As we get back into the flow of things, we finish up our discussion of the apostles of Ephesians 4. We take a look at the controversial reference to “Andronicus and Junia” in Romans 16.
>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week, we take a break from our discussion of apostles to focus on the birth of our Lord Jesus. In Matthew’s genealogy, we find the names that we would expect to link Jesus to the Abrahamic and Davidic promises, but we also find names that we would not expect and one that causes a “mental train-wreck.” Following in the footsteps of the Master, Matthew crafts a conundrum that would lead his largely Jewish audience to the long awaited glorious fulfillment of the promises for a Savior and King.
>>Listen to or download the audio here.

“Ivan Illich was once asked, ‘What is the most revolutionary way to change society: is it violent revolution or gradual reform.’ He gave a careful answer: ‘Neither. If you want to change society then
you must tell an alternative story,’ he concluded.”
(Tim Costello quoted in Organic Church, 123)

Story is central to our lives. We live in a “story” that we call life - it has a beginning, a middle and an end. We tell stories along the way as our lives unfold in order to make sense of things. In the modern era, story as a means of passing on our faith and values was replaced largely by “information transfer.” This has proved disastrous. Information alone can never captivate or transform the human heart and mind. Story, however, has the power to transform. In our times, many are returning to the use of story as means to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3). This post will explore some key ideas and key resources related to understanding and using story as a means to think about and talk about our faith.
Read More...

I am often asked to recommend study bibles and in the past I have suggested either the NASB or NIV study bible as among best. Now there is another excellent resource to add to the list - The ESV Study Bible.

The ESV Study Bible was just released in October of 2008. It is the most comprehensive study bible released to date with over 20,000 notes, 50 articles, 200 charts, 200 full color maps and many excellent full color illustrations. I have been scanning the introductions to the books and looking through the helpful articles and I have to say that this is one of the best study Bibles I have ever seen. Read More...

This week we come to some conclusions about the way Paul uses the term “apostle” in his writings. An apostle/emissary in the general sense is someone who is called and empowered by Christ, recognized and sent by the church to represent Christ in spreading the Gospel and founding new assemblies by sacrificing their lives for the welfare of others as Christ himself did.
>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we deal with the story of the Apostles. By tracing the development of these “gifts” in the New Testament we test the idea that only those who meet the requirements of Acts 1:15ff could be considered an apostle. We pay close attention to those who are not part of Jesus’ 12 yet are still called “apostles” in the New Testament. This is another critical step in determining how these gifts function in the present time.
>>Listen to or download the audio here.

We finish our tour of chapter 8 with a discussion of the 2,300 days mentioned and proceed on to chapter 9. Daniel, now about 80 years old is studying the Sacred Writings and discovers that Jeremiah had been told that the time of Israel’s humiliation would only last for 70 years. Realizing that the time for redemption was at hand, Daniel intercedes for sinful Israel and calls on God to act for the sake of His holy name to return His people to the Land and reestablish Jerusalem.
>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we consider the reality of the Rapture and the four prominent views of the timing of the Rapture within Premillennialism.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

This week we return to our discussion of the Ephesians 4 and the Foundational Gifts - gifted people who equip us all for the work of service.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In chapter 8, Daniel has the second of his visions. In the vision he sees and Ram and Goat and a
“little horn.” The visions of this chapter foretell what will happen to the Jewish people under the rule of the Greeks, specifically Antiochus IV Epiphanes - a prototype of the Antichrist of the End Times.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we consider what is commonly referred to as the Millennium - the 1000 year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20. Is this historical and yet future or is it spiritual and now present? We consider the three major views on this important topic.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

This week we finish Daniel’s dream of the four beasts by hearing how the angel interprets the vision. Kingdoms may rise and fall, but the Kingdom ruled by the “one like a son of man” will endure forever.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we continue our exploration of the Last Days be considering the events that are yet to take place that signal the End. After the Rebellion comes the Rise of the Man of Lawlessness, The Son of Destruction who will off the World “salvation” but bring only destruction and chaos.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

