Reliable Truth
By Richard E Simmons III
Reliable TruthMar 15, 2021
The Role of Planting
What is the purpose of planting?
Of course, the purpose of planting is to yield something more than just the seeds that one plants. The purpose of planting is to yield something of value, like forests, food, shade or beauty.
Jesus tells us in John 15:8, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples."
Yet, we cannot make the fruit ourselves. Only God can bring life. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:6 that, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth."
Bearing fruit is not optional. As His people, God designed and expects us to be fruitful in some way or another.
But the beautiful part of planting is to rest in knowing that the results are up to God.
Yes, strive to plant and do your work well in the Lord, using the gifts He has given you, but He is the one that causes the growth and brings others to Himself.
Understanding Human Desire
How much would it take to satisfy my heart? How much is enough?
Interestingly, there are people who don't have much that want more, understandably, and then there are people that have a whole lot, and they still want more.
And neither group stops to ask the question: Do I have enough?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Wisdom from Proverbs
Are you passing wisdom on to the next generation? Do you have young men in your family or life?
The book of Proverbs is an extremely important book for finding practical truths and principles to help us in wise living. As we are gaining wisdom, it is a worthy endeavor to look for ways to share it with others, particularly to those younger than us.
Proverbs 25:2 tells us that, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." What a blessing it can be to us to search out the mysteries of God that He is inviting us to discover!
Then in Psalm 78:4, the Psalmist declares, "We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and His mighty wonders."
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Election: Objects of God's Grace
The doctrine of election can be a matter of division among a lot of Christians.
Today's Richard's guest, Dr. Mark Gignilliat, discusses some overlapping and important theological concerns that the Bible itself raises, in terms of what we are as human beings and the necessity of God's grace to enter into our lives and to raise us into new life in Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that "no one can say Jesus is Lord" without the animating work of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot say with true sincerity that Jesus is Lord without the work of the Holy Spirit to take that which is dead and to make it alive again. Watch on YouTube
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
The Value of Understanding
What is the quality of your work? Would you like to get understanding on how to live a more fruitful life?
In today's message, we continue looking at the metaphor of the different types of soil that the Word of God fell on.
We'll look at three things that keep us from being fruitful: worry, deceit and the desire for other things.
Being Fruitful
The most widely used metaphor in the Bible is farming. Metaphors are clearly one of the ways that God uses to teach us spiritual truth.
In John 1, we learn that John the Baptist leads Andrew to Christ, and Andrew, one of the 12 disciples leads his brother Peter to Christ. And then Phillip, one of the 12 disciples leads Nathaniel to Christ - Phillip brings him to "come and see" Jesus.
Tim Keller says that here we have a very important kind of principle at work: many times the way to find Jesus like this and to really know Him personally is almost always through a friend.
I believe our responsibility as Christians is to share who Christ is with others. Not to ram Christ down people's throats because that is not kind or respectful, and in fact that is very ineffective.
In today's message, I share some creative ways that we can bear fruit for the Lord - ways that you and I can invite others to, as Jesus said to Nathaniel, "come and see."
In 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Paul tells us, "But you, man of God... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith." >> Watch on YouTube
Does the Resurrection Really Matter?
What would it mean for the world if Jesus truly did rise from the dead? And what does it mean to me personally - or does it mean anything at all to me?
For many years C.S. Lewis thought the Bible and the stories of the resurrection were all a bunch of myths, kind of like Norse mythology.
But I would just say that the evidence for the resurrection is quite compelling, particularly if you'll take the time to look into it.
In this message I dive into 3 strategies that we use to deal with facing our own mortality.
By choosing the right one you can have true peace and confidence that will impact the quality of your life until it comes to an end. Watch on YouTube
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Lenten Psalms
What is Lent, and why is it important?
Much like Advent leading up to Christmas, Lent is a season that's really a gift for us. It is a time to become conscious and to take some time to enter into thought, prayer and repentance as we prepare for Easter Sunday.
Christians have an unusual relationship with the concept of time. We live in the present here on earth, but the Bible also lets us know that we're already participants and citizens of another time and place.
What does that look like in our daily lives?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Being a Healthy Man Part 5 - Friendship and Community
How did God design us, and what were we made to long for?
