Acts2 Network Podcast

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.09.24_Berk_College_SWS_SoHeWent_03_Genesis12-19_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Trusting in God and in his promises, Abraham chooses to take second best, boldly rescues Lot, refuses to accept plunder from the King of Sodom, and intercedes out of concern for the people in Sodom.  He goes from a self-preserving scoundrel to someone who puts others first.  On the other hand, Lot separates from Abraham for the better land and settles into Sodom and dives into the world, becoming someone that his own family members can’t take seriously when he receives a message of impending judgment. As we study the divergent trajectories of the lives of these two men, we see what a difference walking with the Lord makes.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.09.17_berk_college_sws_Genesis13_PastorDaniel.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Abraham and his nephew, Lot, become wealthy and decide to part ways to alleviate tension between their herdsmen.  Abraham decides to choose second and allows Lot to choose first, and Lot chooses with his eyes and settles next to Sodom while Abraham settles in the oaks of Mamre.  As we study the trajectory in the life of Lot and Abraham, we see how such seemingly simple choices prove to be significant hinge moments in their lives.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.09.10_berk_college_sws_SoHeWent_01_Genesis12_PastorDaniel.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

When God calls Abraham to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house to go to the land he will show him, all Abraham has to cling on to are words and promises.  But that is all that Abraham needs, so he goes.  God is going to be with Abraham and is going to be totally loyal to Abraham.  In this message, we look at faith in terms of Abraham’s trust in God’s promise and how God stays true to his promise to bless Abraham and turn him into a source of blessing for all the nations.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/20170827_berk_college_sws_podcast_Luke18.9-14_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Jesus tells a story of a Pharisee and a tax collector going to the temple to pray.  The Pharisee prays a prayer of thanksgiving that he is unlike others, especially the tax collector.  The tax collector prays for mercy because he’s a sinner.  Jesus explains that it’s the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified.  As the Pharisee focuses on the ways that he is different from others, he misses more of reality and fails to see the depths of his being that he shares with others.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.08.20_Berk_College_SWS_Luke19.1-10_PastorEd.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

There was a man in Jericho named Zacchaeus who was the chief tax collector and rich, but also short in stature.  His shortness in stature was not just indicative of his height but indicative of a more common experience of feeling “short” and inadequate.  And like Zacchaeus, we all feel short in some ways and put on masks to cover ourselves.  How Jesus welcomes and responds to Zacchaeus tells us so much of how we are known and loved by God.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.07.23_berk_collegesws_philippians4_PastorJonathan.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things” and it is inscribed on Stephen Curry’s shoes.  However, this verse isn’t about being able to do all things because we know we can’t do all things.  So what is the “all things?”  Reading the verses before to apprehend the context, we see that what Apostle Paul is referring to is contentment in any situation.  In this message, we look at how we can be content with what we have.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.07.09_berk_sws_Gal5.13-26_PastorJonathan.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

In chapter 5 of the book of Galatians, Apostle Paul tells us that we are free from the requirements of the Jewish laws.  Yes, we are free from such regulations…but there’s a catch.  Apostle Paul warns us against using our freedom as an opportunity for works for the flesh.  Instead, he invites us to walk in the Spirit so that we may bear the fruits of the Spirit.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.07.02_berk_CombinedSWS_12pm_2Corinthians12.7-10_PastorJonathan.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

As much as Apostle Paul could boast, he had a “thorn” in the flesh that prevented him from becoming conceited.  Despite pleading with the Lord for it to go away, the Lord spoke to him to remind him that his grace is sufficient.  In this message we see how God works through our weaknesses so that we may know the sufficiency and power of God’s grace.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.06.25_berk_sws_2Cor5.11-21_PastorJonathan.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

What sustained Apostle Paul in ministry wasn’t superhuman strength.  In reading his letter to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, we get a glimpse into his heart for why he was doing what he was doing and what was truly important to him.  We see in his letter the motivations that should be important to us, including the fear of the Lord, the love of Christ that controls us, regarding no one according to the flesh, and being reconciled with God’s heart for others.

http://podcast.berkmedia.org/2017.06.18_berk_sws_1Corinthians15_PastorDaniel.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

At the core of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus, which is a truth that we need to be reminded of and a truth that we can stake our entire lives on.  As we look at the fifteenth chapter of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we learn the central importance of the resurrection and its impact on how we see ourselves, our bodies, and heaven.