Everyday Truth with Kurt Skelly
Kurt Skelly
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Everyday Truth with Kurt Skelly is a 15-minute, daily podcast in which Kurt teaches through books of the Bible with one of his four adult children.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
2 days ago
Friday, April 9 | U-Turns Permitted (And Recommended)
Zechariah 1:3-4
3 days ago
Thursday, April 8 | When God gets Angry
Zechariah 1:1-2
4 days ago
Wednesday, April 7 | Who in the world is Zechariah?
Zechariah 1:1
5 days ago
Tuesday, April 6 | The Final Goodbye
2 Timothy 4:19-22
6 days ago
Monday, April 5 | When Nobody Showed Up But Jesus
2 Timothy 4:16-18
Apr 2, 2021
Friday, April 2 | Ministry Partners—the Good, Bad, and Ugly
2 Timothy 4:11-15
Apr 1, 2021
Thursday, April 1 | Why did Demas quit?
2 Timothy 4:9-10
Mar 31, 2021
Wednesday, March 31 | The Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8
Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday, March 30 | Running Well and Finishing Strong
2 Timothy 4:6-7
Mar 29, 2021
Monday, March 29 | Prove it! Demonstrate that your faith is real.
2 Timothy 4:5
Mar 26, 2021
Friday, March 26 | Preaching the Word or Entertaining the Crowd?
2 Timothy 4:2-4
Mar 25, 2021
Thursday, March 25 | Standing Before Jesus
2 Timothy 4:1
Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday, March 24 | For whom is Scripture profitable?
2 Timothy 3:17
Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday, March 23
Mar 22, 2021
Monday, March 22
Mar 19, 2021
Friday, March 19
Mar 18, 2021
Thursday, March 18
Mar 17, 2021
Wednesday, March 17
Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday, March 16
Mar 15, 2021
Monday, March 15
Mar 12, 2021
Friday, March 12
Mar 11, 2021
Thursday, March 11
Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday, March 10
Mar 9, 2021
Tuesday, March 9
Mar 8, 2021
Monday, March 8
Mar 5, 2021
Friday, March 5
Mar 4, 2021
Thursday, March 4
Mar 3, 2021
Wednesday, March 3
Mar 2, 2021
Tuesday, March 2
Mar 1, 2021
Monday, March 1
Feb 26, 2021
Friday, February 26
Feb 25, 2021
Thursday, February 25
Feb 24, 2021
Wednesday, February 24
Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday, February 23
Feb 22, 2021
Monday, February 22
Feb 19, 2021
Friday, February 19
Feb 18, 2021
Thursday, February 18
Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday, February 17
Feb 16, 2021
Tuesday, February 16
Feb 15, 2021
Monday, February 15
Feb 12, 2021
Friday, February 12
Feb 11, 2021
Thursday, February 11
Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday, February 10
Feb 9, 2021
Tuesday, February 9
Feb 8, 2021
Monday, February 8
Feb 5, 2021
Friday, February 5
Feb 4, 2021
Thursday, February 4
Feb 3, 2021
Wednesday, February 3
Feb 2, 2021
Tuesday, February 2
Feb 1, 2021
Monday, February 1
Jan 29, 2021
Friday, January 29
Jan 28, 2021
Thursday, January 28
Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday, January 27
Jan 26, 2021
Tuesday, January 26
Jan 25, 2021
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Jan 22, 2021
Friday, January 22
Jan 21, 2021
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Jan 20, 2021
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Jan 19, 2021
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Jan 18, 2021
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Jan 15, 2021
Friday, January 15
Jan 14, 2021
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Jan 13, 2021
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Jan 12, 2021
Tuesday, January 12
Jan 11, 2021
Monday, January 11
Jan 8, 2021
Friday, January 8
Jan 7, 2021
Thursday, January 7
Jan 6, 2021
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Jan 5, 2021
Tuesday, January 5
Jan 4, 2021
Monday, January 4
Jan 1, 2021
Friday, January 1
Dec 31, 2020
Thursday, December 31
Dec 30, 2020
Wednesday, December 30
Dec 29, 2020
Tuesday, December 29
Dec 28, 2020
Monday, December 28
Dec 24, 2020
Thursday, December 24
Dec 23, 2020
Wednesday, December 23
Dec 22, 2020
Tuesday, December 22
Dec 21, 2020
Monday, December 21
Dec 18, 2020
Friday, December 18
Dec 17, 2020
Thursday, December 17
Dec 16, 2020
Wednesday, December 16
Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday, December 15
Dec 14, 2020
Monday, December 14
Dec 11, 2020
Friday, December 11
Dec 10, 2020
Thursday, December 10
Dec 9, 2020
Wednesday, December 9
Dec 8, 2020
Tuesday, December 8
Dec 7, 2020
Monday December 7
Dec 4, 2020
Friday December 4
Dec 3, 2020
Thursday December 3
Dec 2, 2020
Wednesday December 2
Dec 1, 2020
Tuesday December 1
Nov 30, 2020
Monday, November 30
Nov 27, 2020
Friday November 27
Nov 25, 2020
Wednesday November 25
Nov 24, 2020
Tuesday, November 24
Nov 23, 2020
Monday, November 23
Nov 20, 2020
Friday, November 20
Nov 19, 2020
Thursday, November 19
Nov 18, 2020
Wednesday, November 18
Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday, November 17
Nov 16, 2020
Monday, November 16
Nov 13, 2020
Friday November 13
Nov 12, 2020
Thursday November 12
Nov 11, 2020
Wednesday November 11
Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday November 10
Nov 9, 2020
Monday November 9
Nov 6, 2020
Friday, November 6
Nov 5, 2020
Thursday November 5
Nov 4, 2020
Wednesday November 4
Nov 3, 2020
Tuesday, November 3
Nov 2, 2020
Monday, November 2
Oct 30, 2020
Friday, October 30
Oct 29, 2020
Thursday, October 29
Oct 28, 2020
Wednesday October 28
Oct 27, 2020
Tuesday October 27
Oct 26, 2020
Monday October 26
Oct 23, 2020
Friday, October 23
Oct 22, 2020
Thursday, October 22
Oct 21, 2020
Wednesday, October 21
Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday, October 20
Oct 19, 2020
Monday, October 19
Oct 16, 2020
Friday October 16
Oct 15, 2020
Thursday October 15
Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday, October 14
Oct 13, 2020
What does a good counselor look like?
Acts 13:2-3
It is wise for all of us to seek counsel from time to time, especially when we are facing important life decisions. But who, should you trust? And what are the qualities of a biblical counselor?
Oct 12, 2020
When God Changes Your Plans
Acts 13:1
Barnabas and Saul launched out on their exciting first missionary journey in Acts 13. The way by which God led them provides a wonderful template for the way God works in our lives as well, especially when He leads us to launch out!
Oct 9, 2020
Friday, October 9
Oct 8, 2020
Thursday, October 8
Oct 7, 2020
Wednesday, October 7
Oct 6, 2020
Tuesday, October 6
Oct 5, 2020
Monday October 5
Oct 2, 2020
Friday October 2
Oct 1, 2020
Thursday October 1
Sep 30, 2020
Antioch and Beyond!
