The Mission of the Church: Making Disciples and Understanding Scripture This episode delves into the true mission of the Church, emphasizing the importance of making disciples as commanded by Jesus and not merely getting people saved. The discussion covers the power and authenticity of the Bible, exploring how it was inspired by God and written through men moved by the Holy Spirit. Key aspects such as contextual understanding, proper scripture interpretation, conversion, and dispelling common modern Christianity errors are highlighted. With a foundation rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, the script provides insights into living a holy, disciplined life aligned with God's Word. The episode concludes by addressing the nature of true love as described in 1 Corinthians 13, urging viewers to walk in the ancient paths of righteousness. 00:00 Introduction: The True Mission of the Church 00:34 The Power and Honesty of the Bible 01:24 The Divine Inspiration of Scripture 03:00 Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth 03:56 Understanding Context in Scripture 04:10 The Four Groups Addressed in the Bible 04:56 The Promise of Jeremiah 29:11 06:04 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Understanding Scripture 07:08 The Necessity of Correction and Discipline 08:49 The Importance of Continuing in God's Word 10:49 Common Errors in Modern Christianity 17:57 The Structure and Authors of the Bible 22:45 The Old Testament's Relevance Today 23:47 Closing Thoughts on Love and Obedience

Reflecting on Genesis and God's Creation: A New Year in God's Word Join us as we embark on a new year of fellowship and study God's word, starting with the Book of Genesis. This episode dives into the creation story, exploring themes of divine order, the partnership of the Spirit and the Word, and the revelation of God's nature. We reflect on the significance of God as the creator, the presentation of Jesus as the light, and the enduring truth found in scripture. As we face the complexities of the modern world, we remind ourselves to seek God's presence and align with His truth and righteousness. Blessings to all as we begin this journey together in 2023. 00:00 New Year Blessings and Reflections 00:33 Warnings from Apostle Peter 01:17 God's Heart as the Creator 01:49 God's Desire to Dwell with Humanity 02:32 The Misunderstood God 03:34 Reflecting on God's Goodness 04:18 Introduction to Genesis 04:59 The Primacy of God in Creation 05:40 The Partnership of the Spirit and the Word 07:21 Jesus in the Creation Account 09:39 God's Perfect Order in Creation 11:54 Man Created in God's Image 12:33 God's Desire for Relationship 12:50 Seeking God's Presence in the New Year 13:14 The Importance of Truth and Righteousness

Join Bible study facilitator Krista Smith in this episode as she delves into the often-overlooked Old Testament book, Zechariah, exploring its profound prophecies and timeless lessons. Written 500 years before Christ, Zechariah predicts key events such as the Messiah's humble entry into Jerusalem and the betrayal for 30 pieces of silver. This prophetic book, frequently called the 'Revelation of the Old Testament,' emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding God's message. We discuss Zechariah's powerful sermons advocating for personal repentance, the necessity of understanding the full nature of God before comprehending Jesus' role, and the vital call for returning to God for true transformation. Through detailed analysis of Zechariah's visions and the symbolic role of key figures like Joshua and Zerrubabel, we uncover essential truths about divine righteousness, the Holy Spirit's power in both spiritual and physical tasks, and the dangers of stubbornness and idolatry. Join us as we unpack these rich, spiritual insights and their relevance to our lives today. 00:00 Introduction to the Prophecy of Zechariah 01:49 Zechariah's First Sermon: Learning from History 03:18 Understanding God Before Jesus 04:23 The Call to Return to God 07:06 The Importance of Heeding God's Word 17:00 Joshua the High Priest and Satan's Accusations 21:30 The Branch and the Cleansing of the Land 27:46 The Power of the Holy Spirit in Physical and Spiritual Tasks 31:25 True Worship and God's Concerns 35:34 The Danger of Rebellion and Stubbornness 38:48 Conclusion: Loyalty to God

Exploring Micah's Prophecies: Lessons for Today In this episode, we delve into the profound and challenging prophecies of Micah. The script examines God's messages and warnings delivered through the prophet Micah to the nation of Israel, highlighting their relevance to our current times. We discuss the implications of turning away from God's path, the consequences of greed and injustice, and the promise of eventual restoration and peace. Through historical and prophetic lenses, we see how God uses Israel as a barometer for the world's behavior and what it means for us today. The episode emphasizes the importance of listening to God's messages, the necessity of forgiveness, and the hope for a future reign of peace under Jesus Christ. 00:00 Micah's Prophetic Visions and Israel's Example 01:06 The Curse of Wickedness and Greed 04:08 Reactions to Micah's Prophecies 04:59 The Importance of Heeding God's Warnings 08:07 God's Judgment and Mercy 12:04 Micah's Message to Religious Leaders 21:25 The Future Restoration of Israel 25:36 The Role of Israel in God's Plan

