Podcasts about without jesus

BIBLE STUDY| MIRACLES OF JESUS SERIES.|THE FIFTH MIRACLE OF JESUS pt.45| THE POWER OF RETREAT|JESUS WALKING ON WATER| CHIMDI OHAHUNADON'T SAIL WITHOUT JESUS , LET THE SHEPHERD LEADWhat happens when you move ahead of God because you think you already know the destination?In this episode of the GRACELIFECOMI Miracles of Jesus Bible Study Series, Chimdi Ohahuna continues the study of John 6, revealing why we must wait for Jesus to lead us rather than attempt to navigate life without Him.Through the powerful picture of the shepherd and the sheep, this teaching explores waiting on Jesus, abiding in Christ, trusting His leadership, and the dangers of moving without divine direction.You may know where you are going—but do you know the way?Discover why waiting is not wasted time, why abiding in Christ is essential, and why the safest journey is the one Jesus leads.

Outline: “Hot, Cold or Lukewarm” I. Introduction: The Challenge of Being Lukewarm Opening encouragement: “We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Illustration about coffee: Some prefer it hot. Some prefer it cold. Few prefer it lukewarm. Connection to spiritual life: Jesus desires people who are spiritually hot or cold, rather than lukewarm. Primary text: Revelation 3:14–22 II. Background: The Message to the Church at Laodicea The passage came to the preacher during a three-day fast and prayer. Jesus gives John the Apostle a revelation while John is on the Isle of Patmos. John was elderly and exiled because of his faithful proclamation of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:19 provides the framework for the book: Things John had seen. Things that were happening. Things that would take place afterward. Revelation chapters 2–3 contain messages to seven literal churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea III. The Purpose and Pattern of the Seven Messages Each message begins with a revelation of who Jesus is. Each generally contains: A commendation. A rebuke or correction. Counsel about how to respond. Smyrna and Philadelphia received commendation without rebuke. Laodicea uniquely received rebuke without commendation. The messages to the first-century churches remain relevant to believers today. Application: Scripture is given for teaching, correction, reproof, and training. Believers should examine themselves rather than constantly examine others. IV. Jesus' Standard for Evaluating His Church Jesus does not primarily evaluate churches according to: Attendance. Buildings. Money/budget. The preacher contrasts the “ABCs”: Attendance Buildings Cash Jesus emphasizes the D: Discipleship. The goal is not merely making decisions or gathering spectators. True disciples: Follow Jesus. Learn from Him. Live like Him. Contribute through faith and service. The emphasis is quality rather than quantity. Jesus looks at the inward condition of the heart rather than outward appearance. V. The Four C's of the Message 1. The Christ — Revelation 3:14 Jesus identifies Himself as: The Amen The faithful and true witness The beginning/source of God's creation Jesus alone is qualified to judge the heart and soul. “Beginning” refers to His supremacy, source, and preeminence—not that Jesus was created. Jesus is both authoritative and loving. Believers should measure themselves by: Jesus. God's Word. Avoid comparing yourself with other people because comparison produces: Pride. Insecurity. 2. The Complacency — Revelation 3:15–17 Jesus says the Laodiceans are neither hot nor cold. Their lukewarmness makes Him want to spit/vomit them out. Hot represents: Passion. Spiritual hunger. Prayer. Scripture. Commitment. Pursuit of God. Cold represents: Clearly recognizing one's distance from God. Awareness of one's need for God. Lukewarm represents: Indifference. Going through religious motions. Lack of spiritual passion. Being comfortable with just enough Christianity to avoid real transformation. Background of Laodicea: Nearby Hierapolis had hot springs. Cold water was also available from another nearby source. By the time water reached Laodicea through aqueducts, it became lukewarm. Jesus used the city's familiar experience to communicate a spiritual truth. Warning against becoming like the Pharisees: Religious outwardly. Spiritually corrupt inwardly. Self-righteous and judgmental. Complacency often develops gradually through compromise. The danger of prosperity: “I am rich.” “I have everything I need.” Material sufficiency can produce spiritual self-sufficiency. True wealth is being rich toward God. Without Jesus, possessing everything amounts to nothing. With Jesus, even without worldly possessions, a person possesses what truly matters. 3. The Counsel — Revelation 3:18–19 Jesus counsels the Laodiceans to receive from Him: Gold refined by fire — true spiritual riches. White garments — righteousness and purity in Christ. Eye salve — spiritual sight and understanding. Jesus again speaks in terms familiar to Laodicea: Financial/banking center → gold. Textile/fashion industry → clothing. Medical/eye treatment → eye salve. The central message: Stop trusting worldly resources. Come to Jesus for what truly satisfies. Jesus could command, yet He lovingly says, “I counsel you.” Isaiah 55 reinforces God's invitation to receive His provision without money. Jesus' rebuke comes from love: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” The appropriate response is: Zeal. Repentance. Change. 4. The Call — Revelation 3:20–22 Jesus says: “I stand at the door and knock.” The original context is striking: This message was addressed to a church. Jesus is pictured as outside, knocking to be let back in. Jesus continues pursuing people even when they have become: Complacent. Lukewarm. Backslidden. His invitation: Hear His voice. Open the door. Fellowship with Him. The promise to those who overcome: They will sit with Christ on His throne. Main emphasis: There is still hope. There is still grace. There is still restoration. There is still a future. VI. Personal Self-Examination The sermon shifts from examining the church to examining oneself. Questions for believers: Am I spiritually hot, cold, or lukewarm? Have I become complacent? Am I more influenced by culture and social media than Scripture? Am I following Jesus or merely participating in church? Have prosperity and comfort made me less dependent on God? Do not judge yourself by comparison with others. Judge yourself according to God's Word. The preacher uses his own experience of receiving a medical diagnosis as an illustration: An accurate diagnosis is not condemnation. It identifies the problem so healing can begin. Likewise, God's conviction exposes spiritual problems so restoration can occur. VII. Communion and the Call to Examine Ourselves Transition to 1 Corinthians 11:23–32. Communion is presented as a moment of self-examination. Believers are instructed to examine themselves before partaking. God knows: Sin. Rebellion. Compromise. Hidden struggles. Yet He continues to knock and invite people into fellowship. God does not demand that people fix themselves before coming to Him. The invitation is: Come as you are. Repent. Surrender. Allow God's grace to transform you. VIII. Final Appeal Stop living below God's calling and purpose. Move from: Complacency → zeal. Compromise → surrender. Lukewarmness → spiritual fire. Self-sufficiency → dependence on God. Judge yourself rather than others. Recognize that correction can be an expression of love. A true friend tells the truth rather than simply affirming everything. Jesus is still knocking. The response required is simply to open the door. Closing invitation: Examine your heart. Hear Jesus. Open your heart. Repent. Receive His grace. Restore your relationship with Him.

You Can Do Life With or Without Jesus

Without God, there is no hope, no peace, and no relief from the guilt and stain of sin. In this sermon on life without God from Ephesians 2:1–3 titled “Life Without God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones thoroughly explains the pervasiveness of the state of sinfulness derived from the absence of God's presence. The only remedy, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, is the exceeding greatness of God's power toward His believers. Christians will only understand how significant God's grace is when they realize the depths from which God saved them and the heights to which He has raised them. Only then can Christians truly be thankful for Christ's intervention on their behalf. This sermon is unique in that Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares a personal example of his unbelieving state and his life without Christ. He shares that he used to be consumed with the lust of the flesh in that he desired to debate and sound clever in front of his peers. While preparing this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares that he felt an immense hatred for himself and his previous state of existence. This personal story exemplifies the principle Dr. Lloyd-Jones began the sermon with: understanding the depravity of believers' previous state and contrasting it with God's immensely merciful treatment of souls is the only way Christians can understand true grace. Without Jesus, people are doomed to perish while pursuing the flesh. With Him, people will be raised to life with God forever.

Without God, there is no hope, no peace, and no relief from the guilt and stain of sin. In this sermon on life without God from Ephesians 2:1–3 titled “Life Without God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones thoroughly explains the pervasiveness of the state of sinfulness derived from the absence of God's presence. The only remedy, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, is the exceeding greatness of God's power toward His believers. Christians will only understand how significant God's grace is when they realize the depths from which God saved them and the heights to which He has raised them. Only then can Christians truly be thankful for Christ's intervention on their behalf. This sermon is unique in that Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares a personal example of his unbelieving state and his life without Christ. He shares that he used to be consumed with the lust of the flesh in that he desired to debate and sound clever in front of his peers. While preparing this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares that he felt an immense hatred for himself and his previous state of existence. This personal story exemplifies the principle Dr. Lloyd-Jones began the sermon with: understanding the depravity of believers' previous state and contrasting it with God's immensely merciful treatment of souls is the only way Christians can understand true grace. Without Jesus, people are doomed to perish while pursuing the flesh. With Him, people will be raised to life with God forever. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

BIBLE STUDY| MIRACLES OF JESUS SERIES.|THE FIFTH MIRACLE OF JESUS pt.44 | THE POWER OF RETREAT|JESUS WALKING ON WATER|CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY / FAITH & DISCIPLESHIP| CHIMDI OHAHUNA What happens when you move ahead before Jesus is ready to move with you? In this powerful episode of Miracles of Jesus, we continue our study of the fifth miracle of Jesus, examining John 6:17 and the striking statement that “Jesus was not come to them.” The teaching confronts a critical issue in the Christian walk: the danger of sailing without Jesus. Why did the disciples leave Jesus behind? And why do believers today sometimes make decisions, pursue opportunities, enter relationships, launch ventures, or embark on journeys without first praying, waiting, and receiving divine direction? This episode exposes the dangers of sailing without prayer, sailing without Jesus, and refusing to wait for God. You will discover why prayer is not merely a religious activity but a vital means of receiving divine instruction, responding correctly to challenges, and walking in God's purpose. The teaching also challenges the mindset that intimacy with God is reserved for ministers and spiritual leaders. Every believer is called to pray, study the Word, fellowship with God, hear His voice, and participate actively in the work of the Kingdom. A major emphasis of this episode is the difference between God taking His time and God delaying you. What may appear to be a delay could actually be God's productive work of preparation. Rather than rushing ahead to “save time,” we are called to wait for the Savior. The central challenge is simple but profound: It is better to waste time waiting for God than to waste life trying to save time without Him. Drawing lessons from the disciples, Gethsemane, Moses, and the principles of waiting on the Lord, this episode calls every believer to examine their decisions, abandon spiritual impatience, and make a fresh commitment to never move ahead of Jesus. Listen, learn, examine your journey, and ask yourself: Is Jesus truly in the ship? This is another thought-provoking and spiritually enriching episode of Miracles of Jesus on the GRACELIFECOMI Podcast. Jesus is Lord!

Pastor Josh Cardwell

https://anchorbaptist1611.com/

Wisdom Calls: Without Wisdom Our Nation Runs on FumesProverbs 7 There are certain realities in life that are so obvious we rarely think to acknowledge them. A seed cannot grow without water, a car cannot drive without tires, and for some, coffee isn't coffee if it's decaf. These are givens – truths that almost go without saying. In the same way, God created human sexuality to operate within the framework of wisdom. For Christians, it should be a given that sexual integrity requires God's wisdom, yet Proverbs 7 shows us what happens when that “given” is ignored. Both believers and unbelievers often step outside God's design resulting in consequences such as sexual brokenness, confusion, and dehumanization. Without Jesus and the wisdom He offers, the persuasion of the world inevitably leads to death. Join us this Sunday as we consider the sobering reality of rejecting wisdom and the freedom found in Jesus' redemption. 

Wisdom Calls: Without Wisdom Our Nation Runs on FumesProverbs 7 There are certain realities in life that are so obvious we rarely think to acknowledge them. A seed cannot grow without water, a car cannot drive without tires, and for some, coffee isn't coffee if it's decaf. These are givens – truths that almost go without saying. In the same way, God created human sexuality to operate within the framework of wisdom. For Christians, it should be a given that sexual integrity requires God's wisdom, yet Proverbs 7 shows us what happens when that “given” is ignored. Both believers and unbelievers often step outside God's design resulting in consequences such as sexual brokenness, confusion, and dehumanization. Without Jesus and the wisdom He offers, the persuasion of the world inevitably leads to death. Join us this Sunday as we consider the sobering reality of rejecting wisdom and the freedom found in Jesus' redemption. 

Read OnlineLimitless ForgivenessPeter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21–22In the Book of the Prophet Amos, a poetic formula is repeated: “For three crimes of Damascus, and now four—I will not take it back…” (cf. Amos 1). By the time of Jesus, rabbinic tradition had adopted the interpretation of this passage to mean that God forgives three times, but not four and, therefore, so should we: “When a person commits a transgression the first time, he is forgiven; a second time, he is forgiven; a third time, he is forgiven; but the fourth time, he is not forgiven” (Yoma 86b).In today's Gospel, Peter's question is generous but still rooted in human calculation. His question follows immediately after Jesus teaches about fraternal correction. Peter, taking in this instruction and knowing the rabbinic tradition, more than doubles the expected number of times to forgive, suggesting seven. But Jesus immediately corrects him—not to reject his generosity, but to elevate it: “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”This phrase, “seventy-seven times,” is not a literal number; it signifies that forgiveness must be limitless, reflecting the boundless mercy of God. It is not merely a command to repeat acts of forgiveness, but an invitation to let our hearts be formed by Divine Mercy.The parable Jesus tells in response to Peter's question offers deeper insight into His meaning. It echoes the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” A king has a servant who owes him a huge amount—an unpayable debt, symbolizing the incalculable weight of our sin before God. When the servant begs for patience, the king goes beyond all expectation: he forgives the entire debt out of compassion. But that same servant, having just received mercy, encounters a fellow servant who owes him only a small amount. Rather than extending the mercy he himself had received, he becomes violent, demanding repayment and imprisoning the man. The king, upon hearing this, is enraged—not merely because of injustice, but because of the servant's utter failure to mirror the mercy he had been shown. Jesus concludes with a sobering warning: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”Limitless forgiveness is very difficult unless we have a deep and abiding gratitude for the Divine Mercy God has shown us. Our debt before God is incalculable. We could never repay it on our own. Though we might be tempted to think, “I'm a good person,” Scripture reminds us: “All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Without Jesus taking on our human condition and paying the debt of our sin through His suffering and death, we could not be saved. Grasping this truth and allowing it to penetrate our hearts is essential to living the Christian life.Only when we become keenly aware of the mercy God has poured into our lives can we foster true gratitude. And it is that gratitude that must inspire and compel us to offer the same limitless mercy to everyone who sins against us—no exceptions, no conditions. Just as we have been forgiven, so must we forgive, from the heart.Reflect today on how deeply you are aware of the mercy God has shown you. Do you take it for granted, or have you allowed it to transform you? Consider especially those you struggle to forgive. Let gratitude for God's mercy soften your heart. From that softened heart, choose to forgive—not seven times, but seventy-seven times and beyond. In doing so, you will reflect the very heart of God and become a vessel of His saving grace in the world.Most merciful Jesus, there is no limit to the love and forgiveness You continuously offer us. We are indebted to You with our very lives. Please give me the grace I need to be truly grateful for Your Divine Mercy and to express that gratitude by showing the same limitless mercy to all. Use me, dear Lord, as a vessel of Your grace and tender care. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus and Saint Peter, by Jean-Baptiste CapronnierSource: 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.

From time to time, we can all tend to veer off our trajectory. So, like a ship captain, we should be constantly adjusting in order to remain on course. In today’s Prophecy Update, Pastor JD wants to help you recalibrate your focus onto Jesus. Without Jesus, all the signs and the prophecies lose their meaning.

The first part is in English, and the second part is in Malayalam at 10:46 mark. John 14;23 – Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” എന്നെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നവൻ എന്റെ വചനം പ്രമാണിക്കും; എന്റെ പിതാവു അവനെ സ്നേഹിക്കും; ഞങ്ങൾ അവന്റെ അടുക്കൽ വന്നു അവനോടുകൂടെ വാസം ചെയ്യും. The Bible emphasizes that reading or hearing the Bible is only the first step.  True spiritual power and blessing come from practicing the word of God.  Jesus, the word of God, was with the Father before the creation of the world.  The Father and the Son Jesus together become one God.  Without Jesus in our life, it is hard to move on smoothly with our life.  When we love Jesus and follow His commands, Jesus and His heavenly Father will come and reside with us.  Then our life will be run by them, not on our own capacity. Then whatever we ask will be given to us. My name... Cicilysunny@gmail.com 

Saturday, 25 July 2026   For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him. Matthew 21:32   “He came, namely, John, to you in ‘way, righteousness,' and not you believed him. The ‘also taxmen and the prostitutes', they believed him. You, also, having seen, not you regretted afterward the ‘believe him'.” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus told Israel's leaders that the taxmen and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of God before them. He now explains why it is so, confirming their own response to His question concerning the parable of the two sons, saying, “He came, namely, John.”   This explains why Jesus gave the parable right after their question to Him concerning what right He had or under whose authority He did the things He was doing –   “But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?'” Matthew 21:24, 25   When they couldn't answer Him, He told them He wouldn't answer their question. After that, He immediately brought in the parable of the two sons. It is a parable that is based on the life and actions of John. Jesus is answering the question for them that they failed to answer. He does that with His continued words. He notes that John came “to you in ‘way, righteousness'.”   These words tell us that John's authority came from heaven. Jesus just said that the taxmen and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of God before the leaders. If entry into the kingdom of God is the goal and it is accessed through what John would proclaim, then John's authority was from God.   Understanding this, Jesus continues by explaining His statement concerning the matter, saying, “and not you believed him.”   If John's proclamation was from God, and these men did not accept his proclamation, then it stands to reason that they have rejected what God expects of them. On the other hand, Jesus says, “The ‘also taxmen and the prostitutes', they believed him.”   This explains why these groups would enter the kingdom of God before Israel's leaders. John's message was from God, and they accepted that premise. In this, Jesus equates them to the first son who said he would not go into the vineyard but later regretted it. They ignored the Law of Moses, lived unrighteously, and were stiff-necked toward God's expectations.   However, in John's coming, they heard the message, and regret for their way of life sank into their minds. In regretting, they would have done what John proclaimed, which is to believe in Jesus, the One he proclaimed to be the Messiah. On the other hand, Jesus says, “You, also, having seen, not you regretted afterward the ‘believe him'.”   Jesus equates the leaders of Israel to the second son. He said he would go into the vineyard, but then he never went. As noted, the vineyard represents the economy (a cultural expression) where God is dealing with man in order to bring about a result. Jesus is what God is now doing. The whole body of the Law and Prophets pointed to Him and His coming.   John proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. Therefore, those who once failed to uphold the law regretted their lives and accepted that God was ready to cleanse them through John's baptism of reconsideration, preparing them for the coming Messiah. The leaders saw this, the ‘believe him' of the people, and yet they did not regret their walk before the Lord.   They were so filled with self-righteousness that they could not accept that they needed the Messiah's healing. In stating His words, He has confirmed John's source of authority, and He has shown that John's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah is valid.   As such, He has actually answered the question that He didn't answer in verse 27. Only, He has done it indirectly. He demonstrates that John's authority is of God because his words lead to entrance into the kingdom of God or exclude those who reject it. John's words pointed to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus' authority is from God.   Jesus has brilliantly provided exactly what these men needed to know in a way that leaves them a choice that must be made concerning Him.   Life application: Time and again, the Bible shows that a rejection of the Son, Jesus, means a rejection of God. For example –   “Then they said to Him, ‘Where is Your Father?' Jesus answered, ‘You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.'” John 8:19   Man has a choice set before Him. Jesus is the dividing line. Those who reject Jesus reject God. Jesus offers grace, not law. Jesus fulfilled the law. Therefore, to reject Jesus' fulfillment of the law is, by default, a rejection of Jesus. In rejecting Jesus, the person rejects God.   One cannot piously claim he follows Abba Father if He is trying to merit what Jesus has already accomplished. It is illogical and contradictory. The choice of Jesus starts with believing in the God of the Bible, but this is not the end of the matter.   A rejection of all false gods is the beginning of the pursuit. But the God of the Bible has set before those who come to Him the choice of law versus grace. Jesus is God's grace. To attempt to find reconciliation apart from Jesus through law observance is a self-condemning act. Come to Jesus, set your pride aside, and receive His grace.   Lord God, Your word says that the path of restoration to You is narrow. As Jesus is the path, then anything apart from Him is a deviation from the path. Help us to clearly explain this to the people of the world. Without Jesus, no one will ever be restored to You. Give us boldness to proclaim this truth. Amen.  

Most of us make many plans for our lives. Most of those plans are made without even consulting Jesus. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has an expected end for us. He tells us in John 14:6, the He is the way. Yet, time and time again, we leave Him out of our plans. Join us in this broadcast of Woman at the Well Ministries as Kim discusses the importance of including Jesus in all of our plans.   Scriptures Mentioned in this Episode Jeremiah 29:11 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A11&version=KJV John 14:6 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=KJV John 21:2–11 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A2-11&version=KJV Psalm 46:10 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A10&version=KJV Jonah (Book of Jonah) www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=KJV Sarah www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+18&version=KJV Noah www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6-9&version=KJV Daniel www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+6&version=KJV David and Goliath www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=KJV 1 John 1:9 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9&version=KJV Matthew 4:19 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A19&version=KJV Did you enjoy this episode? It would make a huge difference to us if you took a minute to leave us a review wherever you listen and share the episode on social media!  Have you listened to our new podcast, The Bible Bit Podcast? These short podcasts come directly from the Bible Bits Kimberly writes each week day and shares to our subscribers via text message. You can learn more about Bible Bits right here. Want the BIble Bits in print? Find them here:  Bible Bit books! Do you want to bring Kimberly Miller and Woman at the Well Ministries to your church, upcoming retreat, or conference? Contact us!  Special thanks to the gospel group Fudge Creek for allowing us to use their song Happy Girl. Woman at the Well Ministries is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving our Heavenly Father and it is through your loving and generous support that our ministry continues to bless others. To learn how to partner with Woman at the Well Ministries, please visit our website.  All of this and more is found on the Woman at the Well Ministries website.

In Today's Secular Uncertainties, God is Sovereign; and God “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he {God} will” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Political discord and health care uncertainties surround us in all directions today. Without Jesus in our lives, we have reasons to be anxious and fearful. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31: “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”. The future years may hurt our pride, wallets, and/or our freedom. On the other hand, we should not let the current secular political environment and culture hinder our resolve to continue in our fearless faith in the truth; our constant hope in the future; and our radical love for our neighbors. God has a plan; and, regardless of how things look from our eyes, we must remain faithful to His purpose. Now is the time to draw near to Jesus and to advance His Kingdom. Our gaze must remain on Jesus if we want to walk on the water during the storm. God is the King of Kings and the Sovereign God of the Universe. As Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4:17 when God told Nebuchadnezzar: “to the end that the living may know that the Most High {God} rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he {God} will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”. God is always involved in our lives, and He gives the government offices “to whom he will”, even if the political processes produce “the lowliest of men {or women}”. Sometimes, we receive the elected officials we need, and sometimes we receive the elected officials that we deserve; but God is always Sovereign and faithful.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be a complainer (Philippians 2:14). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 6:31; Philippians 4:5-7; Daniel 4:17; Psalms 106c:25-36. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Our Realities Speak to Our Real Priorities”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In this episode, Dudley, Sam and David explore why so many Christians are questioning the messages they've heard in church and rediscovering the freedom of the true Gospel. Through honest conversation and grounded Bible teaching, they contrast performance-based religion with the Gospel of Grace, exposing how Manipulation, legalism, and self-effort can quietly shape our Faith.Together, they discuss the importance of biblical discernment, learning to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit, and understanding why the finished work of Christ is the foundation of genuine spiritual growth. They also address the growing conversation around deconstruction, the lasting effects of Religious Trauma, and how experiences with a toxic church can leave people wounded without defining their relationship with Jesus.This conversation invites believers to move beyond fear, striving, and confusion into the freedom, confidence, and hope found in Christ alone.We pray this message will encourage, challenge, and transform.As always, we invite you to share it with someone who needs it.  Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley's Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message 

Session 5: You're helpless without Jesus so stick with Him! - Kieron Lynch by Christ City Church Dublin

Visit Renew.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Join RENEW.org at an upcoming event: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Nate Ross unpacks Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus to show that being "lost" means perishing, and that Jesus' mission is to seek and save those who are dying spiritually. Through personal stories—from praying in the Indiana Senate to an unexpected encounter in Cancun—Nate urges listeners to let conviction fuel compassion and courage in reaching the lost.

Most people could answer this question without hesitation: What is the most important birth in the entire Bible? Christmas makes that one easy. But here's the harder question: What is the second most important birth in Scripture? In Genesis 21, a 90-year-old woman named Sarah finally gives birth to a son named Isaac, the child God had promised 25 years earlier. It sounds like a personal miracle for one elderly couple, but it was far more than that. That one birth set off a chain reaction, from Isaac to Jacob, from Jacob to Judah, from Judah to David, and from David to Jesus. Without Isaac, there is no Israel. Without Israel, there is no Jesus. Without Jesus, there is no Gospel. God is a missionary God, the Bible is a missionary book, and, if you have a heart for God, you will have a missionary heart.

Why is Christianity so exclusive, don't all religions lead to God? Pastor Adriel Sanchez answers a perennial question modern people struggle with about Jesus's words, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). PARTNER WITH US - https://solamedia.org/partner/?sc=AS2502V When you become a partner today, you'll receive two remarkable books as our thanks: Rediscovering the Holy Spirit by Dr. Michael Horton and Praying with Jesus by Pastor Adriel Sanchez. We believe these books can guide you into a clearer understanding of the Spirit's work and a richer prayer life. FOLLOW US YouTube | Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter WHO WE ARE Sola is home to White Horse Inn, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, and Theo Global. Our mission is to serve today's global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. Our vision is to see reformation in hearts, homes, and churches around the world. Learn more: https://solamedia.org/

Co-Pastor Rev. Colin Holtz preached on Sunday, Apr 26, 2026. The Church at Ponce & Highland is a multiracial, pro-LGBTQ, economically diverse, member-led church in intown Atlanta. We practice following the way of Jesus through radical inclusivity, thoughtful spirituality, and caring community. To learn more, hit subscribe or visit http://churchatponceandhighland.org/

Title: "Death is Meaningless without Jesus" Series: "Ecclesiastes" Date: Sun PM 2026-04-26 Listen to the full audio and view notes at https://www.sermonaudio.com/ebc We would love for you to join us in Fairview Heights, IL! Go to www.EdgemontBibleChurch.org for more info about our local church. Support more videos like this one by texting "EDGEMONTGIVE" to 77977 or giving at https://pushpay.com/pay/edgemontbiblechurch CCLI Licenses: Copyright License 573220 Streaming License 20321863

John 13:36-37 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later. Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You." In Luke's gospel account of the last supper, he recorded something John left out. Luke 22:22-24 “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.” It is plausible that the spirit of that discussion has influenced Simon Peter. Deep within the recesses of his soul is the pride of life that thinks he is better than everyone else. With his “I'm great” filter on, he hears Jesus say he's going someplace others can't go, and he's thinking from an earthly perspective. “I'll follow Him anywhere at any cost.” The disciples had had this discussion only days earlier when they were trying to decide whether they were going to go with Jesus to Jerusalem upon hearing of Lazarus' death. In John 11:16 we read, “Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” So I conclude Peter and the rest of the disciples had already considered what they might have to go through if they followed Jesus to Bethany and then on to Jerusalem. Maybe Peter decided in his heart earlier that he was able to endure whatever befell them. Perhaps at this moment, Peter wanted to show how he was indeed the greatest of the disciples, so he began to see if this was the opportunity to prove himself. However, I think Jesus' response was puzzling to Peter. Basically Jesus told him, “You're not ready now to follow me where I'm going.” Whether Jesus was thinking of going to the cross or thinking of going to heaven; in both cases, Peter wasn't ready, but Peter thought he was. Why wasn't Peter ready for either place? I think it is because Peter thinks he is great without the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, apart from the life of Jesus, Peter could do nothing. Nor can we. Is there any pride of life in us that thinks we can live our lives today without being filled with the Holy Spirit? Can we really lay down our lives for the glory of God if it is not the Spirit of the Son working in us? Without Jesus, we are nothing. With Him, we are ready to go anywhere He goes. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

"But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate[a] won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you." -Jesus In this message we ask, "How can that be?"

