Further Faith Podcast

In Luke 2:36-52, we meet Anna the Prophetess in the temple who sees Jesus and rejoices to have seen the redeemer, only to quickly move on to the same temple years later when Jesus returns as a young boy and carries on theological conversations with the most respected theologians of his day. Clearly, Luke introduces us a child who, though humble, is wise beyond his years.

The Book of Revelation is a book about the end times, and it can be a bit daunting to read. However, this passage from chapter 7 is a beautiful and hopeful image of the church. It describes a multitude of people from all over the world gathered before the throne of God, worshiping him and praising him. This is a reminder that the church is not just a small group of people, but a vast and diverse community of believers. It is also a reminder that the church is not limited to one place or one time, but is a global movement that will continue to grow and spread until the end of time.

The passage is also a reminder of the importance of worship. When we worship God, we are acknowledging his greatness and his power. We are also expressing our love and gratitude for him. Worship is a way of connecting with God and with his people. It is a way of giving ourselves to him and of receiving his love and grace.

Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in growing deeper in their faith and Christian discipleship.

Pastor Talk Quick Links:

In Luke 2:21-35, Simeon and Anna, two elderly and devout Jews, are waiting in the Temple for the Messiah to come. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised, Simeon takes the baby in his arms and praises God. He says that Jesus is the Savior of Israel and that he will be a light to the Gentiles. Anna also praises God and says that Jesus is the redemption of Jerusalem.

Simeon and Anna's words are a prophecy about Jesus' ministry. Jesus will indeed be a light to the Gentiles, and he will bring salvation to Israel. He will also be a sign that will be spoken against, and his death will pierce Mary's soul.

The shepherds were living in the fields near Bethlehem when an angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had been born. The shepherds went to see Jesus in a manger and were amazed to find him there. They told everyone about what they had seen and heard, and everyone who heard them was amazed.

The shepherds were the first people to hear about the birth of Jesus and the first people to see him. They were amazed by what they had seen and heard, and they told everyone about it. Their story is a reminder of the importance of the birth of Jesus and the joy that it brings

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 2:1-7, which tells the story of Jesus' birth. They point out how easy it is to miss all of the unique and important details of the story due to how familiar we are with the story. In particular, they explore Luke's emphasis on the ordinariness of Jesus' birth and the agency of Mary. They also note the foreshadowing of Jesus' unheralded arrival and the tension between worldly powers and the coming of the Son of God. Overall, they appreciate Luke's simplicity and brevity in telling the story.

In this talk, Clint and Michael lay a foundation for the fundamental understanding of the nature of the Church, both what it is and what it isn't. They make the case despite the dire warning signs for the Church, the most effective solutions may actually be among the simplest practices of the historic church.

This episode is audio only, so there aren't any links to YouTube of Facebook for this episode.

Pastor Talk Quick Links:

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:67-80, which includes Zacharias' prophecy about the coming of the Messiah and the role of John the Baptist. The Pastors analyze the text and its significance in connecting the Old and New Testaments, and they discuss the prophetic nature of John's words and the importance of understanding why the early church so emphasized Jesus' role in fulfilling the promises of the old covenant.

In this episode of the Pastor Talk podcast, the two pastors discuss explore the different characters in the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son story and what they have to teach us about grace and forgiveness. The parable is seen as a compelling example of what grace looks like and how it can be difficult to accept and the pastors encourage listeners to reflect on which character they identify with and what that means for their own Christian discipleship.

Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in growing deeper in their faith and Christian discipleship.

Pastor Talk Quick Links:

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:57-66, which tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist. They discuss the significance of John's birth and his role as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. They also note the importance of the name John, which was given by God, which emphasizes the foreshadowing of John's ministry and his connection to Jesus.

In the third talk in this series, Clint and Michael investigate the many possible explanations for the core problems of the Church. At its core, has the Church found itself in trouble due to forces and pressures outside of its walls or are its problems the sign of its own internal failings? This evening the Pastors make the case that while both are true, more of the Church's struggles may be due to internal failings than we like to admit.

This episode is audio only, so there aren't any links to YouTube of Facebook for this episode.

Pastor Talk Quick Links: