Truth Over Traditions
James Hollandsworth
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A podcast for Christians seeking truth about one of life’s greatest questions: What happens next, and how do I prepare? Your host, pastor and author James Hollandsworth, will expose the errors of traditional church teaching and present truth from God's Word.
Available episodes
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Nov 15, 2023
047: What Happens When We Die?
Do believers go to Heaven and unbelievers go to Hell when they die, or do all remain “asleep” until the future resurrection and judgment? Pastor Hollandsworth searches the Scriptures to see if the Intermediate State position, held by most Christians, is biblical.
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Nov 8, 2023
046: Not the Hell You Might Think
The English word “Hell” should never have been used in English translations of the New Testament, because it conveys the wrong meaning of the Greek words Hades and Gehenna, which should have been transliterated. Pastor Hollandsworth gives the correct meaning of these words and shows what a profound difference it makes in the study of Scripture.
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Nov 1, 2023
045: Eternal Is Not Forever
The Bible words “eternal,” “everlasting,” and “forever” are mistranslations of the Greek adjective “aionios,” which actually means “age-lasting” or “for the age.” Pastor Hollandsworth explains how this error crept into English Bible translations and explores the ramifications with respect to Heaven and Hell.
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Oct 8, 2023
044: The Electrifying Third Rail
Universal Reconciliation is the third rail that electrifies the doctrine of salvation. Pastor Hollandsworth presents twenty Scripture verses in support of this view and emphasizes that the will of God to save all men will indeed be fulfilled by the end of the ages.
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Sep 27, 2023
043: A Cog in God's Plan for the Ages
From the foundation of the world, God planned to reconcile all to Himself through Jesus Christ over the course of several ages, including at least two that are yet future. Pastor Hollandsworth challenges believers to understand God’s plan and actively participate in it, while recognizing there is still hope for the multitudes who will not be saved before Christ returns.
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Sep 20, 2023
042: A Pilgrimage to Unlikely Places
The apostle Paul said three things abide: Faith, Hope, and Love. Pastor Hollandsworth shares his personal testimony of being led from Faith-Living and Holiness, to Hope-Living and Kingdom Preparedness, and finally Love-Living and Universal Reconciliation. This episode is the segue to several future episodes focusing on the salvation of all mankind.
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Apr 7, 2023
041: Depart From Me!
Are we to inspect the “fruit” of professing believers to determine if they are truly saved? Pastor Hollandsworth discusses this frequently misunderstood concept, reveals the identity of wolves in sheep’s clothing, and describes who will hear the awful verdict, “Depart from Me!”
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Feb 20, 2023
040: Taking the Road Less Traveled
Does the narrow way lead to Heaven and the broad way lead to Hell? Most seem to think so. Pastor Hollandsworth shows that this cannot be, given the context of the Sermon on the Mount.
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Jan 28, 2023
039: Measuring With the Golden Rule
Few believers live by the Golden Rule, yet it is one of the qualifications for kingdom inheritance. Pastor Hollandsworth gives the meaning of the rule and four ways we can keep it.
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Jan 11, 2023
038: Don't Be a Worrywart!
Jesus admonishes disciples not to worry, for worry is unbelief and never changes anything. Pastor Hollandsworth gives a biblical definition of worry, describes its negative physical effects on the body, and explains the importance of seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness as the biblical alternative.
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Dec 16, 2022
037: Laying Up Heavenly Treasures
No one can serve two masters. Jesus wants our undivided loyalty. Pastor Hollandsworth equates the laying up of heavenly treasures with earning age-lasting rewards, the means by which we glorify Jesus, making Him our number one priority in life.
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Nov 2, 2022
036: Rewards for Secrets
What is your motivation for doing good deeds? Is it to be recognized by others? If so, then you have already received your reward. Pastor Hollandsworth reveals what Jesus said about doing things privately, so that you can be rewarded by Him publicly, in the age to come.
