Common Sense Conversations

When it comes to salvation, it seems we are seeing more of a trend or morality being Christianity rather than the biblical message of the Gospel. This leads to a universalistic approach and a changing of the message of the true Gospel we see in the Bible.

In today’s Christian culture and in our churches, understanding the Bible and believing the Bible is not so simple. We have muddied the waters and created so many issues that most people don’t know what to believe and what’s true.

When we look at what obedience is, what Jesus said obedience is, is that what we are doing today? Or have we allowed ourselves to dictate what being obedient is?

In today’s climate of worship within the Church, I believe we have forgotten what real worship is and we have replaced God with ourselves. Because of emotionalism, we have now become the centerpiece of our worship rather than our Father.

This podcast will look at what Christian service in within the context of the Church. Could some of our churches be dying or dead because we aren’t following Jesus’ model of serving others?

I will be using an article that Mark Clifton wrote about the traits of a dying church. I will look at them concerning the church, but also show how they can apply to the Christian life.

If you were to go to a court would there be enough evidence in your life to prove you guilty of being a disciple of Jesus? We will look at the Book of James and talk about works showing we belong to Jesus.

Many people in today’s culture will tell you they are a Christian. But this podcast will ask two questions: Am I really a Christian, and how do I know? What you may find is that many people you know who claim to be a Christian aren’t based on what Jesus said In His Word.

Gideon had good intentions in serving the nation of Israel, but when people lack a relationship with God they will turn to idolatry every time.

God will use friends in your life to help point you to God.

God will remember something Gideon said when first called and now is going to show Gideon how powerful He really is. God changes the military scenario in a way that Gideon never would have thought.

Often we see Gideon and the fleece prayers as those of doubt and lack of faith. However, I believe they teach us not about doubt as much as if we want a specific answer from God we need to pray specifically what we need.

Sometimes we are fearful when God asks us to do something. God can still move and use you through your fear, if you’re willing to simply be faithful.

Even when we struggle with fear, doubts and weaknesses, God shows patience with us and grace.

Often times we look at our flaws, our faults, and we don’t think God could use us. We think that we are to weak or damaged for God to do anything with. God teaches us through Gideon that all He needs is an available vessel and He can do anything in and through us.

Many times we have fear and doubts in our Christian walk. We may even be afraid to share them with God. But God is big enough for your doubts and they will not shake Him. They are opportunities for Him to move mightily in your life and situations.

Satan will use fear in our lives to cause us to isolate from God. The nation of Israel was so overwhelmed with fear they went to live in caves and became poverty stricken. Discipleship grows our faith to help overcome this weapon and tool of fear the enemy uses against us.

When our worship is routine, our faith suffers and regresses. This can cause us to struggle with God’s promises like Barak does.

We will see with the nation of Israel that, due to a lack of discipleship, they would fall prey to a repetitious lifestyle of sin and rescue. Discipleship is the foundation needed in order to help develop and grow the mature Christian life.

When we allow ourselves to be around and in sinful situations/people for an extended period of time, we can become numb to sin. We don’t feel conviction, we don’t see anything wrong with the sin, and this can lead to disastrous consequences.

When trials and tests come into our lives, Satan will always put an exit ramp for us to get out to the trial and fulfill our flesh. We will see Israel having this same problem in Judges 2:16-23.

If there is one thing that the Church today and the nation of Israel have in common it is a lack of discipline the following generations. We see the problems caused and look at how we can address these issues.

Israel has fallen into sin and God tells them He is refusing to move on their behalf. It causes Israel to weep, but not repent. Why? Because they weren’t convicted about their sin—they were bothered they got caught.

The nation of Israel neglected to push out the sinful nations from around them because they didn’t see them as a threat. They became comfortable with sin and allowed that sin to entangle them. We have the same problem today in our lives, churches, and culture. We don’t really know what sin is and it is causing many people to not see sin as a threat.

As we begin the Book of Judges, what we find is the nation of Israel, and the tribe of Judah, beginning a downward spiral of accepting less than what God has for them. This will have an effect through the entire Book.