Best Crosslake Podcasts (2025)

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RIGHTEOUS FAITHFULNESS – Proverbs 13:18-25 – 10-26-2025 55:43

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6d ago55:43

55:43

Cultural history and folklore celebrate the tenacity and resilience of their heroes. These legacies are celebrated for their faithfulness. The critical analysis Solomon endorses in the book of Proverbs would ask: “faithfulness to what?”. No so-called ‘hero’ will pass the true test of greatness if his efforts were dedicated in service of idols. Fami…

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LAMP, TREE, FOUNTAIN – Proverbs 13:7-17 – 10-19-25 54:16

14d ago54:16

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Note the list of metaphors Solomon weaves into his instruction in this section…each one a telling picture: Light/Lamp (9), Tree (12), & Fountain (14). Each is a picture of source and effect. A lamp filled with oil provides light by which the blindness of the dark is cured. A tree firmly rooted in fertile and irrigated soil produces life sustaining …

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NATIONAL REFORM – Psalm 144 – 10-12-25 51:59

23d ago51:59

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The concept of a ‘new song’ in the scriptures is usually with reference to extraordinary occasions worthy of thankful praise include celebration and commemoration of the grace & glory of God upon securing victory for His people despite existential threats and peril. Think of the songs on the lips of those who were the first to receive immanent news…

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EXAMINING OURSELVES – I Corinthians 11:27-34 – 10-5-25 54:21

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By Ken Carlton

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GENERATIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS – Proverbs 12:8-15 – 9-28-25 1:00:02

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By Ken Carlton

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LEVEL GROUND – Psalm 143 – 8-21-25 55:39

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Psalm 143 is the last of the so called “Penitential” Psalms. This song joins Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, & 130 in a set identified through church history by themes of soul searching repentance, unrestrained confession, and exclusive hope in the Lord of the Covenant.However, while it is one thing to have the self awareness and honesty to rightly unde…

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DISCERNING THE BODY – I Corinthians 11:17-26 – 9-14-25 52:28

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Discernment in this context entails proper understanding bearing fruit of conviction, reverence, humility, and obedience. We can relate to, and learn from, the risks and rewards of frequent communion Paul addresses in this letter. As in all of life, we must approach the communion table walking in the Spirit, not the flesh. While we recognize that f…

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MOSES FULFILLED – I Corinthians 10:1-4 – 9-7-2025 37:14

2M ago37:14

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As in the Days of Moses, Baptism commemorates a miracle, seals a covenant, and identifies a people. Today we look at the symbols of baptism in the scriptures, their substance fulfilled in Christ, and the application of these truths for this service and these baptizees today… Paul reminds us in our primary text today of the exodus moment when Moses …

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TRUTHFUL LIPS – Proverbs 12:16-24 – 8-31-25 54:46

2M ago54:46

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Having considered the house of the righteous according to Solomon in proverbs 12 verses 1-7 and the dominion of the righteous in verses 8-15 we now turned to the witness of the righteous in versus 16-24. Consider the prayer of humble consecration offered by King David at the anointing ceremony of his son to rule the nation of Israel (Worship text: …

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RIGHTEOUS HOMESTEADING – Proverbs 12:8-15 – 8-24-25 52:59

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A comprehensive analysis of any area of human life should prioritize the question: “what is the ordering principle of this domain?”. The answer to this question is key to assessing sanctity, durability, and fruitfulness. It gets to the heart of what something is and why it exists (essence & purpose). The book of Proverbs is all about ordering princ…

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ROOTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Proverbs 12:1-7 – 8-17-25 52:50

3M ago52:50

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We are familiar with the designation of nobility or gentlemen classes, vs. lower or servant class distinctions in film or literature depictions of European monarch culture which developed over the centuries and lingered for quite some time in these societies. These dynamics seem foreign and wrong to us given our modern egalitarian sensibilities. Pr…

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CAVE BEFORE CROWN – Psalm 142 – 8-10-25 52:11

3M ago52:11

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Again revealed in the title, Psalm 57 was also written in hiding during David’s fugitive wanderings. This occasion served to inspired David to seek the assurance of divine protection far greater than the refuge the cave in Adullam could ever provide him. I Sam 22:1-2 documents the first congregation to ever sing this song. There were gathered to hi…

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TIMELESS TRUTH – I Corinthians 10:23-11:16 – 8-3-25 55:08

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The practical application sections of Paul's epistles are often interspersed with governing principles. Paul is constantly “teaching the 'what' and preaching the 'why'. I find this inferred principle/application distinction especially helpful for discipleship and instruction in Christian 'orthopraxy' – the 'day to day' practical concerns of the bel…

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THE WEIGHT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Proverbs 11:20-31 – 7-27-25 53:20

3M ago53:20

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A word to prepare our hearts to receive the message of proverbs 11 today. The times in life we most need the convicting reminder of God‘s word usually require a change of heart to receive it. This is evident in our worship text today. When the prophet Malachi called the returning people of God to order their affairs according to their calling in th…

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REWARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Proverbs 11:6-19 – 7-20-25 50:20

4M ago50:20

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When Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God in His great sermon he included these well known words from Matthew 6:33 “…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Thousands of years earlier His message had been preceded by an understanding of the rewards of righteousness through the pen of Solomon i…

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PRAYER IN CRISIS – Psalm 141 – 7-13-25 54:34

4M ago54:34

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One can easily imagine the context inspiring David’s words here. A good portion of his early days were spent on the run as a fugitive from King Saul. For years, due to this providential hardship, David was likely unable to participate in tabernacle worship. Nevertheless, we hear his heart in this song as he prays that the Lord would count his praye…

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CUP & TABLE – 7-6-25 – I Corinthians 10:14-22 51:39

4M ago51:39

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We’ve considered at length the contrasts illustrated in Proverbs 9 by way of a dinner invitation to Lady Wisdom’s house vs. the meal served at the Woman Folly’s place. The first is a promise of provision unto eternal life, the second is a gateway to Sheol disguised as a party. Which table will you gather around for dinner? Choose carefully because …

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THE NORTH STAR – Proverbs 10:26-11:5 – 6-29-25 56:21

4M ago56:21

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Wisdom is an indispensable virtue to the discipline of applying the Law of God. The wise man seeks to understand all of life and thought in terms of the absolute moral order of God’s Word & God’s world. Wisdom equips the moral agent for the discipline of measuring all things by the standard of divine revelation. Taking every thought captive to the …

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HAPPY EVER AFTER – Proverbs 10:15-25 – 6-22-25 49:22

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As we continue to familiarize ourselves with this great literary form of scripture otherwise foreign to us, let us pause to appreciate its great value! How different and infinitely more valuable are the words of Proverbs than the quasi – wisdom literature of our day. What is the popular “wisdom” of our day? Whether it’s the motivating appeals to th…

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RULES OF THUMB – Proverbs 10:1-14 – 6-15-25 55:18

5M ago55:18

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As we consider the 2nd major section in the book of Proverbs, the most obvious difference is in the form Solomon’s instruction is presented. Chapters 10-24 proceed with a collection of single sentence wisdom sayings or ‘aphorisms’ under the title: “The Proverbs of Solomon”. The style of writing compiles straightforward statements without expounding…

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A WARRIOR’S PRAYER – Psalm 140 – 6-8-25 59:35

5M ago59:35

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David's life story was shaped by conflict. He was a wartime king and answered a warrior calling from the days of his youth. For this reason, in fact, David was not permitted to build the house of God (I Chron 22:8). David was a conqueror, his son Solomon would be a builder. Their respective callings would present unique challenges. For David, the i…

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EXODUS EXHORTATION – I Corinthians 10:1-15 – 6-1-25 1:06:26

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According to Paul’s Example in Ministry…A Christian Should Be: A servant to others, a master of himself, and a student of the Word. Why a student of the Word of God? Because according to Paul, there is no loss of fidelity in the scriptures over time. The instructions and warnings issued to the wandering Israelites bore relevance and authority for t…

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WORD TO THE WISE – Proverbs 9:7-12 – 5-25-25 1:02:26

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Proverbs Chapter 9 paints a picture of a feast at Lady wisdom’s house. This event involves preparation, invitation, and conversation. Having covered the first two, in our sermon today we address the third. Our text presents a sample of conversation at Lady Wisdom’s table. What are topics of consideration, issues of concern, and life lessons we hear…

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Fighting for your Family (Fighting for God) – Nehemiah 4:1-23 – 5-18-25 58:12

6M ago58:12

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What is it that Nehemiah was working for, and what was he trying to accomplish? What steps did he take to do the good work that God had given him, and how can we apply those principles in our own walk with God and work for God today? How is God calling you to build up His Kingdom?By Phil Ready

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YAHWEH’S BOOK – Psalm 139 – 5-11-25 54:03

6M ago54:03

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Psalm 139 reads like a diary entry of David with its emotional and personal context, yet it is introduced as a hymn for the choirmaster to be sung in public worship. Its inclusion in the Psalter calls the believing singer/reader to identify with David's heartfelt relationship to His omniscient and loving Creator. The psalm calls us to assume its 1"…

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HEIRS OF THE AGES – I Corinthians 9:19-10:17 – 5-4-25 58:09

6M ago58:09

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The title for our message comes from chapter 10 verse 11 where Paul identifies his hearers, as those on whom the end of the ages has come. Paul’s greater audience therefore is all the Church until Jesus returns. While the occasion for his letter involves issues in Corinth, the application of his instruction extends to every Gospel outpost of the ch…

