JOEL 2 GENERATION PODCAST

After hearing a couple of messages recently at a Men's Retreat, I was given some new insights into what it means to be a Biblical Conqueror. This message is about those new insights. It is also about the incredible mindset and resources the Lord has given us to be such conquerors in our lives.

Psalm 82 has been almost universally misunderstood from the time of St. Augustine interpreting it as referring to "human judges." Rabbinic Judaism also abandoned ancient Judaism's original understanding.The notion of God's Divine Council (found in Psalm 82, Psalm 89, Job 1:6-12) proves to be a challenging concept because of our theological "traditions", but it was NOT a foreign concept in ancient Judaism, and for the earliest Christians.Thankfully, in recent years, many are returning to the original understanding of God's Divine Council, the Apostolic one!This short podcast is my attempt to simplify and explain the Divine Council and why it is critical for our understanding of the Biblical narrative.

If it weren't for the work of the late Michael Heiser, I would probably still not like studying the Old Testament. But that all changed when Heiser's work gave me the interpretive "keys" to understanding the so-called metanarrative.The release THIS MONTH (October 2025) of a new, expanded edition of Dr. Michael Heiser's most influential book, The Unseen Realm - Discovering the Supernatural World of the Bible, motivated me to revisit this topic, which is really a DNA message to understanding the Old Testament.Whereas many scholars would agree with ancient Judaism on the meaning of Genesis 6:1-4, the majority of Christian voices (from Augustine, to Calvin, to Wesley, and the majority of our popular modern-day Bible teachers and/or commentators) get Psalm 82 wrong. This message seeks to address our misconceptions.

After Jesus ascended to heaven, we know that He sat down at the right hand of the Father and lives to intercede for His Church until He Returns.However, we read of ONE PLACE where Jesus is no longer sitting, but standing.READ Acts 7:55-56 - When Stephen was being martyred for his boldness and faith in Christ, Jesus was STANDING at the Right Hand of the Father.On Wednesday afternoon, September 11th, 2025 - Jesus undoubtedly was once again standing on His feet, welcoming in His son, Charlie Kirk.As Tertullian famously said in AD197, "The Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church" - the more they persecuted and killed the early Christians, the more they multipled and the Kingdom of God expanded.As one pastor, Shane Winnings, has called us all to action in the wake of Charlie's martyrdom - YOU'RE UP!!!Will you answer the call???

This message is all about the meaning of "the Name of..." in its ancient, Biblical context, understanding. What is it to pray "in the Name of Jesus"? Why do many Christians treat it as some type of formula?Why is His Name so offensive?? Maybe the most critical/important part of this message.

The Divine Council is a central Old Testament teaching. I would argue that much of the Old Testament doesn't even make sense unless one grasps this concept. In a recent message on Zechariah 6, which itself is a Divine Council passage (revealing the outcome of a Divine Council meeting), I reviewed two of the most important Divine Council passages in the Old Testament: 1 Kings 22 and Psalm 82.Due initially to the abandonment of this teaching by the rabbis around the year 100AD, and for Augustine's influence later, the Divine Council concept has been at best ignored and at worst utterly rejected.Thankfully, in recent years, there seems to have been a recovery of this truth.

In AD 180, Charismatic ministry was very different than today. By God's grace, we need to somehow recover what was lost.Irenaeus (AD 180) - “Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform miracles, so as to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and speak the prophecies they have received. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are healed. Moreover, as I have said, even the dead have been raised and remained among us for many years. And what more can I even say? It is not even possible to number all of the gifts which the Church, throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which Christians demonstrate daily for the benefit of the unbelievers, neither deceiving them nor taking any financial reward from them [on account of such miraculous ministry]. For as Christians have received freely from God, freely also do they minister [to others]” Matt. 10:8 (Against Heresies, Book 2, Chapter 32, Section 4)

We have had this podcast now for nearly 20 years. As I've gone back, I realize that there are ministries and people mentioned, and even endorsed, that we can no longer recommend.Some of the ministries we would reject entirely - i.e., Todd Bentley and Fresh Fire. He marked, and to be avoided as an unrepentant sexual deviant. Other ministries still have good things but they have also had mixture, and/or have tolerated teachers/teachings that are false. Ideally, I will one day go back and either give a disclaimer on each podcast that endorses one of these teachers/ministries or will edit the podcast. But until then, I have put out this disclaimer.#mikebickle #ihop #toddbentley #freshfire #rickjoyner #morningstarministries #physicsofheaven #bethel #toddwhite #lifestylechristianity

