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Rekindling our passions for God, others, & self - by applying the details of Scripture to the details of our lives.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 13, 2018
Tuesday Feb 13, 2018
The seven hour exploration into evil and sin continues. Given the scope and sheer volume of information on this issue, we have broken the study into six sections:
a: a definition of evil/sin
b: what evil/sin results in
c: why a perfect, good, loving, and omnipotent God allows evil/sin
d: a working list of all the evils/sins the Bible mentions
e: how God interacts with and responds to sin
f: how we are to minimize, interact with, and respond to sin
Here in part E, we explore specifically what Scriptures have to say about God's response(s) to evil and sin. What roles do love, hatred, justice, patience, forgiveness, punishment, discipline, encouragement, strengthening, etc. play in the process?
Here is the TIMESTAMP for this episode:
00:00 - a quick recap of the first four episodes (3.11a-d) on the defintion of evil/sin, what it results in, why it exists in such volume in life, and what the specific sins are; as well as a vulnerable talk on the journey to re-thinking and better understanding how God reacts to sin.
18:43 - looking into God's love of humanity, His hatred and grieving of sin, the criticalness of His patience with and forgiveness of sin because of atonement, His emphasis on guidance and discipline/training/strengthening, and the selective/particular role of anger & wrath when needed.
44:32 - discussing implications, encouragements, pushbacks, and application in our lives according to God's various (incredible) responses to sin.
Tuesday Feb 06, 2018
Tuesday Feb 06, 2018
The seven hour exploration into evil and sin continues. Given the scope and sheer volume of information on this issue, we have broken the study into six sections:
a: a definition of evil/sin
b: what evil/sin results in
c: why a perfect, good, loving, and omnipotent God allows evil/sin
d: a working list of all the evils/sins the Bible mentions
e: how God interacts with and responds to sin
f: how we are to minimize, interact with, and respond to sin
Here in part D, we take a look at a fairly comprehensive list from NT passages on what the Bible considers evil/sin. As you begin to grasp the sheer volume, and the specificity of this list, we hope it convicts and gets your attention, so that you can be even more intentional than you already are following through on Scripture's guidelines - both commands and prohibitions - understanding the benefits of the former and the detriments of the latter.
Here is the TIMESTAMP for this episode:
0:00 - a quick recap of the first three episodes (3.11a-c) on the defintion of evil/sin, what it results in, and why it exists in such volume in life; as well as talking about one of the goals for this study in changing the way we look at sin to be more in line with the picture Scripture paints.
13:48 - looking into the different 'categories' of sin, starting with the unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the Spirit, then reviewing a large list of specific sins (commands not done or prohibitions partaken of); SEE THE LIST WE USED BELOW.
1:06:49 - discussing observations, implications, and applications from this list, including revisiting the issue of 'muddy fields', our individual core weaknesses, and how to deal with them.
