Calvary Albuquerque with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

Legalism was a serious problem in Paul’s day, and it’s a serious problem today. Vibrant truth is exchanged for a narrow-minded list of do’s and don’ts. The glorious name of Jesus becomes a synonym for a gloomy killjoy. A legalistic Christian is a dangerous substitute for the real thing. Anyone living under this tyranny never feels like they are doing enough. Let’s get some help!I. Legalism Contradicts the GospelII. Legalism Contradicts ExperienceIII. Legalism Contradicts LogicTalk with God: Ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where legalism is taking over your walk and for peace to rest confidently in your salvation—through your faith in Jesus alone.Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer by reminding them of Jesus’ work in their lives.Talk with kids: What promises has God made to us?

An alarming report from one research group noted, “Our nation is facing a new public health threat…feelings of anxiety and depression have grown to levels where virtually no one can ignore what is happening.” Today, we consider the help available for our mental health. In this letter to the Philippian church, Paul gives us five steps that will improve our mental health.I. Rejoice in the Presence of GodII. Rely on the Power of GodIII. Recall the Provision of GodIV. Rest in the Peace of GodV. Reflect on the Purpose of GodTalk with God: Ask the Lord to guide your steps and provide wisdom and clarity as you seek to improve your mental health in accordance with Scripture.Talk with others: If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, ask a pastor, ministry leader, or mentor for prayer and practical support.Talk with kids: How were the people disobeying God’s commands?

If someone takes a substance or engages in an activity that provides temporary pleasure, but it becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, he or she is said to be an addict. Addictive behavior is widespread and is one of the reasons people turn to Christ. But even those who follow Christ can tend toward addictive behavior. We were born with a sinful nature. When we’re born again and have a new nature, sometimes the battle is fiercer than ever. How can we find help?I. We Have a StandardII. We Face a StruggleIII. We Use a Strategy  A. Reason  B. Reckon  C. Resist  D. ReplaceTalk with God: Identify a sin you’re struggling with and ask the Spirit to intercede for you “with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).Talk with others: If you’re struggling with addiction or addictive behavior, ask a pastor or trusted believer for ongoing prayer and spiritual encouragement as you go to battle with that addiction.Talk with kids: How has God rescued us from sin?

A Turkish soldier beat a Christian prisoner until he was barely conscious. He kicked him and shouted, “What can your Christ do for you now?” The bloodied soldier responded, “He can give me strength to forgive you.” One of the hardest areas in the Christian life is forgiving people (even other Christians) who have hurt us in the past. In this passage, let’s see what help Jesus can give.I. Forgiveness is DifficultII. Forgiveness is DivineIII. Forgiveness is DemandedIV. Forgiveness is Doable  A. Start Upward  B. Move Inward  C. Reach OutwardTalk with God: Ask the Lord to show you where you’ve chosen to hold on to hurt, anger, or bitterness, and ask Him for the strength to choose forgiveness.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer to pray for you as you work through any anger or bitterness you’ve been harboring.Talk with kids: Why did God have to punish Cain for his sin? How was God merciful, even in punishment?

Ours is not a reading culture anymore. Reading has been replaced by visual sound bites. And reading the Bible is a difficult endeavor, since it was written so long ago with cultures and practices that are now outdated. So, what are we to do? Isn’t it just easier to listen to sermons and pick up Bible truths from social media posts? It is easier, but not better. Let me give you some helpful tips.I. It Will Transform Your LifeII. It Will Challenge Your MindIII. It Will Delight Your HeartIV. It Will Clarify Your VisionV. It Will Stabilize Your FutureVI. It Will Guard Your StepsTalk with God: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you clear understanding and “ears to hear,” (Mark 4:9), as you begin your quiet times this week.Talk with others: Ask a friend or mentor to hold you accountable to read and study the Word consistently.Talk with kids: How did God show mercy to Adam and Eve?

Loving other people is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Even the closest followers of Jesus had a hard time doing it. Peter found it hard to forgive more than a few times (see Matthew 18:21). James and John wanted to nuke the Samaritans (see Luke 9:52-56), and all the disciples argued about their positions in the kingdom (see Luke 22:24-30). Here are some practical ways we can love both God and our neighbor.I. Learn to Hear PersonallyII. Learn to Judge AccuratelyIII. Learn to See DifferentlyIV. Learn to Act ImmediatelyTalk with God: Ask the Lord for wisdom in finding practical ways to be merciful toward a challenging neighbor this week (v. 36-37).Talk with others: Invite a neighbor or coworker to church and ask how you can support them.Talk with kids: Which of God’s characteristics do we see in creation?

