We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus' whole life from entering into the world, living in this life, appearance in the temple and finally the last several years of His life - all pointed to the cross. Luther said that when Jesus died, He died the world's greatest sinner. Jesus prayer of let this cup pass from me, was not an answered prayer! Jesus experienced dread and carried the sins of the world. Jesus' suffering was unique because of the weight and load of the sins of the world. C. S. Lewis captures the demon's rejoicing as having killed Aslan. And yet, He comes back to life! 1 Cor. 15 begins with a creed - This is the gospel

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you�unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time." The early disciples didn't make it up - they did not expect a resurrection! At first they did not believe it happened. Jesus Christ is RISEN. He is RISEN INDEED! Participants: Dr. John Vance, Dan Elmendorf

We quickly review the key themes and outcomes of the Future of Nations Conference - an international policy gathering hosted by Lex Libertas at the historic Voortrekker Monument. With delegates from Europe, the United States, and across South Africa, the conference focused on sovereignty, self-determination, decentralization, cultural identity, and the future of political order in a rapidly changing world. Here is a link: https://fromthefrontline.podbean.com/e/the-future-of-nations/

We also discuss a recent load of Bibles and literature that just came in. Peter lives on a long narrow driveway, so the container can only get to the beginning of his driveway. From there he and volunteers move all all the Bibles and literature. God gave them nice weather! A wonderful blessing. We close by talking about the celebration of Christ's resurrection that will be observed next weekend. Participants: Dr. Peter Hammmond, Dan Elmendorf

What is your expectation regarding God's kingdom growth in history? A couple of illustrations that Jesus gave is the mustard seed and leaven. First the mustard seed: "Another parable He put forth to them, saying: �The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.� Notice the smallness of the seed - you would not assume that such a great garden herb would grow from such a small seed, and yet it does. It becomes huge as compared to the little seed from which it came. So is God's kingdom we are told. The other illustration relates to how pervasive the kingdom of God will become: "Another parable He spoke to them: �The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.�" We discuss the Larger Catechism, Q/A 191. The answer reads: In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come, we acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the

dominion of sin and Satan, we pray, that the kingdom of sin and

Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the

world, the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in; the

church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances, purged

from corruption, countenanced and maintained by the civil

magistrate: that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed,

and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their

sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that

are already converted: that Christ would rule in our hearts here,

and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him

forever: and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom

of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends." -- This is the reformed position on Kingdom growth and is based on the Bible. Participants: Bill Shishko, Dan Elmendorf

Do you feel a little bit down? Well, this is a big world and lots of good things are happening as Christendom spreads. Yes, Christendom - that is an important area where the heart of God lies. "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet." 1 Cor 15:25. Today we talk with a pastor who works in evangelism. He has recently preached and conducted conferences at other churches in America. God is doing some amazing things. Listen today to a seasoned pastor who planted a church just a little ways down from where the twin towers were attacked and fell in 2001. That event was the genesis in his starting a church plant in NYC. We discuss some of the wonderful confessions of faith that churches use - this from the continental Reformed tradition. Of special interest is the Heidelberg Catechism. Participants: Pastor Paul Murphy, Dan Elmendorf

Today we consider the history and some of the beliefs of the Iranian Muslim population. Our guest used to teach world religions at a SUNY college and also was an evangelical pastor in the Hudson Valley for many years. In 1979-1981, 52 Americans were held for 444 days. In April of 1983, the Beirut Embassy bombing took the lives of 17 Americans. In 1996 was the Khobar Towers bombing which took the lives of 19 US Airmen. From 2003 to 2011, Iran supplied EFPs/IEDs in Iraq which took the lives of over 600 Americans. In January 2020 there was Iranian missile strikes on Iraq bases, affecting about 100+ US troops with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). In October 2023 was the Iran-backed Hamas attack, wherein 40+ US citizens were killed in Israel. In January 2024, an Iranian-backed drone killed 3 US soldiers. Since 1994, Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism. Iran supports a network of militant proxy groups across the Middle East known as the "Axis of Resistance." A popular one is Hezbollah, which is a Shia Islamist Lebanese political party and paramilitary group. Yet, with all of this killing over the years, one thing becomes clear - that is, Iran can never be trusted with a nuclear weapon. It is this final point which is the main reason that our President and Secretary of War are dealing with, with the US and Israel attacks on Iran. That is, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The obvious reason is because they would definitely use them if they had them. Our guest today discusses the eschatology of the Islamic state. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Dan Elmendorf

We came across a man who has worked diligently, putting together a commentary on the whole Bible. His work is online, and this complete Bible commentary is searchable. His work is orthodox in terms of the larger picture of the Reformation faith that we hold, consistent for example, with the standards found in Westminster and in Heidelberg. Today we have the privilege of talking with this man, asking him to give a biblical explanation of Romans 11. Here is a link to the commentary: https://audio.alastairadversaria.com/explore/

Perhaps you will follow this link and use the page to look up a particular book and chapter, like I did. Here is his link to Romans 11

https://audio.alastairadversaria.com/sermons/10601/romans-11-biblical-reading-and-reflections/

As for a sample of this good commentary, read this: Paul "discusses the bringing in of the Gentiles, exciting his Jewish compatriots to jealousy, so that they too might be saved.

