Burden and Blessing Podcast

Word of the Week: Word

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew digs into another name of Jesus, the Word. This name takes us into the writings of John where he reveals that Jesus is more than just a man. He is true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He has been since the beginning and He is the Creator. But the Word also became flesh and lived as a man. He was seen, heard and touched by others as True Man. He gave up His life, in order to give us life by reconciling us to God. Jesus is the Word!

World Religions: Confucianism

In our world religions segment today, Pastor Ben Libby joins Pastor Joe Naumann to discuss the religion of Confucianism. Confucius lived around 500 B.C in a very violent time in China's history. As a result he emphasized the idea of peace between people and in all relationships. Many of the teachings of Confucius we would agree with as Christians and this is because it brings out the natural knowledge of the Law or what we would call "The Golden Rule." The problem is that the works of the law can never bring people into harmony or save us from our sin. It is only in Christianity that we find the solution to the problem of sin.  

Word of the Week: Lord

Pastor Mark Tiefel digs into "Lord" for our Word of the Week and our contuing series on the names of Jesus. This term Lord is not to be confused with the all-capital LORD found in the Old Testament in many English Bibles. LORD is the personal name for God, Jehovah or Yahweh, which sets Him apart from false gods. The term Lord is a common title for Jesus in the New Testament. It is a term given to one who has power or authority over others. The disciples called Jesus "Lord" recognizing His authority over them. We too need to remember that Jesus is more than just a man, He is true God, and has all power in heaven and on earth. He is our master and He deserves our respect. Whether we recognize Jesus as Lord now or not, all people will recognize Him as Lord on the last day. May the Spirit bring us to that knowledge through faith before that day comes!

Bible Study: Leviticus

Pastors Neal Radichel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss the difficult book of Leviticus in the Old Testament. This is one of those books that many people give up trying to read because of all the laws recorded there. But those laws have a purpose. They point us to the problem of our sin, and the need to be reconciled to God. This is something we can't do on our own. Leviticus not only points us to what God desires of us (to be perfect, even as He is perfect), but also reveals His solution to our problem of sin. Through the sacrifices which are outlined in Leviticus we are pointed to the blood of another who would take our place and bear God's just judgment which we deserved. These point to Jesus the coming Savior, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Understanding this gives us a better appreciation and understanding of Leviticus as a whole. May the Holy Spirit bless your study of this book that still has a message for us today!

Word of the Week: Alpha and Omega

Pastor Tom Naumann digs into another name of Jesus, Alpha and Omega, in our Word of the Week. This title is found several times in the Book of Revelation, and describes the eternal nature of our Savior Jesus. He has always existed and will always exist. He was there at the creation of all things and will be there in the very end at the coming judgment. This title also connects Jesus to His existence in the Old Testament. Isaiah uses a similar expression to describe Jehovah showing us that Jesus is true God, He is Jehovah. Jesus is the sum and substance of all the Scriptures and the promises of God.

Bible Study: Job

Pastor Joe Naumann joins Nathanael Mayhew to take up a study of the intriguing and often misunderstood Book of Job. Job lived around the time of Abraham and deals with the subject of suffering. Many people are familiar with the name of Job and maybe some of what happened to him, but most know little of the rest of the book or its real purpose. We dig into that purpose and how it is developed in the suffering of Job, the incorrect view of Job's friends, and how God straightens it all out in the end. If you have struggled to understand the book of Job, you will want to join us as we journey through it! 

Word of the Week: Branch

Pastor Mark Tiefel shows how the term Branch is a clear title for Jesus in our Word of the Week. The prophets of the Old Testament used this as a picture or description of Jesus. Jesus is called the "Righteous Branch" and brings the peace that only God can bring. Possibly the most familiar use of this title is found in Isaiah 11 as the prophet foretells the peace that only the Messiah would be able to bring. God fulfilled His promise of sending His Son from the line of David. That Jesus who is the stem of Jesse and the Righteous Branch has brought us forgiveness of sins and peace with God!

World Religions: Darwinism

Pastor Neal Radichel joins Nathanael Mayhew to discuss the religion of Darwinism. This religion is based on the "Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin. He presents a view of creation that removes the idea of God and design and replaces it with chance and time and coming from a single common ansestor. Even though this godless religion is promoted and taught in our schools and museums, it has been proven to be false by Darwin's own words. How can we call Darwinism a religion? The definition of religion is: a series of beliefs regarding the origin of the universe. That is exactly what Darwinism is. Darwin presents all life coming from a common ancestor, but the evidence of our world presents an explosion of life all at once which is what the Bible presents. In addition, Darwinism has infiltrated Christianity in what is called Theistic Evolution. Many churches have compromised the truth of God's Word with the teachings of Darwinism, inserting millions and billions of years into the creation account. In the end such a veiw compromises the very truth of the Gospel and the nature of the God of the Bible.  

Word of the Week: Advocate

This week Pastor Mark Tiefel takes us into a study of the title for Jesus - "Advocate." The title comes from 1 John 2:1 where we are told that we have "an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous." As our advocate, Jesus takes our place, He stands in for us before our Father in Heaven. His work of righteousness becomes ours by faith. His death pays the debt of our sin. He intercedes for us and pleads our case, not on the basis of our righteousness, but His! What a comfort to know that Jesus, the righteous One, is on our side, representing us before God!

Word of the Week: Vine

Pastor Mark Tiefel presents the importance and meaning of the Name "Vine" for our Savior in our Word of the Week. The name comes from John15 where Jesus Himself uses that picture and name for Himself. It answers the question that many people have: Does God really love me? Jesus assures us that He does, and that through our connection to Him we have life. Through that life we, as Christians, also bear fruit. It is a natural work of the branch because of the life giving nutrients received from the vine. What a comforting and encouraging picture for us of our loving and caring Savior!