Acts 11:19-23
Now that the gospel was open to both Jews and Gentiles, it spread like rapid fire. Soon a new mission headquarters would emerge and the gospel would be catapulted from Antioch!
Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday, September 29
Sep 28, 2020
Monday, September 28
Sep 25, 2020
Peter preaches the gospel!
Acts 10:34-43
If you'd like to see a great template for how to share the gospel with an unbeliever, then read today's passage! Peter preached a bold, specific, Christ-centered message to the household of Cornelius. The Holy Spirit did the rest!
Sep 24, 2020
Without delay and without complaint
Acts 10:23-33
The Lord didn't tell Peter what his specific mission was to be at the home of Cornelius, but Peter obeyed anyway! Often the Lord give us just enough information to know what the next step of the journey is... Take that step in obedience and He will show you the next one!
Sep 23, 2020
Do what God says!
Acts 10:19-25
Although that sounds simple, God often leads us in ways that seem counterintuitive to our logic. Peter was asked too disregard his lifelong cultural and religious ideals. We might see hi reluctance as rebellion, but his ultimate obedience should be an encouragement to all of us.
Sep 22, 2020
Prejudice dies hard!
Acts 10:9-18
Religious preconception and prejudice has prevented many a person from seeing the simplicity of the gospel. In Peter's case, his preconceptions actually made him disagree with God!
Sep 21, 2020
Good is not good enough!
Acts 10:1-9
Cornelius was a good and honorable man by pretty much all standards, but he was without salvation! The story of Acts 10 is the story of God's loving reach to the Gentile world.
Sep 18, 2020
The Amazing Resurrection of Tabitha!
Acts 9:36-43
God often used miracles in the ministry of the apostles to validate their ministry and the authenticity of the Word of God. And what an exclamation point this miracle was!
Sep 17, 2020
The Partnership of Stephen and Saul
Acts 9:29-35
When Saul (later Paul) returned to Jerusalem for the first time after his conversion, it is very interesting where he ministered. He preached to the very people Stephen had been reasoning with! In other words, the person Saul was responsible for killing actually became gospel partners with him!
Sep 16, 2020
A Daring Escape!
Acts 9:23-
People love escape stories! One of my favorite books as a boy was the daring escape from the prison camp Colditz in World War 2. Today's episode chronicles Saul's escape from Damascus and his trek back to dangerous Jerusalem.
Sep 15, 2020
Testimony is more convicting than words.
Acts 9:19-22
When Saul became a believer, he became a vocal and convincing preacher of the gospel. He knew the Scriptures and taught them boldly. But more effective still was the power of his changed life!
Sep 14, 2020
Paul is saved--no doubt about it!
Acts 9:13-18
Ananias struggled believing that the notorious Saul of Tarsus could actually become a follower of Jesus. And the Lord didn't rebuke him for doubting, but he did clarify just how amazing his transformed life would be!
Sep 11, 2020
New Creature!
Acts 9:8-12
Think of the meanest and most evil person you know. To a first century Christian living in Damascus that would be an easy thing to do--Saul! Now what if God told you to go meet him one on one?
Sep 10, 2020
Fighting Conviction is Hard!
Acts 9:3-7
God used a number of things to convict Saul of his sin and demonstrate the truth about Jesus. Although he resisted the work of the Holy Spirit, it became more and more difficult to say no to Jesus!
Sep 9, 2020
Stop the Spread (of Christianity!)
Acts 9:1-2
Long before a Covid-19 world became familiar with terms like "slow the spread" or "social distance," the enemies of Christianity were doing their best to stamp out its rapid spread in the first century. Not only did their efforts fail, they actually hastened it's growth!
Sep 8, 2020
Baptism--When, Where, and Why
Acts 8:38-40
One of the most instructive passages in the Bible regarding baptism is the simple story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Consider it again, and please consider baptism if you've been putting it off.
Sep 4, 2020
The Bible isn't enough.
Acts 8:32-37
That title caught your attention, didn't it? God has designed that the gospel message be communicated to people by people. Don't get me wrong, it's the Bible that is ultimately authoritative--it's just that God intends for people to reach people. Today's episode is a wonderful example!
Sep 3, 2020
Hearing the Spirit's Voice
Acts 8:29-31
Philip followed the leadership of God's Spirit in his life. How does one learn to follow the Holy Spirit? What are some practical guidelines for discerning His voice in our lives?
Sep 2, 2020
God's GPS
Acts 8:25-29
God is in the business of leading His people. But unlike modern GPS, He rarely provides the complete directions. Rather, He is likely to tell you the very next move (without even telling you why!).
Sep 1, 2020
Was Simon the Sorcerer saved?
Acts 8:14-24
The clear declaration of the Bible is that he was. So what are we to make of his desire to buy the ability to grant the Holy Ghost to others? And what about the pointed rebuke of Peter?
Aug 31, 2020
The gospel can change anyone!
Acts 8:9-13
Simon the Sorcerer was a classic case of someone who was both bound by spiritual darkness and addicted to it. But the gospel set him free and his life was radically changed from the inside out!
Aug 28, 2020
The gospel brings joy!
Acts 8:4-8
The message is the main thing! Miracles are wonderful attention-getters, but the gospel alone can accomplish the eternal work. Learn how a city found real transformative joy!
Aug 27, 2020
Scattered!
Acts 8:1-3
Agricultural growth is impossible without scattered seed; and thus it is true of the gospel. And nothing scatters like persecution!
Aug 26, 2020
Well Done!
Acts 7:56-60
It's not how you start, but how you finish that matters! Few people finished better than Stephen...
Aug 25, 2020
Standing Ovation
Acts 7:54-56
People will do almost anything to gain the approval of others. Stephen was not such a person. He loved his life for the approval of Christ, and he received a standing approval from him in death!
Aug 21, 2020
Resisting Grace
Acts 7:51-53
In making the most pointed application of his message, Stephen accused his hearers of resisting the Holy Ghost Himself. Indeed, when one rejects the convicting message of Scripture, he is effectively resisting the primary applier of that Scripture--the Holy Spirit of God.
Aug 20, 2020
God doesn't build buildings
Acts 7:34-50
That doesn't mean that building a building is wrong; it just means that the things that tend to impress us are not the things that impress Him. He is much more concerned about what we use them for!
Aug 19, 2020
Holy Ground
Acts 7:30-33
God's call upon a person's life is unique, and it always involves a fresh view of Himself and His purpose. Moses received that call in an unlikely place through an unlikely means. The timing seemed all wrong too! But God's preparations are not ours...
Aug 18, 2020
The 40 Year Lesson
Acts 7:24-32
Moses was fully convinced that he was ready to deliver God's people when he was 40 years old. After all, he was mighty in word and deed. But God's ways are not man's ways! Not only were the people not ready for his leadership, but Moses was not yet ready to lead either.
Aug 17, 2020
The Jews rejected Moses long before they rejected Jesus.
Acts 7:11-23
God doesn't always work in the ways you think he will, and he doesn't always qualify people in the ways you would think he would! Moses is a tremendous example of someone who seemed like the perfect candidate for God's use... But good motives and impressive credentials do not a spiritual leader make.
Aug 14, 2020
The Gospel History Lesson
Acts 7:1-10
Stephen defended the gospel by telling a short history of the people of Israel. And he did so to some of the smartest religious people in the country! Intelligence does not always equate to biblical understanding.
Aug 13, 2020
An Angelic Response to Hateful Lies
Acts 6:11-15
Nobody wants to be lied about. But when those lies are vicious and murderous, what does one do? The natural response would be to fight and argue. Watch the biblical response!
Aug 12, 2020
Irresistible Influence
Acts 6:8-10
Stephen was selected to be a deacon, but he ended up being much more of a preacher! And the Word of God declares that his religious opponents were not able to resist his wisdom and spirit. Irresistible. Now that's thee kind of influence Christians should possess...
Aug 11, 2020
The truth can even reach religious people!
Acts 6:5-7
Sometimes religion itself is the biggest barrier to receiving the truth. Religion has a way of immunizing the truth and keeping it at bay. But the gospel is so powerful that is can penetrate through the thick walls of religious preconception!
Aug 10, 2020
Leaving the Word of God
Acts 6:3-6
Someone once wisely observed that good things can become the enemy of the best things when they keep us from prioritizing them first. The Apostles faced a situation that threatened the very lifeblood of the early church. How did they navigate through?
Aug 7, 2020
A Most Unreasonable Thing a Pastor Can Do
Acts 6:2
Among other things, difficulties reveal what is really important to us. They reveal our non-negotiables. And just what was the non-negotiable ministry to the early Apostles? How did the church problems they faced reveal the greater priority to which they were committed?
Aug 6, 2020
The Enemy Within
Acts 6:1
The First Century Church was a reliant body! It seemed that the more intense the persecution became, the more the church grew. Nothing seemed to be able to slow her down until she faced the threat of implosion. Learn how factionalism fueled by murmuring is so dangerous.
Aug 5, 2020
If God's in it, you can't beat it!
Acts 5:34-42
Gamaliel was the wise and and learned instructor of Paul. I'm not sure that he ever embraced faith in Jesus Christ, but he did have an open mind to the possibility that Jesus actually was the Messiah.
Aug 4, 2020
Scripture cuts deeply.
Acts 5:17-33
One of the most amazing things about the Bible is its ability to cut into the thoughts and motives of a human being. Unlike any other book, it can reveal to us things about our faulty thinking and carnal justifications that other resources simply cannot penetrate.
Aug 3, 2020
Don't trifle with God!
Acts 5:11-16
The Lord sent an early message to the church that He expects holiness and reverence from her. Holy Spirit power and church-age grace are not excuses to have a cavalier attitude about God.
Jul 31, 2020
Lying to God
Acts 5:1-11
Why would anyone try to lie to God Himself? Yet that's exactly what we all do when we knowingly sin against thee voice of God's Spirit in our lives. Today we explore how seriously God views such duplicity.
Jul 30, 2020
Sharing everything
Acts 4:32-37
I grew up with one older brother. We shared a room together, sort of. Mostly we skirmished about perceived encroachments on the other brother's side! But when the Holy Spirit controlled the brothers, something far different took place!
Jul 29, 2020
When the whole house shook!
Acts 4:23-31
Can you imagine a prayer meeting so powerful that the actual building you were in begins to shake? That's exactly what happened in the prayer meeting of Acts 4! Persecution took them to the meeting, and boldness carried them out.
Jul 27, 2020
The proof of a changed life!
Acts 4:14-23
The best witness to the authenticity of the power of God is the life that has been changed by it. The exclamation point of the gospel is the transformed life it inhabits.
Jul 27, 2020
You remind me of Jesus.
Acts 4:8-13
Have you ever been told that you remind someone of someone else? Do you have a doppelganger? (Look that up!) Peter and John's priorities, preaching, and practice reminded onlookers of Jesus Himself. Listen in!
Jul 24, 2020
Break the Law to Keep it!
Acts 4:1-7
The title probably has you a bit confused, but it's entirely true. Sometimes laws disagree with each other. When they do, the higher law should prevail. Peter and John had a keen sense of their obligation to that higher law. Their priorities and responses proved it.
Jul 23, 2020
Jesus is "That Prophet."
Acts 3:22-26
You might not have heard that title as it refers to Jesus, but it's an important one. Find out why.
Jul 22, 2020
Information demands decision.
Acts 3:17-21
Peter carefully, boldly, and biblically made his case to the gathering crowd. He demonstrated the truth that Jesus was indeed Messiah, and he called for them to repent of their rejection of Him. Information about Jesus should compel listeners to receive Him.
Jul 21, 2020
Make a beeline for the gospel!
Acts 3:9-15
Filled with God's Holy Spirit, Peter had the wisdom and boldness to use situations to advance the gospel message of Jesus. He understood that miracles in and of themselves are not adequate gospel messengers; but they are wonderful introduction to the gospel! Listen to the clarity with with Peter confronted thousands of people with the saving message of grace.
Jul 20, 2020
Divine Appointments
Acts 3:1-8
Sometimes life's appointments are the things that we would typically view as distractions on the way to our appointments! If that sounds like a mouthful, it is! But it's true, and there is probably not a better example of it than what we will consider today!
Jul 17, 2020
The Marks of True Christianity
Acts 2:42-47
Over my years in ministry, I've heard a lot of talk about the first century church. How we need to get back to it... How our priorities need to reflect theirs... How far we have strayed over the years... And it's all true. What would our modern church look like if we were to embrace the simplicity of that early church? Find out on today's episode.
Jul 16, 2020
Decision time!
Acts 2:33-41
Truth was never meant to be merely information. God's truth was always intended to be transformational, especially as it relates to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter how powerful or eloquent a sermon is; if a person does not receive it in a heartfelt, repentant way, it does not good whatsoever.
Jul 15, 2020
The Gospel According to Joel
Acts 2:12-32
Interestingly, when Peter preached the great message on the Day of Pentecost, he chose the Old Testament book of Joel as his text. Most people have never heard a message from the book of Joel (and others have a hard time finding it in their Bibles!). Find out why this issue such a powerful gospel book and message.
Jul 14, 2020
Love Language
Acts 2:4-11
Perhaps you've heard that term before... love language. People express and interpret love in different ways, but I suppose all of us enjoy hearing it expressed in our native language--our heart language. When the Spirit came at Pentecost, people heard the disciples speaking in their own native languages. What an attention grabber! And what a message it introduced!
Jul 13, 2020
The Holy Spirit has come!
Acts 2:1-4
Thee disciples had been told to wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit after which they would be empowered to be witnesses to the world. After 10 long days of waiting and praying, He came! And it was obvious by what they heard, what they saw, and what they said!
Jul 10, 2020
God's Choice
Acts 1:21-26
How do you make the important decision of actually choosing an apostle? Jesus chose the original 12, but now it was up to the 11 to choose a replacement for Judas. How do you even begin? What is the criteria? How is God involved in all of it?
Jul 9, 2020
Unity
Acts 1:11-14
If there was one earmark of the early church, it was unity. They had the same purpose, same passion, and same commitment to prayer. Their individual love for the gospel gave them an impenetrable bond with each other.
Jul 8, 2020
You don't need to know that!
Acts 1:5-8
Wistful thinking about the future can cause us to miss the important duties and opportunities of the day. Jesus helped the disciples focus on the imminent empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the consequent evangelism of the world! The Kingdom with all of it coming glory will have to wait for now...
Jul 7, 2020
Acts Means Action!
Acts 1:1-5
Jesus was a man of action! Luke described his Gospel as a history of all that Jesus began both TO DO and to teach! He never expected of others what he did not first practice himself. Thanks for coming along for the ride as we discover the wonderful truth of this book of action.
Jul 6, 2020
The Day that Jesus Left
Luke 24:49-53
I'm not very good at goodbyes. They're awkward. And I can't bear the thought of being away from someone I love for any extended period of time. Imagine how the disciples must have felt on the day that Jesus ascended. You might be surprised!
Jul 3, 2020
You've been subpoenaed.
Luke 24:46-49
Attorneys use the power of subpoena to elicit testimony from witnesses. "Somebody saw something that will bring value and credibility to the case of my client." In that same sense, you and I have been subpoenaed by the Lord Jesus to testify to the jury of the world that He is indeed risen!
Jul 2, 2020
It's real!
Luke 24:36-45
Have you ever encountered a situation and thought to yourself, "This is too good to be true."? The disciples found themselves in that exact situation. They didn't know if they should be afraid or if they were seeing a ghost. Jesus provided some very practical proof that he was indeed among them. Why is the bodily resurrection of Christ important?
Jul 1, 2020
Walking faster uphill!
Luke 24:28-35
Adrenalin can cause you to do some pretty physically amazing things! When two disciples found out who Jesus was after a long hike, they turned around and hike all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the others...uphill all the way!
Jun 30, 2020
Jesus teaching about Jesus!
Luke 24:13-27
How would you like to have a mystery speaker come to your church and expound upon all the passages in the Old Testament that prophesied about the Messiah? What if that speaker amazed you with his accuracy and astounded you with the clarity of his teaching? And then you found out it was Jesus himself! That actually happened... Listen.
Jun 29, 2020
The Gospel is a fairy tale!
Luke 24:8-12
Did that title get your attention? Of course it did. And I want you to know that I don't believe it for a moment. But for a fleeting moment, that's exactly what Jesus' own disciples believed! They had all the evidence right in front of them, including the very prediction of Christ Himself! And yet...
Jun 26, 2020
Discovery!
Luke 24:1-9
Can you imagine something so good that you have trouble believing it if it happened? That's exactly what happened to a group of women 2,000 years ago. And it happened to you too!
Jun 25, 2020
You can borrow mine.
Luke 23:50-56
One of the unsung heroes in the New Testament is a man named Joseph of Arimathaea. He stood out as an exception both to his rich friends and to his religious crowd. His humility and faithfulness shall forever speak to his genuine devotion to a Christ he didn't even expect to ever see again!
Jun 24, 2020
When the world went dark.
Luke 23:44-49
Jun 23, 2020
The entire world was on three crosses.
Luke 23:35-43
We've all heard the story of the thief on the cross. But did it ever occur to you that the entire human race is represented by the occupants of the three crosses at Golgotha 2,000 years ago? You will now find a better representation of faith and rejection than you will by studying the thieves on the crosses.
Jun 22, 2020
Who are you struggling to forgive?
Luke 23:29-34
Forgiveness is a choice. A tough choice. But it's necessary for the maintenance of any human relationship. As always, Jesus showed us the way. Consider whom he forgave, why he forgave, and why he forgave.
Jun 19, 2020
The Walk to Execution
Luke 23:26-28
I'm not quite sure how long the walk was from the Judgment Hall to Golgotha, but it was certainly a memorable one for anyone that watched and listened that day. Ironically, Jesus refused to receive the sympathy of those who bemoaned his plight; instead he warned them of a greater and more widespread persecution they themselves would endure.
Jun 18, 2020
People Pleasing Politicians
Luke 23:13-25
Some things never change. Today's episode details the sad story of political weakness and its ultimate ineffectiveness. But God, as always, in in control!
Jun 17, 2020
Hot Potato
Luke 23:6-12
Did you ever play the game "hot potato" as a kid. If not, you're probably too young and spent most of your time perfecting the latest video game. Jesus became somewhat of a hot potato on the morning of his arrest, conviction, and execution. Nobody it seems wanted to be responsible to make the final decision about his fate. From Pilate to Herod back to Pilate he went.
Jun 16, 2020
Trumped Up Charges
Luke 23:1-5
We've heard much in recent days about injustice and the need to reform our system of law enforcement. I suppose that many different opinions exist on such an issue. But one thing is clear in Luke 23: Jesus was subjected to a very corrupt law enforcement system. Humanly speaking, he was framed and his trial was a mere sham. God always has bigger purposes though...
Jun 15, 2020
Kangaroo Court
Luke 22:63-71
Nothing seems more unjust than to falsely accuse the very embodiment of justice himself: the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet that's exactly what the Sanhedrin Council did to Jesus 2,000 years ago. Can you imagine that future day when the Jewish Council will stand before Jesus as their judge?
Jun 12, 2020
The Process and Pain of Denial
Luke 22:54-62
It's hard to believe that anyone could deny the Lord. But. we. do. Each of us has failed time and again. The story of Peter's denial is both instructive and somewhat cathartic, if you will allow it to be.
Jun 11, 2020
The Hour of the Power of Darkness
Luke 22:47-53
"Every dog has its day." Have you ever heard that little saying? Probably so. And in Luke 22 Jesus told the disciples that this was, in essence, the time when the powers of darkness would at least appear to be But can you imagine being there when Jesus was arrested?
Jun 10, 2020
Prayerlessness is pridefulness.
Luke 22:39-46
Peter claimed that he would never deny the Lord. Of course we all know that that he did so within space of just a few hours... three times! Between his boastful claim and his shameful denial was a space of time in which Jesus encouraged him to watch and pray to be strengthened. Peter slept instead.
Jun 9, 2020
What weapon are you relying on?
Luke 22:35-38
Different battles require different strategies and different weaponry. Jesus patiently taught his disciples that situations in ministry differ, and the wise servant will exercise discernment in his respective approach.
Jun 8, 2020
The Power of Praying for One Person
Luke 22:31-34
Peter thought he could stand for Christ simply through will power alone. He was wrong! And Jesus knew it. Although Peter did not fully understand the depth to which he would sink in denial, he was nonetheless assured by Jesus that he would be restored to ministry. Jesus was praying for him!
