God Centered Life on Oneplace.com: Recent Episodes
Josh Moody
The Bible-teaching ministry of Dr Josh Moody. At God Centered life, our passion is the gospel, our vision is all generations living for God. Listener supported. Partner with us at https://godcenteredlife.org/donate/
The power of the resurrection is not intended to only give you hope for your deathbed. It is intended to free you so you no longer live in the shadowlands of death. You have this resurrection power beginning to be at work in you now. We are in Christ now and are on the path to glory.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Jesus was deeply moved at the death of Lazarus. This word can also be translated "angry." Jesus is angry because death itself is the last enemy over which Jesus alone has the victory.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It is deeply ironic that those you would think would believe, do not. And those who you think would be the last people in the world to believe, they do. John is teaching us that faith works counterintuitively, different from what we would expect.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
God blesses us so that we might be a blessing. Those today who preach a message that success and the prosperity of God means a bigger house or car have fundamentally misunderstood what it means to be blessed.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
In today's passage, Jesus' references to a good shepherd would have been completely understood by his audience. They would have known what a shepherd is and does. The idea of the shepherd-king is deeply rooted in Israel's history going back to David. Today we learn about the Good Shepherd.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Jesus had a sense of urgency and made a deliberate use of his limited time. He wasn't just meandering around the hills of Jerusalem. He had an agenda and a job to get done, and He was very focused on it. As His disciples, we should have the same urgency to proclaim the gospel today.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It is thought by so many that suffering is a conundrum for Christianity. But actually, suffering is a confirmation of the Christian worldview and points to the Christian gospel. We worship a Christ who suffered. Jesus explains the purpose of sufferingthat the works of God might be displayed.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The reason people back away from truth speaking is because they want the freedom to construct their lives any way they want. But actually, according to this passage, freedom does not come from less truth, but from the truth. True freedom is being the person you were made to be, and that means coming into alignment with the Creator's design. That truth will indeed set you free.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Have you ever felt that you couldn't make as big a difference in your life as you wanted? Does it feel like the darkness grows and pushes back at you in your headspace and in your heart? Jesus says He's the light of the world, and in this passage, we will bask in the warmth of that light and focus on this profound truth.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The first question people ask when they're really in crisis isn't why, but how. How will I survive this? There are no easy answers to the problem of evil and suffering in the world. But there is One who suffered, died, and rose again. Turn to Him and find salvation and a way to survive.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Have you ever been in a situation where you sense that other people do not approve of you or like what you are doing? Through the story of the woman caught in adultery, we learn that it isn't about pointing fingers at each other, it's about being the hand that lifts others up and puts them back on the right path.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
What is it you're using to numb the pain and lack of hope that you feel? Is it alcohol, a drug, or just entertainmentwatching movie after movie that make you forget your sense of meaninglessness? We all experience some degree of pain as a part of the human condition, and that issue is addressed by this passage.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The answer to the human problem is not systemic cultural change or socio-economic class revolution. The answer is dealing with human nature and the human heart, starting with ourselves.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
How do you know whether you've been feeding on spiritual junk food? You'll get spiritually sick, and you won't be able to tell the difference between good teaching, bad teaching, and outright heresy. It's so important to develop our spiritual health and work to maintain it long term.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We all have our down moments and times when we feel less spiritually alive. In these situations, we turn to other things to satisfy our thirsts, our spiritual desires, and our emotional needs. We don't go to Jesus. We say we believe that He is the ultimate satisfaction; we need to practice that.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We live in a culture which is entranced with the idea of the American dream. We have been told over and over again that we must have a dream so that it can come true. The story of Joseph includes a dream that God himself plays a part in.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The only way to not be frightened about our circumstances or death or disease is to develop a different kind of fearthe fear of the loving, gracious, good, awesome God.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Perhaps you are disappointed with your life and with your God. You have asked Him for so many things and tried to do what is right, but you do not think your life measures up the way you think it should. But we need to get beyond looking at what we don't have and realize what we do haveJesus!To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
When we hear the word Pharisee, we tend to think of the caricature of the "bad guys" of the Bible. We can't imagine that anyone would be pharisaic anymore. But in some ways all we need to do is look in the mirror. We all have a tendency to think our way is the right way.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Fake news has become a regular part of our current lives. This passage deals with credibility and points us to what Francis Schaeffer called "true truth." In Jesus' name and in His light, we can discern the difference between real and fake, truth and lies.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Even in Bible times, people rejected the idea that Jesus is God. In this passage, Jesus addresses this issue of his deity from a number of different angles. Jesus walks us through good reasons to grasp onto this truth and follow Him.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The cast of characters in Genesis 37 shows us the nuances of personality types and the moral culpability of us all. These lead us to the sovereign grace of God and to finding mercy in Jesus Christ.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Since there were Pharisees in Jesus' day, are there some in the church today? Pharisaism is such a deadly disease; it destroys churches and drives off converts. It is a spiritual virus and we must cast it out. Let us be gospel people and not pharisaic people.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
When you have a problem that in your own strength and resources you cannot solve, where do you go for help? Who are the people, where are the places, what are the ideas you rely on to solve the situation that you cannot fix?To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Remarkable faith believes without seeing, believing without being in the presence of the solution being prayed for. Faith is necessary because we do not see.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
John is teaching us that wherever we are coming from, there is a path to the very heart of God. You may feel like you cannot possibly be accepted by God or belong to a church, but John is saying that there is a way for you to encounter Christ.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We are not just in a cultural war today, we are in a spiritual war. We know our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, principalities, and spirits of this world. So when we engage other cultures, we do so with truth and love. Here, Jesus models this approach to winning souls for the kingdom.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
When we meet Jacob, we can ask him what it was like to wrestle with God. Except all of us at some point in our lives wrestle with God: some of us wrestle for our children, some for our marriages, some for our careers. Eventually, we have to come to terms with the fact that He is God, and we are not.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Racial animosity is all too common today. In Biblical times, the Samaritans were viewed as half bred, religiously compromised traitors. Here Christ speaks and acts in such a way as to include those who have been excluded. He builds bridges between people and unites them to God.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
There's a flip side to chasing joy, something we're fleeing. So often, no one preaches about the wrath of God. We need to awaken people to the seriousness of eternal destiny. Here we draw the connection between the wrath of God and the pursuit of joy.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Why is it that we strive for something someone else has? What is it that fuels our jealousy or selfish ambition? Often, it is a misplaced search for joy. We think, "If only I had/did that, I'd be happy." But joy comes when we focus on Christ and center our lives on God.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The Danish Christians refer to this passage as "The Little Bible" because the whole meaning of Scripture is in it. There is a universe of theology here, and a whole world of practicality, so there is much for us all to learn from.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Put yourself back into the Old Testament story where people are dying, and there's a means of rescue by looking up at the serpent on the pole. If they look, they will not die. So faith is not a cursory glance at an unimportant fact. Faith is the desparate gaze of a dying man at the only possible means of his rescue.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It's easy for us to think that only special religious places can be zones of access to God. But as Jesus taught us, his worshippers are to worship him in spirit and in truth. So even a desert road with a few rocks can be the house of God. God can even meet us in a dream on the road to nowhere.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Let us not make the gate to enter the kingdom of God higher or lower than Jesus does. You must be born again to enter God's kingdom, but you don't have to have a certain style or mode of operation.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Jesus' description of the temple is intended to help us realize that He is the temple. We also are being built up as living stones, a holy house, as we center our lives on Jesus. That's the purpose of church: to bring us all to realize that life is all about Him.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
This passage is about more than just people making money from the temple rituals. There is also a message about fake religion, which tends to exclude some and privilege the powerful. But the true gospel is for all people of every nation, color, and tribe.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The symbolism of wine is new life, and that is embedded throughout this story. Following Jesus is a life of celebration and joy. No passage shows better than the wedding in Cana the exuberance that is to mark Christianity.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
What an encouragement it is to find a model of a reasonable question. As Christians, we are not to close our minds to difficulties, but to look for the new truth God might be teaching us or see how He is reshaping our character.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Through the story of Isaac and Jacob we see that God blesses the world through broken individuals and broken families. That is encouraging!To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The people who are afraid of questions are often insecure about what they believe. This message looks at reasonable questions. It's important to allow people to ask questions, especially because we have the truth. Come to the Bible with your questions, and find the truth in Jesus.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
In our culture today, we need to be careful to continue to learn to hear. We tend to only hear what we expect to hear. It's hard to listen in order to hear rather than listening to wait for our turn to talk! Here we focus on Andrew and what an example he is to us in bringing people to Jesus.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Up until this time, the Scriptures had been saying that there will come a day when the Messiah will arise. Now, John the Baptist says: He is here! This is the pivotal moment in history, the coming of God Himself to rescue us from our sins.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
If Christian ministry is our fundamental identity, then what is the purpose? Obtaining Christian fame like Chuck Swindoll or another well-known preacher? The effect could be that we lose sight of God and cease to minister for His glory. We must focus on Jesus.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It's so counter-cultural that John's confession is not that he's the best prophet, it's that he's not special or important, and he's not the Christ. Just as John did, our task is not to point to ourselves but to say I'm not the one to look at or listen to, I'm not the expert; I'm not the Christ. Instead, look at Him. Our identity is founded in Him and in pointing other people to Him.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Does God test us today? The word "test" has so many connotations. The truth is that we are constantly being refined by life and by God's loving fatherly care.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
As the Church, we don't love the Bible because we like intellectual things, or because we like books, or because we're old fashioned. We are a Church that loves the Bible because you find life to the full through Jesus, and you find Jesus through the Bible.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Do you know why you believe? If you want to rise above life's difficulties and have a ministry, you must know the answer to that question.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
How do you get unstuck spiritually? The Bible unchained! My encouragement is to read it regularly, daily if possible. The Bible does say, "meditate on the law day and night."To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We are all made in the image of God, and there's a restlessness that we all feel unless we are in relationship with Jesus. Our culture is running around trying to find satisfaction, looking for something to fill that need, and they are deeply dissatisfied.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It is possible in our association with institutional religion to have some kind of vague belief in God and being a good person and a good "Christian"and not be born again or receive the Holy Spirit. So if we have truly encountered Jesus, then we have something to share.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We come to the story of Abraham in Genesis and we find a command, a blessing, and then an action. The hard part for us is to believe that it is actually the case that to center our lives on God, to commit our lives to God, is indeed good.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
There are people drifting merrily on their way all around us, thinking that a few occasional religious acts, or a prayer here or there, or something they said in their youththey think that will save them.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It's important that we have clarity in the Christian church on what we're trying to achieve, based on the Scriptures and the gospel. And it needs to be memorable, so that everyone in the church understands what the common goal is.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
God is commanding repentance. Paul is saying a change of heart and life is required. A day of judgment is coming. So we say: Meet this person called Jesus, and you'll find he is the truth and he is also love.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Many people today are moving beyond an orthodox belief in God to relativism. We need to find a way to point people to the truth and to encounter the personal Truth, Jesus.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
How can the Paul and Silas sing praise when God has allowed them to be beaten and thrown in prison? Shouldn't they be complaining? The answer is that they realized that the ultimate prize in life is not freedom from physical pain, but the presence of spiritual peace.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
I sometimes wonder whether one of the signs of pride is a lack of rest or an increasing intensity. We do need to work hard and work for God. Yet where is the Sabbath principle in our lives? There is a temptation to take pride in how busy we areand wear it like a badge.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The Spirit is about advancing the gospel of Jesus. So an irrefutable sign of our experiencing the Spirit will be that we will be telling our friends about Christ. We will be a church that doesn't just send out missionaries, we will be on mission here and now.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
When the Bible clearly teaches on something, we stand on that, even if that means we are counter-cultural. There are things that we as a church stand on that people strongly disagree about, but if the Bible says it, we stick to it.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
They had a sharp disagreement in Acts 15 over a minor matter after resolving a much larger matter earlier. But God is one so we must be one. Our unity is a reflection of God's nature and an answer to Jesus' prayer. We must make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Each Christian is precious and we are to consider others as better than ourselves. Legalism always considers others worse than you because they don't meet your standardsthey don't do things your way. But why should they? They are bound to follow Christ! The Law is good but it cannot saveit's a guiderail.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Acts 15 is the turning point of the whole story of the early church as they struggle with legalism regarding Gentiles following the law. Legalism seems attractive because we think we can save ourselves by doing straightforward tasks. But neither of those things are true.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The reality of the fallen world in which we all live is evidenced in Nehemiah 13. Here we have another Bible hero being seen honestly. Why does the Bible show us these things? Pastor Josh says it's to point us to the one real hero who won't disappoint us.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Suffering and trials can be a reason for joy in the Holy Spirit. The disciples' spiritual encounter with the source of all meaning brought them joy in spite of the suffering. As Christians, we need to trust God in trials and rest in his sovereignty.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
God has sent his Son and now the message is going out to the ends of the earth. We are a part of that story, and our lives have meaning for we are connected to the divine story of the whole universe. This gives us something to share in personal evangelism.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The New Testament knows nothing of the Christian who is not connected to the local churchit just does not exist in the Bible. Today, our society is so disconnected. The gathering of God's people and our fellowship as we love one another is one of the most essential elements of the body.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
In Acts 13, the early church begins to select leaders. Even today, church planting begins with the outreach of the gospel, and then as people come to faith in Jesus, they are gathered into a fellowship.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
What makes prayer so challenging? The human element causes us to be so distracted. And it's speaking to God who isn't visible. Learn more about the importance of prayer today.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
In one of his most startling statements, Jesus said that the cities where he was doing his miracles would fare worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, because the miracles these cities had received were far greater. So where does that leave us in our spiritually wealthy land? We have a wealth of resources available to us, and we need to take the opportunities we have seriously and respond.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
In today's story, we may struggle to believe that God would send an angel to open prison doors. But Peter didn't believe it either! Prayer is important because it is the lifeblood of our Christian walk. Without prayer, we are disconnected from the experience of the presence of God.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Culture can influence us positively, but criticizing our culture is a necessary Christian responsibilityotherwise we'll just end up imitating it. Jesus prayed that we would be in the world but not of it. This requires our minds to be shaped by the truth of the Bible and then to bring that lens to our culture.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Our approach to culture and God is a little like: "I'm sorry, God, the internet connection that you're providing may be out there somewhere, but this culture is my preferred network and I'm just unable to connect with you." Too often, we prioritize our culture over our God.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
When Saul was persecuting the early Christians, he was actually persecuting Jesus. The church is the body of Christ, so when someone opposes the church, they are opposing Jesus.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The biblical qualifications of an apostle are to be someone appointed by the Lord Jesus himself, and to be someone who has seen the risen Lord. Today we learn how Paul qualified in an unusual way.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Here we look at the response of Nehemiah's people to God's Word. Misreading the Word to define what it means to be a Christian can be problematic. We have to come back to who Jesus is and what it really means to be a Christian.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Perhaps you think of religion as racist, with the most divided hour in the country being 11 am on Sunday morning. This message delves into confrontation. Josh Moody teaches that the best way to avoid conflict is to confront the issue with loving graciousness.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
How do we become the kind of people who, if thrown out of one city by religious zealots, stay anyway because duty demands it, or flee and spread the Word of God wherever we go? What would that sort of devotion look like in the 21st century west?To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The Spirit of the Lord can change us from being greedy for ourselves to wanting to serve others. This passage teaches us about pastors, elders, and deacons, and the ministry of all believers.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The church is meant to preach humility and meekness, and we are told that the world will know we are his disciples by the love we have for one another. There should never be a "Nightmare on Church Street," but there can be. We need to learn the lessons found in Acts 6.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Why do people today think that Christians are intolerant, and what can we do about it? Josh Moody explains that the definition of tolerance has changednow it means we have to agree with what everyone thinks. The Christian view of tolerance is to love your neighbor as yourself even if you disagree with them.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It's very important to get these simple steps right when studying the Bible: what does it say, what does it mean, and what does it mean to me? It needs to be in that order, one after the other, and it produces great joy because we now understand the Word that has been made known to us.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Today Christians face persecution all around the world. Even in countries where persecution isn't a risk, there can be real opposition. The key to standing firm is having a big view of God. When we face challenges, let's keep our eyes fixed on the sheer scale and sovereignty of God. Don't try to stop God.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
People today are looking for the real deal, for the real Jesus experience. They are looking for people who are actually following him. We live in a watching world, so the health of the church is vital. Stay tuned for 7 points on how to help other believers who are straying from the straight and narrow.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
This passage about Ananias and Sapphira is included because Luke is a truthful historian, and also it teaches us that having moral integrity is essential for church unity and church health. It is key for churches not to sweep issues under the rug, but to deal with them.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We start with the view of God's sovereignty, where he is in charge and everything that's happening is what he is doing. But that doesn't mean we don't praythe fact of God's sovereignty doesn't discourage prayer. Really, why would you pray to him if he wasn't sovereign?To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Today the one thing you must not say is the words of Acts 4:12. You can get excited about your faith or be strict about religion, but if you say there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be savedthen you're asking for trouble. But this is our glorious truth.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Nehemiah 8 speaks about the recovery of the centrality of God's Word, among God's covenant people when they returned to His land, and it sets a framework for the importance of His Word for the church today.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Even in the godliest of Christians there is something reprehensible. It is not our godliness that makes another person believe or makes a church growit is not our power. Listen today as Josh Moody teaches that the whole Bible has a message of grace and transformative power through Jesus' name.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The story of the lame man asking for money yet receiving healing from Peter is important for us today. We live in a time when Jesus' name and who he is has been trivialized. But Josh Moody says that this passage shows the real power of the name of Jesus.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Paul urges his readers to keep worship easy for outsiders to understand. Today, worship can be very divisive or divine. Worship is all about God, but in some people's minds it has been reduced to the level of furniture placement preference. Josh Moody explains what God teaches about worship.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Having a biblical church is the real way to have church growth. Josh Moody talks about "doing church right."To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
What is it that makes us put out the Spirit's fire? Perhaps is it sin? A particular area in our life that needs to be dealt with? Lethargywhen we don't want to be bothered with things? Josh Moody teaches us more about the Spirit.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
What we have here is an encouragement to be honest with God when facing opposition. Very often, people find it hard to pray in difficult times because they feel they have to say nice things to God. But God wants us to pray with authenticity and tell Him how we feel from our heart.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Western Christianity often fails in communication with our culture today. When we say "God," they say "don't tell me what to do." When we say "Jesus," they hear "crusade." When we say "church," they say "not my party!" Josh Moody explains more about outreach.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
If you go into any school today, you will find difficulties with discipline because there is no buy-in to authority. Authority itself is seen to be wrong because we see ourselves as innately good. While we are special and made in the image of God, we are marred. Learn more from Josh Moody.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Sometimes we expect God to interact with us like a GPS. We expect clear directions from the divine to turn left in 50 meters. But we need our understanding of guidance to be rooted in God's Word. This passage in Acts will show us more.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Often people think of being empowered by the Spirit as like plugging into electricity. But really, being empowered by the Spirit is more like the sudden shift in mood when a person of assurance walks into a room and we feel empowered by his or her presence.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We are asked to be missionaries in our own backyards, and yet we struggle to do so. Remember, the disciples were fishermen and tax collectorsthey were not the elite; they were everyday folks that God used to turn the world upside-down.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Adversity reveals what we really believe. Do we have faith in God despite our immediate circumstances? During testing we can be reminded that God is reliable, which can be very encouraging for us. Nehemiah experienced this too.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The Apostle Paul says that we should stand against the schemes of the devil. This takes confidence and courage when you think about all those Goliaths out thereculture, family challenges, and more. But our victory is already won!To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
There is a great tendency in today's information age to assume that information is the same as wisdom. Habakkuk is a model for us. When he had a question, Habakkuk didn't go to Google, he went to God for answers.
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Habakkuk was an Old Testament prophet, and this book was written a long time ago, yet the Bible is still relevant to us today. Habakkuk asks the kind of questions you and I might ask: What about justice?
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This triad of virtues: faith, hope, and lovewhy is the greatest of these love? Because in heaven there will be no need for faith because we'll see Him, and there will be no need for hope because hope will have been fulfilled; all that is left is love. Heaven is a world of lovebeautiful, real, possible, filled with grace, and offered to us.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Trying to satisfy yourself with things on earthcars, houses, money, ambition, careeris like trying to satisfy a dolphin in a bathtub. Just as dolphins were made to swim freely in an open ocean, people are made for God.
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We may meet Christians who worship differently than we do, who look different, who have a different language and cultureand yet we're one. When you meet a Christian, you know you're one in spirit. There's a mission purpose to this unity.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
One of the most mistaken teachings of today is to say that we can make people more moral or make them behave in a way that we approve of. But all that happens is that people outside the church feel annoyed that we are dictating to them how they should behave. It doesn't work, because God must do it. Only God can bring holiness.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
We can use the things of the world, but we shouldn't be controlled by them. We can take ideas, practices, and things from other cultures and reshape them and use them for God's glory. We can be discerning to use tools that were created outside of a strict Christian background because God is the God of whole universe.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
The Reformation was a time when great Christian leaders rediscovered the message of the Gospel in the Scriptures. The reformers articulated a way to be in the world but not of it, and revival followed.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
JOY comes from putting Jesus first, then Others, then finally Yourself. So often we put it the other way around. Even for those who are discouraged, joy can be found. Jesus offers complete joy and a pathway to experiencing the reality that is not based on our cirucmstances and that is more than merely happiness.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
Many of us have seen our earthly treasures go through some precarious times. But there is a treasure store that thieves cannot break into, and you can choose to invest there.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1417/29
It's a glorious vision to be united with our family and friends in faith. Jesus wants us to love each other so others know we are His disciples. We all want to be like that, but how do we love each other and be united when it's so hard?
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One great heresy that the Western church has been captivated by is consumerism. Since everything in our society is excessively marketed and sold to us, our natural default mode is to think of church in the same way. Church has a product marketed to meam I going to buy it or not?
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We tend to think of our identity as being on a voyage of self discovery. But Christians are on a journey to become more like Jesus. Our task is not to "find ourselves" but to become who we were made to be.
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We tend to live in an honor/shame paradigm. You see it in social media where we watch how many likes we get to see if we're being honored or shamed. But Jesus' mission has been accomplished, and therefore we are secure and we don't need to strive for honor and fight against shame.
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Jesus is expanding the horizon and speaking about eternal life. That's hard for us to do because we're constantly bombarded by things happening right now and we want everything on demand. We need to get back to what life is really all about.
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Modern life constantly plays a trick on us and tells us that we are going to live forever, and if we worship the right gods of money, power, and sex, we will gain fame and freedom and success. But fasting reminds us of our dependence on God for everythingwe are not invincible, we're not unvulnerable, and we need God.
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One way of summarizing Jesus' prayer here is that it's the greatest prayer ever prayed that comes after the greatest sermon ever preached! It contains both intercession and instruction, and it reveals Jesus' heart for us.
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Context is so important when we study Scripture. "There is now therefore no condemnation" is not all the text says even though the words are there.
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Romans 8 is the greatest chapter in the greatest letter in the greatest book ever written. It's the Magna Carta of the Christian faith.
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Paul walks alongside his fellow Christians and admits that he is wretched. The goal is for us to know that we're not alone or isolated. There is hope for us no matter what we are going through.
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If you are like Paul, there will be times when you will do the very thing that you hate to do. Do you know what that means? You're a Christian and you're not alone in the battle; we need community.
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The kind of fasting in this passage is not a diet or a way to get a handle on personal discipline or a way to clear the mind and bodyit is for spiritual purposes. Here Jesus teaches us what fasting really is.
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We live in a busy world with emails and an online, constantly interactive, world-wide interface grabbing our attention. When we stop and reflect, it is unnerving, because what becomes apparent is whatever lies within.
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We no longer slave and serve in the oldness of the law, we slave and serve in the newness of the Spirit. God has given us a new heart and new desires and new affections and new inclinations; we serve God now.
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Our natural appetites are driven on by sinful desire. Paul says these are aroused by the law. Moral and ethical education alone often do very little good toward reforming characterit just makes a person a more socially acceptable sinner.
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There's no power in the law to make someone holy; there's only power to accuse and isolate. If you try to use the law to make you holy, it's like using a scalpel to sew up a wound!
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You come to church, worship, leave uplifted and ready to serve God and change the world. But by the next day you've gotten angry at your kids and argued with your spouse and you're frustrated that the theory about God doesn't seem to translate into practical, abundant living. Sound familiar?