There are a tragic number of Christians who have been deceived into believing that they can live their Christian lives WITHOUT attending Church. I meet them all the time. I have friends who have been taken in by this LIE. We were baptized INTO A BODY, and BY DESIGN we need God's people. To fulfill our mandate we must be gathering IN PERSON with God's people. There are things that God only supplies in the gathering.This is short message but an important one. APOLOGIES for the quality of the recording while I was driving

1 Peter 4:17 - For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of GodThere is a growing consensus that God is currently judging His Church and Christian ministries. Of course, He has always done so. It was happening in the 1st Century when the Apostle Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote the Epistle of 1st Peter. And it seems to be happening at an ever-increasing pace today. He's exposing sin and false teachings. He is shedding light onto lifestyles that are hard to imagine belong to followers of the one who said He "has no place to lay his head" (Matt. 8:20).It should be producing the fear of God amongst His people. It should be producing repentance in the ones being exposed. I am not sure it is producing either. I end this podcast by highlighting something else I believe God is judging - the very structure and nature of Church and ministries. I think many who are applauding the exposures and correction God is bringing are not yet discerning that it is celebrity Christianity that God intends to judge and bring down. The platforms, the money, the idolatry, the power/influence - He wants to renovate it all! It hasn't been healthy for the sheep, and it has effectively destroyed so many of the shepherds. I am sure that many will not get the memo and continue to pursue bigger and bigger platforms, will justify that pursuit in the name of "godly influence". The money will continue to flow - honorarium will get larger and larger, etc. etc. But if what I am saying is true, the cloud will have moved elsewhere. God's anointing will no longer be upon those who are sure it is upon them. God's Word says that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". That is where we are sure to find God's power as we insist on humility.

Many Easter messages miss what Christ did between Good Friday and Easter Sunday - NOT THIS MESSAGE. Starting with a line from the Apostle's Creed (2nd Century AD), we first explore arguably the greatest ministry trip Jesus ever took. And then, of course, the victory of it all - Sunday morning. This message will encourage you and inspire you. For such a time as this

A challenge to Christians who are SURE we are near the End of the Age.

There were 4 waves of Jewish migrations out of Babylon starting in 538BC. This episode focuses on the first 2 waves of that immigration. What were they called to do? What was the mandate they were given? What were the obstacles they faced?Their time has MANY parallel to our own. The call to "Leave Babylon" wasn't just for them, it is for us today. It is for the Church.

Continuing on in 1 Peter 3, we conclude with some further thoughts about suffering. God is NOT the author of evil and the causes of suffering are often the antithesis of His will. The second part of this message is all about a Biblical narrative and I would argue an interpretive key that many Christians have rejected (at least since the time of Augustine). Rightly understanding Genesis 6:1-4 from the ancient Jewish perspective and from the that of Jesus and His Apostles is critical to understand the evil we face today. Our Gospel mandate is BROADER than many Christians realize. I try to capture some of that in this message.

Part 2 of Unlocking the Melchizedekian Priesthood - Hebrews 6 and 7

Looking at the background of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Essenes, we explore WHY Jesus warned His followers to BEWARE of the "teaching" of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 16:6). What "teaching" was He warning them about? What did the Essenes believe and what did/do the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) reveal about the coming Messiah? We look at a couple of fragments from the DSS, in particular, the Melchizedek Document that reveal what they believed the Messiah was coming to do and WHO the Messiah would be. We can then better understand the purpose of the Book of Hebrews. This is part 1 in a series.

A re-recorded Part 2 where I cast the vision for this Advent Season - to prepare ourselves. To ask the Lord HOW we can be more holy, something we are commanded to be. This Advent challenge includes a call to fast - from food for some, but from social media.

This is the beginning of a message where I consider the idea of being a 'Remnant' in this hour. Defining the word/concept; what it means and also at least one of the dangers inherent in the term.The 2nd part of the message, I have decided to leave off as I presented the irrefutable evidence that Christmas is NOT a pagan holiday. I will share 2 blog links where I have presented the evidence.Title #1: Is Christmas a 'Pagan' Holiday/ (2023)Link #1 - https://joel2generation.blogspot.com/2023/11/is-christmas-pagan-holiday.html Title #1 - Is celebrating Christmas on December 25th something that came from paganism? NO.Link #2 - https://joel2generation.blogspot.com/2022/11/is-celebrating-christmas-on-december.htmlAdditionally, I shared an 8 minute video by Mike Winger (YouTube) where he completely dismantles the arguments that Christmas Trees are pagan. Title: "People are still making stuff up about Christmas Trees" Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BionQkX2i7w I will follow this message with Part 2 which is the challenge of entering Advent (which begins today) with the mentality of what God would require of us to prepare for what lies ahead.