Unveiling the True Birth Date of Jesus: A Deep Dive into Biblical Clues and Historical Context with Rabbi Jonathan Cahn from his interview with Jim Baker in 2012. In this episode, the host explores the true birth date of Jesus Christ, debunking the widely held belief that He was born on December 25th. By examining biblical clues, including the Gospel of Luke and the Hebrew calendar, alongside historical and religious contexts like the Talmud and Dead Sea Scrolls, the host makes a compelling case for Jesus being born in the springtime, specifically in the month of Nissan. The episode also delves into the significance of the shepherds watching their flocks during lambing season, the correlation with Passover, and how important events in Jesus' life align with Hebrew holy days. This in-depth investigation reveals a profound connection between Jesus' birth and the symbolism of the sacrificial lamb, offering a fresh perspective on the nativity story. 00:00 Introduction: Was Jesus Born on December 25th? 00:22 Investigating the Birth Date: Clues from the Bible 00:43 The Significance of Shepherds and Lambing Season 03:20 The Passover Lamb and Jesus' Birth 04:00 Holy Days and Jesus' Life Events 08:32 The Role of the Magi and Historical Context 09:35 Priestly Courses and the Dead Sea Scrolls 14:22 The Tabernacle and the Birth of Jesus 16:47 Conclusion: The Importance of Jesus' Birth Date

The Danger of Words: Taming the Tongue in a Divisive Age | James 3 Study In this episode, we delve deeply into James chapter 3, discussing the critical importance of taming our tongues in an age rife with reckless and dangerous speech. Observing both scripture and real-world experiences, we explore how words can divide communities and spread deception. Highlighting various biblical passages, including the Sermon on the Mount and the Fall in Genesis, we reveal how the enemy uses words to sow discord and question God's character. Practical advice is offered to help us speak with wisdom and truth, emphasizing the need for self-control, rooted in God's word, to navigate today’s tumultuous times. 00:00 Introduction: Taming the Tongue in Turbulent Times 01:18 The Power of Words: Biblical Insights 03:18 The Enemy's Tactics: Division and Deception 04:38 Scriptural Guidance: Staying Alert and Vigilant 06:04 The Spirit of Leviathan: Twisting Communication 07:01 The Oldest Sin: Accusation and Rejection 10:23 Belief and Behavior: The Impact of Our Thoughts 12:02 Peter's Confession: Divine Revelation and Human Perspective 33:23 Practical Wisdom: The Threefold Test

Daniel's Faith and Courage: Lessons from the Lion's Den to the Fiery Furnace This episode explores the timeless lessons from the Book of Daniel, detailing his unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution. Covering his life from youth to old age, the discussion spans key events, including being thrown into the lions' den at age 93, standing firm against eating defiled food, interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dreams, and the experiences of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. The episode underscores how faith in God's word and commitment to His principles can lead to divine wisdom, protection, and favor, while also preparing believers for the trials and persecutions that await in the end times. 00:00 Introduction to the Book of Daniel 00:50 Daniel's Early Life and Captivity 02:01 Nebuchadnezzar's Invasion and God's Judgment 05:07 Daniel's Stand on Dietary Laws 08:14 Daniel's Wisdom and God's Favor 11:47 Nebuchadnezzar's Troubling Dream 18:31 Daniel's Interpretation of the Dream 19:58 The Rise and Fall of Kingdoms 24:07 The Stone and the Kingdom of God 26:57 Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Statue 28:41 The Fiery Furnace and Unwavering Faith 30:39 The Fiery Furnace: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's Faith 33:25 Nebuchadnezzar's Rage and the Miracle in the Furnace 37:17 Belshazzar's Defiance and the Writing on the Wall 44:24 Daniel's Prophetic Role and the End Times 52:40 Endurance and Faith in Persecution 01:02:24 Closing Thoughts and Prayer

The Power of Prayer and the Preeminence of Jesus. In this episode, the focus is on understanding the purpose and power of prayer in the Christian journey. Reflecting on 2 Peter 1 and the Transfiguration account in Luke 9, the discussion delves into the importance of discipleship, obedience, and the preeminence of Jesus. Key themes include the necessity of prayer, the power it releases, the revelation of God's plans, and the reminder of Jesus' supremacy. The conversation also touches on the experiential aspects of prayer and how it transforms individuals and aligns them with God's will. 00:00 Introduction: The Purpose of Discipleship 01:12 Scriptural Foundation: 2 Peter Chapter 1 03:18 The Transfiguration Account in Luke 06:26 The Importance of Prayer 08:32 Personal Reflections on Prayer 19:31 The Power and Revelation of Prayer 37:53 The Preeminence of Jesus 44:55 Conclusion: Living in the Revelation of Christ