The Rephidim Project

  Welcome to the latest episode of our biblical podcast with David Christensen! In this episode, David dives into the powerful message of Daniel 1:14-21. This episode challenges believers to live boldly and authentically, even in a world that often opposes God. Drawing from the story of Daniel and his friends, David highlights two key […] The post Daniel 1:14-21 – Ten Times Better Than...

  Welcome to the latest episode of our biblical podcast with David Christensen! In this episode, David explores the pressures faced by believers in a pagan educational system, drawing insights from Daniel 1:3-13. He unpacks how the goal of such systems is often assimilation, and how our response to this pressure can shape our influence […] The post Daniel 1:3-13 – The Pressures of a Pag...

  Welcome to the latest episode of our biblical podcast with David Christensen! In this thought-provoking session, we dive into the book of Daniel, exploring the powerful theme of divine sovereignty in the face of human plans. Episode 1: Who Rules? (Daniel 1:1-2) In a world filled with pagan pressures and uncertainty, how can we […] The post Daniel 1:1-2 – Who Rules? appeared first on T...

  Launching in November! In a world where the cultural currents can feel overwhelming, how do we maintain our faith and integrity? In his new podcast series, David Christensen delves into the life of Daniel, who served for 65 years in challenging political landscapes. Join him as he seeks to learn from Daniel’s example and […] The post Daniel – Introduction appeared first on The Rephidi...

  Soul Secrets (James 5:13–20)   Central Idea: Mutual accountability brings salvation for the sinner.   Purpose: To challenge Christians to practice the power of mutual accountability in the church. Mutual accountability brings salvation from emotional excesses (5:13). Mutual accountability brings salvation from physical sickness (5:14–15). Mutual accountability brings salvation thr...

  Sticking with it Faith (James 5:7-12)   Central Idea: A suffering faith requires a persevering faith. Purpose: To encourage Christians to stick with it. A suffering faith requires a persevering faith (5:7-8). A persevering faith is uncomplaining (5:9). A persevering faith is enduring (5:10-11). A persevering faith is honest (5:12). What do you do […] The post James 5:7-12 – Stick...

  Warnings for the Wealthy (James 5:1–6)   Central Idea: Warnings for the wealthy encourage the needy.   Purpose: To encourage Christians to find contentment, knowing that God cares about economic justice. The warning against hoarding encourages the needy (5:1-3) The warning against stealing encourages the needy (5:4). The warning against indulging encourages the needy […] The...

  Attitude Analysis (James 4:11–17)   Central Idea: Our attitudes demonstrate our arrogance.   Purpose: To challenge believers to submit to God’s will. A critical attitude demonstrates arrogance (4:11–12). A presumptuous attitude demonstrates arrogance (4:13–16). An apathetic attitude demonstrates arrogance (v.17).   Frank Sinatra’s song, I Did It My Way, seems to be the theme...

  Antidotes to Antagonism (James 4:4-10)   Central Idea: Personal antagonism requires powerful antidotes.   Purpose: To challenge Christians to repent of sin that leads to strife. Reject divided loyalties (4:4–6). Surrender to God’s authority (4:7–8). Grieve over sin (4:9). Behave with humility (v.10).   Personal antagonism is a poison that can destroy a church. […] The p...

  Great Church Fights! (James 4:1–3)   Central Idea: The pursuit of pleasure is a source of strife.   Purpose: To challenge believers to pursue peace with each other. The pursuit of pleasure produces selfishness (3:2). The pursuit of pleasure produces frustration (4:2). The pursuit of pleasure produces hostility (4:2). The pursuit of pleasure produces […] The post James 4:1-3...

  Wise or Wimpy? (James 3:13–18)   Central Idea: People’s actions test wisdom’s way. Purpose: To challenge believers to be peacemakers. Worldly wisdom produces pugnacious actions (3:14–16). Heavenly wisdom produces peaceful actions (3:17–18). James writes in James 3:13, Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior, his deeds in […] The post James 3:13-...

  Tongue Testing (James 3:1-12) Central Idea: To be tongue tested is to be tongue-tied. Purpose: To challenge people to control their tongues. The preeminence of the tongue (3:1-2). The power of the tongue (3:3-5a). The perversity of the tongue (3:5b-6). The production of the tongue (3:7-12). Friends, when we are tongue tested, will we […] The post James 3:1-12 – Tongue Testing appeared...

