Centered on Christ Podcast

Luke 8 begins with Jesus warning His disciples to “take heed how” they hear God’s word. The rest of Luke 8 focuses on those who are listening to Jesus and following Him. It’s a demonstration of His power over storms, the realm of Satan, sickness, and even death itself. This chapter challenges us to hear and obey God’s word and comforts those who do decide to listen to and obey Jesus by showing His...

Luke 7 emphasizes how the Lord’s teaching and ministry left many people scratching their heads. What Jesus was saying and doing wasn’t quite what they expected. But how will people respond when Jesus isn’t what they expect? Will they still obey Him, or will they reject Him? Luke 7 shows these two groups beginning to form based on how they respond to the unexpected nature of the Lord’s teaching and...

Luke 6 discusses some of the changes and challenges Jesus brought to the Jewish people’s thinking. After challenging them in these areas, Jesus concludes with a call for obedience. If we believe Jesus to be Lord, then we must obey Him. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

As Luke 4 concluded, our attention was turned to the preaching of Jesus - His words. Luke 5 picks up that theme and focuses on the power of Jesus’ words and what His words do. What Jesus says impacts every area and aspect of our lives. But how will we respond to His words and the change His words bring? Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

Luke 3 closes by describing Jesus as “the Son of God” (Luke 3:38). Luke 4 begins with the devil challenging that fact. Luke 4 revolves around Jesus being God’s Son - is it really true? Also, as God’s Son, why has Jesus come to earth? What’s His purpose? I look forward to studying these things along with you! Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

Luke 3 focuses on God’s word about Jesus through John and then what the Father Himself speaks directly from heaven. Luke shows Jesus to be both human and deity - the Son of Man and the Son of God. It will be through Him that God’s plan of salvation and judgment will be accomplished. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

While Luke 2 includes details surrounding Jesus’ birth, the emphasis of the chapter is what is  said   about the one who was born. We will discover: * What the angels said to the shepherds about Jesus. * What Simeon and Anna said about Jesus. * What Jesus said about Himself. The things we learn about Him should motivate us to continue following what Luke says about the one born “in the city of Dav...

As Luke begins, he tells his readers that what he has recorded is an accurate, orderly account of Jesus’s life so that those who have been taught the gospel may have certainty. Most of Luke’s focus in Luke 1 is on John’s birth - the forerunner of Jesus. It recalls the end of the Old Testament and shows God’s plan being set in motion. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substa...

Luke’s gospel account presents Jesus as the perfect Son of Man—the Savior. Salvation through Jesus Christ will be an ongoing theme throughout Luke’s writing, including the Book of Acts. This brief introduction should help us “set the stage” for the book of Luke. Lord willing, our study in 2025 of Luke and Acts should be a tremendous blessing to us all! Get full access to Centered on Christ at cent...

Happy New Year! Lord willing, I plan for us to study Luke and Acts together on this podcast in 2025. The first episode of our new study will air this Sunday. The episodes will return to airing on Sunday at 7:00 AM Central Standard Time. Occasionally, we may need to air an additional episode on Saturday. Also, if you missed the beginning of our study of Genesis from 2024, those episodes will begin...

We come to the final chapter of the book of Genesis. I’m so thankful for our study of the “Book of Beginnings.” Lord willing, I look forward to studying more books of the Bible with you in the future. Please vote in the poll below which books of the Bible you would like to study in 2025! Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

Jacob first appears in Genesis 25. After spending so much time with him and his children, Genesis 49 concludes Jacob’s life on this earth. He pronounces a blessing upon his sons and gives one final command demonstrating his trust in God’s promises. Jacob came a long way - from someone who thought of the Lord as only “my father and grandfather’s God” but not his God, to someone whose dying breath w...

As Jacob’s health worsens, Joseph brings his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to visit his father. Jacob blesses the two boys and is thankful for God’s continual care of him throughout the years. Jacob’s faith in God’s promises is strong as he takes some of his final breaths, and he instills that trust in his children and grandchildren. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.subs...

Genesis 47 shows God’s care for Jacob’s family immediately after they arrive in Egypt. Although it was a time when many people were struggling to survive, Jacob’s family prospered and grew. Even as Jacob approached his own death, his trust in God’s promises never wavered. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

After about 22 years of Jacob thinking Joseph was dead, they finally reunite in Egypt. This must have been a moment of great joy for Jacob and Joseph! This chapter reminds us of God’s care and provision for His people, even through the most difficult challenges. God always keeps His promises. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

Finally, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers. After 22 years, Joseph’s brothers learn he isn’t dead - in fact, he’s risen to one of the most powerful positions in the world. And Joseph tells his brothers that this is the work of God. Joseph now sees how God used a bad situation in his life to bring about good for His people. What an encouraging lesson for us (Romans 8:28)! Get full ac...

So far, Joseph’s brothers have passed every test Joseph has given them. But the final test will demand everything from Joseph’s brothers - especially, Judah. This chapter will demonstrate whether the brothers have really changed after all these years, or if they are the same selfish, bitter brothers who sold Joseph into slavery. We also find the shadow of Jesus’ sacrifice for us in Genesis 44. Get...

Jacob and his sons hoped they wouldn’t have to return to Egypt for food, but after a while, the food was running out and a return trip had to happen. But this meant Benjamin had to go with them. The brothers return to Egypt with their youngest brother with them - carefully guarding him so they could bring him back home to their father. But what Joseph has awaiting them in Egypt surprises them. Get...

I don’t know if Joseph ever expected to see his brothers again, but one day - there they were, bowing before him in Egypt to buy grain. Joseph remembered his dreams from Genesis 37 — which also reminded him that God was in control of this situation. Joseph discovers how guilty his brothers feel over what they’ve done to him, and he sets in motion a plan to uncover whether they have changed or are...

Genesis 41 reminds us that while everyone had forgotten about Joseph, God remembered him. God brought Joseph out of a terrible situation and put him in a position of great power in the world to accomplish His will. Genesis 41 is a reminder to God’s people to remain faithful to Him and trust Him - for there is nothing He cannot do to accomplish His will. Get full access to Centered on Christ at cen...

Genesis 40 starts the chain of events through which God would exalt Joseph out of the Egyptian prison. Because of God and His power, Joseph is able to accurately interpret the chief butler and baker’s dreams. But Joseph is quickly forgotten by the man he helped. While everyone forgets about Joseph in the Egyptian prison, God has not forgotten him. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredo...

It seems a contrast is shown between Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) and Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39). While Judah refused to do what was right by Tamar, Joseph refused to do what was sinful with Potiphar’s wife. Genesis 39 tells how Joseph ended up in prison - even though he had done nothing wrong. This chapter also reminds us how God is still with His people and blessing them even during...

Judah is an important character in Scripture because the Messiah - the King - would come through him (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:3). But Judah wasn’t the greatest guy in the world. Genesis 38 sheds light on an incident that Judah wished to keep secret because of how shameful it was. However, in this shameful moment, we also see how God is still at work to accomplish His plan. Get full access to Cent...

Although Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, the rest of Jacob’s sons felt very differently about Joseph - they hated him. Their hatred for Joseph and his dreams motivates them to sell their own brother into Egyptian slavery. This chapter reminded future generations of Israelites that ultimately they had no one to blame but themselves for their slavery in Egypt. But it’s also a reminder of how God’s...

Genesis 36 contains a long list of people descended from Esau. His family became the nation of Edom, and they made several appearances throughout the Old Testament. While it seems Jacob and Esau put their past behind them, Scripture reveals that Esau’s descendants never really moved on or let go of their bitterness toward the children of Israel. Edom’s bitterness and hatred were ultimately the cau...