True Foundations (True Foundations): Recent Episodes
True Foundations
Today we talk about how we can find the place of rest and safety that is spoken of in this psalm.
We need the favour of God in order to declare the gospel effectively. This episode explores what that truly entails.
God calls His people to arise and shine. And He gives gifts to His people so they have everything they need to do so.
(Isaiah 60:1-5)
Today we learn about the only real way forward: the willingness to be in the Lord’s presence.
(Isaiah 6:1-8)
Since God is the sovereign Lord and everything is in His hand, what could we have to fear?(Matthew 10:24-31)
This episode explains what we really need when it comes to declaring the gospel to others.
(Matthew 10:16-20)
This second part of the Declaring the Kingdom series continues with further teaching on fasting.
(Isaiah 58:8-12)
The Declaring The Kingdom Series kicks off with an introduction to fasting and how it can be practically applied.
(Isaiah 58:5-8)
The yoke of Jesus is not one that comes with the burden of the law and unforgiven sin. Jesus’ yoke is different. It means rest and freedom.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
God desires to give us what we need but do we really know what that means?
(John 1:12-17)
Laodicea was an extremely successful town that was known for it’s wealth. It seemed as though the church body there were also very successful but God did not measure them from an external point of view.
(Revelation 3:14-22)
In this episode we hear that God has a message for his people who have little strength. He comes to share his love with them and to ensure they aware of how secure they actually are.
(Revelation 3:7-13)
The church in Sardis was told that they were dead despite the external look of success. These are tough words to hear at times, but the church needs to remain vigilant and alert to what God is doing, and how they should respond.
(Revelation 3:1-6)
Is the church any different than the world at large? Sadly, it is not often that God’s people get it right and are faithful. God’s people in Thyatira were particularly warned not to tolerate false teaching.
The church in Pergamum was asked to repent from seeking things that were not in line with what God had for them. They were instead offered what would sustain them along with individual recognition and belonging. God has so much to give to His faithful people.
Jesus provides a message of no condemnation to a church under significant persecution. We should ask ourselves what message we would receive if we were under similar circumstances?
Just because we are a part of a church body it does not guarantee that God’s presence will be there. We need to ask ourselves how God sees us and how we should respond.
In today's episode we discus what Joshua is really doing when he curses the rebuilding of Jericho.
If we are to be a people who know how to enter the Kingdom of God then there should be some evidence of the greatness of God in our lives.
This episode explains why Joshua needed an encounter with God before taking on the city of Jericho.
Today we talk about the way in which God provided mana for the people…and why He stopped after a generation.
The short series continues with more on Joshua as we discuss those times in the Christian journey when God speaks significantly to us. We should ensure these times are memorialized.
Joshua is the human hero in his section of history and is a remarkable man. Much of the time we see Joshua as a prophetic symbol of the coming Jesus.
Jesus has specific things for us to do and we must take His direction instead of our own.
Jesus had to bear the sin of the world on His own. The people who loved him stood at distance while Jesus did this but this was before the resurrection. Why is it that many stand at a distance now?
Today we learn about what led Jesus to weep on Palm Sunday and how can we identify with Him in this.
Today we talk about what “Jericho” really means and why we have to leave it behind to be given a new identity.
In this episode, we discuss that even though we know God will give us everything we need, we have to take responsibility for our part as well.
In today's episode we discuss the place of freedom that God has prepared for us and the provisions we need for the journey.
We are commanded by God to be strong and courageous. In this episode we hear all about why that is a non-negotiable in order to be truly free.
Is doing "the right thing" the best way to live? This episode explores the difference between being someone who does "the right thing" and being someone who is a free person in Christ that has to respond accordingly.
Why do people get embroiled in legalism? This episode answers this question and thoroughly investigates the issue of unresolved guilt. There is a solution for unresolved guilt and the freedom of the gospel is available for anyone who is willing to receive it.
This episode kicks off a series about leaving legalism behind and investigates “why” so many people invest in legalism instead of the true freedom Christ offers.
