Darrell Six: Recent Episodes
Darrell Six
The cross is only beautiful because of the Christ who hung upon it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E27Yx0yMDbc
Jesus came to… How would you finish that sentence? In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, “I came to cast fire on the earth…” What did Jesus mean? And how does it connect to our lives today?
Watch on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/aV0ILUOpQxw
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Ro. 12:21) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:12-14)
The true ekklesia (church) of Jesus is ever-expanding! This is because God's Word cannot fail, and true believers have the courage to speak the word of God to a society held captive in demonic lies. May we be those believers! Man-made institutions come and go, but the church is not in decline.
What kind of communities should new believers look for? What kind of leaders should they seek?
Did you know that once you trust in Jesus Christ, you smell like Jesus to God?
2 Cor. 2:15: "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ"
In the Gospels, we get four resurrection narratives. At first glance, there seems to be some dissonance and even contradictions between these four accounts. Let’s dive in and see how beautifully the gospels harmonize to tell the most amazing event in all of history!
We tend to think of Palm Sunday as a joyous occasion for Jesus, but the Scripture tells us "when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it." Why? And what do we do with Jesus when He is not who we want or expect him to be?
The primary preoccupation of middle-class Americans is achievement. How does this affect our spiritual lives?
What is Jesus’ discipleship program, and how can we get in on it? What threat does “the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” pose to Jesus’ program?
In the final episode of our "Hopeful Eschatology" series, I share a Biblical view of death and the afterlife.
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
In this episode, we look at what believers (who embrace the preterist view of Revelation) still joyfully anticipate is yet to come!
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
In this episode, we look at what believers (who embrace the preterist view of Revelation) still joyfully anticipate is yet to come!
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
In this episode, we look at the outcomes of the Book of Revelation.
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
In this episode, we look at the storyline of the Book of Revelation.
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
In this episode, we look at the main characters in the Book of Revelation.
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
In this episode, we consider the intent of the author of Revelation.
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
Let’s dive into understanding the brightness of our future under the reign of King Jesus!
In this episode I will be presenting a brief overview of four main eschatological frameworks:
-
Historicism- This is the idea that the book of Revelation describes events unfolding on a historical timeline between the establishment of the church and the end of the world. This was the belief held by the majority of the Protestant Reformers: Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox just to name a few. Since current events are always changing, the historicists’ timeline also requires frequent updating. Historicist Charles Wesley predicted the end of the world in 1794. Later, his brother John Wesley adopted a new chronology that the millennial reign of Jesus would begin in 1836, after which then the devil would be unleashed for 1,000 years and then Christ’s final return would happen. Many other (respectable) historicists have offered dates for the end of the world. To list them might appear as ridicule (since they are in the past), but that is not my intent. The historicist view is held by the Seventh Day Adventist denomination.
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Futurism- This is the mainstream view of modern evangelicalism (think Left Behind). This view interprets the book of Revelation as future events in a literal, global context. In his 1585 commentary on Revelation, the Jesuit priest Francisco Ribera proposed the futurist view (in no small part to combat assertions by the Protestant Reformers that the Pope was the anti-Christ). Ribera proposed concept of the Antichrist as a single individual who would appear in the future and (among other things) rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. John Nelson Darby (founder of the “Exclusive Brethren”) popularized this view (along with dispensationalism) in the 1800s when his teachings were included in the Scofield Reference Bible which became very influential among American ministers. If you grew up in an evangelical denomination or watched any Christian television this is probably the view you've heard with three main variations: pre-tribulation rapture, mid-tribulation rapture and post-tribulation rapture.
-
Preterism- This eschatological view interprets some or all prophecies of the Bible as events which have already happened. This view was first systematically put forth by Jesuit Luis de Alcasar in 1614 (also in part as a response to the Protestant Reformers). There are two camps: partial and full. Partial preterists believe that the prophecies in Daniel, Matthew 24, and Revelation (with the exception of the last two or three chapters) have already been fulfilled in the first century AD. Full preterists (of which there aren’t many) believe all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled. (Full preterism is considered beyond the scope of orthodoxy by partial preterists.) Some high profile preterists would include R.C. Sproul, N.T. Wright, Hank Hanegraaf and Kenneth Gentry. The preterist view is held by the Presbyterian denomination.
-
Idealism- This is a nonliteral or allegorical approach that suggest all the imagery of Revelation is symbolic. It is supposed Renaissance theologians initially offered this framework as an explanation for the “now and not yet” tension of the present state of the Kingdom of God. This view has been adopted by some advocates of the “Social Gospel” as they see “the Beast” manifest in earthly injustices that the saints in the Kingdom of God must overcome. This view does not take the prophecies as being fulfilled in a literal sense either historically or in the future (except among some adherents as to regard to the Second Coming and Final Judgement), but it is an allegory of good vs evil for all Christians in all eras.
