The Yellow Balloons Podcast: Recent Episodes
Tim Dunn
The Yellow Balloons Podcast takes a deep dive into what the Bible says, with particular attention toward how Scripture shapes perspective. The Biblical narrative is a guidepost for daily living. It invites us to adopt a true perspective, to be transformed by the choices we make and the God we serve. Full transcripts of each episode can be found on our website at yellowballoons.net
In this episode, we conclude our series on The Book of Philippians with a discussion on the power of perspective. The way we choose to see things fuels how we act and what we think. Christians are all fighting the same battles. Similar to Paul’s companions, we are called to be of the same mind for the Lord. We are called to be fair-minded, open-hearted, trustworthy and good to others. The Book of Philippians invites us to continually adopt the mindset of Christ and follow as it leads to a life of action and meaning.
In this episode, we talk about the right perspective of worldly temptations. Every day, we struggle to give up worldly pride and desires. The appetite for these things is as strong as it is dangerous. The paradox is that seeing these things truly invites us to lay them aside, which actually leads to our best life. Jesus had a strong place at the right hand of God and gave it up to be a man. He did not seek profit and worldly treasures/status, he humbly accepted God’s plan for him. We are meant to mimic this mindset.
In this episode, we begin our brief series on The Book of Philippians. The beginning of Philippians is all about developing the right mindset. In order to live well, we must have a true perspective and consistent faith. Paul calls the Philippians to task for being too lazy, too apathetic. It is an incredible opportunity to live in the Kingdom of God, even in the midst of its challenges. Philippians invites us to listen to God, love others, and set aside unhealthy appetites. The key to it all is the mindset we choose.
The story of Ruth is one of the most beautiful and inspiring narratives of Scripture. Ruth is an example of character, courage, and faith. She takes big risks and embodies what it means to be faithful. This little story packs a punch, showing us all manner of mercy, kindness, and adventure. As a descendant of Jesus, this woman and this story are part of the greater narrative of God working in the world. In this episode, we explore the life, lessons, and central message of The Book of Ruth.
In this episode, we try to answer the question: “what is contentment?” Putting our trust in people, circumstances, and things will never satisfy us. To be satisfied, we must put our trust in the things that man cannot touch. Peace, joy, and purpose come through eternal things. They are not achievable through superficial ways. We will look at the secrets of contentment and the vital role striving plays in experiencing what it means to be content.
In this episode, we continue our series on success in the Kingdom of God. We are not talking about how to get rich, but how to be rich. The wealth of God’s Kingdom is not an external marker of achievement but an internal consistency of character. To help us see this, we will unpack 1 Timothy 6:6 and discuss what kind of gains this verse is talking about. We also discuss the means by which these will come.
In this episode, we continue to explore the key to being rich: listening to God. There is nothing more important than a willingness to listen to God. It is the only thing that leads to a prosperous life and the true riches of The Kingdom of Heaven. Diving deeper into three ways to listen presented in previous episodes, we discover more about this fundamental practice. Proverbs is a major source for this reality, an Old Testament foundation for each of the ways to listen to God and participate in the riches of his kingdom.
In this episode, we discuss a fourth way to listen to God: through godly people. Like the three from the previous episode, this is also rooted in Proverbs. Solomon’s teaching on the wise and the foolish serves as a sort of blueprint to show us the way to meaningful success in our lives. What would life be like if we lived according to Proverbs, aligning with the path of wisdom? It would be characterized by controlled, not controlling appetites, personal relationships founded in wisdom, and a deeper understanding of God.
In this episode, we continue discussing how to listen to God as a method to experience the riches of the Kingdom of God. There are myriad ways to listen to God. Today we focus on hearing God in nature, listening to godly people as image-bearers of Christ, and listening to the Holy Spirit in ourselves. A book by Brother Lawrence, “Practicing the Presence of God,” is a rich example of listening to the Spirit and a reminder of the incredible divinity of God in the smallest of things.
In this episode, our series on how to be rich continues with a discussion about the opportunity we have to listen to God. Scripture promises we can buy all the gold we want by listening to God. Not physical gold, but spiritual riches. Reading scripture invites us to hear the voice of God, bear witness to the historical and eternal working of the divine, and discern what that means for our daily life.
In this episode, we continue to discuss ways to hear from God. We focus on two powerful ways to observe who God is and what He is doing. The first is by noticing Him in nature and throughout all of our circumstances. The second is by listening to the Holy Spirit within. Listening to the spirit is not always easy, even though He’s always speaking. In both internal and external whisperings, our discernment plays an important role. To heed God’s voice has great upside.
In this episode, we continue our series on how to be rich. Our society is preoccupied with control and taking charge. The great sin of humanity is when we think we are god rather than vessels to serve God. To become truly rich requires listening to the Lord. There are two ways to improve our experience in hearing what God has to say: read the bible and listen to godly people. Doing this builds a foundation of truth, humility, and spiritual wealth.
In this episode, we explore two more New Testament parables about money: the unjust steward and the rich man and Lazarus. Much of these parables deal with the issue of time, immediate gratification versus delayed gratification. Giving without expectation does not pay now, but it will pay later. There are four ways to bless others using money: creating jobs, experiences, partnerships, and hospitality. The Bible implores us to serve God, not money. When we serve God, money is downgraded to a resource that can be used toward greater ends.
In this episode, we take a look at the way Scripture talks about money. We start by discussing the spiritual truth that money cannot buy happiness. Three parables about money help us see the way God thinks about money is distinct from the world’s view. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost money, and the prodigal son invite us into Jesus’ view of what it means to be rich in the Kingdom of God.
In this episode, we continue our discussion on American history and how it affects Western psychology and modern institutions. Then we turn to the origins and value of self-governance, in particular, how Israel qualified as a self-governing nation. That is, until they found it too challenging and asked for a King. We close with an exhortation to embrace self-stewardship, to focus on the few things you can control and make the best of the resources and opportunities available. This is the foundation of true success.
In this episode, we begin our series on what it means to be rich. Our starting point is a distinction between getting rich and being rich. As a case study, we look at the wealth of America - how did this British outpost become the richest country in the world? At the founding of America as we know it, the Declaration of Independence was a necessary communication to Europe. It let them know we were going to try to do things differently. These early American communications help set the stage for the way we view wealth and riches in our modern world.
In this episode, we discuss the imminent return of Christ, the antichrist, the final battle, the millennial kingdom, the beast and his number, and the events that surround the end of the old earth. The history of prophecy is meant to help us see where we are and where we are going. Ultimately it all boils down to this: God is in control and our response is to trust and endure, that we might share with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In this episode, we explore one of the most talked about prophecies in Scripture: the “seventy weeks” described in the ninth chapter of Daniel. Examining this important prophecy, we seek to answer three questions: When will the seventy weeks begin and end? What are the signs this prophecy is coming true? And what will be the end of the age when this prophecy is fulfilled? Using Matthew 24 as a help, we conclude that the abomination of desolation is coming and will take mankind by surprise.
We continue exploring human history through the Biblical depiction of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in the book of Daniel 2. Prophecy, in its many forms, has impacted human history at every turn. We start with the Holy Roman empire and explore how it grew and changed through the centuries. Then we turn to the 7 weeks prophecy in Daniel 9 and unpack how it relates to the tribulation and the end times.
In this episode, we begin to journey through the course of human history, from the Old Testament origins of our faith to our modern world. Using the story of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream as a backdrop and a sort of metaphor, we explore how our perception shapes not just individual human behavior but collective belief and understanding. Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, as presented in Daniel, reaches into the future, from Rome all the way to the modern day.
In this episode, we continue to discuss the new heavens and the new earth. What does prophecy suggest they will look like? What does this mean for us now? We begin with the bride of Christ as she is presented in the book of Revelation. Then we turn to the glory of the city which comes from the kings of the nations and discuss who is and who is not allowed in this city. We close by exploring the immense scale and beauty of our imaginings of the new heavens and earth.
In this episode, we begin to explore what The Bible says about the coming of the New Jerusalem. What does it mean for heaven and earth to pass away and what will come in its place? As we answer this question, we will unpack how the New Jerusalem relates to the bride of Christ. We will examine, to the best of our ability, the physical realities of the new heaven and the new earth. Finally, we wrap up by looking at the role of the temple in the newness to come and what all of this means for our present age.
In this episode, we continue to explore future events as revealed through the pages of Scripture, focusing on what we can be sure about. We discuss the rejuvenation of Jerusalem, the keeping of God’s promises to the Jewish people, and the millennial kingdom. If we read, hear, and do we shall overcome whatever trials, temptations, and uncertainties might otherwise plague us. Prophecy is a great gift for clarifying what is ours to steward.
In this episode, we turn to the book of Revelation to uncover some surety in the midst of a lot of mystery. As we continue our look into the history of prophecy, we explore what it looks like to discern and steward what we can and trust God with what we cannot. Unpacking the scriptures in Revelation, we find that we can be sure about what it means to overcome. Beyond that, we can trust that God is in control and his justice will prevail. The aim of prophecy is not to tell us what we cannot know but to help us steward what we can.
In this episode, we continue to study the epistles to the Thessalonians, with particular attention on how they relate to the afterlife and the rapture. We discuss Paul’s source of knowledge and inspiration. These prophetic lessons and imagery are tools. They are meant to encourage us all to live lives full of urgency, taking every day as an opportunity to live by faith.
In this episode, we conclude our overview of the way Scripture treats the concept of Hell. We address some big and weighty topics, including universalism, the current state of Sheol, and Heaven as a real place. We will also talk about the rapture, looking closely at the book of 1 Thessalonians in which the apostle Paul tells the church about what is coming and how to be prepared for it. We conclude with a discussion on the will of God and how all of these things work toward an invitation to participate in God’s deep desire for us.
In this episode, we continue our study on how The Bible talks about hell. We begin by exploring the usages of fire and the lake of fire. Fire is often associated with a process of purifying. Ultimately, we conclude that sin does not pay––now or in eternity. God will purify us of all unrighteousness, either now or at his throne. The main point of all Biblical prophecy is to make us aware of this reality, allow God to change us now, and encourage us to choose God in this life rather than face Him unprepared in the next.
In this episode, we continue to explore the description, imagery, and teachings of spiritual realms. We begin with a focus on the use of “hades” and “sheol” in the Biblical text. Then we explore the modern notion of heaven as a golden ticket to paradise. How do the modern notions compare with Biblical reality? We will talk through the differences, the similarities, and the lessons therein. The way we perceive these heavenly realms impacts the way we live our daily life on this Earth, the most immediate of the spiritual realms.
In this episode, we continue to explore the language and ideas The Bible uses to describe hell, particularly in the New Testament. Then we move on to investigate how personal sin interacts with these ideas. Sin is a bad idea. It is not productive. it leads to death, in many forms. Much of the Biblical history of prophecy is to warn us of the dangers and inefficiency of sin. And to present us with a better way.
In this episode, we explore what Biblical prophetic messaging reveals about the concept of hell. The world has created its own caricature of hell. It is prevalent in today’s culture. How does this stack up with the Biblical view? Scripture is diverse in its treatment of the concept of hell, using various words and ideas to describe the place we think of as hell. Where is the truth and what can we learn by exploring the prophetic descriptions in the Bible?
In this episode, we continue to explore the function of biblical prophecy. Too often, prophecy is repackaged for a specific agenda rather than the truth for which it was designed. The Pharisees misinterpreted the prophetic literature about Jesus. How can we learn from their mistakes? Our agendas of interpretation and desire for control can become obstacles for seeing the true message of prophecy. True prophetic interpretation is our ability to see past what we want the prophecy to say in order to see what it was intended to say.
Prophecy is one of the most misunderstood, abused, and neglected realities of Scripture. In this episode, we offer a simple definition of prophecy and the framework for how Biblical prophecy is expressed and fulfilled. Prophecy is a device for truth telling, sometimes with large chronological gaps and incomplete circumstantial description. The truth of prophecy, we can surmise, is meant to transcend time and circumstance. All instances of prophecy in The Bible have a clear truth they are trying to communicate.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this season Tim Dunn and Joey Willis walk through the Book of Ecclesiastes, verse by verse, discussing what is being revealed about the nature of God, our world, and our most adequate response. The book focuses on one simple fact: no matter how hard we try, there is no certainty. So grab your Bible, some note taking supplies, and pull up thebiblesays.com commentary as we take a deep dive into the truths of Ecclesiastes, rich with humility and hope, uncertainty and purpose, mystery and faith, this book is sure to challenge your perspective on what it means to live life well.
In this final episode, we revisit the most famous of the Hebrews passages: the hall of faith. There is a great cloud of witnesses, along with Jesus, watching us, cheering us on, hoping for our wise choices to add value to the Kingdom of God. We can achieve this by allowing brotherly love to continue. We are also called to get our team together and go outside the gate, extending brotherly love to the very ends of the earth. Although we live in this city, there is a better one. We get to join the cloud of witnesses, proclaiming the truth of a better way to the world around us.
We conclude our robust conversation on Hebrews Thirteen. Starting in verse 10, we begin to see the conclusions of The Book of Hebrews. We have an altar from which we have been invited to participate, at least in part. We look at what this passage about the altar would have sounded like to a Jewish audience. Exploring the Old Testament as well, we discover a little more about our place in this world and within the Kingdom of Heaven.
In this episode, we continue looking at the list in Hebrews Thirteen. The list lays out a few ways in which we can steward the opportunities of life. This list is available for everybody. No one can stop you from being great. It is a choice available to all of us. We will also take a view of contentment, one in which our feeling of gratitude is not connected to our circumstances. The Lord is our helper. Through obedience to God, we can represent the gospel not just with our words, but with the perspective we choose - with our very lives.
We continue in Chapter Thirteen of The Book of Hebrews. We are exhorted to follow the path that will make us complete in every good work. Hebrews helps show us how by giving us a list of ways to live wisely and steward our place in God’s Kingdom. For example, we look at the value of sexual unity and its importance in establishing healthy relationship practices. Embedded in the list of things to do in Hebrews is a surprising vision of greatness...an unexpected measure of success.
In this episode, we talk about love. Our opportunity to know God by faith is so remarkable the angels look at us to observe how we do it. And loving one another is a way to bear witness to the glory of God between one another. As we explore love, we will look at one significant difference between agape and phileo. The Bible implores us to continue in brotherly love, to be hospitable to strangers, and remember the prisoners as if chained with them. When we love, we proclaim the goodness of God to one another and to the world.
We dive into the final chapter of The Book of Hebrews, Chapter Thirteen. As we go through it, we will review previous chapters and discuss how they relate to what the last chapter has to say. Hebrews not only tells us what to do but gives us examples of how to do it. Our decisions have a massive impact on who we become and what happens to us in the long run. Enduring discipline is not fun but it brings forth righteousness.
In this episode, we take a deeper look at what The Book of Hebrews says about shame. We start by exploring the kind of shame Jesus endured and the call on our lives to join Him in both His glory and his suffering. Jesus encountered a lot of pain during his time on the earth. He was betrayed by his close friends, arrested, denied by another close friend, and ultimately killed. Pilate chose political power over Jesus’ life. The crowd chose to spare Barabbas rather than Jesus. How does Jesus respond to the shame hurled upon him and what does his response say about ours?
In this episode we look at one more “better statement”, the seventh in The Book of Hebrews, as well as a pivotal and important verse. We explore what it means to despise shame and how to apply it to the life we steward. The author of Hebrews wants us to strive to look more like Jesus. There is joy set before us. We are called to pursue that joy, talk about it with one another, and ponder it often. There is, after all, a prize at the end of the race.
In this episode, we look at some characters in the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews eleven. What can we learn from these characters? What made them so noteworthy? What opportunity do we have to be faith superheroes? We are all given an inheritance. But it takes courage to possess it and wisdom to steward it. When we walk in the spirit we fulfill the law, discover the joys and benefits of obedience, and find there is great fulfillment in pleasing God.
We begin a big picture overview of the last several chapters of The Book of Hebrews, and explore the meaning behind the phrase “the fear of God”. Elsewhere in Scripture, it says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. So understanding what is meant by fearing God is crucial for living a wise life. It affects our concept of God’s love and informs our approach to pleasing Him. In light of this, we revisit the six “betters” and more ways to apply all of this to our daily behavior.
In this episode, we find ourselves wrestling with some tricky passages in chapter Ten of The Book of Hebrews. They are tricky because of our cultural predisposition, the ways we think and understand the world. To help unlock their meaning, we have to step into the cultural context for which they were written. Jesus invites us into greatness. But we are often hard of hearing. We are being offered something excellent and yet we return to play in the mud. When we do our own thing we trample on the work Jesus has done and miss out on the opportunity for something more.
We start to see a new structure develop within Hebrews that brings the book into fuller life. We talked about the first three better statements in the last episode and in this episode we explore the next three betters: Better son, under a better administration, within a better world. The whole book of Hebrews is pointing us toward maturity, a better way of living, and a true perspective that binds it all together. We are called to a holistic view of salvation spanning from rebirth all the way to a restored creation.
In this episode, we rush headlong into some of the most controversial passages in the Bible. A possible interpretation arises to address the paradox found in many of these challenging teachings. We then move to Hebrews, Chapter Ten, which tells us we should live our lives in the throne room. We are relational creatures. We don’t thrive by becoming isolated and trying to fix ourselves. We ought to live in intimacy and obedience to God, the better way. We have the opportunity to live as servant-kings on the earth, reflecting and participating in God’s glory.
In this episode we look at Hebrews Eight and the early section of Chapter Nine. We are introduced to the idea that the tabernacle is a copy of heaven, a hint at the Divine. A promise that is further revealed in the presence of Jesus. We are discovering why Jesus is the better priest, better sacrifice, and better covenant. And what that means for us. There are many contrasts with the old ways and the better ways. Being born again is a baptism into the better way.
In this episode, we continue exploring The Book of Hebrews by looking back to a passage in Deuteronomy. God has always wanted what is best for His people. Moving the law from a stuffy, external obligation into a matter of the heart is the big idea all of Scripture leads us to. To tease this out further, we go through an overview of the history of the Jews and take a look at the New Covenant. Jesus is the better priest and the better sacrifice because He helps move the law from something outside us to something within us. We are given a new heart.
In this episode we continue to explore the implication of Jesus as our high priest. It helps to start with the end in mind, to examine what spiritual maturity is and what the ministry of Jesus as high priest does for us. A key part of the process is to wrestle with our guilt and overcome it by boldly approaching the throne of grace. The great gift of Jesus as the high priest is that it gives us access to God. Righteousness comes from the heart, not from rules and laws. And the heart is stirred most effectively through intimacy with God.