Natalie shares a powerful message about the hour we are in and our mandate to both BUILD and BATTLE

What hour do we find ourselves in? What are God's purposes for His Church in this hour? Are we being set free from a modern-day "Babylonian Captivity"? Is God about to judge the "Babylonian System"? Is Donald Trump a type of Cyrus? Do Isaiah 45 and Isaiah 47 have something to teach us today?

Over 20% of the Gospel of Matthew deals with the Pharisees. Is this so that we can use them as our 'whipping posts' to illustrate all the bad things religious people can do? Or, did God have those verses included because we are more like the Pharisees than we realize? I believe the latter is the case.In this message, I share my own "pharisaical tendencies".I begin with a play off of Tim Hawkin's, "You might be a Redneck if..."My version - I might be a Pharisee if...…IF I AM THE SELF-APPOINTED CORRECTOR OF EVERYONE ELSE'S DOCTRINEIF I THINK THAT THE "SPEAK THE TRUTH" PART OF "SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE" IS THE "KEY" TO THAT VERSE… …IF ONE OF MY FAVORITE VERSES IS "THE SPIRITUAL MAN JUDGES ALL THINGS" (1 Cor. 2:15)IF PRAYING THE IMPRECATORY PSALMS MAKES ME OUTRAGEOUSLY HAPPY……IF I THINK THE “GIFT OF DISCERNMENT” MEANS KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG IN EVERYBODY ELSE'S LIFE IF I AM SITTING HERE THINKING ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE WHO REALLY NEEDS TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE…

I continue in 1 Peter 3 - basically, there are 3 sections to this passage. One of them deals with suffering in the Christian's life being God's will. Not an easy topic. Thus the title. But there are some other key things in this passage - Christ's "descent to the dead" from the Apostle's Creed (2nd Century) is referenced. Part of Christ's descent was His proclamation to the "spirits in prison" which is discussed in this message. I end with the importance of baptism which is often de-emphasized in modern Christianity. That was not the case in the Apostolic age and the early church.

The word submission is not a popular word. I would say it is a despised word. But it is also a Biblical one. The Apostle Peter writes some of the most challenging words in the New Testament when he instructs us to submit to human institutions, unjust employers (in the 1st century it was actual "masters") and within marriage. How do we reconcile the commandment to submit to these things while obeying God in other areas? Peter broke laws and didn't submit at times. What about abusive situations? We get into all of these things in this message.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. 11 They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory. 12 They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things angels long to catch a glimpse of.13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” 17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. 18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.22 You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 Forall flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off,25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

This is the final message in a 13-part series looking at the phenomenon of house churches in the Book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. In addition to considering the house churches Paul planted, visited, and wrote to, we consider again Paul's suffering in the midst of all the ministry he was doing. Paul's vision of the Christian life was radically different than what is preached in many churches today. Who should we be following?

The counterfeit ideologies that we find today in Western Culture want to root people's identity in their race/ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference.Our identity in Christ however eradicates those other false identities. Much of the church has even capitulated to these false/counterfeit identities.The Apostle Paul faced similar challenges in the 1st Century. He demonstrated that no other earthly identity mattered any longer if people were in Christ.In this message, we consider our TRUE IDENTITY in Christ. We also look at Gnosticism and how a modern version of it also attacks our Biblical identity and lifestyle as followers of Jesus.

Paul warned Colossian believers of "human philosophies" that were actually demonically inspired infiltrating the church in the 1st century. Today, many such philosophies have infiltrated the church as has been well-documented in Megan Basham's new book, Shepherds for Sale - How Evangelical Leaders Have Trade the Truth for a Leftist Agenda.In this podcast, we get into Colossians 2 and apply it to the Marxist ideologies that have infected many parts of the modern Evangelical Church. The Supremacy of Christ and His Gospel trump all of these man-made, demonic ideologies. #shepherdsforsale, #marxism, #critcaltheory, #criticalracetheory, #CRT, #intersectionality, #systemicracism, #MeToo, #whiteprivilege, #creationcare, #loveislove, #LGBTQ+

Hebrews 10:23-27, 29-31, 32-37 / 11:32-40 Deuteronomy 28There was simply no version of the modern "Prosperity Gospel" in the Early Church. The Apostles would not have recognized much of what is being preached/promised today to Christians.Many have walked away from Christ (I have known more than I can remember) because, and it was because troubles came into their lives as Christians and they got offended.Tragically, they were LIED to by well-meaning Christians - they were told that following Jesus would be easy, or pain-free, or simply a "Blessing Fest" - a life of constant and continual breakthroughs.That is NOT what happened to the Apostles. Nor was it the experience of the 1st Century Christians that received the Letter to the Hebrews.Hebrews also knows NOTHING of the Hyper Grace message nor does it a Pretribulational Rapture.#endurance, #problem-freechristianity, #prosperitygospel, #pretribrapture, #augustine, #luther, #calvin, #creflodollar, #joniearecksontada, #josephprince, #hypergrace, #oldcovennat, #newcovenant, #mosaiccovenant, #promises, #blessings, #curses, #covenants

What are the things that will steal our hunger for God? How can we grow in hunger for Him?

