Bethel Lbc Podcast

Happy New Year! This is the first Sunday of the church calendar as we begin the Advent Season, and Pastor Craig prompts us to look forward with "Hope" in eager expectation for the coming of our Lord Jesus at Christmas, as well as the second coming of our Lord Jesus when He returns with His "holy ones".  Remember what it was like to anticipate going to the movies as a kid? Here we are challenged to look forward to the coming of our Savior with the same energy. The main reading is from 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13. We also refer to these scripture verses: Hebrews 11:1  Romans 13:14   Deuteronomy 6:5  Matthew 22:39  Ephesians 2:10   Matthew 19:25b-26 

With the Thanksgiving Holiday just passed, it causes us to stop and wonder to whom we give thanks at Thanksgiving. Is it to worldly things, or is it to God? This is the last Sunday of the church calendar, sometimes called "Christ the King Sunday", that time when we emphasize the importance of recognizing Jesus as our King, the true King to be thankful for. Our reading comes from John 18:33-38.

Stories from the Bible can sometimes be dramatic and the details puzzling. It's much like an artist painting a picture. Each stroke of the brush reveals more detail and the whole painting tells a dramatic story. This week, Jesus reveals that the beautiful city and the newly completed Temple will be destroyed. With such drama, our minds begin to race as we try to figure out how we will each handle those situations. But Jesus reminds us in Mark 13:1-13 what the most important thing is. To preach the "Gospel First". 

We take this unique opportunity as Veteran's Day falls on Sunday this year, to honor our country's veterans, and to put their role into a Biblical perspective.  Are military personnel acting against God? Or are they working for God? Pastor Craig quotes Martin Luther who recognized the horrors of war, and advice was given by Pastor Luther to a military commander that asked that poignant question. This week, we clearly state what makes the Christian faith different from any other world religion. We use these sections of scripture in this week's message: Isaiah 40:12-31, Romans 13:3-5 and Revelation 21:1-7

Our guest speaker this week is Pastor Dan Chell from Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Minot, and fills the pulpit in Pastor Craig's absence. 

This is session 6 in our series from the book of James, and through a personal loss, Pastor Craig reflects on how our heart can be double minded. James warns us not to be so double minded, but in the midst of troubles that befall us all, our true character comes out. It's clear that we need God. The reading is just a single verse, James 4:8.

This week Pastor Craig continues with number 5 of our series from the book of James, and we hear about things that are "sentimental" to us. We define what makes something sentimental, how it can help us throughout our life, and even how it helps give life purpose. Our reading comes from James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a.

In our fourth of a series of messages from the book of James, Pastor Craig relates the unexpected and unwelcome powers and abilities that came to Peter Parker of the Spiderman comic book, and how we are similarly gifted by Almighty God as His children. We have powers and abilities that we are responsible for. Our reading comes from James 3:1-12, and we also refer to Luke 12:48 and John 7:38. 

In the third of our messages from the book of James, Pastor Craig discusses some of the hardest verses in James: "If I break only one point of the law, I'm guilty of all of it." Is God just one of our favorite things to think about? Or is God our favorite things to ignore? Maybe we are asking the wrong questions when it comes to God. Find out here. We read from James 2:1-10, 14-18, and we also refer to Job 36:26. 

This is our second of a series of messages from the book of James, and this week we recall an old advertising slogan from the 1980's that sold shoes. Do you remember what slogan went in competition with the Reebok and Adidas brands? Find out in this message, and find out how that same slogan can be the mantra of the Christian church and a reminder of who we are agents of. We read from James 1:17-22 this week, and we also refer to Matthew 5:22.

This week, Pastor Craig begins a series of messages from the book of James. This small obscure letter has been quite controversial over the years, because it is so challenging and at the same time convicting. Are we really supposed to be happy when bad things happen to us? That's what James challenges us to do, that's what James convicts us of not doing. But do we listen to lessons like this? Do they change the way we think in the long term about God? Or is a lesson like this just interesting enough to keep us entertained for the hour? Listen and find out the answer for yourself. The reading is James 1:1-16.

This week's guest speaker is Jonas Nelson, who brings us the message from 2 Corinthians 5:17 - 6:2 about how we are a "New Creation", how we benefit from justification and we are ambassadors of God. You might know Jonas' familiar voice from KHRT Radio in Minot. Mr Nelson is a member of Our Redeemers Church in Minot.

As we begin this new school year, Pastor Craig brings a great message that challenges each of us to become involved in God's Kingdom. He says, "Everyone who Craves the Cross of Christ is called a co-heir of the Kingdom." Wonderful words and a wonderful message to put the ministries of our church into perspective. The reading is from Matthew 6:24-34, and we also refer to Psalm 44:21, Ephesians 1:7-8, Jeremiah 17:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

As we conclude this series in Ephesians, and as we conclude our summer, in preparation for the fall schedule, Pastor Craig does a recap of these past Ephesians Sermons. Just as the attack on Pearl Harbor at the beginning of World War II drew the United States into a war, so we are under "sneak attack" and are drawn into a battle between good and evil in our world today. This message tells us how to engage in that battle. The scripture reading is from Ephesians 6:10-20, we also refer to some verses in Ephesians 2, and Romans 12:21.

Our series of messages in Ephesians brings us to a practical lesson between husbands and wives. In today's culture, to "submit" is something we have a hard time accepting. If we realized, however, that we are commanded to submit to one another out of our love for our Lord, it may have a different connotation to it. Pastor Craig gives an equally profound challenge to both husbands and wives. The reading is Ephesians 5:22-33.

Pastor Craig breaks from his common practice to make a "list", but the reading this week is best understood as how we live as Christians. We have many benefits because of our position with God in Christ, and this list is a good one to help us understand how we live as a redeemed people. This message refers to the following scriptures - Main text: Ephesians 5:15-21, Proverbs 1:1, Proverbs 4:7-8, 1 Kings 3:11-12, James 1:5, Proverbs 3:5, Galatians 5:22-23, 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, Matthew 25:40

Continuing in our series of messages from Ephesians, Pastor Craig considers what it means to be "family", and why we should follow the "Family Rules". This section of Ephesians has been called exactly that, "family rules". Please join us as this week's message teaches us how to live by the rules. The reading comes from Ephesians 4:17 through 5:2.

As we continue in our series in Ephesians, Pastor Craig makes the case that our faith is something that changes the way we act. He says, "We are on a foolish mission if we only sit in church and listen." Is your faith a "living" faith? Or is your faith just going to church all the time? Find out why it even matters. Bible Passages that were used in today's message include: Ephesians 4:1-16, Proverbs 16:18, James 1:22, Romans 3:23, Romans 7:15, 1Corinthians 7:29a, 31 , Psalm 19:14 and Jude 25

Sometimes, experiences in our life turns out to be bigger than we thought they'd be. This week, Pastor Craig challenges us to think of the biggest thing you've ever experienced, and what was it that made it big to you? Then, using several everyday examples, we compare them to the love of God. Not THAT'S Big Love. The scripture reading is from Ephesians 3:14-21. We also refer to Philippians 4:7.

Remember the children's fairy tale of Cinderella? This week, Pastor Craig takes us on a parallel journey, comparing the old fairy tale to our Christian walk. It's based on the Scripture from Ephesians 2:8-22 and it is interesting to see the many similarities.