We continue talking about the life of Melchizedek, exploring what lessons and guidelines can be gleaned from this priest of the Most High God. We turn to Genesis 14 for insights. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the priestly calling, the order of Melchizedek, and we are empowered as His stewards to act on his behalf in this world. Jesus’ ministry for us never ceases. He is always on the job. God wants to change our desired destination. And call us into active participation in His Kingdom.
In this episode we look through Hebrews chapter 5, 6 and 7. Central to the message of Hebrews, Jesus is both a son and a priest. His roles inform our roles. As heirs and stewards of His Kingdom, we must look to who He is to discover what we ought to do. There is a window of repentance, a time to choose a true perspective and turn toward a reliance on God. We end this episode exploring lessons from the life of Melchizedek, the first priest mentioned in The Bible.
In this episode, we explore some of the challenges behind obeying God, believing His guidance is best for us, and trusting in what he has to say. We are all hard of hearing, stubborn and rebellious in our own ways. What is it that we need to hear? What message is God trying to get across to us? We continue looking to Chapter Five of Hebrews for answers. Current reality is an acquired taste. We all tend to seek comfort in our circumstances and the places that are familiar to us. The key to mature faith is listening to God.
We continue our series on The Book of Hebrews. Beginning in Chapter Five, we seek to understand more about the practical realities of possessing a holy inheritance. We know how to get there. We are told. But we tend to do everything except for what we ought to do. Spiritual maturity involves approaching the throne of grace to find help for our imperfection. God wants us to enter into his rest and take ownership of the possession He has given us to steward. He wants our lives to be holy and complete.
In this episode, we dive into Chapter Four of Hebrews. Here the author uses the word “finish” as a synonym to rest. The peace of accomplishment. The joy of fulfillment. Finishing the job means entering God’s rest, being at peace with Him and His Kingdom. Just like The Creator modeled for us in Genesis 2. The call of Hebrews is to be faithful and endure suffering in order to get to rest. There is no shortcut, no easier way.
In this episode we ask the question: How do we steward our salvation? What does faithful and consistent obedience look like and how do we motivate ourselves to do it? Exploring Chapter Three of The Book of Hebrews, we notice that humans tend to substitute something difficult for something easier. Our desire for quick resolution sometimes short-circuits the truth. We need to learn to slow down and actually address the problem at hand.
In this episode, we explore the power of having Jesus as our King. Jesus overcame death through suffering and thereby completed the work God gave him to do. Jesus is the beginning and end of our salvation. He showed us the way - purpose through service. Love through sacrifice. We have all been given a beginning; Jesus is our firm foundation. The question is will we continue striving and receive the reward? Or will we neglect the opportunity?
We begin by wrapping up conclusions from chapter one and chapter two of Hebrews, using Psalm 2 as a tethering pole. We then look into the word “inheritance”, what it says about our relationship with God and our call to steward life on this Earth. Humans are supposed to be ruling the earth in perfect harmony, serving God as His stewards over The Created Order. Although we have made a mess of this task, Jesus will set things right.
Dr. Dave Anderson continues with the first chapter of Hebrews. We also look back to Psalm 2 in order to see how Jesus is the perfect king. There are a lot of Hebraic references in the book of Hebrews. The possession and inheritance the Israelites long for are one and the same. They are manifestations of Christ’s reward. Through Hebrews we are given a tool to grapple with suffering and see Christ’s invitation to come and participate in a higher purpose during our time on earth.
In this episode we are joined by special guest Dr. Dave Anderson, who speaks on the beauty and importance of the first chapter of Hebrews. We celebrate what Hebrews has to say about Jesus and what it means for us. Jesus is the son of God and humans have been granted the opportunity to become sons of the Kingdom too. The book of Hebrews is about salvation through sonship. Dave gives us a closer look at the word son and what sonship means.
In this episode, we continue looking at Hebrews 2. The unfortunate reality in this world is things are not always the way they are supposed to be. However, those circumstances are no excuse to not faithfully choose the path of righteousness. We are sons of God, co-regents in His Kingdom. We can neglect this salvation by not following the path Jesus has given to us. The author of Hebrews is imploring his audience to stay diligent, to lean into the deep human desire for greatness. But to do so in a way that is real and true.
In this episode we get into the text of The Book of Hebrews. Focusing on Chapter 2, we start to see that obedience and disobedience both receive a consequence... but they are different outcomes. We examine the word salvation, which is more complex than we often give it credit for, and investigate an important framework for understanding what that word means and how to apply it in our lives. There is a certain kind of salvation we can neglect and a certain kind that we cannot.
In this episode, we continue our introduction to The Book of Hebrews by exploring the term brethren from Hebrews 2. The author certainly seems very familiar with his audience. There is a lot that can be deduced from this reality. Much of Hebrews is centered on encouraging the audience, including each of us, to develop a heart of faith in order to walk in obedience to God. All of our actions have consequences, and if we steward our journey well, committing to faithful obedience, we set up positive consequences in our lives, including eternal fulfillment and glory.
In this episode we begin our study on The Book of Hebrews. As we set up a foundation for understanding what Hebrews has to say, we establish some important context. Who is the author and audience of Hebrews? Surprisingly, we turn to The Book of Acts for some potential clues. Throughout this fascinating book, we will parse through the context, themes, and events to discover one of the great treasures in Scripture - The Book of Hebrews.
In this episode, we continue to look at the life of Samson and unpack why he is included in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. Samson, like all of us, has weaknesses. And Samson is renowned for his strength. How do these strengths and weaknesses contribute to who He is? Through the life of Samson, we will see what it is to die for your faith and what it takes to exercise the courage to fight and die daily to self. Our Hall of Faith series closes with a summary from The Book of Revelation.
In this episode we take a look at one of the most surprising characters in The Hall of Faith. We explore what makes Samson worthy of The Hall of Faith and why many have such a difficult time with it. We often struggle to find the right perspective about ourselves and our relationship with God. Yet, we are called to try, to continue to make our choices, and do our best to exercise the power of our faith.
We continue the conversation from our previous episode concerning training and joy. There are many different ways to learn and grow. Life can be challenging and difficult. As we learn and grow, if we keep in mind the joy set before us, we can grow in intimacy with God and with one another. Running the race can be painful; but it is also a journey of joy. And, in the end, even the suffering is well worth it. Jesus is cheering us along the entire way.
In this episode we look at the dual themes of training and joy found in Chapter Twelve of The Book of Hebrews. Our existence is a balance between effort and celebration, stewardship and trust. The life of Jesus is like a pace-setting runner. Where He runs, we ought to follow. We also spend time in this episode talking about an interesting translation of charis (grace) and how it affects our lives.
In this episode, we continue looking at the life of Moses - one of the most influential characters in all of Christian Scripture - and how that life of faithfulness helps set the stage for the coming of Christ. Both Moses and Jesus suffered similar things. Exploring scenes from Moses’ life, we endeavor to define truth. And we discover how we can live a life invested in the truth. The Hall of Faith is an example to obey God and love other people. In the end, a life of love and service is not just best for others; it is best for us as well.
We begin by wrapping up some conclusions from our previous episode concerning the life of Noah. Then continue to examine the characters in the Hall of Faith - touching on the life of Abraham before settling in to focus on Moses. One of the pillars of the story of God in the world, Moses makes intentional choices about the source of power he trusts. In many ways, the faith of Moses lays a framework that will be perfected in the life of Jesus Christ.
In this episode, we continue to look at the life of Noah. This man’s faith led to a radical obedience. Noah suffered for his faith; it was a risk and it cost him something. We will look at two structures - one in the shape of a triangle and the other in the design of a timeframe - that will help us to adopt a proper perspective. Because without a true perspective, we cannot adequately exercise our faith.
We continue to look at the lives mentioned in The Hall of faith - found in Chapter 11 of The Book of Hebrews. With the aid of some New Testament reflections, we examine the life of Noah, a Biblical character who was asked by God to do some pretty crazy things. What does God have to teach us about obedience and trust through the story of Noah? What other lessons does the faith of Noah share that can help us live a life of faithful obedience?
In this episode we start to move from The Bible’s general descriptions of faith into some of its most renowned examples. People like Abel and Enoch, who lived their lives with a focus on trusting God. There are some significant challenges to believing God really who He says He is. The reality of God is different, and better, than what we want Him to be. So, what does God say about Himself? The answer will help us to better understand where we are placing our faith.
We begin a new series focused on the people mentioned in Hebrews 11, commonly known as The Hall of Faith. These Biblical characters are an example of how to live our life in a healthy, productive, and faithful manner. We begin the series by exploring how The Bible defines faith. The ultimate joy of any human is to please God. And Scripture itself says that one pathway for pleasing God is to exercise our faith.
We pick up where we left off in the last episode, talking about the four dreams of mankind. We continue exploring the dream of position. Wrapping up our series on life as an epic journey, we talk about God’s desire to have reign with him. If we endure, we will receive crowns in heaven and be allowed to continue to participate in His Kingdom. In the end, what we really crave is royalty. And God wants that for us as well. To make our dreams come true, in the best way possible.
In this episode we explore the power of vision and what it means to see our dreams come true. We all are embedded with a picture of how things should be, a desire for broken things to be renewed, and a hope for a better tomorrow. This is our dream; the deepest desire of our hearts. There are four types of dreams people pursue - possessions, pleasures, praise, and position.. Each can be twisted for evil or used for good. What is the best way to achieve these dreams?