All of these views are within the scope of “orthodoxy” and affirm essential, core tenants of Christianity: the physical return of Jesus to the earth, the resurrection of the dead, final judgement and His eternal reign. However, they disagree over what certain Scriptures mean and the details of these realities.
My goal in studying eschatology is not to indoctrinate others on a certain system of interpretation or make them agree with me, but to help us appreciate several orthodox views that exist within the Body of Christ and to consider with the guidance of the Holy Spirit you believe. You are powerful to choose your own view!
At the end of the day, the study of end times can bring us all to one conclusion: Jesus is coming again and when He returns we want to be ready.
My intention is to lay out some big theological ideas (eschatology, the end of the world, the Kingdom of God) and then discuss some practical applications: i.e., “So what?” In this episode we do a very "high altitude" overviews of these four views as we prepare to dive into the book of Revelation.
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
Let’s dive into understanding the brightness of our future under the reign of King Jesus!
Hopeful: feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
Eschatology: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind
Let’s dive into understanding the brightness of our future under the reign of King Jesus!
If we’re not under the Law why did Jesus tell us not to relax “these commandments?” What did He mean when he said, "until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven"? In this episode, we dive into this important question!
We are hard wired for joy! Ps. 16:11 says: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." This is not a coincidence, but the homing beacon that should pull us back to God. CS Lewis wrote, "nearly all that we call human history . . . [is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy." Dive headlong into God and discover the joy your heart yearns for!
The overflowing love and goodness of God is the fundamental reason why the universe exists. Richard Sibbes writes that God “delights to spread his beams and his influence in inferior things, to make all things fruitful. Such a goodness is in God as is in a fountain, or in the breast that loves to ease itself of milk.”1 Every disciple of Jesus Christ carries this spiritual DNA within them. As we are born of the Spirit and grow into mature sons, our desires begin to align with the Lord’s: “I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”2 To be joined to Lord is to participate in the divine community and allow the desire he has to fill the creation with his goodness consume us!
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us" (A.W. Tozer). “To worship God rather than idols of our own making, we must allow God to break apart the idols we create, through the Spirit's relentless and intimate work within our lives” (Miroslov Volf). We must gaze upon the true icon of God and let Him inform and transform us.
Who is God? What is He like? Let's allow Jesus to dismantle the instincts we've inherited from Adam and be overwhelmed by God's goodness!
Christianity without Christ is evil. Our efforts to live the Christian life independently are also evil.
How is capitalism shaping our theology? The marketplace is a great arbiter for determining the best vacuum cleaner or cell phone. How about truth? What happens when the most truthful ideas aren't profitable? What happens when the most profitable ideas aren't truthful?
"Saints are never giants
Who hoped to do God favors.
They are only souls
Whose needs took root
In shallow dust,
Becoming redwoods grown
From dandelion spores."
Calvin Miller
Jesus famously says: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When we are burdened by our failures, God, in His kindness, is drawing us to Himself.
Imagine if you had always kept God's law perfectly. Imagine the confidence and joy that Jesus has in the Father's presence. Imagine being blameless!
We can identify the root of our thoughts when we look at the fruit they are producing in our lives.
“Western culture is, largely unbeknown to itself, a culture of rejection” (Dallas Willard). Rejection can be a profoundly painful and devastating experience. How can we harness our experiences of rejection to launch us into God’s purpose for our lives?
Merry Christmas, friend! When God gets what He wants the earth rejoices! What does God want for Christmas?
"Jesus came to demonstrate what God’s Kingdom is like and to make a way for us to enter into it. You see, what keeps us from entering into His Kingdom is our current life (Lk. 14:26-27). The life we inherited from our parents cannot inherit God’s Kingdom (1 Cor. 15:50). (This is why Jesus said to enter the kingdom of God you must be born again (Jn. 3:3-5).)
"When we give our old life to Jesus and receive His new life, then we can have access to His Kingdom (Col. 1:12; 3:12) and we get to live under His reign! Jesus becomes our life, our King, our Savior, our Lord! We were far from God, but Jesus brings us near (Eph. 2:13). We were in sin, but Jesus makes us righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). We were darkness, but Jesus makes us light (Eph. 5:8). We were under the domain of the devil, but Jesus brings us in the Kingdom of God (Ac. 26:18). We were dead, but Jesus makes us alive (Eph. 2:5). We were separated from God, but Jesus unites us with God (Col. 1:21; 1 Cor. 6:17). The all-wise, all-good, all-loving Creator of the universe can be Your King! You can leave the dominion of Satan! You can be free from the dominion of sin!
