Things My Bible Says with Wes and TJ

25: Rhythm of Grace: How Sabbath Teaches Us to Trust, Not Strive

Episode Summary In this episode, Wes and TJ dive deep into the often misunderstood concept of Sabbath, exploring how Jesus didn't abolish it but restored its original purpose as an invitation to rest and trust rather than a burdensome religious obligation. They trace the beautiful rhythm of rest-then-work from Genesis through the New Testament, revealing how Sabbath serves as both resistance against our hustle culture and a living parable of the gospel. * Mark 2:27-28 - "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." * Genesis 2:2 - God's rest on the seventh day * Exodus 20:9-10 - The Sabbath commandment in context of Israel's slavery * Hebrews 4:9-10 - Sabbath rest for God's people 1. Sabbath Was Made for Us, Not Us for Sabbath Jesus restored the original purpose of Sabbath - it's a gift of delight, healing, joy, and trust, not a legalistic burden we must bear to prove our righteousness. 2. We Were Made FROM Rest, Not FOR It Before humanity ever worked, they rested. Our identity begins in belovedness, not busyness - a counter-cultural truth that challenges our work-first mentality. 3. Sabbath as Resistance In a world that says "work, work, work, hustle, hustle, hustle," Sabbath declares: "You are not what you produce. You are God's beloved people." 4. The Gospel Rhythm: Rest Then Work God's pattern from creation is rest-then-work, not work-then-rest. We receive God's provision first, then respond from that place of security and love. 5. Sabbath as Living Parable Sabbath becomes a tangible way to practice trusting God - a weekly reminder that the world runs on God's grace, not our grind. 6. Built Into Our Biology Even science reveals a seven-day chronobiological rhythm in our bodies, pointing to God's fingerprints on creation and His design for our flourishing. "Our identity begins in belovedness, not busyness." - TJ "The Sabbath is an invitation to rest in the work that was opened in Christ... Apart from Christ, the Sabbath is nothing."- Wes "Sabbath is not a law to obey, but a rhythm to embrace - a weekly reminder that the world runs on God's grace, not our grind." - Dallas Willard (paraphrased) Sabbath isn't about perfect rule-keeping or even which specific day you choose - it's about learning to trust God enough to stop striving for 24 hours and rest in His finished work. It's a weekly invitation to remember that you are loved not for what you produce, but simply because you are His. Support the podcast: https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSaysFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/ Scripture conversations for the spiritually curious Scripture FocusKey Points from Our ConversationMemorable QuotesListener TakeawayConnect and Support

24: Destruction, Not Torment: A Fresh Look at Hell Through Scripture

Episode Summary: In this episode, Wes and TJ tackle what they consider the most misunderstood topic in Scripture: hell. They present a biblical case for annihilationism (final destruction) rather than eternal conscious torment, examining key passages and discussing how this view better aligns with God's loving character. Main Scripture References: * 2 Thessalonians 1:9 - "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord" * Romans 6:23 - "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" * Matthew 10:28 - "Do not fear those who kill the body. Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" * Revelation 20:14 - References to hell as "the second death" * Romans 8:1 - "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" * Colossians 3:4 - "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" Key Points: 1. Scripture points to death, destruction, and perishing as the consequences of sin rather than eternal conscious torment 2. The biblical purpose of judgment is justice and restoration—setting the world right, not inflicting never-ending punishment 3. Eternal life is a gift from God, not something humans innately possess, which challenges the concept of eternal suffering 4. For those in Christ, judgment is not something to fear but a declaration of righteousness and the beginning of eternal joy 5. The doctrine of eternal conscious torment skews the picture of God's character and creates relationship based on fear rather than love Memorable Quotes: * "Nothing has done more damage to the reputation of God than the teaching of eternally burning hell." - Wes * "The wages of sin is death, not torment, not torture, not burning in the fires of hell while God watches and the saints live a life of joy in eternity." - TJ * "Perfect love casts out fear... When we can grasp this thing and we recognize that this topic is rooted in love, then the fear aspect will start to melt away." - TJ Listener Takeaway: Understanding hell as final destruction rather than eternal torment doesn't diminish the seriousness of judgment but reveals a more beautiful picture of God's character—one that's consistent with His love and justice. This perspective removes fear as a motivator and allows believers to approach God from a place of love and gratitude. Connect and Support: * Support the podcast: https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/

