Welcome to Day 2653 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2653 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 71:12-16 – Daily Wisdom   Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2653 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2653 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: Hope Amidst Hostility, Praise Without End - A Trek Through Psalm 71:12-16 as we continue our deeply personal trek through Psalm 71 in the New Living Translation. Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your guide for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I’m your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we continue our deeply personal trek through Psalm 71 in the New Living Translation. We’ve already heard the psalmist, an older individual, express his lifelong trust in God as his unshakeable refuge, even as he faces the vulnerability of old age and the cruel mockery of his enemies. He shared his deep fear of being abandoned by God when his strength fails, and how his adversaries plot against him, falsely claiming that God has deserted him. Now, as we delve into verses 12 through 16, the psalmist’s plea intensifies, explicitly asking God to confront his foes, but then pivots to a renewed and powerful declaration of unending hope and boundless praise for God’s righteousness and salvation. This section highlights the dynamic nature of a lament psalm – moving from raw complaint to resolute faith. It underscores the psalmist’s conviction that God will indeed act, and that this divine intervention will not only bring justice to his enemies but will also become the very fuel for his continuous, overflowing praise. It’s a testament to the power of shifting our focus from the problem to the character of our delivering God. So, let’s immerse ourselves in these words, allowing their urgency and their resolute hope to resonate within our own hearts. (Reads Psalm 71:12-13 NLT) O God, do not abandon me now! Come quickly, my God, to help me. May those who slander me and try to destroy me be disgraced and humiliated. May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and shame. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist opens this section by reiterating his most profound fear and his most urgent request: “O God, do not abandon me now! Come quickly, my God, to help me.” This echoes his earlier plea in verse 9, underscoring the persistent anxiety of being left alone and the immediate danger he faces. The urgency is palpable; he needs God to come swiftly, to act without delay, because his situation is critical. He addresses God intimately as “my God,” emphasizing the personal nature of their relationship and his absolute reliance on Him. This desperate call for help is immediately followed by a fervent prayer for justice against his enemies: “May those who slander me and try to destroy me be disgraced and humiliated. May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and shame.” This is an imprecatory prayer, a call for divine retribution against those who maliciously seek his ruin. “Slander” here refers to false accusations and...

Welcome to Day 2652 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2652 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 71:7-11 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2652 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2652 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Public Spectacle, A Private Fear - A Trek Through Psalm 71:7-11 In our last conversation, we heard the psalmist, likely an older individual, express his lifelong trust in God, seeking refuge in Him as his unshakeable rock and fortress. He declared God as his hope from childhood, even from birth, and committed to shouting God’s praise forever. Now, as we move into verses 7 through 11, the psalmist reveals the painful reality of his present circumstances: he has become a public spectacle, and his enemies are taking advantage of his perceived weakness in old age, prompting a desperate plea to God not to abandon him. This section vividly portrays the vulnerability of the elderly in ancient societies, which were often reliant on family and community support. To be abandoned by God, or even to appear to be abandoned, was not just a spiritual crisis but a social and existential threat. This psalm gives voice to that deep fear and the malicious exploitation of such weakness by adversaries. It’s a powerful lesson in enduring faith, even when outward appearances suggest otherwise. So, let’s open our hearts and minds to these words of enduring trust amidst public scorn and private fear. (Reads Psalm 71:7-8 NLT) My life is an example to many, because you have been my strong refuge. That is why I can praise you always; I declare your glory all day long. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist opens this section with a striking self-assessment that appears, at first glance, to be a confident affirmation: “My life is an example to many, because you have been my strong refuge.” The Hebrew word translated “example” or “wonder” here (môp̄ēt) can also mean an “omen,” “sign,” or “prodigy.” In some contexts, it refers to something unusual or even ominous that people look at with curiosity or apprehension. Given the psalmist’s previous laments about disgrace and later verses about enemies plotting his downfall, his “example” is likely not one of triumphant strength in the eyes of his adversaries. Instead, it suggests that his suffering, his perceived weakness, and his enduring faith have made him an object of intense public scrutiny. People are watching him, perhaps wondering if God truly stands with him, especially in his old age. He is a “sign” to them, a living question mark that tests their understanding of divine justice and faithfulness. However, the psalmist immediately redefines this public perception through the lens of his faith: his life is an example to many, not because he is outwardly powerful or free from trouble, but “because you have been my strong refuge.” It is God’s unwavering faithfulness as his protector that makes his life a testament, even amidst his vulnerability. He is not defined by his public scorn or his age-related weakness, but by God’s consistent strength on his behalf.

