In this episode, I speak about what it means to have freedom in Christ. To be "in Christ" means to have a relationship with Him so that we can do the things He calls us to do and live the life He calls us to live. But how do we know whether we are in Christ and how can we make sure we aren't abusing the freedom He has given us?

Many of the arguments between believers are around what we should or shouldn't do or say if we are a Christian, so understanding the level of freedom Christ came to give us if we abide in Him will help us be more charitable with each other. We look at some of Jesus' interactions with the teachers of the Law, the Pharisees, and also Paul's teaching in Colossians, 1 Corinthians and Romans to illustrate what it means to have freedom in Christ, rather than being bound by the Law or human traditions.

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Bible references:

John 3:3-5, Born Again to Enter Kingdom; Luke 17:20-21, Kingdom of God within you; 2 Corinthians 5:17, In Christ, New Creation; Galatians 2:20, Christ Lives in Me; Ephesians 4:22-24, Put off Old Self; Ephesians 2:1-5, Alive in Christ, Saved by Grace; Colossians 2:9-12 & 3:1-4, Alive in Christ; 1 Peter 2:24, Jesus Bore Our Sins; Galatians 5:1, Christ Set Us Free; John 8:36, Son Sets Us Free; Matthew 11:28-30, Lay Down Your Burdens; Colossians 1:13, I Peter 2:9, Ephesians 5:8, Acts 26:18, Kingdom of Darkness to Kingdom of Light; Hebrews 2:14-15, Freed from death and Satan; Romans 8:2, Freed from sin; Hebrews 10:19-25, New and Living Way; Ephesians 2:8-9, Saved by Grace Through Faith; John 3:16, Whoever Believes Has Eternal Life; Romans 10:9, Confess Jesus is Lord; Romans 12:1, Present Body as Living Sacrifice; John 7:7, Jesus’ Diagnosis of Us; John 18:36, Kingdom not of this World; John 5:39, Pour Over Scriptures for Eternal Life; Matthew 23:13, Shut Kingdom of Heaven; Matthew 23:4, Pharisees Burden People; Romans 2:1-3, Hypocritical Judgement; Matthew 7:3-5, Take the Log Out of Eye; John 7:24, Judge with right judgement; Colossians 3:16, Admonish with wisdom; Galatians 2:11-14, Paul admonishes Peter; Romans 11:11-24, Gentile grafted in; 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, Paul and the “super-apostles”; Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14, Freedom from human rules; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Letter Kills but Spirit Brings Life; Romans 3:24-26 & 5:15, Ephesians 1:6-7, God’s Free Gift of Grace to Us; Mark 9:38-41, Whoever is not against us if for us; John 14:15-24, If You love Me You Will Keep My Commandments; Romans 13:8-10, Matthew 19:17-19, 22:36-40 Commandments; Colossians 3, Put on the New Self; John 15:5, Without Me you can do nothing; Romans 7:14-21, Pauls’ struggles with sin; Ephesians 5:25-26, Washing by the Word; John 8:31-32, Abide in Word the True Disciple; Matthew 6:5-15, When you pray; Matthew 7:7-12, Ask Seek Knock; Matthew 6:16-18, When you fast; Matthew 17:21, Demon release through prayer and fasting; Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23, Renewed Mind; 1 Corinthians 2:16, Mind of Christ; Acts 7:48-49, 17:24-25, God doesn’t live in buildings; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Body of Christ; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, Spiritual gifts and roles; Matthew 15:1-20, What defiles a person; Hebrews 4:15-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Jesus humans so sympathises with us; Colossians 1 and 2, Jesus’s Divinity; 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18, Romans 5:10, 1 John 2:2, Jesus Died for our Sins; 1 John 1:9, If we confess sin He will forgive us; Hebrews 10, New and Living Way.

