Locust & Wild Honey: Recent Episodes
Chester Passmore III
"The purpose of the proclamation of the gospel is, therefore, stated in terms not of salvation but of fellowship." - John Stott, "The Letters of John"
Paul explains the Gospel in terms of salvation.
John explains the Gospel in terms of fellowship.
They are both right. This episode focuses on John's terms of the Gospel that produce fellowship with The Father, The Son and the people of God.
This episode of our "CROSS" series is focused on the character and story of Judas. The man who betrays Jesus is a troubling and profound story that we can learn from.
The WAY Jesus went through the process of the cross, the ridicule, mocking, hatred, and vitriol towards Him, is the example of how we must endure persecution when it comes. And it is coming. It was promised by Jesus Himself. We need thicker skin. This podcast episode is about that.
John 15:18-21 NKJV“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
The Cross proved that Jesus was a doer of His own teachings.
- Loving His enemies
- Forgiving His persecutors
- Praying for those who were against Him
- Etc.
When the pressure was on, when He was squeezed, who He really was came out. And, it was beautiful!
In this mini series, during this season of setting our hearts on the Cross of Christ and His Resurrection, I will be recording some "quick hitters" pertaining to the Cross.
In this first episode we briefly explore the fundamental idea of the Great Exchange. Where He takes our sin, sickness, unrighteousness, etc. and exchanges it with forgiveness, mercy and His righteousness.
Jesus said plainly, "They hated me, they will hate you." Understanding why this is so will give us the ability to not return hate with hate, but continue to pursue love and relationship so that they may become children of God too.
John 15:18-25 NIV“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did,they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’
John 10 has a famous passage of Scripture that informs us that "His sheep know His voice". In this podcast about hearing the voice of God we breakdown the basics of how we do that.
You can hear the voice of God.
It's one thing to understand "why" you follow Him. Generally it's a response to something He has done. Saved, delivered, healed, etc.
Yet, There is a greater place of knowing Jesus that moves beyond the "why" to the "what". Answer a very simple question. Answer it from experience, not what you have learned from others. This is the question:
What is He like?
Encouragement is extremely Biblical. We are to encourage one another. Here are 5 tips to be an encourager:
- Speak Up
- Be Sincere
- Be Less that they can be More
- Listening is Encouraging
- Know when to move to Exhortation
You can control your thoughts. God would not command us to have the mind of Christ if it were not possible. In this episode we discuss two passages that have to do with controlling our thoughts.
A good disciple knows how to take thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 New International Version3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Philippians 4:8 New International Version8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
In this episode we discuss the well rounded, all the above, approach to discipleship. Many disciples have one aspect of discipleship going in their life, but need the fullness or totality of discipleship to really mature. Do you have all these areas of discipleship active in your walk?
- Personal Devotion
- 1 on 1
- A Group
- Being Discipled
- Discipling Another
What did I say!? Poor timing?
Yep, That's what I said.
Jesus could have came at a better time. Particularly when His life would have been better celebrated, and not in immediate danger of death. Or, how about being born in a part of history where mass communication exists, like the internet....
Jesus was born in the midst of Roman oppression and Israel was not a free nation.
What does all of this teach us now? Listen to find out!
Merry Christmas!!!
In this episode we look at the pitfalls of comparison. Comparison is fault finding. Once you train your eye to see fault, you will see it everywhere.
These two sections of Scripture illustrate the danger of comparison:
Luke 18:9-14 - NASB
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
John 21:18-22 - NASB
Truly, truly I tell you, when you were younger, you used to put on your belt and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your belt on you, and bring you where you do not want to go.” Now He said this, indicating by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him, “Follow Me!” Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them —the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who is betraying You?” So Peter, upon seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
Disciples get the most out of the Scriptures. We don't just read it and get on with our day. The following advice is how to "unfold" the Scriptures so that you become a doer of the Word.
- Read it
- Write it
- Pray it
- Say it
- Bonus...Do it
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:9
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
The analogy of climbing a ladder and always maintaining three points of contact is how I illustrate how we "climb" the ladder of discipleship through connection to the Body.
- One on One
- A Small Group
- The Larger Community
We all need these three connection points to climb higher!
In this installment of the DISCIPLESHIP 101 series, we address the disciples responsibility to be thankful.
Thankfulness is very important and also a gateway into the ability to fully embrace other Godly things like love, generosity, and peace.
Col. 2:6-7 NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
In this episode we discuss the development of our character. Conforming to the image and character of Christ. Mostly, what that process looks like, and how we often circumvent the process.
Romans 5:3-4 NASB
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope
In this episode we discuss the reality that the life of the Believer is lived under the microscope. We can not on one hand be a shining light, and also hidden from the sight of those who might judge us or falsely accuse. The fact is, people are watching our lives. What do the Scriptures say about that?
This is part of an ongoing series called DISCIPLESHIP 101. To encourage new disciples and remind some of us who have been following Jesus for a while.
Continuing the series on Discipleship 101 we consider "the most damnable sin". To see what it is and how it works in our lives we look back at the creation story with Adam and Eve and the crafty serpent.
Thanks for listening, and please share with someone that could use this.
This new series, DISCIPLESHIP 101, is designed to equip the new believer. This first episode focuses on the mentality that our decision to follow Christ is one of commitment, when actuality it's one of surrender, or submission.
I discuss the difference and why it is important.
If you know a new believer shoot this their way. It will help!
