Calvary Couples: Recent Episodes
Josh Cehulik
A weekly podcast of Bible teaching and encouragement from the Calvary Couples ministry in Ashland, Ohio.
As God's chosen people, we feed ourselves spiritually by consuming the Word of God. It is not an optional part of the believer's life but essential. Secondly, we are called to live out the gospel we have received to point others to Christ.
God's truth should always shape our feelings about something, not our circumstances. Because of God's truth and what he has done, we can live hopeful, holy, reverent, and loving lives before God.
Have you ever been told that the Bible is full of contradiction? Or that we don't have the original writings, so how can we know we have the truth? Have you ever asked the question, why were these 66 books chosen to be part of the Bible? There is robust evidence inside and outside the Bible that secures our faith in the reliability and accuracy of the Word of God.
Thank you to D6 Family for this helpful lesson material.
In an increasingly secularized and pagan culture, it is essential to develop the mind of Christ when it comes to human sexuality. Certainly not exhaustive, this podcast is intended to lay the groundwork for a rooted Theology of Sex.
If you or someone you love struggles with sexual addiction, visit this helpful resource - https://thepornprognosis.com/.
As Christians, we are crucified with Christ and risen to new life in Christ. We are no longer bound to the old ways of living - God is shaping us to be more like Him.
Walking worthy requires faith in Christ, not legalistic human regulation or unique spiritual experiences.
As believers, it is essential to know that in our life's priorities, Christ is not on the top of the list - Christ is the list. Let us see how to make Jesus the preeminent one in our lives.
Following Jesus into 2023 requires becoming a servant. Here we see the great price the "Servant" paid for the sins of the whole world. Let us go forward serving Him with a heart full of gratitude and our eyes on the future glory to come.
Christmas has a way of exposing the feelings of being left behind. Has God forgotten you? Not only has He not forgotten you, even in your darkest moments God has a bright and glorious future for all who trust and obey Him.
Thank you to D6 Family for the helpful lesson outline.
Having examined our Great Enemy we turn our gaze to our Greater God and the Living Christ. He has given us the weapons to overcome the accuser, the Blood of the Lamb, and the Word of Our Testimony. An Apocalyptic Christmas Story does not call the people of the God to be content with remaining, enduring, or simply surviving until Jesus comes. It is a call to rejoice! The victory is our present possession we are on the winning side.
A cosmic battle was going on behind the scenes of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise men. God was at work the whole time. Let's examine the characters of this fascinating story and see our Great Enemy. What we will find is that he is a limited enemy and that God will use the broken periods of our life to write His grand story.
Various texts of the Minor Prophets reveal the coming Messiah who would be the Savior of the world. Let us examine how God is faithful to all of His promises. He is truly a Promise Keeper.
An indispensable part of being in a family - and relationships in general - is the need for repentance. Here we see how God offers joy if his people will turn away from sin and come in repentance to him. What they find and what should be offered in every relationship is restoration.
God often does His greatest work through the most unsuspecting people. Here we see what God does with an eight-year old king, a group of honest and nameless men, and a prophetess, that will change the course of a nation. What can God do with people that will follow him in humble devotion?
A deep dive into some fascinating Old Testament Bible Characters, Elisha, Naaman, and Gehazi. All three are brought together by a seemingly insignificant slave girl. We learn today that God can use anyone willing to achieve his will, that he does it in the most unsuspecting ways, and finally that we must be careful to give all the glory to God rather than to steal it for ourselves.
All of us desire to get to the end of our lives and be found faithful. How do we achieve that desired goal? Keeping our eyes on the Lord and partnering with faithful mentors and encouragers to continue the work God has called us to do.
The apostle Paul warns Timothy that pride, and the desire for personal gain will always be a stumbling block to living the faithful life. How can the Christian fight the good fight of faith and overcome these pitfalls? By keeping their eyes on their present eternal possession Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Exercise for the physical body is documented to have numerous benefits. What about spiritual exercise? Paul encourages young Timothy that spiritual exercise offers the eternal reward of godliness. Godliness will be the most important lifeline for fighting off false teaching and avoiding a shipwrecked faith.
