Double Edged Sword ♱ Assyrian Church Podcast

The law is holy, just, and good — yet we are weak. Continuing Romans 7, Father Genard Lazar presses Paul's question: Has that which is good become death to me? Far be it. Sin works death through the commandment; the problem is not the law, but man's inability in the flesh. The law functions like light. It exposes what was already present — Cain knew murder before "Thou shalt not kill" was written....

It is sin that kills, not the law. Opening Romans 7:7, Father Genard Lazar stands with Paul: Is the law sin? Far be it. The commandment does not produce evil — it makes sin known. What you did not recognize, the law names; and once named, you are accountable. A dumbbell is not bad because weak arms cannot lift it. The law had power to strengthen; man was weak in the flesh. Christ alone had the hol...

Death puts asunder. A wife is bound while her husband lives — but if he dies, she is free. Finishing Romans 6 and opening Romans 7, Father Genard Lazar drives home Paul’s hard edge: the wages of sin is death you earn; eternal life is a gift you cannot merit — and it comes only through Jesus Christ our Lord. You cannot serve sin and praise God. Oil and water do not mix. When we chose immorality and...

A fifth amendment may help in an earthly court, but not before Christ the righteous Judge. In this episode Father Genard Lazar opens the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22: the invitation is our present life, the wedding hall is the Church, and the King will examine every guest at the final judgment. Merely coming to church — even being baptized — does not mean the verdict is already in...

Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? Far be it. Continuing Romans 6, Father Genard Lazar teaches that dying with Christ in baptism does not mean we will never be tempted — only that we must not continue to live in sin. Grace is the strength to get up, confess, and repent. It is not an excuse, a license, or a justification to remain in uncleanness. “Once saved, always sav...

If you died with Christ in baptism, how should you now live? Romans 6 calls every believer to stop letting sin reign and to walk in the new life of righteousness through prayer, obedience, the holy sacraments, and continual repentance. Drawing on the wisdom of the Church Fathers, this episode offers practical guidance for living the victory already won in baptism. Key takeaways:• Baptism is real p...

Grace is not a license to sin. In this episode we unpack Romans 6:1-5 and the true meaning of baptism: dying with Christ, being buried into His death, and rising to a new life that requires ongoing repentance. Key takeaways:• “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid.”• Baptism (not just belief) puts us to death to sin once for all• The Prodigal Son shows the real path after we f...

In this powerful Bible study, Father Genard Lazar breaks down Romans Chapter 5 — the contrast between Adam and Christ, sin and grace, death and life. Discover how sin and death entered the world through one man’s disobedience, yet God’s grace abounds much more through Jesus Christ, bringing justification, righteousness, and eternal life. From the Assyrian Church of the East perspective, learn what...

From Muslim to Subdeacon in the Assyrian Church of the East — The powerful testimony of Sub-Deacon Steve Mortada. Born into a Muslim Lebanese family in Australia, Steve grew up celebrating secular Christmas, questioning God, and eventually walking away from faith. But everything changed when a Bible verse pierced his heart and led him to the Assyrian Church of the East. In this moving testimony fr...

Faith Without Blood, Blood Without Faith

Romans 4:13-5:5

In this powerful continuation of our Romans series, we dive into Chapter 4 where Saint Paul shatters religious pride by pointing to Abraham — our father in faith. The Jews boasted in circumcision and ancestry, but Paul reveals the truth: Abraham was justified by faith, not works. Righteousness is not earned by human effort but received freely by grace through believing in the God who justifies the...

In this moving continuation through Acts 16, Father Genard unpacks the beautiful and challenging truth that salvation is a gift of grace received by faith — yet it is also a living, ongoing journey of repentance, obedience, and perseverance in the life of the Church. Building on last week’s teaching from James 2, Father Genard walks through the powerful story of the Philippian jailer, Paul’s bold...

In this episode, Father Genard unpacks Acts 16:31-34 with clarity and pastoral love, showing that true salvation is not just believing in your mind — it is faith that leads to baptism, a life of devotion, and good works that prove our faith is alive. Drawing from James 2, he gently reminds us that faith without works is dead, and that the joy of salvation comes when we step into the new life Chris...

When Paul and Silas praised through their chains, God answered with an earthquake that opened prison doors but left every prisoner in place. The jailer, facing death, fell trembling at their feet: “What must I do to be saved?” This episode cuts deep into the Book of Acts. Discover how God works through ordinary events, small faith like a mustard seed, and the quiet whisper instead of the thunder....

In this powerful episode, Father Genard continues our study through Acts chapter 16. After being falsely accused and thrown into the inner prison with their feet in shackles, Paul and Silas do something extraordinary at midnight—they pray and praise God so loudly that the other prisoners hear them. Instead of complaining, crying out in despair, or seeking revenge, these two champions offer a sacri...

EPISODE 154: REACTION TO EXPOSURE OF EVILDouble Edged Sword PodcastHebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..."================================================================================EPISODE OVERVIEWIn this powerful episode, we dive into Acts 16:19-24 - the dramatic aftermath of Paul and Silas casting out a demon from a young fortune-tellin...

In this episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we continue our study in Acts 16 and meet a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. For days she followed Paul, loudly proclaiming truth — yet her words came from darkness. With apostolic wisdom and authority, Paul allowed the testimony for a season to strengthen new believers, then commanded the demon to leave in the name of Jesus Christ....

Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen! In this heartfelt post-Easter episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we sit down together and walk through the sacred journey of Holy Week — from the final days of Lent to the glorious morning of the Resurrection. Join us as we remember:The closing of the Forty Days with the raising of LazarusPalm Sunday’s joyful Hosannas as we welcomed our KingThe Mystica...

In this powerful Lenten episode, we journey deeper into the heart of true fasting—not only through abstinence from food, but through the rich, life-changing practice of almsgiving. Drawing from the wisdom of Saint John Chrysostom, we discover that when bodily fasting feels impossible due to illness or weakness, God opens another beautiful door: richer charity, fervent prayer, and a heart reconcile...

Join us for this heartfelt episode of the Double Edged Sword podcast, where Father Genard gently addresses a common question during the sacred season of Great Lent: What if illness or medical reasons prevent me from fasting in the usual way? Drawing deeply from the wisdom of Saint John Chrysostom, this episode offers compassionate encouragement rooted in Scripture and the Church Fathers. Our Lord...

In this powerful episode of the Double Edged Sword podcast, Father Genard shares essential Christian Lent fasting tips rooted in Scripture and Assyrian Church of the East canons, defining fasting as true abstinence (soma in Aramaic) from food and drink—exemplified by Jesus' 40-day fast, Adam's prohibition from the tree of knowledge, and Moses on Mount Sinai. He outlines three practical met...

A Biblical practice, instruction and Church tradition

Father Genard delivers a heartfelt call to true Lenten fasting in this powerful episode of Double Edged Sword. Drawing from Isaiah 58 and Christ’s own wilderness fast, he reveals fasting as a divine gift and weapon—not mere abstinence, but a path to humility, repentance, and mercy. God rejects fasts filled with strife, pride, exploitation, or secret sin. Instead, He chooses the fast that looses bo...

Episode 146: A businesswoman's heart opened by the Lord