Burden and Blessing Podcast

Word of the Week: Hades

Pastor Sam Rodebaugh defines the word "Hades" in our Word of the Week today. The word Hades can have different meanings depending on its context. It can refer to death or the grave or the place of eternal punishment for sin. In this episode Pastor Rodebaugh shows that Jesus has come to deliver us from Hades. Through His death on the cross, Jesus suffered death and endured the punishment of hell for our sins, and has now set us free from the curse which Hades held over us. Thanks be to Jesus for delivering us from death!

Bible Study - Hebrews

In today's Bible Study episode, Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew take us through a study of the book of Hebrews. Hebrews is one of the more unique letters of the New Testament in that we do not know specifically who the author was, nor do we know the original audience. What we do know about the original audience is that they were Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were wondering whether or not it was worth it to be a Christian. Again and again, the letter to the Hebrews emphasizes that it is, in fact, worth it to be a Christian. The letter does this by looking back, more than any other New Testament book, to the Old Testament and showing again and again how Christ is the fulfillment of all that was promised in the past. In our study of this letter, we will look at how the Old Testament ceremonial law points to and finds its fulfillment in Christ. We will look at some of the examples the letter gives us of the people through whom God brought about His plan of salvation. As we look at this, we will be encouraged by the fact that when God makes a promise, He fulfills His promise. We see this most clearly in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. We pray that as you listen to this study and read through the book on your own that you will be encouraged by the fact that Jesus is the perfect Savior from sin and the complete answer for our every need.

CPR - School Shootings, Violence, and the Spiritual Decline of our Nation

In this week's CPR episode, Pastors Mark Tiefel and Neal Radichel discuss a topic that has been on the hearts and minds of many in our nation - the topic of school shootings and violence. With yet another school shooting recently, this has become a hot topic in the political sphere with comments mostly focusing on the issue of gun rights and whether or not there should be stricter gun control. Sadly, what is almost completely overlooked in this discussion are the spiritual issues that are at the heart of this topic. Our discussion will focus on how the spiritual decline of our nation is really at the center of the violence we see. We also will discuss how we, as Christians, can respond to these issues with the Word of God. We pray that our discussion will be beneficial as we wrestle with this important issue. 

Word of the Week - Humiliation/Exaltation

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Rob Sauers takes us through a study of Jesus' Humiliation and Exaltation. These two words really encompass the life of Jesus from His conception through His resurrection and ascension, and they look forward to that day when Jesus will come again. Philippians 2:5-11 gives a really nice summary of what Jesus' humiliation and exaltation are all about: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." In our study, we will consider other Scripture passages that describe what Jesus' humiliation and exaltation are all about, and we will talk about the comfort we find in all that Jesus has done for us. May the Lord bless our study!

Movie Review: Paul - Apostle of Christ

Pastors Neal Radichel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss the upcoming release of the movie: Paul - Apostle of Christ which will be in theaters on March 23, 2018. This movie is set in the late 60's AD in Rome during the reign of Nero. Christians are being persecuted and even put to death, and Paul is in prison. The story is based on what Paul writes in 2 Timothy that "only Luke" is with him. Luke comes to Rome and begins to record the life of Paul for the encouragement and directions of Christians who have never met Paul and who are struggling under persecution. Over all the movie is based on Biblcal history and incorporates secular history at that time as well and does a nice job depicting what life would have been like for Christians at that time. A couple concerns: there were some glaring and more sublte Biblically historical inaccuracites, and the movie tends to focus more on Paul's life then on the Savior Paul proclaimed. Still the movie is moving and is well done. We encourage you to reread the book of Acts and 2 Timothy in particular and take the time to go and see the move. Then discuss it with other Christian friends. Be like the Bereans who "searched the Scriptures... to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). You can find more information at www.paulmovie.com  

Word of the Week: Covenant

In our Word of the Week today Pastor Nathanael Mayhew defines and describes the word "Covenant" and shows how it is THE theme of Scripture. The word Covenant is used often throughout the Old and New Testaments. It means an agreement usually between two parties that is not to be broken. It describes human agreements like those between individuals or nations, but most often is used to describe the relationship between God and human beings. God makes a covenant with Abram and later the people of Israel. These were two-sided agreements in which God promised something and Abram and the people of Israel promised something. God was faithful, but human beings were not. Israel constantly broke the covenant they had made and worshipped false gods. So God also made a one-sided covenant - a promise which did not depend on human beings. He promised to send a Savior who would deliver sinners from death and the Devil through faith. This unbreakable promise of God to sinners was fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the Mediator of the new covenant which He secured with His death on Calvary. Through His blood we have redemption! Thanks be to God for His unbreakable Covenant in Christ!

CPR - Podcasting and the Divine Call

In today's CPR episode, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew, Mark Tiefel, Neal Radichel, and Rob Sauers join together for a roundtable discussion on the impact of social media on the divine call. This is a follow-up to our recent podcast where we asked whether or not podcasting hurts preaching. Here, we are asking whether or not podcasting and other forms of social media that we may use to proclaim God's Word interfere with a pastor's divine call to his congregation. We will discuss some of the concerns of those who believe that social media does interfere with a pastor's call and talk about the importance of communication between fellow pastors and the members we serve to address some of these concerns. We will also discuss some of the ways in which social media can be beneficial to both pastors and the members we serve. We pray that the Lord will bless our study!

Word of the Week - The Three Omnis

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Rob Sauers takes us through a study of the three omnis that we commonly use to describe certain attributes of God. Those words are omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. Our study will consider just a few of the many Scripture passages that establish the fact that our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present. We will also consider why these attributes of God might terrify us as well as why they are a comfort to us. 

Review - Hymn 151 - Christ, the Life of All the Living

In today's podcast, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers review the Lenten hymn, "Christ, the Life of All the Living." This is one of the more familiar of the Lenten hymns, and it appears in hymnals across denominations. This hymn really focuses not only on what Christ did through His life and death but what that means for us. As we study through the seven stanzas that make up this hymn, we will focus on what Christ suffered and what benefits we receive as a result. We pray that this review will help to prepare your hearts and minds for another Lenten journey.

Word of the Week - Transfiguration

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel takes us through a study of the word "transfiguration." Most of our churches celebrate this event in Jesus' ministry each year on the last Sunday before the beginning of the Lenten season. The significance of this event is often forgotten about among us, but as we'll see in this study, the transfiguration was a pivotal event in Jesus' ministry. This event demonstrates in a dramatic way who Jesus is, and it also had a lasting effect on the disciples. We pray that this study will help you better to understand and appreciate the significance of this very important event in the Jesus' ministry.