God is a relational being, and we are in His image, so we are also relational beings. Relationships are inherent to who we are as people. If we were not made relational, then there would be no such thing as loneliness.
Why do people get lonely? Life is bankrupt without relationships.
Former pro football player Joe Ermann says this about men:
"This is our problem (as men): we compare, we compete; that's all we ever do. It leaves most men feeling isolated and alone. And it destroys any concept of community."
Even to truly know God in the fullest way, we also need to experience God in relationship with other believers who know God intimately.
As you listen to this message, ask yourself, "How does this really apply to me?" Be honest with yourself. Then ask, "Is there something that I can do differently in my life?" Watch on YouTube
Being a Healthy Man Part 4 - Confronting the 3 Deadly Sins
What would say are the biggest struggles in your life?
In Part 3 we discussed how to grow in wisdom as men. Now, using that wisdom, let's look at how to confront the three deadly sins - pride, greed and envy.
My desire is that these messages help bring you wisdom and freedom to live as healthy men. >>Watch on YouTube
Being a Healthy Man Part 3: Physical and Spiritual Discipline
What role do our choices play in our health?
In Part 1 we learned the importance of being centered on truth. Last week we discussed how to guard and look after your heart and mind - even recognizing that the heart and the mind are one.
Now in Part 3 we dive into growing in wisdom as men. Proverbs 24:5 tells us that "A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power."
Wise people are forward-thinking. They understand that all of life is connected - that there is a cause and effect relationship between the choices we make today and the lives that we end up with tomorrow. Watch on YouTube
Being a Healthy Man Part 2 - The Heart and the Mind
What has more power over you - your mind or your heart? Which one rules over you?
The heart can easily overcome or override what you know. The heart is the seat of the emotions and has the ability to take charge of your thinking.
Last week we looked at the foundational principles to living a healthy life:
- Being transparent
- Dealing with the past
- Dealing with the future
- Emotional health
We concluded that to truly live well is to live in the present.
In Part 2 we are looking at the heart and the mind, the innermost parts of a man.
The heart is made up of the mind, the will and the emotions. And the soul is the mind and the heart of a man.
To have a healthy heart, we have to be proactive, and we have to be defensive. It is up to each of us to protect our own hearts and minds.
Being A Healthy Man Part 1 - Centered on the Truth
What does it mean to be a healthy man? This is a complex issue.
One definition of the word healthy is, "a state of physical, mental and emotional well-being. A healthy person functions well in their day-to-day living, as opposed to being dysfunctional.
I propose to show you how the foundation of our health is actually spiritual, along with being centered on the truth.
Being centered on the truth is crucial to living a healthy, vital human life. - Richard E. Simmons III >>Watch on YouTube
Jerry Leachman - Praying in the Trenches: Courage When it Counts
How do you respond when you experience hardship?
How many of us face moments in our life when we don't have a plan? Serious illness, financial loss, failure... how we need to have this as our prayer from 2 Chronicles 20:12 "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
Our guest is Jerry Leachman, sharing this message at our recent Men's Breakfast.
James 5:16 tells us that "The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!" - Watch on YouTube
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S. He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally. Learn more about the books Jerry mentioned in his talk: Reflections on the Existence of God and The Battle Plan for Prayer
There is Power in the Humble Life
What is the power of a humble life? Two verses sum up how God views pride and humility:
Proverbs 16:5 tells us that, "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this, they will not go unpunished."
James 4:6 "But He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says that God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Those are powerful words: God detests the proud.
The word opposed in the Greek means "to be at war with."
C.S. Lewis said that "Pride is a spiritual cancer... It is the complete anti-God state of mind." This is true because we have such a hard time seeing it in our own lives.
Could that be true of my life and yours? I believe that we should be praying daily, "Lord, show me the pride in my heart. Let me see it."
Galatians Study - Part 4
How important is unity in ministry?
After an interval of 14 years, Paul goes back to Jerusalem to confront 2 false brothers - false teachers. And he also went to see all of the 12 disciples, to make sure that they were unified in their mission of Christ with him.
Tim Keller writes: "If the other apostles had not confirmed Paul, if they had not renounced the false teachers, it would be very hard for Paul to retain his converts, because he had all these false teachers telling his converts that Paul was preaching a gospel that was inadequate, and not as full as the original apostolic gospel preached by the Jerusalem leaders.
