Redeemer Connects

So much of what we've talked about over the past few weeks is about making decisions. We've also discussed how God has a will for us. So how do you determine that will? How can we know what God wants for our life? Does He have one right way for us to do things or does He give us options? How are we to discern these important things?

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss ways to discern the will God has for us.

According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, there are 4 realms in which all people live and work. In each of these realms, God gives us a divine mandate in which to live and follow the greatest commandment: Love God and Love Neighbor. These Four Mandates can give us insight into how we are to live in this world.

The Four Mandates are:

Family & Marriage

Government

Work

Church

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss the Four Mandates of Bonhoeffer and the insight they give into how we are to live.

Today on the podcast, Sam and Caleb are joined by special guest, Dr. Trey Cox to talk about Faith and the Fourth Dimension. How might we imagine that Jesus can just enter and exit locked rooms? How does the Holy Spirit live within us? How might miracles happen? What about the Lord's Supper?

Dr. Cox has been a mathematics educator for 37 years including the past 23 years at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona and the previous 14 years teaching high school mathematics in AZ and IL. Trey earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from ASU and currently provides professional development opportunities for mathematics teachers at all levels from middle school through the university. Trey is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and is a published author of two college math textbooks.

Trey is also the Director of Family Ministry at Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church in Gilbert, AZ facilitating the Small Group, Marriage, Women’s, and Men’s ministries as well as teaching the Advanced 8th grade math students high school algebra.

Trey is also the dad of our very own Pastor Caleb!

Contact Dr. Cox: [email protected]

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." These are difficult words for us to receive from the pen of Paul in Romans 13. We read these words and immediately we look for the out or the loophole. Questions come to mind, like, "What about if they are corrupt, unjust or just plain evil?" "When can I rebel or resist if the governing authorities aren't Christian enough?"

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb, and special guest, Pastor Tim Runtsch, as they discuss how we are to respond to Romans 13 as Christians and followers of Jesus.

When we look at the world around us, it's hard not to notice the tension between Christianity and culture. So what are we Christians supposed to do? How are we supposed to treat the culture and act in the world? What does God call us to do?

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss the book, Christ and Culture, and the how Christians are supposed to view and interact with culture.

Christ & Culture Types:

Christ Against Culture

Christ Of Culture

Christ Above Culture

Christ Transforming Culture

Christ and Culture in Paradox

As the season of Lent begins, Pastors Sam and Caleb invite you to begin the regular practice of reading God's Word. Today on the podcast, we are joined by special guest, Pastor Andy Jones from Concord, CA to discuss his book, 10 Questions To Ask Every Time You Read The Bible. We deeply believe that this podcast will help you know ways to engage with the Bible and find deeper meaning and understanding and the Good News of Jesus for you.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Reading the Bible by yourself can be intimidating. Knowing how to study Scripture is a skill. Think of this book as a guide to read along with the Bible. It is a guide full of questions to ask yourself to improve this skill. Each question can be applied as you read or meditate on a verse or section. Whether you’re a new or seasoned reader of Scripture, you can use this book to grow your confidence in your study.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew R. Jones is Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Concord, CA. Andy lives in the Bay Area, where he enjoys writing, hiking, and adventuring with his wife, Stephanie. He has served the Church on three continents in varying roles, including campus ministry, international mission work, professor of preaching, and parish pastor. His writings speak to the importance of spiritual disciplines in the midst of a hectic world.

Over the course of history, the choices we are able and required to make have increased by leaps and bounds. Generations ago, choices just seemed more simple, albeit, due to many decisions being made for you or just lack of opportunity. These days, the choices and options seem infinite. Is that a problem? It sure can be exhausting. What does this mean for our Christian faith?

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss the Heretical Imperative and the wide variety of choices we make in our lives.

Who are you? These days, we answer with a wide variety of identities. Often, we answer with our vocation (see previous episode). While that's not bad, we limit ourselves in our identity. Our vocations shift so our identity shifts. But who you are is supposed to be solid and foundational. This is why only our identity in Jesus as baptized children of God is the highest identity we can claim because it is one that has been given to us. There is nothing that can overwhelm or overtake our identity in Jesus through our baptism. God makes amazing promises to us in Baptism and He is actually working in the water and the Word.

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss Baptism and the identity you have in Jesus.

What did you want to be when you grew up? We've all been asked that question before. The possibilities seemed endless. Vocations abound! Many of us aspired to the "heroic" or "important" or "financially profitable" vocations. We established a hierarchy of vocations with some jobs being more important than others. But during the time of the Reformation, the Reformers, and Martin Luther especially, determined that all vocations do "ministry"; all vocations are how God works in and through creation to provide and care for his creatures. What's interesting is that there are vocations that we chose and there are vocations that we receive. What's the difference?

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss Vocation and the purpose of your life.

Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people and in the end, everyone dies anyway. Wealth, success, possessions, memories and legacy all fade. After a few generations, most things are forgotten. So what's the point anyways? It all seems so meaningless if nothing truly lasts. In the finitude of life, it's easy to default into what is called Nihilism. But what does Jesus have to say about this? Does the good news and hope of Jesus give purpose to what seems like a purposeless life?

On this episode of the Redeemer Connects podcast, join Pastors Sam and Caleb as they discuss Nihilism and Ecclesiastes.

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