Episodi
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Welcome back to the podcast as we continue our journey through the bool of Acts. Today weâre starting a 4-week mini-series on salvation, and we'll be answering this question: Is anyone too far gone for God?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Q. Is anyone too far gone for God? (Acts 8:26-40)
I often meet people who assume the answer is yesâŠPast Sins: Many people believe that their past mistakes, whether big or small, make them unworthy of God's love and forgiveness. They may feel too "dirty" or guilty to be accepted.Current Sins: Those battling ongoing struggles, such as addiction or habitual sin, may feel trapped in their behavior and believe that God has turned away from them.Feelings of Unworthiness: Some individuals struggle with low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy. They may feel they're not "good enough" for God because of how they perceive themselves, often because of sins against them.Spiritual Doubts: People who struggle with doubt or uncertainty about their faith might think God would reject them for not being "strong" believers. Compare your faith with someone elseâs. Today weâre going to see the story of a guy who was definitely too far gone for God, at least from a Jewish religious perspective. But he kept seeking anyway, and he found the surprising answer to this question: No one is too far gone for God!Letâs get to the textâŠ
Desert RoadActs 8:26 (NLT) 26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, âGo south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.â
Last week: Philip was in Samaria leading a revival!Must have seemed strange that God would send him away from Samaria to a desert road going nowhere! Away from Jerusalem, where God was on the moveToward Gaza - either the old city, destroyed by Alexander Jannaeus in 96 BC, or the newer city which replaced it in 56 BC (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition) Philip might have no one to preach to on a little-traveled road that would lead by a deserted city, and after the revival in Samaria this command must seem absurd to him; but God had often tested faith through apparently absurd commands (e.g., Ex 14:16; 1 Kings 17:3-4, 9-14; 2 Kings 5:10). The term translated âsouthâ can also mean ânoonâ; traveling at noon was very rare (see 22:6; comment on Jn 4:5-6), so this detail, if intended, would make the command seem even more absurd.Barrett 1994, 422-3. There are 25 uses of mesÄmbria in the LXX and all except Dn. 8:4, 9, appear to mean 'midday'. Cf. Acts 22:6 for Saul's conversion 'at noon' (peri mesÄmbrian). Spencer 1997, 94, argues that travel at such an extraordinary time and under such unusual circumstances has the literary effect of suggesting an opportunity for 'world shattering knowledge and experience'.Desert... -
Today weâll look at the first part of Acts chapter 8. Weâll do a âthreat assessmentâ on the early church as we answer this question: What Are the Churchâs Greatest Threats?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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Q. What Are the Churchâs Greatest Threats?
(Alpine is 23 years old today!)First public service held Sept 9, 2001Two days later the twin towers fell and the world changedThreat of terrorismThreat of global warThreat of losing American wayBut Alpine continued to grow, and todayâŠEight campuses, and growing!Opening service at the Syracuse buildingWhere will God take us in the next 23 years? And what threats will we have to endure?Today weâll look at three threats that the early church faced (persecution, power, and division) and one bonus threat that seems unique to us today (apathy). We have a lot to cover, so letâs get straight to the textâŠ
The Threat of PersecutionActs 8: (NLT) 1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
Acts 8:1-3 (NLT) A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
The External ThreatPay attention to the language here, and how different it is from what weâve seen so far in our study of ActsFirst, letâs review the memories (honeymoon stage)Growth: Acts 2:41 (NLT) 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that dayâabout 3,000 in all.Miracles: Acts 3:7 (NLT) 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the manâs feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.Community: Acts 4:32 (NLT) 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.Freedom: Acts 5:42 (NLT) 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: âJesus is the Messiah.âNow we have all new language:âGreat wave of persecutionâI remember standing in the ocean with my kids when they were young, the power of the wavesThatâs nothing compared to the tsunami that hit Japan March 11, 2011They call it â3/11âThe church experienced this external threatA tsunami of persecutionscaryâall the believers ⊠were scatteredâSo much for community!And then this:âSaul was going everywhere to destroy the... -
Episodi mancanti?
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In this conversation, Bryan and Bo discuss the final three Articles of Faith in the LDS Church. They touch on the changing doctrines and teachings within Mormonism and the difficulty of finding accurate information outside of church-approved sources.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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Shownotes:
Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here.
