Speaking of Grace
WholeLife Productions
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The weekly message from the WholeLife Church in Orlando Florida. We are a multicultural and multigenerational faith community dedicated to being a church without walls, fully engaged in serving the people of our community. Thank you for joining us as we continue speaking of grace.
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6 days ago
The Destination
Following Jesus Beyond the Cross – ‘The Destination’
He is risen and is our ‘destination’.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
We very rarely look at being a "follower" as being a positive position. What do you think are some of your own personal resistances to this request of Jesus to "Follow Me?"
Consider the question above and how the disciples just left their current lives to follow Jesus. If you were to imagine yourself in that time, what would have been your greatest motivation for dropping everything and following this man of whom you'd only heard?
As you think about Christ knowing everything about you, what makes it so comfortable for you to hang onto that thought? What do you keep discovering about God the more you know he sees your heart?
When you think about Jesus not being the conductor to our destination but truly being the destination, what thoughts come to mind?
Which of these takeaways resonate with you most? Please let us know by using one of the following:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
JOIN US LIVE FOR ‘THE LOOP’! April 10th the Loop will resume on a weekly basis! Every Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. EST our interactive worship service goes live to the internet to engage with you! Ask questions, submit videos or ideas so that we can all grow closer as a community of believers. You can attend in person or online at http://www.WholeLife.Church/LIVE (www.WholeLife.Church/LIVE). Please login to the ‘chatroll’ chat feature so we can meet you personally and take your thoughts and questions!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: Following Jesus Beyond the Cross – ‘The Leader’, by Jeff Cinquemani.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #FollowingJesusBeyondTheCross
Mar 30, 2021
There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
Things To Remember – ‘There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow’
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow. This isn't just optimistic thinking; it is the promised reality of God. However, before we step into the ultimate one at the end of earth’s history, maybe one between now and then would be God’s friends finding unity on three platforms: Jesus is the Savior, God calls us to love, and There’s a glorious future. Even between now and that final day, God is in charge, and there are many great big beautiful tomorrows in our future.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
Why do you think it is important to remember these four points?
1. Fix your eyes on Jesus Hebrews 12:2
2. Trust the gospel 2 Corinthians 5:19
3. Love each other and everybody else too 1 Corinthans 13:6-8
4. There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow Phil 1:6, Rev 21:1-4
How easy is it for you to get stuck on what has been?
Who in your life has helped you look positively at the future?
How does remembering 1-3 above make #4 easier?
When bad times come, which they always do, how can you keep believing “there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow”?
How much do you trust Philippians 1:6 that God who began a good work in you will bring it to completion?
In what ways does the reality that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God,” (Rom 8:39) make every day a great big beautiful day even when circumstances are bad?
Jesus is the savior, he calls us to love, there is a glorious future. How do you like having that belief in common with all Christians?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
JOIN US LIVE FOR ‘THE LOOP’! April 10th the Loop will resume on a weekly basis!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: Easter Services including ‘Journey to the Cross’ – An Easter Experience For Families.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #ThingsToRemember
Mar 23, 2021
Love Each Other and Everyone Else
Things To Remember – ‘Love Each Other and Everybody Else
It is our mission to love people—to love people so well that in, and through, and because of God’s love being exercised through us, the people we love will be drawn into a lifelong friendship with God, and they too will start loving people. Religious organizations like denominations will codify, policy-make, and set rules to follow. Honor those that promote true loving of people, and tolerate those that don’t block loving. However, because God has called you to love, seek to overthrow those that block us from God’s call on our lives to love people.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
How easy or hard is it for you to love the people who you’d identify as “your people”?
Who is the hardest person for you to think about loving?
How hard will it be for you to remember to love each other and everybody else?
What do you think about each of the descriptors of love from 1 Corinthians 13?
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
What do you think about the definition of love being “readiness to serve”?
How can you take advantage of practicing loving people different from you who are part of WholeLife Church?
On the back of this sheet are 13 principles to guide how we treat each other. How can you make these parts of your practice?
How will you work on loving with no barriers?
Which of these take-aways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear you feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
AS MENTIONED IN THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE….
PRINCIPLES FOR HOW WE TREAT EACH OTHER
Our Practice of Respect and Community Building
1. Create a hospitable and accountable community. We all arrive in isolation and need the generosity of friendly welcomes. Bring all of yourself to the work in this community. Welcome others to this place and this work and presume that you are welcomed as well. Hospitality is the essence of restoring community.
2. Listen deeply. Listen intently to what is said, listen to the feelings beneath the words. Strive to achieve a balance between listening and reflecting, speaking and acting.
3. Create an advice-free zone. Replace advice with curiosity as we work together for peace and justice. Each of us is here to discover our own truths. We are not here to set someone else straight, to “fix” what we perceive as broken in another member of the group.
4. Practice asking honest and open questions. A great question is ambiguous, personal and provokes anxiety.
5. Give space for unpopular answers. Answer questions honestly even if the answer seems unpopular. Be present to listen not debate, correct or interpret.
6. Respect silence. Silence is a rare gift in our busy world. After someone has spoken, take time to reflect without immediately filling the space with words. This applies to the speaker, as well – be comfortable leaving your words to resound in the silence, without refining or elaborating on what you have said.
7. Suspend judgment. Set aside your judgments. By creating a space between judgments and reactions, we can listen to the other, and to ourselves, more fully.
8. Identify assumptions. Our assumptions are usually invisible to us, yet they undergird our worldview. By identifying our assumptions, we can then set them aside and open our viewpoints to greater possibilities.
9. Speak your truth. You are invited
Mar 16, 2021
Trust The Gospel
Things To Remember – ‘Trust The Gospel’
The gospel teaches us that salvation is always the work of the Savior, not the saved. Anything added to the good news of the Gospel of Jesus turns it into bad news. Remember to trust the gospel—it is God’s work, work done by the Divine, and it can be trusted.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
How have you practiced “fixing your eyes on Jesus” this week
If someone asked you to define the “gospel” what would you say?
Since the word “gospel” means good news what is the absolute good news?
By placing responsibility for the gospel on us how does that change what should be good news into bad news?
What are some ways the church might be guilty of turning good news into bad news?
How is believing more of a result of Jesus’s work of reconciliation than the cause of that reconciling?
What do you think about this statement? “if my doing is how I get the gospel then, even though it is a small performance of mine, my salvation ends up being at least partially my doing not Christ’s. This thinking robs Jesus of his glory.”
When would the work of saving be the work of the saved instead of the work of the savior?
How good is it that God no longer counting our sins against us?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Andy’s TakeAway from Titus 3
OUR PART:
Once . . .
We, too, were foolish and disobedient.
We were misled by others and
We became slaves
to many wicked desires and evil pleasures.
Our lives were full of evil and envy.
We hated others and they hated us.
GOD’S PART:
But then . . .
God our Savior showed us his kindness and love.
He saved us,
not because of the good things we did,
but because of his mercy.
He washed away our sins and
He gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.
He generously poured out the Spirit upon us
because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.
He declared us not guilty because of his
great kindness.
RESULTS FOR US:
And Now
We know that we will inherit eternal life
-Paul in Titus 3:3-7 NLT 1996
Listen and subscribe to - :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
JOIN US LIVE FOR ‘THE LOOP’! Every Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. EST our interactive worship service goes live to the internet to engage with you! Ask questions, submit videos or ideas so that we can all grow closer as a community of believers. You can also attend in person or online at http://www.WholeLife.Church/LIVE (www.WholeLife.Church/LIVE). Please login to the ‘chatroll’ chat feature so we can meet you personally and take your thoughts and questions!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: WEEK 3 OF ANDY’S FINAL SERIES AT WLC: ‘Things To Remember’ – Love Each Other And Everyone Else.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/...
Mar 10, 2021
Fix Your Eyes On Jesus
Things To Remember – ‘Fix Your Eyes On Jesus’
What is your first line of defense? When you face good times or bad – When your relational world is stable or messed up – When you are the epitome of health or can’t get well – When the bills are all paid and there’s extra or when none are paid. Do you turn to your own mind for answers? Do you seek diversion? Is there a trusted friend you call? Only one person is worthy of our focus, and when we focus there, all will be well with our souls. There are a million other lines of defense and options of where to look, but especially when times are rough—fix your eyes on Jesus.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What is your biggest temptation to multi-task to try and do two things at once?
List the top five things that demand your attention?
How hard was it to juggle classes in school?
In what ways does aiming for perfection rather than progress hamper your Christian pilgrimage?
How can you tell you’ve bought in to being on a pilgrimage to be transformed into Christ’s image &that the journey is important?
What do you think about this race being more of a “fun run” than a race because Jesus has already won the race and has enough gold medals for each participant?
What would be one of your greatest distractions to pull you away from fixing your eyes on Jesus?
What can you do to lodge more of his teaching in your brain?
How can you begin to see all people you can serve as a way of focusing on Jesus, fixing your eyes on the “least of these”?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: WEEK 2 OF ANDY’S FINAL SERIES AT WLC: ‘Things To Remember’ – Trust The Gospel.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #ThingsToRemember
Mar 2, 2021
Stored Treasure
Jesus Doesn’t Make It Easy – ‘Stored Treasure’
We all have treasures we store. Where do you store yours?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think about this series “Jesus Doesn’t Make Life Easy”?
Of the four-murder, adultery, payback, and treasure which one most easily plagues you?
In your life what have, you thought about Jesus’ counsel “Do not store up treasure on earth”?
How did today’s message affect your thinking about storing up some treasure for a rainy day?
What is something you rightfully treasure that could compete with treasuring God?
How can you practice not treasuring earthly but instead treasuring the heavenly?
How easy is it for you to engage with Jesus’ re-working what we may think of as a rule to a larger principle to follow?
What treasure in your personal life might need to be re-valued to maintain clarity that you have only one master in God?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: NEW SERIES AND ANDY’S FINAL SERIES AT WLC: ‘Things To Remember’ - Fix Your Eyes On Jesus.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #JesusDoesntMakeItEasy
Feb 24, 2021
Proper Payback
Jesus Doesn’t Make It Easy – ‘Proper Payback’
You punch me, so I punch you back. In the Bible, it’s called the lex talionis or the law of retaliation. Of course, one of the problems is that, if you punch me, I don’t want to just punch you back; I want to punch you back just a bit harder than you punched me. Rather than revenge, how do we move to reconciliation? Jesus' teaching about proper payback was meant to stretch us.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think about the Lex Talionis – an eye for an eye, etc?
How could that law make things better or make things worse?
Who have you wanted to “get back” with retaliation or revenge?
What kind of insult is the most difficult to let go of for you?
How easy is it for you to insult back?
How guarded are you about making sure you get your rights?
Which of your rights seems to be in the most danger of losing?
When has someone gone the extra mile for you? How did that feel?
How is being less than generous with the need a way of revenge or retaliation?
Which is hardest for you: insults, rights, extra mile, giving?
What are steps you plan to take to let Christ take over your life more so yours is a not I but Christ life?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear you feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: Jesus Doesn't Make It Easy – ‘Stored Treasure’ with Andy McDonald.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #JesusDoesntMakeItEasy
Feb 16, 2021
Easy Adultery
Jesus Doesn’t Make It Easy – ‘Easy Adultery’
Adultery has become part of our entertainment. Modern media has hardened us to the pain of adultery for all parties involved; however, we’ve not spent much time on heart adultery. What will it mean to guard our hearts and minds against objectifying and marginalizing others? Jesus’ imagery is pretty drastic when he says we’d be better off with our eye gouged out than for our eye to lead us down adulterous paths. How do we guide our thoughts to keep clear of easy adultery?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you imagine Jesus might have been teaching that would give the listeners the idea that he was abolishing the law?
How convinced do you think the crowd was when Jesus said he didn’t come to destroy but to fulfill the law and it wasn’t changing?
What do you think the people expected to follow when Jesus said, “You have heard…Do not commit adultery…but I say?
How have you thought about the “lustful look” as compared to what you heard today regarding “greedy sexual idolatry”?
What are some of the ways you see sexual greed being idolatrous today-how is it usurping God’s place?
What is the relationship of today’s topic and husbands and wives who expect their spouse to provide for them what must come from God alone?
What do you think about the four ways greedy sexual idolatry evidences itself- pornography, using sex selfishly, unable to be whole without it, expecting a fairytale to make you happy?’
What safeguards are you going use to guard your heart?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: Jesus Doesn't Make It Easy – ‘Proper Payback’ with Andy McDonald.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #JesusDoesntMakeItEasy
Feb 10, 2021
Acceptable Murder
Jesus Doesn’t Make It Easy – ‘Acceptable Murder’
When we think of murder strictly in the realm of physically taking another’s life, it's never acceptable! However, Jesus expands the concept to being out of sync with someone—being angry, calling them an idiot, or cursing someone. How can we be reconciled when another doesn’t want to be?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think about taking only 87 verses into the Bible to have the first murder?
Why do you think Cain might have felt it was justifiable homicide?
What do you like and dislike by defining “murder” as the shedding of innocent blood in time of peace?
For Jesus’ listeners, the law was sort of ultimate, you didn’t mess with the law. What for you would be the equivalent of the law? What tradition, what practice, what philosophy, etc.?
What do you think about the three things Jesus equates with murder with even greater consequences: anger, speaking with a tone of contempt for others, and disparaging another’s reputation to the point of killing their good name?
Why do you think Jesus puts the worst punishment on calling a person a fool or killing their reputation?
How easy is it to damage another person’s reputation today?
What would be solved if we were quick to listen, slow to speak (text, tweet, email, or post), and slow to get angry?
When you were 10, what did you want to do when you grew up?
How did that work out? Any vestiges of that original dream?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK: Jesus Doesn't Make It Easy - 'Easy Adultery' with Andy McDonald.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #JesusDoesntMakeItEasy
Feb 2, 2021
Stewarding the Gospel...of Reconciliation
Stewarding the Gospel…of Reconciliation
Sin separated us from God. God is the source of all life, so sin separated us from life. God is love, so sin separated us from love. We cannot be the answer to our problem. Quite apart from any action on our part, God’s action by Jesus, through Jesus, and because of Jesus brings us back into oneness and invites us to join in helping people see what God has done for them.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What might be some realistic & unrealistic dreams for marriage?
Who has what you think of as a great marriage?
What do you think about Florida’s “no-fault” divorce option?
When have you been unreconciled with someone and how did it feel?
How, if it worked out, did you reconcile?
What do you think about the idea that “Everything God is we naturally aren’t?
What does it mean to be reconciled to God? Who does the reconciling?
How does it change your “witnessing” when you believe that everyone has been reconciled?
How fun could it be to let prisoners know the cells are unlocked and the doors gone…to tell tired warriors the war is over?
How hard is it for you to believe that God is no longer counting people’s sins against them, 2 Corinthians 5:19?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear your feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media. Our show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and everywhere you can listen to podcasts!
NEXT WEEK NEW SERIES: ‘Jesus Doesn't Make It Easy’ - and the opening message of 'Acceptable Murder' with Andy McDonald.
The theme music for Speaking of Grace was written, produced, and performed by WholeLife Church’s own Phillip Burks - https://www.phillipburks.com/ (https://www.phillipburks.com/).
Download the WholeLife Church Mobile App! It is available for both Apple and Android.
Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl (https://twitter.com/wholelifeorl), Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.facebook.com/wholelifeorlando), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando (https://www.instagram.com/wholelifeorlando)! Use the #hashtags: #WholeLifePodcast #WholeLifeTakeaways #ThisIsWholeLife #StewardingTheGospel
Jan 26, 2021
Stewarding the Gospel...of Equality
Stewarding the Gospel…of Equality
When we steward well the gospel, we recognize that it calls us to a radical oneness, a radical equality. We are called to give up the pride of separation and see that we are all equal in two amazing ways: all distinctions of prideful hierarchy are leveled in both the condition of being lost and being found.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What experience made you feel that you weren’t equal?
How hard is it for you to align with our Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal?
It is hard to believe that it’s only been just over 100 years that women have been able to vote. What are some sore spots of inequality still today?
How have you engaged with children to help them feel equal?
What do you think about Jesus saying to the Canaanite woman, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs?”
How broad is your concept of equality? Can you freely sing “When we ALL get to heaven,” or is…
Jan 19, 2021
Stewarding the Gospel...of Others First
Stewarding the Gospel…of Others First
God’s free amazing grace to each of us calls us to a new way. Solving the sin problem is Jesus leaving the comfort of the adoring angels and the forever unity of the Trinity and putting others first. The gospel is the perfect picture of self-donation, and when Jesus’ followers follow best, that picture of self-donation recurs in good stewarding of the gospel.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
If you look back on your life, who was someone you looked up to and sought to be like, or maybe even pretended to be? What was it about that experience that was good for you to go through, but also grow out of?
When we listen to others with more than just a quiet ear, when we really pay attention to what is "behind the words" so to speak, what does that not only do for them, but also do for us? Knowing that understanding is critical, at what point, if ever, might it be helpful to share our own journey or opinions about theirs?
If disciplesh…
Jan 13, 2021
Stewarding the Gospel...of Unfairness
Stewarding the Gospel…of Unfairness
If I run a good race, if I keep the faith, if I obey the law, it seems to be fair that there’s a crown of righteousness and glorious future awaiting me. But how can it be fair for God to do it all, and I just benefit? How can it be right that everyone gets a gift? Who really wants to be treated fairly?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
When was a time you screamed the loudest, “That’s not fair”?
Why do you think it is that we are concerned about fairness?
When you think about fairness is it about everybody getting the same, or each getting what they deserve, or how is your concept of fairness related to a level playing field?
What do you think about Jesus parable of paying all the workers what they agreed to or more? How is that fair?
As a spiritual person how do you stay in touch with the reality of not deserving God’s grace?
If God’s grace saves while we are dead in sin how much of our being “saved” is our doing?
How do…
Jan 5, 2021
Stewarding the Gospel...of Worthiness
Stewarding the Gospel...of Worthiness
You are worthy of God’s love. You cannot hear this clearly enough or often enough, and you will never understand the depth of this great truth. When we look soberly at ourselves, we might be inclined to believe that we are not worthy. However, we are worthy, not because we deserve the love of God, but because he has declared it so.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
If we are worthy by no effort of our own, why are there so many verses telling us how to behave, how to act, how to be righteous?
Is God’s love really for everyone or just for some? If only for some, what makes them special?
As we embrace our own acceptance from God, it helps us to accept others. As we accept others, should we try to teach them about godly living or rely on God to take care of the rest?
Which of these takeaways resonated with you this week? We would love to hear you feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail:…
Dec 30, 2020
An Unexpected Life
Expecting the Unexpected: An Unexpected Life
Our world is not as God had intended, and while we’re here, we can separate ourselves from our community and live a safe and secluded life – not allowing the “unholiness” of the world to invade. Mary and Joseph made a home in Egypt, which during that time required both giving to and receiving from a community. How can we engage, connect, and bring unexpected kingdom life to our world?
There were no #WholeLifeTakeAways for this message. As always, we would still love to hear you feedback and you can reach us at any of the methods below:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast (https://wholelife.church/podcast)! You can listen, subscribe, and…
Dec 22, 2020
An Unexpected Responsibility
Expecting the Unexpected: An Unexpected Responsibility
What if God gives you a purpose for which others have told you that you don’t qualify? “Build my kingdom on earth” is a pretty big responsibility. The shepherds were given the task of announcing the beginning of this new kingdom, and now it’s up to us to begin establishing it in our world. Will we listen to the voices telling us we don’t qualify for that job? Or, like the shepherds, will we believe we are exactly the one God is calling?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
How are you wired-do you love the unexpected or are you a little unnerved by the unexpected?
What was one of your best unexpected adventures?
When you think of something happening unexpectedly do you have a positive or negative in your mind?
What good memories do you have of sitting around a break room or campfire just sharing life
How do you think you’d react if a dark night you were visited by a brilliant angel?
How does the idea of unexpected…
Dec 15, 2020
An Unexpected Gift
Expecting the Unexpected: An Unexpected Gift
There are times when good things come out of unexpected circumstances, things we never could have planned. Change is never easy, rarely anticipated, and often life-altering. A barn was not Joseph’s and Mary’s first choice of where to meet their son but holding the son of God in their arms made their surroundings insignificant. How can we choose a life of abundance instead of scarcity – trusting God will provide unexpected gifts even in the midst of life’s most difficult challenges?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think was your best, or maybe favorite, gift that was completely unexpected? Why was it your favorite, and what made it so unexpected?
Read the story of Mary and the angel and then Mary’s trip to see Elizabeth. Where do you look for hope, and how do you maintain that search in those rough moments of your life?
As we watch little children play, it reminds us of who we were in simpler times of our…
Dec 8, 2020
An Unexpected Addition
Expecting the Unexpected: An Unexpected Arrival
Elizabeth and Zechariah wanted a child, and when they discovered they would receive just that, Zechariah couldn’t speak to share the exciting news, and Elizabeth was going to deal with all the challenges of pregnancy in her 80’s! How many times in our life have we been waiting for something and, when things finally fall into place, we’re just not ready – or it happens in a way we didn’t expect? Is it God’s sense of humor at our expense, or God’s perfect timing? How do we trust God’s wisdom in times when things don’t happen like we thought they would?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
When you were 10, what did you want to do when you grew up?
How did that work out? Any vestiges of that original dream?
What is something you have prayed and prayed for but still it hasn’t yet happened? How do you keep hoping?
Would you say you were born with or without privilege?
What are some of the risks on both sides?
W…
Dec 1, 2020
While We Wait: Trust God's Word
While We Wait: Trust God’s Word
Jesus’ first Advent was prophesied about, but then time marched on. How do we maintain trust that he’s coming again? What can we do while we wait to build our faith and be hopeful?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
Whose word do you trust today?
How has trusting gotten harder or easier in 2020?
Why does it look like almost the whole of the “chosen people” could miss Jesus’ first Advent?
What do you think got in the way of looking for and preparing for the arrival of messiah?
When have you taken on and owned the guilt of “your people”?
What is hardest to believe about Jesus saying, “I will come again”?
What do you think it means that Jesus is the only way to the Father?
When was the last time you sat and thought about the second coming?
How does it affect your thinking to know Jesus hasn’t come because he wants more people to be with him forever?
In what ways can you choose and help others choose abiding in the vine and t…
Nov 25, 2020
While We Wait: We Give Thanks
While We Wait: We Give Thanks
When things are going well, we may begin to believe that we are enjoying the life and success we are due for our hard work, wise decision making, focused attention, and careful planning and execution. However, when days of desperation come, we may become depressed and discouraged. If we’ve given ourselves credit for creating the good life, we may decide to give ourselves credit for the bad. From our helpless place of distress, God delivers. All we can do is give thanks.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think about giving thanks while you wait?
How hard is it to believe that God is 100% good and 0% bad?
When God says no, or wait does it make it hard to believe he is 100% good?
What is it about “desperate conditions” that pushes us to call on the Lord?
When has the Lord gotten you out of desperate situation, “just in the nick of time”?
When have you felt “locked up” and what did it mean for Jesus t…
Nov 17, 2020
While We Wait: Isaiah
While We Wait: Isaiah
Isaiah says that we can renew our strength as we wait. We can build relationships while we wait—relationships with each other and with God. We can develop patience, and we can follow the wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of the patriarchs of Scripture, learning from them what is wise to do while we wait.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
· What do you think about the idea that we see ourselves as the “star” in the movie of our life?
· When have you been most tempted to sing, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”?
· How can looking at the greater misfortune of others reduce the whining about our situation?
· What Covid-19 restriction are you most anxious to have gone?
· When have you most felt that God didn’t see your trouble or wouldn’t seem to hear your case?
· What difference does it make in your life that God is the everlasting God, creat…
Nov 10, 2020
While We Wait: David
While We Wait: David
This week, many of you were pained by the election. Your candidate didn’t prevail. Now you are fearful, concerned where the opposition will lead. Maybe you feel threatened or you feel your nation is threatened. How long can you wait for things to be different? What are you to do while you wait?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
How did the bigger, smarter, more outspoken friends or siblings affect you?
Who spoke “future” into your life at a critical moment in time?
What if any sense of calling or destiny has influenced your life?
How do you think being “anointed” 10-15 years before he would actually become king, affected David? His family? Saul?
How would you feel about knowing some important position would be yours (president, Olympic gold medal winner, CEO, whatever your dream job might be) but not for say 16 years?
Who, if anyone, has really wanted you out of the picture, maybe not killed but fired, rel…
Nov 3, 2020
While We Wait: Daniel
While We Wait: Daniel
Taken captive in a foreign land, out of his element, not clear as to his future, with more unknowns than a pandemic, Daniel prayed. He prayed so regularly, so faithfully, so consistently that it was the only way to get him in trouble with the king by crafty fellow statesmen. While we wait, we can mature in our prayer life. Pray. That’s what Daniel did.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
· What has been the hardest thing for which you had to wait?
· What happens to you when you have to wait and there’s no other option—what is your attitude?
· In what ways can the habit of prayer guard us from adopting and being enveloped in the popular culture?
· What would you imagine to be on Daniel and his three friend’s prayer list as they start three years of enculturation training?
· How has God connected with through prayer?
· How…
Oct 27, 2020
While We Wait: Moses
While We Wait: Moses
There’s the temptation to run ahead. Moses knows his story: from basket boat to royalty! He craves justice for his people, so he takes things into his own hands and commits murder. But it was witnessed. He flees to Midian, and for forty years each morning he cares for sheep. Finally, he leads his people to freedom, and they refuse to trust that God can give them the land he promised. So, for another 40 years he wanders the desert, and every morning he gets up and goes to work sitting in the seat of judgement. Faithfulness in our duties of regular life are certainly a big part of what we do while we wait.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
· What “job” did you play at most as a kid? What job did you pretend to be yours?
· What would make you categorize some jobs as being good jobs and some as being bad jobs?
· What pressure did you feel to select a certain “family approved” job/career?
·…
Oct 20, 2020
While We Wait: Joseph
While We Wait: Joseph
Things can seem tough. We can do the right thing and still have things not work out. We can and will be treated unjustly. Joseph was sold by his brothers and unjustly imprisoned. Joseph had no idea if his wait in jail would be days, years, or decades. What did he do while he faced a totally unknown wait? No matter our circumstances, we can choose to make the world a better place, to be a contribution while we wait.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
· What makes waiting harder for you to endure?
· What makes waiting more tolerable for you?
· Why do you think that “relational waiting” can be extra painful?
· For you, how hard is the delayed gratification kind of waiting?
· Who was the “family favorite” and how could you tell?
· Were you ever punished for something you didn’t do? How did it feel?
· How would you cope if you were in prison but weren…
Oct 13, 2020
While We Wait: Job
While We Wait: Job
Job was a great man of faith walking with a God who had prospered him in every conceivable way. Then he lost it all. Stripped of wealth, friends, family, and health—wishing he’d never been born. What can we learn as Job waits in suffering for God to redeem?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in an “instant” culture?
Remember a time when you were suffering and there was nothing to do but wait. How did that feel?
What have you learned from waiting in times of minor or major suffering?
What do you find most confusing or most hard to reconcile in the conversation between God and Satan in Job 1?
What evidence would you sight if you were Satan to support the idea that God is selfish? And what evidence would you sight to defend the idea that God is totally unselfish?
How important are the answers to the last question and why?
In what ways are we tempted to follow God for selfish reasons?
What enables…
Oct 6, 2020
While We Wait: Abraham
While We Wait: Abraham
Abraham was given a promise: to be the father of a nation, which he heard as the promise of a coming son, an heir, progeny. He decided that waiting was too long. From Abraham, we learn one thing not to do while we wait, and that is to adopt a do-it-yourself plan. A form of that for us might be “getting ready for Jesus to come,” as if we could do that! What does that even mean?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What is your worst or most painful memory of having to wait? What makes you a poor or good waiter?
What do you think are some benefits of having to wait for something?
Going through COVID19 what waiting has been most frustrating?
How do you think you would have reacted in Abraham’s shoes to the initial call?
How can you not let waiting paralyze you?
How can Abraham’s mistakes, choices, failures encourage you?
When have God’s promises gotten fuzzy for you?
How can you live life in freedom of the promise?
How can you keep the promise in fo…
Sep 30, 2020
Gathered At The Table
Gathered At The Table
Any time change takes place, there is a natural, and sometimes personal, resistance to it. What does it mean to celebrate Communion together during COVID? Though we aren't physically in the same place, it's important to remind ourselves of the extravagant grace of our Savior. So gather some type of bread or cracker, and some type of beverage, and join us!
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What is your best memory of celebrating the Lord’s Supper? What is your worst memory of celebrating the Lord’s Supper?
Why do you think some people avoid the service?
How integral is the concept of being a servant to communion?
Jesus that night, prays for his followers to be one. How important is Christian unity, and why is it so incredibly hard to come by?
How can a determination to serve rather than be served support unity in Christ’s body, the church?
What causes you or someone you know from participating in the communion service for fear of doing so…
Sep 22, 2020
It's Simply The Only Way
SERIES - Simply Gospel: It’s Simply The Only Way
Any time change takes place, there is a natural, and sometimes personal, resistance to it—not only because of the pain of change but also because of the fear. The idea that our self-preservation (or more often our self-interests) will not be met can bring a fair amount of discouragement. We all would like to have an infection inside our bodies cut out, but it’s never a happy thought to realize that we need it done now. The Gospel is truly good news to a lost world. However, we cannot ignore that it is also a personal affront to our living every day. Some will walk away from it, while others will realize that it’s the only way to live.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think of when you hear the title of this series “Simply Gospel?
How has the default human function of I perform, I achieve, I obey therefore I’m accepted infiltrated your life?
Why do you think the default is so easy to adopt?
How do yo…
Sep 15, 2020
Simply Profound
SERIES - Simply Gosepel: Simply Profound
There is something profoundly wonderful about experiencing or tasting something the way it was originally intended. In the Bible, we read the story of Cain and Abel and about the first murder that took place. Here, we see the plight of mankind played out in the first two children of Adam and Eve. Do we give in to our own way, or do we strive to do it God’s way? The hard part is that it ends up being seemingly disastrous with either decision. So, what’s the point? What’s the “Good” of the “Good News?”
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
Take a moment to read Romans 1-3 in your favorite, most understandable version. However, after each chapter, condense your thoughts about it by sharing the emotions that gripped you while you were reading. How did they change as you moved from one chapter to the other?
If the good news of Jesus is that we are all able to walk away from our shame, how does that change how we look at others in…
Sep 8, 2020
Nothing Added
SERIES - Simply Gosepel: Nothing Added
If you were given news of the best restaurant in town and then given burdensome conditions that were required in order to eat there, how would you respond? The news of this restaurant becomes a bit less enchanting. So, too, with the Gospel – when we add our own conditions to God’s simple truth, we not only dampen its appeal, but we also diminish its meaning.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
In the Story of the Lost Son in Luke 15: there are rule followers and rule breakers. We've probably found ourselves on both of those sides. Which side makes it harder for us to understand a loving father who's always willing to take BOTH of us back?
Why might it be difficult for your neighbor to see the gospel as truly good news for them in today’s world? How might it be hard for you to view it as good?
If you were a sibling in this story from Luke, how might you have responded to the young brother? What about the older brother?
What keep…
Sep 2, 2020
Discipling Others
SERIES - WholeLife Discipleship: Discipling Others
What does modern discipleship look like? How do we do this during a pandemic? Should we all be proclaiming the good news to the world or starting arguments on social media? What ranks higher: teaching doctrine or loving people? Can we do both?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What are your thoughts about the idea that God invites us to play and we turned it into work?
How does the idea of play match up with your idea of Jesus?
Why do you think it is that too many church folks are know for being serious and sour and not very playful?
How do you think Jesus and the people he healed reacted, celebrated the change he brought to them?
Why is it that play can break down walls?
In what ways have you “worked” at your walk with Jesus, following your leader rather than “played” at it?
What do you think Jesus meant when he said that if we follow him he will teach us how to live “freely and lightly”?
How has the pandemic affe…
Aug 25, 2020
Discipling Like Jesus
SERIES - WholeLife Discipleship: Discipling Like Jesus
“Follow Me.” These were Jesus’ words to his disciples. What did that mean? In his book I Am a Follower, Leonard Sweet says it’s not about leading, but about following. What was Jesus’ method for discipleship? What would happen in our families and community if we discipled like Jesus?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
Share about a time you were part of an uncomfortable discussion over Sabbath lunch?
How easy is it for you to be sure that God is against the people who are against you?
For Jesus maybe it was the Pharisees, but which of your “enemies” is hardest for you to love?
Why do you think Jesus blatantly healed the guy on Sabbath?
What are practical applications of Jesus advice about banquet seating?
Who do you think of today that seem to be sure they have a seat in God’s kingdom based on something other than invitation?
How hard is it to remember that no one on their own has a right to be at the table?…
Aug 18, 2020
A WholeLife Disciple
SERIES - WholeLife Discipleship: A WholeLife Disciple
Christian discipleship doesn’t happen in a bubble. A disciple is part of a community. We are all a disciple of someone. Whose disciple are you, and what is the cost of being a disciple?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What memories do you have of playing follow the leader?
If you do Facebook, do prefer to be followed or to follow?
Who in your life have you wanted to be “like” to follow their model?
Why do we want to make being a disciple about more than just following Jesus?
How might levels of normal development confuse discipleship: 5-year-old-disciple and 95-year-old disciple? What are the similarities at every age and what might be some differences?
While there are roles and functions, what do you think about the statement, “You either are or aren’t a follower-disciple of Jesus?”
How do you think about taking up your cross (sacrifice) for Jesus? Do you think of things you can’t do anymore or do you think of lo…
Aug 11, 2020
Look For The Helpers
SERIES - Worshipping In Mr. Rogers Neighborhood: Look For The Helpers
When Fred Rogers was a boy, and saw something on the news that scared him, his mother’s counsel to bring him comfort was, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” The year 2020 will always be known as the year of COVID 19. Quarantines, stay-at-home orders, masks, and anti-bacterial soaps. While there were many who rose to the occasion by self-sacrificially serving on the front lines, helping neighbors or simply following suggested protocols, others stockpiled toilet paper. It’s normal to fear in situations like this, but could the way we manage that fear and how we respond in a crisis reflect on the trust and hope we find in our God?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
Who have been your “helpers” that bolster your hope?
What do you think about the concept of during catastrophe or tragedy to look for the helpers?
This was counsel from Fred Rogers’ mother to him as a child…
Aug 4, 2020
I Like You Just The Way You Are
SERIES - Worshipping In Mr. Rogers Neighborhood: I Like You Just The Way You Are
When Fred Rogers was a boy, and saw something on the news that scared him, his mother’s counsel to bring him comfort was, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” The year 2020 will always be known as the year of COVID 19. Quarantines, stay-at-home orders, masks, and anti-bacterial soaps. While there were many who rose to the occasion by self-sacrificially serving on the front lines, helping neighbors or simply following suggested protocols, others stockpiled toilet paper. It’s normal to fear in situations like this, but could the way we manage that fear and how we respond in a crisis reflect on the trust and hope we find in our God?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
Who might be invited “in” that would shock you, because you don’t see them as “included”?
How easily do you categorize groups as “us and them”?
Share or ponder a time when you were all…
Jul 28, 2020
What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel?
SERIES - Worshiping In Mr. Rogers Neighborhood: What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel?
In 1968, the Vietnam War was being fought; Bobby Kennedy had been shot. Mr. Rogers realized that children were aware of these events, but they had no place where it was safe to talk about these issues. We avoid those things we don’t understand and what we fear. On the program, King Friday builds a wall to keep out what he didn’t like or understand. How does fear build walls? How important is it for the church to be a place where we discuss those things we fear and about which we may be angry?
This week's #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What, if anything, is your best Mister Roger’s memory?
Whether or not you watched the show, who was the real life “Mister Rogers” for you? (listened to you and affirmed you)
What was great or not so great about your neighborhood growing up?
How well have Christians done at being neighborly? As individuals? As churches? As denominational organizations?
W…
Jul 22, 2020
Living In The Now Part - IV
SERIES - #ThisIsWholeLife: Living In The Now - Part IV
This pandemic has pulled the curtain on the myth of independent living. We are beings created for community. How can we allow space to grieve what we have lost but still refocus and move forward? How is God calling us to fix our eyes on him and to partner with him in sharing hope and grace?
How are you currently creating more opportunities for safely connecting?
How can this experience lead us to greater connection in the future?
What type of things do you find yourself grieving the loss of during this time? How are you managing that grief?
What Scripture and/or songs have you turned to for comfort?
What ways can you carry the love and grace of Jesus to someone today?
Which takeaway(s) resonated most with you?
Send us your questions and comments by using one of the following:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email lin…
Jul 14, 2020
Living In The Now Part - III
SERIES - #ThisIsWholeLife: Living In The Now - Part III
COVID is a crisis that touches us all. So is racial injustice. As we work toward a cure for the virus, how might honest conversations begin to heal and wipe out racial injustice? Maybe the first thing we all need to agree on is the necessity of surrendering to God.
This week's #WholeLifeTakeAways:
How would your reaction to the COVID crisis be affected by the realization of God’s constant presence?
How are you entering the conversation on racial injustice?
What stories of your family history speak into this conversation?
What do you need to surrender today?
Which takeaway(s) resonated most with you?
Send us your questions and comments by using one of the following:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Je…
Jul 7, 2020
Living In The Now Part II
SERIES - #ThisIsWholeLife: Living In The Now - Part II
The current crisis has forced our lives into a “new normal.” Though some have found good things in the forced pause, change isn’t always welcome and can sometimes cause resentment. How does looking outside of ourselves and to the work and sacrifice of others change this perspective? How might we be conveyors of encouragement? Sit down with pastor Andy and WholeLIfe members Dr. Vincent and Grace Hsu who are both front line workers in the fight against #COVID19.
This week's #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What new thing have you learned about yourself during this crisis?
What positive changes have resulted in your life because of COVID?
What ways might you be able to share hope with others during this time?
In what areas have you needed others to help you during this time? How easy has it been for you to accept that help?
Which takeaway(s) resonated most with you? Send us your questions and comments by using one of the following:
■…
Jun 30, 2020
Living In The Now Part I
SERIES - #ThisIsWholeLife - Living In The Now Part I
An Interview with WholeLife Member Olga Melnik
What have we learned during this unique time in history? How is our response to this current situation with COVID affected by our relationship with God? This week Andy sits down with Olgna Melnik to hear her family's story of migration to America, COVID-19, and more. Don't miss it!
There were no #WholeLifeTakeAways for this week.
Send us your questions and comments by using one of the following:
■ Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607
■ Email: podcast@wholelife.church
■ WLC Mobile App: Media Tab/Podcast Banner and Use Text and Email links
■ Social Media: #WholeLifePodcast/ #WholeLifeTakeAways
Listen and subscribe to :15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff by going to our website: https://wholelife.church/podcast! You can listen, subscribe, and share the episode, all from our podcast player!