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It is good to be reminded that God cares about our daily breadour basic sustenance. We can go to Him and ask for help in that area of our lives. In this passage Jesus continues to teach us how to pray.
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Heaven is a world suited only for the holy. Holiness is becoming increasingly heaven-like and Christ-like. So when we say no to sin and yes to Jesus, we are actually experiencing more of heaven now, which is so motivating.
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This verse is like a splash of cold water across the face because it exposes the most powerful myth of our contemporary society, namely, individual autonomy. What does God's Word have to say about being slaves of God?
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Don't quit on training for holiness. Train hard now, suffering denial, so that then you will live forever with God under grace in glory.
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Because of what Christ has done on the cross and what he has done by His Spirit in our lives when we believe in Him, we are to take an active approach to dealing with sin in our lives. So often we fail because we appear to decide, but really we haven't done anything about it yet.
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A follower of Christ is not someone who follows Christ as long as that does not stop them from following something else. Do you consider yourself as primarily dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus? Is your primary identity His?
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Sometimes we fall into a "works" mindset or a "magic" mindset about prayer, where we think if we get enough people praying, we can twist God's arm to do something. But Jesus says prayer is not like that. Join us for a deep dive into the Lord's Prayer.
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How did one small band of peasants from a far-flung corner of an ancient empire turn the whole world upside-down by preaching without agression, manipulation, or violence that Christ is risen? Because He is!
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To be set free from sin is to be declared righteous by God through faith in Jesus. It is too easy for Christians to understate the danger of sin because we underemphasize the majesty of God's grace.
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For all those who trust in Christ, their relationship to God is established and secure. God will persevere with them as they persevere with Him. Because Christians are justified by faith, they can be assured that nothing can separate them from the love of God.
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The glory of God is not most seen in creation or in Jesus' amazing miracles. It is most seen in Jesus' resurrection and in us being raised in new life in him. So a Christian is an emblem of the very glory of God.
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The Jewish Christian listening to Paul was saying, "What about Moses? What about the law?" Paul replies that the law is good and true, but it was not intended to do what you think. It was not there to set you apart as righteous, but to show you your unrighteousness.
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If I really believe that God is real and that He rewards those who seek Him, and that His reward must be far greater than any reward I can get elsewhere, then I will not be tempted to do things to impress other people to get a reward from them. The more we know about God, the more we want to please Him, and the more everything else begins to fall into place.
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People don't go around saying, "I'm living under the reign of sin." That's not how people compute their experience; it's not obvious to them. Paul is saying that God has a tool for making it obvious, and that tool is the law.
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Is my life really to be defined by someone who has never even seen our modern world? The idea that one apparently little event in history can be thought to have had such an impact is an enormous barrier for many people today.
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Paul says the most important thing you need to know about anyone is whether they are in Adam or in Christ. We are not black people or white people or brown peopleany racist view of people is ruled out.
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Every time you face evil or death, every time you leave church to face the perplexing realities of an unsaved world you can, if you think right, be doubly assured of the unshakable joy you can have when you are in Christ.
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Everyone, Christian or not, has a gospel. We have a truth that we tell ourselves about what we think is the truth about reality. But we need our belief about who Jesus is to be shaped not by what we think or feel, but only by the truth.
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"Therefore you must be perfect." That's a lot of pressure! We need to hear clearly what Jesus is saying here, and what he's not saying, and then we'll be better equipped to follow his moral advice as well as come to him for the forgiveness we need when we fail.
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We desire and look for joy, and when we do not find it, we dull our senses with lesser pleasures, distractions, and entertainment, and soon enough there is a fresh search for something bigger and better. How do we find true joy?
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When it comes to fear, some people cower or hide, others attack the thing that frightens up. But salvation isn't merely theoretical, it has a practical impact on how we live. We can be free from paralyzing fear.
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We can so easily trivialize what it means to be savedjust make a decision and take a few steps forward. Pastor Josh explains that salvation is a much bigger experience than that. It's not a checklist; it's an encounter with the living Lord Jesus Christ.
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There is no possible greater demonstration of God's love than his Son Jesus dying for his enemies. Pastor Josh teaches that we are all naturally opposed to God.
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The love of God is one of the earliest concepts taught in Sunday School, and it can become all too familiar and lose its meaning. We need to grasp its true, radical nature.
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This series emphasizes that words matter, and we see that in these oaths that Jesus talks about. "Let your yes be yes, and your no be no." Don't varnish it, don't make it sound better than it is; let's be straightforward and clear with our words.
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Paul doesn't talk about Jesus's miracles or teaching because those won't convince us of his love for us. He focuses on his death and the empty cross.
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Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God pours out his love to assure us and to break past every barrier we have to experience the wonder that God truly loves even people like me and you.
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Have you ever felt that the Holy Spirit is one of the least understood and most potentially frightening elements of Christianity? Pastor Josh teaches that it is through the Holy Spirit that we experience God's love most profoundly.
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When we continue in our Christian walk even in the face of difficulty, we are refined as gold and God pulls back the temporary, passing circumstances to reveal a character that is destined for a future and a hope.
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Christians are put on the defensive when asked about the senseless suffering of this world. Paul goes on the offensive and teaches about rejoicing in our suffering.
We need to approach this passage with humility so as not to miss something that may be lurking in our lives. This pertinent passage examines our lives, and we need to come to it with humility, openness, and an acknowledgment that it comes from our loving Lord Jesus.
None of it has to do with what we have done, it is all through him, the Lord Jesus Christ, that we have obtained free access to the throne of grace. Pastor Josh speaks about the hope of the glory of God.
Sometimes it can seem like Christians are just burying their heads in the sand and not facing up to the realities of suffering and difficulty. But it's actually in the context of that suffering that the hope of Christ shines much brighter.
Fear is not a positive virtue, especially when we think of fearing God. So what does the Bible mean when it exhorts us to fear God? To find out, we look at the end of Ecclesiastes for the final goal of wisdom.
Social networking through the internetFacebook, Twitterthe question is raised whether all this interaction is actually improving our relationships. Friendship is a wonderful giftit's one of the richest experiences of life, and it has spiritual benefits, too.
There's only one thing harder than living alonelearning to live with another person! Marriage is like jugglingit looks easy until you try it! All jokes aside, the church family includes all of those who love Jesus, including those who are single. This teaching is for everyone.
Worship is very important, but here Jesus is placing a high premium on reconciliation before worship. It all comes back to the issue of not being individualistic in our idea of God. Our relationships with other people actually matter in our act of worship because we go to church as a community.
We can be creative but not be the Creator; we can invent but not truly create. The "gender agenda" is an attempt to recreate humanity. It will not work. Sexual fidelity is God's best for us.
We will never achieve much nor make life work until we master our fears. The only way to do that is to fear and reverence our Master. The Lord is good and loving, and his perfect love casts out all fear.
There is no ancient literature like the book of Proverbs more likely to enable us to attain a wise life. We need practical wisdom, and the Bible provides it for us.
When it comes to what really matters in life, what's truly important, then the life that God gives us through grace that we receive by faith can be an extraordinary life.
In the story of Judges, there are many heroic figures, and here we study one family made up of basically ordinary people. Yet they were used by God in extraordinary ways for the progress of His Kingdom, the line of David, and eventually Christ himself.
Righteous anger is an expression of love. Unrighteous anger is not. If there's any doubt as to which you are feeling, it's more likely your anger is unrighteous, especially if you stand to gain by its expression and the other person will lose.
Contemporary society says that marriage is simply a deal. You look for someone who can offer you what you want and who desires what you can give them in return, and then you get married. What that means, though, is that if eventually the other person can no longer provide what you desire, then the deal is off. But contemporary society is wrong.
The story of Ruth falls in the time of the Judges, showing us one family and within that, one woman, Ruth. God, in the midst of the chaos of Judges, has His people, has His purposeand here's Ruth. And God uses her in amazing ways.
Boaz is a hero in this story as the redeemer, using the resources that God has given him. Boaz takes responsibility, and there's a call here for men not to be passive but to be redeemer figures over the areas of life that God has given them to take care of.
One of the most important steps in spiritual growth is to bring the stories we tell ourselves into line with the gospel story. The whole purpose of this story in Ruth is to weave into our minds the right stories to tell ourselves: that you are loved, that God is the Creator, He's out to win you, and His plan will be fulfilled in your life if you turn to Him.
As we head into the book of Ruth, we find a cinematic story that you can almost see and feel. For this Israelite family to go to Moab was to head into enemy territory, almost as if we we were to leave church for a mosque to escape economic hardship or a political disturbance.
There can be chaos in the state of higher biblical learning today with many opinions and people taking sides. But it is wonderful to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his teaching, which is very clear in the Sermon on the Mount.
The greatest Christians have always been those with the greatest sense of their sin and an even greater sense of grace. That's what causes thanksgiving and joy. Pastor Josh talks about finding biblical joy only when you have run from the pit of hell.
Finding peace with God is not about how we feel or what sort of emotional state we are in right now. It's about an actual, definite, real reconcilliation with God that is certain, unshakeable, and unchangeable.
The heart of the question of our modern world is, "How can we, with our science and technology, actually know God?" Philosophers have concluded that it's not possible. Some theologians have said that we need a new kind of Christian. Paul has a different view.
Growing strong in faith is partly about learning to take ourselves less seriously and God more seriously. Abraham laughed at the absurdity of two centenarians procreating. This kind of laughter makes ourselves small and God big.
Abraham's story is hardly one of moral perfection. So how can he be such a model of faith given all that Abraham did?
Be encouraged! Don't let anyone tell you that your role as a Christian at home or at work is insignificant. It has global, salt-of-the-earth, light-of-the-world significance! This means that everything we do as a Christian has purpose and a global impact.
Since Abraham realized that God had made everything from nothing, he knew it was thoroughly rational to believe that if God wanted to give him and Sarah a child in their old age, God would just do it. Do we believe like this today?
We can know for sure that what God says is the way to be saved IS the way to be saved. It's not a matter of opinion or a private, indefinite, uncertain best guess. Pastor Josh talks about faith.
The inheritors of the world are not those on Forbes' list of the 500 richest men, and they aren't the political ruling class or the Hollywood celebrities. So who are the inheritors of the world?
Often we think of the Christian life in a stained-glass-window way, where everyone is perfect and moral. Today we look at Abraham, by no means a perfect man, as an example of faith. We should find this deeply encouraging.
Paul tells us to go to the greatest king of all time, David, an amazing man who wrote many songs and won numerous battles. What does King David say is the blessed life?
We tend to rely on authorities and look for footnotes, but the Sermon on the Mount is the King teaching about the Kingdom. When Jesus says, "I tell you," it's a claim to supreme authority.
Paul is putting two approaches in justaposition against each other. He is trying to dramatize the uniqueness of Christianity. We expect life to go one way, and then there is a sudden shift.
A lot of people think of faith as just a passive belief. Paul says we should look at the life of Abraham to learn about faith.
The most difficult people to reach are not the disadvantaged or the poor, for they do not find it hard to believe that they will not be justified by their own works. Jesus said it was difficult for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God. Today we study Abraham and his wealth, possessions, and power.
There is a tendency for us to become experts as a way for us to avoid practicing what we preach. Pastor Josh teaches about the person who knows the Bible well in theory but who does not practically uphold the law.
What is the difference beween a boaster and a proclaimer? A boaster puffs up; a proclaimer reaches out. A boaster takes adulation; a proclaimer gives inspiration. A boaster thinks, dreams, and talks big; a proclaimer has someone big to talk about.
The idea of meekness is power under control. So it's not weakness, and it does include boldness. A meek person has been well trained; he or she is not easily frightened or apt to run away.
Paul puts the message of justification so prominently here in his writing to the Romans because he viewed justification as a message to change the entire world. We can't just say a sinner's prayer and then ignore God afterwards.
In our world of deep suffering and tragedy, how can we believe that God is loving and good? Paul says that we must go to the cross, which is the answer to all of the problems of the entire world.
Moses' face when he saw the glory of God at Mount Horeb was shining, and yet it repelled people. The law came through Moses. Jesus' face after his transfiguration was shining too, and yet it attracted people. Grace and truth come through Jesus Christ.
The concepts of sin and being justified by grace as a gift have all become too familiar, like a well-worn teddy bear. Pastor Josh teaches on the dangers of familiarity. We need a fresh insight into the same truth so it hits us anew.