In this episode, we examine the story of the prodigal son. God is the perfect parent, always wanting what is best for us. He offers us love and belonging, built on the foundation of truth. If we follow the way of our Good Parent, listen to what He says, and make our choices with intention, we will be equipped to endure the struggles of this life and we will reign with God in the next.
In this episode we explore the typical arc of a Christian journey. How does discipleship play out in a person’s life? Each story is unique, but there are some consistent elements that can help us as we navigate our unique journeys. Humans have an immense and inexhaustible need for love. And God loves us because he chooses to. We want to be loved and we also want to find something to love. A place to belong. A deeper understanding of how that plays out in our journey will help us navigate the journey well.
In this episode, we do a deep dive into Psalm 8. This incredible Psalm guides us through some of the most fundamental truths about life. It shows the reason God created us, who He created us to be, and why it matters. Psalm 8 casts us as stewards with significant responsibilities and as royalty in waiting. Life is about seeing the opportunities God has placed in front of us and taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know God by faith.
We continue exploring what it takes to live life as an epic journey. Our life is a story and stories are important. We will look into the nature and purpose of stories, the fundamentals that make up a story, and how it all applies to the decisions we are trying to make in our own lives. God likes stories. Life is full of them. Heroes and villains. Adam, Lucifer, Jesus. How will you live your story?
In this episode we see how good circumstances can be a test of our faithfulness just as much as hard circumstances. Prosperity is a difficult challenge. It is an opportunity and we must choose how to use it. We need perspective to do this well. To help with this, we will look at the three things we can control and three specific challenges regarding prosperity.
In this episode, we look at two more challenges that come with prosperity: Fame and spiritual highs. Our success can be a catalyst toward our destruction or toward a truly meaningful life. The key is in the choices we make. With a healthy perspective around fame and mountaintop experiences, we prevent them from becoming idols and can use them as resources.
In this episode, we continue looking at the six different perspectives on everyday life, leaning into perspectives two through six. If we adopt these perspectives, it will transform how we view faithfulness, how we steward our lives, and how our character is shaped and developed. Doing excellent internal work opens doors for us to influence the world around us. The epic journey of life is about both how we steward our own lives and how we impact the lives of those around us.
In this episode, we examine the rhythm of ordinary life and how we can be faithful even in the basic routines we sometimes view as mundane. Faithfulness is an opportunity available to us in every arena of life. We begin looking at six different perspectives about everyday human existence and how they fit into our desire to live life as an epic journey.
We continue with the story of Job and his friends. Struggling to find the right perspective, Job, his wife, and his friends are all doing their best to make sense of the world around them. With confusion and uncertainty at its highest, God speaks to Job’s friends and then to Job himself. We also see Job’s response, which invites us into an incredible perspective on our lives and suffering. And shows us what it looks like to be faithful everyday.
In this episode we look at the story of Job. This epic journey is widely considered the first book of Scripture ever recorded. The life of Job ebbs from triumph to tragedy. He is a man who God calls righteous but suffers through some the most tragic circumstances imaginable. Through it all, Job exercises his faith, a feat that fascinates angels. We will walk into the depths with Job and see how our choices, even in tragedy, affect eternity.
In this episode, we discover Jesus as the ultimate hero of our story and every story. He is the main character and the center around which the plot gravitates. Amazingly, Jesus invites us to be a part of His story, to share in His Kingdom and His glory. We are drawn to great tales because we see ourselves as participants in a meaningful adventure. Participating in God’s Kingdom involves overcoming evil, pursuing vision, and making wise choices with the narrative entrusted to us.
In this series we explore life as an epic journey, a great tale, and a story of great significance. Our time on this earth is an adventure, filled with struggle and learning, hope and despair, love and loss. The roles we inhabit, the circumstances we face, and the characters we surround ourselves with are all opportunities to steward this great epic adventure. Beginning with Psalm 8 and traveling through the vast hallways of Scripture, we examine what it takes to live a great story.
In this episode, we continue to explore excess in the story of The Prodigal Son. Both brothers are guilty of excessive foolishness. The younger brother experiences a certain kind of death because of his foolishness and the older brother a very different kind. God offers unconditional acceptance but a conditional approval. How we seek God’s approval and how we respond to HIs acceptance, affects not just our own lives but the lives of the people around us.
In this episode we discover what home is really all about and what the Bible says about abiding effectively. Using the famous parable of The Prodigal Son, we examine the journey of every human life. The Prodigal Son is a story of excess - the sons’ excessive folly and the father’s excessive love. Even when we hit rock bottom, when our folly seems beyond repair, we are God’s children. There is an opportunity for repentance, for reconciliation with God, and for the right relationship with our Heavenly Father.
In this episode, we bring in the words of the apostle Timothy to help us as we close out our study of The Book of James. The final ingredients for how to win at life are revealed. Although wealth can be a burden, it is also an opportunity. And prayer has the power to transform everything. As we wrap up James, we talk about how to apply the lessons we have covered in the daily routine of our lives.
In this episode, we begin getting into the final chapter of James - chapter 5. It teaches about the way we pervert and misuse our opportunity to steward this one lifetime we have been given. James instructs us how to overcome these distractions and perversions through listening to God and caring for one another.
In this episode, we explore the give and take of pursuing relationship with God. If we submit to God, he engages with us and blesses us. If we resist the devil, he will flee. As we draw near to God, he draws near to us. We will walk through a personal testimony of wisdom and obedience. Our days are limited and it is time to make our decision. Whom will we pursue?
In this episode, we continue through the fourth chapter of The Book of James. It will show us the impossibility of serving two masters. That it is not in our nature to let in just some of one thing and some of another. We must either choose God’s kingdom or this temporal world with its temporal promises. The choice is binary. Whom will we serve?
In this episode, we begin by talking through the metaphor of sacrifices seasoned with salt. We are the salt of the earth and are called to bring out the flavor of reality, to emphasize the truth of God’s created order. The Book of James tells us about two kinds of fire - the fire of judgment and the refining fire. One destroys and the other cleanses.
This episode begins by talking about Gehenna and what it represents. Then we move onto a brief teaching on hell, looking at scenes in the gospels that have key insights and speak to the message of James. The episode wraps up with a look at how we are tested by trials and refined with fire.
We have a deception problem. We believe too many lies and trust in too many idols. The only way to overcome deception is by being exposed to the truth. The Word and wisdom of God. In this episode, we talk about how to interact with the world constructively and inspect ourselves often. We do this so that deception does not reign in our hearts. In its place, we are called to trust God, to be salt and light in the world.
The third chapter of James gives us a significant key for how to do life well. In this episode, we discover that key and further explore the connection between believing and doing. There are two power sources inside of us, constantly wrestling for our commitment and attention. One is God and the other is the forces of evil - including Satan, the world, and our own flesh. The tongue is the gear shift between these two, determining the direction and effectiveness of our existence.
In this episode, we explore the balance between mercy and judgment. We begin by jumping out of the Book of James to see what Paul has to say about judgment. We look more closely at the law of liberty and how it sets us free from judging other people. There are similarities between James and Paul’s letter to the Romans that help us discover the depths of truth behind these two significant characteristics of the Kingdom of God.
We begin this episode by rehashing some of the complicated issues in The Book of James. What seems like a contradiction on the surface can often be untangled with a bit of patience and perspective. We will compare the royal law, the law of liberty and the Acts 15 council. We’ll look at the words of James next to the words of the apostle Paul. how do we balance these complex truths and complex realities in order to live the life God has called us to?
In this episode, we investigate an objection that is raised in Chapter 2 of James regarding the dynamic between faith and works. James makes a powerful distinction between believing that God exists as a point of information and entrusting one’s life to him. One is an act of knowledge and the other an act of faith. To help with the delineation, we take a closer look at some of the giants of Christian Scripture.
In this episode, we look at the difference between living faith and inactivity. Beginning in Chapter 2, we continue to explore the famous question that James addresses: can faith and works be separated? Is it possible for one to exist without the other? Winning at life takes more than a morning devotion or weekly church attendance. Is it our works or our faith that saves us? What is the relationship and the balance between both?
In the previous episode, we talked about believing the word and speaking the word. In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities of doing the word, which is a focal point in The Book of James. These four questions help us examine how we are acting out our belief system: What are our words doing? What are our actions doing? Where are our resources going? Are we enjoying all things richly?
The choices we make dramatically impact our experience on this earth. When we commit to believing, speaking, and doing, we are choosing a worldview, a perspective, and a way of life. In this episode, we explore this recurring theme in James and in the Bible as a whole. The best path for each of us is to walk in faith. To listen, obey, and mimic the wisdom of God. When we believe, speak, and act the call of Christ with intensity, we have discovered the key to winning at life.
In this episode, we focus on one of the most important messages, not only in The Book of James but in all of Scripture. The call to listening. James shares God’s command to listen to other people. We are also implored to listen to the Bible. And, directly, to the source of truth, God Himself. Circumstances are just the environment in which we exercise our faith. If we are listening for God’s direction and looking for his truth, we can encounter all life has to offer with wisdom and grace.
