Wawasee Bible Podcast

Craig Clapper preaches from Philippians 2:25-30.

Pastor Dave Winters preaches from Matthew 16:24-25.

Phil Bubar preaches from James 1:2-8.

Bob Blahnik preaches from Acts 8:25-40.

God’s Word was written to specific people, in specific places, at specific times. And is was written FOR us. For our good, for our joy, for our life. This week Pastor Josh looks at Isaiah 43 where God writes to his people, Israel. He promises to be with them in their coming trials, but also to eventually rescue them as well because of his great love for them. In the same way Jesus rescues us to be witnesses to the only one who can save. As we go through life, we can “remember forward”. Remembering the past so that we can trust God in the present and for the future.

Most believe that Paul was eventually released from his imprisonment in Rome after 2 years (Acts 28:30-31). It’s likely that Paul made a 4th journey after his time in Rome, and Clement seems to indicate that he may have even made it to Spain. During this time, he writes letters to Timothy and Titus. This week we look at his second letter to Timothy, whom he left to pastor the church in Ephesus. 2 Timothy is the last remaining words we have of Paul before his execution at the hands of Nero. He leaves Timothy with some final instructions on how to live, lead, and be faithful in the midst of an environment that’s growing more and more hostile toward Christians. Paul charges Timothy to be courageous, insist on the Gospel, and finish well. May the Spirit help each of us to do the same!

Most believe that Paul was eventually released from his imprisonment in Rome after 2 years (Acts 28:30-31). It’s likely that Paul made a 4th journey after his time in Rome, and Clement seems to indicate that he may have even made it to Spain. During this time, he writes letters to Timothy and Titus. This week we look at his letter to Titus, whom he left in Crete to care for the church there and bring some order. Crete was a rough culture in antiquity and universally seen as such. Paul instructs Titus to bring order to the church, encouraging them to embrace sound teaching and God’s grace, which leads to godly living.

Most believe that Paul was eventually released from his imprisonment in Rome after 2 years (Acts 28:30-31). It’s likely, then, that Paul made a 4th journey after his time in Rome, and Clement seems to indicate that he may have even made it to Spain. During this time, he writes letters to Timothy and Titus. This week, we look at Paul’s letter to Timothy. It’s likely that Paul dropped Timothy off in Ephesus on this journey and left him in charge of the church there. Paul writes to encourage and instruct him as a young pastor. His charge to Timothy (and for us) is to pursue sound doctrine, sound leadership, and sound living.

As far as we know the Apostle Paul never visited the church in Colossae. By the time of Paul the city was no longer a strategic hub. However, God still had big plans for Colossae. During his time as a prisoner in Rome Paul learns of the church there from the guy who likely planted it—Epaphras—and writes a letter to them. In it he encourages them to look for fullness not in the false teachings, philosophies, or rituals that appeared to be prevalent among them but in Jesus Christ. Verses 1:15-20 contain one of the best and most suscient theologies of Jesus Christ ever written. Paul emphasizes Jesus’s preeminence and full deity throughout the letter, encouraging the Colossians to put off their old self with his sinful deeds and put on the new self, walking with Christ by faith (just as they received him). Jesus is supreme and sufficient, so cling to him and pursue him in all things.

The book of Acts ends somewhat abruptly. What happened at Paul's trial? What came next for the early church? What about Peter and the others? In his wisdom, God chose not to tell us any more than he did but left the story without a clear ending. And because it hasn't ended, God's story keeps going today as the Spirit moves in and through the Church to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Acts, we've seen all kinds of obstacles in this endeavor for Paul, Peter, John, and others. Today, we continue to have similar obstacles. But despite those obstacles, our lives and ministry can flourish just as theirs did. God's work is not hindered by our limitations.