Simplify Jesus

Christmas 2021 Episode 1: The Commercialization of Christmas

Welcome to the Simplify Jesus Podcast! This week is the first Christmas episode for 2021, where Bill and Matt discuss the commercialization of Christmas. There are many studies that most of us don't enjoy the commercial side of Christmas that's become all about having to have the latest gizmo or gadget or catching the latest big sale. Instead, Christmas should really be all about time with family and friends and remembering that it is always better to give than to receive. 

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Scripture and other References

Matthew 25:35-40 - The Least of These

John 3:16 (CSB)

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Studies Referenced

https://mint.intuit.com/blog/money-etiquette/holiday-spending-statistics/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/19/what-do-americans-like-least-about-christmas-follow-the-money/

https://www.statista.com/press/p/christmas_newyears_survey_us/

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Thanksgiving 2021 - What We're Thankful For

This is our special 2021 Thanksgiving episode! Tune in as we talk about what we're thankful for this year and why everyone, no matter how things are going on in your life or the world around you, has something to be thankful for. 

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Scripture and other References

Romans 8:28 (CSB)

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

John 3:16 (CSB)

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

CDC Report

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

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Interview with Rachel McCants

Welcome to the Simplify Jesus Podcast! We had the privilege to get to talk with Rachel Mccants about her story. Check out this special episode as Rachel shares her story of faith through surviving a brain tumor and how God used that to open doors for her ministry with R Lindsay Unlimited.

Rachel’s Bio:

Rachel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication with a minor in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, she is a certified Zumba instructor who has a genuine love for dance and fitness. McCants, having been a Christian all her life, lives by the words, “God first and family second.” In 2016, Rachel’s health was impacted in a major way. A brain tumor inspired McCants to create R. Lindsay Unlimited, a business devoted to encourage, inspire, and challenge ladies to discover and raise their self-worth. As a playwright and author, McCants’ goal for the organization is to empower ladies to get standards and keep them and never settle, and to walk in God’s will in all aspects of their lives. She published her first book, Ladies As We Love Ourselves: A 6-Step Program to Self-Worth, in 2019. She also loves to speak and speaks through R. Lindsay Unlimited. She now runs a program called Early Mornings With A Dose Of Jesus, which helps people wake up early and start with Jesus. She also does morning routines to help and encourage quiet time.

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Scripture and other References

1 Corinthians 12:12 (CSB)

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.

Romans 8:28 (CSB)

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.

Links and References

R Lindsay Unlimited - https://www.rlindsayunlimited.com/

The Nehemiah Project - https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=432748611507977 https://nehemiahecommunity.com/nehemiah-project-mission-vision/

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Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about busting up myths about the church. This week we’re busting the myth that Christians can’t have any fun. It’s true that the Bible does tell us things we should and shouldn’t do. Those are meant to help us live life the way God intended it, which is the very best life we can live.

Scripture and other References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Galatians 5:19-21 (CSB)

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Genesis 1:28 (CSB)

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

John 2:1-12 - Jesus Turns Water into Wine

Romans 14:13-15 (CSB)

Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.

Matthew 5:23-24 (CSB)

So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Romans 12:16-18 (CSB)

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (CSB)

And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Galatians 5:22-23 (CSB)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

Proverbs 22:6 (CSB)

Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

1 Corinthians 15:6 (CSB)

Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

____________________________________________________________________________

Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Myth #12: Christianity Doesn’t Want You to Think - Interview with Pastor Jacob Conner

Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about busting up myths about the church. This week we are talking with Pastor Jacob Conner about busting the myth that Christianity doesn’t want you to think. Some people believe that Christianity doesn’t want you to think for yourself, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth of the Bible is we are called to dive in deeper in learning about God and who He is to build that relationship with Him because we could never understand everything there is to know about God.

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Scripture and other References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Timothy 2:15 (CSB)

Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

James 1:5 (CSB)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 9:10 (CSB)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CSB)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

Hebrews: 10:24-25 (CSB)

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

1 Corinthians 12:12 (CSB)

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.