LDS:âWe claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.â
LDS:âWe believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.â
LDS:âWe believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of PaulâWe believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.â
AC: âSanctificationâ describes the maturing process, guided and enabled by the Holy Spirit, in a believerâs life. The standard for this process is derived from the Bible and informed and interpreted through reason, tradition, and experience. Where Scripture gives clear directives we submit ourselves wholly to its teachings. Where it is silent we extract timeless principles that apply to our situation and seek to live responsibly. We do not, however, bind the conscience of other believers in areas of spiritual or cultural ambiguity. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:13-16; 1 Thess 4:1-8; Col. 3:17; Matt. 5:13-16; Eph. 2:10; Gal. 6:9-10).https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=enghttps://www.pursuegod.org/systheo/
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Today weâre covering Acts 7, the story of the first Christian martyr. We were going to ask the question, âDo Christians still get stoned?" (haha), but instead we want to take this story to another place.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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What do you do when the truth challenges tradition?
We all do it: we grew up believing one thing, handed down through the generationsOften difficult to rethink these things, ingrainedMany times it had good roots, a tradition based on truthBut the tradition veered off course, gets legalisticBecame more man-made, and pretty soon the truth it was based on is no longer in sight.Example: religious traditionsNot drinking alcoholdressing up for churchExample: irreligious traditionsDrinking alcoholFootball on Sundays (missing church)Boating on weekendsTo be clear: there are times when truth aligns with tradition
Weâre certainly not saying that tradition always loses, or that new should always replace oldIn fact, these days we need to embrace traditional family values, like:Marriage is one man, one woman, for lifeGod made man and woman; gender is not fluidAll human life is precious to God, including the unbornOne more: Sex should be saved for marriageThe key is to know where to find the truth, and then align with itIn the examples above, old-fashioned tradition aligns with the truthWe find it clearly in the Bible These are truths that should not change with each new generationBut there are other examples where tradition actually misses the truthYou think that by following the tradition youâre following GodBC itâs what your parents didAnd itâs what their parents didBut when you trace it back, somewhere it got disconnected from the truthSo now everyoneâs doing it for traditionâs sakeAnd these kinds of people can be INTENSEToday weâll see an alarming example of truth vs. tradition
The Jewish religious leaders grilling StephenHeâs challenging their traditions as he teaches about JesusThey think heâs missing the point bc theyâre steeped in traditionBut ironically theyâre the ones missing out on the truthWeâll see their response to the truth-tellerThey reject the message and kill the messengerItâs a warning to us when weâre challengedâŠLetâs get to the text:
The SetupActs 6:8-10 (NLT) 8 Stephen, a man full of Godâs grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen...
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Today we're beginning a new chapter in our Acts book series, as we uncover what chapter 6 has to say about organizing a church.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Is there a right way to organize a church?
But seriously, lots of debate on this over the centuriesElders, deacons, pastors, bishops, etc.Are these different positions in the church?Today Iâll show you that there are only two âofficesâ in the church when it comes to positions of leadershipBut is there only one prescribed, God-ordained way to organize?Acts 6:1 (NLT) 1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
Church growth brings it challenges!Greek speaking vs. Hebrew speaking - Warning against cliques in the church, us vs. them mentality, contrary to the unity Jesus calls us to have and the unity that will show the world we are his disciplesActs 6:2-4 (NLT) 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, âWe apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.â
Division of laborApostles werenât discounting the importance of meeting physical needs. The apostles were teaching âeverything they had seen and heardâ ( We have seen this phrase used earlier in the book of Acts). They couldnât just pass that responsibility on to people who hadnât walked with Jesus. They didnât have Bibles available for the average believer. They were teaching what Jesus had taught them, both prior to his crucifixion and between his resurrection and ascension. The church should be looking for opportunities to meet physical needs of others, particularly other believers. (1 John 3:17, James 2:15-16)Philosophy of ministry to have elders/pastors whose only role is teaching the Word of God. Teaching the Word of God is extremely important, but we do have a different context today. Believers do have access to the Bible. They do have access to other believers, commentaries, etc. Notice the requirements donât mention anything about the charisma, wealth, talents of the individuals being put forth for consideration. It is about their character, wisdom, and being Spirit filled. Note also the importance of prayer. The apostles were intentional about making room in their schedule for prayer. This is critical in ministry. Something I certainly fall short in at times.Acts 6:5-6 (NLT) 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a...
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In this episode, Bryan and Bo discuss the concept of the gathering of Israel in Mormonism and compare it to the Christian view of dispensationalism. They explore the differences between the literal gathering of Jewish people in Israel as believed by dispensationalists and the broader gathering of believers in Mormonism. They also discuss the role of the temple in Mormonism and how it differs from the Christian understanding of salvation through faith in Jesus. The conversation highlights the simplicity and grace of biblical Christianity compared to the works-based approach of Mormonism.
Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here.
LDS:âWe believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.â
AC: We believe every personâs eternal destiny is sealed at the moment of death. God knows those who are His own. Those who have accepted His free grace through Jesus Christ will live forever to glorify Him. Unbelievers will be judged with righteousness and separated forever from His presence. (2 Cor. 5:6-10; Luke 23:40-43; Phil. 1:23; John 5:29; Luke 16:22-28; Matt. 25:46; 1 Cor. 15:51-55; Heb. 9:27-28; Rev. 22:3-5; Rev. 1:17-18)See also: https://www.pursuegod.org/eschatology/--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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We read about the way that God intervened in human affairs in the Bible. Does he still do that today? And if not, Why not? Thatâs what weâll look at in our text today (Acts 5:12-42) where we see three examples of divine intervention.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Q. How does divine intervention work today?
We read about the way that God intervened in human affairs in the Bible. Does he still do that today? And if not, Why not? Thatâs what weâll look at in our text today (Acts 5:12-42) where we see three examples of divine intervention (miracles, angels, and one moreâŠ)
Before we get to the text, letâs make this question personal. Have you ever found yourself in an impossible situation where you needed some divine intervention? Your back was against the wall, and if God didnât show up youâd be in a world of hurtâŠ
Early days of Alpine: we emptied our bank accounts and were still $2000 short. Went to the mailbox day of closing to find a $2000 check from out of state friends!Some of you might be in a similar placeFinanciallyRelationallyEmotionallyPhysicallySpirituallyToday, in our passage we are actually going to see a couple of unlikely interventions orchestrated by God to get people out of own impossible situations. Letâs get to the textâŠ
MiraclesActs 5:12-16 (NLT) 12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomonâs Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lordâcrowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostlesâ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peterâs shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
The most amazing kind of divine intervention: miracles. A couple of observations about the text:This was a direct answer to their prayers from ch 4: Acts 4:30 âStretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.âThe purpose was to validate their message, point people to Jesus. It wasnât about the apostles! Peterâs shadow: note how the ESV says it: Acts 5:15 (ESV) they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.The Bible doesnât actually say that they were healed this way, but rather that they hoped they would be.But the big question: does God still intervene like this today?We covered this a few weeks ago in Acts 3. Hereâs a reminder of some of the talking points:Miracles still happen -
Chris and Beck share their journey of leaving the Mormon Church after facing the questions and doubts they had. If you came to Mormonism because of the social side of it - the friendships, connection, and community - then this episode might be for you!
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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The story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4:32-5:11) offends the modern reader, but it should help us to answer a timeless question: What is the fear of the Lord? Matthew 10:28
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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What is the fear of the Lord?
I remember hearing this phrase as a kid and I thought it was a bad thingNot supposed to be afraid of God, are we? I was told that itâs just talking about ârespectâRespect God, like you respect a sweet old manGrampa GeneBut then I read verses like this:Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Gulp) This is not respecting a sweet old man!This is Jesus telling people to fear God. This is in opposition to someone who might say the fear of the Lord is just an Old Testament thing.I bring up this question because today weâre covering Acts 4:32-5:11. It tells a terrifying story and then lands on this verse:
Acts 5:11 (NLT) 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
Thatâs a BAD thing, right? Wrong. Itâs a good thing, and thatâs what weâre going to be talking about today. Before we read it, let me ask you a question:Do you take God too seriously or too lightly? (put it on a spectrum)I think 99% of todayâs Christians take him too lightlyhe is just a sweet old grandpa figureTodayâs story will hopefully swing the pendulum back a bitNow letâs get to the textâŠ
The Scary StoryActs 4:32-35 (NLT) 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and Godâs great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
Another general description of the early churchMore than that⊠itâs a setup for the two stories to followâŠActs 4:36-37 (NLT) 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means âSon of Encouragementâ). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
There are lots of cool nicknames: âAir Jordanâ, âThe Rockâ, âBilly the Kidâ, but how cool would it be to have the nickname âSon of Encouragement".â Now thatâs a guy I want to hang around. Do you have some encouragers in your life? This is almost certainly the same Barnabus who shows up three more times in Acts (9:26-7; 11:22-6; 15:37)A positive example of generosity in the early church(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Although only a field was sold, ownership of land... -
The world as we know it is against Jesus. Because of this, we might face hard questions, attacks, and more that challenge our faith. In today's episode, we answer the question: How Should Christians Respond to Bold Opposition?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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How Should Christians Respond to Bold Opposition?
Define bold opposition: enemies of God, the crossThreats against our values, the truth of the BibleOlympic ceremony's 'Last Supper' sketchThe segment⊠resembled the biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his apostles sharing a last meal before crucifixion and featured drag queens, a transgender model and a naked singerHugo Bardin, whose drag queen character Paloma took part in the tableau, was disappointed Paris 2024 had felt compelled to apologise. "An apology means recognising a mistake, recognising that you deliberately did something to harm, which was not the case," Bardin said. "What bothers people isnât that we're reproducing this painting," Bardin continued, "what bothers people is that queer people are reproducing it."Other examples in recent years:Andres Serrano's Piss Christ (1987): controversial photograph depicting a crucifix submerged in urineAuthors like Richard Dawkins [The God Delusion (2006)] and Christopher Hitchens [God Is Not Great (2007)] Comedians like George Carlin and Bill Maher Criticism of Christian stances on social issues (such as LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, and contraception) has often been accompanied by mockery, portraying Christians as outdated or intolerant.Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT) 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.Bold enemies of the cross. Getting bolder every year. This makes me mad. How should we respond to this?We are told to be tolerant, inclusive, kind - yet we are mocked for our belief in Biblical values and our desire to follow JesusMany Christians want to curse them: pray for their destruction, call down Godâs judgment like James and John did in Luke 9Summarize story: Luke 9:51-54 (NLT) 51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, âLord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?â They thought this was Godâs MO(Pillar... -
Today weâll answer the question: When should you reject spiritual authority? It was required a few times in Christian history, and it all started with Peter and John in Acts 4.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Hereâs a question: When Should You Reject Spiritual Authority?
Some of you may say, AlwaysNo one wants to submit these daysâŠJudges era: âEveryone did what was right in their own eyesâGeneral lack of respect for spiritual authoritySo much hopping around from church to churchNot a âsense of aweâ that we saw at the end of book of ActsBut see Is Spiritual Authority a Thing Anymore?Quick answer: Yes!Spiritual leadership in the church flows from Jesusâ authority, and obedience to godly leaders benefits the soul. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.So Iâll ask again: When should you reject spiritual authority?Because you shouldnât blindly follow itThere are times you should reject it, as weâll see in the text todayWeâre covering Acts 4:1-22Weâll get there in a minute, but firstâŠ
Examples from HistoryMartin Luther (1483-1546)
1507: Ordained as a priest.1517: On October 31, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, challenging the Catholic Churchâs practice of selling indulgences and other corruptions. This event is often marked as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.1520: Published three key works: "To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," "On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church," and "On the Freedom of a Christian," outlining his theological views and criticisms of the Church.1521: Excommunicated by Pope Leo X in January. In April, he was summoned to the Diet of Worms, where he famously refused to recant his writings, saying, "Here I stand, I can do no other." Declared an outlaw by the Edict of Worms.William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536)
1523: Sought permission to translate the Bible into English, but was denied by the Bishop of London. Fled the next year to Germany to work on his translation.1525: Completed the New Testament in English, printed in 1526 in Cologne and Worms.1526: The first printed copies of Tyndaleâs New Testament were smuggled into England, where they were banned and burned by the Church.1536: William Tyndale was executed by strangulation and then burned at the stake on October 6.Jan Hus (c. 1372-1415)
1400: Ordained as a priest.1411:... -
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for successful relationships, including marriage. EQ is different from IQ and focuses on understanding and managing emotions, as well as understanding others. The five traits of EQ are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill. In this episode, Bryan and Tracy discuss the importance of EQ for a healthy marriage.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Have you ever heard of the âname it and claim itâ movement? It encourages people to âspeak into existenceâ whatever they want, and if they really believe it, it will happen. Some of you have probably listened to some of these teachers, and maybe you've learned some helpful things. That's great! But at least a part of their teaching is very dangerous, and that's what we want to address in today's podcast.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Before we get to Acts chapter 3 to answer the question, let's look at
A Brief History of the Word of Faith Movement:
The Word of Faith movement, also known as the "prosperity gospel" or "health and wealth gospel," has its roots in the early 20th century, with influences from several theological streams and key figures. Here is a brief history of its development:
Early Influences
New Thought Movement: The New Thought movement, which began in the late 19th century, emphasized the power of the mind, positive thinking, and the belief that thoughts could influence material reality. Phineas Quimby (1802â1866) was an American spiritual healer, mesmerist, and the founder of the movement. (Not a Christian.)Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was one of Quimbyâs patients. Although Eddy later developed her own theological system, elements of Quimbyâs teachings can be seen in the early foundations of Christian Science.E.W. Kenyon: Often considered a foundational figure in the development of the Word of Faith theology, E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948) blended elements of New Thought with traditional Christian beliefs. Kenyon's teachings emphasized the power of words and the concept of "positive confession."Core Teachings
God-like Nature: Copeland has controversially suggested that Adam had a god-like status before the Fall, reflecting the idea of humans being little gods or having divine attributes. Jesus' redemptive work aims to restore what was lost in the Fall, allowing believers to reclaim their authority and dominion through faith. Positive Confession: Copeland teaches that Adam had the power to speak things into existence, similar to how God created the world with His words. Believers can have this same power:âWords are spiritual containers, and your words create your future.â"Our words create our destiny."The faith-force: Copeland portrays faith as a tangible, powerful force that believers can harness to influence their circumstances and manifest God's promises in their lives.âFaith is a spiritual force. It is substance. Faith has the ability to effect natural substance.âThis concept is often summarized by phrases like "speak it into existence" or "name it and claim it," emphasizing the power of positive confession.2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT) 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and...
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In this conversation, Bryan and Tracy discuss the topic of selfishness in marriage. They explore five areas where selfish attitudes and behaviors tend to appear: finances, preferences, emotions, time, and chores. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and admitting one's own selfishness and making a commitment to be less selfish. They also discuss the need for open communication, compromise, and serving each other in order to have a healthy and thriving marriage.
Takeaways:
Selfishness can be present in various areas of a marriage, including finances, preferences, emotions, time, and chores.It is important to recognize and admit one's own selfishness in order to grow and improve as a spouse.Open communication and compromise are key in addressing selfish attitudes and behaviors in a marriage.Serving each other and considering the needs and preferences of one's spouse is essential for a healthy and thriving marriage.--
The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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In todayâs lesson, we're finishing up our study of Acts chapter 2. Weâll look to the early churchâs example to answer the question: How do you grow a church?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Today we're finishing up our study of Acts chapter 2. Can you believe it took us 5 weeks to get through this chapter? This won't happen for every chapter throughout our study. In fact next week we're going to cover all of chapter 3 in 1 week. but today we finished the chapter with a glimpse into what the early church was like. In particular, we get to see the secret sauce for church growth. We're going to answer this question: How do you grow a church?
Church growth statistics:
As of 2020, there were approximately 2.3 billion Christians worldwide, making up about 31% of the global population.Pentecostalism and Charismatic movements are among the fastest-growing Christian denominations globally.Africa and Asia are experiencing significant growth. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to have the largest number of Christians by 2060.In the United States, weekly church attendance dropped from about 39% in 2013 to around 29% in recent years.Headed in Europeâs direction?In the Netherlands, regular church attendance fell from approximately 50% in the 1950s to below 10% by the early 2000s.United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark: regular church attendance at or below 5%.Note: âchurch attendanceâ doesnât capture the whole picture, but it gives us an idea. Truth is, many attendees arenât even Christians! (stats donât include house churches or nature Christians)Share about our history/vision at Alpine Church for growth
Include some videos and photos?Today we're going to try to learn from the early church to see what they did to growâŠ. I see 7 marks of healthy church growth; if youâre a pastor, leader, attender, consider how you do in each of these areas.
Seven Marks of Healthy Church Growth:
Baptisms
Acts 2:41 (NLT) 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that dayâabout 3,000 in all.(Pillar New Testament Commentary) The population of Jerusalem at the time is estimated to have been between 180,000 and 200,000. Even 3,000 converts in the temple precincts would have been 'a distinct minority of the crowd.'Principle: Healthy church growth is conversion growth, not transfer growth.Jesus: âGo make disciplesâŠâ meant something different than what it means in most churches today. (Pursuit)Biblical Teaching
(NLT) 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostlesâ teaching,(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) "The apostles' teaching " refers to a body of material considered authoritative because it was the message about Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed by accredited apostles. It undoubtedly included a compilation of the words of Jesus... -
In this conversation, Bryan and Tracy discuss the importance of understanding personality types in marriage and parenting. They focus on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a framework for understanding different personality types. They explain that the purpose of understanding personality types is not to change the other person, but to gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses. They discuss the four main indicators of the MBTI: introvert vs. extrovert, sensor vs. intuitive, thinker vs. feeler, and judger vs. perceiver. They provide examples and personal anecdotes to illustrate how these indicators can impact relationships. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and empathy in building healthy relationships.
Takeaways:
Understanding personality types can provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of individuals in relationships.The purpose of understanding personality types is not to change the other person, but to gain understanding and empathy.The four main indicators of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) are introvert vs. extrovert, sensor vs. intuitive, thinker vs. feeler, and judger vs. perceiver.Each person falls on a spectrum for each indicator, and it is important to recognize and respect these differences in relationships.Self-awareness and empathy are key in navigating conflicts and finding compromise in relationships.Find discussion questions to talk about this at FLEXTALK.org.
Or for a faith-based conversation, find it at pursueGOD.org.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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Today as we continue in our study of the book of Acts we look at a passage that is both encouraging for its simplicity but also confusing because of how some have interpreted it throughout history. We'll get to all of that in just a second, but first let's take a look at the question that it will help us to answer in our study today: Q. Do You Have to Get Baptized to Be Saved?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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In simplest terms there are two sides to this debate:
some people say that yes, baptism in water is required for salvation.One of their key verses comes from our text today.other people say no, baptism is not required for salvation. Full disclosure, I am squarely on the side of the âNoâsâ. I believe the Bible is very clear in teaching that we are saved by faith, and baptism is something that we do after we are saved. we do it out of obedience to Christ's commands, just like we obey in a thousand other ways. God does not wait to save us until after we are baptized; that goes against the clear teachings of scripture. Iâll show you those teachings today.Before we get to that, you might be asking why it even matters?Is this just a side issue, something that everyone can simply decide about for themselves and we don't really need to fight over it? Like pre-trib versus post-trib or wine versus juice I believe it is a fundamental issue that everyone needs to wrestle with. If you get this wrong, you might be getting salvation wrong! that's a big deal, so let's not take this question lightly. If baptism is required for salvation, I would want to know it. I would not want to teach the wrong gospel or lead people astray. I spent 4 hours watching a debate on this. (See Bible Thinker for more.) I seriously listened to it with a willingness to change my mind if the Bible made it clear that baptism is a requirement for salvation. but at the end of the video, I was more convinced than ever that my viewpoint really is the more biblical one. So wherever you stand on this issue, whether you've thought about it a lot or are just now learning about it, I invite you to let God's word speak for itself and make your own decision about whether you have to get baptized to be saved. let's get into thisFor the last 2 weeks we've been studying Peter's first ever sermon preached in the church age. it was a two-part sermon where he first started with teaching about the Holy Spirit and then he finished a teaching about the basic gospel message, which is all about Jesus and his death and Resurrection. it must have been a great sermon because as we continue to read the text for today, we can see that it had a great impactâŠ
Acts 2:37 (NLT) 37 Peterâs words pierced their hearts, and they said to...
