• Background on Corinth and Paul’s letters:

  • [00:01:26] Corinth was a deeply pagan Roman culture; calling someone a “Corinthian” was an insult implying sexual immorality and self-indulgence.
  • [00:02:26] Paul wrote three letters to the Corinthians (we have two); he lived with them for 18 months on his second missionary journey (around AD 50-52) and another 3 months on his third journey (AD 56).
  • [00:04:32] Bruce covers this now not because of a current fault, but to teach the truth beforehand so the church is prepared for trials that may come.
  • [00:06:08] It is better to train and encourage than to correct multiple faults at once, which can cause discouragement.
  • [00:07:37] Many problems in Corinth came from believers still shaped by their pagan culture; similarly, we live in a post-Christian age where biblical values are often unknown or rejected.

• Issues Paul corrected in 1 Corinthians:

  • [00:12:51] Chapter 1: Divisions among believers and pride.
  • [00:13:30] Chapters 2-3: Spiritual wisdom versus natural wisdom; people making decisions based on their own values instead of God’s Word.
  • [00:14:20] Chapter 4: Paul appeals to the Corinthians to accept his leadership and that of Apollos and Timothy.
  • [00:15:03] Chapter 5: Immorality—a man living with his father’s wife; Paul says to expel the unrepentant person from the church. This is not being judgmental but maintaining church purity.
  • [00:17:14] Chapter 6: Lawsuits between believers; Paul says it is better to be defrauded than to fight for selfish goals. He also returns to immorality.
  • [00:17:45] Chapter 7: Teaching on marriage, how marriages fail, and remarriage.
  • [00:18:24] Chapter 8: Eating food offered to idols and not stumbling a brother; the principle of offending others is still relevant today.
  • [00:19:06] Chapter 9: Paul again appeals to the Corinthians to accept his leadership.
  • [00:19:23] Chapter 10: Paul cites the Israelites as examples of falling through idolatry, immorality, and complaining; believers should please God and others.
  • [00:20:02] Chapter 11: Instructions on head coverings and taking the Lord’s Supper reverently; some had died because of their irreverence.
  • [00:20:53] Chapters 12-14: Gifts of the Spirit, the love chapter (13), and order in church services.
  • [00:21:16] Chapter 15: Correction about the resurrection; Paul teaches that there is a resurrection and a judgment.
  • [00:21:59] Chapter 16: Final exhortations to love one another and “quit you like men.”

• Key themes in 2 Corinthians:

  • [00:23:20] Paul instructs the church to confirm their love and restore the repentant brother who was put out.
  • [00:23:53] Paul again appeals for them to accept his ministry, using persuasion not compulsion, calling himself their father in Christ.
  • [00:25:14] Paul teaches on comfort for the repentant, giving generously, and again appeals to receive his ministry.

• Five concluding applications:

  1. [00:25:55] The church must be holy, walking in what pleases the Lord, not just in right and wrong.
  2. [00:26:38] Put away the evil person from among you for the church’s purity and the sinner’s repentance (quoting Deuteronomy).
  3. [00:27:18] Love one another and bear with one another to avoid fights and splits.
  4. [00:27:55] Be willing to work to see change where needed; do not immediately evict those struggling but working to change, but remove the unrepentant.
  5. [00:30:00] Be faithful to God and the teaching of Scripture; many churches have failed in this for 40-60 years, especially on issues like ungodly divorce.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians

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• [00:00] Reads 2 Timothy 3 from the New Living Translation, noting the passage describes “very difficult times” in the last days characterized by selfishness, betrayal, and religious hypocrisy.
• [03:02] Outlines the two-part structure: verses 1-9 describe end-time troubles, and verses 10-17 explain how Timothy should live in contrast.
• [04:34] Notes that while these evils have always existed, in the end times they become more overt and difficult, comparing the word “difficult” to the violent demoniac who broke chains.
• [06:10] Highlights the pain of betrayal, even from close friends or household members, and that recklessness (going headlong like jumping off a cliff) will mark these times.
• [08:46] Affirms that nothing evil happens without God allowing it, and the cross is the key example of God using evil for redemption; God contains evil and works through it.
• [12:32] Discusses how evil infiltrates homes through false teachers with counterfeit faith, and believers must test teachings by whether they acknowledge Jesus came in the flesh.
• [14:49] Explains that counterfeit teaching “trims the coin” of truth, making it smooth and subtly devalued; but such teachers will not get away with it forever.
• [18:58] Focuses on the contrast in verse 10: “But you, Timothy,” urging believers to not fret about evil but instead look to trustworthy teachers.
• [20:25] Emphasizes that a good teacher not only speaks truth but lives it out—their purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance are visible.
• [25:12] Stresses the call to remain faithful to what we have been taught, and that we know these things are true because we trust those who taught us and saw them demonstrated.
• [27:13] Highlights the importance of knowing teachers personally and seeing truth lived out—this gives conviction to hold fast in opposition.
• [31:36] Reflects on the strength of the church when truth is taught and demonstrated in multiple lives.
• [32:31] Describes Scripture as “God-breathed” (theopneustos), living truth that teaches, corrects, and equips believers for good works.
• [34:40] Concludes that believers are not merely to resist evil but to overcome evil with good, being equipped by Scripture for every good work until the Lord returns.

Scripture References

• 2 Timothy 3
• Matthew 10 (reference to “people’s enemies will be those of his own household”)
• 1 John 4 (reference to testing spirits)
• Acts 4 (reference to “no other name given among men by which we might be saved”)
• James 2 (reference to demons believing)
• Genesis 11 (reference to Tower of Babel)
• Ephesians 5 / Philippians 3 (reference to holding fast to the truth)
• Ezekiel 37 (reference to valley of dry bones)
• Genesis 2 (reference to God breathing into man)
• 2 Peter 1 (reference to prophecy not coming by man’s will)

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• [00:01] Introduces the green backpack from a hike on Mount Mansfield – no one wanted to carry it, but everyone was able; his son Leland initially complained but eventually carried it with a better attitude.
• [00:02] The main principle is Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
• [00:03] The law of Christ is defined in John 13:34-35 – love one another as Christ loved us; also 1 John 4:21 – whoever loves God must also love his brother.
• [00:05] Colossians 3:23-24 – work heartily as for the Lord, not for men, knowing you are serving the Lord Christ.
• [00:06] 1 Peter 4:7-11 – use your gifts to serve one another, serving by the strength that God supplies so that God may be glorified.
• [00:07] Proverbs 27:17 – iron sharpens iron; one man sharpens another’s face. References Cain in Genesis 4:1-7 where his face fell because his offering was rejected.
• [00:09] God gave Cain a chance to do well and be accepted; if someone does better than you, let their good works encourage you rather than becoming jealous like Cain.
• [00:11] Proverbs 10:4 – a slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 12:24 – the hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
• [00:12] Psalm 145:9 – the Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works; caring for our work honors God.
• [00:13] Philippians 2:3-4 – do nothing from selfish ambition, count others more significant, look to their interests.
• [00:14] Philippians 2:5-7 – have the mind of Christ, who emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant and became obedient to death.
• [00:15] Jesus willingly took the lowest place; Christians should be willing to serve without demanding higher positions.
• [00:16] Luke 6:27-36 – love your enemies, do good, lend expecting nothing in return; be merciful as your Father is merciful.
• [00:18] We often struggle to serve even our own family when we don’t feel appreciated; God wants us to serve our enemies, so surely He wants us to serve our household.
• [00:19] Matthew 5:41 – if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles; have a heart willing to go twice as far as asked.
• [00:20] Closes with a poem about Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody – challenging listeners to be the one who does the job instead of assuming someone else will.
• [00:22] Prayer: ask God to help us see our work as service to Him and to spur us on in obedience.

Scripture References

• Galatians 6:2
• John 13:34-35
• 1 John 4:21
• Colossians 3:23-24
• 1 Peter 4:7-11
• Proverbs 27:17
• Genesis 4:1-7
• Proverbs 10:4
• Proverbs 12:24
• Psalm 145:9
• Philippians 2:3-7
• Luke 6:27-36
• Matthew 5:41

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1. Introduction and Review
   • The sermon is a follow-up on having an “actively seeking God lifestyle” with reasons to seek God.
   • Reasons to seek God: For Himself (because He created and redeemed us), for our own benefit (blessings come from living according to truth), and to benefit others (becoming a blessing to our community).
   • The analogy of the priesthood is introduced as a key theme, citing Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9, and Revelation 5:9-10, showing God’s intent for His people to be a kingdom of priests.
2. Old Covenant vs. New Covenant (Hebrews 8)
   • [13:08] The Old Covenant (Mosaic) was a “copy and shadow” of the heavenly sanctuary, while the New Covenant is better, enacted on better promises, with Christ as the High Priest.
   • [16:04] The New Covenant involves God’s laws written on our hearts and minds, not on tablets of stone, and everyone from the least to the greatest will know the Lord.
3. The Tabernacle and Sacrifices (Hebrews 9)
   • [20:04] The earthly sanctuary (tabernacle) had an outer Holy Place and the inner Holy of Holies, entered only once a year by the high priest with blood.
   • [23:22] Christ entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all with His own blood, securing eternal redemption. He is both the High Priest and the sacrifice.
   • [25:46] Under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.
4. Christ’s Once-for-All Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:24 – 10:23)
   • [27:47] Christ entered heaven itself to appear in God’s presence on our behalf. His sacrifice was once for all, not repeated like the old system.
   • [30:57] Just as humans die once and face judgment, Christ died once to bear the sins of many, and He will return to save those eagerly waiting for Him.
   • [33:13] The law was a shadow, but the sacrifices of bulls and goats could not take away sins. Christ came to do God’s will, offering His body once for all.
   • [36:10] Because of Christ’s sacrifice, believers have confidence to enter the sanctuary, draw near with a true heart, and hold fast to their hope.
5. Conclusion: Living as a Kingdom of Priests
   • [37:04] The theme of Hebrews is “let us draw near.” Believers should delight to spend time with God, know His ways, and be priests for one another.
   • [37:30] The term “priest” in the New Testament is not an office but an identity for all believers. We are to be ambassadors for Christ, helping others know Him.
   • [38:58] Our identity determines how we live. Believers should embrace their identity as “a priest for God,” which changes how they live and serve.

