When God sees injustice, oppression, and suffering inflicted on the vulnerable, His anger is aroused. This anger is not separate from His love, but an expression of it.

Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston unpack the powerful prophecies of Amos, a humble farmer called to confront corruption in both Israel and surrounding nations. Written around 760-750 BC, Amos's words cut through religious hypocrisy and social injustice with startling relevance for today.

How does God view oppression and injustice? What happens when His patience runs out? Join us as we explore Amos's urgent call for true righteousness.

[00:00 - 03:17] Introduction and Historical Context

• Amos: a shepherd, cattle farmer, and fig grower from Tekoa, 10 miles south of Jerusalem
• Historical context: divided kingdom, prophesied two years before a major earthquake

[03:17 - 07:43] Amos's Unique Prophetic Role

• Addressing both Israel and Gentile nations
• The message was delivered to the Northern Kingdom despite being from Judah
• Confronting Jeroboam II's prosperous but spiritually corrupt reign

[07:43 - 10:28] Structure of the Book of Amos

• Chapters 1-3: Message to the nations surrounding Israel and to Israel
• Chapters 4-6: Messages to Israel and her leaders
• Chapters 7-9: Amos's visions regarding the prophecies

[10:28 - 14:27] God's Judgment on Surrounding Nations

• Syria (Damascus): Condemned for brutal treatment of conquered peoples
• Philistia (Gaza): Rebuked for slave trading and denying human dignity
• Phoenicia (Tyre): Judged for slave trading and breaking treaties
• Edom: Criticized for extreme hostility toward neighboring states
• Ammon: Condemned for using terrorism to expand borders
• Moab: Judged for desecrating the body of Edom's king

[14:27 - 15:37] God's Message to Israel

• Critique of the privileged class for neglecting social justice
• Condemnation of selling the needy, oppressing the poor, and sexual immorality

[15:37 - 20:57] Key Theological Themes

1. God's Anger: An expression of His love and concern for the oppressed
2. God's Judgment: A tool for instruction and restoration, not just punishment
3. Prophetic Authority: Amos's divine calling vs. established religious authority

Direct Quote

"God's anger is not the opposite of God's love. God's anger is an integral part of God's love." – Pastor Jeff Cranston

Resources Mentioned:

• Where Love & Justice Meet: The Truth of Amos for Today by Roy Clements
• NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, Hardcover: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
• “Israel’s Earthquake, 8th Century B.C.E. TheTorah.com.” Www.thetorah.com, https://www.thetorah.com/article/israels-earthquake-8th-century-bce

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

What if the bugs eating away at your life were a wake-up call from God? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston dive into the often-overlooked book of Joel, exploring how a devastating locust plague becomes a powerful metaphor for spiritual complacency and divine judgment. Written around 835-850 BC, Joel's message to ancient Judah resonates with startling relevance today.

How can natural disasters serve as both judgment and a call to repentance? What does the "Day of the Lord" mean for us in the 21st century? Join us as we unpack Joel's urgent call to return to God and find hope in the midst of devastation.

[00:00 - 05:06] From Pet Peeves to Prophetic Bugs

• Tiffany and Pastor Jeff’s biggest pet peeves
• Joel's "bug problem" and its profound significance

[05:06 - 09:17] Joel: The Prophet and His Times

• Background on Joel and his historical context
• Explanation of the locust plague and its impact on Judah

[09:17 - 12:30] The Two-Part Message: Locusts and the Lord

• Breakdown of Joel's structure: Day of the Locust and Day of the Lord
• How Joel speaks practically, prophetically, and personally

[12:30 - 15:16] Theological Themes: Judgment, Repentance, and Hope

• Call to lament and repent in times of crisis
• The Day of the Lord is both judgment and restoration
• Natural disasters as potential divine judgments

[15:16 - 17:10] Applying Joel's Wake-Up Call Today

• Using apocalyptic imagery to combat spiritual complacency
• Finding hope and renewal in times of personal devastation

Direct Quote: 

"If you feel as if you've been eaten up, destroyed, experienced a major setback, or devoured in any area of life... take heart. This book is for you." – Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

What does puppy love have to do with the book of Hosea? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston delve into Hosea, a radical real-life metaphor to illustrate God's inseparability to His people. Written around 715 BC, Hosea's message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel remains profoundly relevant today. 

How does this book challenge our understanding of God's love, judgment, and covenant?

