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]

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]