Scripture References

• Exodus 19:5-6
• 1 Peter 2:9-10
• Revelation 5:9-10
• Hebrews 8
• Hebrews 9:1-10
• Hebrews 9:11-23
• Hebrews 9:24-28
• Hebrews 10:1-23
• Romans 8:1
• Jeremiah 31

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The post Actively Seeking God: Believers as a Royal Priesthood first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:03:09] Introduces the passage from Isaiah 54 as being about the benefits or blessings of redemption and notes it follows the suffering of Jesus in Isaiah 53.
• [00:03:51] The specific blessing of overcoming shame is possible because Jesus himself was shamed on the cross and took our shame upon himself.
• [00:09:10] Defines the difference between guilt and shame: guilt says “I have done wrong” and involves wrongdoing deserving punishment, while shame says “I am wrong” and is about our identity, not our actions.
• [00:11:04] Clarifies that in redemption, guilt is removed through Christ’s work, and we are completely forgiven. There is no additional forgiveness needed for future sins; the only basis is the work of Christ.
• [00:13:30] As believers grow older, they can more clearly see the things they are ashamed of and understand how Jesus has set them free from that shame, not just from guilt.
• [00:14:27] The passage contains three metaphors for spiritual shame: being childless (spiritual fruitlessness), being a widow (feeling unloved), and having no city to dwell in (having no place of peace).
• [00:14:44] The primary focus is on the second metaphor: the shame of being unloved, or feeling unworthy of love, which is represented by the widow abandoned by her husband.
• [00:20:10] In verse 4, God says “Fear not, you will no longer live in shame,” meaning we should not be afraid to bring our shame into the light because God has done something about it.
• [00:22:36] Describes the two aspects of shame: the shock of realizing something about ourselves (being pale) and the embarrassment of it being known to others (blushing).
• [00:23:42] The two roots of shame mentioned in the passage are: 1) The shame of youth (things that happened to us as children, often not our fault) and 2) The sorrows of widowhood (the breaking of a close relationship later in life).
• [00:25:43] God describes himself as a husband to overcome the shame of being unloved, listing five attributes: Creator, Lord of Hosts, Redeemer, Holy One of Israel, and God of all the earth.
• [00:27:39] As Creator, God created us with the purpose of knowing, loving, and redeeming us, having known our whole story from the beginning.
• [00:29:04] As Lord of Hosts, overcoming shame involves spiritual battle, as Satan uses accusations to make us feel unloved and immobilized.
• [00:30:40] As the Holy One of Israel, the goal of overcoming shame is that we should see ourselves as holy and becoming more holy.
• [00:30:59] As God of all the earth, he can redeem the natural things and places in our lives that are associated with painful, shameful memories, transforming them into places of glory.
• [00:34:41] Discusses the difficult passage of verses 7-8, where God says he abandoned us, which seems contradictory to Hebrews 13 where he says he will never leave us, but explains the difference between the experience of feeling abandoned and actual abandonment.
• [00:37:29] The only place in the Bible where God truly abandons someone is when the Father abandons Jesus on the cross, so that believers would never have to be truly abandoned.
• [00:39:38] The purpose of understanding the experience of being under God’s anger or feeling abandoned is to appreciate redemption with clarity and to come to a place of faith that helps overcome the shame of feeling unloved.

Scripture References

• Isaiah 53-54
• Isaiah 53:4-10
• Isaiah 54:1-10
• Galatians 4
• John 15
• Hebrews 13:5-6
• Psalm 107
• Isaiah 53:11
• Hebrews 10:22

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• [00:00] Honored mothers present and those who have gone before, sharing how his mother's faith influenced him and his siblings
• [00:51] Read Genesis 3:20: Adam named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all living; the Hebrew word Eve resembles the word for living
• [01:14] Mothers carried us for nine months and endured pain in childbirth as a result of the fall — we should honor them
• [02:13] Eve acknowledged God's help when she bore Cain, saying "I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord" (Genesis 4:1)
• [02:58] When Seth was born, Eve said "God has appointed for me another child instead of Abel" (Genesis 4:25), showing she attributed childbirth to God
• [03:27] Encouraged mothers to have a personal relationship with God because so much comes to children through that
• [04:07] Scripture doesn't record Adam talking to God after the fall, highlighting the importance of fathers also having a relationship with the Lord
• [05:15] Urged parents not to delegate faith to the church but to bring the Lord into the home through prayer, reading the Word, and sowing seeds of faith in children

Are You Seeking God?

• [06:00] Posed the question "Are you seeking God?" noting that many churches would be puzzled by it
• [06:17] Being a Christian is not equivalent to attending church — one can attend without truly seeking God
• [07:52] Being saved and going to heaven is not the primary message of the Bible; Jesus taught to pray "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10)
• [08:40] Four reasons to actively seek God:
  1. [09:37] It pleases God
  2. [09:44] Love makes us want to spend time with the one we love
  3. [09:59] We miss out on God's greatest blessings if we don't seek Him
  4. [10:39] Others around us, especially family, miss out when we don't seek the Lord

How to Seek God — Interactive List

• [12:50] Read the Bible — spending time in God's Word renews our mind and transforms us (Romans 12:2)
• [13:23] Study and meditate on the Bible
• [13:43] Prayer and fasting
• [14:04] Fellowship with other believers — Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages stirring one another up and not neglecting to meet together
• [14:47] Prayer — enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)
• [15:13] Examined the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as a pattern: begins with adoration, prays for God's agenda first, then personal needs, confession, and deliverance from evil
• [17:36] Forgiveness is crucial — "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"; shared a personal story about forgiving his father
• [21:59] We need protection from the devil; like a roaring lion, he seeks to trip up Christians (1 Peter 5:8)
• [23:28] Worship — individual and corporate worship is for God but also good for us
• [24:14] Time alone with God — more likely to be neglected because nobody is watching
• [25:07] Practice gratitude — enter His courts with thanksgiving
• [26:28] Service — those who serve the Lord grow spiritually
• [27:37] Friendship and brotherhood (accountability) — more joyful than a formal "accountability partner"
• [28:11] Obedience to the Lord
• [28:20] Times of retreat — taking time apart corporately, like pilgrimage in ancient Israel

Examples of Seeking God from Scripture and History

• [29:17] The Great Awakening — revival through preaching by George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Wesley

• [30:01] Examples from Scripture: Jesus alone in the wilderness 40 days; Paul away for three years after conversion; Jesus praying alone on mountainsides; all-night prayer meetings

• [31:18] David strengthened himself in the Lord when Ziklag was burned and his men spoke of stoning him

• [31:44] The early church prayed for boldness when threatened with persecution (Acts 4)

• [32:05] Earnest prayer for Peter in prison led to his deliverance (Acts 12)

• [32:53] Paul and Barnabas' missionary journey began with leaders praying and fasting (Acts 13)

• [33:23] The blessing comes in doing what we know — individually and corporately

• [33:54] Challenged the church to consider how much they are praying together, including all-night prayer meetings

• [34:27] Quoted Hosea 10:12: "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap steadfast love, break up your fallow ground; it is time to seek the Lord that he may come and rain righteousness upon you"

• [35:13] Closing prayer: desire to seek the Lord with all heart and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant"

Scripture References

• Genesis 3:20
• Genesis 4:1
• Genesis 4:25
• Matthew 6:9-13
• Romans 12:2
• Psalm 100:4
• Hebrews 10:24-25
• 1 Peter 5:8
• Hosea 10:12

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Part 2

• [00:07] Begins with a caution: plans can be discouraging to those who need comfort, so the talk is direction-oriented but should not be taken as a pass/fail test.
• [01:43] We are like a two-year-old in spiritual maturity; we have eternity to grow and should not be fretful over imperfection.
• [03:30] First question – How do you view yourself? There are three subpoints:
  1. [05:38] See yourself as a sinner – acknowledge wrongdoing without guilt, recognizing that forgiveness is real. References Psalm 22:6 as prophetic of Christ, emphasizing that Jesus rescued from total ruin, not just improvement.
  2. [09:44] See yourself as precious in God’s sight – do you feel treasured? God sees you as complete in Christ.
  3. [10:53] Care for yourself – get adequate rest, nourishment, spiritual renewal. Uses Ephesians 5:29 (nourish and cherish your own flesh).
• [12:34] Second question – How do you relate to God? Two key areas:
  • [13:31] Time alone with Him – enjoy Him, not just duty. Household rhythm matters (Psalm 62:1).
  • [15:02] Fellowship with others – gather for encouragement (Hebrews 10:25). Withdrawing often indicates struggle.
• [16:20] Third question – How do you relate to your spouse? For singles, apply this to your relationship with Christ as the bride of Christ.
  • [17:21] Husbands: take initiative to change and love your wife by laying down your life (Ephesians 5:25). Marriage is never a finished task.
  • [19:32] Wives: submit by supporting your husband’s initiatives as a strong helper (Ephesians 5:22).
  • [20:29] Pray together as a couple – 1 Peter 3:7 warns that prayers can be hindered if the relationship is not right.
• [22:01] Fourth question – How do you relate to parents? Honor them even if they are gone or estranged. Honoring parents carries a transgenerational blessing (Ephesians 6:2-3). The key is a desire to honor them.
• [24:06] Fifth question – How do you relate to children? Two aspects:
  • [25:31] Nurturing – give time and affection to win their hearts (Malachi 4:6).
  • [27:28] Instruction, guidance, and correction – bring them up in the discipline of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Believe that God will make your investment sufficient; you do not need to be perfect.
• [30:20] God can restore the years lost from difficult backgrounds (Joel 2:25). This applies to all children, not just our own.

Scripture References

• Matthew 5:48
• Psalm 22:6
• Romans 8:1
• Ephesians 5:29
• Psalm 62:1
• Hebrews 10:25
• 1 Corinthians 7
• Ephesians 5:25
• Ephesians 5:22
• 1 Peter 3:7
• Ephesians 6:2-3
• Malachi 4:6
• Ephesians 6:4
• Joel 2:25

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The post Life Examination: Relationships first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:44] The talk is about pursuing the Lord, which is something we all need to be doing, but it’s easy to lose track of.
• [00:01:10] The emphasis is on the end bits—the culmination—because it’s what people forget.
• [00:01:25] Isaiah 55:6-7 gives reasons to seek the Lord: He is merciful and will abundantly pardon.
• [00:02:09] Seek the Lord now, right now, because you don’t know if you have tomorrow.
• [00:02:19] Micah 6:6-8 shows that walking with God is the point, not making sacrifices to patch up a broken walk.
• [00:03:33] We were created to walk with God, and all earthly relationships are shadows of that relationship.
• [00:04:35] God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, likely in the evening, to “catch up” after their work.
• [00:06:13] Enoch also “walked with God” after the fall, and in the New Testament, we walk by faith, not by sight.
• [00:08:55] The foundational requirement for walking with God is faith.
• [00:10:59] Pursuing God requires effort, like studying scripture and resisting temptation.
• [00:11:42] Confessing sins is essential to restore fellowship when we sin.
• [00:13:02] A personal daily relationship with God through Scripture and prayer is essential.
• [00:14:24] David knew this in the Old Testament, and New Testament believers have the advantage of the completed Scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
• [00:15:47] Abiding in Christ (John 15) means walking in righteous life and abiding in the Word.
• [00:17:59] Walking with God is more than Bible reading and obedience; it’s a matter of the heart attitude.
• [00:18:48] Obedience is necessary but not sufficient—a wrong attitude means you are no closer to God.
• [00:20:32] 1 Peter 5:5-10 and James 4:6-10 both quote Proverbs 3:34, linking humility, submission to God, resisting the devil, and God’s promise to exalt the humble.
• [00:24:08] Humility is not thinking badly of yourself, but thinking accurately of yourself in relation to God.
• [00:25:43] Pride tells God “no, you don’t know better,” while humility acknowledges God’s authority and submits to it.
• [00:26:28] Ungratefulness or resentment toward God’s provision is rebellion, not submission.
• [00:29:20] The speaker uses a medieval vassalage analogy to illustrate the commitment of submission, loyalty, and mutual obligation.
• [00:33:53] Luke 6:46 asks, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do the things I say?”
• [00:37:24] Satan’s original lie was to question God’s goodness, and he still uses it to attack our humility and make us judge God.
• [00:39:22] Resist the devil by staying in the Word, remembering who God is, and trusting that He is good.

