(Un) Common thoughts of Christ

In this meditation, we consider two distinct but deeply connected truths: the church as the body of Christ, and the church as the house of God. From 1 Timothy 3:15 and 1 Peter 4:17, we see that relationship brings both privilege and responsibility. As the body, the church is connected to Christ in living union. As the house, the church is connected with God’s order, holiness, conduct, discipline,...

In Episode 4 of He That Hath Ears to Hear , we examine the third soil in the parable of the sower — the thorny ground. This is not the hardened wayside where the Word never enters, nor the stony ground where joy springs up quickly but has no root. In the thorny ground, the Word is heard, but the heart is already occupied. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other...

In this meditation, we look at Solomon’s great prayer at the dedication of the temple, found in 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 6 . Solomon begins before the altar, standing before all Israel with his hands spread toward heaven. But 2 Chronicles gives us a deeper view: the king kneels before the congregation. He stands as king, but kneels as servant. He leads publicly, but he bows dependently before Go...

In Episode 3 of He That Hath Ears to Hear , we examine the second soil in the parable of the sower — the stony ground. Unlike the hardened wayside, this soil shows immediate response. There is gladness, enthusiasm, and visible growth. But beneath the surface lies hidden rock, and the Lord exposes the fatal issue: “They have no root in themselves.” Why do some respond quickly to the Word of God, ye...

In Episode 2 of He That Hath Ears to Hear , we examine the first soil in the parable of the sower — the wayside ground. Why can people hear the Word of God repeatedly and yet remain unchanged? What does it mean for the seed to lie only on the surface of the heart? And why did the Lord connect the birds of the air with the direct activity of Satan? This episode explores: the hardened heart, the dan...

In this opening episode of He That Hath Ears to Hear , we begin exploring the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 and Mark 4 — one of the most searching teachings ever given by the Lord Jesus. Why did the Lord suddenly begin speaking in parables? Why did some hear and understand while others remained blind? And why is the phrase “He that hath ears to hear” so critical for believers today? This epis...

Again and again in Scripture the majority proved wrong.  The world rejected Noah. Israel believed the fearful report instead of Joshua and Caleb. Hundreds of prophets opposed Elijah and Micaiah. Mobs cried out against Paul. And finally the crowd demanded the crucifixion of Christ.  This message explores the biblical principle of the faithful remnant and reminds us that truth is not determined by t...

In 2 Samuel 23, Shammah stood alone in a field of lentils while the people fled from the Philistines. To others, it may have looked like a small piece of ground. But to faith, it was part of Jehovah’s inheritance. This meditation considers what the lentil field speaks of spiritually: the simple, sustaining truths that feed the people of God — Scripture, holiness, obedience, a good conscience, the...

In Mark 12 and Luke 21, the Lord Jesus quietly watches as a poor widow places two small coins into the temple treasury.  Surrounded by outward religion, public display, and spiritual decline, her simple act of faith became precious in the eyes of Christ. While others gave from abundance, she gave all her living — holding nothing back. This meditation considers the searching reality that the Lord s...

In this meditation on 1 Samuel chapters 4 and 7 , we consider a timeless spiritual lesson: when man takes his true place before God, God meets him in grace. Israel first tried to claim victory through religious form, bringing the ark of the covenant into battle without repentance or self-judgment. Their confidence ended in defeat. Yet years later, when the people humbled themselves, confessed thei...

In a dark and declining period in Israel’s history, God begins His work not with a king or a prophet—but with a grieving woman who turns to Him in simple faith. In 1 Samuel 1–2 , Hannah’s story reveals the quiet strength of trusting God when circumstances seem impossible. Provoked, barren, and misunderstood—even by the priest—Hannah pours out her soul before the Lord. Before her prayer is visibly...

We often say, “I’m praying for you”… but what actually gives prayer its power? In this episode, we examine a sobering truth from Scripture: God does not separate prayer from obedience. Drawing from passages like Proverbs 28:9, Psalm 66:18, 1 John 3:22, and John 7:17, this message explores how a refusal to hear God’s Word can quietly affect whether He hears us. This is not about technique or saying...

