Pondering the Bible

Send us Fan Mail Sunday, Nov. 3rd is "All Saints" Sunday, so we take a brief departure from 1 John. Rocky takes us to a passage from the Book of Isaiah, specifically Chapter 25, verses 6-9. The discussion explores the symbolic and theological meanings behind the verses, including concepts of death, heaven, and the ultimate celebration with God. We also touch on how ancient Jewish traditi...

Send us Fan Mail The Apostle John explores the theme of testing spiritual guidance to discern if it stems from God or a false prophet. Rocky emphasizes the Greek phrase "Ek tau Theo," which appears in five of the six verses and is translated variously across different Bible versions. Ken and Rocky  discuss how to identify true spiritual messages using three tests: spiritual discernment w...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we continue chapter 3 of John's first epistle. We explore the themes of love, sacrifice, and faith, emphasizing the importance of loving fellow believers and even non-believers despite severe challenges, including persecution.  Ken takes a rabbit trail to analyze the biblical story of Cain and Abel, discussing the differences in their offerings to God and its impli...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores themes such as the identity of believers as God's children, the transformative love of God, and the concept of sin. We delve into the differences between being created in God's image and being an adopted child of God, highlighting the special significance of spiritual adoption. We also examine John's teachings on sin, clarifying that while ever...

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Apostle John explores the contrast between loving the world and loving God, the concept of antichrists, and the necessity of adhering to apostolic teachings to discern truth from falsehood. Rocky and Ken also talk about eschatological concepts, including theories about what happens after death and the importance of maintaining a strong, Bible-based faith. The sermon...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Apostle John uses the themes of light versus darkness and reminds the church about the commandment to love one another. Using various biblical translations and references, Rocky and Ken explore the theological implications of John's teachings and Jesus's new commandment to love others as He has loved us.  The episode concludes with a personal anecdotes and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the duality of Jesus as both human and divine, emphasizing His role as an advocate and the sacrifice that atones for the sins of the world. The episode explores the concept of sanctification and how believers should strive to live like Jesus, focusing on the importance of loving God and loving others. They also touch upon the idea of knowing God through...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Pondering the Bible," co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into 1 John 1:5-10, focusing on the key themes of truth and fellowship in Christianity. The conversation highlights John's emphasis on living out one's faith, the heresy of Docetism, and the necessity of acknowledging and confessing sin. They stress that true Christian...

Send us Fan Mail Ken and Rocky dive into 1 John, discussing its context and primary themes. They compare John's approach to combating heresy with Paul's method in 1 Timothy. The episode emphasizes John's first-hand experience with Jesus and his message of love and fellowship, contrasting it with Paul's structured and disciplined style. They explore the historical significance o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode co-host Ken Corkins welcomes guest Katie Bristow, who is filling in for Rocky while he is away celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary. The discussion covers various topics, including the challenges and rewards of adulthood, and a reading from Genesis 37:12-36 focusing on the story of Joseph. Katie shares her approach to her upcoming sermon, which emphasizes the i...

Send us Fan Mail This week we conclude our study of First Timothy by examining the final verses of chapter six (verses 11-21). We discuss Timothy's divine calling emphasized by Paul, who urges Timothy to adhere to orthodox teachings amidst widespread heresies.  The episode also explains significant passages and doctrines, including the meaning of Timothy's name and the doxology sung in e...

Send us Fan Mail I'm back, sorry for the "extra" delay, as I contracted Covid while on vacation.  In this episode, we jump to chapter 6 verses 5-10. Paul discusses the importance of godliness with contentment and the dangers of loving money. Our conversation covers Paul's teachings on how church leaders should not expect financial compensation for their service, the concept of...

Send us Fan Mail Rocky returns, and we delve into Paul's teachings on how members of the church should treat each other like family, with emphasis on respecting elders, treating peers as siblings, and supporting true widows. We also discuss the financial and moral responsibilities of taking care of widows, including the distinction between true widows and those who have other support means. P...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Rocky is out of town, so we have one of our favorite Lay Speakers, Tori Dickens filling the pulpit. She covers Matthew 9:35-38. Tori shares her insights and the reasons behind choosing this particular passage, which emphasizes the need for more workers to help spread the message of Jesus.  The Sermon for this episode is titled "Working the Harvest" and can be...

Send us Fan Mail Paul discuss the importance of teaching orthodox Christian beliefs and resisting heresy, emphasizing the value of persistent and humble teaching. Paul highlights  Timothy's challenges due to his youth and his need to exemplify godliness in his personal conduct. The episode also explores Paul's insistence on relying solely on scripture for arguments and maintaining faith...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Pondering the Bible," co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison return after a brief hiatus, reflecting on their recent experiences at Vacation Bible School. The discussion transitions to a deep dive into 1 Timothy Chapter 4, verses 1-5. Ken and Rocky explore themes of end-times prophecy, apostasy, and confronting heresy as depicted in Paul's letter...

Send us Fan Mail We are halfway through the letter to Timothy. We recap what Paul has covered so far, as Paul sets up the second half of the letter where he will directly confront the heresies in the church. The Sermon for this episode is called "Identity" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons Scheduling note: We will not have an episode next week (June 16th) due to Vacati...

Send us Fan Mail (correct episode uploaded) Paul writes to Timothy discussing the qualifications, duties of deacons in the early Christian church. Ken and Rocky explore how translations of the Bible vary based on denominational beliefs, especially regarding female leadership. The episode highlights the historical context of deacons, their comparison with bishops and elders, and their essential rol...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Paul discusses the qualities of a church leader, focusing on the responsibilities and characteristics required for the position.  He delves into the importance of integrity, family management, and public perception for individuals aspiring to lead within the church community. The sermon for this episode is called "A Few Good Men" and can be found at pondergmc....

Send us Fan Mail This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, therefore, we jump out of 1 Timothy to deep dive into the biblical account of Pentecost, examining the significance of languages, wind, and fire in the story. Additionally, we explore the idea of Pentecost as a potential reversal of the curse of Babel from the Old Testament, highlighting the unity and understanding brought by the Holy Spirit on Pen...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Rocky discusses the interpretation of Paul's teachings on women in the church,  providing historical context to understand his instructions to Timothy. We explore the controversial topic and reconcile Paul's views on women's roles in varying contexts within the church. The Sermon for this episode is called "Women" and can be found a pondergmc.or...

Send us Fan Mail This week Paul tells Timothy  the significance of church prayer.  We discuss the importance of praying for everyone, including kings and those in authority, and highlight the unique attributes of corporate prayer compared to individual prayer. The sermon for this Episode is called "Church Prayer" and can be fond at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons . NEW!: Rate us at Podc...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Paul talks to Timothy about faith, repentance, and dealing with challenges within a church community. Paul delves into the importance of confessing past wrongdoings, the concept of shipwrecked faith, and the necessity of dealing with unrepentant heretics within the church. The Sermon for this episode is called "Confess" and can be found at pondergmc.org/minist...

Send us Fan Mail We return to the first letter to Timothy, where Paul discusses the importance of orthodoxy in the Ephesian church.  Paul urges Timothy to combat false doctrines, myths, and heresies. The discussion touches on issues related to love, law, sexuality, and maintaining Biblical principles in the face of challenges within the church community. The Sermon for this episode is titled &quot...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Rocky is out of town, and Ken is the Lay Speaker. Starting with Matthew 22:15–22, Ken talks paying taxes to Caesar, transitioning into the importance of following God's commandments, with a focus on turning away from sin, believing in Jesus, and loving God and others. The Sermon for this episode is titled "Render", and can be found at pondergmc.org/minist...