*************************************************
Tier 01, Unforgivable Sins:
- blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, not believing in Jesus & confessing Him as Lord [John 3:16, Rom 10:9; Luk 12:10]
Tier 02, Forgivable Sins:
Whenever you do not obey a command, such as:
- hunger & thirst for righteousness, draw near to, and keep your attention on God, ask, seek, knock [Dan 9:3, Mat 5:6, 7:7, Jam 4:8]
- study, reflect on, and remember Scripture [Psa 119, 1 Tim 4:6]
- pray without ceasing [1 Thes 5:17]
- fast [Mat 6:16]
- love and know God intimately [Mar 12:30, 1 Jn 4:2]
- have deep, active faith in God [Mar 11:22-24, Luk 12:22-31]
- exalt, glorify, praise, and worship God [Luk 4:8, 1 Pet 1:7, Rev 19:5]
- fear the Lord [2 Cor 5:11]
- have humility [Jam 4:10]
- confess and repent of your sins [1 Jn 1:9]
- be baptized [Act 2:38]
- work out your salvation w/fear & trembling [Phil 2:12]
- walk worthy of your calling, be sound in faith, present yourself as one approved [Eph 4:1, 2 Tim 2:15, Titu 1:3]
- walk in step with the Holy Spirit, being led by Him [Gal 5:16-18]
- be obedient to His commands [Act 5:29]
- receive knowledge, understanding, wisdom, counsel, fear of the Lord, and power [Isa 11:1-3]
- fix your eyes on the unseen [2 Cor 4:18]
- think on whatever is good, pure, noble; hold on to what is good [Rom 12:9, Phil 4:8]
- be thankful, content [2 Cor 12:10, Col 3:15]
- rejoice always [1 Thes 5:16]
- be confident in the Lord, bold [Eph 3:12]
- be gentle, tender [Titu 3:2, Jam 3:17, Eph 4:32]
- be pure in heart [Mat 5:8]
- be dignified, reverent [Titu 2:7]
- endure and persevere through suffering and persecution [Rom 5:3-4, 1 Cor 4:12]
- be patient, turn your cheek [Mat 5:39, 1 Thes 5:14]
- forgive, show mercy [Mat 6:14, Luk 17:4]
- accept one another [Rom 15:7]
- honor one another [1 Pet 2:17]
- love one another, have compassion, treat well, be kind toward, serve [Mk 12:31, Lk 6:31, Col 3:12, Gal 5:13]
- give your cloak, go the second mile [Mat 5:40-41]
- mourn with, comfort [Rom 12:15, 1 Thes 4:18]
- bear the burdens of [Gal 6:2]
- encourage [1 Thes 5:11]
- evangelize & go on missions [Mat 28:19-20]
- show hospitality [Rom 12:13, Heb 13:2]
- sing together [Col 3:16, Jam 5:13]
- submit to your elders/authorities [Heb 13:17, 1 Pet 2:13]
- be prepared for every good work [2 Tim 3:17]
- use the spiritual gifts God gave you for edifying others [Rom 12, 1 Cor 12, Eph 4, etc.]
- pursue justice [Mat 23:23]
- be quick to listen and slow to speak [Jam 1:19]
- control your tongue, speak seasoned with grace [Col 4:6, Jam 1:26]
- teach, remind, refute [1 Cor 4:17, Titu 1:9]
- exhort, warn, admonish, rebuke [2 Tim 4:2]
- confess to one another [Jam 5:16]
- discipline (train/edify), correct, turn back [Eph 6:4, Heb 12:11]
- bless those who curse you [Luk 6:28, Rom 12:14]
- be temperate, self-controlled [Gal 5:23, Titu 1:8]
- live at peace with each other, preserve unity [Eph 4:3, 1 Thes 5:13]
- shine like stars, cities on a hill, salt & light [Mat 5:13-16, Phil 2:15]
Whenever you partake of a prohibition, such as:
- selfish-ambition, self-seeking [1 Cor 13:5, Jam 3:16]
- show arrogance, conceit; brag [1 Tim 6:17, Jam 4:16]
- jealousy, envy, greed [Rom 1:29, 13:13]
- idolatry [1 Cor 10:14]
- rejoice in unrighteousness [1 Cor 13:6]
- quenching the Spirit [1 Thes 5:19]
- have doubt, worry, fear [Mat 6:34, 10:31, 21:21]
- lie [Col 3:9]
- rudeness, inappropriateness [1 Cor 13:5]
- coarse joking, foul language, or foolish talk [Eph 5:4]
- drunkenness, carousing [Rom 13:13]
- sorcery, drugs [Gal 5:20]
- sexual immorality, adultery, homosexuality [1 Thes 4:3]
- judging [Mat 7:1-2, Rom 14:13]
- taking wrong into account [1 Cor 13:5]
- quick-tempered, provokable [Titu 1:7, 1 Cor 13:5]
- grumbling, complaining [Phil 2:14]
- bitterness [Eph 4:31]
- wrath, anger [Gal 5:20]
- hatred [Titu 3:3]
- malice, slander, gossip [Col 3:8, 2 Cor 12:20]
- provoking, exasperating [Gal 5:26, Eph 6:4]
- take revenge [Rom 12:19]
- caught up in civilian matters [2 Tim 2:4]
- quarreling, strife, dissension, factions [Prov 20:3, Gal 5:20, Jam 4:2]
Tuesday Jan 30, 2018
Tuesday Jan 30, 2018
The seven hour exploration into evil and sin continues. Given the scope and sheer volume of information on this issue, we have broken the study into six sections:
a: a definition of evil/sin
b: what evil/sin results in
c: why a perfect, good, loving, and omnipotent God allows evil/sin
d: a working list of all the evils/sins the Bible mentions
e: how God interacts with and responds to sin
f: how we are to minimize, interact with, and respond to sin
Here in part C, we look deeply, broadly, biblically, philosophically into why might a good, loving, just, sovereign, perfect God allow the sheer volume of sin and evil that He does, even though He hates it. This can be a very illuminating, encouraging search for you. We find it the best, most comprehensive explanation we've ever come across. Please consider taking time to work through this episode, chew on its propositions, and be encouraged by its implications.
