So how does the Jewishness of Jesus shape our look on Christianity?
More often than not, we read the Bible and see Jesus with the wrong lenses. As a Jew, Jesus did things that made a lot of sense to Jewish people. So in this episode, we start to discover what that really meant then and now. David is a Messianic Jew with such amazing insights. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed: Self reflection
Luke 12:41-48 TPT
41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “does this apply only to the twelve of us, or is it for everyone else as well?”
42 The Lord replied, “A master will delegate authority in his house to a trustworthy and thoughtful manager who understands his master’s desires. And the household manager will serve others what they need at exactly the right time. 43–44 And whenever his master returns, he will find that his servant has served him well. I promise you, the master will reward him generously and he will be placed as an overseer of everything he owns.
45 “But what if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master delays his coming, and who knows when he will return?’ Because of the delay, the servant elevates himself and mistreats those in his master’s household. Instead of caring for the ones he was appointed to serve, he abuses the other servants, both men and women. He throws drunken parties for his friends and gives himself over to every pleasure. 46 Let me tell you what will happen to him. His master will suddenly return at a time that shocks him, and he will remove the abusive, selfish servant from his position of trust. The master will punish him and assign him a portion with the unbelievers.
47 “Every servant who knows what pleases his master yet does not make himself ready and refuses to put his master’s will to action will receive many punishing blows. 48 Every servant who does not know his master’s will and unwittingly does what is wrong will receive a less severe punishment. For those who have received a greater revelation from their master are required a greater obedience. And those who have been entrusted with great responsibility will be held more responsible to their master.”
So have you ever looked at where you lived thought..could do better!?
It is such a common thing. But there is a light in the darkness. Whilst Lloyd is involved in healing his city (Stoke on Trent), it had to start with repairing in his soul. And my word! What a story!! This is fizzing and full of so much vital wisdom that I would richly recommend you share this with all your friends and family. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed / Cultivating fruit (part 3)
Matthew 13:1-9 TPT
1 Later that day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeshore to teach the people. 2 Soon, there were so many people surrounding him that he had to teach sitting in a boat while the large crowd stood on the shore. 3 He taught them many things by using stories, parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying:
”Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. 5 Others fell onto gravel that had no topsoil. They quickly shot up, 6 but when the days grew hot, they were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Others fell among the thorns, so when they sprouted, the thorns choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty, and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! 9 If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”
So how do I blend my climate change and my faith?
It's not as tricky as it sounds. We are placed on this planet to bless it - the people and the places we are in. A Rocha are pioneers in this space in showing us how we blend our faith into action. Andy shares some amazing insights and stories that really inspire us to action. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed / Cultivating fruit (part 2)
Matthew 13:1-9 TPT
1 Later that day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeshore to teach the people. 2 Soon, there were so many people surrounding him that he had to teach sitting in a boat while the large crowd stood on the shore. 3 He taught them many things by using stories, parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying:
”Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. 5 Others fell onto gravel that had no topsoil. They quickly shot up, 6 but when the days grew hot, they were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Others fell among the thorns, so when they sprouted, the thorns choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty, and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! 9 If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”
How can I be my best self?
What a question! But in actual fact, that is all we can be - ourselves. But let's be honest, lets be brave, let's start to re-evaluate how we are living and what steps we need to do to thrive and make a bigger impact in this world. Tarn's experiences and insights are fizzing with so much wisdom. Was sooo good. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed: Cultivating fruit (part 1)
Matthew 13:1-9 TPT
1 Later that day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeshore to teach the people. 2 Soon, there were so many people surrounding him that he had to teach sitting in a boat while the large crowd stood on the shore. 3 He taught them many things by using stories, parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying:
”Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. 5 Others fell onto gravel that had no topsoil. They quickly shot up, 6 but when the days grew hot, they were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Others fell among the thorns, so when they sprouted, the thorns choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty, and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! 9 If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”
So what is Spiritual Intelligence?
We all know about emotional intelligence and social intelligence is.. well a lot of us do. But spiritual intelligence, that is a even more profoundly helpful set of lenses. It enables us to see the world with an eternal point of view. But lets not get carried away, have a listen to this really practical conversation with Mark, as he shares what it really is and how we can live with these lenses more. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed: Be Ready (part 2)
Luke 12:35-40 TPT
35 “Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. 36 Be like servants anticipating their master’s return from a wedding celebration. They are ready at a moment’s notice to unlock and open the door for him. 37 What great joy is ahead for those who stay awake and wait for their Master’s return! He himself will become their servant and wait on them. 38 He may appear at midnight or even later, but what great joy for the awakened ones whenever he comes! 39 Of course, if they knew ahead of time the hour of their master’s appearing, they would be alert, just as they would be ready if they knew ahead of time that a thief was coming to break into their house. 40 So keep being alert and ready at all times. For I promise you that the Son of Man will surprise you and appear when you don’t expect him.”
