Unbinding the Bible

The following is a sermon I preached on June 18, 2017 from Matthew 9:35-10:15. I'm inserting it here on the podcast because it helps shape the church's response to the destruction the evil one is unleashing on our world, as demonstrated so clearly through the locust plague from Revelation 9. Rightly understanding what authority means and why Jesus gives his disciples authority "over all the power...

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 8:13-9:12 - the first "woe" directed toward "those who dwell on the earth." We'll spend some time clarifying just who this group of people are and why they are referred to this way in Revelation. Hint: they are contrasted with those who "dwell in heaven" (Rev. 13:6). And using many passages throughout the New Testament, we will also come to see why locusts...

In this episode, we'll look at the first four trumpet judgments from Revelation 8:5-12. In them we'll see close connections between Egypt's oppressive rule over the Israelites - and the subsequent plagues of judgment that came as a result - as well as Jeremiah's identification of the judgment awaiting Babylon for its cruelty and oppression. Taken together, both Egypt and Babylon shape John's under...

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 8:1-5, as the Lamb opens the seventh seal. In this section, we'll notice that the normally noisy heaven goes completely silent; silent enough for God to hear the prayers of his faithful people. We'll see how prayer relates to God's working in the world and what the relationship is between praying for justice to be done in our world and being just as open t...

This episode is a sermon I preached July 21, 2019 from Luke 10:38-42. In it I address the relationship between being served by Jesus and going out and serving others. The main idea is this: We need to allow Jesus to serve us before we try to serve others. This sermon is closely connected to How Do YOU Read the Law, which I inserted as episode 049 on this podcast. You may want to listen to them tog...

In this episode, we'll finish Revelation 7 by looking at verses 9-17. Using apocalyptic language, we'll clarify just who Christians are as God's people and the power Jesus' shed blood has on our lives. There are few passages in the Bible as beautiful as this one! 

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 7:4-8 and try to discern what to make of the list of the tribes of Israel. Drawing on themes found in the message to the churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia, we'll attempt to understand Israel's relationship to the Church and how Jesus functions as the hinge on which everything swings.   Unbinding the Bible Video 

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 7:1-4, paying particular attention to what being "sealed" means. We'll compare the language Jesus uses with the church in Philadelphia from Revelation 3 along with John's description of the "mark of the beast" in Revelation 13 to help us out, and we'll see why being sealed with the Holy Spirit is some of the best news there is! 

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 6:12-17 as the Lamb opens the sixth seal. We'll see what appears to be a description of the absolute end of all things, but we'll see that the events being described are simply what happens when the presence of the LORD comes to the earth. This, of course, can be seen as a good or terrible reality, depending on how one sees the LORD.   Unbinding...

In this episode, we'll tackle Revelation 6:9-11 and watch as the Lamb opens the fifth seal. We'll look again at the judgments of God as they proceed "from the throne" and distinguish this type of judgment from the way earthly rulers carry out judgments of their own. And then we'll see how the Lord himself encourages those who have been mistreated for bearing witness to his name.  Unbinding the Bib...

In this episode, we'll see the Lamb begin to open the first few seals of the scroll. We'll spend the majority of our time talking about the rider on the first horse and what the first four seals communicate to us. We'll compare the destruction that comes from these four horses with the blessings that come from the Lamb, paying attention to these two trajectories:   Beast: Conquest -->...

In this episode, we'll finish our look at Revelation 5, highlighting once again that the image of the Lamb belongs to the way God rules the world. We'll see that the worship offered to the Creator in chapter 4 mirrors the worship offered to the Redeemer in chapter 5, once again confirming that salvation is best understood as new creation. And we'll end our time comparing and contrasting the ways i...

In this episode, we'll jump straight into the heart of the gospel itself, the heart of the book of Revelation, and the interpretive lens through which to understand the rest of the book. Revelation 5:1-10 will be our passage, and we'll see the power of apocalyptic language once again push us into new worlds of thinking and just how it is God intends to both judge and save the world.  Unbindin...

In this episode, we'll wrap up our look at Revelation 4, paying particular attention to the repeated adjective "holy" to describe the Lord God Almighty. We'll see why God as Creator is a fitting reason for worshiping the one who lives forever and ever as well as why God alone is at the center of all worship.  Unbinding the Bible Video

In this episode, we'll continue our look at Revelation 4, noticing all of the images and creatures being described that surround the throne. We'll also look at David's Song of Deliverance from 2 Samuel 22 to consider just what it might mean that lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder are coming from God's throne (Rev. 4:5).  Unbinding the Bible Video

In this episode, we'll continue our look at Revelation 4, paying particular attention to its focus on thrones and why the church would find such a vision significant. We'll compare Revelation 4 with Revelation 13 and discuss how both God and Rome lay claim to a throne, to power, to authority, and to the right of worship. The church's success as faithful witnesses depends heavily on who they w...

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 4:1 and address the issue of time as we transition to a new section in the book. John's use of the words "after this" seem to invite a lot of speculation regarding the contents of the next several chapters taking place solely in the future. And so we'll talk about what "after this" means in the context of the Bible as well as discuss the relationship betwe...

In this episode, we'll look at Jesus' words to the church in Laodicea from Revelation 3:14-22. This self-sufficient church boasted, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing," not realizing that translates all too easily into their not needing Jesus either. The only church not to receive any commendation, the proud Laodiceans are still loved by Jesus and are exhorted to repent of their self...

In this episode, we'll look at Jesus' words to the church in Philadelphia from Revelation 3:7-13. Despite their smallness and seemingly insignificant influence, these Christians are deeply loved by the Holy One of Israel himself, Jesus Christ.  This week's Unbound Truth: God's protection and blessing come to those who faithfully witness to Jesus.  Unbinding the Bible Video

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 3:1-6, Jesus' words to the church in Sardis. A church that has a reputation for being alive, Jesus labels it as dead. That such an accusation could be leveled against any church leads us to this week's Unbound Truth: The presence of the Holy Spirit is what gives life to a church.  Email me any questions/comments you have @ UnbindingTheBible@gmail.com. 

In this episode, we'll look at Jesus' words to the church in Thyatira from Revelation 2:18-29. Jesus continues clarifying for all of his followers what faithfully witnessing to him truly looks like as well as new difficulties each church will face in their situation.  Following this week's Unbound Truth, that the influence of Baal can be present even in communities that are faithfully loving, serv...

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 2:12-17 - Jesus' words to the Christians in Pergamum, a church mixed with faithful followers and unfaithful ones. We'll see how Jesus addresses both and what that means for our own lives as his followers.  Email me any questions or comments: UnbindingTheBible@gmail.com. 

This episode is a sermon I preached June 17, 2018 while preaching through the gospel of Mark. I'm inserting it here in the podcast because what we know of Israel's temptations toward trusting in other kingdoms can help shape our awareness of the same things. Jesus' explanation of the kingdom of God is formed in large part from the Old Testament. And understanding that world better helps us underst...

In this episode, we'll take a look at just what Christians are up against in the various Empires in which they live. We'll pay particular attention to the idea of America as a "Christian nation," just what that means, and why it is an unhelpful (not to mention untrue) label in terms of the kingdom of God. We'll end our time talking about why the religious community may end up opposing a true Chris...

In this episode, we'll look at Jesus' address to the church in Smyrna, what it was like living in that city at the time Revelation was written, and why it was that they faced persecution. We'll end the podcast discussing a bit about what our attitude toward persecution ought to be, according to Jesus.