The Christmas story begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Zacharias and Elizabeth, an elderly couple, are chosen by God to be the parents of John. Their story teaches us about the importance of faithfulness, prayer, and spiritual gifts. We learn that God can take ordinary people and do amazing things through their lives if they will dedicate themselves to Him. Ultimately, God's plan is for Jesus Christ to come into our hearts and lives, forgiving our sins and giving us the certainty of heaven. [... more]

Jesus, the ordinary man from Nazareth, was extraordinary in his mission to suffer for the sins of the world. He loved us and died for us, and his sacrifice fulfilled the righteous demands of God, purchasing our forgiveness and salvation. Understanding pain and grief, Jesus knows what it's like to weep and be abandoned by friends, but he also knows how to comfort and heal through the power of the Word of God. [... more]

The personal relationship with God was promised in the Old Testament, but it's something that we possess today through Jesus Christ. The writer of the Hebrews begins by looking at the promises in the Old Testament, including the promise to Abraham and the precedent set by Melchizedek, a priest of the Most High God. We see a shadow of Jesus in the perfection demanded by the law, the prophecies, and the symbols of service in the tabernacle. Jesus is enough to take us and bring us into God's presence, having finished his Father's work and sitting down, having completed what his Father had set up for us to come into His presence. [... more]

The tithe, a long-standing practice in Christian stewardship, is often misunderstood and tied to guilt or division. John Cortinez, Director of Grantmaking at the McClellan Foundation, takes a fresh look at the ancient practice, examining the Old and New Testament references to the tithe and identifying five key principles that can inform giving today. He emphasizes the importance of giving to Christ as priest and king, giving faithfully to the local church, celebrating God's goodness, caring for the poor, and recognizing 10% as an ancient benchmark. [... more]

A young priest named Jonathan faces a dilemma when he gets his new clothes dirty and is unable to clean them. He seeks help from the Great Prince, who teaches him about the importance of forgiveness and the gift of clean clothes for the heart, symbolizing the love and redemption of Jesus Christ. [... more]

The book of Leviticus emphasizes the importance of holiness and the restrictions placed on the high priest and other ministers to ensure they maintain a high level of purity and integrity in their service to God. The details of these restrictions, including those related to physical defects and uncleanness, serve as a reminder of the need for careful attention to God's will and the consequences of careless behavior. [... more]

Four US Army chaplains, George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington, showed selfless bravery on the sinking USS Dorchester, distributing life jackets and offering prayers as the ship went down, resulting in each being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions on February 3, 1943. [... more]

Father Stuart Long, a former boxer and Catholic priest, shares his life story, from his childhood to his diagnosis with inclusion body myositis, a disease that mimics ALS. He reflects on his experiences, including his time in the seminary, his struggles with pride and humility, and his newfound understanding of happiness and suffering. [... more]

Eli, a priest of God, failed to correct the evil ways of his sons, leading to tragedy. This lesson teaches the importance of choosing to do what is right, learning from what's opposite, and receiving correction from the Lord. It highlights the consequences of neglecting to correct error and the need for parents to set boundaries and discipline their children with love. [... more]

The Day of Atonement is a crucial concept in Christianity, where the high priest makes atonement for the people's sins through the sacrifice of a goat and a bull. This ritual is a type of substitutionary atonement, where someone else takes the blame for our sins, just like Jesus Christ did on the cross. The high priest's role is to purify the holy place, the tabernacle, and the altar, and to cleanse the people from their sins. [... more]

The Day of Atonement in Leviticus chapter 16 involves a blood sacrifice to purify the high priest, the tabernacle, and the people of Israel from their sins. The scapegoat represents the removal of sin, while the blood of the bull and goat symbolize the substitutionary atonement of Christ. The high priest must be purified before entering the holy place, and the tabernacle requires purification due to the uncleanness of the people. [... more]

The Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus, is a significant holiday for the Jews where the high priest would offer sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. The high priest would dress in common priestly robes, symbolizing humility and identification with the people, and would offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his family. He would then enter the holy place, sprinkle the bull's blood seven times on the mercy seat, and cast lots to decide which goat would be slain and which would be released into the wilderness, representing the removal of sin. This ritual would leave a lasting impression on the people, emphasizing the importance of atonement and the need for blood to deal with man's disobedience. [... more]

The sin offering is a crucial aspect of the Levitical priesthood, representing Christ's sacrifice for humanity's sins. Without the cross of Christ, all other offerings are meaningless, and faith is essential for a relationship with God. The high priest Aaron's actions in Leviticus chapter 9 demonstrate the importance of faith and the consequences of sin, highlighting the glory of God's presence and the authority of the gospel. [... more]

Jesus reveals himself as the true and greater bridegroom, high priest, and temple, bringing abundant wine and purification to the world. He cleanses the temple, turning defilement into holiness, and prepares for his own sacrifice, showing his glory and gravity in the gospel. [... more]

The book of Leviticus teaches that sin must be addressed first, and that the blood of Jesus Christ is essential for salvation. The sin offering is a crucial part of the Levitical priesthood, and it is connected to the cross of Christ. Faith is necessary for salvation, and it is not just about feeling or mood, but about trusting in God's love and provision. [... more]

The book of Leviticus teaches the importance of the high priest's role in making atonement for himself and the people through sin and burnt offerings. The concept of atonement is explored, with the Old Testament system dealing with surface sin and the New Testament plan of salvation removing the penalty and sin through Jesus Christ. [... more]

The high priest Aaron is consecrated and purified through a ritual involving the blood of animals and the anointing oil, symbolizing the covering of spiritual nudity and the importance of ministry and the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. [... more]

Aaron is consecrated as the high priest, wearing the ephod and breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, and the turban with the golden plate. The anointing oil is poured on him, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's interaction with men. Moses officiates as the high priest, demonstrating God's power and authority. The ritual emphasizes the importance of purification and consecration, highlighting the need for cleansing and the power of the blood of Christ. [... more]

Aaron's ordination as high priest is a powerful example of God's ability to use imperfect individuals for His purposes. The priestly garments, including the ephod and breastplate, symbolize the connection between the priest and God. As the mediator between man and God, Aaron's role is a prefigure of Christ's ministry, emphasizing the importance of discernment and sanctification in following God's system. [... more]

Prayer is the contact point for engaging the spirit and growing the new life you have in Christ. It's a relational communication with God, not ritualistic, and is essential for spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit is the power source for our growth, and prayer is the link between the physical and spiritual worlds. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains how God's rest is not just a future promise, but a present reality that can be entered through faith in Jesus Christ. He discusses the role of the high priest, Melchizedek, and how Jesus' priesthood is a ministry of refreshing and overcoming. Dr. Evans emphasizes the importance of confession and public identification with Jesus Christ to receive the benefit of the high priest's intercessory role. [... more]

Jesus shows extraordinary care for his mother Mary, fulfilling the fifth commandment to honor his mother, even as he bears the weight of the world's sin. He instructs John to take care of her, demonstrating a new relationship between believers as a family that will never go away. [... more]

God-assigned roles, breaking down walls of race and denomination, and pointing men to their God-assigned roles. Christian men's ministry emphasizes discipleship, spiritual growth, and family legacy, with a focus on protecting youth and understanding men's responsibility. [... more]

Recognizing our need for help, regularly asking for it, refusing to seek help from the wrong source, recalling the help given, and rejoicing in the helper are essential principles for receiving God's sovereign grace and divine help in our lives. [... more]

Christian husbands and fathers are called to lead their families with a biblical worldview, loving and serving their wives and children as Christ loves and serves the church. This involves being a prophet in the home, teaching and guiding their families in the ways of God, being a priest in the home, loving and sacrificing for their families, and being a king in the home, leading and guiding their families with wisdom and discernment. [... more]

In the Bible, the role of the father as a priest in the home is a vital one, as seen in the example of Job, who took his responsibility to cultivate commitment to God, caring for others, and consistency in his life very seriously, and in doing so, raised his children to be men and women of God. [... more]

Apostle Paul's encounter with the Sanhedrin highlights the ordinariness of his extraordinary life. Despite being a mighty apostle, Paul was a mere man who struggled with his conscience and emotions. His reaction to being struck by the high priest Ananias raises questions about his character and the importance of a clear conscience in serving God. [... more]

On this Good Friday, we reflect on the cross and the profound truths of the Gospel. The Bible uses financial imagery to describe spiritual realities, reminding us that our sin led to guilt and separation from God, but Jesus' sacrifice bridged the gap. We discuss the importance of living in the overflow of God's grace, not striving to earn salvation, and the freedom that comes from understanding our identity in Christ. We also take listener calls on topics such as gifting money to family members, creating a giving plan, and living debt-free. [... more]

The triumphal entry of Jesus marks the beginning of Holy Week, a week that changed the world. Jesus' work as prophet, priest, and king is fulfilled in His person and in His work, as He enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and announcing His Messianic vocation. [... more]

The story of Palm Sunday reveals the true nature of Jesus Christ, a king who fulfills Old Testament prophecy, a prophet who weeps over a city, and a priest who cleanses the temple of hypocrisy. Jesus' actions demonstrate his majesty, humility, and capacity for moral indignation, challenging the religious establishment and offering a path to salvation and eternal life. [... more]

The discussion revolves around the Eastern Orthodox Church's teachings on scripture, salvation, and baptism, with a focus on the Bible and historical accounts from Josephus. The hosts also explore the concept of the Holy Spirit and the priesthood, highlighting the differences between the Eastern Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations. [... more]

Jesus breaks his silence before the high priest, declaring his kingship and messianic identity, referencing Old Testament prophecies and the Jewish expectation of messiahship. He informs the high priest that he will be glorified and vindicated, referencing his resurrection and ascension. The high priest and the Sanhedrin condemn Jesus to death, despite his declaration of truth. [... more]

The host Robbie discusses the concept of birthright and its connection to the idea of a priest, highlighting how this relates to Jesus' labor of love, a ministry that provides car repair and labor for single moms, widows, and families in crisis. He is joined by guests, including Jim Owens, a Mustang marketing manager, and Wendy, a recipient of the Jesus labor love ministry, who shares her story of receiving a car and the impact it had on her life. [... more]

Anyone who is in Christ is not only a new creation, but a royal priesthood, born into the family of God. This is not based on a system of sacrifice, but on the covenant love of God, which is the true temple that fulfills the old system. Jesus came to restore justice and give us a new identity as priests, clothed in the robes of salvation and righteousness, and anointed with the Holy Spirit. We can come boldly to the throne room of grace and have our fill, because we are the priest, and the holy bread of the presence is for us. [... more]

David's actions in the temple, eating the holy bread, are referenced by Jesus as a justification for his disciples' actions on the Sabbath, highlighting the concept of the priesthood and the idea that all who accept Christ have been made holy and are priests. [... more]

Jesus' genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew includes flawed people, showing that he can relate to humanity's weaknesses and help us pray by humbling ourselves before him. [... more]

Father Stuart Long, a former boxer and Hollywood extra, shares his incredible life story, from his struggles with a debilitating disease to his journey of faith and becoming a Catholic priest. [... more]

The wise men, despite their limited understanding, genuinely sought God and were guided to Jesus, demonstrating that true worship is not about rituals or appearances, but about surrendering to God's will and obeying His commands. [... more]

A young priest named Jonathan struggles with the stains on his special clothes, representing the sin in his heart. He meets the Great Prince, who offers him forgiveness and new clothes, symbolizing the cleansing power of Jesus Christ. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains that Jesus is a delivering Savior, connecting us with God through His high priestly work. He emphasizes the importance of obedience, even when it's hard, and the need to press on to maturity in our faith. Dr. Evans also discusses the concept of falling away from our faith and the discipline of God for renewing our faith. [... more]