So you can see why Paul wanted to come meet with them. Paul found that the 12 disciples were completely unified with him, which dispelled the false teachers attacks and propelled the growth of the church.
Galatians Study - Part 3
Do you think God has things that He wants us to do - that He appoints us to do? It is an interesting thought!
When Jesus appeared to Saul (Paul's previous name) on the road to Damascus, Jesus told him,
"Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Am I doing the work that God has appointed for me to do?
Galatians Study - Part 2
Today's episode previously aired on this podcast with the title "Seeking the favor of men or God?" I share it again today as it is Part 2 of our study of Galatians.
Isn't it interesting to think about how we let other people have such an influence on how we live our lives. I think we would all agree that the people in our lives are important to us. In fact, relationships are the substance of life. We were meant to be with other people.
But, am I living my life to please others? Or am I living for the approval of God? I can't do both. You cannot truly live to please and approve Christ and live to win the approval of man at the same time. One has to be above the other.
We're discussing a single verse, Galatians 1:10, to learn how to find true freedom from the fears that drive us to comparison, envy, jealousy and loneliness. Watch on YouTube
Galatians Study - Part 1
When I first became a Christian, I didn't think much of the book of Galatians. I didn't understand what Paul was saying.
But now here I am some 47 years later, I have a much better understanding of Galatians, and I love it. I deeply appreciate it.
Paul wrote this letter just 17 years after Christ's death and resurrection. He emphasized the many eye witnesses that were still alive at that time and encouraged those who were skeptical to go and talk with them.
Galatians 1:3-4 says that Jesus "...gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." He alone can rescue us.
Knowing God
What is God like? What are the most significant attributes of God that you think of?
Many people would respond that he is a righteous God, a holy God. He is all powerful. He is loving, he is merciful. He is a just God.
But maybe his most important attribute is one that we don't think about very often. The prophet Jeremiah tells us in chapter 31, verse 34 that God is knowable.
Think about that.
He's not a God that's hidden. He wants to be known. He reveals himself so that he can be known.
The scripture and prophecy that we are studying today, Jeremiah 31:31-34 is considered one of the best texts on knowing God.
Would you like to know him better?
Dr. Michael Green - It Started With One Man
Today my guest is Dr. Michael Green, bringing us a message from Acts 18, to begin the new year with renewed hope and courage.
Lift up your eyes to see what just one man can do for the cause of Christ. Remember, one person plus God is always a majority!
Jerry Leachman - Dead Men, Walking
Are you a part of the remnant?
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries joins us with a message for men - to help us examine where we are in life.
Many people are wondering in our culture today, "Am I seeing the America I have known fundamentally change before my eyes?" And maybe it’s never coming back.
I’m going to talk about the remnant today, because in the Bible and all the way through the Bible, it’s the remnant that always saves the city.
I want you to wonder: are you part of that remnant or are you just one more scared guy filling up with anxiety, bluffing your way through the world, trying to pretend to be brave, but you’re really not?
Jerry is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S.
He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.
Dr. John Guest - The Certainty of Christ
Today Dr. John Guest brings a message of hope in the certainty of Jesus Christ.
"I wasn’t raised to go to church. I did think Christians were soft. Pastors in England would talk in a rather slow and boring tone, and it was sort of remote.
I didn’t go to church, but I picked them up on the radio and when there was no such thing as television when I was a child and from time to time, you’d hear one speaking for whatever reason on the radio and I gave it no credence until I got into my adolescence and was asking questions about my own life..." - John Guest
John is the author of ten books. He co-founded Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry and was a participant in the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism and a board member of the National Association of Evangelicals. He founded the Coalition for Christian Outreach, an evangelistic organization employing approximately 150 staff on college campuses.
Also, he co-founded South American Missionary Society (1976), hosted a daily radio broadcast, “New Life In Christ,” on WPIT-FM, Pittsburgh (1983-1990), and currently has a daily broadcast on WORD FM, 101.5 in Pittsburgh as well as several other cities. John married Kathleen Heggar in 1967 and has four daughters: Carrie, Chelsea, Sarah and Susanna.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Isaiah: Advent Hope
Dr. Mark Gignilliat from Beeson Divinity School joins us today with a special Advent message from the book of Isaiah.
