Christ 2r Culture Podcast

How many of us put too much on our plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet? Most of us pile our plates full. That doesn't just happen at a buffet. It also happens with our schedules in life. We try to do too much and end up feeling overwhelmed. Do you ever wish you could take a break? Thankfully, you can. As a gift, God gave us one day each week as a day to rest so we can be refreshed physically and spiritually. God commands us to take a break. Join us as we learn why God gave us the gift and command of the Sabbath.

It was January 8, 1697 at 2:00 in the afternoon. Thomas Aikenhead was led to the gallows on the road between Edinburgh and Leith. The rope was put around his neck and the hangman kicked the ladder from underneath his feet. The 20-year-old boy's body was suspended in the air until dead. What was his crime? Persistent use of the Lord's name in vain. At one time, speaking of God disrespectfully could lead to a death sentence. Today, very few speak of God with reverence. How we speak of God is not inconsequential. It is the third commandment. Join us as we learn why God is concerned for His name.

There is a dramatic difference between and old Catholic Church and a Protestant church. Catholic Churches are often ornate, filled with color, beautiful paintings and stain glass picturing scenes in the Bible. Protestant churches are rather plain. It looks like they fired the architected before he could do something creative. Why is there a stark different? The answer isn't found in the church budget. It is found in the second commandment. Join as we find out why.

 In 1993, the Church of Scotland debated over a proposal to adopt the stance that salvation was found in Jesus Christ alone. The resolution failed 400 to 300. This is because there is so much cultural pressure to believe in more than one God and more than one way to God. The first commandment tells us this is not true. Our God is a jealous God who wants us to pour out our affections only to Him and His Son. Join us as we learn why God doesn't tolerate rivals.

In 2003, the media was focused on the Ten Commandment judge. Roy Moore refused to comply with a lawsuit brought by the ACLU to have a large stone copy of the Ten Commandments from the state judiciary in Alabama. No matter what you think about the appropriateness of the presence of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, what isn't debatable is the Ten Commandments being the basis for most of our judicial and legal system. In this message, we are introduced to the Ten Commandments and learn why God gave them.

After Jesus, the two of the biggest decisions we will make in our life is what we do for work and who we will marry. In this wrap up to our study on discovering God's will, we take these two questions and learn to think Biblically and wisely about approaching these important decisions.

Sometimes God's will is difficult to find. In difficult situations, it is helpful to change the question. Instead of asking, "What is God's will?", what is a better question that can help us determine what God wants us to do?

Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a man driving through Washington DC wanting to become a missionary. His car stalled in front of the Philippine embassy. He felt that was a sign from God this was the country God wanted him to go. As Christians, how do we discern God's will? Should we look for signs and coincidences? In this message, we learn how God reveals for 95% of the choices we face every day.

Easter is one of the best parts of the Christian calendar. While Jesus' resurrection is good news, for many, it is news that is hard to believe. We live in a world of smartphones, computers and the Internet. Someone rising from the dead sounds like a theme from the latest Marvel Comic movie, not something you can base your life upon. In this message, we examine 10 reasons why we can be sure Jesus rose from the dead and how the proof of the resurrection changes everyday living.

Jesus died one of the most barbaric deaths invented by man. In this message, we explore the physical horrors of Jesus' death plus the personal horrors faced by Jesus when he became sin to die for us. We conclude by looking at the greatness of what Jesus achieved when he conquered Satan, sin and death.

As a rule of thumb, God honors those who honor him. What should we do when God doesn't follow his rule? How do we handle times in life when we follow Christ but find ourselves suffering?

The average Christian give 3 percent of his income to the church and one-tenth of one percent of his income on missions. More money is spent in th United States on the care and feeding of pets than is given to churches. Is it important to put something in the offering plate? How does our giving to God impact life in this world? As we continue or study of our study in Malachi, we learn the importance of honoring God with our wealth.

On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz stepped into Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Using an assault rifle, he massacred 14 children. If God could have stopped this massacre, why didn't he do something? Why does he let good people suffer while those who are evil often succeed in their plans? As we continue our study in Malachi, God tells us where we can go to find the God of justice.

For the first time in our nations history the majority of children born to women under age 30 are born out of wedlock. Forty percent of child will go to sleep tonight without a father. Marriage in America is in disarray. God desires for our marriages to begin and end well, especially for his people. Join us as we hear God's words on dating and marriage so we can begin and finish our marriages well.

It doesn't take much to be a pastor. Certificates of ordination are available online for a nominal fee. Self-proclaimed teachers may garner applause but what does God feel about them? What is God looking for in a good spiritual leader? In this message we learn the blessing and dangers of being a man or women of God.

Today, there is a growing frustration with celebrities, the media and politicians. Our frustration doesn't just come from their dishonesty, fabricated stories and political spin. Our frustrations come from the way people treat one another. No matter how important the office someone holds, rarely are they treated with basic respect. While we are quick point fingers at our politicians and our media when it comes to lacking honor, we are not guiltless. There is a lack of honor many Christians show but it is toward God. Join us as we discover how we can dishonor God and learn the long-term consequences of living that way.

Where is God? That question came from the mouth of a Christian living in a refugee camp in Erbil, Iraq. He and his family ran for their lives as ISIS overran their homeland. Overcrowding in his refugee camp turned it into a viper's pit of criminal activity. His wife and children are not safe. Where is God when Christians languish in dark and hopeless conditions? These are the same questions God's people asked in Malachi's day. Join us as we begin answering the question of what we should do in hard times when we don't feel God's love.

How do Christians restore broken friendships? How does the gospel change the way we try to put broken relationships together? Join us as we see how the way Christian forgiveness is different.

We live in a revenge culture. Movies like Rambo and Braveheart glorify getting even after we are hurt. Forgiveness is considered weakness, yet he Bible tells us forgiveness is the only way forward. As Christians, we alone have the power to forgive like Jesus because we know what it means to be completely forgiven by Jesus. Join us as we study what forgiveness looks like in real life between two of Paul's friends, Onesimus and Philemon.

In our previous studies, we saw how Jesus changes our marriage, our parenting and our work. As Paul finishes his letter he shows us three additional ways Jesus changes everyday living. He changes our prayer, our ordinary choices and the way we speak to others.