The Bible Matters Podcast

Have you ever wondered whether following God is really worth the cost when life seems to be falling apart?

What does the Book of Ruth really teach? Is it simply a love story, or is it asking a much bigger question: is it worth returning to the Lord when life is hard? In this episode, we were joined by Tim Sheppard to explore the first book in our series on the Megilloth, the Five Scrolls. We examined Ruth as a carefully crafted narrative that points beyond itself to God's sovereign purposes, his hidden work in ordinary circumstances, and his commitment to establishing his kingdom.

Along the way they discuss Naomi's bitterness, Ruth's remarkable faithfulness, Boaz's generosity, the significance of David at the end of the book, and why "finding your Boaz" may not be the main point of Ruth after all.

Questions answered in this episode

- Why is the Book of Ruth so important in the storyline of the Bible?

- Is Ruth really a book about romance and finding a spouse?

- Why does Naomi describe herself as bitter, and is she right to do so?

- How does God work through ordinary events to accomplish extraordinary purposes?

- What does Ruth teach us about trusting God's promises when they seem far from fulfilment?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters 

To contact us, email [email protected] 

What if five seemingly unrelated books of the Bible were actually part of a forgotten collection?

In this introductory episode to our new series on the Megilloth (the Five Scrolls), Leo is joined by Molly to explore one of the Bible's most overlooked groupings: Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and Lamentations.

Why were these books collected together? What can we learn from reading them as a collection rather than simply as individual books? And what happens if the category of "wisdom literature" isn't quite as straightforward as we've often assumed?

Together, Leo and Molly discuss the Jewish ordering of the Old Testament, the origins of the Five Scrolls, the dangers of over-reading connections between books, and some surprising themes that appear to unite this remarkable collection. Most importantly, they ask whether all five books might be wrestling with the same question:

When God's promises seem distant, is he still worth trusting?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]

What does it take to finish the race of faith well?

Drawing on Paul's images of the athlete, the soldier and the hardworking farmer, we consider the dangers, pressures and disappointments that can cause Christians to lose heart.

Yet alongside the warnings comes a powerful encouragement: faithful perseverance is possible through spiritual discipline, dependence on God and a fixed hope in the reward Christ promises. Whether you are serving in formal ministry or seeking to follow Christ faithfully in everyday life, this episode is a timely call to spiritual fitness, perseverance and finishing the race well.

Questions answered in this episode:

-What did Paul mean when he said, "I have finished the race"?

-Why does the Bible compare the Christian life to athletic training?

-What challenges do Christian leaders face as they seek to remain faithful?

-How can believers maintain their spiritual fitness over the long term? What encouragement does 2 Timothy offer to Christians facing opposition, discouragement or suffering?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected] 

Following William Taylor's recent talks on Titus and the Church of England, a number of questions and comments were raised by those who attended. In this short bonus episode, Leo Elbourne sits down with William Taylor to explore those questions in more detail, clarify his position, and discuss the implications for churches, ministry training, and the future of evangelical ministry within the Church of England.

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected] 

What strategy should the church follow in order to reach a broken world?

In this episode we feature a talk from William Taylor on Titus 3 that was given at a gathering of church leaders and ministry staff in London. In the talk, William looks at Paul's instructions to Timothy, and particularly the instructions on how he's to respond to false teachers.

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected] 

In this episode we feature a talk from William Taylor on Titus 3 that was given at a gathering of church leaders and ministry staff in London. In the talk, William looks at Paul's instructions to Timothy, and particularly the instructions on how he's to respond to false teachers.

Questions answered in this episode:

- What is God's strategy for the church?

- How should churches address false teaching?

- How should a Gospel worker respond to false teachers?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected] 

How will God save the world? 

In this episode we feature a talk from William Taylor on Titus 1-2 that was given at a gathering of church leaders and ministry staff in London. In the talk, William looks at Paul's instructions to Timothy concerning his ministry to Crete, and how we can learn from it as we seek to minister in our context. 

Questions answered in this episode:

- How will God save the world?

-What should ministry look like?

-What do I need to do to be a pastor? 

- What should I focus on in my ministry. 

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected] 

Who is Jesus? And what verdict have you reached?

In this powerful concluding address from the "Who's Jesus?" series, John Stott argues that the claims of Jesus demand a response. Drawing from Matthew 11:25-30, he explores Jesus' extraordinary statements about himself, his unique ability to reveal God, and his invitation to all who are weary and burdened.

Stott explains why Christianity is more than religion, why God reveals himself to the humble, and why so many people hesitate to respond to Jesus' call. He examines the burden of guilt, the offer of forgiveness through the cross, and the challenge of taking upon ourselves the yoke of Christ.

At the heart of this talk is a simple but unavoidable question: if Jesus is who he claimed to be, can we really remain neutral?

Questions answered in this episode:

-Who did Jesus claim to be, and why are his claims so remarkable?

-Why does Jesus say that only he can reveal God?

-Why does God reveal himself to the humble but hide himself from the proud?

-What stops people from coming to Christ?

-What does it mean to take Jesus' yoke upon yourself and follow him?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]