Does God seem distant to you? Do you wish that God would fill you in on what he's doing in this chaotic world that we live in?
Hebrews 1 tells us that, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."
The Lord has not left you and me to the best of our own imaginative devices. He has not left us to the best of our own intellectual enterprises to figure out who he is.
Jesus is the speech of God on display. The scriptures are God's inscribed word that witness to him.
The Lord has spoken. He has given himself to be known - to truly be known. But we must remember: we only get to know God on his terms. We don't get to know God on our terms.
I pray that in this season that each of you will be able to enter into Advent with joy and with hope.
Lord, thank you for these words from the prophet Isaiah. Even though they were written hundreds of years ago, they continue to resonate to us even today, as they point to you, oh Jesus, our wonderful counselor and our Mighty God.
I pray that you will bless these listeners during this season. Draw us to yourself, draw me to yourself, oh Lord!
In repentance and renewal, I pray in Jesus name, Amen!
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children. Watch on YouTube here
Drayton Nabers - The Case for Character
What is the single most important factor in an abundant life, or even a successful life?
Maybe you would say it's education or health, or maybe it's money.
If we thought it through, I believe that we would come back with the answer of character.
Well then, where does faith belong? Faith is a part of character, but I think that character is the single most important building block or factor in an abundant life - in a successful life.
And truthfully, in today's world, it seems that we have lost an understanding of what character is.
The Greeks were the first culture that studied character, and probably outside of the Bible, has left us the greatest legacy with respect to what character is. They used the word ethics for character.
The Greek said that to be ethical people is to be people of strong character. If we are people of strong character, then we will do the right thing, and like a healthy tree, we will produce good fruit.
So, what is the single most important question relating to character?
Today's special guest is my friend Drayton Nabers, Jr., successful attorney and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He is discussing the subject of his book The Case for Character. Get your copy here.
Russell Levenson - In God's Grip: What golf can teach us about the Gospel
Richard's guest is Russell Levenson, speaker at our recent Men's Breakfast, sharing about his special relationship with President George and Barbara Bush, as well as his newest book In God's Grip: What golf can teach us about the Gospel.
Today he shares many heartwarming and inspiring stories about the Bush's. You don't want to miss this!
Russell is the pastor of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston Texas, the largest Episcopal Church in America, with over 10,000 members. He was President George and Barbara Bush's pastor and performed the eulogy/sermon at each of their funerals. Russell's book about the Bush's is Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush.
In God's Grip: What golf can teach us about the Gospel is a unique collaboration by two Texans, both among the best in their field, sharing hints to improve golf and faith. The family of Ben Hogan, one of the game's immortals has permitted Rev. Russell Levenson to use the four-time U.S. Open Champion's words on both subjects in this profound and joyful book.
Gospel of John Study - Part 14
Where am I in my relationship with God?
In I Peter 2:25, Peter writes, “For you are continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and the Guardian of your soul.”
I love that phrase, the “Guardian of your soul”. Peter is writing to a group of Christians who were suffering persecution, going through a difficult time, and he’s saying to them, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He’s the Guardian of your soul, when you stay close to Him.
As he writes, Peter says that the problem is that we are continually straying like sheep.
Even as Christians, either we are drawing near to God, or we are drifting away from Him. In looking at my own life and in interacting with men and counseling with them, I've observed that usually when you drift away from Him, you’re not really aware that it’s happening.
It’s usually happening when you’re real busy, and you’re thinking, "I can get back to this later, but I’ve got to get through this over here..."
This is the last message in our 14-part series of the study of John!
As we wrap up this study, I would challenge you with these words to think about. Am I diligently seeking God, and seeking to hear from Him and drawing close to Him each day? Or am I at a point in my life where I’m just kind of slowly drifting away, or just kind of drifting?
I share this, because it’s so apparent that the state of our spiritual life is ultimately our responsibility. And that’s why we’re told, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Gospel of John Study - Part 13
Do you feel like you’re close to God? Do you feel like you have a close relationship with Him?
Missions leader John Oswald Sanders says, “Today, right now, you are as close to God as you choose to be.” Think about that. I believe he is saying that we determine the closeness of this relationship.
In author H.D. Morton's book In the Steps of the Master, he witnesses a scene in a cave near Bethlehem. Two shepherds had sheltered their flocks in the cave during the night. How were the flocks to then be sorted out?
