Loving the Scriptures

What does true saving faith look like? And what doesn't it look like. In Acts 8, we meet a man named Simon the Magician, who "believed" the message of the gospel in Samaria and was baptized. But we later see Peter condemning Simon in such a way as to suggest that Simon was not saved. So was Simon a true believer or a false convert? We will explore this, plus the significance of the Holy Spirit com...

After the Christians were scattered out of Jerusalem, Philip the Evangelist did what, in that time and culture, would have been unexpected: He preached the gospel to people in Samaria. Learn why this would have been a big deal, and what this teaches us about having an understanding that all kinds of people need Jesus.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples i...

Stephen is most known for being the first martyr of the Christian faith. What specifically did he say that led to his violent demise? And how did God use Stephen's death and the subsequent outbreak of persecution to further His divine plan? In this episode we will explore these questions and much more.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Dis...

In our continued look at Stephen's words to the council, we see how he uses the story of Moses to demonstrate the continued unbelief of the Jewish nation in their history...and what that meant for them in their own day. It was a message that by no means was meant to be affirming!   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https:/...

In the face of intimidating persecution in front of the council, Stephen, just an ordinary guy who is filled with the Holy Spirit, turns the accusations thrown at him back onto his accusers. Learn how he uses the story of Joseph and Moses and indict his enemies of being men of unbelief.    Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon: ...

Aside from the fact that Stephen was the first Christian martyr in history, we don't know much about this tremendous character is Scripture, other than what is said about him in Acts 6 ad 7. In this episode, we will talk about how God used a plain, ordinary guy like Stephen in a very powerful way. You will see that you do not need to have impressive credentials in order for God to use you magnific...

Can internal issues of a church distract it from its primary mission? Yes, and the early church faced this potential problem. But in Acts 6, we see how the apostles wisely and masterfully solved their problem at hand while at the same time leaving the door open for the word to continue to spread. This episode is especially relevant to pastors and church leaders today!   Order a copy of my book:  S...

How did the apostles handle this second wave of persecution against them, and what can we learn from this? As we finish up our study of Acts 5, you'll be amazed at the attitudes of God's people after they were physically abused by their persecutors.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0592Fozu    Please be s...

While the early church in Jerusalem continued in its vibrancy, the apostles once again find themselves in a bind with the council. Learn how they maintain a spirit of obedience against the grain of increasing persecution, and what that says to us today.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0592Fozu    Please...

Consider the wonder of Christ's coming to earth from my favorite Christmas passage.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0592Fozu    Please be sure to leave a review!   X: https://x.com/ltscripts   Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we consider how Jesus demonstrated true Christmas spirit...and it's in a story that we normally don't associate with the holiday. What did Jesus do, and why was it so amazing? We talk about it in this episode.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0592Fozu    Please be s...

The story of Ananias and Sapphira has troubled many Christians. Even though we know that all God does is good and just, His dealings with these two believers in Acts 5 appears, to many, a tad bit harsh. But how exactly should we view this text? In this episode, we wrestle with the issue of God's judgment, His view on sin, and what kind of effect dealing with sin has on the church.   Order a copy o...

In part 2 of our discussion on Lot, we continue to see how the conclusions about Lot are not things that can be drawn from the text of Scripture. Additionally, I attempt to save Lot's reputation by pointing out what the Bible does say about him in the New Testament, and how that can positively speak to us today.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the...

Most of the time, when people talk about Lot, they accuse him of being greedy, self-indulgent, and worldly. People tell his story as a warning to their listeners, cautioning them not to have the same attitude as he did, and not to make the same mistakes that he did. But in this episode, I am going to come to Lot's defense and explain why most of the things that are spoken against him are wildly un...

After being threatened by the Jewish authorities, the apostles, as well as the other believers in Jerusalem, do the only thing they know to do in the face of pressure: they pray. Learn why their prayer is so amazing, and what it reveals about those who lifted up their voices to God.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  http...

What is it like to speak with people who refuse to accept the things of God and of Christ even when the strong evidence of God's work and power is in front of them? How did the disciples deal with this in their situation in front of the Council? And how did they respond when they were commanded to teach no longer in the name of Jesus? We will explore these things as we continue to look at Acts 4....

Confronted with the intimidating situation of having to answer for their actions and their doctrine in front of the Council, see how Peter and John are directed by the Holy Spirit to boldly stand up for truth in the face of opposition.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0592Fozu    Please be sure to leave a...

What benefits come with true repentance? And how would this truth be especially meaningful to the Jews Peter was preaching to in the temple? In this episode, we will hear Peter's gospel appeal in his second recorded sermon to the Jews in the book of Acts. We will also talk about how the promises in Christ are based on faith, and not on ethnicity.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What...

The healing of the lame beggar at the temple was certainly an attention-grabber, both in positive and negative ways. Learn how God used this miracle as a springboard for Peter to preach the gospel again to his Jewish brothers, and how such an occasion was the beginning point of trouble for the church.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Disc...

We continue our discussion on honoring pastors. Specifically, we talk about honoring our pastors by letting them pastor in the way Scripture requires them to pastor, as opposed to loading them down with duties that they should not be responsible for. We will explore a few examples of how some of our expectations for pastors go beyond what Scripture says, and how that can make his job harder than i...

Churches across the country express their love and appreciation for their pastors during Pastor Appreciation Month, but are there ways that many Christians unintentionally dishonor their pastors the other eleven months of the year? This episode, we begin to explore how we can honor our pastors (every month, not just October), as well as talk about ways we fail to appreciate them.   Order a copy of...

What was it about the first fellowship of the early church that made it so amazing? Can that strong sense of community still exist today? We explore this in the next installment of our study of Acts.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0592Fozu    Please be sure to leave a review!   X: https://x.com/ltscript...

How does the reality of the resurrection of Christ and the reign of Christ serve as a hard-hitting punch to the Jews listening to Peter's Pentecost sermon? Why were they so panicked at his words? And how was it that 3,000 souls were saved on that day? These questions and more we address in this extended episode.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the...

The Day of Pentecost was one of the most momentous days in the history of Christianity. It served as the beginning of a whole new powerful movement as the Holy Spirit would begin to use ordinary men and women to reach the world for Christ. This episode, we will explore the "prelude" of Peter's famous Pentecost sermon, as he begins to explain to the flabbergasted onlookers in Jerusalem what it is t...

Do you have trouble accepting the grace of God in your life? Do you find yourself reverting to "performance mode" to somehow win God's favor? Hopefully, this episode will serve as an encouragement, as well as a reminder of the amazing truth about grace and the God who dispenses it.   Order a copy of my book:  Signs of the End : What Jesus Taught His Disciples in the Olivet Discourse Amazon:  https...