[00:00 - 05:22] Introduction and Historical Context of Hosea

• Introduction to the minor prophets in the Old Testament
• Hosea's historical context: prophet to the Northern Kingdom (Israel) around 715 BC
• Explanation of the divided kingdom: Israel (10 tribes) and Judah (2 tribes)

[05:22 - 11:15] The Unique Narrative of Hosea

• God's shocking command for Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute
• Explanation of how Hosea and Gomer's relationship symbolizes God and Israel
• Overview of the book's structure: 25 years of Hosea's preaching in poetic form
• Discussion of the names of Hosea's children and their symbolic meanings

[11:15 - 15:30] Key Theological Themes in Hosea

• Judgment is an integral part of God's covenant, not a repudiation of it
• God's anger is an expression of His love, not its opposite
• The inseparability of loving God and loving one's neighbor
• How worship of false gods leads to societal injustice and oppression

[15:30 - 20:22] Applications and Modern Relevance of Hosea

• Hosea's unique calling and its significance for understanding God's character
• How the book illustrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness
• Discussion on applying Hosea's message to contemporary Christian life
• Encouragement to read Hosea and engage with its challenging themes

Direct Quotes: 

"Hosea might hold the title of being one of the most unique and difficult callings in all of scripture." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

The book of Revelation may be one of the most fascinating and remarkable pieces of literature ever written. It’s had a massive impact on human history and culture. In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston conclude their New Testament overview series with an in-depth look at the final book of the Bible. What insights will you gain about this often misunderstood book?

[00:00 - 04:50] Introduction to Revelation

• Pastor Jeff explains who wrote Revelation and its significance in biblical canon
• Revelation's timeline and historical context (written around 95 AD)
• Brief explanation of the title "Revelation" and its meaning

[04:50 - 09:27] Purpose and Approach to Revelation

• John's reasons for writing Revelation, including encouragement for persecuted churches
• Discussion of two common errors in approaching Revelation:
  1. Neglecting the book due to its complexity
  2. Becoming obsessed with end-time predictions
• Pastor Jeff's argument for reading Revelation for encouragement and discipleship

[09:27 - 15:51] Old Testament Connections and Symbolic Language

• The crucial role of Old Testament knowledge in understanding Revelation
• Examples of Old Testament allusions in Revelation
• A brief explanation of the symbolic language and imagery in Revelation
• Caution against "newspaper eschatology" and misinterpretation of symbols

[15:51 - 22:08] Key Theological Themes and Conclusion

• Major themes in Revelation:
  1. Doctrine of God (Trinitarian emphasis)
  2. Suffering of the saints and call to persevere
  3. God's sovereignty in human history
  4. Centrality and deity of Christ
• How Revelation's message applies to believers today
• Encouragement to read Revelation with confidence and expectation of blessing

Direct Quotes: 

"God has not given us revelation to confuse, mystify or terrify us. Like all scripture, Revelation is God-breathed, and it's profitable, and we really don't have the option to ignore it." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

"At its heart, Revelation is a story, and its main character is the crucified and risen Lord." - Dr. Matthew Emerson

Resources Mentioned: 

[1] Matthew Emerson, Between the Cross and the Throne: The Book of Revelation. Lexham Press, 2016, 32. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

How well do you know your Bible? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston take a break from their Bible overview series to test their knowledge with a quiz covering 12 Bible books that we’ve just covered. How well will you do? 

[00:00:00 - 00:04:14] Introduction

• How many times did Paul say he had been shipwrecked? (2 Corinthians 11:25-27)
• Who was Israel's first king? (1 Samuel) 
• What should happen to anyone preaching another gospel? (Galatians 1:8)

[00:04:14 - 00:12:05] Crowns, Blood, and 7 Sneezes 

• After running from Saul, David was crowned king of what? (2 Samuel)
• Through what do we have redemption? (Ephesians 1:7) 
• Did King Nebuchadnezzar attack Jerusalem, and did Jehoiakim surrender and pay tribute for three years? (1 Kings) 
• What did Epaphroditus do regarding the Philippian believers? (Philippians)
• Who raised someone from the dead who then sneezed seven times? (2 Kings 4:35)

[00:12:05 - 00:22:02]  From The Cross to Kings

• By what did Jesus make peace in reconciling all things to himself? (Colossians 1:20) 
• Who was despised by his wife for dancing before the Lord? (1 Chronicles 15:29) 
• In which city were Paul and his fellow servants shamefully treated? (1 Thessalonians 2:2) 
• Which king became leprous? (2 Chronicles 26:21)
• How well did you do? Let us know your score! 

Direct Quotes: 

"The goal is to learn. If you get one wrong, and you learn in the process then that's a good thing." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Underneath the vivid stories and exciting prophecies in the Book of Daniel, we see profound lessons on remaining faithful to God in a hostile culture and trusting in His sovereignty during uncertain times.

