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This week, we return to the first Epistle of John, covering 1 John 4:7-21. John focuses on the theme of love, and highlights the mandate for believers to love one another, emphasizing that true love comes from God.
Rocky explores the different Greek words for love and explains that the word "love" used in this passage is "agapeo," signifying a selfless, sacrificial love.

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

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

Recorded, edited and mixed by Snikrock

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Sunday, Nov. 3rd is "All Saints" Sunday, so we take a brief departure from 1 John. Rocky takes us to a passage from the Book of Isaiah, specifically Chapter 25, verses 6-9. The discussion explores the symbolic and theological meanings behind the verses, including concepts of death, heaven, and the ultimate celebration with God. We also touch on how ancient Jewish traditions and beliefs contribute to these interpretations

The sermon for this episode it titled "Swallowed Whole" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

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The Apostle John explores the theme of testing spiritual guidance to discern if it stems from God or a false prophet.
Rocky emphasizes the Greek phrase "Ek tau Theo," which appears in five of the six verses and is translated variously across different Bible versions. Ken and Rocky  discuss how to identify true spiritual messages using three tests: spiritual discernment within the church, alignment with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, and consistency with Biblical scripture. They also touch upon historical heresies and modern-day misconceptions.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Testing the Spirit” and can be heard at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons.

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

Recorded, edited and mixed by Snikrock

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This week, we continue chapter 3 of John's first epistle. We explore the themes of love, sacrifice, and faith, emphasizing the importance of loving fellow believers and even non-believers despite severe challenges, including persecution. 

Ken takes a rabbit trail to analyze the biblical story of Cain and Abel, discussing the differences in their offerings to God and its implications for Christians. 

The conversation includes reflections on historical contexts, such as the Roman Emperor Domitian's persecution of Christians. The hosts also ponder the significance of Jesus' sacrificial love, the idea of standing before God, and the necessity of believing in the full scope of Christ's purpose and resurrection.

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

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This episode explores themes such as the identity of believers as God's children, the transformative love of God, and the concept of sin. We delve into the differences between being created in God's image and being an adopted child of God, highlighting the special significance of spiritual adoption. We also examine John's teachings on sin, clarifying that while everyone sins, a deliberate and continual lifestyle of sin is a sign of belonging to the devil. The episode concludes by offering hope and encouragement, emphasizing that believers should strive to be more Christ-like each day as part of their sanctification process.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Fear Not" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

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This week, the Apostle John explores the contrast between loving the world and loving God, the concept of antichrists, and the necessity of adhering to apostolic teachings to discern truth from falsehood.
Rocky and Ken also talk about eschatological concepts, including theories about what happens after death and the importance of maintaining a strong, Bible-based faith.

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

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

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This week the Apostle John uses the themes of light versus darkness and reminds the church about the commandment to love one another.

Using various biblical translations and references, Rocky and Ken explore the theological implications of John's teachings and Jesus's new commandment to love others as He has loved us. 

The episode concludes with a personal anecdotes and reflections on the practical application of these teachings.

The sermon for this episode is titled "Old, But New" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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In this episode we discuss the duality of Jesus as both human and divine, emphasizing His role as an advocate and the sacrifice that atones for the sins of the world. The episode explores the concept of sanctification and how believers should strive to live like Jesus, focusing on the importance of loving God and loving others. They also touch upon the idea of knowing God through logic, emotional encounters, and God's revelation, highlighting the central commandment to love, which encapsulates all Biblical rules.

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

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Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

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In this episode of "Pondering the Bible," co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into 1 John 1:5-10, focusing on the key themes of truth and fellowship in Christianity. The conversation highlights John's emphasis on living out one's faith, the heresy of Docetism, and the necessity of acknowledging and confessing sin. They stress that true Christians must act on their faith, love their neighbors, and admit their sins, aligning themselves with God's moral and ethical standards. The episode concludes with a reflection on the value of continuously striving to emulate Jesus, despite daily struggles with sin.

The Sermon for this episode is titled "Nor Tolerate Among Us" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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Ken and Rocky dive into 1 John, discussing its context and primary themes. They compare John's approach to combating heresy with Paul's method in 1 Timothy. The episode emphasizes John's first-hand experience with Jesus and his message of love and fellowship, contrasting it with Paul's structured and disciplined style. They explore the historical significance of the Ephesian church and introduce listeners to John's sermon-like letter addressing issues of doctrinal purity and authentic Christian living.

The sermon for this episode is titled "And Now For Something Completely Different" and can be heard at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons

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Feedback is welcome: [email protected]

Music performed by the Ponder GMC worship team.

Cover Art: Joe Wagner

Recorded, edited and mixed by Snikrock