Advancing Word Podcast

In Genesis, Chapter 32, Jacob was overcome by fear at the prospect of meeting his brother Esau whom he had wronged.  Deception, deceit and duplicity had caught up with him and was demanding payment.  To experience the promises that God had made to him, he had to supersize his faith and downsize his fears.  The supernatural support that God provided to Jacob is available to believers today!  

In verses eleven through fourteen of the first Chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul is writing from prison.  He ends a sweeping summary of the plan of salvation by focusing on the unique role the Holy Spirit.  This message highlights the measure, matter and mark of our spiritual oneness in Christ.

In Chapter 11, verse one of the Book of Ecclesiastes, the biblical writer uses the merchant who stocks and sends ships out to sea as a metaphor for the life of faith.  Faith is not afraid!  It lives boldly, broadly, blindly and bountifully. 

This message is based on Jesus’s miraculous feeding of the multitude with only a child’s meager lunch recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 6.  If the life and ministry of the church were a musical score, children and youth would be “a major note in a minor key.”

Habakkuk confronts God as he wrestled with the problems of evil and suffering around him.  In Chapter 3 of his prophecy, he declares his faith in God no matter what.  His faith was determined, discerning and dynamic.  His faith overcame his fears.  

In 1 Peter 5:8, the apostle warns us that spiritually every Christian lives in lion country.  Satan, our adversary "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  We must be guarded, girded and grateful if we are to survive and thrive in this dangerous terrain believing that the roar of the lion has been met and muted by the silence of the Lamb who takes away the sins of t...

There is a seismic shift and monumental move in Chapter 7 of the Book of Romans.  The Apostle Paul begins with a searing critique of human good but concludes with a soaring celebration of heavenly grace.  Our good is never good enough.  Only grace is!  

The Apostle Paul conducted a spiritual appraisal that revealed resources that could be leveraged to unify the church at Phillipi.  In a key passage that bridges Chapters 1 and 2 of the epistle he reminded them that they are a church that has the “since” to stand together. 

In the fortieth chapter of his prophecy, verses 25 – 31, the prophet Isaiah is reinforcing to a proud and pompous people the hard lesson that their disobedience and defection had taught them.  God has no equal!  Search the vast array of nations of the world or among the pantheon of illusive idols and distant deities and there are no matches found!  

In the Gospel of John, Chapter One, verses forty through forty-two, three things occur in the life of the Apostle Peter that galvanized his role as the unlikely leader of the early church.  Each of these things is evidence of the grace that Peter experienced and became the lens through which he would see himself as God saw him.  We can learn from his example!  

In 2 Timothy 4:16-18, imprisoned and experiencing several departures, desertions and disappointments in his personal circle, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the faithfulness of God who never leaves us or forsakes us. God stayed with him, stood with him and strived with him.  In life and in ministry, God is the “Exceptional Exception"!

Faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the foundation of the believer’s sense of well-being.  This message based on Chapter 7, verse twenty-five of the Book of Hebrews, offers four assurances that encourages anyone who is facing a crisis of faith.  

Simeon was an aged and devout Jew who was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.”  This man whose name means “hearing” was reverent before God and righteous before men.  In Luke 2:25 – 32, Simeon shows us that there is worth in waiting and that serving the Lord will pay off afterwhile.  Upon seeing the baby Jesus, and the Holy Ghost upon him, he launches into a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. ...

In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses eight through twenty, shepherds watching their flocks in the field at night were summoned by the angel of the Lord to be witnesses of the birth of Jesus.  Viewed as common laborers by some and ostracized by others, they still teach us by their example how to observe Christmas.  

During Advent, the nativity narratives in the Gospels remind us that God came into this broken world in the person of Jesus Christ.  This “Messianic Migration” culminates in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 3, verses 20 – 21 where Jesus stands at the door and knocks.  The symbolism is an urgent summons to the Church, every child of God and the world to “let Him in!”  

The prayer of Zacharias recorded in Chapter 1 of the Gospel of Luke erupts out of silence. Because he doubted God’s word, for nine months he was unable to speak as the miracle baby, who would become John the Baptist grew in the womb of his wife Elizabeth. When the baby was born, he erupted in praise, turning up the volume on a victory. During the Christmas season, the church should follow his exam...

The first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke narrates the events surrounding the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There we meet Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. She is a model of grace. Mary is special! This sermon reveals four reasons why. 

Jude 3 challenges believers in every generation to contend for the faith, defending the truths that the ungodly is trying to destroy. The text is a bold biography of contenders who are known by their fellowship, focus, faith, and finish.

In Psalm 34, stanza eight, David offers to his generation and ours the results of a “taste test” he experienced during a challenging time in his life. God does not major in either success or failure but in favor. And favor has a flavor! 

In Chapter 6 of his prophecy, Isaiah embraces his call to ministry after encountering the second member of the Trinity. In a transforming vision in the temple at Jerusalem, he experiences “his-story” as a creature, a sinner, a servant and a sheep in the revelation and radiance of the glory of God.

The wise admonition of King Solomon in Proverbs 14:12 is viewed as spiritual signage at the intersection where human reason meets Divine revelation. It is a timeless warning to life’s travelers to exercise caution because our decisions have consequences. 

In the eighth century BC, the great and noble King Hezekiah of Judah was faced with an insurmountable crisis. Despite his faithfulness to God’s covenant, the nation he led was threatened by an invading army. His trust in God was on trial! Because of his confidence in the prophet of God, the presence of God and the promises of God his trust was vindicated. His example of faith is timeless. 

In Genesis Chapter 32, the patriarch Jacob is cornered. At this point in his life, he is better known for grifting and grabbing than for grace and generosity. The shadow of past transgressions had caught up with him. In his hour of desperation, he prays and learns that despite his sins and shortcomings, he is  still covered by God’s unconditional love. God still looks beyond our faults and sees ou...

In honor of Clergy Appreciation Month, Dr. Stubblefield shares biblical perspectives about the office of pastor-teacher based on Jeremiah 3:15. This timely and relevant message focuses on the measure, model, ministry, and motivation of the pastor.

In Genesis Chapter 26, Isaac returns to the wells that his father Abraham dug in the Palestinian soil. The lessons we learn encourage us to embrace healthy tradition with the dependency we must acknowledge, the debt we must accept, the difficulties we must anticipate and the discovery we must appreciate.