Have you ever dreamed of being rich and canceling others debts? How fun that would be. You can, it's called forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the act of canceling the debt owed you off of another. You have been wronged, and another owes you. A rich man can forgive it. This was the parable Jesus told in Matt. 18.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35* My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
This follow up episode establishes what Jesus does to welcome the blind and lame to the "House" that He just cleansed. It's the story of an oral tradition that Jesus is Lord over; upsetting the religious leaders, but bringing the broken "Home".
Matthew 21:10-16 (NASB)10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?”11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house* of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”
14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”
This episode targets a famous passage of scripture where Jesus says, "My house will be called a house of prayer". Most of the discussion we have heard on this verse is in reference to the word "prayer". I want to emphasize that it is a "house" (family, home) of prayer.
In Mark 11 this story is almost immediately followed by the teaching that if you pray, and have unforgiveness in your heart (a family, home issue), then Father God can't forgive you. Again, connecting the theme of "house" and "prayer".
The prayer that can move mountains is full of faith, but also free from family division.
Mark 11:11-26 New American Standard Bible 199511 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.
12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry.13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.
15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began* seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.
19 When evening came, they would go out of the city.
20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]
In this episode I discuss Pride and Humility and both of their effects on the heart of a disciple.
To illustrate this I present two quotes and one scripture. Here they are:
As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
*The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself or less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.
- Tim Keller*
2 Timothy 3 NLT
The Dangers of the Last Days
3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Ryan Johnson is my friend.
He's also an itinerant minister that brings a prophetic voice wherever he goes.
Here are 12 questions I asked Ryan that we may glean from his wisdom and experience as a disciple and minister of the Gospel:
- If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?
- What’s the best compliment you’ve ever gotten?
- What’s an “insult” you’ve received that you’re proud of?
- If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?
- If you could have coffee with any historical figure, who would you choose?
- Biblical
- Historical
- If you had to write a book tomorrow, what would you write about?
- What do you think the world will look like in five years?
- What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?
- What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your career?
- What’s one thing about your job/field of expertise that almost no one agrees with you about?
- What are three books you’d recommend to the audience and why?
- What’s one question you wish I’d asked you, and how would you have answered?
Find more from Ryan here (including links to his podcast, YouTube channel and books):
https://ryanjohnson.us
The world is full of activist and activism. What it needs is a VOICE! Listen to this podcast to learn the difference!
- Activist are misguided voices.
- Their true calling is to be a voice.
- The activist should not be demolished, but rather redirected from activism to being a voice.
- Activism is the counterfeit of being a voice.
- The perfect example of this is Saul the persecutor, to Paul the Apostle, a voice for the Lord.
- Saul persecutes Stephen (Acts 7,8)
- 54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
- 8 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
- That event seeds Saul's conversion
- Now Saul the activist that persecutes, becomes Paul a VOICE that gets persecuted.
- Saul would have told you he was fulfilling his life's work as an activist until he found complete contentment in being a voice, by life or by death. (Phil. 1:20)
- Saul persecutes Stephen (Acts 7,8)
In part four of the Maranatha series, I discuss how we can fight off the thoughts of the theology of His coming needing to be reevaluated, because it hasn't happened yet. The number one "complaint" about the coming of the Lord is unbelief based on the fact that is has not happened yet. "That's what they have always said", becomes the evidence.
The TRUTH is, we have hundreds if not thousands of FULFILLED prophesy of Messiah's coming. It's part of the foundation of our faith. It's what the resurrected Christ took time to point out to His disciples before He ascended.
If the prophesies of His coming WERE true, then the prophesy of His coming again are just as true.
May those prophetic fulfillments encourage us now as we wait.
Continuing the discussion of Maranatha, this episode focuses on "Jesus" the righteous judge. He, specifically, is the one that is returning. The main points of the podcast are:
- Jesus is the righteous judge. We seem to pigeon hole "The Father" as judge in our minds, but it is expressively "Jesus".
- His Judgements towards us, the faithful, are GOOD! We want them. We should long for them, anticipate them. Not fear them.
- He will judge against the same things we are fighting against now. We want to see judgement against the enemies of God handed down. The spirit that produces, hate, murder, sickness and devastation on the earth. These things we fight, these things will get judged. That's what we want!
Listen and Share!
Blessings.
This episode teaches us how "Maranatha, The Lord Comes" dictates our conduct in "the present age".
I break it down into three categories:
- How we treat the world. Philippians 4:5 - NLT Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
- How we treat each other in the Church. James 5:8-9 - NASB You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
- How we conduct our individual lives. Titus 2:11-13 - NASB For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Maranatha was a word used in the early church as a greeting or parting exchange. It means "The Lord Comes". The concept of The Lord's return is as foundational to our faith as His virgin birth, His death, burial, and resurrection. He who ascended is coming again!
Maranatha is perfect eschatology (the study of end time events) because is a heart issue, not an affixation with dates and times. To LOVE The Lord, is to LOVE His appearing! That is the heart beat of Maranatha!
This episode is an introduction to that heart beat.
1 Cor. 16:22... If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
2 Tim. 4:8...in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Based on an article from Relevant Magazine (see link below) I discuss the "4 Differences Between the Modern Church and the Early Church".
- How we view other Christians
- How we spend money
- How we think about power
- How we study the Scriptures
If you desire to see the New Testament Church reemerge in our day, listen to this now!
https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/4-ways-modern-church-looks-nothing-early-church/