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Following Jesus by Learning and Living the Bible
Episodes
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Love is the the heart of the new culture in Jesus' family ... and not just any love either. Love that's patterned after Jesus. Love that is cross-shaped. This is capstone of re-scocializing, the goal of spiritual growth.
Want to deepen you connection with God?
The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below.
Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.
http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/
I'd love to connect. Here are some ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Forgiveness.
We all need it, and God gladly gives it to un in Jesus. And as God's new family in Jesus, he expects us to give forgiveness to each other. This is one of the most distinctive practices of the new culture we're learning in Jesus.
This episode discusses some of the things forgiveness is not and what it essentially is.
Bible passages referenced in this episode:
Colossians 3:12-13
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
Want to deepen you connection with God?
The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below.
Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.
http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/
I'd love to connect. Here are some ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Even though we're part of a new kingdom as Jesus' followers, we're still part of the city in which we live. So as part of God's kingdom how are we supposed to relate to the kings and kingdoms of this world?
This is a crucial question that the apostles of Jesus regularly address. Peter offers a clear and compelling answer to this question in 1 Peter 2:11-17. He makes it clear that honoring the governing authorities and being good members of the community are key parts of learning the new way of Jesus.
1 Peter 2:11-17
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below.
Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.
http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/
I'd love to connect. Here are some ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
As a follower of Jesus, how should we think about money and stuff?
We tend think money is good. Often we think more of it will solve so many problems. Is that true?
Or is it bad? Should we get rid of it all and take a vow of poverty?
I think Jesus' way regarding money and stuff is much more insightful and balance than either of those two options.
Passages used in this episode:
Matthew 6:19-24
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Monday Jul 06, 2020
Monday Jul 06, 2020
First Thessalonians 4:3-5 is one of the most powerful passage discipleship and sexuality in the New Testament. Sex and sexuality has been co-opted by Satan and the fallen world, and is thus a major area in need of resocialization when someone becomes a disciple of Jesus. Unholy sex is a problem, a real problem, in a fallen world! God has a better vision for sex and sexuality.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
Preston Sprinkle - The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender: https://www.centerforfaith.com
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Redeem Your Time; Reframe Your Tasks.
This is something disciples of Jesus must learn to do, but it's not as obvious as others. God has a different view of time than the modern world. God has different goals for the use of our time than the modern world. So as disciples of Jesus we have to learn to tell time God's way.
The Bible and Time and Tasks
Eph 5:15-16
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
James 4:13-17
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Ps 90
- 90:1-2
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
- 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
-90:14
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And establish for us the work of our hands;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.
The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below.
Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.
http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/
I'd love to connect. Here are some ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Re-socializing, pt. 3
In this episode, John looks at what Colossians 3 teaches us about re-socializing in general and then he focuses on one area where we need to learn the new way of Jesus. Colossians 3:8 calls us to set aside "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth." Those are no longer how we mange life and relationships in the new family of Jesus. Instead, we practice patience and peace.
Colossians 3:5-17
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Did you know I work with churches? Check out the following link to learn more about a subscription plan for resources that help churches make more and better disciples.
Discipleship resources for churches
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Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jun 15, 2020
Monday Jun 15, 2020
In this episode, I encourage followers of Jesus to think about the behavioral commands of the New Testament in terms of re-socializing in the soft sense of that word. That is, learning new norms, values, and practices in keeping with a new group that you have chosen to be apart of.
The apostle Paul writes, "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son," - Colossians 1:13.
Notice that he says we have been transferred to a new kingdom, the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. This means we've moved. We're part of a new kingdom with a new culture. So now, we have some things to unlearn from our old dominion and we have new norms, values, and practices to learn that are in keeping with the culture of Jesus' kingdom.
I also point out two mistakes Christians often make in thinking about the instructions of the New Testament.
1. The "religious rules" mistake
2. The "spiritual life" mistake.
Our goal is not to be good at religion or spiritual things; our goal is to learn the way of Jesus as part of his kingdom.
▶️ONLINE COURSES: Want to go deeper in your faith? Sign up for an online course at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/courses
▶️SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY:
-Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker and get access to discounts on courses and bonus podcasts
-Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
"I never thought of reading Philippians as a letter before!" said one guy after church.
Twenty-one out of twenty-seven New Testament books are letters. That means when you read most of the NT, you're reading somebody else's mail!
Letters have a backstory and when we read them, we are only hearing one side of the conversation ... which poses some challenges.
In this episode, we explore the question, Why letters and how do the NT letter relate to the teaching and work of Jesus? We discuss how to read the letters well so that you can read them more faithfully as a follower of Jesus.
Did you know I work with churches? I coach churches on how to create discipleship cultures so that they can more faithfully carry out Jesus' mission of making disciples. I have 3 spots available. Email me at john@johnwhittaker.net for more info.
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY:
-Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
-Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Monday Jun 01, 2020
How do we do discipleship?
The most important truth in answer to that question is this - you don't drift into discipleship. It doesn't happen on accident. You have to deliberately follow Jesus by rearranging your life to imitate Jesus' life. That's the essence of being a disciple.
In this episode, I also give some guidance on how you can disciple someone else. Here's a link to the reading plan resource I mention:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net/readingplan
And I encourage church leaders to wrestle with the question - what is your plan for creating a culture of discipleship? I'd love to help you think this through. In fact, I have a discipleship coaching program to help pastors and church leaders figure this out. You can learn more about that here: DISCIPLESHIP COACHING: I help churches create a culture of discipleship https://www.johnwhittaker.net/discipleship-coaching
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️BECOME A PATRON: Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.