Bethel Lbc Podcast

We've all been surprised at one point or another, but are we surprised with God? This week, Pastor Craig takes apart the element of "surprise" and shows us how we can have Sudden, Unexpected Wonder when it comes to our wonderful Creator God. The reading comes from Romans 3:19-28

We shift gears, hearing from a different letter, a different epistle from the Apostle Paul, and this time it is so totally relatable to our lives in our world today. Pastor Craig explains how Paul, Silas and Timothy are working in various churches in the first century, and this letter is sent back to a former congregation, as a way to help them in a time of trouble. Our world today is in trouble, and this message applies to us in some surprising ways. The main reading comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. 

It's almost like Pastor Craig has an inside look at what we think about in our mind, but it's actually a very relevant passage from the book of Philippians as we finish up this series on the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Philippi. We hear this familiar passage to help us think about the things from a Godly point of view, and that line of thinking helps us live with a sense of peace, and a steady thinking guides virtuous behavior. Our reading comes from Philippians 4:4-13. We also refer to quotes from our nation's founding fathers, we hear a quote from Zig Ziglar as well as 1 John 5:4. 

The Apostle Paul makes a dramatic contrast. Back in the day when he was named Saul, he had some accomplishments and privileges that set him apart from the average citizen, and from the average elite class. And Paul does something absolutely astonishing, he considered all the things he had, all the things he accomplished in life, and he called them the worst, stinkiest of sewer trash. The reason he made this repulsive description of his supposed worth in life is the subject of this week's message.  We read from Philippians 3:4b-14. We also referred to Acts 8:1. 

As we continue in our series from the book of Philippians, Pastor Craig uses a modern-day computer example to show us how the Apostle Paul was laying out the "logical" case for how we ought to live as believers. The main reading is Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18. We also refer to these passages: Psalm 8:3-4, John 7:18, Isaiah 1:18, Titus 1:2b, Malachi 3:6a, Psalm 18:30a, James 1:2-3 and 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

Taking the lesson from the Apostle Paul, who was in prison when he wrote today's Scripture Reading, we often think of the challenges we face in the world as a threat to our personal safety, and we end up fearful and uneasy. But Paul's personal safety was threatened, and he gives us a reason to welcome discomfort and uneasiness, for we live for something bigger than ourselves. Pastor Craig brings this timely message home this week. The main reading is Philippians 1:12-14 and 19-30. We also refer to John 16:33,Luke 9:23, Galatians 6:2 and John 12:25.

As we conclude our series on Romans this week, we learn how the Apostle Paul teaches that our label as "Christian" is far more important than any other. The main reading comes from Romans 14:1-12

This week's reading takes us to Romans 13, where Paul tells us how we ought to obey the government authorities. But how does such a teaching even apply in today's world of government regulation, recommendation and mandates. The ancient writing to the Romans is certainly relevant to us today. 

As we continue our journey through Romans, today we examine what True Love looks like. The Apostle Paul challenges us in ways to express genuine love, and sometimes it makes complete sense, other times it baffles us. Pastor Craig helps us through that journey. Our Bible references this week include Romans 12:9-21, 1 Corinthians 14:33. 2 Timothy 4:3-5 and we review Romans 11:33-36

This week, as a change of pace, we met for church at "The Shack", a gathering place at Antler Memorial Park. Pastor Craig's message came from Romans 11:33 through 12:8. It describes the Apostle Paul's impassioned message to the church at Rome, but it also has a powerful message for us in today's world. 

Our guest speaker this week is Pastor Dave from Newburg, ND who takes us to Psalm 121 for some insights and reflections of one of the "Songs of Ascent."

As we continue in Romans, Chapter 9, the Apostle Paul explains that he is upset over the fact that his fellow Israelites (otherwise known as the Jews) did not fully appreciate the many favors they received by virtue of the fact that they were God's chosen people. The lesson applies to us today, and Pastor Craig lays it out for us. Our main reading is from Romans 9:1-5. We also refer to Deuteronomy 7:7-8, John 4:14, Romans 8:38-39 and 1 Timothy 1:15.

Pastor Craig uses an illustration of a couple who went on a dance date together back in the 1950's to illustrate how we can assume we are the person who makes a decision, but later on, we find out, there was other factors in play that we didn't know about. It applies in our relationship with the Lord Jesus, just as it applied to that couple's dance date so long ago. There's an interesting surprise at the end as well.  Our main Bible reading is from Romans 8:28-39. We also refer to 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 12:2 and Psalm 119:133.

This week, Pastor Craig shows us how the Apostle Paul is so totally relatable to today's world. There are so many things in the world that cause us "Moaning & Groaning" and yet an ancient writing from Paul's letter to the Romans tells us exactly how we should take all the negativity in the world. Our main reading is from Romans 8:18-27, and we also refer to these Bible verses: Psalm 46:1, Ephesians 6:12 (both ESV & ERV) and Galatians 5:22-23.

Building on his previous message to us, Pastor Dave Heintzleman adds to what he preached to us a couple weeks ago, and helps us see the Lord Jesus in more depth. 

This week, Pastor Craig gives a lighthearted and interesting message about a rather serious subject. It brings a chuckle to think about the many ways in which we sin, but never-the-less, there it is. In this lesson, we learn the extent of our tendencies, and we look at the solution as well. We read from Romans 7:14-25a, we use several different versions to help understand, and we also refer to Hebrews 4:12 and Romans 2:15

This week we have a Guest Speaker, Pastor Dave Heintzleman.

This week we take an interesting pair of parallel journeys, one from the Apostle Paul, the other from a Father Figure. Pastor Craig uses some common illustrations to tell us how our earthly father's teach us and seek our allegiance, just as God, our Heavenly Fathers teach us and seek our allegiance. We hope you honor the father figures in your life in this message, and we hope you enjoy the lighthearted stories of everyday life that Pastor Craig tells us today. The main Bible reading is from Romans 6:12-23. We also refer to Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

As we enter the long season of Pentecost, Pastor Craig helps us explore a New Testament illustration of someone who is willing to sacrifice their life for someone else.  Would you die in order to save the life of another? In this message, we examine that idea, and come to the conclusion that as Christians, we live in a very unlikely situation. Listen to find out more. Our Bible references include Romans 5:6-15, John 19:30, and we refer to various versions of Romans 5:6 in CEV, ERV, NASB and NLT. 

We have a unique opportunity to examine one of the foundational doctrines of the Christian Faith, and that is the Trinity. Pastor Craig uses some simple every-day illustrations to help us understand a bit better what the Trinity is about, and what God is about. The main reading is from 2 Corinthians 13:11-14, and we read the creation story from Genesis 1:1 - 2:4. You can also have these Bible references in mind as Pastor Craig refers to them in his message Genesis 1:26; Mark 12:29, 32; Galatians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 6:12