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Felicia explores the biblical concept of bearing fruit through staying connected to God, emphasizing that true productivity comes from abiding in Jesus, not striving. She shares personal insights and practical steps to deepen spiritual connection, especially during challenging seasons. TakeawaysFruit is the evidence of connection, not effort.Much fruit requires consistent abiding, not occasional effort.Without Jesus, we can do nothing—true strength comes from Him.Seasonal pruning is necessary for abundant fruit.Bearing fruit reflects character and Christ-like qualities.

Just last week, we saw a shameless exploitation of the resurrection by prominent religious leaders, comparing our President to Christ, and blasphemously assigning the resurrection image to him. The resurrection of Christ was repurposed as a political propaganda event. This called to mind something that Jesus said to Martha on the way to raise her brother Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus informed Martha that Lazarus would rise again, Martha replied that she knew that Lazarus would rise again at the last day, but that she believed that Jesus could ask God, and God would grant it to Him now. This statement by Martha was incomplete and insufficient, because mere resurrection is not enough. Jews mostly believed in the resurrection of the just at the last day. The Pharisees believed it dogmatically, yet most of them died and went to Hell. It is not enough to believe in the resurrection! Christ's resurrection work includes resurrection unto eternal life, and resurrection to eternal torment and wrath. Now we can see why Christ corrected Martha, that her view of the resurrection was not acceptable. Jesus' point to Martha was this: the resurrection is not enough. Her error was, that she did not recognize the true power and authority of the Person standing before her. She did not recognize the Resurrector! Christ then made it clear to Martha. It wasn't good enough to know there would be a resurrection one day. It was not even good enough to assume that God would raise up His people. What was necessary was to believe that Jesus is the Resurrection, and Jesus is the Life! Without Jesus' life-giving power, the resurrection becomes an horrible judgment.

Eating a donut for breakfast, a candy bar for lunch, and greasy pizza for dinner might sound great in the moment. But after a few days, your body starts craving something hearty and homemade. Today, Pastor Bill says your spiritual life works the same way. You can try to fill yourself with cheap substitutes — alcohol, parties, old memories— and they may feel good for a while. But if that's all you're feeding on, you'll end up empty. There is a way to be filled. That fulfillment has a name: Jesus.

There's nothing like stepping outside on a cool day and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face. Yet that same sun is so powerful you can't even look at it, and too much exposure can burn you. Still, without it, life on earth would not exist. Today, Pastor Bill reminds you that while every living thing depends on the S-U-N, there is One even more powerful and life-giving—the S-O-N. The question is, are you living under the life and authority of Jesus, the Son?

848 The Serpent is Cursed by God? A Guided Christian Meditation on Genesis 3:14-15 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrel axing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation Genesis 3 KJV 14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. NET 14 The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the cattle and all the living creatures of the field! On your belly you will crawl and dust you will eat all the days of your life. 15 And I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." Reflection on Scripture: In this chapter the serpent is not specifically identified as Satan, the adversary, the enemy of God but in other places in scripture that link is explicitly made. Why does God punish Satan? Satan tried to take the place of God. He tried to be the one to direct Adam and Eve in opposition to what God says. He does not fully understand the plan of God. His knowledge is limited. Even if he intellectually knows what God's intent is, which it is not even clear that this is the case, he certainly doesn't understand it. An intellectual understanding of the words of God is not enough. While in graduate school some of the books I read about the New Testament were written by incredibly knowledgeable atheists. This caused me to be suspicious of their insights about the true meaning of what the Word said. Satan intended to oppose and displace God, regardless of how futile that is.  Similarly how do we approach the wisdom of God? Do we do so indifferent to God's intent and presence? Where much is given, much is expected. When we approach God's word supported by God's Holy Spirit we are more prepared to understand it. As a result we should attempt to use every resource we have, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually to draw unto the Lord and seek His riches. If we approach God's word with an intent to critique it and demonstrate why it doesn't fit with modern thoughts, we have a greatly diminished ability to be fed by it spiritually.  In all, Satan has been punished for rejecting the authority and supremacy of God. We are rewarded when we align with God's spirit and His purpose. If we choose the side of rebellion or pride we choose the side of the serpent whose head is crushed by Jesus. When we follow Jesus we take the side of the one who will crush the enemy. Use your time in meditation as a method for aligning your will, your mind, and your heart, to the Lord Jesus Christ that is the only path back to the Father. Without Jesus, we have no ability to overcome the effects of the fall of Adam and our resulting propensity to sin.  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Sunday, 22 March 2026   “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. Matthew 18:8   “And if your hand or your foot, it ensnares you, you exscind them, and you cast from you. It is good – you enter into life lame or crippled, or two hands or two feet having, be cast into the ‘fire, the perpetual'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus gave woe to the world because of snares. Moreover, He gave woe to the man through whom snares would come. He continues now, saying, “And if your hand or your foot, it ensnares you, you exscind them, and you cast from you.”   The precepts of this verse and the next are similar to Matthew 5:29, 30. This one more closely aligns with Matthew 5:30. As noted there, the words of Jesus need to be taken in their proper light. If a person has been ensnared by his hand or foot, the sin has already been committed. It would not be profitable to cut off a body part in such an instance.   Understanding the hyperbolic nature of the words, Jesus continues, saying, “It is good – you enter into life lame or crippled, or two hands or two feet having, be cast into the ‘fire, the perpetual'.”   A new word is seen here, aiónios, perpetual. It is used of past time as well as past and future time. It signifies that which is eternal in nature. The words clearly indicate that there is a final judgment for all people. It is a judgment that is both real and eternal in nature. Without Jesus, a sin against the infinite God requires an infinite purification.   Jesus' point is that there is a problem in a person's life that must be addressed. If it is not dealt with, there will be eternal consequences. Israel is being schooled on the ramifications of failing to meet the demands of the law.   As no person can perfectly meet what the law requires, there must be a total separation from God. But, in Christ, His satisfaction of the law is imputed to those who come to Him, trusting that what He did is sufficient for their salvation.   Life application: If Jesus' words were to be taken literally with every such snare in a person's life, nobody would have hands or feet. As such, nothing would ever get done. People would be busy cutting off body parts until there were none left to cut.   But this is the severity of the law. His point is that it certainly is better to take such strong action than to be cast into the Lake of Fire. But remember, cutting off a hand or foot cannot atone for one's sin. As the sin has been committed, it would be a pointless gesture.   Further, there is already the issue of inherited sin that needs to be dealt with. In and of himself, there is nothing a person can do about that. Despite this, it is an infection that must be dealt with for reconciliation with God to take place.   As reconciliation requires atonement, and only a perfect Substitute can atone for sin, the need for Jesus becomes crystal clear. People need Jesus. No other path can restore man to God. And more, after the cross, once sin is atoned for in those who have received the gospel, forgiveness for all such matters has been obtained.   Thus, no such infraction can ever be charged against a person in Christ again. He is under grace, not law. Without law, there can be no imputation of sin. In one fell swoop, all such matters are dealt with through the death of Jesus Christ for those who trust Him.   Lord God, when all hope was lost, You stepped in and restored it. In our state of assured condemnation, You brought about salvation. And in our pending judgment, You gave us reconciliation. Thank You, O God, for what You have done through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 5 - Psalm 43:3-5; antiphon: Psalm 43:1-2aDaily Lectionary: Genesis 49:29-50:7, 14-26; Mark 14:1-11“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” (Psalm 43:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Tomorrow we enter Passiontide - the final two weeks of the Lenten season. The light and truth of God's Word have guided us through this season, reminding us of all that Jesus has done for us as we prepare for the joy of Easter. But before we get there, the light and truth of the Word lead us to the holy hill of Calvary—to the cross of Jesus. To see the horrible consequences of our sin, but even more, to see the incredible love of Jesus in laying down His life for us.So, the light and truth of God's Word first show us our sin. And we confess, I am a poor, miserable sinner. I am by nature sinful and unclean. I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done and by what I have left undone. I am not good. Without Jesus, I am dead in my trespasses and sins. That's why Lent starts with the ashes of death and ends with the cross. The wages of sin is death.But the light and truth of God's Word doesn't leave us there, cast down in death! The ashes of death are washed off us by Baptism, and we go to the altar of God with exceeding joy, because the Body and Blood that once hung on the cross rose from death and are now given to us for forgiveness and life. Even during Lent, we do not go about mourning. No, we praise God even as we confess our sins, for by so doing we are confessing the one whose forgiveness we take refuge in. Whose resurrection won the victory over sin, death, and Hell.So it is the light and truth of God's Word that lead us to Lent and through Lent to Easter. And it is the light and truth of God's Word that leads us through this life to the great and final Easter when Jesus comes again in glory. Until that day, Jesus defends us, delivers us, and leads us, and we take refuge in Him, praise Him, and hope in Him. For He is our salvation and our God.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.My son is love unknown, My Savior's love to me, Love to the loveless shown That they might lovely be. Oh, who am I That for my sake My Lord should take frail flesh and die? Here might I stay and sing, No story so divine! Never was love, dear King, Never was grief like Thine. This is my friend, In whose sweet praise I all my days Could gladly spend! (LSB 430:1, 7)

Without Jesus, we are spiritually blind. The same Jesus who miraculously gave physical sight opens our eyes to see our salvation in him.

