Go Deeper: Recent Episodes
Esperance Munezero Hirwa
So many times we try to get over past sins and habits by our strength and might but all it leads to is failure. It's only when we understand that Jesus has already won the freedom for us and given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a life of godliness and to put to death our flesh ...--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esperance-munezero-hirwa/message
A message I found encouraging during the lockdown. May it help you too.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esperance-munezero-hirwa/message
Keep your light shining. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:14 onwards, we are the light of the world and we ought to keep our lamps burning and shining. In this episode, I discuss just that.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esperance-munezero-hirwa/message
In this episode, I discuss the heart of servitude and the mentality that we ought to have as Christians. I briefly talk about the early church and how they lived. Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 7-11--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esperance-munezero-hirwa/message
In this episode I go through the famous story of David and Goliath. I highlight some key lessons we can learn from the story as well as some misconceptions we often have about it. Furthermore I also explain how it points to Jesus Christ.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esperance-munezero-hirwa/message
Happy new year!! This is the first episode of 2023. I just would like to encourage you in this new year to put God first and to commit your plans to Him. Psalm 37: 3-5. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esperance-munezero-hirwa/message
This episode focuses on the Sadducees of Jesusâ time, and how some of their beliefs and teachings can be compared to those of some Christians today.
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Just like self-love, self-forgiveness is an ideology that gets pushed around so much!! In this episode I discuss why itâs a myth and not biblical.
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In this episode, I discuss the claims that are brought forward from the book Caesarâs Messiah and give a short but thorough response to them from a Christian standpoint. This is part of my ongoing Apologetics series.
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In this episode I discuss the reliability of the New Testament Manuscripts as well as how the books of the New Testament were canonised. Sources: Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Critism. Stand to Reason Website: www.str.org
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In this episode I go through the Old Testament verses that talk about the principle of an eye for an eye. Furthermore I also go through the New Testament verse in which Jesus references the same principle.
Podcast Notes: An eye for an eye
Questions to ask:
- Does the Old Testament contradict the New Testament on this particular topic?
Readings
Exodus 21:22-25~ âWhen men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.â
Leviticus 24:17-22~ âWhoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal's life shall make it good, life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death. You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the LORD your God.â
Deuteronomy 19:15-21~ âA single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So, you shall purge the evil from your midst. And the rest shall hear and fear and shall never again commit any such evil among you. Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Matthew 5:38-39~ âYou have heard that it was said, âAn eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.â But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.â
Ă There is no indication that an eye for an eye was ever followed literally.
Ă The phrase was used in the context of a case being judged.
Ă Main Principle: The punishment must fit the crime
Ă This was to guide the judges and the presiding lawgivers in executing justice for the people. It was never meant to be used for personal vengeance.
Ă For governments, not to settle personal slights or insults
Ă In the New Testament, Jesus is speaking against personal retaliation for petty insults. In our daily personal relationships, we have a responsibility to love our enemies.
Ă This does not excuse crimes like extortion, abuse, or murder. It is the governmentâs responsibility to punish those crimes justly.
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If youâve heard statements that God is more loving in New Testament than in the Old Testament then this episode answers why that is a false dichotomy.
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In this episode I share some Bible study tips that have personally helped me. I am not a Theologian and you donât have to be to grasp and understand the different passages in the Bible. As Christians, it is essential that we interpret the Bible in a correct and concise manner.
Book that I recommend: How to Read the Bible for all its worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart
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This is part 2 of the series âWhy Christianityâ. In this episode I discuss the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I also discuss some theories that people use to try and disapprove his resurrection.Â
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Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). In this episode I discuss some of Jesusâ claims and statements that show his uniqueness and divinity.
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Verses discussed:
- âsaying, âTouch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!ââ ââ1 Chronicles⏠â16:22⏠âESVâŹâŹ This verse is often used when people question the teachings or behaviour of certain pastors, prophets or men of God (as we often call them) and take it out of context. In this episode I discuss this verse and how we can apply it in context today. I also discuss the problem of idolising pastors and anyone in particular.
