Know the Truth with Todd D McDonald: Recent Episodes
Todd D McDonald
We live in a rapidly changing and confusing world. However, God's truth is unchanging. His word endures forever (1 Peter 1:25). When we know God's truth, we can stand firm by faith in Jesus Christ even though everything around us is uncertain. "Know the Truth with Todd D. McDonald" is a weekly sermon podcast that encourages faith and confidence in God's Word. In each podcast episode, Todd shares a sermon to explore the timeless and reliable truth found in the Bible. New episodes are available on Sunday mornings. For more information, visit the website. https://sites.google.com/view/knowthetruth-tdm/home
In this episode of Know the Truth, we will consider what it means to follow the Lord - to be a follower of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, obeying God's Word and Spirit. We know the truth even as we commit ourselves to this discipleship.
This week's episode of Know the Truth, a Spirit-filled sermon podcast, considers what it means to hear God's voice. We live in a world filled with many voices competing with the voice of God. Hearing God's voice involves both the study of the Scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
This sermon is the final message in the series, "Come Up." God is calling us to a higher spirituality in Christ. We must not become satisfied and complacent, but we should continue to strive for a closer walk with Jesus.
This message is a continuation of the sermon, "Come Up." We are called upward in Christ - to a higher relationship and spirituality in Christ.
This message is calling God's people to a higher spirituality. We have not exhausted God's Spirit and power. On the contrary, we should experience a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost. God is calling us to come up higher.
In many ways, we thirst, not only physically, but also spiritually and socially! The issue we face as mankind is not whether or not we thirst, but rather what we seek to quench our thirst. Without a doubt, we all have needs. How do we fill our needs? In this week's sermon, "Come to Jesus and Drink," we consider our thirst and how to satisfy it.
In this week's sermon podcast, we look at Jeremiah 18:1-6, "Clay in the Potter's Hands." A lump of clay is not impressive. Its uses are limited. A lump of clay is not attractive. But with the creativity and skill of a master potter, a lump of clay can be transformed into an impressive, useful, and beautiful vessel. The Lord is able to transform our lives in this same way if we are willing to be clay in the potter's hands.
Man is limited, but God is unlimited. We sometimes put God in a box, ignoring this reality: God does impossible things. Where our resourcefulness ends, God's is just beginning. His Spirit reaches to the ends of the earth. His Spirit is powerful, and he searches the hearts of men. His Spirit is able to do far beyond all we can ask or imagine. We can do all things, not by our own might,or by our own power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. The Holy Ghost is our power.
Attitude is everything. We need to approach life with an optimistic spirit. We can choose to look at the negative side of any situation, or we can choose to be hopeful in the promises of God. No matter how bad our circumstances become, we still have Jesus Christ and our hope in the Lord.
This sermon is a followup message to the previous sermon, "Soul-winners." Todd will continue to look at the priority of being a witness and sharing our faith in Christ.
Am I a soul winner? This is a question we should ask ourselves from time to time. Our primary responsibility as Christians is to make disciples. Someone shared the gospel with us and led us to Jesus. We have the same compelling call to share Christ with others. This week's sermon considers our Christian witness and the call to make disciples.
The United States remains a somewhat religious society. Religious telecasts and podcasts are replete. Nevertheless, the morality of the nation has continued to decline. Bottom line: the U.S. is religious and godless at the same time. We are experiencing apostasy. Christianity lacks conviction and relationship with Christ. It has become a religious designation only. Today's message looks at this dilemma, and calls for something deeper.
We are free in Jesus. In fact, he came for this very purpose - to save us from the power of sin and death. Moreover, our liberty is not freedom to live as we please, but to serve the Lord and please him.
Human beings want control. They desire control over their own lives. They often try to control circumstances, and even other people. When they feel like they are losing control, they become anxious and angry. Only one person is truly in control: Jesus Christ. We need to learn to surrender
complete control to him.
The desire of ones heart is the single greatest factor influencing the direction of ones life. God sees the inmost desires of our heart. We all need a heart for God.
We live in a society that has rejected the Word of God. In fact, most people do not know the truths of God's Word. Even professing Christians lack the knowledge of the truth. In this present falling away, more than ever, God's people need to know and follow the words of Christ.
Greed, the love of money, influences many people and their decisions, impacting the others and outcomes. We should guard ourselves against the evils of greed.