In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston continue our Bible overview series by discussing the Old Testament book of Daniel. They explore Daniel's life, the historical context of the Babylonian exile, and the key theological themes that make this book relevant for believers today.

[00:00 - 05:30] Introduction to Daniel

• Pastor Jeff explains who Daniel was and his significance in Babylonian society
• Daniel's timeline, from teenager to octogenarian (80 years old) 

[05:30 - 10:15] Historical Context and Authorship

• The Babylonian captivity and Daniel's role as an exile
• Debate over the dating of the book (540-530 BC vs. 160 BC)
• Pastor Jeff's argument for earlier dating and Daniel's authorship

[10:15 - 17:45] Key Theological Themes in Daniel

• God's sovereignty
• God's care for His people's suffering
• Pride (hubris) leading to blasphemy
• What does "blasphemy" mean? 

[17:45 - 22:30] Connection to Revelation and Takeaways

• The relationship between Daniel and the Book of Revelation
• How Daniel's message applies to believers facing trials or consequences of sin
• Encouragement to persevere and remain faithful to God

Direct Quotes: 

"The book of Daniel paints a portrait of how to serve God faithfully in the middle of that kind of existence and how to persevere and hope." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

When was the last time you read the book of Jude? Jude is an often overlooked book in the New Testament, but there is so much we can learn about contending for the faith and addressing false teachings.

In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston continue their Bible overview series by discussing the New Testament book of Jude. They discuss Jude’s themes of exposing false teachers and its call for believers to stand firm in their faith. 

We dive into some of Jude's enigmatic passages, offering insights into angelic beings, apocryphal writings, and prophetic messages.

[00:00 - 05:57] Intro to Jude

• Tiffany and Pastor Jeff discuss why Jude is often neglected despite its important message.
• Pastor Jeff explains Jude's identity as Jesus' half-brother and his journey to faith.
• The historical context and dating of the book are explored.

[05:57 - 10:34] Purpose and Themes of Jude

• Jude's primary purpose: exposing false teachers who had infiltrated the church.
• The urgency and directness ("edgy brevity") of Jude's writing style.
• Key themes: contending for the faith, the danger of false teachings, and God's judgment.

[10:34 - 19:22] Unique Passages and Theological Concepts

• We discuss Jude's reference to fallen angels and its possible interpretations.
• Explanation of Michael the Archangel's dispute with Satan over Moses' body.
• Pastor Jeff clarifies the concept of "apocryphal" books and their relationship to Scripture.
• The meaning of "railing judgment" and its significance in Jude's message.

[19:22 - 27:27] Closing Thoughts

• Examination of Jude's quotation from the Book of Enoch and its implications.
• The prophetic nature of Enoch's message about the Second Coming.
• Tiffany summarizes Jude's call for believers to stand firm against false teachings.

Direct Quotes: 

“The real danger is not the world outside the fold of God's people, but it's individuals Inside of the church who pervert God's love and grace, turning it into sensuality and license to sin.” – Tiffany Coker 

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

What can the prophetic messages of Ezekiel teach us about navigating our moments of crisis and renewal?

In this episode, host Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston continue their Bible overview series by discussing the Old Testament book of Ezekiel. They explore Ezekiel's role as a prophet during Israel's Babylonian exile, emphasizing themes of God's sovereignty, divine judgment, human responsibility, and the power of repentance leading to restoration. The episode delves into Ezekiel's complex visions and messages, offering insights into the consequences of disobedience and the hope of divine mercy and renewal.

[00:00 - 05:00] Overview of Ezekiel

• Tiffany reads a review from a listener appreciating the podcast's help understanding theological themes.
• Tiffany and pastor Jeff discuss the significance of the book of Ezekiel, its prophetic nature, and its relevance to modern believers.
• Pastor Jeff shares Ezekiel's calling to prophesy during Israel's darkest hours and his messages of divine judgment intertwined with hope.

[05:00 - 12:11] Historical Context and Theological Themes

• Pastor Jeff explains Ezekiel's historical context, his contemporaries (Daniel and Jeremiah), and his prophesying to the Jewish exiles in Babylon.
• God's sovereignty: Emphasizing God's ultimate authority and control over all events.
• Divine judgment and human responsibility: The consequences of Israel's disobedience and the choice to follow God's ways.
• Angels as God's messengers: The role of cherubim in Ezekiel's visions and their symbolic meaning.