Part 12 in the Houses of Fire series - IMITATING PAUL Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey (AD 54-57) Acts 19:8-12, 20:6-12, 20:18-38A message that will challenge both the Evangelical and the Charismatic Christian: A challenge for the Evangelical because they will often find ways to minimize the possibility of living like the Apostle Paul due to his unique office and authority as a 1st Century Apostle. And, this message will challenge the Charismatic because so much ministry done by modern charismatics violates much of what Paul practiced and preached.Paul was/is an equal-opportunity offender! Acts 19:8-10 - "Reasoning and Persuading"Hall of Tyrannus? - “was either a building for hire, named after its owner, or the private residence of a sympathetic donor”Acts 19:11-12 - "Extraordinary Miracles"Kingdom Ministry = BOTH/ANDActs 19 - V. 8, 9 & 11 – Paul was BOTH “reasoning and persuading them about the Kingdom of God…reasoning daily AND God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of PaulImitating Paul? 6 NT passages where he exhorts us to do what he was doing!Acts 20:6-12•Sunday worship (first day of the week)•Communion included•In a HOUSE•LONG meetings (till midnight…Paul talked still longer…conversed until daybreak)•Miracle of resurrection1st Century Christian Calendar developing - Sunday worship and PentecostActs 20:18-38 - Paul's message to his Ephesian Elders*So, how Did Paul LIVE? *Humility – “with ALL humility”*Tears, Trials & Suffering = PART of following Christ) – imprisonments & afflictions*Public (Synagogues) & Private (House Churches) – Evangelism & Teaching*Jews & Greeks (for 10 years) *Message included REPENTANCE (not just faith)*Led by Holy Spirit*Dead to Self – Surrendered to Christ’s Lordship & Plan (v. 24)*Believed we are RESPONSIBLE (v. 26-27)*Warning - False teachers/teaching coming (v. 29-31)*Trusted in God’s Ability & God’s Word to keep them & grow them (v. 32)*Paul & the Prosperity Gospel (v. 33-35) – Giving – to who? - PAY ATTENTION CHARISMATICS!!!*Paul’s relationship with his team (v. 36-38)****AND WHO ARE WE TO IMITATE??****

Natalie's powerful message about HOW TO STAND - Isaiah 54:17, Ephesians 6:10-18 and Matthew 4 (Jesus' Temptation)

In this message, I look at the issue of dying to self and living a life of humility.I begin by comparing two very different Christians - Kanye and the Roman Catholic nun Frances Cabrini (1850-1917). Clearly, they were given two different "Sign-Up Sheets" for the Christian life. Frances finished well. Kanye is currently very confused calling himself "god".Many Christians today are not getting THIS MESSAGE. They are not being told that we must die to ourselves to begin the Christian life, and they are not being told that the Christian life is a life of ongoing humility. This is a radical departure from the way Christians have viewed the Christian life since the beginning. Going forward, we must get this right. We must repent from the self-focused messages that many pastors and leaders have tragically given and continue to give modern Christians.#deathtoself #selfdeath #humility #dyingtoself #pride #grace #kanye #cabrini #kanyewest

As Holy Week is about to begin, I start my message by slaying some of the 'internet myths' that many Christians have heard about Easter. (back in December it was all the Christmas is pagan propaganda and now that we are nearing Easter, it is the same mantra, "Easter is pagan"). So we settle these issues by answer these questions:Isn't Easter pagan?What about the word "Easter"?Wasn't Jesus crucified on Wednesday?Did Jesus rise on the Sabbath?After this, I look at the Biblical events of Holy Week and why we call certain days by certain names - Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.What happened on each of the days - and how can we reflect on these events devotionally as we approach Easter.I shared a PLAN for Holy Week that I found online produced by Backcountry Church - https://www.backcountry.church/trail2victory I get into the practice of fasting before Easter which was the universal practice of ALL Christians in the Early Church. The length of time varied, but it was clearly something that came down from Apostolic times. When Jesus said, "then my disciples will fast", the ENTIRE ANCIENT CHURCH believed that fasting before the celebration of His Resurrection was one of those times. No exceptions. I end the message by giving a corporate charge for pressing into to Holy Week and fasting before Resurrection Sunday.For such a time as this...

A powerful message from Natalie about not losing heart.Full of Scriptures (some well-known) and personal examples and illustrations. For such a time as this...