Scripture References

• Isaiah 55
• Micah 6
• Hebrews 11
• Genesis 3
• 2 Corinthians 5:7
• 3 John 1:4
• 1 John 1:7
• Ephesians 5:8-9
• John 8:12
• Hebrews 11:6
• John 15
• Amos 3:3
• 1 Peter 5:5-10
• James 4:6-10
• Proverbs 3:34
• Philippians 2
• Luke 6:46

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• [00:00:05] The parable is introduced from Luke 16 as a difficult passage about a manager wasting his master’s possessions.
• [00:08:40] Luke 16 follows the story of the prodigal son in chapter 15; both parables feature a wealthy person and someone given money to manage.
• [00:10:12] Two fundamental relationships with God are identified: we are children of God (relationship cannot be undone) and servants of God (stewardship can be lost).
• [00:11:50] The speaker notes that “servant” in the New Testament translates to “slave” (doulos).
• [00:12:26] The parable teaches about being a good steward of what God gives us, especially as we age and accumulate more.
• [00:14:31] God gives people the power to get wealth so He can observe how they handle it.
• [00:16:43] The master discovers the steward’s mismanagement, demonstrating God knows how we manage our wealth.
• [00:17:11] The steward says he is “not strong enough to dig” and “ashamed to beg” – the speaker suggests this reveals a wrong attitude, as servants should be willing to do physical labor or humbly receive gifts.
• [00:19:18] Three sources of wealth are listed: work/wages, gifts/inheritance, and investment returns.
• [00:20:03] Jesus said it is “more blessed to give than to receive,” implying receiving is also a blessing; one must learn to receive to learn to give.
• [00:22:35] The steward’s key realization: “I still have management of wealth… I’m going to use that wealth to influence people.”
• [00:23:48] The master commends the manager for his “shrewdness” – the same Greek word used for “wise” in the wise man building on rock (Matthew 7).
• [00:25:30] The main point: we should use wealth to influence the lives of others and lean them toward the kingdom.
• [00:27:10] Verse 9 says to make friends with unrighteous wealth so they may receive you into eternal dwellings – meaning people you influenced for the kingdom will welcome you in heaven.
• [00:28:46] Verse 10: being faithful in “very little” (managing worldly wealth) prepares you for true riches in eternity.
• [00:30:16] “You cannot serve God and mammon” – the speaker clarifies this means you must use money to serve God, not serve money itself.
• [00:31:35] Even a dishonest person used wealth to influence others; how much more should honest believers do the same.
• [00:33:50] A listener suggests the “dishonesty” might have been the steward gouging customers, and his action was actually correcting the books to accuracy, which the master then commended.
• [00:34:43] This interpretation connects to the story of Zacchaeus, who repented and made restitution.

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Preserving Intentional Time Together

• [00:33] Threats to marriage time include technology, work, entertainment temptations, and children — none of which will prioritize investing in your marriage on their own
• [01:08] Children will not spontaneously give you space; they are focused on their own needs
• [01:50] For your children’s security, preserve kid-free time to connect — your kids should never question if you love each other
• [02:09] Practical tip: set a bedtime for your kids that leaves time for you to connect
• [02:26] If your marriage fails, your children won’t feel loved or secure anyway
• [02:32] Mothers can be tempted to idolize children; fathers to put work first — both can miss each other
• [04:27] Practical tip: put phones out of the bedroom; use old-fashioned alarm clocks instead
• [04:51] Example: scrolling Facebook instead of talking or sleeping — “utterly meaningless”
• [05:44] Call it “putting your phones to bed” — an intentional boundary
• [06:17] Keep phones out of the dining room; use mealtimes for conversation, even if hard with kids

Do Not Overwork (Proverbs 23:4-5)

• [09:15] Theme: do not overwork to be rich — riches “make themselves wings” and fly away
• [09:44] Setting eyes on what is not yours is covetousness — lusting after something that doesn’t exist
• [10:15] Reasons for overwork include scarcity mentality, finding identity in work, and covetousness
• [10:40] Overwork isn’t just career — it can be home projects, hobbies, or ministries
• [11:27] If we fail to invest in spouse and kids because other things come first, we are failing
• [11:38] Often we choose to invest where we feel confident and receive instant gratification — marriage and family take more time to see fruit
• [13:46] What does it look like to “cease”? Ask your spouse if they think you’re overworking
• [14:07] Example: Casey declined a manager promotion because it wasn’t the best path for their family
• [15:00] If in a demanding job, consider cutting other drains on energy/attention (hobbies, home projects)
• [16:22] “It’s just a season” — set a date to check if the season is actually over; otherwise, it lasts your whole life
• [17:01] Example: Casey quit a higher-paying job to start their own business — a stretch of faith that God blessed

Seek a Deeper Understanding of Your Spouse

• [18:12] 1 Peter 3:7a — husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way
• [18:33] Understanding comes through intentional conversation, not telepathy — schedule it as a habit
• [19:18] Conversation starters: what you heard at church, a book or podcast, “how is your love tank?”
• [20:05] Casey learned Joanna wanted connection over anything, not just answers to questions
• [20:40] Ask your wife: “What type of questions would you find meaningful to ask regularly?”
• [21:25] Joanna’s suggested questions: “What has God been speaking to you?” “What are you anxious about?” “What are you looking forward to?”
• [21:56] Not a one-size-fits-all — ask your spouse what they’d like
• [22:56] “Love tank” analogy: feeling close after a date vs. distant after an argument
• [24:06] Some people talk better while walking or driving together, not just sitting across a table

Dealing with Tensions in Marriage

• [24:51] Ephesians 4:1-3 — walk with humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love
• [25:11] Don’t ignore tension areas — they are areas God wants to work
• [25:33] When tensions arise, be humble, pray, and have intentional conversations — but not in the heat of the moment
• [25:54] Ignoring tension builds up offenses and leads to assuming the worst of each other
• [26:06] Example: differing desires for physical intimacy — talking and praying together dissolved tension
• [26:56] Casey learned physical intimacy is his primary way to feel connected; Joanna learned meaningful conversation is hers — prioritize what your spouse needs
• [27:48] Don’t assume what makes you feel connected is the same for your spouse
• [28:26] Once you know what makes them feel loved, prioritize it like you want your own way prioritized

Non-Confrontational Communication

• [30:42] Goal of discussing tension: move toward each other, not win the argument
• [31:04] Use no-distraction times you’ve already set aside
• [31:11] Script: “When you said this, it made me feel… is that how you meant it?”
• [31:33] Don’t do the “Adam thing” of blaming — take responsibility for your part
• [31:56] Give grace for your spouse’s part; the goal isn’t to win but to better understand
• [32:31] Avoid “I’m sorry you felt that way” — instead say “I’m sorry I hurt you”
• [33:10] Husbands: practice active listening without trying to fix your wife
• [33:46] For Joanna, being listened to has high value — wanting to understand vs. wanting to fix
• [34:06] Give your spouse the grace you’d like to receive; James 3:2a — “we all stumble in many ways”
• [34:46] Ephesians 4:29-32 — be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving as Christ forgave you

Scripture References

• Proverbs 23:4-5
• 1 Peter 3:7
• Ephesians 4:1-3
• James 3:2
• Ephesians 4:29-32

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Introduction & Key Themes

• [00:00] Having a healthy balance of work and rest is key to feeling wealthy, as well as to healthy relationships with family and friends.
• [00:45] By resting when God says, we acknowledge Him as our provider; by working when He says to work, we acknowledge Him as our Lord.
• [01:16] The main reason work relates to wealth is that most of our wealth comes from work.

Work Before and After the Fall

• [01:49] People were made for work by God before sin entered the world (Genesis 2:15).
• [02:06] Work was made more difficult after sin (Genesis 3:17-19), introducing stress and thorns.
• [03:02] Much of Randy’s thought on work and wealth is about avoiding the stress that Adam’s sin introduced.

Committing Work to the Lord

• [03:22] Proverbs 16:1-3 teaches to commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
• [03:48] A way to commit work to the Lord is by being attentive to Him while working, loving God and loving your neighbor.
• [04:12] Psalm 37:3-5 similarly says to commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him.
• [04:57] Meditating on “commit your work to the Lord” helps relieve stress by focusing on trusting God rather than worrying about the task.

Avoid Dishonest Gain & Be Content

• [05:40] Psalm 37:16-17 says better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
• [06:20] Contentment is relative; we should realize what we have is enough and not always compare ourselves to others.
• [07:24] If we could see what we have now ten years ago, we might be surprised at our lack of gratitude.

Anxious Toil vs. Trust

• [07:52] Psalm 127:1-2 warns against “eating the bread of anxious toil” and reminds us that God gives sleep to His beloved.
• [08:32] Randy prays that anxious toil would not be in his diet and that God would help him not be anxious while working.
• [08:58] He repeats Proverbs 16:3 and Psalm 37:5 in his head while working and prays, “God, I commit this work to you. Whatever I accomplish, God be glorified.”
• [09:18] The fruit of our work is a gift from God, not entirely in our control, and it is good to have peace about that.

Personal Illustration from Mechanics

• [09:33] As a mechanic, some days are productive and feel good; other days, bolts break, and work is frustrating.
• [10:12] On hard days, you have to commit your work to the Lord and just do the next little task.
• [10:50] Regardless of your work, there are good and bad days; both require trusting the Lord.

How Much Time to Devote to Work?

• [11:04] There is no strict rule, but basic principles can be drawn from scripture.
• [11:30] Psalm 127:1-2 shows sleep is important and should not be neglected.
• [12:03] Proverbs 6:6-11 warns against laziness, saying a little sleep leads to poverty.
• [12:44] Proverbs 24:30-34 repeats the same warning about a sluggard’s field.
• [13:15] Exodus 20:8-11 commands working six days and resting on the seventh, a pattern from creation.
• [13:55] The Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:23-28), not man for the Sabbath.
• [15:09] We are told to work six days, but not how long; it implies most daylight hours, but with time for family meals.

Conclusion

• [16:20] Having wealth doesn’t make you feel wealthy; a balance of work and rest is key.
• [16:29] Resting acknowledges God as provider; working acknowledges Him as Lord.
• [16:47] Deuteronomy 8:11-20 warns against forgetting the Lord when wealth increases.
• [18:17] The key verse is Deuteronomy 8:18: “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.” This is the most important aspect of wealth.