James lets us know that his audience is the brethren, fellow believers in The Lord. In this episode, we explore how this target audience affects the message of James and what it means to win in life. We are meant for community, commanded to listen to others and to lay aside wickedness. Not only receive the word of the Lord with meekness, but follow with action. The word in us is what enables us to win.
In this episode, we look at the drastic progression of sin and the increasing effect it has on our lives. Our flesh often believes the enticing promises of the world, but their end is death. Goodness comes from God; he is the steward of all good gifts. Life is about a choice between two Kingdoms: will we follow God and his offerings or the way of the world?
In this episode, we continue studying the wisdom of The Book of James. We start in James 1, verse 12 and also explore other sections of Scripture that bring the words of James into a fuller picture. This episode is about how temptation differs from trials and explores the appropriate responses to both. We conclude with three metaphors for seeking God’s approval - a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer.
In this episode, The Book of James encourages us to lean into wisdom, walk by faith, and pursue God’s version of success. We win at life by walking in faith. In the midst of our up and down circumstances, we are called to make choices. Life is a mystery and is over in the blink of an eye. To make the most of it, we must navigate our circumstances with the wisdom that only comes through faith.
The Book of James is unique, interesting, and essential within the Biblical narrative. James reflects on the nature of success, the importance of wisdom, and the challenge of practically living a faith that is more than just talk. In the opening verses, we see who James is, who he is writing to, and are introduced to James’ focus on a faith that lives, breathes, and acts.
In this bonus episode, we interview author and speaker Brandon Shuman and talk about his new Advent devotional series, Beneath Bethlehem Skies.
The book of Lamentations serves as a stern warning that God means what He says. The difficult truth is that disobedience to God often leads to unnecessary suffering. The wages of sin is death. Lamentations is a horrific picture of what choosing death looks like for God's people. Yet, even in the despair, there is hope and there is opportunity.
The book of Lamentations serves as a stern warning that God means what He says. The difficult truth is that disobedience to God often leads to unnecessary suffering. The wages of sin is death. Lamentations is a horrific picture of what choosing death looks like for God's people. Yet, even in the despair, there is hope and there is opportunity.
The book of Lamentations serves as a stern warning that God means what He says. In this episode, we explore the historical background of the people of Israel. The difficult truth is that disobedience to God often leads to unnecessary suffering. The wages of sin is death. Lamentations is a horrific picture of what choosing death looks like for God's people. Yet, even in the despair, there is hope and there is opportunity
In this episode, we continue our discussion on The Book of Esther, focusing on how to apply the lessons learned from the narrative. We look at God’s providence, His promises, and His judgments. And examine the paradoxes of living this out. We are not God. God is God. We must always ask how we are to manage the role God has given us, not seeking control for ourselves, But trusting in him.
The story of Esther is one of the most beautiful and profound narratives in all of Scripture. In this episode, we explore how the characters in Esther are an important illustration of truth for our everyday lives. We will begin working through some historical context that can add layers to how we perceive this story.
In this episode, We continue exploring the teachings of the prophet Zechariah. We then move to explore the story of Nehemiah. These narratives continue our discussion on cause and effect, trust, obedience, and God’s providence. How do these things work together? What is our proper response? The things God asks us to do are not trivial. The courage he calls us to is an important part of the cosmic story.
In this episode, we look at the principle of cause and effect and how it relates to the theme of exile and return. How are we supposed to reconcile the providence of God with the people’s choice to trust and obey? We explore stories from 1 Chronicles, revisit the character of King Cyrus, and look at three minor prophets—Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah.
We continue looking at the prophecies that make up the last section of The Book of Ezekiel. Through the prophecy of the temple, we see the beautiful truth that we can freely enter the presence of the creator of the universe. This dismantles legalism and makes living with God a great adventure. It also gives us a sense of hope and a source of courage.
In this episode, we return to The Book of Ezekiel for a look at two of the book’s most controversial passages. The last part of Ezekiel wraps up with a prophecy and a blueprint. We examine these passages, as well as the continued history of the exile, exploring what this prophecy means for the people of Israel and for us.
In this episode, we continue looking at Daniel in the time of the Babylonian Exile. We discuss the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. We also look at a significant prophecy of Isaiah and the story of King Cyrus. There is a spiritual battle throughout history. These characters were involved and so are we. It is our time to fight for God’s kingdom and we can learn a lot from those who went before us about what it means to fight.
In this episode, we explore the theme Exile and Return within The Book of Daniel. The events of Daniel unfold during the great Babylonian Exile when the Israelites were relocated to a foreign land. Looking through the historical context and the story of this famous character, we see the challenges of faithfulness during a particularly difficult phase of Israel’s history. We explore the relationship between Daniel and King Darius, the ruler of the Babylonians.
In this episode, we return to The book of Habakkuk, and find connections between Habakkuk and another minor prophet, Obadiah, as well as one of Paul’s most important letters, The Book of Romans. We wrap up Habakkuk with a look at Christ’s death as the final sacrifice and the call for us to respond by choosing a life of righteousness.
In this episode we begin to explore the theme of Exile and Return in a new book of the Bible. Habakkuk is a minor prophet who makes a plea to God for justice, and he gets a confusing response. There is a lot for us to learn in the conversation between God and Habakkuk, a crucial distinction between destruction and refinement, and a vital connection to the message of The New Testament.
In this special episode, we are joined by West Point graduate and army veteran Seth Cuneen. Seth shares with us his experience with the military and how it relates to The Book of Ezekiel and the theme, Exile and Return. During his time in the service, Seth encounters several examples of rules, authority, and unreasonable expectations. He is asked to trust the process. And although he may not see or understand, these expectations are building him and his fellow soldiers toward a deeper sense of unity and purpose.
In this episode, we talk about the seemingly unreasonable things God asks of Ezekiel. We often feel the same way - what God is suggesting seems unfair or beyond our capacity. Do all of the requests of God have a point and a purpose? How does Ezekiel respond to God’s call and how should we? God doesn’t exist to make people comfortable. In fact, following Him often adds a unique set of difficulties to our daily lives. But faithfulness is always worth it in the end
In this episode we look at Ezekiel 20 and evaluate the natural consequences of the choices of Israel. God will discipline the nation but he will never abandon his chosen people. As a loving Father, his correction is not about coercion or strictly a punishment. It is a guide, a tool to teach us how to learn, improve, and repair the consequences of our poor decisions. Through Ezekiel, we see a recount of Israel’s history and all the times they rebelled against God, as well as his relentless faithfulness to beckon them toward home.
In this episode, we continue to explore the metaphors of God as father, manager, and husband. What is our part? Using Ezekiel 17 and 18 as a guide, we explore the power and the opportunity of our choices. We examine the oaths of Israel and an invitation for all of us to choose life as opposed to death. No matter what setting we find ourselves in, we have to do our best to remain faithful, to stay true, and to continue to steward the choices in front of us.
We continue looking at different examples of God’s provision and care in The Book of Ezekiel. In our previous episode, we explored God as father and God as the head of an enterprise. Now we move to discussing God as husband to the nation of Israel. What is our response to the ways God cares for us? He does not want us to be an adulterous people. He wants us to be conformed to the image of Christ.
In this episode, we continue working through The Book of Ezekiel as it pertains to the theme of exile and return. Chapter 14 leads us into an exploration of some of the roles God plays in our lives and how they serve as metaphors for the way he provides and cares for us. The first two examples in Ezekiel focus on God as a father and God as the head of an enterprise.
We continue in the first chapter of Ezekiel with the strange creatures seen in the throne room of God. The message within the imagery is a clear allusion to hope, pointing to the new heavens and new earth. Although we are now in exile, strangers in this world, and must wait eagerly for Christ’s return, there is a promise of redemption. A homecoming. We are called to love and serve faithfully as we wait for that day.
In this episode, we move into an exploration of the incredible events in The Book of Ezekiel, glimpsing into God’s throne room and uncovering some of the most important characteristics of God Himself. We look at the universal and prophetic truths of the elders, the white robes, and the throne itself. Though there is a lot of imagery in Ezekiel, the central message is God’s sovereignty, power, and control over all things, through every circumstance—both exile and return.
We continue to explore The Book of Jeremiah. In the last episode, we covered the first of Jeremiah’s three components - the charge - and now we explore the verdict and the restoration. During the challenges of exile, we are faced with an important question: “Who shall we trust?” How we answer is one of the most foundational decisions we will ever make. We are called trust in God in all circumstances and seasons. To believe in his faithfulness and hold out hope we will be restored. We pick up in the fifth chapter of Jeremiah.
In this episode, we continue to explore the theme of Exile and Return by focusing on The Book of Jeremiah. How does Jeremiah fit with the overall historical context of the Old Testament and the minor prophets? What does Jeremiah have to say about the exile Israel is undergoing at the time? The Book of Jeremiah contains three major components: a charge, a verdict, and a restoration. In this episode, we begin by exploring the charge.
We dive deeper into the theme of Exile and Return by examining the story of Hezekiah, which is found in Second Chronicles. Hezekiah, like all of us, struggles to acknowledge and wrestle with the importance of his choices. Our challenging circumstances make decision-making difficult. Trusting in God’s sovereignty does not negate, but rather informs, our call to steward our choices well. Even in Exile, God always offers Return and wants us to be fully restored to Him.
