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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison delve into Matthew Chapter 2, focusing on the wise men's visit to Jesus. They discuss the timing of Jesus' birth, the historical inaccuracies of the December 25th date, the significance of Bethlehem, and the wise men's journey from the East guided by a divine star. The hosts also explore Herod's reaction to the news of a newborn king, his deceitful plot, and the practical and symbolic meanings behind the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Additionally, they address common misconceptions about the nativity scene and the true timeline of events.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Misunderstood" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss the meaning of Advent, focusing on the birth narrative of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. They explore the cultural context of marriage during Jesus's time, the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 concerning the virgin birth, and the significance of the name 'Jesus.' The conversation highlights Joseph's decision to trust the angel's message in a dream and his role in ensuring Jesus's legitimacy as the son of God. The episode emphasizes the theological points underpinning the Advent season.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Unbelievable" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison discuss Psalm 28 in the context of Thanksgiving. They examine how King David's lament about his tumultuous life transitions into a prayer of gratitude, reflecting his reassurance of salvation. They delve into the various categories of Psalms, the context of David's life, and the deep emotional and theological nuances of the psalm. 

The episode concludes with a preview of next week's focus on the Gospel of Matthew for the start of Advent.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Give Thanks" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison conclude their study of the Book of Jude, focusing on verses 17-25 from the New Living Translation. They discuss Jude's emphasis on the warnings and predictions of the apostles, the presence of scoffers in the last times, and the need for Christians to build each other up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and await eternal life. Jude also advises showing mercy and caution to those wavering in faith while hating the sin contaminating their lives. The episode wraps up with a detailed breakdown of Jude's doxology, highlighting God's power to protect believers from falling away. Future topics, including a Thanksgiving Psalm and the beginning of an Advent series from Matthew, are also previewed.

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison explore Jude verses 8-16 from the New Living Translation. They discuss how false teachings, particularly those of the antinomians advocating for licentious behavior, are criticized and warned against by Jude. Drawing parallels from biblical figures like Cain, Balaam, and Korah, the discussion highlights the dire consequences of defying God's commands. The episode also touches on Jude's use of common literature of the time, such as the 'Assumption of Moses' and the book of 'Enoch,' to make his points more relatable. Additionally, the hosts prepare for a change in their church's routine with a guest pastor delivering the upcoming Sunday's sermon, offering a fresh perspective on their ongoing series.

There is no associated sermon this week.

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison dive deeper into the Book of Jude, specifically covering verses 3 through 7. They discuss Jude's urgent shift from writing about salvation to addressing the issue of antinomianism—wrongly believing that grace allows for immoral living. Key examples include Israel's disobedience in the wilderness, fallen angels, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing the consequences of straying from God's teaching. The nuanced discussion also highlights the importance of maintaining orthodoxy within Christian belief and practice.

The Sermon for this episode is titled "Consequences" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible', co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison introduce the epistle of Jude. They cover the authorship controversy, specifically addressing who Jude is and the historical context of the letter, including its association with the brother of Jesus, James. They also delve into the dating of the letter, its purpose, and the heretical teachings it aimed to counteract, particularly the issue of antinomianism. The episode concludes with a mention of upcoming sermons and the challenges of organizing the podcast amid interviewing new pastors.

The sermon for tis episode is titled "No Rules" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible', co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison welcome guest speaker Katie Bristow for Laity Sunday. Katie introduces the week's sermon, which focuses on prayer and is based on Psalm 17:1. She aims to clear up common misconceptions about prayer, emphasizing that prayer is a personal conversation with God without strict rules or postures. Throughout the episode, they explore the various forms and cultural norms of prayer, discuss biblical examples, and reflect on Katie's preparation and evolving approach to the sermon. Additionally, upcoming changes in the podcast due to Rocky's impending retirement are hinted at.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Can You Hear Me?" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss the final verses of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18). The episode delves into the importance of Paul's unique closing, his invocation of peace, and the deeper theological implications of his words. They explore the types of grace according to Methodist beliefs and the significance of Paul signing the letter himself due to historical context. The hosts also reflect on the broader themes covered in the season, including persecution, eschatology, endurance, and ethics, providing a comprehensive wrap-up to their study.

The Sermon for this episode is titled "Sign Off" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. They explore Paul's strong commands for believers to avoid idle lives, emphasizing the importance of work. The discussion highlights Paul's uncommon authoritative tone, his stance on excommunication, and the difference between his actions and beliefs regarding ministry work. They conclude with Paul's ultimate goal of restoring fallen believers through repentance and welcome. The episode wraps up with details on where to find Rocky’s accompanying sermon and a preview of future discussions.

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

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Recorded, edited and mixed by Snikrock