The person who trusts in the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot give up on following God because they are no longer afraid, no longer weak, and no longer false. Once we trust God's gospel we are changed by his Holy Spirit, and we desire to be more like him. Therefore, we cannot give up!
Perhaps you've been looking in all sorts of other places for God. You've gone to people trying to sort out your problems. Jesus says He is the blessing, and if you really seek Him with a pure heart, you will find Him!
God will not give up on us because he is jealous for our good. He has a covenant commitment to us. His love for us is an exclusive love. This passage talks about the ten promises of love.
You can't even understand the good news in the Bible if you don't understand the bad news first. One of the reasons people are not filled with joy and peace is because they don't really realize what they've been rescued from by Christ.
Zechariah's visions were striking; he struggled to be taken seriously. The same can sometimes be true for preachers today.
We reason that the possibility of us making any real difference with our lives is so minimal. We despise what we see as the small things. But the faithfulness of integrity in every corner of your life has a huge impact over time.
We seem to have an appetite for movies that depict special powers and muscular brawn defeating evil. That makes this passage seem so counterintuitive: not by might, nor by power. Our access to God might be our super power!
The Sermon on the Mount is often thought of merely as an ethical framework or a set of rules. But in a Christ-centered framework, it has two purposes: to show us that we could never be perfect, and to point us to the One who can save us.
Perhaps you're feeling that God has lost sight of you. Perhaps you're frustrated that others who you know aren't following Christ seem to have an easier time than you. God has a word of comfort for you. We need to live in the light of the future hope of the Messiah's return.
Zechariah is an important book that can speak into someone's situation when they're feeling a little down. It then gives the true hope that centers on Jesus Christ.
We make Jesus small when he is big. We complicate it because we don't appreciate his majesty. Pastor Josh teaches that faith involves surrender to and dependence on someone.
Ecclesiastes is saying that you have to realize that one day you'll have to stand before the One who knows the secrets of every human heart. It's telling you that if you haven't thought about judgment lately, it might be time to do so.
We can rejoice in hope, confidence, certainty, and assurance. When we know that our destiny is certain glory, our present is freed to live with abounding hope.
The subject we are addressing has been transformative for many religious and non-religious people. The righteousness of God revealed brings hope and praise.
If you wanted to create a society where people would be maximally unpleasant to each other, all you would have to do is remove the fear of God. People behave badly when they don't fear God or judgment.
There's no truly good deed done if it's not done for God's glory, because someone has to get the focus and praise. We are made to give glory to something or someone.
We're all made in the image of God, which means we're all built to worship. But do we worship God, or career, money, or nature?
If fear is sometimes good, is it ever good to fear God? Usually people say that fearing God really means respecting him. But fear is the word the Bible uses, and fear has more of an edge to it than respect.
When we hear the word sinner, we tend to compare ourselves to others and think we're not so bad. But Paul shows that none of us is righteous.
People today tend to think of God's righteousness as being strange or unfamiliar, or they just think of it in terms of trying to be good enough to please God. In Romans we find a different definition of righteousness.
As people begin to understand the gospel, they often ask the question, "Doesn't that mean I can do whatever I like?" Pastor Josh explains that this is not what Paul is teaching.
Pastor Josh teaches that God is trustworthy. We must get out of ourselves and look to God and know that He keeps his promises, is absolutely reliable, and speaks truth.
No technique, program, expertise, qualifications, or human cleverness can ever replace powerful transformation by the Spirit of God. Heart matters require Holy Spirit solutions.
We need to take the idea of the pleasure of God and soak in it. When we have a vew of God as stodgy, it is often the barrier to deep Christian devotion. He savors old age and he is the excitement of any age.
How many excuse flabby spirituality because they possess external signs yet don't focus on being holy? Pastor Josh focuses on the real internal change that comes about by God's Spirit.
What would be the result if this increasingly took placeif we who follow Jesus Christ were being transformed into his likeness? Would the people who visit our churches notice?
It is easy to treat religious things as a safety net rather than something that is transformative to our livesfull of life and power.
Paul uses the term "gospel" in an unusual context. Pastor Josh teaches the entirety of the gospel, including a future promise that may not be immediately considered good news.
Saving faith is not simply intellectual assent and it is not simply saying, "I believe that God exists." Even the devil does that!
Knowing God is worth every last ounce of youthful energy you have, whatever age you are. Ecclesiastes is telling us to use whatever energy we can muster to get God now!
God alone rightly receives all glory. But we are people who are designed by nature to seek glory for ourselves. God is offering a better glory.
Pastor Josh discusses whether or not we should expect life to be fair. In reality, God defines what is truly best for us.
Some see church as a social club or a dating agency. People like the idea of church in the sense of having a community, but they're not really into God so they keep Him at arm's length. Church must be more than that, it must be biblical and focused on Christ.
The Old Testament gatherings or assemblies are what we would now call churches, and this passage provides good lessons as we gather together as God's people today.
It is one of the great signs of the decay of modern life that we no longer feel safe in our cities. Why is that? Is it because of a lack of education, economics, or inadequate government action? Fundamentally, it's a spiritual issue. Pastor Josh explains why.
Christians have often been accused of wasting this life with their fixation on the next. In reality, it is almost impossible to enjoy this life when uncertainty looms about the next.
Whereas we tend to feel that absolute power corrupts absolutely, the Bible teaches that our corruption comes from within. The way to bring healing to our situation is to willingly and joyfully submit to the governing authority of God Himself.
Samson is a musclebound warrior who also spouts poetry. He's an extraordinary character, and God uses him in extraordinary ways. That's the great lesson of Samson.
Suffering, while originally caused by sin and therefore bad, is nonetheless something that God frequently uses. We all are in pain at times, and we can think that God doesn't understand or has forgotten us. And yet, we will find an answer to this in Samson's story.
Samson, with all his brilliance, becomes a symbol for all that's wrong with modern life. Is bigger necessarily better? Our culture says that a bigger house, car, salary, church, or ministry is always better, but is that how we should assess what is truly valuable? In this message we look at real meaning and real value.
The whole story of Samson is a riddle. What is it about and what does it mean? Why is it even in the Bible? The meaning of this story is significant and it will draw you into the Word.
Boldness requires confidence, but in our success-driven world, many struggle to find confidence. Ecclesiastes gives us advice from someone who's been there on how to age well. We don't want to grow older and not become more mature.
Each of these figures in Judges is a rescue figure, a redeemer. Each of them fall short in many ways, and Samson's failings are famous. But the fact that they fall short points us to the true Redeemer.
Samson is famous for his strength and the powerful, dynamic personality that goes along with it. But he's also known for his weaknesses. It's important to look beyond the caricatures and look at the real heart of the message of this story.
What is the Christian response to all the trauma in the world today? I'm not sure we have the answer, but it's a very important question. When you get God-centered, it changes everything!
It's so easy in Christian circles to assume that in order to be used by God we have to be picture-perfect. In this passage we find a real rough-and-tumble character, and yet he's consecrated to God and mightily used.
Sinfulness is not breaking religious or social norms. It is worshipping anything other than God. It could be your car!
We used to believe that science was going to solve all our problems, the economy was always going to boom, and politicians were always honorable. Now people do not trust the military, the politicians, or the scientists. But God is unchanging.
Christians are not to be pushovers; Jesus said to turn the other cheek, but He did not say to grin and bear it. The solution is insideit's determining in the quiet of your soul that if you never get that promotion, what really matters is that you've loved Jesus and your neighbor.
There are great pitfalls to power. If you've been given great authority, you’d better be careful. All of us have a degree of power and authority over at least our own lives. We must make sure to use that power carefully and in a godly way.
Gideon's anger and jealousy was undermining the moral credibility of his victory. How often is that the case for us? Today our society is characterized by anger, and everyone is posturing for their own positions. There is so little harmony.
If you'd had to avoid the secret police to get to church this morning, I bet you'd be listening more intently. It is, perhaps, too easy to be a Christian. What are you willing to give up to keep the peace? The danger of peace is that we get spiritually lazy. We aren't sharpened by a conversation with an atheist or by the challenge of real suffering.
Have you ever noticed that there are two methods for getting into a cold swimming pool? There's the "inching yourself in" method, and there's the "I'm going to jump in; watch out for the splash!" Now's the time to jump in, and we'll see what it's like to start to trust God.
Strategic planning from smart people can invigorate an economy, but there's no telling when the next economic crash may occur. In our human wisdom, we are likely to be forgotten if we're right or sorry if we're wrong.
God has spiritual victories for us to achieve, moral character for us to attain, and experiences of Him for us to enjoy. This passage is not about getting prepared or understanding the strategy. It's about taking the plunge!
Gideon is filled with the Spirit and reassured by God, so he is ready to go to battle against the Midianites with all his troops. Except God has different plans. He wants a smaller army so that Israel understands that it is God who wins the battles. Today, we think that the size of our church or the degrees we have after our name are the things that count. What really counts is the character of God.
Gideon set out wool fleeces to test God. How does God guide us? Ultimately, we rely on what God says in His Word.
Fear that does not lead to faithful obedience is not fear of God, it is fear of consequences. So don't be frightened of your doubts; asking the hard questions is often the first step toward faith. Doubting is often the pathway to true trust.
Gideon is thought of as a great hero, but when you dig into this passage, you realize he wrestled with doubts and wrong thinking. Yet God used him, which is an inspiration for our own vacillations of faith.
So many people are turned off from religion because it's too commercial or manipulative, but they do believe in God. When the church attempts to squeeze itself into the mold of what it thinks are the expectations of society, it becomes just what people are not looking for.
When you read violent descriptions of battle in the Bible, it can throw you. But justice and judgment are real, and God is a God of holiness. This is a warning to us, but the message of the gospel is that there is also safety and rescue.
Deborah is a great heroine, and it is a great encouragment to learn about the women of great godliness and massive significance in the Bible.
In this passage, we are faced with a wonderfully encouraging truth: God can use even you and me, unlikely heroes that we all are.
God often uses unlikely heroes, and this is encouraging for us because we often feel God can't use us. But by grace He can.
Tests from God help us grow up and produce character, perseverance, and hope in us. Tests are intended to shore up our faith and produce maturityif we receive them well. If you're going through a testing time, realize that it has a good purpose behind it, even though that doesn't make it any less difficult.
Awesome worship is often the craving of church hoppers these days. Without it, going to a church service can feel as exciting as watching paint dry. This passage helps us see what life is like without God.
We do not expect you to believe in God just because your parents do. You must encounter God and know Him yourself. You must find out for yourself what He has done. Faith is not like a virus that can be caught just by hanging out with other Christians!
The Old Testament preaches the gospel and is the Scripture of Jesus and the New Testament church. The Old Testament is intended to lead us to Christ, and the book of Judges does just that.
God says to them, "I will give you your heart's desire if you will keep my covenant." The great truth of the book of Judges is that God wants the best for you, but that you need to turn, follow Him, and receive it.
For us the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the fact of history that establishes the truth of Christianity. Yet skeptical philosophers of our modern age think that no one can believe in this miracle anymore. Pastor Josh teaches about the importance of the resurrection.
So many people today wonder why God would judge us and why He can't just forgive us. It all seems so unfair to them. Pastor Josh discusses the need to focus on the cross in order to find where love and mercy meet, and where justice and truth triumph.
Here we are told there is a time to kill. While there may be a time to plant or laugh or mourn, surely Ecclesiastes cannot be telling us to look out for the right time to bump off our neighbors!
Every time the gospel is written or preached, there is a division between those who receive it and those who do not. God's kindness is constantly on display so that we might be lead to repentance.
You are made for more than a mild life of unexceptional indifference. You are made for God, who is fulfilling in every possible way.
We excuse our own genuine lack of commitment to God by accusing others of a lack of commitment. Pastor Josh teaches about the excuses we use to avoid doing business with God.
If you're in Christ, there is no condemnation, but you do need to embrace conviction of sin. The difference between condemnation and conviction is that conviction always leads to light and hope because Christ is sufficient even for that sin.
When we realize our own sin, not just judge someone else's, then we can appreciate Jesus for who he is and what he did in a far greater and more profound way. Jesus offers us hope and joy.
The author of Ecclesiastes is the most successful man imaginable. He has everything we could ever want and then some; he is living the dream. And yet, he says, without God, it's a nightmare.
