Shine FM

When a group of Greeks approaches Jesus seeking an audience, Jesus sees something remarkable — the first fruits of a worldwide harvest of souls. Dr. John Neufeld unpacks what that harvest requires: a grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies. Just as Christ's death was the only path to life for the world, our willingness to surrender our own lives is what makes us fruitful for his kingdom.

Passion: Easter is a pivotal time in the life of a Christian. The foundation of our faith relies on the death and more importantly, the resurrection of Jesus. This 15-message series will prepare our hearts for the Easter season as Dr. Neufeld walks us through the various aspects of the time leading up to Jesus’ death. Talking about the stories of Jesus in the week leading up to his death, also known as Passion week, ought to awaken our own passion of service, thankfulness, and worship. This is a series you won’t want to miss!

Today on the show, I get to talk with my friend, Rabbi Jason Sobel. You may remember him from episode 1022 when we had him here during Advent to talk about the connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament when it comes to Jesus’ birth. Immediately when we finished recording that episode, I told him he had to come back and talk to us during Lent to help us also talk through Jesus’ resurrection.

He has served as a spiritual advisor for The Chosen since it started and y’all went nuts for his latest book, Transformed By the Messiah. ME TOO. Rabbi Jason is a Jewish man who believes Jesus is the Messiah, and the way he connects the dots between the Old Testament and the new is like watching the story of Jesus go from regular definition to full-on high definition.

Next week, we won’t be airing any new Spiritually Stronger episodes, but we are going to air a daily Scripture reading for Holy Week. I’ll read through the stories from the Gospels that correlate with each day’s events during Holy Week. We’ve made a reading plan for you too that you can check off whether you prefer to read or listen along. You can find that at spirituallystronger.com!

. . . .

Thank you to our sponsors!

NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!

#thatsoundsfunpodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Depravity is never pretty. More often than not it’s ugly and dark, marked by scandal. We’ve all experienced depravity. But the Good News is we can come to Christ just as we are. Our depravity does not disqualify us from salvation.

As you know, words have impact. What you choose to say to someone, and not say, impacts your relationship with that person. So how can you improve all your relationships? By learning to choose your words wisely, carefully, and in a God-honoring way! Deborah Pegues shares the lessons she learned when she decided to take a "tongue fast" by not saying anything negative to anyone. You'll gain valuable insights, as well as help for avoiding lying, gossiping, and complaining.

Receive Deborah's book 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and an audio download of "Controlling Your Tongue" for your donation of any amount! for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

Get More Episode Resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

If you were told you were free to enter the Oval Office at the White House, you’d shake your head and chuckle, “You’re one brick short of a load, buddy.” Multiply your disbelief by a thousand, and you’ll have an idea how a Jew would feel if someone told him he could enter the Holy of Holies— a part of the Temple no one could enter except the high priest and then only one day a year.

Why? Because the glory of God was present there. God is holy, and we are sinners, and there is a distance between us. Like Job, we say, “If only there were a mediator who could bring us together” (Job 9:33). 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man, Jesus Christ.”

God welcomes you. He is not avoiding you. The door is open. God invites you in.

Read more He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Episode 2.94

In this episode, Michael and Zach examine a central theological question: what must someone believe about justification to be included in the family of God? This is not a discussion about sincerity, the Trinity, or belief in Jesus, but about the content of the gospel itself—measured against Paul’s standard in Galatians.

The conversation walks through key biblical texts, showing that justification is by grace alone through faith alone, apart from works. From there, the episode compares that teaching with the formal doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly as defined at the Council of Trent, where justification involves infused righteousness, sacramental grace, and ongoing cooperation.

The distinction is not minor. If grace and works are combined as the basis of justification, the gospel itself is redefined. The episode concludes by clarifying the difference between individuals and systems, while maintaining Paul’s warning: when the gospel is altered, even by recognized authority, it must be rejected.

Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/ek2nyGz5R-c

Merch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠

License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8

Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com

Do you obey God out of a fear of potential consequences or from a desire to know Him better?

Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/general

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.