Thank you for listening! If you’ve enjoyed this episode please share it on social media.…
Jun 23, 2020
Pause To Love
SERIES - What Really Matters: Pause To Love
When God created us, we were never meant to be constant workers, or doers, or even creators. After six days of full-on production, God stops and, by ceasing from all that is done, quite ironically creates the perfect antidote for humanity's obsession to labor, to gratify, to obtain, and to literally wear down our own bodies. And God calls it holy.
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
In the story of the Samaritan who cared for the Jewish citizen in Luke chapter 10, we find Jesus trying to help us understand that, just as one person’s idea of hatred can sow seeds of prejudice, so one man’s act of kindness against that hatred can sow seeds of reconciliation. What groups of people today are showing mercy, and what acts of kindness are going on right now that would make us think differently about our own preconceived ideas of them?
As we think about God’s love being able to transform even the hardest of hearts, what part does “belonging…
Jun 16, 2020
Hope In The Now
SERIES - What Really Matters: Hope in the Now
Everything we’ve read and heard from the time we were small is now challenged by what we’ve been dubbing “The New Normal.” How do we pick up the pieces and make sense of our lives when the pieces don’t seem to fit any longer?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
When was a time when you had feelings of hopelessness?
In what ways has Covid-19 created some loss of hope in you?
How has continued injustice in our world damaged your hope?
What do you think about the concept that “hope sees what is possible but is not yet?”
Which is most natural for you – to dread and despair or to hope?
How does your picture of God contribute to dread or hope?
Write a list of new opportunities to care and share and love people (that’s being the church) resulting from virus.
How can our hope make us less about our consuming the benefits of church and more about caring for others?
How hopeful are you that followers of Jesus will rise to the occ…
Jun 9, 2020
Finding Trust In Your Faith Community
SERIES: What Really Matters - Finding Trust In Your Faith Community. Acts 6:1-7
During a time of crisis and pain, faith communities should be those places of refuge where we find our greatest strength and stability. These types of communities can provide warmth, acceptance, and belonging. However, at other times they can be the very thing that causes us to feel alone, lost, and sometimes even threatened or endangered. How does this happen in what has been referred to as “The Body of Christ”? How do we restore what God intended?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What do you think about the church existing in this now but not yet space?
How seriously do you take the idea that as the church we are the body of Christ in our world?
What has been your most exhausting part of the pandemic?
How might we adjust our expectations of church knowing that to a large degree it is what we are?
How in touch are with you of the reality of long term racial injustice in our country?
Why do you thi…
Jun 2, 2020
Matters Of Prayer
SERIES: Paul’s Letter to the Orlandonians: Matters Of Prayer
Colossians 4:2-6
We are challenged to “devote” ourselves to prayer. Paul makes some prayer requests, too, and gives some counsel to live wisely. How much in our lives is affected by Jesus’ words, “You have not because you ask not?”
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
What part of our series on Colossians did you feel was important for you to hear?
How do you resonate or not with our saying “all we need is Jesus”? Does something still say “but what about the rules?”
How important right now do you think it is to be reminded that nostalgia is fear based while looking to the future is an act of faith?
What do you think/feel about the idea that even when we are overcome by the enemy we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God?
How devoted to prayer with watchfulness and thanksgiving are you?
What would change in your thinking if we prayed for God to open doors for us to clearly share t…
May 26, 2020
Instructions for Christian Households
Instructions for Christian Households
Colossians 3:18-4:1
These are some of the words of Paul that sometimes cause some challenges. They mirror his words in Ephesians. Wives to husbands, husbands to wives, children to parents, parents to children, slaves and their earthly masters, and earthly masters to the slaves. A different time and a different culture, but what principles are there to bring to Orlando in the 21st Century?
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
How captive do you feel to the idea that our world is like Humpty Dumpty and can’t be put back together again?
How hard is it to live in the positive place of having been adopted into God’s family and that because of God all is well?
What do you think of the idea that Paul is trying to show us that God is able to put our Humpty Dumpty lives back together?
Our lives are so marked by “us and them” thinking of relationships as vertical over and under. What do you think about Jesus’ teaching that that isn’t the w…
May 19, 2020
How Does A Free New Lifer Live?
Paul's Letter to the Orlandonians: How Does A Free New Lifer Live?
Paul gives guidance on living as a new creature in Christ. We put away, put to death, the sinful earthly things in us—and live free of all that. Even to the removal of the normal distinctions of Jew and Gentile. And there’s a good bit of directive about relationships as a Free New Lifer!
This week’s #WholeLifeTakeAways:
• How crazy is the idea of waking up each day imagining God’s voice God call you his beloved child in whom he is well pleased?
• How hard is it to live in the freedom of our perfection being complete in Christ? (His perfection attributed to us)
• Share what you remember about your baptism. What do you think about baptism your resurrection with Christ, hidden in him?
• What do think Paul is trying to communicate vs. 3 you are dead to old life, vs. 5 put to death a list of evils, vs. 8 get rid of another list.
• Did we not die to old life? Does it keep resurrecting? Are we perfect in…
May 12, 2020
Speaking of Grace
Speaking of Grace is a new podcast that will be launching on May 12th, 2020. We have had many requests from listeners of our companion podcast; 15 With Andy, Randy, & Jeff (https://wholelife.church/podcast), that we make the weekly message from WholeLife Church available as a podcast.
Speaking of Grace will feature Andy McDonald, Senior Pastor at the WholeLife Church and other gifted speakers that all share a common goal: To love people into a lifelong friendship with God, through messages of grace and peace.
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and spend your Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings with us each week, where all are welcomed!
To find out more visit our website: www.wholelife.church/podcast