The Living Streams Church Podcast

Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus, the core of Christianity. This future resurrection for believers is a promise worth dedicating our lives to Christ, just like Mary Magdalene's selfless devotion.

Palm Sunday remembers Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds celebrated. This event fulfilled prophecies and foreshadowed Jesus as the Messiah. Shortly after, the disciples asked Jesus about the end times. Jesus answered that the exact timing is unknown, but there would be various signs including wars, famines, and persecutions. These are not a reason to panic, but a reminder of a new world to come. The most important signs are the abomination of desolation and the Son of Man returning. Jesus’ teachings urged the disciples to be alert and prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom, while not being mislead or worried by worldly troubles.

In Mark 10, Jesus predicts his suffering and death while his disciples, focused on earthly power, miss his message. James and John seek high positions, revealing the disciples' ambition. Jesus corrects them, emphasizing that true greatness comes from serving others, as he himself has done by sacrificing his life. This passage highlights humility as the key to understanding Jesus' teachings and the path to true strength and fulfillment.

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMS ONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

The Bible offers guidance on navigating financial and societal challenges while staying true to faith. We should be responsible stewards of our finances, generous givers, and informed participants in society, all while prioritizing our relationship with God above worldly possessions and anxieties.

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMS ONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMS ONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMS ONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

While Jesus engaged in various practices like prayer and teaching, a key aspect of his ministry was being close to suffering. He calmed the storm not just to show power but to demonstrate his presence during hardship. He ventured into dangerous areas to heal the possessed man and the bleeding woman, prioritizing their well-being over his own comfort. Even when rejected by his hometown, he continued seeking opportunities to help those in need. This emphasis on proximity to pain serves as a powerful lesson for us, urging us to actively engage with the suffering around us, offering compassion, support, and practical help whenever possible.ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMS ONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMS ONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

Mark 3 portrays Jesus' growing ministry and its challenges. He heals a man on the Sabbath, sparking tension with religious leaders over tradition. His popularity attracts crowds, but also escalates conflict with the Pharisees. Even his family worries about his intense activity, seeking to intervene. Jesus responds by forming a new "family" with his disciples, emphasizing spiritual kinship over physical ties. Despite opposition, his message of God's love and discipleship continues to draw followers, reminding us of the eternal reward found in serving him.ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.org/connectINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

Mark's Gospel, written for Gentile converts, aims to prove Jesus as the Son of God. Despite the author's early abandonment of Paul, he matured and became a valuable minister. The Gospel builds toward the question of Jesus' identity, presenting evidence like his Sabbath teachings, where he challenged the Pharisees' restrictive interpretation and emphasized the day's intended joy and rest.Study further: https://livingstreams.org/mediaABOUT LIVING STREAMS Living Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ. #livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.org INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurch FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

Though Jesus faced hardship and temptation in the wilderness, this wasn't God abandoning him, but the Holy Spirit guiding him toward spiritual growth. Through fasting, solitude, and scripture, Jesus prepared for the challenges ahead, reminding us that spiritual practices strengthen us against the devil's deceptive tactics. Hearing God's Word (the Bible) is key to overcoming these deceptions, leading us closer to Christ and ultimately defeating evil. Remember, even Jesus faced a "more opportune time" for darkness, but through faith in him, we too can overcome.Study further: livingstreams.org/media

While yearning for Christ-like growth and closer connection, we recognize God's transformative power through practices like prayer and solitude. Accepting our varied stages in faith, we trust God to author and perfect our journey, multiplying His beauty, truth, and love within us as we humbly follow Him and spend time with Him in silence and solitude.Study further: https://livingstreams.org/media

Jesus' life provides a roadmap for preparing for what God has in store. While often associated with miracles, Jesus' power stemmed from daily practices like prayer, fasting, solitude, and serving. These "practices of engagement" and "abstinence" help us encounter God, curtail worldly desires, and develop a prayerful connection that equips us for life's challenges and empowers us to bring God's glory into the world. By looking to Jesus' example and implementing these practices, we can confidently step into whatever God has planned for us.Study further: https://livingstreams.org/teaching

Unlike fortune telling or gossip, prophecy is a divine gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit to uplift and guide God's church. It goes beyond human intuition, offering Spirit-led insights often aligning with Scripture, that may reveal future glimpses or serve to build up, convict, and ultimately express God's heart for his people. It's a powerful tool for edification, demonstrating God's active presence within his community.Study further: https://livingstreams.org/teachingsABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

While we celebrate Jesus' first advent with faith and his second with hope, it's love that fuels our present. Guided by Thomas Kelly's call to embrace our "joyous burdens" of love, we can delve into Psalm 84 for guidance. As pilgrims yearning for and praising the Lord, we should develop a heart for His house, a spirit of constant gratitude, and a willingness to walk the path He sets before us. Empowered by Christ, we can find joy in serving Him through the good and hard times, just as the pilgrims anticipated reaching Jerusalem. So, let's dedicate this year to practicing love, embracing our specific tasks, and journeying with a grateful heart towards God's kingdom.STUDY DEEPERhttps://livingstreams.org/teachings-collection/2023/12/31/heart-of-pilgrimageABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