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âAnd a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.â ââMatthew⏠â22:39⏠âESVâŹâŹ. The misconception in this verse is that we often think that we canât love others if we do not love ourselves first. The culture of self-love and loving ourselves is problematic because it often leads to self-centredness and seIf-worship. In this verse, self-love is assumed and used as a comparison to how we should love others. Naturally we all love ourselves.
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Sometimes we might not feel good about ourselves but the truth is that even then, we still desire good things for ourselves. We still want to feel good. It is that desire of happiness and goodness in our lives that comes naturally. The bible commands selflessness and putting others above ourselves. Self-love is not a prerequisite to loving others.
- Consider these quotes from the book: (Youâre Not Enough and thatâs Okay by Allie Beth Stuckey) Our minds have so intertwined self-affirmation and success that weâre afraid that if we stop telling ourselves how great we are, our lives will take a nosedive into misery. Weâll start to wallow in self-pity, our relationships will grow toxic and codependent, and weâll fail at work because weâll be crippled by our own self-doubt. Because of Jesus, we have an answer to our insecurities, our self-criticism and self-doubt, and itâs so much better than flimsy, shallow self-love. Our answer is him, the eternal, unchanging Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who paid for our sins on the cross, declaring us forever forgiven, innocent and righteous before a just and holy God. What deeper and surer confidence could we ask for than to be irrevocably purchased by Jesusâs perfect sacrifice, not as a reward for our goodness but as a gift by his grace?
Other Sources:
http://midwestapologetics.org/blog/?p=709
https://www.aletheiari.com/news/2017/3/7/did-jesus-say-i-must-love-myself-first
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With many messages circulating in churches and now more than before on social media and the internet, it is great to remember what the Gospel is all about. Just like Paul warns the Galatian church to not be misled, we are also to be alert and not be âtossed to and fro by every wind of doctrineâ (Eph.4:14). âI am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospelâ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.â Â (Gal.1:6-8) Referenced Book: What is the Gospel by Greg Gilbert I also recommend listening to my previous podcast episode Jesus: The only Way
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In this episode I share some Bible verses that are commonly misquoted and taken out of context. This is something that as Christians and Bible readers we should be aware of and avoid. It can lead to misinterpretation of scripture and often times to teachings that are not biblical.
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As believers we are supposed to be influencing the world. But the trend we see today in our culture, is that of so many Christians being influenced by the world. We are supposed to be the light and show Christ to the world not conforming to the patterns of this world or trying to fit into it.Â
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Can we find truth? Can we really ever know? The answer to those questions is found in John 14:6 and the answer is Jesus. He is the truth and He is the life. In Him we live, move and have our being.
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Jesus is the only way to the Father. He is the one who has reconciled us with God and ransomed us by His blood.
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February is called the month of love with Valentine's day falling on the 14th. As we celebrate and show love to our loved ones, may we be reminded of the greatest love, the love of our gracious God which he has revealed to us through His son, Jesus Christ. May we also be prompted to respond to this indescribable love by loving God wholeheartedly and those around us. 1 John 4:19 " We love because he first loved us"
Link to Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/godeeperwithEsperance
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May we yield to the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit in this new year and get closer to God each day!!
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We are in a world that's changing everyday. As believers, we have to remember that we are not of this world. We can not be conformed to this world!!
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I know at some point I have acted like a Pharisee. I was not authentic and walk as the Spirit led me. In this modern age, I pray that believers seek to be faithful to God both on the inside and outside and our lives become a reflection of Christ in us.
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Practicing spiritual discipline is our way of growing and maturity as Christians so as to reach to godliness ( to be conformed into Christ's image).
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As the deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God?
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What do believers do when foundations are shaken? As we are facing a world pandemic, let us be reminded to stand firm in Christ, our solid Rock. Storms may come but those who build on Christ shall not be shaken
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