[12:11 - 16:23] Consequences of Disobedience

• Ezekiel's vivid warnings about the fallout from turning away from God.
• Pastor Jeff the importance of aligning choices with God's will.

[16:23 - 22:24] Power of Repentance and Promised Restoration

• The hopeful message of restoration despite the judgment, is symbolized by the vision of dry bones coming to life.
• Encouragement for modern believers to trust in God's ability to revive and restore.

Direct Quotes:

"Even though his messages were often hard to hear, they were about God's love and how he wanted to fix things." - Jeff Cranston

"No situation is too dire for God to restore." - Tiffany Coker

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for lis

Have you ever wondered how early church leaders balanced authority and hospitality while spreading the gospel? 

In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston delve into the book of Third John as part of their New Testament overview series. They discuss the letter's background, authorship, themes, and key characters, emphasizing the importance of authority in the church and hospitality. Through engaging pop quizzes and insightful commentary, they explore how the Apostle John addressed the challenges faced by early Christians, particularly the commendable actions of Gaius and the problematic behavior of Diotrephes. The episode concludes with reflections on how modern Christians can extend hospitality within their communities.

[00:00 - 05:21] Introduction and Overview

• Tiffany and Pastor Jeff introduce the Third John and a brief letter with 15 verses.
• Pastor Jeff quizzes listeners on other one-chapter books in the New Testament.
• They discuss the authorship of Third John and John's self-identification as "the elder."

[05:22 - 11:00] Background on John and Gaius

• Pastor Jeff shares a detailed background on the Apostle John, his life, and his writings.
• He explores Gaius's identity, including possible mentions in other New Testament books.

[11:01 - 16:05] Breakdown of Third John

• Verses 1-8: Commendation of Gaius for his hospitality and support of traveling Christian teachers.
• Verses 9-10: Critique of Diotrephes for his rejection of authority and refusal to welcome missionaries.
• Verses 11-14: Praise for Demetrius and John's concluding remarks.

[16:06 - 22:06] Theological Themes

• Authority in the church: John’s guidance on dealing with church leadership and those proclaiming the truth.
• Hospitality: The importance of welcoming and supporting those who serve in ministry.

[22:07 - 23:49] Conclusion

• Pastor Jeff and Tiffany share reflections on extending hospitality within the church.
• They encourage listeners to apply theological insights to their daily lives.

Direct Quotes:

"John writes for the sake of the name and they receive no monetary support from the Gentiles." – Pastor Jeff Cranston

"It takes a degree of trust and acceptance to be hospitable to others, especially to strangers." – Tiffany Coker

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for lis

Have you ever wondered how God made his presence known in the Old Testament?

In this bonus episode, Pastor Jeff Cranston delves into the concepts of theophanies and Christophanies, exploring their significance in biblical theology. He explains that a theophany is an appearance of God to human beings, primarily in the Old Testament, while a Christophany is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Pastor Jeff shares various biblical examples of these divine appearances, highlighting their roles in revealing God's character and foreshadowing the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

[00:00 - 02:29] Introduction to Theophanies

• Pastor Jeff Cranston introduces the episode topic and defines theophany.
• He explained that as an appearance of God to humans, theophanies play a crucial role in theology.
• The importance of understanding theophanies in a biblical context is highlighted.

[02:30 - 05:21] Christology and Pre-Existence of Christ

• Pastor Jeff delves into Christ's role in creation pre-existence.
• References to Apostle John’s and Paul’s affirmations about Christ's pre-existence are made.
• Christophanies, appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ, are introduced.

[05:22 - 09:28] Examples of Theophanies in the Old Testament

• Pastor Jeff explains various types of theophanies, such as thunderstorms, fire, and clouds.
• He provides biblical examples: Genesis 12 (Abraham), Genesis 18 (Abraham's visitors), 

Genesis 32 (Jacob wrestles with God), and Exodus 3-4 (burning bush).

[09:29 - 12:29] Christophanies in the Old Testament

• The term "angel of the Lord" and its possible connections to Christophanies are discussed.
• Pastor Jeff provides examples from Genesis 16, Judges 5, and 2 Kings 19.
• Clarification on the distinction between angelic appearances and Christophanies is offered.

[12:30 - 14:37] Significance and Foreshadowing of Theophanies

• Jeff explains how theophanies foreshadow the incarnation of Christ.
• What are the unique roles of theophanies in biblical history and their impact on believers?
• Pastor Jeff reflects on the future appearance of Christ and the ultimate theophany to conclude.

Direct Quote:

"Christ's existence didn’t begin when he showed up in Bethlehem; he was present at the beginning of creation." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!