Worship of self can creep into all aspects of life, including sex. The problem we have is not with sex, the problem is with our worship of God.
Rejection of the Creator is founded on intellectual arrogance. Pastor Josh explains why we need to become intimidated by God again.
Paul says that nature shows His eternal power and divine nature, but it doesn’t show that God is good. Pastor Josh teaches us what creation tells us about the Creator.
Even in the evangelical Christian world, the idea of the wrath of God is seldom sounded. Why? Because we have geared up our ministries to win people by providing them with warm, fuzzy feelings. Pastor Josh preaches about the dangers of the prosperity gospel.
Today we learn the truth about the way God sees the world. God's character is opposed to all evil and sin. It is his standard, resolute, current response.
Ecclesiastes digs deeper beyond the usual atheist/Christian debates to look life square in the face through a personal experience point of view. It asks the question: Is life under the sun really meaningful?
People say faith is at the opposite end of the spectrum to doubt. Pastor Josh says that faith is trustingly submitting to what we know is true even when we feel that it is not.
The media and the entertainment industry are constantly trying to tell us we're ok. Pastor Josh tells the truth: we need God's righteousness, because our own righteousness will fail.
Are you ashamed of the gospel, or just normal human religion whose default mode is works-righteousness? Are you trying to pretend you're perfect when you're not?
Salvation can be preached to Christians, too, because it also brings final deliverance from judgment. Pastor Josh explains that these words can have a huge impact as we learn to live a life that is not ashamed.
Paul derives motivation from the same gospel he's preaching to the Romans: spiritual fruit, further expansion of the gospel, and most surprisingly, God-centered obligation.
Paul moves to a final recap of his core points. It is right at the heart of the truth of God summarized in a way that is accessible and tangible for us today.
We assume there are only two ways to motivate peoplethe carrot to entice or the stick to appeal. Pastor Josh discusses a third way.
For Paul, the charisma of communication occurs within the encouragement of community. Pastor Josh explores the significance of Christian community in the local church.
Are you feeling weak spiritually? These verses are for you. Are you stuck on a plateau? This text will help you grow strong.
Why does Joshua tell them to put away their gods? John Calvin said that the human heart is an idol factory because we are always tempted to make them. What are the idols for us today? Our idols may be less concrete, but we must still make a choice whom we will serve today.
If you're looking for an encounter with God, learn from Joshua. He prepares for battle by following the standard ordinances that God had determined. Sometimes we think we need to go on a mystical retreat to have an encounter with God, but we just need to go to church, read the Bible, pray, take communion, and pray that God encounters us. And that's what God does for Joshua.
Paul underlines his message here and puts it in bold. He is visually highlighting everything he's been saying about the truth of the gospel for his readers.
For the young men who were Israel's spies to stay in Jericho as foreigners and blend in was a clever ruse, but a risky one. Jesus also took risks in being a friend to sinners. It's such good news that Jesus is like that, because that means He is willing to associate with you and me!
Real faithtrusting God and committing to Himcan often feel like risk. The story of Joshua taking down the walls of Jericho is about riskfrom the perspective of Rahab and the spies and the people of Jericho. Faith and commitment are at the heart of this story.
The admonition to be strong and courageous is about who we really are in Christ. We are the kind of people that God is calling, so because of who we are, He calls us to be strong and courageous. It's all about our identity in Him.
We are studying four forgotten truths about God's people from the book of Joshua. The story of Joshua leading God's people into the promised land was written to teach God's people to remember that He is faithful in their battles. The book of Joshua reminds us of these great truths that will enable us to fight our spiritual battles victoriously.
Pastor Josh teaches that ceaseless prayer doesn't require becoming a monk or a spiritual giant, but is well within the reach of mere mortals like you and me.
It is important to take inventory on where our lives are actually going. We shouldn't just drift through life, but think about the consequences of the choices we make in relationship to our faith and our lives.
What can we best learn about today from the Apostle Paul? Not his strategic missional thinking nor his evangelistic strategy, but his prayer.
Today we take a look at the importance of doing things in someone's name. Pastor Josh discusses why the name of Jesus is so vitally important.
Pastor Josh teaches on grace as an empowering force. Grace does not finish with saving us; grace gives us confidence and bravery.
The Power of the Resurrection is the new reality that gives us new perspective and the power to face life in all its messiness.
The Bible says that we reap what we have sown. It really will not work out as someone once joked: We spend six days sowing our wild oats and then go to church and pray for crop failure.
We do not live on Good Friday; we live on Easter Sunday. We need a change of attitude and a change of action.
It's really all about Jesus. So Simple. And yet we find so many ways to complicate this truth. Pastor Josh discusses why this is.
Today Pastor Josh discusses the importance of living free of guilt. We must fear no evil, believe no lie, and bow the knee to Jesus.
Some people see the Bible as incredibly complicated. Today, Pastor Josh's objective is to simplify it: the Gospel.
The concept of an apostle is incredibly important in understanding how our modern church works. Pastor Josh discusses what an apostle is and whether or not people fill that role today.
Paul says that a grace-filled community is restorative; a legalistic community judges people. We can only have a healthy community once the gospel is fully established.
While Romans was written by Paul, we must remember we are hearing the theology of Jesus. Pastor Josh explains that when a slave speaks, the message carries the authority of the master.
There is much confusion about our role in our salvation. Pastor Josh discusses this topic today.
In the book of Romans, Paul is writing a cross-cultural letter. Pastor Josh underscores the importance of doctrinal clarity as it is magnified in new cultures.
Today Pastor Josh looks at the importance of humility. Is there an intrinsic connection between Paul's humility and his Damascus Road experience?
When a politician promises something, we don't expect much. But when God promises us heaven, do we begin to live with the spirit of heaven in us?
The biggest barrier to volunteering is not time, but prioritywhat we choose to do with our time. Behind that choice is lovewho and what we loveand that determines what we do with our time.
We don't just come to church to learn, we come to connect with people. But the community of the church is centered around an encounter with Jesus, and that then enables us to encounter each other. This is what church is about.
Both secularism and faith are rising at the same time in our society. This is why we see so much polarization in our discourses today. Faith is the secret ingredient to life with Jesus and to walking with him.
It's easy to lose the joy in the busyness of the holidays. We need to look at the real source of Christian joywho Jesus isespecially Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.
The whole story of Jesus is interconnected, so a truly Merry Christmas needs to take a broader view to include Jesus as the resurrection and the life.
Right at the heart of Christmas is a claim to the identity of Jesus as the God-Man incarnate. If we celebrate the baby in the manger without really wrestling with who that baby is, we're not getting Christmas. The whole point of Christmas is the Christ and the implications that has for our lives.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and this means that part of the nature of Jesus as God is his caring, protecting, saving, and shepherding. He gave his life for his sheep and truly cares for us.
The first part of the image of Jesus being the door comes from the verse"If anyone enters by me, he will be saved." The second part is that Jesus provides safety for his sheep. The concept of safety is an especially relevant one today.
The Pharisees were the intellectual elites, so how did they become blind? How did they miss that Jesus was God? The key is humility.
Right at the heart of Christmas is a claim to the identity of Jesus as the God-Man incarnate. If we celebrate the baby in the manger without really wrestling with who that baby is, we're not getting Christmas. The whole point of Christmas is the Christ and the implications that has for our lives.
Here we come to the most difficult thing of allthe actual practice of forgiveness. Joseph understands it and he reaches out to say the hardest word and do the hardest thing.
Our task to learn how to have joy and love and all of the fruits of the Spirit is of great significance so that we can avoid having a fake religion, saying one thing and doing another. We want to live in a way that is authentic.
The choice before us is between learning to forgive or just gradually becoming more estranged from people and more bitter. For there is no way to be in an intimate relationship with another person without the constant practice of forgiveness.
This passage finds Joseph ending up in prison. We all experience temptation, yet we can find the faithfulness of God in even that sort of darkness. This is a lesson we all need to learn.
We live in a fallen world, and it's good to be reminded that God is in charge of even the difficult things of life, and that he uses them for our good and his glory. This passage of Scripture helps us keep that perspective.
Jacob's wrestling with God encourages us to persevere with whatever we may be facing in our lives. We need to wrestle through it like Jacob did and we must not give up.
You can only wrestle with God if you're ultimately at peace with him. Being at peace with God means having a secure relationship, and in a secure relationship you can bring up your struggles. The story of Jacob wrestling with God is profoundly important.
Some of us like long hikes, and others of us drive around parking lots trying to find the closest spot. Here Paul looks at the metaphor of walking in Galatians.
Many world religions say things urging us to work to get saved. But the Christian faith is the opposite to buying or working your way up to heaven. It's all about Christ.
A high view of God's sovereignty must drive us to our knees in prayer. Often when people emphasize that God is sovereign, the thought is that they don't need to do anything themselves. But the Bible says the opposite and that we need to pray.
On the one hand, God said that the blessing for all nations would come through Isaac, but on the other hand, God told Abraham to kill Isaac. In the hall of faith chapter in Hebrews, it says that Abraham reasoned that God would raise Isaac from the dead, so he trusted Him enough to obey.
Why does stuff happen even to people who who follow God zealously? Even Abraham was given a very difficult test in being asked to trust God and sacrifice his promised child. In our difficulty and suffering, we need to trust God too.
There's a bit of Sodom and Gomorrah in all our hearts. The point of this story in the Bible is to show the depth of depravity of the human condition. Unless we have a deep understanding of our sin, we will not have a deep experience of grace.
Some of us like long hikes, and others of us drive around parking lots trying to find the closest spot. Here Paul looks at the metaphor of walking in Galatians.
Many of our problems come about through not bravely saying what we think to God. Our fallen natures make us hesitate to be honest with God because we're afraid of judgment. Only grace and the love of Jesus can persuade us that we can have a relationship with God.
Family is important, but we can't look to others to meet all our needs. This is true both for the tight-knit family as well as those that struggle with co-dependence. If you look for your fulfillment in another person, it will tend to drive you apart.
Our culture insists that you make your own luck and pull yourself up by your own bootstraps in order to get ahead. But what if luck (or blessing) is not earned, but granted? God determined to bless the whole world through Abraham, which is fulfilled in Christ through faith.
We often think that God confusing the languages at the tower of Babel was only a judgment, but He also had a plan to spread the people throughout the earth. God stops their doomed approach to reach heaven and achieve salvation so that they might find the right approach.
Could any text in the Bible be any more relevant to our contemporary Western society and the church? Just as in the time of the tower of Babel, we long for unity and peace and community, but we're still rebels so we try to achieve it without God, and the result is disaster.
The law says "you must," and we find that we cannot. Christ says "in me you will," and by his Spirit we find that we want to, and we do. We find that we fulfill the law!
Grace triumphing over wrath is a Biblical theme that begins in Genesis and sets the trajectory for the message of the whole Bible. The theme of grace and the gospel goes right across Scripture, and it's a wonderful thrill to begin to see that in Genesis.
God saw the hearts of the people, that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil all the time. No clearer description of the doctrine of total depravity could be written.
Our society today shows a constant battle between one side and another. It has its roots beyond culturedeep within the human condition. Once we understand that, then we are open to the solution the Bible presents.
Deep within all of us, there is a longing for the garden that is now closed to us. The only way back to God is through the cross, through Christ. We need to stay on the path of the gospel, the Bible, and the cross and find our way back to God.
Studying the origin of evil can enhance our appreciation and understanding of grace. If a church or movement begins to minimize its view of sin and evil out of a desire to be nice, it minimizes grace. Unless you think there's a big enough problem with sin, you're not going to believe in a big enough grace.
Is freedom allowing yourself to give way to your own natural desires, or is freedom giving yourself away in service to others in love?
The question about the origin of evil is an important one. We all face pain and suffering, and there are wars and other evil around us. Where does it come from and what is the solution to it? Pastor Josh answers these questions.
The Bible says that it is not good for man to be alonebut this doesn't just apply to marriage. It has implications for the church and the community. We are not solo, individualistic, isolationist peoplewe are people made for other people. We need each other.
The Bible provides several ways for us to discover the foundation of human identity. So what we're learning in this passage is about who we are in our essence and what it means to be human. This is the most controversial and prominent question of our age.
The scientist askshow does this happen, what is this about?but the early chapters in Genesis are answering different questionswhy are we here and why is the world as it is? The answers to those kind of questions are revealed in the Bible.