Resources:

The Bible Project - www.bibleproject.com

Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/

Free Bible Commentary - http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/

____________________________________________________________________________

Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Myth #11: God and Science Can’t Coexist

Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about busting up myths about the church. This week is our 2021 Halloween episode where we’re busting the myth that God and science can’t coexist. The truth is that they not only can, but do. Proving phenomena with science shouldn’t disprove God, but rather make us realize all the more how awesome and powerful the God who created all of this is.

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Scripture and other References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Exodus 14:15-31 - Story of the Parting of the Red Sea

1 Kings 17:17-24 - Elijah Raises Widow's Son from the Dead

John 11 - Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:6 (CSB)

Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on the Water

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Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about busting up myths about the church. This week we’re busting the myth that faith is a blind leap. The truth is that there’s actually a lot of evidence that what the Bible says is true, that God is really there, and that Jesus is the Son of God as He claimed to be. We put faith day in and day out in things that are much less reliable and proven than God.

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Scripture and other References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Psalm 22 - Psalm prophesying the Crucifixion

Prophecies about Christ from Isaiah:

Isaiah 7:14 - Virgin Conception of Jesus

Isaiah 9:6-7 - Birth of Christ

Isaiah 53:5 - Prophecy of Christ’s Crucifixion

Jewish and Roman Historians Wrote about Jesus

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/did-jesus-exist/

Reliability of the Gospels

https://bible.org/article/historical-reliability-gospels

Old Testament and New Testament Connections

http://www.kalvesmaki.com/LXX/NTChart.htm

Liar, Lunatic, Lord Quote

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6979-i-am-trying-here-to-prevent-anyone-saying-the-really

Lee Strobel - Case for Christ

C.S. Lewis - Many Books/Writings

Josh McDowell - More Than a Carpenter

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Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Myth #9: A God who loves people wouldn’t let bad things happen

Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about busting up myths about the church. This week we’re busting the myth that if God really loved us, He wouldn’t let bad things happen to good people. The truth is that bad things happen because God gave us free will. He didn’t make us rule following robots, giving us free will to choose whether or not to love and follow Him. The hope we hold onto as Christians is that God has a bigger plan for us because He loves us, no matter what good or bad may come. 

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Scripture References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Genesis 1-2 - Creation Story, Garden of Eden

Genesis 2:16-17 (CSB)

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”

Genesis 3 - The Fall, The Serpent tricks Adam and Eve

Ephesians 5:25 (CSB)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her

John 10:10 (CSB)

A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus Tempted by Satan

1 Corinthians 10:13 (CSB)

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

John 16:33 (CSB)

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Romans 8:28 (CSB)

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 6:23 (CSB)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 (CSB)

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 11 - Story of Lazarus’ death and Jesus raising him from the dead

Psalm 100:4 (CSB)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

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Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Welcome to Season 2! This week we’re busting the myth that the church is a private club, an exclusive, “members-only” environment. There are lots of reasons out there that people believe make the church exclusive, like how much you’re able to give, having to have your act together, needing to be baptized, being better than everybody else, or understanding everything about God and the Bible. The truth is that Christianity is, and the church should be, inclusive of everyone.

Scripture References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Mark 12:41-44 (CSB)

Sitting across from the temple treasury, he watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had —all she had to live on.”

Mark 2:17 (CSB)

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

1 Peter 3:21-22 (CSB)

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

Matthew 20:25-28 (CSB)

Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13 - Jesus Washing Disciples’ Feet

Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)

How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

Luke 2 - Jesus in the Temple as a Child

Job 38 - God’s Response to Job

John 3:16 (CSB)

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

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Myth #7: Christianity is one of many ways to Heaven

Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about busting up myths about the church. This week we’re busting the myth that Christianity is one of many ways to get to Heaven. The way Jesus taught, it can’t work that way. He taught that He is the only way to get to Heaven. Because He taught that way, it can’t work both ways. Either belief in Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven, or it’s not one at all. With all of the historical and spiritual evidence, it becomes clear that He is the one and only way.

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Scripture References

Season Memory Verse - Romans 10:9 (CSB)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 14:6 (CSB)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Habakkuk 1:13a (CSB)

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.

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Message us at [email protected] for questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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