Today's message is a story of extravagant waste from a human perspective. But from a spiritual perspective, the actions of a humble woman display the immeasurable worth of Christ and his sacrifice.
Jesus warned his disciples to be watchful. The last days will lull people to sleep - to become spiritually apathetic and l
This sermon is one of the most important themes in the New Testament: Jesus Is Coming. Indeed, he is coming, and we must be ready when he comes. For those who are ready, his coming brings salvation; but for those who are not ready his coming brings judgment. Let's be ready!
This message continues the Gospel of Mark series. As followers of Christ, we must ensure we remain firmly established in the truth. Many have unwittingly fallen prey to the spirit of error. We should be careful to remain humble before God, and try the spirits.
It's a privilege to be a child of God and to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Moreover, being a member of God's church is an honor. We are a purchased people. Think about it: being the body of Christ makes us a peculiar treasure to God. Although we are indeed blessed, we should remember that tremendous responsibility comes with such honor.
Jesus taught his disciples to persevere, and he showed us how to persevere in the face of opposition. If we faithfully follow in his footsteps, we will overcome this world and reap everlasting life.
We are living in the last days unto the coming of the Lord. Jesus taught "the end." One day, everything we have become accustomed to will change - this life as we know it will reach an end. When Jesus comes he will usher in a new day. In today's message, we will consider the events leading up to his soon coming.
The last days are filled with many perils for Christians. God's people will faced heightened opposition in various ways: e.g. spiritually, socially, morally, and physically. Jesus taught about the circumstances of the last days unto his coming. We need to take heed.
As Christians, we are not all the same, but we are unique. Jesus knows us through and through. He knows all we are capable of doing, and he knows our limitations. Although we are not all the same, we are all individually responsible to use all we are given to honor and glorify the Lord. Let's be faithful because Jesus is watching.
This message is a continuation of "Christ, the Son of God." The doctrine and authority of Jesus Christ is based on his being the Son of God. His doctrine is unique because he comes from above, descending from the Father in heaven. Let's explore the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Knowing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, comes by divine revelation in the heart of every believer. Flesh and blood cannot reveal him, but the Father convinces by his Word and Spirit. This divine revelation is the basis of our salvation.
This sermon is a continuation of the last message, "The Love of God," lifting up one of the most important truths of the Scriptures. Of course, Jesus Christ is the greatest revelation of God's love toward mankind. God's love of us and our love of him impacts and shapes our relationships with others.
This sermon lifts up one of the most important truths of the Scriptures: the love of God. Of course, Jesus Christ is the greatest revelation of God's love toward mankind. God's love of us and our love of him impacts and shapes our relationships with others.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we serve a living God, even the God of life. Indeed, Christ is risen from the dead. We are not only saved by his death but we have eternal life, even the resurrection of life, through his bodily resurrection, for he is the firstfruits of the sons of God. Through faith in Christ, we live -- we have conquered death. Our God is the God of the living; he gives life, even abundant life to all who come to him through faith in Jesus Christ.
God has blessed his people in so many ways. He has provided for our daily needs. We should honor God in our finances, being faithful stewards of his blessings in our lives.
The gospel of the kingdom does not permit people to be indifferent to what they hear. Jesus does not allow that prerogative. When people hear the truth of the gospel, they must make a choice - to accept or to reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. For those who accept Jesus by faith, he is Savior; for those who reject him, he is a stumbling stone.
This message is a continuation of the sermon, "The Authority of Christ." Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and in earth. We can trust and rest in the authority of Christ. He has everything under control.
Christ has all authority in heaven and earth. Being followers of Christ, God has given authority to the church by his Word and Spirit. In this sermon, we begin to look at Christ's authority.
This message calls us to place our faith in Jesus Christ. In life, we are faced by challenges that put our faith to the test. Christ is trustworthy; he will not fail. No matter what we go through in this life, we can safely trust in the Lord because he is faithful. We will overcome and accomplish great things through faith in God.
This sermon is part two of "His Church Can Do No Less," a sermon from the Gospel of Mark series.
This week's sermon, "Get into the Procession," looks at Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He came to fulfill his Father's will and purpose. The crowds celebrated him as the anointed One. For some, Jesus was the healer, for others the deliverer, and even others the prophet of God. The crowds had such great expectations. But the people did not realize he came to give his life. Healer, deliverer, and prophet -- Jesus is indeed all of these, and so much more -- Jesus is the Son of God, the lamb of God, our Lord and Savior. He's coming again, and he's worthy of celebration: let's get into the procession.
