Burden and Blessing Podcast

Review - Already Gone by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer

In this episode Pastors Neal Radichel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and review Ken Ham and Britt Beemer's book, "Already Gone."  This book looks at statistics which show why less people are going to church and give some solutions to this epidemic in the Church.  He points out how churches in Europe have closed at an astounding rate, and this is carrying over into America.  Surveys reveal why people aren't going to church.  For example: Boring services, chruch is too legalistic, too political, hypocrisy in the church, too far to go; not relevant; etc.  But the problem is that the culture has infiltrated the church and undermined the truth of God's Word and the church has stopped being the church.  What is the solution?  First, the church needs to reteach and emphasize the authority of God's Word.  We see this in the creation account and the rejection of God's desire for marriage, in the truth of the resurrection and the conception of Jesus.  Once you start down the road of rejection of God's Word, there is a very dark end.  Our purpose is to preach the Gospel which changes hearts.  God's Word, His Law and His Gospel is always relevant in our world, because it is what we need to hear.  The responsibilty for this lies first and foremost with PARENTS and not with the church!  The solution starts with the Word of God in the home and supported by the church.  This book is a must read for parents and church leaders alike to help see the problem in our society and in our homes and as an encouragement to be faithful in our use and proclamation of God's Word of Truth to the next generation.      

Word of the Week: INCARNATION

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel defines the word Incarnation. The teaching of the incarnation comes to the forefront in the birth of Jesus.  Literally, the word incarnate means to become flesh.  Jesus had to become human because God promised that it would happen this way (Isaiah 7:14).  Jesus would be Immanuel, God with us.  He also had to be human to suffer and die for us as our perfect substitute as Paul says in Galatians 4:4-5.  Jesus had to be born under the law to redeem sinners.  Jesus is true God, but also became true Man for our salvation (John 1:1,14).  If Jesus did not have a human body he could not endure the punishment for our sins.  Jesus had to become incanate, because it is how our Savior offered Himself for our sins.  This is what Christmas is all about.

CPR - Prayer

In this episode of Conservative Pastor Response Pastors Neal Radichel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss the topic of Prayer.  What is Prayer?  Prayer is communication with God, it is not a Means of Grace.  Prayer is the way that God has given to us to communicate with Him.  Prayer is by nature a humbling thing where we admit we can't do something on our own.  Prayer is for our benefit, not God's.  He knows what we need, but He invites us to come to Him with what we need.  To Whom is Prayer addressed?  A false god or god that is unreal cannot hear or respond to our prayer.  True Prayer must be addressed to the one True God, the Triune God.  Prayer to saints is not prayer either.  These relatives or loved ones who are with the Lord cannot hear us nor do they know what is going on in our lives (Isaiah 63:16).  What direction do we have in prayer?  The Bible is full of examples of prayer.  We are selfish in our prayers.  We generally focus on physical requests in our lives, but in the example that Jesus gives us (the Lord's Prayer), He emphasizes spiritual needs and requests.  We should pray according to God's will.  We don't know what is best for us physically, but we can be certain about our spiritual needs.  There is no spiritual blessing that God doesn't want us to have.  The Lord is good and wants what is best for us (Romans 8).  We can trust Him when we come to Him in prayer. 

Word of the Week: SAVIOR

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel discusses the word Savior. The Bible talks about the word savior in many different contexts.  God is described as a savior, as were certain kings or judges.  But the central message of the Savior in Scripture points us to Jesus as our Savior.  In Isaiah, God says that there is only one Savior. The fulfillment of that Savior who was prophesied is declared by the angels in Luke 2:11:  "For there is born to you, this day, a Savior who is Christ the Lord."  Jesus who was born for us was sent to save us from our sin.  Paul says that Jesus is our Great God and Savior (Titus 2 and 3).  To call Jesus Savior, is to confess Him as God.  Jesus is both True Man and True God, born to be our Savior.  It is this Savior that we rejoice in and celebrate at Christmas and throughout the year.

Bible Study - Exodus

In this Bible Study episode, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Mark Tiefel take us back into the Old Testament and the book of Exodus.  This book picks up where Genesis left off, and shows how God fulfilled his promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed.  This book records the beginning of the nation of Israel, their enslavement in Egypt for 400 years, and God's deliverance of that oppressor through the 10 plagues and the devastation of Egypt.  The Lord then leads them to Mt. Sinai where he established His covenant with Israel as a nation and gave them His laws, which they were to follow.  These laws are discussed more in our podcast on Old Testament Laws and Ceremonies.  They also take a closer look at where Christ is seen throughout the book of Exodus, in the passover Lamb, in the manna with gave life, and in the rock that brought water to the children of Israel.  These pictures pointed the Old Testament believers to what Jesus would come to be and accomplish as our Savior.  While the name Jesus is not found in the Old Testament, He is indeed clearly found there!  Join us as we revive our understanding of God's word in the book of Exodus.  

