Me, The Onu, and One More

15 – I Never Knew You – How I Got Matthew 7:23 Wrong

Matthew 7:23 used to scare me. In it, Jesus says, “I NEVER knew you,” and I always heard that as a scary warning. Like... Christians could be surprised to find out in the end that Jesus didn’t know us well enough, and we wouldn’t get into heaven. But what if “NEVER” is a clue? If Jesus knows me, even once, even briefly, he can’t lie and say, “NEVER.” So, what is this scripture trying to tell me? Topics: * Buckle up, here we go * The words that fooled me * The twist * Will Christians hear “I never knew you”? This episode is part of the “Scary Verses or Grace?” discussion of passages that sound scary at first, but surprisingly lead us toward grace as we grapple with them and seek the heart of Christ.

14 – Can Sin Time Travel?

Can sin time travel? I know that sounds bizarre, but it’s a question I’ve wrestled with for a long time. If Jesus died once for all, and I sin today, how is that sin covered by his sacrifice long ago? I don’t think the Bible gives us a detailed explanation of how the cross works across time. But it does tell us that Jesus’ sacrifice happened once, that it was enough, and that God still takes every sin seriously. As I try to process all that, I sometimes imagine my sin traveling back through time, landing squarely on Jesus while he was on the cross. I watch as it adds weight to the price he had to pay. That mental image has changed the way I think about sin. Instead of viewing it as merely breaking a rule, I see it as something more personal. If Jesus really is my friend... then I don’t want to add to the suffering he endured for me. Topics: * Setting the stage * How do you view the cross? * One sacrifice, once for all * The scapegoat * Jesus intercedes for you * Dying and rising with Christ * Made holy in the moment * Is grace a blank check? * What’s one more sin? * Would I do that to a friend?

13 – The Vine and Lopped-Off Branches – Where's the Grace?

John 15 can sound terrifying: branches that don’t bear fruit are taken away, wither, and are eventually burned. But what if Jesus is not saying, “One mistake and you’re gone”? What if the Vine and branches picture that Jesus paints is actually an invitation to grace, friendship, and the opportunity to bear fruit that comes from Him? Topics: * One mistake and you’re gone? * Jesus is the true vine. Who are the branches? * What kind of fruit? * Bearing fruit, not producing it * Abide does not mean “stay attached” * If you abide, you will bear much fruit * Abiding in His love * The Greek does not say “cut” * You are becoming more like Jesus * If you’re in doubt, love This episode is part of the “Scary Verses or Grace?” discussion of passages that sound scary at first, but surprisingly lead us toward grace as we grapple with them and seek the heart of Christ.

12 – Scary Verses or Grace? My take on the Narrow Way

Is the narrow way supposed to scare us? In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus says the gate is narrow, the road hard, and only a few find it. For a lot of us, that sounds like a spiritual tightrope - one wrong step and we’re doomed to fail. In this episode, I explore why The Way seems scary, but is actually full of grace. Topics: * When Jesus keeps raising the bar * Jesus as the gate and The Way * “Pick Me!” * Ask, seek, and knock * My yoke is easy * Why the path is not a tightrope * The hard part: “few find it” * Jesus promises that those who seek God find Him * Hunger and thirst for righteousness - you will be filled This episode is part of the “Scary Verses or Grace?” discussion of passages that sound scary at first, but surprisingly lead us toward grace as we grapple with them and seek the heart of Christ.

11 – I Call You... Friend – The hard thing Jesus says in John 15

What does it mean to be called a friend of God? The night before Jesus died, He called His followers friends. But what does it mean to really “be” His friend? Jesus dove into that too. It’s probably not what you think. Topics: * Using Dezsma to set the stage * When friends stand in the way * Kat’s choice and the freedom to rebel * Arkuuda calls Kat her friend * Jesus says, “I Call You... Friend” * The upper room and the command to love * “You are My friends if...” * Is friendship with God two-way?