Perspectives on the Bible: Recent Episodes
Pastor Fred
Perspectives on the Bible is a study of the Bible with a view to understanding the universal message of God. Jesus said that he came in order that we may have life abundantly. John 20:31 tells us that the words of Jesus are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name. Perspectives on the Bible gives us insights into the meaning of Bible passages as they applied to the people "then" and as they apply to you and I today. The key to all of this is to understand that God uses the Bible and uses events and uses you and me to work out a plan for Our Good without destroying our freedom of thought and action. It is the mission of this ministry to present, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our insights and understandings of what may be God"s intentional plan for our world and for individuals in that world. Pastor Fred
all aspects of life are revealed in the Bible. Jesus tells us to come to him because he alond is the way to God and Gods blessing.
The disciples on the way to Emmaus did did not recognized the resurrected Jesus because for them he was still dead. It is only when the encounter his explanation of the "Plan of God" that "...their hearts burn within them." This burning was the birth of new faaith which empowered them to see him
The Christian life includes a compassionate understanding of others and a commitment to practice forgiveness.
Jesus likens people to sheep who need a shepherd. He declares that he is the shepherd who is needed. He is not an enemy of the sheep. He is the protector, provider, who is willing to sacrifice himself to protect the sheep. The sheep hear his voice and they follow him.
Jesus was proclaimed by angels. He performed miracles. He even raised the dead. His words were the words of life. But did the disciples really understand any of it? Do believers today really understand it?
Jesus is with us and stays with us during our life journey. Many see him and are helped. Many do and struggle needlessly. We look at this and find the solution.
The Covid "Mask Msndate' is NOT supported by sience. Abundant studies indicate that the MASK does nothing to deter covid 19. So why have it? It could be to comfort the population. Or it could be to supress the populations outrage at being manipulated into submission by the use of disease as a prod to create fear and distrust.
David has regard for his own son welfare but is willing to sacrifice the lives of others.
It is a difficult thing to place yourself in danger in order to save other people. We automatically wish to save ourselves and maybe even those we love. But what if our action to save others puts us in grave danger? Will we do it?
David is the little guy against the giant. He cannot be brave for others. His courage is for himself. To accomplish his amazing feat he takes what he knows and uses it effectively to win.
Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Frederick Schoenfeld. Peter made a promise and kept it. He also was thwarted from going further than his initial promise. Then he is given a vision of a new way of fulfilling hhis promise to be a steadfast defender of Jesus
Often in family life we want to pin the tail of blame on one member. But the family is a dynamic living organism, and a disturbance in one area of its "force" produces consequences in other connected parts.
We have heard many Interpretations. Rev. Dr. Frederick Schoenfeld looks at the Son more than the father
Pentecost (Acts2:1-21) reveals God's plan of revelation. God chose exactly the right time in history to reveal his plan for the salvation of human kind.
We know about Jesus but we are not always sure about what we know. We wonder. Jesus comes to us along the way of our road of life and in that encounter, he reveals himself to us.
Reverend Dr. Frederick H. Schoenfeld tells the story of an occurrence from many years ago. It was an event that formed his ideas about the Church. The Church is more. It is more than what many people think that it is. That "more" is a concrete expression of faith within the confines of time and of space. Too often the Church is weakened by people's idea of what it is and what it is not. Pastor Frederick shares his insights into the definition of what Church is and what you may gain from being a participant in the Church.
The Bible tells us about the expectations that surrounded Jesus. The religious right expected one thing and the religious left another. The politically active expected something which was opposite of those who accepted the world order of the time.
In this sermon, The Reverend Dr. Frederick H. Schoenfeld of St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran church of Bergenfield, NJ addresses the issues of what we need to do in order to make the most of life's expectations.
The shepherds were folk with hopes, and dreams, cares, and joys. They were working people trying to get along and to live their lives. God revealed great things to them. They were afraid. But the angel told them not to be afraid. They did not run away in fear, but stayed to hear the message. Then they talked it over among themselves and decided to go together to Bethlehem in order to see the things that were revealed to them. They could have done otherwise. They could have dismissed it all as an illusion. Instead, they had open minds, open ears, and open hearts. The result was their rejoicing in the affirmation that God was for them and toward them and that God could and did reveal to them the message of joy in Christ. They rejoiced.
There is a special need for Christians to recognize the gift that God gives them because of the incarnation of Jesus. The gift of Christ has already been given. Because of it, Christians are able to have and to hold and to express three wonderful gifts every day. On Christmas, Christians express these gifts in a special way that is beautiful. This sermon was delivered at Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bergenfield, NJ on Christmas Day, 2016
In the miracle of Christmas is the "Yes" of God to our life. It is echoed in the words repeated throughout the story, "Do not be afraid." These words were spoken to Mary, to Joseph, to the shepherds and to us. God sends Jesus to us in order to forever mark the pavement of history with an indelible mark, "Do not be afraid." God is for you. God is for us. God is favorable to humankind. These are words affirmed by Christians every Christmas. In the holy Mass the Christian church proclaims every Subnday the same words, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace to God's people on earth.
Many people today want to say that each of us worships their own god according to their own way or culture and the like. But there is only one God. Thisd eightee4n monute sermon was delivered at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bergenfield, NJ in Spring 2016.
Freedom of religion has become a philosophy of freedom from religion. This development has produced a fearful church unwilling to interact with contemporary society. In this program we look at the efforts of Saint Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church to interact with Saint Mary's Syriac Orthodox church. We also look at the missionary partnership betwen Saint Matthews and Richmond Radio, Kentucky. They produce a 24 hour seven day a week Golden Oldies station on the FM band. The Station is WKRI 95.9 FM in Richmond, Kentucky. The final section looks at the interaction between religion and politics in the public square.
There are many things that were revealed by the victory of Donald Trump. But many of the liberal media, pundit and pollsters still do not understand what happened and why! Please forgive the P popping sounds. I was too close to the microphone.
Fathers are not just the biological matter that created our physical selves. They are the influence that affects every part of our lives. This does not only apply to boys, but applies to everyone who can say that they have a father.
Stuff happens! I know that many would use another word for stuff. But this is a Christian broadcast. Anyway, the ideas that are presented to us in the Bible readings for Pentecost are ideas of success and not failure. Stuff happens! is about adversity and accepting it. This is a reasonhable statement reflecting upon the seeming happenstance of life. But there is something to be said about who causes what to happen. If I stand on the railroad track and defy the freight train to stop before it hits me, who did what to whom? It takes a freight train at least one mile to stop. So it is not the freight train that killed you, it is yourself. But what about the daily stuff that happens of which we are sure is not caused by us? The Bible says that this kind of stuff that happens is for our good. But why does it seem bad and not good? It is because we do not see the future the same way that God sees the future. It is because we have plans for ourselves but God has different plans for us. It is because we may under-estimate the good that we can accomplish in life but God knows that we can accomplish more than we can even imagine.
Life is complex. It goes fast, too fast. At times we wonder if there is anything for which to hope. The shock of the Resurrection of Jesus answers our need to hope.
How could the disciples understand what had had just happened with Jesus. Je died. He was buried. And three days later he rose from the dead. What does it mean? It is beyond experience, it is beyond science and it is beyond mental comprehension. Jesus appears to the diciples many times in o0rder to show them the several meanings of the Resurrection Reality.
The event of Easter was not a resusitation it was a resurrection. Unlike the ones before him, Jesus displays the awesome power of God. This uniqueness is what gives to us today our hope of eternal life.
The foster father of Jesus is Joseph. When told that Mary is with child, Joseph decides on a quiet divorce. But God has other plans. Joseph decides to marry Marry and accept Jesus as his own. The rest is history. This broadcast looks at the story of Joseph and tries to understand what he went through and why he did it.
Mary the mother of Jesus is well known to the world. From where do we get this knowledge. It comes mainly from the Gospel of Saint Luke. He tells us that he interviewed those who were from the beginning witnesses of the things reported to have happened. Historcally, we are sure that Mary the mother of Jesus was alive at the time of Luke. She was accessible and therefore, she could be the source of the very intimate and detailed information recorded in the first and subsequent chapters of Luke.
