Called To Glory

The Sword of the Spirit part 1 - The Written Bible or Spoken Word of God?

Is the sword of the Spirit really the Bible? Yes and no.  Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. Using the context, language and meaning of the original biblical texts, however, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge Christian podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. In this series, we’re looking at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit. And in doing so, we'll be looking at the true word of faith Paul referred to in Romans 10:8, prophecy, spiritual warfare and the various ways in which the true sword of the Spirit is - and is not - intended to be used.  By the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant!  Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKZWsst3wjc Part 3: https://youtu.be/mKhS8oZ5E5Y  Soundtrack music: "Advent" by Ben Winwood "Awakening" by LNDÖ "Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (CJB) ae taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern. Copyright © 1998. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. www.messianicjewish.net. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465411/fan_mail/new]

The Sword of the Spirit part 1 Trailer

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge weekly podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. In this series, we’re going to look at what the apostle Paul described in his epistle to the Ephesians as the sword of the Spirit. If you’ve been a believer for any length of time you’ll know exactly what I mean.  Almost everyone seems to assume that because Paul said the sword of the Spirit is the word of God he was referring to the Bible. And since the Bible is almost universally taught and understood to be the word of God, according to this reasoning it's also believed to be the sword of the Spirit. In other words, the sum total of what Paul meant in Ephesians 6:17 by taking up or wielding the sword of the Spirit is to read or quote Scripture, or perhaps stand on some biblical promise.  And virtually no one questions it.  But is that really what Paul meant when he wrote about the sword of the Spirit? Your first reaction may very well be of course it is! And given how this is generally taught and understood in Christian and Messianic circles, that would be perfectly understandable. As we’ll see, however, there are some major problems with this view.  Not the least of which is that it's a gross oversimplification of what he said and meant Fortunately, God has not left us without clear guidance on this. And that’s exactly what we’re going to be looking at in this 3-part series.  Using the original biblical text, I will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Paul was in fact NOT referring to the Bible – at least not directly - when he exhorted the saints to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  And by the time we’re done, I believe you’ll be quite blown away. Not just at the shallowness of the modern understanding of the sword of the Spirit but also at the richness, power and importance of what Paul actually said and meant! Soundtrack music: "Awakening" by LNDÖ "Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465411/fan_mail/new]

Walking in the Light Trailer

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge weekly podcast dedicated to helping you know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. One of the questions believers often ask is how do I know if I’m truly saved or born again? While many teachers – especially in the eternal security or OSAS camp – casually dismiss or discourage such introspection, this is actually a great question! Not only is it wise, it’s very biblical. You see, the Bible speaks not only of humbling ourselves before God but asking Him to search and yes, judge us. Not just our hearts but our thoughts, words, deeds and even our motives.   The New Testament goes even further and exhorts us to examine ourselves. Not just our heart, thoughts, words, deeds and motives but whether we’re even IN the faith!  This is consistent with the many warnings in both the Old and New Testament against taking God’s name in vain, presuming on his grace and mercy, continuing in willful sin and yes, falling away. All written to those who profess to be God’s people. Now at the same time, it’s also true that we shouldn’t obsess over this or let ourselves get so beat down by our shortcomings that we’re paralyzed by fear and doubt. That’s not the answer. And of course, it’s never a good idea to try to correct one error with another.  Fortunately, God hasn’t left us to our own devices or wisdom about this. On the contrary He’s given us clear, practical and specific guidance. What’s more, if we turn to Him in spirit and truth, He promises to give us the power to not only be set free from the bondage of sin but walk in victory and true righteousness leading to eternal life.  WE, however, have a big part to play in this. And that’s what our upcoming series “Walking in the Light” is all about!  Using the Scriptures alone as our benchmark, we’re going to take an honest, candid and no-holds barred look at what God Himself says repentance, salvation, sanctification, love, faith, the new birth and being filled with the Holy Spirit actually look like.  All that’s needed is an honest heart, a humble spirit and a willing mind.  Our goal?  To encourage and inspire you to measure every thought, word, deed and motive against the standard God has established, take every thought captive and bring it to the obedience of Christ and as the apostle Paul said, to examine yourself to see whether you actually are in the faith.  THIS is the ultimate reality check. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465411/fan_mail/new]

