath of God- John 3:18 makes clear that condemnation is already the condition of those who have not believed in Christ- The only way out of being a child of wrath is to settle your account with the Lord Jesus Christ todayIf this devotion encouraged you, please like, leave a comment, share it with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you never miss a daily word.#WordsFromTheWord #KJV #BibleDevotion #ChristianLiving #GoodNewsBaptistChurchStay connected with GNBC:

Without Christ-exalting love, spiritual gifts serve as self-promotion — even when they produce powerful results.

The foundation of holy living is ground on Christ alone. Without Christ as our cornerstone, building life will not work. Join Pastor G as he continues the series on 1 Peter during our Wednesday Night Services.

Can you grow up in church, know the Bible, and still not truly be saved?In this episode, Pastor David Mataya shares how his life went from outward “Christian” to a train wreck of sin, anger, and a broken marriage—and how God used it all to bring him to true repentance and faith in Christ.You'll hear about head knowledge vs. heart change, false assurance, and the life-changing power of the gospel.Follow us on Social Media:  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ordinarypeoplepodcast/?sub_confirmation=1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ordinarypeoplepodcast/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ordinarywith  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ordinarypeoplepodWebsite: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.orgFind us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com      To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcastWant to share your testimony or have a question?  Please email us: podcast@ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.com

By Isaac Nelson - In the rebellion of Korah, the rebellion was ultimately against God and who He'd put in place as High Priest. The high priesthood foreshadowed Christ as our High Priest today. Without Christ's sacrifice, we'd all die from the plague of sin.

You are listening to the messages from Pastor Scott Tewell who is the Lead Pastor at Rosedale Baptist Church in Rosedale, MD. Each week we provide these messages to help you grow in your faith and find encouragement through God's Word.

I. Remember the ancient and arrogant antagonism between Jews and Gentiles, v11. II. Remember the sad alienation of the Gentiles, v12. III. Rejoice in the inclusive atonement of Christ, v13.

Revival Series 2026. Message 5 of 8 "Christianity Without Christ" Evangelist Leon Miller, Chambersburg, PA. 

In a world that is full of death and decay, what can it look like to truly live, fully alive in Christ?We hear the words "from dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Gen. 3:19), but those words don't just apply to a future state. Without Christ, we are spiritually dead, even in this life. But, that's not what Jesus wants for us.Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10).Join us for this conversation as we reflect on what it looks like to live truly alive in Christ in this life.We hope you enjoy it!

There is a stability that comes from truly knowing Jesus. Colossians 2 shows us that we have been made alive, forgiven, and set free through the finished work of the cross. Salt Church in Wilmington, NC, led by Pastors Parker & Jessi Green, exists to know Jesus, worship Him, and do the works He did.Plan Your Visit to SALT Church:https://www.saltchurches.com/Ways to Support the Ministry:https://www.saltchurches.com/givingSubscribe:https://www.instagram.com/saltchurches/Subscribe @saltchurchNC Connect with Parker + Jessi Green:Instagram Parker / https://www.instagram.com/parkerrichardgreen/Instagram Jessi /https://www.instagram.com/jessi.green/Websites https://www.saltchurches.com/https://www.jessi-green.com/https://www.saturateglobal.com/#prayer #bible #biblestudy #saltchurch #revival #parkergreen #jessigreen

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley discuss how our identity is found in our relationship with God instead of our works. When our relationship is secured in the righteousness of Christ, then our will is free to share life with God and with other people. Without Christ, our lives are lived in bondage to our transactions. You can learn more by reading Dr. Martin Luther’s Bondage of the Will. Beer Break This episode features a beer from a Wisconsin brewery, Stubborn Brothers Brewery. Mike and his wife went for a ride in their camper around Lake Michigan. He had a great Reuben there and enjoyed the beer. American Wheat. Shawano has to be a great city because this is where this beer is from, but also because this is where Evan was born. Sweet Peel American Wheat.

Christianity without Christ? Many today make the mistake of assuming that the purpose of religion is simply to help people become moral and feel good. And if that's the case then Jesus isn't necessary. It reduces Christianity to a pamphlet instead of a person. However, if you notice, when Jesus called the disciples, He didn't say, “Follow this lifestyle.” He said, “Follow Me.” (This is an encore presentation which was aired originally on January 27, 2023)

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012126.cfmMany people struggle with the Bible because they sense a tension between the Old Testament and the New. The God of the Old Testament is sometimes portrayed as harsh, violent, even distant, while the New Testament reveals mercy, healing, and love. Father Chris Alar, MIC addresses this confusion directly by reminding us of the question Christ Himself poses: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Mk 3:4; NABRE).Without Christ, humanity's vision is limited. In the Old Testament, death, war, and violence reflect a world still waiting for the full revelation of divine life. The Catechism teaches that God gradually prepared His people to receive the Gospel through salvation history, leading them step by step toward Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church §122). The New Testament does not contradict the Old; it fulfills it.This contrast becomes striking when we consider Saint Agnes, whose feast the Church celebrates. Her very name echoes the Latin agnus, meaning lamb. Young, pure, and wholly given to Christ, she chose life in the fullest sense, even when it led to martyrdom. Her witness stands between death and life, between the violence of the world and the light of Christ. As Scripture proclaims, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10; NABRE).The culture of death persists whenever Christ is rejected, whether in ancient persecution or modern disregard for human dignity. Yet Christ remains the Light of the world, drawing us from darkness into truth, from death into life. In Him alone do we find the way, the truth, and the life. ★ Support this podcast ★

As it states in Genesis 6:5, the intentions and “thoughts of [our] heart[s] [are] only evil continually.” Without Christ's forgiveness, we are sorely lost, thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. As those who are redeemed, we cling to the promise of His mercy and go joyfully to Him in prayer with nothing but the certain knowledge of the forgiveness of sins. We receive this forgiveness on account of Christ, and it is on account of Him that we forgive others. Rev. Samuel Bobby, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the 5th Petition of the Lord's Prayer. To learn more about Redeemer Lutheran, visit redeemerlincoln.org. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org. 

As we look around, we see chaos everywhere. It seems like there's a different war every week! When there is lying and corruption involved, of course, chaos will ensue. Today, Pastor Ken says the only person who can save this world is Jesus. Without Christ, we're broken, but with Him we're redeemed. Rest in your relationship with Jesus today! He loves you and desires to be close to you. Even through your flaws, Jesus wants a relationship with you so He can fill your doubts with love and grace.

1. Knowing the Mystery2. Knowing Our Message3. Knowing Our PurposeToday's sermon explored the profound truth that every believer in Christ has been called by God for something far greater than anything we could accomplish on our own. Through the Apostle Paul's example as a prisoner of Christ, we examined how God revealed the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in God's family. Paul, once a proud religious scholar who persecuted Christians, became a humble servant who considered himself "the least of all saints." His transformation reminds us that our conversion is not the end but the beginning of God's workmanship in our lives. We are called to be stewards of the Gospel, serving God with boldness and confident access through faith in Christ.Takeaways:- God has called each of us to serve Him. Like Paul, we must move beyond selective hearing and truly submit to God's calling on our lives. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand for us to walk in.- Without Christ, we are nothing. Paul's humility teaches us that our effectiveness comes not from our own knowledge, titles, or abilities, but from the power of God working through us. We must be willing to become prisoners of Christ by our own free will, allowing Him to use us for His purposes.- We are called to preach the Gospel and be ready in season and out of season. In these last days, people around us are suffering, making bad choices, and need to hear that forgiveness of sins and a fresh start are possible. God's purpose for us is to serve as voices of reason and compassion in a dark world.As we move through this week, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to be captive to Christ? Are we fulfilling our ministry by sharing the Good News that Jesus came, died, and rose again? May we never be too big for God to use, but humbly available for His service.

1. Knowing the Mystery2. Knowing Our Message3. Knowing Our PurposeToday's sermon explored the profound truth that every believer in Christ has been called by God for something far greater than anything we could accomplish on our own. Through the Apostle Paul's example as a prisoner of Christ, we examined how God revealed the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in God's family. Paul, once a proud religious scholar who persecuted Christians, became a humble servant who considered himself "the least of all saints." His transformation reminds us that our conversion is not the end but the beginning of God's workmanship in our lives. We are called to be stewards of the Gospel, serving God with boldness and confident access through faith in Christ.Takeaways:- God has called each of us to serve Him. Like Paul, we must move beyond selective hearing and truly submit to God's calling on our lives. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand for us to walk in.- Without Christ, we are nothing. Paul's humility teaches us that our effectiveness comes not from our own knowledge, titles, or abilities, but from the power of God working through us. We must be willing to become prisoners of Christ by our own free will, allowing Him to use us for His purposes.- We are called to preach the Gospel and be ready in season and out of season. In these last days, people around us are suffering, making bad choices, and need to hear that forgiveness of sins and a fresh start are possible. God's purpose for us is to serve as voices of reason and compassion in a dark world.As we move through this week, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to be captive to Christ? Are we fulfilling our ministry by sharing the Good News that Jesus came, died, and rose again? May we never be too big for God to use, but humbly available for His service.

The Gospel of John Week 26 Scripture: John 20:19 - 21:25. Today's study will conclude our two year study of the Gospels with a dramatic and amazing ending. We begin with John 20:19, it is the first day of the week (Sunday) and the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing among them saying "Peace be with you." This is a phrase in English that sounds so common, like "have a good day." But in Hebrew it carries much more meaning. Shalom (peace) more than just an absence of conflict or warfare, it refers to all creation - it means everything is right between us and God. Real peace, lasting peace, God's peace, life-changing peace the way things were intended to be before sin broke into a perfect creation. Jesus shows them His hands and side and the disciples are overjoyed. Everything the Jewish people have been longing for has come to a dramatic crescendo. Then He breathed on them saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit."  In verse 23 Jesus says, "If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Pastor spends time digging into what this verse is really saying.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior our sins are forgiven through faith in Christ. But to those who say they don't need a Savior, that think they are just fine on their own, we can say to them, "That won't cut it. Without Christ there is no hope."  Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This commission from Jesus is given so that they can speak truth, so that they can use it to draw people into a relationship with the Living God. We read next of "Doubting Thomas." The disciples are again gathered together and Jesus appears, "Peace be with you. Put your finger here and put your hand into my side and stop doubting and believe!" And Thomas replies, "My Lord and my God!" That's not just an expression, this is a clear biblical title for the Living God. And Thomas suddenly realized that Jesus is not only alive, but He is the very One that was promised. Jesus is more than a miracle worker, He's more than a great teacher, He is God come to earth. John concludes chapter 20 with these words, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." We move into chapter 21, the epilogue. Pastor starts this chapter by sharing the story of a friend, a Russian Jew, who moved to Israel and became a Messianic believer and follower of Jesus. Pastor goes on to share the growth of Jewish believers in Jesus worldwide. Our story continues with the disciples fishing all night and not catching anything. Then a voice calls out to them to put their nets on the right side of the boat. When they do they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John knows who the man is, "It is the Lord!" And Peter swims ashore. Pastor talks about the importance of the fire Jesus had started on shore to emphasize God's intentions. Jesus invites them to breakfast with Him but Jesus has a personal conversation with Peter. Purposefully, Jesus asks Peter 3 times (remember Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times), "Do you love Me?" Peter responds yes each time and Jesus replies with, "Feed my sheep." Peter is forgiven, restored. This gospel ends with these dramatic words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." Jesus is in the business of redeeming and restoring and renewing, changing lives, transforming families, rebuilding communities, changing entire nations and continents. John is saying you've only caught a glimpse! Can you imagine the stories we're going to hear after Jesus returns! This is an incredible, amazing, uplifting, joyful, thought provoking, life-changing book! Thank you for joining us on this great two year tour of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and and we see many things that we missed before.

This sermon emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the essential foundation of the Christmas holiday, arguing that secular celebrations lack true meaning without His presence. By citing various biblical passages, the text illustrates that the birth of the Messiah was a divine intervention intended to provide humanity with eternal salvation rather than temporary festive cheer. The author asserts that while decorations and gifts are pleasant, authentic joy and peace are only accessible through a personal relationship with the Savior. Ultimately, the source serves as a spiritual call to action, encouraging believers to prioritize worship and gratitude over the commercial aspects of the season. It concludes by highlighting that the transformation of the human heart is the greatest miracle associated with the Nativity story.

Christmas is increasingly reduced to a celebration of vague “positive values.” But if God did not truly become Man, everything else collapses. Fr. McTeigue examines what's at stake when the Incarnation is replaced with sentiment. Watch on YouTube: Christmas Without Christ?

What happens when we leave Christ out of Christmas?

Without Christ we were slaves, trying to earn God's approval, but Jesus redeemed us and adopted us as sons and daughters. Now we don't come to God by fear or performance, we come as family. Through the Holy Spirit, we get to enjoy access to our Father. Without access to the Father, we are slavesThe Son has given us access through adoptionThe Spirit enables us to enjoy our access Life Group Discussion:Where do you personally feel tempted to drift back into “slave mentality” in your walk with God?What experiences with earthly fathers or authority figures might affect how you view God as Father?What does it practically look like to enjoy God instead of just obeying Him from obligation?

Without Christ we were slaves, trying to earn God's approval, but Jesus redeemed us and adopted us as sons and daughters. Now we don't come to God by fear or performance, we come as family. Through the Holy Spirit, we get to enjoy access to our Father. Without access to the Father, we are slavesThe Son has given us access through adoptionThe Spirit enables us to enjoy our access Life Group Discussion:Where do you personally feel tempted to drift back into “slave mentality” in your walk with God?What experiences with earthly fathers or authority figures might affect how you view God as Father?What does it practically look like to enjoy God instead of just obeying Him from obligation?

Are you running the wrong race? Ecclesiastes 6 gives us two striking examples of people who looked like winners but were actually losing. One man had wealth, possessions, and honor. The other had a large family and a long life. Yet both lacked the one thing that matters most—a relationship with God. In this episode, Stephen Davey takes you to Solomon's sobering observations about life “under the sun.” Success, family, possessions, and status can all be good gifts. But without God, they quickly become heavy burdens that leave the soul unsatisfied. Solomon himself serves as a case study: famous, wealthy, and powerful, yet weighed down with emptiness. The truth is, life is not about how far you get ahead or how fast you run. It's about balancing what truly matters: knowing God, walking with Him, and enjoying His gifts with gratitude. Without Christ, even a thousand years of living and a house full of children lead to futility. With Christ, even ordinary days are filled with meaning. Join Stephen in this Wisdom Journey lesson as he unpacks the rules of life's race and points you to the only One who can give true satisfaction. Stephen Davey's newest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Are you running the wrong race? Ecclesiastes 6 gives us two striking examples of people who looked like winners but were actually losing. One man had wealth, possessions, and honor. The other had a large family and a long life. Yet both lacked the one thing that matters most—a relationship with God. In this episode, Stephen Davey takes you to Solomon's sobering observations about life “under the sun.” Success, family, possessions, and status can all be good gifts. But without God, they quickly become heavy burdens that leave the soul unsatisfied. Solomon himself serves as a case study: famous, wealthy, and powerful, yet weighed down with emptiness. The truth is, life is not about how far you get ahead or how fast you run. It's about balancing what truly matters: knowing God, walking with Him, and enjoying His gifts with gratitude. Without Christ, even a thousand years of living and a house full of children lead to futility. With Christ, even ordinary days are filled with meaning. Join Stephen in this Wisdom Journey lesson as he unpacks the rules of life's race and points you to the only One who can give true satisfaction. Stephen Davey's newest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback