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Episode Summary. Just as Lucy’s encounter with Aslan upon her second trip to Narnia caused her to realize that her prior view of Aslan was too small, Isaiah’s encounter with God in the temple of Jerusalem caused him to realize his view of the Lord of Hosts was too small. Isaiah was dwarfed by God’s majesty. His sin was laid bare by the radiance of God’s glory. And he was traumatized by God’s holiness. Although such holiness and the wrath against evil that goes with it are not usually our favorite attributes of God, we observed that God’s holiness is enormously beneficial to us and all creation. We further considered God’s responsibility as judge of his universe, noting that God would be immoral if he did not demand just punishment for evil and reward good.
For Further Prayerful Thought
What stood out most to you about Isaiah’s vision of the LORD in Isaiah 6?How would you explain God’s holiness to a child?What is most attractive to you about God’s holiness?What does it look like to abhor evil?How does a BIG view of God’s holiness take us through a process that leads to a BIG devotion to put our lives on the altar to Him?For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary. Jesus’ prayer to the Father saying, This is eternal life, that they know you, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, points to the counter-cultural exclusivity of Christianity, which cultural elites say disqualifies it from being true. This episode examines this exclusivity, how we can teach our loved ones to winsomely respond to this accusation, and what are the implications of Jesus’ description of the Father as the only true God.
For Further Prayerful Thought
What is the difference between tolerance in relationships and tolerance regarding what is true? How do you see Scripture requiring us to tolerant of other people but intolerant of false ideas masquerading as truth?How would you answer a Christian you were discipling who asked, “Why are there so many religions?”What do you think of the statement, “God has too much dignity to accept adoration from worshippers who are not celebrating his true nature?” How does the second commandment relate to Jesus’ statement to the woman at the well in Samaria, “The Father desires worshippers to worship him in spirit and in truth?”For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary. Although today’s church is seeing an unprecedented number of deconversions by kids raised in the church, often claiming that science disproves the existence of God, the fact is that the world of scientific observation provides evidence that is so compelling that it is unreasonable NOT to believe that a supernatural God exists. After looking at five scientific arguments to point to the reality of a supernatural God, we then examined five of these supernatural characteristics of the true God of Scripture and how they benefit us!
What evidence would you martial to support an argument that it is much more reasonable to believe in the existence of God than not to?Why do you think it might be important to help our rising young adults understand the biblical teaching that human sinful nature leads man to suppress the truth that creation proves there is a God?Look back to God’s supernatural attributes. Which ones most stood out to you? How can knowing these attributes help you delight in the Lord?
For Further Prayerful ThoughtFor the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary. In Jeremiah 9, God has some things to say to his Covenant people about boasting. But it is not, “Don’t brag.” Rather God chooses three assets needed for men to get any significant job done—wisdom, might, and riches—telling us not to place our confidence in them but instead to boast that we understand and know him. Practically speaking what is God saying to us and what does the rest of Scripture reveal about the benefit of growing in our knowledge of God? That is the topic of this episode.
What is your take-away from God’s command to the wise man not to boast in his wisdom, the mighty man not to boast in his might, the rich man not to boast in his riches but instead to boast of understanding and knowing him? What are your ideas about what this looks like?Which benefits of growing in the knowledge of God most stood out to you?How would you defend the idea that God and God alone is fit to take the universe’s throne? Which components of God’s character give you the most peace and confidence as you head into the future?
For Further Prayerful ThoughtFor the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary. In a new study conducted by Geroge Barna, in which he interviewed 2000 church-going self-identified Christians, his results were shocking. 49% said they were unlikely to vote: Here are their reasons:
68% said they are not interested in politics57% said they disliked the major candidates55% said they felt like none of the candidates reflect their most important views52% believed their vote will not have an impact50% said the election has become too controversialThis episode addresses these reasons for NOT voting.
For Further Prayerful Thought
How would you explain the connection between God’s reason for creating human beings (to bear his image) and the Christian responsibility as redeemed human beings to vote?What are the logical flaws in a Christian’s argument that with over 100 million votes cast his doesn’t matter?How would you respond to someone who said, “I don’t like either candidate and I’m not sure that, in good conscience, I can vote for either”?For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary. Christians men are called to protect women. We know that Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to protect it and those in it and that Jesus modeled protecting women. The Christian church also has a great heritage of protecting women. That protection today needs to come from men who understand ideologies, government policies, and political parties whose platforms harm women. This episode examines how open borders, gender affirming care, and the Title IX revision of the Civil Rights law affecting athletics harms today’s women.
Why do you think many Christians and Christian leaders turn a blind eye to the hundreds of thousands of girls and women being raped and turned into sex slaves by Mexican Drug cartels because of America’s open border?What facts about gender affirming care do you most want to remember so you can point out its harm to parents of gender-confused kids.What aspects of Riley Gaine’s story are most infuriating to you? Why do you think so many people cave to LGBTQ pressure when radical gender ideology totally contradicts science and common sense?
For Further Prayerful ThoughtFor the printed version of this message click here.
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On September 30th, Patrick Lechleitner, the Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent a letter to Congressman Tony Gonzales revealing that over 13,000 convicted murderers and over 15,000 convicted rapists who have been caught by ICE were released into America because of the Biden/Harris catch and release policy, which defies current immigration law. And the corrupt, mainstream media made virtually no mention of it! This episode examines the responsibility of Christians to be light to our culture—to expose what sin wants to cover up and, in particular, to expose the unprecedented suppression of the truth by the corporate media and Democrat Party of what is actually happening at our southern border.
What do you think is the biblical case for Christians to advance the kingdom of light by exposing destructive actions that those in the culture are attempting to hide?What two or three facts seem like the strongest evidence of the corporate media’s suppression of the truth? Why do you think Christians allow the mainstream media to blind them so much to what is really happening in our culture?What facts about illegal immigration and the open southern border stood out most to you? In view of these facts, what wise question might you ask a believer who naively thinks Christians should support the Democrat’s open border catch and release defiance of immigration law?
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Episode Summary. In the Genesis 12 account of Abram’s calling, God says, Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and… I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse (vs 1-2). That nation, Israel is now at war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Does God’s promise of blessings and curses mean that Christians should blindly support candidates from the Republican party who are staunchly pro-Israel? What about Palestinian Christians who were killed while taking refuge in a church, which was bombed by Israeli jets in what many Christians consider reckless overkill? This episode seeks to set forth some facts about Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Christian theory of just war, giving you a lens to evaluate the stands of the two parties, yourself.
What are some thoughts that might come to your mind now if you heard someone say, “The middle east conflict is because Jews took Arab land.”How would you respond to someone attempting to equate the IDF’s military response as just as morally reprehensible as Hamas’ October 7th attack?How would you respond to one who said, “the Democrats say that Israel has a right to defend itself. They are just as supportive of Israel as Republicans."
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Episode Summary. When faced with the sight of millions of men, women, and children from war-torn lands seeking to escape tyranny to have better life, most Christians will voice their approval for open door policies of inclusion, hospitality, diversity and welcome. After all Jesus, did teach that true believers will hear from Jesus, “I was a STRANGER and you WELCOMED me.” Doesn’t this settle the issue—All Christians must be welcoming to immigrants who want to come into our country. Actually, no. This understanding of immigration is so flawed that it misses the most significant biblical text about the government’s role in immigration. This episode seeks to help us all think biblically about the hot topic today of illegal, undocumented, immigrants coming across our southern border.
Why do you think so many Americans are unaware of what is happening at the southern boarder? Of the categories of harm that un-enforcement of immigration policies brings—human trafficking, spread of drugs including fentanyl, terrorism, and attacks from hardened criminals, which concern you the most?How would you respond, biblically to the fallacy that for Christians to properly care for immigrants we must we welcoming to all who want to come to our nation, including those crossing the border illegally?What biblical principles do you think apply to our treatment of illegal immigrants who are already in our country?
For Further Prayerful Thought:For the printed version of this message click here.
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Summary: The spiritual battle in which Christian men are called to engage is largely a battle of ideas. After Paul devotes eleven chapters of Romans to the glory of the gospel, and challenges Christians that the only proper response is to offer ourselves back to God as a living sacrifice, the very next command is a reference to this battle over ideas: Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. This reality presents Christian men with an enormous challenge. We are created to be warriors (Gen 2:15). But few of us are philosophy majors. The world of ideas that we know best matches our vocation and avocation. Yet, as warriors in the spiritual battle of ideas WE are to destroy arguments, and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5). This podcast series, “Election 2024 and Biblical Worldview” is intended to equip men to understand the worldview issues that lie beneath the upcoming election.
Recommended Resources
Critical Dilema, Neil Shenvil and Pat Sawyer.Fault Lines, Voddie Baucham.Money Greed and God, Jay Richards.Unwoke, Ted Cruz.For the printed version of this message click here.
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Summary: The purpose of this podcast has always been to help Christian men define and stay focused upon their mission as followers of Christ. So, what is our mission over the next 50 days in view of the upcoming American election? Some Bible-believing Christians answer, “Your mission is to save America as a Christian nation by voting for Donald Trump and getting others to.” Other Bible—believing Christians are appalled by such Christian nationalism and would say, “The kingdom of God is not America. The mission of the church is to preach the gospel and stay out of political discussions.” Which is it? This episode analyzes the strengths and flaws of these two arguments, then suggests an alternative that avoids the potholes of both.
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Summary: Behind the world and the flesh is an even deadlier enemy, one we rarely speak of and are much less ready to resist, the kingdom of darkness, which is to blame for most of the casualties around us and assaults against us. Paul said it this way, We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Paul reveals two vital implications of this reality 1) we must put on our spiritual armor—the belt of truth, etc., 2) we must PRAY. Eph 6 continues, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (vs 18). This episode explains why prayer is such a vital part of combatting the spiritual forces of evil. It’s goal is for men to no longer viewing prayer as guilt-producing obligation to discover that it has become a life-changing thrill!
Why do think Christians don’t see prayer more as a weapon?What is wrong with saying that after the resurrection, Jesus left this world to go back to heaven and be with God?What does Jesus want Christians to during this stage of salvation history, between his ascension to God’s right hand and his final return?Why is it important, that Jesus prefaced his command to make disciples of all nations with, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, Therefore…”?
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Summary: The biblical context for viewing all of life’s events is called spiritual warfare—the age-old conflict between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light…. Biblically and practically speaking, we are in a spiritual war. The Christian’s spiritual enemy is not in uniform, and he doesn’t meet us on an identifiable battlefield. He uses ruthless and unconventional tactics such as deceit, deflection, and disguise…. The church of Jesus Christ needs to know its enemies and his strategies. Above all, Christians need to know how to gain victory over this enemy. (The Spiritual Warfare Answer Book). In this episode, we take a practical look at HOW TO USE the sword of the Spirit to resist thoughts and temptations that seek to entice us off the path of life and onto the road to destruction.
Do you think this is a fair statement? If a man is not winning his own spiritual battles, he won’t be very effective helping his wife and children win theirs.Describe in your own words the power of the Word of God.What did you learn from our examination of the way Jesus wielded the sword of the Spirit?Of the 13 temptations, listed, which 2 or 3 do you most need to be able to parry, by quoting Scripture.
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Summary: This episode continues the series, Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons. As we seek to run well the race marked out for us, this calling means advancing the righteous reign of King Jesus in our own hearts, attitudes, and behavior, not to mention and shaping each sphere of life with Christ’s agenda. But it is very easy to think, “Who am I to spread righteousness anywhere? Whoever thinks that’s my job in life, doesn’t understand the corruption of MY heart and weakness of MY flesh.” But it is Christ who told his followers to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Jesus calls us to this primary life focus, knowing the weakness of our sinful nature because his plan has never been for us to seek righteousness in our own strength but in his. He tell us. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. This episode tries to define in practical terms how to put on the helmet of salvation and how that protects us in the fight to do the right thing.
Why does taking up the helmet of salvation mean something different from just thinking biblically about stuff.How does putting on the helmet of salvation protect us from thinking we are too dirty for God to love? Why does being saved by grace alone cause a true Christian to be drawn to those who need mercy?
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Episode Summary: Christ has called you and me to follow him in his cause of defeating evil and establishing his righteous kingdom over every square inch of human hearts and lives. There is no other man who can replace you in your life, in the arenas you have been called to. If you leave your place in line, it will remain empty. You must be the hero in your own story. There is no extra or stunt man to fill in for you. Winning your spiritual battles matters. You will celebrate for eternity the ones you win tomorrow and the next day and the day after that because each victory has honored Christ. This episode examines how we protect ourselves from Satan’s fiery arrows by lifting up our shield of faith.
For Further Prayerful Thought:
For you, what is the hardest part of remembering that winning your spiritual battles matters?What circumstances tend to be the occasion for you to doubt God’s goodness and whether following Christ is worth it?Of the six aspect of our Faith Shield mentioned, which “Trust God because…” statement do you most want to remember?For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary
This episode continues our study of the armor of God and finishes looking at Eph 6:15, where we’re told to put on, as our shoes, the readiness of the gospel of peace. Most Christian men want to be contagious Christians. We know that sharing our faith is something our Lord wants us to do and when we do seize opportunities to talk with others about Christ the experience pumps joy and energy into our walk with Him. We also realize that if we are to lead our homes well, our wives and kids need to see us modeling Jesus’ love for the lost and a commitment to seeking ways to share him with others. So, we want to be ready, when the opportunity presents itself, to steer a conversation towards the good news that our listener can have a personal relationship with Christ. This episode looks at three ways TO BE READY when that opportunity arises.
For Further Prayerful Thought
Does realizing that Jesus tailored the good news to others based on the way they were experiencing the brokenness of life in this fallen world discourage you because it makes sharing Christ harder, since there is no “one size fits all” or encourage you because it helps you realize how wise we are to be about relationships and the uniqueness of every human?Which 2 or 3 of those in your circle of lost associates and friends has God put on your hearts. What might be missing in their lives compared to what you have in Christ?Is God prompting you to be more intentional about praying for and reaching the lost? What might additional intentionality look like for you.For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary. Often Christians think of evangelism like this: It is having the courage to overcome every piece of emotional intelligence we’ve learned about relationships, and intruding into the life of a co-worker, neighbor, or stranger to tell someone, who doesn’t want to hear it, the gospel message that they are a sinner in need of a savior, and then being willing to suffer rejection if we are accused of being preachy. If that is what sharing our faith looks like, who would want to do it? But this view is NOT BIBLICAL. It has major flaws. This episode identifies these flaws and ends up showing a biblical view of sharing our faith that is winsome and begins where people are instead of where we want them to be.
For Further Prayerful Thought:
Why is it misleading to understand the Greek word for evangelism(EUANGELIZO) to mean preaching the gospel to others?How does understanding the four-chapter gospel help us realize that Christ’s kingdom power is for more than just an eternal life insurance policy?Can you think of biblical examples not mentioned in this episode of Jesus tailoring the good news of the kingdom to the point of brokenness being felt by his listener?For the printed version of this message click here.
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Summary: Do you ever feel like our side is losing in the spiritual battle—that the powers of darkness and evil are winning? Perhaps more specific to our own lives, do you ever wonder why the Christian life is so hard, why sin so easily ensnares us, why our whole-hearted resolve on Sunday to love Jesus better by obeying him more has given way to blatant sin by Sunday night? Today we continue our series, Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons. Paul tells us that to fight evil we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. But most of us don’t even know what the breastplate of righteousness is, much less how to put it on. At the end of this episode, we want everyone to have a clear picture of what this piece of armor is and begin winning more spiritual battles because we put it on.
For Further Prayerful Thought:
What is the motivation for hungering and thirsting for righteousness for one who is confident of God’s unconditional love? How does that contrast with the moralist’s view of the moral law?What is the difference between seeking righteousness and being legalistic?How would you summarize Paul’s command to put on the breastplate of righteousness? What stood out to you about HOW to do this?How is the fourth beatitude (Matt 5:6) a prerequisite for putting on the breastplate of righteousness?For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary: Is our mission today, as Christians living in America, to recover America as a Christian nation? As we process what happened last weekend and go back to the last election and the storming of the Capitol, Christians are divided. Eschewing passivity, many believers feel impelled to speak up on the social media to fight a movement rooted in ungodliness, which they see shaping our culture. They are appalled that younger Christian leaders either don’t seem to see this happening or seem to lack the courage to speak up about it. Other believers are horrified at the views they hear expressed by Christians on social media, which exhibit a kind of “Christian Nationalism” and exhibit Christians to be combative towards those with whom they disagree, violating Christ’s clear command, love your neighbor, not to mention, love your enemy. This episode continues our series Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons by examining how to encircle ourselves with the belt of God’s truth, which must be the starting point for sharing that truth in the culture. Then we consider how to be persuasive as salt and light in the culture, and in particular the dangers of being right, but sharing truth in a HARMFUL, rather than a COMPELLING way.
For Further Prayerful Thought:
Which aspect of fastening the belt of truth around ourselves stood out to you?Why is it important in today’s word to surround our loved ones with truth?How does Jesus’ teaching not to give holy things to dogs or throw our pearls before swine resonate with your experience? Are there times when you have thought that a person is not spiritually in a place to hear this truth?How do Paul and Barnabas follow this teaching from Jesus in Acts 13:44-49. What Thoughts do you have about trying to determine is a potential hearer of biblical truth is in a place to value it or not?For the printed version of this message click here.
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Summary: This episode continues the series, Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons. Every guy who reads this blog would stand at the door of his house with a shotgun to protect his family physically. But most Christian men feel inept and inadequate at fighting to protect them, spiritually. As we saw last week, Jesus told his disciples the ultimate weapon for defeating Satan is prayer. But if we are going to use this weapon effectively in spiritual battle, we need to understand it. This episode continues our study of what Jesus taught are the six basic parts of effective prayer, in Matt 6:9-13.
What would you say to a believer who said he thought that reciting the Lord’s prayer at the end of his daily bible reading is what Jesus taught?What struck you about Jesus teaching us to tell our heavenly father what our practical needs are? Have you ever thought about keeping a prayer journal?Why does it make sense that one of the six prayer concerns we should have is looking at past events to see if there is unconfessed guilt or resentment towards another?How can you be more watchful of temptation coming into your life?
For Further Prayerful Thought:
For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
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