As followers of Christ, we all have a part to play in fulfilling the plan of God in the world. All of us are unique -- different -- yet all of us serve the same Christ in our unique roles. None of us are more important than others. Christ values us for who we are in him according to his unique purpose in our lives. He desires to use each one of us, and get glory out of our lives.
Jesus Christ came to radically change the course of our lives. When we receive him as Lord and Saviour, we then follow him in a new path - in a whole new way of life. Jesus demonstrated through his life, his teachings, and his works the pattern we should follow. Follow his way.
God hears our cry, and he knows our heart. In "A Beggar's Faith," we look at the transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ.
To be like Jesus: this is a high calling. Jesus is our Lord and master, but he came as the servant of all. He was willing to deny himself and even suffer the death of the cross for our salvation. We, as followers of Christ, are called to walk in his footsteps.
Jesus knew suffering and death awaited him in Jerusalem, yet he was determined to fulfill his purpose in giving his life. As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, his disciples were amazed!
This sermon concludes the series, Contending with the Enemy. Whether we want it or not, we are fighting against a real enemy. So we must be willing to engage in the fight and contend, in order to overcome and experience spiritual victory. In this sermon, we will explore what it means to fight the good fight of faith.
We are combatting a real enemy. The impact of satan's influences can be seen in not only the rebellion of individuals but also in systemic evil affecting society. Christians must not become passive in our witness, but should understand the need to be proactive in our mission.
We are contending with an enemy we do not physically see, but we see the devastating effects of his deception and wicked works. We must therefore contend with satan and his demonic forces spiritually. We must be armed with the Spirit to be victorious in our fight for truth and righteousness. This fight is greater than ourselves; we are also contending for the souls of those around us, especially our family and friends. Let's explore what it means to be armed with the Spirit.
We are contending with a real spiritual enemy. In order to contend, we must be spiritually prepared to face satan's attack. In this sermon, we will consider our preparation.
We are in a spiritual battle against satanic forces of evil. We need to understand satan's strategy of attack in order to recognize him when he comes at us and to overcome him by faith.
We are fighting an unseen enemy that should not be underestimated. He is the master of temptation and deception. As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to be spiritually savvy - knowing his tactics - in order to resist and overcome his schemes.
Christians live in a world that conflicts with principles of righteousness and holiness. Pressures to conform to the world are all around us in literally every system in which we live, work, and play. We must have a made-up mind, going against the flow, and resisting the spirit of compromise.
This message is a continuation of last week's sermon -- Cost of Living in Sodom -- based on the story of Lot. As Christians, we must maintain a clear separation between sin and righteousness. The cost is too great to compromise ourselves.
This sermon series is a politically incorrect message - nevertheless, it's the truth from God's Word. This series is counter-cultural; and it focuses on a loving God's response to a rebellious, unrepentant people. Sin is deceptive; and flirting with sin comes with a great cost. Christians must therefore flee the appearance of evil.
How important is our faith in Christ? In this sermon, we look at the significance of faith in Christ's resurrection. Through faith, we are victorious in the Lord. We overcome because we believe Jesus died and arose from the dead triumphantly.
In this Easter message, we continue to look at the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. When the women came to the tomb, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. Let's consider the impact of these events and the hope it brings.
In this third sermon of the Easter series, we consider the crucifixion of Christ from the perspective of the centurion who exclaimed, "Truly this man was the Son of God." This sermon aims to answer the question, "What does it take to convince a person to believe in Christ?"
In this second sermon in the Easter series, we look at Christ's suffering on the cross. Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" In this sermon, we'll see that sin is a godforsaken condition; but through Jesus Christ, we are not forsaken.
This sermon is the first in an Easter series. We begin with a sermon focusing on Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial of Jesus. In the coming weeks, we will continue to reflect on the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ.
Mercy mitigates against judgment. It provides the balance that results in true justice. Let's explore mercy in the life and character of a true Christian.
This sermon is part two of "Righteousness" based on the Beatitude in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Be sure to listen to part one of the sermon.
This is the first part of the sermon, "Righteousness." What does righteousness mean? What is the blessing of pursuing God's righteousness? Let's investigate the pursuit of righteousness.
Prayer is essential to the life and power of the church. We must be a people committed to prayer and intercession. This sermon explores prevailing with God in prayer. When we prevail in prayer, God will move in our lives.