The Bible opens with the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. After the first humans disobeyed and chose death, God graciously kept them away from the Tree of Life, lest they live forever in their fallen state. But now, at the end of the Bible, the Tree of Life reemerges in the garden environment of the capital city of heaven. Today, let’s consider our future home.I. Anterior DesignII. Exterior DesignIII. Interior DesignIV. Superior DesignTalk with God: Thank the Lord for His faithful love and gracious plan of redemption as we prepare to celebrate the birth of His Son.Talk with others: Reach out to a believer who may be hurting this Christmas season and encourage them to seek comfort from the “God [who] will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (21:4).Talk with kids: Why is Jesus’ return good news for Christians?

Leading up to Christmas, we will examine human history in the light of three trees: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the Tree of Life, and the cross of Christ. Today, we’re in the garden of Eden. Next week, we’ll be in the garden environment of the New Jerusalem. On Christmas Eve, we’ll consider the cross of Christ—where, after His betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane, He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree,” (1 Peter 2:24)—and why the Christmas tree has tried to usurp it.I. PerfectionII. PlungeIII. PenaltyIV. PredictionTalk with God: In the midst of this season’s busyness, be intentional to make time to “[walk] in the garden” (Genesis 3:8) with the Lord each day through prayer and the Word.Talk with others: Ask a friend who may be hurting this season how you can lock shields with them in prayer and acts of service.Talk with kids: What are some ways we can worship Jesus?

Driven by a divine calling and guided by God’s hand, Vitaliy and Natalia Smolin have dedicated their lives to full-time missionary work in Ukraine since 2009. Their mission is to share Christ’s love and His Word with everyone. They remain steadfast in the face of challenges—including the Russian invasion in February 2022—providing humanitarian aid to civilians and military personnel alike as they spread the good news of Jesus Christ and embody hope and resilience for the people of Ukraine.

Levi is the founder and lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, located in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and everywhere online. He is a best-selling author, podcast host, husband, and father of five, and travels the world speaking about Jesus. Levi is the author of several books, children’s books, and devotionals, including Through the Eyes of a Lion, I Declare War, The Marriage Devotional, and his latest, The Last Supper on the Moon. He and his wife, Jennie, co-host their podcast, Hey It’s the Luskos. Levi and Jennie have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.I. The Wonders of HeavenII. The Weight of GloryIII. The Word of GodIV. The Wounds and Worth of JesusTalk with God: If you’re in a season of suffering or overwhelmed by a trial in your life, focus your heart on the One who will carry you through to the coming glory (see v. 18).Talk with others: Sit with a fellow believer who’s suffering this week and encourage them to seek the Lord and find rest in Him.Talk wit

This sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? After all, to make such a statement seems to help out with the problem of evil that is so prevalent in our fallen world. If there is a God who is good and loving, can’t He throttle back on the pain and suffering, especially in the lives of His children? As we examine this statement today, we need to make four critical adjustments to our thinking.I. A Misunderstood Verse (1 Corinthians 10:13)II. A Misguided StatementIII. A Missing Perspective (2 Corinthians 1:9; 4:17)IV. A Meaningful Example (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)Talk with God: Meditate on 2 Corinthians 12:9 and thank the Lord that His grace and strength allow us to “boast in [our] infirmities.”Talk with others: As a family or Connect Group, pray for the families and members of our community who visited our campus for the Thanksgiving Pickup Party.Talk with kids: How does it make you feel to know God is always in control and He cares for you?

Money matters! But how much? And how much does it matter to you? To God? For generations, people have said, “Money is the root of all evil.” Is that statement true? Does it come from the Bible? Today, we will ask and answer a few questions in order to get at the truth of all this. I think we will discover that money is a lot like fire—it’s an excellent servant, but a terrible master.I. Where Does it Come From?II. What Does it Mean?III. How Should We Live?Talk with God: Meditate on Matthew 22:37 and ask the Spirit to reveal areas of your life where you’ve allowed the love of money to take root.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if they’ve noticed any idols in your life recently.Talk with kids: What should we do if others make fun of us or are mean to us for sharing the gospel?