Would that we knew the goodness of King Jesus and the joy of Him ruling our hearts; surely then we would do all that we could to be completely surrendered to His reign.
Spiritually blinded eyes cannot fathom the glory of the Lord's light. The world cannot imagine the sweetness that is devotion to King Jesus, so they distort how wonderful it is. We must protect our hearts from these lies.
Some how we get it in our minds that God is hard to please. This is a lie. The best remedy for a lie is the truth!
God has blessed us with physical and spiritual senses so that we can be a touch point between these two realms (1 Cor. 6:19)!
An important part of maturing into the likeness of Jesus and living as a son in God's Kingdom is destroying the works of the devil. In this episode we talk about this aspect of kingdom living.
What was the message of Jesus' first followers? How should their message and their methods inform how we do evangelism 2,000 years later?
How did Peter change the presentation of the Gospel to suit audiences of different cultural backgrounds?
Philip the Evangelist is an inspiration to all believers. What was the message he proclaimed?
In this episode we continue to observe how the first followers of Jesus preached the Gospel. Stephen's speech is the longest recorded in the Book of Acts. What can we learn from his message for how we share the Gospel today?
How did the first followers of Jesus share the Gospel? What was the message they proclaimed?
Our mindset can prevent us from receiving our inheritance! How much is our mindset influenced by our former slave master and how much does "free" fish really cost?
We have this treasure in earthen vessels... Let's open the treasure box and enjoy all that God has deposited in us!
You can find me on Instagram: d6createworship
When our appetite for the things of God is weak, what do we do? How can we fix our hearts when our "delighter" is broken?
What are the implications of our identity as Abba's children?
This is the audio from a zoom call with some of the young people of XICF (xicf.org).
Fruit is a sign of life! In creation and in the Kingdom we see the generosity of God: life grows and multiplies! This fruitfulness is an important part of our life in the Lord.
Not everything that calls itself a church is a church and not everything that calls itself Israel is Israel.
As he was saying these things, many believed in him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” (John 8:30-38)
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
"a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
video available here:https://youtu.be/NDRhZ0N8Dx0
Risen!
(in G)
intro: G
G
The Passover Lamb was slain for the nations
Em7
For all tribes and tongues He purchased salvation
C G D
Now it is finished and now it’s begun!
C Em D G/B D
His Kingdom is coming and His kingdom has come!
chorus:
G
Risen! He is risen!
C/G G
Risen! He is risen!
G/B C C D-Em-C
The grave is defeated and death is undone
G/B C C D Em D/F#
The battle is over the victory won!
F C Em D G
The Son of God is Risen!
(in C)
C
With You we have died and with You we have risen
Am7
And all of our sins are completely forgiven
F C G
The way is now open through what You have done
F Am G C/G G
The old man is buried And new life has come!
chorus 2:
C
Risen! You are risen!
F/C C
Risen! You are risen!
C/E F G-Am-G
The grave is defeated and death is undone
C/E F G Am G/B
The battle is over the victory won!
C
Risen! You are risen!
F/C C
Risen! You are risen!
C/E F G-Am-G
And we who believe in Him shall never die
C/E F G Am G/B
For we have been raised with the Author of Life
Bb F Am G C
The Son of God is Risen!
"[O]nly in harmony with the realm of the Spirit can we truly experience abundantly all that we are suppose to be and to do in this earthly domain" (The Spiritual World by Peter Tan).
Our five physical senses only perceive a portion of reality. There is a spiritual realm that is a higher reality and governs the physical reality. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is important that we understand that invisible reality and mature in our administration of it as royal sons of God.
Pride causes us to miss God. Could there be anything more frightening or more tragic than that?
It's always a bummer when a high-profile Christian leader has a moral failure. In this episode I share some thoughts that might help us process disappointment with spiritual leaders.
So Good
intro: A2-A-A2-A-A2-E-Esus-E-Esus-E)
A E
Maker of everything You have shown You great love
A E
And made Yourself nothing so that You could be with us
v2:
The Almighty on a cross, tortured by men
Your almighty love for us that calls us Your friends
chorus:
A E
You have been so good
A E
You have been so good
A E
You have been so good
B
Good to me
v3:
How can I repay You Lord, for Your kindness to me
I lift the cup of salvation up for the whole world to see
chorus
bridge:
C#m A E B
You gave Your Son so that I could know mercy
C#m A E B
The wrath due me was laid on Jesus Christ
C#m A E B
I tremble before You for I am unworthy
C#m A B A Am
God Your goodness has saved my life
chorus
tag:
You are good to me, Lord Jesus
You are good to me
Should our sin cause us to run from God or run to God?