The story of Cain and Abel is a story of hope. It is a story of the first human family and the strife that happened there. It is a story of light and darkness. It is a story of sin and death. And it is story of God's never ending desire to forgive us and bring us out of the darkness of Hell in the light of Heaven. The story involves cause and effect and personal responsibility. It is a contemporary story that can help all of us keep a right perspective and live a life worthy of our God given soul. The story is told by the Reverend Dr. Frederick H. Schoenfeld to his congregation, Saint Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Bergenfield, NJ.
Today's reflection is on three lessons appointed to be read on the Third Sunday of Lent. They are the following:
Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 2:13-22.
We will explore the concepts of the Scripture which direct us to the idea of the human person and therefore, of the human body, as the temple of God, the dwelling place fit for the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
This will be a talk show format with a multiple number of topics to include the following: ISIS or ISIL- Whatever!
Egyptian Coptic Christian Martyrs- Does Anybody Really care?
Two hundred or is it four hundred Iraqi or Syrian Christians rounded- up by Isis - What does this mean?
Video of Isis terrorists destroying historic Iraqi art at Museum- Are these the new barbarians?
Should we be concerned?
What can we do about it? The answer is very simple and you probably will not like it!
Jesus walked and talked with us in everyday ordinary life. He was the incarnation of power and yet he subdued that power within himself. In answer to our need Jesus released and directed his power to heal. He wanted us to see God as the center of life and to appreciate the poweer of God as the force of good in our world. But do we respond that way to the presence of Jesus? Or do we ignore him, push him away, marginalize him? Are we awestruck by his excellence and beauty? Or are we frightened by Jesus because he is excellent and beautiful?
Jesus came to befriend us. He wanted us to know him. Jesus did not want us to be afraid or to run away. Repeatedly, he called us to himself and placed the claim of his friendship upon our hearts.
Today we look at getting to know Jesus as he wants to be known. We are invited to see him as he is, not as others tells us or we imagine, but as he really is ! Tune in and consider ways you can get to know Jesus. Getting to know him brings light, life, joy and serenity into you life.
Words matter. Words on TV, on radio, spoken words among family and friends, words shouted at us in anger, words secretly spoken against us by enemies, words used by political leaders to deceive us, words spoken by leaders in religion to encourage and inform us. Words are everywhere, in newpapers, books, on computers, the Internet. And this world of words can overwhelm us, suffocate us, and bury us in a pile of words. With so many words, they lose their meaning. They become insignificant. They no longer have value for real life. It's all just words. But words, do have power, sometimes !
Love In Christ
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become a sounding brass and a clanging cymbal."
The sixth element of love is Unselfishness. Observe that Love seeks not its own.
Saint Paul strikes deep here. He tells us to not only give up our rights, but to give up ourselves. Our rights are, after all, external. Every individual, every citizens feels a sense of propriety over what we call our "rights." But there comes a time when one may exercise even the higher right of giving up their rights. And here Paul calls us to the much more difficult task. It is to give up ourselves. Seek not great costly things for yourself, or great quantities. Seek them not, says the prophet. Why? Because there is no greatness in things. Things cannot be great. The only greatness is unselfish love. To not seek things for ourselves at all is the hard part. Let me take that back. Nothing is a hardship to love, nothing is hard. The most obvious lesson in Christ's teaching is that there is no happiness in having and getting things, but only in giving. And half the world is following the wrong scent in pursuit of happiness. They think it consists in having and getting and in being served by others. But Christ said, " Let the one who would be great among you, serve others.
Excerpted from Love the Greatest Thing in the World by Professor Henry Drummond 1909
The Transfiguration of Jesus is God's assurance to Jesus that no matter what happens, God is on his side. It also is firm evidence that God is on our side. This is according to God's will for us in creation as recorded for us in Genesis. This is according to God's will for us because of the Incarnation of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. This is according to the will of God for us as revealed by Jesus on the cross of Calvary when he pleaded with the Father, and when he submitted to the Father's will. This is according to the will of God witnessed by the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Jesus is the first fruit of those who fall asleep in full communion with the Christian Church. The program today will look at how we can plot our course through life's ups and downs with full confidence in God's good will for us, especially for those who through Jesus have faith in God.
Saint Paul in three short verses gives us an amazing analysis of love as the supreme good. It is a compound thing. It is like light, which when put through the lens of a prism reveals its spectrum. The supreme good, the summum bonum, the sum of all good, has nine elements. Todays program looks at Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthian congregation where in the thirtenth chapter he gives important instruction and analytical insights into ways we can recognize the nine points and emmulate and immitate them in our lives.
The greatest gift is love. We have grown accustomed in the Christian religion to hear that the greatest thing in the world is faith. But we are wrong. The Bible itself declares that the greatest gift is love. Saint Paul declares in his first letter to the Corinthian congregation that faith abides, hope abides, love abides. These three are an integrated whole. But, he says, the greatest of these is Love. Today we will look at the concept of love in the New Testament and compare it with what many today call love. Tune in and consider that the great thing in the world is love.
There are lots of people with opinions. Our world is filled with the babel of voices as they try to win our hearts and minds to a particular way of thinking. Actually, this is not new. In the days of Jesus there were also many people with opinions who wanted to gain followers. The question in that day and in our day is, "Who is worthy of our attention?" Mark 1:21-28 tells us that the people in the days of Jesus remarked that he spoke as one who had authority. Jesus is someone who is worthy of our attention. In this program, we will explore the meaning of Jesus' authority and what that authority means for us. The words of Jesus are not merely words. They are words that are able to accomplish what they say. Listen in and consider what the authority of the words of Jesus mean for you.
We lead very busy lives. Sometimes we ask ourselves if we can find any time for quiet. Jesus too was very busy. The demands of others upon Him were many. Could Jesus find time to do all that he needed and still speak to his heavenly father? Today we look at Mark 1:29 ff. It speaks of Jesus going to a place of wilderness. But where is our wilderness? As we consider the example of Jesus, we will discover the secret of finding our wilderness. This discovery is a deeply spiritual encounter with God's Holy Spirit. It is an encounter that can greatly improve and enhance our lives. Tune in and listen.
The parable of Jesus concerning the ten virgins and the bridegroom is a wonderful illustration of our need to be ready. (Matthew 25:1-13) Today's episode will provide the cultural background for the story. It is a background which is different than our own. Knowing the story behind the story will help us understand what was meant then and what it means now. The backgroud also helps us see this parable in a new way. We see it not as interpereted for us by centuries of story tellers but as it was understood in the day of its telling. By placing the story in its cultural context, we are able to interpret it for ourselves. There is a lot here. So give a listen. We appreciate you.
The Christian Church Festival of ALL SAINTS is celebrated on November 1st. It is a time for all Christians to remember the Saints. This remembering is not only about the Saints with a capital S but also our own personal saints with a small s.
This is a good and wholesome thing for all people to do. Firstly, it pauses us as we rush through our life. During this pause we are encouraged to consider all the blessings that we receive because of the contributions of others.
Secondly, it is an opportunity for us to remember our loved ones who have died. This personal remembering enriches us as we recall and cherish the memories of our family and friends who have died in the Lord.
Thirdly, it makes it possible for us to reflect upon our own lives. We are allowed to consider the many blessings daily granted to us. It affords us an opportunity to offer our prayers and praise to God for his covenant with us.
Finally, in our broadcast, we will look at the additional benefits that paying attention to our saints and all Saints gives to us. It is a three dimensional blessing.
Christianity is the entrance into the real spiritual world. It provides people an open door into the realm of a life with God. However, few attain the complete Christian potential because of frailty. You live in a spiritual world. The physical is not all there is. In His ministry Jesus made the realm of the Spirit central to his teaching. Today, you can enter that realm during your life.