• What are Sin, Iniquity and Transgression? - Bible Project Word Study (5 mins)
• Ten Reasons Jesus Came to Die - Apologetics Roadshow (25 mins)
• The Reality of The Moral Law -

In this episode, I talk about God's eternal call to His people. He says "Hineni", which means "Here I am" in Hebrew. We see this expressed in the Book of Isaiah where God is constantly calling His people back to walk in His ways.

I talk about the ultimate expression of this call in Jesus' self-sacrificial death on the cross. The Word of God came to dwell with us in the flesh, saying "Here I am" to a people who still often choose to ignore Him.

I delve into the real meaning of God's love, how we can learn to wait on the Lord , why we often run from God's call and how we can learn to respond to it.

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Bible references:

Exodus 20:19, People Don’t Want to Hear God; Genesis 22:1, Abraham’s call; Exodus 3:4, Moses’ call; Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah’s call; Isaiah 52:5-6, Here I Am; John 5:39, Pore Over the Scriptures; Matthew 5:43-48, Love Your Enemies; John 3:16, God so loved the world; Ephesians 2:8-9, Salvation a Gift; Romans 6:23, Wages of Sin is Death; John 1:12, Believers are children of God; John 8:31-47, You are of your father the devil; Romans 10:9, Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus; John 15:13, No greater love than this; Leviticus 17:11, The life is in blood; Acts 9:3-8, Paul sees the risen Christ; Acts 17:29-31, Paul teaches about Jesus’ resurrection; Philippians 3:8-11, Our resurrection because of Jesus; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, Christ’s Resurrection; 1 Corinthians 2:2-7, I knew nothing but Christ crucified; Isaiah 53:4-12, Suffering servant; John 10:8, I lay down my life; Isaiah 46:4, I have made, I will save; Matthew 9:13, I came to save sinners; Romans 5:8, Christ died for sinners; Galatians 5:1-5, Freedom from law in Christ; Matthew 23, Hypocrisy of Pharisees; Isaiah 65:1, Here I Am; Isaiah 29:13, Hearts are Far from Him; Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 27:14, Lamentations 3:25, James 5:7-8, Psalm 40:1, Wait on the Lord; Isaiah 55:8-9, God’s ways higher to ours; 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul hindered by Satan; Acts 16:6-7, Paul hindered by the Holy Spirit; 2 Corinthians 5:17, We are a new creation; Isaiah 58:1-12, True and False Worship; Psalm 50, What God wants; Isaiah 29:13, Our hearts are far from God; Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus and Sodom and Gomorrah; Isaiah 1:10-20, I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly; 2 Chronicles 7:14, If the spirit of God lives in you; 2 Chronicles 7:14, If you seek my face; Mark 9:23 and Acts 16:31, If you believe; Psalm 51:6, God cares about your intentions; 1 Corinthians 10:24, James 3:16, Philippians 2:3, Romans 2:8, Give up ourselves; Mark 3:1-6, Jesus heals on Sabbath; Mark 7:1-23, Disciples washing rituals; Matthew 22:36-40, Most important commandment; Philippians 2:17, Paul’s sacrificial ministry; Jeremiah 17:5-10, Hearts’ desires make us sick; Psalm 32:8-9, God leads us; Proverbs 3:5-8, Trust in Lord. John 17:3, Jeremiah 9:24, God wants us to...

In this episode, I talk about the marks of a true Christian as outlined by Paul in his letter to believers in Corinth. Many people think that being a Christian means that we are to be nice people. But Jesus didn't die for us so we could be nice people, He died so we could be reconciled to God and become real people; true humans just as God originally intended.

Many Old and New Testament passages show us God's complete character as being kind and severe, which allows us to more fully understand who He expects us to be, as we are made in His image.

If we have a sanitised version of the Lord in our minds, we will often falter in speaking the truth and instead become people-pleasers rather than God-fearers.

"Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." Romans 11:22

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

BIBLE VERSES

Luke 14:23 (Highways & Hedges); Matthew 5:3-12 (Meek, Poor, Seekers); Luke 5:32 (Came for Sinners not Righteous); John 18:37 (Come to bear witness to Truth); Isaiah 28:26 (God has taught them); Luke 24:27-32 (Road to Emmaus teaching); John 16:13 (Holy Spirit leads us to Truth); Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus in Temple at Passover); Ephesians 5:25 (God’s word cleansing); John 15:3 & 17:17 (God’s word purifies us); Psalm 119:9 (Pure Life by following God’s word); Psalm 18:30 (God’s way is perfect); Hebrews 5:11-14 (You ought to be teachers); Genesis 3:1-7 (Serpent’s temptation); Romans 12:1-21 (Marks of a True Christian); 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (Spiritual Gifts); Psalm 15 (A vile person is despised); Psalm 139:19-22 (I hate those who hate you); John 2:13-17 (Jesus whip in Temple); John 1:14 (Jesus/Word Became Flesh); Ephesians 1:15-19 (Jesus Image of God); Hebrews 1:3 (Jesus exact imprint of God’s nature); Jude 1:5 (Jesus saved Israelites out of Egypt); John 10:31 (I and Father are One); John 17:11 (We are one); 2 Corinthians 13:14 (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); Psalm 50 (The Wicked); Psalm 18 (God’s wrath and mercy); Psalm 143 (Despair and Faith); Genesis 16:13-14 (Hagar Seen by God); Matthew 5:27-30 (Tear out your eye); Matthew 11:20-24 (Woe to Unrepentant cities); Matthew 11:25-30 (My yoke is easy); Isaiah 46:4 (I will bear); John 15:20 (They will persecute you); 1 Peter 2:21 (Christ calls you to suffer); Matthew 5:11-12 (Blessed are the reviled); Luke 9:23 (Pick up your cross, day); Exodus 3:12 (I will be with Moses); Joshua 1:5 (I will be with Joshua); Deuteronomy 31:8 (I will be with my people) Isaiah 41:9-10 (I am with you, Israel); Matthew 28:20 (I will be with you till the end); 1 Peter 1:7 (Faith purified through trials); Hebrews 9:14 (Jesus’ sacrifice purifies us); Isaiah 48:10 (Purified by trials); Hebrews 3:6 &...

In this week's episode, I delve into Exodus 14 where God parts the Red Sea in order to save the Israelites from destruction. God is testing their faith and says to them, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Even though they believed in God and even feared Him, they still did not have faith that He could save them.

What does this story tell us about ourselves? How will we handle our own Red Sea moment? Will we prefer to be slaves rather than face the unknown in the wilderness? Will we have enough faith to stay the course and reach our promised land?

In the last six minutes of the podcast I read short Psalms that will give you strength and courage during times of change. They are also listed, along with other Bible reference, in the podcast notes below.

"Wait for the LORD, be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

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Bible references:

Exodus 14:14 (The Lord Will Fight For You, And You Have Only to be Silent); Exodus 14:10-12 (Better to be Slaves than to Die); Exodus 7-12 (10 Plagues in Egypt); 1 Kings 19:1-14 (Elijah in Wilderness); Matthew 4:1-11 (Jesus in Wilderness); Galatians 1:17 (Paul in Wilderness); Exodus 14:21 (God Parts the Sea); Psalm 115:3 (God Does What He Pleases); Matthew 19:26 (Nothing Impossible with God); 2 Timothy 1:7 (Not Given Spirit of Fear); 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Be Steadfast & Immovable); Hebrews 12:3 (Don't Be Fainthearted); Exodus 14:24-25 (Egyptians Fear the LORD); Exodus 14:30-31 (Israel Saw, Fear and Believed); Numbers 14:20-32 (Rebellious Generation Will Not Enter the Land); Deuteronomy 32:52 (Moses Not to Enter Promised Land); James 4:3 (You Don't Receive Because You Pray for Your Passions); John 18:36 (His Kingdom if Not of this World); John 17:16 (Disciples Not of the World); John 15:18 (Hated You as they Hated Me); Matthew 6:33 (First Seek the Kingdom of God); 2 Chronicles 7:14 (Humble Yourself, Seek My Face); Jeremiah 7:16 (Do Not Pray for these People); 1 John 5:13-19 (I Do Not Say Pray for That); Psalm 51 (A Broken and Contrite Heart You Will not Despise); Exodus 7:3-4 & 14:4 (God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart); Matthew 7:6 (Don't Cast Your Pearls Before Swine); Revelation 2 & 3 (Judgement on churches); Revelation 3:14-15 (I Will Spit You Out of my Mouth); Luke 8:17 (What is Hidden will be Revealed); 1 Timothy 3:2 (Leaders to be Above Reproach); Exodus 15:1-3 (The LORD is man of War); Isaiah 42:13 (The LORD goes out like a Mighty Man); John 2:15-17 (Jesus Cleanses the Temple); Isaiah 42:14-17 (For a Long Time I Have Held my Peace); Exodus 20 (10 Commandments); Jeremiah 23:29 (Is Not My Word Like Fire); Psalm 57:3 (He Will Send from Heaven and Save me); Isaiah 30:15 (In Returning and Rest You Shall be Saved): Proverbs 3:5:8 (Trust in the LORD with all Your Heart).

The Psalms

18:2 - The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress

27:13-14 - Wait for the LORD, Be Strong

50:3 - Our God Comes

56:3-4 - When I am Afraid, I Put my Trust in You

57:1 - In the Shadow of Your Wings I Will Take Refuge

62:8 - Trust in Him at all Times

121:1-2 - My Help Comes from the LORD

123:3-4 - We Have More than Enough of the Contempt of the Proud

9:15-20 - Arise O LORD, Let Not Man Prevail

138:6 - The Haughty He Knows From Afar

• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

In this week's episode I talk about three different worldviews and their response to human suffering. Should we have faith in humans to solve the world's problems? Or will Artificial Intelligence give us the answers? Both humans and technology are flawed but if we have faith in our Creator and his sovereignty, might and faithfulness, we will feel more stable in times of suffering.

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BIble references:

Isaiah 53:2-6 (He was pierced for our transgressions), Isaiah 55:6-13 (My thoughts higher than your thoughts) Isaiah 65:17-25 (New Heaven and New Earth), Revelation 21:1-7 (I am making everything new), Isaiah 9:2, 9:6-7 (Wonderful Counsellor, Everlasting Father), Isaiah 26:3-4 (The Lord is an Everlasting Rock), Psalm 56 (In God I trust), Psalm 121 (My help comes from the Lord), Psalm 23 (Lord is my shepherd), 1 Peter 5:6-11 (Cast all your anxieties on him), Ephesians 6:10-20 (Armour of God), James 4:3 (You ask and do not receive), 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (Godlessness in the last days), 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (Wander into Myths), Psalm 46 (God is our fortress), Psalm 27 (The Lord is my light and my salvation)

Other references:

• How to Answer the Problem of Evil in Five Steps - Mike Winger (50 mins)
• The Moral Argument for God (5 mins)
• How to Silence Atheists on the Problem of Evil - David Wood (10 mins)
• The God Debate - Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Richard Dawkins
• The Resurrection of Jesus: Fact or Fiction? - Apologetics Roadshow (25 mins)
• Evolutionist Richard Dawkins Says There Are No Morals: by William Lane Craig (4 mins)
• Why the Bible Can be Trusted - J Warner (Cold Case Christianity) (47 mins)
• Making of the Bible - Tim Mackie (Bible Project) 2 hours
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

In this week's episode I talk about the difference between "Jesus: the religion" and "Jesus: the reality". After two thousand years of church history, I ask if we have fallen into the trap that the apostle Paul warned us against by being embroiled in "vain discussions" that lead us away from our faith?

