Olsen Park church of Christ Podcast

The name by which God identified Himself to Moses, in Exodus 3:14, declared something profound about the nature of God—He is not one who has been or one who will be. Rather, He simply is self-existent, eternal, and ever-present.  In John 8:58, Jesus uses the same words to identify Himself. This, and other statements Jesus makes using the words "I Am," also tell us about His nature, power...

In his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians Paul urged the brothers and sisters in both congregations to live their lives “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5b). How does one redeem time? How much time do we have to redeem? Is it morbid and pessimistic to consider such questions? How well am I “redeeming the time” in my life?    Transcript

The Bible teaches that faith is essential to salvation, but how does Scripture define saving faith? What does it involve and how is it demonstrated? In what must we put our faith? Is it grounded upon our feelings and emotions or upon an objective standard? Transcript

In Peter’s second epistle, he appeals to us to appreciate the value of history. Not because of what history can show us about ourselves or past civilizations, but because of what it can show us about God. Transcript

When the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, He forbade them from using His name "in vain." Jesus taught that God's name should be "hallowed." Why is it so important how the name of the Lord is used? Transcript

Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a command to His disciples that presents some questions and challenges to all who would follow Him. What is the Lord teaching in this text and how should it be applied in our lives? Transcript

What does the Bible teach about sins of ignorance——that is, sins we commit without realizing it, or commit concerning matters of which we are ignorant?  Can they be forgiven? What provision has the Lord made to address these transgressions when they come into our lives? Transcript

A favorite target of critics of faith concerns two kings mentioned eight times each in the book of Daniel: Belshazzar and Darius the Mede. Unfortunately much of secular history does not record the existence of either of these figures. This has led some to conclude that neither of these kings mentioned in Daniel actually existed and Daniel was wrong. Is this charge true? If not, what is the evidenc...

There is something about a new birth that reminds us of our own days of youth and innocence. This is true not only of physical birth, but spiritual birth as well. It is a joyous thing when a sinner turns from the darkness of sin, putting faith in Christ, to have his or her sins washed away in baptism by the blood of Christ. Let's consider a few questions about such times of spiritual birth. T...

Many people struggle from time to time with the mindset known in modern times as paranoia —a fear that other people are against us, talking bad about us, or trying to hurt us. Should Christians allow such a mindset to go unchecked? Are there dangers it offers to our service in Christ? Does the Bible offer any guidance for those who struggle with this crippling disposition? Transcript  

Matthew 18:11 records that Jesus’s life-purpose was to rescue or “save” those whom He calls the “lost.” Who are these people Jesus refers to as the “lost”?   Transcript  

Matthew 8:5-13 records a remarkable healing which Jesus performed for a most unlikely person. We are not told how this man learned about Jesus, but this non-Israelite would demonstrate greater faith than many of the Jews had up to that point in Jesus’s ministry    Transcript  

The courageous death, in the second century, of a Christian named Polycarp serves as a powerful example of faith in Christ in the face of intense persecution. If Christians today faced the threat of death for being a Christian would we have this kind of courage?   Transcript  

Some are arguing that it is unscriptural to look to commands, examples, and inferences as a way to determine Bible authority. Is their claim valid? Is this a modern innovation? Should disciples of Christ reject this approach to biblical interpretation? Transcript  

In the opening verses of the sixth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans he offers some powerful teaching on how one can become dead to sin and the role baptism plays in this death. Transcript

One of the most problematic texts in the entire New Testament, from the standpoint of manuscript evidence, is 1 John 5:7-8a. Why is this passage disputed? Why do some translations delete it? Why is it present in some texts? Transcript

Disappointing circumstances in life, mistreatment by others, or discouragements sometimes lead people to feel that they cannot trust God. They feel God has let them down or doesn't care about them.  Let's consider eight reasons we can know that God cares about us. Transcript

In efforts to encourage Christians and non-Christians to see the importance of the spiritual battles we face, sometimes we may fail to recognize a vital truth about this  struggle. While the Bible teaches that we individually engage in battles, in the broader view the fact is that the war is already over and Satan has lost! Transcript

The casual expressions "get real!" or "keep it real," that used to serve as informal exclamations or greetings, pose some challenging admonitions when considered from a spiritual perspective. Transcript

The Declaration of Independence asserts that human beings possess certain "unalienable" rights. Does the Bible supports this concept of “inalienable rights”? Are these ideas we share as Americans compatible with what it means to be a Christian ? Transcript

In our own lives and in the lives of others the way we approach religious change, even when the truth demands it, can either make change easier or put up obstacles that make it much harder. How can we leave room for change in our own attitudes and in our interaction with those around us?   Transcript

How does God define right and wrong? How does pursuing God’s standard benefit a nation? Proverbs 14:34 teaches some general truths that every Christian should recognize  Transcript

In Psalm 105, the Holy Spirit teaches us that an appreciation of God’s marvelous works in the past should lead those who serve Him to proper behavior in the present. Transcript

In a world of ever-increasing confusion over the family, the Holy Spirit, in Colossians 3 reveals four verses that lay down God's simple plan for the home. Transcript

Many people feel frustrated and uncertain about religion because everywhere around us there is religious confusion. Is there a way to cut through all of this confusion and discover the truth about what God expects of men and women in this life? Transcript