The Messiness of Spiritual Formation

This is part 1 of my conversation with Kyle Strobel. One of the major themes of this episode is the messiness of prayer and the messiness of spiritual formation. We explore why this is and that the remedy is NOT just adding spiritual disciplines to your life. 

Kyle Strobel is a systematic theologian who teaches spiritual theology for Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Formation Focus programs. His areas of interest include systematic theology, Jonathan Edwards, spiritual formation and prayer. He writes both popular and academic books and articles, and is on the preaching team at Redeemer Church, La Mirada.

Book: Where Prayer Becomes Real

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A With-God Life   

The heart of living as a disciple of Jesus is living a with-God life. This is fundamentally what it means to "walk by or with the Spirit" in Galatians 5:16. This is what Jesus taught us when he said "abide in me" (John 15:1-11). 

This is the remedy for  our deepest problems.

Book: Where Prayer Becomes Real

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Is it Wrong to Hope for a Reward from God? | Rewards, pt. 1 

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven introduce the topic of rewards in heaven and explore if it's in some way less honorable to seek God for a good reward. 

Bible Passages mentioned:

Hebrews 11

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 

9 By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.  

 

C. S. Lewis Quote:

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from [Immanuel] Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak.

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” 

 

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2 Corinthians 7:1 says, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

In this episode we reflect on what it looks like to perfect holiness in the fear of God.

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https://podcast.johnwhittaker.net/e/perfecting-holiness-2-corinthians-71/

 

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There are so many Bible translations out there. Which translation is a good one? How should you use translations for Bible study? And what are some good study Bibles? 

 

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Study Bibles:

ESV Study Bible - https://amzn.to/3U8FpcA

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible - https://amzn.to/3DAZCAL

Archaeology Study Bible - https://amzn.to/3FMsjNY

 

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Sometimes a verse becomes so familiar, we can actually miss its meaning. Or miss some of its meaning. 

I think that's the case with 2 Corinthians 5:21: 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We assume we know what this is talking about, and we think it's talking about how God declared us righteous through Jesus' death.

But it actually means more than that. So tune in, and let's explore this verse together. 

Philippians article:

https://renew.org/summary-of-philippians/

 

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When Paul writes Philippians, he's in custody in Rome. He hasn't been able to travel and preach for nearly 4 years. Yet Philippians is known as the epistle of joy. Why is that? 

It has to do with what mattered most to Paul... with where he found his life and joy. 

He models this for us in both the letter to the Philippians and in Acts 16 when he started the church in Philippi. 

 

Overview of Philippians article:

https://renew.org/summary-of-philippians/

 

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In 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10, Paul models for us the power of an eternal perspective. 

Life isn't easy. There's hardships, disappointments, sickness, pain, and death. 

As Christ's apostle, Paul experienced all the normal hardships of life plus suffering that came for the sake of Jesus. But Paul says he didn't lose heart; instead he was of good courage. 

How so?

He had an eternal perspective!

And we must have one too. We must fan into flame our hope so we don't lose heart. 

 

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This episode of the Bible in Life reflects on 2 Corinthians 3:18:

"But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

-2 Corinthians 3:18

What's the significance of "unveiled faces"? What does it have to do with transformation? And how does all of this fit into the context of 2 Corinthians 3? 

 

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Praying.

It's important. I admire people who are good at it. But I struggle with it... and I've met many people who also struggle with it. 

In this episode, I reflect on my own struggles with prayer and with lies at the heart praying faithfully. 

Matthew 7:7-11

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

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I received this question from a listener: How can Christians justify David's behavior (war crimes, adultery, murder, etc)? This is an important question that has to do with the nature of the Bible and how to read it. 

So, how do we justify bad behavior like this ... or do we? 

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The Bible is more than a book of inspiration or religious rules. It also describes history ... God's work in history - in the real world of space and time. This is how God chose to reveal himself. Archaeology helps us understand the world of the Bible and see how reliable the Bible's history is. 

For a good introduction to the topic of Archaeology and the Bible see Titus Kennedy's book Unearthing the Bible. Click the link below:

https://amzn.to/3RjRI4l

 

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God is the absolute boss, but what kind of boss is he? 

It is pretty common today to be suspicious of and to distrust authority. There's been so many bad authority figures and so much misuse of authority, that it's easy to react negatively to authority in general. 

From politics to teachers to bosses and sadly even to parents, there have been plenty of self-serving, power hungry, and mean-spirited authority figures. And thus, we could react to God's authority from that place of suspicion and distrust. 