Well, one of the shepherds stood some distance away, and gave his peculiar call. Each shepherd had a unique call, he says, which only his sheep knew.
Morton writes, “I watched it with my own eyes. His whole flock had run to him because they knew his voice. They would have come for no one else, but they knew the call of their own shepherd.”
How about you?
Gospel of John Study - Part 12
I believe that many modern people don’t believe in Satan. Or, they don’t see him as being much of a threat.
Interestingly, a number of ministers or teachers never teach or speak on the issue of Satan and the forces of darkness. Why do you think that might be?
Maybe the ministers think, "Since my sophisticated audience doesn’t believe in this stuff, I’m not going to talk about it. It seems to cause discomfort to go there.
What about you? Do you see Satan as a threat to your life, and to your family?
Gospel of John Study - Part 11
Are you bored with life? Are you happy with where your life is headed?
Last week we discussed how boredom can ruin your life and the danger of an easy life - a life of leisure. This can lead to a life of complacency
Historian Alexander Tytler wrote this in the late 18th century:
“A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote for themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.”
He goes on to say:
“The average age of the world’s great civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from great courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; then from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence, you go back into bondage.”
Does this remind you of where we are today as a nation? What will each of us do with the prosperity we have been blessed with?
I believe that it’s not so much that prosperity corrupts us. It’s what prosperity makes available to us that can potentially corrupt us.
What is God calling you to do?
Gospel of John Study - Part 10
What do you think a false Christian is? Someone who goes through the motions? Someone who thinks doing good things will get them into heaven?
Well, that’s what the Pharisees thought.
And yet, Jesus says in Matthew 15:7-9 that, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
Jesus had great concern for this group, and He addresses this often in the Bible.
But, what is true belief? You see, true belief transforms who you are, because it involves the heart, and not just the head.
That is where repentance comes in. The surrender of your heart to Christ. How is your heart toward God?
Gospel of John Study - Part 9
How would you describe the quality of your life?
We are back in the book of John, continuing our study in chapter 6. In the Greek language there are two different words that are used for the English word "life" - bios and zoe.
Bios is the physical and biological life - our physical bodies. The life of the body. The experience of the body.
Zoe has to do with the quality of your life experience. You see, you can be physically alive and have a horrible quality of life.
In the book of John, every time you see the word “life”, it’s the Greek word zoe. In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
We are not here just to exist. God’s will is that we really live, and this is what zoe is. This is what Jesus offers. To live with a sense of purpose and joy and exhilaration. The abundant life.
Is this true of your life?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - The Life of David
Who was King David of the Bible?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us today, exploring the fascinating and complicated life of King David, found in the book of Samuel.
Mark discusses the implications of David's life, his call, but also David's sin.
The Bible teaches that no man - no fallen human - can escape the corrosive effects of power over his life.
Plato talks about putting on the ring of power. Tolkien picked this up in The Lord of the Rings. If you put on the ring of power, there are all kinds of temptations that await you. Even sweet Bilbo Baggins, the little hobbit from the Shire is deeply affected by the putting on of the ring of power.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yGzNnYrHeII
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Homosexuality and its Effect on the Church - Part 2
Should certain sexual behavior be declared morally right because I have a desire to do it?
Are we going to allow God's truth to shape sexual morality or allow sexual desires to determine what is true and moral?
And does God care about this at all?
As I mentioned in Part 1, my objective in this 2-part series is to produce light and not heat. To bring enlightenment, but not anger. Watch on YouTube
Watch Part 1
Homosexuality and Its Effect on the Church - Part 1
How is homosexuality impacting the church?
You might think that this subject does not relate to you, but it does. We all need to know how this relates to the church and to our faith. This is a significant issue, a very current issue and a hard issue.
My objective in this 2-part series is to produce light and not heat. To bring enlightenment, but not anger.
As Christians we are called to love.
The bottom line is ultimately moral authority. How do we determine what is moral? I believe examining this will help us understand how we've come to the place where we are today. Watch on YouTube
Gospel of John Study - Part 8
Do you believe Christianity is true? If so, what is the evidence that you’ve built your faith on?
Conversely, have you rejected the existence of God? What is your basis of that decision?
The famous scientist Francis Collins was an atheist and incredibly well-educated. One day an older woman asked him about his faith.
And it just kind of dawned on him. Collins said, “As a scientist, I had always insisted on collecting rigorous data before drawing a conclusion. And yet, in matters of faith, I had never collected any data at all. I had never examined any evidence at all. I realized I didn’t know what I had rejected.”
In other words, Collins was saying, "I had rejected God, I had rejected Christianity, but, in reality, I didn’t know what I had rejected. I had never looked at any evidence."
As Francis Collins began to examine the evidence, he was shocked at what he found. Today, he’s a very committed, outspoken Christian and one of the most prominent scientists alive today.
You see, evidence is important.
In fact, we should want evidence, because the more evidence you have, the stronger your faith will be, just like if you’re trying a case in a court of law, the more evidence you have as the prosecuting attorney, the better the chances are that you’re going to win.
In this study we finish up John chapter 5.
Gospel of John Study - Part 7
Do you want to be well? Do you want to be made whole?
I find that there are so many people who are not well, and not healthy, and yet they are scared to death of the process that would be required to get well.
I’ve seen this over the years often. I saw it with a guy that came to see me about his finances. He had pride, and he was having problems. He showed me his income, and he showed me his expenses, and I said, "This is a simple math problem. This is why you’re in trouble. You’re spending more than you are making."
I told him, "This is what we need to do. You’re going to have to eliminate some things."
I don’t think he liked that. He didn’t come back to see me again. He didn’t want to be financially healthy.
In John 5:24 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life."
What is that worth to you? On that day? I contend that it is worth everything you’ve got.
Gospel of John Study - Part 6
What is your mission in life?
As we continue in the book of John, in this study we see that this is the third time that we’ve seen Jesus contrast the physical with the spiritual.
We saw that with Nicodemus, Jesus talks about his spiritual birth. And Nicodemus asks, "What do you mean? How do you go back in your mother’s womb and be born a second time?" He doesn’t get it.
Then with the Samaritan woman Jesus starts talking about living water. She thinks He’s talking about something physical.
Now as we read this, Jesus talks about having "other food." What is Jesus talking about? Jesus explains in John 4:34 that He has other food - that His food is the Will of God and accomplishing the work that God has for Him to do.
Basically, Jesus is saying that we all have a window of time.
We have each been given an allotted amount of time, and as we live this life, we are to do the work of God. And then Jesus says, in John 17:4, just before He’s taken, “Father, I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do.”
Over the years, that verse has always intrigued me because it makes me wonder, was that just specific for Jesus?
Does God have a work that He wants me to do?
Gospel of John Study - Part 5
What is the thirst of the soul?
We are in John 4, discussing Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. It is a fascinating conversation.
He’s focusing on the spiritual need in her life and she’s thinking about not having to come to this well to drag water back to her house every day.
The thirst of the soul.
I read an older sermon by Tim Keller, and he talks about the role of water in your body. He says that our body is 50% water, and that if you are deprived of water you will die of thirst and dehydration. It is a terrible way to die.
Thirst is a physical deprivation because you are made of water, and therefore, you crave it, and you need it. In the same way, Jesus uses the term living water, to tell this woman, "Your soul is craving for something that you don’t have and I’m the only one who can give it to you. It comes from Me."
Where are you looking to quench the thirst of your soul?
Gospel of John Study - Part 4
We live in a time where many people just want to emphasis God’s love.
But really, how do we know that He is a God of love? Does history tell us?
Over the centuries, human society has had a good understanding that he is a God of wrath, who is righteous and puts down rebellion, who holds up the law of righteousness.
But who came up with this idea of a loving God, a forgiving God, a merciful God–a God who will forgive people who are terribly wicked?
Where did that come from? It came from one place. It came from one person–the God of the Bible.
One of my favorite words to describe what God has done for us is the word rescue. Colossians 1:13 says that He came to, “...rescue us from the domain of darkness.” and I Thessalonians 1:10 tells us to wait for "...Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come."
He came to rescue us, but you have to want to be rescued. And to want to be rescued, you have to realize that your life is in peril.
Gospel of John Study - Part 3
Are you on a search for truth?
Today we are studying John 3:1-15. In this familiar conversation that Jesus has with Nicodemus, we’re introduced to this great truth about being born again. The idea of a new birth.
There is another word that Paul uses that means the same thing - regeneration. If you’ve ever read the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, it uses the words regenerate and regeneration a good bit.
There are three definitions in Webster’s for regeneration:
- to generate and produce anew
- to change radically and for the better
- to be spiritually reborn
What do you think of when you hear the term “born-again" Christian?
Looking at our culture today, if you were to ask that same question to a random sampling of people, how do you think they would respond?
Author Tim Keller said that:
"The new birth means you are now able to sense the reality of things that before were nothing to you. You actually didn’t see the reality of them. The new birth is a new order of life in which you finally begin to sense the full reality of what’s out there in the Universe, and you can live and act in accordance with it."
In Ephesians 1:17-18, Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Ephesus was, "God, I pray that You would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation, and that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened." This is what God wants to give us through this new birth.
Gospel of John Study - Part 2
Today we're studying John chapter 2. It’s a quick read, and full of interesting details about Jesus.
He spent 30 years of His life in a small, obscure village called Nazareth. The people in Nazareth didn’t even think much of Him, yet even at age 12, Jesus really had a good grasp of who He was and why He was there. He grew in wisdom and knowledge, and in favor with God and man.
Hebrews 5 tells us that, "although Jesus was Son of God, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”
So, we learn that He suffered, and He learned obedience from all that He suffered. What do we know about His suffering?
Gospel of John Study - Part 1
When my oldest son was about nine, out of the blue he asked me, “Dad, why do you believe in God?” And I gave him all kinds of reasons. I said there are a lot of very good, rational, logical reasons to believe in God. Then I said, but, for me, ultimately, I believe in God because of Jesus. The Word becoming Flesh and dwelling among us.
What is the reason for life?
Author Tim Keller said, “The Designer has punched a hole in the roof of the world, and He has descended down into it in the person of Christ…
You were built, all of us, not to just follow some philosophical principle or follow some law. You were built to know and love this divine person, Jesus.
And when you know Him, and you serve Him, and you love Him, when you find out what He built you for, and you comply with it, and you submit yourself to Him, that’s when you find out who you really are, and you become the person you were meant to be.”
Go back to John chapter 1, and substitute the word “reason” every time the verse says “the Word” when you read it.
“In the beginning was the reason for life, and the reason for life was with God, and the reason for life was God, and the reason for life became Flesh and dwelt among us.”
I think Paul says it best in Colossians 2:9-10, where he says, “for in Him (Jesus) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him, you have been made complete.”
John is telling us that Jesus is the reason for life, and, in Him, we are made complete.
Michael Easley inContext - Reflections on the Existence of God
Richard joins Dr. Michael Easley to discuss Richard’s book Reflections on The Existence of God and the importance of evidence-based belief.
Why is it important to have evidence to believe in?
In this episode we'll look at these questions many of us have:
- How should we think about evil in a culture that loves evil?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is my purpose in living?
- What is the psychology of belief and unbelief?
- How is the person and work of Jesus Christ apologetic evidence?
There are a lot of strong arguments for the existence of God, but two of the most compelling are the fine tuning of the universe and the person of Christ as the Son of God.
We should each examine the evidence out there and strive to believe responsibly. What evidence have you found for the existence of God?
Find out more about Richard's book Reflections on the Existence of God - Read Chapter 1 for free.
Dr. Easley’s experience in ministry spans four decades as a gifted Bible teacher and church leader. He was the 8th president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois He shares a passion for ministry, a heart for people, and love of God.
Michael Easley inContext wants to help you understand how God’s Word applies to the context of your life through interviews with subject matter experts, and men and women striving to obey Christ and His Word.
This episode originally aired on Michael Easley inContext here.
Paul Walker - I Did Not Come To Condemn But To Save
Today my guest is Paul Walker. We'll be looking at four different people from the gospel of John who represent four types of people: two seekers and two believers.
One seeker is a guy named Nicodemus who seems to have it all together while the other is a woman caught in the midst of adultery who's clearly got her fault lines exposed.
One believer is Thomas, Jesus's disciple who was plagued by doubts and questions. The other is Peter, fired up for Christ but finds that his life actually doesn't square with his faith.
So four people from four different places in life, each of which I would say is looking for the same thing: to be in the inner ring.
