BeachCast.TV: Bible Exploration, Apologetics and Church History with Dr. Chase A. Thompson:

Today we consider a profound and astonishing parable of Jesus on how to be effective in prayer. Does He really teach His followers to persistently pester God until He answers our prayers?

Some people have sold millions of books by alleging that there are hidden codes and mysterious messages somehow encoded in the Bible. Other people - going back hundreds of years - have taught that even the most basic teachings of the Bible have highly detailed hidden meanings. Should we chase after such mysteries?

Jonah was probably the greatest preacher prior to Jesus, seeing the largest city in the world at the time brought to deep repentance by his message, which led to God relenting from His plan to destroy Nineveh. Why did Jonah get angry at God for this act of mercy?

Parables a a bit like a riddle - kind of mysterious and not easy to understand on first listening. Why did Jesus use parables so much in His teaching - didn't He want everybody to quickly understand what He was teaching?

Today we talk about an activity that might, on the surface, seem quite harmless, but is in fact a deadly spiritual danger to us. Also: some great words from Charles Spurgeon on how to be content!

Today's podcast is a necessary challenge for us. There is a type of friendship that we can have that brings us into a hostile relationship with God. What sort of friendship is this, according to the Bible, and how can we avoid the horrifying reality of having God hostile towards us?!

In our passage today, jesus is confronted by a desperately ill man that is in dire need of physical healing. Rather than heal the man FIRST, Jesus instead does something astonishing that reveals this man's - and our - biggest need.

There is a narrative that teaches that all of the common people loved and embraced Jesus and followed Him completely, while the elite and the religious leaders rejected Him. In today's Luke 4 passage, we see a group of common, blue-collar people absolutely enraged at Jesus, and actually try to kill Him. Why do they do this, and what does it reveal about OUR own hearts?

Two topics today: First, John the Baptist calls people to 'produce the fruit of repentance." We discuss what that means, and how repentance is an action that moves away from one thing and towards another. We also grapple with how it could be possible to find any sort of joy in the midst of the hardest trials.

Two questions today: First: Who was the first named person to share Jesus with other people? The name might just surprise you. Second: Was Jesus raised in a Christian family? The question might seem a bit silly, but the answer points to a profound aspect of Jesus that some forget.

Today we discover the dangers of a "bitter root" growing up among the people of God, and that this metaphorical bitter root probably isn't at all what we think it is. We also focus on the key to continuing to follow God and be faithful through hard times - how we can run the 'race' well.

The Bible teaches that a Christian's first nationality is not his country of origin, but his country of destination - Heaven. What implications are there to Christians being strangers and exiles on earth?

We continue discussing the massive importance of the blood of Jesus today. Why is blood so important in both the Old and New Testaments. Also: Should Christians 'plead the blood of Jesus' in prayer, or is this some kind of superstition?

Two questions today: A listener wonders what his father is doing in Heaven and we discuss why blood is so central to Christianity. Why is it necessary for there to be blood poured out so that somebody might be forgiven?

Is God impressed by mighty warriors, amazing athletes, powerful people, or commanding leaders? It turns out that He is not impressed by those kinds of people at all, any more than you or I a are impressed by a larger than average flea, or a particularly powerful earthworm. What does impress God, and whom does He pay attention to?

Jesus has done so much for His people - living a perfect life without sin, teaching us the truths of the Father, and sacrificing His life on the cross for our sins, so that all who believe in Him by faith will be saved from wrath and given everlasting life in Heaven. But what is Jesus doing right now? Surprisingly, Jesus is still ministering and blessing His people, even after having done so much!

Hebrews 6 is a sobering chapter that ends on an amazing note, discussing the wonderful hope that is secure and steadfast and immovable in Heaven for all who are followers of Jesus. What is this hope, and what makes it so secure?

The first sermon in the history of the church was preached out of Joel chapter 2, which is our focus passage for the day. In this chapter, we find a wonderful - and troubling - description of the return of Jesus and the end times.

The Bible teaches that God's Words are living and active and can even judge the thoughts and motivations of humans. How can this be possible - how can words on a page have life and be active? How can words actually make judgments and lead? Today we explore a fascinating biblical truth and wonderful mystery: The Life and presence of God in His Word.

There are sobering warning passages in Hebrews, cautioning those who profess to be in Christ and warning them to not fall away. Does this mean that it is possible for a truly saved Christian to fall away from Jesus? Today we discuss this question, as well as the danger of the church seeking one-time decisions for Christ, rather than Christ-followers.

Many have been under the slavery of the fear of death - a fear so crippling that it can keep you up at night, and cause a cold sweat on your brow. In today's passage in the book of Hebrews, we learn how to overcome the fear of death - better yet, we learn that Jesus has overcome the fear of death for us. How?

Angels probably have an outsized importance in western culture compared to their role in the Bible, but it is quite true that angels are very important. Just how important are they, and what sort of role do they play in the life of followers of God?

Unity is critically important in God's eyes, and brings His great blessing on any people that are united together in love and truth. Jesus says it is a key to proclaiming the good news, and today's focus Psalm says it is like oil flowing down Aaron's beard. What in the world does that mean, and why is unity so important?

As this episode was recorded, the 2020 U.S. presidential election was too close to call, and the outcome was in doubt. What does the Word of God say to us in a situation like this? In such a divided time, how can we be encouraged if our candidate loses, or how can we avoid being hurtful if our candidate wins? + Worst dad jobs.

What is the blessed hope of Christians - the most important and hopeful thing that all Christians are looking forward to? Today we discuss that hope - when faith becomes sight.