BeachCast.TV: Bible Exploration, Apologetics and Church History with Dr. Chase A. Thompson:

Two questions today: Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus? What could possibly motivate somebody to engage in the worst act of treason in the history of the world? We also look at Mary of Bethany, a hero of mine, and ask what is the greatest investment in the history of the world?

Today's episode is slightly different - we read a book based on Revelation 12 called, "The Baby Who Overcame a Dragon." an action packed and biblical retelling of the Christmas story. We also further discuss the deity of Jesus.

Two questions today: One a trick question that most will miss, and the other a discussion of the divinity of Jesus. Did Jesus claim to be God? Yes, He most certainly did, and we discuss several of the ways that Jesus taught that He was God, and why it caused the Jewish people to try and murder Him several times.

As many times as angels are mentioned in Scripture - almost 300 times, the Bible gives very scarce details as to what angels actually look like. On today's episode, we look at the longest descriptions of angels in the Bible, and find they probably differ greatly from what we had imagined!

How can we truly know we are saved disciples of Jesus? Did any of Jesus' disciples ever abandon Him? Today we discuss how Jesus said people will know whether or not they are His followers.

Today we discuss an important principle in the Bible that is taught in many different ways: The battle belongs to the Lord, Apart from me you can do nothing, Some trust in horses and some in chariots, but we trust in the name of the Lord. All of these are summarized by an angel's message in Zechariah 4: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD."

In John 6, Jesus teaches the Jews and His disciples that He is the bread of life. This teaching is so controversial and divisive that it causes the Jews to grumble at Jesus (who was previously very popular) and causes many of the disciples of Jesus to walk away from Him. Why did this happen, and what does it mean that Jesus is the bread of life?

In John 5, Jesus tells a paralyzed man that He has healed to stop sinning, "or something worse may happen to you." Does this mean that all of the bad things that have happened to us have occurred directly as a result of a particular sin?

Today we discuss the songs of Heaven sung to the Lamb in Revelation 5, which leads to one of the greatest mission stories in history: Dober and Nitschmann selling themselves into slavery to take the good news to slaves in the West Indies. A must listen!

Two topics today. First we discuss the amazing setting of the throne room of God, as described in Revelation 4 - the lights, the sounds, the colors - it must be incredibly overwhelming! We also discuss the future of Israel and Judah. Will Israel have long term peace? Will God's temple be rebuilt in its former glory?

Jesus treats lukewarmness in His church with the strongest possible language - but what does it mean to be lukewarm? As we look at Jesus' letter to the Laodicean church in the book of Revelation, we will find that it might challenge us in surprising ways!

On today's podcast, we discuss the chilling letter of Jesus to the church at Ephesus. This was a church that, on the surface, seemed to have it all - good theology, lots of ministry and enduring persecution...but they had lost their love, which put the existence of the church in jeopardy. Also: Great comment from a listener on the resurrection!

Two topics today: Does Jesus indicate in Revelation 1 that every church somehow has its own angel? Also, we discuss another strong thread of evidence that demonstrates the historical reliability of the resurrection of Jesus.

As He was dying, Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross that he would be with Jesus in paradise that very day. What and where is the Paradise that Jesus spoke of? Also - should Christians challenge and slander the devil?

How dangerous is ambition and wanting to be first? What kind of leader does Jesus call His followers to be, and how does He talk about greatness? Also: What should we do when we are dissatisfied or distressed about how God is answering our prayers - we'll learn the answer from the prophet Habakkuk.

Two questions today: Is there ever a situation that the Bible says that Christians should withhold hospitality from somebody? (Yes!) Also: What the does the famous verse, "The just shall live by faith" mean?

Two important questions today, one practical and one spiritual. Should Christians, according to the Bible pay taxes? Second question: Since John tells us that God will answer our prayers when we pray according to God's will, HOW can we know we are praying prayers that line up with His will?

Christians are commanded in the book of 1 John to "test the spirits." Does this mean that Christians are to actively seek out spiritual beings and test them on their theology, or does John intend something else in this seemingly mysterious command?

Christians in many western countries are not very accustomed to persecution for their faith, but when we read the Word of God, we find several promises that hatred and persecution will visit every Christian - how must we respond to this?

Jesus describes the condition of the world at the time of His return in a very interesting and perhaps unexpected way. Will the world be awaiting His return, just going about their business, or will trouble abound everywhere? Also: What teaching of Jesus caused the disciples to immediately realize they lacked the faith to follow it fully?

Two topics today. First: What is confession, and should we only confess to a priest or a pastor? Second: When terrible tragedies and troubles hit, how can we endure? Today we read the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus - the only parable with a proper name - and learn what our life should be based on.

Nearly 2000 years seems like an awfully long time for the church to wait for the return of Jesus. Why has He tarried so long? Does the Bible seem to indicate that the return of Jesus will be quick, or slow - can we know WHEN He will return? How should we wait?

In today's passage, Jesus will give us a practical parable with deep spiritual implications that will demonstrate God's habit of knocking the prideful down a few pegs, and uplifting the humble. We would do well to remember Jesus' command here because it is imminently practical and deeply spiritual.

Jesus is asked a a pointed question in today's passage: Will only a few people be saved? His answers is a bit mysterious and doesn't seem to directly answer the question, but He does seem to address it in other places in Scripture. Will only a few find Heaven?

Anxiety and Worry are probably at an all time high in the world today, but Jesus tells us in Luke 12 not to worry, not to be afraid, and not to be anxious. Since such a thing is easier said than done, He also gives us some keys/cures as to how we can NOT worry or be anxious.

