The Back Porch

1 Corinthians 9 is a chapter where the Apostle Paul defends his rights as an apostle and discusses the principles of self-sacrifice and serving others for the sake of the gospel. In the same message Cam and I discuss whether or not one can lose their salvation. We know these are big topics so please follow along and feel free to reference each verse we mention. Bible Verses: Deuteronomy 25:4 1 Tim...

Paul addresses an issue that is just the tip of the iceberg. He initially brings up eating food sacrificed to idols, but this is just one scenario as there are many things that Christians can eat, drink, say, or do, to turn others away from God. If you read Matthew 15, where Jesus talks about what makes a person unclean you'll see it's not what is consumed that defiles a person, but what comes fro...

The church of Corinth has questions and Paul answers them. It's okay for Christians to have questions about the Bible, and it's not shameful for the wise men and women in the church to answer. That's what Paul does except these questions pertain to marriage and circumcision - should members in the church marry and should they get circumcised? Both are very different questions with two very differe...

Cam and I discuss the purpose of prophecies for the first half of the podcast. We eventually found our way to 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul addresses the solution to the church's problem, that being marriage. In chapter 7 he reminds the church of God's commandment but then gives his personal recommendation on marriage vs. not marrying.

The church of Corinth is facing some serious allegations, but it's not what you think. Paul finds out that the church of Corinth is playing with fire by living in sinful behavior all the while proclaiming to be Christians. No one is perfect, but the church is blatantly living in sin for all to see, but also living in division. Paul writes a series of letters addressing the unity and integrity of t...

This chapter is tough. Paul addressed a certain man in the church who is not only living in sin, but also boasting about it. It's so bad that even church members have joined him in boasting in the matter. Today's episode is about how to biblically address serious problems in the church and properly hold each other accountable.

In this next chapter Paul continues to address the division in the church, except this time he clarifies that he states he's their spiritual father. This establishes a role leaders in the church have to students, new believers, and even long time members in the church. Those who have been selected to lead in the church whether head pastor, youth pastor, small group leader, worship leader, etc., th...

Before Jesus went to the Father, he preached that we (the believer) are unified through him. Just as there is one death, one burial, one resurrection, and one God, we should be one church. Division has always been around since the first church, but Paul addresses the issue that just because some follow Apollos and some follow Paul doesn't mean there should be division but only UNITY. Set aside...

In Chapter 2, Paul explains to the church that proclaiming the gospel is not about lofty words or an amazing speech but is about Jesus. We live in a generation where most people cling to a church based on how the speaker makes them feel or if the worship is good. It's not bad to attend a church where the speaker is good and worship is amazing, but we lose focus when those things become our mai...

Paul always starts off his message with a greeting and it doesn't surprise me that he even encourages the church of Corinth. At the same time he doesn't waste time before he begins addressing conflict amongst the other believers. Some follow after Paul, others after Apollos, and others might even follow the other disciples, but in the end we're all unified through Christ. Jesus didn&#3...

The group spends some time discussing two things: What does it mean when scripture says "God regretted". To most of us when we hear the words regret it sounds as if God made a mistake, but the way scripture is actually means that the Lord was deeply saddened by what was going on. We also discussed different Bible translations, as most people read out of the same Bible and same translatio...

Details are important to any great story. Luke does an amazing job recording even the smaller details of Paul's journey across the sea, it verifies the events that took place but it also helps to have other sources to prove Paul's journey was in deed accurate.

In this chapter Paul is still under Roman authority. This is probably one of the more famous chapters as it's where Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" I personally believe Agrippa is on the fringe of believing in the Way, or at least he seems really curious. Paul responds, "Whether shot or long, I would to God that not only you but a...

In this episode Matthew and I discuss miracles that God performs all around us. There is no situation that is too great or small for the LORD, but in all things he is glorified. God can perform miracles in and around your life, all you need is faith that He is able and watch Him show up!

Cam and I discussed the importance of discipling new believers. It's not that most Christians don't want to disciple the new believer maybe we're too hyper focused on bringing people to Christ that we neglect to check in on those who already received Christ. Jesus says to go out and make disciples of all nations, to do this it requires walking with them in life.

No one is perfect and everyone struggles with something, but the world will demand believers to take a stance in their faith on certain things such as, good deeds, homosexuality, casting judgement, fellowship in the church, predestination, accountability, etc. These are all questions Christians struggle with, but is there a clear answer?

In chapter 23, Paul is on the chopping block before the Roman centurion finds out that Paul is also a Roman citizen. Paul was then taken to Rome and set before Felix, a high government official, but one of the commanding officers finds out that 50 Jewish men planned to ambush and kill their prisoner while on their way to Rome - so the Roman official did what anyone would do, he ordered 475 soldier...

In chapter 22, Paul is questioned by the tribune. Just before they beat him Paul pulls out a uno reverse card and announces that he's a Roman citizen, which means it's not lawful for a Roman to be judged or tried without first being convicted, it's why Paul says, "its it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?" I don't think Paul intended...

Paul goes back to Jerusalem, and it's not pretty. Even though many believers told him time after time to not go back to that city because he would be bound and beaten, but Paul, not afraid, was ready for whatever came his way.

Before he heads to Jerusalem, Paul is wrapping up his ministry in Greece. But before he does, he gives them his final instruction, which is to stay united and be aware of the wolves that claim to be Christ, along with those who join the church and corrupt God's word. A wolf in sheep's clothing is more than a person - I believe a wolf can be a sport, it can be materialistic things, it can o...

Acts 19 is evidence that all nonbelievers, non-Christians, those who have never received the Holy Spirit, do not and cannot have the power and authority that Christ gives to Christians. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will will enter the kingdom of heave, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in here. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy...

Chapter 18 is a tough chapter for Paul, because he's in a Greek country surrounded by non believers, who for the most part hate him because of the gospel. But the Lord instructs him to keep preaching and that he's protected. One thing I love most about this chapter is that God told Paul that there were other believers in the city and he calls them, "my people." It reminds me of w...

Over Spring Break Matthew traveled to Ethiopia, while Cam and I traveled to Dallas, TX for a mission trip. Our main purpose for this episode was to share how God moved over the past week. Even though we were in different countries God used us in different ways, whether praying with the homeless or sharing stories in the Bible with little kids. God can use you anywhere you are under any circumstanc...

Paul begins to visit Greek cities and the first thing he notices are the idols everywhere in the city. The scripture says it provokes his spirit so he began to reason with the Jews and other devout persons. It was through this moment that lead Paul to speak before the Areopagus, where he unashamedly shared the gospel!! What seems like an ordinary day can lead you unimaginable opportunities to shar...

Acts 16 we see Lydia and the Philippine Jailer give their life over the Christ. How it came about was more impressing, because it seems as if it was a coincidence that Paul and Silas stumbled upon the moment, but the scriptures shows they were being led by the Spirit even if they had not known it. Today we each are led by the Spirit, and everyday someone has an opportunity to receive Christ for th...