Bethel Lbc Podcast

Does the Bible sometimes seem like foolishness? To some it does, and the passage that addresses that exact topic is the focus of this message. When we get something at a restaurant that we didn't order, it's hard to understand that the order may have been changed for our own good. A thought provoking message from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. We also refer to Ezekiel 20:5, Isaiah 43:10, Deuteronomy 7:6, John 15:16, James 2:5 and Romans 1:7.

Many people have had nicknames as they go through life, and in American Culture, sometimes the nickname is more meaningful than a person's legal name. What's in a Name? There can be much meaning in a name. In this message, Pastor Craig speaks of this very matter as he illustrates a basic Biblical truth of "Justification by Faith."

This message for the First Sunday in Lent uses the sometimes convicting book of James and makes it understandable with an illustration of a shower we take to get ready for a date. If you aren't really getting clean, it may be your self-imposed ideas that prevent you from getting spiritually clean. Listen for this interesting and inward looking message of challenge and hope from God's Word.

Most everyone has times when they can say that the Bible is hard to understand. Pastor Craig tells us how to "lift the cover" off of the mysteries of God's Word. Based on 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:6, this message quite plainly illustrates how the understanding of scripture was covered up from the ancient people of Corinth, and how the same thing happens to us today. The simple key to opening up scripture is found simply. Listen and find out.

The Super Bowl and the upcoming Winter Olympics set the stage for this week's message about how Paul, addressing the Corinthians,uses athletic terminology to challenge us in our faith. The text comes from 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 and speaks to us today, no matter what team or what individual you cheer for.

In this message preceding the Super Bowl LII, Pastor Craig relates how guys like to be included in groups of other guys, but our knowledge and arrogance prevents newcomers in. With humor and with insight, this message points out how Christians are truly supposed to live and love.

Using a variation of a familiar term from the Iraq War, Weapons of Mass Devotion are what cause a conflict within us for what we remain faithful and devoted to. The reading is from 1 Corinthians 7:29-35 can be heard and taken the wrong way if we're not careful. Where do our Weapons of Mass Devotion take us? Do they take us within ourselves to worship the false gods within us? Or do they take us to the devotion to Almighty God? Listen to this interesting message for a revealing message for every Christian who struggles with their faith.

Pastor Craig brings an ancient Corinthian principle down to a modern-day lesson we all need to learn from: how to live out our lives as Christians, in particular, as it relates to old church practices and behavior. Using Paul's lesson of eating or abstaining from certain meats that had been sacrificed to idols, as opposed to the sexual promiscuity that goes on around us, we learn that we are bought with a very high price, and we are to live like it.

This week, Pastor Craig commemorates the Christian observance of Epiphany, and the Apostle Paul who calls this event a "mystery", a mystery that includes some twists and turns, a mystery that has a surprising ending. The reading comes from Ephesians 3:1-12, but we also refer to these passages: Luke 2:15, Matthew 2:2, Psalm 19:1ff, Matthew 25:31-46 (emphasis on v46) and Matthew 11:28-30.

In this Christmas episode of the sermon series, Pastor Craig discusses how we should live as the Christmas Holiday gives way to the New Year and the new life we have in Christ. Think about the clothing we wear, think about how we pray. Who are we trying to impress? This podcast discusses those issues. The main reading is from Galatians 4:1-11. Also included are these Bible passages: Job 29:14 Isaiah 59:17 Epheisans 4:22, 24 Galatians 5:1 Psalm 46:10

Pastor Craig reviews the lessons we've covered thus far in Advent, and concludes the fourth Sunday in Advent with a challenge to bring Peace to your family gathering as you gather for Christmas. The main text is a small portion of Luke 2, verses 13 & 14.

For the Third Sunday in Advent, Pastor Craig relates the story of the shepherds, out in the fields watching their sheep, when everything changed, and those shepherds heard a story of great joy. As the Christmas Season continues, we stay true to the spirit of Advent, preparing our hearts for the coming Savior.

On this second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Craig discusses the meaning behind the second candle we light this week. Love is a fun subject, and we all like to be loved. Our challenge from scripture is to love like God loves, to love like Jesus loved. Drawing from the encouragement of 1 John 4:7-19 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, we can get some practical advice on "Our Reason For Love".

As we begin the New Year on the church calendar, we observe the First Sunday of Advent. This Sunday of Hope is when we look forward to the coming Christ Child, and there is reason we have a solid hope. In this message, Pastor Craig illustrates how we often think of hope as hopeLESS and not hopeFULL. There is lots of things that bring hopelessness, but we have expectation that the coming Christ is our hopeFULLness.

On the last Sunday of the Church year, Pastor Craig challenges us to recognize "Christ the King". By putting our country, our politics and our personal lives before the throne of the One True King, we can see how easy it is to get it wrong. This message gives simple comfort and peace by recognizing how to put our faith in Christ the King.

Pastor Craig relates how we sometimes change our definition of what "we" think normal should be in our faith journey. That's what was happening in the Thessalonian Church after a period of time when they thought Christ would return. The Apostle Paul says, normal is not changing God's definition, but rather, the life of faith is normal, and we need to change our definition of normal to fit God's Word.

This week, Pastor Craig tackles one of the most puzzling questions asked by religious skeptics: If God doesn't prevent suffering and pain, then God must not exist. Just as we ask difficult questions, so the Apostle Paul was addressing the difficult questions the Thessalonians asked back in the first century. Listen for some thought provoking discussions. The main text is from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Also referenced are Matthew 25:13, Luke 12:40, John 14:3, Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34 and Isaiah 55:8-9

Does church sometimes seem like a meaningless ritual? Pastor Craig takes this week's reading for All Saints Day, and gives it a little extra punch by examining a wonderful gift God poured out on us by calling us "God's Children". The main reading is from 1John3:1-3, but we also looked at Romans 8:17, Ephesians 3:6, Matthew 5:10 and John 15:13

Pastor Craig ties together three stories into one Reformation Day message: the story of Martin Luther, the fairy tale of Snow White, and the reading from the book of Romans are all woven together into this interesting message that connects history with today's world. Scripture references used include Romans 3:19-28 and Isaiah 1:18.

It often seems like reading the Bible is trying to read something intended for another place and another time; it doesn't seem to relate to today's world. In this message, Pastor Craig points out the amazing message that was given to the young church in Thessalonica by the Apostle Paul and his colleagues, Timothy and Silas, is also a powerful message for our 114 year old congregation today. The main text comes from 1 Thess 1:1-10. Also referred to are 1 Thess 2:17 and Acts 17:5