It's a message that the church needs to hear again, not simply an argument to debate. "In the beginning God"Genesis 1 is claiming that the whole foundation of reality can only make sense when we start with God.
If you're following Jesus, do not be discouraged if you are experiencing a contrary current flowing against you, for it is living faith that swims upstream and only dead faith that floats downstream.
We fail to be astonished by Jesus when we think we can take or leave what he says. We should be astonished by this teaching and by the Teacher. The Sermon on the Mount reveals Christianity as far more than a mere religion; it's a message of rescue that leads to a transformed life.
People love to be told today that there are many different faith options. No one wants to hear that there's only one way to heaven. But the narrow way is the way that leads to life.
Jesus presents a choice that is clear and absolute. There is no middle ground or other option so that no one is offended and all ideas are equally true. Christianity is not a religion, it is a word of grace and rescue.
In reality, this is one of the more difficult parts of the Sermon on the Mount to interpret. Why does Jesus teach here about asking, seeking, and knocking?
These six verses are probably the most important text in the Bible for us as we engage with contemporary culture. What does it mean not to judge? How do we correctly exercise our critical faculties as we go through life?
Paul was a man of passion and commitment. God uses us as he finds us, and he changes our heart and direction and gives us a new nature and desire. All of Paul's passion is now being used to glorify God.
Part of why we worry is thinking that we are defined by our material acquisitions. That's the message we hear over and over again: we are what we earn. But Jesus said our nature and worth are not defined by what we own.
Trying to satisfy yourself with things on earthcars, houses, money, ambition, careeris like trying to satisfy a dolphin in a bathtub. Just as dolphins were made to swim freely in an open ocean, people are made for God.
Many of us have seen our earthly treasures go through some precarious times. But there is a treasure store that thieves cannot break into, and you can choose to invest there.
Modern life constantly plays a trick on us and tells us that we are going to live forever, and if we worship the right gods of money, power, and sex, we will gain fame and freedom and success. But fasting reminds us of our dependence on God for everythingwe are not invincible, we're not unvunerable, and we need God.
The kind of fasting in this passage is not a diet or a way to get a handle on personal discipline or a way to clear the mind and bodyit is for spiritual purposes. Here Jesus teaches us what fasting really is.
We have a constant tendency to veer away from the freedom of the gospel. The price of real, spiritual freedom is to guard it and stand firm upon it.
It is good to be reminded that God cares about our daily breadour basic sustenance. We can go to Him and ask for help in that area of our lives. In this passage Jesus continues to teach us how to pray.
Sometimes we fall into a "works" mindset or a "magic" mindset about prayer, where we think if we get enough people praying, we can twist God's arm to do something. But Jesus says prayer is not like that. Join us for a deep dive into the Lord's Prayer.
If I really believe that God is real and that He rewards those who seek Him, and that His reward must be far greater than any reward I can get elsewhere, then I will not be tempted to do things to impress other people to get a reward from them. The more we know about God, the more we want to please Him, and the more everything else begins to fall into place.
"Therefore you must be perfect." That's a lot of pressure! We need to hear clearly what Jesus is saying here, and what he's not saying, and then we'll be better equipped to follow his moral advice as well as come to him for the forgiveness we need when we fail.
This series emphasizes that words matter, and we see that in these oaths that Jesus talks about. "Let your yes be yes, and your no be no." Don't varnish it, don't make it sound better than it is; let's be straightforward and clear with our words.
Our typical assumptions about freedom today have to do with politics or economics or morality. We need to hear what God means by real freedom, and Paul discusses that in Galatians.
We need to approach this passage with humility so as not to miss something that may be lurking in our lives. This pertinent passsage examines our lives, and we need to come to it with humility, openness, and an acknowledgment that it comes from our loving Lord Jesus.
Worship is very important, but here Jesus is placing a high premium on reconciliation before worship. It all comes back to the issue of not being individualistic in our idea of God. Our relationships with other people actually matter in our act of worship because we go to church as a community.
Righteous anger is an expression of love. Unrighteous anger is not. If there's any doubt as to which you are feeling, it's more likely your anger is unrighteous, especially if you stand to gain by its expression and the other person will lose.
There can be chaos in the state of higher biblical learning today with many opinions and people taking sides. But it is wonderful to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his teaching, which is very clear in the Sermon on the Mount.
Be encouraged! Don't let anyone tell you that your role as a Christian at home or at work is insignificant. It has global, salt-of-the-earth, light-of-the-world significance! This means that everything we do as a Christian has purpose and a global impact.
If you are being persecuted for being a child of the promise, it is a telling identity marker that you are His. Who are you really? Are you defined by your parents, where you live, your gender, or by your relationship with Christ?
We tend to rely on authorities and look for footnotes, but the Sermon on the Mount is the King teaching about the Kingdom. When Jesus says, "I tell you," it's a claim to supreme authority.
The idea of meekness is power under control. So it's not weakness, and it does include boldness. A meek person has been well trained; he or she is not easily frightened or apt to run away.
Perhaps you've been looking in all sorts of other places for God. You've gone to people trying to sort out your problems. Jesus says He is the blessing, and if you really seek Him with a pure heart, you will find Him!
The Sermon on the Mount is often thought of merely as an ethical framework or a set of rules. But in a Christ-centered framework, it has two purposes: to show us that we could never be perfect, and to point us to the One who can save us.
These famous words are from the story of Joseph: "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." The great truths that God is utterly sovereign, and that he is weaving everything together for a salvation purpose, all come to us in power as we trust in Christ.
Paul is launching identity markers for the Galatian church. He's calling them to put their identity in the Bible storyAbraham, Isaac, Christrather than in a religiosity, Pharisaic, legalistic identity. Do you identify yourself with God's grace-filled people?
It could be that the very things that you find most traumatic and difficult are the things that God is precisely weaving into the tapestry of your life. In this way, you might, in your weakness, be exalted as a witness that you have been taken out of the pit and restored to a relationship with the King of the whole universe.
We are a people who are constantly under pressure from sexual temptationmen and women both. The way to resist this temptation and be a Joseph is to live in the face of God and to understand the blessing of God. In this way, the temptation itself will seem so petty.
God blesses us so that we might be a blessing. Those today who preach a message that success and the prosperity of God means a bigger house or car have fundamentally misunderstood what it means to be blessed.
The first question people ask when they're really in crisis isn't why, but how. How will I survive this? There are no easy answers to the problem of evil and suffering in the world. But there is One who suffered, died, and rose again. Turn to Him and find salvation and a way to survive.
Paul lays out characteristics of proper pastoring because the Galatians were facing false teachers. How do we spot true gospel pastors?
We live in a culture which is entranced with the idea of the American dream. We have been told over and over again that we must have a dream so that it can come true. The story of Joseph includes a dream that God himself plays a part in.
The cast of characters in Genesis 37 shows us the nuances of personality types and the moral culpability of us all. These lead us to the sovereign grace of God and to finding mercy in Jesus Christ.
When we meet Jacob, we can ask him what it was like to wrestle with God. Except all of us at some point in our lives wrestle with God: some of us wrestle for our children, some for our marriages, some for our careers. Eventually, we have to come to terms with the fact that He is God, and we are not.
It's easy for us to think that only special religious places can be zones of access to God. But as Jesus taught us, his worshippers are to worship him in spirit and in truth. So even a desert road with a few rocks can be the house of God. God can even meet us in a dream on the road to nowhere.
Through the story of Isaac and Jacob we see that God blesses the world through broken individuals and broken families. That is encouraging!
These verses help us to discern good pastoral leadership, appropriate discipleship, and the right way to accept shepherding. We want you to have the tools of discernment so that you can receive true biblical teaching.
Does God test us today? The word "test" has so many connotations. The truth is that we are constantly being refined by life and by God's loving fatherly care.
We come to the story of Abraham in Genesis and we find a command, a blessing, and then an action. The hard part for us is to believe that it is actually the case that to center our lives on God, to commit our lives to God, is indeed good.
Different cultures have different ways of greeting. This passage enters into some cultural issues. Behind that is a deep, Christian need for connection and community that we all long for.
We need relationships with each other. The greetings Paul has here reflect his friendships and his gospel partnerships. How do we have such relationships? What is the source of healthy friendships?
This true understanding of how God uses gifts from us to release fresh spiritual blessing into our lives is as old as the hills and as different from the prosperity gospel as can be.
We don't want to get wrapped up in forms and structure without the power of God at work in them. It is the power of Christ that we want you to experience today.
We live in a time where some are very wealthy and some are struggling. We live in a time where much of the Western church seems to have a superficial spirituality. How much of that is due to our captivation by the idol of materialism?
The resurrection is what makes life meaningful. Without it, Christianity is not true; without it, life has no point. With the resurrection, if we serve Jesus, then our life now has meaning and is not in vain.
They say no one knows the future, but by the character of God and the content of Scripture we can say that God knows the future. They say the envirionment is being destroyedwe say creation groans waiting for the sons of God to be revealed. They say our country is doomedwe say that the church is thriving. Learn about finding peace in a world of chaos.
In the true teaching of holiness, when we become more holy, we do not become less human or less who we were meant to be, we become more who God designed us to be. There's a beauty and a wholeness to true holiness.
In this challenging passage, Paul says that it is disgraceful for women to speak in church. He doesn't mean that a woman may not utter a word in church, because earlier in 1 Corinthians he talks about women praying and prophesying in church. Find out what Paul does mean.
Church is designed to tell us that there is hope for the disillusioned, there is forgiveness, love, the blessing of the presence of God, and a chance to start again. When the gospel is not understood, you have much ironychurch, designed by God to communicate the gospel, not doing so!
Paul sharpens this illustration with a further irony that would have startled his original hearers. He says that if someone speaks in church without making the gospel understandable, he is no better than a barbarian! Paul teaches about speaking in tongues.
When Paul says "love never fails," he's not calling us to an impossible legalistic standard. Of course, we all fail in love on occasion, and those who love us also fail. We can think that love is blind or to be loving is to be naive, but Paul says Jesus' world is one of love, so being loving is seeing life as it really is.
When we think of love, we tend to think of the head-in-the-clouds folly of a young romantic. Love is for the youthful idealist, someone who has not yet been seasoned by adversity and learned in practice that sometimes strength is more important than affection. Paul teaches that understanding and showing love is part of being a mature Christian.
Paul says this form of religion is like being a slavelike being held back in immaturity and not going on to mature spirituality. In the gospel we move from this slavery relationship to one of adoption with full rights as sons and daughters in Christ.
We as Christians will be better at advocating for the Bible, better at defending traditional values, and better at teaching the exclusivity of Christ if our rejoicing in truth is embedded in a 1 Corinthians 13 type of love.
Perhaps we should contrast 1 Corinthians 13 to the popular pagan cults of today: "If I speak on the celebrity circuit to thousands but do not have love, I am just the sound of paparazzi flashes going off, or a noisy blog, or a meaningless tweet." Paul teaches about the countercultural beauty of love.
Here Paul lists several spiritual gifts in a bit of a hierarchy. The key is the significance of the clarity of the gospel. The most important thing is that people understand it, so he lists the speaking gifts first. All of this needs to be understood in the context of love, submission to one another, and reverence for Christ.
We are a body with different members and all are necessary. But unlike in the world where we give special honor to the especially honorable, in the church we do the reverse. The counter cultural aspect of the Christian community is its willingness to honor those who lack honor.
Paul is addressing diversity in the Corinthian church. There were rich and poor, Jews and Greeks, slaves and freevery significant divisions within the Greco-Roman culture that were reflected in the church, and yet Paul calls them to unity in the midst of their diversity.
Living in the AD reality of Christ's death and resurrection means to live as sons of the heavenly Father with the desire to please him in every way and to have fellowship that is unbroken by the barriers that we construct between each other in our fallen state.
We need contentment and rejoicing in what gifts God has given us, rather than wishing we had something else. Make the most of what God has given you, and know that it's all going to fit together in a beautiful orchestra according to God's design and His tune.
People throughout history have come to this passage and looked for a precise definition as to what each of these spiritual gifts are. They very often come up with different ideas because it is the wrong question to ask of the passage.
We’re not just talking about spiritual gifts in this passage. Many people today want to be spiritual; they want to connect with God and they wonder what that's about. Paul explores the nature of true spirituality as defined by the Bible.
