The book of Exodus tells the story of how God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. The Israelites were afflicted and oppressed by the Egyptians, who feared their growing numbers and sought to discourage them from multiplying. However, the Hebrew midwives, Shifra and Puah, refused to obey Pharaoh's command to kill the Hebrew boys, and instead let them live. This act of defiance against authority is a powerful example of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. [... more]

Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem finds the people in a state of compromise, having abandoned their commitment to God's word. Despite the great revival that had taken place, the people have reverted to their old ways, disobeying clear commands from God. Nehemiah's radical actions and words are a call to the people to return to their faithfulness and obedience to God's word. [... more]

The psalmist's profound affection for God's law is a celebration of the law's ability to reveal the character of God and bring joy to the soul. In contrast, modern Christians often view the law as irrelevant or distasteful, but the psalmist's words remind us that the law is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path, guiding us in our walk with God. [... more]

The believer rejoices in the Holy Spirit, resolving to live a life pleasing to God. The desire quotient, or DQ, determines one's devotion to the Spirit, contrasting with the unbeliever's obsession with the flesh. Paul highlights the consequences of these two dispositions, emphasizing the believer's pursuit of life and peace through the Spirit, while the unbeliever is headed for death and eternal separation from God. [... more]

Jude warns the church about spiritual amnesia, the danger of forgetting who God is, what He has done, and what He promises. He reminds them of four Old Testament stories, including the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, the fallen angels' rebellion, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to emphasize the importance of contending for the faith and remaining faithful to God. [... more]

Exploring the concept of showing affection to God, discussing various ways to express love and devotion, and sharing personal experiences of connecting with the divine. From dancing and singing to surrendering and serving, guests share their unique approaches to nurturing their relationship with God. [... more]

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will return to earth in judgment and salvation, bringing an end to sin and suffering, and establishing the Kingdom of God. The Old Testament contains many prophecies about this event, including the description of Jesus' humble entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey, which was fulfilled in Matthew 21. The prophets also speak of the great judgment that will come upon the wicked, but also of the salvation and redemption that will come to God's people. [... more]

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal moment in his earthly ministry where his divine nature is revealed to his disciples, Peter, James, and John, in the presence of Moses and Elijah, who discuss the mission of Christ and confirm his destiny to go to Jerusalem to die. [... more]

The study of the book of Daniel reveals the greatness of our sovereign God, who is in control of the past, present, and future. Through Daniel's life, we learn about prophecies regarding the kingdoms of the world, the future of Israel, and the kingdom of God. The book of Daniel reminds us that God is always in charge, ruling over the kings and rulers of this world, and that we should trust and serve Him with all our heart. [... more]

A crippled man named Mephibosheth, living in obscurity, is unexpectedly invited to the royal table by King David, demonstrating God's sovereign and free favor to the ill-deserving, illustrating the concept of grace and adoption. [... more]

Jesus chooses ordinary people to be his disciples, not based on their spiritual heritage or impressive qualities, but on their willingness to follow and be taught. The twelve apostles, including James the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Thaddeus Lebaeus, and Judas Iscariot, demonstrate the importance of humility and faithfulness in their service to Christ, and show that our service for Christ doesn't have to be recognized on earth to be rewarded in heaven. [... more]

The role of the Lord Jesus is prominent in the New Testament, with over 960 verses referencing him as Savior or Lord and King, while in the Old Testament, his name appears only 13 times as Savior. [... more]

God's grace is free sovereign favor extended to those who deserve the opposite, the ill-deserving. It's not earned, but rather a rescue for the helpless, demonstrated through Christ's death, which brings salvation by faith, not works. [... more]

Retirees often face uncertainty about how to approach tithing in retirement, as income sources can be irregular and come from multiple sources. Certified Kingdom Advisors offer guidance on two practical frameworks for tithing in retirement, one focusing on tithing on the portion that represents increase or growth, and the other on tithing on income as it's received. The goal is faithful and joyful giving, not a math equation, and Scripture emphasizes the importance of giving out of the heart, not just following a formula. [... more]

God's grace is a radical, life-changing gift that extends His favor to those who can't help themselves, the ill-deserving, and the sinful, through the cross of Christ, demonstrating His love and mercy, and enabling us to overcome our spiritual deadness and live a transformed life. [... more]

A story of Belshazzar, the grandson of King Nebuchadnezzar, who mocked God and faced the consequences, serves as a warning to all of us. Pastor Greg Laurie explains how God wrote on the wall of the palace, weighing Belshazzar in God's balances and finding him lacking. The story highlights the importance of humility and repentance, and the consequences of rejecting God's message. [... more]

Jesus teaches his followers that they will do greater works than he did, not through supernatural acts, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, conveying the message of salvation to the world, and that this is the great work of God, entrusted to the people of God, who are recipients of God's kindness, to live, learn, and share that kindness with others, so that they too might be members of his family. [... more]

The story of Belshazzar, who mocked God and faced the consequences, serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God. Pastor Greg Laurie emphasizes the importance of having a robust and substantial faith, and encourages listeners to evaluate their relationship with God and make a deliberate decision for Christ. [... more]

The life of Noah serves as a powerful example of living right with God in a wicked world. As the world becomes increasingly corrupt, Noah's obedience and faithfulness to God's commands are a beacon of hope. By being quiet before the Lord and obeying His instructions, Noah is able to build the ark and save his family and the animals from the coming flood. This lesson from the story of Noah encourages listeners to be set apart from the world, to be right with God, and to be obedient to His will, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. [... more]

Jesus Christ's three names - Jesus, Christ, and Lord - represent his human, messianic, and divine roles, linking him to humanity, prophecy, and Deity. The New Testament emphasizes a chronological pattern, with Jesus as his human name, Christ as his messianic name, and Lord as his divine name. His threefold office and work include prophet, priest, and king, and mankind's relationship with him follows this pattern. [... more]

The Bible teaches that death is a transition to either heaven or hell, determined by one's relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are made perfectly holy at death, immediately entering the presence of God, while unbelievers are cast into hell, awaiting judgment. The hope of the resurrection body is a glorious portion of every believer, and the call of the church is to make Christ known, sharing the good news of salvation with others. [... more]

The doctrine of election anchors our assurance of salvation in God's sovereign grace, and understanding the false teaching of Gnosticism is crucial for Christians today. Gnosticism involves a religion of redemption through gnosis or elite knowledge, rather than faith, and its influence can be seen in modern forms of eclecticism and syncretism. The church must be aware of the basic strains of historic Gnosticism and stay tied to the written word of God to avoid being carried away by feelings or so-called secret knowledge. [... more]

Believers in Jesus Christ are complete in Christ because they are united with Him. This union with Christ is a profound truth that encourages, humbles, and inspires followers of Jesus. Through spiritual circumcision, believers have died with Christ and been buried with Him, marking a decisive break with their old sinful life. [... more]

Jesus teaches that he is the fulfillment of Abraham's hopes and visions, and that he is the eternal Christ who shares the everlasting life of the Father and the Spirit. He claims to be the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that he is the changeless Lord who towers over history. [... more]

The Bible's prophecy of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is fulfilled in the 22nd Psalm, which describes the events leading up to and including the crucifixion, including the mocking and ridicule of Jesus, the piercing of his hands and feet, and the casting of lots for his clothing. This psalm is a testament to the inspired Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide the writers of Scripture. [... more]

Chip Ingram explains the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, including apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, pastor-teacher, healing, administration, wisdom, knowledge, faith, discernment, and tongues. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and exercising these gifts in ministry, and provides a clear action plan for developing one's spiritual gift for kingdom impact. [... more]

Discovering and developing your spiritual gift is serious business, giving direction and purpose to your life, freedom to be who you are, joy from impacting lives, affirmation of your victory with Christ, and accountability for the stewardship of your gift. To develop your gifts, you need clarity, a basic understanding of the New Testament gifts, and a willingness to take action. Each gift has its own unique characteristics, such as apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, pastor-teacher, teaching, miracles, healing, administration, and wisdom. [... more]

Discovering your primary spiritual gift is crucial to understanding God's purpose for your life. Chip Ingram explains the seven motivational gifts from the New Testament, including prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. Each gift has unique characteristics and dangers, and understanding yours can bring fulfillment and fruitfulness in your life and ministry. [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie encourages listeners to start with prayer and seek God's guidance in their lives, drawing inspiration from the story of Nehemiah and the book of Jeremiah. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's greatness, reminding Him of His promises, and confessing personal sin. The message concludes with a call to revival, urging listeners to seek a deeper relationship with God and to pray for spiritual awakening in their lives and in the nation. [... more]

The Bible is a unified book with one hero, Jesus, and one villain, the devil, with a single theme of salvation and purpose of glorifying God. The life of Abraham, the father of the faithful, is a wonderful depiction of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, prefigured in the Old Testament with illustrations, types, and prophecies of the Lord Jesus Christ's coming crucifixion on the cross. [... more]

The book of Revelation is a crucial book for Christians to study, as it provides a vision of Jesus' sovereignty over all of life, including suffering and tribulation. Jesus' power and majesty are unveiled, and he is shown to be in control of all things, including death and hell. The book is not meant to terrify, but to give a towering vision of the justice of God and the authority of Jesus above it all. [... more]

God's message to all people of all ages has been the same, a coming Redeemer who would crush the power of sin, demonstrated through the Ten Commandments and the promise of a virgin bearing a son, Emmanuel, who would buy back humanity from its enslavement to sin. [... more]

When God calls us to step up, there's a cost involved, and it's not just about sacrificing a weekend or two. It's about being willing to give up our comfort, our security, and our status. Nehemiah's story in the Bible is a powerful example of what it means to be a shepherd and to have a shepherd's heart. It's about seeing people the way Jesus sees them, with compassion and love. We need to ask ourselves what moves us, what challenges us, and what motivates us to serve others. We need to be willing to pray and fast, not just to feel bad for others, but to be moved by their needs and to take action. We need to remember that God is still working, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, and that He has a plan for His people. We need to be the salt and the light in the world, and to seek His guidance and direction in all that we do. [... more]

Pastor Alan Wright emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's powerlessness without God, and the need for divine empowerment to live the Christian life as described in the Bible. He explores the concept of dunamis, or the power of God, and how it enables believers to do what seems impossible, such as loving enemies and forgiving those who wrong us. [... more]

The concept of theonomy, which holds that the Mosaic law should be the basis of human laws, is explored in relation to its implications for war and Christianity. The discussion centers on the tension between the idea of a Christianized world and the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the command to love one's enemies. The podcast also touches on the idea of postmillennialism, which holds that Jesus will return after a period of time when the world is largely under Christian control. [... more]

Jacob's story gives us a powerful look at deep identity transformation as he seeks significance through power, only to find it through surrender and faith in God's covenant. His journey from a scheming, controlling individual to a humble, childlike trust in God's sovereignty is a testament to the transformative power of God's love and redemption. [... more]

Paul's letter to the Thessalonians emphasizes the importance of strong faith in the face of persecution and temptation. He reassures the church that their faith is strong and encourages them to stand firm, giving an excellent testimony and stirring the hearts of others. [... more]

The Triune God is a central concept in both the Old and New Testaments, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each playing distinct roles. The Bible presents a unified message of one God in three persons, contrary to claims that the New Testament created a new God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are consistently revealed throughout scripture, from the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. [... more]

Jesus preaches his first sermon in Nazareth, proclaiming himself the Messiah and challenging the congregation's faith. He uses the stories of a Gentile widow and a Syrian leper to illustrate the importance of faith and the rejection of God's word, leading to a violent reaction from the crowd. [... more]

Life is full of questions, and even after becoming Christians, we still have unanswered questions. Pastor Greg Laurie shares a biblical antidote for anxiety, using the story of Gideon, who was afraid but became faithful and courageous with the help of Jesus. Gideon's story teaches us that God loves to use unexpected people to do extraordinary things and that we should point our families to Christ by living the sermon. [... more]