Here is the TIMESTAMP for this episode:
0:00 - a real quick recap of the first two episodes (3.11a-b) on the defintion of evil/sin and what it results in.
2:39 - thinking through initially the question of why God allows sin - the problem of evil and theodicies that attempt to explain it, a quick recap of the concept of inter-determinism, and discussing traditional answers to why God allows evil/sin, and why they may be incomplete.
21:05 - presenting a fairly comprehensive, powerful, enlightening theory as to why God intentionally created a broken prologue and what it means for us.
1:08:41 - some thoughts & feedback & encouragement regarding this proposal.
1:16:32 - given this idea of why God allows evil/sin, now looking into more detail into why humans (including Christians) sin, some hope in the midst of that, and why sin is serious rather than critical.
1:37:17 - forming a final conclusion that given the full story God wants to tell sin was necessary, potential pushback against that and responses to that pushback, and implications of this going forward.
[Invitation link to the Rekindling band app: https://band.us/n/aea3wcHf72n3Y]
Tuesday Jan 23, 2018
Tuesday Jan 23, 2018
The seven hour exploration into evil and sin continues. Given the scope and sheer volume of information on this issue, we have broken the study into six sections:
a: a definition of evil/sin
b: what evil/sin results in
c: why a perfect, good, loving, and omnipotent God allows evil/sin
d: a working list of all the evils/sins the Bible mentions
e: how God interacts with and responds to sin
f: how we are to minimize, interact with, and respond to sin
Here is the TIMESTAMP for this episode B:
0:00 - starting with a quick recap of the first episode (3.11a) on the defintion of evil/sin.
2:26 - looking into what happens when we commit evil or sin, what the specific results, reactions, or consequences of sin are.
14:30 - considering whether evil/sin is a 'critical' issue or a 'serious' one.
24:21 - acknowledging the benefits of resisting sin
25:24 - understanding why God hates sin
28:30 - some quick comments on the application of resisting sin (more details in episode 3:11f) and wrap-up
Tuesday Jan 16, 2018
Tuesday Jan 16, 2018
EVIL/SIN: primarily, a turning from God or His beneficial goods and secondarily, a turning to something detrimental (to you or others).
Thus begins an almost seven hour exploration into what evil and sin are according to Scripture. Given the scope and sheer volume of information on this issue, we have broken the study into six sections:
a: a definition of evil/sin
b: what evil/sin results in
c: why a perfect, good, loving, and omnipotent God allows evil/sin
d: a working list of all the evils/sins the Bible mentions
e: how God interacts with and responds to sin
f: how we are to minimize, interact with, and respond to sin
And here is the TIMESTAMP for this episode A:
0:00 - an introduction to unpacking the concept of evil and sin, and explaining why this study was developed and how it will be presented over six sessions.
24:27 - looking at the initial terminology of and philosophy behind evil and sin, including other overlapping, relevant unpacking issues like love, good, etc.
52:26 - coming to a conclusion on the scriptural definition of evil and sin.