Jun 5, 2020
Desiring to have authority is a lot different than exercising it.
Luke 22:21-30
Bookshelves are full of the latest book about leadership. And most of them are geared toward the pride of people who long to be "influencers" and amass "followers" and "likes and shares." Jesus' approach to leadership was so radically different to all of this that people often missed his teaching on it altogether.
Jun 4, 2020
Fellowship and Betrayal Look Alike
Luke 22:14-21
Most of us are familiar with the Last Supper and the institution of the Lord's Supper. Have you considered that the supper was to symbolize the greatest possible unity believers can have because of Christ, and yet... And yet at the very supper Jesus was betrayed by a man whom the others never would have suspected.
Jun 3, 2020
God's Providence in the Everyday Details of Life
Luke 22:7-13
What does getting a dinner party ready have to do with fulfilling the will of God? Everything, when it's what God wants you to do. Jesus demonstrated his lordship in overt and obvious ways throughout his ministry, but he also demonstrated his precision, wisdom, and lordship in the preparations for everyday events.
Jun 2, 2020
Between Choice and Opportunity
Luke 22:1-6
Sin takes place in the hidden place of the heart long before it has the opportunity to reveal itself publicly. Such was the story of Judas covenanted to betray Jesus days before dirty deed actually took place. The time that intervened the choice and the famous kiss was time spent looking for an opportunity to do what he had *already* decided he would.
Jun 1, 2020
The Danger of Being Unaware
Luke 21:33-38
There are a number of things that can harm you. And smart people do their best to protect themselves in a variety of ways from those dangers. But the most insidious danger is the one I'm not even aware of... After all, how can I protect myself or prepare for something of which I am not even aware?
May 29, 2020
Just as certain as spring becomes summer...
Luke 21:25-32
That's how certain the coming of the Lord will be! For those that believe him, they can make all thee necessary preparations for a new season. Those that don't... watch out!
May 28, 2020
The Sign of His Coming
Luke 21:23-26
Jesus is coming again!
May 27, 2020
Get out before it's too late!
Luke 21:20-22
With a wonderful blend of grace and truth, Jesus both pronounced judgment upon Jerusalem and offered mercy to those who would listen. In fact, when the prophecy of Christ was fulfilled a generation later, Christian Jewish believers escaped Roman destruction based upon this very passage!
May 26, 2020
*Who* is my enemy?
Luke 21:14-19
Everyone understands that a good work and a good deed will be opposed. People intuitively get that the Christian walk will be opposed by enemies. What surprises people is *who* those enemies end up being. Perhaps the most difficult thing to bear in serving the Lord is the misunderstanding of people that ought to be able to know you better than others.
May 25, 2020
Your trial is your testimony.
Luke 21:12-13
Jesus never promised that following him would be easy. In fact, he was careful to say the exact opposite on several occasions. But the inevitability of trials on the life of a believer shouldn't dissuade him from following the Lord. The trial is often the very best way to show other people how big our God really is!
May 22, 2020
It's gonna get worse before it gets better!
Luke 21:12-13
Dr. Don Forrester joins the podcast today to share some of his vast knowledge about Jesus' teaching in Luke 21 about the end times. Remember that God reveals information about the end times not to tantalize our interest or satisfy our curiosity, He does so to incentivize our obedience! Some of what Jesus said too place in the years immediately following His death, and some of the events haven't taken place yet (but they may be right around the corner!).
May 21, 2020
Impressed with the wrong temple!
Luke 21:5-11
The Ezra Temple that was refurbished and embellished by Herod must have been an awesome site! Historians tell us it was on of the most impressive buildings in the world. So you might expect that people would be awestruck by it. The problem is that they didn't recognize the true nature of Jesus the Messiah. They admired a temple that was destroyed 40 years after the death of Christ, but they missed the Messiah who will reign forevermore!
May 20, 2020
The widow should have kept her two mites!
Luke 20:45-21:4
One of the most famous stories in the bible about giving is that of the widow's two mites. True, she was sincere and sacrificial. But why is this story included in the bible? Does it serve as a pattern for giving? I think not. In fact, the context makes its clear that she serves as an example of someone who had been completely taken advantage of!
May 19, 2020
Jesus asks a question, but gives no answer!
Luke 20:41-44
Was Jesus the Son of David or was he the Lord of David? Could he be both? Why does it even matter? Why didn't Jesus tell us?
May 18, 2020
Jesus silences some proud critics.
Luke 20:27-40
The Sadducees carried themselves as pompous know-it-alls. They looked down on simple-minded people who believed in such ridiculous fairy tales like resurrection from the dead. They thought that Jesus would be their next verbal victim. How wrong they were!
May 15, 2020
Government or God? (Why not both?)
Luke 20:20-26
To be sure, we ought to obey God rather than man. I think we all get that. But sometimes we fail to see that we can honor both without dishonoring either. The critics of Jesus put him in an awkward spot on this issue, and his answer has reverberated for 2,000 years!
May 14, 2020
Which stone will Jesus be to you?
Luke 20:17-19
If that question sounds a bit bizarre, then you're probably not familiar with the stone metaphor Jesus uses of himself. He actually quotes Old Testament prophecy to drive the point home even more emphatically. Which stone you choose will make an eternal difference!
May 13, 2020
Mismanaging the Vineyard
Luke 20:9-16
The Jewish people of Jesus’ day totally missed their purpose. Jesus taught them a parable demonstrating that their systematic rejection had been happening for a long time. The final rejection would be of the Son of the vineyard owner.
May 12, 2020
Losing at their own game!
Luke 20:1-8
The critics of Jesus asked Him by what authority He did the things He did. They, of course, were seeking to silence Him and minimize His influence among the people. His answer stopped them dead in their tracks!
May 11, 2020
Cleaning the house... again!
Luke 19:45-48
It seems as if the days of Covid-19 quarantine replay the same script: clean this, clean that, and then re-clean them both! Would it surprise you that Jesus cleansed the Temple twice in his public ministry? He did. At the beginning and again at the end. Find out why.
May 8, 2020
The city that missed her day!
Luke 19:39-44
The bible records Jesus weeping twice. Once he wept at a friend's graveside simply because he empathized with the other mourners. In today's passage he wept for pity over a city that had missed her chance... a city that would soon reject Messiah and then pay a horrible price for that rejection.
May 7, 2020
From cheering to jeering.
Luke 19:28-38
It always amazes me how fickle sports fans can be! One moment they are painting their face and screaming their lungs out for the home team. But when that same team goes on a losing streak, the "boo's" get louder and the ticket sales grow thin. Fickle. The same fans who cheer become the ones that jeer.
May 6, 2020
When the boss is gone, you find out who the best employees are.
Luke 19:11-27
The most accurate example of a person's loyalty and faithfulness is what he does when his authority is not watching. Jesus suggested a difficult parable to his disciples on this very subject. Their misunderstanding about thee nature and timing of Jesus ministry revealed something about their own selfishness.
May 5, 2020
Why did Jesus come?
Luke 19:6-10
Luke 19:10 is a verse that states the very purpose for Jesus coming to this world! He came to seek and to save that which was lost! But it is the story of Zacchaeus that serves as the backdrop for the statement. So there's something about him and his story that should resonate with each one of us.
May 4, 2020
How to get the best view of Jesus!
Luke 19:1-5
Most of us know why Zacchaeus climbed the Sycamore tree... to get a better view of Jesus. The bible describes Zacchaeus as a short man with a pretty notorious job. He wasn't the person most people like and would probably be the last person you would ever think we be a Christ follower. But his view of Jesus turned out to be a little bit more that just a bird's eye, tree-climbed view!
May 1, 2020
The 20/20 Vision of a Blind Man
Luke 18:35-43
Nearing the end of his public ministry and making his final ascent to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through the ancient city of Jericho. There, a blind man recognized him for who he was: the Son of David, Messiah! The crowd was fickle; the disciples were not seeing clearly; yet this blind man saw Jesus for who he was!
Apr 30, 2020
Preconceptions cause blindness.
Luke 18:31-34
Jesus emphatically, consistently, and clearly foretold his death, burial, and resurrection. If anyone should have been anticipating the final days of Jesus, it should have been the disciples. And yet. And yet they were completely oblivious to the truths Jesus reiterated. Why?
Apr 29, 2020
What's in it for me?
Luke 18:28-30
Does that question sound selfish? Perhaps. But it's a question we all asks at times. Peter did, and the Lord didn't rebuke him for it. In fact, he clarified it with a sincere response.
Apr 28, 2020
Your question tells me more about you than my answer does.
Luke 18:18-27
A man came to Jesus one day with a question about eternal life. At first glance, it seems that Jesus is a bit unfair in his answer... that is, until you take a second look at the person's question. In a masterful response, Jesus reveals the hidden idols of the man's heart--idols the man its unwilling to confront.
Apr 27, 2020
Learning from Professor Toddler
Luke 18:15-17
Have you ever learned something from an unlikely source? I think we all have. Imagine how shocked the disciples must have been when Jesus told them they needed to learn from young children! And it wasn't just any old lesson... it was the most important spiritual lesson of all!
Apr 24, 2020
Sometimes prayer is nothing more than a monologue.
Luke 18:9-14
In one of the more familiar parables, Jesus contrasts two different people and their prayers. They couldn't be any more different, and their prayers couldn't display a more striking contrast! Unfortunately, the average religious person sounds a whole lot more like the negative example than he does the positive one. Find out why in today's conversation.
Apr 23, 2020
Didn't God hear me the first time?
Luke 18:1-8
Why does it seem we have to pray about something over and over again? Doesn't God care about it as much as I do? Didn't he hear me the first time I prayed about it? Why does it seem that I have to literally beg to him about the request? Find out on today's episode.
Apr 22, 2020
Get ready, Jesus is coming!
Luke 17:20-37
Although Jesus did not meet the expectations of his contemporary Jewish audience by throwing off Roman oppression and physically setting up hie kingdom then, he promised that he would come back and do just that. The first time he came, they missed him as the Suffering Servant. He warned them that when he comes the second time, many would miss him then as well.
Apr 21, 2020
Winning the battle but Losing the War
Luke 17:11-19
Have you ever heard that term? It means that we can enjoy short-term successes in life that ultimately contribute to permanent failure. In today's passage, we will read of some men that experienced a wonderful short-term success, but missed out on the larger, eternal blessing.
Apr 20, 2020
Me, forgive him? Please!
Luke 17:5-10
Have you ever thought it might be impossible to forgive someone for something he did to you? Well, the disciples felt the same way and actually asked the Lord to help them have more faith to be able to do so! It's appropriate to ask the Lord for faith, and he loves to help us trust him more. In this passage he attaches faith to the importance of a servant mindset.
Apr 17, 2020
Giving and Receiving Forgiveness
Luke 17:3-4
Fewer Christian responsibilities are more important--or more difficult--than that of offering forgiveness to someone who has done you wrong. But it is absolutely necessary! Without it, every human relationship is doomed to ultimate failure. When should we forgive? How should we forgive? How often should we forgive?
Apr 16, 2020
Reconsider your view of children's ministry.
Luke 17:1-2
Typically children's ministries in churches are staffed by anyone who is willing to help! But Jesus had some pretty important things to say about working with children, and he gave an incredibly serious warning to those who did it wrong!
Apr 15, 2020
Two evangelists who have never given the Gospel to anyone!
Luke 16:27-31
You read that right. And it's not because they don't believe the Gospel, and it's not because they don't want to... It's because they can't. The rich man in hell wanted to tell his brothers on earth about Christ, but he couldn't. He wanted Lazarus to go on his behalf, but he couldn't. People on earth have been tasked with telling people on earth the good news of the Gospel.
Apr 14, 2020
The Sober Reality of Hell
Luke 16:23-26
As much as we would like to dismiss it, the concept of hell and its reality is a biblical truth. Today's teaching reflects the very words of Jesus himself on the topic. Well it would be for us to carefully listen and earnestly consider.
Apr 13, 2020
Fancy clothes, big meals, and an expensive funeral.
Luke 16:19-22
So what? The verse we will consider today describe what so many people--Christian and non-Christian alike--desire. But how quickly they pass away. Then what? What becomes of those clothes, of that food, of that body, of that soul?
Apr 10, 2020
Throw a rock into a pack of dogs...
Luke 16:14-18
...and the one that yelps is the one that got hit! I'm sure you've heard that little axiom. Our passage today is a great example of its truth. Because the Pharisees were convicted that their heart motive had been exposed, they tried to divert attention from their sin by mocking the Lord. It didn't work!
Apr 9, 2020
What you do with your pennies is what you'll do with your life.
Luke 16:10-14
That's the basic principle of our passage today. What do you do with the little that you have? That's a good indication of how you would manage much. What do you do with someone else's valued possessions? That's a good indication of how you would invest your own. What principle do you serve when it comes to stuff in general?
Apr 8, 2020
Jesus told you to be like a conniving, embezzling, disloyal employee!
Luke 16:1-9
Read that title again! It's true... that is, if you let me explain specifically how. The unjust steward learned and applied to great motivations for future blessing: (1) I will be accountable for my actions, and (2) I can be doing things now that will be of great value later.
Apr 7, 2020
The Elder Son part was the point of the story.
Luke 15:19-32
Many times we hear messages about the prodigal son that don't even include the part about the elder son. How unfortunate! Jesus was answering a criticism from the religious leaders about why he was receiving sinners and eating with them. The lost sheep, coin, and son all symbolized the lost condition of the people he was trying to reach and the value they had to him. But it took the part about the elder son to expose the motive of these religious leaders and their misunderstanding of the heart of God.