Starting with the call of Abram in Genesis 12 we will reflect on the bible stories of His Call, The Covenant Chapter 15, Abraham tested Chapter 22 and if we have time we will move on to Isaac and Jacob and Esau. In each story we will seek an understanding of what the story is telling and then seek an interpretive application to our spiritual growth and development.
The reality of transcendent spiritual prayer is actualized by exercising our whole self in its pursuit. We work at the spiritual life just as we work in all other parts of life. Self abnegation is the beginning of the journey of spiritual prayer. It is the recognition of our limitations while, at the same time, it is the affirmation of the enormous potential of our spiritual nature. The human person is more than so much weight of aging flesh, a processs that begins to die as soon as we are born. Rather, we are spiritual beings incarnated in bodies of flesh and limited within the confines of time and space. All of which is good because it is the way by which we can learn of ourselves. Instead of dis embodied spirits, you and I are created with this wonderfully sensational body and this equally marvelous mind. We ourselves are created but we are also given the gift of creation. We are creators. Sadly, we are also destroyers. Religion was instituted for our good because it seeks to encourage and empower the creative and discourage and eradicate the destructive.
Humans are spiritual beings- beings of light and of darkness. Religion teaches us that we are able to use our spiritual nature for purposes both good and evil. Religion also teaches us that we can choose what we do with our spirits. We can ignore our spiritual side and let it languish and weaken. Or we can actively engage ourselves spiritually. Spiritual prayer and meditation are vehicles that use both our physical selves and our spiritual selves. Through the physical actions of prayer, reflection, meditation and worship, we engage our spiritual self, activating it. This activation of our inherent spiritual self is a powerful thing which actualizes the realization of our enormous spiritual power through the use of proven kinetic processes. However, the activation of our spiritual self follows a pattern. It is not willy nilly, or heller skeller, or chaotic. It follows a pattern, a pattern which is deeply inscribed in the structure and matrix of the universe. Religion and religions worldwide are the repositories of knowledge about this pattern. Each religion has some but not all insight. Each religion is complementing and completing the universal spiritual pattern of religious knowledge. It is a knowledge which is not self taught and does not come from one person sitting at home meditating on the great OM of existence. Rather, it is a revealed knowledge from outside ourselves which is distilled in the great spiritual books of religion. And it is interpreted for us by those dedicated to enlightenment. It is a communal and collective knowledge which cannot be assayed from outside religion. Rather, religion, as the depository of this spiritual insight,is also its guardian against abuse and misuse.
The resignation of a Pope is a big thing. It is not only a "Roman Catholic" thing but an event that has ramifications for one billion Christians who are in fellowship with the Bishop of Rome. Today we reflect on Pope Benedicts decision to remove himself from the ministry of the Petrine Office and to retire to a life of prayer.
God created us with unique personalities. Each one of us is meant to contribute their own personal character and experience to the human saga. This episode examines the wonderful potential of God's plan for us and it encourages us to do freely what we are madd to do and not to be afraid.
Expectations combined with reality can equal disappointment. John the Baptist had expectations about Jesus. His expectations determined every day of his life. He thought that he was right and he was! However, John thought that his hopes and dreams would be fulfilled a particular way. However, Jesus thought otherwise. The difference between John's expectations and the reality of Jesus' ministry leads John to a question that all of us can ask. The answer Jesus returns to John may be personally unfulfilling but it is the reality of God's action in a human world.
Herod did not want Jesus. He decided to kill the baby. But since he was not sure of his age, he ordered all the male childrenn 2 and under to be killed. As we consider the violence of the Slaughter of the Innocent children of Bethlehem we can see that violent people have repeated that atrocity againa and again. We also consider the Herod in Us. Or even if we have been the recipients of Herod like behavior against ourselves.
The Bible relates to us that 40 days after the Resurrection from the dead, that Jesus ascended into heaven. What this mean biblically, theologically, ontologically, philosophically, eschatologically? What does it mean to you. Did Jesus Ascend into heaven Pro Nobis, "for us".
Ezekial 11:19 "I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them." Jer: 24:7 "I will give them a heart to know that I AM the Lord." 1Peter 23,25 "you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God and this was the word that was preached to you." John 3:7 "You must be born again." Titus 3:5 " God saved us...by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." John 3:6 Thsat which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit." Tonight we look at the difference that the resurrection of Jesus has upon all the human race and indeed, upon all of the universal creation. If anyone is En Christo that one is a new creation the old has passed away.
The illustration of Jesus as the good Shepherd intends to convey an image of God as our best friend in whom we can trust. We need a friend. When we have a friend life is easier and we are more secure. In this broadcast we look at human examples of persons who care and we see how their example can assure us that not is Jesus our good shepherd, we want him to be the one who leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls.
John 15 is a wonderful chapter of deep theology. The deep theology of the gospel of John is centered in the mystery of the Christ and the enactment of that mystery in the Christological event. Jesus is declared to be the Messiah who sets humankind free from the power of sin and the power of death. But many people do not know the deep ontological meaning of those two words. Many people dismiss them as so called "churchy" words used by Preachers and Sunday School teachers. But John, who is also the writer if the deep mystery call The Revelation, the last book of the Bible,also writes his gospel in such a way as to appreciate the deep mystery of Jesus. He sees Jesus not only as the fulfillment of the prophetic promise made to Adam and Eve, but also as the eschatological fulfillment of the Adam chronicle.
The Resurrection of Jesus is the core of Christian religion. The crucifixion of Jesus is the end of the power of death. The resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of the new life. It is a life where the domination of death is ended because with Christ we enter the dominion of New Birth.
Three wonderful people of enormous talent lost to us too soon. This short program is a simple reflection upon the lives of these three artists who gave us much of themselves and maybe didn't have enough of themselves to keep.
A continuation of the study of the book of Revelation in the context of the Gospel and epistles of the beloved disciple John.Our intention is to attempt understanding of and appreciation for the direct message of Jesus which He speaks to us through the words of the Bible.
We continue our study of the Book of Revelation. It is book of Jesus revealed to John and shared with us. It is part of many writings of the Apostle John. He was the one who lay close to the chest of Jesus as they reclined at the Last Supper. It was he who was given the care of Mary, the mother of Jesus at the crucifixion. It is he who is known as the beloved disciple and his Gospel, three epistles (letters) and the Revelation are authored by John. We will integrate the several writings of the beloved disciple in order to better understand the fact and the mystery of Jesus.
The final book of the Bible is Revelation. Many people consider it to be a book of dread and horror. However, the book is one of great hope and power filled encouragement. We will consider the dead, heaven and eternal life from the perspective of Revelation.
A lot of people have different ideas concerning death and the dead. Today we invite your thoughts about the dead. What does it mean to die? What happens to the person who dies? Do people live beyond death? How? Where? What is it like? Are there ghosts? What does it mean to be a ghost? This is a continuation of the previous program which was cut off at 70 minutes.
A lot of people have different ideas concerning death and the dead. Today we invite your thoughts about the dead. What does it mean to die? What happens to the person who dies? Do people live beyond death? How? Where? What is it like? Are there ghosts? What does it mean to be a ghost?
Christians face a world hostile to Christianity. How do we successfully live in such a world?
Being involved in the Christian Church is a viable way to create whole persons and strong families.
Jesus is both man and God. The two natures of Christ reveal a cosmic plan of salvation intending to heal the wound of the Garden of Eden and restore to humanity the full power of being created, "...in the image and likeness of God." The healing of the wound and the restoration of the image are a power filled resource for us today. The human Jesus shows us God's affinity with our daily dilemna, at the same time revealing to us the potential for a life lived with God. The divine Jesus is positive proof that God's intention for his creation is the fulfillment of the power that humankind can be "...in the image of God." That means that when we connect to Jesus both mentally and spiritually we connect to a resource that will give us the power to live life fully and completely.
John the Baptist is the forerunner of Jesus. He was one from whom much was expected. He was one who expected much. In both cases John is different than the expectations. He is other. Yet, he also is confronted with THE OTHER. Jesus is both the OTHER than John and Jesus is OTHER than John expected. What was expected of John? What did John expect? How is Jesus the OTHER? How is the OTHER-NESS of Jesus a surprise to John? How did John handle it? Do these revelations have anything to contribute to us today?