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Sep 30, 2022
035: Righteous Inside and Outside
When teaching His disciples, Jesus emphasized the importance of internally obeying the spirit of the law rather than merely externally obeying the letter of the law. Pastor Hollandsworth explains the six examples given by Jesus of the righteousness that is necessary for inheriting the kingdom of the heavens.
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Aug 11, 2022
034: What Did Jesus Say About Hell?
Many claim that Jesus spoke more about Hell than Heaven. Is that correct? Pastor Hollandsworth examines the two Greek words typically translated Hell in English Bible versions: Hades and Gehenna, explaining the correct meanings of those words. He also discusses why Jesus encouraged “radical amputation” in Matt. 5:21-30.
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Jul 20, 2022
033: Great in the Kingdom
Jesus said that to enter the kingdom one must have righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. Pastor Hollandsworth defines what it means to enter the kingdom, what characterizes the righteousness of the Pharisees, what is greater than pharisaical righteousness, and how we can fulfill the righteous of the law.
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Jun 18, 2022
032: Salty and Glowing
Jesus said that believers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Pastor Hollandsworth explains the meaning of those metaphors and describes what happens when believers become “unsalty” and hide their light.
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Jun 4, 2022
031: The Heart of the Matter
Is the Sermon on the Mount evangelistic, or related to matters of sanctification? Is it applicable to church-age believers, or was it merely for the first century Jews? Pastor Hollandsworth discusses the errors of interpretation in this great teaching of Jesus and explains the purpose of the Sermon. He also describes the Beatitudes and the promises of reward.
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May 6, 2022
030: A Man Like No Other
Christ’s healing ministry – including exorcisms – not only confirmed His authority as the Son of God, but also pointed to the Messianic kingdom. Pastor Hollandsworth shows the connection between miracles and the kingdom, defines the “gospel of the kingdom,” and explains the origin of demons.
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Apr 28, 2022
029: Coming to the End of Yourself
Jesus called out to Simon and Andrew, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Our Lord continues to call believers to discipleship today. Pastor Hollandsworth points out why the first step in following Jesus requires the same attitude expressed by Peter: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
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Mar 31, 2022
028: Near-Death Experience
In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read from the Isaiah scroll, applying the text to Himself, by concluding with the statement, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Pastor Hollandsworth discusses the glorious nature of Christ’s ministry, as described in Luke 4:18-19, and explains why the people marveled at Him in the synagogue, yet moments later were eager to throw him off the rocky cliff at the edge of town.
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Mar 15, 2022
027: Quandary of Faith
The nobleman’s son will surely die unless Jesus goes to heal him. But Jesus refuses to go, rebuking the man (and all Israel) for requiring signs before they will believe. Jesus causes a quandary of faith by assuring the man his son has been healed. Will he accept this by faith? Pastor Hollandsworth delineates why God often allows quandaries of faith in our lives, and he points out why Jesus heals this boy “after two days … on the third day.”
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Mar 8, 2022
026: A Deep Subject
Why does Jesus travel to culturally-forbidden Samaria to meet a woman at a well? Why does He offer her “a fountain of water, springing up to everlasting life,” and what does that mean? What do the disciples learn from the encounter? Pastor Hollandsworth answers these questions, discloses the new revelation that Jesus shares with the woman, and clarifies the meaning of worshiping God in spirit and truth.
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Feb 16, 2022
025: A Friend of the Groom
As baptisms of Christ’s followers began to outpace those of John the Baptist, the religious leaders attempted to drive a wedge between the cousins by making John’s disciples envious. But John was overjoyed with Christ’s success and delighted in being a “friend of the groom.” Pastor Hollandsworth explains what John means and examines five humble statements made by John that should be the conviction of all believers.
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Feb 1, 2022
024: "Born Again" Is Not a Regeneration Term
“You must be born again.” Christ’s admonition to Nicodemus in John 3 is traditionally assumed to be a salvation text. But was Jesus telling this ruler of Israel how to be regenerated or how to prepare for kingdom inheritance? Pastor Hollandsworth defines the terms “born again” and “eternal life” and describes what Nicodemus would have been thinking as a first century Israelite.
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Jan 20, 2022
023: Eaten Up with Zeal
Watching Jesus cast the money changers out of the temple must have been an astonishing sight, and it surely infuriated the religious leaders. Pastor Hollandsworth explains why Jesus takes this bold action immediately following His miracle of turning water to wine, describes the right response to anger, and makes application to disciples in the twenty-first century.
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Jan 6, 2022
022: Keeping the Good Wine for Last
Why would Jesus turn water to wine, and what kind of wine did He make? Besides affirming His deity, what message did this unusual phenomenon send to Israel? Pastor Hollandsworth elaborates on the deeper meaning of this sign miracle with respect to Israel’s future restoration and kingdom inheritance, making connections to Noah, Melchizedek, the OT prophets, and the Last Supper.
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Dec 23, 2021
021: Pointing Others to the Lamb
John the Baptist pointed others to the Lamb of God, claiming that He would take away the sin (singular) of the world. Pastor Hollandsworth describes the important distinction between sin (singular) and sins (plural). He also explains why Jesus told Nathanael that he would see the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man and how that relates to millennial inheritance.
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Dec 16, 2021
020: Behold the Lamb!
John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Pastor Hollandsworth details what the Jews of Jesus’ day were thinking when they heard this metaphor, and why it posed a problem in their psyche. He also explains why John is the quintessential example of what it means to confess Christ and how we can learn from His humble testimony.
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Nov 30, 2021
019: Tantalizing Offers
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. What was the purpose of this? Pastor Hollandsworth shares six truths conveyed by Christ’s temptation, explains the nature of each temptation, and emphasizes the believer’s escape from temptation by following Christ’s example.
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Nov 17, 2021
018: The Man Who Needs No Baptism
Why did Jesus submit to John’s baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, seeing that He never sinned? Pastor Hollandsworth answers this challenging question, explains why the Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, and defines the three levels of Holy Spirit power.
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Nov 10, 2021
017: Shucking the Corn
John the Baptist preached a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Pastor Hollandsworth dissects this message and explains why it is not to be equated with the gospel of grace by faith alone for salvation (i.e., regeneration). He also explains the terms “kingdom of heaven” and the “baptism in fire” (which is not hell) that will befall those who reject this message.
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Nov 2, 2021
016: Otherworldly Ambitions
The apostle Paul, undoubtedly one of the greatest Christians of the church age, nevertheless, saw a personal need to “press toward the goal for the prize" (reward), desiring to “attain to the out-resurrection.” Pastor Hollandsworth uncovers the meaning of this often-ignored term and reveals the apostle’s driving passion to “gain Christ and be found in Him,” counting everything else as loss. This same passion should consume every child of God.
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Oct 26, 2021
015: Rewards for Overcomers
In this second of a two-part episode, Pastor Hollandsworth continues to explain the spectacular rewards for overcomers in Rev. 2-3, some of which are quite mysterious. He gives a possible meaning for the reward that overcomers will NOT be blotted out of the Book of Life and tackles the puzzling question of how non-overcomers WILL be blotted out of the Book of Life.
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Oct 19, 2021
014: Not Hurt of the Second Death
One of the promises for overcomers is that they will not be hurt of the second death. What does that mean? Pastor Hollandsworth – in the first of a two-part episode – describes the rewards for overcomers in Rev. 2-3, pointing out from the Scriptures that NOT all saints are overcomers. He offers a possible explanation as to how unfaithful believers could be hurt of the second death at the Bema.
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Oct 13, 2021
013: Preparing to Give a Good Account
Once believers understand the importance of giving a good account at the Judgment Seat, they must learn HOW to prepare to meet Jesus. Pastor Hollandsworth explains the process of spiritual growth found in Romans 5 and emphasizes the agents of growth and how to apply them so believers can mature and get prepared for their coming appointment.
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Oct 4, 2021
012: The Last Will Be First
Some believers are troubled by a system of rewards to be selectively dispensed at the Bema, particularly the idea of negative reward. They think all believers are overcomers, by nature of their position in Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth explores the various motivations for serving Jesus, given in Scripture, and points out the abundant biblical basis for rewards, while debunking the “entitlement mentality,” which is so common in traditional Christianity.
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Sep 29, 2021
011: Saints in Outer Darkness
The term “outer darkness” is widely understood as a description of Hell for unbelievers. Pastor Hollandsworth looks at the three places the term is used in the New Testament, gives a biblical definition, and shows that it is NOT referring to Hell but, rather, to the realm of the kingdom where unfaithful believers will be consigned during the Millennium. He also distinguishes outer darkness from the erroneous doctrine of purgatory.
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Sep 22, 2021
010: Here Comes the Bride
Traditionalists claim that all believers will receive white robes of righteousness and will comprise the bride of Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth shows from Rev. 19 and the parable of the virgins (Matt. 25) that white robes and bridal status are reserved for faithful saints only. The ramifications are profound.
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Sep 15, 2021
009: Looking for a City
What is New Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven to Earth in the Millennium? What role does it play in the kingdom – and what do the terms “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” mean? Pastor Hollandsworth answers these questions from the Scriptures and gives five evidences that New Jerusalem is the city of reward for faithful saints.
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Sep 8, 2021
008: Judged for Sinning?
At salvation our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of Jesus. Does that mean God never judges believers who persist in sinfulness going forward? Surprisingly, many Christians assume that is the case. Pastor Hollandsworth gives eight ways that God judges our continued sinfulness now, and demonstrates that He will certainly do so at the Judgment Seat.
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Sep 1, 2021
007: Your Coming Verdict
One day you will receive a verdict from the Judge of the Universe. Will it be positive or negative? How you are living now is determining your future verdict. Pastor Hollandsworth exposes the error of the traditional view that expects crowns to be given to all believers. He further demonstrates from the Scriptures the prospect of punishment for those who are unfaithful and explains the nature of the punishment.
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Aug 25, 2021
006: Keeping Your Feet Clean
Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples? Most say it was to illustrate humility and service. While that is partially correct, it stops far short of the full answer. Pastor Hollandsworth explains Christ’s indispensable requirement of keeping our “feet” clean as believers, so we can have a “part” with Him in future reward and rulership.
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Aug 18, 2021
005: No Guarantees
Most Christians believe we automatically become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ at salvation. But is that what the Bible teaches? Pastor Hollandsworth explains Rom. 8:16-17 and distinguishes between the unconditional inheritance and the conditional inheritance, emphasizing the importance of qualifying for the conditional.
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Aug 11, 2021
004: Paradoxes of Soul Salvation
Jesus said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” What is the meaning of these paradoxes, and what do they have to do with the Judgment Seat? Pastor Hollandsworth explains this text, as well as the meaning of Christ’s call for believers to: “deny self, take up your cross, and follow Me.”
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Aug 4, 2021
002: Stuff That Burns
At the Judgment Seat, "fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is." Many will "suffer loss." Another passage says, "he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done." What does this mean? And what is the stuff that burns? Why do so many teach that there is nothing to worry about? Pastor Hollandsworth discusses three inferior works that will be consumed at the Bema.
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Aug 4, 2021
003: Three Tenses of Salvation
Did you know that salvation has three tenses: past, present, and future? What does this have to do with the spirit, soul, and body of man? Pastor Hollandsworth defines "soul salvation" and discusses the critical importance of this New Testament truth that is often misunderstood.
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Aug 3, 2021
001: Have You Been Duped By Traditions?
Is some of our Christian teaching and preaching based on erroneous interpretations of Scripture that have been perpetually taught, generation after generation? Learn about your podcast host, Pastor James Hollandsworth, and how he came to realize that what he had been taught about the Judgment Seat of Christ was all wrong. The account we must all give to God is serious, not a mere awards ceremony, and multitudes of believers are unprepared because they have been incorrectly taught.
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