Welcome to Day 2651 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “The Unseen Realm: God and the Gods” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2651 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2651 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today, we begin a new focus on this 2nd of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book Supernatural, written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor, the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book ‘The Unseen Realm.’ If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.’ Today, we will read through chapter two: ‘The Unseen Realm: God and the Gods.’ People are fascinated by the supernatural and the superhuman. Just think about the entertainment industry in recent years. Thousands of books, television shows, and movies from the past decade have explored themes such as angels, aliens, monsters, demons, ghosts, witches, magic, vampires, werewolves, and superheroes. Many of Hollywood’s blockbuster franchises feature the supernatural: the X-Men, the Avengers, the Harry Potter series, Superman, and the Twilight Saga. Television shows like Fringe, and, of course, Supernatural and The X-Files, have dedicated followings even long after filming new episodes ends. And really, haven’t these things always been popular—in tales, in books, in art? Why? One answer is that they’re an escape from the ordinary. They offer us a world that’s more interesting and exciting than our own. There’s something about good versus evil, magnified on a cosmic scale, that thrills us. The epic struggle by the heroes of Middle-earth (Gandalf, Frodo, and company) against the Dark Lord Sauron in The Lord of the Rings trilogy has captivated readers (and now moviegoers) for over half a century now. The more otherworldly the villain, the more spectacular the triumph. On another level, people are drawn to other worlds because, as the book of Ecclesiastes puts it, God has “put eternity into [our] hearts” (Eccl. 3:11). There’s something about the human condition that longs for something beyond human experience—something divine. The Apostle Paul also wrote about this yearning. He taught that it comes from just being alive in the world God has made. The creation bears witness to a creator, and, therefore, to a realm beyond our own (Rom. 1:18–23). Paul said this impulse was so powerful that it had to be willfully suppressed (v. 18). And yet we don’t seem to think of the epic story of the Bible in the same way we think of our own tales of the supernatural in books, movies, and legend. There are reasons for that, and they go beyond the lack of special effects. For some, the Bible’s characters are too ordinary or grandfatherly. They don’t feel dynamic or heroic. After all, these are the same people and the same stories we’ve been hearing since Sunday school as kids. Then there’s the cultural barrier. It’s hard for us to identify with what seems like an endless parade of ancient shepherds and men wearing robes, like so many actors in your church’s nativity play. But I think an even bigger factor in why science fiction or supernatural fantasy captures our imagination more...

Welcome to Day 2650 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2650 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 71:1-6 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2650 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2650 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Lifelong Anchor - A Trek Through Psalm 71:1-6. We’re embarking on a deeply personal and encouraging journey through the opening verses of Psalm 71 in the New Living Translation. Psalm 71 is unique and poignant. It’s a prayer of an older individual, one who has walked with God for many years, faced numerous challenges, and now, in their later years, continues to trust implicitly in God’s unwavering faithfulness. It’s a powerful testimony to lifelong reliance on the Almighty, even when facing new adversaries and public scorn. The psalmist’s words resonate with anyone who has endured a long journey of faith, marked by both trials and triumphs. In ancient Israelite society, old age brought both respect and, at times, vulnerability. The psalmist here is likely experiencing the latter, facing enemies who perhaps see his age as a weakness. Yet, his response is not one of despair, but a confident appeal to the God he has known and trusted throughout his entire life. This psalm reminds us that God is not just a God for our youth or our crises, but a faithful companion and protector through every season of life, right into our twilight years. So, let’s open our hearts and minds to these words of seasoned faith, allowing their wisdom to anchor our own journey. (Reads Psalm 71:1-3 NLT) Lord, I come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Rescue me! Save me! For you are a righteous God. Turn your ear to listen and rescue me. Be my rock of refuge, a fortress where I can always find safety. For you are my rock and my fortress. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with an immediate and urgent plea for divine protection: “Lord, I come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.” This is the cry of someone under threat, facing a situation where his reputation, his dignity, and perhaps even his life are on the line. In ancient Israelite society, public “disgrace” or shame was a profound spiritual and social setback, often feared as much as, if not more than, physical harm. It implied that God had withdrawn His favor, leaving one vulnerable to contempt. The psalmist desperately wants to avoid this. His plea quickly intensifies: “Rescue me! Save me! For you are a righteous God. Turn your ear to listen and rescue me.” This is an almost breathless cry, a direct appeal to God’s character. He asks God to “rescue” and “save” him, not because of his own merit, but because God is a “righteous God.” This means God is just, faithful, and acts in accordance with His holy nature. His righteousness ensures that He will ultimately deliver those who trust in Him and deal justly with their adversaries. The repeated plea,...

