Burden & Blessing

John’s gospel is unique in that it focuses on the person and power of Jesus, the Word made flesh. It details His miracles. It details His “I am” statements and His words from the cross. We thought this summary statement was fitting. Because Jesus not only has the words of eternal life, Jesus is the Word… the way, the truth, and the life! Our summary verse is from John 6:68: “Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.” – (CSB)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/62-john-summary-verse/

Jude was dealing with false teaching and false thinking that was infiltrating the church. His purpose is to motivate Christians to be faithful to their calling and to stand up for the truth of God’s Word. The phrase “contend earnestly” is one word in Greek and means to “fight” or “strive” or “go to battle”. This is serious. We are at war. War is costly. It require sacrifice, commitment, determination. We have to know what is at stake! Jude’s words are especially fitting in our modern world today. Our summary verse is from Jude 1:3: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” – (NKJV)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/61-jude-summary-verse/

Hebrews was written to a group of people who were suffering persecution and were thinking about returning back to Judaism. The writer points out that Christ is the “real deal” and that all other religions are empty, because they don’t have Him! It is only because of and in Jesus that we have salvation through the mercy and grace of God, and through which we are assured that our prayers are heard! Our summary verse is from Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – (KJV)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/60-hebrews-summary-verse/

This is the last of Paul’s “pastoral letters” and the last of his letters as he neared execution. It is more personal than the other pastoral letters, and shows a concern for Timothy and Christ’s Church in general. It is a message of warning, comfort and encouragement, and gives confidence to every Christian in troubled times through the Word! Our summary verse is from 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – (ESV)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/2-timothy-summary-verse/

Abide with Me is a beloved hymn for many Christians and is often sung at Christian funerals. While it is found in the evening section of many hymnals because of its Scriptural foundation (The Emmaus Disciples), it focuses on our confidence in life and death in the Lord Jesus. Join Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew as they take a look at the background and theological depth of this beautiful hymn and point to the comfort and assurance we have in Christ.  

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/hymn-review-abide-with-me-tlh-552/

Mark’s Gospel was intended for a Gentile audience and is the shortest of the Gospels and very fast paced. It deals more with the actions of Jesus and his purpose is to show Jesus as the Son of God as proved by His actions. Mark also reveals Jesus as the saving Servant who comes to give His life in order to accomplish mankind’s salvation. This Gospel humbles us to understand the love an humility of our Savior Jesus! Our summary verse is from Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – (NKJV)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/58-mark-summary-verse/

This is known as the letter of “knowledge” because various forms of “know” occur 16 times. This was in contrast to gnosticism, pointed to Jesus as Savior as the only true and all important knowledge. That knowledge which Peter describes is good for this life and for the life to come! Our summary verse is from 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (ESV)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/57-2-peter-summary-verse/

Cancel Culture has become the new norm in our society. What is cancel culture? Join a roundtable discussion with Pastors Nathanael Mayhew, Neal Radichel and Mark Tiefel for an explanation and discussion on Cancel Culture from a Christian perspective. Learn about the dangers of the movement, and how we as Christians can bear witness to the truth in such a climate. 

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/cpr-a-christian-perspective-on-cancel-culture/

Purpose of Peter’s first letter was to encourage Christians in suffering, in hope, in sanctification. The word “suffer” occurs 16 times, and there are 30 imperatives or commands which point to the change in the Christian as a result of Christ’s work for him or her. This passage highlights God’s good and perfect gifts and how the Lord wants us to use them and grow in them. This is the Doctrine of Vocation! Our summary verse is from 1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – (NKJV)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/56-1-peter-summary-verse/

This is the second of the “Pastoral letters” – written to other church leaders as an encouragement in the ministry. Titus was with Paul on his 3rd journey, collected the offering for Jerusalem, then began work on Crete. In this letter Paul puts again an emphasis on “sound doctrine”, dealing with false teachers, and proper conduct. It serves as a mini Dogmatics book! Our summary verse is from Titus 3:5: “He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.” – (CSB)

source https://burdenblessing.podbean.com/e/55-titus-summary-verse/