We begin chapter seven this week, the central chapter in Daniel. Daniel has a vision of four beasts that parallels Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2. Once again we see the turning of world empires, but now we see the appearance of “one like a son of man” who will rule God’s eternal kingdom.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we begin an exploration of the End Times by surveying Daniel’s Seventieth Seven and 2 Thessalonians 2.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

This week we take a sideline path to talk about prayer. With our nation’s political and economic crises looming over us all, how should we as the people of God respond. “Of all things, this must be first: pray!”

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

The story of Daniel in the Lion’s den is probably one of the most famous from the Hebrew Prophets. This week we explore this story and situate it in Daniel’s narrative seeing how it calls us to trust God when everything seems to be against us.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This seek we consider the major shifts in thinking that occurred as history moved from the pre-modern to post-modern times. Why is there so much hopelessness and despair in our world? When God is removed from the center of life and the Devil convinces everyone that he doesn’t exist, things fall apart quickly.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

This week we finish the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and turn to the humiliation of Belshazzar. As the grandson of Neb, Belshazzar should have learned from his grandfather’s life experience. Yet in his arrogance he defies the One True God of Heaven. The handwriting on the wall seals Belshazzar’s fate and the next Gentile nation comes to power, just as Daniel had foretold.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we fly over the main changes in history after the Reformation moving toward the Modern Age. With the rise of all the “isms” of the two centuries preceding the 20th Century, the world is reshaped by the spirit of the times which clearly seeks to remove the knowledge of the One True God from the center of human existence.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

We begin to look at the four “gifts” that Christ has given to His Body to equip the saints for the work of service (Ministry) - the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Pastor-Teachers. Are these gifted people still alive and present today? That is the first issue that we must deal with.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: the gifts

This week we finish the story of the Hebrew men in the fiery furnace and begin the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling - the final story in the first sequence of Daniel’s narrative.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

As we move from the Middle Ages and growth of the institutional and imperial church, we move toward the time of the Great Reformation. On of the Enemy’s greatest weapons is deceit and distraction. As we consider the history of this era we see that the institutional church of this age become “enslaved to an empty and deceitful philosophy based in human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world...” (Colossians 2). As the Reformers come on the scene, they seek to guide the church back to a Bible based, Christ focused way.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

We continue our discussion of the Body by asking the question “HOW do we pursue the purpose and mission that Jesus has entrusted to us?” The Way we do what we do is vitally important to pursuing the way of righteousness. This discussion opens the door to considering the Spiritual Gifts over the next several weeks.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

We review Daniel’s interpretation of Neb’s dream. In chapter three we begin the story of the Jewish men and the fiery furnace. Challenged to idolatry, the three Jewish men choose to worship God alone regardless of whether He intervenes. This chapter surfaces the deepest question in the Bible: “Will I worship the One True God alone regardless of what happens to me?”

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week, we move into the era of the church and take a “fly over” view of the years at the beginning of the Imperial Church. When we loose site of who Christ is and the mission He has left for us, everything else falls apart.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

Because we have been called out of the World, the Dominion of Darkness, to be part of the Body of Christ - the Church - we have been called into a Larger Story with goals that our beyond our ability to manage. We have been called to Oneness and only the Father working in the Son through the Holy Spirit in us makes the pursuit of this high calling possible.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we continue to consider how the Enemy raises questions that seek to divert us from following the truth and goodness of the One True God. We also consider how Jesus, our Victorious King, has stripped and shamed the “powers” and has destroyed the Devil’s tyrannical use of death to keep people enslaved through fear.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