Christian apologist C.S. Lewis came to this conclusion, "I believe that in all men's lives at certain periods and in many men's lives, at all periods between infancy and extreme old age, one of the dominant elements is the desire to be inside the local ring and the terror of being left outside the inner ring."
Where have you felt it?
Responding to Life's Disappointments
All of us have certain pictures in our minds and in our hearts of how we want life to be. Our pictures are made up of people and circumstances.
As long as reality and our pictures are somewhat in conformity, then life is good! Everything is going well!
The problem arises when there's a gap between my picture and reality. And the greater the gap, the greater the pain and disappointment, the hurt, and just the craziness that comes into our lives. Sometimes our pictures just blow up.
How do we respond to the storms when life blows up?
The content for today's episode comes from a seminar I attended by Christian counselor and author Julie Sparkman. Check out her book Unhitching from the Crazy Train: https://www.amazon.com/Unhitching-Crazy-Train-Finding-Control/dp/1625915365/
I greatly appreciate Julie's teaching on this subject. As I have used and applied these principles in my own life, God has impacted me in a deep way.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Courage
Is life worth living? And if so, how can it be lived well?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us with a message from the Old Testament book of Joshua.
Where is happiness in all of this? Interestingly, I recently read that the largest registration for a single course in the history of Yale University was a course entitled "Happiness." To live a fulfilled human life is an age-old question. Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle answered that a well-lived life is one that's marked by virtue. In today's talk I will discuss how to grow and develop the virtue of courage in your life.
Courage is not the absence of fear. Aristotle said that courage is knowing when to withstand and knowing when to advance in the face of fear. In Joshua 1:9 the Lord told Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Watch on YouTube
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Jerry Leachman - On Point With Your Family?
Happy Father's Day!
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries joins us with a message for fathers especially, but also for all men - to help us all focus on the things that matter.
Are there any boundaries when it comes to human sexuality? How do our choices affect others in our lives? As a father, how do my choices affect my wife? My children?
Today's message is about living an upright life - how to be a righteous man. Righteous men are just normal guys, but they’re just not double-minded anymore. They confess their sins. They live with accountability. They want to be part of the solution.
Dads, you can demonstrate to your daughters how women should be treated. Men can model to their sons on how to think about real women, and how real men treat women. Women, even the most godly ones, cannot do that like a man can. Women can nurture. They comfort. They encourage and they’re powerful prayer warriors, but they cannot model for boys and demonstrate to young girls in the way men can.
Train up your child - create a desire in them to live for Christ through your example and through cultivating a loving relationship with your children. It's the most worthy job you could aspire to.
Jerry is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S.
He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.
Why Is The World So Broken?
I remember watching a movie at around age 19, and laughing more than I'd ever laughed before in my entire life.
About 6 months later I became a Christian, finished college and went on to start my career. Some years later I found that same movie in a rental store and excitedly took it home to watch it. I started watching it, and after about 10 or 15 minutes I had to turn it off because it was so crude and so perverse.
I share this because something had happened to me.
Very clearly my view of life had really changed. The way I saw life had changed. And my view of sexuality had changed.
So what happened to me? I guess you could say I was seeing life through a different set of eyes. Clearly the Holy Spirit was in me as a Christian, and had transformed the way I view life.
Why is the world so broken? I believe the world is broken because of the spiritual condition of man.
All people need the light of Jesus Christ, as Jesus said in Acts 26:18, "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." Watch on YouTube
Being a Healthy Man
Would you say that you're living a healthy life? And what does a healthy life even look like?
Today I'm diving into the life of King David and his fall into adultery–we'll look closely at what happened in his life.
When marriages are struggling and there's not much passion going on, that's when you are particularly vulnerable to the temptation to adultery. Proverbs 5 tells us men to, "Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth... and be exhilarated always with her love."
Maybe you're in a difficult place in your life. You might be thinking to yourself, "Well, you don't know my situation..."
I want to encourage you to hold on to the hope and the love of Christ for you. In today's message we'll learn how to:
- be intentional about guarding our hearts
- pray about the issues that we face
- stay close to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls–Jesus Christ, and
- trust in God's will for us in this.
I contend that if you apply these principles in your life, then over time you'll be a very healthy man and you will experience the abundant life that Jesus promised us in John 10:10. Watch on YouTube