The apostle Paul instructs the young pastor Timothy of the necessity of avoiding false teaching/teachers by growing in the knowledge of Christ and the love of God. This applies to all believers as we desire to shepherd ourselves, our homes, and our communities well.
Believers do not need to rely on their resume' to have standing before God. We rely on the righteousness of Jesus alone. This motivates us to pursue our calling to know Christ and experience what he experienced. Keep pressing on until you receive the prize, the promised hope of Christ's return.
The culture wishes to shape the Christians thoughts, morals, and choices. How we think and act are important to God. Here we see how God desires to conform our thinking to that of Jesus.
Where can we go in God's word to meditate when feelings of generalized anxiety strike? The battle for the mind and heart is a confluence of physical, emotional, and spiritual. Looking to God's Word for spiritual healing is essential to win the battle for the mind.
Two robbers of joy in the Christian's life are worry and discontent. Here the Word of God addresses how the believer can win the battle for the heart and mind by offering every circumstance to the Lord in prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.
How is Jesus the perfect example of humility in the life of a Christian? Christians are called to unity but this cannot happen without the essential ingredient of humility.
Glorify God each day by finding joy in Him and living in a way that is worthy of the gospel.
- Special thanks to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
Stand firm in your faith against Satan's attacks, depending on the power and armor of God.
The family is God's design, and each member of the family has certain responsibilities. Today we will see some examples of how God designed the family to function and pass faith along.
*Thank you to the D6 family for this helpful lesson outline.
Those who are in Christ are called to become like little children and imitate God - learning to walk in love, walk in light, and walk in wisdom. This is only possible as we yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit and will result in thankfulness and building others up.
People with differences are able to come together when they have a common mission or purpose. Christ has taken those dead in their trespasses and sins and made them alive through faith in Christ. Now the unifying purpose of our lives are good works to show others how great God is.
As believers we have all spiritual blessings as our present possession. Live out and praise God for this eternal inheritance. Don't stop there. Pray these spiritual blessings for others that they would know the full riches of what it means to be "in Christ".
Passionately pursue God's Word and seek to live out and obey it. This is the path of blessing for the child of God.
Regardless of circumstances the child of God always has the privilege to bless the Lord. Praising God for his benefits of love, compassion, and forgiveness can have profound effects on us not only spiritually, but physically and emotionally as well.
For more information about this study and research read "The Anatomy of the Soul".
Everyone know what it feels like to know God is with us and in control but still wonder why God is bringing you through a difficult time. Psalm 22 brings the believer to trust God and praise Him through suffering and difficulty. These become opportunities for God to work in our lives and the lives of those around us.
The psalms represent a wide variety of human emotion and experience. The collection of 150 Psalms begins with the word "blessed". How does one live the blessed life, and how does that contrast living the life of the ungodly?
As believers the goal of the Christian life is not comparison it is compassion. Today we look at the instruction to bear one another's burdens for the purpose of restoration and the responsibility to do good to all people especially those of the household of faith.
Galatians 5 reminds the believer there is no neutral ground in the Christian life. There is a war between the works of the flesh and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. What we choose to plant will reap a harvest of blessing or destruction.
Every parent desires for their children to come to saving faith in Christ. What are some helpful ways to approach that conversation? Today we explore how to lay a foundation and what questions we should be asking when it is evident the Holy Spirit is working in our children's lives.
For more resources refer to "Show Them Jesus" by Jack Klumpenhower and "Making Your Home Work" by Paul Chappell.
Live righteous lives knowing God counts believers as righteous through faith in Christ alone.
Written to defend the gospel from false teachers, Paul's letter to the Galatians addresses the question, "Is faith in Christ alone enough to bring salvation?"