Here Paul addresses what it really means to be a spiritual person. How do we grasp hold of that and where do spiritual gifts fit into that? This becomes of great relevance and significance if we're wanting to become more spiritual people.
It is well said that the Lord's Supper is a visible Word; it is a proclamation of the death of Jesus Christ. In communion, we are watching an event designed by Jesus to show us His sacrifice. Paul teaches the Corinthians how the communion meal was intended to be a point of unity.
Living BC is living under the law which is like being prisoners with the guardian of the law put in charge of us. Maybe you feel you are in prison with the law around you, but there is release that comes from the gospel.
The meetings discussed in this passage were causing more harm than good because they were underlining the basic social divisions of Corinthian society. The Corinthians were gathering and eating socially and tacking communion on at the end, and Paul teaches how this was bringing disunity.
This passage is one that pastors almost want to skip over. Its topics are complicated and controversial, but there's a reason why God included this passage in the Bible and there's much we can learn from it.
While there is much controversy about submission and some think that it is just a power move, it is not by accident that at the same time we have increasing relational fracturing. Our communities are breaking down. You can come to church and not know the people sitting near you. You can live for 20 years in a neighborhood and never speak to your neighbors.
We can become passionate in the church about secondary, non-essential issues without considering the damage that can be done by wounding the conscience of another Christian. We sometimes judge others who disagree with us about these things, and instead we need to have our passions rightly ordered around the centrality of Christ and the gospel.
We have to be aware that when we call ourselves Christians, people are watching how we behave. Paul opens up his own life to the Corinthians in this passage. Those in Christian leadership are called to a gospel authenticity and a vulnerability so that people can see them wrestling and struggling to follow Jesus. Then those who are watching have a template of what it means to follow Christ in the 21st century.
Part of our condition is not only that we are not good, but that we think we are. We have a tendency to think that there's nothing really wrong with us.
So much of our lives, so much of Christianity, so much of the world would be better if we would read the Bible, take it seriously, soak it in, and be changed by it. Paul says to follow his example.
When we're told not to do something, it becomes a temptation, and we all struggle with this. But there is a much greater motivation to avoid temptation than just to obey rules. We want to follow God.
A truly free person is free to serve, to give, to love; they are no longer bound by the biggest slaveryto self. In this passage, Paul talks about using his freedom for the benefit of others and giving up his rights in order to serve.
Imagine the Apostle Paul walks in the door, fired up, and he tells you to ask your questions. The book of 1 Corinthians is full of questionsones the church there had asked Paul. This passage holds some answers for us too.
Every Christian should be deliberately weaving people into his or her life so they can see what it means in practice to live as a follower of Jesus. The Christian walk isn't an event or a program, it's a life, and you only really get that when you see it. Our lives are to be an example of Christlikeness.
The law and the promise play different roles. The law is to convict us of our sins, while the promise of God's grace through faith in Christ is to save us. It is that distinction that must be clear in our minds in order for us to live freely for Christ and His glory.
One of the great dangers of excessive studying to gain knowledge is that it leaves us finding it harder to love people. Knowledge without love just makes you proud. When knowledge is joined with love, it can be of great benefit not only to yourself but to others.
While most of us are not likely to be tempted to be a part of a literal idol sacrifice, there are many who sacrifice their children for their careers. As Paul dialogues with the Corinthians, we learn more about idols.
Jesus was single, and no one regards him as having missed out on life. Singleness, according to Paul, provides an opportunity for living with undivided devotion for the Lord. Today singleness is more accepted in general society than it is in the church. Churches can be so concerned about family that they disregard single people or treat them as less spiritually mature. For some, singleness is a call from God.
The human longing to find a mate for life is reflected in the constant stream of romantic books and movies. If it sells, we must want to be married, however hard it is to sustain it successfully. Paul speaks in this passage about marriage from his own experience.
Even with diversity in the church, there are absolutes. There is truth; there is one true gospel. Regardless of your background, there is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ that declares us righteous.
So many Christians spend their lives living as if it is works and a good moral effort that will get them to heaven.That is not how God has designed His salvation plan. We need to defeat the legalism that kills our faith.
If it was difficult for a Corinthian Christian to stop being sex-mad, it was apparently just as difficult for some of them to stop being so money-mad that they would take other Christians to court over business interests. Sound familiar? How can a church thrive in such a situation?
Slander can take the form of reviling those in authority. Reviling is so prevalent in our Western world that we've forgotten that it should not be the norm. We revile politicians, teachers, doctorsand pastors. Instead, we need to speak in a way that is honoring to God.
Jesus prayed that his followers would be in the world but not of the world. But the church tends instead to be of the world but not in it. Paul teaches here about boundaries.
The fear of man is a very prevalent trap today. "What are people saying about me on social media?" It doesn't matter what other people think of you; what ultimately matters is what God thinks of you. The path to freedom is to focus on pleasing God.
What do you do when you receive criticism? It's one thing when the criticism is fairthat's difficult to take, but we should receive it and learn from it. But how do you deal with it when it is completely unfair? Paul gives some wonderful teaching on how to handle criticism.
It's a frequent temptation for all of us to look at our faith as something that we need to make happen. In many ways, that attitude toward self-generated faith is what the world thinks we mean by faith. Actually, God is behind it all.
The great need of an infantile church like the Corinthians, and the great need of our celebrity, evangelical sub-culture today, is maturity. Paul speaks to the Corinthians about gaining wisdom.
Corinth was thriving in many ways and was seen as the place to be if you were a big name orator of the day. It was a wealthy city with popular entertainment and a high estimation of speaking gifts. Paul challenges the Corinthians that they had become too focused on following these speakers rather than Christ.
How do we explain the trinity? God reveals the trinity in the Old Testament, and then more clearly in Christ, and when we're in heaven, we'll understand it even more. Learn more about the trinity in this message.
Many people today think that Christianity only has superficial answers to today's problems. If we as Christians are not persuaded that the greatest answer to our most difficult problems are found in Jesus, then we'll go elsewhere to find the solutions. We must be convinced that in Him is all beauty, love, and knowledge, and then we'll find our resting place in Him.
We are continuing to looking at true power and wisdom with an illustration from pop culturethe Jonas Brothers.
Adding something to Jesus detracts from Jesus because then he is no longer enough. Jesus becomes merely a stage in my spiritual development rather than my destination.
Does God exist? In the church, we think the answer is obviously yes. But when you engage with people outside the church, you find many people who wrestle with that question. We need to formulate an engaging, biblical response to that question that helps people who think there's not enough evidence. Ironically, Psalm 14 is a hymn to the aetheist.
Paul says the number one reason people reject the reliability of the Bible and choose false teaching is not because there is some great, secret, intellectual problem with the Bible's teaching. As much as the controversial authors today want to persuade us that they're discovering something new, really they are just rehashing questions that have been asked and answered many times, and then putting them out in popular form.
Influenced by the fantastical myths of Greek culture, teachers were encouraging young Christians that if they really wanted to grow spiritually, they must have a mystical "buzz"some kind of lightning-bolt experience. In contrast, this passage encourages us to place our confidence, rationally and spiritually and with good reason, in the truth of God's Word.
Some of us have had good fathers and some have not. But the father figure is important; we all need to feel that we fit into a spiritual lineage.
He is a God of love and mercy and will receive those who confess. We must be honest and real before Him. We need to learn how to live for Jesus even in areas of our lives, like our sexuality, which we don't often talk about.
We live in a world that is quite like Hosea's in many ways, with our obsession with sexuality. There are truths in this passage that apply directly to today's world. The prophet Hosea stands as a model for us, and this message is quite relevant to us.
There is an evangelistic power in living generously. When a Christian gives to the work of the Gospel, living below the standard of living that they could live otherwise, they are sending a message that they believe in something bigger than this world, and people notice and it has a huge impact.
God loves truly joyful Christians. God doesn't give you a duty that he doesn't also intend to be a delight. It is a duty to give, but God loves you to be cheerful, so He set up the system in such a way that when we give, it will be good for us. Giving opens up avenues of joy, and generosity is an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing.
It's easy to be prejudiced without realizing you are. The Gospel is a Gospel for all nations. It crosses cultures. Our challenge is to take the Gospel to every tribe and nation. For every people group, Jesus is the answer.
We do need to work hard to grow as Christians, but that is not the same as supplementing Christ with "religiocity". Paul points out some things that we don't need to be doing.
One of the big things Christians need to learn from Daniel's understanding of this pagan official is love. He entered his world and appreciated his pressures. We call this loving our neighbor.
If you don't have a divine perspective on bad things, you'll grow bitter. If you don't have a divine perspective on good things, you'll get proud and take credit for what God has done. Just like in Daniel's day, we are facing a new pagan culture around us, and we need to think through how to live as a Christian in it.
This is what the whole Jericho story is about. The idea of marching around the city and then shouting is designed to make them look ridiculous. It's not us--it's Jesus. God directs Joshua that it's time for His people to enter the promised land.
The idea of success in this passage in Joshua is about the wise life. If you spend time in the Bible, it shapes your mind and heart, and enables you to have the wisdom to live your life as it was designed to be lived. You'll be living life along the Designer's instructions as you soak yourself in God's Word.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, "He who loses money loses much. He who loses a friend loses much more. He who loses faith loses all." We could add, "He who makes an idol of money will lose life." An idol is anything or anyone you put in the place of God in your heart and mind. Idols reflect what you want God and your life to be like.
Because our culture assumes that religion is a matter of private devotion and that what we can know about God is precious little because he's a mysterious being, people tend to default to the view that God is a matter of opinion.
Christians so often think of themselves as marginalized from the great events of the day. But according to John, the people who overcome the world are those born of Godthey are the world shakers!
Once we have the right definition in our minds and we have the power of God (having been born of God) then let us love one another like this. John is defining love. How do you know when someone really loves you? Ultimately, it's because someone forgives you.
We want to be tolerant, but there are so many things we should not tolerate. If someone is practicing self-harm, it is not loving to ignore that; it's loving to confront that. The line between love and truth can become blurred, but the Bible has a healthy way of looking at these two things.
We're not perfect, but if we're not purifying ourselves and if our lifestyles are not on the path toward righteousness, then we cannot hide behind a profession of faith. A profession of faith without a practice of faith is in fact a characteristic of children of the devil.
You are Christians with the anointing from the Holy One Himself, and you don't need anything in addition to that. John is grounding us in the foundational truths of Christ and who He is. This helps us be discerning when we come across false teaching.
There is a mystical faith union but it's not just between you and Jesus, it's between you and the cross of Jesus. That makes a big difference.
Your sins, if you've come to Jesus and made a profession of faith and been filled with His Spirit, are covered, past, present, and future. But as a child of God, in order to enjoy His presence, you need to keep short accounts. God is light; He is utterly pure, and He is holy.
John is not just saying that it's really healthy for you spiritually to go to church and Bible study, although that's true. He says it's inevitable that if you have fellowship with God, you will want to have fellowship with other people. True Christians are a part of God's family, and they will want to be with God's family in church.
People can publicly criticize Christian truth because they have the freedom that a biblical revelation contextualized in our society has given them. Try making the same religious criticisms about Islam in a Muslim country! But we must go beyond tolerance to love.
As we come to the end of this series in Mark 7, Jesus is teaching us that authentic Christianity starts with a transformed heart. The Pharisees emphasized external behavior, but Jesus says following God is about having a radical change of heart.
Authentic Christianity only accepts biblical teaching. This passage in Mark presents us with a choice: traditional teaching or biblical teaching. This is an either/or choice, not a both/and decision.
Paul tells the Galatians that the reason they have lost their joy and almost lost their faith is because they've lost sight of the cross.
This passage in Mark talks about the importance of Biblical teaching vs. traditional teaching. We must clarify what that means and choose between them.
Since Covid, most churches have up to two-thirds of their attenders not physically showing up at church. But it's not about attendance, it's about what church really is. It's not about entertainment or what we get out of it, it's about the fellowship and community of worshipping God together.
Who we worship is shown by the way we worship which is shown by our attitude to the Word in worship. If our worship is driven by our human preferences, all it shows is that we're worshipping our own preferences. Worship needs to be about God and what he wants, not about us and what we want.
There is a constant tendency to move away from what real Christianity is, with the priorities of God's Word and true worship of Jesus. So many people reject Christianity today because they don't really understand what it is, so we must define it properly.
There is a natural human tendency to Pharisaism where we establish our own righteousness. But the gospel is all about grace, so we need to make sure we understand real Christianity.
