Start2Finish: The Exartizo Podcast

Episode 10 of the series on the Presence of God addresses the question, "Does God Speak to Me?" Many people can grasp the notion that God is a living God and that He has spoken to people in the past (Moses, Abraham, David, Paul, etc.) but they struggle with the notion that God speaks now and that He desires to communicate to "ordinary" people. This episode tackles that issue, as well as the motives behind God's desire to speak and reveal Himself.

Scriptures: Gal. 4:19; 1 John 3:1; John 10:1-6; Psalm 61:1-3; Phil. 3:10.

Music: "On My Way" & "Sacred Provision" by Justin Jollie

Production: Samuel Romano

For more information on Dr. Chris' teaching ministry, visit vcbcs.org or email: [email protected]

This episode continues the study of the Presence of God by looking into the dwelling place of God in the Church. While Jesus is without question the true and greater Temple (John 1:14), as compared with all of the sacred structures and images in the Old Testament, God desired something more than just dwelling WITH His creation, He wanted to dwell IN them. Through the ascension of Jesus, God provides the promised Spirit who would make a grand entrance on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) where the church would be born. With the arrival of the Spirit, the followers of Jesus would be freshly baptized, filled and endued with the power and presence of God. The apostle Paul will interpret this reality as the establishing of another "new temple" structure. Using 1 Cor. 3:16-17 & 1 Cor. 6:19-20, he will instruct the early church concerning the importance of their gathered assemblies as well as the sanctity and dignity of their individual lives as dwelling places of God's presence.

Music: Intro & Outro- "On My Way," by Justin Jollie; Transitional tracks- "Sacred Provision," by Justin Jollie.

Production: Samuel Romano

To contact Start2Finish: [email protected]

For more info on Dr. Chris' teachings and educational programs, please visit: www.vcbcs.org

In today’s episode we are continuing our study of the Presence of God throughout the biblical story. In the last several episodes we surveyed the landscape of the Old Testament and discussed how the primary thread that runs throughout the narrative is God’s will and purpose to partner with a covenant people who will faithfully represent Him and one that He would intimately dwell in the midst of. Unfortunately, this vision goes unfulfilled in God’s relationship with men and in particular, the nation of Israel. As the chapter closes in the Old Testament, while the Jews are physically out of exile, spiritually they are still bound by persistent disloyalty and compromise. 

However, this story was PREPARATION for the coming of the One who would, in Himself, become the greatest manifestation of the presence of God: Jesus. He is the purest and clearest image of God: God made flesh (John 1:14). God with us (Is. 7:14). The fulfillment of Eve’s Seed (Gen. 3:15), the One who would crush the head of the seed of the Serpent; The Promised offspring of Abraham whose arrival would bring blessing to the nations (Gen. 12:3). The Son of David who would sit on the throne in Righteousness and Truth forever (2 Sam. 7:12-16). 

Jesus is the continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament story and one of the best pictures of this is seeing Him as "the True and Greater Temple."

In the Old Covenant, Moses' tabernacle and Solomon's temple were partial and preparatory images. Their structures contained sections and limitations that separated God's holiness and man's sinfulness. 

In the New and Better Covenant, Jesus is the presence of God in fullness and completeness. In Himself, there is wholeness, no separation. All are welcome to come to Him and experience God's presence. There is no restrictions. There is no access to some, at the exclusion of others. He is the eternal Word made flesh, who dwelt (tabernacled) among men and displayed the Glory of God (John 1:14).

Music: "On My Way, Justin Jollie."

Production: Samuel Romano

For more information on VCBCS programs and Dr. Chris' teachings, please visit www.vcbcs.org.

How important is the presence of God in the life of a follower of Jesus? How do we understand the presence of God within the context of local church worship services? What is the state of modern worship in the church? Listen in as special guest Justin Jollie, a worship leader from upstate New York, joins Chris on the show to explore these questions and much more. 

Scriptures: 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Tim. 3:10; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Acts 3:19; Matt. 6:6.

Music: "On My Way," by Justin Jollie.

Production: Samuel Romano

Communication: [email protected]

For more info on Dr. Chris' teaching & equipping programs, please visit: vcbcs.org

Continuing our series on the Presence of God, today’s episode takes one more look at God’s presence in the storyline of the Bible as it appears in the Old Testament. In the first portion of the episode, we take a look at the structure of the Old Testament and contrast the layout of our modern, English bibles with the Scriptural framework that 1st century Jewish-Christians would have been familiar with. An important takeaway reveals that the ancient structure actually tells a story, a story that communicates God's unyielding desire to dwell personally among His people. In the second portion of the episode, we illustrate this truth by studying Isaiah 40:1-10. In examining this specific text, God's redemptive program is amplified both nationally for the Jews in Babylonian captivity, as well as spiritually for all of sinful humanity. The prophet dramatically announces that God's presence is about to make an entrance and anyone who has an ear to hear and a heart to obey, should make preparations for His arrival.

Scriptures: Luke 24:44; Psalm 30:5; Isaiah 40:1-10.

Production: Samuel Romano

Music: "On My Way," by Justin Jollie.

For more information on Dr. Romano's teaching ministry, please visit vcbcs.org OR contact [email protected].

Today's episode continues to look at the subject of the Presence of God by considering the manner in which God's presence appears in the middle of the bible "bookends": Genesis 1-2 & Rev. 21-22. With the fall of man in Genesis 3, man is separated and exiled from the primary place that God dwelt with man, namely Eden. This banishment is truly the apex of the curse that resulted from Adam's rebellion. Yet, even in God's judgment, there is mercy. God proves to be greater than Adam's sin and through covenants, and particularly the theme of "altars," God take steps to ensure that man could once again return to the presence of God. 

Scriptures: Gen. 1-2; Rev. 21-22; Gen. 3:22-24; Gen. 17:7; Ex. 6:7; Ezk. 36:28; Rev. 21:3; Gen. 3:21; Gen. 4:1-4; Gen. 8:20; Rom. 6:23.

Music: "On My Way," by Justin Jollie.

Produced: Samuel Romano

For more information on Vision Christian Bible College & Seminary, visit vcbcs.org

While God is both superior and beyond His creation, He is also shown to be present and among His creation. And the greatest evidence of this is in surveying the entirety of the biblical story. Chapter after chapter and page after page unveils the reality of God’s presence among human beings. In this episode, we explore the foundation of God's presence among humans in the storyline of Scripture by looking at the Beginning (Gen. 1-2) and the End (Rev. 21-22). A careful reading of these two sections of the Bible will unveil many similarities but the underlying thread that ties the two together is the presence of God with His people in unhindered and unrestricted communion. Listen today as we continue to examine the ever-important subject of the Presence of God.

Scriptures: Psalm 84:10; Psalm 73:25-26; Isaiah 66:1; Isaiah 7:14; Colossians 2:9; John 2:19-21; John 1:14; Rev. 21:1-4; James 4:8; Gen. 1 & 2; Rev. 21-22; Habakkuk 2:14.

Music: "On my Way," by Justin Jollie.

Production: Samuel Romano

For more information on Vision Christian Bible College & Seminary, visit www.vcbcs.org. 

Today's episode continues the study of the Presence of God by focusing on the Omnipresence of God (God is everywhere present at all times). This attribute of God is typically included in what many theologians refer to as the "manifold perfections" of God, along with His Omnipotence (All Powerful) & Omniscience (All Knowing/Wise). These 3 form the substance and essence of God's deity. It is what makes God, God! By comparison, every human being who has ever lived comes short of these perfections. Man is limited in his power, knowledge and presence. God on the other hand, is not! This is why He is worthy of our worship. This is why He is deserving of our praise. 

Scriptures: Psalm 90:2; Rev. 1:8; Deut. 10:14; Isaiah 66:1; Psalm 139:7-10.

Music: "On My Way," by Justin Jollie.

Production: Samuel Romano.