Scripture References

• Genesis 2:15
• Genesis 3:17-19
• Proverbs 16:1-3
• Psalm 37:3-5
• Psalm 37:16-17
• Psalm 127:1-2
• Proverbs 6:6-11
• Proverbs 24:30-34
• Exodus 20:8-11
• Mark 2:23-28
• Deuteronomy 8:11-20

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• [00:40] Prophecy is speaking forth a word God has given you that can edify or help someone else.
• [01:28] Reading 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, emphasizing that all things should be done for building up.
• [03:06] The key verse (verse 26) lists a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation — and these are all ways to prophesy.
• [05:21] A hymn (including psalms) carries a prophetic message and touches the heart, bringing affection, encouragement, and closeness to God.
• [06:35] A lesson (teaching) brings understanding and transforms knowledge into life change, primarily affecting the mind.
• [07:13] A revelation (apocalypse) is the revealing of something previously hidden, such as a new insight from Scripture or a practical discovery.
• [08:51] A Rhema is the “now word” of God spoken to you for a specific moment, while Logos is the eternal word.
• [09:32] A revelation is not necessarily new to the world but can be a new understanding given to you personally.
• [12:00] Building up means constructing the temple of God — believers being joined together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).
• [14:12] The goal of prophecy is to take individual believers (like bricks) and connect them in order so that God visits the church with increasing glory.
• [16:17] A tongue and interpretation build up the body by testifying to the Lord’s presence and, when interpreted, provide understanding as well.
• [19:11] The Spirit is not controlled by our planning; the Spirit often surprises people, as seen throughout the book of Acts.
• [21:07] The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets (verse 32), meaning we have control and can stop — we must choose to obey when God impresses something on us.
• [25:53] Using John 11 as an example: individuals had partial understanding, but when Jesus raised Lazarus, everyone together received the revelation that He is the resurrection and the life.
• [28:16] The passage says “if there is no one to interpret” (not “if no one has the gift”) — the interpretation may be available but the person is unwilling to give it.
• [29:52] From Isaiah: we hear our Teacher speaking when we take steps; we must be willing to move and let God correct and redirect us.

Bruce Hempel builds on Bill’s teaching, emphasizing that believers are living stones (not bricks), and that a New Testament pattern for church gatherings differs significantly from typical Western church models.

• [35:58] A key correction: we are living stones, not bricks — no two stones are alike, and our differences are God’s blessing to the body.
• [37:12] The church should operate according to the New Testament pattern; like a swim coach showing videos of perfect form, we need a clear picture of what the church should look like.
• [40:57] Reading Ephesians 4:7-16: God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ.
• [42:05] This five-fold ministry is like a hand — the apostle (thumb) touches all, the prophet (pointer) points and says “Thou art the man,” the evangelist (middle finger) reaches out, and the pastor (ring) and teacher (pinky) are closely connected.
• [44:13] None of these ministry roles are to be used as titles — Paul says “Paul, an apostle” not “the Apostle Paul.”
• [44:51] An apostle is one who is sent to start churches where none exist; Paul was sent in Acts 13 from among the prophets and teachers at Antioch.
• [48:18] Most Western churches emphasize only the pastor and teacher, often as titles, while fearing apostles and prophets — yet Scripture says apostles and prophets are the foundation.
• [55:20] Local churches should not try to be totally self-sufficient; God distributes gifts across different fellowships, and we need each other.
• [56:12] Reading 1 Corinthians 12:27-31: God appoints apostles, prophets, teachers, then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, and tongue speakers — and not everyone is the same.
• [57:32] Gifts are given individually for the common good — not for ourselves, but to bless others.
• [58:46] The gathering in 1 Corinthians 14:26 means each person should come with something to share — a hymn, lesson, revelation, tongue, or interpretation.
• [59:08] Using a card game analogy: God deals cards to every member, and we come together not knowing which “suit” will be played — but someone shares something with life and the meeting grows.
• [01:00:54] Prophecy is not only “Thus says the Lord” or foretelling the future — it is speaking to edification, consolation, and encouragement for the present moment.
• [01:03:26] The Western church model is tightly controlled, but the New Testament pattern follows the synagogue, where any brother could be invited to share.
• [01:04:37] The fear that keeps churches from open participation is a fear of losing control, but when something goes off the rails, elders can lovingly address it.
• [01:13:43] The size of a gathering does impose limitations, but in smaller groups like home groups or brothers’ meetings, body ministry is especially appropriate.
• [01:18:16] Watchman Nee advocated for brothers’ meetings where men pair up, share their lives, and pray for each other — this builds honesty and openness.
• [01:19:30] The lack of tongues, interpretations, and prophecies in the church is often due to weak faith and fear; we need to grow in faith for boldness.

Naveen Katam shares a brief testimony of a brother’s dramatic conversion in India, illustrating the surprising work of the Spirit.

• [01:21:42] A brother at a Christian university was a nominal believer who hated church; his job was to guard the stage at an outreach meeting and prevent people from climbing on stage.
• [01:23:05] A poor woman begged him to let her husband with a diseased leg onto the stage for prayer; when refused, she asked him to pray. He half-heartedly muttered a prayer for healing, and when he opened his eyes, the leg was healed.
• [01:23:28] This experience brought him to tears; he went home, fasted and prayed for three days, received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and spoke in tongues.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 14
• Acts 2:42
• Colossians 1:27
• Psalm 119
• Ephesians 2:19-22
• John 11
• Isaiah 30
• Ephesians 4:7-16
• Acts 13:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
• 1 Corinthians 13

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Bruce Hempel opens the meeting with a song for parents, emphasizing the precious, fleeting opportunity to nurture children in a godly home. He then presents a structured framework of essential lessons children should learn, correlating parental goals with spiritual goals from God.

• [00:00] Bruce sings Have You Heard the Holy Spirit Speaking Clearly?
• [03:40] Bruce opens with prayer, asking God to bless the time for the benefit of parents, children, and His glory.
• [04:00] He introduces a two-column framework: “Lessons of Childhood” with “Goals for Parents” and corresponding “Goals for God.”
• [05:44] First Parental Goal: “My parents love and delight in me.” He states this is the most important lesson, as it opens a child’s heart to learn.
• [06:56] Second Parental Goal: “My parents listen to and understand me.” Bruce warns that a child thinking they are not understood is a foundation for mistrust and rebellion.
• [08:03] Third Parental Goal: “I submit to and obey my parents from my heart.” He explains this is a lofty goal requiring a won heart, and that discipline (chastening) is the “other wing” alongside love and understanding.
  • [09:09] He clarifies that a relationship based only on strictness is like a bird with one wing; both love and discipline are needed.
  • [09:54] Bruce admits he overused obedience/discipline as a young parent and had to learn to prioritize loving and delighting in his children.
• [11:24] First God Goal: “God loves and delights in me.” He explains that a positive experience with parents makes it natural to transfer that understanding to God.
  • [12:07] He shares that many men in prison struggle with the concept of God as a loving Father because they lacked that model.
• [12:58] Second God Goal: “God listens to and understands me.” Bruce notes this is the foundation for prayer and relating to God.
• [13:29] Third God Goal: “I submit to and obey God from my heart.” He acknowledges this is a lofty goal even for adults.
• [14:57] Final Overarching Goal: “God’s word is true, and it becomes my conviction and my commitment.” This box encompasses all other truths and forms the child’s conscience based on Scripture, not just cultural ideas of right and wrong.

Muriel Hempel focuses on the parental role as a leader, defining it as instructing and nurturing from truth with a calm, dispassionate love. She emphasizes the necessity of upholding parental authority to ensure a child’s safety and spiritual thriving.

• [18:19] Muriel begins by reflecting on the weight of becoming a parent and an authority for the first time.
• [19:46] She defines a leader as someone who “instructs and nurtures using principles of the truth from a seemingly dispassionate love” because they want those under their authority to live and thrive.
• [21:23] She states parents must nurture, provide safety, and lead children toward truth. If a child will not follow authority, parents must take steps to ensure they do.
• [21:51] Muriel explains that when a child’s heart is not aligned with truth and they are rebellious, action (often a spanking) is needed to get their attention and turn them back.
  • [22:35] She gives the example of a child lying and not being sorry, where she would apply a spank to communicate the seriousness of the issue.
• [23:29] She stresses that rebellion against parental authority must be dealt with, or the child will continue in foolishness and potentially rebel against God.
• [24:09] Muriel uses the example of pioneer families to illustrate that obedience was often a matter of life and death, and parents couldn’t spend excessive time reasoning.
• [25:59] She balances this by saying parents must also listen, nurture, and delight in their children, bringing them alongside in work and play.
• [26:20] Muriel cautions not to exasperate children and to have age-appropriate expectations, which requires prayer and seeking the Lord’s guidance.
• [27:36] She compares a parent’s firm push to a sergeant’s, necessary to help a child overcome selfishness and learn to do good, hard things.
• [29:24] She reiterates that any disregard for parental authority must be dealt with seriously, as God gave that authority.
• [30:48] For public misbehavior, Muriel suggests a matter-of-fact approach: for a young child throwing a tantrum, pick them up and take them out; for an older, disrespectful child, a spank may be necessary if they are bucking authority.
• [32:19] She concludes that leadership should carry dignity and authority, and children should not mock the authority God has given parents, nor should parents abuse it.

Sabine Schnackenberg offers practical, hands-on advice for child training, emphasizing the need for intentionality, starting early, and maintaining a positive connection with the child. She also discusses managing parental anger and adjusting mindsets.

• [34:32] Sabine opens with a disclaimer that she is not an expert, did not do everything right, and is now learning from a grandparent’s perspective.
• [36:10] She advises that when something consistently isn’t working, parents must take time to reflect and make a mental plan for change.
• [37:18] Sabine states that if parents want reliable obedience (like pioneer children), training must start as early as six months old.
  • [38:57] She gives an example: to teach “no,” place a forbidden object nearby, and when the baby crawls to it, say “no” and provide a small, immediate consequence (like a flick on the hand). Repeat this training in short sessions daily.
• [40:44] She advocates using natural or logical consequences where safe, and spanking as an artificial consequence for dangerous or non-negotiable behaviors.
• [41:38] Sabine strongly advises treating phones (and similar devices) like guns—completely off-limits from day one because of their potential to harm a child’s soul.
• [43:00] For training a child to sit still (e.g., for devotions), start with very short periods (5 minutes) and practice daily at home, not in public.
• [45:00] She recommends teaching children to whisper by practicing “loud talk” and “whisper talk” as a game.
• [46:13] To teach coming when called, start as a happy game with hugs when the crawling baby comes. When they become toddlers and disobey, explain the consequence and then discipline if needed, followed by positive practice.
• [48:47] Connection is Key: Sabine affirms Bruce’s point that connection with the child is the number one priority before any discipline, and it starts before birth with positive expectations.
• [50:06] She advises parents to consciously avoid a mindset that children are making life difficult, and instead view challenges as part of the blessing God has given.
• [51:19] On Managing Anger: Sabine encourages parents to identify their triggers (e.g., pride, selfishness, unmet expectations, feeling overwhelmed) and plan to avoid them.
• [55:03] She suggests that if life feels continuously overwhelming, it’s time to ask for help from community, husband, or friends, and to evaluate if there is too much in your life.
• [01:05:41] Discipline Calmly: Do not discipline in anger. If possible, tell the child you are angry and need to pray, then calm down before addressing the issue.
• [01:07:30] If discipline (e.g., spanking) isn’t working and a child is “stuck,” stop, reconnect positively, and revisit the training later.
• [01:08:43] Focus training on teaching the right behavior (modeling, practicing how to fix a mess) rather than just punishing the wrong.
• [01:10:45] She advises changing unhelpful mindsets: e.g., see yourself as a growing parent, not a failure; see a child’s behavior as a reflection of their needs/development, not your worth.
• - [01:12:22] She cautions that “easy” children need just as much intentional connection and attention as more demanding children.
• [01:13:36] Consider that a child’s misbehavior may be an attempt to communicate an unmet need (hunger, discomfort) rather than intentional defiance.
• [01:17:08] Be willing to adapt your approach and lifestyle. Pray, seek advice, and create margin in your schedule to avoid rushing and to allow time for reflection and intentional parenting.

Scripture References

• Proverbs
• John 17:17

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• [00:00:57] The three irreducible categories of work are provision, creative work (as originally intended before the Fall), and stewardship.
• [00:02:27] Provision is a biblical necessity, heavily emphasized for fathers and husbands, with failure to provide being worse than unbelief.
• [00:03:23] Provision encompasses more than a modern job; it includes basic needs like food and shelter, which can be met in various ways beyond a nine-to-five.
• [00:05:22] Work involves toil and distasteful tasks due to the curse, which is a present reality and not a sign of doing something wrong.
• [00:07:06] Children learn to provide by starting with self-care (feeding, dressing) and progress to caring for siblings or animals, practicing for future family roles.
• [00:09:38] A key principle in learning provision is to care for animals (or others) before yourself, mirroring how parents feed children before themselves.
• [00:11:04] Providing well for one’s family glorifies God, as the family is meant to reflect a heavenly picture.
• [00:12:40] The second category is creative, “OG work” from Genesis, where Adam was placed in the garden “to work it and keep it” before the Fall.
  • [00:13:48] This work involves both serving and having mastery, like tending a garden, combining humility with command.
  • [00:15:24] The “keep” aspect involves guarding and preserving what is valuable, explaining our innate tendency to collect and protect things.
• [00:17:08] Every Christian should be able to evaluate their life against these three categories: providing, having a creative output, and being a good steward.
• [00:18:33] Creative work can include building a functional, orderly home, which is our “garden” and an act of worship.
• [00:19:45] Examples of creative work include art, gardening, athletics, or building—active pursuits that are satisfying and God-given.
• [00:21:44] God’s creative work in Genesis was separate from rest, establishing a pattern for us to both work creatively and then rest to enjoy it.
• [00:23:31] Stewardship is the third essential category, especially for those who don’t need to work for provision (e.g., those with an inheritance), as they must still manage resources well.
• [00:25:10] 1 Timothy 6:17-19 instructs the rich not to be haughty, to hope in God, be generous, and use wealth to store up eternal treasure.
• [00:28:18] Good stewardship involves living beneath your means, having a reserve, and being ready to give generously.
• [00:29:06] The parable of the talents teaches that bad stewardship is rooted in fear, like burying resources instead of putting them to work.
• [00:30:33] True stewardship, illustrated by the centurion in Matthew 8, means understanding you are under authority (God’s) while having authority over what is entrusted to you.

Scripture References

• Genesis 2
• Genesis 2:15
• Genesis 1-2
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19
• Matthew 8:5-9

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The Story of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)

• [00:01:40] Jabez is described as “more honorable than his brothers,” but his background was painful—his mother named him “Jabez” because she bore him in pain.
• [00:02:27] Jabez prayed: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, so that you would keep me from harm.”
• [00:03:50] A better translation of his prayer is, “Keep me from causing pain,” reflecting a desire not to hurt others despite his own painful background.
• [00:04:05] Bruce notes that many people have painful backgrounds, and the saying “Hurt people hurt people” applies, but Jabez wanted to break that cycle.
• [00:04:32] The greatest blessings are not material but include family, fellowship, and being a blessing to others; “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”
• [00:06:18] Jabez prayed earnestly (“Oh”), and God answered by enlarging his border and keeping him from causing harm.

The Story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1)

• [00:07:09] Hannah was in a difficult marriage with a rival wife who provoked her because Hannah had no children.
• [00:07:42] Her husband Elkanah tried to comfort her, but her deepest desire was to become a mother.
• [00:08:23] Hannah was deeply distressed and “prayed to the Lord, and she wept bitterly,” pouring out her soul to Him.
• [00:08:36] She vowed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord as a Nazirite.
• [00:09:05] Eli the priest initially mistook her silent prayer for drunkenness, but she explained she was pouring out her trouble to the Lord.
• [00:09:44] Bruce encourages that if your heart is troubled, pour it out to the Lord; He will look on it with compassion.
• [00:10:13] He references Psalm 51 and Psalm 34:18 about God not despising a broken heart and being close to the brokenhearted.
• [00:11:13] After Eli blessed her, Hannah stopped fasting and was no longer sad, showing she received the word and trusted God would take care of it.
• [00:12:23] Hannah conceived and bore Samuel, whose name means “asked of the Lord.”
• [00:12:42] Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock; God wants to take away our unbelief.
• [00:13:08] Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord, and God blessed her with five more children, showing God is generous.
• [00:14:09] Solomon also received more than he asked for when he sought wisdom, and God is good and loves you.

Scripture References

• 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
• 1 Samuel 1
• 1 Samuel 2
• Psalm 34:18
• Psalm 51

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Introduction

• [00:00:00] Begins by requesting we sing “Rock of Ages” and and audience member explains the hymn was inspired by Luther’s experience seeking shelter from a thunderstorm
• [00:02:31] Shows a craft made with his daughter: a red cross representing how all believers must cling to the cross for salvation
• [00:03:31] While it is easy to cling to the cross for salvation, it is difficult to cling to God in daily issues like parenting or filling gas in a car

Key Scripture: Jeremiah 13:1-11

• [00:05:07] Reads the passage: God tells Jeremiah to buy a linen loincloth, wear it, then hide it by the Euphrates, where it becomes spoiled and good for nothing
• [00:06:43] God declares that just as a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, He made Israel and Judah to cling to Him, to be a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen
• [00:07:52] This is an unappealing but powerful illustration of the intimacy God desires with His people

What Clinging Looks Like

• [00:08:57] Uses the example of a child clinging to their parent, regardless of wealth or status
• [00:09:17] Shares that his wife Esther, as a child, clung to her widowed mother even when they were thrown onto the street
• [00:09:54] God wants this kind of dependence, not out of ego, but so that we bring Him praise and glory

What the Israelites Did Wrong (verses 9-10)

• [00:10:31] They were proud—of their position, blessings, or children
• [00:11:25] They stubbornly followed their own heart, which leads to a downward spiral of sin
• [00:12:17] They worshipped and served other gods
• [00:12:23] Modern idols include phones, or even good things like homeschool curriculum, when they take our attention away from God

Personal Testimony: Letting Go of Desires

• [00:13:41] He was looking for a spouse since 2014 and had two specific good desires that became idols
  • [00:14:17] Wanted a wife whose father could be a spiritual guide, since his own Hindu-background father was not
  • [00:15:12] Wanted a wife from a well-to-do family to avoid the insecurities of his own poor upbringing
• [00:16:03] God took him through a six-year journey where he had to let go of every desire and simply cling to God, saying “if this is not for me, I don’t want to have it”
• [00:16:17] God provided a wife who exceeded all his desires

Second Testimony: The Gift of Tongues

• [00:17:00] Since age 17 he wanted to speak in tongues, thinking it was the next level of Christianity
• [00:17:28] He is now 35 and has not received that gift, but has been blessed to get close to God instead
• [00:17:54] He came to a place of surrender: “whether he gives me this gift or not… my only goal is to cling to him”

Practical Application: Fasting

• [00:18:28] After a phone call with Casey about fasting, he started fasting one meal a day for two weeks
• [00:19:25] This practice helped him instantaneously pray and praise, and to give his troubling work situation to the Lord

Supporting Scriptures

• [00:20:11] Mark 12:30: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—this is what clinging looks like
• [00:20:57] 1 Peter 2:4-5: We are living stones being built into a spiritual house to offer spiritual sacrifices
• [00:22:28] Exodus 19:3-6: God called Israel to be a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation

Final Exhortation

• [00:23:53] Encourages everyone to identify areas where they are clinging to something other than God, write it down, and pray about it
• [00:24:14] If you don’t know how to cling to God in a particular area, ask Him to show you how

Scripture References

• Jeremiah 13:1-11
• Mark 12:30
• 1 Peter 2:4-5
• Exodus 19:3-6
• Hebrews (mentioned Jesus offering prayers with loud cries)

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The post Jeremiah 13: Cling to God in Every Area of Life first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] The sermon revisits 1 Corinthians 14 to discuss how to speak for the Lord, focusing on two overarching themes: speaking with a motive of love and speaking in a language others understand.
• [00:01:15] If we speak for the Lord (prophesy), our primary motive must be love, without which our words are just noise and bear no fruit, as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 13:1.
• [00:06:01] A practical test for a loving motive is to ask if your desire in speaking is to help and build up the hearers; the beginning of love is having the desire to love.
• [00:07:53] The opposite of a loving motive is a critical spirit; God gives grace to overlook others’ weaknesses so we can speak to build up their faith.
• [00:11:59] We are exhorted to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, because it builds others up; the life of the church depends on members speaking prophetically to one another.
• [00:15:58] A key practical point is to speak in a language people understand, meaning don’t speak in a tongue publicly without interpretation.
• [00:16:37] The exhortation for all to speak in tongues is for those with the gift, as it enables prayer about things for which we have no words, primarily to build oneself up in private and others up in church with interpretation.
• [00:18:50] A tongue is speaking to God in prayer in a language you don’t understand; in a church meeting, it can be a prayer for the Lord to open the way for prophetic words.
• [00:22:26] A prophetic word is primarily intended to do three things: encourage, build up, and comfort the hearers.
• [00:24:58] Using metaphors from 1 Corinthians 14:7-8, good prophecy also enhances our worship and equips us for spiritual warfare.
• [00:27:43] Practical comfort: Don’t worry excessively about perfect interpretation or prophecy; speak simply, tie it to Scripture, and view it as practice to grow in hearing the Lord.
• [00:37:34] Prophecy should be weighed by others; corrections are rare and usually handled with grace, either on the spot, afterwards, or through balancing words from mature believers.
• [00:40:47] A false prophet is defined by a wrong motive to lead people astray, not by being slightly off; if your motive is love and building up, you are safe to share.