Dead Traditionalism (James 2:14-26) Central Idea: A living faith is a working faith. Purpose: To challenge Christians to be what they claim to be. The need for a working faith (2:14-17). The argument for a working faith (2:18-20). The illustrations of a working faith (2:21-26). Traditionalism is the dead faith of those now living. Are […] The post James 2:14-26 – Dead Traditionalism appeared...

  Personal Discrimination (James 2:8-13)   Central Idea: Personal discrimination denies biblical doctrine.   Purpose: To challenge believers to practice social justice. Personal discrimination denies the doctrine of love (James 2:8). Personal discrimination denies the doctrine of sin (James 2:9-11). Personal discrimination denies the doctrine of mercy (James 2:12-13). Sadly, racial,...

  The Sin of Snobbery (James 2:1-7)   Central Idea: Personal discrimination is the sin of snobbery.   Purpose: To challenge Christians to value all impartially. Discrimination is the sin of snobbery because discrimination creates divisions (James 2:2-4). Discrimination is the sin of snobbery because discrimination demonstrates inconsistency (James 2:5-7). In this episode, James give...

  Livers or Lookers? (James 1:22-27)   Central Idea: Be livers not lookers.   Purpose: To challenge Christians to live out their faith 24/7. Be livers of the word, not just lookers (James 1:22-25). Be livers of the work, not just lookers (James 1:26-27).   Are you a liver or a looker? The Christian faith […] The post James 1:22-27 – Livers or Lookers? appeared first on Th...

  Welcoming the Word (James 1:19-21)   Central Idea: Our reaction to the Word is determined by our reception of the Word.   Purpose: To encourage believers to hunger for God’s Word. Our reaction to the Word (1:19-20). Our reception of the Word (1:21).   Will you let God change you by the power of […] The post James 1:19-21 – Welcoming the Word appeared first on The Rephid...

  The Blame Game (James 1:12-18)   Central Idea: Moral integrity demands personal responsibility.   Purpose: To challenge believers to live with integrity. Moral integrity demands personal responsibility for happiness (James 1:12). Moral integrity demands personal responsibility for sin (James 1:13-15). Moral integrity demands personal responsibility for deception (James 1:16-18). A...

  Valuing Your Valuables (James 1:9-11)   Central Idea: Mastering materialism requires valuing spiritual valuables.   Purpose: To challenge Christians to value what God values. The poor Christian masters materialism by valuing their high status in Christ (1:9). The rich Christian masters materialism by valuing their low status in Christ (1:10-11). Want to know how […] The post...

  Second Guessing God! (James 1:5–8)   Central Idea: Wisdom produces stability.   Purpose: To teach Christians how to make good choices.   Our resource for wisdom is God (James 1:5). Our reception of wisdom involves conditions (James 1:6–8).   If there is one question, I have been asked more than any other question over […] The post James – Second Guessing God! (Jame...

  A Matter of Perspective (James 1:1–4)   Central Idea: Tough trials demand a proper perspective.   Purpose: To challenge believers to look at their trials with joy.   Our process of growth requires trials (James 1:2–3) Our perseverance through trials builds character (James 1:4) Our prospect after trials produces maturity (James 1:4)   Have […] The post James – A Ma...

  David Christensen introduces a weekly bible study of the book of James starting Friday, February 2nd. The post James – Introduction appeared first on The Rephidim Project .

  Welcome to Honey from the Rock, a podcast devoted to bible exposition with David Christensen. David’s father, Jack Christensen, preached for over 50 years. He often began his sermons with a little expression, “And now a little honey from the rock,” taken from Psalm 81:16. His father’s legacy now lives on in him. Today, […] The post Honey from the Rock Podcast T...

  WHEN THE SILVER CORD BREAKS (Ecclesiastes 12:1-14)   Central Idea: Live for the Lord while you have time.   Purpose: To challenge people not to waste their lives living for themselves. Live responsibly before you grow old (12:1-8). Live biblically according to God’s wisdom (12:9-12). Live for the Lord while you have time (12:13-14). The post When The Silver Cord Breaks Ecclesiaste...

  LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF UNCERTAINTY (Ecclesiastes 11:1-10)   Central Idea: How can we live well when we face so much uncertainty?   Purpose: To encourage people to focus on the future by faith. Diversify your investments because the future is uncertain (11:1-2). Avoid the paralysis of excessive analysis (11:3-4). Work hard even though […] The post Living In The Light Of Uncer...