But how authority gets used really depends on the the person wielding it. So what kind of person is God and what does that mean for how he uses his authority? 

This episode explores Exodus 34:6-7 and Philippians 2:5-8 to answer this question. 

 

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Safety, Security, and Assurance - Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.  

 

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

We don’t actually own ourselves, our life, or even our body. This is true for all humans; it’s doubly true for us as followers of Jesus because we have been bought by God and belong to him. We are not our own. This is just a fundamental fact of becoming a Christian. 

 

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Matthew 16:24-27

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds.

 

Mark 8:34-38

34 And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

“Christ says, "Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good...Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked--the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.”

― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

 

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What makes the Bible authoritative? 

The Bible is so old and out of date….why would anyone listen to it?!

Why should it have any authority in our lives?

 

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The fear of God ... we don't talk about it much any more, and yet according to the Bible it's one of the best things for us. It's the source of wisdom and leads us into life! It's good for us. So in this episode we explore what it means to fear the Lord, how it provides wisdom, and sets us free from being self-willed. 

Key Texts:

Titus 1:7

Proverbs 9:10

2 Corinthians 5:10-11

 

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I've been doing a lot of reflecting on the authority of God, the fear of God, and the rise of the autonomous self. I'm concerned that all too often, people who say they are followers of Jesus still live as if they have autonomy and authority over their own life ... not God. Even though they say Jesus is Lord, when push comes to shove, they are the ultimate authority in their life. And that's not good for them or anyone else. 

In this episode, we reflect on the fact that the fundamental starting point of following Jesus is surrendering the leadership of our life to Jesus. He's in charge, because he's the King of the universe. As he himself said, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me..." (Matthew 28:18). 

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The Holy Spirit is central to our Christian life. His presence with us is one of the new things of age of Messiah. He is now God with us, knitting us together into one people of God (1 Cor 12:13) and transforming us. 

Galatians 5:14-17

14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 

 

Ephesians 5:18

18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

 

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The Holy Spirit is God with us now, and walking by the Spirit is the solution to the dominance of the flesh. What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? Walking by the Spirit means going about life with the Spirit as your walking partner. You have the opportunity to have God be your closest companion in life!

Romans 8:5-14 goes on to instruct us that walking by the Spirit involves our mind, specifically what we fill our mind with and what we focus our attention on. And the result of this is that we can put to death the sinful deeds of the body. 

 

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The Christian life is life in the Spirit. He empowers us to live the way God has called and created us to live. One of the key ways that's expressed in the New Testament is "walking by the Spirit." 

What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? 

How do we do that? 

In this episode, we look at Romans 8:1-4 and reflect on what it means to walk by the Spirit. 

Book: Walking in the Spirit, by Ken Berding.

 

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Since he’s the Spirit of God, that means the Holy Spirit has been around all throughout the biblical story. He was clearly active and involved in God’s work of redemption in the OT:

• You see him right at the beginning hovering over the waters of creation 
• He empowers the craftsmen who build the tabernacle
• He anoints kings and prophets (David prays in ps. 51 for God not to take his Spirit from him) 

But it seems like it’s a pretty spectacular thing - big deal - when he comes on the Day of Pentecost. So what’s the difference between the Spirit’s role in the OT versus now? 

The OT prophets promised there’d come a day when God’s spirit would come in a fuller, grander, more widespread way: 

• Joel 2:28-32
• Ezek 36:27
• Isaiah 44:3

And the New Testament describes the Christian life is life in the Spirit:

• The Holy Spirit renews us--Titus 3:5
• The Holy Spirit seals us as belonging to God--Eph. 1:13; 4:30
• The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our resurrection--  Eph 1:14; Rom. 8:9-11
• The Holy Spirit helps us resist sin--Rom. 8:13
• The Holy Spirit empowers us for godliness and ministry – Eph. 3:16
• The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of Chrislikeness in us – Gal. 5:22-23
• The Holy Spirit testifies that we are children of God – Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6
• The Holy Spirit helps us pray – Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 6:18
• The Holy Spirit helps us understand God's love – Rom. 5:5 

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Goodness and Gratitude  

The basic human response to God as their Creator is gratitude according to Romans 1:21 (which Paul says humans typically fail to do). In this episode of the Bible in Life, John offers a reflection on what we can be grateful for and what ultimately that means for our life as followers of Jesus.

 

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The Holy Spirit, pt. 1.

We are familiar with God the Father. And with Jesus. But the Holy Spirit? Not so much. As one author said, a lot of us feel like He's a the grey blur in our minds eye. In fact, Gordon Fee once said that a lot of Christians, while trinitarian by creed, are "binitarians" in practice. That is, we really only know two members of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is often unknown. 

Who is He and what's His role in our discipleship to Jesus? 

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My daughter - she's in her early 20's and has two kids - has been reading through the New Testament this year and then discussing what she's reading with me. I recorded our last conversation so I could share it here on the Bible in Life. We discuss questions out of Hebrews 3-6 ... questions like:

-What's the rest mentioned in Hebrews 4? -Who is Melchizedek and what's the order of Melchizedek? -What does it mean that it's impossible to renew those who have fallen away to repentance?  

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Do we have the right books in the Bible ... especially in the New Testament? 

What about the so-called "missing gospels"? 

How did these books get chosen and other books get left out? 

Who decided which books were in and which books were out?

All of these questions concern the canon of the New Testament. And there's a lot of misinformation out there about this subject. 

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Why did God give Israel the food laws? 

No bacon. No ham. No shrimp. 

What's the point? 

And what does it have to do with being holy? 

And how is it connect to non-Jews (gentiles) entering into the family of Jesus?

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Jesus is famous for teaching in parables. In all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus explains that he teaches in parables so that "seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand." Which raises a serious question...

Didn't Jesus want people to understand his teaching? 

Why would he hide it from them and try to confuse them?

Doesn't he want people to get it so that can repent and be saved? 

In this episode of The Bible in Life podcast, we dig in Luke 8:4-21 to explore this question. 

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What is the mission of the church? 

Very often there are lots of different answers given to this question. But there shouldn't be. In fact, I am repeatedly surprised how much confusion there is about this. There should be no confusion. 

Jesus made the mission of the church crystal clear. 

This is not something we have to wonder about.There should be complete agreement about this. We don’t get to invent it or make up our own. 

Jesus already told us. 

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

How do we do that?

What did Jesus mean by "disciple"? 

Tune in to this episode for a full discussion of this crucial topic.

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The story of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts is a shocking story. Two members of the church sell their property, bring the money to the apostles, are called out, and die! Why?

Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira? 

And why did Luke include the story in the book of Acts?

What lesson does the story of Ananias and Sapphira teach?

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What does is mean to be led in triumph in Christ and be the fragrance of Christ in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16? 

We like impressive people. People who look good. People who are successful. People who's lives look fun and exciting. Paul's life was none of that, and that made him unimpressive. 

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul gives us word picture for how he viewed his life and ministry and it's subversive to the normal way we think life and service to God should go. 

 

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The cross. Good Friday. 

At the time Jesus was crucified, a cross was an object of horror and a symbol of shame. So vulgar was it, that Romans wouldn't even use the word in polite company.

But now... now the the cross is a wall hanging, jewelry, and a symbol of hope. All because one particular crucifixion changed everything.

More than forgiveness (as great and necessary as that is!), the cross of Jesus provides a whole new world and a whole new way to live!

In this episode we look at how all-encompassing the achievement of the cross actually is. 

 

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Why You (should) Love the Wrath of God

God's wrath is a forgotten topic in many churches today. We prefer to talk about his love and mercy, not his wrath. 

But God's wrath is part of the good news, and it is that in a couple different ways. 

In this episode we explore why we actually want and need the wrath of God. 

Romans 1:18

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Romans 2:5-6

5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,6 who will repay each person according to his deeds

 

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Have you heard the phrase “the power of prayer”? Or “prayer changes things”?

We've been taught to believe God answers prayer. In fact James 5:16 is a well-known version among Christians: "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

And it's true ...

Except when it isn't. 

Sometimes, it seems like prayer doesn't make any difference at all. Sometimes it feels like God is hiding.

Why is that? How should we think about that as followers of Jesus? 

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We've said a lot about living a Jesus centered life and how it takes deliberate intentional effort. If we're not careful, that could to a lot of striving ... a lot of trying to get it right ... to doing more and more, so we can live Jesus centered. 

But that misses the importance and power of grace. Living Jesus centered happens in the circle of grace. 

So in this final episode on living Jesus centered, we explore how grace is the key to the whole thing!

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Jesus centered living happens on purpose. We need to arrange our life to live attached to Jesus so we can become like Jesus. This is the essence of being a disciple and this is heart of living a Jesus centered life. 

So how do we arrange our life for this? What's the plan? What are the objectives? 

That's what we explore in this episode of the Bible in Life. 

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Dallas willard is famous for saying “grace is opposed to earning; it’s not opposed to effort.” This is important because living for Jesus isn’t gonna happen on accident. It takes effort. Grace will empower the effort, but it will still take wise intentional effort on our part. 