Two women play a crucial role in the coming of the Messiah Jesus. They are Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and wife of Zacharias, the priest. And Mary, betroth to Joseph, who becomes the mother of Jesus. Saint Luke, in the opening pages of his Gospel, tells their story. Is he privileged to have a very special source for his unique information? What does his perspective add to our understanding of the earthly life of Jesus? Of the heavenly origins of Jesus? What can these two women contribute to our approach to the awesome mystery which is God in the flesh?
Sometimes the wrong people think they are right. But then again, sometimes the right people think they are right, when, in fact, they are wrong. Join Pastor Fred as he takes a new look at Jesus' parable of the Publican and the Sinner.
Please note that there is a glitch for the first few minutes and I will attempt to correct the error. Sometimes we worry about the force of evil. Can it be victorious? It sure seems like it can. But the Bible declares that there is only one God, Isaiah 44:6-8; and that this God is all powerful over any other force that may pretend to be God. Nonetheless, we worry because we experience the challenges of everyday life. We feel that we are suffering reversals under the power of something or someone who has power to determine our destiny. But the Bible tells us that "...the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18-27 What to do about our fears and worries? Matthew 13:24 43 tells us the solution given by Jesus. The psalm is our constant song: Psalm 116
The Book of Romans is a difficult book to understand. However, some of its concepts are very simple. Today we take a look at the Book of Roman. We find there a treasure of Spiritual power to help with with an everyday life that becomes more and more powerful as we ascend through it to eternal life with God
The message of Easter is that every person has a chance, yes, even many chances for new Life. Jesus' death is a death to the power of death. Jesus' resurrection is a rising to new life. It means that if we want it, we always have a chance for a new start with God.
Among the many appearences of Jesus to the disciples, the one on the road to Emmaus is the one that is most cherished by generations of Christian believers. It has brought light to darkened souls, comforted to the disheartened, strength to the dis-spirited, and hope to the dispairing. It does the same for us today.
To strengthen our faith in the resurrection reality, let us - and I include especially the doubtful and uncertain, even the scoffers- stand once more in spirit before the rock-hewn grave in Joseph's garden, where the broken seal, the removed stone, the prostrate Roman guard, the empty tomb, the discarded burial shroud, the white robed angel with his announcement, "He is not here but risen!" (Matt. 28:6) all combine to impress us with the holy, heavenly truth that Jesus, God's Son and the world's Savior, has eternally defeated death for himself and for all humankind.
The Christian faith proclaims boldly that Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, is the Messiah who was promised by God to Israel. Christians also proclaim that this Messiah is more than Moses and the Prophets. He is the Son of God begotten of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit in a virginal conception. Jesus lived and taught among us until that day when he was arrested, crucified and died on the cross. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead having traveled to the place of the dead souls and proclaimed himself victorious over death. As proof of that victory, Jesus rose from the dead, transforming his body into a resurrected form which enabled him to appear and disappear at will, to eat and to talk, and finally to ascend to his Father in heaven. Today we will look at the comparison between the disciples of John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. They are very different and that difference is the genesis and the continuing vitality of the Christian Church.
On Good Friday the Christian Church Universal gathers for adoration of the Holy Cross. This is Worth Ship. Yes, I did not spell it wrong because the gathering of Christians today is a declaration proclaiming to the world that the Cross of Christ is worthy of honor and awe. It is awesome because of what happened upon the cross and it is honored because we appreciate the message of the Cross as regards ourselves and the survival of our spirits after death.
Jesus' trial before Pilate is a cosmic drama played upon an earthly stage. The drama contains all of the elements of our lives: truth and lies, right and wrong, morality and immorality, honor and dignity and beauty and ugly ness, life and death. All of it displayed for us to see and to comprehend. It is a divine drama. Yes, a play. But not a play for entertainment- a play for our edification. The Christ story is the only true story that answers the key questions of reason and the irrational, of chance and purpose, meaning and purpose. All novelist have referred in some way to the Christ story because it is THE story- God's story and our story. Dante calls it the Divine Comedy. Victor Hugo called it Les Miserable, and the Hunchback of Notre Damme, Herman Melville called it Billy Budd, Joseph Conrad called it Lord Jim, George Lucas called it Star Wars, Sophia Steward called it The Matrix, and J.K. Rowling called it Harry Potter. In answer to the question of death, the book of Job posits that only God has the answer. The content of that answer is unknown until the advent of Jesus of Mary and Joseph. Jesus is the content and his story is the answer to pain, suffering and the beauty of life and the irrationality of death.
When Jesus stands before Pilate he knows that his mission is nearing completion. But Pilate doesn't know, neither do the enemies of Jesus. All of them believe that they are the winners. And they are the winners if we are merely looking at an earthly scene. But Jesus is on a cosmic mission of eternal importance.
God's Will is your good. God created you in love. You are the most beautiful thing in all of creation. There are many beautiful things, but you are the most beautiful. And you were specially created. You are not an accident of your parents passion. You are not even a result of your parents love. You were created by God who used that love and used that passion to create you and not somebody else. And God wants you to succeed. Sadly, separation from God creates barriers to God's will for you. These barriers are invisible blockages to the un hindered flow of God good will. Today we will focus on God's will for your success.
Sometimes things happen that shake the foundations of our faith. We become unsure and our conviction is undermined by doubt. In such times as that God reminds us that "God is the Master of the future"
Today's reflections are considerations of the Christian Season of Lent. It begins with Ash Wednesday and continues till the Saturday before Palm Sunday. It is a season that calls Christians to reflection and self examination. The intention is to spark a review of one's life with the goal of marking what is wrong, starring what is right and resolving to abandon the wrong and to pursue the right.
We finish the discussion of the Ten Commandments. We are using the book by William Barclay published in 1979 by Eerdmans Press, TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY.
We are studying the book by William Barclay, published in 1979 by Erdmans Press. The title is Ten Commandments for Today. The sub title is Timeless truths for today's moral issues. We will start with the seventh commandment which is Thou shalt not commit adultery.
We will not be able to cover all of the Ten Commandments in one broadcast. But today we make a start with an introduction to the Ten Commandments and as many of them as we are able to study.
The purpose of this show is for us to pray together. Prayer is powerful enough to span the distance between us and God so it is obviously powerful enough to span the distance between each of us. The format of the program will be for prayer requests to be sent to the chat room and Pastor Fred will offer up the intercessions on the program.
We will not be able to cover all of the Ten Commandments in one broadcast. But today we make a start with an introduction to the Ten Commandments and as many of them as we are able to study.
This broadcast begins with prayers. You are invited to join Pastor Fred as he prays the Liturgy.
What is the liturgy? What happens during the liturgy? What kind of reality do we encounter there? Are we playing at religion? Is there any connection between the liturgy and life? All of these questions are addressed in the book by Pope Benedict XVI in The Spirit of the Liturgy. It is an excellent book. I have read it twice and like all of the Pope's books I intend to read it a third time. Why? Because he is a great writer, an exciting theologian and I would suggest that he is an unrecognized intellectual giant of our times. Everybody should read him who has even the faintest desire to understand the Christian religion.
This is a broadcast dedicated to our listeners. So if you want to be a member of the cast, please call in. The theme will involve several aspects relating to children, with a focus on childhood memories of church. Pastor Fred will remember church life at Saint Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church, 202 Sherman Avenue, New York city when the Pastors were the Rev. Dr. Alfred Trinklein and the Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffman. He will also remember early years in the pastorate at Saint Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church, 173 N. Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ.
The theme for today is found in 1 Corinthians, "Consider your Call." We look at our lives from the perspective of Micah's question: What does the Lord require of a man? Then we connect it to the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes of Matthew. The core of the message is an emphasis on the idea that there is no such thing as an insignificant human life. Everyone one of us is inherently important and valuable. However, we can waste a lot of time following a way of life that is outside of the way of life described for us in the Bible.
You can be happy. God wants you to be happy. The Bible tells us that we need the following for happiness: An attitude of gratitude, a spirit of praise, a soul in prayer. Gratitude, praise and prayer will result in a changed life which will transform the challenges into chances, and the dungeons of our darkness and defeat into churches of light and success. Pastor Fred continues with this series devoted to happiness through Praise and Prayer.
Praise is a result of an attitude. This attitude is essential for life. Praise leads naturally to an action. Connected together they combine into a power filled force for improvement of human life. This change to human life permeates our entire life so that we are happier. The Bible clearly directs us to be people of praise. The book of Revelation is an illustration of the spiritual attitude that believers should have and describes behaviors that will help people to live a heavenly life of peace and jubilant praise. Psalm 66 gives an Old Testament directive for us to follow. The scripture does not merely direct but it encourages and promises. Today, if we will read the Bible, reflect upon its meanings, and then practice what it directs us to do then we will obtain its promises. Pastor Fred also shows how the story of Paul and Silas is a vision of hope for all people.
Praise recognizes that God gives great gifts to people. The right response to God's gifts is praise. We praise God here in this life as preparation for the praise of God in the life to come. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows forth his handiwork. Praise is the preparation for prayer. Prayer is our communication with God by which we praise God in our hearts, petition Him with our souls and prepared ourselves to receive His blessing.
The message of the Bible is that God is for us and not against us. The Baptism of Jesus is our support for saying that in all things Jesus is favorable toward the human person. In his baptism Jesus shows us what we can do. He shows us what we must do. He displays for us what he does for us in order that we may be encouraged to do the same.
Jesus makes a difference in a person's life. It is because Jesus is not only a ideal concerning life but life itself. The Bible says that in Jesus is life and that life is the light of humankind:John 1:4. Even more, Jesus is able to bring life to those who believe in Him. He promises a life of abundance to those who call upon him to save: John 10:10. He did not come to judge the world, but that through him the world may be brought to the light of God: John 12:46-50. As people move into 2011 they face a world filled with contradictions. The future can be something that hurts us or something that benefits us. The difference that Jesus makes is that for those who believe in Him and regard Him as their savior, for them the future is an opportunity to "Be all that we can Be".
This show is dedicated to you our listeners. What are you praying for in 2011? Call in and share with us what you hope will be happening in the New Year. Call in and share with all of us what your hope and dreams and prayers are for yourself, your church, your country and our world. We look forward to hearing from you. Our biblical text is Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd psalm.
Jesus is presented by John theologically. The first three gospels presnt Jesus in his humanity. It is a humanity that makes Jesus like us. John presents Jesus as the divine Logos. Logos is a theologival expression for the divine nature of the cosmic Christ. Today we will look at the first chapter of John and see if it helps us to broaden and deepen our understanding of Jesus. Does this cosmic Christ have anything to do with us? Is the Jesus as presented by John the same Jesus as revealed in the first three gospels? What are the differences and how do they affect the meaning of Jesus for us?
Christmas is about the future because it is God's message to us about our future. God is the God of the future. Life is lived as we encounter the future. Christ is the guarantee from our father God telling us to be confident as we move into tomorrow because tomorrow belongs to God.
Christmas brings out the best in people. It also is a happy season of fond memory. Pastor Fred recalls memories of Christmas past and warmly invites callers to share their stories of fond memory. What was Christmas like for you when you were a child? Call in and share. Maybe someone listening will find hope,faith and encouragement when they listen to your story. Merry Christmas.
Mary the Mother of Jesus sings a song. It is a song of praise to God and she sings it in the courtyard of Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist. In the song Mary tells of Gods great actions. Mary's song is still in use today. The Christian Church uses the words of Mary's song in its public worship.
The Christian Church preaches that God became Incarnate from the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. Can this still be preached and how can 21st century people respond?
After the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary present the child to the temple authorities in fulfillment of the law of Moses. While in the temple they are startled by the prophesy given by Simeon concerning Jesus.
This sixth part of the story of Mary is also the third part of the story of Jesus. The first part of Jesus' story is his annunciation and virginal conception to Mary. The second part of Jesus' story is his gestation in Mary. The third part is Jesus' birth.
The Themes of Advent all reflect the idea of expectation. Today we return to the theme for the first Sunday of Advent. It deals with the fact that all of us need to stay awake and not become lazy and inattentive because at any moment opportunity may arise or at any moment we may be call to account for our lives.
The story of John the Baptist is a story concerning a great man who lived and died for a cause. Some would call such activity foolish. Others would call it an illusion. But for John it was the reason for his birth, for his development and for his life. He was a man with a purpose. For those of us who live lives of silent desperation, John is a model of living on purpose.
People pray because they expect something to happen. If we believed other wise than why would we pray? We believe in God and we know that God is powerful. He made us and the universe in which we live. Therefore, we pray to God that God would help us. We need help because there are things over which we have no control. Something over which we definitely have no control is the future. So, when we pray we are praying into the future. We want something good to happen to us or to others in the future. We ask God to make that happen. To pray requires faith. People today may not like the word "faith" but all people who hope and all people who pray have faith. Admittedly, some people may not be able to identify the "someone" in whom they have faith. But hope is future oriented and it is dependent on someone in the future who is able to accomplish that for which we hope. We are not people who hope in some THING. There is no mere THING that is able to effect the future - only someone can do that for us. The one who can is God and Christians believe that the God of the Bible is the father of Jesus and in Jesus we are encouraged to pray for that which we hope. Now, it is true, sadly, that often times it appears that our prayers are not answered. But the Bible tells us that our father in heaven cares for us in the same way that we earthly fathers care for our own children. Just as we do not flippantly deny our children what is good for them, God does not deny us. It may take time, but we can be sure that our heavenly father, through Jesus, His son and our brother, will answer our prayer and give to us that which most beneficially accomplishes the things for which we pray.
We pray into the future. Our prayer is not for what we can do for ourselves but what we know that we cannot do for ourselves. Prayer is Hope.
Mother of Jesus, Mother of God, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church, Mother of those who cooperate with God. There are many titles for Mary the mother of Jesus. The key element in all of these titles is that Mary heard the voice of God, listened to it and submitted her own life to it.
What was it like to be Mary the mother of Jesus? We do not need to scan the world's caves and penetrate the hidden cities of the desert for an answer. It is right in front of us, in plain sight. It has been there for two thousand years. Mary tells her story in the Gospel of Luke. Perhaps, we might even be so bold as to call Luke, "Mary's story" because Luke interviewed Mary for at least the first two chapters and her influence is felt throughout the entire gospel. Today we reflect upon the visitation to the Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel and the announcement that "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name him Jesus."
Luke in his gospel interviews the virgin mother of Jesus. Her first person account of the things that happened in "those days" are published for all the world to read. It is a story that still speaks to our hearts today.
Mary, the mother of Jesus tells us her story. We read her words in the first two chapters of the Gospel according to Luke. Luke explains why and how he went about writing his Gospel. Mary is a central piece of that reason. As we think of Jesus it is very important that we have a right understanding of Mary, his mother. She was the mother of his flesh, but even more she was the person who agreed with God's divine intention that God would incarnate his son Jesus in the DNA and RNA of a woman named Mary.
We all ask the question. It is, Why do the people who do bad things seem to get away with it? The scriptures read from the commom lectionary for the twenty fifth Sunday after Pentecost, say that the day is coming when the arrogant and the evildoers will be as stubble before the judging fire of God? But is this a comfort to the righteous or a warning. Is there hope or is all doom? Listen to Pastor Fred as he explicates the readingsL Malachi 4:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and Like 21: 5-28
Reverend Rabbi Wolpe deals with Religion in his book, Why Faith Matters. The Reverend Dr. Fred comments on some of the concepts contained in the concept of "religion".
David Wolpe's excellent book- Why Faith matters- Harper publisher- is a wonderful book that belongs in every thinking person's library. It is definitely a book to be given to those who you want to come to faith. Reverend Rabbi Wolpe's insights are without peer in our contemporary world...please get your own copy...REALLY... Pastor Fred will have a commentary on just a small portion of the chapter titled " Where does religion come from?...
Faith and Doubt are keys elements in all of life and have special emphasis in religious faith. David Wolpe looks at his own life and reflects upon his movement from faith to doubt. Pastor Fred will comment on a few selected passages from this section of Rev. Rabbi Wolpe's book- Why Faith Matters.
Why Faith Matters is a featured book by the Reverend Rabbi David Wolpe. On the back of the jacket we read these words: "Rather than tense up about atheism, its defenders, and their dismissive attitude about people of faith, Wolpe answers these challenges with such kindness and thoughtfulness that even Christopher Hitchens might find his heart warmed..." For this half hour Pastor Fred will skip through one of his favorite books- a book he has featured as a favorite for the last twenty broadcasts- and he will comment on pertinent features of the book. The purpose? To entice you, dear listener, to go out and get your own copy of this wonderfully helpful book.
The celebration of All Saints is an affirmation of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The message is that there is a Church of the past and a Church of the future. There is a Church on this earth which is inside the limits of our time and space dimensions and there is a Church of heaven which is outside the boundaries of our time and space dimensions. The key to our understanding is the lives of all those who have ever lived; all those who have died; and those who in Christ will be raised up from the dead to live forever. They will not die against for in Christ they are saved from the second death. All Days Day is a commemoration of those who gave their lives to Christ and died in Him. For our part we are exhorted not to forget the blessed death but to "recall them to life" through our memory. In memory a person never dies, only in forgetfulness. The rites, rituals and ceremonies of All Saints day indicate encounter between then and now; between life and death; between ourselves and those who went before us. That is why on Christianchurchradio.com I am playing Gregorian chants all this week.
Two sinners but one has the potential to be a saint. Both are right but one is more right than the other. Usually, this parable is not understood. Pastor Fred adds a unique insight into the meaning of the story that Jesus told us.
Paul thanks those Christians who stood together with him when he was persecuted. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 16-18
The story of Genesis is essential for people to understand because it is the fountain spring, the source of all religious philosophy and understanding. In this episode, Pastor Fred looks at the Genesis 4:1-5 and asks the essential question, "What does this passage tell us about the nature of human life?" He then ties it in to the Lectionary readings for the Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost, October 24, 2010 as read in all the Churches worldwide who use the Common Readings system. The section of Genesis speaks loudly to our generation about anger. Is it right to be angry? Do other people make us angry? What is the biblical response to anger? Is Anger a sin? What does the Bible tell us we can do about our anger? The answers to all of these questions may surprise you as Pastor Fred explicates the verses of this key passage from Genesis!
The readings for the 22nd Sunday of Pentecost are: Genesis 4:1-15, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 19-18; and Luke 18:9-17. As we look at these scriptural stories we ask a simple question: Should we trust in ourselves, in God or both? Seems like a simple question but in real life it is very complicated. Obviously, the practical person says that we should trust in ourselves because that is the only person we can depend upon. But can we always depend upon ourselves? Do we not become afraid, dependent, despondent and even despairing? Then what? Or the spiritual person may say that we should always trust in God. They say, "Have faith" and God will provide. But is this true? Does God indicated in the scripture that all we need to do is have faith and all will work out to our benefit. Seems lazy to me! So the answer must be that we are to trust in God and in ourselves. But to what extent? What portion of our lives is lived in faith and what in practice?
It is never too late to return to a favorable relationship with God. We may stray, we may stride out of our Father God's house, we may strike out in anger against God and His Church. But we can always return. How is this possible and why is it possible? It is possible because although we may consider ourselves estranged from God, Our Father God is never estranged from us. It is possible because of the cross of Jesus the Christ. His cross is the intersection between heaven and earth, between God and humankind, between you and your Father God. Today we look at the second and third scripture readings from the 21st Sunday of Pentecost as read by all churches worldwide who, using the Common Lectionary, read these scriptures on October 17th. It is these scriptures that Pope Benedict the XVI used for his homily at the Mass for the Synod of the Middle East that opened this week and continues for two weeks. See my comments on this at Bible-Study-for-everyone.com. Also be sure to take a tune at the Christianchurchradio.com site and listen for a few minutes to music for the soul. Thank you. Your support and encouragement are a big help.
Jacob was a liar, a cheat and a cunning manipulator. But he was also a Jew. His religion and upbringing were in the religion of Abraham and Issac. But Jacob, nominally a Jew, had given over the strictures of his religion for the quick gains of lying, cheating and cunning. In today's Old Testament reading, we read that he remembered the face of his father Issac and he decided to return to the faith of his grandfather Abraham. Jacob' decision, however, involved an encounter with the living God- he literally wrestled with God. The wrestling match is a symbol to all of us today who may decide to return home from the far country of socialism, secularism or whatever, "ism" with which we are involved.
People need to stand up. There is so much that is pushing people down. We are attacked on every side. Some days it seems like the whole world is against us. Even our friends leave us alone because they are afraid of getting too involved in our troubles. But Jesus has an answer for us. We can get supernatural power from God to help us. And Lord knows that we need it because when we are sttacked; when we are thrown down, when we are flat out; there is no strength left inisde us and there is the possibility we can be defeated. But Christ has news for us. It is good news. There is something available to people that cannot be defeated. This "something" is a power beyond the ordinary, it is a super natural power from God that when we have it will energize us and give us the strength to get off our backs and to stand up straight.
People need help today. Yesterday is helpful as instruction, as a point of reference. Tomorrow is not yet. People live in the Now. The Bible has much to say about how we can stand and not be thrown down. In 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Saint Paul encourages us on how we are able to stay standing amidst a flood of mud and muck that threatens to over power us, to throw us down and to bury us in it's slime. He points us to the true foundation that will not be destroyed. On this foundation we can stand. He reminds us of the fellowship in which we can put our trust. He gives simple directions that will ensure that we are able to stand.
There is a lot of talk about change. Most of it is about change in the future. But you and I live in the NOW. The readings of the Common Lectionary for Sunday tell us about what we can do right now, today. The Bible gives us the reasons. And prayer gives us the power. Clock on and tune into today, or go to the archive to hear what the Bible has to tell us as we try our best to be a "stand up" person today.
Pope Benedict entered the hall of the great and mighty rulers when he quietly entered the Westminster Hall, London. There he challenged the rulers of government, the powerful of society and the leaders of every area of Great Britain. His words were spoken very quietly yet carried throughout the hall like a thunder clasp. Then His Holiness went to Westminster Abbey and in a stunningly brilliant talk he outlined and forwarded the major tasks before Rome and Canterbury. His presentations in Scotland and now in London will echo around the world and this writer believes that his presentations have already impacted global Christian self understanding. His antagonists said he should not come, he came. They said, he should not speak, he did and what he had to say was like a beacon of light in the darkness of relativism, secularism and modernism! A diminuative man in stature, Benedict is a hero of Christianity.
Pope Benedict celebrated an outdoor Mass to a crowd of one hundred thousands plus thousands more in Scotland. He moves on to England where he will preside in a Mass for John Newman. Benedict walked with the steady gait of a committed warrior for Christ as he calmly and courageously entered the arena of Secular and Protestant Scotland. He prevailed. In England he will again be confronted by the uncomfortable conflict between those who are religious and those who's religion wants to push Christianity out of the public square and into the personalized ghetto of individual private opinion. Benedict will undoubted face his dis-tractors with uncompromising courage. Today we will comment on the day's events and we will pick up again the exploration of the best seller by Nicky Gumbel, A Life Worth Living.
Scotland's Roman Catholics showed out in great numbers to support their spiritual leader,Pope Benedict XVI. In a display of solidarity with the successor to Saint Peter, the Scottish Roman Catholic Church displayed support for a courageous Pope who walked confidently into the arena of Secularism and prevailed.