Insights from Hebrews 11 and 12 - trials are what produces faith in our lives and yet most Christians do not have the right view, the Biblical view of the trials they face.Natalie shares a powerful message that challenges the typical Gospel message and narrative that is so common in today's church. This is NOT one of those messages that tickle people's ears. Fasten your seatbelt.

WHY IS THIS TOPIC/SUBJECT RELEVANT?1. Because of a lot of Christian practices today2. Because heavenly encounters are increasing and will continue to increase in the days to come3. Because we need to understand God's role and our role in such encounters4. Because we need to know how to stay safe and be protected5. Because we need to be Biblically groundedThis podcast looks carefully at several angelic visitations - we look at what the people were doing, how they were living, and the nature of the visitations. Who initiated? Who addresses the other first? Who gives the instructions? Who obeys? In this podcast- We look at Daniel's encounter.- We look at Zechariah's encounter.- We look at Mary's encounter.- We look at all of the Apostle John's encounters in Revelation- We look at Cornelius' encounter.- We look at Peter's encounter- We look at one of Paul's encountersSUMMARYWe find the same pattern with Daniel, Zechariah, Mary, Cornelius, Peter, Paul and John* Heaven initiates heavenly encounters* Heaven initiates IN those encounters* We respond to heaven’s initiation*We can position ourselves by living godly lives, lives of prayer and fasting*We do not command angels! How/when do we interact with them?*We ASK GOD … we TALK to Him - For our own protection & the angels? *We deal RUTHLESSLY with envy & jealousy of those who have 'seer' gifts we do not.*Remember: God has covered many of us in our foolishness Let’s REPENT tonight if we have tried to initiate encounters or have done any of these practices. If we have envied others.

Disclaimer - This teaching is LONG. Disclaimer #2 - it is important because many Christians believe it is their mandate to command/rebuke/bind so-called "Territorial Spirits". This practice has become known as doing Strategic Level Spirit Warfare (SLSW). Other parts of SLWS include "Spiritual Mapping" and Identificational Repentance".I used to practice many of these things. Hundreds of thousands of Christians, if not millions, are regularly engaging in SLSW. In this message, I will be demonstrating that this type of SLSW is not only unBiblical, and was not done throughout Church History, but will make the strong case that we do NOT have the authority to do it, and because of that they are dangerous practices.But, "Don't we have "all authority""? I deal with this all-important question. We do have authority - to fulfill OUR MANDATE. And where is our mandate? ON EARTH. Not in the 2nd Heavens. We can and do have a role to play in prayer and I will make that point over and over again. We talk to GOD and GOD ALONE about these matters. We ask Him to battle, to release Angels to engage these entities. That is the Righteous Angels' mandate! Not ours. We pray. Angels engage.#SLSW #bindingandloosing #fallenangels #angels #territorialspirits #authority #prayer #spiritualwarfare #intercession #princeofpersia #daniel10 #psalm82 #deuteronomy32 #divinecouncil #archangelmichael #theLordrebukeyou #secondheavens

RELATED WORDS/CONCEPTS to address our “self-deception” Envy - painful or resentful awareness of an advantage or possession (situation) enjoyed by another and the desire to possess the same thing. Theological: Sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others. Jealousy – synonym of envyCovetousness - the feeling of having a strong desire for the things that other people have (situations/circumstances/ministries) DiscontentmentFOMO – Fear of Missing Out ResentmentBitternessJames 3:16 - For where you have envy (jealousy) and selfish ambition (selfishness), there you find disorder and every evil practice. (NIV) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (NASB) “evil of every kind” (NLT) “confusion and every evil work.” (KJV) “every vile practice” (ESV) “every kind of evil.” (HCSB) “chaos and every evil thing.” “confusion and every perverse work.” “insurrection and every evil matter” ORIGIN of DEMONIC REALM - Satan / Satan’s Fall – Who? When? What?Ezekiel 28:13-15 – 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God...14 You were an anointed guardian Cherub; I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. Isaiah 14:12-14 - “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star/shining one/O Lucifer, son of Dawn! What was the devil’s 1st sin? Pride or Envy??ANCIENT JEWISH COMMENTARY - But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are allied with him experience it. Wisdom 2:24 COMMENTARY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS Irenaeus (AD 180) - For he [the devil] was envious of God's workmanship ...becoming envious of man, he was rendered an apostate from the divine law. Tertullian (AD 210) - the malignant being who, in the beginning, regarded them with envious eye. Cyprian (AD 250) - he broke forth into jealous and malevolent envy. ...How great an evil it was... that caused an angel to fall! THE SECRET OF THE AGES - CONTENTMENT - Phil 4:11 - ...I have learned to be content (to be satisfied) regardless of my circumstances 1 Cor. 13:4 - ...love does NOT envy (therefore envy = hate)Gal 5:19-21 - Envy = work of the fleshOvercoming Envy? 1. Agree that it is SIN, MY SIN? (the devil’s original sin). Serious. 2. Know/Believe = open door for ALL evil3. Learn to be content (wage war on discontentment)4. Grow in love (love does NOT envy!) 5. By the Spirit...STOP - Galatians 5:25-26 6. Put it away/Get rid of it (1 Pet. 2:1) – So, put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander 7. Fixing our eyes upon Jesus! (not on others) – Social Media? 8. Thankfulness