This is the audio from the XICF Youth Group (Manthanos//Kairos) call on 1/1/2021. The Scripture reading is a bit noisy because one of our members was unmuted on a bus in Hong Kong 😉... but it quiets down after the first couple of minutes.
In this episode I share an essay written by my brother and friend Rev. Dr. Jason Carter:
https://www.revdrjasoncarter.com/blog/2020/9/25/messianic-character-of-contemporary-american-politics-the-rise-of-politics-as-religion
As you plan for a new year I would encourage you ask this question:
"What is written in heaven's books about me for 2021?"
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. (Ps. 139)
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Ro. 8:16-17)
This is a teaching that was shared via video with Xiamen International Christian Fellowship on the last Sunday of 2020.
Video link: https://youtu.be/yXS_Dk6RuRE
The year in review. This year was incredible on so many levels. In this episode I share a little bit of how our story unfolded in 2020.
In this episode I share some original Christmas songs. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZwMQ4A6UCM
Glory
Near Bethlehem
Watching by night
Out in the field
they saw a sight
That changed the world
And changed their lives
Anointed One
Had now arrived
Angel’s declared
Man’s jubilee:
“To you is born
In the city
A Savior who
Is Christ the Lord”
Humanity
At last restored
pc:
Salvation is here
And God has drawn near!
c1:
Glory to God in the highest
His goodness shines brightest
In the radiance of Jesus
Peace to all who find His favor
Who receive the Savior
And enter what He came to bring us
c2:
Hear the angels as they’re singing
Good news of great joy they’re bringing
Glory in the highest peace on earth
Hear God’s laughter filling heaven
Knowing that His strongest weapon
Is delivered in a baby’s birth
v2:
Into the dark
The light broke in
Divinity
Now robed in skin
Incarnate love
Wrapped up in cloth
Savior of all
Laid in a trough
A great light has shone
The Way is made known!
Third Generation Shepherd
I like my father and his father before him
Grazed my herds out near Bethlehem
My grandfather often spoke of a night
When he said he saw angels that changed his life
He said
In darkness I saw light
I saw angels split the sky
To let us know the Messiah had comes
God loved us so that He didn’t want us to miss Him
My grandfather would smile and close his eyes
And remember the night that he saw the Christ
His whole life about Jehovah he knew
But that night he realized Jehovah knew Him too
He said
In darkness I saw light
I saw angels split the sky
To let us know the Messiah had come
God loved us so that He didn’t want us to miss Him
Some said he was crazy
Some still believed
It didn’t matter to him
He knew what he’d seen
He said
In darkness I saw light
I saw angels split the sky
To let us know the Messiah had come
God loved us so that He didn’t want us to miss Him
这就是圣诞节
全能的神
刚出生
客店里没有地方
伟大的上帝
放在马巢里
创造者成为小baby
圣诞节最大的礼物
神的儿子耶稣基督
神爱世人将祂的
儿子慈给他们
这就是圣诞节
天使唱
主的荣光
四面照着那些看守羊
大喜的信息
是关于万民
基督在大卫的城里
在至高之处
荣耀归于
上帝给我们一位救主
荣耀归于神
和在地上
平安归于所喜悦的人
Wholehearted surrender born out of complete trust in God's goodness is the beautiful path God invites us to walk in order to experience the fullness of life He wants to give us.
Dallas Willard writes: "Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right in and withstand the forces of evil. In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life that Jesus said he came to bring."
I celebrate my 100th podcast episode by reading an essay I wrote in 2013, summarizing the discoveries that brought about my “second experience of grace” and laid the foundation for a renaissance of experiencing God’s immeasurable, inexpressible, incredible goodness.
When we orient our lives around moment-to-moment communion with God we obliterate any secular-sacred dichotomy and become agents of divine bliss wherever we may be.
This recording is from a sermon delivered via video to Xiamen International Christian Fellowship (XICF). (Video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb1_zDdplSU&t=2s)
I was assigned to preach Ephesians 4:1-5:20. (I don’t think they thought I would preach the whole thing!). What a rich passage!
Have you ever wished you could send a message to God and get a response via text or email?
How does God invite us to engage with Him?
This is the audio from an XICF Manthanos//Kairos (Youth Group) call. Our topic: No Fear of Bad News!
Ps. 112:7:
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
In this episode I share a couple of songs. Hope it is a blessing!
v:
C#m7-D#7-E(maj7)-F#7
c1:
E-B-F#-C# E-B-F#-C#
c2:
A-B-C#
These bones may go
Down into the dust
But one day Your voice
Will wake them up
I will not back down
from the hope I’ve found
I will hold fast ’til the end
When the clouds give way
On the Judgement Day
and the Lord comes back again
& You raise me up….
I will behold
You in righteousness
When I awake I’ll be
Content with Your likeness
Dan. 12:2
Ps. 17:15
I've heard this verse quoted all my life, but since moving to TX, I hear it much more. But what is this verse talking about? Who is it for? Is it for the church today?
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
(Ps. 139:16)
In this episode we take a moment to reflect on the implications of being made by God.
Local churches are God's vehicle for the renewal of all things! We get to participate in the administration of the Messiah's ever expanding kingdom (Is. 9:6-7)! In this episode we look at “A Salad to Change the World” as I share about the three “let us’s” (lettuces!) of Hebrews 10. This is the audio from a video sermon recorded for Xiamen International Christian Fellowship in August 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzFGMv1lckg). (Apologies for the lackluster audio quality!)
There's nothing new under the sun and bad ideas don't improve with time. Some thoughts from Proverbs 22:28:
"Do not move the ancient landmark
that your fathers have set."
To always get what we pray for we should ask for what Jesus wants! Yet there are times when we don't know if our desires are in line with His. In this episode I share how we can present the desires of our heart to the Lord; enjoying the dynamic relationship He has made available to us.
This sermon was originally delivered at Xiamen International Christian Fellowship on October 11, 2019.
What is the Bible? Why is it so central to our lives as Christians? What about the Kingdom and the Church? How do we understand these "small" topics? I offered some thoughts to our congregation in Xiamen to prepare us for the next chapter of our communal life as our senior pastor prepared to move away.
We may never arrive at a perfect understanding of God's sovereignty and human liberty, but how we think about these concepts will affect our participation as God's covenant partners in prayer. "[T]he divine sovereignty and the freedom of the human will [are] as two sides of a roof which come together at a ridgepole above the clouds" (Archibald Alexander).
Prayers straight from the NT!
Col. 1:9-14
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 4:2-4
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Eph. 1:15-23
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Eph. 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
II Cor. 4:1-6
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with
God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus 'sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. Ro. 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 15:5-7
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
1 Cor. 1:4-9
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ph. 1:9-11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God
1 Thes. 3:10-13
For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thes. 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
2 Thes. 1:11-12
To this end [God being glorified in His saints and the destruction of those who do not obey the Gospel] we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thes. 3:1-5
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Acts 4:29-30
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Mat. 6:7-13
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.“
Luke 11:2-4
“When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
Mat 9:37-38
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
Rev. 22:17, 20
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Jesus said things like: "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith,” "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours," and "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." How can we move into an experience of His words?
Our world is full of pain and suffering. Why would God lay upon us the additional burden of "rejoicing always"?
There’s no shortage of offensive song lyrics in the world and heretical song lyrics in the church! In this episode we listen to an example for which I am personally culpable.
In this episode I look at the distinctions of wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
"for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her." (Pr. 8:11)
"test everything; hold fast what is good." (I Thes. 5:21)
Have you ever felt like God was punishing you for something you did? I have another question for you. . . keep listening. :)
We’re just one idea away from changing the world.
Covid19 is erasing the past decade of progress in the fight against extreme poverty (measured in several tiers: people living on $1.90/day, $3.20/day and $5.50/day).
Church, this is our moment! Crises are our speciality. The answers are in the Kingdom of God—how is God leading us to manifest His goodness to the world?
Support urban slums in the majority world affected by covid19 here:
https://newhorizonsfoundation.com/index.php?option=com_crowdfunding&view=details&id=302
"What is your only comfort in life and death?
That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."
"If your intellect is freed from all hope in things visible, this is a sign that sin has died in you. If your intellect is freed, the breach between it and God is eliminated. If your intellect is freed from all its enemies and attains the Sabbath rest, it lives in another age, a new age in which it contemplates things new and undecaying."
"Set your minds on things that are above. . . ."
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. . . ."
Why does the God of the Old Testament seem so different from Jesus in the New Testament? In this episode we contrast Shavuot and Pentecost to try and shed some light on this question.
In this episode I share some things I’ve learned about the vocation of an artist from Dr. W. David O. Taylor.
Learn more about Dr. Taylor’s work here:
https://www.fuller.edu/faculty/david-taylor/
http://artspastor.blogspot.com/
Happy Fourth of July! In this episode I share briefly my thoughts on current events in America and what they mean for kingdom citizens.
When you think of the "gospel" what do you think of? What did Jesus proclaim as the "gospel"? What did His first followers proclaim?
What did Jesus have in mind when He used the word "church"? What did His first followers have in mind? What
In this episode I have a discussion with Pastor Gabe Orea and Perry Ackon about racism/ethnocentrism.
This is the audio from the June 7, 2020 Zoom service for Xiamen International Christian Fellowship (a multi-ethnic, multi-denominational church in Xiamen, China).
We address several pressings issues as we talk through these four questions:
1. Why should racism be discussed in a church setting?
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What is racism?
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Have you experienced racism and how did it occur?
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What can the church do to prevent and overcome racism?
This is a message I shared with Xiamen International Christian Fellowship on April 19, 2020 (the audio is rough because it was taken directly from the Zoom conference call).
What is our eternal hope and what does it have to do with the daily monotony of life?
Please help those living in high density, low income urban slums:
DONATE NOW
Why do I spend time writing songs and recording podcast that no one will ever hear? I share the answer and a song in this podcast.
Lamenting is not despair; neither is it complaining. Lamenting is a priceless practice to help us move faithfully through hard times. How can we incorporate this practice into our contemporary lives?
At the end of 2019, I was invited to share with a group of students "what the Lord was saying for 2020."
These are some additional thoughts on what it means (and what it doesn't mean) to participate in Christ's sufferings.
At the end of 2019, I was invited to share with a group of students "what the Lord was saying for 2020."
This is part of the teaching from that evening.
Due to the coronavirus the Religious Affairs Bureau required all churches to cancel their meetings. En lieu of meeting together on Sunday morning, we encouraged the XICF family to meet in small groups in homes. This sermon was delivered to the XICF family via WeChat.
Every crisis is an opportunity for the goodness of God to invade the earth!
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
James 1:2-3
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
As much as Adam's sin brought pain, suffering, brokenness, a curse and death into the world, MUCH MORE does the work of Jesus bring healing, wholeness, blessing and life!!!
What does the "much more" of Jesus' reign look like in our every day lives? What does it mean to be "saved by his life"? What is our salvation and how can we receive God's provision to enjoy Him to the fullest today?
Romans 5; John 17:3; 1 Tim. 2:15; Ga. 2:20; Col. 3:3; Ro. 6:8; 7:4
If you have friends, then you probably have friends with issues! How can we help our friends experience the abundant life offered by Christ?
All the brokenness we carry from Adam (i.e., from being human) can only be healed in Christ. The entrance of God’s word brings light (Ps. 119:130; Ps. 119:105; Eph. 5:11) and illuminates the path! Understanding spiritual darkness and light gives us a framework for helping others understand the underlying causes of their brokenness.
When the students in Manthanos//Kairos asked about helping friends deal with serious issues, I offered some thoughts- presented in the acronym "KALIMBAS."
KALIMBAS:
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Keep in step with the spirit (Ga. 5:25; Jn. 5:19; 15:5)
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Address the brokenness of the heart (Pr. 4:23; Jer. 17:9; Ro. 5:12; 3:23-24)
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Let them take responsibility for themselves (Jn. 14:1; Ph. 4:4-8)
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I can’t change anybody (Ez. 33:1-6)
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Mind - Win the war for the mind (Jn. 8:31-32; 2 Cor. 10:5; Ro. 12:2; Ro. 8:6; Is. 26:3)
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Body - Discipline the body (1 Thes. 4:4; 1 Cor. 9:27)
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Alert - Stay alert! I must watch myself (1 Cor. 15:33; Ga. 6:1; 1 Tim. 4:16; Lu. 21:34; Pr.16:18 )
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Support, but separate when needed (Jn. 6:66; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; Ga. 6:2)
There may be times when we're trying to help others that we ourselves need to ask for help. We shouldn't hesitate in such cases to get others involved. God made us a Body so we could support one another (Ga. 6:2)!
Always give thanks for everything! Eph. 5:20
Thankfulness is a shortcut to joy! God wants our joy to be full, so He invites us to live a life of thankfulness.
When we give thanks we must be thankful TO someone! This reminds us what we are created for.
The fear of the Lord is an amazing gateway to intimacy with God as well as key to being integrated human beings and understanding our place in the universe. I invite you to journey with me.
"The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant." (Ps. 25:14)
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13)
If God has already put the punishment for our sins onto Jesus, then why should we fear him?
The fear of the Lord is to be so awestruck by how powerful, beautiful, majestic, holy and pure God is that we fear being anything that is incompatible with Him; not because we dread His punishment, but because we are so enraptured by His splendor and omnipotence that we only desire to be like Him: we abhor anything that is opposed to Him and turn away from everything that is contrary to His goodness and glory.
What are you most afraid of? How does that affect your behavior?
We're all tempted to subdivide our identities: be one person at home, another at work or school, another at church, another with friends.... Perhaps understanding the fear of the Lord can help us be whole, integrated and authentic.
In this episode we continue to seek to understand the fear of the Lord and drink deeply from this fountain of life (Pr. 14:27).
After he sinned, Adam was afraid of God (Gen. 3:10), but Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord (Is. 11:3)! So what's the difference?
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 Jn. 4:18)
If God has already put the punishment for our sins onto Jesus, then why should we fear him?
The fear of the Lord is to be so awestruck by how powerful, beautiful, majestic, holy and pure God is that we fear being anything that is incompatible with Him; not because we dread His punishment, but because we are so enraptured by His splendor and omnipotence that we only desire to be like Him: we abhor anything that is opposed to Him and turn away from everything that is contrary to His goodness and glory.
The fear of the Lord is an amazing gateway to intimacy with God.
"The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant." (Ps. 25:14)
I invite you to journey with me.
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13)
In this episode I share some original songs.
Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Let's give it whirl.... Thanks for listening!
(lyrics)
Where I Belong (Under the Cross)
When the torrents pound down on my life
When there is no relief in sight
When my sorrows are too much to bear
When my heart is weighed down with cares
There is one place
Only one place
I know I can go
Under the cross
Under Your gaze
Under Your love
Under Your grace
That’s where I’m safe
That’s where I’m strong
That’s where I belong
You have been a shelter to me
A safe place a sanctuary
You stand around me and guard my life
You uphold me in the downpours of life
There is one Lord
Only one Lord
Who won’t let me go
Under the cross
Under Your gaze
Under Your love
Under Your grace
That’s where I’m safe
That’s where I’m strong
That’s where I belong
When the sorrows seem to much to bear
You uphold me You uphold me
When the trials of life seem so unfair
You console me You console me
Under the cross
Under Your gaze
Under Your love
Under Your grace
That’s where I’m safe
That’s where I’m strong
That’s where I belong
Desert In Bloom (Isaiah 35)
KP: “You know my grandma always said, ‘If you’re digging a hole that you don’t want to be in, first thing you got to do is stop digging.’”
Steady shaking knees and strengthen feeble hands
Say to fearful hearts hiding in the land
“He is coming!” “He is coming!
The ransomed will come back dripping in glory
Their joy will overtake them their sorrows gonna flee
They’ll be singing, they’ll be singing
See the parched land bloom
A hurting people like the sun at noon
So open blind eyes and unplug deaf ears
The mute are gonna shout the lame jump like a deer
It is freeing, it is freeing
The burning sand a pool streams in the desert flow
In the barren haunts papyrus starts to grow
It is healing, it is healing
See the parched land bloom
A hurting people like the sun at noon
See the parched land bloom
A hurting people like the sun at noon
You ain’t never seen a people like this before
Ain’t never seen a people with so much soul
They know how to rock and they know how to roll
They know how to rock and they know how to roll
Steady shaking knees and strengthen feeble hands
Say to fearful hearts hiding in the land
“He is coming!” “He is coming!
The ransomed will come back dripping in glory
Their joy will overtake them their sorrows gonna flee
They’ll be singing, they’ll be singing
Singing like the stars shining like the sun
Feel the earth quake baby here He comes
Righteous gonna laugh wicked gonna run
Can you feel it? Here He comes!
So Much Hope (Hands to the Sky)
When clouds surround my head
When darkness closes in
I will choose to laugh
Cause I know I’m gonna win
You showed Your love
You shed Your blood
Went to the cross for me
Now I’m alive
Hidden in Christ
So why should I worry
I got my hands to the sky
The whole world wondering why
I got a smile on my face
When they all wanna cry
I got my hands in the air
And no I don’t care
If everyone around me
Wants to stop and stare
Your love broke through my shame
Your truth broke every chain
In Adam I was dead
Now in Christ I reign
You showed Your love
You shed Your blood
Went to the cross for me
I got so much, so much hope
I got so much, so much hope
I got so much, so much hope
Pull up pull up
Light beam in all the place
Push out push out
Darkness flee out from the place
Worship is not meant for a special hour at a special place when we're wearing special clothes and doing special ceremonies; it is to be woven into the fabric of our lives all of the time! Unlimited access to holy places in heaven is what Hebrews 9-10 describes as our "regulations for worship."
Enjoying the radical nature of New Covenant worship is our inheritance as children of God. The world and the devil would like it very much if we confine our worship to singing on Sunday morning. God invites to something much more marvelous, much more magnificent and much more consequential!
A few weeks ago the Manthanos//Kairos (XICF student ministry) led the singing at XICF's Sunday morning gathering (xicf.org). We had a great time!
In this episode I share some of my exhortation to those young song-leaders. I hope it will encourage you, regardless of your involvement (or lack of involvement) in singing at church meetings! ;)
There is no price too high to pay to have a moment of giving God all of our attention and basking in His goodness. "Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" (Ps. 100:2) Music is supremely useful for this purpose: it can help focus our souls on the majesty of God. Music can make us aware of God's nearness, His majesty, His gloriousness. It is one of the finest gifts of God to humanity.
Leading others in times of singing to God is an incredible honor. Though I am still learning how to steward those moments, I know that an easy mistake is to miss enjoying God in the moment myself. Learning how to facilitate those moments and be in the moment ourselves is "the heart and the art" of leading music in the church.
The atom bomb had its genesis in someone's imagination- as did every other invention. The ability to see something that doesn't exist yet (to imagine it) is so powerful it can hardly be overstated.
Much human suffering has been wrought at the hands of people with corrupt imaginations, but with a God-informed imagination (vision) we have hope! We can picture things the way He would like them to be and we can be part of seeing His will be done on earth!
In this episode I encourage you to let the Word of God inform your imagination. Let your eyes of faith be opened as you surrender your ability to fantasize to the Holy Spirit!
Is. 26:3; Gen. 6:5; Ps. 139:16; Eph. 2:10; Mk. 6:41; Ez. 13:3; 2 Cor. 10:5; Heb. 11:1
In this episode I comment on Jordan Peterson’s mischaracterization of the story of Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler as well as the idea “Who dares say he believes in God?” (s02e15 of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast).
There’s too much information (and misinformation) out there to waste time responding to everything we disagree with. However, because I enjoy listening to JP and because I think many people might potentially identify with what he is saying here, I thought it would be worthwhile to offer a response.
Are we willing to call Jesus “good”? That is, are we willing to call Jesus God? This was the issue for the rich young ruler. It is still the issue; both for JP and for all of us.
At the end of the podcast we look at some other passages of Scripture: Jn. 1:1; Jn. 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16; Mt. 1:23; Is. 9:6; Acts 20:28; Col. 2:9; Ro. 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hb. 1:8: Jn. 17:3; Mt. 4:10; Mt. 14:33; Jn. 20:28; Jn. 10:30; Jn 10:33; Jn. 8.58; Mk. 2:5-12; Mt. 26:64; Ro. 3:23; Ps. 51:5; Ro. 5:12; Ga. 1:6-7; 2 Cor. 5:21; Acts 4:12.
In this episode we lean hard on Eugene Peterson to help us understand Paul’s epistle (letter) to the Galatians!
The letters in the New Testament are much easier to understand when read as a whole rather than bit by bit. These were real letters written to real people: people with no Bibles, podcasts or Christian bookstores. If we can put ourselves in their shoes we can better understand these letters and we can also learn the lessons that they were being exhorted to learn!
I hope this episode will not only help you understand the book of Galatians, but also equip you to defend the joy of your salvation from those who would try and pervert the Gospel with a performance-based relationship with God.
In this episode I read poems from the collection The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns and Prayers (edited by A.W. Tozer).
"Eternal Power" Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
"Lord of All Being" Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)
"Majesty Divine" Frederick William Faber (1814-1863)
"Would Jesus Have the Sinner Die?" by Charles Wesley (1707-1767)
"Song of Assurance" by Johann Andreas Rothe (1688-1758), tr. John Wesley (1703-1791)
Jesus doesn't rebuke His disciples for wanting to be great; instead He gives them a roadmap for how to achieve greatness.
The recipe for greatness in God’s kingdom:
Find someone to serve and don’t worry about getting any credit for it.
To transcend one's own desires and willingly suffer for the sake of others is the example of our Lord and the path to true greatness.
Mk. 9:33-37
Phil. 2:3...
1 Cor 2:16
Ro. 12:10
Eph. 4:13
1 Cor. 12:28....
Col. 1:24
Jn. 13
This world wants us to conform to its standards- including its standard of beauty. How we perceive ourselves physically (our body image) is a direct result of how we think! Should we accept the world’s guidelines of what’s beautiful, handsome and attractive or should we question the criteria thrust upon us?
Ro. 12:1-2
Eph. 4:17
1 Pe. 3:3-34
Pr. 31:30
1 Sam. 16:6-7
Lk. 16:15
1 Tim. 4:8
Ps. 139:14
Gen. 1:26-27
1 Thes. 1:4
Eph. 2:10
Ph. 3:3
Ps. 147:10-11
2 Cor. 5:16
Ro. 8:5, 12-13
Biblical sexuality 101. Sex is awesome!
In this episode we finish up our series from the End of the World and Sex Conference by talking about Biblical sexuality.
1 Cor 6
Song of Songs 3:5
Proverbs 5-7
1 Thes. 4:3-8