In this episode we delve into character as we watch Paul take a stand. We see how steadfastness can translate into compassion.
Paul was a man of great moral courage and sound judgement. He asked all Christians to be imitators of him as he imitated Christ and it is critical that we aim to do so.
Paul can confidently state that he is who he is according to the grace of God. It is this grace that equips everyone to do what God would have them do.
We cannot boast in our own abilities but only in what God gives us by grace. Grace is the ultimate leveller and the thing that makes us able to humbly call one another partners in the gospel.
Laying a foundation is critical and Paul was able to do that by the grace of God. Paul also warned the church to build on it with care.
David J. Jones addresses the issue of unity in the church and we hear why agreeing to disagree simply doesn’t work.
There is only so much that we can do to help ourselves. If we lift our eyes up to the highest mountain it points us to where our help comes from.
How do we replace fear with joy and what is joy really all about? This episode answers those questions and offers an alternative to commonplace misery.
Even when something is blatantly untrue, some people still choose to believe false information. Others are skeptics and look for evidence to prove that something is true. However, when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus it is mostly not believed. David J. Jones expounds on the situation with Thomas, post-resurrection, and explains why facts are simply not enough.
In today's episode we learn the difference between letting things hinder us and being ready for action.
In this episode we explore what it means to partake in the fullness of what it is that Jesus came to do.
In this session we are asked to examine whether we are truly partaking in the purpose God has set out for us.
The amazing thing about Paul is that despite his education and abilities he did not approach people only by his own strength. He teaches us that it’s not what we know that counts but who we know. It is about knowing Christ.
This episode explores the greatest example regarding decision making and how it relates to us.
The Christian life should be straightforward when it comes to decision making - yes or no. Thankfulness is what helps us easily achieve the yes or no.
If we are to be the people who represent Christ to this fallen world then we need to know how to consistently make good, godly decisions.
In today's episode we learn about the one simple thing that is required in every decision involving moral courage.
This episode investigates how we can manage if we have an inaccurate perception and how we can adjust our perspective to ensure our decision making is healthy.
In this episode we hear about how being double-minded can affect our decision making and talk about the solution.
David J. Jones discusses what happens to our decision-making ability when pride is at the forefront of our lives.
In this episode we take a look at what happens to someone’s decision making ability when an attitude of entitlement is present.
Paul states that, “by God’s grace I am what I am”, and we must also be able to say this. When this principle is applied in reference to self-control we can’t make excuses for inappropriate behaviour because our nature no longer comes from our earthly heritage. It comes from God.
This episode presents a contrast between King Herod and the Wise Men. It aims to help Christians discern the difference between true worship and a religious worship that is self-serving.
If our hope is rooted in discerning who the baby boy is and we come before Him in true humility, we can have confidence that our hope will lead us to the place God has for us for all eternity.
Heritage is rooted in race, history, culture, language and also in belief systems. This episode explores how the power of heritage affects people in their decision making and how it applies to the people of God.
If we don’t properly understand self-control it can be one of the biggest traps that we can fall into. In part 1 of this self-control mini series we learn how to avoid being a “control freak”.
Salvation is not about running from Hell. It is about running to Christ. Gentleness is the real winner when it comes to sharing the gospel.
We need more faith but we can’t just whip it up and make it happen. More faith is for those who are thirsty, and the thirst is not quenched by our own decisions or effort.
In this portion of scripture Paul expresses his emotions because the Galatians have invested themselves in the practices of a pagan-like, Judaistic Christianity. They have gone back to a pagan way of thinking and Paul doesn’t know what to do about it. Is there an answer?
In today's episode we listen to how Jesus addresses a man who didn’t grasp what it meant to be good even though he had "done all of the right things".
Today's episode is about kindness. In its own way, it is an extremely powerful thing. It has the ability to instantly equalize any imbalance of power and can deeply impact people.
Today we learn that the patience of the Spirit is a patience that is restful and looks toward the higher cause.
This message from Joshua 10:1-15 addresses the important topic of how to interpret the Old Testament.