Word of the Week: PEACE

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Neal Radichel discusses the word Peace. We live in a troubled world. God's Word describes peace in two ways: what we have and what is given. Peace in the Old Testament is connected with the presence of God. God's gives peace to those who are troubled or burdened. Jesus calms our troubled hearts and minds. Jesus gives the peace that the world cannot give through His own perfect death. Through His own death, Jesus offers a peace offering for our sin that we might be forgiven. During this Advent season we focus our attention on the coming of the Savior Jesus who is the Prince of Peace. Thanks be to God! 

Review - The Spirituality of the Cross by Gene Veith

In this episode Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and review Gene Veith's book, "The Spirituality of the Cross."  Veith presents the truth of how Christianity differs from the religions of the world, and how Lutheranism emphasizes the truths of God's Word better than other Christian denominations.  Veith writes about the doctrines that separate Christianity from false religions and what distinguishes Lutheranism from the rest:  Justification, the Means of Grace, the Theology of the Cross, Vocation, and the Two Kingdoms.  Veith warns of moralism (earning salvation by your works), speculation (earning salvation through knowledge) and mysticism (gaining salvation through emotion).  God works outside of sinners in the person of Christ to accomplish salvation for sinners.  This book is a must read for those who are searching for the truth of God's salvation, or who would like to grow in their understanding of God's work of salvation. 

Word of the Week: RANSOM

In our continuing Word of the Week study forAdvent, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew defines the Biblical word Ransom.  Literally the word ransom, means to loose, and is used to describe purchasing realaese from slavery or captivity.  Psalm 49:7 says that a man cannot redeem his brother or pay to God the ransom for his soul.  There is a close connection between the words redeem and ransom.  Redemption is the act of purchasing freedom for another, but ransom is the price paid - the cost to set one free.  This is why Jesus came to this earth.  He came to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).  The price for our ransom was the death of Jesus.  We deserved death and He suffered the agonies of hell in our place to purchase our release.  Paul says that Jesus "gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).  That is what Advent is all about.  The coming of the One who would give His life on the cross to ransom us from sin, death and the devil.  What comfort is offered to sinners in that precious truth!  

CPR - Old Testament Ceremonies and Laws

In this episode of Conservative Pastor Response Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew go into the Old Testament to discuss the Old Testament law and ceremonies that God gave to His Old Testament people, the nation of Israel.  It is important to note there there are three kinds of laws given by God to His O.T. people:  Civil laws (governing the nation of Israel), Ceremonial laws (governing Israel's worship and ritual), and Moral laws which govern all people of all time for the good of society.  They present some examples of those Old Testament laws and ceremonies (for example:  washings, dietery restrictions, animal sacrifices, worship days and regulations, circumcision, and tithing) and talk about how these laws differ from the Moral Laws that apply to all people of all time.  Ultimately, many of the ceremonial laws pointed ahead to Jesus and the work of salvation that He would fulfill in the future.  Now that is complete and these laws no longer serve the purpose they once served (see Colossians 2:16-17).  If you have had questions about why some Old Testament Laws apply to us today and others do not, this episode is a must listen!  They will present the Biblical foundation and application of these laws for both Old Testament and New Testament people.  

Word of the Week: ADVENT

As we enter the season of Advent in the church year, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew explains the origin and meaning of the word "Advent."  Advent is the first "season" of the Christian church year, which is a time of excited waiting for the coming of Jesus.  The word advent comes from the Latin and means "coming" or "arrival", and is used to refer to three "advents" of the promised Savior.  The first advent of Jesus began as a baby born in Bethlehem and culminated in His sacrificial death on a cross for the sins of the world.  His final advent will take place on the Last Day, when he returns from heaven in glory to judge the living and the dead.  But Jesus is also coming to us right now.  He comes to us in His Word and Sacraments to bring us from spiritual death to life through faith.  All three of these Advents are necessary for sinners.  Thanks be to God for his salvation through the advents of Jesus the Christ.  And so we pray, "Come Lord Jesus!"