Welcome to Day 2649 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2649 – New Testament Orientation – The Book of Acts: The Spirit's Unstoppable Journey   Putnam Church Message – 06/08/2025 Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation Message 7: The Book of Acts: The Spirit’s Unstoppable Journey.   Last week, we explored: Jesus’ Message to Gentiles & Jews - the Cross Core Verses: Hebrews 3:1-2 Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) This week is Messager: 7 of 12 Title: The Book of Acts: The Spirit’s Unstoppable Journey. Core Verses: Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Today is Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection Sunday. On this day, many representatives of the Israelites who had been taken into exile in the Assyria and Babylonian empires were in Jerusalem. The countries mentioned are also very similar to the nations dispersed at the Tower of Babbel being reunited again. The dispersed nations were being reunited to begin the construction of God’s kingdom throughout the known world. As we get started this morning, let me set the stage by reading the account of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-12 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[b] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. The precursor to this passage is our core verse for today: Core Verses: Acts 1:8 (NLT) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in...

Welcome to Day 2648 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2648 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 70:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2648 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2648 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled A Desperate Cry, A Swift Rescue - A Trek Through Psalm 70:1-5, and we’re embarking on a focused and incredibly urgent trek through the entirety of Psalm 70 in the New Living Translation. Psalm 70 is unique. It’s a very short psalm, only five verses, but its brevity only amplifies its intense plea. In fact, for those of you who are keen students of the Psalms, you might recognize these verses, as Psalm 70 is almost identical to Psalm 40, verses 13-17. The fact that the psalmist chose to extract and repeat this particular cry for help speaks volumes about the depth of his desperation and the urgency of his need. This psalm is a classic lament, a raw and immediate prayer when danger is imminent and divine intervention is urgently needed. It gives voice to that moment when you feel like you’re on the brink, and the only hope is a swift, powerful act from God Himself. In the ancient Israelite worldview, such direct, urgent pleas were not a sign of weak faith, but of profound trust in a God who hears and answers. So, let’s open our hearts and minds to this fervent prayer, allowing its urgency to resonate with any immediate needs or dangers you might be facing today.   (Reads Psalm 70:1-3 NLT) Please, God, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me! May those who try to kill me be humiliated and disgraced. May those who delight in my troubles be turned back in shame. May those who slander me and say, “Aha! Look what happened to him!” be shocked and humiliated. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm opens with an immediate and almost breathless cry: “Please, God, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me!” The Hebrew here conveys a sense of utmost urgency. It’s not a polite request; it’s an impassioned plea, a desperate gasp for air from someone who feels overwhelmed and in imminent danger. The repetition of “rescue me” and “help me” emphasizes the direness of the situation, while “come quickly” underscores the need for immediate, swift action from God. This is the prayer of someone who perceives their very life to be hanging by a thread. Think of a person caught in a raging current, nearing a waterfall. Their cry isn’t a measured theological statement; it’s an instinctive, desperate shout for help. Or imagine a soldier amid battle, surrounded by enemies, sending an urgent plea for reinforcements. The psalmist is in a spiritual battle for his life, and he needs God’s intervention now. The psalmist then turns his attention to his adversaries, expressing a desire for their humiliation and disgrace: “May those who try to kill me be humiliated and disgraced. May those who delight in my troubles be turned back in...