[7:42] Paul employs the image of an olive tree, with natural branches cut off, and wild branches grafted in to illustrate the situation in his day. The wild branches are grafted in contrary to nature, contrasting with the natural branches, which, even if broken off, could easily be grafted in again.

[8:00] The wild branches grafted in enjoy their place by a sort of double grace. Not only are they supported by the root, as the natural branches are, but their very inclusion in the tree is solely by virtue of a radical act of gracious engrafting."

Here is a sample that illustrates the faithfulness of this work, and it's bigger picture approach:

"One of the salutary effects of adopting a more careful reading of the New Testament's teaching concerning Israel, the New Covenant, the Church, and the future, a reading that doesn't presume that all the loose ends are sewn up in Christ's first advent, may be a greater attentiveness to the innumerable suggestive details and unresolved narrative threads in the scripture."

Participants: Dr. Alastair Roberts, Dan Elmendorf

Over the past four years or so, there is an increasing interest in the idea of Christian culture, heritage, and nationhood. People are more interested in the calling of the nation-state and its "inescapably religious character." This is all good and needed for the recovery of Western society. Some may call this a 'quiet revival' of Christianity. These points are made by the author of the article we are reviewing today. Perhaps one of the advantages of going through the drudgery of the COVID lockdowns, the questionable practices by the medical establishment and insurance companies, was a hunger for how to restore the somewhat broken nationhood of many nations, and not just America. Yet there are those who treat this resurgent interest in a distinctively Christian view of culture and politics as an unwelcome development. We do answer the question posed by our Title of whether Christians should embrace the label. First we discuss the historical practice of national oaths, like the Coronation Oath of 1689. Also the Solemn League and Covenant. These oaths and statements are still in force and Britain remains, by law, a constitutionally Christian nation. Join us today for a thoughtful discussion of this topic that has application for all nations, and in particular for America and Britain. Participants: Dr. Joe Boot, Dan Elmendorf

Today we interview the Director of Generations, the group that produces the "Worldview in Five Minutes." You hear that on Redeemer at 7am and 6pm Eastern each weekday. It is voiced by host Adam McManus. Today being Valentine's Day, we step back and talk about the Christian family and how love is very important to God. We also consider the necessity of Christian education. A hard lesson is this - the way to strengthen love in the family is always through conflict. We're all sinners and we are going to work through disagreement. We learn to humble ourselves before each other and to confess our sins to God and to one another. The scriptures remind us that "herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and gave His Son as a propitiation for sin." As we come to know God's love, it makes us more loving! We can warm up to the grace of God and to the love of God. This may sound simple, but it is life changing! Participants: Kevin Swanson, Dan Elmendorf

Today we talk with a pastor who has been with the Presbyterian Church in America since its founding in 1973. He shares with us his background. He has taught at Greenville Presbyterian Seminary. Currently he serves a part time pastor at Antioch Presbyterian Church (PCA), in Woodruff, SC. This is a sort of fireside chat as we discuss church life. Of special interest is his answer to the question of what to look for in a pastor. The context is a church that is seeking for a senior pastor - what are some things to look for. First is a godly man with a godly family (1 Tim 3 and Titus 1). Secondly, he must be confessional. Third, he must be a good solid, interesting preacher. Finally, he must have a pastor's heart and be willing to be in people's homes. Participants: Dr. Joey Pipa, Dan Elmendorf

VOM just came out with their new 2026 Global Prayer Guide. The biggest �news� for this year�s Guide is the increase of persecution in Latin America, including Nicaragua now being considered a restricted nation due to the government�s crackdown on churches and pastors. 2026 VOM Global Prayer Guide at www.persecution.com/todd

Regarding the upheaval in Iran, the authorities often use that as a pretext to arrest and harass Christians. When you�re already arresting thousands of people, it�s easy to grab up the pastors you�ve been watching at the same time without drawing a lot of attention to your persecution. We also know that in the past year the charges and the prison sentences have become more severe for Christians who have been arrested and tried. Pray for the church of Iran, which has seen much growth. The persecution of Christians continues in China, and particularly the sadly brilliant way that the Communist government there is hiding their efforts to close down churches. Voice of the Martyrs website is at vom.org Participants: Todd Nettleton, Dan Elmendorf