Being present is the 1st step in being Spirit led. The 2nd is *sharing your vulnerability. *
How on earth do we build faith?
It's the million dollar question that gets so many different answers. The reality is, it's not as hard as you think. But I am not about to tell you, you'll have to listen to the episode to find out for yourself. Prof John Swinton was brilliant. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed : Personal responsibility
Luke 13:6-9 TPT
6 Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was a man who planted a fig tree in his orchard. But every time he came to gather fruit from his tree he found none, for it was barren. 7 So he said to his gardener, ‘For the last three years I’ve come to gather figs from my tree but it remains fruitless. What a waste! Go ahead and cut it down!’
8 “But the gardener protested, ‘Sir, we should leave it one more year. Let me fertilize and cultivate it, then let’s see if it will produce fruit. 9 If it doesn’t bear figs by next year, we’ll cut it down.’ ”
The Kingdom revealed: Be Ready
Luke 12:35-40 TPT
35 “Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. 36 Be like servants anticipating their master’s return from a wedding celebration. They are ready at a moment’s notice to unlock and open the door for him. 37 What great joy is ahead for those who stay awake and wait for their Master’s return! He himself will become their servant and wait on them. 38 He may appear at midnight or even later, but what great joy for the awakened ones whenever he comes! 39 Of course, if they knew ahead of time the hour of their master’s appearing, they would be alert, just as they would be ready if they knew ahead of time that a thief was coming to break into their house. 40 So keep being alert and ready at all times. For I promise you that the Son of Man will surprise you and appear when you don’t expect him.”
*SPECIAL EPISODE* ASBURY REVIVAL
If you haven't heard about the Asbury Revival, don't worry, it has been under the radar for some. But if you have.. well, you know how incredibly exciting it has been. Josh Green from 24/7-Prayer reports back on his flying visit - and it is a must hear. Do share this far and wide. Enjoy.
What does it look like to be ready?
Ever heard the phrase, 'Jesus is coming back soon, better look ready?' Yep. Ridiculous! But there is a certain anxiety that we can get when we are told to get ready.. when we are not. Worry not, Harvey shares some really wonderful insights in what being ready really looks like. It's not what you think.. It's actually very accessible. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed: Be Ready (part 1)
Luke 12:35-40 TPT
35 “Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. 36 Be like servants anticipating their master’s return from a wedding celebration. They are ready at a moment’s notice to unlock and open the door for him. 37 What great joy is ahead for those who stay awake and wait for their Master’s return! He himself will become their servant and wait on them. 38 He may appear at midnight or even later, but what great joy for the awakened ones whenever he comes! 39 Of course, if they knew ahead of time the hour of their master’s appearing, they would be alert, just as they would be ready if they knew ahead of time that a thief was coming to break into their house. 40 So keep being alert and ready at all times. For I promise you that the Son of Man will surprise you and appear when you don’t expect him.”
The Jewish context is key!
Not really a surprise to many, but it's great to hear the context in how the Gospels are written from the point of view of their author, who they are written to and what they really meant to them and to us now. This episode starts explaining this with Alex Jacob, who gives brilliant insights that can serve to enrich our understanding of the Gospel passages. Enjoy.
The Kingdom revealed: Generosity
Luke 12:13-20 TPT
13 Just then someone spoke up from the crowd and said, “Master, you should compel my older brother to divide the family inheritance and give me my fair share!”
14 Jesus answered, “My friend, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
15 Speaking to the people, Jesus continued, “Be alert and guard your heart from greed and from always wishing for what you don’t have. For your life can never be measured by the amount of things you possess.”
16 Jesus then gave them this illustration: “A wealthy land owner had a farm that produced bumper crops. Every year the harvest was so great it filled his barns to overflowing! 17 He thought, ‘What should I do now that every barn is full and I have nowhere else to store more? 18 I know what I’ll do! I’ll tear down the barns and build one massive barn to hold all my grain and goods. 19 Then I can just sit back, surrounded with comfort and ease. I’ll enjoy life with no worries at all.’
20 “God said to him, ‘What a fool you are to trust in your riches and not in me! This very night the messengers of death will demand to take your life. Then who will get all the wealth you have stored up for yourself?’ 21 The same thing will happen to all those who fill up their lives with everything but God.”
What does it mean to share our faith?
Yep, it is something that we all get to hear about, but what does it really look like? How do I do it? Jaz shares her journey from India to Ashford, via Wimbledon and Croydon and her love for people and Christ. Get yourself comfortable and listen in to a chat between 2 friends. Really great.