It's Thursday, March 12th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Nepal's new government less likely to feature Hindu nationalists Christians in Nepal are cautiously hopeful after recent elections in the Asian country located north of India and which features the Himalayan Mountains including Mount Everest. Youth-led protests toppled the government last year. The new government is poised to feature less Hindu-nationalist parties. Hindu extremists drive most persecution of Christians in Nepal.  One pastor in the country told International Christian Concern, “The [election] results are unexpected. Though the outcome is confusing, we remain hopeful, especially as there appears to be a decline in the influence of pro-Hindu nationalist parties.”  Franklin Graham preached to 90,000 in Lima, Peru Evangelist Franklin Graham shared the Gospel of Christ with over 90,000 people in Lima, Peru over the weekend.  Listen. GRAHAM: “The Bible says, ‘All we, like sheep, have gone astray. Each has turned to his own way.' But man has a problem. That problem is called sin. “Sin is a barrier. It's a wall between you and God, and sin has to be atoned, and the only way is through the shed blood of Jesus, Christ on the cross. “Without Jesus, you have no hope. You cannot save yourself, only the blood of Jesus. “You have a choice tonight.  Jesus said, ‘I'll never leave you nor forsake you.' Will you come to Him tonight?” Thousands responded to the message during the evangelical event. Peru is a predominantly Catholic country. However, the number of Evangelicals has been growing rapidly in the South American country in recent years.  Chile is first country to eliminate leprosy in the Americas Chile recently became the first country in the Americas to officially eliminate leprosy.  The World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization verified the achievement. Chile has not reported any locally acquired cases of the disease for over 30 years.  The World Health Organization noted, “Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease … primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa, and eyes. If untreated, it can lead to permanent nerve damage, disabilities, and social stigma.” U.S. and Ecuador team up to kick drug cartels out The United States and Ecuador launched joint military operations against drug cartels in the South American country last week.  Over a dozen other Latin American countries also plan to cooperate with the U.S. military against drug smuggling operations. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed these countries during the Shield of Americas Summit in Florida on Saturday. Listen.  HEGSETH: “We don't have to live with communities flooded with drugs or violence or cartels and gangs. We can seal our border, and we have to for our citizens. “We share a hemisphere and geography. We share cultures, Western Christian civilization. We share these things together. We have to have the courage to defend it. We have a Commander-in-Chief in our country who's set that compass heading.” New poll: Don't need to believe in God to be moral Pew Research reports fewer people around the world believe it's necessary to believe in God to be moral. A majority of adults in the United States, Canada, and Europe say it's not necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good values. People in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are much more likely to say belief in God is necessary for morality.  In the U.S., 31% of adults say it's necessary to believe in God to be moral. That's down from 42% in 2014. Wyoming passes Heartbeat bill Wyoming became the latest state to enact a fetal heartbeat law. Republican Governor Mark Gordon signed the Human Heartbeat Act into law on Monday. This makes Wyoming the fifth state to ban abortions on babies at about six weeks of pregnancy.  If a heartbeat is detected, the baby must be protected. Liberty Counsel noted, “The ‘Human Heartbeat Act' bans abortions after a heartbeat can be detected. However, it does include exceptions for medical emergencies when the mother's life is in danger, or her health is at risk of serious impairment. The law does not include exceptions for rape or incest.” John Newton, former slave ship captain, wrote “Amazing Grace” And finally, this week is the anniversary of John Newton's conversion.  Newton was a captain of slave ships in his early life. While at sea, a severe storm brought him to his spiritual senses. This led to his conversion on March 10, 1748. Newton went on to marry, become a pastor, and work to end the slave trade. Newton is well known for his hymns. Each week he would write a hymn to a familiar tune. Of his hundreds of hymns, he is especially remembered for “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds!” and “Amazing Grace.” WINTLEY PHIPPS: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see.” That was sung by Wintley Phipps. Newton wrote his own epitaph for his tombstone which says, “Once an infidel … was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.” Reminds me of the Apostle Paul. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, March 12th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Audio Transcript And the ruin of that house was great. It’s not God’s word for us this morning. Would you please pray with me? Lord, we pray that you would indeed speak through the preaching of your word. Lord, please help me to communicate this text. Well, Lord, please keep me from error, but to speak only that which is true. Lord, we do pray that you give the congregation here just ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. And Lord, please bring much glory to Jesus in this time. It’s in his name we pray. Amen. So let me share with you a story I think I may have shared in the past, but I think it’s been a little while since I’ve done it. It’s like every good story starts with me. So there we were. And this was when I was still in college and I had a summer job working for a carpenter who actually specialized in building log homes. Now, for me, my main job was donut pickup guy for the morning break. But I also had a number of other trivial jobs that come alongside some of the main carpenters just to kind of help them do their thing in ways to help them be efficient and able to concentrate on doing quality work. Well, in this story, one of the days when I was assisting one of the carpenters, things are just not coming together. So we just finished putting on the decking over the basement of the house, which I should mention was a huge home. This is the biggest home. The owner of the building company had to up to this point. But as we put the decking on and started to lay out the exterior walls, things were just not coming together. The walls were not lining up according to plan, even though from what we could tell, we were laying things out according to the blueprints. So after a while trying to figure things out on our own, trying to figure out why things are not coming together according to the design, the carpenter that I was assisting called over to the owner of the company to see if he could help us just understand why things were not working the way they should have. Which led to the owner also looking at the blueprints where he started to measure things out on the exterior walls. But as he did that, things were not coming for together for him either. So for the next, I don’t know, 30 minutes or so, we’re all scratching our heads trying to figure out what the issue was. Why were things not going the way they were designed? Why were they not coming together? Where did things go wrong? Only for the owner to realize what was wrong had nothing to do with the blueprints, nothing to do with the measurements of the walls, rather the basement foundation that was poured, the one that the company owner laid out like he didn’t do it right. So in the hustle and bustle, I’m sure the pressure excitement of building his biggest home to date, he got a little distracted. And the measurements, the layout of the foundation was off something like a foot or two, which might not seem like a big deal, but just that little bit off of the foundation put everything else off. And with everything because that was off, we just could not move forward. Because if we did so, not only did the house not come together according to plan, the house would have been structurally vulnerable, set up for a huge fall with the foundation off, everything else was off as well. Now, I tell you that story this morning to hopefully set us up for our text, a study, which is the final section, often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, which is something we’ve been studying the last few weeks. This is called Sermon on the Plane, because in Luke 6 we see that the sermon that Jesus gave was to a great crowd of disciples, a great multitude of people from all over the region, while he gave this, while standing on a level place, a plane. So I mentioned a few times, and I’ll mention again here, this sermon plane is similar, but yet a little different to perhaps Jesus most famous sermon. The sermon is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, which the Lord gave on the side of a mountain, which you can read about in Matthew, starting in chapter five of Matthew. And the sex is very similar, but different. In fact, the sermon is very similar, but different, including how similar actually is, how it ends. Both those sermons, the Sermon on the Mount, Sermon on the Plain, end very similarly. And I do think it’s important for us to see that each of these end with a very similar challenge to the listeners. A challenge that’d be good for us to hear this morning as well. A challenge that is meant to cut to our hearts, to show if our hearts indeed do beat for Jesus or not. So we’re talking more about this kind of throughout the sermon. Let me also just mention before we get dive back into the text, that throughout this sermon on the plain, Jesus is primarily speaking towards his disciples. So yes, it’s mentioned there’s a great crowd around Jesus from all over the region who he was speaking to as well in the sermon. But the primary audience for this sermon, the Sermon on the Plain, was his many disciples, as Jesus was helping them understand what it looks like to follow after him. Understanding if we’re going to Follow after Jesus. We need to follow him not just in word, but also in deed, meaning to be a disciple of Jesus, not simply acknowledging that Jesus is the Lord. We were to follow him joyfully submitting our life to him and as the Lord as the foundation of our life, where our desire is to build everything about our life off of him, knowing that if Jesus is not our foundation, everything is going to be off, which in terms of the plains, well, as the sermon, the Mount, everything be off in the most tragic and terrifying ways. Without Jesus as the foundation of one’s life, we are set up for a great fall. Okay, so that is the introduction. Please look back with me at the text, starting in verse 33, where Jesus spoke to the congregation on the plane by giving them another parable or illustration to help them understand, like an important spiritual truth. So in the text, verse 43, Jesus says, for no good tree bears bad fruit. Nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its fruit. I’ll just say pause here for a second. Clearly here in this parable illustration, Jesus is using trees as a metaphor to address one’s heart, which is the thing that Jesus is after. He wants our heart. He deserves our heart. So in this illustration, when our hearts are good in ways that they’re good before God, because God has birthed inside us a new heart, we’re in the grace of God, he takes out like a heart of stone, that actually we’re all born with a heart that’s like spiritually dead before God in sin, that by his grace he gives us a new birth, he puts in a new heart, a heart of flesh, which is a heart that now beats for God. A heart that knows God, or better said, is known by God as his own. Because a new heart, this heart of flesh, this very spirit dwells within. The very presence of God, fills that heart. So from that new heart that was graciously given to us by God, now good things come out of it. Not bad things, not bad fruit. But in the text, good things, good fruit, which are good things. Good fruit that honor God, that communicate worship towards God. They have a real love for God, a desire to bring glory to God. In the New Testament, these good things, or these good fruit that come out of a new heart, it’s often referred to as the fruit of the spirit. Good fruit, not bad fruit. So Galatians 5 says this. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. So in this sermon, Jesus, in this illustration on the positive, when the heart is good because of God, putting a new heart like a good tree, good fruit will come from us. As a good tree does not produce bad fruit, a new good heart will not be characterized by having bad fruit. However, then on the negative, the challenge of warning for those who do not have the spirit of God dwelling inside, where they have not experienced, like, this new birth, where they do not have a new heart, where they’re still spiritually dead in their sins, spiritually dead before God, where they have this, like, heart of stone. Scripture refers to a heart that does not beat for God, does not desire to bring him glory. In the text, like a bad tree, they will not produce good fruit, Meaning they will not live a life seeking to worship God, obey God, love God, bring glory to God. Rather, without a new birth, the spiritually dead heart will produce fruit, which the New Testament refers to as like the works of the flesh. So once again, Book of Galatians, now the works of the flesh are evident. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. None of these things are good fruit. None of these things bring honor and glory to God. No, just a few things before we keep moving on. First, I just want to address maybe a couple related questions you have here. And then after that, I want to just stress something essential for us to see and understand in this passage. So first question, potential questions you might have. Does this mean that if one is a Christian who has a new heart, does this mean that, like, bad or sinful things cannot come out of them, where they’ll never sin, never do anything wrong? The answer is life is unfortunately, bad things, sinful things, even for Christians, for disciples of Jesus, unfortunately, these still will happen. Or, unfortunately, we still will stumble and fall in many ways. And if one says that he’s, like, not a sinner, not capable of sinning, like Scripture tells, like, they’re a liar and the truth is not in them. So Jesus is getting here. It’s not that we’re going to be perfect where we only give good fruit, but what he is saying is, like, bad, sinful things, bad fruit. These things will not mark our lives. We’re not gonna just, like, give in to bad fruit without seeking to put them away through repentance and faith. Like, there’s gonna be evidence of our life of good fruit when we have a good heart, they’re gonna be present. There’s gonna be a desire A longing, a joy for obedience, that we live a life that bears fruit for our good God. And they say things will mark one’s life. Our life will be one that’s lived. They’re seeking to honor and worship God once again. Just to be clear, in this life, unfortunately, they can be done in imperfect ways as a wait for and long for the next life. In the next life, all these things will be done in perfect life, in perfect ways, where in the next life only good fruit will come as sin is fully removed from us. Let me mention the context of sermon. Some of the good fruit that is to mark those who are Christians who have a new heart, those who are trusting in him, I’m positive, will include things like storing up treasures in heaven. Just something Jesus talked about kind of throughout this sermon on plain. It’ll include like loving our enemies. It’s going to include good fruit of like not being judgmental and condemning or unforgiving towards other Christians. Our lives can be marked, like trying to do to others which we wish others would do to us. Likewise, a good tree, the life is gonna be characterized by not like having this bad fruit, like trying to pull the speck out of someone else’s eye when there’s a plank in your own eye. Instead, when there’s a good heart that God has graciously put in the fruit of our life that comes from knowing God will have like the fruit of generosity, the fruit of love and mercy towards other and word. And indeed so once again, not perfect in this life, but there should be a life that produces good fruit because of God’s work. Second potential question then, is Jesus teaching those who are not Christians who still have a heart of stone, who are dead in their sin. Is Jesus saying that they cannot do good things? And the answer is kind of a yes and no here. So certainly non Christians can do morally good things towards others where they can show, like, love and kindness, where, in a sense, you can do good things to benefit society. In fact, I’m sure we all know those who are not yet Christians, who are like some of the nicest and kindest people that we know, who have done good things that we have benefited from. However, that being said, non Christians who are spiritually dead before God, who still have a heart of stone, they cannot do good things in ways that, like honor God, that reflect the heart of worship towards God to produce good things that bring glory to God in the end. This is what Jesus is getting at here. Bad trees cannot bear good fruit in their lives in ways that honor and glorify God, which is what we’ve been designed to do. God created us to obey him, to enjoy him forever, to bear fruit with our lives. But because of sin is in all of us on our own, apart from the grace of God in our life, we can’t bear good fruit for God. Like we need a new heart in ways we’re going to live, ways that we have been designed to live. And third, I just want to stress here before I move on within this illustration that Jesus is using here, something he continues to really teach throughout his ministry, including this sermon on the plain. There’s really only two ways that one can live. Either you know God by having faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ, or to keep saying it, you have a new heart given to you graciously by God, with the Spirit of God living inside, where you’re blessed in God, where God is the foundation of your life, where you’re bearing good fruit for Him. That’s one way. Or you don’t know God and you still have a heart that’s spiritually dead before God. Where in the sermon on the plain, you’re under his woes because he is not your foundation. Like there’s no sliding scale here. Either a good tree or a bad tree. Either you have a new heart or you have a heart of stone. Either you’re alive to God because of his grace and the new heart is given to you, or you’re still dead, dead in your sin before Him. Either Jesus is the foundation or he’s not. There’s only two ways to live, and this is true for all of us here this morning. Either we are in Christ or we are not. Either we are a good tree or we are a bad tree. Keep going. Verse 44. For each of these two tree options we see it’s known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from bushes, nor grapes picked up from like bramble bush. Those types of trees don’t produce those types of fruits. It’s not in their nature. They can’t do it. It’s impossible. Verse 45. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart, then produces good. Once again. With the Spirit living inside, one will produce good fruit. It will happen. In fact, it’s impossible for it not to happen. But the evil person is referring to any and all who do not have faith in God through Jesus Christ, who is still dead in trespasses and sin. The evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil. How can it not? It’s in its nature. It cannot produce that which is good to bring glory to God in the text. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks, meaning that which is at our core in our heart, it will come out of us like whatever is at the core of a tree, that fruit will come out. Which by the way is why our words are so telling. A New Testament book of James says if anyone thinks he’s religious but does not bridle his own tongue, but deceives his heart, this person’s religious religion is worthless. Keep going. Verse 46. We see it’s not just our words that are telling when it comes to what kind of tree we are or what kind of foundation we’re built upon. We also see our deeds or their lack thereof are also so telling Jesus to the congregation on the plane and to us here this morning. So why do you call me Lord? Lord? Which calling Jesus Lord, like those are the right words for our mouth to speak yet. And this is a pretty massive three letter word here. Yet you do not do what I tell you. Verse 47. Everyone who comes comes to me and hears my word and does them. I will show you what he’s like, which here Jesus give another illustration or parable to communicate his point. And this is something that James also communicates about works and obedience. There’s a natural outflowing when one has faith, outflowing from the heart, there will be works. This is what Jesus is about to get at in our text. Verse 48. So that person, the one who hears and obeys, he’s like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. Now just for some historical context here, just to understand what Jesus is getting at. So in this time period houses actually were pretty heavy. These are often rebuilt with like either like large stones or bricks. And often these heavy houses were built on a terrain that was like not most level. So this can be kind of a hilly region. And because of these factors, the overall weight of the home, the uneven terrain, if a house was built in haste without taking time to dig into the bedrock to secure the home, the house would be set up for a fall like crumbling under its own weight. So the better, the necessary thing to do, the better long term picture here to do the right thing is to dig deep into the ground. Even though it cost time money to set the foundation of the house on a rock, building a house on the rock would make the house so much more secure, particularly when the storms blew in which in the text. So when the flood waters rose, which actually Something could be pretty common in this region of the world. Times like heavy rains might pop up from time to time. And as these storms pop up, maybe flood waters would join them, causing a stream to come, like rushing against the house. And the house that’s built on the deep, secure foundation of the rock, as a stream came rushing against it, the text tells us it will not shake because this has been built well, safely secured and tethered to the rock. I remember in verse 49, if you want to take your eyes there, the warning. But the one who hears the words of Jesus, the words found in sacred Scripture, but does nothing with them, rather hears but rejects God’s word as if it has no bearing on your life. Particularly what it says about the salvation found in Jesus Christ. It takes that person is like a man who built a house without a foundation, having no real care, no real concern, no real thought on that which might come rather just kind of quickly throw up the house just to get back to the cares of the world for that person. When the flood waters came, causing a stream to form that came crashing against that type of house with no foundation, immediately the house will fall and the ruin of that house will be great, where that person will lose everything. I think the reality of losing everything certainly is true in this life, but I think more importantly is true of the life that is to come. For those who reject Christ, who do not build their life upon him as the foundation, they will be forever lost apart from Him. Which is why this Sermon on the Plane is a heavy but important sermon for us to hear. Perhaps that’s why Jesus ended this sermon as well the Sermon on the Mountain. The same way for us to hear this warning, knowing that he, like, came to seek and save those which are lost so that they would be found by him, so they would have their foundation built on him as the rock of our salvation through his death and resurrection from the dead. For us, that ends the sermon on the plane. However, before we end this sermon here, just a couple things I just want to do. So first, I specifically just want to give us some thoughts from our text today. And then I just want to kind of back up and give you some thoughts on the Sermon on the Plane as a whole that’s mentioned. We’ve been looking at the last number of weeks. So first, let’s just start with our text today. As I mentioned, again, not only ends the Sermon on the plane, but very similarly ends a Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5. And I do think it’s important to see like this is the conclusion that Jesus has, as he preached to the crowds around him. And so for us, I just have one kind of major point of application, which is this, as we end this sermon on the plane, is just to examine yourself to see if you’re in the faith. Okay, so New Testament says this in Second Corinthians, it says, examine yourself to see if you’re in the faith. Test yourself, which testing through what Scripture tells us, test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourself, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you fail to meet the test? I think that’s what the heart of Jesus is getting at in the passage today, that for the crowds around him, they were simply to assume that because they were in the vicinity of Jesus, because they were hearing his Word preached like they were good, rather as they heard the word of the Lord, they were adhered in ways that the word is to examine the fruit of their lives, to examine the foundation of their life, to see where it’s at. And for us, I think it’s important for us to do as well. I think it’s important for us to let this passage, like, examine our hearts, discern if our life is producing the fruit of the Spirit that comes from a new heart that is alive towards God. So again, discernment do we see the fruit of like, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control coming out of our lives. Furthermore, as we discern our lives, let Scripture and examine our hearts to see what’s coming out of our mouth in the text, out of the abundance of the mouth, the heart speaks. And as we do this, not only to serve our words that we might say in church life, but also the words we might say outside of church life to see if they match up. Remember back to the story I gave a few weeks ago where my hypocrisy was exposed. For the most part, my words in church life were pretty good, but they were far different from the words I used in all the other areas of my life. So can I just ask, as you discern the words that come out of you, like what are the words not just in church life, but what are the words that you use throughout your life out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks. But it’s not just the fruit of our words that we’re to discern and examine in the text. We also need to see the fruit of our deeds. Jesus told us verse 46, we can say, Lord, Lord, but if we do not do what he tells us, those words are in vain. The Fruit of our life ought to be one who hears the words of God and does them no, keeps us saying this once again in this life. We’re not going to be perfect in this, even with a new heart, with the Spirit of God living inside. But as we examine our hearts, as we examine our life, there should be fruit. We’re seeking to bring honor and glory to God with our words and our deeds. Likewise, we need to examine to see where the foundation of our life lies. Are we building our life off of Christ? Is Jesus the cornerstone? Or as we examine our lives, we recognize our life is actually not built upon Jesus, but we’re, like, seeking to build our life off of something else, which could be a host of different things, perhaps in themselves not bad, but they’re not Christ. If you’re unsure what foundation life is built upon, just ask. As hard things come your way, as storms of life beat against you like floodwaters, like, what happens? Where do you look? Where’s your hope? As the floods come, does it result in, like works of the flesh come, continuing to bubble out of you where you, like, run and indulge in various types of sinful behavior? Or as the floods come, do you see the fruit of the Spirit even into difficulty, do the flood waters lead you to Christ? You know, the great Charles Spurgeon said this. He said, I’ve learned to kiss the wave, the Rock of Ages. Ben’s gonna ask, does hard things come your way? Do they take you to Christ, the rock of ages, once again, not that we’re gonna be perfect in this life. The storms come. Even those who have the spirit living inside, who maybe are mature in their faith and this life are not gonna be perfect, which is why we still need Jesus. We’ll talk about that more in the end. But for this morning, as you can see the text, how this passage ends, let me just invite us once again examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith, to let this text test ourselves so that we might realize that Jesus Christ is in us so we do not fail the test. The weight of this passage, of how this sermon ends is so important for us to feel. It’s not enough to just be in the crowd, to just hear the words of Jesus, brother, we must put our faith in him. He must be the foundation of our life. This is a test. This is an examination that we all must pass, because if not in the passage, there will be a fall and it will be great. This actually leads to the second thing I want to do before we close, but I just Want to leave us just two things from the Sermon on the Plain as a whole. So first, the sermon does help us see what it looks like to follow after Jesus as one of his disciples. So, meaning the Sermon on the Plain is not like primary sermon on how to become a Christian. Rather, this is primarily a sermon on what it looks like to live out the Christian faith in faithful ways which. Including things we just talked about, like the fruit of our life, where the fruit of our life is doing things like storing up treasures in heaven. We’re in the Sermon on the Plain. We’re, like, willing to suffer for our faith. That’s what it means to follow Christ. That should be a fruit of our life. Through fruit of our lives. If we’re gonna follow Jesus, should be loving enemies, loving fellow believers. If we’re gonna follow Jesus, we need to be merciful. We need to do others what we wish others would do to us, Right? These are all things that are meant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, to follow after him in faithfulness and in joy. And for us, you know, one of our church pillars is to grow. We want to continue to grow in our faith, to bear more fruit for. And the Sermon on Plain is just so helpful for us on that end. So if you want to grow, let the Sermon on Plain be part of your guide and just ask the Lord to help you to be obedient to these good words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Particularly, I think, when it comes to wanting to do to others or doing to others that you wish others to do to you, which I kind of think is a summary statement of the entire first half of the Sermon of Jesus. So this week, at home, at school, at work, at church, with all the different interactions you’re having with others, if you’re this Christian, a disciple who’s seeking to grow all those interactions, do them in ways that you want others to do to you, especially if you were in their shoes, doing so in ways you remember how much the Lord Jesus has done for you and how loving and merciful he continues to be to all of his people. Which leads to the second thing I just want to leave us with as we close the Sermon on the Plain. The Sermon on the Plain does help us see how much we need Jesus, friends. We all need the Lord Jesus Christ. So for those of us here who recognize that you’re not, like, passing the test, as you recognize that your life doesn’t match up what it looks like to follow Jesus as disciple, you see no fruit, you know, the foundation of your life is actually not on Christ. Like you’re not passing the test. If that’s you friend, you just need to see how much you need Jesus. And not only that, let me give you some good news. The promise of Scripture is that if you call upon his name, that by faith you would turn to him, trust in him. That indeed you would trust that he came to die for you on a cross to take on the punishment of your sin, only to rise again on the third day. The promise that indeed he will save you, that you have a new heart, that the Spirit will live inside. From the end of the sermon on the plane. This call to examine oneself so that’s not there, to like, to cripple us in ways that we just get so introspective, like forever and ever. We’re crippled under the weight of our own sin and our own guilt and our own shame and our own shortcomings, where all we see is like ourselves, our own failures, rather the examination of self. We’ve examined ourselves in ways that we see our need for Jesus, in ways that we call upon him, knowing that as we call upon him by faith, he will hear us. Scripture is so clear. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but through him the world might be saved. And friends, that’s the heart of this sermon as it ends. This is why Jesus ends this way, including the Sermon on the Mount, in the same way so that you would hear the Word, in ways that you would turn and trust in him. So that not only we see your sin, your shortcomings, but more importantly, that you would see the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of our sin. So this morning as we close the sermon, playing for those who are here, who are not in Christ, who sure may say Lord, Lord, but you know your actions do not match up. I just want to invite you to turn from sin and turn to Jesus, asking Him to be the foundation of your life once again. Trust him that he did die for you and that he did rise again from the dead, trusting that he is worthy of building your entire life upon, knowing that as you turn to him, you’ll be securely and forever his. So if you don’t pass the test, don’t leave here this morning just looking at self, like feeling doomed because you didn’t pass the test. Rather, leave here feeling forgiven, have hope and joy because you’re now looking to Jesus, who passed the test for us, who is loving, who is merciful, who is calling people to Himself, including perhaps you this morning. This morning, it’s not just those who are not yet Christians, who need Jesus, who need to set their eyes on him, to close the sermon plain. They should help all of us, including those who already are disciples, just see how much we still need Jesus and the power of the Spirit to empower us to live out as disciples. This call in this sermon is a heavy call to live in this way. And this is called we just cannot do on our own. So we need Jesus. We need his example on how to live this out. But Jesus perfectly lived out the call in this sermon, including how he loved his enemies in ways that he died for sinners like you and me, including how he loves his people, his church, how merciful and generous he is towards us, including the example how his life is forever and always one that only bears fruit, good fruit for God. But not only do we need this example, we also, as mentioned, we need his power. If we can live this out. So Scripture tells, like he’s the vine and we’re simply branches and apart from him, we can do no good thing. It’s only in him by which we can bear much fruit. So even if you are a Christian, maybe you’ve been a Christian for a long time, you still need Jesus and you still need to continue to set your eyes on him, and you still need his love and his mercy. And this morning, if you know the areas of life where you’re not bearing fruit, where you’re. Perhaps you’re doing things on your own in ways that do not reflect Christ being your cornerstone. I also just want to invite you to turn to him as well, to confess and forsake your sin, to trust in him, knowing that he does forgive, that he is merciful, that he is loving, that as you turn to him, you will bear good fruit. So back to the story that I started out this time with. So as my boss realized that the foundation was off, he did the only thing that he could do. I mean, he didn’t keep trying to build a house, simply saying, well, we’re only off, like maybe a foot or two. So that’s pretty close. Let’s just keep going and I’m sure it will kind of work out close enough. Instead, he humbled himself. He admitted that he was wrong. He recognized he was just too hasty as he laid out the foundation through which we were to build off, and we stopped doing everything in order for him. To make a change, to like, reset the foundation to what it was designed to be. Friends, may that be true of all of us here today that we would not seek to live out our life with a faulty, wrong foundation. Rather, where we’re off, just humble ourselves by the grace of God. Make a change. Reset the foundation of your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, that you might live for him, that you might bear good fruit for him. I should say it again, that is our design. Knowing that as we live our life on the foundation that is Jesus, the rock of our salvation, we are eternally and fully secure, no matter what storms may come our way. Let’s pray. But thank you for Jesus and Lord, I do pray that by your grace and by the power of your Holy Spirit, that indeed all of us here today would have Jesus as the great foundation of our life. And Lord, we do want to bear good fruit for you. So please help us to abide in you. And Lord, I pray specifically for those here today who struggle to know if they are passing the test. And Lord, please help them to put their eyes in Jesus and to trust in him above all things. Pray that you might give them deep assurance because of the promises that you’ve given to us. Pray this on Jesus name. Amen. The post Examine Your Fruit and Foundation – Luke 6:43-49 appeared first on Red Village Church.