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In this episode, Bryan and Tracy interview their own young adult children on growing up in Utah as non-LDS!
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Today weâll answer a basic, yet important question: What is the real gospel? The true gospel has been hijacked by televangelists, secularist, and political parties, but to rediscover it we simply need to re-read the first sermon ever preached in the church age.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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What is the âGood Newsâ that the church should offer to the world?
Churches have corrupted it since the beginning!Galatians 1:6-7 (NLT) I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.These were the Judaizers in Paulâs day, already corrupting the simple message of Jesus.Said you had to become a Jew first, and then a ChristianWorks gospel = God wants you to save yourselfToday there are too many false gospels to count, but Iâll mention a few:Prosperity gospel = God wants you to be healthy and wealthyWoke gospel = God wants you to be YOU Red/Blue gospel = God wants you to be a Republican/DemocratThe true gospel has been hijacked by televangelists, secular humanists, and political parties, but to rediscover it we simply need to re-read the first sermon ever preached in the church age. Thatâs what weâll do today.Letâs turn to Acts 2.
Last week we saw part one of Peterâs sermon
The day Moses longed for and Joel predicted had finally come! Now the HS was available to everyoneThatâs what they were seeing in real time - historic!Today weâre looking at the second part of the sermon
This is the first time we see the bare essentials of the Christian messagePeter didnât sit down days earlier and write this out, butâŠHis mind was opened to understanding the Scriptures (Luke 24:45)He had been trained by Jesus for 40 days on the âKingdom of Godâ (Acts 1:3)He had just been âbaptized with the Holy Spiritâ and empowered! (Acts 1:8)These three things combined to produce the first sermon ever preachedAnd the basic elements of Peterâs message will be repeated throughout ActsSee 3:13-26; 4:10-12; 5:30-2; 10:36-43; 13:23-41And these bare essentials have never changed.The gospel is all about Jesus.
Acts 2:22-24 (NLT) 22 People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.
First part of Peterâs sermon was about HS (last week)But the meat of the sermon was about Jesus; already the false gospels get it wrongWorks gospel: Jesus + worksLDS: âWe are saved by grace after all we can do.âGalatians 3:2 (NLT) 2 Let me ask you this one... -
Honoring your father and mother is more than just obedience when youâre a child. What does it look like to honor our parents in the different seasons of life?
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The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.
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If you grew up in the church, you more than likely know that one of the ten commandments is to honor your father and mother. Even if you didnât grow up in the church, you probably know that. Until the last few decades, itâs been widely accepted that in most cases, children should obey their parents. One of the questions we want to look at today is does that mean children are always required to obey their parents? What if their parents are asking them to do something that is against Godâs Word? What if their parents ask them to do something that could cause them harm or harm to someone else? Another thing we want to wrestle with is does this honoring our father and mother look the same in all stages of life, or does it change in different seasons? So weâre going to break it down to obeying your parents when you still live with them, honoring them once youâre out on your own, and how do we honor them in their last stages of life.
Obedience in the HomeLearning to submit to our parentsâ authority is one of the first steps in learning how to submit to Godâs authority. We can respect their position as parents even when their actions are not worthy of honoring.
Exodus 20:12 12 âHonor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you
Being obedient to Godâs covenant is what would bring them long and peaceful lives in the land God had given them. The parents were charged with passing Godâs commandments on to the children.We first learn to submit to authority from our parents. Our culture hates the word submission, but as believers, we submit to Godâs authority in our lives. Bond Servant analogyYou can honor the position even if you donât honor their actions. We must obey God rather than men. Paulâs response to Sanhedrin Acts 23:4-5 Those who were standing near Paul said, âHow dare you insult Godâs high priest!â 5 Paul replied, âBrothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: âDo not speak evil about the ruler of your people.ââEphesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 âHonor your father and mother.â This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, âthings will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.â
Obey - hypakouĆ, v. to obey, be obedient; to answer (the door)â obey, obeyed, accepted, answer, obedientHonor - timaĆ, v. to honor, show respect, give recognitionâ honor, give proper recognition, honored, price set, show proper respectMultiple reasons to honor our parentsWe belong to the Lord - learning to submit to authority is a chief responsibility - Mostra di più
