Bethel Culture: Recent Episodes
Bethel Baptist Church
All things Bethel Baptist Church of Galesburg, IL, so you can stay in the know each and every week! Hear Messages from Sunday Morning and other communications all right here on the Bethel Podcast!
Kevin and Weston meet up with Andrew Wingo to discuss the upcoming Bethel vs Ascent softball game on July 13, at 6pm at Lake Storey softball fields. Also, a two new segments: Worst/Best (sports edition) and Redeeming the World.
Jesus commends the shrewd manager who used unrighteous means for righteous results. Believers are called to use whatever means God has given us to “make heaven crowded.”
The Pharisee and the tax collector both go up into the temple to pray. One prayer is only focused on self, while the other one is humble and repentant. Jesus says to go low and humble yourself rather than trying to justify yourself.
The next sermon series, along with new segments: Topical Topoffs and Cutting Room Floor.
The final chapter of Hebrews gives us some very practical ways to show others the love of Jesus. Because he is never changes, believers should have a love that extends, faith that stands firm, and worship that pleases God
Our culture struggles with enduring suffering, pain, and even discomfort. As Christians, we are called to endure because the Lord is growing us through all these things through His discipline in our lives, through which we can have an unshakable faith and an unshakable life.
The hall of faith is more than just a highlight of Old Testament stories. The author of Hebrews uses them as a template to encourage the readers to take steps of faith despite the forecast of the future and the world around them, and because of their upward faith in Jesus.
Kevin, Weston, Damon, & Kiera discuss VBS and camps, past memories, philosophy, and future plans.
Hebrews 1 is largely about Jesus being better than the angels because He is fully God while Hebrews 2 is about Jesus being better than the angels because He is fully man. This deep theological truth of Jesus being fully God and fully man had significant implications for the original readers of Hebrews as well as for us today.
The book of Hebrews was written to encourage its readers to hold fast to and mature in their faith instead of being pulled away by lesser things.
Jesus says one thing is necessary and Mary chose the better portion. Action without adoration leads to aggravation.
The Bethel Culture podcast starts back up looking to inform, influence, and inspire our people at Bethel Baptist Church here in Galesburg Illinois. This week we talk about the details regarding the upcoming special business meeting to vote on the senior pastor search team.
If everything is about the "One Thing", the Gospel, then what about obedience? 2 Peter 1 describes the why, the what, the results, and the how of obedience and is a good representation of the rest of Scripture on how the Gospel transforms our relationship with obedience.
David asks of the Lord, that he seeks after, is to dwell in his house, gaze on his beauty, and inquire of God. The Lord calls his disciples to persist in prayer and not give up. Keep asking!
Paul only chose to know Christ and him crucified. When we simplify our faith down to the gospel, it’s all about Jesus.
God has made believers into a kingdom and priests. Our role in the kingdom is to minister to God and to others.
Identity should impact both our conscious actions and our unconscious lifestyle.The word-picture of being an ambassador for Christ has many implications for our life and faith
Because of who God is, we have many reasons to place our Hope in Him Through the song of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Luke 1 we find several of those reasons and how when we place our Hope in God, we will never be put to shame.
During the Christmas season, it can often be easy to find ourselves lacking joy. Through the story of the wise men found in Matthew 2, we find three ways to find Christ-centered Joy this Christmas.
Jesus came to bring Peace on Earth and during Christmas we can reflect on the fact that we can have Peace from God, Peace with God, and the Peace of God in our hearts.
Gratitude begins in the heart and moves to the mouth and hands. When we grasp all that God has done for us and blessed us with, it motivates us to live lives full of thankfulness.
God has laid out the roles and responsibilities for husbands and wives in his word. Christians will be well-served to follow the Lord's path. Wives can use their actions, attitudes, and adornment to show the gospel in their marriage. Husbands should dwell with their wives in understanding, dignify her with honor, and delight as a fellow heir in Christ.
As we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we are called to submit to our earthily authorities which includes the government and employers.
As we experience the Grace of God through the Gospel we go from living greedy and idolatrous lives to ones of radical generosity when we realize that we have been blessed to be a blessing.
The grace of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings unity to a diverse people. We are a united people however we must strive to love one another with the Love we have received from above.
When the terrorist Saul comes into contact with the Risen Savior his life gets turned upside down. He is transformed from the inside out and receives a new purpose, desires, and relationships.