This week's sermon focuses on the priority of prayer. When God's people commit themselves wholeheartedly to prayer and intercession, they experience victory in the church. Powerful praying is the arrow of the Lord's deliverance. Let's go to the story of Elisha on his deathbed, and then consider the impact of prayer in the church.
This week's sermon focuses on the life of the patriarch Isaac, son of Abraham and heir of the promises of God. Each generation must take up the responsibility to embrace and discover the faith and promises of God.
"But you will receive power, after the Holy Ghost comes upon you" (Acts 1:8). The Holy Ghost is the empowerment of the church in these last days. We need him to fulfill God's purpose in the church unto the coming of the Lord.
As we move into the new year, let's consider what it means to move forward. The motion of the church is forward. God's Word is calling us toward his purpose and goal for his church.
We live in a world where the name of Jesus Christ is seldom mentioned other than at home or at church. The system of this world has worked to suppress the name of Jesus. The birth of God's only begotten Son brought this declaration, ". . . you shall call him JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." This week's sermon focuses on the great name of Jesus - the name above all names.
The announcement of the birth of Christ came with the promise of peace on earth. Indeed, through Jesus Christ, we find peace and reconciliation with God - a peace the world does not comprehend.
This message looks at the true celebration of Christmas, and what it means for us as Christians. Celebrating Christmas means knowing Christ - knowing him as Lord and Savior. Is it Christmas in your heart?
This is the second sermon in a Christmas series. Christ's coming was right on time. He came when God was ready, fulfilling the prophecies of the Scriptures.
The birth of Christ brought the hope of our victory over sin and the world. Christmas is a celebration of our victory in Jesus.
For this message, we look to the story of Elijah at Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18. After Elijah confronted the false prophets and proved the power of God, he prayed in faith for rain, according to the word of the Lord, and God sent rain to the land of Israel. This sermon is a message of restoration and revival for the people of God.
In this series on prayer, we look at the meaning and practice of "unceasing prayer." Of course, we cannot pray 24 hours a day, but we can maintain a continual spirit of prayer by abiding in the Holy Spirit. We should therefore remain prayerful in all we do.
The Lord knows how to meet our needs in ways that glorify and honor him. He can do far above all we can imagine. Simply, God is more than able.
This is the second sermon in a 2-part series, God Is Able. God is able to do far beyond all we can imagine or think. He is able, but our lack of faith can present a great roadblock to receiving from God. We just need to exercise faith in God.
There are no limits to God's power. The greatest challenge in receiving from God is our faith. We need to focus more effort on faith and trust in God's ability.
This message is a continuation of "A Firm Foundation, Part One." Be sure to listen to the first message. Jesus Christ is the foundation, the cornerstone, of God's church. We are building upon the firm foundation of God's Word - He will never fail.
This sermon continues a three-part series focused on the Word of God. The first message is "The Unchanging Word of God." In this message, the Word is the firm foundation upon whom we can build our lives. Christ is the solid rock.
The Word of God is eternal and unchanging. For this reason, we can have complete confidence in God. We can trust and depend on the reliability of God's Word.
This sermon is a continuation of "What Is Sin, Part 1." Be sure to listen to the first message. I hope you are encouraged and challenged in your faith. Sin is often misunderstood. This sermon duo attempts to define sin clearly, and seeks to clarify the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross.
This is the first part of the sermon, "What Is Sin?" We are living in a generation among people who are losing their God consciousness. People are therefore becoming more rebellious without being convicted by their wrong desires and actions. There is little brokenness in regard to personal sin. This is a major concern, for without the knowledge of sin there can both no brokenness over sin; and without brokenness there can be no repentance; and without repentance there can be no salvation. For this reason, this sermon begins to answer the question, "What Is Sin?"
This is the final sermon in the Ten Commandments series, "Do Not Covet." This commandment gets to the heart of God's law. The desires of man drives his actions. While the law can only govern and regulate his actions, Jesus Christ changes his inner desires and transforms the inner man by his Word and Spirit.
In the ninth commandment, "Do Not Lie," we consider the virtue of honesty and integrity. This virtue implores us to be truthful with others, and of course, with ourselves. We should speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
This eighth commandment, "Do Not Steal," teaches us to honor one another's right to possess. The commandment not only teaches against taking from others, but also promotes giving to others. As Christians, we've been given the greatest, most valuable gift - eternal life through Jesus Christ. We have freely received, and we need to freely give (Mt. 10:7-8).
