RG AUDIO 020122   Matthew 19:23-30 We must imagine that the first listeners were mostly poor and on the margins of society. They saw wealth (as we often do) as a blessing from God. So the disciples were taken aback with Jesus’ proclamation. The rich seem to have earned God’s favor; so if it is […]

RG AUDIO 013122   Matthew 19:16-22 The young man in this story is like a success-motivated student who asks, “How do I achieve the top grade?” The Teacher responds with a clear outline of the standards attached to the man’s goal, but the student is aiming at the wrong mark. Good works, like high grades, […]

RG AUDIO 013022   Hebrews 4:9-16 Long ago, when my boys were young, after a rainy day, they’d begged to go outside. “You can go outside,” we told them, “but stay out of the puddles.” That was like telling the sun not to rise the next day. Like straight pins drawn to a magnet, they […]

RG AUDIO 012922   Hebrews 4:9-16 A Bible bully is someone who uses scripture as a weapon. Maybe in their youth, Bible bullies were the “sword drill” champions of their Sunday School class (anyone remember “sword drills”?). They learned to find scripture verses in a hurry. Now they use (misuse?) the Bible like literal swords. […]

RG AUDIO 012822   Colossians 2:6-15 My friend, Jim, dropped dead. He was a good Christian; a great guy. He was a servant of the Lord in every sense of the way. But he died. This was a very unexpected death. There was no time to prepare. There was no time to say good-byes. Nothing. […]

RG AUDIO 012722   Ephesians 3:10-21 If your stomach is empty, you’ll be hungry. If your bank account is empty, you’re broke. If the coffee cup is empty, a careless waitress is hiding in the kitchen. If the cookie jar is empty, that’s sad. If the candy dish is empty, that’s worse. An empty gas […]

RG AUDIO 012622   Matthew 15:12-20 We thought we found the perfect house. It had all the amenities that we were looking for in a house. It looked nice. There was new carpet, freshly painted walls, and plenty of room for friends to visit. The yard had trees. My wife loves trees. She was happy. […]

RG AUDIO 012522   Matthew 15:1-11 Did I miss a heavenly memo that stated all Bible verses concerning gossiping, grumbling, and spreading rumors are null and void? Was there a new proclamation from on high giving the green light to murmuring and slanderous talk? What about vulgar or coarse language? Is letting out a four-letter […]

RG AUDIO 012422   Matthew 12:30-37 How is your heart doing? Are there troubles? This isn’t a question referring to the blood pumping organ in the center of our chest cavities, and neither was Jesus speaking of our “ticker” when He spoke of the heart. We get it. When full of problems, we say we […]

RG AUDIO 012322   1 Corinthians 15:1-11 When we believe in and are passionate about something we want to tell others and make sure they fully understand. Paul recognized and completely acknowledged how horrible he was before he gave his life to Christ. Paul wanted everyone to have the life changing transformation he experienced and […]