God wrote the Law to teach the Israelite people how they are to live. In the New Covenant today, the law can reveal to us our sin, encourage Christ-like obedience, and reveal God's heart for his people.
Just as the pillar of smoke and fire led the Israelites in the wilderness, the indwelling Holy Spirit in the life of the believer leads, guides, and strengthens God's people today.
In the first nine plagues, God demonstrates his power over every false deity the Egyptians worshipped. God is sovereign, supreme, just and merciful!
When the Israelites heard through Moses and Aaron that God heard their prayers and came to rescue them from Egyptian slavery, they bowed their heads and worshipped him. Unfortunately, things got worse for them. It makes us ask the question, what do we do when things don't go our way?
At the burning bush, God reveals himself as the Great I AM. What does that mean for us here today?
In the story of the birth of Moses to his exile to the Midian desert, we learn that God protects and provides for his people, that God's plans are better than our plans, and that God prepares his people for his purposes.
The suffering of Israel in Egyptian captivity was profound. They were forced to work in extreme conditions, physically abused, and their children were killed. In Exodus 1 God was preparing to show His mighty hand by setting His people free.
If we are to thrive in 2024 we must grow in our love or and knowledge of God's Word. The Bible guards our path and delights our hearts therefore we must dive deeply into it in order to understand and apply it.
When we are weak, then we are strong. It is only by God's strength can we live and move. The posture of Humble Dependance is prayerfulness.
Jesus as our Prince of Peace brings peace with God, peace internally, and peace relationally with others.
Through the difficult circumstances and broken relationships of our lives its very easy to place our hopes in all the wrong places. God, through his Word in Luke 1, shows us that our Hope placed in Christ will never be put to shame.
Jesus as the door means that its only through him can we find lasting joy and protection. When others sin against us, we pursue the Lord by walking in reconciliation.
Those who are connected to the True Vine will bear much fruit. Apart from Jesus, the believer can do nothing. Therefore, in the Christian life we must abide in Christ.
As Jesus grew in popularity, many sought him out for the gifts he brought. Jesus made it very clear however that he is the Bread of Life, and whoever believes in him shall never hunger or thirst. He truly is our all-satisfying Savior!
When life becomes hopeless and circumstances happen we can choose to trust Jesus because he is our living hope. He overcame sin and death to secure our eternal salvation therefore we can trust him in every day life.
The Good Shepherd protects, loves, and cares for his sheep. This picture is a beautiful parallel how Christ truly loves his people well.
When Jesus made the the statement the he is the Light of the World. He announced that he alone provides protection, provision, and leadership to His people. Therefore, today we are to See the Light, Walk in the Light, and Spread the light. As we do this we will push back darkness!
We are blessed to be a blessing to others locally and globally. Our passion for missions must always stem from a heart of worship for Christ.
God's plan for the next generation is threefold:
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Attention on the Word
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Obedience to the Word
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Courage from the Word
The Bible is the Word of God and is living and active. Therefore, we as God's people must strive to read, study memorize, meditate, and preach the Word. As we do this, the church is built up and we are transformed.
When someone turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus we can experience an abundant life that's found in spending time with Him. We however are filled up to be poured out. God's design for his people is to invest in others so they can experience this abundant life as well.
The glory of God can be seen through creation, the Holiness of God, and in the face of Jesus Christ. When we consider His glory we should be drawn to humble reverent worship for who He is! This changes the way we think about Church.
We all need peace in our lives. We need to pursue the Prince of Peace in order to have true lasting peace in this world.
As we come to an understanding of the Gospel, God increases our loving concern for others. This includes helping to meet their physical needs and giving generously, sacrificially, and joyfully!
As we love God, God calls for us to genuinely love one another. This means being honest and vulnerable about what's going on in our lives and a willingness to speak the truth in love.
According to Scripture our community of faith is designed for us to come with open hands. We are called to use our time, treasures, and talents to further the kingdom of God and love one another. The big question is where are we using our gifts for the good of others and the glory of God?
When we consider all that Christ has done for us, our reasonable response is of full surrender. A faith that has been planted in our hearts will lead to action.
We all understand that Jesus' Kingdom is greater than the worst that the world has to offer, but we need the constant reminder that it is greater than even the best the world has to offer.
When we consider all that God has done for us in Christ, the work that he is doing in the church, and across the globe, our heart's response is to give thanks! Instead of grumbling and complaining, what would it look like to thank God in your life?
A Biblical church must not only Preach the Word, and be centered on the Gospel, but also be devoted to one another. As Christians were called to be real and care for others needs all because God found us at our worst and welcomed us in.
All humans are created in the image of God. Therefore, babies in the womb have intrinsic worth. As a result, as Christians we should stand for right to life and also care for those who are considering abortion or have had one.
The Gospel is essential for not only our salvation but also everyday life. In order for the Local Church to function as God's Word describes, we must keep the Gospel at the center.
If we truly believe and live as if the Bible is God's Word, its power has the ability to transform our lives. Therefore, we must not only hear it, but heed it as well.
What we think we know often gets in the way of what we need to know. This is especially true when we think we know what a life of faith means.
Just as the angel Gabriel instructed Mary to “Fear not” because she had found favor with God, the same can be said about us. When we face situations that cause us to fear, we can “Fear Not” because God is good and faithful, therefore we can trust him!
Through the Genealogy of Jesus we learn that God in his sovereignty orchestrated the arrival of Jesus Christ into humanity through many unlikely people. This should encourage us because God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines.
There is much debate in our world today as to who Jesus is, some see him as a good moral teacher, others as a religious fanatic. Mark, the writer of the text, wants the reader to know Jesus existed long before the foundations of the world and his arrival give us reason for much celebration.
Hell isn’t a fun subject to discuss, but scripture is full of descriptions of it, and we shouldn’t be indifferent to the reality of hell. How has God made every provision necessary so that no one has to go to hell.
As the tagline of the series says, we're trying to show "rational answers to a reasonable faith" and this week the topic is sexuality. We dive into one of the most fundamental passages on the topic to show that Scripture is more than reasonable and at least has earned the right to be heard, and for the follower of Jesus, it is to be lived out as authoritative.
The spread of the gospel requires sharing of the gospel in some manner or form. John 4 gives us some insight on learning to share Christ with others.
Transformation is anything but silent. As believers we have gone through the greatest transformation possible. Moving from death to life. Our transformation in Christ should be anything but silent!
So what does the future hold for good and evil? Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament gives us a clear picture of the heart of God.
It's better to give than receive. Even though money is a hard topic to talk about, it's important to trust God and follow his plans and direction with our finances.
Malachi 2 shows us that many of our commitment issues in dating and divorce are connected to our commitment and devotion to Jesus. We need to let His devotion to us drive our devotion and love of others.
There are lots of small things in our lives that have disproportionate effects, but none greater than the small seed of genuine faith in Jesus.
The word of God is a perfect seed that is designed to grow in our lives. Beware of how our hearts affect the reception of God's word and it's impact in our lives.
Contentment can lead to a new perspective on life and generosity will bless your life in multiple ways.
We all want to have peace in our lives, but the issue is many times we unknowingly choose chaos over peace. Discover how living in peace is the life that God has for you.
On todays Bethel Culture Podcast, we chat with Kevin our worship pastor about what it take to pull of Good Friday service and Easter services. Join in our conversation as we go behind the scenes.
An inside look as to what helped keep Paul spiritually healthy. Follow his pattern for a spike in your walk with Christ.
What does it take to be in right standing with God? Can we achieve righteousness or do we need to receive it?
Paul's highlight of key ministry partners Timothy and Epaphraditus show us how rare, risky, and rewarding faith filled relationships can be.
A fresh take on a familiar passage where we see how tricky spiritual growth is and where we think we're going isn't always where we're actually going.
We play a vital role in the gospel moving forward. We'll explore ways that make an impact in society.
Only Jesus can move us from pretentious, self-focused worship, like Simon the Pharisee to proactive, precious worship like the sinful woman who was forgiven.
If you want to learn how to grow your prayer life, discover ways to have a more dynamic prayer life!
Join us as we sit down with Austin Hall and Natalie Ross to discuss what it is like to be an intern here at Bethel.
Prayer is essential and here are some reasons given why we should give ourselves to prayer.
We are faced with criticism and judgement from others and often from ourselves every day. In this message, we look at a case study in the life and ministry of Jesus that can help us combat this constant criticism with radical grace.
Join us as we sit down and discuss the importance of our annual high school retreat Snowblast.
Time matters and is a limited resource. We need to make the most of the opportunities God puts before us each day.
God loves to bless his people! He blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others with our lives.
Hear from our Director of Family and Children's Ministry Kiera Spilman and test your knowledge of Candy Cane Flavors!
The Desert is a unique setting where God teaches us what can only be learned in the desert.