Welcome to Day 2647 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2647 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 69:34-36 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2647 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2647 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we reach the glorious crescendo, the triumphant conclusion of our long and deeply moving trek through Psalm 69 in the New Living Translation. We began this journey immersed in the psalmist’s raw agony, feeling overwhelmed by literal and metaphorical floods, bearing the burden of unjust accusations, and suffering the bitter sting of mockery for his heartfelt devotion to God. We witnessed his persistent cry for God’s unfailing love and justice, even amidst the cruelest abandonment. Then, a turning point: a resolute commitment to praise God despite his pain, a declaration that heartfelt worship pleases God more than any sacrifice, and a confident assurance that God hears the needy. Now, in these final three verses, the focus expands dramatically. The psalmist moves beyond his personal deliverance to a sweeping, universal vision of praise and a powerful prophecy of God’s ultimate restoration of Zion and the enduring blessing of His people for generations to come. This is a common and powerful way many lament psalms conclude – transforming personal anguish into cosmic hope, reminding us that individual suffering is often woven into God’s grand redemptive tapestry. Let’s lift our gaze and our hearts as we read the final verses of Psalm 69, verses 34 through 36: (Reads Psalm 69:34-36 NLT) Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will rescue Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will settle there and take possession of it. The descendants of his servants will inherit the land, and those who love his name will live there in safety. Guthrie Chamberlain: What a magnificent, awe-inspiring declaration! The psalmist’s personal cry for help culminates in a universal call to worship: “Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.” This is a vision of cosmic praise, encompassing all of creation. It’s as if the relief and joy of anticipated deliverance are so immense that the psalmist cannot contain it, and he calls upon the entire created order to join him in praising the Almighty God. In the ancient Israelite worldview, the cosmos was a unified whole, and creation itself was often seen as testifying to the glory of its Creator. The “heavens” declared God’s glory (Psalm 19:1), and the “seas” were often depicted as powerful, chaotic forces subject only to God’s command. For all these elements – from the vastness of the cosmos to the teeming life within the oceans – to praise God signifies the absolute universality of His reign and the recognition of His ultimate triumph. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the call for “all the earth” to praise God that we saw in Psalm 66. It means that God’s glory will be so undeniable that His praise will resonate throughout every corner of existence. The reason for this universal praise is then revealed:

Welcome to Day 2646 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Believing the Bible”– Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2646 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2646 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today, we begin a new focus on the 1st of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book Supernatural, written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor, the late Dr. Michael S Heiser. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book ‘The Unseen Realm.’ If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.’ Today, we will read through chapter one, ‘Believing the Bible.’ Do you really believe what the Bible says? To some, that may seem like an odd question to ask in a book likely to be read mostly by Christians. But I don’t think it’s so odd. The Bible has some pretty strange things in it—things that are hard to believe, especially in the modern world. I’m not talking about the big stuff, such as whether Jesus was God come to earth, who then died on the cross and rose from the dead. I’m not even thinking of miracle stories like the exodus, when God rescued Israel from Egypt by making a way for them through the Red Sea. Most Christians would say they believe those things. After all, if you don’t believe in God and Jesus, or that they could do miraculous things, what’s the point of saying you’re a Christian? I’m talking about the little-known supernatural stuff you run into occasionally when reading the Bible, but rarely hear about in church. Here’s an example. In 1 Kings 22, there’s a story about a wicked king of Israel, Ahab. He wants to join forces with the king of Judah to attack an enemy at a place called Ramoth-gilead. Judah’s king wants a glimpse into the future—he wants to know what’s going to happen if they attack. So the two kings ask Ahab’s prophets and get thumbs up all around. But those prophets are just telling Ahab what he wants to hear, and both kings know it. So they decide to ask God’s prophet, a fellow named Micaiah. What he says isn’t good news for Ahab: Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; and the Lord said, “Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?” And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, “I will entice him.” And the Lord said to him, “By what means?” And he said, “I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” And he said, “You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.” Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you. (1 Kings 22:19–23) Did you catch what the Bible’s asking you to believe? That God meets with a group of spirit beings to decide what happens on earth? Is that for real? Here’s another example, courtesy of Jude: And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day....