The letter to Philemon is a short one. But it contains a powercase argument against slavery. In many ways it was the nail in the coffin of the type of slavery practiced in the Roman Empire. But why did it not end slavery altogether? Listen to Pastor Fred expound on what he calls a "Most Beautiful Letter of Love."
Paul writes to the Philippians that God has created you for a reason. You live on purpose and for the purpose that God intended when he allowed you to be created in your mother's womb. He gave you the family you had for a purpose. The experiences of your life are for a purpose. BUT you may not know what that purpose is? You may think that life is without purpose. You may agree with those who think that life is like a tale told by an idiot! Well, friends, God does not think of your life as meaningless. Rather, you exist only because God intends for your life to fulfill the purpose for which God allowed you to be created. Sad is the fact that many have fallen out of the way, have sought the easy way that they suppose will bring them happiness. Tragic is the fact that many think that they will not bend the knee to Christ nor bow the back to God. But you will, my friend, you will. Because we all die and after that the judgment and then you will see Him whom you pierce and you will come into the presence of He who you denied and rejected. And then you will bow the back and bend the knee. But it will be too late and his words "I do not know you." will be a piercing knife into your ears and a searing pain into your heads and a burning flame upon your bodies. The time of Christ the Savior is up unto the cross and now he sits at the right hand of the majesty in glory. He is not merely Christ the Sacrifice, he is also, now, Christ the Victor. Yet, there is still time. While you live in this earthly world, he is still Christ the sacrifice, the blood of Christ sprinkled on the altar still saves. But after death that blood will no longer speak of mercy but of judgment.
In Nicky Gumbel's best seller , "A Life Worth Living" chapter one, he looks at the wonderfully good news that God can and will give to us a new heart. The theme that was set by Nicky in the Introduction was from Philippians Chapter 1 verse 6 , "For I am confident of this very thing, that HE who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." In this chapter, the emphasis is upon the new heart of Paul and by inference the new heart of the people of Philippi and further, it is about our own hearts today. Paul writes in Chap 1 verse 7 and 8, "For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all because I have you in my heart..." To have a heart is to feel, to care, to share, to love. And why does Paul carry them in his heart? It is because, "...since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of grace with me."
A look at the book "A Life Worth Living" by Nicky Gumbel and discussion of the concepts in the introduction and chapter one. The subtitle of the book is, Practical and Encouraging Insights for Living the Christian Life. Copyright in 1994, the book sold 100,000 copies. David C. Cook publishing is a division of Cook Ministries International. It's mission statement says in part"...In fulfilling its mission to encourage acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and to contribute to the teaching and putting into practice of His two great commandments, CCMI creates and disseminates Christian communication materials and services to people throughout the world."
Have you ever felt that life did not turn out the way you thought it would? When you felt that way, did you think that God had failed You? If you feel disappointed in the circumstances of your life, listen in today to hear what the Psalmist has to tell us. We will be looking at Psalm 74. It starts with the startling words of the writer's anguish: " O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? Is there any hope?
Today we will do a 15 minute broadcast of the Holy Rosary. The Mysteries will be those of the Conception and Birth of Jesus.
Every person is created by God. Essential to this createdness is an interior system of communication between the created and the creator. This system supernaturally permeates everyone. This supernatural system is called Prayer. Prayer is a powerful communication between you and God. It is a two way communion. The energy for transmission is spiritual. It is also mental. The mental and the spiritual are connected seamlessly together in this life. When we think we are spiritual and when we pray we are mental. Additionally, there is a power even beyond this. God can give you a power beyond the mental and the spiritual. It is called the prayer of the Spirit. This Spirit is not our created spirit. It is The Spirit call Holy in the Bible. When a believer prays, the Spirit called Holy prays alongside of our prayer with "..words and sounds un utterable" but which words and sounds are transmitted alongside of our prayer and in heaven they are translated. All prayers are heard. And all prayers are answered. But only the prayers of the believers are effective. We are not alone on this earth. We are connected to our God. Today we will use the Rosary Prayer as our vehicle. We will also meditate upon the life mysteries of Jesus.
We are beings of light intended to dwell in the light. God is light and in God there is no darkness at all. When we look at Genesis in the Bible, we see that the major result of what is called the Fall of creation is that there arises a wall of separation between God and humankind. Prayer is the power-filled tool that God has provided for us to bore through the wall of separation in order for God's power to flow to us, making us more healthy physically and more powerful spiritually.
Prayer is a method of spiritual exercise that produces powerful progress in personal health and welfare. Prayer brings success to life and increases personal integration. Prayer, when exercised regularly is intended by God to restore the nature balance within the human person. This natural balance is part of a full life. One very good method of regular prayer is the rosary.
Practicing Prayer is something that anyone can and should do. It is the surest way for a person to experience the powerful personal presence of Jesus. Prayer is the drill that destroys the wall of separation between the person and God. When we pray we avail ourselves of the power of the spirit . It is a power for life and health and energy. Physical health depends on regular exercise. Like all exercise it needs to be repeated. A person undertakes an exercise regiment in order to achieve a goal. Prayer is an exercise program for the spirit. Today, we begin an exercise program using a tried and true method of prayer. It is called the Rosary. Tune in to discover the wonders of the rosary method of prayer. It is at once the most simple method and the most serious. Like the situp and the pushup and regular walking or running are part of the simple exercise plan, so the rosary consists of the simple basics that will produce the most productive results. We all know that fad diets and exercise programs do not work. And we know that the fad spiritualities of gurus, and astrologers, and wigwam sweat houses only produce destruction. An effective physical exercise program returns to the basics. The Rosary is a return to the basics for anyone who wants a stronger spirit and more vibrant soul.
Prayer is a power that is available to us. God wants to have a common union with us. The junction between the spirit of God and our spirit is intended for our encouragement. It is the way that the universal God has established for us to have a common = ication that is to say for us to get together with God. Such union with the spirit of God through prayer transfers to us enormous spiritual power- a power that can work miracles in your life and through the wonder of intercessory prayer, it is a power that can work miracles in the lives of others.
To say the Name of Jesus is to say a name that contains great power. To Join the Name of Mary with the Name of Jesus is to unite the completely human with the divine. To add the name of Joseph is to add example of personal power that is truly amazing. Listen today as we explore the power that is contained in the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is a power available to us. If we use these names great power can enter our lives and great miracles can happen to us and to others because of our prayers.
Mary is not merely a tool for God to use. She is a person and that of itself is enough to cause us to give her a lot of attention. God makes things and God makes people. To regard Mary merely as the human tool used by God to conceive His son is to reduce Mary to merely a thing and it is to reduce God to a callous user of people for his own purposes. Such a belief would be directly opposed to the Ten Commandments themselves. God would therefore be a transgressor and imperfect and could not be God. God lives within his own rules not because they bind him but because God's rules are a perfect reflection of God's own perfection. Therefore, as we consider Mary we need to think about the significance of God's choice of this young woman. We need to consider that God selected her for a reason. Perhaps it all has to do with Mary herself and her goodness. Or perhaps we miss the point when we focus upon Mary and lose sight of the reason for God's choice to become incarnate of the Virgin Mary.
Mary the mother of Jesus is a key player in the plan of God for all people. The God of the universe is a being of such power that we say that God created the Sun. So, when this God had created all the things of the universe, God decided to create an image of himself. This image is the human person. You and I are created by the all powerful God as reflections of God. Really, if you think about it, the human person is a being of awesome power and even more awesome potential. However, when God created the human person, God understood that limits were required. God of himself is self limited. That means that God can control God. However, in the creation of the human person, God did not want a robot who was limited to the instructions and commands of the Maker. God didn't want to control humankind. God wanted a being just like himself, like God. The problem that God understood was that the being created with this much power would also need the attribte of free will. If the human was to be like God, he would have to control himself. That means that God would create a being of awesome power and creativivity that had the ability to do as it pleased to do. God is complete creativity and complete destruction. God is 100% life and 100% percent death. If God gave such power to humankind it was a great risk because the person created would have the same power of life and death as the Creator. The story of Genesis in the Bible is of God creating a human person in the likeness, image and power of God. But the story reveals that the created person did not control itself, although capable of control. Therefore, God was required to introduce death into the creation in order to block the damage his creature could do - which was total annihilation. But God also planned a rescue. God decided that God would not fail and so God planned for the creation of a new Adam through a new Eve. An Adam who because he shared fully in Eve's createdness would be successful. They are Jesus and Mary.