Apr 6, 2020
Time to Go Home
Luke 15:11-18
The main difference between the story of the prodigal son and the previous illustrations of the lost sheep and the lost coin is that the son had a choice to make. That's why the emphasis is not on the father searching for him, but rather lovingly waiting for him. As human beings with a free will, we have a choice to make. God has already made his--he is willing and waiting for you to come.
Apr 3, 2020
"Honey, have you seen my car keys?"
Luke 15:8-10
Do you recognize that question? Probably some form of it at least! We've all been in the position from time to time of feverishly looking for something that we desperately need right now. In these second part of an extended answer that Jesus gives to his critics, we will see a wonderful picture of the urgency and thoroughness given to searching for something--or someone--extremely valuable!
Apr 2, 2020
Jesus has been looking for you!
Luke 15:1-7
Few parables are as heartwarming as that of the Good Shepherd looking for the one lost sheep. And do you know who that sheep was? You! I'm not quite sure where the shepherd found that sheep. Was it stuck in a bush? Was it precariously close to a cliff? Was it being imminently hunted by a wolf? Or may it was eating grass in some other green pasture, blissfully (but dangerously) unaware of its loss condition?
Apr 1, 2020
McDonald's French Fries, Peanuts, and Christianity
Luke 14:34-35
Do any of you remember a game called Tribonds? The basic gist of the game was for the player to find the connection between three seemingly disconnected words. So what is the word that connects the three terms in today's title? I'm waiting... It's the word salt! Salt makes French fries, peanuts, and Christianity a whole lot more attractive. Find out how today.
Mar 31, 2020
What does biblical discipleship look like?
Luke 14:25-33
You'll not get a better definition than the one Jesus carefully explained himself. At first glance, Jesus' definition of discipleship seems almost rude and obnoxious. But upon closer inspection, it makes all the sense in the world. Our initial shock probably has more to do with the fact that discipleship has been so misdefined and mischaracterized in modern Christianity, that the appearance of true discipleship is initially unfamiliar.
Mar 30, 2020
When trying to change the conversation doesn't work!
Luke 14:15-24
Sometimes, to avoid the awkwardness of a conversation, we attempt to move on to a more comfortable subject. I suppose we've all done that at some time or another. But it didn't work on Jesus. Trying to wiggle one's way out of the truth he was telling was just not possible--and Jesus proved it in the passage we will discuss today!
Mar 27, 2020
You might want to double-check that invite list!
Luke 14:7-14
As the special guest at a special dinner, Jesus could have enjoyed the honors and accolades that went along with the invitation. Instead he used the occasion to teach the guests about which seats they should have chosen (spoiler alert: they chose the wrong ones!), and he rebuked the host for inviting the wrong people to the feast!
Mar 26, 2020
Giving an answer to silence
Luke 14:1-6
Jesus had a masterful way of teaching! He would ask a question both to demonstrate the fallacy of the listener's thinking and to provoke that listener to consider the situation in light of a pertinent comparison. In today's episode he does it twice. *Crickets* So he gives them the answer to his own question by asking another question!
Mar 25, 2020
Resisting Grace
Luke 13:31-35
Jesus possessed an unwavering dedication to the will of his Father. Nothing dissuaded him. Not fear of man. Not potential pain. Not diminishing crowds. Nothing. But his dedication to his cause did not lesson his love for and disappointment in the people who would ultimately reject him.
Mar 24, 2020
Seeming Contradictions
Luke 13:18-30
The fancy word is "paradox." And Jesus often spoke in paradoxes. Today wee will will learn how small is better than big; narrow is better than wide; and last is better than first. True success is hard to recognize in its initial forms, so Jesus helps us to understand how it starts!
Mar 23, 2020
When Religion Restricts Your Reach
Luke 13:10-17
Sometimes we fall in love so much with religion, that we actually become crippled in our ability to help other people. Nothing infuriated Jesus more than this. He found himself surrounded by religious people whose applications of God's law actually stood in contrast to God's love. But truth and grace never come in conflict when Jesus is involved. Learn how they don't in today's conversation.
Mar 20, 2020
Don't waste fertilizer on a fruitless tree.
Luke 13:1-9
Interestingly, Jesus used two current events stories to teach the listening crowd a lesson about repentance. To make the message pointedly clear, he also provided an agricultural illustration about fruit bearing. The lesson is not only one of mercy (Jesus graciously gives a time extension on repentance), but also one of judgment (there is a deadline).
Mar 19, 2020
Intelligence without Wisdom
Luke 12:54-59
Ever wonder how people can be so smart in one area and so ignorant in another? Sometimes, otherwise smart and discerning people lack even the most basic spiritual sense. Such was the case with many in Jesus' audience. He exposed their ability discern physical things and used that exposure as a condemnation of their inability to discern what is spiritual.
Mar 18, 2020
What you know = What you're accountable for
Luke 12:35-42
Jesus is coming again! That fact alone carries with it so many implications and responsibilities for those who know it. And if we do know it--and we do--then we are that much more accountable when he does return. This is a longer passage, so I recommend our listeners to read it carefully along with listening to the episode.
Mar 17, 2020
What to do with Worry and Doubt
Luke 12:22-34
Unpredictable times and difficult situations are not new to this generation. Jesus told his followers exactly what they should be thinking about to counteract the destructive effects that worry and doubt have upon believers. Show me what you're thinking about today, and I'll show you what you'll worry about tonight!
My favorite piece of encouragement Jesus gave in this passage is when he told us to "fear not, little flock." What a shepherd! And you'll love even more the *reason* he told them not to fear...
Mar 16, 2020
The Argument Jesus Wouldn't Settle
Luke 12:13-21
"He's not being fair!" "Tell him to give me what he owes me!" For most of us, we'd be flattered that somebody trusted our judgement to settle a dispute. Not Jesus though. He took the conversation in an entirely different direction...
Mar 13, 2020
An Audience of One
Luke 12:1-12
Perhaps you are not familiar with that term: "an audience of one." It means that we should live our lives for the approval of, and in the respect of, one person alone. But how easy is it for us to live for the approval of people or live fearing the rejection of people? Jesus taught a powerful lesson about both the importance of and the reasons for living our lives for the smile of God alone.
Mar 12, 2020
Knowing the bible without knowing the bible
Luke 11:45-54
Sounds confusing, huh? But Jesus had some pretty pointed words to say to a group of people called the lawyers. Don't think courtroom; think Old Testament Law. These were men who were experts in the details of the OT Mosaic Law. Yet for all of their intelligence and study, they couldn't see the Law's purpose or discern their own character by it!
Mar 11, 2020
Don't forget to wash your hands!
Luke 11:37-44
When I was a boy, I frequently forgot to wash my hands before dinner. My mother would dutifully ask me, "Did you wash your hands?" My reluctant reply caused her to follow up with, "Let me see them." Busted. An off the the bathroom sink I went. Washing hands is important for a number of practical health reasons. So then what did Jesus mean when he told a group of Pharisees that they were wrong for making hand washing such a big deal?
Mar 10, 2020
Candles don't work if your eyes are shut.
