Called To Glory

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge weekly podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

In this series, we’re going to look at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit. If you’ve been a believer for any length of time you’ll know exactly what I mean. 

Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. And since the Bible is almost universally taught and understood to be the word of God, according to this reasoning it's also believed to be the sword of the Spirit. In other words, the sum total of what Paul meant in Ephesians 6:17 by taking up or wielding the sword of the Spirit is to read or quote Scripture, or perhaps stand on some biblical promise. 

And virtually no one questions it. 

But is that really what Paul meant when he wrote about the sword of the Spirit? Your first reaction may very well be of course it is! And given how this is generally taught and understood in Christian and Messianic circles, that would be perfectly understandable. As we’ll see, however, there are some major problems with this view. 

Not the least of which is that it's a gross oversimplification of what he said and meant

Fortunately, God has not left us without clear guidance on this. And that’s exactly what we’re going to be looking at in this 3-part series. 

Using the original biblical text, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

And by the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant!

Soundtrack music:

"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Is the sword of the Spirit really the Bible? Yes and no. 

Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. 

Using the context, language and meaning of the original biblical texts, however, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Rather, he meant the living, active and powerful rhema - or spoken - word of God.

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge Christian podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. In this series, we’re looking at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit.

And in doing so, we'll be looking at the true word of faith Paul referred to in Romans 10:8, prophecy, spiritual warfare and the various ways in which the true sword of the Spirit is - and is not - intended to be used. 

By the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant! 

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiqihDATVLQ
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKZWsst3wjc

Soundtrack music: 

"Advent" by Ben Winwood 
"Awakening" by LNDÖ 
"Awake My Soul" by Salt of the Sound 
"Call of Kingship" by Cody Martin 
"Fractured Time" by Cody Martin 
"Hatikvah" by Ian Post 
"Lamentation" by Ian Post 
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton
"The Heir" by Emmanuel Jacob

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

Excerpted with permission from "The Sword of the Spirit" © 2006 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Is the sword of the Spirit really the Bible? Yes and no. 

Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. Using the context, language and meaning of the original biblical texts, however, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge Christian podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. In this series, we’re looking at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit.

And in doing so, we'll be looking at the true word of faith Paul referred to in Romans 10:8, prophecy, spiritual warfare and the various ways in which the true sword of the Spirit is - and is not - intended to be used. 

By the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant! 

Soundtrack music:

"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton
"The Heir" by Emmanuel Jacob

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked NLV are taken from the New Life Version, Copyright © 1969 and 2003. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.

Send us Fan Mail

Is the sword of the Spirit really the Bible? Yes and no. 

Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. Using the context, language and meaning of the original biblical texts, however, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge Christian podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. In this series, we’re looking at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit.

And in doing so, we'll be looking at the true word of faith Paul referred to in Romans 10:8, prophecy, spiritual warfare and the various ways in which the true sword of the Spirit is - and is not - intended to be used. 

By the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant! 

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKZWsst3wjc
Part 3: https://youtu.be/mKhS8oZ5E5Y 

Soundtrack music:

"Advent" by Ben Winwood
"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (CJB) ae taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern. Copyright © 1998. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. www.messianicjewish.net.

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge weekly podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

In this series, we’re going to look at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit. If you’ve been a believer for any length of time you’ll know exactly what I mean. 

Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. And since the Bible is almost universally taught and understood to be the word of God, according to this reasoning it's also believed to be the sword of the Spirit. In other words, the sum total of what Paul meant in Ephesians 6:17 by taking up or wielding the sword of the Spirit is to read or quote Scripture, or perhaps stand on some biblical promise. 

And virtually no one questions it. 

But is that really what Paul meant when he wrote about the sword of the Spirit? Your first reaction may very well be of course it is! And given how this is generally taught and understood in Christian and Messianic circles, that would be perfectly understandable. As we’ll see, however, there are some major problems with this view. 

Not the least of which is that it's a gross oversimplification of what he said and meant

Fortunately, God has not left us without clear guidance on this. And that’s exactly what we’re going to be looking at in this 3-part series. 

Using the original biblical text, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

And by the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant!

Soundtrack music:

"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge weekly podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

One of the questions believers often ask is how do I know if I’m truly saved or born again? While many teachers – especially in the eternal security or OSAS camp – casually dismiss or discourage such introspection, this is actually a great question! Not only is it wise, it’s very biblical.

You see, the Bible speaks not only of humbling ourselves before God but asking Him to search and yes, judge us. Not just our hearts but our thoughts, words, deeds and even our motives.  

The New Testament goes even further and exhorts us to examine ourselves. Not just our heart, thoughts, words, deeds and motives but whether we’re even IN the faith! 

This is consistent with the many warnings in both the Old and New Testament against taking God’s name in vain, presuming on his grace and mercy, continuing in willful sin and yes, falling away. All written to those who profess to be God’s people.

Now at the same time, it’s also true that we shouldn’t obsess over this or let ourselves get so beat down by our shortcomings that we’re paralyzed by fear and doubt. That’s not the answer. And of course, it’s never a good idea to try to correct one error with another. 

Fortunately, God hasn’t left us to our own devices or wisdom about this. On the contrary He’s given us clear, practical and specific guidance. What’s more, if we turn to Him in spirit and truth, He promises to give us the power to not only be set free from the bondage of sin but walk in victory and true righteousness leading to eternal life. 

WE, however, have a big part to play in this. And that’s what our upcoming series “Walking in the Light” is all about! 

Using the Scriptures alone as our benchmark, we’re going to take an honest, candid and no-holds barred look at what God Himself says repentance, salvation, sanctification, love, faith, the new birth and being filled with the Holy Spirit actually look like. 

All that’s needed is an honest heart, a humble spirit and a willing mind. 

Our goal? 

To encourage and inspire you to measure every thought, word, deed and motive against the standard God has established, take every thought captive and bring it to the obedience of Christ and as the apostle Paul said, to examine yourself to see whether you actually are in the faith. 

THIS is the ultimate reality check.

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Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge podcast for those who see the emptiness and vanity of mainstream Christian culture and want to return to a more authentic expression of the faith once for all delivered to the saints. 

In this vibrant, educational and deeply thought-provoking podcast, we leave popular religious culture behind and dive headfirst into the world of authentic biblical Christianity where the only way to find the path that leads to eternal life is to take up your cross and follow Christ - and the only way to live, rule and reign with Him in eternity is to share in His suffering and be conformed to His death now in this life. 

Join us as we explore what the word of God says about the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe that we may all may come unto a perfect man and to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

www.calledtoglory.org

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@calledtoglorypodcast  

In this three-part series, we’re going to look at one of the most well-known yet greatly misunderstood passages in the entire Bible - chapter 8 of John’s Gospel, where we find the account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. 

We will be making the case from the Scriptures that this is NOT - as so many Christian teachers, theologians and commentators have confidently affirmed for centuries - a story of forgiveness but rather something far more glorious, majestic and powerful ...

A picture of Jesus of Nazareth as He truly is - the Prophet greater than Moses and Son of David Who came not to destroy but to fulfill both the Law and the Prophets.

This is one of many examples of how mainstream Christianity’s separation from and rejection of its biblical Jewish foundation in favor of pagan, Hellenistic traditions has led not only to a false image of Christ but a distorted view of the grace of God and disdain, even contempt for His Law. 

The very same Law that Paul - the apostle of grace – described in the seventh chapter of Romans as “holy and the commandment holy and just and good.”  The very Law of which Paul also wrote, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31 (ESV) 

The exact same Law, in fact, of which Christ Himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV) 

Professing to be wise, multitudes of Christian theologians and Bible scholars in their rejection of anything Hebraic or Jewish have become darkened in their knowledge of Christ and His kingdom. And as a result, key aspects of who He really is, why He came and what He is offering to mankind have been ripped from their biblical moorings and transformed into what can rightly be called another gospel and another Christ.  

This account in John’s Gospel provides us with an excellent opportunity to see Christ as He truly is. Simply put, it’s a fabulous example of the surpassing greatness of His true grace and mercy. And as we’ll see, it’s far more glorious and majestic than the cheap counterfeits that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries! 

Every detail is important and must be carefully read and understood within the context of the entire biblical record. 