Jesus has done everything that needs to be done for your salvation. We are all sinners, and we need to be justified. Find out what we must do to get right with God.
Here we learn how to love and why. We'll grasp both the practicality and the motivation to love. But we live in a time where hate is far more predominant than love. The church has a mission to love our neighbor as we've been loved.
The challenge is that love is far easier to talk about than to do. We think of love as sentimental, but it's hard to put into practice and difficult to get it right. We know we are to love each other, and yet we find it hard. This message will provide some help.
It's an ironic shift of terms today when we think of worship in consumeristic terms, when biblically, the consumer of worship is God. We need to understand what it means to truly worship God together.
The word justification is often not really understood. Yet in many ways it is the heart of the Christian faith. We need to grasp it, and Paul helps us do that.
Christianity is not a faith of yesterday, it's a faith of the future. We are moving ahead to the city that is to come. The future belongs to those who follow Jesus.
Western Christianity's great heresy is individualism. We tend to think it's me and my God. And when we come to church we think we're consuming what is on offer. This is totally opposed to the biblical worldview of what it means to be a Christian. Instead, we need to commit ourselves to intentional spiritual development.
Nothing is happenstance. There's no such thing as luck. God shapes all things. He gives us the tools to put together a personal development plan for spiritual growth.
Watching online services is not the same as attending church. We need to meet together to encourage and exhort one another. We need the fellowship and community of physically being together.
These days everybody needs encouragement. Christians need to focus on encouraging one another no matter where we are.
Just as there was a great need for clarity regarding the gospel when Galatians was written, so it is today. Paul helps us think clearly and feel deeply about the true gospel.
As Christians, our faith is rooted in the past events of Jesus' death and resurrection, but we also need to to focus on the future when Jesus is coming back. We need to be solidly grounded in the past but also looking forward to all he's going to do for us in the future.
There is an open door, and the name of that door is Christ. But in order to go through that door you can't be trying to go through another door too. Jesus is the only way, and there is a choice that has to be made. You may think you're losing something, but once you go through the right door, Christ and everything else is yours.
Today we are seeing a lack of understanding about what the church is and why we should meet in person. Church is not about watching something on TV, it's about gathering with God's people around God's Word.
As Christians, we need to meet together in person. When we come together in worship, we discover the reality that we are called together as a church. We truly are better together.
The book of Hebrews says that Jesus is better, or greater, 25 times. It's also better to keep meeting together, as this passage emphasizes. It's so important that Christians gather together in person to worship Christ.
Peter is putting on a mask. How do we take off these masks? The only way to not pretend is to realize that you are okay as you are now. You are accepted by God.
In the Bible, life doesn't simply mean existence. It means thriving, true life. One of the distinctives of Christianity is that it's not simply a set of rules to follow, it offers us a whole new life. Through faith in Christ, we come back to life.
Peter was afraid and hypocritical. We are to be the opposite. Instead of fearing man, we need to fear God. Instead of putting on a pretentious, hypocritical show, we need to take off the mask.
The trouble is, on its own, a message like "be joyful" can feel trite or too easyor too hard. It's such an important battle to fight for joy amidst trying circumstances. Phillipians will help us do that.
I sometimes wonder whether one of the signs of pride is a lack of rest or an increasing intensity. We do need to work hard and work for God. Yet where is the Sabbath principle in our lives? There is a temptation to take pride in how busy we areand wear it like a badge.
The reality of the fallen world in which we all live is evidenced in Nehemiah 13. Here we have another Bible hero being seen honestly. Why does the Bible show us these things? Pastor Josh says it's to point us to the one real hero who won't disappoint us.
In one of his most startling statements, Jesus said that the cities where he was doing his miracles would fare worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, because the miracles these cities had received were far greater. So where does that leave us in our spiritually wealthy land? We have a wealth of resources available to us, and we need to take the opportunities we have seriously and respond.
Here we look at the response of Nehemiah's people to God's Word. Misreading the Word to define what it means to be a Christian can be problematic. We have to come back to who Jesus is and what it really means to be a Christian.
It's all too easy to let personal differences spoil our spiritual relationships. We tend to think we know the kind of people God uses, and they must be just like us!
It's very important to get these simple steps right when studying the Bible: what does it say, what does it mean, and what does it mean to me? It needs to be in that order, one after the other, and it produces great joy because we now understand the Word that has been made known to us.
Nehemiah 8 speaks about the recovery of the centrality of God's Word, among God's covenant people when they returned to His land, and it sets a framework for the importance of His Word for the church today.
What we have here is an encouragement to be honest with God when facing opposition. Very often, people find it hard to pray in difficult times because they feel they have to say nice things to God. But God wants us to pray with authenticity and tell Him how we feel from our heart.
Adversity reveals what we really believe. Do we have faith in God despite our immediate circumstances? During testing we can be reminded that God is reliable, which can be very encouraging for us. Nehemiah experienced this too.
In Scripture, God used a wandering nomad (Abraham), a convicted murderer (Moses), an adulterer (David), and a religious terrorist (Paul). But God had to do some work on them to move them in the right direction and help them use their passions in the right way.
Wherever we look at the world today we see a lack of peaceful unity. There are wars and tension and friction. But those outside of the church would say the same thing is true of us.
The Bible stands against the myth of human divinity. We are not infinite; we are mortal. We have limits; we have failures. We tend to think that we are the be-all and end-all of life, and yet when we really center our lives on God, then we find true fulfillment.
Paul moves to a final recap of his core points. It is right at the heart of the truth of God summarized in a way that is accessible and tangible for us today.
Paul underlines his message here and puts it in bold. He is visually highlighting everything he's been saying about the truth of the gospel for his readers.
It is important to take inventory on where our lives are actually going. We shouldn't just drift through life, but think about the consequences of the choices we make in relationship to our faith and our lives.
The Bible says that we reap what we have sown. It really will not work out as someone once joked: We spend six days sowing our wild oats and then go to church and pray for crop failure.
One of the devil's great tactics is to get God's people arguing about things that don't really matter. We need to keep the main thing the main thing!
Paul says that a grace-filled community is restorative; a legalistic community judges people. We can only have a healthy community once the gospel is fully established.
When a politician promises something, we don't expect much. But when God promises us heaven, do we begin to live with the spirit of heaven in us?
If you are being persecuted for being a child of the promise, it is a telling identity marker that you are His. Who are you really? Are you defined by your parents, where you live, your gender, or by your relationship with Christ?
Paul is launching identity markers for the Galatian church. He's calling them to put their identity in the Bible storyAbraham, Isaac, Christrather than in a religiosity, Pharisaic, legalistic identity. Do you identify yourself with God's grace-filled people?
Paul lays out characteristics of proper pastoring because the Galatians were facing false teachers. How do we spot true gospel pastors?
These verses help us to discern good pastoral leadership, appropriate discipleship, and the right way to accept shepherding. We want you to have the tools of discernment so that you can receive true biblical teaching.
The gospel is not new but it is good news. Our job is to guard the deposit and present that message to other people, not to come up with some newfangled idea.
We don't want to get wrapped up in forms and structure without the power of God at work in them. It is the power of Christ that we want you to experience today.
Here Paul describes a form of godliness without the power of Christ. We need structure, but if that's all there is, we're missing the main point, which is Christ and his power. We want you to have him and that power at work in your life.
In the true teaching of holiness, when we become more holy, we do not become less human or less who we were meant to be, we become more who God designed us to be. There's a beauty and a wholeness to true holiness.
Paul says this form of religion is like being a slavelike being held back in immaturity and not going on to mature spirituality. In the gospel we move from this slavery relationship to one of adoption with full rights as sons and daughters in Christ.
Living in the AD reality of Christ's death and resurrection means to live as sons of the heavenly Father with the desire to please him in every way and to have fellowship that is unbroken by the barriers that we construct between each other in our fallen state.
We are looking at rejecting the "Religion of I" and receiving the faith of God. You've got to reject the one and turn and run toward the other.
Living BC is living under the law which is like being prisoners with the guardian of the law put in charge of us. Maybe you feel you are in prison with the law around you, but there is release that comes from the gospel.
Part of our condition is not only that we are not good, but that we think we are. We have a tendency to think that there's nothing really wrong with us.
The law and the promise play different roles. The law is to convict us of our sins, while the promise of God's grace through faith in Christ is to save us. It is that distinction that must be clear in our minds in order for us to live freely for Christ and His glory.
It's all too easy to let personal differences spoil our spiritual relationships. We tend to think we know the kind of people God uses, and they must be just like us!
Wherever we look at the world today we see a lack of peaceful unity. There are wars and tension and friction. But those outside of the church would say the same thing is true of us.
One of the devil's great tactics is to get God's people arguing about things that don't really matter. We need to keep the main thing the main thing!
We have to make it clear that there is a way to be saved and a way that leads to destruction. In the end, there is no middle ground.
Because we feel guilty, we are attracted to religious ceremonies that make us feel less guilty. We need to be free from this through the gospel of Christ.
The gospel has the power to really change people. Paul himself was running in one direction against Christ and the church, then he met Jesus and was transformed to turn and go in the opposite direction.
The gospel is not new but it is good news. Our job is to guard the deposit and present that message to other people, not to come up with some newfangled idea.
We are looking at rejecting the "Religion of I" and receiving the faith of God. You've got to reject the one and turn and run toward the other.
The "Religion of I" is pervasive in our culture. We are all about what we want and what we're going to get. And while that sounds so attractive, it's such a trap. What you need to do to be who you are really meant to be, is to be transformed and put your eyes on Christ.
We tend to think that any false teaching will be obvious to us and we'll notice it without even thinking about it, but Paul teaches that the subtle differences really matter, so we need to know God's Word.
The greatest gospel of man that threatens our ability to understand that faith in Christ is what glorifies God...is the gospel of constant busyness. We've got to get beyond that to find what really matters.
Paul himself is being accused of being a people-pleaser, or as we might put it in our contemporary society, he's being seeker-sensitive. Paul calls us back to center our lives on God.
We have to make it clear that there is a way to be saved and a way that leads to destruction. In the end, there is no middle ground.
We tend to think that any false teaching will be obvious to us and we'll notice it without even thinking about it, but Paul teaches that the subtle differences really matter, so we need to know God's Word.
If you're a Christian, you are a part of the church and you're going to want to be with the church. The Bible has no concept of a lone Christian; we are always part of the Jesus community.
It can be tempting to tweak the gospel to make it more acceptable, but then what you're teaching or sharing is no longer the gospel, so you've done nothing. We need to stick to the message and simply alter our approach depending on the person.
It's easy to be infused with spiritual energy on Sunday and then fizzle out on Monday morning when we head to work. But the gospel is equally applicable to being an accountant or lawyer as it is to leading a Bible study. Pastor Josh explains how.
This side of heaven there is no place of perpetual peace. Christians are always close to danger, but the Lord is on our side so this danger need never bring defeat. Learn how a man after God's own heart frames danger in Psalm 124.
The real sign of an excellent Christian: one who is so fixed on Christ, for the sake of the joy to come, that he or she can endure the shame of any cross. Part of excellence for Christians is simply to show endurance and to keep going no matter what difficulty we face.
The whole difference between law and grace is that the law tells us what we must do; grace enables us to do it. Paul prays that the Colossians would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
The Colossians were facing a false teaching that suggested that there was a special, hidden knowledge that they needed in addition to Jesus. Paul assures them that all knowledge comes from the gospel and he models the right teaching that shapes their prayers.
What is a true church or a healthy church? Why should I be a member? Colossians talks about what a church should and should not be. Let's move beyond the labels and look at the substance of a biblical church.
Paul shows how grateful he is for all that God has done through the Colossians. We shouldn't only think of Paul as a model for us with his forcefullness, but also with the gratitude and care he shows to the people that he's called to serve.
We continue looking at our attitude toward church and those in it. How we feel about the people is a reflection of how we feel about God. It is so important that when we love Christ, we love His people.
We think of joy as something to pursue, but you'll never find it that way. The only way to find joy is to seek God. Joy is a fruit of the spirit that comes when we seek Christlikeness and holiness.
Today there is so much fearfear of Covid, politics, moral decline, getting older, not having a job, being sad. It's helpful to look at the challenges and dangers that Nehemiah faced. What he learned about the courage we can have from God can resonate with us.