Chapter 2 of Daniel begins the Aramaic section of the book that focuses on God’s dealings with Nebuchadnezzar. Troubled by dreams the King seeks someone to reveal both his dream and its interpretation. By God’s grace, Daniel is able to intervene. God reveals to Nebuchadnezzar the kingdoms that will rise and fall until the final, Eternal Kingdom is established.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Moving from the individual pursuit of Christ in our day to day lives, we turn to consider how we fit together in the Body of Christ - the Church. We begin to develop a VISION for seeing what the Body is, what its purpose and goals are, and the means that are available to pursue the Mission that Christ our Master has given us.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week we begin to consider the schemes of our Enemy by thinking about the questions that are raised in the stories of the early books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Will we listen to God’s voice or to some other competing voice? Will we submit to God’s gracious rule or will we seek to rule ourselves? These are just a couple of the key questions that we consider.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

Faced with the pressure to be assimilated into Babylonian culture, Daniel, Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah distinguish themselves among the other young boys trained in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. God is faithful in granting both the grace and the wisdom necessary for these young boys to be the people that He desires for them to be.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

This week, we conclude our discussion of the Core Exercises and 2 Peter 1 by bringing together all we have discussed over the past couple of months.

>>Download or listen to the audio here.

As we begin our study of the book of Daniel, we situate Daniel in his historical context and deal with some of the basic issues of the dating, authorship, themes and purposes of the book.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In our first class of Phase 1 we consider our two relentless and untamable enemies in the Great War: The Devil and the Sin that lives within us. We also consider the spheres or the contexts of their operations: The World and our Flesh. We need to know that we have enemies so that we can learn how to defend against their attacks.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: spiritual warfare

We conclude our discussion of the Three Core Exercises with an overview of service. As we seek our Father’s desires in prayer, study the Scripture with the illumination of the Spirit, we are led to follow the example of our Lord Jesus living a life of self-sacrificial love. The beauty and glory of Christ is displayed in a through us as we seek to follow Him in all that He is doing.

>>Download or listen to the podcast here.

Tags: exercise, service, jesus

This is week we consider the second of our core exercises: study. As we study God’s Word, we seek to be mastered by His word. We seek to understand His word in order to meditate on it and in this way hide His Word in our hearts. The exercise of study bridges the exercises of prayer and service.

>>Listen to our download the Podcast here.

Tags: exercise, jesus

We consider the second of our Core Exercises: Contemplative Study. As we commune with the Father, Son and Spirit in our prayers we add build on the foundation of our knowledge of the Written Word. As we pursue God in His word, we are seeking the Truth that will set us free and help us to grow in the intimate personal knowledge of Jesus.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: study, written word, living word

This week we consider the three core spiritual exercises that can aid us in both "escaping the corruption that is in the world produced through evil desire..." and "growing the grace and knowledge of Jesus." These three exercises are 1) Constant Prayer, 2) Contemplative Study, 3) Christlike Service.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: prayer, study, service

We continue our discussion of 2 Peter 1 and the seven virtues that we are to add to our faith. We look at the issue of "self-control" and think about what this means as an attitude of submission.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: grace, knowledge, jesus

In our last session we consider the remaining theories on the Rapture - the PostTrib, MidTrib, and PreWrath. The study of the Last Days is a study that should do more than give us a fascination with prophecy and end times events. Because all things are coming to together in the way that the Bible reveals, we are called and exhorted to live holy, godly lives making the most of our time because our Lord is returning to set all things right.

>Download the Notes for this class here.
>Download the Presentation for this class here.
>Download or listen to the Podcast here.

Tags: ss2008_LastDays

We continue our exploration of 2 Peter 1 by considering the first two "virtues" that Peter exhorts us to add to our faith: Moral excellence and knowledge. Before we can make any progress in growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, we have to intend to be people of moral excellence and pursue this in all things. This is the foundation for all the other virtues that we will consider. As Peter seems to indicate, these are the first steps in "escaping that corruption that is produced in the world by evil desire."