The apostle Paul puts it this way:

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. - 1 Cor 9:27

Living a Jesus centered life presupposes wise intentional effort that trains us to resist the devil and not love the world but rather to draw near to God and live for Him.

Episode webpage: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/podcast-1/Episode-194

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How can a bike wheel help us understand living a more Jesus centered life? 

If living a Jesus centered life means "to live is Christ," then think about your real, actual, everyday life. To live Jesus centered, doesn't only refer to your religious activities. It mostly refers to the stuff you do everyday. So what are the tasks, responsibilities, and roles that make up the days of your life? 

What would it look like for all the stuff of everyday life to be centered on Jesus? 

Picture a bike wheel ... and tune in to this episode. 

 

Episode website: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/podcast-1/Episode-193

 

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What's the essence of a Jesus centered life?

Paul makes a well-known statement in his letter to the Philippians that really gets at the heart of it. He says “to live is Christ and to die is gain" - Philippians 1:21. 

Jesus = life!

So much so, that even death is gain. 

In Philippians 1, Paul is filling the church in Philippi in on his situation and circumstances and in doing so, he’s providing a concrete pattern for following Jesus. So what’s going on with Paul? How is  “life = Jesus; death = gain” being fleshed out in his life at that moment and what does that teach us about living a Jesus centered life?

Episode website: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/podcast-1/Episode-192

 

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We all have things that drive what we do in life. 

-we want people to like us

-we want to appear competent

-we want to get ahead in life

-we want to be the best at

-we just want to be happy

-we want to have the freedom to travel 

-We want _____

Fill in the blank for yourself.

If we're going to live a Jesus centered life, what ought to drive us?

In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul gives us a powerful example of the ultimate thing that  drives a jesus-centered life. 

Podcast website: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/podcast-1/Episode-191

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We all have life pursuits of some sort… college, career, sports, hobbies, family. 

We might even have dreams, things that if everything worked out, this is what we’d really want from life. 

In a jesus centered life, all these aims and pursuits and goals are united together in one central pursuit, by one overarching goal … one pursuit that actually shapes and governs and influences every other pursuit.

What is the #1 goal of life for a Jesus centered person? Tune in to this episode to find out. 

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Think of all the different messages you hear everyday ...

-so many different news outlets 

-articles coming through your social media channels

-quotes, ideas, and memes

-friends sharing their ideas and opinions 

In fact, in 2020 on average, people spent 2.5 hrs per day on social media. 

Think of your inbox ... in 2021 there were 320 billion emails sent worldwide everyday!

2021 estimates put the number of ads people see each day between 6-10 thousand!

-There's movies, tv, netflix, hulu… all communicate ideas, values, etc. 

-Youtube, podcasts, etc. 

We are bombarded with information, sales pitches, opinions, images, and ideas tons of which have something to say about what’s important in life, how to do life, what’s a good life. 

Then you have books, magazines, and various forms of print media. 

Voices, voices, voices … all day everyday. 

If we’re going to live a Jesus centered life, we’re going to have to confront this … and discipline  ourselves concerning who we listen to, what we fill our mind with, and how we evaluate various things we hear. 

 

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How can we pray without ceasing and other questions

On this episode of the Bible in Life podcast Steven asks John several lingering questions related to practicing the way of Jesus. 

-How can we pray without ceasing?

-How can we measure spiritual growth?

-Besides the spiritual disciplines, what are some other factors that are important to spiritual growth?

 

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In this episode we reflect on another importance component of living a Jesus centered life. It has to do with where you live or dwell or abide.   It's found in John 15:1-5: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.   4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.   Being centered on Jesus = living attached to Jesus. It means living in and with and connected to Jesus.   Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Think about your life … 

-what makes up your life?

-who are you? 

-what matters in life?

-where do you get your guidance and instruction for life?

-how do you evaluate the value and success of your life?

We typically think we have the right to determine the answers to these kinds of questions. It's our life, after all. 

But as a disciple of Jesus, all of that changes. Our life is not our own. In fact, we should think of ourselves as dead ... but alive!

This is how Paul describes his view of life once he came to faith in Jesus: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

-Galatians 2:20

If you thought of your life this way, how would it change the way you approach your life?

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

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"How can my son keep his life centered on Jesus?"

That was what the text said. 

Why would she want her son's life to be centered on Jesus? Because she believed his life would be better if it was.

As Andy Stanley has said, "Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life." 

So …

What does it mean to live life centered on Jesus?

And how can we do it? 

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.