*Special thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline
Paul encourages the Corinthians church to realize the sufficiency of God's grace through trial. Sometimes the greatest gift is not the removal of the trial it is the gift of grace that sees the believer through. When we are at our weakness God's strength is put on the greatest display.
How can the follower of Christ grow in holiness and attract others to the message of gospel? Here we learn how to become more like Christ and avoid binding relationships with unbelievers that would become hindrances to what God has called us to do.
Having discussed human frailty in 2 Corinthians 4, Paul used chapter 5 to talk about the believer's future hope of eternity, and our privilege of representing Christ while we are here on earth.
What is the lesson from the road to Emmaus? As disciples of Jesus we are called to follow his example to take the message of the empty tomb to empty hearts.
After several chapters focusing on the meaninglessness of live lived apart from God. Solomon concludes Ecclesiastes by reminding his readers that we will give an account for how we live. The best thing we can do is have reverence for God and live according to His commands.
Life apart from God is meaningless and empty. All humanity must look to God and His ways for purpose and meaning in life.
Now that I have have received the gospel what do I do with it? Here are a few simple steps to become the witness God has called you to be.
Although many in our culture doubt and dismiss the resurrection of Christ, it is a key truth of our faith. Today we will examine the events of the Resurrection and evidence that supports it.
Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
- Additional Resources for personal study
Websites
www.carm.org
www.ratiochristi.org
www.reasonablefaith.org
www.probe.org
www.oneminuteapologist.com
www.crossexamined.org
Books
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler
The Case for the Resurrection by Gary Habermas
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman Geisler
The sacrifice of Christ's confronts us with the beauty and brutality of the cross. Now we live in appreciation for what He has done for us.
If God calls something sin, it is always sin and therefore, always wrong. If we are given a specific command in Scripture, it is always right for us to obey. But even when there is not a decisive command or, Thou shalt not, there are clear principles in Scripture that can guide us not only in determining right and wrong, but also discerning between acceptable or God’s best. These matters are within the realm of Christian liberty and governed by the principles of Christian liberty.
- Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful material.
As believers God desires us to respond to one another in love when we disagree over things that are not clearly spelled out in Scripture.
Click here for helpful guidelines regarding making choices in matters that are considered debatable.
*Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
What tools has God given Christians to change the world in the face of opposition? Do we fight back with the sword? Run away and reject identifying with Jesus? Or is there a better way? The apostle Peter begs the reader, "Don't do it my way, do it Jesus way - His way changes the world."
Christians have an obligation to place themselves under the leadership of those God has put in positions of authority.
*Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline
For further study reference (Heb 12:9, Heb 13:17, 1 Pet 2:13-14, 2:18, 3:1, 5:5)
Believers must daily present themselves to God to do His will and be transformed by the His word.
- Special Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
We will se how the law of the Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death. Choose daily to submit to guidance, direction, and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
*Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
Have you ever opened the Bible and read it only to close it and ask yourself, "What does that mean?". Today we learn some helpful approaches for biblical interpretation taken from Don Closson and his notes on Hermeneutics.
As promised here is the link to the resource mentioned in the podcast, "The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching: A Guide from Genesis to Revelation".
As believers we are dead to sin and alive to know and serve God. Every day decisions must be made to act accordingly.
*Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline
Wisdom is vital for successful living and brings many benefits to our lives. Today we will see where to go for wisdom and where not to go.
*Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
The farther our society drifts from God's revealed truth, the less popular our beliefs become. Today we see how Elijah stood alone for God's revealed truth. Choose to respectfully stand for God's revealed truth no matter the odds or circumstances.
- Special thank you to the D6 family for this helpful lesson outline.
Seek to know God's presence, walking closely with Him, repenting and confessing of sins, and presenting yourself as holy dwelling places for His Spirit.
- Special thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
Choose to seek out and live by the wisdom of God's Word, valuing wisdom above riches and fame.
Special thank you to the D6 family for this helpful lesson outline.