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: virtue, faith, excellence, jesus

This week we begin exploring one of the most controversial and debated aspects of the Last Days: the timing of the Rapture. When Jesus comes for His people, He will raise the bodies of those who are "asleep in Christ" in resurrection and He will instantaneously transform those who are still alive. The Scripture is clear on this reality. What is not so clear is the question of when this will take place in relation to the 70th Week of Daniel, the Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. This week we consider the Pretribulation view of the Rapture.

>Download the Notes for this class here.
>Download the Presentation for this class here.
>Download or listen to the Podcast here.

Tags: ss2008_LastDays

We continue our discussion of 2 Peter 1 and how we can "grow in the deep/rich/true knowledge of Jesus." This week we focus on how God's empowerment through His grace interfaces with our activity.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: growth, deep knowledge, truth, jesus

Daniel 9 and the prophecy of the Seventy Sevens/Weeks helps us to see how the New Testament correlates the events of the End with the Rise of the "coming prince" - the Beast, Antichrist. Paul said that the Day of the Lord would not come until the Rebellion comes and the Man of Sin (Antichrist) is revealed. This week we consider the nature of the coming Antichrist and relate his appearing to the Day of the Lord based on what we hear in Daniel 9.

>Download the Notes for this session here.
>Download the Presentation for this session here.
>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: ss2008_LastDays

This week we begin to hear what Peter tells us in the first chapter of his second letter. In the midst of false teachers, those who belong to the faith must be all the more diligent to "make your calling and choosing sure." In this chapter, Peter gives us some practical advice in living effective and productive lives for the sake of Jesus' kingdom.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: election, jesus

This week we consider 2 Thessalonians 2 in light of Jesus' teaching on the last days that we explored last week. The Thessalonians had been disturbed by a misunderstanding about the coming of the Day of the Lord. Paul writes to remind them that The Day will not come until two things happen first: 1) the coming of the Rebellion and 2) the appearance of the Man of Lawlessness. What are these key events? How will they mark the Last Days?

>Download the Notes for this session here.
>Download the Presentation for this session here.
>Listen to or Download the Podcast here.

Tags: ss2008_LastDays

This week we consider what Jesus taught on the Last Days in the Olivet Discourse. At the end of His ministry, Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple. From this the disciples ask Him "When would these things happen?" and "What would be the signs of the end of the age and of His coming?" This important teaching serves as a bridge between the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures as well as a foundation for the rest of New Testament teaching on the End Times.

>Listen to or download the Podcast here.
>Download the Notes for this class here.
>Download the Presentation for this class here.

Tags: ss2008_LastDays

We conclude our discussion introducing spiritual formation this week. We consider how the Holy Spirit works from the inside out to form Christ in us. We begin to discuss the tools that are available to us to cooperate with the Spirit.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: spiritual formation, jesus

We begin our study by getting our bearings in our current cultural climate. Eschatology - the study of the last days - is critically important to understanding our place in the times in which we live. In this first lesson, we consider when the "last days" began as well as the larger framework of eschatology in which we will pursue this study.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.
>>Download the Notes for this class here.
>>Download the Presentation for this class here.

Tags: ss2008_LastDays

Diagnosing our fallen condition is the first step in engaging effective spiritual formation. Dallas Willard diagnoses our key issue as "radical evil in the ruined soul." Before we can understand the knowledge, power and wisdom that are available to us in Christ, we must first own the fact that we are completely lost without Him.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: fallen condition, grace, jesus

We continue our discussion of discipleship by focusing on the idea of "oneness." Jesus does not just desire that we know about Him; He desires that we know Him. This type of knowledge is an intimate, personal knowledge that has as its goal being of "one heart and mind" with Jesus.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: jesus

We continue our discussion of spiritual formation by talking about the heart and soul. We will continue this discussion next week.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: spiritual formation, heart, soul, spirit, jesus

I had a fantastic time in San Antonio working with the students at His Hill. I think I learned more than they did! I was able to give a broad overview of the MilktoMeat curriculum in about 12 hours. This has really helped clarify what to do for a 12 hour “bootcamp” introduction to MTM. I would encourage you to check out His Hill and the Torchbearer schools. They are doing an awesome work training students in the Word, equipping them to live life for the glory of God in Christ. You can find out more about them here.