Today we consider a profound and astonishing parable of Jesus on how to be effective in prayer. Does He really teach His followers to persistently pester God until He answers our prayers?

Some people have sold millions of books by alleging that there are hidden codes and mysterious messages somehow encoded in the Bible. Other people - going back hundreds of years - have taught that even the most basic teachings of the Bible have highly detailed hidden meanings. Should we chase after such mysteries?

Jonah was probably the greatest preacher prior to Jesus, seeing the largest city in the world at the time brought to deep repentance by his message, which led to God relenting from His plan to destroy Nineveh. Why did Jonah get angry at God for this act of mercy?

Parables a a bit like a riddle - kind of mysterious and not easy to understand on first listening. Why did Jesus use parables so much in His teaching - didn't He want everybody to quickly understand what He was teaching?

Today we talk about an activity that might, on the surface, seem quite harmless, but is in fact a deadly spiritual danger to us. Also: some great words from Charles Spurgeon on how to be content!

Today's podcast is a necessary challenge for us. There is a type of friendship that we can have that brings us into a hostile relationship with God. What sort of friendship is this, according to the Bible, and how can we avoid the horrifying reality of having God hostile towards us?!

In our passage today, jesus is confronted by a desperately ill man that is in dire need of physical healing. Rather than heal the man FIRST, Jesus instead does something astonishing that reveals this man's - and our - biggest need.

There is a narrative that teaches that all of the common people loved and embraced Jesus and followed Him completely, while the elite and the religious leaders rejected Him. In today's Luke 4 passage, we see a group of common, blue-collar people absolutely enraged at Jesus, and actually try to kill Him. Why do they do this, and what does it reveal about OUR own hearts?

Two topics today: First, John the Baptist calls people to 'produce the fruit of repentance." We discuss what that means, and how repentance is an action that moves away from one thing and towards another. We also grapple with how it could be possible to find any sort of joy in the midst of the hardest trials.

Two questions today: First: Who was the first named person to share Jesus with other people? The name might just surprise you. Second: Was Jesus raised in a Christian family? The question might seem a bit silly, but the answer points to a profound aspect of Jesus that some forget.

Today we discover the dangers of a "bitter root" growing up among the people of God, and that this metaphorical bitter root probably isn't at all what we think it is. We also focus on the key to continuing to follow God and be faithful through hard times - how we can run the 'race' well.

The Bible teaches that a Christian's first nationality is not his country of origin, but his country of destination - Heaven. What implications are there to Christians being strangers and exiles on earth?

We continue discussing the massive importance of the blood of Jesus today. Why is blood so important in both the Old and New Testaments. Also: Should Christians 'plead the blood of Jesus' in prayer, or is this some kind of superstition?

Two questions today: A listener wonders what his father is doing in Heaven and we discuss why blood is so central to Christianity. Why is it necessary for there to be blood poured out so that somebody might be forgiven?

Is God impressed by mighty warriors, amazing athletes, powerful people, or commanding leaders? It turns out that He is not impressed by those kinds of people at all, any more than you or I a are impressed by a larger than average flea, or a particularly powerful earthworm. What does impress God, and whom does He pay attention to?

Jesus has done so much for His people - living a perfect life without sin, teaching us the truths of the Father, and sacrificing His life on the cross for our sins, so that all who believe in Him by faith will be saved from wrath and given everlasting life in Heaven. But what is Jesus doing right now? Surprisingly, Jesus is still ministering and blessing His people, even after having done so much!

Hebrews 6 is a sobering chapter that ends on an amazing note, discussing the wonderful hope that is secure and steadfast and immovable in Heaven for all who are followers of Jesus. What is this hope, and what makes it so secure?

The first sermon in the history of the church was preached out of Joel chapter 2, which is our focus passage for the day. In this chapter, we find a wonderful - and troubling - description of the return of Jesus and the end times.

The Bible teaches that God's Words are living and active and can even judge the thoughts and motivations of humans. How can this be possible - how can words on a page have life and be active? How can words actually make judgments and lead? Today we explore a fascinating biblical truth and wonderful mystery: The Life and presence of God in His Word.

There are sobering warning passages in Hebrews, cautioning those who profess to be in Christ and warning them to not fall away. Does this mean that it is possible for a truly saved Christian to fall away from Jesus? Today we discuss this question, as well as the danger of the church seeking one-time decisions for Christ, rather than Christ-followers.

Many have been under the slavery of the fear of death - a fear so crippling that it can keep you up at night, and cause a cold sweat on your brow. In today's passage in the book of Hebrews, we learn how to overcome the fear of death - better yet, we learn that Jesus has overcome the fear of death for us. How?

Angels probably have an outsized importance in western culture compared to their role in the Bible, but it is quite true that angels are very important. Just how important are they, and what sort of role do they play in the life of followers of God?

Unity is critically important in God's eyes, and brings His great blessing on any people that are united together in love and truth. Jesus says it is a key to proclaiming the good news, and today's focus Psalm says it is like oil flowing down Aaron's beard. What in the world does that mean, and why is unity so important?

As this episode was recorded, the 2020 U.S. presidential election was too close to call, and the outcome was in doubt. What does the Word of God say to us in a situation like this? In such a divided time, how can we be encouraged if our candidate loses, or how can we avoid being hurtful if our candidate wins? + Worst dad jobs.

What is the blessed hope of Christians - the most important and hopeful thing that all Christians are looking forward to? Today we discuss that hope - when faith becomes sight.