23: Death, Sleep, and the Resurrection: Rediscovering Biblical Truth

Episode Summary: Wes and TJ explore the biblical understanding of death, challenging common misconceptions about the afterlife by examining scripture through a gospel lens. They discuss how the Bible describes death as "sleep" - a temporary, unconscious state - and highlight Christ's resurrection as the model for our future hope. Scripture Focus: * Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 * Romans 6:23 * 1 Corinthians 15:26 * Acts 13:36 * John 5:24 * 1 Corinthians 15:22 Key Points: * Death is an enemy and consequence of sin, not part of God's original design (Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:26) * The Bible consistently portrays death as a sleep-like state of unconsciousness, not an immediate transition to heaven or hell * Our body and spirit are unified - humans are "living souls" rather than souls trapped in bodies * The gospel doesn't promise escape from the body but resurrection of the body * Eternal life begins now through our relationship with Christ, not just after death * God's ultimate plan is to restore all creation, not just rescue souls from earth Memorable Quotes: * "Eternal life is not something you get after you die. It's something you enter into now with God and death cannot stop it." - Dallas Willard quote shared by TJ * "Death is an enemy caused by sin... Christ is going to come and unify us again, body and breath coming together." * "When we put on our gospel glasses, we start to see how Christ is shining through a topic that is as dark as death because it's really not that dark when you put on those gospel glasses." Listener Takeaway: Rather than fearing death or misunderstanding it as an immediate passage to heaven or hell, Christians can find comfort in the biblical truth that death is a temporary "sleep" before resurrection. Through Christ, eternal life begins now and death has lost its sting, giving us hope beyond the grave for a fully restored creation. Connect and Support: * Support the podcast: https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com [https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays [https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/ [https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/]

22: The Enemy Has Done This: Reframing Suffering in Light of God's Goodness

Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking conversation, Wes and TJ tackle one of Christianity's most challenging questions: If God is good, why is there suffering? They examine how sin fractures everything it touches and how the gospel offers hope, healing, and God's presence in our darkest moments. Main Scripture Focus: * Romans 5:12 - "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." * Genesis 3 (The Fall and its consequences) * 2 Corinthians 4:17 - "For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Key Points: 1. Suffering is a consequence of sin, not a punishment from God. Sin introduces alienation from God, others, creation, and ourselves. 2. God doesn't cause suffering but reveals its inevitability after sin enters the world. He's not the author of pain but the healer of it. 3. Jesus doesn't just offer sympathy—he enters into our suffering, absorbs it, and begins the renewal process for all things. 4. God doesn't waste suffering but redeems it for growth, character development, and future ministry to others. 5. The gospel offers hope not by removing suffering but by providing God's presence in it, redemption through it, and the promise of its eventual end. Memorable Quotes: * "One of the biggest tragedies here isn't that people suffer, as bad as that is. It's that in their suffering, they tend to blame the one who wants to heal them." * "The good news isn't that we escape suffering... it's that God is with us in the suffering, Jesus redeems the suffering for glory, and the Holy Spirit comforts and empowers us in the midst of suffering." Listener Takeaway: When suffering comes, remember that God isn't causing your pain—an enemy has done this. But God is with you in it, working to redeem every moment of suffering for your good and His glory. As you embrace this perspective, you can find comfort and hope even in life's darkest valleys. Connect and Support: * Support the podcast: https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com [https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays [https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/ [https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/]

21: From Reacting to Responding: Renewing Your Mind Against Temptation

Episode Summary: In this enlightening conversation, Wes and TJ explore the nature of temptation through a biblical lens. They discuss the important distinction between being tempted and sinning, unpack how to identify the root causes beneath temptations, and share practical ways to renew your mind with scripture to respond rather than react when temptations arise. Main Scripture References: * 1 Corinthians 10:13 - God's promise to provide a way of escape from temptation * Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus was tempted in every way yet without sin * James 1:13 - God does not tempt anyone * 1 John 2:1 - We have an advocate in Jesus if we do sin Key Points: 1. Being tempted is not a sin - even Jesus was tempted, yet remained sinless. 2. God does not tempt us to sin - temptations come from the enemy, but God provides a way of escape. 3. The real challenge of temptation begins with our identity and beliefs, not the sinful action itself. 4. Focus on the root beneath the temptation (lack, offense, pride) rather than just fighting the outward sin. 5. Victory over temptation comes through renewing our minds with scripture and focusing on Jesus rather than fixating on our struggles. Memorable Quotes: * "Don't focus on the temptation or the sin. Look to Jesus. He's the author and finisher of our faith." - TJ * "The way that you deal with this temptation is to go, 'Look, I know that I am safe and secure in Christ. I know that he will provide everything for me. I know that if I fall, he will forgive me.'" - Wes Listener Takeaway: Freedom from temptation doesn't come from willpower or perfection, but from knowing who you are in Christ, understanding the root causes of your struggles, and renewing your mind with scripture to respond with truth rather than reacting out of habit. Connect and Support: * Support the podcast: https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com [https://thingsmybiblesays.supercast.com/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays [https://www.youtube.com/@ThingsMyBibleSays] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574119230780] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/ [https://www.instagram.com/thingsmybiblesays/]