The Jim Bradford Podcast

In today's episode, we take a look at the book of Ezra and the incredible story of God's people returning from exile. After 70 years in Babylonian exile, the Persian king Cyrus granted permission for the Jews to return, but it would be no easy task. We discuss the place of the book in the Biblical story and also discuss lessons that can be learned from the work of Ezra and the people of...

We're continuing our look at the books of Chronicles this week with 2 Chronicles. The two books offer a broad overview of Israel's history and God's faithfulness throughout the story. In 2 Chronicles, the story focuses on the period of the kings, covering a list of failures and successes. Pastor Jim offers lessons that can be learned from these kings as well as observations on the f...

In today's episode, we dig into the book of 1 Chronicles. The book plays a unique part in the Biblical story, reflecting on the history of Israel and the important lessons God's people were to have learned. From Adam to David, the book covers a major swath of history. Pastor Jim offers perspective on the book's themes and suggestions on how the book can be best read, taught, and pre...

In today's conversation, we're continuing our look at the kings of Israel through the book of 2 Kings. We'll look at some of the kings of reform but also the tragic story of Judah's exile to Babylon. Pastor Jim offers advice from the book for any pastor or leader as we unpack the book's major themes. 

The time of Israel's kings proved to be both for their good and bad. The period of the kings saw some of Israel's greatest achievements but also their slide into greater idolatry. In today's episode, we take a look at the book of 1 Kings and discuss the tragedy of Israel's fall and exile. Pastor Jim offers lessons for believers and leaders from the book.

Last week we looked at the book of 1 Samuel and were introduced to Saul and David. In this week's episode, we warp up the books of Samuel with a discussion of 2 Samuel. We discuss the passing of the throne to David and the complicated life David lived of faithfulness, sin, and confession. Pastor Jim offers both encouragement and warning from David's life, and we discuss how the book cont...

The books of 1st and 2nd Samuel are filled with familiar names: Saul, David, and Samuel. The books tell the story of Israel's first kings and the struggles they faced to be faithful to God and his call. In our discussion of 1 Samuel, Pastor Jim explores the life of Saul and the emergence of David. We discuss the book's themes and what we can learn from them today. 

In today's episode, we take a closer look at the book of Ruth. Ruth is an easy book to overlook. It's not long, and it doesn't have tales of kings or empires, but the story proves surprisingly critical to the history of Israel and to Jesus himself. We discuss the story, its major themes, and the role of Ruth alongside the books of Judges and 1 & 2 Samuel. 

The book of Judges tells the story of the time between the conquest and the kings. It is a time the book describes as everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. In today's conversation, we take a look at the time period of the judges and the major themes of the book. We also recognize important parallels with our own day and what lessons believers can learn from the book. 

The book of Joshua tells the story of a new generation and a new effort to enter and take the promised land. Joshua, taking the leadership mantle from Moses, lead the people over the Jordan and into battle. In today's episode, we look at the book's major themes and also discuss some of the challenges of the book, including war in the name of God. 

We're continuing our series looking at each book of the Bible. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the background and themes of the book of Deuteronomy. Not only does Deuteronomy conclude the Pentateuch, but it also depicts the end of Moses's life and the transition of Israel's leadership. We discuss Moses's life and his call for God's people to remember.

Continuing our series of conversations on the books of the Bible, today, we discuss the fourth book of the Torah, Numbers. The book of Numbers, often associated with the counting of its censuses, offers an important view into the years of the Hebrews' wilderness wanderings. Pastor Jim explores the theme of wilderness, the struggle of the Hebrew people, and the challenging leadership task Mose...

Continuing our series of conversations on the books of the Bible, today, we discuss the third book of the Torah, Leviticus. Many readers struggle to make it through this book of detailed laws and regulations, but Pastor Jim helps explore why the book matters, its critical themes fo the Bible, and how a book of Old Testament regulations can point us to Christ. 

As we continue our series looking at each book of the Bible, we come to the second book of the Torah, Exodus. Its story of Moses and the escape of the Hebrews from Egyptian captivity is central not only to the Biblical text but continues to be a theme in our cultural imagination. Pastor Jim explores the major themes of the book and how they can shape our lives as believers.

We begin our new series of conversations through the Bible by discussing the opening book of Genesis. What are the major themes and key concepts? Pastor Jim explores the Bible's opening and the significance of the God who created all things. 

In today's episode, we wrap up our series looking at the pastoral letters of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Pastor Jim reflects on the major themes of the letters and the lessons we can take away as followers of Christ and those serving in ministry. We also discuss what comes next for our podcast conversations. 

As we have seen Paul do many times before, he again returns to the topic of controversy, specifically a charge to avoid foolish controversies. Pastor Jim explores Paul's advice and how it can help guide us in our ministry work today. He offers helpful advice on how to differentiate between legitimate concerns and foolish division which should be avoided.  In a day when we face growing divisio...

Submission is not just a disciple, it's a practice formed in our reception of the gospel. We have been changed by the power of the gospel. The father's love, the spirit's work, and the son's sacrifice demonstrates submission and frees us from the things of this world. Submission is a sign of our faith in the gospel.  In today's episode, Pastor Jim continues exploring the t...

No one likes to talk about submission. It's one of the challenges of following Christ. He calls us not only to submit to His Lordship but to submit to those in authority over us. Paul, having previously explored the relationship between slaves and masters and men and women, next turned his attention to the believer's relationship with governing authorities. Paul encouraged the believers...

Having worked through various relationships in the church, Paul encouraged Titus and the church at Crete to turn away from worldly passions. Paul called them to live holy. Crete wasn't an easy place to live a holy lifestyle, but it is the calling of every Christian and Paul gave them another reason for living set apart from the world; Christ was coming again.  In our conversation, Pastor Jim...

The Bible was written in a very different age and time. One of the challenges of studying scripture is learning how to understand its meaning then and now. Certainly one of those challenging topics is Paul's advice to slaves and masters. In today's episode, Pastor Jim takes a closer look at that advice, giving it historical context and helping us recognize what it says to us today.  As t...

Paul was a pastor at heart. He understood how to preach and how to correct false teaching, but he always had his eye on the community life of the church. In writing to Titus, Paul offered advice for though men and women should serve one another and the younger generations. In our conversation, Pastor Jim explores how older men and women can set an example for those younger than themselves and why...

As we continue our look at Paul's letter to Titus we see that the church in Crete was also facing false teaching. It was different from the false teaching Timothy faced in Ephesus, but Paul recognized it needed to be dealt with. Paul was looking for a unique kind of Christ-like leader who could embrace humility but also have the courage to stand for truth.  In today's episode, Pastor Jim...

The church at Crete was not very old, but it was growing. Part of Titus's task was to appoint new leaders to help shepherd that growth. Paul wanted to make sure Titus looked for the right kind of leaders.  While we have previously, looked at Paul's qualifications for church leadership, the book of Titus gives us another chance to dig into that list and make comparisons. What we discover...

As we begin the book of Titus, we take a closer look at Titus's assignment in Crete. Paul opens with a long introductory sentence in which he describes himself as, first, a servant. We discuss what it means to be a servant of Christ and how ministry is not just a job or a profession, it is a calling into service.  Pastor Jim helps us recognize that Titus has a lot of hard work ahead of him, b...