This is an unusual message. And even the title will be confusing to some as we are NOT in the year 5784 as many believe. According to the most ancient Hebrew calendar, we are actually in the year 7576. A change the rabbis made to the Hebrew Bible's chronology and therefore the Jewish calendar nearly 100 years AFTER Christ. And they did that for a very specific reason that I explain at the beginning of this message. Advent has all but been lost in our day and age. We begin celebrating Christmas often right after Thanksgiving. By the time we get to Christmas, everyone is mostly ready to think about the New Year. Historically, Advent was the season leading up to Christmas wherein believers reflected upon what it was like BEFORE Jesus came. Advent songs are somber and reflective. In this message, I attempt to capture the dire situation humanity was facing before Christ came to earth. I look at the effects of sin, of angelic rebellion, and the pollution/corruption they introduced. Advent was a time when Christians focused on the problems that Jesus came to address, to solve. I stopped the recording to cast a personal vision for our church to REDEEM Advent this year. If you'd like to hear that, email me at: [email protected] and I'll send it to you.

It is incredible how we can read Acts and see a verse like Acts 15:41 - "And he [Paul] went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." And what we don't realize is that there were NO CHURCHES at that time as we would envision or experience churches today. Paul wasn't doing "conferences" at First Baptist Berea or Philippi Pentecostal Assembly. He was visiting churches that met in people's homes. This was the center of 1st-century Christianity.In a series entitled, Houses of Fire, we continue working through the Book of Acts looking at the phenomenon of the House Church. Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey is the focus of this message - beginning at the end of Acts 15 and ending in Acts 18.

One of the greatest theological questions that has ever faced the church (or should I say "the church since the 5th century"?) is, "What did the Apostle Paul mean when he penned Romans 7?"Was Paul talking about his present struggle with sin in the passage or was he referring to either his life before Christ (or the life of someone else outside of Christ)?For many years of my Christian life, I sided with St. Augustine (who actually changed his position) and the Protestant Reformers that Paul was talking about his current life struggle with sin. And due to that "tradition", many Christian leaders today continue to teach that the Apostle Paul was simply being honest in his ongoing battle with sin. It seems so humble of him and teachers will argue provides a great example for us. HOWEVER, was that the way Paul intended his chapter to be interpreted? The ENTIRE EARLY CHURCH for over 300 years with a single, uniform voice (whenever they addressed this passage) did NOT BELIEVE PAUL WAS WRITING ABOUT HIS CURRENT STRUGGLE WITH SIN.In this podcast, we look closely at Romans 7 (and also Romans 6 & 8) to arrive at the Apostolic Understanding (yes, and by 'Apostolic', we mean what the Apostle Paul himself meant when he wrote Romans). Get ready to have your 'tradition' challenged as it may not be Paul's!

In this message, we consider Acts 14 and slay the "myth" that the Christian life is somehow problem-free. Paul's life was anything but problem-free. Somehow through nearly 2000 years of Church History, a "version" of Christianity has been (is being) preached that gives people the impression that following Jesus amounts to life enhancement and the disappearance of problems. It may not be stated as such, but it is often implied. It is a version of the so-called "Prosperity Gospel" which Paul's life completely undermines. It is truly ANOTHER Gospel that is being presented by advocates of the Prosperity Gospel (ironically, they completely misuse/abuse Old Testament promises that not only do not apply to them, but as part of a covenant that required the death penalty for multiple reasons - something they "conveniently" overlook!!!)Can we eliminate many of the problems that might be a part of life? - Sure, if choose NOT TO LIVE as radical disciples of Jesus preaching the Gospel! But, if we live as faithful followers of Christ who preach the Gospel (that demands repentance), then we will be persecuted - we will face tribulation.

Philippians 2:1-17 (ESV)1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Natalie shares a powerful teaching from John 15.It is time to bear fruit. If the pruning time is over, then it is FRUIT TIME!

We begin by reviewing what a New Testament False Prophet was/is and more importantly IS NOT. Many today are being called "False Prophets" who according to the New Testament are not. Next, we turn back to Paul's 1st Missionary and look at HOW Paul shares the Gospel in Acts 13. What was his message? Who was his audience? Who we are sharing the Gospel with will determine how we share the Gospel. What is the worldview of our audience? Paul is communicating the Gospel in Acts 13 in Jewish synagogues to a Jewish audience (and/or Gentiles who have been influenced by Judaism). Today if we are sharing the Gospel with New Agers we will need to apply the Gospel quite differently and adjust our message. Or to Muslims. We need to be prepared for the audience we may have. Paul was clearly prepared to communicate the Gospel in a Jewish setting!Some aspects of the Gospel message need to be communicated to every type of listener - the death & resurrection of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and the freedom from sin that is available through Christ alone!The Gospel will also elicit many different responses - we see this in Acts 13. Excitement. People influenced and wanting to hear more. New disciples. But at the same time - anger, jealousy, people provoked. So much so, that sometimes it leads to violent opposition. Popular acceptance AND violent rejection. If today we are communicating the Gospel accurately, we too will find the same types of responses - whether in individuals and/or groups.We end this message with a challenge to be prepared to share the Gospel which means knowing the beliefs of our hearer(s) and knowing how the Gospel specifically addresses what is lacking in their belief system. We also moved into a time of ministry where we prayed for people who needed forgiveness, who needed freedom (from sin)., and who wanted to be filled afresh with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52)

Natalie shares a powerful message about giving God full access to every area of your life. In so doing, He will give us more; He will entrust us with more. This in short is about complete and total surrender. This message is anointed. Ask God for ears to ear, and allow Holy Spirit to speak to you. For such a time as this..

It was in the fulness of time, the PERFECT TIMING that Christ came. The fulfillment of prophecies from thousands of years earlier, including the 5500-year prophecy that ancient Judaism and the early Christians believed was given to Adam when he and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.The world was ready for the spread of the Gospel - a Roman Empire characterized by peace, roads built and a unifying language (Greek) - and the Jews had a Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, that fit into all of this - the Messianic prophecies contained within and a chronology that pointed to the time of Christ as the fulfillment of the 5500-year prophecy. The later Rabbis removed 1500 years out of their Hebrew Old Testament (that became the Masoretic text) to discredit the Septuagint (LXX). Why? To discredit the belief that Jesus of Nazareth was/is the promised Jewish Messiah!In Acts 13, we meet a "false prophet" and interestingly, that term is used and abused by many Christians today who have little idea what the New Testament and the earliest Christians believed false prophets to be. Today, misusing OT passages that NO LONGER APPLY because they are a part of the Old Covenant that ended/passed away, Christians often think (I call it "the Myth of the False Prophet") that if a Christian prophetic person/prophet misses a prophetic word or gets it wrong that that makes them a "false prophet". Unfortunately, that is NOT what a false prophet is in the New Testament.Beyond the New Testament, the earliest Christians had ways that they "tested" for false prophets - IF ONLY WE USED THEIR TESTS TODAY! In short, if $$$ was involved, the so-called 'prophet' was to be rejected! Supernatural ministry was not linked to finances in the early church. OH, THE WISDOM!!! And if any supernatural ministry today is charging money (requiring $$) for their supernatural ministry, then RUN from it!!! Should those in supernatural ministry (prophetic, healing, deliverance) be supported??? ABSOLUTELY. But not "for" their the use of their gifts!!! Charging $$$ for supernatural ministry was considered a serious sin in the early church. So we delve into all of these topics - the timing of Christ's 1st coming, false prophets vs. true prophets today and ultimately end by discussing the prophetic times in which we are currently living. What is God saying?