“So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man, because the Lord fought for Israel…” Joshua 10:13-14 (HCSB)
NOTE: This is a repeat episode of an episode recorded in 2019.
In today's episode we learn that it is the peace of Christ that rules us and gives us the ability, through the understanding of the Truth, to make sound judgement.
Sadness is meant for a season but joy is meant for eternity. The joy of the Lord is eternal and is rooted in heaven, it is capable of overcoming the greatest grief and strengthens you.
In today's episode you’ll hear all about the first Fruit of the Spirit, love. We will discuss the different kinds of love that God has for us and how, when we are filled with his Spirit, it changes our character.
This introduction provides some background on the Fruit of the Spirit as it expresses itself in Christian life.
This episode continues on with the thread of Zacchaeus’s response and looks at what the gospel does for us beyond providing a clean slate.
There’s something about the human psyche that recognizes that we all fall short. This episode looks at what Jesus did when he interacted with Zacchaeus and how Zacchaeus responded as a man who recognized that he fell short.
In this intro to a mini-series about Zacchaeus, a story that truly exemplifies the gospel message, we hear about the significance of Jesus passing through Jericho and what it means to observe Jesus from a vantage point.
One of the most pervasive issues in the church is that people use their legalistic understandings of the gospel in order to justify the way they live or to get what they want from their religious experience. This episode covers the famous story of the 10 lepers and exposes the idea of living a life driven by a desire to "use" Jesus.
David J. Jones teaches on the Parable of the Talents and explains why it is imperative that we lay our opinions aside and submit ourselves to discovering the Truth of the gospel.
False tolerance is pervasive and is one of the most dangerous things in the church today. This episode explains what false tolerance is and why it’s crucial that we learn not to compromise the truth of God.
This Grace Buster is one which every Christian must face: self-determination. It is about making choices from the place of our fallen nature rather than from a place of connection to God.
The next in the Grace Busters series is about the search for significance and the importance of looking to Christ to show us our place…which helps us to be effective in the Kingdom of God.
This next episode discusses the idea of how establishing a distinctive is less about creating diversity and more about creating division.
The Grace Busters replay series continues on with a teaching on how legalism affects God's grace in our lives.
This teaching is a replay from a series originally taught in 2018 with 3 further additions taught in 2019. It deals with identifying obstacles and those things that prevent us from receiving God’s grace. The first is fear, unbelief and religion.
As the last entry in the sin series, this episode brings to light the wonderful and marvellous truth that if the Son of God sets you free, then you are free indeed!
This teaching is on what Jesus was saying when He told Peter he was giving him the keys to the kingdom of heaven and how binding and loosing is ultimately connected to the issue of sin.
In this episode David J. Jones explains what Jesus is talking about when he says, “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
There is a principle that each and every one of us can apply in our lives which will allow us to have influence. It should cause us to think about how we live our lives and how it impacts others.
Sometimes people hurt us or come against us and these types of things cannot be avoided because they are an outworking of sin in the world. What we need to do is learn how to respond when we are sinned against. Do we respond as a victor or a victim?
This episode looks at Jesus' and Zacchaeus' responses to one another as Jesus passes through Jericho. It speaks of the salvation that is available to all who would come to Him and gives us insight into what true repentance looks like.
From an angel sitting on a rock to a story purchased with a bribe, we hear about some fascinating reactions on Jesus' Resurrection Day.
The issue of self-righteousness is one of the most difficult things to deal with because it is based upon a completely wrong perception of who someone thinks they are.
Even if every point of a person's doctrine is correct, if their heart is not in the right place then they will struggle and not know the true freedom of the Gospel. However, there is a way forward that sets people free.
In John's first letter we hear that the reality is that sometimes we sin… and there is a remedy. However, within this same section of scripture, we hear that the expectation and potential for every Christian is much greater than that.
In this episode, David J. Jones expands on repentance and, specifically, how forgiveness ties works. Forgiving or not forgiving is related to a response regarding Jesus’ work on the cross and is not an automatic.
Repentance is at the very heart of the gospel. It is not something we do once but is an ongoing lifestyle. When we live a lifestyle of repentance, the Lord promises us “seasons of refreshing”.
Forgiveness is available for everyone but not everybody gets it. The receiving of salvation and forgiveness is conditional.
Old Testament Law was created to put boundaries on sin and to help manage our external behaviour. However, Jesus dealt with the internal problem when he went to the cross and now we have a way to completely overcome sin and live in freedom.
Sometimes it feels like we might be stuck in a never ending battle between good and evil. But there is certainly an end because, “The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil's works.”
This teaching on the different types of sin is a helpful reminder for Christians that God judges things fairly and all must appear before the tribunal of Christ.
As Christians we can over-focus on individual sins. There are always those who are ready, sometimes more than ready, to point out the errors of others. While there is a time to address individual sins, our focus should really be on pursuing Christ and being like Him.
As we kick off a new series that is all about sin we hear about how sin is more complex then simply doing the wrong thing and committing an evil act. The power of sin clouds our vision but we can see clearly again with God's help.
In this last episode of the Kingdom Series we revisit some of the content from parts 27 and 28 and hear about how the final battle results in heaven saying, “The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever!”
In the wilderness, where it would seem that everything is against us, God provides us with everything we need to stand strong and overcome.
Joseph (the earthly father of Jesus) is a man of great moral courage and is also someone who knows how to make good decisions.
Satan has a three pronged strategy to attack all the people of this world. Those three powers are anti-god government, anti-god religion, and the focus of this episode - anti-god culture.
As the Kingdom Series comes to a climax, we hear why we can cast aside all fear and also why we can have absolute hope and joy as we look toward Christ’s return.
David J. Jones speaks to a defining section in Matthew that talks about the end of the age and the return of Christ.
(Matthew 24:1-44)
On the day of Christ’s return everything will be uncovered but we should be responding to the gospel now. This episode clarifies what the implications are for the Christian who chooses not to leave their old ways behind.
This episode provides a simple explanation for what is commonly known as a complicated section of scripture. From facing death, to the culmination of all history, we’re able to see God expressing His goodness through it all.
In today's episode David J. Jones talks about how Christians should respond in a time of pandemic… or of any great difficulty.
This episode addresses the tension Christians face in having a body contaminated by sin but a requirement to bring God's Kingdom. We also hear about some encouraging content regarding the problem of death.
Becoming a Christian is more than simply getting saved and waiting it out comfortably until the end. We hear from the apostles that it is actually, “necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”
As the Church of Jesus Christ in a fallen world we need to be people of real power, not just words. That real power is demonstrated in the transformed life.
In this episode, David J. Jones speaks about the day of Pentecost: a remarkable and defining event that continues to be a point of reference from which we live. We must continue to seek God for the powerful coming of the Holy Spirit in our lives because we cannot do His Kingdom work without it.
The Kingdom of God moves forward when the power of the Spirit is upon His people. In this episode we hear about the difference between God's presence and power and what Jesus had to say to His followers about it.
Jesus came into this world to present the truth of God without compromise and to establish a Kingdom that is totally distinct from any kingdom on earth. His task is not our task, but as we follow Him we must take hold of His principle of no compromise in this fallen world.
It is not enough to simply accept a new set of values, or to even think that, “yes, Jesus is wonderful and is God incarnate.” In the Christian life there is a defining moment where there is an entrance into the kingdom and a new birth must take place.
It is very important that we understand this portion of scripture correctly if we are to be effective Kingdom people. This episode explains what Jesus meant when he spoke about binding and loosing, and strips away all of the fantasy that typically surrounds these words.
The parable of the Wheat And The Weeds contains some defining factors about the End Times which are absolutely essential for us to understand.
David J. Jones speaks on the tension in the church wherein we wish for many to come to Christ, but where ultimately, only a few will follow Him. We also hear about how high we must set the bar for ourselves for the sake of the Kingdom.
In these times people are becoming more cautious, but for some that caution has increased to the point of fearfulness. External pressures are causing a change within for many. However, it is not acceptable for Christian people to live in fear. If fear rises up, it must be confronted head on.