I appreciate all your prayers for this. Keep on praying for the opportunities that are still ahead to spread the truth of the Gospel. / ST

This week we get back into our discussion by talking about spiritual formation. Talk about spiritual formation is finally making some headway into evangelical circles. In order to understand this important aspect of our spiritual growth, we need to understand the reality of God's work in us from the inside out.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: spirit, spiritual formation, growth, grace, jesus

This week, we conclude our discussion of prayer by considering the question "to whom should we pray?" We know we can address the Father in prayer, but is it OK to pray to Jesus or to the Holy Spirit.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: prayer, the father, the son, holy spirit

This week we consider the last pieces of the Armor - the Helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. In a sideline discussion, we explore the reality of teachers who seek to steal the power of both the true Gospel of salvation by grace through faith and the Word of God - the Written Word and the Living Word Himself, our Lord Jesus.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: warfare, salvation, written word, living word

This week we consider the "feet prepared with Gospel of peace," and the "shield of faith." Remembering that a major thread in Paul's argument in Ephesians relates to the unity that should exist within the body of Christ (particularly between Jew and Gentile) we can place this passage on spiritual warfare in its proper context. The Enemy comes to distract and deceive and divide and in so doing destroy the unity and peace that the Spirit is seeking to cultivate. We also discuss the "root problem" in western Christianity - optional or unrealized discipleship.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: gospel, faith, discipleship

This week we get back into the flow of our discipleship study by discussing the first two elements in the Armor of God - the belt of the truth and the breastplate of righteousness. Knowing how to "put on" the armor practically that God has provided is critical to surviving the attacks of the Enemy, standing firm in the victory that Christ has already won for us.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: truth, righteousness

This week, since we have been off for several weeks, we review the larger picture and process of spiritual formation and discipleship.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: spiritual formation, discipleship

We have a restless, relentless and ruthless Adversary, the Devil. We must wake up to the reality that he is still doing his worst through his fallen apprentices on planet earth. Although he has been defeated and his doom is sure, he does not give up in trying to destroy the people of God. But greater is He that is in us than he that is in the World.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: our adversary, warfare

We have a lot going on in the first part of 2008. In February I will be teaching a four week overview of the Book of Daniel at First Evan here in Memphis. I have to cover 12 chapters of some of the most difficult material in the prophets in four weeks! I am praying for wisdom on this one. I will also be speaking at the ECS chapel on Thursday February 7. In May I will be teaching for a week at His Hill in San Antonio TX. Read More...

This week we consider the reality of the spiritual war being fought in our world and in the heavenly realm. We have an Enemy - an Adversary, Satan, the Evil One, the Devil - whose main goal is to persuade people away from the truth. In this session we place the Spiritual War in its larger context in order to understand the role we play in this War.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: our adversary, warfare, truth

We finish our discussion of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1 by considering the last two things he wants us to know: the riches of God's inheritance in us and the incomparable greatness of His power given to us. God not only loves us and considers us and appropriate and worthy eternal inheritance for His one unique Son Jesus, He has also granted us the power of Jesus' own resurrection to live an entirely new kind of life.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: security, satisfaction, significance

This week, we get back into the swing of things by doing a little review and summary. In Ephesians 1, after Paul tells us all the ways that God our Father is blessed in His blessing us, he prays that we might know three things: 1) the hope of God's calling, 2) the wealth of His inheritance in the Saints, and 3) the incomparable greatness of His power toward us who believe. As we know these things fully, we become equipped and encouraged to be the people that God our Father desires for us to be.

>>Listen to or download the Podcast here.

Tags: calling, inheritance, power