Refuge Audio Podcast

There are quite a few troubling words in Matthew 26. Words like crucified, buried, betrayed, broken body, blood shed, strike the shepherd, sheep scattered, stumble, and denial. These are all troubling words that speak of troubling times. But there is hope. Is your heart troubled today? Perhaps over your own sin and failings? Over others' sin and failings? Maybe your heart is troubled over something in the past, or something that might be in the future. There is hope. And thankfully, Jesus will tell us about the comfort only He can provide for our troubled hearts.

In Matthew 25, Jesus continues teaching His disciples about His return. At that time, Jesus describes three ways people will be separated. First, the wise will be separated from the foolish. Second, the faithful will be separated from the unfaithful. And third, the sheep will be separated from the goats. Through these examples, Jesus shows how true believers will be found busy about their master's business as they anticipate His imminent return. Watch our study of Matthew 25 as we consider the hope that we can have now to be ready for His return at any moment.

We live at a point in history that the Bible speaks of more than any other time in human history. It may be that many prophecies find their fulfillment in this current generation. While it might seem like science fiction, God’s word has a clear track record of complete accuracy. All of God’s promises have a purpose, even those that are difficult to comprehend. Watch our study of Matthew 24 as we consider Jesus’ prophecy of the time of great tribulation—a specific, defined season of suffering. Though this time will be worse than anything the world has ever seen, He offers us hope and refuge in Him.

We all have a past—whether it’s painful, complicated, challenging, or sinful-and we all wish we could wipe our past clean and make it disappear permanently. Whether your past is burdened by your sin or by sin committed against you, we must learn how to deal with it. The good news is that our past is under the blood of Jesus. In Christ, your sin has been judged—past, present, and future. Special guest Pastor Ed Taylor helps us see how we can let go of our past to move beyond regret, hurt, and resentment through Jesus alone.

Near the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were impressed by the temple in Jerusalem. And who could blame them? Many of them were from the small communities in Galilee. These were really impressive buildings built with white marble and gold. Sitting high on Mount Moriah, they would have been visible for miles. But Jesus knew what was coming. As impressive as these stone buildings were, He knew that physical and spiritual destruction was coming. That destruction was weighing on Jesus’ mind when His disciples observed these structures. He wanted to warn them about what was to come.

In Acts 8, the preaching of the word of God is mentioned seven times. And the man at the center of most of those mentions was Philip—one of seven men appointed by the apostles to serve physical food so that the apostles could continue to serve spiritual food. While Philip was serving, God was teaching him, training him, and forming him for what was next—not only to be the first great missionary in the church, but also to be the first great evangelist in the church.

The religious rulers during Jesus’ earthly ministry survived on the understanding that man looks at the outward appearance and can’t see the heart. But Jesus, being God, saw right through their hypocrisy and publicly called them out in front of the people they were supposed to serve. In response, the chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes attempted to trick and trap Jesus. But time and time again, Jesus triumphed over their tricks and traps with the truth. One day, after enduring all their attacks, Jesus saw something rare and beautiful.

After the amazing display of God’s power and presence on Mt. Carmel, Elijah prayed for rain (which ended the 3 and a half year drought). You would think that after such great acts of faith, Elijah would continue to have a mountain-top experience. But as soon as he heard that his life was under threat, he fled into the wilderness. Defeated and dejected, Elijah had had enough. But after some good food, good sleep, and a 40-day hike to Mt. Hermon, God let him know He wasn’t done with him. Watch our study of 1 Kings 19, as guest speaker Nate Van Vooren led us through Elijah’s ministry highs and lows.

In Matthew 23, Jesus gives a warning concerning the scribes and the Pharisees with such intensity and specificity that it seems out of character for His usual meek and mild manner throughout the Gospels. His intensity in calling out these religious rulers should cause us to take note. While He is angry, He is still sinless and maintains a righteous judgment in this word of warning, correction, and rebuke to what these individuals have done and continue to do.