Pastor Talk

In Exodus, God provides detailed instructions to the Israelites for the construction of the tabernacle and the garments of the priests, as well as the altar and anointing oil. God emphasizes the importance of both the big and small details of faith, which calls the people to live with the constant faith that God is with them even in the small moments of life, calling them forward into the sacred e...

Presbyterians have traditionally valued education and embraced learning as a way to understand God's world and grow in faith. This conversation looks at how to study the faith, broaden perspectives, and form disciples who live out the truth they have learned. Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in growing deeper in their faith and Christian discipleship. Pastor Ta...

In Exodus 25:23-26:37, God gives instructions to the Israelites on how to construct a mobile temple, emphasizing the importance of holiness and reverence. This includes the use of gold and other materials to create a space of worship that is inspiring and reminds the people of God's abundance and power. It is a good reminder, even today, that discipleship happens more often in the day-to-day worsh...

In Exodus 25:1-22, God commands the Israelites to take an offering from those whose hearts prompt them to give, which includes items such as gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, fine linen, goat's hair, tanned ram skin, fine leather, acacia wood, oil for lamp spices, anointing oil for fragrant incense, onyx stones, and gems. This offering is to create a sanctuary for God to dwell...

In Exodus 25, the people of Israel transition from a place of bondage and captivity to the wilderness, where God meets them and provides them with a tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, symbols of faith and religion that will accompany them on their journey. These items represent the constancy of God's faithfulness to the people, even in the wilderness, and it also represents the ever present t...

In this episode of the Pastors discuss the concept of forgiveness, exploring what it means to receive and offer forgiveness, and how it is an essential part of the Christian faith. They emphasize that forgiveness is not simple, and requires effort, and that it includes the idea of releasing and dismissing wrongs that have been done by us and by others. Feel free to share this with anyone who you t...

With this episode, Pastors Clint and Michael begin a new series exploring how each of us can resolve to follow Jesus Christ through new practices in the New Year. Today, they explore how practicing gratitude can be a transformative spiritual discipline within the Christian life. Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in growing deeper in their faith and Christian dis...

In Exodus 24, God commands Moses to gather the people and worship at a distance, and Moses offers a sacrifice and reads the Book of the Covenant aloud. The people respond with a promise of obedience to the Lord's commands. This chapter serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the difficulty of being obedient to His commands. It also serves as a reminder of what the people of God learn in wo...

In this section of Exodus, God warns the people of Israel of the consequences of not following His commands and sends an angel to guide them. As part of their covenant with God, the people are warned to not bow down to the gods of the other nations, and this foreshadows the struggle between God and the people that will dominate the rest of the Old Testament. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely...

Today the Pastors explore a section of Exodus' legal code which includes a cyclical pattern of sevens, such as seven days of the week and seven years of letting the land rest. This pattern is a reminder of God's appointed times and a call to obedience, as well as a demonstration of generosity to the poor. Additionally, the festivals mentioned in the passage represent the people's reliance on God a...

This passage from Exodus 23 emphasizes the importance of truth-telling and justice for all, regardless of social status. It encourages disciples to resist the temptation to deceive or act out of partiality, as God will not acquit the guilty. This is a theme echoed throughout the Bible, calling Christians to be trustworthy witnesses and to pursue truth over self-advancement. Don't miss out on the o...

The law is designed to keep the people in right relationship with God. Today the Pastors explore how this strange and broad ranging set of rules were intended to reveal the compassion of God by protecting the weakest and most powerless in society. To those who are willing to listen, there are lessons to be learned for today from these laws which were written a LONG TIME ago. Don't miss out on the...

The Shorter Westminster Catechism is one of the best summaries of the Reformed faith ever written for its clarity and depth. Today, the Pastors offer some concluding thoughts about its significance for contemporary Christians who seek to think deeply about their faith. You can also download a PDF version of the Shorter Catechism here: https://bit.ly/3Bf072r . Feel free to share this with anyone wh...

The law not only addresses what should be done when someone is hurt or injured, it also prescribes what should be done when someone's property is damaged or stolen. Then, as now, human nature tempts us to take from others or to press our own advantage. This, of course, breaks down our community and is brings severe consequences in the law. Don't miss out on the ongoing video study of the Westminst...

Today's laws cover what to do when someone or their property is injured. The Pastors explore the difficult difference between the individuals in different hierarchies of ancient cultures and how these laws functioned in their society. Surprisingly, these laws are reimagined in the life of Jesus Christ, the one who takes injury upon himself for the sake of saving those who can't save themselves. Do...

Exodus is more than just a story of how the people were set free from Egyptian captivity. It is also a community handbook containing the divine laws that defined what it meant to be the covenant people of God. Join the Pastors as they explore how we can understand these laws today and how they fit inside our own Christian understanding of discipleship. Don't miss out on the ongoing video study of...

Today we move into DIFFICULT ground as we begin to look deeper into the more detailed laws governing communal life in ancient Israel. Today, as modern readers, we struggle to process how these laws governing the use of power in the form of economic slavery was a part of God's original plan for the Israelites. How should we read troubling sections of scripture like this today and what do we make of...

Too many Christians don't pray because they feel like they don't know how. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he taught them. Today, join the Pastors as they explore the Lord's Prayer through the lens of the Westminster Catechism. Together, we will find the prayer means so much more than we had ever imagined and yet also so much easier to pray than we might expect. You can also download a...

Having completed the 10 Commandments, we prepare to enter into a lengthy section of Exodus set aside for much more obscure laws. Today, the Pastors explain how we can begin to understand the importance of these laws even though they may be so different from our own life experiences. Don't miss out on the ongoing video study of the Westminster Catechism here! https://youtu.be/lR9OM1GQ-bo Thank you...

In today's study we finish the 10 commandments with the commands to "not lie," not "bear false witness" and to not "covet." While all commands intended to protect the community, these commands have never been more important than they are today. Join the Pastors as they explore what makes these commands so essential for every Christian alive and how we can become more intentional disciples every da...

Today the 10 commandments shift to commands (that sometime scholars call the second book) that strengthen and uplift the community. These commands to honor your father and mother, to not murder or commit adultery, are much deeper than we often consider and invite us to consider how important our right relationships are to God. Don't miss out on the ongoing video study of the Westminster Catechism...

In the second commandments we are reminded that the people of God are called to honor his name and to honor the sabbath. These commands are often misunderstood as being small encouragements to not swear or to work on Sunday, when in actuality, they are challenging spiritual directives that help us practice humility and provide constant practice in trusting God for our every need. Don't miss out on...

You might know that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two sacraments in the Reformed tradition. But do you know how essential they are to the Christian life and how the Reformers believed that they were a sacred moment when we encountered the presence of the living God? Join the Pastors for a deep dive into the Westminster Catechism's teaching on the sacraments with an eye towards what we can...

In the first two commandments, God establishes the clear boundaries of his relationship with the Israelites. Since he is their deliverer and he is inviting them into eternal relationship, he expects that they promise to be continually faithful to him. Today, the Pastors explore the implications for this gracious offer and its life changing effects for the nation of Israel and whoever is willing to...

Purity isn't a matter of self-advancement or self-congratulation; it is the only available option before the mighty power of God. Today, the people of Israel consecrate themselves while God descends upon Mt. Sinai and speaks with the voice of thunder. Don't miss out on the ongoing video study of the Westminster Catechism here! https://youtu.be/lR9OM1GQ-bo Thank you for joining us, we sincerely hel...