In this episode, we begin a new series that explores one of The Bible’s most consistent themes. The pattern of Exile and Return is found in various forms throughout Scripture. The rhythm of Scripture is a constant reinforcement of the Exile and Return framework. Early stories like Joseph, Abraham, Job, and Jonah. Parables like the Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan. Paul’s teachings on reconciliation and the promise of Revelation. In this series we focus on how this theme plays out in the Old Testament prophets, beginning with the stories of first and second Chronicles.
In this episode, we discuss the different practices for Scripture engagement. We are all different people. The best way to discover the treasures of The Bible is to know yourself and figure out what works best for you. There is no one right way. And every time we engage with Scripture, even if it is done imperfectly, there is value to be gained. We close this series by sharing which practices work best for each of us at Yellow Balloons and inviting you to share what works best for you.
In this episode, we explore the message of Psalm 8 and use it as an example for the process of studying The Bible. We are all significant characters in the cosmic story, called to steward our choices for the sake of God’s Kingdom. Although we struggle to steward well, the work of Jesus helps free us to make our choices with grace and hope. The story of The Bible invites us to participate in purpose, to align with meaning, and to steward our part of The Story well.
In this episode, we examine the elements of a story and how these apply to The Story of all stories contained in the Christian Scriptures. Heroes and villains, major and minor characters, seeming defeat and reversals of victory. We love stories. The structure of a story communicates a message, a sense of adventure, and invites us into a purpose. Every story is a microcosm of the great story of The Bible. Each of us are minor characters who make major impacts on The Story. Exploring Scripture helps equip us to contribute our part to the grand narrative.
In this episode, we discuss our experience with studying Scripture. Why should we do it and what is the best mindset when approaching The Bible? Most of us start out of a sense of obligation. This is a valuable starting place, but unchecked it can lead to guilt, fear and shame. When studying The Bible becomes an adventure, we start to seek its truth as a treasure-hunter. There are difficulties and challenges along the way, but unraveling the love story of Scripture is an incredible journey.
In this episode, we discuss where to begin when studying The Bible. There are a lot of resources out there to help with this, but the key is to get started. The Bible is a love story and every page is an opportunity to see that story unfold. We are creatures created to reflect the essence of who God is. As we read and study Scripture, we are better equipped to do what we were created to do. The Bible invites us to live in harmony with the created order and to discover the most fulfilling path for our lives.
In this episode, we explore the value of Scripture and the motivation for studying it. We all do what we perceive to be best for us. Scripture helps unveil what is truly in our best interest. Fear often keeps us away from The Bible because we have been told there is condemnation in it. We have confused acceptance and approval. Clarifying that distinction is a key to unlocking the value of Scripture and the best process to approach it.
In this episode, we finish our series on The Book of Daniel by exploring the themes of resurrection and condemnation and how they compare with the message of Revelation. The beautiful and unique value of The Book of Daniel is the mix between a narrative hero and a prophetic vision. Daniel provides us with an example of how to live out the messages of both the book of Daniel and Revelation: to be a faithful witness and don’t fear death.
Thanks for listening to our series, A Study of Daniel. Everything we face in life is a call to courage. Those who take up the cause of character and serve The Kingdom of God faithfully are victors in the end. Join us as we continue to pursue the truth of God’s Word in our next series: Exile & Return. For more information on adopting a God-centered perspective, please visit our website: Yellow Balloons.net. If you have any questions related to what you just heard we would love to hear from you, please email us at contact@yellowballoons.net.
In this episode, we begin to conclude our series on The Book of Daniel by wrapping up chapter eleven and exploring chapter twelve. Daniel carries many prophetic parallels to The Book of Revelation. In these last chapters, we examine what Daniel has to say about the character of the antichrist and what will happen to the antichrist when the cosmic story has played all the way through. This episode ends with a look at Daniel’s prophetic word concerning the nation of Israel.
Picking up where we left off in Daniel 11, we continue to discuss the historical and prophetic lessons of Daniel’s life and visions. We look at the contribution of The Maccabees and Daniel himself to the larger story of God and His Kingdom. Those who have gone before us help show us how to be a faithful witness, which is the essential call of The Book of Daniel.
We begin this episode in Daniel 11. Surrounded by historical context and the mystery of prophecy, these verses have a lot to say to each of us and the decisions we make in our daily life. God’s hand and providence are essential and ever-present throughout the story of this world. Exploring Daniel helps us to see the role we are called to play in regards to truth and humility.
In this episode, we continue looking at Daniel’s vision in Chapters 10 and 11. The messenger tells Daniel of three more kings that will arise in Persia. Who are those kings and why does it matter? Exploring the historical context and the narrative presented in Daniel, we take a look at what our role is in the Kingdom of God and the trajectory of God’s eternal story.
In this episode, we move out of Daniel’s prayer and into a vision he receives from God. Daniel is told what will happen to Israel in the future and we are given insight into the angelic realm. A central message in Chapter 10 is that our choices matter and have consequences. We are to be overcomers, follow Jesus, and be participants in that heavenly Kingdom Daniel envisions.
We continue to look at the ninth chapter in the book of Daniel. On the heels of Daniel’s prayer, we see the angel Gabriel address him. Gabriel’s role in Daniel and his role in the New Testament when he appears to Mary bear similarities that are worth looking at. We also see that Daniel’s prayer is answered in a way that significantly exceeds his expectations.
In this episode we focus on Daniel’s prayer as an example of his character and a crucial tool for understanding the prophecies we have looked at previously. In Chapter Nine, Daniel looks at the prophecies of Jeremiah and we see how his prayer also connects to the prophecies in The Book of Revelation. Daniel’s prayer is powerful and revealing. It is both convicting and encouraging for God’s people. A no-nonsense supplication, and an act of worship.
In this episode, we continue walking through the prophetic text in Daniel 8 and look at the abomination of desolation. We talk about Antiochus Epiphanes and the great tribulation. We explore the interpretation of Daniel’s vision and an application of it for our own lives.
In this episode we look at the prophetic vision of Chapter Eight. There is a pattern that is beginning to emerge in Daniel’s visions, and this one follows suit. History and myth, past and future, kingdoms and civilizations, swirl in Daniel’s vision. It invites us to see the patterns of sin, human effort, and God’s Sovereign intervention - inviting us to trust and obey Him as the events of world history continue to unfold.
We continue this episode in chapter 7. Looking further into Daniel’s prophetic dream leads us to consider the ancient of days and the four empires alluded to in the dream. The prophecies in this book are valuable, important, and complex. We can rest assured that God is in control and we are called to faithfulness—even when circumstances are beyond our control and our finite nature clouds our ability to understand.
In this episode, we begin chapter 7 of The Book of Daniel, moving beyond the historical account of Daniel’s life and into his prophetic message. We start by examining the structure of the book and the nature of its prophecies. The focus in Chapter Seven is on Daniel’s dream and the four beasts. Using images similar to the Book of Revelation, Daniel’s ultimate message is also the same - a call to worship, to live a life of faith, and be a faithful witness to the Gospel of God.
In this episode, we continue looking at Daniel 6, and the story of Daniel’s deliverance from the lion’s den. We also explore his life as a whole and his example of what it takes to be a faithful witness. We pick up the story with King Darius having just signed a decree into law demanding the people worship him.
In Chapter 6 we begin exploring the story of Daniel and the Lions’ Den. This chapter is the last historical section of The Book, concluding the narrative of Daniel and his interactions with those around him. Leading up to the Lions Den, we examine powerful rulers, taxes, satraps and the role they play in the story, culminating in the king’s decree.
In the last episode we explored King Nebuchadnezzar's response to Daniel’s dream interpretations. In this episode, we talk about the handwriting on the wall. In Chapter 5, Daniel interprets this miracle and awes the people of Babylon. Just like He does with King Nebuchadnezzar, God takes modern leaders and people in power and invites them into The Kingdom of God. These authorities have an opportunity to be a faithful witness, just like everyone else.
In this episode we explore the fourth chapter of The Book of Daniel. We examine King Nebuchadnezzar’s response to Daniel’s interpretation of his dream. The King also has a second dream requiring interpretation. One of the most interesting figures in Scripture, King Nebuchadnezzar, learns a powerful lesson, humbles himself before God, and bears witness to His Sovereign guidance.
In this episode, we continue to look at the Roman era and its effect on global attitude and perspective. The Roman Empire is made “holy” but relatively soon experiences a magnanimous fall. The message of The Book of Daniel is similar to the message of Revelation: no matter what the circumstances, no matter who is in charge (Babylon, Rome, or Israel itself), our call is the same. Be a faithful witness to God and His Kingdom through every season and setting.
We continue to examine Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The dream consists of four different civilizations: gold, silver, iron, and bronze that represent the progression of the human story. The nation of Israel, exiled in Babylon, has a unique part to play in this traditional progression of nations. God and his holy people are set apart, and will not follow the same script.
In this episode, we come to the end of the fiery furnace incident and its repercussion. The miraculous intervention of God protects his faithful people. Many years later, The Apostle Paul addresses the early church on submission to authority and how to interpret the fiery furnace passage. This story, like all of The Book of Daniel, is a call to be faithful to God and to live life as God commands.
In this episode Daniel and his companions bear witness to the power and authority of God through the miracle of the fiery furnace. A royal edict to worship a statue, a man-made idol, puts the faith of believers to the test. Those faithful to God refused to worship anything other than The Lord, unwilling to put any false gods before them.
