Burden and Blessing Podcast
Episodes
Monday Mar 15, 2021
57. 2 Peter Summary Verse
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Monday Mar 15, 2021
This is known as the letter of "knowledge" because various forms of "know" occur 16 times. This was in contrast to gnosticism, pointed to Jesus as Savior as the only true and all important knowledge. That knowledge which Peter describes is good for this life and for the life to come! Our summary verse is from 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (ESV)
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
56. 1 Peter Summary Verse
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Purpose of Peter's first letter was to encourage Christians in suffering, in hope, in sanctification. The word "suffer" occurs 16 times, and there are 30 imperatives or commands which point to the change in the Christian as a result of Christ's work for him or her. This passage highlights God's good and perfect gifts and how the Lord wants us to use them and grow in them. This is the Doctrine of Vocation! Our summary verse is from 1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – (NKJV)
Monday Mar 08, 2021
55. Titus Summary Verse
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
This is the second of the "Pastoral letters" - written to other church leaders as an encouragement in the ministry. Titus was with Paul on his 3rd journey, collected the offering for Jerusalem, then began work on Crete. In this letter Paul puts again an emphasis on "sound doctrine", dealing with false teachers, and proper conduct. It serves as a mini Dogmatics book! Our summary verse is from Titus 3:5: “He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.” – (CSB)
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
54. 1 Timothy Summary Verse
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
This is the first of the "Pastoral letters" - written to other church leaders as an encouragement in the ministry. These letters give great advice for churches and Christians in general not just pastors. There is a mentorship taking place and being encouraged here. Paul charges Timothy and the church to teach and "keep the faith" and pass this on to the next generation. Our summary verse is from 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – (NIV)
Monday Mar 01, 2021
53. Acts Summary Verse
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Acts covers the 30 years following the ascension of Jesus and the success of the Spirit's work through the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The Gospel is the message of Jesus and what He did to bring salvation to the world of sinners. Christ came to save all people (as we saw in Luke) and that message is taken to all people (as we now see in Acts). The Spirit works through it to build His Church. Our summary verse is from Acts 4:12: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – (ESV)
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
52. Luke Summary Verse
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Luke points to the universality of salvation. He includes the familiar narrative of the birth of Jesus where the angels tell the shepherds that the coming of Jesus was for all. Luke alone also mentions the Good Samaritan, the lost parables, the 10 lepers, the criminal on the cross, all which point to the universality of Christ's salvation. Our summary verse is from Luke 2:10: “Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'” –(NKJV)
Monday Feb 22, 2021
51. Philipians Summary Verse
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
This letter is later than the other three "prison" letters. The church at Philippi was established on Paul's second missionary journey where Lydia and the jailer lived. Paul was close to this congregation. Often called Paul's letter of joy. He encouraged them in that joy and urged them to live out their Christian calling. It is one of the most personal and joyful of his letters. The peace of Christ calms anxiety in world. Our prayers WILL be answered, in due time. Amen! Our summary verse is from Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – (NASB)
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
50. Ephesians Summary Verse
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Another of Paul's prison epistles, to Ephesus, an important congregation which Paul had spent time with. It contains a rich diversity of doctrine: redemption, roles of Christians, unity, use of gits, old man/new man, behavior towards other Christians, Bride and Bridegroom, armor of God, boldness in confession, etc. This verse powerfully describes our God and Savior! Our summary verse is from Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory.” – (NKJV)
Monday Feb 15, 2021
49. Philemon Summary Verse
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
In another of Paul's "prison letters" we learn about Christian friendship, fellowship, and forgiveness. The letter was written to Philemon, a friend of Paul's, but he was writing this letter to him on behalf of one of his slave who had run away. This slave, Onesimus, had become a Christian, and so this letter is about Christian love and forgiveness and fellowship with other Christians. Our summary verse is from Philemon 1:4-5: “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.” – (ESV)
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
48. Colossians Summary Verse
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
This is the beginning of what we call the "prison letters" of Paul. He was writing to people and congregations he had visited on his missionary journeys. This letter was written to counteract false teaching about how we are saved. He does this by pointing to the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ. It's all about God's image. What it is, what it means, what's been lost, what will come. All connected to Christ. Our summary verse is from Colossians 1:15-16: ““He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” – (ESV)