Called to Glory Trailer

Welcome to “Called to Glory,” the cutting-edge podcast for those who see the emptiness and vanity of mainstream Christian culture and want to return to a more authentic expression of the faith once for all delivered to the saints.  In this vibrant, educational and deeply thought-provoking podcast, we leave popular religious culture behind and dive headfirst into the world of authentic biblical Christianity where the only way to find the path that leads to eternal life is to take up your cross and follow Christ - and the only way to live, rule and reign with Him in eternity is to share in His suffering and be conformed to His death now in this life.  Join us as we explore what the word of God says about the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe that we may all may come unto a perfect man and to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Christ in you, the hope of glory. www.calledtoglory.org Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465411/fan_mail/new]

The Gospel of the Kingdom part 2 As Proclaimed by the Hebrew Prophets

What exactly is the “gospel”?   Is it really as simple as the good news that Christ suffered, died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures? What do the Scriptures say? That’s exactly what we’ll be looking at in this series. As it is written,  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter: but it is the glory of kings to search it out.”  It may come as a surprise but the biblical concept of the gospel, or good news, did not originate with the New Testament. Not by a long shot! In fact, what is generally called the Christian gospel is actually the original Jewish gospel - or good news - that began almost 4,000 years ago with the call of Abram. There are many passages throughout the Hebrew Scriptures that proclaim the good news – or gospel - not only of God’s blessing, protection, salvation and deliverance but also of the coming Messiah as righteous king and judge, the Messianic age, eternal life, restoration of the creation, the resurrection of the righteous, true justice and peace on Earth, and even a new heaven and new earth.  In this episode of “Called to Glory,” we’re going to look at the Gospel of the Kingdom as proclaimed by the Hebrew Prophets. It is the same gospel - or good news - of the Kingdom Christ and John the Baptist proclaimed to the people of Israel at the beginning of their public ministries. We begin with the call of Abram and continue through the gospel to mankind and the entire creation found in the Torah up to the Davidic Covenant. Future episodes in this series will cover other aspects of the gospel such as "The Gospel of Christ," "The Gospel of Peace," "The Gospel of Salvation" and "The Everlasting Gospel."  Why is this important? And why should it matter to you today?  First and foremost, because this is the original gospel of the New Testament and it is inseparably related to what the New Testament writers called the gospel of Christ - the good news that Jesus is the promised Son of David Who is coming to this earth as the Righteous King of kings and Lord of lords to save the remnant of His Jewish brethren, destroy the enemies of God, inherit and rule the nations from the throne of David in Israel, take the earth as His possession and build a house – or Temple – for God’s Name! It is the same gospel of the kingdom originally God promised to Abraham and the nation of Israel. It is the same gospel of the kingdom that was foretold by the Hebrew prophets. And it is the same gospel of the kingdom that was proclaimed by John the Baptist, the apostles, the New Testament writers and Christ Himself. Or as it’s also called in the New Testament, “the gospel of the kingdom of God.”  All of these wonderful promises all find their fulfillment in Christ and His kingdom.  When you consider what the Scriptures actually teach concerning the calling, destiny and inheritance of the saints, it should be evident that the “gospel of salvation” is just the starting point. Absolutely necessary and indispensable, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But it is not the full counsel of God nor is it the full gospel proclaimed by Christ and the apostles.  We simply cannot understand the fullness, power and glory of the New Covenant and our inheritance in Christ unless we have a full and complete understanding of the gospel of the kingdom proclaimed by the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. "What is the Gospel?" https://youtu.be/xRSVx2Fgwas "The Gospel of the Kingdom part 1" https://youtu.be/70zRHehV7fE Soundtrack Music "Awakening" by LNDÖ "Fount" by Mattia Vlad Morleo "Secrets of the Nile" by In This World Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465411/fan_mail/new]