So in this episode, we’ll take a close look at John’s account and see why this is not a story of forgiveness but rather a beautiful, powerful and glorious story of redemption and mercy shown to a sinner by our loving, holy and righteous Lord and Saviour.

As it is written,

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; 
Mercy and truth go before Your face.” 

Psalm 89:14 (NKJV)

Soundtrack Music

"Advent" by Ben Winwood
"Awake My Soul" by Salt of the Sound
"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Chorale de Mystica" by Lance Conrad
"Fount" by Mattia Vlad Morleo
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton
"The Warrior's Blade" by Steven Beddall

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Send us Fan Mail

​@calledtoglorypodcast  

In this three-part series, we’re going to look at one of the most well-known yet greatly misunderstood passages in the entire Bible - chapter 8 of John’s Gospel, where we find the account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. 

This is one of many examples of how mainstream Christianity’s separation from and rejection of its biblical Jewish foundation in favor of pagan, Hellenistic traditions has led not only to a false image of Christ but a distorted view of the grace of God and disdain, even contempt for His Law. 

The very same Law that Paul - the apostle of grace – described in the seventh chapter of Romans as “holy and the commandment holy and just and good.”  The very Law of which Paul also wrote, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31 (ESV) 

The exact same Law, in fact, of which Christ Himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV) 

Professing to be wise, multitudes of Christian theologians and Bible scholars in their rejection of anything Hebraic or Jewish have become darkened in their knowledge of Christ and His kingdom. And as a result, key aspects of who He really is, why He came and what He is offering to mankind have been ripped from their biblical moorings and transformed into what can rightly be called another gospel and another Christ.  

This account in John’s Gospel provides us with an excellent opportunity to see Christ as He truly is. Simply put, it’s a fabulous example of the surpassing greatness of His true grace and mercy. And as we’ll see, it’s far more glorious and majestic than the cheap counterfeits that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries! 

Every detail is important and must be carefully read and understood within the context of the entire biblical record. So in this episode, we’ll turn back to John’s account and begin looking at some of the popular interpretations of this passage that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries.

As it is written,

'What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 

For he who has died has been freed from sin ... 

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Romans 6:1-7, 11

Soundtrack Music

"Advent" by Ben Winwood
"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Fount" by Mattia Vlad Morleo
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton
"The Warrior's Blade" by Steven Beddall

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Send us Fan Mail

​ @calledtoglorypodcast  

In this three-part series, we’re going to look at one of the most well-known yet greatly misunderstood passages in the entire Bible - chapter 8 of John’s Gospel, where we find the account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. 

This is one of many examples of how mainstream Christianity’s separation from and rejection of its biblical Jewish foundation in favor of pagan, Hellenistic traditions has led not only to a false image of Christ but a distorted view of the grace of God and disdain, even contempt for His Law. 

The very same Law that Paul - the apostle of grace – described in the seventh chapter of Romans as “holy and the commandment holy and just and good.”  The very Law of which Paul also wrote, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31 (ESV) 

The exact same Law, in fact, of which Christ Himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV) 

Professing to be wise, multitudes of Christian theologians and Bible scholars in their rejection of anything Hebraic or Jewish have become darkened in their knowledge of Christ and His kingdom. And as a result, key aspects of who He really is, why He came and what He is offering to mankind have been ripped from their biblical moorings and transformed into what can rightly be called another gospel and another Christ.  

This account in John’s Gospel provides us with an excellent opportunity to see Christ as He truly is. Simply put, it’s a fabulous example of the surpassing greatness of His true grace and mercy. And as we’ll see, it’s far more glorious and majestic than the cheap counterfeits that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries! 

Every detail is important and must be carefully read and understood within the context of the entire biblical record. So in this episode, we'll begin by laying a proper foundation with a study of the relevant parts of the Law of Moses, beginning with adultery.

In our next episode, we’ll turn back to John’s account and begin looking at some of the popular interpretations of this passage that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries.

As it is written,

"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." 

The Gospel according to John 1:10-14

Soundtrack Music

"Advent" by Ben Winwood
"Awake My Soul" by Salt of the Sound
"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Eclipse" by David Morton
"Emmanuel" by Ben Winwood
"Fount" by Mattia Vlad Morleo
"Limitless" by Steven Beddall

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Send us Fan Mail