The Book of Daniel is imploring a message found throughout the whole of Scripture: be a faithful witness and don’t fear death. In this episode, we encounter the enigmatic dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonian ruler seeks far and wide to have his dream interpreted. None of his men can do it, and the interpretation comes through the most unlikely of sources - a Hebrew exile named Daniel who asked God in prayer to help him interpret the dream.
We continue to explore the historical context surrounding The Book of Daniel. In this episode we’ll look at the historic and infamous fall of Israel. In response to the heartbreaking exile of God’s people, Daniel stewards his talents with courage and wisdom. He masters the new culture while remaining holy and set apart. But, it is not Daniel alone; he is guided by mentors, disciplined by wise counselors who gave him the strength to endure the unique challenges of exile.
In this episode, we continue to explore the historical background of the book of Daniel. Who was Daniel? Why does his story matter? In the very first chapter, we see Daniel’s resolve to obey God despite an incredible amount of temptation, refusing to defile himself. His narrative reveals the power of choices in the midst of temptation. If we are going to overcome, as God calls us to, we have to take ownership of our choices, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
In this episode we begin our study of The Book of Daniel. What events led to the writing of The Book of Daniel? What was happening in Daniel’s world? Just like The Book of Revelation, Daniel is mainly a call to believers to overcome the trials of this world. No matter what circumstances we face, and Daniel faces some incredible ones, we have the ability to overcome and serve as faithful witnesses of God and His Kingdom.
In the final episode of this season, we finish with the last verses of Revelation 22. They are full of beauty and hope for those who have overcome. The ones who have served as a faithful witness for the Kingdom of God enter eternity as full participants in that Kingdom. They will see God’s face and dwell in his throne room! The words of Revelation are true and will happen soon. Keep watch, discern with courage, and live faithfully.
We examine the final chapter in The Book of Revelation. Here we see the new city where God and man dwell together. We see the river of life flowing from the throne of God into the tree of life. There is no more curse. The believers will be serving and worshipping God. The scene is bursting with life, the result and reward of living as a faithful witness.
We continue with the thrilling imagery of Revelation 21. The picture brings us back to the beginning, conjuring scenes from The Garden of Eden. Revelation is often viewed as an end, but is actually a new beginning. Everything is redeemed and renewed. God’s justice is fulfilled and his grace is overflowing. The great hope of our lives is that - no matter what occurs - we have the opportunity to overcome, to join God in the final manifestation of redemption, and begin anew one last time.
We talk about what is perhaps the most well known section of Revelation: chapter 21. In this chapter, we are given a glimpse of the new heavens and new earth. It shows us what is in store for believers, a detailed account of the age to come. God will dwell with men. Christ and his bride, the church, will come together. There will be no more evil, completing the final act of redemption and the restoration of God and his people.
In this episode, we address some commonly asked questions related to the end times using the truths we have discovered in this series. Using the entire Bible – from the prophets to Paul’s letters, we explore the truth of the end times and what it means for our life on Earth. In the final analysis, we are urged to be faithful witnesses and to not be afraid of death.
We take some time to review what we have seen in Revelation so far. We pick up John’s vision with the judgment seat in chapter 20. Death is not the end of our lives; it is a transition into the next manifestation of our existence. The Judgment Seat awaits as we make the transition into Eternity. We should be living our lives on Earth in light of this truth - understanding that our choices matter.
We explore the diverse ways Scripture talks about fire. In the last episode, we talked about the way it destroys death and Hades. Now, we look at what the Bible means when it says God is a consuming fire. Both the Old and New Testaments use this phrase to describe God. In Revelation, the old earth is destroyed by fire to make way for the new. Although believers are heirs of God and will reign with him, they must suffer fiery trials with Christ while still on earth. This life matters. The choices we make matter. But we are still unconditionally His if we put our hope in him.
We continue looking into the repercussions of The Last Millennium. Our previous episodes have explored what happens to the faithful witnesses. Now, we take a look at death, Hades, Sheol, and the lake of fire. We often view these terms as the same thing, but they are actually quite distinct. When Christ initiates The Second Death, Hades is thrown into the lake of fire, ushering in the victory of Christ and His kingdom.
In Revelation 20, Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. Evil is destroyed. It is described as The Second Death. In our last episode, we explored what happens to believers, but in this episode, Tim acknowledges that we can’t know what will happen to those who were not faithful witnesses. In the tension of this mystery, all we need to know is that being a faithful witness is totally worth it. Our actions on earth matter and have consequences in the time to come.
We explore whether the thousand-year reign described in Chapter 20 of Revelation is literal or metaphorical. During this millennium the dragon and accuser, Satan, is thrown into the pit of damnation, ushering a new age. These thousand years are an important time for those who will reign - the martyrs, apostles, and followers of Jesus – all who have lived a life of faithfulness.
We continue looking at Chapter 19 of Revelation, the victory chapter. We begin with the image of the marriage of the lamb. The bible says that the Church is the bride of Christ. How should we prepare to be wedded to Christ? By living faithfully and not fearing death. We should share the gospel with our neighbors through the way we live our lives. We are to be faithful servants and prepare for the wedding day that the image of Revelation fervently points us to.
We complete the discussion we began in the last two episodes concerning the antichrist and the fall of Babylon. Tim wraps up the interlude story and tells us what the cast of characters may represent. We then move into “the victory chapter” of Revelation; Chapter 19. In these verses, we see God cleaning up and asserting his control. This interlude story leads to a scene where we witness God’s redemption and the worship of the angels.
We continue to explore the imagery of Revelation 17 and 18. We look at the story of the antichrist and the fall of Babylon. When we know the truth we can resist temptation and remain faithful to God. We join Tim in chapter 17, verse 15 where the multitudes on earth are described as a vast water on which the antichrist sits.
We begin looking at chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation. After the pouring out of the bowls, covered in our previous episodes, these chapters are a complicated word picture that serve as an interlude to the story. We walk through the cast of characters, the setting, and historical background. Although there is a lot of imagery in these chapters, the theme is the same as the rest of Revelation: God is in control. And we are called to be his faithful witnesses.
We jump in at verse 8 of Revelation 16 and examine the last four bowls of judgment. We walk through similarities between Revelation and the plagues in Egypt. We also talk about the battle of Armageddon. Tim continues to navigate the difficult imagery in this book, the completion of the wrath of God and the beautiful interjection of Christ in this story. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can assure us we are on the winning team.
We continue to explore the wrath of God, moving onto chapter 16, which talks about the wrath of Satan, fornication, and sin. The beautiful hope is that we can be delivered from wrath as overcomers. We look at the first three bowls of wrath, what it means as they are poured out, and how we can overcome their dangers by remaining faithful to the gospel.
We look at the seriousness of sin and the judgment it brings. But not everyone is eternally punished. Revelation talks about the glorious ending in store for the saints. This is a call to be faithful and obedient and to not fear death. “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Chapter 15 focuses on the great victory. Tim examines why God pours out his wrath and what it takes to satisfy it. We begin in verse 8 of Revelation 14.
We recap the first half of The Book of Revelation. The overarching message of Revelation is to be a faithful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, to overcome fear and death. We are to read, understand, and obey God’s word. We will explore the imagery of the 144,000, the Father’s name written on their foreheads, and the preaching of the everlasting gospel.
We look at how the prophecy of the war in Revelation 12 and 13 relates to the prophecies in Daniel. Daniel tells of the four beasts coming up from the sea. This parallels with the beasts in Revelation and the unholy trinity, designed to deceive humanity. We end with a hopeful look at the victory of God and His kingdom. We join Tim in verse four of Revelation 12.
We walk through Revelation chapters 11 and 12. In these chapters, the author provides an overview of Satan’s rebellion and the war in heaven. Satan is the great accuser and Jesus is the glorious advocate. Jesus stands for humanity, inviting us to be overcomers, while Satan attacks humanity. He is the great enemy. Jesus is the savior, protector, and redeemer.
We continue looking at imagery and prophecy, using both The Book of Revelation and The Old Testament words of Daniel. How do these prophecies align? What do they say of the Kingdom of God on Earth and The Kingdom to come? All of these heavenly occurrences, end-time events and fulfilled prophecies point to the eternal glory of God. We join Tim in the 11th Chapter of Revelation.
We continue to look at the imagery of chapters 9 and 10 in The Book of Revelation. We see that the new earth will be bursting with life. How can glimpses of this life to come be found, experienced, and shared in our current reality? We look at the great mystery of God and the mystery of the union between Christ and the church.
We conclude discussion on the judgment initiated by the seven trumpets. Revelation warns against idolatry, sexual immorality, and sorcery. We look at what God’s will is for our lives while we wait and expect the judgment and joy to come. Even though these are grim chapters of judgment, they point to the coming restoration of the whole world. We begin in the midst of one of those somber chapters, Revelation 9.
We look at the seventh and final seal. There are seven trumpets that announce God’s judgment. The first four affect the earth and the following three affect people. Much of Revelation 8 and 9 could rightly be described as grim, but we have an enduring hope. God is in control and we are his people. The ultimate result of the judgment is Satan’s defeat, Christ’s victory and the culmination of what he achieved on the cross.
We go through the imagery of the great multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue standing in the throne room of God. We also look at the special status given to martyrs--their distinct relationship to Christ. Both of these are features of the last redemption, the great hope for Christians as they serve as faithful witnesses in the Kingdom of God. We begin in the first two verses of Revelation 7.
