Acts2 Network Podcast

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.03.11_berk_college_sws_Luke16_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

This week we look at being faithful to the little things through the story of the shrewd manager in Luke 16.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.03.04_berk_college_sws_TruthhatersPart4_Jonah1-4_JeffLiu.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

In this message we look at the story of Jonah and how he disengaged from life to avoid the truth.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.2.25_berk_sws_TruthHatersPart3_John9_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

When Jesus encounters a man born blind, Jesus’ disciples ask whether it was the sin of the blind man or his parents that caused his blindness.  But rather than blaming the past, Jesus teaches that this was so that the work of God may be manifested in this man’s life and then he proceeds to heal the blind man. After Jesus heals the blind man, the neighbors downplay the miracle while the Pharisees act with prejudice towards the miracle.  These truth haters ignore the work of Jesus and act as if God is not there, leading them to be blind to the truth.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.02.18_berk_college_sws_TruthHaters_02_2Kings5.1-14.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

This week we look at the story of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army who possessed status, respect, and a cool set of armor, but underneath that armor was leprosy.  He sought out healing from Elisha but got upset when Elisha’s servant went in his stead and told him to wash in the Jordan river seven times.  It seemed too simple.  But in an act of humility, Naaman takes off his armor and goes to the river and washes.  Here, we are reminded that all of us are compromised and infected by sin, and we need to be continually washed by the blood of Jesus Christ for healing.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.02.11_berk_sws_TruthHater_1Kings21.1-16_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

In this message we look at the story of Ahab who wanted Naboth’s vineyard, and how Ahab along with several other cast of characters disregarded the truth for personal gain.  As we study this story, we examine how unless we’re strongly committed to the truth, we’ll be governed simply by desire and fear.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.02.04_berk_baptism_sws_Matthew16.13-20_PastorDaniel.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

After Jesus asks the question “Who do the people say I am?” he turns to Peter and asks “Who do you say I am?”  Jesus is interested in a personal response.  He’s not looking to see if we know the right answer.  To answer that question, we need to net it out, sum it up for ourselves, and own the decision we make.  It’s these kinds of decisions that we need to face and to make.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2018.01.28_berk_sws_Luke18_Truth_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

In John 18 and 19, Pontius Pilate wavers between trying to release Jesus and accommodating to the demands of the crowd.  On the one hand there’s Jesus inviting him to the truth.  On the other hand there’s the demand of his job and pursuing the goals of his post.  Truth can be threatening, and yet there is no room for him to deal with the truth.  He vacillates until he has Jesus crucified.  Pilate is an ordinary guy with ordinary problems, and his situation is sympathetic.  Yet herein lies the face of evil.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.11.05_berk_college_sws_Gratitude_1Thessalonians5.16-18_KevanHo.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Throughout the Scriptures, not only is giving thanks commanded, but giving thanks is a right and fitting response to God.  When we fail to give thanks, a cascade of consequences follow that further corrupts our hearts, our minds, and our lives as it says in Romans 1.   If we’re going to renew our minds, then there are a lot of steps we can take to becoming grateful and building those muscles.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.10.08_berk_college_sws_podcast_Genesis32-33_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

This week we continue with our message series “So he went”, this time going through a character study of the biblical figure Jacob. Jacob’s name translates to ‘grasper’ or ‘usurper’ and he lives up to his name as he lives a life characterized by deceit and trickery.  After a life on the run, Jacob finds himself alone with no possession at the river Jabbok.  It is here where a man wrestled with Jacob all night but Jacob refuses to let him go unless this man blesses him. Finally, the man asks him what his name is in which Jacob responds, not by lying or trickery as he has in the past, but by confronting the truth of who he is by telling him his name is Jacob.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.10.01_berk_college_sws_Genesis22_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

After Abraham was well-settled, God calls him to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac as an offering.  So Abraham went.  Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his only son?  It seems cold and cruel that God would take away good things and even some of our most treasured things.  However, at the crucial moment when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, God refuses the offering and provides the offering instead, and through this we discover what God is like and what he is truly interested in.