Zeal Stoker

Do you see time as a blessing or a curse? We hate waiting, but we only know what it feels like to wait because we have time to measure the experience. That said, time is meant to be a gift given us to measure healing and growth, to gain evidences to trust again, to celebrate relationships, anniversaries, to mark significant milestones in our lives. In Titus (1:1-4), Paul writes “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…”

What good thing can you do to make your witness more effective? Is there someone you should let go? Is there someone you should receive? Is there someone you should forgive? Is there someone to whom you should prove yourself trustworthy? Paul’s letter to his friend Philemon helps us address these questions, because those forgiven forgive.

“Contend earnestly for the faith” Jude said, “which was once for all delivered to the saints.“ The saints— not a title granted by some church council, but the very status and position of every true and spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ. In his closing remarks (Jude1:20-25), Jude provides practical instructions for living in holiness.

The reality is, when fighting for the truth, sometimes the combat zone is not “out there”; it’s in the church. Our opponents are those who may claim to be Christian when they are actually apostates (those who’ve renounced fundamental gospel truths)! Jude (1:16-19) calls believers to remember Jesus’ teachings delivered to them by the apostles. In this octagon (if you will) it’s the word of the apostles versus the apostates.

Jude warns of those who do not know or love the Lord Jesus; who want to consume you and I and our resources; they want the benefits of what we share (fellowship, closeness, peace with God, biblical knowledge), but only in the sense of being members of a religious community club. And then there are those who do you believe in and love Jesus, but treat the church in the same way (religious community club). This episode (Jude 1:12-15) discusses the believer’s response to consumer “Christianity”.

Jude notes those who’ve crept into the church unnoticed. Selfish ambition, sexual immorality and rejection of authority are hallmark traits of those not holding fast the faith of Christ. This podcast addresses just how we are to address the infiltration of those in our midst who have no intention of loving or obeying God in Christ.

Weird = “involving or suggesting the supernatural; unearthly or uncanny” (Dictionary.com). Many in the church have been so super naturally neutered that when asked about the parting of the Red Sea, bread falling from heaven, water coming from a rock, the ground opening up to swallow thousands of rebellious unbelievers, or the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they are tempted to either scientifically explain it away, or pass it off as an allegory or figure of speech. Jude calls his audience to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints; this faith, founded on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, means supernatural beliefs with supernatural living. This might seem weird to some, but it is reality for those who are set free by the gospel!

While our fight is spiritual—largely against rogue angels and demons—we cannot ignore the fact Satan enlists human beings to do much of his dirty work. This may take the form of initially unsuspecting persons (unbelievers) in the church who aim to pervert gospel-truths and promote sinful living. Jude’s letter calls believers to fight for the truth. This episode (Jude 1:1-4) discusses how we may do that, starting by keeping our head on a swivel.

What is our response to someone who wanders from the truth? The apostle James says (5:19-20) our intervention may very well save someone’s soul from death and “cover a multitude of sins.” There is, however, no cookie-cutter intervention, and we’ve got to check our own hearts before we address others’ sins. The truth of the matter is, we’ve got to be prayed up, walking in the Spirit, to know whether they need a hug or a holy hand grenade! This podcast discusses how we might go about knowing the difference.

How does Jesus’ sacrifice 2,000+ years ago affect you and me today? This episode discusses the relevance of Jesus death and the significance of His resurrection. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow!