Word Processing

In the penultimate biblical covenant, the one struck with David, God promises an eternal kingdom of endless jurisdiction and perfect authority. It is one that offers so much hope in the midst of a world filled with so much evil and brokenness that longs to be redeemed by its King. But how does this kingly covenant fit in with our understanding of the Kingdom, especially with regards to our role as...

If we were to make an educated guess, we'd imagine that of the six Biblical covenants, the one that is probably most likely to get a response of "huh?" would be the priestly covenant in Numbers 25. Yet despite being short and sweet, it is an important covenant nonetheless. So what is this priestly covenant, where does it fit, and why does it matter? We heard the answers to these questions on Sunda...

Josiah was asked to share some details from his personal testimony at Oakridge's Lively Oaks ministry gathering on January 27, 2023. Below is the recording of that talk in which he describes three things the Lord has been teaching him over the past number of years. (Josiah apologizes for his singing and longs for his glorified voice.)

And just like that we're halfway through the covenants already! This week it's the Mosaic Covenant, probably the most well-known, and unfortunately, most misunderstood. It's easy to look at a covenant involving a bunch of rules and morality and assume it must apply directly to all people, but that was never it's intended purpose. Join with Josiah and Andrew this week on the podcast as they discuss...

We're two weeks into our new sermon series on biblical covenants, and that brings us to the Abrahamic Covenant: an oath involving three separate but connected branches of promise. But why is it so important to keep these promises distinct and to understand them the way that Abraham did? And again, why does a covenant like this matter to us now as New Testament believers? Josiah and Andrew discuss...

A new year, a new season of the podcast, and a whole new sermon series to start us off! As we begin 2023, we're looking at the biblical covenants, and this week, we started right at the beginning with the Noahic covenant. Join with Josiah and Andrew as they discuss this first covenant, what it means, and why it still matters to us as Bible readers so many years removed from it's swearing.

Another year is quickly coming to its conclusion, and with it, this season of Word Processing. Today Josiah and Andrew take a look back at the year: the joys and trials, and what God has been teaching them through it all. Be sure to stay tuned for new episodes of Word Processing coming in January, 2023! We hope and pray you have a joyous Christmas season and we’ll be back in the new year!

We're all called to ministry. The New Testament makes it very clear that every Christian is tasked with the gospel-sharing, disciple-making process as described in Matthew's so-called "Great Commission". Yet to attempt to do the work of ministry in our own limited, sinful strength would be absolutely foolish, especially when God's word clearly explains how to do it properly. Today we come to one s...

In a section of scripture with many words that might cause us some concern or discomfort, Paul directs the Christians in Colossae to practically apply their pursuit of holiness in their home life. But even as we think about ideas like submission and obedience and sacrifice, it's important to remember the context they are placed in. So what is the picture that Paul is actually painting in this text...

In the 47th Psalm, the author points the reader to worship of God as the universal King, in part, because of how he has been King to Israel. As part of "all nations" and "all peoples" referred to here, the call put before us is simple: rightly worship the King! But what does that look like? How are we encouraged by God's blessings of others, how do we respond properly in worship, not just in deed...

Using the analogy of taking off and putting on clothes, Paul gives some clear instructions to the Colossian church about their pursuit of holiness in chapter 3. But holiness is obviously more than just "not doing bad things" or "doing good things", so what does it look like for a believer to truly live in a way that is holy? And how do we reconcile this with the fact that, this side of eternity, w...

Heaven. It's something that most people in Western society have some conception of, whether they even believe in it or not. Immediately, many picture golden streets in the clouds, harps and angels and winged babies, and of course the power to fly, go through walls, and eat whatever we want, whenever we want. But is that what the Bible actually describes, or have we simply allowed the cultural perc...

In the second half of Colossians 2, Paul takes the time to remind his readers of the dangers of worldly ideologies being used as a litmus test for one's salvation. Specifically, he addresses three "-isms" that, if we aren't cautious, can just as easily sneak their way into our churches and homes. So how do we protect ourselves from these dangerous shadows, and what are the warning signs we should...

"Importance. The Book of Revelation is important because it is the last inspired book of the Bible to be written and is rightly positioned as the New Testament’s final book. As the New Testament opens with the four Gospels relating to the first coming of Christ, so the Book of Revelation closes the New Testament with the general theme of the second coming of Christ. The Book of Revelation is also...

For those who trust in Christ, who belong to the Father through faith in the Son and are sealed by the Spirit, we are promised many things. We’re promised access to inexplicable peace in spite of circumstances. We’re promised the inescapable presence of our God in spite of perceived loneliness. And we’re promised the incomprehensible power of God, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now...

"When concerts and other special events are held in large auditoriums or arenas, “riggers” must work hundreds of feet above the floor hanging speakers and lights. Riggers will tell you they do not mind looking down a hundred feet to the floor. What they don’t like is working in buildings that have false ceilings made of acoustical tile hung just a few feet below the ceiling on rafters and beams. I...

After a few weeks of topical podcasts, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge our new sermon series! A few weeks ago at Oakridge we began studying Colossians during our time of corporate worship, and we haven't yet had a chance to discuss it on this medium. So this week on the podcast Andrew and Josiah discuss the first few weeks of Colossians sermons, including what led us to that book in the fi...

It's almost understandable that First and Second John often get overlooked. If you're moving through the Bible in order (as we have been), you've endured huge works like Acts and Romans and tricky works like James and First John and the end is now in sight. And what a finish line it is—the ever-daunting and ever-hopeful book of Revelation! So, again, it's easy to ignore the little notes that stand...

One of the reasons we started this podcast, and indeed what we most often talk about, is understanding God's word with clarity and depth. How do we study? What ought we do in response? But on this episode we want to talk about simply spending time in the scriptures, that is to say, meditating on the Bible. Reading it, being washed by it, thinking about it, and memorizing it. Andrew and Tim discuss...

The First Epistle of John is an intensely practical letter addressed to Christian readers. It warns against the dangers of false teaching and exhorts believers to lives of obedience to God and love for their brothers and sisters. Its controlling theme is fellowship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (1:3) (Hodges, “1 John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary , 880–881). The simplicit...

There are many reasons why a person might pick up and read a Bible. Perhaps curiosity or availability. Perhaps out of frustration or anger. Perhaps out of confusion. Perhaps to actually learn. This week on the podcast, Josiah and Andrew consider the various motivations for approaching God's word, and how we as believers can be better prepared to help others on their journey, and how we ourselves c...

"This epistle may be titled 'The Believer’s Conflict in the Latter Days.' The apostle opened and closed 2 Peter with the theme of victory. But within the epistle he focused primarily on how to live when surrounded by the problems and perplexities of the end time. After painting a landscape (in 2:1–3:10) replete with false teachers, fallen angels, flagrant immorality, and flaccid scoffers, Peter ch...

When we talk about God, there are endless directions our conversations can go. Oftentimes, these discussions end up addressing something to do with God's character, or the attributes that make him who he is. Yet in spite of this, for many of us, it can be hard to actually define what is actually meant when we hear words like "holy" and "sovereign" that get used in church all the time. So to help u...

Chuck Swindoll, with his trademark wit and clarity, introduces his study of Peter's first letter this way: "I find it interesting that Peter, as a disciple of Christ, is clearly the most popular of the twelve ... yet Peter, as a writer of Scripture, is not nearly as well known. "Too bad. His first letter offers wonderful hope to people who live in hurtful times. Without denying the reality of pain...

We recently emptied out our church library to make some room for future projects, and it got us thinking all about books! Books can be an incredible blessing from the Lord when it comes to understanding his word and the concepts within it better, and yet there is only so much time in a day to read! So how do we discern which books are helpful for our growth, and which are a waste of time? Should w...