Scripture References

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 13:1 Romans 16 Romans 8 Psalm 149 Psalm 150 Psalm 2 Psalm 27 Psalm 66

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The post Prophecy with Love: Revisiting 1 Corinthians 14 first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] The sermon centers on the repeated scriptural command to continually seek the Lord, not as a one-time or occasional act.
• [00:00:32] A spectrum of Christian engagement exists, from those who rarely attend church to those who intensively seek God through personal Bible reading and prayer.
• [00:01:18] Bruce notes that while people often prefer reading devotionals to praying, prayer is essential.
• [00:02:25] The phrase “seek the Lord” becomes prominent in the biblical narrative during the time of the kings, especially in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, written after the Babylonian exile.
• [00:03:14] Looking back to Genesis, Bruce points to Genesis 4:26, where in the time of Seth and Enosh, “men began to call upon the name of the Lord,” likely due to increasing trouble.
• [00:07:57] He asks how we can seek the Lord, noting common answers like regular church attendance but emphasizing the deeper need for personal daily Scripture reading and prayer, following Jesus’s example.
• [00:09:00] True spirituality is tested in private, not just when we have an “audience” at church.
• [00:09:31] Biblical history shows individuals like Joseph, Moses, and Joshua as examples of those who sought the Lord, though imperfectly.
• [00:11:30] Joshua was specifically commanded to meditate on God’s law day and night for success (Joshua 1).
• [00:12:09] The encouragement is to seek the Lord with all our heart, both for personal growth and for revival in our troubled age.
• [00:13:06] A key example from the kings is 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God promises to hear, forgive, and heal if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from wicked ways.
• [00:14:46] Seeking the Lord involves humility, prayer, and repentance.
• [00:15:09] Bruce concludes by pointing to the positive examples of Kings Abijah and Asa in 2 Chronicles 13-15, who sought the Lord and reformed their nation.

Scripture References

• Genesis 3
• Genesis 4:25-26
• Genesis 5
• Joshua 1
• 2 Chronicles 7:11-14
• 2 Chronicles 13-15

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The post Seek the Lord: From Genesis to the Kings first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] The sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 14:1-19, which contrasts speaking in tongues and prophecy.
• [00:02:54] Bill notes two controversial parts in the chapter regarding women prophesying and outsiders' reactions but clarifies that both men and women can prophesy.
• [00:03:17] The main burden is to explore what prophecy is and how it can be nurtured in the church.
• [00:03:47] The Corinthian church was messy but had remarkable spiritual manifestations, requiring careful attention to gifts like prophecy and tongues.
• [00:05:13] The discussion on spiritual gifts finds its beginning in 1 Corinthians 12, and chapter 13 on love sets the stage for the practical discussion in chapter 14.
• [00:06:48] The fundamental context is that believers are a gifted people and are to be loving people, as God's love reproduces love in them.
• [00:08:55] Verse 1 commands to "pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you might prophesy."
• [00:10:20] Prophecy is singled out among the gifts because it involves speaking forth God's word to others.
• [00:11:34] Prophecy requires first that God speaks to you, and then that you share that word with others for their benefit.
• [00:13:17] Prophetic work is already happening in the church through preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and personal encouragement.
• [00:16:56] The effect of prophecy is outlined in verse 3: it speaks to people for their "upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation."
• [00:17:59] Encouragement helps someone step forward in faith when they feel daunted.
• [00:19:39] Consolation comforts or soothes someone who is suffering or experiencing loss.
• [00:21:08] Upbuilding involves growth in knowledge and faith.
• [00:22:25] Speaking in tongues (verse 2) is directed Godward, speaking mysteries to God, and builds up the individual.
• [00:24:34] Prophecy builds up the church because the word is spoken to others.
• [00:26:21] The passage is set in the context of believers gathering and interacting.
• [00:27:08] Using the analogy of musical instruments (verses 7-8), Bill explains that prophecy, to be effective, must be intelligible and clear so people can understand and respond.
• [00:30:29] The key is to speak in a language or way that others can understand, considering their background and vocabulary.
• [00:33:46] To nurture prophecy, believers must first learn to listen to the Lord and hear from Him.
• [00:34:57] Second, believers should pray for God to speak to them things they can share with others to help them.
• [00:35:31] The most important thing for the church is God's people hearing from God and talking to one another about the things of God.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 14:1-19
• 1 Corinthians 12
• 1 Corinthians 13
• 1 Corinthians 11
• 1 John 3
• 2 Corinthians 1
• Romans 12

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See also: Prophecy with Love: Revisiting 1 Corinthians 14

• [00:00:00] The speaker introduces John 20 as the passage for the communion message, noting it was not planned but should be taken as from the Lord.
• [00:01:03] Encourages approaching scripture with personal questions, asking the Lord what you need to learn, especially from life’s pressure points and difficulties.
• [00:02:14] States his question for the passage is about faith: what did it take for the people in John 20 to come to faith, starting from a place of unbelief?
• [00:03:15] Defines faith using Hebrews 11:1, describing it as the “assurance of things hoped for” and the “substance of things not seen.”
  • [00:03:53] Assurance relates to our God-given expectations (e.g., the Second Coming), giving conviction rather than just hope.
  • [00:04:54] Substance relates to handling unseen, eternal truths (like God and love) in our hearts and minds, which are manifested through our actions in the natural world.
• [00:08:28] Illustrates that faith gives substance to unseen things like love, which is worked out and deepened through real relationships, creating acts with eternal significance.
• [00:12:08] Contrasts acknowledging the resurrection as a historical fact with a faith that understands its moral requirements and changes your life, noting that “faith without works is dead.”
• [00:13:23] The first step for Mary and the disciples was encountering the empty tomb, a historical fact with strong evidence.
• [00:16:53] Observes that despite three years with Jesus and an empty tomb, the disciples were not immediately ready with full, active faith, showing that deep faith requires more than recognizing truth.
• [00:21:20] Highlights Jesus’s remarkable tenderness and patience with people at various stages of belief, like Mary, Peter, John, and Thomas.
• [00:22:19] Notes that Mary processed her experience by talking with others (Peter and John), encouraging believers to use words to process and nurture faith.
• [00:24:54] Mary, though seeing the empty tomb, was weeping because she thought Jesus’s body was gone, showing she believed some truth but needed it expanded for full faith.
• [00:25:40] Points out that we also process faith by accepting and examining our feelings, as Mary did with her grief, asking what they lead us to learn.
• [00:27:42] Even when looking directly at Jesus, Mary did not recognize him, indicating that clear manifestations of truth alone are not always enough to bring us to faith.
• [00:28:58] The pivotal moment for Mary was when Jesus called her by name; a crucial step in forming faith is hearing God call you personally.
• [00:32:53] Upon hearing her name, Mary recognized Jesus as “Teacher,” though she still had more to learn about who he fully was.
• [00:34:09] Mary’s testimony changed from “the tomb is empty” to “I have seen the Lord,” demonstrating her progressed faith.
• [00:34:44] For Peter, the barrier to faith was his betrayal and denial of Jesus; a step toward faith is recognizing our failures, grieving them, and seeking restoration.
• [00:37:41] Emphasizes Jesus’s tenderness in restoring Peter, showing God can redeem and heal the memories of our failures.
• [00:38:39] For John (and us), watching others experience God’s blessing requires guarding against spiritual jealousy, which inhibits faith.
• [00:39:54] Assures that God’s blessings are infinite; he withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly, and we should seek what he has specifically for us.

Scripture References

• John 20
• Hebrews 11:1
• John 21
• Psalm 86

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The post The Path to Faith: From Empty Tomb to Risen Lord first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:01:05] The sermon begins by setting the context of Good Friday and reading Luke 23:39-43, focusing on the thief who placed his faith in Jesus.
• [00:03:09] The thief on the cross demonstrates salvation by grace alone, as he had no time to perform any good works before his death.
• [00:03:52] Key verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 are cited to reinforce that salvation is not a result of works but a gift of God’s grace.
• [00:05:49] This raises a practical question: If works don’t save us, how critical is it to live a holy life and work hard for God?
• [00:06:31] A one-sided view can lead to a comfortable, lazy Christianity, taking the burden off ourselves.
• [00:08:20] This “lukewarm” attitude is warned against in Revelation 3:15-16.
• [00:09:01] The other side of the tension is presented: walking with the Lord does require work and sacrifice.
• [00:09:18] James 2:14-17, 26 is read to show that faith without works is dead, implying that a lack of works may indicate one is not truly walking with God.
• [00:11:05] The core summary is presented: “Works are a necessary evidence but not the cause of our salvation.”
• [00:11:56] Ephesians 2:10 is highlighted, showing believers are created in Christ for good works.
• [00:12:48] Self-reflection is encouraged, noting that while man looks at outward actions, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
• [00:14:17] 1. If you lean toward complacency, believing your actions don’t matter much, you are playing a risky game.
• [00:15:30] Hebrews 10:26 offers a sober warning about deliberately sinning after receiving knowledge of the truth.
• [00:16:02] 2. If you lean toward trying to “help God” earn your salvation through good behavior, you may lack childlike faith and the joy of trusting fully in God’s grace.
• [00:17:22] Without God’s forgiveness, our chances of heaven are no better than the thief’s, regardless of our moral deeds.
• [00:18:07] The conclusion urges listeners to examine which ditch they might skew toward and to seek a balance of humble faith that results in an obedient, active life.

Scripture References

• Luke 23:39-43
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Titus 3:5
• Isaiah 64:6
• Revelation 3:15-16
• James 2:14-17
• James 2:26
• Ephesians 2:10
• 1 Samuel 16:7
• Hebrews 10:26

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The post The Thief on the Cross and Our Walk first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] The sermon begins by tying a previous message on “life and death in the power of the tongue” to how we react to life’s difficulties—with faith or unbelief.
• [00:00:35] Bruce shares a personal story of breaking a bolt while repairing an engine as an example of a frustrating situation that tests one’s reaction.
• [00:01:51] He poses a central question: When things “go wrong,” do we believe terrible things will happen, or do we believe God is in control and will bring good from it?
• [00:03:03] An example from prison ministry is given, where two men were denied parole, highlighting the process of being honest with God about disappointment while growing in faith.
• [00:04:43] Faith is described as full of life and hope, asserting “the story’s not finished yet,” in contrast to despair.
• [00:05:14] The focus shifts to Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where he entered as the prophesied, humble king riding on a donkey.
• [00:06:06] While the crowds anticipated immediate change, Jesus uniquely knew he was heading toward betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection.
• [00:07:09] Listeners are given “homework” to read all four Gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12.
• [00:07:53] Bruce emphasizes that the events of Holy Week were real-life experiences, and our real-life challenges require a genuine faith response that moves from head knowledge to heart conviction.
• [00:09:21] He references Romans 8:28 as a key verse to stand on, that God works all things for good for those who love him.
• [00:09:49] The sermon reviews Matthew 21:1-17, noting Jesus’s detailed foreknowledge and provision (the donkey and colt) as an example of God as Jehovah Jireh.
• [00:12:27] The act of riding a donkey is connected to King Solomon, symbolizing Jesus’s kingship.
• [00:13:17] The crowds hailed Jesus as a prophet but lacked full understanding of him as the Messiah, while the children’s praises were correct.
• [00:14:46] Bruce strongly encourages doing the “homework” of reading Scripture, promising that the Holy Spirit will speak personally through it.
• [00:15:41] He discusses the uncertainty we face in trials (e.g., a loved one’s illness) and states that the foundation for faith and peace is knowing God is good and keeps his promises.
• [00:16:35] He distinguishes between faith for a specific desired outcome and a deeper faith that trusts in the Father’s goodness regardless of the outcome.
• [00:17:01] The testimony of a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander is shared in detail, describing his devout Muslim upbringing, his violent career, his growing conviction, and his conversion after identifying with the Apostle Paul.
• [00:21:22] Upon surrendering his life to Jesus, the man found a profound peace from being in unity with God’s will.
• [00:21:44] His faith led him to escape Iran, eventually reaching the Netherlands, where he experienced Christian fellowship and joy.
• [00:23:48] After much prayer, he decided to publicly share his testimony on a Christian broadcast, despite risks to his family still in Iran, finding peace in his surrender to God’s will.
• [00:26:10] This story is connected to Jesus’s teaching in John 14 on peace and obedience, illustrating what it means to make Jesus Lord.
• [00:26:44] The conclusion urges listeners to trust in who is in control, even when we don’t know the outcome, and to fully surrender to Christ.

