Adventurous Living - The Meadow Springs Community Church Podcast

John doubles down on his previous words. "We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3 He addresses so many things; loving one another (he covers it twice… it must be important), discerning false prophets and living in light of the truth of Jesus. F...

John has some important things to say about the nature of God the Father and how all things came to be through Him and through the birth of Jesus. "In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:4-5 and "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." John 1:14 This is not the familiar Christmas st...

"But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with gory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." Hebrews 2:9 There was a time when Jesus was God but not man. But there was never a time when He was man but not God. If He was God, why did Jesus need to be human?

"We do not sing because we need a 'warm up' before the sermon, or for people to find their seats. We do not sing because we need to be entertained. We sing because God is good and He is worthy. We sing as a communal act of unity where we declare the glory of God, the gravity of our sin and the grandeur of His grace!" - J.B. Charles Jr.

Wisdom is a practical reflection on people and experiences that leads to knowledge and good judgement. What kind of wisdom or 'family resemblance' is reflected in James & Jude? After all, Jesus was their brother…

These letters from Paul teach a masterclass in church leadership; spreading the truth of the gospel and eternal life, the heart of worship, watching out for false teaching and avoiding division & foolish discussions. Leaders, preach the word of God. Be persistent, patiently correct, rebuke and encourage your people with good teaching. Church, listen to them.

There are so many images and depictions of what it will look like - what it will actually BE like - when Christ comes back at the second coming. What will happen to us? What will happen to 'the Church'? How are we going to know? Paul tells us that we don't - and won't - know how or when. But until then, we can watch & wait intently and live purposefully for Him until that day comes.

"Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing." Ps. 16:5 "No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises!" Ps. 16:9 "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever." Ps. 16:11 Our relationship with the LORD is something to be treasured and enjoyed. Enjoy Him… enjoy His people!

There is notably a more positive feel in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi. Paul, despite his personal circumstances, is confirming to the people that Jesus is the faithful Messiah and He will finish in them, and in His church, what He began. "'Forget what is behind you and press on,' he writes. 'Pray and be anxious for nothing. Think about things that are good, true and noble.'" Imagine rec...

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 Living among people can be challenging. There is a saying that 'church would be great if it weren't for the people.' We know th...

"For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God's approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:19-20 So what do we know as believers today? People are justifi...

" '…we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands' and 'For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies.' " 2 Corinthians 5: 1, 3. Paul wrote these encouraging words to the church at Corinth, but he also writes: "We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies." 2 Corinthia...

"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 These words have been balm to the soul since they were first written by the Apostle Paul to the Romans 2000 years ago. But how does that work out in practice when it feels as if "we are nothing more than sheep to the slaughter"? Psalm 44:22

Paul has some strong words for the folks in Corinth. His letter addresses their sinfulness and God-less spiritual practices that are leading to disunity. He admonishes them to say 'no' to those things, and 'yes' to other things; things that exemplify the truth of the Gospel and the future hope in Jesus' resurrection.

Saul's radical encounter with the risen Jesus transformed him, both in name and spirit, to Paul the Apostle. He goes out as a representative of Jesus to preach to the people. How is Paul's message of Jesus' resurrection His Church received when things are in such disarray among those who hear it?

A 'big picture' overview of the beginning and rapid outward expansion of the Church into farther reaching geographic regions and the subsequent creation of a radical inward community within that Church. What accounts does Luke give that make this book so pivotal in the New Testament?

Do you ever find yourself frustrated by the prosperity of those the scriptures refer to as wicked? Why are we prone to envy one's power, position and wealth? What does Ps. 73 say about those who will find ruin and those who will find refuge?

We welcomed John Flores from Westside Christian High School this week! He taught through the book of Luke as we continued our dive into the New Testament and specifically, the gospel writers.

We begin our dive into the New Testament and specifically, the gospel writers. Please welcome Richard Blaylock from Western Seminary as he teaches through the book of Matthew.

We've made it to the New Testament and we can love it all the more - love God and His word all the more - because we have the framework to know how we got here. But what happens during the 400 years of 'blank pages' in your bible between Malachi and Matthew?

We are wrapping up our dive into the Old Testament. So much has happened! Doubt has laid waste to perfection, obedience has devolved into chaos (again and again) and God's people have continually sought their own good rather than God's goodness. Sounds like a pretty grim outlook, right? Not so fast…

It's 70 years after Israel's exile to Babylon and now that once powerful empire has itself collapsed. Everything is ruined but the hope and determination of a few folks seems to suggest a renewed sense of purpose. But how should the people focus their efforts? What happens when there is, again, a prevailing attitude of discontent among them?

Witnessing continued injustice, violence and idolatry causes the prophet Habakkuk to cry out to God, lamenting evil and wondering if God is indeed good. How can such EVIL be any part of God's goodness? How can God USE evil to bring about good? How much of 'Babylon' do we see in our world today? Believers, take heart! Darkness and chaos are temporal but God's justice is eternal.

Get up and go', God said. Jonah was to go and give the residents of Nineveh some pretty bad news. They'd blown it and God was going to pronounce judgement on them and their wickedness. Jonah ran the opposite way and chaos ensued… and finally Jonah obeyed. But would the people decide to repent? Would God have mercy on them?

"O Israel, if you would only listen!" Psalm 81:9 - God has given his people all the assurance in the world that He would take care of them - keep them safe, carry their burdens and provide everything they could ever need. "But no, my people won't listen." Instead, they followed their own blind and stubborn way. It bears the question, "How's that working out for you?"