Remember God loves you so much he sent his Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sins. You are of great value. Jesus loves you and He is just a prayer away! 

Saturday, 21 February 2026   But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” Matthew 17:7   “And He came, Jesus. He touched them, and He said, ‘You rouse, and you fear not'” (CG).   In the previous verse, after hearing the voice from heaven, the disciples fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. Matthew next records, “And He came, Jesus. He touched them.”   This is something seen elsewhere, in both testaments. When a person is presented with the presence of deity, it so overwhelms him that he falls to the ground in a stupor. But then, a comforting hand is presented to him –   “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.' While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.” Daniel 10:7-11   “When I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.'” Revelation 1:12-18   Along with touching them, it says, “and He said, ‘You rouse, and you fear not.'”   The words of Jesus and the familiarity of His voice would have brought them to their senses and let them know that, despite the terror the manifestation of the voice brought, they were safe in His presence.   Life application: The lesson for the disciples is the same as the lesson for us today. Though humans throughout the world and in an almost unlimited number of religions constantly talk about God in their regular conversation, there is no fist-bumping fellowship between the two.   Rather, the perfections of God in contrast to the imperfections found in man mean that we should rather be terrified of encountering Him on our own merits. It cannot be known how the voice from the Father occurred, but it struck terror in the hearts and minds of the disciples.   It is the same reaction as occurred at Mount Sinai when Israel heard the words of the Lord God when the Ten Commandments were spoken. At that time, their response to Moses was, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”   Jesus is there to mediate between His Father and us. It is His perfection that allows this. Without that, there would only be horror at the majesty of God in relation to our own infinitely fallen state.   It is Jesus who restores harmony between the two. It cannot come about through Muhammad, Buddha, Krishna, Mary, or any other person or figure who is prayed to by the deceived people of the world. Without Jesus, there is only the expectation of judgment and condemnation. Thank God for Jesus Christ, who makes our restoration with God possible.   Lord God, how grateful we are for the giving of Your Son to bring us back to You. We praise You, and we will praise You forever and ever because of Him. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Today's Secular Uncertainties, God is Sovereign; and God “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he {God} will” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Political discord and health care uncertainties surround us in all directions today. Without Jesus in our lives, we have reasons to be anxious and fearful. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31: “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”. The future years may hurt our pride, wallets, and/or our freedom. On the other hand, we should not let the current secular political environment and culture hinder our resolve to continue in our fearless faith in the truth; our constant hope in the future; and our radical love for our neighbors. God has a plan; and, regardless of how things look from our eyes, we must remain faithful to His purpose. Now is the time to draw near to Jesus and to advance His Kingdom. Our gaze must remain on Jesus if we want to walk on the water during the storm. God is the King of Kings and the Sovereign God of the Universe. As Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4:17 when God told Nebuchadnezzar: “to the end that the living may know that the Most High {God} rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he {God} will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”. God is always involved in our lives, and He gives the government offices “to whom he will”, even if the political processes produce “the lowliest of men {or women}”. Sometimes, we receive the elected officials we need, and sometimes we receive the elected officials that we deserve; but God is always Sovereign and faithful.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be a complainer (Philippians 2:14). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 6:31; Philippians 4:5-7; Daniel 4:17; Psalms 106c:25-36. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 2 – More than Just a Man”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Welcome to Christmas at Pursuit 2025. We pray God uses this message in your life today, to encourage you and grow your relationship with Him!Pursuit Church on Social Media:facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PursuitChurchDenver/?ref=bookmarksinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pursuit_church/Pursuit Worship on Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pursuit-Worship-671274439695803/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pursuit.worship/

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if Christmas never happened? The Bible, God's book of truth, says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin [that means the results of our sin] is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Without Jesus' birth, there would be no forgiveness, no free gift, no eternal life. But God was not willing to leave us in that state. On the first Christmas, He entered into the world He made. And He came to us as a baby. Jesus, God in human form, was really born—so that we could really be saved. This year, don't miss the reason that it all matters. You can pray, “Jesus, thank You for being born to save me. Forgive me for all my wrongs. Amen.” Always remember, there is hope with God. radio.hopewithgod.com

The post “My friend says he’s going to live forever without Jesus. What do I say?” appeared first on Key Life.

Paul went from being “eager to kill the Lord's followers” to perhaps being the greatest ambassador for Christ who has ever lived. It all started with an interruption of his routine; a challenge to everything that he knew and held dear. Without Jesus interrupting Paul's status quo, Paul would have never flipped the script in his life from enemy to ambassador. What if God wants to use that inconvenient or life-shattering interruption in your life to change everything? Passage: Acts 9:1-31 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

“Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.” (Psalm 119:91 NLT) In our next set of devotions, we’re going to look at God’s perfections. Our goal is not only to get to know Him better but also to prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving. The more we understand about who God is, the more our gratitude will grow. We’re going to start by looking at God’s sovereignty. The fact that God is sovereign means that He has the power and authority to do anything He chooses with His creation. He answers to no one. Luke’s Gospel tells the story of ten men with leprosy who needed Jesus’ touch. Leprosy was an incurable disease. Without Jesus’ intervention, the men had no hope. They asked Jesus for healing, and He extended it to them. But out of the ten, only one returned to give Him thanks. We read, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15–16 NLT). Earlier, he had prayed loudly for a healing, and then he was loud with his praise. I love the fact that the original language uses two words from which we get our English word megaphone. The man was loud in thanking Jesus for what He had done for him. As Christians, we should give thanks to God because we recognize that He is in control of all circumstances surrounding our lives. As Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (NLT). Because God is sovereign, He is able to do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. Some people bristle at that truth. Control—or even the idea of control—is a difficult thing to surrender. They prefer to operate under the illusion that they control their own destiny. The Bible writers held no such illusions. In fact, they saw God’s sovereignty as something to celebrate—something to be thankful for. The prophet Jeremiah said, “I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course” (Jeremiah 10:23 NLT). And we read in Proverbs 20:24, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (NLT). That’s the sovereignty of God. But what about when bad things happen? Is God still in control? Yes. And the Bible tells us that despite the bad things that happen, which many times are inexplicable, God can work all things together for good for those who love Him (see Romans 8:28). As the psalmist wrote, “Everything serves plans” (Psalm 119:91 NLT). That’s cause for thanksgiving because God’s plans put us exactly where we need to be. We never have to wonder whether we’re doing the right thing when we submit to God. Because He is sovereign, we can trust Him as our ultimate authority. Reflection question: What difference does God’s sovereignty make in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It happened over 100 years ago, but we still seem to be fascinated with it - the Titanic. I mean, the Titanic has sailed into the Internet! You can find all kinds of information about the sinking of that "unsinkable" ship back in 1912. And then, there was the Academy Award-winning movie, endless TV shows, articles, and there was even a Broadway musical about it. It seems like fascination with the Titanic just never goes away. A lot of this information has been known for decades, but now there's a tremendous appetite for that information. Like the tragic mistake that fatal night by the radioman on the Titanic. The ship had received a number of warnings about ice ahead and had adjusted her course southward as a result. But two hours before the Titanic hit the iceberg, the radioman received a warning from another ship about a major iceberg, along with longitude and latitude coordinates. They put that iceberg right in Titanic's path. It's the one that sank the ship. But the radioman didn't know it was in their path. He was busy that night, so he stuck that message on a spindle to be dealt with later. That one choice doomed him and 1500 other passengers who died that night. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your Titanic Mistake." That just makes the tragedy even more tragic, doesn't it? The warning of what was coming was sent, it was received, but a man decided he'd deal with it later. And later was too late. When the warning is life-or-death, you don't wait to deal with it, especially if the warning is from God, especially if the warning is about what's ahead for you. Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Hebrews 2:3. "How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" Ignoring God's warning - fatal results. What's the warning about our future? Here are God's words, "Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's only Son" (John 3:18). Like the Titanic on her last night, steaming headlong for a deadly rendezvous. Again, God in His own words, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him" (John 3:36). God says there are people who are forever safe and people who are headed for eternal destruction. The difference is what they do with His Son, Jesus. You can do a lot of things with Jesus: you can reject Him, or ignore Him, or postpone Him, or you can even agree with Him. But all of those responses lead to the same place - eternity without God. You might say, "You mean agreeing with Jesus, isn't that enough?" Well, you see, I wasn't married to my wife based on my agreeing with her views. I was married to my wife for one reason - there was a time I committed my life to her. That's what you have to do with Jesus. Has there been a time when you did that? If not, you're still ignoring God's warning about eternity. He says we can't possibly escape if we neglect this great salvation. He calls it salvation because it's a rescue from a death sentence. Jesus dying on that awful cross - that was God's Son paying the death penalty for the sinning you and I have done. And our only hope is to put our total trust in Him - the only One who can rescue you from sin and its penalty. So you have the warning. Maybe you've been saying, like a radioman on the Titanic that night, I'll deal with it later. Don't do that. When a warning is life-or-death, the only time to deal with it is now while there's time. If there has never been a time when you have committed yourself to Jesus to be your Savior, tell Him right now you're putting your trust in Him and what He did on the cross for you. "Jesus, I'm yours." I hope you'll go to our website as soon as you can today, because you will find the information you need to secure and be sure you belong to Jesus. It's ANewStory.com. Without Jesus, you are steaming full speed into an eternity without hope. Deal with God's warning now. And you'll be on the course for a guaranteed arrival in heaven when your journey's done.

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