Scripture References

• Matthew 21
• Mark 11
• Luke 19
• John 12
• Romans 8:28
• John 14

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The post The Triumphal Entry: Faith in the Face of the Cross first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] Bill introduces the sermon by stating he will discuss the close of the age, beginning with a reading of Psalm 2.
• [00:01:42] He shares that prayer for the Middle East conflict is personal due to family connections there.
• [00:02:25] Bill lists key biblical passages about the close of the age: Daniel 7-12, Isaiah 60 onward, Ezekiel 38-39, Matthew 24-25 (the Olivet Discourse), sections in 2 Timothy, and the Book of Revelation.
• [00:05:52] He notes that some prophecies will only become clear at the end of the age, as stated in Daniel, and we should rest in that.
• [00:06:57] The first and most certain point is that Jesus will return, with the same certainty as His first coming.
• [00:09:06] After His return, Jesus will reign on earth, bringing justice for a period (understood as a thousand years), followed by a final conflict, judgment, and a new heaven and earth.
• [00:09:57] He distinguishes between the judgment on individuals (based on their response to the light of Christ, from John 3) and the judgment on nations.
• [00:12:37] The sermon shifts to an exposition of Psalm 2, focusing on how God deals with nations.
• [00:13:00] Psalm 2:1 describes the current age as one where nations rage and plot in vain, leading to confusion and conflict.
• [00:15:52] The root of this conflict is rulers taking counsel against the Lord and His Anointed (Christ), seeking to break free from their obligation to God (Psalm 2:2-3).
• [00:22:30] God’s response to this rebellion is to laugh in derision (Psalm 2:4) and then to speak in wrath (Psalm 2:5).
• [00:23:39] Bill reflects that current suffering in conflicts is only a small picture of God’s coming wrath.
• [00:26:19] God’s primary solution is to set His King, Jesus, on Zion (Psalm 2:6).
• [00:27:56] The Father gives the nations to the Son as His inheritance (Psalm 2:7-8).
• [00:29:10] The Son will break the rebellious nations with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9).
• [00:29:52] Bill illustrates this “breaking” using Gideon’s story: smashing jars to let light shine and blowing trumpets for victory.
• [00:31:46] He interprets this as Jesus smashing powers that suppress the gospel’s light (like radical Islam) and giving the church a trumpet to blow.
• [00:35:27] The trumpet’s message to rulers is to be wise, serve the Lord with fear, rejoice with trembling, and “kiss the son” (Psalm 2:10-12).
• [00:36:51] “Kiss the son” means to embrace the reconciliation where righteousness and peace meet through faith in Christ.
• [00:37:40] Our prayer should be for nations to serve, rejoice in, and kiss the Son, taking refuge in Him to be blessed (Psalm 2:12).
• [00:38:54] Believers should pray for shaking nations, like those in the Middle East, to have an opportunity to embrace Christ’s lordship.
• [00:39:29] He gives an example of revival in a Guatemalan town where the gospel transformed society, as a foretaste of Christ’s reign.

Scripture References

• Psalm 2
• Daniel 7-12
• Isaiah 60
• Ezekiel 38-39
• Matthew 24-25
• John 3
• John 10
• Romans 1
• Romans 5:1
• 1 Corinthians 15
• Psalm 86

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The post The Close of the Age and Psalm 2 first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] The sermon introduces the concept of a "lifetime of change," using a timeline from birth to death to frame our spiritual journey.
• [00:00:59] Physical aging includes surges (40-45, 60-65), and spiritual growth can similarly be linear or involve sudden growth spurts.
• [00:04:12] Ecclesiastes 3 describes the various seasons of life, and the key point from verse 12 is to rejoice and be thankful to God in all of them.
  • [00:05:23] Assessment 1: I am thankful to God in whatever I'm going through.
• [00:07:28] Before God is love, He is holy, and we love best when we are consecrated to Him.
  • [00:08:14] Assessment 2: My lifestyle hallows God (from the Lord's Prayer).
  • [00:09:16] Assessment 3: I live a consecrated life to God (from 1 Peter 1:16 and Exodus 40:9-11).
• [00:10:54] Love is an action word, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides a list of actions that flow from love.
  • [00:11:17] Assessment 4: I am patient and kind.
  • [00:12:10] Assessment 5: I do not brag. I am not arrogant. I do not behave unbecomingly. I do not demand my own way. I'm not easily angered. I keep no record of wrongs.
  • [00:13:09] Assessment 6: I do not rejoice about injustice, but I rejoice whenever the truth wins out.
  • [00:13:13] Assessment 7: I never give up. I never lose faith. I'm always hopeful, and I endure through every circumstance.
• [00:13:44] Using a graph, Brian illustrates that as a child's ability to be kind grows, parental oversight decreases, paralleling our need for spiritual mentorship and accountability as adults.
• [00:17:36] The greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31) calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves.
  • [00:18:37] Assessment 8: I am ready to act on what God is indicating (linking "Shema" from Mark 12:29 and John 10:27).
  • [00:19:51] Assessment 9: My thought life reflects my covenant commitment to Christ (loving God with all your mind).
  • [00:20:08] Assessment 10: My feelings and their subsequent actions reflect my covenant commitment to Christ (heart and soul).
  • [00:20:20] Assessment 11: My body and what I do with it reflect my covenant commitment to Christ (strength).
  • [00:20:52] Assessment 12: I treat others the way I want to be treated (loving your neighbor as yourself).
• [00:21:07] Jesus gives a new commandment in John 13:34-35 to love others as He has loved us.
  • [00:21:31] Assessment 13: I love others the way Christ loves me.
• [00:22:10] The Lord's Prayer teaches on forgiveness and temptation.
  • [00:22:36] Assessment 14: I am quick to forgive (from Matthew 6:12,14-15).
  • [00:23:02] Assessment 15: I do not lead myself into temptation (from Matthew 6:13).
• [00:24:03] Citing James 4:2, we are encouraged to ask for help, as God often provides through others.
  • [00:24:47] Assessment 16: I am willing to ask others for help.
• [00:25:34] Believers must worship in spirit and truth, maturing in both the Word and the Spirit.
  • [00:26:53] Assessment 17: My knowledge of the word of God is growing and my application of the word of God is improving.
  • [00:26:53] Assessment 18: My handling of the things of the spirit is maturing (referencing Zechariah 4:6).
• [00:27:57] The transformation of Saul to Paul (Acts 22:3, Ephesians 1:15-18) serves as a case study, proving that "broken crayons can still color" and God can radically redirect a life.

Broken crayons can still color. And God can open our eyes of understanding, and give us hope, as we move past our past and into His future through these assessments.

Scripture References

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
• Ecclesiastes 3:12
• 1 Peter 1:16
• Exodus 40:9-11
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
• Mark 12:29-31
• John 10:27
• John 13:34-35
• Matthew 6:12,14-15
• Matthew 6:13
• James 4:2
• Zechariah 4:6
• Ephesians 1:15-18
• Acts 22:3

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• [00:02:35] Bruce assigns homework to read 1 Kings 3-12, which covers Solomon’s life and his son Rehoboam’s folly.
• [00:02:53] He recounts how God appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered him one request, and Solomon humbly asked for wisdom to govern God’s people.
• [00:04:12] God was pleased with this request and granted Solomon not only wisdom but also riches and honor.
• [00:05:05] Solomon is traditionally credited with authoring Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.
• [00:05:41] The sermon notes that Solomon’s life ended in tragedy, as he turned away from God due to his many foreign wives, wealth, and power.
• [00:11:14] Bruce turns to the book of Proverbs, highlighting its purpose to impart wisdom, especially to the young.
• [00:12:08] He points out the repeated father-to-son address in Proverbs 1-4, suggesting Solomon wrote this out of a burden for his own son, Rehoboam.
• [00:13:03] Solomon failed as a father, as seen in Rehoboam’s foolish decision to reject the counsel of elders, which split the kingdom.
• [00:14:16] The application is to seek counsel from older, wiser men and women who have lived a godly life.
• [00:20:36] Bruce discusses the common failure of succession, where a wise father is often followed by a foolish son, as seen with David, Solomon, and Rehoboam.
• [00:21:10] He presents the first way to apply Proverbs: as a call for parents (and all influencers) to win the hearts of those they teach through love, time, and sacrificial care.
• [00:26:39] The second application is to see God as our Father who is seeking to win our hearts, urging us to listen to Him and value His wisdom above all.
• [00:27:53] Bruce reflects that the best request to make of God is not for wisdom like Solomon, but to ask for a heart that loves God fully for all our days.
• [00:29:25] He concludes by warning that life offers only one chance, and we should avoid Solomon’s regrets by committing our hearts to God now.