This sermon, Do Not Commit Adultery, is a continuation of last week's message. Sexual immorality has devastating effects on society. It destroys the strongest building block of any society - family. It undermines the most valuable virtues, for example, love, purity, integrity, and trust. For these reasons, the church must uphold the sanctity of marriage and protect this divine institution.
This sermon is commandment seven in the Ten Commandment Series, "Do Not Commit Adultery." Sexual immorality is perhaps the most devastating sin in any society: the sin that most destroys lives. What does the Bible actually teach about the sin of adultery? This sermon explores the sanctity of marriage, as well as God's design for marriage from the beginning.
The sixth commandment in the Ten Commandments Series addresses the sanctity of human life - "You must not murder." God created mankind in his own image. Being God's special creation, human life is holy and should be protected.
The fifth commandment could be called the bridge commandment that connects the love of God and the love of neighbor. Relationship with parents is essential to our understanding of relationship with God, as well as being formative to our relationship with others. God wants us to have healthy, loving, respectful relationships with our parents.
Sabbath Rest is the 7th sermon in the Ten Commandment series. The Sabbath Day was commanded in order to bring us to our need for spiritual rest in Jesus Christ - he is our Sabbath rest. We find our rest through faith in him.
This sermon focuses on the third commandment. We live in a world that fails to honor the name of the Lord. For this reason, Christians should be sure to lift up and respect his holy name, not only in our words but also in our actions and attitude. When we claim Christ as our Savior, we have a sacred obligation to honor the name above all names.
In this fifth sermon, we look at the 2nd commandment, a commandment that centers around our worship. Since there is only one true God, and we should have none other than the Lord, mankind should worship him and him alone. As Christians, we should make sure our affections are above, and not on the things of this world. The Lord alone is worthy: let's love him and express the abundance of our love, praising, glorifying, and honoring him in our lives.
Having established the foundations of the Ten Commandments, this sermon considers the first commandment, "No Other Gods." The Lord is our top priority. He comes first in all things. Nothing or no one is more important than him.
This third sermon, Moral Law, further explains the purpose of the Ten Commandments. God gave us his moral law in the ten commandments, teaching his nature and his just (righteous) requirements. The Founding Fathers of the United States understood that moral law based on the Ten Commandments was essential to the foundation and establishment of a just government and society. But this foundational insight has become clouded, and the nation has become corrupt. In the church, we understand that God, who is loving, is also just and has moral requirements. For this reason, we teach God's moral law in the fulfillment of Jesus Christ.
In this second sermon, The Love if God, we continue the series, "The Ten Commandments." The love of God is the motivation of the ten commandments. The Lord gave his commandments because he loves mankind and desires to have fellowship with us. They are given for our protection and to teach us how to relate to a holy God.
This is the first sermon of a series, "The Ten Commandments." The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. But this fear (i.e. honor and respect) does not happen automatically. Rather, people must learn the fear of God. They must be taught to honor and respect the Lord. We live in a society that has cast off the fear and knowledge of God. This sermon - Fear the Lord - considers the context of a nation that has forgotten the commandments of the Lord.
This is the second half of the sermon. Be sure to listen to part one first in order to understand the spirit of the entire message. God bless you.
Salvation is a radical change in one's life: it's a change from darkness to light and from wrong to right. This sermon considers this change. Every born again believer experiences the same change and understands this transformation within.
This sermon is a continuation of last week's message. The grace of God is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and misused doctrines in the Bible. I pray this sermon is a source of help and encouragement to you in your desire to grasp the fullness of God's amazing grace.
This meesage is the first of a two-part sermon. Grace is a misunderstood doctrine. In this sermon, we will explore what the Bible teaches about saved by grace. Thank God for his wonderful grace.
This message is a continuation of last week's sermon. Righteousness by faith is a cornerstone principle of our faith in Jesus Christ. This principle challenges us to maintain a close relationship of faith in Christ rather than relying on our own ability to be right with God.
Righteousness by faith is a cornerstone principle of our faith in Jesus Christ. This principle challenges us to maintain a close relationship of faith in Christ rather than relying on our own ability to be right with God.
This sermon is part two of "Justice of God." The sermon explores God's justice from a different perspective, looking at mercy and forgiveness as God's just requirements.
This sermon is part one of "Justice of God." The sermon explores God's justice from a different perspective, looking at mercy and forgiveness as God's just requirements.