Christians can stand firm in their faith, living for the Lord and doing His work, knowing that what we do for God will matter for all eternity. *Thank you to the D6 family for the helpful lesson outline.
Choose to demonstrate love in your attitude and actions towards God and others.
- Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline.
God has given them special abilities to be used to serve Him and build up His kingdom. They choose to use those gifts and abilities to serve God and His church.
To take a spiritual gift survey/assessment go to bit.ly/CGI-SpiritualGifts.
- Thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful outline
Christians must choose to be content in all circumstances, see them as opportunities to worship and serve God.
*Special thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful outline
Repentance of personal sin and support for the church's effort to encourage repentance in others who profess Christ is essential for the health of and unity of the body of Christ.
- Special thank you to the D6 Family for this helpful lesson outline
Christians must understand God wants His people to be united around knowing Christ and helping others know and follow Him. Work to cultivate and maintain unity with other believers.
Jesus birth was miraculous and happened just as God has promised in His Word. Choose to obey God no matter the cost, just as Mary did.
God is always with us and will help us cope with depression and anxiety as we follow biblical guidelines to address them.
*Special Thank you to the teachers at D6 Family for this helpful biblical resource.
The Lord will be there to help deal with life's losses and equip us to biblical principles for coping with loss.
A Summary of the Work of Dr. David Mapes, Professor of Systematic Theology at LRCS
"The extent of the atonement answers the question: “For whom did Christ die?” Only two answers to this question exist within orthodox theology. Christ died for a certain group of specially chosen people known as the elect OR Christ died for all of Adam’s race. Each answer to the question has its defenders. The position that the atonement is provided only for the elect is defended by those known today as Calvinists. The position that the atonement may be applied to the whole world is defended by those known today as Arminians. And yet in Baptist circles, there is another major theological position that is neither Calvinistic nor Arminian."
Dr. Mapes adheres to a model he has named "The Romans 5 Model" a biblical approach to the theology of atonement.
Those who are justified by faith in Christ can live for Him with joy and hope because they are at peace with God.
God offers forgiveness and salvation to every person, but only through faith in His Son Jesus. We look for opportunities to share how faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation.
The gospel message has the power to save, but those who reject it suffer the wrath of God in a downward spiral of sin. Believers must share the gospel at every opportunity and help send it to those who need to hear.
We must decide honoring God is the most important thing we can do and pursue God with all of our hearts.
As believers it is necessary to choose to do everything God leads you to do, confident that God will bring about His will.
*For more information on how slingshots are used in warfare go to bit.ly/slingweapon
Obedience is always the best choice. Committing to obey the Lord in every area of life is essential, regardless of the cicrucmstances.
Parents must understand that every generation is to teach God's Word and ways to the generations that follow. Grandparents and church families support parents in this vital responsibility.
Learning to dedicate each day to follow God's Word and help others do the same is essential to the success of our Christian life and the life of the next generation.
It is important to understand God wants His people to be hard workers, doing what is good and right at all times and lovingly holding each other accountable for ongoing disobedience.
It is important to understand certain events will take place before the return of Christ. We must choose to practice and learn God's revealed truth to help us stand firm until He returns. Thank you to D6 Family for this Bible Study material
God's Word gives us practical guidelines for living. We put the practical truths of God's Word into practice each day. *Thank you to the writers at D6 Fusion for providing this material and resource.
As believers we are called to live in ways that please God, view death differently than the world, and remain ready for Christ's return.
Have you ever considered 1 Thess 5:16-22 to be the "Hardest List in the Bible" - why is it such a condemning list? Without the amazing grace of Jesus Christ it is impossible to live out.
But grace is only amazing when we see ourselves first as wretches in need of a Savior.
When life gets interrupted how should Christians respond? We explore the life of Herod and his response to the appearance of Christ.
Why do strong Bible believing Christians come to different conclusion about the same passages in the Bible?
The problem with authority is the most fundamental challenge the Christian Church ever faces. Is God's Word a trustworthy authority?