We continue to explore another of the famous images of The Book of Revelation – the seven seals. We begin this episode in the midst of the sixth seal, evaluating how it relates to a prophecy from Joel in the Old Testament and a prophecy from Jesus in the gospels. These seals center on the wrath of God and his unchanging nature. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
We continue through Revelation 6 and look at the concept of Sheol and its use in the Bible. God’s justice is real and right and true. We should all be pursuing justice as image-bearers of Christ. As we wait for the prophecies of Revelation and the redemption of the earth, we are invited to participate in the Kingdom of God – to pursue justice and love one another. We begin this episode talking about the limits of death and Hades and why we should not be afraid.
We dive into the rest of Revelation 6 and the four horsemen of the apocalypse. We see that God is a God of life. He defeated death with life, and He calls us to defeat Satan, evil, and falsity by living a true and faithful life. Looking into the wrath of God and His justice also allows us to see his extravagant mercy and His relentless pursuit of life.
The rapture is one of the most famous, complex, and contentious images found in the Book of revelation. We continue looking at principles and teachings surrounding Revelation’s treatment of the rapture. We see that God protects his people, he won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, and he has prepared us through trials for all that is to come. God is in control and in our corner. We must trust Him and remain faithful.
We continue to look at Revelation’s prophecies, exploring one of the most famous and contentious images in Revelation: the rapture. The Scriptures invite us to wait in expectation for the coming of Christ. As we wait, we are to grow in sanctification and become more like Jesus. Christians have nothing to fear. God is in control. He is our source of hope. And when the end comes, the fullness of his joy will be revealed.
We continue to explore the prophetic imagery of Revelation - the foretold great tribulation and the abomination of desolation. We are urged to read, pray, and do, so that we are able to discern the truth. It is important not to get lost in the imagery of the book. The main point stands–God is in control and we are called to be his witnesses. We begin this episode intertwining Revelation with the prophecies of Daniel 9.
We continue to look at the prophecies in The Book of Revelation, talking through how the message of Revelation works together with other passages from both the Old and New testaments, tying in Daniel 9 & Matthew 24. Everyone experiences tribulation, but we have the choice to be an overcomer and a witness for God. Prophecy is about exposing truth. And we are called to be a witness to the truth, first in our own hearts and then in the world at large.
We continue to explore the imagery of the Revelation of John, concerning what the new heavens and the new earth will be like. Amidst all the hard to picture imagery, the same message holds true throughout: remain faithful. Revelation talks about a new and redeemed earth. We are going to live on this new earth and help God govern it. Tim begins by taking us into the throne room of God in Revelation 22 to see what heaven is like.
In this episode we talk about the central message of Revelation – the call to be a faithful witness. Although the circumstances of the future are confusing and unclear, this call is central to the Christian life. Thus far in Revelation we have gone through what is and what has been. Now our focus turns to what is to come. We prepare for our future by learning from our past and being aware of our present. Only then can we be truly ready for anything the future may hold.
We have looked at God as the ultimate power, in this episode we see how through that power he gives us everything we need to be faithful servants. As we strive for faithfulness and wait for the fullness of Heaven, perseverance emerges as a key factor in the life of the disciple. We are not only to persevere when things are hard, we also need to persevere in doing good works. We look at a passage in Hebrews about the joy set before Christ. We also have joy set before us, and we must be patient and persevere if we want to receive it in full, remembering that God gives us everything we need to endure.
We move onto the third chapter of Revelation, which focuses on the question, “who sits on the throne?”, in other words, “who should we direct our faith towards.” The Book of Revelation mentions thrones numerous times. The theme of strength and power is central to this passage. A picture of heaven starts to form, not as a place in the clouds but as a time when wrong things get set right. God, the proper authority, has the throne. Evil is vanquished. And the trials of this world are no more.
We continue looking at the challenges of having a living faith, using James 2 as a guide. This popular chapter on works prescribes an antidote for the hypocritical church of Smyrna, claiming to be alive but not acting out the gospel. Having a living faith profits us and will increase our capacity to love. We should start with whatever measure of faith we have and do our best to add to it. All the while, being watchful and waiting attentively for Christ’s return.
In the last episode we saw the importance of humility in the story of Elijah & Jezebel. In this episode we move onto the ancient church of Sardis. This church does not get a favorable description in The Book of Revelation, it is described as a place that seems alive but is actually dying. We go through Revelation’s response to being spiritually dead. Why do we claim faith but don’t live it out? How can we improve the consistency of our lives? The warning to the church of Sardis is the same for us – it is time to come alive.
We continue our look at the story of Elijah and Jezebel. These two contrasting figures show us the value of fighting against temptation with courage and honor. Christianity has a call to power that is counter-intuitive to this world. Those who humble themselves are exalted, and those who exalt themselves are humbled. Scripture calls for us to resist, overcome, and remain humble. We join Tim in 2 Kings with the story of Elijah.
Revelation gives us a unique view of Jesus. In the last book of Scripture, Jesus basks in the full manifestation of his authority. This Jesus is going to set things right. Tim warns us about the dangers of being seduced into corruption, and missing out on the fullness of Christ. We explore the stories of Elijah and Jezebel as an example of a warrior against a seductress. God wants us to be warriors and to resist the temptation towards corruption so that we might share in the fullness of His Kingdom.
We continue the teaching on Revelation 2 and the church in Pergamos. Our circumstances affect what our faithfulness looks like. They are an opportunity for us to make a choice. We examine the role of witness, martyr, and overcomer, the impact of our prayers, and the danger of false teachers. Revelation calls us to fight against the temptations of the flesh and pursue a life of faithfulness. This episode begins with a look at the story of Balaam.
We look at the church of Pergamos. Tim examines how the ancient community wanted to have Jesus without fully obeying him. The Church in Pergamos was struggling. They didn’t want to change their familiar patterns and behaviors. Revelation calls us to overcome by reading the Word, hearing it, and obeying it faithfully.
There’s a difference between being approved and being accepted. We talk about what it looks like for an overcomer to lean into this distinction. Revelation calls us to be a faithful witness, an overcomer who lives above our circumstances. Tim begins by tying in chapter 1 of James, which shows us how to overcome a vast array of circumstances to live the life Revelation asks of us.
The central theme in The Book of Revelation is a call to faithfulness. To steward our lives as a faithful witness of God’s goodness and love. We continue looking at the patterns of commendation, exhortation, consequence, and reward throughout the letters to the seven churches. Even in the midst of tribulation, God gives us an opportunity to love and trust Him. He will reward our faithfulness with His approval.
We continue our study of the book of Revelation, this time, by looking into Paul’s message to the Ephesians. The Christians in Ephesus have lost their first love, affecting their ability to live in the truth and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Being a faithful witness is equal parts love and truth. We overcome challenge and temptation by focusing more on others than ourselves. The lessons given to the church in Ephesus are equally important for us today as the modern Body of Christ.
We explore a central truth in The Book of Revelation. God is in complete control. Yet, in his infinite wisdom, he has allowed us a role in his great narrative. The balance of stewardship and submission are essential in every believer’s journey. Tim guides us through patterns within Revelation that show us how to steward our role well without trying to take the reins away from God and control circumstances ourselves.
We continue the exploration of church history revivals. Centering around chapter 3, verses 7 and 14, we look at how the missional movement of the church connects to the message of Revelation and the calling to be a faithful witness. We join Tim as he begins to take a look at the Second Great Awakening.
The Book of Revelation is the exclamation point of Christian Scripture. In this episode we take an in-depth look at Revelation’s warning to a specific ancient church. We walk through history and we see how Moravian Revival and The Great Awakening mirror some of the lessons of the ancient church. We also examine the anatomy of a movement and how the warnings and admonitions of Revelation can help serve as guideposts in our ministries today.
We continue to look at the ancient churches of renown. John addresses the perspectives and challenges of these churches, which are as applicable today as they were in their time. We continue with chapter 2:18-29, which focuses on the corrupt church of Thyatira.
The Book of Revelation connects the past, present, and future of God’s Holy Church. In Chapter 2, John addresses seven churches of renown. In this episode we explore these churches from a historical perspective. It’s important to remember, as we journey toward a God-centered perspective, that the spiritual and personal implications that were true for these ancient churches are equally true for us today.
In the last episode, we explored the greatness of God in Revelation one. Our response is simple but challenging. Be a faithful witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is call to action. In this episode, we cover verses 9-20 of Chapter One. We begin by clarifying John’s audience and his example of faithful obedience.
In the previous episode we talk about the Book of Revelation as a simple book with a challenging message. A call to faithfulness. It encourages believers to read, understand, and obey the Word of God. So that we might be a faithful witness FOR the truest revelation the world has ever known – the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this episode, Tim brings clarity to who Jesus is and who we are in Him with a look at chapter one, verses 3-8.
In episode 1 we covered Revelation 1 verses 1-3. Our central point was that Revelation is a simple book with a simple message. There’s a clear and profound purpose within the words of Revelation – the call to faithfulness. It’s written to believers in the church, to encourage and challenge them toward a life of faith. In this episode, we continue in verses 1-3. We begin with a look into the historical context of Rome.
Revelation is a simple book with a simple message. We begin to unpack the commands and images of the final book of Christian Scripture. There is a clear and profound purpose within the words of Revelation – the call to faithfulness. It is written to believers in the church. To encourage and challenge them toward a life of faith. The constant choice of our lives is this – will I be a faithful witness or will I choose a lesser way.