149 SNS: The Best and the Worst Parts of A Christian Life

Welcome to A Coffe-side Chat

In this episode, we are going to look at the best and worst parts of Christian life. And we are going to do this while looking through the lens of what it means to be a Christian, which is a following of Jesus that involves a relationship leading to studentship leading to living a life based on everything learned. Indeed, it is only as we look through this lens that we can see these parts as being fully the best and fully the worst.

Let’s start with the best part. I like to start on the positive side of things. Don’t you? Oh, and before beginning, I may not mention them while we chat, but all Scriptures referenced will be listed in the description area of this podcast. Do take a moment and let me know if there are others I could have referenced. Thank you.

Scriptures Referenced:

John 3:16ff ~ Jesus only came because God loved. With no love, Jesus would not have come.

1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:17, 18; John 14:27; Ephesians 3:17-19; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ~ what love does in us, for us, and through us.

John 13: 34,35 ~ How others know we are followers of Jesus.

John 15 ~ how we stay connected (abide in) with God.

Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The 2 greatest commandments and they are the basis for all other commands.

John 13:34; Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:12, 17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Peter 4:8; 2 John 1:5; 1 John 3:23; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 3:8 ~ Ten times love one another is listed.

1 John 4:8, 20, 21 ~ No love = no know God.

Romans 14:22-23 ~ Sin is what is not from faith.

James 2:19 ~ even demons believe God is the One True God and tremble.

James 2:8-19; 1 Corinthians 13 ~ Tieing love to faith.

Mark 7:15, 20-23 ~ Jesus telling us where sin comes from, within us. J

ames 1:14-15 ~ as we are tempted by our own evil desires.

1 John 2:1,2 ~ If we sin, Jesus is our advocate with God the Father.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

148 SNS Jesus Is... Who?

Welcome to a Coffee-side Chat

In this episode, we are going to talk about the question: Who is Jesus? I know. In a fairly short video, are we going to explore this question fully? Yeah, no. But we are going to talk about a framework you can use while pursuing your relationship with him while learning who he is.

So, what comes to mind when you hear the question, who is Jesus? You might be saying, “He is God.” Yes, but is that all we know about who he is? What else can you think of? “Lord and Savior?” Yes. What else? “Son of God, Our redeemer?” Yes, what else? “He died on the cross and was raised for our sins?” Yes, that is what he did, but who is he? “You going to keep asking that question or get on with the chat?”

Alright, I’ll move on. But the reason I ask is that, well….

Scripture references:

John 1:1-18 ~ Jesus is God, the Word of God through his being the One and Only God

John 15:13,14 ~ He is our friend.

Hebrews 2:9-18 ~ He is our brother.

Acts 17:7, Revelation 1:5 ~ He is our King.

Hebrews 3:1 ~ Our High Priest and intercessor.

2 Timothy 4:1, Acts 10:42, John 9:39 ~ Our Judge.

John 16:12,13 ~ Jesus not overwhelming us with information.

John 1 - whole book. I find this book to be the best for learning who Jesus is.

Other Resources:

A.W. Tozer’s books The Attributes of God, vols. 1 and 2 Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

147 SNS: What Is Prayer?

Welcome to A Coffee-side Chat

In this episode, we are going to consider the questions: what is prayer, and why is it so important? Many have talked about prayer, going into depth on the hows and whys of it all.

So… what can a man, even one standing in these hallowed halls while chatting over a cup of coffee, contribute to the insights of such heavy hitters as these and other thoughtful scholars? I don’t know, but what better place to kick around an idea than at a kitchen counter over coffee?

Resources for Payer:

Dallas Willard’s book: Hearing God,

Andrew Murray’s: The School of Prayer

Resources for getting to know God:

A.W. Tozer: The Attributes of God vol.1 & 2

Matthew 6:9ff ~ The Lord’s Prayer Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

146 SNS: What is Christianity?

In this episode, we are going to consider the question, what is Christianity? Or to phrase it another way, what does it mean to be a Christian?

I mean, the goal here is to view every topic discussed through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. We should probably discuss what it means to be a Christian. Right?

Scripture:

It is a Relationship:

Revelation 3:20 ~ I stand at the door and knock, if anyone opens the door, I will come in. I will dine with him and he with me. (The relationship begins. Doesn’t say, learn from me or do these things for me and I will dine [spend time] with you. Just open the door).

Ephesians 5:1 ~ we are called beloved children.

1 John 4:7-21 ~ Those who do not love (love is always relational) do not even know God. (So the relationship must first be established before all else).

Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The greatest commands are to love. (Relationship is a must.)

Involves Studentship (Discipleship):

Matthew 11:29 ~ Take my yoke upon you and LEARN from me. (The relationship means to be learning.) Matthew 28:19 ~ Tells us to go make Disciples, not converts. We are to be teachers and trainers; this implies the studentship that is part of the relationship. Yes, this is a very brief look at the Great Commission, and I do not mean to remove any other aspect from it. But I am simply highlighting the studentship aspect that is integral to it.

John 15:15 ~ Jesus calls us friends because we know (have learned) what he has taught and made known to us.

Involves Doing, the Religion aspect:

James 2:17 ~ Faith without works is dead. It is not faith at all. A loving relationship that does nothing is not a loving relationship at all.

James 1:27 ~ Religion is a way of life, not mere church-time worship.

John 15:10 ~ Doing results from abiding in love (actively pursuing a relationship with God). If you abide, you keep the commands. Interesting that the command then given (v.12) is to love each other as he loves us.

Examples of studentship and doing religion without a relationship:

John 5:39 ~ Pharisees and Scribes pore over scriptures and miss out on Jesus.

Luke 11:42; Matthew 23:23 ~ Doing religious things but neglecting what is really important.

1 Corinthians 13 ~ This chapter shows the true value of trying to study and do things without love. Without a relationship to Jesus, they are worthless.

James 2:14-25 ~ Can you love without doing? ~ No.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, , scroll to the bottom, and comment away!