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Abiding In The Vine – 2 Peter 1:1-11 – 4-27-25 39:14

6M ago39:14

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In the first chapter of 2 Peter, Peter gives the church practical application on howwe are to confirm our calling and election. He reminds the church of the greatprecious gift that we have been given, the promise of eternal life. He then callsthe believer to action, to be effective and fruitful for the kingdom of God.God has granted the believer ev…

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RESURRECTION PROCLAIMED – Acts 2:14-36 – 4-20-25 48:13

7M ago48:13

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Of all the significant moments in redemption history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ may well be the event with the greatest disparity between its central importance to the Christian faith and its appreciation in modern times. What we tend to take for granted, our forebears recognized as the birthday of the Christian church. The resurrection befo…

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THE KING’S PRAYER – Psalm 138 – 4-13-25 57:13

7M ago57:13

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Psalm 138 is the first of 8 songs written by David which appear as a set in the closing chapters of the Psalter. These Davidic psalms are followed by the final collection of S songs which all begin and end with the refrain: "Praise the lord!". These closing medleys swerve to reprise two central themes of the entire book - prayer, and praise. David'…

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PAUL’S MOTIVATIONS – I Corinthians 9:1-18 – 4-6-25 54:17

7M ago54:17

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Paul’s admonitions to the church in our passage are better understood in context of the issues arising in Corinth. Chapters 1-6 highlight particular problems including divisions in the body over superficial leadership preferences, worldly sexual norms corrupting the church, and frivolous legal cases between brothers in Christ. In addition to these …

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WISDOM vs. FOLLY – Proverbs 9:1-6, 13-18 – 3-30-25 53:01

7M ago53:01

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The open house of our passage stands in stark contrast to the temptation of the adulteress in chapter 7. In chapter 9 we receive an invitation to Lady Wisdom’s residence. Notice how she prepares her household for the occasion. Rather than the seductive couch coverings, Egyptian linens, myrrh/aloe/cinnamon perfumed bed of the temptress (7:16-17), Wi…

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WISDOM & GENESIS – Proverbs 8:22-36 – 3-23-25 58:02

7M ago58:02

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To demonstrate the scope of wisdom's potential. "Lady Wisdom" appeals to creation itself as the evident and super-abundant fruit of wisdom applied. Furtherrnore she appeals to her relationship to Yahweh to illustrate the indispensable necessity ofwisdon1 for any successful endeavor. lfwisdo1n is intrinsic to the works of God Hi1nself, ho.vc ould an…

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QUEEN OF KINGS – Proverbs 8:14-21 – 3-16-25 59:58

8M ago59:58

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As we have recently noted, the teaching of Proverbs regarding wisdom presumes the proper relationship between the spiritual and the material. We note as the chapter continues that legitimate political authority is established on wisdom. Even creation itself is established on wisdom, as is all enduring hope of human flourishing. Properly ordered aff…

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BABYLON VS. ZION – Psalm 137 – 3-9-25 59:50

8M ago59:50

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Psalm 137 is A song of lament, oath, & oracle. This is a Psalm acknowledging situations where it is excruciating to sing. The psalmist is in exile but his heart is in Zion. This is a song Nehemiah could sing as he wept in the courts of Artaxerxes’ Persian controlled Babylon. Nehemiah was a respected official who had the ear and the favor of an empe…

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LOVE & KNOWLEDGE – 3-2-25 – I Corinthians 7:36-8:13 54:23

8M ago54:23

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Paul’s instructions continue according to the purpose statement of 1 Corinthians 7:35 to benefit the church, to promote good order, and to secure undivided devotion to the Lord…Referencing the letter he had received from the Corinthians, Paul addresses another issue of the day of spiritual & practical concern. What should a Christian do when the gr…

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LADY WISDOM’S MINISTRY – Proverbs 8:1-13 – 2-23-25 1:00:20

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Unless you think femininity is appropriated exclusively to portray seductive temptation in the wisdom literature of Proverbs… Remember chapter 1:20-33 has introduced us to a different woman entirely and here again in chapter 8, we behold the female personification of wisdom. Lady Wisdom is the counterpart to the forbidden woman of chapter 7 and the…

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FATHER TO SON – Proverbs 7:14-27 – 2-16-25 53:45

9M ago53:45

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Solomon's instructions continue to unfold in the dramatic framework of chapter 7. We'veimagined our young man seated for a man-to-man talk across the mahogany desk in his wise father's 5th floorstudy. They have observed the busy streets of worldliness from their window vantage point. These two scenesare then followed by two more illustrating the oc…

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ASTRONOMICAL LOVE – 2-9-2025 – Psalm 136 1:01:11

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This Psalm's responsive refrain is echoed 26 times. With every verse we are reminded and called to confess:" His (Yahweh's steadfast love endures forever". Perhaps the most obvious message from Ps 136 is ironically the most often discounted: the relationship between the sovereignty of God demonstrated in His awesome acts and His eternal steadfast l…

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GOSPEL RECONSTRUCTION – 2-2-2025 – I Corinthians 7:17-35 1:00:56

9M ago1:00:56

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The vision for Gospel Reconstruction in Corinth continues with blueprints equipping thechurch for the Christian life in greater society. We understand from Paul's teaching that Christ bas come to rebuildand reconcile individuals and institutions in his image and Christians are called to faithfully, patiently endeavor todo the same. Paul's letters i…

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MAN TO MAN – Proverbs 7:1-13 – 1-26-25 58:44

9M ago58:44

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We might consider chapter 7 of Proverbs from the perspective of four scenes in a movie. The first, I imagine unfolding in a 5th floor study of a man whose wisdom has increased with age. The devoted father sits across a mahogany desk from his son with well worn spines of his library books standing at attention on the shelves behind him. “As you grow…

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BATTLE TESTED WISDOM – Proverbs 6:23-35 – 1-19-25 56:48

10M ago56:48

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A useful device in case-law literature is sometimes called “citing the minimal case”. The idea is to demonstrate the application of the law in a situation of minor significance. By implication then the reader understands that this law would surely apply in principle to any situation of greater importance. The purpose of this device is to efficientl…

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MUSEUM OF GLORY – Psalm 135 – 1-12-25 54:38

10M ago54:38

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Psalm 135 publishes a command to worship Yahweh and chronicles occasions for worship from nature, history, and covenant. Echoing themes from Ps 134, Ps 135 opens reprising a call to worship extending firstly to those with priestly duties commissioned to serve the Lord in His house (temple). The song continues by recounting & extolling works of the …

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The Reign of the Lord’s Annointed: Christ Over All – Psalm 2 – 1-5-25 1:05:43

10M ago1:05:43

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By Reggie Fredricks

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Humility and Unity in the Church – Philippians 2:1-18 – 12-29-24 37:26

10M ago37:26

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In Philippians chapter 2, Paul encourages the church to be united in the faith. He instructs the church to remain humble, using Christ as his primary example. He then encourages the church to work out their salvation, without grumbling, but with joy amidst a crooked and twisted generation.By Gene Engisch

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CHRISTMAS TESTIMONIES – John 1:19-37 – 12-22-24 1:00:48

11M ago1:00:48

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John's gospel introduces Jesus by way of His pre-incarnate glory in the first 18 verses typicallyreferred to as "The Prologue of John". (This was our text for last week's sermon entitled: "Introducing Jesus"). Theintroduction of Jesus in John continues by way of testimony in verses that follow. The message of the book and John'sintentions in writin…

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Introducing Jesus – Mat, Mark, Luke, John 1 – 12-15-24 56:05

11M ago56:05

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How do the Gospel writers introduce Jesus? The question of where to begin recounting the world's greatest narrative with an eternal back story would be a daunting task indeed. All 4 gospels begin in different ways providing a multi-faceted perspective on the greatest eventsI n history. The Gospel authors were keenly aware of the significance of the…

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Finding Joy In The Atonement – Romans 5:6-11 – 12-8-24 37:42

11M ago37:42

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In Romans chapter 5, verses 6-11, the apostle Paul expounds on the atonement. The condition we were in, how we are reconciled, and justified through Christ. Gods love for us is such that while we were still enemies of God, he sent his Son to take the punishment we deserve, that we might be reconciled to him.…

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MARRIAGE COUNSELING – I Corinthians 7:1-16 – 12-1-2024 49:53

11M ago49:53

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In I Cor chapter 7, Paul continues with his teaching strategy introduced in chapter 6. Adding to the phrases: All things are lawful for me• & the phrase: -Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food', Paul addresses a 3rd popular notion of the day denoted by the phrase 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman· (7: …

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THE WAY OF LIFE – Proverbs 6:16-35 – 11-24-2024 58:38

11M ago58:38

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Our passage today introduces another unique feature which will resurface later in the book of Proverbs. The ascending numerical device of verse 16 is a feature of Wisdom Literature & Hebrew poetry. The 6 followed by 7 reference is designed to emphasize that the author's point Is strengthened by the frequency of examples, the number of which exceeds…

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REINFORCE VS. CORRUPT – Proverbs 6:1-15 – 11-17-24 56:20

12M ago56:20

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The first half of Proverbs chapter 6 contrasts the ambitions of the wise with the efforts of the wicked. The student of wisdom will work to reinforce a stable and virtuous vision for life while the fool uses corruption as leverage to benefit himself at the expense of others and God's design for relationships. Proverbs 6 contains perhaps the 10th 'M…