In this meditation on Proverbs 6:16–35 , we consider a solemn passage that begins with the seven things the Lord hates and then turns to the preserving power of His Word. The commandment is described as a lamp, the law as light, and reproofs of instruction as the way of life. This portion searches the heart, warns against pride, lying, false witness, discord among brethren, and the deadly path of...

John Brereton, in the late 1970's and early 1980's gave a 4-part series on the ground of gathering with God found in scripture. This excerpt is from John Brereton’s final talk in a four-part series on the Ground of Gathering. Holiness, Discipline, and the "Within" and "Without" in the Assembly explains  what is morally suited to God does not change between Old and New...

In this meditation on Book of Proverbs 2:6-19, we consider the solemn difference between merely knowing truth and being governed by it. These verses show that wisdom from God is not simply intellectual understanding or adherence to a theological system. Divine truth is given to preserve the conscience, guard the pathway, and deliver the believer from moral and spiritual danger. Two enemies especia...

In this meditation on Proverbs 1:2–9, we consider the opening foundation of the entire book of Proverbs and the great theme of true wisdom. Reading from the scriptures and drawing directly from the comments of Harry Ironside, this episode explores wisdom, instruction, understanding, discretion, and the teachable spirit that marks a wise soul. At the center of these verses stands the searching decl...

What does a life truly called by God look like? In Genesis 12, Abraham’s response to God’s call is not complicated—but it is profound. Two things begin to define his life: an altar and a tent . The altar speaks of worship—real, personal communion with God.  The tent speaks of separation—a life that is no longer rooted in this world. In this episode, we connect these Old Testament pictures to New T...

In this opening episode, we begin the life of Abraham where Scripture begins — not with a man seeking God, but with God calling a man out . Abram was living in a settled, idolatrous world when “the God of glory” appeared to him and called him to leave everything familiar — his country, his family, and his father’s house — and go to a land God would show him. This episode explores a foundational tr...

In this episode, we walk through two powerful scenes from Scripture—1 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 13 (alongside 2 Samuel 6)—to uncover a sobering spiritual principle: It is possible to have the right object, the right intention, and even unified agreement… and yet still miss God's mind entirely. In 1 Samuel 7, Israel returns to the LORD with self-judgment, putting away idols and confessing, “We...

Eric Smith recounts problems among five meetings in Bolivia led by brothers not assured of the truth of separation, leading to sectarian principles and his painful absence despite them being his spiritual children.  After five years, nine principal brothers wrote asking him to come because “there’s something wrong in the testimony.”  Smith made a dangerous four-day mule journey in the rainy season...

We read from  Chapter 6 from the pamphlet called “Obedience and Submission—some Healing Principles” by  James Harrison Smith.   Because believers still can act in the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21), Christ makes the local assembly responsible as God’s house and grants it authority to “bind” and “loose” (Matthew 18:18), distinguishing delegated authority from infallibility or approval. Using Hagar and S...

In this 1965 Detroit Bible Conference excerpt, Gordon Hayhoe expounds Ephesians 6:14 on the “girdle of truth,” stressing that the first pieces of the Armour of God relate to personal life and walk.  He explains the loins as a figure of emotions and desires, urging believers—especially young people—to keep affections and impulses restrained by God’s Word rather than the world’s push for “freeness”...

What happens when the path God leads us into suddenly becomes difficult? In Genesis 12:10 , Abram faces a severe famine in the very land God had promised to bless him. Instead of waiting on the Lord, Abram chooses his own solution and goes down to Egypt—a place of wealth, security, and worldly comfort. But in doing so, he leaves behind two things that defined his life of faith: his tent and his al...

Norman Berry  turns to 1 Corinthians 14:33 to stress that God is not the author of confusion but of peace, and that peace characterizes an assembly gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in obedience, serving as a symbol of unity.  Mr. Berry emphasizes submission and warns young people that a rebellious spirit—common in resisting parents and authority—will prevent blessing and must be judge...

In the closing verses of the Gospel of John, we encounter a remarkable clarification. For decades after the resurrection, a saying circulated among the early believers that the apostle John would never die. Yet John himself records that this was not what the Lord had said. In John 21:23–24 , the aged apostle corrects a misunderstanding that had quietly spread among the brethren for nearly sixty ye...