Jesus called his followers to simply believe in him. He said that his sheep hear his voice, but if we are distracted by too many other voices we may not be able to hear him call. I talk about some of the visceral experiences I have had with Christ over the past few years that lead me know the reality of his existence. These experiences led me to have more faith in him as a person, who is available to all who would call on him, even today.

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Bible references:

Warnings Against Vain Discussions, Quarrels Over Words & Irreverent Babble (1 Timothy 1:6, 6:4, 6:20); Jesus Confronts the Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-20, 22:23-33, 23:1-36); False Apostles ( 2 Corinthians 11 & Galatians 1:6-10, 2 Peter 2:1-22) World in Power of Evil One (1 John 5:19); Known By Fruits (Matthew 7:15-20); Foolish Shame Wise ( 1 Corinthians 1:27); Listen & Obey (1 Samuel 15:22); Keep Mouth Shut (Proverbs 21:23, 10:19) Bridle Your Tongue (James 1:26); Tongue Stuck to Roof of Mouth (Ezekiel 3:26) I Will Give You Rest (Matthew 11:28) Sleep & Dwell in Safety (Psalm 4:8); He Gives to His Beloved Sleep (Psalm 127:2); Returning & Rest You Shall Be Saved (Isaiah 30:15); Hear Word of God & Do it (Luke 11:28); Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 33:8, Job 4:6); I Know Only Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-2); Cross Folly to Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23); Boast in Knowing Lord (Jeremiah 9:23); They Refused to Know Me (Jeremiah 9:6); Here I Am (Isaiah 65:1) They Know Me Not (Jeremiah 4:22); Faces Like Rock (Jeremiah 5:3) Acknowledge Your Guilt (Jeremiah 3:13)Judgement on Unrepentant (Jeremiah 2:35); Stiff-Necked People (Exodus 33:3 & 32:9, Proverbs 29:1, 2 Chronicles 30:8) Face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6); Steadfast Love & Faithfulness (Lamentation 3:22-23, Psalms 26:3, 117:1-2, 86:15); Jesus Only Way to God (John 14:6); Simply Believe in Jesus (John 6:28-29, 6:35, 6:40; 6:47); New Heart & New Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19 & 36:26, Jeremiah 31:33); Clean Heart & Right Spirit (Psalm 51:10); Renewal of Mind (Romans 12:2); Sin, Iniquity, Transgression (Psalm 51:1-4); All Sinned & Fallen Short (Romans 3:23); Sacrifice of Gd a Broken Spirit (Psalm 51:16-17); Satan Exalts Himself (Isaiah 14:12-14); The Fall of Adam & Eve (Genesis 3).

Other Books:

The Pursuit of God - A.W Tozer

The Sign of Jonas - Thomas Merton

• What are Sin, Iniquity and Transgression? - Bible Project Word Study (5 mins)
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

In this week's podcast, I talk about God's steadfast love and the healing power of His word. How does God's love differ to our love for each other? God's love often includes discipline, which means we can be left to our own devices until we freely turn back to God for healing. God's word heals us, which is why we need to abide in His word by reading the Bible, but also by hearing what He is saying to each of us individually. Sometimes He corrects us and sometimes He tells us what we don't want to hear, but He always tells us the truth and this is what transforms us.

Once we understand how God's love works, we will move beyond the shallow notion that a loving God will never be judgemental or allow us to suffer. God's love is steadfast and unwavering but He will not tolerate sin and He will bring ultimate justice to us all.