Scripture References

• 1 Kings 3-12
• Proverbs 1:1-6
• Proverbs 1:7
• Proverbs 1:8
• Proverbs 2:1
• Proverbs 3:1
• Proverbs 4:1
• Proverbs 4:20
• Psalm 51

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The post The Life of Solomon: A Cautionary Tale first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] The sermon is titled “Our Cause for Joy, Hope, and Prayer,” focusing on the symbiotic relationship between joy and prayer, where drawing near to God through prayer increases joy, and joy fuels prayer.
• [00:01:11] Nathan references a quote from Brother Joseph: “joy and prayer is indicative of personal revival” and “joy is the air and the balloon of a Christian’s life.”
• [00:02:50] He references 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (“rejoice always… pray continually”), noting that while fasting is intermittent, prayer should be a continual discipline, like spiritual breathing.
• [00:05:10] Romans 8 is presented as the foundation for our joy and prayer, providing assurance of our standing with God and hope of redemption, which allows us to approach God with confidence instead of condemnation.
• [00:06:16] Nathan reads the entirety of Romans 8.
• [00:11:44] The first key point from Romans 8:1 is that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and a spirit of condemnation after prayer is a red flag, as the Spirit convicts unto life, not despair.
• [00:13:42] From Romans 8:5, our focus is a barometer: a carnal mind is set on fleshly things, while a spiritual mind is set on the things of the Spirit.
• [00:14:51] Romans 8:6-7 shows the result: to be spiritually minded is life and peace, while to be carnally minded is death and enmity against God.
• [00:15:37] Romans 8:14-17 assures us we are children and heirs of God, having received a Spirit of adoption, not bondage to fear.
• [00:16:45] Romans 8:23 gives the hope of the future redemption of our bodies, a hope those living by the flesh do not possess.
• [00:17:32] Romans 8:26 and later verses reveal that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus intercede for us, which is a great comfort.
• [00:18:46] Nathan contrasts the carnal life (condemnation, death, bondage, fear, no security, no intercessor) with the Spirit-led life (peace, life, liberty, security in God’s good plans, divine intercession, future hope).
• [00:21:43] Shifting to Luke 14, Nathan discusses the Parable of the Great Banquet, noting it critiques the exclusive view that only the “best” (like the Pharisees) enter heaven, showing instead that God invites the poor, lame, and outcast.
• [00:25:54] The initial guests’ hopes were in material things (land, oxen, a wife), but those who enter the feast are the destitute, whose hope is heavenly.
• [00:26:38] Biblical hope is expectant and actionable in the present; we are to be “heralds” of the coming kingdom, incarnating and sharing our hope in a way that compels others.
• [00:28:39] Citing Hebrews 11:1, Nathan explains that faith is the “substance” or underlying reality of our hope; a true hope is a lived reality expressed through our daily lives, not a vague future desire.
• [00:30:35] In summation, a strong hope and assurance from scriptures like Romans 8 is the foundation for joy and prayer. If prayer is difficult, revisiting this foundation can rebuild the discipline, which in turn deepens our assurance.

Scripture References

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
• Romans 8
• Luke 14:15-24
• Hebrews 11:1

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The post Our Cause for Joy, Hope, and Prayer first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] Bill introduces his focus on Ephesians 4, reading from verses 4-16 to discuss the mission of the church, especially as it relates to living with hope for Christ’s return.
• [00:02:28] He states that our expectation of Christ’s return is directly tied to our zeal for holiness, setting this as the background for understanding the church’s life.
• [00:04:12] Bill defines biblical hope as a confident expectation based on God’s promises, upheld by faith, and encourages believers to examine their hopes.
• [00:07:44] He suggests a method for understanding complex passages: start with the concluding thought (Ephesians 4:16) and work backward.
• [00:08:51] The final goal is for the body of Christ to grow and build itself up in love, indicating the church is a dynamic, living organism designed to mature.
• [00:09:21] God is actively at work in each believer’s sanctification daily, and we should live in the hope that He is more committed to our growth than we are.
• [00:12:22] Likewise, God is at work in the corporate life of the church, which is just as important as individual growth, as we collectively form the bride and temple of Christ.
• [00:14:08] The primary goal of God’s work in the church is that we learn to love one another as Christ loved us, which is a higher standard than the old commandment.
• [00:15:56] The “joints” that hold the body together are our relationships with one another; when these connections work properly, the body grows in love.
• [00:16:12] He uses Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones as an analogy for the church needing to be properly connected (joints) and filled with the Spirit’s life.
• [00:18:58] Christ gives gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers) to equip the saints for ministry and for building up the body.
• [00:20:24] The purpose of these ministries is to bring the church to unity, knowledge of Christ, and mature manhood—to become like Jesus in His fullness.
• [00:22:00] A mature church, built up by these gifts, is characterized by stability and discernment, no longer being spiritual children tossed by false doctrines.
• [00:24:01] In a mature body, believers speak the truth in love to one another, which is essential for the joints to function and the body to be built up.
• [00:26:12] The closing encouragement is to hold fast to the hope that God is faithfully at work to sanctify us and build His church in love until Christ returns.

Scripture References

• Ephesians 4
• 1 Corinthians 13
• Hebrews 11:1
• Ezekiel 37

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The post The Mission of the Church at the Close of the Age first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] Bruce introduces his talk, stating he will stay in Ephesians 4 and read from verse 1 to 16, following Bill Teubl’s earlier reading.
• [00:00:29] He asks listeners to view the passage as a picture of the perfect church and to contrast it with the marred and troubled state of the world in areas like politics, education, and family.
• [00:01:07] Bruce shares an analogy from his college swimming coach, who showed videos of perfect form so students could emulate it, similarly, we should keep the perfect biblical picture in mind.
• [00:02:17] He begins reading Ephesians 4:1-16, highlighting the call to live a life worthy of our calling.
• [00:02:42] Bruce pauses at verse 2 to emphasize that the essential quality for perfection is humility, defined as “all lowliness and meekness.”
• [00:03:23] He contrasts this humility with the prideful statement “I am the greatest,” which is characteristic of spiritual children, and points to Christ as the model of servant leadership.
• [00:04:04] Bruce notes that patience must be learned and that pride is the root of all conflict and war in the world, according to Proverbs.
• [00:05:52] He highlights the phrase “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” connecting it to being filled with God’s fullness, which is beyond human comprehension.
• [00:06:45] Bruce concludes the reading at verse 16 and states that the key for this perfect picture to be fulfilled is humility—coming to the Lord in need.
• [00:07:03] He provides biblical examples of humility, starting with the archangel Michael from Jude, who did not rebuke Satan in his own authority but served God humbly.
• [00:07:56] Bruce references Proverbs 3:34 (“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”) and its quotation in 1 Peter 5:5.
• [00:09:05] He shares a practical picture of humility from prison ministry: individuals humbly seeking God’s help to avoid falling back into sin upon release.
• [00:09:51] Bruce contrasts this humility with King David’s pride in numbering Israel, which led to a costly humbling.
• [00:10:13] He reiterates that the perfect church picture in Ephesians 4 has no pride, and points to Christ’s warning against using titles like “teacher” or “master.”
• [00:10:43] Bruce observes that the New Testament fastidiously avoids honorific titles, using only descriptors of service (e.g., “Paul an apostle”).
• [00:11:11] He notes that angels are ministering servants, acting without ego on God’s mission, and we are called to live the same way.
• [00:11:43] Bruce encourages everyone to see their role—whether parent, evangelist, or other—as serving the Lord out of love, not ego, just as Mary called herself the Lord’s servant.
• [00:12:24] He closes in prayer, asking God to teach the church humility and maturity, to free us from selfish motives, and to serve Him alone in a pride-filled world.

Scripture References

• Ephesians 4:1-16
• Jude
• Proverbs 3:34
• 1 Peter 5:5
• Hebrews 1

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The post The Perfect Church: A Picture from Ephesians 4 first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:17] The sermon begins on Valentine’s Day, with a brief mention of Saint Valentine as a historical believer and martyr, transitioning into a discussion on the biblical definition of a saint as any believer who is holy and set apart for Christ.
• [00:05:02] The creation of Eve from Adam’s side in Genesis 2 is presented as an analogy: just as woman came from man, the Church was born from Christ’s side on the cross, created to be a suitable helper for Him.
• [00:11:24] The story of Abraham’s servant finding Rebekah for Isaac in Genesis 24 is given as homework. It illustrates how the bride (the Church) is called out from the world to inherit the promises and should have a heart to serve, like Rebekah watering the camels.
• [00:14:53] The story of Ruth and Boaz is recommended reading. Ruth, a Moabite, demonstrates faithful love and is noticed for her noble character by Boaz, a picture of Christ seeking a bride with a heart of faithfulness and devotion.
• [00:20:47] Believers are warned not to lose their “first love” for Christ (Revelation 2), while also nurturing a mature, deeper love that develops through walking with Him through all of life’s experiences.
• [00:24:03] In Matthew 9:14-15, Jesus identifies himself as the bridegroom, explaining that his disciples did not fast while he was with them but would after he was taken away, establishing fasting as a practice for the current era.
• [00:27:13] The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is a sober call to be ready and watchful for Christ’s return, emphasizing that true love for the Lord is shown in daily preparedness and devotion, not just a desire for heaven’s benefits.
• [00:30:49] A distinction is made between being a “wedding guest” and being the “bride,” challenging believers to seek the deepest level of intimacy and whole-hearted devotion to Christ.
• [00:31:40] The sermon concludes in Revelation 19 and 21, where the marriage of the Lamb is fulfilled and the bride (the New Jerusalem) is made ready. The final invitation from the Spirit and the bride is for all to come to Christ.

Scripture References

• Genesis 2
• Genesis 24
• Ruth 1
• Ruth 2:11-12
• Matthew 9:14-15
• Matthew 25:1-13
• Revelation 2
• Revelation 19:6-9
• Revelation 21:2
• Revelation 22:17

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The post Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as the Bride first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.

• [00:00:00] Bruce introduces Ephesians as a “cosmic” book focused on God’s eternal purposes rather than specific church problems, written by Paul from prison in Rome.
• [00:01:01] He contrasts Ephesians with Paul’s other letters (like 1 Corinthians and Galatians), which addressed immediate issues, whereas Ephesians reveals God’s overarching plan for the whole body of Christ.
• [00:03:10] Bruce discusses the source of Paul’s authority and deep teachings, linking them to the supernatural revelations Paul received, such as on the road to Damascus and being caught up to the third heaven.
• [00:09:40] He gives homework: to read Ephesians chapters 1-3 multiple times, chapter 4:1-16, and chapter 5:21-32, noting two key prayers in 1:15-23 and 3:14-21.
• [00:12:31] Bruce outlines five key revelations from Ephesians:
  1. [00:12:44] Revelation 1 (Ephesians 1:3-4): We are chosen in Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places, a spiritual reality to be accepted by faith.
  2. [00:16:05] Revelation 2 (Ephesians 1:9-10): God’s will is a mystery now revealed: to unite all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
  3. [00:18:35] Revelation 3 (Ephesians 2:4-7): God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ to show the immeasurable riches of His grace throughout the coming ages.
  4. [00:21:51] Revelation 4 (Ephesians 2:11 – 3:6): Jews and Gentiles are now one new man in Christ, reconciled into a single body and a holy temple for God’s Spirit.
  5. [00:28:24] Revelation 5 (Ephesians 3:14-19): Paul prays for believers to have strength to comprehend the limitless dimensions of Christ’s love and to be filled with all the fullness of God.
• [00:33:03] Bruce concludes by praying that believers would pursue the inexhaustible depth of knowing God and become worshippers in their daily lives.

Scripture References

• Ephesians 1
• Ephesians 1:3-4
• Ephesians 1:9-10
• Ephesians 2:4-7
• Ephesians 2:11 – 3:6
• Ephesians 3:14-19
• Ephesians 4:1-16
• Ephesians 5:21-32
• 1 Corinthians 15
• 2 Corinthians 12

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The post Five Revelations from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.