Luke 11:12-36
There are only two reasons people can't physically see, A) there is not light available (as in a cavern) or B) you are blind. Jesus spoke to both of these conditions and related it to our ability to apprehend truth.
Mar 9, 2020
More blessed than being the mother of Jesus!
Luke 11:27-32
Can you imagine what a blessing it must have been to grow up with Jesus? After all, he was perfect in all of his ways. It must have been amazing! Yet when one woman actually exclaimed what a blessing it must have been actually to be the mother of Jesus, the Lord answered her in a unique way.
Mar 6, 2020
A clean house doesn't matter if no-one lives there.
Luke 11:14-26
Who lives in your heart? If it's Jesus, he's not roommates with the devil. In fact, the child of God--indwelt by the Spirit of God--ought to be demonstrating the power of God is every day living! Jesus had a lot to say about this to a group religious people who knew a lot about religious politics, but very little about the actual power of God.
Mar 5, 2020
Why do I have to keep on praying? Didn't God hear me the first time?
Luke 11:5-13
Have you ever wondered about those things? God knows everything, so why does he need us to pray over and over about the same thing? Why did Jesus teach about this man that had to ask--almost beg--to get his request answered?
Mar 4, 2020
What do people mimic about you?
Luke 11:1-11
One of my sons is an incredible impersonator! Family dinners were always full of laughs when he would begin his impressions of people we all knew! But idiosyncrasies aside, what if people were to mimic the life you live? What priorities would they embrace? What would you have to teach them to be and to do?
Mar 3, 2020
When serving God becomes the problem!
Luke 10:38-42
The Christian life is full of distractions! It seems that Christians are distracted from the Lord by any number of temptations, trials, pleasures, misplaced priorities, etc. But would it surprise you if I said that *serving God* can actually be the problem itself? Yup. It's true. Find out how in today's episode.
Mar 2, 2020
Right answer--but wrong understanding
Luke 10:25-37
Religion often seems to give the right answer. You'll hear a lot about God and even Jesus from religious people. Sometimes the doctrine sounds perfect and the liturgy rings true; but the *real* apprehension always shows up in the application. Jesus taught this simple principle to a smart guy who couldn't seem to understand who a neighbor was.
Feb 28, 2020
Be careful what you rejoice about.
Luke 10:17-24
The disciples of Jesus were astounded that they had wielded such miraculous power in their missionary endeavors! But Jesus was careful to show them an even greater reason to rejoice. They were glad for dynamic temporary blessings; Jesus taught them to rejoice in more permanent eternal ones!
Feb 27, 2020
Opportunity means Accountability
Luke 10:10-16
Those who have been given great opportunity bear greater accountability than those who have not. Jesus specifically rebuked the cities where he had spent most of his time and had performed most of his miracles. He even said that they would be held more accountable than the notorious cities like Sodom! Modern Christians should pay particularly close attention to teaching like these...
Feb 26, 2020
Urgency demands efficiency.
Luke 10:1-8
The Gospel message demands urgency on the part of its proclaimers. Far too easy it is for us to become distracted by this or that. Jesus sent out 70 gospel witnesses toward the end of his public ministry; these witnesses and a mission to compete and specific marching orders to follow. We can learn a lot about how they went, what they did, and the responses they received.
Feb 25, 2020
Jesus is not impressed with your decision card.
Luke 9:57-62
Three would-be followers of the Lord appeared to be excellent candidates for discipleship. But when pressed further on the matter, each of them offered his one reason why he couldn't actually follow the Lord now. Be careful listening to this episode: it's a convicting truth, and it applies to a whole lot of people!
Feb 24, 2020
Fighting fire with fire!
Luke 9:51-56
Not everyone will understand our commitment to the Gospel. In fact, some will be downright obstinate toward and attempt to move it forward. What should be our reaction? It seems that some of the disciples wanted to fight fire with fire. Literally!
Feb 21, 2020
Let it sink in!
Luke 9:43-50
So many of the common things that we say find their origin in the bible... and the title today's podcast is one of them. Jesus told his disciples to let his saying "sink down" into their ears. Sometimes truth is not immediately comprehended. It needs the fertilizing influence of meditation and consideration. Such was the case in Jesus' teaching. It was so radically different from the "truths" they had accepted, that is took time and thoughtful consideration to reconsider the very nature of truth itself.
Feb 20, 2020
Why do we struggle helping people?
Luke 9:37-42
This was basically the question the disciples asked the Lord after he healed a young man who had been tormented for years. "Why couldn't we help him?" Without faith--true and dynamic faith in a powerful God--the modern church is powerless to help people. Today's little vignette reminds us that we need Jesus desperately if we are to serve him effectively.
Feb 19, 2020
Hear him!
Luke 9:27-36
If you want some direct advice from God the Father about how you should relate to Jesus, then read the title of this podcast again! Although it sounded radical, Jesus' message was completely consistent with the entirety of the Old Testament law and prophets. In fact, he is the very subject of the bible--Old Testament, New Testament, and every book in both!
Feb 18, 2020
Following Jesus is more than an altar call and decision slip.
Luke 9:23-27
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? We don't have to wonder about the answer to this question, because Jesus told us specifically and pointedly exactly what following him entails. We have one life to invest. And like any other investment, we can spend it now or make the harder choice to invest it for later.
Feb 17, 2020
Don't tell people about Jesus!
Luke 9:18-22
If that's sounds shocking, it is! In fact, Jesus himself basically said that to his own disciples. Why? Preconceived ideas about Jesus are dangerous! Jesus didn't want people to misrepresent him to others, so before the disciples were commissioned to tell others who Messiah was, they had to be rid of the preconceptions about who they *thought* he was.
Feb 14, 2020
Jesus is not your grocery store.
Luke 8:10-17
The Feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most famous miracles in all the bible. Its story is told in all four gospels, and it has been a frequent topic of messages and lessons throughout time. But is it really just a story about a boy's lunch and "little is much when God is in it"? In fact, this event marked a major turning point in Jesus' ministry. Listen and find out why.
Feb 13, 2020
Interested in, but not convicted by...
Luke 9:1-9
Perhaps the title of today's episode describes someone you know. There seems to be a great many people who express genuine interest in the person of Jesus Christ, but they refuse to acknowledge his authority in their lives or deal with the conviction such knowledge brings. Such was the case with at least one stubborn and hard-hearted character in the bible. Listen in!
Feb 12, 2020
When Jesus Shows Up Too Late
Luke 8:40-56
One of the chief times we question the Lord is when he doesn't work according to our calendar. After all, who knows better what we need (and when we need it) than we do? In today's story, the Lord seems to respond to a man's desperate and urgent plea... But it all crashes down when the clock runs out and the little girl dies.
Feb 11, 2020
Transformed!
Most of us understand the true change occurs from the inside out. But sometimes our emphasis on the “inside” part of transformation obscures the truth... the truth that transformation will also work its way to the outside! No story in the Bible better illustrates such transformation than the one we will talk about today!