Matthew 6:10-11 Sometimes the Kingdom of God is as simple as this: someone gives you a cold cup of water because you belong to the Messiah. This is grace in it’s simplest form and it tells you something about the person that gives the water.
If we have been born again then something has changed radically in each and every one of us. We belong to Him. He is our Father. We are heirs. However, we can choose whether we live that way or not. (Note: This is from a recording which previously aired in 2019)
David J. Jones explains what Jesus was talking about when he taught His disciples this famous lesson on the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 4:23-25 When it comes to miracles and healing, there is often a presumption that Jesus could do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted to do it because of his deity. But God limited himself in the human form of Jesus and there were boundaries upon Him. In this episode we learn about some of the boundaries placed on man, how God works in the life of an individual and how that connects us to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 17:16-27
In this section of scripture Paul takes on a group of religious intellectuals who come from many different backgrounds and he presents a simple, straightforward answer amidst their never-ending discussions.
Genesis 15:13-16 When we take stock of what is happening in the world it seems as if sin always seems to continue to multiply and multiply. David J. Jones explains what is required for sin to be finally and utterly abolished and also how we can have hope because limitations are placed upon evil and it can only go so far.
“…and my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” David J. Jones puts this famous verse which is commonly quoted during difficult times, into context.
Eve spoke prophetically and with words of faith. She somehow began to grasp, that in spite of everything, not only was there hope, but a reality that the first begotten child would define the way forward and would set the scene for the coming of the Messiah of God.
David J. Jones explains that this portion of scripture is often prooftexted and that instead we should apply it to the context it is set in. He expounds on predestination God being for us and not against, and on how there is nothing that can take away the security that we have in Christ. (Romans 8:28-39)
We do not have what it takes and sometimes do not know what we need or what we should be praying for. However, because we have the Spirit of God within us, He connects us to the very nature of who God is. Where we lack, He does not. Where we are weak, He is strong. When we have questions, He has the answer…and we have hope!
Comments like, “if only we had more faith”, or, “if only we did xyz then we could escape things like pandemics”, ignore the truth that the people of God suffer with the people of the world and there is no distinction in that. However, suffering may mean something different for us as Christians…
This message, originally recorded on Good Friday, is a teaching on God’s plan to eradicate evil forever and why we can have hope despite any sort of evil, illness or pandemic.
This episode explains the connection between what happened with Moses on Mount Sinai and the coming of Jesus.
(Recorded on Palm Sunday, 2020)
Moses had all the facts he could ever need and yet he still asked the Lord to “teach me your ways.” We need to come into the presence of the Lord because we need to be changed from the inside. However, in order to be in that place, we need to have an encounter with Him.
"The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." In this encouraging message David J. Jones teaches on church, sanctuary, and meeting directly with God. We also hear about how despite being unable to gather in this unique time of pandemic, we are still vitally connected through Christ.
This teaching explains how God's Church should be led while discussing the advantages and disadvantages of societal government in relation to our spiritual lives. *recorded from an earlier live teaching
Relativism is a belief system that says there is no absolute truth; that all morality and truth exist only in relation to the culture and society of the day. What does this mean for the Christian? *recorded from an earlier live teaching
This episode expounds on the defining moment for Jesus when he was tempted by Satan; something which was necessary for Him to declare the Kingdom. We hear about what it means to face a defining moment and we also hear about how when everything is against us, there is one thing that can save us every time. Matthew 4:1-3, 8-17
Many Christians are in turmoil because they are conflicted in the area of righteousness. The therefore have no peace, and without peace there is no joy. This episode delves into what true righteousness (faith-based righteousness) really is and what Christians need to do about it.
"…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." —Romans 14:17
Daniel 7:7-14 The day that we live in is a day is filled with arrogance and much of that can be attributed to the antigod kingdom. This episode examines Daniel's vision of the four beasts and explains what the antigod kingdom is all about. We also hear how Christ rules God's Kingdom with all authority, is the Lord of History, and how He invites us to take part in His Kingdom and the overcoming of evil.
