Grasp the Bible

This week, we begin a 6-week series on spiritual disciplines. The content for this series is based on Donald Whitney's book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Today, we will introduce spiritual disciplines and address the discipline of Bible intake.

Welcome to episode 227 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will examine the theology of work.    Key takeaways:    All work done according to biblical principles can glorify God and serve His kingdom purposes.  Your work matters to God when it's done for His glory.  When we work, we participate in God's ongoing creative activity.  Sin makes work harder and sometimes meaningless, but...

Welcome to episode 226 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew continues our study, "Piercing Questions: From the One Who Was Pierced." Today we will cover: • A question on Doubt. • “Why did you doubt?” — Matthew 14:31 Key Takeaways: • Great faith can quickly become great fear — and fear opens the door to doubt. • Doubt is a lack of confidence in God’s character, God's powe...

Welcome to episode 225 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew continues our study entitled Piercing Questions: From the One Who Was Pierced. Today we will cover: • A question on Faith. • “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” — Matthew 9:28 Key Takeaways: • What you believe is what you live — your life reveals your faith. • Explicit beliefs are what we claim; implicit beliefs are wh...

Welcome to episode 224 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will study spiritual warfare 101.    Key takeaways:    Most Americans live as practical atheists when it comes to spiritual warfare—we acknowledge spiritual forces intellectually but live as if only physical forces matter.  Lions don't roar when hunting—they roar to terrify prey into panic. Satan often uses intimidation and fear r...

Welcome to episode 223 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will examine the ministry of presence.    Key takeaways:    In our fix-it culture, we often underestimate the power of simply being with people.  Empathy may be inarticulate, because it focuses on entering into the feelings and experience of the sufferer as best we can. But comfort must be articulate and active. Empathy may be silent,...

Welcome to episode 222 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew continues our study entitled Piercing Questions: From the One Who Was Pierced. Today we will cover:  A question on Shame. “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) Key Takeaways: • Shame tells you who you were — Grace reminds you who you are in Christ. • Shame is not what God desires for us! (Romans 8:1) • Shame is a self-imposed condemn...

Welcome to episode 221 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew continues our study entitled Piercing Questions: From the One Who Was Pierced. Today we will cover: • A question on Healing. • “Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6 Key Takeaways:   · We all seek healing — physical, emotional, and spiritual. · Jehovah Rapha is the Lord who heals — the only source of true wholeness. · Quick fixe...

Welcome to episode 220 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will talk about money.    Key takeaways:    Jesus spoke more about money than heaven and hell combined. Why? Because money reveals what we really believe about God, ourselves, and the future.  Our checkbooks and credit card statements are spiritual X-rays that show the condition of our hearts.  Earthly treasures face three threats:  Ru...

Welcome to episode 219 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew continues our study entitled Piercing Questions: From the one who was pierced. Today we will cover: · A question on Fear. · “Why are you so afraid?” Mark 4:40 Key Takeaways:   · Fear and anxiety are crippling things.  · Fear shows up when our focus shifts from faith to circumstance.  · We all face anxiety — but Jesus offers pe...

Welcome to episode 218 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will explore the forgotten doctrine of adoption.    Key takeaways:    The word “adoption” is not common in the New Testament, being used only by Paul and that only five times (three times in Romans), and it does not occur in the Old Testament at all, since the Jews did not practice adoption. They had other procedures for dealing with t...

Welcome to episode 217 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew continues our study entitled Piercing Questions: From the one who was pierced. Today we will cover: - A question on Identity. - “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16 Key takeaways: · Identity Comes from the Maker · Our Identity before Christ · Jesus gives us a new Identity · How do I believe my God given identity when I feel like...

Welcome to episode 216 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, Pastor Drew begins our study entitled Piercing Questions: From the one who was pierced. Today we will cover: - The first question Jesus asked, as recorded in the gospel of John. - “What are you seeking?” Key takeaways: · Andrew and the other disciple were seeking: o The Lamb of God o The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world o T...

Welcome to episode 215 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will explore the benefits of topical preaching. • Addresses Immediate Needs   Topical preaching allows you to address pressing issues your congregation is facing—whether cultural, spiritual, or personal.  It provides a way for you, as a shepherd, to be sensitive to the particular season or crisis your people are walking through and to...

Welcome to episode 214 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will explore the art of biblical friendship by examining the relationship between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel.     Key takeaways:    Even best friends don't always understand our struggles immediately.  Jonathan voluntarily demoted himself from first to second in line.  Jonathan chose David's life over family harmony.  Jon...

Welcome to episode 213 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we kick off our Fall series. Today, we talk about those times when God does not make sense.    Key takeaways:   The covenant God seems to be breaking covenant obligations. Habakkuk continuously cries, but God continuously doesn't respond. The prophet feels trapped in a cycle of unanswered prayer. If God sees everything and has power...

Welcome to episode 211 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we continues our series entitled Taste and See. Today we will cover · Light o God’s word is a light (Psalm 119) o Jesus is the Light (John 8) o We are the Light (Matthew 5) Key takeaways: · Taste and see that the Lord is good. · Jesus gives you the light of life. · Put the light on a stand. Don’t hide it. Quotable: · “Share the gospel. It...

Welcome to episode 210 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we continues our series entitled Taste and See. Today we will cover · Water o As the deer pants for water (Psalm 42) o Living water (John 4) o Planted by streams of water (Psalm 1) Key takeaways: · Taste and see that the Lord is good. · Remember the beautiful private friendship, you have with Jesus. · Jesus laid his life down for you! Quo...

Welcome to episode 210 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we continue our entitled taste and see. Today, we will cover · The role of the shepherd o My Shepherd (Psalm 23) o “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10) Key takeaways: · Taste and see that the Lord is good. · Remember the beautiful private friendship, you have with Jesus. · Jesus laid his life down for you! Quotable: · “Is the Lord your Shep...

Today, we embark on a 6-week series called Taste and See.  We will dive into illustrations throughout Scripture to help us understand God's Word in a more profound way. Today, we will be in Exodus 16.

Welcome to episode 208 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we conclude our series on Christian citizenship.  Today, we tackle the topic of gospel peacemaking.    Key takeaways:    While we never compromise truth for unity, we also recognize that many of our divisions stem not from essential doctrinal differences but from cultural preferences, political allegiances, or personal animosities that h...

Welcome to episode 207 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue in our series on Christian citizenship.  Today, we tackle the topic of cultural engagement.    Key takeaways:    As followers of Christ, we're called to a distinctive way of life that sometimes aligns with and sometimes challenges the prevailing culture.    Three principles for cultural engagement:  Christians should be...

Welcome to episode 206 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin a three-week series on our Christian citizenship.  Today, we explore what it means to have dual citizenship.    Key takeaways:    We hold, in a sense, dual citizenship—belonging to God's eternal kingdom while residing in temporal human kingdoms.   Scripture points us toward a balanced approach that acknowledges both the leg...