Welcome to Day 2645 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2645 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 69:29-33 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2645 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2645 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, today, we’re witnessing a remarkable turning point in our trek through Psalm 69 in the New Living Translation. We’ve navigated the turbulent waters of the psalmist’s despair, heard his cries of being overwhelmed, unjustly accused, and deeply mocked. We’ve even explored the challenging territory of his imprecatory prayers for God’s justice upon his enemies. Now, as we arrive at verses 29 through 33, a profound shift occurs. Amidst his continued suffering, the psalmist’s spirit turns, and a note of confident hope and triumphant praise begins to emerge. This transformation from intense lament to declarations of praise is a common and powerful characteristic of many psalms. It’s a testament to the resilience of faith, the power of persistent prayer, and the unwavering conviction that God ultimately hears and responds to the cries of His people. This section also offers a profound insight into what truly pleases God – not merely ritual, but heartfelt worship, especially from a place of genuine need. Let’s allow the spirit of praise to uplift us as we delve into Psalm 69, starting with verses 29 through 30: (Reads Psalm 69:29-30 NLT) I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins by clearly stating his current reality, not sugarcoating it: “I am suffering and in pain.” He doesn’t deny his ongoing anguish, despite the turn towards hope. The depths of his distress are still very real. This authenticity is a hallmark of the psalms and a vital component of genuine faith. We don’t have to pretend everything is fine when it isn’t. God knows our pain, and the psalmist affirms that openly. Yet, immediately following this acknowledgment of pain, comes a renewed, direct plea for divine intervention: “Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.” He isn’t asking for just any help; he’s specifically appealing to God’s “saving power”—that same mighty power that delivered Israel from Egypt, that brought them through the wilderness, and that conquers all enemies. This shows his unshakable belief in God’s ability to deliver him, no matter how dire his circumstances. And then comes the incredible declaration of what his response will be once God acts: “Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.” This is a vow of praise. It’s a promise to publicly celebrate God’s deliverance. It’s not just an intellectual acknowledgment, but an emotional and communal expression. In the ancient Israelite context, singing was a fundamental expression of joy, praise, and corporate worship. To “praise God’s name with singing” means to celebrate His very character, His identity, His reputation. To “honor him with...

Welcome to Day 2644 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2644 – New Testament Orientation – Jesus' Message to Gentiles and Jews - the Cross Putnam Church Message – 06/01/2025 Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation Message 6: “Jesus’ Message to Gentiles & Jews - the Cross”   Last week, we explored The Four Gospels - Four Witnesses to the King Core Verses: Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) This week is Sermon: 6 of 12 Title: Jesus’ Message to Gentiles & Jews - the Cross Core Verses: Hebrews 3:1-2 Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Core Verses: Hebrews 3:1-2 (NLT) “And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our faith. For he was faithful to God who appointed him, just as Moses had been faithful in all God’s house.” Opening Prayer Our Gracious and Holy Father, we come before You this day with hearts open and minds eager to receive Your truth. As we gather to explore the profound message of Your Son, Jesus, we pray that your Holy Spirit will illuminate our understanding. May we grasp the depth of His faithfulness, the power of His victory, and the boundless love extended to all—Jew and Gentile alike—through His sacrifice on the cross. Guide our thoughts, stir our spirits, and transform our lives, we pray, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. Introduction: The Unveiling of a King’s Message As we continue on this incredible journey through the New Testament! We are now in our sixth week, and today, we stand at a pivotal juncture, peering into the very heart of Jesus’ mission. If you could have walked up to Jesus, as many did, and asked, “What are you about? What is your core message?” what would He have said? Today, we will explore four crucial aspects of His message—ideas that might not always get the attention they deserve, but are foundational to understanding Jesus, His kingdom, and the radical inclusion He brought to all nations. We’ll speak of Jesus’ faithfulness, His decisive victory over demonic powers, the revolutionary relationship between Jew and Gentile forged in Him, and finally, the profound meaning of the cross. (Bulletin Insert)

1. Jesus’ Faithfulness: A Quiet Carpenter’s Perfect Obedience

Our journey begins with a look at Jesus’ faithfulness, a quality often overlooked amidst the dazzling miracles and powerful teachings. The writer of Hebrews—a sermon in itself—highlights this in our core verses today: “He was faithful to God who appointed him, just as Moses had been faithful in all God’s house” (Hebrews 3:2, NLT). Imagine Jesus, not as the public figure we know from His ministry, but as a young man in Nazareth. For nearly 30 years, He lived a quiet life as a carpenter, the son of a carpenter. There were no public miracles, no grand sermons, just the humble rhythm of daily life. And yet, when He emerges for His public baptism, the heavens declare, “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matthew 3:17, NLT). What was God pleased