Enduring Christianity

Consider the cost. If all a person hears about the Gospel is what they freely receive without the reality of there being a cost to following Him, is this the full message Jesus spoke? Join the conversation as we discuss the words of Jesus in Luke 14 and the realities of Jesus's words to all of us, "consider the cost."

In this episode the trio discusses the sermon on the mount and how following Jesus means that we do more than merely listen to His words, but that we put His words into practice.

Matthew 7:24.. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."

Season 2 is "coming down to the wire" - only a few left - We hope you continue to not only enjoy, but to also be inspired to be in Gods word and to regularly pursue relationships in your life that draw you closer to Him!

John 1:1 "In the beginning was God." God is the creator of all things and therefore He is the ultimate authority over all things. For all of our existence we are held accountable to the authority of God's word. In this world however, we not only answer to God, but also answer to the authorities of which God has ordained.

Romans 13:1-2 "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

While it is clear that we all are to respect authority on this earth, it is not always a simple task. We have bad bosses, lying politicians, corrupt police and for many the first experience we have of authority, under a parent, can be poor at best.  The simple fact is that being under an authority in this world will not always be a righteous authority. So, how do we respond in these circumstances? 

Join us as we discuss scripture on authority and the emotional conflicts with authority when it feels like it is "costing us an arm and a leg."

In this conversation we speak with our special guest Chuck Flunker.  Chuck is a personal health coach who also happens to be a Christian. Chuck's reputation for getting results had become well known in our little circle and by the time of this release, all three of the trio hired him with fantastic results.  During our journey with him it was impossible not  to notice the correlation between a physical health journey and a biblical, spiritual health journey. Both journeys begin with the simple logic, "I need help and the only way to improve is through truth, encouragement, discipline and resisting the cravings of the flesh." 
We can want to change in some way or another, but at some point if we don't begin to "pull our own weight" what hope is there for transformation?
We hope you enjoy this conversation from both angles as we discuss the truth of subjects such as; enjoy the journey, if nothing changes - nothing changes, control what you can control, progress over perfection, and the results of consistency.
And don't forget to check Chuck's health coaching out on Facebook  @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/482067569836766?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1149666649743518

DISCLAIMER: This podcast platform and any/all of its affiliated personalities do not condone throwing your faith leaders into a cistern or any other similar treatment. 

Now that that’s out of the way… enjoy our 2nd episode with "Words and How We 
Use Them," as the Trio sits down with returning guest Pastor Jeremy Husby. It’s an idiom rich episode with Biblical origins followed by meaningful discussions about sanctification, grace, mercy, and the depths of God’s love. We hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did! 

What happens when the Trio invites one of their pastors to sit down and talk about words? They “pull out all the stops” and get in to “unsoiled soil”, “the pits of Sheol”, social media, and much more! Choosing words carefully is a big part of pastoring and shepherding a flock. But, the importance of words and how we use them is not just the pastor’s responsibility,  it is also a responsibility in all of our own lives as we live it out for Christ, leaning and sharing His message. 

When the word "idol" is mentioned it is often visualized as a carved statue, an object that we pray to or bow down to. But idolatry is more about our heart than it is about an object. The moment we begin to give or treat anything with more attention,  effort and time verses God is the moment we begin to enter into idolatry towards God in our hearts.
One of the most important things to understand about idolatry is that it often has nothing to do with the object. Most commonly idolatry enters into our life as a result of God not being the priority in our life. When God is diminished in our life something else will fill its void. These things in and of themselves may not be bad things, such as our career, kids, or even going to church. But again the reality of idolatry is not how important we make something, the reality of idolatry is when anything becomes  elevated in our life more than God.

God must come first, so that no matter what we say or do, we do it to the Glory of God.

Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me."
 

“What Does Living for Jesus Look Like?”
Many of our discussions have recognized the fact that we are only enabled to love Jesus because he first loved us. But, if we are true recipients of his love, we are not merely recipients, we are also a people who become compelled by it!  As recipients of Christ love, it changes us from what we were and begins to shape and mold us into who he  created us to be, a godly people who reflect his own heart and ways.
So, what does that look like? Does it mean you never miss a church service or church event? Does it mean you read the Bible 3 times a year? Does it mean you only have Christian friends? Does it mean that you rarely sin? Join our discussion in this episode as we attempt to unpack the surface of some points to what living for Jesus actually looks like.
May God bless you and this time!

In our world today, the common message of Jesus is that he came to die and rise again for our sin and this is absolutely true. But, this alone is not the entire message of truth. Jesus also came into the world with the purpose of revealing our sin, so that we would turn away from it and turn to him instead.

On the mount Jesus said, "You have heard it said do not commit murder, but I say to you that if you hold onto anger against your brother in your heart you have already committed murder."  In Luke 13:3-5 Jesus also said "Unless you repent, you too will perish" - Yes, this type of language, "unless you repent, you too will perish" can be off putting, but if so, why? Is it because it becomes uncomfortable for us to face the reality of denying our sinful desires?

Hopefully you know, Jesus does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves against the sin of this world as though our salvation of repentance was totally up to our own strength and will power. No, Jesus said, "It is better that I leave so that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, may come to you and the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin for the purpose of training in righteousness." When we begin to understand that becoming aware of our sin is the first step in being trained in righteousness, we learn to rejoice in the truth and the kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). And when becoming aware of our sin becomes less "off putting" and more joyous, we come to understand the scripture in Luke 15:10. "There is more joy in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety- nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

The simple reality is that if we believe Jesus is the BEST, then the BEST possible thing for us is to become more like Jesus. But in order to become more like Jesus, the process demands the awareness of sin. So let's dive in.