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.

This episode kicks off a brand new series on the subject of The Presence of God. Much like the prior series on the Kingdom of God, this series will tackle a very complex but crucial topic. In future episodes, the focus will be upon the various aspects of God's presence like His Omnipresence, His presence as revealed to the Patriarch's (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), His presence in the Tabernacle/Temple, His presence in Jesus Christ, His presence in the Holy Spirit, His presence in the Church and His presence within individual believers. But for this initial episode, the emphasis will be on the value of God's presence. As you tune in, you will hear the following:

In addition to the study, this episode contains a brief testimony by Olivia Smith (Fort Collins, Colorado) a former student of Dr. Chris' at Vision Christian Bible College & Seminary. Olivia talks about the transformative experience that occurred when she devoted herself to becoming a student at VCBCS, as well as committing to the equipping process. To learn more about VCBCS and its spiritual and academic programs, visit vcbcs.org. 

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

This episode is the final episode in the series on the Kingdom of God. Hunter Ray, a graduate and now staff member of VCBCS, joins Dr. Romano in this episode to talk about the impact that the Kingdom has had on his life personally and his ministry. In addition to Hunter's personal testimony, this episode explores:

Scriptures Referenced: Mark 1:14-15; 1 John 4:17; John 20:21; 1 Cor. 15:3-5; Matt. 28:19; Rev. 1:5-6.

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

In this episode, the citizenship of believers is explored in the context of the Kingdom of God. Through the cross, believers have become citizens of the Kingdom of God (Eph. 2:19). That citizenship includes a new heritage, birthright and responsibilities. Like Israel in the Old Testament, followers of Jesus have become God's chosen people (Israel extended, not replaced), a distinct group from the rest of the world (1 Pet. 2:9). With this grace-filled identity, citizens of the Kingdom are given a "royal assignment," that includes 4 primary tasks:

All of this is purposed to reveal that the Kingdom is ALL about relationships! God is a personal, relational being and He desires intimacy with His followers. Those who believe, follow and abide in Him will also invest their lives into building these kinds of relationships with the people around them. In this, we prove to be like our King and we provide a picture for others to see how good and beautiful He truly is!

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

Today's episode completes our look at how the Kingdom is displayed throughout history by focusing on Kingdom in Future Glory. In examining the Kingdom of God, we have considered in past episodes: the eternal King and His eternal reign (Eternity Past); the visible entrance into the earth by God's creative power (Kingdom Inaugurated); the failure of man to hold fast to Kingdom privileges (Kingdom Forfeited); the King's merciful means to reestablish the Kingdom on earth through the covenants He cut with the Patriarchs and through Israel (Kingdom in the O.T.); God's climactic expression of Kingdom authority through the incarnation of Jesus Christ and His victory over sin by means of the cross (Kingdom Re-Inaugurated); And how from the power of the gospel, man's Kingdom identity and purpose is restored as the church exists to live under and extend God's rule throughout the earth (Kingdom in the Church Age). 

With respect to these essential truths, the Kingdom of God is shown to be present HERE and NOW. However, the full picture of the Kingdom must also be understood in light of its FUTURE consummation. Therefore, the Kingdom is both NOW and NOT YET. Or as bible scholar George Eldon Ladd brilliantly put it, "Fulfillment without Consummation." The reality of this future experience (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Peter 1:10-11) is cause for great hope for every believer in Christ. The decisive battle against the foreign kingdom of darkness was fought and won by King Jesus (John 19:30). In spite of this, the church remains at war. Therefore, in the "meanwhile" between Kingdom Come and Kingdom Not Yet, it is imperative that all believers: CONTEST Sin. RESIST the Devil. ENDURE Suffering. 

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

Continuing the series on the Kingdom of God, this episode focuses on how the Kingdom was displayed through the life and ministry of Jesus as well as through the church. Following a brief recap of the two previous episodes, Dr. Chris bridges the 400 year gap between the OT and the NT by explaining the historical, socio-political and religious context. Bible readers need to be informed that there are a lot of changes that take place between the books of Malachi (the close of the OT) and the Gospel of Matthew (the opening of the NT). Learning about those changes allows for a much clearer picture when Jesus arrives on the scene and announces "the Kingdom of God is at hand!" Additionally, this episode explores the manner in which Jesus continues and fulfills the Old Testament story (Luke 24:44-45; Matt. 5:17). Through His perfect life, compelling instruction and miraculous works, Jesus not only declares the Kingdom come, but He demonstrates it as well (Matt. 5-7; Matt. 12:28). The climax of Kingdom displayed in Jesus' life/ministry, is the cross, resurrection and ascension. Through His climactic victory, Jesus overcomes the works of darkness and cancels the curse that was upon humanity due to the fall. Restoring what man lost at the fall (dual loss: relationship & rulership), Jesus then commissions His followers to be the conduits of Kingdom character and power to every nation and people group (Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:21). 

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

This week's episode of Start2Finish focuses on the display of the Kingdom of God throughout the Old Testament. While the Kingdom has eternally existed due to God's transcendent and eternal nature, it had a visible entrance in the earth as the book of Genesis chronicles the creation of all things. From Creation to the Fall to the Redemptive Covenants, God continually expresses His reign and authority through individuals, families and eventually a nation (Israel). As the Old Testament shows, while humans will inevitably fail in being true to the covenant promises that God made with them, God will never fail and His purposes to establish His Kingdom through covenant partners will continue. Special interest will be given in this episode to:

Scriptures: Psalm 115:16; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:5-6; Gen. 2:15; Gen. 3:15; Col. 1:13-14; Gen. 12:1-3; Exodus 1; Ex. 19:5-6; Psalm 24:7-10.

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

This episode begins a sequence of teachings that will look at how the Kingdom has been displayed throughout history. In today's episode, Dr. Chris observes the way God's Kingdom appeared "before the beginning," in Eternity Past. By nature, God's Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and is eternal in nature. It is eternal because God Himself is eternal. It transcends the creation of all things visible because God's nature is transcendent and beyond the physical, earthly scope. As Colossians 1:17-18 reveals about the deity of Christ, "He is before all things and in Him all things consist." God's Kingdom precedes and is before EVERYTHING, both in the heavenly sphere and in the earth below!

Scriptures: Lam. 3:22-23; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 145:13; Gen. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:17; Col. 1:17-18; Psalm 115:3.

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

This episode contains a portion of Dr. Chris' teaching from a class that He taught on the Kingdom in 2019. In this episode, you will learn about the ESSENCE of God's Kingdom, the NATURE of God's Kingdom, and the EXPRESSION of God's Kingdom. The episode climaxes with a "working definition" of the Kingdom of God: "The Kingdom is the reign and rule of God over and through His human family, over His realm."

Scriptures: Psalm 103:19; Psalm 145:10-13; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 17:20-21; John 18:33-37; Matt. 6:10; Gen. 1:26-28

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

This episode explores the relationship between the Cross and the Kingdom:

Scriptures:

1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 6:14; Psalm 103; Prov. 22:28; Rom. 5:17; Matt. 28:18-20.

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