Are Christians Better? (Part 2): Be Humble, Not Arrogant

Today we the short series on whether Christians are better than everyone else. You can find today’s episode in your favorite podcast app or in the player below:

Today’s verses are:

Luke 18:9 (NET) Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ʻGod, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.ʼ 13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ʻGod, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!ʼ 14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:8 NET “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host. 9 So the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ʻGive this man your place.ʼ Then, ashamed, you will begin to move to the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, go and take the least important place, so that when your host approaches he will say to you, ʻFriend, move up here to a better place.ʼ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who share the meal with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Philippians 2:3 (NET) Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.

Proverbs 11:2 (NET) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Are Christians Better Than Everyone Else? Part 1: The Humbling Truth

Today we begin a new series on whether Christians are better than everyone else. You can find today’s episode in your favorite podcast app or in the player below:

Today’s verses are:

Psalms 103:10 (NET) He does not deal with us as our sins deserve; he does not repay us as our misdeeds deserve.

Romans 3:22b (NET) For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Titus 3:3 (NET) For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior

Ephesians 2:8 (NET) For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.

1 Corinthians 1:27 (NET) But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, 29 so that no one can boast in his presence. 30 He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 4:7 (NET) For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?

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Training to be a Christian – Part 4: The End of the Game

Today is our final episode on training to be a Christian, and this time we’re talking about the end of the game.

Today’s verses are:

2 Timothy 4:6 (NET) For as for me, I am already being poured out on the altar; yes, the time for my departure has arrived. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 All that awaits me now is the crown of righteousness which the Lord, “the Righteous Judge,” will award to me on that Day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for him to appear.

Romans 8:12 (NET) So then, brothers, we don’t owe a thing to our old nature that would require us to live according to our old nature. 13 For if you live according to your old nature, you will certainly die; but if, by the Spirit, you keep putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. 14 All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.

Training to be a Christian – Part 3: Listening to the Coach

Today we continue our discussion on training to be a Christian, getting into the real day-to-day activities we should be implementing.

Primary Verse:

Philippians 3:12 (NET) Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. 16 Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained.

Other verses:

Romans 12:1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service. 2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

John 8:31 (NET) Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples.

John 13:15 (NET) For I have given you an example – you should do just as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Training to be a Christian – Part 2: The Training Regiment

Today we continue our discussion on training to be a Christian, getting into the real day-to-day activities we should be implementing.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

 

Training to be a Christian, Part 1: What You Give Up

In this first episode of season three, we are diving right into an important topic: training to be a Christian. Today we’ll focus on what we give up.

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What Does Loving God Look Like?

Today we explore what it means to love God – what does that look like?

John 14:20-21 (WEB) In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”

Four Flights, Three Semis, Two Rude Reps, and an Accident

God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good, right? So what about when things don’t go well? Today I’ll share my own personal experience with four flights, three semis, two rude reps, and a car accident.

James 1:2 (NET) My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

All For His Glory

While I was traveling on business this week, I came to a strong realization that all that happens is to glorify Him. We’re just going to begin this topic this week, and next week you’ll hear the rest of the story – something you won’t want to miss.

Our verses today are:

Romans 11:36 (NET) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.

Psalm 19:1 (NET) The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork.

Proverbs 30:8 (NET) Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread, 9 lest I become satisfied and act deceptively and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I become poor and steal and demean the name of my God.