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Bible passages:

Test the Spirits, (1 John 4); God is Love, (1 John 4:8 & 1 John 4:16); Ask and It is Given, (Matthew 7:7-8); Believe and You shall Receive, (Mark 11:22-24); Ask in My Name, (John 14:12-14); Serpent's Lie, (Genesis 3); Abide in Me, (John 15:4-11); His Steadfast Love Endures Forever, (Psalm 136); God's Word Give Eternal Life, (John 5:24 & John 6:68-69); Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So, (Psalm 107); God's Disciple, (Hebrews 12:3-12, Psalm 94:12-14, Proverbs 3:11-12); Universe Created by the Word of God, (Hebrews 11:3); He Sent Out His Word & Healed Them, (Psalm 107:20); Word, Spirit, Life, (John 6:63); The Truth Will Set You Free, (John 8:31); You Are of Your Father the Devil, (John 8:43-47); If You Say You Have No Sin, (1 John 1:5-10); Repent, (Matthew 3:2); Turn From Your Wicked Ways, (Acts 3:26 & 2 Chronicles 7:14); People Love the Darkness (John 3:19); Jesus Came to Set Captives Free, (Luke 4:18-21 & Isaiah 61:1); I Am the Way, (John 14:6); The Heart is Deceitful Above all Things, (Jeremiah 17:9); What Comes Out of the Heart Defiles a Person (Matthew 15:16-20); Incline Your Ear and Come to Me, (Isaiah 55:3); Old Life vs New Life, (Ephesians 4:17-32); Jesus Deals with Religious Hypocrites, (Matthew 23); The Way of Love, (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

In this week's episode, I talk about Jesus' instruction to His disciples to abide in Him by abiding in His words.

"If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." John 15:7

The words we speak to each other and our own thoughts affect us deeply, so how much more will Jesus' words transform our inner selves?

Is this the reason that the Bible and Jesus's teachings are constantly attacked and derided in our society? Are the powers and principalities afraid of a humanity who understand how much God loves them? Because if we really understood this, they would no longer be able to control us through fear and division. It seems that today reading the Bible is a subversive act.

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Bible References:

Upper Room Discourse, (John 14-17); I Am the Vine, (John 15); Early Church, (Acts 2-6); Jesus' Words & Eternal Life, (John 5:27); Jesus Living Water, (John 4:7-15 & 7:37-39); Sermon on Mount, (Matthew 5-7); Commandment to Love, (John 13:34-35 & 15:17); Love God/Love Neighbour, (Matthew 22:36-40); Pharisees & Commandments of Men, (Matthew15:9 & 23:1-4, Mark 7:5-13, Isaiah 29:13); Jesus Yahweh in Human Form, (Colossians 1:15-20 & 2:9, Hebrews 1:1-4, Philippians 2:5-9); Parable of Sower, (Mark 4:3-20); Holy Spirit Teacher, (John 14:15-26); No Other Gods, (Exodus 20:3-6); Test the Spirits, (1 John 4:1-6); God's Word is Truth, (John 17:17-26 & 8:31-32, Psalm 119:160, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16); Teachers to Suit Passions, (2 Timothy 4:3-4); Jesus Physician, (Mark 2:17); The Law Can't Save Us, (Roman 8:3-4, Hebrews 10:1-4, Galatians 3:23-29); Humble Yourself & Pray, (2 Chronicles 7:14); Search Me and Know Me, (Psalm 139); Lord is My Shepherd, (Psalm 23:1-3); As Far As the Heavens Are Above the Earth, (Psalm 103:11-17); The Shelter of the Most High, (Psalm 91); Delight Yourself in the Lord, (Psalm 37:4).

Other Resources:

• The Reality of The Moral Law - Mere Christianity, C.S Lewis (10 mins)
• Evolutionist Richard Dawkins Says There Are No Morals: by William Lane Craig (4 mins)
• Atheist MIT Professor Converts to Christianity - Lex Friedman (10 mins)
• Why the Bible Can be Trusted - J Warner (Cold Case Christianity) (47 mins)
• Making of the Bible - Tim Mackie (Bible Project) 2 hours
• How Badly Was the New Testament Corrupted? | Daniel Wallace at SDSU
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel
• I Am the Vine - Abide in Me (John 15)