Mission Upside Down

#146 A Field Report

Randal recently visited one of the churches he had served years ago. In this episode he reflects on conversations with various pastors and church members.

#145 How Pastors Can Find Help

Continuing the conversation, Randal and Mitchell suggest ways for pastors to find help in their ministries. Under-shepherds today need to be strengthened and encouraged so that they, in turn, can strengthen and encourage their flocks.

#144 Some Dangers and Temptations for Pastors

Two pastors, Randal and Mitchell, talk about certain dangers and temptations for pastors today. Along with the Apostle Paul himself, they conclude that pastors, at times, are weak. They are also prone to pride

#143 Pastors Are Shepherds

The word most often used in the New Testament for preachers, or ministers, is the word “pastor.” Literally, a pastor is a shepherd, the leader of a flock of sheep. In this episode we learn about some of the duties and the character of pastors

#142 Becoming More of an Acts 2 Church - Part 2

What else can help a church become more like an Acts 2 church? Among other things, the pastors discuss sharing meals together, meeting in small groups, praying for one another, and serving others in a spirit of humility.

#141 Becoming More of an Acts 2 Church – Part 1

Today we’re beginning a conversation with a pastor of a church in Toronto. With Acts 2:42-47 as a starting point, we talk about how churches and its people can become more like the Church described in the Book of Acts.

#140 The Spiritually Unhoused

Recent statistics show that many people who consider themselves believers are dropping out of church. They’ve become spiritually homeless, unhoused. Why is this happening?

#139 The Kingdom of God Today

Jesus’ main message in the gospels is about the coming of the Kingdom of God. There are two very different ways to interpret the meaning of the kingdom. Each way will impact your understanding of prophecies about the End Times.

#138 The One People of God

Does God have one plan for the Jews to be saved, and a second plan for the Gentiles to be saved? Contrary to what preachers say today, the Bible shows God’s plan for Jews and Gentiles to belong to one Body of Christ, one Church, and one Kingdom.

#137 God’s Blessing Upon Israel

Many believers think that God commands us to ‘bless’ Israel today. And if we don’t, we will come under God’s curse. So let’s look at the specific promise God makes to Abraham in Genesis 12, and let’s learn how those promises are ultimately fulfilled.

#136 A Boring Testimony?

It’s common in many churches to hear dramatic conversion stories–how people were delivered from a life of crime or drugs to faith in Jesus. But what about believers whose conversions weren’t so dramatic? Today’s episode comes from our podcast archives.

#135 On Becoming a New Person

Here’s another powerful excerpt from C.S. Lewis. He echoes the Apostle Paul in referring to believers as “New Creatures” or “New People.” We aren’t just improved people; we are transformed people when we are in Christ.

#134 The Christ-Life Explained by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is one of the most popular authors of the 20th century. His book, Mere Christianity, has sold millions of copies and has been translated into dozens of languages. Listen as Lewis explains the Christ-Life in us.

#133 Crossing the Last Thresholds

According to the book, “I Once Was Lost,” being converted to faith in Jesus is process. Sometimes, a long process. The authors describe five stages, or thresholds, in this process.

#132 The Process of Conversion

In a recent book about conversion, the authors describe how most non-believers have to cross five “thresholds.” In this episode, we’ll explain why we probably can’t analyze conversion so neatly. But we must be thinking about where our non-believing friends are on their journey of faith.

#131 A Conversation with Lochlan

Raised in an atheistic family, Lochlan was recently converted to faith in Jesus. Though God converts us by His sovereign grace, He uses various instruments to do that. Lochlan explains how this happened in his life.

#130 Being Converted

We’re beginning a series on how God converts people to faith in Jesus. Today’s episode comes from our podcast archives. It gives basic biblical teaching about conversion and gives examples of people who have been converted.

#129 Christians Share in Christ’s Anointing

The apostle John says that all believers “have an anointing from the Holy One.” Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit, and we share in his anointing. United with Christ, we serve as prophets, priests, and kings in various ways.

#128 Jesus is the Greatest Prophet, Priest, and King

Though the work of redemption was Jesus’ most important work, the Bible teaches us about other aspects of his work. These aspects are seen in the Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king.

#127 The Most Important Work of Jesus

Jesus spoke many words and did many works while he lived on this earth about 2000 years ago. But there is one thing Jesus did which should be considered his most important work. That work is highlighted in the meaning of his name.

#126 Who Is Jesus?

Jesus once asked, “Who do people say that I am?” Indeed, that is an all-important question. Today we’re considering the person of Jesus–that he is truly God and truly human. We’ll learn why this is essential if Jesus is to be our Savior.

#125 A Conversation with a Believer - Part 2

#124 A Conversation with a Believer - Part 1

In this conversation, Randal chats with a believer who struggled with a problem with alcohol. She shares how she was delivered from what she calls “a stronghold of sin” in her life in those years. We’re reminded that, indeed, God’s grace is greater than any sin.

#123 More Results from the First Rebellion

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden, they and human civilization would suffer horrible results. In this episode, we look at the worst of these results. In grace, God also made a promise to Adam and Eve to someday send Jesus.

#122 Ruining God’s Masterpiece

Though created in perfection, Adam and Eve ended up rebelling against God. In their guilt and shame they tried to hide from God. Something similar happens today, when we sin against God. Thankfully, God takes the initiative and by His grace to us in Jesus, He calls out to us to save us.

#121 A Central Theme in the Bible

Human beings are created in the image of God. From that central biblical theme, we learn about God’s image in a deeper sense and in a more general sense. We also consider how this teaching motivates us to care for the environment and to be productive in our daily work.

#120 Who Are We, as Human Beings?

What does the Bible teach about our beings, ourselves as human beings? Today we consider the biblical teaching of how God created the first humans in his own image. This teaching radically changes how we should view ourselves and other people.

#119 Turning the World Upside Down

In Acts 17:6, two followers of Jesus were accused of “turning the world upside down” (ESV). The gospel does that–in our lives and in our world. We hope that our podcast, in a small way, is contributing to this upside-down mission.

#118 What Good Comes from Suffering?

Romans 8:28 says that God is always working for the good of those who are following Jesus. That means He’s working also through our times of suffering. Today we learn some of the good results that come from bad things in our lives.

#117 God’s Providence and Our Suffering

One of the challenges about the biblical teaching of providence is this: If God is fully in control of everything, why do bad things happen to us? Is God really in control? Or, if he is, perhaps He’s not always good. Let’s explore this teaching in more detail.