Christ came to earth to be with us in all of life, including the valley's we must all walk through.
Join us as we talk to Rick Stufflebeem who is the head of our of Senior Pastor Search Committee. He gives us a great update and insight to the process as we search for the next senior pastor of Bethel.
We have all been full of grief and hurt and we tend to wonder where is God? The reality is He is always present and is working all things out for His good.
Through Christ we have been given a living Hope. Trials and difficulties will come our way, but Hope will endure through the work of the Spirit in our lives. It is God's will that we be filled with Hope.
Episode 1 of our Bethel Culture Podcast! Join us as we chat about our purpose and a little brief history with Kevin, Zach and Weston.
God is a God of Love and it's His desire that my heart be like his. God's love is also an active love and He will's that this love being experienced and expressed through our lives on daily basis.
Jesus contracts the values of the culture with the values of His Kingdom to show us how our hearts are transformed when we are truly following HIm.
Putting Jesus over everything is impossible without the Holy Spirit's help. Jesus must be more prominent and central than even my family.
While we are commanded to go and influence and impact the world around us, it should encourage us that we are already influencing and impacting the world around us through the power of the Spirit, which should cause us to relax and lean into what the Lord is doing through us in the gospel.
Jesus goes out of his way to meet with a marginalized woman of Samaria to show his loving kindness and grace. The woman leaves the well a changed person, and then shouts for all to hear that she's met the Messiah. Worship is (1) Upward, (2) Inward, and then (3) Outward. If we have received the grace and mercy of Christ then we should also be the ones shouting our testimony through unashamed worship.
When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples He was giving them an example of what serving looked like. His example of being a servant is what we need to show to the world today.
The precious blood of Christ continues to: 1. Satisfy God 2. Stop Satan 3. Allow us to come boldly to God
- God is not obligated to fully explain Himself to us now.
- We must avoid wrong expectations.
- The promises of God are still true.
We must remember... 1. In a fallen world we will experience good and bad. 2. The reality of the invisible. 3. The ultimate victory of God.
When you're overwhelmed by big things and don't know what to do, do the small things that God has called you to.
In Daniel 5 we see a contrast of humanity's handwriting (what we do naturally) and the Lord's handwriting (what should flow naturally out of a relationship with Him).
A comparison of Daniel and King Darius. Be rooted in your faith, so that when conflict arises you can stand firm.
Our resolve not to compromise in the small things gives us strength for the bigger things.
We need a big picture understanding of the Book of Revelation to keep from getting lost in the details. Pastor Weston gives a simple and understandable structure to the book that also makes the gospel heart of Revelation applicable to our lives today.
When Culture and Conviction Collide: Standing firm and loving well in a culture of compromise.
The empty tomb means Jesus is who He said He is, your past no longer defines you and your future is secure.
Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem shows us as his followers how we should welcome a king into our midst. We welcome him by telling others, by faith, with sacrifice and action, with unwavering hearts, and with jubilant, passionate, persistent, public praise!
Flexible Planning, Fulfilled Promises, and Faithful Prayer are keys to fruitful ministry.
We see in Hebrews that the tabernacle is a copy or shadow of the heavenly things. It's not the whole picture but it gives us a layout for our worship today.
The Jewish and Gentile Christians of the Church of Rome had hollow hopes that they would often cling to, as do we. This passage dismantles those hollow hopes and puts forth Jesus as the ultimate hope to bring lasting unity.
The presence of Jesus makes Christmas extraordinary. He can be found in all of life's circumstances and all throughout the Bible in the New and Old Testament.
God, in his grace, welcomes the righteous and the rebellious to do the same thing: come to the kingdom of God where there is celebrating and feasting. Don't doubt that you are a child of the King, and come to the party!
God shows mercy by NOT giving us what we deserve and His purpose is the proclamation of HIs name.
Sound is the best but we lost our live feed during the message, this is from our backup computer. In uncertain times, people often cling to the familiar and what they have historically done and thought, but national, church, or even personal history can't give the kind of certainty that only God's sovereignty can give.
God's love for me does not depend on what I do for Him but what Jesus Christ has done on the cross for me.
Our bad things will turn out for good, our good things can never be lost, and our best things are yet to come.
Thankfully, the Spirit intercedes for us and seeks to get us the deep help we actually need rather than the superficial and temporary help we usually want.
The best way for God to show you He's in control is to lead you through circumstances you can't control.
Care more about Christ dwelling in you than the cares of the culture in which you temporarily dwell.