Skip the fleeting joys of the world that crumble under life's weight. Instead, discover Biblical Joy: a confident assurance, rooted in Christ and empowered by the Gospel. This Joy shields you from despair, grants perspective on pain, and ignites your purpose. Find it by drawing close to Jesus, the source of this unshakeable Joy He gifted through His sacrifice.ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

The world lacks peace due to the pervasive influence of sin. The ultimate solution lies in accepting Jesus' sacrifice and establishing a relationship with Him. Jesus, born as the Son of God, is the divine manifestation that addresses the root cause of sin. Despite the mystery surrounding His simultaneous divine and human nature, He lived, died, and rose again to pay for our sins. This profound act of sacrifice, symbolized by His birth and crucifixion, brings peace, healing, and restoration to humanity.Study Further:https://livingstreams.org/teachingsABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

In his message to the Colossian church, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of the hope brought by Jesus, drawing from his personal experiences. He contends that this hope is so robust that it enables believers to find joy in their sufferings, as Jesus promises purpose in every moment of hardship, likening it to the meaningful pain of childbirth. Paul unveils the mystery of this hope in Colossians 1:27, revealing that Christ's indwelling Spirit is the key. Despite life taking unexpected turns, such as the loss of loved ones or health, Paul urges individuals not to succumb to despair. Instead, he contrasts unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol and narcotics with the redemptive alternative of receiving the hope that Christ offers, transforming suffering into endurance and stamina, emphasizing that embracing Christ means gaining everything.Study deeper:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/py6xzkhScriptures:Colossians 1:24-27 (ESV)ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

We are called to proclaim Christ with words and deeds, building a collective temple where God's glory manifests. By loving one another, we glorify God, bearing much fruit.Study further:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/fjgfkdkScripture:Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22; John 17:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Matthew 24:6-13; 1 Corinthians 12:28-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Ephesians 3:16- 19; 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

United as God's family, we strive for a healthy church that nurtures new believers, mirroring the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. Just as healthy families raise healthy children, a healthy church fosters healthy Christians. God's ultimate plan is to make us holy, whole and complete, shining forth His intended design. This is why Jesus' sacrifice was so profound. Healthy overseers safeguard God's household from disruptive influences.Study further:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/t9tbn9bBible passages:Titus 1:5-11; Titus 2:1-14; Titus 3:1-15 (NIV)ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

Finances that God provides for us is a ministry that provides for the needs of the saints, bringing thanksgiving to God and demonstrating our submission to Christ's gospel. Give cheerfully and willingly, as God loves such givers. God promises to provide abundantly for those who give in this way, enabling us to accomplish every good work and experience a beautiful, generous life. Jesus is our example, having sacrificed everything for us.Study further:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/vyb5yp7Bible passages:2 Corinthians 9:1-15 ESVABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

This Sunday we learned that the oikos was a much broader term than the immediate family, and that Paul's instructions for wives/husbands, children/fathers, and slaves/masters are all different from what we might assume. Paul calls for mutual submission, mutual self-sacrificing love, and mutual honor, all of which flow out of being filled by the Spirit.Study further:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/bj3724yBible passages:Ephesians 5:18, Ephesians 6:9 ESVABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

We all fear feeling unimportant. The world tells us that we need to be rich, famous, or successful to matter. We may try to compensate for this fear by working too hard, chasing money, or accumulating possessions. But the Gospel tells us that we are all important because we are created in the image of God. We are all uniquely gifted and need to submit to and support one another.In the Kingdom of God, our importance is not based on our race, ethnicity, gender, social class, or physical attractiveness. It is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ and the gifts He has given us. We are all called to use our gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ.When we live in accordance with the Gospel, we are no longer afraid of feeling unimportant. We know that we are loved and valued by God, and that we have a unique and important role to play in His Kingdom.Study further:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/9ysk5qkBible passages:1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8, and Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

Peter's first epistle is to teach followers of Christ how to use their individual lives to promote what God is building in our world. Peter likens what God is building to a spiritual house, and each believer is a living stone God wants to use to build His house. To explain what living good lives among the pagans looks like, Peter gives us a number of phrases in the Greek imperative form. We are to abstain from sinful desires, submit ourselves to every human authority, live as free people, show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor (government officials), and suffer for doing good and endure it well.Study further:https://livingstreams.subspla.sh/zhh9fzmBible passages:1 Peter 2:4-5, 1 Peter 2:11-17, and 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)ABOUT LIVING STREAMSLiving Streams Church exists to be a healthy local church that creatively expands God's kingdom. We always seek to display God's glory, build courageous people, and engage in society's pain. Located in Phoenix, AZ.#livingstreamschurch CONNECT WITH LIVING STREAMSONLINE: http://www.livingstreams.orgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/livingstreamschurchFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamschurch

A deeper discussion of some of the topics brought up in Sunday's Sermon, "Conflating Intimacies." In this Podcast Ryan Romeo and Alec Seekins discuss different kinds of loves and intimacies as well as a number of statistics that seem to indicate a trend of the shedding off of sexual boundaries leading to an increase in loneliness.Resources referenced in this podcast:Books-"Love Thy Body," Nancy Pearcey"Confronting Christianity," Rebecca McLaughlin"Them Before Us," Katy Faust"Gay Girl, Good God," Jackie Hill-Perry"The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self," Carl TruemanStatistics-Rise of Single Parent Homes: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr48/nvs48_16.pdfSexual Partners by Birth Year: https://bedbible.com/average-number-of-sexual-partners-promiscuity-statistics/Teenage Loneliness: https://www.transformationsnetwork.com/post/what-is-the-loneliness-epidemicStates Legalizing Gay Marriage: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-pace-of-social-change/Gen Z Gap in Sexual Partners Between Men/Women: https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/4479617/average-number-sexual-partners-generation/

In our confusing world, love and intimacy often get mixed up, leading to misguided connections that harm rather than nurture. To solve this, we're called to love one another, but our understanding of love is cloudy. The New Testament suggests that drawing close to Jesus can clear this confusion and transform us. The Church should then become a sanctuary of healthy intimacy in a world marked by loneliness and brokenness, especially for those in need. Achieving self-sacrificing love involves emulating God, adopting a new self, and aligning our minds with His will through an intimate connection with Him.

When we adhere to God's design for us, we help flourish a society that is assured amid life's challenges and when we have the hope of the presence of Jesus, dissapointments are replaced with fullfillments. Ultimately, God's framework for humanity is pivotal for creating healthy families and communities.

Today's culture poses a significant threat to the stability of healthy families, which are essential for preserving generations. This challenge stems from societal messages promoting individualism and the rejection of traditional family norms. However, a contrasting perspective grounded in the Faith that we find in Jesus highlights the significance of family dynamics, gender roles, and parenting based on Biblical principles. The relationship between a healthy family and a thriving church is emphasized, showcasing their mutual support and influence. Even if one doesn't come from a healthy family, there's hope in finding a new family within the Church because the Church is depicted as a place of humility, compassion, worship, and spiritual growth. Ultimately, a healthy family contributes to a healthy church. They are interconnected and the need to nurture both in today's society is pressing.

In the face of rising post-Christian influence in the US, Pastor David notes historical echoes of resistance, raising questions about challenges for Christians. Amid this shift away from Christian roots, how can believers sustain their faith?Informed by his mission in Ireland, where post-Christian impact is stark, Pastor David urges a wake-up call from complacency. Once a Christian stronghold, Ireland now grapples with spiritual void, cautioning against faith's complacent assumption. The call is clear: break isolation, confront darkness united, and rekindle faith's flame. Through acknowledging and seeking forgiveness, stepping out of hiding becomes possible. Baptism also offers newcomers a path to faith. The message is straightforward—don't retreat; stand strong, radiating faith amidst today's moral turbulence.

The profound message of the book of Hosea confronts the tension between human sinfulness and God's unwavering faithfulness. The central theme of "return" resonates throughout Hosea's teachings, reiterated twenty-two times. This theme spans the entire Bible, underscoring the need to reevaluate our alignment with culture, our misplaced trust in humanity, and our dilution of God's Word. Both on a personal and collective level, we must acknowledge our straying and embrace genuine repentance. We must prioritize prayer over posting, seeking God over news, lamenting over opinionating, and repenting over judging. Ultimately, God's mission is that of mercy, His desire to mend wounds, restore losses, and beautify brokenness, inviting all to return, heal, and find comfort in Him.

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Hosea highlights God's efforts to allure, establish covenants, yearn, and betroth His people to Himself. Amidst a society fixated on sexuality, Hosea's depiction of God's desire for intimacy might challenge our preconceptions. By distinguishing between intimacy and mere physicality, we can grasp the divine intention behind human intimacy. Hosea reveals that, much like a heartbroken lover, God remains steadfast in His commitment despite our shortcomings. This video delves into the sacred beauty of God's longing for intimacy, offering a transformative perspective that has the potential to liberate us from societal constraints.

Today's youth are significantly impacted by the forces of darkness present in the world, particularly through various media platforms like phones, social media, TV, music, and billboards. To counter this influence, the message of God must be even stronger and more prevalent. It is essential not only to guide and mentor the younger generation but also to instill in them the teachings of Jesus consistently. By doing so, we can help them become a strong and righteous generation, upholding the values of obedience to God and standing up for what is right. Irrespective of our backgrounds, we all have a responsibility to nurture and support the youth in our society.