You will be hard pressed to find two people who can agree on a definition of "Fundamentalism". So what are the fundamentals of the Christian faith?
Discipline is essential to foster children who are able to discern God's call on their life and pursue the freedom to pursue that call.
If we want the best for our children we must pay the price to learn how to give them the best opportunities at being, healthy, happy, and holy children.
Parenting kids is hard and costly, but it is a price well worth paying. Let's look at some ways we can learn to enjoy our kids now and into the future.
Are Christian's allowed to be frustrated? What is the mature response to frustration? Does God care about our frustration?
As we look into the Word of God we find the answer to all these questions is yes.
Sometimes ministry can have an adverse affect on our family. How can we overcome this and use ministry as a unifying tool to strengthen our home?
How can family unity build strength and develop a stronger bond? We'll see how having conversations around God and his Word deepen unity within the family unit.
Everybody is different, and that's how God intended it to be. How can you and I learn to live with the differences of our family members? How can these differences bring unity to the home?
Our final lesson on joy in the "Family Life of a Christian" series. Joy hasn't been completed until it is expressed in praise. How do we praise those in our home, and how does praise full us to even greater joy?
Continuing our lesson on developing a joyful we look at appearances. Keeping up appearances is the great thief of joy. What can we do to combat the desire to be what we are not?
Continuing our series on the family life of a Christian we uncover how joy is the greatest wealth of any home. Regardless of your material possessions, if you have joy you will be a wealthy people.
Our last lesson showed that as long as we live, learning how to love will be the endeavor of a Christian home. In this lesson we will look at how that is lived out.
In the Bible love is presented as the key Christian value. It is the most important characteristic of Christian behavior (1 Cor 13:1-3,13). Love must also be the key value of a Christian home.
What most often takes away the joy and peace of our homes is the refusal to crucify self. The outward issue is never what the conflict is about – what fuels conflicts are wills and egos unwilling to bend.
In family life, as in every aspect of life, when our will clashes with God’s will, we must crucify the flesh.
What most often takes away the joy and peace of our homes is the refusal to crucify self. The outward issue is never what the conflict is about – what fuels conflicts are wills and egos unwilling to bend.
In family life, as in every aspect of life, when our will clashes with God’s will, we must crucify the flesh.
What most often takes away the joy and peace of our homes is the refusal to crucify self. The outward issue is never what the conflict is about – what fuels conflicts are wills and egos unwilling to bend.
In family life, as in every aspect of life, when our will clashes with God’s will, we must crucify the flesh.
What most often takes away the joy and peace of our homes is the refusal to crucify self. The outward issue is never what the conflict is about – what fuels conflicts are wills and egos unwilling to bend.
In family life, as in every aspect of life, when our will clashes with God’s will, we must crucify the flesh.
God’s involvement is the most important factor in our marriages and families. He is committed to our marriage covenant and makes it possible for us to fulfill our commitment to each other.
God’s involvement is the most important factor in our marriages and families. He is committed to our marriage covenant and makes it possible for us to fulfill our commitment to each other.
God’s involvement is the most important factor in our marriages and families. He is committed to our marriage covenant and makes it possible for us to fulfill our commitment to each other.
Peter is outlining a spiritual response to real threats Christians are experiencing. Should they fight back, flee to another place, or is there a better way?
Peter is outlining a spiritual response to real threats Christians are experiencing. Should they fight back, flee to another place, or is there a better way?
Peter is outlining a spiritual response to real threats Christians are experiencing. Should they fight back, flee to another place, or is there a better way?
Conforming is something that we are really good at, but for the Christian is there something more? What does it mean to be transformed, and how does it integrate with conforming?
Conforming is something that we are really good at, but for the Christian is there something more? What does it mean to be transformed, and how does it integrate with conforming?
Conforming is something that we are really good at, but for the Christian is there something more? What does it mean to be transformed, and how does it integrate with conforming?