Tuesday Jan 09, 2018
Tuesday Jan 09, 2018
GOOD: a biblical is good is something that (subjectively or objectively) is inherently valuable [G0], pleasing [G1], beneficial [G2], and/or right/straight [G3].
What exactly does it mean when the Bible refers to something as good? What does this tell us about God and life? (Hint: it helps us better understand why a good God allows evil/sin and suffering.)
TIMESTAMP:
0:00 - an introduction to unpacking the concept of good and how this all ties in with the issues of inter-determinism, evil/sin, and suffering.
22:33 - looking at the initial terminology and philosophy of good.
52:37 - highlighting key notes from each of the sections of Scripture.
1:43:14 - coming to a conclusion on the scriptural, 4-part definition of 'good'.
1:47:32 - discussing some of the inter-workings, nuances, and details about all that is 'good'
2:06:03 - benefits of pursuing what is 'good'
2:13:10 - final thoughts, take-aways, and application of this study
Tuesday Jan 02, 2018
Tuesday Jan 02, 2018
INTER-DETERMINISM: the spectrum concept that the reason anything occurs is due to some combination of divine, angelic, human, and animal decisions and actions, whether it is hard (irresistible) or soft (influential), active or passive (with a possibility of randomness being a factor as well). The exact combination ratio will vary from situation to situation and person to person, dependent upon a wide possibility of factors.
Alright, here is one of the biggest, important 'rabbit trails' of Christian theology - the issue of inter-determinism, i.e. how does God interact with the events of life or why do things play out the way they do?
TIMESTAMP:
0:00 - an introduction to the concept of inter-determinism, preliminary things to consider
23:27 - definining key terms & ideas, such as 'sovereignty', 'determinism', 'free will', etc.; also discussing the potential psychology behind different theories and the need for respect, humility, and open-mindedness in this discussion
1:37:48 - explaining the concept and components of 'complex determinism'
2:08:37 - discussing the spectrum of possibilities and the four basic camps of thought on divine determinism
2:45:34 - final take-aways & application
Tuesday Dec 19, 2017
Tuesday Dec 19, 2017
GLORY: a resplendent heaviness (glowing like heated metal in multicolored radiance, with a substantive presence, and with great worth and rank).
GLORIFY:
- to make resplendently heavy or increase something's resplendent heaviness
- to recognize, revel in, reflect, and reveal God's resplendent heaviness.
What exactly is 'glory' according to the Bible, and what does it mean to 'glorify' God?
TIMESTAMP:
0:00 - an introduction to unpacking the concept of glory
12:09 - original wordings, key definitions/terminology, relevant passages & concepts
28:44 - a working definition of glory and glorify
55:45 - details, nuances, interworkings of glory
1:29:29 - benefits & results of glorifying God
1:48:01 - how glory relates to love
1:59:57 - take-aways & application
Tuesday Dec 12, 2017
Tuesday Dec 12, 2017
LOVE is of: (Mk12:28-31)
HEART: strong emotional affection for, delight in, and supernatural affinity with (aheb, agape)
- beholding beauty & value, a passionate treasuring (Songs)
- longing to see, seeking after, inviting in & vulnerably sharing life with (Songs, Pro, 1Th2:8,3:6)
- unashamedly, lavishly celebrating the object of affection (Songs)
SOUL: willful, committed, loyal, devoted, covenantal faithfulness to (chesed; Rom 12:9-19)
- sincere, pure, fervent & earnest, not lacking zeal, in truth & deed (Rom12:9-19, 1Pet1:22,4:8, 1Jn3:18)
- a willingness to lay my life down for (Jn15:13)
- humbly obedient to God, keeping His commandments (Jn14:15)
MIND: an intentional disposition of always desiring good for one another and all people (1Th5:8-15)
- rejoicing in truth rather than unrighteousness (1Cor13)
- making of things right/just (in speaking & doing) (Mic6:8, Pro14:22,Rom12)
- compassionate empathy, truly seeking to understand how a person is wired and what they are going through
- patience & forgiveness of wrongs (Unp:Patience, Unp:Mercy, Luk7:47, 1Cor13, 1Th5:13)
- bearing and enduring the sins and struggles of others (1Cor13)
