Double Edged Sword ♱ Assyrian Church Podcast

From Muslim to Subdeacon in the Assyrian Church of the East — The powerful testimony of Sub-Deacon Steve Mortada. Born into a Muslim Lebanese family in Australia, Steve grew up celebrating secular Christmas, questioning God, and eventually walking away from faith. But everything changed when a Bible verse pierced his heart and led him to the Assyrian Church of the East. In this moving testimony fr...

Faith Without Blood, Blood Without Faith

Romans 4:13-5:5

In this powerful continuation of our Romans series, we dive into Chapter 4 where Saint Paul shatters religious pride by pointing to Abraham — our father in faith. The Jews boasted in circumcision and ancestry, but Paul reveals the truth: Abraham was justified by faith, not works. Righteousness is not earned by human effort but received freely by grace through believing in the God who justifies the...

In this moving continuation through Acts 16, Father Genard unpacks the beautiful and challenging truth that salvation is a gift of grace received by faith — yet it is also a living, ongoing journey of repentance, obedience, and perseverance in the life of the Church. Building on last week’s teaching from James 2, Father Genard walks through the powerful story of the Philippian jailer, Paul’s bold...

In this episode, Father Genard unpacks Acts 16:31-34 with clarity and pastoral love, showing that true salvation is not just believing in your mind — it is faith that leads to baptism, a life of devotion, and good works that prove our faith is alive. Drawing from James 2, he gently reminds us that faith without works is dead, and that the joy of salvation comes when we step into the new life Chris...

When Paul and Silas praised through their chains, God answered with an earthquake that opened prison doors but left every prisoner in place. The jailer, facing death, fell trembling at their feet: “What must I do to be saved?” This episode cuts deep into the Book of Acts. Discover how God works through ordinary events, small faith like a mustard seed, and the quiet whisper instead of the thunder....

In this powerful episode, Father Genard continues our study through Acts chapter 16. After being falsely accused and thrown into the inner prison with their feet in shackles, Paul and Silas do something extraordinary at midnight—they pray and praise God so loudly that the other prisoners hear them. Instead of complaining, crying out in despair, or seeking revenge, these two champions offer a sacri...

EPISODE 154: REACTION TO EXPOSURE OF EVILDouble Edged Sword PodcastHebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..."================================================================================EPISODE OVERVIEWIn this powerful episode, we dive into Acts 16:19-24 - the dramatic aftermath of Paul and Silas casting out a demon from a young fortune-tellin...

In this episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we continue our study in Acts 16 and meet a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. For days she followed Paul, loudly proclaiming truth — yet her words came from darkness. With apostolic wisdom and authority, Paul allowed the testimony for a season to strengthen new believers, then commanded the demon to leave in the name of Jesus Christ....

Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen! In this heartfelt post-Easter episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we sit down together and walk through the sacred journey of Holy Week — from the final days of Lent to the glorious morning of the Resurrection. Join us as we remember:The closing of the Forty Days with the raising of LazarusPalm Sunday’s joyful Hosannas as we welcomed our KingThe Mystica...

In this powerful Lenten episode, we journey deeper into the heart of true fasting—not only through abstinence from food, but through the rich, life-changing practice of almsgiving. Drawing from the wisdom of Saint John Chrysostom, we discover that when bodily fasting feels impossible due to illness or weakness, God opens another beautiful door: richer charity, fervent prayer, and a heart reconcile...

Join us for this heartfelt episode of the Double Edged Sword podcast, where Father Genard gently addresses a common question during the sacred season of Great Lent: What if illness or medical reasons prevent me from fasting in the usual way? Drawing deeply from the wisdom of Saint John Chrysostom, this episode offers compassionate encouragement rooted in Scripture and the Church Fathers. Our Lord...

In this powerful episode of the Double Edged Sword podcast, Father Genard shares essential Christian Lent fasting tips rooted in Scripture and Assyrian Church of the East canons, defining fasting as true abstinence (soma in Aramaic) from food and drink—exemplified by Jesus' 40-day fast, Adam's prohibition from the tree of knowledge, and Moses on Mount Sinai. He outlines three practical met...

A Biblical practice, instruction and Church tradition

Father Genard delivers a heartfelt call to true Lenten fasting in this powerful episode of Double Edged Sword. Drawing from Isaiah 58 and Christ’s own wilderness fast, he reveals fasting as a divine gift and weapon—not mere abstinence, but a path to humility, repentance, and mercy. God rejects fasts filled with strife, pride, exploitation, or secret sin. Instead, He chooses the fast that looses bo...

Episode 146: A businesswoman's heart opened by the Lord

Episode 145: Paul Called to Macedonia

In this heartfelt episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we journey into the wisdom and grace of the early church as revealed in Acts chapter 16. Beginning with a beautiful prayer to the Holy Trinity, we reflect on the parting of Paul and Barnabas over John Mark—a moment that, though marked by honest disagreement, bore no lasting bitterness and ultimately bore fruit for the Gospel, as John Mar...

New Years 2026 Message

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, wish you a very Merry Christmas. May the blessings of the Holy birth of our Lord and savior in flesh God incarnate be a Blessing upon you.

we explore how all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory—yet through the boundless love of the Father, revealed in His only begotten Son, we are justified, made right, and restored. From the prodigal son's joyful return to the Father's embrace, to the call for every soul—Jew and Gentile, believer and seeker—to place unwavering faith in Christ alone, this message reminds us that s...

Episode 142: Distinction between the old and new covenant

In this heartfelt post-Thanksgiving message, Fr. Jennard takes us far beyond the turkey on our tables and gently leads us to the Table of the Lord. While America pauses once a year to give thanks over a sacrificed bird, the ancient Church invites us every week—every divine liturgy—to the ultimate Thanksgiving: the Holy Qurbana, the Eucharist, where we offer and receive the true Lamb who takes away...

Beloved in Christ, join us in this soul-stirring exploration of Romans 3:9-20, where St. Paul boldly declares that all—Jew and Gentile alike—are held captive under sin's shadow. With heartfelt wisdom, we delve into humanity's universal fall, the law's inability to save through fleshly weakness, and God's glorious remedy: righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Drawing from ancient liturgies...