When did Jesus die?  And what does that have to do with anything?

Well, if you know God, then you know he doesn’t do anything without a plan.  And the timing of Christ’s death and resurrection (and his prophesied entry into Jerusalem) were planned way ahead of time for the benefit of the entire world.

That includes you! You can benefit immensely from the plan that God unfolded on your behalf.  And all it takes from you is repentance and faith.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:10 — 23.0MB)

What is truth?

That’s the question that Pilate asked Jesus when he was put on trial before the Roman governor.  And that same question is asked by a lot of people today–especially when the topic of religion comes up.  People ask, why they should believe in one particular philosophy or religion over another.

If you ever wanted to know the answer, it’s in this weekend’s podcast.  Check it out and maybe the truth will set you free.

Enjoy!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:33 — 21.8MB)

The Bible is not just an inside look at the history of the universe, and the pinnacle guide to how to get the most out of life.  It’s also just a blast to read, considering that it’s just chocked full of accounts of some of the craziest things that ever happened.  For example a talking donkey that actually saved its owners life.  You might think that’s just the stuff of fairy tales and Shrek movies.  But those things just borrowed the idea from what happened in real life.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:47 — 18.7MB)

We had a great presentation by Danny Jaynes who is a missionary to Africa and Indonesia.  He encouraged us to share the Good News and to live your life in such a way that you could look forward to hearing God say those wonderful words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I hope you enjoy his talk as much as I did.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:45 — 19.1MB)

Here is a missionary report and a message on love from two of my friends who help to run an orphanage in Mexico.  The message is a good challenge to all Christians on how the love of Christ is extreme, and how the proof of being one of Christ’s disciples is found in that kind of love.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:17 — 20.7MB)

This is a message given by a friend of mine who is a missionary from Poland, named Wiesiek Stebnicki.  He dealt with how issues of pain and suffering and difficulty can be dealt with through Christian faith, and how we can find peace in the midst of life’s difficulties.

It’s a great talk and I thought it was definitely worth sharing!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:23 — 20.8MB)

2^nd Timothy 4:1-5 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: ²Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

³For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

⁵But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:29 — 22.7MB)

Acts 26:15-23 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.  “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. ¹⁶Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future. ¹⁷And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles ¹⁸to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’ ¹⁹“And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. ²⁰I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. ²¹Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. ²²But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— ²³that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:47 — 25.1MB)

Have you ever driven by somebody’s house and seen something they had put at the end of the driveway to throw away and thought that would be something you’d like to have?  Or maybe you’re a garage sale pro.  Isn’t it amazing how many things some people want to get rid of, and how many others see a treasure in that item?

What’s even more amazing is how that happens in so many people’s lives.  They do things to mess up their lives, and they end up thinking they’ve become no better than garbage.  In fact, some people have even ended their own lives because they’ve lost all hope in themselves.  But the good news is that there is a potential treasure in every life.  It doesn’t matter how much we have fouled things up or wrecked our own lives with sin, God can turn any life around and make something wonderful out of what was once worthless…including you!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:32 — 16.7MB)

Did you know that there are a number of passages in the Bible that tell Christians to meet together to fellowship and worship.  It’s not only good to have church, but you could argue that a person isn’t a very good Christian if they avoid going to church on a regular basis.

Of course just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.  However, a real Christian, who cares about Jesus and the Bible always looks forward to meeting with fellow believers to be encouraged in his work for the faith.

And that’s so important.  Because even more often than it talks about worshiping together, the Bible tells Christians to preach God’s Good News to the world.  And if you’re not doing that, well what good are you to God.  That’s our most important task.  A Christian who doesn’t go to church is like an athlete who doesn’t go to practice.  But a Christian who doesn’t share his faith is like a firefighter that refuses to put out fires.  The first will just lose you the game, but the second will cause lives to be lost.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:47 — 15.0MB)