We live in the real world, and we must live in reality, not fantasy. Yet, the journey that we embark upon and the Kingdom that we are a part of is totally spiritual. It has no attachment to this world even though it must encounter it. In this teaching we here about the important steps we must take on this journey.
Satan has always had his own plan to have a one world kingdom that stands against God. However, in this episode we hear about how God, in a moment, did the one thing that would ensure division in that kingdom forever.
History has been defined by the words, “seize the edges of the earth and shake the wicked out.” This episode builds on the previous two episodes and sets the foundation for the rest of “The Kingdom Series” by connecting creation theology to a theodicy.
The beginning of understanding the Kingdom of God starts with knowing, “where does my help come from”.
David J. Jones sets the scene in this teaching leading up to a series on the Kingdom. Jesus refers to this passage of scripture explaining the environment of God’s Kingdom (where He rules without compromise and His will is actually seen to be done). It is all about freedom and reversing what the darkness has done to people.
In the last episode of this series David J. Jones explains how counter-intuitive the fruit of self-control is for people and he also explains what we need to do to grow in this area.
True gentleness will strengthen others. Our God, who is so powerful, withholds His power for the sake of those who are weak, in need, and in bondage to sin so that His gentleness can touch us and we can be strengthened.
The Fruits of the Spirit are a manifestation of the nature and character of God within us as we are being transformed. In this episode we hear about the distinction between faith and faithfulness and discover that spiritual faithfulness is very different from being consistent and showing up to church on a regular basis.
The term "hyper grace" is gaining popularity in some circles-but what does it mean? *Please note: This episode is a rerun from an earlier recording.
The fruit of goodness, which is the foundation for all the other fruits, is a paradox for us. No one is good but God, and yet, there is an expectation that we should exhibit goodness in our lives. This episode contrasts the new testament ruler against Moses and how they approached God regarding this issue of goodness.
David J. Jones elaborates on the fruit of kindness and how it should come from within without having to muster it up.
The patience we are talking about here has an aim and does not last forever; it is intended to lead people to repentance. Patience allows for people to continue in the freedom of their choices but is not soft on sin or rebellion. The patience of God is ethical and active.
Peace is something that can only happen after a victory has been won. It is also something that comes when there is order. This episode explores what the peace of Christ is all about and applies it to the individual as well as the corporate body.
The fruit of joy doesn’t come from a place of disposition or personality, nor can it be self-generated or whipped up. This episode explains where true joy comes from, how we can ask for this joy, and how we can better fulfill the goal to which Jesus called us.
“I have seen it many times when some wonderful thing that will change someone for the better is about to take place and the person says. ‘No, I’ll stay as I am.’ “ We can learn much from Mary and be ready for the moments when God, by His Spirit, comes to bring about these remarkable changes.
We tend to celebrate after something happens but the concept of celebrating is very different when it comes to the things of God. We can rejoice in the present because we can know with absolute certainty that if He has said something it will happen.
When God planted the first fruit trees he had a purpose in mind for them. Fruit in the Christian life is about purpose, growth and maturity. This episode kicks off the Fruit of the Spirit series with the fruit of love.
The word violence is actually a neutral word that speaks of force and we hear how Jesus applied this force in his own ministry. Ultimately, this episode is about standing in the authority of God and declaring with power (with great force) the victory of Christ over the evil one.
Division amongst believers is one of the major reasons that the world has no respect for the church. The principle reason that there is so much division in the church is because many groups of Christians try to elevate themselves over others by setting themselves apart using beliefs or areas of speciality. But there is a way to have unity in the Church and an uncompromised gospel.
Self Determination (doing things our own way) is where we all started. It is about making choices from the place of our fallen nature rather than from a place of connection to God. In this episode David J. Jones helps us see how we can address this foundational problem.
This episode unpacks one of the greatest fundamental issues within the human condition: desiring what a person is not entitled to because they struggle with understanding their identity. The solution is in looking to Christ to show us who we are so that we may be effective in His Kingdom.
Even if a person has understood who Jesus is and the need for forgiveness, they can be stuck in survival mode when they are disconnected. Disconnection limits the practical outworking of a person's faith and impedes further growth.
David J. Jones teaches on how the container in which we hold our beliefs (ie: the belief system or "bathtub") is the most important thing in determining how we interpret the beliefs themselves. It acts as a critical reference point. We are asked to be sure that the things we believe are built on true foundations because when you change the foundations you change everything.
It is one thing to hold a set of beliefs. It is an entirely different thing to recognize why you believe those things. Understanding why you believe something is critical because you can have all the right beliefs but apply them to your life from the wrong place.
Some of us have had a taste of the wonderful goodness of God. The trouble is that sometimes the taste fades into the background and we become accustomed to a lesser everyday life. However, we must always continue to seek God with all of our heart and not put boundaries on our expectations.
Continuing on with the theme of walking by the Spirit, we discover why we must engage in the Christian life and not simply drift on cruise control.
Walking by the Spirit is not a given. Allowing God to work within us is a position that is chosen; It happens when we die to the old nature and surrender our will to the will of God in every aspect of our lives. If this surrender is not generally taking place then it puts a restriction on the life and power of the body of Christ.
Here we see Paul speaking extreme words because the honour of Christ's name is at stake. He sees that the people of Galatia are going down the route of ruin so he speaks strongly to them and to the false teachers who have come to cut the people off from the true gospel. Paul must speak strongly in this situation - and so must we.
Freedom is a very difficult concept; it’s all or nothing. You cannot be "a little bit" free. You can not be "mostly" free. You are either free or you are not. David J. Jones encourages listeners to fully embrace the new identity that is only in Christ.
This episode examines the system of democracy and how it interacts with Christianity. Does democracy have a place in the church?
David J. Jones explains why the idea of hyper-grace (the idea that sin is no longer an issue so we can live as we please) is against the truth of the gospel and how grace is given to enable us to overcome the issue of sin, defeat and weakness.
Resurrection life is a life that has no end and no limitation. In this episode we hear about where the root of fear really comes from and why so many people are under the power of fear. We also learn that fear is truly banished when there is resurrection.
In this episode, David J. Jones explains why Jesus' arrival on the donkey should not be disconnected from his entering the temple. We also find out why the anger that Jesus had in this famous account is appropriate and how it applies to the church today.
In this episode, David J. Jones covers the general purpose of the law, explains why God instituted the Sinaitic Law, teaches on covenant relationship and addresses how we can approach it all.
Many Christians are attempting to please God by trying really hard. Legalistic mindsets cause people to fail, feel guilt, and continue in an endless pattern of burden and misery. But the grace that is given to us by faith overcomes all of this.
In some Christian circles there is an idea that as long as we agree on key ideas regarding the Word, that it is okay for us to disagree on others or to have different beliefs. The problem is that due to the inherent nature of some of these beliefs, people may be surrendering themselves to another master.
Legalism seeks to close the Grace Gap by adding to or turning to rules and rituals rather than fully depending on the Grace of God alone. Legalism of the heart versus legalism of the mind is also addressed in this teaching. (Part of the Grace Busters Series)
In this episode David J. Jones explains how elitist desires are some of the primary reasons for division in the church. We hear how creating differences in belief are often an attempt by man to show that God approves of one particular group more than another.
In this episode we see that the early church was not run as an organization or denomination, nor was it based on a rule book or a doctrinal statement. The Christians of the early church were centred around gifted leaders and lived by the empowering presence of God.
Many leaders say things to please people in order to gain power and influence for themselves. In this episode, David J. Jones explains why the truth that any leader receives must be absolutely consistent with what God has revealed to His people throughout the ages.
In this episode, we are challenged to ask ourselves if we have really allowed the grace of God to work in our lives or if we have actually rejected the gospel by accepting something that is second rate.
In this episode, we are urged to strip away all of the influences and opinions that are not of God when it comes to leadership in the church. We must do what is right, what is good, and what is best for the sake of the gospel even when it goes against popular opinion.