There is arguably no greater story in Biblical and Church History that the collection, translations, canonization, and preservation (or as you shall see the attempts to corrupt the text) of the Old Testament Scriptures. Everyone is the product of a "Tradition" and we will look at some of them.The main question that is looked at is why there are differences between the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX) of the Old Testament. The New Testament writers quote the LXX 80-90% of the time and most often their quotations do NOT match what we find in our Old Testaments. Why is that? How did the MT and the LXX become different?What about the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) - which contained mostly Hebrew and some Aramaic Old Testament scrolls and fragments? They are more than 1000 years OLDER than the extant MT manuscripts we possess (from around 1000AD).What you will learn is that the rabbis "attempted" to corrupt/change/alter the Hebrew Bible by tampering with Messianic prophecies that clearly pointed to Jesus as their Messiah. The timing of His coming, the nature and scope of His Mission, and even His very identity.But thank to God's sovereignty and to the work of Textual Criticism, we can know what the Original Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures contained!God preserved His Word and often did so in an unusual manner. To think a translation into another language (i.e. the Greek Septuagint from nearly 300 years BEFORE Christ) reveals the original Hebrew better than the MT Hebrew text that was only canonized around AD100 (400 years later). To think that God would use the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (from 1947 to 2017) to in many cases confirm that it was the LXX that reflected the Hebrew original Tanakh better than the existing Hebrew Tanakh.This evidence flies in the face of what many of us were taught in our seminaries and Bible colleges. I for one was told that the Masoretic Text (MT) that my Old Testament was based upon (I was using the NASB) was meticulously preserved and copied. The memo I got was that I could "trust" my Old Testament and that because it was translated from the MT, it was as closer to the original Hebrew than any other textual tradition could provide. This is simply a MYTH. The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls end up "correcting" the MT text in many places where the actual text of the Hebrew was modified by Rabbi Akiba and others between AD90-AD110 - close to 100 years AFTER Christ. To think we would trust unbelieving rabbis who rejected Jesus as their Messiah who were doing all they could to stop the growing Christian movement! And in this podcast, I provide a number of actual examples of where they altered and changed their Hebrew Bible from its original.Thankfully, God has preserved for us the Old Testament. And for the first time in history, a critical text of the Hebrew Old Testament is being worked on. It is called The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Edition (HBCE) which so far only has the book of Proverbs completed. We have had a critical text of our Greek New Testament now for more than 150 years. By comparing ALL of the extant Greek manuscripts, it has been estimated that we can know we have the text of the original New Testament to an accuracy of 99.5%. A critical text of the Old Testament will accomplish the same thing. Thankfully today, we have many Old Testament translations - like the ESV and NET that incorporate the LXX and the DSS and when they "correct" the MT, they will render the English accordingly.

A message from Natalie out of the Epistle of 2nd Peter which challenges ideas that many Christians have about "freedom". In the name of "being free", many are actually getting hardened, saying yes to sin, and actually getting deceived.Here is the key Scriptural passage - 2 Peter 1:1-151 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 8 For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; 11 for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you. 12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth which is held firmly in your grasp. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to inspire you by reminding you, 14 knowing that the laying aside of this earthly tent of mine is imminent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind.

Acts 11:27-30 – What? Prophets in the Church? No epistles by Agabus? / "Foretelling” / Prophets from JerusalemResponse: People believed and acted GIFT OF PROPHECY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH - QUESTIONS1. Difference between OT Prophets and NT Prophets – Authority in OT vs. NT?2. Who can prophesy in the NT? Who can be prophets? 3. What do we do with prophetic revelation in the NT? 3. Prophetic Gifts vs. Prophet(s) - Office4. What are the prophetic gifts?5. Why would we still NEED prophetic gifts? We have the Scriptures.6. Types of Prophetic Revelation 7. How do you get prophetic gifts?8. How do you grow in prophetic gifting?9. Our role? God’s role? (sovereign)10. Current Misuse of the Prophetic Gifts11. What if a prophet makes a mistake? (Deuteronomy 13)12. Does making a mistake make one a “false prophet”?RELEVANT NT PASSAGES ABOUT THE GIFT OF PROPHECYActs 2:6-8, 42 - 42 ...devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching 1 Cor 12:1, 4-11, 27-311 Cor 14:1, 3-5, 22-25, 26-32, 37-40 1 Thes 5:19-21 Acts 13:1-2 Acts 21:8-14 - 8 Eph 3:3-5 - 3 Eph 4:11-13 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OT & NT PROPHETSOT & NT Prophets receive revelation NT Prophets do NOT have the same authority as OT Prophets!No OT command – “Test everything" or “Let the others judge”Old Testament Prophets established/defined doctrineThe Apostles (who all prophesied) established/defined doctrine in the NT – Today??NT Prophets were NOT establishing doctrine, defining doctrine!Discern times (spirits), edify/encourage/console, direction, warnDID THE GIFT OF PROPHECY CONTINUE AFTER THE APOSTLES??Didache & Shepherd of Hermas – $ = False ProphetJustin Martyr (AD 160) - The prophetic gifts remain with us, even to the present time….Now, it is possible to see among us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God. Irenaeus (AD 180) - ...perform [works] in His name, in order to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift that each one has received from Him. Some truly and certainly cast out devils. The result is that those who have been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come. They see visions, and they utter prophetic expressions. Still others heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and the sick are made whole. ...for the benefit of the Gentiles, neither practicing deception upon any, nor taking any reward from them. For, just as she has received without charge from God, so does she minister without charge. ... has worked miracles for the benefit of mankind, and not to lead them into error. The name of our Lord Jesus Christ even now confers benefits.... many brethren in the Church who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men.