Mary the mother of Jesus is a key player in the plan of God for all people. The God of the universe is a being of such power that we say that God created the Sun. So, when this God had created all the things of te universe, God decided to create an image of himself. This image is the human person. You and I are created by the all powerful God as reflections of God. Really, if you think about it, the human person is a being of awesome power and even more awesome potential. However, when God created the human person, God understood that limits were required. God of himself is self limited. That means that God can control God. However, in the great creation of the human person, God did not want a robot who was limited to the instructions and commands of the Maker. God wanted a being just like himself, like God. The problem was that God also understood that the being created with this much power would also need thae attribte of free will. That means that God would create a being of awesome power and creativivity athat also had the ability to do as it pleased to do. By definition, God is complete creativity and comeplete destruction. God is 100 percent life and one hundred percent death. If this God gave such power to humankind it was a great risk because the person thus created would have the same power of life and death as the Creator. The story of Genesis in the holy Bible is a story of God creating a human person in the likeness, image and power of God- a reflection of God. But the story reveals that the created person did not contol itself, although it had the capability to control itself. Therefore, God was required to introduce death into the creation in order to block the worse that his creature could do which was total annihilation. But God also plan a rescue. God decided that God would not fail and so God planned for the creation of a new Adam through a new Eve. An Adam who because he shared fully in Eve's createdness would bhe successful.
In unity is strength. Right now, the Christian Church is fragmented. This fragmentation weakens us at the precise moment when the enemy attacking the Church with rapine determination. The attack has many legions and each has a different name. Some examples, Secularism, Denominationalism, Modernism. Each Legion is further divided into a plethora of smaller groupings that such one main objective. It is this: The total defeat and destruction of the Christian Church. How? The method is to dis engage the Church from the Culture. The attack against the Church is multi fawcetted and includes many Christians in the ranks of the attackers. These nominally Christian attackers have been duped into thinking that Christianity can be divorced from the Church and be seperated from its culture. Therefore, many leaders of the University and the media thinkk that they are serving Jesus by undermining the foundations of the Christian Church thereby, (the believe) releasing "true" Christianity. But the nominal Christian soldiers of this attacking Army are double duped because they do not understand that Christianity is not an individual belief system but a corporate system. The Christian faith is defined by the Three great Creeds of the Church, namely, The Apostles, The Nicene and the Athanasian Creeds. Else, if individualism were the definition, then WHATEVER the individual wanted to belef would be true and therefore all truth would be personally defined and any hope of finding THE TRUTH would be denied and rendered impossible. BUT Jesus defined the truth in John 14.
Saul of Taursus. Also kinown as Paul the Apostle show in his life the wonderful work of God. Saul/Paul was a cosmopolitan Jew of his time who regarded himself as a defender of the purity of Judaism. As a defender of his religious faith, he was willing to go to extreme lengths in order to keep Judaism pure and separated from contamination by the Hellenist-Gentiles of his day. Todays broadcast will llok at Saul/Paul from the perspective of the end looking back at the beginning. Christians believe that the events of Pauls early encounter with the resurrected Jesus are determinative of Pauls thinking about man, about God and about the interaction between mankind and God as revealed in the Incarnation of Jesus. Saul was a man of high learning, who was going to teach others what they should do. He was a man who thought that he saw the truth when others did not. He was so convined of the rightness of his thinking that he was willing to travel great distances in order to lay hands on people who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Either they would seeit his way or they would be arrested and maybe, as with Stephen, they would be stoned to death. Listen to the program and learn what God did to this Big little guy and how we may all need to get knocked off our high horses and learn life from the ground up.
Mary is the mother of Jesus. She is also considered the Mother of God. Why did the Church declare that Mary was not only the mother of Jesus but also the mother of God. What does the Church mean when it says that Mary is fully human and yet is the Mother of God? Who is this Mary? What do we know about her from the Bible? What do we know about her from a reasonable reflection upon her as mother of Jesus? What might we regard as significant about her relationship to Jesus? What is the difference between the phrase mother of God and God bearer? Is Mary important to Jesus in any way more than just a vehicle for his conception and birth? Is Mary important to believers? Why? How? This program will include all of these and a reflection upon the prayer called the Rosary, especially the prayers dealing directly with Mary. These prayers are indicated by the events in Jesus life: Announcement of Jesus Conception, Visitation to Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, The birth of Jesus, the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, the finding of the boy Jesus in the Temple.
Life with Jesus is a Life Lived in the Holy Spirit. It is a life lived in the Fellowship of Faith. What are the promises of a life of faith in the Holy Spirit?
Life with Jesus is a Life Lived in the Holy Spirit. It is a life lived in the Fellowship of Faith. What are the promises of a life of faith in the Holy Spirit?
Jesus changes lives. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings us to life in a new reality. It is a hope filled life that sees daily living as pleasing to God and sees goodness, mercy and love of God as essential ingredients of a happy and successful life.
The Resurrected Jesus causes us to experience a new reality. Our old world view is forever changed. Once we have experienced Jesus, we cannot return to former ways of life because those ways are not coordinate with the reality revealed by Jesus. Yet, believers in Him still live inside of the limitations of that old paradigm. Therefore, Jesus has provided us with tools for enlightment. He has also provided procedures for the process of growth in our understanding of God, of Jesus. These procedures are powerful because they are avenues to the power which is known as the "gift of the Holy Spirit." This not Harry Potter, this is real.
If Jesus controls life and death, what does that mean for all people? How does it change our understanding of reality? Does Jesus give us new insights into reality? Does he leave us any tools for dealing with the revelations about the new world he has proven is real? What are those tools and how do people get access to them? How do they use them? And are they available to ordinary people today?
The Resurrection of Jesus was amazing. But what did it mean for the Apostles? They wondered, "What does this mean?" It is a question that defines their understanding of reality. If Jesus is in control of his death and Jesus raises himself from the dead, then is Jesus in control of death? If Jesus controls death does he also control life? If he is in control of both death and life, does that mean Jesus is much more than we thought he was? Does it mean that Jesus is God? If he is God incarnated into flesh, then our understanding of reality is forever changed.
The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not like other resurrections. The Bible records several people were calle back from the dead. What makes the resurrection of Jesus different and why does the Bible portray that difference as very important?
When the disciples see Jesus die, what were their expectations? When they witnessed his resurrection what were their reactions? In this episode of Perspectives on the Bible we look at the events following the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Why are these stories included in the Bible? What does the Bible intend for the reader to understand?
The New Testament makes powerful claims about Jesus. Many people will claim that Jesus is portrayed as just a great teacher. In our Perspectives on the Bible program we will look at the Bible from a Christian Perspective asking of the Bible, What does the Bible intend to proclaim concerning this Jesus? In the first program we looked at the text of Luke Chapter 9 verse 18-22. It is the key question concerning the identity of Jesus. We were able to move forward to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. In part two we will look at the disciples reaction to the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus.
The Bible is a book of faith written by people of faith to other people in order that they may have faith. It is also a book that tells the story of people who discover God. This discovery has profound effect on their lives and the way in which they respond to life itself. Perspectives on the Bible explores the stories related to us in the Bible intending to discover through discernment the meaning of those stories for our lives today. The perspective is Christian, the discovery is Christian and the discernment is based on a Christian world view. People who are looking for new and exciting adventure can journey with the host as he unpacks the beautifully wrapped gift from God which is the Bible and the people who therein tell their stories. Bible study is discovery. The stories of the Bible offer insight for our living of each day. The stories of biblical people are enacted in our personal lives as we approach the issues of meaning and purpose, of reason and the irrational and most importantly, as we seek to find ways to make our human lives count for something beyond ourselves and our personal satisfactions.