- covering over sin (not disclosing it, not creating discord) (Pro10:12, 1Pet4:8)
- grieving the wrong, without anger, bitterness, resentment, or irritation (Gen6:6, Eph4:31)
- not taking revenge, instead repaying evil with good (Rom12:9-19)
- refraining from enforcing what may be due or right, in the moment
- moving the responsibility for atonement (compensation) off of the wrongdoer onto God*
- not taking wrong into account (extinguishing their guilt; 1Cor13)
- regaining full goodwill toward (Pro16:6)
- willing to reconcile (dependent upon the wrongdoer’s confession & discipline/training)
- not unbecoming or rude (1Cor13), not provoking others (Gal5:26)
- not causing any to stumble, make every effort to what leads to peace and mutual edification (Rom14:15-19)
- living in peace and harmony with one another (Rom12)
- honor one another above yourselves, regard each other as more important (Rom12:9-19, Phil2:3)
& STRENGTH: an active, abundant, practical, sacrificial contribution to well-being
- spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, & resource-wise
- hospitable (Rom12:9-19)
- serving and helping one another as needed (Gal5:13, Phil2:4)
- rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn (Rom12:9-19)
- encouraging the fainthearted and helping the weak (1Th5:14)
- caring tenderly and gently (1Th2:7), comfort, treat with tenderness (2Cor1:4-7, 2:7)
- protecting, rescuing, saving (2Sam22:20, Ps146:9, Jhn3:16)
- blessing, showing favor/grace (Unp:Grace)
- sharing the gospel/good news (1Th2:9)
- provoking others to love and good works (Heb10:24)
- teaching kindness (which includes establishing and protecting kings) (Pro20:28)
- diligently identifying wrongs & pruning to right (Pro3:12)
- speak truth, teach, encourage, implore, exhort, rebuke/admonish, discipline, & correct others to walk in a manner worthy of the lord (for the unruly & those in opposition), all done restoratively & gently, not harshly (1Th2:11-12,5:14, 2Tim2:25)
- reluctantly willing to use suffering (sours, wind sprints) when needed; relenting when needed
- edifying, building up one another (1Th5:11)
- always trusting and hopeful (in God and the potential of others) (1Cor13)
- …
- with a physical intimacy with spouse (Songs, 1Cor7:5)
Okay, here's the big one! What exactly is "love" according to Scripture? How does one receive it and offer it? What does it result in? Why is this the most important thing in God's plans?
TIMESTAMP:
00:00 - an introduction to unpacking love
15:41 - original wordings, key definitions/terminology, relevant passages & concepts
1:26:28 - a working definition of love
1:31:33 - details, nuances, interworkings of love in action
2:17:26 - benefits & results of such love
2:23:30 - the criticalness & superiority of love
2:30:14 - take-aways & application
Tuesday Nov 28, 2017
Tuesday Nov 28, 2017
Christian growth/maturity:
- the further advancement (leveling up) into our individual full potential,
- which comes through deliberate, gradual progress over time,
- as we augment, enable, and tweak our spiritual nature (thoroughly, in every necessary detail),
- by applying the details of Scripture to the details of our lives as we walk in step with the Spirit,
- until we reach complete, excellent, perfectly sound, Christ-like character (according to our design),
- so that we may most fully love God and others.
- [which will be rewarded in Heaven]
Christian maturity is the gradual process of deliberately walking in step with the Spirit, to enhance every necessary detail of our spiritual nature, until we become the complete version of who Christ designed us to be.
Following up on the episode on Faith, we now look at the deeper aspects of faith, where we are maturing in our application of the details of Scripture, 'leveling up' and becoming the more complete persons that God designed us to be.
Timestamp:
00:00 - introduction to spiritual maturity
06:02 - original wordings, key definitions/terminology, relevant passages & concepts
35:08 - a working definition of Christian maturity
46:09 - details, nuances, interworkings of the maturation process
1:36:00 - benefits & results of maturing in your faith
1:49:51 - take-aways & application